CERTAIN IMPROVE- MENTS IN SOLDERING APPARATUS, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PARTS THEREOF
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, of the Firm of
Harris and Mills, of 23, Southampton Buildings, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SOLDERING APPARATUS, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PARTS
THEREOF." -A communication from abroad by Joseph Sears, Lard
Oil Manufacturer, of the City of Chicago, and County of Cook, in
the State of Illinois. United States of America.
Sealed the 6th November 1874, and dated the 1st September 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Joseph
Barnard Mills at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
his Petition, on the 1st September 1874.
I, BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and
Mills, of 23, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN SOLDERING APPARATUS, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF PARTS THEREOF," a communication to me from abroad by Joseph Sears,

page_text: Lard Oil Manufacturer, of the City of Chicago, and the County of
Cook, in the State of Illinois, United States of America, to be as
follows: --
This Invention relates to " coppers," "irons," or tools for applying
solder in the manufacture of sheet metal ware and for other purposes.
The Invention consists primarily in means for burning common
illuminating gas or gas of other suitable kinds within a hollow tip to
produce a heat of any desired intensity, and which can be easily con-
trolled. The gas and a sufficient quantity of atmospheric air under
pressure to produce perfect combustion are introduced into a flexible
tube, which constitutes a mixing tube and conductor, being attached at
its discharging end to a tubular handle; and by the latter the mingled
gas and air is conveyed into the tip, which has a cavity to confine the
flame, and is attached to the handle tube by an internal coupling 'so as
to be unaffected by expansion and contraction. The tip is thus heated
continuously without interference with its manipulation.
The Invention, with reference to the construction of the tip or point,
consists, first, in constructing a hollow soldering tip with an internal
coupling of any form, and longitudinal escape passages extending outward
through the rear end of the tip; secondly, in forming the said coupling
and escape passages with peculiar facility by means of inward radial pro-
jections; and thirdly, in providing the rear end of the tip with a
sheathing or coating of any substance which will protect the covered
surface temporarily against oxidation. The internal coupling is pro-
tected against injury by the expansion of the copper tip, and tho
expansion of the tip does not otherwise strain or weaken any part. The
joint is enveloped while hot by flame or gas so as not to be exposed to
the air, and consequently will not oxidize to any considerable extent.
The flame space is at the same time so formed as to present an extended
heating surface. The tightening of the joint, if it becomes loose, is
provided for. The scrap copper may be separated with facility when
the tip is worn out, and a new tip readily applied. The coupling plug
or nipple is adapted to be readily and cheaply made of small size, from
gas pipe," and the tip is adapted to be formed without the labour and
waste of any turning operation.
66
"
The Invention, with reference to the construction and manufacture of“

page_text: The improved soldering apparatus possesses in a very superior degree
the important general advantages of cleanliness, convenience, economy
of labour and of fuel, and safety against fire.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 1st March 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, BENJAMIN
JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills, of 23,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the First day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the
thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard
Mills, Her special license that I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard
Mills, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therĊin
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
SOLDERING APPARATUS, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PARTS THEREOF," a com-
munication to me from abroad by Joseph Sears, Lard Oil Manufacturer,
of the City of Chicago, and County of Cook, in the State of Illinois,
United States of America, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, 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.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, that is to
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, that is to
say
"1
This Invention relates to "coppers," "irons," or tools. for applying
solder in the manufacture of sheet metal ware and for other purposes,
both as regards their manufacture and use.
The Invention consists primarily in means for burning common
illuminating gas within a hollow tip to produce a heat of any desired
intensity, and which can be easily controlled. The gas and a sufficient
quantity of atmospheric air under pressure to produce perfect combustion
are introduced into a flexible tube which constitutes a mixing tube and
conductor, being attached at its discharging end to a tubular handle,
and by the latter the mingled gas and air is conveyed into the tip which
has a cavity to confine the flame, and is attached to the handle tube by
an internal coupling so as to be unaffected by expansion and contraction.
The tip is thus heated continuously without interference with its
manipulation.
The Invention with reference to the construction of the tip or point
consists, first, in .constructing a hollow soldering tip with an internal
coupling of any form, and longitudinal escape passages extending
outward through the rear end of the tip; secondly, in forming the said
coupling and escape passages with peculiar facility by means of inward
radial projections, as herein-after set forth; and thirdly, in providing
the rear end of the tip with a sheathing or coating of any substance
which will protect the covered surface temporarily against oxidation.
The internal coupling is protected against injury by the expansion of
the copper tip, and the expansion of the tip does not otherwise strain or
weaken any part. The joint is enveloped while hot by flame or gas so
as not to be exposed to the air, and consequently will not oxidize to any
considerable extent. The flame space is at the same time so formed as
to present an extended heating surface. The tightening of the joint if
it becomes loose is provided for. The scrap copper may be separated
with facility when the tip is worn out, and a new tip readily applied.
The coupling plug or nipple is adapted to be readily and cheaply made

page_text: of small size from "gas pipe," and the tip is adapted to be formed without
the labor and waste of any turning operation.
The Invention with reference to the construction of the coupling plug
or nipple, and its accessories by which the tip is attached to the handle
tube consists, first, in the employment or use of "gas pipe" or manu-
factured iron tubing cut into short sections and properly threaded or
otherwise finished, as cheap and convenient material for the plug or
nipple; secondly, in attaching the coupling plug or nipple to the handle
tube by means of a coupling collar, so that the plug and tip may be
readily removed and replaced together.
The Invention with reference to the protection of the hand of the
operator from the escaping products of combustion, and to the use of
the latter for protecting the exterior of the tip against oxidation and for
other purposes, consists, first, in the employment or use of a shield or
deflector applied to the handlo shank to turn back the hot products of
combustion escaping from the rear end of the tip so as to cause them to
envelop the tip more perfectly; and thus assist the heating operation
while they prevent or retard oxidation, and the hand is protected from
excessive heat. The shield or deflector operates also to throw the heat
upon the work so as to facilitate the soldering operation.
This part of the Invention consists, secondly, in forming and supporting
the shield or deflector without multiplication of parts by combining the
same in one part with the coupling collar hercin-before referred to.
The Invention with reference to supporting the improved soldering
copper while out of the hand, and with further reference to the
protection of the heated tip against oxidation and to economizing heat,
consists in the employment or use of a rest or holder which operates in
combination with a shield or deflector to enclose the entire tip in an
atmosphere of the hot products of combustion while the copper is not
in use.
The Invention, with reference to the manufacture of the hollow copper
tips, consists in a process of swaging or pressing them within suitable
dies after they have been cast or otherwise formed in proper or approxi-
mately proper external shape, as herein-after set forth, by which process
the grain of the metal is rendered very find and close. The flame
cavity is by preference formed in the dies, and the sheathing (of tin

page_text: therefrom by hammering.
Figure 15 is an clevation of a drop dic for, swaging the tips and simul-
taneously producing the cavities therein.
Figures 16, 17, and 18, are vertical sections illustrating the process
of swaging or pressing the tips within suitable dies under different
modifications.
Figure 19 is an elevation of a tip partly formed by the casting and
swaging process illustrated in Figure 18, and showing by dotted lines
the effect of a supplemental hammering process for drawing out the
point.
The proportions of the respective parts of the apparatus are not
unchangeable, and the size of the whole particularly will vary in
different apparatus. No scale of measurement is therefore given.
Like letters and figures of reference indicate the same part or parts 1
corresponding in function in the several Figures.
The aero gas soldering copper, which is the basis or primary part of
this apparatus, consists in a preferred form of a hollow copper tip or
point A, a wooden handle B, an axial handle tube C of small iron "gas"
pipe," a coupling plug or nipple D of the same material attached to the
tip and applied externally to the end of the handle tube, a cast-iron
coupling collar E for attaching the plug and tip to the handlo tube, and
a shield or deflector F formed on the coupling collar, as illustrated in
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 13.
The fuel consists of properly mingled gas and air.
A steady supply of atmospheric air under light pressure is furnished
by an air pump, fan, or blower P (Figure 1) of any suitable form, driven
This air is conducted where
by a weight or by other approved means.
required by main pipes O, with branches N, all of which may be of
tin, as the pressure on them is not considerable.
The gas employed may be the ordinary illuminating gas, or gas of
other suitable kind, from public or private works; this may be taken
from a convenient house pipe M through flexible branches L, as illus-
trated in Figure 1.

page_text: The main pipes O, M, for air and gas are preferably arranged longi-
tudinally beneath the benches for convenience, with their branches N, L,
extending upward therethrough where required, as illustrated in
Figure 13.
The supply pipes are united at a convenient point by a fork K, from
which a flexible mixing tube and conductor J extends to the handle end
of one of the coppers, to which it is applied, as illustrated in Figures 1,
3, and 13.
A single compound stop-cock or key c may close all the passages in
the fork simultaneously, as illustrated in Figure 1, separate cocks or
keys c³, c, being provided to regulate the relative quantity of the gas
and air; or, preferably, a single pair of cocks or keys c³ in the fork may
serve for all purposes, as illustrated in Figure 13. In cither case the
supply and proportion of gas and air are easily regulated.
The supply of air will be sufficient to produce perfect combustion, and
the supply of gas sufficient to produce a flame of the required size or
heat of the required intensity.
The flame is always by preference confined within the tip, so as to
economize heat and to lessen or preclude danger of fire.
The remaining part of the apparatus consists of a holder or rest H
Figures 3 and 13, to receive and support the tool when out of use, and
to co-operate with the internal jet and the shield or deflector to protect
the copper against oxidation and to economize licat.
The hollow tip A may be of any approved external shape and.
dimensions. It may be employed to advantage of much less weight
than ordinary tips, being heated continuously and not requiring therefore
to retain heat. The tip cavity z is tapped with a screw thread 1 or pro-
vided with an equivalent coupling, and equidistant longitudinal passages 2
are formed around the same for distributing the escaping products of
combustion, and bringing them in contact with more surface. These
passages 2 by preference are formed by wings of the flame cavity, as
illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, for example, and the screw thread 1 (in.
the illustration) is tapped in the inward radial projections, by which the
passages are separated. But the passages 2 may be formed in the outer
surface of a large plug or supplemental plug D³, to be used in connection.

page_text: with a circular tip cavity z² and a continuous screw thread 1 therein, as
illustrated in Figures 11 and 12.
The points of soldering tips are protected to a considerable degree
against oxidation by the tinning which they receive in use. To render
the rear end of the tip A temporarily self-protected in similar manner
against oxidation, a sheathing a of tin plate or an equivalent coating
of silver or other protecting material may be applied thereto, as illus-
trated in Figures 6, 7, and 8.
The handle B may be wholly of wood, as represented, and tightened
and strengthened by a wire y in a circumferential groove. The handle
tube C may be of small gas pipe, and for the purposes of the principal
parts of this Invention may be wholly plain, unthreaded, and unturned,
as illustrated in Figures 9 and 10. Its tip end is however preferably
turned down in size, and a screw thread is cut at the shoulder thus
formed to receive the coupling collar E, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 7.
This end of the handle tube constitutes or may be provided with the
burner, and may project a short distance beyond the coupling plug or
nipple D within the flame cavity, or may terminate flush with the plug,
as shown. The handle end of this tube projects sufficiently to receive
the end of the flexible mixing tube and conductor J.
Owing to the construction of the tip A, as described, the coupling
plug or nipple D. is adapted to be readily and cheaply made of "gas
pipe" or manufactured iron tubing, consisting of a short section of
this material of the proper diameter. The plug may be permanently
attached either to the handle tube or to the tip, or separably to both,
and by any suitable means, for the primary purposes of the Invention.
It is by preference screwed into the rear end of the tip cavity or
into the corresponding central orifice of the supplemental plug D³,
Figures 11 and 12, as shown. In the illustration represented in Figures.
9 and 10, the plug is permanently attached to the handle tube by driving
it thereon, and the tip is designed to be screwed off after preliminary
heating when a new tip is required. In order to obviate any difficulty
which users might experience in thus removing worn tips the coupling
collar E is provided as means for attaching the plug and tip to the
handle tube, so that they may be readily removed together. Tips with
plugs applied can be furnished by the manufacturer, and the scrap
copper and old plugs may be separated and saved at leisure. In either

page_text: case the coupling plugs and scrap copper are saved and the former will
each answer for several tips, while the wear of the remainder of the
apparatus will be very light. The coupling collar E is by preference
screwed on to the handle tube, as already described. To engage with the
coupling plug or nipple D, the collar is preferably provided with a single
set screw x, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 13, but two or more
set screws may be employed, or the socket portion of the collar may be
threaded and the plug adapted thereto, as illustrated in Figures 6, 7,
and 8; and in this case the thread for the two ends of the plug may be
continuous, as represented, or interrupted. The shield or deflector Fis
applied behind the tip to protect the hand of the operator, and to turn
back the hot products of combustion over the tip, to protect the latter
against oxidation and to economise heat; also to throw the heat upon
the work so as to facilitate the soldering operation. The shield or
deflector may be attached to the handle tube behind the plug D by a set
screw x², as illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, or it may be formed on or
attached to the plug.
Preferably the shield or deflector is formed on the coupling collar E
when this is employed, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 13, both being
cast together of iron or brass; if of iron the casting may preferably be
rendered malleable. Supported in this manner the shield or deflector
imparts its advantages without adding to the number of parts. The
shield or deflector is constructed with a concave face to increase its
efficiency.
To co-operate with the shield or deflector F for protecting the tip and
economising heat, as well as to receive and hold the copper while out
of use, the holder or rest H, Figures 3 and 13, is provided. This
consists of a horizontal tube or barrel open at both ends, with pro-
ferably a single central leg
adapted to occupy a hole in the bench
when the holder is required. The tube H preferably comprises a flaring
rear end to receive the tip and shield, and to closely embrace the latter,
a middle section, cylindrical (as represented in Figure 13) or bulging
(as represented in Figure 3) in shape, and a contracted front end through
which the products of combustion escape when the copper is in the
holder. When the bench is required the holder may readily be taken
out and laid aside.
A pair of clamps (not illustrated) for use in ordinary, vices may
T

page_text: of a pair of cast-iron jaws united at one edge by an opening spring;
one clamp to be adapted to embrace the tip so as to hold it without
affecting its shape, during the sharpening or pointing operation, and in
removing the worn tips. The other clamp to have inwardly projecting
points corresponding with the inward projections of the tip. By par-
tially unscrewing the tip and compressing it within this clamp or its
equivalent, it may readily be tightened up should it become loose.
The peculiar or improved process of manufacturing hollow soldering
tips consists essentially in the production of a blank or bolt of proper or
approximately proper shape, and then swaging or pressing this within
suitable dies, preferably of steel. One mode of carrying this into effect
is illustrated in Figures 14 and 16. The point of a tip blank A² is
formed by hammering on the end of a solid cylindrical bar X of copper,
and the blank or bolt of proper length is then cut from the bar, as illus-
trated in Figure 14. The bar X and consequently the blank A² cut
therefrom are somewhat less in diameter, and the blank is shorter than
the desired size of tip. The severed blank is placed in a vertical cavity
of the proper shape and size in a bed die Z³ in a drop press. A drop
die Y, Figure 15, is then applied, and the point is condensed and
hardened, while the blank is made to fill the die, and the tip cavity of
proper shape is simultaneously formed, as illustrated by dotted lines in
Figure 16. The tip cavity is partly sunk and partly formed by the
projection of the metal upward around the bit of the drop die, as
represented.
Another method illustrated in Figure 17 consists in casting a tip
blank A of proper external diameter and shape, but short and solid
within a steel bed die Z³, or separately, of smaller size, in sand, and then
swaged or pressed by a recessing upper die Y, Figure 15, as in the
other method. The product of this method would be a much cheaper
tip.
Another method illustrated in Figures 18 and 19 consists in casting
cither in the die Z' or in sand, and then swaging a tip blank A' with a
blunt point, as illustrated in Figure 18, and afterwards drawing out the
point by hammering to condense and harden the same more perfectly, as
illustrated by dotted lines in Figure 19.
Some of the advantages of the aero gas soldering copper may be
briefly mentioned as follows:-Serious objections to the use of charcoal

page_text: and coke for fuel are the dust, ashes, smoke, and unhealthful gas which
they produce, and the great heat radiated from the fire pots, which in
summer, combined with the dust, renders the operatives very uncomfort-
able; also the unavoidable dirt which renders it impossible to keep a
shop clean and tidy. In this copper the fuel is entirely consumed, and
all these evils are thus avoided. The copper can always be heated
within three minutes of the time of lighting, so that no time is lost in
getting ready for work. When the day's work is finished the fire is
extinguished by simply shutting off the gas supply at the key.
By means of the gas and air keys the heat can be regulated for all
kinds of work, so that no time is wasted in waiting for a copper to heat.
On work that is furnished the operative ready for soldering the coppor
can be kept in the hand and in operation constantly.
The tip remains hot as well when worn down as when new, whereas
old style coppers when worn require to be returned to the fire pot after
almost every piece of work.
The improved copper can be heated at a saving of from fifty to
seventy-five per cent. over the cost of heating coppers in the old way,
either by charcoal, coke, or gas. The explanation of this great economy
in burning so expensive a fuel as gas is that, practically, all the fuel
consumed in the acro gas soldering copper is utilized to heat the tip,
whereas in the use of charcoal, coke, or gas in fire pots, nine-tenths of
the heat produced escapes unused.
It is obvious that since the flame is all confined within the tip there
can be hardly a possibility of danger from fire which is a point that will
be appreciated by every manufacturer.
The combined use of air and gas to heat soldering coppers is not
broadly claimed as new, and a portable soldering copper heated con-
tinuously by gas is likewise disclaimed as broadly considered, although
the "
aero gas soldering copper" herein described is believed to be the
original and first thoroughly practical gas heated tool for soldering.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the mode
in which the same is carried into effect, I would have it understood that
what I claim is,-`
First. An aero gas soldering apparatus consisting essentially of a gas
ATI
Aavikle mixing tube and condu
T

page_text: tubular handle (B, C), an internal coupling plug or nipple (D), and a
tip (A) having a cavity which encloses the flame and locates the same
completely within the hollow tip, substantially as herein set forth.
Secondly. An imperforate hollow tip (A) having an internal screw
thread, or its equivalent, and longitudinal escape passages, substantially
as herein described.
Thirdly. The imperforate hollow tip having inward radial projections
to form an internal coupling and longitudinal escape passages, as set
forth.
Fourthly. A copper tip (A) having a sheathing or coating a applied
to its rear end, substantially as herein described, to protect the same
temporarily against oxidation, as set forth.
Fifthly. A coupling plug or nipple (D) consisting of a short section
of "gas pipe" in combination with a small handle tube (C) and a hollow
tip (A) having an internal screw thread or its equivalent, substantially
as herein specified.
Sixthly. The coupling plug or nipple (D) applied to the tip in com-
bination with a coupling collar (E) applied to the handle tube, sub-
stantially as herein described, for attaching the former to the handle
tube so that the plug and tip may be readily removed and replaced
together, in the manner set forth.
Seventhly. In combination with the hollow tip having a flame cavity
and open rear end, the shield or deflector (F) applied behind the tip to
protect the hand and to throw back the products of combustion so as to
cause them to envelope the tip and to heat the work, as set forth.
Eighthly. The combination of a hollow tip (A), a plug or nipple (D)
applied to the tip, a handle tube (C), a coupling collar (E), and a shield
or deflector (F), the latter being formed on said collar and supported
thereby, as herein shown and described.
Ninthly. A rest or holder (H), constructed and operating substantially
as herein shown and described in combination with a soldering tool
having a hollow tip (A) with a heating jet within the same, and a shield
or deflector (F) behind the tip, for the purposes set forth.
Tenthly. The process herein described of condensing the points of
copper tips for soldering apparatus by swaging or pressing them within

page_text: suitable dies after they have been cast or otherwise formed in proper or
approximately proper shape.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of
February, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-five.