and other Articles, having a Taper or Undulatory Figure.
Year: 1885

page_text: and other Articles, having a Taper or Undulatory Figure.
I HENRY WATERS of Coleshill Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Manufacturer, dc hereby declare the nature of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OR PRODUCTION OF TUBES, RODS AND OTHER ARTICLES,
HAVING A TAPER OB UNDULATORY FIGURE," to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the production of tubes, rods and other articles,
having a taper or undulatory figure for various purposes and my said invention
consists principally in the construction and arrangement of expanding and con-
tracting dies, which are opened and closed, in order to create a greater or less
aperture or eye, on the drawing of the die dish or carrier over a tube or rod to be
tapered or shaped. The contraction and expansion of the segments of the dies
which enclose or form the eye or aperture is effected by an inclined plane or
pattern, corresponding to the taper or figure of the object to be drawn, tapered or
shaped. This inclined plane or pattern acts in conjunction with the segments of
the dies in such a manner that a tube, rod or other object is drawn with a
progressive taper, or with an undulatory or other figure by the traversing, and
closing of the dies upon the object being fashioned, and during this operation, the
object itself is rotating. This rotation is simply to counteract any defects which
may incidentally occur in the figure or formation of the acting parts of the dies.
I will first describe my invention in connection with the production of a solid
drawn taper tube.
I mount the die dish, or die carrier upon a slide rest or frame, which is capable
of moving longitudinally upon a bed, while the dies themselves are able to contract
or expand, according to the position of the die carrier with respect to its bed. The
said die carrier is moved or traversed by a screw, chain or other draw-bench gear,
in order to give the necessary backward and forward traverse during the drawing
or reducing process.
Running somewhat in a line to the direction of motion of the die carrier, an
inclined plane is situated, which said inclined plane is of the same graduated taper,
which the tube under treatment is designed to receive.
The tube to be drawn or reduced, is supported and rotated between two head
stocks, situated at the two ends of the frames of the machine; and which said

page_text: head stocks, are provided with clams, or holding dogs which act in conjunction
with a spindle or axis, driven or rotated by suitable gear; so that the tube to be
reduced, or to receive a graduated taper is first introduced into the eye of the
dies, when they are open to their maximum extent; or to an extent equal to the
diameter of the tube being operated upon. Thus on a rotary motion being 5
imparted to the tube, the slide rest or die carrier, is slowly traversed along its bed,
and at the same time that the traversing takes place, the aperture or eye of the
dies is diminished in area, by the inclined plane acting upon the segments of the
die, in such a manner that they are compelled to approach each other, so as to
always form a continuous eye, without gaps or joints, thereby giving to the tube 1
under operation, a true progressive taper figure.
The inclined plane which operates the segments of the dies may be disposed in
either a vertical, horizontal or in other direction, according to the character of
taper that the object under operation is to receive.
By the process and the means herein described, a solid drawn taper tube is
produced, by traversing and contracting dies moving progressively upon a tube,
while the said tube is being rotated.
As the graduation or tapering is dependent upon the inclined plate or gauge,
there is no possibility of the taper varying in its uniformity as is common in the
formation of taper tubes as ordinarily produced; the tube is also rendered perfectly
true and concentric by the rotation which it receives, from the fact that the whole
of its parts, are continually changing, with respect to the acting faces of the dies,
thereby determining its concentricity and truth.
I will now proceed to describe the construction of the radial dies and the way in
which they are arranged, in order to produce a variable eye or aperture, without
joints; that is, the die though being variable; remains constant in its acting faces,
or equivalent in every position or stage to that of a solid die.
The dish or frame wherein the dies work, consists of a thick metal plate with a
boss upon one side having a circular all through hole or aperture about its middle,
and upon the back face of this disc or plate, four radial or other number of slots
are cut, wherein segmental dies slide. These grooves have ledges on their two
opposite sides, and upon these ledges, the segments of the dies move from or
towards the centre or hole in the die dish-The outer ends of the die segments
have elliptical shaped holes wherein studs of an excentric, or cranked arm take.
These crank arms consist essentially, of a double crank, with a snug upon the
outside edge; thus the stud of one crank, takes into a hole in the dish plate in
front of the die slot, while the other or top stud engages with the die; so that by
the turning of the crank formations upon the lower stud, the die is caused to
traverse within the slot for increasing or decreasing the circular aperture enclosed
by the said dies. The slight angular movement of the top stud being allowed for,
by the elliptical figure of the hole wherein it works.
Encircling the boss of the die dish, wherein the dies work, is a ring or girdle
with gaps upon its edge which engage with the snugs of the cranks; so that on
the ring having a partial rotation given to it the acting faces of the dies are made
to receive or approach each other accordingly.
The ring or die operating girdle is also so provided with a forked or flanged
part which embraces the incline or gauge plate so that on the traverse of the die
carrier this forked or flanged part is compelled to follow the incline of the plane;
and by its path being continuously changed, the die operating ring is rotated, and
thereby compelling the gradual approach of the acting faces of the dies to the
centre of the drawing down orifice.
The acting ends of the segmental dies are so shaped at their acting inner faces,
that when brought opposite to each other they form a circular opening or eye,
large or small according to the relative positions of the dies with respect to each
other; that is, the acting ends of the dies are shaped to the curvature of a circle at
their middles, while their corners are rounded off, so that the figure of the end of
each die, is somewhat wave-like, with the larger curve in the middle.

page_text: The corners or angles of the dies are also respectively under cut and over cut, in
such a manner, that the corners or angles of the adjacent dies, overhang or overlap
each other; or one with another, the cut away parts being equal to half the depth
of each eye; so that the solid of each of the dies when looked at endwise resembles
the letter
. So that the overhanging end of one die, lies upon the cut
away or recessed part of the adjacent die and so on, thus forming a circular eye or
opening without any break between the joints as the whole of the joints break one
with another, so as to form a continuous ring without gaps that will form pins
upon the object being reduced.
The recedence or contraction of the dies only compels these overlapping corners
to recede or approach each other as the case may be-Thus when the dies are fully
open, the extreme corners just overhang the cutaway part on the adjacent die
before it, while the adjacent die at the back of it, overhangs or fits over the corner
of the first or next die, and so on-And when the dies are fully closed, the over-
hanging corners or angles slide upon and nearly fill up the cut out parts of the
adjacent die corners so that the work operated upon shows no pin, as the hole
enclosed by the dies, is always continuous.
Although I have described a solid drawn taper tube, yet a welded tube may be
produced in like manner with or without a mandril.
In applying my invention to last named form of tube, a skelp is turned up with
an open or lap joint, and while in a heated state the die is traversed along the
tube or the tube may be drawn through the die, which closes by the tube carrying
with it the inclined plane.
The tube may be made to rotate or not.
In applying my invention to bulbous or undulatory forms of tubings or hollow
bodies, it is only necessary that the expedient which operates the die ring should
be so shaped, as to open and close the dies to form any desired figure that should
be given to the body being operated upon; for example, if a tube or hollow body
requires to have beadings or other annular forms, corrugations or swells formed
along the body, the expedient along with the flanges of the die rings follow or
travel over, must have the same figure as the part longitudinal section of the
object to be produced. By the means described, any ornamental figure in the form
of beadings and the like, may be given to an object operated upon.
The shaping of rods or solid bodies, is effected essentially in the same manner as
already described with respect to a hollow body.

page_text: and other Articles having a Taper or Undulatory Figure.
I, HENRY WATERS of Coleshill Street Birmingham in the County of Warwick
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OR PRODUCTION OF TUBES, RODS AND OTHER ARTICLES
HAVING A TAPER OR UNDULATORY FIGURE," and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This Invention has for its object the production of tubes, rods and other articles
having a taper or tindulatory figure for various purposes, and my said invention
consists principally in the construction and arrangement of expanding and con-
tracting dies, which are opened and closed, in order to create a greater or less
aperture or eye, on the drawing of the die dish or carrier over a tube or rod to be
tapered or shaped. The contraction and expansion of the segments of the dies
which enclose or form the eye or aperture is effected by an inclined plane or pattern,
corresponding to the taper or figure of the object to be drawn, tapered or shaped.
This inclined plane or pattern acts in conjunction with the segments of the dies in
such a manner that a tube, rod or other object is drawn with a progressive taper,
or with an undulatory or other figure, by the traversing and closing of the dies
upon the object being fashioned, and during this operation, the object itself is
rotating. This rotation is simply to counteract any defects which may incidentally
occur in the figure or formation of the acting parts of the dies.
I will first describe my invention in connection with the production of a solid
drawn taper tube.
I mount the die dish or die carrier upon a slide rest or frame, which is capable
of moving longitudinally upon a bed, while the dies themselves are able to contract
or expand according to the position of the die carrier with respect to its bed. The
said die carrier is moved or traversed by a screw, chain or other draw-bench gear,
in order to give the necessary backward and forward traverse during the drawing
or reducing process.
Running somewhat in a line to the direction of motion of the die carrier, an
inclined plane is situated, which said inclined plane is of the same graduated taper,
which the tube under treatment is designed to receive.
The tube to be drawn or reduced, is supported and rotated between two head
stocks, situated at the two ends of the frames of the machine; and which said
head stocks are provided with claims or holding dogs, which act in conjunction
with a spindle or axis, driven or rotated by suitable gear; so that the tube to be
reduced or to receive a graduated taper is first introduced into the eye of the dies,
when they are open to their maximum extent, or to an extent equal to the diameter
of the tube being operated upon. Thus on a rotary motion being imparted to the
tube, the slide rest or die carrier is slowly traversed along its bed, and at the same
time that the traversing takes place, the aperture or eye of the dies is diminished
in area, by the inclined plane acting upon the segments of the die, in such a manner
that they are compelled to approach each other, so as to always form a continuous

page_text: eye, without gaps or joints, thereby giving to the tube under operation, a true
progressive taper figure.
The inclined plane which operates the segments of the dies may be disposed in
either a vertical, horizontal or in other direction, according to the character of
taper that the object under operation is to receive.
By the process and the means herein-described, a solid drawn taper tube is pro-
duced by traversing and contracting dies moving progressively upon a tube, while
the said tube is being rotated.
As the graduation or tapering is dependent upon the inclined plate or gauge,
there is no possibility of the taper varying in its uniformity as is common in the
formation of taper tubes as ordinarily produced, the tube is also rendered perfectly
true and concentric by the rotation which it receives, from the fact that the whole
of its parts are continually changing, with respect to the acting faces of the dies,
thereby determining its concentricity and truth.
I will now proceed to describe the construction of the radial dies and the way
in which they are arranged, in order to produce a variable eye or aperture, without
joints; that is, the die though being variable, remains constant in its acting faces,
or equivalent in every position or stage to that of a solid die.
The dish or frame wherein the dies work, consists of a thick metal plate with
a boss upon one side having a circular all through hole or aperture about its middle,
and upon the back face of this disc or plate, four radial or other number of slots
are cut, wherein segmental dies slide. These grooves have ledges on their two
opposite sides, and upon these ledges the segments of the dies move from or towards
the centre or hole in the die dish. The outer ends of the die segments have ellip-
tical shaped holes wherein studs of an excentric or cranked arm take. These
crank arms consist essentially of a double crank, with a snug upon the outside
edge; thus the stud of one crank, takes into a hole in the dish plate in front of the
die slot, while the other or top stud engages with the die; so that by the turning
of the crank formations upon the lower stud, the die is caused to traverse within
the slot, for increasing or decreasing the circular aperture enclosed by the said dies.
The slight angular movement of the top.stud being allowed for, by the elliptical
figure of the hole when it works.
Encircling the boss of the die dish wherein the dies work, is a ring or girdle
with gaps upon its edge which engage with the snugs of the cranks; so that on
the ring having a partial rotation given to it, the acting faces of the dies are made
to recede or approach each other accordingly.
The ring or die operating girdle is also provided with a forked or flanged part
which embraces the incline or gauge plate; so that on the traverse of the die
carrier, this forked or flanged part is compelled to follow the incline of the plane ;
and by its path being continuously changed, the die operating ring is rotated, and
thereby compelling the gradual approach of the acting faces of the dies to the
centre of the drawing down orifice.
The acting ends of the segmental dies are so shaped at their acting inner faces,
that when brought opposite to each other, they form a circular opening or eye,
large or small according to the relative positions of the dies with respect to each
other; that is, the acting ends of the dies are shaped to the curvature of a circle
at their middles, while their corners are rounded off. So that the figure of the
end of each die is somewhat wave like, with the larger curve in the middle.
The corners or angles of the dies are also respectively undercut and overcut in
such a manner, that the corners or angles of the adjacent dies overhang or overlap
each other, or one with another, the cut away parts being equal to half the
depth of each eye; so that the solid of each of the dies when looked at end wise,
resembles the letter
So that the overhanging end of the one die, lies
upon the cut away or recessed part of the adjacent die and so on, thus forming
a circular eye or opening without any break between the joints, as the whole of

page_text: the joints break one with another, so as to form a continuous ring without gaps
that will form fins upon the object being reduced.
The recedence or contraction of the dies only compels these overlapping corners
to recede or approach each other as the case may be. Thus when the dies are
fully open, the extreme corners just overhang the cut away part on the adjacent
die before it, while the adjacent die at the back of it, overhangs or fits over the
corner of the first or next die, and so on. And when the dies are fully closed, the
overhanging corners or angles slide upon and nearly fill up the cut out parts of the
adjacent die corners, so that the work operated upon shows no fin, as the hole
enclosed by the dies is always continuous.
Although I bave described a. solid drawn taper tube, yet a welded tube may be
produced in like manner, with or without a mandril.
In applying my invention to last named form of tube, a skelp is turned up with
an open or lap joint, and while in a heated state, the die is traversed along the
tube, or the tube may be drawn through the die which closes by the tube carrying
with it the inclined plane.
The tube may be made to rotate or remain stationary.
In applying my invention to bulbous or undulatory forms of tubings or hollow
bodies, it is only necessary that the expedient which operates the die ring should
be so shaped as to open and close the dies to form any desired figure that should
be given to the body being operated upon; for example, if a tube or hollow body
requires to have beadings or other annular forms, corrugations or swells formed
along the body, the expedient along which the flanges of the die rings follow or
travel over must have the same figure as the part longitudinal section of the object
to be produced.
By the means described, any ornamental figure in the form of beadings and the
like may be given to an object operated upon.
The shaping of rods or solid bodies is effected essentially in the same manner as
already deseribed with respect to a hollow body.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings the
manner in which the same is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents in side elevation a machine for the making of taper tubes
constructed according to my invention. Figure 2 is a cross section of the same on
the dotted lines A B. Figure 3 is also a cross section of the said figure 1 upon the
dotted lines CD, that is, through the die carrier or die frame, leaving the radial
dies (which admit of being opened and closed by means hereinafter described) in
elevation. Figure 4 represents in elevation, partly in section the die carrier and
dies, and means whereby the said dies are opened and closed; that is, the means
for graduating or controlling the size of the aperture, by causing the dies working
in the said die carrier to approach or recede from each other. Figure 5 repre-
sents a section of the back part of the said die so as to exhibit more fully the
working details. Figure 6 represents a vertical section of figure 4 on the dotted
lines E F. Figure 7 represents a front elevation of one of the dies separately.
Figure 8 is an end view of the same, and figure 9 is an edge view, while figure 10
is a front and side elevation of the cranked lever. Figure 11 represents a modified
way of working the dies, in making them approach or recede from each other in
order to give a greater or less eye opening, which is drawn over the tube to be
graduated or tapered. Thus instead of making the levers in the form as represented
and best seen in figures 4, 5 and 6; that is, with the equivalent of a single tooth
or the sides of teeth, the levers are made in the form of pinions and rack teeth.
Figure 12 represents a transverse vertical section of the said figure 11 on the
dotted lines G H.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures
of the Drawings.
a is the framing and bed of the machine, and 6 is a fixed head secured at one
end of the said bed; and through this fixed head a spindle c passes and carries
an universal holding chuck d with jointed arms d between which a tube u to be

page_text: drawn or graduated taper, is held and rotated. This spindle c has a spindle shaft c
carrying a toothed wheel or pinion f, which gears with a second wheel or pinion g
secured near one end of a traversing screw i; and which said screw and pinion are
driven by a pulley h, the former extending through the whole length of the bed a,
and working within end bearings j. k is the die carrier, and its slide which
traverses longitudinally the bed, on the rotation of the screw i. The screw i
works within a segmental screw box m m³, the former of which is fixed, while the
latter is movable and turns upon the joint centre m², so that by the raising of the
removable part m¹, the slide can be adjusted or moved in or out of position without
the aid of a 'screw. The whole of the die carrier slides and works within a cut
away part a' of the bed a
n are four segmental dies working within radial grooves or slots k cut within
the boss of the frame, and which said frame has a circular all through hole k³ at
its back, through which the tube passes. The outer ends of these segmental dies
have elliptical shaped holes n³, wherein studs of excentric or bell crank levers o
take. These crank arms consist essentially of two crank pins o¹ o³ with snug o³
upon the outside edge, this snug end o³ engages in gaps or cut away parts p³ of a
die operating ring p. This ring encircles the dies and is provided with an arm q
which rests and traverses upon an inclined plane r which is the relative taper the
tube operated upon, is to acquire. This incline is made adjustable by slots d
and adjusting nuts and pins ; so that the said plane can be inclined more or less
according to the taper which the tube to be operated upon, is required to have.
The arm q has at its end a neck s wormed internally, through which a screw 8³
passes, having at its end a swivelling boss whose underside is curved and travels
upon the edge of the inclined plane r; so that on the traverse of the die carrier
and die, the inclined plane gives a semi-rotation to the arm q through the inter-
vention of the adjuster as which latter brings the parts to their work. Thus the
semi-rotation of the ring by the standing out arm q taking or following the
inclination of the incline, the radial dies are made to approach each other, on
the traversing of the die over the tube or turned up skelp being operated upon.
The acting ends of the segmental dies are marked n³ and are so shaped, that on
their inner faces being brought opposite to each other, they form a circular or
nearly circular opening, (large or small) according to the relative position of the die
carrier with respect to the incline plane; that is, the acting ends of the dies are
shaped to the curvature of a circle between the maximum and minimum tapering.
The corners or angles of the dies are respectively undercut and overcut, and are
marked n, and which said parts overhang each other in such a manner that the
dies form a circular or nearly circular eye or opening without break or joint, that
will prevent the formation of fins or the like upon the surface of the tube operated
upon; that is, the dies overlap one another so as to form a continuous ring (large
or sinall).
In figure 11 one of the edges of the radial dies is provided with rack teeth no
wherein the teeth of pinions t' engage, and which said pinions are rotated by a
partially toothed ring p carried by the encircling "ring p¹ to which an arm q is
attached. (Or the arm q may be attached to one of the pinion axes as shown at
figure 12) This arm as before traverses the inclined plane, and thereby opens and
closes the dies.
The arm q instead of being provided with an adjuster marked 8 8, it may have
at its end an anti-friction roller, which rolls up and down the incline as the die
carriers traverse the bed of the frame on the rotation of the screw i.
The operation of tapering is conducted as follows. A parallel tube u is placed
in position, vizone end is held between the arms or dogs of the chuck a, and
the other or outer end is passed through the opening in the dies, when opened to
their fullest extent and with the die carrier in juxta position to the chuck. When
in this position the screw 8³ is rotated by means of a hand wheel at its summit ;
this brings the dies up to their work, by slightly moving the operating ring so
as to slightly contract the dies; and when in this position, the swivelling curved

page_text: end rests upon the lower part of the incline. Motion is now communicated to
the pulley h and through it to the wheel or pinion g, which is in gear with the
wheel or pinion f; so that rotary motion is communicated to the spindle c and
traversing screw i; the result is, that the tube e is rotated, and the die carrier
caused to travel forward, which travelling forward compels the arm q to follow the
upward incline of the plane r, thereby causing the dies to approach each other
through the intervention of the ring p and the tube u drawn down or tapered
accordingly as represented in figures 1 and 14. In figure 1 the tube is shown
partly drawn, while in figure 1 it is shown fully tapered.
My improvements are applicable to the tapering of solid tubes, either brass,
copper or iron, or of welded iron tubes.
When the tubes are made of iron, I preferably heat them before being
operated upon.
My improvements are also applicable to the production of elliptical or flattened
taper tubes for various purposes, such for example as sword scabbards. In the
production of this form of tubing, the object being tapered is not rotated.
Or I obtain the same result by first drawing a round taper tube, and then giving
it a flattened or elliptical figure by passing it through suitably shaped rolls.
The application of my invention to the tapering of solid rods or bars, differs in
no essential respect from its application to a metallic tube as herein described.
In applying my improvements to the production of bulbous or undulatory forms
of tubings or other hollow bodies, the inclined plane or gauge is simply altered to
the form required; for example, if a tube or hollow body requires annular corru-
gations or swells, the expedient along which the arm or the adjuster 8 8 8³ travels,
is of the same figure as the body to be produced. Thus if a corrugated tube
figure 13 is required, the gauge or templet is of the same exact conformation as the
longitudinal section of the object to be produced, as shown at figure 14; and upon
these undulations the arm or the adjuster before named, travels, which thereby
opens and closes the dies accordingly, through the intervention of the ring
encircling them.
The tube holding chuck in figure 1 may be varied in construction to suit the
different character of work to be held, viz:-the die chucks figures 4 and 11 may
be substituted for the one shown at figure 1 and marked 6.
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 what
I claim is:-
First. Drawing down or making taper tubes or rods by adjustable radiating
dies, whose acting faces when brought together, respectively overlap and underlap
at their corners or angles, and form circular or nearly 'circular drawing down
apertures or openings without breaks or joints, that will create fins upon the
surface of a tube or other object operated upon, substantially as described and
illustrated in figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12.
Secondly. Making undulatory or other shaped bodies as represented in figure 13,
by adjustable radiating dies, whose acting faces when brought together, break joint
and form circular or nearly circular apertures, substantially as described in the
preceding claim.
Thirdly. Operating simultaneously radial dies for producing taper tubes, or for
shaping tubes or other bodies into undulatory or other like forms, by means of an
annulas or ring (or its mechanical equivalent) provided with die connecting devices
or teeth, and which said ring is worked by a standing out arm, which traverses an
inclined or undulatory plane according to the form or forms which the object
operated upon is to acquire, the parts being constructed, arranged and working in
the ways substantially as described and set forth in figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11 and 12
of the accompanying drawinga.
Fourthly. The use of an inclined plane or templet for controlling or operating
the dies, or devices connected with the dies employed in the production of taper

page_text: tubes or rods, substantially as described and illustrated in figures 1 and 3 of the
accompanying drawings.
Fifthly. The use of an undulatory or other like templet (as in figure 14) for
controlling the dies, in the production of undulatory and other like bodies as in
figure 13.
Sixthly. The construction of die holding chucks for holding tubular objects
while being rotated, substantially as described and represented in figures 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12.
Lastly. The improvements in machinery for the production of taper tubes or
rods and other bodies having an undulatory character; that is to say, making the
object operated upon, rotate, while the shaping dies or reducing tools are made to
traverse and graduate; the parts being constructed and arranged, and working in
the manner substantially as described and set forth.
1
.
1000