US1612541A - Machine for crushing fabrics - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 28 1926.

H. A. SLITER MACHINE FOR CRUSHING FABRICS Filed Feb. 1. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lllTIlH A: ll-H 1 INVENTUR' Dec. 28 1926. 1,612,541

H. A. SLITER MACHINE FOR CRUSHING FABRICS Filed Feb. 1, lake 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 28,

unrrsn stares I'IOYVARD A. SLITER, OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA.

MACHINE FOB GB USI-IING FABRICS.

Application filed February 1, 1926. Serial No. 85,401.

My invention relates to crushing, sliir ring and similarly forming silk and other fabrics such as in the manufacture of linings for caskets and the like.

The invention has for its principal object the provision of means to reduce the time ordinarily required to create such effects.

Another objectof the invention is to provide a machine which will shape or crush silk into a relatively close formation without at any time suddenly altering the relative arrangement of adjacent portions of the fabric; whereby undue strain and tendency to tear or part, is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide for. the rapid crushing of fabrics into the highly ornamental design lmown as the clover-leaf lesign. altho it is still among the objects of this invention to provide a machine which may be altered to crush fabric into other designs by merely changing the shape of the members which predetermine the pattern which is to be created.

Other objects include the provision of simplified parts and mechanisms with a view to providing for low first cost quick replacement or repair. and low cost of operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide for more rapidly applying a backing to the material after it is crushed into shape.

Still another object of the invention is to provide for using duplicate and interchangeable parts to a large extent.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear hereinafter and will. be better understood because of the order in which they appear in the following description of one practical embodiment of my invention.

l have illustrated the said one practical embodiment of my invention by way of example. it being understood that my invention asdefincd intlie appended claims is subject to being incorporated with any suitable mechanism, without enlarging the scope of the invention. i

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the said embodiment;

Figure 1 is a plan view of one cornerof the machine; all four corners being practically identical.

Figure 2 is a plan view of an element hereinafter ancvwn as nne of the cup-shaped elements.

l igure 3 is a view in bottom elevation thereof.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the machine showing the movable members arranged in close relation to one another.

Figure 5 is a view in section on a line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Figure (5 is a view in section on a line 66 of Fig. 1.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic plan View of a portion of the machine showing a piece of fabric in the first stage of crushing.

Figure 8 is a view analogous to Fig. 7 and showing the fabric as having been crushed.

Figure 9 is an enlarged plan view of a fragment of a piece of fabric which has been crushed according to my invention.

Figure 10 is a view in bottom elevation. on smaller scale, of the fragment of fabric shown in Fig. 9.

In carrying out my invention in this embodiment I employ two groups of units; one group includes the movable bases 12, the plates 13, the stems 14 for supporting the plates, and the links 15. The other group includes the cups 16 and the yolres 16. All the parts just mentioned are used in a great multiplicity. Each base is separate and apart from the other and each base supports theupstanding stem 14. Said stem, in this embodiment is a common type of long screw with the rounded head 14?. The screw is held fixed to the corresponding base by being threaded into such base and by being locked thereto by a nut 18. Each stem is used to support a corresponding plate. the plate being held between the screw head and a second nut 17. Thus each head is held by a stem, at a point well above the corresponding base. The assemblies of base, stem and plate may be termed the male fabric forming member. and such members or units are provided in large numbers. according to the size of material to be handled and according to the proximity of formations.

The male units are. in this embodiment adapted to form triangular cavities 19, in the finished product and accordingly the plates are each triangular in shape. The machine includes a frame 20 having end channel members 21 supported and secured bv angle legs '57. A. plurality of longitudinal bars or ways are provided; the of said bars being slidable i-nthe corloo i inding channel spaces 21 of the chan nels 211. on a transverse member 2t" which is disposed in each channel space, so that the bars are movable laterally of the machine. Each bar is provided with a channel 23 to receive the bases 12; the bases being slidable longitudinally of the bars. Each bar contains a plurality of the male units suitably spaced longitudinally thereof, and the complete machine includes a plurality of bars sl'idable laterally thereof. The bases 12 are of such length that when they abut each other they hold the triangular plates slightly spaced from each other longitudinally of the bars. The bars are of such width that when they are moved into abutmentwith each other they hold the plates slightly spaced from each other laterally of the machine. By moving the bars apart, and then moving the male units apart on the bars, all units are spread over a large area. Then by moving the bars and the units in the directions mentioned, the units are assembled in a smaller area. It is this relative niovei'nen't of the male members which is depended upon to a large extent in gradually changing the formation of the fabric.

The male members are held relative to each other by this slotted links 15, and the bars are held relative to each other by similar slotted links 26 titted over pins 26 carried under the bars 22. The outermost bars are provided below with threaded bosses 27, one boss adjacent e'ac'li end of each bar. Two ac'k' screws 28 are enmloyed, each con necting one boss of one bar with the corresponding boss of the other bar. By turning the screws in one direction the bars will be moved together, and by turning the screws in the other direction the bars will be moved apart. When the bars are assembled in close juxtaposition, and the screws are turned to move the bars apart, the outermost bars move first without moving the other bars. hen each outermost bar has moved a given distance the first links begin to pull on the next bars and so on until all bars are spread apart from each other, but during this spreading of the bars only two bars are moving relative to the next bars, at any onetime. TV hen the bars are spread apart and the screws are reversed, the two outermost bars move inwardly until they abut the next two bars, then these four bars move inwardly until the following two bars are abutt'ed, and so on until all bars are moved back to close juxtaposition.

The bases and links of the male members, or units, eoactin the same way as that explained for the bars and their links. Each one of the bases which is at the end of a bar is upt'iirned as at 30 to fit into a driving bar 31; said b'ar being slotted as at 32 to receive the upturned ends of the corresponding bases. Such a bar is provided at each end. of the machine. These bars are each pivoted at each end by means of an integral pin pivotally titted to a lug 33 carried by an endless chain 34 and running over slowly movable sprocket wheels 35 and 36, which sprocket wheels are li'xed to shafts such as 36. Slow turning of the wheels moves the chain to move the driving bars to spread the plates apart or to move them together. as the case may be. l t is understood that the chains and screws may be moved by hand or by power means; the gearing for operatiiu: same not needing illustration or description herein. The screws and chains say be moved coincidentally but it is thought to be better to contract the arrangement of units in one direction at a true. Under all moving parts there is provided a bottom wall or plate 56 to protect said parts from below.

In operating the machine the bars are moved apart as far as possible and the units are moved as far apart possible in the bars, the spacing being predetermined by the length of the long slots in the links which connect the bars and the units. All of the plates of the male units coact to provide a supporting surface or area on which fabric may be rested, preparatory to crushing.

Each assembly of cup 16 and yoke 16 is known as a female unit and coacts with the male unit in providing the cavities in the finished product. Each cup is triangular in outline totit loosely over a corresponding plate and each cup is designed to receive the head of the screw of such plate. The yoke of each cup has side portions 42 spaced apart to provide an intermediate space eti? of rectangular outline in cross section and provides for the cups being movably strung along square forming rods 40. Each yoke has a continuation 42 which is upturned at the end as at 48. The yokes are each cut away at the top as at -H to provide spaced transverse edges 4% and M respectively. Each upturned end of one yoke is fitted in the cut-away portion of the next following yoke so that all yokes connect with one another when they are spread longitudinally of the rod 40. The yokes are attached, each to a corresponding cup by rivets, such as r Thus the cups are movable along the rods into spaced relationship to each other, the spacing which they eventually take being governed by the length of the cutaway portions of the yokes.

The cups are turned down at each of their three edges as at 4-5 and the turned down portions are cut away as at 4:5, centrally of each side, and as at 46, at the uncture of two sides. Thus six fingers t? are provided, two fingers for each of the three sides of the triangular cup, and the complete cup is possessed of six openings between the fingers. It should be noted here, that when the trilie ill

angular plates are spread :tully apart, or are close together, the plates are so arranged that their centers are alined along parallel lines running longitudinally of the machine,

as well as being alined along parallel. lines" running obliquely ot' the machine at an angle of degrees from the longitudinal linesf In operating my improved machine, and in carrying out my improved method with this or other similar machines which may be constructed in conformance with my inven tion, the Fabric 52 to be crushed is laid loosely over the expanded arrangement of triangular plates, in this case. "hen the bars which carry the cups are laid down over the material, one by one, with each cup litted over a corresponding triangularplate. lVhen all bars are in position, the first step in the actual crushing of the material has been accomplished, butother steps must follow before the desired result is obtained. hen the heavy bars are in place the material immediately overlying each plate as at is at one elevation while the material in'unediately under the lowermost end of each linger as at 52 is at the lowermost ele vation; all other portions of the material being stretched or drawn into characteristic bulges or billows. For instance; each point of a plate is directed toward the corresponding side opening of a cup, and inversely, each of the corner openings of one cup is tered with the side opening of adjacent cups, this arrangement of the material forming arched gatherings 51. of maximum width where it comes thru a side opening of a cup, and of lesser width where it extends thru the corner opening of an adjacent cup.

It is essential, in producing a correct appearing pattern that the units all be moved together both longitudinally and transversely of the machine while the cups are in place. The rods being unattached to any part of the machine, they will move together when the longitudinal bars are moved together. The cups being slidable on the rods they will move together when the plates are crowded together longitudinally of the mahine. As the distance between each point of each plate and each corresponding side oi each plate grows less, the intervening material is caused to bulge downwardly in grace lul curves. Vi hen the plates are moved, together with the cups into .the compact ultimate tormation, the crushing eli'cct is completed. While the plates are vin this formation the rods, with the contained cups are lifted -trom the machine, leaving the tabric undisturbed, in the shape into which it was crushed. To apply a backing (not shown) to the fabric such backing is laid over the fabric and stitched or basted thereto; the screw heads, particularly the slots thereof, serving as guides for the needle which. used to do the basting.

It will be apparent now that when the backing is applied the completed prod u t may be lifted from the machine, and all parts returned to normal position. V hen the outside bars are moved outwardly a slight distance, the corresponding links begin to move the next two bars, and so on until the assembly of bars is completely expanded.

Then the plates may be returned to original position, leaving the machine ready for another operation.

It will be apparent now that one ot the salient features of my invention resides in supporting the plates well above the rest of the machine, so that as the plates move together the indented portions of the fabric are free to assume any shape into which they are directed, and the resultant product is characterized by the depressions 19 formed by the material at the point 50, which are wider at the bottom than at the top, together with the cavities at 52 which form complementary bulges, as at 52'.

While I have shown and described specitic constructions, arrangen'ients of parts, method ot' operation and specific movement to be imparted to the machine and its parts, I do not limit myself thereto, and may employ any construction or arrangement of parts, and may move the plates longitudinally only, or transversely only, and may Follow any methods or steps to which the machine and invention is suited. as I desire,

or as occasion seems to require, without enlargingthe scope of my invention within the appended claims.

Having described one practical embodiment of my invention, that which I claim as new and patentable is:

1. In a fabric crushing machine, laterally movable members, bases carried by each laterally movable member; said bases being movable longitudinally of the. member which carries them, stems, one rising from each base, and horizontal plates, one carried by each stem adjacent the upper end of the stem whereby fabric may told under each plate toward said corresponding stem as the plate moves toward one another.

"2. In a fabric crushing machine, laterally movable members, bases carried by each laterally nu able member; said bases being movable longitudinally of the member which carries them, stems, one rising from each base, horizontal plates, one carried by each stem adjacent the upper end of the stem whereby fabric may fold under each plate toward the stems as the plates are moved together, and cups, one for each plate adapted to fit loosely thereover with fabric between the corresponding plate and cup.

3.'In a fabric crushing machine, laterally movable members, bases carried by each laterally movable member, said bases being .movable longitudinally of the member which carries them, stems, one rising from each base, horizontal plates. one carried by each stem adjacent the upper end of the stem whereby fabric may fold under each. plate toward the stems as the plates are moved toward one another, cups, one for each plate adapted to fit loosely thereover with fabric between the plates and cups, bars, one for each of certain of the laterally movable members; said bars free to move with said members; each bar carrying several of said cups freely movable longitudinally thereof.

l. A fabric crushing machine as in claim 2, in which machine the cups include a flattened bottom portion adapted to be disposed. substantially contiguous of the plate over which the cup is inverted, and further including a rim portion arranged to project downwardly over the edges of the plate over which the cup is inverted, said cups having vertical openings cut in the rim portions and intersecting the lower edges of the rim portions; for the purpose set forth.

5. A fabric crushing machine as in claim 3, in which machine the cups include a flattened bottom. portion adapted to be dis posed substantially contiguous of the plate over which. the cup is inverted, and further including a rim portion arranged to project downwardly over the edges of the plate over which the cup is inverted, said cups having vertical openings cut in the rim portions and intersecting the lower edges of the rim portions; for the purpose set forth.

6. A fabric crushing machine as in claim 1; said machine including cup-like members each adapted to be inverted over a. corresponding plate, each cup-like member having a horizontal portion arranged to be disposed substantially contiguous of a. plate, and further having depending portions adapted to extend below the plate to direct fabric downwardly therefrom; the stems holding the plates spaced sufficiently above the laterally movable members to hold the lowermost parts of the depending portions of each cup spaced above the laterally movable members.

7. In a fabric crushing machine, laterally movable members, bases carried by each laterally movable member; said bases being movable longitudinally of the member which carries them, stems, one rising from each base, and horizontal plates, one carried by each stem adjacent the upper end of the stem whereby fabric may fold under each plate toward said, corresponding stem as the plates move toward one another; said machine including cup-like members each adapted to be inverted over a corresponding plate, each cup-like member having a horizontal portion arranged to be disposed substantially contiguous of a plate, and further having depending portions adapted to extend below the plate to direct fabric downwardly therefrom; the stems holding the plates spaced sufliciently above the laterally movable members to hold the lowermost parts of the depending portions of each cup spaced above the laterally movable" members; the depending portions of the cuplike members being cut away at intervals to provide spaced depending fingers with intermediate spaces for the purpose set forth.

8. In a fabric forming machine, the combination of a plurality of upright stems, a horizontal plate at the upper end of each stem, and a plurality of inverted cups, each cup adapted to be placed over a corresponding plate with fabric therebetween.

9. In a fabric forming machine, the combination of a plurality of upright stems, a horizontal plate at the upper end of each stem, and a plurality of inverted cups, each cup adapted to be placed over a corresponding plate with a fabric therebetween, each cup including a portionl arranged to lie substantially contiguous of a plate when in- \"erted thereover, and further including a depending portion disposed to direct fabric downwardly from said plate when inverted thereover, with such fabric therebetween, the depending portions of each cup being provided with vertical slots intersecting the lower margins thereof to provide spaced fingers which are directed downwardly when the cup is inverted over a plate.

10. The combination in a machine of the character described of a plurality of stems arranged in parallel linear series, the stems of one series being staggered with regard to the stem of immediately adjacent series, a plurality of triangular plates, one for each stem and supported at an elevationl by the corresponding stem, triangular cups, one for each plate; said cups adapted to be inverted over corresponding plates with a fabric therebetween.

11. A fabric forming machine as in claim 8, said machine including, laterally movable members each holding a number of said stems, said stems being movable longitudi nally of said members substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

12. A fabric forming machine as in claim 9, said machine including, laterally movable members each holding a number of said stems, said stems being movable longitudinally of said members.

13. A fabric forming machine as in claim 9; said machine including, laterally movable members, each holding a number of said stems; said stems being movable longitudinally of said members, and a plurality of rods, one for each laterally movable memher and each slidably holding a plurality of the cup-like members and permitting each cup to follow with the corresponding plate.

14. In a fabric forming machine, a plurality of stems, plates, one carried at the upper end of each stem, said stems arranged to be spaced apart from each other to be substantially evenly distributed over a maX- imum area, and means for moving said plates laterally as well as longitudinally of the area to group said plates in even distribution over a reduced area.

15. In a machine of the class described, spaced plates adapted to collectively support a piece of fabric, means for depressing portions of the fabric into the intermediate spaces between said plates, means for moving the plates into close arrangement, and means for holding those. portions of the fabric which are contiguous with the plates, against movement during said movement of HOWARD A. SLITER.

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