Improved Means or Apparatus for Forging Iron or Steel Balls:
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Feb., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 17th Nov., 1893-Accepted, 17th Feb., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means or Apparatus for Forging Iron or Steel Balls:
I, JOHN HUDCHTON of 52, Boston Street, Oldham, in the County of
Lancaster, Blacksmith, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide apparatus for forging circular balls of
iron or steel such as those used for the ball-bearings of cycles or the like though
balls of a larger size may be forged by the apparatus constructed in accordance
with this invention.
In carrying out my invention I use two dies or blocks which are provided with
means or are so constructed that they may be readily fixed in the stationary anvil
and movable post, respectively of a forging machine. Each of these dies is
provided with a longitudinal groove on its working face, corresponding in cross
section with the contour of the bar of iron or steel from which the balls are to be
made. Below this groove I provide a number of semi-spherical holes which
correspond to the contour of the balls desired to be made, and at a suitable distance
from each other. The holes in one die or block I prefer to make a little deeper
than those in the other for the following reason:- When a bar of iron or steel is
heated and placed in position between the dies along the longitudinal groove of the
bottom block, and the top block is brought down upon the bar the latter is forced
into the holes of both dies thus forming a number of approximately circular balls.
These balls are, however, connected to each other by a thin fin of metal slightly out
of the centre in relation to the balls and by turning the bar round what might be
described as the lesser half of the ball is placed in position over the holes in the
block which are larger than half a ball and the larger half of the ball vice versa.
If the block or die whose holes are less than a half sphere are now brought down
on the balls the fins will be entirely removed and all the balls left free. They
are then removed and conducted to the grinding or polishing apparatus. In some
cases the holes in the bottom die are made quite through to the bottom.
It will be understood that I may use any suitable number of these dies, with the
same or different sizes of holes, in one forging machine.
Dated this 15th day of February 1893.
Per pro EMMOTT & CO., LIMITED,
ROBERT WOOD, Secretary,
New Bridge Street, Manchester, and 391, Strand, London,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means or Apparatus for Forging Iron or Steel Balls.
I, JOHN HUDGHTON of 52, Boston Street, Oldham in the County of
Lancaster, Blacksmith 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 :-
The object of this invention is to provide apparatus for forging circular balls of
iron or steel or other materials, such as those used for the ball bearings of cycles
or the like, though balls of a larger size may be forged by the apparatus constructed
in accordance with this invention.

page_text: The invention will be fully described with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which,
.
Fig. 1. shows a sectional elevation of dies constructed in accordance with my
invention.
Fig. 2 a plan of same whilst
Fig. 3 shows a sectional elevation of dies constructed in a modified form and
Fig. A shows a plan of same.
In carrying out my invention and referring more particularly to Figures 1 & 2
I provide two dies A and B. Die A.I fix in the vertically reciprocating slide of a
forging machine or it may be a horizontally reciprocating slide or even an inclined
one, and die B I fix in what is usually termed the anvil or stationary part of
a forging machine, or yet again both of the dies may be fixed in parts of forging
machines which both reciprocate to and away from each other. Ordinary or
suitable means may be provided for keeping the dies firmly fixed in the slides
or anvils of the forging machine. In the drawings I have shown a method most
most commonly adopted viz. :- that of inclining or dovetailing the sides of the
dies. Suitable provision may also be made in the form of pins a and corresponding
holes b to guide the blocks during working.
Each of the dies A & B are provided with a groove c along its surface, this
groove is intended to be a means of guiding the bar of metal to be formed into balls
into position and therefore need but be very shallow indeed.
In each of the dies and in line with the grooves I make a number of half or
approximately half spherical holes c¹ and c¹ at suitable distances apart from each
other. The top die is preferably made with holes which are less than half
a sphere whilst the holes c¹¹ in the bottom die are each made of a half sphere with
what might be correctly termed a tubular or cylindrical prolongation thereof.
This prolongation may be slightly wider at the outer end in order to allow the balls
to "clear." Now in making balls with dies formed as above described and
assuming them to be already fixed in the respective parts of a forging machine as
herein before described I first heat the iron or steel in the ordinary way and then
pass it between the dies. When the top block or die A is brought down upon the
bar the latter is forced into the holes of both dies and the metal assumes the shape
shown in Fig. 5.-that is to say each ball is somewhat spherical. Each ball is,
however, connected to that on each side of it by a
"
"fin
or thin piece of metal C
which as will be seen by reference to Fig. 5 is slightly out of the centre in relation
to the balls. By turning the bar round and placing it in position again between the
dies A and B what might be described as the lesser half of the ball is in position
over the holes in the die B which are larger than half a sphere and the larger half
of the ball vice versa. The top block or die A whose holes are less than half
a sphere is now brought down on the balls and the "fins" connecting the latter are
by this change of position entirely shorn off and all the balls left separate or free
from one another. The top die is now raised and the balls brushed out or removed
in any convenient manner, and taken to a grinding or polishing apparatus to be
completely finished in the usual way.
It will be obvious to the practical engineer that any convenient number of these
dies or pairs of dies may be used in one machine or that two three or more rows of
holes may be combined in one die and that the longitudinal grooves before referred
to may be entirely dispensed with and any suitable means provided to retain
the bars in correct position whilst the balls are being forged. Such a set of dies I
have shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Here the first row of holes D in each die are made
of a half spherical shape or one row may be less than a half sphere as before
described, and the other larger. The balls may be forged with these holes and
then taken to a set of holes differently-or in some points similarly-constructed for
the detachment of the fins from the balls. The second set of holes when used in
combination with the first set just described are constructed as shown at E the
rowe in the die A being less than half a sphere whilst the holes in row el are
pierced entirely through the die as shown or the holes are made to communicate

page_text: with an inclined passage or passages ell as shown in longitudinal section Fig. 6 by
means of which the balls are led away. The holes e¹ are preferably made wider at
the bottom than the top so that the balls will easily pass therethrough. The third
set of holes F are made similar to those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the omission
of the longitudinal groove.
In conclusion I would have it understood that the holes in the dies may be made
of any suitable size and of any number and that the dies may be used other than in
a forging machine.
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. Dies for forging balls for the ball bearings of cycles or the like, each of which
is provided with a shallow longitudinal groove and one of which is also provided
with a number of holes each of which is less than half a sphere whilst the other is
provided with a number of holes each of which is greater than half a sphere
substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. Dies for forging balls for the ball bearings of cycles or the like having in
combination (a) a set of holes of a half spherical form for forging the balls. (b) a
set of holes comprising one row of holes formed of a half or less than half spherical
form and holes passing through the die-and communicating or not with an
inclined passage or passages-for removing the fins from the balls substantially as.
described.
3. Dies for the purpose specified one of which is provided with holes of less than
a half a sphere whilst the other is provided with holes greater than half a sphere.
substantially as herein before described.
4. The combination with a forging machine of dies constructed substantially in
the manner hereinbefore described.
5. Dies constructed substantially as herein before described and shown in the
accompanying drawings either with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 or with reference to-
Figs. 3, 4 and 6 for the purpose specified.
Dated this 16th dor of November 1893
Per
pro EMMOTT & CO., LIMITED,
ROBERT WOOD, Secretary,
2, New Bridge Street, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.