Improvements in Apparatus for Crisping or Folding Cloth.
Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Crisping or Folding Cloth.
J
I, HUGH ROBERT. Ross, of Bloomfield, Belfast, in the County of Down,
Ireland, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for folding cloth lengthwise to bring both
selvages level which I consider will be better suited for some classes of work than
the machines at present in use.
I construct the apparatus with a table (of wood or other material) upon which
the material is spread at one side of which is attached a sword or lever which
extends across the table and working in close proximity to the same side of the
table and a little in advance of the sword are a series of spring or other clips
carried by an endless chain or band passing over pulleys which grip the selvages
of the cloth as it is drawn forward by a pair of rollers placed at the end of the
table.
The table is of any convenient length and breadth to permit of the cloth being
spread and folded thercon. The sword or lever which extends across it is prefer-
ably of Lor other convenient shape and is pivoted at one end so that it can swivel
and at the free end which enters between the folds of the cloth is provided with a
emall roller to bear the weight or pressure upon it. To the pivoted end of the
sword (or in other convenient position) is connected a strong spring to keep the
point of the sword tight in the crease of the cloth and to allow it to yield with
unequalities of width in the cloth. This spring is preferably secured by a strong
block bolted to the side of the table. The clips which automatically open and
close to alternately grip and release the cloth may be made with either one or two
movable jaws preferably the latter to grip each selvage separately. These clips.
are mounted horizontally on an endless chain carried round by star or other
propelling wheels or pulleys and are caused to open to receive the cloth and
afterwards to release it again by a fixed or stationary cam or bracket with which
they come in contact. The clip may be closed by a spring or by the weight of
the loose jaw causing it to fall or close.
At the end of the table are placed a pair of rollers which draw the cloth in the
crisped or folded state through the machine.
The chain and rollers are driven by friction or other gear in conjunction with
bevel wheels, pulleys, straps or the like.
Dated this 8th day of November 1895.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.

page_text: width or only varying to a small extent the sword or lever may be pivoted on a.
fixed point and the movable bracket N be dispensed with.
I find it preferable to employ an arm O to direct the cloth into the machine but
this is not essential especially for narrow cloth.
At the delivery end of the machine are placed a pair of geared rollers P which
draw the cloth through the machine and deliver it in the crisped or folded state.
At the receiving end of the machine are placed two rails R R or rollers which
guide the cloth into the machine.
The beam or batch of cloth S is supported in a vertical position in front of the
machine. The beam is supported by two radial brackets T T pivoted upon the
pillar U. These brackets are capable of being moved around the pillar to adjust
the distance of the beam of cloth S to or from the machine according to the width
of cloth and the journals s of the beam S are adjustable in the slots t of the
brackets T T to maintain the delivery edge of the cloth on the beam always on
the same line y-y. The brackets T T are secured in position on the pillar U by
pins passing through holes u in the flanges or collars u. The position of the-
journals & are adjusted in the slots t by the screw t¹.
It will be evident that the position of the beam S and the brackets T T¹ may be-
adjusted by other means such as by a worm and worm wheel or by slides or other
equivalent mechanism.
In operation the cloth is drawn off the beam or batch S and passed into the
machine between the rails R R or rolleis the selvage edges being gripped by the-
clips C. At the same time the sword or lever H straightens out the fold or
crease of the cloth which in its folded state is caught by the rollers P and thereby-
delivered in its crisped or doubled condition.
A plaiting or rolling mechanism may be added to the delivery end of the
machine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A crisping or folding machine constructed with two chains of stentering or
other clips in two horizontal planes driven from the same vertical axis to seize
and lay the selvages of the cloth together, a lever or sword which enters the
folds of the cloth to straighten out the two plies of cloth and a pair of rollers.
to deliver the cloth in its crisped and folded condition substantially as described.
2. In a crisping or folding machine the combination of two chains of stentering
clips set one above the other, a pivoted lever or sword to straighten out the folds of
the cloth an adjustable bracket by which the sword or lever is carried, a spring
which maintains the end of the pivoted sword or lever tight against the fold of the
cloth, and rollers by which the cloth is delivered in its crisped or folded condition
substantially as described.
3. A machine for crisping or folding cloth longitudinally substantially as.
described and shown.
dhi 17th day of Jul, 1806