GB370103A - Improvements in or relating to hat-blocking presses - Google Patents

Abstract

370,103. Hat-blocking presses. CASS•, M., Essonnes, France. Feb. 9, 1931, No. 4058. Convention date, Feb. 10, 1930. [Class 63.] A hat-blocking press has a control lever which effects in succession the closing of the press, the locking of the press in closed position, the application of internal pressure, and the release of a device which restores the parts to starting position after a predetermined lapse of time. The lower mould 11 is guided by vertical columns 2, 2a which support the usual beam 3 carrying the pressing bag 7. The mould is raised and lowered by toggle links 17, 19 the pivots of which are linked to a head 24 of a piston 25, the head also carrying depending rods 27 supporting a sliding collar 28 loosely engaging the cylinder 26. A supply pipe 72 enters a box containing three valves 41, 43, 44, the first and last of which are spring-pressed. on to their seats and actuated by tappets 38, 39 on a lever 36 linked to the starting lever 31a. The valve 43 is actuated by a push rod 50 connected to a lever 51 also actuating valves 56, 57 in a second box also containing a valve 64. The lever 51 is actuated by the collar 28 as this reaches its uppermost position, a weight 53 urging the lever downwardly. To return the mechanism to starting position, a second cylinder 66 has a piston 67 the rod of which carries a spring plunger 70 in line with the end of the lever 36. The valves and cylinders are connected by pipes and ducts so that in operation, on the depression of the starting handle and consequent opening of the valve 41, water flows to the cylinder 26 causing the rise of the mould 11 and collar 28. When the links 17, 18 come into alignment the lever 51 is raised, opening the valve 43 to admit fluid to the bag 7. At the same time the valve 56 is opened to admit pressure fluid to the underside of the piston 67. The upper side of this piston is also under pressure transmitted by the pipe 79 in which is an adjustable valve 80. As the effective area of the upper side of the piston is smaller than that of the lower side, the piston rises at a rate determined by the setting of the valve 80. At the top of its travel, the plunger 70 returns the starting handle to inoperative position, opening the valve 44 to exhaust the cylinder 26 and allowing the inlet valve 41 to close. Pressure in the bag 7 is released by the valve 43. As the piston 25 commences to descend, the lever 51 allows the valve 56 to close, and opens the valve 57 allowing the piston 67 to descend. Work can then be changed and the press re-started. The starting handle comprises parallel levers 31a connected by a horizontal bar, In the working position this handle lies in front of the closing members of the press, preventing the operator putting his hands between these parts as they close.