Improvements in and connected with the Galvanizing of Sheet Metal.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1890
Complete Specification Left. 7th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 11th Apr.. 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with the Galvanizing of Sheet
Metal.
We, DAVIES BROTHERS AND COMPANY, LIMITED, of The Crown Galvanizing
Works, Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Galvanized Iron Manufac-
turers, and MOSES BAYLISS, Chairman of the said Company, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates more especially to improvements for use with, or in
connection with, the cold rolls employed in rolling the sheets after they have been
pickled, as described in Patent Specification No. 16489 of 1888; and has for its
object to dispense with manual labour in the conveyance of the sheets from the
cold rolls through the galvanizing bath to the place where the sheets are to be
delivered cool for handling, and preferably to the place where they are to be next
treated by corrugating or rolling; and has the further object of delivering the
sheets from the galvanizing bath with an improved surface, and of afterwards
automatically brushing the surfaces of the sheets previously to their being delivered
for handling. The invention may however, if desired, be used independently of the
employment of the cold rolls.
According to this invention, the sheets pass direct from the cold rolls up or
along a guide to a pair of rolls revolving, one above the other, at the forward or
feeding-in side of the galvanizing bath, but at some height thereabove. The
sheets are caught between these rolls, and are fed thereby between downward
guides through which they pass to a pair of rolls revolving, side by side, just
above the flux pot through which the sheets enter into the galvanizing metal.
These latter rolls feed the sheets down into the bath, and through curved guides
therein which guide the sheets out through the opposite side of the bath and into
a pair of rolls revolving, side by side, a short distance above the surface of the
molten metal. This third pair of rolls draws out the sheets by a steady movement
at a uniform rate of speed; and in order that they may not, by rolling over the
entire surface of the sheets on each side, cause the premature setting of the coating
metal and interfere with its free crystallizing or spangling, the rolls are provided
with flat-ended studs or projections, of which each one on the one roll comes, as
the rolls revolve, opposite to a corresponding stud on the other roll so as to hold the
sheet between them. The pressure of the studs is exerted only here and there on
the opposite surfaces of the sheets, and does not interfere with the proper crystal-
izing or spangling of the coating metal. The sheets, being thus drawn out by a
teady movement, at a uniform rate of speed, and with a pressure exerted for
uch purpose, only at a few places of small area on their surfaces, are much
mproved in appearance when set, compared with sheets drawn out of the bath in
he usual or other manner heretofore practised.
As the sheets are delivered from the last mentioned pair of rolls they are
irected, by means of a curved guide, on to carriers formed of wires or wire ropes
assing around revolving barrels or drums, or in a corresponding manner, and are
ence carried to the place where they are to be further treated. As they arrive
the other end of the carrier system they are cold and ready for handling.
On their way from the bath to the point where they are to be handled, and
ter their surfaces have become thoroughly set, the sheets are drawn between two
irs of plain rolls, and are brushed by means of a pair of revolving brushes
tuated between such pairs of rolls, and again by another pair of brushes after

page_text: they have passed between the second pair of rolls. Of this latter pair of brushes
the upper one is placed to revolve in bearings in position obliquely to the line of
movement of the sheets, and revolves so as to brush backwards of the sheets.
The sheets which have been cold rolled after pickling as described in Patent
Specification No. 16,489 of 1888, aforesaid, develop a specially fine crystallization
or spangle, which is not interfered with by the drawing out rolls constructed in the
peculiar manner above described, and the formation of which is facilitated by the
steady movement at a uniform rate of speed by which the sheets are drawn out of
the bath; and, by the employment of this invention, all labour is dispensed with
between the cold rolls and the point at which the sheets are delivered, as described,
ready for handling.
Dated this 8th day of November 1890.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with the Galvanizing of Sheet
Metal.
We, DAVIES BROTHERS AND COMPANY, LIMITED, of The Crown Galvanizing
Works, Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Galvanized Iron Manufac-
turers, and MOSES BAYLISS, Chairman of the said Company, 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, more especially, to improvements for use with, or in
connection with, the cold rolls employed in rolling the sheets after they have been
pickled in the usual manner and previously to coating them in the bath of molten
metal, as described in Patent Specification No. 16,489 of 1888; and has for its
object to dispense with manual labour in the conveyance of the sheets from the
cold rolls through the galvanizing bath to the place where the sheets are to be
delivered cool for handling, or to the place where they are to be next treated by
corrugating or rolling; and has the further object of delivering the sheets from
the galvanizing bath with an improved surface, and of afterwards automatically
brushing the surfaces of the sheets previously to their being delivered for handling.
The invention may however, if desired, be used independently of the employment
of the cold rolls.
This invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, of which
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the centre of the galvanizing bath,
with mechanism applied thereto for carrying the sheets, from the cold rolls
illustrated in transverse section by this view into and from the bath, and delivering
them on to a carrier system of which one end is shewn in this view;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section shewing further portions of the carrier system,
and brushing apparatus;
Figure 3 is a plan of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a plan of Figure 2; and
Figure 5 is a view of a detached portion hereinafter described.
A pair of rolls a are carried, in suitable carriages b, in position to revolve one
above the other at the forward or feeding-in side of the galvanizing bath A, but at
some height thereabove. A pair of rolls c are carried, in suitable carriages e, in
position to revolve side by side just above the flux pot B through which the sheets
enter into the galvanizing metal. The hinder roll c is, preferably, somewhat
higher than the forward roll, for a purpose which will be presently explained.
Downward guides d d are fixed in position to guide sheets passing from the pair
of rolls a into the rolls c. A pair of rolls fare carried, in suitable carriages g, in

page_text: position to revolve side by side a short distance above the molten metal at the rear
or delivery side of the bath, and of this pair the forward or inner roll is, prefer-
ably, somewhat higher than the other roll, for a purpose which will be presently
explained. Curved guides are carried within the bath in position to guide sheets
5 from the rolls c through the molten metal and into or between the rolls f. Curved
guides are fixed in position to direct the sheets, as they pass up from the rolls f,
on to endless chains, wires, or wire ropes, of a carrier system by which they are
conveyed away from the bath.
i
The sheets pass direct from the cold rolls described in the said Patent Specifi-
cation No. 16,489 of 1888, and lettered D, in the drawings herewith, up or along a
guide (or guides) to the pair of rolls a. A guard (or guards) prevents the
forward edges of the sheets from rising so as to pass over the top of the upper roll
instead of passing between the rolls as intended. The sheets are caught between
the rolls a, and are conveyed thereby between the downward guides d d to the
pair of rolls c. These latter rolls feed the sheets down into the bath A, and through
the curved guides therein, and thence through the opposite side of the bath, and
between the rolls by which they are drawn out of the bath. The sheets are
directed, as before explained, by means of the curved guides i, on to the carrier
system as they are delivered by the rolls f.
The hinder rolle is set in position somewhat higher than the other or forward
roll in order that the sheets may be carried downwards at an inclination corre-
sponding, approximately, with a tangent to the curve of the receiving ends of the
guides, to facilitate their entrance into such guides; and the forward or inner
roll is placed somewhat higher than the corresponding hinder roll, so that the
pair of rolls may be in convenient relative position to receive the sheets as they
pass in an inclined direction from the guides h.
The pair of rolls draw out the sheets by a steady movement at a uniform rate
of speed and in order that they may not, by rolling over the entire surface of the
sheets on each side, cause the premature setting of the coating metal and interfere
with its free crystallising or spangling, the rolls are provided with flat-ended studs
or projections, of which each one on the one roll comes, as the rolls revolve,
opposite to a corresponding stud on the other roll, so as to hold the sheet between
them. The pressure of the studs is exerted only here and there on the opposite
surfaces of the sheets, and does not interfere with the proper crystallising or
spangling of the coating metal. The sheets being thus drawn out by a steady
movement, at a uniform rate of speed, and with a pressure exerted for such purpose
only at a few places of small area on their surfaces, are much improved in
appearance when set, compared with sheets drawn out of the bath in the usual or
other manner heretofore practised.
There is nothing special in the mechanism by which the rolls are operated.
According to the particular mechanism illustrated, a pair of fast-and-loose
pulleys are carried upon a shaft m, on which is also mounted a fly wheel n.
A pinion o, on the inner end of the shaft m, drives the hinder roll c through
the medium of a spur wheel p mounted on the outer end of one of the necks
thereof; and the pair of rolls are geared together by pinions q. The spur
wheel gears also with a wheel r on an intermediate shaft , and a second
wheel on this shaft drives the upper roll a through the medium of a spur wheel t
carried on the outer end of one of the necks of such roll; and the pair of rolls a
re geared together by a pair of pinions u, one of which is shewn on plan Figure 3.
The pinion o drives the inner roll through the medium of the idle wheels r, and
he wheel w carried on the outer end of one of the necks of such roll; and the pair
f rolls are geared together by pinions a. The hinder rolle is set up towards the
ther roll of the pair by set-screws passing through the rear ends of the
arriages and butting against sliding bearings which carry the roll; and
he forward or inner roll f is automatically set up towards the opposite roll of
he pair by means of bent levers or arms c, having curved or slanted portions d¹

page_text: which bear against correspondingly-shaped shoulders of sliding bearings which
carry the roll. These arms may be of sufficient weight of themselves for the
purpose, or weight may be added to them as required. Either of the rolls c and f
convenient manner, by
may, however, be set up towards its corresponding roll in any
springs, weighted levers, or otherwise.
The carrier system consists, conveniently, of grooved drums or barrels C, within
the grooves of which are carried the endless chains, wires, or wire ropes j; and the
galvanized sheets are carried by the carrier system to the place where they are to
be further treated by corrugating or rolling. The drum at the forward end of the
system carries a number of pegs or studs which consist conveniently of screw bolts i¹
passed through the outward curves of the corrugations with the nuts on the outside
and the ends of the bolts projecting somewhat therefrom as clearly shewn in
detached sectional view, Figure 5, of a portion of the rim of the drum. The
sheets are deflected by the guides onto these projecting studs which touch their
surfaces only in a few places of small area, and the sheets do not come in contact
with the body of the drum, and by the time the sheets reach the second drum of
the system the coating metal is set and fixed and is consequently not marked by the
corrugations of such or any succeeding drum.
At any convenient part of the carrier system, but at such distance from the
forward end thereof as will ensure that the surfaces of the sheets will become
thoroughly set on their passage thereto, are arranged a pair of plain rolls e¹, the
lower of which has grooves through which the upper lengths of the carrier chains,
wires or ropes, pass; and immediately beyond these rolls are arranged a pair of
revolving brushes by which the sheets are brushed on both their faces as they
pass along the carrier system. The pair of rolls el are geared together at one end
by pinions g, and the lower roll is driven by a belt from a pulley on the spindle
of one of the revolving drums. The brushes are geared together by means of a
band passing around pulleys mounted on their spindles, respectively; and the
spindle of one of the brushes is fitted with fast and loose pulleys driven from an
overhead shaft. One of the drums of the carrier system may be driven by belting
from an overhead shaft, through the medium of a pulley m² mounted on the spindle
of such drum the remaining drums being driven by the endless chains, wires, or
ropes. The rolls ', brushes and drums may, however, be driven in any con-
venient manner. The direction in which the sheets pass along the carrier system
is indicated by the arrow Figure 2.
One of the brushes should be driven to brush
forwards and the other backwards, or if both brushes are driven to brush back-
wards a second pair of rolls will be required beyond them to draw the sheets
through the brushes after they have passed beyond the rolls e¹.
The sheets which have been cold rolled after pickling, as described in Patent
Specification No. 16489 of 1888 aforesaid, develop a specially fine crystallization or
spangle, which is not interfered with by the drawing-out rolls constructed in the
peculiar manner above described, and the formation of which is facilitated by the
steady movement, at a uniform rate of speed, by which the sheets are drawn out of
the bath; and, by the employment of this invention, all labour is dispensed with
between the cold rolls and the point at which the sheets are delivered, as described,
ready for handling.
If it is desired to dispense with the cold rolls, or if when such rolls are employed
it is not desired to carry the sheets automatically therefrom to the bath, the pair of
rolls a may be dispensed with and the sheets be fed down by hand, from a raised
platform, into the pair of rolls c.
It is not, of course, essential to employ the carrier system above described
in combination with the means by which the sheets are carried automatically
through the bath, but it is much preferred to do so.
The rolls having bearing surfaces of small area occurring at intervals, as
described, may be employed for drawing out the sheets from the bath in
combination with any convenient means by which the sheets are passed up to
such rolls.

page_text: maving now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. Passing metal sheets by a continuous automatic movement direct from a pair
of cold rolls into and through the molten spelter and out therefrom, preferably onto
a carrier system, substantially in the manner described and shewn, for the purpose
set forth.
2. Passing metal sheets by a continuous automatic movement into and through
the molten spelter and out therefrom, preferably on to a carrier system, substantially
in the manner described and shewn, for the purpose set forth.
3. The general combination and arrangement of mechanism by which the opera-
tion referred to in Claim 1, or by which the operation referred to in Claim 2, is
effected, substantially as described and shewn.
4. The combination of the rolls for cold rolling (subsequently to pickling) the
sheets to be galvanized, with the means, substantially as described, by which the
sheets are conveyed by a continuous automatic movement direct therefrom into
and through the molten spelter and out therefrom, preferably on to a carrier
system.
5. The rolls in position somewhat above the molten metal, having bearing
surfaces of small arca occurring at intervals, between which the sheets are held and
thus drawn out from the galvanizing bath as the rolls revolve, substantially as
described for the purpose set forth.
6. The employment, in a carrier system for conveying away sheets automatically
delivered thereto direct from the galvanizing bath, of studs or projections of small
area to receive the sheets as they are delivered on to such system, substantially as
described, for the purpose set forth.
7. The combination, with a revolving portion of a carrier system on which the
sheets fall as they are delivered automatically direct from a galvanizing bath, of
tuds or projections of small area, substantially as described and shewn, for the
urpose set forth.
8. The combination, with a carrier system for conveying away sheets from the
alvanizing bath, of apparatus for brushing the sheets, substantially as described
nd shewn by the drawings herewith.
Dated this 6th day of March 1891.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicants.