IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR TREATING AND SHAPING METALS
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Robertson, of Glasgow, in the County of
Lauark, North Britain, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR TREATING AND SHAPING METALS."
Sealed the 14th June 1870, and dated the 20th December 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Robertson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 20th December 1869.
I, JAMES ROBERTSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR TREATING AND SHAPING METALS," to
be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention has for its object the treating and shaping of metals in
an improved manner and for various purposes, and consists in con-
structing, arranging, and working various modifications of machinery so
as to embody in their action what is known as "frictional screwing
action or motion," such modifications comprising various forms and
Drine 81

page_text: arrangements of rolls, revolving discs, rings, cresses, squeezers, and
finishers, and which are in some cases combined with hammering or
pressing machinery.
The operations for which the improved machinery is suitable comprise
the shingling or blooming of iron, the forging and shaping of metals
into bars and various forms, the straightening and finishing of bars and
the like, and the making, straightening, and finishing of metal tubes.
One modification to be applied for shingling or blooming iron in the
crude state from the furnace consists of a pair of rolls with their axes
set in bearings and at a distance apart from each other, so as to leave
space for the mass of iron to be thrown in between them. Their axes
are set with contrary obliquities to the centre line between them, and
on their being caused to revolve in one direction the mass of iron will
be made to revolve and will be screwed along the centre line. To
render these rolls efficient for this purpose an anvil piece or revolving
frictional roll is placed longitudinally a little below or beyond the
centre line between them, so as to prevent the mass of heated iron
from passing too far beyond the centre line and out from between them;
and they have formed on their surfaces protuberances, indentations, or
flutes longitudinally or angularly, or partially so, to catch on the soft
metal, and leave way for the scoria to flow out of the iron as the mass
or ball gets drawn in and compressed between the rolls, room being leit
at the sides of the anvil piece for the scoria to flow downwards. It will
be an advantage also to have the space between the rolls, greater at the
entering ends than at the delivery end, and likewise the diameter greater
at the entering end than at the delivering or finishing end, the entering
ends being placed sufficiently apart to let the rough bloom from the
furnace to be thrown in in the direction of their peripheries to be
caught by the rolls, and for the inwardly or downwardly revolving roll
to have circumferential motion slightly in excess of the other, so as to
tend to draw in the mass of iron. The space between the surfaces of
the rolls at the delivering end are placed apart to the gauge or diameter
the puddle bar is desired to be finished to, and the space between them
towards the entering end may be widened out proportionally to the
increased diameter of the rolls at the entering end, or they may be
proportioned to give a slightly differential angular motion to one end of
the mass of iron revolving between them to impart a slight twist to it,
and thereby tend to further squeeze or wring out the scoria from the

page_text: centre of the bloom. The surface of the rolls at the delivering end may.
be smooth or nearly so.
.
For the purpose of setting up or squaring up the ends of the puddled
bars thus formed or for welding two or more blooms into one, it will be
an advantage to employ a light steam hammer placed in the centre line
between the rolls, and by bending the rod or hammer in the middle so
as to embrace the puddle bar the hammer can be made to act on both
ends with one cylinder; or a separate light steam hammer or hammers
may be employed to set up each end.
Hammers actuated by air or mechanical hammers or squeezers may
also be employed for this purpose, and a hammer may also be employed
to act on the periphery of the bar as it revolves between the rolls to
treat and solidify it. Similar rolls with smooth or partially smooth
surfaces are used with a close fitting end piece at the wide or entering
end of the rolls and with a close fitting anvil piece, so as to form a
closed cavity between and formed partly by the rolls open only at
the finishing or delivering end of the rolls. Into this cavity or space
between the rolls molten steel is poured in from a melting pot, furnace,
or Bessemer refiner, and after it is partially cooled and in the viscid
state at the delivering end the rolls are made to revolve, thereby
turning round the mass of steel between them, compressing the greater
diameter of the receiving end into the smaller diameter of the delivering
end and screwing out the steel as a cylindrical bar.
For long bars while the rolls are discharging the steel from between
them in a bar at their delivering end the molten steel is allowed to flow
continuously into the space between them at the entering end; and
whilst with the greater mass and constant or intermittent supply of
steel the mass at the entering end is in a fluid or partially fluid state,
the slow delivering action of the rolls allows it to become partially
cooled into a sufficiently firm state to retain the cylindrical bar shape
given to it by the rolls at the delivering end. To render this action
more manageable the driving gear of the rolls should be constructed to
give readily any required increase or decrease of speed, or they may be
driven by a separate steam engine or pair of steam engines to give
complete control of the speed of the rolls in order that the attendant
may by regulating the flow of steel into the space between the rolls
or by regulating the speed of delivery retain the mass of steel between
the rolls at a suitable temperature for uniting with the inward flow of

page_text: steel at the entering end, and for delivering it in the form of a bar at
the discharging end. To keep the working parts (exposed to the heated
metal) cool the rolls and anvil piece are made hollow and water plays
through them, and water may also be applied or made to play on their
surface. Other metals may be run in a fluid state in between these
rolls and converted into bars in the same way, and although it is
preferred to use only two rolls for this purpose three or more may be
used.
Rolls of the same form and worked in the same way are employed
to form tubes of steel supplied from a furnace, a mandril being intro-
duced between the rolls and left free to revolve. For large sizes the
mandril should be hollow and supplied with water to keep it cool, and
the bearings of the mandril may also be kept cool by being formed
hollow for water or by having cast in the casting a spiral iron tube for
water to play through. These mandrils may be tapered to draw into
the tube as the action of the rolls enlarges its diameter.
For small diameters the temperature of the mandril is kept sufficiently
low by having it very long and drawing it through the tube and
mass of soft steel at a high speed while the tube is being rolled
out.
For welding and forging bars of iron or steel a pair of these frictional
screwing rolls are employed, being by preference parallel or nearly so,
and made with smooth surfaces between which the bar or mass of iron
is entered, and by which it is screwed forward under a steam hammer or
other power hammer, working over a plain anvil or with cresses for
rounding the iron, being turned round to the hammer as is now done
by hand, the rolls straightening and finishing it after they pass the iron
through underneath or to the action of the hammer. This compound
arrangement of hammering and rolling may be further improved by
employing a steam hammer to act on the end of the bar or mass of
iron or bars being welded, and two pairs of rolls, one pair for drawing
in the bar and another for finishing it, may be used in combination with
one or more hammers or dies, and amongst other things for finishing
shot and similar articles. The hammers may be any ordinary steam, air,
or mechanical hammer. By the rolls in combination with hammers
worked with steam or mechanically the rod of the hammer lying in
the plane or axis of the mass of metal revolving between the rolls and
cylinder at the end of the rolls, the hammer rod being punch-shaped

page_text: and with a movable hollow anvil between the rolls, the mass of metal
is shaped into rings or tubes.
For thin tapering tubes of large diameter it is preferable to use pieces
of metal previously formed into rings, the rolls tapering, and instead of
a steam ram a ram worked by water at a high pressure and made hollow
for the water to enter to keep it cool.
For shaping bars into forms not readily manageable by the ordinary
rolling mill rolls, such as fluting for ornamental purposes and for bars
suitable for being cut off into toothed pinions, a pair of the obliquely
placed rolls are correspondingly fluted or set off into teeth and set apart
to the diameter of the bar required, being driven by suitable gear both
in the same direction; on a heated bar of metal being entered in between
them they will correspondingly shape it, screw through, and deliver it at
the opposite end of the rolls. It is intended also to use this same form
of rolls, having them long and one rounded, whilst the other is hollow
longitudinally, for straightening certain forms of bars, such as square
bars and railway rails, correspondingly formed projections or flutes
being cut or cast angularly in their surfaces into which the bar is
entered, whereupon the bar is in consequence of these arrangements
geared round and is screwed through and straightened. Similarly two
discs are employed analogous to bevil wheels without teeth for shaping
and rolling out metals, such as iron and steel, and for straightening
bars; each disc is set on a strong separate shaft, the axis of the one
being in a different plane from that of the other. The surfaces of the
disc are set apart from each other to the required diameter of the rod or
bar to be rolled between them, and an anvil piece is placed to guide the
rod to be rolled between them, the axes of the discs being placed in
different planes. The anvil piece is set to guide the rod in a line passing
through between their centre lines, so that the rod and the surfaces of
these discs being made to revolve in reverse directions the surfaces will
impinge in oblique tangential directions on the rod between them and
produce rolling screwing action. A slight excess of motion is to be
given to the disc moving forwards or downwards to the anvil piece.
Discs formed, arranged, and driven by suitable gear in this way can be
used for rolling and reducing in diameter metal rods in a heated or soft
state, and by keying or forming the discs eccentrically on their spindles,
or by forming their surfaces undulatory, bars may be rolled tapering or
of varying diameters, and by forming devices on the surfaces of the

page_text: discs corresponding devices can be raised or formed on the bar for the
manufacture of various articles of utility or for ornamentation. Adap-
tations of the bevilled discs can be made for shingling or blooming iron
and for converting fluid metal into bars, being driven by gear and in
connection with hammers or rams similar to what is herein-before
described in connection with the rolls for effecting these purposes. Three
or more pairs of these discs can be made to act simultaneously on one
bar for straightening or finishing bars. The discs can also be employed
for forming rings and tapering and other forms of tubes in connection
with hammers and rams, as described in connection with rolls, and also
tubes from fluid metal, keeping them cool in the same way, and by long
mandrils made to pass through the tubes at a high speed when being
rolled out as described.
For finishing spherical articles, such as shot and shell, a pair of rolls
are employed with a groove formed in the periphery of each suited to
the diameter of the shot, the rolls being set with contrary obliquities in
the same way as for producing screwing action on a cylindrical object
between them were they formed with smooth surfaces. A cup-shaped
anvil piece is set opposite the groove and may be free to revolve, being
One of these
pivoted obliquely to the centre line between the rolls.
'rolls is made adjustable, and a mass of heated soft iron or other metal is
thrown into the groove when the rolls are wide apart, and motion is
given to both rolls in one direction. The movable roll is set forward
to grasp firmly the mass of metal, which is caused to rotate, and owing
'to the obliquity of the rolls the mass of iron assumes the spherical form,
constantly changing its position as it revolves so as to bring every point
of its surface or cross section or diameter as it revolves to the bottom of
the grooves and in line directly between the rolls, and thereby insures
its form being completely spherical. These rolls may also be combined
with steam and other kinds of hammers, and may be used without the
anvil piece, and be caused to revolve in reverse directions for twisting
round and other sections of bars.
For straightening and finishing bars and tubes a frictional screwing
action is employed to grasp, screw through, and straighten the bars and
tubes by means of the internal surfaces of revolving rings, the frictional
screwing action being producible by any body that transmits force by
continuous oblique tangential impingement to any form of body left free
to revolve. For this purpose, by preference, three rings are used with

page_text: teeth on their peripheries and with flanges or joggles at the ends of the
teeth. The internal surfaces of these rings are concentric with their
peripheries, and may be turned out or fitted with die pieces of hard
metal, the internal surfaces of which act on the bars or tubes, being
rounded out longitudinally to cause the bar to enter freely, and to touch
only at middle points when once entered. The two revolving rings at
the outsides or extremities of the set of three rings are set at a slight
angle (about one inch to the foot being a suitable angle) in one direction
from the line or course the bar or tube is to be traversed through, and
the middle one is placed at the reversed angle. The interiors of these
rings are also made somewhat larger in diameter than the round bars or
tubes to be straightened, and the middle ring is set to the one side out
of line with the other two rings as much as the difference of diameter of
the bar or tube to be acted upon and the internal diameter of the ring.
In this way when a round bar or tube. is passed or entered through the
three rings its periphery is in contact with the internal slanting surfaces
of the two outside rings of the set on one side of the bar, whilst the
opposite side of the bar is in contact with the internal surface of the
middle ring, which, as described, is placed at an angle reversed as
regards that of the other two. One way of holding these rings in their
positions by suitable bearings and of gearing them to revolve simul.
taneously and at equal speeds or suitable speeds is to turn the points of
the teeth and side flanges down to about the pitch line of the teeth, aud
to correspondingly turn out three bush brackets to receive them. An
opening is formed in the periphery of each bush bracket to expose the
teeth of the three rings, all at like points in one line, and a spindle with
three pinions keyed on it toothed to gear with the teeth on the peri-
pheries of the rings is set in bearings, and serves to drive them
simultaneously and all in one direction. The central ring is by
preference made adjustable in its position, so that by moving it to one
side its internal surface is made to press against a part of the bar, which
makes the other two rings also bear hard in contact with the opposite
surface or periphery of the bar, the bar (or tube) being in this way
grasped hard by all three rings. On the three rings being set in motion
their internal surfaces grasp and impinge tangentially and obliquely, and
communicate a rotatary and screwing motion to the bar. While the bar
is being screwed through between the rings should any
high or crooked the opposite surfaces of the three rings combine to force
it straight, and at the same time to clean the bar or tube by attrition.
part of it be

page_text: Various arrangements of axis bushes for adjustment to various sizes of
bars and for gearing these rings to give motion to them in a suitable
way can be made.
Instead of the rings being driven by pinions on a separate shaft
gearing into teeth on each ring, as described, they may be geared
together by bevil wheel teeth cast on the side of each ring and gearing
into each other; and one of the outside rings may be driven by a belt
or other gear, and would thus communicate motion to the other two
rings. They may also be connected to each by projecting snugs on one
ring working into slots formed in the ring next to it.
Instead of working in bearings the three rings may simply have their
peripheries formed into teeth and be carried by the teeth geared into six
pinions, three of them being keyed on a spindle at one side, and the
other three on another and similar spindle at the other side of the rings.
On motion being given to these spindles in one direction and at equal
speeds by suitable gear the rings are caused to revolve in one direction,
and beld in their places by the teeth and suitable joggles or flanges ou
the pinions, and in this way the rings are made to revolve without bush
bearings, whilst adjustment may be made by turning round one or both
of the middle pinions angularly forward of the others.
This arrangement may also be employed for bending and overlapping
sheets or plate iron to prepare them for the welding furnace and rolls.
To facilitate this operation it will be an advantage to have the plates
partially bent round before they are entered into the rings. Any degree
of lap can be given to them by adjusting up the middle ring.
For straightening bars of any section other than round bars, such as
railway rails, angle and T bars, square bars, and the like, instead of the
rings or discs having their internal surfaces formed round and concentric
with their peripheries they are shaped similarly to the form of the bar,
or at least so as to bear upon their extreme sides or points in their cross
section and somewhat larger in inside diameter than the bars.
The screwing action of the internal surfaces of the rings on bars of this
description is different from that of the action on round bars described in
respect that the bar performs one revolution only for each revolution of
the ring, but it is otherwise screwed or carried forward in the same way
as the round bar on being grasped at both sides at the same instant by
that portion of the oblique rings that is according to the motion given to
the rings moving obliquely, and detached as soon as or before the

page_text: angular motion of the ring goes the other way, the bar continuing to
move forward. In this way the same straightening and cleaning effect
by the adjustment of the discs by screws or other means is obviously
obtained for nearly all sections of bars, as is obtained on round bars, as
herein-before described.
Frictional screwing motion by rings may also be employed for
turning round bars under the operation of hammers, as herein-before
described in connection with rolls; they may also be used for driving
and screwing forward bars under the operation of turning and grinding
tools and for other similar purposes.
In some of the modifications herein-before described the bar, tube, or
other article may be kept from turuing, whilst the rings or discs may be
carried in a revolving frame, so as to get the same relative motions.
For moving forward heavy shafts under hammers one ring where the
shaft can rest on the bottom or oblique part of it will suit in some
circumstances, One or more rings may be used according to the
purposes for which they are to be applied, and in some cases it will be
an advantage to drive by separate engines or a pair of engines with
reversing action. The movable rolls, discs, or rings of these machines
may be adjusted by screws, eccentrics, or other convenient means.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said James Robertson in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 18th June 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
ROBERTSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by. Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
third year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said James Robertson, Her special licence that
I, the said James Robertson, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said James Robertson, my executors, adminis
trators, and assigns, should at any time agree with and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein

page_text: 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 TREATING AND SHAPING METALS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said James Robertson, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, 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 immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Robertson, do hereby declare
the nature of iny said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement in writing, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, that is to say :-
My said Invention has for its object the treating and shaping of
metals in an improved manner, and for various purposes, and consists in
'constructing, arranging, and working various modifications of machinery
so as to embody in their action what is known as "frictional screwing
action or motion," such modifications comprising various forms and
arrangements of rolls, revolving discs, cresses, squeezers, and finishers,
and which are in some cases combined with hammering or pressing
machinery.
The operations for which the improved machinery is suitable comprise
the shingling or blooming of iron or steel, the forging and shaping of
metal into bars and various forms, the straightening and finishing of
bars and the like, and the making, straightening, and finishing of
metal tubes.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing
the same may be properly understood I have hereunto appended five
Sheets of explanatory Drawings, to be herein-after referred to, and re-
presenting examples of the various modifications of machinery that
may be made embodying my improvements. And as considerable
similarity exists between many of the said examples the same reference 3
letters and numerals are used wherever they are repeated to mark
the same or like parts, and the repetition of similar descriptive details
is avoided.

page_text: One modification to be applied for shingling or blooming iron in the
crude state from the furnace consists of a pair of rolls with their axes
set in bearings and at a distance apart from each other, so as to leave
space for the inass of iron to be thrown in between them. Their axes
are set with contrary obliquities to the centre line between them, and
ou their being caused to revolve in one direction the mass of iron will
be made to revolve and will be screwed along the centre line.
Figure 1, on Sheet 1 of the drawings, is a side elevation of a pair
of such rolls 1, 2, without the housing frame to show the general
form and disposition of the rolls themselves, the necks and coupling
ends being shown as broken off. I prefer to make them conical and
to set them with contrary obliquities of about 1 inch to the foot, each
from the centre line or plane. The larger ends, which are the entering
ends in this example, are fluted to catch the leated soft metal, and the
smaller and delivering ends are made smooth to give a smooth finish
to the bar as it is being discharged out from between them. The
motions of the rolls are indicated by arrows, and that of the inward oue
1 is such that the surface motion is slightly faster than that of the
outward one 2, in order to draw the mass 10 of metal down in between
the rolls.
Figures 2 and 3 are a plan and an end elevation of a pair of the rolls
set into a housing frame consisting of a sole plate 3 and a pair of
cheeks, 4, 4, with all the details requisite for a complete shingling or
blooming machine formed to act as described. The spindles or necks
of the rolls are shown coupled by the couplings 6, 7, to the driving
shafts 8, 9, shown broken off, but to which equal angular motions are
giving by any suitable driving gear, the desired greater surface motion
of the inward roll 1 being in this case conveniently obtained by having
the parts of the roll of slightly larger diameter than the corresponding
or opposite parts of the outward roll 2. The mass of iron 10 and the
bar 10 when formed are kept from passing down from between the
rolls by an antifrictional anvil roll 5, the position and diameter of which
are indicated by dotted lines in Figure 3, space is however left between
this anvil roll 3 and the main rolls 1, 2, for scoria to escape down into
the space under the rolls. The motion of the rolls 1, 2, being as indicated
by the arrows, on the crude inass of iron 10 being thrown in between
them in the position shown it is caused to revolve as indicated by the
arrow and is drawn down to the anvil roll 5. As it revolves the scoria

page_text: is squeezed out of it, and it gradually assumes a cylindridal form, at
the same time approaching the delivery end of the rolls, and is finally
discharged from between them in the form of the bar 10. In this way
blooms from the puddling furnace can be speedily converted into
cylindrical puddled bars to be treated in the drawing rolls as they are
now treated after leaving the steam hammer. Instead of the rolls 1, 2,
being fluted or grooved longitudinally they may have portions of their
surfaces formed with pyramidal or conical hollows, as shown in Figure 4,
or with conical or pyramidal protuberances, or any kind of roughened
surface that will catch upon the soft metal and at the same time allow
the scoria to separate more freely than a smooth surface. The surface
motion of the rolls 1, 2, may also be so proportioned as to give a twist
to the bar being formed, and thereby further assist in bringing scoria
and other impurities to the surface. Instead of two driving shafts 8, 9,
extending from the machine simultaneous motion may be given to the
rolls, 1, 2, by toothed wheels, keyed on their spindles and geared together
by an intermediate wheel on a shaft which may be actuated by a special
engine combined with the machine or otherwise.
Figure 5 is a plan, and Figure 6 a side elevation of a shingling machine
similar to that shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, but having combined with
it a small steam hammer 11, placed horizontally for setting up the ends
of the puddled bar 10. The hammer is made double-acting in any
convenient known way, but the usual rod and head 12 is connected to
a head and rod 12¹ disposed so as to act on the other end of the mass 10
when the rod 12 is forced into the cylinder, the connecting part also
acting as an anvil or supporting piece 5' to prevent the mass from
passing down through between the rolls, and itself resting and sliding
on a fixed anvil or support 5, as shown in Figure 6, in which Figure tho
front roll 2 is supposed to be removed. The second head 12' is formed
with a rod extending outwards from it and guided by bracket or pedestal
bearings 13 fixed on the sole plate 3.
in this machine assumed the cylindrical form the hammer is made to
act on the opposite ends of it alternately as it revolves between the
rolls, which solidifies it and gives it the square form which is in some
cases desired for the purpose of preventing waste in the after treatment
in the drawing rolls. Instead of using the second head 12' with the
hammor a common single-headed hammer may be employed, and a
weight may be suspended or an anvil be held against the other end of
After the mass of iron 10 has

page_text: the bar to cause it to be set up by the reactionary resistance to the stroke
of the hammer. A very little force is required for setting up the ends
of the soft puddled bars, and the operation may be effected by hammers
or squeezers worked by gearing instead of direct steam hammers.
Fig. 7 is a front elevation partly in section, and Figure 8 an end
elevation of a machine comprising a pair of rolls 1, 2, similar to those
shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, but more nearly parallel in form, and with
greater portions of their surfaces smooth. In Figure 7 the roll 2 is
supposed to be removed to show the anvil 5, the hammer heads 12, 121,
and the bar 10 undergoing treatment. The housings 4 are bolted to the
lower forward projecting part of the massive standard 14 of an ordinary
vertical steam hammer, and the rolls 1, 2, are disposed so that the
hammer head 12 descends in the vertical plane which is centrally
between them, whilst an anvil 5 adapted to the hammer is arranged
below and between them. The action of the hammer is controlled by
hand levers, and the rolls 1, 2, are made to turn the mass of iron 10 at a
suitable speed whilst the hammer is acting on it, so that the mass is
solidified and gradually reduced to a cylindrical form. A horizontal
hammer, of which the head 12" is shown broken off in Figure 7, can
also be made to act on the end of the bar or mass 10 in the manner
already described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. I also intend to
use this machine (Figures 7, 8,) for welding blooms of iron or steel
together, or welding and forging or shaping masses or bars of iron or
steel or other malleable metal.
By a second part of my Invention rolls similar to those herein-before
described with smooth or in part smooth surfaces are used with a close
fitting end piece at the wide or entering end of the rolls, and with its
bottom extending along between the rolls so as to form a cavity with the
rolls for its sides. Into this cavity molten steel is poured from a melting
pot or furnace or Bessemer refiner, and after it is partially cooled and
has become viscid at the delivery end the rolls are made to revolve and
turn round the mass of steel between them, gradually compressing the
greater diameter of the entering end into the smaller diameter of the
delivery end, and screwing out the steel in a cylindrical bar. For long
bars whilst the rolls are discharging the steel from between them in a
bar at the delivery end, the molten steel is caused to flow continuously or
ntermittently into the cavity at the entering end. Thus with the greater
nass and constant or intermittent supply the steel is at the entering

page_text: end in a fluid or semi-fluid state, whilst the slow delivering action of the
rolls allows it to become partially cooled so as to be sufficiently solidified
to retain the cylindrical bar shape as it leaves the rolls.
and
Figure 9 is a sectional plan, and Figures 10 and 11 are longitudinal
transverse vertical sections of a modification acting mecha-
nically like that shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, but adapted for forming
bars from steel or other metal in a fluid state. In this case the
surfaces of the rolls 1, 2, are smooth, and there is in connection with
the rolls a close-fitting anvil piece 5 fixed to the sole plate 3, and which
is made with a cavity for the passage through it of a stream of water to
keep it from being injured by the great heat of the fluid metal. For a
similar purpose the rolls 1, 2, are made hollow, and water is passed
through them. A Bessemer refining vessel 16 is represented as pouring
molten steel upon the anvil 5 and into the cavity between the rolls 1, 2.
To render this action more manageable the driving gear of the rolls
should be constructed to give readily any required increase or decrease
of speed, or they may be driven by a special steam engine to give
complete control over the speed of the rolls in order that the attendant
may by regulating the flow of steel into the space between the rolls or
by regulating the speed of delivery retain the mass of steel between the
rolls at a suitable temperature for uniting with the inward flow of steel
at the entering end, and for dolivering it in the form of a bar at the
discharging end. Besides the arrangements already referred to for
cooling the rolls and anvil internally, sprays or jets of water can be made
to play on them externally, and the cavity between the rolls can also be
partially lined with clay loam to enable it to withstand the great heat.
Other metals, such as iron, copper, or lead, can be run in a fluid state
in between these rolls, and be converted into bars in the same way.
And
although I prefer to use two rolls only for this purpose as shown, three
or more may be used.
For some welding and forging purposes, and for some forging
operations not involving welding, where the bars are long it will be an
advantage to employ two sets of these rolls combined with steam
hammers; one set of rolls being to draw forward the bar to the hammer,
and the other set for straightening and finishing it.
Figures 12 and 13 are a plan and elevation of two pairs 1, 2, 14, 21, of
rolls arranged to act in this way, but shown without the housings. They
are formed with their surfaces smooth and parallel as is best for forging

page_text: purposes. A hammer head 12 broken off and anvil 5 are shown acting
on the bar in the space between the two pairs of rolls, and a hammer
head 12" broken off is shown for acting horizontally on the end of the
bar, chiefly for welding or uniting short pieces to form a long bar. The
rolls revolve as indicated by the arrows, and exert a screwing and
compressing action on the bar similar to what is herein-before described
in reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3.
In some combinations of these rolls with steam or mechanical hammers
or squeezers for forging purposes, such as the forging of cylindro.
conoidal shot, it will be an advantage to use a fixed anvil at the
finishing end of the rolls in combination with a horizontal steam
hammer. Figures 14 and 15 are a plan and elevation of a pair of rolls
combined in this way with an end anvil 5 and hammer 12. The conical
end of the shot 10 is in this example formed by suitable shapes being
given to the anvil and hammer head, whilst the body is made truly
cylindrical by the action of the rolls.
Figures 16, 17, and 18, on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings are
a side elevation, a plan, and an end elevation of a pair of rolls 1, 2,
similar to those last described, combined with a horizontal hammer 12
and hollow fixed anvil 5, being arranged for forming masses of iron or
other metal into cylindrical pieces, and then punching them by the
action of a punch-shaped hammer head 12 into rings or short tubes. In
this example the sole plate 3 and housings 4, 4, are shown complete.
The bushes 4 are adjustable laterally in slides in the housings by means
of large hand screws 4, the slides being retained by bars 4". The
rolls 1, 2, can thus be set at various widths apart, and can be made to
grasp the mass of metal 10 firmly between them when required. The
anvil piece 5 extends across the housings a suitable distance below the
centre line between the rolls to let the mass of metal 10 get in between
them. This anvil 5 has formed on it at the finishing end a hollow piece
with a vertical face 5', which stops the longitudinal progress of the
mass 10 and resists the action of the punch-shaped hammer 12, when
this acting on the mass forms it into a ring, which may be conical
internally as shown, or may be made made parallel internally by forcing
the hammer head further through. The ring 10 may be made of any
diameter within the limits of the lateral adjustment of the rolls. In
other respects the rolls 1, 2, act as herein-before described with reference

page_text: to Figures 1, 2, 3. The ring 10 may be got out by reversing the motions
of the rolls or on slacking the adjusting screws 4".
In any of the machines described or referred to herein the rolls 1, 2,
may be made adjustable as regards position in their housings 4 in the
manner described with reference to Figures 16, 17, 18, or in any other
convenient way whenever it may be desirable or advantageous.
For forming thiu tapering tubes a pair of these rolls 1, 2, are used,
being set apart from each other to the required diameter and taper of the
tube, and a correspondingly tapered steam or hydraulic ram or mandril 12
is provided on which the ring or mass of metal is placed.
Figures 19 and 20 are a sectional plan and a side elevation of a pair
of rolls 1, 2, combined for this purpose with a hydraulic cylinder 11, the
ram of which is fitted with a tapering head or mandril 12, and is shown
in Figure 19 as nearly at the end of its outward stroke. The tapering
tube 10 is shown in section in Figure 19 between the rolls 1, 2, and the
tapering head or mandril 12. In Figure 20 the ram 12 is shown at the
inner end of its stroke, with the ring-shaped mass of metal 10 indicated
by dotted lines as on its point, and as about to be acted on by the rolls
so as to eventually assume the shape shown in Figura 19. A four-way
cock 17 is shown for controlling the action of the water or other fluid
in the cylinder 11. The housings for the rolls are not shown in
Figures 19, 20, but I prefer to have them with adjustable slides, as in
Figures 16, 17, 18. The tapering mandril 12 may be made in one piece
with the ram and hollow, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 19, so
that it may be cooled by water internally; or the mandril may be
socketed and keyed to the ram, as indicated in Figure 20, so that
mandrils of various sizes may be attached to the same ram. The mandril,
ram, and piston revolve with the tube 10, and a flange may be made on
the wide end of the tube if required by the shoulder of the mandril
squeezing the metal out between it and the ends of the rolls 1, 2, as they
revolve.
Figures 21 and 22 are a side elevation and a sectional plan of a
machine slightly modified from that last herein-before described and
adapted for making either tapering or parallel tubes from rings of metal.
In this example the tapering mandril 12 is drawn through by a pair of
grasping tongs 18 holding upon a multiple collared neck on the mandril
point, and which does not interfere with the rotation of the mandril. The
tongs are jointed upon a slide 19 guided upon the drawbench 104, and

page_text: may be drawn as in the case of an ordinary drawbench, or in any other
convenient way. The rolls 1, 2, act as herein-before described with
reference to other examples, but so that their screwing action tends in
the opposite direction to that in which the mandril is drawn.
For the purpose of making tubes of large diameter I use a pair of
tapering rolls to expand rings of metal, and so form them into tubes, a
tube being round one of the rolls when being formed.
Figures 23 and 24 are a sectional side elevation and a plan, and
Figures 25 and 26 are end elevations of a machine arranged for this
operation. In this example the rolls 1, 2, overhang from the housings 4,
and revolve in opposite directions (that is, so that their adjacent parts
move in the same direction).
The ring-shaped mass of metal 10 is shown in front and side view in
Figures 27 and 28 in the form it has before entering the machine; it is
of sufficiently large mass when rolled down to extend beyond the end of
the rolls to be grasped by a pair of drawing tongs, and be drawn on a
drawbench or by a hydraulic cylinder where it appears necessary to thus
assist the action of the rolls. The ring 10 is worked off from the ends
of the rolls in the manner indicated in Figure 23, being reduced to the
tubular form with a thickness due to the distance between the rolls 1, 2,
and which is regulated by the set screws 4111. The bushes of the roll
shafts are made like balls and sockets to admit of angular adjustment by
means of horizontal screws in the back housing, so that the rolls can
be set with various degrees of reversed obliquities.
Rolls of a similar form, and worked in the same way as described in
reference to Figures 9, 10, 11, I also use for forming tubes out of steel
or other metal in a fluid state, a mandril being introduced between the
rolls and left free to revolve. For large sizes and for some inetals it will
be an advantage for the mandril to be hollow and supplied with water
to keep it cool, and the bearings of the mandrils and rolls may also be
kept at a sufficiently low temperature at the working parts by being
formed hollow so as to be surrounded with water, or by having a spiral
iron tube cast in them for water to play through. The mandril may be
tapered to draw into the tube, as the action of the rolls and the cooling
action form the fluid steel or other metal into a tube as its diameter gets
enlarged, iron and steel from their high temperature when fluid being
the most difficult metals to convert into tubes in this way.

page_text: For small diameters the temperature of the mandril is kept sufficiently
low by having it very long and by drawing it very rapidly through the
mass of hot soft metal, whilst the tube is being rolled out and delivered
from the finishing end of the rolls at a slower longitudinal speed. The
same appliances and means as herein-before described with reference to
the manufacture of bars from fluid metal for adapting the operation
to the varying temperatures of the metal at different parts are also
essentially necessary in making tubes in a similar way. The rolls for
this operation being necessarily short, and requiring to be very accessible
at the delivery end, are overhung in their housings like those described
with reference to Figures 23, 24, but otherwise they are similar in form
and action to those described with reference to Figures 9, 10, 11.
Figures 29 and 30 on Sheet 3 of the accompanying Drawings are
a sectional plan and side elevation of a set of these rolls adapted for
forming tubes of large diameter, the rolls 1, 2, being set in housings 4, 4
cast in one piece with the sole plate 3. The rolls are made hollow for
pipes 15 to lead water into them; and to keep the sides of the close
fitting cavity or the anvil 5 sufficiently cool a part of the sole plate 3 is
formed as a water tank, which surrounds the front neck bearing 13 of
the mandril 12 and the cavity for the fluid metal. The mandril 12 is
also made hollow, the water finding its way into it from the tank by
small holes 12111; and in the case of large diameters I cause this mandril
to be driven at a speed corresponding, or nearly so, with the surface
motion of the rolls, for which purpose a driving shaft, 20 broken off, is
shown connected to it by a coupling 21, this mandril having no lon
gitudinal motion. Arrows indicate the motions of the parts and the
direction of delivery of the tube 10.
Figures 31 and 32 are a sectional plan and elevation of a pair of rolls
similar to those last herein-before described, and also for making tubes
from fluid metal, but with arrangements for forming them of smali
diameters. The shafts of the rolls 1, 2, are shown broken off and without
the housings, so as to exhibit more plainly the special features of this
example, the guiding part 13 of the frame for the mandril 12 and the
water tank 31 being retained. The mandril 12 consists by preference of
a small rod of steel or iron considerably longer than the tube to be
formed, and before the metal 10 is poured in between the rolls the rod
is entered through its guide and grasped by the tongs 18, which are
drawn in a direction from the machine in any convenient way. On the

page_text: metal being poured in the mandril is moved swiftly outwards, being at
the same time allowed to revolve with the tube, which last is rolled out
with a rapid revolving motion, but slow longitudinal motion. The
mandril in this way passes too quickly through the hot metal 10 to
be injured by the heat. The mandrils must be rendered smooth and
straight prior to each use of them.
For shaping bars with forms not readily manageable by ordinary rolls,
such as flutings and embossings for ornamental purposes, and forms
suitable for having toothed pinions cut off them, a pair of my obliquely
placed rolls are used, being correspondingly fluted or shaped into teeth
and set apart to the diameter of the required bar. These rolls are driven
both in the same direction and at equal circumferential speeds, the flutes
or teeth being formed obliquely along their peripheries to correspond
with the angular positions of the rolls in their housings. On a bar of
heated soft metal being entered between such rolls they will corre-
spondingly shape it, screw it through, and deliver it at the end opposite
to that at which it is entere 1.
Figures 33, 34, and 35 are a plan, a side elevation, and a cross section
of a pair of such rolls shaped for forming a bar of heated soft metal into
a bar of a section like a toothed pinion. The surfaces of both rolls are to
be like the one marked 2, the indentations gradually deepening towards
the delivery end, so that the required form is gradually produced, as
indicated on the bar 10, which is gradually moved along by the screwing
action due to the reversed obliquities of the rolls as the operation pro-
ceeds. No anvil piece is necessary unless as a guide at the entering end
when introducing the bar, as the equal motions of the rolls and their
flutes retain the bar in its proper central position. The housings for
these rolls are not shown, but may be such as are herein-before described
with reference to Figures 16, 17, 18. Bars of triangular, square, and
other forms can be formed in this way by suitably shaping the flutes of
the rolls, and collars may be formed on the bars by grooving the
peripheries of the rolls in a helical direction corresponding with the
effective screwing action of the rolls. The arrangement is not designed
or suitable for forming screw threads,
For straightening certain forms of bars, such as square bars and
railway rails, of some forms, my obliquely disposed rolls are also made
suitable by shaping the flutes or channels so as to gear round with the

page_text: bars or rails and keep their positions, which may be aided by guides in
the housings at the entering and delivering ends of the rolls.
Figures 36, 37, and 38 are a plan, a cross section, and a side elevation
of a pair of these rolls formed suitably for straightening I railway rails,
but otherwise similar and similarly arranged and worked to those herein-
before described with reference to Figures 33, 34, 35. Figure 38a is a
cross section showing the rails as held in a different position between
the rolls. Similarly I employ two discs analogous to spur or slightly
bevilled wheels (but without teeth) for shaping and rolling out metals,
such as iron or steel, and for straightening bars. The discs 1, 2, are
set on strong separate shafts disposed with reversed obliquities, like the
rolls herein-before described, and an anvil piece 5 is placed to guide
the rod to be rolled. Bosses, bolt, or rivet heads, or other forms are
shaped by means of groovos in the peripheries of the discs, such grooves
being disposed helically to suit the transverse screwing action of the
discs. In the case of discs analogous to bevil wheels and with their
axes making a greater augle than a right angle, I place the shafts in
different planes, and set the anvil piece to guide the rod or bar in a
plane midway between the planes of their shafts, and on the discs being
turned in opposite directions their surfaces impinge in oblique tangential,
directions on the rod between them, and impart a rolling, screwing
action to it. Where an anvil is used a slight excess of surface velocity
may be given to the diso, which moves forwards or towards the anvil
piece. Discs formed, arranged, and driven by suitable gear in this way
can be used for rolling and reducing in diameter metal rods in a heated
or soft state, and by keying the discs eccentrically on their shafts or
by making them revolve in an eccentric or undulatory manner bars may
be rolled with a taper or of varying diameters. And by forming
devices in the surfaces of the discs corresponding devices can be raised
or formed on the bar or rod for various purposes of utility and
ornamentation.
Figures 39, 40, and 41 are a plan and two elevations of a pair of
these disc rolls 1, 2, as adaptod for forging or shaping rivets, showing
them sot in suitable housings 4.
Figures 42 and 43 are an elevation and plau showing the discs 1, 2,
without the housings, and Figure 44 is an enlarged sectional view of
portions of the disc rims showing the position the rivet 10 assumes
between the surfaces whilst the head is being formed, and the form of

page_text: the helical grooves 1111, 21, which shape the head. These disc rolls 1, 2,
have their axes set with reversed obliquities, like the rolls herein-before
described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, the compressing and screwing
action being the same. The disc rolls 1, 2, are keyed eccentrically on
their shafts, and are made to revolve at equal speeds by suitable toothed
gearing. In Figures 39, 40, 41, the discs are in the positions for
entering the heated and soft rod, their acting surfaces being at their
furthest apart. As the discs revolve the space between them becomes
less, causing the compression of the rod, whilst the screwing action
carries the rod across and determines the length of the rivet. At
suitable points the discs are provided with cutters 1", 2", arranged to
meet each other or nearly so as shown in Figure 42, and these as they
come round sever the rivet being formed from the rod or bar leaving a
rough boss at the end of the body of the original diameter of the rod.
Then as the discs continue to revolve and the rivet continues to be
screwed across the boss is acted upon by the helical grooves, and by
them gradually shaped into the desired form of head. In this way a
rivet is finished at each revolution of the disc rolls. Different sizes
and forms of rivets generally require different pairs of rolls, but the
space between the rolls may be adjusted for different thicknesses of the
body or shank of the rivet by means of an eccentric bush 4' applied in
the housing 4 to one of the shafts, and made adjustable by a lever 4",
which is held in any position by a quadrantal notch plate.
By making these disc rolls as shown in Figures 45 and 46, or of an
oval shape, or with their acting surfaces undulatory, two or more articles,
such as rivets, could be finished at each revolution. Suitable gear for
feeding in the bars may be arranged in various ways.
Figures 47 and 48 are a plan and elevation of a pair of disc rolls as
adapted for forming collars on a shaft 10 by means of suitably shaped
helical grooves, and such grooves can be easily modified to produce any
similar shape. I make adaptations of bevilled discs for shingling or
blooming iron and for converting fluid metal into bars and tubes, and
for forging in combination with hammers and rums in manner similar
to what I have herein-before described in connection with conical and
parallel rolls for effecting these purposes. I apply the term "discs"
to the forms which the rolls assume when their axes make a greater
angle than a right angle. Such discs may have their axes in parallel
planes and still give the required oblique tangential impingement on

page_text: the bar or other object 10, whereas with conical rolls with axes making
a less angle than a right angle the reversed obliquity of the axes, as
herein-before described, is necessary for obtaining the same result,
namely, the movement of the object transversely to the impinging
motions, by what is herein termed screwing action.
Figures 49 and 50 are a plan and elevation of a pair of disc rolls 1, 2,
of the form last referred to shown as rolling out and reducing a bar 10,
and having an anvil 5 supporting and guiding the bar. Figure 51 is an
end or edge elevation of these discs. A consideration of Figures 50
screwing action is obtained in
and 51 will make it obvious that the
this example with the axes of the discs in parallel planes.
Figures 52 and 53, on Sheet 4 of the accompanying Drawings are a
sectional side elevation and a sectional plan of a pair of the disc rolls
as adapted to roll out such articles as household fire-iron pokers from
soft heated rods of metal, and also suitable for such work as is herein-
before described with reference to Figures 40 to 48. The disc 1 is sup-
posed to be removed in Figure 52 to show the face of the disc 2. The
grooves to shape the protuberances on the poker are made spirally to
correspond with the transverse motion of the poker due to the screwing
action. The square part towards the point of the poker is formed by
the flutes 2 A guide pipe 5 is shown for guiding out the pokers as
they are finished, one being shown finished and another connected
to it in progress. The motions of the parts are indicated by arrows.
Figures 54 and 55 are a sectional plan and elevation showing a pair
of these disc rolls 1, 2, mounted in suitable housings 4, 4, on a sole
plate 3, and with toothed wheels for giving motion to the discs in reverse
directions. Motion is communicated through the shaft 8 and coupling 6
to the shaft 6 the wheel 6" keyed on it gearing with the wheel 6111
keyed on the shaft of the disc 1 whilst another wheel 611 on the
shaft 6¹ gears with an intermediate wheel gearing with a wheel keyed
on the shaft of the other disc 2. The set screws 26" on the end and
side of the adjustable bush 27 of the disc 2 serve for adjusting the
discs to any required space apart, and may have combined with them
self-acting adjusting appliances to act at any parts of the revolutions of
the discs to produce undulatory motion of its surface to act correspond-
ingly on the bar 10. I also intend to combine these discs with steam
or other hammers as herein-before described with reference to conical
rolls, and as indicated by the anvil 5 and hammer head 12 in Figure 55.

page_text: These discs may also be used for straightening metal bars for con-
verting fluid metal into bars and for forming fluid metal into tubes, by
arrangements similar to those herein-before described with reference to
conical rolls.
Figures 56 and 57 are a sectional elevation and sectional plan of a
pair of these disc rolls as adapted for making small tubes out of fluid
metal in a manner similar to what is horein-before described with
reference to Figures 31, 32. The discs 1, 2 are kept cool by having
their lower parts running in a tank 31 of water. The other parts only
differ so far as is required by the shape of the discs. Similiar arrange-
ments with discs are suitable for straightening bars, and for forming bars
from fluid metal.
For finishing spherical articles, such as shot, I employ a pair of rolls
with a groove formed in the periphery of each suited to the diameter of
the shot, the rolls being set with contrary obliquities in the same way as
for producing screwing action on a cylindrical object with cylindrical or
parallel surfaces. One or both rolls are made adjustable in their housings,
and motion is given to the rolls in one direction, one of them being set
forward to grasp the mass of metal to be formed into a sphere. This
mass of metal is made to rotate by the action of the rolls, and in con-
sequence of their obliquities continually changes its position and axis
of motion, so that it is equally acted upon in every direction, and
eventually assumes a truly spherical form. Spherical bodies, such as
shot, can be cast and then finished by rolls of this kind, the rolls being
used to turn the shot whilst presenting it to the action of grindstones
or other finishing tools.
Figures 68, 59, and 60 are a sectional side elevation, a plan, and
a cross section of a pair of these rolls 1, 2, for shaping spherical bodies.
They are formed with semicircular grooves a little wider than the
intended sphere. The arrows indicate the motions, the shot 10 continually
changing its axis. A suitable housing for these rolls is such as is herein-
before described with reference to Figures 16, 17, 18.
For finishing spherical bodies, such as shot, a set of these grooved rolls
may be used, such as is shown in cross section in Figure 61, there being
used instead of the anvil 5 a grindstone or emery wheel 5' which is
made to revolve in any convenient way, whilst the shot 10 is turned
abcut by the roll, so as in succession to present every point of its surface to
the grindstone, and thus insure its being reduced to a truly spherical form.

page_text: For forming spherical shells or hemispherical articles instead of semi-
circular grooves spherical rolls are used by which cup-shaped articles
are rolled out from heated soft metal, such as crown shell plates for
boilers.
Figures 62, 63, and 64 are in sectional plan, a side elevation, and a
sectional plan showing such spherical roll 1, 2, which require to over-
hang from their shafts and housings (not shown) in a manner like what
is herein-before described with reference to Figure 23, 24. The positions
of the shafts of these rolls require to be gradually changed as the mass
of metal 10 assumes the shell form, a thick circular mass or plate of a
flat form being first entered between them when their axes are in line
or nearly so, as shown in Figure 62. When they are in this position (or
with their axes making less than a right angle) it is an advantage for
the centres not to coincide as shown to produce drawing in action as
thereby the rolls work out from the centre of the plate 10, gradually
drawing in the thick part of the plate and getting out to its outside
diameter and reducing the plate to the thickness between the rolls.
The shafts of the rolls are at the same time gradually turned round in
their carrying frames until they are in the positions shown in Figures 63
and 64, when the metal 10 will have assumed the shell or hemispherical
shape as shown in section in Figure 64.
Figure 65 is a sectional elevation, and Figure 66 is a plan showing a
housing and moving frames suitable for these rolls. The roll 1 is driven,
whilst the roll 2 is adjustable and revolves by the frictional action of
the roll 1. The rolls are carried in movable frames 41, 44, turning on
journals in the fixed frame and moved by means of the worms 29, and
worm wheels 411, the worm shaft being turned by means of the hand
wheel 30. As the plate 10 is being formed the axes of the rolls are
gradually moved round until the two rolls 1, 2, are in the relative
positions shown in Figure 66. The roll 1 is driven by means of a bevil
wheel 31 keyed on its shaft and in gear with a bevil wheel 33 turning
on the journal of the movable frame 4, and actuated by a bevil wheel 32
on a shaft 6 driven in any convenient way.
For straightening and finishing bars aud tubes a frictional screwing
action is employed to grasp, screw through, and straighten the bars and
tubes by means of the internal surfaces of revolving rings, the frictional
screwing action being producible by any body that transmits force by
continuous oblique tangential impingement to any form of body left

page_text: free to revolve. For this purpose, by preference, three rings are used
with teeth on their peripheries and with flanges or joggles at the ends
of the teeth. The internal surface of these rings are concentric with
their peripheries, and may be turned out or fitted with die pieces of hard
metal, the internal surfaces of which act on the bars or tubes, being
rounded out longitudinally to cause the bar to enter freely and to touch
only at middle points when once entered. The two revolving rings at
the outsides or extremities of the set of three rings are set at a slight
angle (about one inch to the foot being a suitable angle) in one direction
from the line or course the bar or tube is to be traversed through, and
the central one is placed at the reversed angle. The interiors of these
rings are also made somewhat larger in diameter than the round bars or
tubes to be straightened and the middle ring is set to the one side out of
lines with the other two rings as much as the difference of diameter of
the bar or tube to be acted upon and the internal diameter of the ring.
In this way when a round bar or tube is passed or entered through
the three rings its periphery is in contact with the internal slanting
surfaces of the two outside rings of the set on one side of the bar,
whilst the opposite side of the bar is in contact with the internal
surface of the middle ring, which as described is placed at an angle
reversed as regards that of the other two. One way of holding these
rings in their positions by suitable bearings and of gearing them to
revolve simultaneously and at equal speeds or suitable speeds is to turn
the points of the teeth and side flanges down to about the pitch line
of the teeth and to correspondingly turn out three bush brackets to
receive them. An opening is formed in the periphery of each bush
bracket to expose the teeth of the three rings all at like points in
one line, and a spindle with three pinions keyed on it toothed to gear
with the teeth on the peripheries of the rings is set in bearings and
serves to drive them simultaneously and all in one direction. The
central ring is by preference made adjustable in its position, so that by
moving it to one side its internal surface is made to press against a part
of the bar which makes the other two rings also bear hard in contact
with the opposite surface or periphery of the bar, the bar (or tube) being
in this way grasped hard by all three rings. On the three rings being
set in motion their internal surfaces grasp and impinge tangentially and
obliquely, and communicate a rotatory and screwing motion to the bar
While the bar is being screwed through between the rings should any
part of it be high or crooked the opposite surfaces of the three rings

page_text: combine to force it straight and at the same time to clean the bar or
tube by attrition.
Various arrangements of axis bushes for adjustment to various sizes
of bars and for gearing these rings to give motion to them in a suitable
way can be made. Instead of the rings being driven by pinions on a
separate shaft gearing into teeth on each ring as described they may be
geared together by bevel wheel teeth cast on the side of each ring and
gearing into each other, and one of the outside rings may be driven by
a belt or other gear and would thus communicate motion to the two
other rings. They may also be connected to each other by projecting
snugs on one ring working into slots formed in the ring next to it.
Instead of working in bearings the three rings may simply have their
peripheries formed into teeth and be carried by the teeth geared into
six pinions, three of them being keyed on a spindle at one side, and
the other three on another and similar spindle at the other side of the
rings. On motion being given to these spindles in one direction and
at equal speeds by suitable gear the rings are caused to revolve in one
direction and held in their places by the teeth and suitable joggles or
flanges on the pinions, and in this way the rings are made to revolve
without bush bearings, whilst adjustment may be made by turning
round one or both of the middle pinions angularly forward of the
others.
This arrangement may also be employed for bending and overlapping
sheets or plate iron to prepare them for the welding furnace and rolls.
To facilitate this operation it will be an advantage to have the plates
partially bent round before they are entered into the rings.
of lap can be given to them by adjusting up the middle ring.
Any degree
For straightening bars of any section other than round bars, such as
railway rails, angle and T bars, square bars, and the like, instead of the
rings or discs having their internal surfaces formed round and concentric
with their peripheries they are shaped similarly to the form of the bar
or at least so as to bear upon their extreme sides or points in their cross
section and somewhat larger in inside diameter than the bars. The
screwing action of the internal surfaces of the rings on bars of this
description is different from that of the action on round bars described
in respect that the bar performs one revolution only for each revolution
of the ring, but it is otherwise screwed or carried forward in the same
way as the round bar on being grasped at both sides at the same instant

page_text: by that portion of the oblique rings that is according to the motion
given to the rings moving obliquely forward and detached as soon as
or before the angular motion of the ring goes the other way, the bar
continuing to move forward. In this way the same straightening and
cleansing effect by the adjustment of the rings by screws or other means
is obviously obtained for nearly all sections of bars as is obtained on
round bars, as hereiu-before described. Frictional screwing motion by
rings may also be employed for turning round bars under the operation
of hammers as herein-before described in connection with rolls. They
may also be used for driving and screwing forward bars under the
operation of turning and grinding tools and for other similar purposes.
Figures 67, 68, and 69 are a side elevation, a sectional plan, and an
end elevation of a set of three of these rings arranged to act on or
straighten a round bar 10 as described, the rings 1, 2, being shown as
acting on the top of the bar, and the intermediate ring 5 on the bottom
or opposite sile. The intermediate ring 5 acts to some extent like the
auvil herein-before described in connection with rolls and discs, and
other parts also acting similarly to parts of the arrangements herein-
before described are marked with the same reference numerals, whilst
the motions of the various parts are indicated by arrows, so that minute
descriptions which would involve considerable repetition are not required.
The rings 1, 5, 2, have teeth formed on their peripheries (but hid by the
housings in Figures 67, 69,) and are driven by pinions 81, 8, 8111, on a
shaft 8. In Figure 68 the form of the housings 4 is shown in section,
as also the form of the internal surfaces of the rings, being in this
example suited for acting on round bars and tubes. Those rings are, as
explained, suitable for imparting screwing motion to round bars or tubes
to pass them under the operation of hammers or turning or grinding
tools; and an emery or grinding wheel 35 is shown acting on the surface
of the bar 10, a guide 36 being placed at the further side to keep the
bar to the required diameter. By forming these rings 1, 5, 2, with the
central die pieces or rings 1, 51, 2¹, removable, and with fixing appli-
ances, as shown, die rings of various internal shapes may be substituted
in the same machine to suit various forms or sections of bar which will
not roll or slip round readily in the die rings; such die rings are shaped
internally to the contours of the bars they are to aut on, but a little
larger, so that one side of the bar may be out of contact, as already

page_text: explained, bars of this kind performing only one revolution for each
revolution of the rings while being straightened by them."
Figures 70 and 71 are a sectional plan and a cross section of three of
these rings 1, 5, 2, carried, as explained, on toothed pinions 8, 8, 8111,
and 91, 9, 91, on parallel shafts, one on each side, and driven at equal
speeds. The pinions have flanges at the sides and are fixed on their
shafts in such positions as to hold the rings 1, 5, 2, in the oblique
positions requisite for obtaining the screwing action on the bar 10. The
driving pinions 8", 9", of the middle ring 5 are made adjustable on the
shafts, so that they can be made to set that ring to the necessary extent
out of centre relatively to the other two rings to enable the rings to
firmly grasp the bar between them. An I railway rail is shown as being
operated upon, the outer rings 1, 2, bearing on its top surface and the
middle ring 5 on its bottom surface. Figure 72 is an end elevation of
housings 4 and sole plate 3 suitable for these rings, and having indicated
in it gearing for driving the two side shafts 8, 9, from a central shaft
below.
Figures 73 and 74 are a sectional plan and a cross section showing a
pair of disc rolls 1, 2, keyed on one shaft in combination with an
intermediate ring 5, the, three having the obliquities, as herein-before
explained, for imparting screwing motion to a round bar 10. A com-
bination of rolls or disc rolls and rings such as that just described will
be advantageous for some purposes. The motions are as indicated by
arrows.
Figures 75, 76, and 77, on Sheet 5 of the accompanying Drawings,
my frictional
are an end elevation, a plan, and side elevation of a set of
screwing rings adapted for straightening and finishing round bars and
tubes, or on changing the central die rings, as explained with reference
to Figures 67, 68, 69, also suitable for straightening bars of various
sections. This machine is shown complete, the rings being held in
casings or housings 4, the outer ones being bolted to the sole plate 3,
which is cast with standards 31, 3', for a slide rod 3", which carries the
housing of the middle ring 5. A screw 3111 is provided for pressing the
middle ring 5 against the bar or tube 10 being straightened. Fast and
loose pulleys 37 for a driving belt are carried on a transverse shaft 38,
which by bevil wheels 39, 40, drives the shaft 8 of the pinions 81, 81, 8111,
which turn the rings 1. 5. 2.

page_text: Figures 78 and 79 are an edge view and a' face view of a central die
ring adapted for straightening I railway rails. All the die rings in the
machine require to be of the same form and to be set to correspond with
each other in position.
.
Figures 80 to 85 are face views of various examples of central die
rings suitable to the forms of bar shown in section within them, and
there will be no difficulty in shaping rings suitably for other forms
of bar.
Figures 86 and 87 are a plan and a sectional elevation showing a mode.
of applying my frictional screwing rings for turning bars under the
action of steam hammers, for which purpose they may be used instead
of and similarly to the rolls and discs herein-before described. The
hain mer head 12 is shown acting on the bar 10, and only one ring ] is
shown with its driving pinion 8.
.
Figures 88 and 89 are an elevation and plan of a machine similar to.
that described with reference to Figures 75, 76, 77, but of a larger size
and adapted for bending and overlapping plates to form tubes ready for
welding in the ordinary tube drawing rolls. The rings are in this
example driven by means of a pair of reversing steam cylinders 41, 42,
the capability of reversing the motion easily being necessary for most
forms of tubes. The plate 10 from which the tube is to be formed is
first partially bended round into the form shown in section in Figure 90,
in which form it is entered into the rings 1, 5, 2. After it is entered the
middle housing or casing 4 with its ring 5 is raised up by means of the
hand wheel 31 and screw 41, and through the intervention of the
lever 43 and the partially bent plate 10 is thereby grasped between the
opposite oblique surfaces of the rings 1, 2, ou one side and 5 on the
other, and on the machine being set in motion has its diameter reduced
and its edges overlapped, as seen towards the right-hand side of Figures
88, 89, and in the section Figure 91. The motion is reversed if required
and the tube made to move longitudinally backwards and forwards by
the screwing action until it is sufficiently rounded and straightened and
its edges overlapped to make it ready for welding in the ordinary
welding rolls.
:.
Various other combinations and arrangements of my improved rolls,
disc rolls, and rings beside the numerous examples I have described
may obviously be made on the same principles; and I would have it
understood with reference to any parts which I have herein-before

page_text: described in connection with any of the examples that my Invention
comprehends, also the use and combination of such parts, where suitable
or advantageous, in connection with any other of the examples; and
also the application of any combinations or arrangements when suitable
or advantageous to purposes described in connection with any of the
other combinations or arrangements. Thus special steam engines com-
prising one or more cylinders and arranged for reversing or not, as
required in each case, may be adapted to any of the machines, and in
particular to the heavier or more powerful machines for shingling,
blooming, forging, or shaping metals; also in any of the modifications,
screws, eccentrics, cams, or other convenient means may be used for
adjusting the movable rolls, discs, or rings.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention, and the manner
in which the same is to be performed, I have to state that what I believe
to be novel and original, and claim as the Invention secured to me by
the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―.
1. The shingling or blooming of iron or steel by means of fluted or
otherwise roughened rolls, arranged and working substantially as herein-
before described.
2. The treating and shaping of metals by means of obliquely disposed
rolls combined with hammers, hydraulic rams, and the like, substantially
as herein-before described.
3. The forming of bars and tubes directly from fluid metal by means
of improved machinery and arrangements, substantially such as are
herein-before described.
4. The making of tubes from heated soft metal by means of obliquely
disposed rolls combined with punches and with mandrils, and worked
substantially in the manner herein-before described.
5. The imparting of various forms or sections to heated soft bars by
passing them longitudinally through suitably fluted and obliquely
disposed rolls, in manner substantially as herein-before described.
6. The straightening of bars of various forms or sections by passing
them longitudinally through suitably fluted and obliquely disposed rolls,
as herein-before described.
7. The shaping of metals by means of helical grooves or flutings, or
both, on rolls or disc rolls obliquely disposed, and acting as herein-before
described.

page_text: 8. The using of discs with their shafts in different parallel planes in
place of obliquely disposed rolls or discs and to produce similar actions,
as herein-before described.
9. The shaping and treating of spherical articles by suitably grooved
obliquely disposed rolls, as hereinbefore described.
10. The shaping of metals by means of spherical rolls having their
shafts obliquely disposed, and with appliances for varying their positions,
substantially as herein-before described.
11. The applying of obliquely disposed rings for straightening bars of
various forms or sections, substantially in the manner herein-before
described.
12. The applying of obliquely disposed rings in combination with
hammers, hydraulic rams, and the like for forging or shaping metals, as
herein-before described.
13. The applying of obliquely disposed rings for bending or over-
lapping plates to form tubes, as herein-before described.
14. The using of obliquely disposed rolls, discs, or rings for presenting
articles to finishing tools or appliances, such as grindstones, substantially
as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Robertson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
5
Witness,
EDMUND HUNT,
Patent Agent,
Glasgow.
JAMES ROBERTSO
(L.S.)