US1950102A - Hat working machine - Google Patents

Description

March 1934- '1. A. EICHENBAUM HAT WORKING MACBINE Filed Oct. 31, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet l ICIIIIIEFIIIL INVENTOR ATTORNEY March 6, 1934. A, E|HENBAUM 1,950,102

HAT WORKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 51, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR MM: fl

ATTORNEY March 6, 1934. A, ElcHENBAUM 1,950,102

HAT WORKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 31, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 L M INE i n WW 155 I ATTORN EY Mam}! 1934- l. A. EICHENBAUM HAT WORKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 31, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR filmy 15. fiirfzmmmz/ BY A ATTORNEY March 6, 1934. A ECHENBAUM 1,950,102

HAT WORKING MACHINE Patented Mar. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to the finishing of hats of felt or the like, having to be given after blocking a plurality of ironing, pouncing and luring operations or the like, these operations usually I performed by hand; it being explained that the number and variation of such operations and the duration of each aiiect to a large extent the quality of hat produced and are consequently a considerable factor in placing the hat in the cheap or expensive class.

The present invention provides various improvements in previous machines disclosed in my U. S. Patent No. 1,783,112 and in my copending application Serial No. 474,435 as well also 16 as important additional features.

One of the specific objects of the invention is to provide a novel and improved assemblage of more efficient upper finishing tools, and improved means for operating the same, among which tools is a pouncer jiggled when brought to operating position against a desired surface of the hat exterior.

Another specific object is to provide, in combination with upper finishing tools, a lower finish ing tool or tools adapted to be power operated simultaneously with the power operation of a selected upper finishing tool.

Another specific object is to provide in a machine of the type indicated a lower finishing tool, which is what is known in the art as a jigger and which may be power-operated simultaneously with an upper finishing tool during spinning of the hat.

Another specific object is to provide, in a power driven machine, in combination with a hat spinning means, a plurality of sets of finishing tools, so assembled with the other machine parts that both a selected upper finishing tool and a selected lower finishing tool may be simultaneously poweroperated against the upper and lower brim surfaces of the the hat.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter be pointed out or become apparent as the specification proceeds.

45 With such objects in view, the invention resides in certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts, clearly described in the following specification, and fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which latter show only one of many possible embodiments of the invention as at present preferred.

In said drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. l is a front elevation of said embodiment;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the hat-carrying table, the horizontal turn-table for the upper finishing tools to be applied to the hat crown exterior and to the hat brim top, and, partially obscured by said table, the vertical turn-table for so the lower finishing tools to be applied to the hat brim bottom;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is principally an elevation of the parts 5 shown in Fig. 3, being actually a section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a detail plan view, partially in horizontal section taken on line (55 of Fig. 4, showing an adjuster for hat size;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section, taken on the line '77 of Fig. 2, showing an elevation adjuster for the hat table and also a releasable clamping means for securing to the hat table a hat block of a selected hat size;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged horizontal section of the upper buffer tool or pouncer, with said tool swung through a circular path in a clockwise direc- 30 tion from the location thereof illustrated in Fig.

2 to a location overlying the hat table, to become substituted for the tool now shown at said location in Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken on the line 35 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a View similar to Fig. 8, showing typical structural details of any one of the other three upper finishing tools on the same horizontal turn-table with the just mentioned buffer tool;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail view of a means for automatically shifting the center of rotation of the hat table to agree with the non-circular shape of a hat crown and brim;

Fig. 12 is a horizontal section taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but showing the lower buffer tool or jigger, in longitudinal section, that is, in horizontal section after said tool has been swung 9 through a circular path from the location thereof illustrated in Fig. 3 to become substituted for the lower finishing tool now indicated in Fig. 3 as located immediately below the hat table;

Fig. 14 is a transverse section, taken on the line l i-l l of Fig. 13; and

Fig. 15 is a diagram of electrical connections and devices helpful to assist in participating in the control of two motors shown also in Fig. 1, one, hereinafter called the hat motor, for spinning the hat and also for actuating upper and lower tools as and when required, and the other, hereinafter called the screw motor, for raising and lowering an upper tool to sweep the same over the side and top of the hat crown.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and first particularly to Fig. 1, and to the parts to the right of a vertical web which with a similar web 21 and a base 22 and a top 28 form the main or lower frame of the machine, certain electrical devices are in this view shown for driving the various working parts. These devices include a reversible motor 24, hereinafter called the screw motor, for rotating through a suitable reduction gearing 25, a vertical shaft 26, in one direction or the other, to raise or lower the upper finishing tool then in working position against the hat; and a non-reversible motor 2'7, simultaneously operated, hereinafter called the hat motor, for driving through a reduction gearing 28, a vertical shaft 29 for coacting with parts thereabove to spin a hat H, by whirling the hat brim bottom over the flat upper surface of a fixed hat table 30, and for driving by means of a pulley 31 on 1 the motor shaft, a belt 32, this belt driving an upper shaft 33 by passing over a pulley 34 thereon. This shaft 33, iournalled in a standard 35 set on the frame top 23, at its end adjacent the pulley 34, drives a flexible shaft 35 for actuating means hereinafter described which jiggle the pouncer, and shaft 33 at its opposite end carries a pulley 37 for driving a belt as shown at 38 (in Fig. 5). This belt engages a pulley 39 on a stub shaft 40, to rotate with the shaft a spur gear 41. As hereinafter also explained, said gear 41 meshes with a similar gear on each of the lower finishing tools incidental to a bringing of any such tool to its working position for acting against the underside of the hat brim through a suitable opening 42 (Figs. 3 and 5) in the hat table 30; in

which working position each such tool is to be.

spinningly operated after being substituted thereat for another tool.

There will now be described in detail, the hat rotating means, driven from shaft 29 as aforesaid, for giving the hat H, despite the non-eircular character of its crown and brim outlines, a rotation such that its surfaces to be dressed always pass the dressing tools adjacent the opening last mentioned as though said outlines were circular. Referring to Figs. 1, 11 and 12, as shown in detail in Figs. 11 and 12, frame top 23 has an opening 43 through which upwardly extends a vertical shaft 44 on which is a slip-sleeve structure 45 having a top flange 45a, to a proper point on the underside of which is secured, by screws 46 (Figs. 11 and 12), the top of an L- shaped extension 47 of a block 47. On the bottom of this block a roller 48 is rotatively held in place by a screw stud 49. This roller is a follower for a cam 50 having a non-circular outline corresponding to that of the hat crown and brim, but with the major axis of such outline at right angles to the same axis of the outline of the hat crown and brim when the hat is clamped on the hat block rotating above and with shaft 44 as hereinafter explained. Said cam is pinned to shaft 29, above a bracket 51 in which the upper portion of said shaft is journalled. A lug 451) on lower flange 450 of slip-sleeve 45 is always pulled toward the bracket 51 by a retractible spring 52. The upperend of shaft 29 is connected to the lower end of shaft 44 by a short tilt shaft 53, this shaft 53 being coupled to the shafts 29 and 44 by universal joints 54.

Thus, as the shaft 29 rotates, the shaft 44 is similarly rotated but is simultaneously moved so that its axis of rotation travels through a non circular path in a manner always to cause the hat surfaces at any instant being dressed to traverse the dressing zone as though the hat were circular and spinning about its center.

The hat block, indicated at B in Fig. 3, is carried by a circular base 55 spun in a circular opening in hat table 30, of annular type as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Base 55 is secured, as shown at 56 in Fig. 7, to the top of a sleeve ,57, this sleeve always rotating with shaft 44' due to the intermeshing of a pinion 58 in the sleeve with a line of rack teeth 59 along the shaft, but with the sleeve when desired, adjustable longitudinally of the shaft by turning a hand-wheel 60 on the pinion shaft. The hat block mount lVl may be any desired type, but is here shown as carrying a positioning stud M for entering a corresponding recess familiar in certain makes of block, and also a positioning clamping claw M" for seizin a surface designed to take said claw and familiar in certain other makes of block. Said claw is operated to swing in against such surface, when a block of that type is to be secured on base 55, by turning a hand-wheel 61, the hub of which is threaded as shown to the sleeve 57 to cause said wheel to travel up along the sleeve; this causing a link 62 to rock the lever 63 about its pivot 64 to swing the claw in toward the center of base 55.

Referring to the upper finishing tools, these are here, for example, four in number, marked 65, 66, 67 and 68 in Figs. 1 to 5. Tool 67 is the ironing tool, because its side and bottom working surfaces, marked 6'7 and 67" in Fig. 4, are uncovered metal; unlike the other three tools whose metal bodies at these surfaces are covered. The tools and 68 are luring tools, they being constructed like the tool 67, except that they are covered on their working surfaces with padding 69. Said luring tools, like the ironing tool 67, are heated, as shown in the case of said tool 67 in Fig. 10, by an electric heater 70 served by wires '71 and 72. Each of these three tools is secured in place, by threaded studs marked 73 in Fig. 10, between fork extensions 74a offset radially, as shown best in Fig. 2, from a skeleton central portion 74b of a horizontal turn-table 74 for all the upper tools. The fourth remaining upper tool 65 is here a pouncer shown in detail in Figs. 8 and 9, having its padding 69 covered by a pouncing sheet 69, this being a material known in the art similar to emery cloth, sandpaper or the like. The manner of mounting the pouncer 55 on its fork extensions 74a and other mechanical features thereof, will be later described. But it is now pointed out that this pouncer is like the other three upper tools in that it comprises an inner casing '76 corresponding to the inner casings '76 of the other tools by which the latter are directly connected to their fork extensions 74a at '73; in that said inner casing includes top, back, bottom and side walls and an open front; and in that said inner casing slidably mounts an outer casing 15 for carrying the finishing surfaces of the tool and other wise corresponding to the outer casings of the other tools,--that is, each of such outer casings includes top, front and botom walls, with an open back and open sides. The outer casing of each tool tends always to protrude yieldingly radially outward of the turn-table '74 due to expansile springs '77 arranged, between the back and front walls of the tool provided by the two casings, on rods 78 secured to said front wall andpassing through said back wall. Beyond the latter wall the rods have heads to limit the relative movement between the two casings. Thus, each tool, when operating on a hat, will be forced against the hat at the finishing surface of the front wall of the tool.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 6, the turn-table 74 is supported on a base structure 79 on which the turn-table may be manually rotated 90, when desired, about the axis of a screw 80. This base structure has an annularly hollowed-out portion as shown clearly in Fig. 3 to contain an annular insulation 81 in which are slip-rings 82 respectively taking brushes 83 mounted in an ann'ular insulation 84 secured to the underside of a disc 85 fixed to the bottom of the turn-table. The connection from these brushes issue from above the turn-table as indicated at 86, and thence go to the heating elements within the three tools 66, 67 and 68 to be heated as aforesaid; noting in this connection, again, the wires 71 and 72 of Fig. 10.

The base 79 is secured, as indicated at 87 in Fig. 3, to the outer end of a plate 88, the inner end of which is pivoted as shown at 89 in Figs. 1 and 6 to the outer end of a block 90 having a dove-tail fit at its bottom within a grooove 91a in the top of a rock-table 92 supported on legs 93.

This block is adjustable toward and away from a fixed standard 94, to readjust the upper finishing tools forvarious hat sizes, by means of a hand-wheel 95, on the shaft of which turning in rock-table 92 is a pinion (not shown) engaging a rack (not shown) on block 90. Vertically adjustable on standard 94 by means similar to that last described, as on operation of a hand-wheel 96, is a profile block 97 having cam grooves 97a on opposite sides thereof, within which ride rollers 98 set in a rear extension 92a of rock-table 92. With the blocks 90 and 97 properly set on their supports 92 and 94, a hat of any size may be perfectly operated on by an upper finishing tool while the hat is spinning; the legs 93, of which two others are located beyond the two shown in Fig. 1, being pivotally connected at their tops at 99 to the rock-table 92 and at their bottoms at 100 to an ascending and descending table 101 secured at its top to a screw 102 threadedly mounted at 103. In its up and down movements, this table is guided by rods 104 sliding through bearings 105. Said screw, which is hollow from its lower end to a suitable high point to sleeve the shaft 26, is rotated by said shaft during running of the tool motor 24. By means hereinafter explained operated by a projection 106 on a rod 104 to the right "in Fig. 1, this motor is reversed after the table 101 has risen to its upper limit to lay over the central crown portion of the hat the bottom surface of the upper finishing tool then in working position relative to the hat.

Referring still to Fig. 1, but now also to Figs. 11 and 12, it will be noted that block 47 at its left side is provided with steps 47a the lowermost of which has a riser 47b of considerable height. Until the table 101 has risen so high that the side or peripheral rotundity of the hat crown begins to merge with a top or radial rotundity thereof, the compensating action of cam 50 continues as already described during rising of the upper tool above the top of the brim. During this period, the wall 107a of an opening 10% in a slider 10'? on a fixed guide rod 108, is inoperative relative to said block 47; this slider being connected by a link 109 to the end of a lever 110, pivoted near the bottom of rod 108 as indicated at 111,

the other end of this lever being pivotally con nected at 112 to a collar adjustable along the rod 104 to the left in Fig. 1 and securable in the desired adjustment by set screw 112. The parts are so arranged that only while a finishing tool is moved upwardly or downwardly over a radial rotundity of the hat does said wall 107a engage one of the elements 47a and 47b of the block 47 said element 47b being thus engaged to maintain the shafts 29 and 44 in the same vertical axis despite the rotation of cam 50, when a tool is working on the center top portion of the hat crown, and various ones of the steps 47a being engaged by said wall 107a as the difference between the major and minor axes of the elliptical shape of the hat wall around the crown more and more decreases as said tool moves upwardly of the hat and more and more increases as said tool I moves downwardly of the hat.

As shown best in Figs. 2' and 3, the turn-table 74 for the upper tools, is detained to hold any selected tool in working position by a stud 113 upstanding as shown from the base 7'9, this stud adapted to enter any one of four recesses in the hub of the turn-table; there being four of such recesses, 90 apart, two of which are shown in Fig. 3 at 114. Screw 80 has a lower cylindrical portion which turns loosely in a well at the central cylindrical portion of base 79, and an upper threaded portion extended through a similarly threaded opening at the center of the turntable. By means of a hand-wheel 115 the screw 80 may be turned to raise the turn-table to release the same from the base 79, and, after the turntable has been rotated to bring the next tool to working position, said screw 80 may be turned in the opposite direction to lower the turn-table to lock the same on the base as shown.

Referring now to the means for jiggling the pouncer 65, actuated as aforesaid by flexible shaft 36, now see Figs. 8 and 9. The pouncer is hung on a shaft 116, rotatable in bearings in the fork extensions 74a on which this tool is mounted. This shaft at one end carries a roller 117, and at its other end has fixed thereon a pulley 118, balancing expansile coil springs 119 being arranged between the sides of the tool and each of said fork extensions. Fixed on the shaft within the tool is a cylindrical cam 120 in the endless groove 1200. of which rides a roller 121 journalled in the tool as indicated at 122. Thus, on rotation of the shaft, the tool will be moved back and forth lengthwisely of the shaft. As shown in Fig. 2, the pouncer has offset from one side thereof, a rod 123 slidable back and forth across the top of fork extension 74a on that side of the tool, to keep the pouncer from turning on its shaft 116 while being jiggled. As also shown in Fig. 2, pulley 118 on said shaft is engaged by a belt 124 also engaging a pulley 125. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, this latter pulley is on a short vertical shaft 126 journalled in an extension 742) of the central portion 74b of the turn-table 74. At its bottom said shaft has fixed a coupling 127. Whenever the turn-table is so rotationally adjusted that pouncer 65 is in position to operate on a hat, that is, when such tool 65 is placed in the position shown as occupied by the tool 66 in Fig. 2, said coupling 127 has its teeth interlocked with similar teeth on a complementary coupling 128. This last mentioned coupling, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, is secured to the upper end of a short and other associated parts will next be described,

It will be recalled that each such tool is to 'work against the underside of the hat brim through an opening 42 inthe fixed hat table 30. This table is supported by a suitable plurality of legs 132 certain of which are shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5; to which views reference will now be had. A cross-frame 133 is vertically adjustable in asseinbling the machine on a. pair of standards 134; said frame having vertical sleeves 133a, which are split (note Fig. 1) and tightened by bolts 135. This frame has also a very long horizontal sleeve 1331), in which one end of a heavy round rod 136 is received and held tight (see pin 13'? Fig. 1).

' The opposite end of this rod has thereon a disc shown at 133 in Fig. 3, pinned fast at 139. Between this disc and said sleeve 133b, as also shown in Fig. 3, is a rotary sleeve 140 carrying a disc 141, and the hub of a vertical turn-table 142. Said hub and the sleeve 140 are suitably keyed together in a manner, not shown, to rotate as one unit, and within one of the discs 133 and 141 is a suitably insulated slip-ring (not shown) and within the other is a suitably insulated brush (not shown) so that no matter which of the four tools 143, 144, 145 and 146 carried by this turn-table is positioned at the location occupied by the tool v 143 in Figs. 3 and 5, an electric current supply from a suitable source to a wire 14'? always continues to a wire 148 and thence by connections not shown to suitable electric heaters associated with each of certain of these lower finishing tools.

- These heaters are also not shown, further to simplify the drawing, but they may be of the general type hereinabove referred to and indicated at 70 in Fig. 10, and are suitably housed in shields 143a, 144a and 145a, to have three lower finishing tools 143, 144 and 145 which are heated tools, thus to furnish sayone ironing tool and two luring tools among the lower finishing tools as has been described as included among the upper finishing tools.

Each of these three lower tools, 143, 144 and 145 is a drum rotatable in its shield; each such drum being suitably fixed on its shaft 143b, 1441) and 14513, each such shaft being journalled in a horizontal bearing provided axially in one of four cylindrical enlargements 142a spaced 90 around the rim 142b of the turn-table, and each such shaft being suitably restrained against endwise movement by its said drum and a spur gear 149 also fixed on the shaft. Said gears are identical with each other and with gear 41, so that when any one of said three lower tools is brought to working position its gear 149 may enter into mesh with gear 41, the latter constantly rotating as aforesaid with pulley 39 by drive from belt 38, and thus the drum constituting the tool will spin against the underside of the hat brim to perform its appointed work in finishing the same. The fourth tool 146 is an under-brim pouncer or jigger. This jigger 146 has as its finishing surface the surface thereof shown in Fig. 3, and is moved back and forth, in a U-frame 150, lengthwisely of such surface when moved to working position within the opening 42 in the hat table, that is, when a gear 149' on the shaft 146?) is entered into mesh with gear 41 and to take the position occupied by the gear 149 shown at the uppermost-location in Fig. 3. Refer in this connection now from Fig. 3 to Figs. 13 and 14, from which views it will be seen clearly that through the frame 150, laid fiat against the appropriate cylindrical enlargement 142a of turn-table 142, the shaft 1491) extends into the interior of the jigger 146; said frame being suitably secured in place against the part 142a, as by screws not shown. At its end within the jigger said shaft has fixed thereon a beveled gear 151 meshing with a similar gear 152 fixed on a shaft 154 passing loosely through the side walls 146' of the jigger and journalled in the ends of frame 150 but held against endless movement relative to said frame by collars 155. The jigger is formed of a single casing, said side walls 146 thereof having fork extensions 146 straddling the central length of the U-frame. Also secured on shaft 154 is a cylindrical cam 156 having an endless groove 156a within which rides a roller 15'? journalled in the jigger as indicated at 158.

Thus, all the time the lower tool 146 is at its working location, the gear 41 is driving the gear 149 (Fig. 3) and with it the gear 151 (Fig. 13), and said tool acts as a jigger against the side of the hat brim.

In order to substitute one lower tool for another, the turri-table or carrier-wheel 142 is rotated the required extent, as by grasping the same at convenient points, to which end suitably placed handles, as indicated at 159 in Figs. 1 and 5 may be provided.

In order to lock the carrier-wheel 142 in an adjustment to bring any one of its four lower tools to working position, the following parts are provided. Cast integral with the cross-frame 133 is an L-shaped bracket as shown at 161 in Figs. 1, 3 and 5, on the upper end of which is pivotally mounted at 162 in Fig. 5, a lever 163. As will be seen best by comparing Figs. 3 and 5, the arm of said lever to the left in Fig. 5 constitutes a handle, which may be pulled up when desired against a retractile spring 164. The other arm of the lever carries an upstanding terminal portion, and has a double bend along its main length, as shown. At its upper end this upstanding terminal portion of the lever presents a fork 16311 to take around the bottom and sides of the rear-. wardly projecting end of any one of the shafts 143b, 1441), 145i) and 1466 which is brought uppermost by turning the carrier-wheel 142 to bring the selected tool operated by the rotation of such a shaft to its working position in the opening 42 of the hat table 30. The double bend in the main length of the lever just above referred to, permits said wheel to be thus rotated as desired.

Thus, to substitute one lower finishing tool for another, it is simply necessary to lift up the handle arm of the lever 163, thus to release the fork 163a from the shaft end previously engaged, then rotate the carrier-wheel 142 the required amount; and then permit the spring 164 to restore said lever to the position shown in Fig. 5.

The shaft 40 which carries the pulley 39 is journalled on the main length of the lever 163, just below the fork 163a. Thus the gear 41 is dropped somewhat each time the lever 163 is operated and the carrier-wheel 142 is turned to substitute a new lower tool, and on return of the lever to its illustrated position, said gear 41 and the gear 149 or 149' thereover are thrown into full mesh. The are of movement of the axis of shaft 40, during operation of said lever, is so of the bowl.

small that the drive of belt 38 between pulleys 37 and 89 is not aifected.

Referring next principally to Figs. 2 and 3, the annular hat table 30 is provided with an opening 165 long enough to extend completely across the hat brim, and by means of this opening the underside of such brim may be sprayed with a finishing powder when and as required, such powder for the upper hat surfaces being sprinkled on by hand in the usual way. Within said opening 165 is the flattened mouth 166a of a nozzle 166 at the top of a receptacle 167; which receptacle, at its removable cap 168 carrying said nozzle, has a plurality of studs 168a, one of which is shown at 167. Each of these studs coacts with its own bayonet slot as shown at 169m; these slots being formed in a mounting ring 169 for the receptacle. This ring is carried by a bracket 170 including the same and a sleeve 172, secured at the proper height on a hat table leg 132. Attached to said bracket is a normally closed valve 173 having a button 174 or the like to be actuated temporarily to open the valve.

This valve is interposed between an air tube 176 leading down as shown in Fig. 1, to a compressed air tank 177, having a service motor 177a. When the button 174 is pressed, compressed air will deliver powder from the receptacle through the nozzle 165 to the under surface of the hat brim during spinning of the hat.

Forming an inbuilt part of the machine is a hat blocking means shown to the left in Fig. 1. Here a hat may be blocked, and then, within the same machine, transferred to a new location,

that is, mounted on the hat table 30, and there finished all over by the finishing tools above described.

Said hat blocking means includes a pair of standards 178, spaced 180 apart, secured at their lower ends to the top 23 of the main frame of the machine and spanned near their upper ends by a fixed bridge-piece 179. This element 179 has a central internally threaded sleeve 179a, within which is a screw 180 secured as at 180a against turning. Screw 180 has suitably fixed to its bottom a disc 181 forming part of a hat-block holding head, and through openings in said disc extend the lower ends of claws 182 for gripping against and below the disc a selected hat-block, these claws being pivoted on said head as indicated at 182a and being connected at their upper ends to links 183 which have their upper ends socketed in a collar 183a loose in a peripheral groove 184a around a nut structure 184 which -may be spirally moved up and down by turning handles 184b in one direction or the other. These parts are well known, the claws moving in and out as the handles are operated as above.

A ring 185 is secured as a rim around an opentopped bowl 186. The bottom of this bowl is connected as shown at 187 to a plate 188a carried at the top of a piston 18.8 movable up and down in a cylinder 189. Compressed air from the tank 177 is admitted to the cylinder to raise the piston and the bowl to block the hat brim between the disc 182 and the ring 185 and the hat crown upon the block secured as above by the claws 183 while subjected to heat and moisture from the interior If moisture, as steam, is desired to be employed, it may be admitted in any convenient manner to the interior of the bowl, or the hat to be blocked may be moistened in any suitable way before being blocked. The heating means here utilized includes an annular electric heater 190, suitably exteriorly insulated, on the outside of the bowl. This heater is served by wires connected to terminals 191; a. make and break switch for the circuit which includes said wires being indicated at 192.

A pair of treadles are arranged alongside each other as shown at 193, each treadle being pivoted at 193m and connected by a link 194 to a rock lever 195 fulcrummed intermediate its ends as indicated at 195a; such links 194 being connected to said lever at opposite sides of such fulcrum. Near the latter the lever 195 has a depending arm 195b, which on a swing thereof in one direction sets a three-way valve 196 to admit compressed air from tank 177 to cylinder 189 below piston 188 while exhausting the cylinder above the piston, and which on a swing thereof in the opposite direction sets said valve to admit compressed air to the cylinder above piston 188 while exhausting the cylinder below the piston. Thus, on depressing one treadle 193, compressed air will send the bowl 186 to the upper limit of its stroke to block the hat; and on thereafter depressing the other treadle 193, compressed air will return the bowl 186 to its illustrated position, so that the block hat may be removed from the bowl and immediately transferred to the hat table 30 for subjection to the finishing tools.

As soon as the blocked hat is placed. on the hat table 30, and the turn-table 74 has been rotationally adjusted to set the desired upper finishing tool in working position, and the carrier wheel 142 has been rotationally adjusted to set the desired lower finishing tool in working position, the hat motor 27 is started, by a starter button 200, or both the hat motor and the screw motor 24 are started, by a starter button 201, as desired; a stop button for the hat motor being indicated at 202, and a stop button for both motors being indicated at 203.

These buttons, shown in Figs. 1 and 15, are parts of well-known types of momentary contact switches as shown in the latter view, which view gives a general diagram of the circuit connections and particular electrical controls preferred to be employed.

The dot-and-dash rectangle 204 in Figs. 1 and 15 indicates a suitable panel to carry certain of the controls.

Comparing now Figs. 1 and 15, at 205 is indicated a relay including a solenoid coil 20511 for closing a pair of normally open contactors 205D and 205a, thereby to close the circuit for the hat motor 27 on depressing starter button 200, this relay then starting and maintaining the running of the hat motor only, as for employing upper and lower finishing tools relative merely to the hat brim surfaces.

Ordinarily, however, the method of operation employed is, by depressing the starter button 201, to set the electrical controls for automatic action first to start the hat motor 27, and then, after a predetermined time interval, to start the screw motor 24, so that then both motors will run simultaneously; the starter button 200 not being touched.

At 206 is indicated a lag relay for delaying the starting of the screw motor 24, to a predetermined extent desired, say 15 seconds, after starting up of the hat motor 27. Thus, after the hat has been spinning on its table 30, with the selected upper and lower tools acting on the top and bottom of the brim of the hat for a predetermined length of time, the screw motor 24 starts, and said selected tools act to finish the hat crown all over, gradually working up on said crown as the screw 102 turns to raise the table 101 to its upper limit of travel.

When said table reaches said limit, the stud 106 on the right hand rod 104 in Fig. 1 strikes an abutment 207 on a link 208 having a slotted mounting at 209, and said linl: is pulled up, and through a crank connection to its lower end indicated at 210, actua es a reverse switch 211 for reversing the direction of running of the screw motor 24. I

Said motor 24, during its running in such reverse direction, actuates screw 102 to lower said table 101 to its lower limit of travel; whereupon said stop 106 strikes an abutment 212 on said link and actuates the link again to reverse the direction of running of the screw motor 24. At the same time, the bottom of the just-mentioned rod 104 depresses the actuator 213 of a limit or stop switch 214 for shutting ofi both motors.

Now, if it is desired to have the same upper and lower tools repeat their operations on the hat as above described, the starter button 201 is again depressed; and the above-described cycle repeats itself. If, on the other hand, it is desired to change the upper and lower tools, or

either thereof, or to remove the finished hat and substitute another hat to be finished, this is done before again depressing said starter button.

The various circuits, and certain auxiliary controls not yet specifically mentioned, will now be described.

Assuming it is only desired to run the hat motor 27, by depressing the starter button 200, current will flow through connections a, b, c, d, e, f, to actuate the relay 205 by energizing its coil 205a and closing its contactors 205i) and 2050, thence through connection g, thence through the normally closed contactors 2151) and 2150 opened .only when coil 215a is later energized to close normally open contactors 215d and 215e (these parts making up a familiar type of double-acting relay having a rocker-mounting between contactors 215?) and 2150, and contactors 215d and 215e, so that one such pair must be opened when the other is closed, and vice versa), and thence through wires h, i, j, thence through the now momentarily closed starter button 200, and the normally closed stop button 202, and thence through connections n, 0 and p. Despite the immediate release of the starter button 200 depressed to make this circuit, coil 205d will remain energized, and the relay 205 will remain functioning, through a circuit starting from connection a, as above, up to and through the con nection 2' to a contact point 205d, and thence through the contactor 205e, thence through a connection q, and thence through the connections n, 0 and p, as above described.

Thus the coil 205a will become and remain energized and the relay 205 functioning, to maintain the contactors 2051) and 2050 closed, from and after the momentary depression of starter button 200. Yet, by a momentary depression thereafter of the stop button 202, said relay will be de-energized as illustrated in Fig. 15, due

to the breaking of the circuit last described between the connections q and n at 202.

All the while the relay 205 is functioning, how- .ever, since then the contactors 2052) and 2050 are being held closed as aforesaid by coil 205a,

the hat motor 27 is running; said motor being served by a circuit including connections a, 'r and s, the contactor 205b, and the connection p.

Next to consider the somewhat more compli cated electrical operation when the most usual operation of the machine is to be had, that is, a starting up of the hat motor 27 first, and then after a predetermined delay a starting up of the screw motor 24, and then a reversing of the screw motor, and then the stoppage of both motors simultaneously and automatically; this all accomplished by depressing the starter button 201, ignoring the three other buttons 200, 202 and 203.

On depressing said button 201, current will flow first to actuate the relay 205, so that the hat motor 27 will start; such actuating current flowing through a connection t, thence through the lag relay 206, thence through connections u, v, w and x, thence through the now momentarily closed starter button 201, and thence through the connections m, o and p. Also at the same time, the coil 215a of relay 215 is energized, this closing the contactors 215d and 215e, and, as above, necessarily opening the contactors 215D and 2150; all this being accomplished by a circuit including the connections a, b, c, d and e, a connection y, said coil 21511, a connection 12, the connections w and :13, the temporarily closed 00 starter button 201, and the connections m, o and 10. Despite the immediate release of said button 201, the coil 205a of the hat motor relay 205 will continue to be energized to maintain the running of said motor, and the coil 215a 105 will remain energized, as also will the coil of the lag relay 206, through circuit-maintaining connections a, b, c, d and e to a point ad; from which point there are two branches to complete the circuit. The first of these includes connection coil 205a, connection 9, a connection bb, contactor 215d, connection 12, contactor 215e, a connection cc, the stop or limit switch 214, a connection dd, and connections m, o and p. The second of these branches includes, starting again at aa, connection y, coil 215a, connection 22, contactor 215e, connection cc, said switch 214, and connections dd, m, 0 and p. A maintaining circuit, this for the coil of lag relay 206, includes connection it, said coil, connections 'u. and v, contactor 215e, connection cc, said switch 214, and connections dd, m, o and 10.

On the expiration of a predetermined interval of time, say 15 seconds, after starting of the hat motor 27 through relay 205 as above, 2 lag relay 206 will bridge spaced contacts 206a and 20Gb.

Thereupcn a circuit will be established to actuate the right half of a reversing relay 216, thus to set the system for the starting up of screw motor 24; said circuit including connections a, b, c, and d, a connection ee, coil 216a, a connection ff, the reversing switch 211, a connection 951, thence across contacts 206a and 2061) (now bridged as aforesaid) and thence connections it and o, contactor 215e, connection cc, stop switch 214, and connections dd, m, oand p. This circuit energizes the coil 216a at the right side of the reversing relay 216, closing the contactors 2166 and 216 Thereby, the circuit 140 of the screw motor 24 is closed, with the field 24a energized to drive said motor to raise the table 101; this motor circuit including connections a, b, c and d, contactor 216i, connections 7171 and 7'11, the motor armature, connections Ick and mm, contactors 216e, a connection 1m, and connections 15 and p. At the same time, the field 24a of the screw motor is excited by a circuit including connections a, b, c and d, a connection 00, the coil of said field, connections pp and 5 c OJ qq, contactor 216e, and connections nn, t and 17.

Both motors are now up, tospeed, the screw motor 24 moving the table 101 upwardly.

When said table reaches its upper limit of travel, mechanical parts operate as hereinabove described, and reversing switch 211 is thrown over from contact 211a to contact 2111). Thereupon, the screw motor 24 is reversed, to lower the table 101; this being accomplished by reversing the armature circuit. When said reversing switch 211 is thrown to break the connection at 211a, and to make the connection at 2112), the coil 216a to the right in the reversing relay 216 becomes de-energized, and the coil 2161) becomes energized; this opening the contactors 216a and 216], and closing the contactors 2160 and 216d. The circuit set up by the throw of the reversing switch 211 for energizing the coil 2l6b as just stated (the circuit for energizing the coil 216a being broken at said switch 211 by said throw) includes connections a, b and c, a connection coil 2161), a connection as, contact 211b, connection 9 9, the bridged contacts 206a and 20%, connections u and v, contactor 215e, connection cc, stop switch 214, and connections dd, m, o and p. This accomplishes the above mentioned reversal of current through the armature circuit, current now flowing through connections at, b and c, contactor 216e, connection Iclc, the armature, connection y'y', contactor 216d, and connections If and p. The shunt field now existing, although not reversed, is somewhat different from that last described, including connections a, b, c and d, a connection 00, the field coil 2%, connections pp and it, contactor 216d, and connections I? and p.

Screw motor 24 having now been reversed, the table 101 begins to descend. When said table reaches its lower limit of travel, mechanical parts operate as hereinabove described, and limit or stop switch 214 is opened, and reversing switch 211 is again thrown to the illustrated condition. The stop switch is opened first, shutting off both motors through the common return including connections dd, m, o and p for all relay coil circuits. The screw motor will coast sufficiently so that immediately after such opening of said stop switch, the reversing switch will be reset as just above.

The parts are then ready for the above cycle of operations to be repeated on again depressing starterb-utton 201, provided a single auxiliary be present, as described in the paragraph following.

In the foregoing description, it has been assumed that the stop switch 214 is always in closed condition, except when opened at the end of the operating cycle. Such switch, however, is of the type wherein its actuating arm (see again 213, in Fig. 1) is of the spring-return type, so that said switch will be held open on and after completion of the operating cycle, thus automatically then to stop the machine. Yet a subsequent momentary depression of the starter button 200 should cause the operating cycle to be repeated. In order to meet this latter requirement, there is incorporated a lag relay 217 with normally closed contacts which are connected as shown in shunt across stop switch 214 by connections 2m and co to complete the circuit across the open points of said switch 214. The coil of the relay 217 is connected in multiple with the coil of relay 206, by connections ww and man, so that both these coils become energized simultaneously. The relay 217 is so adjusted that it will open the contacts between connections cc and to after a certain length of time, sufiicient to allow the screw motor 24 to raise table 101 and continue its elevation until the stop switch 214 is freed to close itself; that is the relay 217 is adjusted for lag relative to the adjustment of the relay 206 for lag, so that the relay 217 will maintain its contacts closed until after the hat motor 27 has started and, following that, until after the lag relay 206 for starting the screw motor 24 by bridging the contacts 206a and 2061) has accomplished such bridging and the screw motor has started and run for that brief fraction of time required to raise the table 101 to free the spring urged actuator 213 of stop switch 214 thereby to close said switch.

As will be obvious, the machine may be stopped at any time intermediate the beginning and end. of an operating cycle thereof, by depressing the stop button 203; and at any time thereafter restarted to complete such cycle and then automatically stop, as hereinabove described, by depressing the starter button 201.

At 218 is indicated an isolating resistance, the purpose of which is to isolate the circuits of the coils 205a and 21541 from the shunt field coil 24a of the motor 24.

The hereinbefore described construction admits of considerable modification without departing from the invention; therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the precise arrangements shown and described, which are, as aforesaid, by way of illustration merely. In other words, the scope of protection contemplated is to be taken solely from the appended claims, interpreted as broadly as is consistent with the prior art.

What is claimed is:

1. In a hat working machine, the combina tion of a hat form rotating means, a tool adapted to be directed against the upper surface 01' a hat rotating with said form, means for moving said tool to follow the radial rotundity of the hat crown while raising and lowering said tool above the hat brim, means for causing the hat form to shift its axis of rotation to compensate for the elliptical outline of the hat crown, and means for modifying the means last mentioned to decrease more and more such axis shifting in accordance with the decreasing differences between the major and minor axes of such elliptical outline as the tool works at higher and higher levels on the hat crown, said axis shifting means including a cam always rotating about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the hat form rotating means, and said modifying means including a follower for said cam, a journalling mount for the hat rotating means moved with said follower, and means controlled by the height of said tool on the crown of the hat for holding said follower away from the cam at points on the cam of lesser radii than other points thereon.

2. In a hat working machine, the combination of a hat form rotating means, a tool adapted to be directed against the upper surface of a hat rotating with said form, means for moving said tool to follow the radial rotundity of the hat crown while raising and lowering said tool above the hat brim, means for causing the hat form to shift its axis of rotation to compensate for the elliptical outline of the hat ferences between the major and minor axes of such elliptical outline as the tool works at higher and higher levels on the hat crown, said axis shifting means including a cam always rotating about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the hat form rotating means, and said modifying means including a follower for said cam, a journalling mount for the hat rotating means moved with said follower, and means controlled by the height of said tool on the crown of the hat for holding said follower away from the cam at points on the cam or lesser radii than other points thereon, said follower having a stepped face different steps of which are suc cessively engaged by the means last mentioned as said tool reaches different height on the hat crown.

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