IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LEATHER, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR."
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Mathison, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid
Lothian, North Britain, Leather Dresser, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LEATHER, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Mathison at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th February 1877.
JAMES MATHISON, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain,
Leather Dresser. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LEATHER, AND IN
APPARATUS THEREFOR."
This Invention has for its object to simplify, shorten, and otherwise improve some
of the processes employed in the manufacture of leather.
One part of the Invention relates to the washing of the skins after being unhaired
and fleshed, and consists in conducting that operation in an improved manner and
by means of improved apparatus so as to dispense entirely, or to a great extent,
with the usually separate and subsequent processes of "scudding" for removing
gelatinous matter, and of "breaking" for softening the skins.
The improved washing apparatus is a kind of dash wheel or cylinder, mounted
with its axis horizontal, and made to rotate in any convenient way. One end or
vertical face of the cylinder is closed, but the other end is open, and in the interior
there are fixed three or other suitable number of partitions or shelves extending
from the cylindrical shell part way towards the centre, but leaving a central space
entirely open. On the internal surface of the cylindrical shell, and on one or both
sides of each of the partitions angular ribs or projections are formed or fixed, and
as the wheel rotates and the skins in it fall repeatedly over from each part as it
becomes uppermost these angular ribs or projections cause them to roll and act on
them so as to loosen the gelatinous matter and facilitate its removal by the washing
water which enters in a jet from a pipe nozzle in or near the centre. The falling of
the skins upon the edges of the ribs or projections also causes then to be "broken
or softened. The scouring process to which the skins are subjected after being
tanned may also with advantage be conducted in improved apparatus constructed
like that heroin-before described as for washing.
"

page_text: Another part of the Invention relates to improved scudding apparatus to be used
when the gelatinous matter has not been entirely removed by the improved washing
process herein-before described, or when the skins have been washed in the ordinary
way. The scudding operation is effected by means of a roller formed or fitted with
helical knives or sharp projecting ribs running in reversed directions from the
middle of the roller towards the ends, as in some existing scudding machines; but
instead of having the skin upon a rigid board or plate, which is moved with it
under the roller, the skin is borne up against the roller by an elastic bearer.
In one modification the elastic bearer consists of a row of separate suitably shaped
pieces of wood or other material supported each by a separate helical metal or
other spring, the series of pieces being covered with rubber, leather, or other
suitable material which will not interfere with the breadthening or spreading action
of the scudding roller. The elastic bearer occupies a position immediately under
the scudding roller, and can be lowered and raised by levers or wheels under the
control of the worker, or the scudding roller may be made movable instead of the
clastic bearer.
In using the apparatus the worker causes the roller and bearer to separate, and
throws the skin through between them, but retaining hold of one edge; and then
after the roller and bearer are closed again he draws the skin through, repeating the
operation on each skin if necessary. With the ordinary rigid board or table the
thicker parts of the skin prevent the scudding roller from operating properly on the
thinuer parts, but with the improved elastic bearer the thicker parts are depressed
in consequence of the bearing surface yielding under them so that the scudding
edges reach and act on the thinner parts.
The improved apparatus herein-before described as for scudding may with
slight modification be advantageously adapted for the unhairing, fleshing, and
shaving processes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said James Mathison in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th
August 1877.
JAMES MATHISON, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain,
Leather Dresser. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LEATHER AND IN
APPARATUS THEREFOR."
"
My said Invention has for its object to simplify, shorten, and otherwise improve
some of the processes employed in the manufacture of leather.
One part of my Invention relates to the washing of the skins after being unhaired
and fleshed, and consists in conducting that operation in an improved manuer and
by means of improved apparatus, so as to dispense entirely, or to a greater or less
extent in different cases, with the usually separate and subsequent processes of
scudding" for removing gelatinous matter, and of "breaking" for softening
the skins.
"
The improved apparatus is a kind of dash wheel formed internally with angular
ribs or projections, which projections, as the wheel rotates and the skins repeatedly
fall over from each part of it, act on the skins so as to loosen the gelatinous matter
and facilitate its removal by the washing water which enters in a jet from a nozzle
at one of the journals of the wheel. The falling of the skins on the edges of the
ribs or projectious also causes them to be "broken or softened.
נ”
"
This improved apparatus may be advantageously used at any stage of the treat-
ment of skins for the manufacture of leather at which its washing and "breaking
action is desirable. Thus the scouring process to which the skins are subjected
after being tanned may be conducted in the said improved apparatus.
Another part of my Invention relates to improved apparatus to be used amongst
other purposes for scudding when the gelatinous matter has not been entirely
removed by my improved washing process and apparatus herein-before described, or
when the skins have been treated in the ordinary way.

page_text: This apparatus for scudding and other oporations comprises a roller having helical
knives or projecting ribs running in reverse direction from the middle to the ends,
and an improved elastic bearer is provided for bearing the skin up against the
roller.
With slight modifications the apparatus may be advantageously adapted for the
unhairing, fleshing, shaving, and grounding, or buffing processes.
An in order that my said Invention, and the manner of performing the same,
may be properly understood, I hereunto append a sheet of explanatory Drawings, to
be herein-after referred to, and representing modifications of my improved ap-
paratus. In these Drawings the same reference numerals are used to mark the same
or like parts wherever they are repeated.
Figure 1 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings is a partly sectioned side
elevation, and Figure 2 is a vertical section as at right angles to Figure 1 of my
improved apparatus for washing and treating skins. The apparatus is a kind of
dash wheel or cylinder 1, mounted with its axis horizontal; it is made with two
wheel-liko end frames, 2, 3, of cast iron, which with tie bolts 4 and hoops 5, bind
together the cylindrical shell which is made of wood. One end or vertical face of
the cylinder is closed with boards, but the other end is entirely open between the
spokes of the wheel frame 3, and in the interior there are fixed three (or it might
be any other suitable number of) partitions or shelves 6, extending from the cylin-
drical shell 1 towards the centre, but leaving a central space entirely open. On the
internal surface of the cylindrical shell 1, and on one or both sides of cach of the
partitions 6, angular ribs or projections are formed or fixed, and may be of wood or
other suitable material. As the wheel rotates, the rate being from 20 to 30 revo-
lutions per minute, the skins in it are carried up by the partitions 6, and fall
repeatedly over from each part as it becomes uppermost, and cross through the
middle to the part then lowest. During this action the angular ribs or projections
cause the skins to roll and the gelatinous matter becomes loosened whilst the skins
are "broken"
or softened by encountering the edges of the ribs or projections when
they fall over. The wheel is supported by journals 7, 8, formed or fixed to the end
frames 2, 3, and carried in bearings on standards 9, 10. One of the journals, 7, has
on it fast and loose pulleys 11, for a driving belt, or it may be driven through
toothed gearing, whilst the other journal 8 is made tubular for the introduction of
a jet of water for the washing operation, this jet issuing from a nozzle or orifice
just inside the end frame 3, and being projected towards and beyond the middle of
the wheel by a suitable head or pressure.
Figures 3 and 4 are a front elevation and a side elevation of my improved
machine for scudding and other operations, and the remaining Figures represent
separate parts. The mechanism is carried by two end standards 12, which at their
upper parts have bearings for the journals of a roller 13, having helical knives or
sharp projecting ribs fixed on it. These helical knives run in reverse directions
from the middle to the opposite ends of the roller, so as to have a breadthening or
spreading-out action on the skin; and they start from alternate points at the
middle, the ends at the middle being rounded off so that no angles are presented.
The roller 13 is driven at a speed of about 250 revolutions per minute, one of its
end journals being fitted with fast and loose pulleys 14 for a driving belt.
The elastic bearer or beam for presenting the skin or pelt to the action of the
helical knife roller 13 consists in the modifications shown in the Drawings of a
board or plate 15 (shown separately in Figure 6), fixed on a rocking shaft 16, which
is carried in bearings in the end standards 12, the board 15 having on it a row of
convex pieces 18, of wood or other material, shown full size in section in Figure 7,
and in front view in Figure 8. These convex pieces 18 are supported by separate
helical metal or other springs 19, and are covered on their upper surface with
rubber, leather, or other suitable material, which will not interfere with the
breadthening or spreading action of the roller 13.
In order that the elastic bearing surface may be easily changed the spring
supported pieces 18 are hinged, not to the main bearer board 15, but to a separate

page_text: board 20, fitted with pegs 21, which enter holes made for them in the main board 15.
The rocking shaft 16 of the bearer 15 has fast on it two levers 22 connected by
links 23 to two levers 24 on a lower rocking shaft 25, and this last has fast on it a
treadle lever 26, by depressing which the bearer 15 is turned up towards the
roller 13.
In order to prevent the bearer 15 from presenting the skin too forcibly or
suddenly against the roller 13, the bearer is formed with lugs 27 at its end,
projecting across the end frames, and fitted with screw pins 28 to encounter strong
springs 29 fixed to the frame 12. With these screw pins 28 the movement of the
bearer 15 towards the roller 13 can at any time be very conveniently and accurately 1
adjusted.
When subjecting the skins to the machine at some stages of their manufacture
employ a brush for the clastic bearing surface, such brush being substituted for
the board 20 and its row of spring-supported pieces 18, and being made with stiff
thickly set bristles cut so as to present a convex surface like that of the pieces 18.
The brush may be covered with rubber, leather, or other material, or the skin may
bear directly on it.
By another modification the pieces 18 may be made of rubber, in which case
separate springs (19) may be dispensed with.
In using the apparatus shown in Figures 3 and 4, so far as herein-before described,
the worker throws the skin through between the roller 13 and the bearer 15, the
latter being weighted so as to be separated downwards from the roller when the
treadle 26 is not depressed. The worker retains hold of one edge of the skin and
by means of the treadle 26 causes the bearer 15 to bear the skin upwards against
the revolving roller 13, and he then draws the skin through between the roller and
the bearer, repeating the operation on each skin as often as necessary. At the back
the skin is supported by a board extending between the levers 22.
In order that the skin may be held in a better manner and be more uniformly
strained when being drawn through than it can be by hand, a rocking holder is
provided consisting of a grooved bar 30 connected by arms 31 to a rocking shaft 32.
The skin is secured in the holder 30 by being clamped in the groove by a rod 33
hinged to the bar 30 at one end, and fixed by a ring or catch at the other end after
being brought down on the skin in the groove. This grooved holder 30 and rod 33
are shown separately in plan and elevation in Figure 5. Handles 34 are fixed to
the holder 30 by means of which the worker draws the holder with the skin
outwards from the machine, and if he has to repeat the action on the same skin he
has simply to allow the action of the roller 13 to draw the skin back again, the skin
when being drawn out moving in the opposite direction to the roller.
Instead of drawing the holder 30 outwards by hand; and particularly when the
strain is great, it may be moved outwards by the machine. For this purpose there
are jointed to the arm 31 of the holder two rods 35, each of which passes between a
pair of pulleys 36, 37, the upper pulleys 36 of each pair being on a shaft 38, carried
in bearings in the standards 12, and having on it a pulley 39, which is driven by a
cord from a pulley 40 on the journal of the roller 13. The lower pulleys 37 of each
pair are carried by levers on a rocking shaft 41, a lever 42 on which is connected
by a rod 43 to a lever 44 on an upper rocking shaft 45, having on it a hand lever 46.
This hand lever 46 is depressed when the worker wishes the holder 30 to move
outwards, the lower pulleys 37 being thereby raised so as to lift the rods 35 into
driving contact with the upper pulleys 36; when the lever 46 is let go the rods 35
are lowered out of contact from the pulleys 36, and are then quite free to run in or
out on the lower pulleys 37.
For some operations I substitute helical ribs or strips of pumice, or of con-
solidated emery for the knives or sharp metal ribs, such ribs of pumice or emery
being fixed like the metal ribs to or between metal strips or bars fixed to the surface
of the cylindrical body of the roller. Or the roller may be made with helical ribs
of wood of a suitable breadth on their outer edges or surfaces, and having on such
surfaces emery powder fixed with glue or other cement. The machine with the
5

page_text: roller modified in these ways is advantageously applicable for the operation known
as "shaving," "grounding," or "buffing."
Having thus particularly described my said Invention and the manner of
performing the same, I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise
details herein described or delineated, but that what I believe to be novel and
original, and claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
1. The application and use in the manufacture of leather of improved washing
apparatus, substantially such as is herein-before described.
2. The forming of the internal cylindrical surface and one or both surfaces of the
partitions or shelves of the washing wheel with angular ribs or projections,
substantially as, and for the purposes herein-before described.
3. The combination of the roller having helical knives or ribs with the elastic
bearer, the bearer being fixed on a rocking shaft connected to a treadle, by pressing
which the bearer is made to approach the roller, whilst it automatically separates
therefrom for the convenient introduction of the skin, as herein-before described.
4. The making of the surface parts of the elastic bearer, substantially as
herein-before described with reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying
Drawings.
5. The making of the surface parts of the elastic bearer in form of a brush, as
herein-before described.
6. The use of helical ribs or projections of pumice or emery upon a roller, for the
purposes herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Mathison, have hereunto set my hand
and scal, this Twenty-second day of August, in the year of our Lord Ono
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
EDMUND HUNT,
Patent Agent,
Glasgow.
JAMES MATHISON. (L.S.)

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Mathison, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid
Lothian, North Britain, Leather Dresser, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE Manufacture of LeaTHIER, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR."
Sealed the 21st August 1877, and dated the 26th February 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Mathison at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th February 1877.
JAMES MATHISON, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain,
Leather Dresser. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LEATHER, AND IN
APPARATUS THEREFOR."
This Invention has for its object to simplify, shorten, and otherwise improve some
of the processes employed in the manufacture of leather.
One part of the Invention relates to the washing of the skins after being unhaired
and fleshed, and consists in conducting that operation in an improved manner and
by means of improved apparatus so as to dispense entirely, or to a great extent,
with the usually separate and subsequent processes of "scudding" for removing
gelatinous matter, and of "breaking" for softening the skins.
The improved washing apparatus is a kind of dash wheel or cylinder, mounted
One end or
with its axis horizontal, and made to rotate in any convenient way.
vertical face of the cylinder is closed, but the other end is open, and in the interior
there are fixed three or other suitable number of partitions or shelves extending
from the cylindrical shell part way towards the centre, but leaving a central space
entirely open. On the internal surface of the cylindrical shell, and on one or both
sides of each of the partitions angular ribs or projections are formed or fixed, and
as the wheel rotates and the skins in it fall repeatedly over from each part as it
becomes uppermost these angular ribs or projections cause them to roll and act on
them so as to loosen the gelatinous matter and facilitate its removal by the washing
The falling of
water which enters in a jet from a pipe nozzle in or near the centre.
the skins upon the edges of the ribs or projections also causes them to be "broken"
or softened. The scouring process to which the skins are subjected after being
tanned may also with advantage be conducted in improved apparatus constructed
Ike that herein-before described as for washing.

page_text: Another part of the Invention relates to improved scudding apparatus to be used
when the gelatinous matter has not been entirely removed by the improved washing
process herein-before described, or when the skins have been washed in the ordinary
way. The scudding operation is effected by means of a roller formed or fitted with
helical knives or sharp projecting ribs running in reversed directions from the
middle of the roller towards the ends, as in some existing scudding machines; but
instead of having the skin upon a rigid board or plate, which is moved with it
under the roller, the skin is borne up against the roller by an elastic bearer.
In one modification the elastic bearer consists of a row of separate suitably shaped
pieces of wood or other material supported each by a separate helical metal or
other spring, the series of pieces being covered with rubber, leather, or other
suitable material which will not interfere with the breadthening or spreading action
of the scudding roller. The elastic bearer occupies a position immediately under
the scudding roller, and can be lowered and raised by levers or wheels under the
control of the worker, or the scudding roller may be made movable instead of the
elastic bearer.
In using the apparatus the worker causes the roller and bearer to separate, and
throws the skin through between them, but retaining hold of one edge; and then
after the roller and bearer are closed again he draws the skin through, repeating the
operation on each skin if necessary. With the ordinary rigid board or table the
thicker parts of the skin prevent the scudding roller from operating properly on the
thinner parts, but with the improved elastic bearer the thicker parts are depressed
in consequence of the bearing surface yielding under them so that the scudding
edges reach and act on the thinner parts.
The improved apparatus herein-before described as for scudding may with
slight modification be advantageously adapted for the unhairing, Heshing, and
shaving processes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said James Mathison in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th
August 1877.
JAMES MATHISON, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain,
Leather Dresser. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LEATHER AND
APPARATUS THEREFOR."
IN
My said Invention has for its object to simplify, shorten, and otherwise improve
some of the processes employed in the manufacture of leather.
One part of iny Invention relates to the washing of the skins after being unhaired
and fleshed, and consists in conducting that operation in an improved manner and
by means of improved apparatus, so as to dispense entirely, or to a greater or less
extent in different cases, with the usually separate and subsequent processes of
"scudding for removing gelatinous matter, and of "breaking" for softening
the skins.
29
The improved apparatus is a kind of dash wheel formed internally with angular
ribs or projections, which projections, as the wheel rotates and the skins repeatedly
fall over from each part of it, act on the skins so as to loosen the gelatinous matter
and facilitate its removal by the washing water which enters in a jet from a nozzle
at one of the journals of the wheel. The falling of the skins on the edges of the
ribs or projections also causes them to be "broken" or softened.
"
This improved apparatus may be advantageously used at any stage of the treat-
ment of skins for the manufacture of leather at which its washing and " breaking
action is desirable. Thus the scouring process to which the skins are subjected
after being tanned may be conducted in the said improved apparatus.
Another part of my Invention relates to improved apparatus to be used amongst
other purposes for scudding when the gelatinous matter has not been entirely
removed by my improved washing process and apparatus herein-before described, or
when the skins have been treated in the ordinary way.

page_text: This apparatus for scudding and other operations comprises a roller having helical
knives or projecting ribs running in reverse direction from the middle to the ends,
and an improved elastic bearer is provided for bearing the skin up against the
roller.
With slight modifications the apparatus may be advantageously adapted for the
unhairing, fleshing, shaving, and grounding, or buffing processes.
An in order that my said Invention, and the manner of performing the same,
may be properly understood, I hereunto append a sheet of explanatory Drawings, to
be herein-after referred to, and representing modifications of my improved ap-
paratus. In these Drawings the same reference numerals are used to mark the saine
or like parts wherever they are repeated.
Figure 1 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings is a partly sectioned side
elevation, and Figure 2 is a vertical section as at right angles to Figure 1 of my
improved apparatus for washing and treating skins. The apparatus is a kind of
dash wheel or cylinder 1, mounted with its axis horizontal; it is made with two
wheel-like end frames, 2, 3, of cast iron, which with tie bolts 4 and hoops 5, bind
together the cylindrical shell which is made of wood. One end or vertical face of
the cylinder is closed with boards, but the other end is entirely open between the
spokes of the wheel frame 3, and in the interior there are fixed three (or it might
be any other suitable number of) partitions or shelves 6, extending froin the cylin-
drical shell 1 towards the centre, but leaving a central space entirely open. On the
internal surface of the cylindrical shell 1, and on one or both sides of each of the
partitions 6, angular ribs or projections are formed or fixed, and may be of wood or
other suitable material. As the wheel rotates, the rate being from 20 to 30 revo-
lutions per minute, the skins in it are carried up by the partitions 6, and fall
repeatedly over from each part as it becomes uppermost, and cross through the
middle to the part then lowest. During this action the angular ribs or projections
cause the skins to roll and the gelatinous matter becomes loosened whilst the skins
are broken or softened by encountering the edges of the ribs or projections when
they fall over. The wheel is supported by journals 7, 8, formed or fixed to the end
frames 2, 3, and carried in hearings on standards 9, 10. One of the journals, 7, has
on it fast and loose pulleys 11, for a driving belt, or it may be driven through
toothed gearing, whilst the other journal 8 is made tubular for the introduction of
a jet of water for the washing operation, this jet issuing from a nozzle or orifice
just inside the end frame 3, and being projected towards and beyond the middle of
the wheel by a suitable head or pressure.
"
Figures 3 and 4 are a front elevation and a side elevation of my improved
machine for scudding and other operations, and the remaining Figures represent
separate parts. The mechanisin is carried by two end standards 12, which at their
upper parts have bearings for the journals of a roller 13, having helical knives or
sharp projecting ribs fixed on it. These helical knives run in reverse directions
from the middle to the opposite ends of the roller, so as to have a breadthening or
spreading-out action on the skin; and they start from alternate points at the
middle, the ends at the middle being rounded off so that no angles are presented.
The roller 13 is driven at a speed of about 250 revolutions per minute, one of its
end journals being fitted with fast and loose pulleys 14 for a driving belt.
The elastic bearer or beam for presenting the skin or pelt to the action of the
helical knife roller 13 consists in the modifications shown in the Drawings of a
board or plate 15 (shown separately in Figure 6), fixed on a rocking shaft. 16, which
is carried in bearings in the end standards 12, the board 15 having on it a row of
convex pieces 18, of wood or other material, shown full size in section in Figure 7,
and in front view in Figure 8. These convex pieces 18 are supported by separate
helical metal or other springs 19, and are covered on their upper surface with
rubber, leather, or other suitable material, which will not interfere with the
breadthening or spreading action of the roller 13.
In order that the elastic bearing surface may be easily changed the spring
supported pieces 18 are hinged, not to the main bearer board 15, but to a separate

page_text: board 20, fitted with pegs 21, which enter holes made for them in the main board 15.
The rocking shaft 16 of the bearer 15 has fast on it two levers 22 connected by
links 23 to two levers 24 on a lower rocking shaft 25, and this last has fast on it a
treadle lever 26, by depressing which the bearer 15 is turned up towards the
roller 13.
In order to prevent the bearer 15 from presenting the skin too forcibly or
suddenly against the roller 13, the bearer is formed with lugs 27 at its end,
projecting across the end frames, and fitted with screw pins 28 to encounter strong
With these screw pins 28 the movement of the
springs 29 fixed to the frame 12.
hearer 15 towards the roller 13 can at any time be very conveniently and accurately 1
adjusted.
When subjecting the skins to the machine at some stages of their manufacture
I employ a brush for the elastic bearing surface, such brush being substituted for
the board 20 and its row of spring-supported pieces 18, and being made with stiff
thickly set bristles cut so as to present a convex surface like that of the pieces 18.
The brush may be covered with rubber, leather, or other material, or the skin may
bear directly on it.
By another modification the pieces 18 may be made of rubber, in which case
separate springs (19) may be dispensed with.
In using the apparatus shown in Figures 3 and 4, so far as herein-before described,
the worker throws the skin through between the roller 13 and the bearer 15, the
latter being weighted so as to be separated downwards from the roller when the
treadle 26 is not depressed. The worker retains hold of one edge of the skin and
by means of the treadle 26 causes the bearer 15 to bear the skin upwards against
the revolving roller 13, and he then draws the skin through between the roller and
the bearer, repeating the operation on each skin as often as necessary.
the skin is supported by a board extending between the levers 22.
At the back
In order that the skin may be held in a better manner and be more uniformly
strained when being drawn through than it can be by hand, a, rocking holder is
provided consisting of a grooved bar 30 connected by arms 31 to a rocking shaft 32.
The skin is secured in the holder 30 by being clamped in the groove by a rod 33
hinged to the bar 30 at one end, and fixed by a ring or catch at the other end alter
being brought down on the skin in the groove. This grooved holder 30 and rod 33
Handles 34 are fixed to
are shown separately in plan and elevation in Figure 5.
the holder 30 by means of which the worker draws the holder with the skin
outwards from the machine, and if he has to repeat the action on the same skin he
has simply to allow the action of the roller 13 to draw the skin back again, the skin
when being drawn out moving in the opposite direction to the roller.
Instead of drawing the holder 30 outwards by hand, and particularly when the
For this purpose there
strain is great, it may be moved outwards by the machine.
are jointed to the arm 31 of the holder two rods 35, each of which passes between a
pair of pulleys 36, 37, the upper pulleys 36 of each pair being on a shaft 38, carried
in bearings in the standards 12, and having on it a pulley 39, which is driven by a
The lower pulleys 37 of each
cord from a pulley 40 on the journal of the roller 13.
pair are carried by levers on a rocking shaft 41, a lever 42 on which is connected
by a rod 43 to a lever 44 on an upper rocking shaft 45, having on it a hand lever 46.
This hand lever 46 is depressed when the worker wishes the holder 30 to move
outwards, the lower pulleys 37 being thereby raised so as to lift the rods 35 into
driving contact with the upper pulleys 36; when the lever 46 is let go the rods 35
are lowered out of contact from the pulleys 36, and are then quite free to run in or
out on the lower pulleys 37.
For some operations I substitute helical ribs or strips of pumice, or of con-
solidated emery for the knives or sharp metal ribs, such ribs of punice or emery
being fixed like the metal ribs to or between metal strips or bars fixed to the surface
of the cylindrical body of the roller. Or the roller may be made with helical rib
of wood of a suitable breadth on their outer edges or surfaces, and having on suel
The machine with the
surfaces emery powder fixed with glue or other cement.

page_text: roller modified in these ways is advantageously applicable for the operation known
asshaving," "grounding," or "buffing."
Having thus particularly described ny said Invention and the manner of
performing the same, I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise
details herein described or delineated, but that what I believe to be novel and
original, and claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is,
1. The application and use in the manufacture of leather of improved washing
apparatus, substantially such as herein-before described.
2. The forming of the internal cylindrical surface and one or both surfaces of the
partitions or shelves of the washing wheel with angular ribs or projections,
substantially as and for the purposes herein-before described.
3. The combination of the roller having helical knives or ribs with the elastic
bearer, the bearer being fixed on a rocking shaft connected to a treadle, by pressing
which the bearer is made to approach the roller, whilst it automatically separates
therefrom for the convenient introduction of the skin, as herein-before described.
4. The making of the surface parts of the elastic bearer, substantially as
herein-before described with reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying
Drawings.
5. The making of the surface parts of the elastic bearer in form of a brush, as
herein-before described.
6. The use of helical ribs or projections of pumice or emery upon a roller, for the
purposes herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Mathison, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-second day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
EDMUND HUNT,
Patent Agent,
Glasgow.
JAMES MATHISON. (L.S.)