US728682A - Stretcher for felt, fabric, or the like. - Google Patents

Description

No. 728,682. A PATLBNTBD MAY 19, 190s.

E. DBDIGKE.

STRETGHER' PoR FELT, FABRIC, o R THB L'IKB.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. ,10. 1902.

--B'O MODEL 2 SHEETS-SHEET L 'PATENTBD MAY 19, 1903.

Ef.' DEDIQKB.` STRETGHBRFOR FELT, FABRIC, .0R THF. LIKE.

y APPLIOATIDN FILED JAN. 10. 1962.

2 .SHEETs-sH-EET .2.

xo MODEL.

lUNITED STATES atented May 19, 1901?.y

PATENT OFFICE.

STRETCHER FOR FELT, FABRIC, OR TH LIKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 728,682, dated May 19, 1902.3.

I Application led January 10, 1902. Serial No. 89,202. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, EDUARDv DEDICKE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Dolgeville, in the county of Herkimer and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stretchers for Felt, Fabric, or the Like; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled iu the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention aims to provide means for' stretching goods, and particularly felt designed for the hammers of pianos, so as to take out the fulling wrinkles and provide a smooth surface and even texture, which is most desirable in this class of work.

While the device is designed most especially for stretching piano-hammer felt, it may be used for stretching felt or material of any kind.

The felt after beingpulled and prior to dryf ing is stretched and remainsunder tension during the drying process and is not released from tension until thoroughly dried, and in order that the work may be. economically eeoted a plurality of frames are provided for cooperation with a single straining de# vice, each frame being constructed for maintaining the felt under tension when strained.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowl edge of the details of construction of the meansfor eecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and drawings hereto attached. Y

While the essential and characteristicfeatures of the invention are susceptible of modiication, still the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a top plan View of the invention, showing the stretcher-frame applied to the straining device. Fig. 2 isa vertical section. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of"the stretcher-frame. Fig. 4 is a transverse section. Fig. 5 is a detail section of an end bar, showing a piece of piano-hammer felt clamped thereto.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the' drawings by the same reference characters.

The stretcher-frame consists of longitudinal bars 1, a fixed end bar 2, and a movable end bar 3. The longitudinal bars 1 are firmly connected at one end to the fixed bar 2 and move freely through openings near the ends of the adjustable bar 3. Ratchet-teethtare provided upon each of the longitudinal bars 1 and are adapted to be engaged by dogs 5, carried by the movable bar 3, so as to hold the latter in an adjusted position when the felt or goods is subjected to tension. The end bars 2 and 3 are provided with clamps for gripping the edge of the felt to be stretched, and inasmuchas each of the clamps is constructed substantially alike a detailed description of one only will be given. The clamp-har 6 is connected by bolts 7 or analogous fastenings to the end bar, the felt or goods being gripped between the. said bar 6 and the end bar to which it is connected. A series of pins 8 project from the end bars and are adapted to enter openings 9 in the clampbar 6, and these pins penetrate the felt and prevent slipping thereof. By having the points ofthe pins 8 enter openings 9 in the clam p-bar 6 said pins are supported at each side of the felt and are not liable to be wrenched from their bearings when the felt or goods is subjected to strain. A strip 10 extends alongthe outer edge of each end bar and Aconstitutes a stop to limit the movement `of the clamp-bar 6 toward its cooperating end bar and also insures a straight edge to the felt or goods to be stretched, since the goods has its edge crowded against the inner sideV of the stop. Each of the end bars is provided with eyes l1 or like attaching devices for a purpose presently to be explained.

The straining device consists of a substanl tial frame comprising oppositely-disposed beams 12 and l3` and tie-beams 14. The frame comprising the beams 12, 13, and 14 is mounted upon a stand comprising cornerposts 15 and longitudinal and transverse ties 16. Hooks 17 are applied to the beam 13 and are positioned so as to engage with the eyes 1l of the endv beam 2. Tension-screws 18 have screw-thread connection with the beam 12 and are provided at their inner ends IOO with hooks 19, having a swivel connection therewith,and their outer ends are made angular to receive a crank-handle 20 or other means whereby rotation is imparted to the tension-screws for eecting a longitudinal movement thereof. The hooks 19 are located so as to make connection with the eyes 1l of the movable end bar 3. Within the purview of the invention the parts 11, 17, and 19 may be replaced by equivalent means, which will enable the end bars ofthe stretcher-frames to make rm and detachable connection with the beams 12 and 13 of the straining device.

The felt or material to be stretched has its opposite ends engaged with the end bars 2 and 3 of the stretcher-frame by the clamp devices shown or any equivalent thereof, after which the stretcher-frame is fitted to the straining device, its end bars being connected with the end beams 12 and 13 in such a manner as to admit of positive movement of the end bar 3 upon actuation of the set-screws 18. AsA the end bar 3 is drawn away from the end bar 2 the felt is strained or stretched, and the dogs 5, riding over the ratchet-teeth 4 and engaging therewith, hold the bar 3 when moved outward, hence prevent any rebound of the end bar 3 when the set-screws 18 are slackened and the stretcher -frame moved from the straining device. The frame with the felt or goods stretched thereon is set aside until the felt is thoroughly dried, and in the meantime other frames are used in connection with the straining device, thereby obviating the great cost which would be entailed if each stretcher-frame were provided with straining means.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- In a machine for stretching piano-felt or like material, the combination of a straining` mechanism comprising oppositely-disposed beams and tie-beams, hooks applied to one `of the beams, other hooks, tension-screws fitted to the opposite beam and having a swivel connection With the last-mentioned hooks, a stretcher-frame independent of and adapted to be fitted to the frame of the straining mechanism, and comprising longitudinal bars, a fixed end bar and a movable end bar, eyes applied to the end bars to receive the aforesaid hooks, ratchet-teeth fitted to the longitudinal bars, and dogs applied to the end portions of the movable end bar for cooperation with the said ratchet-teeth, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDUARD DEDICKE. Witnesses:

' H. M. GIBSON,

ALBERT L. LEAVITT.

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