Novel or Improved Means for Use in Fastening the Tips of Stair Rods.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Dec., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 28th July, 1899-Accepted, 16th Sept.,
1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Novel or Improved Means for Use in Fastening the Tips of
Stair Rods.
We, WILLIAM JOHN DOBBS and THOMAS DOBBS, of Adelphi Works, Dudley
Road, Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Stair Rod and Tube Manu-
facturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
According to the ordinary method of fixing a tip on the end of a common or
ordinary description of stair rod, a hollow punch, having the internal surface of
conical or tapering form, is driven over the tip and compresses a portion of the
metal thereof into a groove formed around the rod near to the end thereof. For
this purpose, the end of the rod is fixed in a vice, and the punch is held in one
hand while a hammer is used in the other hand to strike the punch over the tip.
A tip having been fixed on one end of a rod, the rod is removed from the vice,
turned end for end, and refixed in the vice, and the second tip is then fixed by
driving the punch thereover.
Now, according to this invention, the gripping of the rod in a vice is entirely
avoided, and the endway pressure of a tool or punch, of the character above
described, which is being used to fix a tip, is transmitted throughout the length
of the rod to a supporting abutment at the other end. This supporting abutment
consists, preferably, also of a tool or punch of the character above described which,
as the pressure is transmitted thereto, through the rod, acts also in fixing a tip
at such end of the rod, so that by the same operation both the tips are fixed
simultaneously.
In apparatus for tipping both ends of a rod at the same time, two punch
holders, each carrying a punch of the character above described, are carried upon
a bar, which is conveniently horizontal. One of these punch holders is fixed
rigidly to the bar, in a manner which admits of its being adjusted in position
therealong to suit varying lengths of stair rod; and the other punch holder is
mounted on the bar so as to be capable of sliding a short distance endways
therealong. One of the tips is placed within the punch of the fixed punch holder
and an end of a rod is pushed up into the tip (or the tip may be placed around
the end of a rod before pushing the tip and rod into the punch) and then
the sliding punch holder is moved endways to bring its punch over the other
end of the rod, the tip for such end being first placed within the punch or
around the end of the rod. If the tips are to be fixed by hand, the hinder end
of the punch of the sliding punch holder is then struck smartly with a hammer,
and both the tips are thereby fixed. The sliding punch holder is then moved
back to clear its punch from the end of the rod, and the rod is then removed
from the apparatus, and a fresh one placed therein.
The sliding punch holder may be automatically pulled forwards by means of
a spring or weight to engage its punch with an end of a rod, and be moved back
again. to clear the punch from the rod, through the medium of a treadle; or it

page_text: may be moved forwards by means of a treadle, and be returned automatically by
a spring or weight.
The apparatus may be fitted with an automatic hammer which is driven
forwards by a spring or weight and is moved back by means of a cam mounted
upon a spindle which is driven by suitable mechanism. This cam is formed to
'move back the hammer gradually and then to allow it to spring forwards suddenly.
The cam spindle is provided with a clutch which is normally held, by means of
a spring or weight, out of gear with the pulley or wheel which drives the
spindle when the clutch is in gear therewith but which otherwise turns loosely
upon such spindle. This clutch may be put into gear by means of a treadle;
in which case, when a rod is in position for being tipped, the operator depresses
the treadle to engage the clutch with the pulley or wheel, and the hammer
is thereby set in motion.
Apparatus of the character of that above described for tipping both ends of
a rod at the same time might, of course, be used also for tipping one end of a rod
only at a time, if such were required.
35
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicants.
Novel or Improved Means for Use in Fastening the Tips of
Stair Rods.
We, WILLIAM JOHN DOBBS and THOMAS DOBBS, of Adelphi Works, Dudley
Road, Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Stair Rod and Tube Manu-
facturers, 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:
―
According to the ordinary method of fixing a tip on the end of a common or
ordinary description of stair rod, a hollow punch, having the internal surface of
conical or tapering form, is driven over the tip and compresses a portion of the
metal thereof into a groove formed around the rod near to the end thereof. For
this purpose, the end of the rod is fixed in a vice, and the punch is held in onc
hand while a hammer is used in the other hand to strike the punch over the tip.
A tip having been fixed on one end of a rod, the rod is removed from the vice,
turned end for end, and refixed in the vice, and the second tip is then fixed by
driving the punch thereover.
Now, in apparatus constructed according to this invention, the gripping of the
rod in a vice is entirely avoided, and the endway pressure of a tool or punch, of
the character above described, which is being used to fix a tip, is transmitted
throughout the length of the rod to a supporting abutment at the other end.
This supporting abutment consists, preferably, also of a tool or punch of the
character above described which, as the pressure is transmitted thereto through
the rod, acts also in fixing a tip at such end of the rod, so that by the same
operation both the tips are fixed simultaneously.
In apparatus for tipping both ends of a rod at the same time, two punch
holders, each carrying a punch of the character above described, are carried upon
a bar, which is conveniently horizontal. One of these punch holders is fixed
rigidly to the bar, in a manner which admits of its being adjusted in position
therealong, to suit varying lengths of stair rod; and the other punch holder is
mounted on the bar so as to be capable of sliding a short distance endways

page_text: 5
therealong. One of the tips is placed within the punch of the fixed punch holder
and an end of a rod is pushed up into the tip (or the tip may be placed around
the end of a rod before pushing the tip and rod into the punch) and then
the sliding punch holder is moved endways to bring its punch over the other
end of the rod, the tip for such end being first placed within the punch or
around the end of the rod. The hinder end of the punch of the sliding punch
holder is then struck smartly with a hammer, and both the tips are thereby
fixed. The sliding punch holder is then moved back to clear its punch from the
end of the rod, and the rod is then removed from the apparatus, and a fresh one
placed therein.
The sliding punch holder may be automatically pulled forwards by means of
a spring or weight to engage its punch with an end of a rod, and be moved back
again, to clear the punch from the rod, through the mediumn of a treadle, or it
may be moved forwards by means of a treadle, and be returned automatically by
a spring or weight.
The apparatus is fitted with a hammer which is driven forwards by a spring
(or weight) and is moved back by suitable mechanism which allows it to shoot
forwards again suddenly.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood, we have illustrated on
the accompanying sheet of drawings mechanism, constructed according to this
invention, by means of which we tip both ends of a stair rod at the same time.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the mechanism; Figure 2 is a plan thereof;
Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on line of Figure 1, looking in the
direction of the arrow; and Figure 4 is a reproduction, to an enlarged scale, of a
portion of the upper part of Figure 3, for the purpose of shewing some of the
smaller details with more distinctness.
of
A is the bed supported on end standards B. C is a bar, conveniently of square
or other rectangular section, which is fixed at its ends to pillars a which stand
up from the ends of the bed. D) is the rear tool holder, and is a sliding
fit upon the bar C, but is fixed thereto by set pins d. If the pins are slackened,
the holder may be adjusted into any desired position along the bar, to suit any
length of stair rod to be tipped, and be then fixed again by tightening up the
pins d. E is the forward tool holder, and is made a sliding fit along the bar C.
bis the rear tool, and is formed with a shank which is fixed within a portion
the holder D which projects sideways from the bar C, by means of a set-pin d³.
The operative or interior portion of this tool corresponds with the operative
or interior portion of a tool usually employed for tipping the end of a stair rod.
bis the forward tool, and is made a sliding fit within a portion e¹ of the holder E
which projects sideways from the bar C, but this tool is formed with a shoulder
which comes against the inner face of the portion e¹ of the carrier and limits
the distance within which the tool can be slid back within the part c¹ of the
carrier. The operative or interior portion of this tool corresponds, also, with the
operative or interior portion of a tool such as is usually employed for tipping a
stair rod. To tip a stair rod a¹, the holder E is moved back to allow a sufficient
distance between the tools band b¹ for the insertion of the rod, after which the
holder is brought inwards again so as to bring the tool b¹ against the tip at the
forward end of the rod, or to bring the tip over such end of the rod if the tip is
first inserted within the tool. The outer end of the tool b¹ is then struck with a
hammer, and both the tips of the rod are thus fastened in place. The holder E
is then moved outwards again, the rod with its tips removed, and a fresh rod
put into place for tipping. f f are rests which are fixed each at one end to
the bar C, and are formed at their other or outer ends to receive a rod, and allow
it to rest in such position that when the carrier E is moved inwards the tool b¹
will pass over the end of the rod.
The carrier E is drawn inwards by means of a spiral spring h, and is moved
outwards against the force of such spring. It is prevented from moving unduly
inwards by a stop g which acts also as an abutment for the inner end of the spring.

page_text: This carrier is moved outwards, to allow of the insertion or removal of a stair rod,
by means of a treadle l' and chain or cord i which is connected at one end to the
treadle and passes over the guide pulley and is connected at its other end with
the carrier. The hammer is fixed in a sideway projecting portion m of a carrier G
which is an easy sliding fit along the bar C. The carrier G is moved back
against the pressure of a spring n which surrounds the bar C, and when the
exercise of the force by which it has been moved back is discontinued the carrier
is driven forwards by the re-action of the spring a causing the hammer to
strike against the rear end of the tool b¹. The carrier G is moved back against
the pressure of its spring n by means of a cam H, which is mounted upon a
transverse spindle o. This cam operates against a roller which turns upon
a stud projecting sideways from the carrier G, and the cam is of such shape, as
shown, that when it has pressed back the roller to its furthest limit it passes
suddenly out of contact therewith leaving the roller free to be driven back
suddenly by the reaction of the spring ». A pulley J is mounted to turn loosely
on the spindle o, and is driven by a suitable belt. This pulley is formed with a
clutch, and a corresponding clutch r is a sliding fit upon the spindle o, but
slides upon a feather key thereof so that it cannot turn without turning the
spindle also. When it is desired to strike a blow with the hammer, the clutch r
is brought into gear with the clutch 7, whereby the spindle
caused to revolve. The clutch is operated through the medium of the
treadle K and spring L. When the treadle is depressed, the clutch is
thrown into gear with the clutch, but when the pressure is withdrawn from
the treadle the spring L draws the treadle back again, and consequently moves
the clutch out of gear with the clutch q. Two or more blows may be struck in
rapid succession, if required, by holding the clutch in gear with the clutch
the necessary time for such purpose. The force of the blow may be regulated
by adapting the tension of the spring n by means of the collars, which is capable
of being slid along the bar C at the back of the spring, and is provided with a
set pin to fix it in any desired position along such bar.
v 18
The tool carrier E is provided with a projecting pin t, and the end of this
pin, coming in contact with the carrier G as the carrier E is moved backwards,
moves back the carrier G, and with it the hammer 1, a sufficient distance to
allow of the necessary backward movement of the tool to permit of the
insertion of a stair rod within the tools bb.
Apparatus of the character above described for tipping both ends of a rod
at the same time might, of course, be used also for tipping one end of a rod only
at a time, if such were required.
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 claim is:-
1. Improved means for use in fastening the tips of stair rods, which comprise
a fixed tool or abutment to support one end of the rod, a tool or abutment which
is mounted to be capable of moving endways, and a hammer which is operated
by suitable mechanism, substantially as described.
2. The combination of mechanism constituting novel or improved means for
use in fastening the tips of stair rods, substantially as described and shewn
by the drawings herewith.
Dated this 97th day of July 1900
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicants.