Improvements in Metal Tubing, and Methods of Making same.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 26th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 29th Dec., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Metal Tubing, and Methods of Making same.
I, JOHN HENRY BALL of 65 Queen's Walk, Nottingham, England Manager of
Works do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
By my invention I make metal. tubing of strip metal & preferably with a folded
interlocked joint in manner similar to that described & illustrated in the
Specification of Patent No. 14890 of 1889 but being twisted lengthwise that the
seam or joint forms a spiral along the tube & is in that position fixed by rivetting
soldering brazing or otherwise. The edges of the strip may be bent down & butted
together & brazed &c. & the metal may be ribbed corrugated or thickened.
By another process I may form seamless tubing with fold rib or ridge, one or
more, running spirally along their inner lengths for the purpose of preventing
buckling or giving greater strength.
The tube if made of strip, may be of one or more pieces with one or more beads
seams or joints.
Dated this 24th day of January 1894.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Metal Tubing, and Methods of Making same.
I, JOHN HENRY BALL, of 65, Queen's Walk, Nottingham, in the County of
Notts, Manager of Works, 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 an improved construction of metal tubing, and it consists
in forming the tube with two or more internal spiral ribs or ridges, the object
being to obtain a tube which is stronger and more rigid for its weight than
anything yet produced, and as this invention relates more particularly to tubes
used in the construction of cycles every saving of weight without loss of strength is
of vital importance.
I attain the object of this invention in the manner shown by the accompanying
drawing which illustrates some methods of carrying my invention into practical
effect and in which :-
Figure 1 is a longitudinal view-partly in section-showing the general form of
my invention.
Figure 2 is a view in transverse section of a weldless tube embodying my
invention.
Figure 3 is a view in transverse section of a welded or brazed tube embodying
my invention, and
Figure 4 is a view in transverse section of the strip of metal used in the
construction of tube shown by Figure 3, and
01...מ

page_text: Figures 5, 6 and 7 are views in transverse section of tubes formed out of strips
of metal and embodying my invention.
Throughout the views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
My improved tubing may be made by any of the known methods of drawing or
rolling.
In seamless drawn metal tubes the internal ribs or ridges a, a, are produced by
means of the dies used in drawing the tube, the twist being given to the said ribs
or ridges during the operation of drawing the tube, or by an independent or
separate operation afterwards.
In welded or brazed tubes the strip of metal used is first rolled or drawn with
the ribs or ridges a, a, upon it as shown by Figure 4, one of the said ridges
preferably overlapping one edge of the strip as shown to form a lip for the other
edge of the strip to lie on. In this construction the ribs or ridges are made spiral
by winding the strip spirally in constructing the tube.
In tubes made out of one or more strips of metal the ribs or ridges a, a, are
conveniently formed by the seams or joints of the said piece or pieces as shown by
Figures 5, 6 and 7. The seams or joints may be made either as shown by
Figures 5 and 7, or in any other suitable manner, but I prefer to make them in the
manner shown by Figure 6 being that set forth in my prior Patent No. 14890
of 1889 for the construction of wheel rims. When the tube is made out of a single
strip of metal the second or additional rib or ridge may be conveniently made by
folding the strip on itself as shown by Figures 5 and 7. In this construction of
tube the twist can be conveniently given to the seams or joints forming the ribs or
ridges a, a, during the construction of the tube. In all cases I prefer that the
spiral winding and the formation of the ribs or ridges takes place concurrently in
order that the tube may have no tendency to elongate or unwind, and that the
seams or joints so made be rendered additionally secure by brazing or the like.
I wish it to be clearly understood that my improved metallic tube may have two
or more internal spiral ribs or ridges according to the strength and stiffness
required.
I am aware that metal tubing has already been made out of single strips of
sheet metal lapped or wound spirally and also that tubes have been made with
straight internal seams forming internal ribs or ridges, and I do not therefore claim
these broadly as my invention, but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
(1.) The improvement in metal tubing, substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated by the accompanying drawing.
(2.) A seamless drawn tube having internal spiral ribs or ridges, substantially as
and for the purpose herein before set forth.
(3.) A welded or brazed tube constructed out of a strip rolled or drawn with
two or more ridges upon it, the said strip being spirally wound so as to form
internal spiral ribs or ridges, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set
forth.
(4.) A tube constructed out of one or more strips of metal, the seams or joints of
which form internal spiral ribs or ridges, substantially as and for the purpose
hereinbefore set forth.
(5.) A tube constructed out of two strips of sheet metal wound spirally and
connected together by any suitable form of interlocking joint, the said seams or
joints forming internal spiral ribs or ridges, substantially as hereinbefore described
and for the purpose set forth.
(6.) A metal tube constructed out of a single strip of metal and having two or
more internal spiral ribs or ridges one of which is formed by the joint or seam of the
strip of metal and the other or others of which is formed by folding the strip of
metal on itself, as and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: (7.) Metal tubes having two or more internal spiral ribs or ridges, specifically as
and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 24th day of November 1894.!
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.