Improvements in Apparatus for Forming Earthenware Electric Switches and the like.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 27th Dec., 1893-Accepted, 3rd Mar., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Forming Earthenware Electric
Switches and the like.
We MICHAEL DAINTRY HOLLINS of Stoke-on-Trent, Tile Manufacturer and
JOSEPH MEIR of 13 Stanley Street, Burslem, Staffordshire, Potter, do hereby
declare the nature of our said invention to be as follows:-
These improvements refer to an invention for which I the said Joseph Meir
applied for Letters Patent No. 17462 on the 30th day of September 1892 and have
for their object, first an improved arrangement of the "dies" and moulding box
described in the former Specification more particularly for the forming of the base
of the electric switch whereby I am enabled not only to form and detach the pressed
base expeditiously as in the said former Specification, but am enabled at the same
time to pierce or form the required number of holes therein. Secondly, our
improvements refer to an improved tapping tool for forming the screw threads in
the said holes in the base more quickly than heretofore.
In carrying out the first part of our invention we form the block (which works
within the moulding box and supports the ring for forming the screw thread on the
base) hollow and fit therein a secondary block or piston capable of rising and falling
within certain limits within the outer block.
To the top of this inner block or piston we attach pins or studs which pass
through corresponding holes in the top of the outer block and the lower end of the
piston is connected by a vertical spindle to (by preference) a hand lever suitably
disposed for operating the same. A locking bolt is arranged to operate between
the inner and outer blocks so that the blocks can be made to rise or fall together
when desired.
The action is as follows:-The pressed base of the electric switch under process
of formation in the manner described in the said former Specification and whilst
still under pressure in the fly press has the holes pierced in it by pressing down the
hand lever causing the inner block to rise and force the pins into the plastic
material. The pins are then withdrawn by raising the lever, the bolt before_
mentioned is now pushed in so locking the inner and outer blocks together, the fly
press is unscrewed and upon the handle being again depressed the base is ejected
from the moulding box ready to be removed to the "whirler or other instrument
for detaching, it from the moulding ring. The "pins" may vary in length
according to whether the holes are to pass entirely through or only partially
through the base.
The pins or pegs for forming the holes for leading in the wires may be formed
wholly or partially in the die or plunger of the fly press and may be shaped to form
a channel extension across the under side of the base to more conveniently lay the
wires in erecting the finished article.
In carrying out the second part of our invention we gear the screw spindle of the
tapping tool to a wheel of larger diameter so that we can obtain a more rapid
rotation of the tapping tool and proportionately quicker tapping.
The wheels may be either spur geared or driven by band or other convenient
method.
Dated this 22nd day of March 1802
JOHN G. WILSON & Co.,
Agents.

page_text: CUM LEIE DIEUITIVATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Forming Earthenware Electric
Switches and the like.
We MICHAEL DAINTRY HOLLINS of Stoke-on-Trent, Tile Manufacturer and
JOSEPH MEIR of 13 Stanley Street, Burslem, Staffordshire, Potter, do hereby
declare the nature of our said invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
These improvements refer to an invention for which one of us (Joseph Meir)
applied for Letters Patent No. 17462 on the 30th day of September 1892, and
have for their object, first an improved arrangement of the "dies" and moulding
box. described in the Specification of the Patent aforesaid, more particularly for the
formation of the base of the electric switch whereby we are enabled not only to
form and detach the pressed base expeditiously as in the said former Specification,
but are enabled to pierce or form the required number of holes therein. Secondly,
our improvements refer to an improved tapping tool for forming screw threads in
the said holes in the base more quickly than heretofore.
On the accompanying drawing
Fig. 1 illustrates the same or a similar fly press to that described in the
Specification aforesaid which is fitted with a moulding box containing the lower die
and a screw plunger carrying the upper die for forming the base of an electric
switch.
Figs. 2 to 7 illustrate in section and plan respectively on a larger scale, the
moulding box portion only of said press, the several sections illustrating the various
stages in the formation and piercing of the switch base. Figs. 2 and 3 are
transverse sections taken on line a-band Figs. 4 and 5 are transverse sections
taken on line c-d. (See plan views Figs. 6 and 7.)
In all the views (A) designates the moulding box of our improved press (B) the
upper die secured to the screw plunger (C) for imparting the required form to the
top side of the pressed work, and (D) the lower die or ring resting on block (E) for
imparting the required form to the underside of the pressed work and for forming
the screw thread thereon as described in the Specification hereinbefore mentioned.
In accordance with our invention instead of the block (E) being formed
_solid as heretofore, we form it hollow as illustrated and within said block we fit a
secondary block or piston (F) capable of rising and falling within certain limits
within said block (E). To the top of this inner block or piston (F) we attach the
pins or studs (G) which pass through corresponding holes in the top of the outer
block (E). The lower end of the inner block or piston (F) is connected to a
vertical spindle (H) which extends downwards beneath the table of the press
(see Fig. 1) and is provided with a slot (I) for the end of the hand lever (J) to
take into and so serve to raise and lower the spindle.
To permit of the inner and outer blocks (E) and (F) rising or falling together
when desired we provide the locking bolt (K) which is capable of sliding to and
fro and taking into the slots or openings (L) and (L') in the two blocks.
The switch base under formation having been introduced into the moulding
box (A) the upper die (B) is screwed down into said box giving to the plastic
material the definite shape of the base shewn by the thick and thin section lines
and forcing it into the screw ring (D) in the manner set forth in the previous
Specification so producing the screw thread. Whilst the plastic base is still under
pressure the bolt (K) being withdrawn from the opening (L') the inner block (F)
is forced up by the hand lever (J) causing the pins or studs (G) to rise and enter
the plastic base as seen in Fig. 3 and so form the desired holes. The holes being
thus formed the pins are withdrawn by raising the hand lever (J) which causes the

page_text: inner block (F) to descend and draw the pins down within the outer block (E) the
parts resuming the positions shewn in Fig. 2. In order now to remove the pressed
base out of the moulding box the bolt (K) is pushed into the opening (L') so
locking the outer and inner blocks together. The plunger (C) is unscrewed and the
upper die (B) drawn out of the way, the parts appearing as in Fig. 4. Upon the
hand lever (J) being depressed the block (E) is raised forcing the moulded base
up out of the moulding box as illustrated in Fig. 5. The moulded base is now
ready to be transferred to a "whirler" or other similar instrument for detaching
it from the moulding ring (D) in the manner described in the said former
Specification.
in
In this way we effectually and expeditiously mould and pierce the switch base.
In the moulding of other articles of earthenware and forming holes therein it will
be obvious that the dies and pins will vary accordingly. The pins may vary
length according to whether the holes are to pass entirely through or only partially
through the article. Pins or pegs for forming the holes for leading in the wires
may be formed wholly or partially in the upper die or plunger (B) and may be
shaped to form a channel extension across the underside of the base to more
conveniently lay the wires in erecting the finished article.
"
It will thus be seen that the distinctive feature of this part of our invention is
forming the base in accordance with the former Specification of Joseph Meir and
the addition of a secondary block or piston with pins and a locking bolt for piercing
and finally ejecting the base from the moulding box.
Referring now to the second part of our invention which relates to a tapping tool
for screw threading the holes formed in a switch base and which is illustrated in
Fig. 8, we employ a tapping spindle (N) carrying a tapping tool (O) and fitted
with a small band pulley (P) which pulley is driven by a band or cord (P¹) from
a large band pulley (Q) mounted on the stud (R) at the opposite end of the
frame (S). This larger pulley is provided with a winch handle (T) and by
turning which we obtain a rapid rotation of the tapping spindle (N) and quicker
tapping than heretofore.
In using this improved tapping tool the moulded switch base is placed upon the
block (U) as illustrated and the larger band pulley being set in motion by means
of the winch bandle (T) the tapping tool (0) is caused to rotate, and, by means of
the screw threaded bush (V) through which it passes, to descend into the holes
formed in the base and so form the desired thread therein. The flexible character
of the band or cord (P¹) permits of the rising and falling of the tapping spindle.
It will be obvious that the accelerated speed inay be obtained by spur gearing,
in which case the tapping spindle may be formed with a slot, or the wheels may be
made wide to allow of the movement aforesaid.
Having thus 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 :-
1st. The secondary block or piston (F) with piston (G) and locking bolt (K)
operating substantially as described to pierce the base of an earthenware electric
switch or the like formed in accordance with the Specification of Joseph Meir
aforesaid.
2nd. The improved tapping tool hereinbefore described and illustrated in Fig. 8
for tapping holes formed in the bases of earthenware electric switches and
the like.
Dated this 23rd day of December 1893
JOHN G. WILSON & Co.,
Agents.