An Improved Stand for Chemical or other Purposes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 28th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 9th May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Stand for Chemical or other Purposes.
I ARTHUR WILLIAM ELLIS of No. 100 Englefield Road Essex Road Islington
in the County of Middlesex Chemical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the construction of a retort stand or other like stand for
use i. chemical or other operations; such stands are usually provided with a solid
rod upon which movable rings, clamps, or other contrivances, are secured by means
of collars and set screws.
11. the case of several of these rings or clamps being used for the support or
adjustment of apparatus, the alteration of the height or horizontal position of the
apparatus is difficult and involves the danger of breaking the connections on account
of the necessity of adjusting each ring or clamp separately.
To avoid this inconvenience, I fit around the rod hereinbefore mentioned a tube
that is made to slide and turn upon said rod and upon which it may be secured at
the desired height and position by means of an outer collar and set screw fitted,
preferably, to the centre thereof, or by other suitable contrivances, holes being
bored at suitable distances through said tube by which the pressure of the set screw
is applied to the rod itself. Upon the outer tube the rings, clamps, or other con-
trivances or a series of them are fitted in the same manner as when applied to a
solid rod, the only precaution necessary in this case being that the tube be of
sufficient strength to retain its circular form when pressure is brought to bear upon
it, by the set screws of the rings or clamps. By this means, while the relative
position with regard to each other of each of a series of apparatus is maintained,
the vertical or horizontal position of the whole can be altered without the necessity
of breaking connections or adjusting each ring or clamp individually, by the use of
a single set screw.
To provide against the possibility, of the collar of the tube occupying a position
that might be required for a ring or clamp, I make said collar movable in order
that it may be adjusted to any of the holes hereinbefore mentioned, with which the
tube is provided, said holes being drilled preferably at right angles to the position
most usually occupied by the set screws of the rings or clamps.
If it is wished to render it impossible for the set screws of the rings, clamps or
other contrivances (in whatever position they are placed) to enter the holes provided
for the tube set screw only, I cut a slot or key way, in the inner sides of each of the
collars of such rings clamps or other contrivances, preferably opposite thereto, and
into this slot I fit in any suitable manner, a key so formed that it covers the hole in
the tube and takes a sufficient bearing around the circumference to prevent the
flattening thereof, thus upon pressure being applied to said keys by means of the set
screws, it is communicated indirectly to the tube without in any way affecting the
free movement of same.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Stand for Chemical or other Purposes.
I ARTHUR WILLIAM ELLIS of No. 100 Englefield Road Islington in the County
of Middlesex, Chemical 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 :-
This invention relates to the construction of a retort stand, or other like stand

page_text: for use in chemical or other operations; such stands are usually provided (as shewn
in the annexed drawings) with a solid rod A Figs. 1 and 2 upon which movable
rings clamps, or other.contrivances are secured by means of collars g, I; 9:
and set screws h, h, h. In the case of several of these rings or clamps being used
for the support or adjustment of apparatus, the alteration of the height or horizontal
position of the apparatus is difficult, and involves the danger of breaking the
connections on account of the necessity of adjusting each ring or clamp separately.
To avoid this inconvenience fit around the rod A hereinbefore mentioned a
tube B Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 that is made to turn and slide upon said rod and upon
which it may be secured, at the desired height and position by means of an outer
collar C and set screw d, fitted preferably to the centre thereof, or by other suitable
contrivances, holes e, e, e, being bored at suitable distances through said tube by
which the pressure of the set screw d is applied to the rod A. itself.
Upon the outer tube B the rings, clamps, or other contrivances, or a series
of them, are fitted in the same manner as when applied to a solid rod, the only
precaution necessary, in this case, being that the tube be of sufficient strength to
retain its circular form when pressure is brought to bear upon it by the set
screws h, h, h, of the rings or clamps. For this reason I prefer to make said tube
of steel in order to combine lightness with the necessary strength. By this means
while the relative position, with regard to each other, of each of a series of apparatus,
supported by said rings, clamps or other contrivances is, if desired, maintained the
vertical or horizontal position of the whole can be altered without the necessity of
breaking connections or adjusting each ring or clamp separately, by the use of the
single set screw d.
When means for more accurate adjustment are desirable, and in order to relieve
the set screw d, of a portion or the whole of the strain put upon it when heavy
apparatus or other objects are supported, provide the lower portion of the rod Å
with a thread, Fig. 3, and fit thereto a nut or milled collar j. Fig. 3 by which the
tube B can be raised or lowered, while its horizontal position can be adjusted and
secured by the set screw d Figs. 1 and 2.
To provide against the possibility of the collar C occupying a position that
might be required for a ring or clamp I make said collar movable in order that it
may be adjusted to any of the holes e, e, e, Fig. 1 these holes may be increased in
number if desired and should be drilled preferably at right angles to the position
most usually occupied by the set screws h, h, h, of the rings or clamps.
If it is desired to render it impossible for said set screws h, h, h, (in whatever
position they are placed) to enter the holes e, e, e, provided for the tube set screw d
only, I cut a beyelled slot or key way k Figs. 5 & 7 in each of the collars (as shewn
in vertical section in Fig. 5 and in plan in Fig. 7) of such rings clamps or other
contrivances, and into this slot k I fit in any suitable manner a key Figs. 5 & 6
somewhat smaller than the key way but of sufficient width to cover the hole e of the
tube and to take a bearing around the circumference to prevent the flattening
thereof.
Thus upon pressure being applied to said key it is communicated indirectly to the
tube without in any way affecting the free movement of same around or upon the
central rod.
In lieu of the movable collar C provide a light socket C¹, Fig. 8, slightly
conical at its lower part with a slit or saw cuts extending about two thirds of its
length. This socket I shrink or permanently affix in any suitable manner, to the
lower part of the tube B; to this socket is fitted a nut or milled collar tapped at
its upper part, but left plain and slightly expanding at its lower end, in order to
clear the thread of the socket; upon screwing said nut or collar in a downward
direction, the untapped portion grips and compresses the socket and secures the
tube B in any desired position.
If it is desired, the socket C' may be dispensed with; in this case I upset or
thicken the tube B at its lower end Figs. 10 & 11 so that it may fit the solid rod A
very tightly, giving at the same time to the said tube a tendency upon being slit to

page_text: spring outwards.
I then screw the tube B, and fit thereto a nut or collar j similar
to j¹ Figs. 8 & 9 but which in this case is tapped through its entire depth. Having
removed the nut, I make a longitudinal slit Figs. 10 & 11 through the tube B of
a sufficient length to afford the desired amount of spring, and the ends of the tube
being compressed the nut is screwed on up to the shoulders of the thread.
In lieu of the arrangement hereinbefore described and shewn in Figs. 3 & 4, 1
adopt the method illustrated in Figs. 12 & 13, that is to say, I fit around the rod A.
a short tube m, screwed through its entire length, and provided with a nut or
collar similar to the one employed in Fig. 3, except that I prefer it to be provided
with a short shoulder o Fig. 12 which enters the outer tube and ensures greater
steadiness this outer tube or cylinder, I reduce in internal diameter at the
bottom thereof in order that it may nicely fit the solid rod A and to which it is
secured in any desired position by the set screw d. To the tube B also fit a
collar C with set screw d. By this arrangement the long thread Fig. 3 is
dispensed with, the tube B can be quickly put into approximate position by
releasing the set screws d & d', and accurately adjusted by the nut or milled collar
which upon being turned raises or depresses the tube m which carries with it the
tube B.
As modifications of the nut and screw arrangement hereinbefore described and
shewn in Figs. 3, 4, 12 & 13 I may substitute a rack and pinion movement for
raising or depressing the tube B as illustrated in Figs. 14, 15, 16 & 17,
In the former case, that is in Figs. 14 & 15 the rack, is affixed to, or forms part
of the solid rod A the pinion p, being fitted to a movable collar, provided with
checks for the reception of the pinion. I prefer that the rod A. in this case, be
provided with a longitudinal slot or groove t, and the collar with a corresponding
key or pin t, working in said slot or groove. By turning the milled head of the
pinion the collars c & e² and with them the tube B, can be raised or lowered as
desired, and the horizontal position of said tube can be adjusted by means of the
collar c.
In the latter case, as shewn in Figs. 16 & 17 the rack is affixed to, or forms
part of the tube B, and the pinion p works in checks q, y, with which the outer
tube is provided, said tube being furnished with a set screw ³, at the lower end
and a second set screw at the upper part thereof, the former for the purpose of
securing the tube at an approximately desired height, and the latter for the
purpose of securing the tube B, when its position is accurately adjusted by means
of the milled head of the pinion d².
"
As a further modification shewn in Figs. 18 & 19 I cut or turn in the rod A, for
any desired length, a series of angular grooves or depressions u, which should
be slightly rounded at their extreme angles in order to offer less resistance to the
free downward movement of the tube B. To said tube I shrink or affix by suitable
means a socket w, provided with checks q', q', into which pauls or rachets a are
fitted, these pauls or rachets being preferably turned inwards at their upper parts
so as to form springs y, y, sufficiently strong to maintain said pauls in the grooves u,
but with sufficient elasticity, that upon being compressed, their hold upon the rod
is released & the socket w, and with it the tube B, can readily be adjusted to any
desired height or position, which when attained is secured by means of the set
screw 2.
I may substitute for the round inner rod and round outer tube, a rod and tube of
triangular, square, or polygonal section.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and the manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
Firstly. A retort stand or other like stand having the outer movable tube B,
provided with one or more holes and with a movable collar and set screw as herein-
before described and shewn in Figs. 1 & 2 of the annexed drawings.
Secondly. A retort stand or other like stand having in combination with such

page_text: movable tube, collar and set screw, a screwed inner rod and nut as hereinbefore
described and shewn in Figs. 3 & 4.
Thirdly. In a retort stand or other like stand, the combination with the movable
tube B, collar and set screw, of collars provided with a key way and key as and for
the purposes described, and illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 & 7.
Fourthly. A retort stand or other like stand having in lieu of the collar herein-
before described the socket c' as described, and illustrated in Figs. 8 & 9.
Fifthly. A retort stand or other like stand having the means of securing the
tube B by screwing and slitting the lower end thereof and providing same with a
nut as hereinbefore described and shown in Figs. 10 & 11.
Sixthly. A retort stand or other like stand having in combination with the
movable tube B and collar c the screwed tube m, the outer tube n, and the nut j,
hereinbefore described, and illustrated in Figs. 12 & 13.
Seventhly. A retort stand or other like stand having in combination with the
tube B, and collar c, the rack and pinion movement hereinbefore described and
shewn in Figs. 14 & 15.
Eighthly. A retort stand or other like stand having in combination with the
movable tube B, the rack and pinion movement hereinbefore described, and illustrated
in Figs. 16 & 17.
Ninthly. A retort stand, or other like stand, having in combination with the
tube B an inner rod A provided with grooves or depressions and fitted with an
outer socket and rachets, as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figs. 18 & 19.
Dated this 28th day of March 1891.
ARTHUR W. ELLIS.