IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PLUCKING BEAVER AND SIMILAR PELTS
Year: 1885

page_text: similar Pelts.
"
I, EDWARD GARDNER COLTON, of the firm of Popplewell, Colton, & Co., of
Victoria Chambers, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow
of the Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PLUCKING BEAVER AND SIMILAR PELTS
(a communication to me from abroad by John Washburn Sutton, of Staats
Zeitung Building, Tryon Row, in the City of New York, U.S.A., Engineer)
to be as follows :—
This invention has reference to an improved machine for removing the master-
hairs from pelts, by plucking them without injury to the fur while in their raw
state and before they are dressed and dyed, the machine being worked by power so
as to produce the object of unhairing in a quick, cheap, and effective manner.
The invention consists of a machine for plucking pelts composed of a stretcher-
bar, means for feeding the pelt over the stretcher bar, and of two rotating jaw-
frames which are arranged above and below the stretcher-bar and provided with
radially-guided and spring-actuated plucking jaws. The upper jaw-frame is pro-
vided with brushes intermediately between its plucking jaws. The jaws are
guided in slots of the disc-shaped heads of the frames and guided by anti-friction
rollers along concentric cams above and below the stretcher-bar, so as to clear the
pelt until the jaws arrive in line with the water-hairs when they are released from
the cams, for gripping and plucking the master hairs. The flexible stretcher-bar is
supported on a laterally adjustable carriage,. that also supports the feed-roller,
guide-roller, and friction rods for the pelt. The flexible stretcher-bar is provided
with laterally adjustable stays by means of which the curvature of the front edge
of the bar is accurately adjusted to the width of the pelt and the length of fur of
the same.
I provide a horizontally adjustable carriage that is supported on the frame, and
is arranged with the devices for guiding and feeding the pelts. The carriage is
guided in its forward and backward motion on the frame upon ways,

page_text: At the front part of the carriage is arranged a stretcher-bar, which is firmly
attached at the ends to the front part of the carriage, and formed of a light flexible
blade of steel or other suitable resilient metal, the front edge of which is rounded
off or bevelled, according to the kinds of pelts to be plucked. At the back of the
stretcher-bar is arranged a lever which is pivotted at one end to the carriage and
attached at the other end to a screw-rod, by which the lever is adjusted nearer to
or farther away from the stretcher-bar. The lever is connected to the centre of of
the stretcher-bar by means of a pivot-link, so that when the end of the said lever
is moved backward or forward by its said adjusting screw-rod, a greater or less
curvature is imparted to the edge of the stretcher-bar. In front of the aforesaid
lever is arranged a fixed guide-bar which is stiff enough to resist the pull of the
lever and of the pelt stretched over the bar, and which serves to guide two stays
that are applied by their flanged rear-ends to the fixed guide-bar and by their
grooved front ends to the bevelled rear edge of the stretcher-bar. The rear ends of
the stays are provided with screw-nuts, through which passes a right and left-hand
screw-shaft that is turned by a hand-wheel at one end, so as to produce the lateral
adjustment of the stays. The stays serve for adjusting the width of the curved
portion of the stretcher-bar to the different widths of the pelt to be plucked.
Instead of making the stretcher-bar of one flexible steel or like suitable metallic
bar, the same result may be obtained by making the same of several sections
which are pivotted together, but I prefer the flexible steel bar, as it bends in
a continuous curve without forming angles, as would be the case when the bar is
made of jointed sections.
The aforesaid carriage is adjusted on the supporting frame by two screws, which
engage threaded lugs of the carriage and pass through threaded lugs at the back of
the frame.
The adjustment of the stretcher-bar, as well as the adjustment of the carriage in
forward or backward direction is accomplished from the front part of the machine
by means of longitudinal shafts turning in bearings at the lower part of the frame,
said shafts being connected by transmitting chains with sprocket-wheels at the rear
ends of the adjusting screw of the lever, and of the adjusting screws of the carriage,
whereby the adjustment of the stretcher-bar and carriage is readily accomplished
by the operator from the place where he is sitting.
At both sides of the carriage are arranged yoke-shaped standards which support
fixed transverse friction-rods on which the pelt to be picked is placed. Inter-
mediate friction-rods are attached to a pivotted lever frame which may be raised
or lowered and the said intermediate friction-rods, which exert together with the
before mentioned transverse friction rods the proper friction on the pelt. A feed
roller is supported in bearings of the aforesaid carriage and slowly rotated by
means of a worm-gear. The worm-gear is actuated by transmitting bevel-gears
from the shaft of the lower rotating jaw-frame. The pelt to be plucked is attached
by means of a strip of cloth to the feed-roller after it has been first passed over the
friction-rods and the stretcher-bar.
In front of and above and below the stretcher-bar are arranged two rotating jaw-
frames, the upper one of which supports a series of spring-actuated plucking-jaws,
while the lower one supports a corresponding series of plucking-jaws that work in
connection with the jaws of the upper frame. The jaws are supported by two end-
discs or heads which are keyed to transverse shafts supported in bearings of the
frame. Each disc or head is provided with a number of radial slots that act
as guides or ways for the sliding heads of the plucking jaws. These heads are
acted upon by strong leaf or other springs that are attached to central hubs on the
shafts. The radial slots or ways advantageously extend to about half an inch to
the edge of the discs, whereby the motion of the sliding heads is limited and the
springs prevented from forcing the plucking-jaws too far in outward direction.
The plucking-jaws of the frames are so arranged that they meet in front of the
stretcher-bar, for taking hold of the master-hairs projecting from the pelt. The
jaw-frames receive rotary motion by inter-meshing.gear-wheels of equal size keyed

page_text: to their shafts, the upper gear-wheel gearing with a pinion on the driving shaft at
the upper part of the main-frame, to which motion is imparted by a belt and pulley
transmission.
The plucking-jaws of both frames are rigidly attached to the sliding heads and
extend transversely from head to head. The sliding heads of the jaws are
provided with fixed pivots that extend through the radial slots of the end discs of
the frames and which convey small anti-friction rollers that move along fixed
cam-segments that are attached to the upright standards of the supporting frame,
respectively above and below the stretcher-bar and in such a manner that their
lower ends are nearer to the centre of the jaw-frames than the upper ends. By
the rotation of the frames the anti-friction rollers are moved along the cam-
segments, whereby the transverse plucking-jaws are forced inwardly towards the
centre of their frames against the pressure of their springs until they arrive at
the adjacent ends of the cam-segments at which points the rollers are released and
the jaws forced forward so as to meet and take hold of the master-hairs projecting
from the pelt. The plucking-jaws of the upper frame are made in the shape of a
blade having one or more slight grooves in their face, while the plucking-jaws of
the lower frame are made of a greater width and provided with a deep groove
along their edge, into which a strip of india-rubber is inserted, which forms an
elastic seat for the plucking blade of the upper frame. The upper frame is pro-
vided intermediately between the plucking blades with fixed transverse brushes,
advantageously of wire, which serve to brush the fur and hairs in forward
direction, whereby the master-hairs are straightened and set parallel, or nearly 80,
with each other, so that they present themselves in straight direction instead of
crosswise to the plucking action of the jaws. The plucking-jaws meet in front of
the stretcher-bar, slightly back of a vertical plane passed through the axis of the
shafts of the jaw-frames, the jaws remaining together until they are separated
from each other by the rotation of the frames.
The springs that force the jaws together must be strong enough to exert a tight
grip upon the master-hairs, so as to pull them out of the skin.
In some cases the plucking-jaws are not required to pull the hairs out in a
straight line, but in slightly downward and forward direction. To provide for this
action of the plucking-jaws, the springs of the upper jaw-frame are made stronger
than those of the lower frame so that when the jaws meet, the spring of the upper
jaw will force the spring of the lower jaw downward until the pressure of the
springs is equalized, in which case the pull upon the hairs will be in a downward
slanting direction.
As the plucking jaws of the rotating frames meet at a fixed point, the stretcher-
bar and its carriage has to be made adjustable, so as to provide for the uniformn
plucking of the hairs without injuring the fur. The curve imparted to the edge of
the flexible stretcher-bar serves to bring the fur at the middle part, that is to say,
at the back and sides of the pelt, in a line parallel to the plucking jaws, owing to
the fact that the fur at the centre or back is longer than at the sides; but as the
length of the fur is different in different skins and of varying length in different
parts of the same skin, the curve formed by the edge of the flexible stretcher-bar
must be capable of quick adjustment as required by the skin. To prevent the
pulling out of any part of the fur by the plucking jaws, the stretcher-bar has to be
adjusted to such a distance from the same as required by the length of the fur.
For this purpose the carriage with its skin is moved backward or forward by
means of its adjusting screw, so that the entire edge of the fur is adjusted
relatively to the plucking jaws, while the laterally adjustable stays of the stretcher-
bar serve to adapt the curvature of the same for any width of skins which are
thereby fully within the control of the operator.
OPERATION.

page_text: the friction-rods and around the stretcher-bar, and is attached to the feed-roller,
while the cloth at the tail end of the pelt is to keep the pelt taut as the same is
passing through and beyond the friction-rods. As the skin is passed through with
the head end foremost, the master-hairs naturally incline backwards. By the
action of the brushes of the upper jaw-frame, the fur and hair are brushed forward.
The feed mechanism moves the skin forward for about one eighth of an inch for
each rotation of the jaw-frames, which furnishes about one sixty fourth of an inch
for the action of the plucking jaws. When the skin arrives at the edge of the
stretcher-bar the stiff water-hairs stand out at right-angles to the same in forward
direction, in which position they are taken hold of by the plucking jaws, which
close on the hairs at the moment when they are released from the cam-segments
along which they have been guided by their anti-friction rollers. The stretcher-
bar has to be so adjusted by the operator that the fur will just clear the edges of
At the
the plucking jaws and that the ends of the fur are parallel with the same.
moment when the plucking jaws are released from their cams, the thin edge of
the upper blade or jaw presses into the elastic wider surface of the lower jaw,
which thereby grips the projecting master-hairs firmly, so as to pluck them from
the skin as the jaws are moved forward away from the stretcher-bar.
jaws are separated by the rotation of the jaw-frames the hairs are dropped by the
jaws. The brush following the jaws straightens and sets the hairs, ready for
the action of the next following jaws, while the feed mechanism places a narrow
strip adjoining the one just plucked over the edge of the stretcher-bar. The
projecting hairs of this strip are then gripped by the next pair of jaws, which pulls
the hairs out, and so on, until the entire skin is finished.
When the
The operator must carefully observe any changes of the skin in its width,
so as to change the curve of the stretcher-bar and the position of the carriage
accordingly.
The advantages of the improved machine for plucking pelts are:-
First. The adjustment of the surface of the fur by means of a curved flexible
stretcher-bar together with the quick adjustment of the distance of the stretcher-bar
from the plucking jaws.
Second. The straightening out of the fur and hairs by the brushes and the
straight pull exerted by the plucking jaws on the master-hairs.
Third. The speed by which the machine can be worked, so that a large number
of skins can be plucked within a given time; and
Fourth. The convenient disposition of the working parts of the machine, so that
the operator, who sits in front of the rotating jaw-frame is enabled to watch the
skin at all times and to adjust the working parts without leaving his place.
Dated this 14th day of July 1885.

page_text: க machinery 10 Tucking Deaver and
similar Pelts.
PELTS
"
I, EDWARD GARDNER COLTON, of the firm of Popplewell, Colton, & Co., of
Victoria Chambers, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow
of the Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR. PLUCKING BEAVER AND SIMILAR
(a communication to me from abroad by John Washburn Sutton, of Staats Zeitung
Building, Tryon Row, in the City of New York, U.S.A., Engineer) and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
This invention has reference to an improved machine for removing the master-
hairs from pelts, by plucking them without injury to the fur while in their raw
state and before they are dressed and dyed, the machine being worked by power
so as to produce the object of unhairing in a quick, cheap, and effective manner.
The invention consists of a machine for plucking pelts composed of a stretcher-
bar, means for feeding the pelt over the stretcher-bar and of two rotating jaw-frames
which are arranged above and below the stretcher-bar and provided with radially-
guided and spring-actuated plucking jaws. The upper jaw-frame is provided with
brushes intermediately between its plucking jaws. The jaws are guided in slots
of the disk-shaped heads of the frames and guided by anti-friction rollers along
concentric cams above and below the stretcher-bar, so as to clear the pelt until the
jaws arrive in line with the water-hairs, when they are released from the cams, for
gripping and plucking the master-hairs. The flexible stretcher-bar is supported on
a laterally-adjustable carriage, that also supports the feed-roller, guide-roller, and
friction rods for the pelt. The flexible stretcher-bar is provided with laterally-
adjustable stays by means of which the curvature of the front edge of the bar is
accurately adjusted to the width of the pelt and the length of fur of the same.
The invention consists further of certain details of construction and combination
of parts, as will be described hereafter and finally pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 represents a side elevation, with parts
broken off, of my improved machine for plucking pelts.
Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same.
Fig. 3, a front elevation, and
Fig. 4, a plan of the stretcher-bar.
Fig. 4, a plan of the stretcher-bar with a pelt stretched over the same.
Fig. 4b, a detail vertical transverse section on line x-x Fig. 4, and
Figs. 5 and 5 are details of the plucking jaws.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Referring to the drawings, A represents the supporting frame of my improved
machine for plucking pelts. B is a horizontally-adjustable carriage supported on'
the frame A and is arranged with the devices for guiding and feeding the pelts.
The carriage B is guided in its forward and backward motion on the frame A
non ways a 0

page_text: At the front part of the carriage B is arranged a stretcher bar C which is firmly
attached at the ends to the front part of the carriage and formed of a light flexible
blade of steel or other suitable resilient metal, the front edge of which is rounded
off or bevelled according to the kind of pelts to be plucked.
At the back of the stretcher bar C is arranged a lever D which is pivoted at
one end to the carriage B and attached at the other end to a screw rod d by which
the lever D is adjusted closer to or further away from the stretcher bar C.
The lever D is connected to the centre of the stretcher bar C by means of a pivot
link D¹ so that when the end of the said lever D is moved backward or forward by
its said adjusting screw rod d a greater or less curvature is imparted to the edge of
the stretcher bar C. In front of the aforesaid lever D is arranged a fixed guide
bar C¹ which is stiff enough to resist the pull of the lever D.and of the pelt
stretched over the bar C and which serves to guide two stays C³ which are applied
by their flanged rear-ends to the fixed guide bar C¹ and by their grooved front
ends to the beveled rear-edge of the stretcher bar C. The rear ends of the stays C2
are provided with screw nuts through which passes a right and left hand screw
shaft C3 turned by a hand wheel or handle at one end, so as to produce the lateral
adjustment of the stays C².
•
The stays C' serve for adjusting the width of the curved portion of the stretcher
bar C to the different widths of the pelt to be plucked.
Instead of making the stretcher-bar C of one flexible steel or like suitable
metallic bar, the same result may be obtained by making the same in several
sections which are pivotted together, but I prefer the flexible steel bar as it bends
in a continuous curve without forming angles, as would be the case when the bar
is made of jointed sections.
The aforesaid carriage B is adjusted on the supporting frame A by two screws e. e.
which engage threaded lugs b. b. of the carriage B and pass through threaded
lugs e at the back of the frame A.
The adjustment of the stretcher bar as well as the adjustment of the carriage B
in forward or backward direction is accomplished from the front part of the machine
by means of longitudinal shafts turning in bearings at the lower part of the
frame A, said shafts being connected by transmitting chains with sprocket-wheels
at the rear-ends of the adjusting screw d of the lever D and of the adjusting
screws e. e of the carriage as shewn clearly in Figs. 1 and 3. whereby the adjust-
ment of the stretcher bar C and carriage B is readily accomplished by the operator
from the place where he is sitting.
At both sides of the carriage B are arranged yoke shaped standards F. F. which
support fixed transverse friction rods f. f. on which the pelt to be picked is placed.
Intermediate friction rods f' f¹ are attached to a pivotted lever frame F which may
be raised or lowered with the rods f1 f1 which exert together with the rods f. f.
the proper friction on the pelt. A feed roller G is supported in bearings of the
carriage B and slowly rotated by means of a worm-gear g. g¹ Fig. 1. The worm
gear is actuated by transmitting bevel gears g² g³ from the shaft of the lower
rotating jaw-frame. The pelt to be plucked is attached by means of a strip of
cloth to the feed roller G. after it has been first passed over the friction rods and
the stretcher bar as shewn in Fig. 2.
In front of and above and below the stretcher bar are arranged two rotating jaw-
frames K and L the upper one of which supports a series of spring actuated
plucking jaws J while the lower one supports a corresponding series of plucking-
jaws J¹ that work in connection with the jaws of the upper frame K.
The jaws J, J are supported by two end-discs or heads k and k which are
keyed to transverse shafts K' L' supported in bearings of the frame A. Each disc
of head k is provided with a number of radial slots which act as guides or ways
for the sliding heads J2 J2 of the plucking jaws.
These heads JJ' are acted-upon by strong leaf or other springs J³ J³ that are
attached to central hubs J J on the shafts K³ L¹.

page_text: The radial slots or ways advantageously extend to about half an inch from the
edge of the discs whereby the motion of the sliding heads is limited and the
springs J J prevented from forcing the plucking jaws too far in outward
direction.
The plucking-jaws of the frames K and L are so arranged that they meet in
front of the stretcher bar for taking hold of the master hairs projecting from the
pelt. The jaw-frames K and L receive rotary motion by engaging gear-wheels
of equal size keyed to their shafts the upper gear-wheel engaging with a pinion
on the driving shaft at the upper part of the main frame A to which motion is
imparted by a belt and pulley transmission. The plucking jaws of both frames K
and L are rigidly attached to the sliding heads J2 J2 and extend transversely from
head to head. The sliding heads of the jaws are provided with fixed pivots which
extend through the radial slots of the end discs of the frames and which convey
small anti-friction rollers J' moving along fixed cam-segments M. M. and N. N.
attached to the upright standards of the supporting frame A respectively above
and below the stretcher-bar and in such a manner that their lower ends are nearer
to the centre of the jaw-frames than the upper ends.
By the rotation of the frames K and L the anti-friction rollers J³ J* are moved
along the cam-segments M. M. and N. N. whereby the transverse plucking jaws are
forced inwardly towards the centre of their frames against the pressure of their
springs until they arrive at the adjacent ends of the cam-segments at which points
the rollers J5 J5 are released and the jaws J. J. forced forward so as to meet and
take hold of the master hairs projecting from the pelt.
The plucking jaws J of the upper frame K are made in the shape of a blade
having one or more slight grooves in their face while the plucking jaws of the
lower frame L are made of a greater width and provided with a deep groove along
their edge into which a strip of india.rubber is inserted which forms an elastic
seat for the plucking blade of the upper frame K. The upper frame K. is provided
intermediately between the plucking blades with fixed transverse brushes p. p
advantageously of wire which serve to brush the fur and hairs in forward direction
whereby the master-hairs are straightened and set parallel or nearly so with each
other so that they present themselves in straight direction instead of crosswise to
the plucking action of the jaws. The plucking jaws meet in front of the stretcher-
bar slightly back of a vertical plane passed through the axis of the shafts of the
jaw frames the jaws remaining together until they are separated from each other
by the rotation of the frames.
The springs which force the jaws together must be strong enough to exert a
tight grip upon the master-hairs so as to pull them out of the skin. In some cases
the plucking jaws are not required to pull the hairs out in a straight line but in
slightly backward and forward direction. To provide for this action of the
plucking jaws the springs of the upper jaw frame are made stronger than those of
the lower frame so that when the jaws meet the spring of the upper jaw will force
the spring of the lower jaw downward until the pressure of the springs is equalized
in which case the pull upon the hairs will be in a downward slanting direction.
As the plucking jaws of the rotating frames meet at a fixed point the stretcher-
bar and its carriage has to be made adjustable so as to provide for the uniform
plucking of the hairs without injuring the fur. The curve imparted to the edge of
the flexible stretcher-bar serves to bring the fur at the middle part, that is to say
in a line parallel to the plucking jaws owing to the fact that the fur at the centre
or back is longer than at the sides but as the length of the fur is different in
different skins and of varying length in different parts of the same skin the curve
formed by the edge of the flexible stretcher bar must be capable of quick adjust.
ment as required by the skin. To prevent the pulling out of any part of the fur
by the plucking jaws the stretcher bar has to be adjusted to such a distance from
the same as required by the length of the fur. For this purpose the carriage with'
its skin is moved backward and forward by means of its adjusting screw so that
the entire edge of the fur is adjusted relatively to the plucking jaws while the

page_text: .
laterally-adjustable stays of the stretcher bar serve to adapt the curvature of
the same for any width of skins which are thereby fully within the control of the
operator.
In preparing the pelts for plucking a piece of strong cloth is sewed to each end
of the pelt the cloth at the front end being passed alternately above and below
the friction-rods and around the stretcher bar and is attached to the feed-roller
while the cloth at the tail end of the pelt is to keep the pelt taut as the same is
passing through and beyond the friction-rods. As the skin is passed through with
the head-end foremost the master hairs naturally incline backwards.
By the
action of the brushes of the upper jaw frame the fur and hair are brushed forward.
The feed mechanism moves the skin forward for about one eighth of an inch for
each rotation of the jaw frames which furnishes about one sixty-fourth of an inch
for the action of the plucking jaws. When the skin arrives at the edge of the
stretcher bar the stiff water hairs stand out at right angles to the same in forward
direction in which position they are taken hold of by the plucking jaws which
close on the hairs at the moment when they are released from the cam segments
along which they have been guided by their anti-friction rollers. The stretcher
bar has to be so adjusted by the operator that the fur will just clear the edges of
the plucking jaws and that the ends of the fur are parallel with the same.
At the moment when the plucking jaws are released from their cams the thin
edge of the upper blade or jaw presses into the elastic wider surface of the lower
jaw which thereby grips the projecting master-hairs firmly so as to pluck them
from the skin as the jaws are moved forward away from the stretcher bar.
When the jaws are separated by the rotation of the jaw frames the hairs are
dropped by the jaws.
The brush following the jaws straightens and sets the hairs ready for the action
of the next following jaws while the feed mechanism places a narrow strip adjoining
the one just plucked over the edge of the stretcher bar.
The projecting hairs of this strip are then gripped by the next pair of jaws
which pulls the hairs out and so on until the entire skin is finished.
The operator must carefully observe any changes of the skin in its width 80 as
to change the curve of the stretcher bar and the position of the carriage
accordingly.
The advantages of this improved machine for plucking pelts are First, the
adjustment of the surface of the fur by means of a curved flexible stretcher bar
together with the quick adjustment of the distance of the stretcher bar from the
plucking jaws. Second. The straightening out of the fur and hairs by the brushes
and the straight pull exerted by the plucking jaws on the master-hairs. Third. The
speed by which the machine can be worked so that a large number of skins can be
plucked within a given time and Fourth. The convenient disposition of the
working parts of the machine so that the operator who sits in front of the rotating
jaw frame is enabled to watch the skin at all times and to adjust the working parts
without leaving his place.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. The combination of a flexible stretcher bar, means for feeding the pelt over
the stretcher bar, and rotating jaw frames having radially guided and spring-
actuated plucking-jaws substantially as set forth.
2. The combination, of a flexible stretcher-bar means for guiding and feeding the
pelt over the same and rotating jaw-frames, having radially-guided and spring-
acted plucking jaws, the upper jaw-frame being provided with brushes between the
jaws substantially as set forth.
3. The combination of a flexible stretcher-bar, means for feeding the pelt over
the same, and rotating jaw-frames having radially-guided and spring-actuated

page_text: plucking-jaws said jaws being adapted to close in front of the stretcher bar so as
to gripe and pluck the master-hairs substantially as set forth.
4. The combination of a flexible stretcher bar, means for adjusting the curvature
of the stretcher-bar an adjustable carriage supporting the stretcher bar, means to
feed the pelt over the stretcher bar, and rotating jaw-frames having radially
guided and spring-acted plucking-jaws substantially as set forth.
5. The combination, of a flexible stretcher bar, means to guide and feed the pelt
over the same, rotating jaw-frames located respectively above and below the
stretcher-bar and provided with radially guided and spring-actuated plucking-jaws
or blades, the upper jaw frame being provided with intermediate brushes sub-
stantially as set forth.
6. The combination, of a flexible stretcher-bar, means to actuate and feed the
pelt over the edge of the same, rotating jaw-frames located respectively above and
below the stretcher bar and provided with radially guided and spring-actuated
plucking jaws, and fixed cam-segments located eccentrically to the rotating jaw-
frames above and below the stretcher-bar, whereby the plucking-jaws are moved
back when approaching the stretcher-bar and released when arriving in front of
the same substantially as set forth.
7. The combination of a flexible stretcher-bar, means to guide and feed the pelt
over the edge of same, rotating jaw frames located above and below the stretcher
bar and provided with radially guided and spring actuated plucking-jaws, the jaws
of the upper frame being formed of a thin blade, while the jaws of the lower frame
are formed of a wider blade with a facing of rubber, substantially as set forth.
8. The combination of a flexible stretcher bar, means to adjust the curvature of
the stretcher bar a carriage supporting the stretcher bar means for adjusting the
carriage and stretcher bar, and rotating jaw-frames having radially-guided and
spring actuated plucking jaws, substantially as set forth.
9. In a machine for plucking pelts, the combination of a pelt-supporting carriage,
a flexible stretcher bar supported on the front end of the same, laterally adjustable
stays, a transverse lever, a pivot-link connecting the stretcher-bar with said lever,
and means to adjust the transverse lever and vary the curvature of the stretcher
bar substantially as set forth.
10. In a machine for plucking pelts, the combination of the supporting carriage,
a flexible stretcher-bar supported on the same, a transverse lever pivotted at one
end and connected adjustably at the other end to a screw, a pivot-link connecting
the stretcher-bar and transverse lever, a fixed transverse guide-bar, stays bearing
on the back of the stretcher bar, and means for laterally adjusting said stays
substantially as set forth.
11. In a machine for plucking pelts, the combination of the supporting carriage,
having transverse friction bars, a flexible stretcher bar at one end of the same,
means for adjusting the curvature of the stretcher bar and means for feeding the
pelt over the stretcher bar substantially as set forth.
12. In a machine for plucking pelts a rotating jaw frame consisting of end-discs
having radial guide slots, transverse plucking jaws, supporting-heads sliding in
said guide slots and springs acting on said guide-heads substantially as set forth.
13. The general arrangement and combination of apparatus for plucking pelts
substantially as, and for the purposes, described and illustrated in the accompanying
sheets of drawings.