US981004A - Electroplating apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

M. REID.

ELEGTROPLATING APPARATUS. l I

APPLIGATI'ON FILED FEB. 19, 1906.

Patented Jan. 10, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

mwmlm I I ,l LMIELML www M. REID. ELBOTROPLATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION .FILED FEB.19, 1906.

Patented Jan. 10, 1911.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

| I IIIA..

A Harney/5 y M. REID. ELECTROPLATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.19, 1906.

Patented Jan. 10, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEETS.

M. REID.

Patented Jan. 10, 1911.

4 SHEETS-.SHEET 4.

[22 2/5 maf,

15ml/M4 BLBGVTROPLATING APPARA'IUS.`

APPLICATION FILED FEVE. 19, 1906.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARCELEUS REID, or CLEVELAND, oHIo.

ELECTROILATING APPARATUS.

and useful Improvement in Electroplating Apparatus,of which the following is a full', clear, and eXact description, reference beingv had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to electro-platin apparat-us generally, and more particular y to` v through the tank; and Fig. 4 represents al and simplify the construction an apparatus of this kind wherein the articles to be plated are subjected to a tumbling action during the plating operation.

The objects ofy my invention are to increase the rapidity of plating, to improve of the apparatus, and to lessen the cost of production thereof.

Generally speaking, defined as consistin elements embodied nexed. -Y

In the drawings forming a-.part hereof Figure 1 represents an elevation of an apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention, some of the parts being broken away to illustrate more clearly the manner of supporting' the shaft which rotates'the tank and the accessories thereof; Fig. 2 represents an eleva-tion, at 'right angles to Fig. 1, the tank and basket anda portion the invention may be of the' combinations of 1n the claims hereto anof the worm wheel' being broken away for.-

clearness of illustration, the tank being shown' in an inclined position;,Fig.-'3 represents an enlarged ongitudinal ksection plan view of said tank.

The apparatus consists generally of the tank 1 and a supporting frame 2 therefor. The complete tank, when ready for plating purposes consists of an outer casing orreceptacle and an inner receptacle or basket 4 within which the articles to be plated are placed, thev basket being removably fitted within the outer casing. The outer receptacle or tank has its inner surface composed of material which will not be decomposed by the electrolyte and is preferably constructed of wooden staves to which there are applied the hoops 5. The body of the tank is ustoconical in shape, having its largest diameter at the bottom andtapering inwardly toward the top, whereby 'a somewhat contracted mouth 6 is provided'. The bottom is provided with a central opening for the reception of Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Jan. 10, 1911. Application led February 19, 1906. Serial No.

the hub y7 which is preferably a casting and projects inwardly through saidV bottom from the ring 8. ,Attached to this ring preferably by being bolted thereto, as shown in Fig. 1, is a bevel gear 9, by means of which the tank is rotated to tumble the articles placed therein.

l0 designates a shaft which is rigidly secured to the hub 7 by means of one or more pins 11. This shaft projects downwardly a considerable distance from the tank, being journaled in an elongated bearing 12, which will be described more particularly hereinafter. The shaft 10 is providedwlth a central bore -13 for the reception of a rod 14:, which may be of copper or other suitable conductin through tlie said shaft and having its upper end threaded to engage the corresponding threaded interior of a stud 15, which is also of copper or similar` conducting material.

to fit closely around'the stud.

To prevent the electrolyte from obtaining access to the stud. and to expose both the top and the bottom surfaces of said plates to the action of the electrolyte, I space said plates by means of washers 16B, said washers being of fiber, hard rubber, or other suitable material which will not be decomposed by the electrolyte and fitting closely around the stud. The upper end portion of the stud is threaded at 17. To clamp the plates firmly together, thereby preventing the electrolyte from passing between the plates and the washers, and to'protect the upper end of the stud from the electrolyte, I employ a nut 18 which is threaded onto the end 17, .said nut material, said rod-projecting having adepending rim 19 which engages.

the uppermostplate, and I cover said nut with a cap of hard rubber or similar material. The upperend of the nut may be reduced, as shown at 9.0, and may be provided with an external thread to increase the adherence of the cap thereto. The lower portion of the cap projects downwardly into contact with the uppermost plate of the anode, thereby preventing the access of the electrolvte to the studv and nut.

y To protect the hub 7 and shaft 10 from the electrolyte, I provide a dome 21 of hard rubber. wood fiber, or similar material, said dome having an upwardly directed central portion 22 provided with va cap 23 which ex*V .mit the rod 14 topass therethrough. The

lower .end of dome 21 is flanged and the flange is secured, as by screws, to a disk 21a which centers the dome and covers a considerable area of the bottom of the tank. This disk is preferably of wood, as this material is cheap and is not attacked by the electrolyte. One of the washers 16a is applied to the stud, between the lowermostanode plate and the top of the cap 23. A sleeve or tube 24 of non-'conducting material is employed between the rod 14 arid shaft 10 to prevent short circuiting of-the current.-

The anode plates 16 are made of pure rolled metal, as distinguished from cast metal, and are superior to anodes made of cast metal, owing to the great uniformity and density of the rolled sheet, permitting uniform decomposition thereof from theperiphery to the center, although the elect-rolytic action occurs on the faces of the plates as well. The plates are shown somewhat thick, for clearness of illustration, but are actually made very thin, thereby affording a maximum surface for decomposition from a given weight of anode metal.

The bearing 12 is economically formed as part of a casting which contains bearings for the shafts which rotate and tilt the tank. The first-mentioned bearing is provided with an internal chamber 25 (shown in dotted lines in Fig. l) for the accommodation of one or more layers of felt (indicated at 25a) appliedto the shaft and serving to supply and distribute oil to the same, an oil opening 26 being provided'throu h which oil v may be introduced into such c amber. The

lower end ofthe shaft 10 extends through the bearing 12 and is contracted, as shown at 27, for the reception of a short sleeve 28,'

which may be slipped over said shaft and secured thereto, asby a pin 29. 30 designates a sleeve which is threaded onto the lower end of the rod 14 and is provided with a flange 31 at its upper portion, said flange forming a stop and bearing for the upper end of a terminal sleeve 32, said sleeve 32 being provided with a lug 33 having an aperture 34 therein for the application of the electrical conductor or cable 35. Between the flange 3l and the lower end of the shaft 10 there is fitted a washer 36 of fiber or similar non-conducting material. The sleeve 30, fiange31, and terminal sleeve 32 are held in place by means of a jam nut 37, which is preferably a crown nut, said nut being prevented from unscrewing by means of a pin 38 extending through the rod 14 and passing between oppositely located teeth .on said nut.

While the hub 7 and ring 8 may be formed integral with the bevelgear 9, for convenienvce and cheapness of construction I prefer to make said gear separate from the ring and hub and to bolt it thereto, as shown in Fig. 1. The disk 21 is of such extent 'as to cover the heads of the bolts 39 by which the ring Sis secured to the bottom of the tank, to prevent short-circuiting, the upper surface of the tank bottom being recessed for the reception of the heads of the bolts.

` The basket 4,' in which are placed the articles to be plated, is of cylindrical shape, is preferably removably' fitted in the tank, and is constructed as follows :-40 designates a -ring which is provided above the bottom thereof with an inwardly directed flange '41. This ring is made of brass or similar material, which is capableof withstanding the action of the electrolyte. `A ring 42 of similar material is provided for the upper end of the basket, said ring having an inwardly directed flange 43 at the top thereof. Staves 44 extend between said rin s, said staves having their upper ends a utting against the flange 43 and their lower ends abutting against the Hange 41. The staves are secured in .place by means of screws 45. The basket is preferably c lindrical in shape, the outside diameter o the ring 42 being'just enough smaller thanthe internal diameter of the top of the tank to Jermit of its ready insertion into and with rawal from said tank. Near the bottom `of the tank I rovide a suitable number of ribs 46 of wo or similar material projecting inwardly from the inner surface of the tank, the'amount of projection of such ribs bein suicient to permit the ready insertion an removal of the basket while centering it with respect to the tank. The flange 4l projects inwardly a sutlicient distance to provide a support for the bottom 47 of the asket, and the ring projects downwardly beyond the flange to provlde a spacing ring or flange 48 between the bottom of the basket andthe bottom of the tank. The basket bottom is provided with perforations 49, a suiicient number of which are shown to indicate the uniformly-perforated character ofthe bottom. These perforations, with the spaces 50 between the .staves 44,

permit free access of the electrolyte tothe,

interior of the basket. The basket bottom is formed of `wood or similar material which is not decomposed by the electrolyte.. At its center, the bottom 47 is provided with an opening 51, preferably circular and of a diameter suiciently greater than that of the anode plate to permit the basket to be inserted into and removed from the tank Without en aging said plates. To protect the anodev from injury by the articles that are being plated, I provide a dome-shaped cage 52, the internal diameter of which is preferably the same as the diameter of the opening 51. This cage is provided with an of the basket body,

outwardly extending flange 53 by means of which it is conveniently fastened to the bottom 47, as by screws 54, and is provided with a sufficient number of erforations 55 to permit substantially free ow of the velectrolyte therethrough. In Fig. 3, I Ahave shown a sufficient number of these perforations to illustrate t-he uniformly-perforated character of the dome. The bottom flange 53 is backed by a/ring 53a Awhichis fitted outside said flange, closely thereagainst, said ring being secured to the bottom of the basket and being preferably of lwood, for cheapness of production.v

56 designates the cathode terminal. In the embodiment of my invention disclosed herein,-this cathode terminal consists of a strip of metal, as copper, securedto the.

lower portion of the basket, to the inside of the wall or casing thereof, and is formed of a spiral extending from the bottom somewhat above the top'of the anode. To permit of its ready removal-from t'h/e tank, the basket is provided with a bail 57 having its opposite ends secured*4 to the upper portion as by means of bolts 58 extending through said ends and the ring 12. This bail forms part of the circuit between the cathode terminal andthe source of electrical energy. The lower ends of the bail are in electrical contact with the cathode terminal, as by means of plates or strips 59, which may be conveniently lsecured to the ends of the bail by the bolts 58, being fastened to the cathode terminal as by'rivets 60. At its central portion, vided with a-bore 61 for the metallic pin 62, the lower end of which is split to revent displacement. This pin is provided with a flange 63 engaging the top of the bail and with a body or barrel 64 above said flange for the reception of the terminal sleev 65.- struction to the sleeve 32 hereinbefore described. Above ,the body 64 the pin 62 is provided witha reduced extension 66 for the application of the handle 67 Aof Wood or similar non-conducting material, said handle being conveniently secured in place by means of a screw 68. -Between said handle and sleeve 65 there is interposed a washer 69.

The construction of the anode hereinbefore described is particularly effective, as it provides, within a minimum space, a maximum surface from which decomposition may proceed. The arrangement of the anode plates, with the cathode terminal surrounding` and in substantially the same plane as the plates, permits decomposition to proceed radially from the anode in all directions toward the cathode terminal, thereby subjecting the articles to be plated at all times to the effect of this decomposition and insuring the speedy application of the coating thereto. Even with thejrecepthe bail is pro" This sleeve is similar in conthereof a bevel gear 72A for engaging theI bevel gear9 carried lby the bottom of the tank. -The shaft 71 is provided with the pulley 78, which is loose thereon, but which may 'be engaged therewith by a very simple form of clutch. The end of the `shaft is provided with a longitudinal slot or key- Way 71a and has pinne-d thereto a collar 71D,

.which is provided at its inner end with a slot 71c for the reception of a lug or spline 745t of a sliding key 74. Short slots 73a are provided at diametrically oppositepoints of the outer end of the pulley hub.- By pushing the key 74 inwardly, the lug or spline 74a will enter one or the other of the slots 73a, according to the .position of the shaft and of the sleeve 71b and thusclutch the pulley to the shaft 71. When it is desired to stop the tumbling operation, it is only necessary to withdraw the key 74, whereupon the pulley will be'disconnected from and turn idly upon the shaft 71.

As stated hereinbefore,- the bearing 12 is part of a casting andhas projecting lat# erally therefrom the wings or brackets 75v and 76, each Wing or bracket comprising a web having at its upperand lower edge a rib merging with the bearin 7 5 has cast therewith a hub end 78 of the shaft 79. The inner portion 78 of this shaftis secured to the hub 77, as by pins 80, andl the outer end of said shaft is provided with a worm wheel 81 which is keyed thereto, as shown in Fig. 1. The wing 76 is provided with a hub 82 similar to the hub 77 but, as the shaft 71 is employed only to rotate the barrel and does not have to withstand the strain produced by tilting the barrel, it is made of smaller diameter than shaft 7 9. For cheapness of construction, however, I make the hubs 77 12. The wingl 7 for the inner` and 82 of the. same internal diameter and provide the shaft 71 with a surrounding sleeve 83, which itself serves as a bearing for the shaft, being pinned to the liournal .82, as shown at 84. The outer ends of shafts 71 and 79 aresupported in bearings 85 and 86 respectively, carried by opposite sides of the frame 2. This frame is constructedespeeially with a view of obtaining the 'maximum amount of strength with a mini mum amount of material as well as with a mlnimum amount of machme work, thereby producing a very cheap andeffectivc cohstruction. The frame is made of a single casting and consists of an arch 87 (see Figs.

v 1 and 2) extending the full length of the wardly from .each end of the arch is a I A shaft, said nut havin bracket, said bracket comprising a plate 90 which tapers upwardly from the side flanges to the upper end thereof.

91 designates a rib or plate extending `continuously from side 'to side of the frame and presenting a concave face upwardly, said rib or plate being substantially semi# circular in outline.

92 designates a web extending between the rib 91 and the arch 87 and plates 90. The bearings 85 and 86 are formed with and carried by the u per ends of the side brackets consisting o the rib 91, plates '90 andl connecting web 92. Theinternal diameter of the bearings 85 and 86 is the same as that of the bearings 77 and 82, the sleeve 83 which surrounds the shaft 7l being'extended through the bearing 85. The hubs 77 and 82 and the bearings 85 and 86 are each chambered out for cheapness of production, the recesses in the bearings 85 and 86 providing oil chambers.

Itwill be ap arent that the frame herein described, whi e extremely cheap of construction, possess /the requisite strength, with a minimum amount of material, to support the tank and to withstand the strains to which it may be subjected.

Below the Worm wheel l81, the appropriate plate 90 has bolted thereto a castmg 93, said castin being provided with bearings 94 and 95 or supporting the shaft 96 which carries a worm 97 preferably pinned thereto. 98 designates the operating wheel for said worm, said wheel being connected to the worm shaft by means of a sleeve 99, which may be secured thereto by' a key 99a, the sleeve being slipped in place. An operating handle 100 is provided for said wheel. The wheel is conveniently secured in place on the shaft by means of a washer 101 and a nut 102 threaded onto the outer end of said its outer end corrugated to provide an e ective grip. The jar of the tumbling combined with the leverage thrown onto the worm by the inclination` and weight of the tank and its contents may cause the same to rotate, thereby allowing the tankvto assume too great an angle, spillmg the solution and producing other undesirable effects. The provision of the key 99aL and the washer 101 and nut 102 permits Y the worm shaft to be locked, by tightening 4the nut, against such rotation by the tumbling operation.

It will be understood that the interior of 'esipo i' the tank, the basket, ca e, and various other parts which are expose to the action ofthe electrolyte need not be made of the particular materials set forth herein, as any material which will withstand the action of the electrolyte and will not be coated by the metal of which the anode is composed will answer the purpose. For cheapness ofproduction, I may make the cage of wicker work, as indicated at 52a in Figs. 2 and The material of which the cage is made 1n this case is preferably willow, the interstices 55 between the withes permitting the flow of the electrolyte through the cage.

The materials specified are those preferred by me as best combining cheapness and efciency.

While, by the details of construction herein set forth, I have described a particularly effective and economical embodiment of my invention, I do not propose to be limited to such details except as the same may be positively included inl the claims hereto annexed or may be rendered necessary by the prior state of the art. v

I-Iaving thus described my invention what I; claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an electroeplating apparatus, the combination of a tank, a centrally arranged anode, a cage surrounding said anode, and a cathode terminal surrounding said anode and extending from the lower portion of the tank to at least the same height as the anode, substantially Aas specified. I

2. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of an exterior tank, an openwork casing or basket in said tank, a centrally arranged anode projecting into the lower portion of said basket and a cathode terminal consisting of a metallic strip extending continuously around the side of the basket and secured thereto, substantially as specified.

8. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of an exterior tank, an openwork receptacle or basket in said tank,y a centrally arranged anode projecting into the lower portion of the basket, a cathode terminal consisting Vof a metal vstrip formed into a spiral and secured to the inner wall of said basket, a metallic bail for saidbaskct, and electrical connections between said bail and said cathode terminal, substantially as specified. ,i

4. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank, an open-work casing or basket within said tank, an anode for the lower central portion of said basket, a'cathode terminal surroundin said anode and carried by the side wall o the basket, a metallic bail for said basket, and an electrical connection between said bail and cathode terminal, substantially as specified.

5. In an electro-plating apparatus, the

combination of a tank, an anode 1 therein,

said anode consisting of a cent-ral conducting A Y combination of a tank, an anode within said tank, said anode comprising a metallic stud, a series of anode lates mounted on said stud, washers of fiber orsimilar material between said plates, means for protecting the portions of the stud which project be-l yond the plates from the action of the electrolyte, and a cat-hode terminal also locatedin said tank, substantially as specified.

8. An anode for an electro-plating appa ratus comprising a stud of conductive material, a series of anode plates mounted on said stud, non-conducting washers 4interposed between said plates and surrounding said stud, one end of said stud projecting beyond the plate adjacent thereto and provided with a screw thread, a nut threaded onto such end of said stud, and a protecting cap of non-conducting material covering said stud and extending to the adjacent plate, substantially as specified.

9. An anode for an electro-plating apparatus comprising a stud of conductive material, a series of anode plates or disks mounted on said stud, non-conducting washers interposed between said plates .and surrounding said stud, and a clamp for securing said plates on said stud, said clam being provided with an outer surface ofp material which is capable of withstanding the action of the electrolyte, `substantially as specified. b Y

' 10i An anode for anelectro-plating apparatus comprising a stud of conducting ma terial, a series of spaced plates on'said stud, the planes of said plates being at substantially right angles to the length of said stud, means for protecting the portions of the stud intermediate of said plates fromv electrolytic decomposition, and a clamp for retaining said plates on said stud, saidclamp being provided with an exterior surface capable of withstanding the action of the electrolyte, substantially as specified.

- 11. In an electro-plating apparatus, the

combination of a tank, of a removable basket therein, said basket having a` centrally located cage project-ing from the bottom thereof, and a .perforated bottom exterior to'said cage, a cathode terminal ywithin said plates on said stud,

basket and lsecured totheinner wall thereof,

and an anode projecting centrally from the lower portion of the tank and adapted to be inserted into said cage, means beingprovided for spacing the'bottom of the basket from the bottom of the tank, substantially as specified.

12. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination cfa tank, a basket within said tank having its bottoni and side walls spaced from the bottom and""`sidewall of said tank,

said basket comprising acntfallyarranged cage projectin upwardly from the bottom.

g of the basket outside thereof, the bottom said cage being perforated, an anode carried by the tank land projecting into said cage, and a vcathode terminal for said anode, subst-antially as specified.

13. In an electro-plating apparatus, the' combination of a tank, a .basket removably fitted in said tank and having its bottom and side Wall spaced from the corresponding parts of the tank, said basket being perforated to permit access of the electrolyte thereto, an anode, and a cathode vterminal within said basket, a bail for said basket electrically connected with one of the electrodes and an electric terminal carried by said bail, substantially as specified. l,

14. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of-a tank having a closed bottom, a tapering side Wall and a contracted mouth,a substantially cylindrical basket removably fitted in said tank, said basket being perforated for the access of the electrolyte thereto, the diameter of the top Vof said basketbeing substantially equalto the internal diameter of the mouth of the tank, and means for centering and spacing the lower portionv of said basket with respect to the corresponding inner portion of the tank, substantially as specified.

15. Abasket for an electro-plating apparatus comprising top and bottom rings, the bottom ring having an inwardly extending flange, -staves extending between said rings, and a perforated bottom supported by, the flange on the bottom ring, substantially as specified.

16: In an electro-plating apparatus,y the combination of a tank having a centrally arl ranged anode in the lower portion thereof, and a basket for said tank, ing a bottom provided with anV upwardly extending central-ly located cage for the reception of said anode, a cathode terminal carried by the side Wall of said basket, perforations Abeinfg the passage o the electrolyte therethrough, substantially as specified. t

17. In an. electro-plating apparat-us, the

ranged :anode in the lower part thereof, a basket within said tank vhaving a perforated bottomv :spaced from the bottom of the tank said basket hav-A sii provided in .said basket forcombination of a tank havinga centrally ar l and provided with a central upwardly extending cage for the reception of the anode, and a cathode terminal carried by the innerwall of said basket, substantially as specified. j

18. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank having a centrally arranged electrode in the lower portion thereof, a perforated basket within said tank providedwith acentral upwardly extending cage for the reception of said electrode, and

a second electrode carried by the side Wall of said basket, substantially as specified.

19. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank having an electrode therein, means for rotating said tank, a ter.

a terminal sleeved to a""portion of said basket, substantially as specified.

21. In an electro-plating apparatus,4 the combination of a tank having therein an electrode, means for rotating said tank, a shaft projecting from said tank, a terminal sleeved on said shaft,'a basket within said tank, said basket being provided with the other electrode, a bail for said basket, an

electrical connection between said bail and the electrode in said basket, and a terminal leeved on said bail, substantially as specied.

'22. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank,a drive shaft for rotating said tank, and a frame for supporting said tank, said frame comprising a casting having a longitudinally extending arched 'base and a bracket projecting upwardly from each end of the arched base, said bracket being provided with a bearing for the drive shaft, substantially as specified.

23. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank, a driven member 0nsaid tank for rotating the same, a drive shafthaving a driving member thereon for engaging said driven member, and a sup- Y porting frame for said tank, said frame comprising a base having a longitudinallyextending arch, said arch being provided at each. end withan upwardly projecting bracket, said bracket having formed therewith a bearing for the driving shaft, substantially as s ecified.

24. In an e cetro-platin combination of a tank, sai tan being pro'- vided at `the lower portion thereof with a deap aratus, the

pending shaft, a bearing for said shaft, said bearing being provided with lateral Webs each having thereon a substantially horizontal bearing, a driven member for rotatin said tank, a drive shaft having thereon a driving member for said driven member, said shaft projecting through and supporting one of the aforesaid horizontal bearings, and a shaft for varying the inclination of said tank, said shaft projecting through and supporting the other horizontal bearing,

substantially as specied.

25. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank, said tank having projecting from the bottom thereof a shaft, a

frame having therein three bearings a centralbearing for the reception of sai shaft, and a pair of lateral bearings at substantially right angles to said central bearing, a driven member for rotating said tank, a shaft having a driving member for said driven member, said shaft extending through one ofthe lateral bearings, and a shaft for varying the inclination of said tank, said shaft extending through the other lateral bearing, substantially as specified.

26. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank, said tank having a downwardly extending shaft, a bearing for said shaft, a shaft for rotating said tank, a shaft for varying the inclination of said tank, and a frame provided with bearings ,for the last4 mentioned shafts, said frame comprising a base portion and a pair of versaid base ort-ion, each of said brackets being provi ed with a' bearing for an o erating shaft, the upper portion of said rame being concaved to permit the passage of the shaft de ending from the tank, substantially as speci ed.

27. In an electro-plating. apparatus, the

`combination of a tank, said tank having a shaft de ending therefrom, a bearing for said sha t, a shaft for rotating said tank, a shaft for varying the inclination of said tank, and a supporting frame for said tank, said frame comprising an arch provided with vertically extending brackets, said tically extending brackets projecting from brackets being connected by a transverse i web which is concaved to permit the passage of the shaft depending from the tank, each of said brackets being provided with a bearing for one of said operating shafts, substantially as specified.

2S. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank, a shaft depending therefrom, a bearing for said shaft, an operating shaft for rotating said tank, a second operating shaft for varying theinclination thereof, and a frame, for su orting the tank and the ,operating shafts, sai .frame -comprising a casting the lower portion of which is arched and is provided at each end thereof with a vertically extending bracket,

said brackets comprising each an external lateral plate and an internal rib extending continuously from bracket to bracket and a web connecting' said rib with the exterior plates and arch, said rib being cnvedft-o permit the passage of the depending shaft, and a bearing, integral with the upper end -of each of said brackets, for the support of one of said operating shafts, substantially as specified.

29. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination -of a tank, a shaft depending therefrom, a bearing for said shaft, an operating shaft for rotating said tank, a secondv bearing, integral with theupper end of each' of said brackets, for the support of lone of the aforesaid operating shafts, substantially as specified. ,1

30. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination ofl a`tank havinga centrally arranged depending shaft, an operating shaft for rotating said tank, lan operating shaft for tilting said tank, the latter shaft being of greater diameter than the former, a supporting frame for said tank and shafts, said frame comprising a base Iand. upwardly eX- tending brackets, each bracket having cast therein va bearing for an bperating shaft,l said bearings being ofthe Asame internall diameter, and a sleeve surrounding the first# mentioned operating lshaft and connected to its bearingl to-.till the space between said shaft and the interior `of said bearing, substantially as specified.

31. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank and a supporting frame therefor, said frame consisting of an integralcasting comprising an arched base, a plate projecting upwardly from the base Iat ea'chend thereof, an Ainternal concave Jplate' or rib extending continuously from side to side of the frame, aweb-con'nectin said rib or platewith the outer plates an Q with the base, and a bearing yfor the` tank v,

' ,carried by and integral with the'upper end of each of said brackets, substantially as specified.

32. In -an electro-plating apparatus,"the

combination of an exterior tank, a casing orbasket surrounded by said tank, a centrally arranged anode projecting into the said basket, and a cathodeterininal surrounding said anode, substantially as specified.

i' 33. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination 'ofa tank, a casing or basket in s'aid tank, a centrally arranged electrode a metallic strip' extending around the side stantially as'speciied.

combination of an exterior tank, a casing or electrode projecting into the lower portion and secured-to the side wall of said basket, substantially as specified. c

35. Ii an electroplating apparatus, the

tank or receptacle, means for adjusting the inclination of, said tank or receptacle, and means for securing the adjusting means displacement of the tank or receptacle during its rotation, substantially as specified.

combination of a tank or receptacle,`means for rotating tlie same, a shaft for adjusting the inclination of said tank or receptacle, a worm wheel on said shaft, a worm shaft having thereon a worin for operating said wheel, and means for clamping the vworm shaft against rotation, substantially as specified.

37. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank or receptacle, means for varyingthe inclination of -'said tank or receptacle, a worin wheel on said shaft, a

rigid with said shaft and intermediate said bearings, an operating wheel having a'sleeve slidingly fitted on the outer portion :ofsaid shaft, land means, as a nut, for adjusting against one of the bearings and prevent rotation of the worm shaft,substantial1y as specified.

work receptacle or, basket in saidftanfln va centrally arranged electro de proj ectinginto the, lower `portion ufl-fthe basket, a :second electrode consisting of afmetal strip formed of saidbasket, vai metallic bail for said bassubstantially as specified'. 4

` 39. In -an electroplating apparatus, the combination of a tank, an electrode therein, said electrode consisting of ,l a conducting i stud in the lower portion of said tank,'a seanda secondelectiode within 'said` tank, substantially as specified.

of the basket, and a second elect-rode consist-l ing of a metallic strip formed into a spiral 1 combination of a tank or receptacle forthe articles to be plated, means for rotating said i 36. In an electro-plating -apparatus,-v the for rotating said tank or receptacle, a. shaft said sleeve on said shaft to' bindthe worm'l :into aspiral andse'cured to thejinner wall 1120 j 'ket,.an d electrieconnections between said 4 Y bail and the electrode carried by the-basket,

ries of spaced electrodes placed on said stud,

projecting into the lower. portionof said ""fbasket, and a second electrode consisting of wall ofthe basket 'and secured. there-to, sub-l 84. In an electro-plating apparatus, the

-76 vbasket in said tank, a centrally arranged against displacement to .prevent the vertical i worm shaft, bearings for saidshaft, a worm Q 38. In an lfelectroplating apparatus, the combinationof an exterior tank,` anopen- 'ian 40. In an electroplating apparatus, the combination of a tank, an electrode in said tank, said electrode comprising a metallic stud, a series of electrode plates mounted on said stud, washers of fiber or similar non.-

conducting material between said plates,

means for protecting the portion of the studv stantially -as specified.

42. In an electroplating apparatus, the combinationvof a tank, a basket within said tank having its bottom and side walls spaced from the bottom and side walls of said tank, said basket comprising a centrally arranged cage projecting upwardly from the bottom thereof, an electrode carried by the tank and projecting into said page, and a second electrode Awithin said tank, substantially as specified.

43. In an electroplating apparatus, the

combination of a tank having a closed botlso located'in said tank, substantially tom, a tapering sidewall anda contracted mouth, a substantiallycylindrical basket removably fitted in said tank, 'said basket besecond electrode carried by the side wall of the basket, substantially as specied.

44. In an electroplating apparatus, the combination of a tank, a basket in said tank, a centrally arranged anode projecting into the lower portion of said basket, and a cath# ode terminal carried by said basket and extending around the side of the'same, substantially as specified.

45. In an electroplating apparatus, the combination of a tank, a 'basket in said tank,

a centrally arrangedanode projecting into 35 the lower portion of the basket, and a cathode terminal formed into a s iral and secured to the inner wall of said) basket, substantially as specified. a

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

MARoELLUs REID.

Witnesses:

B. W. Bnooimrr, 4 J. B. I-I'ULL.

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