US1959104A - Resilient body - Google Patents

Description

May 15, 1934- L D. MAHAN 1,959,104

RESILIENT BODY Filed July 1, 1931 ATTO R N EY5 Patented May 15, 1934 PATENT OFFICE RESILIENT BODY Leonard D. Mahan, Scarsdale, N. Y., assigner of one-half to John Consorte, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application July 1, `1931, Serial No. 548,211

17 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in resilient and permeable bodies and to the process of making the same.

It is a feature of the present invention'that bodies` maybe formed which are resilient or springy to a degree which is dependent upon the character of materials used and upon the control of their physical characteristicswhich may be effected in the process of manufacture.

It is a furtherfeature of this invention that resilient bodies having selected degrees of resilience depending upon the selection of ,materials initially used and the control of their physical characteristics in the process of manufacture, may be made so that the resilience of the body as a whole will not be diminished or impaired by alternate compression and release of pressure upon the body continually repeated during a prolonged period of time.

It is a further feature of the invention that permeable bodies may. be made having various desired degrees of hardness or resistance to compression, wherein the permeability may be 'controlled by variations in the process of manufacture, by selection of the materials of whichv the various parts of the body are composed, and by compression of the body to a greater or less extent during the period when it is required to be permeable, but which have sufficient resilience when the pressure is released to permit adequate expansion thereof so that the body may be cleaned or otherwise rid of solid or adhering matter Vwhile it is in an expanded condition.

It is a further feature of this invention that resilient and 4permeable bodies may be formed which are substantially unaffected by oxidation, weak acids or corrosive chemicals and which may therefore be employed in various uses in the arts where corrosion is detrimental Aand where freedom from corrosion combined with a selective degree of permeability and a degree of resilience which can be controlled initially and will not be diminished by long continued alternate compression and release of the body, is necessary to'attain commercial utility.

It is a further feature of this invention that a resilient body is formed adapted to be used as a mat or springy pad or Vresilient supporting member in many fields of commercial use whichv is noticeably more free than any heretofore known from sharp metallic projections or other abrasive particles or erds which might serve to puncture or injure or destroy softer substances such as cloth, paper or human hands brought into moving or stationary contact therewith.

It is a. further feature of this invention that resilient body is formed adapted to be used as a mat or springy pad or resilient supporting mem` ber in manv fields of .commercial use which will not lose its resilience after prolonged exposure to alternate compression and release, which will not be corroded or otherwise affected by oxidation or by corrosive chemicals, and which combines with these properties freedom from vermin and lice to such an extent that the body thus formed has a variety of elds of usefulness where this property or characteristic is desirable.

It is a further feature of this invention that resilient and cohesive bodies may be formed wherein the parts. will adhere together Without the use of supporting screens or bags or other brous or metallic, containers by the internal adherence and cohesion of the materials of which the body is made, and in particular by the interlocking of the spirals or helices of adjoining segu ments or portions of the material, not only within the interior of the resilient body, but also by the interlocking of helices comprising the surface layers thereof with helices comprising the interior portion thereof.

It is a further feature of this invention that a resilient body may be formed having a resilience which will not be lost by alternate compression and release of pressure continued and repeated through a prolonged period of time, which may be used as a mat or pad or other resilient or supporting member wherein the material may be so evenly held and distributed that variations .in

density or compressibility of the/material may vstrand of material which may have substantial or very great length as compared with the dimensions of the resilient and permeable body to be formed is made of suitable superposed layers of material as below described. Such strand, made of superposed layers of material, and pre1'- erably consisting of a core of relatively resilient metal and a sheath-coating oi a ductile and corrosion-resisting metal, is subjected to an operation described below which will cause'the same to form into a multiplicity of successive ne spiral helices. The strand is then fed into a suitable container whereit forms into a tangled web or mat wherein the tiny helices are partly intermeshed with one another to form a cohesive and resilient body which has a variety of uses in the arts as set forth below.

I havefound that a pad or resilient body comprising solely the successive helices of one ,or more strands made with a core of resilient material and a sheath-coating of corrosion-resisting material, will tend to form valleys or portions thereof which are of less resistance or resilience and between these valleys lumps or denser portions which are less resilient. I have found, in other words, that it is diilicult to oby with the ngers.

In accordance with the present invention a resilient and permeable body composed of a mass of small spiral helices formed in one or more resilient strands made as described above, is combined with a surface layer of small helices suitably matted together made from one or more strands of a metal which is corrosion-resisting but maybe less resilient than the substance comprising the strand used for the spiral helices within the main body of the mat or pad. Thus, the mat or pad, comprising a mass of interconnected and interlocking spirals, is composed of a central portion of helices matted together and formed of a strand which comprises a resilient core and a corrosion-resisting sheath-coating, and about this central portion is a layer of interconnected and tangled helices formed from one or more strands of a material which is ually corrosion-resisting but may not, and need not, have the resilient qualities of the rstmentioned strand.

- While the invention is of general application in connection with resilient and permeable bodies having many uses in the arts, it will be de scribed lwith particular reference to the formation of a mat or pad for use in automatic laundry chinery.

h the drawing which forms a part of this specication and. wherein likereference numerals illustrate similar parts,

Fig. 1 shows diagraatically the method of forming helices in the strand.

Fig. 2 shows in perspective a t or pad which F has been cut through to show a section thereof.

n Upon this section there has been erected, also in perspective, a projection of the section for the better illustration of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3, 3 of Fig. l when forming helices in the strand which is to form the central portion 1l of the complete mat orpad showninFig.2.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 3, 3 of Fig. 1 when forming helices in the strand which is to form the surface layer l2 of the complete mat or pad shown in Fig. 2.4

The resilient and permeable body which is shown in Fig. 2 is composed of a central portion 11 which is composed of a large mass of tiny helices formed in a continuous ribbon or strand of metal. The characteristics of this strandof metal are described below. Upon this central portion of tangled and matted metallic helices,

I place in accordance with my invention a surface layer 12 composed of a mass of tiny helices likewise formed in a continuous ribbon or strand of metal whose formation and characteristics are set forth below. The composition of the strand whereof the helices in the central portion 11 are formed differs from the composition of the strand whereof the helices in the surface layer l2 are formed, as set forth below.

The strand containing the helices comprising the central portion 1l of the mat or pad, is formed of a central core 1 and a 'sheath-coating 2 which may be initially formed with a circular cross-section and in any diameter, or may be initially formed as a flat ribbon having an approximate rectangular cross-section as shown in Fig. 3. In either case it may be drawn through diamond dies (not shown) to reduce the diameter or the thickness and to increase the length. If the strand lwas initially circular in cross-section it may be passed through diamond dies having a rectangular orice, or otherwise reduced to ribbon form.

The strand shown at 3 in Fig. 1 is a strand which is ribbon-shaped, has a core of resilient material such as steel, and a sheath-coating of a corrosion-resisting metal such as bronze, copper, silver, tin or the like, and which has a suitable width and thickness. While the thickness of the ribbon 3 may be varied to a considerable extent, and thereby the resilience and permeabilityof the mat or pad to be formed may be controlled, I have found that a satisfactory pad for use in automatic laundry machines can be formed from a ribbon-shaped strand which is 0.001 inches in thickness and 0.030 inches in width.

The strand 3 may be delivered under tension from vrollers 4 and 5 to rollers 6 and 7. The rollers 6 and 7 are operated, or may be power actuated, in such a way that the portionof the ribbon which is passing from the pairvof rollers 4, 5 to the rollers 6, 'I is held under tension. In contact with said portion of the ribbon is positionedv a knife-edge 8 which is held in pressure contact with the tension-held strand 3. The pressure of the knife-edge 8 against the tension-held strand 3 may-be a usted, and adjustment of the degree of this pressure will produce variations in the size and form of the helices produced, and will produce corresponding variations in the resilience and permeability of the body which it is desired to form. Accordingly, the degree of such pressure is'subject to variations depending upon the degree of resilience and permeability which it is desired to produce in the pad or mat, and must in each case be left'to the selection of the operation.

After the moving strand has passed between the rollers 6 and 'I it is discharged at the point 9 where tension upon it is substantially relieved. It is found that, at the point of tension release, the strand will immediately form itself into a succession of small spiral helices 10, some having a length of as much as one-half inch, which may be dropped into a suitable container (not shown) and there become successively interwoven and intertwined with one another. As the strand is rapidly fed through the rollers 6, 7, a substantialbody of tangled strand containing a large number of interconnected helices will be formed in the container. 'I'he body of material so formed may be further matted or tangled by manual or suitable mechanical manipulation, and in this way a resilient body of material is formed. The permeability thereof depends `upon the diameter of the helices (which in turn is controlled by the dimensions of the strand and the pressure of the knife-edge 8 upon the tensioned portion thereof) and the degree of compression to which the mat or pad is subjected in actual use. The mass of resilient material thus formed, in accordance with this invention, may be used as the inner or central portion 11 of the complete mat or resilient pad or body shown in Fig. 2.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the physical conditions which produce the helices may be varied within certain limits to effect controllable variations in the physical characteristics of the helices thereby produced. The controllable conditions are the dimensions of the strand, the degree of the pressure of the knife-edge against the tension-held portion of the strand, and the like. These conditions, in accordance with this invention, are so selected that the' helices which comprise the central portion 11 of the complete pad shown in Fig. 2 have a diameter and pitch which will cause them to be adapted to intermesh with one another, when a mass of them is compressed together within ordinary working limits of pressure, substantially without shearing, fracturing or similar injury to the metal strand. If this condition is obtained, then the inner or central portion 11 of the complete mat or pad will have great resilience and durability, because it will retain its resilience almost indefinitely and because no splinters or sharp ends will appear in it in use.

If, however, the helices employed for the inner or central portion 11 of the strand are so small that they do not have the property of being adapted to intermesh with one another, or are of such small diameter and of such pitch that 'they are practically continuous-walled cylinders, then a mass of them does not have to a suilicient degree those properties of resilience and durability which 4 are requisite for the inner'or central portion 11 of the complete pad. As pointed out below, however, such small helices are, according to this invention, peculiarly adapted to form the outer or surface layer 12 of the complete mat.

If, on the other hand, the helices employed either'in the central portion l1, or in the surface layer 12, of the complete pad are of larger diameter (by reason of the dimensions of the strands being substantially larger than those herein disclosed, or for any other reason) then such helices will not have suilcient strength to withstand compression, and when a mass of them is compressed together within ordinary working limits of pressure, these helices tend to crush and become permanently distorted, and when this occurs the strand tends to fractu-re and shear. Such a result makes these larger helices unsuited to the central portion 11 of the complete pad because of the progressive loss of resilience as the helices become permanently distorted; and also makes these larger helices unsuited either to the central portion 1l or to the surface layer 12 of the complete pad because the fracturing of the strand causes the formation of undesirable splinters and sharp edges and promotes the for` mation of rust and other deterioration. y

For these reasons, it is intended that the .diameter and pitch of the helices used in the central portion 11 of the pad shallv diifer from-the diameter and pitch of the helices in the surface layer 12 of the pad, and these differences may be obtained by suitable adjustment of the physical conditions (as set forth above) under which these helices are produced. The conditions which I have described in this specification are those best adapted, so far as I know, to produce the desired result.

Upon this central portion 11, in accordance with this invention, I place a surface layer 12 of matted helices made in a similar manner, but formed of a strand diifering in composition from the strand of which the .helices in the central portion 12 were made. l

The helices which comprise the surface layer 12 of the complete mat or pad,l are formed of a strand shown in cross-section in Fig. 4. This strand comprises a thin narrow ribbon composed entirely of a corrosion-resisting metal such as bronze, copper, silver, tin or the like which need not be resilient. Such a strand may have the same dimensions as the strand of which the central portion 11 of the mat is'formed, but preferably I employ a strand which is somewhat smaller in dimensions (i. e., a thickness of about 0.0005 inches and a width of about 0.015 inches) and employ a degree of pressure of the knife-edge 8 against the tensioned strand which will produce therein helices of aconsiderably smaller diameter than the helices produced inthe strands4 which form the central`portion 11 of the pad. The method of producing helices in the strand here described is the same as the method of producing helices in the strand which forms the core 11 of the complete mat, and the description will therefore not be repeated. I prefer, though it is not necessary in the practice of the invention. to

valley in the core 1l to offset the same, and 13@ may be thinned over those portions thereof where there is a lump or especial denseness thereof.

Because of the smallness of the helices in the surface layer, and their capacity for packing down and intertwining with one another, a relatively smooth compact surface may be producedover the whole of the mat or pad shown in Fig. 2, with practically complete elimination of loose ends and hanging curls. At thesame time the helices of the surface layer 12 appear to intertwine and mesh with the helices of the central portion ll so that the two layers become firmly united.

Thus, the central portion 11 of the complete pad is made up of a mass of spiral helices which are made of resilient metal whose surface has been rendered resistant to corrosion, and which have such diameter and pitch as to be adapted to intermesh together for permanent resilience without being vso large that they will be crushed and thus destroyed. On the other hand, the surface layer l2 of the pad is composed of a mass of helices, which are formed of a metal that is not necessarily resilient but whose surface is corrosion-resistant and which are preferably formed of smaller wire and have such diameter and pitch' that, while they are relatively so strong that they will not crush or distort, yet a mass a surface having an appearance like tinfol and a texture which gives an excellent finish to the goods being ironed or pressed.

In this way I am able to produce amat or pad free from the fragments and splinters and loose ends which are characteristic of so-called steel woo which is wholly vermin-proof and is unaffected by oxidizing agents, weak acids, bases and other corrosive chemicals so that when used as the resilient pad in automatic laundry machinery it will not stain dampened cloth brought into contact therewith. Pads formed in accordance with this invention have the very great advantage over felt or animal fiber pads, or other pads formed entirely of a non-resilient metal, in that the resilience of my mat or pad under long continued successive compression blows and releases will not be materially affected. It is especially an advantage of this invention that the resilient body is a closely knit homogeneous mass without loose ends, splinters or hanging curls, and that it may be readily formed in pads having uniform resistance to compression characterized by the absence of valleys and lumps.- 'I'he pad or mat will, therefore, be

found to remain homogeneous and integral after long use thereof so that when the cloth or other covers are removed from the pad to be cleaned or replaced, the pad or mat can be readily handled as a unit and remains in condition to be free handled and immersed in cleaning iluids an the like.

Used as a coarse nltering medium, a permeable body made in accordance with my invention, may have a degree of permeability which is dependent upon the diameter of the spiral helices in the central portion ll, and upon the degree of compression to which the entire body is subjected in the lter. Having substantial resistance to corrosive chemicals in all its parts, it will not be affected or destroyed if the liquid to be ltered contains oxidizing agents, weak acids or similar reagents. Having substantial resilience the ltering medium may be held under compression during the ltering operation and when released from such compression and permitted to attain its more expanded form, it may be subjected to cleaning operations for the removal of adhering solids or other matters while in its expanded condition. Having coherence-and unity of structure, it may be removed from the lter and handled freely during the cleaning operation and will not fall apart nor will portions thereof become detached.

I claim:

l. In a laundry pad, in combination, a resilient body member and a resilient layer associated therewith and overlying a portion of said resil-l lent body member, said layer containing a tangled .mass of helical coils formed of corrosion-resistant material, said layer-being of less resilience than the body member.

2. A laundry pad according to claim l, characterized by the fact that the bodymember and said layer are in contact with each other.

3. A laundry pad according to claim l, characterized by the fact that the material of which said helical coils are formed is a substantially continuous ribbon.

4. A laundry pad according to claim l, characterized by the fact vthat the material of which said helical coils are formed a metal which is resistant to corrosion.

5. A laundry pad according to claim 1, characterized -by the fact that the pad includes a cloth cover overlying said surface layer and securing the same to the body member.

v 6. In a laundry pad, a resilient element comprising a tangled mass of helical coils formed of a strandv of resilient metal whose surface is resistant to corrosion, the diameter and pitch of said coilsbeing such that said tangled mass is adapted tb have and retain a substantial resilience without permanent distortion of said coils when the pad is compressed within ordinary working limits of pressure, and a. surface layer therefor of substantially less resilience than said element comprising a second tangled mass of helical coils formed of a strand of metal whose surface is resistant to corrosion, the diameter and pitch of said second-mentioned coils being such that saidcoils are adapted to withstand permanent distortion when the pad is compressed with- 'in ordinary working limits of pressure.

1. In a laundry pad, a resilient element comprising a tangled mass of helical coils formed of a ribbon of resilient metal, the diameter and pitch of said coils being such that said coils are adaptedto intermesh when the pad is compressed without substantial to the ribbon, and a surface layer thereon of substantially less resilience than said element comprising a second tangled mass of helical coils formed of a ribbon of metal, the diameter and pitch of said secondmentioned coils being such that said coils are adapted to withstand permanent distortion when the pad is compressed within ordinary working limits of pressure.

8. In a laundry pad, a core of resilient material, and a surface layer of substantially less resilience'comprising a tangled mass of helical coils formed of ribbon-shaped metal, the diameter and pitch of said coils being such that said `coils are adapted to withstand permanent distortion when the pad is compressed within ordinary working limits of pressure.

9. In a laundry pad, a core of resilient material, and a surface layer of material which is substantially less resilient. containing a plurality of helical coils formed of a ribbon-shaped strand of material whose surface is corrosion-resistant.

10. A resilient pressure pad comprising a resilient core of tangled helical coils and a surface layer of tangled helical coils having less resiliencythan said core, said surface layer being adapted to maintain the pad in a desired forni and shape and to allow for temporary distortion of the pad when subjected to wor pressures.

l1. A resilient pressure pad comp a resilient core of tangled helical coils and a surface layer of tangled helical coils smaller wm said rst mentioned coils and having less resiliency than the coils of said core, said core and surface layer being sec together through interlocking of their coils, said surface layer being adapted to vmthe pad in a desired form and shape and to allow for temporary distortion of the pad when subjected to working pressures.

1 2. In a laundry pad, a resilient core, anda gled coiled wire, the wire of said surface layer having across-sectional area substantially less than the cross-sectional area of said core wire. 17. A resilient pressure pad comprising a body portion of tangled coils formed of ribbon-shaped wire and an outer layer of tangled coils formed of wire, the width and thickness of said ribbonshaped wire being approximately twice the width and thickness of the wire of said outer layer.

LEONARD D. MAHAN.

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