Improved Process and Apparatus for the Production of Sheet Metal Tubes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 22nd May, 1897
Kingdom of Belgium, Manufacturer.]
Improved Process and Apparatus for the Production of Sheet Metal
Tubes.
1, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in the County
of Lancaster, and Lower Temple Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Civil Engineer, 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 :-
The object of the present invention consists in a process and apparatus for the
mechanical production of tubes, the characteristic point of which consists in that
the tubes are formed of bent sheet metal whose ends are connected by means of a
second piece of metal between the projecting rims of which the edges of the plate
are placed.
The present process can be applied both to the making of straight tubes and also
to that of spirally coiled tubes. Moreover the piece constituting the junction of
the edges may be of any desirable form provided that the same be supplied with
the necessary recesses for the insertion on both sides. The apparatus is illustrated
in the accompanying drawings and moreover these drawings show by way of
example the preparation of spirally formed tubes, from which straight tubes may
be formed by simply uncoiling.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus.
Figures 2 to 5 the arrangement of the slide.
Figures 6 to 7 the spiral in front and side view.
Figure 8 a section of the tube.
Figure 9 the method of coiling the tube upon the spiral body, and
Figure 10 the representation of the process in diagrammatic form.
The apparatus consists of a lathe bed in which a revolving body A rests in
suitable bearings, the surface of which body A is provided with spiral depressions.
Upon the said frame there works a slide P which is actuated by the piece A by
means of the spiral H which is secured to the slide P by means of a connecting
piece Q. The spiral, which is represented in Figures 2 to 5 has an angular
piece I.
The strip of metal forming the tube is held by a support M L E and passes in
through the opening G, where the same is bent in such a manner that the edges
approach each other to within a given distance. A connecting piece D is then
inserted between the edges by means of the machine. In consequence of the bent
sheet B and the piece D being propelled through the rotation of the screw A
between the spiral H and the angular piece I, the intermediate piece is pressed into
the sheet B and thereby the tube is made complete.
Figure 3 shows a front view of the opening G and the opening K for the
intermediate piece G the size of which may be altered at will by adjustment of the
plate O.
Figures 6 and 7 show diagrammatically a view of the tube. Here is visible the

page_text: plate B which is bent and the intermediate piece D which is inserted between
the ends of the said strip or plate B.
Figure 8 shows the position of the parts when the tube is finished.
Figures 9 and 10 show a diagram of the spiral body upon which the tube is
wound.
The motive power can be arranged in any desired manner.
The tubes constructed according to this process are not only completely tight so
that they can be made use of for any desired purpose, but the same can also be
constructed much more easily than the tubes at present in use. The form of the
intermediate piece D can be varied at will. In the present instance a double
T-form is made use of.
It is obvious that in this manner a very good joint for the edges can be made.
The application of the strips D and B is effected automatically. The latter are
wound upon spools S and T, from which they can simultaneously be unwound as
required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The process for the preparation of tubes characterised by the bending of a
sheet metal piece and the simultaneous insertion between the edges thereof of an
intermediate piece, substantially as described.
2. For the purpose of the process set forth in Claim 1, the above described
apparatus characterised by having an opening G by means of which the bent sheet
metal is delivered to the rotating spiral A, whilst the intermediate body is
simultaneously supplied through the opening K, substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
1005
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.