US1427052A - Glass cutter - Google Patents

Description

A. A. ARNOLD.

GLASS CUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV 30, 1917.

Patented Aug. 22, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

H H HRNOLD A; A. ARNOLD.

GLASS CUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED N-0V.30.1917.

1,42%052. Patented Aug. 22 1922,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

FI- Fl: HRNoLij UNHTEID PATENT orrrca,

ARTHUR A. ARNOLD, 0F SOUTI-IIBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASS-IGNOB TO AMERICAN OPTICAL COMPANY, OF SOUTI-IBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, A VOLUNTARY ASSOCIA- TION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

GLASS CUTTER.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patgntgd lx'ulfl 22 1922,

Application filed November 30, 1917. Serial No. 204,636.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that l, ARTHUR A. ARNOLD, citizen of the United States, residing at Southbridge, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented cer tain new and useful Improvements in Glass Cutters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in glass cutters and more par ticularly to an improved machine adapted for use in cutting glass into ellipses and other irregular shapes. I

The main object of this invention is the provision of an improved machine of this character, which is especially adapted for use in cutting ophthalmic lenses to desired size and shape.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of new and improved means for retaining the former in position upon the machine whereby the same can be quickly and readily removed or replaced when desired.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of novel means for relatively retaining the lens cutter in its respective position with regard to the former so that the cutter will travel in the path outlined by the movement of the guide travelling over the former.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of means whereby the guide which travels over the former is readily adjusted whereby the lens cutter is readily adj usted with respect to the former so that ellipses of various sizes and shapes may be readily outlined in the path over which the cutter travels;

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel features of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the claims and shown in the accompanying; drawings in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a glass cutting machine constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2' is a similar view taken from the opposite side of the machine to the view illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken through the lower portion of the machine.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the cutting member and Figure 5 is a detailed perspective view of the former.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view partially in section illustrating the lens clamping and former holding devices.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings in which the various numerals designate the different parts of the machine throughout the several views, the numeral 1 indicates the base of my improved machine, preferably hollow in cross section as indicated in Figure?) and provided with a central standard 2 which extends upwardly from the base a suitable distance to provide a support for various parts of the machine. A supporting arm, 3, extends upwardly from the base, 1, at one side thereof and is provided at its upper end with an inwardly projecting arm, 4c, having a collar, 5, at its inner end which forms a casing for the mechanism that actuates the lens-holding member.

The standard, 2, which is clearlyvillustrated in Figure 3, is provided with an inwardly extending annular portion, 7 having depending therefrom a sleeve, 8, and; mounted for rotation upon the upper end of the standard, 2, is'a. wheel, 9, having a suitable hand grip, 10, upon its outer edge and provided at its central portion with a down wardly projecting collar, 11, which is mounted for rotation within the sleeve, 8. The upper face of the wheel, 9, is provided with a slightly raised portion as shown at 12 and mounted thereon is a lens-supporting block, 13,having a substantially oval shaped cavity, 14:, formedin its upper face to receive a supporting pad, 15, upon which the various lenses are positioned. The supporting block, 13, is provided with a centrally arranged shaft, 16, which is mounted with in the collar, 11, and extends at its lower end below the lower end of the collar, 11, and the sleeve, '8, whereby the same projects into the lower end of the standard, 2. The lower end of the shaft, 16, is provided with a transverse opening or slot, 17 adapted to receive a pin, 18, which extends inwardly from one side of the casing, 2, whereby to limit the upward movement of the lens supporting block, 13.

In order that the lens block, 13. may be readily raised and lowered at the will of the operator, a lever',"19, is mounted for pivotal movement within'the casing 2 at a point adjacent the base member 1, and is provided at its outer end with a handle, 20, the inner end of said lever engaging with the lower end of the shaft, 16, whereby pressure upon the handle, 20, will readily raise and lower the shaft, 16, and at the same time impart movement to'the lens-supporting block, The hand-wheel, 9, is securely retained in position upon the upper end of the standard, 2, by having the plate, 21, secured to the inner end of the collar, 11, by means of the screw member, 22, the outer edge of said plate engaging the inner end of the sleeve, 8, whereby any outward movement on the part of the collar, 11, will be prevented.

Extending up from one side of the hand wheel, 9, is a pivot post, 23, upon which is mounted a rotatable standard, 24, having an outwardly projecting arm, 25, extending from the upper end thereof, and terminating in a sleeve portion. Pivotally mounted.

upon the upper end of the post, 23, is a ret-aining arm, 26, the'inner end. of which is recessed as at 27 for engagement with the lower end of the transverseouter end, 28, oi:

- the arm 4:. The portion 28 is provided with a longitudinal recess, 29, adapted to receive a key member, 30,- formed within the central opening of the former, 31. From this it will be noted that the former 31 can be readily placed in'position upon the lower end of the portion 28 and securely held against ro tation by means of-the key, 30. It will be noted from Figure 2 that the former is supported in its operative position by having the upper edge of the arm, 26, -engag- 7 ing with the lower face of the former.

The sleeve portion of the arm 25 rotatably supports the cutter proper comprising a lower section 39 and an upper portion or head provided with-a guide-way 32. Sliding in the guide-way 32 is the former engaging guide arm 33, the inner'end of said guide arm engaging the former, 31, and it will be apparent from the accompanying drawings that this guide arm may be readily adjusted within the guideway, 32,- in order 1 to position the lens cutter inaccordance with the shape and size of the different lenses to be out. Upon the guide 32 is an upwardly projecting pin 346Xt611di11g into a longitudinal slot, 35, formed within the guide arm,

33, wh'erebyto limit the sliding movement 6 of the arm within'the guide. It will be noted that one side of theguide member, 32, is provided with a plurality of graduations as indicated in 36 and the arm, 33, is adjusted with respect to these graduations by means ofa set screw, 37, rotatably secured 1 ,eevp 52 in the downwardly projectingouter end, 38, of the arm 33 and having-threaded engagement with the end of the guide, 32, whereby rotation of the screw number 37 will readily actuate the arm 33 within the guide. The arm 33 is preferably provided with a suitable mark or designation cooperating with the graduations 36 inorder that the exact adjustment of the contact or guidearm may be most easily determined;

Supported by the sleeve portion of the arm, 25, and rotated with respect thereto by movement oi the arm33 is the lens cutter, 39, which includes a slotted supporting block, 10, adapted to receive the adjustable holder, 41, which carries the cutting point,

4-2. Extending through the support, 40, is

a transverse pin, 13, extended through a slot, 424, in the cutting block whereby the block may be adjusted to various positions within the holder and securely clamped in any of the adjusted positions by means of the nut, 15, which is threaded upon theouter end of the pin to bring the side portions of the holder, d0, into clamping engagement with the block, 11. The outer end of the arm, 25, is provided at a" point adjacent the guide, 32, with a slotted extension, 16, adapted to receive the'reduced end portion, 47, which is tormed'upon the adjustable nut. 18. This nut, 48, is carried by one end of the coil spring, 49, andthreaded thereon to adjust the tension of the spring. It will be noted that the other end of the spring is engaged withthe arm, 26,-whereby.

arm 26 and the outer end of the arm 25 will be held in their operative positions with retive positions.

In removing and replacing the various shapes of :formers'upon the lower end of the portion 28, the nut 48 is loosened torelease the tension of the spring 19 whereby this nut may be readily disengaged from the slot extension 16' so that the inner end of the arm 26 may be disengaged from beneath the former l1 and the former may be readily removed from the lower end ofthe portion 28 and a new one placed thereon. It will be noted that the inner end ofthearm 26 may be readily disengaged from the lower end of the portion 28 by grasping the outer end 50 of the arm 26 and swinging the same upon its pivot 51. Furthermore, after the nut 48 has been grasped to swing the" coil spring 49 outwardly away from the slotted portion 46, the inner end of the guide arm 33 may be readily disengaged from theouter'edge of the former. It will be apparent from the above that the arm 26 and the inner end of the'guide arm 33 are simultaneously released from engagement with the former so that it may be readily detached from the lower end of the portion 28.

In cutting the various lenses, they are first arranged in position upon the rubber pad 15 and retained against movement thereon by means of a clamp member 52 illustrated as in the from of a circular portion 53 having arms 54 and connecting the circular portion with a bearing 55 connected to the lower end of an adjustable rod 56 which extends upwardly through the transverse portion 28 of the outer end of the arm The rod 56 is vertically slidable through the bushing 28 having on its upper end a knob 65 by which it may be lifted against the pressure of the spring 66 bearing on the collar 67 of the rod. This spring is adjustably held under tension through use of the nut 57 screwed into the upper partof the bushing 28 and bearing against the u per end of the spring. From this it will be apparent that after the lens has been placed in position upon the pad it will be securely held against movement during the cutting operation.

In the operation of my improved machine, the lens is first positioned upon the pad 15 and the member 52 engaged with the lens to securely hold the same against movement upon the pad. The former 31. is then placed in position upon the lower end of the por tion 28 and the arm 26 swung inwardly beneath the former to retain the same in posi tion. The spring a9 is then placed in position between the arms 26 and 25 and the guide arm 33 adjusted within the guide arm 32 according to the size of lens to be cut, the lever 19 is then actuated through the medium of the handle 20 to raise the lens 15 so that the same will contact with the actuating point 42. The hand-wheel 9 is then rotated whereby the cutting point 4.2 will travel over the upper surface of the lens and cut the same in size and shape with respect to the size and shape of the former. It will be apparent that by having the inner end of the guide arm 33 traveling over the outer edge of the former the cutting point d2 will be retained in such a position that it will travel over a path upon the upper surface of the lens which is outlined by the shape of the former. After the'lens has been cut to the desired size and shape, the lever 19 is released to remove the guide point from engagement with the lens and the rod 56 is moved upwardly to disengage the member 52 from the upper surface of the lens whereby the lens may be readily removed from the pad 15.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings it will be readily apparent that I have provided a simple and durable machine for cutting ophthalmic lenses into various sizes and shapes. it the same time it will be apparent that the former wnich controls the shape of lens being cut is retained in position in such a manner that the same can be quickly and readily exchanged. It will also be noted that by having the hand-wheel below' the cutting point when the machine is operated to cut the lenses, the hands will not interfere in any way with the operation of the machine as is usually the case with the machines in use at the present time wherein the cutting operation is carried out through the means of a crank handle disposed in a position above the cutter.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described including a stationary base, a rotatable member supported. by the base, a non-rotatable lens support carried by the rotatable member, meansv on the base engaging the lens sup port for holding it against rotation, means for clamping a lens in fixed position upon the support, a standard supported upon the rotatable member, an arm extending outwardly therefrom, a former supported above the lens support, a cutter rotatably supported upon the outer end of said arm, a. second arm carried by the standard for engage ment with the former to retain the same in its operative position, and a guide member carried by the first arm for engagement with the former whereby the cutter will travel over the lens support in a path outlined by the former.

2. A lens cutting machine including a non-rotatable lens support, a supporting member rotatable with respect to the lens support, means for clamping lens in fixed position upon the lens-support, a movable standard carried by'the rotatable member, an arm projecting outwardly from the standard at substantially right angles thereto, a former supported above the lens support, a pivoted arm supported at the upper end of the standard and having one end engaging the former to retain the same in its operative position, a cutter carried by the first arm, an adjustable guide member supported above the cutter and engaging the former, yieldable means connecting said arms for retaining them in their respective positions wh'ereoy the cutter will be moved over the lens support in a path outlined by the former.

3. A device of the class described including a stationary base member, a non-rotatable lens support arranged above the base and having a shaft extending downwardlv into the base, a pivoted lever carried by the base for engagement with the lower end of the shaft to raise and lower the lens support, means carried by the base and having'engageme'nt with the'shaft to limit the movement of'the lens support, a former above'the lens support, a cutter, and means for moving the cutter over the lens support in a path outlined by the former.

4:. A. lens cutting machine including a stationary base, a movable member supported upon the base, a non-rotatable lens sup port supported by the movable member,

means connectingthe base and support to upon the support, a removable former disposed above the lens support,"- an adjustable cutter carried by the movable member, and an adjustable guide arm carried by the outter whereby the cutterwill be moved in a path over the lens support outlined by the former.

6. A lens cutting machine including a stationary base, a movablemember supported thereby, a lens support, means for clamping a lens in fixed position thereon, a former arranged above the lens, a pivoted arm carried by the movable member for engagement with the former retaining the same in its operative position, a cutter, an adjust: able guide arm carried by the cutter and en gaging the former, and yieldable means disposed between the pivoted armand the cutter for retaining the guide arm in engagement'with the former whereby upon rotation of the movable member the cutter will be moved over the lens support in a path outlined by the former. l

7. A lens cutter including a base, a nonrotatable lens table carried by the base and a rotatable cutter bearing member swive'led to the base beneath the lens table and hav ing a cutter bearing arm extending over the edge of the table to bring the cutter into operative relation thereto.

8. A lens cutter including a base having a rotatable cutter carriage swiveled thereon, a bracket rising from the base and bearing a lens clamp and'stationary former, a post rising from the cutter carriage and a pair of arms 'swiveled on the post and projecting to opposite sides of the bracket, one of said arms engaging the bracket and the other of said arms vhaving a former engaging mem her and a cutter, and means resiliently connecting the arms to cause the former engaging member to follow the contour of the former.

9. A lens cutter including a base and a carriage rotatably mounted on thesbase, a bracket overhanging the center of rotation of the carriage and a former loosely mounted on the bracket, the carriage having an arm slidably engaging the bracket below the former for holding the former in raised position, and having a second arm slidably engaging the former and followingv the con tour thereof, said arms engaging the former at substantially diametrically opposite points, and resilient means connecting the arms to retain them in opposite position.

10. A lens cutter including a base, a carriage rotatably mounted on the base, a bracket rising from the base and overlying the carriage to provide a former support, and a former securing device, and a cutter mounted on the carriage andmovable therewith, substantially as and'for the purpose described. if

11. A lens cutter including a base, a carriage rotatably mounted on the-base, a nonrotatable lens holder supported bythe carriage, means securing the lens holder against rotation with the carriage, and a cutter arm on the carriage extending inwardly over the lens holder tooperate. on a lens mounted thereon.

' 12. A lens cutter including a base, 'a carriage rotatably mounted on the base, a non rotatable lens holder supported by the car riage, means securing the lens holder against rotation with the carriage, and a cutter arm on the carriage extending inwardly over the lens holder to operate on a lens: mounted thereon, andmeans for raising the tablerelative to the carriage to bring a lens into engagement with the cutter.

13.- A lens cutter including a base, a carriage rotatably mounted on the base, a nonrotatable lens holder supported by the car riage, means securing the lens holder against rotation with the carriage, a cutter arm on the carriage extending inwardly over the lens table to operate on a 1 lensv mounted thereon, a former bracket rising from the base and overlying the lens holder, a former carried thereby, and means on the cutter arm engaging the former to control its movement over the lens holder.

14. A lens cutter including a base, a carriage rotatably mounted on the base, a nonrotatable lens holder supported by the carriage, means securing the lens holder against rotation with the carriage, a cutter arm on the carriage extending inwardly over the lens holder to operate on a lens mounted thereon, a bracket carried by the base and overhanging the holder, a former on the bracket and a locking device on the carriage engaging the bracket and former for retaining the latter in position.

15. A lens cutter including a base, a carriage rotatably mounted-on the base, a nonrotatable lens holder supported by the carriage, means securing the lens holder against rotation with the carriage, a cutter arm on the carriage extending inwardly over the lens holder to operate on a lens mounted thereon, a bracket carried by the base and overhanging the holder, a former on the bracket and a locking device on the carriage engaging the bracket and former for retaining the latter in position, and resilient connections between the locking device and the cutter arm for simultaneously actuating both of said parts.

16. A lens cutter including a base, a boss rising from the base, a carriage member having a dependingslee've portion swiveled in the boss, a lens table vertically slidable through the sleeve on the carriage, means on the base engaging the table to lock it against rotation With the carriage member and a cutter mounted on the carriage and overhanging the lens table.

17. A lens cutter including a base, a boss rising from the base, a carriage member having a depending sleeve portion swiveled in the boss, a lens table vertically slidable through the sleeve on the carriage, means on the base engaging the table to lock it against rotation with the carriage member, a cutter mounted on the carriage and over hanging the lens table, and means for relatively shifting the table and cutter to bring the parts into operative relation.

In testimony W ereof, I aflix my signature in the presence 01"? two Witnesses.

ARTHUR A. ARNOLD.

Witnesses:

H. E; COLEMAN, A. S. CONNER.

Images