IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING AND FITTING COP TUBES
Year: 1878

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, of the Firm of Harris
and Mills, of 28, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent
Agent, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING
AND FITTING COP TUBES." A communication from abroad by Albert Ball,
Machinist, of Claremont, in the County of Sullivan, and State of New
Hampshire, one of the United States of America.
Sealed the 7th January 1879, and dated the 10th July 1878.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills
at the Office of the Commissioners Patents on the 10th July 1878.
BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills, of 23,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING AND FITTING COP TUBES." A communication
from abroad by Albert Ball, Machinist, of Claremont, in the County of Sullivan,
and State of New Hampshire, one of the United States of America.
The object of the Invention is to produce machinery for making what is known
as the "Essex" cop tube (which is a long tapering rigid tube constructed of sheet
metal, with solid walls, open ends, and a flange at its large end, and having wire
wound spirally upon its exterior), so that the same will be light and strong, and of
uniform bore to fit the spindles closely, and also to provide means for reducing all
the spindles of a mill to the same shape and of the proper size to fit the tubes
exactly.
.
The Invention therein consists, first, in the peculiar mechanism for cutting the
blanks from a sheet of metal and bending such blanks into tapering tubes with
flanges at their large ends; second, in the peculiar mechanism for winding the wire
upon the tubes; and third, in the peculiar mechanism for preparing the mule
spindles for the reception of the completed cop tubes.

page_text: Figures 1, 2, and 3 are respectively a front elevation, a side elevation, and a
vertical section through the centre of the dies on the line 3, 3, of the tube
machine.
Figures 4 and 5 are vertical sections through the extended table of the same
machine on the lines 4, 4, and 5, 5.
Figure 6 is a separate longitudinal section through the bending punch, mandril,
and carrying heads.
Figures 7, 8, and 9 are views respectively of the face of the punching die, the
top of the stationary cutting dies, and the forming dies of the tube machine.
Figures 10, 11, and 12 are views of the blank cut by the punching die, the same
after being bent by the bending punch, and of the tube as it leaves the tube 1
machine.
Figures 13, 14, and 15 are respectively a top view, a side elevation, and an end
view of the wiring machine.
Figure 16 is a separate view of the clutch to the same.
Figure 17 is a view of the tube as wired by this machine.
Figures 18, 19, and 20 are respectively a top view, an end elevation, and a
vertical section on the line 20, 20, of the spindle grinding machine; and Figures 21
and 22 are views of the centering rest of the same.
2
With reference to Figures 1 to 12 inclusive, the base A of the tube machine
supports a table A¹, upon which is mounted the rectangular die frame A². In the 2
top of this frame are placed the stationary cutting dies B, below which are situated
the fixed bending dies C, placed nearer together than the cutting dies, and below
the bending dies are the forming dies D, D, the die D being stationary while the
die D' is reciprocated through an opening in the rear of the frame A² by means of
a spring toggle joint D2, which is operated by the cam shaft E journalled in the 3
base A below the toggle joint. An opening a is made in the base below the dies,
through which the tubes fall from the machine.
Above the cutting dies B is the cutting punch B', secured to a reciprocating cross
head and operated by a pitman from a crank shaft F, which is journalled in the top
of standards F¹, rising from the rear of the base, and extending forward over the 3
table A¹ and die frame.
The cutting dies B have a narrow vertical slot b at their small end, and the
punch B' has a similar projection b¹ to form the projection c on the small end of
the blanks: The sides of the cutting punch are cut away or bevilled as shown
at b² to turn up the side edges c¹ of the blank.
The stationary forming die D has pins d on its lower edge, which support the
bent blank, and pins d on its upper edge to turn the blank on its side when
moved against the face of the die, while the moving die D¹ may be provided with
guiding pins d².
The bending punch G and mandril H, of tapering form, project from heads G¹, H', 4
the lower one H₁ of which slides in a grooved way in the front of a carrier block I,
supported on the extended portion of the table A¹. An opening is cut through the
end of the die frame A2 on the line of this grooved way to allow the bending punch
and mandril to work in and out of the dies.
The head G is reciprocated by a lever G2, swung back and forth by a cam on the 5
end of the shaft F, the lever being connected to the head by a link pivotted to both
parts. The head G' has a laterally projecting wing e with enlarged edge, which
slides in a groove in the side of the block I. This head is connected to the
head H by a transverse slot and pin, so that the head H' can be moved laterally,

page_text: and after being so moved can be pushed forward a short distance without disturbing
the head G.
The carrier block I has a short vertical movement above the table A'. It is
supported on rods f stepped on the ends of arms J; and projecting up through the
table, such rods being provided with springs to draw them downwardly.
The arms J project from a rock shaft J, which is operated by a cam fl on the
end of the cam shaft E, moving an arm J2 fixed to the rock shaft. The forward
part of the block I is cut away on its front side, and a grooved block I¹ placed
there, forming a portion of the way in which the head H¹ slides. This block has a
wing which projects through to the rear side of the carrier block, and is pressed
forward by spring arms g. A projection h moved by the toggle joint engages with
the wing of the block I' and draws it backward, keeping the grooved way of the
block I in line with that of the block I till the wing is released by the rising of
the toggle joint when the spring arms throw the block I¹ forward (Figure 4).
The heading lever K projects up through the table A' just at the end of the block I
when moved forward. This lever is fixed to a horizontal spring rock shaft K',
which keeps the lever back. The rear end of the rock shaft K¹ has an arm i pro-
jecting from it, the end of which engages with a vertically sliding frame k moved
by a cam k¹ on the cam shaft.
The lever K when forced forward strikes the end of the mandril-carrying head H',
which drives forward the leading tool L, sleeved on the mandril H, and working
against a shoulder in the large ends of the dies D, D', the mandril sets against
a spiral spring in the head H', and has a flange on its end which prevents its
being pushed out of the head.
A spring stripper M is mounted on the end of a spring rod above the table A',
and presses at its free end against the mandril just at the entrance to the dios.
The cam shaft E and crank shaft F are geared together by an intermediate cog
wheel, and the whole mechanism is connected to the power in any suitable manner.
The operation of the tube machine is as follows:- A flat sheet of metal being fed
over the top of the frame A², the cutting punch B¹ as it is forced down cuts out the
flat blank shown in Figure 10 and pushes it down upon the bending dies C. The
block I raises the bending punch G and mandril H, and as the cutting punch
advances to cut another blank the bending punch and mandril are moved forward
between the dies, the bending punch sliding over the blank resting on the bending
dies. The cutting punch still advancing, another blank is cut and pushed down
upon the bending dies, while the bending punch and mandril are forced down-⚫
wardly (the block I at the same time falling), and the first blank bent into the
U form shown in Figure 11 and left between the bending dies. The bending punch
and mandril are then withdrawn from the dies, are raised to their highest position,
and again advanced, the bending punch sliding over the flat blank on top of the
bending dies, while the mandril enters the U blank in the bending dies. The parts
being forced downwardly the second blank is bent between the bending dies; the
first blank at the same time is carried by the mandril down upon the pin d of the
stationary forming die D. The moving die D' commences to advance; this releases the
block I, which springs forward and presses the mandril against the face of the die D.
In this movement the upper edge of one side of the U blank strikes the pins d',
and the blank is thrown on its side, presenting its open face to the advancing
die D', which closes on it and forms the tapering tube. The striking lever K then
drives forward the heading tool L, forming the flange on the large end of the tube,
which, to give strength, is double, as shown. The die D' then recedes, the bending
punch and mandril are withdrawn from the dies, and the tube (Figure 12) falls
through the opening a into a proper receptacle. This operation is repeated at every
revolution of the crank and cam shafts, one flat blank being cut by the cutting
punch, one bent into U form by the bending punch, and one being formed into a
tube upon the mandril and beaded, as already explained. The tubes are then
wired. For this purpose the machine shown in Figures 13 to 16 inclusive is used,
the tube as it appears after wiring being shown in Figure 17.

page_text: From the ends of the base A of this machine rise standards B, B', in which is
journalled the guide shaft C. One end of this shaft is provided with a loose
pulley D, belted to the shafting and clutching with the shaft C by means of a spring
lever D' pivotted transversely in the shaft and a stud a on the pulley. This lever
is thrown out of connection with the pulley by a stripper arm E, having bevilled
way and stop, as shown, and carried by a spring shaft E', which is operated by a
foot treadle or by hand. The other end of the shaft C has an enlarged journal,
from the end of which projects a tapering mandril F adapted to receive the tube in
the condition in which it leaves the tube machine (Figure 12). The tube is held
firmly on the mandril by a clamping lever G pivotted in the enlarged journal and
projecting through to the inside of the standard B', where its inner end, which has
an adjusting screw, works over a sliding bevilled sleeve H operated by a hand
lever H. The shaft C has a spiral guide C¹ between the standards of the length
and pitch it is desired to give the wire on the tube.
A tracer arm I projects from a guide rod I' sliding in the standards, and has a
tracing point b resting on the shaft C. To the rod I outside the standard B' is
secured an arm J, carrying wire spools J¹ held by a spring tension; on the extreme
end of the guide rod is adjustably mounted the guiding arm K, so that it can be
swung around or adjusted lengthwise as desired. This arm K projects towards the
mandril, and has an eye in its end through which the wire passes from the spool
after being brought under the outer end of the arm. The end of the wire is caught
in the slot in the flange of the tube, or pushed through a hole in such flange, and
the tube is then slipped over the mandril and clamped in place, the tracer I being
moved back to the standard B at the same time. The machine is then started by
throwing the lever E back.
The tracer arm is raised from the shaft C to make the close coils just above the
flange of the tube. It is then dropped, the point b following the spiral guide and
the arm L feeding the wire to the tube in exact accordance therewith.
When the tracer arm reaches the end of the spiral guide, the close coils at the
small end of the tube are formed, and the wire winds off on to the projection at
this end of the tube and locks itself. The machine is then stopped, the wire cut,
and another tube wound in the same way. The tubes after being so wired are
dipped in a bath of solder, and when the solder has hardened the projection at the
small end of each tube is cut off and the end of wire at the flange. The tubes are
then completed ready for use.
The tubes being rigid, and of uniform size and shape, the spindles must fit them
exactly, but it has been found that they vary considerably in their dimensions and
outline. To remedy this a machine is used for reducing them to the desired shape
and size, which is shown in Figures 18 to 22 inclusive.
This machine has a base A with longitudinal flat and angular guiding surfaces a, a',
upon which slides a plate B, being moved by a screw C.
The plate B has transverse flat and angular ways b, b', and carries a frame D,
which is kept forward by a spring shaft D¹ journalled in the plate B, and arms c
and links c connecting the shaft and frame. The spindle E to be ground is held at
the front edge of the frame between the adjustable rigid centre E¹ and the adjustable
spring centre E².
Above its pulley.d the spindle turns in a centering rest F, the sliding parts e, e¹, e³,
of which, operated by a thumbscrew e³, work towards and away from a central line,
so that the rest can be adjusted to all sizes of spindles. Adjustable rigid back rests G
project from the frame to prevent the spindle from vibrating. The back part of the
frame D has a longitudinal opening H, in which is held, parallel to the spindle, the
former I, between an adjustable centre at one end and screws f at the other. This
former is of the exact shape it is desired to give the spindles, and may be a spindle
of the right form cut off to the proper length. It is steadied from the back by
adjustable blocks. A standard J is secured to the rear side of the base, and
projects upwardly outside of the plate B. It has a horizontal arm J¹, which extends

page_text: over a portion of the plate B and under. the frame D, its upwardly-turned end
terminating in the opening H.
In a groove in the upper part of this arm is placed the adjustable tracer K, with
up-turned inner end resting against the front side of the former, and adjusted at its
outer end by a thumb nut K', held in position by a spring strap.
The machine is attached to a common emery wheel stand by securing it on angle
iron, so as to bring the centre of the spindle on a level with the centre of the einery
wheel arbor, and parallel with it.
-A drum three or four inches in diameter should be placed beneath upon the angle
irons and revolved at the rate of five or six hundred times a minute, and connected
by a band or cord with the pulley d of the spindle being ground, so as to turn the
spindle in the opposite direction to the motion of the emery wheel. The position
of the emery wheel is indicated in dotted lines in Figure 18. The plate B and
frame D being moved back and forth by the screw C the spindle will be reduced to
the shape of the former, and by turning the nut K' the spindle will be drawn away
from or moved up to the grinding wheel, varying its size but not changing its shape.
The spindle is removed when ground and another put in its place.
It is evident that the former could be made round or flat, or of any shape, so long
as the side which moves in contact with the tracer is of the outline desired to be
given to the spindles. It is also evident that the former can be made of the same
or of a different size from the final size to which the spindles are to be ground.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the mode in which
the same is carried into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim is,-
First. In the manufacture of cop tubes, the tube-making mechanism operating
substantially as described and shown.
Second. In a tube-making machine, the reciprocating bending punch and mandril
having a vertical movement at each end of their stroke, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Third. The means for giving the reciprocating bending punch and mandril a
vertical movement.
Fourth. The heading tool sliding on the reciprocating and vertically moving
mandril and the striking lever.
Fifth. The means for giving the mandril a lateral movement to bring its carrying
head in front of the striking lever.
Sixth. The bevilled side edges of the cutting punch to make the up-turned sides
of the flat blank.
Seventh. The pins on the stationary forming die for supporting and turning
the U blank.
Eighth. In a tube machine, the combination of the vertically reciprocating
cutting punch, the stationary cutting and bending dies, the stationary and moving
forming dies, and the horizontally reciprocating and vertically moving bending
punch and mandril.
Ninth. In the manufacture of cop tubes, the tube-wiring mechanism operating
substantially as described and shown.
Tenth. The adjustable arm with eye in its end and the tension spool for feeding
the wire.
Eleventh. The pivotted lever and sliding bevilled sleeve for locking the tube on
the mandril.
Twelfth. The peculiar clutch and disengaging devices for throwing the machine
into and out of connection with the power.
Thirteenth. The combination in a tube-wiring machine of a mandril adapted to
carry a cop tube, a shaft with spiral guide, a guide rod carrying wire, feeding
devices, and a swinging tracer arm.
Fourteenth. In fitting cop tubes, the spindle grinding mechanism operating sub-
stantially as described and shown.
Fifteenth. The removably and adjustably secured former.
Sixteenth. The adjusting tracer.

page_text: Seventeenth. The adjustable blocks for steadying the former.
Eighteenth. The construction of the centering rest for the spindle.
Nineteenth. The adjustable back rest for the spindle.
Twentieth. The frame D carrying the former and the spindle, pressed forward
laterally by a spring and moved longitudinally by a screw, in combination with the
stationary tracer.
Twenty-first. The combination with the stationary bed, the plate sliding
longitudinally upon the same, the frame carrying former and spindle moving
laterally upon such plate, and the stationary tracer supported from the bed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.