An Attachment for Continuous Testing of the Weft-closeness in Looms for Weaving, in Connection with an Arrangement for Automatically Regulating the said Closeness.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 7th Dec., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 7th Sept., 1900-Accepted, 1st Dec., 1500
An Attachment for Continuous Testing of the Weft-closeness in
Looms for Weaving, in Connection with an Arrangement for
Automatically Regulating the said Closeness.
I, JOHANN ALBERT SCHAUFELBERGER, of Iflanzschulstrasse, 20, Winterthur,
Switzerland, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates principally to the co-operation of two rotary bodies,
driven independently of each other, one according to the length of the fabric, the
other, on the contrary, to the number of the weft-threads. If the closeness (thick-
ness) of the weft be as intended, these bodies will rotate with uniform angular
velocity; if, on the other hand, there be any deviation in the weft-closeness, an
unequal rotation of each body will occur, and, this irregularity will become
evident, and be rectified by means of a device or contrivance suited to the par-
ticular loom. The present arrangement is intended, on the one hand, to prevent
unnecessary work and loss of material (in the case of the weft being made too
close), and, on the other hand, to prevent the production of too light a fabric;
in short: it is intended to enable a fabric to be produced, even in case of the
greatest negligence on the part of the loom-tenders, with precisely the intended
number of weft-threads according to the bulk of the whole material, without the
necessity of the continuous counting of the wefts and repeated examination of
the warp-tension on the part of the operatives.
In the accompanying drawings a form of the invention is illustrated, by way
of example.
Fig. 1 is a side-elevation, partly in section, showing part of a loom furnished
both with the new indicating and regulating device or contrivance;
Fig. 2 is a front elevation of same; Fig. 3 is a section along the line X-X in
Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a rear elevation, showing the warp-beam.
Fig. 5 is a part front elevation, partly in section, on an enlarged scale as
compared with Fig. 2;

page_text: Fig. 6 is a plan of Fig. 5, the upper part being removed;
Fig. 7 is a corresponding side-elevation, with section along the line Y-Y
in Fig. 5;
Fig. 8 is a section along the line Z-Z in Fig. 5, and
Figs. 9-11 show detached views of the indicating device or contrivance in
combination with the engaging and disengaging mechanism.
The same parts are lettered to correspond in all the figures.
On the axis of the fabric-measuring cylinder a, which is arranged on the loomi
in a similar manner to the breast beam in silk-weaving looms, and is rotated by
the material surrounding one part of its circumference and moving towards the
cloth-beam b, a bevel-wheel is mounted fast, (Fig. 5) which is connected with
another bevel-wheel d, loose on the same axis, by means of a small bevel-wheel f.
The last-mentioned wheel of rotates over a pin fixed in the hub of a graduated
segment g, also loose on the axis of the fabric-measuring cylinder. Over this
segment is located a fixed pointer z.
Seated on the hub of the bevel-wheel-d and firmly connected therewith (see
Fig. 7) is a worm-wheel e in which a worm engages, the axis of the latter
being seated in a support i (being a part of the loom frame) and carrying on the
opposite side a change-wheel j. This change-wheel j is connected with a tooth-
wheel, seated on an axis 8 held in the support i, by means of an intermediate
tooth-wheel k. On this same shaft 8 a ratchet-wheel is fixed and a bent-
lever m is pivoted (Fig. 5). The bent-lever m carries a pawl 2, which engages
in the ratchet-wheel n. The outwardly projecting arm of the bent-lever mis
supported by the arm of a second bent-lever o situated transversely to it, (Figs. 5
and 7) and which lever o oscillates around a pin 3 fixed in the support . The
other arm of the bent-lever o carries an adjusting screw 4 situated within the
range of a cam 5 arranged on the lathe (Fig. 7). With the downward directed
arm of the bent-lever m a spring 6, fixed to the support i, is connected, (see Fig. 5)
the constant tendency of which is to press the lever m against a stop-pin 7.
By means of connecting rods or links 10 (Figs. 1 and 2) the graduated
segment g is connected with a lever p, which pivoted at 9 so as to oscillate, on
the front cross-piece of the loom (see Figs. 2 and 3). On the lever ? rests the
nose of an arm 11 belonging to an anchor q, which oscillates on a pin 13 held
to the lathe by a spring (Fig. 3). The other arm 12 of the anchor q, which is
bent back to the arm 11, has a nose or downward projecting piece (Fig. 1).
On a bolt 27 fixed to the frame of the loom (Figures 1 to 3) a ratchet-wheel 14
is loosely mounted and on the latter's hub a similar ratchet-wheel 15 with teeth
in the reverse direction, and a chain-wheel 16. The ratchet-wheel 14 is within
the range of the nose on the arm 11 of the anchor, the wheel 15 in that of the
similar piece on the arm 12 (see Fig. 2). From the small chain-wheel 16 a
link-chain shown in Figs. 1 and 3, runs to a tooth-wheel 17, firmly seated on
a screw-spindle (Fig. 4). The female screw-thread of this spindle is in a
slide s, which is charged with weights 19 and is guided along a rod 18 forming
brake-lever for the warp beam. On this guide-rod 18 a brake-cord or brake-
band, slung around the warp-beam disc, fastened. The arrows 1 and 2 shown
in Figure 4 correspond to those shown in Figures 1 and 8.
The graduated segment g is further connected with the engaging and dis-
engaging mechanism of the loom, or with the weft-stop motion through the
medium of a tension-cord slung on to the upper cross-beam (Fig. 8) of the
loom by means of the loop 20 and guided along the cross beam (Figs. 9 to 11).
The cord is carried through the opening at 21 to the back of the cross beam u
and fixed to an oscillating bent lever w; it is constantly held under tension by
means of a weight 22 on the bent lever w.
On the top of the vertical arm of the lever wis supported and rests the catch
piece r, which is pivoted on the so-called engaging and disengaging lever y. The
latter as shown in Fig. 11, lies on the uncoupler 23, and carries with it in the

page_text: sual manner the, weft-fork slide 24 with the weft stop motion fork,
hich the weft hammer 26 moves backwards and forwards.
The action of the arrangement described is as follows: at each stroke of the
the, the cam 5 (Fig. 7) strikes against the adjusting screw 4, and thus induces
When the lathe moves back again,
a oscillation of the bent-levers o and m.
he bent-lever m returns to its normal position under the action of the spring 6.
he pawl 2 attached to the bent-lever m produced, when raised, a partial rotation
f the wheel which is transmitted to the worm-wheel e and the bevel-wheel d
hrough the medium of several tooth-wheels l, k, j. and the worm h.
Consequently, at each stroke of the lathe, that is to say, each time a weft-
hread is inserted, this bevel-wheel d is rotated through an angle, which is always
The measuring cylinder a, on the
like for one and the same piece of material.
contrary, and therewith also the bevel-wheel c rotates simultaneously at a slight
angle in the opposite direction, the extent of this angle being dependent upon
the length of the material wound on the cloth-beam, that is to say: upon the
closeness or thickness of the weft. The angle corresponding to the rotation of
the wheel c must under normal circumstances, that is to say, when the intended
weft-closeness is preserved, be exactly as the angle of the rotation of the wheel d,
which is the same for each stroke of the lathe, and o and d thus rotate with
uniform angular velocity in opposite directions.
If, however, there be any deviation from the intended weft-closeness, whether
the latter be increased or diminished, the resulting quicker or slower rotation
of the material measuring cylinder and therewith of the wheel a will cause the
graduated segment g to turn on the axis of the measuring cylinder, either in one
or in the other direction; z¹ or 22, (Fig. 8) this irregular rotation can be observed
on the scale of the segment g by means of the fixed pointer z. From the position
of the graduated segment, consequently, it is always possible to see, from the
beginning to the end of the material, whether the weft-closeness (that is the
proper number of weft-threads in relation to the size of the material) is as
intended or be less or greater.
Any rotation of the graduated segment g, in the case of irregularity in the
weft-closeness, however, is at once employed in this invention to rectify the
irregularity and to secure the necessary weft-closeness again. For, whenever
the segment should rotate in any direction-if the weft be too close or too slight--
the slides (Fig. 4) is pushed forward or backwards, the consequence of which
is a releasing or an increasing of the brake-lever 18, or, in other words: a
reduction or an augmentation of the warp-tension.
In conclusion, I would explain the highly important action of the graduated
segment by means of an example, and show what influence the arrangement may
have under certain circumstances in regard to the expenditure of labour and con-
sumption of material. Assuming a weft-closeness in the material corresponding
to 20 weft-threads to ½, French inch (= 6,75 millimeters) be desired; but upon
counting the threads it appears that the material has 20 weft-threads to each
unit of measure, that is to say, that the proportionally trifling deviation of a
This deviation. however, when continuous in an
5 weft-thread has occured.
original piece of 120 meters in length. leads to the insertion of a further 9000
weft-threads. In this case, assuming the circumference of the measuring cylin-
der to be 9 French inches, the wheel d would make 12 more revolutions than
Consequently, the
the wheel driven from the measuring cylinder itself.
50 graduated segment cannot remain stationary, but would execute these 12 revo-
lutions likewise, If, for instance, the segment g has a diameter of 80 millimeters,
its circumference would pass through a space of more than 3 meters.
This example shows how highly serviceable the arrangement is which consti-
tutes the present invention, and how readily it acts upon the slightest deviation
55 as regards the weft-closeness. It thus enables loss of labour and of material to
be avoided, and, on the other hand, as it acts with equal promptitude in the case
of too slight closeness of weft, it furnishes the means for avoiding the production

page_text: of too light a material, and all this without its being necessary for any actual
counting of the weft-threads or frequent examination of the warp-tension on the
part of the operatives, that is quite independently of them.
F. W. GOLBY,
Patent Agent, 36, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
An Attachment for Continuous Testing of the Weft-closeness in
Looms for Weaving, in Connection with an Arrangement for
Automatically Regulating the said Closeness.
I, JOHANN ALBERT SCHAUFELBERGER, of Iflanzschulstrasse, 20, Winterthur,
Switzerland, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
1
This invention relates principally to the co-operation of two rotary bodies,
driven independently of each other, one according to the length of the fabric, the
other, on the contrary, to the number of the weft-threads. If the closeness
of the weft be as is intended, these bodies will rotate with uniform angular
velocity if, on the other hand, there be any deviation in the weft-closeness, an
unequal rotation of each body will occur, and this irregularity will become
evident and be rectified by means of a device or contrivance suited to the par-
ticular loom. The present arrangement is intended, on the one hand, to prevent
unnecessary work and loss of material (in the case of the weft being made too
close) and, on the other hand, to prevent the production of too light a fabric:
in short, it is intended to enable a fabric to be produced, even in case of the
greatest negligence on the part of the loom-tenders, with precisely the intended
number of weft-threads according to the bulk of the whole material, without the
necessity of the continuous counting of the wefts and repeated examination of
the warp-tension on the part of the operative.
In the drawings filed with the Provisional Specification a form of the inven-
tion is illustrated, by way of example.
Fig. 1 is a side-elevation, partly in section, showing part of a loom furnished
both with the new indicating and regulating device or contrivance;
Fig. 2 is a front elevation of same; Fig. 3 is a section along the line X-X in
Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a rear elevation, showing the warp-beam.
Fig. 5 is a part front elevation, partly in section, on an enlarged scale as
compared with Fig. 2;
Fig. 6 is a plan of Fig. 5, the upper part being removed;
Fig. 7 is a corresponding side-elevation, with section along the line Y-Y
in Fig. 5;
Fig. 8 is a section along the line Z-Z in Fig. 5, and
Figs. 9-11 show detached views of the indicating device or contrivance in
combination with the engaging and disengaging mechanism.
The same parts are lettered to correspond in all the figures.
On the axis of the fabric-measuring cylinder a, which is arranged on the loom
in a similar manner to the breast beam in silk weaving looms, and is rotated by
the material surrounding one part of its circumference and moving towards the

page_text: i
loth-beam b, the bevel-wheel c is mounted fast, as shown in Fig. 5. This bever-
wheel c is connected with the bevel-wheel d, loose on the same axis, by means
pin fixed in
f a small bevel-wheel f. The last mentioned wheel f rotates over a
he hub of the graduated segment g, also loose on the axis of the fabric-measuring
Seated on the
cylinder a. Over this segment is located a fixed pointer z.
hub of the bevel-wheel d and firmly connected therewith (see Fig. 7) is the worm-
wheel e, in which the worm h engages, the axle of the latter being seated in the
support (being a part of the loom frame) and carrying on the opposite side the
change-wheel The change-wheel j is connected with the tooth-wheel 7, seated
on the axis 8 held in the support i, by means of the intermediate tooth-wheel k.
The axle of this wheel k is adjustably made fast in a curved slot in the support i
so that the pinion k can be adjusted and caused to gear with whatever sized wheel
is used to replace the wheel as necessity requires. On the shaft 8 the ratchet-
wheel n is fixed too, and the bent-lever m is pivoted (Fig. 5). The bent-lever m
The outwardly pro-
carries a pawl 2, which engages in the ratchet-wheel n.
jecting arm of the bent-lever m is supported by the arm of the bent-lever o
situated transversely to it, (Figs. 5 and 7) and which lever o oscillates around
the pin 3 of the support i. The other arm of the bent-lever o carries an adjust-
ing-screw 4 situated within the range of a tappet 5 arranged on the lathe (Fig. 7).
With the downwardly directed arm of the bent-lever m a spring 6, fixed to the
support i, is connected, (see Fig. 5) the constant tendency of this spring is to
press the bent-lever m against the stop-pin 7.
The transmission of the motion to the wheel d can be so contrived, that, for
example, for producing 55 different closenesses of weft, only 25 change-wheels j
are requisite. Moreover, the pawl 2 can be adjustably arranged on the bent-
lever m, so that the stroke of the lever may engage or disengage the ratchet-
wheel n to the extent of either one tooth only, two teeth or more than two.
By means of connecting rods or links 10, (Figs. 1 and 2) one of which is in
the form of a spring, the graduated segment g is connected with the lever p,
which is pivoted at 9, so as to oscillate, on the front cross-piece of the loom (see
Figs. 2 and 3). On the lever p rests the nose or upwardly projecting part of an
arm 11 belonging to an anchor q, which oscillates on the pin 13 held to the lathe
by a spring (Fig. 3). The other arm 12 of the anchor q, which is bent back to
the arm 11, has a nose or downward projecting piece (Fig. 1). On a bolt 27
fixed to the frame of the loom, (Figs. 1 to 3) the ratchet-wheel 14 is loosely
mounted and on the latter's hub a similar ratchet-wheel 15 with teeth in the
reverse direction, and the chain-wheel 16. The ratchet-wheel 14 is within the
range of the nose or projecting part on the arm 11, the wheel 15 in that of the
similar piece on the arm 12, (see Fig. 2). From the small chain-wheel 16 a
O link-chain r (shown in Figs. 1 and 3, by dash and dotted lines) runs to the tooth-
wheel 17, firmly seated on the screw-spindle t (see Fig. 4). The female screw-
thread of this spindle is in the carriage or slide s, which is charged with
weights 19 and is guided along the rod 18. On this guide-rod 18 (brake-lever)
a brake-cord or brake-band, slung around the warp-beam disc, is fastened.
The graduated segment g is further connected with the engaging and dis-
engaging mechanism of the loom, or with the weft-stop motion through the
medium of the tension-cord slung on the upper cross-beam u of the loom, by
means of the loop 20 (see Fig. 8) and guided along the cross-beam (Figs. 9-11).
The cord is carried through the opening at 21 to the back of the cross-beam u
50 and fixed to an oscillating bent-lever w; it is constantly held under tension by
On the top of the vertical arm of
means of a weight 22 on the bent-lever .
5
the lever wis supported and rests the catch-piece, which is pivoted on the so-
called engaging and disengaging lever y. The latter, as shown in Fig. 11, lies
on the uncoupler 23, and carries with it in the usual manner the weft-fork
55 slide 24 with the weft-stop motion fork 25, below which the weft-hammer 26
moves backwards and forwards.
The action of the arrangement described is as follows;
At each stroke of the

page_text: its
lathe, the tappet 5 (Fig. 7) strikes against the adjusting screw 4, and thus induces
an oscillation of the bent-lever o, which is communicated to the bent-lever m
When the lathe moves back again, the bent-lever m returns to
normal position under the action of the spring 6 (which may be
replaced by a weight). The pawl 2 attached to the bent-lever m produces, when
raised, a partial rotation of the wheel n which is transmitted to the worm-wheel e
and to the bevel-wheel d through the medium of the tooth-wheels 1, k, j and
the worm h. Consequently, at each stroke of the lathe, that is to say, each time
a weft-thread is inserted, this bevel-wheel d is rotated through an angle, which
is always alike for one and the same piece of material. The measuring-cylinder a,
on the contrary, and therewith also the wheel c, rotates simultaneously at a
slight angle in the opposite direction, the extent of this angle being dependent
upon the length of the material wound on the cloth-beam b, that is to say: upon
the closeness of the weft. The angle corresponding to the rotation of the wheel c
must under normal circumstances, that is to say: when the intended weft-close-
ness is preserved, be exactly as the angle of rotation of the wheel d, which is the
same for each stroke of the lathe, and c and d thus rotate with uniform angular
velocity in opposite directions. If, however there be any deviation from the
intended weft-closeness, whether the closeness be increased or diminished, the
resulting quicker or slower rotation of the material measuring-cylinder a and
therewith of the wheel c will cause the graduated segment g to turn on the axis
of the measuring-cylinder, either in the direction of the arrow or in that of
the arrow (Fig. 8), which irregular rotation can be observed on the scale of
the segment by means of the fixed pointer z. Consequently, from the position
of the graduated segment or from its momentary direction of rotation, it is always
possible to see, from the beginning to the end of the material, whether the weft-
closeness (that is the proper number of weft-threads in relation to the size of the
material) is as intended or be less or greater; when the segment stops, the close-
ness will be indeed as intended.
Any rotation of the graduated segment g, in the case of irregularity in the
weft-closeness, however, is at once emploved, in the present case (as drawn and
described) to rectify the irregularity and to secure the necessary weft-closeness
again. If, for instance, the segment should rotate in the direction of the
arrow 22 (when the weft is too close), the lever will be raised to a certain extent
by means of the connecting rods 10 the arm 11 and the anchor g, carried along
thereby, so that the nose of the lever will engage with the ratchet-wheel 14. The
oscillation of the lathe produces a slight rotation of the wheel 14, which is com-
municated to the chain-wheel 17 seated on the screw-spindle t (Fig. 4) through
the medium of the chain r placed over the chain-wheel 16, which is firmly con-
nected with the wheel 14. Thereby, the slide or carriages is pushed in the
direction of the arrow 2 (Fig. 4), the consequence of which is a releasing of the
brake-lever 18 and a reduction of the warp-tension. On the contrary, the warp-
tension will be increased, if the slide or carriages is pushed in the direction of
the arrow 1, (Fig. 4) which happens when, owing to an insufficient service of
the weft-threads, the graduated segment g moves in the direction of the arrow l
(Fig. 8), the nose or projection on the upper arm of the anchor 7 coming into
engagement with the small wheel 15.
If, in any way, there should be any impediment in regard to the pushing of
the slide or carriages, any damage to the mechanism connected with the slide
will be avoided, as the bearer of the pin 13. fixed to the lathe, which serves as
a support to the anchor g, is made of flexible material and thereby acts as a
spring. Moreover, as already stated, the graduated segment g is connected with
the engaging and disengaging apparatus of the loom, which thus comes into
action, for example, when the slide or carriages (Fig. 4) reaches the end of its
course (along the guide-rod 18) and can go no further, or when, owing to the
rubbing away or loosening of the brake-cord slung around the warp-beam, the
weights 19 suspended to the slide or carriage s drop on to the floor, or if, in any

page_text: vay, the anchor
in the course of working comes too violently into contact with
ne of the engaging and disengaging wheels 14 or 15.
In conclusion, I would explain the highly important action of the graduated
egment g, by means of an example, and show what influence the arrangement
may have under certain circumstances in regard to the expenditure of labour and
consumption of material. Assuming a weft-closeness in the material correspond-
ing to 20 weft-threads to ¼ French inch (= 6,75 millimeters) be desired; but
upon counting the threads it appears that the material has 20 weft-threads to
each unit of measure, that is to say, that the proportionally trifling deviation
of a weft-thread has occured. This deviation, however, when continuous in
an original piece of 120 meters in length, leads to the insertion of a further 9000
weft-threads.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
-
1) A device or contrivance applied to looms for weaving, for continuous test-
ing of the weft-closeness, the distinguishing feature of which is a tooth-wheel,
actuated by a measuring-cylinder partially surrounded by the material, and
connected with a similar tooth-wheel, which is rotated in an opposite direction
by means of a gearing arrangement, at every stroke of the lathe, through the
medium of a third tooth-wheel loose on a graduated segment, the rotation of
which out of the normal position is indicated by means of a pointer and the direc-
tion of this rotation grants a conclusion on the correctness of the weft-closeness.
2) In a device or contrivance applied to looms for weaving, for constant test-
ing of the weft-closeness, of the kind indicated in Claim 1), a gearing arrange-
ment for actuating the tooth-wheel (d) rotated in the opposite direction to the
measuring-cylinder, consisting substantially of an element arranged within the
range of the lathe, the motions of which element are transformed by suitable
means into rotary motion which is transmitted to the tooth-wheel (d) by means
of a series of tooth-wheels, one of which is interchangeable, and a worm-wheel
gear.
3) A device or contrivance applied to looms for weaving, for constant testing
of the weft-closeness, of the kind indicated in Claim 1), in connection with an
arrangement for automatically regulating the warp-tension in behalf of pro-
ducing thus the correct weft-closeness.
4) In a device or contrivance applied to looms for weaving, for constant testing
of the weft-closeness, of the kind indicated in Claims 1) and 3), the arrange-
ment for regulating the warp-tension, consisting substantially in a two-arm anchor
connected with the graduated segment, two ratchet-wheels with teeth in reverse
direction and a gearing arrangement for transmitting motion, which latter
arrangement, by means of screw-spindle, actuates a slide or carriage which causes
the breaking of the warp-beam.
5) In a device or contrivance applied to looms for weaving, for constant test-
ing of the weft-closeness, of the kind indicated in Claim 1), the arrangement of
the graduated segment in connection with the engaging and disengaging mech-
anism of the loom, consisting essentially in a tension-element fastened on the one
hand to that segment and on the other to a bent-lever which in normal circum-
stances forms the support of a catch-piece, which oscillates on the disengaging
lever, and, after being deprived of such support, influences, in falling, suitable
intermediate elements, which act in connection with the uncoupling or dis-
engaging of the loom.
September
F. W. GOLBY,
Patent Agent, 36, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.