US2639064A

US2639064A - Hat blocking machine

Info

Publication number: US2639064A
Application number: US137691A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sarnelle Joseph
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-01-10
Filing date: 1950-01-10
Publication date: 1953-05-19
Anticipated expiration: 1970-05-19

Description

6 l@ w 6 4 e 7 u.. 7 Y 4 2 Rn E e t mm N m N Q TL. W ehu V` T 3 wv 0 NH T 6 S Inf. A 2 m 5. w M J s /r n T". W .o 1 5 m May 19, 1953 J sARNELLE HAT BLocxING MACHINE Flled Jan l0, 1950 May 19, 1953 J. sARNELLE 2,639,064

HAT BLocxING MACHINE A TTPNE Y yam/Qu;

Patented May 19, 1953 UNITED STATES OFFICE i 2,639,064v- I HAT BLOCKING y Joseph .Sarnelle,ll`lewvork, N. Y

Application' Jafllual'ylo, 1950, Serial N0. 137,691

1s claims. (o1. zes-i2) This invention relates to hat blocking machines.

An object of this invention is to provide a highly improved machine of the character described having means for blocking brims of hats having a welted edge or a thickened edge known to the trade as a Cavanaugh edge, without damaging said edge.

Another object of this invention is toprovide a machine of the character described comprising a stand, a top steam jacket mounted on the stand for sliding movement up and down, a foot pedal for depressing the top steam jacket, said stand being provided with a pair of `vhorizontal rails, a bottom steam jacket slidably mounted on the rails from a position beneath the top steam jacket to ka position offset from'said top steam jacket, a steam pot attached to the underside of the bottom steam jacket, means to feed steam to thevtwo steam jackets and to the steam pot, said topand bottom steam jacketsbeing formed with central through openings, a kmember mounted on the upper side of the bottom steam jacket and having a top wall formed with a central opening Ito receive the brim of thehat thereon, with the crown of the hat projecting downwardly from the 'opening in said top wall, and projecting through the opening in said bottom steam jacket and into the steam pot, said member having a skirted wall extending downwardly from the top wall thereof, and formed with an outwardly extending bottom ange contacting the top of said bottom. steam jacket, and said top wall of said member being formed at its outer periphery with an annular groove to receive the thickened edge of the brim of the hat, a ring surrounding said skirted wall of said member and adapted to rest on said flange when depressed, spring means to raise said ringr above said iiange and a plate attached to the underside of said topfjsteam jacket and adaptedto move downwardlyupon depressing said top steam jacket `for depressing said ring and pressing. the brim of the hat. against said top wall. i

Anotherobject of this invention is to provide in a machine of the character described a counterbalanced lever hinged to the stand, said lever being formed with ahandle for depressing the lever and meansvon the lever for pressing ahat block within the crown of the hat downwardly.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a machine of the character described so arranged that whenthe levervis released it "will .swing upwardly by means of -a counterweight and the topsteam/ jacket willbe raised byl springs 2 whereby to permit the steam pottogether with the bottom steam jacket and said member and ring tobe yslidably .moved on the rails forwardly of the stand on the rails whereby the hat therein may beremovedv and another hat replaced for another blocking operation.` 1 f Still another objectof this invention is to provide a strong, durable device of the characterdescribed which shall be easy to manipulate, relatively inexpensive .to manufacture and which shall yet be practical and efficient to ay high degree in use y l Other objects of this invention will in vpart be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations-ofelemnts, and arrangement of parts, whichy will be yexemplied in the construction hereinafter described, and of whichl the scope of invention will be indi-` cated inthe following claims. y

In the accompanying drawings `in Whichis shown various'illustrative embodiments of this invention,

, Fig. 1 is 'a side elevational view of a machine embodying the invention and showing the bottom'steam jacket, steam pot, presser member and ring pulled forwardly of the machine in position for replacing a blocked hat with another hat to be blocked;

. Fig. 2 is a front view of the machine taken on line 2.-2 of Fig. 1; f

Fig. 3 is a top plan view .of the machine shown inFig.1; j Fig. 44 isa cross-sectional view' taken on line 4- 4 of Fig..1;

Fig. 5 is across-sectional view taken on line 5-f5 of Fig. `1;y

Fig. 6 .is a view similar to Fig. 5 .and showing the top. steam jacket and the plate attached to its underside depressed againstfthe brim ofthe hat lin blocking position and showing the block vithin the crown of the hat depressed` by the ever; i

Fig. '7 is a partial view similar toFig. 6 and illustrating a modified construction;

Fig. `8 is a perspective View illustrating the stfam connection for the steam jackets and steam lig. 9 isa topplan view of the presser member; an

Fig. l0 isa top plan view of thetop presser member. f j f i Referring now in detail to the drawing, I0` designates a hat blocking machine embodying the invention. The samecomprises a stand Il. .Said

stand II comprises a pair of similar symmetrically disposed side members I2. Each comprises a front leg,T I3 and a rear leg I4 of angular crosssection. rl'he front and rear legs are interconnected by lower T-shaped braces I5 and upper angle shaped braces i6 and top angle shaped braces I1. The top braces I1 each has a top Wall I8 extending inwardly and a flange I9 extending downwardly from the top Wall. The flanges I9 are each formed with outwardly extending vertical lugs 28 each formed with a through opening EI. Extending forwardly from the top wall I8 to each of the side members I2 is a vertical Wall 22 from which extends inwardly ahriaontal ila-nge 23 having a horizontal upper surface 2 4. Extending rearwardly from the rear leg portions I4 are apertured ears 25 locatedat `4the1'lev`e1'o'f the braces 5E. The side members I2 are interconnected by a front brace 26 attached tothe front legs I3 and disposed above the braces I5 and below the braces i6. v'-Ihe upper ends f the rear legs E4 are interconnected bya cross'brace member 38 having forwardly offset legs 3I` bolted to. the stand and int'erconnectedby aA web` 32 spaced rearwardly of the sta-nd'.A Exteding`upwardly from the centerof the web 3 2 is a`verti` cal arm 33 for the purpose hereinafter appearing. Attached to the center of the front braces 26 and extending downwardly therefrom is an upper end S4 of a ratchet member 35. Said ratchet member 35 has a front arcuate portion 36 formed with ratchet teeth 31. Said member'is'furthermore formed with a central longitu'din'all slot 38.

Mounted on and between the'apertured ears 25 is a horizontal transverse shaft 40."-` Pivoted to the middle of the shaft 40`is a rear end 4I of a forwardly extending lever'42-Wh`ich passes through the slot 38. The lever extendsforwardly of the machine and is formed with afoot'pedal 43 at its forward end.; Eivoted'to the 'lever 42 as at 44 is a pawl member'45. The 'pawl member 45 has a pawl 46 curved upwardly and inwardly and adapted to engage the teeth 31of the ratchet member 65. `The vteeth 31 are so arranged that the foot lever 42 may 'be'depressed upon pressing down with thefoot on the pedal 43, yExtending from the pawl 46 forwardly and'alongside the lever is an arm '48 formed with afoot pedal 4 9 normally slightly above the lever of the foot pedal 43. Interconnecting'the pawl '46 with the lug 50 on the lever is a coil corrlpressioiiY spring 51 which passes through' the slot landnormally presses the pawl 46 against the ratchet member 35. When it is desired to lower the lever the foot pedal 43 need merely be pressed'downwardly and the pawl 46 will ride over the-teeth 31, when pressure is relieved from the foot pedal 43 the lever 42will'rernain in any position to which it is depressed'as` the spring 5I will pull the pawl 46 'into engagement with one of the teeth 31. The pawl 46 maybe disengaged from the teeth 31 by depressing the pedal 48 to permit the lever 42 to be raised in the manner hereinafter appearing.v :f f

The lever al2 is formed at a point between the front and rear legs I3 and 4I4 with a through opening 52. Extending from the opening 5 2 is a pin 53 projecting to opposite sides of the lever. Engaging the projecting portions of said pin are the lower ends of a pair of parallel links 54. Said links 54 are formed with openings at their lower ends engaging the pin 53. They are also' formed at' their upper ends with aligned openingsl 55 through which extends a cross pin 56. Engaging the portion of the crosspin 56 between' the links 54 is a counter-member 51 which extends upwardly and has a screw threaded portion 58 at its upper end receiving a nut 59 screwed thereto for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Extending through the through openings 2| in the lugs 20 are vertical connecting rods 6I). There are four connecting rods 60 as will be seen from the drawing. The lower ends of the connecting rods 6 1) are attached ,to the four corners of a cross-'head 6i. The cross-head '6I may have inwardly curved front and

rear portions

82 and 63 respectively and inwardly curved side portions G4. It is also formed with a central web 65 interconnecting the front and

rear portions

62 and 63. VThe Across web 65 as well as the front and rear side portions are ribbed for strength. At the `center of the 'cross-head 65 is a boss 66 formed with a central through opening through whiclrthe connecting rod 51 passes. The nut 59 contacts the top of the boss 66. Surrounding the portions' of the connecting ro'd 60 which pass upwardly above the lugs 2U are coil compression springs' 51. ASi'ipport'ed on the'upper ends of 'the `springs il andv guided bythe rods 68 is a top steam jacket 1U. The top steam jacket IIJ has atop wall' 7I, "a bttom wall 12, yan inner oval wall 13,' outer side Walls 14;"and outer 'end' walls 14a forming steam chamber 15; u'Between the walls 1I.' 12, 13, 14 Vand 14a', extending `outwardly from th'e'side'wialls14 are lugs' 16 formed with vertical throughA openings 1l" throilghwhich' the vertical connecting rod Gli'pas's'es. The lugs'18 rest o n the upper ends of the springs 61. Surrounding the portionsof -the"ve'r'tic'al connecting rod 68 above-the'lug's* 1 6 are coll compression springs 18. The'upper ends of the rods 68'are screw threaded asat 1 8 nd'screwed'thereto are wing nuts '80." The top 'stearh'chaniber 10'thus Y .r n l.. A*It will now be understood that when the foot is pressed upon pedal 48 the paw/146 is first released and continued downwardly'pressure on the foot"' pedal '43 lwill cause the rods 6D 'to be lowered through' the leverV 42, links 54, connecting 'rod 5" I`and the"connecting"rods 68. Downwardly pressure on th'e connecting rods 68 will press the wing n'uts "88 downwardly v'to press springs T8 which in tuin will press downwardly on theears 1 8 for depressing th'top'stain cham'- ber 418. When Vthe' foot 'is Vslipped 'oif the pedal 48, the pawl A46 will be engaged with one of the teeth 31 to'retain the top steam jacket in depressed condition. In vorder to raise the top steam jacket the foot pedal 48 4is depressed and the lever 42 allowed tobe raised bythe springs 81. The rear walls uaof' the top steam jacket 1o is formed with a pair of screw threaded openings 10min which are secured 4a pair of 'pipe plugs' 10b and 18e for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Fixed to thetigep vsurfalt'e' 2'4 and inwardly 'extending flanges 23'in"a`n'y'sui table manner are a pair Vof parallel A'horizontal'guide rails 8| which extendV forwardly 'of"th'e 'machine 'Slldably mounted on said side rails 8| is a bottom "steam jacket 82. ASaid bo'tt'in'steam jacket 82 has a top wall 83 and bottom wall 84,'a `n inner oval wall 85, outer side walls "8'6 ,`a front Wall 8 1and a rear wall 88. Between

th'e walls

83, 84, 85, 86', 81 and 88 is a 'steam chamber 89. Therear` wall 88 of the steam chamber'is formed with'screw threaded openings linto which are screwed 'pipe plugs 8| and 92 for the purpose hereinafter appearing. Extending downwardly from the side walls 88 arcguide member-'S83 engaging the 'tops and outer sides lof the 'rails 8|.' The bottom 'steam smaad-e4 jacket 82 may be moved from a position directly beneath the top steam jacket to a position forwardly of the machine and entirely clear of the stand I I. Attached to the underside of the steam jacket 82 is a steam pot 94. The steam pot 94 has a bottom wall 95, an annular upstanding wall 96 and a top flange 91. Any suitable means may be provided` for attaching the flange 91 to the underside of the bottom wall 84 of said bottom steam jacket 82, as by screws, bolts, or in any other suitable manner. The top of the steam pot 94 communicates with the central opening in the bottom steam jacket 82, and conforms to said opening. The bottom wall 95 is formed with a drain opening and with inlet opening |0I.

Attached to the top of the bottom steam jacket 82 is a hat brim presser member |04. 'I'he member |04 has a top wall |05 formed with a central oval opening |08 to receive the crown of a hat mounted thereon with the crown projecting downwardly. Extending downwardly from the outer end of the top wall I is a skirted wall |01 of oval shape and extending outwardly from the skirted wall |01 is a flange I 08 resting on the top wall 83 of the jacket and screwed or otherwise attached thereto in any suitable manner. The member |04 may be made of aluminum if desired. At the outer periphery of the top surface of the top wall |05 is an annular groove I I0. It will now ,be understood that a hat H may be mounted on the presser member |04 with the brim B of the hat resting on the top surface of the top wall |05 and with the crown C of the hat projecting downwardly through the opening |08, through the central opening in the bottom steam jacket 82 and into the upper end of the steam pot 94. The hat H may be of the type which has a Cavanaugh edge. The Cavanaugh edge is a thickened edge at the upper periphery of the brim. This edge which is designated in the drawing by the letter E nts within the groove I I0. The ange |08 may be formed in its upper surface with a plurality of screw threaded openings I for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Slidably mounted on the skirted portion |01 of member |04 is an oval shaped ring ||2 formed in its upper surface with a plurality of countersunk openings I I3 coaxial with the threaded openings I I. The ring I l2 is formed in its end edge with a plurality of countersunk openings I I4 registering or coaxial with the countersunk openings I I3. The ring I I2 is furthermore formed with reduced through openings ||5 interconnecting the coun tersunk openings ||4 and IIS and coaxial therewith. Screwed to the threaded openings I II are the lower ends of bolts IIS which pass through the openings |I5. At the upper end of each bolt IIG in a socketed head I I1 of the Allen bolt type. The head I|1 is disposed within the countersunk opening |I3. Surrounding the shank of the bolt and between the ange I 08 and the underside of the countersunk opening I4 is a coil compression spring II8.

It will now be understood that the upper ends of the springs I8 project into the sockets I 4 and serve to raise the ring I2 above the upper surface of the top wall |05 of member |04. However the ring I|2 may be depressed thereby pressing springs IIB. As the ring ||2 is depressed the heads I I'I of the bolts I I6 move through the countersunk openings I I3.

Attached to the underside of the top steam jacket 'I8 as by means of screws |20 is a top presser plate I2I which has a central oval opening |22. When the foot pedal is depressed to lower the top steam jacket the plate I 2| depressesthe ring ||2 until. it contacts the top of the brim of the hat in the position in which it is mounted on the machine. When the brim is thus depressed the edge .E being disposed within the groove I 0 will not be crushed or damaged in any way. vDue to the pressure and the heat in the steam jackets the brim of the hat will be blocked.

The crown block |23 made of wood or any other suitable Imaterial may be inserted into the crown C of the hat H.

Means is provided for pressing the block dow into the crown of the hat. To thisend there is attached to the arm.33 a Abar |24 having an upwardly and inwardly inclinedportion |25. Pivoted to the upper end of said portion' |25 as at |26 is the rear end of a lever |21. Said lever |21 is formed with upwardly and rearwardly inclined arm or flange |28 on which is mounted a counterweight |28 for-normally raising the lever.

'I'he lever |21 has a forwardly.extendingI handle |30. Pivoted tothe lever |21 as at |3IV is a member |32 having` a bottom .plate |33 smaller than the opening in theplate" I2 I.. Extending up wardly from the plate |33 `are a pair of bosses |34 to which are screwed screws |35 which may be adjusted to contact the lever |21. When the lever |21 is depressed the plate |33 will contact the top surface of the block .|23 and press the block into the crown of the hat. A spring clip may be attached to the top wall of the lower steam jacket 82 for receiving an arrowhead shaped downwardly projecting tongue |4| attached to the lever for retaining the lever in downwardlydepressed position. When the lever is raised the plate I33wi1l be raised therewith. It will be noted that the plate I 33gmoves through the central opening in the upper steam jacket.

Meansisprovidedfor supplying steam to the upper steam jacket v10, lower steamjacket 82 and steam pot 04` and for draining the steam therefrom. To this end there is provided a steam inlet pipe which may pass from the stand. The steam pipe |50 is horizontal and extends forwardly as .shown in vFig. 8 of the drawing. Attached to the front end of the steam pipe |50 is an elbow |5| contacted by a valve |52 which may be controlled by a handle |54. Connected to the valve |52 is a pipe |53. The pipes |50. |53 may be metal. Attached to the rear end of the pipe |53 by a suitable coupling |54 is a flexible conduit |55 connected in any suitable manner to the inlet opening |0| of the steam pot. The outlet opening |00 of the steam pot is connected by an elbow |56 to the T-shaped tting |51. The T-shaped fitting is connected by conduit |58 to a drain. Connected to the inlet pipe |50 is a T- shaped tting |50, one branch of which is connected to a flexible conduit |6| connected in any suitable manner to the pipe block 10c, thus admitting livesteam to the upper steam jacket 10. The pipe block 10b on the steam jacket 10 is connected by a .flexible conduit |62 to the inlet 92 of the steam jacket 82. The outlet 9| vof the steam jacket is connected bya pipe |53 to the T- shaped tting |51 thus draining steam from the lower steam jacket. Attached to the front wall 81 of the lower steam jacket 82 is a handle 81a to permit the operator to move the lower steam jacket and steam pot and members |04 and ||2 on the rails from the full line position of Fig. 1 to the dotted line position thereof, and back to the full line position thereof.

In Fig. 7 there is illustrated the use of the machine herein for pressing hats having brirns with welted outer 'edges instead of with 'a thickened edge as shown in Figffi. When pressing a hat with a welted edge with the welt either turned over the brim or under the brim it .is merely necessary to place above fthe tcp wall |85 a fiat plate i1 e formed with a central opening which registers with the opening |06 in the top wall |115. The plate |10 has an outer edge |12 which registers with the outer surface 'of the skirted wall 101. Thus the outer'periphery of plate| IB covers the groove i in the top wall |05. lh Fig-7 there is shown a hat H which has a crown G and a brim B. The brim B has a welted outer edge W which rests on 'the plate |70. When the upper steam jacket is depressed the plate |2| presses 'down on the brim of. the hat and the welted edge is pressed against'the 'plate |18. The same operation can be accomplished should the welted edge W be turned in against the underside of the brim B'.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention 'are achieved and which is well adapted to moet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be .made

'of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth,

forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as' illustrative and not in a limiting sense.`

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A hat blocking machine comprising a stand, rails attached tothe stand; and extending therefrom, a spring supported upper lsteam jacket slndably mounted o'n'lthe stand for up and down movement, a lower steam jacket slidably mounted on said rails and sl'dable imma position infront of the stand to a position overthe stand and below the upper steam jacket, a steam pot fixed to the underside of the vlower 'steam' jacket, .said lower steam jacket 'being 'formed with a central through openingl communicating with Vthe interior 'ci' the steam pot, a hat brim pressing Ymember on the top of the lower steam jacket, said pressing member being provided with' a top wall formed 'with a central opening so that 'the brim of the hat may be placed on'saidtop 'wall with the crown of the hat projecting downwardly through the central opening in said top wall and through the central opening of the lower steam jacket and into the upper end of the steam pot, said presser member being further formed with askirted wall extending downwardly from the outer end of said top wall and with an outwardly extending flange at the lower end of said skirted Wall and 'a ring sldably mounted and surrounding said skirted wall, spring' means interposedbetween the ring and said frange for resiliehtly urging the ring upwardly, and 'a' plate iixed to the underside of the top jacket and means for lowering the top steam jacket for pressing the vring downwardly toward the iiange whereby said plate will press against the upper surface of the brim on said top wall.

2. A hat blocking machine comprising a stand, rails attached to the stand, and extending therefrom, a spring supported upper steam jacket slidably mounted on the stand for 'up and down movement, a lower steam jacket slidably mounted on said rails and slidable vfrom 'a position in iront of the stand to a position over they stand and below the upper steam jacket, 'a steampot fixed to the underside of the lower Steam jacket, said lower steam jacket being formed with a central through opening communicating with the interior of they steam pot, a hat brim pressing member on the top of the lower steam jacket, said pressing member being provided with a top wall formed with a, central opening "so that the brim of the hat may be placed on said top wall with the crown of the hat projecting downwardly through the central opening in said top wall and through the central opening of the lower steam jacket and into the upper end of the steam pot, said presser member being further formed with a skirted wall extending downwardly from the outer end of said top wall and with an outwardly extending flange at the lower end of said skirted wall and a ring slidably mounted and surrounding said skirted Wall, spring means interposed between the ring and said flange for resiliently urging the ring upwardly, and a plate fixed to the underside of the top jacket and means for lowering the top steam jacket for pressing the ring downwardly toward the flange whereby said plate will press against the upper surface of the brim on said top wall, and means for limiting upward movement of said ring relative to said flange.

3. A hat blocking machine comprising a stand, rails attached to the stand, and extending therefrom, a spring supported upper steam jacket slidably mounted on the stand for up and. down movement, a lower steam jacket slidably mounted on said rails and slidable from a position in front of the stand to a position over the stand and bea low the upper steam jacket, a steam pot xed to the underside of the lower steam jacket, said lower steam jacket being formed with a central through opening communicating with the in terior of the steam pot, a hat brim pressing member on the top of the lower steam jacket, said .pressing member being'provided with a top well .formed with a central opening so that thebrim of the hatv may be placed on said top wall with the crown of the hat projecting downwardly through the central opening in said top wall and through the central opening Aof the lower steam jacket and into the upper end of the steam pot, said presser member being further formed with a skrted wall extending downwardly from the outer end of said top Wall and with an outwardly extending flange at the lower end of said skirted wall and a ring slidably mounted and surrounding said skirted wall, spring means interposed ce tween the ring and said iiange for resiliently urging the ring upwardly, and a plate fixed to the underside of the topjacket and means for lowering the top steam jacket for pressing the ring downwardly toward the flange whereby plate will press against the upper surface of the brim on said top wall, and means for limiting upward movement of said ring relative to said flange, a lever'pivoted to said stand and means to press the hat block placed within the crown ofthe hat on said pressing member downwardly against said crown.

4. A hat blocking machine comprising a stand.. rails attached to the stand, and extending therefrom, a spring supported upper steam jacket slida ably mounted on the stand for up and down movement, a lower steam jacket slidably mounted on said rails and slidable from a position in iront of the stand to a position over the stand and be*- low the upper steam jacket, a steam pot fixed to the underside of the lower steam jacket, said lower steam jacket being formed with a central through opening communicating with the -in aesaoefi;

9,3 terior of the steam pot, a hatl brim pressing member on the top of the lower ysteam jacket, said pressing member being provided with a top wall formed with a central opening so 4that the brim of the hat may be placed. on `.said ltopywall with the crown of the hat projectingdownwardly through the central opening in said top'wall and through the central opening of the low-er steam jacket and into the upper end of thesteam po.tsaid presser member being further formed 'with a skirted wall extending downwardly from. the outer end of said top wall andwith an outwardly extending flange at the lowerend of said skirted.

said pressing member downwardly againstsaid crown, and means for circulatings tearn through the upper steam jacket,vlower steam, jacket vand steampot.

5L A hat blocking machine comprising a stand, rails attached to the stand,vand extending vtherefrom, a spring supported. upper steam jacket. slidably mounted on the stand forV up and down movement, a lower steam jaketslidably mounted on said rails and slidable tromba position in front ofthe stand to a position over they stand `and below the upper steam jacket, .a steam pot nxed to the underside of ,the lowerr steamjacket, said lower steam jacket being formedl with a central through opening communicating with the interior of the steam pot, a hat brim pressingmember on the top of the lower steam jacket,` said pressing member being provided witha top wallrormed with a central opening so that the brim of the hat maybe placed onrsaid ktop wall with the crown of the hat projecting downwardly ythrough the.

central opening in said top walland through the.

central vopening of the lowersteamjacket and into the upper end of the steam p ot, said presser member being further formedwith a skirted wall extending downwardly from the outer end ofsaid top wall and with an outwardly extending ange at the lower end of said skirted ywall and ya ring slidably mounted and 4surrounding said skirted wall, spring meansinterposed between the ring and saidilange for resiliently urging the ring upwardly, and a plate fixed to the underside Uof the `top jacket and means kfor v,lowering the. top

steam jacket for pressing the ring downwardly toward the flange wherebysaidplate lwill press against the upper surface of the brimfon saidtop wall,r said top, wall being'formed adjacent its periphery with a groove adapted to receive a thickened edge at the periphery ofthebrim of the hat. .1

6. In a steam blocking machine, `asteamjacket formed with a central through opening, a steam pot attached to theunderside of the steam jacket, the upper end of thepot connecting y,with the opening rin the steam jacket, a presser r plate mounted -on the steam yjacket andhaving atop wall spaced abovethensteam jacket andformed with a central opening registering with the vopening in thev steam 4j ackel', bsaid,y presser platehaving Skirts@ ...Well extending d??wmvaltdlr; from. the

top wall and being further formed with a llangeV extending outwardly from the lower end of said skirted wall, said top wall being formed with agroove at its periphery, a ring surrounding said` skirted wall and being slidably mounted thereon.

for movement in the direction of the axis of said presser member, spring means for normally urging thering upwardly, a top steam jacket above the bottom steam jacket, a plate iixed to the;

underside of the top steam jacket, and means for moving the top steam jacket downwardly wherebyv said plate will depress the springpressed ring and move toward the top wall of the presser member.`

7.,. In a steam blocking machine a steam jacket formed with a central through opening, a steam pot attached to the` underside of the steam jacket,v

skirted wall, said top wall being formed with a groove at its perpihery, a ring surrounding said skirted wall and being slidably mounted thereon. for movement in the direction of the axis of said4 presser membery spring means for normally urging the ring upwardly, a top steam jacket above,

thebottom steamjacket, a plate fixed to the;

underside of the top steam jacket, and means for;-

moving the top steam jacket downwardly whereby said plate will depress the spring pressedring and move toward .the top wall of the presser member, and means for supplying steam to the. bottom steam jacket, top steam jacket and steam.

pot.

8. Ina hat blocking machine a presser member having a top wall formed with a central open-, ing adapted to receive the crown of a hat with the brim ofthe hat contacting said .top wall, said presser member having a skirted wall ex, tending downwardly from the top wall and being further formed `with a flange extending outward-, 1 lyfrom the lower end of said skirted wall, a ring;` surrounding the skirted wall and being slidably mounted thereon, compression springs interposed, between .they ring and said ange, said top wall.

being formedat its periphery' with a groove all around to receive a thickened edge of the brim onsald top wall.-

9.. In a hat blockinginachine a steam jacket. formed with a central opening, a steam pot at, tached to the underside of the steam jacket and, communicating with the central .opening inthe. steamV jacket,fafpresser member fixed to the top.

of the steam jacket, said presser member having a tcp wall formedv with an opening through which,

the crown ofv a hat may pass downwardly from-v the ,opening yin thev steam jacket and yinto said pot with the brim of the hat contacting the upper surface of the top wall, said presser member hav ing an annular wall extending downwardly. from the top .walL a ring surrounding said annular wall and being slidably mounted thereon, and. spring means. to raise thering Aalcove the upperI surface of the topwall, said spring.` means being. interposed between. the. ring and, said .presser member. y t.. W y

l0. In a hat blocking machine a steam jacket formed with acentral opening, a steam potiattached to the underside of vthe steam jacket and. communicatingwith the central opening. inthe-A and being slidably mounted thereon, said spring. 1-0..

means interposed between said ring and said an.- nular wall. to raise the ring above the upper sur. face of.l the top wall, and a top steam jacket above. the bottom steam` jacket and means for resiliently pressing the top steamjacket downwardly to de- 15.

press said ring andf to clamp` the brim of the hat aga-inst said top wall.

1.1.-. In. a hat blocking machine a. steam. jacket formed. with. a central opening, a steamv pot attached totheunderside of the steam jacket and 20.

communicating with the central opening in the steam jacket, a presser member nxed tothe. top. oty the steam jacket, saidpresser member having. aA topl wallrformed with an opening through. which thecrown. ofxa hat may-pass downwardly froml 25A the opening-.inY the steam jacket and into said pot with the brim of. thehat contactingv the upper surface-ofthe top wall,l saidpresser member having an annularv wall. extending downwardly A'from thetop wall; a. ring surrounding said annular wall; 30 and beingslidably. mounted thereon, and spring means interposedbetween said ring and flange. to raisetheringabovethe upper surfaceoi the top` wall, and atopsteamjacket above the bottomsteam jacketand-means for resiliently press-.. 35 ingithe..topsteamjacket downwardly to depress said ring-andto clamp the brim of the hatagainst said=.top.wall, said top wall. being: formed with4 a groove at the junction of the Lipper surfaceiof. thetop wally and the outer surface .ofi theannular 40 wallto .receive -a-thickened edge .at the periphery.` of.the brim of i the hat.

12v Ina hat blockingy machine. anV upstand. ing..stand, horizontalrail meansonthe stand, a,bottom-steam jacket' slidably` mounted. on said. rail-means and'V movable from a position over thel stand-toa position spacedv forwardly oflthev stand., said: steamujacketbeing formed withacentral: opening, asteampot attachedto thev underside .of .thelbottom steam jacket and com, municatingwiththecentral opening. therein, 21.50 presser. memberon the..bottomu steam jacket, a. ring surrounding said presser member and slidablyv mounted thereon l for. up and down movement, compression-.spring means interposed.. between -the..ring and thel ybottom steam jacket, a topsteamjacket mounted for. sliding. up and down movement on the; stand, said topsteam` jacket having.v a. centralv opening, a. plate at tached to, the. underside 'of thetopy .steamjacket 601A of .saidv skirted wall;

said tophsteam, jacket having an inlet. and'v an outlet, said .bottom steam jacket.. having .an inlet andtanoutlet, and said:steam pot having. an, inletand an outlet, means for feeding live. steamV tothe -inlet of the steam pot,v means. for.l drain 65,

attached .toA the .underside .of. the .bottom steaml 75,

jacket and communicating with the centrut opening in the steam jacket, a presser member having a top wall formed witha centralopening. and spaced above the bottom steam jacket, an. annular skirted wall extending from the outer end o1 thev top wall and a flange extending downwardly from the lower end. of the skirtedwall', said top wall having a central` opening wherebyI the brim of a hat may be placed onl said topwall4 with the crown of the hat projecting through the central opening therein, through the central opening in the bottom steam jacket and into' the upper end of the-steam pot, an` annularringsurrounding and slidably mounted on said skirted; wall, said annular ring being .formed in itsupper end with a pluralityy ofdownwardly extending socketsv and its lowerl endl with a plurality-y ot upwardly extending sockets alignedy with-the first. mentioned sockets, said ring. being formed withl vertical throughl openings interconnecting` thetop and bottom sockets, pins attached to said flange and passing through theI bottom' meketeand through said other openings and' into` thetop sockets, heads at` the upperv ends ofl saldi pins, and coil compression springssurroundingl said-pins and interposed betweenA the flange andv the ring andprojecting into saidbottom sockets.

14. In a hat blocking'machine astearn-.jacket formed with a central opening, a steampot' attached to the underside'of the bottom steam jacket'and communicating with the central open ing in the steam jacket, apresser-member havingV atop wall formed with acentral opening and` spaced above the bottom steam jacket, an annular skirted' wall extendingA from theouter endof' the top ywall anda flange extending downwardlyl from the lower end ofthe skirtedy wall, said top wall havingv a central openingwhereby the brim` of a hat mayY be placed on said top wall with the crown of the-hat projecting through' the central openingftheren; through thecentral opening in the-bottom` steam jacket and into theupper endof the-steampot, anannular ringsurrounding and slidablymounted on said skirted wall, said annularring being-formed Ain itsupper with vertical through-.openings interconnecting.

the. top and bottom. sockets, pins` attachedV4 to said flangeI and passing.` throughl thebottom sockets and througlrsaidother openings-'and into the top sockets; heads-at. theupper endsof..sadpins, and coillcompressionsprings sur rounding saidpinsy and interposed. between the ilangewandrthe ring and projecting intosaid bottom sockets,- said, -top 'wall .being-formed with a peripheral groove-at thejunction of-the upper surface of thetopy walland theoutersurfaceI 15'. In.- ahat blockingsmachine a-.steam jacket formed with. acentral opening, a .steampotat-v tached-.to4 the. underside; of. the bottom-steam jacket and communicating with the centralopening. in. vthe steam. jacket, a.. presser member having .a .top wall formedwith al central openingand .spaced 4above-the. bottom-steam jacket; an. annular skirted wall extend-ing'vfrom th'oouter o, end.y of the-top Walland' a fiange'extendingdownwardly. from the lower' endof theskirted -wall,'- said top wall havingffay central opening --whereby the-brim ofa hat may be-p1aced"on`said `top wall'withthe crownof' theh'at projecting through the central"openingY thereimthrough2 the central' opening in the bottom steam jacket and into the upper end of the steam pot, an annular ring surrounding and slidably mounted on said skirted Wall, said annular ring being formed in its upper end with a plurality of downwardly extending sockets and its lower end with a plurality of upwardly extending sockets aligned with the rst mentioned sockets, said ring being formed with vertical through openings interconnecting the top and bottom sockets, pins attached to said ange and passing through the bottom sockets and through said other openings and into the top sockets, heads at the upper ends of said pins, and coil compression springs surrounding said pins and interposed between the flange and the ring and projecting into said bottom sockets, said top wall being formed with a peripheral groove at the junction of the upper surface of the top wall and the outer surface of said skirted Wall, a top steam jacket above the bottom steam jacket, a plate iixed to the underside of the top steam jacket, means for slidably moving the top steam jacket downwardly so that said plate will first depress the ring and then clamp the brim of the hat against the top wall of said presser member.

16. In a hat blocking machine a steam jacket formed with a central opening, a steam pot attached to the underside of the bottom steam jacket and communicating with the central opening in the steam jacket, a presser member having a top wall formed with a central opening and spaced above the bottom steam jacket, an annular skirted wall extending from the outer end of the top wall and a flange extending downwardly from the lower end of the skirted wall, said top wall having a central opening whereby the brim of a hat may be placed on said top wall with the crown of the hat projecting through the central opening therein, through the central opening in the bottom steam jacket and into the upper end of the steam pot, an annular ring surrounding and slidably mounted on said skirted wall, said annular ring being formed in its upper end with a plurality of downwardly extending sockets and its lower end with a plurality of upwardly extending sockets aligned with the iirst mentioned sockets, said ring being formed with vertical through openings interconnecting the top and bottom sockets, pins attached to said flange and passing through the bottom sockets and through said other openings and into the top sockets, heads at the upper ends of said pins, and coil compression springs surrounding said pins and interposed between the flange and the ring and projecting into said bottom sockets, said top wall being formed with a peripheral groove at the junction of the upper surface of the top wall and the outer surface of said skirted wall, a top steam jacket above the bottom steam jacket, a plate xed to the underside of the top steam jacket, means for slidably moving the top steam jacket downwardly so that said plate will first depress the ring and then clamp the brim of the hat against the top wall of said presser member, a stand, means on the stand to support said topsteam jacket for sliding movement, and rail means on the stand slidably supporting `said bottom steam jacket, steam pot, presser member and ring for movement in a direction at right angles to the direction of movement of the top steam jacket.

17. A hat blocking machine comprising in combination, an upright stand, a top steam jacket oatingly mounted on the upper portion of said stand for up and down movement relative thereto, said top steam jacket being formed with a central opening, horizontal rail means on said stand and below said top steam jacket, a bottom steam jacket formed with a central opening therein, and slidably mounted on said rail means and movable from a position directly beneath said top steam jacket to a position spaced forwardly of said stand, a presser member on the bottom steam jacket and formed with a central opening for inserting a hat therein with its crown extending downwardly into the central opening of the lower steam jacket and the brim contacting the upper surface of the presser member, a hat block above said top steam jacket, and pivotally mounted to said stand for downward movement through the central opening of the top steam jacket and into the crown of the hat, means for lovering the top steam jacket to press the hat brim when said bottom steam jacket is directly beneath said top steam jacket, and means for supplying steam to said top and bottom steam jackets and to said crown of the hat.

18. A hat blocking machine comprising in combination, an upright stand, atop steam jacket floatingly mounted on the upper portion of said stand for up and down movement relative thereto, said top steam jacket being formed with a central opening, horizontal rail means on said stand and below said top steam jacket, a bottom steam jacket formed with a central opening therein, and slidably mounted on said rail means and movable from a position directly beneath said top steam jacket to a position spaced forwardly of said stand, a presser member on the bottom steam jacket and formed with a central opening for inserting a hat therein with its crown extending downwardly into the central opening of the lower steam jacket and the brim contacting the upper surface of the presser member, a hat block above said top steam jacket, and pivotally mounted to said stand for downward movement through the central opening of the top steam jacket and into the crown of the hat, means for lowering the top steam jacket to press the hat brim when said bottom steam jacket is directly beneath said top steam jacket, means for supplying steam to said top and bottom steam jackets and to said crown of the hat, and means surrounding said presser member to aid in lifting said top steam jacket.

JOSEPH SARNELLE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 881,509 Waring Mar. 10, 1908 1,103,096 Stevens July 14, 1914 2,213,094 Shildhans Aug. 27, 1940