IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BANDS FOR DRIVING MACHINERY
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles John Edwards, of Great Sutton Street, in
the County of Middlesex, Leather Hoso and Band Manufacturer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BANDS FOR DRIVING
MACHINERY."
Scaled the 25th March 1854, and dated the 21st January 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles John Edwards
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
21st January 1854.
I, CHARLES JOHN EDWARDS, of Great Sutton Street, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, Leather Hose and Band Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BANDS FOR
DRIVING MACHINERY:" to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved method of making leather driving bands
both for flat and grooved pullies. The improved method of making flat bands
for ordinary riggers consists in doubling the band, of leather so as to bring the
edges of the band into the centre of the back part of the band, inside which I
place a long slip or length of strong ships canvas prepared with some suitable
elastic cement... The edges of the leather having been brought together at the
back of the band; they are sewed firmly down by passing the stitches through

page_text: the two thicknesses of the band to the opposite side. Two, four, or more rows
of stitches may be used, according to the width of the band, and as these
stitches are made to lie in channels previously prepared in the surface of the
leather, it will be understood that they are thereby protected from wear against
the drum or pulley with which they are used. In addition to the stitching, I
employ metal studs to secure the two parts of the band together. These studs
pass through the two thicknesses, and are rivetted on one side. By this mode
of making flat bands there is no danger of the band twisting by the slipping or
distortion of any of the parts, as the two thicknesses of leather and the prepared
canvas are firmly connected together.
The round bands for grooved pullies are made of a long strip or strips of
leather, which, when turned up edge to edge, form a kind of tube within which
a cord or rope of suitable substance and properly prepared with an elastic
cement is placed.
The edges of the leather are cemented together to prevent them from
parting, and when the band is finished, it must have a slight twist given to
it so as to make the joint extend spirally round the band.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Charles John Edwards in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 20th July 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
JOHN EDWARDS, of Great Sutton Street, in the County of Middlesex, Leather
Hose and Band Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the seventeenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Charles John Edwards, Her special license that I, the said Charles
John Edwards, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said Charles John Edwards, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BANDS FOR DRIVING MACHINERY," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Charles John Edwards, by an

page_text: instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Charles John Edwards, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
This Invention relates to improvements in making either flat or round
leather driving bands both for flat and grooved pulleys. The improved method
of making flat bands for ordinary riggers consists in folding or doubling the
band of leather, so as to bring the edges of the band into the centre of the
back part of the band, and inside the band I place a long slip or length of
strong leather or ship's canvas prepared with some suitable elastic cement.
The edges of the leather having been brought together at the back of the band,
they are sewn firmly down by passing the stitches through the two thicknesses
of the band, a coating of cement being placed inside the band previously. A
strip of leather or canvas may also be placed inside, and the stitches are made
to pass through the three thicknesses to the opposite side. Two, four, or more
rows of stitches may be used, according to the width of the band; and as these
stitches are made to lie in channels previously made or prepared in the surface
of the leather, it will bo understood that they are thereby protected from wear
against the drum or pulley with which they are used. In addition to the
stitching, I employ metal studs to secure the two parts of the band together.
The studs pass through the two thicknesses of the band and also the canvas or
leather lining, and are rivetted on one side.
By this mode of making flat bands there is no danger of the band twisting
by the slipping or distortion of any of the parts, as the two thicknesses of
leather and the prepared canvas or leather are firmly connected together.
The round bands for grooved pulleys are made of a long strip or strips of
leather, which, when turned up edge to edge, form a kind of tube within
which a cord or rope or round band of leather or other suitable substance, and
properly prepared with an elastic cement, is placed. The edges and interior of
the leather are cemented together to prevent them from parting, and when the
band is finished it may have a slight twist given to it, so as to make the joint
extend spirally round the hand.

page_text: In the accompanying Drawing I have shewn (in perspective) views of
various kinds of bands made according to my improved plan. Fig. 1 is a
perspective view of a flat band intended for light work, and consists merely of
a strip of leather of suitable width (say four inches), to make a two inch band.
The edges are turned or folded back, and made to meet at the centre of the
band at a, behind, and are secured in that position by cement and stitching, as
at b, b, which passes through the two thicknesses, as above mentioned. These
stitches are arranged in grooves extending longitudinally on both sides of the
belt from one end to the other thereof. Fig. 2 is a similar view of another flat
band, which, being intended for heavier work, has a strip of leather or prepared
canvas c, placed inside, as shewn in the sectional Figure drawn full size at
Figs. 2, and is secured therein by stitching and cementing, as before, but is
still further secured by metal studs d, which are made to pass through
the three thicknesses, and will thereby prevent the parts from slipping one
on the other.
:
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another flat band. This mode of forming a
band may be found advantageous for very wide bands. It is formed of two
strips or pieces of leather, e and f, one of the edges of cach piece being folded
over and secured on the opposite sides by cementing and stitching, as in the
other instances; studs may also be used for still further security, and a band or
strip of leather, canvas, or other material used as a lining for strengthening the
band, if required or thought desirable.
Fig. 4 is a view of a round band which is made in the shape of a tube, and
is provided with a core g, consisting of a rope or cord of leather or other
suitable material. The edges and inner side of the leather are cemented, so
that no stitching will be required to secure the edges, and a slight twist being
given to the band will prevent the edges from parting. Any cement that is
sufficiently elastic or flexible to bear the bending of the bands on the pullies
may be employed; I do not, therefore, intend to confine myself to any particular
cement, nor do I intend to claim as new any peculiar composition; but I would
remark that I have found a cement composed as follows to be suitable for the
purpose (viz.):
Two parts by weight of gutta percha, one part of pitch, six parts of spirits of
turpentine. These materials are melted together in a water bath, and should
be used while warm.
Having now described the nature of my Invention of "Improvements in the
Manufacture of Bands for Driving Machinery," and the best means with which
I am at present acquainted for carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be

page_text: understood that I claim, in conclusion, manufacturing bands for machinery by
folding or doubling bands of leather, so as to bring the edges together at the
centre or other convenient part of the side of the band, and then securing them
thereto by cementing, stitching, and rivetting, as above described. I claim this
mode of manufacturing flat bands, whether one or two pieces of leather are
employed, as shewn, or whether an internal slip or lining be or be not combined
with the external leather band.
I also claim the method herein shewn and described of making round
bands.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles John Edwards, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of July, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
Witness,
C. J. WINTERSGILL.
CHARLES JN° EDWARDS. (L.B.)