Improvements in Appliances used in connection with the Electro- deposition of Metals.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Sept.,
1897
Complete Specification Left, 11th Feb., 1898--Accepted, 2nd Apr., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Appliances used in connection with the Electro-
deposition of Metals.
I, FRED GREENFIELD, of No. 7, The Limes, Armoury Road, Small Heath, in the
City of Birmingham, Foreman of Electro-plating and Polishing Departments, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to appliances or apparatus to be used in connection with
the deposition of metals principally upon small articles, and has for its object, to
enable a very large number of articles at the same time in an ordinary vat, and in
a simple and efficient manner, without motion being imparted to the said articles,
as is the case where tumbling barrels are employed.
By my improvements, the out-put of a vat is greatly increased with a much less
expenditure of labour. Further, a fewer number of vats are required to plate a
given quantity of articles, and the wiring of the articles for suspending in a vat,
as is now commonly done, is dispensed with altogether.
In carrying out one form of my improvements, I take an ordinary vat, which may
have a wooden rim affixed to the upper edge as usual, and I secure upon it, a rect-
angular metalic frame to which a binding sorew is affixed for the connection of
the positive wire of a battery or dynamo. Within the rectangle is a similar
metallic frame, insulated from the first named, and having a binding screw for the
connection of a wire from the negative pole of a battery. Metallic rods from side
to side of the first-named frame are in clean metallic contact therewith, and these
rede have the anodes suspended from them. Similar rods cross the second named frame
from which a series of depending rods or staffs are suspended in lieu of the ordinary
suspending wires.
The suspending staffs, which are immersed within the electrolyte solution, are
each made of wood or some other suitable non-conducting material, the upper part
having a metallic shoe or connection with a conducting strip of copper proceeding
therefrom and passing down the two opposite sides and carrying series of headed
studs or equivalent, from which outstanding article-supporting shelf-like brackets,
arranged in tiers one above another, outwardly extend and have the lower parts
of their inner or foot ends, resting upon encircling bands of rubber or other non-
conducting material, which cover up parts of the conducting strips between the
studs and prevent leakage of current.
Each shelf bracket is in electrical connection with the stud from which it is
suspended, and current passes from the said brackets to the articles to be plated
carried thereon and from them into the electrolyte to the anode as usual..
The detachable shelf brackets, which have key-hole shaped piercings for engaging
over the studs of the conducting strips, are provided with a series of holes corres-
ponding in size and shape to the articles to be plated. Thus, for plating cycle
crank-end pins, the plates have series of rows of holes of about the same diameter
as the shanks of the said pins, whose shoulders or collars rest upon the topside of
the said plate, with the heads coming above and the shanks below.

page_text: The holes may have gates through which the articles are introduced side-wise
or laterally and their boundaries may be knife-edged or have small teats which only
contact with the articles sufficiently to support them without interfering with the
deposition.
When the holes are gapped on the sides, then they are particularly adapted for
the suspension of articles having heads at both ends, such as wheel and bottom
bracket spindles. In articles having no shoulders, but only screwed ends, these
ends may take into corresponding holes in the brackets, and when eyes, nuts and
washers are required to be suspended, then the brackets may be in the form of rods
pierced with holes wherethrough single or double hooked hangers or like suspenders
pass and upon which the articles are threaded and hung.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the particular form of
brackets herein described and the means of connecting them to the suspended staffs,
as the forms of bracket and the means of connection and suspension may be varied
according to the character of the work to be plated. The said brackets may be in
any form of ramified branches or projections on which the work is hung.
Any number of staffs, with brackets may be supported in one vat, preferably side
by side.
The invention is applicable to the nickel plating of nearly every variety of cycle
component parts and accessories, also to silvering, gilding, bronzing and other
electro-depositing processes.
The brackets or ramified supports are provided with a series of articles and then
hooked onto the staffs which are suspended in the electrolyte for a suitable period,
after which the brackets and the articles supported by them are removed. The
said brackets may be cleaned at periods to free them from any deposited metal.
Dated this 24th day of September 1897.
Improvements in Appliances used in connection with the Electro-
deposition of Metals.
I, FRED GREENFIELD, of No. 7, The Limes, Armoury Road, Small Heath, in the
City of Birmingham, Foreman of Electro-plating and Polishing Departments, 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:-
This invention relates to appliances or apparatus to be used in connection with the
deposition of metals principally upon small articles, and has for its object, to enable
a very large number of articles to be plated or coated with deposited metal at the
same time in an ordinary vat, and in a simple and efficient manner, without motion
being imparted to the said articles, as is the case where tumbling barrels are
employed and without having to first "wire up" the said articles, that is, to con-
nect them together by wires by which they are suspended from the cathode con-
ductors of a vat as is the ordinary practise.
By my improvements, the out-put of a vat is greatly increased with a much less
expenditure of labor, and in consequence of the great saving in vat room, a fewer
number of vats are required to plate a given quantity of articles, whilst the wiring
of the articles, which ordinary consumes a large amount of time and labour, is
dispensed with altogether.

page_text: Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a section of electrolytic vat
provided with appliances for suspending in the electrolyte, the articles to be plated
or coated with deposited metal, and consisting of a series of staffs or rods, suspended
from the cathode conducting rod and provided with metallic conducting strips, to
which series of brackets or supports adapted to carry the work, and being, through
the said conducting strips, in electrical connection with the said cathode are con-
nected, the whole being constructed and arranged in accordance with my invention,
as hereinafter fully described. In this view, the suspended bars as shown, are fitted
respectively with brackets or supports adapted to carry cycle seat lug pins, cycle
rear wheel hubs, bottom bracket cottar pins, hub spindles, pedal spindles and crank
axle spindles, each of the said brackets being of a particular form best adapted to
receive the articles they support.
Figure 2 represents a perspective view, upon an enlarged scale, of one of the
said suspended carriers or staffs separately and having connected therewith, various
forms of brackets by or from which different kinds of articles, such as shown, are
carried or suspended.
In the form of my invention represented in Figures 1 and 2, the suspended
staffs a, which are immersed within the electrolyte solution, 61, contained in the
vat b, (which may be of any approved construction) are each made of a bar a¹ of
wood or some other suitable non-conducting material, the upper part having a
metallic shoe or connection c, whereby the staff is suspended by means of a hook d,
from the cathode conductor 62, whilst conducting strips of copper c¹, proceed there-
from and passing down the two opposite sides and carrying series of headed studs
or equivalent c³, from which outstanding article-supporting rests or shelf-like
brackets e, arranged in tiers one above another, outwardly extend, being connected
to the said conductor strips by the key-hole shaped piercings e¹, in their turned up
inner ends e, being passed over the necks of the studs c³.
. Each shelf bracket is in electrical connection with the studs from which it is.
suspended, and current passes from the said brackets to the articles f, to be plated
carried thereon and from them into the electrolyte to the anode g, as usual.
The detachable shelf brackets are provided with a series of plain or screwed holes
or gaps corresponding in size and shape to the articles to be plated, which are
placed therein. Various forms of these brackets or supports, modified in various.
ways to adapt them to receive different kinds of articles, are illustrated in the
drawings in Figures 3 to 23 inclusive.
Thus, Figure 3 represents an edge view of a shelf bracket or carrier adapted to
support a series of crank axles, Figure 4 is a topside plan of the said bracket and
Figure 5 an end view thereof.
e is the bracket (which is also marked 3, in Figure 2) e¹ the eared or turned-up
inner end, having key-hole shaped piercings e², which are engaged over the necked
studs on the conducting strips of the staff, whilst e³, are a series of gaps formed
along the edges, each of which is adapted to receive a cycle crank axle fl (see
Figure 2) which is supported by the collar or cone thereon resting upon the top of
the bracket.
Figure 6 represents a side elevation of a carrier bracket provided with a series
of hooks onto which small articles are hooked, as also seen in Figure 2. Figure 7
is a cross section of Figure 6 upon the dotted line x, Figure 6, and Figure 8 is a
topside plan.
e is the bracket (marked 6 in Figure 2), e¹ a turned up plate or inner end, pro-
vided with key-hole shaped piercings e³, for engagement with the connections of
the conducting strips, and e³, et, are a series of double hooks made fast to the
bracket and from which the articles to be plated are hung.
Figure 9 represents an edge view, Figure 10 an end view and Figure 11 a plan
of another form of bracket, particularly applicable to the supporting of cycle nedal
end plates and other articles having piercings or holes which admit of them being
placed over the bar e, and then being retained in position thereon by parts of the
said articles engaging or falling into the notches e, in one edge of the same.
This

page_text: bracket also has a turned up ear el, with piercings e³, for its connection with the
staff.
Figure 12 represents an elevation of another form of bracket provided with
series of screwed holes adapted to receive wormed ends or parts of pedal side pins
and analogous articles.
Figure 13 is a section of this bracket upon the dotted line ¹, Figure 12, whilst
Figure 14 is a plan of the same.
e is the bracket (also marked 12 in Figure 2) having a connection end e¹, with
piercings e, as before whilst the bars f, to be plated are connected therewith by
their screwed ends f', being wormed into the screwed holes c³, which may be
arranged in the bracket in any convenient number.
Figure 15 represents a side elevation of a further modification of bracket or
carrier for holding articles to be plated, Figure 16 is a plan thereof and Figure 17
an end view thereof. This bracket consists, in this case, of a shallow tray e,
having an end e¹, provided with attachment piercings e², whilst the bottom of the
said tray (which is also marked 15 in Figure 2) is made of. woven open wire work,
through which electrolytic solution may pass to the articles being plated. This
form of carrier is particularly applicable to supporting very small screws and
similar small articles, which are placed loose therein.
Figure 18 represents a plan of one form of another kind of bracket adapted to
receive a number of headed articles, such as the pins of cycle seat lugs, pedal and
bottom bracket cottar pins, crank end pins, and the like, also such articles as pedal
centres. -
Figure 19 is an edge view of the said bracket and Figure 20 an end view thereof.
e is the bracket (which is also marked 18 in Figure 2), provided with a key-
lole pierced attachment end e¹, whilst e³ are a series of holes, through which the
articles (see Figure 2) to be plated are dropped and are kept from falling through
by the heads or parts f¹, of larger diameter coming and resting upon the top side
of the bracket. The number and disposition of the holes in the brackets may be
varied according to the size of the articles to be received therein, as where they are
only small, such as in the case of crank end pins, a large number of holes may be
provided (see the bracket marked 19 in Figure 2) whilst for such pins as used in
handle bar stem clips,. the number would be less (see the bracket 20 in Figure 2).
and so on.
Figure 21 represents a side elevation of a still further modification of bracket or
rest, onto which a tubular article such as the barrel of a hub, is threaded.
Figure 22 is a plan thereof, and Figure 23 an end elevation.
"
e is the bracket. (marked 21 in Figure 2) consisting in this form of a narrow
strip of metal, of such width as to admit of a hub being placed thereon, with
the inner end provided with a key hole pierced connection ear e³, whilst the outer
end is turned up into a stop e; which retains the said hub or like tubular article
in its assigned position.
A modification of the bracket represented in Figures 3, 4 and 5 but having
smaller edge gaps to adapt it to receive such articles as hub spindles is also shown
in Figure 2 and marked 22, such brackets which are gapped on the sides, being
particularly adapted for the suspension of any articles having heads or enlarge-.
ments at both ends, such as wheel and bottom bracket spindles.
In order to prevent waste of plating metal by the same being deposited on the
brackets, conducting strips or connections, these parts are coated or stopped off with
varnish, vitreous enamel or other suitable material, applied to all parts of their
surface excepting those which are required to make electrical contact with one
another or with the articles to be plated, the said parts which are left bare or clean
being the necks of the connecting screws or equivalent parts and the insides of
the key hole shaped or like piercings in the bracket ends; thus preserving proper
connection between the brackets and the conducting strips, and also the inside
edges of the gaps or holes in the brackets and the parts immediately surrounding
the said gaps or holes with which the articles being plated are in contact, so that

page_text: the circuit between the work, the brackets and their connections the conducting
strips of the suspended staffs and the cathode conductor from which the said staffs
are suspended is maintained.
In operation, the articles to be plated are engaged with or placed upon the
brackets, which are then hooked onto the studs on the conducting strips of the
staff. The staffs (which may be of any number, according to the size of
the vat), are then suspended from the cathode conductor into the electrolyte for a
suitable period, or until the articles have received a sufficient coating of deposited
metal, after which the said staff or suspended bars, with the brackets and work
are removed from the vat.
Figure 24 represents a side elevation of a modification of suspended support for
the work-carrier brackets, with the brackets in position thereon.
Figure 25 is a topside plan of the same.
Figure 26 is an end view of the said support and Figure 27 is a complete vertical
section thereof, upon the dotted line, Figure 26.
In this modification, the staff or wooden bar constituting the support for the
conducting strips'is dispensed with, and the carrier comprises a metallic frame c,
provided at its top end with an eye c¹, by which it is suspended, through the
medium of a hook or otherwise, from the cathode conductor of the vat, whilst the
sides c2, constitute the current conducting strips and are pierced with holes c³,
through which studs or bolts d, are passed and retained there by nuts d¹.
e are the
brackets, supporting the work f, and having connection ears e¹, pierced with
holes e, adapted to receive the bolts or securing pins d, by which the said brackets
are connected to the frame on the screwing up of the nuts d', and to be in electrical
connection therewith as in the corresponding necked-studs and key hole shaped
piercings of the previously described arrangement. The metallic frame is coated
or stopped off with vitreous enamel, japan, varnish or other suitable material c*,
(see Figure 27) at all parts except the insides of the holes c³, which are left clear
or naked in order to make electrical connection with the bolts d, and also the inside
of the eye c¹, which is required to make perfect contact with the metallic hook or
the like by which it is suspended from the cathode.
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the particular forms of
suspended supports, nor to the particular forms of brackets herein described and
the means of connecting them to the suspended supports as the forms of bracket
and the means of connection and suspension may be varied according to the
character of the work to be plated.
The invention is applicable to the nickel plating of nearly every variety of cycle
component parts and accessories, and other small articles, also to silvering, gilding,
bronzing, tinning, brassing and other electro-depositing processes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
First Work-suspending appliances for use in the electro-deposition of metals,
consisting of suspended current conductors, preferably enamelled or otherwise
coated at non-conducting parts, and having detachable branches or work-holding
brackets in electrical connection therewith.
SecondlyWork-suspending appliances for use in the electro-deposition of
metals, consisting of suspended staffs or bars of non-conducting material, provided
with metallic conducting strips, in electrical connection with the cathode conductor
of the vat, and to which series of detachable branches or work-carrying brackets
are connected, substantially as described and set forth in Figures 1 and 2.
Thirdly: The several forms of work-holding brackets or carriers, consisting of
bars, plates, rods or the like either with or without plain or screwed holes, gaps,
hooks, notches, or of pierced or open work bottomed trays, substantially as described
and set forth in Figures 3 to 23.
Fourthly:-The improved apparatus for suspending work to be plated or coated

page_text: with deposited metal in an electrolytic vat, substantially as described and set forth
in Figures 24, 25, 26 and 27.
Dated this 10th day of February 1898.
FRED GREENFIELD,
By Henry Skerrett,
24, Temple Row, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.