US2241051A

US2241051A - Apparatus for manufacturing molded inlaid linoleum

Info

Publication number: US2241051A
Application number: US54739A
Authority: US
Inventors: John L Berger
Original assignee: Armstrong Cork Co
Current assignee: Armstrong World Industries Inc
Priority date: 1935-12-16
Filing date: 1935-12-16
Publication date: 1941-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 1958-05-06

Description

May 6, 1941. J. l.. BERGER 2,241,051

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING MOLDED INLAID LKINOLEUM Filed DSC. 16, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 6, 1941. J. l... BERGER APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING MOLDED vINLAID LINOLEUM Filed Dec. 16, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 6, 1941- J. L. BERGER 2,241

'APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING' MOLDED INLID LINOLEUM Filed D60. 16, 1955 4y Sheets-Sheet 5 luf www

4M. @www May 6 1941- v i J. L. BERGER .2,241,051

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING MOLDED INLAID LAOLEUM FiledDeo. 1G, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fiyi *MYI //2 @a /af /07 Patented May 6, 1941 APPARATUS FOR. MANUFACTURING MOLDED INLAID LINOLEUM Johnv L. Berger, Columbia, Pa., assignor to Armstrong CorkCompany, Lancaster, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 16, 1935, Serial No. 54,739

24 Claims.

This application is in part a continuation of my copending application, Serial No. 617,165, filed June 14, 1932'.

This invention relates to. an apparatus for the manufacture of molded inlaid linoleum or similar inlaid material formedl by strickling comminuted inlaying composition through a stencil opening.

The common practice in the linoleum industry in the manufacure of molded inlaid linoleum is to, apply the comminuted linoleum mix through stencils provided with appropriate openings defining pattern elements or portions thereof, the mix being; applied through the. stencil openings onto a backing( by operators who. brush the mix through the stencil openings with metal Scrapers. After each stenciling operationV the backingwith the applied composition is moved forward to the next stenciling stationv and the operation repeated until the entire surface area of the backing is covered` with loose, comminuted inlaying composition in which adjacent pattern elements lie in contiguous relationship and are defined by an irregular line due to the granulary nature of the mix. This loose mix is subsequently consol-idated` toY form a homogeneous; layer secured tothe backing or foundation. If the binder employed so require, the material is cured by stoving in the usual manner.

Inmy copendingj application above referred to, I have described a strickling apparatus utilizing a plurality of yieldingV blades: to feed comminuted inlaying composition to a stencil opening and to compress the sameV therein, and a method includingthe step of progressivelyv feeding and compressing inlaying composition within a stencil opening. The' present invention relates to the same general method and apparatus, but contemplates certain improvements therein.

It is an object of the presen-t invention to provide an apparatus which will insure-that all-of the stencil openings, regardless of their size and shape, will be completely and uniformly filled and compacted. Pattern openings dening an area intowhich colo-r is to be applied,l which openings are relatively narrow in a direction transversely of the direction of travel of the strickling mechanism, are difficult to,v illl` since the composition has a tendency to bridge over the stencil opening and is removed by the scavenger blade, i

resulting in a web in which certain portions of the applied inlaid layer are not of the same density or thickness as the other portions of the patm tern. In some instances.,.fai11l,11e. of the stricklers vto completely iill the stencil openingswill result in the backing being left exposed in those portions Where the composition has bridged the stencil opening, known as skippers In machine strickling, Where the pattern elements are formed by feeding comminuted inlaying composition through stencil openings and thereafter compacting the composition therein, it has been found necessary to space the successive stencils, used in the formation of the various pattern elements, sequentially a greater distance away from the backing in order to compensate for the thickness of the stencil plate. This is occasioned by reason of the fact that the first color applied through a stencil is of a thickness equivalent tothe distance between the upper face of the stencil and the surface of the backing, since the stencil opening is completely filled and the color composition lies in a plane parallel with the top surface thereof. In the application of inlaying composition through the second stencil, the lower face of the stencil plate will lie in engagement with the upper surface of the previously applied pattern elements and the composition applied through the second stencil will, therefore, lie above the plane of the rst applied pattern elementa distance equivalent to the thickness of the stencil plate.

It Will be obvious that with a twelve color pattern, utilizing twelve stencils, for example, the thickness of the pattern elements applied by the last stencils will, prior to final compression, be materially greater than that of the elements formed by the first of the series of stencils. This results in non-uniform densities in the nished product and often causes the line of juncture between pattern elements to be unduly irregular since the inlaying composition of those elements which lie above the plane of other of the elements will be moved laterally upon the application oi' pressure and will irregularly overlie the other elements due to distortion.

It is an object of my invention to overcome .this difficulty and ,toy provide a mechanical stricklersand which may be readily adjusted to deposit different amounts of color. This is desirable since any strickler unit may be utilized for any given stencil, and different stencils, due to the different area of the openings therein, may require diiferent amounts of inlaying composition for each stenciling operation. Y

My invention will be readily understood when considered in conjunction with the attached drawings which illustrate a present preferred embodiment of my invention and certain modifications thereof, and in whichp Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved strickling mechanism mounted for operation` upon a stencil plate;

Figure 2 is a top plan View of my strickling mechanism;

Figure 3 is aseotional view taken on the line IIL- IU of Figure 2, showing. the depositing mechanism;

Figure 4 is a detailed view illustrating the' operation of the composition removing brush;

y Figure 5 is a sectional View on the line V-V of Figure l;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line VI--VI of Figure 5;

. Figure '7 is a top plan view illustrating a modiiication of my strickling mechanism;

Figure 8 is a front elevation of the modification of Figure '7;

Figure 9 is a side View showing the drive mechanism for the strickler of Figures '7 and 8; and

Figure 10 is a detailed view showing the current pick-up mechanism for the composition removing brush driving motor.

Referring to Figure 1, which illustrates a strickler representing a preferred embodiment of my invention, there is shown a plurality of strickling blades 2 secured to chains 3 mounted for travel in a closed path about pairs of sprockets 4 and 5, secured to shafts 6 and I respectively. The strickling blades 2 are mounted for passage over a stencil plate 8 which lies transversely of a longitudinally extending inlaying table generally indicated at 9. This table is of the general construction commonly employed in the linoleum industry and comprises essentially a bed I9 over which the strickler units are mounted transversely thereof. A slat conveyor I I is provided to move a fabric backing I2 longitudinally in intermittent steps under the stencil plate 3 of each strickling unit. vSide railsv I3 extend longitudinally substantially the ventire length of the machine and are arranged for Vertical motion. The stencils .and the strickling units are positioned on these rails and move coincidentally therewith; the rails being elevated after each stenciling operation to permit, movement of the backing therebeneath to present a freshportion thereof for the application of inlays thereto through appropriate stencil openings.

In the embodiment shown in Figures lhand 2, eight strickling blades 2a, 2b, 20,211, 2e, 2f, 2g, and 2h lare provided in two series of four each; the first four blades beingspaced from the secr ond series on the conveyor chain as shown in Figure 1. Each blade is. secured to a supporting member I4 in the form of an angle iron and this angle iron is in turn secured toend plates I5. vStuds I6 (Figure 2), forming part of the chain 3, are fastened to the end plates I5.l An arcuate brace I'I extending lbetween the en d plates I5 is found desirable to rigidify the structure. The brace I7 may also serve as a bucket to convey excess composition back to a feed hopper, aS Will be more fully hereinafter described.

Motion is imparted to the chain 3 by means of a geared head motor I8 suitably mounted upon the main frame of the strickler. The motor I8 drives shaft 'I which is keyed to the sprocket 5 and imparts a counterclockwise motion to the chain 3 and the stricklers 2 (Figure 1).

A measured amount of comminuted inlaying composition is deposited in the path of the strickling blades 2 by means of a feeding device which supplies a uniform amount of color composition transversely of the stencil. This mechanism is l best illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 and comprises essentially a hopper I9 mounted upon the frame of the strickler and adapted to hold a relatively large quantity of inlaying composition. The lower portion 2|] of the hopper is substantially circular in cross section as shown in Figure 3, and a shaft 2l extends transversely thereof and is coaxial with the portion 29. A plurality of vanes 22 are secured to the shaft 2I and define, with the portion 2B, a plurality of pockets 24 adapted to receive comminuted inlaying composition from the hopper I9. Rotation of the shaft 2l is controlled by movement of the chain 3 to provide an arrangement which will insure that the comminuted inlaying composition discharged by the vanes 22 through an open bottom 25 in the hopper I9 will be positioned on the stencil plate in the path of the striokling blades 2 at a predetermined time. A ratchet wheel 26 is keyed to shaft 2| and is engaged by a pawl 2l pivoted about a pin 28 which passes through a pair of

plates

29 and 39 encasing both ratchet 26 and pawl21. A spring 3| urges pawl 2'! into engagement with ratchet 26. The plates 29 and 30 are pinned together and are pivoted about the shaft 2|. Plate 29 is pinned to a rod 32 which passes through a drilled boss 33 secured to the side of the hopper I9. A compression spring 34 encircles the rod 32 and lies between the boss 33 and a limiting washer 35 positionedk on the rod 32. A roller 36 mounted upon a bracket 3i secured to the chain 3 engages a tongue 38 provided on the plate 29 as the chain 3 moves in the direction of the arrow (Figure 3). Upon engagement of the roller 36 with the tongue 38, clockwise rotation is .imparted to the

plates

29 and 39 about the shaft 2I and pawl 21 engages ratchet 26 and imparts clockwise rotation thereto." The movement imparted by each roller 36 is sufficient to rotate the feeding mechanism 1A; of a revolution to thus discharge the comminuted inlaying composition confined in a pocket 24 defined by the vanes 22. Rotation of the plates 29 compresses spring 34 and, after roller 36 and tongue 31 disengage, spring 34 acts against the washer35 to return rod 32 and plate 29 to their original position; the paWl 21 riding over the ratchet 26. A spring 39 is provided as a shock absorber to prevent excessive jarring upon return of the rod 32 and plates 29 and 30 to their normal position. As many rollers 36 are provided asare found necessary to rotate the feeding mechanism to discharge an amount of color sufficient to fill all of the stencil openings. The amount of color tov be discharged will be determined by the area of the stencil openings and the thickness of the material being made. It is essential, therefore, that means be provided for quickly varying the amount of color composition suppliedA by the feeding mechanism. With the device shown in Figure 3 it is only Anecessary lto clamp on a` bracket 3`IA carrying its roller 36 at` the desired location on the chain 3 and additional color composition will be fed upon rotation of the chain.

It isl generally desirable to feed sufficient color composition to the stencil to insure that all of' the stencil openings will be completely filled` and in order to provide composition which may be compressed in the openings.

As pointed out above, it has been found that it is difficult to completely fill the openings in a stencil if they are relatively narrow in a direction transversely of the -direction of travel of the strickler blades 2. In order toovercome this difliculty,V I provide at least two series of strickling blades and supply color composition in the path of travel of each series. Satisfactory results have been ob-tained when utilizing four blades in each series; the blade 2a being spaced from the stencil 8 and positioned at an angle of 20 with respect thereto when in strickling position, and serving to spread the comrninuted inlaying composition in an even layerY over the stencil plate and through the openings therein. Blade 2b,

which serves to further fill and compress the.

color composition in a stencil opening, isv preferably positioned at an angle of 15 with respect to the stencil and is not spaced materially from the surface of the plate. Blade 2c is positioned at an angle of about with respect to the stencil plate and serves to ll and compress inlaying composition in the stencil openings. A scavenger l blade 2d is provided to remove excess color composition from the stencil plate and to remove any inlaying composition which lies above the plane of the opening in the stencil. It will be observed that in the embodiment sho-wn in Figure 1 two discharging rollers are provided in advance of the first series of 4blades and one discharging roller is provided in advance of the second series of blades. The second series of blades is provided primarily to assure that all the stencil openings will be adequately filled and properly compressed. The blade 2e may be set at an angle of 20 with respect to the surface of the stencil 8; blade 2f at 15, blade 2g at 10 and blade 2h, serving as a scavenger blade to remove excess composition in the same manner as blade 2b; at 90. In certain patterns it may be found desirable to vary the angularity of the blades, particularly in the second series, in order to effect proper compression of the material in the stencil openings.

The scavenger blades 2d and 2h may be spring urged in order that they yieldingly engage the surface of the stencil plate 8 and also the arcuate surface 40 of the guard 4l to insure that all color composition in excess of that required will be removed from a stencil and from the guard and re- I turned to the feed hopper I9. It will be noted that the blades 2d and 2h are mounted upon angle irons I4 which are connected to the arcuate supports I1 by members 42, forming buckets which are Vadapted to convey inlaying composition removed by the scavenger blades. The composition is deposited in the buckets upon rotation of the scavenger blades to a vertical position above the stencil. The color composition accumulated in the bucket is discharged into the hopper I9 as the buckets rotate about the sprockets' 4. `Composition is prevented from dropping onto the stencil by guard plate 43 which extends over substantially the entire strickling unit between the sprockets 4 and 5. A hinged scraper 44 is pro- From the foregoing it will be observed that a predetermined amount of comminuted inlaying composition is positioned in the path of; travel of thefirst series of strickling blades which fill at least av portion of the stencil openings and compresses the inlaying composition therein; that additional composition is positioned in the path of travel of a second series 0f blades and that these blades serve to completely ll the stencil openings and to compress the inlaying composition therein; that a scavenger is provided which removes all excesscomposition from the surface of the stencil plate and removes any excess linoleum composition which may lie. in the stencil openings, but which, byv reason of expansion, extends above the plane of the, surface of the stencil plate.

Itis desirable to have each of the pattern elements. composed of inlaying composition of substantially the same character and to have the same volume per unit area applied over substantially the entire surface of the base fabric. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that by compressing the linoleum composition into the stencil openings and then removing the excess which lies above the plane of the surface of the stencil plate that the thickness of the composition will be determined by the distance from the surface of the stencil engaged by the strickler blades and the surface of the fabric and that upon each successive strickling operation the thickness of the applied composition layer will increase in an amount equivalent to the thickness of a stencil plate. In order to overcome the objection it has been found necessary to decrease thev density of the inlaying composition progressively from the first inlaying step to the last. This has entailed close control of the characteristics of the composition and has, been found commercially unattractive. In Figure 4, the areas have been previously strickled and the backing I2 has been positioned with stencil 8 overlying the areas 45. The stencil 8 is provided with openin-gs 46', 41 and 48 contiguous to the elements 45. It will be noted that the inlaying composition occupying the area defined by the opening 48 lies above the plane of the composition 45 in an amount equivalent to the thickness of the stencil 8. (The thickness of the stencil is shown to exaggerated scale for clarity.) I have found that, by removing some of the composition from the stencil openings at each stenciling operation, the difculties of unequal density heretofore encountered may be obviated and a uniform product produced from inlaying composition of the same density. y

-I have found that a 'rotating brush is admirably suited to remove composition which has been applied through and compressed in the stencil openings. A brush and its associate mechanism, illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention,v is shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 and comprises a cylindrical hair brush 4S secured to and mounted forv rotation with a shaft 50. The bristles on the brush are made of relatively' stiff hair and are set closely together to form a substantially continuous yielding peripheral surface. Rotary motion is imparted to the brush by means of a motor 5i driving through sprockets 52 and 53 by means of a chain 54. The sprocket 53 is secured to the brush shaft 5'?! which is journaled in a bearing 55 formed in a casing 56 which is secured to the motor 5I byy means of bolts 51' passing through lugsV on the casing andl into the motor housing. The

4brush unit: is mounted for movement in a closed path with the strickler mechanism and is polled and compressed the inlaying composition within the stencil openings. The brush and driving unit are mounted on the chains 3 by gudgeons 58 passing through rollers 59 of the chain 3. The left hand gudgeon 5S (Figure 5) is fitted into a boss 69 formed on the housing of the motor 5|. A similar gudgeon 8| is provided and is fitted into a boss 82 on the other side of the motor housing. A pipe 63 extends parallel to the brush to the other side of the stricklerirame. A support 84'is pinned to the pipe 83 and accommodates the gudgeon 6| which is keyed therein. The pipe B3 is pinned to the right hand gudgeon 58, above referred to. A plate 65 is secured to the right hand gudgeon 58 and serves as a support for the bearing for the `shaft 58 of the brush 49.

It will be observed that the rollers 59 -of the chain `3 run Yon tracks 88 formed in frame channel 6l and that movementof the rollers 58 away from the track 95 which would result in movement of the strickler blades and brush away from the stencil plate 8 is obviated by means of guide members 88 which are in the form o angle irons secured to the frame member 5T. By reference to Figure l, it will be noted that the members 68 extend substantially the entire length of the machine to prevent upward movement of the rollers 59 of the chain 3 during their travel across the stencil plate 8.

'A mechanism for adjusting the position of th brush with respect to the stencil plate is shown in Figures 5 and 6 and comprises an arm 89 which is provided with a drilled boss 'i8 encircling the gudgeon 58 and pinned thereto by a pin A side plate l2 encircles the gudgeon 58 and is revolvable thereabout. A pin 'i8 passes through slotted opening i4 in the plate l2 and serves as a lsupport forthe brush mechanism, the pin 'i3 passing through and forming a bearing for one of the rollers of the chain 3. The side plate 72 is provided 'with an integral boss 'l5 through which passes a threaded stud 18 which is capable of rotation without translation within the boss A threaded block 'l1 lies intermediate the face plate T2 and the arm 89 and has integral studs 18 and i8 extending therefrom. The stud 16 is threaded into the block ll. One stud 18 passes through an opening in the arm 69 and is held therein by the nut 19. The other T8' passes through' a slotted opening 88 in the plate l2 and is provided with a clamp nut 8|. Adjustment of the brush with respect to the stencil is eiected by turning the stud 'l5 within the block 11; nrst having loosened the clamp nut 8i. Rotation of the stud which is held against translation by the boss l5 on the plate 13 will cause the arm 69 to rotate about the gudgeon 58 and since the arm 69 is secured directly to the motor housing which is also rotatable about the gudgeon 58 movement of the brush 49 toward and away from the stencil plate 8 may be conveniently effected inV any desired amount. l

It will be noted by reference to Figure 4 that the bristles of the brush 49 enter the stencil opening and brush the comminuted composition therefrom. It will be observed that the inlaid composition within stencil opening 46 has been reduced to the same level as the lower surface of the stencil plate 8; that the inlaid composition in opening 41 has been partially leveled and that the composition in opening 48 has not been operated upon by the brush and lies level with the upper surface of the stencil 8. -The brush 49 carries the composition which has been removed sitioned for operation after the stricklers have from the stencil openings in a bank B away from the stencil plate. This composition is subsequently discharged into the feed hopper by the scavenger blades 2d and 2h and Scrapers 44.

In order to supply current to the motor 5| during movement of the brush 49 over the stencil plate 8, I provide a trolley type pick-up systemA which is best illustrated in Figures 5 and 10. Figure 1 also shows-the positioning of the trolleys with respect to the brush. In order to eliminate brushes in the motor and thus obviate considerable maintenance expense, the motor 5| may be of the three phase type with one lead grounded to the machine. A wooden frame member 82 extends longitudinally of the machine and is supported by an angle iron frame 83 which is fastened to the main frame of the strickler unit. The member '82 is recessed on its lower surface and is provided with channels, receiving'conducting tracks 84V and 85 which are connected to a suitable source of current for the motor 5|.

It is desirable to have the brush rotating at full speedat the time it contacts with the stencil plate, and. since it is impracticable to carry the conducting rails in an arc about the sprockets 4, I prefer to provide two sets of pick-up trolleys, one of which lies in advance of the brush to provide current to the motor prior to the time the brush comes into engagement with the stencil plate 8, (it should be borne in mind that the rate of travel of the brush over the stencil is relatively high) and a second trolley positioned rearwardly of the brush to insure rotation thereof during movement over the entire area of the stencil. Each trolley is carried by the chain 3 and comprises a pair of collector wheels 86 and 81 engageable respectively with the tracks 84 and 85. The collector wheel B6 is mounted on shaft 88, journaled in a frame member 89 which is pivoted toa pin 98 forming part of the chain 3. The wheel 81 is similarly mounted. Collector wheel 86 is spring urged into contact with its track84 by means of a spring 9| which encircles a rod 92 xed to a bracket 93 secured to a pin 94 ofthe chain 3. Spring 9| urges a frame member 89 to pivot about the pin 98. The same construction is used for wheel 8l. The spring 9| is positioned between the bracket 93 and a washer 95 lying in engagement with the frame member 89and is normally under compression when the collector wheel is in engagement with the track. A washer 96 and a pin 9`|y are provided to limit movement of the frame member 89 when the contacting wheels leave their respective tracks. The current picked up by the collector wheels 8B and 8'! is fed through a dual conductor 98 to the motor 5|.

Iprefer to have the machine fully automatic in operation and for that purpose a master switch is provided which is eiective for controlling the motor I8 for each of the individual strickling units that may be employed uponV the molding machine. Individual switches may be provided for each unit of desired as shown in my copending patent application above referred to. Even Y though each of the units be controlled by a master switch for starting, I -prefer to have individual switches for stopping the units after they have finished their course of travel over the stencil plate. For this purpose (Figure l) I provide a switch 99 having an arm |08 which upon movement opens and closes the circuit for motor I8. A depending link- ||l| is pivoted to the arm |89 and carries a shoe |02 lying above the chain 3 and adapted for engagement with a roller |03 `mounted upon `the chain 3.` The .roller 03,.com

ing into .engagement with the ann |02 causes the switch v09 to Ainterrupt the .supply of current .to

the, motor |8 .and the movementl nf the stricklers is. stopped. It will be noted thatftheroller. .|03 has passed under the shoe |02 `after the. current hasbeenbroken; this being. due .to :thea-moe y mentum of the movingpparts. causing .thechains .3 `tomove about the sprockets after the .current supply for. the motor has .been broken. Due to theA weight of the stricklers 2f, ,2g and 2h, which are positioned about the Ysprocket V5 when the strickler is in non-.operative position, they may tend to move. downwardly and .thus cause the brush to move back onto the Ystencil plate. .In order vto obviate this,a ratchet wheel |04.is provided on the shaft 6 andis .providedwith a pawl |04'` which prevents Yclockwise .rotation of thesprocket` 4 (Figure l) .but permits counter-clockwise rotation. .This insures that .the stricklers will remain in the position shown in Eigure l upon the completion of each stricklingoperation.

According `to .my preferredmethod, .comminuted inlaying composition is fedfrom .thehopper I9 onto the stencil B inthe path of the rst series of stricklers. These .stricklers at leastpartially ll the stencil openings Vand compact the material therein. VAdditional inlayingcomposition isfed from the hopperv .|.9 into the path of travel of the secondseries `of. stricklers, and these stricklers ,serve to completelyfill the stencil-open# ings and compress the .material therein. The brush 49 passes over the stencil .and its bristles enter the stencil openings and brush out ra-portion of. theinlaying composition therein. These operations are carried on simultaneously ineach of the stencils utilized to form a completedpattern; one .stencil being employed .generally for each color. By this method` each of V`the-color compositions will be of .the same thickness from the base fabric to the top surface Yand thus uneven density in the Viinal product will be obviated and the problem of controlling the density of the mix for each different ycolor iseIiminated.

Each strickler serves to layand .compress a given portionof theentire pattern andafter each stenciiing operation .the stencil .and strickling mechanism are elevated away Vfrom the backing and the backing is moved by the conveyor along the bed and a fresh portion `is presented for the deposition `of additional inlaying composition thereon. l

The compression effected by the strickler blades is not the final compression. l The backing with the applied inlays is moved tov a suitable press where the nal consolidation is effected. The material may be subsequently cured if Arequired. y

In certain patterns it has been found satisfactory to utilize a single `series of blades 1together with the rotating brush. The number of blades employed and the amount of color -composition` deposited in their path depends to la large extent upon the area to be filled -by each individual stencil andthe thickness of `thematerial vbeing made, as well as the conguration of the pattern openings.

In place of the strickling blades, I may employ a strickling device of the type shown :in

VFigures

7, 8 and 9, whichv comprises a pair of helicallyv wound wire stricklers |05 and |06, the helicies of the stricklers |05 and |05 being of opposite hand and the pitch being greater 4than 'the wire diameter. These stricklers `areirnounted in gudgeons |01, |08, |09 and H0 `and are `adapted to rotate in suitable bearings provided in the framemembers and ||2. These frame members are carried by the chain 3, being secured thereto by pins H3, H4, ||5 and H6 forming part -of the roller chain. Rotation is imparted to the stricklers |05 and |06 by a motor Ii'l. A sprocket H18 vis secured to the armature shaft ofthe motor anddrives a chain H0 which encircles a sprocket |20 revolvable on a stud iixed to Vthe frame member ||2. This sprocket |20 has a double set of teeth and a chain |2| drives therefrom and imparts motion to sprockets |22 and |23 secured to the gudgeons |08 and |09 of 'the stricklers |05 and |55. A guard member |20 is positioned to the rear of the stricklers |05 and|06 (Figure 9) and has a top |25 extendlng over the top of the stricklers and forms a travelling scoop for inlaying composition. In the operation of this type of strickler, inlaying composition |26 is fed in the path of travel of stricklers |05 `and Vllrand is carried with the scoop formed oft-he plates |24 and |25 as shown in Figure 9. The strickler |05 is formed in a left hand helix While the strickler |06 is formed in a right hand helix. The strickler unit moves in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 9 and the stricklers rotate in a clockwise direction (Figure 9). The `inlaying composition |25 as shown in Figure 9 becomes entrapped within the scoop |24|25 and the stricklers rotate therein and cause the color composition to be forced into the openings inthe stencil plate 3; the right hand helix tending to convey the inlaying composition toward the right and be opposed by the left 4hand helix which tends to convey the color to the left (Figure 7). This agitates the composition and causes it to pass through the stencil openings onto the backing which is supported therebeneath.

If it is desired 4to compress the composition in the stencil openings, compressing strickler blades may be provided on the conveying chain and will through the vstencil openings by the wire stricklers. .A revolvable brush such as that disclosed in thepreferred embodiment may also be employed to .remove color from the stencil openings. It .has been found, however, that the wire type 4stricklers v.form an inlaid product which, prior .to compression, very closely simulates hand stenciled material. In any event a scavenger blade should be provided to remove excess color composition,if the ,guard |24 does not completely remove all excess color composition from the stencil plate.

Anadjusting device for the stricklers |05 and |06 maybe employed and this may take the form of an adjusting device similar to that described in connection with the rotating brush. Any adjusting mechanism which permits the distance between the surface of the stencil plate and the stricklers to be predetermined will be satisfactory, however.

While I 'have described certain specific preferred :embodiments of my invention, it will be understood v.that theinvention is not limited to the `form shown and described but may be otherwise embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An inlaying machine for applying comminutedl inlaying composition through a stencil opening comprising in combiation a plurality of strickler blades, a carrier for said blades, said blades beingpositioned on said carrier in a plurality of spaced series, meansfor'depositing comminuted inlaying composition on the stencil for application by the iirst of said series and for depositing additional inlaying composition for application by another of said series, and means for Amoving the carrier to cause said strickler blades to pass sequentially over the stencil opening. Y

2. An inlaying machine for applying comminuted inlaying composition through a stencil opening comprising in combination a plurality of yielding strickler blades mounted upon a carrier for travel in a closed path, said blades being positioned on s-aid carrier in at least two spaced series, each series comprising at least a feeding and compressing blade; means for depositing communinuted inlaying composition upon the i' stencil for application by one of said series and stencil opening to remove a portion of the composition therein, means for rotating the brush, and means for moving the brush over the stencil opening,

4. In aninlaying machine, the combination of a stencil having an opening therein, means for lling the stencil opening with comminuted inlaying composition, means movable across the stencil opening and eiective for removing substantially all inlaying composition from within the stencil opening above the plane of the lower surface of the stencil, and means for moving sai last named means acrosssaid stencil.

5.Y In an inlaying machine,` the combination of a stencil havingian opening therein, means for lling the stencil opening with comminuted inlaying composition and compressing the same therein, means movable across the stencil openingand effective for removing substantially all inlaying composition from within the stencil opening above the plane of the lower surface of the stencil, and means for moving said last named means across the stencil opening.

6. In an inlaying machine, the combination of a stencil Vhaving an opening therein, a rotatable brush movable across the stencil opening and engageable with the surface thereof, and means positioning the brush With respect to the stencil so that the brushV will remove substantially all inlaying composition lying within the stencil opening above the plane of the lower surface of the stencil. l

7. In an inlaying machine, the combination of a plurality of stencil plates mounted for vertical reciprocation over a bed, means for' supporting a backing and for moving the same intermittently and sequentially under said stencil plates, each of said stencil plates being spaced from the surface of said badking substantially the same distance, and means for removing inlaying composition lying within the openings in said stencils below the plane of the upper surface of the stencil plates to reduce the comminuted inlaying composition sequentially applied through thevarious stencils to a substantially uniform thickness prior tonal compression.

8. A strickler for applying comminuted inlaying composition through a stencil opening comprising a plurality of yielding blades effective for feeding comminuted inlaying composition into a stencil opening, rotatable means movable across the stencil and engageable with comminuted inlaying composition therein and eiective for removing from within the stencil opening below the plane of the upper surface of the stencil a portion of the comminuted inlaying composition applied by the blades, and means for imparting rotation to said removing means. y

9. The combination with an inlaying machine having a stencil provided with an opening therein and means for filling andA compacting comminuted inlaying composition within the opening to a plane substantially parallel with the plane of the upper surface of a stencil plate, of a brush adapted to engage the stencil plate over substantially the entire width thereof and means for moving said brush over said stencil plate to remove a portion of the comminuted inlaying composition Within Vthe stencil opening, and means for rotating said brush while said brush is in movementA over said stencil opening.

10. The combination with a stencil plate having an opening therein adapted to receive comminuted inlaying composition, of a brush adapted to enter the stencil opening, means for moving the brush over the stencil opening, a motor for rotating Ysaid brush, and means for energizing said motor during the travel of said brush over said stencil opening.

11. In an inlaying machine, the combination of a stencil plate having an opening therein, means adapted to. enter the stencil opening below the plane of the upper surface of the stencil plate and eifective for removing a substantial portion of the inlaying composition lying within the stencil opening above the plane of the lower surface of the stencil plate to reduce the same to' a substantially uniform thickness, and mechanism forA carrying the removing means across the stencil opening.

12. In an inlaying machine, the combination of a stencil having an opening therein, means engageable with the comminuted inlaying composition lying within the area defined by the stencil opening and below the plane of the upper surface of the stencil plate and effective for removing substantially all inlaying composition lying within the stencil opening above a predetermined plane, and mechanism for carrying the removing means across thestencil opening.

13. In an inlaying machine, the combination of a stencil having an opening therein, a rotatable brush engageable with comminuted inlaying composition lying Vwithin the area defined by the stencil opening and below the plane of the upper surface ofthe stencil plate and effective for reducing the same to a substantially uniform depth therein, 'means for rotating said brush, Yand mechanism for carrying said brush across the stencil opening.

14. An inlaying machine in accordance' with claim 4, in which the Vlling means comprises a plurality of strickler blades.

15. In an automatic strickler, thecombination of a stencilplate, a pluralityof open, Vh'elically disposed wire stricklers' disposed above the stencil Withi their axes substantially parallel tothe plane ofthe stencil, means for maintaining a body of comminuted'inlaying composition iin the Working zone of the stricklers, means for rotating the stricklers, and means for effecting relative movement between the stencil and the stricklers along a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the stencil.

16. In an automatic strickler, the combination of a stencil plate, a plurality of open, helically disposed wire stricklers disposed above the stencil with their axes substantially parallel to the plane of the stencil and their working surfaces in close proximity to the stencil plate, a traveling scoop for maintaining a body of comminuted nlaying composition in the working zone of the stricklers and between adjacent stricklers, means for rotating the stricklers to effect differential movement of the composition between the adjacent stricklers and filling of an opening in said stencil plate, and means for moving the stric'klers over the stencil plate.

17. In an inlaying machine, a supporting bed, a series of stencil plates having openings therein disposed in spaced relationship longitudinally of the bed and mounted for vertical reciprocation with respect thereto, means for moving a supporting web for inlaying composition intermittently and sequentially under said stencil plates to receive comminuted inlaying composition deposited through the openings in each of the stencils, and means movable across one of said stencil plates in said series for removing comminuted inlaying composition from Within an opening in said stencil plate below the plane of the upper surface thereof to reduce the thickness of such composition to a thickness corresponding to the thickness of composition deposited through a previous stencil in said series.

1,8. A strickler for applying comminuted inlaying composition through a stencil opening comprising a pair of adjacent open helically disposed wire strickling members having their axes disposed substantially parallel to the plane of the face of said stencil and disposed above the stencil so that their peripheral working surfaces are in close proximity to the face of the stencil, a scoop for maintaining a body of commnuted inlaying composition between said strickling members in the working zone thereof, means for rotating said strickling members about their axes, and means for conveying said scoop and strickling members across the stencil.

19. A strickler in accordance with claim 18 in which one of said strickling members is of right hand formation and an adjacent strickler memr ber is of left hand formation and in which rotation is imparted to both in the same direction to effect differential movement of the inlaying com-position disposed therebetween.

20. In an inlaying machine, the combination of a stencil plate having an opening therein, a brush movable across the stencil opening and effective for removing comminuted inlaying composition from within the opening below the plane of the upper surface of the stencil plate, and means for imparting rotation to said brush in the direction of travel of said brush across the stencil opening.

21. In an inlaying machine, the combination of a stencil having an opening therein adapted to be lled with comminuted inlaying composition to a plane substantially parallel with the plane of the upper surface of the stencil, means movable across the stencil opening and effective for removing substantially all inlaying composition from within the stencil opening above the piane of the lower surface of the stencil, and means for moving said last named means across the stencil.

22. In an automatic strickler, the combination of a stencil plate having an opening therein, a carrier, a plurality of open, helically disposed wire stricklers mounted on said carrier and disposed to sweep a path closely adjacent the stencil plate, means for maintaining a body of comminuted inlaying composition in the working zone of said stricklers, means mounted on said carrier and movable with said stricklers for rotating the striclklers to eiect differential movement in opposite directions of composition disposed between the adjacent stricklers, and means for imparting motion to said carrier to convey the said strickling mechanism across the stencil plate.

23. A strickler for applying comminuted, inlaying composition through a stencil opening comprising a plurality of adjacent open, helically disposed, wire strickling members of generally cylindrical shape having their axes disposed substantially parallel to the plane of the face of the stencil, said strickling members being disposed in spaced parallel relationship with a. Working zone defined therebetween, means for maintaining a body of comminuted inlaying composition between the strickling members in the said working zone, means for imparting a rotary motion to said strickling members, and means for conveying said strickling members across the stencil.

24. A strickler in accordance with claim 23 in which both of the adjacent strickling members are rotated in the same direction and in which the direction of rotation of the stricklers is in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the stricklers across the stencil opening.

JOI-IN L. BERGER.