IMPROVEMENTS IN PLAITING MACHINES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Fricker, Manager of the Wanzer Sewing Machine
Company, of 4, Great Portland Street, in the County of Middlesex, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PLAITING MACHINES."
Seeled the 26th November 1878. and dated the 28th May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Fricker at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th May 1878.
HENRY FRICKER, Manager of the Wanzer Sewing Machine Company, of 4, Great
Portland Street, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PLAITING
MACHINES,"
This Invention relates to improvements in plaiting machines, the main feature of
novelty in the Invention being a reciprocating yielding presser, composed preferably
of two cylinders, the folder or plaiting knife remaining stationary.
In carrying my Invention into effect, according to one arrangement, the machine
is composed of a cast-iron lower frame or foundation, upon the inner side of which
two ledges or ways are formed for an upper frame to reciprocate upon. This upper
frame is composed of two uprights, in each of which is a longitudinal slot or opening,
through which the axles of the presser cylinders pass, and in which they are held
or supported by guides. The upper of these cylinders is held or pressed upon the
lower one by springs in the usual manner.
The front part of the bed or foundation plate consists of two uprights, the tops of
which are nearly level with the top of the lower cylinder. Near the top of these
uprights the stationary knife or knives is or are suitably attached, so as to be
capable of both vertical and lateral adjustment to suit the thickness of the material
to be plaited and the length of travel of the cylinders.
One method of giving the to-and-fro motion to the presser cylinders is as follows:
-A shaft turning through the bed or foundation plate carries an ordinary geared or
cog wheel, which takes into another and smaller wheel suitably arranged in the
front part of the bed plate. Upon one side of this smaller wheel an adjustable

page_text: excentric is arranged, having a connecting rod attached, the other end of the con-
necting rod being attached to the under part of the reciprocating frame carrying the
presser cylinders.
The axle of one of the presser cylinders carries a ratchet wheel keyed or fastened
to it for the purpose of giving the necessary rotary motion to the cylinders by means
of a lever and paul arrangement, operated by a cam on the main or driving axle of
the machine, or on the secondary axle, as found preferable.
The cylinders may be cast hollow for the purpose of heating by gas, steam, or
other suitable method in the ordinary way.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Fricker in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th November
1878.
HENRY FRICKER, Manager of the Wanzer Sewing Machine Company, of _4, Great
Portland Street, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PLAITING
MACHINES.".
This Invention relates to improvements in plaiting machines, the main feature of
novelty in the Invention being a reciprocating yielding presser, composed preferably
of two cylinders, the folder or plaiting knife remaining stationary.
In carrying my Invention into effect, according to one arrangement, the machine,
as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is composed of a cast-iron lower frame or foundation A,
upon the inner side of which two ledges or ways B are formed for an upper frame C
to reciprocate upon. This upper frame is further composed of two uprights D, in
each of which is a longitudinal slot or opening through which the axles of the
presser cylinders E, E, pass, and in which they are held or supported by bearings.
The upper of these cylinders is held or pressed upon the lower one by springs in the
usual manner.
The front part of the bed or foundation plate A consists of two uprights F, and
near the top of these uprights, at the front side, the stationary knife or knives G is
or are suitably attached, so as to be capable of both vertical and lateral adjustment
to suit the thickness of the material to be plaited and the length of travel of the
cylinders.
One method of giving the to-and-fro motion to the presser cylinders is as follows:
-A shaft H, running partly through the centre of the bed or foundation plate,
carries an ordinary geared or cog wheel I, which takes into another and smaller
wheel J, suitably arranged in the front part of the bed plate. Upon one end of the
shaft K of this smaller wheel an adjustable eccentric or crank disc L is arranged,
having a connecting rod M attached, the other end of the connecting rod being
attached to the under part of the reciprocating frame C carrying the presser
cylinders.

page_text: The axle of one of the presser cylinders carries a ratchet wheel N keyed or
fastened to it, for the purpose of giving the necessary rotary motion to the cylinders
by means of a lever and paul arrangement P, operated by a cam Q on the main or
driving axle of the machine, or on the secondary axle, as found preferable.
The cylinders may be cast hollow for the purpose of heating by gas, steam, or
other suitable method in the ordinary way.
R is an adjustable piece held in its place by the thumbscrew S, and is for the
purpose of regulating the amount of motion the lever P shall receive from the
cam Q, and consequently through its pawl acting on the ratchet wheel N, that of the
pressure rollers also.
Another method of carrying my Invention into effect is shown in Figure 3, which
is a side elevation of a machine in which the presser rollers E, E, instead of sliding
to and fro, as in Figures 1 and 2, are caused to vibrate from the centre S, forming
part of the frame C in which they are carried, two opposite legs T of said frame
(one only of which is seen) being carried down to the bed plate A, and there
supported on the centre S, as clearly shown.
The frame is caused to vibrate by the connecting rod M and adjustable crank disc
on the shaft K, as in Figures 1 and 2. The knife G is a fixture relative to the to-
and-fro motion of the rollers, as before, and is caused to lift from the work at the
right moment by the cam U acting upon the lever V. The lever W, pivoted at W',
regulates the position of the knife G, according to the travel of the rollers, and is held
secure by the nipping screw X, as clearly shown.
Spacing is done by the hand lever Y and paul Z, the latter being weighted, as
shown, to keep its nose engaged in the teeth of the ratchet wheel N on the lower
roller axis, the motion of the lever Y, and consequently the width of "space," being
regulated by the position of the stop piece a, which latter is adjustable on the
curbed bracket b attached to the vibrating frame.
The necessary rotative motion of the presser cylinders is obtained by the pawl
piece c and lever d, the latter being pivoted at e to the frame F, and acted upon by
the adjustable cam g on the shaft K, which is fitted with a fly wheel and handle by
which the machine is worked.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as my Invention, the construction
of plaiting machines with reciprocating presser rollers and a stationary knife, as
herein-before described, and substantially as shown in the Drawings annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Fricker, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of November, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-eight.
HENRY FRICKER. (L.S.)