Year: 1888

page_text: Coverings.
I. THOMAS STRATFORD, of Guildford Street, Luton, in the County of Bedford,
Straw Hat Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to improved iron blocking spindles for use in blocking, hats
and other head coverings manufactured from straw and the like. My invention bas
the advantage over every other spindle now in common use, as it has combined, novelty,
And in
strength, ease, steadiness, smoothiness, convenience and great duribility.
order that my invention may be more thoroughly understood, I now proceed to
explain the accompanying drawings thereof, reference being had to letters and figures
marked thereon.
Figure 1 represents a full size elevation of the front view of the spindle. Figure 2,
denotes the side elevation of figure 1, with the dotted lines to indicate the interior
fittings.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the iron bracket or frame.
Figure 4 is a front elevation of the iron bracket or frame.
Figure 5 is the leaf spindle. Figure 6 is a plan of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a side view of the rod and spring.
Figure 8 represents a front view of figure 7.
Figure 9 denotes the side view of the under ratchet carriage for the spindle so
arranged as to secure the greatest amount of steadiness, and enabling the operator to
bring his block below the level, thus greatly facilitating work on difficult and
complicated shapes.
Figure 10, is the plan of the top of figure 9.
Figure 11, is the front view of figure 9.
.
Figure 12, is the catch which operates on the teeth of the ratchet, to hold the block
in any desired position.

page_text: A. Iron bracket or frame so constructed as to obviate cutting a bench when fixing.
B the leaf spindle made to insuro lightness, strength, and shortness of sweep.
C. the under-ratchet carriage for spindle so arranged as to secure the greatest
amount of steadiness and enabling the operator to bring his block below the level,
thus greatly facilitating work on difficult and complicated shapes.
D. the catch with rod motion.
T Rod and onning

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
.
Improvements in Machines for Blocking Hats and other Head
Coverings.
* 1, THOMAS STRATFORD, of 29 Guildford Street, Luton, in the County of Bedford,
"Straw Hat Manufacturer" 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 :-
My invention relates to improved iron blocking-spindles, for use in blocking
hats, and other head coverings, manufactured from straw and the like.
This machine may be constructed, of iron, steel, brass, or gun metal, or partially
constructed of either of these aforesaid metals in combination to form the said
machine.
My invention has the advantage over every other spindle now in common use,
as it has combined, novelty, strength, case, steadiness, smoothness, convenience and
great duribility.
And in order that my invention may be more thoroughly understood, I now proceed
to describe the accompanying drawings thereof, reference being had to letters and
figures marked thereon.
Figure 1, represents a full size elevation of the front view of the spindle B, which
said spindle revolves in the top portion of the under ratchet carriage U.
The adjustment of the spindle B in the top portion of the under ratchet carriage C
is indicated by dotted lines.
The under ratchet carriage C works on centre pins C¹ in the checks C³ on the
bracket A.
The spindle B is intended to receive any ordinary hat or bonnet block, the said
spindle revolving in the socket at the top of the -under-ratchet carriage C to enable
the operator to move his block round either way.
The rod E is connected with a treddle which is worked by the foot, leaving both
hands of the operator free for use with the hat, iron, and block.
When pressing down the rod E by the treddle, the catch D is pulled downwards,
to enable the operator to adjust the block on the spindle to any angle; and the said
catch is forced back by the springs F in between either of the teeth of the ratchet, to
fix the spindle, when the hook E attached to the treddle is released by moving the foot
off the treddlo.
The spindle may be secured by a set screw B¹.
Figure 2, denotes the side elevation of figure 1, with the dotted lines to indicate
the interior fittings.
Figure 3, is a side elevation of the iron bracket or frame.
Figure 4, is a front elevation of the iron bracket or frame.
Figure 5, is the leaf spindle.
Figure 6, is a plan of figure 5.

page_text: Figuro.8, represents a front view of figure 7.
Figure 9, denotes the side view of the under ratchet carriage for the spindle so
arranged as to secure the greatest amount of steadiness and enabling the operator
to bring his block below the lovel; thus greatly facilitating work in difficult and
complicated shapes.
Figure 10, is the plan of the top of figure 9.
Figure 11, denotes the front view of figure 9.
Figure 12, is the, catch which operates in the teeth of the ratchet, to hold the block
in any desired position.
Like lotters refer to like parts in each of the figures.
:A, Iron bracket or frame, so constructed as to obviate cutting a bench when fixing
the machine.
B; the leaf spindle made to readily fit all ordinary hat and bonnet blocks, and to
simplify the revolving or removing of the blocks from the spindle.
C, the under-ratchet carriage constructed to prevent any incumbrance on the top of
the bench when the block is lowered; the notches or teeth are to enable the catch to
hold the spindle and block at any elevation, from a perpendicular position down to
about 20 degrees below the level to enable the operator to get behind the curl of a
block or hat with his blocking-iron.
D, the catch with rod motion, E, Rod connected with a treddle worked by
the foot.
F, the india rubber rings to act as the spring.
Having now 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 :-
First. The combination of iron blocking-spindles, for blocking hats and other
head coverings manufactured from straw and the like, substantially as herein
described and according to the drawings filed with the Provisional Specification.
Secondly. I claim the advantage of my machine, over every other spindle now in
use; as it has combined; novelty, strength, ease, steadiness, smoothness, convenience,
and great auribility, substantially as herein described.
Thirdly. I claim to construct the machine of any description of metal, or combination
of different metals, of any size, substantially as herein described.
Fourthly. The combination of the under ratchet carriage and the spindle, so
arranged as to secure the greatest amount of steadiness, and enable the operator to
bring his block below the level, to facilitate the work on difficult and complicated
shapes, substantially as herein described.
Dated this 22nd day of December 1888.