A New or Improved Apparatus to be used in Silversmiths' Work.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Apparatus to be used in Silversmiths' Work.
I CHARLES RICHARD WEBSTER of 118 Nottingham Street, Pitsmoor, Sheffield in
the County of York Silversmith 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 in writing, and on reference to the accompanying
drawing, that is to say:―
My invention relates to and consists in making and using a metallic plate which I
prefer to make of steel, and 1 have it planed perfectly level and smooth so that the
silversmith or user can the more easily and more quickly manipulate the article he is.
manufacturing than has been done heretofore.
This plate is designed to be used instead of the bricks ordinarily provided for
silversmiths to work on, the great objections to which bricks I have found to be that
they usually have a rough and very unlevel surface, and much time and gas are wasted,
owing to the articles while being manipulated or manufactured so constantly slipping
and falling when being soldered or operated upon in their construction, consequently
requiring to be fixed up again, thereby occasioning more expense to the manufacturer.
In order that my invention, and the means of carrying it out in practice, may be
fully understood, on the accompanying explanatory drawing or diagram I have shown
an example or specimen of my novel plate. The drawing is marked with Figures and
reference letters corresponding with those in the following description, the same
letters of reference indicating like parts in all the Figures.
""
My plate is cast or made with a series of oblong or rectangular holes or slots in it,
such as those shown at Figure 1, and lettered a, which holes or slots are arranged for
securely holding up (say for example) the "ring" parts of all kinds of cruet frames
or stands, or other analogous articles made by silversmiths, and also what are termed
the "wire" parts of the same while they are being soldered together by the operator.
The " seams for the ring parts of the smaller sized cruets (for example) are
placed or held over the holes or slots a, so that the gas jets or flames will heat the
wires employed in making the cruets much sooner than could be done on the usual
arrangement of bricks, and all the parts will be more readily and more completely
soldered together.-As will be seen at Figure 2, there are more holes or slots 6, made
in the plate, which are provided to be used when larger or other sized cruets or cruet
frames or stands, or other articles, are being manufactured, and they are made
use of in the same manner as those shown at Figure 1. At 6', are shown some rings in
position on the plate i, ready for the soldering process.
At Figures 3, and 4, are shown two long holes or slots c, and d, which extend
nearly from one end (or side) of the plate to the other. These are provided to be
used when soldering the smaller turned parts of the articles being manufactured, also
for turned "buttons" and "cups," and for the joints on the bottoms of such as cake
basket handles and where otherwise required; and Figures 5, and 6, show other holes
or slots provided to be used when making smaller articles.
The joints, the turned buttons, and cups, and the other turned parts, will be laid or
be held in the long holes or slots c, d, and in the holes or slots shown at Figures 5,
and 6, and will thus be kept from moving about while being soldered.
By this being accomplished at the first time of fixing or putting the parts together
the operation is more quickly finished than as according to the present slow and
uncertain process of manipulating on rough and uneven bricks.
At e, f, g, on the drawing are shown three differently sized circular holes or
openings made in the plate, in which balls or globes of suitable sizes (made of German
or solid silver) are lodged or fixed so as to hold and keep still or retain the handles or
other parts of cruets or cruet frames, or such as the tubes or ornamental work, or the
like, to be placed or soldered on where required.

page_text: The sizes of the holes or slots or openings and the dimensions of my plate
apparatus, it must be understood, can be larger or smaller according to the sizes or
proportions of the articles the apparatus is required to be used for.
Figures 7, and 8, are sectional elevations of my apparatus as arranged for use.
, is the lamp pan in which is fitted my plate i, the plate being made smaller than the
pan; the lamp pan is mounted at its centre on a pivot j, which at its bottom end is
fitted into the floor of the manufactory; the lamp pan, having the plate therein, is
caused to revolve in the usual manner and spins round on the pivot j. The arrows
indicate the direction in which the gas flame or jet is put onto the articles being
manipulated.
It must be understood that my plate apparatus can be as readily used in making
liqueur or wine or spirit bottle frames or stands, or soda water and other aërated
water bottle stands, toastracks, fruit stands, egg-holding frames, cheese stands, pickle
frames, or receptacles for jellies, butter; and for everything else, usually made by
silversmiths of solid or German silver wire, where the parts of such articles require
to be soldered together in the flat or otherwise.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood
that I do not limit myself to the precise arrangements and details of my invention as
herein before specified, and as illustrated on the accompanying drawing or diagram,
because it will be evident to a practical silversmith that modifications or variations
can be made in carrying out my invention in practice without deviating from the
principal features thereof; and in conclusion I declare that what I claim is :-
The construction and arrangement of a novel simple and effective steel or other
metal plate, and its use in silversmiths' work, for more quickly than heretofore
manipulating articles under manufacture, the same being in substitution for the
ordinary but objectionable arrangement of bricks hitherto used by silversmiths; all
substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated on the accompanying
drawing or diagram.
Dated this 10th day of T..1 1000
BRISTOW HUNT, R.P.A.,
Aldine Chambers, Sheffield, Agent for the Applicant.