Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 31st May, 1892-Accepted, 2nd July, 1892
We, FRANK MOORFIELD, and WALTER HENRY FITZGERALD, citizens of the
United States of America, residing respectively at Princess Bay, Staten Island in
the County of Richmond and State of New York, and at No. 45 Burnet Street, in
the City of Newark, County of Essex and State of New Jersey, United States of
America, Gentlemen, 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 :-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus, no die being shown.
Figure 2 a plan view thereof.
Figure 3 a longitudinal section of the same and a die to be used therewith, with
the parts in position before an operation.
Figure 4 a similar view of a portion only of what is shown in the preceding
figure, drawn to a larger scale, showing the position of parts during a forming
operation.
Figures 5 and 6 are views respectively of a blank from which a watch stem
or pendant is to be made, and a formed or completed stem, the same being shown in
section.
Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.
The object we have had in view in inventing this apparatus has been to simplify
and lessen the number of operations necessary to form hollow articles of various
kinds ordinarily made from sheet metal, and thereby to considerably cheapen and
expedite their construction, and to this end our invention consists in the apparatus
and the parts thereof adapted to accomplish the formation of hollow bodies or
articles by means of some suitable fluid under pressure, as hereinafter specified.
The apparatus consists essentially of two parts, a die of appropriate shape or
configuration adapted to receive and contain a roughed out blank approximating
in general shape the form the completed article is to have, and mechanism
operating to produce and transmit to the blank, when within the die, the pressure
to cause it to conform thereto.
The former may be, as shown, a sectional die composed of two parts, one, A,
secured immovably to a suitable head or support, B, and one A', made movable
with reference to the other to permit the insertion of a blank and the removal of
the completed article. A convenient mode of imparting the required movement
to the movable part, A¹, is to use a screw, C, passing through a screw-threaded
opening in a downwardly extended portion, b, of the head, B, and having a swivelled
connection at its inner end with said part, A'. At its outer end said screw is
furnished with a suitable hand wheel, c, by means of which it may be rotated.
The head, B, and the die with it, are adapted to be moved vertically, for a
reason hereinafter given.
Below the. die is a vertically arranged cylinder, D, whose lower end is closed,
but whose upper end is open, and said cylinder is so disposed that the axis of its
chamber, d, is in line with the transverse center of the formative opening or matrix, a,
of the die. Closely fitting the chamber, d, but capable of longitudinal movement
therein, is a piston, E, through which extends from top to bottom an opening or
passage, e, preferably increasing in diameter from top to bottom. In the upper
face of the piston, concentric with the opening, e, is provided a comparatively
shallow recess, e¹, whose lower portion is made of less diameter than the upper, so
as to form an annular shoulder or offset.

page_text: This shouldered recess, e', constitutes a seat for a nipple, F, whose opening is of
the same diameter as the upper end of the opening, e, in the piston, and in line
with said opening. The portion of the nipple which is contained within the
recess, e¹, conforms in shape thereto, and between its lower face and the bottom of
said recess is placed a gasket or washer, e, of leather, or other like suitable material,
which, together with the form of the abutting surfaces of the nipple and the
piston makes a fluid tight joint between the parts. The gasket or washer has an
opening through it of the same diameter as, and registering with that of the nipple.
Exteriorly, the nipple, for about one-half its length, tapers inward and upward,
and is then cylindrical and it is confined in place by means of a collar, G, having a
centrally located opening conforming in shape and size to the taper portion of the
nipple with which it engages. Said collar has a downwardly extending peripheral
flange, g, which, interiorly, is screw-threaded, to engage external thread on the
periphery of the upper portion of the piston, E. When the collar, G, is screwed
down to secure the nipple upon its seat in the piston, the cylinder portion of the
nipple will extend above the upper face of said collar. The diameter of the cylindrical
portion of the nipple is precisely the same as that of the outer portion, a¹ of the
cavity or matrix of the die, when the parts, A and A¹ are placed together, except
at its upper extremity, where the diameter is reduced sufficiently to enable it to
enter a short distance into the body or article being operated on, and to provide
a shoulder,, to engage the lower end of such body, for a purpose hereinafter to
appear.
In a space left between the lower face of the flange, g, of the collar, G, and the
upper face of the cylinder, D, is placed an annulus, H, of rubber, or some other elastic
body, or a coiled spring whose normal tendency, when expanding, is to raise the
piston, E, in the cylinder chamber, d, but which is capable of yielding to permit
said piston to be depressed or lowered, when sufficient force is applied thereto.
Surrounding the rubber annulus to protect and confine it against lateral expansion,
when subjected to pressure, is a ring, I, having a height substantially equal to that
of the elastic body or annulus, when fully expanded, and held in place by screws
passing through a horizontal flange, i, into the cylinder, D, and by an annular flange i¹,
on its under side engaging an annular recess in the contiguous face of the cylinder..
At its lower end, which, when the piston is raised, is some distance from the
bottom of the chamber, d, the piston has secured to it a washer, e, of some flexible
material, as leather, to form a tight joint with the sides of said chamber. Said
washer has a downwardly extending portion to engage the sides of the chamber,
and a horizontal portion which is clamped or held between the under surface of
the piston and a disk, K, of metal, by means of headed screws passing into
the piston. At its center the washer has a perforation registering with the opening, e,
in the piston.
The fluid we prefer to use in our apparatus is water, and for its use we make the
following provision :
:-
At one side of the cylinder, D, is a vessel or reservoir, L, preferably square or
rectangular in cross-section, and somewhat longer than wide, closed at one end by
a wall, , and having at its other internal screw thread to, engage external screw
thread on a boss or projection d', formed on the side of the cylinder, D.
In this vessel or reservoir, which is designed to hold the water to be used, is a
pump, M, whose piston or plunger, m, is adapted to be reciprocated by a crank
arm, N, which engages a slot in the piston rod, said arm being fixed to a rock
shaft, n, that projects for a portion of its length through a suitable stuffing box in
the side wall of the vessel outside of the latter, and there has secured to it a lever, N¹,
by which it may be oscillated or rocked. In the pump are an inlet port or passage
controlled by a suitable valve, m', and an outlet or discharge port controlled by
a back pressure valve, m², and the pump is held in place by having a cylindrical
threaded portion, m³, screwed into a threaded recess or cavity, d², provided in the
projection or boss, d', of the cylinder, D. A space is left between the end of the
portion, m³, and the contiguous wall of the cavity, d², into which the pump

page_text: discharges and from this space extends a conduit or passage, d³, downward at an
inclination through the wall of the cylinder into the chamber, d, opening therein
below the lowest point reached by the piston, E, in its downward movement.
This passage constitutes the means of communication between the pump and the
chamber, d.
For the performance of a function hereinafter set forth we provide a hand valve, O,
by which said passage may be closed.
Near the lower end of the chamber, d, and extending outwardly therefrom
through the cylinder wall at a point diametrically opposite the passage, d³, is an
opening or passage, d, whose outer portion is enlarged and contains a valve seat
for a conically faced valve, P, which is adapted to close the passage, d, being
caused so to do by a coiled spring, Q, surrounding the stem, p, of said valve and
bearing at one end against an annular enlargement or collar, p', thereon, while at
its other end, bearing against a head, r, of a cylindrical shell, R, which encloses
said parts. As a means to assist in guiding the valve, P, its stem, p, is passed
through an opening formed for it in the head r, of the shell, R. The latter has
its periphery for a portion of its length, threaded to engage a threaded opening in a
bracket, S, that is secured to and projects above a flange on the bottom edge of the
cylinder, D, so that, by rotating the shell and so moving it back and forth, the
tension of the spring Q, may be varied, and the valve, which is designed to operate
as a relief valve, set to act at various pressures. Intersecting the passage, dª, so as
to be placed in communication therewith, only, when the valve, P, is open, is a
passage, d, in the wall of the cylinder, D, and extending from the outer end of such
passage to an opening which passes into the interior of the vessel or reservoir, L,
preferably near its top, is a pipe, T, to convey back to the reservoir such water as
may escape when the relief valve is caused to open.
We will now proceed to describe the operation of the apparatus, constructed as
above set forth.
As will be readily understood, the apparatus constructed in accordance with our
invention, can be used is shaping and ornamenting articles of endless variety as to
configuration and use; but for the purpose of illustration, we show, and in
describing its operation shall specifically refer to it only as constructed for and
applied to the manufacture of the stems or pendants for watches.
To make a stem or pendant, a blank, (see Figure 5) approximating in general
shape the completed article, is placed within the matrix, a, the die part A. being
given its proper position relative to the part, A. In its vertical extent the
matrix, a, should be such that the lower edge of the blank, when therein, shall be
a short distance above the lower edge of the die. The head or support, B, with
the die is next lowered, so that the cylindrical part of the nipple passes into the
opening or matrix with its shoulder abutting against the lower edge of the blank
and its reduced portion entering the blank's lower end, which it should snugly
fit, and the piston, E, is depressed, causing a compression of the rubber annulus or
spring, H. By this time a water-tight joint will be formed between the nipple, the
side and end of the blank and the wall of the die opening because of the peculiar
structure of the nipple. The pump should now be operated and water forced from
the reservoir, L, through the passage, d³, in the cylinder wall to the chamber, d,
below the piston, E, thence through the opening in the latter and in the nipple,
into the blank. The pressure of the water on the blank will compel it to conform
to and take the configuration of the die, and simultaneously with the action of the
water itself directly upon the blank, the pressure applied to the lower end of the
piston, in consequence of the possibility of upward movement of the latter, will
move said pistou, and so cause a longitudinal compression of the blank, because of
the contact with its lower edge of the shoulder, f, on the nipple.
The pressure to which the forming article shall be subjected by the piston relative
to that given by the water acting directly upon the article (which should be, as we
consider desirable, the same as the latter) is determined by and depends simply on
the area the lower surface of the piston shall have.

page_text: If it should be desired to maintain the pressure for any length of time, without
subjecting the pump to undue strain, thereby permitting the employment of a light
pump; or, if the back pressure valve, m², should be inoperative, the hand valve,
O, can be used to close the passage, d³, from the pump to the cylinder chamber.
When the stem has been completed the head, B, is moved upward to permit it
to be removed from the die, which may be done upon separating the parts of the
latter, and, owing to the presence of the spring or elastic body, H, in a compressed
state, the piston, E, will move upward at the same time to the limit of its upward
movement. In consequence of this upward movement of the piston, the cubic
contents of the chamber, d, below it will be increased, and the level of the upper end
of the nipple, F, elevated, so that as the die with the stem moves away therefrom,
there will be no overflow of such water as the stem contains, but it will be passed
into the piston opening e. By this means convenient and complete provision is
made for disposing of such water as goes into the article, and in a way which
permits of its most economical use, as the water can be used again and again,
without undue waste.
In as much as there may be variation in the degree of movement of the piston,
as, for instance, where it is pressed down farther on lowering the die carrying
head, B, at one time than at another, so that at different times a greater or less
volume of water may be required to obtain the pressure necessary to cause the
metal of a blank to conform to the die configuration, the relief valve, P, is set to
operate, when the pressure necessary has been attained, and a quantity of water is
thrown by the pump always in excess of the amount needed for such pressure,
thereby ensuring that the proper degree of pressure shall always be applied to the
article being made. It will be seen therefore, that this valve is particularly useful
and important in conjunction with the piston, in view of possible variation, on
account of the latter, in the volume of water needful at different times, as without
it, should the pump be designed to throw invariably a certain quantity of water,
there might be at one time greater pressure, than actually needed, while at another
time, less.
The valve, P, of course, will act each time the apparatus is operated, and such
water as passes from the cylinder chamber, d, through the passage, d, is conveyed
back to the reservoir through the means before set forth, so that it is disposed of
conveniently and in a manner to permit of its repeated use without waste.
The importance and value of the perforated piston must be obvious. It provides
means for subjecting the blank of the article being formed to pressure externally,
while the water is operating directly on it, internally, and also, for preserving the
tightness of the joint between the nipple it carries and the article being formed;-
it forms an expedient to prevent overflow and waste of water which the formed
article in the die may contain, and, in conjunction with the elastic body between it
and the cylinder end it acts as a cushion when the die carrying head is moved down-
ward into position for a forming operation.
Although we have not shown it in the drawings, we contemplate placing on the
upper face of the reduced portion of the nipple, a centrally perforated washer,
preferably like that on the lower face of the piston, E, as an additional precaution
to form a tight joint with the article to be formed.
This expedient may be necessary in making articles larger than watch stems,
such, for instance, as watch centres and backs; and it may be well to here remark,
that, in forming bodies like these latter, it is necessary to provide the blank with a
short neck to be engaged by the nipple. Bodies such as stems or pendants, have
a shape which renders them capable of use with the latter, without special
adaptation.
We also contemplate having the die arranged to be fixedly held, and, instead of
moving it to position for an operation, mounting the fluid forcing and conveying,
or pressure apparatus, so as to have it movable towards and from the die.
Then too, the reservoir or vessel, L, may be placed beneath, instead of at the
side of the cylinder, D, and other pressure creating apparatus used in place of the

page_text: pump. Such changes as these are not substantive ones, but are within the scope
of our invention..
By using apparatus constructed in accordance with our invention, the manufacture
of articles which heretofore have been made by using punches, rolls, sectional
expansible tools, and the like, is greatly simplified and cheapened. The parts of
the apparatus itself are such as to enable to be gotten up in a form quite
convenient for use and not necessitating much room.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
a
1. In combination with a cylinder or other suitable appliance, a piston having
passage or conduit and suitable means to transmit a fluid to the cylinder chamber
to move said piston, and to be passed in part through its conduit, which communi-
cates with said chamber, in the direction in which the piston is moved by the fluid,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
2. In combination with a cylinder or other suitable appliance, a piston having a
central unobstructed passage from end to end, and suitable means to transmit a
fluid to the cylinder chamber to move said piston and to be passed in part through
the passage therein, said passage communication with said chamber, the movement
of the fluid through the piston passage being in the direction in which the piston
is moved by the same, substantially as and for the purpose shown.
3. In combination with an open-ended cylinder, a piston having a passage or
conduit, and suitable means to transmit a fluid to the cylinder chamber to move
said piston and to be passed in part through the conduit therein, said conduit being
in communication with said chamber, and allowing movement of fluid through it
in the direction of the movement of the piston, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
4. In combination with a cylinder, a piston having a passage or conduit, and an
elastic body compressed or placed under tension by said piston when it is moved in
one direction,, and operating by its expansion to move said piston in an opposite
direction, substantially as and for the purpose described.
5. In combination with a cylinder, a piston having a passage or conduit, a flange
on the piston overlapping a portion of the cylinder and an elastic body between
such flange and such portion of the cylinder, which is compressed by said piston
when moved in one direction, and operates in expanding to move the same in the
reverse direction, substantially as and for the purpose shown and described.
"
6. In combination with a cylinder, a piston having a passage or conduit,
a flange on the piston, an elastic, body between the flange and a contiguous portion
of the cylinder, and a ring enclosing said body, substantially as and for the purpose
shown.
7. In combination with a cylinder, a vertically movable piston having a vertical
passage or conduit, adapted at its upper end to discharge into an article to be
shaped, a vessel or reservoir communicating with the cylinder chamber, and a pump
in such reservoir to force a fluid to the cylinder chamber and through the piston,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
8. In combination, a vertically arranged cylinder, a vertically movable piston
therein, having from top to bottom a passage or conduit adapted to communicate
with a die containing an article to be shaped, a vessel or reservoir communicating
with the cylinder chamber below the piston,, and suitable means to force fluid
thereto from the reservoir to move said piston and to be in part passed through its
conduit, substantially as and for the purpose described.
9. The method of making hollow articles, which consists in causing a blank in a
die to conform thereto by means of a fluid under pressure, and while being sub-
jected to such pressure preventing stretching thereof by subjecting it to end wise
pressure which compresses the metal of said 'blank during its tendency to stretch
while being conformed to said die, substantially as and for the purpose set forth."

page_text: 10. In combination with a cylinder, a piston having a nipple or part to abut
against and convey fluid to a body to be formed or shaped, substantially as' and for
the purpose specified.
11. In combination with a cylinder, a piston having a nipple provided with a
shoulder to abut against the body to be formed or shaped, and a portion to enter
into said body, substantially as and for the purpose shown.
12. In combination with a cylinder, a piston having a nipple adapted to form a
tight joint with the wall of the matrix of a die for holding the body to be shaped,
and a shoulder to abut against the latter, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
13. In combination with a die for holding the body to be shaped, a suitably
mounted nipple adapted to enter such die and form therewith a tight joint, and
having a reduced portion to enter into and form a tight joint with the body to be
formed, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
14. In combination, a cylinder, a perforated piston, a nipple having its perforation
registering with that of the piston, and the collar for securing the nipple to the
piston, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
15. In combination, a cylinder, a perforated piston having in its upper face a
shouldered recess to form a seat, a nipple seated therein and a screw-threaded collar
engaging thread on the piston to secure said nipple in place, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
16. In combination, a cylinder, a perforated piston, a nipple having its per-
foration registering with that of the piston, the flanged collar for securing the
nipple to the piston, and the elastic body between the flange of the collar and an
adjacent portion of the cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose shown.
17. In combination, a cylinder, a piston having a passage or conduit, suitable
means to transmit a fluid under pressure to and through said piston, and a relief
valve, substantiaily as and for the purpose set forth.
18. In combination, a cylinder, a piston having a passage or conduit, suitable
means to transmit a fluid under pressure to and through said piston, a passage
opening outward from the cylinder chamber and a relief valve to control said
passage, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
19. In combination, a cylinder, a piston having a passage or conduit, a fluid
reservoir, suitable means to force a fluid therefrom to and through said piston, a
relief valve controlling a passage from the cylinder, and the conduit to convey
escaping fluid back to the reservoir, substantially as and for the purpose shown.
20. In combination, a cylinder, the boss projecting therefrom, a reservoir con-
nected to said boss, the pump within the reservoir also attached to the latter com-
municating with the cylinder chamber, and means for conveying fluid from the
latter to a body to be shaped, substantially as and for the purpose shown.
21. In combination, a cylinder, a piston therein having a passage or conduit,
and adapted to be moved against the body to be formed, and suitable means to
transmit a fluid to said piston and through the passage therein into the body to be
formed, substantially as and for the purpose described.
22. In combination, a movable die, and a movable body or piston having a passage
or conduit to convey fluid to the interior of said die, substantially as and for the
purpose shown.
23. In combination with a perforated or hollow piston, and the wall or part with
which it should form a tight joint, the washer on the piston perforated in alignment
with its opening, and a pump or other means for forcing fluid under pressure to
said piston to move and be in part moved through the same in the direction of its
movement, substantially as specified.
Dated 11
M
1000
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.