IMPROVEMENTS IN CLOTH- PRESSING MACHINES
Year: 1884

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, ROBERT PATRICK the younger, of the Town of Galt in the County of
Waterloo, in the Province of Ontario, in the Dominion of Canada, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of my Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN CLOTH-
PRESSING MACHINES, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my improved machine, certain parts being broken
Fig. 2 is a sectional plan of the same, taken through the broken lines x x x in
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same, certain parts being broken away.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the stop-motion for the large roller.
Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevation of the machine taken through the broken lines
of Fig 2.
Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the segmental gear-wheel and its lock, the shafts
being shown in cross-section.
Figs. 7 and 8 are section and plan of my tension regulating device.
Fig. 9 is a plan of device for adjusting width of pressure.
Fig. 10 is a detail showing my damping arrangement.
The object of my Invention is to facilitate the pressing of cloth in the web.
The Invention has also a second object: to provide a cloth-pressing machine
so constructed that the pressure will be applied at right angles to the web.
The Invention consists of a cloth-pressing machine, constructed with three or
more press-plates forced together against resisting springs by cam-operated
toggle-bars and a driving mechanism.
The shaft carrying one of the cams is connected with the roller that draws tho
cloth through the machine by a wheel provided with a gear-segment and a series
of gear-wheels whereby the said roller will be revolved intermittently.
The wheel carrying the gear-segment is provided with a recess to receive a
locking-block attached to the shaft carrying the gear-wheel into which the said
gear-segment meshes, and allows the said shaft to turn when the said segment and
gear-wheel are in gear, the said shaft being held stationary at all other times.
The large roller is provided with a recessed wheel, with which engages a roller
carried by a spring-held arm, whereby the movement of the said roller will be
checked at the proper point, as will be hereinafter fully described.

page_text: A represents the frame of the machine B is the drive shaft, which revolves in
bearings in the brackets C attached to the upper part of the rear side of the
frame A as shown in Fig. 5. To one end of the shaft B is attached a fast pulley D,
and a loose pulley E, to receive the driving belt. To the other end of the shaft B
is attached a large pulley F, to receive a belt which also passes round a small
pulley y attached to the shaft of an ordinary fan blower H. To the drive shaft B,
near one end, is attached a small gear-wheel I the teeth of which mesh into the
teeth of a large gear-wheel Jattached to one end of the shaft. K.
The shaft K is placed parallel with the drive-shaft B and revolves in bearings
attached to the frame A. To the shaft K, upon the opposite side of, and equally 1
distant from its centre are attached two sinall bevelled gear-wheels L, with their
smaller sides outward. The teeth of the gear-wheels L mesh into the teeth of the
large bevelled gear-wheel M attached to the inner ends of the shaft N which
revolves in bearingsfattached to the frame A, and to the middle parts of which are
attached cams O. The cams O operate against the small rollers P, placed upon the 1
centres of the pivot bolts Q, of the toggle-bars R. The lower end of the toggle
bars Rare pivoted into recesses in the base-plate S, and the upper end of these
bars Rare pivoted in recesses in the lower side of the lower press plate T. The
toggle-bars R are so arranged with reference to the cams O, that the said cams can
never force the joints of the said bars R. so far inward, that the bars of each pair
will come into line with each other, so that the said joints when the pressurer of
the cams O is withdrawn, will be forced outward by the, downward pressure of the
press plates T upon the upper ends of the upper bars R. Upon the ends of the
press plates T, are guide lugs U formed upon the said ends, and aiding the press-
plates to slide up and down upon guide rods V secured to the base plate S (which
is fixed to the frame A) by nuts or other suitable means.
The movement of the press-plate T upon the guide-rods V is limited by collars W,
formed upon or attached to the said guide-rods V.
+ Above the press-plate T, is placed the first press-plate ✗, which is guided upon
the rods V, and has its movements limited by the lugs U, and collars W, in the
same manner as the press-plate T, and is adjustable by means of movable ends, so
as to take any desired width of pressing, as shown by Fig. 9. A frame 10 is
secured by bolts or otherwise to the plates X etc. and a frame 11 is brought to
meet it and is secured to it by bolts 12 working loosely in slots 13, the lugs 14 of
this frame are-adjusted by set screws against the guides V in the manner shown.
Above the press plate X is placed a similar plate X' moving in exactly the same
manner, and of the same construction, and above this, is a plate of wood, sheathed,
as regards the upper and under surfaces, with sheet iron. The object of this
composito plate, which is marked X' in the Drawing, is to finish the cloth if
necessary cold-pressed, this plate being a non-conductor.
Above this plate is placed the upper press plate Y, the end parts of which are
perforated to receive and slide upon the guide rods V. The downward movement
of the press-plate Y, is limited by collars W formed upon or attached to the
guide-rods V, and its upward movement is resisted by spiral springs Z placed upon
the upper parts of the said guide rods, with their upper ends resting against
nuts a, screwed upon the upper ends of the said guide-rods. The upper press
plate Y is made hollow. The press-plates X and X' are also made hollow, and are
heated by steam introduced through a steam-pipe b: the lower press plato is also
made hollow, and is provided with a steam pipo c so that the said plate can be
heated when desired.
The exhaust steam and the water of condensation can be withdrawn from the
press plates XX1 and T through the pipe d, or by other suitable means.
To the frame A are secured or attached inclined bars e and to them are secured
the ends of five parallel bars f.
The cloth which is shown throughout the Drawings by a heavy dotted line, is
led into the machine over the first bar under the second, and over the third bar

page_text: and so on, so that the wrinkles will be smoothed out before the said cloth passes to:
the press-plates.
The first and fourth bars are attached as will be scen on reference to Fig". 7
and 8, to an arm ƒ keyed on the shaft f' which has its bearing in the frame A, or
in a bracket fixed thereto. To this shaft is keyed the ratchet wheel ƒ³, controlled
by the pawlf. On the shaft is a spring f as shown. It will be readily seen
that on releasing the pawl the effect of this spring will be to cause the lower of
the tension bars to deflect, and the fourth bar to rise in the direction indicated by
arrow, until stopped by the said pawl, and the natural pressure of the cloth acting
in the reverse way, secures a great degree of nicety in the matter of tension.
From the smoothing bars f, the cloth passes between the lower and first press-
plates TX, round a guide-roller / pivoted to supports attached to the frame A:
thence returning (having first passed around a corresponding guide roller h¹)
between the plates X and X'. From thence in the same mannor between the
plates X and X' and finally between the plate X' and the upper press-plate Y
thence passing round the large roller i from which it is wound upon the receiving
roller j.
The journals of the large roller i revolve in bearings attached to the frame A.
The smaller roller j rests upon the large roller i with its journals resting upon the
arms k, secured to the frame A at such an inclination that the said roller, will be
kept in place by its own weight, and will be revolved by the revolution of the
large roller i.
q
To one of the journals of the large roller i is attached a bevelled gear-wheel 1,
the teeth of which mesh into the teeth of the smaller bevelled gear-wheel m,
attached to the upper end of the short vertical shaft n. This shaft n revolves in
bearings attached to the frame A and to its lower end is attached a bevelled gear-
wheel o, the teeth of which mesh into the teeth of the bevelled gear-wheel p
which is attached to the outer end of the short horizontal shaft q. The shaft
revolves in bearings attached to the frame A, and to it, at a little distance from the
bevelled gear-wheel p, is attached a small eccentric gear-wheel r, the teeth of
which mesh into the teeth of the eccentric gear-segment 8, attached to or formed
upon the side of the large wheelt, near its rim. Tho segment 8, is formed upon
an arc of a smaller circle than the wheel t, and is arranged with its centre and
central radius in line with the central radius of the said wheel t.
The eccentric gear-wheel 7, is secured upon its shaft 9, with its longest radius in
such a direction that the tooth upon or nearest to the said longest radius will mesh
with the tooth upon or nearest to the first or shortest radius of the segment 8, so
that the said eccentric gear-wheel r will start and stop with a comparatively slow
motion, and thus with the least possible jar the wheel t is attached to the end of
one of the cam-shafts N, and is so arranged that the segment 8, will come in contact
with the gear-wheel r. When the press-plates TX X' etc. are released from the
pressure of the toggle-bars R, and drop downward releasing the cloth, and will
revolve the large roller i, drawing the cloth through the machine, and winding it
upon the receiving roller, the gearing being so arranged, and the guide-roller /
being at such a distance from the central or first press-plate X, that the crease
formed in the cloth by the edges of the press-plates T, X etc. will be pressed out by
the press-plates X' Y etc.
The roller-driving gearing is locked from turning except when turned by the
segment 8, by the crescent-shaped lock-block u, attached to the shaft g, between
the gear-wheel and the bevelled gear-wheel p, and the concaved side of which
fits upon the rim of the wheel t. The rim of the wheel t, opposite the segment 8,
has a recess v, formed in it as shown in Fig. 1 and 6, so that as the segment 8,
comes in contact with the gear-wheel r, the locking-block u can enter the recess v
and turn therein, allowing the gearing to turn the roller i, and adjust the cloth.
To a journal of the large roller i, is attached a wheel W, having recesses a, in its
rim, to receive a small roller y, pivoted to lugs formed upon the sides of the upper
end of an arm 7, which is pivoted at its lower end to the frame A, and is held
✓

page_text: forward, holding the rollér y, against the rim of the wheel W, by a spiral or other
shaped spring 1, attached to the said arm, and to a support 2, attached to the
frame A!
The recessed wheel W, is so arranged that the roller ý, will enter a recess of the
Baid wheel, as the roller i completes a movement, so as to prevent the said roller
from being carried any further by momentum.
The fan-blower H is provided with a forked discharge pipe, one branch 3 of
which passes between the roller i, and the upper press-plates, and has perforations
in its lower side, so as to discharge fine steams of air against the upper side of the
cloth as it passes to the said roller i. The other branch 4 of the discharge-pipe is
placed beneath the outer part of the lower side of the roller i, and has perforations
through its inner side so as to discharge fine streams of air against the lower side
of the cloth as it passes to the said roller.
-
By this construction the cloth will be fed through the machine automatically and
will be pressed between flat surfaces, the press-plates being separated to allow the
cloth to be fed forward and forced together to press the cloth automatically, each
part of the cloth being subjected to two or more, pressings as required.
I will now describe my improved, appliance for the proper damping of the cloth,
for which see Fig. 10. 20 are the rollers, round which the damping apron passes,
the said damping apron being shown by a thick dotted line.
I propose to lengthen the shaft q on which the eccentric gear and bevel gear
works. It has on its end mitre gear 21 which imparts motion to the driving
roller 22. This roller is made of brass or other non-corrosive metal. Immediately
over the driving-roller 22 is placed a rubber wringing roller 23, to which the
pressure is applied by spiral or by any other suitable spring, as shown, thus
regulating the amount of moisture to be carried into the press by the damping
apron. 24 is a tank containing water or other suitable sizing liquid.
The driving-roller 22 is of such a diameter, and is situated at such a distance
from the top plate Y that the portion of the apron remaining under pressure will
be fed entirely through the press every feed. This, it will be seen, is necessary, as
that portion of the cloth remaining under pressure between the rollers 22 and 23
would necessarily be drier than the rest of the cloth. The damping apron is
endless, and of a fine texture, so that in the event of not wanting to damp the
cloth the apron will run dry.
The plate Y having a stream of cold water running through it constantly, will
in moist weather condense drops of water, which would drop occasionally on the
cloth, were it not for the damping apron, which will catch all such drops.
26 is the frame of the damping attachment connected to the main frame of the
imachine by the brace 25.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. A cloth pressing machine constructed substantially as herein shown and
described, and consisting of three or more press-plates, faced together against
resisting springs by cam-operating toggle-bars, and the driving mechanism as set
forth.
2. In a cloth-pressing machine, the combination with the frame A, the base
plate S, and the guide-rods V, having collars W, of three or more press-plates T, X,
X, X, Y, the toggle-bars R, the cams O, and the driving gear, substantially as
herein shown, whereby the press-plates will be successively forced together and
released as set forth.
3. In a cloth-pressing machine the combination with the cam-shaft N, and its
driving mechanism, and the roller i, of the wheel t, having gear-segments, s, and
the gear-wheels i, r, p, o; m, t, substantially as herein shown and described whereby
the said roller will be revolved intermittently as set forth.
i
4. In a cloth-pressing machine, the combination with the wheel t, having gear-
segments 3,'ánd recèss v, and the shaft g, carrying the gear-wheel r, of the locking-
....

page_text: block u, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the said shaft is
held stationary, except when revolved by the action of the said gear-segment upon
the said gear-wheel as set forth.
5. In a cloth-pressing machine, the combination, with a large roller i, of the
recessed wheel W, and the roller arm, and spring y, 5, 1, substantially as herein
shown and described, whereby the movement of the said large roller will be checked
at the proper points as set forth.
6. In a cloth-pressing machine, the combination with the eccentric gear-wheel »,
driving the cloth-moving mechanism, and the wheel of the eccentric gear-
segment 8, substantially as shown, whereby the said mechanism will be started
and stopped with a comparatively slow motion as set forth.
7. In a cloth-pressing machine, the combination in the roller-actuating mechanism
of the recessed wheel carrying the segment 8, and the brake-block u, and gear r,
upon the shaft g substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.
8. In a cloth-pressing machine, the combination of the blower H having the
branched pipe 3, 4, with the press-plates I, X, X', Y etc. and their operating
mechanism, substantially as shown and for the purpose specified.
9. In a cloth-pressing machine the combination, with the roller i, and its
actuating mechanism, of the eccentric gear-wheel r, and the wheel t, carrying the
eccentric gear-segment 8, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.
10. In a cloth-pressing machine, the combination with the cams O, toggle-
levers RR, pivots Q, carrying the rollers P, and the press-plate T, in such relation
to each other that the said press-plate T will return automatically to its initial
position, substantially as shown and for the purpose specified.
11. The combination in a cloth-pressing machine with the toggle-levers R, and
their operating mechanism, of the press-plates T, X etc. etc. arranged one above the
other, upon the guides V, provided with stop-nuts a and springs Z, substantially as
described and for the purpose specified.
12. The combination of the arm and ratchet wheel f³ and tension regulating
device, as shown, with the bars f and frame A, for the purpose specified.
13. The frames 10 and 11 in combination with the plates X etc. etc. as a device
for regulating the width of pressure as set forth and described.
14. In a cloth pressing machine, the combination of the rollers 20, with the
driving roller 22, the whole being arranged and operating in conjunction with the
gear 21, impelled by the shaft q, for the purpose of sustaining and controlling an
endless damping apron, as shown and described.
DL: 1 of 110QA