Improvements in Machines for Driving Hoops upon Barrels or Casks.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 10th July, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Driving Hoops upon Barrels or
Casks.
I, CARL ADAM NEUBECKER, of 44 Ludwigstrasse, Offenbach-on-the-Main, in the
Empire of Germany, Manufacturer, 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:-
In machines for driving hoops upon barrels and casks it is of the greatest
importance that not only the hoops are pressed firmly against the barrel or cask
by a great uniform pressure, but that this work may be performed in less time
than by manual labour.
All the machines heretofore employed for driving hoops upon barrels or casks
present these defects, inasmuch as they can be used for pressing on the hoops only
on one side. Accordingly it is necessary to turn the barrel or cask after the hoops
have been tightened on one side (which, as this takes place at the same spot, is
very difficult) and it is not until then that the hoops on the other side can be
tightened. The manipulation of such machines is moreover so complicated that
interruptions or stoppages in the working and repairs often occur through mis-
takes in the service. Attempts have frequently been made to construct machines
which drives the hoops on the two sides at the same time, but these machines
have not proved a success in practice, as they can be used for driving the hoops
simultaneously on the two sides only when the hoops are firmly held at equal
distances from the middle of the barrel or cask.
In order to remedy this defect I have invented a hoop-driving machine, in which
the hoops are tightened on both sides at the same time and which is distinguished
by the greatest simplicity. With this machine the hoops can be driven whether
they are at equal distances at the foot or not. It is even possible to tighten the
hoops on barrels or casks when there are three hoops on one side and only two
hoops on the other side, as the centre plates, which bring the barrel or cask to the
centre, permit of a greater displacement of the barrels or casks from the centre.
The time required for pressing the hoops with my machine is only one-half as
compared with the out-sided driving machine, moreover the time required for
turning the barrels or casks will be saved.
In the accompanying drawing the machine for driving hoops on barrels or
casks is represented,
Figure 1 is a front view in section,
Figure 2 is a side view,
Figure 3 shows the mechanism for adjusting the claws,
Figure 4 is a plan of the centre plate,
Figure 5 is a plan of the plate for supporting the barrel or cask.
Figures 6 and 7 show modified forms of the apparatus and
Figure 8 shows a detail of the claws hereinafter referred to.
In a fixed frame A, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are arranged the two double-
acting hydraulic cylinders B and B with the pistons D and D', the double plate E
and E with the claws f and the centre and supporting plate F and F. In order

page_text: that the two pressing plates E and E with the claws f, which are firmly connected
with the hydraulic pistons D and D', may be moved uniformly towards or from
each other, they are securely united by chains or ropes which pass round rollers
fixed to the frame A. The two centre plates F and F serve for lifting the barrels
or casks to the centre of the two pressing plates E and E', the lower supporting
plate F being likewise firmly united with the upper centre plate, which has a
greater weight, by chains passing round the rollers c.
Figures 1 and 2 indicate the position in which the hoops are tightened.
A four-way cock H serves for the admission and discharge of the water under
pressure. When the plug of the cock is placed in such a position that the water
under pressure passes behind the pistons 1 and D' the water in front of the piston
will at the same time flow out freely through the cock H, the straight passage in the
middle of the plug serves for stopping the two pistons D and D¹ in any desired
position, that is to say when the plug is placed so that the said passage establishes
the connection between the admission and discharge pipes the pressure of the
water, as there is no discharge, remains above and below the, pistons and keeps
them in the position which they may occupy at the time. When the water
admission pipe is opened the two pistons D and D' and the two pressing plates E
and E with the claws f will approach each other. In this movement the plates F
and will immediately take part by reason of the greater weight of the former,
until the upper centre-plate F has arrived upon the barrel or cask. When the barrel
or cask is to be removed the cock H is placed so that the pressure passes upon the
other side of the piston D and D', causing the latter to move back and thus draw-
ing the pressing plates E and E' with the claws f. As soon as the claws / have
reached the centre plates F and F the centre plate will be moved from the barrel
or cask by the rods a fixed to the pressing plates E and E and by nuts g.
The radial displacement of the claws f from a wider to a narrower position
takes place by turning the curved plate 00. In this movement the sliding shoes
on which the draw irons are provided are displaced in the slots more towards the
centre or are further removed from the same according to the direction in which
the curved plate 0 0 Figure 3 is turned. The curved plates 0 0 Figure 3 are
provided with a toothed segment with which the toothed wheel k engages. In
order that the lower and upper curved plates may be turned at the same time,
that is to say in order that the claws f will bear at the same time against the
barrel or cask above and below the shaft is furnished with a wedge groove of
suitable length, which permits of a vertical movement of the toothed wheels k
and plates E and E. For the purpose of facilitating the operation of the rod /
the transmission takes place through the toothed wheels m and with the rod p
upon which the hand wheel is arranged.
By the displacement of the claws to the interior, the barrel or cask is at the
same time pushed to the centre of the supporting plate F', that is to say centred.
In lieu of the pistons or rope connection, a positive connection may be established
between the pressing plates and centre plates by levers or racks, as shown in
Figures 6 and 7.
S
For the sake of clearness the positive connection of the pressing plates E and E
by the levers s and and in like manner the positive connection of the centre
plates F and by the levers and or by the racks with the toothed wheels w
are represented only from one side. In the rack connection the toothed wheels w
are journalled to the frame A. The claws f, as shown in Figures 8, are displaced
inwards by springs situated on the sliding shoes, so that they will adapt
themselves to round barrels or casks and also to those which are not round.
The operation of the machine is as follows, that is to say After the centre plates F
and have been sufficiently moved asunder by separating tho pressure plates E
and E the barrel or cask is placed upon the lower centre plate F¹. By turning
the hand wheel q the claws are then shifted inwards, thereby pushing the barrel
or cask exactly to the centre of the machine. Now the hand wheel 9 is
turned in the other direction, that is to say the claws f are moved a little away

page_text: from the barrel or cask and the cock H is placed in the position for moving the
plates towards each other. The pressing plates E E¹ with the claws now
approach each other and thereby also the centre plates F F. After the centre
plate bears upon the barrel or cask the claws begin to pass from the centre plates
in consequence of the further movement of the pressing plates E E. When the
claws have come close to the hoops round the middle portion of the barrel or cask
they are pressed against the barrel or cask by turning the hand wheel and tighten
the said hoops as soon as they are applied to the same. When the hoops round the
middle portion of the barrel or cask have been sufficiently tightened the claws are
moved back, the next pair of hoops (Figures 1 and 2) are taken hold of, the cock
is turned to a position for causing the approach of the plates and the hoops are
tightened. By moving them further apart, the hoops at the ends of the barrel
or cask are seized, these are set apart and then a further outward movement takes
place, whereby the centre plate F is likewise raised from the barrel or cask by the
nut g. When sufficient space is provided for removing the barrel or cask the cock
is placed in a position for the stoppage of the machine. The barrel or cask is now
ready; it is taken from the machine and another barrel or cask is placed on the
centre plate F¹.
If the hoops are not placed quite uniformly the centre plates, by reason of the
peculiarity of their connection, permit of a displacement in such a manner that
the centre plates FF move away from the centre until the claws have taken hold
of the hoop above and below.
If for instance there is an end-hoop wanting on the barrel or cask, the hoops
round the middle portion are first tightened, an outward movement is effected, one
end-hoop is taken hold of, and the barrel or cask, owing to the pressure of the
hoop seized, will now press away one centre plate till the claws on the other side,
which have of course also moved further in the meantime, have also taken. hold of
the opposite hoop round the middle portion of the barrel or cask. As the barrel
or cask cannot be pressed further away, the end hoop will now be firmly tightened.
The tightening of the hoops round the ends takes place in the manner hereinbefore
set forth.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what
I claim is:
First. A machine for driving hoops upon barrels or casks, characterized by the
feature that the two pressing plates E and E', on which claws f are provided, are
connected by chains or ropes (Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) or by levers (Figure 6),
or racks (Figure 7) for the purpose of moving the plates E E uniformly towards
or from each other.
Second. A clamping and centring apparatus for machines for driving hoops
upon barrels or casks according to the first claim, characterized by the two plates F
and which are connected with each other by chains or ropes (Figures 1, 2, 3,
4 and 5) or by levers (Fig. 6) or racks (Figure 7) in order that the barrels or
casks may be brought to the centre of the two pressing plates E and E, and in
which the centre plates F and F, which permit of a greater displacement with
hoops not placed equally, are held by the nuts g on the connecting rods d of the
pressing plates E and Eat a certain height during the stoppage, and are removed
from the barrel or cask after the hoops have been completely driven home.
Dated this 8th day of Anvil 1807
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.