IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF LEAD AND OTHER SOFT METAL PIPES AND RODS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Aldridge Clark, of the Phoenix Lead Mills,
Marlboro Wharf, Hammersmith, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF LEAD AND OTHER
SOFT METAL PIPES AND RODS."
Sealed the 23rd March 1880, and dated the 17th December 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Aldridge Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th December 1879.
FREDERICK ALDRIDGE CLARK, of the Phoenix Lead Mills, Marlboro' Wharf,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
Hammersmith, in the County of Middlesex.
THE MANUFACTURE OF LEAD AND OTHER SOFT METAL PIPES AND RODS"
This Invention has for its object improvements in machinery for the manufacture
of lead and other soft metal pipes and rods.
Lead pipes are at the present time commonly produced by pouring lead in a
melted state into a receiver in which it is allowed to set. The receiver is generally
fitted at its end with a die in which is an orifice provided with a core, and the lead
when in a suitable state is forced out through the orifice, and is so made to assume
the form of a tube. The pressure is applied by a plunger entering into the receiver.
The plunger is actuated by an hydraulic press, and is forced with a very heavy
pressure on the lead or metal which the receiver contains. Other soft metal pipes
are produced in a similar manner. In particular, pipes are thus made from the
alloy known in the trade as composition. Rods of lead and alloys of lead for bullet
making are similarly produced. Now in working in this manner there is great
loss of time, during which the expensive machinery stands idle whilst the lead
receiver is receiving the molten metal, and in waiting whilst the metal solidifies and
reaches the proper state and temperature to receive the pressure by which it is
driven as a pipe out of the receiver. According to this Invention I avoid this loss
and expense by constructing the pressing machinery in such manner that the metal
receivers are easily movable; I provide a pair of them, so that one may be in
position and be pressed whilst the other is receiving its charge of lead or metal and
standing for the metal to solidify. I also so arrange that when the charge of one

page_text: of the receivers is exhausted, this receiver may be moved away and the other
receiver brought accurately to its place in the press in order that the plunger may
enter it to expel as a pipe the metal which it contains.
As great strength is required I prefer to form these receivers in cast steel, and I
make the two receivers in one block which I mount in the press on a revolving
table.
A semi rotation of the table removes one receiver from the pressing position and
brings the other to its place.
Or the change may be effected by sliding the receivers to and fro in guides.
The receivers may be formed separately, but it is preferred to form the two 1
receivers of a pair in the same block.
In some cases three receivers may be provided to the press, but usually two will
be found sufficient.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Frederick Aldridge Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
16th June 1880.
FREDERICK ALDRIDGE CLARK, of the Phoenix Lead Mills, Marlboro' Wharf,
Hammersmith, in the County of Middlesex. * IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
THE MANUFACTURE OF LEAD AND OTHER SOFT METAL PIPES AND RODS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in machinery for the manufacture
of lead and other soft metal pipes and rods.
Lead pipes are at the present time commonly produced by pouring lead in a
melted state into a cylinder or container in which it is allowed to set. The
container is generally fitted at its end with a die in which is an orifice provided
with a core, and the lead when in a suitable stato is forced out through the orifice
and is thus made to assume the form of a tube. The pressure is applied by a
plunger entering into the container. The plunger is actuated by an hydraulic
press, and is forced with a very heavy pressure on the solidified lead or metal in
the container. Other soft metal pipes are produced in a similar manner. In
particular, pipes are thus made from block tin and an alloy of lead known in the trade
as composition. Rods of lead and alloys of lead for bullet making are similarly
produced.
Now in working in this manner there is a great loss of time, during which the
expensive machinery stands idle whilst the lead container is receiving the molten
metal, and in waiting whilst the metal solidifies and reaches the proper state and
temperature to receive the pressure by which it is driven as a pipe or rod out of the
container.
According to this Invention I avoid this loss of time and expense by constructing
the pressing machinery with a double or with two containers, so that one may be
in position and be pressed whilst the other is receiving its charge of lead or metal
and standing for the metal to solidify. I also so arrange that when the charge of
one of the containers is exhausted, this container may be moved away and the
other container brought accurately to its place in the press in order that the plunger
may onter it to expel as pipes or rods the metal which it contains.
As great strength is required I prefer to form these containers in cast steel, and
to make the two containers in one block which I mount in the press on a revolving,
sliding, or other suitable table.
A semi-rotation of the table removes one container from the pressing position,
and brings the other to its place. Or the change may be effected by sliding the
containers to and fro in guides.
The containers may be formed separately, but it is preferred to form the two
containers of a pair in the same block.
In some cases three containers may be provided to the press, but usually two
will be found sufficient.
In order that the mode by which I carry the said Invention into practical
effect may be fully understood, I have represented the same on a Sheet of Drawings
hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a plan of the lower part of the press and the double container, and
Figure 2 is a vertical section of same taken on the line 1, 1, in Figure 1.
A is the table or base plate of press; it is supported upon a suitable foundation
with a chamber beneath, into which the tube or rod issuing from the container
passes. A plan of this part is shown separately at Figure 3. B is a rotating table
fitted into a recess in the bed A; C is a double cylinder or lead container which is
&

page_text: secured firmly to the revolving table B by massive bolts; D is a plate secured to
the base plate for the purpose of retaining the rotating table B in its place;
E, E, are the columns of the press; they are shewn broken off, they pass up through
the sides of the inverted hydraulic cylinder in the usual way; F, F, are bolts which
are inserted into recesses in the sides of the table B and container C; when the
nuts are screwed down these parts are securely held together with the dies between
them, as is shown; G, G, are the bolts by which the plate D is secured to the
base A.
A hole or holes are formed in the side of the container C to receive a bar or lever
by which the container and rotating table are turned. It is obvious that the
necessary change of position of the containers may be effected by sliding to and fro,
but the arrangement shown in the Drawings is preferred.
Having described my Invention and the manner in which the same may be
carried into effect, I would have it understood that I claim,—
First. The construction of machines or piesses for the manufacture of lead or
other soft metal pipes or rods with double or multiple containers, substantially as
herein described.
Second. The construction of machines or presses for the manufacture of lead or
other soft metal pipes or rods with revolving tables on which containers are fixed,
and by which they are brought into position beneath the ram of the press,
substantially as described.
.
Third. The construction of machines or presses for the manufacture of lead or
other soft metal pipes or rods, with two or more containers which receive the metal
alternately or in succession, and alternately or in succession are exposed to the
operation of the pressing mechanism, substantially as described.
Fourth. The construction of machines or presses for the manufacture of lead or
other soft metal pipes or rods, substantially as described and represented by the
annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick Aldridge Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.