Improvements in Producing Patterns and other Devices, Lettering, and the like at the Surface of Tinplate and other Sheet Metal by Pressure, and in Means or Appliances employed therein, and in the Methods of Preparing Portions of such Appliances.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Aug., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 30th Apr., 1894-Accepted, 9th June, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Producing Patterns and other Devices, Lettering,
and the like at the Surface of Tinplate and other Sheet Metal
by Pressure, and in Means or Appliances employed therein, and
in the Methods of Preparing Portions of such Appliances.
We, JOHN WILLIAM SANKEY, FREDERICK ERNEST SANKEY, and GEORGE
HERBERT SANKEY, trading together in co-partnership as Joseph Sankey and Sons,
of Albert Street Works, Bilston in the County of Stafford, Metal Stampers and
Hollowware Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:―
"
An appliance for use in producing patterns, or other devices lettering or the like,
(or any two or more of such) at the surface of tinplate, or other sheet metal,
by pressure, consists, according to this invention, in its main features; of a strong
cylindrical roll, hereinafter termed for convenience the " pressure roll, capable
of revolving in bearings carried in suitable holsters provided with pins by which
the pressure may be adjusted, and having either a plain cylindrical surface or a
pattern or other device lettering or the like formed therein. either in reverse or
obverse, as required to produce the desired result; of a table which is moved
backwards and forwards under the pressure roll in the manner in which a planing
machine table is operated, or in other convenient manner, but the movement is
preferably at the same rate in one direction as in the other; and of a steel plate
or steel-faced die carried by the table and having the desired pattern, or other
device lettering or the like, either in reverse or obverse as required to produce the
desired result, at the face thereof. The table is carried upon rollers which roll on
the machine bed, in order to minimise friction. The ends or journals of the rollers
are carried in bearings of a movable frame or cradle and thus the position of the
rollers in relation to one another is maintained. The steel plate or die aforesaid
is. preferably, fixed to the face of a block which is itself fixed direct upon the
table. A toothed rack which is formed with or fixed to the table gears with a
pinion mounted on the axis of the pressure roll, and thus as the table is moved
backwards and forwards the pressure roll is caused to revolve first in one direction
and them in the opposite direction.
If the pattern, or other device lettering or the like, is to be produced merely by
the difference in the appearance of the portions of the surface of the tinplate or
other sheet metal which have been subjected to a heavy pressure compared with
the appearance of the parts which have not been subjected to such pressure, a
steel plate as aforesaid, having the pattern or other device lettering or the like
engraved therein in reverse, is fixed to the block which is carried by the table, and
the tinplate or other sheet metal is placed upon the steel plate and is passed there-
with, as the table is moved, under the pressure roll which is caused to bear
thereupon under considerable pressure, and is in this case formed with a plain
cylindrical surface. The metal thus operated upon between the steel plate and
pressure roll is almost as flat and level on each side as before the operation; but
the parts thereof which have been tightly nipped or compressed between the plain
surface of the roll and the prominent portions of the surface of the steel plate,
have a different appearance, at the face thereof which has been in contact with the
steel plate, from the parts of the metal which have passed between the plain
surface of the roll and the sunk portions of the plate. A separate tinplate or
other piece of sheet metal may be operated upon between the pressure roll and
engraved plate at each movement of the machine table. In employing the machine

page_text: above described for the purpose described in this paragraph it is not essential,
though preferred, to operate the pressure roll by means of a rack and pinion from
the table, as the movement of the steel plate will itself ensure the operation of
the roll.
If the pattern, or other device lettering or the like, is to be produced by
embossing the tinplate or other sheet metal, the same may be accomplished,
according to this invention, by placing the tinplate or other sheet metal upon a
steel plate or steel faced die as aforesaid operated in the manner described, and
passing the same therewith under a pressure roll as aforesaid carried and operated
in the manner described, both the surface of the steel plate or die and the surface
of the roll being prepared with the desired pattern, or other device lettering or
the like, so that projecting portions of the face of the one press the tinplate or
other sheet metal into sunk portions of the face of the other. In this case the
pattern, or other device, lettering or the like, may be, and preferably is, first
engraved or formed in the face of either the steel plate or die or in the face of
the pressure roll, preferably in the face of the plate or die, and the pattern, or
other device lettering or the like, be then formed in the face of the other part by
operating the machine while the roll is pressed with great force upon the surface
of the steel plate or die, and of course for a sufficient number of times to produce
the desired result. The surface which is thus formed by the surface already
prepared must, of course, be soft compared with the latter surface.
Dated this 31st day of July 1893.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Producing Patterns and other Devices, Lettering,
and the like at the Surface of Tinplate and other Sheet Metal
by Pressure, and in Means or Appliances employed therein, and
in the Methods of Preparing Portions of such Appliances.
We, JOHN WILLIAM SANKEY, FREDERICK ERNEST SANKEY and GEORGE
HERBERT SANKEY, trading together in co-partnership as Joseph Sankey and Sons,
of Albert Street Works, Bilston in the County of Stafford, Metal Stampers and
Hollow ware Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
An appliance for use in producing patterns, or other devices lettering or the like,
(or any two or more of such) at the surface of tinplate, or other sheet metal, by
pressure, consists, according to this invention, in its main features; of a strong
cylindrical roll, hereinafter termed for convenience the "pressure" roll, capable of
revolving in bearings carried in suitable holsters provided with pins by which the
pressure may be adjusted, and having either a plain cylindrical surface or a pattern
or other device lettering or the like formed therein, either in reverse or obverse as
required to produce the desired result; of a table which is moved backwards and
forwards under the pressure roll in the manner in which a planing machine-table is
operated, or in other convenient manner, but the movement is preferably at the
same rate in one direction as in the other; and of a steel plate or die carried by
the table, and either formed plain at its upper face or having the desired pattern or
other device lettering or the like, either in reverse or obverse as required to produce
the desired result, at such face.
If the pattern, or other device lettering or the like, is to be produced in imitation
of engraved work and the back of the tinplate or other sheet metal is to remain flat,
or substantially so, the steel plate or die has the pattern, or other device, lettering
or the like, engraved therein in reverse and the pressure 1oll is formed with a plain

page_text: cylindrical surface. The tinplate or other sheet metal is placed upon the plate or
die and is passed therewith, as the table is moved, under the pressure roll which is
caused to bear thereupon under considerable pressure. The pattern or other
device, lettering or the like is thus produced at the surface of the tinplate or
other sheet metal which is directly pressed against the engraved plate or die.
A separate tinplate or other piece of sheet metal may be operated upon between
the pressure roll and engraved plate or die at each movement of the machine
table.
In lieu of engraving the pattern, or other device, lettering or the like in the
surface of the steel plate or die for the purpose described in the last preceding
paragraph, the plate or die may itself be quite plain at its upper face and the
pattern, or other device, lettering or the like, be engraved in the surface of the roll;
but it is much more expensive to prepare the roll in this manner than to prepare the
plate or die.
If the pattern, or other device, lettering or the like, is to be produced by embossing
the tinplate or other sheet metal, the same may be accomplished, according to this
invention, by placing the tinplate or other sheet metal upon the steel plate or die
operated in the manner described, and passing the same therewith under a pressure
roll carried and operated in the manner described, both the surface of the steel
plate or die and the surface of the roll being prepared with the desired pattern, or
other device, lettering or the like, so that projecting portions of the face of the one
press the tinplate or other sheet metal into sunk portions of the face of the other.
In this case the pattern, or other device, lettering or the like, may be, and
preferably is, first engraved or formed in the face of either the steel plate or die or
in the face of the pressure roll, preferably in the face of the plate or die as being
more convenient, and the pattern, or other device, lettering or the like be then
formed in the face of the other part by operating the machine while the roll is
pressed with great force upon the surface of the steel plate or die, and of course for
a sufficient number of times to produce the desired result. The surface which is
this formed by the surface already prepared must, of course, be soft compared with
the latter surface. In embossing sheet metal in this manner the pressure roll should,
of course, be positively driven so that the different portions of the pattern or other
device, lettering or the like, at the surface of the roll will always come opposite to
the corresponding portions of the pattern or other device, lettering or the like, at
the surface of the steel plate or die as the plate or die passes under the roll; and,
to ensure this result, the roll may be operated by a toothed rack carried by the
table gearing into a pinion on the axis of the roll.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood, we will proceed to
describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate
convenient mechanism, constructed according to this invention, for use in producing
a pattern, or other device, lettering or the like, at the surface of a template or other
metal sheet by means of a roll and steel plate or die of which the surface of the
roll or of the plate or die only is prepared with the pattern, or other device lettering
or the like.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine, Figure 2 an end view looking in the
direction of the arrow a Figure 1, and Figure 3 a plan of the machine.
A is the bed of the machine supported on stands B B. The pressure roll C is
carried in holsters D D fixed upon the bed. The table E has a longitudinal rib b
projecting downwards along the middle thereof which fits between the sides ce of
a slot formed in the bed, and the bottom of this rib is formed as a toothed rack d.
A toothed pinion F, fixed upon a shaft G carried in bearings in the sides of the
bed, gears into the toothed rack of the table E, and an endway movement is
imparted to the table from the engine or other source of motive power through the
medin of a pulley H carried on a shaft e, a pinion on such shaft gearing into a
spur wheel K fixed upon a shaft f, and a pinion L on the shaft gearing into a
wheel M on the shaft G. On the shaft e, and on each side of the pulley II, are
carried a pair of loose pulleys N N¹. Each of these loose pulleys is driven by an

page_text: independent strap so as to revolve the one in an opposite direction to the other, and
the table E is driven in one direction by moving the strap of the wheel N on to the
fast pulley H, and is driven in the opposite direction by moving such strap again
on to the pulley N and moving the strap from the pulley N¹ on to the pulley H,
these operations being performed in the manner presently described. When the
straps are, respectively, around the pulleys N N¹, that is to say, when they are both
clear of the pulley H, the machine is of course at rest.
In order to minimise the friction which would otherwise be occasioned by the
movement of the table E upon the bed A, rollers g are interposed between the
underside of the table and planed surfaces g² of the bed, and transmit the weight of
and pressure upon the plate to the bed through the rollers. A set of rollers is used
on each side of the rib b, and the rollers of each set are distanced apart by means
of side plates or cheeks so that the position of the rollers in relation to one another
is maintained. A set of rollers and side plates is illustrated, to an enlarged scale,
in plan by Figure + and in side elevation by Figure 5. The ends or journals of the
rollers g are carried in bearings formed therefor in the side plates or cheeks h.
Each set of rollers and side plates is just an easy fit between one side of the rib b
and an upward flange, on the bed A, and thus while the side plates are free to
move endways along the bed as the rollers g roll therealong they are kept in
proper position sideways. About two inches beyond each end of the normal stroke
of each set of rollers and side plates, there is fixed, projecting from the corresponding
flange j, a stud r to prevent the rollers from being accidentally rolled out from under
the table. A plate P is fixed upon the bed E by means of pins passing through
flanges at the ends of the plate P'; and a steel plate k is fixed upon the plate P
by means of dogs l etc. The method of using the dogs to fix the steel plate k to
the plate P is illustrated in section, to an enlarged scale, by Figure 6, from which it
will be seen that the dog is formed with a wedge-shaped projection at its upper
end, which enters a correspondingly-shaped recess formed in the edge of the steel
plate k, into which it is tightened and the dog securely held to the plate P by means
of a screw m. The pins along the sides may be countersunk, as shewn by Figure 6,
to avoid making the machine unnecessarily wide, but the corresponding pins at the
ends may have ordinary heads. The desired pattern or other device lettering or
the like may, as already stated, be formed in the surface of the roll C, and the
surface of the steel plate be left quite plain; but it is preferred, as also already
stated, to form such pattern or other device, lettering or the like, in the surface of
the steel plate k, and to make the surface of the roll C quite plain.
The tinplate or other metal sheet, at the surface of which a pattern or other
device, lettering, or the like is to be produced by the mechanism illustrated, is laid
upon the steel plate k and the machine is then set in motion and the table E moved
endways so as to pass the tinplate or other metal sheet under the pressure roll C,
and the table is moved end ways in the same direction sufficiently to allow the tin-
plate or other metal sheet to pass clear of the pressure roll and to be removed from
the steel plate k, and the machine is then stopped. The tinplate or other sheet
metal will then be found to have the pattern or other device, lettering, or the like,
produced at the surface thereof as desired. Another tinplate or metal sheet is then
laid upon the steel plate k, and the machine is re-started to run the table back again
and thus carry the tinplate or other metal sheet then lying upon the steel plate k
under the pressure roll C; and so on for any number of tinplates or other metal
sheets at the surface of which it is required to produce a pattern or other device,
lettering, or the like.
The machine is, preferably, started in each direction by hand, but it is preferred
that it shall be stopped automatically when the table has travelled sufficiently in
one direction to bring the tinplate or other metal sheet which it is carrying clear of
the pressure roll, and in order to accomplish this, and to allow of the machine
being started from either end, the mechanism is employed which we will now pro-
ceed to describe. When the machine is desired to run in the direction of the
airow a Figure 1, the strap which normally runs around the pulley N' is moved on

page_text: to the fast pulley H. The strap guide n for this strap is fixed to a bar o which is
carried to be capable of moving end ways in guides pp. The bell-crank q', pivoted
at, has its arm 9 engaging at its outer end with a stud carried by the sliding-bar o,
and the outer end of its arm q' is pivotally connected with one end of a rods of
which the other end is pivotally connected with a handle lever t situated in position
near the end of the machine from which the table E is started to travel in the
direction of the arrow a, and the machine is started to move the table in such
direction by pulling the handle t. The machine is stopped, as the table E com-
pletes its stroke when travelling in the direction of the arrow a, by the end of the
table coming in contact with a pusher Q, which consists conveniently of a vertical
plate v, held to slide against the inside of one of the flanges; by means of set-
pins ww passing through a slot in the plate, of a head a' formed on the inner end
of the plate, of a set pin screwed through the head a' so as to be capable of
adjustment, of a socket c' on the end of the plate v, and of a spring buffer pin d¹
fitted within the socket c¹. As the pusher is moved endways by the table, the head
of the pin comes against a stud e¹ carried by the arm 7', and thus moves such
arm and consequently the arm 9 and draws the strap guide n in a direction to move
the strap passing therethrough from the pulley H to the pulley N', and therefore
moves back also the bar o and handle levert into the position shewn on the
drawings. When the machine is desired to run in the opposite direction to that indi-
cated by the arrow a Figure 1, the strap which normally runs around the pulley N
is moved on to the fast pulley H. The strap guide n' for this strap is fixed to a
bar o' which is carried to be capable of moving endways in the guides pp.
The
bell-crank, pivoted also at 2, has its arm engaging at its outer end with a
stud carried by the sliding-bar o', and the outer end of its arm is pivotally con-
nected with one end of a rod g¹ of which the other end is pivotally connected with
a cross lever pivoted at the opposite end of the machine to a bracket which
projects from the end of the bed of the machine. The strap is moved from the
pulley N to the pulley H by pulling forward a handle ¹ fixed on the end of the
sliding-bar o', the bell-crank, the bar g', and the lever being all moved by
the same operation. A cranked arm l, fixed at one end to the cross lever h', is
formed with a horizontal socket m' at its upper end, and this socket is fitted with
a spring buffer pin pl corresponding to the spring buffer pin before described.
As the table E approaches the end of its stroke in the direction in which it is now
travelling, it comes against the spring buffer pin p¹ and consequently moves the
lever outwards, and thus through the medium of the bell-crank flƒ³ moves
the strap guide n' from the pulley H back to the pulley N and stops the movement
of the machine.
1
In order to prevent the machine running on for a short time after the driving belt.
has been moved on to its loose pulley, as it would otherwise have a tendency to do
Owing to the momentum of the large wheel M, such wheel carries a curved bar s²
formed with a horn at each end, and once during each revolution of the wheel M
the bars, bearing against a friction roller t carried by the end of a lever ut, moves
outwards such lever and raises an aim v¹ carried on the same spindle as the lever u¹,
and thus raises a rod w¹ and tightens a strap a² around a brake wheel 2 fixed upon
the spindle e on which the strap pulleys N, H and N₁ are carried. The frictional
hold of the brake is only sufficient to ensure the machine stopping when the driving
belt is moved from off the pulley H, but does not prevent the movement of the
machine when a driving belt is on the pulley H. The curved bar is made of
considerable length, as shewn, to allow for different lengths of stroke of the table E.
The sockets c' and m' are adjustably fixed to the plate v and lever h, respectively,
so that they may be moved inwards or outwards in relation thereto to vary the
stroke of the machine as required.
The arm (shewn in Figure 3 by broken lines only) is merely a safety appliance.
It is pivoted at one end to the lever ', as shewn, and when it is in the position.
shewn on the drawings its inner end comes against the end of the bed A and
prevents the lever from being moved inwards, and consequently prevents the

page_text: machine from being started when the table is in the position shewn in the drawings.
When it is desired to work the machine, the arm c³ is moved back on its pivot
centre, and remains in such position so long as the operator is in attendance upon
the machine.
The pressure roll C is held down by holster pins RR, in a manner well under-
stood; and the pins are locked by nuts U U, which may consist conveniently of
collars having holes therein for the engagement of the end of a bar therewith. It
is sometimes required, however, to pass the table E and plate P with the steel
plate & thereon underneath the roll C, under circumstances in which it is desirable
that the roll shall be out of contact with the plate k; and, to enable this to be
readily effected, yoke-pieces S are passed over extended ends of the necks of the
roll C, and are connected by means of rods e² and nuts f³ with a cross-head T which
is carried on collars on the holster pins RR. The portions of the holster pins which
pass through the cross-head are circular so as to allow of the pins readily turning
within the head. As the holster pins are slackened back the cross-head T is raised
and consequently also the roll C. The yoke-pieces S also carry the roll when the
same is not bearing upon the tinplate or other sheet metal, as the necks of the rolls
revolve in solid bearings which are capable of being raised and lowered in the
hol-ters.
The portion described as the steelplate k may be formed as a steel-faced or solid
steel die, and whether this is done or not the plate P' may be dispensed with, if
desired, and the steel plate or die be fixed direct to the table E. The use of the
plate P, however, is found to be convenient, as such plate and the steel plate or die
may be kept fixed together when removed from the mechanism, which tends to
prevent injury to the steel plate or die.
Friction balls might, of course, be used in lieu of friction rollers g to transmit
the pressure of the table E to the bed A, but the rollers are much preferred.
A machine constructed according to this invention for producing the pattern or
other device, lettering, or the like by embossing the tinplate or other sheet metal,
and in which consequently both the surface of the pressure roll and of the steel
plate or die are prepared with the pattern or other device, lettering, or the like, is
substantially the same as the machine described and illustrated, except that the
pressure roll C must be positively driven to ensure that its periphery shall always
travel at the same speed as the tinplate or other sheet metal which is being
embossed. This is conveniently accomplished by carrying a rack which projects
upwards along one side of the table and is geared with a pinion formed with or
fixed to the roll. For this purpose the machine would require to be somewhat
wider between the holsters D D than shewn in the drawings, for dealing with the
same width of tinplates or other metal sheets as the machine illustrated is con-
structed for.
The method of preparing the surface of the embossing roll by pressure from the
prepared plate or die, or the surface of the plate or die from the prepared roll, will
be clear from the description already given. It may be convenient, however, to
state that the surface first prepared should be of harder material, such for instance
as hardened steel, and the surface which is prepared by pressure thereagainst
should be of softer material, such for instance as unhardened steel, or, as a further
instance, one of the surfaces may be of steel hardened or not and the other surface
of gun metal.
The expression "pattern, or other device, lettering or the like," whenever used
in this Specification includes, also, two or more of such.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. Producing a pattern or other device, lettering or the like (or two or more of
such), at the surface of a tinplate or other metal sheet, by carrying such tinplate
or other metal sheet upon a flat die or backing piece which travels along a

page_text: supporting bed, and subjecting it to the pressure of a roll, either the surface of the-
said die or backing piece having the pattern or other device, lettering or the like,
(or two or more of such) formed therein and the cylindrical surface of the roll
being plain, or the surface of the die or backing piece being plain and the
cylindrical surface of the roll having the pattern or other device lettering or the
like (or two or more of such) formed therein, substantially as described.
2. Producing a patttern or other device, lettering or the like (or two or more of
such), at the surface of a tinplate or other metal sheet, by carrying such tinplate.
or other metal sheet upon a flat die or backing piece which travels on a supporting
bed, and subjecting it to the pressure of a roll, the surface of the said die or backing
piece and also the cylindrical surface of the roll being prepared so that upon the
tinplate or other metal sheet being pressed between the roll and die or backing piece.
it will become embossed with the desired pattern or other device, lettering or the
like (or two or more of such), substantially as described.
3. An appliance for use in producing a pattern or other device, lettering or the-
like (or two or more of such), at the surface of a tinplate or other metal sheet;
characterised by having a pressure roll beneath which a flat backing-piece
supporting the tinplate or other metal sheet is traversed along a supporting bed,
the cylindrical surface of the roll being plain and the surface of the backing piece
prepared with the desired pattern or other device, lettering or the like (or two or
inore of such), or the cylindrical surface of the roll being so prepared and the
surface of the backing-piece being plain, substantially as described.
4. An appliance for use in producing a pattern or other device, lettering or the
like (or two or more of such), at the surface of a tinplate or other metal sheet,
characterised by having a pressure roll beneath which a flat backing piece
supporting the timplate or other metal sheet is traversed along a supporting bed,
the cylindrical surface of the roll and also the surface of the backing piece being
prepared with the desired pattern or other device, lettering or the like (or two or
more of such), so that as the tinplate or metal sheet is pressed between them it
becomes embossed with the pattern or other device, lettering or the like, (or two
or more of such) the said roll being positively driven so that its periphery revolves
at the same velocity as the movement of the backing piece, substantially as.
described.
5. In a machine for use in producing a pattern or other device, lettering or the
like (or two or more of such), at the surface of a tinplate or other metal sheet. in.
which a flat backing piece or die carrying the tinplate or other metal sheet is
traversed along a supporting bed and under a pressure roll, transmitting the
pressure of the backing piece or die to the bed of the machine through friction.
rollers (or balls), substantially as described.
6. A machine for use in producing a pattern or other device, lettering or the
like (or two or more of such), at the surface of a tiuplate or other metal sheet,.
constructed and operating substantially as described and shewn by the drawings.
herewith; and also the modification thereof, for use in embossing tin plate or
other sheet metal, in which the pressure roll is operated by means of a rack
projecting from the table and gearing with a pinion formed with or fixed to the
roll, substantially as described.
7. Preparing the surfaces of a pressure roll and flat die or backing piece to be.
used in producing a pattern or other device, lettering or the like (or two or more
of such), at the surface of a tinplate or other metal sheet by embossing such plate
or sheet by traversing it, whilst upon the die or backing piece, under the pressure
roll-by first engraving or forming such pattern or other device, lettering or the
like (or two or more of such), in the face of either the die or backing piece, or of
the pressure roll, but preferably in the face of the die or backing piece, and then
passing the die or backing piece to-and-fro in contact with the roll while the roll is
pressed with great force against the surface of the die or backing piece, whereby
the pattern or other device lettering or the like (or two or more of such) prepared

page_text: in the one surface is imparted, more or less deeply, as may be required, to the other
surface, substantially as described.
acil
A1 1904
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicants.