An Improved Leather-finishing Machine.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 13th Dec., 1890-Accepted, 17th Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Leather-finishing Machine.
I, WILLIAM WILSON HORN, of the firm of Horn & Son, of 151 Strand, London,
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, (a_com-
munication to me from abroad, by George W. Lennox, of Haverhill, Mass., United
States of America, Inventor) to be as follows:-
This invention relates to leather-finishing machines, and its objects are to devise
certain new and useful improvements therein, hereinafter set forth.
This invention consists of a table or bed, which is supported upon a suitable
framing, said table having a universal motion, capable of being raised or lowered,
moved laterally or longitudinally.
Above said table is a padded roller upon a shaft carried in suitable bearings and
capable of being rotated by any desired means. This roller is for the purpose of
applying a seasoning solution and rubbing it into the surface of the leather which
is placed upon the movable bed or table beforementioned beneath it.
This seasoning solution is contained in a tank above the said roller and keeps the
roller supplied therewith. The tank has agitating mechanism therein, driven from
the roller shaft, for keeping the solution in a fit condition for use, and the said
solution is supplied to the padded roller as required, provision being made for
preventing any excess of the solution upon the surface of the roller.
The carriage of the movable table or bed, has counterweights, secured thereto,
which tend to move the table in a direction opposite to that in which the longitudinal
portion of the roller is moving.
Dated this 26th day of September 1890.
HORN & SON,
Applicant's Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Leather-finishing Machine.
I, WILLIAM WILSON HORN of the firm of Horn and Son of 151 Strand in the
County of Middlesex Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention
(a communication to me from George W. Lennox of Haverhill, State of
Massachusetts, United States of America Inventor) and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
In the finishing of leather for many purposes one surface of the leather is blacked
and is then subsequently polished or glazed. This polishing or glazing is done on a
glazing-machine which gives to the leather a high lustre or glaze which is required
in many of the uses to which the leather is put. The leather, however, after being
blacked cannot be operated upon directly by the glazing-machine, since the effect of
the glazing or polishing operation would be to glaze away or remove the blacking.
It is accordingly necessary after blacking the leather and before glazing it to apply
a seasoning solution to the leather to prepare it for glazing. The seasoning solution
ordinarily employed is a mixture of red aniline dye, blood albumen, extract of log-
wood, milk, and water. This seasoning solution is applied to the blacked surface
of the leather and is thoroughly rubbed in. This seasoning operation sets the black
colour and enables the leather to take a high polish. The seasoning of the leather
has heretofore been ordinarily done by hand.
Now the machine which constitutes the subject-matter of the present invention is
Prin

page_text: one which is particularly adapted and designed for applying the seasoni
to previously-blacked leather.
In order that the machine may properly apply the seasoning solution to all parts
of the surface of the leather and may thoroughly rub the solution into the leather,
it is provided with a power-driven padded roller, which rotates in fixed bearings, a
source of supply for the solution from which the solution is conveyed to the padded
roller, and a universally-movable leather-carrying table or bed which moves to and
from the roller, which can be pressed with any desired degree of pressure against the
roller, and which enables the surface of the leather to be presented to the action of
the roller for as long an interval (or as many times) as may be necessary to
thoroughly rub the solution in.
While the primary object of the machine is to apply the seasoning solution to the
leather, and while only when used for this object are all of its functions and
capabilities utilized, nevertheless it can, if desired, be conveniently used for other
purposes in connection with the finishing of leather, and can be used for applying
any liquid dressing, mixture, or solution to the surface of the leather for the purpose
of blacking, oiling, or otherwise treating the leather.
and
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a front view of the improved machine.
Fig. 2 is a plan view.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section in a plane indicated by the line 3 3 in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a vertical section in a plane indicated by the line 4 4 in Figs. 2 and 3 ;
Figs. 5 and 6 are views of parts in detail.
The machine comprises as its essential operative parts a constantly-rotating power-
driven padded roller A, journaled in fixed bearings, a supply feeding-tank B, con-
taining the solution which is fed to the padded roller, and a universally-moving
table or bed C, on which the leather is placed, and by means of which every portion
of the surface of the leather may be brought into contact with the padded roller.
By a universally-moving table or bed is meant one which is capable of a movement
in three directions, vertically, longitudinally, and laterally.
The universally-moving table or bed is operated by the attendant, and may be
moved vertically and horizontally in right lines, and may be revolved in a horizontal
plane, which effects the necessary lateral movement.
The universally-moving table or bed is supported on a suitable frame-work D,
having vertical posts E at its four corners, each of which is formed with a vertically-
extending groove or way a.
Sliding vertically in the four ways a a in the several posts E E are four
vertically-sliding bars F F. These sliding are mutually connected to form a rigid
vertically-movable skeleton frame by longitudinally-extending top bars b b b and by
cross-rails c c.
Pivotally connected to the four upper corners of the vertically-movable frames
are four levers G G, which respectively rest upon four diagonal braces dd, secured
to each corner of the frame-work D. These braces d d constitute fixed fulcra upon
which the levers G G respectively oscillate in a vertical direction. The four
levers G G are all of the same length, and their respective fulcra are equi-distant
from the ends of the several levers. The four levers G G extend in a substantially
horizontal plane toward the centre of the frame-work D, so that their free ends are
in close proximity.
Pivoted at the rear lower part of frame-work D is a treadle, H, which extends
beneath the free ends of the levers G and projects out beyond the front side of the
machine so as to be within convenient reach of the attendant. The free ends of the
several levers G are respectively connected to the treadle by chains e e. Consequently
when the free end of the treadle is depressed the free ends of the levers G are
lowered, and consequently the vertically-movable frame is elevated. When the foot
is removed from the treadle, the vertically-movable frame resumes its norinal
lowermost position.

page_text: In order to retain the vertically-movable frame in its elevated position, the treadle
is provided with a lateral lipf, which co-operates with a fixed rack 9 on the frame-
work D, the treadle having a sufficient lateral movement to permit of the engagement
and disengagement of the lip and the racks. In this manner the vertically-movable
frame may be raised and lowered vertically in a straight line, as desired.
Mounted on the vertically-movable frame is a travelling carriage I, which is
capable of being reciprocated in a straight line on said frame. On each side the
carriage I is provided on its underside with shoes hh, (which may be replaced by
rollers i i, if desired, both being shown in the drawings,) which rest and slide upon
rails jj on the outer top bars bb of the vertically-movable frame. To maintain the
proper relative position between the carriage and frame, the carriage has a
downwardly-projecting guide-flange k, which rests and slides in a grooved way 1,
formed above the central bar of the vertically-movable frame. Mounted on the
carriage is a rotary bed-plate J, which turns freely in a horizontal plane and in
either direction around a central spindle m, secured to the carriage.
rotary plate the leather to be treated is placed.
Upon this
The vertically-movable frame, the reciprocating carriage, and the rotary plate
constitute the universally-movable leather-carrying table or bed. By the described
construction every portion of the leather placed on the plate J can be brought
beneath any given point above the plate without shifting the position of the leather,
provided the leather does not project beyond the edges of the plate, the plate.
however, being easily made large enough to accommodate any size of leather. The
rotary plate is rotated on the carriage I by the attendant by means of hand-knobs n n
on the plate.
The padded roller A, which applies the solution to the surface of the leather on
the leather-carrying plate, is itself carried on one end of a shaft K, which is
journaled in fixed bearings o o, supported by depending brackets p p, secured to the
frame-work D. The padded roller is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow !
by means of a driving-belt q or equivalent means, which passes over a grooved
pulley on the outer end of shaft K and over guide-pulleys s s on the fixed frame-
work D. The padding of roller A is composed of felt or other suitable absorbing
material.
Above the padded roller there is mounted upon the frame-work the supply tank
or vat B, having an outlet t at its bottom, from which leads a horizontal conducting
discharge-pipe immediately above the padded roller. The discharge-pipe has
a series of discharging, perforations uu above the padded roller, so that the solution
from the tank or vat is distributed evenly and uniformly upon the padded roller
throughout its length.
An agitator M is provided within the tank or vat for the purpose of keeping the
solution within it homogeneous. This agitator consists of a series of revolving
blades v. carried by a vertical rotating arbor w within the vat or tank. The
blades rotate in a horizontal plane just above the discharge-outlet t, so that the
solution is acted upon just before leaving the vat, thus securing the homogeneity of
the solution when supplied to the padded roller A. The arbor w is rotated from the
shaft K, through the instrumentality of grooved pulleys xx on the arbor and
shaft, respectively, an intermediate drive-belt y, and intermediate guide grooved
pulleys 2 2.
In front of and behind the padded roller A are splasher-shields N, against the
inner surface of which any surplus soiution conveyed to the roller is thrown. The
front shield receives by far the greater part of such surplus solution, (since
the roller comes in contact with the leather before any of the solution can be thrown
off against the rear splasher,) and consequently a drain-trough O is provided along
the lower inner edge of the front shield N. Any solution collecting in the trough
is carried off by a downwardly-inclining pipe P, which extends backward beyond
the frame-work D, out of the way. In using the machine the leather is first placed
on the upper surface of the universally-moving leather-carrying table or bed C when
the latter is in its lowered position. There is then sufficient space between the

page_text: surface of bed-plate J and the padded roller A to enable the leather to be passed
beneath the roller. The treadle is then depressed, thus elevating the table or bed C
and bringing the leather thereon in contact with the rotating padded roller. The
pressure of the roller on the leather can be varied by means of the extent of depression
of the treadle.
During the operation of the machine the padded roller rotates in a predetermine·l
position by reason of the fact that its bearings are normally fixed or stationary, so
that it forms a surface against which the leather can be pressed with any desired
degree of pressure by the upward movement of the bed-plate. The attendant then
moves the bed-plate J in and out and rotates the same, thus bringing every portion
of the leather into contact with the padded roller, so that the solution is applied to
every portion of the surface of the leather.
The several movements of the bed-plate in connection with the padded roller
enable the solution to be thoroughly and uniformly rubbed in. Every portion of
the leather can be held in contact with the roller a sufficiently long time, or may be
presented to the roller a sufficient number of times to effectually rub the solution
into the leather.
In order that all the leather may be acted upon by the padded roller, it is only
essential that the carriage I should have a reciprocating movement equal to the
radius of the circular bed-plate J. As shown in the drawings, when the carriage is
pushed back to its limit the centre of the plate J is beneath the padded roller, and
when the carriage is drawn forward the proper distance the outer margin of plate J
(within the operating-knobs n n) is beneath the padded roller. To permit the forward
movement of the carriage I to a sufficient extent, the bars 666 of the vertically-
movable frame and the rails jj and way thereon are extended in front of the
machine, as shown. The carriage can, if desired, be moved forward, so that the
bed-plate J will be entirely clear of the padded roller to facilitate placing the leather
in position. Since the padded roller A rotates constantly in one direction, its
friction upon the leather lying on the bed-plate J tends to slide the carriage I in a
direction determined by the direction of rotation of the roller A. Since, as
illustrated in the drawings, the roller rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow 1,
the carriage is acted upon by a force which would move it in a direction indicated
by the arrow 2, or toward the rear of the machine. This action of the padded
roller on the bed-plate J and carriage I is objectionable, since it interferes with the
ready and easy manipulation of the bed-plate and carriage by the attendant.
Mechanism is therefore added for neutralizing this action of the padded roller.
This neutralizing mechanisin, as shown, consists in counter-weights QQ, which
when not counteracted by the padded roller move the carriage I forward, or in a
direction opposite to that in which the carriage is moved by the padded roller. These
counter-weights are arranged on opposite sides of the carriage and connected to the
rear end of the carriage by means of cords or chains R R, which pass over and
between intermediate guide-pulleys S S. Two guide-pulleys SS are provided on
each side for each cord, so that if the carriage is moved so far forward that its rear
end passes in front of the pulleys S S the cord R will be held in position and not be
chafed, worn, or entangled on any part of the fixed frame-work.
By the employment of this machine the blacked surface of leather may be treated
with the seasoning solution in an effective, uniform, rapid, thorough, and economical
manner, and the leather can then be glazed in a glazing-machine without removing
the blacking, and can be given a high and brilliant polish.
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
1. In a machine for applying a seasoning solution to the surface of leather, a
universally-movable leather-carrying table or bed the universal movements of which
enable it to be raised and lowered to be moved longitudinally and to be moved
laterally, in combination with a power-driven rotating padded roller journaled in

page_text: fixed bearings and located above said table or bed for applying a seasoning solution
to and rubbing it in the surface of leather on said table or bed, the vertical move-
ment of said table or bed enabling the leather thereon to be pressed against said
roller, a source of supply for the seasoning solution, and means for conducting it
therefrom to said padded roller, substantially as set forth.
2. A rotating roller for applying a liquid solution to the surface of leather, the
rotating shaft of said roller, and a leather-carrying table or bed co-operating with
said roller, in combination with a supply-tank for holding the solution and feeding it
to the said roller, a rotating arbor within said tank, agitating-blades on said arbor,
and mechanism intermediate between said shaft and arbor whereby the arbor is
rotated by the shaft, substantially as set forth.
3. In a leather-finishing machine, a rotating padded roller for applying a liquid
solution to the surface of leather, a leather-carrying table or bed beneath said roller
and co-operating therewith, and a feed-tank for supplying a liquid solution directly
to said roller, in combination with a splasher-shield above and out of contact with
said table or bed and co-operating with said roller to receive any surplus solution
from the same, and a drip-trough along the lower edge of said shield and above said
table which receives the surplus solution from the shield and prevents it from falling
onto said table or the leather thereon, substantially as set forth.
4. A universally-movable leather-carrying table or hed consisting of a vertically-
movable frame, a reciprocating carriage sliding on said frame, and a rotary leather-
holding plate turning on said carriage, in combination with means co-operating with
said table or bed for applying a liquid solution to the surface of leather upon the
same, substantially as set forth.
5. The reciprocating leather-carrying carriage and supporting-plate and a rotating
roller which acts frictionally upon the surface of the leather on said carriage and
plate, in combination with counter-weights connected to said carriage and acting to
move the same in a direction opposite to that in which the tangential portion of said
roller is moving, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 12th day of December 1890.