Improvements in or relating to Self Acting Spinning Mules.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Oct., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 5th Aug., 1893-Accepted, 28th Oct., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Self Acting Spinning Mules.
We, JAMES PICKFORD of Shaw Road, Royton, Overlooker, JOSEPH TAYLOR
of Manchester Road, Shaw, Mill Manager and LUKE BUTTERWORTH of Luzley
Brook, Royton, Mill Manager, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention to
be as follows:
Our invention relates to self acting spinning mules and refers more particularly
to the driving and "backing off" mechanism and has for its object to dispense with
the reversing of the motion of the rim shaft and rim pulley at the instant of
"backing off" and to allow of the motion of the rim shaft and rim pulley to be
continuous and uninterrupted. By our invention we are enabled to dispense with the
fast and loose pulleys and frictional bowl for arresting and reversing the motion of
the rim shaft and thus avoid the excessive wear of driving belts and ropes and
lessen the risk of fire by overheating.
In carrying our invention into effect we employ the ordinary spur or toothed
wheel for "backing off" and a single driving pulley adjacent thereto.
Alongside the spur wheel on the opposite side to the driving pulley we mount a
double or treble grooved pulley running loosely on the rim shaft. On the side of
the spur wheel a friction bowl is formed corresponding with a friction cone on the
side of the grooved pulley which latter is capable of sliding on the rim shaft and of
coming into frictional contact with the said bowl under the influence of a fork
actuated by a cam through the spur wheel aforesaid at the instant of "backing off"
and of disengaging with such friction bowl after the backing off" operation
has been performed.
66
Upon the tin roller shaft we mount a set of grooved pulleys one of which runs
loosely on the tin roller shaft which latter is driven by a friction bowl secured or
keyed to the tin roller shaft and around this pulley the ordinary rim band or rope
passes from the rim pulley.
Around the other grooved pulley on the tin roller shaft a separate and distinct
band passes which also passes around an idle pulley at the end of the carriage race
and which band also passes round the grooved pulley aforesaid on the rim shaft.
The pulley on the tin roller shaft is thrown in and out of frictional contact with
the friction bowl by a fork arrangement operated by an incline on the floor of the
room.
The operation of driving and "backing off" may now be described as follows:-
The driving strap being passed around the driving pulley aforesaid motion is
imparted to the rim pulley which is conveyed by the rim band to the tin roller
shaft and consequently the spindles are rotated in the usual manner.
As soon as the "backing off" operation is to take place and the carriage reaches
the end of its outward traverse the grooved pulley on the tin roller shaft is instantly
thrown out of contact with its bowl and the motion of the tin roller shaft owing to
the drag of the spindles is arrested. Simultaneously the pulley on the rim shaft
which has previously been running loose is immediately caused to engage with the
friction bowl on the side of the spur wheel and the movement is communicated to
the tin roller shaft which being in an opposite direction turns back the tin roller
shaft and thus effects the "backing off "meanwhile it will be observed the motion
of the rim pulley and rim shaft has not been stopped or changed.
As soon as the "backing off" has been effected the carriage commences its
inward run and the incline on the floor releases the grooved pulley on the tin roller
shaft and causes it to engage with the friction bowl and thus drive the spindles in
the right direction again.

page_text: It will therefore be seen that our object is to avoid arresting the momentum of
the ordinary driving pulleys as heretofore for the purpose of "backing off" and to
let the tin roller shaft arrest its own motion by the drag of the spindles after ceasing
to drive it from the rim pulley.
A modification of our invention consists of a friction cone and bowl the former
being mounted on a sleeve which surrounds the rim shaft and passes through the
headstock bearing to the outside and is fastened by a flange to the rim pulley whilst
the friction bowl is keyed to the shaft. The rim pulley and sleeve run loosely upon
the rim shaft and the friction bowl although keyed is capable of sliding to and fro
under the control of a fork operated by the change cam.
In this modification the rim pulley is only driven so long as the friction bowl
engages with the friction cone and immediately such friction bowl engages with the
cone its motion is arrested by the drag of the spindles whilst at the same time the
friction cone on the grooved pulley aforementioned enters the friction bowl on
the spur wheel and so reverses the motion of the tin roller shaft and effects the
backing off."
66
The rim pulley is set in motion again by the friction bowl engaging with the
friction cone.
Our improvements may be applied to the taking in shaft or side shaft of the
mule.
Dated this 5th day of October 1800
JOHN G. WILSON,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Self Acting Spinning Mules.
We, JAMES PICKFORD of Shaw Road, Royton, Overlooker, JOSEPH TAYLOR
of Manchester Road, Shaw, Mill Manager, and LUKE BUTTERWORTH of Luzley
Brook, Royton, Mill Manager, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
Our invention relates to self acting spinning mules and refers more particularly
to the driving and "backing-off" mechanism and has for its object to dispense with
the reversing of the motion of the rim shaft and rim pulley at the instant of
"backing-off" and to allow of the motion of the rim shaft and rim pulley to be
continuous and uninterrupted. By our invention we are enabled to dispense with
the fast and loose pulleys and "friction" bowl or cone for arresting and reversing
the motion of the rim shaft and thus avoid the excessive wear of driving belts and
ropes and lessen the risk of fire by overheating.
In carrying our invention into effect we employ the ordinary spur or toothed
wheel for "backing-off" and a single driving pulley adjacent thereto.
Alongside the spur wheel on the opposite side to the driving pulley we mount a
double or treble grooved pulley running loosely on the rim shaft. On the side of
the spur wheel a friction bowl or internal cone is formed corresponding with a
friction cone on the side of the grooved pulley which latter is capable of sliding ou
the rim shaft and of coming into frictional contact with the said bowl under the
influence of a fork actuated by a cam which receives motion through the spur wheel
aforesaid at the time of "backing-off" and of disengaging with such friction bowl
after the "backing off" operation has been performed.
Upon the tin roller shaft we mount two grooved pulleys one of which runs
loosely on the tin roller shaft, which latter is driven by a friction cone secured or
keyed to the tin roller shaft and around this pulley the ordinary rim band or rope
passes from the rim pulley.
Around the other grooved pulley on the tin roller shaft a separate and distinct
band passes which also passes around an idle pulley at the end of the carriage.

page_text: race and which band also passes round the grooved pulley aforesaid on the rim
shaft.
The grooved pulley on the tin roller shaft is thrown in and out of frictional
contact with the friction bowl or cone by a fork arrangement operated by an incline
on the floor of the room.
:-
The operation of driving and "backing-off" may now be described as follows:-
The driving strap being passed around the driving pulley aforesaid motion is
imparted to the rim pulley which is conveyed by the rim band to the tin roller
shaft and consequently the spindles are rotated in the usual manner.
As soon as the "backing-off" operation is to take place and the carriage reaches
the end of its outward traverse the grooved pulley on the tin roller shaft is instantly
thrown out of contact with the cone and the motion of the tin roller shaft owing to
the drag of the spindles is arrested. Simultaneously the pulley on the rim shaft
which has previously been running loose is immediately caused to engage with the
friction bowl on the side of the spur wheel and the movement of the pulley is
communicated to the tin roller shaft which, being in an opposite direction, turns
back the tin roller shaft and thus effects the " backing-off," meanwhile it will be
observed the motion of the rim pulley and rim shaft has not been stopped or
changed.
As soon as the "backing-off" has been effected the carriage makes its inward
run and the incline on the floor at the proper time releases the grooved pulley on
the tin roller shaft and causes it to engage with the friction bowl or cone and thus
drive the spindles in the right direction again for making another stretch.
A modification of our invention consists of a friction cone and bowl, the former
being mounted on a sleeve which surrounds the rim shaft and passes through the
headstock bearing to the outside and is fastened by a flange to the rim pulley whilst
the friction bowl is keyed to the shaft. The rim pulley and sleeve run loosely
upon the shaft and the friction bowl although keyed is capable of sliding to and fro
under the control of a fork operated by the change cam.
In this modification the rim pulley is only driven so long as the friction bowl
engages with the friction cone, and immediately such friction bowl disengages with
the cone its motion is arrested by the drag of the spindles; whilst at the same time
the friction cone on the grooved pulley aforementioned enters the friction bowl
on the spur wheel and so reverses the motion of the tin roller shaft and effects the
backing-off."
66
The rim pulley is set in motion again by the friction bowl engaging with the
friction cone.
And in order that our invention shall be more readily understood and carried
into practical effect we have hereunto annexed a set of drawings of our invention as
applied to what is known as a "Platts" self acting mule and we will now proceed
to describe the same with the assistance of the various figures and letters of reference
marked thereon.
Fig. 1 is a right hand side view, Fig. 2 is a plan (partly in section) and Fig. 3 is
a left hand side view of the headstock portion of a self acting mule with our
improvements shewn applied thereto.
Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are detail views (partly in section) on an enlarged scale of
certain parts of our invention shewn in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
Figs. 8 and 9 are side and plan views respectively similar to those shewn in
Figs. and 2 of a modification of our invention.
Figs. 10 and 11 are similar views again and represent a further modification.
Figs. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate details on an enlarged scale of the modification
shewn in Figs. 10 and 11.
Figs. 15, 16 and 17 are side and plan views respectively similar to those shewn
in Figs. 1 and 2 of another modification of our invention.
"
All the figures, with the exception of those of the detached inclines, show the
parts of the mule and "square in the position they occupy during the outward
run of the carriage when spinning is going on.

page_text: In accordance with the construction of a "Platts" mule (A) is the framing,
(B) that portion of the mule which is technically known as the "square," which is
supported on wheels (B), which rest on "slips" or rails (B2). (j) is the tin roller
shaft and (2) and (g) are carrier pulleys carried as usual from the square (B).
(b) is what is known as the "rim" or main shaft of the mule for imparting motion
by means of a "rim" pulley and band to the tin roller and spindles.
In accordance with our invention (¹) is a driving pulley secured to the rim
shaft (b). (a) is the backing-off wheel mounted loosely upon the rim shaft (6) and
revolving in a direction contrary to that of the pulley (6). On the side of the
backing off wheel an internal cone (a) is formed constituting one part of a friction
clutch box. Said backing off wheel is prevented moving end wise on the shaft
in either direction by means of the boss of the pulley (6¹) and the fixed
collar (a).
(c) is a grooved band pulley which is mounted on the rim shaft (6) and is free
to rotate thereon and on the side of the palley an external cone (c') is formed
covered with leather which constitutes the counter-part of the friction clutch box
aforesaid. A groove (c) is formed in the boss of the pulley (c) for the purpose
of receiving the dies (d) of the backing off lever (d'). By means of the lever (d')
which is mounted on the fulcrum shaft (2) the pulley (c) is capable of being
moved end wise on the rim shaft (b) so as to enable the friction cones (c) and (a¹)
to be engaged. When so engaged the pulley (c) receives motion from the
backing-off wheel (a) and revolves in the same direction.
(e) is a pinion mounted upon and secured to the rim shaft which drives the
trains of gearing and the clutch boxes with which they are connected whereby the
motion is imparted to the drawing out shaft and the rollers in the well known
The engaging and disengaging of the drawing out and roller motious are
performed in the usual manner.
manner.
(f) is a double grooved rim pulley (technically known as a "rim") which is
secured to the block (62) forming part of the rim shaft (6) as heretofore, and is
interchangeable with pulleys of different sizes to suit the class of yarn being
spun.
(a) is a cam mounted upon the cam shaft (a) which at times controls the
movement of the band pulley (c) as hereinafter explained. (a) is a lever
situated on the cam shaft side of the headstock and mounted upon and secured to
a shaft (a), the upper part of which lever carries an anti-friction bowl (a') which
bears against the cam (a) by which the movements of the lever (a) are regulated.
(a) is a lever also mounted upon and secured to the shaft (a) but situated upon
the opposite side of the headstock.
Secured by a stud to the lever (a) is a connecting rod (a) and the end (a) of
such lever is formed as a stop to prevent the backing off lever from moving in
the direction indicated by the arrow (1) until the cam shaft (a) has made the
necessary change which takes place just previous to the completion of the
outward run of the carriage when the lever (a) and rod (a) will be moved in
the direction indicated by the arrow (2), the backing off lever (d¹) being then
free to engage the friction cone of the pulley (c) with the friction cone of the
backing off wheel («).
The backing off lever (¹) is operated in the usual way by means of the
connecting rod () and the ordinary well known devices which form no part of
our invention.
(g¹), (g³), (g³) and (9) are the ordinary rim band carrier pulleys.
(h) and (1) represent the two pulleys herein before described mounted on the
tin roller shaft (), the former running loose on the shaft and the latter keyed
thereto. The said pulley (h) (seen more clearly in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7) is formed
with two or more grooves and with its boss passing through the tin roller step (¹)
by which it is prevented from moving endwise in one direction. One side of the
pulley (h) is formed with an internal cone (¹) constituting one part of a friction
clutch box. (2) is an external cone mounted upon the tin roller shaft and

page_text: capable of moving endwise so as to engage with the internal cone (²). The
friction cone (2) imparts rotary motion to the tin roller shaft (j) by means of the
well known disc device (4) which is secured to the tin roller shaft, and by these
means the internal cone (1) imparts rotary motion to the tin roller shaft when the
friction cone (2) is engaged with the internal cone (¹).
The disc (4) prevents the pulley (h) moving end wise when the friction
cone (2) is disengaged from the cone ('). The boss of the friction cone (2) is
formed with a groove (½³) to receive dies affixed at the end of the lever (*)
which latter is mounted on a stud (1º) on the bracket (7) bolted to the square (B)
of the carriage.
Mounted on the tin roller shaft is a coiled spring (4) one end of which abuts
against the backing off click wheel (n), which is secured to the tin roller shaft,
whilst the other end of said spring abuts against the boss of the friction cone (*).
Said spring has a constant tendency to force the friction cone (2) into contact
with the internal friction (1).
The endless rim band (9) which passes round the rim (f) and tin roller
pulley () drives the tin roller shaft in the well known manner, the rotation of the
driving pulley (6), rim (f), band (*), and tin roller pulley (h) being in the
direction indicated by the arrows 6, 7, 8 and 9.
(k), (¹), (2) and (3) are backing off band carrier pulleys and (7) is the
supplementary tin roller pulley aforesaid, around which and the pulley (c) and
endless backing off band (m) passes as illustrated.
The lever () is provided with a catch stud (10) and the lower part of said
lever is secured to a bracket (8) which carries an anti-friction bowl (14). Secured
to the floor of the room is an adjustable inclined bracket (°) which is shewn in
plan view Fig. 7. At (") is shewn a bell crank catch lever mounted on a stud
secured to the bracket (¹) and provided with the catch or projection (4")
capable at times of engaging with the catch stud (A¹º).
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-Motion being communicated to the
pulley (6) in the direction of the arrow (12) and motion being imparted to the
backing-off wheel (a) in a direction contrary to that indicated by the same arrow
by the well known means the rim shaft (6) by means of the pinion (e) and the
trains of gearing and clutch boxes with which they are connected will impart
motion to the drawing-out shaft and to the rollers in the well known manner. The
rotation of the rim (f) will drive the tin roller pulley (h) in the direction indicated
by the arrow (9) and the friction clutch (2) being engaged with the internal
cone (¹) the tin roller shaft and tin rollers will be driven by means of the
endless band (*) and motion will be communicated to the spindles.
When the carriage has nearly arrived at the end of its outward run, the
anti-friction bowl (*) at the end (*) of the lever (¹) will arrive in contact with
the incline (). The further outward movement of the carriage will cause the
lever () to move in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow (4) and so
disengage the friction cone (½³) from the internal cone (h¹) when motion will cease
to be imparted to the tin roller shaft (j), tin rollers and spindles by the friction
pulley (h) and through the rim band (9). Nevertheless the rotation and
movement of the pulley (h), rim band (9), rim (f), rim shaft (b), and driving
pulley () will be continuous and uninterrupted as aforesaid instead of being first
stopped and then reversed to enable the backing-off to be performed. By these
means we avoid arresting the momentum of the ordinary driving pulley as
heretofore for the purpose of backing-off. The movement of the lever (ht) will
permit the projection (1) formed on the bell crank lever (") to engage with
the catch stud (10) by which means the lever (h) is prevented from again
moving in the direction indicated by the arrow (4) until the lever (4") has been
disengaged.
The changing of the cam shaft (a) and consequent movement of the cam (a³)
will permit the lever (a) to move in the direction indicated by the arrow (2), and
with it the connecting rod (a) which will allow the rod (d) to move the

page_text: backing-off lever (d) in the direction indicated by the arrow (1), and in so doing
put the pulley (e) into gear with the backing-off wheel (a) when the pulley (c)
will be driven in the opposite direction to that indicated by the arrow (6) when
the backing off band (m) which has previously been inoperative (running idle)
will cause the tin roller shaft (j) to be reversed and revolve in the direction
indicated by the arrow (5).
The reversal of the tin roller shaft (j) as is well understood causes the mule to
perform the function known as backing-off."
The "locking" of the faller at the completion of the backing-off will by means
of the rod (d) cause the backing-off lever (d) to be moved in the direction
opposite to that indicated by the arrow (1) when the pulley (c) will be disengaged
from the backing off wheel (a) and the backing-off will cease; at the same time,
the taking in motion will have been liberated, when the mule will make its
inward run in the ordinary well known manner.
Just before the termination of the inward run of the carriage, the bottom end of
the lever () will come into contact with the incline (41), which will cause the
lever () to be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow (3) and the
projection (1) will be disengaged from the catch stud (410) when the lever (*)
being no longer held will permit the spring (1) to put the friction (2) into gear
with the internal cone (¹) of the constantly revolving pulley (h) when the tin
roller shaft () will be again driven and with it the tin rollers and the spindles.
The carriage then commences its outward run and the spinning operation will be
performed as previously described.
As the driving pulley (¹), rim (f), rim band (*) and pulley (h) are constantly
revolving the driving belt will be able to act at once in the most effective
manner, because it has not overcome the resistance of those parts which it would
otherwise have to do.
In some cases, instead of the pulley (1) being secured to the tin roller shaft (j)
we find that we may with advantage mount a pulley ((*) so as to be free to revolve
on said shaft, and we form one side of this tin roller pulley (*) shewn in Fig. 7
and 7B so as to constitute an internal friction cone. We also mount on the tin
roller shaft a friction cone which engages with a disc (1) keyed to the tin roller
shaft which whilst permitting the friction cone (1) to move endwise on the tin roller
shaft (), prevents the cone (1) from turning on the shaft (j). The friction
cone (2) is provided with a groove (18) to receive dies fixed at the lower extremity
of the lever (10). The lever (10) is carried by the bracket (11) which is secured
to the square (B) and said lever (10) is connected to the lever (c) by means of the
connecting rod (2) to be compressable in the direction of its length so as to secure
the proper gearing of the cones (1) and (2) which constitute a friction clutch
The connecting rod (2) is formed in two parts (3) and (*) and upon the part (1)
are formed two projections (b) and (2) which acts as guides and through which
passes one end of the part (3). Encircling the part (3) of the connecting rod (3)
is an open coiled spring (7) one end of which abuts against the projection (**) and
the other end against the lock nuts (8). The lock nuts (8) are screwed on the
part (a) and are used to adjust the amount of compression of the spring (7) which
latter has a constant tendency to lengthen the connecting rod (3) by forcing the
ends (3) and (4) further apart, but this extension is limited by the lock nuts (.)
which are screwed on the end of the part (23). When properly adjusted the
arrangement forms one connecting rod compressable to a slight extent in the
direction of its length so as to enable it the more effectually to engage the friction
cone than a rigid connecting rod would, but rigid and non-extensible when in tension
as when disengaging the friction cones (") and (P). By these means, when the
friction cone () is disengaged from the internal cone (1) of the pulley (h) it will
cause the friction cone (1) to be engaged with the internal cone (1) forming part
of the pulley (*). The engagement of the friction cone (13) with the tin roller
pulley (*) will enable the latter to impart motion to the tin roller shaft (j) in the
same direction as the pulley (*) revolves.

page_text: When the internal friction cone (1) is engaged with the friction cone (1) of the
pulley (*) in the manner already explained, the friction cone (12) will be dis-
engaged from the friction (41) which forms part of the tin roller pulley (h).
The action of this arrangement is as follows:-During the outward movement of
the carriage the backing off band (m) no longer receiving motion from the tin
roller pulley (*) and at the same time not receiving motion from the backing off
rim () said band (m) will be free to remain either stationary or to move only
slightly with the movement that may be due to the outward run of the
carriage. When the friction (42) has been disengaged from the friction (³) of the
pulley (h) and the friction (1) being engaged with the friction (1) the resistance of
the pulley (*) and the backing off band (m) and the other parts with which it is
connected, will be overcome by the momentum already imparted to the tin rollers,
and consequently the said resistance will tend to cause the tin roller to expend its
momentum more readily, and thus offer less resistance to the backing-off arrange-.
ment when the backing-off friction (c) (see Fig. 1) is thrown into gear, so as to
facilitate the more rapid stoppage of the spindles for backing off and thus enable-
the stretch to be performed in less time.
"
We will now proceed to describe the modification of our invention shewn in
Figs. 8 and 9 in which the same or a similar backing-off wheel (9) and grooved
pulley (r) are employed with internal and external friction cones (9') and (¹) but
in this case the backing off wheel slides endwise in order to engage with the
friction cone (r) on the loose pulley (r).
Loosely surrounding the shaft (p) and passing loosely through the headstock
bearings (2) is a sleeve or hollow rim shaft (s) one end of which has formed upon
it a flange (s) and the other end has secured upon it a friction cone (t). The rim
pulley or rim (f) is secured by bolts to the flange (¹) of the sleeve (s) and is inter-
changeable with pulleys of other sizes to suit the class of yarn being spun. (u) is
an internal cone mounted on the shaft (p) and free to move end wise and capable of
receiving motion from the shaft (p) by being mounted on a sliding key or disc
device. The boss of said friction cone is formed with a groove (u') to receive the
dies (3) of the cam lever (v). A spring (u) is mounted on the shaft (p) abutting
at one end against a collar which prevents the pulley (») from moving end wise and
at the other end against the boss of the internal cone (u), and said spring has a
constant tendency to force the cone (u) into gear with the cone (t). When so
engaged the friction cone (t), sleeve (s), and rim (f) will receive motion from the
shaft (p).
When the cam shaft (a) makes its change to put the rollers and drawing out
apparatus into operation the cam permits the friction (u) (t) to be engaged, but
when the cam shaft (a) makes its change to disengage those motions it also
disengages the friction clutch (u) (t).
(v) is a lever which is mounted on stud (3) carried by the bracket (u') and
which lever is controlled by the cam (*). Fig. 9 shews the parts as geared
together aud imparting motion to the rin (f). The pinion (53) is mounted upon.
the sleeve (s) as illustrated.
(a) is a lever mounted upon and secured to a shaft (a¹²) supported by bearings
formed in the framing at each side of the headstock, and the upper part of this
lever carries an anti-friction bowl (a*) which bears against the cam (a³) by which
the movements of the lever (a") are regulated. (as) is a lever also mounted upon
and secured to the shaft (a). The lever (all) is on the cam shaft side of the
headstock and the lever (a¹³) on the opposite side.
Secured by a stud to the lever (a) is the connecting rod (a¹) and near the end
of the rod (a) is formed the stop (a) which prevents the backing off lever (9³)
from moving in the direction indicated by the arrow (11) to put the backing off
wheel (g) into gear with the pulley () until the cam shaft (a) has made the
necessary change which takes place just previous to the completion of the outward
run of the carriage when the lever (a¹³) and connecting rod (a") will be moved in

page_text: the direction indicated by the arrow (10); the backing off lever (71) will then be
free to engage the backing off wheel (9) with the pulley (r). The backing off
lever () is operated in the usual way by means of the connecting rod () and the
ordinary well known devices which form no part of our invention.
(w) and (1) are tin roller pulleys both secured to the tin roller shaft as illustrated.
The endless band (*) passes round the rim pulley (f) and the tin roller pulley (w)
whilst the endless band (m) passes round the pulley (r) and the tin roller pulley (/).
Motion being communicated to the driving pulley (1) in the direction indicated
by the arrow (12) motion will be thereby communicated to the shaft (p) and
internal friction cone (u). The internal friction cone (1) by being geared with the
friction cone (t) will impart motion to the sleeve or hollow rim shaft (s) and
rim (f) and motion will be communicated in the direction of the arrow (9) by the
rim band (2) to the tin roller pulley, tin roller shaft and tin rollers and to the
spindles. Motion being also imparted to the backing off wheel (1) in the direction
contrary to that indicated by the arrow (12) by means of any of the well known
arrangements; the sleeve or hollow rim shaft (s) will by means of the pinion (³)
and the trains of gearing and the catch boxes with which they are connected
impart motion to the drawing out shaft and to the rollers in the well known
manner.
When the carriage has nearly arrived at the end of its outward run the cam
shaft will make its change as usual when the cam (u) will force the lever (v) in the
direction indicated by the arrow (13) and the internal friction () will be dis-
engaged from the friction cone (t) when the friction cone (t), sleeve (s), rim (f),
and rim band (y) and tin rollers and spindles will no longer be driven. Never-
theless the rotation of the driving pulley (¹), shaft (p) and internal cone (u) will
be continuous and uninterrupted instead of being first stopped and then reversed to
enable the backing off to be performed as heretofore.
The changing of the cam shaft (a) and consequent movement of the cam (a³)
will permit the lever (a) to move in the direction indicated by the arrow (10) and
with it the connecting rod (a) which will allow the rod (d³) to move the lever (¹)
in the direction indicated by the arrow (11) and in so doing put the backing off
wheel (g) into gear with the pulley (r) when the motion of the pulley (r) will be
arrested and then driven in the opposite direction to that indicated by the arrow (12)
when the backing off band (m) will cause the tin roller shaft (j) to be reversed and
revolve in the direction indicated by the arrow (5).
This reversal of the tin roller shaft (1) causes the mule to perform the
"backing-off."
The "locking" of the faller at the completion of the backing off will by means
of the rod (d) cause the backing off lever (7) to be moved in the direction opposite
to that indicated by the arrow (11) when the backing off wheel (9) will be dis-
engaged from the pulley (r) and the backing-off will cease; at the same time the
taking in motion will have been liberated when the mule makes its inward run.
Just before the termination of the inward run of the carriage, the cam shaft will
make its change as usual to put into operation the rollers and drawing out motion
and at the same time the lever (e) being no longer held by the cam (u) will permit
the spring (u) to put the constantly revolving friction cone (u) into gear with the
friction cone (t) when motion will be imparted to the rim (f) and rim band (³) and
through them to the tin rollers and spindles.
We will now proceed to describe the modification which is shewn in Figs. 10, 11,
12, 13, and 14. In this modification a single friction clutch box is employed on the
shaft (3) as in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, but the driving pulley (61) is placed on the other
side of the backing off wheel (9').
At (2) is shown the backing off rim pulley which is secured to the end of the
shaft (7) in the well known manner so as to permit of being readily taken off and
changed to regulate the speed of backing-off.
The external cone (96) is secured to the shaft (8) whilst the backing off wheel

page_text: on which the internal cone (98) is formed is mounted loosely on the shaft, revolves
in a direction contrary to that of the pulley (61) and is capable of moving endwise
on the shaft under the influence of the backing off lever (q").
(s) is a rim sleeve similar to that shewn in Figs. 8 and 9 passing loosely through
the headstock and mounted loosely upon the shaft (p) and free to revolve thereon.
One end of the sleeve has formed upon it the flange (s) to which is secured the
rim pulley (f) whilst the other end has secured upon it the driving pulley (b').
At (a) is a lever mounted upon and secured to a shaft (a) the upper part of
which lever carries an anti-friction bowl (a") which bears against the cam (a).
At (a) is a lever also mounted upon and secured to the shaft (a18). The
lever (a) is on the cam shaft side of the headstock and the lever (a) on the
opposite side of the headstock. Secured by a stud to the lever (a) is the connecting
rod (a) and near the end of this rod is formed the stop (a) which prevents the
backing off lever (g") from moving in the direction indicated by the arrow (14) to
put the backing off wheel (y') into gear with the pulley (9) until the cam shaft (a)
has made the necessary change which takes place just previous to the completion
of the outward run of the carriage when the lever and connecting rod will be
moved in the direction indicated by the arrow (15); the backing off lever (9¹¹) will
moved in the direction indicated by the arrow (15), the hache external cone, (g).
The backing off lever (g") is operated in the usual way by means of the
connecting rod (d) and the ordinary well known devices which form no part of our
invention.
At (a) is shewn a cam mounted upon the cam shaft which at times controls
the movements of the backing off wheel (9') as will.be hereinafter explained.
The endless band (m) passes round the pulley (2) and the tin roller pulley (!)
whilst the endless band (5) passes round the pulley or rim (/) and the tin. roller
pulley (h).
The lever (7) which is mounted on the stud (18) is provided with a catch
stud (1) and dies which take into the groove (³) of the friction (½³) and to
the upper part of the lever (h) is secured a bracket (40) which carries an anti-
friction bowl (¹).
Bolted to the framing of the headstock (A) is an adjustable inclined bracket (**)
which is shewn in plan by Figs. 11 and 14.
At (4) is shewn a catch lever provided with a hook or projection (4”) capable
at times of engaging with the catch stud (h) and said catch lever (43) is mounted
on a stud secured to the bracket (") which is bolted to the square (B). The
stud (4) is secured to the end of the catch lever (*) and the end of a chain (h")
is secured to said stud (*), the other end of which chain after passing over a guide
pulley (28) is secured to the lever (O). The function of the lever (O) is well
known to those conversant with self acting mules.
When the faller is being unlocked the lever O will be moved in the direction
indicated by the arrow (17) and the chain (") will be drawn in the same direction
when the stud (4") will be lifted and with it the lever (23). This movement will
cause the projection (4") formed on the lever to be raised above the catch stud (10)
50 as to liberate the lever (h") and allow it to turn in the direction indicated
by the arrow (16) when the friction cone (³) will be re-engaged with the
friction () and motion will be communicated to the tin roller shaft (j), tin rollers,
and spindles.
The action of this modification is as follows:-
Motion being imparted to the pulley (61) in the direction indicated by the
arrow (12) and motion being imparted to the backing off wheel (97) in the contrary
direction by means of any of the well known arrangements, the sleeve (s) or
hollow rim shaft by means of the pinion (5°) and the trains of gearing and catch
boxes with which they are connected will impart motion to the drawing out shaft
and to the rollers.
The rotation of the rim (f) will drive the tin roller pulley (/) in the direction
indicated by the arrow (9) and the external cone (½³) being engaged with the
B

page_text: internal cone (1) the tin roller shaft (j) and tin rollers will be driven by means
of the endless band (9') and motion will be communicated to the spindles.
When the carriage has nearly arrived at the end of its outward run, the
bowl (") at the end of the bracket (20) will arrive in contact with the
incline (h).
The further outward movement of the carriage will cause the lever (h) to move
in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow (16) and so disengage the
friction cone () from the internal cone (1) when motion will cease to be imparted
to the tin roller shaft (5), tin roller and spindles by the friction pulley (h); never-
theless the rotation of the pulley (h), band (9') rim (f) sleeve (5) and driving
pulley (b) will be continuous instead of being stopped and then reversed to enable
the backing off to be effected as heretofore. The movement of the lever (1)
permits the projection (24) formed on the catch lever (") to engage with the
catch stud (1) by which means the lever (") is prevented from again moving
in the direction indicated by the arrow (16) until the catch lever (*) has been
disengaged.
The changing of the cam shaft (a³) and consequent movement of the cam (a³)
will permit the lever (a) to move in the direction indicated by the arrow (15)
and with it the connecting rod (a) which will allow the rod (d) to move the
backing off lever (q) in the direction indicated by the arrow (14) and in so doing
put the backing off wheel (97) into gear with the external friction cone (9) when
the backing off rim (2) will be driven in the opposite direction to that indicated
by the arrow (11) when the backing off band (m) will cause the tin roller
shaft () to be reversed and revolve in the direction indicated by the arrow (5),
the reversal of the tin roller shaft (j) causing the mule to perform the operation of
"backing-off."
The "locking" of the faller at the completion of the backing off will by means
of the rod (d) cause the backing off lever (9") to be moved in the direction
opposite to that indicated by the arrow (14) when the backing off wheel (77) will
be disengaged from the external friction cone (78) and the backing off will cease;
at the same time the taking in motion will have been liberated, when the mule will
make its inward run in the ordinary manner.
Just before the termination of the inward run of the carriage the unlocking
apparatus will cause the fallers to be unlocked when the chain (A) will disengage
the catch lever (h) from the catch stud (h") when the lever (1) being no longer
held will permit the spring (4) to put the friction (2) into gear with the internal
cone () when the tin roller shaft (5) will be again driven. and with it the tin roller
and the spindles.
When spinning tender yarns or fine counts, it is desirable to start the rollers,
spindles and carriage in a more gentle manner than is necessary for spinning
coarser counts of yarn, and in order that our invention may be used for spinning
such tender yarns or fine counts, we will now proceed to describe a further
modification of our invention.
In this modification (see Figs. 15, 16 and 17) the same or a similar arrangement
of backing-off wheel and friction rim pulley, backing off pulley and driving pulley
is employed to that shewn in Figs. 10 and 11, but a loose pulley (b) is employed in
addition mounted on the shell or sleeve (7) close to the fast pulley (6') so as to
permit of the driving belt being traversed from one to the other.
The mechanism for operating the various "frictions
that described in the preceding modification and the parts operate in the same or a
is precisely the same as
similar manner.
"
At (a) is shewn a strap guider lever which is a continuation of the lever (a)
shewn in Fig. 10, the upper part of which lever carries an anti-friction bowl (a")
which bears against the cam (a") by which the movement of said lever is regulated.
Said lever also carries a strap guider (a) by which the driving belt is guided on
and off the pulley (6'). When the carriage is making its outward run the
driving belt is on the pulley (6'), but when the cam shaft makes its change for the

page_text: termination of the outward run the cam (a) allows the lever (a) to move
the driving belt onto the loose pulley (6), or partly move said belt so as to be
partly on the fast pulley (6') and partly on the loose pulley (*) as far as may be
considered desirable, but so as to ensure of the continuous rotation of the pulley (¹),
rim (), rim band (9) and tin roller pulley (h).
When the cam shaft (a) makes its change for the termination of the inward run
of the carriage, the cam (a) (see Fig. 17) will cause the strap lever (a") to force
the driving belt from the loose pulley (3) on to the driving pulley (6') or from
being partly on the driving pulley (61) and partly on the loose pulley to being
entirely on the driving pulley.
The momentum of the fast pulley (b¹), shell (s') and rim (f) acquired whilst the
mule is spinning is sufficient (even when the driving belt is entirely on the loose
pulley during the inward run of the carriage) to keep those parts in motion and
ready to start the spindles immediately the friction clutch (h¹) and (*) (see
Fig. 16) is engaged and whilst the belt is being traversed completely on to the
pulley (6).
The changing of the cam shaft (a) for terminating the inward run of the
carriage will force the driving belt on or further on to the driving pulley (61)
which will cause the mule to commence the next stretch in a more smooth and
easier manner than if the driving belt had always remained completely on the
fast pulley (6).
We have only described our invention as applied to mules which back off imme-
diately the carriage has arrived at the end of its outward run when there is no
twist put in at the "head" and after the carriage has stopped.
When applying our invention to mules which require to put "twist" in the yarn
after the carriage has arrived at the end of its outward run we employ instead of
the fixed incline (2) on the headstock side as shewn in Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
and 16 an incline which is moveable.
In Fig. 17 we show how this part of our invention may be carried into effect, a
part of the right hand side of the framing being removed to show the parts which
are connected to the inside of the left hand side framing.
We employ a twist catch (y) as used in the "Platt" mule, and connect it either
to the lever (a) shewn in Fig. 1 or to the lever (a") shewn in Fig. 8, or to the
lever (a) shewn in Fig. 10 or to the lever (a) as shewn in Fig. 17. The libera-
tion of the twist catch lever (y) in all the above cases permits the backing-off"
to take place. The twist catch (y) instead of being disengaged from the stud (y¹)
by the usual "twist motion" secured to the headstock (not shewn in the drawing)
is disengaged by a "twist motion " mounted in the square (B) of the carriage. We
connect the catch (y) to a rod (y) the other end of which is formed into a slot and
connected to one end of the lever (y³), the other end of the lever being connected
to one end of a rod (y') carried by suitable brackets which are secured to the
framing (A) of the headstock. The other end of the rod (y) is connected to a
bell cranked lever (y) provided with an incline (y14) which latter is capable at
times of acting on the bowl (h") of the lever (17) (see Figs. 12 and 13) so as to
disengage the friction (2) from the internal friction (h) of the pulley (h). A
spiral spring (y) is mounted on the rod (y) and abuts at one end against the
bracket (y'); the other end abuts against a hoop (y) secured to the rod (y). One
end of the bell crank lever (y) is bifurcated and abuts against the hoop (y³) so as
to be capable at times of causing the rod (y) to be moved in a direction opposite
to that indicated by the arrow (20). A hoop is secured to the rod (y) to prevent
the bifurcated end of the lever (y) leaving the hoop (y). The other end of the
bell crank lever (y) is mounted so as to stand in an inclined position and at times
is acted upon by the anti-friction bowl (y10) which is carried by a bracket (y")
mounted on the square (B). The bracket (y") which carries the bell crank
lever (y) is provided with a stop (y) to prevent the lever (*) and rod (3) from
moving too far in the direction indicated by the arrow (20). The spring (y) has a

page_text: constant tendency to move the rod (y) in the direction indicated by the arrow (20).
The bell crank lever (y) at times is held in position by the catch (y) engaging
with the lower arm of the lever (y). The "twist motion" being mounted in the
square of the carriage receives its motion direct from the tin roller shaft. As this
method of locating the "twist motion” is well known the arrangement need not
be described further than to say that the revolving "twist finger after the
carriage has completed its outward run will in due time act upon the catch (y15)
and disengaging it from the bell crank lever (y') set the lever (*) at liberty to be
operated by the spring (y).
"
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-The carriage having arrived at the
end of its outward run and the drawing out and roller motions having been dis-
engaged the tin roiler will continue to receive motion from the rim band (9) until the
"twist finger" forming part of the "twist motion" in due time arrives in contact
with the lower end of the catch (15) and disengages it from the arm of the bell
crank lever (y) which will permit the spring (y) to move the rod (y¹) in the
direction indicated by the arrow (20). This movement of the rod (y) will cause
the bell crank lever (y) to turn on its centre and cause the incline (y") to act on the
bowl (1) of the lever (h"); by this movement the lever (17) disengages
the friction (2) from the internal cone (¹) of the pulley (4), when the catch
lever (2) will again retain the lever (17) in position. At the same time the
movement of the rod (4) will have turned the bell crunk lever (y) on its axis
until the stud (318) will have acted on the bottom of the slot in the link (y) so as
to draw it and the twist catch lever (y) down, when the twist catch lever (y) being
disengaged from the stud (y') will allow the lever (a2) to move in the direction
indicated by the arrow (15), the backing off will then be performed as already
described.
Before the carriage arrives at the end of its inward run the bowl (y10) secured
to the bracket (y) will come into contact with the lower arm of the bell crank
lever (y) and forcing it out of its inclined position into a horizontal one will cause
its upper end to move the rod (y) in a direction opposite to that indicated by the
arrow (20) until the depression of the lower arm of the bell crank lever (y)
permits the catch (y) to engage with it. This movement of the rod (y) again
compresses the spring (y) so as to enable it to act with sufficient force to disengage
the friction cones (2) and (¹) when required.
It is obvious that while our invention relates to the several independent com-
binations of parts which are hereinafter respectively claimed some of the parts
which respectively are employed in the respective combinations may be replaced
by equivalent mechanical parts without substantially altering the effect or the
working of the combinations to which these parts are subsidiary.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we wish it to be understood
that although we have only described our invention as applied to what is known as
a "Plattsmule the modifications are asfis well understood by those conversant
with the subject also applicable to other constructions or makes of mules, both for
spinning cotton or woollen material, and what we claim and desire to secure by
Letters Patent is :-
1. The combinations and arrangements of parts forming respectively our
improved driving and backing off motions applicable to mules for spinning sub-
stantially as described and illustrated in the several modifications shewn respectively
in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and in Figs. 8 and 9 and in Figs. 10 and 11 and in Figs. 15, 16
and 17.
2. The application to mules for spinning of our improved driving and backing
off motions consisting of the 'respective combinations of parts substantially as
herein described 'respectively and shewn in the annexed drawings in Figs. 1, 2
and 3 and Figs. 10 and 11 and Figs. 15, 16 and 17 with or without the arrangement

page_text: shewn in Figs. 74, 7B and with or without the arrangement shewn in Fig. 17
for putting twist in the yarn after the carriage has arrived at the end of its
outward run.
3. In self acting mules the use and employment as herein directed of the
following parts, viz. The driving pulley (6'), rim shaft (b), backing off wheel (a)
with internal friction cone (a), separate backing off friction pulley (c), backing off
band (m), backing off lever (d'), connecting rod (a³), lever (a³), lever (a), fulcrum
shaft (d), cam (a), rim pulley (/), carrier pulleys (g¹), (9³). (9³) and (9), rim
band (9), tin roller friction pulley (h), external friction (2), lever (*), with catch
stud (10), bell crank (4"), incline (4°) and incline (41), arranged and operating
substantially as and for the purpose herein before described in reference to Figs.
to 7 of the accompanying drawings.
4. In self acting mules the use and employment as herein directed of the
following parts, viz.—The driving pulley (6), backing off wheel (9), with internal
friction cone (g) backing off pulley (r), with external friction cone (r), backing
off band (m), shaft (p), internal friction (u), external friction (t), hollow rim
shaft (s), with flange (s'), rim pulley (f), rim band (9), cams (a), and (u*),
levers (a), (a) and (7), rod (a¹), fulcrum shaft (a¹²), carrier pulleys (g'), (9'),
(g) and (9) and tin roller pulleys (to) and (4), arranged and operating substantially
as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 on
the accompanying drawing.
5. In self acting mules the use and employment as herein directed of the
following parts, viz.—A backing-off wheel (9'), with internal friction cone
external friction cone (4°), shaft (p), hollow rim sleeve (s), with flange
driving pulley (b), backing off and rim band pulleys (r³) and (f), bands
and (m), carrier pulleys (³), (4), (2³) and (r³), rod (a¹³), levers (a"), (q¹¹) and (a20)
shaft (a) and stud (q), cam (a), tin roller pulley (4), with internal friction
cone (), external friction cone (2), tin roller pulley (1), lever (h"), catch lever (h"),
catch stud (h), and several supporting brackets, incline (") and chain ("),
arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described
and illustrated in Figs. 10 to 14 on the accompanying drawings.
6. In self acting mules the use and employment as herein directed of the
following parts, viz. A shaft (p), backing off wheel (q), with internal friction
cone (9), external friction cone (91), hollow rim shaft (s), with flange (s), driving
pulley (¹), loose pulley (6), backing off and rim pulleys (f) and (7), bands (9)
and (m), carrier pulleys (3), (4), (³) and (r), levers (91), (a) and (a), strap
guider (a), rod (a), cam (a), tin roller pulley (4), with internal friction cone (¹),
external friction cone (*), tin roller pulley (1), lever (h), catch lever (4"), catch
stud (), and several brackets, incline ("), and chain (h) arranged and operating
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated in
Figs. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 of the accompanying drawings.
7. In self acting mules the use and employment as herein directed of the
following parts, viz. Friction pulley (*) with internal friction (""), external
friction (P), disc (B), lever (10), bracket (1), rod (x), spring (7), lock nuts (8),
part (a), friction pulley (h), internal cone (¹), external cone (³), lever (x),
lever (*), catch stud (1), chain (½") and brackets, incline (½"), bands (9)
and (m), backing off and rim band pulleys (³) and (f), driving pulley (6), carrier
pulleys (), (), (*) and (»), levers (a"), (¹) and (a), stud (9"), shaft (als),
cam (a) arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described and illustrated in Figs. 7ª, 7B, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 on the accompanying
drawings.
Dated thin 5th 1 1002
JOHN G. WILSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicants.