Improvements in Tools or Apparatus for Bending Metals.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 19th May, 1896-Accepted, 12th Sept., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tools or Apparatus for Bending Metals.
I, THEODORE LEWIS STEWART Gentleman, of 18, East 23rd Street, in the
City, County, and State of New York, United States of America, 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 tools for the working of thin strips of pliable metal into
artistic forms by bending and turning the same, and which has received the name
of Venetian Iron Work.
In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved metal working
tool, showing the movable section of the conical former at its highest position;
Figure 2 is a front view of the same; and
Figure 3 is a similar view showing the movable section at its lowest position;
Figure 4 shows in outline one of the curved metal forms made by the use of the
tool.
In the drawings A is a standard of any suitable form or material supporting in
suitable bearings an axle adapted to be turned by a handle H, or other suitable
means, and to which at one end is rigidly secured a plate or disc which
turns with the axle. The edge of the disc C is suitably graduated. Projecting
outwardly from the face of this disc C is a former F in the shape of an interrupted
stepped cone, composed of two sections, one S, a fixed section having a longitudinal
slot E substantially parallel with the centre line of the axle, and above which
numbers are placed corresponding to the position of the steps hereafter referred to.
The other section R, is a movable hinged section adapted to turn on a pivot c,
secured to the face of the disc C.
This former F when the fixed and movable sections of the cone are in contact,
as shown in Figure 3, is composed of a series of steps 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, each having
the outline of an involute or similar curve, and the length of the peripheries of
which decrease as their distance from the face of the disc C increases.
Each step
consists of a plane surface parallel to the face of the disc C, and a
surface at right angles thereto. The standard A is provided with a pointer P
which projects over the graduated edge of the disc C.
curved
The method of using the tool is easily understood. The strip of metal M, to be
bent is grasped in the left hand of the operator and its end inserted in the slot E
as shown in Figure 2, opposite that one of the steps which is to be used as a guide
for curving the metal. The handle H is then rotated in a direction opposite to
the motion of the hands of a watch, or away from the operator. The end of the
strip M being firmly held in the slot, as the former F revolves, the strip M is bent
to conform to the outline of the periphery of that one of the steps opposite to
which it was inserted in the slot, and as the revolution is completed the metal is
bent into the form of a spiral or involute. The pointer P in combination with the
graduations on the edge of the disc C enables the operator to determine precisely
when to stop in order to produce a curve of the right length, or to duplicate one
already made. The strip is then removed from the former, and another strip is
similarly shaped, if desired.
The advantages of my invention are numerous. The series of steps of different
sizes of which the former is composed enables the operator to shape the metal into
curves of different sizes on the same tool, the graduations on the edge of the disc

page_text: enable the operator to secure the exact duplication of any curve desired, each strip
is formed with its curved surface at right angles to the plane of its longitudinal
centre line, and the numbers above the slot secure accuracy in adjusting the strips
in place.
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. In a metal working tool, a former consisting of an interrupted stepped cone,
each step having a spiral periphery, as and for the purposes described.
2. In a metal working tool, a former consisting of one movable and one rigid
section, making, when the two sections are in contact, a cone composed of a series
of steps the peripheries of which are spirally curved, as and for the purposes
described.
3. In a metal working tool, a former composed of a series of steps projecting
from the face of a disc to which it is secured, each step having a graduated plane
surface parallel to the face of the disc, and a pirally curved surface at right angles
thereto, in combination with means for actuating the said disc, as and for the
purposes described.
4. In a metal working tool, a disc adapted to be rotated by suitable mechanism
and provided with an interrupted stepped cone, each step having a spiral periphery,
as and for the purposes described.
5. In a metal working tool a former composed of a fixed section longitudinally
slotted, and a movable section, and making when the two sections are in contact, a
stepped cone, each step of which has a spiral periphery, as and for the purposes
described.
Dated this 18th day of May 1896.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.