IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS FOR SETTING THE BRIMS OF FELT AND SILK HATS."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Lees Sutton, of Stockport, in the County of
Chester, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
APPARATUS FOR SETTING THE BRIMS OF FELT AND SILK HATS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Lees Sutton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd December 1880.
THOMAS LEES SUTTON, of Stockport, in the County of Chester.. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS FOR SETTING THE BRIMS OF FELT AND
SILK HATS."
This Invention relates to improvements upon the apparatus now employed for
setting the brims of felt and silk hats to the curve required by the use of a screw
press, and what are called in trade "he" and "she" frames. According to our
Invention the "He frame" (which is an oval ring made of wood) has its lower
portion cut or formed exactly to the curve of the upper side of the rim of the
hat required.
The "she frame" (which is a block of wood) has its upper side formed somewhat
to correspond with the under side of the brim of the hat, but slightly hollowed out
where the brim of the hat rests, and this part has a thick piece of india rubber
bedded into it, and a piece of sheet india rubber strained over it.
The hat having had its rim suitably cut and curled and being heated in the
usual manner is fitted on the "he frame."
The "he frame" is now placed onto the "she frame," and the two frames having
the brim of the hat between them are placed into the press, and pressure being
applied the brim is bent or set to the required curve.
By these means the use of india rubber rings or bags is entirely dispensed with,
and the set of the brims is obtained from the "he frame" without the use of
hydraulic pressure.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Lees Sutton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st June
1881.
THOMAS LEES SUTTON, of Stockport, in the County of Chester.
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS FOR SETTING THE BRIMS OF FELT AND
SILK HATS."
This Invention relates to improvements upon the apparatus now employed for
setting the brims of felt and silk hats to the curve required by the use of a screw
press, and what are called in the trade "he-and-she frames."
Such being the nature and object of my said Invention, I will now proceed to
describe in detail the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or
carried into practical effect, and in order that the same may be clearly understood,
I have annexed hereunto a Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof, and have marked
the same with Figures and letters of reference corresponding with those in the
following explanation thereof.
Fig. 1 in the annexed Drawing is a vertical section taken longitudinally through
the "he-and-she" frame, with a felt hat in position between them ready for pressing;
Fig. 2 is a partial transverse section and front elevation of the same before
pressing.
Fig. 3 is a transverse section showing the position when the pressure is being
applied; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the "she-frame," and Fig. 5 elevation and plan
view of the "he-frame." According to our Invention the "he-frame" a, a, (which
is an oval ring made of wood) has its lower portion or surface cut or formed exactly
to the curve of the upper side of the brim of the hat required.
The "she frame "b, b, (which is a block of wood) has its upper side formed
somewhat to correspond with the underside of the brin of the hat, but slightly
hollowed out where the brim of the hat rests, and this part has a thick piece of
india rubber c, c, bedded into it, and a piece of sheet india rubber d, d, strained
over it.
The hat e, e, having had its brim suitably cut and curled, and being heated in the
usual manner, is fitted on the "he-frame" a, a, and the latter (with the hat) is now
placed onto the "she-frame" b, b, and the two frames, having the brim of the hat
between them (see Figs. 1 and 2), are placed in the press as usual and pressure
being applied, the brim is bent or set to the required curve.
By these means the use of india rubber rings or bags is entirely dispensed with,
and the "set" of the brim is obtained from the "he-frame" without the use of
hydraulic pressure.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, together
with the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, I wish it to be understood that I claim as my Invention the
particular construction of the "he-and-she frames" for setting the brims of felt and
silk hats, substantially as herein before described and illustrated by the Drawings
annexed, whereby I am enabled to dispense with the use of india rubber rings or
bags, and to obtain the required "set" of the brim without the use of hydraulic
pressure, and especially I claim, first, the construction of the "she-frame" with an
india rubber bed having a sheet of india rubber strained over it; secondly, I claim
the "he-frame" cut, carved, or otherwise formed to the exact shape of the "set" of
brin required.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Lees Sutton, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirty first day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.