Year: 1878

page_text: We GEORGE ASHWORTH and ELIJAH ASHWORTH of the Moss Brook Works
Collyhurst, Manchester in the County of Lancaster Engineers, seok leave to amend
the specification of Letters Patent N° 3513 of 1878 as shown in red ink in the
copy of the original specification hereunto annexed.
Our reasons for making this amendment are as follows, namely:-
GEO. ASHWORTH.
ELIJAH ASH WORTH.
Edward K. Dutton,
Agent.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Ashworth and Elijah Ashworth, both of Man-
chester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineors, for the Invention of
“IMPROVEMENTS IN WIRE CARDS, AND IN THE PREPARATION AND TREAT-
MENT OF Wire therefor, applICABLE WHOLLY OR IN PART IN THE TREATMENT
OF WIRE FOR SOME OTHER PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Ashworth and
Elijah Ashworth at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th
September 1878.
George AshworTH and ELIJAH ASHWORTH both of Manchester in the County
of Lancaster Engineers. " IMPROVEMENTS IN WIRE CARDS AND IN THE PREPA-
RATION AND TREATMENT OF WIRE THEREFOB APPLICABLE WHOLLY OR IN PART IN
THE TREATMENT OF WIRE FOR SOME OTHER PURPOSES."
Our Invention relates in the first place to the wire cards employed in, and in
connection with the carding of cotton and other fibrous substances and has for its
object to increase the useful effect and durability of such cards. To this end we
employ steel wire which has been rendered as hard as is consistent with its being
bent in the usual manner in the card-setting machine. We prefer to employ steel
wire which has been flattened by means of steel rollers but ordinary round wire or
wire of sections other than round may be employed.
We are aware that hardened steel wire has been employed in the making of cards
but such wire has been softened at the crown by means of a gas flame, to enable the
wire to be bent, and this softening has destroyed the resiliency of the teeth to a
very great extent and the finished cards are not so regular and even as when the
whole of the dent is of an uniform temper or degree of hardness.
We are also aware that card teeth have been hardened and inserted in the
foundation by hand as for example when making silk combs, but cards so made
are not so regular as machine-made cards nor is it practicable to make fine cards
by such a process whereas we are able to make the finest cards according to our
Invention.
A second part of our Invention consists of special means for hardening and tem-
pering the wire. We draw the wire in a straight line through a gas flame or line
of gas flames and then through a bath or stream of oil or of oleaginous matter or
of a suitable liquid or matter and then through a carefully regulated gas flame or
line of gas flames in order to "burn off" the oil to some extent and thereby to
impart the required temper. The wire is then conducted to the drum upon which
it is wound but in order to make the coil rise upon the drum we put a tension on
the wire which may conveniently be effected by passing the wiro between rows of
pins or between friction surfaces.
We in some or in all cases burnish the hardened wire. This may be effected by
drawing the wire forwards whilst it is in contact with a hardened steel surface or
with hard surfaces as for example we pass a coil of the wire around a hardened

page_text: steel cylinder or around two or more of such cylinders. This will also impart the
required tension to the wire.
For the hardening of the wire we prefer to employ a hot smokeless Bamo such as
is produced by a "Bunsen" burner or by a gas blowpipe flame and to steady such
flames by means of shields. A row of burners on the Bunsen principle arranged
close together so that the flames unite and provided with separate gas cocks 80
that the length of flame can be regulated is suitable for the purpose. We also
arrange for the regulation of the flame used in the "burning off" or tempering.
In one method we use a row of perforations and put wires or pins in the holes
which are not required or we may fit a spiral regulator inside the gas pipe. The
flame is so regulated as that the hardened wire is tempered or "let down" suffi-
ciently to enable it to stand the bending in the machine without softening the wire
to a greater extent than is required for such bending.
To ensure that the wire shall pass steadily through the flames we lead the wire
through guides some of the guides being situated close to the entering and exit end
of each flame.
.
It is important that the wire shall pass from the flame quickly and immediately
into the bath.
In one arrangement we use a cistern which is perforated at two ends or sides
the wire passing in at one hole and out at the other. We maintain a constant flow
of oil or hardening fluid, into the cistern. As the wire leaves the heating flame it
passes through a perforation in a plate which is fixed at a slight distance from one
side of the cistern. The wire then passes through a larger perforation into the
cistern. The overflow of oil is permitted to take place partly or entirely through
the said perforation in the cistern. The said plate guides the wire and at the same
time shields the cistern to some extent from the heat whilst the flow of oil tends to
check the overheating of the said plate. We are enabled to bring the flame so close
to the shield plate as that the transition of the wire from the flame to the oil is
instantaneous whereby the heated wire is not exposed to the atinosphero and a
scale is not formed thereon. In lieu of the said cistern we may cause the oil to fall
in a stream into which the heated wire passes from the fame.
An oil lamp flame or a coke or charcoal fire enclosed in a shell or casing through
which the wire would be drawn in a straight line might be substituted for the gas
flame but we prefer to use the gas flame. In case such a stove were used it might
be advantageous to employ a gas flame as a connecting link between the stove and
the bath. The burning off or letting down might be rendered unnecessary in somo
cases either by the employment of a special matter or mixture for the bath or of a
bath maintained at a certain temperature or of wire comparatively poor in carbon
or by reason of the fineness of the wire. The operation requires to be conducted
with a careful regulation of the action of the apparatus and as the effect of the
hardening and tempering processes may be governed to a great extent by varying
the speed of traverso of the wire we prefer to convey the motion of the winding
drum through a pair of cone drums or a disc and sliding friction pinion in order
that the speed of travel of the wire may be regulated with great exactness.
Although we greatly prefer to conduct the wire in a straight line as herein-before
mentioned we do not confine ourselves strictly to so doing.
A remaining part of our Invention has for its object to effect the annealing or
softening of wire for making cards.
The operation of drawing steel wire has the effect of hardening the wire and it
has to be annealed several times during the reducing operations especially in the
case of fine wire. To accomplish this we employ a modification of the herein-before
indicated hardening process. The wire is drawn through a flame and passes imme-
diately into a bath of oil water lime-water or other suitable liquid the scaling in
the ordinary processes being avoided. This method is also applicable in the annealing
of wire used in the manufacture of needles and of wire for other uses.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Ashworth and Elijah Ashworth in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 5th March 1879.
GEORGE ASHWORTH and ELIJAH ASHWORTH both of Manchester in the County
of Lancaster Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WIRE CARDS AND IN THE PREPARA-
TION AND TREATMENT OF WIRE THEREFOR APPLICABLE WHOLLY OB IN PART IN
THE TREATMENT OF WIRE FOR SOME OTHER PURPOSES."
Our Invention relates in the first place to the wire cards employed in and in
connection with the carding of cotton and other fibrous substances and has for its
object to increase the useful effect and durability of such cards. To this end we
employ steel wire which has been rendered as hard as is consistent with its being
bent in the usual manner in the card-setting machine. We prefer to employ steel
wire which has been flattened by incans of steel rollers but ordinary round wire or
wire of sections other than round may be employed.
A second part of our Invention consists of special means for hardening and
tempering the wire. Wo draw the wire in a straight line through a gas flame or
line of gas flames and then through a bath or stream of oil or of oleagineous matter
or of a suitable liquid or inatter and then through a carefully regulated gas flame
or line of gas flames in order to "burn off" the oil to some extent and thereby to
impart the required temper. The wire is then conducted to the drum upon which
it is wound but in order to make the coil rise upon the drum we put a tension on
the wire which may conveniently be effected by passing the wire between rows of
pins or between friction surfaces.
A remaining part of our Invention has for its object to effect the annealing or
softening of wire for making cards.
The operation of drawing steel wire has the effect of hardening the wire and it
has to be annealed several times during the reducing operations especially in the
case of fine wire. To accomplish this we employ a modification of the herein-beforo
indicated hardening process. The wire is drawn through a flame and passes imme-
diately into a bath of oil water lime water or other suitable liquid the scaling in
the ordinary processes being avoided. This method is also applicable in the
annealing of wire used in the manufacture of needles and of wire for other uses.
And in order that our Invention may be readily described and fully understood
we have appended bereunto a Sheet of Drawings marked with letters of referenco
corresponding letters indicating the same parts in the various Figures.
Referring in this place to the said Drawings Fig. 1 represents a plan and Fig. 2
a cross sectional elevation of the complete apparatus Fig. 3 illustrating the
important parts drawn to a larger scale.
In the said Figs. A is a framing which carries the various parts of the apparatus..
Upon this framing are mounted the reels B B upon which the wire to be hardened

page_text: is supplied to the machine. In the example there are four reels but the number
may be less or more than four. The four wires c c or one or more of them as may
be desired are led around a carrier pulley d at one end of the machine and pass in
straight lines to a second carrier pulley e situated at the other end of the machine.
Below the line of wires are fixed two gas burners F and G. In the example these
gas burners consist of tubes which are perforated on their upper sides and are
supplied with gas by means of suitable connecting pipes indicated by hh the
burner F being cast in one piece with the bracket f which serves to secure the
burner to the framing. Any form of burner which will furnish a sufficient flame
may be used. The flame of the burner F is protected by sheet metal shields i i
which act in a similar manner to the glass chimney of a lamp by shielding the
flame from draughts and steadying it. The two shields together form a long
narrow chimney open at the top and bottom.
The form and arrangement of the shields or chimney for steadying the flame may
be varied as found to be most suitable or if not considered to be necessary the said
sbields may be dispensed with. The wires pass through eyes in guides & which
steady them and keep them in a straight line at a regular distance apart. The
wires pass immediately from the flame of F through perforations in a vertical plate /
which guides the wires and at the same time shields the cistern H from the heat
to some extent. The wires pass from the said plate through perforations in the end
of the cistern H and passing across this cistern leave it through perforations in the
other end thereof. Arrangements are made for supplying a constant stream of oil
to this cistern. In the example the oil flows through a pipe and regulating cock m
from a suitable supply cistern. The perforations through which the wires enter
the cistern are larger than is necessary for the mere passage of the wires so that
there is a constant flow of oil through these perforations. The distance of the
plate from the end of the cistern is such as that there is just about enough space
for the downward flow of the oil. The plate shields the cistern from the heat of
the flame and the flow of oil tends to prevent the overheating of the plate. By
these means the cistern is brought close to the end of the line of flame so that the
heated wires pass directly and instantaneously from the flame into the oil without
being exposed to the air in the transition as indicated by the diagram Fig. 4
which is drawn larger than full size. This is very important as the fine wires
could not be hardened if the transition were not instantaneous. It will be seen
that the heated wires enter the oil flowing through the space between the cistern
end and the plate before actually entering the cistern. The burner G is used to
temper the wires. It is desirable to be able to regulate the length of the line of
flame of this burner.
In the example the burner consists of a tube which is bored and is fitted with a
hollow plug n into which the gas is conveyed through a pipo h. This plug is cut
to a spiral form. By rotating the said plug all the perforations can be closed one
after the other. Other means for regulating the length of flame may be used.
The perforations not required may be closed with wire pins or the perforations
may be divided into groups each separately supplied through a stop-cock. The
Hame F may also be made adjustable in length. The wires now hardened and
tempered pass over the pulley e and are wound upon ordinary drums I. These
drums are fixed upon vertical shafts which receive motion from a horizontal shaft p
through the pulleys and cords r r. The shaft p receives motion from a suitable
driving shaft through a pair of cone strap pulleys. The cone on the shaft P is seen
nt 8.
This cone is loosely mounted on the shaft and gives motion to it through a
clutch t which can be quickly thrown into and out of gear by means of a lever u
which is operated from the front of the machine to stop or start the drums.
The speed of traverse of the wires is regulated by means of the said cone pu" ys.
A friction disc and sliding pinion or plain cono drums or other equivalent means
may be employed for the same purpose. The operation requires to be conducted
with a careful regulation of the action of the apparatus and as the effect of the
bardening and tempering processes may be governed to a great extent by varying

page_text: the speed of traverse of the wire we employ the said cone drums or equivalent
devices.
To make the coils rise properly upon the drums a tension is put upon the wires.
Three different arrangements for effecting this are indicated at vv in Fig. 1. In
one case the wire is drawn between two rows of pins. In the others the wires are
drawn through guides and around or over metal cylindors which also have a
cleaning and burnishing effect upon the wires.
The oil flowing from the cistern falls into a receiver w whence it is conveyed by
a pipe to a suitable cistern. The oil is returned to the elevated supply cistern by
means of a pump or is otherwise returned in any suitable manner. In some cases
other hardening fluid or matter than oil may be used.
Although we prefer the wire to pass in a straight line through the cistern it
might pass over the edge of the cistern and be deflected downwards into it the
cistern being kept quite full of oil but we do not believe that an equally good
result could thereby be obtained.
The flame of the burner G is so regulated as to just render the wire capable of
being bent in the machine without softening it more than is required for such
bending. In some cases the tempering might be rendered unnecessary through the
employment of wire comparatively poor in carbon. We may arrange the burner G
in a separate framing so that the burning or tempering will become a second
operation.
In the hardening of the wire we may employ a hot smokeless flame such as is
produced by a Bunsen burner as for example a row of burners on the Bunsen
principle may be arranged close together so that the flames unite and may be
provided with separate gas-cocks so that the length of flame can be regulated as
may be required or air under pressure may issue with the gas as in the case of
ordinary gas blow pipes. In lieu of the cistern H we may cause the oil to fall in
a stream into which the heated wire passes from the flame.
Apparatus constructed substantially as indicated may be employed in the treat-
ment of wire which is to be used in the manufacture of wire brushes or for other
useful purposes.
When carrying the second part of our Invention into effect we dispense with the
burner G or with the use of it and we draw the wire through the flame of the
burner F or through the flame of a burner or of burners substituted therefor and
cause the wire to pass instaneously into a cistern containing oil water lime
water or other suitable liquid the temperature or the speed of the wire being
regulated so that a softening effect is obtained.
We are aware that hardened steel wire has been employed in the making of
cards but such wire has been softened at the crown by means of a gas flame to
enable the wire to be bent and this softening has destroyed the resiliency of the
teeth to a very great extent and the finished cards are not so regular and even as
when the whole of the dent is of an uniform temper or degree of hardness.
We are also aware that card teeth have been hardened and inserted in the
foundation by hand as for example when making silk combs but cards so made
are not so regular as machine made cards nor is it practible to make fine cards by
such a process whereas we are able to make the finest cards according to our
Invention.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of our said Invention and
means whereby we carry the same into practical effect we would have it to be
understood in conclusion that we claim :-
7
First the manufacture of the dents or teeth of cards from a continuous length of
ste wire hardened and tempered steel wire in the manner substantially as Bet
forth and indicated herein-before and in and by the accompanying Drawings:
Secondly hardening the wire for cards by drawing it through a gas flame and
passing it instantaneously into a bath of oil or other matter: substantially as set
forth and indicated.

page_text: Thirdly hardening wire for cards wire brushes and other uses by drawing it
in a straight line first through a gas flame and then through a bath of oil or
hardening matter substantially as set forth and indicated:
Fourthly the combination of the heating burner or burners F the bath or
cistern H and the tempering burner G substantially as and for the purposes set
forth and indicated:
Fifthly the combination of the burner F the shield and the bath H substan-
tially as and for the purpose set forth and indicated:
Sixthly the cistern H perforated at each side or end for the passage of wire or
wires and the perforated shield plate substantially as and for the purposes set
forth and indicated:
And lastly the apparatus substantially as and for the purposes set forth and
indicated.
In witness whereof we the said George Ashworth and Elijah Ashworth have
hereunto set our hands and seals this Fourth day of March in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
Signed and sealed by the
said George Ashworth
ard Elijah Ashworth in
ne presence of
EDWARD K. DUTTON,
Agent to the Patentees,
St. Ann's Churchyard,
Manchester.
(L.S.)
GEO. ASHWORTH.
ELIJAH ASHWORTH. (L.S.)

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Ashworth and Elijah Ashworth, both of Man-
chester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN WIRE CARDS, AND IN THE PREPARATION AND TREAT-
MENT OF WIRE THEREFOR, APPLICABLE WHOLLY OR IN PART IN THE TREATMENT
OF WIRE FOR SOME OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 8th November 1878, and dated the 5th September 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Ashworth and
Elijah Ashworth at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th
September 1878.
GEORGE ASHWORTH and ELIJAH ASHWORTH, both of Manchester, in the County
of Lancaster, Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WIRE CARDS, AND IN THE PREPA-
RATION AND TREATMENT OF WIRE THEREFOR, APPLICABLE WHOLLY OR IN PART IN
THE TREATMENT OF WIRE FOR SOME OTHER PURPOSES."
Our Invention relates, in the first place, to the wire cards employed in and in
connection with the carding of cotton and other fibrous substances, and has for its
object to increase the useful effect and durability of such cards. To this end we
employ steel wire which has been rendered as hard as is consistent with its being
bent in the usual manner in the card-setting machine. We prefer to employ steel
wire which has been flattened by means of steel rollers, but ordinary round wire, or
wire of sections other than round, may be employed.
We are aware that hardened steel wire has been employed in the making of cards,
but such wire has been softened at the crown by means of a gas flame to enable tho
wire to be bent, and this softening has destroyed the resiliency of the teeth to a
very great extent, and the finished cards are not so regular and even as when the
whole of the dent is of an uniform temper or degree of hardness.
We are also aware that card teeth have been hardened and inserted in the
foundation by hand, as, for example, when making silk combs, but cards so mado
are not so regular as machine-made cards, nor is it practicable to make fine cards
Price f

page_text: by such a process, whereas we are able to make the finest cards according to our
Invention.
A second part of our Invention consists of special means for hardening and tem-
pering the wire. We draw the wire in a straight line through a gas flame or line
of gas flames, and then through a bath or stream of oil or of oleaginous matter, or
of a suitable liquid or matter, and then through a carefully regulated gas flame or
line of gas flames, in order to "burn off" the oil to some extent, and thereby to
impart the required temper. The wire is then conducted to the drum, upon which
it is wound, but in order to make the coil rise upon the drum we put a tension on
the wire, which may conveniently be effected by passing the wire between rows of
pins, or between friction surfaces.
We in some or in all cases burnish the hardened wire. This may be effected by
drawing the wire forwards whilst it is in contact with a hardened steel surface or
with hard surfaces, as, for example, we pass a coil of the wire around a hardened
steel cylinder, or around two or more of such cylinders. This will also impart the
required tension to the wire.
For the hardening of the wire we prefer to employ a hot smokeless flame, such as
is produced by a "Bunsen" burner or by a gas blowpipe flame, and to steady such
flames by means of shields. A row of burners on the Bunsen principle, arranged
close together, so that the flames unite, and provided with separate gas cocks, so
that the length of flame can be regulated, is suitable for the purpose.
arrange for the regulation of the flame used in the "burning off" or tempering.
We also
"
In one method we use a row of perforations, and put wires or pins in the holes
which are not required, or we may fit a spiral regulator inside the gas pipe. The
flame is so regulated as that the hardened wire is tempered or "let down suffi-
ciently to enable it to stand the bending in the machine without softening the wire
to a greater extent than is required for such bending.
To ensure that the wire shall pass steadily through the flames we lead the wire
through guides, some of the guides being situated close to the entering and exit end
of each flame.
It is important that the wire shall pass from the flame quickly and immediately
into the bath.
In one arrangement we use a cistern which is perforated at two ends or sides,
the wire passing in at one holo and out at the other. We maintain a constant flow
of oil or hardening fluid into the cistern. As the wire leaves the heating flame it
passes through a perforation in a plate which is fixed at a slight distance from one
side of the cistern. The wire then passes through a larger perforation into the
cistern. The overflow of oil is permitted to take place partly or entirely through
the said perforation in the cistern. The said plate guides the wire and at the same
time shields the cistern to some extent from the heat, whilst the flow of oil tends to
check the overheating of the said plate. We are enabled to bring the flame so close
to the shield plate as that the transition of the wire from the flame to the oil is
instantaneous, whereby the heated wire is not exposed to the atmosphere, and a
scale is not formed thereon. In lieu of the said cistern we may cause the oil to fall
in a stream, into which the heated wire passes from the flame.
An oil lamp flame or a coke or charcoal fire enclosed in a shell or casing through
which the wire would be drawn in a straight line might be substituted for the gas
flame, but we prefer to use the gas flame. In case such a stove were used it might
be advantageous to employ a gas flame as a connecting link between the stove and
the bath. The burning off or letting down might be rendered unnecessary in some
cases either by the employment of a special matter or mixture for the bath, or of a
bath maintained at a certain temperature, or of wire comparatively poor in carbon,
or by reason of the fineness of the wire. The operation requires to be conducted
with a careful regulation of the action of the apparatus, and as the effect of the
hardening and tempering processes may be governed to a great extent by varying
the speed of traverse of the wire, we prefer to convey the motion of the winding

page_text: drum through a pair of cone drums or a disc and sliding friction pinion, in order
that the speed of travel of the wire may be regulated with great exactness.
Although we greatly prefer to conduct the wire in a straight line, as herein-before
mentioned, we do not confine ourselves strictly to so doing.
A remaining part of our Invention has for its object to effect the annealing or
softening of wire for making cards.
The operation of drawing steel wire has the effect of hardening the wire, and it
lias to be annealed several times during the reducing operations, especially in the
case of fine wire. To accomplish this we employ a modification of the herein-before
indicated hardening process. The wire is drawn through a flame, and passes imme-
diately into a bath of oil, water, lime-water, or other suitable liquid, the scaling in
the ordinary process being avoided. This method is also applicable in the annealing
of wire used in the manufacture of needles, and of wire for other uses.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Ashworth and Elijah Ashworth in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 5th March 1879.
GEORGE ASHWORTH and ELIJAH ASHWORTH, both of Manchester, in the County
of Lancaster, Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WIRE CARDS, AND IN THE PREPARA-
TION AND TREATMENT OF WIRE THEREFOR, APPLICABLE WHOLLY OR IN PART IN
THE TREATMENT OF WIRE FOR SOME OTHER PURPOSES."
Our Invention relates, in the first place, to the wire cards employed in and in
connection with the carding of cotton and other fibrous substances, and has for its
object to increase the useful effect and durability of such cards. To this end we
employ steel wire which has been rendered as hard as is consistent with its being
bent in the usual manner in the card-setting machine. We prefer to employ steel
wire which has been flattened by means of steel rollers, but ordinary round wire or
wire of sections other than round may be employed.
A second part of our Invention consists of special means for hardening and
tempering the wire. We draw the wire in a straight line through a gas flame or
line of gas flames, and then through a bath or stream of oil or of oleagineous matter
or of a suitable liquid or matter, and then through a carefully regulated gas flame
or line of gas flames, in order to "burn off" the oil to some extent, and thereby to
impart the required temper. The wire is then conducted to the drum upon which
it is wound, but in order to make the coil rise upon the drum we put a tension on
the wire, which may conveniently be effected by passing the wire between rows of
pins, or between friction surfaces.
A remaining part of our Invention has for its object to effect the annealing or
softening of wire for making cards.
The operation of drawing steel wire has the effect of hardening the wire, and it
has to be annealed several times during the reducing operations, especially in the
case of fine wire. To accomplish this we employ a modification of the herein-before

page_text: indicated hardening process. The wire is drawn through a flame, and passes imme-
diately into a bath of oil, water, lime water, or other suitable liquid, the scaling in
the ordinary processes being avoided. This method is also applicable in the
annealing of wire used in the manufacture of needles, and of wire for other uses.
And in order that our Invention may be readily described and fully understood
we have appended hereunto a Sheet of Drawings marked with letters of reference,
corresponding letters indicating the same parts in the various Figures.
Referring in this place to the said Drawings Fig. 1 represents a plan; and Fig. 2
n cross sectional elevation of the complete apparatus; Fig. 3 illustrating the
important parts drawn to a larger scale.
In the said Figs. A is a framing, which carries the various parts of the apparatus.
Upon this framing are mounted the reels B, B, upon which the wire to be hardened
is supplied to the machine. In the example there are four reels, but the number
may be less or more than four. The four wires c, c, or one or more of them, as may
be desired, are led around a carrier pulley d at one end of the machine, and pass in
straight lines to a second carrier pulley e situated at the other end of the machine.
Below the line of wires are fixed two gas burners F and G. In the example these
gas burners consist of tubes which are perforated on their upper sides, and are
supplied with gas by means of suitable connecting pipes indicated by h, h, the
burner F being cast in one piece with the bracket f which serves to secure the
burner to the framing. Any form of burner which will furnish a sufficient flame
may be used. The flame of the burner F is protected by sheet metal shields i, i,
which act in a similar manner to the glass chimney of a lamp by shielding the
flame from draughts, and steadying it. The two shields together form a long
narrow chimney open at the top and bottom.
The form and arrangement of the shields or chimney for steadying the flame may
be varied as found to be most suitable, or if not consistent to be necessary the said
shields may be dispensed with. The wires pass through eyes in guides, which
steady them and keep them in a straight line at a regular distance apart. The
wires pass immediately from the flame of F through perforations in a vertical plate l,
which guides the wires, and at the same time shields the cistern H from the heat
to some extent. The wires pass from the said plate through perforations in the end
of the cistern H, and passing across this cistern leave it through perforations in the
other end thereof. Arrangements are made for supplying a constant stream of oil
to this cistern. In the example the oil flows through a pipe and regulating cock m
from a suitable supply cistern. The perforations through which the wires enter
the cistern are larger than is necessary for the mere passage of the wires, so that
there is a constant flow of oil through these perforations. The distance of the
plate from the end of the cistern is such as that there is just about enough space
for the downward flow of the oil. The plate shields the cistern from the heat of
the flame, and the flow of oil tends to prevent the overheating of the plate. By
these means the cistern is brought close to the end of the line of flame, so that the
heated wires pass directly and instantaneously from the flame into the oil without
being exposed to the air in the transition, as indicated by the diaphragm Fig. 4,
which is drawn larger than full size. This is very important as the fine wires
could not be hardened if the transition were not instantaneous. It will be seen
that the heated wires enter the oil flowing through the space between the cistern
end and the plate before actually entering the cistern. The burner G is used to
temper the wires. It is desirable to be able to regulate the length of the line of
flame of this burner.
In the example the burner consists of a tube which is bored, and is fitted with a
hollow plug n, into which the gas is conveyed through a pipe h. This plug is cut
to a spiral form. By rotating the said plug all the perforations can be closed one
after the other. Other means for regulating the length of flame may be used.
The perforations not required may be closed with wire pins, or the perforations
may be divided into groups, each separately supplied through a stop-cock. The
flame F may also be made adjustable in longth. The wires now hardened and

page_text: tempered pass over the pulley e, and are wound upon ordinary drums. I. These
drums are fixed upon vertical shafts which receive motion from a horizontal shaft p
through the pulleys and cords, r. The shaft p receives motion from a suitable
driving shaft through a pair of cone strap pulleys. The cone on the shaft p is seen
This conc is loosely mounted on the shaft, and gives motion to it through a
clutch t, which can be quickly thrown into and out of gear by means of a lever u
which is operated from the front of the machine to stop or start the drums.
at 8.
The speed of traverse of the wires is regulated by means of the said cono pulleys.
A friction disc and sliding pinion or plain cone drums or other equivalent means
may be employed for the same purpose. The operation requires to be conducted
with a careful regulation of the action of the apparatus; and as the effect of the
hardening and tempering processes may be governed to a great extent by varying
the speed of traverse of the wire we employ the said cone drums or equivalent
devices.
To make the coils rise properly upon the drums, a tension is put upon the wires.
Three different arrangements for effecting this are indicated at v, v, in Fig. 1. In
one case the wire is drawn between two rows of pins. In the others the wires are
drawn through guides and around or over metal cylinders which also have a
cleaning and burnishing effect upon the wires.
The oil flowing from the cistern falls into a receiver w, whence it is conveyed by
a pipo x to a suitable cistern. The oil is returned to the elevated supply cistern by
means of a pump, or is otherwise returned in any suitable manner. In some cases
other hardening fluid or matter than oil may be used.
Although we prefer the wire to pass in a straight line through the cistern, it
might pass over the edge of the cistern and be deflected downwards into it, the
cistern being kept quite full of oil, but we do not believe that an equally good
result could thereby be obtained.
The flame of the burner G is so regulated as to just render the wire capable of
being bent in the machine without softening it more than is required for such
bending. In some cases the tempering might be rendered unnecessary through the
employment of wire comparatively poor in carbon. We may arrange the burner G
in a separate framing, so that the burning or tempering will become a second
operation.
In the hardening of the wire we may employ a hot smokeless flame, such as is
produced by a Bunsen burner, as for example, a row of burners on the Bunsen
principle may be arranged close together, so that the flames unite and may be
provided with separate gas-cocks, so that the length of flame can be regulated as
may be required, or air under pressure may issue with the gas, as in the case of
ordinary gas blow pipes. In lieu of the cistern H, we may cause the oil to fall in
a stream into which the heated wire passes from the flame.
Apparatus constructed substantially as indicated may be employed in the treat-
ment of wire which is to be used in the manufacture of wire brushes, or for other
useful purposes.
When carrying the second part of our Invention into effect, we dispense with the
burner G or with the use of it, and we draw the wire through the flame of the
burner F, or through the flame of a burner or of burners substituted therefor, and
cause the wire to pass instaneously into a cistern containing oil, water, lime
water, or other suitable liquid, the temperature or the speed of the wire being
regulated so that a softening effect is obtained.
We are aware that hardened steel wire has been employed in the making of
cards, but such wire has been softened at the crown by means of a gas flame to
enable the wire to be bent, and this softening has destroyed the resiliency of the
teeth to a very great extent, and the finished cards are not so regular and even as
when the whole of the dent is of an uniform temper or degree of hardness.
We are also aware that card teeth have been hardened and inserted in the
foundation by hand, as for example, when making silk combs, but cards so made
are not so regular as machine made cards, nor is it practible to make fine cards by

page_text: such a process, whereas we are able to make the finest cards according to our
Invention.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of our said Invention, and
means whereby we carry the same into practical effect, we would have it to be
understood in conclusion that we claim,-
First. The manufacture of the dents or teeth of cards from a continuous length of
hardened and tempered steel wire as set forth, and indicated herein-before, and in
and by the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. Hardening the wire for cards by drawing it through a gas flame and
passing it instantaneously into a bath of oil or other matter.
Thirdly. Hardening wire for cards, wire brushes, and other uses, by drawing it
in a straight line, first through a gas flame and then through a bath of oil or
hardening matter, substantially as set forth and indicated.
Fourthly. The combination of the heating burner or burners F, the bath or
cistern H, and the tempering burner G, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth and indicated.
Fifthly. The combination of the burner F, the shield i, and the bath H, substan-
tially as and for the purpose set forth and indicated.
Sixthly. The cistern H perforated at each side or end for the passage of wire or
wires, and the perforated shield plate l, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth and indicated.
And, lastly. The apparatus, substantially as and for the purposes set forth and
indicated.
In witness whereof, we, the said George Ashworth and Elijah Ashworth, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Fourth day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
Signed and sealed by the
said George Ashworth
and Elijah Ashworth in
the presence of
EDWARD K. DUTTON,
Agent to the Patentecs,
St. Ann's Churchyard,
Manchester.
(L.S.)
GEO. ASHWORTH.
ELIJAH ASHWORTH. (L.S.)