US1703398A - Stretcher for uniform-cap covers - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 26, 1929.

R. H. LAKE STRETCHER FOR UNIFORM CAP COVERS Filed Oct. 18, 1926 to proper size.

Patented Feb. 25, 1929.

UNITED STATES:

ROBERT H. LAKE, OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY, HAMPTON ROADS, VIRGINIA.

STRETCHER non UNIFoRMcA'P oovnn'sj Application filed October 18, 1926. Serial No. 142,516..

This invention relates to improved means for stretching signed for use with what are known as uniform cap covers.

Cap covers which are used by military and naval forces as covers for uniform caps are made of duck or like material, which shrinks when washed, and is therefore diflicult to be properly positioned upon uniform caps.

Such caps include a bandportion and a crown or hell portion and these must be stretched alike at the same time. The stretching device must be inserted into the cap through the relatively small band portion and then expanded to stretch both band andhell I have, therefore, provided a unit stretcher which may be collapsed and readily inserted through the band and into the bell portion of the cap or cap .cover, as the case may be, and have oined the expanding portions with a suitable linking, expanding and locking means.

lVhile cap blocks have been used, these are ordinarily of complicated and bulky construction and are not easily carried about and used. When these cap blocks are of sohd segments,

such segments must be inserted one ata time and then expanded. With such blocks a considerable space is left between each segment after the whole device is expanded so that when blocked the cap or cap cover has an uneven I have, therefore, provided nesting nental shells in which the extremities of 'the segments when expanded are relatively close together and may, indeed, practically abut,- so that only a small part of the circumference of the cap or cover is unsupported when the device is expanded to stretch it.

An object, therefore, of this invention is to n'oride a. cap cover stretcher particularly de signed to conformwith the exterior dimensions and contour of a uniform cap;

A further object is to provide means for stretching the parts of the device to a predetermined dimension, and lock the same in such position. v v I A further object is to so design the parts that they may collapse and nest togetherinto a compact whole when not in use. 7

A further object is to link together the stretching element so that the parts thereof will not become separated and lost, this link cting as a guide to associate the parts when being nested, to expand the parts when in and drying to shape articles re' quiring such treatment, and is particularly de-.

use, and lock the same in either expanded or nested position. V

WVith the above; and other ohjectsin view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts, and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it oeing understood that changes in the preci embodiment of the invention here in disclosed may be made within the scopeof what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View; of my device showing its application within a cap cover of the type described, the parts being shown in posit-ion to stretch and hold the cap cover;

Figure 2 is a plan viewof the device expanded; V l

Figure 8 is a plan view of the device, the link, connection being partly folded, and the segments, r stretcher parts, in position to be nested;

' Figure 4: is a plan viewshowing the parts A and crown extension B are shown in position upon the stretcher in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

The stretcher comprises a plurality of shells or hollow segments 5-and 6. These are each of thin, stiff metal and may be spun'to shape and size or pressed to shape between suitable. dies, and consist of a main body portion 7 having atone edge an inturned flange 8. Extending at an angle to the main body portion is a crown engaging portion 9, this being inturned to form a flange 10.

Secured by pivots 11 and 12 to these inturned flanges and to extension 14, carried by the body and crown portions, I provide a U-shaped link 15 which extends inwardly from and within the extent of the segment 5. Links 16 and 17 are pivotedat 18 and 19 to the flange and extension 1 1- and extend within the extent of the segment 6. These extensions may be integral with the shell-like segments.

The links 16 and 17 and the U-shaped link or bail 15, are pivoted together at 20 and 21, the distance between the pivot points 1112 and 2021 being less than between the pivots 1819 and 2021 so that when it is desired to collapse the stretcher the segment '5 may swing about the pivots 2021 to nestwithin the segment 6 as shown by dotted lines in Figure 5. As the object of this construction is to allow the one segment to be rotated at the end of its link about the point 202i as a center, so that the one segmentmay nest within the other, the distance between the points 11l2 and 20, and the points 18l9 and 20, may be made equal, and the pivot points 18 19 be positioned in a somewhat broader flange 8 and more extended support 1%, not shown.

The height of the segment. 6 is greater than the height oi the segment 5 at their respective exterior portions, the height of the segment 5 increasing somewhat toward its extremities andthe height of the segment 6 decreasing somewhat towards its extremities. 'llh'e segment 6 is adapt-ed to :i orm the cap cover to the ssh ape oi. the front oi? a uniform cap and the segment 5 is similarly adapted to tom the cap cover to the shape of the hat-k ot a uniform cap. The s gments are eccentrically fixed.

The link 16 is notched at 22 to aoonmiodate the pin 23 on the bail 15. This pin and notch act as stop to position the links in their extended position, in which position the segments 5 and 6 are extended to fully stretch the cap cover in its elements A and 13 described. G'ther means, not shown, may be rovided in lieu of the pin and slot, as for instance a snap or catch between the members; or a depression in one link to eoact with a nipple in the other link.

T he link toggle illustrated may be broken as shown in Fig. 3 and the segme its rotated about the pivots 2021 etc, to the position shown in Fig. 4. In this position a move ment of the link in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 4 will nest the links within the extent oi the previously nested segments. In this position the segments are substantially locked against relative movement until the links are swung back to a position radial. with regard to the two nested segments.

While in the toregoing'l have described specific structure and have mentioned only certain modifications, it will be appreciated that in practice I do not limit myself to such specific details as herein set forth, but may resort to any practical modifications falling within the scope of the ciaiins.

i i hat I claim is: I 1 1. it stretcher for bats (temp-rising sesments, one segment being smaller than the other segment, pivined links connecting the segments, the dixance between the pivots oi. one link being less than on the other, the links being ifohlabie in the phineot the segments.

2. A stl richer for uniform cap covers conirisin segments, one segment being smaller than the other segment, links pivoted between the segments. and pivots between the free ends of the links and the segments, the distance between. the pivots oi one link bein less than on the other, whereby the links may be rotated to fold within the segments and the segments may be nested one within the other.

3. A stretcher tor hats comprising two segments, one of the segments being smaller than the other segment to permit of its nesting within the other segment, and pivoted connecting links therebetween. the distance between the pivots of one link being less than on the other.

In testimony whereof I afiix my ROBERT H. LAKE.

signature.

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