Metallic Tubes and similar Articles.
Year: 1885

page_text: Metallic Tubes and similar Articles.
We, JOHN EARLE and GEORGE BOURNE, both of Spring Hill, Birmingham in
the County of Warwick, Tube Manufacturers, 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 :-
Our invention has reference to machinery or apparatus for ornamenting brass or
other metal tubes, circular bars and the like.
For the purpose of ornamenting metallic tubes it has been customary to cause
them to pass between rolls having on the peripheries dies for impressing the
desired devices upon the tubes. By these such designs only can be imparted as can
be produced by longitudinal movements of the tube with which is combined move-
ments in a rotary sense in the case of spiral tubes.
In the specification of an invention, dated September 4, 1883, No 4254, for
which Letters Patent were granted to us, there is described machinery or apparatus
for ornamenting tubes by a number of simultaneously acting stampers. This
apparatus is most satisfactory in its operation when a small design is required but
for impressing a long figure such as that shown on the accompanying drawing in
Fig. 5 a very powerful machine would be required. Now our present invention
has for object to enable designs covering a large area to be impressed on the tube
by an oscillating or rolling motion of the dies and with a minimum amount of
power. In conjunction with the apparatus means are provided for imparting to
the tube to be operated upon movements in a rotary sense, as well as longitudinal
movements.
Referring to the accompanying sheets of drawings Fig. 1, Sheet 1, shows a side
elevation of one form of the apparatus; Fig. 2 is an end view; Fig. 3 is an
elevation, similar to Fig. 1 showing by dotted lines the positions the oscillating
dies and connecting links assume in the different stages of their travel. Fig. 4 is
an end view of the blocks and dies. Fig. 5 illustrates by way of example such a
pattern as may be impressed upon a tube by this machine and is drawn full size.
Fig. 1 Sheet 2, is a front elevation of a modified form of the apparatus. Fig. 2
is a side elevation of same. Fig. 3 is an elevation of one of the rollers shewing the
ornamenting dies; Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 1 only with the gearing arranged

page_text: on die plates. Fig. 5 is an elevation of one of the rollers; Fig. 6 is a solid steel
roll with a break cut in.
In the machines illustrated in the drawings four dies are shewn, but to produce
some designs it may be advantageous to use more or less than four according to the
requirements of the case.
Referring to Sheet 1 each die A is fixed to or formed in one with a segmental
roller, capable of an oscillating or vibrating motion. These rollers are carried in
the holders B. B. B. B which are held or guided in the headstock or fixed boss B¹.
Each block can be adjusted with relation to the headstock or fixed boss by means
of a screw and a locknut L. Each block B is formed with a recess or slot for
holding the segmental roller A which is pivotted by a pin C¹. At another part of
the roller there is a second pin C¹ which is connected by a link D to a pin E on a
reciprocating trunk or plunger F. This trunk is carried in a frame Ĝ on which
are two lugs supporting the axis of a pinion I working into a rack J let into the
trunk F. By rotating the pinion I by means of the hand-wheel K alternately in
opposite directions, a reciprocating motion is given to the trunk F, links D D, D, D
and rollers A. A. A. A.
If a metallic tube or similar article be placed between the dies, and they be then
oscillated or vibrated, the pattern or design engraved or formed upon them will
be impressed on the tube. Or instead of the tube being drawn backwards and
forwards by the dies the tube may be pushed backwards and forwards by other
means, such for example as the ordinary draw tackle, and the pattern be imparted
to it by this means. If the die or pattern be raised above the general surface of
the segmental rollers the tube will be free at each extremity of the stroke of the
rollers, and may be adjusted to bring the next pattern into its proper relative
position.
On sheet No 2 a modified form of apparatus according to this invention is shown
with the dies attached to or formed in one with rollers which rotate constantly in
one direction. The engraved surface may be continuous or may have one or more
breaks in it according to the requirement of the case.
The rollers A. A. A. A are fixed to axes C. C. C. C. mounted in the blocks or
holders B. B. B. B. At each extremity of each axis C a mitre wheel D is fixed,
the object of the gearing being to prevent the rollers from changing their relative
positions when once set and to ensure their simultaneous motion.
Fig. 4 illustrates a slightly different arrangement of gearing and rollers. Spur
wheel gearing can be applied when two rollers only are required.
Fig. 5 is an elevation of a roller showing the manner of attaching dies A¹.
A soft or ductile material may be arranged on the periphery of roller between the
ornamenting dies when necessary so as not to injure the tube under operation.
Fig. 6 is an elevation showing a solid steel roller, with a break in its periphery.
It may be requisite to have a number of such breaks for special cases and also to
combine with them a soft material as shown at Fig. 5.
The above described ornamenting apparatus needs to be fixed on a suitable
bench or frame such for example as that shewn in our previous specification
No 4254 above referred to, provided with means for moving the tube in an inter-
mittent, longitudinal, or rotary sense.
Having thus described the nature of our said invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, we would have it understood that what we believe to be
novel and original and therefore claim as our invention in machinery or apparatus
for ornamenting metallic tubes and similar articles is
1. The use of one or more segmental rollers carrying or forming dies in con-
junction with means for moving the said segmental rollers, either directly or
through the intermediary of the articles to be treated substantially as described.
2. The improved apparatus constructed arranged and operating substantially as
described with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 Sheet 1 of the drawings.

page_text: 3. The use of two or more rollers geared together and carrying or forming dies
in combination with means for drawing a tube or similar article between the said
dies substantially as described.
4. Ornamenting a tube or similar article by passing it between rollers, the
periphery or peripheries of one or more of which is or are formed partly by a die
or dies, and partly by soft material substantially as and for the purposes herein-
above described.
5. The combination of parts constituting the improved machine, constructed
arranged and operating substantially as described with reference to sheet 2 of the
drawings.