IMPROVE- MENTS IN IRONING HATS, AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE PURPOSE, PART OF SUCH APPARATUS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ernest de Pass, of the Office for Patents, 68, Fleet
Street, in the City of London, Patent Agent, for an Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN IRONING HATS, AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE PURPOSE, PART OF
SUCH APPARATUS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES." A communi-
cation from abroad by Albert Leduc, of 17, Boulevart Saint-Martin, Paris,
France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ernest de Pass at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th January 1880.
ss
ERNEST DE PASS, of the Office for Patents, 68, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Patent Agent. 'IMPROVEMENTS IN IRONING HATS, AND IN APPARATUS
FOR THE PURPOSE, PART OF SUCH APPARATUS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER
PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by Albert Leduc, of 17, Boulevart
Saint-Martin, Paris, France.
This Invention has for object the mechanical ironing of hats of all shapes by
means of an apparatus specially arranged for the purpose, and provided with a
holder for carrying the smoothing iron, the attachment of said holder being also
specially arranged. By means of this Invention the work is expedited, and at the
same time one obtains continuously and at will a uniform pressure of the iron
upon the hat under treatment, which hitherto even by employing experienced
workmen could not be obtained.
The apparatus consists of a framework on which a platform or table provided
with an ordinary puppet or headstock is mounted. Between the uprights of this
headstock a hollow shaft is mounted and carries three pulleys, two of which are
loose while the third is fast thereon. Through this hollow shaft passes a solid
shaft which is screw threaded at one of its ends and on which a winged nut is
screwed; near to this nut is a fly wheel which is keyed on the shaft. The other
end of this solid shaft terminates in a rectangular piece which enters a slot or
opening formed in a plate covering a recess contrived in the hat-block. When the
hat-block is to be fixed on the apparatus the rectangular piece is placed in the
slot or opening in the plate, and the winged nut unscrewed and the wheel rotated
for about 1, of its revolution; by this movement the longest part of the rectangular
piece becomes perpendicular or slightly oblique to the narrowest part of the
opening, the winged nut is then screwed up and the hat block is thus fixed firmly
on to the shaft. A pin or stud on the shaft capable of moving in a recess in the
hollow.shaft regulates the extent of movement of the fly wheel.

page_text: When the hat-block is to be removed from its shaft the winged nut is again
unscrewed and the fly wheel rotated in the contrary direction, so that the
rectangular piece and the opening in the plate coincide, the hat-block can then be
withdrawn.
The following improved arrangement has been specially devised for throwing
into and out of gear and for reversing the motion of the apparatus, but it is also
applicable to other apparatus or machines.
On the platform or table of the apparatus is a shaft terminating at one end in a
handle, and at the other in an endless screw which is in gear with a projection or
finger formed on a socket; this socket slides on a shaft mounted on the puppet or
headstock and rests in guides, and is surmounted by a circular piece or crown
provided with a number of holes or orifices. Into one of these holes is fixed a fork
between which the running part of the driving belt or strap passes.
The loose pulleys hereinbefore mentioned are double the width of the fast one,
and the width of the driving belts or straps is equal to that of the fixed pulley;
now when one of the straps or belts is on one of the loose pulleys and the other on
the fast pulley, and it be desired to reverse the motion, it will only be necessary
to turn the handle, and the endless screw will cause the circular piece or crown to
travel from right to left, the strap of the fast pulley thereby passing on to the loose
pulley at the left hand side, and the other strap or belt on to the fast pulley.
But if it be desired to stop the apparatus and one of the driving belts or straps be
on the right hand loose pulley and the other on the fast pulley, then the driving
belt or strap on the fast pulley must be shifted on to the left hand loose pulley,
and the driving-belt which does not leave the right hand loose pulley shifted
against the fast pulley without touching it; in this manner both driving-belts are
shifted on to the loose pulleys and the apparatus is stopped.
The holder for carrying the ironing-tool consists, first, of a stationary portion
placed on the platform or table of the apparatus, and, secondly, of a moveable
portion provided on either side with a handle. Within the stationary portion is a
rack which is in gear with a pinion driven by an endless screw fixed on a shaft
passing through a socket and terminating in a hand-wheel. The end of the
moveable portion is provided on either side with a small wedge-shaped piece which
takes into a notch on the holder carrying the iron. Between this holder and the
socket is a slide encircled by a coiled spring the two ends of which abut against a
shoulder formed on both ends of the slide.
A friction roller at the end of the stationary portion travels in the groove of a
knee-piece which serves as a guide for the iron. In order to adjust this knee-piece
to different positions so as to suit different shapes of hats it passes under a bridge
which slides in a groove contrived in the platform or table of the apparatus. A
screw passes through this bridge and terminates in a moveable piece having two
rims which grip the knee-piece.
The action of this holder is as follows:-After having first adjusted the knee-
piece in position for ironing a hat, say, for example, one with an oval crown, the
friction roller is placed in the groove of the knee-piece, and the workman brings the
iron on to the hat by means of the hand-wheel until the desired pressure be
attained; the hat in revolving imparts to the iron an oscillatory motion around the
spindle on which it is mounted, such oscillatory motion being produced by the
oval shape of the hat. The coiled spring pressing strongly and continually against
the holder of the iron the pressure is always the same, whatever be the inclination
of such holder. The workman first follows the straight part of the crown of the
hat and on reaching the curve of the knee-piece guides the iron by means of the
friction roller, then continues along the next straight part of the crown until ho
reaches the centre of the hat. Thus a uniform pressure, which can be regulated at
will, is obtained by advancing or retiring the holder carrying the iron.
For hats of other than oval shape the knee-piece is shaped accordingly.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Ernest de Pass in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th July
1880.
ERNEST DE PASS, of the Office for Patents, 68, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN IRONING HATS, AND IN APPARATUS
FOR THE PURPOSE, PART OF SUCH APPARATUS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER
PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by Albert Leduc, of 17, Boulevart
Saint-Martin, Paris, France.
This Invention has for object the mechanical ironing of hats of all shapes by
means of a lathe or machine specially arranged for the purpose and provided with
a holder for carrying the smoothing iron, the attachment of said holder being
also specially arranged. By means of this Invention the work is expedited, and at
the same time a continuous and uniform pressure of the iron upon the hat under
treatment is obtained at will, which hitherto could not be obtained even by employing
experienced workmen.
And in order that the Invention may be readily understood, I proceed to describe
same with reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which the same letters
represent like parts in all the Figures.
On a frame-work provided with a platform or table A is placed an ordinary
puppet or head-stock B (seen in section at Fig. 1), between the uprights of which
a hollow shaft E is mounted and carries three pulleys, two of which C, C', are loose
while the third D is fast thereon. Through this hollow shaft passes a solid shaft F
screw-threaded at one of its ends, and on which a winged nut G is screwed, the
function of which will be hereinafter described; near to this nut is a fly wheel H,
which is keyed on the shaft F. The other end of this solid shaft terminates in a
rectangular piece a, which enters a slot or opening b formed in a plate c, covering
a cavity or recess c¹ contrived in the hat block I.
When the hat block I is to be fixed on the machine the rectangular piece a is
placed in the slot or opening b and the winged nut G is unscrewed, and the fly
wheel H rotated for about a 1/4 of a revolution; by this movement the longest
part of the rectangular piece a assumes a position which is perpendicular or
slightly oblique to the narrowest part of the slot or opening b, the winged nut G
is then screwed up and the hat block is thus firmly fixed on to the shaft and cannot
be shifted.
A pin or stud d (Figs. 1 and 1×) fixed on to the shaft F and capable of moving
in a recess or cavity d serves to regulate the extent of movement of the fly-
wheel H.
When the hat block I is to be removed from the shaft F the winged nut G is
unscrewed, and the fly-wheel H rotated in the direction contrary to that previously
effected, so that the rectangalar piece a and the slot or opening b coinciding the hat
block can then be withdrawn.
The following improved arrangement has been specially devised for bringing
into and throwing out of gear, and for reversing the motion of this machine, but
it is also applicable to other apparatus or machines.
On the platform or table A, Fig. 1, of the machine is a shaft e which passes
through lugs f; one of its ends terminates in a handle L, and the other in an
endless screw J, which is in gear with a projection or finger g of a socket ŉ sliding
on a shaft h¹, and which is fixed to a piece resting in guides k¹ and surmounted
by a circular piece or crown K provided with a number of holes or orifices k.
Into one of these holes or orifices k a fork M is fixed (seen in plan in Fig. 2, and
in elevation Fig. 3), inside of which the running part of the driving belt or strap l
passes.
In Fig. 3 the fork M occupies the position shewn in full lines when the strap or

page_text: belt has the sides parallel, and they occupy the position shewn in dotted lines
when the strap or belt, also shewn in dotted lines in this Figure, is crossed.
In Fig. 1 it will be seen that each of the loose pulleys C, C₁, is double the width
of the fast one D, and that the driving belts or straps 1, l, have a width equal to
that of the fixed pulley, therefore supposing that the straps or belts placed as in
Fig. 1, and it be desired to reverse the motion, it will only be necessary to turn the
handle L and the endless screw will cause the circular piece or crown K to travel
from right to left, the strap or belt passing on to the pulley C, and the strap or
belt on to the pulley D.
But if it be desired to stop the machine, and the two driving belts or straps
occupy the position shewn in Fig. 1, then the driving belt or strap must be shifted
on to the loose pulley Cand the strap or belt l' which does not leave the pulley C¹
shifted against the pulley D without touching it; in this manner both driving belts
or straps are shifted on to the loose pulleys, and the machine is stopped.
P.
Fig. 4 shews in section the iron holder, and Fig. 5 a plan of the iron or tool.
It consists, first, of a stationary portion P placed on the platform or table A of the
machine, and, secondly, of a moveable portion Q, on each side of which is a handle
Within the stationary portion P is a rack q with helicoidal teeth which is in gear
with the pinion q', driven by an endless screw R fixed on a small shaft r passing
through a socket and terminating in a hand-wheel ll. The ends of the
moveable portion Q is provided on each side with a small wedge-shaped piece 8¹
which takes into a notch 811 on the iron-holder S; between this holder and the
socket is a slide T encircled by a coiled spring t, the two ends of which abut
against the shoulders t¹, t¹, of the slide T.
A friction roller u at the end of the stationary portion P travels in the groove
of a knee-piece U which serves as a guide to the iron for effecting the ironing
operation. The radius of this friction roller u is always equal to the radius of the
inuer curve of the knee-piece. This knee-piece is shewn in plan in Fig. 2.
In order to facilitate the adjustment of this knee-piece to different positions to
suit different shapes of hats, it passes under a small bridge V which slides in a
groove x (Figs. 2 and 6) contrived in the platform or table A of the machine. The
screw passes through this bridge and terminates in a moveable piece y, the two
edges or rims of which grip the knee-piece U.
Figs. 6, 7, and 8 shew on a smaller scale examples of the application of the
rectangular knee-piece.
Figs 9 and 10 shew two examples of the application of a bevil knee-piece U¹ for
ironing Tyrolese hats.
The use of the iron-holder for effecting the uniform ironing of hats of all shapes is
easily understood.
After having first adjusted the knee piece in the position shewn in Fig. 6 for
ironing a hat of the shape there represented, the friction roller u is placed in the
groove of the knee-piece U, and the workman brings the iron on to the hat by
ineans of the hand-wheel r until the desired pressure be attained; the hat in
revolving imparts to the iron an oscillating motion around the spindle S' on which
it is mounted, such oscillatory motion being produced by the oval shape of the hat.
The coiled spring t pressing strongly and continually against the iron holder S,
the pressure is always the same whatever be the inclination of the holder. The
workman following the straight part 1 reaches the curve of the knee-piece 2 (Fig. 6),
guides the iron by means of the friction roller, then continues along the straight
part 3 until he reaches the point 4 which is the centre of the hat. Thus a uniform
pressure is obtainted which can be regulated at will by advancing or retiring the
holder carrying the iron.
For hats of other than oval shape the knee-piece is shaped accordingly, as seen in
Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 10.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same may be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First. The improved machine for ironing, hats by which a continuous and

page_text: uniform pressure on the hat is obtained, in the manner hereinbefore described and
substantially as shewn in the Drawings.
Second. The simple method of rapidly attaching the hat-block to the machine
whereby the same is securely fastened, as herein described and substantially as
shewn in the Drawings.
Third. The improved arrangement for bringing into and throwing out of gear
and for reversing the motion of the machine, as herein described and substantially
as shewn in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the Drawings.
Fourth. The construction of the iron holder, in the manner herein described and
as shewn in Figs. 4 and 5 of the Drawings, whereby a uniform pressure upon the
hat is obtained at will.
Fifth. The employment of a knee-piece in combination with the iron holder for
effecting the ironing of hats of all shapes, in the manner herein described and
substantially as shewn in Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the Drawings.
Sixth. The combination of the whole or of part of the essential arrangements
constituting the Invention and indicated herein under the conditions previously
described, and substantially as represented in the Drawings for the purpose set
forth.
Seventh. The general arrangement and combination of parts constituting the
machine for the mechanical ironing of hats, substantially as herein described and
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Ernest de Pass, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Eighth day of July, in the year One thousand eight hundred and
sichte