Improvements in the Manufacture of Rollers for Castors.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 19th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 18th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 23rd May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Rollers for Castors.
I FRED HUDSON of Union Castor Works, Sheep Street, Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows :-
This invention relates to the manufacture of rollers for castors, which are com-
posed of clay, or compounds of a similar character, and has for its object, the
compressing of the clay and the formation of the central or axial hole after the
following manner, and by means of the following mechanism.
These my improvements constitute further improvements upon an invention for
which Letters Patent were granted to me bearing date, October 20th 1887 and
numbered 14248.
It is found that in many of the rollers made by the present method of compressing
the soft clay around a central wire (to form the hole), that they crack around the
hole, and in many cases, break at such parts. It is to obviate this defect, that I
have made this my invention.
I provide a cylindrical die of a greater depth than the thickness of the roller,
and having an internal diameter, equal to the outer diameter of the said roller.
This would rest upon the bed of the press or other suitable machine. Within this
die, and working upwards from the bottom, I provide a false or sliding bottom,
which is supported or carried upon rods or other firm base. In the centre of this
false bottom I prepare a hole to receive a sliding punch. This sliding punch is
extended downward from the bed of the machine, and adjustably connected to the
end of a treadle lever, which is situated upon the floor, that is to say, the lower end
of the punch is screwthreaded for some distance, and a pair of lock nuts passed
thereon. Between these lock nuts is carried a tubular sliding piece, which protects
the screwed part of the punch rod, and having at its upper end a collar. Between
this sliding piece and the lower one of the aforesaid two nuts, is placed the upper
end of a rod, the lower end of which is connected to a treadle as aforesaid.
Again. Secured to the underside of the bench (or the machine) and one upon
either side, at a suitable distance apart, are downhanging guides, upon which slides
a crosshead. Through the centre of this crosshead slides the aforesaid tubular
piece. To this crosshead, and one upon either side, are vertical rods, their upper
ends passing through the bed of the machine, and their lower ends connected to the
crosshead by adjustable locking nuts. To this crosshead is further connected the
upper end of a second connecting rod, the lower end of which is connected to a
second treadle similar to that already described.
Thus, a solid lump of pliable clay is placed in the bottom die; the upper punch
is then brought down, and the clay compressed. While the clay is thus compressed,
the first treadle is operated, by which the central punch is forced upwards through
the clay, thereby punching the central hole, the surplus clay passing away through
a suitable escape hole in the top punch. The top punch is then raised, then the
second treadle is operated, which raises the now formed roller up clear of the bottom
die and the central punch. A suitable spring or springs are provided by which the
treadle or treadles are brought back into their normal position ready for a repeat
operation.
Dated this 18th day of July 1890.
CHARLES 1. POWELL,
Applicant's Agent.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Rollers for Castors.
I FRED HUDSON, of Union Castor Works Sheep Street, Birmingham in the
County of Warwick, 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 to the manufacture of rollers for castors, which are com-
posed of clay, or compounds of a similar character, and has for its object, the
compressing of the clay and the formation of the central or axial hole after the
following manner, and by means of the following mechanism.
These my improvements constitute furthur improvements upon an invention for
which Letters Patent were granted to me bearing date, October 20th 1887 and
numbered 14248.
It is found that in many of the rollers made by the present method of compressing
the soft clay around a central wire (to form the hole), that they crack around the
hole, and in many cases, break at such parts. It is to obviate this defect, that I
have made this my invention.
In order to explain this my invention more clearly, I have appended hereunto an
illustrated sheet of drawings upon which are figures and letters of reference,
similar letters referring throughout the several views to the same thing or part, and
in which :-
Fig. 1, is a side & Fig. 2, a front, general view of the machine embracing this
my invention.
Figs. 3 & 4, are enlarged sectional views, shewing the tools and the sliding
rods &c.
Fig. 5, is an inverted plan view of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6, is an enlarged sectional view of the tools, shewing the lump of clay
inserted in the die, ready for the top tool to compress, and the central punch to
pierce it.
Fig. 7, is a sectional view showing the clay compressed and pierced.
Fig. 8, further shows the central punch withdrawn, and the bed raised, thus
presenting the compressed and pierced roller for removal.
a, is the fly screw press, having a base b, and mounted upon a bench or frame c.
I then provide a cylindrical die d, of a greater depth than the thickness of the
roller e, which latter is shown in section in Figs. 3, 4, 6, 7 & 8. The internal
diameter of this die, as will be seen, is equal to the outer diameter of the roller.
This die rests upon the bed or base 6 of the machine. Within this die, I provide
a bottom piece, which is capable of a vertical motion from off its bed by means of
two vertical rods, g, g', the upper ends of which are screwed into the said bottom
piece, and their lower ends attached to a crosshead h, which slides freely upon the
rods i, i¹. To this crosshead h, is attached also the upper end of the connecting
rodjat k, while the lower end of such connecting rod is attached to the treadle l.
The rod j, treadle 1, bottom piece f&c., are kept down in their lowest position by
means of the spring m.
In the centre of this false bottom piece f, I prepare a hole to receive the sliding
punch n. This sliding punch n, is extended downward through the bed of the
machine, the frame, and the crosshead h, and connected by means of the rod o, to
the treadle lever p, (see Fig. 2), the whole being pulled to its normal (down) position
by means of the spring 9.
If desired, the sliding punch n, may be made adjustable in its length, but
generally this is not needed.
Thus, a solid lump of pliable clay_r, (see Fig. 6) is placed in the bottom die d
the upper punch s is then brought down, and the clay compressed as seen in Fig. 7.
While the clay is thus compressed, the first treadle p is operated, by which the

page_text: central punch n is forced upwards through the clay, thereby punching the central
hole and in so doing, the clay about such hole is necessarily compressed, the surplus
clay passing away through a suitable escape holet in the top punch. The top punch
is then raised as seen in Fig. 8, and the treadle / operated, which raises the now
formed roller e up clear of the bottom die d and the central punch n when it may
be removed. As before intimated the suitable springs m and 7 are provided by
which the treadles and p are brought back into their normal position ready for a
repeat operation.
To ensure the more perfect working of the central rod n, I provide that it shall
not be entirely withdrawn from the bottom piece at any time during the
operations.
This is effected by means of the collar u which is fixed upon the rod n in such a
position, that when the said collar u rests upon the crossheads h the top of the
punch n is level with the top of the piece fas seen in Fig. 6.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
The foregoing improvements in the manufacturing of castor rollers, and in the
tools to be used in the said manufacture, that is to say :-The combination of the
central sliding punch n with the sliding bottom piece solid die d and top punch 5,
constructed and operating substantially as described and shown, and for the purposes
specified.
Dated thi. 17th da- of Anril 1901
CHARLES T. POWELL,
12, Cherry Street, Birmingham, Applicant's Agent.