IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF AND IN THE MACHINERY AND APPLIANCES FOR HOLDING, DRILLING, TURNING, TAPPING, FITTING, AND SHAPING CERTAIN PARTS OF STEAM, WATER, GAS, AND LAMP FITTINGS
Year: 1862

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Thomas Stroud at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th October
1862.
I, JOHN THOMAS STROUD, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Lamp
and Chandelier Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my said In-
vention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF AND IN THE MACHINERY
AND APPLIANCES FOR HOLDING, DRILLING, TURNING, TAPPING, FITTING, AND SHAPING
CERTAIN PARTS OF STEAM, WATER, GAS, AND LAMP FITTINGS," to be as follows (that
is to say):-
My improvements relate, first, to a machine for turning, drilling, and
tapping the inside and outside of unions, cocks, and other such like parts, and
consist of a disc for holding the dies which are made to advance and retire
by means of eccentrics brought into action by cams during the time of tapping
the work, the tool being made to move backward and forward also by self-
acting means on a sliding bed in unison with the expanding and contracting
apparatus connected with the chuck, the motion being imparted by a band or
otherwise from a shaft to a mandrel fitted up similar to a lathe head in con-
nection with a self-acting regulating motion, the cams being fixed upon a back
shaft deriving its motion from a worm or otherwise on the mandrel or spindle
and to the front of which I apply the suitable chuck adapted for holding the
various kinds of work required to be operated on, and which chuck from its
construction may also be beneficially used in ordinary lathes for holding rings
and other such like articles varying in size. When using this machine for

page_text: drilling, I obtain a sliding motion by means of a lateral cam which advances
the drill to the work to drill it and retire, allowing the work to fall or be
removed complete to the extent of this particular operation. As a modification
of this machine instead of the drill working concentrically with the tapping
apparatus I provide a means of holding the drill and tap separately and
bringing them consecutively into operation by means of a self-acting cam, the
machine being timed and speeded that by means of the cams the work shall
be advanced to and returned from the drills and taps in successive order.
Secondly, my improvements consist of an entire duplex machine by which
at one setting of the work I am enabled to put in motion simultaneously four
distinct tools advancing and retiring them from the work in the order in which
they are required, the tools working parallel or at right angles according to
the nature or character of the work required, or the setting of the machine;
but for illustration I will describe the machine as arranged for the tools to
work centrally opposite each other, the work being set in a sliding universal
holder, and the tools set for performing the operation of turning and drilling
by being brought into action by a self-acting motion which when done allows
the tool to recede from the work, at which moment the rest holding the work
will be carried forward (also by a self-acting motion) so as to bring the work
in position to be tapped inside and out simultaneously, the tools retiring in the
same order as before described when the operator by means of a handle simul--
taneously expands the jaws for the removal of the work and the replacement
of another piece which will be held by the reversion of the handle. The
apparatus is placed upon a suitable bed and by means of a right and left
handed screw underneath may be expanded or contracted according to the
size of the article required to be operated on. In the details of this machine
it is not essential that the tools should be worked at the same speed, as that
may be varied as desired, as one tool I prefer to have a continuous motion
while the tap must from necessity advance and retire according to the pitch
of the thread to be cut either internal or external.
Thirdly, my improvements consist in a machine for clearing out hollow parts
of fittings; such as caps, covers, and such like parts to the size required, and
following up the same operations by a self-acting tap for screwing the part
cleared out by the drill before the work is liberated. This machine is also
capable of performing the like operation of tapping on the outside of such parts
required to be tapped. This machine is entirely self-acting, so far as the pro-
gress of the action of the drill and following up of the tap is concerned both
being independent of each other, but inasmuch as it is intended by this machine
to perform the operations described in large or small articles it is necessary that

page_text: the process of tapping should be regulated according to the thread required,
and I effect this by means of a counter die brought in contact with the tapped
portion of the main spindle, or otherwise the spindle being tapped with different
threads as required bringing into use the corresponding or counter die of each
thread when required. In front of the drill and tap I extend the bed and
place a rest for receiving the work which consists of lateral jaws that expand
and contract by a handle which places it perfectly central for receiving the
advancing motion of the drill and tap; this rest is also provided with a vertical
screw which may be set in connection with a collar and helical spring, below
which is fixed on a centre as well as one capable of being elevated and de-
pressed by means of a screw in the base; by means of these centres the operator
is enabled to apply or remove the work simply by pressing up the
upper centre
to counteract the force of the spring before referred to, and it will be thus
observed that in drilling and tapping angle work great truth and accuracy is
obtained as the work being held perfectly perpendicular the parallel action of
the drill and tap must from necessity perform its operation at right angles to
the other portion, an important desideratum in such kinds of work.
Fourthly, my improvements relate to a machine for drilling, tapping, and
turning, and in this case the drill and the tap work at distinct and separate
speeds on separate spindles, both being provided with independent motions
derived from lateral cams working on a back shaft to advance the tools to the
work which is held between adjustable jaws and by a cam shifted from the opera->
tion of the drill to that of the tap, the throw of the cam being so adjusted as to be
exact the amount of difference between the centre of the drill and centre of the
tap, the holder being held towards the face of the cam by a strong elastic band
or spring.
Fifthly, my improvements relate to a simple machine with reciprocating
spindle deriving its motion from an eccentric or crank on the driving or other
auxiliary shaft, the eccentric gives motion to an arm which works up and
down two other arms fixed upon back centres and connected together by loose
joints to a connecting piece so as to work gūts or suitable straps fastened first.
to the ends of the top and bottom arms and passing right and left around the
spindle on which by preference I form a spiral groove for the straps or guts to
work in, by which means a backward and forward revolving motion is obtained,
the spindle being fixed in collars fixed upon an ordinary lathe bed admits of
being so.constructed as to receive taps or drills at both ends, suitable hollow
centres being provided for receiving the means by which the work is held. and
pressed forward to the operations of the drills or taps, which means are varied
according to the work required to be performed, and the facility with which

page_text: they may be changed, and the accuracy by which the article is held while the
work is performed, makes them important auxiliaries to this machine, but as a
modification, I use a diagonal bar for better regulating the action of the guts
or straps to their shifting position on the spiral groove as the spindle is being
turned backwards and forwards, and in connection with this modification, I
will describe it as also applicable (as well as to drilling and tapping), to the
cutting off, preparing, and screwing the ends of tubes, the means of holding
and advancing the tube for these operations being effected by the operator
with a hollow sliding split centre or spindle hereafter to be referred to,
and in this modification like the former, it is double-acting, the angular
rod deriving its motion. from an adjustable crank as in the former case
working between friction rollers suitably placed, means being provided for
throwing the band on or off the driving pulley by a double treddle so that
either operator may stop or put the machine in motion as required. And in
screwing tubes I introduce into this machine a chuck for holding the dies,
which dies from the construction of the chuck advance simultaneously by an
outer tapped rim or collar, the base of which being of an incline corresponding
with the outer ends of the dies, the dies may be always adjusted to insure the
thread in any number of tubes being of the same diameter, this arrangement
is not only applicable to the cutting off, preparing, and screwing the ends of
tubes, but a variety of other articles connected with gas and other like fittings,
the hollow split spindle before referred to being an important auxiliary for the
purpose herein-before described as the spindle will expand to its natural setting
for the tube desired to be held (while under the process of tapping) by the
simple action of advancing the taper split spindle with the tube to its work
through a corresponding taper hole which contracts the split spindle and
thereby securely and firmly holds the tube under operation, the variation in the
size of the tubes to be operated on being provided for by different sized split
spindles, and although I have described the refluent motion as being obtained
by straps or guts working around a worm spindle, nevertheless I effect the
same object, by a shifting band working over two driving pulleys, the one putting
in motion a bevelled wheel fixed upon its spindle and the other a bevelled
wheel fixed to the pulley, the pulley and wheel remaining free on the shaft or
spindle on which they are placed, these two bevelled wheels gear into. a back
bevilled wheel which by a simple arrangement enables me to alternately shift:
the band from one pulley to the other, and thereby reverse the motion.
Sixthly, my improvements relate to an arrangement, which I prefer placing.
to work, for convenience, in a horizontal position, for centring and drilling the
various kinds of work to be subsequently operated upon, as, for instance, it is

page_text: important for the purpose of affording uniformity of strength and economising
metal, that a defined or indented centre should be imparted to many of the
parts to be subsequently finished or further operated on in other machines,
such, for instance, as the top and bottom ends of swing plugs, in order that
they should be centrally held for the subsequent operation of tapping, as
herein-before described, and I effect this by a rest fixed in front of the
revolving tool, which rest is fitted with two or more radial adjustible bolts set
and held in position, according to the work required, by set screws, and
against the inner angular ends of these bolts the work to be operated on is
placed and held up by a back centre, which presses the work with the holder
up to the tool by means of a lever worked by the operator. The rest before
described for holding the work is fixed to a spindle that passes through the
supports that carry the collars in which the main spindle works; and in
connection with the spindle that carries the rest helical springs or elastic bands
are attached, that as the operator releases the pressure on the advancing
lever the work will be brought back and liberated. The radial bolts before
described are capable of adjustment so as to hold centrally the round portion
of a plug or other parts as required. But as a modification of this arrange-
ment, still preserving the head with collars for carrying the main spindle that
gives motion to the drill, the rest is formed with two side supports fitting
through holes formed in the sides of the upright supports with helical springs
to pass over them to force back the rest after being advanced, as before
described in the last machine, to the work; a large hole is turned in the rest so
that the drill shall work perfectly central to it, and into this hole plugs are
placed adapted for receiving the several articles in their various positions to
be held up by the sliding centre and lever to the operation of the drill, for it
will be observed, through the description of my various machines, that my
great object is not only to expedite the work, but to ensure great truth and
accuracy, which is important in the construction of such fittings.
Seventhly, my improvements relate to a machine or apparatus constructed
for upright drilling, and consist of a vertical spindle held in collars attached
'to a vertical standard, which standard affords the fulcrum for a lever which is
connected to the upper end of this spindle, so that by pulling down the lever
'the spindle is depressed, carrying with it the drill, a regulating screw being
5 applied to the lever to regulate the amount of depression to be given to the
spindle; but by the operator relieving the lever it will be immediately elevated,
and with it the spindle and drill, by means of a helical spring or an elastic
strap or band attached to the part of the lever that extends beyond its fulcrum.
Immediately below the drill is a bed supporting at the back a regulating

page_text: centre, and in the front open jaws are fixed to a slide, which, when the operator
puts his foot on a treddle below, the jaws close and carry back the work until
the centre at the back enters the inverted centre that has been made by or in
the machine described in the last Figure; and for illustration I will suppose
that the operator wishes to drill a cross hole in a plug, the thumb bit of the
plug is held vertically between the jaws before referred to, and simultaneously
with the grip of the jaws the plug is carried to the back centre, and in that
position is held between the back and front centre and jaws ready for the
descent of the drill to bore the cross hole. The operator will now remove the
pressure from the lever and his foot from the treddle, when the plug will be
relieved and removed for another to be applied. I have now described the
process by which I drill the plugs, but in drilling the hole in the cock for
receiving the plug (technically called rimering) I dispense with the centres
and jaws and their attendant parts before described, and use a bed perfectly
true and at right angles with the vertical action of the drill, and upon this bed
I fit a rest consisting of an angle piece with an open slot in the bottom for
receiving an adjustable bolster; and the vertical side of this angle piece is
fitted with a slide to which a strong collar is formed, and through this collar a
pin is fitted with a small wheel and handle on the outside, while the inner end
of the pin is tapped with a male or female screw, that by applying the large
part of the cock to the tapped end of this pin and turning the pin around, the
cock will be thereby firmly held and in position for the descent of the rimer,
the size and depth of its range being regulated according to the plug to be
used with it. The periphery of the wheel applied for carrying the handle at
the outer end of the pin before referred to I form into a dividing plate, which
affords facilities for drilling holes in gas or other fittings at any particular
angle desired.
Eightly, my Invention relates to an improved apparatus for holding gas and
such-like fittings that require to be brought under the operation of suitable
cutters for cutting the square or flat surfaces on certain parts of such fittings,
such as the squares of a swing plug or the sides of a screw head or nut, and
this I effect by an apparatus or mechanical arrangement placed in front of the
cutter, which is fixed in the revolving spindle of an ordinary lathe. The
apparatus has an advancing and returning motion in the direction of the
revolving spindle as well as at right angles to it; the part that receives the
.work is similar in action to the pin with the handle and dividing plate for
upright drilling described in the last machine, the whole resting on a parallel
(divided) plate which, by means of its divisional parts, enables the operator to
present the various sides in succession of a screw head or cap, and by means

page_text: of an elevating and depressing screw and the transverse range or traversing
motion of the machine the portion of the work desired to be flattened is passed
in front and held up to the operation of the revolving cutter, thus the angular
surfaces desired in such work are accurately formed and truly divided. In
doing the heads or thumb bits of plugs I adopt a modification which enables
me first to shape the ends, then the front edge, and afterwards the flat sides,
and in this last operation I am enabled to do the top and both sides of four
plugs at one operation by means of a traversing motion that carries them
transversely across the operation of a series of cutters fixed to a revolving
spindle, varying the appliances in this as well as in my former machines
according to the size and description of the work to be performed; but never-
theless I will add to this description an apparatus to be applied to this machine
for holding a joint cock or parts requiring plugs, the same having a portion
cut away to receive the nitre or stop pin. I effect this by an angle clamp
that has three centres simultaneously brought together so as to hold the part
desired to be operated on in its desired position, which is further insured by
causing a steel plug half cut away that enters the plug hole, leaving free for
the action of the cutter that portion in which the nitre or stop pin works; by
this means I obtain great accuracy as to the true depth of the part required to
be cut away to allow the plug to go down to its depth, and yet for the nitre
pin to work on or near the surface of the plane so cut. The seat for the
washer and part of the plug to correspond with the D or other angular shaped
washer I effect with cutters in connection with suitable appliances.
Ninthly, my improvements relate to a simple and efficient arrangement for
turning articles of an irregular shape, such as connecting cocks, bracket backs,
and such like articles, and consist in a suitable bed spindle and pulley for
giving motion to the work, and a chuck for holding the same, which chuck
I prefer constructing in the following way, the part that holds the work has
a conical base, and works through a hole in the front of the chuck of a
corresponding angle, and is held up in that position by a back centre. . By
this contrivance the work and centre, on which it is placed, revolve together,
and is thereby securely held while revolving for the operation of the cutters or
turning tool, and which chuck I use generally for holding work requiring two
centres during the operation of turning, but as I frequently require to hold
work concentrically in a chuck independent of the use of a centre, I prefer
constructing my chuck in the following way:-The base of the chuck is tapped
for screwing on to the mandrel the same part having a slot at right angles
through it; over this I place a strong collar parallel on the inside in the
portion that works over the part last described, and from there forward. it

page_text: contracts holding an internal split collar, the two having a circular portion
cut out of the diameter of the work I may require to hold, a spring being
introduced between these conical jaws, and the base of the chuck to keep
them asunder while the collar has a corresponding slot in it so that by driving
in a wedge the outer collar is pulled back thereby contracting the divided
conical jaws before described, holding securely anything placed between them;
the firmness with which the work is held, and the facility for freeing or applying
the same, makes this arrangement of importance and value in tapping, turning,
and finishing certain parts of such fittings, the carriage for holding; and support-
ing the tools is so contrived that each tool may be set and removed altogether
without affecting the other, and this tool holder is so arranged that an arm or
arms are formed or attached by preference to its under side, and set upon cen-
tres, so that the tools have the quality of oscillating on them, and for illustration
I will suppose that I am turning a connecting cock on the back rest, I secure
the tools for turning the necks, and a keen pointed tool for a divisional line, while
in the front, I secure a tool for turning the swell or enlarged part, and by means.
of a handle, which the operator holds in his hand brings into operation the three
back tools simultaneously, and then by elevating the front tools to the work
by the same means the cock will be superficially turned and finished, to be
removed and replaced by another. In some cases instead of giving motion
to the tool rest by hand, I prefer working the rest by cams or their equiva-
lents, first bringing one series into action, and then the other, or both together
as required, so that the attention required is simply reduced to the applying
or removal of the work, not that I purpose confining myself to the oscillating
motion of the tool rest, as a rest may be formed working in a traverse slide,
one portion carrying the shaping tools on one or both sides, the same being
advanced simultaneously on both sides of the work.
Tenthly, my improvements relate to a machine for turning articles on the
outside, and like my former machines, is based upon the principle of so arranging
its operation that no skill shall be required from the attendant, and consist
of a spindle and pulley for giving motion to the work fixed upon a suitable
bed, and by means of a worm or its equivalent on the spindle motion is given
to a back shaft, which by means of a pinion and cog wheel motion is con-
veyed to the rest that carries the cutters the rest I purpose using with this
machine, I have described in a former sheet that by means of eccentric slots
the cutters are advanced and withdrawn from the work, and this is effected
by a projecting lever radiating from the back disc of the chuck, which lever
as the chuck, advances by the action of the screw passes over a template the
exact reversed shape of the article intended to be turned, by which means

page_text: the tools advance and recede, so as to impart the exact counter shape of
that of the templet to the article that is being turned; as an equivalent for
the chuck herein described an oscillating tool holder may be substituted,
advanced like the rest by a screw, its motion also being defined for advancing
the tool to the work by the templet before referred to.
'
Eleventhly, my improvements relate to shaping or forming the periphery of
pulley wheels for sustaining the balance weights of chandeliers and other
purposes, and this I effect by using rings of a necessary width, and by placing
these rings on a hollow chuck fixed on a suitable apparatus similar to a
common lathe, at the back of which I provide the means for obtaining a
fulcrum for a lever to work on, and on the under side of which lever a piece
of (by preference) hardened steel is fitted, the end of which I form into the
desired shape. I wish to make the periphery of the pulley thus, provided the
machine or apparatus has only to be put in motion and the front end of the
lever pressed upon by the operator, when the ring will be indented or shaped
as desired, to be subsequently secured by soldering or otherwise to the centre
or inner portion of the pulley. This mode of spinning pulley wheels greatly
economises their production as well as the material of which they are
composed.
Twelfthly, my improvements under this head while they embrace many
of the appliances and manipulations before described, nevertheless I think it
advisable to place them under a separate head, because they apply generally
to a class of work technically named "union" work, as, for instance, I take a
"union" that has been tapped on the inside by the apparatus herein-before
referred to; this I screw on to a taper-tapped plug screwed or otherwise fitted
into the mandrel of an ordinary lathe worked by steam or other auxiliary
power; thus the "union" is held centrally for the advancement of the tools,
by which it is turned over its outer surface as well as the outside and shoulders
of the projection; and the essential quality of my improvements in this, as
generally before described, consists in the arrangement for holding and
advancing the tools, and the means of setting the same, so that the work may
be performed by an unskilled attendant; secondly, my improvements relate to
an arrangement of a duplex rest for holding the desired tools, brought into
action one by the foot and the other by the hand of the attendant, and like the
improvements last described is arranged for holding various tools of different
sizes, according to the work required, but more particularly for turning and
milling; thus it will be seen that what may be technically called the tools, and
capable of being used and changed with the various machines or apparatus
herein-before set forth, form an important auxiliary in the attainment of my

page_text: object, as also the appliances by which the actual or cutting tools are set and
held, as will be fully exhibited and described in my Complete Specification.
Lastly, my improvements refer to the brightening and cleaning of surfaces
of gas tubes, &c., that require to be so treated; this I effect by using a hollow
chuck with a sufficient number of what are technically called "scratch knobs,"
and I apply them radially towards the centre, so that by putting the chuck
in motion and passing the work through, the polishing will be most efficiently
and rapidly done.