provements in or relating to the Bending or Bevelling of Ships' Frames and other Articles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 6th June, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 6th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 2nd June, 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Improvements in or relating to the Bending or Bevelling of Ships'
Frames and other Articles.
I, FRANK GEORGE HAMPSON, Mechanical Engineer, of Airdale, South Down
Road, Shoreham, in the County of Sussex, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the bending or bevelling of metal bais of various
kinds, but being particularly suitable for the bending of ships' fiames I will
describe it as so applied. The invention is intended to be used in conjunction with
any suitable form of rolls adapted for bending or bevelling purposes, for example
such apparatus as 18 descubed in the Specifications of Montague Herbert Churchill
Shann and Richard Einest Churchill Shann Nos 19623 of 1896, 12256 of 1896
and 10265 of 1896
The object of the invention is to enable the rolling machine to operate auto-
matically so as to obtain the necessary bend or bevel upon the bar of metal parti-
cularly angles passing through the iolls and may be carried out in the following
nanner.
For bending purposes it is necessary to have generally three sets of rolls adjust-
able in relation to each other, and the apparatus I am about to descube 18 employed
for the purpose of effecting and varying this adjustment. The operating portion
of the new mechanism may be connected in any desired manner with any suitable
part of the roll machine, say for example the central set of rolls
I employ a cylinder or equivalent operating device for hydraulic, steam, or
equivalent pressure provided with preferably two halves, one to apply the pressure
upon the appropriate side of the piston, and the other operated by the piston to
cut off or close the first valve, and so prevent further movement of the piston
when the latter has reached its required position in the cylinder A convenient
arrangement is to have a cylinder with a two port valve face one to each end of
the cylinder, and over this a valve having two cavities one for each of the above-
mentioned porta and two ports extending to the back of the valve each connecting
with one of the cavities, this valve is connected by suitable mechanism with the
piston 1od of the engine so as to move therewith The controlling valve which is
operated automatically lies against the valve already described, and is operated by
a suitable spindle or equivalent from a "former" which partakes of a curve role-
sponding to that of the shape to which the bar is to be bent or bevelled The valve
spindle of the controlling valve is provided with adjustable stops, preferably
bearing antifriction rollers which engage with the two faces of the former, which
may consist of a flat plate of metal partaking of the requisite curve.
The curve
may be imparted in various ways, a convenient way being to form the band of
springy steel lying upon a carriage having adjustment screws at intervals, so that
the band may be sprung by the screws and retained in the requisite shape.
Many other devices may be employed for the former some of these com-
prising a chain or other lunged or linked flexible device, or several steel bands can
be placed side by side for extia strength Or a wooden or other backing of

page_text: Or the
the appropriate form could have a flexible steel band placed upon it or could be
other wise steel faced Or a plate could be provided with a cuive of the necessary
shape into which the flexible band, chain, etc could be placed.
former may be cast or otherwise formed igidly in the requisite shape, which
would be particularly suitable where a large number of bars have to be similarly
curved
The former is carried upon or secured to a camage which can be caused
to traverse preferably in a direction perpendiculai to the axis of the cylinder, so
that with the forme upon it it will cause the controlling valve to icciprocate
as would be easily understood Various devices may be employed to reciprocate
the former carriage, and this may be done if desued by hand, however, I prefer
to make it automatic and the suitable geaning for this purpose comprises
or part nut upon the former carriage, a screw adapted to rotate in the fixed
portion of the framework, but not to travel endwise, and connected by a toothed
chain or other gear with one of the rotating shafts or other appropriate moving
part of the bending machine Or thus arrangement can be diversed, the nut being
iotated and the screw travelling
a nut
The particular roll or 1olls which have to be operated by the controlling
gear may be carried in a suitable fiame connected with the piston rod of the
cylinder either directly or through any suitable arrangement multiple or other-
wise of levers or the like
The former may be made of the same size as the fame to be produced, but
for convenience I prefer that it should be upon a reduced scale, the other parts of
the mechanism being adapted accordingly
The stops upon the controlling valve spindle may be adjustable by hand, but
I prefer to have some indicating device whereby they can promptly and without
careful setting be placed in relation to such a point upon the valve spindle as will
so place the controlling valve that the piston of the cylinder will immediately
assume a centi al position therein
1
If desned these stops may be adapted to come together to their appropriate posi-
tions by spring pressure but to produce the best working results I prefer to have
right and left handed screw caned in or upon the valve spindle so that by
tuning the screw the stops may be caused to take up positions at equal distances
from the fixed normal point This is particularly useful where sudden or violent
cui ves are required, so as to enable the bar to be partly bent at one passage through
the machine, the complete bend being obtained by two or more passages through
the machine, the stops being brought nearer together at each fesh operation
As above described the apparatus will be suitable for either bevelling or bending,
but where the rolls aie adapted to effect both operations simultaneously or at a
Bingle operation of the machine, I may employ two complete sets of apparatus,
the formers being suitably shaped for the respective purposes
A single cylinder and set of controlling apparatus may he arranged so that at
one operation the bai may be bent and at the next it may be bevelled
Dated this 6th day of June 1898
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant
Improvements in or relating to the Bending or Bevelling of Ships'
Frames and other Articles.
I, FRANK GEORGE HAMPSON, Mechanical Engineer, of Andale, South Down 5
Road, Shoreham, in the County of Sussex, do hereby declare the nature of this

page_text: 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 bending or bevelling of metal bars of various
kinds, but being particularly suitable for the bending of ships' frames I will
describe it as so applied The invention is intended to be used in conjunction with
any suitable form of rolls adapted for bending or bevelling purposes, for example
such apparatus as 18 described in the Specifications of Montague Herbert Churchill
Shann and Richard Ernest Churchill Shann Nos 19623 of 1896, and 12256
of 1896
The object of the invention is to enable the rolling machine to operate auto-
matically so as to obtain the necessary bend or bevel upon the bar of metal, parti-
cularly angles, passing through the jolls and may be carried out in the following
manner
For hending purposes it is necessary to have generally three sets of rolls adjust-
able in relation to each other, and the apparatus I am about to describe is employed
for the purpose of effecting and varying this adjustment. The operating portion
of the new mechanism may be connected in any desired manner with any suitable
part of the machine either with the central set of rolls, or with the outside sets
I employ a cylinder or equivalent operating device for hydraulic, steam or
equivalent pressure provided with preferably two valves, one to apply the pressure
upon the appropriate side of the piston, and the other operated by the piston to
cut off or close the first valve, and so prevent further movement of the piston
when the latter has reached its required position in the cylinder A convenient
arrangement is to have a cylinder with a two port valve face one to each end of
the cylinder, and over thus a valve having two caves one for each of the above-
mentioned ports and two ports extending to the back of the valve each connecting
with one of the cavities, this valve is connected by suitable mechanism with the
piston rod of the engine so as to move therewith The controlling valve which is
operated automatically lies against the valve already descubed, and is operated by
a suitable spindle or equivalent from " formel "
a
which pai
tahes of a curve, coric-
sponding to that of the shape to which the bar is to be bent or bevelled. The valve
spindle of the controlling valve is provided with adjustable stops, preferably
bearing antifriction 1ollers which engage with the two faces of the "former," which
may consist of a flat band of metal partaking of the requisite curve
The curve
may be imparted in various ways, a convenient way being to form the band of
apringy steel lying upon a carriage having adjustment screws at intervals, so that
the band may be sprung by the Eciews and retained in the requisite shape.
Many other devices may be employed for the "former some of these com-
prising a chain or other hinged or linked flexible device; on several steel bands can
be placed side by side for extra strength O a wooden or other backing of
the appropriate form could have a flexible steel band placed upon it or could be
otherwise steel faced Or a plate could be provided with a curve of the necessary
shape into which the flexible band, chain, etc., could be placed Or the
" former" may be cast or otherwise formed igidly in the requisite shape, which
would be particularly suitable where a large number of bars have to be similarly
curved
The "former" 18 caired upon or secured to a carriage which can be caused
to traverse preferably in a direction at night angles to the axis of the cylinder, so
that with the "former" upon it it will cause the controlling valve to reciprocate
as will be easily understood Various devices may be emploved to reciprocate
the former" carriage, and this may be done if desired by hand. however, I prefer
to make it automatic and convenient geating for this purpose comprises a nut
or part nut upon the "former" carnage, a sciew adapted to 1otate in the fixed
portion of the framework, but not to travel endwise, and connected by a toothed
chain or other gear with one of the rotating shafts or other appropriate moving
part of the bending machine Or this arrangement can be diversed, the nut being
rotated and the screw travelling

page_text: The particular set or sets of 1olls which have to be operated by the controlling
gear may be carried in a suitable fiame connected with the piston rod of the
cylinder either directly or through any suitable arrangement multiple or other-
wise of levers or the like
The "former" may be made of the same size as the bar to be operated upon, but 5
for convenience I prefer that it should be upon a reduced scale, the other parts of
the mechanism being adapted accordingly
The stops upon the controlling valve spindle may be adjustable by hand, but
I prefer to have some indicating device whereby they can promptly and without
caieful setting be placed in relation to such a point upon the valve spindle as will 1
so place the controlling valve that the piston of the cylinder will unmediately
assume a cential position therein
If desired these stops may be adapted to come together to then appropiate posi-
tions by spring pressure but to produce the best working results I prefer to have
a right and left handed screw carried in or upon the valve spindle so that by
turning the sciew the stops may be caused to take up positions at equal distances
from the fixed normal point This is particularly useful where sudden or violent
cui ves are required, so as to enable the bar to be partly bent at one passage through
the machine, the complete bend being obtained by two or more passages through
the machine, the stops being brought nearer together at each fresh operation.
As above described the apparatus will be suitable for either bevelling or bending,
but where the rolls are adapted to effect both operations simultaneously or at a
single operation of the machine, I employ two complete sets of apparatus,
the "formers being suitably shaped for the respective purposes
A single cylinder and set of controlling apparatus may be arranged so that at :
one operation the bar may be bent and at the next it may be bevelled
In the accompanying drawings is shown an automatic controlling apparatus
constructed according to this invention applied to a bending and bevelling
machine
Figure 1 is a plan, and
Figure a side view partly in section
Figure 3 is a cross section on an enlarged scale on the line 3-3 of Figure 2
Figures 4, 5 and 6 are details of the valves
Figure 7 is a plan, and
Figure 8 an end view partly in section of a convenient arrangement of the valve a
10d stops and
Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 are details of the same
Like letters indicate like parts in all the figures
The rolling machme A (Figures 1 and 2) 19 of the type described in the Speci-
fication of Patent No 19623 of 1896 before referred to It is constructed as shown 4
with a bottom frame and standards 12, a encular frame B carries the central
set of rolls and is capable of horizontal movement transverse to the path in which
the bar to be treated traverses the machine, the extent of this horizontal movement
determining the curvature of the bend given to the bar. The position of one or
more of the set of rolls carried by the frame B is capable of variation relative 4
to the other rollers of the set by means of a segment Bi movable in the periphery
of the frame and the movement of this segment determines the bevel given to an
angle or webbed bai when passing through the machine
The fiame B is connected for horizontal 1cciprocation in a convenient manner
at 133 with the piston rod B of an hydraulic or other fluid pressure motor C, and 5
the segment B is connected for reciprocation in the frame B by connecting
Tods B with the piston rod B of the fluid pressure motor D
It is not considered necessary to give any details of the rolling machine itself
since this forms no part of the present invention
Refering fust to the control of the bending operation of the machine, that 18 5
to the horizontal reciprocation of the frame B
The cylinder C of the motor C is provided at each end with a valve port C³ C³

page_text: ending in a cucular valve face within the valve chest (Each poit ends in
a shallow recess C C7 occupying substantially half of the surface of the valve face (*
and separated from each other by a median septum as shown in Figure 4
Pivotted centrally on the valve face C by a pin C is a circulai valve C8, shown
in plan in Figure 5, with two ports Co Cu, and teeth C around a portion of its
periphery These teeth engage with a toothed rod Ca, passing through stufhng
boxes in the ends of the valve chest, one end of the 1od C18 connected with the
piston 1od B say by an arm Bo
Pivotted centrally on the upper face of the valve 08 by a pin C18 15 a second
valve C (shown in plan in Figure 6) also provided on a portion of its periphery
with teeth C¹5, which engage with a toothed iod C, carried outside the valve chest
through stuffing boxes in each end thereof The valve C 18 provided with a
delivery port C occupying a segment equal to the space between the ports Con
of the lower valve C8 The upper side of the valve U 18 provided with a hollow
boss C, into which the exhaust ports C2 C21, shown in dotted lines in Figures 3
and 6, open
This hollow boss coincides with the exhaust opening of the
valve chest cover C³. A recess C for packing of any suitable hand is formed by
the valve boss C1 and a portion of the valve cover
The motor fluid may be delivered at any suitable portion of the valve chest
say at C Figure 3.
A suitable piston B is secured on the piston 1od B³ within the cylinder C¹.
The object of the anangement of valves just described is to enable the piston to
be given a certain definite travel within the cylinder whenever tho valve od is
moved, the direction and length of travel depending on the direction in and the
distance through which the valve 10d moves, its action is as follows
When at rest the normal position of the two valves C8 C relative to each
other 18 such that the ports C C of the former coincide with and are closed by
the surfaces of the bottom face of the latter lying between the delivery port Ciz
and the exhaust ports C* C³¹.
The delivery port C of the upper valve C4 16 in constant communication with
the supply of motor fluid to the valve chest Owing to the port occupying sub-
stantially a segment of a circle corresponding to the whole space between the
ports Co C of the lower valve, 1otation of the upper valve in either duection by
reciprocation of the toothed valve 1od C puts the poit ( in communication with
one of the ports (10C" of the lower valve and so with the coresponding cylinder
port. At the same time one of the exhaust ports (20 C is amultaneously placed in
communication with the other of the said ports and its corresponding cylinder port
Owing to the toothed rod C18 which gears with the peripheral teeth of the valve C
being connected with the piston 1od, directly the latter begins to travel the valve
rotates so as to follow the upper valve, and on the stoppage of the latter, restores
the normal relative position of the ports, and stops the motor. The shallow
recesses C C7 keep the ports C C in communication with the cylinder ports C³ C³
respectively, whatever be the position of the piston and consequently of the lower
valve relative to the cylinder valve face
To reciprocate the valve rod C16 one end is called over a table and supported
in one or more bearings El The table E is similar in construction in its main
features to the table of an ordinary planing machine, comprising a frame E³ and
top alides Es on which the table E is capable of reciprocation say by means of a
threaded 1od E' and fixed nut E³, geared in any convenient manner to some portion
of the actuating gear of the rolling machine so that the table E travels at the
same speed or at some ratio of the speed at which the bai to be operated upon
passes through the rolling machine
6
On the table E 18 fixed what I call the formei " G preferably a bar of sping
steel secured rigidly on to the table, and operatively connected with the valve 10d
so as to be capable of giving movement to the same as the table E travels The
"former" is shaped in curves on either side of the central line of the table so as
to move the valve rod the requisite distance in either direction to operate the

page_text: motor to so vary the position of the central set of rolls relatively to the outer sets
as to give any desired cuive or curves to the bai passing through the machine
One arrangement for connecting the "formei "and the valve rod 18 shown in
Figure 2
Secured rigidly on to the valve 1od C16 are two brackets F F placed at equal
distances on each side of that point of the valve rod which is over the centre line
of the table E when the piston B7 18 cential in its cylinder, that is when the
centie set of rolls, carried by the frame B is in a night line with the outer sets of
1olls, so that a bar passing through the machine would not be bent
Carried in the upper part of the brackets FF capable of rotation therein but
not of longitudinal travel, is a rod F3, the portion between the brackets being
provided with a right and a left hand thread one on either side of the central
point, and engaging with these threads are two stops FF through holes in the
lower portion of which the valve rod passes so that on the rod F being 1otated
the stops are given longitudinal movement The bottom of each stop is furnished
with a roller one of which engages each side of the "former"
By this arrangement when the table is reciprocated the valve rod will be moved
backwards and forwards, (according to the position of the "former" on either
side of the central line of the table E,) rotating the valve C and operating the
motor to move the frame B the desued distance in a longitudinal direction
As shewn in Figure 2 the 1ollers on the valve 1od stops Fare substantially
in contact with the "former" G, and this would be their position when giving a
slight curve to a ba When any considerable curve however is to be given to
a bai this must be done step by step whilst passing the bar several times through
the machine. It is evident that this could be done by using a succession of
"formers" preferably however the stops F F are removed a short distance on each
side of the cential line by means of the 1od F³ so that the action of the "former "
on the 10d 18 restricted, and a portion only of the curvature called for by the curve
of the "formei " is given to the bai After each passage of the bar through the
machine the stops are brought closer together until at tlie final operation the rolleis
are in the position shown in Figue 2 and in such relation to the "formei as to
exactly follow its course
"
A similar apparatus to that described above is employed for reciprocating the
segment B within the frame B for bevelling the bar, since however when the
frame B is reciprocated longitudinally the segment B is canned with it, it is
necessary to provide for an equivalent reciprocation of the motor and former
apparatus operating the latter by providing them with sliding cannages, or
placing them on a sliding fiame
"
و,
A further modification is shown in Figures 1 and 2, the valve chest I)¹ of the
motor I being placed on the side of the cylinder, instead of on the top, as m
the motor C previously described, and the formel table E is placed over its
motor instead of in the same horizontal plane Both motor and table are carried
on a frame H fastened at H¹ on channel irons I capable of sliding movement in
bearings on the standards A2 of the rolling machine The chanel irons I are
rigidly connected in any convenient manner with the frame B say by arms I¹
"It is evident that the relative positions of the motor and “former” table may
be varied as desued to suit structural convenience
A modified aangement for connecting the "former" and the valve rod when
the table E is placed over the motor is shown on a larger scale m Figures 7 and 8
Each end of the valve 10d C16 is rigidly connected to the lower end of an arm K;
a rod K³, secuted in the upper ends of these aims carries stops K³ K' provided with
threaded holes engaging respectively the night and left hand threads of the 10d K+,
cared in the aims K so as to be capable of 1otation therein but not of longitudinal
movement A block K5 shown in side view in Figure 9, carried on the 1ods K¹ K+
between the stops K² K³, is provided with a central recess K6 in which is a pawl K7
pivotted at K8 and having a short arm K" extending beyond the pivotting point,
whose upper surface is cuived or angular as shown in Figure 10 The 1od K⭑

page_text: 18 furnished with a central groove K9 adapted to receive the pawl K. Fixed in
any convenient manner to the stationary frame of the table E is a bar L, placed
transveisely across the table so as to be over the arm K" of the pawl, and having a
curved or coned cam projection L¹ placed centrally on its underside
On to the bottom of the block K³ is prvotted a bloch K on to which are secured
two rollers K K" placed one on each side of and in contact with the "former" G
This arrangement operates as follows When the former G is central in relation
to the table, the cam projection L' holds the pawl K out of the recess Kº of the
1od K and the block K³ moves freely along the rod K', the former" therefore
has no effect on the valve rod until the block K is brought against one of the
stops K K³. These are set at any desired position on either side of the central line
by rotating the rod K and according to then position more or less of the move-
ment called for by the curvature of the "former" is given to the valve ind
"
'
"
When the curve of the "formei 18 large enough to cause the block K³ to move
one of the stops K K³ and consequently the valve rod, the centrally placed recess
of the 1od K is removed from the median line of the table When the formei
curve now returns towards the median line it would have no effect on the valve
1od until the curve again brought the block K in contact with one of the stops-
the consequence would be that the 10lls would continue forming the same curve
after the former" called for a reversal of that curve by crossing the median
line; the cential 1ccess of the 1od K being however out of the median line, as
soon as the pawl K 18 brought over the same, it drops into it causing movement of
the valve 10d until the median line is reached and the sets of rolls and restored to
inoperative relation to each other for bending purposes. On reaching the median
line the cam L raises the pawl and frees the block K³ from operative connection
with the rod K, so that no movement of the valve stem takes place until the
block K 18 agam brought into contact with one of the stops
"
The rod K may be provided with a handle and the stops placed in any desired
position by the workman. Preferably, however, the mechanism is made automatio
in action the stops being brought gradually towards the median line by the recipio-
cation of the former table For this purpose the rod K' is furnished with a
star wheel K" and a lack or other suitable gear 18 fixed on each end of the
table E, so that one each reversal of the motion of the table the wheel K¹ 18 1otated
so as to move the stops K K towards the median line until they are brought
respectively in contact with either side of the block K³
As it may be desired at times to pass a bar several times through the machine
when the stops are in this latter position, giving full effect to the curves of the
formei," and also to prevent possible damage to the apparatus by negligence on
the part of the operator, the wheel K is preferably formed as shown in Figure 8
with a coned hub K and secured by fictional contact only with a coned surface
of the 1od K+, a spring K is provided to hold the coned surfaces in such contact
that the wheel K when rotated will carry the rod K with it so long as the
stops K2 K³ are not in contact with the block K' but will merely rotate upon
the rod K if extra resistance be given to the rotation of the latter.
A convenient method of securing the "former" on to its table is shown in
Figure 7 The table E 18 provided with a number of holes E A screw bolt E7
with a square head E pivotted on one end works in a threaded nut E provided
with a pin E adapted to fit in any of the holes Es Any required number of these
clamps are arranged in suitable holes on both sides of the "former," the final
adjustment being made by rotating the screw bolts within then nuts
heads E8 may if desned be furnished with a slot to hold the "former"
The
In the construction above described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the
centie set of rolls are moved the outer sets of 1olls being fixed This invention is
equally applicable to a rolling machine in which the centie set of rolls is fixed
and the outer sets moved horizontally for bending purposes In this case an inde-
pendent motor and former" would be employed for each set of rolls

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim 15:-
1 The combination with a machine for bending or bevelling metal bais of a
"former" for the purpose described
2 In a machine for bending or bevelling metal bars automatically varying the
position of the rolls or of the sets of rolls relatively to each other by means of a
former"
"
*
3 The combination with a machine for bending or bevelling metal bais of a
fluid pressure engine and a 'former" operatively connected with the engine for
the purpose described.
4 The combination with a machine for bending or bevelling metal bais of a
fluid pressure engine having its piston 1od connected with a moving portion
of the rolling machine and a "former" connected with the valve rod of the engine
and capable of reciprocation transveisely to the direction of the movement of the
valve rod
5 In apparatus for operating a machine for bending or bevelling metal bars
the combination in a fluid pressure engine with a control valve such as C of a
valve such as C operated by the piston
6 In apparatus for operating a machine for bending or bevelling metal bars the
complete fluid pressure engine substantially as described or illustrated in Figures 2,
and 3, and 4 and 5 and 6 of the accompanying diawings
7 In apparatus for operating a machine for bending or bevelling metal bars the
combination with the valve rod of a fluid pressure engine of an operating
mechanism comprising stops such as Ft F³ and a former."
66
8 In apparatus for operating a machine for bending or bevelling metal bars the
combination with the valve iod of a fluid pressure engine of an operating
mechanism comprising stops such as Ka K³, a block such as K³ K' a bar such as L
and a "former" arranged substantially as described
9 In apparatus for operating a machine for bending or bevelling metal bars the
automatic operating mechanism for the valve iod of a flud pressure engine sub-
stantially as described or illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying
drawings
10 The complete apparatus for automatically operating a metal rolling machine
substantially as described or illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying
di wings