Improved Method of and Apparatus for Stamping or Pressing Metal Plate into Convex or Concave Forms, also Applicable to Deep Stamping and Flanging.
Year: 1889

page_text: Dat: of Application, 18th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 18th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 25th Jan., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Stamping or Pressing Metal
Plate into Convex or Concave Forms, also Applicable to Deep
Stamping and Flanging.
+
1, JAMES ELLIS, of Gun Iron Works, Gun Square, London, E., Engineer do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to perform the operation, of stamping or pressing
metal plates or sheets into convex or concave forms, also forming a deep flange,
moulding or bead when necessary by means of one die or tool, and with a single
stroke of the press or stamping machine to which my improved apparatus may be
adapted. A series of dies and matrices have hitherto been employed for this purpose,
each being slightly more convex and concave respectively than the preceding die and
matrix, this gradual shaping having been found to be necessary in order to avoid
crumpling or buckling of the edges of the piece of metal sheet or plate that is to be
stamped or pressed into the desired form. Therefore, the chief object of my said
invention is to avoid the loss of time involved in the aforesaid operation, and also to
perform the same with one die or tool, instead of a series as heretofore.
In carrying my Invention into effect I construct a die, the face of which is
formed with the full degree of convexity which is required to be imparted to the
metal plate or sheet, and I form upon, or attach to, said die, a collar, or stout flange,
at a certain distance above the face of the die. I also provide a collar, arranged to
slide upon the cylindrical body of the die, between the face thereof, and the fixed
collar or flange above referred to, said loose collar or flange being suitably faced so as to
correspond with the face of the dic. A feather and corresponding groove, or set
screws and slots are provided for the purpose of preventing the rotation of the loose
collar, and also to keep it from entirely sliding off the main body of the die, or I may
employ any equivalent device to attain this end. I also form two or more holes
through the fixed collar or flange before mentioned, and place therein spiral springs,
resting upon the sliding collar, and keeping it in position by their compression, so
that the face of said collar projects beyond the convex face of the die. I retain these
springs in position preferably by means of a plate or flange, fixed to the upper face
of the fixed collar or flange by means of set screws, so that the holes in which the
springs are enclosed are covered, and these retained in compression between the
sliding collar and flange above mentioned. I may however, adopt other methods of
retaining these springs in position.
The manner in which the device or contrivance according to my invention is actuated
is as follows, that is to say;
When the die descends upon the piece of metal plate or sheet that is to be pressed
or stamped, by the action of the press or stamping machine, the loose collar firmly
embraces the edges of said piece of metal plate, and the continued descent of the die
causes the convex face of the main body of said die to advance, and so to shape the
metal plate, the edges thereof being firmly held by the face of the loose collar, the
pressure being maintained by the compression of the spiral springs before referred
to. This appliance may be adapted to any kind of dishing, deep stamping or flanging,
the pressure of the loose collar being applied to the edge of the metal plate before
the inain body of the die by its advance completes the operation, and such pressure
is maintained until the die is lifted clear from the stamped plate. In cases where
the thickness of the plate or sheet metal operated upon is increased so as to preclude
the employment of spiral or other springs for obtaining the requisite degree of pressure
upon the sliding collar, I may employ suitable cylinders and pistons in lieu thereof,
using either atmospheric or hydraulic pressure therein, and applying the same to act
".

page_text: upon said pistons within the cylinders aforesaid, for maintaining the pressure upon
the loose collar for the purposes hereinbefore described.
Dated this 18th day of March 1889.
FREDK. WALKER & HYDE,
4, Little Moorfields, London, E.C., Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Apparatus_for Stamping or Pressing Metal
Plate into 'Convex or Concave Forms, also Applicable to Deep
Stamping and Flanging.
I, JAMES ELLIS, of Gun Iron Works, Gun Square, Houndsditch, in the city of
London, E. Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:-
The object of my invention is to perform the operation of stamping or pressing
inetal plates or sheets into convex or concave forms, also forming a flange, moulding
or bead when necessary by means of one die or tool, and with a single stroke of
the press or stamping machine, to which my improved apparatus may be adapted.
A series of dies and matrices have hitherto been employed for this purpose, each being
slightly more convex and concave respectively, than the preceding die and matrix,
this gradual shaping or forming the metal sheets having been found to be necessary
in order to avoid crumpling or buckling the edges of said sheets or plates during the
process of stamping or pressing.
Therefore the chief object of my said invention is to avoid the loss of time involved
in the aforesaid operation, and also to perform the same with one die instead of a
series, as heretofore.
In order that my invention may be better understood, I have appended the accom-
panying sheet of drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the die or
tool, and Figure 2 is a plan of the face or working surface thereof. Figure 3
is a plan view of the top of said die or tool, and Figure 4 an elevation thereof.
Similar letters of reference are used to indicate corresponding parts throughout the
several views.
In carrying my invention into effect I construct a die or tool, as shewn by the drawings,
the face of which possesses the full degree of convexity required to be imparted to
the metal plates. The body of said die or tool A is furnished with a collar or flange B,
.either formed upon, or attached thereto, at a certain distance from the face f. I also
provide a moveable collar C, arranged to slide upon the cylindrical body of the die A,
between the face thereof and the fixed collar or flange B. The face of said moveable
collar is shaped so as to correspond to, and form an extension of, the convexity of
the face f. Suitable set screws s pass through C, and project into vertical slots in the
body of the die A, for the purpose of preventing the rotation of the moveable collar C,
and also to keep it from sliding off the body A. I may employ a sunk feather, or
"feathers, or any equivalent device to attain this end. I form two or more holes in
the fixed collar or flange B, and place therein suitable spiral springs D, which rest
upon the upper surface of the moveable collar C, and are quite free within the holes
in B, these simply serving as guides for said springs D. The object of the springs D
is to keep the collar C normally projecting beyond the face of the body of the die A,
by compression, and in order to effect this, I provide a plate E, fixed to the upper
face or surface of the fixed collar or flange B by bolts or equivalent means, and
covering the holes containing the springs D when these are in position, and retaining
said springs in compression. may however retain said springs by any other method
without departing from the essential feature of my said invention.
The manner in which the apparatus according to my invention is operated is as
follows, that is to say.
When the die or tool descends upon the piece of metal plate or sheet that is to be

page_text: stamped or pressed into shape, by the action of the press or stamping machine, the
face of the moveable collar firmly embraces the edge of said metal plate.
between and the corresponding face of the matrix, and the descent of the head of
the machine being continued, the convex face of the main body of the die A,
advances, and so shapes the metal plate, the edges of which are firmly held by the
face f', before mentioned. The pressure is maintained upon fl by the compression
of the spiral springs D. This appliance may be adapted to any kind of dishing, deep
stamping or flanging, the pressure of the edge or face f¹ of the moveable collar C
being applied in all cases to the metal plate or sheet, before the face f¹ of the main
body of the die, by its advance completes the operation, and said pressure is maintained
until the die or tool is lifted clear from the stamped plate.
In cases where the thickness of the plate or sheet metal operated upon is
increased so as to preclude the employment of the spiral springs D for obtaining the
requisite degree of pressure upon the moveable collar C, I may employ suitable
cylinders and pistons in lieu thereof, using either compressed air or hydraulic power
therein, and applying the same to act upon the pistons or plungers within said
cylinders, for maintaining the pressure upon the collar C for the purposes herein before
described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,-
First In stamping apparatus, the employment of a die or tool, with a moveable
collar C sliding upon the main body A against the pressure of springs D, or other
pressure, substantially and for the purposes herein described, with reference to the
appended drawings.
Second-In stamping apparatus, the use of a moveable collar with a face f¹,
corresponding to a face upon the main body of a die A, so that stamping, deep
stamping or Hanging may be performed by a single tool in one operation substantially
as herein described, with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 17th day of December 1889.
FREDK. WALKER & HYDE,
4, Little Moorfields, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant.