IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR "PUTTING OUT," SCOURING AND OTHER OPERATIONS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LEATHER
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 "PUTTING OUT," SCOURING AND OTHER
OPERATIONS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LEATHER" communicated to him
from abroad by Joseph Warren Vaughn, of Peabody, Massachusetts, United
States of America, Mechanic
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th December 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR "PUTTING
OUT," SCOURING AND OTHER OPERATIONS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LEATHER."
[A communication to him from abroad by Joseph Warren Vaughn, of Peabody,
Massachusetts, United States of America, Mechanic]
This invention relates to machines designed to be used in the manufacture of
leather for performing the work usually done by hand in "putting out" "setting
out" and "scouring "morocco and other skins and hides to increase, their size;
remove the "fleshings" tanning liquors and water, and render them smooth and
éven.
The said invention comprises a novel construction and arrangement of the parts
as hereinafter set forth by means of which a new and more effective device is
produced for these purposes than has heretofore been employed.
According to the said Invention the main shaft is journalled horizontally in the
upper part of the framework; and carries two pulleys for driving the rollers and
another pulley for driving a rack pinion shaft.
.:
The frame of the machine is provided with an auxiliary standard or upright,
near one of its ends, and journalled therein and in the opposite end of the said
frame is a countershaft carrying the fast and loose pulleys and a pinion which
engages with a gear-wheel on the rack pinion shaft. The fast and loose pulleys
are connected with the driving pulley on the rack pinion shaft by a crossed belt.

page_text: The rollers are arranged parallel with each other and in the same plane, and are
journalled horizontally in swinging arms or lugs, the upper ends of which are jointed
to the frame.
Secured to shafts journalled in the lower ends of the said arms or lugs are two
levers connected at their inner ends by a joint. One of the said levers is extended
to form a handle at the front of the machine.
A treadle shaft provided at either end with arms, and at its centre with a treadle,
is arranged in the lower part of the framework, and at the outer end of each of the
said arms is a pulley
Attached to the auxiliary standard are two loose pulley's and passing over these
and under a pulley on one of the said arms is a vertically-arranged cord, having
its ends respectively secured to shafts or the said levers at or near their points.
It will be understood that the rollers are provided at each end with a pair of
jointed levers pivoted to arms or lugs and secured on each side of the machine to
shafts and also that the levers are connected by means of a cord and pulleys with
the treadle rod:
0.
Arranged to slide vertically in proper guides between the auxiliary standard and
one end of the framework is a wedge shaped holder or carrier provided at either
end with a rack which engages with a pinion on the rack-pinion shaft.
This holder has a body composed of wood and is provided with a metallic cap,
and covered with a stout leather apron, having an india rubber lining to render it
elastic, orienable the apron to yield slightly when in use.
20
A cross-bar is arranged over the machine, and provided with a, vertical bar at
either, end which bars work in proper guides in, the standards of the framework,
and have their lower ends respectively connected to the jointed levers at their
central joints.
1
:
.
9 The vertical bar nearest the pulley on the rack-pinion-shaft is provided with a
cord which passes under a sheave, on the frame and is secured to the forward part
of a belt-shipping lever. This lever is arranged horizontally being centrally pivoted
to the frame and is provided with an ordinary shipping bar and clutch for shipping
the belt which drives the rack-pinion-shaft through an intermediate pulley wheel
and pinion.
The rollers are driven by means of belts over pulleys and loose guide pulleys on
the auxiliary standard so that they shall move in opposite directions
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1
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3
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Thé. rollers are preferably 'composed of brass ori composition and are provided
with a series of long spirally-arranged threads or flanges placed at equal distances
apart on their peripheries which threads, and shorter ones hereinafter described, are
designed to take the place of the "slicker" used in putting out skins in the ordinary
manner. These threads start from the centre of the roller and pass spirally in
opposite directions around it towards, the ends.
Between each pair of the long threads the surface of the rollers is grooved
fluted in such, a manner as to form a series of short threads which stand nearer at
right angles to the axial line of the roller, than the long threads. The short threads
are of the same height as the long threads and start or project from the rear edges
of the same, but do not extend entirely across the spaces between the long threads,
thus leaving a groove or channel immediately in front of each long thread which
serves as a channel to carry off the water and tanning liquors pressed from the
skins or hides during, the process, of treating them with the machine.
The object of the long spirally arranged threads, is to remove the light fleshings
and stretch the skin or hide downward, and at the same time diagonally outward;
while the object of the short threads is to stretch the skin laterally or more nearly
in a line with the rollers. When constructed, with angular edges the threads
remove the lighter fleshy parts of the hide or skin which are not removed by
green shaving" but they may be so, formed! or constructed as to render the
machine adapted to green shave the, hide or skin if desired or to remove the; heavy.
or thick fleshings.
"
In the operation of the machine; the hide, or skin, having first been "green-
.

page_text: shaved" or properly prepared for the "putting out" "setting out" or scouring
process, as the case may be, is placed upon the holder with the flesh side outwards
and the machine is started up by means of the main belt. The shipping lever is
then moved to ship a belt on to the fast pulley thereby communicating motion to
the rack pinion shaft through the intermediate pinion. and wheel and causing the
holder to move upwards by means of the pinions and racks passing between the
rollers and submitting the skin to their action. The side pieces, in which the holder
is held and to which the racks are attached are. elongated or extend above the
racks, and when the holder has passed upward a sufficient distance to bring all
parts of the hide or skin into contact with the rollers, these side pieces strike the
under part of the upper cross bar and lift or raise the same drawing up the
vertical bars and bringing the levers to which the lower ends of the said bars are
attached into such a position that the rollers are thrown out of contact with the
skin or hide on the holder. The cord connecting the shipping lever with one of
the vertical bars being drawn upward as the said bar rises operates the lever to
ship the belt from the fast to the loose pulley thus freeing the pinion wheel and
rack pinion shaft and rack pinions and permitting the holder to descend by the
force of gravity to its normal position on the india-rubber cushions preparatory to
receiving another hide or skin.
The rollers are prevented from coming into actual contact with each other by
stops attached to the inside of the framework against which the lugs or arms strike
when in a vertical or nearly vertical position and by shafts coming into contact
with the framework. When the levers are elevated and their joint passes above
a horizontal line drawn through their pivots the levers become locked or remain
extended and thus hold the rollers apart while the holder descends from between
them to its normal position as described.
$8
"
It will be understood that all of the parts essential to the proper operation of
the machine are so timed that the raising of the levers will be coincident with
the shipping of the belt to cause the descent of the holder.
As the holder carrying the hide or skin passes upward between the rollers the
handle of the lever is elevated permitting the rollers to come into contact with the
skin, and at the same time the foot is placed upon the treadle, and by means of
the cords and pulleys the rollers are forced inwards against the skin until the
desired amount of pressure is obtained thereon to properly accomplish the work,
the treadle being released as the holder falls."
The edges of the threads on the rollers may be angular or rounded in any degree,
or according to the work they are required to do, and when rounded may be
applied to the grain side of the skin if desired.
As the threads all start from the same line or from the centre of the rollers the
hide or skin at the part corresponding therewith would not be properly and
sufficiently "put out" or stretched laterally if the threads only, were used, or if the
short threads were regularly arranged.
To obviate this difficulty the short threads. between every alternate pair of the
long threads are carried past or across the central line of the rollers.
When a whole skin or hide is on the holder, the neck and butt are arranged on
the top of the same, but when a side or one half of a skin or hide is treated, the
neck and butt come on opposite sides of the said holder near the bottom, and for
treating or putting out sides, or one half of a hide or skin the rollers should be
constructed with the meeting point of the threads, nearer one end than the other,
in order that this portion of the rollers may act upon the neck and thicker portions
of the skin.
It will be obvious that the two sides of the holder constitute two inclined tables
on which the hide or skin rests, and that a holder of this shape will present the
hide or skin to the rollers to better advantage and enable the same to act more
effectively on the skin, especially at the centre, than would be possible were the
holder of the same thickness throughout, or, as thick at the top as it is at the
bottom. The swinging lugs or arms enable the rollers to yield or separate 'as
"

page_text: the holder passes between them and the counterbalance prevents the holder from
descending too rapidly when its upward movements are reversed. The rollers
may also be separated or brought together by means of the lever handle as
required.
It will be obvious that as the holder carrying the hide or skin passes upwards
between the rollers the inner surfaces of the rollers, or those portions of the same
which are in contact with the hide or skin move downward or in a direction
opposite to that of the holder, thereby opposing the passage of the holder and skin
between the same, these movements of the holder or carrier and the rollers as
described being essential to the proper performance of the work..
Г
If desired the movements of the holder and rollers may be reversed or the holder
may remain stationary, and the rollers be so arranged as to advance and recede in
performing their work; and instead of the swinging lugs or arms the rollers,may
be arranged to yield to the passage of the holder by means of properly disposed.
springs without departing from the spirit of my improvement.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, and
of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, filed by the said William Robert Lake in
the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th June 1883.
"
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co; Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PUTTING
OUT' SCOURING AND OTHER OPERATIONS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LEATHER
A communication to me from abroad by Joseph Warren Vaughn of Peabody,
Massachusetts United States of America, Mechanic. :
This invention relates to machines to be used in the manufacture of leather,
for performing the work usually done by hand in "putting out," "setting out,"
"and"
' scouring" morocco and other skins and hides to increase their size, remove
the "fleshings," tanning liquors, and water, and render them smooth and even';
-and it consists essentially in the novel construction and arrangement of parts as
bereinafter set forth, whereby a new and more effective device is produced for
these purposes than has heretofore been employed.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine constructed according to this
invention,
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same.
Figure 3 is an end view, showing the machine with its driving pulleys and main
gear wheel in position.
Figure 4 an end view showing the machine with a part of its pulleys and
gear wheels removed.
Figure 5 is a plan of the rollers.
Figure 6 is a vertical transverse section of the holder, and
Figure 7 is a view showing the arrangement of the short threads or flanges of
the rollers.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the
drawings.
A indicates the frame of the machine; B, C, the rollers; D, the main shaft, E
the main driving pulley; and F, the main belt.
The main shaft is journalled horizontally in the upper part of the framework,
and carries the pulley G for driving the roller C; the pulley H for driving the
roller B and the pulley I for driving the shaft J.
The frame of the machine is provided with an auxiliary standard or upright K,
near one of its ends, and journalled therein, and in the opposite end of the said
frame there is a countershaft L, carrying the fast and loose pulleys M and a pinion N
which engages with the gear wheel O on the shaft J; the pulleys M are connected
with the driving pulley I by the crossed belt P.
:
The rollers B, C, are arranged parallel with each other and in the same plane,
and are journalled horizontally in the swinging arms or lugs Q the upper ends of
which are jointed to the frame at d.
Secured at a, a, to the shafts 50 journalled in the lower ends of the arms or
lugs are two levers R, S, connected at their inner ends by the joint x, the lever R
being extended to form the handle T at the front of the machine.
:
A treadle shaft u provided at either end with an arm V and at its centre with
the treadle w is arranged in the lower part of the framework, and at the outer end-
of each of the said arms is a pulley Y.
:
Attached to the standard K are two loose pulleys z z and passing over these and
under the pulley, Y is a vertically arranged cord m having its ends respectively
secured to the shafts, 50 or levers R, S, at or near thepoints a, a,

page_text: 65
'
It will be understood that the rollers B, C, are provided at each end with a pair
of jointed levers R, S, pivotted to the arms or lugs Q, and secured on each side of
the machine to the shafts 50 and also that the levers are connected by means
of a cord and pulleys with the treadle rod u substantially as shown in Figure 4.
Arranged to slide vertically in proper guides between the standard K and one
end of the framework. A is a wedge-shaped holder or carrier W provided at either
end with a rack g, which engages with a pinion h on the shaft J. This holder has
a body i composed of wood and is provided with a metallic cap j and covered with
a stout. leather apron having an india-rubber lining p to render it elastic, or
enable the apron to yield slightly when in use.
A cross bar X is arranged over the machine and is provided with a vertical
bar f at either end, which bars work in proper guides in the standards of the
framework, and have their lower ends respectively connected to the levers R, S'ab
the joints x.
One of the bars nearest the pulley I' is provided with a cord 22 which passes
under the sheave, n on the frame A and is secured to the forward part of the belt
shipping lever 30. This lever is arranged horizontally being centrally pivotted to
the frame at and is provided with an ordinary shipping bar and clutch q for
shipping the belt P which drives the shaft J through the intermediate pulley M
the pinion N and the gear wheel O.
The roller B is driven from the pulley H by means of the belt e which passes
over the pulley 20; and the roller C from the pulley G by the belt t which passes
around the loose guide pulleys yy on the standard K to impart to the roller C
a movement opposite to that of the roller, B, as indicated by the arrows..
'
"
The said rollers are preferably composed of brass or composition, and are
provided with a series of long spirally-arranged threads or flanges, 45 placed a
equal distances apart on their peripheries, as shown in Figure 5,, which threads and
the shorter ones hereinafter described are designed to take the place of the "slicker
used in putting out skins in the ordinary manner. These threads start from the
centre of the roller, and pass spirally in opposite directions around it towards the
ends; for instance-In Figure 2. each of the threads 45 starts from the same point
on the vertical line, 35 drawn through the centre of the roller, one passing spirally
downward to the right band end of the roller, and the other in like manner to
the left hand end of the same, the pitch of the said threads being very slight,
or preferably such in a full size working machine, that each of the threads will
pass around or nearly around the roller between its centre where they start, and its
end where they terminate.
(In the drawings the rollers are diametrically enlarged in order to show the
principle of their construction more distinctly, and. hence the threads 45 are
necessarily represented as having less pitch than is desirable for most kinds
of work.)
"
Between each pair of the long threads or flanges 45; the surface of the rollers is
grooved or fluted in such a manner as to form a series of short threads or flanges 34
which stand more nearly at right angles to the axial line of the roller than the
threads 45. These short threads are of the same height as the long threads and
start or project from the rear, edges of the same, but do not extend entirely. across
the spaces between the long threads, thus leaving.. a groove or channel: 15
immediately in front of each long thread, which serves as a channel to carry off the
water and tanning liquors pressed from the skins or hides during the process of
treating them with the machine.
1.
The object of the long spirally-arranged threads. 45 is to remove the light
fleshings, and stretch the skin or hide downward, and at the same time, diagonally
outward; while the object of the short threads 34. is to stretch the skin laterally
ór more nearly in a line with the rollers. When constructed with angular edges,
the threads remove the lighter fleshy parts of the hide or skin which are not
removed by "green shaving" but they may be so formed. or constructed as--to

page_text: render the machine adapted to "green shave" the hide or skin if desired, or, to
remove the heavy or thick fleshings.
In the operation of the machine, the hide or skin 25 having first been "green
shaved" or properly prepared for the "putting out" "setting out" or scouring
process, as the case may be, is placed upon the holder W with the flesh side outwards,
and the machine started by means of the main belt F
The shipping lever 30 is then moved to shift the belt P on to the fast pulley M,
thereby communicating motion to the shaft J through the intermediate pinion N
and the gear wheel O and causing the holder W to move upwards, by means of the
pinions h and racks g passing between the rollers B, C, and submitting the skin to
their action in a manner which will be readily understood.
The side pieces 27 in which the holder is held, and to which the racks 9 are
attached, are elongated or extend above the said racks, and when the holder has
passed upward a sufficient distance to bring all parts of the hide or skin into
contact with the rollers, these side pieces strike the under part of the cross-bar x
and lift or raise the same, drawing up the vertical bars ff and bringing the
levers R, S, to which the lower ends of the said bars are attached, into the position
indicated by dotted lines in Figure 4 thereby throwing the rollers out of contact
with the skin or hide on the holder. The cord 22 connecting the shipping lever 30
with one of the bars f being drawn upward as the said bar rises operates the
lever 30 to ship the belt P from the fast to the loose pulley M, thus freeing the
pinion N the gear wheel O, the shaft J and the pinions h, and permitting the holder to
descend by the force of gravity to its normal position on the india-rubber cushions 44
as shown in Figures 1 and 2, preparatory to receiving another hide or skin 25.
The rollers B, C, are prevented from coming into actual contact with each other
by stops (not shown) attached to the inside of the framework against which stops
the lugs or arms Q strike when in a vertical or nearly vertical position, and by the
shafts 50 coming into contact with the framework.
When the levers R S are elevated as shewn by the dotted lines and the joint x
passes above a horizontal line drawn through their pivots a a the levers become
locked, or remain extended, and thus hold the rollers apart while the holder W
descends from between them to its normal position, as described.
It will be understood that all the parts essential to the proper operation of the
machine are so "timed" that the raising of the levers R S to the position shewn
by the dotted lines in Figure 4 will be coincident with the shipping of the belt P to
cause the descent of the holder.
As the holder carrying the hide or skin 25 passes upward between the rollers
the handle T is elevated, as seen in Figure 4 permitting the rollers to come into
contact with the skin, and at the same time the foot is placed upon the treadle w
and by means of the cords m and pulleys Y, z, the rollers are forced inwardly
against the skin, until the desired amount of pressure is obtained thereon to
properly accomplish the work, the treadle being released as the holder falls.
The edges of the threads 45 and 34 may be angular or rounded in any degree or
according to the work they are required to do, and when rounded they may be
applied to the grain side of the skin if desired.
As the threads 45 all start from the same line 35, or from the centre of the rollers
the hide or skin at the part corresponding therewith would not be properly and
sufficiently "put out" or stretched laterally if the threads 45 only were used, or if
the short threads 34 were regularly arranged.
To obviate this difficulty the short threads 34, between every alternate pair of
the long threads, are carried past or across the line 35 as shewn in Figure 7, for
instance in section 1 of the said figure the short threads 34 cross the line 35
and meet at 55 on the left side of the said line; in section 2 they meet directly on
the said line; in section 3 at 65 on the right of the said line; and so on entirely
around the roller, this arrangement of the short threads at the centre of the roller
having been found to effectually overcome 'all defects in the work caused by a
regular arrangement of the same at this point, or at the centre of the roller...

page_text: It will be understood that the speed of the rollers and the pressure placed upon
the same by the treadle and also the speed at which the holder travels should be
varied in accordance with the work being done.
In Figure 1, a whole skin or hide is represented on the holder, the neck and butt
being arranged on the top of the same, but when a side, or one-half of a skin or
hide is treated, the neck and butt come on opposite sides of the said holder near the
bottom and for treating. or putting out sides or one-half of a lide or skin the
rollers should be constructed with the line 35 or meeting point of the threads 45,
nearer one end than the other, in order that this portion of the rollers may act
upon the neck and thicker portions of the skin.
It will be obvious that the two sides of the holder constitute two inclined tables
on which the hide or skin rests and that a holder of this shape will present the
hide or skin to the rollers to better advantage and enable the same to act more
effectively on the skin, especially at the centre, than would be possible were the
holder of the same thickness throughout, or as thick at the top as it is at the
bottom. The swinging lugs Q enable the rollers to yield or separate as the holder
passes between them, and the counterbalance 40 prevents the holder from
descending too rapidly when its upward movements are reversed. The rollers
may also be separated or brought together by means of the handle T as required.
It will also be obvious that as the holder carrying the hide or skin passes
upwards between the rollers the inner surfaces of the rollers or those portions of
the same which are in contact with the hide or skin, move downward or in a
direction opposite to that of the holder, thereby opposing the passage of the holder
and skin between the same, these movements of the holder or carrier and the
rollers as described, being essential to the proper performance of the work.
in
If desired the movements of the holder and rollers may be reversed, or the holder
may remain stationary and the rollers be so arranged as to advance and recede in
performing their work; and instead of the swinging lugs Q the rollers may be
arranged to yield to the passage of the holder by means of springs, without
departing from the nature of the said Invention.
.. 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 in a machine for putting out, scouring, and performing other operations
in the manufacture of leather.
First. A pair of yielding rollers provided with flanges or threads for scraping or
stretching the hide or skin and adapted to revolve in opposite directions in such a
manner as to oppose the passage of the skin between the same when in contact
therewith and a holder or carrier for the hide or skin, which holder passes between
the said rollers in presenting the hide or skin to the action of the same, in
combination with mechanism for operating the said rollers and holder substantially
as specified.
Second. The combination of a pair of yielding rollers provided with flanges or
threads for scraping or stretching the hide or skin, a movable holder or carrier for
holding and presenting the hide or skin to the action of the said rollers, a shipping
device for reversing the movement of the holder or carrier after it has presented
the hide or skin to the action of the rollers, and a treadle or device for increasing the
pressure of the rollers on the said hide or skin at the will of the operator of the
machine, substantially. às set forth.
Third. The rollers B, C suspended in the swinging lugs Q, in combination withi
the levers R, S, substantially as described.
Fourth. The bars X, f, f, in combination with the levers R, S, and the rollers B, C,
substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Fifth. The combination of the bars X, ff, the cord 22, and the shipping lever 30
for automatically shipping the belt P and reversing the movement of the holder or
carrier W, substantially as specified
Sixth. A holder or carrier, for the hide or skin, which is wedge-shaped in cross-
section, substantially as set forth.
:

page_text: Seventh. The holder or carrier W provided with an elastic covering, which
yields slightly when the rollers act upon the hide or skin and thereby assists in
preventing injury to the stock, substantially as specified.
Eighth. The holder W provided with the racks g, in combination with the
pinions h, the shaft J, and operative mechanism, substantially as set forth.
Ninth. The projections or bars 27, in combination with the bars X, f, f, the
cord 22, the shipping lever 30, and operative mechanism, substantially as
described.
Tenth. The projections or bars 27, in combination with the bars X, f, f, the
levers R, S, the rollers B, C, and operative mechanism, substantially as specified.
Eleventh. The treadle shaft u provided with the lever or arm v and cord m, in
combination with the swinging lugs Q, and the rollers B, C, substantially as, and
for the purpose, described.
Twelfth. The shaft D, the bars X, f, f, the rollers B, C, the shaft J, the holder or
carrier W, and their operative mechanism arranged in the framework A in the
relative positions described with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, whereby
the machine is rendered more compact, and the various parts are enabled to
perform their functions to the best advantage, substantially as described.
Thirteenth. The shafts 50 for connecting the levers R, S at one end of the
machine with those at the other end, thereby enabling the said levers to be operated
in unison by the handle T, substantially as set forth.
Fourteenth. A carrier or holder for the hide or skin, having two tables arranged
opposite each other, or back to back, in such a manner that a part of the hide or
skin will rest on one of the tables, and a part on the other and be simultaneously
operated on by the mechanism for scraping, stretching, or putting out the same,
substantially as specified.
Fifteenth. The bars X,f,f, the levers R, S, and the cross connecting shafts 50, all
combined and arranged to operate with the rollers B, C, substantially as set forth.
Sixteenth. The rollers B, C provided with corresponding threads or flanges 45,
but so arranged in the machine that, by reversing the position of one of the rollers,
the said threads will run in opposite directions, whereby the action of the rollers
on the hide or skin will be the same on either side thereof, substantially as shewn
and described.
Seventeenth. The roller B provided with the long threads or flanges 45 and
short threads or flanges 34, the long threads starting from the central line 35 and
passing in a spiral direction around the roller towards its ends, substantially as
shewn and specified.
Eighteenth. The roller B provided with the long threads or flanges 45 and
short threads or flanges 34, the said short threads being arranged to meet alter-
nately on and at the side of the central line 35, substantially as described with
reference to Figures 5 and 7 of the drawings
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Fourteenth day of June in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three