GB529945A - Improved method and machine for the blocking of felt hats - Google Patents

Abstract

529,945. Hats. UNITED STATES HAT MACHINERY CORPORATION. June 13, 1939, No. 17240. Convention date, June 20, 1938. [Class 63] A hat blocking and stretching machine comprises a vertically movable hat block, a plurality of grippers adapted to grip the edge of the brim, move outwards to stretch the felt and then inwards to wrap it over the block, and a banding- ring of rubber capable of self-adjustment laterally and vertically to mark the junction line of crown and brim. A block A has an opening 17 to engage, loosely, a pin 22 on a table 20 supported by a piston in a cylinder 26 supplied with steam by a hand operated valve. Around the block are arranged grippers comprising fixed jaws 48 pivoted at 73 and tilted about this pivot by a ring 89 carried by the piston rod of a cylinder 96 also having a handoperated valve. The movable jaw 50 of each gripper is actuated by a second ring 62 moved up and down by a hand-operated eccentric. The outside of the felt hood on the block is steamed from a shower outlet 130 carried by a plunger 108 having a roll 114 engaging a cam slot in a fixed guide 110, the plunger 108 being lowered by a treadle against the action of a spring. A steam shower 135 steams the inside of the felt. Both steam supplies are automatically turned on by collars 126, 149 in the plunger 108, which collars engage control valves as the plunger is depressed by the treadle. In operation, a felt hood is placed over the block A and its edge placed in the grippers which are then closed. Steam is admitted to the cylinder 26, forcing the block upwardly, while the grippers are urged outwardly. A banding ring of rubber, engaged loosely by a hand lever, is then pressed down to the junction of crown and brim and the grippers are swung inwards to wrap the felt over the brim shape, pressure still being maintained in the stretching cylinder 26. Finally, a string is tied at the edge of the brim, in a recess in the block, and the block may be removed. If it is desired to remove the banding ring, a second string may replace this. In a modification, the block A is inverted, and urged downwardly by a handle 156. The banding ring 194 is then carried by posts 192 urged upwardly by springs in guides 190 carried by a plate 186 having lateral play in a steam chamber 180.