Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Mar., 1887
Complete Left, 4th Jan., 1888
Complete Accepted, 10th Feb., 1888
the same.
We AROHIBALD EDWARD MCKECHNIE of Lynn, Essex County, State of Massa-
chusetts, United States of America, Merchant and GRORGE WASHINGTON WICKS of
Brooklyn Kings County State of New York, United States of America, Machinist,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
This invention relates to what are known as plumber's traps intended for use in
connection with water-closets, sinks and analagous receptacles, for the purpose of
forming a liquid seal between the receptacle with which it is connected and the soil or
drain pipes.
The object of the invention is to improve that type of soft metal plumber's trap
having the shape of an enlongated cylindrical vessel. This type of trap has usually
been made by hand, its shape being given to it by the artificer by the use of the
ordinary tools for producing hollow bodies in lead, which method of manufacturing
the same is not only expensive but, owing to the objectionable solder joints incident
thereto, oftentimes results in the production of unreliable work.
The present invention embraces a new mode of operation, both as regards the
production of the trap-body and the insertion of the brass screw-threaded nut in the
mouth of the trap, by which method of manufacture a trap is secured whose surface is
homogeneous, and free from porosity, and also more smoothly finished than that of
ike traps now found in the market.
In the accompanying drawings which form part of this specification, and in which
ike features are indicated by like letters.
On sheet I Figure 1 is a vertical section, partly in elevation, illustrating means
whereby the trap-body may be cast by the method herein set forth, and Figure 2 a
vertical section of the mould shown in elevation in Figure 1.
On sheet II Figure 3 is a view in elevation of the core-expanding wedge, showing
be core in dotted lines.
Figure 4 a longitudinal section of the trap-body as it comes from the mould.

page_text: Figure 5 a vertical central elevation, partly in section, of means for elongating the
cast-trap-body, and
Figure 6 a detached view of the drawing tool.
On sheet III Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view of the trap, and sufficient of the
neck-shaping mechanism to illustrate the method of completing the product and
inserting the screw-threaded nut and washer.
Figure 8 a sectional elevation of the perfected trap with its cover in place and
Figure 9 a top plan view of the cover partly in section, the section being through
the line, of Figure 8.
The mechanism which it is preferred to employ in the manufacture of the trap-
body, and in the shaping of its neck and the inserting therein of the screw-threaded
nut, is made the subject of another British patent of even date with this patent.
The moulding mechanism preferred in practicing this invention, as will be seen by
reference to Figure 2 sheet I, consists of an outer case horizontally divided into
three sections A B C. These parts are cylindrical and are of cast iron, and will be
made of proportions corresponding to the size of the trap-body to be cast. They will
be secured together by suitable easily manipulated fastenings, and the joint between
the base A and intermediate section B will he formed by a depression in one part and
a projection on the other, so as to ensure a closely fitting connection. The vertical
slot a in the base A is to accomodate the lower end of the expanding wedge b which
is to have connected to it a lever for elevating and depressing it.
The top C is provided with an opening e, of the shape shown, for inserting the
molten metal within the mould, and with a steel cut-off d which is circular and
provided with a slot for the passage of the molten metal. Said cut-off is secured to
the spindle e whereby it may be rotated to smoothly separate the lead at the lower end
of the opening c.
The interior of the top C of the mould is made curved on its sides and flat in its
bottom, as shown, so as to give the desired conformation to the exterior of the bottom
of the trap-body. The interior of the intermediate section B is cylindrical in
outline.
The core D is of brass and is made in longitudinal semi-cylindrical sections which
are connected to the cast-iron core mandrel E in such a manner that when the
wedge which fits between two of the core sections and is guided in a slot in the
mandrel and is so shaped at its upper end as to fill out the surface of the dome-shaped
top of the core, is drawn down or depressed, the sections of the core contract suffi-
ciently to compensate for the shrinkage of the lead trap-body in cooling.
In Figure 1 sheet I, the outer shell of the moulding mechanism is shown in side
elevation. In this view F is a table of suitable dimensions and construction, the top
of which has a central opening in which is placed and properly guided the shank of
the plate g to which shank is pivotally connected a lever having a fixed bearing at i.
The top of the table is provided with a platej having a central opening within which
is loosely placed the metallic plate g; and upon the surface of platej near one end is
a lug k provided with a set-screw l.
The moulding machinery is placed in position on table I immediately over the
loose plate g, in which position the mouth of the opening c of the mould coincides
with the outlet m of the melting pot n. The pot n is of the usual construction, and is
set in the masonary o, o over a furnace (not shown). The outlet m of the pot n extends
through the masonary and is braced at p by any suitable means. The outlet is inclined
as shown to afford a free flow to the molten metal, and the pot n is provided with a
valve whose rod is secured to the rim of the pot at s. During the operation of
moulding, the valve is permanently raised and the cut-off for the molten metal is
provided by the plunger t which is square in cross-section and which may be recipro
cated in the cylinder u by the lever v pivotted at w and connected to the top of said
plunger by the link y as shown. The cylinder u is braced to the masonary at and
is connected to the outlet m so that the molten metal from the latter may flow into
the lower end of the former, as shown by dotted lines. In the position shown the
plunger is down, closing the outlet at the end of the cylinder u.

page_text: In practicing this part of the invention, the moulding mechanism being in proper
condition, is placed upon the table F, as shown and its mouth c is brought in proper
alignment with the outlet of the cylinder u and maintained in that position by means
of the set screw l.
In this condition of the parts the lever his depressed, causing the shank f and its
connected plate to rise. This movement causes the moulding mechanism to be elevated
until its opening c is in close contact with the end of the outlet m and the locking of
the lever in the ratchet a secures the apparatus in this condition. The valve r
having previously been opened, the elevation of lever » permits the molten metal to
flow into the mould, and when it is full, and preliminary to operating the cut-off d,
already described, the lever vis suddenly depressed causing the plunger t to descend
with the effect of compacting the lead within the mould before it has sensibly cooled.
It has been found by experiments that the effect of a sudden blow upon the molten
metal within the mould while it is congealing, but before it has fully set, is to increase
the density of the metal, and close its pores, thus giving a smooth finish to the article
operated upon and hence producing a more reliable article and enhancing the
merchantable qualities of the same.
In Figure 4, sheet II is illustrated the form of the trap-body as it comes from the
mould.
After the trap-body is taken from the mould it may be completed, by shaping its
mouth and inserting therein the screw-threaded nut, by the roller mechanisın
illustrated in Figure 7, shect III, and which is hereinafter explained, or it may first
be subjected to a drawing operation by the means shown in Figure 5 sheet II which
will now be described.
Referring to Figure 5 sheet II the letter b' represents the base of a screw-press of
any suitable type, and of sufficient strength, and c¹ the arins or standards which
connect the head of the press with its base. The plan by which the press is
constructed is not important and although a screw-press is preferred other forms of
presses may be utilized in carrying out my invention.
The letter e is designed to represent the screw which may be provided with a
handle for operating the same by manual power, but the purpose is to have connected
therewith suitable gearing whereby the press may be operated by steam or other
motive power.
These details form no part of the present invention and are not
therefore illustrated or further described.
Secured to the screw el in any suitable manner is the frame f' which comprises,
among other parts, the connecting rod g' and ring h. To the ring h' are secured two
or more depending rods which carry at their lower end a frame k' with a groove.or
depression on its inner circumference for the reception of the hard-inetal drawing
tool . By this means the ring or tool is maintained in a fixed position throughout
the drawing operation.
The rod g is secured to the lower end of the screw e¹ by the set screw m² or by
any other suitable means that will ensure a positive connection between the screw of
the press and the frame that carries the drawing implement.
The letter n designates a mandrel of cast iron, having at its bottom a projection o'
which fits into a depression in the top of the bed of the press, thereby holding the
mandrel against lateral displacement. The steel ring pl serves as a gauge to regulate
the length of the drawing process. The top of mandrel n¹ is convex while its body
is cylindrical and tapers slightly from top to bottom.
The letter q' indicates a soft-metal trap in position on the mandrel n³ for being
operated upon.
In practice the trap-body q' will be cast about an inch and a half, more or less,
shorter in length than the finished trap will be. As thus cast it is removed from the
mould and placed, bottom upward, upon the hard-metal mandrel n' which is adjusted
n position on the press. The interior surface of the bottom of the trap-body being
oncave the top of the mandrel a¹ is accordingly made convex, and the circumference
of the mandrel throughout is such as to enable the trap-body to be placed in position
n the mandrel with ease. The mandrel n' is several inches longer than the trap-

page_text: body when the latter is removed from the mould, in order that the requisite elongation
may be given to the body of the trap in the drawing process. As the screw e¹ is fed
downward, by the application of the requisite power, the inner circumference of the
drawing tool or ring impinges upon the cast trap-body at the points a², a², and a
continuation of the downward movement of the drawing tool and its frame results in
the compression and drawing of the soft-metal body of the trap from the points a², a²,
and consequent elongation of the length of said soft-metal vessel. The walls of the
vessel are by this process rendered dense and homogeneous, and with a polished
external appearance closely resembling a hydraulic-drawn soft-metal tube. The exact
extent to which the body of the trap is to be elongated by drawing, in the manner
explained, will be governed by the length of the casting and the depth the finished
trap is to measure, and the degree of effect of the drawing tool upon the trap's
surface will obviously depend upon the relative diameters of the cast vessel and
operating surface of said drawing tool.
When the trap-body pl has been subjected to the drawing manipulation above
defined it is removed from the mandrel n', the frame of the drawing tool being
elevated by reversing the operating mechanism, to permit that to be done, and the
fashioning of the neck and securing therein of the female nut may be performed by
the mechanism heretofore referred to as being shown in Figure 7 sheet III now
described.
Referring to Figure 7 sheet III, the letter A¹ indicates a cast iron die whose
interior is provided with curved side walls and with a flat bottom and conforms
exactly to the contour of the oxterior of the bottom of the trap-body so as to furnish
a substantial rest therefor while the process of finishing the mouth of the trap is
going on.
The letter B¹ represents a cast iron follower of proportions corresponding to the
size of the trap-body to be operated upon. At its lower end it is provided with a
foot 62 with a curved bottom conforming to the curvature of the interior of the bottom
of the trap, but sufficiently small to enable its withdrawal from the trap when the
mouth of the latter has been perfected. The purpose of the foot 2 is to maintain the
trap-body firmly in an upright position while undergoing operation by the mouth
shaping mechanism.
At a proper position on the follower, intermediate between its foot and upper end,
there is formed a cylindrical enlargement c² somewhat less in diameter than the
diameter the mouth of the trap, will have when perfected. The circumference of the
enlargement e² is bored out at three equidistant points for the reception of buttons d²
and springs. The buttons d² fit loosely in said depressions but are prevented from
falling out by pins fixed in the walls of the depressions and operating in grooves in
the heads of the buttons.
Above the enlargement c² is secured a sleeve 2 upon which is fitted a collar and
plate q², h². A bevel gear is to be connected to the collar g' by which said collar is
caused to rotate with the effect of giving an independent rotary movement to each of
the rollers. The function of the rollers, there may be five, more or less, is to
shape the mouth of the trap and compress the lead around the female screw-threaded
nut and metallic washer. The rollers are so formed upon their exterior as to
give the required finish and form to the neck of the trap. The said rollers are
attached to the plate h² by means of headed bolts which pass longitudinally through
their centres and through the plate and are held in place by means of nuts upon their
screw-threaded upper ends. The series of rollers are revolved with the revolution of
the collar and plate 92, 12 and besides each is revoluble upon its own axis.
The conformation of roller is clearly shown in said Figure 7 the flange 1 at its
top being of a width sufficient to overlap the top edge of the trap, and its surface 2
just below the flange 1 being cylindrical and perpendicular to proper shape the
exterior of the neck of the trap, while below the perpendicular portion 2 the
roller is curved inwardly at 3 to properly shape the shoulders of the trap below its
neck.
The manner of shaping the neck by this mechanism is as follows. The trap-body g'

page_text: as it comes from the mould in its incomplete form, is placed in the die A¹, the
follower B¹ being elevated so that its foot 62 is above the upper end of the trap-body.
In lowering the follower into the trap the rollers 2 are slid up upon the sleeve fin
order that when the foot of the follower is firmly seated in the bottom of the trap the
rollers are away from contact with the trap's mouth. In this position the enlarge-
mente occupies a position directly on a line with the neck of the trap-body.
Before the follower B' is lowered into the trap-body its enlargement e² is provided
with a female screw-threaded nut and a metallic washer 2, which is done by
springing back the buttons d2 and slipping the nut and washer onto the enlarge-
ment c. The springs behind the heads of the buttons d² press outwardly and thus
maintain the nut and washer in the proper position upon the enlargement c². Thus
equipped the follower B' is lowered into the trap-body in the manner already explained,
and the collar and plate are caused to revolve with the effect of carrying the revoluble
rollers around the mouth of the trap-body, by which action the desired conformation
is given to the neck of the trap and at the same time the lead of the trap's mouth is
firmly compressed upon the nut 2 and the metallic washer and the top edge of the
mouth of the trap is smoothed and compressed.
In using the apparatus herein described the support for the mould will be arranged
in convenient proximity to the drawing apparatus and the mouth-shaping and finishing
mechanism, so that the process of manufacturing may be carried on expeditiously.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that while the trap-body is cast, its
neck is fashioned by pressure, in the act of effecting which operation the screw-
threaded female nut and reinforcing washer are inserted within the mouth of the
neck.
A com-
The operation of compacting the trap-body while the metal composing it is in a
semi-molten state, or before it has sensibly set, may be carried out by means other
than those which I have shown and which, by preference, I shall use.
paratively slight thrust upon the metal confined in the mould at a proper stage in the
process of its congelation, has the effect of consolidating the constituent particles of
the structure, thus somewhat increasing its density and avoiding the formation of
blow-holes in the trap-body, which will have to some extent the appearance of having
been die-drawn. The operation of subjecting the cast trap-body to the drawing
process likewise increases the density of the metal, and also enables the making of a
lighter trap, of better qualities, than heretofore.
The manipulation of shaping the mouth of the trap by pressure-rolls, further
compacts the metal at that part of the structure and improves its finish and texture.
My mode of inserting the female nut by pressure effects a more reliable union
between the neck of the trap and the nut than is ordinarily accomplished by any
casting process, since in casting the metal upon the ring defects in the joints, due to
shrinkage, blow-holes and the like, are liable to exist.
It will be seen that in the process of manufacture the body of the trap is cast in a
mould and when taken from the mould the upper end or unformed mouth is of the
same diameter as the body, and the bottom has formed on it the projection C which
extends from the centre of the bottom a short distance below the rounding body, and
is of less diameter than said body. The purpose of the projection C² is to provide a
substantial seating surface for the trap, so that it will not be liable to be moved by
accident or otherwise, and thus disturb the connecting joints, when placed in operative
position with the inlet and outlet pipes secured thereto. The depth of the projection C
need be only sufficient to afford a reliable seating-surface.
The core upon which the trap-body is cast is of such a shape as to produce in the
interior of the bottom of the trap a curved or concave surface, the object of which is
to facilitate the flow of the fluids through the trap and prevent adhesion thereto of
any of the solid or semi-solid matters contained in the fluids.
When it is deemed advantageous to draw the cast trap-body, that operation is of
course performed as already explained, before the mouth of the trap is shaped; and
in shaping the shoulders and neck of the trap the screw-threaded nut k² of brass is at
the same time secured in position in the manner set forth herein.

page_text: The metallic washer whose office is to reinforce the exposed inner edge of the
mouth of the trap, may be secured in position at the same time with the nut or by
a separate manipulation, if found more economical. It will be observed that the
washer has its outer surface which is in contact with the lead, inclined or beveled.
The object of this is to give support to the lead at the upper end of the neck, by
spreading it slightly at the point, as clearly shown in the drawings. It also slightly
increases the exposed surface of the lead upon which the brass cover Crests when
placed in position. Another important function of this construction is that the
washer prevents the lead at the inner edge of the mouth of the trap from being
worn away or compressed out of shape by the repeated removing and replacing of
the cover C. Any liability of leakage of sewer gas through the cover is thus
prevented, as the inner surface of the cover outside the flange n is compressed
tightly, when the cover is in place, against the top surface of the neck o² whose inner
edge is prevented from becoming ragged or worn by the washer 12 as described.
Upon the outside of the neck o² is employed a thin but sufficiently rigid metallic
ring p² which may be so shaped at its bottom as to readily conform to the upper
extremity of the shoulders of the trap upon which it rests, as shown in Figure 8.
This ring extends almost to the top of the neck o² as shown, the purpose being to
leave the outer edge of said neck unprotected so that when the cover C is screwed
into position the flange q² of the cover will slightly compress the lead of said edge of
the neck onto the ring p. By this means a secure lead-packed joint is produced at
the point designated, and the lead at that point is prevented from becoming unduly
worn away by the hard metal foundation afforded by the ring p².
The cover is provided with the usual wrench pins to facilitate its attachment to
and disconnection from the trap.
By the described method of manufacture the trap can be made of considerably less
weight than the hand-made trap, and hence its cost of production is greatly
lessened.
In this style of trap it is understood of course that the inlet and outlet pipes may
be inserted in a direct line, one above the other, or in any other suitable relation, one
to the other, according to the position the trap is to occupy with reference to the
structure to which it is connected.
The traps will be made of the several standard sizes.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Plumbers' Traps and in the Art of Manufacturing
the same.
We, ARCHIBALD EDWARD MCKECHNIE of No. 15 Nahant Street Lynn, Essex
County, State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Merchant, and GEORGE
WASHINGTON WICKS of No. 97 Clymer Street Brooklyn, Kings County, State of
New York, United States of America, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to what are known as Plumbers' Traps, intended for use in
connection with water-closets, sinks, and analogous receptacles, for the purpose of
forming a liquid seal between the receptacle with which it is connected and the soil
or drain pipes.
The object of the invention is to improve that type of soft-metal Plumbers' trap
having the shape of an elongated cylindrical vessel. This type of trap has usually
been made by hand, its shape being given to it by the artificer by the use of the
ordinary tools for producing hollow bodics in lead, which method of manufacturing
the same is not only expensive but, owing to the objectionable solder joints incident
thereto, oftentimes results in the production of unreliable work.
The present invention embraces a new mode of operation, both as regards the pro-
duction of the trap-body and the insertion of the brass screw-threaded nut in the
mouth of the trap; by which method of manufacture a trap is secured whose surface
is homogeneous, and free from porosity, and also more smoothly finished than that of
like traps now found in the market.
In the drawings which accompanied the provisional specification, and in which like
features are indicated by like letters,
On sheet I, Figure 1 is a vertical section, partly in elevation, illustrating means
whereby the trap-body may be cast by the method herein set forth, and Figure 2 a
vertical section of the mold shown in elevation in figure 1. On sheet II, Figure 3 is
a view in elevation of the core-expanding wedge, showing the core in dotted lines;
Figure 4a longitudinal section of the trap-body as it comes from the mold; Figure 5
a vertical central elevation, partly in section, of means for elongating the cast trap-
body, and Figure 6 a detached view of the drawing tool. On sheet III, Figure 7 is
a vertical sectional view of the trap, and sufficient of the neck-shaping mechanism to
illustrate the method of completing the product and inserting the screw-threaded nut
and washer; Figure S a sectional elevation of the perfected trap with its cover in
place, and Figure 9 a top plan view of the cover, partly in section-the section being
through the line - of figure 8.
The mechanism which it is preferred to employ in the manufacture of the trap-body,
and in the shaping of its neck and the inserting therein of the screw-threaded nut, is
made the subject of another British patent of even date with this patent.
The molding mechanism preferred in practicing this invention, as will be seen by

page_text: reference to figure 2, sheet I, consists of an outer case horizontally divided into three
sections A B C. These parts are cylindrical and are of cast-iron, and will be made
of proportions corresponding to the size of the trap-body to be cast. They will be
secured together by suitable easily manipulated fastenings, and the joint between the
base A and intermediate section B will be formed by a depression in one part and a
projection on the other, so as to ensure a closely fitting connection. The vertical slot a
in the base A is to accommodate the lower end of the expanding wedge b which is
to have connected to it a lever for elevating and depressing it.
The top C is provided with an opening e, of the shape shown, for inserting the
molten metal within the mold, and with a steel cut-off d which is circular and pro-
vided with a slot for the passage of the molten metal. Said cut-off is secured to the
spindle e whereby it may be rotated to smoothly separate the load at the lower end
of the opening c.
The interior of the top C of the mold is made curved on its sides and flat in its
bottom, as shown, so as to give the desired conformation to the exterior of the bottom
of the trap-body. The interior of the intermediate section B is cylindrical in outline.
The core D is of brass and is made in longitudinal semi-cylindrical sections which
are connected to the cast-iron core-mandrel E in such a manner that when the wedge b
which fits between two of the core sections and is guided in a slot in the mandrel-
and is so shaped at its upper end as to fill out the surface of the dome-shaped top
of the core is drawn down or depressed, the sections of the core contract sufficiently
to compensate for the shrinkage of the lead trap-body in cooling.
In figure 1, sheet I, the outer shell of the molding mechanism is shown in side
elevation. In this view F is a table of suitable dimensions and construction, the top
of which has a central opening in which is placed and properly guided the shank f of
the plate g, to which shank is pivotally connected a lever h having a fixed bearing at i.
The top of the table is provided with a platej baving a central opening within
which is loosely placed the metallic plate g; and upon the surface of plate j near one
end is a lug k provided with a set-screw l.
?"
The molding machinery is placed in position on table F immediately over the loose
plate g, in which position the mouth of the opening c of the mold coincides with the
outlet m of the melting pot n. The pot n is of the usual construction, and is set in
the masonary oo over a furnace (not shown). The outlet m of the pot n extends
through the masonary and is braced at p by any suitable means. The outlet is inclined
as shown to afford a free flow to the molten metal, and the pot n is provided with a
valve whose rod is secured to the rim of the pot at s. During the operation of
molding, the valve is permanently raised and the cut-off for the molten metal is pro-
vided by the plunger which is square in cross-section and which may be reciprocated
in the cylinder u by the lever u pivoted at t and connected to the top of said plunger
by the link y as shown. The cylinder u is braced to the masonry at z and is connected
to the outlet m so that the molten metal from the latter may flow into the lower end
of the former, as shown by dotted lines. In the position shown the plunger is
down, closing the outlet at the end of the cylinder u.
In practicing this part of the invention, the molding mechanism, being in proper
condition, is placed upon the table F, as shown, and its mouth c is brought in proper
alignment with the outlet of the cylinder u, and maintained in that position by means
of the set-screw l.
In this condition of the parts the lever his depressed, causing the shank fand its
connected plate to rise. This movement causes the molding mechanism to be
elevated until its opening c is in close contact with the end of the outlet m and the
locking of the lever h in the ratchet a secures the apparatus in this condition. The
valver having previously been opened, the elevation of lever permits the molten
metal to flow into the mold, and when it is full, and preliminary to operating the
cut-off d, already described, the lever vis suddenly depressed causing the plunger t
to descend with the effect of compacting the lead within the mold before it has
sensibly cooled. It has been found by experiments that the effect of a sudden blow
upon the molten metal within the mold while it is congealing, but before it has fully

page_text: set, is to increase the density of the metal, and close its pores, thus giving a smooth
finish to the article operated upon-and hence producing a more reliable article and
enhancing the merchantable qualities of the same.
In figure 4, sheet II is illustrated the form of the trap-body as it comes from the
mold.
After the trap-body is taken from the mold it may be completed, by shaping its
mouth and inserting therein the screw-threaded nut, by the roller mechanism
illustrated in figure 7, sheet III, and which is herein-after explained, or it may first
he subjected to a drawing operation by the means shown in figure 5, sheet II, which
will now be described.
Referring to figure 5, sheet II, the letter b₁ represents the base of a screw-press of
any suitable type, and of sufficient strength, and c¹ the arms or standards which
connect the head d' of the press with its base. The plan by which the press is
constructed is not important-and although a screw-press is preferred other forms of
presses may be utilized in carrying out my invention."
The letter e' is designed to represent the screw which may be provided with a
handle for operating the same by manual power—but the purpose is to have connected
therewith suitable gearing whereby the press may be operated by steam or other
motive power. These details form no part of the present invention and are not
therefore illustrated or further described.
Secured to the screw e¹ in any suitable manner is the frame fl which comprises,
among other parts, the connecting rod g¹ and ring. To the ring are secured
two or more depending rods which carry at their lower end a frame with a
groove or depression on its inner circumference for the reception of the hard-metal
drawing tool. By this means the ring or tool is maintained in a fixed position
throughout the drawing operation.
The rod g is secured to the lower end of the screw e' by the set screw m¹ or by any
other suitable means that will ensure a positive connection between the screw of the
press and the frame that carries the drawing implement.
The letter n designates a mandrel of cast iron, having at its bottom a projection o¹
which fits into a depression in the top of the bed of the press, thereby holding the
mandrel against lateral displacement. The steel ring p' serves as a gage to regulate
the length of the drawing process. The top of mandrel n' is convex while its body is
cylindrical and tapers slightly from top to bottom.
The letter indicates a soft-metal trap in position on the mandrel n' for being
operated upon.
In practice the trap-body will be cast about an inch and a half, more or less,
shorter in length than the finished trap will be. As thus cast it is removed from the
mold and placed, bottom upward, upon the hard-metal mandrel n which is adjusted
in position on the press. The interior surface of the bottom of the trap-body being
concave the top of the mandrel a¹ is accordingly made convex, and the circumference
of the mandrel throughout is such as to enable the trap-body to be placed in position
on the mandrel with ease. The mandrel n is several inches longer than the trap-body
when the latter is removed from the mold, in order that the requisite elongation may
be given to the body of the trap in the drawing process. As the screw e¹ is fed
downward, by the application of the requisite power, the inner circumference of the
drawing tool or ring impinges upon the cast trap-body at the points a² a², and a
continuation of the downward movement of the drawing tool and its frame results in
the compression and drawing of the soft-metal body of the trap from the points a² a²,
and consequent elongation of the length of said soft-metal vessel. The walls of the
vessel are by this process rendered dense and homogeneous, and with a polished
external appearance closely resembling a hydraulic-drawn soft-metal tube. The exact
extent to which the body of the trap is to be elongated by drawing, in the manner
explained, will be governed by the length of the casting and the depth the finished
trap is to measure, and the degree of effect of the drawing tool upon the trap's surface
will obviously depend upon the relative diameters of the cast vessel and operating
surface of said drawing tool.

page_text: When the trap-body has been subjected to the drawing manipulation above
defined it is reinoved from the mandrel n', the frame of the drawing tool being
elevated, by reversing the operating mechanism, to permit that to be done; and the
fashioning of the neck and securing therein of the female nut may be performed by
the mechanism heretofore referred to as being shown in figure 7, sheet III, now
described.
Referring to figure 7, sheet III, the letter A indicates a cast-iron die whose
interior is provided with curved side walls and with a flat bottom and conforms exactly
to the contour of the exterior of the bottom of the trap-body so as to furnish a
substantial rest therefor while the process of finishing the mouth of the trap is
going on.
The letter B represents a cast-iron follower of proportions corresponding to the
size of the trap-body to be operated upon. At its lower end it is provided with a
foot with a curved bottom conforming to the curvature of the interior of the
bottom of the trap, but sufficiently small to enable its withdrawal from the trap when
the mouth of the latter has been perfected. The purpose of the foot 2 is to maintain
the trap-body firmly in an upright position while undergoing operation by the mouth-
shaping mechanism.
At a proper position on the follower, intermediate between its foot and upper
end, there is formed a cylindrical enlargement e² somewhat less in diameter than the
diameter the mouth of the trap, will have when perfected. The circumference of the
enlargement is bored out at three equidistant points for the reception of buttons d²
and springs . The buttons d' fit loosely in said depressions but are prevented from
falling out by pins fixed in the walls of the depressions and operating in grooves in
the heads of the buttons.
Above the enlargement e² is secured a sleeve 2 upon which is fitted a collar and
plate g² ².
A bevel-gear is to be connected to the collar g by which said collar is
caused to rotate with the effect of giving an independent rotary movement to each of
the rollers. The function of the rollers there may be five, more or less-is to
shape the mouth of the trap and compress the lead around the female screw-threaded
mut and metallic washer . The rollers are so formed upon their exterior as to
give the required finish and form to the neck of the trap. The said rollers are attached
to the plate 2 by means of headed bolts which pass longitudinally through their
centers and through the plate and are held in place by means of nuts upon their
screw-threaded upper ends. The series of rollers are revolved with the revolution of
the collar and plate 22 and besides each is revoluble upon its own axis.
The conformation of roller is clearly shown in said figure 7-the flange at its
top being of a width sufficient to overlap the top edge of the trap, and its
surface 2 just below the flange being cylindrical and perpendicular to properly
shape the exterior of the neck of the trap, while below the perpendicular portion 2 the
roller is curved inwardly at 3 to properly shape the shoulders of the trap below its
neck.
The manner of shaping the neck by this mechanism is as follows: The trap-body g
as it comes from the mold in its incomplete form, is placed in the die A¹, the
follower B being elevated so that its foot is above the upper end of the trap-body.
In lowering the follower into the trap the rollers are slid up upon the sleeve in
order that when the foot of the follower is firmly seated in the bottom of the trap the
rollers are away from contact with the trap's mouth. In this position the enlargement c²
occupies a position directly on a line with the neck of the trap-body.
Before the follower B' is lowered into the trap-body its enlargement c² is provided
with a female screw-threaded nut and a nietallic washer, which is done by
springing back the buttons d² and slipping the nut and washer onto the enlargement
The springs behind the heads of the buttons de press outwardly and thus maintain the
nut and washer in the proper position upon the enlargement c. Thus equipped the
follower B is lowered into the trap-body in the manuer already explained, and the
collar and plate are caused to revolve with the effect of carrying the revoluble rollers
around the mouth of the trap-body, by which action the desired conformatien is given

page_text: to the neck of the trap and at the same time the lead of the trap's mouth is firmly
compressed upon the nut 2 and the metallic washer 12 and the top edge of the mouth
of the trap is smoothed and compressed.
In using the apparatus herein described the support for the mold will be arranged
in convenient proximity to the drawing apparatus and the mouth-shaping and
finishing mechanism, so that the process of manufacturing may be carried on
expeditiously.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that while the trap-body is cast, its
neck is fashioned by pressure, in the act of effecting which operation the
screw-threaded female nut and reinforcing washer are inserted within the month of
the neck.
The operation of compacting the trap-body while the metal composing it is in a
semi-molten state, or before it has sensibly set, may be carried out by means other
than those which I have shown and which, by preference, I shall use. A comparatively
slight thrust upon the metal confined in the mold, at a proper stage in the process of
its congelation, has the effect of consolidating the constituent particles of the structure,
thus somewhat increasing its density and avoiding the formation of blow-holes in the
trap-body, which will have to some extent the appearance of having been die-drawn.
The operation of subjecting the cast trap-body to the drawing process likewise
increases the density of the metal, and also enables the making of a lighter trap, of
better qualities, than heretofore.
The manipulation of shaping the mouth of the trap by pressure-rolls, further
compacts the metal at that part of the structure and improves its finish and texture.
My mode of inserting the female nut by pressure effects a more reliable union
between the neck of the trap and the nut than is ordinarily accomplished by any
casting process, since in casting the metal upon the ring defects in the joints, due to
shrinkage, blow-holes and the like, are liable to exist.
It will be seen that in the process of manufacture the body of the trap is cast in a
mold and when taken from the mold the upper end or unformed mouth is of the same
diameter as the body, and the bottom has formed on it the projection (which
extends from the center of the bottom a short distance below the rounding body, and
is of less diameter than said body. The purpose of the projection C2 is to provide a
substantial seating-surface for the trap, so that it will not be liable to be moved by
accident or otherwise, and thus disturb the connecting joints, when placed in
operative position with the inlet and outlet pipes secured thereto. The depth of the
projection C need be only sufficient to afford a reliable seating-surface.
The core upon which the trap-body is cast is of such a shape as to produce in the
interior of the bottom of the trap a curved or concave surface, the object of which is to
facilitate the flow of the fluids through the trap and prevent adhesion thereto of any
of the solid or semi-solid matters contained in the fluids.
When it is deemed advantageous to draw the cast trap-body, that operation is of
course performed, as already explained, before the mouth of the trap is shaped ; and
in shaping the shoulders and neck of the trap the screw-threaded nut of brass is at
the same time secured in position in the manner set forth herein.
The metallic washer whose office is to reinforce the exposed inner edge of the
mouth of the trap, may be secured in position at the same time with the nut k² or by
a separate manipulation, if found more economical. It will be observed that the
washer has its outer surface which is in contact with the lead, inclined or bevelled.
The object of this is to give support to the lead at the upper end of the neck, by
spreading it slightly at that point, as clearly shown in the drawings. It also slightly
increases the exposed surface of the lead upon which the brass cover Crests when
placed in position. Another important function of this construction is that the
washer prevents the lead at the inner edge of the mouth of the trap from being worn
away or compressed out of shape by the repeated removing and replacing of the
cover C. Any liability of leakage of sewer gas through the cover is thus prevented,
as the inner surface of the cover outside the flange n² is compressed tightly, when the

page_text: cover is in place, against the top surface of the neck o² whose inner edge is prevented
from becoming ragged or worn by the washer as described.
Upon the outside of the neck o² is employed a thin but sufficiently rigid metallic
ring p² which may be so shaped at its bottom as to readily conform to the upper
extremity of the shoulders of the trap upon which it rests, as shown in figure 8. This
ring extends almost to the top of the neck o² as shown-the purpose being to leave
the outer edge of said neck unprotected so that when the cover C¹ is screwed into
position the flange 92 of the cover will slightly compress the lead of said edge of the
neck onto the ring p². By this means a secure lead-packed joint is produced at the
point designated, and the lead at that point is prevented from becoming unduly worn
away by the hard metal foundation afforded by the ring p².
The cover is provided with the usual wrench pins to facilitate its attachment to
and disconnection from the trap.
By the described method of manufacture the trap can be made of considerably
less weight than the hand-made trap, and hence its cost of production is greatly
lessened.
In this style of trap it is understood of course that the inlet and outlet pipes may
be inserted in a direct line, one above the other, or in any other suitable relation, one
to the other, according to the position the trap is to occupy with reference to the
structure to which it is connected.
The traps will be made of the several standard sizes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claimed is :-
1. The herein described method of manufacturing soft-metal Plumbers' traps,
which consists in first casting the body of the trap in a mold; removing the same
from the mold placing the female nut in position within the trap's mouth, and then
subjecting its mouth to pressure, whereby its neck is fashioned and the female nut is
firmly secured therein, substantially as set forth.
2. As an improvement in the art of manufacturing soft-metal Plumbers' Traps, the
method of compacting the metal composing the trap-body, and improving the finish of
the traps' surface, which consists in subjecting the metal within the mold to impart
before the process of congelation has been completed, substantially as set forth.
3. As an improvement in the art of manufacturing soft-metal Plumbers' Traps, the
method of securing the female nut, and supporting washer, within the neck of the
trap, which consists in properly supporting the nut and washer within the mouth of
the trap, and by pressure uniting the nut and washer with the neck of the trap,
substantially as set forth.
4. An improvement in the art of manufacturing soft-metal Plumbers' Traps of the
type comprising an elongated cylindrical vessel, consisting in casting the trap-body
with its month of the same diameter as the rest of the cylinder and then subjecting
the entire circumference of said casting to a drawing manipulation whereby its
length is increased and its surface compressed, polished and rendered free from
porosity, substantially as set forth.
5. The method of manufacturing soft-metal Plumbers' Traps of the type comprising
an elongated cylindrical vessel, which consists in casting the trap-body with the
diameter of its mouth corresponding to that of the rest of the cylinder; then
elongating the said casting by subjecting the same to the action of a hard-metal
drawing implement, and then fashioning the neck of the vessel by pressure applied
through the instrumentality of a set of suitably shaped hard metal-rollers, substantially
as set forth.
6. In combination with a suitable press, the mandrel n', drawing implement and
a suitable frame for guiding the latter, substantially as set forth.
7. The mandrel n', drawing implement and its guiding and supporting
frame ¹¹ combined with a suitable power-press, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 8. A soft-metal Plumbers' Trap, the mouth of whose clearing out opening is
provided with a female screw-threaded nut and with a fixed annular metallic washer
embedded above said nut, securing' it in position and in conjunction therewith
forming a continuous surface of metal harder than the body of the trap, substantially
as described.
9. A soft-metal Plumbers' Trap, the mouth of whose clearing out opening is
provided with a female screw-threaded nut, and with a fixed annular metallic washer
embedded above said nut and having its outer surface bevelled or inclined for securing
the nut in position, said nut and washer forming a continuous surface of metal harder
than the body of the trap, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
10. A soft-metal Plumbers' Trap whose clearing out opening is provided on its
interior with an embedded screw-threaded nut, and exteriorly with a metallic
strengthening ring, as p² substantially as described.
11. A soft-metal Plumbers' Trap, the mouth of whose clearing out opening is
provided with the embedded screw-threaded nut and metallic retaining washer 12
forming a continuous surface of metal harder than the body of the trap and with an
exterior strengthening ring the upper edge of which is embedded in the soft metal of
the trap, substantially as described.
1
. .
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.