A METHOD OR METHODS OF WELDING OR UNITING PIECES OF METAL TOGETHER, AND OF PRESSING OR FORMING PIECES OP METAL TOGETHER, AND OF PRESSING OR FORMING PIECES OF METAL INTO FORMS OR SHAPES
Year: 1847

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
Fox, of London Works, near Birmingham, in the County of Stafford,
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters.
Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-fourth day of February,
in the tenth year of Her reign, did give and grant unto me, the said Charles
Fox, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial license, full power, sole
privilege and authority, that I, the said Charles Fox, my exors, admors, and
assigns, and such others as I, the said Charles Fox, my exors, admors, or
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term of years therein mentioned, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within that part of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, Her Dominion
of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in the Islands of
Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and in all Her Colonies and
Plantations abroad, my Invention of "A METHOD OR METHODS OF WELDING
OR UNITING PIECES OF METAL TOGETHER, AND OF PRESSING OR FORMING PIECES OP
METAL TOGETHER, AND OF PRESSING OR FORMING PIECES OF METAL INTO FORMS OR
SHAPES;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso, requiring
that I, the said Charles Fox, shall particularly describe and ascertain the nature

page_text: of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an in-
strument in writing under my hand and seal, and cause the same to be enrolled
in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters
Patent, as, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Charles Fox, do hereby declare that the nature of my Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly described and
ascertained in and by this present Specification or instrument in writing,
reference being had to the several Drawings hereunto annexed, and in which
said several Drawings similar parts are marked and referred to by similar
letters or figures (that is to say):-
My said Invention consists, firstly, of a method or methods of welding or
uniting pieces of iron or steel together by pressure, without the aid of ham-
mering; secondly, of a method or methods of forming or pressing pieces of
iron or steel into articles of various forms or shapes, by pressing or forcing
such pieces of iron or steel into moulds, forms, or shapes, without the aid of
hammering; and thirdly, of the welding or uniting pieces of iron or steel
together, and also pressing and forming them into articles of various forms
and shapes by one and the same operation. The power or pressure which I
employ for the purpose of performing my said Invention I obtain through the
agency of hydraulic presses.
And firstly, for the purpose of welding or uniting pieces of iron or steel
together according to my Invention, I heat them in a suitable fire or furnace
until they obtain a white or welding heat in the same manner as pieces of iron
or steel are generally heated for that purpose. I then place the pieces to be
welded, or those parts of them which are to be welded, in proper moulds or
shapes, so as to support the heated metal whilst it is subjected to the pressure
by means of which the pieces are to be welded or united together, and the
moulds or shapes must of course be varied according to the forms or shapes
of the pieces of iron or steel which are intended to be welded. Various modes
of carrying into effect my said Invention, and machinery or apparatus for the
purpose of carrying the same into effect, are shewn in the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
In Figures 1, 2 and 3, is shewn the mode which I employ for the welding
of tires of railway carriage wheels, and the machinery or apparatus which I
have invented for the purpose of effecting such welding. Figure 1 is an
elevation or front view of such machinery; Figure 2 is a vertical cross section
of the same machinery as taken through the dotted lines a, b, Figures 1 and 3;

page_text: and Figure 3 is a plan or bird's-eye view of the same machinery, part of the lug
or fixed block B being removed so as the better to shew the action of the
machine. A, A, Figures 1, 2, and 3, is the bed or frame of the machinery,
which is made of cast iron, and upon which is cast four lugs or projections
B, C, D, and E. The lug or fixed block B is made of sufficient dimensions to
receive the parts of the tire which are to be heated so as to be welded, and that
part of the lug against which the tire is to be pressed must be made in such
a form as to fit the inside of the intended tire, and also the upper edge of it,
and keep it in proper shape when it is welded. The lug C is tapped to receive a
screw F, upon the head of which is fitted a handle f for the purpose of turning it.
G is a loose block or mould made of cast iron, and having one side of it made
in such a form as to fit the outside of those parts of the intended tire which are
to be pressed against the lug B. The lug C and the screw which works in it are
so placed that the screw may press or force the block G against or towards the
Jug B. The lug B has a hole bored in it so as to receive a plug H, the plug
being fixed by the key I. k, k, k, is a wrought-iron strap which is intended
to fit and enclose the fire, and at the ends of which strap are two lugs, K¹ and
K. The lug E (Figure 1) is intended to receive the hydraulic press L, L,
which is held in its place by a cap M, and by bolts screwed firmly to the bed
of the machine. The cylinder of the press is furnished with a pipe 7, through
which the water is forced into the cylinder in the usual way.
The action of this machinery is as follows: The piece of iron which is
intended to form the tire is first to be bent into a circular form and with its
two ends as near together as conveniently may be, in the usual way. The two
ends of the piece of iron are then to be heated in a fire or furnace to a white
or welding heat, and the piece expeditiously placed upon the bed of the
machine, within the ring k, k, k, with the heated ends near to the centre of
the outside of the lug B; the block G is then to be screwed up against the
outside of the piece of iron so as to hold the ends of it firmly against the lug B,
and support them whilst they are being welded together. The ring k, k, k, being
placed in its proper position, as shewn in the Drawing, Figure 3, the plug H
is to be placed so as to form a support for the lug K₁ on the ring when the
press acts against the lug K' on the opposite side, and the plug H is then to
be secured in its proper position by the key I, as shewn in the Drawing. The
lug K on the ring being placed opposite to the end of the ram of the press,
the ram is to be put in motion by forcing water into the cylinder in the usual
way, so as to act against the lug K2 and force it towards the lug K¹, by which
the two heated ends of the piece of iron are forcibly pressed together, and so
welded or united. In Figures 4 and 5 of the said Drawings is shown the

page_text: mode of welding a faggot or pile of iron or steel, which is intended to be used
for making an axle or shaft, or for any other purpose. Two views of the
machine used for this purpose are shewn in Figures 4 and 5 of the said
Drawings. Figure 4 is a side view of the said machine; Figure 5 is an end
view. This machine is composed of three tables or flat pieces of metal A, A,
B, B, and C, C, the upper and lower of which tables A, A, and C, C, are
fixed and held firmly in a position parallel to each other by means of iron tie
bolts D, D, threaded and furnished with nuts, as shewn in the Drawing, so
that the distance or space between those two tables may be adjusted from time
to time in such manner as may be required. The tie bolts D, D, are turned
straight and true, and the moveable table B, B, has bosses through which holes
are bored and made to fit accurately upon the tie bolts for the purpose of allow-
ing the table to be moved up and down, and in every position kept parallel
with the upper and lower tables. In the centre of the lower table is made a
round hole to receive the hydraulic cylinder E, with its ram F. The cylinder
is made with a strong shoulder e, e, to rest upon the upper side of the lower
table, and keep the cylinder firmly in its proper position when the machine is
in action. The ram F is made to fit the cylinder accurately in the usual way,
and the upper end of the ram is inserted in a socket bored in a boss on the
under side of the middle or moveable table B, B. At the lower end of the
cylinder is inserted a pipe G, through which water is to be pumped or forced
into the cylinder in the usual way. The pipe G is connected with the force
pump from which it receives the water, and also with a waste or exit pipe by
means of which the water may be allowed to escape; and the communications
between the pipe G and the pump or the exit pipe being by means of stop-
cocks or valves, those communications may be opened or closed at pleasure.
When the communication with the force pump is opened and the pump put in
action the water forced into the cylinder E will raise or move the ram F, and
with it the middle or moveable table towards the upper table A, A, so as to
apply the required degree of force or pressure to any thing which may be
placed between the upper table and the middle or moveable table in order to
be operated upon. And when the communication between the pipe C and the
waste or exit pipe is open, the weight of the middle or moveable table and the
ram will cause that table and the ram to descend and drive the water out of
the cylinder.
In Figures 4 and 5 are shewn the bottom or female part H, and the upper
or male part I of a pair of dies, such as I use for welding a faggot or pile.
The faggot, having been heated to a welding heat, is to be placed within the
female die, as shewn in Figure 4, and the press is then to be put in action, so

page_text: as to bring the dies together and by the pressure cause the pieces of iron or
steel composing the faggot to be welded together. During the operation the
heated metal is supported at the sides by the female die, so as to be kept in
proper form, the ends only being left unsupported.
Secondly, my said method or methods of forming or pressing pieces of iron
or steel into articles of various forms and shapes, I use for the purpose of
making spokes of railway carriage wheels of the various forms or shapes of
which such spokes are required to be made.
In performing this part of my Invention, I use machinery or apparatus,
such as shewn in Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9 of the said Drawings hereunto
annexed. Figure 6 is a bird's-eye view of the said machinery or apparatus,
and Figure 7 is a front view or elevation of the same. A, A, (Figures 6, 7,
and 8) is a cast-iron plate or frame which forms the bed of the machine, under
which at one side is cast a lug or projection, shewn in dotted lines at 6',
Figures 6 and 8, and in which lug the screw shaft or rod c, c, has one of its
bearings. Under the opposite side of the plate or frame is cast another lug
or projection 6, in which the other end of the screw shaft c, c, has its bearings.
Upon the outer end of the screw shaft is mounted a small fly wheel B (Figures
6, 7, and 8) furnished with a handle D. The screw shaft c, c, shewn in
Figures 7 and 8, and partly in dotted lines in Figure 6, is threaded with a
screw for the purpose of receiving a nut or lug e attached to the block E,
Figure 8, the nut being tapped to fit the screw of the shaft. A slot or opening
is made in the plate or frame between the lug 6' and the lug of sufficient
width to allow the nut or lug e to pass through the plate and traverse freely
along it when in action. Upon the upper side of the plate or frame, and
immediately above the lug b¹, is cast the lug or projection F, F, of a sufficient
depth to receive the article which is to be pressed against it, and having its
inner side or edge made of the form which may be réquisite for giving the
required shape to that part of the article which is to be pressed against it.
The block E must also be made of the proper dimensions and form, not only
to press the article which is to be made against the side of the lug F, F, but
also to receive the other portions of the article which are to be pressed against
the block in order to complete the shaping or forming the article. The block
E is to be placed with its nut e downwards and through the slot made in the
plate or frame as before mentioned, and the screw shaft is to be introduced
into the nut and properly secured in its bearings, so that by turning the fly
wheel B, which gives motion to the shaft, the nut e and with it the block E
may be moved across the frame in either direction as may be required. Upon
the top of the plate or frame are cast two seats G, G, to receive and hold the

page_text: hydraulic presses H, H, and H, H. These presses are made in the ordinary
way, the water being forced into the cylinders of the presses through the pipes
h, h, and the presses being furnished with rams or pistons I, I, of the ordinary
description. The presses are fixed down in their seats and held securely by
the top caps g, g, which are bolted down to the plate or frame. Upon the
outer end of the ram or piston of each of the presses is mounted a mould,
form, or shape K, which is to be forced or pressed towards the block E, for
the purpose of pressing the articles to be operated upon into the required forms
or shapes.
The operation of this machine when in action is as follows:-The piece of
iron or steel i, i, to be operated upon, being previously heated to a bright red
heat, is to be placed in the position shewn in Figure 6, the block E having
been previously driven by the screw shaft to the side of the machine opposite
to the fly wheel and the rams of the presses down to the bottom of the cylinder,
as shewn in Figure 6. The fly wheel is then to be turned so as to draw the
block E across the machine towards the lug or projection F, and, as the block
moves across the machine carrying the piece of iron or steel before it, the piece
of iron or steel will come in contact with the sides of the moulds or shapes
K, K, and be bent over the front of the block E, and the motion of the wheel
must be continued until the piece of iron or steel is pressed firmly against the
lug F, and into the form or shape which that portion of it which comes in
contact with the lug F is intended to assume. The presses H, H, and H, H,
are then to be put into motion so as to force the moulds or shapes K and K
against or towards the block E, and press the piece of iron or steel operated
upon against that block and into the required form or shape, as shown by
dotted lines in Figure 6.
Figure 9 of the said Drawings is a plan or bird's-eye view of a modification
of the said last-mentioned machine, and which I have also invented, for the
purpose of making spokes of railway carriage wheels. A, A, A, is the bed of
the machine, upon which is cast the seven lugs B, B, L, L, L, L, and M.
The lug M is tapped to receive a screw C, which is provided with a handle
D for the purpose of turning it. The screw C is placed so as to act against
the block F, F, and press it towards the block E. That side of the block F, F,
which is to be pressed towards the block E is to be properly formed for press-
ing into the intended shape that portion of an intended spoke which comes in
contact with it, and the block E must be so formed as to give the intended
form to the piece of iron to be made into a spoke when such piece of iron
shall be pressed against each of the sides of the block by the action of the
machine, as herein-after described. The two blocks N, N, are secured by bolts

page_text: to the lugs B, B, in proper positions to guide and support the moulds or shapes
K, K, when they are in action, and the blocks N, N, are made adjustable and
with straight edges against which the moulds or shapes K, K, are moved along.
The two presses H, H, and H, H, are made in the ordinary way, the water
being forced into the cylinders of the presses through the pipes h, h, and
those presses are provided with rams or pistons I, I, of the ordinary descrip-
tion. The presses are held securely by the cross heads G, G, and by the tie
bolts 0, 0, 0, and O, which are secured to the lugs L, L, L, and L. The
two presses are shewn in Figure 9 to be placed with their rams working at
such angles with each other as may be adopted when the machine is intended
to be used for the purpose of making a spoke of the ordinary size; but when
the size of the spoke to be made by the machine is intended to be larger or
smaller the angle must be increased or diminished if necessary, so that the
face of each of the moulds or shapes K and K, which is to be forced towards
the block E, shall always form a considerable angle with a line drawn parallel
Upon the
with the centre line of the ram or piston by which it is moved.
outer end of the ram or piston of each of the presses is mounted a mould,
form, or shape K, the face of which, placed towards one side of the block E, is
formed so that, when it forces one end of the piece of iron or steel to be made
into a spoke against the side of the block E, that part of the piece of iron or
steel shall be pressed into the form or shape which that side of the spoke is
intended to assume. The presses H, H, and H, H, and the moulds or shapes
K and K must be so placed and regulated that when the presses are put in
motion the rams will force the moulds or shapes K and K, supported by the
guide blocks N and N, into such a position as to press the ends of the piece
of iron or steel operated upon firmly against the block E, and thus into the
form of the intended spoke.
The operation of this machine when in action is as follows:-The piece of
iron or steel i, i, to be operated upon, being previously heated to a bright red
heat, is to be placed in the position shewn in Figure 9. The screw C is then
to be turned so as to force the block F, F, against the piece of iron or steel i,
and thereby press it against the block E, and into the form which that part of
The presses
it which comes in contact with the block is intended to assume.
H, H, and H, H, are then to be put in action, so as to push forwards the
5 moulds or shapes K, K, and bring them towards the block E, the motion of
the presses being continued until the piece of iron or steel has been forced
against the block E so as to press it into the required form or shape, as shewn
by dotted lines in Figure 9.

page_text: And thirdly, the mode in which I weld or unite pieces of iron or steel
together, and also press and form them into articles of various forms and
shapes by one and the same operation, is shewn in Figures 10, 11, 12, and 13
of the said Drawings. The machine which I use for this purpose is similar to
that which is herein-before described and shewn in Figures 4 and 5 of the
said Drawings. In Figures 10 and 11 are shewn the bottom part H, and the
upper part I of a pair of dies or moulds such as I use for the purpose of weld-
ing a piece of iron on the end of a spoke of a railway carriage wheel, but the
forms of the dies or moulds to be used in performing this part of my Invention
must of course be varied according to the intended forms of the articles to be
produced: The spoke having been cut to the proper length is to have a piece
of iron bent over the end of it, as shewn in Figure 11, and then heated to a
welding heat, and being placed within the dies, they are to be brought quickly
together by the action of the press, whereby the piece of iron will be welded
upon the end of the spoke and pressed into the intended form, the spoke being,
when completed, of the shape shewn in Figures 12 and 13. The degree of
force or pressure required to produce the welding or uniting of pieces of iron
or steel together, according to my said Invention, I have found varies from
about one ton to three tons the square inch.
Having now ascertained and described the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, I hereby declare that I do
not claim, as of my said Invention, the said machine shewn in Figures 4, 5, 10;
and 11 of the said Drawings, and which is herein-before described as used for
the purpose of carrying parts of my said Invention into effect; and that I
claim as of my said Invention,-
Firstly, the method or methods of welding or uniting pieces of iron or steel
together by pressure (such pieces being supported as aforesaid), in manner
herein before described.
Secondly, the method or methods of forming or pressing pieces of iron or
steel into articles of various forms and shapes, in manner herein-before
described.
Thirdly, the welding or uniting pieces of iron or steel together, and also
pressing or forming them into articles of various forms or shapes by one and
the same operation, as herein-before described.
..
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Fox, have hereunto set my 3
hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.
CHARLES (L.S.) FOX.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-fourth day of August,
in the year of our Lord 1847, the aforesaid Charles Fox came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twenty-fourth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
Enrolled the Twenty-fourth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.