Apparatus for Electro-plating Articles in Bulk and in Large Quantities.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Jan., 1898-Accepted, 26th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Electro-plating Articles in Bulk and in Large
Quantities.
I, GEORG LANGBEIN, of 62, Torganerstrasse, Leipzig-Sellerhausen, in the German
Empire, Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
The various rotating apparatus heretofore employed in electro plating articles in
bulk, such as cycle wheel spokes, chains, bars, and the like, also small round, angular,
or other shaped articles, have the disadvantage of causing the articles to become
entangled through the rotating action and so distorted, the result being that they
are unevenly plated owing to the varying distances between the articles and the
anode, and thus such distorted or bent articles are rendered useless.
Now iny invention relates to a rocking apparatus whereby the disadvantages above
mentioned are obviated.
Reference being had to the annexed drawings in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal
section, and Fig. 2 a transverse section, of apparatus constructed according to my
invention, a is a rocking cradle which is made of metal, wood, or any other suitable
material not liable to be acted upon by the electrolyte, and is suspended in the
electrolyte contained in the tank w. The rocking motion for the cradle is obtained
from a crank g (or eccentric) which is driven by a pulley h and is adjustably secured
to a connecting rod f pivotted to a rocking lever e in connection with said cradle.
The articles to be plated are placed in this cradle which is suspended from the
bar c by means of hangers 6 which are insulated by rubber sleeves d, or the like,
and to one of which hangers is connected the conductor k. The hangers 6 are in
metallic contact with the trunions r of the cradle, and said trunions are themselves
in metallic connection with copper strips 88, fixed by means of screws to the interior
of the cradle, when this latter is made of wood, or other non conducting material.
The anodes, hang within the cradle and are in metallic connection with the
bar c through metal hangers m, and said bar is in connection with the positive pole
of the source of electricity through the conductor i. The anodes may be in the form
of flat plates, or may be bent to conform with the shape of the cradle, and their
sides and edges may be protected by strips of wood, or other insulating material, n,
to prevent short circuiting with the articles to be plated.
The action of the cradle, as compared with a rotating drum, is that the articles
roll to and fro on the bottom of the cradle without becoming entangled, as is often
the case with rotary drums, and that the rolling movement imparted to them brings
about an even deposit in a short time and with less strength of current, owing to
reduced resistance through the close proximity of the anodes with the articles.
The movement of the cradle can be regulated by means of the connecting rod f
which for this purpose is made adjustable with the crank g as before stated.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that I claim :-
1. Apparatus for electro-plating articles in bulk, consisting of a rocking cradle or
receptacle in which the anodes are hung, and which cradle is adapted to contain the
articles to be plated, substantially as set forth.
2. My improved apparatus for electro plating articles in bulk and in large
quantities, constructed arranged, and operating as hereinbefore described with
reference to and shewn in the drawings referred to.
Dated this 12th day of January 1898.
ERNEST DE PASS,
Chartered Patent Agent,
78, Fleet Street, London, and 5^, Market Street, Nottingham,
Agent for the Applicant.