Improvements in or connected with Means for Securing Card Clothing to Carding-engine Flats.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Nov., 1889.
Complete Specification Left, 12th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 18th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Means for Securing Card
Clothing to Carding-engine Flats.
I MICHAEL HOLROYD SMITH of Royal Insurance Buildings Crossley Street Halifax
Yorkshire Consulting Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My invention relates to the flats used in certain descriptions of carding engines and
the fasteners employed for securing the card clothing thereon and thereto.
It has hitherto been customary to secure the card clothing to the flat either by pins,
pegs, rivets or wire staples; by strips of toothed metal the teeth of which pass through the
foundation of the clothing and holes in the flat or by metal clamps that are pressed
or bent into the desired form during the process of attachment. My invention relates
more particularly to the latter method. The object being to obtain a clip of simple &
permanent form and so avoid bending or shaping during application, a stronger clip
than has hitherto been used and therefore less liable to damage or derangement, a
clip that can be removed and used again, the better stretching and holding of the
clothing.
For this purpose I stamp, roll, bend, draw, mould, or otherwise form a length of
metal into the shape required when finished preferably into a form resembling the
letter Cor (Greek character) the full length of a flat (though shorter sections may
be employed if desired) and I slightly bevel outwardly the margin of the upper surface
of the flat and form a rib or trough on the under edge of the flat.
The operation is as follows. The card clothing is cut slightly narrower than the
width of the flat and is laid thereon, the upper lip of the C fastener is made to rest
upon the margin of the clothing, the under lip resting against the edge of the flat.
Pressure is then brought to bear upon the fastener forcing the upper lip, which
may be serrated or toothed, into the material of the foundation of the card clothing
until the lower lip can pass the rib on the underside of the flat, the upper portion of
the body of the C then comes against the edge of the flat and acts as a lever stretching
the "foundation" as the lower portion is forced inwards; when a strip or bar of
metal, preferably round is threaded or drawn into the hollow formed by the underside
of the lip of the C fastener the rib upon the flat securely holding the same in
position.
When this method is adopted the fasteners can be made of much stronger metal
than is possible when they have to be bent in the process of attachment.
If the wire or rod be withdrawn the C fastener can be turned outwards and so
release the clothing from the flat.
It is obvious that many modifications of this device are possible for example the
order of application could be reversed viz., the underlip could first be made to
embrace the rib on the underside of the flat and the fastener then turned over
the margin of the clothing and the wire or rod having a taper point be passed
between the upper lip and the clothing pressing it into a recess formed on the
upper side of the flat.
Or the rib on the underside of the flat can be dispensed with and in lien thereof
an angular slot can be cut in the edge of the flat for the reception of the lower lip
of the C in which case the wire rod would press against the outer instead of the
inner surface of the lower lip.
Or in lieu of threading or drawing the wire or rod into position after the clip is
forced on; a rod bar or strip of metal of a modified form can first be laid on and
attached to the margin of the clothing and the C fastener drawn over longitudinally.

page_text: In this latter case though the C fastener could be made to stretch or tighten the
clothing during the process of drawing on a separate device could be employed to
assist therein.
1
1
143 1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Means for Securing Card
Clothing to Carding-engine Flats.
I MICHAEL HOLROYD SMITH Consulting and Mechanical Engineer of Royal
Insurance Buildings Halifax in the County of York 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 :-
This invention relates to the flats used in certain descriptions of carding engines,
and the fasteners employed for securing the card clothing thereon and thereto.
The object of my invention is (by the employment of a clip of simple and permanent
form) to avoid bending or shaping during the process of application, to obtain
greater strength of parts and therefore lessen the liability to damage or derangement,
the better stretching and holding of the clothing, and the easy removal and reattach-
ment if necessary.
The invention consists in the arrangement and combination of parts as hereinafter
indicated, by which the desired ends may be practically secured.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood reference is made to the
accompanying drawings forming part of the Specification and in which
Fig. 1. represents a side elevation of part of a card flat, showing the card and clip
in position, partly in section.
Fig. 2. is a cross section of a "flat" and "cardclothing" one clip being fixed.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a clip the top lip of which is provided with
teeth.
Fig. 4 is an elevation showing the inside of a clip having gaps in the lower lip.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a rod or pin to be used in conjunction with Fig. 4.
Figs 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. illustrate the cycle of movements during application.
Fig. 13 is a modification of Fig.-2.
Fig. 14 is a cross section of a "flat" with card clothing attached by clips of
modified design.
Fig. 15. is a plan view of part of Fig. 14.
Figs. 16. 17 and 18 are perspective illustrations of the same.
For clearness of definition most of the above figures are considerably larger than
actual size, like letters and numbers refer to like parts in the various figures.
a
In carrying out my invention [-stamp, roll, bend, draw, mould, or otherwise form
length of metal into the shape required when finished, preferably into a form
resembling the letter C (as in Figs. 1. 2. 3. 4 Slicet 1) or ε (as shown at 6 in
Fig. 13 Sheet 3) the full length of the flat, though shorter sections may be employed
if desired, and I form a rib or trough "c" on the underside of the flat see
Figs. 1. 2. 13. 14. When occasion requires it the outer margin of the upper surface
of the flat can be slightly bevelled as shown at "d" (Figs. 13 & 14).
The operation is as follows, the card clothing "f" is cut slightly narrower than the
width of the flat and is laid thereon, the upper lip of the C fastener a "is made to
rest upon the margin of the clothing (Fig. 6 Sheet 2). Pressure is then brought
to bear upon the fastener, forcing the upper lip which may be serrated or toothed
(as shown at "g" Fig. 3) into the material of the "foundation" of the card
clothing "" until the lower lip "h" is free to pass the rib "c" on the underside
of the flat (Fig. 7 Sheet 2). The upper portion of the fastener "
"then comes
against the corner of the flat and acts as a lever stretching the "foundation" "f" as
the lower portion is forced inwards until it assumes the position shown in Fig. 8
x

page_text: i
(Sheet 2) when it is ready for the insertion of the rod or pin "K" which securely
locks it in position as clearly shown in Figs. 2. 13 and 14.
Or in order to lessen the angle of movement the cycle may be as follows.
The rib " ""
C upon the underside of the flat may first be made to rest just within
the lower lip of the fastener (Fig. 9). The upper lip can then be turned over
the "foundation" "f" (Fig. 1.) then forced down until it pierces or grips the
"foundation" (Fig. 11.), and finally pressed inward (Fig. 12.) stretching the
"foundation" as shown in Fig. 8.
The direction of movement is indicated by arrows.
When fasteners or clips (in accordance with this my invention) are employed
they can be made of much stronger metal than is possible when they have to be
bent in the process of attachment as hitherto. If the locking wire or rod "K" be
withdrawn the fastener "a" can be turned outwards and removed, and so release the
clothing from the flat.
Though I preferably employ a round wire or pin for the locking or keying as
above described I dont confine myself thereto, strips or bars of metal of various forms
may be used in lieu thereof.
The locking wire "K"may be in one length pointed at one end, and may be
threaded or drawn the entire length of the "flat," the ends of the flat being specially
modified in order that this may be done.
"
"
For the more ready application of this locking device to the existing type of
"flats"the rod or wire may be cut into snecks m as shown in Fig. 5, and the
lower lip of the fastener may have corresponding caps 7 cut in it as shown in
Fig. 4, this enables the rod to be laid in position and then by sliding on a step the
fastener is locked in position.
It is obvious that many modifications of this device are possible for example the
order of application may be reversed viz. the underlip could first be made to embrace
the rib on the underside of the flat and the fastener then turned over the margin of
the clothing, and the wire or rod having a taper point be passed between the upper
lip and the clothing pressing it into a recess formed on the upper side of the flat in
which case for the better holding of the "foundation" the rod or wire may be fluted,
and the " foundation may be stretched by twisting the fluted rod which would be
retained by the edge of the upperlip of the fastener.
ور
Or the rib on the underside of the flat can be dispensed with and in lieu thereof
an angular slot "o" can be cut in the edge of the flat (Fig. 14) for the reception
of the lower lip "p" of the fastener in which case the locking rod "K" would
press against the outer instead of the inner surface of the lower lip "p."
"
Or in lieu of threading or drawing the wire or rod to lock the fastener after it
is placed in position, a bar or strip of metal of modified form can first be laid on and.
attached to the margin of the "foundation" and the fastening clamp afterwards
drawn over longitudinally. A method of carrying this into effect is illustrated in
Figs. 14. 15. 16. 17. and 18 where "S" is a strip of metal having one edge provided
with teeth "t" that enable it to pierce and hold the " foundation "f" the other
edge bent over as shown and cut into a series of gaps. "J" and wedges "W"
(Fig. 16). The fastener or clamp "Y" has a lower lip "Z" embracing the rib ";"
on the underside of the flat, whilst the upper lip "2" is bent inwards and formed
into gaps "3" and wedges "4" corresponding with gaps and wedges (U and W)
on the metal strip "S" Fig. 16. The rib on the "flat" can also have gaps "5" cut
therein.
The fastening clips may be short pieces as shown in Fig. 18 one for each
wedge "W" on the metal strip or it may be in long pieces as shown in Fig. 17.
It preferable to make these right and left handed in two lengths, each half the
length of the "flat," they then act against one another whilst being fixed and help
to stretch the "foundation" longitudinally as well as cross wise.
The action of this modification will be obvious from the drawings without further
explanation.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.
1. The improved means of and for securing card clothing to carding engine
"flats," substantially as herein illustrated and described.
2. The combination of a carding engine "flat" having a rib or groove upon its
lower edge, with a clip of permanent form, and a rod, wire, or other locking device
for attaching card clothing to carding engine "flats."
3. A clip of permanent form in combination with a pin, wire, rod, or other
equivalent locking device for securing card clothing to carding engine "flats."
4. A clip for attaching card clothing to carding engine "flats" of permanent form
as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the upper lip being serrated or toothed, and the lower
lip cut in gaps, substantially as herein illustrated and described.
5. A rod or bar cut in "snecks" when used in combination with a clip for
securing card clothing to carding engine "flats" substantially as herein illustrated
and described.
6. The combination of a bar or plate with a series of wedges thereon, attached to
the card clothing, and a sliding clip embracing the same and the edge of the
carding engine "flat" substantially as and for the purpose herein described and
illustrated in Figs. 15. 16. 17. 18.
7. A clip of permanent form not requiring to be bent or moulded during the
process of application for attaching card clothing to carding engine "flats" substantially
as herein illustrated and described.
Dated this 11th day of September 1890
M. HOLROYD SMITH.