and Improved Appliances for Use in, and Novel Appliances for Use in connection with, the Galvanizing of Metal Tubes and Bars.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Dec., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 10th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 1st Dec., 1894
'
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Novel and Improved Appliances for Use in, and Novel Appliances
for Use in connection with, the Galvanizing of Metal Tubes
and Bars.
We, THOMAS LESTER THOMAS, of 88 Albert Street, Prince's End, near Tipton
in the County of Stafford, Washer and Axle Plate Manufacturer, and JOSEPH
BEARD HILLMAN, of High Street, Prince's End, aforesaid, Galvanizing Works
Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
'
This invention relates, firstly, to the wiping of tubes and bars by drawing them
through soft wiping dies (such, for instance, as asbestos dies) before the molten
coating metal has set upon their surfaces, that is to say, to the process described in
the Patent Specification No. 8572 of 1890. In the apparatus described in such
Specification two notched dies only are used for wiping the tubes. and bars, and it
is found in practice that if, as is not infrequently the case, there are irregularities
in the diameter of a tube or bar which is being drawn through the dies the notches
in the dies become widened out by the portions of larger diameter of the tubes
or bars and do not then so effectually wipe the sides of the portions of smaller
diameter.
. Now, according to this invention, two pairs of dies, instead of a single pair, are
employed in wiping each tube or bar, one of the pairs of dies operating at right
angles to the other pair, so that if one pair act vertically as in the dies described
in the aforesaid Specification the other pair act horizontally. The lower vertical die,
of the pair of dies described in the aforesaid Specification, is fixed, and the upper die
is pressed down by means of a lever. For the purpose, however, of improving the
means of operating the upper die, and for convenience in utilizing the lever by
which it is operated for the purpose of opening out the side dies as hereinafter
described, the upper vertical die is, according to our present invention, carried in
vertical guides and is connected with its operating lever by means of a link. Both
the upper and lower vertical dies are strengthened according to this invention
against yielding backwards, and whether they are to be used alone or in combination
with the side dies, by backing-pieces which in the case of the upper die are carried
in slots along which they may be moved sideways to suit any width of die, and
which, in the case of the lower die, are themselves formed with slotted pin holes
to enable them to be moved towards and from one another. The lower die is fixed
between the vertical member of an angle plate corresponding to the angle plate B
described in the aforesaid Specification and the vertical member of a similar angle
plate, and the backing pieces for the lower die are fixed at the back of the vertical
member of the last-mentioned angle plate by means of bolts which pass through
the slotted holes in the backing pieces and through the vertical members of both
the angle plates, and by which such members are tightened up towards one another
to fix the lower die in place. Each side die is pressed under a pressure exerted by
a weight against a tube or bar as it is drawn through the dies, and thus can yield
and allow for any irregularities in the diameter of the tube or bar or in the surface
thereof. According to a convenient method of mounting and operating the side
guides, they are carried in holders pivoted at their upper ends to the framing of
the apparatus. Outwardly inclined arms are formed on the upper or pivoted ends
of these holders, and the outer ends of these arms are connected together by
upwardly inclined links which are pivoted together at their outer ends. The outer
ends of the links are connected, by means of a vertical or vertically inclined link,
with a lever which is pivoted at one end of the framing and is weighted at its other
end, and this lever is provided with a stud against which the lever which operates
D

page_text: the upper vertical die, as such lever is raised, comes in contact and thus raises the
lever which is connected with the side die holders as described, and consequently
opens out the side dies. When the lever which operates the upper vertical die is
depressed, the weight on the lever connected with the side die holders depresses
such lever and thus closes in the side dies against the sides of a tube or bar. The
. means by which the side die holders are connected with the weighted lever causes
the weight to operate in pressing both the side dies with equal force against the
tube or bar, and to do so also if owing to the wear on one side of the vertical dies
the tube or bar passes through the dies somewhat out of the proper centre of the
apparatus; and either die can yield independently of the other under the pressure
caused by any irregularity of the surface of a tube or bar as it is passing between
the dies. Each side die holder is formed with a slot to receive the die, and each
side die is conveniently formed round in shape with notches in the edges to suit
different sizes of tubes and bars, or two or more of the notches in each die may be
of the same size so that one of the notches may be used when another is worn.
These dies have metal backings, and are pivoted within the slots of the holders so
as to be capable of turning on their axes, and thus any notch can yield upwards or
downwards to suit the exact position of a tube or bar or any irregularity in the
surface thereof: When two pairs of dies are used as above described, it is not
necessary that one die of each pair shall be carried to overlap with the other die,
but one of the pairs of dies must be carried in position somewhat in advance of the
other pair.
In wiping tubes and bars by drawing through wiping dies, the portion of the
forward end of each tube or bar which gripped by the tongs remains unwiped by
the dies, and according to a further part of this invention we employ, for wiping
such ends previously to gripping them in the tongs, an appliance consisting of a
wiper of suitable material, such as asbestos, carried in a suitable holder provided
with a handle. The holder may conveniently be formed with a pair of springs
to clip the wiper, and with a socket into which the handle is fitted. This appliance
is used by hand to wipe the front ends of the tubes and bars.
This invention relates, finally, to novel appliances for use in passing tubes and
bars into the water bath after they have been galvanized and withdrawing them
therefrom. According to this part of the invention, inclines are fixed on the
putting-in side of the water bath down which a tube or bar may run into the bath.
At the outer ends of the inclines are formed notches or hollows in which a tube or
bar may be rested in position parallel with the bath. Arms fixed upon a suitable
spindle are carried in such position that they may be turned down clear of a tube
or bar resting in the notches or hollows aforesaid, and may be turned upwards to
lift the tube or bar out of the notches and allow it to run out of the arms and
down the inclines into the water bath. The arms may be used for a tube or bar to
rest in, in lieu of forming notches or hollows therefor in the ends of the inclines.
Each tube or bar falls upon cross bearers which hold it up somewhat above the
bottom of the bath. The bearers are formed with inclined ends which leave a
somewhat short length, in the middle of each bearer, on which a tube or bar rests.
Rockers are mounted on a shaft carried in bearings in such position, on the
drawing-out side of the bath, that the inner ends of the rockers may be turned
down within the bath clear of the cross bearers therein so as to be underneath a
tube or bar when it falls upon the bearers. The inner ends of the rockers are
formed to curve upwards; and as they are turned upwards again they lift any tube
or bar which may be within the bath. The rockers are formed also with plain
portions extending outwards from the shaft, and in removing a tube or bar clear
of the bath the rockers are tilted sufficiently to cause it to run down them on to
the ground or place where they are to be delivered from the bath.
Dated this 11th day of December 1893

page_text: Novel and Improved Appliances for Use in, and Novel Appliances
for Use in connection with, the Galvanizing of Metal Tubes
and Bars.
We, THOMAS LESTER THOMAS, of 88 Albert Street, Prince's End, near Tipton
in the County of Stafford, Washer and Axle Plate Manufacturer, and JOSEPH
BEARD HILLMAN, of High Street, Prince's End, aforesaid, Galvanizing Works
Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described aud ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention relates, firstly, to the wiping of tubes and bars by drawing them
through soft wiping dies (such, for instance, as asbestos dies) before the molten
coating metal, taken onto their surfaces by immersing them in the galvanizing bath,
has set, that is to say, to the process of wiping tubes and bars described in the
Patent Specification No. 8572 of 1890. In the apparatus described in such
Specification two notched dies only are used for wiping the tubes and bars, and it
is found in practice that if, as is not infrequently the case, there are irregularities
in the diameter of a tube or bar which is being drawn through the dies, the notches
in the dies become widened out by the portions of larger diameter of the tubes or
bars and do not then so effectually wipe the sides of the portions of smaller
diameter.
Now, according to this invention, two pairs of dies, instead of a single pair, are
employed in wiping each tube or bar, one of the pairs of dies operating at right
angles to the other pair, so that if one pair act vertically as in the dies described
in the aforesaid Specification the other pair act horizontally. The lower vertical
die, of the pair of dies described in the aforesaid Specification, is fixed, and the
upper die is pressed down by means of a lever. For the purpose, however, of
improving the means of operating the upper die, and for convenience in utilizing
the lever by which it is operated for the purpose of opening out the side dies as
hereinafter described, the upper vertical die is, according to our present invention,
carried in vertical guides and is connected with its operating lever by means of a
link. This part of the invention, as also other novel features relating to the use
of wiping dies for wiping the superfluous spelter from tubes and bars before it
has set on their surfaces, is illustrated by the drawings on Sheet 1 herewith, of
which
Figure 1 is a back elevation of a set of wiping dies through which a tube or
bar is drawn as it leaves the coating bath, shewing the means by which the same
are carried and operated;
Figure 2 is a plan of the apparatus shewn by Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on line of Figure 1; and
Figure 4 is a front elevation of the upper part of the appliance shewn by
Figure 1.
The angle plate B and top and bottom dies j and g correspond, respectively,
to the parts similarly lettered in the said former Specification, and the galvanizing
bath A, of which the upper part of one end only is shewn, namely in section,
Figures 1 and 3, corresponds to the bath similarly lettered in such Specification.
In the present apparatus, however, a pair of wiping dies d d are employed which
operate at right-angles (or approximately so) to the pair jg, and to the rear
thereof, as shewn. The lower die g is fixed, and the upper die ; is pressed down
by means of a lever C, as is the case with the vertical dies described in the said
former Specification. For convenience, however, in utilizing the lever C for the
purpose of opening out the side dies, as hereinafter described, the die j is, according
to the present invention, fixed to a holder D which is capable of sliding against

page_text: a plate E fixed to standards 9 and within vertical guides c fixed to such plate,
and such holder is connected with the lever C by means of a link m. Both the
upper and lower vertical dies are strengthened, according to this invention, against
yielding backwards, and whether they are to be used alone or in combination
with the side dies, by backing-pieces which are adjustable to suit any width of die.
In the case of the upper die these backing-pieces consist of thin pieces of
metal n.
These are firmly held in place between a bar k, which corresponds to
the bar similarly lettered in the said former Specification, and an inner bar kl
which bears directly against the die j. When the bolts 7, by means of which the
bark is tightened up, are themselves tightened up the backing-pieces n are securely
fixed, and the inner bar k¹ is pressed tightly against the face of the die j and the
die thus securely held in place against the holder D. The top ends of the
backing-pieces n are bent outwards at right angles, as shewn, to rest upon the top.
of the bar k. When the bolts are slackened, the backing-pieces n may be slid
along sideways between the bars k and k¹ to adjust them widthways in position as
may be desired. These backing-pieces are cranked inwards below the bar k, as
shewn by Figure 3, so that they may bear against the back face of the die. In
the case of the lower die g, the backing-pieces consist of thin plates o, formed
each of an angle-shape as seen in Figure 1, of which one member is vertical as
shewn, and of, which the other runs sideways in a horizontal direction from the
bottom of the vertical member. Each backing-piece o is securely fixed by means
of one of the bolts i which are used to fix the die g to the angle plate B; and for
such purpose the bolts pass through the slots formed through the horizontal
members of the backing-pieces; and thus the backing-pieces o can, when the bolts
are slackened, be moved towards or from one another to adjust them in position
to suit the width of die which is at the time being used. The die g is held to the
angle-plate B by means of an upper angle-plate B, as clearly shewn by Figure 3 ;
and the backing-pieces o have their lower members passing along the inner face
of the upward member of the angle plate B¹, and their vertical members are bent
to the shape shewn by Figure 3 so that the upper portions thereof may bed
against the back face of the die
9.
The side dies d d are carried in holders N N. These holders are pivoted,
respectively, at rr to the plate E, and have each an arms formed outwards at an
angle therefrom at the pivoted end. The outer ends of the arms are pivoted to
Jinks 0, which incline upwards therefrom and are pivoted together and to the
upper end of a short link u. The lower end of this link u is pivoted to a
lever F which is fulcrumed at w to one of the standards g. On the outer end
of this lever F is fixed a weight which, when such lever ceases to be held
up as hereinafter described, weighs down the lever and operates through the
medium of the link u, links, and arms ss, to move the holders N N towards
one another, and bring the dies d d against opposite sides of a tube or bar, if
such is at the time entered between the dies. It will be seen that the means
of connection between the lever F and the arms ss causes an equal pressure to be
transmitted to each die d, so that the dies will press with equal force against a
tube or bar as it is drawn through the apparatus. Should one of the dies be
subjected to a momentary pressure in excess of the other die, it will yield slightly
independently of the other die of the pair, so that the pressure always tends to
balance itself on each side of the tube or bar. The dies d d thus readily adapt
themselves sideways to any irregularities in the surface of a tube or bar; and if,
owing to the wear on one side of the vertical dies, the tube or bar passes through the
dies somewhat out of the proper centre of the apparatus, the dies d d readily adjust
themselves to such position of the tube or bar. The lever C is formed with a
handle at its outer end, and with a weight f on a portion which extends backwardly
from the fulcrum t, as in the case of the lever C described in the said former
Specification; and thus, when such lever is not pressed down by hand, it remains
balanced up in the position shewn on the drawings, with the upper die j in its raised-
up position. A stud a is fixed to the lever F in position to come across the upper

page_text: edge of the lever C, and thus the lever C cannot rise into its upward position
without raising up the lever F; and the weight fand its leverage is such that it
will balance up not only the lever C, holder D, and parts carried thereby, but also
the lever F and consequently open out the dies d d.
When it is desired to wipe a tube or bar by means of the appliance illustrated by
Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, the forward end is entered between, and passed sufficiently
beyond, the dies to enable it to be taken hold of by a pair of tongs. The lever Ć
is then depressed, whereby the top die j is brought down upon the tube or bar and
presses it between itself and the bottom die g. The weight b also operates at the
same time to close up the side dies d d against the tube or bar on each side and
press such tube or bar between the dies. The weight bis quite small, as a co-
paratively slight pressure of the dies d d against a tube or bar is sufficient for the
purpose of wiping it, and the weights of the lever F, link u, links vv, arms ss,
and holders N N, all operate in combination with the weight b. to produce the
desired effect.
When a tube or bar has been drawn through between the dies, the lever C is
allowed to be balanced up by the weight f, and not only is the top verical die j
raised thereby, but the lever C coming in contact with the stud a raises also the
lever F and thus moves the side dies d d apart.
The holders N N for the side dies are each made with a slot to receive a die, the
portion of a holder which receives a die being conveniently made of a pair of
flat bars distanced apart, by means of a shank c¹ to which they are riveted, to
leave a space between them for the die. Each die is, preferably, backed with a
thin plate d, and it and such plate is held between the two sides of the holder by
means of a pin p¹ which passes through one of a number of holes e¹ formed through
the sides of the holder, and which passes also through the die and backing-
plate d. The back of each die is made flat, as shewn, and a spring f' presses
against such back. Each die may thus turn upon the axis of the pin which passes
through it, to allow of the notch in its working edge yielding upwards or downwards
to suit the exact position of a tube or bar, or any irregularity in the surface
thereof, and the spring yields backwards somewhat under such turning movement
of the die, and causes the die to turn back again into its normal position
immediately it ceases to be subjected to the force by which it was turned out
therefrom. The backing-plates d may be shaped as shewn to admit of a notch
being formed in each of the four sides of the wiping material. The holders N N
are shewn as slanting backwards so that the dies d d shall be in a plane at right
angles (or approximately so) to the inclination of a tube or bar as it is drawn
through the dies. These dies need not be set to overlap, and may thus press
against the tube or bar in position exactly opposite to one another.
In drawing tubes or bars of large diameter between the wiping dies a winch and
rope or chain may be employed.
In wiping tubes and bars by drawing through wiping dies, the portion of the
forward end of each tube or bar which is gripped by the tongs remains unwiped by
the dies. We employ for wiping such ends previously to gripping them in the
tongs, an appliance consisting of a wiper of suitable material, such as asbestos,
carried in a suitable holder provided with a handle. The holder may conveniently
be formed with a pair of springs to clip and thus securely hold the wiper, and with
a socket into which the handle is fitted. This appliance is used by hand to wipe
the front ends of the tubes or bars. A convenient form of this appliance is
illustrated by Figures 5 and 6, of which Figure 5 is a side view, and Figure 6 a
plan or edge view.
G is the holder formed with the socket g¹ at one end, and with a spring clip /¹ at
the other end. A handle, by which the appliance is used, is inserted into the
socket g', and a wiper of soft refractory material, such as asbestos, is held within
the spring clip h¹. When the wiper is for use for wiping the forward ends of tubes
or round bars, it is notched, preferably at its front edge and also at each side edge,
as shewn.

page_text: This invention relates, further, to novel appliances for use in passing tubes and
bars into the water bath after they bave been galvanized, and withdrawing them
therefrom. This part of the invention is illustrated by Figures 7 and 8, of
which Figure 7 is a plan view, and Figure 8 a section taken on line of
Figure 7.
H is the water bath. On the putting-in side of the bath are fixed brackets J,
having their upper edges inclined downwards towards the bath, down which
a' tube or bar may roll or run into the bath. At the outer ends of these inclines.
are formed notches or hollows k¹. in which a tube or bar may be rested in
position parallel with the bath. Arms K are fixed upon a spindle L which is
carried in suitable bearings formed in the brackets J, or in other convenient
bearings; and a handle lever M is fixed on one end of the spindle, by means of
which the arms may be turned down into the position shewn by Figure 8, and
by means of which they may be raised up to lift a tube or bar, lying in the
hollows of the inclines, until it runs out of the arms and down the inclines into
the water bath. In lieu of hollows k¹ in the outer ends of the inclines J, the
arms K may be utilized to carry the tube or bar until the arms have been raised
sufficiently to allow it to roll or slide out of hollows formed in the upper sides
of the arms onto the inclines and thus pass into the bath. The use of the inclines .J
and notches enables the lad who catches the hinder end of the tube or har,
as it falls from the wiping dies, to place it direct within the notch of the hinler
incline instead of handing it first to a second lad for conveyance to the bath,
as is otherwise necessary. The tube or bar falls within the bath upon bearers /¹
of the usual character of those employed for the purpose, and as the bearers
incline downwards from each side of the bath to the ends of the middle portions
thereof, which are comparatively short, each tube or bar lies near to the middle
of the bath when it is at rest therein. Rockers T are mounted on a shaft F
carried in bearings m' on the drawing-out side of the bath. These rockers are
each formed with a portion extending inwards from the shaft, and with a portion
extending outwards therefrom, and the upper edge forms a straight line to near the
inner end where it curves round to a hook-shape n'. The shaft P is capable of
being partially rotated, by means of a winch handle Q operating through the
medium of a pinion R, and a wheel S which is fixed upon the shaft. As the
shaft P is turned in the direction of the arrow o', Figure 8, the inner ends of
the rockers are lifted and the outer ends depressed, and a tube or bar lying upon
the bearers is thus raised up out of the bath, and running down the edges of the
rockers is delivered on to a wagon, or into other position, as required.
Having now 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 :-
1. In apparatus for wiping tubes and bars before the molten coating metal, taken
on to their surfaces by immersing them in the galvanizing bath, has set, two pairs
of wiping dies of which one pair is in advance of the other pair and is set to
operate at right-angles (or approximately so) thereto, substantially as described.
2. In apparatus for wiping tubes and bars before the coating metal, taken
on their surfaces by immersing them in the galvanizing bath, has set, two pairs of
wiping dies set the one pair in advance of the other, the dies of one pair being
pressed against the surface of the tube or bar under pressure due to gravity, which
permits of their readily adjusting themselves to suit the position of the tube or
bar or any irregularity in the surface thereof, substantially as described.
3. In apparatus for wiping tubes and bars before the molten coating metal, taken
on to their surfaces by iminersing them in the galvanizing bath, has set, two pairs of
wiping dies of which one pair is in advance of the other pair and is set to operate
at right angles (or approximately so) thereto, and of which one pair has one of the
dies connected with an operating lever by means of which it can be advanced
towards the other die and with a counterbalance weight by means of which it can

page_text: be drawn back therefrom, and of which each die of the other pair is in conmuni-
cation with a weight by means of which it is pressed against the surface of a
tube or bar, substantially as described.
4. In apparatus for wiping tubes and bars before the coating metal, tiken on
to their surfaces by immersing them in the galvanizing bath, has set, a pair of
wiping dies carried by holders situated on opposite sides of a tube or bar which
is being wiped, said dies being connected with one another through the medium of
compensating mechanism which ensures their readily adjusting themselves to suit
the position of the tube or bar or any irregularity in the surface thereof,
substantially as described.
5. The combination of wiping dies dd, pivoted holders N N, arms s s, links vo,
link u, and pivoted lever F, with the pivoted and weighted lever C used in com-
bination with the holder D and die j, one of the said levers having a part with which
the other lever engages so that as the lever C rises it raises the lever F,
substantially as and for the purpose described and shewn.
6. The combination of wiping dies d d, holders N N pivoted at rr, arms ss,
links and u, and pivoted lever F, all substantially as described and shewn.
7. The combination with a die holder and notched die secured thereto, for use in
wiping a tube or bar, before the coating metal taken on to its surface by immersing
it in a galvanizing bath, has set, of stiff backing pieces, to reinforce the die, mounted
adjustably on the holder and applied to the back or rear face of the die, substantially
as described.
8. The general construction and combination of apparatus for use in wiping tubes
and bars before the molten coating metal, taken on to their surfaces by immersing
them in a galvanizing bath, has set, substantially as described and shewn by the
drawings on Sheet 1 herewith.
9. The combination, with a water bath for receiving tubes or bars after they have
been immersed in molten spelter and the coating metal upon them has set, of
inclines at the putting-in side of the bath and of arms which may be raised to cause
the tubes or bars to run from a state of rest down the inclines into the bath and of
hollows within which the tubes or bars rest until they are moved onto the inclines
by the operation of the arms, substantially as described.
10. The combination with a water bath for receiving tubes or bars after they
have been immersed in molten spelter and the coating metal upon them has set, of.
rockers constructed and capable of being operated substantially as described, for
the purpose set forth.
Dated this 7th day of September 1894.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicants.