Improvements in Forging Metals and in Machinery therefor.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Apr., 1890-Accepted, 14th June, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Forging Metals and in Machinery therefor.
We, GEORGE WILLIAM MARBLE, of Plymouth, in the County of Marshall and
State of Indiana, United States of America, Mechanic, and MILLARD WINFEILI
SIMONS, of Plymonth, in the County of Marshall, and State of Indiana, United States
of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this said invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
The object of our invention is to form cylindrical or spherical metal objects by
subjecting them while in a sufficiently heated condition to the concerted action of
several parallel revolving metal rolls substantially as hereinafter fully described and
as illustrated in the Drawings in which-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of our invention.
Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section.
Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical section through one of the frames in which the
rolls are journalled.
Figure 5 shows a side elevation thereof.
Figure 6 is a transverse vertical section through the rolls, and
Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 show respectively transverse vertical sections through
modified combinations of rolls.
In the Drawings A, A, A, represent three parallel rolls, the axis of each of which
occupies such relative position that the engaging surface of each is an equal distance
from the revolving centre of the work subjected to their action.
These rolls may all be of the same diameter as shown in Figure 5 in which event
an imaginary line connecting their centres of revolution would describe a right
angled triangle. They all revolve in the same direction and the work to be acted
upon is placed longitudinally between them and similarly operated upon by the
segment of each roll nearest the centre of the work.
Each roll A is preferably shaped so as to correspond with the others thus as the
rolls manipulate the work they revolve the same, and all parts of its circumference
acquires a corresponding shape the reverse of the shape of the part of said roll which
it comes in contact with.
In order to shape a piece of work especially where it is to have different diameters
at different points along its length, it is necessary that the rolls be brought simul-
taneously nearer the axis of the work as the progress of formation progresses.
We do not wish however to be understood as considering this as absolutely
necessary, because it is obvious that the centres of revolution of two of the rolls
may be at fixed points, and the other roll have a lateral adjustment in a line
radiating from the centre of the work, (as shown in Fig. 8) or two of said rolls may
be adjustable laterally in lines radiating from the centre of the work and the
remaining roll has its centre of revolution fixed at a given point permanently (as
shown in Fig. 9).
In Figure 11 we show a modification of the arrangement of rolls shown in Figure 6
which consists of two revolving rolls A2 A2 whose axes are on the same horizontal
plane and consists further of a non-revoluble block B2 which is placed so that it is
intersected by a vertical plane passing midway between rolls A² A² and so that its
engaging surface is parallel with the plane of the engaging surfaces of the rolls.
The contact which the work has with the block B is not intended for the purpose
of assisting in giving shape to the work but rather for the purpose of holding the
work against the rolls. It may however assist in forming spherical objects when

page_text: used in conjunction with plain cylindrical rolls by being given a longitudinal reci-
procation of a throw equal to at least one half of the diameter of the spherical object
being made.
The making of spherical objects, however, need not be confined to the use of two
rolls A² and a stationary block B2 because three rolls revolving in the same direction,
with one of them having a longitudinal reciprocation, would it is thought answer
just as well, although costing more than when the biock B² is used.
While it is preferred to have all three rolls of the same diameter and to possess
the same configurations of circumference, yet for some purposes it might be well to
bave the diameters of the rolls differ as shown in Figure 10, so as to produce a friction
and to polish the exterior of the work.
The action of three or more rolls simultaneously operating on a piece of heated
metal in the manner hereinbefore alluded to, gives to the metal greater density than
any other process can, because the pressure is exerted all the time on the work
and said rolls revolve so rapidly that oxidation of the surface of the work cannot
take place.
Rolls A are journalled in bearing blocks C, C, C, which move in elongated
openings a, a, a, in frames X X which radiate from a common centre. These
openings a, a, a, correspond, preferably in length and breadth, are an equal distance
removed from each other and are equally distant from the common centre from which
they radiate. Of course the relative position and proportions of openings a depend
upon the arrangement of rolls and would be modified according as the modifications
shown in any one of Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. were adopted:
At the common centre from which openings a radiate, we make through the
frame X an opening 6 through which the work is fed to and withdrawn from between
the rolls. The radial adjustment of the rolls is accomplished by extending the
blocks C laterally so that they project beyond the plane of the outer surface of the
frames X in which said blocks move, and then surround said blocks with a ring D,
the inner circumference is concentric with opening 6 toward which said blocks are
movable, and which is provided with three eccentric offsets c, c, c, at equal intervals
apart.
These offsets are made with reference to blocks C, which when said rolls are
farthest apart have their projecting outer ends bearing against the eccentric surfaces
of said offsets furthest from said common centre.
By turning said ring through the medium of the handles d radiating therefrom
the blocks are pushed by the eccentric surfaces of said offsets c simultaneously
toward the common centre before referred to. In order to centre said ring we prefer
to make a circular boss concentric to the opening b, the sides of which are of such
diameter as to afford a bearing for the inner circumference of the ring. D. Each
end of the rolls is similarly journalled and adjustable so that by manipulating handles d
alike the rolls may be made to approach the work together.
In order to revolve the rolls A and yet permit of their radial adjustment we extend
the ends of their journals at one end through the bearing blocks C, C, C, and-couple
their ends by means of the double gimbals 9 g¹ (so as to make a universal joint)
to the shafts k, k, k². These shafts are passed through sleeves m, m, m¹ which latter
are journalled in a frame Y adjacent to frame A.
There are two frames Y which are placed parallel and in alignment with frames X
a suitable distance from the one in which are journalled the ends of the rolls to
which the power (through gimbals g) is applied. The shafts k, k, k' are 'practically
journalled in these frames; at one end coming in direct contact with their bearings;
at the other end (that nearest the frame X) passing through sleeves m; m, m² to
which they are connected by suitable spline so as to revolve therewith but so as to
have a free and independent reciprocation either for the purpose of permitting of
the radial adjustment of rolls A or for the purpose of reciprocating one of them
when it is desired to make spherical objects as hereinbefore explained.
Shafts k, k, k¹ are located about as shown and with reference to the position 'of

page_text: the roll which each respectively is to drive, and, while not absolutely essential, are
preferably located at equal distance from each other and from a common centre
which is concentric and in alignment with the common centre before referred to
around which the rolls are arranged.
These shafts are actuated through the medium of gears n, n, n' secured to the
ends of sleeves m, m, m¹ which extend through their respective bearings in frame Y
to the side thereof furthest from frame X and said gears being of equal diameter
are driven by the king gear R mounted upon the drive shaft. E.
Drive shaft E is journalled in frames Y Y and its part nearest the frame X is
preferably greater in diameter than its remaining length, and is hollow. It is
driven by a friction clutch the counterpart being mounted fast on said shaft and
the clutch proper f, which is loose on the same, is shifted by suitable means so as
to engage with said counterpart. The clutch has a suitable pulley attached to it
that is driven by a helt from the main shaft. Instead of a friction clutch however
as shown a fast and loose pulley with a shifting belt may be used and it is thought
would serve just as well..
In order to reciprocate one of the rolls so as to make spherical objects we secure
a boss G on the drive shaft and make in it an oblique circumferential groove g and
secure on the shaft ¹ in register therewith a boss h with a transverse circumferential
groove in it. Connecting these two bosses is a lever H which is fulcrumed at about
its centre of length so that one end enters the oblique groove g of the boss G and
the extremities of the other bifurcated end enter the transverse groove at points
diametrically opposite each other. Thus as the shaft E revolves the lever His
oscillated and the shaft ¹ moved longitudinally back and forth. When the shaft k
reciprocates, it, through the universal joint made by the double gimbal g' imparts a
like reciprocation to the roll it is connected with. In order to permit of the
longitudinal reciprocation of any one or more of the rolls their length between the
frames X in which they are journalled is abbreviated and their journals corre-
spondingly lengthened to permit of such reciprocation.
When the rolls are radially adjusted toward the common centre from which their
engaging surfaces are equally distant the angle of the double gimbal g becomes more
acute to the plane of the centre of the shaft which latter is thereby drawn toward the
frame X. The length therefore of shaft k, k, k¹ must be of such length that
reciprocating them will not move them out of their bearings.
On the end of the drive shaft projecting through its bearings nearest frame X we
prefer to place a chuck K for centreing and holding work when it is not desired that
the whole of its length should be operated upon by the forging rolls and it is to
permit of the longitudinal adjustment of this work that we prefer to make the
contiguous part of said drive shaft hollow.
We need not be confined to the use of a drive shaft E to drive shafts k, k, k¹
because it is obvious other mechanical expedients could be substituted therefor which
would act independently on each shaft.
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 :-
1. The method of forming metal objects consisting of rolling the same into shape
between longitudinal rolls as set forth.
2. The method of forming metal objects consisting of rolling the same into
shape between longitudinal rolls all revolving in the same direction as set forth.
3. The method of forming metal objects consisting of rolling the same into shape
between rolls the engaging surface of each of which is equally distant from the axis
of the said object as set forth.
4. The method of forming metal objects consisting of placing said object
longitudinally between rolls, the engaging surface of each of which is equally distant

page_text: from the centre of said work, and then moving the axes of one or more of said rolls.
laterally towards said object as set forth.
5. The method of formning metal spherical objects consisting of rolling the same.
into shape between rolls, one of which has a longitudinal reciprocal movement.
as set forth.'
6. The combination of several rolls between which the work is placed longitudinally.
and formed, as set forth.
7. The combination of several rolls whose engaging surface in any given transverse.
plane are equally distant from a common centre and between which the work is
placed longitudinally and formed as set forth.
8. The combination of several rolls between which the work is placed and formed,
one of said rolls having a longitudinal reciprocation.
9. The combination with several rolls revolving in the same direction, of a
longitudinal non-revoluble block between which and said rolls the work is placed
and formed.
10. The combination of several rolls, not less than three in number, the axes of
which are adjustable radially toward the centre of the work as set forth.
11. The combination of several rolls, not less than three in number, the axes of
which are adjustable simultaneously radially towards the common centre as set
forth.
12. The combination with several forming rolls of the frames X X each having
a number of elongated openings corresponding to the number of rolls radiating from
a common centre bearing blocks for the journals of said rolls adjustable in said
elongated openings, and a feed opening in said frames at said common centre as
set forth.
common
13. The combination with the forming rolls revoluble in the same direction of
frames XX each having elongated openings therein radiating from a
centre, bearing blocks for the journals of said rolls, and ring D, having the
offsets c, c, c, in its inner circumference as set forth.
14. The combination of several forming rolls whose engaging surfaces are of a
length less than the distance between the frames in which they have bearings, and
the length of journals of which are correspondingly greater so as to permit of a
longitudinal movement, as set forth.
15. The combination with several forming rolls, of shafts actuating said rolls, and
double gimbals connecting and forming a universal coupling between said shafts
and rolls as set forth.
16. The combination with several forming rolls which are adjustable laterally
toward a common centre, of shafts for actuating said rolls, and double gimbals,
connecting and forming a universal coupling between said rolls and shafts, as
set forth.
17. The combination with several forming rolls of shafts for actuating said rolls,
double gimbals connecting said shafts and rolls, and the sleeves through which
said shafts pass and revolve with, but have an independent longitudinal motion
therefrom, as set forth.
18. The combination with several forming rolls, one of which has an independent
reciprocal motion, and arranged so that their engaging surfaces are an equal
distance from a common centre, of the shafts actuating said rolls, and double gimbals
connecting said rolls and shafts, as set forth.
19. The combination with three rolls arranged around a common centre, of the
double gimbals g, 9, g¹, shafts k, k, k¹, sleeves m, m, m³, gears n, n, n', drive shaft E,
and king gear R, as set forth.
20. The frames XX and forming rolls suitably journalled therein, said frames ✗
having an opening therein concentric and in alignment with the centre of the work
formed by said rolls, in combination with shaft E and chuck K as set forth.
21. Rolls A, A, A¹, shafts k, k, k¹, gimbals 9, 9, 9' establishing an universal joint

page_text: between said rolls and shafts, sleeves m, m, m', through which said shafts pass and
revolve with, but have an independent longitudinal motion from, in combination with
drive shaft E, boss G thereon, having an oblique circumferential groove in it,
lever H and boss h on shaft k¹ having a transverse circumferential groove therein
as set forth.
H. B. BARLOW,
Agent for Applicants.