Year: 1886

page_text: C, represents the second rolls, in which the lower roll is a plain cylinder, and the
upper roll is formed of a plain surface D, and an eccentric portion, E.
F, represents the third or "finishing and pointing rolls" in which the lower roll
is also a plain cylinder, and the upper roll is provided with an eccentric portion, G.
H, represents a bar of metal from which blanks, I, shown in figure, 8, are cut by a
suitable machine. K, represents a blank with the blade drawn out about two thirds
(3) of its length, and the handle straps, L, drawn out their full length. M, represents
a blank drawn out to its full length and ready for the shearing or trimming process.
The first and second pair of rolls are provided with finely perforated pipes, a', ', for
distributing water upon the upper rolls. The operation is as follows: The bar, H, is
heated in a suitable furnace and cut into blanks, I, by a machine for the purpose; the
tang of the blank is then split and the socket for the handle formed by a machine for
that purpose. A little cinder is inserted in the socket and between the split portions
of the tang to prevent their welding, and they are partly closed together by the same
machine that split them.
The upper roll of the first pair is raised about one half (4) of an inch from the lower
roll by means of weights in the roll pit; (not shown) the screws, c', c', having been
run up to allow the blank to make its first passage, whereby it is reduced about one
eighth () of an inch. The blank is then passed through the first rolls, A, twice, tang
foremost, to prevent their spreading laterally, while the upper roll is kept wet with
water running in fine streams from the pipe, a¹.
"3
After the first passage of the blank through the rolls the "roller runs down the
screws, c¹, c¹, simultaneously by means of a wheel, they being connected together, as is
the common practice in rolling metals, and therefore not illustrated on the drawings.
The "catcher" then passes the partially rolled blank to the "roller" at the second pair
of rolls, C, who passes the blank between the rolls at, D, twice, tang foremost, to
prevent their spreading laterally, and once point of blade foremost, as shown in
figure, 11; the screws, d, ', in this pair of rolls are manipulated as in the first pair.
At this step in the operation the blade has been drawn out about two thirds () of
its length, as shown in figure, 9. After leaving the second rolls at, D, the blank is
taken by the "catcher" and inserted in the eccentric portion, E, of the same rolls, and
the tang drawn out to its desired length, width and thickness, as shown between the
lines, 3, and, 4, in figures, 9, and, 10. In the eccentric portion of the rolls the blank
is entered tang foremost, as shown in figure, 12, and delivered on the same side that it
was entered, or toward the workman, as shown in figure, 13.
In
In this operation the "catcher" enters the blank through the pass, E, and the point,,
ou the roll striking the blank, I, at the junction of the blade and the handle straps
reduces the latter in thickness as the swell, g', on the roll passes over said straps.
this pair of rolls the upper roll is also kept wet through the medium of the pipe, 6,
and the blank after leaving the rolls is smooth and almost free from scale, which
greatly facilitates the pickling process, lessens the quantity of acid required for
removing the scale, and in the manufacture of polished shovels, the labor incident to
polishing is greatly reduced; while in the production of what are known to the trade
as "black shovels," or unpolished shovels, an article having a very smooth surface and
fine finish is presented at a reduction in the cost of making.
In the manufacture of polished shovels the partly rolled blank after leaving the
second pair of rolls, is cooled and subjected to the acid bath, or pickling process for
removing the scale therefrom. After the scale has been removed the blank is heated
to a "cherry red heat," and passed into the third, or "finishing and pointing rolls" F,
point of blade foremost and drawn out to its full length, and pointed from the line,
5, to, 6, figure, 10.
In the last or finishing and pointing rolls, the rolls with their screws, e¹, e¹, are
manipulated as in the former two sets of rolls, and the blank is also delivered toward
the workman as in the eccentric portion of the second rolls, as shown in figures, 14,
and, 15. The blank is now ready for the shearing or trimming process, by which the
rough edges are cut off and the blade reduced to the finished dimensions. From this
point the blade is polished in the usual manner.

page_text: In rolling the blank its width from the lines, 1, to 2, is not increased more than one
eighth (t) of an inch, and by preference the blade and handle straps are rolled one gage
thicker in the centre throughout their entire length than at the edges, gradually
tapering toward the side edges thereof.
By thickening the metal in the centre of the shovel, the blade will wear evenly at
the point, and prevent the handle straps from cupping in the operation of riveting
them to the wooden handle. In the manufacture of "black shovels" the pickling
process is omitted, and the blank conducted from the second rolls to a furnace where
it is heated to a く
cherry red heat," and passed through the finishing and pointing
rolls.
By the process described, the blade when it leaves the last rolls is free from scale
and presents a perfectly smooth surface having a delicate oxidized coating which
requires very little labor to polish, and as the thickness of the blade and the handle
straps is gaged in the second rolls, all of the shovels made will be of exactly the same
thickness.
Instead of commencing the operation with a bar of metal and cutting blanks there-
from, I may commence with the blank shown in figure, 8, as an article of manufacture,
heat it, and conduct it through the various steps enumerated in the operation before
described. The water falling on the upper roll of the first two sets, serves not only to
produce a much smoother shovel than has heretofore been supplied to the trade, but it
also serves to keep the rolls cool, thereby increasing their durability, causing them to
retain their smooth surface longer, and reducing the strain upon them and their
liability to expansion under the heat of the metal.
I am aware that it is not new to sprinkle water on rolls used in rolling heavy bars
and plate metal, but in such instances the only object sought after, was, to keep down
the temperature of the rolls; my principal object is to affect the quality of the work
done, or to produce a shovel blade comparatively free from scale.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
First. The improvement in the art of making shovels from heated blanks, which
consists in partially reducing the blade and rolling out the tang to its proper
dimensions for the handle straps between wet rolls, and completing the rolling, and
pointing the blade between dry rolls, substantially as described.
Second. The improvement in the art of making shovels to the shearing point
herein before described, which consists in heating a bar of metal and cutting blanks
therefrom, splitting the tang of the blank and forming the socket for the handle, partly
reducing the blank and rolling out the tang to its proper dimensions for the handle
straps between wet rolls, and completing the rolling and pointing the blade between
dry rolls, substantially as described.
Third. The improvement in the art of making shovels to the shearing point
hereinbefore described, which consists in heating a blank, splitting the tang and
forming the socket for the handle, partly reducing the blank and rolling out the tang
to its proper dimensions for the handle straps between wet rolls, and completing the
rolling, and pointing the blade between dry rolls, substantially as described.
Fourth. The improvement in the art of making shovels to the shearing point, which
consists in heating a blank, splitting the tang and forming the socket for the handle,
partly reducing the blank and rolling out the tang to its proper dimensions for the
handle straps between wet rolls, reheating the blank, completing the rolling, and
pointing the blade between dry rolls, substantially as described..
Fifth. The improvement in the art of making shovels to the shearing point, which
consists in heating a bar of metal and cutting blanks therefrom, splitting the tang of
the blank and forming the socket for the handle, partly reducing the blank and rolling
out the tang to the proper dimensions for the handle straps between wet rolls, then
pickling the blank, reheating the same, completing the rolling, and pointing the blade
between dry rolls, substantially as described.

page_text: Sixth. The improvement in the art of making shovels to the shearing point, which
consists in heating a blank, splitting the tang and forming the socket for the handle,
partly reducing the blank and rolling out the tang to the proper dimensions for the
handle straps between wet rolls, then pickling the blank, reheating the same,
completing the rolling, and pointing the blade between dry rolls, substantially as
described.
Seventh. The process of making shovels to the shearing point, which consists in
splitting the tang of a heated blank and forming the socket for the handle, partly
reducing the blank by passing it through rolls tang foremost then through other rolls,
first tang foremost, then blade foremost, then reducing the tang to proper dimensions
for handle straps, pickling the blank, then reheating the same, and finally completing
the rolling and pointing of the blade, substantially as described.
Eighth. The means herein described for reducing shovel blanks which consists in
the combination of breaking down rolls a pair of rolls having a plain surface and an
eccentric portion, water distributing pipes for said rolls, and a third pair of rolls
having an eccentric portion in one of the rolls, substantially as described.