Patent GB-449803-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in machines for decorticating and, or, hackling flax or other bast fibres
IPC: D01B1/30
Filed: 1934-12-03
Abstract: 449,803. Decorticating and /or hackling flax &c. GILLESPIE, J. H., c/o Blackstaff Flax Spinning & Weaving Co., Ltd., 77, Spring- field Road, and SHAW, P., 164, Cliftonville Road, both in Belfast. Dec. 3, 1934, No. 31596. [Class 120 (i)] In machines for decorticating and /or hackling flax or other bast fibres of the type in which flax pieces are clamped in holders 22, Fig. 1, and passed along horizontal channels 1 with a falling and rising movement to lower the flax to be acted upon by revolving scutching rollers or the like 23 or by revolving sheets of hackle pins or the like 24 and to raise the flax out of the operative position during the periods when the holders are moved along the channels, positively driven gearing is provided for lowering and raising the channel together with means for automatically disengaging the channel drive at fixed points and means for re-engaging the channel drive to restart the channel movement at fixed points in the cycle of operations of the machine. The channel drive is automatically disengaged by means of a clutch 11 by movement of the channel or means connected therewith. The drive is re-engaged by a suitably timed cam or the like. The channel lift chain 2 is connected to a segment 3 rigid with a worm wheel segment 4 meshing with a worm 5 mounted on a vertical shaft 6 the lower end of which is provided with a bevel wheel 7 engaging bevel wheels 8, 9, Fig. 3, free on a spindle 10 and adapted to engage the clutch member 11 which is slidable thereon. The spindle 10 is driven by bevels 12, 13 from the main shaft 13a. The clutch 11 is moved by levers 14 actuated by a face cam 16 through a two-armed lever 17. The clutch 11 is positively disengaged by a lever 19 mounted on the shaft 15 and connected to a vertical rod 20 having a projection 20<a> adapted to be engaged by projections 21, 21<a> on the worm wheel segment 4. In operation the main shaft 13<a> drives the spindle 10 which rotates the clutch 11 and either the wheel 8 or 9 according as the channel 1 is rising or falling. When the channel 1 is being lowered the bevel gear 8 successively drives the bevel gear 7, the shaft 6 the worm 5 and the segment 4. When the channel 1 reaches its downward limit the projection 21 moves the projection 20<a> upwards disengaging the clutch 11 from the bevel 8. After a suitable dwell the cam 16 moves the lever 17 and engages the clutch 11 with the bevel 9 and reverses the drive.. The channel 1 is now raised and when almost at its upper limit the projection 21 engages the projection 20a moves the latter and disengages the clutch from the bevel 9. The cam 16 then re-engages the clutch 11 with the bevel 8 and the cycle is repeated. In a modification the lift belt 22, Fig. 4, is connected to the lift pulley 23 on a shaft 23<a> which carries a pinion 24 engaging the upper end of a rack 25 the other end of which engages a pinion 27 mounted on one end of a shaft 27<a>, Fig. 5, on the other end of which a bevel gear 29 is mounted and engages a bevel gear 30 on a shaft 30a which carries another bevel gear 31 engaging the bevel gears 32, 33 loose on the shaft 34 and adapted to be engaged by a friction clutch 35 slidable on the shaft 34 and moved by a track cam 36 acting through bell-crank levers 37, 40 a runner 41 on the lever 40 engaging a groove in the clutch part 35. A compression spring 39 ensures engagement of the part 35 with either of the gears 32, 33. The clutch shaft 34 is driven from the main shaft through gearing while the cam shaft 36a is driven by a timed wheel. The clutch is positively disengaged by adjustable stops 25<a>, 25<b> on the rack 25 which engage and move one end of a lever 42 connected by a rod 43 to a lever 44 mounted on the shaft 37b on which is also mounted a lever 45 having a jaw 45<a> which grips the horizontal arm of the bell-crank lever 40. If the clutch 35 is engaged with the bevel gear 32 and the rack 25 is moving upwards while the channel 1 and holder 1<b> are being lowered when the channel almost reaches its downward limit the stop 25<a> engages the lever 42 and through the rods 43, 44 rotates the shaft 37<b> and separates the members 35, 32. After a suitable pause the cam 36 moves the bell-crank lever 37 to engage the members 35, 33 thus lowering the rack 25 and raising the channel 1. When the channel almost reaches its upper limit the stop 25b engages the lever 42 and separates the members 35, 33. Again after a pause the cam 36 engages the members 35, 32 and the cycle of operations is repeated.