The rotation of the crank on the axle of k, through the intervention of the crank-rod i, moves the carriage h, with the knife, to and fro at certain periods, and when the spring blocks m come against the grooved plate l, they slide their guide rods into them, while the knife advances to sever the sheets of paper. But as sheets of different dimensions are occasionally required, the lengths of the slips delivered between each return of the knife are to be regulated by enlarging or diminishing the diameter of the pulley k, which will of course retard or facilitate the rotation of the three conducting rollers, c, d, f, and cause a greater or less length of the paper to descend between each movement of the knife carriage.
The groove of this pulley k, which is susceptible of enlargement, is constructed of wedge-formed blocks passed through its sides, and meeting each other in opposite directions, so that on drawing out the wedges a short distance, the diameter of the pulley becomes diminished; or by pushing the wedges further in, the diameter is increased; and a tension wheel p being suspended in a weighted frame, keeps the band always tight.
As it is necessary that the paper should not continue descending while it is held by the blocks m, m to be cut, and yet that it should be led on progressively over the knife roller d, the fourth roller g, which hangs in a lever j, is made to rise at that time, so as to take up the length of paper delivered, and to descend again when the paper is withdrawn. This is effected by a rod r, connected to the crank on the shaft of the aforesaid roller k, and also to the under part of the lever j, which lever hanging loosely upon the axle of the knife roller d, as its fulcrum, vibrates with the under roller g, so as to effect the object in the way described.
The patentee states that several individual parts of this machine are not new, and that some of them are to be found included in the specifications of other persons, such as the circular cutters e, which are employed by Mr. Dickinson ([Card-cutting]), and the horizontal cutter h, by Mr. Hansard; he therefore claims only the general arrangement of the parts in the form of a machine for the purpose of cutting paper, as the subject of his invention.
The machine for cutting paper contrived by John Dickinson, Esq. of Nash Mill, was patented in January, 1829. The paper is wound upon a cylindrical roller a, [fig. 780.], mounted upon an axle, supported in an iron frame or standard. From this roller the paper in its breadth is extended over a conducting drum b, also mounted upon an axle turning in the frame or standard, and after passing under a small guide roller, it proceeds through a pair of drawing or feeding rollers c, which carry it into the cutting machine.
Upon a table d, d, firmly fixed to the floor of the building, there is a series of chisel-edged knives e, e, e, placed at such distances apart as the dimensions of the cut sheets of paper are intended to be. These knives are made fast to the table, and against them a series of circular cutters f, f, f, mounted in a swinging frame g, g, are intended to act. The length of paper being brought along the table over the edges of the knives, up to a stop h, the cutters are then swung forwards, and by passing over the paper against the stationary knives, the length of paper becomes cut into three separate sheets.
The frame g, g, which carries the circular cutters f, f, f, hangs upon a very elevated axle, in order that its pendulous swing may move the cutters as nearly in a horizontal line as possible; and it is made to vibrate to and fro by an eccentric, or crank, fixed upon a horizontal rotatory shaft extending over the drum b, considerably above it, which may be driven by any convenient machinery.