US1676366A - Process and apparatus for forming grids - Google Patents

Description

" Jul '10, 1928;

6 1,676,366 J. E. SMITH- I PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING GRIDS Filed Jan. 19, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet l IZ {Jig @ll lllllllllllllllll HILQ 14 v James 561M770 Jh'l 10, 1928. 1,676,366 'J. E.SMITH PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING GRIDS Filed Jan. 19, 1925 s Sheets-Sheet 2 l 55 flaw/W 0 July 10, 1928. 1,676,366.

- J.'E. SMITH PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR FORMINGxGRl [DS Filed Jan. 19, 1923 5 Sheets$heet 3 Fig.1:

I INVENTOR v fiTTORNEY Patented July 19, 1928. I

JAMEs E. SMITH, or WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLV NIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO Y ISAAC GORDON, or PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA. I

{ PROCESS AND APPARATUS ronronlvnn'e earns.

' Application filed .Tanuary 19 1923. Serial No. 613, 27, Myinvention relates to a process and apdestroying ordistorting the bars forming the paratus for forming gridsand has for grid members. I have discovered a process object to form sheets of any desiredmate'rial and apparatus by which such grids can be into grid-like structures by punching .or formed by punching or stamping, one emstaim'ping; i r f I I I bodnnentof whichis as follows: 1 I Other and furtl1e1"'objects of my inven- A pair of holding units (Figures 8; 9 and 0 tion Will beapparentffrom the following de 14) adapted to hold the grid foi ming scription and Ifromthe accompanying draW- material during the stamping andpunching ings of one embodiment" thereof, in which operation. In the pres'ent embodiment each W Figure 1, is a general plan of one type of unit comprises a frame 1 provided with parappamtus; 1 p v p t1t1ons'2 haying spaces 3 therebetween and Fi 2a section on line 22 of Figure preferably 1s provided with asupporting 1 looking in the direction of the'arroWs but 8C ge' 4' fi g" 1 68 5 the p age :O omitting the base plate; aligning guide rods. I p l5 'Figure 8 a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2 )n each side of the holding units is a die looking in thedirection of. the arrows; unit '(F1gu1'esT,-1O, nd 1'3) each of Which Figu'1'e4 a plan: of a completed grid of comprises die members 11 and l2fWith'a the type chosen for purposes of illustration; space 13. therebetWeen, Cooperating; edges 4 I [nigure 5 a sectionon line 5- 5 of Figure "of opposite die members may be of any de- 20 4 lookingin the direction ofthe arrows; sired shape or length, the embodiment illus- Gave (31031 section through a pertPLtQCl showingthe die member 11 NW fill a fo'rating'unit showing the p'e'rforating blades fl perating face adapted to cooperate with in. elevation; I an opposing die member 12 having a V- Figure 7 avertieal section through an upshaped face, so that theresultant grid con- 25 per die unit showing: die members in elev'a 'sists of triangular shaped ribs 43 aud'44 tron; I v v v p v I 7 (Figures 4' and 5). The-die members-pref- Figure 8 a vertical section through an uperably are mounted on aVsupport-ing plate p holdlng un t'showing a. partition in ele- 4 av ng holes 15 1 m i 1 l i vp e ge ti Y oi aligning guide rods, The die" members he i Figure?) a vertical section through a lower are adapted to pass into the sheet of mate-r holding unit showing a partition in el m- .rlal through spaces 8 in the holding units.

'fi n'; v On one slde. of one of the die members is Figure 10 a vertical section through a 'p ov a pe gu g (Bend low di unit howi di 11191111367145 in 91 12) comprising aseries of perforating blades 35 vation; t I a V p :21 mounted on a, supporting plate22 having 1 Figure 11 a side elevation of a base and 110195 23 thelmssage of i g g d guide rods; rods; Blades 21 are adapted to pass through Fi e 1235 6 vi f pe f r ti thespaces 13 between the die members 11 unit showing the perforating blades; nd 12- ."40 Figure 13 a bottom View of an upperdie The various units may be mounted on a unit showingthe die members; base 31 (Figure 11) having guide rods :32 Figure 14 a bottom view of an upper holdadapted to pass through holes provided in a ing frame showing partitions; and v each member inorder to align and keep the Figure 15 is an enlarged View of the. seeparts in proper position, i

4 5 tien illustratedin'Figure 3. In operation the sheet of grid forming Similar referencecharacters refer tosimmaterial is placed between holdingfr'ames 1 ilari parts throughout thedrawings. 1 by means of hiehit isclampcd in posi- For purposes of illustration theinvention' 1 tion. Die members 11, 12 then may be op- (has been described in connection with a erated to form grid bars43, 44 after Which 50 grid for storage batteries. It has been nec-' perforating blades Zl'are forced through the Y essary heretofore to manufacture grids of spacesprovided therefor to rem0ve the n1athetype illustrated largely by casting, as it terial between the grid bars: Theperforat has'not been possible to Withdraw starn s ing blad% then are removed, next the die w'o'r punches in astamping operation Without members, and then the holding plates tore,

lease the grid. In this manner the various operating parts are withdrawn from the plate without any distortion or bending thereof. The plate formed by this embodimentds similar to. that shown in Fi ure f the drawings comprising a. grid frame tl with partitions 42 between which run ribs 43 and 4a with spaces 4:5 therebetween.

When a sheet of ductile material such as lead, is subjected to pressurebetween the die units, the lead between the rib formingdie members or surfaces 11 andlQ is compressed to the desired thickness corresponding to the height of one rib. By reason of the alternate'spacing of the rib-shaping members 12-and the flat-face anvil or rib-backing members 11, the ribs formed are disposedin staggered relation.v The alternate ribs are formed on opposite sides of a plane intermediate the original surfaces of the lead sheet. The excess material, due to its ductibility, is forced to flow, by a combined lateral and. vertical movement, into the spaces13 between the die members 11 and 12 toformslugs perpendicular to the plane of the original sheet of lead and extending on opposite sides of the plane intermediate the original surfaces. v While forming grids by the method and apparatus which Ihave herein described, I

have found that when the proper amount of pressure is applied, the slugs of-excess material will be joined to the rib structure by a very thin ribbonof the lead and are readily and easily removed by slight pressure of the blades 21. In some instances mere pressure of the fingers has sufficed to remove the slugs. p

After the slugs of excess material are removed,,the rib structure remains, as isillustratedin Figs. 4; and 5. The ribs are formed in series between the partitions or crossbars 452. The arrangement of each section between the adjacent crossbars 4-2 is similar,

As may be seen froinFig. 5, the bases of the ribs are substantially aligned in a plane intermediate the originalsurfaces ofthe lea d a crack and separate between sheet from whichthe grid was formed. The resulting structure that is thus obtained is de sired in order, that the paste or active material for the grid may be supported as a unit by the ribs between successive partitions or crossbars 42. The tendency of the paste to adjacent ribs is thus obviated,

Although the ribs are hereinillustrated as triangular or substantially will suffice which will permit ready withdrawal fromthe shaping surfaces of the dies. For this reasonanonrrectangular contour having a larger base dimension than topdimension is desirable It is contemplated that one or a. plurality of grids may be stamped out at the same time;

so. any contour Many modifications of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing therefrom or from the scope of the claims, my invention not being lim ited to the particular embodimentchosen for purposes of. illustration, but comprising a process and apparatus for forming grids from a sheet of grid forming matrial by a stamping or punching operation Without distortion or bending of the formed grid.

WVhat I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is: r V

1. The process of formiiig a, grid which comprises clamping a sheet of grid forming material between substantially flat holding frames having spaces therein for the passage of grid forming 'memb'ers, passingf grid forming means through thesplaces in said holding frames to form a completed grid from said material at one operation and while the grid is clamped in said; holding frames, retractingthe grid forming means i'rointhe completed grid While the grid still is held by said holding frames, andfthe'n relleasing the completed grid froin'saidhold ing frames.

The process of forming a gridwliic'h comprises stamping tween oppositely positioned diesj having spaces therebetween, passing metal remove ing blades through said; spaces the dies are incontact, andretracting the metal removing blades and the dies.

3. The process of forming a; comprises clamping a sheet of grid forming material between holding frames having grid which spaces therein, stampingupa series. of;r1bs

insaidinaterial by aplurality, of cooperat; in g the members passing through said spaces and providedwith spacesbetween die members, passing-m'etal removing the spaces between said die members, and moving said blades, dies, and frames. from he grid.

4. The process of forming a grid which comprisesdie stamping andtmetal punching a sheet of grid forming material,todesired shape while held in position, by clamping frames, and then. removing first the" metal punches, next the dies, andlast the clamping frames.

5. In an apparatus for forming ilgrids,

clamping frames, ad grid forming inaterial' therebetween and having spaces for the passage of diamondbers, cooperating die: members adaptedto pass through the spaces in. said framesfto form ribs in said v material. and, provided with spacesbetween die members; a ildmate rial removingblades adap d, pas

apted to, hold av sheet; of

. through spaces: between; said d e: members to remove the material; between. ribs,

6. In a grid forming, apparatus, magneto m a g y a mp perate, we prising clamping frames adapted to hold a up a series of' ribs be;

ad s a r st 7 members,

sheet of gridjforming material therebetween andhavingspaces for the passage of die ribs in said mat'eriah l 7. In agrid forming apparatus, means to form grid by'a stamping operation com prising clamping frames adapted to hold'a sheet of grid forming material therebetween and having spaces forthe passage of die members, and material removing blades adapted to pass through said spaces to leave ribs in said material.

' 8. In a prising cooperating die members adapted to form a rib in a sheet of grid forming material and provided with spaces between staggered relative'to a'middle and then expelling-all excess material so formed.

10. The process of forming a staggered-ribs battery grid which consists in compressing a sheet of lead to form the ribs and causing the excess metal to flow into spaces between the ribs, and then removing such excess metal. i a

11. The process of forming a staggered-rib battery grid which consists in compressing a sheet of lead to form the staggered ribs as I storage battery,

desired for the completed grid and expelling the excess metal into solid slugs between the ribs, and then removing such slugs.

12. The process of forming a battery grid which consists in compressing a lead blank between two cooperating dies provided with offset alternate'die and backing members to form the ribs desired for the completed grid andthen removing the excess material.

13. The method of making a storage battery grid of the staggered rib type which comprises compressing a sheet of lead to form the desired final grid structure and to expel all excess lead into slugs joined to the grid structure by a-thin ribbon of lead, and then removing-the slugs so formed.

14. The method of forming which comprises compressing a blank sheet to form separate distinct spaced webs alternately extending inwardly from opposite sides of the blank sheet, simultaneously expelling excess material adjacent the ribs in a lateral direction to form slugs between the ribs and bound thereto 7 s I and cooperating die members adapted to pass through said spaces to form I grid forming apparatus, means to' form a grid by a stamping operation com-' tering.

grid for a cause QXCBSS sheet of material and a grid for a ribs occupying space between a relatively thin portions, and then remov 111g said slugs from'the rib-s; t

'15." A machineytor making battery of thestaggered-rib type from sheet line of the final desired grid structure, means for removing excess material ,from 1 between rib outlines, and means for aligning the die members with each other and :the excess metal removing means with the die members 1 116. A grid forming machine, comprising two cooperating diemembers provided with recesses of sub-r a plurality ofi'ib-forming stantia-lly V-shape and with cavities between said recesses, the recesses in each memberbeing staggered relative to'the r'ecesses'inrtheof both members reg1s= other and the cavities 17. 'A grid formingmachine comprising grids" lead comprising twomovable die members adapt ed to form'up'on' the sheet of lead the but means' provided with compression surfaces for engaging a blank from which the' grid is to be formed, toprecludelateralmovement thereof, and'two co-operating die membersprovided with rib-forming surfaces" for forming staggered ribs "alternately extending from a plane substantially intermediate the opposite side surfaces lot the blank.

18. A "grid forming apparatuscompi'is-j ing" two cooperating die members for engaging a' blank from WhlCh the" grid is to be formed, said die members provided with alternate rib-forming and rib-backing elements and adaptedfor .regis-- try whereby the rib-forming element of one die member registers with the rib-backing element of the other die member, and means for maintaining such registry.

being severally 19. A battery grid forming apparatus comprising two compression members sever ally provided with alternate rib-forming and rib-backingportions, means for aligning the rib-forming member with 0th portions of each compression the r b-backing members of the or compression member, and meansfor,

removing the excess material between the formed ribs.

20. A battery grid forming apparatus comprising two die members respectively provided with alternate rib-forming recesses and rib-backing portions, means for maintaining the die members operative relation whereby a lead blank may be compressed therebetween to have a plurality of groupsofstaggered ribs, and means for removing'the metal between the ribs so formed. 1' i 21. An apparatus for forming storage battery grids from lead sheet comprising two cooperative die members for forming a plurality of ribs in staggered relation, alternate surface of the sheet lead and a mediate the planes of both surfaces, means in predetermined plane of one plane interoperative relation, theformation ofthe ribs between theribs to present a latticework for receivingand supporting. paste or active niaterial.v i t i 22. An apparatus for, forming storage fromlead sheet, compr sing battery. gridsv two cooperating the members for form ng or outlining a battery grid of the type, and; a movable member excess material between the. successive ribs so, formed.

23. A machinefor. makingstorage batteryv opposite side surfaces. of:,- the "original; blank and a plane intermediate said surfaces.

24;- A machlne of the character descr bed in claim 23, comprising the said die. members which operate, while forming the series of webs,-to :physlcally dlsplace all excess ma terial. adjacent; said. webs to formslugs between said webs perpendicular to the. plane of the blank, and) means. operative after the andm a s' operative, a r,- fortrernovlng m tal staggered-rib for removing shape consisting,

same thickness as the.

formation ofsaid slugs for expelling them to leave the grid of desired-form. V

25. A machine of v in claim Qt comprising jthedieme bers of the character described, the means for expelling the excess material, and means for controlling proper" operatiye relation between the die members and the expelling means.

26. A grid forming machine comprising two cooperating die members, ber embodying a plurality of spaced web forming surfaces and straight anvil or backing surfaces intermediate successive web forming surfaces and spaced therefrom by openings adapted to receive excess materiah 27'. A gridforming machine comprising:

two cooperating die members, eachdie member. embodying a plurality of spaced web forming surfaces andstraight anvil orbacking surface intermediate successive web formingsurfaces and spaced therefrom; and

means for aligningthe die members in predetermined operative relation whereby web forming surfaces of each die member are aligned and cooperatewrth anvil or rib; backing surfaces of the other; die members In testimony that I claim theforegoing,

have hereunto set my hand: this second day of January, 1923.

JAMES s rr-ri.

the character described each die mem-

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