US639512A - Upholstering apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

Patented Dec. l9, I899.

E. F. BRAISHER.

UPHOLSTERING APPARATUS.

(Application filed July 11, 1899) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

m T N E V N WITNESSES I UNITE STATES PATENT Darren.

EDWARD F. BRAISHER, OF OSHKOSH, l VISCONSIN.

UPHOLSTERING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 639,512, dated December 19, 1899.

Application filed July 11,1899. Serial No. 723,477. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD F. BRAISHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oshkosh, in the county of Winnebago and State of \Visconsin, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Apparatus for Making Cushion-Backs for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an apparatus for making plaited upholstery, and is especially applicable for the making of curved cushionbacks for vehicle-seats. In phaetons and highclass vehicles a curved back conforming to the shape of the person riding is desirable, as it affords additional comfort and rest.

My invention consists of certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

The mold is constructed in two overlapping sections, so that the portion around the back orbottom of the cushion may be removed to expose the cushion-back for finishing purposes.

My invention is adapted to that class of backs or cushions where the buttons are tied through the cushion to wires extending across the back of the cushion. v

In the use of myinvention the mold is usually placed horizontally upon a standard or support where both the top and bottom are easily accessible.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view, and Fig. 2 a side View, of my invention with completed cushion. Fig. 3

shows an end view with the two sections separated and a portion cut away. Fig. 4 is a bottom view. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the cushion-back. Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the main body portion of the mold. Fig. 7is a perspective View of the removable section, and Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view through the two sections when they are placed together. I

Similar letters refer to similar parts in can view.

A represents the main body of the mold or conformer, which supports the bottom D, and B represents the removable section, which overlaps the main portion A with a diagonal lap 19, the corner-posts a or act intervening to support the bottom D. The bottom I) is curved or bent upwardly at d to any desired form or extent, and the mold A may be of any size, shape, or depth desired.

E represents the plaited top, F the stuffing material, and e e e, &c., the buttons.

e e e, &c., are the buttons threads, which are drawn down through the top E, the stuffing F, and through perforations i t' 2', &c., in the cushion-back Iand tied around fine backwires 7t h h. r

a The bottom D of the mold A is perforated atjjj, dad, and the perforations in the cushion-back I correspond with the perforations in the bottom D. Slots H H H, &c., are provided either lengthwise or across the bottom, extending through the perforationsjjj, &c.

In forming the cushion the back-wires h h h are arranged in the slots H H H and held temporarily in position by the removable pins H H 11, extending laterally through openingsin the bottom D and between the wires and the cushion-back. The operator then places the cushionback I upon the bottom D and, if necessary, scores the same at cl, so that it will bend in conformity with the bottom D. The perforations iii 1;, &c., are then directly above the perforations j j j, &c. The operator then slides the two sections A and B together and arranges the stuffing material F within the mold. The covering E is first laid out upon a table and perforations made where buttons are desired. The operator then arranges the covering over the stuffing F, threads each button 11 into an upholsterers needle, and passes the needle through the perforation in the covering, down through the stuffing, and through the perforation in the cushiomback I and the corresponding perforation in the bottom D.

Then he ties the two ends of the thread m temporarily around the Wire h and draws down the button slightly. After each button has been partially drawn down the operator, with a tuft-ing-stick, arranges the plaits and. stuffing in each tuft properly and then draws the button-threads completely down and ties them all. permanently around the Wires h h h. Then the operator slides the sectional part B down off from the main form A and exposes the edges of the covering E,the stuffing F,and the edges of the cushion-back I. The operator then arranges the stuffing properly around the edges and attaches, by stitching or otherwise,

the covering to the back. The incline I) permits the ready use of a curved upholsterers needle. The operator, sewing from the bottom upward, is afforded sufficient space to insert and turn the needle to form the stitch in sewing the bottom to the covering. If desired, the bottom need be only basted to the covering and afterward removed to a sewing-machine and properly stitched. After the cushion-back has been basted or fastened to the covering around the edges the pins H H, H can be pulled out and the entire cushion removed upwardly from the mold. In forming the cushion the operator can turn the mold bottom upward from time to time, if he so desires.

By means of my invention described a curved back may be form ed for vehicle-seats, and by a simple variation in the form of the bottom D differently-formed cushions may be made. The effect is to produce a hand-made back or cushion of convoluted form with exactness and rapidity.

I-Ieretofore in the making of ordinary cushions or cushion-backs with a machine or apparatus it has been impossible to complete the edges in the machine. In tufted or plaited backs the'edge tufts comprise nearly onehalf, and sometimes more than one-half, of the tufts in the whole back.

An important feature of my invention is to provide a conformer of such construction that the lower portion may be removed, so as to expose the edges of the cushion materials for finishing purposes. I have shown in the drawings the conformer constructed in two sections, the lower portion being a casing arranged to overlap the sides of the main portion of the conformer by a diagonal lap, the object being to. expose the edges when the casing is removed and to sufficiently retain the stuffing material, so that the operator may finish the cushion by properly arranging the stuffing and attaching the covering to the edges of the back or foundation. .It is obvious that the removable casing may be otherwise constructed for the same purpose.

My invention may be used for making smooth cushions and backs, as well as tufted ones, The necessity for a perforated bottom would then be obviated, the back or foundation would be of stiff material, and the wires and wire-retainers would not be necessary.

The bottom D may be constructed in two parts and hinged at d, so as to be adjustable to any desired curve or bend. This would adapt the conformer to different-shaped backs for different vehicles.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. An apparatus for making cushions comprising upper and lower sections, the upper section being provided with lateral apertures and the lower section being formed with lapping edgesto close said apertures when the sections are placed together, a bottom secured to the top section having the form which it is desired to give to the cushion, the structure being such that after the cushion has been stuffed the bottom section may be removed to permit access to the sides of the cushion through the lateral apertures in the upper section, substantially as described.

2. An apparatus for making c'urved cushions and backs comprising an upper section formed with side and end apertures, a bottom for supporting the cushion having the shape upon its upper surface which it is desired to give to the cushion, and a lower section adapted to fit upon the upper section and close the side and end apertures of the upper section while stuffing the cushion, and to be removed when it is desired to finish the cushion at the sides through the said apertures,substantially as described.

8. An apparatus for forming cushions and backs comprising an upper section having an upper body portion, corner-posts,a bottom supported by the said corner-posts, the said bottom having a series of apertures formed therein and also being provided with longitudinal slots passing through the said apertures, and means for holding wires or rods in the said longitudinal slots until the cushion is formed, and a lower section'having lapping side portions for closing the lateral openings in the upper section, substantially as described.

4. An apparatus for making curved cushions and backs, comprising an upper section having depending corner-posts, a supportingbottom carried by the said posts, apertures being formed in the said section just above the said bottom portion, the said bottom being provided with a series of circular apertures and longitudinal slots passing through the said apertures, being also provided with transverselyarranged passages, retaining= wires maintained in the said lateral passages for holding cushion-forming rods or wires in the-longitudinal slots, and. a lower section comprising base and vertical sides having beveled edges to correspond with beveled surfaces formed upon the upper section, the structure being such that after the cushion has been stuffed the lower section may be removed from the upper section in order to permit access to the sides of the cushion through the apertures just above the bottom, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

. EDWARD F. BRAISHER.

Witnesses:

HORACE M. FoULK, J. WALKER.

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