Improvements in Leather Dressing Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Sept., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 12th June, 1900-Accepted, 14th July, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Leather Dressing Machines.
I, CHARLES ARTHUR ALLISON, of 52, Chancery Lane, London, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
(which has been communicated to me from abroad by Charles E. Pellow, of
Alameda, State of California, United States of America), to be as follows:-
This invention consists in a reciprocating beam extended to form a connection
to a crank, the two being preferably made integrally, the beam being suspended
at the working end, or in the middle of its working section or part, by main
and compensating links in such manner that at the point of suspension the
beam has a nearly rectilinear movement. At some distance each way from the
point of the beam's suspension and in the bottom thereof, are pivotally mounted
two adjustable members in which the stones or rubbing implements are held,
these members being set equidistant each way from the point of the bear's
suspension are by action of the crank and oscillations of the beam caused thereby,
alternately raised and lowered so as to act in one direction on the surface of
the leather but not in the other direction. These hinged implement holding
devices are adjustable vertically, or to and from the leather, by means of screwed
stems and coiled springs that press downward the implements but permit them
to rise automatically when the pressure on the surface of the leather exceeds
a predetermined and proper amount of force. The invention also includes
sliding plates on the bottom of the reciprocating beam provided with oblique
slots and pins therein in such manner that these sliding plates when moved
longitudinally on the beam will raise and hold out of action the rubbing imple-
ments, the force required for this adjustment. being derived from a projecting
end of the main suspending link by which the working beam is supported.
The invention also includes devices to engage the sliding plates before named
when the machine is in motion so as to suspend and start the rubbing action
at will, such devices consisting of double end pawls mounted on or connected
to the sliding plates that raise and lower the rubbing implements, such devices
consisting of pulls or stops accessible to the operator: also includes a fixed
table or platen below the rubbing implements and a movable table thereon, the
latter being mounted on casters so as to be turned in any direction so the
leather which is placed threen can be readily moved so as to present all of its
surface to the action of the rubbing implements in such degree as is required.
Dated this 16th day of Senfeinber 1899.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: (which has been communicated to me from abroad by Charles Edward Pellow,
of Alameda, State of California, United States of America), and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to leather currying and to certain improvements in
machines for scouring and setting leather."
My improvements consist in an improved means of attaining a rectilinear
movement of the double acting rubbing implements by radial devices and without
the use of slides; in employing the angular movement of the reciprocating con-
necting rod to produce the required oscillation and alternate action of the rubbing
implements thereon; in the application of pressing springs directly over and
opposite the rubbing implements, thus relieving the strain upon the operative
parts; in devices for relieving pressure on the rubbing implements by the
driving power; also in rollers or castors mounted on a peculiar. open frame to
support the table on which the leather is held, and in other features hereinafter
fully explained in connection with the drawings.
The objects of my invention are to secure a more perfect and efficient action
of machines for scouring and setting leather; to dispense with slides for the
reciprocating parts; to avoid weight in the reciprocating parts of the machine
and to attain a high rate of reciprocating motion and a simple means of adjust-
ment, both of the implements and material operated upon.
To these ends I make provisions as shown in the drawings forming a part
of this specification in which,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine for scouring and setting leather;
constructed according to my invention.
Fig. 2 a plan view of the same machine.
Dig: an enlarged side viewed or main operating part in which
the rubbing implements are mounted.
Fig. 4 a bottom view of Fig. 3, partially in section.
Fig. 5 an end view of Fig. 3 with the engaging and disengaging devices for
the rubbing implements.
Fig. 6 a view in the opposite plane, of some of the details in Fig. 5.
In the operation of scouring and setting machines, the implements,. com-
monly of hard stone, are given a reciprocating motion, also a movement to and
from the leather, so that they will act alternately and oppositely from each
other, rubbing right and left away from the centre, while the table on which
the leather is placed is adjusted by hand so that the various portions of its
surface will receive in different directions the required amount of rubbing, or
scouring and setting as it is usually called.
These rubbing implements have hitherto been guided by rectilinear slides
and operated by a crank and connecting rod. In my invention these slides are
dispensed with and the implements are attached directly to the connecting rod,
extended for that purpose, and the rectilinear movement is obtained by radial
links and a movable fulcrum that compensates the ares described by the
connections.
Referring to the drawings: The main frame 1 is rectangular in contour, pro-
vided with a member 2 that supports the guides 3 for the movable fulcrum 4.
A crank shaft. 5 is placed at one end of the machine provided with a fly
wheel 6 and driving pulley 7.
The connecting rod 8 is made integral with an extension 9, hereinafter called
the beam, on which are mounted the devices to support and apply the rubbing
implements 10, the latter secured to pivotted plates 11 by the clamps or jaws 12,
as shown in Figures 3 and 4.
The connecting rod 8 is suspended in the centre of the extension 9 by a
pendulous main link 13 pivotted at the bottom 14 to the plates 18 and beam 9,
and at the top to the sliding fulcrum 4, the weight of this link and the beam 9
being supported by the links 15, as seen in Figures 1 and 2.

page_text: These links 15 describe an arc 16, the radius of which being approximately
half the distance between the points 14 and 17 produce a modified and nearly
rectilinear movement at the point 14 and of the beam 9 except as to the angular
movement of the latter, produced by the connecting rod 8, the top fulcrum 4
of the links sliding vertically a distance equal to the sine of the arc 16. The
component of these movements at the point of action when the implements 10
bear upon the leather is in effect a curved line at the entrance and producing
a nearly or complete rectilinear movement throughout the central and working
portion of the stroke, modified, of course, by the position of the fulcrum 4.
By this construction I avoid the use of sliding guides.
Referring next to the rubbing implements 10 and the devices for supporting,
presenting and releasing them, the hinged plates 11 are pivotted to the central
main member, formed of two plates 18 attached one on each side of the beam 9.
The plates 11 are forced downward by the springs 19, the strain of which is
regulated by the screw nuts 20 on the stems 21.
These stems 21 are provided at the top with screw nuts 22 and shells 23 that
form struts or distance pieces between the nuts 22 and the collars 24 on the:
stems 21 so that these latter can slide loosely through the beam 9, thus regu-
lating the vertical range each way of the stem 21 and of the implements 10, as
will be presently explained.
The stems 21 being pivotted at 25 to the swinging plates 11, the angular or
oscillating motion of the beam 9 causes the nuts 22 to come in contact with the
plates 26 and thus raise the plates 11 and the implements 10 alternately clear
of the leather 27, so they will act only in one direction, as indicated by arrows
in Fig. 3.
As, however, the implements 10 have to be raised and held above their working.
position when the machine is not working, I employ devices for this purpose
consisting of the two sliding members 28, 29, supported in the brackets 30 and
provided at the sides with angular flanges 31 that have diagonal slots 32 into
which fit pins 33 that are inserted in the collars 24 on the stems 21.
By moving either of the members 28 or 29 inwards, or towards the centre,
the pins 33 follow the slots 32 and raise the stems 21 accordingly, holding one
or both of the implements 10 clear of the work when the leather is to be removed.
or changed, or for any reason that requires cessation of the machine's operation.
To perform this last named function of moving the members 28, 29, there is.
an extension 34 on the pendulous main link 13 as shown in section at Fig. 4
and indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3.
On top of and attached to the sliding members 28, 29, are pawls or hooks 35
that can be engaged by the extension 34 of the link 13 as seen in Fig. 4, thus
positively moving the members 28, 29, to the right or left as the engagement
of the pawl-hooks 35 will determine.
To operate these pawl-hooks 35 there are provided two oscillating wards or
followers 36, pivotted at 37, the ends of which press inward and against the
ends of the pawl-hooks 35 so as to move the members 28, 29, forward or back,.
as the implements 10 are to be raised or lowered.
To operate the wards 36 there are provided two sliding rods 39 and 40 and
on these bent studs 41 that engage the wards 36 at 38 so that by sliding these
rods. 39 and 40 either way the hooks on the pawl 35 are engaged accordingly.
To operate the sliding rods 39 and 40, which engage respectively the pawls 35
that move the members 28 and 29, there are set parallel with the movement
of the machine rods 42 and 43 supported by links 44 attached to the main frame
at 45.
The rods 42 and 43 slide in adjustable jaws 46 and 47 so the rods 39 or 40:
can be moved either way across the machine by an operator pressing or pulling
the rods 42, 43, laterally, outward or inward, while the machine is in motion.
To hold the rods 42 and 43 when placed in their inward or outward positions
and to prevent their gravity from moving the rods 39 and 40 and releasing the

page_text: pawl-hooks 35, I provide spring keepers 48, pivotted at 50, to a stationary
standard 51 and oscillating to each side of the pivot 50, and by action of the
extensible spring 49, when they are pushed backward or forward and during
the time the pawl-hooks 35 are engaged.
The mechanism heretofore described for moving the members 28 and 29 and
raising or lowering the implements 10, admits, of various modifications. I have
described one that operates well in practice, reserving to myself the privilege
of modifying these devices to produce a like result without departing from, the
essential and more important features of my invention.
To support the work I provide a skeleton frame that stands in part on the
floor independent of the main machine and on top of this skeleton frame place
a movable table 54 that rests upon and is movable in all directions on the
swivelling castors 55, of which there are a number fixed on the radial bars 52,
a number of these being attached to a central structure 60 and supported on
the standards 62, standing room being left at 53 for the operator.
The braces 63 are also provided with castors 55, like those on the bars 52,
all being movable longitudinally on their supports by means of the cramping
frames 64, as shown in Fig. 1.
In operating the machine, the crank shaft 5 is set in motion and the rods 42:
and 43 are drawn outward to engage the ends aa of the pawls 35 with the
lever extension 34 of the main link 13, raising in the manner before described,
the stems 21, swing plates 11 and implements 10. A side of leather 27 is then
laid on the movable table 54, the rods 42 and 43 are pressed inward, and the
other ends of the pawl-hooks 35 engage, moving the members 28 and 29 outward
from the centre, permitting the implements 10 to bear upon the leather 27,
outward from the centre and alternately as the angle motion of the connecting
rod 8 determines.
If the pressure is not sufficient, or is too great, the nut 20 is turned to com-
press or extend the springs 19 accordingly. These springs 19 being placed
directly over the stones or rubbing implements 10, there is no strain on the
pivots 56 and the tension or compression required is readily adjusted. By this
construction it may be seen that the reciprocating elements or parts of the
machine are greatly reduced in weight and that the reciprocating motion and
consequent amount of work done in a given time is increased in proportion;
also that the various strains, jar and concussion are reduced correspondingly.
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 leather dressing machine, a frame, crank shaft, connecting rod and
the beam extension 9, having a pair of rubbing implements pivotally suspended
therefrom, pivotted link connections 13 and 15 for imparting an approximately
rectilinear motion to beam extension and the rubbing implements, these latter
elastically supported at suitable distances on each side of the centre of suspension.
2. In a leather scouring and setting machine, the crank shaft, connecting
ród and a beam extension 9, a link 18 and pivotted thereto the movable
fulcrum 4 and link 15 pivotted to the main frame and to the link 13, the link 15
being of a length between its pivots one-half the distance between the pivots
of the links 13, whereby approximately rectilinear motion is imparted to the
beam extension 9.
3. In a leather dressing machine, the crank shaft, connecting rod and beam
extension 9, a pair of rubbing implements pivotally suspended therefrom by
means of side plates 18 and hinged plates 11 and means for alternately raising
and depressing said rubbing implements when working.
4. In a leather dressing machine, a crank shaft, connecting rod, beam
extension 9 and a pair of rubbing implements pivotally suspended from the beam,
means for alternately raising and depressing these rubbing implements con-

page_text: sisting of the screwed stems 21 and adjustable springs 19, arranged substantially
as described and shown.
5. In a leather dressing machine, the beam extension 9, a pair of rubbing
implements pivotally suspended therefrom, means for depressing said rubbing
implements on their working stroke each way, the pivotted link 13, extension
lever 34 and sliding members 28, 29, having oblique slots 32 for raising the
rubbing implements clear of the leather operated upon, substantially as specified.
6. The combination of beam extension 9, pivotted link 13, extension lever 34,
pawls 36, sliding plates 28, 29, slotted as at 32, stems 21 pivotted to hinged
plates 11 and pins 33 whereby said hinged plates are lifted and depressed on
the alternate strokes of the said beam extension, substantially as specified.
7. The beam extension 9, a pair of rubbing implements pivotally attached to
said beam, suspensory link connections for causing approximate rectilinear motion
of the beam, the pivotted implement holding devices 11 and in combination there-
with a leather supporting table mounted on an open skeleton frame provided
with swivelling castors so the working table can move freely in any direction,
substantially as specified.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.