Patent GB-191424734-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Folding Machines.
Inventor: LAUTENSCHLAGER WILLIAM FREDERI
IPC: A43D49/00
Filed: 1914-12-29
Granted: 1915-12-29
Abstract: 24,734. Lautenschlager, W. F. Dec. 29. Folding edges of sheet material.-Relates to machines for stepwise folding the margins of flexible materials, such as leather, cloth, &c. The machine comprises intermittently-acting feeding means and a reciprocating fold-layer arranged for presenting its fold-laying face so as to extend in different directions crosswise of the fold in a plane parallel to the pressed margins when the said face is in fold-pressing relation. Means for changing the direction of the fold-layer are under the control of the operator during the operation of the machine, as are also means for changing the length of the step of the feeding-means. Means are also provided for automatically returning the feeding- means to the normal length of step by a step by step movement. The edge of the material is fed by a feeding-foot 26, shown in plan in Fig. 9 and in Fig. 14, past a stationary plough-shaped folding- block 49. The fold-layer 52 with a laying and pressing face 78 is pivoted by a screw 76 on a hammer 55. When folding conversely curved margins, the edge of the margin is laid in a series of puckers 81, which are initiated by a fold-buckling device 82 shown rigid on the hammer. The direction of the fold-layer is changed by swinging it about the screw 76 by means of a forked lever 160 engaging a pin 156 of the fold-layer 52 and controlled by a finger-part. The feeding-foot is actuated by a rock-shaft 91, Fig. 4, the movements of which are adjusted to vary the length of step of the feeding-foot by moving a lever 170. The rockshaft 91 is connected with its actuating rock-shaft 119, driven from the main driving-shaft 61, by links 124, 125, 126, 123, and the position of the pivot-pin 129 is adjusted with respect to the axis of shaft 119 to vary the extent of movement of the rock-shaft 119, and so the length of step, by means of the lever 170 acting upon the pin 129 by means of a link 130 connected to an arm 132 on a hub 133 journaled about a rock-shaft 92 for raising and lowering the feeding-foot, the hub 132 carrying the lever 170. In order to adjust the pin 129 for a given normal length of feed, the hub 133 has a friction band 135, Fig. 7, about it, the position of which is adjusted by a screw 144 arranged to come into contact with a lug 146 on the hub 133 for limiting the movement of the hub in one direction for determining the normal length of feed. A ratchet-wheel 150 is journaled about the hub 133 and is frictionally held thereto by spring pressure producing a greater frictional resistance than that of the friction band 135 for normally causing combined movements of the ratchet-wheel 150 and hub 133, while the lug 146 is out of contact with the screw 144. The ratchet-wheei 150 is intermittently turned to carry the lug 146 back again into contact with the screw 144 by means of a pawl 153 pivoted on an arm 114 fast with the rock-shaft 92 and so to effect the return to normal length of feed by an intermittent movement extending over a number of feeding movements. An oscillating knife 31, Figs. 9 and 14, may be provided for snipping the edge when folding concavely curved edges.