Improvements in Machines for Heating Metals by Electricity, also applicable for use in Combination with Apparatus for Making Springs.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application. 29th Dec., 1991-Accepted, 23rd Apr., 189
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Heating Metals by Electricity, also
applicable for use in Combination with Apparatus for Making
Springs.
We, GEORGE DEXTER BURTON, of Boston, in the County of Suffolk and State
of Massachusetts, United States of America, Inventor and Car Builder, and
EDWIN ELLIOTT ANGELL, of Somerville, in the County of Middlesex and State
of Massachusetts, United States of America, Machinist, do hereby declare the
nature of our invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :--
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of our improved machine ;
Fig 2 an end elevation of the same showing the resistance and switch boxes;
Fig. 3 a top plan view ;
Fig. 4 elevations of the electrode arms;
Fig. 5 views of the platinum rolls mounted in said arms;
Fig. 6 elevations of the supporting casting for the electrodes ;
Fig. 7 elevations showing insulating plates for said castings;
Fig. 8 like views of metallic gibbs or wear plates for the electrodes ;
Fig. 9 elevations of the companion clectrode supporting castings secured to those
shown in Fig. 6;
Fig. 10 elevations of the counterbalance of weights attached to the electrode
arms;
Fig. 11 a top plan view of the feed mechanism ;
Fig. 12 a face view of the same;
Fig. 13 an end view of the belt shipper;
Fig. 14 the frictional stopping pallet shown in face and edge elevations ;
Fig. 15 the friction clutch shown in longitudinal section and the stop cam shown
in end elevation ;
Fig. 16 an elevation partly broken away, of the screw shaft ;
Fig. 17 edge and face views of the lower electrode arms showing lever slot ;
Fig. 18 like views showing stop collar for electrode arms;
Fig. 19 an elevation of the weighted lifting lever of the lower electrode arms;
Fig. 20 edge and face views of the insulated feed finger and carrying piece;
Fig. 21 an elevation of the roll support for the heating metal ;
Fig. 22 edge, face and sectional views of the support for the upper electrode arm
holder;
Figs. 23, 24 and 25 respectively, a top plan view, end and side elevation of the
winding drum, support and actuating mechanism for forming the metal into car
springs as described from the heater;
Fig. 26 an end elevation of the drum showing the clamp; and
Fig. 27 end and side views showing various forms of metallic bars which the
machine is adapted to heat.
Like letters and figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different
figures of the drawings.
Our invention relates especially to a machine for heating metallic bodies of any
shape or size or heating determined points thereof by electricity and it consists in
certain novel features hereinafter fully set forth and claimed, the object being to
produce a simple and effective device of this character.
The nature and operation of the improvement will be readily understood by all
conversant with such matters from the following explanation:
In the drawings, A, A, represent the end frame or standards of the machine
which are mounted on a base B.

page_text: A series of vertically arranged electrode arms, C. (see Fig. 5) are mounted to
slide in angular castings D, (see Fig. 6) secured to casting f, (Figs. 9 and 2).
These castings are insulated by hard rubber pieces 9, (see Fig. 7).
Gibbs, 1, (see Fig. 8) are disposed at the back of the electrode arms to prevent
them from wearing into the rubber insulator.
A supporting bar, i, is secured in the standards and is slotted longitudinally at j.
Screws k, pass through said slot into the castings f, whereby the electrode arms are
rendered laterally adjustable.
Each arm C, is forked at its lower end and a platinum roll, m, of a shape
suitable to conform to the shape of the bar or rod to be heated is journaled in said
fork.
The lower electrode arms E, are of like construction with the upper electrodes, C,
being mounted in similar castings and provided with platinum rolls, m.
These lower electrodes are arranged in alignment respectively with the upper
arms and are provided with slots p. (See Fig. 17.)
Weighted levers, 9, (see Fig. 19) provided with an insulated arm, r, which
projects into the electrode slots p, are pivoted on a rod t, mounted in the frame.
Said levers tend to hold the lower electrode rolls m, in engagement with the rod H,
being heated.
Stop collars v, are adjustably mounted on the electrode
their vertical movements.
arms,
CE, to determine
Ball castings ir, (see Fig. 10) are mounted on each upper arm, C, to weight
them and force their rolls m, firmly against the rod H.
An electrical distributing rol, 25, is mounted in arms 26, (see Fig. 3) at the rear
of the standards and insulated therefrom. Said rod is connected by wires, 27, with
the top of each electrode arm C. These wires may be coiled and of different
lengths to equalize the resistance to the current for the different electrodes.
A similar distributor 28, is connected by wires 29, with the lower electrode
arms, E.
Line wires 30 and 31, lead from a generator to a switch box 32, (see Fig. 2) of
any suitable construction from the contacts of which wires, 33 and 34, connect
respectively with the distributor rod, 25.
A resistance box P, (see Fig. 2) is interposed in the circuit between the switch
and distributor bar, 25. The coil in the box is of sufficient resistance to receive
the entire current which is directed thereto when it is desired to break the current
from the heated bar H, before the rolls, m, are disengaged therefrom. For this
purpose a contact arm 36, (see Fig. 2) is projected from the distributor rod, 25.
A vertical bar 37, is fitted to slide in insulated bushing in a lug 38, on one frame
end A.
The lower end of said rod is connected by wire 39, with the resistance box. To
the upper end thereof a lever 40, is pivoted, provided with a head 41, disposed in
position to engage the contact arm 36. The lever is actuated by a rod 43, passing
to the front of the machine. In the position shown in Fig. 2, contact is broken
and the current passes to the electrodes.
When the lever head 41, is brought into engagement with the contact 36, the
current passes into the resistance box in a manner readily understood by all
conversant with such matters.
The bar to be heated may be of any suitable form, a variety of which are shown
in Fig. 27. Said bar is passed between the upper and lower electrodes m,
contacting therewith and rapidly heated thereby when the current is turned on.
To obtain an even heat on all parts of said bar H, it is found necessary to
reciprocate the same longitudinally a distance equal to the space between succeeding
electrodes. For this purpose we employ a feed of uniform speed.
A screw shaft 50, (see Fig. 3) is fitted to rotate in the frame ends.
Rods 51, and 52, are mounted to slide in said frame parallel with the shaft and
projecting beyond the end thereof.
A head 54, is secured on said rods by set screws and is tapped centrally to

page_text: travel on said worm shaft 50. A tight pulley 55, and loose pulley 56, are mounted
on the outer end of said shaft.
An open belt 57, and crossed belt 58, connect the loose pulley with suitable
power supply.
As the shaft is driven in either direction, the head 54, is caused to travel thereon
in corresponding direction carrying the rods 51 and 52, with it.
On one end of the rod 51, an arm 59, is secured provided with an insulated
finger 60, which projects towards the front of the machine sufficiently to engage
the end of the heated bar H, as shown in Fig. 3.
The arm 59, may be adjusted at will on the rod 51, its position being determined
by the length of the bar H.
At the opposite end of the rod 51, a clamp 61, of construction suitable to firmly
secure the bar H, is secured, and causes said bar to move conjointly with the
rods 51 and 52, when actuated by the worm. Instead of said clamp a finger
corresponding to the finger 60, may be employed.
The rod 52, is provided at one end with a series of holes 65, (see Fig. 3).
Pins 66, are disposed in said holes a determined distance apart. As said rod is
moved by the head 54, these pins are brought into engagement with a pin 67, on a
tripping pallet 68, (see Figs. 12 and 14) pivoted on the frame A. A cam shaft 70
is journaled on the frame end and is rotated continuously in one direction by a
belt 71, (see Fig. 2).
A stop canı 72, (see Fig. 15) is disposed loosely on said shaft, its point 73, being
engaged by either of the points of the pallet 68. To permit the cam to be moved
in direction opposite to its shaft, a friction device is disposed in the chamber of the
cam-hub. This consists of a disk 73, on each side of which a washer 74, is
disposed. A coiled spring 75, is compressed between said washers and a collar 76,
secured to the cam-hub.
Sufficient friction is thus supplied to turn the cam when released from its pallet 68,
and not interfere with the rotation of shaft 70. Said pallet being moved by the
pins 66, in bar 52, releases said cam which makes a semi-revolution when it is
caught by the opposite arm of said pallet.
A pin 80, in the face of the cam works in a slot 81, in a shipping lever 82,
(see Figs. 12 and 13) pivoted on the frame. The half revolution of the cam
oscillates the lever 82, shipping the belt 57, or 58, and reversing the movement of
the worm shaft.
This drives the rod 52, in the opposite direction until its opposite pin engages
the pallets releasing the cam and again reversing the movement of the worm shaft
by shipping the belts.
The friction device described enables the bar H to be fed at uniform speed by
the reciprocating rods at all times the length of the movement being determined by
the position of the pins 66, in the rod 52.
To the frame, a bracket 90, (see Fig. 21) is mounted bearing a supporting
roll 91, for the bar H, said roll being vertically adjustable in and insulated from
said bracket.
In the frame near the base a horizontal treadle shaft 93, is journaled to one end
of which a treadle lever 94, is secured.
One end of a horizontal lever 95, (see Fig. 2) is pivoted at the rear upper end
and a rod 96, connects it with the treadle. A similar lever 97, is pivoted to the
opposite frame end, and a connecting rod 98, (see Fig. 1) joins it to a crank on the
treadle lever.
The supporting casting i, for the upper electrodes is fitted to slide vertically in
suitable ways 99, in the frame standards.
The ends of the levers 95 and 97, are slotted as at 100, (Fig. 2) and play on
pins 101, on the castings.
By actuating the treadle 94, the top electrodes may be elevated to adjust the
bar H, between the two sets of electrodes.

page_text: By the vertical play allowed the electrode arins in their castings and said arms
being weight tensioned, as described, variations in the diameter, as at 102
in Fig 1, or unevenness of surface of the bar H, being operated on is readily
compensated for..
It will be understood that springs may be substituted for weights on said arms
to hold the electrodes against the bar.
The upper and lower electrode arms may be of any suitable length and weight.
The upper electrodes may be arranged to alternate with those in the lower set
and any desired number may be used.
By imparting endwise thrust to the bar H, when heated, it may be enlarged at
points desired between the electrodes.
A special application of our machine is for heating bars to be wound into car
springs.
In Figs. 23 to 26 inclusive, a device for forging such springs is illustrated.
Much difficulty is ordinarily experienced in retaining sufficient heat in the metal
while on
the mandrel, the usual process frequently necessitating numerous
reheatings which detract seriously from the temper of the metal and tend to form
brittle or soft therein.
These and other objections are overcome by our device in which the spring
can be quickly formed without reheating. Moreover, the action of the electricity
on the metal is found to greatly toughen it and add to its tensile strength.
A stand K, is disposed in convenient position to receive the bar H, as it leaves
the electrodes.
A vertically inclined screw-shaft 105, is mounted in a pivoted bearing, 106, at
one end of said stand in which it is fitted to slide longitudinally, as indicated by
dotted lines in Fig. 23.
Said shaft is provided with a crank handle 107, for rotating it. Its threaded
end 108, works in a suitably tapped support 109, at the opposite end of the stand.
Said support has a hinged upper section which may be thrown up as in Fig. 24, to
release the screw for removing the spring when formed.
A drum 110, is disposed on the shaft and is provided at one end with a
cam actuated clamp 111, of any suitable construction for securing an end of the
bar H thereon.
On one side-bar 112, of the stand insulated guides 113, are arranged in alignment
with the electrode rolls m.
As the heated bar H, leaves the electrode its end is secured in the drum
clamp 111. The shaft 105, being rotated, carries with the drum and is driven
longitudinally by its screw. The bar H, is thus quickly wound on said drum
into a spring, the coil of which is determined by the pitch of the thread 108.
By means of the hinged bearing 109, the drum may readily be removed
and the spring tempered in the ordinary manner, the necessity of reheating being
overcome.
Having 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. In a machine for heating metal, an electric circuit in combination with
adjustable arms disposed in said circuit and bearing electrode rolls adapted to
engage opposite sides of said metal, substantially as described.
2. In a machine for heating metal, two series of weight or spring tensioned arms
disposed in an electric circuit and bearing electrode rolls adapted to engage said
metal.
3. In a machine for heating metal, the combination of an upper series of
adjustable arms bearing electrodes, a lower series of similar arms aisposed in
alignment therewith an electric circuit, and mechanism for adjusting said upper
arms, substantially as described.

page_text: 4. In a machine for heating metal, two series of electrodes disposed in an electric
circuit in combination with mechanism for automatically reciprocating the metal to.
be heated between said electrodes, substantially as described.
5. In a machine for heating metal, two series of spring or weight tensioned
electrodes disposed in an electric circuit and adapted to contact with the metal to
be heated, in combination with a resistance coil and mechanism for shunting the
electric current into said coil, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6. In a machine for heating metal, the combination of an electric circuit :
adjustable arms therein mounted in series and bearing electrode rolls, mechanism
for reciprocating a metal bar between said rolls; a current switch; a resistance
coil in said current; and mechanism for shunting the current thereto, substantially
as described.
7. The weight tensioned arms, CE, mounted to slide on the machine frame and
disposed in an electric, in combination with electrode rolls as m, and a treadle
actuated mechanism for elevating the arms C, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
8. In a machine for heating metal, the frame and adjustable electrodes mounted
in an electric current, in combination, a shaft belted to a power supply; a belt
shipping mechanism for reciprocating said shaft; and conjunctive mechanism
actuated thereby for reciprocating the metal between said electrodes, substantially
as described.
9. In a machine for heating metal, the frame in combination with the adjustable
electrode arms, CE, disposed in alignment and bearing rolls m, and an electric
circuit for charging said rolls, substantially as described.
10. In a machine for heating metal, two series of adjustable electrodes disposed
in alignment and an electric circuit for charging the same in combination with
mechanism for automatically reciprocating the metal to be heated between said
electrodes and mechanism for shunting the current therefrom, substantially as
described.
11. In a machine for heating metal, the frame and tensioned electrodes in com-
bination with an electric current for charging said electrodes; a screw shaft mounted
in said frame; mechanism for automatically reciprocating said shaft; a head
travelling on said screw a rod secured to the head and insulated arms on said rod
for engaging opposite ends of the metal to be heated whereby it may be reciprocated
between said electrodes, substantially as described.
12. In a machine of the character described, a feed mechanism for reciprocating
the metal between the heating electrodes comprising a screw shaft belted to a
power source, a head travelling on said shaft; a rod on said head provided with
clamps or arms for moving the metal; a companion rod on said head and a
belt-shipping mechanism actuated by said rod, whereby the screw shaft may be
reciprocated substantially as set forth.
13. In a machine for heating metal by electricity, an electric circuit; two series
of adjustable electrodes disposed in said circuit and mechanism substantially as
described for coiling the metal when delivered from said electrodes.
14. In a machine for heating metal by electricity, two series of weight tensioned
electrodes mounted in the same vertical plane; mechanism for elevating the
upper series; an electric circuit mechanism for reciprocating the metal between
said electrodes; an electric switch; a resistance coil; and mechanism for shunting
the current into said coil, all being arranged to operate substantially as described.
15. In a machine for heating metal by electricity, the combination of two series of
electrode arms disposed in proximity to each other, and adapted to receive between
them the metal to be heated, the electrode arms of one of the series being adjustable,
and electric conductors connected with said arms.
16. In a machine for heating metal by electricity, the combination of two series
of adjustable electrode arms adapted to receive the inetal between them, the
contact ends of the arms of one series being disposed opposite the contact ends of
the arms of the other series, and electric conductors connected with said arms.

page_text: 17. In a machine for heating metal by electricity, the combination of a series of
movable electrode arms adapted for contact with one side of the metal to be heated,
a series of supports therefor adjustable in a direction at right angles to the
movement of the arms, a series of electrodes adapted for contact with the other
side of said metal, and electric conductors connected with said arms.
18. In a machine for heating metal by electricity, the combination of a frame, a
series of horizontally adjustable guide-ways supported thereon, a series of electrode
arms vertically movable in said guide-ways, and adapted for contact with one side
of the metal to be heated, a series of electrodes adapted for contact with the other
side of said metal and electric conductors in connection with said electrodes and
electrode arms..
19. In a machine for heating metal by electricity, the combination of two series
of horizontally adjustable guide-ways supported on said frame, two series of
electrode arms vertically novable in said guide-ways and adapted to receive
between them the metal to be heated, and electric conductors in connection with
:said electrode arms.
20. In a machine for heating metal by electricity, the combination of a series of
vertically movable electrode arms, a series of guide-ways therefor, and a series of
weighted lifting levers engaging said arms.
21. In a machine for heating metal by electricity, the combination of a series of
vertically movable electrode arms, a series of guide-ways therefor, and adjustable
stop collars on said arms.
22. In a machine for heating metal by electricity, the combination of a series of
electrodes, au electrical distributing rod, and conductors of different resistance
-connecting said rod with the different electrodes.
Dated this 18th day of September 1891.
GEORGE DEXTER BURTON.
EDWIN ELLIOTT ANGELL.
'Witnesses:
F. C. SOMES, Lawyer,
514, F. Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
EDWARD NEWITT,
Fitchburg, Mass., Machinist.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.