Patent GB-632310-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for forming hat bodies
IPC: A42C1/02
Filed: 1946-11-27
Abstract: 632,310. Hat-making machines. MERRIMAC HAT CORPORATION. Nov. 27. 1946 No. 35155. Convention date, April 30, 1941. [Class 63] A machine for forming hat bodies by winding a fibrous web on a rotary forming block of double-cone shape which swings its end alternately towards and away from the web feeding means comprises a control member adapted to control the tension and direction of the web and provide an offset in its path, and means to swing the control member about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of swing of the forming device and in timed relation with the latter. An inverted U-shaped frame 200 which is fixed to the end of a carding machine 104 carries a rock shaft 212 rotatably journalled through a bearing 208 intermediate the ends of a cross-bar 206. A block 240 which is adjustably secured along the shaft 212 by lock nuts 246 slidably engages the sides of a frame 238 adjustable thereon by a screw 242. A frame 214 connected to the bottom of the frame 238 by means of a boss 239 is rocked in a vertical plane in timed relation with an oscillating forming block 32 by means of crank and lever systems which adjustably connect a slotted crank arm 248, fixed to the rearward end of the shaft 212, to the crosshead of the forming block oscillating means. Pivoted within the rock frame 214 upon studs 230, 232 is a second frame 234 which is rockable with the frame 214, and also relatively to the frame 214 in a horizontal plane by means of a rod 266 which is secured to the upper cross-bar of the frame 234 and extends between a pair of fixed guide rods 268, 2681. The latter are fixed to a plate 270 which is slidably adjustable on the rods 272, 272<SP>1</SP> of a standard 276 secured to the U-frame 200. A bowed rod 236 fixed to the opposite sides of the frame 234 is spaced horizontally and vertically from a rider arm 218 carried by the frame 214 to provide an off-set in the path of a web W which passes through the frames 214, 234, over the rod 236 and beneath the arm 218. One end of each of the chains 222, 2221 is connected to the arms 216, 2161 which are pivoted to the sides of the frame 214 so that the arm 218 may be raised or lowered by operating a handle 226 secured to one end of the rod 224. A fixed horizontal web support 284 secured to the U-frame 200 by the arms 286, 2861 is in the form of a triangular grid comprising a plurality of smooth round rods 290 so that the apex of the grid projects along the central path of the web. The double-coned forming block 32 loosely rests on and is rotatable in, a V-shaped bed formed by the driving rollers 30, 30<SP>1</SP> which are mounted upon a pair of U-shaped supporting brackets 24, 26, Fig. 4, disposed at opposite ends of an arm of the block supporting frame 20. The latter is pivoted between a U-frame 12 and an adjustable base 10 so that it can be oscillated about a vertical axis by means of the reciprocating cross-head mechanism which also operates the frames 214, 234. A curved horizontally disposed pipe 304 provided with a plurality of spaced ports 306 is mounted on the frame 20 and is flexibly connected to a controlled air pressure source 298 so that a current of air can act upon the surface of the web W and smooth it. End tamping plates 338, 338<SP>1</SP> press the overlapping ends of the web W against the ends of the former 32 at predetermined times in the swinging movement of the frame 20 by means of a cam mechanism fixed adjacent the path of the frame 20. A hand-manipulated knife 100 and its carriage are mounted on the supporting frame 20 so that the web can be severed around the large central portion of the block. U.S.A. Specifications 212,910/97 and 2,099,330 are referred to.