IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SOFT-METAL TUBES OR PIPES FOR FORMING PLUMBERS' TRAPS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN MACHINERY TO BE USED IN SUCH MANUFACTURE
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SOFT-METAL TUBES OR PIPES FOR FORMING
PLUMBERS' TRAPS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN MACHINERY TO BE USED
IN SUCH MANUFACTURE." A communication from abroad by Jesso Edward
Folk, of Brooklyn, New York, United States of America, Merchant.
Sealed the 3rd August 1877, and dated the 18th June 1877.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th June 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltino, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF.
SOFT-METAL TUBES OR PIPES FOR FORMING PLUMBERS' TRAPS AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES, AND IN MACHINERY TO BE USED IN SUCH MANUFACTURE.”
A com-
munication from abroad by Jesse Edward Folk, of Brooklyn, New York, United
States of America, Merchant.
This Invention relates more particularly to the manufacture of curved or bent
pipes or tubes commonly termed plumbers' traps, but may also be employed for the
production of curved pipes of lead, or other soft metal, for other purposes.
The said Invention comprises a curved or bent pipe having walls of equal thick-
ness at the inner and outer sides of its bends, and characterized by longitudinal
marks or striations upon its external surface distinguishing it from bent, curved, or
coiled pipes made by other methods of manufacture.
·
The said Invention also comprises a curved or bent pipe having any of the
longitudinal shapes commonly given to plumbers' traps, so termed, but square, or
rectangular in its cross section, whereby the said pipe when employed for the
purposes of plumbers' traps in cold climates is kept from bursting from the
formation of ice therein. The peculiar cross section of the said pipe enables it tó
yield to the expansion of the ice within it, under circumstances where a pipe of
circular or cylindrical cross section would be ruptured.
The said Invention also comprises the use of molten soft metal in the manufacturé
of curved or bent pipes, and in an apparatus for making tubes or pipes. of the
character herein indicated, the combination of an upwardly opening annular die
"

page_text: with a reservoir for containing the molten metal. The said die is surrounded by an
annular chamber, through which a fluid cooling medium is caused to pass, in order
to solidify the metal just previous to its issue in tubular form from the said die.
The said die is, moreover, arranged in such relation to the reservoir that the molten
metal (either by the weight of the column of molten metal or by means of com-
pressed air, or through the agency of a suitable plunger), is caused to pass to the
die, and is chilled in the said die to a temperature sufficient so solidify the metal,
but not sufficient to bring it very far below the melting point; the metal then
issues from the die in tubular form, and capable of easy curvature to any required
extent as it passes through or from the die. This portion of the said Invention
allows the metal to be moved within the apparatus in a molten instead of in a solid
state, and thereby ensures in many cases a desirable econoiny ofpower.
The said Invention further comprises the combination of two or more passages
connecting the reservoir for molten metal and the annular die constructed for
chilling and delivering the metal in tubular form, whereby provision is made
for delivering the molten metal toward the die in variable quantity at different
sides of the die, to ensure the curvature of the pipe or tube in any required direction,
and to any required extent as the metal issues in tubular form from the die.
The said Invention further comprises a novel combination of valves with the
passages between the aforesaid reservoir for molten metal and the aforesaid annular
die, whereby provision is made for controlling and regulating the flow of metal in
variable quantities to different parts of said annular die, in order to provide for the
requisite curvature of the metal in one direction or another as it issues in tubular
form from said die.
.
The said Invention further comprises in an apparatus for making curved or bent
pipes a novel combination of a fan blower, or other air-forcing mechanisin, with the
annular chamber surrounding the annular die, whereby provision is, made for
cooling the die to the temperature required for chilling the metal to the point of
solidification previous to the issue of the said metal from the die, as heroin-before
explained, under those conditions where water would for any reason be thought
inadmissable.
The said Invention further comprises in an apparatus for making curved, bent, or
coiled pipes or tubes, the combination of an air pump with the reservoir, constructed
for holding the molten metal, and connected with a suitable annular die, whereby
provision is made for forcing the molten metal through the die with any required
degree of pressure:
I
The said Invention also comprises a novel combination of a heating apparatus
with the passages connecting the reservoir for molten metal with the anunlar die,
whereby the requisite fluidity of the molten metal in passing toward the die through
the said passages is provided for.
The said Invention further comprises a novel combination of an annular die
provided with a surrounding chamber for the passage of a cooling fluid, a reservoir
molten metal, a system of passages connecting the said reservoir with the said die
and a series of valves arranged in the said passages to control the flow of the
molten metal to the die, whereby provision is made for the most effective passage of
the metal in variable quantities to different parts of the die, for the production of
curved or bent tubes or pipes.
4
The Invention further comprises the production of the curved or bent pipes or
tubes from metal worked solid, but heated to a temperature more or less approaching
the melting point, and forced from a cylinder to and through an annular die at
varying velocities, or in other words, in varying quantities at different sides of the
said die; and in this connection, that is to say, in the manufacture of bent or curved
tubes or pipes from solid soft metal, the Invention comprises the continuous heating
of the cylinder to a degree sufficient to maintain the soft metal therein at a
temperature below, but more or less approaching the melting point of said soft
metal, in order to prevent the abstraction or loss of heat from the metal as placed
hot in said cylinder.

page_text: The said Invention further comprises the combination of a furnace with a cylinder
an annular die and a piston or pistons organized to force soft metal through the
said die at variable velocities at different sides of the same, whereby provision is.
made for effectually carrying into effect the principle of the last herein-before
mentioned feature of my said Invention.
The said Invention further comprises a furnace constructed with a series of
adjustable boxes in combination with the cylinder provided with an annular die, as
berein-before specified, whereby provision is made for the distribution of heat
around the entire circumference of said cylinder, and for the regulation of the heat
applied to the latter in maintaining the same at the proper temperature.
The said Invention further comprises in an apparatus for making bent or curved
pipes or tubes the combination of a gas pipe provided with suitable burners, and
placed around the cylinder .constructed with the annular die, whereby, when
desired, combustible gases may be used as fuel for heating the cylinder in lieu of
solid fuel.
The said Invention also comprises a novel combination of radial steadying
supports with an annular die, the said supports being placed between the core or
mandrel of the die and the sides of the latter concentric with the said mandrel,
whereby provision is made against the lateral springing or displacement of the core
or mandrel, which is liable to occur when heavy pressure is exerted in forcing the
soft metal through the dies in the formation of the pipe.
•
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
:
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of that portion of the said
Invention relating to the employment of molten metal in the production of the
curved or bent pipes; Figure 2 is a horizontal section of a portion thereof on the
line x, x, Figure 1; Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view; Figure 4, a vertical
sectional view; and Figure 5, a horizontal sectional view showing certain modi-
fications of the apparatus represented in Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 6 shows the form of the die employed in the production of curved or bent
tubes or pipes, which have a square or rectangular cross section; and Figure 7 is a
view of a pipe with a square or rectangular cross section, and adapted for use as a
plumber's trap.
Figure 8 is a side section and partial longitudinal section of that portion of the
said Invention relating to the production of curved or bent pipes from solid soft
metal; and Figure 9 is an end view of the apparatus represented in Figure 8 with
the cap removed.
Figure 10 is an inside view of the cap itself.
Figure 11 is an end view of the apparatus shewn in Figure 8; Figure 12 is a
side view; Figure 13 is a plan; and Figure 14, a side view and partial sectional
view Figure 15 is an end view; and Figure 16, a transverse sectional view, 'illus-
trating other features of the said Invention relating to the use of solid metal in the
production of the curved or bent pipes; and Figure 17 is a side view of the bent or
curved pipe characterized by an equal thickness at the inner and outer sides of its
bend, and by a peculiarly striated or longitudinally marked outer surface.
Having reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, A is the reservoir for the
molten lead (from any suitable source of supply), and melted either before its intro-
duction to the reservoir or by a suitable furnace placed around the said reservoir.
In this reservoir may be arranged a plunger B, which boing forced downward
compresses the intervening air upon the column of molten metal in the reservoir A;
or in lieu of this there may be provided an air pump C to compress air into the said
reservoir in order to force the molten metal toward the die; or if desired both of
these agencies may be employed together.
D is the annular die, E being the core thereof, and a the walls of the die concentric
with the core; this core has tubular passages b, c, within it, so that a current of
water being forced into one of the said passages, for instance b, will be caused to

page_text: traverse through the extremity. of the core at a¹, and thence make its exit through
the passage c, the constant flow of water through the pipe b, c, cooling the end of
the core in order to assist the chilling of the metal in the die, as herein-after fully
explained. Around the die D is an annular chamber G connected by a pipe g with
a fan blower H. In this annular chamber is a partition b¹, and an outlet passage c¹,
so that air forced in through the pipe g will flow entirely around the die within the
chamber G, and make its exit through the outlet c¹. This continual flow of air
through the said chamber G chills the metal within the die, bringing it to a solid
condition, but in which it is not so hard as to prevent its ready issue from the die
in the formation of the pipe.
:
The die is connected with the lower part of the reservoir A by any desired
number of pipes or passages I communicating with the different sides of the die, so
that, as herein presently explained, a greater or less quantity of the molten metal
may be forced up at one side or another of the die to ensure the desired curvature
of the pipe. In each of these passages is placed a valve operated by any suitable
means, for example, by a hand wheel h; by operating these valves to close more or
less any one of the pipes or passages, or any proportion of the entire number of such
pipes or passages I, the flow of molten metal is diminished, so that the prepon-
derance of molten metal supplied to other portions of the die causes the pipe as it
issues from the latter to bend over, the curvature being in the direction of that
side at which the flow of molten metal is diminished. The valves may be sliding
valves, as represented at m, in Figures 1 and 2, but it is preferred that the passages
should be pipes radiating from that part of the apparatus situated between the die
itself and what may be strictly termed the lower part of the reservoir A, this modi-
fication being represented in Figures 3 and 4, valve chests being provided to each
pipe, and each of these valve chests having a plug valve n actuated by a hand
wheel or like device. This construction and arrangement of the apparatus allow
the flow of molten metal to be much more readily controlled than is possible with
the sliding valves represented in Figures 1 and 2. It is of course to be understood
that the molten metal being forced continually toward the die, and being chilled
within the die itself immediately before issuing from the die in the form of a pipe
the pipe or tube, whatever its curvature, is made with comparatively little power
and of a very superior quality.
By changing the annular die from a circular to a rectangular form the tube or
pipe, instead of being circular or cylindrical, will be square or rectangular in cross
section, the curvature of the pipe by the operation of the apparatus being the same
in one case as in the other. In Figure 7 is represented a curved pipe adapted for
use as a plumber's trap, having the square or rectangular cross section just described.
Where plumbers' traps are to be used, subject to the action of frost, great advantage
will be found to arise from the square or rectangular section of the traps, inasmuch
as the expansion of ice formed by the freezing of water within them will not
rupture but will simply stretch the metal, the square or rectangular cross section
enabling the pipe to yield to the expansion of the ice within it.
As represented in Figure 4, there is placed underneath the core D a supplemental
furnace or heating apparatus K; this heater K acts upon the passages I to maintain
the metal in a perfectly fluid condition while passing through the said passages,
thereby preventing the choking of the passages, and ensuring the easy flow of the
molten metal in proper quantities to different parts of the annular die.
Having reference now to Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11, L is a cylinder which receives
the metal from which the pipes are to be made, the metal being poured into said
cylinder through an inlet a* in a molten condition, and allowed to solidify within
the cylinder. M is the cap of the cylinder firmly secured thereto, and carrying the
annular die D and the core E, the former in this form of the apparatus being devoid
of the surrounding chamber G.
In those features of the Invention now under consideration the inner or rear end
of the core E is attached to a fixed cross head A* passing through a long slot b* in
the plunger O, which works within the cylinder L, and which receives its motion

page_text: from a hydraulic ram C* indicating the cylinder of the latter, the plunger O having
a central bore through which passes the core as represented in Figure 8. Upon
opposite sides of the die D are placed valves D which may be turned to permit the
lateral outflow of a portion of the metal forced toward the die at the adjacent side
of the latter. As the metal is thus forced toward the die at the inward stroke of
the plunger O within the cylinder L, one or other of the valves D* is turned to
permit the lateral overflow of a portion of the metal, thereby diminishing in like
ratio the outflow of metal at the adjacent side or part of the die. As a con-
sequence of this action the metal is caused to pass through the die with variable
speed, and in issuing from the die is curved in one direction or another according
as the quantity of metal caused to pass through one side or another of the die is
'diminished.
In order that the core may not be laterally displaced (which displacement would
interfere with the perfect formation of the pipe) steadying supports r are interposed
between the said core and the surrounding walls of the die or of the cylinder, as the
case may be. These steadying supports are necessarily thin in their cross section,
so that they will not materially impede the passage of the metal toward the die,
but are of a length sufficient to ensure sufficient strength. These steadying supports
hold the core firmly and rigidly in the axial line of the annular die and thereby
ensure the uniform thickness throughout its circumference of the pipe formed by the
passage of the metal through the die. These steadying supports are placed at a
sufficient distance within the dic, that is to say, from its outer extremity, to permit
the complete welding or union of the metal within the die after the metal has passed
the steadying supports. Coiled around the cylinder L is a gas pipe P provided with
inwardly projecting burners e*, the flame from each of which impinges more or less
upon the outer surface of the cylinder L, thereby heating the same to an extent
sufficient to prevent the loss of heat from the hot solidified metal within the
cylinder, and thus maintaining said metal at a temperature more or less approach-
ing the melting point, and enabling the solid metal to be forced through the die
with the least possible expenditure of power.
Having reference now to Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17, the construction of
the cylinder L, plunger O, die D, and core E, may be the same as in Figures 8, 9, 10,
and 11, but instead of the gas pipe there is provided around the said cylinder a
furnace R, the wall or shell of the said furnace being more or less concentric with
the said lead cylinder L, and being constructed for maintaining a fire or flame
therein, as, for example, by burning charcoal. This furnace may be of any con-
struction which will ensure the continuous heating of the said cylinder during the
entire operation of forcing the lead or soft metal therefrom through the annular die.
In order, however, that the heat may be uniformly distributed around the entire
circumference of the lead cylinder, and also to render it within certain limits
adjustable to permit the heating of the cylinder to be regulated, I construct the
aforesaid furnace with frames A³, which sustain the movable boxes G*, made of
metal and curved to fit around the lead cylinder L, and within the wall or shell of
the furnace. The innermost sides of these boxes G are perforated with numerous
holes 6, and have their bottoms provided with suitable grates or equivalent
devices, the said boxes being moreover open at the top. The boxes being filled to
the requisite extent with charcoal or other fuel, and ignited, maintain a mass of
burning coal or fuel around the entire circumference of the lead cylinder L, the
flame and heat being projected inward through the holes 6 against the surface of
the lead cylinder L, and the grated bottoms and open tops of the boxes G* per-
mitting the draft of air admitted at the lower part of the shell to pass upward
through the several boxes to produce good combustion therein, and finally, with the
resultant gaseous products of combustion passing off through the uptake c*. By
these means the lead may be kept continuously and uniformly at such a temperature,
say a few degrees below the melting point, at which it is most plastic and tenuous,
and at which it may be forced most readily and with the least expenditure of
power through the annular die.

page_text: :
In order to render the heat of the furnace R capable of regulation with reference
to the lead cylinder L, the boxes G* are made capable of being drawn longitudinally
outward to any requisite extent, and may be for this purpose fitted with handles g*.
By withdrawing these boxes partly from within the shell the amount of heat
directed upon the lead cylinder L will be diminished, so that by this means efficient
provision is made for regulating the heat to which the lead cylinder L is subjected
In order to fill the boxes G with fuel they may for the moment be entirely with-
drawn and the fuel passed into them through their open tops.
It will be observed that curved or bent soft metal pipes or tubes made by the
means herein described have their walls of equal thickness at the inner and outer
sides of the bends, and that by reason of their formation as they pass in curved
form through the annular die they are longitudinally marked by the latter on their
outer surface with perceptible longitudinal lines or striations which in conjunction
with the equal thickness of their walls at the inner and outer sides of the bend, as
aforesaid, characterize and distinguish bent or curved pipes embraced in this Inven-
tion from curved or bent pipes made by. any other means. The striated outer
surface of the bent or curved pipes embraced in this Invention is indicated in
Figures 7 and 17.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I claim,—
First. A curved or bent pipe having walls of equal thickness at the inner and
outer sides of its bends, and characterized by longitudinal marks or striations upon
its external surface, as herein set forth.
Second. A plumber's trap, so termed, square or rectangular in its cross section, as
above described and for the purpose set forth.
Third. In an apparatus for making curved or bent tubes or pipes of soft metal,
the combination of an upwardly opening annular die with a reservoir for containing
molton metal, the die being surrounded by an annular chamber through which a
fluid cooling medium may be caused so pass, as above described and for the purpose
set forth.
Fourth. In an apparatus for making curved or bent tubes or pipes of soft metal,
the combination of two or more passages connecting the reservoir for molten metal
with an annular die constructed for chilling and delivering the metal in tubular
form, as above described and for the purpose set forth.
Fifth. In an apparatus for making curved or bont tubes or pipes of soft metal the
combination of valves with the passages between the reservoir for molten metal and
the annular die constructed for chilling and delivering the metal in tubular form, as
above described and for the purpose set forth.
Sixth. In an apparatus for making curved or bent tubes or pipes of soft metal,
the combination of a fan blower or equivalent air forcing mechanism with the
annular chamber surrounding the annular die for the purpose of cooling the said die,
as above described and for the purpose set forth.
Seventh. In an apparatus for making curved or bent tubes or pipes of soft metal,
the combination of an air pump with the reservoir for molten metal, the latter com-
municating with an annular die constructed to chill and deliver the metal in
tubular form, as above described and for the purpose set forth.
Eighth. In an apparatus for making curved or bent tubes or pipes of soft metal,
the combination of a heating apparatus with the passages which connect the
reservoir for molten metal, and the annular die constructed for chilling and deliver-
ing the metal in tubular form, as above described and for the purpose set forth.
Ninth. In an apparatus for making curved or bent tubes or pipes of soft metal,
the combination of the annular die having a surrounding chamber for the passage
of a cooling fluid, the reservoir for molten metal, two or more passages connecting
said reservoir with said die, and valves arranged in the passages to control the
flow of the molten metal to the die, as above described and for the purpose set
forth.

page_text: Tenth. In an apparatus for making curved or bent tubes or pipes of soft metal,
the heating of the cylinder to a degree sufficient to maintain the soft metal therein
at a temperature below, but more or less approaching the melting point of said soft
metal previous to the issue of the latter in curved tubular form through an annular
die, as above described and for the purpose set forth.
Eleventh. In an apparatus for making curved or bent tubes or pipes of soft metal,
the combination of a furnace with the cylinder and annular die, and a piston or
pistons, the latter arranged to force soft metal through said die at variable
velocities at different sides of the die, all as above described and for the purpose set
forth.
Twelfth. In an apparatus for making curved or bent tubes or pipes of soft metal,
the furnace constructed with the series of adjustable boxes in combination with
the cylinder provided with an annular die, as above described and for the purpose
set forth.
Thirteenth. In an apparatus for making curved or bent tubes or pipes of soft
metal, the combination with the cylinder constructed with an annular die, of a gas
pipe provided with suitable burners and surrounding said cylinder, as above
described and for the purpose set forth.
Fourteenth. In an apparatus for making curved or bent tubes or pipes, the com- -
bination of radial steadying supports with an annular die, the said supports being
provided between the core and the sides of the die, as above described and for the
purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
W. ROB. LAKE. (L.S.)