IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING POTTERY WARE IN KILNS AND OVENS, AND IN THE MEANS WHEREBY THE SAME ARE PRODUCED OR FORMED
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Elias Leak, of Longton, in the County of Stafford, Potter's
Machinist, and John Edwards, of Fenton, in the same County, Manufacturer,
for the Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING POTTERY
WARE IN KILNS AND OVENS, AND IN THE MEANS WHEREBY THE SAME ARE
PRODUCED OR FORMED."
Sealed the 26th May 1877, and dated the 28th March 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Elias Leak and John Edwards
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th March 1877.
ELIAS LEAK, of Longton, in the County of Stafford, Potter's Machinist, and
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
JOHN EDWARDS, of Fenton, in the same County, Manufacturer.
APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING POTTERY WARE IN KILNS AND OVENS, AND IN THE
MEANS WHEREBY THE SAME ARE PRODUCED OR FORMED."
This Invention relates principally to the formation of the moulds in which
thimble pins" or "sockets" (used for supporting pottery ware in kilns and ovens)
are made.
"
The Invention also relates to the making of an improved form of sockets, to the
making of self-supporting sockets, and to the making of sockets for supporting the
pottery ware under its bottom or foot in lieu of those hitherto used for supporting
the ware under its rim.
Thimble pins or sockets have hitherto been formed only of a round tapering form,
having one flattened (or curved in) inner and outer side, as no means have hitherto
been devised, by which they could be cheaply formed of a well defined angular or
other suitable shape.
The round tapering form (the mould for forming which has to be bored or drilled
out, which process is not applicable for forming any angular shape) is objectionable
on account of the facility with which a pile or series of sockets can be disturbed,
whereby the pottery ware being supported by them may be spoiled.
The principal object of this Invention is so to form the moulds as to allow of
angular or other suitable shapes of sockets being made cheaply and with great
facility, these shapes being the most desirable on account of their non-liability to be
Daina 21

page_text: easily disturbed. This object we attain by either casting the mould of steel, iron,
nickel, copper, zinc, platinum, tin, or other suitable metal, or of suitable combinations
or compounds thereof, or of glass on or around a chilled die of similar material, and
of the shape the mould is required internally (and consequently of the external shape
of the socket), or by heating the mould blank and stamping the shape desired therein
with a chilled die, the use of which hardens the internal moulding surface; the mould is
subsequently turned externally to fit its bed plate. These methods of forming the
mould thus allow of the exterior of the socket being moulded in any angular shape
required, in the same manner as the round tapering sockets have hitherto been
formed, the metal die which shapes the interiors of the sockets being made in
shape conformably to the lower part of the interior of the mould, and used as
previously.
The improved form of sockets above referred to consists of a round tapering
socket having two flattened (or curved in) inner and outer sides, in lieu of such a
form of socket having only one flattened inner and outer side as hitherto.
The self-supporting sockets above referred to are intended in certain instances
to obviate the necessity for the usual bed plates by which the ordinary sockets
are supported. In those instances wherein various sized plates or other articles
of pottery ware are constantly being baked, each size requires with the present
formation of sockets different sized bed plates, the stock of which in pottery
works therefore has to be large. The use of self-supporting sockets is therefore
preferable, as they can be placed in any desired positions and adapted to the various
sizes of the plates or other articles to be baked, and the usual sockets can be used in
combination with them and piled up above them to the height required. These
sockets are rendered self-supporting by being made with wide extending arms
having under feet or projections, and by which a tolerably good area for support is
attained.
The improved sockets above referred to are also similarly made with wide
extending arms, but without under feet, and which are intended to project under
the foot or bottom of the plate or other article, and thus support in lieu of supporting
it by a mero point under its rim as hitherto.
These improved sockets can be used either in combination with the usual bed.
plates or with the self-supporting sockets.
The under moulds for forming either of these shaped sockets are cast or stamped
in metal (as above described) in two or more parts which are subsequently fitted
and used together, and one of which parts forms a false bottom or lifter, and is
used for raising the socket after it has been moulded therein, by the descent of
the upper die, so that it can be easily removed without spoiling its shape.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Elias Leak and John Edwards in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 28th September 1877.
ELIAS LEAK, of Longton, in the County of Stafford, Potter's Machinist, and
JOHN EDWARDS, of Fenton, in the same County, Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING POTTERY WARE IN KILNS AND OVENS, AND IN THE
MEANS WHEREBY THE SAME ARE PRODUCED OR FORMED."
This Invention which relates generally to the production of improved means for
supporting pottery ware while being baked in kilns or ovens, relates more
particularly,
Firstly. To the formation of the moulds and dies in and by which the
pins" and sockets which support the pottery ware are made.
"thimble
Secondly. To the making of improved forms of "thimble pins" and sockets.
Thirdly. To the making of self-supporting sockets,

page_text: And, Fourthly. To the making of sockets for supporting the pottery ware under
its bottom or foot for use in lieu of those hitherto used for supporting the ware under
its rim.
The Invention is illustrated on the annexed Sheets of Drawings in Figures 1 to 34,
which will severally be hercin-after more particularly referred to.
Before proceeding to more particularly describe our Invention, we would remark
that "thimble pins" have hitherto been made only of the form, as illustrated in
Figure 1 and consisting of a conical shape, having one flattened or grooved inner
and outer side 1 (and without any extension or part raised above the supporting
arm 2), as no means have hitherto been devised by which they could be cheaply
made of a well defined angular, flat sided, or other desirable shape. Thimble pins
of the shape shown in Figure 1 are very objectionable in use on account of the
facility with which a pile or series of them can be disturbed, whereby the pottery
ware supported by them may be spoiled. The moulds in which such thimble pins
were formed have been produced only by boring or drilling them out of metal, which
process is laborious, expensive, and not at all applicable for forming any flat sided
or angular shape, which are the shapes most desirable on account of their perfect fit
and non-liability to be easily disturbed.
Now, the principal object of this Invention is to allow of such flat sided or angular
or other shapes of thimble pins and sockets being made cheaply and with greater
facility than heretofore. This object we attain either, First, by casting the moulds in
which the "thimble pins" or sockets are formed singly or collectively, and whole or in
parts, of steel, iron, nickel, copper, zinc, platinum, tin, or other suitable metal, or of
suitable combinations or compounds thereof, or of glass on or around a chilled die or
dies of suitable hard metal or other suitable material, and of the shape the mould
is required internally, and consequently of the external shape of the thimble pin or
socket; or, Second, by casting the moulds singly or collectively, and whole or in parts
without the use of chilled dies, or by any ordinary process of casting; or, Third, by
heating the mould blanks singly or collectively, and stamping or punching (by the
use of any suitable motive power) the desired shape therein, by the use of chilled or
other hard metal dies; or, Fourth, by casting the moulds singly or collectively, and
whole or in parts, and planing and filing thein and fitting them together when in
parts. The moulds being subsequently turned externally when needed to cause them
to fit the recesses of their bed plates.
These improved methods of forming the said moulds (in which the thimble pins
or sockets are subsequently formed as herein-after described) are illustrated on the
annexed Drawings in Figures 2 to 12. In these Figures, 3 represents the chilled or
other die or stamp, which may be cast or otherwise formed singly, as illustrated in
the plan views, Figures 4, 6, 8, and 10, or collectively in series on sheets or plates 4,
as illustrated in the perspective view Figure 2, and in the front elevations, Figures
3, 5, 7, and 9.
Figure 2 illustrates rows of different forms of dies 3, the first row being of a
tapering triangle in shape, see also Figures 3 and 4, and used in the formation of
the moulds in which sockets of the shapes illustrated in shape in the perspective
views, Figures 13 and 14, are subsequently formed, the second row being of a taper-
ing wedge shape, see also Figures 5 and 6, and used in the formation of the moulds
in which sockets of the shapes illustrated in the perspective views, Figures 15
and 16, are subsequently formed, the third row being of a conical shape with two flat
sides, see also Figures 7 and 8, and used in the formation of the moulds in which
thimble pins of the shape illustrated in the perspective views, Figures 17 and 18,
are subsequently formed, and which will be herein-after more particularly referred
to; and the fourth row being of a conical shape, with but one flat side, see also
Figures 9 and 10, and used in the formation of the mould in which thimble pins of
the shapes illustrated in the perspective views, Figures 1 and 19, are subsequently
formed. These dies being arranged singly or collectively in sheets, as illustrated, in
position for casting, and surrounded by sand moulds (as usually used in casting), or by
slightly tapering metal moulds 5 used singly, as shewn in Figure 5, or in a series

page_text: as shewn in Figure 3, and which fit into grooves 6 in the die plate 4, and are formed
with charging holes 8, and air escape pin holes 9; the molten metal is poured
around them, and the thimble pin or socket moulds 10 are thus formed. The use of
the chilled dies 3 is very advantageous, in that they harden the internal or moulding
surfaces of the moulds 10, and prevent them being quickly worn and losing their
well-defined shape.
Figures 11 and 12 (which are sectional elevations) illustrate the moulds 10 as cast,
planed, and filed or made in parts which are fitted together and secured by pins 11,
or by other suitable means.
The above described methods of forming the moulds 10 thus allow of any desired
shape being given thereto so that thimble pins or sockets of a flat sided, angular,
conical, or any other shape can be produced in these moulds very cheaply and with
great facility.
The moulds 10 of the shape required are then fitted singly or collectively in a
bed plate 12, see the sectional clevation, Figure 20, and the thimble pins or sockets
are formed therein by the descent of a hard metal die or dies 13, in the same
manner as the ordinary thimble pins (Figure 1) have hitherto been formed, and by
the usual apparatus as shown in Figure 20. The thimble pins and sockets thus
receive their external shape from the moulds 10 and their internal shape from the
dies 13, and each of which may be formed of any desired shape, so that any desired
shapes of thimble pins or sockets may be produced by them."
The improved forms of thimble pins and sockets to which reference is made
under the second heading are illustrated in Figures 19, 17, 18, 21, 14, and 16.
Figure 19 shews the ordinary form of thimble pin with the addition of an
extension or rim 14 raised above the arm 2. We add the extension or rim 14 to
both thimble pins and sockets for the purpose of giving more socket space, so that
a pile of thimble pins or sockets may not be unsteady, but rendered firm, easy to
place in position, and less liable to tumble. The rim is also advantageous in that it
gives more space between the arms 2 in a pile of thimble pins or sockets, without
increasing the length of the thimble pins or sockets below the said arms.
Figures 17 and 18 shew a conical thimble pin formed with the rim 14, and with
two flat or curved inner and outer sides 1, for use in lieu of such a form of thimble
pin having only one flattened or curved inner and outer side (see Figure 1) hitherto
used.
Figure 21 represents a similarly shaped thimble pin formed with three flat or
curved sides 1.
Figure 14 shews a flat sided tapering triangular socket formed with the rim 14;
and Figure 16, a tapering wedge-shaped socket formed with the rim 14.
Figure 13 also shews a similarly shaped socket to Figure 14, but without the
rim; and Figure 15, a similarly shaped socket to Figure 16, but without the rim.
The self-supporting sockets to which reference is made under the third heading
are intended in certain instances to obviate the necessity for the usual bed plates,
stands, "cranks," or rings, by which the ordinary thimble pins have been hitherto
supported.
In those instances wherein various sized plates, dishes, or other articles of pottery
ware are constantly being baked, each size requires with the present shape of
thimble pins different sized bed plates, stands, "cranks," or rings, the stock of which
in pottery works therefore has to be large.
The use of self-supporting sockets is therefore desirable, as they can be placed in
any desired positions, and adapted to the various sizes of the plates, dishes, or other
articles to be baked.
These self-supporting sockets are illustrated in the perspective views, Figuros 22
to 24, and in Figures 25 and 26. They are rendered self-supporting by being made
with wide extending arins 2, having under feet or projections 15, by which a
tolerably good area for support is attained.
Figure 22 represents a self-supporting socket formed with one broad arm, but
without any extension 14 above the arm,

page_text: Figure 23 represents a similar socket formed with two narrow but wide extending
arms.
Figure 24 represents a double self-supporting socket, the use of which is illus-
trated more clearly in Figures 25 and 26, which are respectively a sectional elevation
and a plan.
Figure 26 illustrates the method of arranging the self-supporting sockets so as
to support the plates or articles without necessitating the use of the usual ring or
stand 16, illustrated in plan view in Figure 27, and by which the thimble pins have
been hitherto supported; this Figure illustrates a ring or stand 16, supporting three
of the improved sockets (of the form illustrated in Figure 16) the points of the
arms of which support the plate, saucer, or other article under its rim; and tho
sockets to which reference is made under the fourth heading for supporting the
pottery ware under its bottom or foot for use in lieu of those hitherto used for
supporting the ware under its rim, as illustrated in Figure 27, and for use also in
lieu of the usual cranks or rings are also similarly made with wide extending arms 2
(but without the under feet 15), and which are intended to project under the feet
or bottoms of the plates, dishes, saucers, or other articles of pottery, and thus
support it in lieu of supporting them under the rim as illustrated in Figure 27
above described.
These improved sockets are illustrated in Figure 25, and in the perspective views,
Figures 28 to 32.
Figure 25 shews a series of double sockets represented as supporting a series of
saucers 17. The bottom socket is a self-supporting socket without a raised rim,
and the two upper sockets have raised rims, and are of the form described under
the present heading, but are shewn as being formed double.
Figures 28 to 30 represent some of these improved sockets with one broad
arm.
Figure 31, a similar socket, but with two narrow, but wide extending arms; and
Figure 32, a similar socket, but with one narrow central arm.
Figures 28 to 32 are all shewn without the raised rims or extensions 14 above
the arms, but they may be made therewith.
In Figures 28 to 32 and in Figures 22 to 26, 18 represents raised ribs which
project above the surface of the arm, or the arms are equivalently recessed as at
19, Figures 29 and 30, and upon which ribs the feet or bottoms of the pottery
articles rest, but in the case of dishes and other articles which have no feet, we
support them upon small spigots or pins 20, Figure 28, which are placed in holes 21,
formed in the arms, as shown in Figures 22 to 24, and in Figures 28 and 33 and 34,
which will be herein-after more particularly referred to.
We would here remark that the sockets illustrated in Figures 28 to 32 and those
illustrated in Figures 1, 19, 17, 18, 21, 13, 14, 15, and 16, can be used in combina-
tion, either with the usual bed plates, or with the self-supporting sockets illustrated
in Figures 22 to 24, and 25 and 26, and piled up above them to the height desired,
the interiors of the self-supporting sockets being formed comformable to the shape
of the lower part of the superposed sockets.
The moulds and dies for forming the self-supporting and broad armed sockets
illustrated in Figures 22 to 26, and 28 to 32, are illustrated in the sectional eleva-
tions, Figures 33 and 34; 22 represents the hard metal dies which form the socket
space 23, the ribs 18, the holes 21, and the upper face of the arms 2. The other
parts of the sockets receive their shapes within the moulds 24, which are cast
singly or collectively, and whole or in parts on or around a chilled die or dies, or
otherwise formed and fitted together in the same manner as herein-above described
with reference to the moulds in which the smaller pins and sockets are formed.
The said sockets are formed within the moulds 24 by the descent of the die or
dies 22, as shown in Figure 33, after which the dies being suitably actuated, rise as
shewn in Figure 34. The moulds 24 are however made or provided with a false
bottom or lifter 25, fast on a lifting rod 26, which is suitably actuated, and by which

page_text: on the rising of the dies, the socket is also raised in the manner illustrated in
Figure 34, so that it can be easily removed without spoiling its shape.
The sockets illustrated in Figures 22 to 26 and 28 to 34, may also be made of
any of the shapes (irrespective of the arms) illustrated in Figures 1, 19, 17, 18, 21,
and 13 to 16, or of any other required shapes, the moulds and dies being shaped
accordingly.
Having now fully described the nature and object of our said Invention, together
with the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, we would remark in conclusion that we claim as our Invention,-
First. The construction or formation of the moulds and dies in and by which the
thimble pins and sockets used for supporting pottery ware while being baked in
kilns or ovens are made, substantially as herein-above described and as illustrated
on the annexed Sheets of Drawings.
Second. The improved forms of thimble pins and sockets, substantially as herein-
above described and as illustrated on the annexed Sheets of Drawings.
Third. The construction and use of self-supporting thimble pins and sockets,
substantially as herein-above described and as illustrated on the annexed Sheets of
Drawings.
And, Fourth. The construction and use of thimble pins and sockets for supporting
the pottery ware under its bottom or foot in lieu of those hitherto used for
supporting the ware under its rim, substantially as herein-above described and as
illustrated on the annexed Sheets of Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said Elias Leak and John Edwards, have hereunto
set our hands and seals, this Twenty-fifth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
ELIAS LEAK.
(L..S)
JOHN EDWARDS. (L.S.)