in the Production of Metal Castings.
Year: 1885

page_text: in the Production of Metal Castings.
I, GEORGE OULTON of Stanley Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Lead Merchant and Brass founder, do hereby declare the nature of my said
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING ΤΟ PATTERNS FOR PLATE
MOULDING IN THE PRODUCTION OF METAL CASTINGS" to be as follows:―
When preparing patterns for use in making moulds for metal castings by the
method known as plate moulding, a nicety of adjustment is required where the
pattern is applied to each side of the plate, in order that the one, or rather the half
on each side may exactly coincide the one with the other, this being necessary in
order to secure perfect uniformity and evenness in the castings produced. By the
several methods at present adopted such as setting out and scribing the plate on
each side with marks by which to set the patterns considerable time is expended
when compelled to change one or more patterns on a plate, and accuracy difficult
to obtain.
This invention is designed to enable an ordinary mechanic without special
education with the most ordinary appliances to make with great rapidity a
complete plate of patterns for moulding, accurately cored or other metal castings.
It is further designed to enable him to change the patterns or any portion of
them with facility and further to enable him to fix his runners, gits, or ridges, by
a new and rapid method to allow the metal to flow with greater certainty.
The patterns, as is understood, are made in two pieces more usually divided
equally, one piece being fixed on one side of a plate and the other on the opposite
side. I carefully adjust and fasten or clamp the two pieces of the pattern together
and bore or drill through them one or more small holes preferably two, according
to the nature of the pattern. I then adjust by screwing or other methods, one
two, or more, pins at a right angle to the plane of the face of the pattern that lies
on one side of and against the plate. These pins are accurately turned and fitted
to loose sleeves bored to fit thein. On the other part of the pattern the small holes
previously bored are much enlarged to enable the loose sleeves to be inserted over
the pins and to have free play, and to easily adjust themselves in position. The
two parts of the pattern are again brought together, carefully adjusted and fastened
by clamping or otherwise; the two sleeves are then wedged in their places by
solder or other means according to the material of which the pattern is made.
The two parts of the pattern can be separated and drawn apart and put together
in a few seconds, and anything of the nature of a plate inserted between them in
which holes have been bored corresponding in position or intervals apart of the

page_text: pins and sleeves. This operation can be repeated as often as may be necessary, no
further adjustment being required. Where the patterns are not changed often,
I bore round holes of larger diameter than the pins in the plate, and tack the
patterns down with solder. I find it is convenient when first preparing the
patterns to have both sleeves and pins longer than the thickness of the pattern
through which they are inserted, and cut them off after they have been inserted
through the plate; by this means no mark is shown on the side of the pattern
when the sleeves and pins are dressed off. Where the intention is frequently to
change the patterns I fix one or more pins in each half or part of the pattern,
carefully turned at the point passing or intended to pass through the plate to one
diameter, so that they will all fit one slot or opening. On the pins at the point
where they project through the plate I turn a small collar, if the pins are of small
diameter suitable for a small pattern, but if of large diameter I cut a groove
corresponding in width to the thickness of the plate. These pins are adjusted to
sleeves as already described but of course the sleeves will be placed in both halves
or parts of the pattern to correspond with the pins on the other half. I bore holes
in the plate and taper them in one or more directions if convenient, but preferably
cut an elongated slot or slots sufficiently large to receive the diameter of the pins
previously described as being all prepared of one diameter for this purpose. The
two patterns are then put together, their pins projecting through the holes cut in
the plate, they are then moved in the direction of the slots and the pins engaging
in the slots prevent the two parts of the pattern being pulled asunder. It is
obvious that instead of a groove cut in the pins, one pin in one or more parts or
pieces may be made with a projection or collar larger than the hole in the plate
(the part passing through the plate being equal to the size of the hole in the plate)
and inserted by screwing from the opposite side of the plate holding one part of
the pattern firm, the other part can then be placed on the pin, its own pin being
provided with a groove. A slight move in a circular direction will engage
it in a
slot prepared for its reception, and the two patterns firmly locked, but this is not
a desirable method in practice. There is a very efficient way of locking the
patterns on the plate by boring the holes further apart in the plate than the pins
on the patterns. One part of the pattern is first inserted in the plate and the pin
pushed in a slot in the direction of the other hole until the sleeve comes opposite
to the hole, the other pin of the other pattern is then inserted in the sleeve, the
pattern is then partly pushed back, the second pin only being permitted, by the
slot being shorter in the other hole, to travel half way back, the two patterns are
firmly locked. It is found inconvenient in practice, being difficult to take the
patterns off again. One or more of the pins can be screwed into a sleeve prepared
to receive it, and if the patterns are very heavy this plan may have advantages
and is almost necessary when there is only one pin in the whole pattern, but for
the multitude of small patterns for which plate moulding is best adapted, I prefer
to place the pins as first described by locking.
It is obvious that instead of a groove cut in the pins, one pin may be made with
an eccentric or projection on one or two sides, which will hold the two parts of the
pattern to the plate; a second pin can then be inserted through both parts to
prevent them moving; by providing a nick in the end of the pin it may be turned
by means of a screw driver.
The pins may be adjusted to both sides of the patterns by means of sleeves
soldered or wedged into the patterns as already described and in the pattern in
which it is intended that the pin should be fixed, the pin can be screwed soldered
or otherwise fastened to the sleeve or a loose pin may be used with a sleeve into
which it fits loosely provided on each pattern.
All the operations previously described will be found sufficient for practical
purposes, but there is another method which double locks each side of the pattern
suitable for heavy patterns or patterns of larger size. I prepare four pins and
sleeves, the sleeves as just described. The pins I reduce in length and screw them
into the sleeves at the end furthest from the plate. When they are intended to

page_text: pass through the plate, I reduce them by cutting away one half, and in the
opposite side cut in a slot equal to the thickness of the plate. The sleeves
containing the pins are then adjusted in the patterns in the manner previously
described, made fast in their respective sleeves, when the reduced parts of the pins
are passed through the plate they enter the opposite sleeve and the halves of the
pattern brought in contact with the plate. The pattern is then pushed forward
and the slots in the half pins are pushed in the slots prepared to receive them cut
in the plate and double locked.
When wood patterns are used it is not a convenient and sure method to insert
the pin direct into the wood but to prepare a rough wood plug insert à screwed
pin into it, then to turn both plugs and pin true together. At the end of the plug
where the screw is inserted slightly reduce the diameter and draw onto the wood
plug a metal ferrule. When inserting the plug in the pattern, I bore a larger hole
than is required and accurately fix it by packing either with glue shellac cement
or otherwise as may be most convenient.
In preparing both patterns and plates the person using them must fix beforehand
the most convenient distance for his pins to be apart to suit his patterns generally.
It is convenient then to make a double centre punch with two points at the
interval decided upon. For small patterns one inch apart is sufficient in practice.
With the centre punch he marks both plates and patterns so that the holes in both
may be drilled or bored at the same distances apart. This invention is also
applicable for preparing two separate plates when such are used.
In addition to the patterns of which the castings have to be made it is necessary
also to provide patterns which will form in the sand in the mould box, gits,
runners, or channels through which the metal passes to reach the moulds. The
direction of these will vary with each change or alteration of patterns on the plate.
These patterns for forming the gits I propose to make of lead or similar soft metal
which can be easily cast and fitted, though a harder metal may be used in some
cases with advantage. To prepare these for use I make from the plate a mould in
the usual way with moulding sand, when I have prepared the bottom side I take
out the plate and with core or other adhesive sand after freely dusting with
parting sand, I prepare the top mould on and into the bottom one, so far the two
moulds are solid sand only, the projections on the top side filling up the spaces or
hollows beneath. The top side of the mould is carefully lifted and should part
easily quite clean. The runners or gits are then carefully cut and cleaned out in
the bottom mould, as though for casting, but cutting against, not into, the various
articles to be cast, the top side is placed upon it and the lead composition or other
metal is then poured in the usual way. When the boxes are separated the ridges
or runners only will be found in the mould and will only require a little dressing
and putting on the plate. A little soft solder at one end will rapidly fix them;
but where the patterns are drawn through each other, or the metal for one pattern
flows through the other the first described method will not be sufficient, but small
pieces of half round metal of the kind proposed to be used, must further be
inserted between such patterns on the plate.
In all the soldering operations except when packing the sleeves, pewterer's solder
that will melt at 180 to 200 degrees will be found the best in practice.
W P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and
323, High Holborn, London,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Patterns Ior Plate moulding
in the Production of Metal Castings.
I, GEORGE OULTON of Stanley Street, Liverpool in the County of Lancaster,
Lead Merchant and Brass Founder 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:—
When preparing patterns for use in making moulds for metal castings by the
method known as plate moulding, a nicety of adjustment is required where the
pattern is applied to each side of the plate, in order that the one, or rather
the half on one side may exactly coincide with that on the other, this being
necessary to secure perfect uniformity and evenness in the castings produced. By
the several methods at present adopted such as setting out and scribing the plate
on each side with marks by which to set the patterns considerable time is expended
when it becomes necessary to change one or more patterns on a plate, and accuracy
is difficult to obtain.
This invention is designed to enable an ordinary mechanic without special
education with the most ordinary appliances to make with great rapidity a
complete plate of patterns for moulding accurately cored or other metal castings.
It is further designed to enable him to change the patterns or any portion of
them with facility, and further to enable him to fix his runners, gits or ridges so
as to allow the metal to flow with greater certainty and regularity.
The patterns it is understood are made in two pieces more usually divided
equally, the one piece to be fixed to one side of a plate, and the other to the
opposite side, and the invention consists essentially in fitting the patterns with pins
on one side, and sockets on the other to receive them, and in providing holes or
slots in the plate through which the pins pass, and by means of which and collars
on the pins the patterns are secured to the plate.
It is best described by aid of the accompanying drawings in which :-
Figure 1 shows a plan view of plate with some of the patterns in position.
Figure 2 section on line x-x.
Figure 3 section on line y-y.
A is the plate to which the patterns are attached. B B¹ half patterns of a small
metal coupling. To prepare the patterns for attachment to the plate, I take the
two parts B B and carefully adjust them together, and when in that position
clamp or otherwise fasten them to prevent their moving relatively the one to the
other while under manipulation. I drill' or bore through them one or more pin
holes b approximately at right angles to the plane of the surface which abuts 3
against the plate A. For small patterns I prefer to use two holes as shown
Figure 2, though for larger ones three or four may be used, or in smaller or
circular patterns a single one will suffice. In one hole in each pattern as shown,
or in both holes in one pattern, I secure by screwing or other method a pin C, each
pin when in position projects from the face of the pattern approximately at right
angles thereto. The pins C are preferably turned of the shape shown with a
collar c the use of which will be hereinafter described, and are preferably secured

page_text: to the pattern by solder, cement, or other means. To the smaller end d of these
pins has been fitted a sleeve D, which while fitting accurately slides freely over
the end of the pin. The holes of the patterns in which the pins are not secured
are drilled out sufficiently large to receive the sleeve D fitting loosely therein, so
that when the sleeve in position on the pin of the opposite casting is inserted there
will be play to allow for any inaccuracy or want of truth in drilling, or in the
position of the pin. The two parts of the pattern are again clamped or secured in
position to exactly correspond the one to the other, and when in that position the
sleeves D are wedged in position with some suitable cement or material, according
to the material of which the pattern is composed. When the pattern is a metal
one I prefer to secure the sleeve in position by running solder arcund it. When
the pins C and sleeves D are thus secured in position the two parts of the pattern
can be separated and drawn apart and put together in a few seconds, and a plate A
inserted between them in which holes a had been bored corresponding in position
or intervals apart of the pins and sleeves. This operation can be repeated as often
as may be necessary, no further adjustment being required. Where the patterns are
not changed often, I bore round holes of larger diameter than the pins in the plate,
and tack the patterns down with solder. I find it is convenient when first preparing
the patterns to have both sleeves and pins longer than the thickness of the pattern
through which they are inserted, and cut them off after they have been inserted
through the plate, by this means no mark is shown on the side of the pattern when
the sleeves and pins are dressed off. Where the intention is frequently to change
the patterns I turn the pins C at end which passes through the plate to one
diameter, so that they will all fit one slot or opening. On the pins at the point
where they project through the plate I turn a small collar c where the pins are of
sipall diameter, but where of large diameter, I cut a groove corresponding in width
to the thickness of the plate. The holes a in the plate A may be made taper, but
I prefer to cut an elongated slot as shown, the slot being of a size to receive the
turned central part of the pin, but so that the collar c can not pass through. The
two patterns B B¹ are then put together with their pins C projecting through
the holes a in the plate, they are then moved in the direction of the slots and
the pins C and their collars c engaging with the slots prevent the two parts
of the pattern being pulled asunder. It is obvious that instead of a groove cut
in the pins, a pin may be made with a projection or collar larger than the hole in
the plate (the part passing through the plate being equal to the size of the hole
in the plate) and inserted by screwing from the opposite side of the plate holding
one part of the pattern firm, the other part can then be placed on the pin, its own
pin being provided with a groove. A slight move in a circular direction will
engage it in a slot prepared for its reception, and the two patterns firmly locked,
but this is not a desirable method in practice. There is a very efficient way of
locking the patterns on the plate by boring the holes further apart in the plate
than the pins on the patterns. One part of the pattern is first inserted in the
plate and the pin pushed in a slot in the direction of the other hole, until
the sleeve comes opposite to the hole, the other pin of the other pattern is then
inserted in the sleeve, the pattern is then partly pushed back, the second pin only
being permitted by the slot being shorter in the other hole to travel half way back,
the two patterns are firmly locked. It is found inconvenient in practice being
difficult to take the patterns off again. One or more of the pins can be screwed
into a sleeve prepared to receive it, and if the patterns are very heavy this plan
may have advantages, and is almost necessary when there is only one pin in the
whole pattern as shown Figure 5, but for the multitude of small patterns for
which plate moulding is best adapted, I prefer to place the pins as first described
by locking. It is obvious that instead of a groove cut in the pins, one pin may be
made with an eccentric or projection on one or two sides, which will hold the two
parts of the pattern to the plate; a second pin can then be inserted through
both parts to prevent them moving, by providing a nick in the end of the pin,
it may be turned by means of a screw driver,

page_text: The pins may be adjusted to both sides of the patterns by means of sleeves
soldered or wedged into the patterns as already described and in the pattern in
which it is intended that the pin should be fixed the pin can be screwed, soldered
or otherwise fastened to the sleeve, or a loose pin may be used with a sleeve into
which it fits loosely provided on each pattern.
All the operations previously described will be found sufficient for practical
purposes, but there is another method which double locks each side of the pattern
suitable for heavy patterns or patterns of larger size I prepare four pins and sleeves,
the sleeves as just described. The pins I reduce in length and screw them into the
sleeves at the end furthest from the plate. When they are intended to pass through
the plate, I reduce them by cutting away one half, and in the opposite side cut in
a slot equal to the thickness of the plate. The sleeve containing the pins are then
adjusted in the patterns in the manner previously described, made fast in their
respective sleeves, when the reduced parts of the pins are passed through the plate
they enter the opposite sleeve, and the halves of the pattern brought in contact
with the plate. The pattern is then pushed forward and the slots in the half
pins are pushed in the slots prepared to receive them cut in the plate and double
locked.
When wood patterns are used it is not a convenient and sure method to insert
the pin direct into the wood, but to prepare a rough wood plug insert a screwed pin
into it then to turn both plugs and pin true together. At the end of the plug
where the screw is inserted, slightly reduce the diameter and draw onto the wood
plug a metal ferrule. When inserting the plug in the pattern I bore a larger hole
than is required and accurately fix it by packing either with glue, shellac, cement
or otherwise as may be most convenient.
In preparing both patterns and plates the person using them must fix beforehand
the most convenient distance for his pins to be apart to suit his patterns generally.
It is convenient then to make a double centre punch with two points at the interval
decided upon. For small patterns one inch apart is sufficient in practice. With
the centre punch he marks both plates and patterns so that the holes in both may
be drilled or bored at the same distances apart. This invention is also applicable
for preparing two separate plates when such are used.
In addition to the patterns of which the castings have to be made it is necessary
also to provide patterns E which will form in the sand in the mould box, gits,
runners or channels through which the metal passes to reach the moulds. The
direction of these will vary with each change or alteration of patterns on the plate.
These patterns for forming the gits, I propose to make of lead or similar soft métal
which can be easily cast and fitted though a harder metal may be used in some
cases with advantage. To prepare these for use I make from the plate a mould in
the usual way with moulding sand when I have prepared the bottom side I take
out the plate and with core or other adhesive sand after freely dusting with parting
sand, I prepare the top mould on and into the bottom one, so far the two moulds
are solid sand only, the projections on the top side filling up the spaces or hollows
beneath. The top side of the mould is carefully lifted and should part easily quite
clean. The runners or gits are then carefully cut and cleaned out in the bottom
mould as though for casting but cutting against, not into the various articles to
be cast, the top side is placed upon it and the lead composition or other metal is
then poured in the usual way. When the boxes are separated the ridges or
runners E only will be found in the mould, and will only require a little dressing
and putting on the plate. A little soft solder at one end will rapidly fix them, or
I prefer to fix them with nuts and bolts e. Where the patterns are drawn through
each other, or the metal for one pattern flows through the other the first described
method will not be sufficient, but in addition small pieces of half round metal of
the kind proposed to be used must be inserted between such patterns on the plate.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be

page_text: understood that I do not claim broadly the use of pins for securing or adjusting
the patterns to plates, for the purposes of moulding, but that what I claim is
1. The method of preparing or adjusting patterns for plate moulding so that the
pattern on one side of the plate may when in position correspond exactly with that
on the other side of it, which consists in drilling one or more holes through the
patterns approximately at right angles to the plane of the surface which abuts
against the plate, and in the hole drilled in one pattern securing a projecting pin
and in the corresponding hole in the opposite pattern wedging or otherwise fixing
a loose sleeve into which the projecting pins fits, substantially as described.
2. The method of securing patterns to plates for moulding purposes, which
consists in passing a projecting pin having a collar or eccentric, or the mechanical
equivalent of either, affixed to each pattern through hole or slot cut in the plate
with which the collar or eccentric engages, the end of the pin entering a sleeve
wedged in the opposite pattern substantially as described.
3. A plate fitted with patterns for making moulds in sand for the production of
metal castings, the patterns on which are removable and replaceable, each pattern
having been adjusted to and fitted to that on the opposite side of the plate by
means of a pin secured in one passing into a sleeve wedged in the other, substantially
as described and shewn.
4. A plate fitted with patterns for making moulds in sand for the production of
metal castings having the patterns secured thereto by means of pins provided with
collars or their mechanical equivalent passing through holes or slots in the plates
with which they engage, substantially as and for the purposes described.
WM P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and
323, High Holborn, London,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.
Dated this 29th day of October 1885.
WP. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and
323, High Holborn, London,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.