Improvements in Metallic Springs, and in the Methods of and Machinery used for their Manufacture.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Mar., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Jan., 1895-Accepted, 12th Mar., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Metallic Springs, and in the Methods of and
Machinery used for their Manufacture.
I, GEORGE HOOкHAM, of Nos. 7 and 8 New Bartholomew Street, in the City
of Birmingham, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My invention relates to wire springs and my object is to produce articles which
may be used for purposes where flexible strips are required, and as a substitute for
whalebone in the bodies of ladies dresses, and for other purposes where whalebone
and like substances are at present employed.
My invention comprises-a new method of manufacturing wire springs of flat
zig-zag formation, in which the spring when finished consists of metallic wire bent
alternately backwards and forwards in the same plane, by stamping or otherwise
flattening a wire helix of which the coils have been opened to a determined extent;
a new method of straightening lengths of zig-zag flattened springs by heating the
said lengths while confined in straight grooves or while held straight by slight
tension; heating the springs, when manufactured from steel, to a temperature such
as 600° to 800° C. either during straightening, or after straightening; a new spring
prepared by coiling a helix from a strip ribbon or wire of metal and then flattening;
and machinery for manufacturing according to the foregoing methods.
open
In carrying my invention into effect as applied to springs of flat zig-zag
formation, I first coil a helix in any usual manner, and if the coils are close
them out to the desired extent. by winding from a drum of lower, to one of higher
circumferential velocity, and I proportion the velocities to give the required amount
of opening.
Other modes of opening may be used.
If the zig-zags are required to be a considerable distance apart, I open the helix
to a corresponding pitch.
I may cut the opened helix into suitable lengths, and introduce each length into.
a straight recess having sides kept in by springs or other devices in a strong die,
below a stamping tool. I then operate the stamping press and cause the stamping
or pressing tool to flatten out the helix and usually apply sufficient pressure to also
flatten out the wire of which it is composed.
The top tool opens the spring guides in its descent.
I find that by so flattening a helix which has been made of a sufficiently open
pitch, the wires do not cross each other, but form a flat zig-zag in which the wire
is bent alternately backwards and forwards in the same plane.
When removed from the press the length of zig-zag is generally a little bent,
and twisted, which bending is caused by the tool pressing a little harder on one of
the edges than the other. To straighten it, I place a number of lengths in a
grooved case having straight grooves and a cover. The grooves fit the lengths
and hold them straight, while the cover retains the lengths in the grooves. I heat
the case by gas or other means to a regulated temperature for a given time, and
then allow the case to cool. On removing the lengths I find that they are perfectly
straight.
The temperature used depends on the material of the springs; in the case of
steel I so adiust the temperature that the springs colour, ranging beyond the light

page_text: blue. I find the elastic qualities of the springs greatly improved by this heating
to a proper temperature.
The separate lengths of zig-zag spring may now be finished by tipping the ends
with soft metal, or they may be used without such tipping. The flattening operation
may be accomplished in a press of any known construction, but the tool must be
effectively guided to press uniformly lengthways and sideways upon the coil.
A continuous process of flattening may be adopted in which the tools are arranged
with sloping ends to enable the work to be fed up in a continuous length.
The straightening process may be carried into effect by heating the lengths
while held in slight tension, and the grooves in the case may be such as to allow
each groove to hold several-spring-lengths...
In carrying my invention into effect according to another modification; I prepare
zig-zag lengths from right and left hand helices, straighten the said lengths and slip
the opposing zig-zags together so as to cause the two lengths to interlock edge-ways.
I then introduce the double spring so formed under the press tool and give it a
squeeze. This squeeze flattens out the wire further and causes the separate pieces
to interlock so completely as to become one piece.
In carrying my invention into effect as applied to a helix prepared from strip,
ribbon or wire; I close coil a strip, ribbon or wire helix of any desired pitch and
cut it into lengths, which lengths I flatten in a press as described, but in this case
I produce a flattened helix in which the strip or wire lies in two different planes.
The two sides of the coil are forced into contact with each other and form a fat
spring strip of almost continuous flat surface, but having far greater elasticity than
a straight metal strip such as is commonly used in ladies dresses.
Dated this 10th day of March 1894.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Metallic Springs, and in the Methods of and
Machinery used for their Manufacture.
I, GEORGE HOOKHAM, of Nos. 7 and 8 New Bartholomew Street, in the City
of Birmingham, Manufacturer, 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 :-
My invention relates to wire springs and my object is to produce articles which
may be used for purposes where flexible strips are required, and as a substitute for
whalebone in the bodies of ladies dresses, and for other purposes where whalebone
and like substances are at present employed.
My invention comprises a new method of manufacturing wire springs of flat
zig zag formation, in which the spring when finished consists of metallic wire bent
alternately backwards and forwards in the same plane, by stamping or otherwise
flattening a wire helix of which the coils have been opened to a determined extent;
a new method of straightening lengths of zig zag flattened springs by heating the
said lengths while confined in straight grooves or while beld straight by slight
tension; heating the springs when manufactured from steel to a temperature such
as 600 to 800 degrees C. either during straightening or after straightening; a rew
spring prepared by coiling a helix from a strip ribbon or wire of metal and then
flattening; and machinery for manufacturing according to the foregoing methods:
With regard to the straightening operation it is to be understood that the springs
are straightened by the fact of being sufficiently heated while confined in straight

page_text: grooves and that they may also be straightened by heating each spring without
placing it in a groove and by pulling the spring while hot by fastening it at one
end and pulling it out by pliers or grippers at the other end.
The heat given to the spring for the purpose of straightening may also be utilized
or the purpose of tempering or the spring may be again heated after the
straightening heat in order to temper.
Referring to the three accompanying sheets of drawings:-
Figure 1 is an end elevation of part of a machine for manufacturing flat zig zag
and other springs formed from helices.
Figure 2 is a side elevation corresponding to Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan and Figure 4 a transverse section of a device for straightening
and tempering springs.
Figure 5 is a helical spring before treatment in the machine shown at Figures 1
and 2.
Figure 6 is a flat zig zag spring produced from Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a flattened close coiled helix in which the coils are flattened and
cross each other.
Figure 8 is a flat zig zag produced from a helix coiled closer than shown
at Figure 5.
Figure 9 is a double spring produced from two springs as at Figure .6.
End elevations are shown at each of the Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Figure 10 is an enlarged end view of the pressing tool and die showing the
position when the tool just touches the spring.
Figure 11 is a similar end view showing the spring pressed flat and the side.
guides moved to their out position.
In carrying my invention into effect as applied to springs of flat zig zag forma-
tion, I.first coil a helix in any usual manner, and if the coils are close I open them
out to the desired extent by winding from a drum of lower to one of higher
circumferential velocity and I proportion the velocities to give the required amount
of opening.
Other modes of opening may be used.
If the zig zags are required to be a considerable distance apart I open the helix to a
corresponding pitch. I may cut the opened helix into suitable lengths and introduce
each length into a straight recess D shown in Figures 1, 10 and 11 having sides C C¹
shown in Figures 1, 2, 10 and. 11, which sides are pressed in by springs C2 C3 C₁
and slide on a square of hard steel B fitted in a recess in the strong die block B'.
The die block B is arranged under the stamping tool A, which tool is carried by
the slide A¹ of a powerful press. A2 is part of the frame of the said press. Any
other device than springs may be used to keep the sides CC in position. I then
operate the stamping press and cause the stamping or pressing tool A to flatten out
the helix and usually apply sufficient pressure to also Hatten out the wire of which
it is composed.
The top or press tool A opens the spring sides or guides C C¹ in its descent.
1 find that by so flattening a helix which has been made of a sufficiently open
pitch the wires do not cross each other, but form a flat zig zag in which the wire is
bet alternately backwards and forwards in the same plane.
Figures 10 and 11 show on a larger scale two positions of the pressing tool and
spring guides; in Figure 10 the press tool A just touches the helix a, and the
inclined surfaces in the lower end of the tool A come nearly into contact with
similar inclined surfaces in the spring sides or guides C C¹. The said spring sides
or guides thus hold the helix in position till it is gripped by the press tool A in its
descent and the said press tool then pushes out the spring sides or guides C C¹,
partly by the incline and partly by the action of the helix a in the process of being
flattened.
In Figure 11 the press tool A is shown at the bottom of its stroke after
squeezing the spring a to a flat zig zag z and clearing away the side guides C C¹.
The flat face of the press tool A is made sufficiently broad to extend a little past

page_text: the extreme width of the zig zag when fully flattened out. The helix may also
be flattened by passing sideways through a pair of rolls which have no end play.
That is, each length is placed in a position parallel to the axis of the rolls so that
the rolls pass the length across the diameter or breadth of the strip thus flattening
the whole length of the said strip simultaneously.
When removed from the press the length of zig zag is generally a little bent or
twisted, which bending is caused by the tool pressing a little harder on one of the
edges than the other. Although I may make my springs from wire already
sufficiently hard to give the necessary elasticity, I may also make them from softer
steel wire and harden them in oil after pressing. Such hardening also causes
bending or twisting; to straighten I place a number of lengths in a grooved case
having straight grooves and a cover. The grooves fit the lengths and hold them
straight while the cover retains the lengths in the grooves. Such a case E is shown
in plan with the cover removed at Figure 3, where X X X X are lengths laid
in the grooves. These grooves may be continuous or may be cut across by other
grooves F as shown at Figure 3. Figure 4 is a transverse section through the
case E showing a cover E which may be a simple plate of metal. I heat the case
so filled with zig zag lengths by gas or other means to a regulated temperature for
a given time and then allow the case to cool. On removing the lengths I find that
they are perfectly straight.
The temperature used depends on the material of the springs; in the case of
steel I so adjust the temperature that the springs- colour ranging beyond the light
blue. I find the elastic qualities of the springs greatly improved by this heating
to a proper temperature.
The separate lengths of zig zag spring may now be finished by tipping the ends
with soft metal or they may be used without such tipping. The flattening operation
may be accomplished in a press of any known construction, but the tool must be
effectively guided to press uniformly lengthways and sideways upon the coil.
A continuous process of flattening may be adopted in which the tools are
arranged with sloping ends to enable the work to be fed up in a continuous length.
Such a slope applied to the press tool A is indicated by the dotted lines A³
Figure 2.
The straightening process is carried into effect by heating each length while
holding it in slight tension without placing in a case. When a grooved case is used
to straighten the springs by heating in the grooves, the grooves in the case may be.
such as to allow each groove to hold several spring lengths.
Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 illustrate plan and end view on a slightly enlarged scale
of the various stages and products produced by, treating helices under the press
tool as herein before described.
Figure 5 is a plan and end elevation of a helix suitable for flattening to the
zig zag Figure 6 having all the wires of the spring in one plane as shown in end
elevation.
Figure 7 is a plan and end elevation of a close coiled helix flattened by a press
tool as described. It will be observed from the end view that the wire is arranged
in two planes.
Figure 8 is a zig zag in one plane from a helix coiled closer than Figure 5 but
not close enough to produce the double layer shown in Figure 7.
In carrying my invention into effect according to another modification, I prepare
zig zag lengths as shown in Figure 6 from right and left hand, helices, straighten
the said lengths and slip the opposing zig zags together so as to cause the two
lengths to interlock edgeways. I then introduce the double spring so formed under
the press toel and give it a squeeze. This squeeze flattens out the wire further
and causes the separate pieces to interlock so completely as to become one piece.
Such a piece is illustrated in plan and end elevation at Figure 9.
In carrying my invention into effect as applied to a helix prepared from strip or
ribbon or wire, I close coil a strip, ribbon or wire helix of any desired pitch
see Fig. 7 and cut it into lengths, which lengths I flatten in a press as described,

page_text: but in this case I produce a flattened helix in which the strip or wire lies in two
different planes. The two sides of the coil are forced into contact with each other
and form a flat spring strip of almost continuous flat surface but having far greater
elasticity than a straight metal strip such as is commonly used in ladies dresses.
Long strips may be treated continuously under the press.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The method of manufacturing a zig zag wire spring consisting in first forming
a helix of sufficiently open pitch and then stamping, pressing or otherwise flattening
the said helix as herein set forth.
2. The method of straightening lengths of zig zag or other flattened springs by
heating the said lengths while confined in straight grooves or while pulled out as
herein described.
3. The method of straightening lengths of zig zag or other flattened springs as
clained in the preceding claim while utilizing the same heat as is used for the
straightening operation for the purpose of tempering or improving the elasticity of
the springs as described.
4. The apparatus for manufacturing zig zag and other flattened springs made
from a helix, comprising a press tool as A, a die as B¹ with spring sides or
guides C C¹, operated in any suitable press substantially as herein before described
with reference to the drawings, Figures 1, 2, 10 and 11.
5. The apparatus for straightening and tempering spring lengths comprising a
grooved case and cover as E E' Figures 3 and 4 as herein set forth.
6. The method of manufacturing a spring strip consisting in stamping or otherwise
flattening a close coiled helix whether of wire or ribbon so as to produce a flattened
helix as shown in Fig. 7 in which the strip or wire lies in two different planes, the
sides of the helix being forced into contact with each other as herein set forth.
Dated this 11th day of December 1894.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.

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