Improvements in Stoppers for Steel Casting Ladles.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Sept., 1892-Accepted, 19th Nov., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Stoppers for Steel Casting Ladles.
WILLIAM VALENTINE, 44, Botham Street, Grimesthorpe, Sheffield, Tyre
Roller, and EDWIN Hanwell, 27, Moss Street, Grimesthorpe, Sheffield, Black-
smith, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the saine
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
Our invention relates to the stoppers or plugs used inside of ladles containing
molten metal or steel, and which stoppers are usually fitted to iron handles,
technically known as "swan-necks," and are fastened thereto by a bolt or pin
inserted from the bottom end or to a reduced portion of the handle, and in
consequence of the great difficulty experienced in making firm and effectually
casing or protecting this iron work from the hot metal, the fastenings frequently
get fused, and the stoppers otherwise become unworkable.
The object of our invention is, to strengthen and more effectually protect the
handles, and to practically make it impossible for the molten metal to come into
contact with them.
To carry our invention into practice, we form from fire-clay, gannister, or other
suitable refractory materials, a cylindrical stopper with a semi-globular bottom face
or end, and in the cylindrical part, for a portion of its depth, we form a hole large
enough to receive the unreduced shank end of the swan-neck handle, and also
make cross openings right through, to receive a cotter, thereby to fasten handle
& stopper together direct and without any further parts. In the upper face we
form suitable grooves or projecting rings to retain the luting or jointing material
used in fixing the usual cover blocks through which the handle passes upward and
above the surface of the molten metal. The handle having first been cottered up
firm against the bottom of hole in stopper and the ends of the cotter being well
inside the body of the stopper; the holes by which the cotter was inserted are to
be filled up with any plastic refractory material, and the stopper is then ready for
use, and all parts of handle and fixings are thoroughly protected against the access
of the molten metal thereto, when the ladle is filled up and put into use, while at
the same time, a worn out stopper can be easily taken off and replaced by another
new one, without damage to ironwork.
And that our invention may be fully understood, we will now explain & refer to
the drawings hereunto annexed; wherein Fig. 1 is a plan view of the top face of a
stopper, or of a cover block.
Fig. 2 is an elevation (partly in section) representing a stopper in working
position in connexion with portions of a ladle, and the bottom outlet or nozzle
upon which the stopper rests.
A. is the stopper, surmounted with a cover block B. through which the swan-
neck, or handle, D. passes and is secured to the stopper by the cotter C. The ends
of the cotter holes being filled up with refractory material G. makes all secure
and ready for use in connexion with nozzle E and ladle F. in the manner well
understood and practised, while a better face is secured and greater protection and
firmness are obtained for the handle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1st. The mode of using stoppers having a solid bottom face, and of cottering and
securing the same direct unon the undiminished shank of the swan-neck or handle.

page_text: and the system of protection thereof, substantially as herein described and as
illustrated.
Dated this 26th day of September 1892
J. BECK, R.P.A.,
Agent for the Applicants.