Improvements in Machinery for Planking Felt Hat Bodies.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Jan., 1895-Accepted, 16th Feb., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Planking Felt Hat Bodies.
I, ROBERT ROBINSON of Gee Cross, near Hyde, in the County of Chester, Hat
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention 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 the planking of felt hat bodies and has for its object the
construction of a machine which will plank such hat bodies in a manner equal to or
surpassing that of hand planking, both in treatment and speed of output.
In accordance with my invention I employ two, by preference curved or segmental
tables or frames arranged one on top of the other and mounted on rollers or runners
in a suitable wooden or other framework. These tables or frames under the action
of eccentrics, links and levers operated from a driving shaft with which they are
connected, oscillate to and fro in opposite directions, the upper one rolling upon the
lower one.
The upper table or frame is fitted with a sheet of india rubber or other flexible
material, and the lower frame is fitted with a series of, by preference hard wood
rollers, ribs or flutings, hence on placing a felt hat body with the usual protecting
cloth around it between the two frames, which reciprocate under the action of the
links and eccentrics as aforesaid, the bat body is effectually planked, the india-
rubber acting on the felt in a manner similar to human hands.
And in order that my said invention shall be the more readily understood and
carried into practical effect 1 have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings and will
How proceed to describe the same with the assistance of the various figures and
letters of reference marked thereon.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved machine in its entirety.
Fig. 2 is a detailed section of the two oscillating frames in their normal
position.
Fig. 3 is a similar section shewing the position of the frames when acting upon
a felt hat body.
In accordance with my invention (A) is the upper frame and (B) the lower
frame, both being, by preference of rectangular and segmental formation, and the
lower one larger than the upper one. The lower frame is mounted on rollers or
runners (C) supported in bearings (C) fixed on the frame of the machine. The
upper frame (A) rides on the raised edges (D) of the lower frame (B), being fitted
with the roller (E) extending across the rear end of the frame, and with small
runners or pulleys (F) at each corner of the front end of the frame. To the upper
frame (A) a sheet of india rubber (G) is fitted, as seen more clearly in Figs. 2
and 3 which is preferably about three eights of an inch in thickness and secure to
its framing by screws (G').
In the lower frame (B) is fitted a series of rollers (H) each capable of revolving
independently of the other in suitable bearings formed in the inner sides of the
frame (B).
To the upper frame (A) is connected by the link (1) the lever (J) which in turn
is connected with the rod (K) of the eccentric (K') mounted on the driving
shaft (L) as illustrated.
To the lower frame (B) is connected by the link (M) the lever (N) which in
turn is connected to the rod (O) of the eccentric (P), also mounted on the driving
shaft (L).
It will now be obvious that the eccentrics (K³) and (P) being oppositely set as

page_text: illustrated on the shaft (L) cause the frames (A) and (1) through the levers (J)
and (N) mounted on the shaft (Q) to move to and fro in opposite directions as
indicated by the arrows (1) and (2). This motion having been obtained the free
end of the upper frame (A) is lifted up and a felt hat body placed between the
two frames and on the rollers (H) of the lower frame. On lowering the upper
frame the full weight of such frame comes upon the hat body and under the
to-and-fro motion of the frames and particularly the action of the india-rubber (G),
which, in its treatment of the felt, is equivalent to or surpassing that of hand
treatment owing to its flexibility, the hat body is effectually planked.
The sheet of india-rubber (G) is an important feature of my invention as
owing to its flexibility it is more "kind"
to the felt than hard unstretchable
materials hitherto used and furthermore the rubber under the pressure or specific
gravity of the frame (A) acts upon a considerably greater portion of the surface
of the hat body, lapping itself round the hat body. By thus treating the hat
bodies the felt is not "distressed" or unduly agitated.
The weight of the upper frame (A) may be varied according to the quality or
kind of hat body under treatment, and this may be done by adding loose weights,
or by a balance weight.
A series of hat hodies may be treated at the same time and if desired a series
of frames or tables may be mounted in one machine. The driving shaft (L) is
fitted with fast and loose pulleys for starting and stopping the frames. To
facilitate the lifting of the upper frame (A) the same may be balanced, or
provision may be made in the framework of the machine to support it when
raised.
To prevent the water, etc., escaping from the hat body falling onto the eccentrics
and driving shaft I provide a box or casing immediately below the lower frame as
illustrated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2.
The means and method of actuating the frames (A) and (B) may be varied
according to convenience, for instance, the eccentrics may be arranged to act
directly on the frames without the intervention of links and levers, or adjustable
cranks may be used instead of eccentrics. The motion of the frames will be
determined by the throw of the eccentrics and the adjustment of the levers (J)
and (N).
If desired the frames (A) and (B) may be made straight and to slide one upon
the other, but I prefer the curved formation as the hat body always has a tendency
to keep between the working faces of the frames. In lieu of the rollers (H) the
frame may be made solid, with ribs or flutings, or similar roughened surface.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed i declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. In machinery for planking felt hat bodies, the use of the frames (A)
and (B), by preference of curved formation, the upper one fitted with sheet india-
rubber or other like flexible material, and the lower one with hard wood rollers or
their equivalent and mounted and operating substantially as set forth.
2nd. In machinery for planking felt hat bodies the use of a reciprocating frame
or table mounted upon and supported by an oppositely reciprocating frame or table
and fitted with suitable planking media the upper fraine acting upon felt hat bodies
by its own weight or gravity as set forth.
3rd. The combination and arrangement of parts forming my improved hat body
planking machine substantially as set forth and illustrated on the accompanying
drawing.
Dated this 31st day of December 180.1
JOHN G. WILSON & Co.,
Agents.