Patent GB-777828-A (GB)
Title: A machine for use in the finishing of hosiery articles
Inventor: HELLIWELL GUY STORR
IPC: D06C5/00
Filed: 1953-12-03
Abstract: <PICT:0777828/IV(b)/1> <PICT:0777828/IV(b)/2> <PICT:0777828/IV(b)/3> A machine for treating stockings &c. comprises a treatment chamber 1, Figs. 1 and 2A, having door apertures 2, rails 6, and carriages A and B movable alternately into the chamber from opposite sides thereof. Carriage Construction  An operator switched motor 29 at each end of the machine drives its respective carriage by means of a screw 20, Figs. 2B and 3, which moves a nut 31 and pushes a spring pressed plunger head 38 engaged by a pawl 52 against a lug 51 on the carriage.  Each carriage comprises a chassis 49 mounting a rotatable table 56 supporting two rows of pivotable forms 64.  Projecting from the underside of the table is a quadrant 60, Fig. 5, adapted to mesh with a rack 45 on a bedplate 17.  A relatively stationary spindle 71, which passes up through the table, has secured thereto a cam plate 72, Figs. 3, 5, which when the table is turned by the rack moves plungers 75 to swing the end forms 64 and bring them into a parallel side by side position. <PICT:0777828/IV(b)/4> <PICT:0777828/IV(b)/5> When the table has been turned a locking pin 80 enters a recess 79 and locks the table for entry into the chamber.  The carriage has switch operating fingers 89, 92, a fork 86 for releasing the pin 80, a claw 94 for engaging a claw 95 on the other carriage when they are brought into contact, and a ratchet lever 102 for holding the carriage in position in the chamber.  The Treatment Chamber.  The chamber has rails 4 continuing the bed rails 6, and doors 3 hung by means of rollers 112, 115 from an upper circular rail 110. The doors may be slid by a rotatable shaft 116 turned by a pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly 143 to move lever arms 117, webs 122, and levers 119.  The assembly 143 is actuated by a cam 136 driven by a timer motor 131 set in motion by a carriage making either of the right or left hand switches 40.  Steam entry and exhaust valves 150, 155 operated by a pneumatic cylinder assembly 147, and an electric motor blowing air through a heater into the chamber, are controlled by cams 137 and 138 respectively on the timer shaft 135.  Operation.  In the Fig. 1 position the carriage A has been stripped and provided with fresh untreated stockings on its forms 64, and the plungers 75, Fig. 5, are retracted to permit each form to be moved like the leaf of a book for the stripping and trimming.  The left hand motor 29 for carriage A is now started to rotate the screw 20 and move the nut 31. The quadrant 60 meshes with the rack 45 to rotate the table, and at the same the relatively stationary cam plate 72 moves plunger 75 to close the forms 64 into a tight parallelism.  The pin 80 then locks the table to the chassis 49 for the rest of its inward travel.  After it has passed the rack 45 the carriage A continues towards the chamber 1, and the finger 89 rides over without operating, the switches 39, 40, and 41.  The carriage A then enters the chamber, abuts carriage B and couples to it by means of the claws 94, 95.  The plungers 98, Fig. 3, of the carriages abut and raise the ratchets 102.  The carriage B is then pushed out of the chamber until the nut 31 reaches its end position.  The finger 92 of carriage A then operates switch 42 to stop its motor 29, at the same time the pawl lever 127, Fig. 2B, meets an abutment 126, Fig. 2A, to release the carriage A from its propelling head 38.  At the same time lever 127 of carriage B is actuated to couple the right hand head 38 to carriage B.  The finger 89 of this latter carriage then operates switch 41 which starts the right hand motor 29 to reverse the carriage which then moves outwards towing carriage A.  When carriage A is central in the chamber, the abutment 128, Fig. 2A, engages roller 97, Fig .1, and uncouples the carriages so that carriage B withdraws its releasing rod 98, thus permitting ratchet 102 to drop and hold carriage A in the chamber.  As carriage B moves away it passes over switch 42 without operating it, but the finger 89 makes the timer switch 40 to start the timer motor 131 and initiate the operations in the treating chamber. Shortly after this the quadrant 60 meets the rack 45, the table is then unlocked and swung through 90 degrees to permit the forms to be stripped.  As it reaches the end position the finger 89 operates switch 41 to stop the right hand motor 29 and carriage B, thus ending a treating cycle.