US1609228A - Brushing machine - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 30 1926.

I 1,609,228 J. H. WALCOTT BRUSHING MACHINE 5 Sheet s-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 1, 1925 [721267030 7" mic 2567770175. WQ ZG 02% 59 EM @Zwhyfi .w

Nov. 30,1926. 1,609,228

' J. H. WALCOTT BRUSHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 1. 1925' 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov) 30,192 7 1,609,228

. J. H. WALCOTT Y BRUSHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 1, 1925 5 Sheet sS heet 5 Nov. 30,1926 1,609,228

.1. H. WALCOTT BR'USHING MACHINE Nov. 30, 1926. I 1,609,228

J. H. WALCOTT BRUSHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 1. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 715022670207" L765 6,0741% WwZc 0?? Patented Nov. 30, I926,

" i UNITED STATES PAT Eur ore-ice.

Josnrn n wanoo'rr, or man, uassacnusnr'rs, assrenon. To immunn r'nomr'son COMPAHY, OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION O]? MASSACHUSETTS.

. nnusrrmq'mncnmn.

- Application fl led December- This invention pertains to apparatus for brushing sheet material and more particularly a machine for 'use in finishing leather. One of the final stepslin the manufacture of certain grades of leather consists'in subjecting the finished surface of the material to the action of a brush, usually a-power driven rotary brush, which raises the fiber i of the leather to a very slight extent and ifmpa'rts a subdued gloss to thefinished surace. Y Commonly this brushing operation involves much manual shifting of the skin relatively -to the brush in order that all portions of the skin may receive the desired finish. This consumes time and requires skill on the part of the workman, thus adding materially to the cost of production, and even though care be exercised, it is substantially impossible to brush all parts of the skin to the same degree. Since-the skins are of relatively small extent, ascompared for, example with textile fabrics, paper, etc. which may be produced in rolls of great len th, and since the 5 marginal portions of the s in are irregular,

wrinkled and of varying thickness it. has

. heretofore been deemed impossible to ohtain' the desired effect by a single continuous passage of the skin in contact with, a rotating brush. One difliculty met within at tempting tocarry' out the operation in that way is that of moving the skin' past the brushin a uniform manner, since if .the brush revolve toward the advancing skin the forward edge of, the skin may be caught and rolled back into folds and wrinkles upon first contact with the brush, while on the otherhand if the brush revolve in the direction of movement of the skin'therear margin of the skin will be swept on by the brush and if not actually gathered into folds or wrinkles will move so nearly at the speed of the brush that no substantial brushing action is obtained.

In accordance with my present invention I provide mechanism which causes the skin to make asi'ngle uninterrupted pass in contact with power driven brushing means, such brushing means being so actuated that while brushing all parts of the skin uniformly it does not tend to wrinkle'the skin-or otherwise to interfere with its proper and ord'erl y movement.

While I have herein made particular ref- 1, 1925. Serial No. 72,562. J

erence to the brushing of skins of leather, I contemplate that my improved mechanism may be found. useful in equivalent treat-.

ments of other materials occurring in sheets of relatively small size and determinate length, forexample individual sheets of paper, small sections oftextile. fabric, etc.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of the in-- vention by way of example and in such drawings, 7 v

Fig. l is an elevation of the machine showing the parts in normal "position;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a plan view, certain parts being omitted;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section substantially on the line 44 of .Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 3; T

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section on th line 66 of Fig. 5

.Fig.'-7 is an elevation similar to Fig. 1

omitting certain features and showing the parts in thepositionwhich they occupy in brushing the rearmost part of the skin;

Fig. Sis a fragmentary vertical section, to large scale, through the work supporting table, illustrating the means for providing an air cushion under the'finaterialy Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section through the delivery table showing the feeler mem-.

and 2 indicate the right and left hand frame members of the machine. These frame members are held in spaced relation by suitable girders and support the shelf or table 3 which carries the driving motor 4. Suitable brackets are mounted upon the rear part of this table 3 and support beanmgs for a shaft 5. This shaft carries a plurality of arms 6 whose free extremities p 65 bf the left hand end are rovided 'with journal bearings for a drivmg shaft 7. The shaft7 is thus supported for bodily. swinging movement in .an arcuate path and tends to swing downwardly by gravity.

The shaft of the motor "4 is furnished with. a sprocket wheel 8 which drives a sprocket chain 9.engaging a s rocket wheel 10 on the'shaft-7. The shaftis furnished near its opposite ends with belt pulleys 11 and 12 respectively. While I prefer to em- 7 ploy a ulley at each end ofthe machine it is possi is that one such pulley may be found to be sufficient for the purpose A shaft 13 'is mounted at its opposite ends in bearings carried by the fraine, members 1 and 2 respectively Near each end of the shaft 13 is' fixedly secured a brush support 9 ing yoke frame 14. These yoke frames are of identical shape and each comprises oppositely directed fork arms WhlCh support bearings 15 and 16, preferably of g-imbal type. The bearings 15 and) 16 ofthe two yoke frames support brush shafts 17 and 18- respectively. The brush shaft 17 is furnishedat opposite ends with belt pulleys 19 (Fig. 3) while the brush shaft 18 is furnished with similar belt pulleys 20 at its opposite ends. Tothat end of each yoke frame which carries therow in Fig. 4-and thus turn the shaft 17 in a clockwise direction, as viewed .in said figureyand turn the shaft 18 in the opposite.

' direction since the belts pass above the pulleys 19 and beneath'the pulleys 20.

An inclined work support 25 1s disposed immediately beneath the shaft 13, such work support extending substantially from one 'end of the machine to the other and inclined downwardly from front to rear. A feed table 24 is arranged at the front of the machine, the rear end of the feed table being substantiallyin the horizontal plane of the forward edge of the work support 25 but spaced from. the latter. At the rear of the machine a downwardly inclined delivery table 26is arranged, theupper edge of which is preferably slightly below the rear edge of.

the work. support 25 and spaced from the latter for a purpose, hereinafter described.

The shafts 17'and 18 carry the brushes 27 and 28 respectively. Preferably the bristles of these brushes are disposed in a spiral or f helical arrangement as indicated in Fig. 3

strain on the fabric tending'to stretch it sidewise as it passes from front to rear through the-machine. In .the normal position of the'parts the yoke frames 14 are disposed as shown 'in Figs. 4 and 5 so that the rush 27 is in substantial-contact with the upper surface of the support 25 while the brush 28 is raised from the work support. A driven feed roll shaft 125 is journalled at its opposite ends in bearings, preferably of gimbal type, carried by the members 1 and 2 of the frame. This shaft is disposed in the space between the rear edge of the feed table 24 and the forward edge of the work support 25 and carries a feed roll 126 which comprises a series of spaced roller sections 127, such sections preferably being made of felt or similar resilient material.

. A second driven feed roll shaft 128 is likewise journalledin suitable bearings supported by the end frame members 1 and 2,

such shaft being disposed between the rear 1 edge of the work 'support25 and the forwardedge of the delivery table 26. This shaft 128 is furnished with a feed roll 129 similar to the roll 126, that is to say preferably comprising a series of spaced resilient ro'll'sections. I

Beneath the. work support 25 parallel shafts'30 and 31 are supported. The shaft 30 is provided with a pair .of bracket arms 32 andthe shaft 31 supports similar arms 33. The bracket arms 32 support a rollshaft 34 carrying apressure feed roll preferably consisting of a series of'spaced resilient roll sections 35 corresponding to the roll sections 127 of the driven feed roll 126. The sections-35 are disposed=oppositely to th corresponding sections 127.

The brackets. 33 likewise support a pressure roll shaft 36 carrying a series of pressure roll elements 37 which are disposed oppositely to andcooperate with the sections of feed roll 129. I y X The feed rollshafts and 128 are furnished. with sprocket wheels 38 and 38 respectively. A sprocket chain 39 engages these sprocket wheels, passing upwardly from wheel 38 and over an idler wheel 40. then down. beneath a sprocket wheel 41 mounted on a shaft 41 suitably supported by the-machine frame, thence down over the sprocket wheel 38,v then around a sprocket wheel 42 mounted upon a suitable stub shaft carried by one of the swinging arms 6 and then back to the wheel 38. The sprocket wheel 42 is attached to a large gear 43 which meshes with asmaller gear 44 fixed to the shaft 7. ,The chain 39 is driven in the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 4 and thus turns the feed rolls" 126 and 129 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig.

A sprocket wheel 45 is connected to the ill) 5. The feed rolls are driven slowly as comv pared wlth the speed of the brushes. in such manner that they exert a lateral.

a chain 46 which in turn drives a shaft 47 suitably journalled' at its opposite ends in the yoke frames 14 and whichv carries a.- brush 48. This brush is of small diameter as compared with the brushesf27and 28 and turns, in thesame direction as the brush 27.

' This brush 48 is closely adjacent to the rear part in brush 27 and is intended to prevent the material. as it passes beneath the brush 27 from following the latter upwardly from the work support. a J.-

The delivery-table 26 is furnished at a point preferably substantially intermediate its lateral ends with a slot 49 which receives a feeler 50. This feeler is preferably in the form of a freely turningwheel or roll carried by a shaft 51 mounted in a resiliently supported bracket 52. "The bracket 52 is furnished'with a contact 53 constituting one element of an electricalswitch. Thisccntact is adapted normally to engage a com- .whether of normally closed or normally open type, may be used. The contact member 53 is connected to ,a conductor 55 while the other contact 54 is connected to a conductor 56. These conductorsreceive.elec-- trical energy from any suitable source, for example a battery B, and are connected at their other ends to the terminals ofan electromagnet device hereinafter described.

A pressure roll 57 mounted upon a shaft 58 cooperates with the feeler roll to hold the advancing material in contact with the latter. .The shaft 58 is carried by a swinging arm pivotally supported at 59 upon.a suitable bracket 60 attached to the machine frame. A spring 61 bears at one end against a portion of the bracket 60 and at its other against an adjustable nut 62 carried by a rod 63 secured'to thepivoted arm which carries the shaft 58. The spring 61 thus tends to.

--force the wheel 57 against the wheel 50 with a pressure which may be adjusted'by turningthe nut 62.

Theedge of the wheel 57 is preferably furnished with a circumferential groove 64 57 is driven in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 45

At the rear part of the machine I arrange a shaft 69 which issupported at its opposite .ends in bearings carried'bv the frame. members 1 and 2. This shaft is preferably provided with a plurality of upwardly and rearwardly extending arms 70 which support a shaft 71 which constitutes a counterweight for the parts 'next to be described. The shaft 69 also carries a plurality of forwardly directed preferably-curved arms 72 which support a shield 73 preferably of sheet metal and preferably curved concentrically with the axis ofthe shaft 69. This shield 'extends lengthwise of the machine and inthe normal position of the parts as shown in Fig. 5 is interposed between the brush 28 and the upper surface of the work support 25. A a

, Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 7 the shafts l3 and 69 are furnished with crank arms 74 and 75 respectively at the outer siderof the frame member 2.

A. motor, for example a compressed air cyl-' inder 76, is secured to the outer side of the frame member 2, such motor also comprising a valve chest 77 containing a slide valve of any suitable type having an actuating stem 78. A pipe 7 7 conducts comprested air from any suitable source to' the valve chest 77.

The valve stem 78 is connected by means of a rod 79 to the core 80 of; solenoid 81. VYhile I prefer to employ a so enoid for the purpose, I may if desired use any other suitable electromagnetic device capable of reciprocating the valve stem in the desired manner. The terminals bf this solenoid are connected to the conductor wires 55 and 56 above described, the arrangement being such that while the contact member 53 carried by feeler roll 50 engages the contact 54 the circuit is closed through the solenoid thus energizing the latter. and holding up the core 80 and thus the rod 79 and valve stem 78 whereby to admit pressure fluid to the upper end of the-cylinder 76. A spring 82 encircles the rod 79, bearing at its= .npper end against a bracket 83 and at its lo er end against an adjustable nut 84 carried. the rod 79. This spring thus tends-to move the rod 79 downwardly when the solenoid is de- (Fig. 6) which receives a circumferential energized by separation of contacts 53 and "rib 65 on the feeler roll 50. This arrangement makes it substantially impossible for the material to pass between the' pressure roll 57 and the feeler roll- 50 without depressing the latter below its normal position. In order that the material may feed between the rolls 50 and57 without difiiculty I prefer to drive the roll 57 positively and for this purpose provide it with a pulley which receives a-belt 67 engaging a pulley carried by the shaft 36. As thus arranged the roll 54 and the tension {of this spring may be varied by turning the nut 84.

A piston (not shown) within the cylinde 76 is furnished with a piston j. rod 85 to which a yoke lever 87 .is pivotally secured at the point 86. The pivotal connection between the piston rod and the yoke 87 is at a point intermediate the ends of the latter, preferably substantially at its center. One end of the yoke lever87 is connected byneans of. a rod 88 to the crank arm 74 on the shaft at its upper end against a fixed stop 90 projecting from the frame 2 and at its lower end against an adjustable nut 92 having threaded engagement with the rod 88. This spring thus tends to oppose upward movement of the rod 88. I a.

The rod 89 passes through a guide opening in a fixed stop 93 secured to the frame 2, and a spring 94v which encircles the rod 89 bears at its lower end against this fixed stop.- The upper end of the spring 94 bears against an a'djustable nut 95 having threaded en-' gagement with the rod 89. The spring 94 thus tends to oppose downward'movement of therod 89.

Preferably the spring 91 is somewhat heavier than the spring 94 but in any event the relative tensions of these springs may be varied by turning the adjusting nuts 92 and 95.

Movement of the crank arm 74 is limited by means of adjustable stops 96 and 97 the arm normally resting against the stop 96. Likewise movement of the crank arm is limited by stops 98 and 99 and the arm normally bears against the stop 98.

Referring to Fig. 8 I'prefer to provide the work support 25 with a transverse recess at a point substantially midway its front and rear edges and in.this recess I seat an, air distributing box 100.' This box preferably consists of a bar having a longitudinal passage 1.01 from which series of nozzle openings 102 and 103 lead. These nozzle openings are directed rearwardly so that fluid discharged therethrough may assist the material in moving rearwardly over the work support. The passage 101 is connected to a pipe 104 which may conveniently be connected to the pipe 77 to receive compressed air therefrom.

The operation of the machine is substantially as follows, it being assumed that the motor 4 is running, that air at suitable pressure is supplied to the pipe 77, and that the circuit through the solenoid is closed between the contacts 53 and 54.

The workman lays a skin upon the table 24 and pushes it rearwardly until it is gripped between the pressure roll 35 and the driven feed roll 126. Since the pressure roll is free to rise it readily grips the advancing edge of the material and since the feed and pressure rolls comprise series of spaced roll elements they secure a firm grip upon the materialand if the material is full at any part the spaced roll elements permit the fullness to gather between the sections thus preventing the rolls from pressing wrinkles into the skin.

The material is now moved rearwardly by the feed rolls over the upper surface of the table 25 until it comes into contact with the brush 27 Since this brush is turning in the direction of advance of the fabric it has no tendency to wrinkle the fabric but on the other hand its bristles stroke the fabric from its center outwardly and assist in advancing it rearwardly through the machine. As the advancing edge leaves the roll 27 it is held down by the brush48 so that it does not follow the roll 27.

The nozzle openings 102 and 103 deliver a film of air upon the upper surface of the table and as the advancing edge of the fabric passes over the air distributing box 100 it is slightly lifted from the table so that any tendency of the fabric to adhere to the Ta ble through the action of static-electricity or otherwise is overcome and the fabric substantially floats upon the air cushion thus provided. The material continues to advance and its advancing edge passes beneath the shield 73 which at this time is interposed between the brush 28 and the upper surface of the table, The material is thus shielded from contact with the brush. 28, which it will be remembered rotates in. a direction opposite to the travel of the fabric. Theadvancing edge of the material is ultimately gripped between the rear feed rolls 37 and 129 which immediately begin to exert a tension upon the material and feed it into engagement with the feeler roll 50, depressing the latter until the contact 53 separates from the contact 54. I

The switch is'thus opened and the solenoid 81 is deenergized, permitting the valve rod 79 to drop and thereby admitting air to the the entire movement of the piston rod is at first transmitted to the rod 89, thus rapidly swinging the crank arm 75 upwardly and removing the shield 73 from below the brush 28. After the crank arm 75 engages the stop 99, the further movement of the piston rod 85 compresses the spring 91 and swings the crank 74 upwardly, thus tilting the yoke frames-14 so that the brush 27 is raised to inoperative position while the brush 28 is moved downwardl into contact with the material. Sincethe orward portion of the material is nowgripped between the feed rollers- 37 and 129 the action of the brush 28 is to stroke the material in a direction away from its center and opposite to its movement through the machine thus smoothing out any wrinkles in the rear portion of the material as it continues to advance.

When the rear edge of the material is delivered from between the rolls 50 and 57 the roll 50 immediately rises, closing the circuit at the contacts 53 and 54 and thus causing the solenoid to restore the valve rod 79 to frame 74V to its :normalposition and restoring the brushes 27. and 28 'to' the position shown "in Fig. ,5. Since the spring*94 opgoses downward movement of the rod 89 the rst effect; of the downward movement of the piston rod is as above stated to swing the yoke frame 14 back to normal position-but after the yoke frame has resumed its normal I position and the crank arm 74 engages the;

' sto 96, the. further movement of the piston 0 re is transmitted to the rod- 89 thus restoring the-shield to its normal position as shown in Fig. 5.

place very rapidly so that skins may be Y5 passed in rapid succession through the machinewithout "'interruption. Since' the brushes 27 and 28 operate successively: to

stroke the material from its center downwardy in opposite directions'there is no tendency towrinkle orcurl the fabric and a substantially uniform brushing'of the surface is obtained. "In fact this brushing is -much more uniform than can be produced v by hand methods since each portion of the surface is subjected to a brushing operation of substantiall the same. duration. In'Fig. 12- have shown the machine as 7 provided with suitable means for piling the.

skins as they are delivered after the 'brusn- .xin'goperation is completed.- Referring to this'figure the delivery table of the brushing apparatus is indicated by the numeral 26. This table delivers the skins .onto a series of parallel spaced endless belts 105 passing over; upon a drivingdrum 106 which is constantly driven from'the main drive shaft of themachine. These belts alsolpass around an idler drum carried by a shaft 107 supported on a bracket 108. .The mechanism also comprises a' supporting bracket 109 carrying aswinging frame 110 which supports a series-of spaced fingers 111 normally occupying the .fullline position'of Fig.- 12. As thus ar-.

ranged each of the fingers 111 is disposed between twoadjacent belts" 105 and just below the upper runs of said belts. The frame 110 also carries pairs of normally open jaws 112, one jaw of each pair being dis osed beneath the plane 'of the upper runs 0 the belts 105 and the other j aw being above this plane. A- sprin 113'nolmally holds the frame 110- in the line position of Fig. 4 and the movement of the frame from' this position is limite'd'bya stop device 114. 6 At a suitable point within the frame of 's::ri bed,' thus admitting air tov the cylinder to move the jaws'112 are closed by any suit- ;zles .102 and-103 forfloating the skin as it moves rearwardly through the machine, I contemplate that other devices having the action of-the feeler, a normally opened cirdisposed adjacent to the-jaws 112 and i570 adapted to be 'engaged'by' the edge of a skin "advancing downwardly of" belts 105,; When this feeler is engaged by the skin it actuates an electrical switch in substantially the same way as does the feeler 50 above dei'l 115and driving tl'iepiston lfioutwardly until the frame 110 assuines the dotted line position'indicated at 117. As the frame starts able mechanism and caused to-grip thes and as the frame 110-swings thearms 111,

together. with the jaws 112 turn relatively to the frame until the skin is inverted and assumes'th'e position of the skin 118 in Fig. 12. The jaws 112 are-now released whereupon a y: the arms 111 swing in a clockwise direction- The above sequence of operations takes leaving the skin 118 upon the pile P and the frame 110 returns to its normal position ready to receive anotherskin. a

The piling. device herein disclosed is 'intended as illustrative of piling; devices of any usual typeand it is to be understood that piling devices of other kinds suitable for the purpose may be substituted therefor is de-- sired.

Although as herein described I prefer to use an air cushion delivered through the nozsame purpose may be. substituted therefor, for example, I may if desired provide an endless belt...constituting a moving support extending substantially from the forward feed roll 126 to the rearfeed roll 128 and upon whose, upper surface the skin may -be supported throughout the" brushing opera tion.

While the machine has been shown asdriven by a motor mountedupon the machine frame it is obviousthat the shaft .7 might be driven by some external power source and while a fluid motor has'been de.-; scribed as desirable for shifting the brush carrying frame any suitable mechanically driven element might be employed for the same purpose. Moreover, instead of a normally closed electrical circuit opened by the 12o cuit closed by the feeler could obviously be employed. I do DOtf wish, therefore, to be limited to the specific embodiment of the device here shown but merely by the scope of the appended claims, I claim: 1. Apparatus ofthe class described comprising means for advancing a piece of sheet material, means for supporting said, sheet and power driven means for brushing said 'mate- 130 rial from its central ortion outward in op-- power driven means posits directions, sai A brushing the forward ortion of the sheet in the direction of motion of the advancing material, and thereafter automatically shifting to brush the following portion in theop- 'posite direction.

- material having an advancing edge and afollowing edge, and means for brushing the surface of said material while so moving,

said brushing means stroking the forward portion of the advancing material in the direction of its advance and the rear portion of the advancing material in the opposite direction, and means responsive to the position of the material for automatically reversing the effective direction of the stroking means.

4. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting a forward movementto a skin, and means for brushing the surface of the skin while so moving, said brushing means stroking the forward portion of the skin in'one direction and the rearportion of the skin in another direction,

. and means actuated by the position of the skin for changing the direction of the stroking action;

5. Apparatus of the class described com: prising means for supporting a piece of sheet material, a plurality of brushes, and means actuated by the position of the material in the device for moving said brushes relatively to the surface'of the material, said brushesacting successively to stroke the material outwardly from its central portion in different directions.

6. Apparatus of the class described comprising. means for imparting a forward movement to a skin, and means for brushing the surface of the skin while so moving, said brushing means being actuated automatically to stroke the forward portion of the skin in the direction'of its advance and to stroke the rear..portion of the skin in a dliirection opposite to the movement of the s in.

v 7 Apparatus of the class described com prising means for moving a skin. and means for brushing the surface of the skin while so moving, said brushing means comprising brush elements moving in opposite directions, and means actuated by the position of said skin'to bring the desired rush element into contact with said skin.

8. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for moving a skin and means for brushing the surface of the skin while so moving, said brushing means comprising independent brush elements, and means ac-, tuated by the position of the skin for moving said brush elements alternately into contact with the skin.

' 9. Apparatus of the class described comprising means forimparting a forward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, rotary brushes journalled in the frame at opposite sides of its pivotal axis, automatic means responsive to the position of said skin for swinging the frame wherebyalternately to bring the brushes into' contact with the surface of the material, and means for turning the brushes in opposite directions.

10. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting a forward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, rotary prising means for imparting a forward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, a pair of brushes carried thereby, and automatic means for swinging the frame as the skin advances to bring one brush into contact with one portion of the skin and thereafter when the skin has advanced to a predetermined point to bring the other brush into contact with the skin.

12. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting a forward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, rotary brushes journalled in the frame at opposite sides of its pivotal axis, means for rotating the brushes in opposite directions. the brush first encountered by the advancing skin turning in the direction of movement of the skin. means normally holding the frame in position to cause said latter brush first to engage the skin, and automatic means for tilting the frame when the skin has advanced to a predetermined point for bringing the other brush into contact with the skin.

13. Apparatus of the class described com prising means for moving a skin and means for brnshingthe surface of the skin while so moving, said brushing means comprising Inn a pair of oppositely rotating brushes. means skin forwardly across the support, means maticmeans for determining the shift of the brushes.

14:. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for moving a skin and means.

, actuable by the advancing s in for controlling the operation of the brush shifting means.

15. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for moving a skin and means for brushing the surface of the skin while so moving, said brushmg means comprisng pair of oppositely rotating brushes, means for moving the brushes alternately into en-- gagemcnt with the moving skin, and a feeler device responsive to engagement by the advancing edge ofothe skin and by its response controlling the operation of. the brush shifting means. a 16. Apparatus of the class described comprislng means for moving a skm and means for brushing the surface of the skin, said means comprising oppositely rotating brushes, means for shifting the brushes al- .ternately into engagement with the moving skin, and a spring pressed feeler roll movable to abnormal position by'the advancing edge of the skin and by such movement initiating the operation of the brush shifting means.

17. Apparatus of the class described comprising a support, means for'feedlng a for brushing the surface of the advancing skin comprising a pair of rotary brushes,

means including a fluid motor for shifting the brushes alternately into contact with the skin, and a feeler device actuable by the moving skin to determine operation of the fluid motor.

18. Apparatus for brushing skins comprising a brush movable from operative to inoperative position, a motor for moving the brush. and a feeler device for determining action of the brush, said feeler device comprising a bodily movable feeler roll movable from its normal position by engagement with a skin, and an electrical swlitch actuable by such movement of the r0 1.

19. Apparatus of the classdescribed comprising a support, means for feeding a skin prising a brush bodily movable from operative to inoperative position, a motor for moving the-brush, and a feeler device vfor determining bodily movement of the brush, said feeler device comprising a. bodily movable feeler roll having a circumferential rib, an abutment opposed to said roll having a groove for the reception of the rib, the roll being movable away from said abutment by intrusion of a skin between it and said abutment, and an electrical switch actuable by such movement of the roll. v

21. Apparatus of the class described comprising a support means for feeding a skin forwardly across the support, means for brushing the surface of the advancing skin comprising a pair of rotary brushes, means for shifting the brushes alternately into contact with the skin, electromagnetic means for controlling the operation of the brush shifting means, and means controlled by the moving skin for determining energization of the electromagnetic means.

22. Apparatus of the class described comprising a support, means for feeding a skin forwardly across the support, means for brushing the surface of the advancing skin comprisinga pair of rotary brushes, means, including a fluid motor, for shifting the brushes alternately into contact with the skin, a controlling valve for the motor, a solenoid for actuating the valve, a switch in the circuit of the solenoid, and a feeler device actuable by the moving skin for operating the switch.

23. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting a forward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, rotary brushes journalled in the frame at opposite sides of its pivotal axis, means for rotating the brushes in opposite directions, and means for tilting the frame alternately to bring the respective brushes into contact with the skin, said frame tilting means comprising a spring tending to tip the frame in one direction, a compressed air motor for tilting the frame in the opposite direction, a valve controlling the admission of compressed air to the motor, a solenoid for moving the valve, and a feeler actuated by the moving skin for determining energization of the solenoid.

24. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting a forward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, rotary in one direction, stops for limiting the movement of the frame in either direction, a motor for tilting the frame in the opposite direction, and a feeler responsive to contact with the advancing edge of the skin and by its response initiating the operation of the motor.

25., Apparatus for brushing skins comprising a brush movable from operative to inoperative position, a motor for moving the brush, and a feeler device for determiningmovement of the brush, said feeler devlce comprising a bodily movable feeler roll having a circumferential rib, a movable abutment roll having a circumferential groove for the reception of said rib, resilient means tending to move the abutment toward the roll, adjustable stop means limiting such movement, said feeler roll moving away from the abutment roll when a skin is interposed between them, and an electrical switch device actuated by movement of the feeler roll away from the abutment.

26. Apparatus of the class described comprising a work support, a pair of feed rolls adjacent to the forward edge of the worksupport, feed rolls near the rear edge of the work support, brush devices operative respectively for brushing the forward and rear portions of a skin fed over the support by said feed devices and means for automatically shifting the brush devices, whereby the forward portion is brushed in the direction of motion of the skinand the rear portion is brushed in the opposite direction.

27. Apparatus of the class described comprising work supporting means, a pair of feed rolls adjacent to the forward edge of the work support, feed rolls near the rear edge of the work support, a brush for brushing the advancing portion of a skin in one direction while it is gripped by the first pair of feed rolls, and a second brush for brushing the rear portion of the skin in the opposite direction while the latter is being drawn along by the second pair of feed rolls.

28. Apparatus of the class described comprising brushing means, a power driven feed shaft having a series of axially spaced feed rolls thereon, a second shaft parallel with the first, said second shaft being supported for bodily movement toward and from the first, and a complemental series of feed rolls on the second shaft, the rolls of the second shaft normally engaging the rolls of the first shaft.

29. Apparatus of the class described comprising brushing means, a power driven feed shaft having a series of axially spaced feed rolls thereon, a second shaft parallel with the first, movable supports for said second shaft,-said second shaft tending to move by gravity toward the first shaft, and a series of feed rolls upon the second shaft disposed oppositely to and normally engaging the rolls of the first shaft.

30. Apparatus of the class described comprising brushing means and means for feeding a skin thereto, said feeding means comprising a pair of parallel shafts, and a series of spaced, axially short feed rolls mounted upon each shaft, the rolls of the two shafts being opposed to each other.

31. Apparatus of the class described comprising a work support, means for feeding a skin along the work support, means for brushing the moving skin, and means for preventing adhesion of the moving skin to the work support.

32. Apparatus of the class described comprising a work support, means for feeding a skin along the work support, means for brushing the moving skin, and means for producing a fluid cushion between the surface of the work support and the skin to prevent adhesion of the skin to the support.

33. Apparatus of the class described comprising a work support, means for feeding a skin along the work support, means for brushing the moving skin, said support having a. plurality of orifices therein, conduits leading to said orifices, and means for delivering air under pressure to said conduits to form an antifriction fluid cushion between the skin and work support.

34. Apparatus of the class described comprising a support, means for feeding a skin forwardly across the suppo t, means for brushing the surface of the advancing skin comprising a pair of rotary brushes, said brushes being so shaped as to exert a lateral tension upon the moving skin, and automatic means responsive to the advancing movement of the skin for moving said brushes.

alternately into contact with the skin.

35. Apparatus of the class described comprising a support, means for feeding a skin forwardly across the support, means for brushing the surface of the advancing skin comprising a pair of rotary brushes, each brush comprising a shaft having spirally arranged rows of bristles secured thereto, the spirals extending in opposite pitch from the center of the shaft outwardly whereby to exert lateral tension upon the skin, and automatic means responsive to the advancing movement of the skin for moving the brushes alternately into contact with the skin.

36. Apparatus of the class described comprising a pair of brushes, means for moving said brushes alternately into contact with a skin-to be brushed, and a shield associated with one of the brushes for positively preventing engagement of the skin with the brush. when said brush is in inoperative position.

37. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting a forward,

movement to askin, a pivoted frame, rotary brushes journalled in the frame at opposite sides of its pivotal axis, a shield interposable between one of the brushes and the skin, and

common means for tilting the frame and for the skin when the brush is in moving the shield into on out from between the brush and skin,

38. Apparatus of the class described comprising a support, means for feeding a skin forwardly across the support, means for brushing the Surface of the advancing skin comprising a' pair of rotary brushes, means for shifting the brushes alternately into contact with the skin, a shield associated with one of said-brushes, and means for interpos:

ing said shield bet-ween the saidfbrush and inoperative position.

Q9. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting a forward movement to a skin, a pivotedframe, rotary brushes .journalled in the frame at opposite sides of its pivotal axis, the brush most reiii mote from the advancing skin. turning oppositely to the direction of movement of the skin,.a\shield interposable between the lat- -ter brush and the skin, and power actuated means for tilting the frame and forinoving the shield.

40. Apparatus of the class described comprising a support, means for moving askin forwardly across the support, means for brushing the surface of the advancing skin comprising a pair of rotary brushes, means for shifting the brushes alternately into contact with the skin, means forv rotating the brushes in opposite directions, a shield as- 'sociated with that brush which "turns oppositely to the direction of movement of the skin, and means for interposi-ng the shield between thebrush and skin when the brush is in inoperative position. i

41. Apparatus of the class described comprising a tilting brush frame, a shaft supporting the frame, a crank secured to the shaft, an oscillatory brushshield, a crank for swinging the shield, a pneumatic motor having areciprocating piston rod, a yoke lever pivoted between its ends to the piston rod, a link connecting one end of the yoke lever to the shield crank, a link connecting the other end of the lever to the brush frame crank, a coiled spring encircling the first link and opposing movement of the shield toward operation position, and a coiled spring encircling the second link and opposing tilting of the frame in one direction.

42. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting forward movement to a skin. a pivoted frame, a rotary brush journalled in the frame atone side of its pivotal axis, said brush turning oppositely to the movement of the advanc ng skin, a shield interposable between the brush and the skin, the shield being disposed between the skin and brush when the latter is raised to inoperative position, a fluidmotor, [and means actuated thereby for tilt ng the frame to move said brush to inoperative position-and subsequently to move the shield between the skin and brush.

43. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting a forward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, rotary brushes journalled in the frame'at opposite sides of is pivotal axis, the brush most 'remote from the advancing skin turning oppositely thereto, a shield interposa ble between the latter brush and the skin, the shield being disposed between the skin and said brush when the latter is raised to inoperative position, a reciprocating member, a yoke pivoted to said member, and connections be- .tween the opposite ends of the yoke and the tilting frame and shield respectively, said connections being so constructed and arranged that the movement of the shield precodes that of the frame as said reciprocating member moves in one direction and follows that of the frame as the reciprocating member comes in the opposite direction. v

.44. Apparatus of the class described comforwardly across the support, means for brushing the surface of the advancing skin comprising a pair of rotary brushes, means prising .a support, means for moving a skin I for shifting the brushes alternately into contact with the skin, means for rotating the brushes in opposite directions. a pivotally supported shield associated with that brush which turns oppositely .to the direction of movement of the skin, and means, operating 7 45. Apparatus of the class described com- I prising meansfor feeding a skin forwardly in a given direction, means for brushing the skin comprising'a pair of oppositely ro-.

tating brushes, the brush last to be engaged by the advancing skin turning oppositely to the direction of movement of the skin, means for moving the brushes alternately into contact with the skin, a curved shield for the brush which 'turns oppositely. to the travel of the skin, and means for interposing the shield between the skin and said brush when tge latter is moved out ofcontact with the s in. a

46. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting a forward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, rotary brushesjournalled in the frame at opposit sides of its pivotal axis, the brush most remote from the advancing skin turning oppositely thereto, a shield interposable between the latter brush and the skin, the shield being disposed between the skin and brush (when the latter is tilted to inoperative position, a motor having a reciprocable drive iii " rod, a lever pivoted at a point intermediate I its ends to the rod, links connecting opposite ends of the lever to actuating means for i the shield and tilting frame I respectively, and springs opposingmovement of one link in one direction and of the other link in'the opposite direction.

4.7. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for imparting a forward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, rotary brushes journalled in the frame at opposite sides of its p-ivotal'axis, the brush most remote from the advancing skin turning op- .positely'thereto, a shield interposable between the latter brush and the skin, the shieldbeing disposed between the sk and brush when the latter is tilted to inoperativeposition, crank arms; for moving the shield and tilting fraine respectively, a fluid motor having a reciprocating piston rod, a le\ er pivotally secured midway its ends to said rod, :1 link connecting each end of the rod respectively tothe respectivecrank arms, and means opposing predetermined resistance to movement of one link in one direction and of the other link in the opposite direction.

48. Apparatus of the class described com? prising a tiltable brush frame, a shaft supporting the frame, a crank secured to, the shaft, an oscillatory brush shield, a crank for turning it, a pneumatic motor having a reciprocating piston-rod, ayoke lever pivoted between its.ends to the piston rod, a spring opposing movement of one end of. the yoke in one direction, and links connecting the opposite ends of the yoke lever to the shield crank and the framecrank respectively;

49. Apparatus of the class described comprising) means for imparting a forward movement to a skin, a pivoted frame, rotary brushes journalled in the/frame at opposite sides of its pivotal axis, the brush most remote from the advancing skin turning oppositely thereto, a shield interposable between the latter brush and the skin, the shield being disposed between the skin and brush when the latter is tilted .in inoperative position, means normally holding said brush in inoperative position, power actuated means operative first to remove the shield from between the brush and skin and then to tilt the frame to place such brush in operative position, said power actuated means spectively for brushin the forward and rearv portions of a skin fe over the support by said feeddevices, an automatic means for bringing one or the other of said brush devices into operative relation to the skin actuated by the position of the skin in the device.-

Signed b y me at Boston, Massachusetts,

this12th day of November, 1925.

JOSEPH n. WALCOTT.

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