IMPROVED MACHINES FOR STRAIGHTENING BENDING AND CIRCLING ANGLE, TEE AND OTHER SHAPED OR PLAIN BARS
Year: 1883

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LETTERS PATENT to William Frederick Gilmer of Gosforth, in the County of
Northumberland, Engineer for an Invention of IMPROVED MACHINES FOR
STRAIGHTENING BENDING AND CIRCLING ANGLE, TEE AND OTHER SHAPED OR
PLAIN BARS
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Frederick Gilmer
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th March 1883.
WILLIAM FREDERICK GILMER of Gosforth in the County of Northumberland,
Engineer, "IMPROVED MACHINES FOR STRAIGHTENING, BENDING, AND CIRCLING
ANGLE, TEE AND OTHER SHAPED OR PLAIN BARS
"
This invention has reference to an improved and more rapid means of straightening,
curving, and circling angles, tees, bulbs, or other shaped or plain bars (or narrow
plates) of iron, steel, or other metals. When this improved machine is required for
straightening only it is constructed of two strong cast iron side frames, capable of
resisting the lateral strain necessary in straightening the bars edgeways. Each of
these side frames has slots in the upper portion fitted with sliding bearings for
journals, of four upper rolls; the whole of these movable bearings in both frames
being raised and lowered simultaneously by means of screws passing through the
upper portion of the frames worked by pinion and bevel wheels above the side
frames and having their lower ends working in a socket in the movable journals.
The end rolls are in addition provided with means for raising and lowering them,
independently of the middle rolls, by worm wheels and pinion gearing, for
facilitating the entering of bars which are very much bent or twisted. The two
side frames are kept in position by steel or iron stays and a strong solid screw
passed through the whole by screw nuts, jam nuts or other equivalent. The
machine is fitted with three rolls underneath the four upper rolls having their
centres intermediate with the centres of the upper rolls and fitted upon square
shafts throughout (except at the journals) or upon round shafts with keys.
These rolls are each in two parts and form in fact, two separate rolls, the one
being fast on the shaft and the other working loosely upon it or sliding upon keys

page_text: to allow of the space between their inner edges being varied to suit the various
thicknesses required to be admitted.
The loose roll is turned down at the end next the side frame so as to form a
journal and collar; this journal works in a gun metal, steel, or other metal bearing
screwed or bolted to a carriage moving in recesses cast in one of the side frames
formed so as to admit of the reception and removal of the carriage. These
carriages are connected to screws working in tapped nuts in the side frames, by
means of which they can be moved forward or backward in the recesses formed in
the frame, moving with them upon their shafts the loose rolls to suit the thickness
of the angle tee or other bar to be straightened. The screws of the three rolls are
connected together so as to be advanced or withdrawn simultaneously by toothed
gearing operated by a hand wheel.
Motion is given to the three lower rolls in the same direction by an arrangement
of spur gearing from a sheave driven by a belt; or a small engine may be used
for heavy work, reversing gear being in either case provided, to make the rolls act
in both directions.
.When required for bending or circling bars the machine is constructed with two
lower rolls, each as before in two parts, and one upper roll so fitted as to be raised
and lowered and also to be capable of being entirely removed when required to
allow the circled bar to be taken out.
I
In order to enable angle or tee bars to be bent or circled, with the webs inward,
propose to construct the machine with the two lower rolls solid and fast upon
their shafts and to make the upper roll in two, one being arranged to move or slide
to allow the space between them to be varied to admit the web of the angle or tee
iron. When a complete or nearly complete ring is required to be formed of an angle
or tee bar the loose roll can be drawn off the end of its shaft, when lifted out, so as
to allow the ring to be taken off.
As a modification of the machine for the purpose of curving ship's frames or
similar work I propose to arrange the rolls vertically, one portion of the frame work
being sunk below the surface of the ground so that the bars being curved may
enter and leave the rolls at the level of the ground or of the curving table, the
other features of the invention being carried out in the same manner as for the
ordinary three roll bending machine.
The operation is easily understood the essential features being the same whether
the machine is constructed for straightening or for bending or circling. As applied
to angles and tees the distance between the upper and lower rolls is adjusted to suit
the thickness of the horizontal web, and the distance between the fixed and loose
rolls of the lower train adjusted to suit the thickness of the vertical web. In the
case of bulb or flat bars to be straightened or curved edgeways the operation is
similar, the space between the two rolls receiving the web, the depth of. which is
limited by the diameter of the rolls.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Frederick Gilmer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
7th September 1883.
WILLIAM FREDERICK GILMER of Gosforth in the County of Northumberland
Engineer IMPROVED MACHINES FOR STRAIGHTENING BENDING AND CIRCLING
ANGLE TEE AND OTHER SHAPED OR PLAIN BARS
This invention bas reference to an improved and more rapid means of
straightening curving and circling angles tees bulbs or other shaped or plain bars
(or narrow plates) of iron steel or other metals. When this improved machine is
required for straightening only it is constructed of two strong cast iron side
frames capable of resisting the lateral strain necessary in straightening the bars
edgeways: Each of these side frames has slots in the upper portion fitted with
sliding bearings for journals of four upper rolls; the whole of these moveable
bearings in both frames being raised and lowered simultaneously by means of
screws passing through the upper portion of the frames worked by pinion and
bevel wheels above the side frames and having their lower ends working in sockets
in moveable bearings for journals of rolls. The end rolls are in addition provided
with means for raising and lowering them independently of the middle rolls by
worm wheels and pinion gearing for facilitating the entering of bars which are
very much bent or twisted. The two side frames are kept in position by steel or
iron stays and a strong solid screw passed through the whole by screw nuts jam
nuts or other equivalent. The machine is fitted with three rolls underneath the
four upper rolls having their centres intermediate with the centres of the upper
rolls and fitted upon square shafts throughout (except at the journals) or upon
round shafts with feather keys
These three lower rolls are each in two parts and form in fact each two separate
rolls the one being fast on the shaft and the other working loosely upon it or sliding
upon keys to allow of the space between their inner edges being varied to suit the
various thicknesses required to be admitted.
The loose roll is turned down at the end next the side frame so as to form a
journal and collar and this journal works in a gun metal steel or other metal
bearing screwed or bolted to a carriage moving in recesses cast in one of the side
frames formed so as to admit of the reception and removal of the carriage. These
carriages are connected to screws working in tapped nuts in the side frames by
means of which they can be moved forward or back ward in the recesses formed in
the frame moving with them upon their shafts, the loose rolls to suit the thickness
of the angle tee or other bar to be straightened. The screws of the three rolls are
connected together so as to be advanced or withdrawn simultaneously by toothed-
gearing operated by a hand wheel
Motion is given to the three lower rolls in the same direction by an arrange-
ment of spur gearing from a sheave driven by a belt or a small engine may be used
for heavy work reversing gear being in either case provided to make the rolls act in
both directions.
When required for bending or circling bars the machine is constructed with two
lower rolls each as before in two parts and one upper roll so fitted as to be raised
and lowered and also to be capable of being entirely removed when required to
allow the circled bars to be taken out.
In order to enable angle or tee bars to be bent or circled with the webs inward,
--

page_text: I propose to construct the machine with the two lower rolls solid and fast upon
their shafts and to make the upper roll in two one being arranged to move or slide
to allow the space between them to be varied to admit the web of the angle or tee
iron or as I now prefer and have shewn on drawings to make both upper and
lower rolls in two by which the web can be circled either inside or outside When
a complete or nearly complete ring is required to be formed of an angle or tee bar
the loose upper roll can be drawn off the end of its shaft when lifted out so as to
allow the ring to be taken off or as shewn the shaft and rolls withdrawn to a
sufficient extent.
As a modification of the machine for the purpose of curving ships frames or
similar work I propose to arrange the rolls vertically one portion of the frame work
being sunk below the surface of the ground so that the bars being curved may
enter and leave the rolls at the level of the ground or of the curving table the
other features of the invention being carried out in the same manner as for the
ordinary three roll bending machine.
The operation is easily understood the essential features being the same whether
the machine is constructed for straightening or for bending or circling. As applied
to angles and tees the distance between the upper and lower rolls is adjusted to
suit the thickness of the horizontal web and the distance between the fixed and
loose rolls of the lower train adjusted to suit the thickness of the vertical web. In
the case of bulb or flat bars to be straightened or curved edgeways the operation is
similar the space between the two rolls receiving the web the depth of which is
limited by the diameter of the rolls.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the mode in which I propose to apply my
invention in practical operation. Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 shew various views of a
seven roll machine for straightening angle, tee or other shaped or plain bars also
adapted for straightening plates as an ordinary seven roll machine.
Figure 1 is an end elevation shewing the long end of roll sliding.
Figure 2 a side elevation.
Figure 3 a plan in section through lower rolls the short end of roll being shewn
to slide
Figure 4 an end elevation in section through one of the lower rolls.
«
The same numerals refer to similar parts on all the Figures 1, 1a are the side
frames fixed by bolts to foundation and stayed by tubular and rod stays 2. 2º 3.34
* and 3B are the lower rolls fixed on their shafts and 4. 44 and 4B the lower Rolls
which are fitted to slide upon their shafts (so as to leave a 'gap" of adjustable
extent between them and the fixed rolls 3. 34 and 3B) or closing up entirely by
gearing operated by a worm shaft 5 and hand wheel 6 rotating the three worm
wheels 7.7 and 7B and through them by the intervention of screws 8.8ª and 8³ to
move the sliding blocks 9. 9 and 9B (in which the necks of the loose rolls 4. 44
and 4 are carried) in either direction thus moving the loose rolls 4. 4ª and 4B toward
or from the fast rolls 3. 3ª and 3B. The three lower rolls are driven in one direction
by means of the ordinary toothed gearing from the prime mover by a belt to the
Sheave 10. (10 being the loose Sheave) and the machine may be either double or
triple geared according to the work to be done. The four upper rolls 11, 114, 11B
and 11° are fixed on shafts the journals of which are carried in blocks 12, 124, 12B
and 12° sliding in guides formed in the Side frames 1 and 14 and operated from
above by means of right and left hand screws and toothed and bevil gearing so
that the rotation of the hand wheel 13 will raise or lower all the rolls simultaneously.
The two end rolls can also be raised or lowered independently of the others by the
worm gear 14 and 14ª operated by hand wheels 15, 15ª
. Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 shew various views of a three roll machine for

page_text: "
Denuing curving of change ՆԱԵ or other shaped bars With the web or
flange either inside or outside the curve or circle
Figure 5 is an end sectional elevation
-:
Figure 6 is a sectional side elevation through one of lower rolls.
Figure 7 is an end elevation shewing gear for operating rolls
Figure 8 is a sectional plan through centres of lower rolls.
Figure 9 is a sectional side elevation through centre of upper roll
Figure 10 is a side elevation of the machine
The same numerals refer to similar parts on all the figures
1 and 1ª are the Side frames fixed by bolts to foundation and strongly stayed'
together the frame 1ª being formed with recesses to receive the sliding blocks of
the rolls; 2 and 2^ are the lower rolls fixed on the shafts 3 and 3 and 4 and 4A
are the lower rolls fitted so as to slide upon same shafts leaving an adjustable
gap" between them and the rolls 2 and 24 or closing up entirely by gearing
operated by a hand wheel 5 rotating the spur wheels 6 and 64 and through the
introduction of screws 7 and 7ª moving the sliding blocks 8 and 8* (in which the
necks of the rolls 4 and 4ª are carried) in either direction thus moving the loose
rolls 4 and 4 toward or from the fast rolls 2 and 2. The lower rolls are driven
in one direction by means of the usual arrangement of spur wheels by a belt from
the prime mover by double or treble gearing this gear not being shewn on
drawings. The upper roll consists also of two parts the roll 9 being fixed on the
Shaft 10 and the roll 9ª sliding upon it so as to leave an adjustable “gap" between.
them
Between the loose roll 9 and the fast roll 9ª a strong coiled spring 11 is inserted
tending to force the rolls apart which tendency is resisted by the roll 94 fast on
the shaft 10 onto the end of which shaft is fitted a nut 12. working on a strong
screw 13 which being rotated by the hand wheel 14 in one direction forces the
shaft and with it the fast roll 9* toward the loose roll 9 against the resistance of
the spring. When it is required to remove a bar which has been circled the screw 13
being rotated in the opposite direction and travelling in the Nut 12-draws back
the shaft 10 (and with it the rolls 9 and 94) toward the side frame 1ª until the end
of the shaft is completely out of its bearing and sufficiently clear of it to allow the
circled bar to be removed between it and the frame-the spring 11 being prevented
forcing the loose roll 9 over the end of the shaft 10 by a collar or nut on shaft.
The rolls 9 and 94 the shaft 10 with its bearings at each end are raised or lowered
along with the Screw 13 nut 12 and hand wheel 14 by means of sliding frames
15, 154 and 15³ working in guides formed on side frames 1 and 1 by bevil
gearing 16, 16 and 16B and screws 17, 17 and 17B operated by a hand wheel 18
The arrangement of machine with vertical rolls for curving special heavy work,
as ships frames &c, is not illustrated but it will be obvious that the arrangement is
only a modification of the horizontal arrangement merely requiring special provisions
for foundations and driving gear
Having now fully described my invention and illustrated the forms in which I
prefer to carry it into practical operation I would have it understood that I do not
restrict myself to the arrangement of the machine, which may be varied to meet
special requirements nor to the number of rolls, nor to the details of mechanism to
operate the rolls but that what I claim as novel and secured to me by the herein-
before in parted recited Letters Patent is:
Firstly In machines for straightening angle "tee" or other shaped bars the
construction and arrangement of the rolls, preferably the lower rolls, so
as to admit variable thicknesses of web between them and to be capable
of straightening the bars in a lateral and vertical direction at one
operation substantially as shewn and described
Secondly In machines for bending or circling angle "tee" or other shaped bars
with the web either outward or inward the construction and arrangement
of the rolls so as to admit variable thicknesses of web between them
substantially as shewn and described.

page_text: Thirdly―The mode of arranging the upper roll in machines for bending or
circling angle "tee" or other bars so that it can be withdrawn to remove
a circled bar substantially as shewn and described.
Fourthly The general arrangement and construction of parts constituting
Machines for straightening or for, bending or circling angle "tee" or other
shaped bars substantially as shewn and described
In witness whereof I the said William Frederick Gilmer have hereunto set my
hand and seal this sixth day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.
Witness:
T. J DANSON F. Inst P.A
Consulting Engineer &c
Newcastle on Tyne
W. F. GILMER (L.S.)