IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC PILLARS, POSTS, AND COLUMNS FOR TELEGRAPHIC AND OTHER DRADACH Mun TARS Dun OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN THE MACHINERY EMPLOYED TO PRODUCE THE SAME
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Bristow Lee, of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Iron Fence Manufacturer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
METALLIC PILLARS, POSTS, AND COLUMNS FOR TELEGRAPHIC AND OTHER
DRADACH
Mun
TARS
Dun
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Bristow Lee at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th October 1881.
ROBERT BRISTOW LEE, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Iron Fence
Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC PILLARS, POSTS, AND COLUMNS
FOR TELEGRAPHIC AND OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN THE MACHINERY EMPLOYED TO
PRODUCE THE SAME."
My said Invention consists of improvements upon two former Inventions, for
which Letters Patent bearing date the Sixteenth day of June, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy one, and numbered One thousand five hundred and ninty
seven, and also Letters Patent bearing date the Seventeenth day of January, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy three, and numbered One hundred and ninty,
were granted to me in conjunction with Simon Alfred Rogers. The object of the
present Invention is to facilitate the economical production and to improve
the efficiency of the coiled poles, columus, and standards referred to in the said
former Inventions. In producing these columns I employ flat, channel, angle, or
other shaped steel or iron, and coil it spirally upon a plain mandril, and in the
operation of coiling I propose to dispense with or simplify the costly driving and
differentially guiding apparatus heretofore employed. I prefer to use a plain
mandril supported upon standards in suitable bearings. A thin spiral template is
placed on the mandril and the desired pitch marked thereon to serve as a guide in
coiling the bars. The end of the ribbon or bar is passed through or above the
heel of a guiding lever or tool, and is fixed to the end of the mandril. The mandril
is then rotated, and the operator grasping the lever holds the heel against the
periphery and guides the bar or ribbon so as to coil it spirally upon the mandril
to the pitch indicated by the template lines. The spirals are coiled right and left

page_text: so as to intersect each other when put together, a bolt or rivet attaching then at
the point of intersection. When it is desired to construct a high tapering column
tapered mandrils of different diameters are used for the different lengths, and the
various sections are bolted together. To strengthen the columns I apply at the
interior of the coils channel or angle iron or steel uprights which are bolted to
the spirals at the points of intersection. To provide for the attachment to each
other of the different sections, the said uprights are preferably rolled with an
enlargement at one end, so that the ends projecting from the superposed section
can be slid into the said enlargements and bolted or rivetted thereto, thus forming
a strong and secure joint. When forming short posts or standards I consider it
preferable to slightly taper the mandril, as it is then more easily disengaged from
the coil. The mandril may be rotated either by hand or power.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, and
of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, filed by the said Robert Bristow Lee in
the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th May 1882.
26
ROBERT BRISTOW LEE, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Iron Fence
Manufacturer. IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC PILLARS, POSTS, AND COLUMNS
FOR TELEGRAPHIC AND OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN THE MACHINERY EMPLOYED TO
PRODUCE THE SAME."
My said Invention consists of improvements upon two former Inventions for
which Letters Patent bearing date the Sixteenth day of June, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy two, and numbered One thousand five hundred and ninty
seven, and also Letters Patent bearing date the Seventeenth day of January, Ono
thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, and numbered One hundred and ninty,
were granted to me in conjunction with Simon Alfred Rogers. The object of the
present Invention is to facilitate the economical production and to improve the
efficiency of the poles, columns, and standards referred to in the said former
Inventions. In producing these columns I employ flat, channel, angle, or other
shaped steel or iron, and coil it spirally upon a plain mandril; and in the operation
of coiling I propose to dispense with or simplify the costly driving and differentially
guiding apparatus heretofore employed. I use a plain mandril supported upon
standards in suitable bearings and provided with pins at the places where the coils
are to intersect. The bar is punched or drilled at the calculated points of inter-
section, and the end of the bar is fixed to one end of the mandril. The mandril
is then rotated and the operator guides the bar or ribbon so as to coil it spirally
upon the mandril to the pitch indicated by the pins, which are allowed to enter
the holes in the bar. The spirals are coiled right and left so as to intersect each
other.
In order that the description of my Invention may be better understood I have
attached hereunto a Drawing made to a scale of about one inch to the foot and
marked with letters of reference. In the said Drawing a is the said mandril
which is provided with axles or gudgeons which are mounted to revolve in suitable
bearings formed in the standards b, b. Upon one of the said axles is fixed a spur-
wheel c with which gears a pinion d which is fixed upon a short shaft which is
provided with a winch handle e whereby the mandril may be caused to revolve.
Any other suitable means may be employed for actuating the mandril. The
mandril is made of a conical or tapering form, the amount of taper being varied
according to the requirements, but in all cases I prefer to have some amount of
taper in order that the coiled bar may be readily slipped off the mandril. The
mandril is provided with pins f, f, which are screwed into tapped holes formed in
the shell of the mandril, which usually consists of a hollow casting. Each pin is so
situated as that the right and left hand coils of bars can intersect over it to form
the required pattern of post. The end of a bar g, which has been punched with
holes at the required distances apart, is secured by means of a screw h to the
mandril, which is then caused to rotate. The operator grasps the bar with his
bands and guides it so that it becomes coiled upon the mandril, the pins acting as
guides to the operator. As the coil is formed the pins take into the holes in the
bar and prevent the slipping of the bar or any change in form. When the bar is
coiled from one end of the mandril to the other the end of the bar is secured and
other bars are coiled to form intermediate spirals, which are indicated by i and j.
The direction of rotation of the mandril is then reversed, and the other bars are
coiled in the reverse direction, as indicated by the dotted lines at k, so as to cross
or intersect the first coils at the pins, which also take into the bars which form theso

page_text: cross coils. When all the coils are completed the coils are temporarily secured
together by means of bolts, and the pins f are removed or are screwed home so as
to clear the bars, and the screws haro withdrawn. The temporarily connected
coils can now be drawn off the mandril. To enable this to be done the axle at
the smaller end is withdrawn from the bearing or the standard is turned out of the
way, for which purpose it may be hinged as indicated at l. The coils are now
riveted together at the points of intersection. In the construction of a high or
long tapering column tapor mandrils of different diameters are used in the
construction of sectional lengths, and the lengths so produced are bolted or riveted
together so as to form the complete column. To strengthen the column I fix in the
interior of the coils channel, angle, or tee iron or steel uprights which are bolted or
secured to the spirals at the points of intersection. To provide for the attachment
to each other of the sections of a column I prefer to roll or form each of the
uprights with an enlargement at one end, so that the ends of the uprights which
are left projecting from one end of a section may enter the said enlargements
on the ends of the uprights in another section, and be riveted, bolted, or secured
thereto.
In my Provisional Specification I mentioned a thin spiral template which I
proposed to use to mark the pitch upon the mandril, but I have found this to
be unnecessary, as the pins upon the mandril serve as a sufficient guide to the
⚫operator.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of my said Invention and
the manner in which I carry the same into practical effect, I would have it to be
understood in conclusion that I claim the manufacture of metallic pillars, posts,
and columns for telegraphic and other purposes by the aid of the improved
appliances, substantially as set forth and indicated hereiubefore and in and by the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Bristow Lee, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty-two.
Signed, sealed, and delivered
in the presence of
EDWARD K. DUTTON,
41, John Dalton St.,
Manchester,
(Agent for the Patentee).
ROBERT BRISTOW LEE. (L.S.)