Improvements in the Construction and Attachment of Casters to Metallic Bedsteads and other similar Structures.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Nov., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 18th Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 21st Sept., 1888
Improvements in the Construction and Attachment of Casters
to Metallic Bedsteads and other similar Structures.
1 SAMUEL SPROSTON of Excelsior Works, Wellington Road Dudley, in the county
of Worcester Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention relates to the construction and arrangement of ball casters for
metallic bedsteads or other similar structures, and the primary objects of these my
improvements is to provide a means of adjustment for the play or liberty of the
ball to revolve and also the casting about such caster, after its construction, of the
foot chill of the bedstead &c. after the following manner :-
Several of the details of this caster may be modified, but I will describe it first in
one form which is found to work very satisfactory, I form an inverted socket or cup
either of malleable cast iron, or stamped metal, of an internal diameter equal to the
ball proper. In the upper part of this cup I provide a concentric tapped hole, in
which I place a screw having its head inside the cup, and its stem or screw part
extending out beyond the outside of the cup. The head of this screw may be either
flat or rounded, or, in some cases concave to fit the surface of the ball proper, or,
in other cases, I may provide a second ball, small in diameter to work in such
concavity and upon the ball proper, acting as an antifriction ball. Generally however
I should use only the head of the screw itself. Again, in forming the socket or cup,
I provide a set off or circular edge, of a diameter somewhat larger than the part
of the ball which would press against it when in working; so that when in working
the ball would press against this edge and at the top against the pin or small ball.
This circular edge however instead of being formed as a part of the cup, may
consist of a loose washer dropped into the cup before the ball is put in.
These parts having been thus formed:-I first insert the headed screw into
the cup, with or without the small ball, and screw it to within a short distance of
home, (then drop in the washer, if loose); next, place the ball proper in the said
cup. I now place the whole in suitable closing tools, which close the fore part of
the socket or cup on to the ball. Having done this, it would be found that the

page_text: ball could not roll, by reason of its being bound. 1 release or regulate the play or
liberty of the ball however, by now screwing up home the headed screw, by means of
the part protruding through the cup, so that this gives in each case, a definite amount
of play or liberty for the ball to roll. I next proceed to attach the now formed caster
to a bedstead foot-It is customary to cast a chill upon the lower end of the pillar of
bedsteads, and secure in such chill a pin to receive a roller caster. Instead of this
however, I should provide my chill mould to receive the cup &c. of the ball caster, and
run the molten metal around the screw and cup, to a depth of about threefourths,
more or less, and thus secure firmly the caster within the chill.
By these means there would be no possibility of the caster breaking off, because it
would be embedded in the chill, nor could the regulating screw be ever moved from
its position; while the external appearance would be very pleasing.
If desirable I may provide points of contact in place of the ring, or provide a
number of small balls, instead of plate or points, but the arrangement described
appears to be the best.
The ball would further, be made of cast chill, and polished or barrelled as may be
desired, but at the same time I may use in combination with the other parts and
arrangement, balls made of other material and otherwise.
Dated this 17th day of November 1887
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicant's Agent.

page_text: Improvements in the Construction and Attachment of Casters
to Metallic Bedsteads and other similar Structures.
I SAMUEL SPROSTON, of Excelsior Works, Wellington Road, Dudley, in the county
of Worcester, 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 :-
This invention relates to the construction and arrangement of ball casters for
metallic bedsteads or other similar structures, and the primary objects of these my
improvements, are to provide a means of adjustment, for the play or liberty of the ball
to revolve, and also the casting about such caster, after its construction, of the foot
chill of the bedstead &c., after the following manner :-Several of the details of this
caster may be modified, but I will describe it first in one form, which is found to work
very satisfactory. I form an inverted socket or cup, preferably of malleable cast iron,
of an internal diameter about equal to the ball proper.
In the upper part of this cup I provide a concentric tapped hole, in which I place
a screw having its head inside the cup, and its stem or screw part extending out
beyond the outside of the cup. The head of this screw may be either flat or rounded,
or, in some cases, concave to fit the surface of the ball proper, or, in other cases,
1 may provide a second ball, small in diameter, to work in such concavity, and upon
the ball proper, acting as an antifriction ball.
Generally, however, I should use only the head of the screw itself.
Again; In forming the socket or cup, I provide a set off, or a circular edge, of a
diameter somewhat larger than the part of the ball which would press against it,
when in working; so that when in working, the ball would press against this edge, and
at the top, against the pin or small ball.
This circular edge however, instead of being formed as a part of the cup, may
consist of a loose washer dropped into the cup, before the ball is put in.
These parts having been thus formed :-I first insert the headed screw into the cup,
with or without the small ball, and screw it to within a short distance of home, (then
drop in the washer, if loose); next, place the ball proper in the said cup.
I now place the whole in suitable closing tools, which close the fore part of the
socket or cup on to the ball. Having done this, it would be found that the ball could
not roll, by reason of its being bound.
I release or regulate the play or liberty of the ball however, by now screwing up
home the headed screw, by means of the part protruding through the cup, so that this
gives in each case, a definite amount of play or liberty for the ball to roll. 1 next
proceed to attach the now formed caster to a bedstead foot:-It is customary to cast
a chill upon the lower end of the pillar of bedsteads, and secure in such chill, a pin to
receive a roller caster. Instead of this however, I should provide my chill mould, to
receive the cup &c. of the ball caster, and run the molten metal around the screw and

page_text: cup, to a depth of about threefourths, more or less, and thus secure firmly the caster
within the chill.
By these means, there would be no possibility of the caster breaking off, because it
would be embedded in the chill, nor could the regulating screw, be ever moved from
its position; while the external appearance would be very pleasing.
If desirable I may provide points of contact, in place of the ring, or provide a number
of small balls, instead of plate or points, but the arrangement described appears to be
the best.
The ball would further, be made of cast iron, and polished or barrelled as may be
desired, but at the same time, I may use in combination with the other parts and
arrangement, balls made of other material, and otherwise.
1 will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying drawings, the
manner in which my invention is to be performed, similar letters upon the several
views of the drawings, referring to the same thing or part.
I will first describe it as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, & 3. a, is the ball, b, is a
malleable cast metal cup, having a tapped hole to receive the adjusting bearing pin c.
d is an annular surface washer pressing upon the upper part of the ball by reason of
the spiral spring e.
fis the front holder plate, for the purpose of retaining the ball within the cup b,
and which is pressed into the recess g, at the lower end of the cup b. This plate is first
cut out and slightly dished in section, as seen in Fig. 3, so as to pass into the recess,
and is then pressed flatwise, which forces it outwards into the enlarged diameter of
the recess, and preventing its removal therefrom.
In putting this my improved castor together we should proceed somewhat thus :-
I take the cup b, and insert the screw pin c, screwing it however not quite home,
then insert the spring e, and the annular washer d, then the ball a; then press in
tightly the front plate f. The ball would now be held tightly between the pin c and
the plate f. By now screwing the pin c home, however, sufficient play or liberty is
given to the ball to revolve.
By reason of the spring e the annular washer d is pressed upon the ball somewhat
relieving the pressure off the pin c, and further steadying the said ball, yet
with a yielding action, as for instance, should there be any uneven surface
upon the ball, the washer will yield thereto, and allow the ball to revolve
under it.
This enables me to use cast iron balls, with but little finish, or of a slight imperfect
spherical form. The whole is now placed in a chill mould, together with the pillar
part of the bedstead &c., the said mould embracing well the said cup, so that the caster
is well embedded in the chill, when it is cast.
I am aware that casters have been attached to bedsteads by reason of such
chills being cast about a pin, connected to the cup of the caster, but in such a
form, they are likely to break off, whereas in this my arrangement, the cup itself
is embedded in the said chill, thus bringing the grip of the chill about in line with
the side pressure of the ball, obviating thereby the possibility of the breaking off of
the caster.
Figs. 4 & 5 illustrate a modified form of the front plate, and method of its attach-
ment to the cup b, which will be readily understood; a flange being prepared upon
the cup, and the plate i being secured thereto by means of rivets, or by pins j. One
advantage of this modification is, that, in some cases where it is desired that the ball
should be inserted after the chill has been cast about the cup, the bottom face of
the flange provides a good foot, whereon the bedstead end may rest, while in
the drying stove, when the ball &c., would be inserted, and the plate i attached
afterwards.
In Figs. 6 & 7 is shewn a combination of the embracing chill, combined cup and
bearing surfaces, and the ball, in a very simple and cheap form, in which as intimated
the annular bearing surface is cast in one with the cup, the said cup being further
provided with the adjustable pin c, the chill k however, as before, embracing the body
of the said cup.

page_text: Figs. 8&9 show a modification in which the adjusting pin is used, as before (see
Fig. 1), but in combination therewith the loose washer forming the annular bearing
is fixed against a shoulder or set off 1 provided in the cup, the ball being further
prevented from falling out, by reason of the front part being closed over, either before
or after the casting on of the chill, as in Figs. 6 & 7.
Figs. 10 & 11 illustrate a modified combination, in which the cup is cast in a form
that the ball may be passed in from the top. In this case the washer plate forming
the annular surface bearing, is modified in shape to carry the adjusting pin c, and
then simply dropped in after the ball, when the chill is cast about it as aforesaid.
This form requires little or no fitting of parts, as the point of the adjusting
pin can be regulated or adjusted in relation to the annular bearing surface, to
suit the ball, while the embracing chill holds the whole together firmly and rigidly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my inven-
tion, and the manner in which it is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is:
1st. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting a ball castor for, and
of its attachment to, metallic bedsteads or other similar structures, as illustrated in
Figs. 1, 2 & 3, that is to say, the combination of the cup b, with the adjusting bearing
pin c, pressure spring e, and annular bearing surface edge plate d, the ball a, and the
compressed holding plate f, around the whole of which, the molten metal forming
the chill k is cast, to a depth embracing the body of the cup b, substantially as herein
described.
2nd. The modification in the combination as stated in claim 1, of the method of
forming and securing the front holder plate i, in lieu of the compressed holder plate f,
as described and illustrated in Figs. 4 & 5.
3rd. The modified combination of the metal cup b, having formed upon it the
annular bearing surface d', the adjusting pin c, with the chill k, being cast about
the body of the cup, substantially as herein described and illustrated in Figs. 6 & 7.
4th. The modified combination of the cup b, adjusting pin bearing c, ball a, with the
fixed annular bearing surface plate d², the same, together with the ball a, being held
in position by reason of the mouth of the cup being closed inwards, the whole of
which is embraced by the chill k, each and all substantially as herein described and
illustrated in Figs. 8 & 9.
5th. The modified combination with the ball a, the annular bearing surface plate d³
carrying the adjusting bearing pin c, of the open topped cup b, and the embracing
cast chill k, each and all as herein described & illustrated in Figs. 10 & 11.
Dated this 17th day
1000
CHARLES T. POWELL,
12, Cherry Street, Birmingham,
Applicant's Agent.
Dated this 17th
day of August 1888.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
12, Cherry Street, Birmingham,
Applicant's Agent.