IMPROVE- MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MOULDING, CASTING, AND COATING METAL ARTICLES
Year: 1858

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
* by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Hugh Greaves at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 29th June
1858.
I, HUGH GREAVES, of Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MOULDING, CASTING, AND COATING METAL ARTICLES," to
be as follows:-
For the purposes of moulding and casting, I make use of a horizontal-
frame, supported and capable of being caused to revolve upon or with a vertical
axis. This frame is situated above a corresponding bench or surface, upon
which the moulding boxes or flasks employed may be caused to rest when
required.
The moulding boxes or flasks are suspended or otherwise attached at suitable
intervals to the outer part or circumference of the frame, the size or diameter
of which is made proportionate to the number and size of the boxes or flasks
employed. These boxes or flasks are constructed with gudgeons, which rest
in corresponding bearings suspended from or attached to the frame, and thus
allow of the boxes or flasks being turned over while supported thereby as
hereafter explained.
The pattern of the article to be moulded is placed upon a moulding board,

page_text: which rests upon the bench or surface before mentioned. The moulding box
is then lowered down upon and attached to the board, and the sand rammed
in. The box is next raised clear of the bench by an arrangement provided
for the purpose, and turned over so that the moulding board comes upper-
most. The box is then again lowered so as to rest upon the bench, and the
moulding board removed. A second box or flask is then placed upon the
first and. rammed up; after which the top box may be taken off, the pattern
removed, and the top box replaced in the ordinary manner.
The frame is placed so that one side is situated near to the mouth of the
cupola or furnace from which the articles are to be cast, leaving the remaining
portion with its boxes available for the operations of the moulders. In using
the apparatus the boxes after being filled are raised clear of the bench, and
the frame swung round so as to bring them successively opposite to the cupola
or furnace, where the metal is run into them. They are subsequently emptied,
and by the rotation of the frame again pass into the moulder's hands to be
refilled, and again move round to the casting point as before, a board or screen
is interposed between the furnace and the points at which the moulders have
to work. The rotation of the frame may be effected either by manual or
other power, as thought advisable.
For coating articles with either a metallic or other substance, I make use
of a frame or series of arms, revolving upon or with a horizontal axis, beneath
which is a vessel or cistern containing the coating material in a fluid state.
The articles to be coated are suspended at intervals to the upper part of one
side of the frame, which being made to revolve by manual or other power,
causes the articles to pass through the fluid coating, and to emerge therefrom
at the side of the axle opposite to that at which they entered, they are then
detached, and at once deposited in a carriage brought close up to the frame
for removal as desired.