IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO CARDING ENGINES
Year: 1883

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LETTERS PATENT to George Ashworth and Elijah Ashworth both of the
firm of Ashworth Brothers of Manchester in the County of Lancaster
Engineers for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO
CARDING ENGINES
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Ashworth and
Elijah Ashworth at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
15th May 1883.
GEORGE ASHWORTH and ELIJAH ASHWORTH both of the firm of Ashworth
Brothers of Manchester in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, "IMPROVEMENTS
IN AND APPLICABLE TO CARDING ENGINES
33
Our Invention relates in the first place to a former invention for which Letters
Patent bearing date the fourth day of November 1880 and numbered 4507 have
been granted to us. According to a part of the said invention we fix an edging
ring or edging segments on each side of the main cylinder. In our present
invention we extend the wire clothing to each edge of the cylinder and on each
edge or side of the cylinder we fix a flat disc or ring of sheet steel or metal of such
a diameter as that the outer periphery of the disc shall extend beyond the wires of
the clothing. The said disc is secured to the cylinder by means of screws or is
otherwise so secured as that it can be readily released from the cylinder and moved
into a position which is excentric with regard to the cylinder axis and which
permits the cylinder to clear the disc when revolving in order that the cylinder
may be ground or a piece may be cut out of the disc. In one arrangement we
provide the disc and the frame with screw or bolt attachments so that the disc can
be drawn into and secured to the frame in the said position. If preferred a section
of the disc may be removable to permit the grinder to have access to the cylinder.
Our invention in the second place has for its object to obtain a more absolute.
concentricity in the traverse of the flats. We dispense with the flexible bend and
turn upon the side frame a segmental path upon which the flats are to travel or
we turn the said path upon a rail bolted or secured to the said frame the intention
being that such path shall be a portion of a true circle of which the cylinder axis
is the centre. In the formation we prefer we cast the side frame in one piece with
the bearing or pedestal for the cylinder axis and after the bearing is accurately

page_text: fitted with brasses if such be used and is bored we fit a mandril in the bearing
and turn the rail for the flats upon the mandril centres so as to obtain true
concentricity of the said path or rail. We fit the brasses or bearing blocks to be
adjustable in the bearings or pedestals and provide screw bolts, wedge bolts or
wedges whereby the cylinder axis may be adjusted to be exactly in the centre of 5
the curve of the path or rail upon which the flats travel or when we attach a rail
to the side frame we may fit the same to be adjustable in position thereon. Our
invention relates in the third place to the adjustment of the flats with reference to
the main cylinder. In place of altering the curvature of the rail or part upon
which the flats travel we increase or decrease the radial distance of the path of 1
traverse from the cylinder axis by the addition to or removal from the said part-
as for example from the rigid rail or turned path which we use in the second part
of our invention of bands or ribands of steel or metal. We may use a single
band or two or more bands and may vary the adjustment of the flats by varying
the number of bands or the thickness of the band used. Each band is secured at
each end and is drawn tight by means of a screw or by suitable means the flats
sliding on the bands. These bands may be hardened and tempered so as to possess
durable wearing surfaces. In the fourth place we make each of the two fixed
cheeks between which the doffer revolves and which are cast upon the bearings in
the form of a disc or of an incomplete disc and which can be turned in a lathe and
we apply making up pieces between the discs and the curved side frames and
between the cylinder and the doffer, and we attach the grinder and brush brackets.
to the said discs. In the fifth place we brush the flats by means of a comparatively
narrow brush of steel wires which revolves around an axis within a casing and
brushes across a flat at each revolution the brush being stripped by means of fixed
heckles. To prevent the accumulation of the strippings on the brush or the brush
bar or axle we prefer to enclose the said axle and bar within a cylindrical shell or
to mount the brush upon or to partly recess the brush into a cylinder. In the
sixth place our invention relates to the appliance which we use to grind or true up
the heels of the flats in accordance with our Patent dated the seventeenth of July
1879 and numbered 2916. We apply to the part which we term the short bend a
short rail or bar which when the heels are being ground is turned up or moved out
of the way but when turned down and bolted or fastened or moved into acting
position keeps the flats from running on the said short bend the faces of the flat
bars sliding on the said short rail the result being that the surface of each flat is
exposed to the grinding roller so that both surfaces and heels can be ground with
the one appliance and with one adjustment of the grinding roller or with a slight
adjustment thereof. We may fit the one part to be adjustable upon the other by
means of a screw or of screws or by other suitable means. We also provide a
weighted shaft provided with a finger which bears upon the centre of each flat to
check deflection the said shaft resting in jaws in the fixings so that it can be
quickly placed in position or removed. In the seventh place we employ a stream
of air to remove the fleece from the doffer in place of the doffing comb.
deliver compressed air into a casing from which it issues through perforations o
slits or a slit and impinges on the doffer at a tangent. We may apply a bar o
plate close to the doffer and at an angle thereto to receive or support the fleece as
it is detached from the doffer. We may regulate the temperature or state o
moisture of the air as for example we may warm the air and pass it through a
pipe or chamber to absorb moisture or to be dried and convey it in a pipe or pipe
which may supply a number of engines. In a modification of this method w
employ a pervious suction roller alone or in connection with a fixed comb or plat
to withdraw the fleece from the doffer. Air is withdrawn from within the sai
roller and the suction is shut off from the delivery side of the roller. We may
apply on the delivery side of the said roller a doctor comb or plate to ensure, th
delivery of the fleece
.
We

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said George Ashworth and Elijah Ashworth in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 15th November 1883.
GEORGE ASHWORTH and ELIJAH ASHWORTH both of the firm of Ashworth
Brothers of Manchester in the County of Lancaster, Engineers "IMPROVEMENTS
IN AND APPLICABLE TO CARDING ENGINES
"
Our Invention relates in the first place to a former Invention for which Letters
Patent bearing date the fourth day of November 1880 and numbered 4507 have
been granted to us. According to a part of the said Invention we fix an edging
ring or edging segments on each side of the main cylinder. In our present Inven-
tion we extend the wire clothing to each edge of the cylinder and on each edge or
side of the cylinder we fix a flat disc or ring of sheet steel or metal of such a
diameter as that the outer periphery of the disc shall extend beyond the wires of
the clothing. The said disc is secured to the cylinder by means of screws or is
otherwise so secured as that it can be readily released from the cylinder and be
moved into a position which is excentric with regard to the cylinder axis and which
permits the cylinder to clear the disc when revolving in order that the cylinder may
be ground or a piece may be cut out of the disc.
Our Invention in the second place has for its object to obtain a more absolute
concentricity in the traverse of the flats. We dispense with the flexible bend and
turn upon the side frame a segmental path upon which the flats are to travel or we
turn the said path upon a rail bolted or secured to the said frame the intention
being that such path shall be a portion of a true circle, of which the cylinder axis
is the centre. In the formation we prefer we cast the side frame in one piece with
the bearing or pedestal for the cylinder axis.
Our Invention relates in the third place to the adjustment of the flats with
reference to the main cylinder. In place of altering the curvature of the rail or
part upon which the flats travel we increase or decrease the radial distance of the
path of traverse from the cylinder axis by the addition to or removal from the said
path as for example from the rigid rail or turned path which we use in the second
part of our Invention-of bands or ribands of steel or other suitable material.
In the fourth place we make each of the two fixed cheeks between which the
doffer revolves and which are cast upon the bearings in the form of a disc or of an
incomplete disc which can be turned in a lathe and we attach the grinder and
brush brackets to the cheeks so formed.
In the fifth place we brush the flats by means of a comparatively narrow brush
which revolves around an axis within a casing and brushes across a flat at each
revolution the brush being stripped by means of fixed heckles.
In the last place our Invention relates to the appliance which we use to grind or
true up the heels of flats in accordance with our patent dated the seventeenth day
of July 1879 and numbered 2916. We apply to the part which we term the short
bend a short rail or bar which when the heels are being ground is turned up or
moved out of the way but when turned down and bolted or fastened or moved into
acting position keeps the flats from running on the said short bend the faces of the
flat bars sliding on the said short rail the result being that the surface of each flat
is exposed to the grinding roller so that both surfaces and heels can be ground
with the one appliance and with one adjustment of the grinding roller or with a
slight adjustment thereof. We also provide a weighted shaft with a finger which
bears upon the centre of each flat to check deflection.
To the end that our Invention may be fully understood we have attached here-
unto three sheets of drawings which are marked with letters of reference. Referring

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When
to sheet 1 of the said Drawings Fig. 1 which is drawn to a scale of about two and
a half inches to the foot represents an end view of a main carding cylinder having
our disc applied thereto and Fig 2 is a vertical section of the cylinder end. In the
said Figs a is the carding cylinder mounted on the shaft b and c is the disc which
we apply to the end thereof. In Fig. 1 the cylinder end is concealed by the said
disc but is indicated by dotted lines. The end of the cylinder is turned
true and the disc c is secured to the cylinder end by means of screws d. The disc
is by preference made of sheet steel. The card clothing extends right up to this
dise and the "licker-in" the "doffer" and the "flats or rollers just enter between
the peripheries of the two discs which project a little beyond the wires of the
clothing at the ends of the cylinder so that the whole of the width between
these discs is evenly covered with cotton which is carded right up to the discs. The
two discs thus limit the width of the carding surface and prevent the cotton from
spreading sideways.. In each disc two keyhole shaped slots e, e, are cut.
the cylinder is to be ground two holders similar to the one represented in
Fig 3 are secured to the disc. This holder consists of a screw f which is formed
In this
with a head f' which can pass through the enlarged end of the slot e.
head is turned a groove about equal in width to the thickness of the disc. The
screw is provided with a conveniently shaped tapped handle or with an ordinary
nut or with any suitably shaped nut or screw handle.. When the head of the screw
is entered into the circular hole at one end of the slot e and is pushed sideways
along the slot the holder is secured to the disc by the edges of the slot passing into
the groove in the head of the bolt. This being done in the case of both slots in
both of the discs and the screws d having been removed the discs are sustained by
the resting of the holders upon the brackets h, h, which are secured to the ordinary
framing of the carding engine. In each bracket his formed a notch h¹. When
the two holders are moved sideways the part of the screw between the head fl
'and the boss of the handle g drops into this notch and the handles are then turned
so as to tighten up the screws. The disc is then firmly held in a position excentric
with relation to the axis of the cylinder the tightening of the screws having with-
drawn the disc a little distance from the cylinder so that the latter can run clear of
the disc on each side. The wires of the card clothing will now project on one side
beyond the peripheries of the discs as indicated in Fig. 5 and a grinding roller can
be applied to grind the carding surface. The disc may have a larger hole in the
centre than the proportion as indicated. in the drawing, so as to be more in the
nature of a ring. When a ring is applied instead of a so termed disc we may in
some cases apply the ring in segments which can be entirely removed from the
engine preparatory to the grinding. We do not confine ourselves to the exact
method of attachment of the disc or ring to the carding cylinder by means of
-screws nor to the form of the holder shown in Fig 3 nor to the particular method
of sustaining the disc or ring when it is detached from the cylinder. In place of
.withdrawing the disc into an excentric position a segment of the disc might be
removable to permit the grinder to operate upon the carding surface.
In sheet 2 Fig. 6 represents the upper side framing of a carding engine when
'made in accordance with the second part of our Invention. In the said framing a
curved rail is connected by cross pieces k k with the pedestal in which are fitted
the bearing brasses m for the shaft of the main cylinder. The parts j, k and I are
cast together in one piece. The periphery of the rail so formed is turned in a
lathe so as to obtain a surface j' which shall be truly concentric with the axis of
the bearing m. To effect this a mandril may be fixed in the bearing and the frame
may be turned on the mandril centres or the frame may be otherwise adjusted in
the lathe. The frame is bolted to the top of the engine framing n and takes the
place of the ordinary upper side frame. A similar frame or rail is secured on each
side of the engine. When the main carding cylinder is placed in its working
position with its shaft axles mounted to revolve in the bearings m on each side of
the engine the periphery of the curved rail will be truly concentric with the axis
of the cylinder in consequence of the said periphery having been turned from the

page_text: centres of the said bearings. The brasses mare supported within the pedestal
upon the upper end of a screwed pillar o which passes through a tapped hole in the
bottom of the pedestal and is furnished with a lock-nut. Whenever necessary the
main cylinder can be raised and lowered by turning the said screwed pillar in order
to make the axis of the cylinder to be concentric with the periphery at j. We
may adopt other means for adjusting the height of the cylinder axis.. We do not
confine ourselves to the casting of the pedestal 7 on the part k as the object of our
Invention would be attained if the pedestal were firmly bolted to the part k or to a
part cast in one piece with the rail j. In some cases we may turn the rail j. to a
complete circle extending below the framing n. The flats might travel upon the
surface but as this would necessitate the re-turning or grinding of the rail at
intervals we prefer to apply a riband, band or strip of steel or other. metal upon
the said surface or two or more ribands in accordance with the third part of our
Invention. In the example two or more ribands are applied. The said ribands
are made of steel; which has been rolled or prepared to an uniform thickness
throughout its length. We may use phosphor bronze or other suitable metal or
alloy in place of steel. Each riband is secured at one end by means of a screw
which passes through the two ribands p, p¹, into the rail j. The other ends of the
ribands are separately fixed to the ends of two screws 8, 8, which are carried by
brackets t, t, which are fixed to the rail. The screws are provided with nuts
whereby the two ribands can be separately drawn tight so as to fit close to the
periphery of the rail. We do not confine ourselves to any particular method of
securing the ends of the ribands or of drawing them tight. The ends of the flats
travel on the outer riband which acts as a guide in place of the ordinary flexible
bend and as this riband is of necessity bent into a true circular form the flats are
caused to travel in a true circular path around the main carding cylinder. When
it is necessary to set the flats to travel closer to the cylinder the outer riband is
removed so that the flats shall travel on the other riband or a thinner riband is
substituted for the outer riband or the inner riband. We may apply only one
riband or more than two. The steel ribands may be hardened and tempered to
increase their durability. When using more than one riband the inner riband may
be of a different material to the outer riband and need not necessarily be of metal
so long as it is sufficiently hard and pliable and of uniform thickness. The
construction and form of the curved rail to which the ribands are applied may be
varied. Fig: 7 illustrates one of the modifications which may be made in this part
of the apparatus. In this example the rail j is formed to be bolted or secured to
the ordinary upper framing of the carding engine. The rail is cast with a vertical
part which is planed to slide between two cheeks u, u which are cast upon the
engine framing or are fixed thereto and are also planed so that the rail when being
adjusted can only move in a straight line which is a radial from the carding
cylinder axis. The rail can be accurately adjusted to be concentric with the said
axis by turning an adjusting screw and be then secured by means of bolts passing
through the slots v, v,.
The fourth part of our Invention is illustrated by Figs 8 and 9 in sheet 3 of the
drawings. In these Figs w is the plummer block in which is formed the bearing
for the shaft of the doffer x. The part w is cast in one piece with a plate y which
is in the form of an incomplete disc. The said plate is turned so that its curved
edge shall be exactly concentric with the axis of the doffer bearing and the lower
straight edge is planed to bed upon the framing. The grinder bracket z is fixed to
the plate. The concentricity of the curved edge facilitates the fitting of the cover
and the plate being in one piece with the part w the plates at each end together
with the cover and the grinder brackets move with the doffer when it is adjusted.
so that their relative positions are maintained and the long bearing of the straight
edge of the plate upon the framing adds steadiness to the parts.
The grinder
brackets may also serve for the brush or separate brush brackets may be fixed to
he plates.
:
Figs 10, 11 and 12 illustrate the fifth part of our Invention. In the said Figs

page_text: a is one of two brackets which are fixed one on each side of the engine and carry
a shaft b to which a brush c is fixed. The said brush is fixed to one side of the
shaft which is preferably of a square section at the part which extends between
the two brackets. At each revolution of the shaft the brush sweeps over the flats d
and then over the heckles e leaving thereon the fibres brushed from the flats. The
said heckles are secured to the inside of a case or cover f which is hinged at fl so
that it can be moved back to obtain access to the brush the ends of the cover being
formed with curved slots to clear the shaft. The part of the cover to which the
heckles are fixed is also binged at få to the main body of the cover so that the
beckles can be turned outward to facilitate the removal of accumulated fibre.
When the heckles are turned up into position the hinged flat is secured by means
of a bolt g at each end.
The last part of our Invention is illustrated by Figs 13 and 14 wherein h is the
short bend herein before mentioned i is the grinding roller and k is the additional
short rail which we apply on the inner side of the said bend. The rail k is hinged
by one end to the short bend so that it can be moved up out of the way as
indicated by the dotted lines. When thus turned up the inclined faces on the flat
ends run on the curved faces of the short bends and the heels of the flats are subjected
to the action of the grinder. When turned down into the position shown by the
full lines and secured by means of the screw Z or by a suitable attachment the
lower edge of the rail comes into contact with the end of the level face of the flat
bar and bears the flat away from the bend as indicated in Fig 14 wherein the
dotted lines m indicate a passing flat. When the said rail is in use the grinding
roller is adjusted to act upon the whole face of each flat as it passes the roller.
The rail k may be fitted to be lowered or brought into action in any suitable
manner instead of being hinged to the short bend. The weighted lever which is
connected with the finger n which keeps the passing flat in contact with the bend
or rail is indicated by o. In addition to this finger n at each end of the flat we
employ a third finger indicated by the dotted lines p. This finger bears upon the
back of the flat at about the centre of its length and is secured or formed upon a
shaft which is mounted in jaws in the brackets 8 which carry the short bends
and roller brackets at each side of the engine. Upon the outer end of the shaft r
is fixed or formed a weighted levert which imparts the upward pressure to the
finger p in order to check the deflection of the flats as hereinbefore mentioned.
By adopting the indicated method of mounting the shaft r it can be readily
removed and replaced or applied to another machine if desired. In our Provisional
specification we referred to a seventh part of our invention but as we are not yet
prepared to fully set forth this part we have not included it herein and therefore
make no claim in respect of it.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of our said Invention
and the manner in which and the means whereby the same may be carried into
practical effect we would have it to be understood that we claim :-
First. As applied to each end of a carding engine cylinder a disc or ring of metal
in one piece or in two or more pieces or segments of a diameter greater than that
of the carding surface secured to the vertical end of the cylinder and fitting close
to the card clothing substantially as set forth.,
Secondly. As applied to each end of a carding engine cylinder a disc or ring c of
sheet steel or metal secured to the end of the cylinder by means of screws d or
removable fastenings and projecting beyond the wires of the card clothing and the
handles or appliances for securing to the disc or ring and for holding the latter
clear of the cylinder and in an excentric position substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Thirdly. Casting a curved rail upon which the flats are to travel partly around
the main cylinder of a carding engine in one piece with the plummer block for the
bearing of the cylinder shaft and turning the edge of such rail from such bearing
substantially as and for the purpose set forth and indicated.
Fourthly. The employment in a carding engine of ribands or strips of metal or

page_text: other suitable material for the flat ends to travel upon bent and tightly held upon
the turned peripheries of rigid curved rails taking the places of the ordinary
flexible bends and the method of adjusting the distance of the flats from the
cylinder by changing such ribands or by adding or removing ribands or packing
ribands or strips of material substantially as set forth and indicated.
Fifthly. The combination of parts substantially as and for the purpose set forth
and indicated with reference to the Figs in sheet 2 of the drawings.
Sixthly. The casting together of the parts wand y in Figs 8 and 9 in sheet 3
and the turning of the edge of the part y to make it truly concentric with the axis
of the bearing in the part w.
Seventhly. The apparatus for brushing the travelling flats of carding engines
substantially as set forth and indicated with reference to Figs 10, 11 and 12 in
sheet 3 of the drawings.
Eighthly. With reference to Figs 13 and 14 in sheet 3 the combination of the
short bend and the rail k so that when the latter is brought into working position
it causes the flats to be ground all over their faces substantially as set forth and
indicated.
Ninthly. The weighted shaft r in the last named Figs mounted in the indicated
manner and provided with a finger to bear against the back of each flat at or near
the centre of its length for the purpose set forth. And lastly. The combination of
parts substantially as and for the purpose set forth and indicated with reference to
the last named Figs.
In witness whereof we George Ashworth and Elijah Ashworth have hereunto
set our hands and seals this fourteenth day of November in the year 1883
Signed, sealed and delivered
in the presence of
EDWARD K. DUTTON
41 John Dalton St, Manchester.
(Agent for the Patentees)
GEO. ASHWORTH
(LS.)
ELIJAH ASHWORTH (L.S.)