Object Details
inventor
Swasey, Benjamin
Description
Cloth Napping Machine Patent Model
Patent No. 350, issued August 8, 1837
Benjamin Swasey of Mount Vernon, Maine
Swasey’s patent concerned the setting of teazles ( thistle-like plant heads) in the wires of the large napping cylinder. He also claimed certain springs and levers that shifted the cloth rollers in and out of gear. This shifting of the cloth rollers caused the cloth to come in contact with the teazles as the cloth was wound forward and then disengaged the cloth from the teazles as the cloth rewound.
In this way, the cloth could roll from one cylinder to another as long as necessary to ensure a well-napped surface. Also, the shifting of gears did not require a person to match and unmatch the gears. Friction bands on the ends of the cloth rollers, together with hanging weights, kept tension on the cloth even.
Location
Currently not on view
model constructed
before 1837-08-08
date made
before1837-08-08
patent date
1837-08-08
ID Number
TE.T11403.011
accession number
89797
catalog number
T11403.011
accession number
89797
patent number
350
Object Name
cloth napping machine
cloth napping machine patent model
Object Type
Patent Model
Physical Description
wood (overall material)
metal (mechanisms material)
cloth (cylinders material)
associated place
United States: Maine, Mount Vernon
Related Publication
Janssen, Barbara Suit. Patent Models Index
See more items in
Home and Community Life: Textiles
Patent Models, Textile Machinery
Textiles
Patent Models
Data Source
National Museum of American History
classified
Patent Models
Invention
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1071147