A TUBE BEADER
Year: 1884

page_text: I CHARLES WICKSTEED of Kettering, in the County of Northampton, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this Invention for "A TUBE BEADER" and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :—
This Invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying
Drawings in which like letters of reference represent like parts.
Figure 1 is a vertical section through the beader and part of the tube plate and
tube; Figure 2 is a plan of the tool and Figure 3 shows the end which goes into
the tube.
A is the drift or mandrel which passes entirely through the beader and carries
the cap nut B on its outer end, its inner end being thicker and tapered up as shown
at A. C is a long tube which terminates in a head C' aud carries the grips D of
which there are two or more but preferably three.
E is a larger tube which fits upon C it also has a head E' recessed all round at E
and carrying the beading rollers F of which there are by preference three though
the number may be varied.
Separate recesses E' one for each roller may be provided if desired the rest of the
Lead being solid but the arrangement above described is preferred.
The grips D are kept from falling out by the helical spring G and plate H as will
be readily understood.
The beader is operated by the brace handle I which takes hold of E in any
suitable manner as by an ordinary ratchet or by clutch rollers K as shown.
Friction balls L are placed in annular recesses between the cap nut B and the end
of tube E so as to ininimise the friction between those parts when the pressure
is on.
One or more set screws M whose ends take into the groove N which extends
round E serve to maintain the relative positions of the cap nut B and tube E and to
keep the balls L in place.
The grooves F in the rollers F aro shaped to suit the end of the tube when
beaded and the rollers themselves do not nearly fit the recess Ethere being room
therein for them to slide up and down on their spindles F2 and adapt themselves
to the varying sizes of tubes within the limits of the recess.
Referring to Figure 2 it will be seen that the flange B is notched or recessed
at B³ the number of these notches may vary. but I find that three is the most
convenient number as will. presently appear. The pawl O pivotted to the handle 1
is adapted to engage with these notches B³ the spring P serving to keep it pressed
up against the flange B³.
The operation is as follows:-
The beader is placed into the end of the tube R as shown in Figure 1, the nut B

page_text: drawing out the mandrel A and forcing out the grips D which then take a firın
hold upon the tube which is prevented from opening out or splitting by the support
of the tube plate S.
It will be seen that as the inandrel A forces the grip D into the tube it also
tightens the rollers F against the end of the tube E thus the greater the pressure!
on the end of the tube the greater the grip also to hold the tool in the tube. To
get the requisite pressure considerable power must be brought to bear upon the
nut B and this is accomplished by means of the pawl O acting in one of the
notches B and operated by handle I. The tube E is now revolved by the ratchet
action already described the rollers F pressing the end of the tubo outwards and
over as they revolve and finally beading it somewhat as shown in Figure 1.
When more pressure is required upon the rollers, a longer stroke of the handle I
is taken so as to cause the pawl O to engage with the next notch B³ and so give a
further part turn to the nut and increased pressure upon the rollers. Except when
more pressure is being applied as above the pawl O slides backwards and forwards
upon the flange B' of nut B between two notches and I find that by having three
Dotches equally spaced round the flange a sufficiently long space is provided for
this purpose, a slight increase in the length of the stroke being sufficient to engage
the pawl in the next notch. The screw thread upon the mandrel A is preferably of
a rather fine pitch so that the part revolution of the nut may not put on too much
pressure.
When the beading is finislied the pawl O is first turned back then the nut B is
slacked back with an ordinary spanner and the mandrel A driven in to disengage
it with the grips D when the whole tool can at once be removed.
.
In the case of benders for small tubes there is not room for the tube C between
the mandrel A and the rollers F in such cases the tube C has to be dispensed with;
the bead C only being retained, 1 prefer however to use the tube Ċ when there
is room for it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declaro that what
I claim is,
1. The taper screwed mandrel A which serves the double purpose of expanding or
forcing out the grips D and acting as a purchase by means of which the pressure
upon the rollers F is obtained substantially as set forth.
2. The rollers F having their axial centres of revolution at such an angle to the
larger axis of the tube to be beaded as to press the end of the tube outwards and
over in the direction required and adapt or adjust themselves to the requirements
of the work substantially as described.
: 3. The recess or recesses E so formed as to allow free play to the rollers F
lengthwise of their spindles F* substantially as and for the purpose specified.
4. The nut B having a flauge B with notches B3 so spaced around the flange as
to leave a plain surface between each two notches upon which the pawl O can slip
without turning the nut during the ordinary strokes of the handle I, the said
pawl O engaging in the notches B' only when a longer or "feed" stroke is made
substantially as described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
5. As a feed mechanism the combination of the lever I pawl O nut B and screwed
bolt or mandrel A the whole constructed and operating substantially as described
and illustrated.
Dead his 91 1004