IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SPRINGS USED IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR WRINGING AND MANGLING
Year: 1878

page_text: TWITERS PATENT to Thomas Bradford, of Manchester in the County of
Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
SPRINGS USED IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR WRINGING AND MANGLING."
Sealed the 14th March 1879, and dated the 28th September 1878.
Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
SPRINGS USED IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR WRINGING AND MANGLING."
Sealed the 14th March 1879, and dated the 28th September 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Bradford at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th September 1878.
THOMAS BRADFORD, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SPRINGS USED IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR
WRINGING AND MANGLING."
In the first place I propose to employ a new form of eliptic steel spring to consist.
of two or more layers of steel bent to a suitable shape and of equal lengths, save.
and except a slight additional of the lowest layer to allow of its being turned
up at each end for the upper layer or layers to butt up against when under
pressure, and further I propose to multiply these double or treble layers according
to the pressure required to be exercised, the complete spring being built up of one
or more double or treble layers of equal length, instead of by a series of single
layers of various length, the present and usual method of making eliptic or coach
springs.
The next part of my Invention consists of an improved bearing bar for the
above or any ordinary eliptic spring, which I make with an incline outwards at
each end instead of the usual flat bearing bar, by which I secure an additional
resistance to the depression (laterally) of the springs when under pressure.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Bradford in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th March
1879.
THOMAS BRADFORD, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SPRINGS USED IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR
WRINGING AND MANGLING."
In the first place I propose to employ a new form of elliptic steel spring to consist
of two or more layers of steel bent to a suitable shape and of equal lengths, save
and except a slight additional length of the lowest layer to allow of its being
turned up at each end for the upper layer or layers to butt up against when under
pressure, and further I propose to multiply these double or treble layers according
to the pressure required to be exercised, the complete spring being built up of one
or more double or treble layers of equal length, instead of by a series of single
layers of various lengths with their ends free, the present and usual method of
making elliptic or coach springs.
The next part of my Invention consists of an improved bearing bar for the
above or any ordinary elliptic spring, which I make with an incline outwards at
each end instead of the usual flat bearing bar, by which I secure an additional
resistance to the expansion (laterally) of the springs when under pressure. The
construction of my improved spring and bearing bar, and their application
to the top roller of a wringing machine, is shown in the Drawing hereunto
annexed; Fig. 1 being a front view representing the spring as composed of two
double layers and Fig. 2, a similar view, in which the spring is composed of one
double layer with a backing of two ordinary plates with their ends free.
a, a, isthe upper layer of steel, and b, b, is the lower layer of the same, the ends of
the latter being bent up at c, c, for the. ends of the layer a, a, to butt against; d, d, (in
Fig. 2) are two ordinary plates used merely as a backing to the improved spring a, b.
e, e, is my improved bearing bar, f,f, being the inclines against which the ends of
the spring work, in the manner and for the purpose herein-before set forth.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, I wish it to be understood that I claim as my Invention,-First. The new
and peculiar formation of springs as shown in the Drawing, and herein-before
described, constructed with a double layer of steel of equal lengths, excepting so
much as is needful in the lower layer for turning up each end as a stop for the
upper layer to butt against, or by any other kind of stop for the accomplishment of
the same purpose; I also claim the use of such double layers either singly as a
spring, that is, a complete spring consisting of one double layer only, or springs
constructed of two or more of each double layers, and also in springs consisting of
one double layer with a backing of any number of single plates of equal or different
lengths, such as are used in ordinary springs. Secondly. I claim the use of a
bearing bar made of any suitable material constructed as described with an incline
at each end, whether such bar may be used with the above-described spring or
with any other kind of spring, but which when used with the above described spring
exercises that peculiarly rigid pressure essential for wringing and mangling, and also
desirable for other purposes.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Bradford, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
THOMAS BRADFORD. (L.S.)