IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE MANUFACTURE OF RINGS, HOOKS, OR OTHER ARTICLES FROM BARS, WIRES, Hoops, OR OTHER KINDRED SHAPES OF MALLEABLE METALS, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Vernon Hope, of Wednesbury, in the County of
Stafford, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE
MANUFACTURE OF RINGS, HOOKS, OR OTHER ARTICLES FROM BARS, WIRES,
Hoops, OR OTHER KINDRED SHAPES OF MALLEABLE METALS, AND IN
APPARATUS THEREFOR."
.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Vernon Hope at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th November 1881.
JOHN VERNON HOPE, of Wednesbury, in the County of Stafford. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF RINGS, HOOKS, AND OTHER ARTICLES FROM
BARS, WIRES, HOOPS, OR OTHER INDRED SHAPES OF MALLEABLE METALS AND
IN APPARATUS THEREFOR."
My Invention is best set forth by describing the apparatus used by me in which
an interchangeable or other die having a reciprocating motion gives motion to
or works synchronously with such other dies as may be required to complete the
shaping of the article operated upon.
Upon a sliding bar, preferably reciprocating vertically, is fixed a central die
which shapes the inside of the article. The various other dies required to complete
the shaping are placed round the central one, fixed upon moveable pieces or formed
in one with them, which pieces are pivotted at their opposite extremity to the die.
These dies are formed or shaped so as to give the right contour to the outside of
the article, and press it against the die forming the inside of the article already
mentioned. In making sail thimbles and other articles made from grooved metal
that would not allow the removal of the centre die if grooved after the formation
of the article, I make the centre die in halves, each half attached to a separate lever
or slide, the levers opening preferably at right angles to the axis of the other dies.
When the article is formed the two halves of the central die in rising separate and

page_text: release the article. The mode of operation is as follows:-The piece of metal to be
bent is placed upon the lower dies which are inclined upward; the vertical die then
descends upon the metal and presses it down between the two or more pivotted
dies which are also forced downwards, closing round the metal and compressing it
tightly round the central die. Upon the ascent or the return stroke this central die
is lifted, and the other die rising with it, the circular motion imparted to them by
the pivots causing them to withdraw as they rise, the ring or other shaped article
is thus lifted quite clear and detached from the central die. In some shapes it is
necessary to have a fixed lower die as well as the reciprocal side dies, and in others
au upper die to cover the article instead of or as well as the centre die.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Vernon Hope in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th May
1882.
JOHN VERNON HOPE, of Wednesbury, in the County of Stafford. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE MANUFACTURE OF RINGS, HOOKS, OR OTHER
ARTICLES FROM BARS, WIRES, Hoors, OR OTHER KINDRED SHAPES OF MALLEABLE
METALS, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR."
My Invention consists in an apparatus in which an interchangeable or other die
having a reciprocating motion gives motion to or works synchronously with such
other dies as may be required to complete the shaping of the article operated upon.
It is best described by aid of the accompanying Drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an
elevation; Fig. 2, end elevation; and Fig. 3, a part section of modification.
Upon a sliding bar A, preferably reciprocating vertically in guides B, is fixed a
central die C which shapes the inside of the articlo. This die for most purposes is
preferably fixed to the plunger on one side as shown, but in some instances it is
found desirable to so shape it and the plunger, and, so attach it that it shall form
the entire end of the plunger. This can be done in any way known to mechanics,
the plan in particular instances varying with the shape of the article to be made
and consequently of the dies making it. For rings of course the side bearing is
requisite, as the two ends of the rod or bar forming the ring must meet, but with
horse-shoe or other shaped bodies it is often desirable as involving less strain to
make them immediately beneath the plunger, and in that case the plunger carries
the central die on its end or in a fork. The various other dies D, D, required to
complete the shaping are placed round the central one fixed upon movable pieces
or formed in one with them (as in the case depicted), which pieces are pivotted at
their opposite extremity to the die. These dies are formed or shaped so as to
give the right contour to the outside of the article, and press it against the die
forming the inside of the article already mentioned. In making sail thimbles and
other articles made from grooved metal that would not allow the removal of the
centre die if grooved after the formation of the article, I make the centro die in
halves F, F, as shown in Fig. 3, each half being attached to a separate lever or
slide G, G, the levers opening preferably at right angles to the axis of the other
dies. When the article is formed, the two halves of the central die in rising
separate and release the article. The mode of operation is as follows:--The piece
of metal to be bent is placed upon the lower dies which are inclined upward, as
shown in Fig. 1, the vertically moving die C then descends upon the metal and
presses it down between the two or more pivotted dies, which are also forced
downwards, closing round the metal and compressing it tightly round the central
die, as shown in Fig. 1, in which the article as stamped is depicted as if in section.
Upon the ascent or the return stroke this central die is lifted, the other die rising
with it, the circular motion imparted to them by the pivots causing them to with-
draw as they rise; the ring or other shaped article is thus lifted quito clear and
detached from the central die. Levers E, E, actuated by weights or springs
retain the dies D, D, in the position shown until the die C again descends. In
some shapes it is necessary to have a fixed lower dio as well as the reciprocal sido
dies, and in others an upper die to cover the article instead of, or as well as the
centre die.
It will be seen at once that the dies can be formed so as to vary the shape of the
article formed indefinitely, and being interchangeable a great variety of articles,
annular, hooked, horse shoe form, or even angular, can be made in this machine.

page_text: Having now described my Invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not
limit myself to the apparatus exactly as described, as it is susceptible of endless
variation, but that what I believe to be new and desire to protect by Letters
Patent is,―
First. The manufacture of rings, hooks, and other articles from bars, wires, or
other kindred shapes of a malleablo motal, by pressing the piece of metal by means
of a die or dies forming the inner surface of the article against pivotted dies which
pressed forward with pressure applied close in upon the piece of metal and bending
it against the inner die give it the required shape, substantially as described.
Second. The apparatus or machinery for manufacturing rings, hooks, and other
articles from bars, wires, hoops, or other kindred shape of malleable metals
consisting of two or more pivotted dies held in position by weight, spring, or its
equivalent, and a reciprocating die pressing the piece of metal between the pivotted
dies which by the action of the reciprocating die press round the piece of metal.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Vernon Hope, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
JOHN VERNON HOPE. (L.S.)
Witness,
J. OWDEN O'BRIEN,
Clerk to Messrs. Wm. P. Thompson & Co.
Patent Agents,
Liverpool & London.