Improvements in or relating to Electro-depositing Devices.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 20th July, 1897-Accepted, 21st Aug., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Electro-depositing Devices.
I, JOHN BOSSARD, a citizen of the United States residing at Dubuque, in the
County of Dubuque and State of Iowa, United States of America, Electro-Plater,
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:
My invention relates to Electro-Depositing Devices and has for its leading
object to provide means for causing the articles to be deposited upon, to travel
around in a circular manner and receive the deposit, and a single operator can
both introduce and remove the articles from the bath. while standing at a given
place.
This I accomplished by attaching the articles in the bath to a rigid carrier
having cathode connection, which travels in a circular manner carrying the
articles past the anode surfaces suspended in the bath.
Fig. 1, shows a plan view of my device.
Fig. 3, is a detailed side view of the relative position of the anode and cathode
of machinery for propelling same.
Fig. 3, is a detalied side view of the relative position of the anode and cathode
element as arranged in the bath.
Fig. 4, shows the connection of the cathode element.
Fig. 5, shows the connection of the anode element.
Fig. 6, is a plan view of the anode carrier.
Fig. 7, is a side elevation of Fig. 6.
Fig. 8, is a perspective of one of the hooks for suspending the articles in the
bath.
Fig. 9, is a side view of Fig. 8.
Fig. 10, is an oiler for the cathode bar.
Fig. 11, is a plan view of a metal clamp for deflecting the travel of the articles.
Fig. 12, is a rear view of Fig. 11.
Fig. 13, is a part side elevation and the part section of Figs. 11 and 12.
Fig. 14, is a modified form of Fig. 11.
Fig. 15, shows a plan view of a modified form of carrier in connection with two
cathode rings and cathode connection.
Fig. 16, is a vertical section on line X-X of Fig. 15.
Fig. 17, illustrates position of articles while travelling over clamps shown in
Figs. 11, 12 and 13.
Like figures of reference denote corresponding parts in all of the drawings.
1, is the outer, 2, the inner walls of a circular tank having a water tight bottom, 3,
and leaving a space surrounded by the inner wall 2. Between these two walls is
a depositing bath. By this mode of construction of the tank, there is provided
a convenient space for the operating machinery, presently to be described, and
also there is secured the greatest electro-depositing capacity, with the least possible
amount of depositing bath. The tank thus constructed is set upon trestles' 4,

page_text: bolted to the floor or other solid foundation and extending across the bottom of
the tank, as shown more particularly, in Fig. 2. The tank shown is of a circular
ferm but tanks of other forms may be used with equally good results. Upon the
upper edge of the walls 1, and 2, of the tank are fastened the anode carriers 5, 5,
shown in detail in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7, from which are suspended in the bath
the anodes 10, 10. Around the outer side of the wall 1, and the inner side of
wall 2, of the tank, and projecting slightly above the upper edge of the walls on
their outside, are secured metal bands 8, and 9, preferably of copper through
which the electrical current is transmitted to the anode plates. 10, 10. The twe
bands 8, and 9, are connected together by metal strap 11 running from band 8, 1
down the outer side of the wall-1, and under the tank up along the inner wall 2,
as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. Against the inner upper edge of wall 2, are fastened
brackets 13, 13, projecting inwardly and over the bath, to the outer ends of which
is riveted the circular cathode ring 15. This ring 15, is connected with the
cathode element of the dynamos by a wire 16, running through the wall 2, down
said wall and underneath tank to dynamo. To the floor of the building in the
space surrounded by the immer wall 2, of the tank, is bolted a base, having
feet 21, 21, projecting at right angles to each other and forming a foot box, 23,
at the intersection of the feet. In the outer end of the feet 21, 21, are secured the
braces 24, 24, fastened together at their top in a journal plate 25. In the foot
box 23, is a shaft 29, projecting up through the journal plate 25, to the top of
At the
which shaft is rigidly fastened a spider 30, having the curved arms 31, 31.
end of the arms 31, is fastened a rigid carrier 35, of a circular shape having a
metal band 36, secured to the outer side of the carrier 35. This band 36, is set
with its upper edge above the carrier 35, and is formed at its upper edge into
notches 38, the object of which will presently appear.
Near the base of the shaft 29, is a wheel 40, which meshes into a worm 41, and
A shaft 43, which carries
by means of the worm gear the shaft 29, is revolved.
the worm 41, has set upon its outer end a ratchet wheel 45, and also upon said
shaft 43, is pivoted a counter poised rocker arm 46, carrying a nawl 47. To the
outer end of 46, is pivoted a pitman 44, which is adjustably united to a crank 48.
The crank 48, is rigidly fixed to a shaft 50, the outer end of which carries a pulley
Upon this shaft 50,
to which power for operating the machinery is supplied.
between the pulley 51, and the journal 52, is a clutch 54, for connecting and dis-
connecting the power. It is evident that this machinery might be secured above
or overhanging the tank but I prefer the mode shown.
The anode carrier shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is attached to the upper edge of the
Upon the
walls 1, and 2, of the tank by screws, 55, 55, through its arms 56.
longitudinal centre 5, and integral therewith is a contact point 57. Spanning this
point 57, and the band 8, is a link 59, adjustably and movably held in position by
a thumb screw and washer 60, for the purpose of connecting the anode element
to the anode plate 10. When it is desired to disconnect the current from the
plate the screw is loosened and link 59, is turned away from connection with the
band 8. The anode carriers attached to the upper edge of the wall 2, are connected
to the band 9, in the same manner as those upon the wall 1, to the band 8.
Figs. 8, and 9, show different views of hooks 65, for suspending the articles to
be deposited upon in the bath. The hook consists of a curve or other convenient
construction as for instance a "T," or ball at the upper end, to engage with the
notches 38, a body which is broadened so as to make increased contact against the
metal bar 15, and terminating in any convenient means like a hook or loop for
These hooks are suspended from the rigid
holding the articles in the bath.
carrier 35, and held in place in the notches 38, of the band 36, and bear against
the cathode bar 15. Against the outer edge of the cathode ring 15, is removably
secured at convenient distances apart clamps 68, shown in Figs. 11, 12, and 13
by thumb screws 69. Fig. 14, shows a modified form of this clamp. The objec
of the clamp will presently appear.
In Fig. 10, is shown an oiler 70, which consists of a roller upon which is placed

page_text: small quantity of oil. A slight weight 72, is attached to its lower end to hold it
teady as it travels along. The upper end terminates in a hook 73, by which it
s suspended from the band 36. The object of which is to slightly oil the outer
edge of the cathode ring 15, so that the hooks 65, will smoothly travel along the
edge of the ring 15, with the least possible friction.
When it is not
In Fig. 16, we have two cathode rings 15, and 17, one on each side of the
carrier 35, and the cathode connection with rings 15, and 17, is made by a wire 75,
running up through a hollow standard 76, set in the tank, and when two cathode
rings are used there is added to the inner side of the carrier 35, another band 77,-
having the notches 38, and in all respects like the band 36, to which articles to
be plated may be hung thereon, the same as to the band 36.
desired to make connection through the hollow standard 76, the connection with
the cathode element may be made by a trolly 79, on the top of the metal band 36,
By this arrangement the
and metal straps 80, connecting band 36, with band 77.
cathode ring, as such, might be dispensed with or only be used as convenient bars
for attaching the clamps 68 for deflecting the articles in the bath.
The mode of operating my device is as follows; The desired depositing bath is
placed in the tank, between the walls 1, and 2. The anodes are then suspended
in the bath from the anode carriers 5, 5, fastened to the top of the walls 1 and 2.
The required time necessary for making the deposit upon the articles is deter-
mined and the carrier is set to make one revolution in such time by adjusting the
pitmen 44, and the slide crank 48, so that the pawl 47, will compass the required
number of notches or cogs on the ratchet wheel 45, at each revolution of the
pulley 51. Power is then applied to the pulley 51, and by it motion is transmitted
to the carrier 35, as before fully described, and the electrical current is turned on,
but at this time each individual anode is disconnected from the anode element,
except one. The articles to be deposited upon are then attached to the hooks 65,
and hung in the bath from the band 36, in the notches 38, the body of the hooks
bearing against the cathode ring 15, and thus making the cathode connection
with the bath. A second link 59, is then turned crosswise to the wall 1, and 2,
thus making a connection with another of the anode plates 10, in the bath, and
these anode connections are made as often as the cathode surface increases by the
addition of more articles in the bath. It will be seen that the anode surface can
be increased or decreased at will and at any point along the line of the travel of
the article. In "crowding the bath," whereby the greatest amount of deposition
is attempted with the least loss of space, there appears the well known detriment
of "shading" such parts of the articles which are contiguous to each other. To
avoid this, clamps, 68, are introduced at convenient points upon the outer edge of
the cathode rings 15, and 17, which cause the articles in the bath to be deflected
from their line of travel, thereby exposing, hitherto shaded portions, to electric
sight of anode surfaces.
As the articles travel up and down the incline of the clamp they will take the
position shown in Fig. 17, partly on account of the broadened bearing surface of
the body of the hook 65, thereby exposing the side of the articles more fully to
the anode influences and by this movement the bath will be further stirred as well
as the articles given a different position, especially when the clamp is introduced
as shown in Fig. 14.
It will be seen that a single operator can stand at a given place and put the
articles in the bath and start them on their circuit and when they return to him
can remove them therefrom.
It will also be seen that for articles which require a large amount of deposit like
type, the carrier can be filled and set in motion and travel for hours without the
assistance of an operator, and the bath will be continually stirred and always
active.
The construction in detail of my device may be changed in many ways without
de parting from the spirit of my invention, for instance the shape of the tank may
Le other than circular.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. An electro depositing device, consisting of a tank with anode connection, a
circular carrier having cathode connections from which a number of articles to be
deposited upon are suspended within the bath, and means for causing the carrier
to rotate in a horizontal plane carrying the articles to be deposited upon around in
the bath, for the purposes shown.
2. An electro depositing device, consisting of a tank containing a depositing
bath, one or more anodes suspended in the bath and with anode connections, a
number of articles within the bath, cathode connection with the articles in the
bath, a circular carrier adapted to revolve in a horizontal plane above the bath
from which the articles to be deposited upon are suspended, and means for re-
volving the said carrier, whereby the articles are carried around in the bath for
the purposes shown.
3. An electro depositing device, consisting of a tank, one or more anodes, each
suspended in the bath from an individual carrier and each provided with an indi-
vidual switch with the anode element, a rigid carrier adapted to revolve by which
the articles to be deposited upon are carried around in the bath a shaft for sustaining
and revolving said carrier means for revolving said shaft and connection between
the cathode element and the articles in the bath, substantially as described and
shown.
4. An electro depositing device, consisting of a tank containing a depositing
bath, one, or more anode plates suspended within said tank, one or more cathode
rings secured above the bath, electrical connection witli said ring, a rigid carrier
arranged to revolve above the bath; and hooks for suspending the articles within
the bath, adapted to engage with the carrier and bearing against a cathode ring,
all combined to operate for the purposes shown.
An electro depositing device, consisting of a rigid carrier adapted to travel
above the bath, hooks removably attached to the carrier for suspending the articles
in the bath and connected with the cathode element, one or more rings beneath
said carrier having one or more clamps adjustably secured to the edge or edges of
said rings, and means for revolving said carrier whereby the articles to be
deposited upon are carried around in the bath with the hooks from which they are
suspended bearing against the ring, and deflected by engaging with said clamps
out of their line of travel, as and for the purposes shown.
6. In an electro depositing device of the character described, a tank containing
a bath, a revoluble carrier above the bath, hooks depending from the carrier,
articles to be deposited upon carried by the hooks, and a ring between the bath and
carrier and carrying adjustable cams adapted to engage with the hooks and deflect
them out of the line of travel, substantially as set forth.
7. In an electro depositing device, a tank for holding the depositing bath,
consisting of a base, outer and inner walls, said inner wall surrounding an open
bottomed well, and a carrier adapted to revolve, by which the articles to be
deposited upon are advanced in a horizontal plane within the bath, a revolving
shaft for sustaining and revolving said carrier set with in the well surrounded by
the said inner wall, and means for revolving said shaft located beneath the tank,
as and for the purposes shown.
8. An electro depositing device, consisting of a tank, having a base, an outer
and inner wall, said inner wall encompassing a space, one or more anodes, each
suspended from an individual carrier and each having an individual switch with
the anode element, a rigid carrier adapted to revolve by which the articles to be
deposited upon, removably attached thereto, are carried around in the bath, a
shaft for sustaining and revolving said carrier, set in the space encompassed by
said inner well, means for revolving said shaft and connection from the cathode
element to the articles in the bath, as and for the purposes shown.

page_text: 9. In an electro depositing device, a revoluble carrier from which the articles
o be deposited upon are suspended, a ring beneath the carrier, hooks for suspending
the articles in the bath from the carrier, and bearing against the said ring, and an
oiler adapted to come in contact with said ring, whereby the passage-way of the
body of the hooks along said ring is oiled, substantially as described and shown.
10. An electro depositing device consisting of a tank containing a depositing
bath, one or more anode plates suspended in said bath, a rigid carrier adapted to
travel in a circular manner above the bath, one or more cathode conductors
secured to said carrier, having cathode connections, and hooks by which the
articles to be deposited upon are suspended in the bath, engaging said carrier,
substantially as set forth.
11. In an electro depositing device, a tank containing a bath, and having anode
connections, a rigid carrier having cathode connections and adapted to travel in
a circular manner above the bath, a metallic band secured to said carrier and
having notches therein, and hooks for suspending the articles to be deposited
upon the band,
upon in the bath, adapted to engage within said notches
substantiall as set forth.
12. In an electro depositing device, a tank containing a bath and having anode
connections, a rigid carrier having cathode connections and adapted to travel in
circular manner above the bath, a metallic strip secured to said carrier, hooks
for suspending the articles within the bath and adapted to engage with said
metallic strip, and means for retaining the hooks on the carrier at a given distance
apart, substantially as set forth.
13. An electro depositing device consisting of a tank, containing a depositing
bath and having one or more tubes running through said tank and bath, one or
more anode plates suspended in said bath, a rigid carrier adapted to travel in a
circular manner above the bath, hooks for suspending the articles to be deposited'
upon in the bath and engaging said carrier, and electric connections with the
articles in the bath through said tubes, substantially as set forth.
14. In an electric depositing device, a tank containing a depositing bath, one or
more cathode rings above the bath, and a tube through said bath through which
electric connection is made to the articles in the bath, substantially as set forth.
15. In an electro depositing device, a circular tank containing a depositing bath,
having anode connections, a ring above the bath having cathode connections, one
or more clamps secured to the outer edge of said ring, a rigid carrier adapted to
travel in a circular manner above the bath, in combination with one or more hooks
for suspending the articles in the bath, consisting of a hooked upper portion for
cugaging with the carrier, broadened middle portion for engagement with the
clamps, for deflecting the articles out of the line of travel, and with the ring for
making cathode connections with the articles in the bath, and means for attaching
the lower portion of said hooks to the articles in the bath, all combined and
arranged substantially as described.
16. An electro depositing device, consisting of a circular tank, containing a
depositing bath and having one or more anodes suspended in said bath, a circular
carrier adapted to travel in a horizontal plane above the bath, hooks for suspending
the articles to be deposited upon in the bath and engaging said carrier and cathode
connections with the articles in the bath, and means for revolving said carrier at
an intermittent rate of speed, substantially as set forth.
Trinataruth day of July 1897.
JOHN BOSSARD,
By W. Fairburn-Hart,
Agent