Improvements relating to Holding Devices or Apparatus for Rivetters.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 17th June, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Holding Devices or Apparatus for
Rivetters.
I, ROBERT S. MOORE, a Citizen of the United States of America, located and
doing business at cor. Howard & Beale Streets, in the City and County of San
Francisco, State of California, United States of America, Machinist, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:―
This invention relates to a certain new and useful holding device for use in
connection with the riveting of tubes, cylinders or pipes, designed more especially
for use in the riveting of pipe sections or what is known as line pipe riveting, and
it consists in the arrangement of parts and details of construction as will be here-
inafter fully set forth in the drawings and described and pointed out in the
specification.
Heretofore the riveting or joining together of pipe sections has been accom-
plished either by hand or by the use of heavy and complicated power devices which
head or upset the rivets by pressure exerted thereon. The objection to the former
method of riveting is that the work is necessarily slow and the rivets are not
uniformly driven and again it requires the employment of expert riveters; while
by the use of power mechanism the pressure upon the inner wall of the pipe is
so great that unless heavy and strong external devices be employed to compensate
for such pressure the pipe is liable to be damaged by the undue strain to which
it is subjected.
The main object of my invention is to provide a simple, comparatively light and
inexpensive holding device by means of which the pneumatic or other tool may be
employed for the driving, heading or upsetting of the hot rivets during the rivet-
ing of the pipe sections; the device being so constructed that it may be easily
and quickly moved along the line of piping or from one section to another and
adjusted to the rivet holes of the sections in order that the riveter may be brought
into alignment therewith and be permitted free movement the entire circumference
of the pipe sections.
The holding device comprises an annular frame adapted to embrace the entire
circumference or a part diameter of the pipe section, combined with a tool holder
either movable upon the frame so as to traverse the circumference of the pipe or
it may be rigid therewith and the frame movably secured around the pipe section.
Hence broadly stated the invention may be said to comprise an annular frame
either rigidly or movably connected or supported transversely to the length of the
pipe line, in connection with a tool holder mounted upon and carried by the
frame.
By the use of the present holding device I am not only enabled to reduce the
cost incident to the riveting of pipe sections by dispensing with the necessity as
to the employment of skilled or expert riveters; but all the riveting required to
properly join or unite the pipe sections may be quickly performed while the pipe
is in position within the trench and the rivets driven at the rate of about eight

page_text: hundred or more per day and more perfectly than they can be driven by hand, as
is usual in this class of work. As the rivets may be driven at any distance from
the end of the pipe, it allows all the pipe sections to be assembled and temporarily
joined in the ditch or trench and each section permanently riveted as the work
progresses.
In order to comprehend the invention reference must be had to the accompany-
ing sheet of drawings; wherein-
Figure 1 is a cross section of the pipe in front elevation, showing the holding
frame in position and the arrangement of the tool holder with the riveter held
therein and the position of the rivet take-hold support within the pipe;
Figure 2 is a side view in elevation of a portion of the pipe line or pipe sections
showing the application of the holding frame and holder thereto;
Figure 3 is a detail sectional view of the annular frame in order to better
illustrate the position of the tool holder, showing a portion of the pipe sections
after the rivet has been headed or upset ;
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a modification of the holding
device, the same consisting of a flexible band or cincture;
Figure 5 is a side view in elevation of the mechanism illustrated by Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 illustrating the driving or riveting tool
located inside the pipe and the take hold or anvil secured within the tool holder
outside of the pipe.
Figure 7 is a cross section of the pipe in front elevation, the holding device
being partly broken and the driving or riveting tool supported inside the pipe;
Figure 8 is a longitudinal section of the pipe taken on line -, Figure 7; and
Figure 9 is a top plan view of the tool holder.
In the drawings the letters A, A' are used to designate the pipe sections to be
riveted or joined together on circular scams after being, preferably, laid within the
trench, ditch, cut or line of work. Ordinarily the riveting is done from the out-
side, the hot rivets being held in place by an operator located inside the pipe who
receives the rivets passed through openings (not shown) formed in the pipe sections
(near the ends to be joined) and inserts same through the rivet holes of the pipe
sections temporarily held together or secured by bolts or otherwise, which are
removed as the parts are riveted together.
The holding device comprises a frame preferably consisting of two plates or
rings B, B, Figures 1, 2, which are composed of distinct sections joined together
by bolts a. Theses plates or rings are designed to loosely embrace or encompass
the pipe sections, one resting upon each section of the pipe a short distance from
the other.
The ring sections of the annular frame that encircle the pipe sections when in
place are fastened or held together by means of the lock or cross bars B2; which
bars are connected by hinged joint a to one ring of the frame and secured to the
other, when thrown over, by means of the clips a hinged to said ring, which clips
fit over the free end of the cross bars B2, Figure 2. Each bar is formed with a
depending lug b which engages the inner face of one of the rings of the annular
frame so as to hold the frame rings a given distance apart.
Inasmuch as the end of one pipe section fits within that of the other section an
even or unbroken surface is impossible; consequently it is required that means be
provided to adjust one frame section to the other so as to secure horizontal align-
ment and to hold the rings against displacement after being properly aligned to
each other and to the circumferential rivet holes of the pipe sections. To accom-
plish this each section of the frame is formed with a downwardly extending bracket
or support 1 through which works a screw-threaded bolt 2 carrying at its lower end
a foot 3.
This foot rests upon the pipe section of the respective rings and either
ring is raised or lowered by simply turning the hand wheel 4 so as to move the
screw rod inward or outward. This form of adjusting mechanism is preferred,
where the frame is a rigid one, owing to its simplicity; although any other suit-
able adjusting device may be employed for this purpose.

page_text: By preference the annular frame is formed of channel iron and between the
rings composing the frame is fitted to move the slide tool holding block C, which
block is formed with the side grooves so the edges thereof embrace the upper
and lower faces of the rings B, B, Figures 2, 3 and 9. This slide block is provided
with a vertical central opening 63 within which is fitted the cylinder carrying
the pneumatic hammer or riveter C2, which, when the annular frame is properly
adjusted upon the pipe sections, is in line with or centered to the rivet holes of
the pipe. In order to permit free circumferential movement of the slide holding
block carrying the riveter, the same is connected by tie rods D, D¹, to the
sleeve d, d; which sleeves in turn are connected to the sleeve by tie rods D², D³.
Through sleeve d is fitted axle e carrying rolls el and within sleeve d' works
axle e carrying rolls e, while through sleeve works axle f carrying the larger
rolls E. Each of the rollers e', e and E work upon the periphery of the rings
composing the annular frame and while answering to hold the sliding tool holding
block in position also assist in moving the same around the frame. Owing to the
weight of the riveter it is necessary that a counterpoise or counterweight be
employed to assist the operator in holding the slide block and riveter in proper
position. This is accomplished by making the rolls E of such size that the weight
thereof will approximately equalize that of the slide block and riveting tool com-
bined;
hence only slight pressure is necessary to enable the operator to move the
slide block the entire circumference of the pipe sections as required to head or upset
the rivets in order to rivet joint the pipe sections.
When the riveting is done from the outside it is necessary that the workman
inside the pipe be provided with an anvil or take-hold for the rivet so as to hold
the rivet in place while being headed or upset by the riveter. In the present
case I make employment of an ordinary pneumatic holder or take-hold E', which
works in the usual cylinder E² mounted upon the support E3. This support is
provided at its opposite end with a head f¹ which rests against the inner wall of
the pipe at a point opposite to the rivet being headed or upset. By means of
this support the workman is relieved of all strain incident to the holding of the
rivet while being headed by the riveter. If the riveting is to be done from the
inside of the pipe the position of the holder or take-hold and riveter will be
reversed, that is the riveter will be attached to the support E3 and the holder or
take hold fitted within the slide block or tool C. It is thus obvious that it is
immaterial whether the riveting be done from the outside or inside of the pipe.
The air necessary to operate the riveter and the rivet holder or take-hold, which
serves as an anvil, is conveyed from an air compressing apparatus located at point
convenient to the line of work, by means of the flexible pipes F, F, the inlet of
air to the respective tools being controlled by the cocks f, f³. Inasmuch as the
pneumatic riveter and rivet holding tool are well known and their operation and
construction perfectly understood by those familiar with such tools a specific
description thereof is believed unnecessary in the present application, as they form
no part of my invention; which relates to devices designed to permit the use of
such tools in connection with the work of riveting.
Rigidity is secured at the bottom of the rings composing the annular frame in
order to prevent spreading, by riveting to the depending brackets of opposing
ring sections a cross tie plate g, Figures 1 and 2. These cross tie plates not only
hold the rings of the frame an equi-distance apart, but give firmness to the
annular frame at its base; while the hinged lock bars or rods B2 secure the same
at the top. Each cross tie plate is provided with a central opening g¹ through
which fits a plug 92, which plug is used to assist in aligning the frame or center-
ing the same to the rivet holes."
Each
By reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6 a modification of the holding device is
illustrated. In this case the annular frame is composed of two flexible bands or
cinctures F, preferably composed of a series of links carrying rolls f2.
band or chain encircles the pipe sections and the free end of each is connected to
a tool holding block F3 by means of bands or rods F¼. This constitutes a flexible

page_text: frame which is adapted to be moved the circumference of the pipe sections as the
work of riveting progresses; to this extent differing from the frame set forth
in Figure 1 of the drawing which is a fixed one and upon which the tool holding
block moves. Where the frame is a rigid one the slack of the slide tool holding
block may be compensated for by means of the turn bolt G introduced in the tie
rod D, Figure 1; while in case chains be employed the tension may be regulated
by taking out or putting in a link or by any suitable tension regulating device.
Figure 4 illustrates the riveter held in the slide block in order to rivet outside
of the pipe, while in Figure 6 the riveter is illustrated inside of the pipe and the
holder or take-hold as being carried by the tool holder or slide-block.
In Figures 7 and 8 a modification of the inner support is illustrated and the
riveter shown as working from the inside of the pipe and the rivet holder or take-
hold upon the outside of the same. In this case the inner support consists of a
spider comprising a central hub ½ provided with three radiating arms h', each of
which carries an adjusting screw h² used for centering and securing the spider in
place within the pipe. Upon the hub h is loosely mounted the sleeve G which
supports, in the present case, the riveting tool. This sleeve is held upon the hub
of the spider by means of the set collar h³. When thus held the operator may
easily turn or move the riveter to any desired position. The weight of the riveter
may be compensated for, if found necessary, by attaching a counterweight to the
sleeve G¹.
In the operation of riveting or joining the ends of pipe sections, when the work
is done from the outside, an operator inside of the pipe receives a hot rivet handed
him from the outside through an opening formed in the pipe. The rivet is then
placed in the take-hold and the air-inlet cock opened so that the take-hold is forced
outward and the hot rivet k firmly held in the rivet hole of the pipe sections.
After the rivet is in place the operator on the outside opens the air inlet cock of
the riveter or riveting tool so as to operate the hammer and cause the heading or
upsetting of the rivet which projects through the rivet hole. Upon the com-
pletion of the riveting or heading of one rivet the operator inside of the pipe
receives another rivet which is placed and held in the next rivet hole and the
operator upon the outside moves or advances the slide block or tool holder to place
the riveting tool over such hole. The operation of heading or riveting is the same
as that just described, which continues the entire circumference of the pipe or
until all the rivet holes of the circumferential seam have been closed. As the
tool holder approaches one of the lock bars the same is released to permit the
holder to move past the bar after which the same is refastened.
Inasmuch as the present invention is designed for use in connection with the
riveting the circumferential seam of pipe section and not the longitudinal seam
it is not necessary that space be left below and around the pipe its entire length in
order to fit the apparatus thereto, but only sufficient room or space be left at the
end of the section to permit adjustment of the parts and allow the outside
operator to pass around the pipe to guide and advance the riveting tool as the
work progresses. Upon the completion of the riveting of one circumferential
seam, the apparatus is taken apart and carried forward and adjusted around the
pipe section for the riveting of the next circumferential seam; the operator inside
of the pipe likewise moving forward.
It will thus be noticed that the mechanical riveting may be successfully carried
on at any distance from the starting point, the only limitation being the length
of the hose leading from the air compressor inside of the pipe. However, this
does not interfere with the work, for the compressor may be advanced as the
work progresses. By the use of the present invention the circumferential seam of
large water pipe, such as is used for conduits, may be riveted in about forty-five
minutes or even in less time; which permits the riveting of about eight hundred
or more rivet holes per day, as against two hundred per day by hand work.
Again expert riveters are not required to do the riveting which not only reduces
the cost of joining the pipe sections, but prevents delays incident to strikes.

page_text: As before stated it is immaterial whether the riveting tool be located inside or
outside of the pipe sections and it is likewise immaterial whether a rigid frame
embracing the pipe be employed or a flexible band or cincture, consequently
wherever in the claims the word tool-holder is employed or annular frame, I desire
to be understood as meaning a holder for either the riveter or the rivet take-hold
or a rigid frame or a flexible band or cincture.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. A holding device for use in connection with the work of riveting which
comprises a frame adapted to be attached to the work to be riveted and a tool
holding block secured to and carried by the frame, said block adapted to be
moved over the holes to be riveted and to place the tool carried thereby in line
with the rivet holes.
2. The combination with the frame, of devices for securing and centering the
same to the work to be riveted, and of a tool holding block secured to and carried
by the frame.
3. The combination with the frame adapted to be rigidly held to the work to
be riveted, of a tool holding block slidably mounted upon the frame, said block
carrying a riveting tool, and of a counter-balance attached to the slide block to
compensate for the combined weight of the block and tool.
4. The combination with the frame composed of independent members each
member of which comprises a series of sections united together, and of a tool
holding block secured to and carried by said frame said block adapted to be moved
over the holes to be riveted so as to place the tool carried thereby in vertical align-
ment therewith.
5. In a holding device for use in connection with riveting the circumferential
seam of pipe sections, the combination with the annular frame, of devices for
attaching the same to the pipe to be riveted, of a tool holding block secured to
and carried by the frame, said frame adapted to be moved around the pipe seam,
and of a tool supporter located inside the pipe.
6. The combination with the frame having circumferential movement upon the
pipe sections to be riveted or joined, of a tool holding block secured to and carried
by the frame, said block adapted to carry a riveting tool and place the same in
vertical alignment with the holes to be riveted, and of a tool supporter located
inside the pipe.
7. The combination with an annular frame or cincture, of devices for holding it
upon the pipe sections to be riveted, of a tool holding block secured to and carried
by the frame or cincture and capable of circumferential movement upon the pipe
sections to be riveted, said tool holding block adapted to hold and carry a rivet-
ing tool and place the same in vertical alignment with the holes to be riveted,
and of a tool supporter located inside of the pipe, said supporter carrying a tool
with which the tool carried by the tool holder co-acts during the operation of
riveting.
8. The combination with an outer annular frame, of devices for securing the
same about the pipe sections to be riveted, of a tool holding block secured to and
carried by the frame so as to have free movement transverse of the pipe, said
holding block adapted to carry a riveting tool and place the same in vertical
alignment with the holes to be riveted, and of a tool supporter arranged within
the pipe which carries a tool with which the tool of the holding block co-acts
during the operation of riveting, said supporter having free circumferential move-
ment correspondently with the movement of said tool holder.
9. The combination with an annular frame or cincture for use in connection
with riveting the circumferential seam of pipe sections, of devices for securing the
same around the pipe to be riveted and placing the frame in horizontal alignment
with the pipe sections, of a tool holding block having circumferential movement

page_text: secured to and carried by the frame, said block adapted to carry a riveting tool,
and of a supporter located within the pipe and carrying a tool with which the
tool carried by the tool holder co-acts during the operation of riveting the pipe
sections.
10. In a holding device for use in mechanically riveting pipe line work, the
combination with an outer frame consisting of circular rings or bands, of devices
for securing the same around the pipe sections, the movable lock bars which unite
the rings at their top and hold the same an equi-distance apart, of adjusting device
by means of which the rings are aligned to the work, a tool holder secured upon
the frame so as to have free circumferential movement, said holder adapted to
carry a riveting tool, and of a tool supporter arranged within the pipe and carry-
ing a tool with which the tool carried by the tool holder co-acts during the
operation of riveting.
11. The combination with an annular frame composed of two members, of the
lock bars which hold the members together a distance apart, of adjusting devices
by means of which alignment of the frame is secured, a tool holder slidably
mounted upon the frame, said holder adapted to carry a riveting tool, a counter-
balance weight connected to said tool holder so as to compensate for the combined
weight of the holder and tool, and of a tool supporter for use inside the pipe,
said supporter carrying a tool with which the tool of the holder co-acts during
the operation of riveting.
12. In a holding device for use in connection with mechanically riveting the
circumferential seam of pipe sections, the combination with a suitable frame, of
a tool holder secured thereto so as to have free movement circumferentially to
the pipe sections, said holder adapted to carry a riveting tool and place the same
in vertical alignment with the holes to be riveted, and of a tool supporter arranged
within the pipe and carrying a tool with which the tool carried by the tool holder
co-acts during the operation of riveting.
.
13. The combination with a tool holder, of devices for connecting the same so
as to have free movement circumferentially to the pipe sections and holding the
same in alignment with the holes to be riveted, a riveting tool removably secured
to and carried by said holder which centers the tool to the rivet holes, of a tool
supporter arranged within the pipe and having movement relatively the same as
the tool holder, and of a tool carried by said supporter with which the tool of the
tool holder co-acts during the operation of riveting.
14. In a holding device for use in connection with the work of riveting the cir-
cumferential seam of pipe sections, the combination with a frame arranged trans-
versely to the line of pipe, of a tool holder connected to the frame so as to have
free movement the entire circumference of the pipe sections to be riveted, a
riveting tool carried by said holder, a tool supporter arranged within the pipe
sections to be joined, and of a tool carried by said supporter and with which the
tool carried by the tool holder co-acts during the operation of riveting.
Dated this 31st day of August 1898.
ROBERT S. MOORE.