Improvements in Machinery for the Manufacture of Floor Cloths.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Lett, 4th Oct., 1894-4ccepted, 17th Nov., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for the Manufacture of Floor Cloths.
We, HENRY WILLIAM GODFREY, CHARLES FREDERICK LEAKE, Engineers,
and CHARLES EDWARD LUCAS, Linoleum Manufacturer, all of Staines, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
―
The object of this invention is to provide automatic machinery by which linoleum
aud like floor cloths may be made with a pattern surface formed from fine
granulated linoleum or like material applied over them with the aid of flat
perforated stencil plates according to the system described in the Specification of a
former Patent granted to us No. 4482 in the year 1888.
The cloth to be covered which preferably has previously had a backing of
linoleum material spread over it on the back we cause to be drawn continuously at
a uniform speed over the surface of a flat horizontal bed or table. The cloth is
drawn forward from a roll situated at one end of the table by passing it around
and between a pair of rollers which are situated at the other end of the table and
which have a continuous revolving motion imparted to them. Between the roll
of backing fabric and the end of the table the cloth is made to pass partly around the
circumference of a horizontal cylinder and so gives a continuous revolving motion to
this cylinder. From the axis of the cylinder motion is transmitted to a horizontal
axis placed across the machine below the bed or table. Below the opposite end of
the bed or table is a similar horizontal axis-these axes each carry a pair of wheels
one wheel at each side of the table-two endless bands or chains which are at a
distance apart equal to the width of the fabric pass around and engage with the
wheels on the two axes and the bands have pins standing out from them and these
pass through the side edges of the cloth. The flat stencil plates by which the
granulated linoleum is to be applied in patterns over the surface of the cloth are
secured to the bottom of rectangular frames which form a raised rim standing up
all around them. The frames are by the action of the machine placed at proper
intervals apart across the cloth and are made to travel forward for a distance with
it. They may be provided with pins by which to engage with holes in endless
steel bands to ensure their travelling at the same speed as the cloth-a proper
quantity of colored granulated linoleum is supplied into the frames-a separate
color or mixture for each-a scraper is caused to move from front to back and
back to front over the stencil plate at the bottom of each frame and in this way to
fill all the openings through the stencil plates with granules. The frames are then
caused to be lifted up above the cloth and to be carried back to their first position
the scrapers going back with them-the same operations are then repeated.
Preferably we give the scrapers an oscillating movement to cause them the better
to spread the granules into the openings through the stencil plates.
To give the required movements to the frames which carry the stencil plates we
use two boards one along each side of the bed or table-to these boards an endway
to and fro movement is given by a bar which passes through vertical slots formed
in them. The ends of the bar rest in horizontal guide slots formed in the framing
of the machine and a horizontal to and fro movement is given to the bar lengthwise
of the machine by its being coupled by connecting rods to cranks on a shaft which
receives a continuous revolving motion from the cylinder which is revolved by the
drawing forward of the cloth. After the stencil plate frames have been placed
onto the cloth and have been carried forward with it for a distance equal to half
the width of the plates the two side boards are made to lift and to then engage with

page_text: and raise up the frames. The boards are lifted by the lifting up of guide surfaces
upon which their lower edges rest. To allow of the guide surfaces being lifted at
the proper time they may be jointed to the ends of lever arms and other vertical
arms of these levers be coupled by connecting rods so that if one is turned all the
others turn with it. A connecting rod may be made to extend from an arm on
the axis of one of them and to carry at its end a truck or roller to be acted on by
cams carried by a shaft which receives a continuous revolving motion from the
cylinder which is driven by the cloth. The scrapers also are made to receive their
movement from cams on a cam shaft similarly driven. The scrapers are carried
by arms jointed to horizontal bars which run lengthwise of the machine-the bars
may be connected by connecting rods to the upper ends of vertical lever arms
which are pivotted at their lower end and are also jointed at an intermediate point
of their length to a horizontal sliding frame which is acted on by the cains and
receives from the cams a horizontal to and fro movement. In this way an endway
to and fro movement may be given to the bars and the scrapers be moved to and
fro with them.
Each scraper also as it comes up to one or other side of the stencil plate frame
within which it works we cause to be lifted by the action of inclines on the top of
the frame then to pass beyond these inclines and again drop before moving
back the inclines being hinged to allow the scrapers to pass back below them.
A thin uniform coating of linoleum may be laid over the surface of the cloth as
it comes above the bed or table of the machine and before the various colored
granulated linoleums are laid on to it through the stencil plates.
Dated this 3rd day of January 1894.
H. W. GODFREY.
CHAS. F. LEAKE.
C. E. LUCAS.
We, HENRY WILLIAM GODFREY, CHARLES FREDERICK LEAKE, Engineers,
and CHARLES EDWARD LUCAS, Linoleum Manufacturer, all of Staines, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
The object of this invention is to provide automatic machinery by which
linoleum and like floor cloths may be made with a pattern surface formed from fine
granulated linoleum of various colours or like material applied over them with
the aid of flat perforated stencil plates according to the system described in the
Specification of a former Patent granted to us No. 4482 in the year 1888.
The cloth to be covered which preferably has previously had a backing of
linoleum material spread over it on the back we cause to be drawn continuously at
a uniform speed over the surface of a flat horizontal bed or table. The cloth is
drawn forward from a roll situated at one end of the table by passing it around and
between a pair of rollers which are situated at the other end of the table and which
have a continuons revolving motion imparted to them. Between the roll of
backing fabric and the end of the table the cloth is made to pass partly around the
circumference of a horizontal cylinder and so gives a continuous revolving motion
to this cylinder. From the axis of the cylinder motion is transmitted to a
horizontal axis placed across the machine below the bed or table. Below the
opposite end of the bed or table is a similar horizontal axis-these axes each carry
a pair of wheels one wheel at each side of the table--two endless bands or chains
which are at a distance apart equal to the width of the fabric pass around and
engage with the wheels on the two axes and the bands have pins standing out from

page_text: them and these pass through the side edges of the cloth. The flat stencil plates
by which the granulated linoleum is to be applied in patterns over the surface of
the cloth are secured to the bottom of rectangular frames which form a raised
rim standing up all around them. The frames are by the action of the machine
placed at proper intervals apart across the cloth and are made to travel forward
for a distance with it. They are provided with pins by which to engage with
holes in endless steel bands to ensure their travelling at the same speed as the
cloth a proper quantity of coloured granulated linoleun is supplied into the
frames a separate colour or mixture for each-a scraper is caused to move from
front to back and back to front over the stencil plate at the bottom of each frame
and in this way to fill all the openings through the stencil plates with granules.
The frames are then caused to be lifted up above the cloth and to be carried back
to their first position the scrapers going back with them-the same operations are
then repeated. Preferably we give the scrapers an oscillating movement to
cause them the better to spread the granules into the openings through the
stencil plates.
To give the required movements to the frames which carry the stencil plates we
use two boards one along each side of the bed or table-to these boards an endway
to and fro movement is given by its being coupled by connecting rods to cranks on
a shaft which receives a continuous revolving motion from the cylinder which is
revolved by the drawing forward of the cloth. After the stencil plate frames have
been placed onto the cloth and have been carried forward with it for a distance equal
to half the width of the plates the two side boards are made to lift and to then
engage with and raise up the frames. The boards are lifted by the lifting up of
guide surfaces upon which their lower edges rest. To allow of the guide surfaces
being lifted at the proper time they may be jointed to the ends of lever arms and
other vertical arms of these levers be coupled by connecting rods so that if one is
turned all the others turn with it. A connecting rod may be made to extend from
an arm on the axis of one of them and to carry at its end a truck or roller to be
acted on by cams carried by a shaft which receives a continuous revolving motion
from the cylinder which is driven by the cloth. The scrapers also are made to
receive their movement from cams on a cam shaft similarly driven. The scrapers
are carried by arms jointed to horizontal bars which run lengthwise of the machine
-the bars may be connected by connecting rods to the upper ends of vertical lever
arms which are pivotted at their lower end and are also jointed at an intermediate
point of their length to a horizontal sliding frame which is acted on by the cams
and receives from the cams a horizontal to and fro movement.
In this way an
endway to and fro movement may be given to the bars and the scrapers be moved
to and fro with them.
Each scraper also as it comes up to one or other side of the stencil plate frame
within which it works we cause to be lifted by the action of inclines on the top
of the frame then to pass beyond these inclines and again drop before moving back
the inclines being hinged to allow the scrapers to pass back below them.
A thin uniform coating of linoleum may be laid over the surface of the cloth as
it comes above the bed or table of the machine and before the various coloured
granulated linoleums are laid on to it through the stencil plates.
Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of the machine. Figure 2 is a
plan view. Figure 3 is a front end view partly in section. Figure 4 is a cross
section shewing how the cam and crank shafts are driven.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of part of the machine on a larger scale than
Figure 1.
Figure 6 is an end elevation of one of the stencil trays and its scraper.
Figure 7 is a side elevation of part of the same-and Figure 8 is a plan view.
Figure 9 is a plan view of part of one of the endless bands B and Figure 10 is
an edge view of the same.
Figure 11 is an end elevation of part of one of the hoppers H-Figure 12 is a
front elevation of part of the same.

page_text: Figure 13 is a diagram plan view of the driving gear.
Figure 14 is an end elevation of the mechanism by which covering material is
supplied to the hoppers H and Figure 15 is a front elevation of the same.
A is the cloth to be covered.
B B are two endless bands of steel one at each side of the machine-they pass
around notched wheels B' on axes B2-and projections B³ upon them
notches in the wheels. The bands also have spikes or pins B projecting out from
with the
gear
them these pins pass through the side edges of the fabric that is being covered.
C is a flat table over the surface of which the fabric is drawn. The fabric passes
from the roll A under guide rollers A² A³ partly around the circumference of a
cylinder A then over the table C at which time its edges are held by the spikes B
on the bands B-and then around and between the rollers B5 B. These rollers
i ave a slow continuous revolving motion imparted to them by driving gear.
From the same driving gear motion is also imparted to a longitudinal shaft B
(see Figures 13 and 4 and 5) on which is a worm B-this worm gears with a
worm wheel B' fast on the axis B2 of one of the pairs of notched wheels B¹ and
drives these wheels at the same surface speed as the rollers B³ B.
On this same axis B2 is also a toothed wheel B10 which gears into an intermediate
pinion B that gears into and drives a toothed wheel B" on the axis of the
cylinder A. This cylinder is therefore driven not only by the cloth A which
passes around it but also by the gearing. On the axis B2 is also a toothed
wheel B's this gears into and drives (see Figure 1) a pinion D¹ on a crank
shaft D and also a pinion, E' on a cam shaft E the pinions D' E' are of such a size
that the crank shaft makes two revolutions for every revolution of the cam shaft.
On the crank shaft D is a crank D2 from which connecting rods D³ pass to two
horizontal boards I) and give to them an end way to and fro motion. There is
one of these boards along each side of the machine. The boards D' rest upon
guide supports D' these are jointed to the ends of lever arms D° carried on axes D'.
Other arms Ds on these axes are coupled by a connecting rod D' (see Figure 1)
so that when one axis is turned the others turn with it.
On one of these axes D' is also a lever arm DX to which is jointed a rod D10
carrying a truck D" acted on by a cam D12 which is fast on the cam shaft E.
The cams cause the boards D to be lifted at one end of the to and fro horizontal
movement of the boards and to be lowered at the opposite end of this movement.
FFF are three frames or trays the bottom of each of which is formed of a flat
stencil plate three frames only are shown-but any desired number of frames
might be used-from cach end of each tray project two pins F1 F1 and in the top
edge of the lifting boards D* are notches D13 one below each pin F. When the
lifting boards are at the right hand end of their travel as seen in Figure 1 they
descend leaving the trays resting on the fabric that is being covered. When the
lifting boards are at the left hand end of their travel they rise and the notches
in the boards catch the pins F1 on the trays and lift the trays clear of the fabric
and as the boards make their horizontal movement towards the right hand end of
the machine they carry back the trays with them.
The length of the horizontal movement given to the boards is equal to half the
width of each stencil plate and spaces corresponding to the width of the stencil plates
are left between the three plates. To ensure the placing of the trays F in proper
position on to the fabric and also to ensure their being carried forward with the
fabric when placed upon it pins projecting downwards from the ends of the trays
are made to enter holes B14 formed through the endless band B and through the
projections B³ which are fixed to their under side.
The gear wheels B10 B11 B12 and the crank D* are so proportioned that the trays
rest on the fabric whilst the fabric is travelling a distance equal to half the
width of a stencil plate and is lifted and brought back to its first position
whilst the fabric is travelling an equal distance.
G G G are scrapers resting on the top of the stencil plates carried by
the trays and extending from one end to the other of these plates. Each

page_text: scraper G (Figure 6) has arms G extending from it-these at their ends are
jointed to horizontal bars G2 one bar at each side of the machine. The bars
are supported in fixed bearings G³ and have an endway to and fro movement
given to them in the following manner :-The bars are connected by links G
with the upper ends of long upright levers G which can be rocked on a fulcrum G
at their lower end. Each lever at an intermediate point in its length is coupled
by a connecting rod G7 with a frame G which has a horizontal to and fro
reciprocating movement given to it. Each frame is supported in guides on fixed
upright standards G' it also carries a truck or roller Go acted on by a cam G¹¹
which is fast on the crank shaft D. The cam is of such a shape that when
the trays F have been deposited on to the fabric being coated and are in the
position shewn in Figure I just commencing to be carried forward with the fabric
the scrapers are also in the positions shewn at the right hand of the trays and as
the trays are carried forward with the fabric are caused to travel in the same
direction as the trays and faster than them so that they scrape over the bottom
of the trays when they have scraped over the stencil plates which form the
bottom of the trays F pins G12 projecting from the ends of the scrapers G come
against inclined tongues G's which are pin jointed to the ends of the frames F-
the pins slide up these inclines so lifting the scrapers away from the stencil plates.
When the pins G12 have passed beyond the upper end of the inclined tongues the
scrapers G drop on to the bottom of the trays F-and are thereby brought to
the left hand side of any granulated material which was previously being pushed
over the surface of the stencil plate by the scraper. The scrapers are now moved
in a direction from left to right of the trays and again scrape this material over
the surface of the stencil plates. As the scrapers are moved in this direction the
pins G2 lift the tongues G¹³ and pass freely below them. As the scrapers arrive
at the right hand of the trays the pins G12 come against other inclined tongues G¹³×
these similarly lift the scrapers off from the stencil plates and when the pins have
passed beyond the upper ends of the inclined tongues the scrapers again drop on
to the bottom of the trays ready to be again moved over the stencil plates. The
scrapers are brought into this position just as the trays are about to be lifted from
off the fabric and are about to be moved back to be again brought into the
position shewn in Figure 1. As the trays are so moved back towards the right
hand end of Figure 1 the scrapers are by the formation of the cams G" caused
to travel back with them.
In addition to the scrapers being moved to and fro across the bottom of the
trays F as above described the scrapers have also a short eud way to and fro
reciprocating motion given to them. Each scraper is for this purpose coupled by
a link G to the upper end of a lever G (see Figure 3) which has a short
oscillating to and fro motion given to it by its lower end being acted on by an
eccentric on a continuously revolving shaft G. The fulcrum G" of the levers G¹³
are carried by a frame G18 to which is given a to and fro horizontal motion exactly
corresponding to the to and fro horizontal motion given to the scrapers G. The
frame has this horizontal to and fro motion given to it through a connecting rod G"
which connects it to the oscillating levers G³ from which the scrapers G also
receive their horizontal motion. The frame is supported in guide bearings on the
standards G21.
The eccentrics which give a rocking motion to the lower ends of the levers G¹³
have collars G20 on either side of them the forked lower end of the lever embraces
the eccentric between these collars and slides the eccentric to and fro along the
shaft G-the eccentrics being mounted on the shaft so that they can be slidden
along but not turned around it.
The granulated material of various colours which is to be placed in patterns on
to the surface of the fabric that is being covered is contained in hoppers H and
each time that the trays F are lowered on to the fabric a certain measured amount
of granulated material is allowed to drop from each hopper and to fall into the
trays below. This is effected in the following manner:-A measured quantity of

page_text: granulated material is dropped into each hopper H just before this granulated
material is to be allowed to drop on to the trays. The bottoms of the hoppers are at
this time closed by flaps H¹ on axes H2 which can have a partial turn given to
them. Normally the flaps are by weighted arms H³ fixed on their axes held in
the positions shewn in Figure 1-they then close the bottoms of the hoppers.
When the trays have been lowered on to the fabric that is being coated and the
trays are just commencing to move forward with the fabric pawls H* jointed to
the reciprocating rod G2 come against the lower ends of arms H* fixed on the
axes H of the flaps H' and turn the flaps into such a position that the material
in the hoppers H is free to drop from them into the trays below. The projecting
pieces H then pass beyond the ends of the arms H³ and the flaps again close the
bottom of the hoppers. On the return movement of the reciprocating rods G²
the pawls H when they come against the arms H turn on pins H by which they
are jointed to the rods and are carried freely past them. The pieces H* being
weighted then resume their former positions.
Measured quantities of material are supplied to the hoppers H in the following
manner At the top of each hopper is a cylinder K see Figure 14 on an axis K¹
to which a slow continuous revolving movement is imparted.
K³ is an endless apron passing around rollers K³ to which a slow continuous
revolving movement is also imparted. The material to be supplied to the hoppers H
is placed on to the upper surface of the endless apron to a uniform depth. To
facilitate the covering of the apron to a uniform depth boards K* are placed along
its side edges. When material has been placed on to the apron the material can
be levelled by moving over it a straight edge kept resting at its ends on the
boards K. One of the rollers K³ around which the apron passes is as shewn just
above the top of the hopper H. As the apron slowly revolves some of the material
as it is carried past the top of this roll drops continuously on to the top of the
cylinder K. As this cylinder slowly turns the material dropped down on to it
is brought against a strickle or blade K³ the lower edge of which is parallel with
and at a short distance from the circumference of the cylinder. An endway to
and fro movement is given to the blade K" by its being connected by a rod Ke to
the upper end of a lever K' the lower end of which has a short to and fro oscillating
motion given to it by an eccentric KB (see Figure 3) on a continuously revolving
shaft K. A layer of the material of uniform thickness is thus carried forward on
the circumference of the cylinder past the blade K and is allowed to drop into the
hopper II.
K is a fixed board to prevent any of the material dropping into the
hopper without passing under the blade K³. L is a hopper from which a
uniform layer of covering material may be placed on to the upper surface of the
fabric A as it enters the machine. M is a hopper from which a uniform layer of
material may be placed over the back of the coated fabric as it leaves the machine.
Or this backing or facing might be applied to the fabric by a separate machine
before bringing it to the machine hereinbefore described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A combination of mechanism whereby the fabric to be coated is drawn
continuously over a flat table and trays with stencil bottom plates are placed
across the fabric (where it rests on the table) at distances apart equal to the
width of the stencil plates and travel forward for a time with the fabric and during
this time have coating material delivered into them and have scrapers moved to and
fro across the stencil plates to fill the openings through the plates with coating
material and are then lifted, brought back to their first position, and again
deposited on the fabric just as the fabric has travelled a distance equal to the
width of one of the stencil plates.
2. The construction of machinery for the manufacture of floor cloths substantially
as herein before described and illustrated in the drawings annexed.

page_text: 3. The combination of the table C endless travelling bands B at each side of
the table-notched wheels 131 on axes B2 around which the bands pass-trays F
with bottom formed of stencil plates, lifting boards D* one along each side of the
machine below the ends of the trays, revolving shaft D gearing with one of the
axes B² so as to make one revolution whilst the bands travel forwards a distance
equal to the width of a stencil plate, crank D2 on shaft D giving a to and fro
motion to the lifting boards equal to half the width of a stencil plate and revolving
cam E raising the lifting boards at the end of their forward movement to lift the
trays and disengage them from the travelling bands and lowering them at the end
of their backward movement to lower the trays and allow them again to engage
with the travelling bands.
4. The lifting boards D' for lifting the trays from off the fabric after they
have for a time rested upon and been carried along with it and for then
conveying the trays back to their first position and again depositing them on
to the fabric.
5. The combination of mechanism substantially as herein before described for
moving the scrapers to and fro across the bottom of the trays whilst the trays
are resting on the fabric that is being coated.
6. The inclined tongues jointed to the ends of the trays acting with pins on
the ends of the scrapers to lift the scrapers at each end of their traverse
from off the stencil plates so that they may be passed over any material that
was being pushed in front of them and then be allowed to again descend on
to the bottom of the frame on the opposite side of this material substantially
as described.
7. The combination of mechanism substantially as described for dropping into
the trays a proper quantity of coating material each time that they are placed
down on to the fabric that is being coated.
Dated this 3rd day of October 1894.
H. W. GODFREY.
CHARLES FREDERICK LEAKE.
CHARLES EDWARD LUCAS.