IMPROVEMENTS IN BOLT CLOTH TIGHTENERS
Year: 1885

page_text: I, CHARLES ALONZO SMITH of Jackson in the county of Jackson and state of
Michigan, in the United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOLT CLOTH TIGHTENERS" and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a flour bolt containing the invention.
Fig. 2 is an end elevation partly broken away.
Fig. 3 is an elevation of the opposite end of the reel partly broken away.
Figs. 4 and 5 are detailed views.
Fig. 6 is an end elevation shewing the invention as applied to a many sided reel.
In the drawings, A B are the reel heads which may be of any usual or approved
construction although in this instance they are shewn as being provided with
central hollow trunnions, such as are commonly used in that class of bolts known
as centrifugals.
C is the bolting cloth. Referring to fig. 2, D represents a strip, binding or
extension of the bolting cloth, which in this instance, consists of a narrow sheet or
strip of stout woven fabric of double thickness, stitched at its edges to the edge
of the bolting cloth. E is a circular tightener, which in this case, consists essentially
of a hoop-like wire or small rod turned up at its ends to form ears e e, which are per-
forated to receive a tightening bolt E¹ carrying at its threaded end a nut e¹ and at
its opposite end a head which prevents the bolt from passing through the ear in
which it is supported.
This circular tightener is seated in the fold of the fabric D and it will be readily
understood that by turning the nut e¹ in the proper direction the two ears e e can
be made to approach and thus reduce the diameter of the circular tightener E and
draw the bolt-cloth over the edge of the reel head and towards the centre.
Under many circumstances it will be found desirable to construct the reel head B
with a concentric flange b against which the circular tightener shall bind the
fabric D and when it is desired to mount the reel upon antifriction rollers F¹, as is
sometimes done, it may be provided with a second flange b¹ of somewhat less
diameter than the flange b. By providing the reel head with the two flanges b 61,
the rollers F¹ can rotate in contact with flange or rim b' without danger of their
running upon the drawn over edge of the cloth should they become loose, the step
between the two flanges keeping the rollers upon their proper way or rim.
Referring to fig. 3 D is a strip of fabric doubled and attached by its edges to one
end of the bolting cloth.
F is a circular tightener provided at one end with a head f, and at its opposite
screw-threaded end with a nut f'. G is a metal plate attached to the fabric D by
rivets g g or otherwise and provided at its lower or inner end with a seat or groove
for the reception of one end of the tightener, the seat or groove being of such size
that the tightener may move freely through it.

page_text: The other end of the tightener is also supported by the plate G, and in this
instance is shewn as passing through and resting in a groove or seat formed in one
or both legs of the plate between the screw threaded end of the tightener and the
rivets gg. But it is not intended to limit this invention to the precise construction
of parts shewn, it being apparent that one end of the tightener might be rivetted
or otherwise firmly attached to the plate G, the threaded end being free to move
relatively to the plate without departing from the nature of the invention.
While in the construction shewn, the plate is formed of a thin sheet or strip of
metal doubled upon itself and rivetted at g g, yet the plate might be made of cast
metal with projecting lugs or ears for the reception of one end or both ends of the
circular tightener. In fig. 6 the invention is shewn as applied to a many-sided reel
in which instance it may be found preferable to cut the fabric D in the form
shewn, that is to say, with its outer edge or periphery many-sided to correspond
substantially with the outline of the reel, its inner edge, when doubled, being sub-
stantially circular because this form will facilitate producing a uniform tension
upon the bolting cloth as will be readily understood without further explanation.
Of course, in this instance the reel may be of any usual or approved construction,
as, for instance, with a central shaft, spokes radiating therefrom, longitudinal bars
attached to the spokes and encircling hoop rim at the discharging end with a
centrally open head at the receiving end.
It is not necessary that the plate or its equivalent should be attached to the
fabric D, because the device will operate satisfactorily under many circumstances,
even if the plate be connected directly only to the circular tightener although the
construction shewn is believed to be the preferable one for use under ordinary
circumstances.
Nor is it essential to the working of the invention that the parts D D or either
of them should consist of a fabric separate and apart from the bolting cloth, because
under many circumstances, the cloth can be hemmed, the fold being of such depth
as to provide a seat for the circular tightener although it is probably better to
employ ticking canvass or similar material for these parts D D, one or both of them.
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, In a flour-bolt, the combination of the reel head B provided with the flange b
and the smaller flange b¹ which forms a rim for friction rollers, the bolting cloth
extending longitudinally of the reel and turned over the edge of the reel head
towards the centre, the circular tightener connected to the turned over end of the
bolt cloth and means for gripping the tightener and the bolt cloth upon the flange b
substantially as set forth.
2, In a flour-bolt, the combination of the reel head A, the bolt cloth extending
longitudinally of the reel and turned over the edge of the reel head and towards
its centre, the circular tightener connected with the turned over end of the bolt
cloth, the plate having both ends of the circular tightener attached thereto and
means for adjusting one end of the circular tightener relatively to the plate, sub-
stantially as set forth.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant,
28, Southampton Buildings,
London, W.C.