Machine for Folding and Stitching the Heads of Incandescent Mantles for Incandescent Gas Lamps and Inserting Shirring Strings into the same.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 12th July, 1899-Accepted, 18th Nov., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Machine for Folding and Stitching the Heads of Incandescent
Mantles for Incandescent Gas Lamps and Inserting Shirring
Strings into the same.
We, BRUNO VON BÜLTZINGSLÖWEN, ALWIN VON AUW, and FRANK MONTAGUE, all
of 21, East Houston Street, City of New York, in the Borough of Manhattan and
State of New York, U.S.A., do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to a new and improved machine for folding and stitching
the blanks of mantles for incandescent gas and other lamps and for inserting
shirring threads or strings into the same, so as to dispense with the hand-labour
heretofore required for these purposes and permit the finishing of the mantles
and tying of the inserted shirring threads or strings in the folds of the same in a
quicker, cheaper and more uniform manner than by hand.
The invention consists of a machine for the said purposes which is provided
with two sets of side-folders arranged at opposite sides of the mantle blank, a
set of central folders, which, according to the construction of the machine, may
be stationary or movable in up and down direction to receive the mantle-blank,
means for applying successively one opposite pair of the side-folders after the
other to the blank of, the mantle on the central folders, so as to produce the
successive folding up of the blank, and eventually of means to move the central
folder up and down to receive the blank means for removing the side-folders
from the central-folder and the mantle-blank, and a pair of longitudinally-movable
needles to pass through the folded mantle blank, and apply the shirring strings
to the same for which purpose the blades of the side and central-folders are
provided with recesses to allow the needles to pierce the said blank, the needles
being provided with means for reciprocating the same for drawing the shirring
thread through the crimped up or folded head of the mantle.
The invention consists further in so constructing the needles and rendering
them movable relatively to the folding mechanism as that during the return
movement of the needles, and while the head of the mantle is crimped or folded,
the shirring string is drawn through so as to do away with the necessity of cut-
ting the strings and the removal of the same from the needles by hand, the
strings being placed upon the needles when the same are projected through the
folded head of the mantle; the shirring strings are preferably made with the
hanging loop in one piece, so that the same branch off from the loop.
The invention further consists of certain details of construction which will be
fully described hereinafter and finally pointed out in the claims.
.In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a sectional side-elevation of the new and improved machine for fold-
ing and stitching blanks of incandescent mantles and inserting shirring strings
into the same,
Fig. 2 is a detail transverse section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, the reciprocating
rack-bars and connecting rod of the machine being down in position shown in
dotted lines, in Figure 1.

page_text: Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine, showing the side folders in open position
and the needles in backward position, the side-folders being ready to swing inside
and the needles to pierce the folders and the head of the mantle,
Fig. 3 is a detail longitudinal section on line 3-3 of Fig. 3,
Fig. 4 is a plan view of the machine with the side-folders closed upon a blank
so as to gather up the head of the mantle, and showing the needles passed through
the same,
Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section on line 5-5 of Fig. 1, showing the
machine ready to receive a mantle-blank,
Fig. 6 is a similar section showing the side-folders pressed in upon the blank
so as to fold or gather up the head,
Fig. 7 is an end-elevation of the machine, looking from the operating end,
Fig. 8 is a detail side-elevation of the central folding-device,
Fig. 9 is a transverse section of the same on line 9-9 of Figure S, looking
towards the left,
Fig. 10 represents side and end views of the step-shaped cam for actuating the
side-folders,
Fig. 11 is a detail vertical section of one end of the machine, showing a
modified construction of the mechanism for imparting to the needles a recipro-
cating motion,
Fig. 12 is a section on line 12-12 of Figure 11,
Fig. 13 represents side and end views of the step-shaped cam,
Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail view of the needles inserted through the gathered
portion of the blank with a shirring-string placed upon the needles and ready to
be drawn through the blank,
Fig. 15 is a similar plan view, showing the string passed through the mantle
by the needles, but before the string is removed from the needles,
Fig. 16 is another plan view, showing the string removed from the needles
and its end drawn through the folded portion of the blank,
Fig. 17 is a side-elevation of one of the needles,
Fig. 18 is a plan view of one of the same,
Figs. 19 and 20 are respectively enlarged vertical longitudinal sections on
line 19-19 of Fig. 18, showing two positions of the latch used with the needle,
whereby the necessity of threading the string through the needle-eye is obviated,
and
Figs. 21 and 22 are respectively a side-elevation of the mantle blank and of a
mantle in which a shirring string has been passed through the gatheres or folded
portion of the same.
All these figures have reference to a machine with stationary central-folders,
while the Figures 23 to 38 refer to a modified machine for the said purpose
provided with vertically reciprocating central folders.
Fig. 23 represents a side-elevation of such a machine, partly in vertical section
through the needle-bar and its guide-casing, the parts being in the position before
the folding and stitching action commences,
Fig. 24 is a plan view of Fig. 23,
Fig. 25 is likewise a plan view, showing the parts of this machine in position
after the folding and stitching of the head of the mantle has been completed,
Fig. 26 is an end-elevation of this machine, showing the driving-mechanismı
of the same,
Fig. 27 is a vertical transverse section on line 15-15 of Figure 24,
Fig. 28 is a vertical transverse section on line 16-16 of Fig. 25,
Fig. 29 is a detail side-view of one set of side-folders used in this machine,
Fig. 30 is a detail side-view of one of the comb-shaped holders for the said
side-folders,
Fig. 31 is a top-view of one of the comb-shaped guides for guiding these
side-folders,
Fig. 32 is a sectional side-elevation of one end of this machine showing its

page_text: central folders in raised position to receive the mantle blank preparatory to fold-
ng and stitching the same,
Fig. 33 is a vertical transverse section of the said side-folders and their support-
ing frame, showing the mechanism for lowering the folders after the side-folders
and needles are withdrawn from the stitched mantle, so as to crease the folds and
facilitate the removal of the folded and stitched mantle,
Figs. 34, 35 and 36 are diagrammatic plan views showing the folded head of
the mantle in the course of the stitching operation performed with this machine,
after the stitching needles have been withdrawn from the same and after the
head has been tied by the shirring strings, and
Figs. 37 and 38 show the mantle-blank parallel to the side-elevation of the
folders of this modified machine before the blank has been acted upon by the folders
and after the mantle has been folded and stitched by the machine.
Fig. 39 represents a side-elevation of a mantle showing an improved shirring
string as generally used with the machine illustrated in Figs. 1 to 20, the strings
being passed through the folded head of the blank and the suspension-loop out-
side the same,
Fig 40 is also a side-elevation of the blank showing the suspension loop in
position on the folded head of the mantle, the dotted lines indicating the inter-
mediate position of the suspension-loop while tying it to the mantle.
up
Figs. 41 and 42 are plan views of Fig. 39 respectively before and after crowding
the folded head of the mantle on the shirring strings,
Fig. 43 is a plan view of the head of the mantle shown with the suspension-
loop tied thereto, and
Fig. 44 is a plan view of the suspension-loop with the shirring-strings before
applying them to the mantle-blank.
Referring to the drawing A indicates in both constructions of the machine a
suitable bed or base-plate on which the frame of the machine is supported.
said frame consisting of end-plates A¹, A2 and a top-plate A3; the plates being
connected together in any suitable manner. The frame may have side-walls A+
(Figs. 5 and 6) the protect the interior mechanism.
These
The parts of the machine, illustrated in Figs. 1 to 20 inclusive which in the
first place shall be described, are operated by means of an oscillating hand-
crank B, which is fixed to the hub of the driving gear-wheel B', that turns upon
a short shaft 12, fixed on the end-plate A2. The teeth of said gear-wheel mesh
with a pinion C, keyed to one end of a shaft C¹ which is journalled in bearings
in the lower parts of the end-plates A1, A2. Angle-irons or angle-flanges D are
riveted or otherwise fastened to the end-plates of the frame of the machine, as
shown more clearly in Fig. 2 in connection with Figs. 1, 5 and 6.
flanges D are longitudinally slotted at d (Fig. 2) to receive pins or studs e that
are fixed to back-plates E of racks E, the teeth of which racks intermesh with
the pinions C2, C3, mounted on the shaft C. By reason of the size of the large
gear-wheel B the racks E¹ may be quickly reciprocated up and down through
the medium of the pinions C2, C3, said racks being guided in their up and down
At the
movements by means of the e that travel in the slots of the flanges D.
inner side of each of the racks, and at their upper ends, are arranged clips f
which are applied to the ends of a transverse rod F, whereby the racks are con-
nected and enabled to simultaneously move up or down. Supported on this rod
on a suitable point is a block G, which is more properly termed a stepped eam,
inasmuch as it is provided at its lower end with a number of steps or off set
shoulders g. This stepped cam-device is for the purpose of oscillating the side-
folders hereafter to be described.
The central folders H consist of a set or series of thin blades h which are set
at suitable distances apart parallel to each other, and appear in side-elevation
like the teeth of a comb (Fig. 8). The blades h, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9,
project upwardly from the base-piece ¹ which is fastened by means of suitable
flanges and screws 12 to the top-plate A³ of the frame. Adjustable comb-shaped

page_text: guard i are arranged at opposite sides of the base-piece of the central folding
blades, the mounts of the guards being provided with slots which receive set-
screws, whereby the same may be adjusted up or down according to requirement.
At opposite ends of the central folding blades are arranged angular brackets J, J',
respectively, which, by means of set-screws passing through slots, are adjustable,
so that they may be placed into the same level with the upper edges of the
guards, to serve, with the latter, as a support for the lower end of the mantle,
the head of which is placed over the central folding blades.
The side-folders are supported in sets at both sides of the central folders and
are more especially shown in Figs. 1, 5, 6 and 7. They are hung upon fulcrum-
rods L, which are supported in the upper end of an auxiliary frame L' fixed to
the base-plate A of the machine. The side-folders each consist of the lever M
hung on said fulcrum-rods at a point about one third of the distance from its
lower end, so that the lower ends of the levers form the short arms and the upper
ends the long arms of the levers. The upper long arms extend through openings a
in the top-plate of the frame and are guided in slotted guide-plates V, fixed
to the top-plate, and carry at their upper extremities laterally extending wing-
like folding blades m, the folding-blades of the side-folders projecting towards
the central folders and said side-folders being so arranged that the blades of
each pair of the opposite folders is adapted to enter the same corresponding space
between two adjacent blades of the central folding device. For this purpose each
pair of the opposite side-folders has a relatively timed movement to the adjacent
pair, so that one opposite pair of the same is moved successively after the other.
This definitely-timed movement is accomplished by means of the stepped cam G
heretofore referred to, by arranging the steps g of the cam so that they are
adapted to successively come in contact with one pair of the lower lever-arms of
the folders after the other. The lower ends of the shorter arms of the levers M
of the side-folders carry antifriction rollers m¹ upon which the step-shaped cam
bears. Suitable springs N, connected with the long arms of the levers and with
the frame of the machine, returned the side-folders to their normal outward
position shown in Fig. 5. The exterior pair of the side-folders, located towards
the end-portion of the machine, serve as retainers for the mantle-blank to be
folded and protect, when they are inwardly moved, the latter from being injured
by the needles passing through the folders and the mantle-blank. The upper
ends of the blades of the central folders are each provided with a pair of open
vertical recesses h³, the corresponding recesses of each blade being aligned so that
the needles to be hereinafter described may pass therethrough. The inner side-
edges of the blades m of the side-folders are provided also with recesses m², which,
when the side-folders are swung between the central folders, are in line with
the respective recesses of the latter and serve also to permit the passage of the
needles. The recesses m² have contracted throats or entrance-ways so
enable the better manipulation of the parts.
as to
The needle-mechanism is shown fully in Figs. 1, 3, 3, 4 and 7, and in Figs. 14
to 20 inclusive. This mechanism is also actuated from the large gear-wheel B¹,
the same which actuates the side-folders.
0 represents a screw-threaded bearing which is suitably secured to one end
of the top-plate A³, in which the screw-thread » on one end of the screw-spindle P
is engaged, the opposite end of the screw-spindle having a reverse screw-thread pl
which is engaged in a correspondingly screw-threaded traversing opening in a
needle-carrier Q. The screw-threaded end p of the screw-spindle is provided
with a groove 2 to which, by means of the tongue the pinion is splined,
through which the screw-spindle passes, said pinion p being held in position
against axial displacement by means of a retaining finger 01 projecting outwardly
and downwardly from the bearing 0. The pinion 4 meshes with the gear
wheel B and causes, while it rotates with the said gear-wheel, by reason of its
tongue and groove connection with the screw-spindle P, also a rotation of the
latter and at the same time causes the screw-spindle to move in forward or back-

page_text: ward direction according to the direction of the movement of the operating
crank B. The needle-carrier Q before referred to is provided with a depending
guide-lug which is guided in a longitudinal slot a in the top-plate A³ of the
frame. The needle carrier supports a pair of needles R, R, which are attached
thereto by suitable means, as by set-screw R. The needles project in a direction
towards and in alignment with the corresponding recesses ³ in the central
folders H, and they have, by means of the screw-spindle, a movement imparted
thereto to carry their pointed ends through the central folders and the mantle
which is placed thereover.
The pointed forward ends of the needles are provided with longitudinal
recesses in which are pivoted, back of the beaks 1, thread retaining latches 2,
said latches each having an upward tendency so as to stand in vertical position,
as shown in Fig. 17, by means of suitable tension springs fixed in the recess r.
Between the beak and the pivot of the latch the side walls of the recess are
cut away, so that the shirring-string can be passed over the beak and be
retained by means of the latch, as shown in Fig. 20. The latches are automatic
in their action and, when they are moved forward, are turned in the position.
shown in Fig. 19, so as not to interfere with the forward passage of the needle
through the blank, while in their backward movement they are turned into the
position shown in Fig. 20, in which position the shirring string is locked in
the ears of the needles formed by the backs of the latter and the latches, so that
the string can be drawn through the mantle. The forward and backward turning
of the latches is caused by their contact with the fabric of the mantle and the
retaining side-folding blade respectively. When the latches are free from the
mantle they are at liberty to rise into upright position.
In Figs. 11 and 12 a modification of the machine is exhibited, in which the
large gear-wheel B¹ operates the side-folders, as in the main form of the inven-
tion, but the needles are operated by means of an additional rack S on the plate E
in the front-portion of the machine, the teeth of which rack engage a gear-
wheel S supported in suitable brackets S from the base-plate A of the machine,
said gear-wheel S meshing with a suitably journaled pinion T which in turn
meshes with a rack T that supports the needle-carrier U which projects through
the top-plate A3 of the frame and is guided therein like the needle carrier Q.
By turning the crank B and the gear-wheel B and the before described action
of the latter upon the rack E1, the rack S is moved up or down and the gear-
wheels S and T set into relative motion, so that by the gear wheel T the rack T¹
is horizontally moved and the needle carrier U operated in the same manner as
the needle-carrier Q.
In Fig. 13 a modification of the stepped cam G is shown, in which the steps
are made in the shape of entering wedges so as to more readily enter between
and separate the lower ends of the levers of the side-folders.
The operation of this machine is as follows:
The mantle-blanks W, which are of the form shown in Fig. 21, are hung over
a supporting-hook X in such a manner as that the head of the same can be placed
over the central folder H. until the lower edge of the same rests on the bracket-
shelves J, J and on the supplemental side combs i. The operator then takes
notice that the head of the mantle is neatly supported over the central folders,
and takes hold of one side of the same, so as to retain the mantle in the position
shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The hand-crank B is now given an oscillating
movement from the position shown in full lines to that shown in dotted lines,
Fig. 6. so as to cause a downward movement of the step-cam G. thereby moving
through the medium of the steps g of said cam one pair of side-folders M after
the other into the spaces between the blades of the central-folder H. In the
meantime the operator holds the head of the mantle taut so as to cause a uniform
gathering or folding of the mantle by means of said side-folders, one oscillation
of the hand-crank being sufficient to close, through the medium of said step-
cam, all of the blades of the side-folders upon the mantle, so that the same is

page_text: gathered up or folded, as shown in Fig. 4, while the side-folders are moved into
the position shown in Fig. 6. During the oscillating movement of the hand-
crank and the forward, inward movement of the side-folders, the needles are
moved forward through the folds of the gathered up mantle into the position
shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and in full lines in Fig. 4. This is accomplished
by the rotation of the screw-spindle P through the medium of the pinion p¹
actuated by the gear-wheel B', and inasmuch as the screw-thread is reversed
to that of the screw-thread p, the needle-carrier Q will be given a movement
twice that of the distance of movement of said screw-spindle, so that the needle-
carrier is moved into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and the needles
pass through the mantle. When the needles are in their rearward position, the
latches of the same are in upright position, but as soon as the needles enter
into the gathered up portion of the mantle and the latches come in contact
with the same, they are thrown into backward position shown in Fig. 19, thus
obviating the danger of the latches locking into the mantle, so that the needles
are free to pass through the same. As soon as the needles have passed through
the gathered up portion of the mantle, the springs cause the latches to rise.
The needles having passed through the mantle-blank, a shirring string or thread p
is passed over the beaks 1 of the needles so as to enter the recesses r. The
operator now holding the shirring string taut, an oscillation is imparted to the
hand-lever in reverse direction to that heretofore given, and the needles are caused
to draw the ends of the shirring string through the gathered or folded portion
of the blank, while by the engagement of the latches with the blank the said
latches are closed down upon the shirring thread rl, into position shown in full
lines in Fig. 20, whereby the shirring string is retained in the thus formed eyes
of the needles until the latter are drawn entirely through the folded portion of
the blank. As the needles pass through the central and side-folders on the
return stroke, the side-folders, which they have passed, are automatically released
from the blank by the action of upwardly moved step-cam and returned into out-
ward position by means of their actuating springs N. The parts then assume
their normal position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, so that another blank can be
folded and shirred after the mantle W shown in Fig. 22 has been removed.
the removal of the shirred blank, the shirring string is secured and looped in the
well-known manner.
After
The last pair of side-folders do not properly act as folders, but as retainers for
the purpose of holding the fabric of the blank in place, while the needles pierce
it, so as to prevent that end of the blank from following the needles. In a some-
what similar way the contracted throats of the recesses m² of the side folding
blades tend to prevent the fabric of the mantle from being drawn into the recesses.
The modification of the machine illustrated in Figs. 23 to 30 differs mainly from
the above described construction of the machine inasmuch as, instead of stationary
central folders, vertically reciprocating central folders to receive the mantle-
blank, and instead of lever-actuated and swinging side-folders, laterally sliding
side-folders are used, to which also an up and downward motion for the purpose
of completing the folding of the mantle-blank, is imparted. In this machine
the driving mechanism for the side-folders and needles is arranged at one
side (A) of the frame, while the mechanism by which the central-folders are
raised for receiving the mantles preparatory to folding and stitching the heads
of the same is arranged on the opposite side (A). The central-folders 40 are
supported in a comb-shaped holder 41 that is attached to the platform 42 and are
provided at each corner with a recess 43 for the passage of the stitching needles.
The platform 42 is supported on a slotted slide-piece 44 which is guided in a
stationary upright standard 45 having ways 47 for the guiding of the slide-
piece 44 which latter is guided on headed studs 48 attached to the upright
standard 45, as shown in Figs. 23, 27 and 32. The central folders 40 can be
raised so as to place the mantle blank in position thereon, said raising motion
being accomplished by means of an elbow-lever 46 that is fulcrumed to an exterior

page_text: lug 49 on the wall A¹ of the frame, as shown in Figs. 23 and 32. The inner
end of the fulcrumed angular lever 46 is slotted and applied to the headed stud 50
of the slide-piece 44, while the outer end of the angular lever is provided with
a handle 54 for conveniently operating the same. By lowering the handle 54 the
angular lever is turned and the entire set of central folders are raised into the posi-
tion shown in Fig. 32. By returning the handle to its former position the central
folders are lowered again into the position shown in Fig. 23, and in dotted lines in
Fig. 32. The central folders are locked into raised position or lowered position by
means of a pawl and ratchet-mechanism which is arranged on the pivot of the angular
lever 46, the pawl 51 being pivoted to the shorter arm of the angular lever and
released against the tension of a spring 52 from the teeth of the fixed ratchet wheel 53
by means of an auxiliary handle 55", which is fulcrumed to the shorter arm of
the angular lever as is clearly shewn in Figs. 23 and 32. When the central folder
is at its normal lowered position, or in its raised position, the pawl 51 engages
the ratchet wheel 53 on the pivot of the angular lever 46 and secures the central
folders in the position in which they have been placed. When it is desired to
lower the central folders, the pawl 51 has to be released by pressure on the
auxiliary handle 55", so that the pawl is withdrawn from the ratchet wheel, after
which the angular lever 46 can be returned into the normal lowered position
together with the central folders the central folders being then locked again by
the pawl and ratchet-mechanism.
On the platform 42, on which the central-folders are supported, is arranged
a blade 55, parallel with the central-folders 40 and which is provided at its lower
end with an angularly-bent portion that is guided in ways of the bracket 56
attached to the end of the platform 42. This blade is connected by a spring 57
with the outer end of the bracket 56 and serves to hold the mantle-blank W
stretched in position on the central folders. To allow the needles to pass through
the blade 55, the same is provided with recesses which correspond with the
recesses 43 of the central-folders. The blank is for this purpose rolled up at the
lower end, as shown in Fig. 37, and placed over the central folders 40 and the
guided and spring-actuated blade 55, which latter keeps the blank in stretched
position, as said before and shown in Fig. 24. By the folding action exerted on
the blank W, the blade is moved forward against the tension of the spring 57
until it is finally moved up to the end of the central folders 40.
At each side of the central-folders B and intermediately to the same is arranged
a set of reciprocating side-folders 58 which are guided parallel with each other
and with the central folders in suitable comb-shaped holders 59 during the
reciprocating motion which is imparted to them. The holders 59 are connected
with the side-folders 58 by screw-bolts 60 which pass through slots in the lower
oblong shanks of the side-folders. The upper ends of the latter are made angular
and projecting towards each other, as shown in Figs. 27, 28 and 33. The angular
portions are guided in comb-shaped guides 61, which are fastened upon the top-
plate A3 of the frame. The upper ends of the side-folders 58 are provided
near the edge with recesses corresponding to the recesses near the edges of
the central folders 40, and serve the same purpose as the recesses m² and h
The side-folders are further-
in the folders of the first described machine.
more provided with downwardly extending lugs 62 at the lower parts of the
oblong shanks which lugs are connected by helical springs 63 with stationary
pins 64 in braces 65 of the frame, said springs serving to return the side-folders
into their normal, retracted position in the holders 59 and guide-combs 61
when the pressure on the outer ends of their shanks is removed.
holders 59 for the side-folders are supported in upright slide-plates 66 which
are guided by slots 67 on headed studs 68 of stationary upright standards 69,
the lower ends of the slide-plates being provided with angularly bent bracket-
portions that are connected by a bridge-strap 70. Between the angularly bent
portions of the lower ends of the slide-plates 66 and the standards 69 are inter-
posed cushion-springs 71 which are placed on pins 72 that pass through the
The

page_text: brackets and bridge-strap 70. Intermediately between the slide-plates 66 of the
two sets of side-folders a horizontal spindle 73 is arranged, which carries a cam 74
that acts on the bridge-strap 70 when the spindle is turned by the crank-handle 75,
applied to its outer end. The spindle is journaled at its cam-end in a suitable
standard 76.
The turning of the cam 74 produces the lowering of the slide-plates 66 against
the tension of the springs 71 and thereby the lowering of the side-folders 58,
so that the same produce the creasing of the folds and facilitate the removal of
the folded and stitched mantle. The lowering of the reciprocating side-folders
takes place after the side-folders and needles are returned into their initial
position by the reverse motion of the side-folders and the screw-spindle by which
the motion of the needles is controlled. As soon as the spindle 73 has made
one complete revolution, the side-folders are raised again, into their normal
position at both sides of the central folders, ready for the next folding operation.
One pair of the reciprocating side-folders are slowly moved forward under the
action of the cylindrical cams 77 that are splined into longitudinal shafts 78,
which are rotated by a gear-wheel transmission arranged at the end of the frame,
the gear-wheels being driven by a rotating driving-gear-wheel 79 having a crank-
handle 80, as shown in Figs. 23 and 24. The gear-wheel transmission imparts
simultaneously rotary motion in opposite direction to the cam-shafts 78 and
thereby to the cams 77. Simultaneously with this rotary motion the cams 77
are moved slowly forward by the action of rotary screw-spindles 81 arranged parallel
with the shafts 78 and rotated by gear-wheels 83 meshing with the gear-wheels 82
at the ends of the shafts 78. Traversing sleeves 84 guided in slotted braces 65 of
the frame are placed on the screw-spindles 81 and connected by straps 85 with
the rear-ends of the cylindrical cams 77, as shown in Figs. 23 and 24, said straps
being attached to the ends of the cam-cylinders by screws 86 of the cams.
forward end of the cylindrical cams 77 is provided with segmental recesses 87
which are shown clearly in Fig. 28. The position of the cams in this figure is
however slightly different from that shown in Fig. 23 on which the sectional
view is taken. During the turning of the driving-gear-wheel 79 the cylindrical
cams 77 are rotated and simultaneously moved forward by the action of the
traversing sleeves 84, which are actuated by the screw-spindles 81 so that during
the forward motion of the cams 77 one pair of side-folders after the other is
engaged by the cams and successively moved inwardly between the central folders
so as to produce the required folds in the head of the mantle-blank, as shown
in Fig. 25.
The
Simultaneously with the forward motion imparted to the side-folders 58 two
parallel stitching needles, which in this construction of the machine are similar
to the common sewing-machine needles, are passed through the folds of the mantle
head. These needles are arranged in a cylindrical needle bar 89 which is guided
in a cylindrical casing 90 supported at the top A³ of the frame, said needle-bar
being made tubular and provided with an interior screw-thread which is engaged
by a screw-spindle 91 which receives rotary motion from the driving wheel 79,
as shown in Fig. 26. The needles being shorter and farther back than the
cams 77 at their respective normal position, they consequently pass into the
folds of the mantle somewhat behind the movable side-folders. The needles are
so arranged that they are just two folds behind the cams 77, consequently on
going back they are two folds ahead of the cams. By the rotary motion imparted
to the spindle 91 longitudinal motion is imparted to the tubular needle-bar so
that the two needles 88 supported in sockets in the head of the same are moved
forward through openings in the guide case 90 of the same. The needles are
threaded with a shirring string 95 are passed from a spool 92 supported on the
cylindrical casing 90, then over a suitable eye 93 to one needle eye, then over
a centre-pin 94 on the guide-casing 90, then to the second needle-eye, and made
of sufficient length so that the thread is accurately passed through all the folds
of the mantle, as the needles pierce the same as shown in Fig. 34. This piercing

page_text: takes place with the succession folding of the mantle-blank by the combined
action of the central and reciprocating side-folders. The shirring string is then
cut, the motion of the machine reversed, and the needles SS withdrawn from the
folds of the mantle, after which the end of the string are drawn out, as shown
in Fig. 35, and the same tied together as shown clearly in Fig. 36 so as to form
the loop 96 by which the mantle is then suspended from the crutch of the lamp.
This modified machine operates in the following manner:
Before setting the machine in motion, the set of central-folders 40 are raised
above the level of the reciprocating side-folders 58 by lowering the angular
lever 46 at one end of the machine, so that the central folders 40 and the tension-
blade 55, guided on the supporting platform 42 of the same, are placed in raised
position, as shown in Fig. 32. The mantle W is slipped downward over the
central folders and tension blade and the central folders returned into their normal
position intermediate between the reciprocating side-folders 40, as shown in
Figs. 23 and 24. In this position the central folders are locked by the pawl and
ratchet mechanism arranged in connection with the angular lever 46. The
machine is now set in motion by turning the main gear-wheel 79 from which
motion is transmitted to the cani-shafts 78, screw-spindles 81 and needle-bar 89
in the manner before described. The cylindrical cams 77 on the shafts 78 advance
simultaneously with the needles 88; the cams engage one pair of side-folders 58
after the other by their segmentally recessed end and press said folders slowly towards
each other so as to form one fold after the other in the head of the mantle in
connection with the central folders, as shown in Fig. 25. During this operation
the spring actuated blade 55 yields to the tension of the thus folded mantle and
moves slowly towards the exterior blade of the central folders, whereby a uniform
gathering up of the mantle-head is attained. As the folding proceeds, the
needles pierce the folds and carry the string through the folds as they are formed.
When all the side-folders are moved inwardly and all the folds are formed and
the needles have pierced the same, the cams continue their motion so as to give
the needles a chance to pass fully through all the folds and permit the drawing
through of the ends of the string, as shown in Fig. 35. The ends of the string
are then cut off and pulled through, as shown in Fig. 35. After this is done,
the motion of the driving wheel is reversed so that the motion of the cylindrical
cams 77, governing the side-folders, is reversed, likewise the motion of the
needles. The side-folders are successively withdrawn as they are liberated by
the cams and returned into their normal position by their springs 63, while the
needles are gradually withdrawn in advance of the receding side-folders until they
are entirely withdrawn from the folds of the mantle. After the folds of the mantle
are cleared by the side-folders and by the needles, the side-folders are lowered
simultaneously with their supporting carriers 66 by turning the crank-handle 75,
so that the cam 74, acting on the bridge-strap 70, moves both sets of side-folders
in downward direction, so as to crease the folds and permit in their lowered
position the convenient removal of the folded and stitched mantle. As soon as
the mantle is removed, the tension blade 55 will, by means of the spring 57,
assume its normal position shown in Fig. 23.
It is obvious that in place of shirring-strings, platinum or other wires may
be used and inserted into the folds of the blanks in the same manner, also other
changes in the construction and method of operation may be resorted to by
skilled mechanics without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention; we therefore do not limit ourselves to the exact mechanism herein
shown and described.
With the machine illustrated in Figs. 1 to 20 shirring strings, as shown in
Figs. 39 to 44, are generally used. A20 in the drawings represents a mantle
which is shirred with such a string, and B2 is a suspension-loop, the shirring-
strings 20 of which are passed through the folds of the mantle-blank by hand or
power-operated piercing needles. The shirring-strings are made in one piece
with a twisted loop 2, which is formed by doubling up the shirring, strings and

page_text: forming a knot
in the doubled up portion at some distance from the end, as
shown in Fig. 44. The shirring-strings 620 of the suspension-hook 1320 are passed
through the folded head of the mantle until the knot be arrives at one end of
the same, as shown in Figs. 39 and 41. The folds are then crowded up along
the shirring strings 620, towards the knot 2, as shown in Fig. 42, after which
the twisted loop is brought over the upper end of the mantle A20, as shown in
Fig. 40.
One of the shirring-strings 620 is then passed through the twisted loop 21
as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 40, and the loop brought down close to the
folded upper end of the mantle and tied firmly in position thereto by tying the
ends of the shirring strings together, so as to form a knot 20, as shown in
Figs. 40 and 42. The ends of the shirring strings are then trimmed off and the
mantle is then treated in the well-known manner.
This suspension loop enables a very quick finishing of the mantles for the
reason that the loop is formed on the shirring-strings before the latter are passed
through the folded head of the mantle whereby considerable time is saved in
tying the loop over the folded end of the mantle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
:
1. In a machine for folding and stitching the heads of mantles for incan-
descent lamps, the combination, with a set of central folders, parallel movable
side folders located intermediately with the central folders one set at each side
of said central folders, longitudinally-reciprocating needles, and means for simul-
taneously operating said side-folders and advancing the needles for stitching the
folds of the head of the mantle substantially as forth.
2. In a machine for folding and stitching mantles for incandescent lamps,
the combination, with a set of central stationary folders, of movable side-folders,
one set at each side of said central folders, said side-folders being arranged in
corresponding pairs, means for moving the side-folders into the spaces of the
central-folders, and needle-mechanism for inserting the shirring strings through
the gathered up head of the mantle, substantially as set forth.
3/. In a machine for folding and stitching mantles for incandescent lamps, the
combination of a set of stationary central-folders, of parallel, movable side-folders
located intermediately of the central-folders and arranged at both sides of the
central-folders, means for successively moving one pair of opposite side-folders
after the other into the spaces of the central-folders, and a needle-mechanism for
inserting a shirring string through the gathered head of the mantle, substantially
as set forth.
4/. In a machine for folding and stitching mantles for incandescent lamps, the
combination of a set of central-folders, two sets of oscillating or laterally recipro-
cating side-folders, one set at each side of said central-folders means for oscillating
or reciprocating each pair of side-folders successively after the adjacent folders,
and needle mechanism for inserting a shirring string through the gathered head
of the mantle, substantially as set forth.
5/. In a machine for folding and stitching mantles for incandescent lamps,
the combination of central-folders, movable side-folders co-operating with said
central folders, a step-shaped cam adapted to actuate one pair of side-folders after
the other, means for reciprocating said step-shaped cam, and needle-mechanism
for inserting a shirring string through the gathered portion of the mantle, sub-
stantially as set forth.
6/. In a machine for folding and stitching mantles for incandescent lamps,
the combination of central folders, means for supporting the mantle-blank from
above said central-folders, in downward position, movable side folders co-operating
with said central folders, means for operating said side folders, and needle-
mechanism for inserting a shirring string through the gathered head of the
mantle, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 7/. In a machine for folding and stitching mantles for incandescent lamps, the
combination, with means for gathering or folding up the head of the mantle-
blank, a needle-mechanism for inserting a shirring string in said gathered or
folded up portion of the mantle, said needle-mechanism comprising a pair of
needles provided with beaks and spring-actuated latches co-operating with said
beaks for holding the shirring string in the needles, substantially as set forth.
8/. In a machine for folding and stitching mantles for incandescent lamps, a
folding mechanism comprising central folders, movable side-folders, and addi-
tional movable side folders or retainers arranged to move outside one end of the
central folders, and means for moving said side-folders towards the central folders,
substantially as set forth.
9/. In a machine for folding and stitching mantles for incandescent lamps
central folders having in the upper edge portion recesses and oscillating or recipro-
cating side-folders arranged in sets at both sides of the central folders and adapted
to enter the spaces between the central folders, the side-folders having also
recesses to alineate with those of the central folders when the side-folders are
located between the latter, said recesses serving to permit the passage of needles
through all the folders, substantially as set forth.
10% In a machine for folding and stitching mantles for incandescent lamps,
the central-folders, provided with laterally projecting side-guards or blades, and
means for adjusting the latter relatively to the central-folders, substantially as
set forth.
11. In a machine for folding and stitching the heads of mantles for incan-
descent lamps, the combination of a set of central folders means for vertically
reciprocating the same so as to apply the mantle on the same, a set of side-folders
at each side of said central-folders, means for imparting reciprocating motion to
said side-folders successively one pair after the other, two needles arranged at
right angles to the folders, and means for moving said needles forward simul-
taneously with the inward motion of said side-folders, substantially as set forth.
12. In a machine for folding and stitching the mantles for incandescent lamps,
the combination, with a set of parallel central folders, of a platform for support-
ing said folders and a spring-actuated and guided tension blade arranged on said
platform parallel with said folders so as to impart the required tension to the
mantle-blank when placed in position on the central-folders and blade, substan-
tially as set forth.
13. In a machine for folding and stitching the mantles for incandescent lamps,
the combination, with a set of parallel central folders, of a platform for support-
ing the same, means for guiding the platform an angular lever for raising or
lowering said platform, and a pawl and ratchet device for locking said angular
lever in position, substantially as set forth.
14/. In a machine for folding and stitching the mantles for incandescent lamps,
the combination, with a set of central-folders, of laterally reciprocating side-
folders located intermediately to said central folders carriers for supporting said
side-folders, means for guiding said carriers up and down, and means for lower-
ing said carriers and side-folders when the head of the mantle is folded and
stitched, substantially as set forth.
15%. In a machine for folding and stitching the mantles for incandescent lamps,
the combination, with a set of central-folders, of intermediate laterally-recipro-
cating side-folders, cylindrical cams having segmental-recessed faces engaging
successively one pair of side-folders after the other, and means for imparting
rotary motion to said cams, substantially as set forth.
16%. In a machine for folding and stitching mantles for incandescent lamps,
the combination, with a set of central-folders, of two sets of laterally recipro-
cating and spring-actuated side-folders, guide-combs for guiding said side-folders,
and rotary and longitudinally traversing cam-cylinders having segmental faces
for imparting successively motion towards each other to one pair of side-folders
after the other, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 17. In a machine for folding and stitching the heads of mantles for incan-
descent-lamps, the combination of a set of central folders, a guided and spring-
actuated tension-blade parallel with said central-folders for holding the mantle-
blank in position on said folders arranged intermediately to said central-folders,
said central and side-folders being provided with needle recesses in their upper
ends, and a pair of longitudinally-reciprocating needles adapted to pierce succes-
sively the folds in the mantle-head, substantially as shown and described.
18%. The combination, with a mantle for incandescent lamps having a folded
upper end or head, of shirring strings passed through the folded upper end, a
twisted loop formed by means of a knot at one end of said shirring-strings, said
twisted loop being tied down over the folded end of the mantle by the outer
ends of the shirring strings, substantially as set forth.
19. A suspension-loop for incandescent mantles, composed of a doubled up
string, a looped portion formed by tying the doubled up string into a knot at
one end, and shirring strings extending beyond the knot, substantially as set
forth.
B. VON BÜLTZINGSLÖWEN,
A. VON AUW,
F. MONTAGUE,
Per W. H. Beck,
115, Cannon Street, London, Agent.
Dated this on day of July
B. VON BÜLTZINGSLÖWEN,
A. VON AUW,
F. MONTAGUE,
Per W. H. Beck,
115, Cannon Street, London, Agent.