Improved Device for either Expanding or Contracting Rings.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 29th May, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Feb., 1892-Accepted, 26th Mar., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Device for either Expanding or Contracting Rings.
I, LOUIS COURLANDER, of No. 42, North End, Croydon, in the County of Surrey,
Manufacturing Jeweller and Optician, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows :—
The object of my invention is the production of an improved device for either
expanding or contracting rings, the said device being particularly adapted for use
by retail jewellers for expanding or contracting a gold wedding ring so as to make
it fit the future wearer's finger comfortably and, more especially, safely.
In carrying the invention into effect, I provide a short cylinder circular in cross
section but with the bore tapering inwards from the top to the bottom, or nearly
SO. The cylinder is fitted with a hollow mandrel tapered on both its surfaces to
correspond with the direction of the taper of the cylinder. The internal taper is
regular, whilst the external one is broken up into a series of steps, the periphery of
each forming a seat for a ring. A series of saw cuts parallel with the axis of the
mandrel is formed in it for the major portion of its length, so that all the steps are
elastic in respect of diameter either by way of expansion from, or contraction
towards, their centres.
A circular wedge for expanding the mandrel, a screw-device for actuating the
wedge, and a stud, fitting the top of the mandrel, for transmitting the power of
the screw-device to the head of the hollow mandrel, for contracting a ring, are also
provided.
The screw device above mentioned consists, preferably, of a stirrup pivotted to
the head of the cylinder, and a screw adapted to be travelled in either direction
linearly with the axis of the cylinder by a suitable wrench.
The device above described is used as follows:-
To expand a ring. The ring is slipped on to a seat on the mandrel, the latter
inserted in the cylinder, the wedge pushed into the former, and the screw turned
up upon the wedge as much as may be required. The motion of the wedge will
have the effect of expanding the ring until it is stopped by contact with the bore
of the cylinder.
To contract a ring. The procedure is as before, only the wedge is replaced by
the stud. Consequently, when the screw is turned up against the latter, the
mandrel is forced down into the cylinder, and, with the ring upon one of its seats,
is contracted upon its own axis accordingly.
Suitable stud and groove devices, the studs upon the bottom of the cylinder bore,
and the grooves along the small ends of the mandrel, are provided to limit the
travel of the mandrel.
More than one mandrel, the steps of which are of different diameters, may be
provided if desired to one cylinder.
To render the extraction of a stuck ring or mandrel from the cylinder, the work
of a moment, may, and preferably do, pivot the stirrup upon a loose ring. Half
of the periphery of the cylinder is detachable and is held in its operative position
by this ring and a set screw passing diametrically through the latter, so that when
the screw is unscrewed, and the loose ring moved away, the said part drops, and the
ring and mandrel are forthwith freed.
Dated this 29th day of May 1891.
THILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicant,

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Device for either Expanding or Contracting Rings.
I, LOUIS COURLANDER, of 42 North End, Croydon, in the County of Surrey,
Jeweller and Optician, 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:
The object of my invention is the production of an. improved device, for either
expanding or contracting rings, the said device being particularly. adapted for use
by retail jewellers for expanding and contracting gold wedding and other rings, so
as to adapt such rings to future wearers' fingers comfortably and more especially
safely.
My invention will be readily understood by the following description having
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters indicate like parts
in the several figures.
Figure is a vertical section shewing the device complete and in position for
expanding a ring;
Fig. 2 is an inverted plan of the lower part of the apparatus shewn at Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 shews in elevation a mandril removed from the apparatus,
Fig. 4 being a plan and Fig. 5 an inverted plan of the lower end of same..
Figs. 6 and 7 are elevations of parts hereafter described, and
Fig. 8 is a similar view to that shewn at Fig. 1, but in position for contracting
a ring.
According to my invention I provide a hollow cylinder A, the bore A¹ thereof
tapering from the top to the bottom, or nearly so, as is shewn at Figs, 1 and 8.
The coned or tapering bore of the cylinder A forms a matrix for the reception of a
hollow mandril B such as is shewn detached at Figs. 3, 4, and 5, or each cylinder
may have several of such mandrils varying slightly in size; both the interior and
exterior surfaces of the mandril B are tapered to correspond with the direction of
the taper of the cylinder, the internal taper of the mandril being regular or conical,
while the external is broken up into a series of steps B', so that the peripheries
thereof may form seatings for the rings. A series of saw cuts B2 B' radially with
the axis of the mandril is formed in the latter for the major portion of its length,
so that all the steps B are elastic in respect of diameter either by way of expansion
from, or contraction towards their centres. B3 B are stops formned on the shank of
the mandril B, the said stops being employed in conjunction with a stop A**formed
provided in the bore A' of the cylinder A.
or
also provide a circular wedge C, shewn detached at Fig. 6, for expanding the
mandril B, a screw device D for actuating the wedge C, and a stud E, Figs. 7
and 8, entering and abutting upon the top of the mandril, for transmitting the
pressure of the screw device D to the head of the hollow mandril B for contracting
a ring.
The screw device above mentioned consists, preferably, of a stirrup Di pivotted
to the head of the cylinder A, and a screw D adapted to be travelled in either
direction linearly with the axis of the cylinder A by a suitable wrench or
T handle D. Handles A² are also provided at the base of the cylinder A, whereby
the latter may be firmly held and prevented from twisting...
I
The device above described is used as follows:-
To expand a ring (see Fig. 1). The ring (shewn marked F) is slipped onto a
seat B on the mandril B, the latter inserted in the cylinder, the mandril being
inserted so that the stop B comes against the stop 'A and supports the mandril;
the wedge is then pushed into the mandril B, and the screw D turned upon
the wedge Cas much as may be required. The motion of the wedge will
huve the effect of expanding the ring until it is stopped by contact with the bore
of the cylinder.

page_text: To contract a ring (see Fig. 8). The procedure is as before, only the mandril B
is inserted with the stop B³ towards the stop Ax, and the wedge C is replaced by
the stud E; consequently when the screw D is turned against the stud, the
mandril B. is forced down into the cylinder, and, with the ring upon one of its
seats B, is contracted upon its own axis accordingly.
I do not limit myself to the exact form of stop and groove devices shewn, the
studs upon the bottom of the cylinder bore, and the grooves along the small ends
of the mandril being provided as aforesaid to limit the travel of the mandril.
More than one mandril, the steps of which are of different diameters, may be
provided, if desired, to one cylinder, as hereinbefore stated.
To render the extraction of a stuck ring or mandril from the cylinder the work
of a moment, I may pivot the stirrup upon a loose ring; half of the periphery of
the cylinder may be made detachable and be held in its operative position by this
ring, and a set screw passing diametrically through the latter, so that when the
screw is unscrewed and the loose ring moved away, the said part drops, and the ring
and mandril are forthwith freed; although I have not found such device to be
necessary.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In devices for either expanding or contracting rings, the combination with the
cylinder having a coned or tapering matrix or bore, of a hollow expansible mandril,
a wedge or stud, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In devices for either expanding or contracting rings, the hollow expansible
tapered mandril B having steps B₁ and formed with stops B' B, being divided
throughout a part of its length at B' B' substantially as described with reference
to Figs. 3, 4, and 5.
3. In devices for either expanding or contracting rings, the cylinder A with
matrix A', handles A, and stop Ax, the hollow tapering expausible mandril B,
wedge C, stud E, screw pressure device D, D₁, D³, all constructed and acting
substantially as and for the purposes herein described.
4. The general construction of device as previously claimed for expanding rings
by placing same on an expansible mandril, expanding the latter through screw and
wedge D and C, the mandril and ring being within a matrix A' of cylinder A,
which supports the mandril and limits the expansion of the ring, or for contracting
rings by placing same on the mandril B and allowing the latter to be forced into
the matrix B by pressure on stud E through screw or convenient device D
contracting the ring and mandril within matrix A', all substantially as set forth.
Dated this 23rd day of February 1892.
Witness
E. G. BREWER,
33, Chancery Lane, London.
LOUIS COURLANDER.