Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Hardening and Tempering Needles and similar Artioles.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Mar., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 6th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 6th Mar., 1898.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Hardening and
Tempering Needles and similar Artioles.
We, EDWARD WHITE, Windsor Works, Redditch, Engineer, and ALBERT
ERNEST LAYTON, Gas Works, Redditch, in the County of Worcester, Gas
Works Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
We convey the articles under operation through a tube or trough of couvenient
length beated by gas or fuel in a suitable furnace. The tube or trough is made to
rotate, or oscillate to and fro, and is placed in an inclined position, to facilitate the
transit of the articles; such inclination being made adjustable, for the purpose of
varying the time the articles are exposed to the heat. The articles may be fed
from a hopper, by meaus of an endless band, or by hand, to suit the class of work
being operated upon.
Dated this Fourth day of March 1895.
EDWARD WHITE.
ALBERT ERNEST LAYTON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Hardening and
Tempering Needles and similar Artiales.
We EDWARD WHITE, Windsor Works, Redditch, Engineer, and ALBERT
ERNEST LAYTON, Gas Works, Redditch, in the County of Worcester, 'Gas
Works Manager, 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:-
For convenienco we will describe our invention as applied to the bardening and
tempering of ordinary sewing needles.
In the drawing
Fig. is a longitudinal section of furnace, with upper portion K, and 'M, in
perspective.
Fig. 2 elevation of lower end.
Fig. 3 trough in perspective.
We take a tube A, of suitable length (one made of steel answers the purpose,
but we do not confine ourselves to this material alone) and support it in convenient
bearings B at a considerable angle to the horizontal. This tube we cause to rotate
by faing a.pulley C or toothed wheel upon the upper end thereof, and connecting
same with any convenient motive power. We partially encase the tube A by
means of suitable 'blocks of fireclay Do other non-conduating material after the
manner of gas heated muffle furnaces.
The tube is raised to the desired temperature by jets of gas E or a mixture of
gas and air impinging on the lower part or sides thereof, suitable openings F being
provided in the blocks for the gas jets and also for the escape of the products

page_text: of combustion at F'. The gas jets are controlled by suitable conks or valves G
for the purpose of varying the temperature. The gas supply must be sufficient in
the case of hardening, to maintain the tube at a bright red heat, but for the
purpose of tempering the heat is reduced sufficiently to give the needles the
required temper.
we
are
We provide an iron casing or frame H for the purpose of supporting the
fireclay blocks, and fitted with boarings B carrying the tube. The said frame is
hinged at the upper end I, and near the lower end we place a convenient
screw arrangement J for adjusting the inclination, by which means
enabled to vary the time the needles are exposed to the heated tube. For feeding
the needles into the tube we provide an endless baud K, travelling over horizontal
rollers L, upon which band the needles are placed either by hand or any convenient
mechanical appliance. The direction of rotation to the rollers is such, that the
needles are carried forward and dropped into a convenient shoot M, which
delivers them into the upper end of the tube, or they may be dropped into the shoot
direct by band, or mechanically.
By means of the rotary motion of the tube and gravitation combined, the noedles
are caused to travel to the lower or discharging end A', the rate of transit being
controlled by the amount of inclination of the said tube, which is adjustable by the
before mentioned screw arrangement.
To facilitate the rapid exit of the needles from the tube, we make the lower end
of same, bell-mouthed, from which in the case of hardening they fall into a
receptacle containing the cooling medium. In the case of tempering the needles
may be allowed to cool gradually.
Instead of employing a tube we may use a trough N Figure 3 open at the top,
placed in the gas heated muffle furnace, and conveniently supported on suitable
bearings B. In this case we give it an axially oscillating motion, instead of
rotation, by attaching a rocking lever to the trough, the lever receiving a
reciprocating motion from any convenient source.
We also form the discharging end into a sloping mouth P to facilitate the exit
of the needles, instead of the hell-mouth when using a tube, as before described.
It will therefore be seen from the foregoing description, that the needles do not in
any part of the process come into contact with the flame or fuel; thereby obviating
any injurious oxydation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The method of heating needles and similar articles, for hardening and
tempering, by means of the heated tube in such a manner that they are prevented
from coming into contact with the flame or fuel, thereby preventing oxydation,
substantially as described.
2. Giving a bell-mouthed shape to the lower, or exit end of bented tube, to
facilitate the rapid transit of the needles and similar articles to the cooling
medium.
3. Employing a trough with sloping mouth, instead of a bell-mouthed tube, in
the same way and for the same purpose.
Dated this Fifth day of December 1895.
EDWARD WHITE.
ALBERT ERNEST LAYTON.