IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR STOCKING, UNHAIRING, AND SOFTENING HIDES, SKINS, AND LEATHER
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Middleton, of Leeds, in the County of York, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED
FOR STOCKING, UNHAIRING, AND SOFTENING HIDES, SKINS, AND LEATHER."
2
1070
10th M1070
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Middleton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th March 1879.
"
ROBERT MIDDLETON, of Leeds, in the County of York. IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR STOCKING, UNHAIRING, AND SOFTENING
HIDES, SKINS, AND LEATHER.”
My improvements in machinery or apparatus for stocking, unhairing, and
softening hides, skins, and leather have the effect of rendering the machines capable
of operating much more quickly, upon the leather, hides, or skins, consequently
doing a greater amount of work. By these improvements also the number of
strokes of the machine or blows per minute upon the leather may be varied, also
the strength or force of the blows may be varied.
I place two steam cylinders side by side, so arranged as to act direct on the stock
feet which are coupled to the ends of the piston rods. Motion is imparted to the
pistons by steam which is admitted through the medium of a variable valve motion.
The valve motion is actuated by a cam through the medium of rods, levers, and
links. The object of the cam is to admit steam to, the cylinder and allow it to
exhaust at variable points of the piston's stroke, in order to cause the strokes of
the stock's feet to be more or less, effective, consistent with the proper working of
the leather, hides, or skins.
By the above arrangement also the stroke of the piston and pressure thereof
may be varied either by the hand of the attendant or automatically.
To this machine I also attach apparatus to preserve the stroke of each piston the
same.
I conduct the exhaust pipes into jacketted ends of the machine so that the
steam therefrom may supply inexpensive, artificial heat to the stocks for the purpose
of quickening the process.

page_text: The object of this variable movement is to cause the stroke of the stock's feet to be
more or less effective, consistent with the proper working of the leather, hides, or
skins. As well as the above automatic arrangement of varying the stroke it may
also be varied by the hand of the attendant. In order to effect a regularity of
stroke of both piston rods d and d¹ I apply a provisional tappit motion on the
piston rod d. The position of the clamp or tappit q may be adjusted and fixed in
any required position on the rod d, and in the event of the stroke of the piston
rod d' differing from that of the piston rod d, the clamp or tappit q comes in
contact with one of the collars or r¹ on the rod 8, which is mounted in suitable
bearings t, causing it thereby to move either right or left, which movement is
transmitted to the slide valve spindle f, causing thereby the valve to be moved
and the stroke of the piston to be reversed. This arrangement only comes into
operation when any irregularity occurs, and has the effect of preserving the stroke
of each piston the same.
I also conduct the exhaust steam into jacketted ends u of the framework v,
suitable openings being provided for the admission and exit of the same, and the
steam supplies an inexpensive artificial heat to the stocks for the purpose of
quickening the process.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and described by the aid
of Drawings how the same may be carried into practice, I would have it under-
stood that I do not limit myself to the precise limits, details, or configuration of
the parts I have described and illustrated on the accompanying Drawings, as the
same may be varied or modified without departing from the nature of my said
Invention, but what I claim and desire to be secured to me by Letters Patent is,-
First. The arrangement, construction, and application of the means employed for
regulating and varying the stroke of stock feet for the purposes herein set forth,
when such stock feet have motion imparted thereto by steam through the medium
of steam cylinders, substantially as and for purposes herein set forth.
Second. The application of jacketted ends u for the admission of exhausted steam,
supplying thereby artificial heat for the purpose of quickening the operation of
stocking, unhairing, and softening hides, skins, and leather, substantially as herein
set forth.
Third. The arrangement and combination of the various parts forming the
improvements in machinery or apparatus employed for stocking, unhairing, and
softening hides, skins, or leather, substantially as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Middleton, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventynine.
ROB. MIDDLETON. (L.S.)