IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WIRE TO BE EMPLOYED IN MAKING LOCKETS, WATCH CASES, SNUFF BOXES, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES"
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edwin Richardson of Birmingham in the County of
Warwick, Jeweller for an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF WIRE TO BE EMPLOYED IN MAKING LOCKETS, WATCH CASES, SNUFF BOXES,
AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES"
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Edwin Richardson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th April 1882.
EDWIN RICHARDSON of Birmingham in the County of Warwick Jeweller
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WIRE TO BE EMPLOYED IN MAKING
LOCKETS WATCH CASES SNUFF BOXES AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES.
This Invention refers to an improved form of and mode of manufacturing wiro
used for the closing edges of lockets watch cases snuff boxes and other similar
articles These edges consist of a flanged or rebated rim upon which the one part
of the locket case or box closes down and snaps-These edges have hitherto been
made in two pieces soldered together the one within and slightly above tho
other-By my Invention I make the wire solid and of a section to ensure the
requisite snap action when bent round into a circular or curvilinear form.
The Drawings shew in Fig: 1 a cross section of the form in which I produce the
wire and Figs: 2 and 3 a front and back view of the dies or draw plates by which
it is produced. I first draw down an ingot of metal through ordinary draw plates
into a rectangular wire and then by means of draw plates of the form shown in
the drawings I bring it into the section shewn at Fig: 1 which is that of a
It will be seen that
rectangle with an acute angle cut out of it from one corner.
the line A is slightly out of parallel with the line B and forms with the line C an
acute angle, which is for the following purpose. If the lines B and C were at
right angles to each other forming a square rebate they would in bending the wire
into any curvilinear form become opened out away from each other and in the
form of an obtuse angle and the snap action necessary to keep the parts of the
locket case or box together would be lost but by making the wire of the section

page_text: shown the separation of the parts B and C in bending is compensated for the snap
action is maintained and the rim or edge is of solid metal instead of in two parts.
I have specified the operation of drawing this wire but it may be rolled instead of
drawn if preferred or rolled first and drawn for the finishing process.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed I would remark that I am aware that solid drawn
rebated wire has been previously made and attempted to be used for the purposes
I have specified but without success on account of the alteration of form in
bending, but that which I claim is the Improvements in the manufacture of the
before mentioned wire-by drawing it or rolling it of such a sectional form that
when bent to form the edge of a locket or other similar article the requisite snap
action may be maintained as herein more fully set forth and specified.
In witness whereof I the said Edwin Richardson have hereunto set my
hand and seal this thirteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.