Patent GB-376365-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in the method of and apparatus for assembling and securing strengthening sleeves to the ends of tubular members
IPC: B21D39/04
Filed: 1931-04-11
Abstract: 376.365. Drilling; work - holders: gauging-devices. VICKERS (AVIATION), Ltd. and WALLIS, B. N., Weybridge Works, Byfleet Road, Weybridge, Surrey. April 11, 1931, No. 10705. [Classes 83 (ii) and 83 (iii).] Making tube fittings.-Apparatus for assembling and securing strengthening sleeves, such as are described in Specification 341,937, to tubular members for the formation of frame structures particularly suitable for aircraft, as described in Specification 334,405, [Class 4, Aeronautics], comprises two face-plates on which the sleeves are mounted and which are capable of being adjusted relatively to each other in three mutually perpendicular directions and also angularly about an axis passing through the centres of the respective face-plates. The apparatus consists of vertically spaced guides 12, 13 mounted on legs 15 and carrying headstocks 10, 11, the latter being adapted to be traversed by a handle 16 on the headstock connected by reduction gearing 19, Figs. 2 and 3, to a pinion 21 engaging a rack 22 on the guides. A slide 37 is vertically adjustable on each headstock by a screw 40 and a rectangular frame 33 is angularly adjustable on the slide by a worm and wheel 44, Fig. 4, operated by a handle 41, the axis of rotation passing through the centres of the face-plates 23. Arcuate slots 46 on each slide receive bolts 47 to lock the frame in the adjusted position. A support 31 for each face-plate 23 is adjustable along horizontal guides 32 on the frame by a screw 35 and handle 36, the face-plate being non- rotatably secured in the support by a nut 129, Fig. 5, and a screw 126 engaging a keyway 130. A sleeve such as 25 having an internal screw thread is held against the face-plate by a screwed plug 24 attached to a drum 26 rotatable within the faceplate by a head 29 and prevented from falling out when not in use by means of the screw 126 and a flange 128. In operation, to set the face-plates according to the horizontal and vertical offsets of a tubular member 100, Fig. 4, as indicated on a drawing of the complete structure, the horizontal offset is preferably applied to one headstock only and is effected by rotation of the handle 36 until a gauge of the required length can be inserted between a surface 51 on the worm wheel 45 and a surface 50, Fig. 3, on the support 31. The vertical offset is preferably distributed between both headstocks and is effected by bringing the headstocks together and operating the handles on the screws 40 until the required gauge can be inserted between surfaces 152, Fig. 4, located in the same vertical plane on the headstocks. Additional surfaces 52, located in a plane in front of the surfaces 152, are provided for use when the face-plate on the headstock 10 is above that on the headstock 11. The faceplates are then adjusted angularly by operation of the handles 41, cylindrical pins 60, 61 being provided on the slides 37 and frames 33 to receive gauges of a length suitable to the required angular adjustment. Each pin 60 is attached to the slide by a plate 139, Fig. 2, and bolt 138 and is capable of reversal about the bolt so that the pin may lie below the corresponding pin 61 to allow rotation of the frame 33 in the opposite direction to that shown in Fig. 4. The member 100 and sleeves 25 are then inserted and clamped by rotation of the screwed plugs 24, U-shaped washers 227, Fig. 5, being inserted under the face-plates, if necessary, to take the place of any lateral supporting members which are used in the complete structure, as described in the Specifications above referred to. The headstocks are next adjusted to the correct distance apart by manipulation of the handle 16 until a gauge of the required length can be inserted between either pair of faces 71 or 72 on the headstocks. The sleeves and tubular member may then be drilled or punched and held together by temporary pins until they can be secured together by permanent rivets, or alternatively permanent rivets may be secured while the member is still supported in the apparatus, cut-away portions being then provided in the sleeves and member to give access to the heads of the rivets.