Improvements in Hand Implements for Ironing Hats.
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION:
Improvements in Hand Implements for Ironing Hats.
I, GEORGE GATTON MELHUISH HARDINGHAM, of 191, Fleet Street, in the
City of London, Civil Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention (a communication to me from Edwin Ball Stimpson,
of 31, Spruce Street, in the City of New York, United States of America,.
Merchant,) and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to hand implements for burnishing or ironing the nap on
hats; the objects being to provide an implement suitable for use by unskilled
persons, and which can be kept in the dressing case.
The characteristic features of the implement are a handle and a hollow head
mounted rotatively on the handle and adapted to be heated over a gas jet
or lamp.
In the accompanying drawings, which serve to illustrate the way in which it is
preferred to carry out this invention,
Fig. 1 is a perspective view on a small scale showing the implement and how it
is used.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the implement on a larger scale.
Figs. 3 and 4 are end views of the implement.
Fig. 5 is a view illustrating how the implement is heated over a gas jet.
A is the hollow head of the implement, which is made of metal, and has small
apertures a in its ends to admit air and allow the gases and smoke to escape.
In
one end is or are a larger aperture or apertures b (Fig. 4) for the insertion of the
gas burner X (Fig. 5) while the head A is being heated.
As herein shown, the head A has a concave face c of the proper form to fit the
convex face or side of the hat-body Y when the implement is applied (Fig. 1); that
is, when the longitudinal axis of the implement is placed substantially parallel with
the axis of the hat-body. The upper face d of the head A may be either flat or
slightly convex; this face being used for burnishing the flat crown of the hat.
The head A is rotatively mounted on the handle B, so that, when the handle is
grasped tightly by the hand and carried round the hat-body, the head A may turn
about its axis with its face c applied to the hat.
The handle is usually tubular or hollow; a central rod e passing therethrough
and having bearings in the head. On the outer end of the rod e there is a boss or
collar, and behind this collar, in a recess g in the handle, is placed a coiled
spring, which serves to draw the end of the head A up to and against the end j
of the handle B, whereby a moderate friction is produced between the two; the
head being thus prevented from rotating too freely. The spring for producing
friction is not, however, essential to the operation of the implement.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven--
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
1. As an improved article of manufacture, an implement for burnishing or ironing
hats, the same comprising a metal head or burnisher mounted rotatively on a handle
and adapted for being heated, the head having a face or faces suitable for
application to the hat, substantially as set forth.
2. As an improved article of manufacture, an implement for burnishing or ironing
hats, the same comprising a hollow metal head or burnisher mounted rotatively on
a handle, the head having an aperture or apertures for the reception of a burner
and a smooth ironing surface for application to the hat, substantially as set forth.
3. As an improved article of manufacture, an implement for burnishing or ironing

page_text: hats, the same comprising a hollow metal head mounted rotatively on a handle and
having a concave ironing face c, an aperture & to receive the gas jet, and apertures a,
substantially as set forth.
G: G.M. HARDINGHAM.