Improvements in the Manufacture of Cast Nails, Spikes, or Boot Protectors having Twisted Shanks.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 9th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 5th Dec., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Cast Nails, Spikes, or Boot
Protectors having Twisted Shanks.
I JOHN EDWARD MADDOCK of Okengates in the County of Salop Ironfounder
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of cast nails, spikes,
boot protectors, and other similar articles having twisted shanks.
Hitherto the stems of cast nails, spikes, or the spikes upon the well known boot
protectors have been of various sectional shapes, but longitudinally, they have been
made straight.
Also I am aware that twisted nails have been made from cut or drawn wire, but
hitherto such nails have not been made by the casting process.
In this my invention I have devised a method by which such stems, or spikes may
be made by the casting process as follows:-
First, in the case of nails :-The ordinary moulding plates, patterns, and boxes,
used for this class of trade, are employed. Instead however of the ordinary square
pricker-which is pushed through the plate into the sand in order to mould the
stem portion-I employ a twisted square pricker to which is automatically given a
twisting and untwisting action, as it passes into and leaves the mould. This twisted
pricker is mounted in a frame or holder, having a fixed square hole or nut, and
capable of a forward and backward sliding motion therein, its backward motion
generally being effected by means of a spring. The front end of this twisted
pricker is the facsimile or pattern of the stem of the nail or spike to be produced.
Thus by pressing this pricker pattern into the sand it twists its passage there-
into, and untwists its passage out, leaving the sand mould prepared for the molten
metal.
In the case of boot protectors or plates upon which it is desired that more than
one of such twisted spikes shall be cast, two or more of such twisted pricker
patterns shall be mounted in the same frame or holder, their relative position
agreeing with the position in which it is desired the spikes shall be cast upon
the plates &c. By this means two or more of such twisted spikes or stems may
be moulded at the same time, either upon the said plate or plates, or a number
of nails.
In the mounting of this pattern pricker in its frame or holder, the square hole
or nut through which it works, may be solid or it may be in parts, such parts
being pressed together by a spring or other suitable device, in order to prevent
back-lash or play.
Although the section of pricker pattern is here described as being square, still
any other noncircular section may be employed. The nails &c. when thus cast are
preferably annealed into what are known as malleable cast articles..
Dated this 8th day of January 1891.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicant's Agent.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Cast Nails, Spikes, or Boot
Protectors having Twisted Shanks.
I, JOHN EDWARD MADDOCK of Oakengates, in the County of Salop, Ironfounder,
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 improvements in the manufacture of cast nails, spikes,
boot protectors, and other similar articles, and its object is, to provide an improved
cast nail or spike &c. having a twisted stem, and also in the method of moulding
such stem or stems.
Hitherto the stems of cast nails, spikes, or the spikes upon the well known boot
protectors have been of various sectional shapes, but longitudinally, they have been
made straight. Also I am aware that twisted nails have been made from cut or
drawn wire, but hitherto such nails have not been made by the casting process.
In this my invention I have devised a method by which such stems, or spikes may
be made by the casting process as follows:-
In order to more fully explain this my invention I have appended hereunto an
illustrative sheet of drawings upon which are figures and numbers of reference,
similar numbers referring throughout the several views to the same thing or part,
and in which :-
-
Fig. 1, is a view in elevation, and Fig. 2, a view in section of what I will term
the twisted pricker, by which the stem of the nail or spike is moulded.
Fig. 3, illustrates how more than one of such prickers may be carried together for
simultaneous use.
Fig. 4, is a sectional view of Fig. 3, and at the same time showing a modified
construction in detail of that shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 5, shows in elevation & Fig. 6, in plan how a large number of such prickers
may be carried upon one plate for simultaneous use.
Figs. 7, 8, 9, & 10, show enlarged details of the construction and method of action
of these prickers when moulding large quantities.
Fig. 11, illustrates one sample of this my improved cast twist nail, and Fig. 12,
illustrates a sample of a boot protector, having my improved cast twist shank.
In proceeding to mould nails or protectors, the ordinary moulding boxes, and also
patterns, and method of using them is observed with the exception in dealing with
the shank or stem. Briefly, for instance, it may be carried out thus, as applied to
nails. A pattern is prepared consisting of a number of the nail heads, secured
together and at a little distance from each other, the connections between them
serving as patterns for gates, along which the molten metal may pass. On the
underside of this pattern, is also placed one or more false projections or guides.
This pattern is now placed upon a moulding board, and thereon is also placed a
moulding box. Moulding sand is now rammed in, and the box removed. A
counterpart box is now placed face to face with the first box and this again rammēd
up, and then removed, having on its surface the moulded depressions answering to
the projections or guides on the pattern. From the first box the pattern is now
removed, and is no longer required. A second pattern is now prepared which is a
facsimile of the first except that in the pattern of each nail head there is a hole
drilled. This pattern is now placed on to the face of the second box, its guides or
projections exactly fitting into the depressions aforesaid, and consequently each
pattern head assumes exactly the same position as those on the original pattern.
Now in moulding the ordinary straight shank of nails, a straight pricker, which
corresponds to the required stem is pierced through the pattern into the sand to the
required depth, and withdrawn leaving its impression therein,

page_text: Instead of this ordinary pricker however I employ a twisted square pricker to
which is automatically given a twisting and untwisting action, as it passes into and
leaves the mould.
The precise details of, and method of working this pricker may be somewhat
varied, but in Figs 1 & 2, I have illustrated one form in which it may be made and
applied in a simple form. 1, is the pricker, whose point is twisted as a counterpart
form of the intended nail, such twisting being carried along its length a desirable
distance. This pricker is carried in the end piece 2, but free to revolve therein,
and passes thence through the collar 3, which latter is in one with the tubular
part 4, which latter is carried in the external tube 5. In this external tube is
now cut a spiral slot 6, which coincides with the spiral upon the twisted end of the
pricker wire 1. Through this slot is screwed a pin 7, into the tube 4. Between
the front of the collar 3, and the interior end of the tube 5, is the spiral spring 8,
which always tends to extend the tubes and thereby draw inwards the pricker
point.
Referring again the second moulding box, upon which is placed the pattern
having the holes in each of the pattern heads, I now take the twisted pricker, and
inserting the point into each such hole, and pressing downwards the tube 4, the
pricker 1, is twisted forward into the sand, and upon releasing the pressure the
pricker is withdrawn in the same untwisting manner, and thus the twisted shank
mould is made. The pattern is now removed and the boxes prepared in the usual
manner, and the nails cast.
Instead of pricking or moulding the stems singly however, I may secure a number
of such prickers together, in numbers to suit convenience of use or the pattern in
hand, as for instance, shown in Figs. 3 & 4, where two or more pricker holders are
secured to the plate 9, such holders being set at a distance apart, corresponding to
the distance apart of the pattern heads. In these Figs. 3 & 4, I have also shown a
modification in the construction of the pricker, and its holder. The tube 10, is
secured to the plate 9. In this tube is carried the sliding tube 11, having at its
upper end the spiral nut 12, and through which latter passes the twisted pricker 13.
Between the nut 12 and the plate 9, is placed the spiral spring 14, which tends to
press forward the tube 11, over the pricker 13. Inasmuch as in this case the
nut 12, is spirally cut, the tube 11, which is in one therewith, requires only a
parallel forward motion, hence in the tube 10, a straight slot 14", is provided in
which the guiding pin 15, works. It will again be seen that upon presenting the
point 13, to the hole of the pattern head as before, and pressing downward the
plate 9, the prickers will again simultaneously be pressed forward into the mould,
and vice versa.
In Figs. 5 & 6, a larger number of these prickers are shown attached to the
plate 16.
In moulding a very large number of nail shanks simultaneously, it is found to
require more pressure than can be conveniently applied to press them into the sand,
hence the pattern prickers are made to project upwards through the moulding board,
and the sand rammed on to the prickers, when the said prickers are then withdrawn
in a body.
To effect this with my twisted pricker, I proceed as shown in Figs. 7, 8, 9, & 10,
in which 17, is the moulding board, and 18, the plate upon which the pricker
holders are carried. In this case the front tube 19, is secured to the plate 17,
while the tube 20, is secured to the movable plate 18. Thus, as shown in
Figs. 7, 8 & 9, the plate 18, is raised, and consequently the pricker points extended
from the upper side of the moulding plate 17; but when the plate 18, is lowered as
seen in Fig. 10, the pricker points are withdrawn below the surface of the plate 17.
The rising and falling of this plate 18, is effected in the ordinary manner, that
is to say, by levers or other equivalent device and forms no part of this my
invention.
In order to prevent backlash in the nut through which the twisted pricker works
I may make the said nut in two parts as seen at 21, Fig. 7, having its external shape

page_text: conical, and adjusted from time to time as wear takes place by the screw plug 22, as
a rule however this is unnecessary.
In mounting the pricker holders upon the plate 18, I may employ adjusting
nuts 23, or I may solder them direct thereto as seen in Figs. 9 & 10.
Although the section of the pricker pattern as shown is square, still any other
noncircular section may be employed. The nails &c. when thus cast are preferably
annealed into what are known as malleable cast articles.
I wish it to be understood that I do not claim any invention in the moulding
arrangements of boxes and their use, described in so far as applicable to ordinary
nails or similar articles, but have only described them to assist in explaining this my
invention, but :-
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 :-
Making cast nails, spikes, or "boot protectors" having twisted shanks by means
of a rotating twisted pricker pattern, constructed and operated in any of the
severally illustrated arrangements or their equivalents, substantially as shown and
described.
Dated this 8th day of October 1891.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
12, Cherry Street, Birmingham, Applicant's Agent.