Patent GB-190505738-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Lapping, Creasing, Folding, Doubling, or similarly Treating Cloth and other Fabrics.
Inventor: FISH JOHN
Filed: 1905-03-18
Granted: 1906-03-01
Abstract: 5738. Fish, J. March 18. Printing fabrics &c.-Relates to apparatus for guiding, lapping, creasing, folding, doubling, or plaiting cloth, paper, and other fabrics, the guiding of cloth &c. in printing-machines being specially mentioned. The cloth &c. is passed over a series of rollers or staves C, C', Fig. 2, to a folder consisting of a rounded or inclined solid or skeleton triangular frame D, mounted on a pivot near its apex. The cloth drops down on either side, and the fabric is folded at the centre or other point as arranged, the folded cloth then passing between rollers E, E<2> over a measuring-cylinder F to a lapping-device of the usual kind, which may pull the cloth through the machine. If the cloth diverges to the left, the frame is moved in a corresponding direction by hand or automatically. The pressure on the left edge of the fabric is thus increased, and the cloth is moved to the right into its normal position. A similar action occurs when the cloth diverges to the right. Electro-magnetic devices may be used to move the frame, consisting of two solenoids H, H<1>, the cores of which are connected by cords to the frame. The edges b, b<1> of the cloth, after falling over the convergent sides of the frame, pass in frcnt of a bar M, Figs. 2 and 3, which is connected to a circuit including a dynamo or other electric source and one of the terminals of each of the solenoid coils, the other terminals being connected to contactpieces N, N' on the bracket O. When the cloth diverges, one of its edges rocks the bar M, so that an extension of the latter makes contact with one of the contacts N, N<1>, thus completing circuit through one of the solenoids H, H<1>, so that the corresponding core is attracted and the frame moved to correct the diverging cloth. In a modification, a contact-device, used at each end of the fabric, consists of a light lever R, Fig. 4, in an electric circuit and adapted to be lifted by the diverging cloth, so as to bring its lower end against a contact R' and to close an electric circuit to operate the solenoid H or H<1>. Contact-devices may be used to operate on the fabrics at other points, or the contacts may operate one of the staves C', to assist in the restoration of the cloth to its position, in conjunction with suitable electromagnetic devices Q. Screw-adjusted stretching- bars K, L may be hinged to the framing, or, in a modification, the sides of the frame may be made of suitable bars which may be extended or closed against the sides of the framing or held in any position by screws engaging slotted plates secured to the movable bars. The frame D may be movable bodily, so that the apex follows the diverging fabric and always keeps at its centre. Two frames D may be used in the same machine. By passing the fabric down one-half and one side of the frame, it may be guided without being folded, or fabrics may be passed down each side of the frame, which is then split in the centre or made in two parts. The frame may be made of two side bars, each of which may be actuated when separate cloths pass over them ; or one bar placed obliquely across the fabric may be used. Splits may be cut by a knife or cutting-device at any point, and the divided parts may be carried to separate folding or plaiting machines &c. The frame D may be fixed in position, if desired. According to the Provisional Specification, the guiding &c. device may consist of a wheel, rounded plate, &c., and further devices for bringing into action a roller or clips for guiding the fabric may be used.