Improvements in and in Apparatus for Forming Moulds in which Articles or Frames of Polyhedral, Cubical, or other Analogous Forms may be Formed by Casting.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Oct., 1886.
Complete Left, 16th July, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 13th Sept., 1887,
Improvements in and in Apparatus for Forming Moulds in which
Articles or Frames of Polyhedral, Cubical, or other Analogous
Forms may be Formed by Casting.
We JOHN BUTLER of 16 Cottrill Street Salford in the County of Lancaster Moulder
and JAMES EVANS of Albion Mills Trumpet Street Gaythorn Manchester in the
County of Lancaster Moulder's Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus by means of which we are enabled to form
moulds by means of which when such moulds are combined we are enabled to form or
cast articles or frames of a polyhedral or cubical form or other analogous form such as
for instance frames for street lamps and other analogous articles.
In accomplishing the object of our invention we in the first place employ a frame
table or bed formed of or provided with a number of arms or slides mounted upon
which and capable of being slidden thereon by means of screws are a number of
brackets. The screws above-mentioned are connected together by toothed wheels or
in any other suitable manner. To each of the brackets above mentioned we secure a
plate and we employ as many brackets and plates as may be requisite to form the
boundary or outline of a portion or section of the article to be cast in metal or
alloy.
To each of the plates above mentioned we secure a portion or portions of the pattern.
requisite to form a portion or section of a mould or matrix which when combined with
others will form a mould or matrix of the article desired.
In conjunction with the plates above referred to we employ a frame or plate of
suitable form provided with flanges and suitable handles by which the said plate may
be lifted.
We place the frame or plate above mentioned upon the table or bed and within the
plates before referred to and we ensure the correct position of the plate upon the frame
table or bed before mentioned by means of register pins and holes for them to pass into
or by any other suitable means.

page_text: The said brackets and plates are then advanced or slidden by means of the screws
and wheels previously mentioned towards the frames or plates aforesaid until they
arrive at a position determined by stop-pieces which may be adjusted in any desired
position.
Sand is then rammed into the space between the plates and the flanges of the plate
or frame before mentioned after which we secure to the said plate or frame a plate or
guard which plate or guard serves to retain the sand on the plate or frame above
referred to and to resist the pressure of the fluid metal or alloy when a casting is being
made.
The brackets and plates above mentioned are then moved by means of the screws
aforesaid away from the frame or plate leaving upon or in the sand an impression
of the pattern or patterns carried by the plates before mentioned.
When we desire to form the mould or matrix to be employed for casting articles
or frames of a globular polyhedral or other analogous form we proceed in the following
manner.
When a sufficient number of frames or plates have been prepared as above described
the sand thereon bearing the impression of the matrix the said frames or plates are
placed in a box the sides of which are slightly larger than the plates or frames above
referred to.
Around the circumference of the box aforesaid we place shafts carried by suitable
bearings upon the said box which shafts we provide with cams or equivalents therefor.
By actuating the cams aforesaid we cause them to press against the frames or plates
above mentioned so as to act upon them simultaneously and press each one against its
neighbour and cause the impressions of the pattern on or in the sand carried by the
frames or plates aforesaid to meet and occupy such position as to form a mould or
matrix to receive the molten metal or alloy.
We mount the said box upon a base box to which it is secured by means of bolts
cramps or by other suitable means. The said base box contains sand by which the
openings of the lower parts of the moulds or matrices before mentioned are closed.
In another box similar to the one previously referred to we also place frames or
plates similar to those above mentioned and forced into contact with the plates or
frames adjoining them by means of cams as previously described.
One of the above mentioned boxes with the plates or frames contained therein is
turned over and placed upon the top of the other box the cams aforesaid securing the
plates or frames in the box while being turned over. The inverted box is secured by
bolts cramps or by other convenient means to the other box. To the upper part of
the inverted box we secure by means of cramps bolts or other suitable means a box
containing sand in which are formed passages or openings for admitting metal
to and allowing gases to escape from the moulds or matrices during the process of
casting.
In some instances when forming the mould or matrix as above described we with-
draw the pattern or a portion or portions thereof through a slit or slits or an opening
or openings in the plate or plates which carry or support the pattern or patterns. By
withdrawing the pattern or patterns from the sand before withdrawing the plates
which carry the patterns from contact with the sand we avoid knocking the pattern to
release it from the sand and also avoid breaking down the sand and so injuring the
mould or matrix.
In moulding articles of a rectangular or like form we employ plates or frames
similar to those above referred to and we provide them with hinges such hinges
serving to join them to the other plates or frames and secure them in their correct posi-
tion. We also provide the said plates or frames with projecting pieces or parts which when
the plates or frames are combined for forming a mould or matrix ensure the plates or
frames occupying the desired relation to each other.
In some cases to enable a less quantity of apparatus to be employed we employ a
flat surface on which we place and secure the said plates or frames.
In some cases in order to bind the above mentioned plates or frames together we
employ a vertical shaft provided with cams or equivalents therefor which cams or

page_text: equivalents therefor by means of rods and clamps or other suitable means bind the
plates or frames above mentioned together.
By employing a suitable number of patterns and plates or frames held or bound
together in boxes or by clamps as previously described castings of a great variety of
forms may be produced.
In order that the articles when cast may be the shape desired we give to the patterns
by which the matrix or mould is formed a form such that the contraction on cooling
of the metal or alloy of which the casting is formed will cause the said casting to take
the form desired.
By a modification of our insertion we are enabled to form a mould or matrix in
which we can cast at the same time in one mould more than one article of the kind
to the casting of which our invention relates.
In accomplishing the object of this modification of our invention we employ two
or more patterns in place of each of the patterns before referred to each of which
two or more patterns leaves an impression upon the sand upon the frame used in
conjunction with it.
After the articles cast in a mould or matrix constructed according to this modification
of our invention are removed from the mould or matrix each of the said articles is
severed from the other or others in any suitable manner.
By means of our invention we are enabled to form by casting a variety of articles
which it has not hitherto been possible to form by casting in consequence of the
amount of labour required in the ordinary mode of forming the moulds or matrices
for such articles.
We have hitherto referred to sand only as being used in conjunction with the
plates or frames above referred to but materials other than sand may be employed.
We have hitherto referred to our invention as being employed for forming castings
of metals or alloys only but our invention may be employed for making castings of
materials other than metals or alloys.
Dated this Twenty ninth d
1000
W. T. CHEETHAM,
Carlton Chambers,
18, Saint Ann's Street, Manchester.
Agent to the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in and in Apparatus for Forming Moulds in which
Articles or Frames of Polyhedral, Cubical, or other Analogous
Forms may be Formed by Casting.
We, JOHN BUTLER, of 16. Cothill Street, Salford, in the County of Lancaster,
Moulder, and JAMES EVANS of Albion Mills, Trumpet Street, Gaythorn, Manchester,
in the County of Lancaster, Moulder's Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
It relates to apparatus by means of which we are enabled to form moulds of sand or
other suitable material, with which when combined, we are enabled to form or cast in
suitable metals, alloys, or materials, articles or frames of polyhedral cubical or other
analogous forms, such as are used for frames for street lamps and other analogous
purposes.
To accomplish this object, we in the first place employ a frame, table, or bed,
consisting of, or provided with a suitable number of arms or slides, mounted upon
which are a number of sliding brackets, which are drawn together or forced apart by
screws, geared together by toothed wheels or in any other suitable manner. To each
of the brackets is attached a plate, suitably formed to hold a portion or portions of the
pattern requisite to form a portion of a mould or matrix, to be combined with others,
to form a complete mould as before stated. As many brackets and plates holding
portions of the pattern are employed as are necessary to form the boundary or
outline to the section of the mould required. In conjunction with the plates before-
mentioned we employ a frame or plate of suitable form, provided with flanges and
otherwise formed to retain the sand or other material, and with handles whereby it
may be lifted.
This frame or plate is placed upon the bed or table beforementioned, within the
plates beforementioned, its position upon the bed or table being assured by means of
register pins and holes for them to pass into or by any other suitable means.
The brackets and plates are then drawn together by means of the screws or other
analogous method, until they arrive at their proper positions with respect to the
centre or sand plate beforementioned, which position can be determined by adjustable
stoppieces or similar known means. Sand or other suitable material is then rammed
into the space between the flanges of the sandplate and the side plates after which
suitable plates or guards are secured to the sandplate by means of suitable catches, so
as to retain the sand in its position upon the sandplate and to resist the pressure of
the molten metal or alloy during the process of casting. The patterns are then with-
drawn from the side plates, and the sideplates drawn apart by the screws or other
apparatus (or the patterns and sideplates may be withdrawn together if desired)

page_text: leaving the imprint of the pattern on the sand upon the sandplate, which is now
withdrawn, and another sandplate substituted and the operation repeated until_a
sufficient number of sand sections are made to complete the mould required. In
forming moulds to cast articles and frames of a globular polyhedral or other analogous
form.
When a sufficient number of sand sections are prepared the plates bearing the
same are placed in a suitably shaped box which is made to hold the sandplates in the
position requisite to form the mould. The sections when in position are forced close
together by means of screws, cams, or similar devices, so that one mould is formed of
the object desired and the sandplates held firmly in position so as to allow of the box
being handled.
It is then mounted upon a base box containing sand or other material, by which
the openings of the lower end of the mould are closed, and secured thereto by means
of bolts, cramps, or any other suitable means. If the pattern to be cast requires it,
another box containing sandplates, prepared in the same manner is inverted and
secured to the top of the box already mentioned by means of bolts, cramps or other
suitable means, its correct position being assured by register pins and holes or other
similar contrivance. To the top of the entire mould we secure by means of bolts
cramps or other suitable means, a box containing sand or other material, which forms
and closes the top of the mould, suitable passages or openings being left for admitting
metal to, and allowing gases to escape from the moulds or matrices during the process
of casting. In moulding articles or frames of a rectangular or like form, we employ
sand plates or frames similar to those already mentioned, provided with hinges, so that
they may be hinged together and so secured in their correct position, this being
further secured by means of projecting pieces or parts suitably formed. In order
that the foregoing may be better understood we send herewith three Sheets of
Drawings in which :-
--
Fig. 1. is a plan and Fig. 2 a section of the frame or bed; in the slides b slide the
brackets c, which are drawn together or apart simultaneously by means of the screws d,
geared together by the mitre or bevel toothwheels e and propelled by the wheel f.
Upon the brackets c are mounted the plates g carrying the patterns h which slide in,
and can be withdrawn separately through the plates g. In Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are
respectively a plan of one of the plates g, shown without its top plate thus showing
the pattern plate h which slides upon the lower plate g and is held in its place by
means of distance projections or studs g 1 which pass through and slide in slots / 1 in
the plate, the dotted lines h 3 show the position of the pattern h when withdrawn,
and a longitudinal and cross section of the same. The pattern plates h are in most
cases withdrawn by hand, but in Fig. 1, shown a method by means of which they
may be withdrawn more readily if they are large and cumbersome. i is an angle iron
pivoted from its angle point i 1 to the plate g which is furnished with a projection 92
for this purpose, one end i 1 of the angleiron i is connected by a pin with a slot 4 in
the pattern plate h and the other end of the angleiron i is formed into a handle i 3. It
is apparent that by pulling or pushing the handle i 3 the pattern plate h will be forced
into position or withdrawn. Fig. 6 is a section of a plate g with two pattern plates h,
which is used when it is desired to form two moulds, at once as herein before mentioned,
by this means a double mould is formed in one operation and two frames are cast at
once, it will be seen that by increasing the number of pattern plates / any number
of frames of suitable shape may be cast within one another. The pattern plates /
although of necessity shown straight in the drawing are all more or less canimed so
as to allow for the contraction of the metal or alloy while cooling. Referring again
to Fig. 1, in the centre of the bed or table and within the sliding plates g is placed
the sandplate k furnished with flanges k 2 and handle k 3 and held in its position by the
register pins 4 which fit in holes in the bed or table, suitably made so as to allow a
little play to the sandplate k, so as to insure the accurate fitting of the sliding plates g
5 upon and over its edges. The plates g are now drawn together by the screws d until
they arrive at their accurate position with respect to the sandplate k, (determined in
this case by the edges of the plate but which may in other cases be determined by

page_text: adjustable stoppieces or other suitable means,) and sand is rammed into the space left
between the flanges 2 of the sandplate k and the pattern plates g, part of a guard
plate indicated by dotted lines 7 is now secured to the sand plate k by means of the
catch k 5 which is drawn over it and wedged tight. Two or more catches are used if
required. This guard plate is intended to secure the sand from falling off the sand
plate as it is handled during the subsequent operations of fitting, and to resist the
pressure of the molten metal or alloy during the process of casting, the first of these
purposes is assisted in some cases by spikes k 6 (see Figs. 15 & 16 sheet 3) along the
top or bottom or both of the plate k, the sand plate k is also furnished with a suitable
number of openings k 7 in the flanges k 2 so as to allow of the insertion of a number of
wedges 9 or similar appliances, which are withdrawn after casting, so as to leave the
sand loose, and allow the cammed sides of the frame to contract straight while cooling,
without risk of breakage. The pattern plates h are now withdrawn through the
plates g, then the plates g are drawn apart by means of the screws d and the sandplate k
is removed from the apparatus. When a sufficient number of sand sections are
prepared, they are placed in a suitable box shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 9 in a side
elevation, a plan, and another side elevation. This box is made so that the first sand-
section or plate k fit accurately into its place by means of the register pins k 4, which
pass into suitable slots k 6, in the box, and is then secured by means of hooks k 7, or by
cottars z see Fig. 10. Sheet 2 or other suitable similar means. The second and third
plates are placed in a similar manner into the box, and pressed up sideways so that
their sides meet those of the first plate k (a little play being allowed in the slots k 6 to
allow of this) and fastened in position in a similar manner to the first plate k. The
fourth plate k is now carefully lowered into its place, the box being made slightly
longer on two sides so as to allow it to pass without rubbing against the edges of the
other plates k. When in the box it is pressed into its exact position and against the
other plates g by means of the cams m on the shafts n actuated simultaneously by the
cranks n 1 and the connecting rod and handle o, the cams m pass through the slots m 1
and press upon the fourth sandplate k. It is then mounted upon a suitable base box t
and secured thereto by suitable means another portion of the sandguard 1 made in
the form of a square plate with broad bevelled edges is then lowered into its place.
The remainder of the sandguard the four angle pieces 12 are then placed in position
and secured by the wedges p bearing against the hasps or short rods p 1 fitting in
holes 8 in handles k 3 of sandplates k.
Fig. 10 represents another similar box which is fitted with sandplates k in a
similar manner to that already described, it is then inverted into the position shown
and placed upon the top of the first box and secured thereto by means of the register
pins secured by cottar pins r 1, or by any other suitable method.
A suitable summit or top parts and provided with suitable runners s is secured, to
the top of the combined mould by pins and cottars r and r 1 or other suitable means as
shown in Fig. 11.
The dotted lines u indicate the position of the frame within the mould. After
casting, the openings in the sides of the boxes and plates enable the wedges, the
anglepieces 2 &c. to be withdrawn. In casting rectangular frames we employ an
arrangement similar to that shown in Figs. 12 and 13 the one being a plan and the
other a side elevation. A flat surface a is employed, upon which are placed sand-
plates or moulds 6 (see Fig. 14) formed upon a rolling over board or by other suitable
means to the outsides of which are hinged sandplates or moulds k. with flanges k. 2
which are rammed upon a base or plate similiar to that shown in Fig. 1 and supplied
with guard plates in the manner already described, and are supported when raised
into a perpendicular position by projections k 10 which fit into suitable projecting
pieces B1 on plates or frames B, and plates K 2. To the top of the sandplates k after
they are raised into position I hinge another set of sandplates or frames B the whole
forming the plan shown in Fig. 12. They are then in this case drawn together into
position by means of a vertical centreshaft c to which are attached suitable cams c 1,
which are connected by means of suitable links or connections c 3 with the
projections k 11 on the plates k. The revolution of the vertical centreshaft c draws

page_text: the plates together into the form shown in elevation Fig. 13.
To insure the
correct sliding of the plates they are furnished with suitable slides v which slide
round the register pins w. When drawn together it is secure by pins and cottars or
other suitable means. The hinges shown, usually known as "flask" hinges are those
we prefer but any suitable kind of hinges may be used.
g
In Fig. 1, to prevent the grinding of the plates g upon the surface of the bed or
table, they are furnished with projections 9 3, (see Figs. 4, 5 & 6) to raise them above
its level. The bed or table is also provided with distance studs a to raise the plate k
to its proper height to match the plates g.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is :-
1st. The improved method of forming moulds for casting articles or frames of
polyhedral, cubical and other analogous forms, substantially as described and shown
herein before and in the accompanying drawings.
2nd. The combined apparatus, substantially as described and shown hereinbefore
and in the accompanying drawings, for the purpose set-forth.
3rd. A frame, table, or bed, with three, or more, sliding brackets and plates
carrying moveable patterns, substantially as described and shown hereinbefore and in
the accompanying drawings for the purpose set-forth.
4th. An improved sandplate, with flanges, and means for securing guards or
guardplates thereto, substantially as described and shown hereinbefore and in the
accompanying drawings, for the purpose set-forth.
5th. A guard or plate, in one or more pieces, for resisting the pressure of metal,
alloy, or other material during the process of casting, and securing the sand upon the
plate during handling, substantially as described and shown hereinhefore and in the
accompanying drawings for the purpose set-forth.
6th. The method of tightening the sandplates in the boxes, by means of shafts and
cams, substantially as described and shown, hereinbefore and in the accompanying
drawings for the purpose set-forth.
7th. The improved sandplate with hinges and projections for forming rectangular
and similar castings substantially as described and shown hereinbefore and in the
accompanying drawings for the purpose set-forth.
8th. The method of forming moulds for casting two or more, frames or similar
articles together, substantially as described and shown herein before and in the
accompanying drawings for the purpose set-forth.
Dated this 15th ... of T... 1007
JOHN HENRY TOPHAM,
Agent to Applicants.