Improvements in Hat Conformators.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Dec., 1889-Accented, 4th Jan., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hat Conformators.
We, HUGH LYONS and CHARLES BROAS both of Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan,
United States of America, Hatters, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in an apparatus for
fitting hats to the contour of the head, such apparatus being commonly called a
hat conformator.
Our invention consists in the improved construction, arrangement and operation
of the different parts, all as more fully hereinafter described.
In the said drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of our improved conformator.
Fig. 2 is a central cross-section thereof, showing the device as applied to take the
shape of the head.
Fig. 3 is an elevation showing the apparatus complete, as in use, for conforming
the hat to the shape of the head as ascertained by the conformator.
Fig. 4 is a section on linea in Fig. 3.
A is an oval ring, preferably double, of any suitable material to form a frame of
the general form of that part of the head on which the hat is worn, but somewhat
larger, and B are the head conforming slides, radially adjustably secured by means
of shanks a and thumb screws b in suitable slots in the ring. The upper portion c
of the head conforming slides are made round, and the lower ends d are curved
outwardly.
Upon the rounded upper portion c of the head conforming slides are pivotally
secured the hat conformers C, which are preferably made of sheet metal, spoon
shaped as shown, and resting on the shoulders e free to turn upon the portion c
of the slides.
Dare springs upon the shanks a interposed between the ring and the slides, and e
are stops to prevent the disengagement of the slides from the ring. The shanks a
are preferably of triangular cross-sections to prevent the slides from turning, and to
enable the set screws b to clamp them firmly in position.
E is a heater preferably of sheet metal, and somewhat larger than the ring A,
which I heat by means of a suitable burner consisting of a cup P, having an arm P¹
pivoted to the base of the heater, and adjustable by means of the handle f passing
through the side of the heater. Suitable apertures f¹ are arranged in the side of
the heater, one of which is so arranged that the cup may be drawn to extend
partially therethrough to place therein alcohol, or other combustible material to give
the necessary heat, as shown in Fig. 4.
G is a shield or cushion, preferably a soft non-conductor of heat adapted to fit
into the interior of the conforinator, as shown in Fig. 3.
In practice, in order to fit a hat to the wearer, the ring with the slides all unclamped
is placed over the head of the wearer, certain marks on the ring indicating front and
rear being brought into the corresponding position on the head.
It is clear that the slides being free to adjust themselves, will, under the action of
the springs G, set themselves close against the head all around, and after making sure
that this is properly accomplished, and the ring placed in its right position to just
embrace that portion of the head on which the bat is worn, the slides are all clamped
firmly in position by means of the thumb screws.
If the ring is now taken off the head, it is evident that the exact size and form of
the head is represented by the hat conformers B and by the use of a tape the
proper size of hat to be fitted to the wearer may be easily ascertained, if not
already known.

page_text: To fit the hat to the wearer in contour as well as in size, the hat selected is
pressed down over the hat conformers C, in the same manner as if it were a portion
of the wearer's head, front and rear of each being made to correspond exactly.
After this is properly accomplished, the conformator with the hat drawn upon it
is placed on the heater E, and a burner lit. After a few minutes of heating which
softens the material of the hat, the hat is allowed to cool off, when it will be found
to have permanently acquired the intended shape, corresponding to the shape of the
head of the wearer. The shield G prevents the heat from reaching the upper part of
the hat which would tend to injure it, especially in silk hats, in which the heat would
ruin the crown if the shield were omitted.
Qis a flexible band preferably a spiral spring, with its ends secured to opposite
sides of the frame A and forming a yielding support for the apparatus while being
adjusted upon the head of the wearer, the position of the latter being indicated by
dotted lines in Fig. 2. It is obvious that more than one of these springs may be
employed if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is -
1. In a head conformator, the combination with the ring, of conforming slides radially,
adjustably secured thereto, and provided with head conformers and hat conformers,
substantially as described.
2. In a hat conformer, the combination with the ring, of the conformator slides,
provided with the shanks engaging into radial slots in the ring, of the hat conformators
and head conformators formed therein, of springs interposed between the slides and
the ring, and the clamp screws, substantially as described.
3. In a hat conformator, the combination of the ring, the conformator or
slides, and the spoon-shaped hat conformators pivotally secured to the upper end
thereof.
4. In a hat conformator, the combination of the ring A, the slides B, the shanks a
engaging in radial slots in the ring, the springs D, the head conformators C pivotally
secured upon the slides, and the curved ends d, the parts being arranged to operate
substantially as described.
5. The combination in a hat conformator, of a heating device, and a shield G
adapted to shield the crown of the hat from the heat, substantially as described.
6. The combination with a hat conformator, of a heater, the cup P, arm P¹, adjust-
ing handle and aperture f¹, substantially as described.
7. In a hat conformator the combination with the frame of an elastic band or
spring secured thereto and adapted to support the apparatus while being adjusted
upon the head of the wearer.
1000
HUGH LYONS.
CHAS. BROAS.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.