IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY, APPARATUS, OR MEANS FOR TENTERING, STRETCHING, AND DRYING FABRICS, DRZA TO"
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Lee Norton, of No. 159, Piccadilly, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY,
APPARATUS, OR MEANS FOR TENTERING, STRETCHING, AND DRYING FABRICS,
DRZA
TO"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Lee Norton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th October 1881.
JAMES LEE NORTON, of No. 159, Piccadilly, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY, APPARATUS, OR MEANS FOR TENTERING,
STRETCHING, AND DRYING FABRICS, AND IN DRYING OTHER MATERIALS."
Many attempts have been made to construct clips or clamps for holding the
selvedges of fabrics while being stretched and dried without leaving the
objectionable pin marks on the selvedges, but up to the present time owing to
the mode of construction the clips or clamps have been costly, bulky, and
unreliable; this has arisen from a variety of causes, amongst which is the impossi-
bility by hand to make all the clips to nip or bite exactly alike.
According to my Invention the parts of which the clips or clamps are constructed
or formed are stamped out of brass or other suitable material of any desired
strength into a variety of forms suited to the various purposes for which they are
to be used, so not only can they be made rapidly and at a small cost, but what is
of the utmost importance, all the parts are uniform and exactly alike, and the holding
part of each is equally and thoroughly reliable.
The clip is so formed that the selvedge of the most delicate fabric or the
thickest textures may be firmly held while being stretched, and at the same time
properly and uniformly dried. With the existing clips imperfect drying is the
result, owing to their form of construction, the selvedges being only partially dried,
a serious objection.
One modification of my Invention consists in forming a clip with a flat or curved
base, having corrugated uprights turned up at each ends at right angles with base,
which serve as supports to carry a hinged or moveable top cover or arranged

page_text: otherwise to give an eccentric action, so that when the cover is closed down the
pawl or projection holds the fabric or selvedge against the base, giving a tight hold
on the selvedge, so that the stronger the pull or stretch on the fabric the tighter
the holding grasp.
Immediately on the cover being raised the material so held is released. The
closing and opening may be affected either by hand, by cams, or other mechanical
contrivance.
To expedite the drying of the selvedges a series of openings may be made in
the base plate of the clip to which the top cover is hinged, arranged to be operated
on by an eccentric, pawl, or otherwise.
Another modification of my Invention consists in its application for drying wool
and other materials, and will be found of very great advantage in both wool
drying and in drying machines generally where endless or fixed sheets of network
are used to spread the material upon, as the same may be easily removed and
cleaned, and thus prevent the fibres of the colours being mixed. A part of my
Invention consists in forming machines for drying wool or other materials with
several separate sheets of network carriers attached to travelling endless chains
carrying clips to hold the selvedges of the network to keep it stretched; and in
order to stretch the network thoroughly I make the feed end of the machine a little
narrower with a controlling hinged arrangement also for expanding as the network
carriers is fed on. The several endless sheets are all carried or moved by the same
shafts that actuate the chains, and each sheet is carried by its own seperate clips,
chains, and chains wheels, with a division between the sheets and each set of
wheels; in some cases the clips may not be used, as the sheets may be attached
direct to the chains or frames of the machines.
By this means different colours may be spread out to dry on each sheet, and the
sheets may be changed and cleaned as required, thus preventing mixing of colours;
or several endless aprons, one above the other, may be arranged to work on a
similar plan; but in all cases a shelf or division is placed under the lowest sheet of
each endless apron so as to keep each set of endless sheets separated not only for
the purpose of preventing the moisture during the drying process from rising from
one sheet to another, but also to confine between each set of sheets the air that
is forced into the machine, but causes it to pass through the material above it.
In order to agitate the wool or other material I force heated or cold air between
the endless sheets under pressure, to which is imparted an intermittent motion, so
that the wool or other material is forced up and down, and the air may also be
exhausted through the wool and then by the upward aid of pressure forced up
alternately. Coils of steam pipes may also be used between the sheets or other-
wise. Another modification of my Invention for drying wool and tentering and
stretching fabrics and other materials consist in having an intermediate clip piece
arranged to grasp the selvedge of the fabric or network, which is operated on by
the closing of the top cover of the clip or clamp, and vice versa, opening or releasing
the hold. This intermediate clip piece I prefer to construct in the form with its
holding edge turned downwards at right angles of a spring, and so arranged as to
be attached to the back of base plate, so that when not compressed by the top
cover or cam, the tendency of the spring is to leave an opening between the
holding part and the base plate for the removal and replacement of the fabric or
network.
These clips may be arranged in a variety of forms, and are equally applicable to
hand stationary or progressive tentering machines of any description, and also for
all classes of finishing and drying machines.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Lee Norton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th April
1882.
JAMES LEE NORTON, of No. 159, Piccadilly, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY, APPARATUS, OR MEANS FOR TENTERING,
STRETCHING, AND DRYING FABRICS, AND IN DRYING OTHER MATERIALS."
Many attempts have been made to construct clips or clamps for holding the
selvedges of fabrics while being stretched and dried without leaving the objection-
able pin marks on the selvedges, but up to the present time owing to the mode of
construction the clips or clamps have been costly, bulky, and unreliable; this has
arisen from a variety of causes, amongst which is the impossibility by hand to
make all the clips to nip or bite exactly alike.
In carrying out my said Invention I construct the clips or clamps of brass or
other suitable material, preferably by stamping the several parts from sheet metal
of any desired strength into the necessary forms suited to the various purposes for
which they are to be used, so that not only can they be made rapidly and at a
small cost, but what is of the utmost importance, all the parts can be made uniform
and exactly alike, and the holding portion of each is rendered equally and
thoroughly reliable.
The clip is so formed that the selvedge of the most delicate fabric or the thickest
textures may be firmly held while being stretched, and at the same time properly
and uniformly dried. With the existing clips imperfect drying is the result owing
to their form and construction, the selvedges being only partially dried which is a
serious defect.
One modification of my Invention consists in forming a clip with a flat or
curved base having uprights turned up at each end at right angles with the base
which serve as supports to carry a hinged or moveable top cover, or arranged
otherwise to give an eccentric action, so that when the cover is closed down the
pawl or projection holds the selvedge of the fabric against the base, giving a tight
hold on the selvedge, so that the stronger the pull or stretch on the fabric the
tighter the holding grasp becomes.
Immediately on the lever or cover being raised the material so held is released.
The closing and opening may be effected either by hand, by cams, or other
mechanical contrivances.
To expedite the drying of the selvedges a series of openings may be made in the
base plate of the clip to which the top cover is hinged, arranged to be operated
upon by an eccentric, pawl, or otherwise.
Another modification of my Invention consists in its application for drying wool
and other materials, and will be found of very great advantage in both wool and
other drying machines generally where endless or fixed sheets of network are used to
spread the material upon as the same may be easily removed and cleaned, and thus
prevent the loose fibres of the colors from becoming mixed. A part of my Invention
consists in forming machines for drying wool or other materials with several
separate sheets of network carriers attached to endless travelling chains carrying
clips to hold the selvedges of the network to keep it stretched; and in order to
stretch the network thoroughly I make the feed end of the machine a little
narrower than the machine itself with a controlling hinged arrangement for the
purpose of expanding as the network carriers are fed onwards. The several endless
sheets are all carried or moved by the same shafts that actuate the, chains, and
each sheet is carried by its own separate clips, chains, and chain wheels, with a

page_text: division between the sheets and each set of wheels, and in some cases the clips
may be dispensed with, as the sheets may be attached directly to the chains or
frames of the machines.
By these means different colours may be spread out to dry on each sheet, and the
sheets may be changed and cleaned as required, thus preventing mixing of colors;
or several endless aprons one above the other may be arranged to work on a
similar plan, but in all cases a shelf or division is placed under the lowest sheet of
each endless apron so as to keep each set of endless sheets separated not only for
the purpose of preventing the moisture during the drying process from rising from
one sheet to another, but also to confine between each set of sheets the air that
is forced into the machine, and cause it to pass through the material spread
above it.
In order to agitate or cause vibration to the wool or other material I force
heated or cold air between the endless sheets under pressure, to which is imparted
an intermittent motion, so that the wool or other material is forced to vibrate.
The air may also be exhausted through the wool, and thus by the aid of the
upward pressure caused to vibrate.
Coils of steam pipes may also be used between the sheets or otherwise.
Another modification of my Invention for drying wool and tentering and
stretching fabrics and other materials consists in having an intermediate clip piece
arranged to grasp the selvedges of the fabric or network, which is operated upon
by the closing of the top cover of the clip or clamp, and vice versa, opening or
releasing the hold. This intermediate clip piece I prefer to construct in such a
form that its holding edge is turned downwards at right angles to a spring, and so
arranged as to be attached to the back of the base plate, so that when it is not
compressed by the top cover or cam, the tendency of the spring is to leave an
ening between the holding part and the base plate for the removal and replace-
ment of the fabric or network.
These clips may be arranged in a variety of forms, and are equally applicable to
hand stationary or progressive tentering machines of any description, and also for
all classes of finishing and drying machines.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood, reference is
hereby made to the accompanying Drawings, in which similar letters of reference
indicate corresponding parts in the several Figures.
Fig. 1 represents a pair of coupled links of an endless or other chain, a, a, being
the links, and b, b, the plates forming part of the carrying arms.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of a plate stamped or otherwise formed of sheet metal, and
made to fit easily upon the plate b, Fig. 1, in order to form a flush surface thereto.
Steadying pins c, c, are fitted to b, as shewn, which pass through c', Fig. 2. Or
such steadying pins may be fitted to Fig. 2 only.
Fig. 3 is a general plan of the lower plate of the various clips herein described.
This plate may be made to fit into and upon the plate b, Fig. 1, without the
addition of Fig. 2; but I prefer to use the plates shewn in Fig. 2, and to form the
plate Fig. 3 with a flat base to lie upon Fig. 2; d, d', d³, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, are holes
formed to receive a short bolt and nut in order to securely hold the several plates
together.
Fig. 4 is a side view of a clip as seen when gripping the textile fabric, the
sectional line of which fabric is represented by the dotted line x; e is the base
plate, and ff, are the sides formed (by preference) in one piece with the base
plate e g is the centre acting as the fulcrum of the lever h. This centre is
bushed, as shewn, in order to provide for renewal when worn out. The plate i is
made the full length of the space between the two sides f, f, but the lever h
forms a narrow handle to the plate i for actuating the same.
the plate are turned square thereto, as seen in Fig. 4, thereby providing for the
reception of the pin which fits into the bearing or bush g. This pin extends the
whole length of the plate, and adds stiffness thereto. The clip plate k has its
edges turned down in front forming a lip for gripping, and at the two ends to
The two ends of

page_text: impart stiffness thereto. This plate k pivots on the pin or axle k'. When the
respective parts are in the position shewn in Fig. 4, the gripping is being effected
and the leverage is in full force. Small portions of the metal of k are raised to
form hooks, as at 7, Figs, 4, 5, and 6. The use of these hooks is to enable the
plate i to raise the plate k, as shewn in Fig. 5, when releasing the fabric from the
clips.
Fig. 6 is a side view of another form of clip where the leverage is applied at the
back of the plate k. The action will be clearly understood on reference to Figs. 6
and 7, Fig. 6 shewing the clip gripping, and Fig. 7 shewing the fabric released.
Figs. 8 and 9 are similar views of a more simple form of clip. In this
arrangement the lower edge of the plate i forms the gripping lip, whereby the
fabric is firmly held between it and the plate e; Fig. 9 shews the lever raised
and the fabric released.
The plate e is perforated, as shewn at m, m, Fig. 3, and the plates k are similarly
perforated in order to allow hot air to pass to the selvedges of the fabric and
properly dry the same.
The several clips herein described may be arranged for hand or machine work,
and varied in size according to the requirements and mode of attachment and
working.
In actuating the handles or levers h in machine work, such handles come in
contact with suitable stops or levers which raise and lower them at the proper
times, thereby making them self acting.
Fig. 10 represents an elevation on a reduced scale shewing a section of a box
or frame with a shaft n mounted in suitable bearings with the usual fast and
loose driving pullies o, o, fitted thereto. Four or more chain wheels are fitted
upon the shaft having teeth which fit into the links a, a, Fig. 1. The chains are
made endless and the shafts are fitted up in pairs, the chains being stretched
between them. Above each intermediate wheel a metallic cover p is fitted, and
at ra network cover or screen is fitted. The links in this arrangement being fitted
with clips, several fabrics under treatment and of various colors can be operated
upon at one time, and the various colors are by the shields p prevented from
contaminating each other and kept entirely separate, the screen r imparting
additional security. A number of these shafts may also be placed one above
another where space is limited.
By fitting the same apparatus with wire gauze or other suitable material at 8, 8,
any kind of product or manufacture may be laid thereupon, and subjected to the
action of hot air or any other kind of heated atmosphere for drying and other
purposes.
Having thus described my said Invention, I declare that what I claim and desire
to be secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1. The manufacture, formation, and method of constructing clips in the various
forms and for any purpose whatever, substantially as described and shewn in
Drawings Figs. 1 to 9, whereby perfect accuracy is ensured to all the corresponding
parts.
2. The positive locking motion as well as the closing and opening arrangements,
as hereinbefore described and shewn in Figs. 4 to 9 of the Drawings, or any
modifications thereof.
3. The right of fixing or attaching clips, as described, to existing continuous
tentering machine chains, or to hand frame tenters, or to what is known as the
bridson tentering machine, or any other form of tenter.
4. The perforating of clips, substantially as hereinbefore described, so that the
selvedges of fabrics are dried as uniformly as the body of the cloth, thus dispensing
with steam cylinders as at present adopted for drying them.
5. The application of bushes, as herein before described, for forming suitable
bearings of steel, brass, or other material, as shewn and described, in which the
spindles or pins of the clips work, enabling long bearings to be made to meet the

page_text: requirements of wear and tear, and which when worn can be renewed and made
equal to new.
6. The application of the before described clips for holding the selvedges of endless
or fixed sheets of net or open work when used in machines for drying wool or other
material (as shewn in Fig. 10), requiring to be spread out. upon the same, and
so arranged that the sheets or net work may be easily removed from the grip or
holding part of the clips to enable the same to be more easily cleaned when
necessary, substantially as herein before described, or any mere modification
thereof.
7. The construction of drying machines made in the manner described, whether
one or more separate sheets of network carriers fixed or stationary are attached to
clis, as described.
8. The general construction of machines or apparatus where more than one sheet
carrier is adopted, as described, whereby several different colours of materials or
Beveral different kinds of produce, &c., may be dried at the same time, whether the
endless sheets, carriers, &c., are held by clips or otherwise.
9. The forcing of heated air, cold air, or other atmosphere under pressure or
otherwise for the purpose of drying or otherwise operating upon woven fabrics
while being stretched, or for the purpose of drying wool or other material, and the
means of producing a vibrating motion in wool or other material alternately by
forcing compressed air and then exhausting air, substantially as described.
Lastly. The method of drying by importing an intermittent motion by means of
compressed air, as hereinbefore described, thereby causing the material requiring to
be dried to be agitated or vibrated during the process of drying.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Lee Norton, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
+
HADMATT