US1558168A - Apparatus for banding hats - Google Patents

Description

oct. 2o, 1925. www

E; EI. HODSHQN APPARATUS FOR BANDING HATS Original Filed July 5, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEY 5.

Oct. 20, 1925 E. E. HODSH'ON APPARATUS FOR BANDING HATS Qrginal Filed July 5, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 @Ww/1J ATTORNEYS:

Oct. 20, 1925. L558,168

E. E. HQQSHON APPARATUS FOR BANDING HATS Griginaxl Filed July 5. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY.

om w, mme; agssmss HQDSHN APPARATUS FOR BANDXNG HATS 5' Sheets-$heet 4 original Filed July 5, 1923 ATTORNEYS.

E. E. HODSHON APPARATUS FOR BANDING HATS Oct. 20, 1925' S Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed July 5. 1923 xNvENToR Ernest Zh/admon B`Y (lL/*$2 l M vvv I ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. Z0, 1925.

PATENT OFFICE.

ERNEST E. HODSHON, F NUTLEY, NEW JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR BANDING HATS.

Original application led July 5, 1923, Serial No. 649,621.

Divided and this application led May 21,

1924. Serial No. 714,856.

To all whom t may concer/n:

Be it known that I, ERNEs'r E. HoDsHoN, a citizen of the United States, and resident o Nutley, in the county of Essex and State ot' New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Banding Hats, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for banding hats. The invention has for its objects to provide an etlicient apparatus for applying and securing ornamental bands to hats in such manner that perspiration from the head of a wearer cannot penetrate to the ornamental band; to provide an apparatus for applying bands to hats and simultaneously moisture-proofing the band; to provide an apparatus for attaching bands to hat crowns by means of moisture-prooiadhesive material; and to provide an eiiicient and economical apparatus for winding a strip ot adhesive material and a length of ribbon in superposed relation around a hat crown and cementing the ribbon to the crown by said strip of adhesive material.

The improvements are especially useful tor applying ornamental bands ot ribbon to the crowns of soft or flexible felt or fabric hats, but may be employed for banding other types of hats.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 a side view, partly in vertical section;

Fig. 3 a vertical sectional view on the' line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 a vertical sectional view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

F ig. 5 a vertical sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 6, showing the electrically heated steaming nozzle;

Fig. 6 a horizontal sectional view on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 a horizontal sectional view on the line 7 7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 a. vertical sectional view on the line 3 8 ot Fig. 1 showing the means for supporting the roll of ribbon and the roll of adhesive material and exerting a drag on the ribbon and adhesive strip as they are wound around the hat crown;

Fig. 9 a horizontal sectional view on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 a vertical section on the line 10 1O of Fig. S showing the feed-rolls which exert a drag on the ribbon and adhesive tape, the parts being in normal position;

Fig. 11 a detail sectional view on the same line as Fig. 8 showing the feed-rolls relieved of pressure to facilitate passing the ends of a ribbon and an adhesive tape between the rolls;

Fig. 12 a plan view of the feed-rolls and the pressure device therefor;

Fig. 13 a detail view showing the construction of the hand-operated roller for pressing and smoothing or ironing the band after the band and adhesive tape have been wound about the hat and steamed; and

Figs. 14 to 19 are views graphically illustrating the manner of applying the bands to the hat with the apparatus shown in detail in the preceding views.

In the drawings the banding of a soft felt hat has been illustrated. The general construction and arrangement of the apparatus and the manner of using the same in banding hats will first be described. The crown A of the sott felt hat is forced or pulled over a suitable wooden hat block C until the under side of the brim B abuts against a rigid backing member such as a metal plate D. Block C and plate D are of elliptical form in end view and plate D projects a short distance beyond the sides of block C entirely around the block so as to rigidly support the brim B adjacent its junction with the crown A.

The block and plate with the hat thereon are supported edgewise and driven in any suitable manner to revolve about a horizontal axis extending centrally through the block and plate and centrally through the crown A of the hat from the top to the base of the crown, and also to malte two complete circuits around an orbital path during each single revolution about said axis. One means for so supporting and moving the hat, block and plate consists in holding the plate and block to a tubular shaft or sleeve 1 loosely mounted on a wrist pin 2 held to a crank arm 3 on a horizontal drive shaft 4, said sleeve 1 having a pinion 5 fixed thereon which is carried around inside a station- The ornamental fabric hat bands areA formed from successive lengths ot ribbon severed 'trom a roll oit ribbon il and the hat bands are secured to the hat by gluing or cementin-g' the same to the hat crowns by successive lengths cut from a roll ot material E in strip form adapted to become adhesive when heated. The adhesive material preferably consists oi rubber cement in strip torni. non-adhesive and moistureI proot at normal temperature but adapted to be rendered sott and tacky7 o adhesive by heating the same. This cement or adhesive is commercially known as tailor-"s mending tape.

The rolls E and l*1 are wound on spools H and respectively, journaled on horizontal spindles J and K rigidlyv held at one end to one tace ot a metal plate G supported edgwise in a vertical plane extending transversely ot wrist pin 2. One end ot' the plate G extends close to the edge ot plate D and is adapted to deflect the outer part ot hat brim B away trom the crown A around the edge ot plate D as the block C is rotated so thaty strips F and l@ ot ribbon and adhesive may be drawn trom the spools to the crown otl the hat with one edge otI each strip abuttingl the briin at the junction ot the brim with the crown. Plate G thus prevents the sott Vticxible brim B ot the hat trom interfering with the winding` ot strips E and F about the crown A. and plate l) braces the inner edge ot the brim and holds it true and tlat in a plane at a right angle to the axis of rotation ot the crown A so that the strips E and F may be wound accurately and smoothly around the base ot the crown with one edge ot each strip in contact with the brim.

To wind the strips E an-d F about the crown the block is rotated by turning shatt d by means ot a hand wheel T until one longer side ot the elliptical crown A is uppermost. The tree ends ot strips E and .F are then temporarily tasten-ed to the crown and block with strip E next to the crown by means ot a tastening (l ,vice O1 prelierably consisting ot a metal bar havin-g .spurs or sharp prongs adapted to be forced through the strips and crown and into the wooden block C. Shaft -it is then rotated through two complete revolutions by wheel 'i'. or by a crank handle S lined on the outer end ot the shatt, in a direction to wind the strips once around the crown with adhesive strip E under ribbon strip F. The parts ot the strips encircling the crown are then severed 'from the rolls at a point adjacent tasteniiig device O by scissors and the tree ends of the strips are then temporarily fastened to the crown and block C by a fastening device @A adjacent device O1. The lengths ot strips .l and F severed from the rolls are preferably slightly less in length than the circumference ot the crown so that a slight gap will he lett between the ends ot the strips fastened to the crown and block by devices till, O2. Suitable means are provided tor holding` the strips E and F taut or un-der tension during the winding operation so that the strips will be wound tightly and smoothly around the crown A. The tension means preferably consists ot a pair oit teed rolls L and M urged lirmly towar-d each other by a bowed spring il the ends ot which press on roll L. The bite ot the rolls on the strips and the drag exerted on roll L by the ends ot N both contribute to maintain the strips taut during;` winding thereot about the hat crown.

A protecting' cover P ot' canvas or other fabric, having a sheet ot asbestos Q stitched on its upper tace3 is then laid over the portion ot crown A not covered by the hat band E--lh Cover P-Q, is secured at one end to a standard S which supports plate G and has a combined weight and hand-grip R at; its other end.

The cover is picked up by part R i -d passed over the crown and released. part lt serving to hold the cover l'irinly down upon the crown.

steam nozzle and superheater T is then drawn to a position over the hat band lt`r-F and rigidly supported by a slide bar 9 with its discharge end spaced slightly above the hat band. The lower end ot nozzle T is covered by a woven fabric cap which causes the steam to issue in an evenly distributed cloud at low velocity over the entire area ot the lower end of the nozzle which is preferably rectangular or square and ot sutticient width to overlie the hatband at least trom edge to edge ot the band. The nozzle is highly heated by an electric heating' coil V wound spirally around the nozzle within the walls ot the nozzle. electric current heilig supplied to the ends ot the coil V by wires n and *W2 ot an electric cable lV connected with a suitable source ot electricity. Steam trom a suitable `generator is supplied to the nozzle T through a supply pipe Y having a pressure regulator or reducing valve X ot ordinary construction interposed therein. Regulator X is set to reduce the pressure ot steam supplied to the nozzle to low degree, preferably not more than three or tour pounds, and the electrically heated nozzle is adapted to superheat this steam. so that dry stean'i at low pressure will issue from the nozzle. njury to the tinish ot the ribbon F and damage to the hat crown under the hat liv swelling or loosening the telt which would result t'rom subjecting the ribbon to a strong jet ot' wet steam is thus avoided, and excessive moisture which would injuriously affect the action of the cement or unduly 'delay setting of the cement is avoided.

After the. nozzle is brought over the band and the steam supply turned on by a suitable valve 10, the shaft 4t is rotated two revolutions at moderate and constant speed b y means of crank handle S. The band is thus uniformly heated from end to end and from edge to edge by the steam issuing from the rectangular outlet of nozzle T, thus softening adhesive strip E and cementing the ribbon F to the hat crown. It will, of course, he understood that the hat may be revolved vseveral times if desired. The nozzle T is next moved away from the hat and fastening devices O- and O2 are reinoved.

The hat may now be removed froni block C and the cement allowed to dry or set, as the foregoing steps will firmly cement the band on the crown. Preferably, however, the band will be subjected to pressure to insure it heilig tightly cemented t-o the crown without wrinkles or buckled portions. For 'his purpose, after the nozzle is withdrawn and devices O1 and O2 removed, and before removing the hat from block C, the block is rotated until the adjacent ends of the hand are at the under side of the block. A hand roller Z is then pressed down on the band at the upper said of the block which is then rotated approximately one-half a revolution in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1S until the gap between the ends of band F reaches the roller. Roller Z is lifted and block C rotated until the gap between the ends of the band is again at the under side of the. block. Roller Z is then again pressed down on the band at the upper side of the block, which is then rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 19 until the gap between the ends of the band reaches the roller. Any wrinkles or looseness in the band is thus rolled or pressed out, the spaced ends of the band moving nearer each other, and the band is pressed tightly against the crown so that the adhesive will hold it firmly and smoothly in place when the adhesive cools and hardens. After the cement sets, the usual ornamental bow of ribbon may be secured to the band at one side of the crown over the meetingends of the band either by gluing or stitching the bow to the ribbon F.

The specific construction of the apparatus shown in the drawingwill now be more fully described. The shaftl is journalled in bearings in the side members of an upstanding bracket 12 of inverted U-shape fixed to the top of a table 11. Handle 8 and hand wheel 7 are fixed on shaft l at opposite sides of bracket 12, and crank arm 3 1s fixed on shaft l at one end of the Vshaft. between hand wheel 7 and the annular, internally toothed gear (i. Gear 6 is clainpedin thcv split head of a standard 13 and also is preferably keyed in said head as shown in Figs. 3 and et to hold the gear stationary. Shaft Ll is in line with the axial line of gear 6. lllrist pin 2 is rigidly held at one end to the crank arm l and extends through gear (l. Pinion 5 is fixed on a sleeve or tubular shaft 1 loose on wrist pin 2 so that said sleeve will be rotated about the wrist pin as the pinion is carried around in an orbital path inside gear G by movement of the wrist pin around the axis Of sha-ft d.

rl`he sleeve 1 projects through the 4center of elliptical metal plate D which is rigide ly held to a radially slotted block or spider 14 keyed on the sleeve a short distance from the outer end of the sleeve. Block C is of elliptical form in end elevation to conform with the usual elliptical form of thev hat crown A which, as usual, is elongated fore and aft of the hat (see Fig. 2 and Figs. 1l to 19). Block C is provided with a central recess 15 in its inner end in which the outer end of sleeve 1 is adapted to fit when the block is slipped on the sleeve, and is also provided with a circular groove 1G in its inner end surrounding the recess thus forming a central hub adapted to bc firmly gripped by the jaws on the outer ends of a series of levers 1T. Levers 17 are pivoted on block or spider 1a midway their ends and extend through radial slots in the spider and radial slots in plate D. Links 1S connect the inner ends of levers 17 with a. collar 19 loosely held in a circninferential groove in the hub of an adjusting hand wheel 20. The hub of wheel 2O is provided with internal screw threads and sleeve 1 is provided with external screw threads, so that by turning wheel 2O to cause it to travel toward and from the outer end of sleeve 1 the jaws on levers 17 may be caused to grip the hub of block C to either hold the block to sleeve 1 to rotate about wrist pin 2 and simultaneously move in an orbit about the axis of shaft el, or to re lease the block C to permit it to be removed from the sleeve for substitution of a smaller or larger block for holding a hat of a different size.

rlhe nietal plate (l is provided with two circular flanges 2l and surrounding` the stub shafts ,l and K and enclosing the rolls of adhesive material E and band ribbon F on the spools H and l. rlhe flanges are preferably made deeper than the length of the stub shafts so that spools of material E and F of different widths may be slipped on the shafts and housed within the fianges, the spools being removably held in place on the shafts by sl'iring-pressecl follower lOO llO

disks and Zat having stems 26 and 27 respectively, with squared portions slidable in square passages in bearing sleeves 28 and 29 'termed integrally with a bar 30. Disks 28 and 2t are urged toward plate G by coiled tension springs 3l and S2, respectively, connectingsleeves 2S and 29 with stems QG and 2T. Flanges 2l and 22 are 'formed with slots 3S and Si, respectively, at the upper side thereof through which strips l] and l" pass to the leed rolls L aud t Dar 30 is detachably clamped by thumb nuts 35 on the reduced threaded outer ends ot posts 25 rigidly held at their inner ends to plate G.

The trunnions of roller M extend through registering bearing apertures in plate G and the vertical arm ot an angular bracket 3G rigidly held to the saine tace of the plate as flanges 2l and Q2, and the depending` arms ot an inverted U-shaped yoke 3T are pivotally held to the trunnions of said roller. The trunnions of' roller L are journalled in vertical slots 38 in plate G and the vertical arm of bracket 3G. and said roller is pressed lirmly toward roller M by a bowed spring N connected midway its ends to an adjusting screw 39 threaded in the crossbar of yoke 3T. The arms o' spring N pass through openings in the crossbar ot yoke 37 and rictionally engage and press down on roller L. The upper edges or plate G and the vertical arm ot bracket SG are cut away slightly above roller L to provide stop shoulders et() which engage in notches in the cross bar ot the yoke 37 when the yoke is in normal position. The pressure on roller L may be relieved by swinging the yoke rearwardly, as shown in Fig. 11, to facilitate the initial threading ot the strips E and F between the rollers.

The plate G projects forwardly beyond the end ot the table at which the operative stands and is connected near its rear end by a hinge -lrl with the upper end of standard S to permitl the plate G together with the parts and devices thereon to be swung downward. as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, during the steaming and pressing operations, it desired, to permit the operative to approach more closely this end of the table. This permits more convenient operation of the nozzle T and the treadle which oper ates steam control valve l0. and more convenient access to the hat for holding the pressing roller Z. The plate G is supported in normal position by hinge fil. standard S, and a hinged prop or leg 42 the lower end ot which is adapted to engage standard S at the table top and the upper end ot which is connected by a hinge 48 with plate G. Plate G lies in the same, or substantially the same. plane as plate D. and extends close to the outer edge of plate D. so that the brim B of a hat on block C will be dellected slightly laterally around the edge of the plate D and held away from the path ot' the strips E and F duringthe strip winding operation. This is particularly useitul in banding unblocked sott hats to prevent the outer edges ot the brims from interferingl with the feed oi' the strips or deflecting the strips.

A drain cup or water collector -l-/l oi ordinary construction is interposed in pipe Y to reduce the amount ot moisture passing to the nozzle T. A cut-ott valve et?) is also interposed in pipe Y to shut off the steam when the apparatus is not in use, this valve being` opened and remaining open during the entire period of use of the apparatus. Pipe Y consists ot a rigid metal pipe except for a tiexible section Yl between the pressurereducing valve and the steam-control valve l0, the section Y1 being et su'llicient length to permit nozzle T to be slid back and forth to and 'troni a position over block C, as indicated in Fig. 2. Pipe Y is connected to a steam generator, and pressure regulator' valve X (which is ot ordinary construction) is adjusted to reduce the pressure of the steam delivered to nozzle T to a uniform low pressure, preferably about three or tour pounds. The valve l0 is ot ordinary construction and is normally held closed by the steam pressure. The stem 46 of valve lO is adapted to be pushed inwardly by a bell-crank lever 47 pivoted in a bracket 8 held to the valve easingl upon depression ot a treadle 49. Treadle 1179 is pivoted at 50 on a support held to the legs ot table 11 and extends to a point near the forward end ot the table at which standard S is located so as to be in convenient reach ot the toot ot the operative who stands at that end of the table. The treadle is normally held up by a spring 51 and is connected by a cord 52 with one arm ot lever 47, said cord passing through a slot 53 in the top of table l1.

The end section ot pipe Y in which valve 10 is interposed is bent upwardly and then downwardly upon itselt' below the valve t0 torni a coil Y2 consistingof three vertical lengths ot pipe arranged side by side and enclosed within the reduced upper end of the nozzle T, and the lower end portion Y3 of this pipe section is bent. laterally under coil Y2. The end ot the lateral portion Y3 or" the pipe is preferably closed by pluggingor by pinching the end ot' the pipe flat, and said lateral portion is provided along its under side with a lilurality ot steam outlet holes 54.

The. nozzle T comprises a tapered metal tube T1 ot rectangular or square cross-section across the smaller upper end ot' which the lateral outlet portion Y3 ot pipe Y extends. A sheath T2 of non-intlainmable a non-conductor of extends around tube T1 and pipe coil Y2. The electric heating coil V of suitable resistance wire passes spirally around the outer side of the sheath T2 and is connected at its upper end to a binding post and at its lower end to a bindingpost 56. The conductor wires W71 and lll of an electric cable W leading to a siiitable source of current (such as a lamp socket in an electric light fixture over table ll) are connected to binding posts and 56, respectively. The heating coil V and electric insulation T2 are enclose-d in an outer casing T3 of non-inflammable, heat-insulating material which is also a nonconductor of electricity. rlhe tube Tl is provided with a narrow steam detlecting tongue or bali'le 57 extending under portion YS of pipe Y and serving to prevent the steam from passing directly downward through the nozzle in strong jets. This baille deflects the steam toward the heated walls of tube Tl so that steam, which has a temperature raised in passing through coil Y2, is still further heated as it passes through tube T1. This superheating of the steam insures the delivery of very hot and dry steam from the nozzle. The lower end of the nozzle is covered by a cap U of woven fabric held to the nozzle by a cord or ring 5S, said cap acting as a steam diffusing means and also to still further retard the velocity of the steam and cause it to issue upon the hat band in a diffused evenly distributed cloud at low velocity.

The nozzle T is clamped on pipe coil Y2 by a pair of clamps 59 having loops at their rear ends adapted to slip over the vertical arms of T-shaped screws 60. The shanks of screws 60 are adapted to be screwed into different vertically spaced threaded sockets 6l in a bracket 62 to support nozzle T in proper relation with hat blocks C of different sizes. Aracket 62 is adjustably held to the forward end of a. horizontally slidable bar 9 guided in a slideway in a block G3 screwed to a bracket 64 held to the top of table ll near the rear end of the table. An adjusting screw extends loosely through apertures 66 in bracket G2 and is threaded through bar 9. As bracket 62 slidably engages the forward end of bar 9 and is seated on a pin 67 passing through the lower end of screw 65, it will be obvious that the bracket may be adjusted vertically up or down by turning the screw. Screw 65 is used for slight adjustments of the nozzie which n'iay be necessary in order to get the best results in steaming bands made of ribbon F of different weights and weave.

The canvas crown shield l) is secured at its forward ends by screws or nails to standard S and has an upper layer or sheet of asbestos (l stitched thereto and a combined weight and hand-piece R at its free end.

The strip F of adhesive is preferably more narrow than the ribbon F as shown, to avoid liability of the cement oozing out past the upper edge of the band during the steaming and rolling operations. The wooden pressing roller Z is journalled on a stub shaft Z1 fixed at one end to a suitable handle Z2, the stub shaft and handle being` preferably arranged as shown in Fig. 13 so that one end of the roller Z may abut against the brim during pressing operations to permit the roller to act on the ribbon throughout the width of the ribbon.

The mechanism for moving the hat bloc-k C through a circular orbit and Simultaneously rotating the hat block about its aXis is so designed that the block is rotated about its axis one revolution during movement of the block through its orbital path two complete revolutions, that is pinion 5 rotates at one-half the speed of the shaft 4 and the crank 2 3. To wind the band F and adhesive strip E entirely around the crown it is therefore necessary to turn crank handle 8 through two revolutions. Tt is also necessary to turn the crank handle two revolutions to carry the band past the steaming nozzle from end to end. For each of the two smoothing` operations by hand roller Z illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19 it is necessary to turn the handle through only one revolution. The block operating mechanism maintains the highest point of the elliptical crown at approximately the same level throughout the winding, steaming, and rolling or pressing operations.

lt will be noted that the band is maintained close to the discharge end of the steam nozzle during steaming of the band, that the steam discharging nozzle is so constructed that the steam is superheated at or substantially at the point of discharge upon the band, and that owing to the construction of the electrically heated nozzle and the use of the low pressure reducing valve, coil Y2, and drip cup de, the band and adhesive is subjected to the action of a cloud of very hot and dry steam delivered upon the band at low velocity and uniformly distributed over the band from edge to edge.

This application is a division of my application, Serial No. 649,621, filed July 5, 1923.

lhat T claim is:

l. An apparatus of the class set forth comprising a hat block, means for rotating the block about a horizontal axis, a vertically disposed steam discharge nozzle, means slidably supporting the nozzle to move laterally to and from a position overlying the block, and means adjacent the block for supporting rolled strips of band ribbon and rubber cement.

2. lin apparatus of the class set forth comprising a hat block, means for rotating the block about a horizontal axis, a, vertically disposed steam discharge nozzle, means slidably supporting the nozzle to move laterally to and from a position overlying the block, and means carried by the nozzle for superheating steam supplied to the nozzle.

3. An apparatus of the class set forth comprising a hat block, means for rotating the block about a horizontal axis, a vertically disposed steam discharge nozzle, means slidably supporting the nozzle to move laterally to and from a position overlying the block, means carried by the nozzle for superheating steam supplied to the nozzle, and a fabric cap extending over the outlet end of the nozzle.

4L. An apparatus of the class set forth comprising a hat block, means for rotating` the block about a horizontal axis, a vertically disposed steam discharge nozzle, means slidably supporting the nozzle to move laterally to and from a position overlying` the block, means carried by the nozzle for superheating steam supplied to the nozzle, a fabric cap extending over the outlet end of the nozzle, and a baffle in the nozzle between the inlet and outlet of the nozzle for directing the steam entering the nozzle toward the inner surface of the nozzle.

5. An apparatus of the class set forth, comprising a hat support, means for discharging steam toward the sides of the crown of a hat on the support in close proximity t0 the support, and means for superheating steam substantially at the point of discharge of said steam discharge means.

6. An apparatus of the class set forth, comprising` a hat support, a steam discharge nozzle having a wide outlet, means for heating the walls of the nozzle, and means for supplying steam at a uniform low pressure to the nozzle.

7. An apparatus of the class set forth, comprising a steam discharge nozzle, a hat block, means for supporting the block ou edge opposite the discharge end of the nozzle and rotating the block about an axis extending transversely of the nozzle, means at one end of the block forming an abutment perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the block for the brim of a hat pulled on the block from the other end of the block, and means for delivering` strips of ribbon and adhesive material to the block in a path extending transversely of the axis of the block.

8. An apparatus of the class set forth comprising a drive shaft, a crank arm held to said shaft, a wrist pin held to the crank arm, a sleeve mounted on the wrist piu to travel in a circular orbit with said pin and rotate about the pin, a pinion fixed on the sleeve, a stationary circular internal rack arranged in axial alignment with the drive shaft and encircling the pinion so that the teeth of the pinion mesh with the teeth of the rack as the pinion is carried around the rack by the wrist pin, the rack and pinion being so constructed that the pinion will be rotated once around its axis for each two revolutions of the drive shaft and crank arm, and an elliptical hat block held at one end centrally thereof to the sleeve to rotate therewith.

9. An apparatus of the class set forth comprising a drive shaft, a crank arm held to said shaft, a wrist pin held to the crank arm, a sleeve mounted on the wrist pin to travel in a circular orbit with said pin and rotate about the pin, a pinion fixed on the sleeve, a stationary circular internal rack arranged in axial alignment with the drive shaft and encircling the pinion sothat the teeth of the pinion mesh with the teeth of the rack as the pinion is carried around the rack by the wrist pin, the rack and pinion being so constructed that the pinion will be rotated once around its axis for each two revolutions of the drive shaft and crank arm, an elliptical hat block held at one end centrally thereof to the sleeve to rotate therewith, a steam discharge nozzle adjacent one side of the block, means for supplying steam to the nozzle, and means for heating the walls of the nozzle.

l0. An apparatus of the class set forth comprising a drive shaft, a crank arm held to said shaft, a wrist pin held to the crank arm, a sleeve mounted on the wrist pin to travel in a circular orbit with said pin and rotate about the pin, a pinion fixed on the sleeve, a stationary circular internal rack arranged in axial alignment with the drive shaft and encircling the pinion so that the teeth of the pinion mesh with the teeth of the rack as the pinion is carried around the rack by the wrist pin, the rack and pinion being so constructed that the pinion will be rotated once around its axis for each two revolutions of the drive shaft and crank arm, an elliptical hat block held at one end centrally thereof to the sleeve to rotate therewith, a steam discharge nozzle adjacent one side of the block, means for supplying steam to the nozzle, means for heating the walls of the nozzle, and a pressure reducing valve in the steam supplying means.

ll. In an apparatus of the class set forth, the combination of a crank having a wrist pin, means for turning the crank, a sleeve loose on the wrist pin, a hat block elliptical in end view held at one end to the outer end of the sleeve, means for rotating the sleeve about the wrist pin upon rotation of the crank, and a flat plate fixed on the sleeve at the inner end of the block and having its outer edge projecting beyond the side-s of the block to form an abutment for the brim of a hat on the block.

l2. In an apparatus of the class set forth,

the combination of a crank having a wrist pin, means for turning the crank, a sleeve loose on the wrist pin, a hat block elliptical in end view held at one end to the outer end ot the sleeve, means for rotating the sleeve about the wrist pin upon rotation ot the crank, a flat plate lixed on the sleeve at the inner end of the block and having its outer edge projecting beyond the sides ot the block to 'torni an abutment for the brim ot a hat on the block, and a ribbon spool supported at one side of the block with one end thereot in substantially the same plane as said plate.

18. ln an apparatus of the class set forth, the combination of a crank having a wrist pin, means ior turning the crank, a sleeve loose on the wrist pin, a hat block elliptical in end view held at one end to the outer end of the sleeve, means :t'or rotating the sleeve about the wrist pin upon rotation ot' 'the crank, a flat plate iXed on the sleeve at the inner' end ot' the block and having its outer edge projecting beyond the sides oi the block to form an abutment for the brim of a hat on the block, a ribbon spool supported at one side of the block with one end thereof in substantially the same plane as said plate, a pair of tension rollers between said spool and block, and spring means urging said rollers toward each other to grip a ribbon therebetween.

14:. An apparatus of the class set forth comprising means for supporting a roll of ribbon and a roll of adhesive material in strip form, a hat block, means for rotatabl7 supporting the hat block, a pair of rollers, means rotatably supporting the rollers between the hat block and said ribbon and adhesive roll supporting means, and means :tor urging the rollers toward each other to grip a ribbon and an adhesive strip therebetween.

l5. An apparatus of the class set forth comprising a horizontally slidable support, a. vertically disposed nozzle having an outlet at its lower end, means for supplying steam to said nozzle, means for connecting said nozzle for movement with said support in various vertically adjusted positions relative to the support, and means below the path ot horizontal movement of the nozzle for rotatably supporting hat blocks of different sizes 'for revolution about a horizontal axis.

1G, An apparatus of the class set forth comprising means for rotatively supporting a hat, a steam discharge nozzle, means supporting the nozzle to move to and from a position to deliver steam against the crown oit a hat supported by the said hat supporting means, and means adjacent the block :for supporting rolled strips of band ribbon and rubber cement.

i7. An apparatus of the class set forth comprising means for rotatably supporting' a hat, a steam discharge nozzle, means supporting the nozzle to move to and from a position to deliver steam against the crown or' a hat supported by the said hat supporting meansv` and means carried by the nozzle for super-heating steam supplied to the nozzle.

1S. rin apparatus ot the class set forth. comprisingr a hat support, means ior discharging steam toward the sides of the crown ot a hat on the support in close proximity to the support, and electrical means Yfor superlieating steam substantiallyv at the point ot discharge ot said steam discharge means.

lf). An apparatus of' the class set 'forth comprising a hat support, means Jfor discharging lsteam toward the sides of the crown oi a hat on the support in close proximity to the support, means for delivering steam at a uniformr pressure to said discharge means, and means for superheating` said steam substantially at the point of discharge ot said steam discharge means.

Q0. Au apparatus oit the class set forth comprising a rotatable hat block, means for discharging steam toward the sides of the crown ot a hat on the block in close proximity to the block, means adjacent the block :tor supporting rolled strips oit band ribbon and rubber cement to be wound about the base ot the hat crown by attaching their outer ends to the hat and rotating the block, and means to yieldingly resist the Jfeed of said strips to the hat crown and thereby tension the strips as they are wound upon the crown.

2l. An apparatus of the class set forth comprising a hat support, a nozzle for discharging steam toward the sides of the crown of a hat on the support, a steam-pressure reducing valve, means for delivering steam to said valve, means for delivering steam at reduced pressure from said valve to the discharge nozzle, and means for superreating the low pressure steam substantially at its point ot discharge from the nozzle.

22. )in apparatus ol the class set forth comprising a rotatable hat block, means Jor discharging steam toward the sides of the crown oi a hat on the block, and a flexible shield adapted to cover and rest upon the outer portion ot the hat crown and to permit the blo-cl; and hat to rotate relatively thereto.

23. n apparatus ot the class set forth comprising a rotatable hat block,v means for discharging steam toward the sides of the crown of a hat on the block, and a removable shield adapted to cover the outer portion of the hat crown.

r-in apparatus ol? the class set forth comprising a rotatable hat block, means for llt) disdiarging steam toward the sides of the Crown of a hat on the block` and a movable flexible shield hingedly supported at one end adjacent the block and adapted to Cover and rest upon the outer portion of the hat crown and to permit the block and hat to rotate relativel)v thereto.

An apparatus ot the class set forth comprising a rotatable elliptical hat block, ay steam d' charge nozzle, means supporting the nozzle with its discharge end directed toward the periphery of the block, and means to maintain a lined spaced relation between the block and the nozzle as the block is rotated.

2f'. in apparatus ot the class set forth Comprising an elliptical hat block, means to rotate the block, a steam discharge. nozzle, means supporting the nozzle With its discharge end directed toward the periphery of the block7 and means operable by the said bleek-rotating meansA to maintain a tixed spaced relation between the block and the nozzle as the block is rotated.

2T. An apparatus ot the class set 'forth Comprising a rotatable hat block, a steam discharge nozzle7 means supportingr -the nozzle to move to and from a. position to deliver steain against the crown ol" a hat supported b v the block, a lbot-operat-ed valve to control the discharge ot' steam trom said nozzle, and means adjacent the bloek tor supporting rolled strips ot' band ribbon and adhesive material.

In testimony whereof I hereunto atlix my signature.

ERNEST F. HODSHON.

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