IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SHAPING METAL AND OTHER SUBSTANCES.
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hesketh Hughes, of Homerton, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR SHAPING METAL AND OTHER SUBSTANCES.'
Sealed the 3rd April 1866, and dated the 5th October 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hesketh Hughes at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th
October 1865.
I, HESKETH HUGHES, of Homerton, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer,..
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR SHAPING METAL AND OTHER SUBSTANCES," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in shaping metal and other substances by means of
a set of two, three, or more rolls having a sliding segment or section cut,
engraved, or plain, or formed with the shape or pattern to be produced around
the periphery of the rolls in gradual sections or otherwise; the rolls are driven
at the same speed and in the same direction. The metal or other substance
is presented to the rolls in a line parallel or nearly so to their axis, and by
the rotation of the rolls, in conjunction with the sliding section is carried
through between them in a direction at right angles or nearly so to that of
their rotation. The object of the sliding section is to propel the article
through the rolls. At every revolution of the rolls the sliding sections
are struck forward by means of a cam, or other suitable contrivance, during

page_text: the time they are in actual operation upon the article; as soon as they
have left the article they recede to their original position, and again when
in contact with the article propelled forward by the cam as before. By
these means the wire, rod, tube, or other article is propelled a step forward
at every revolution of the rolls; thus that portion of the article which
has been shaped by the first groove in the rolls is lodged in the second
groove, and gradually formed to the design required. By the second
revolution of the rolls it is in like manner deposited in the third groove,
and so on through all the grooves in succession, thus gradually shaping
the article. Sometimes I employ guides to keep the articles in their proper
position while passing through the rolls. In some cases I use guides fixed
in the rolls to propel the article through the machine instead of the
sliding section; these guides act in a similar manner to that described in the
Specification of Letters Patent granted to me, 30th March 1863, No. 819.
In connection with the rolls having the sliding section, I sometimes use a
drawing apparatus geared to the rolls, with a revolving swivel grip for rolling
and reducing seamless and other tubes, rods, bars, and articles. I also
employ cutters for the purpose of turning, scraping, and otherwise finishing
the articles as they revolve by this action of the rolls. These cutters are
fitted to the machine, and are of hardened steel, sometimes circular with
the pattern cut into them; they revolve on their axes, and as the rod, wire,
or other article passes through the rolls the rotation imparted by the rolls to
the article is sufficient to produce a turning or scraping of its surface by the.
cutters. I sometimes use a cutter or cutters like turning tools of the shape
of the article, and which have a rising and falling or receding motion, so that
they come into action while the article is being shaped by the rolls, and
rise, fall, or recede when the sliding or propelling power of the rolls acts.
In some cases it is necessary to heat the metal before passing it through
the machine.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Hesketh Hughes in the Great Seal Patent Office on the.
5th April 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HESKETH
HUGHES, of Homerton, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria; by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of October, in the year of our Lord
:

page_text: One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-ninth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Hesketh Hughes, Her special licence that I, the said Hesketh
Hughes, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Hesketh Hughes, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should, and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR SHAPING METAL AND OTHER SUBSTANCES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I; the said Hesketh Hughes, my executors or admi-
nistrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Hesketh Hughes, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by, the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, that
is to say
My Invention consists in shaping metal and other substances by means of
a set of two, three, or more rolls having a sliding segment or section cut,
engraved, or plain, or formed with the shape or pattern to be produced around
the periphery of the rolls in gradual sections or otherwise. The rolls are
driven at the same speed and in the same direction, the metal or other
substance is presented to the rolls in a line parallel or nearly so to their axis, and
by the rotation of the rolls in conjunction with the sliding section is carried
through between them in a direction at right angles or nearly so to that of
their rotation. The object of the sliding section is to propel the article through
the rolls. At every revolution of the rolls the sliding sections are struck
forward by means of a cam or other suitable contrivance during the time they
are in actual operation upon the article; as soon as they have left the article
they recede to their original position, and again when in contact with the
article propelled forward by the cam as before.. By these means the wire-rod,
tube, or other article is propelled a step forward at
revolution of the
rolls, thus that portion of the article which has been shaped by the first groove
in the rolls is lodged in the second groove, and, gradually formed to the design
required. By the second revolution of the rolls it is in like manner deposited
every

page_text: in the third groove, and so on through. all the grooves in succession, thus
gradually shaping the article. Sometimes I employ guides to keep the articles:
in their proper position while passing through the rolls. In some cases. I use
guides fixed in the rolls to propel the article through the machine instead of
the sliding section; these guides act in a similar manner to that described. in-
the Specification of Letters Patent granted: to me 30th March 1863; No. 819.
In connection with the rolls I sometimes use a drawing apparatus geared to:
the rolls with a revolving swivel grip for rolling and reducing seamless and
other tubes, rods, bars, and articles. I also employ cutters for the purpose
of turning, scraping, and otherwise finishing the articles as they-revolve by the
action of the rolls. These cutters are fitted to the machine, and are of
hardened steel, sometimes circular with the pattern cut into them; they revolve
on their axis, and as the rod, wire, or other article passes through the rolls the
rotation imparted by the rolls to the article is sufficient to produce a turning
or scraping of the surface by the cutters. I sometimes use a cutter or cutters
like turning tools of the shape of the article, and which have a rising and
falling or receding motion, so that they come into action while the article is
being shaped by the rolls, and rise, fall, or recede when the sliding or pro-
pelling power of the rolls acts. In some cases. it is necessary to heat the
metal before passing it through the machine..
or shape the
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings is a plan;. Figure 2 is a. partial
vertical section of the same; these Figures represent one arrangement of
machinery for shaping metal or other substances according to my Invention:
A is the framing of the machine, in which are carried the rolls B. In the
machine as shewn there are two of these rolls, but there may be three
or more according to the nature of the work. The rolls are driven by
the pinions C, which receive their. motion from a spur wheel or in apy
other convenient manner, and they are each driven at the same speed.
The periphery of each roll is shaped or formed so as to press
metal to be operated upon to the figure required or nearly so.
in its periphery a dovetail recess, in which is fitted a sliding
surface of which corresponds to the other portion of the roll:
plane E is formed on the end of each end of the sections D, so that as the
roll rotates it is at every revolution brought into contact with the block or
guide piece F, which is attached to the framing, and thus causes the section D
to be moved in a lateral direction. The object of this arrangement is to
propel the article under operation 'a step forward each time the rolls rotate:
In Figure 1 the sections D are shewn as having made a portion only of their
lateral traverse, for when the lateral traverse is completed the grooves in the
Each roll has
section D, the
An inclined

page_text: fluted surface of the roll. will correspond. The sections D are brought back
to their original position by the inclined planes G at the opposite ends of the
rolls; and which come in contact with the blocks H on the corresponding face
of the framing. In this way the article to be rolled is propelled forward:
between the rolls lengthways with an intermitting or step-by-step movement;
so that that portion of the article under operation is moved from 'one groove
of the roll to the next, and so on throughout the series. The rolls are tapered
slightly from end to end, and as the article is propelled laterally it is gradually
reduced in diameter as it is passed from one groove to another. The article
under operation is, if required, subjected to the action of scraping or turning.
tools, which serve to remove any rough edges or asperities on its surface,-and
impart a finish thereto. To the inner side of the framing A are fixed two
blocks or projections carrying the sliding pieces I, the inner portions of which
are curved in a downward direction, and carry at their ends the scraping or.
finishing tools I'; these are made of steel having cavities countersunk in the
working faces. The cavities are made to correspond in diameter with the
last groove in the rolls B, so that as the article is shaped the sharp edges of
the cavities scrape and remove any burr or roughness on its surface. The
sliding pieces I are each connected to a helical spring J, the other end of
which is fastened to a stud on the block, and serves to bring the tool-up to its
work when not otherwise acted upon. On the axis of each roller B is a cam K,
which as the roll rotates comes in contact with the bent portion of the slide I;..
and thus pushes the tool back while the tube or other article is moved forward.
When the slides I are clear of the cams they are brought up. to-the face of;
the work by the action of springs J. In lieu of this finishing tool I sometimes...
employ for the purpose discs of steel having the pattern cut in the periphery.
of the disc, as shewn in Figure 3, which shews the edge of a cutter for turning
and finishing rivets. As the rod or other article is carried through the rolls..
a rapid rotary motion is imparted thereto by the rolls, which produces an!
effective turning or scraping of the surface of the rod or other article, and..
inishes it in a superior manuer; or the cutters may be made similar to;;
urning tools, as shewn in Figure 4, to correspond to the shape of the article,..
and which are arranged so as to have a rising, falling, or receding motion
mparted to them to suit the configuration of the article.that is being shaped,
whilst the sliding or propelling power of the rolls acts. In..shaping tubing
prefer to use three or more rolls, and I employ, where necessary, lead,
harging for the interior of the tube, or in some cases the lead is cast in the
ube: with a sand core; if the pattern is one that is very deeply indented.
Figure 5 is a plan, and; Figure 6 is a horizontal section of a machine for
'

page_text: rolling and shaping tubing or other articles of metal." In the framing A are
carried the shafts on which the rolls B are keyed, and which are driven by
the pinions C. On the inner side of the rolls B, and carried on the same:
shafts are the two sliding sections D forming part of the: rolls, which sections
are capable of being moved in a lateral direction in the feathers which are
formed in the shafts. The pair of rolls B and the pair of sliding sections: D:
are cam-shaped, or may be fitted eccentrically on their respective shafts, and,
in such manner that whilst the larger diameter of the rolls B grips the rod E..
the smaller diameter of the sections D is in the corresponding position 'as.
regards the rod or bar that is being operated upon, and vice versa. During.
the time that the rolls B are acting on the rod, bar, tube, or other article, the:
sections D are moved up to the face of the operating rolls; this is done by
means of the inclined planes F formed on the outer faces of the sections D.
As the rolls revolve these inclined surfaces.come into contact, with the wedge-:
shaped ends of the blocks G which project from the framing. As the surface.
of each plane is moved round the section is traversed laterally towards the
neighbouring roll B' in readiness for operating on the rod or other article;:
the rod or bar being released from the rolls B, it is caught by the larger-
diameter of the sections, and it is moved onward by the secondary inclined
planes H which move the rolls with the rod E, so as to present a fresh portion
to the rolls B; in this way the rod is carried forward by the intermittent action
of the traversing sections. The tube E is passed into the machine through
the tubular guide I, which serves also as a support for it. The opposite end
of the rod passes through a corresponding guide J on the opposite side of the
machine; the sliding rolls D are kept in position, and slide to and fro on
the feathers K on the shafts L. When a tube is being operated upon, I
place a mandril inside it to act as a support thereto, and I assist the passage of
the tube by means of a drawing apparatus, as hereafter described in référence
to Figure 10.
:
Figure 7 is an elevation of a portion of a machine for rolling and shaping
railway axles. The metal to form the axle M is passed between two or three
shaping rolls N, one only of which is shewn in the Figure; these rolls shape
the main portion of the axle, and force a portion of the metal forward to the
ends of the axle where the journals and parts immediately adjoining are
formed; these journals and parts are shaped by the sections O of the rolls N,
wbich are I each fitted loosely on the shaft P, as shewn in the section, Figure 8,
so as to admit of their being moved up to or away from the work, 'as required.
This movement of the sections O is obtained by means of the inclined planes of
sliding cotters Q, the inward motion of which forces the sections O up. to the

page_text: axle to form the journal, and when the journal of the axle is formed 'the
sliding cotters Q are withdrawn so as to leave the axle free. In this machine
I prefer to shape only one half of the axle at a time; after the first half.has:
been shaped I reheat the other half, and submit it to the action of the rolls
and sections, as before explained. This arrangement also admits of the sliding
sections being' removed, and of sections of another form being substituted,.
according to the required shape of journal and parts adjoining.
"
I do not confine myself to the method represented in Figures 7.and 8 of:
moving the sliding sections; as any other convenient method may be adopted:
The rolls N and sections O, Figures 7 and 8, are circular in section, a cami
shape being unnecessary in this arrangement.
In the arrangement represented in Figure 9, the rolls are formed: with:
grooves A, as in Figure 1, but the portion B¹, which is fixed to the roll is
cammed, as shewn, and the part C, which is not cammed; acts as, a guide.to:
propel the rod or other article, under operation in the manner described in
the Specification of my former Patént beforé referred to:
Figure 10 is a plan of another machine for shaping rods or tubes. The
shaping rolls R' have their peripheries shaped to the pattern required, and:
are keyed to the shafts S, the projecting ends of which carry the screw
wheels T, which gear with the internal screw formed in the inner surface. of:
the wheel U; this wheel is formed in one with the spur wheel U¹, which is
carried on the tubular shaft W, through which the bar or tube to be shaped
is passed after passing between the shaping rolls R. The spur wheel U¹ is:
driven by the wheel X, which derives its motion from the pinion Y actuated
from the engine. On the shaft Z of the wheel X is keyed the pinion ȧ, which
gives motion to the intermediate wheel b, and this drives the wheel c, which
is of a compound kind, the shaping rolls R being arranged between the"
parallel portions of its toothed periphery. The inner faces of the wheel are
stayed and held firmly together by the transverse pillars d:
Figure 11 is a front view of the wheel c to shew the manner in which the
bearings of the shaping rolls R are arranged so as to admit of the rolls
advancing and receding, and thus alternately pressing and then releasing the :
bar ör tube under operation. The wheel c is annular, and has teeth formed':
on its inner periphery which gear with toothed eccentric bearings e of the :
rolls R. By this arrangement, as the wheel c rotates, the eccentrics e cause:
the rolls to approach and recede from each other as required to shape the
article under operation, and release it at the proper moment to admit of the :
bar or rod being moved through the machine in order that a fresh portion of
the rod or bar, may be subjected to the action of the rolls. This arrangement
.

page_text: of the eccentric-geared bearings dispenses with the necessity of camming or
chamfering the rolls by the gradual opening and closing of the space between:
the rolls through which the rod or bar passes. The eccentric bearings of the
rolls. R, as well as the. wheel c, are carried on each side by a bearing plate f,
which together with the rolls is dropped into a recess formed in the framing:
for the purpose; f, an. upper plate or cap which is screwed down to the
framing. The wheel chas. a projecting ring f* formed on each outer face;"
this ring fits into a corresponding recess in:each bearing plate. This machine
is arranged with a gripping. or shifting apparatus for drawing the rod or tube
from the rolls as the pressing or shaping operation is effected. On the shaft Z
is keyed a cam g', and parallel with the framing is fitted a lever h, a pin on
the under side. of which takes into the groove of the cam g', the curve of which
is arranged so as to move the free end of the lever to and fro at the proper
intervals in: relation to.the.motion of the rolls R. The front end of the lever h
is forked, and the ends extend on each side of the plate i through which the:1
jaws of the grip j project. As the lever his moved to and fro, by the action
of the .cam the rod. or. bar is gripped to draw a portion of it through the
machine, and: is then released, and it remains stationary whilst the rolls
operate on it. When it is required to ornament a tube or other article at:
intervals by hand, I remove the pinion a, cam ġ, lever h,. and grip j, and I
attach a lever. to: the shaft of the pinion b. When required to draw taper
tubes and other articles, I form the rolls R with convex or dome-shaped
peripheries, and employ a revolving swivel grip (shewn in dotted lines R¹)
connected with a draw bench.
:
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in 2
what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as my
"Improvements in Machinery for Shaping Metal and other Substances,"―
First, the arrangements and construction of machinery for shaping metal
and other substances, arranged and acting substantially as herein-before
described and shewn in the accompanying Drawings.
Second, the arrangement and construction of rolls fitted with sliding
sections or segments for the purpose of obtaining an intermittent motion of
the article under operation which is presented to the rolls at the smallest radius
thereof, substantially as herein-before described and shewn in the acconipany-
ing Drawings.
:
Third, the employment of cutters for finishing the tube, bar, or other metal,
arranged and acting substantially as herein-before described and shewn in the
accompanying Drawings.
.Fourth, arranging and constructing the rolls in eccentric geared bearings.:
3
3

page_text: in connection with a revolving swivel grip, substantially in manner and
for the purpose herein-before described and shewn in the accompanying
Drawings.
Fifth, the employment of rolls having the pattern or working surface
graduated or cammed, substantially as shewn in Figures 2, 5, and 6.
Sixth, the employment of sliding sections as represented in Figure 7.
Seventh, the arrangement represented in Figure 9 of the accompanying
Drawings, and herein-before described.
In witness whereof; I, the said Hesketh Hughes, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of April, One thousand eight hundred
'and sixty-six.