IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR ROLLING TYRES AND HOOPS FOR RAILWAY AND OTHER WHEELS, AND ALSO OTHER ARTICLES MADE OF IRON AND STEEL."
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Bartholomew, of Rotherham, and John
Heptinstall, of Masbro', in the County, of York, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR ROLLING TYRES AND HOOPS FOR RAILWAY
AND OTHER WHEELS, AND ALSO OTHER ARTICLES MADE OF IRON AND STEEL."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Bartholomew and
John Heptinstall at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 14th May 1857.
We, CHARLES BARTHOLOMEW, of Rotherham, and JOHN HEPTINSTALL, of
Masbro', in the County of York, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR. ROLLING TYRES AND HOOPS FOR RAILWAY.
AND OTHER WHEELS, AND ALSO OTHER ARTICLES MADE OF IRON AND STEEL," to be
as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in machinery for rolling
tyres and hoops for railway and other wheels, and also other articles made of
iron and steel. For these purposes the machinery is combined in such manner
that a ring of iron or steel may be expanded or contracted in diameter, and
according to the form of rollers used, so will be the section of metal produced.
On a suitable axis are formed two rollers, with rolling surfaces according to
the section desired to be given to the tyre or hoop. This axis turns in suitable

page_text: bearings, and is driven by steam or other suitable power. This axis is geared
with and drives another axis which is parallel to it, the bearings of which
are capable of being moved to or from those of the first-mentioned axis, in
order as the metal of the circular ring is reduced in thickness to admit of
the rolling surfaces being brought nearer together. One pair of these rolling
surfaces are intended to act on the massive ring of metal to bring it roughly
into the sectional form desired, whilst the other pair of rolling surfaces on
these axes are made suitable for giving to the metal the finished sectional
form desired. The pair of finishing rolls are combined in their action with
three or more other rollers, which act on the exterior of the ring of metal, and
the surfaces of such three or more rolls are made to correspond with the figure
of the exterior surface of the finished tyre or hoop. The bearings of the second-
mentioned axis are raised by means of two screws, suitably geared to move
the bearings simultaneously. The axes of the three or more rolls which are
external of the ring are arranged to turn in bearings which slide between
guides, and such bearings are moved by screws suitably geared to cause them
to move to or from the ring of metal simultaneously, and in such manner
that the distance between the centre of the ring of metal and the centre of
one of such three or more rolls will at all times correspond with the distance
between the centre of such ring and the centre of each of the other rolls,
by which arrangement or combination of machinery, as the massive ring of
nietal is gradually reduced in thickness, and the ring is increased in diameter
by the pair of finishing rolls, the three or more other rollers will by the
gearing move away, and increase their distance from the centre of the ring
of metal which is being rolled; and by reversing the action of the gearing of
the three rollers they will, when desired, be caused to approach the centre of
the ring, and cause the diameter thereof to be reduced, and thus may tyres
änd hoops of wheels which have been expanded by use be reduced in diameter.
The machinery, when used with proper rollers, is also capable of rolling iron
and steel into rings or cylinders for the making of other articles.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twentieth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said
Charles Bartholomew and John Heptinstall, Her special licence that we, the
said Charles Bartholomew and John Heptinstall, our executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as we, the said Charles Bartholomew and John
Heptinstall, our executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY FOR ROLLING TYRES AND HOOPS FOR RAILWAY AND OTHER WHEELS,
AND ALSO OTHER ARTICLES MADE OF IRON AND STEEL," upon the condition (amongst
others) that we, the said Charles Bartholomew and John Heptinstall, our
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our or their
hands and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of us or them, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the John Heptinstall, on behalf of myself
and the said Charles Bartholomew, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, that is
to say :-
This Invention has for its object improvements in machinery for rolling
tyres and hoops for railway and other wheels, and also other articles made
of iron and steel. For these purposes the machinery is combined in such
manner that a ring of iron or steel may be expanded or contracted in
diameter, and according to the form of rollers used, so will be the section of
metal produced. On a suitable axis are formed two rollers, with rolling
surfaces according to the section desired to be given to the tyre or hoop.
This axis turns in suitable bearings, and is driven by steam or other suitable
power. This axis is geared with and drives another axis which is parallel
to it, the bearings of which are capable of being moved to or from those of
the first-mentioned axis, in order as the metal of the circular ring is reduced
in thickness to admit of the rolling surfaces being brought nearer together.
One pair of these. rolling surfaces are intended to act on the massive ring of

page_text: .metal to bring it roughly into the sectional form desired, whilst the other
pair of rolling surfaces on these. axes are made suitable for giving to the
metal the finished sectional form desired. The pair of finishing rolls are
combined in their action with three or more other rollers. which act on the
exterior of the ring of metal, and the surfaces of such three or more rolls
are made to correspond with the figure of the exterior surface of the finished
tyre or hoop. The bearings, of the second-mentioned axis are raised by means
of two screws suitably geared to move the bearings simultaneously. The
axes of the three or more rolls which are external of the ring are arranged
to turn in bearings which slide. between guides, and. such bearings are moved
by screws suitably geared to cause them to move to. or from the ring of metal
simultaneously, and in such manner that the distance between the centre of
the ring of metal and the centre of one of such three or more rolls will at. all
times correspond with the distance, between the centre of such ring and the
centre of each of the other rolls, by which arrangement or combination of
machinery, as the massive ring of metal is gradually reduced in thickness;
and the ring is increased in diameter by the pair of finishing rolls, the three
or more other rollers will by the gearing move away, and increase their
distance from the centre of the ring of metal which is being rolled; and by
reversing the action of the gearing of the three rollers they will, when desired;
be caused to approach the centre of the ring, and cause the diameter thereof
to be reduced, and thus may tyres and hoops of wheels which have been
expanded by use be reduced in diameter. The machinery, when used with
proper rollers, is also capable of rolling iron and steel into rings or cylinders
for the making of other articles.
:
Having thus stated the nature of our said Invention, we will proceed more
fully to describe the manner of performing the same.
.
DESCRIPTION.
The Drawings of the machine in Sheet No. 1.-Figure 1 represents one
face or view of the same. A, A, is a suitable axis or shaft, upon which are
formed two rollers B, C, Figure 2, with rolling surfaces according to the
section required to be given to the outside of the tyre or hoop. This axis turns
on suitable bearings in the part of the cap or frame E, E, which fits into the
housings D, D. This axis is connected with the steam engine or other motive
power by a coupling box and proper gearing. It is geared with, and: when at
work drives another axis F, F, F, which is parallel to the axis A, A, and the
bearing of the axes F, F, F, are capable of being moved to and from those of
the axis A, A, in order as the metal of the massive ring is reduced in thickness

page_text: to admit of and by the said gearing to cause the rolling surfaces to be brought
nearer together. Upon this shaft F, F, rolling surfaces G, H, are formed;
according to the section desired to be given to the inside of the tyre or hoop.
One pair of these rollers, with their rolling surfaces, namely, B, G, are intended
to act upon the massive ring of metal, to bring it roughly into the sectional
form desired; while the other pair of rollers, with their rolling surfaces C, H,
in this axis, are made suitable for giving to the metal the finished sectional
form desired. The pair of finishing rollers are combined in their action with
three other rollers I, J, K, which act on the exterior of the ring of metal, and
the surfaces of such three rollers are made to correspond with the intended
figure of the exterior surface of the finished tyre or hoop. The axes of these
three rollers are arranged to turn in bearings, which slide between guides,
and such bearings are moved by three screws suitably geared to cause the
three rollers to move to or from the ring of metal simultaneously, and in sucli
manner that the surfaces of all the external rollers in contact with the ring of
metal will at all times be equidistant from the centre of such ring. On the
axis A, A, are two spur wheels L, L, working into the bridle wheels M, M, 'by
which they are connected or disconnected with the driving wheels N, N, which
driving wheels N, N, drive the shaft O, O, upon which are three worms driving
the six worm wheels P, Q, R, S, T, U, which act upon the two suspenders
V, W; and the four suspending bolts 20, 21, 22, and 23, which support the
carriage X, in which carriage is housed the bearings of the axis F, F.. The
suspenders V, W, are hung on pivots, so as to open and release the carriage,
and allow of it being lowered for the more readily putting in and 'taking out
the hoops or tyres. On the finishing end of the axis 0, 0, a drum is placed;
which is connected with and works by a strap another drum, which is con
nected by the bevil wheels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and their shafts and the screws
8, 9, 10, with the carriages that harbour the bearings of the rollers I, J, K:
These carriages work in guides formed in the frames 11. Connected with
each of the screws are adjusting screws 12, 12, and other counteracting screws
13, by which properly to regulate the relative position of the rollers I, J, K, so
as to ensure their correct action with the finishing rollers on' the axis A, in
such mnnner that the surface of the several rolls in contact with the exterior
or external surface of the ring of metal will at all times be equidistant from
the centre of such ring. The framework of the machine consists of a bed plate
14, which is bolted down to masonry. To this foundation plate are dovetailed
two housings D, D, in which housings slide the cheeks of the carriage X, X
that supports the bearings of the axis F, F, and which housings support and

page_text: receive the saddle 15, in which. saddle are housed the bearings 16, 17, 18, 19,
of the axis A, A. The guide plates 11, 11; are attached to the housings D, D,
and to the bed plate 14, by bolts and brackets No. 24, which brackets are also
fixed to the bed plate by. bolts, as shown in Figure 1, Sheet 1. In using the
machine, a massive ring of iron; or steel, or other metal or metals, of a proper
weight and thickness, the interior diameter of which having been punched, or
pierced, or otherwise made larger than that of the roller G, is brought to a
suitable heat in a proper furnace, namely, a welding heat, and the carriage X
having been lowered sufficiently, such massive ring of metal is placed on the
roller G, and the machine having been put in motion, the bridle wheel M
having been previously put into gear, the massive ring of metal is rolled con-
tinuously between the rollers G and B, which gradually approach towards each
other, and as soon as it is brought thereby roughly into the sectional form
required the machine is reversed, the carriage lowered, the hoop released and
removed to the finishing rollers, the machine reversed, and by the action of
the two rollers C, H, and of their being brought closer together by the action
of the machine, the tyre or hoop is finished ready to put on the wheel, in the
case of railway wheels by shrinking, or in that case or other cases by any other
of the ordinary known methods.
Although in the machine above described screws are adapted for regulating
the distances of the external rollers, the principle of the hydraulic ram and
other known means may be equally applicable to that purpose; and although,
inasmuch in the above described machine the rollers on the one side are used
for reducing the massive ring of metal into rough sectional form, and the
rollers on the other side for finishing, it may be convenient to have one machine
for rolling simply for rough, and another machine opposite with rollers adapted
for finishing, where the amount of work is sufficient to justify having more
machines than one. And further, it is quite obvious that angle iron hoops
railway tyres can be rolled, and every variety of shape and sectional area may
be given to hoops and tyres, according to the form of the respective rollers;
and it is also obvious that the strength of the respective parts must be in pro-
portion to the character of the work to be executed, and will vary according to
the magnitude of the masses to be acted upon. Where the hoop is to be
enlarged, the motion communicated by the strap from the drum on the axis O
to the other drum will be in one direction, and where the hoop has to be
reduced in size, the motion so communicated from the drum on the axis O will
be in the contrary direction.
Having now described the nature of our Invention, and the manner in which

page_text: it is to be used, we desire it to be distinctly understood that what we
claim is, the combination so set forth, and the use and application so
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Heptinstall, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
Witness,
GEO. PITT.
JOHN HEPTINSTALL. (L.S.)
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