IMPROVEMENTS IN MOULDING OR SHAPING METALS
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Page, of the Town and County of Perth,
North Britain, Civil Engineer, and William Robertson, of Dundee,
in the County of Forfar, North Britain, Engineer, for the Invention of
Sealed the 25th January 1856, and dated the 20th September 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Page and William
Robertson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 20th September 1855.
We, JOHN PAGE, of the Town and County of Perth, North Britain, Civil
Engineer, and WILLIAM ROBERTSON, of Dundee, in the County of Forfar,
North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MOULDING OR SHAPING METALS" to be as follows, that is
to say:
This Invention relates to a system or mode of manufacturing or preparing
moulds and cores, or moulding surfaces, for casting metals into various shapes,
and especially hollow ware, shells, and shot, whereby great accuracy of contour
and economy in cost are secured.
According to one modification of the apparatus employed for this purpose,
the moulding is carried on by the agency of a duplex machine, combining a
cutter or scraping-out action, and a stamping or pressing effect; this machine

page_text: may conveniently consist of a single heavy casting, with two vertical end
standards and a certain portion for carrying the mould boxes. The mould box
properly filled with sand or loam, which is roughly pressed by a descending
rammer, is first disposed upon a vertically adjustable platform, supported by a
rack and pinion arrangement, the pinion shaft of which crosses the machine,
and has two hand wheels and a balance weight apparatus contrived to keep up
the platform. One of the end standards of the frame has upon it a long eye
or bearing to receive a horizontal tubular shaft, through which shaft is passed
a solid shaft. These two shafts are capable of being made to rotate in reverse
directions by a hand wheel and duplex bevil pinion apparatus attached to the
external side of the machine. The inner ends of the two shafts extend over
the mould box upon the platform, and each shaft carries a half sectional hollow
cutting mould of iron, the external edge of which corresponds to the external
sectional contour of the article to be moulded and cast. When the mould box
is brought within the range of the revolving sweeps or cutters, the latter are
caused to rotate and roughly scoop out the sand or moulding material, the
two edges of the revolving sweeps or cutters being brought into contact with
each other just as a pair of hands would be in taking out a double handfull of
sand; the result of this action is, that the sand or loam is roughly shaped to
the intended form of the moulding surface. In this condition the mould
box is removed to the other end of the platform in the same machine, which
platform has a rack and pinion adjustment, as described. The standard on
that side of the frame has an overhanging bracket head piece, carrying a
metal half section of the pattern, corresponding to the shape already produced
by the scoop action. The platform being now forced upwards, carrying the
roughly prepared mould box with it, the sand in the box is brought forcibly
into contact with the half section of the pattern, which is stationary over
head; this pressing or squeezing effect gives the necessary finish to the par-
tially prepared mould, remedying all imperfections in it, & producing a half
mould fit for use. The fixed pattern is formed with a half-gate pattern
piece upon it, so that the pressing 'action produces the half gate for pouring
the metal at the same time that it completes the half mould. Two half
moulds being shaped in this way, all is ready for putting together with an
enclosed core as may be required for casting. After the primary roughing or
scraping out of the sand, the pressing finish may be effected in several ways.
Under one arrangement, the roughed-out mould is brought under a half sec-
tional pattern capable of being pressed hard down by a hand & bevil wheel
contrivance actuating a vertical screw somewhat like a fly or embossing press.
By another arrangement, the roughed-out mould is set upon a stationary

page_text: platform, above which is the half-sectional pressing pattern, capable of being
brought within range at pleasure by means of an adjustable stop piece with a
continually revolving eccentric or cone upon a horizontal shaft. The pattern
is attached to a plate, which is retained in vertical guides, with a spring con-
trivance to bear up the pattern until forced down by the eccentric action. In
all these cases the essence of this process is the pressing or stamping the
finished moulding surface, by means of a sectional pattern shaped exactly to the
required contour of the intended half mould; or instead of any of these plans,
the moulding action may be completed at one operation by adopting a revolving
pattern, formed with one part to act as a cutter for removing the surplus loam.
and with another part following the cutter and smoothing and pressing down
the loam to the intended shape. When the mould is finished by stamping or
pressing as described, water or steam power may be employed for actuating the
apparatus.
In the various modifications of moulding processes described herein, it is
immaterial which part is moveable and which is fixed, that is to say, whether
the mould is stationary, being acted upon by moving instruments or apparatus,
or whether the mould is moveable, the instruments or apparatus acting upon
it being stationary; but the moulder will adopt that plan which he finds most
convenient in practice. Feet, handles, or other external projections on the
article moulded may be made in the mould by cutters or dies, which may be
either solid or hollow. In preparing cores for such moulds when hollow ware
is to be cast, a skeleton is set upon a horizontal or vertical shaft, and being
made to rotate with a rough coating of loam or other moulding material
thereon, the proper figure is turned or shaped upon such coating by a sweep
or shape, just as a turner would operate in a lathe, or the sweep may rotate
whilst the core is stationary.
By another plan, a moulding core box in two halves is first prepared for the
core in the manner previously described as for shaping the actual moulds.
These two half boxes are then placed upon a flat table, on which is the skeleton
core, inverted and disposed between the two sections; thus, when one or both
sections of the moulding core box are pressed towards each other to embrace
the skeleton core, the sand or loam in the two sections of the box is left as a
coating of the required thickness upon the exterior of the core skeleton, thus
completing the core for use. Although two sections only have been herein-
before mentioned, as used for forming each moulding box, yet it is intended in
some instances to increase the number of the sections. To guide and direct
the sections of the moulding core box in embracing the enclosed skeleton core
when put together for the purpose of covering the skeleton core with loam, a

page_text: double incline projecting ring is formed upon the exterior of the skeleton core,
a corresponding intaglio being cut in the mould box section; this insures
accurate fitting. A similar arrangement is adopted in embracing the core by
the mould for the purpose of casting.
Finally, the patterns used in the herein-before described moulding processes
may be heated by steam or other means, so as to preserve a uniform tempera-
ture, and so as to prevent the loam or mould materials from adhering to the
pattern.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Page and William Robertson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 20th March 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JOHN
PAGE, of the Town and County of Perth, North Britain, Civil Engineer, and
WILLIAM ROBERTSON, of Dundee, in the County of Forfar, North Britain,
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the nineteenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said
John Page and William Robertson, Her special license that we, the said John
Page and William Robertson, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as we, the said John Page and William Robertson, our execu-
tors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
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 MOULDING OR SHAPING METALS,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said John Page and William
Robertson, by an instrument in writing under our 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 imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said John Page and William Robertson,
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in

page_text: and by the following statement in writing, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say-
Our said Invention relates to a system or mode of manufacturing or pre-
paring moulds and cores, or moulding surfaces, for casting metals into various
shapes, and especially hollow ware, shells, and shot, whereby great accuracy for
contour and economy in cost are secured.
According to one modification of the apparatus employed for this purpose,
the moulding is carried on by the agency of a duplex machine, combining
a cutting or scraping-out action, and a stamping or pressing effect. This
machine may conveniently consist of a single heavy casting, with two vertical
end standards and a central portion for carrying the mould boxes. The mould
box properly filled with sand or loam, which is roughly pressed by a descending
rammer, is first disposed upon a vertically adjustable platform, supported by a
rack and pinion or cam arrangement, the pinion or cam shaft of which crosses
the machine, and has two hand wheels, which in some cases may be furnished
with a balance weight apparatus, contrived so as to keep up the platform.
One of the end standards of the frame has upon it a long eye or bearing to
receive a horizontal tubular shaft, through which shaft is passed a solid shaft.
These two shafts are capable of being made to rotate in reverse directions by
a hand wheel and duplex bevil pinion apparatus attached to the external side
of the machine. The inner ends of the two shafts extend over the mould box
upon the platform, and cach carries a half sectional hollow cutting mould of
iron, the external edge of which corresponds to the external sectional contour
of the article to be moulded and cast. When the mould box is brought
within the range of the revolving sweeps or cutters, the latter are caused to
rotate and roughly scoop out the sand or moulding material, the two edges of
the revolving sweeps or cutters being brought into contact with each other,
just as a pair of hands would be in taking out a double handfull of sand; the
result of this action is, that the sand or loam is roughly shaped to the intended
form of the moulding surface. In this condition the mould box is removed to
the other end of the platform in the same machine, which platform may have
a rack and pinion, or other suitable adjustment, as described. The standard
on that side of the frame has an overhanging bracket head piece carrying a
metal half section of the pattern, corresponding to the shape already produced
by the scoop action. The platform being now forced upwards, carrying the
roughly prepared mould box with it, the sand in the box is brought forcibly
into contact with the half section of the pattern, which is stationary over head
This pressing or squeezing effect gives the necessary finish to the partially

page_text: prepared mould, remedying all imperfections in it, and producing a half mould
fit for use. The fixed pattern is formed with a half gate pattern piece upon
it, so that the pressing action produces the half gate for pouring the metal at
the same time that it completes the half mould. Two half, moulds being
shaped in this way, all is ready for putting together with an enclosed core as
may be required for casting. After the primary roughing or scooping out of
the sand, the pressing finish may be effected in several ways...
Under one
arrangement, the roughed-out mould is brought under a half sectional, pattern,
capable of being pressed hard down by a hand and bevil wheel contrivance
actuating a vertical screw, somewhat like a fly or embossing press. By another
arrangement, the roughed-out mould is set upon a stationary platform..above
which is the half sectional pressing pattern, capable of being brought within
range at pleasure by means of an adjustable stop piece with a continually
revolving eccentric or cone upon a horizontal shaft. The pattern is attached
to a plate, which is retained in vertical guides, with a spring contrivance to
bear up the pattern until forced down by the eccentric action. In all these
cases the essence of this process is the pressing or stamping the finished
moulding surface by means of a sectional pattern shaped exactly to. the required
contour of the intended half mould; or instead of any of these plans, the
moulding action may be completed at one operation by adopting a revolving
pattern, formed with one part to act as a cutter for removing the surplus loam.
and with another part following the cutter, and smoothing and pressing down
the loam to the intended shape. When the mould is finished by stamping or
pressing, as herein-before described, water or steam power may be employed
for actuating the apparatus.
In the various modifications of moulding processes described herein, it is
immaterial which part is moveable and which is fixed; that is to say, whether
the mould is stationary, being acted upon by moving instruments or apparatus,
or whether the mould is moveable, the instruments or apparatus acting upon
it being stationary; but the moulder will adopt that plan which he finds most
convenient in practice. Feet, handles, or other external projections on the
article moulded may be made in the mould by cutters or dies, which may be
either solid or hollow.. In preparing cores for such moulds when hollow ware
is to be cast, a skeleton is set upon a horizontal or vertical shaft, and being
made to rotate with a rough coating of loam or other moulding material
thereon, the proper figure is turned or shaped upon such. coating by a sweep
or shape, just as a turner would operate in a lathe; or the sweep may rotate
whilst the core is stationary. By another plan, a moulding core box in two
halves is first prepared for the core, in the manner previously described as for

page_text: shaping the actual moulds. These two half boxes are then placed upon a flat
table, on which is the skeleton core, inverted and disposed between the two
sections. Thus, when one or both sections of the moulding core box are
pressed towards each other to embrace the skeleton core, the sand or loam in
the two sections of the box is left as a coating of the required thickness upon
the exterior of the core skeleton, thus completing the core for use. Although
two sections only have been herein-before mentioned as used for forming each
moulding box, yet it is intended in some instances to increase the number of
the sections. To guide and direct the sections of the moulding core box in
embracing the enclosed skeleton core when put together for the purpose of
covering the skeleton core with loam, a double incline projecting ring is formed
upon the exterior of the skeleton core, and a corresponding intaglio being cut
in the mould box section, this insures accurate fitting. A similar arrange-
ment is adopted in embracing the core by the mould for the purpose of casting.
Finally, the patterns used in the herein-before described moulding processes
may be heated by steam or other means, so as to preserve a uniform tempera-
ture, and so as to prevent the loam or mould material from adhering to the
pattern.
And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood, we have
hereunto appended and shall now proceed to describe three Sheets of explana-
tory Drawings, representing the modifications of apparatus which we prefer to
use in practice for working out our said Invention.
Figure 1, on Sheet 1 of the Drawings, is a side elevation of one modifica-
tion of our improved apparatus for forming moulds by a combined cutting or
scooping out and stamping action, the mould boxes being shown in vertical
section. This machine consists of a heavy iron casting A, which is formed
with two standards B and C. These standards are formed with overhanging
bracket guide pieces D, upon which slide the opposite ends of a platform E,
lying between the two standards, and supported by a rack and pinion arrange-
ment F, the shaft G of which is disposed in suitable pedestal bearings H, and
furnished with hand wheels I at its extremities; or a cam movenient may be
adopted instead of the rack and pinion. The upper end of the standard B is
formed to receive a spindle J and a tubular shaft K, the former passing
through the centre of the latter. Reversed bevil wheels L are fixed on the
shafts J and K, and gear with a bevil wheel M, fixed on the upper end of a
short spindle, carried in bearings in a bracket cast on the standard B, and
furnished with a hand wheel N, by turning which the shafts J and K are
thus made to turn in opposite directions. The inner ends of these shafts
have fixed to them the sectional scoops or cutters O, for scooping the sand

page_text: or mould material out of the mould box P. The scoops or cutters are
represented in face view in Figure 2, and are shaped to the external contour
of the article to be moulded. The mould box P being supplied with sand, and
this sand being slightly compressed by means of a descending rammer, the box
is placed upon the platform E, which is then elevated by means of the rack
and pinion or cam F, so as to bring the box up to the scoops O. When the
proper level is reached, these scoops are made to rotate in opposite directions
by means of the hand wheel N, and they enter the sand or mould material;
and their lower edges, which are represented as apart and in a horizontal posi-
tion, come into contact with each other beneath the sand, enveloping a quantity
of the sand and leaving the mould roughly scooped out to correspond to the
contour of the article to be moulded. This being done, the platform E is made
to descend, so as to carry the box P down from the scoops O, and the box P is
transferred to the other end of the platform, there to have the mould finished
by the stamping action of the pattern piece Q. This pattern piece Q is fixed
to the overhanging head R of the standard C, and is shaped accurately to the
external form of the article to be moulded, which in the present instance is a
pot," or hollow cooking vessel. The mould box l' is forced up to this fixed
pattern Q by the action of the cams F, and in this manner the finishing
impression is given to the half mould. The fixed pattern is formed with a
half-gate pattern S and with half-handle patterns T, so as to form the recesses
in the half mould, corresponding to the gate for pouring the molten metal and
the handles of the pot. Two half moulds being formed in this manner, and
being put together with an internal core, the mould is completed, and the
metal is poured in, in the usual way. Provision is made for moulding the feet of
pots in the half pattern Q, as shown in Figure 16 on Sheet 1 of the Drawings,
this Figure being a section of the half pattern. Three stainpers Z are arranged
to slide in sockets in the half pattern Q, and the outer ends of these stampers
are formed to the shape of the feet. Before removing the pattern Q from the
mould box after it has impressed its shape upon the sand, one or two of these
stampers are thrust from the inside of the pattern out through the sockets into
the sand to form recesses therein for the feet. The two side stampers Zarc
used for one half mould of each pot, and the one central stamper for the other
half mould, so that the completed pot will have three feet placed equidistantly
round it.
Figure 3, on Sheet 1 of the Drawings hereunto attached, is a side elevation
of our improved apparatus as arranged for preparing the cores for the moulds of
such hollow articles as pots and shells; Figure 4 is a face view of the scoops
as detached; Figure 5 is a partially sectioned elevation of the apparatus used in

page_text: compressing the sand or mould material upon the skeleton core; and Figure 6
is a vertical section of the mould, as completed, with its enclosed core, and
ready to receive the molten metal. A cast-iron standard A, Figure 3, supports
an adjustable head or face plate B, which slides on bolts C, passing through
slots in the standard A, being raised or lowered by means of a pinion D work-
ing into a rack upon the standard, and arranged to be turned by a hand wheel
E, fixed upon its spindle. The sliding plate B may be counterbalanced by
means of a cord and weight or otherwise. The face plate B is formed with a
tubular socket F to receive a spindle G and a tubular shaft H, the former
passing through the latter. The spindle G has a hand wheel I fixed upon its
outer end, and also a bevil wheel J, which last is in gear with a bevil wheel
K on a stud carried by a bracket L cast on the plate B. The bevil wheel K.
is also in gear with a bevil wheel M. fast on the tubular shaft H, and this
last is thus caused to turn in an opposite direction to the spindle G when this
spindle is made to rotate. The shafts G, H, have fixed on their inner ends the
scoops N, which are shaped to correspond to the contour of the core. The
core is formed in two half core boxes, of which one O is placed on a platform
P (represented in section in the Drawing, as is also the core box). This half
core box is shaped internally to accurately fit the external form of one half of
the core; it is supplied with sand, which receives a preliminary slight com-
pressing action in any convenient manner, and is then submitted to the scoops N.
The core box being made to correspond in level with the scoops N, these are
made to rotate so as to enter the sand and roughly scoop out all, but a thin
layer or lining lying upon the internal surface of the core box or pattern O.
Two half core boxes being prepared in this way are fitted together, as repre-
sented in Figure 5, upon a hollow core centre or skeleton core Q. The core
boxes and core centre are placed upon the smooth surface of the platform P,
between a fixed or stationary head R, bolted to the platform, and a sliding
head S. The sliding head S is actuated by means of a screwed spindle T,
working through a nut piece U, bolted to the platform, and actuated by means
of the hand wheel V. By means of this apparatus, the core boxes with their
contained layer of sand or mould material are pressed together upon the core
centre Q, and on being withdrawn leave the sand upon the core centre in
the condition of a finished core. The thickness of the layer of sand left in the
core boxes after the action of the scoops N is of course proportioned so as to
give the required degree of compression or hardness when the core boxes are
compressed together, which compressing action may obviously be effected by
means of any suitable mechanisin instead of that represented and described
herein. The modification of apparatus represented in Figure 3 for actuating

page_text: the scoops may also be used instead of that represented in Figure 1 for per-
forming the same kind of work. The core centre or skeleton Q, Figures 5
and 6, is made to fit accurately to the outer mould box by means of a double
incline projecting ring W, which enters a corresponding intaglio cut in the
mould box.
Figure 7, on Sheet 2 of the Drawings, is a front elevation of a modification
of our improved apparatus for giving the finished shape and surface to moulds
of sand or other material for casting metal by compression, as arranged for
moulding shot or shells for cannons, the mould being shown in vertical section.
Figure 8 on the same Sheet is a transverse vertical section, corresponding
to Figure 7; and Figures 9 and 10 are sections of the mould, as completed,
with its enclosed core. The framing of this apparatus is an arched cast-iron
standard A, the lower inner sides of which are made parallel and planed, to
guide the vertically sliding platform or table B. A horizontal shaft C, with
fast and loose pulleys D upon it for driving it by, is passed through bearings
in the standard, and within these has fixed upon it two cams E, upon which
the table B rests, through the intervention of two antifriction pulleys F. The
mould box G is placed upon the table B, and is lifted up to the stationary
pattern H by the action of the cams E when the shaft C is made to rotate.
The portion of the mould in the box G corresponds in this instance to the half
of the shell or article to be cast, as does also the pattern. H. The mould G,
before being subjected to this apparatus, undergoes a preliminary preparation,
which consists in roughly scooping out the sand or mould material, by means
of apparatus similar to that herein-before described, for a like purpose, or
in producing a similar effect in any other convenient way; that is to say,
the mould is brought in any convenient way nearly to the exact contour of
the article to be cast, a sufficient extra thickness of sand being left to give the
requisite hardness of surface on being afterwards compressed to its accurate
finished dimensions. In the half mould, represented in Figure 7, are repre-
sented the two gate apertures I, by which the molten metal is to be poured,
as shown also in Figure 9. The pattern H is fixed to the centre of the arch
of the standard A; it is traversed internally by a pipe or passage J, through
which steam is passed to heat the pattern, and to thereby prevent the material
of the mould from adhering to it. The flange piece K, by which the parting
surface of the mould is formed, is loose upon the pattern piece H, and a ring
or rings of india-rubber or other elastic material L are interposed between it
and the under side of the arch. The flange piece K is thus made to yield to
the upward pressure of the mould until it bears against the shoulder M of the
pattern H, thus leaving the pattern H an exact half pattern. When the

page_text: mould box G recedes from the pattern H, the spring L causes the flange or
ring K to follow it a short distance, and thereby prevents the breaking of the
edge of the parting surface.
Figure 11, on Sheet 2 of the Drawings, is a vertical section of a modification
of apparatus for supplying the mould box with sand preparatory to the com-
pressing operation, this apparatus being contrived so as in certain cases to do
away with the preliminary scooping-out action, herein-before described. The
apparatus is represented as arranged for forming the half mould for a shell;
the mould box A for which is placed beneath a wide funnel-shaped shield piece
B, arranged to guide the sand into the mould from a sieve C above. This
sieve, which is supplied with sand in any convenient manner, is carried by an
arni D, fitted on the upper end of a rocking standard E, which is connected to
a revolving crank F by a link G. The rotation of the crank F imparts a
rocking motion to the standard E, and causes it to shake the sieve C, and
shower down the sand thence into the mould box A. The sand is prevented
from completely filling the mould box by a sieve piece II, corresponding in
general contour to the hollow space to be left in the mould. This sieve piece
E is held by a frame or rim I, which fits on the top of the mould box. The
sand enters the mould between the outer edge of the sieve piece H and the
sides of the mould box, and through the sieve piece H, and fills up the space
left between the two, so that when the sieve piece H is subsequently removed
there will be a hollow space left in the mould, just as if a portion of the sand
had been scooped out by apparatus such as that herein-before described.
Figure 12, on Sheet 3 of the Drawings, is a side elevation of a machine,
combining modifications of apparatus for effecting two of the operations com-
prehended in our improved system of making moulds for casting metals. The
framing of this machine consists of a strong cast-iron standard A, formed with
brackets B, in which are bearings for the massive vertical ramming spindle C.
Directly below this spindle is a table or platform D, cast upon the standard A,
and arranged to support the mould box E; this mould box is represented as
designed for containing the half mould for casting a shot or shell.
The first operation in our improved system of moulding consists in slightly
compressing or ramming the sand in the mould box. It is for effecting this
operation that the ramming spindle C is provided. A. finely-pitched screw
thread is cut upon this spindle at F, which thread acts as a rack, and is in gear
with a pinion on the shaft G, carried in bearings in the standard A. The
shaft G has fixed on it a spur wheel H, in gear with a pinion on a second
shaft I, which last shaft has fixed upon it a hand wheel J. By turning this
hand wheel the ramming spindle C can be raised or lowered. A ramming

page_text: head K is fixed on the lower end of the spindle C, as to compress the sand in
the mould box E, and produce in this instance a slight central hollow. Of
course various forms of rammer head are used according to the article to be
moulded. After receiving this preliminary ramming, the mould box is brought
into a suitable position to be acted upon by the apparatus which is repre-
sented at L. This apparatus is a modification of the scooping-out mechanism
herein-before described. It may or may not be fitted to the same framing
as the details just described. In the present instance the brackets B are
represented as lengthened, and formed with a vertical face plate M upon
their outer ends. On this face plate is arranged to slide a bracket piece N,
sliding on bolts O, passing through slots in the face plate M, being raised and
lowered by means of a pinion P, which works in a rack on the face plate,
whilst it is counterbalanced by means of the weight Q. An arm R projects
down from the bracket piece N, and has jointed to its lower end the two
cutters or scoops S, each corresponding to the quarter of a shot or shell's
contour, or of whatever article is being moulded. The scoops S are connected
by links T to the spindle of a pinion U, which works in a rack on the face
of the bracket piece N. By turning the pinion U so as to depress the links T,
the scoops S are made to turn down on their axis, and enter the sand or
mould material in the box E, cutting or scooping out a portion of the sand
corresponding to the hollow to be formed in the mould. The mould box is
next taken to the apparatus represented in Figure 13.
similar to that represented in Figure 12, and serves to give the finishing
compressing action to the mould. Its framing consists of the strong cast-iron
standard A, formed with two brackets B, through sockets in which is passed
the vertical spindle C, the lower part of the standard being cast with a table
or platform D, to support the mould box E. The spindle C has a screw
thread cut upon it at F, and this thread acts as a rack, being in gear with a
pinion on a shaft G carried in bearings in the standard A. This shaft G has
fast on it a spur wheel H, in gear with a pinion on a second shaft I, which
last shaft has a hand wheel J fast upon it, and by turning this hand wheel the
spindle C is raised or lowered as required. A half pattern K is fixed on the
lower end of the spindle C, and this is made to descend into the mould box E
to give the finishing impression to the mould. A final powerful pressure is
imparted to the spindle C, by fixing the pinion of the shaft G, and screwing the
spindle through it as through a nut. For this purpose, a spur wheel V is
fitted upon the upper part of the spindle C in such a manner as not to
interfere with the longitudinal motion of this spindle, and this spur wheel is in
gear with a pinion on the upper end of a shaft W, carried in bearings in pro-
This apparatus is

page_text: longations of the brackets B. A handle X is fixed on the lower end of the
shaft W, by turning which handle the spindle C is made to rotate, and in this
manner a powerful screwing depressing action is obtained for giving the final
impression squeeze to the mould. When the half pattern is to be withdrawn
from the finished mould, the handle X is turned, which makes the half pattern
rotate as well as ascend, and facilitates its separation from the mould.
Figures 14 and 15, on Sheet 3 of the Drawings, are respectively a front and
a sido elevation of another modification of our mould pressing apparatus. The
framing of this apparatus consists of a strong cast-iron standard A, to which is
bolted a bracket B, formed with slots for the passage of the bolts so as to be
adjustable as to height. This bracket has bearings for the spindle of an
eccentric C, by the rotation of which the pressing action is given. Two side
brackets D are bolted to the standard A, and are formed with guide eyes to
receive the two spindles E of a plate F, upon the under side of which the half
pattern G is fixed. Small collars H. are fixed on the spindles E, and spiral
springs are passed on the spindles between these collars and the lower guide
eyes of the brackets D, and by these means the plate F is supported and re-
elevated after cach depression. The cam C acts on the plate F through a
species of catch piece I, and this is set on end by means of the handle J
when the cam is to operate. The mould box K is placed as before, imme-
diately beneath the half pattern G, and the cam C is made to rotate in any
convenient manner, which action presses the pattern down into the sand and
completes the mould. We may here remark that in all cases the mould
boxes may be kept accurately in line with the cutting scoops and finishing
patterns by means of suitable guides. We may also remark that the mould
boxes and core skeletons are in all cases perforated for the escape of air
from the moulds.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, we may observe, in conclusion, that we do not confine or restrict
ourselves to the precise details or arrangements which we have had occasion
to describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of our Invention; but what
we consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to us by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the general arrangement and construction of machinery, apparatus, or
micans for forming moulds for casting metals, as herein-before described.
Second, the system or mode of forming moulds for casting in metal articles
of various shapes, and particularly hollow ware, shells, and shot, by first

page_text: partially ramming, then cutting or scooping out portions of the mould mate-
rial, or otherwise preparing the mould with a thickness of mould material
occupying a somewhat greater space than in the finished mould, and then
compressing or condensing the mould material and bringing it to its finished
condition and dimensions by forcing a suitable pattern into the mould, as
herein-before described.
Third, the system or mode of forming the core centres or skeletons, and the
mould boxes for casting "pots" and similar articles, with double inclined pro-
jecting rings and counterpart recesses, to insure the accurate adjustment to
cach other of the same, as herein-before described, and as represented at W
in Figures 5 and 6 on Sheet 1 of the Drawings hereunto attached.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Page and William Robertson,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Seventeenth day of March,
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.
JOHN PAGE.
(L.S.)
WILLIAM ROBERTSON. (L.S.)