IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR BEATING AND CLEANSING CARPETS AND LIKE ARTICLES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, GEORGE LAMB, of Newtonhill, Stonehaven, in the County of Kincardine
Millwright, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR BEATING AND CLEANSING CARPETS AND LIKE ARTICLES" 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 improvements applicable to carpet beating machines of a
well known type, namely such as consist of a casing containing a horizontal axis to
which rapid rotary motion is imparted, such axis carrying a series of leather straps
which by the rotation are made successively to strike the carpet whilst it lies upon
an incline frame or bench the surface of which is composed of straps or bands with
spaces between them. During the operation the carpet is gradually fed forward
over the inclined bench.
According to my Invention I improve the action of such beaters by connecting
the straps of which they are composed at their outer ends by cords, upon which are
threaded blocks of india rubber of elongated head like form.
Beaters thus constructed have a very efficient cleansing action, and are not liable
to injure the carpets or like materials submitted to their action.
I also support the frame or bench which supports the carpet whilst beaten upon
blocks of india rubber and thereby I obtain in a very simple manner the elasticity
in the support which is favourable to the action of the machine and prevents undue
severity in the action of the beaters.
I also improve the action of the beating machine by stiffening or trussing the
axis by means of three truss bars made fast to the end plates upon the axis and
bearing at intermediate points upon intermediate bearing plates or supports fixed
on the axis at distances the one from the other.
By this I avoid the irregularity and loss of power by friction in the use of these
beating machines resulting from the deflection of the axis during rotation.
I also provide two driving pulleys upon the main shaft, one at either end; these
driving pulleys have different diameters. Each has its driving belt and a loose
pulley alongside to receive the driving belt when out of work.
By driving the machine by one or other of these pulleys I am able very
conveniently to obtain different speeds, a slow speed adapted for goods of a tender

page_text: In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shows an end elevation of the machine; Figure 2, the front elevation
Figure 3, a transverse section; and Figure 4, a longitudinal section. Figure 5 is a
section of the shaft shewing the intermediate plates or supports; Figure 6 is a
section of the shaft shewing the end plate; Figure 7 is a longitudinal section of
the shaft; and Figure 8 is an end view of the shaft. Figure 9 shows the
extremities of two of the beaters and their connecting cord with bead like blocks of
vulcanized india rubber thereon. In all the Figures the same letters are used to
indicate corresponding parts.
The machine consists of a rectangular framework of wood (a), having a curved
top, and in the front side a slit or opening which can be closed by a flap (b) hinged
to the main framework. Through this slit or opening the carpet or other fabric to
be operated upon is introduced. The carpet is received on a sloping bed (c) formed
of strips of leather or of india rubber (d) stretched on a framework of wood (e).
This framework rests at its more elevated side, next the slit or opening, on pads of
india rubber (f); and at its lower side on cylindrical blocks of india rubber (g)
whereby a uniform and adequate amount of yielding and elasticity is imparted to
the bed. As the carpet or other fabric passes over this bed, it is subjected to the
action of beaters (h), consisting of straps of leather or india rubber fixed to
longitudinal bars of wood (2) on the centre shaft (), and connected at their frec
ends by ropes in short lengths protected by elongated balls or tubes of india rubber,
or it may be by short linked chains (1) as heretofore. The beaters are attached in
a series of three rows to the shaft (), which extends the whole length of the
machine, and can be made to revolve at different speeds by the motive power of
the engine acting on the driving pulleys (m, n,). The loose pulleys are (o, p.) The
belt works on the pulley (m) when the machine runs at 130 revolutions per minute,
and on the pulley (n) when running at 112 revolutions per minute. The shaft (k)
is formed of a wrought iron tube about 23/, inches in diameter, into which solid ends
are inserted; these receive the driving pulleys and enter the bearings which have
a large bearing surface. In order to prevent oscillation and preserve perfect
rigidity and steadiness of movement in the shaft, three tension rods (t) are
stretched from end to end passing over intermediate bearing plates or supports (u)
keyed to the tube. The tension rods are tightened by nuts (v) at the end plates (w)
to any required degree of tension.
The carpet or other fabric introduced into the machine is uniformly beaten as it
passes over the bed to the platform and back to the slit or opening. The sand and
grit fall through the interstices in the bed, and the slits in the platform, into a
receptacle at the bottom of the machine, whence it can be easily removed, and the
finer portion of the dust is drawn by a powerful exhaust fan and expelled into a
chamber where it is thrown down by steam or otherwise disposed of.
Machines of this construction present the following advantages:-(1) The fabric
subjected to the operation of the beaters is supported on a framework or bed
rendered elastic and yielding by the use of india rubber; (2) the beaters are so
formed as to operate on the carpets with the least amount of severity consistent
with the application of the requisite force for the removal of dust and impurities;
(3) the beating process can be varied in intensity to suit the strength and texture
of the fabrics subjected to its action by the revolution of the shaft at different
speeds, effected by the use of pulleys of different diameters; (4) the application of
the beating process
regulated and steadied by an improved description of shaft

page_text: or spindle revolving truly and without deflection; and (5) the engine power
required to drive the machine is lessened, and the strain on the framework is
reduced.
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. The beating straps connected at their ends by cords with india rubber bead
like blocks thereon.
2. Supporting on india rubber pads or blocks the frame or bench on which the
carpet lies whilst beaten.
3. The means by which adequate stiffness is given to the main shaft or axis
consisting in the application of tension bars connected to the end plates and bearing
upon intermediate plates or supports.
4. Providing the main shaft or axis with two driving pulleys and two
corresponding loose pulleys, one pair at each end thereof.
5. The machine substantially as represented by the annexed Drawings.
Dated this Sixth day of September 1884.
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.