State into Certain Forms and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Aug., 1886.
Complete Left, 3rd May, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 5th July, 1887.
State into Certain Forms and in Apparatus therefor.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, Fel. Inst. P.A. of the Agency for Foreign Patent
Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, and 323 High
Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to produce from steel, iron, or other tensile metals
in a cold state, and without heating the metal, or turning, articles of a uniform and
hard compacted surface, and of greater strength and density, than those formed by
casting, forging, or turning.
This object is accomplished by this invention, which consists in gradually condensing
and impacting the exterior of a mass of metal upon its interior from the commence-
ment of severance of an adequate quantity thereof to form a desired article of
circular section, in compressing and shaping the mass during severance in suitable
severing and conforming dies, and in continuing thereafter the compressing of such
mass in every desired direction within suitable grooved disks, the sections of which
move at different velocities until the exterior surface forms a uniformly dense enamel
of the same metal.
The mechanism for severing, compressing and comforming the metal may be
constructed in various ways according as the upper die is arranged to revolve past a
counterpart suitably adjusted, or arranged to work horizontally over the lower one by
means of pullies, gear and screw horizontal movement. There are further provided
machines for finishing the articles produced, as described below.
In the first case the machine preferably consists of a revolving bed or wheel upon
which is firmly secured the superior half of a curved twin die, the lower or stationary

page_text: half of which is firmly but adjustably secured upon a suitable support underneath.
The revolving bed is rotated by a shaft and pulley or other suitable mechanism.
In the second case the action being horizontal the dies are straight. Both patterns
of die are grooved on the same principle, the groove commencing at a given point, the
curvature increasing gradually and regularly with slightly increasing ordinates to a
given maximum point, at which the cutting edges of the dies meet. The machine
operates as follows:
A rod of metal to be made into the desired shape is placed transversely upon the
inferior half of a dio and the superior half is caused to rotate or advance to compress
it at its corresponding point, and to pass over the inferior die throughout its length
so that the edges of the upper and lower dies meet at about a given point severing and
compressing all the metal included within the longitudinal curve and causing it to
advance that distance before complete severance. From this point the ball so retained
is compressed and rolled, and drops into a conducting channel by which it is carried
or advanced to the finishing machine.
This machine may be connected with the severing machine, or be independently
established at any distance apart. In one pattern an upper grooved disk provided with
one or more inlets to the shaping groove for the reception of the rough balls is made
to revolve horizontally upon a stationary disk provided with a corresponding groove,
and forming together one groove of two sections, each alike. Or it may be constructed
as a vertical machine having a stationary disk, exterior revolving disk, and interior
revolving disk, which are so grooved as to unitedly present the common groove
composed of three equal sections. The revolving disks are operated by different pullies
upon a sleeved shaft so as to revolve at different velocities. The effect is to cause the
ball to undergo simultaneous rotation and compression in constantly varying directions
until its final exit.
The dies are preferably of highly tempered steel or phosphor bronze, and each half
is longitudinally grooved from a given initial point, with a gradual and constant
increase of depth to the point, where the cutting edges will meet and severance be
completed. The plan of either presents lines of the cutting edges, grooved similarly
to the curvature of an acute parabola, whence the lines are straight to the end of the
die. A simple cone would present straight lines and not curved lines from base to
apex. A groove presenting straight lines like those of a simple cone would not sever
and inclose in the die sufficient metal when compacted and compressed, to make a ball
of the full diameter of the groove, but by such curvature a slightly additional quantity
of metal is constantly and gradually severed and compressed upon the interior mass
sufficient to form a compact and dense enamel. It is apparent that the rod as it rotates
and advances between the dies under pressure sufficient to cut the metal, thrusts off
outwardly a portion of the surplus metal, and that the portions cut off and enclosed
in the grooves of the dies have their fibres compressed or spirally bent towards the
vertical equator of the ball, so that when severance has been effected every portion of
the surface from the equator to the poles has been subjected to like pressure, and is
equally compacted upon the interior mass, excepting the final points of severance.
The subsequent operation of rotating the ball so that its axis of rotation shall
constantly change and still be subject to compression, render the poles of equal density
to the rest of the surface, and insures perfect rotundity.
By the application of the same principles, cones and other forms may be formed, if
the track or bed be sectional and moving at different velocities from each other while
the enclosed mass is caused to advance. In working shafts for car axles or winch
handles, the cutting edges of the dies are to be slightly exterior to the diameter of the
finished article, and the shaft or other form of included metal revolved on its axis
within the die and under pressure until the surface is equally condensed.
Datel L 1
n

page_text: State Into Cortal for apparatus therefor.
A communication from abroad by WILLIAM H. WRIGHT, of Buffalo, County of Erie,
State of New York, United States of America, Inventor.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, Fel. Inst. P.A. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, and 323
High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, 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 :-
Most of the useful metals in a pure state except when crystalline are of a somewhat
fibrous character, and in some degree susceptible of condensation under pressure so
as to occupy less space for any given quantity of metal employed. The fibres of
such metal are also tenacious, ductile and pliable under pressure, but in an increasing
degree between the cold state and a state of fusion. Heretofore such metals in process
of conformation to reduce them to any particular desired shape have either been cast
or forged in a heated condition, or turned in a cold condition. But heat oxidizes
iron and some other metals and also causes steel to lose a portion of its carbon. In
all metals it disarranges the position of the molecules. It expands or increases the
lateral distance between the fibres as well as elongates them and increases the porosity
of the body. In cooling, the outer surfaces contract first and present an uneven and
wrinkled appearance instead of a perfectly smooth surface, while often there is a
scaly or disintegrated surface. The interior portions contract in turn but more slowly,
so that the mass is not homeogenous throughout, and tension upon the exterior is
produced, rendering it friable or brittle in a greater or less degree. The surface
therefore, of such bodies cooled from a heated condition, cannot be of perfect contour.
In the operation of turning, fibres are separated by tearing, as well as cutting, them
from the remaining mass, and the newly exposed surface is not homeogenous with
that removed, nor that which remains. Besides, the operation of turning does not
render the metal more compact.
The object of this invention is therefore, to produce from steel, iron, or other tensile
metals in a cold state, and without heating the metal, or turning, articles of a uniform
and hard compacted surface and of greater strength and density than those formed by
casting, forging, or turning.
This object is accomplished by this invention, which consists in gradually
condensing and impacting the exterior of a mass of metal upon its interior from the
commencement of severance of an adequate quantity thereof, to form a desired article
of circular section, in compressing and shaping the mass during severance in suitable
severing and conforming dies, and in continuing thereafter the compression of such
mass in every desired direction within suitable grooved disks, the sections of which

page_text: move at different velocities, until the exterior surface forms a uniformly dense enamel
of the same metal.
The accompanying drawings represent mechanism applicable to the production of
spheres, exhibiting the simultaneous operation of retaining the metal firmly, severing
it from the surplus while it is rotating on its axis, compressing the outer fibres down
into the mass and incorporating them therewith to form an enamel, and also the
operation of compression and rotation of the mass within sectional grooved disks
having different velocities of rotation to produce a dense compressed sphere of perfect
contour.
Figures 1, 2 and 3 represent various kinds of mechanism for severing, compressing
and conforming the metal, and Figures 4, 5, 15 and 16, those for compressing and
perfecting the same after the severance; Figures 1 and 2, representing the machine
where the upper portion of a cutting compressing and conforming twin die is caused
to revolve, and a counterpart is conformably adjusted for operation upon a bar of
steel R. Figure 3 is a side elevation of a machine operated by pullies, gear and
screw horizontal movement working horizontal dies of like character shown in
Figures 7, 8, and 9 in detail. Figure 6 is an end view of a similar machine provided
with channel guides i, i, and supporting guides j, j, by means of which the dies may
be operated by a reciprocating movement easily arranged by ordinary mechanics.
A is a revolving bed, upon which is firmly secured the superior half B, of a twin
die of which C is the inferior stationary half, firmly, but adjustably secured by bolts F,
upon the cheeks E, adjustably supported by a wedge D within and upon the frame G;
His the shaft, and I pully actuating the same.
Figures 7, 8, 9, show the construction of horizontal arrangement of a die used for
the production of spheres; Figure 7 being plan view; Figure 9 a side elevation ;
Figure 8 views respectively taken at a and c, showing the groove to commence at a
point a, and having a gradual, regular curvature with slightly increasing ordinates, as
far as b, and thence to c, an equal depth of groove throughout; Figures 17 and 8 also
show end views of the cutting edges of the dies. The principle of construction of the
curved or rotary dies is the same as that of horizontal dies.
A rod of metal to be made into the desired shape is placed transversely upon the
inferior half of a die at a, and the superior half is caused to rotate or advance to
compress it at its corresponding point a, and to pass over the inferior die throughout
its length so that the edges of the upper and lower dies meet at about the point b,
severing and compressing all the metal included within the longitudinal curve from a
to b, and causing it to advance that distance before complete severance.
From to c,
the ball so retained is compressed and rolled, and drops into a conducting channel L,
by which it is carried or advanced to the finishing machine, as shown in Figures 4,
5, 15, and 16.
Figures 5 and 15, show such machine connected with the severing machine, though
they may be independently established at any distance apart. In Figure 5, the upper
grooved disk P provided with one or more inlets to the groove M, for the reception
of balls from channel L shown in plan view Figure 4, is made to revolve horizontally
upon a stationary disk O¹, provided with a corresponding groove, and formning together
one groove of two sections, each alike. Figures 15 and 16, are respectively an end
view and sectional view of a vertical machine showing stationary disk O, exterior
revolving disk P, and interior revolving disk Q, which are so grooved as to unitedly
present the common groove M, composed of 3 equal sections. P and Q are operated
by different pullies, 14 and 15, upon a sleeved shaft H, so as to revolve at different
velocities. The effect is to cause the ball to undergo simultaneous rotation and com-
pression in constantly varying directions until its final exit at N.
The dies are preferably of highly tempered steel or phosphor bronze, and each half
is longitudinally grooved from an initial point a, with a gradual and constant increase
of depth to the point b, where the cutting edges will meet and severance be completed.
The plan of either presents lines of the cutting edges grooved similarly to the curvature
of an acute parabola from a to b, whence the lines are straight to the end of the die.
A simple cone would present straight lines and not curved lines from base to apex.

page_text: A groove presenting straight lines like those of a simple cone would not sever and
inclose in the die sufficient metal when compacted and compressed, to make a ball of
the full diameter of the groove from 6 to c, but by such curvature a slightly additional
quantity of metal is constantly and gradually severed and compressed upon the interior
mass sufficient to form a compact and dense enamel. It is apparant that the rod as
it rotates and advances between the dies under pressure sufficient to cut the metal,
thrusts off outwardly as illustrated in Figure 10, a portion of the surplus metal, and
that the portions cut off and inclosed in the groove of the dies have their fibres com-
pressed or spirally bent towards the vertical equator of the ball, so that when severance
has been effected every portion of the surface from the equator to the poles has been
subjected to like pressure, and is equally compacted upon the interior mass, excepting
the final points of severance. The subsequent operation of rotating the ball so that
its axis of rotation shall constantly change and still be subject to compression, render
the poles of equal density to the rest of the surface, and insures perfect rotundity.
By the application of the same principles cones and other forms as shown in
Figures 11, 12 and 13, may be formed, if the track or bed be sectional and moving
at different velocities from each other while the enclosed mass is caused to advance.
In working shafts for car axles or winch handles, the cutting edges of the dies are to
be slightly exterior to the diameter of the finished article, and the shaft or other form
of included metal revolved on its axis within the die and under pressure until the
surface is equally condensed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is
1. An improvement in the art of working soft steel or iron, in a cold state, into
shapes of circular section, which consists in the gradual and simultaneous operations
of severing, retaining, advancing, compressing and conforming a required mass of
such metal by means of suitable retaining, cutting, compressing and conforming dies,
and in the continued rotation in any direction under compression of the severed and
conformed mass within suitable compound grooved disks any section of which grooved
surface is caused to rotate at a different velocity from any other section, and all
substantially as described, until the exterior fibres of the mass are uniformly compacted
upon and incorporated with the mass.
2. The improvement in the art of working metals which consists in compressing
them in sectional dies each section of which has a different velocity of motion from
any other section.
5. As a new article of manufacture a sphere of steel formed while cold by means of
compressing and conforming dies, substantially as described.
4. A twin die for working metals in a cold state, consisting of a two part die
provided with beveled cutting edges each part being a counterpart of the other and
each longitudinally grooved upon gradually increasing ordinates for the gradual and
progressive enclosure, severance compression and conformation of fibrous metals,
constructed and operated, substantially as described.
5. The art of enamelling ductile metals with exterior surfaces of the same metal,
which consists in uniformly impacting the exterior fibres of the metal upon the interior
mass of the same, substantially as described.
6. In inetal working compound, sectional, rotary or horizontal conforming dies,
each longitudinal section of which has a different velocity of advancing or retarding
motion in a common direction with the others, substantially as described.
CM1007
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.