IMPROVEMENTS IN MOULDING OR SHAPING METALS
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Matthew Andrew Muir, of Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, Machinist, and James McIlwham, of the same
Place, Machinist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MOULDING OR
SHAPING METALS.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Matthew Andrew Muir
and James McIlwham at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 15th January 1857.
We, MATTHEW ANDREW MUIR, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Machinist, and JAMES MILWHAM, of the same Place, Machinist,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MOULDING OR SHAPING METALS," to be as follows, that is to say:
This Invention relates to various mechanical arrangements and an improved
general system or routine of procedure to be used for moulding or shaping
articles in metal of different kinds. The several improvements are especially
adapted for moulding or shaping railway chairs, and for such manufacture the
machinery or means are of the following kind:-
The whole of the establishment in which these improvements are to be
carried into practical effect is specially arranged for the purpose in all its
details, from the melting furnace or cupola to the discharge of the casting from
the mould.
The floor of the moulding shop is paved or covered with cast-iron plates, laid
level, and at proper and regular distances asunder recesses are formed in the
floor to receive the mechanical moulding apparatus employed in the process.

page_text: This apparatus consists in each case of a rectangular open frame, having
a lower fixed platform or table disposed on a level with the floor. Side
standards extend upwards from the level of this platform to carry guide eyes
for the vertically-traversing spindles of a shifting and turning platform
above. This shifting platform carries cranked end studs or pivots, fitting into
bearings in the two upper ends of the vertical sliding spindles, already referred,
so that either surface of the platform can be turned uppermost by a simple
turn of the hand. The two sliding spindles have T heads, and the platform
is so arranged, that whichever way the platform is turned up it comes to rest
upon the heads in a perfectly horizontal position. The two chair patterns
are immoveably attached by their soles to the face of the platform, and on that
side to which the end pivots are cranked, and when the moulder commences
operations he turns the platform with its patterns thereon round, so that the
patterns stand side by side on the upper surface of the platform: The flask
or moulding sand box is then placed over the patterns upon the platform,
being attached thereto by suitable detachable latches or pins.
These latches or pins consist in each case of a screwed stud passed right
through the platform, and having a short transverse setting handle on each
end, so that the adjustment can be easily effected from both sides of the
platform. The lower edge of the sand flask has a rim upon it, and when the
box or flask is to be fixed in position the pins are screwed down to cause
collar pieces to press hard upon the rim. The box is then rammed with sand
in the usual manner, a slip of metal being put in for the formation of the
turned-over lip of the higher arm of the chair's jaws, and a "chill" plate for
the opposite or lower jaw. Whilst this ramming is, proceeding the platform
on which it takes place is in its lowest position, the operator having depressed
it by means of a balance lever action connected with a cross shaft working
the slide spindles from beneath, and it is firmly held in its proper horizontal
position by a self-acting spring detent or inclined hook catch set upon the
T-head of one of the sliding carrying spindles. There is a fixed stud pin on
one end of the platform, which when the latter is turned down to this position
presses back the inclined upper end of the spring detent, and enters a slight
notch in the detent just below the incline. This detent holds the platform
with sufficient firmness to ensure its stability during the operation of ramming
but it at once releases the platform when the workman commences to turn
the latter round to its reverse position. When the ramming is finished the
operator places a flat cover plate on the top of the box, and fixes it in position
by a couple of bell-crank lever hooks, and he then pulls forward his hand
lover and elevates the platform, so as to leave room beneath for the

page_text: entrance of a small carriage, which is in readiness, and is drawn along
the floor directly upon the stationary platform, which is on a level with it.
The platform with its patterns and rammed box is then reversed upon its
ends pivots, and the whole is lowered upon the sliding spindles by means of
the lever movement below, until the flask rests by what is now its lower end
upon the carriage table, and the flash being detached from the platform by
turning round or slipping out, the retaining latches or pins is allowed to
rest entirely on the carriage. A second detent, of what may be termed the
weighted lever or pendulum kind, is applied at the front of the apparatus for
regulating the action of the platform at this stage. This detent has a notch
in its upper end for holding a stud on the end of the platform at the level,.
where its steadiness is especially wanted, but when the platform is again raised
the pendulum action at once frees it. The lever action is then worked so as
to elevate the platform to its highest position, drawing out the patterns from
the flask and leaving the latter behind. The attendant then draws away the
carriage with the moulded flask upon it, and an empty carriage succeeds it to
proceed as before. The slip of metal for the higher limb of the jaw is then
removed, and the moulded flask being conveyed to the carriage to the proper
place, another attendant moulds and applys the sole to it, and the mould is
thus completed, and disposed in rows with others in a situation convenient for
the operation of pouring in the melted metal.
In chairs where the trenail or spike holes in the soles have very little taper,
as well as in other castings where cores are required, additional provision
must be made for insuring a clear draw of the pattern from the sand. This
is accomplished by fitting to the platform loose weighted stud pins, one for
cach hole or core. These stud pins have a slight longitudinal traverse play in.
holes in the platform, corresponding with the spike holes in the patterns, and
they are retained on the reverse side of the platform by supporting brackets,
whilst their inverted ends just reach to the base of the pattern sole, and thus
form the ends for the spike hole cores. When the pattern is withdrawn from
the mould, the play which these stud pins have, as the pins remain slightly
behind, and pressing by their weight upon the moulded sand cores, causes th
moulded cores to clear freely and sharply.
The carriage platform beneath the turning platform is cleared of loose sand
after every moulding operation by a sliding scraper working by handles from
the front. This scraper has inclined sides, which answer for guiding the
carriage to the right part when run in, whilst it also forms the stop for tho
inward run of the carriage. Instead of moulding the main body of the.chair
alone in this apparatus whilst the sole portion is moulded separately, a simple

page_text: modification of the parts enables the moulder to mould the entire chair in the
machine.
Under one form of the arrangements adopted for this purpose, the side of
the turning platform opposite to that on which the patterns are attached is
formed so as to answer for moulding the sole portion upon it, and hence, when
the platform has been turned over with the main box thereon, the box for the
moulding of the sole portion is laid upon this reverse face of the platform
and rammed up with sand. The platform is then separated from the sole
mould box by lowering it, whilst the sole mould box is held up, and the
main mould box being released from the platform and clear of the patterns,
the turning platform is withdrawn horizontally from between the two sections
of the mould, which are then brought together by the action of the machine,
and the mould is completed.
In this modification provision must be made for the easy withdrawal of the
turning platform, and the correspondingly easy return and reattachment of
the same for the turning movement. Instead of this plan of removing the
turning platform, a swinging apparatus may be fitted up for swinging off the
the sole mould box from the main face of the turning platform, so as to
deposit the sole mould upon the main box which has been already withdrawn
from beneath clear of the apparatus for the purpose.
This renewal of the sole mould may be effected by an arrangement of
swinging bracket arms, worked either by back gearing or by a lever action
from the front.
In adapting this Invention for general moulding independent of railway
chairs where two separate sectional draws of the pattern are unnecessary, the
turning over of one of the boxes or sectional portions may be effected by a
suspensory rod or chain, capable of traversing along an overhead beam or
bar, and carrying bottom links or loops for catching turning pins on the box.
One section can by this means be run along by its suspending chains to the
point required, being raised and lowered as may be necessary for the turning
over and deposit of the section upon its counterpart or corresponding box.
The melted metal is conveyed from the cupola in a vessel or holder, suspended
or swung on pivots or stud centres carried on a frame set on carriage wheels.
The vessel on the carriage is disposed so as to be capable of running directly
beneath, and close to the discharge duct of the cupola, so that the melted
metal can be easily run into the vessel.
The vessel is fitted with a tilting shaft and handles, and a locking detent on
the carriage frame is arranged for the purpose of fastening the tilting shaft to
keep the vessel upright when full of melted metal.

page_text: The carriage frame also carries a delivery spout, so that when the vessel is
tilted the melted metal falls upon this spout, and is directly delivered from it
into the mould. The vessels are each contrived to carry melted metal for
casting six chairs, so that this number can be cast at one filling, but it is
obvious that any other convenient number may be cast.
It will also be obvious to the practical founder that this apparatus and
procedure, although herein-before described in their application in the manu-
facture of railway chairs, are equally well suited for casting other articles in
metal.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Matthew Andrew Muir and James McIlwham, in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 15th July 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, MATTHEW
ANDREW MUIR, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Machinist, and JAMES MILWHAM, of the same place, Machinist, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifteenth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the
said Matthew Andrew Muir and James McIlwham, Her special license that
we, the said Matthew Andrew Muir and James McIlwham, our executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said Matthew Andrew
Muir and James McIlwham, our executors, administrators, or assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed should and lawfully might make,
use,. exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MOULDING OR SHAPING METALS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that we, the said Matthew Andrew Muir and James McIlwham, by an
instrument in writing under our hands and seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Matthew Andrew Muir aud James
McIlwham, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement in writing, reference being had to the
accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that
is to say:
Our said Invention relates to various mechanical arrangements, and an
improved general system or routine of procedure, to be used for moulding or
shaping articles in metal of different kinds. The several improvements are
especially adapted for moulding or shaping railway chairs, and for such manu-
facture; the machinery and means are of the following kind :-The whole of
the establishment in which these improvements are to be carried into practical
effect is specially arranged for the purpose in all its details, from the melting
furnace or cupola to the discharge of the casting from the mould. The floor
of the moulding shop is paved or covered with cast-iron plates, laid level, and
at proper and regular distances asunder, recesses are formed in the floor to
receive the mechanical moulding apparatus employed in the process. This
apparatus consists, in each case, of a rectangular open frame, having a lower
fixed platform or table disposed on a level with the floor; side standards
extend upwards from the level of this platform to carry guide eyes for the
vertically-traversing spindles of a shifting and turning platform above. This
shifting platform carries cranked end studs or pivots, fitting into bearings in
the two upper ends of the vertical sliding spindles already referred to, so that
either surface of the platform can be turned uppermost by a single turn of the
hand. The two sliding spindles have T heads, and the platform is so arranged,
that whichever way the platform is turned up it comes to rest upon the T
heads in a perfectly horizontal position. The two chair patterns are immove-
ably attached by their soles to the face of this platform, and on that side to
which the end pivots are cranked, and when the moulder commences opera-
tions he turns the platform with its patterns thereon round, so that the
patterns stand side by side on the upper surface of the platform. The flask
or moulding sand box is then placed over the patterns upon the platform,
being attached thereto by suitable detachable latches or pins. These latches
or pins consist in each case of a screwed stud, passed right through the
platform, and having a short transverse setting handle on each end, so that
the adjustment can be easily effected from both sides of the platform. The
lower edge of the sand flask has a rim upon it, and when the box or flask is to
be fixed in position, the pins are screwed down, to cause collar pieces to press
hard upon the rim. The box is then rammed with sand in the usual manner,
a slip of metal being put in for the formation of the turned-over lip of the
higher arm of the chair's jaws, and a "chill" plate for the opposite or lower

page_text: jaw. Whilst this ramming is proceeding the platform on which it takes
place is in its lowest position, the operator having depressed it by means of a.
balanced lever action connected with a cross shaft working the slider spindles
from beneath, and it is firmly held in its proper horizontal position by a self-
acting spring detent or inclined hook catch set upon the T head of one of the
sliding carrying spindles. There is a fixed stud pin on one end of the platform,
which, when the latter is turned down to this position, presses back the
inclined upper end of the spring detent, and enters a slight notch in the detent,
just below the incline. This detent holds the platform with sufficient firmness
to insure its stability during the operation of ramming, but it at once releases
the platform when the workman commences to turn the latter round to its
reverse position. When the ramming is finished, the operator places a flat
cover plate on the top of the box, and fixes it in position by a couple of bell-
crank lever hooks, and he then pulls forward his hand lever and elevates the
platform, so as to leave room beneath for the entrance of a small carriage,
which is in readiness, and is drawn along the floor directly upon the stationary
platform, which is on a level with it. The platform with its patterns and
rammed box is then reversed upon its end pivots, and the whole is lowered
upon the sliding spindles by means of the lever movement below, until the
flask rests by what is now its lower end upon the carriage table, and the flask
being detached from the platform, by turning round or slipping out the
retaining latches or pins, is allowed to rest entirely on the carriage. A second
detent, of what may be termed the weighted lever or pendulum kind, is
applied at the front of the apparatus, for regulating the action of the platforin
at this stage. This detent has a notch in its upper end for holding a stud on
the end of the platform at the level where its steadiness is especially wanted, but
when the platform is again raised the pendulum action at once frees it. The
lever action is then worked so as to elevate the platform to its highest position,
drawing out the patterns from the flask and leaving the latter behind. The
attendant then draws away the carriage with the moulded flask npon it,
and an empty carriage succeeds it, to proceed as before. The slip of metal for
the higher limb of the jaw is then removed, and the moulded flask being con-
veyed on the carriage to the proper place, another attendant moulds and
applies the sole to it, and the mould is thus completed, and disposed in rows
with others in a situation convenient for the operation of pouring in the melted
metal. In chairs where the trenail or spike holes in the soles have very little
taper, as well as in other castings where cores are required, additional
provision must be made for insuring a clear draw of the pattern from the sand.
This is accomplished by fitting to the platform loose weighted stud pins, ong

page_text: for each spike hole. These stud pins have a slight longitudinal transverse
play in holes in the platform, corresponding with the spike holes in the
patterns, and they are retained on the reverse side of the platform by sup-
porting brackets, whilst their inserted ends just reach to the base of the
pattern solc, and thus 'form the ends for the spike hole cores. When the
pattern is withdrawn from the mould, the play which these stud pins have, as
the pins remain slightly behind, and pressing by their weight upon the
moulded sand cores, causes the moulded cores to clear freely and sharply.
The carriage platform beneath the turning platform is cleared of loose sand
after every moulding operation by a sliding scraper worked by handles from
the front. This scraper has inclined sides, which answer for guiding the
carriage to the right part when run in, whilst it also forms the stop for the
inward run of the carriage. Instead of moulding the main body of the chair
alone in this apparatus whilst the sole portion is moulded separately, a
-simple modification of the parts enables the moulder to mould the entire chair
in the machine. Under one form, the arrangements adopted for this purpose,
the side of the turning platform, opposite to that on which the patterns are
attached, is formed, so as to answer for moulding the sole portion upon it;
and hence, when the platform has been turned over with the main box thereon,
the box for the moulding of the sole portion is laid upon this reverse face of
the platform and rammed up with sand. The platform is then separated from
the sole mould box by lowering it whilst the sole mould box-is held up, and
the main mould box being released from the platform and clear of the
patterns, the turning platform is withdrawn horizontally from between the two
sections of the mould, which are then brought together by the action of the
machine, and the mould is completed. In this modification provision must be
mado for the easy withdrawal of the turning platform, and the correspondingly
casy return and reattachment of the same for the turning movement. Instead
of this plan of removing the turning platform, a swinging apparatus may be fitted
up for swinging off the sole mould box from the reverse face of the turning
platform, so as to deposit the sole mould upon the main box which has been
already withdrawn from beneath, clear of the apparatus, for the purpose. This
removal of the sole mould box may be effected by an arrangement of swinging
bracket arms, worked either by back gearing or by a lever action from the front.
In adapting this Invention for general moulding independent of railway
chairs, where two separate sectional draws of the pattern are unnecessary, the
turning over of one of the boxes or sectional portions may be effected by a
suspensory rod or chain capable of traversing along an overhead beam or bar
and carrying bottom links or loops for catching turning pins on the box. One

page_text: section can by this means be run along by its suspending chains to the point
required, being raised and lowered as may be necessary for the turning over
and deposit of the section upon its counterpart or corresponding box. The
melted metal is conveyed from the cupola in a vessel or holder suspended or
swung on pivots or stud centres carried on a frame set on carriage wheels.
The vessel on the carriage is disposed so as to be capable of running directly
beneath and close to the discharge duct of the cupola, so that the melted metal
can be easily run into the vessel. The vessel is fitted with a tilting shaft and
handles, and a locking detent on the carriage frame is arranged for the purpose
of fastening the tilting shaft to keep the vessel upright when full of melted
metal. The carriage frame also carries a delivery spout, so that when the
vessel is tilted the melted metal falls upon this spout and is directly delivered
from it into the mould. The vessels are each contrived to carry melted metal
for casting six chairs, so that this number can be cast at one filling; but it is
obvious that any other convenient number may be so cast. It will also be
obvious to the practical founder that this apparatus and procedure, although
herein-before described in their application in the manufacture of railway
chairs, are equally well suited for casting other articles in metal.
And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood, we will
now proceed to describe the several illustrative Figures on the explanatory
Sheet of Drawings which we have hereunto appended, for the purpose of
showing certain modifications under which our improvements may be judi-
ciously carried out in practice.
a
Figure 1 of our Sheet of Drawings is an elevation, partly in section, of one
arrangement or modification of our improvements in moulding or shaping
metals as applied to the production or manufacture of railway chairs. Figure 2
is a plan of the arrangement, corresponding to Figure 1; and Figure 3 is
plan of the metal holder or pot, and apparatus for skimming the surface of the
molten metal. The moulding shop as arranged for casting railway chairs has
a series of moulding tables or platforms placed end to end and having an
interval or space between each table or platform; that is to say, if one moulding
table or platform is placed in the position shown in the plan, Figure 2, another
would be arranged at the upper part of the Drawing, where the moulding table
in the elevation is shown, and another would be placed at the lower part of the
Drawing at a corresponding distance from Figure 2. The floor of the moulding
shop between every pair of moulding machines is laid with plates of iron A',
or other material, evenly disposed, so as to form a level or nearly level surface,
thus making one complete floor serve for two machines. There is a space left
between every floor which is used for heaping up the
moulding sand and

page_text: depositing the railway chairs as they are cast. The moulding table or plat-
form is supported upon a cast-iron base or platform B, which is sunk in a
recess made below the floor of the moulding shop. The upper surface of the
stationary platform B is level with the surface of the flooring plates A, and its
side which faces the recess C is made open. The moulding plate is so
arranged that it may be raised or lowered in a vertical direction by means of
a lever, and also turned over or inverted, thus reversing its position. At cach
end of the platform B is a side standard D, which is made hollow, and forms a
guide for the vertically-traversing spindles of the moulding plate. The side
standards D are made with crossheads or T pieces, to which are bolted the
blocks E; these form the bearings for the journals of the moulding plate. The
vertically-traversing spindles F, which are shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 of
our Sheet of Drawings, each terminate at the upper part in a disc or plate, on
which the moulding plate G rests. The lower ends of the spindles F are
attached by means of the links H, Figure 1, to the levers I and J; those levers
are fast to the spindle K, which forms the fulcrum of the levers. The spindle K
is supported in bracket bearings which project from the sides of the base or
platform B. The lever I is prolonged outwards in the recess C, and formed
into a handle, by means of which the moulding plate G may be raised or
lowered, as required.
To assist the operation and lessen the force necessary to move the moulding
plate, the lever J is furnished with a counterweight L. The moulding table G
is a rectangular plate of iron, supported at each end by the cranked end, studs,
or pivots M, which rest on their bearings in the side standards D; this
arrangement admits of the plate being turned over or reversed in its position.
Upon each side of the moulding plate is an eye N, which receives a pin
that projects below the bottom of the "flask" or moulding sand box. The
pins on the "flask" fitting into the eyes upon the moulding table serve to
retain the flask exactly in the required position. The flask is further
secured upon the moulding table by means of the catches O; these are
malleable iron screws, with their collars projecting above the surface of the
moulding plate, in which they are screwed. The lower part of the catches O
has a collar formed on it, and a handle projects horizontally from the upper
part of the stud for the purpose of turning the catch, round. The edge of
the flask which is placed upon the moulding plate is made with a rim, and
a portion of the circumference of the catches O is cut away to allow this
rim to pass freely between the catches when the flattened portions are turned
towards each other, as shown in Figure 2 of our Sheet of Drawings. When the
flask is placed upon the moulding plate the handles of the catches are turned

page_text: round and placed at right angles to the position in which they are shown; this
brings the collar pieces of the catches over the rim or projecting edge of the
flask, and thereby securely fastens the flask to the moulding plate.
The railway chairs are cast in pairs, and the two patterns Parc fastened
down to the moulding plate G; the "gate" pattern Q is also secured to the
plate G. These patterns arc of iron, and in some instances it may be preferred
to cast them in one piece with the moulding plate. The "flask" or box which
serves to hold and support the moulded sand consists in this modification of
a rectangular iron box R, open at the top and bottom, and made with handles
upon its sides for more conveniently carrying or lifting it. The sides of the
flask are made slightly tapering, and the projecting edge has eyes S formed
upon it corresponding to those upon the moulding plate G. The other rim of
the flask, that is, the upper one, when it is in the position shown in Figure 1
of our Sheet of Drawings, has two catches or snugs T, by means of which the
plate is secured to the flask, which plate forms the bottom when inverted.
The moulding plate G is retained in a horizontal position, and prevented
from turning upon its axes when not desired by means of the lever U, in the
upper part of which is a notch, which takes on to a pin projecting from the
piece of iron V, which is bolted or otherwise attached to the moulding plate,
and is bent at right angles thereto. When the flask is turned completely over
in order to release the pattern from the sand, the pin V then comes in contact
with and slips under the catch of the lever W; the motion of this lever is con-
trolled by the spiral spring X, one end of which is secured to the lever, and the
other to an eye, which projects from the T piece of the side standard. By
means of this arrangement the moulding plate and flask cannot be inverted
while the pin on the flask is in the notch of the lever U, but when the pin is
in contact with the lever W, it is readily released therefrom by reason of the
elasticity of the spring X. Beneath the moulding plate is an arrangement of
a scraper for clearing away the sand that may fall upon the platform B. The
scraper Y, which forms a kind of raised ledge with diagonal corners, as shown
in the plan, Figure 2 of our Drawing, has attached to it two forked handles Z;
these handles are connected to the scraper by means of universal joints. The
handles are lifted up by the attendant workman, and the scraper pushed for-
ward on the platform B, so as to carry the sand in front of the machinery,
from whence it is shovelled off into the spaces between the iron floors A. As
the flasks are successively rammed up with the moulding sand they are placed
on the low carriages a, which pass under the moulding plate, when it is raised
by means of the lever I; the floor of these carriages is pierced with holes, as
shown at b, Figure 2, in order to allow the air to pass through.

page_text: The holes are not shown in the Figure over the whole of the carriage floor,
nor in the plan Figures of the other carriages, but it will be understood
that they are all perforated, as shown at b, Figure 2, to keep the carriages a
in a line with each other; and that they may run in the proper direction
beneath the moulding plate; the plates of the flooring are slightly depressed in
a line running towards the front of the moulding plate. The position of the
sunk portion of the flooring is indicated by the lines c in our Sheet of Drawings.
This sunk line of way, whilst it keeps the carriages in their proper places, is
sufficiently shallow to offer no obstacle to the carriages being removed there-
from when required. The metal pot or holder is also moved to and fro upon
a carriage constructed for the purpose. It consists of a rectangular frame of
iron c, forming the lower portion of the carriage; to this frame the standards d
are bolted. These standards have arched projecting pieces, forming a sort of
curved recess at the front and back of the carriage. The journals of the metal pot
or holder e are carried by two standards f, fitted between the standards d, and
forming the bearings of the metal pot. The lower part of the standards fare
curved upwards and form rockers, which oscillate between the standards d; the
rockers upon each side of the metal holder are connected to each other by
means of the tie rods g. Above the bearings of the metal holder are fitted the
metal pieces h; these pieces prevent particles of sand or impure metal from
falling upon the journals of the metal holder, and thereby impeding its motion.
The metal holder is furnished with a long forked lever i, forming a prolongation
of one of its journals. By means of this lever the metal holder may be tipped
upon either side, so as to pour the melted metal over its edge into the moulds ;
the tilting of the metal holder is greatly facilitated by means of the curved
or rocker-like form given to the lower part of its supporting standards. The
metal holder e is prevented from tilting when not required by means of a lever j,
which is supported by a rod bolted to the standards d. The short end of the
lever J is curved upwards, and it passes between the sides of the pendent
piece of metal 7, which forms a notch or recess for the reception of the lever.
The transverse tie rod m has also a notch made in it opposite the recess in
the metal ; the end of the lever j catches in the notch of the rod m as well as
the metal 7, and by this means the metal holder is securely held in a vertical
position. The simple lifting of the lever j releases the end of it from the
recesses and m, and the metal holder is free to be tilted upon either side as
required. As the molten metal is being poured from the pot or holder into
the moulds the metal is skimmed, and the impurities kept back by means of
a self-acting skimmer. This consists of a plate of metal coated with loam or
fire clay, or of a plate of baked fire clay, or other refractory material calculated

page_text: to withstand the heat of the metal. The skimming plate n is secured by
means of bolts and nuts to a bowed piece of metal o, which is supported
upon pins P attached to the sides of the metal holder. The skimming plate n
sinks to some distance in the metal, and as it is poured out of the holder the
metal flows beneath the skimmer, whilst the impurities are kept at the back
of the plate, and thereby prevented from flowing over the side.
A modification of the above described skimming apparatus is shown in the
detached Figure 3 of our Sheet of Drawings. In this arrangement the skimming
plate (which is indicated by the dotted lines in the Figure) is attached to the
forked lever q, which is moved by hand to or from the edge of the metal
holder, according to the quantity of metal contained therein. The forked form
given to the end of the lever q admits of the molten metal being poured freely
from the holder without interfering with the action of the skimming plate.
The wheels of the metal holder carriage are lubricated by means of an arrange-
ment specially designed for the purpose. The wheels run upon studs or short
axles, which are bolted to and project from the sides of the iron frame c.
The outer ends of the axles are shut in by means of the convexly-shaped lids
or covers, which turn upon a pin secured to the front of the wheel. Within
the box or recess formed behind the covers r is placed a sponge saturated with
oil, from which the oil is slowly imparted to the journals of the wheels, and is
thereby prevented from running to waste or becoming thickened.
In the operation of moulding railway chairs by means of our improved
machinery, one or both of the jaws of the chair may be "chilled" or hardened
by introducing in the mould a piece of iron or "chill plate," against which the
metal flows in the operation of casting.
A chill plate s is shown in the plan view, Figure 2 of our Sheet of Drawings,
resting in its proper position against the lower jaw of the pattern; when the
pattern is raised out of the sand the chill plate remains imbedded in the sand,
and practically forms a part of the mould.
The other or higher jaw of the railway chair has a projecting lip at its upper
part, which would have the effect of retaining a portion of the moulding sand
in the concave part, and thus it would be useless to attempt to withdraw the
pattern from the mould without spoiling it. To obviate this difficulty, the
pattern is made quite flat at the higher side of the jaw, and a thin casting or
slip piece, plain upon one side and curved to the proper concavity upon the
other, is placed against the flattened part of the chair. When the pattern is
withdrawn from the sand the concave piece is left in the sand, and is removed
by the attendant moulder, who slides it out sideways before sending the mould
away.

page_text: Instead of this arrangement, when a sand core is to be left, a slip piece will
be used on both sides or jaws of the chair. The modus operandi of moulding
and casting railway chairs by means of this machinery having been described
in the introductory portion of this Specification, it will be unnecessary to repeat
the details. We may observe, however, that in the plan, Figure 2 of our Sheet
of Drawings, are shown two flasks u and v, in one of which, the transverse bars
W, which serve to sustain the sand of the upper flask, are shown. In the
other flask v these bars are covered with the moulding sand, and the flask is
shown ready to receive the molten metal, which is poured in at the aperture a,
whence it reaches the hollow parts of the mould below.
As the casting operation is completed, the flasks are lifted off and the sand
and castings are thrown into a heap in the space between the flooring plates.
By means of the herein-before described arrangement, or modifications
thereof, the operations of moulding and casting various articles in metal may
be carried on continuously, and the castings produced with great rapidity and
economy of prime cost.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, we may observe, in conclusion, that we do not confine or restrict our-
selves to the precise details or arrangements which we have had occasion
to describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of our said Invention; but what
we consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to us by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
First, the general arrangement and construction of machinery or apparatus
for moulding and casting articles in metal, as herein-before described.
Second, the system or mode of moulding and casting articles in metal
by means of the machinery or apparatus, as herein-before described.
Third, the system or mode of preparing moulds for casting, in which the
patterns are attached to or form a part of the moulding plate, the said moulding
plate having vertical and rotatory traversing movements, as herein-before
described.
Fourth, the mechanical arrangements, by means of which the "flasks or
mould boxes are secured to the moulding plate, and the means by which
the moulding plate is held or retained in a horizontal position, whether in its
normal position or inverted, together with the arrangement for elevating the
moulding plate, as herein-before described.
Fifth, the system or mode of securing a clear draw of the pattern from the
sand in moulds, the sand cores for trenail or spike and other holes, by the use

page_text: of loose weighted stud pins for acting upon the moulded sand cores of such
holes.
Sixth, the system or mode of depositing the "flasks "containing the prepared
moulds upon carriages successively brought under the moulding plate, by
means of which the operations of moulding and casting may be continuously
carried on, as horein-before described.
Seventh, the system or mode of using and applying "chill plates" to moulds
prepared by the aid of machinery, as herein-before described.
Eight, the arrangement of the parts forming the carriage for supporting the
pot or vessel for holding the molten metal, by means of which the metal holder
may be tilted on either side of the carriage, or firmly held or retained in
a vertical position as long as required.
Ninth, the system or mode of applying and using a mechanical skimmer, for
preventing scoria or other impurities from flowing into the mould with the
molten metal, as herein-before described.
Tenth, the system or mode of lubricating the axles or journals of the wheels
of the metal holder carriage by means of a sponge saturated with oil, and kept
in contact with the axle or journal, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Matthew Andrew Muir and James
Mellwham, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Thirteenth
day of July, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.