An Improved Process and Apparatus for Fixing Diamonds in Metal Holders by a Single Operation.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process and Apparatus for Fixing Diamonds in Metal
Holders by a Single Operation.
A
communication
to me from THE "VEREINIGTE CRUMMENDORFER
QUARZSCHIEFERBRÜCHE OELSNER UND Lux," of Strehlen, in the Empire
of Germany, Manufacturers.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the Firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 35, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, 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 and accompanying drawing, that is to say :-
This invention relates to an improved method of fixing diamonds in metal holders,
such for example as steel and iron, by which unusual strength and resisting power
are obtained as well as absolute security against the falling out of the diamonds
from the metal, in which respects it is far superior to the process as heretofore
used for the purpose.
Moreover by this process the burning of the diamonds is prevented, this being
of not infrequent occurrence ordinarily on account of the diamond having to be
heated red hot together with the metal holder. By the improved process the
diamond in a cold state is fixed into the heated metal holder, but it does not itself
become so hot as to be injured or burned.
The apparatus by which the improved method of fixing the diamonds is effected
is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which
. Figure 1 is a front view,
Figure 2 a plan partly in section, following the liner, r, in Figure 1, and
Figure 3 a side view with a part of the outer case broken off.
The apparatus consists of three moveable pressure plates or blocks s, b, c,
operated by means of the levers h, k, and the excentrics l, m, and one fixed plate or
block a, the object of the last being to resist the horizontal pressure of the
excentric m.
Whilst the blocks s, and b, are operated by the direct action of the excentric
arrangement already mentioned, the plate or block e is forced forward so that it
moves along the inclined surface e, e¹.
Above the space d, which receives the metal holder in which the diamond is to
be fixed, is arranged the vertical stamp or block s, which is operated by the lever h
and excentric l.
The fixing of the diamond in the metal holder by pressure is effected in the
following way—-
After the metal holder, in which a hole has been previously prepared to receive
the diamond, has been heated red hot or to a sufficient heat, the said holder in
which the diamond in a cold state has been inserted in the hole prepared for it, is
placed whilst still hot in the space d between the two plates or blocks a and b.
The plate or block b is then brought forward by means of the lever k and
presses with its face the block c along the inclined surface e, e¹, so that the metal
holder which is pressed in one direction between a, and b, is also pressed in another
direction by the moveable block c. At the same time it is also submitted to
pressure from above in a third direction by the movement of the stamps by means
of the lever h. The result of the pressure in the three directions in the manner
described, is such that a sort of welding together or intimate union of the surface
of the diamond with the metal is effected. Should it be attempted to remove a
diamond so fixed, from its metal holder by means of shears, chisels, or files, it is
necessary to remove the last particles of metal from the surface of the precious

page_text: stone by means of scraping, as the adhesion between the two is so remarkably
great. This intimate union is the best proof of the absolute superiority of the
improved process over the heretofore used methods of fixing, such as soldering,
hammering, and the like, which admit of a rapid loosening of the diamond in its
setting.
In order that the metal holder may be securely held between the blocks a and b
against the pressure of the block c, those a and are provided with small projecting
edges a and b, Figure 2. And for the better holding the metal holder all the
pressing surfaces of the three blocks a, b, and c, are grooved.
The metal holders having diamonds fixed in them in the manner described may
be used in the ordinary way for the working parts of tools of all kinds, such as
boring and cutting tools.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The method of fixing diamonds in metal holders by a single pressure, consisting
in first inserting the diamond into a previously prepared hole in a metal holder
heated red or white hot, and submitting the same to pressure between one fixed
and three moveable pressure blocks, by which the hot metal is pressed upon the
diamond, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described and illustrated.
2. For effecting the operation described in Claim 1, an apparatus consisting of a
fixed plate or block a, a second moveable plate or block b, which can be moved
horizontally towards the first, a third plate or block c, which is forced by the
block along an inclined surface e, e¹, and between the two first described plates or
blocks, and a vertical stamp or block s moveable in a direction at right angles to
the movement of both the other blocks, in combination with actuating|
devices k, m, h, l, by which the moveable plates or blocks b, c, and the stamp s, are
simultaneously pressed in three separate directions, against the metal holder fitted
with a diamond and arranged between them, substantially as described, and
illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 16th day of June 1893.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.