US2836048A

US2836048A - Apparatus for dyeing leather lacing

Info

Publication number: US2836048A
Application number: US523668A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ray W Scott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1955-07-22
Filing date: 1955-07-22
Publication date: 1958-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 1975-05-27

Description

May 27, 1958 R. w. SCOTT APPARATUS FOR DYEING LEATHER LACING Filed July 22; 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR PAY W .5

May 1958 R. w. scoTT 2,836,048

APPARATUS FOR DYEING LEATHER LACING Filed July 22, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 of appearance.

United States Patent 2,836,048 Patented May 27, 1958 file APPARATUS FGR DYEHVG LEATHER LACING Ray W. Scott, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application July 22, 1955, Serial No. 523,665

18 Claims. (Cl. 69-1) This invention relates to apparatus for processing leather lacing, such as is used in leather craft, and particularly to apparatus for applying dye to the lacing.

Leather lacing is usually made by spirally cutting a disc blanked from a skin. Since dyeing and finishing are done before the skin is cut into lacing, the edges of the lacing may be of a color conspicuously different from that of the rest of the lacing. The edges of the lacing are usually exposed in the finished article incorporating the lacing; accordingly, dye must be applied to the lacing edges to prevent unsightliness.

Apparatus heretofore has been provided for performing this supplemental dyeing operation. Yet the existing apparatus has been subject to the serious disadvantages, among others, of irregularly modifying the previous finish.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for dyeing the edges of leather lacing by a continuous operation.

It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus of this character that does not in any way modify or alter the existing finish. This is made possible by applying the dye to the reverse side and edges of the lacing, without subjecting the obverse side to the dye.

it is another object of this invention to provide apparatus for automatically applying dye in this manner in such quantities that the color density is uniform. For this purpose, capillary interaction is utilized betwen an absorbent applicator wheel and the absorbent reverse side and edges of the lacing. The more absorbent the lacing, the more the dye is withdrawn from the applicator. Since more dye is required to achieve a certain color density when the lacing is more absorbent, a uniform color density is achieved despite minor irregularities in the lacing. The applicator is maintained at a uniform level of dye saturation by its demand upon a pump system, and dye is uniformly available for the lacing.

It is another object of this invention to provide novel dye applicator apparatus.

It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus for passing the lacing through a drier as a part of the continuous operation. It is another object of this invention to provide a drier that can be readily adjusted in order to achieve proper drying for various conditions of the dye and lacing itself, as well as for various conditions of the ambient air.

lt is another object of this invention to provide a simple mechanical arrangement for operating the dye pump, the applicator wheel and the drier feed. This is accomplished by pulling the lacing through the mechanism, movement of the lacing operating the applicator and the dye pump. In the embodiment shown, the mechanism for advancing the laciru comprises a pair of cooperating forming rollers that provide a transversely arcuate contour to the lacing. This is desirable from the standpoint Optionally, an automatic winder could be used as the primary motive means for advancing the lacing.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a simple apparatus of this character that is compact and occupies a small space.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose, there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. This form will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to betaken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a broken elevation of an apparatus incorporating the present invention, some of the parts being broken away;

Fig. la is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken along a plane indicated by line 1a-1a of Fig. 1;

Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views, taken along planes indicated by lines 2-2 and 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the dye applicator portion of the apparatus in the direction of the arrow 44 of Fig. l, a portion of the support being shown in section;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken along the plane indicated by line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, a portion of the apparatus being broken away and shown in section;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the dye applicator wheel and support therefor, and taken along the plane indicated by line 77 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 7a is a fragmentary view, taken in a direction indicated by arrow 7a in Fig. 7.

A lacing 10 has an unfinished side to which dye, corresponding to the color of the finished side, is to be applied. The dye 11 is in liquid form, and is accommodated in a container or tank 12 resting upon a support 13. The unfinished side of the lacing passes about a portion of a dye applicator wheel 14 that is supplied with dye 11 from the container 12.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 7, the wheel 14 comprises complementary sections 15 and 16, each having radially extending flanges 17 and 18 forming between them an annular groove 19 for removably accommodating an absorbent applicator ring 20. The sections 15 and 16 are detachably supported on the end of a spindle 21. The sections 15 and 16 have enlarged central apertures 15a and 16a through which the threaded end of the spindle 21 passes. The tapered surface of a conical nut 24 engages the edge of the aperture 15a to center the section 15, and urges the other section 16 inwardly of the spindle end so that the edge of its aperture 16a engages the tapered surface of a conical collar 21a formed intermediate the length of the spindle. The section 16 is accordingly centered, and both sections are clamped together and connected to the spindle 21.

The spindle 21 passes through a sleeve bearing 22 which supports the spindle 21 and applicator wheel 14 for free angular movement. The collar 21a opposes the flanged end 22a of the bearing 22 to limit move ment of the spindle in one longitudinal direction; and a nut 36a, secured in adjusted position by a lock nut 30b, engages the opposite end surface 221: of the sleeve bearing 22 to, limit movement of the spindle 21 in the other longitudinal position.

The sleeve bearing 22 projects through and is supported by a vertically extending frame member 23 of the apparatus. For this purpose, the frame member has a through bore 23a. A lubricant tube 220, slantingly projecting into the central portion of the sleeve bearing, entersa through keyhole slot 23b extending vertically from the aperture 23a to prevent rotation of the bear ing 22.

The end of the tube 220 is accessible at therear of the frame member 23. V The sleeve 22 is held in place by a nut 25 engaging that end of the sleeve 22 extending rearwardly of the frame 23, the nut 25 clamping the opposite flanged end 22a and associated structures against the front side of the frame member 23.

The sleeve bearing 22 and spindle 21 can be removed and inserted as a unit through the front of the frame member 23, the lubricant tube 220 being sufficiently short to permit its passage through the keyhold slot 235;.

The lacing is guided for movement about a portion ofthe periphery of the applicator ring by the aid of a pair of cylindrical members 26 and 27 on opposite sides of the wheel. These guides 26 and 27 are secured upon the outer ends of

arms

28 and 29, and their axes extend parallel to the axis of wheel 14. The

arms

28 and 29 are frictionally clamped in place between the frame member 23 and the flanged end 22a of the sleeve 22, washers 31 being interposed between the arms and the frame 23.

The guides 26 and 27 are located near the periphery of the applicator wheel. The lacing 10 passes from a supply spool 33 through a guiding eye formed by a thereby ensuring that the lacing stays in position on the ring.

The spacing 'of the guides 26 and 27 may be diminished or augmented in order to determine the operative arcuate ,length of the applicator ring periphery and the extent to which the lacing is in contact with the ring 20. Such an adjustment may be desirable, depending upon the characteristics or width of the lacing or upon the characteristics of the dye.

Adjustment of the guides is accomplished'by simply .moving the

arms

28 and 29 against the frictional forces holding the arms in place. I

' The phantom line position shown in Fig. 1 illustrates a different position of the guides. As the lacing is continuously pulled in an unwinding direction with respect to the spool 33, the wheel 14 is rotated, bringing into I operative position successive portions of the ring periphery. Since the wheel 14 freely rotates, there is no slippage between'the lacing and the ring 20.

The unfinished side of the lacing 10 engages'the ap' plicator ring 20. This side of the lacing is absorbent Land-draws dye from the applicator ring 29 through capillary action. The tension in the lacing causes the lacing to press slightly into the ring 20 under the influence of the guides 26 and 27. Thefedges of the lacing are thereby subjected to and absorb the dye carried by the ring 20.

The ring 20 is maintained substantially in a saturated condition. For this purpose, .use is made of a continuous flexible ball chain or loop-37. The upper portion 'of the loop formed by the chain 37 rests in an annular 1 concavity 38 formed in the outer surface of the wheel section flange 17. The other wheel section: flange 18 'has a similar concavity 39 in which a second chain could be accommodated for purposes to be described more fully hereinafter. V V V g The lower portion of the'loop-formedby' the chain '37 extends beneath the level of dye 11 in the container 12. As the lacing 10 is continuously pulled about the applicator ring 20, the chain 37 is advanced. Small quantities of dye adhered about the elements of the chain pass into the annular concavity 38. The annular con- 7 cavity 38 in the wheel section flange 17 communicates via a series of angularly spaced slots 40 with one side of the annular recess 19 in which the applicator ring 20 is accommodated. A similar series of slots 41 is provided for the other wheel section flange 10.v Dye accordingly may pass to the side surfaces of the applicator ring 20.

The applicator ring 20 absorbs such quantities of dye as will maintain it substantially in'a saturated condition. The excess dye will run off about the annular concavity 38 and either drip back into the container 12 or be carried back thereto by the chain 37. The ring will absorb dye at a rate dependent upon its then level of saturation. The ring 20 is quite small and thus quite sensitively re stores its level of saturation, making dye. substantially uniformly available for the lacing. The lacing 10 tends to reduce the level of saturation of the'applicator ring 20, to cause the ring in turn to absorb dye supplied through the slots 40 or 41. V

The more absorbent the lacing, the more it will withdraw dye from the ring 20, providing dye is made uniformly available to the lacing. Since more dye is in fact necessary to achieve a certain color density when the lacing is more absorbent, a uniform color density throughout the length of the lacing is achieved despite minor irregularities in the lacing. V

A plurality of chains may be'used if the demaud'for dye exceeds that capable of being supplied by the single chain. i

The lacing is dyed to a color consistent with that of the finished side of the lacing. However, none of the dye is applied .to the finished side of the lacing, and the finished side is, accordingly, preserved in its original state of After dye is applied to the lacing, it is exposed for a substantial period in a drying chamber. The drying chamber comprises a vertical stack 42 formed by elongate side walls 43 and 44 (Fig. 2) carried by the frame'mem- 7 generally to the left of the applicatorstructure so that the guide 26, about which the lacing passes when it leaves the applicator, throughoutits range of adjustment is located beneath the stack near the wall 44. Q g

The lacing 10 after leaving ring 20 is moved upwardly, and makes several passes through thefdrying chamber in order to achieve appropriate drying time. For this purpose, there are two sets of guide rollers or pulleys spaced from each other along the length of the chamber.

A movable carriage 52 (Figs. 1 and 2) supports the first set, comprising rollers 49, and 51. These rollers have parallel horizontal axes spaced from each other across the width of the chamber. The lacing passes upwardly near the wall 44 and over the nearest roller 49, then downwardly. i

The second set of guide rollers 53 and 54 is located at V the lower end of the stack or chamber. The lacing passes in respective sequence about the rollers of the sets, and finally vertically downwardly at the lower end of the stack near the other side wall 43.

The carriage structure 52 carries a plate 55 upon which the rollers 49, 50 and 51 are mounted. The plate has a flange 56 beneath the rollers thereon. This flange 56 has recesses as at 57 (Fig. 2) to ensure that the lacing is maintained centrally along the operative surface. of the rollers. A similar guide plate 58, secured to-a block 1&2 (Fig. 3), supports the roflers 53 and 54 at the lower end of the stack. This plate 58 has aflange 59 immediately above the rollers and is provided with slots or recesses 69 (Fig. 3) for similarly guiding the lacing.

The carriage 52 is rectangular, and may be made of wood or sheet metal material. Its opposite side edges are received in longitudinally extending grooves or recesses 61 and 62 (Fig. 2) provided on the inner surfaces of the side wall members 43- and 44. The location of the carriage 52 along the length of the stack determines thetotal time during which the lacing is in the stack. Furthermore, not all of the rollers need be used to achieve sufficient drying time.

In order to adjust the position of the carriage 52, a cable or cord 63, cooperable with a reel 64 located exteriorly of the stack, isprovided. The cord passes about an idler pulley 65 supported upon a shaft. 66 received in appropriate bearings provided byextensions of the

side walls

43 and 44. The end of the cord 63 is attached centrally of the carriage 52 adjacent its upper edge, as by the aid of a connection at an aperture 67 in the carriage 52.

The reel 64 is mounted for rotation upon the shank of a stud 103 which projects outwardly of a plate 68 secured to or forming a part of the front wall 46'. The head 103a of the stud is suitably secured in place on the inside of the plate 68.

Rotation of the reel in one direction, as by the handle 104, serves to raise the carriage 52. An eccentric latch 69, engaging the peripheral flanges of the reel 64, locks the reel against unwinding, and thereby prevents downward movement of the carriage 52.

However, in order accurately to control the downward movement of the carriage, frictional restraint is imposed upon the reel 64 so that the weight of the carriage 5.2 is insuflicient to movev the carriage downwardiy. Accordingly, the reel normally must be rotated by hand for moving the carriage 52 downwardly. For this purpose, the reel 64 is urged against a leather washe. 110 or other suitable friction disc, the washer 118 being interposed between the plate 68 and the reel 64. A coil. spring 106, seated in a counterbore 64o on the outer side of the reel 64, urges the reel 64 against the washer. The spring 106 v is held in place by a nut Hi7 engaging the outer end of the stud 163. A washer 183 is interposed between the spring 166 and the nut in order to ensure against the end of the spring binding to prevent rotation of the reel 64.

Adjustment of the position of the nut 1&7 sensitively adjusts the tension of the spring, thereby accurately controlling the frictional forces between the reel washer 110 and plate 63. The nut 107' is held in adjusted position by a lock nut 1.09.

In order to thread the lacing about the pulleys 49, 50, 51, 53 and 54, the carriage 52 is lowered to. the lower end of the stack. Engagement of the lower edge of the carriage 52 with the block 162 determines the lower limited position of the. carriage. In such position the flanges 56 and 59 are slightly spaced, and the lacing may be passed about the rollers and through the guiding slots of the flanges.

A hingedly mounted cover structure 70 (Figs. 3 and 6), normally closing the lower end of the stack, may be lifted in order that the guide. rollers be exposed for placement of the lacing. The end of the cover closing the lower end of the stack has slots. for passage of the lacing. Pins 01'

posts

72 and 73, respectively projecting from the side wall 43 and cover 79, mount a spring 71, and are so located that the spring has an overcenter travel with respect to the hinge pin 74 for the cover. The cover 70 can, accordingly, easily be positioned in stable closing or in opening positions.

The end of the lacing 10 extending downwardly from the left-hand. side of the stack isv engaged between a pair of driving and forming rollers 75 and 76 (Figs. 1 and 5-) For purposes of initially positioning the carriage, the lacing 10 is temporarily restrained by the driving

wheels

75 and 76 or otherwise while the reel 64 is operated to raise the. carriage 52. Raising the carriage 52 causes advancement of the lacing 10 about the applicator wheels even though

wheels

75 and 76 are not rotated. When the carriage is appropriately positioned, the

wheels

75 and 76 are rotated.

When the end of the lacing 10 passes off of the spool 33, and the driving

rollers

75 and 76 are operating, the reel- 64 is released and the lacing end is manually restrained before it enters the drying chamber. The tension in thelacing due to the driving rollers pulls the carriage 52. downwardly against the frictional restraint imposed on the reel until the carriage 52 engages the block 102. Manual restraint on the lacing end is then released, and the lacing end finally passes through the drying chamber. By properly adjusting the spring Hi6, suflicient restraint is imposed on the reel to prevent the weight of the carriage from moving downwardly, while nevertheless permitting the. lacing to overcome the restraint in this manner without breaking.

The position of the carriage 52 can be adjusted during operation of the apparatus.

The driving

wheels

75 and 76 are shown to best advantage in Fig. 5. They have axes extending horizontally, and are located beneath the side wall 43.

The wheel 76 is secured, as by a set screw 78, upon a shaft 77, the shaft 77 projecting beneath a cut-away portion of the framev 23. The shaft 77 passes through aligned apertures in vertically extending

flanges

79 and 80 of a U-shaped bracket 81 secured to a block 94 as by screws 98.

In order to rotate the shaft 77 and the wheel 76, a small motor 87 is provided. The motor has a shaft 86 engaging a friction wheel 82 secured on the shaft'77 by a nut 85.

The other driving wheel 75 is secured to another shaft 88 as by the aid of a set screw 89. This shaft 88 is supported in a bore of a bearing block 90. In order to rotate the driving wheel 75, the

shafts

88 and 77 are coupled. For this purpose, the shafts carry

spur gears

84 and 91. The gear 91 is carried at the end of the shaft opposite the driving Wheel 75. The gear 84 is located between the friction wheel 82 and the rear flange Ell of the U-shaped bracket 81.

The

wheels

75 and 76, in addition to their function of puliing the lacing through the apparatus, impart a convex curvature to the finished side of the lacing. Such curvature provides a neat appearance of the lacing when spooled for storage or shipment. For this purpose, the wheel 76 has an annular semi-circular concave recess. 92, and the other wheel 75 has an annular flange 93 providing a convex semi-circular surface entering partially into the recess 92. The lacing at the driving wheels are in a slightly moist and pliant condition to permit the wheels readily to impart the desired curvature to the lacing.

A guide 95, secured to the upper end of the. flange 79 of the U-shaped bracket, engages the lacing 10 just in advance of the driving

rollers

75 and 76, and ensures that the lacing is properly oriented so that the finished side assumes the convexity.

In order to thread the lacing between the driving

wheels

75 and 76, the wheels are moved apart. For this purpose, the sleeve bearing block supporting the driving wheel 75 is mounted for pivotal movement away from the mechanism associated with the other driven wheel 76. The block 90 is pivotally mounted on the bracket 8i. For this purpose, a pin 97 passes through the lower end of the block and projects at opposite ends through recesses in reduced portions of the

flanges

79 and 80 of the U-shaped bracket. A finger piece 99, extending radially from the block 90, may be depressed 7 "by digital pressure against the force of a compression spring IODto-move the bearing block 90. The lacing 10 may then'be passed between the drivingwheels 75 and 76. Thereupon, the finger piece 99 is released and the parts assume their operative position under the influence of the compression spring 100. The gears 84 and 91- readily move into and out of engagement as the bearing block 90 is moved. The spring 100 overpowers the reaction between the gears that would otherwise tend to cause disengagement of the gears due to the movable -mounting of the gear 91. V

In order-to make it possible for lacing of different 'widths properly to be operated upon by the driving mechanism, the driving wheel 76 has a second concave semi-circular annular recess 101 adjacent the other recess 92. A substitute for the driving wheel 75 may be placed upon the shaft 88 for cooperation with'the recess 101. v V

The apparatus incorporates several basic features of adjustment in order properly to perform the dyeing and drying operation. If a wide lacing is to be dyed or if the lacing is highlyabsorbent, two chains such as 37 may be provided at one end of each of the applicator wheel sections and 16. The width of the applicator ring is sufficient appropriately to cooperate with lacing of various widths. Wider lacing is caused to cooperate with the larger recess 101 of the driving wheel 76. .To ensure suflieient time for the lacing to absorb dye from the applicator wheel, while at the same time on suring against over-application of dye, the position of 'the guides 26 and 27 may be adjusted.

In order to ensure appropriate drying time for the lacing, which depends upon the conditions of the ambient air as 'well as upon the'characteristics of the specific lacing or the dye used, the position of the carriage structure 52 is adjusted.

The apparatus is quite compact and requires very'little area in a work shop. Since the lacing is not immersed in dye, the dyeing operation in no way interferes with the previous finish on one side of the lacing, and also the time required for drying the lacing after the application of dye is quite small. a

The inventor claims:

1. In apparatus for applying liquid to one side and the edges of absorbent flexible material such as leather lacing, comprising: an absorbent applicator wheel about which the one side of the lacing may pass for applying liquid torone side and the edges of the lacing; means forming a drying chamber; a series of adjustable guide means in the drying chamber to predetermine the length of lacing passing through the drying chamber; and means for moving the lacing along the guide means and about the applicator wheel.

2. In apparatus for drying flexible material such as carriage longitudinally movable in the chamber; a, second set of rollers mounted on the carriage; a'first guide member adjacent the'first set of rollers for maintaining the lacing in operative position on the first set of rollers; a second guide memberseeured to the carriage adjacent the second set of rollers for maintaining the lacing in operative position on the second set of rollers; and adjustable means forpositioning the carriage along the length of the chamber. 2 v

4. In apparatus for drying flexible material to which a liquid. has been applied: means forming an elongate "upon rotation of the wheel; said wheel'having a surface .8 V substantially vertically oriented drying chamber, including a movable wall means selectively positionable to expose'the lower end of the chamber or to close said lower.

when the movable wall means is in open position; the

second set. of rollers being also accessible when'the carriage is positioned at said one end of said chamber and when said wall means is in open position; 'and adjustable means for positioning the carriage along the length of the chamber.

5. In apparatus for drying flexible material to which a liquid has been applied: means forming an elongate substantially vertically oriented drying chamber, including a movable wall means selectively positionable to ex pose the lower end of the chamber or to close said lower end of said chamber; a first 'setof rollers located at the lower end of said chamber; a carriage longitudinally movable in the chamber; a second set of rollers mounted on the carriage; a first guide member adjacent the first set of rollers for maintaining the lacing in operative position on the first set of rollers; a second guide member secured to the carriage adjacent the second set of rollers for maintaining the lacing in operative position on the second set of rollers; said first set of rollers being accessible when the movable wall means is in open position,

carriage longitudinally movable in the chamber; a second set of rollers mounted on the carriage; a flexible member secured at one end to the carriage and extending through the other end of the chamber; a reel accessible exteriorly of the chamber and engageable with the flexible member for moving the flexible member to position the carriage; and means for holding the flexible member in an adjusted position.

7. In apparatus for applying a liquid to the unfinished side and the edges of flexible material-such as leather lacing, the other side of said material having beenpreviously dyed and finished, comprising: means operable by passage of the lacing for applying liquid to the unfinished side and the edges of the lacing; means forming a drying chamber; guide means in the chamber about which the lacing passes; a pair of driving rollers engaging the lacing at the end of the chamber'for advancing the lacing, and having oppositely curved surfaces of revolution for imparting a convex curvature to the finished side of the lacing. a

8. In apparatus for applying liquid suchas dye to flexible material such. as leather lacing; an applicator wheel,

including an absorbent member having a peripherally exposed surface for engagement with the material; means mounting the wheel for rotation, passage of the material along the surface causing rotation of'the wheel; and an endless flexible member'having' its upper portion engaging the wheel, and having its lowerportion adapted to be subjected to a body of liquid; said flexible member having provisions for conveying quantities of liquid to the wheel for absorption by the absorbent member. 9. In apparatus for applying liquid such as dye to flexible material such as leather lacing; an applicator wheel 'mounted for rotation about-its axis; said wheel having a peripheral recess; an, absorbent ring in the recess, and having a peripheral surface engageable with the material adjoining the recess; there being a series of angularly spaced slots between the recess and the surface; and an endless flexible chain looped at its upper portion about the wheel and sealed as said surface, and having its lower portion depending from the wheel for immersion in a body of dye or the like.

10. In apparatus for applying liquid such as dye to flexible material such as leather lacing: an applicator wheel, including an absorbent member having a peripherally exposed surface for engagement with the material; means mounting the wheel for rotation, passage of the material along the surface causing rotation of the wheel; an endless flexible member having its upper portion engaging the Wheel, and having its lower portion adapted to be subjected to a body of liquid; said flexible member having provisions for conveying quantities of liquids to the wheel for absorption by the absorbent member; and a pair of guide means in spaced relationship about the periphery of the absorbent member for causing engagement of the material with the absorbent member.

11. In apparatus for applying liquid such as dye to flexible material such as leather lacing: an applicator wheel, including an absorbent member having a peripherally exposed surface for engagement with the material; means mounting the Wheel for rotation, passage of the material along the surface causing rotation of the wheel; an endless flexible member having its upper portion engaging the Wheel, and having its lower portion adapted to be subjected to a body of liquid; said flexible member having provisions for conveying quantities of liquid to the wheel for absorption by the absorbent member; a pair of guide means in spaced relationship about the periphery of the absorbent member for causing engagement of the material with the absorbent member; and means mounting the guide means for adjustment to vary the length about the periphery of the absorbent member with which the material cooperates.

12. In apparatus for applying liquid to flexible material such as leather lacing: an applicator wheel, comprising a pair of wheel sections, each having peripheral flanges forming a central recess between them; an absorbent ring in the recess; there being a series of slots in each of the sections between the peripheral surfaces of the flanges and those sides of the flanges forming the recess; and a chain looped at its upper portion about the peripheral surface of one of the flanges.

13. In apparatus for applying liquid to flexible material such as leather lacing: an applicator wheel, comprising a pair of wheel sections, each having peripheral flanges forming a central recess between them; an absorbent ring in the recess; there being a series of slots in each of the sections between the peripheral surfaces of the flanges and those sides of the flanges forming the recess; a shaft mounting the wheel sections for rotation; a pair of arms angularly adjustable about the axis of the shaft, and each having a guide element at its end spaced from the periphery of the ring.

14. In apparatus for drying flexible material such as lacing: means forming an elongate drying chamber; a first set of rollers located at one end of the chamber; a carriage longitudinally movable in the chamber; a second set of rollers mounted on the carriage; adjustable means for positioning the carriage along the length of the chamber; and means imposing an adjustable frictional restraint upon said adjustable means.

15. In apparatus for drying flexible material such as lacing: means forming an elongate drying chamber; a first set of rollers located at one end of the chamber; a carriage longitudinally movable in the chamber; a second set of rollers mounted on the carriage; a flexible cable connected to the carriage; a reel for winding and unwinding the cable; and means for imposing an adjustable frictional restraint upon said reel.

16, In apparatus for drying flexible material such as lacing: means forming an elongate drying chamber; a first set of rollers located at the lower end of the chamber; a carriage vertically movable in the chamber; a second set of rollers mounted on the carriage; a flexible cable suspending the carriage; a reel for winding and unwinding the cable; means imposing an adjustable frictional restraint upon the wheel sufliciently large to prevent the weight of the carriage from unwinding the reel, but sufliciently small to permit tension in the lacing to overcome the frictional restraint when the reel is otherwise unrestrained; and selectively operable means for locking the reel against movement.

17. In apparatus for applying liquid such as dye to flexible material such as leather lacing: an applicator wheel having an absorbent member, the member having a peripherally exposed surface engageable with the material upon rotation of the wheel; a spindle mounting the wheel at one end thereof; a support having an aperture provided with a keyhole slot substantially vertically above the aperture; and a sleeve bearing for the spindle extend ing in the support aperture, and having a lubricant tube communicating with the bearing and extending into the keyhole slot to prevent rotation of the sleeve bearing.

18. In apparatus for applying liquid such as dye to flexible material such as leather lacing: an applicator wheel having an absorbent member, the member having a peripherally exposed surface engageable with the material upon rotation of the wheel; a spindle mounting the wheel at one end thereof; a support having an aperture provided with a keyhole slot substantially vertically above the aperture; a sleeve bearing for the spindle extending in the support aperture, and having a lubricant tube communicating with the bearing and extending into the keyhole slot to prevent rotation of the sleeve bearing; a pair of arms frictionally held between an end of the sleeve bearing and the support; and guides for the flexible material secured respectively to the arms, and spaced from the periphery of the absorbent member to cause engagement of the flexible material with the absorbent member, the arms being adjustable by movement against the force of friction to determine the spacing between the guides.

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