Improvement in Machines for Grading and Reeling Straw Braid.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improvement in Machines for Grading and Reeling Straw Braid.
I, DANIEL BROWN, of Wrentham, in the County of Norfolk, and Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, one of the United States of America, Manufacturer do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR GRADING
AND REELING STRAW BRAID and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My said invention relates to a machine for grading and reeling straw braid, and
consists of a steam drum exteriorly formed with a variable groove to receive the braid,
having a roll fitted to be used with said variable groove, for the purpose of evening
and finishing the same, with connected devices for delivering and winding the braid
on reels provided therefor.
The accompanying drawings are hereby made part of this specification, similar
letters of reference thereon indicating corresponding parts.
In said drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of my said machine partially in section
to show the construction and relation of certain of its parts.
Figure 2 is an end elevation showing ends of the steam drum, roll, revolving guide,
and reel, with details of smaller parts connected therewith.
Figure 3 is a detached view of the guide and lift used to lead the stock to the
variable groove, and to separate the finished braid from the drum.
Figure 4 is a detached view of one of the eccentrics governing the relation of the
roll to the groove in the periphery of the drum.
Figure 5 shows both of said eccentrics, in perspective, connected with each
other.
Figure 6 is a view of the end of the device opposite to that shown in Figure 2.
Figure 7 is a rear elevation of the machine, a represents a belt leading from any
suitable motor to the driving-pulley b on the main shaft c journalled in eccentrics p²,
mounted in the framework 2, the eccentrics being connected by a rod s² as seen in
Figures 5 and 6; shaft c also carries a gear wheel d, and a pressure roll a¹, the said
roll working in the groove c¹ in the drum, and being adjustable up and down in said
groove by means of the eccentrics in which the main shaft is mounted, said eccentrics
being held in the desired adjustment by means of a screw r², passing through slot r.

page_text: in an arm of the eccentric and taken into the framework of the machine. The gear-
wheel d meshes with a larger gear-wheel e, secured on the drum-shaft f; 9 represents
a steam drum, or cylinder, over which the straw braid is passed and on which it is
ironed and pressed; it is secured to the drum-shaft by means of bolts ¹, which pass
through a hub i, secured to the shaft and taken into the drum. The drum is provided
on one side with a rim a², rising a short distance above its periphery, and on the
other side with a hollow projection k, screw-threaded exteriorly for the reception of
an outer shell h, which shell is thus adjustable on the drum to leave a groove c', of
greater or less width between its front edge and the rim a², the
of which
purpose
groove will hereinafter appear. The shell is secured in its adjustable position by a
check-nut w¹, represents a double duct-pipe, passing through the projection k and
opening out into the interior of the drum. The duct m is for admitting steam to the
interior of the drum, and the duct n is designed to conduct away the water of con-
densation; and for this purpose the pipe is provided with drain-pipes op in
communication with duct n. A gasket, let into the projection k, serves to prevent
the escape of steam around pipe T.
represents a pinion secured to the end of the drum shaft f, and meshing with a
gear-wheels, mounted on a stud s¹, secured in the framework. This gear-wheel
carries a cam t with which interlocks a pin 7. on a lever u, the lower end of which
lever is slotted as at 2, and is adjustably pivoted on a bolt, 3, passing through the
lever and a slotted bracket » secured to the framework. The upper end of this lever
is bifurcated, and is secured to a metal band, 4, which loosely surrounds the shaft w,
the ends of the band being held together by a screw or rivet, 5, as clearly shown.
A washer, 6, is rigidly secured to the shaft on each side of the band 4. Shaft w,
which is mounted in the upper part of the framework z¹, its outer end being supported
in a curved arm, 1', extending out from the framework, is driven by a gear-wheel, d,
through whose hub passes a pin (not seen) which takes into a longitudinal groove, 7,
in the shaft, thus permitting the shaft to be moved laterally by lever u.
Z represents a reel, hung in right-angular supports Y, mounted loosely on shaft w,
and held in place on said shaft by bosses 8, secured to the shaft. The rear extension
of these supports Y are bifurcated, as seen in Figure 7, and the bifurcations pass over
a rod o rigidly secured in a projection n¹ from arm and a rearward projection n²
from the framework. By this means the reel is steadied in its movements back and
forth with the reciprocating shaft w.
represents a transfer roll, rigidly secured to shaft w. This roll is designed to
convey the braid from the drum to the reel; but as both the reel and roll are
carried back and forth by the shaft, it is apparent that they are constantly changing
position with relation to the drum, so that as the braid leaves the latter it will be
delivered to the reel by the roll in such a manner as to be evenly and smoothly
wound.
e¹ is a thin steel lifting-finger, adapted to lie in the groove of the drum and lift
the finished braid. This finger is secured to a small rod, f¹, which is adjustably
held in a bracket, 62, on frame z¹ by a set screw, g', the bracket being secured at c² to
the frame
j represents a guide for the braid, at h¹, in its passage to the drum, as seen at t¹ in
Figure 2. It is adjustably secured to the bracket 62 by means of a thumb screw, k¹,
passing through a slot in the guide; and the guide is so located that it lies just outside
of the pressure-roll as seen in Figure 3.
Straw braid, as usually received by the manufacturer of straw goods, is of uneven
width and thickness, owing to the irregularities in the straw as prepared for braiding,
and to the differences in the manner of braiding. The object of my invention is to so
prepare and finish the braid that it shall be of uniform width and thickness; and from
the same general stock to finish the braid of the width and thickness that may
reasonably be required. To this end I first submit the raw braid to a steam bath, or
like treatment, and, in this moistened and plastic condition, convey it to the steam
drum or cylinder g, as seen at t¹ in Figure 2. Here it passes under the pressure
roll a', into the groove c¹, where, by the internal heat of the drum and the adjusted

page_text: pressure of said roll it is pressed or ironed into the width of said groove and into the
thickness represented by the space between the edge of the roll and the bottom of
the groove.
As the braid is carried along over said drum and pressed and finished
as aforesaid, the finger e¹ lifts it out of the groove, and it is then conducted over the
guide roll x and on to the reel Z.
The width of the braid may be varied by widening or narrowing the groove c¹.
This is done by moving the shell, which is adjustable on the periphery of the drum
by means of the threaded projection k and check-nut w¹. The thickness of the braid
may be varied by adjusting the pressure of the roll a¹ thereon; and this is done by
raising or lowering said roll by means of the eccentrics governing the relative position
of the roll as seen at p¹ p¹ in Figures, 2, 4, and 5.
The operation of the attached devices for reeling the braid will be apparent from the
drawings and the foregoing description of said parts.
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, with the drum, provided with a raised rim on one side,
of a shell adjustable on said drum with relation to the rim, for the purpose set forth,
and devices, substantially as described, for heating the drum.
Second. The combination, with the drum provided with a raised rim on one side
and a screw threaded projection on the other side, of a shell screwed on to said
projection, and thereby adjustable on the drum with relation to the rim, for the purpose
stated, and devices substantially as described, for admitting steam to the interior of
the drum for the purpose of heating it.
Third. The combination, with the drum having a peripheral groove, as described,
of a shaft journalled in eccentrics mounted in the main frame, means for holding
the eccentrics in adjusted position, a pressure-roll secured on said shaft and working
in the groove in the drum, and mechanism for driving the shaft, for the purposes
set forth.
Fourth. The combination, with the drum having a peripheral groove, as described,
and a pressure-roll working in said groove, of a reciprocating shaft journalled in
the main frame above said roll, a delivery-roll rigidly secured on said shaft, a reel
journalled above the delivery-roll in supports loosely mounted on said shaft, but
reciprocating therewith, and means substantially as described, for rotating and
reciprocating the shaft.
Fifth. The combination, with the drum having a peripheral groove, and a pressure
roll working in said groove, of a guide for directing the straw braid under the.
pressure roll, and a lifting finger lying in the groove in the drum in rear of said roll,
for lifting the braid from the drum, substantially as described.
Dated this 18th day of Santamber 1888
JOHN G. WILSON,
55, Market Street, Manchester,
Agent for the Applicant.