CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF CUTTING OUT. FORMING, AND FINISHING CERTAIN DESCRIPTIONS OF METALLIC TUBES. PART OF WHICH IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OTHER SUCH LIKE PURPOSES
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ferdinand Potts, of the firm of F. Potts & Co.,
Patent Tube Manufacturers, of Moore's Row, Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MODE OF CUTTING OUT. FORMING, AND FINISHING CERTAIN DESCRIPTIONS OF
METALLIC TUBES. PART OF WHICH IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OTHER SUCH LIKE
PURPOSES."
Sealed the 16th February 1858, and dated the 19th August 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ferdinand Potts at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
19th August 1857.
1, FERDINAND POTTS. of the firm of F. Potts & Co., Patent Tube Manufac-
turers, of Moore's Row, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MODE OF CUTTING OUT, FORMING, AND FINISHING CERTAIN DESCRIPTIONS OF METALLIC
TUBES. PART OF WHICH IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OTHER SUCH LIKE PURPOSES," to be
as follows (that is to say):-
My improvements consist, firstly, in the mode of cutting out taper strips of
iron or metal, from which I propose to form taper tubes, and which mode is
applicable also for cutting up or trimming sheets of iron or metal for other
purposes; secondly, in the manner of forming taper tubes before soldering;

page_text: thirdly, in the manner of forming parralel tubes, also before soldering; and,
lastly, in the mode of finishing or polishing metallic iron tubes.
And the manner I propose cutting out the strips of iron or metal, according
to the description of tubes I wish to make is, by causing a circular shear or disc
of steel to pass backward and forward along a steel-edged bed, on which the
sheet of metal or iron is placed, from which the strip or strips are intended to
be cut, the bed being so contrived that stops or guages may be applied to it
for cutting off the strips to given widths, as required, either taper or parallel,
or for trimming iron or metal sheets; or a traversing or reciprocating motion
may be given to the bed on which the metal or iron, intended to be cut, is
placed, and in that case the circular cutter, before referred to, would only
require to turn on its axis instead of traversing backward and forward along
the bed.
And the manner I purpose carrying out my improvements relating to the
forming of taper tubes before soldering will be understood by the following
description: I take the strip of taper iron or metal and pass it lengthways
through or between a pair of open rollers, the surfaces of which are curved
one to fit the other, the curve being about the third of a circle; by this process
the strip is bent into an irregular circle or oval form, to be next passed under
the operation of a tilt hammer, the face surfaces of which being somewhat
long will soon beat the tube into a more uniform circular form; from this state
I drive it into a taper hole, the length and circumference of which vary accord-
ing to the size of the tube 1 wish to make; and next, I place the tube with
its mould or outer support over a mandrill of the proper taper and size, and
which mandrill is forced or driven in until a perfect and regular form is given
to the tube, which may now be removed from the mould and mandrill to be
bound up with binding wire, and soldered in the usual way. The advantage gained
by adopting this mode is, that great evenness and uniformity of the surface is
insured, and which, when finished by the process described in the Specification
of a Patent, granted to me on the 20th of September 1853, entitled "Im-
provements in the Manufacture of Taper Tubes, and in the Apparatus con-
nected therewith," a very superior tube is produced at considerably less cost
in the manufacture than when formed in the ordinary way, viz., by beating
them into form on a mandrill by a wooden mallett.
And my improvements in forming parallel tubes relate to the smaller
descriptions of iron tubes, such as are made for umbrella handles or sticks; but
are also applicable for all such like tubes; and consist in operating on an end
of each strip of iron or metal, from which such tubes are to be formed, with a
pair of tools, in such a way that the end is regular and evenly curved, and

page_text: admits of being bent into the required form for passing into the hole (through
which it is intended to be drawn), for the purpose of being seized by the plyers
for that purpose; this prevents all puckering or over-lapping in the commence-
ment of drawing such tubes. and in order to ensure this throughout the length
of the tube that is being made, I cause the strip of iron or metal to pass
through or between a pair of suitable grooved rollers, placed in front of the
steel hole through which the tube passes in the process of drawing: the effects
of these grooved rollers are to bend the strip into a curved or circular form
before entering the hole, as also to guide it through the hole in such a way
that the meeting of the edges shall be straight and regular, a great desiderata
When larger kinds of parallel tubes are required,
I prefer to close them at the joints for soldering by the operation of the tilt
hammer, as before referred 'to.
when good work is required.
And the manner in which I propose finishing or polishing metal tubes is, by
laying the tube, intended to be polished, on a bed passing a strong broad piece
of list or other material around it, securing the ends to a lever or bow of any
suitable material, and which bow or lever is secured in the centre to a cranked
axle-tree; and to which crank an arm is attached in connection with a driving
wheel, or any other primary mover, so that as the crank is moved forward and
backward it causes the lever or bow to which the ends of the list or other
suitable material are attached, to move alternately up and down, thus pulling
the list backward and forward around the tube, which action, with the aid of
oil and rotten stone or other suitable material, rapidly polishes the surface, so
that a boy or girl tending such machine has only to pull or push the tube
gradually along the bed, until the whole of its surface has been brought under
the operation of the list or other suitable material, when the tube will be
beautifully and uniformly polished from end to end.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed.
by the said Ferdinand Potts in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
19th February 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FERDINAND
POTTS, of the firm of F. Potts & Co., Patent Tube Manufacturers, of Moore's
Row, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twenty-first year of Her

page_text: reign, did, for Herself. Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Firdinand Potts, Her special license that I, the said Ferdinand
Potts, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Ferdinand Potts, my executors, administrators, or 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 " CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF CUTTING OUT. FORMING, AND FINISHING CERTAIN
DESCRIPTIONS OF METALLIC TUBES. PART OF WHICH IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OTHER
SUCH LIKE PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Ferdinand Potts, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, 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 Ferdinand Potts, 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 fol-
lowing statement (that is to say):-
My several improvements in cutting out or preparing the metal, and
shaping, forming, and finishing certain descriptions of tubes are comprehended
as follows: Firstly, in the mode or manner of preparing or cutting out strips
of metal for the manufacture of taper and parallel tubes, and which said
arrangement is also applicable to the cutting up of sheets of iron or metal
for other purposes where great exactness is required, both as to size or
measurement; secondly, in the manner of shaping or forming taper tubes,
whether such tubes are required to be subsequently soldered or otherwise;
thirdly, in the manner of forming parallel tubes before soldering; and, lastly,
in the mode of finishing or polishing metallic tubes, whether such tubes be
taper, parallel, twisted, or of other form or forms on their surface; but as my
several improvements will be best understood by referring to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, I will proceed to describe them in the consecutive order
as herein named, observing that throughout the description of the several
Figures, the same part or parts are marked with the same letters of
reference.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, represents an end view of my improved arrangement
for cutting up sheet metal for the manufacture of taper or other tubes. as well

page_text: as the cutting up of sheets of metal for other purposes. The Drawing here
represented is made to a scale of two inches to the foot, but of course all the
proportions may be altered to suit requirements.
A. A. are end standards. formed of cast iron or otherwise. united together by
angle irons marked B, B, C. C. and D. D; and between B, B, and C, C, the
parts that carry the circular shear marked E works, while the circular shear
(partly hid) is marked F. G, G. is a strip of hard steel secured to the bed
H, H, with set screws. and forms the cutting edge for the circular shear F
to traverse against. The angle iron D. D. forms not only a stay for uniting
the standards A. A, but also for a support for the bed H, which I have repre-
sented as made of wood, but iron or any other suitable material may be used,
if preferred. I, I, is a worm or screw, working in proper journeys or bearings.
having a fly wheel and winch handle applied to it, as here shewn marked
J, K. for giving motion to the worm; immediately below which, on axis L
of the circular shear, is fixed a worm wheel gearing in with the worm above.
so that as the worm is turned forward or backward so the circular shear passes
from left to right and right to left, as required, by reversing the direction of
the fly wheel; and to prevent unnecessary strains the worm is removed from
the cylinder on which it is formed at the ends that it may cease to act either
end on the circular shear, after the shear has traversed the widthway of the
bed. Figure 2 is a top view of Figure 1, with the bed broken off for con-
venience of space, and in this view the angle iron for connecting the standard
on the other sides is here exhibited, marked also B. B; as also a corresponding
piece to E, in which the axis of the circular shear works. On the bed, two
strips of iron, marked M, M, are secured at perfect right angles with the steel
cutting edge marked G, the face of which may be divided into feet, inches, &c.;
and on those guides moveable stops are placed, marked N, N, by which the size
of the pieces intended to be cut may be accurately insured, whether parallel
or taper, or, if preferable, the metal intended to be cut may be placed on the
bed between the guides M, M, and brought forward over the part of the bed
H', H', which may be extended and fitted with regulating stops for that
purpose; this mode may be desirable for trimming and cutting up mercantile
sheet iron or other metals. Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of Figure 1, taken
through the dotted line O, O, shewing the worm wheel, spindle, and axis L, L,
for carrying the circular shear F as well as the guides or supports for the axis
of the spindle marked E, E, working between the angle irons B, B, and C, C;
the bed in this Figure, as at Figure 2, is broken off for convenience of space.
The second part of my Invention (which relates to the forming of taper
tubes) will be understood by the following description:-I take a piece of iron

page_text: or other metal of suitable gauge, and say, of the shape exhibited at Figure 4,
Sheet 2, which is adapted for the parts to be hereafter described; and which
piece of metal I desire to curve regularly through its length by passing its
lengthway edges between suitable open rolls, which open rolls form a feature
of novelty in my Invention, and which rolls are exhibited in a front and side
view at Figures 5 and 6 of this Sheet. P, P, are standards secured together
by stretchers and screws, and bolted to a suitable bench or stand; Q, R, are
the rolls, the axes of which, marked S, T, work through the standards, and
are geared together by the cog wheels U and V; the axis S extends through
far enough to be fitted with a fast and loose pulley, for receiving the band by
which the rolls Q and R may be put in motion. But although I have
exhibited the pulleys for working these rolls by steam or other convenient
power, it is evident that the same effect may be readily obtained by hand
labour, by applying a winch handle in the place of the pulleys or to the end of
the spindle T. The rolls Q and R may be made to work close or free
(according to the thickness of the metal I may wish to use and desire to pass
through them) by the set screw W. With such rolls I am enabled to
convert the flat piece of metal exhibited at Figure 4 into a circular form in its
transverse section, or nearly so, but which form will at all times vary in pro-
portion to the width of the metal I pass between them, and the form or
curvature of the face of the rolls. I next place Figure 4 (in its new form)
on a taper mandrel, or otherwise, and rudely beat it into the form of a taper
tube, which prepares it for the next operation, or the rounding machine, which
is also a new and important arrangement in the manufacture of taper tubes,
and which I will now describe in detail, and afterwards shew its effect in
giving perfect form to taper tubes, whether round, reeded, fluted, or otherwise
ornamented or diversified on their surfaces, provided such ornamentation does
not deviate from its converging or tapering character.
Figure 7 represents a side view of my rounding machine, which consists
of a cast-iron bed marked X, X, cast with grooves across its top side at right
angles with its length. This bed, which being heavy, I prefer setting up on
brickwork, on which are placed wood sleepers for the bed to rest on, and
is held down by bolts screwed into plates let in the foundation. On this bed
two poppets are fixed, marked Y, Y, and which poppets are bolted down to
the bed by the screw bolts, as at Z, Z. A', A¹, is a strong stretcher, which
may also be formed of cast iron, and is here represented as being fitted in
and bolted to the poppets, to avoid heavy castings; or otherwise, the poppets
and stretcher might be cast together. This machine is intended to be
identically the same at each end, but for economizing space, the screw and

page_text: other parts are here removed on the left-hand side. B'. B', are screws
tapped through the outer ends of the poppets, to which is attached the
parallel mandrel C¹. C', so that by turning the handle D', the mandrel C¹
may be made to work in or out; to allow of this the shaft E works freely
through the journeys fitted for it in the support E'. G' is a fly wheel, the
momentum of which (as will be hereafter seen) conduces largely to the effect
I obtain by this machine; H is a cast-iron billet, partly shewn in section,
having flanges formed on it of a sufficient diameter to fit into the recesses of
both the bed X, X, and the top stretcher A', A¹ Those recesses are only
partially formed across the bed, the consequence of which is that a plain part
is left, in order that the billet may be slid along from end to end of the bed,
and passed in under the stretcher A', A', in the place most desired. This
billet is cast with a taper hole right through its centre, formed in the following
way I make a taper mandrel of iron or steel the shape and size of the tube
1 desire to make; a mandrel so made I have exhibited at Figure 8; and in
casting my billets I make this mandrel form the centre or core, to be with-
drawn when the metal from which the billet is formed is sufliciently cold and
set. By adopting this mode the inner surface of the billet is smooth, hard,
and uniform, and perfectly the counterpart of the mandrel on which it has
been formed, the desirableness of which will be hereafter seen. We will now
suppose the screw and parallel mandrel C¹ to be drawn out by the handle D',
and the billet rolled from under the stretcher A, A, and a rudely formed
tube (as before described) pushed into it, when the billet may be restored to
its present position, and the handle turned as rapid as a man's strength will
conveniently allow him, by which means the rudely-formed tube will be forced
firmly into the taper hole of the billet. The momentum acquired by the
fly wheel will greatly assist the man in giving effect to this operation, which
being done, the handle must be reversed for again drawing back the paralle!
mandrel C', when the billet containing the tube so formed must be withdrawn
from under the stretcher A' and the taper mandrel (as at Figure 8) inserted,
when the billet must be again restored to its present position, and the former
action of the handle again repeated; the effect of which will be to impart to
the tube a uniform internal and external pressure, which will make the tube
as true and uniform from end to end on its surface a if the tube itself had
been parallel and drawn on a mandrel in the ordinary way in which mandrel
drawn tubes are made. The handle D' is again reversed, and the other screw
being set in motion, the pressure applied to the small end of the mandrel will
readily force it out, as also the tube. leaving the billet ready to be again charged.
Sometimes I prefer (in order to avoid the subsequent necessity of soldering

page_text: such tubes) forming them of two or more thicknesses of metal, the meeting
of the joints coming on opposite sides; which, when such taper tubes are used
for metallic beadstead or other work usually finished by japanning &c.,
renders the necessity of soldering unnecessary, and in that case the iron or
metal from which the tubes are composed may be of a thin gauge, so that
a compound tube so formed may not be any heavier than when made of one
thickness of metal. This same plan would apply to tubes that may be fluted,
reeded, polygonal, or of a form suitable for the scabbards or sheaths of
bayonets and such like weapons; but when making taper tubes smooth on
their surface, either compound or single, of a circular form, the outer one
should be soldered. And I prefer to further finish such tubes by applying
pressure on their surface while they are made to revolve on a mandrel, as
described and exhibited in the Specification of a Patent granted to me on the
Twentieth day of September, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, and
which Patent has been duly continued by the payment of the required stamp
duty of fifty pounds in the September of One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-six. Figure 9 is simply a section of Figure 7, taken through the dotted
lines I, 1; the dotted circle in this Figure, marked J', shows the position of
the billet H, H, when drawn out from under the top stretcher A', and
in this Figure it will be seen that a small flange is cast or formed on the bed
X, to prevent the billet from rolling off.
The third part of my Invention relates to the manufacture of tubes of a
parallel kind, and which will be found well adapted to the forming of certain
description of tubes that are usually made in large quantities and of a uniform
size, such as the description of tubes that are made and used for the handles
or centre supports for umbrellas and parasols, commonly called umbrella and
parasol tubular sticks, whether of a circular, octagon, or other shape. The
common practice has been to bend and beat together one end of the strips
of iron or other metal (from which such tubes are intended to be made), such
operation being performed in a very rude and uncertain manner, an operation
usually performed by boys, and the object in so beating them is to contract
them at one end, for the purpose of readily pushing the end so beat through
the hole at a draw-bench, in order that they may be siezed by the pliers and
pulled through for forming them into a tube; but as this object has been
heretofore unsatisfactorily attained, I have devised means whereby great uni-
formity, facility, and straightness in the seam or meeting of the metal is
obtained, which I will now describe. In a suitable frame I fix, say, four tilt
hammers, each working over a corresponding bed, the hammers being lifted
up and the blow struck as required by the foot, or other convenient means, or

page_text: by steam or other power, as will be hereafter referred to. A boy, provided with
a series of such tilt hammers and beds as here described, will, by applying the
end of a strip of iron (suitable for such tubes) underneath the operations of the
first hammer, reduce the end of such strip into the form exhibited in an end
and flat view, full size, at Figure 10; next into the form exhibited at Figure
11; next as at Figure 12; and lastly, as at Figure 13, in which form it is
passed through a curved mouth formed in a plate of steel, as exhibited in. an
end detached view, full size, at Figure 14; and next through a pair of rolls,
also exhibited in a detached view, full size, at Figure 15; the plate and rolls
last described are exhibited, mounted in a suitable frame, drawn half size,
at Figure 16, representing the steel mouthpiece, marked K', in the same
position as at Figure 14; and Figure 17 represents a vertical section of the
last Figure taken through the dotted line L', L', representing the mouth-
piece K', and top plate M', as also the rolls N' and O'; Figure 18 being
simply a top view of Figure 16, the dotted line L', L', being identically the
same as in that Figure. With such mouth or guide and rolls as here repre-
rented, I form such tubes by passing the small end of Figure 13, first through
the mouth, and from the mouth to between the groove of the rolls, allowing
the meeting or edges of the metal to come together in the angle of the top
roll, and the rolls thus described being placed at the end of a common draw-
bench am enabled to seize the part marked P', Figure 13, by the pliers
attached to such bench, and pull the strip through, when it will assume the
shape represented by the grooves in the rolls, as exhibited at Figure 15.
Before soldering these tubes we prefer flattening them on the seam side as it
brings the edges close, even, and tightly in contact; a tube, full size, treated
in this way I have exhibited in an end view at Figure 19; and to perform this
operation pass them through a grooved bed under a tilt hammer, which tilt
hammer may be made to work as described for producing the operation, as
exhibited at Figures 10, 11, 12, and 13, but in order to be thoroughly understood
I will describe a suitable apparatus for effecting this, and which apparatus is
exhibited in an end and top view at Figures 20 and 21. Qrepresents the
grooved bed, and R' the hammer, which is lifted up and down by a cam
marked S', secured to the shaft T', which derives its motion from a cog wheel
with which it is geared, working on the shaft U', on the axis of which a fast and
loose pulley is fitted, for the purpose of working it by steam, water, or other
power which may be preferable, where such power may be conveniently had;
the Drawings of those Figures are made to a scale of three inches to the foot;
the tube marked V1, V₁, being represented as undergoing this operation.
Figure 22 simply represents an end view of the bed Q', and hammer "R', as

page_text: well as the lever W¹, also the axis X, on which it works, as well as the axis
T¹, and side view of the double cam S', so that two blows are struck with each
revolution of the axis T', the direction of the cams being shown by the arrows;
the dotted lines Y', Y', simply represent a weight, that may be used as
occasion requires, for increasing the blow given by the fall of the hammer;
tubes thus treated are subsequently intended to be soldered in the usual way,
and finished by being pulled through a hole at a common draw-bench.
The fourth and last part of my improvements relates to the polishing of
parallel or taper tubes, twisted or otherwise ornamented; and my improve-
ments or mode of performing this operation may be said to be simply the
superseding of hand labour, by securing the list or other suitable material to
two mechanical arms, which being made to reciprocate, and the list or other
material being wound around the tube to be polished, it is evident, that
the effect will be purely analagous to the list being pulled backward and
forward by manual labour; nor is the mode I adopt restricted or confined to
the polishing of one tube at a time, as two or more may be placed in the same
machine, which machine 1 will now proceed to describe, as drawn to a scale
of two inches to the foot, and is represented in a front and end view on Sheet
One, at Figures 23 and 24, the framework of which is represented as made
of wood, but iron or other suitable material may be used for this purpose;
observing, that I have arranged this machine for polishing two tubes at the
same time, and which tube are marked A and B, A" being operated on by
the arms marked C", and the tube B" by the arms marked D"; these
arms being attached to E" are set in motion by the crank F, which is con-
nected by the rod G", G", to an eccentric or crank secured to a main shaft,
represented in dotted lines at 1", 1". To the ends of the arms a strip of list
or other suitable material may be secured in any convenient way, but is here
represented as passing through a hole, from whence it is wrapped around the
tube and taken down and connected to a strong india-rubber ring, which being
stretched out may be conveniently passed over the hook; by this means the
list is always kept sufficiently tight, and yet will readily yield or contract for
different sized tubes. At Figure 24 I have not thought it necessary to draw
the connecting rod G" or the crank and shaft 1", and, for the better
exhibiting the arms I have shewn the list broken in connection with the arm D
extending behind, while the list in connection with the arm C is repre-
sented as broken in front. With this description it must be evident that the
main shaft being set in motion the arms will be made to reciprocate or rise
and fall, in doing which the list will be pulled backward and forward around
the tube, which is the common result when such list is put in motion by

page_text: manual labor, and is found to answer well, and give a good color to the tube
or tubes so treated; thus the simple attention of a boy to push the tubes
forward gradually between the supports, the two tubes will be done much
more rapid and better than when done entirely by manual labour.
various improvements, and the
Having thus described the nature of my
manner in which the same may be
may be carried into effect, I wish it distinctly
understood that I set up no particular claim for the size. shape, or material of
any of the parts by which my mechanical arrangements are described, or may
be carried into effect; but what I do claim is,
Firstly, the mode of cutting up, by means of a traversing circular shears, as
exhibited and described at Figures 1, 2, and 3, on Sheet One, whether such
shears be used for cutting up sheet metal for tubes or other purposes or its
equivalent, by having the shears stationary and the bed to traverse.
Secondly, the manner herein exhibited for shaping and forming taper tubes,
without any regard to the purpose to which such taper tubes may be applied,
as described at Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of the Drawings hereunto annexed,
whether such tubes be compound, plain, or ornamental, provided the character
of the ornament does not prevent their being treated or formed by the
apparatus herein shown.
Thirdly, the mode of forming parallel tubes before soldering, as herein-
before described, and exhibited in Figures ranging from 10 to 22.
And, lastly, I claim the mode of polishing tubes, as described and exhibited
at Figures 23 and 24, without any regard to the number of tubes that may be
so polished at one time.
In witness whereof, 1, the said Ferdinand Potts, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Witness,
JAMES S. COCKINGS, Patent Agent,
26, Ann Street, Birmingham.
FERDINAND POTTS. (L.S.)