Improvements in Appliances for use in Forging Metals.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Oct., 1891-Accepted, 30th Jan., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by JULIAN KENNEDY, of Latrobe, in the County of
Westmoreland and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America,
Mechanical Engineer.]
Improvements in Appliances for use in Forging Metals.
I JAMES JOHNSON of 4 Clayton Square Liverpool in the County of Lancaster
Patent Agent 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 :-
My invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for use in connection with
hammers or presses for forging metal. It is especially adapted to use in forging
annular blooms used in the manufacture of railway wheel tires, and in such use
possesses many material advantages in saving labor and reducing the cost of
manufacture. The method of making tire-blooms, as heretofore practised is to
take a cylindrical ingot, place the same on end on an anvil under a hammer or
press, and reduce it in length until it takes the form of a cheese; a punch is then
placed upon it with a pair of tongs and driven partly through the piece of steel.
It is then removed and the cheese is thrown over on the anvil bringing the other
side up, by means of men with levers. It is then lifted from the anvil, and a ring
having a hole in it somewhat larger than the punch slipped under it. A. second
punch is then set on top of the piece as nearly as possible over where the first was
driven and driven through, shearing out a punching and forcing it down into the
ring. This punch is then removed and the piece is again reversed by the lever-
men, and a third punch driven into the hole from the same side as the first punch.
The piece is then hung upon the horn of a hammer anvil, and forged out into a
ring or bloom suitable for rolling. As the punches are often of considerable size,
and the blooms sometimes quite heavy, the manual labour of handling the punches
and turning the blooms over, is very severe. It is necessary that the hole should
be punched as nearly as possible in the centre of the bloom, and in this method the
centering of the metal and of the punches has been dependent entirely upon the
eye of the workman, who is very liable to err.
The
In the use of my apparatus, I pick up a bloom by a crane or similar carrier
having grippers which hold the bloom with its centre exactly above the centre of
the anvil. I then move the first punch under it by a device which places the
punch also exactly centrally with the anvil. I then lower the bloom upon the
punch and drive it down with a hammer or press the proper distance. I then lift
the bloom off the punch by means of the grippers, remove the punch from under
the anvil and move under it a ring which is also placed exactly centrally. The
bloom can now be lowered upon this ring and by means of the same grippers the
punch can be taken from a table standing alongside at a convenient distance and
placed upon the bloom, and automatically centred with great exactness.
punching is then driven through into the ring, when the bloom and punch can be
lifted together, and a third punch slipped under, the bloom dropped on it, and the
second punch carried away by the grippers. The bloom is now forged down upon
the third punch which having a broad base and fillet expands the bloom and makes
even the edges of the hole, the handling of the punches by machinery allowing the
large base to be used on the punch, which could not be used or only with great
care where punches are handled with tongs in the ordinary way. The fact that
the centering of the bloom and the punches is done mechanically, takes away the
element of personal skill required in the whole method, and does much better work
while fewer men are required, and the labor of these few is not nearly so severe as
under the old way.

page_text: Figure 1 (Sheet is a plan view of my improved metal gripping device.
Figure 2 (Sheet 2) is a side elevation thereof.
Figure 3 (Sheet 3) is a sectional plan view, the section being on the
line III-III of Figure 2.
Figure 4 (Sheet 2) is a vertical sectional view of the foot of the most.
Figure 5 (Sheet 4) is a plan view of a part of the jib showing the seat for the
operator and the water connections.
Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line VI-VI of Figure 5.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 (Sheet 5) are vertical cross sectional views
lines VII VII, VIII-VIII and IX-IX of Figure 1.
on the
Figure 10 (Sheet 6) is a plan view, showing the metal gripping apparatus in
connection with the anvil and table of a steam hammer.
Figure 11 (Sheet 7) is a vertical section on the line XI-XI of Figure 10.
Figures 12 and 13 (Sheet 8) are vertical sections of the table and tool carrier.
Figure 14 is a side view of the tool used to expand the punched tire-bloom.
Like symbols of reference indicate like parts in each.
Referring to the drawings; 2 represents the upright cylinder of the crane, 3 is
the stationary plunger which is fixed at the base in a step 4, and passes up within
the cylinder, as shown in Figure 4. 5 is a water supply pipe which enters the
cylinder. The mast 6 of the crane is fixed to the upper end of the cylinder, and
extends vertically therefrom up through an elevated steadiment or bearing 7, in
which it may turn, and through which it may move longitudinally. As the strain
upon the mast is comparatively small, it may be made of light material. Ordinary
gas pipe will do very well for this purpose. In the operation of the crane, when it
is desired to raise its burden, water is admitted into the cylinder 2 with the effect
of raising the cylinder and the mast on the stationary plunger 8 is a vertical guide-
post set on the step 4 adjacent to the cylinder 2, and 9 is a slide block, which fits
loosely around the post 8, and encircles the cylinder 2 between shoulders formed
thereon, as shown in Figure 4. For purposes hereinafter explained, the portion of
this block surrounding the cylinder, serves the function of a fixed sheave, and is
made of circular form, and in order that it may be easily set on the cylinder, I
prefer to make it in two pieces, adapted to be bolted together, as shown in
Figure 3. 10 is the jib formed of suitably arranged beams, as shown in Figures 1,
2 and 3, fixed to the vertical crane-cylinder, as shown in Figure 4, and connected
with the mast by diagonal braces or struts 10¹, whose upper ends are set in sockets
in a divided annular collar, which is fitted around the mast and is clamped thereon
by bolts.
As this collar is held in position without in any way necessitating the
cutting of the mast, it does not weaken its structure, and enables the mast to be
made of very light material. At the sides of the jib, near the inner end thereof,
are cylinders 11 and 12 having plungers 13 carrying at their outer ends pulleys 14.
Chains 15 are fixed to the circular portion of the block 9, and extend thence on
respectively opposite sides of the jib around the pulleys 14, and to the ends of the
cylinders 11 and 12, or to other fixed points on the jib, to which they are attached.
These cylinders 11 and 12, afford means for turning the crane on its axis, since if
the plunger of one of the cylinders be projected, the force exerted thereby on its
chain, which is attached to the jib and to the fixed circular portion of the slide-
block, will pull the jib around in the direction of the side on which the cylinder is
situate. 16 are the pipes which supply water or other motive fluid to these
cylinders.
=-
The gripping mechanism by which the metal bloom or ingot may be seized_and_
carried, consists of two oppositely-acting angular jaws 17 and 18. The shank of
the jaw 17 is fixed to the end of a plunger 19, which projects from the front end of
a cylinder 20 on the jib, and the shank 21, of the other jaw 18 is fixed to a
plunger 22 which projects from the rear end of said cylinder. It is also connected
with the plunger 23 of a smaller retracting cylinder 24 as shown in Figure 3.
The shanks of the gripping jaws are mounted in suitable guide boxes 25 and are

page_text: connected by a lever 26, which is pivotted to the frame of the jib, and is provided
with links 27, pivottally connecting it to the gripper-shanks, so that neither of said
shanks can move, unless the other moves correspondingly and to an equal extent in
the opposite direction. Gearing or other mechanical devices may be substituted
for the lever and links to perform the same function.
In operating the grippers to seize a metal piece, they are first separated by
admitting water into the small cylinder 24 the effect of which is to project the
plunger 23, the gripper-shank 21, and, by means of the links and lever 27 and 26,
to correspondingly retract the gripper 17. Now, if water be admitted to the
cylinder 20, it will project the plungers 19 and 22, thereby retracting the
gripper 18, and projecting the gripper 17, which under the restraint of their
connecting mechanism before described, move in opposite directions to the same
extent, thus grasping the metal piece around which the grippers have been placed.
The advantage of this is that the grippers are always situate at equal distances
from a central point, and that when the metal piece is grasped, no matter what be
its diameter, its centre will be brought to a fixed or absolute point on the jib.
This construction and mode of operation of the grippers are of special advantage
in the use to which I have particularly designed the apparatus, namely, the
handling of circular ingots used in the manufacture of railway tires, since I am
enabled by the mere act of grasping the ingot with the grippers, to cause it to be
centred automatically at a fixed point, thereby enabling it to be punched and
hammered with great accuracy. The centering of the circular ingot is also
facilitated by the angular or wedge shape of the jaws.
As shown in the drawings, the grippers are constructed so as to be open on one
side. This is of material advantage because it enables the metal to be grasped by
merely moving the crane laterally to cause the grippers to enclose it without
making it necessary to place the grippers in position from above. The ends of the
gripping jaws have preferably teeth 47, so that to cause a metal piece to swing into
a vertical position, it may be gripped between these teeth at points off the centre of
gravity.
The crane is controlled in all its motions by an operator who may be stationed
on a seat 28; the valves 29, 30 and 31, controlling the different water connections,
being situate directly in front of him. To this end I employ a water supply
pipe 32, and an exhaust pipe 33, connected with the crane by flexible connections
as shown in Figure 2, and extending along the jib to the valves 29, 30 and 31.
From the valve 29 the water pipe 5 extends to the vertical cylinder 2. From the
valve 30 pipes 34 and 35 extend to the cylinders 24 and 20 and from the valve 31
the pipes 16 extend to the cylinders 11 and 12. All of these cylinders are single-
acting, for example, in the case of the cylinders 11 and 12 the projection of one of
the plungers and the turning of the jib will automatically retract the other
plunger. The valves 30 and 31 are four way valves adapted to connect either of
their respective cylinders with the water-supply and the other with the exhaust, or
to cut off both from the water supply. Thus by simple manipulation of the valves.
the operator is enabled to move the jib vertically, to swing it radially on the axis
of the mast, and to operate the grippers; and as the operator is carried on the jib,
he constantly is at the same distance from the grippers, so that whether the jib is
moved vertically or radially he is at the same position relatively to the work which
he performs. The crane may therefore be handled with great facility and little
labour and attention. I shall now describe the construction of the anvil of the
forging hammer or press, and the table with which the crane is designed to
co-operate in the forging and punching of the tire-blooms.
35 is the anvil of the hammer or press, 36 is a table situate at the side of the
anvil, and shaped so that its surface shall fit nearly against the edges thereof, as
shown in Figures 1 and 11. The frame of the table is supported on suitable
beams 37, which have a bearing on the floor of the mill separate from the
foundation of the anvil, and preferably considerably remote therefrom so that the
shocks given to the anvil by the hammer or press shall not be transmitted to

page_text: the table, 38 is a carrier plate or frame situate above the table and fixed to a
vertical shaft 39 which has its bearings in the table frame, as shown in Figure 11.
40 and 41 are single-acting hydraulic cylinders whose piston rods are connected to
chains 42 which pass around and are fixed to a double grooved sheave 43 on the
shaft 39 so that by retracting one or other of said piston-rods, the sheave, the shaft,
and the carrier 38 may be rotated in either direction. The supply pipes 44 of
these cylinders are connected with a suitable valve (not shown) under the control
of the operator, who, by proper manipulation thereof may turn the carrier frame in
either direction. It will be understood, that instead of constructing the carrier to
be rotatory over the table and anvil, it may be arranged to move longitudinally
thereover. The carrier is formed with a number of holes shown in Figure 10 which
are adapted to receive and carry punches or blocks by which the metal is shaped.
In one of these holes is a block having a semi-cylindrical or trough-shaped surface,
its base extending below the carrier-plate and resting on the table 36 by which it
is supported. In one of the other holes, is a ring 45, shown in Figure 13, and in
the other two holes, are punch-holders 46 consisting of metal blocks having sockets
in their surfaces for receiving the punches. Neither the ring 45, nor the holders 46
are rigidly connected to the carrier, but extend loosely through the holes therein,
so that when in use their weight shall not be supported by the carrier, but by the
anvil on whose surface they rest. In the device constructed as shown in the
drawings they are supported, when not over the anvil by the table 36, but it will be
understood that my invention may be modified so that the carrier shall support
these blocks and rings at all other times, except when they are in use and situate
directly above the anvil. The operation of the carrier in forging a tire bloom is as
follows: The carrier is turned in the manner before described so as to bring the
block with the trough shaped surface directly upon the anvil; the ingot having
been properly heated, is laid on said block, and by the hammer or press is forged
laterally so as to close any surface cracks or imperfections, the ingot being turned
on the block after each stroke in order to subject all parts of its surface to the
blows. The jib of the crane is then swung so as to bring its oppositely moving
gripper jaws 17 and 18 to opposite sides of the ingot. The hammered bloom is
then grasped by the grippers between gripping points or teeth 47 formed on the
ends of the jaws, care being taken that it is seized at points between its top and the
centre of gravity, so that when the jib is raised, the bloom being grasped between
these two points will of its own gravity swing into a vertical or nearly vertical
position. The carrier 38 is now turned so as to expose the surface of the anvil,
the bloom is set in an upright position on the latter by lowering the jib and
spreading the gripping jaws, and then by means of the hammer it is Hattened down
from its cylindrical form into the form of a cheese or thick disk. The flattened
bloom is now picked up from the anvil by means of the grippers, and the carrier is
turned on its axis, so as to move the holder 46 of the punch 48 into such position
as to bring the centre of the punch directly below the centre of the hammer. In
order to ensure the stopping of the carrier in the proper position I provide it with
a ratchet 49 and a dog or lock 50, which is normally held in engagement with the
periphery of the ratchet by a counter weighted lever 51 and is adapted to be
disengaged therefrom by a rod 52 which may be worked by the same operator who
controls the valves of the cylinders 40 and 41, the ratchet teeth being so placed as
to afford positive stops for the carrier in the several positions required to bring the
centres of the holes in the table 36 over the centre of the anvil. The act of
picking up the bloom between the jaws 17 and 18 on account of the angular or
wedge shaped conformation of these jaws and the symmetrical motion thereof before
explained, centres it between them, and the jib is then moved radially to bring the
bloom over the centre of the punch under the hammer. It is automatically checked
in the proper position by means of a stop 53 suitably placed on the hammer-frame
which engages the jib when the grippers are in the desired place beneath the
hammer. In practice I hold the crane in this position during the operation of
punching the bloom by keeping water pressure in the cylinder and thus keeping the

page_text: crane jib against the stop. The bloom having been set by the crane centrally on
top of the punch, the grippers are released, and the hammer or press is then caused
to descend, thus forcing the bloom down on the punch and forming therein a hole
extending nearly through the bloom. The bloom is then picked up by the grippers
the carrier is turned so as to bring the ring 45 into position beneath the hammer,
the bloom is deposited centrally on the ring, a second punch 54 is placed centrally
on the bloom, as shown in Figure 13, the hammer or press is caused to descend so
as to force the punch through the bloom, the small punching of displaced metal
dropping through the hole in the ring 45 upon the anvil below, from which at the
next rotation of the carrier, it is carried to a hole 55 in the table 36 through which
it drops upon the mill floor. When the bloom has thus been punched entirely
through, the punch 54 is stripped therefrom and removed by the crane, the bloom
is lifted and if desired, the carrier may then be moved so as to bring a third punch
or mandril 56 under the hammer (Figure 14). The bloom having been set on the
mandrel may be forced thereon by the hammer or press, so as to widen and shape
the hole previously punched therein. The bloom may then be lifted and removed
by the crane to a second hammer or forging apparatus (not shown) which is situate
in the path of the radial sweep of the jib, and equidistant with the first hammer
from the axis of the crane mast. At this second hammer the forging is continued,
and the bloom brought into condition for the usual rolling operation, by which it is
reduced to the form of a finished tire. It will be noticed that the punches shown
in Figures 12, 13, and 14, are in form of truncated cones with enlarged bases, and
are provided with fillets between the sides and bases. With punches of this forin,
I am enabled to make regularly shaped holes in the bloom without producing
ragged edges.
The advantages of my improved apparatus have been already indicated in a
general way. It is a means of saving a considerable amount of labour it is simple
in its construction, and is very rapid and efficient in its action. Although it is
designed especially, for use in manipulating circular ingots or blooms, it will be
understood that the parts and combinations of the apparatus separately claimed by
me are not limited in their application to such use, but that they may be employed
for any other purpose to which they are suited.
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 :-
1. The tapering punch having an enlarged filleted base, substantially as and for
the purposes described.
2. The combination with the anvil and the hammer or press, of a tool carrier or
support in which the tools are carried over the anvil to rest thereon loosely.
Whereby the stress and jars in work shall be transmitted directly to the anvil, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes described.
3. The combination with the anvil and the hammer or press, of a tool carrier or
support in which the tools are carried over the anvil to rest thereon loosely,
whereby the stress and jars in work shall be transmitted directly to the anvil, and
a table beneath the carrier, on which the tools rest while being carried to the anvil,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
4. The combination with the anvil and the hammer or press, of a rotary tool
carrier or support on which the tools are carried over the anvil to rest thereon
loosely, whereby the stress and jars in work shall be transmitted directly to the
anvil, substantially as and for the purposes described.
5. The combination with the anvil and a movable tool carrier of locks by which
the carrier may be arrested to bring the tools into proper position, substantially as
and for the purposes described.
6. The combination with the rotary tool carrier, of cylinders and plungers
connected with the carrier to rotate it in opposite directions, substantially as and
for the purposes described.

page_text: 7. The combination with the anvil, of the tool carrier and its frame, said frame
being supported independently of the anvil foundation or support, substantially as
and for the purposes described.
8. The combination of the anvil and punch carrier with a supporting table
having a hole for the discharge of the punchings; substantially as and for the
purposes described.
9. In combination with a forging machine and its anvil, a carrier movable to
place punches or rings upon the centre of the anvil, and a crane or carrier movable
to place circular blooms centrally on the punches or rings and to place other
punches upon the centre of the bloom, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
10. In combination with a forging machine and its anvil, a carrier movable to
place punches or rings upon the centre of the anvil, and a crane or carrier movable
to place circular blooms centrally on the punches or rings and to place other
punches upon the centre of the bloom, and a stop by which the motion of the
crane is arrested at said central position; substantially as and for the purposes
described.
11. In apparatus for gripping and conveying metal pieces the combination of a
movable carrier or jib, oppositely movable grippers mounted thereon and having
opposite angular faces shaped to afford an angular cavity for receiving and
centering an interposed metal piece, a motor which actuates the grippers and
connecting mechanism by which the grippers are connected and caused to move to
an equal extent; substantially as and for the purposes described.
12. In apparatus for gripping and conveying metal pieces, the combination of
longitudinal-acting shanks having horizontal gripping jaws, and a motor which
causes the jaws to approach and diverge, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
13. In apparatus for gripping and conveying metal pieces, the combination of a
horizontally-movable jib and gripping shanks mounted thereon and having jaws
projecting horizontally therefrom and open at one side, whereby by horizontal
motion of the jib the metal piece may be enclosed between the jaws substantially as
and for the purposes described.
14. In apparatus for gripping and conveying metal pieces, the combination of
longitudinally-movable shanks having horizontal angular gripping-jaws, a motor by
which the shanks are moved longitudinally, and connecting mechanism by which
the grippers are connected and caused to move simultaneously to an equal extent,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
15. The combination, with the jib, of grippers carried thereby, and power-driven
plungers by which the gripper-jaws are individually moved; substantially as and
for the purposes described.
16. The combination with the jib, of grippers carried thereby, and a hydraulic
cylinder having oppositely-projecting plungers connected with the gripper-jaws,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
17. The combination with the jib of grippers carried thereby a hydraulic cylinder
having oppositely-projecting plungers connected with the gripper-jaws, mechanism
connecting the jaws and causing them to move symmetrically, and a retracting
cylinder for opening the jaws, substantially as and for the purposes described.
18. In apparatus for gripping and conveying metal pieces, the combination of
longitudinally movable shanks having horizontal gripping-jaws provided with
oppositely projected spurs by which the piece may be grasped pivotally to permit
it to swing into a vertical position; substantially as and for the purposes
described.
==
19. The combination of the vertically and radially movable jib, a motor carried
thereby and connected with a place of attachment vertically movable with the jib,
but otherwise stationary, whereby by operation of a motor the jib may be swung on
its axis; substantially as and for the purposes described.
20. The combination in a crane, of an upright cylinder and plunger one of which

page_text: is vertically movable and rotary, of a jib projecting from the vertically-movable
part, a mast also projecting vertically therefrom, and a top steadiment through
which the mast is movable longitudinally and in which it is rotatory, substantially
as and for the purposes described.
21. In a crane the combination of the vertically and radially movable jib and
mast, an upright guide post, a vertically movable guide-block mounted on the post
and secured to the mast, permitting rotation on its vertical axis, and turning
cylinders mounted on the jib and having flexible connections with the guide-block,
substantially as described.
22. In a crane, the combination of the vertically and radially movable jib and
mast, and upright guide post, a vertically movable guide-block mounted on the post
and secured to the mast, permitting rotation on its vertical axis, and turning
cylinders mounted on the jib and having flexible connections with a sheave-shaped
portion of the guide-block, substantially as and for the purposes described.
23. The combination of the vertically and radially movable jib having grippers
thereon, cylinders for raising and swinging the jib and operating the grippers, and
valves carried by the jib and controlling said cylinders, substantially as and for the
purposes described.
24. In apparatus for gripping and conveying metal pieces, the combination with
a radially and horizontally movable jib, of a motor fixed to the jib and carried
thereby, metal grippers also carried by the jib and connected with the motor, by
which they are moved in opposite directions to or from each other, and mechanism
connecting the grippers and causing them to move simultaneously to an equal
extent, whereby in every position of the grippers the central point between their
jaws and the central point of the piece grasped thereby shall be constant relatively
to the jib, substantially as and for the purposes described.
25. In a crane the combination of a vertically movable jib a cylinder by which
the jib is raised, a mast movable vertically with the jib, and a top bearing or
steadiment through which the mast is movable vertically and in which it is rotatory,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
Dated the Nineteenth day of October 1891.