US1707383A - Machine for treating hides, skins, and leather - Google Patents

Description

p 9 I c. H. BECKER 1,707,383

MACHINE FOR TREATING HIDES, SKINS, AND LEATHER Filed Sept. 19, 1925 Fig. w I M thrust of a bladed cylinder.

Patented Apr. 2, 1929 UNITED STAT,ESTPATENT oFFICEJQ CHARLES H. BECKER, or WEST ALLIs, W sconsin, nssrenon To THE TURNER ran NING MACHINERY COMPANY, or PORTLAND, Min van CoRPoRArroN or MAINE.

MACHINE FOR TREATING HIDES, SKINS, AND LEATHER;

Application filed September 19, 1925. Serial No. 57,362.

This invention relates to machines for treating hides, skins and leather, and is illus trated as embodied ina machine designed for performing unhairing operations although in various aspects the invention is notlimited to embodiment in machines of the illustrated type or to use inperforming the particular operations ust referred to. e

One well known type of machine for performing operations such as those above mentioned has been provided with a yielding member to support the work against the As heretofore constructed such yielding, work-supporting members have consisted of pneumatic rolls rotatably adjustable to present successive work-engaging portions in operative relation to the tool. These members have been relatively expensive to manufacture. Moreover, each Work-supporting portion of the surface Wore away rapidly causing frequent adjustment to present an unwornsurface in work-t supporting relation to the tool, with theresult that soon the entire roll became poly onal in cross-section unfitting it for further use. This necessitated frequent replacement of the work-supporting members. other prior constructions the yielding work support has been furnished by one member, not adjustable to present successive surfaces in work supporting position, or a plurality of members yielding individually to the. thrust of the tool but not adjustable to present new surfaces in opposition to the tool. Where a single-piece pneumatic work support is'employed which is not adjustableit' is of considerably shorter life than the adjustable type already referred to. In the construetion employing a plurality of yielding work support members, worn members may be replaced locally along the length of the operating tool but that involves the necessity of constant inspection and frequent adjust ment of the tensioning means for the members and frequentreplacement as the members become too Worn to function properly.

in view of the foregoing, itis an object of the invention to provide an improved machine for treating hides, skins or leather which will not be open. to the ob ections above stated and will-be other vise simple con struction, relativelyinexpensive in upkeep, and readily adj ustable by the ordinary workman.

Tothis end, and in accordance With important features of the, invention, there is provided a flexible memberto support the work against the thrust'of the working tool in combination With pneumatic meansfifor yieldingly backing the flexible member along the line of application ofthe tool to the Work. In preferred construction, as illustrated the flexible member comprises a relatively 'inexpensive bolster which presentslfor co-operatien wifth the treating-tool and with the pneumatic means a' broader surface than that heretofore provided by any of the prior constructions and a more effective surface, particularly for certain purposes. Prefer-.

ably means is provided for varying the width of the-surface on the bolster whichco operates at any given time with the tool. To .faeili tate ready adjustment of the bolster to present afresh surface when the surface o.p-

posed to'the tool becomes too Worn, the illustrated bolster is secured along its longi tudinal edges to two rollers so that it may be 1 rolled off of one roller on to the other step by step to any desired extent. Conveniently, one of the rollers is utilized to serve as means for yieldingly applying tension of a selected maximum amount to the bolster, whereby the bolster may accommodate itself tov variations the thickness of the work. I The'invention contemplates also the pro-' vision of a'yieldingbacking for the bolster constructed to yield alonga multiplicity of lines so that the latter bolster may accommoe date the more readily variations the thickness of the Work. Conveniently the yielding backing for the bolster is furnished by a pneumatic member embraced by an unyielding casing to provide proper support for the member. in the illustrated construction,- the casing is a rigid hollow cylinder slotted along one side to expose the contained pneumatic member as a support for the bolster where the latter receives: the thrust of the treating tool. V I V r f- Other features of the invention andnovel combinations of parts will be described in the detailed specification and set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1. is a plan view from above and partly in section showing one embodimentof the in vent-ion;

Fig. 2 is a transverse, vertical view of parts of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but show ing the parts in work-treating position; and

Fig. 4 is a detail view partly in section disclosing the construction of the pneumatic member and its mounting.

In the illustrated machine the work treating tool is a cylinder 10 having blades 12 helieally arranged on the surface of the cylinder and extending in opposite directions from points intermediate between the ends of the cylinder as most clearly disclosed in Fig. 1 of the drawings. As shown, the cylinder 10 is mounted for rotation in hearings in side members 11 of the machine frame. This cylinder 10 is provided with blades for performing unhairing operations. It will be unclerstood, however, that any one of a number of cylinders with blades adapted to the performance of other operations on hides, skins and leather may be substituted for the cylinder shown without departing from the principles of the invention. For supporting the work for the operation of the tool 10 there is provided a broad, flexible member or bolster 14 and a yielding, supporting or backing inember for the bolster indicated by reference character 16 and hereinafter described in detail.

As illustrated, the flexible member or bolster 14 comprises a mat preferably made of vulcanized rubber and provided with a heavy canvas backing, the canvas backing member being extended beyond the mat or bolster proper to afford attacl'iingportions 20, 21 adapted to be attached to supporting members which, in the construction shown, are rollers 22, 24.

In beginning operations with a new machine, or at least with a new bolster, the latter is wound upon the roller 22 (Fig. 2) to such an extent as to leave one end surface of the bolster in contact with the tool 10, this end of the bolster being secured against displacement by means of the fabric or canvas extension 21 which is wound upon the other roller 24 (Fig. 2). After the bolster has served for a considerable period in its first position it may be adjusted when worn by winding up on the roller 24 and simultaneously therewith unrolling a portion of the bolster from the other roller 22. This adjustment of the bolster is repeated from time to time until all of the bolster surface has been utilized as a work support, it being preferable to have both ends of the bolster pro-- vided with fabric or canvas portions similar to that shown more clearly at 21 in Fig. 2, the other canvas portion being indicated at 20 on the roller 22 (Fig. 2). Afterthe rollers have been rotated to position the bolster as desired the roller 22 is secured fixedly in position by relatively heavy set screws one of which is shown at 25, the other roller 24 being secured against displacement through a pawl and ratchet mechanism 28, 30, of which the pawl28 is held in operative position by a spring 32.

In order that the roller-.24 may operate also as a tensioning means for the bolster it has preferably mounted upon it a pair of lever arms 34 pivoted on end portions 36 (Fig. l) of the roller 24 which is rotatably mounted in a carrier 37 slidable on the side frames 11 of the machine. Each lever 34 is provided with a weighted member 44 adjustable along the lever extension'46 so as to enable the operator to apply any desired'ten sion upon the bolster. Since the ratchet is secured to the roller 24 and the pawl 28 is positioned within a bifurcation of the lever 34-,the lever may be used as a hand-operated means for turning the roller 24 to wind up the bolster l4 thereon and also to apply the desired tension to the bolster. The amount of tension may be determined through adjustment of the weighted member 44 and through adjustment of a supporting member for the lever 84. Since there is a lever 34 together with the ratchet and pawl mechanism 28, 30 at each end of theroller 24 it is possible for one workman to adjust the tension upon the bolster, it being preferable, however, for both levers to be operated at substantially the same time. v

Conveniently, and as shown, the weighted levers 3.; serve also as means for yieldingly tensioning the bolster 14. Since, as already stated, the ratchet wheels 30 are secured to the ends of the roller 24, unusual pressure on the bolster 14 occasioned, for instance, by especially thick portions of the work or an unusually heavy piece of work, will tend to turn the roller 24 and, on occasion will actually turn said roller in an unwinding direc tion with respect to the bolster 14, this reverse rotary movement of the roller being permitted through a lifting movement of the two levers 34. It will be understood that the levers will immediately return to normal position following the passage of the thicker portion of the work and that the maximum tension on the bolster, before any yielding takes place, may be regulated through adjustment of the weight 44 on the arm 46 of the lever 34 and further through adjustment of the member 50, as will hereinafter be described. As an additional means for controlling the tension of the bolster, thesupporting member 50 is passed loosely through a projecting boss 52 on the carrier 37 and has this end provided with a convexly-surfaced but lit) ton 55 for seating in a cup iii-the boss 52, the

end of the member 50 being screw-threaded to; supportadjusting and lock nuts56 and 57. The lower end of member 5.0 is pivoted at 58 to the lever arm 34. It will be understood that adjustment of the member 50 will serve to vary the position of the lever. 34 and thus.

provide for adjustment the tension on the bolster.

Means is provided for causing the bolster 14 to present arelatively broad surface to the tool 10, this means in the construction shown comprising a roller 60 (Fig. 4) extending.

longitudinally of the bolster and parallel with the tool 10. As shown, the roller 60 is mounted in a supporting member 64 carried by a bracket 62. securely attached tothe carrier 37 sov as to move bodily with the rollers 22, 24; and the backing: member 16 during movement or these parts in, directions toward and away from the tool 10. Hence, when the carrier 37yis in retracted-position (shown in Fig. 2. of the drawings) the bolster is not disturbed in itsposition nor in its tension.

-As stated the roller is mounted directly upon the supporting member 64 adjustable on the bracket 62,. thus: making it possibleto vary the position of the roller 60 with respect to the. tool 10 and the yielding backing member16', whereby the bolster may be caused to present a surface of desired width i'or con tact with the curved surface of the tool 10. For instance, if the supporting," member 64 shouldbe adjusted toward the lezt't in Fig 3 of the drawings, the bolster 14 would be so positioned as to embracea'larger portion of the: curved surface of the tool-10 than: is disclosed in said figure. Ordinarily the bolster will occupy the position shown. in Figs. 2 and 3 when it is especially efiective in co-operation with the tool inunhairing and scudding operations. For purposes of adjustinent the member 64 at each end of the roller 60 is provided with a screw threaded member 66 fixed- 1y secured thereto and extending through a projecting part 68 of the bracket. 62. Upon proper manipulation of thenuts 70 on the screwthread'ed, member 66 the supporting member 64 may be ad usted and secured in; su-chadjusted position as may be found de-.

sirable. With the bar or roller 60 adjusted to'the right, in Figs. 2" and3, the bolster may betensioned to'be in a plane tangential to the cylindrical" surface 01 t-hetool 10, in which condition it would co-operate with the'proper tool. to greater advantage in such a hide or leather-treating operation as fleshing.

In the illustrated machine, the yieldingbacking member 16-comprises an inside pn eumatic tube; 8O (Fig. 4). enclosed in a heavy canvas casing or shoe 82, the pneumatic tube and the casing being of a size to fit snugly within a rigid hollow cylinder 84 supported fixedly at itsends in side portions o't-the car rier 37 means bein rovided at oneend of the cylinder and pneumatic tube to intro- .duce air into the latter. under pressure from:

any desired source, such as an air pump (not shown), one of the bearings 86 iior the cylinder being hollow, tor the passage of the air tube88. In order that the yielding. backing member 16 may have a portion of its surface exposed for contact. with the bolster 14 the cylinder 84 has a relatively wide slot 90' extending lengthwise. ofthe c *linder opposite to the adjacent surface of the tool 10, the con ter line'oit the slot 90 being in a plane pass-- ing through the axes of the cylinder 84 and the tool 10. In the preferredconstruction illustrated, the relatively heavy canvas casing; 82 comprises a cylindrical portion having end portions 94 which are receivable each in a groove provided by a reduced portion 96 ot the screw threaded end members 98 and 99" of the metal cylinder 84. Vithin the cylin drical portion of the canvas casingv 2 a'd 'zacenteach end thereof is'a. pair of disks 160' pose inflating the tube 80.

Considerable friction and heat tends to develop between the bolster 14 and the shoe 8?.

of the yielding backing member 16 due to vibration of the bolster caused by'the blades. striking. against the bolster at a high rate of speed. To overcome any possible disadvantagefrom this condition, means is P ovided to cool the contacting surfaces, the said means comprising in the construction shown a spraying device: in the form of a perforated pipe 1.03through whichvcold water may be allowed tofiow any desired pressure from a source not shown.

For feedii the work over the bolster 14'- I and past the tool 10 there is provided, in the construction shown, a number of .feed rolls.

Of these rollsthe 3 Ext-' 3) is rubber covered so as to engage frictionally with the work andis mounted at each end upon an arm extendingup'from the carrier 7 p 37. Carried in a bracket 1'12is a second feed roll 114. Between these two rolls there is a third roll 116 which serves as pinch roll movable along a slot 118, in a bracket extension 120, into and out of co-opera-tive rela-- tion with res sect to the feed: rolls 110, 114.

The roll 116 is moved upwardly into inopera tive position at the same time that the carrier 37 is retracted andin this position the work 1V may be readily introduced. Upon movementof the carrier 37 toward the tool 10 the pinch roll 116 descends topress the work against the feed rolls 110, 114 whereby .the

iii

ineans for supper-tin work is dragged past the operating tool and over the bolster 14. I

lVhen one part of the work has been operated upon, substantially one-half thereof, the operator trips the usual treadle to cause a second retraction. of the carrier 37 so that the work may be removed, reversed, and reintroduced into the machine to complete the operati on upon the romaining portion. For a more complete disclos-zuro of the operating means for the feed rolls and for the carrier 37, reference should be had to United States Let ters Patent No; 696,588, ,qranted April 1, 1902, upon application of F. J. Perkins, and to No. 8%,640 granted Feb. 26, 1907, upon application of H. A. Holder. 1V hile a roll similar to the feed roll 110 herein illustrated serves in. the Perkins machine as a bed roll as well as a feed roll, the mounting and movement of the two are the same in the two machines. It is further pointed out that the construction and arrangement of the feet rolls of the illustrated machine are fully shown in said United States Letters Patent No. $15,640. It should be stated that the bracket 112 which carries the feed roll ll-l and the pinch roll 116 is slidable on the carrier 37 and is held under spring; pressure, as disclosed in the patents cited, which constantly urges the bracket 11?, to press the two rolls 11 i, 116 yieldingly in the direction of the roll 110. Hence, when the pinch roll 116 is pulled downwardly along the slot 118 it engages,

with the work W and forces it into contact with, both of the rolls 110, 11 1. Further- .more, the carrier 37 is constantly under a yielding pressure, provided by springs, not shown, operative to permit a yielding of the backing roll 16 in case an unusually thick piece of work is introduced between the cylinder 10 and the bolster 14:, the same yielding ot the backing member 16 taking place when an unusually thick portion of piece of work is being operated upon. This particular mounting of the bracket 112 and of the carrier 37 by which they yield in the manner described when thick portions or the work are passing is not shown in detail since it forms part of 'an old and well known construct-ion shown, for instance, in the Perkins and 'lolder patents, already cited.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a machine of the character described, tool for treating; hides, skins or leather, and

the work for the operation of the tool comprising a'flexible member, and a pneumatic member for yielding'ly supporting the flexible member along the line of application of the tool to the work.

2. In a machine of the character described, a tool for treating hides, skins or leather, and means for supporting the work for the operation of the tool comprising a flexible member adapted to present a relatively broadsurface to the tool, and a member having a locally yielding surface-for yieldingly backing the flexible member along the line of application 01 the tool. l

3. In a machine for operating upon hides, skins or leather, a cylinder having a blade for operating on a piece of work, means for supporting the work for the operation of the cylinder comprising flexible member ex tending the full length or" the blade and partially around the surface of the cylinder, and means having a locally yielding portion for yielding'ly backing the flexible member along the line of application of the blade to the piece of work. I

In a machine for operating on hides, skins or leather, a tool for operating on a piece of work, work supporting means comprising a pneumatic backing member, a bolster interposed between the tool and the pneumatic member, and means for mounting,- the bolster having a supporting surface for the bolster located in front oil the pneumatic member, said mounting means being adjustable to tension the bolster so that in conjunction with the mounting thereof the bolster is caused to presenta broader surface to the tool than would be afforded by the pneumatic member.

5. In a machinefor operating upon hides, skins or leather, a tool for operating on a piece of work, a bolster adapted to support the work for the operation ofthe tool, a pneumatic member extending across the bolster to form a yielding backing for the latter, and an unyieldingsupport for the pneumatic member arranged partly to surround the pneumatic member and to expose part of the pneumatic member for contact with the bolster. V i I 6. In a, machine, for operating on hides, skins or leathena bladed cylinder for operating on a piece of work, a bolster adapted to support the work in contact with a substantial portion of the bladed cylinder, a pneumatic member. back of the bolster for forming a yielding backing for the latter, and an un yielding casing for the pneumatic member having a portion cut away to expose part of the pneumatic member for contact with the bolster.

7. In a machine for operating on hides, skins or leather, a cylinder having blades for operating on a piece of work, a bolster for supporting the work against the cylinder, means for applying tension to the bolster, and other means for yieldingly backing the bolster along the lines of application of the blades of the cylinder to the work comprising a pneumatic member and a member for rigidly supporting the pneumatic member.

8. In a machine for operating on hides, skins or leather, a cylinder having blades for operating on a piece of work, a bolster for supporting the work against the cylinder,

means for applying yielding tension to the bolster, and a pneumatic member for yieldingly backing the bolster against the thrust of the blades of the cylinder.

9- In a machine for'operating on hides, skins or leather, a tool having a blade for operating on a piece of work, Work supporting means comprising a "pneumatic roll and a bolster interposed between the tool and the against the operation of the tool, means for backing the bolster along the line of application of the tool to the work, a member over which the bolster is passed, and means for adjustably supporting the member to vary the breadth of the surface of the bolster in cooperation With the backing means and the tool to suit variousclasscs of work.

11. In a machine for operating on hides, skins or leather, a cylinder having blades for operating on a piece of work, a bolster for supporting the Work against theoperation of the cylinder, means for yieldingly tensioning the bolster so that it may accommodate itself to variations in the thickness of the Work, a pneumatic member for backing the bolster along the linesof application of the blades to the piece of Work, and a member affording unyielding support to the pneumatic member.

12. In a machine for operating on hides, skins or leather, a bladed cylinder vrotatable for operating on a piece of Work, means for supporting the work for theoperation of the cylinder comprising a flexible member extending the full length of the cylinder and partially around the surface thereof,means for yieldingly tensioning the flexible member so that it may accommodate itself to variations in the thickness of the Work, and astationary member having a locally yielding surface for yieldingly backing the flexible member along the line of application of the bladed cylinder.

13. In a machine for .operating on hides,

skins or leather, a bladed cylinder for operating on a piece of Work, a bolster for supporting the work against the thrust of the cylinder, a member to Which one end of the bolster. is attached, a roller to Which the other end of the bolster is attachechsaid roller being rotatable to apply tension to the bolster, and a stationary member having a locally yielding portion for yieldingly-backing the bolster along the line of application'of the bladed cylinder.

14. In a machine for operating on hides,

skins or leather,a tool for operating on a piece of Work, a bolster for supporting the work for the operation of the tool, a pair of rollers to each of which one end of the bolster is attached so that the bolster may be rolled piece off of one roller and onto the other roller'in adjusting the Work surface of the bolster With respect to the tool, and means for operating one of the rollers to apply tension of a selected maximum amount to the-bolster,

15.111 a machine for operating on hides, skins or leather, a tool for operating on a piece of work, a bolster for supporting the work against the thrust of the tool, a member to which one end of the bolster is attached, a roller to which another end of the-bolster is attached, said roller being rotatable to apply tension to the bolster, and a Weighted member operative torotate the roller and to maintain the tension on the bolster yieldingly at a selected maximum amount. 3

1 16.'In a machine for operating on hides, s {1113 of work, a bolster for supportingv the work against the thrust of the tool, a roller to which one end portion of the bolster is attached, a second roller to which the opposite edge portion ofthe bolster is attached, both rollers being rotatable so as to shift the bolster to bring a new Work supporting surface thereon in position opposed to the tool, and a or leather, a tool for operating on a pair of membersoperative to apply a maximum tension to the bolster. I

17 In a machine for operating on hides, skins or leather, a tool for operatingon a piece of work, a bolster for supportingthe work against the tool,means for-applying tension to the bolster, a pair of rollers to'each of which one end of the bolster is attached so that the bolster may be rolled off of one roller onto the other roller, and a lever for operating one of the rollers to apply tension on the bolster and to maintain the tension at a selected maximum amount.

18.,In a machine for operating on hides, skins or leather, a tool for operating on a piece of Work, a bolster for supporting the Work against the thrust of the tool, a roller to which one end portion of the bolster is attached, a second roller to which the opposite end portion of the bolster is attached, both rollers being rotatable so as to shift the bolster to bring a new Work supporting surface thereon in position opposed to the tool, and a third rollerover which the bolster is passed to permit adjustment of the bolster in directions toward and from the tool.

19. In amachine for operating on hides, skins or leather, a tool for operating on a piece of Work, a bolster for supporting the Work for the operation of the tool, a support for fixedly holding one end of the bolster during operation of the machine, and means for adjusting'the bolster -to present a neW surface when a given surface has become Worn.

20. In a machine for operating on hides,

skins or leather, a tool for operating on a piece tached and arranged so that the bolster may along the line of application of the tool to 10 be rolled off of one roller and onto the other the Work, and a member spaced apart With roller in adjusting the Work surface of the respect to the yielding member to co-operate bolster With respect to the tool. with the latter in supporting the bolster so i skins or leather a tool for operating on a piece tool.

' 21, In a machine for operating on hides that the latter presents a broad surface to the 15 of Work, a bolster for supporting the Work In testimony whereof I have signed my against the tool, end supports for the bolster, name to this specification.

a yielding member for backing the bolster CHARLES H. BECKER.

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