IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ELASTIC FABRICS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake,
and Co Patent Agents Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ELASTIC FABRICS."
A communication to him from abroad by Thomas Hobert Ball of Chicago
"
Illinois United Staton's Amani
Mannlaatuunu
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th October 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANU-
FACTURE OF ELASTIC FABRICS [A communication to him from abroad by Thomas
Hobert Ball of Chicago Illinois, United States of America, Manufacturer]
"
This invention relates to machinery for crimping or shirring a fabric preparatory
to the introduction of springs, whereby it is made elastic, this machinery being
intended especially for use in the manufacture of the peculiar elastic fabric described
in the Specification of former Letters Patent dated 27th December A.D. 1881,
N° 5685, though it may also be employed in the manufacture of other styles of
fabric to which it is applicable.
In carrying the said invention into practice I provide a suitable supporting,
frame on which the mechanism is mounted, and which is provided with a table.
At one side of the machine is a fixed holding clamp, composed of two parts, the
first being fastened to the table, and the second connected to the former at one
end by a joint; at the other end a lever is pivotted to the lower member and is
provided with a pin. A notch or recess is cut in the corresponding end of the
upper member of the clamp which receives the lever as it is thrown up, so that the
pin projecting from each side, passes over the end of the bar and so fastens the two
members of the clamp together. A similar clamp is mounted on a slide, inside of
the former, and parallel therewith; it is composed of two members connected
together at one end by the hinged joint, and at the other provided with a lever
having a pin by means of which the two parts of the clamp are fastened together,
77

page_text: as described above. The slide is mounted upon suitable ways arranged on the
table at right angles to the clamps, so that it may be moved toward, and from, the
stationary clamp for the purpose hereinafter described. A toggle joint connects the
slide to the table, preferably one of these joints being arranged near each end of
the slide. A pitman connects the toggle-joint to a treadle at the lower part of the
frame, which is provided with a suitable retracting spring, by means of which the
treadle is held up when the toggle is raised, but, obviously, when the treadle is
depressed, the toggle will be drawn down and the slide moved forward carrying
the clamp mounted thereon up towards the stationary clamp. A third clamp is
constructed substantially the same as the two already described, but independent
of any other portion of the machine. The upper and lower members are pivotted
together at one end by a joint, and at the other end are secured by a lever having
a pin, the same as in the other, clamps. Each member of this clamp is provided
with small blocks of rubber, arranged at suitable distances from each other
transversely of the bars and corresponding with each other, so that they will be
brought together in pairs when the clamp is closed, these blocks projecting some=
what over the inner faces of the bars. The edges of these faces between the rubber
blocks, are preferably provided with slight serrations extending, inward a little
way. A suitable seat or support for this clamp is provided on the table just inside
of the stationary clamp, so that when in position, this clamp will, be on a level with
the other two. A lever, is pivotted to the table transversely of the clamps in such
a position that one end will rest under one end of the third clamp, when in
position on the table.. A rod connects the other end to a treadle at the bottom of
the frame, and a spring is placed under the outer end of the lever.
If it be desired to make the fabric described in the said former specification, the
two thicknesses of cloth or other material are first stitched together as described in
the said specification, so as to make a double fabric with transverse pockets or
receptacles running nearly across the strip, but the edges on each side, in this
case, being left unstitched. The pockets or receptacles are arranged in groups and
the spaces between the rubber blocks on the clamp should be made to correspond
with these sections.
In operation, the fabric is first prepared by inserting wires in the pockets, of
sufficient length to project out beyond the fabric at each side, and to extend from
the sliding to the stationary clamp. The removable clamp is then placed in
position on the table and opened; the fabric is then laid in place in the space
between the two stationary and sliding clamps, the ends of the wires resting upon
the lower members of each, respectively; the stationary and sliding clamps are then
closed and fastened, the latter being constructed to close down so tightly upon the
ends of the wires as to prevent their slipping therein, while the former is closed
lightly upon the wires so as to permit them to slide out between the two parts
thereof. The treadle is then forced down, straightening the toggle, and thereby
moving up the slide and clamp. Obviously the fabric in this movement will be
crimped or shirred on the wires, the latter being slid out through the clamp; the
movement of the sliding clamp is continued until it reaches the removable clamp,
in which position it is held or fastened by any suitable device attached either to it
or the treadle.
It will bo seen from this description that the fabric is now all pushed in over
the lower member of the clamp, resting on the latter and between the stationary
and sliding clamps in a shirred condition. The clamp is now closed, the rubber
blocks thereon biting the fabric closely between the pocket sections and holding it
securely from slipping while the pocket sections are held somewhat more loosely.
The sliding clamp is then opened and the wires are drawn out from the fabric
through the clamps by nippers or any other suitable device. The clamp is then
removed from the table, the lever being brought into requisition to facilitate this
by lifting the clamp, if necessary. The wire is now introduced by means of a
suitable needle, to which it is fastened, the needle being run back and forth through
the pockets in the fabric as they are held in suitable position for this purpose in

page_text: may
the clamp. The serrated edges of the clamp tend to prevent any slight slipping of
the material which might disarrange the pockets. The wire is drawn continuously
back and forth from one pocket to the other, and from one section of pockets to
another, as described in the said former specification so as to make an elastic
fabric like the one therein described. The needle consists of a straight, pointed
shaft, the opposite end of which is of diminished size so as to make a short section
just suitable to enter within the coil of the wire and leave the latter flush with the
main shaft; the draw upon the wire will obviously bave a tendency to tighten the
coil upon this portion of the needle, thereby preventing it from slipping.
employ a needle slightly modified in construction; in this instance the end opposite
the point is provided with a socket in which the end of the wire coil is placed;
the strain upon the coil will prevent it from slipping out of this socket. Either
form of needle may be used, and the device is exceedingly simple and the wire
coil readily attached to it. After the wire coil is introduced as described, the
fabric may be finished up as set forth in the said former specification. As here-
tofore stated, this machine may be applied to the manufacture of elastic fabrics
differing from the special one herein referred to, suitable changes being made in the
clamps to adapt them to the special fabric. Modifications may also be made in
details of construction in the machine as described above, and I do not wish to be
understood as limiting myself to the particular and special construction and
organization of devices herein described, provided always, the machine is organized
to operate substantially as above set forth

page_text: down and the slide moved forward carrying the clamp mounted thereon up towards
the stationary clamp. A third clamp K is constructed in substantially the same
manner as the two already described, but is independent of. any other portion of
the machine. The upper and lower parts; k k are pivoted together at one end of
the joint 2, and at the other end are secured by the lever L having the pin 7 as in
the other clamps. Each part of this clamp is provided with small blocks of india
rubber M, arranged at suitable distances from each other transversely to the bars
and corresponding with each other so that they will be brought together in pairs
when the clamp is closed, these blocks projecting somewhat over the inner faces
of the bars. The edges of these faces between the india-rubber blocks are preferably
provided with slight serrations k³, extending inward for a short distance as shown
in Figures 1 and 2. A suitable seat or support for this clamp is provided on the
table just inside of the stationary clamp B, so that when in position (as shown in
Figures 2 and 3 the said clamp will be on a level with the other two. A lever N
is pivoted to the table transversely to the clamps and in such a position, that one
end will rest under one end of the clamp K, when in position on the table.
A rod n connects the other end to the treadle, n¹ at the bottom of the frame, and
a spring n² is placed under the outer end of the lever, as shown in Figure 2.
'
If it is desired to make the fabric described in the said former Specification the
two thicknesses, o, o¹ of cloth or other material are first stitched together as described
in the said. specification as shown in Figure 5 so as to make a double fabric, ●
with transverse pockets or receptacles o³, running nearly across the strip, but the
edges, o on each side, in this case, being left unstitched. The pockets or receptacles
are arranged in groups, and the spaces between the india-rubber blocks on the
clamp K should be made to correspond with these sections.
In operation, the fabric is first prepared by inserting in the pockets wires of
sufficient length to project beyond the fabric at each side, and to extend from the
sliding to the stationary clamp. The removable clamp K, is then placed in position
on the table and opened, as shewn in Figures 1 and 2; the fabric is then laid
in place in the space between the two stationary and sliding clamps, the ends of
the wires resting upon the lower parts of each, respectively; the stationary and
sliding clamps are then closed and fastened, the latter being constructed to close
down so tightly upon the ends of the wires, as to prevent their slipping therein,
while the former is closed lightly upon the wires, so as to permit them to slide out
between the two parts thereof. The treadle I, is then forced down, straightening
the toggle, and thereby moving up the slide and clamp D. Obviously the fabric in
this movement will be crimped or shirred on the wires, the latter being slid out
through the clamp B; the movement of the sliding clamp is continued until it
reaches the removable clamp K, in which position it is held or fastened by any
suitable device attached either to it or the treadle.
It will be seen from this description that the fabric is now all pushed in over the
lower part of the clamp K resting on the latter and between the stationary and
sliding clamps in a shirred condition. The clamp K is now closed, the india-rubber
blocks thereon biting the fabric closely between the pocket sections, and holding it
securely from slipping while the pocket sections are held somewhat more loosely.
The sliding clamp is then opened and the wires are drawn out from the fabric
through the clamps B and K by nippers or any other suitable device. The clamp K
is then removed from the table, the lever N being brought into requisition to
facilitate this by lifting the clamp if necessary. The wire is now introduced by
means of a suitable needle R to which it fastened, the needle being moved to and
fro through the pockets in the fabric as they are held in suitable position for this
purpose in the clamp K as shown in Figure 4. The serrated edges of the clamp
tend to prevent any slight slipping of the material which might disarrange the
pockets. The wire is drawn continuously to and fro from one pocket to the other,
and from one section of pockets to another, as described in the said former
specification, so as to make an elastic. fabric like the one therein described, and also

page_text: as shown in Figure 6. The needle R shown in Figure 7 consists of a straight
pointed shaft, the opposite end of which is of diminished size, so as to make a short
section, r, just suitable to enter within the coil of the wire and leave the latter flush
with the main shaft, as shown; the draw upon the wire will obviously havo a
tendency to tighten the coil upon this portion of the needle, thereby preventing it
from slipping. In Figure 8 I have shown a needle S, slightly modified in
construction; in this instance the end opposite the point is provided with n
socket, 8, in which the end of the wire coil is placed, as shown. The strain upon
tlie coil will, prevent it from slipping out of this socket. Either form of -needle
may be used, and it will be seen that the device is exceedingly simple and the
wire coil readily attached to it. After the wire coil is introduced as described, the
fabric may be finished up as set forth in the said former specification.
As heretofore stated; this machine may be applied to the manufacture of elastic
fabrics differing from the special one herein referred to, suitable changes being
made in the clamps to adapt them, to the special fabric. Modifications may also bo
made in details of construction in the machine as described above, and I do not
wish to limit myself to the particular and special construction and organization of
devices herein described, provided always, the machine is organized to operate
substantially as above set forth.
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim
First. In a machine for preparing clastic fabric, a stationary clamp or holder, in
combination with a movable clamp or holder within which the two ends of tho
wires thrust through the fabric are received, and a removable clamp into which the
fabric is crimped or shirred by the moving up of the sliding holder, substantially as,
and for the purposes,, set forth.
Second. The supporting wires passed through the pockets in the fabric, in
combination with the clamp B receiving and loosely holding one end of said wires,
and the sliding clamp D, in which the other ends of the wires are tightly fastonod,
whereby, when the latter clamp is moved towards the former, the wires are
slipped through the clamp B and the fabric is puckered or shirred, substantially as
described.
Third. The wires on which the fabric is arranged, in combination with the
clamp B, the sliding clamp D, the toggle H, and mechanism for operating the
latter to reciprocate the clamp D, substantially as, and, for the purposes, set forth.
Fourth. The wires on which the fabric is supported by insertion in pockets:
therein, in combination with the stationary clamp B loosely holding these wires at
one end, the movable clamp D tightly holding the wires at the other end, and the
removable clamp K, arranged on the machine at the side of the clamp B in an
open position, while the clamp D is moved up to it, substantially as, and for the
purposes, set forth.
Fifth The clamp K, the two parts of which are provided with blocks M of
elastic material arranged at suitable distances apart to receive the pocket sections
in the fabric between them when placed in the clamp, substantially as, aud.for the
purposes, set forth.
Sixth. The clamp K, composed of the two parts k, k¹ provided with elastic blocks M
on their inner faces and with serrations on the edges of their innor faces,
substantially as, and for the purposes, sot forth.
Seventh. A clamp composed of two parts provided with blocks or projections on
one or both of their inner faces, arranged at intervals to clamp the fabric in the
spaces between the pocket sections where the said two parts are fastened together,
substantially as described.
Eighth. The needle R consisting of a straight shaft pointed at one end and at
the other provided with a section of smaller diameter, to which the wire.coil Q
is attached by slipping it upon the section 7, substantially as described.

page_text: Ninth. The stationary clamp B, in combination with the sliding clamp D, the
removable clamp K, the slide E, the toggle H, the pitman h, and the spring treadle I,
substantially as described.
Tenth. The stationary clamp B, in combination with the removable clamp K, and
the lever N, substantially as and for the purposes, set forth.
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this third day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.
WM ROBT LAKE (L.S.)