Improvements in Tube Expanders.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Aug., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 31st May, 1893-Accepted, 5th Aug., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tube Expanders.
I, JOHN MCKAY, of Victoria Avenue, Whitley, in the County of Northumber-
land, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to certain improvements in the details of construction of
every type of roller tube expanders whereby they are rendered more efficient
and the number of loose pieces is reduced.
According to my invention, I form the "stock," with the cavities or slots to
receive the rollers, and having a central hole through it for the mandril, with a
collar on its outer end beyond which may be formed a canted head for the applica-
tion of a spanner to revolve the "stock" with the rollers, to assist them over a
"weld" seam in the tube which is sometimes met with. The rollers are externally
secured in the stock by a "sleeve" piece sliding upon the stock and having
apertures corresponding to, but slightly less in width than, the diameter of the
rollers. This sleeve piece may be a tube split longitudinally with internally pro-
jecting edges to spring into a groove cut along the "stock" to prevent it turning
round thereon and it may be secured endwise by springing into a groove cut around
the "stock" at its inner end or some alternative fixing device may be adopted such
as steel studs into the "stock" the slightly projecting heads of which may form guides
for the "stock" in the tube. The "gauge "-cap regulating the position of the rollers
in the tube is separate from the "stock" and slides over it from the inner end
abutting against the collar on the outer end and may be there secured from sliding
off by the spring "sleeve" on the block. The "gauge" cap. thus, instead of being
secured to the stock by bolts as at present, to take the thrust upon it when in
operation, has a solid abutment against the collar formed on the outer end of the
stock. The complete expander comprises four separate pieces viz. the "stock,"
the "mandril," the "gauge" cap and the "sleeve" piece exclusive of the rollers-
which may be two or more-without any loose washers, pins or like fittings.
66
"
In a modified form of my invention I make the "stock," carrying the rollers, and
the "gauge" cap, in one piece, which may be a steel or other casting and the
rollers are externally secured in the "stock" by the spring "sleeve" piece as
before described. In this form the expander comprises the stock and the
gauge cap in one piece; the "mandril," and the spring "sleeve" comprising
without the rollers-only three separate pieces without any loose washers, pins
or like fittings.
66
"
When expanding tubes which are to be "ferruled," in order that every tube may
be equally expanded to exactly the same diameter inside, I propose to fit the outer.
end of the "mandril" with a gauge" upon its outer end in the form of a short
tube which abuts against the outer end of the "stock" when the mandril has been
driven in to the required extent.
1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tube Expanders.
I, JOHN MCKAY, of Victoria Avenue, Whitley, in the County of Northumber-
land, 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 :-
My invention relates to certain improvements in the details of construction of
every type of roller tube expanders whereby they are rendered more efficient and
the number of loose pieces is reduced.
"
According to my invention, I form the "stock," with the cavities or slots to
receive the rollers and having a central hole through it for the "mandril," with a
collar on its outer end beyond which may be formed a canted head for the applica-
tion of a spanner to revolve the "stock" with the rollers, to assist them over a
"weld
seam in the tube which is sometimes met with. The rollers are externally
secured in the "stock" by a "sleeve" piece sliding upon the "stock" and having
apertures corresponding to, but slightly less in width than, the diameter of the
rollers. This "sleeve" piece may be a tube split longitudinally with internally
projecting edges to spring into a groove cut along the "stock" to prevent it
turning round thereon and it may be secured endwise by springing into a groove cut
around the "stock" at its inner end or some alternative fixing device may be
adopted such as steel studs into the "stock" the slightly projecting heads of which
may form guides for. the "stock in the tube. The "gauge-cap" regulating the
position of the rollers in the tube end is separate from the "stock" and slides over
it from the inner end abutting against the collar on the outer end and may be
there secured from sliding off by the spring "sleeve" on the "stock."
<<
The
gauge-cap" thus, instead of being secured to the "stock" by bolts as at present,
to take the thrust upon it when in operation, has a solid abutment against the
collar formed on the outer end of the "stock." The complete expander comprises
four separate pieces, viz. :-the "stock," the "mandril," the "gauge-cap" and the
"sleeve" piece exclusive of the rollers-which may be two or more-without any
loose washers, pins, or like fittings.
In a modified form of my invention I make the "stock," carrying the rollers, and
the "gauge-cap," regulating the position of the rollers in the end of the tube, in
one piece, which may be a steel or other casting, and the rollers are externally
secured in the "stock" by the spring "sleeve" piece as before described. In this.
form the expander comprises the "stock" and the "gauge-cap" in one piece; the
"mandril; "and the spring "sleeve" comprising without the rollers-only three
separate pieces without any loose washers, pins, or like fittings.
When expanding tubes which are to be "ferruled," in order that every tube may
be equally expanded to exactly the same diameter inside, I propose to fit the outer
end of the "mandril" with a "gauge" in the form of a short tube which abuts
against the outer end of the "stock" when the "mandril" has been driven in to
the required extent.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Figs. 1 and 2 shew two views in section of a three roller expander made according
to my invention.
Figs. 3 and 4 shew two views in section of a two roller expander.
Figs. 5, 6 and 7 shew three views of the spring "sleeve" for keeping the rollers
in position as I propose to make it in an alternative form to that shewn on the
previous figs., and
Figs. 8 and 9 shew another alternative form in which it may be made.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2-A is the "stock"-
-as it may conveniently be made of

page_text: cast steel or other suitable cast metal-with cavities for the three rollers B BB
the tapered "mandril" C passing through the interior. The rollers are kept in
position externally by the spring "sleeve" D which slips over the "stock" and is
prevented turning round by the edges which enter a groove in the "stock," and is
secured end wise by set screws or by some equivalent fixing device as will be
hereafter described, the apertures S whilst allowing the rollers full play as the
"mandril" forces them out, preventing them coming out of the "stock" externally
the cavities preventing them coming out internally when the "mandril" is with-
drawn. Upon the outer end of the "stock" A is formed solid a collar E or an
equivalent for a collar upon which may be a canted head F. shewn by dotted lines,
so that the "stock" with the rollers and "mandril" may be revolved by a spanner
when required. The " gauge-cap Gabuts against this collar and is prevented
sliding off by the "sleeve" D fixed on the "stock." Thus the "gauge-cap," when
the expander is in operation, has a solid abutment against the collar or portions of
a collar on the "stock" instead of depending upon bolts or set screws to resist the
thrust which when especially working with angled self. feeding rollers is con-
siderable. When tubes are to be "ferruled," in order that every tube may be
expanded to exactly the same diameter. inside, I use a tubular gauge H cut to the
required length, abutting against the collar E, against the outer end of which the
collar J on the "mandril" comes in contact, when the tube has been expanded to
the proper extent.
"
Figs. 3 and 4 shew my invention in another form the "stock" A and "gauge-
cap "Gforming one piece which may be a brass or other casting with or without
the canted head F. (shewn on Fig. 1) formed thereon and this form is very suitable
for smaller tools. Here two rollers B B are used opposite each other, according to
my previous invention No. 5396 of 1892, and the cavities in the "stock"
may be
formed straight through. I wish it to be clearly understood that in all cases of
two roller expanders the various mechanical devices for expanding the rollers
alternative to a tapered "mandril" as fully described and shewn in my said
Specification may be adopted also that the various forms of "sliding-block" or
"sleeve-hammer" may be applied to drive in and withdraw the tapered "mandril"
and, in either form of the expander as above described, I may use rollers-(pre-
ferably grooved according to my invention No. 6242 of 1891) set with their axes
parallel with the axis of the "mandril" or slightly inclined thereto.
On Figs. 5, 6 and 7 the retaining "sleeve" D is shewn with its edges lapped
over each other at K and rivetted, the rivet heads 1, 2, 3 and 4 sliding along a
groove cut on the "stock" A, the last head 4 projecting so far as to spring into a
hole drilled in the groove when forced on to the "stock" and so is fixed end wise
and cannot turn round.
On Figs. 8 and 9 the "sleeve" D is shewn as a permanent fixture on the
"stock" A which has three rollers, the apertures S in the "sleeve" which is of
thin spring steel having their sides "scalloped" so as to yield to allow the rollers B
to be forced through from the outside and then, by their spring action, to return
and secure the rollers and when the rollers are required to be removed the
scalloped " edges can be "prised" open sufficiently to allow the roller to come
out, or the cavities may be formed so that the rollers will drop out from the interior
when the "mandril" is entirely withdrawn a nut on the inner end of the "mandril"
preventing it being withdrawn when the expander is in working order.
66
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. The construction of roller tube expanders having two or more rollers,
with a collar or the equivalent of a collar formed solid upon the outer end of the
"stock" against which the "gauge-cap" abuts and which thus receives the thrust
when the expander is operating; with or without a canted head formed upon said
collar with the objects hereinbefore described.

page_text: Second. The construction of roller tube expanders, having two or more rollers,
with the "stock" and "gauge-cap" formed in one piece and with or without the
canted head formed upon the outer end with the objects herein before described.
Third. The application to roller tube expanders, having two or more rollers, of a
"gauge" to ensure every tube end being expanded to the same internal diameter
having special reference to tubes which are to be "ferruled."
Fourth. The method of fitting the external "sleeve" to retain the rollers in
position whereby it is prevented turning round and secured end wise substantially as
described and shewn by Figs. 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings herewith.
Fifth. The construction of the retaining "sleeve" with the sides of the apertures
so shaped that the rollers can be sprung into the cavities in the "stock" from the
outside being then prevented from coming out by the edges of the apertures the
"sleeve," being thus a permanent fitting upon the "stock" substantially as described
and shewn by Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings herewith.
Sixth. The tube expander with three rollers comprising the various parts in
combination substantially as described and shewn by Figs. 1 and 2 on the drawings
herewith.
Seventh. The tube expander with two rollers comprising the various parts in
combination, and with or without the canted head on outer end (shewn on Fig. 1),
substantially as described and shewn by Figs. 3 and 4 on the drawings herewith.
Dated this 31st day of Mar 1802
T. J. DANSON, F. Inst. P.A.,
Chartered Patent Agent,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Agent for Applicant.