US3030914A

US3030914A - Swabbing device

Info

Publication number: US3030914A
Application number: US686148A
Authority: US
Inventors: Oscar R Montgomery
Original assignee: JOHN B COYNE
Current assignee: JOHN B COYNE
Priority date: 1957-09-25
Filing date: 1957-09-25
Publication date: 1962-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 1979-04-24

Description

April 24, 1962 o. R. MONTGOMERY v 3,030,914

SWA-BBING DEVICE Filed Sept. 25, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hm N t o; J

Apri] 24 1962 o. R. MONTGOMERY SWABBING DEVICE INVENTOR.

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 25, 1957 April 24, 1962 o. R. MONTGOMERY SWABBING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 25, 1957 INVENTOR.

April 24, 1952 o. R. MONTGOMERY SWABBING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 25, 195'? INVENTOR.

April 24, 1952 l o. R. MONTGOMERY 3,030,914

swABBING DEVICE Filed Sept. 25, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 1 NVEN TOR. @am W W 'tat The present invention is directed to a new and improved mechanical swabbing arrangement which may be in the formy of an attachment `for use in the conditioning and/or treatment of leather or leather-like material during mechanical, yautomatic conveyance of the material along a treatment or conditioning line.

The swabbing or conditioning arrangement of the present arrangement is particularly adapted for use with leather or leather-like material in conditioning or treating the same and the following description of the embodiment of the invention disclosed Will deal with this particular use. However, it should be understood that the particular swabbing or material treating arrangement disclosed is adaptable for variable uses particularly Where a uniform rubbing, brushing or polishing action is necessary in the treating, conditioning or linishing of various materials.

In leather nishing, particularly in connection with the manufacture of shoe tops, jackets, seat covers, furniture covers, etc., the application of a smooth coat of leather `finishing material accompanied by the desired degree of penetra-tion of the material into the leather is essential in providing top grade products. Side leather normally used in the manufacture of top leather products is .prepared for finishing treatment in the conventional manner by subjecting the same to de-hairing, soaking, tanning, softening, bleaching and sanding, as Well as other widely practiced preparation operations. Upon reaching the final nishing operation, the leather has a bleached appearance in preparation vfor dye coating as well as sealing `and plating.

Conventional finishing operations include dye coating -wherein the coloring material is applied by brush, spray or other processing and the coated leather is allowed to dry after which the pigmented nishing compositions are applied thereto and hand swabbed into the leather While wet. `Finishing compositions generally include a binder, water, resin and a pigmented solution ofthe desired color or colors. The composition must be capable of provid- 4ing the leather with la smooth, even, streak-free surface following drying of the same.

Penetration of the finishing composition into the :leather is one of the most important requirements of the -finishing process as this penetration materially affects the iinal grade of the leather as judged by smoothness of the texture thereof. Following the finishing treatment, the leather in substantially all instances-is subjected to a plating treatment wherein a heated press conditions the leather `to impart thereto a smooth, bright bonding surface in a known manner for subsequent finish coating. :More vtinish is then swabbed -into the leather with each subsequent finishing coating following plating thereof Vforming a bond with the vpreceding coating. In other words, the finishing process Ais repeated to any desired extent depending upon vthe ultimate use of the leather product. Following the final hot plating step, a coating or a number of coatings of lacquer 4emulsion is applied to the finished leather to seal the finish and provide further water-proofing action.

The Vpresent invention is primarily directed to improving the application of the linishing composition t provide a smooth, even, streak-free vfinish accompanied `by proper penetration of the finishing composition into the 3,036,914 Pateniled AP?.-

leather material. Hand swabbing is generally relied npon during this important operation and it is diliicult to obtain an even coat of finish on leather due to variances in individual swabbing techniques. In many instances the results of the finishing process are not at all desirable and the resulting product isdowngraded with an accompanying loss to the manufacturer. An improperly applied finish exhibits the tendency to blotch or blossom during plating arising lfrom the hand swabbers inability to apply an even stroke and pressure over the entirearea of the leather under treatment.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mechanical swabbing device capable of automatic operation the application of a high quality finish to leather material, the device making use or a plurality of endless swabbing belts mounted and driven in such a manner as 'to evenly spread the finishing composition throughout the surface of the leather material under treatment `and evenly work the composition into the leather material to provide for proper" and efficient penetration.

A further object is to provide Ka new and improved swabbing device particularly adapted for attachment to a conventional form or" conveyor which continuously delivers leather into and out of operative association with the swabbing device -for finishing treatment thereby, the device making use of a plurality of endless swabbing belts lwhich 4are drivingly interconnected for alternate' directional opera-tion to smoothly and evenly apply a `finishing composition to the continuously moving' leather and thus overcome the difficulties and problems4 arising 4from V.hand application of such compositions to'leatherl during Ytenance and replacement purposes, each of .the belts being improved in and ofY themselves by use of separately defined zones of plush whichlfunction to evenly spread in a controllable manner the finishing composition applied to the leather undergoing treatment.

Other objects not specifically set forth will become apparent -from -the lfollowing rdetailed description made in conjunction with the drawing wherein: i

FiG. l is a plan view of the swabbing device of the present invention mounted in its operative position rela tive to a leather vmaterial conveyor;

FIG. 2 is a view Ysimilar to FIG. l villustrating movement of the swabbing belt assemblies of the device relative to the Imain frame lthereof for maintenance or belt replacement purposes;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the swabbing belt assemblies; i

FiG, 4 is a yfragmentary elevation in partial section of a swabbing belt assembly ytaken generally Ialong yline 4-4 of FlG. 3; i

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective of a frame member forming a part of each of the swabbing belt assemblies, certain parts of the bearing membersof their-arme member being illustrated in exploded perspective;VU M

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective of a sub-frame assembly forming a part of each swabbing belt assembly;

FEG. 7 is van enlarged perspective of onetype of bearing forming a part of the sub-frameassembly;V

FIG, 8 'is an enlarged perspective of a different `type of bearing forming appart of the frame structure of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective of the combined-frame members of FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrating operational functioning of the same;

FIG. is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the main frame member of the swabbing device illustrating the amounting of the same relative to a leather moving conveyor assembly;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of one end of a swabbing assembly taken generally along line 11`11 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken generally along line 12--12 of FIG. 2 and illustrating operative functioning of the swabbing belt assembly;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the locking means forming a part of each swabbing belt assembly;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective of one of the swabbing belts illustrated in its operative position; and

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of the swabbing belt illustrating the structural features thereof and the manner in which the same is mounted in a swabbing belt assembly.

In FIG. 1 the new and improved swabbing device 20 of the present invention is illustrated mounted in its operative position on a conventional form of material conveyor structure 21 which includes a supporting frame 22, a continuous belt supporting plate 23 attached to the frame 22 and a continuous moving conveyor belt 24 mounted in sliding relation on the plate 23. The direction of travel of the belt 24 is indicated by arrows and this belt carries a plurality of pieces 25 of leather material continuously therealong and under the swabbing device 20 for finishing treatment thereby.

The swabbing device 20 generally includes a main frame 26 which is provided with a plurality of transversely and angularly directed slot-like openings 27 in which are received swabbing belt assemblies generally designated by the

numerals

28, 29 and 30. The main frame 26 carries at the forward end thereof an integral projecting frame portion 31 having mounted thereon an electric motor 32 of known type. The motor 32 is drivingly connected by a split-shaft coupler 33 to a roller 34 which forms a part of the belt assembly 28. The roller 34 cooperates with an idler roller 35 to carry a swabbing belt 36 therebetween -for operation in the direction of the arrow illustrated in connection with the belt assembly 28. The driven roller 34 is carried by a drive shaft 36 which at one end is coupled by the coupler 33 to the motor 32 and at its opposite end is drivingly connected by a pair of

meshed gears

37 and 38 and a pair of

pulleys

39 and 40 coupled by a drive belt 41 to a roller shaft 42 of the belt assembly 29 to drive a roller 43 forming a part thereof. An idler roller 44 cooperates with the driven roller 43 to mount a swabbing belt 45 of the belt assembly 29 which is driven in the direction of the arrow indicated thereon. The opposite end of the shaft 42 is similarly drivingly connected by a pair of meshed gears 46 and 47, a pair of pulleys 48 and 49, and an interconnecting drive belt 50 to a drive shaft 51 with a roller 52 forming a part of the belt assembly 30. An idler roller 53 cooperates with the roller 52 to carry the swabbing belt 54 which is driven in the direction indicated by the arrow thereon.

With the arrangement described, the single motor 32 drives a plurality of swabbing belt assemblies each of which is drivingly interconnected with adjacent assemblies. The

assemblies

28, 29 and 30 are transversely angularly arranged relative to the longitudinal axis of the main frame 26 and conveyor 21 to preferably locate the swabbing belts at approximately 60 relative to the direction of movement of the leather material 25. The belt assemblies are mounted in parallel relation to one another and are operated in alternate opposite directions for purposes to be described. The main frame 26 carries at the forward end thereof a pair of spaced rollers 55 and 56 which are suitably mounted on shafts carried by the main frame 26 in openings therein for contact with the leather material 25 near opposite edges thereof during movement of the same below the swabbing device 20. The rollers and 56 are not driven but are arranged to operate as idlers in frictional engagement with the edges of the leather material 25 passing thereunder in order to smooth out the edges thereof and prevent roll-up of the same and thus assure proper and complete swabbing of the entire hide during contact of the same with the

swabbing belt assemblies

28, 29 and 30.

In FIGS. 3-6 the details of the swabbing belt assembly 29 are illustrated, it being understood that the remaining assemblies 28 and 30 are similarly constructed. The assembly 29 includes a separate rectangular frame member 57 which, as shown in FIG. 5, is formed from a plurality of U-shaped channel beams arranged to define side grooves which open outwardly in a radial direction. A pair of side beams 58 and 59 are interconnected at their ends by a pair of end beams 60 and 61, each of which are provided at opposite ends thereof with inwardly directed notches 62 provided for the purpose of mounting the frame 57 in a slot 27 of the main frame 26. Referring to FIG. 10, the side construction of the slots 27 is illustrated as including L-shaped members 63 each of which is provided with a bottom foot 64 extending inwardly and over which a frame member 57 of a swabbing belt assembly is slidingly received. The vertical wall of each side member 63 has integrally formed thereon in spaced relation to the foot 64 thereof a continuous blocklike rib 65 which is received in the end slots 62 of the end frame member 6l) and 61 when the frame 57 is mounted on the main frame 26. This particular arrangement is shown in FIG. 12 and it will be understood that each frame member 57 of each

belt assembly

28, 29 and 30 is slidably mounted in a slot 27 in the main frame 26.

Referring to FIG. 5, each separate frame member 57 carries a pivotal rod 66 along one side thereof which is journaled at its ends by suitable bearing members 67 mounted on the

end frame members

60 and 61. The rod 66 is spaced slightly above the top surface of the side member 58 to receive thereabout the collar portions 68 of a pair of bearing members 69, one of which is shown in detail in FIG. 7. The collar portion 68 of each bearing member 69 is xedly attached to the rod 66 as shown in FIGS. 3, 9, ll and 12 to pivot or rotate with the same relative to the rod bearings 67 carried by the frame 57. As particularly shown in FIG. 6, the bearing portion 69 is arranged to journal a shaft such as the shaft 42 of the driven roller 43 of the belt assembly 29, this shaft 42 being held in place by a sub-frame assembly generally designated by the numeral 70 in FIG. 6. Each sub-frame assembly includes a pair of side bars 71 which at their ends support the driven shaft, such as shaft 42, and the idler shaft, such as shaft 72 in FIG. 6 carrying the idler roller 44 of the belt assembly 29. Cross frame bars 73 extend intermediate the side bars 71 to rigidity the same and further strength is provided lby centrally located diagonal bars 74.

As previously described, the shaft 42 carries at one end outwardly of the sub-frame 70 a driving gear 46 and at the other end a driving pulley 40 having associated therewith a driving belt 41 mounted at its opposite end on a pulley 39 which is rotatably carried on a lixed shaft 75 journaled in the bars 71 and 74 of the sub-frame structure 70. The pulley 39 is either integrally formed with or drivingly attached to the rotatable gear 38 carried on the end ofthe shaft 75 which is arranged to mesh with the gear 37 on the driven shaft 36 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The shafts 42 and 75 are braced by ya bar 76 extending therebetween which is rigidly attached to the sub-frame 70 by bars 77.

As particularly shown in FIG. 3, the sub-frame 70 including the roller shafts 42 and 72 is mounted on the frame member 57 within a slot 27 of the main frame 26. The collars 68 hold one end of each of the shafts 42 and 72 relative to the rod 66 for vertical pivotal movement thereassocia'.

with in a manner to be described. The opposite ends of thc shafts 42 and '72 are each journaled in a split-bearing '78 ofthe type illustrated in detail in FIGS. 5 and 8. Each of these bearings includes a removable bearing section 79 which cooperates with a fixed `base portion to define the journal housing for the shafts 42 and '72. A pair of locking bolts tid extend through the removable portion 79 to lock the same relative to the fixed portion and hold the shafts 42 and 72 in their yoperative positions. The portions 79 are removed during use of the swabbing belt iassemblies for belt replacement and maintenance purposes in a manner to be described.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, the

rollers

43 and 44 carry thereabout an inner endless friction belt Si having mounted about the outer surface thereof a swabbing belt such as the belt 45 of the assembly 29. The pair of belts Si and 45 are tensioned about the

rollers

43 and 44 by a tensioning roller 82 which is carried by a shaft 83 journaled between pivotal arms 84 which in 4turn are pivotally attached to the side bars 7l of the subframe '70. Intermediate the ends of each arm 84 a tensioning spring 35 is attached, the opposite ends of each spring S5 being fixedly attached in a suitable manner to one of the crossbar members 7? of the sub-fname 7). The springs 85 constantly urge the arms 84 and roller 82 in an upward direction to tension the combined belts Ell and 45 relative to the rollers '43 and 44.

ln FIGS. 1l 4and 12 the swabbing function of each

belt assembly

23, 29 and Sti is shown in detail. For purposes of description the functioning of the assembly 29 is illustrated, it being understood that all of the assemblies function in exactly the same marmer. The mounting of the assembly 29 in the slot 27 is accomplished in such ya manner that the belt carrying rollers of the assembly are located within the slot 27 and the swabbing belt 1l-5 is positioned with the outer bottom surface thereof in engagement with the top surface of the leather material 25 oartried on the con-veyor belt 24. Continuous rubbing or brushing constituting the swabbing `action is automatically obtained during movement of the leather material 25 beneath the swabbing device 2t). The plate 23 of the leather material conveyor 2l provides a solid support for the conveyor belt 24 andthe leather material 25 carried thereby. The conveyor belt Z4 is preferably formed from eponge rubber material to provide slight give of a nature which enhances proper swabbing action of the leather material. The conveyor belt 24 is preferably kept wet with Water to prevent the leather material 25 carried thereon from sliding relative thereto. The friction belt Si is preferably formed from sponge rubber material similar to that of the conveyor belt 24 to provide a resilient backing to the swabbing belt 45 during use of the same while frictionally holding the swabbing belt 45 against slippage. The finishing composition is applied to the leather material 25 prior to treatment of the same by the swabbing device Ztl and application of the composition may be accomplished in any suitable manner, such as b-y spraying.

ln order to maintain the swabbing composition on the leather material 25 and further evenly spread the same throughout the surface of the material in a mechanical and automatic manner, the swabbing belts used are formed in a new and novel manner which constitutes a part of the present invention. ln FIGS. 14 and 15 the mounting of each swabbing belt and the structural features of the same are shown in detail. Each swabbing belt, such as the beit 45, is formed from an inner plush-retaining weave or mat Se of known type which is in contact with the surface of the friction belt Si. Sseparately defined areas 87 of plush attached by themat 86 constitute a unique feature of the present invention whereby highly eiiicient swabbing action can be obtained with even spreading and full use of the finishing composition during application to the leather material.

As illustrated, the swa'obing belt 45 includes a plurality of separate triangular plush areas 37 which are arranged to evenly rub the finishing composition into the leather material while spreading the same through the surface of the leather material to provide a streak-free, finished appearance. The direction of movement of the belt illustrated in FIG. 14 is indicated by the arrows and it will be appreciated that the forward points of each triangular area 87 upon contacting quantities of finishing composition will cause the same to be spread evenly throughout the width of the belt 45. As previously described, the other belts 36 and 54 are similarly constructed and alternate directional operation of the same, as illustrated in FIG. l, provides for complete spreading and even distribution of the finishing composition throughout the entire area of the leather material 25. Any number of triangular areas 87 may be utilized for the purposes described depending upon the size of leather material under treatmeut.

The structural features of each belt assembly described above provide for the type of swabbing action referred to and further allow ready and efficient swabbing belt changing for replacement necessitated by, for example, a change in color of the pigmentation of the finishing composition. In other words, a set of swabbing belts are used with each swabbing device, each of the belts being mounted in operative position for use with a specific finishing composition of a certain color.

As previously described, each of the frame members 57 of the separate belt assemblies 2S, 29 and 30 are slidably mounted in its respective slot 27. By this arrangement the drive interconnection of the parallel belt assemblies can be readily established by locating each assembly in gear intermeshing relation with an adjacent assembly. To disengage the gearing of the interrelated belt assemblies, each assembly is slidable within its respective slot 27 into the positions shown in FIG. 2. in these positions it will be noted that the gears are disengaged and the split-shaft coupling 33 associated with the motor 32 is separated to completely disengage the drive of the belt assembly 28. Further rearward sliding `as viewed in FIG. 2 allows each assembly to be moved substantially to one side of the main frame 2o? for ready accessibility to the belts and mechanical elements of the same.

To allow quick and efficient belt changing without appreciable loss of operating time, Vthe pivotal mounting of the sub-frame 7G of each belt assembly as previously described is provided. Separation of the removable bearing portions 79 of each bearing structure 78 frees one end of each of the shafts 42 and '72 and thereby frees one complete side of the sub-frame 70. The mounting of the bearings 69 on the pivotal rod 66 by use of the collars 68 allows the remaining side of the subframe 7i? to rotate about the axis of the rod 66 `and permits the unattached side of the sub-frame 70 to be lifted vertically upwardly along an arcuate path as shown in FlG. 9. The illustration of FlG. 9 is reversed as compared with the view of FIG. 3 in order to better illustrate the pivotal upward tilting of the entire sub-frame 70 for belt replacement or changing purposes.

With the sub-frame "itl in the position illustrated in FlG. 9, the swabbing belt 45 as well as the friction belt `Si may readily be removed from association with the rollers 43 and d4 and a new belt replaced thereon for use with a finishing composition of a different color. FIG. l2 on the right-hand side thereof illustrates the tilting of the sub-frame itl about the axis of the rod 66 with adequate clearance being provided-relative to the main frame 2d and the gear 37 to provide for angular positioning of the sub-frame 7@ at slightly greater than 45. Upon completion of the belt changing operation, the sub-frame 7@ is pivotally returned to its original position with the removable bearing parts 79 being replaced and the studs Sti thereof tightened to complete re-assembling of the bearings '78. Each of the belt assemblies are -then in condition for sliding movement back into their respective slots 7 27 and for driving re-engagement to resume operation of the swabbing device.

In order to hold each belt assembly in driving engagement with an ladjacent belt assembly, removable locking pins 88, one of which is shown in detail in FIG. 13, are carried at each end of the frame 57 of each belt assembly. Each

end frame member

60 and 61 as previously described is channel-shaped and, as particularly shown in FIG. 13, is provided with a top flange 89 and a bottom flange 90 both of which are radially outwardly directed. The pin -83 is received through aligned drilled holes 91 in each of the flanges S9 and 90 and can be dropped therethrough for seating in a drilled hole 92 carried in the foot 64 of the adjacent L-shaped side member 63 of -a slot 27. The bottom end portion of each pin 88 is provided with a projection 93 of reduced diameter which is readily received in the drilled hole 92 once the latter is aligned with the holes 91. The hole 92 is located along the length of the slot 27 at a point where the gears carried by the belt assemblies become meshed. Thus, sliding of the belt assemblies by movement of the frame 57 along the slot 27 will ultimately result in automatic dropping of the pins 88 by reason of their weight into the holes 92 upon alignment therewith. At this point each belt assembly is properly located within the main frame 26.

In FIG. 3 it will be noted that each

end frame member

60 and 61 of the separate frame 57 carries a locking pin 88 adjacent the side frame member 59 so `as to fully lock the belt assembly against movement within the slot 27. The location of the pins S8 further prevents interference by the same with tilting of the sub-frame 7G when the belt assembly is sufficiently withdrawn'from its slot 27 for belt changing purposes. Each pin $8 may be attached by a link chain 94 to its respective

end frame member

60 or 61 to prevent misplacement of the pin during the belt changing operation.

Use of the mechanically operated swabbing attachment of the present invention results in a smooth finished appearance in the treated leather material with efficient streak-free and even penetration of the finishing composition therein. Subsequent plating and further finishing may be carried out to the degree desired without downgrading of the final product. An efficient bond is obtained between several coats of finishing material with the plating operation providing a smooth, bright bonding surface for each subsequent coat of finish. Operation of the swabbing belts at an angle relative to the direction of travel of the leather material and in alternate directions provides for the application of an even, smooth coat of finishing material on the leather material. The separately defined zones of plush formed on each of the belts further aids in obtaining the desired finishing composition coverage of each leather piece. The belt of each separate assembly is readily changeable during use of the swabbing device and for this purpose the assembly 30 is first slidably moved horizontally outwardly of its slot 27 followed by sequential sliding movement of the

assemblies

29 and 28. Once proper disengagement of the driving gears of the various assemblies is obtained, each individual assembly may be tilted upwardly for belt changing purposes. The swabbing device disclosed may be used not only for finishing composition applications but for brushing or wiping finished pigmented surfaces following the sueding of leather to remove suede dust. Obviously, the swabbing device disclosed is also readily adaptable for other uses.

Many modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for use in swabbing or treating moving leather or leather-like material, said device including a 8 plurality of endless treating belts mounted for operation in alternately opposite directions at an angle of approximately 60 to the direction of the movement of said material, each of said belts being provided with material contacting plush portions of triangular outline which are arranged to maintain and controllably spread treating compositions on said material during treatment thereof.

2. A device for use in swabbing or treating moving leather or leather-like material, said device including a plurality of endless treating belts mounted in parallel relation for operation in alternately opposite directions at an angle of approximately 60 to the direction of movement of said material, each of said belts being provided with material contacting plush portions of triangular outline which are arranged to maintain and controllably spread treating compositions on said material during treatment thereof.

3. A swabbing device for mounting on an endless conveyor for use in the conditioning of leather or leatherlike material, said device including a main frame in which a plurality of swabbing belts are operatively mounted in transverse angular relation relative to the longitudinal axis thereof, each of said belts being mounted on spaced rollers at least one of which is driven, the driven roller of each belt being drivingly connected to that of an adjacent belt, the rollers of each belt being mounted in a separate frame which is transversely slidable in said main frame into and out of operative interconnection with the rollers of an adjacent separate frame, and means for locking said separate frames in roller interconnected relation.

4. A swabbing device for mounting on an endless conveyor for use in the conditioning of leather or leather-like material, said device including a main Iframe in which a plurality of swabbing belts are operatively mounted in transverse angular relation relative to the longitudinal axis thereof, each of said belts being mounted on spaced rollers at least one of which is driven, the driven roller of each belt being drivingly connected to that of an adjacent belt, the rollers of each belt being mounted in a separate frame which is transversely slidable into said main frame into and out of operative interconnection with the rollers of an adjacent separate frame, means for locking said separate frames in roller interconnected relation, and means carried by said main frame `for driving said belts in alternately opposite directions, each of said belts having separately defined zones of plush for Contact with the material on the conveyor to maintain and evenly spread conditioning compositions thereon.

5. A swabbing device for mounting on an endless conveyor for use in the conditioning of leather or leatherlike material, said device including a main frame in which a plurality of swabbing belts are operatively mounted in transverse angular relation relative to the longitudinal axis thereof, each of said belts being mounted on spaced rollers at least one of which is driven, the driven roller of each belt being drivingly connected to that of an adjacent belt, the rollers of each belt being mounted in a separate frame which is transversely slidable in said main frame into and out of operative interconnection with the rollers of an adjacent separate frame, and means for locking said separate frames in roller interconnected relation, each of said separate frames including shaft mounting means for the rollers thereof which are adjustable to provide for arcuate vertical movement of said rollers out of substantial association with their separate frame for belt changing purposes.

6. A swabbing device for mounting on an endless conveyor for use in the conditioning of leather or leatherlike material, said device including a main frame in which a plurality of swabbing belts are operatively mounted in transverse angular relation relative to the longitudinal axis thereof, each of said belts being mounted on spaced rollers at least one of which is driven,

.rif

the driven roller of each belt being drivingly connected to that of an adjacent belt, the rollers of each belt being mounted in a separate frame whichl is transversely slidable in said main frame into and out of operative interconnection with the rollers of an adjacent separate frame, and means for locking said separate frames in roller interconnected relation, the rollers of each separate frame being mounted on rotatable shafts which are interconnected by a sub-frame, each shaft being mounted at one end by a bearing carried by a pivotal rod mounted on said separate frame, the other end of each shaft being journaled by a sectionalized bearing a part of which is readily detachable to provide for vertical upward pivoting of said sub-frame and rollers relative to said separate frame for belt changing purposes.

7. A swabbing device for mounting on an endless conveyor 'for use in the conditioning of leather or leatherlike material, said device including a main frame in which a plurality of swabbing belts are operatively mounted in transverse angular relation relative to the longitudinal axis thereof, each of said belts being mounted on spaced rollers at least one of which is driven, the driven roller of each belt being drivingly connected to that of an adjacent belt, the rollers of each belt being mounted in a separate frame which is transversely slidable in said main frame into and out of operative interconnection With the rollers of an adjacent separate frame, means for locking said separate frames in roller interconnected relation, the rollers of each Separate frame being mounted on rotatable shafts which are interconnected by a sub-frame, each shaft being mounted at one end by a bearing carried by a pivotal rod mounted on said separate frame, the other end of each shaft being journaled by a sectionalized bearing a part of which is readily detachable to provide for vertical upward pivoting of said sub-frame and rollers relative to said separate frame for belt changing purposes, and means carried by said main frame for driving said belt in alternately opposite directions, each of said belts having triangular zones of plush for contact with the material on the conveyor to maintain and evenly spread the conditioning compositions thereon.

8. A swabbing device for mounting on an endless conveyor for use in the conditioning of leather or leatherlike material, said device including a main frame in which a plurality of swabbing belts are operatively mounted in transverse angular relation relative to the longitudinal axis thereof, each of said belts being mounted on spaced rollers at least one of which is driven, the driven roller of each belt being drivingly connected to that of `an adjacent belt, the rollers of each belt being mounted in a separate frame which is transversely slidable in said main frame into and out of operative interconnection with the rollers of an adjacent separate frame, and means for locking said separate frames in roller interconnected relation, the rollers of each separate frame being mounted on rotatable shafts which are interconnected by a sub-frame, each shaft being mounted at one end by a bearing carried by a pivotal rod mounted on said separate frame, the other end of each shaft being journaled by a sectionalized bearing a part of which is readily detachable to provide for vertical upward pivoting of said sub-frame and rollers relative to said separate frame for belt changing purposes, said main frame carrying spaced material contacting rollers near an end thereof in advance of said belts relative to the direction of the movement of the material to maintain the material in flattened condition during conditioning thereof. I

9. A swabbing device for mounting on an endless conveyor for use in the conditioning of leather or leatherlike material, said device including a main frame in which a plurality of swabbing belts are operatively mounted in transverse angular relation relative to the longitudinal axis thereof, each of `said belts being mounted on spaced rollers at least one of which is driven, the driven roller of each belt being drivingly connected to that of an adjacent belt, the rollers of each belt being mounted in a separate frame which is transversely slidable in said main frame into and out of operative interconnection with the rollers of an adjacent separate frame, means for locking said separate frames in roller interconnected relation, the rollers of each separate frame being mounted on rotatable shafts which are interconnected by a sub-frame, each shaft being mounted at one end by a bearing carried by a pivotal rod mounted on said separate frame, the other end of each shaft being journaled by a sectionalized bearing a part of which is readily detachable to provide for vertical upward pivoting of said sub-frame and rollers relative to said separate frame for belt changing purposes, said main frame carrying spaced material contacting rollers near an end thereof in advance of said belts relative to the direction of movement of the material to maintain the material in flattened condition during conditioning thereof, belt tensioning means carried by each of said sub-frames, and means carried by said main frame for driving said belt in alternately opposite directions, each of said belts having triangular Zones of plush for contact with material on the conveyor to maintain evenly spread conditioning compositions thereon.

l0. A device for use in swabbing or treating moving leather or leather-like material, said device including a plurality of endless treating belts mounted in parallel relation for operation in alternately opposite directions at an angle to the direction of movement of said material, spaced material contacting rollers associated with said belts in advance thereof relative to the direction of movement of the material to maintain the materal in flattened condition during treatment thereof, each of said belts being provided with material contacting plush portions of triangular outline which are arranged to maintain and controllably spread treating compositions on said material during treatment thereof.

ll. An endless belt for use in a device for automatic swabbing or treating of leather or leather like material, said belt being provided with triangular zones of material contacting plush on the outer surface thereof, said zones being arranged in tip-to-base relation to maintain and controllably spread treating composition on said material during treatment thereof.

l2. An endless belt for use in a device for automatic swabbing or treating of leather or leather-like material, said belt being provided with triangular zones of material contacting plush on the outer surface thereof, said zones being arranged in tip-to-base relation to maintain and controllably spread treating composition on said material during treatment thereof, said triangular Zones each eing in the shape of a right triangle with the base thereof extending transversely across said belt and the right-angled side thereof extending along an edge portion of said belt.

13. In a swabbing device designed for mounting on an endless conveyor for use in the conditioning of leather or leather-like material, said device including a frame in which a plurality of swabbing belts are operatively mounted in transverse acute angular relation relative to the longitudinal axis and to the direction of operation thereof, and means carried by said frame for driving said belts in alternately opposite directions, the provision on each of said belts of separately defined triangular Zones of plush, said Zones being arranged in tip-to-base relation to maintain and controllably spread treating composition on said material during treatment thereof.

14. In a swabbing device designed for mounting on an endless conveyor for use in the conditioning of leather or leather-like material, said device including a frame in which a plurality of swabbing belts are operatively mounted in transverse acute angular relation relative to the longitudinal axis and to the direction of operation thereof, and means carried by said frame for driving said belts in alternately opposite directions, the provision on each of said belts of separately defined triangular zones of plush, said zones being arranged in tip-to-base relation to maintain and controllably spread treating composition on said material during treatment thereof, said triangular zones each being in the shape of a right triangle with the base thereof extending transversely across said belt and the right-angled side thereof extending along an edge portion of said belt.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Kasmeier Jan. 22, 1901 McDonald July 15, 1919 Upham et al. Apr. 28, 1925 Broadston May 24, 1932 McCarthy Dec. 4, 1934 Faller Nov. 13, 1951