US37992A - Improvement in apparatus for clasping skirts - Google Patents

Description

Nrrni) STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL R. WILMOT, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN APPARATUS FORCLASPING SKIRTS.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL R. WILMoT, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and the State of New York, have in vented a new and useful Improvement in Machines for Applying Glasps to Hoops and Tapes in the Manufacture of Hoop'Skirts and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is the front elevation. Fig. 3 is the plan view. Fig. 4t is a cross-section of a portion on the line S S in Figs. 1 and 3. Figs. 5 and 6 are two separate cross sections of certain portions, Fig. 5 on the line T T and Fig. 6 on the line U U, both seen from a point in front. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a clasp made somewhat larger than those usually employed. Figs. 8 and 9 are sections of a hoop and tape of a woven skeleton skirt; Fig. 8, a section before the clasp is applied, and Fig. 9 a section after the clasp has been strongly secured by my machine. Fig. 10 is a side elevation, and Figs. 11 and 12 are sections of certain parts of my machine, (full size.) Fig. 10 shows the hammer elevated, the black lines showing it in its highest position and the red lines showing it after it has descended a little and is commencing to give a corresponding motion to the clasp. Fig. 11 shows the hammer after it has descended so that the points of the clasp commence to penetrate the tape, and in red lines after the hammer has descended to its lowest position. Fig. 11 is a section on the line VV in Fig. 12, and Fig. 12 is a section of the hammer and its connections on the line W W in Fig. 11.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the gures.

In the use of my machine the hoops and tapes may be previously applied together and slightly secured in any approved manner` or they may be applied together at the moment, as may be most convenient. I prefer, however, to employ that species of tape in which loops are woven, adapted to produce what are known as woven skeleton skirts, and to properly place the hoops therein beforehand. They may be secured slightly with gum or not, as may be deemed expedient. The machine by a single operation of the foot receives a clasp from a suitable channel and inserts it and secures it in the skirt.

To enable others skilled in the art to make use of my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation by the aid of the drawings and of the letters of reference marked thereon.

A is a casting, of the form represented secured upon a table or bench, a.

B is a stout lever, mounted on a fixed fulcrum O, and adapted to be operated by a treadle and suitable connections in a manner which will be readily understood. On the outer or front end of the lever B is a hammer, b, formed as represented, and having a face a little larger than the back of a clasp. This hammer b is slightly curved, forming an arc of which O is the center.

D is a die, hollowed as represented and adapted both to properly support the hoop and tape to be clasped together and to bend the points of the clasps inward thereupon, or, in other words, to clinch the points of the clasps. The die D is adjustable by screws in the manner represented.

E is a shallow spiral receptacle, in which the clasps are deposited in a confused mass, and from which they are supplied to the working part of the machine in regular succession and in a uniform position by the means now about to be described. The receptacle or reservoir E is slightly inclined, its open side being lowest. Theopening connects with an inclined channel or connecting-plate, e, so arran ged that the gravity of the clasps tends to induce a gentle and gradual movement or constant iiow ofthe clasps from the open side of the reservoir E upon and along the neck e. The concussion of the entire machine by the clinching of the clasps between the hammer b and the die D is transmitted to the reservoir E and the neck e, leading therefrom, and slightly throws up the clasps at each operation of the machine. This shock throws the clasps upon their backs, and their gravity, aided by the continued succession of shocks, moves them in this condition along the inclined neck e. F is a lip or guiding surface, held at a sufficient height above e to act against the prongs of the clasps, leaving a space, f, between itself and e sufficient for the free admission of a portion ofthe body of the clasp. The neck e is so inclined as to bring vthicker than the body of the clasp. This opening is designated as g, and the space between the lip F and the lip Gr is but little greater than the width of the prongs of the clasp, s o that when once in the channel M, between these lips F and G, the clasp is no longer at liberty to turn or move in any manner, except to slide steadily forward as it may be allowed by the gradual. removal and consumption of its predecessors. This channel M is curved, as represented, and is adapted to deliver the clasps with theirh points downward ready for insertion in the tape in the most favorable condition both for the successful performance of the work and for the easy and continuous inspection by the eye of the operator. The extent of the motion of the lever B is sufficient to lift the working-face of the hammer' b slightly above the back of the clasp, so that at each elevation of the hammer a clasp is thrown inward by the gravity of itself' and of' its successors from the lower end of the curved channel M. It is thrown immediately under and very nearly in'contact with the face of the hammer b, which is destined to drive it downward into its place. The gravity of the clasp would induce its fall immediately whether the hammer acted or not, except for a supporting-piece, I, which is provided, and which is carried with the hammer, and requires a very careful description.. The two useful portions of this supporting-piece are designated t' i. The space between these portions is designated M', and is ofjust sufficient depth and width to allow one clasp to be contained, with its prongs presented downward, in the space M', and with its body supported at each side upon the surfaces t' t'. The main body of this supporting-piece is perforated by a large rectangular slot, J, in which the hammer b is allowed a slight vertical movement, as will be hereinafter explained.

K K are two slight projections near the upper end of this supporting-piece I, and L L are larger projections at or near the center of its length. These projections K and L perform important offices in imparting proper motions to the surfaces Their forms and positions are correctly denoted in the drawings, as also the form of the entire supporting-piece I, which is made from one piece of steel or other hard and durable material.

P is a bent spring inserted-in the manner represented between the supporting-piece and a broad shoulder, B', on the lever B. This spring urges both ends ofthe supportin g-piece I outward, as is obvious. The face K L' of the casting A, in theimmediate vicinity of this supporting-piece, is lined with steel, and is recessed to correspond with the projections K K and L L. This connection of the supporting-piece I to the hammer b, as described, compels the supporting-piece to rise and sink w'ith each reciprocation of the hammer, but allows it to move up and down to a small extentindependently thereof, or, rather, it allows the hammer b at each change in the direction ofits motion to move up or down about one thirtysecond part of an inch before the supporting-piece receives corresponding motion in the same direction. This dragging behind of the supporting-piece as it accompanies the lever B in its vibrations is due to the friction and the resistance produced by the projections K K dropping into the recesses K' K', and this dragging behind performs the important function of opening the space between the surfaces z' i and the hammer b at each ascent ofthe latter, so that a clasp may freely enter Y when the hammer is up, and of' contracting the space so as to embrace the clasp and hold and carry it steadily so soon as the hammer b y commences to descend. When the hammer b has descended so far thatthe points of the clasp have penetrated the tape and commencedA to meet and be deflected inward by the surface `causin g the entire supporting-piece to stand in the position represented in the red outline in Fig. 11, and thehammer b, continuing its downward motion, produces its full eifectin clinching the clasps. On t/he commencement of the return movement of the hammer b, after it has arisen about one thirtysecond pa-rt of an inch it commences by its contact with the top of the y slot J to raise the supporting-piece I, which immediately moves outwarda gain to its proper position under the influence of' the spring P, and it commences to receive and support another clasp so soon as the lower end of the hammer b rises above the mouth of the channel M. In case the friction and weight of the supporting-piece I is not sufficient to retard it and open the space to receive the clasp during the early part of the ascent of the hammer, the supporting-piece I is, by the contact of its upper end against the fixed surface a, compelled to stop when it has reached its proper place to stand, a-nd thus the opening to receive the clasp is certain to be produced by the last portion of the upward movement of the hammer b. While this is progressing the operator has changed the position of the work, removing the joint of the hoop which has been clasped by the operation just described and presenting a new one, after which another movement ofthe treadle brings down the hammer b with a fresh clasp and inserting and clinching it as before. Thus the operation is continued with great rapidity and with uniform and satisfactory results.

In commencing to operate my machine the attendant supplies a quantity of clasps to the reservoir E, and moves the treadle for a few seconds, until, by the jarring of t-he machine, a number of the clasps have ranged themselves in proper order against the lip F and have commenced to descend between it and the lip G, ready to be presented to the hammer b. She then seizes a hoop of the skirt and holds it in the proper position on the die D, and proceeds as described. l/Vlien the. skirt is finished, or when, for any other reason, the operation temporarily stops, `the flow of clasps also stops, because the latter depends at its head on the concussion of the machine and because the passage M is barred at its lower end by the curved exterior surface of the hammer b, so that a clasp cannot escape except when b is in its highest position.

I have found in practice that the concussion due to the operation of my machine in the manner represented is not only sufficient to properly agitate the clasps and throw them on their backs, but is liable to be excessive and to induce too great a jumping motion. This excess of motion is probablyr due to the peculiar condition of the parts E and e, the same being supported at the points e' and O and bridging across the interval between these points in a slightly-arched condition. The concussion of the machine is liable to be so great as to reverse this arch or to cause the parts to act like an exceedingly flexible springb iard, so as to occasionally throw the clasps` to a height far beyond that required. I find that the clasps are liable to thus jump at and near the center of this arch or spring-board far more than at the ends, showing that the concussion ofthe machine is not only felt there but is by the peculiar conditions liable to be at times very much magnified in the extent or rapidity of its motion. A post or the like firm support under the center of the arch might be sufficient to remedy the evil 5 but, as I wish to be able when I choose, to adjust the inclination of E and e, I prefer to make the support adjustable in some manner. A screw or the like may be employed here, but its adjustment involves some labor. To avoid this, and to insure uniformity and smoothness in the motion, I insert a mass of rubber, N, within the partial case a and find the result very satisfactory. There is always a possibility that a clasp, either slightly deformed or accidentally misplaced, may arrive near the commencement ofthe channel M in a false position. To avoid the presentation of such to the space M, I make the inclined neck or supporting-surface e very narrow for a short distance, e', above the upper end of the lip Gr. If a clasp is moving in a correct position-i. e., bearing properly with both its prongs against the lip F, and consequently with part of its body under this lip, or in the space f-it will be snpported by this narrow part of the neck c and will travel along, as described; but if any clasp be improperly placed or very seriously deformed, it will by its gravit-y alone fall otf the unsupported side to be received in any suitable receptacle below. The effect is to present the clasps always in the right position to the upper extremity of the channel M, allowing each to hurry forward until it rests upon its predecessor, and to deliver them in single file as they are wanted at the lower end of the channel M in the manner described. In case the clasps do not come down the neck e with sufficient rapidity, or in case they come too fast so as to overiiow thi` inclosed passage M, they may be ha stened or checked nea-r their exit from the spiral reservoir E by an occasional touch with the fingers of the attendant. The rapidity or freedom with which the clasps are delivered from the reservoir E depends somewhat upon the degree of inclination which is given to the neck e, through which they are delivered. This inclination may be increased or diminished by changing the form of the parts or by adjusting slightly the upright O, which is bolted to the casting A by bolts Q, passing through slots. This may allow adjustment to any extent which may be desired by simply slacking the bolts Q, raising or lowering the rod O, and ccnsequently changing the inclination of E and e, and then again 'securing the bolts Q.

I am not necessarily confined to the several details of my invention represented, as such may be very greatly modified and still produce most of the good effects due Ato my invention.

Instead of curving the inclosed passage M, as represented, in order to reverse the position of the clasps while conducting them from e to the clinching device, l can twist the passage M, and thereby produce an effect very nearly similar to that due to the curvature; but I prefer to curve it as represented for the reason, among others, that the attendant can better inspect the clasps during their progress.

Instead of withdrawing the supporting-snrfaces t' i by the action of the projections L L against the surfaces L' L', as represented, I can allow the lower end of the supportingpiece to strike the die D or to strike some other part of the fixed work, and can thereby obtain a greater leverage; butI prefer the device represented, for the reason, among others, that I thereby avoid all danger of cutting or bruising the tapes and hoop-covering.

Some of the advantages due to the several features of my invention may be separately enumerated as follows: First, the india-rubber N, arranged as described, makes the concussion on E and e less violent, and prevents a clasp being thrown out of its right position after it has once acquired it; second, the projections K K and corresponding recesses, K K', (the surface a being a part of the boundary of the recesses K K,) by being arranged to operate the supporting-piece in the manner represented, compel the supportingsurfaces t' t to approach to and recede lrom the hammer b at the moment required to properly receive and hold the clasp with the aid simply of a gentle force from the spi-ing` P, and without a necessity for any complex movingl parts to effect the motions; third, the projections L L and the corresponding' recess L L', arranged to operate the supportingpieee I in the manner represented, compel the supporting-surfaces t c' to draw backward out ot' the Wayj ust before the hammer b is required to produce its full effect on the clasp and allow the parts to return promptly back to their places by the aid of the spring P on the ascent of thehemmer b Without a necessity for any complex moving parts or any liability to cut or. injure the Work in effecting this operation.

I do not claim any of the parts except in their relation to clasp-sl icking machinery, substantially as herein described; but,

Having Jr'ully described my invention, Wl at I claim ew therein, and desire to secure by Letters IYatent in machines for securing clasps in hoop-skirts, is as follows:

`1. The interposition of a spring, N, between vthe shaker E e and the concussive portion of the machine, as represented.

2. The projections K K 'and the recesses K K and spring P, arranged to operate relatively to the supporting-piece I t', or its equivalent, substantially as and 4for the purpose herein set forth.

3. The projectionsLL and'the'recesses L L and spring` P, arranged to operate relatively to the supportingpiece I t' or its equivalent, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

1n testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name in the presence Yof two subscribing;V Witnesses.

SAMUEL R. WILMO'I.

Witnesses lHoMAs D. S'rErsoN, GEORGE F. STE'rsoN.

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