IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE APPLIED TO LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William McIlwraith and Joseph Bonner, both of
Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, for the Invention of
*IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE APPLIED TO LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William M'Ilwraith and
Joseph Bonner at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 18th December 1867.
We, WILLIAM M°ILWRAITH and JOSEPH BONNER, both of Glasgow, in the
County of Lanark, North Britain, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE APPLIED TO LOOMS FOR
WEAVING," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention relates to an improved jacquard apparatus to be applied to
power or hand looms for the purpose of working the heddles or healds by the
action of which the warp is shed for the passage of the shuttle boxes con-
taining the weft, and by the crossing of which through the warp the cloth is
produced. In the case of a hand loom the treadles are connected by chains
or cords to a pulley fixed on a shaft extending across the under part of the
jacquard apparatus, so that as the treadles are alternately raised and lowered
by the action of the weaver's feet the shaft on which the pulley is fixed is
alternately rotated through a circular segment in opposite directions. At each
end or other convenient part of the shaft one or more discs having crank pins

page_text: fitted into them (or in place of dises a pair of cranks or eccentrics may be
used) are situated. The crank pins are coupled by connecting rods to the upper
and under sliding box of the jacquard apparatus, so that by the action of the
revolving shaft the sliding box containing the checks or horizontal needles are
alternately thrown up and down in the frame, and the vertical needles or link
rods lifted or allowed to sink according to the holes in the jacquard barrel or
cards. The vertical needles or link rods are connected to the heddles or
healds so that in accordance with the holes in the barrel or cards the hedilles
are actuated and the warp shed according to the pattern desired. The pattern
or jacquard barrel may be actuated by one of the boxes; it is preferred to
effect this by means of the action of the upper box. By a system of levers
intervening between the jacquard apparatus and shuttle boxes the boxes may
be shifted and the change of shuttles effected.
In applying this Invention to power looms the driving shaft of the
apparatus may be actuated from any conveniently situated motion shaft of
the loom.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William McIlwraith and Joseph Bonner in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 13th June 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
M'ILWRAITH and JOSEPH BONNER, both of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirty-first year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the
said William M'Ilwraith and Joseph Bonner, Her special license that we,
the said William McIlwraith and Joseph Bonner, our executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said William M'Ilwraith and
Joseph Bonner, our executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE APPLIED TO LOOMS FOR WEAVING," upon the condition
(amongst others) that we, the said William McIlwraith and Joseph Bonner,

page_text: by an [instrument in writing under our hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said William McIlwraith and Joseph Bonner,
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, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:—
Our said Invention relates to an improved jacquard apparatus to be applied
to power looms and handlooms for the purpose of working the heddles or
healds by the action of which the warp is shed for the passage of the shuttle
boxes containing the weft, and by the crossing of which through the warp the
cloth is produced. In the case of a hand loom the treadles are connected by
chains or cords to a pulley fixed on a shaft extending across the under part
of the jacquard apparatus, so that as the treadles are alternately raised and
lowered by the action of the weaver's feet the shaft on which the pulley is
fixed is alternately rotated through a circular segment in opposite directions.
At each end or other convenient part of the shaft one or more discs having
crank pins fitted into them (or in place of discs a pair of cranks or eccentrics
may be used) are situated. The crank pins are coupled by connecting rods
to the upper and under sliding box of the jacquard apparatus, so that by the
action of the revolving shaft the sliding box containing the checks or
horizontal needles are alternately thrown up and down in the frame, and the
vertical needles or link rods lifted or allowed to sink according to the holes in
the jacquard barrel or cards. The vertical needles or link rods are connected
to the heddles or healds so that in accordance with the holes in the barrel
or cards the beddles are actuated and the warp shed according to the pattern
desired. The pattern or jacquard barrel may be actuated by one of the boxes;
it is preferred to effect this by means of the of the upper box. By a system
of levers intervening between the jacquard apparatus and shuttle boxes the
boxes may be shifted and the change of shuttles effected.
In applying this Invention to power looms the driving shaft of the
apparatus may be actuated from any conveniently situated motion shaft of the
loom.
.
And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood we now
proceed more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or manner in or
under which the same is or may be used or practically carried into effect,

page_text: reference being had for the sake of more complete elucidation to the
explanatory Sheets of Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say:-
'
Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a vertical transverse section, Figure 2 a front
elevation, and Figure 3 a side elevation of an improved jacquard apparatus
which may be applied to power or hand looms for the purpose of working the
beddles or healds. In these Figures-similar parts are indicated by corresponding
letters of reference.
A represents the framing; B, the check box; C, the recovering plate;
D, D, the rods by which the check box B is connected to the crank pins c, c,
in the disc E; G, G, the rods which connect the recovering plate C to the
crank pins c¹, c', on the opposite side of the disc E; F is the shaft on which
the discs E are fitted; and H the pulley by which the shaft F is rotated.
N, N, are the 'guide rods on which the check box and recovering plate
B, C, slide; I, the link rods to which the heddles are attached, and J the
horizontal checks or needles by which the link rods are checked according
to the pattern of the cylinder K, which is rotated by means of a catch
or pall m, shown in Figure 9, each time it is moved down the inclines L,
in conjunction with the movement of the check box B. By this means a
different set of link rods I may be locked each time the check box rises,
according to the pattern it is desired to produce in the web. The link rods
are arranged in two rows, as shown at Figure 1; and as the same check or
needle is used as a check for each set or pair of back and front link rods,
whatever back and front link rods may be locked, the back and front rods
corresponding to these are free.
Figure 4 is a plan of a check box B showing the slots I' through which
the link rods slide. The checks or needles 1, 2, 3, 4 are represented as
projected forward by the spiral springs 9 into the holes in the cylinder K, thus
locking their respective front link rods and leaving the corresponding back
link rods free. The other checks or needles 5, 6, 7, and 8 are held back by
the face of the cylinder K, thus locking the back link rods and leaving the
corresponding front link rods free. The notch into which the needles or
checks enter is shown at h, Figure 11, which represents a side view of the
link rods L. a, a, Figure 4, are rods which carry the cylinder K and slide
through the check box B so as to allow the cylinder K to follow the curve
of the inclines L; i, i, Figures 1 and 2, are springs by which the cylinder K
is pressed against the needles J.
Figure 5 is a plan of the recovering plate C, having a slot 6 formed at each
end through which the reciprocating rods D, Figure 2, pass to connect the

page_text: check box B to the rotating discs E; Figure 6 is a front elevation; and
Figure 7 a plan showing the mode of locking the needles or checks J.
d is the lock bar which extends across the under side of the checks J and is
supported on the check box B. A pin e, Figure 8, is fitted into the under
side of the checks J and act as a stopper..
The action of the lock bars is as follows:-As the check box B moves up
the ends of the lock bar d come into contact with the set screws f, Figure 6,
and push the lock bar d down till it is beneath the pins e in the check J, so
that the checks are relieved and the spiral springs g. push forward such of the
needles as may be opposite to holes in the pattern cylinder, while the rest of
the checks are held back by the surface of the cylinder K, as shown at
Figure 4. When the check box B begins to move down the compressed spiral
springs o, o, push up the lock bar d, and the needles J are locked in the
required positions until the lock bar d during the next upward movement of
the check box B brings it into. contact with the set screws f, f, when.
another change of the checks will take place and a different set of link
rods I will be locked according to the pattern on the cylinder K; pegs r are
fitted in the cylinder K, on which cards may be hung so. as to extend the.
pattern.
Figure 9 is an elevation, and Figure 10 a plan showing the mode of
turning the cylinder K. is a ratchet fitted on the end of the cylinder; a
catch m is hinged to the check bore and rests on the upper side of the ratchet l,.
so that when the cylinder K moves out as herein-before described it is turned
round by the catch m, the journals of the cylinder K being carried in anti-
friction rollers so that the cylinder K may turn freely while it moves down
the inclines E. When the cylinder moves in again it is prevented from
turning by the stopper p, as shown. If it is desired to turn the cylinder K in
the opposite direction the catch m is lifted out of gear and the catch is lifted
into gear.
The mode of operating the apparatus is as follows:-A belt or strap is
attached to the pulley H and the ends passed over each side, as shown dotted.
in Figure 1, and in the case of a hand loom attached to the treadles P, P,
over which the machine is placed, so that as the treadles are alternately raised
and lowered by the action of the weaver's feet the discs E are rotated through
an are in opposite directions, and by means of the connecting rods D, G,
an alternate upward and downward movement is communicated to the check
box and recovering plates B and C. As the crank pins c, c, to which the con-
necting rods D, G, are attached are situated at diametrically opposite points
of the discs E the check box and recovering plates B, C, always move ių

page_text: opposite directions, so that the check box B is at the extremity of its upward
movement when the recovering plate C is at the extremity of its downward
movement, as represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3; when in this position the
link rods are locked in the manner herein-before described according to the
pattern or cards on the cylinder K. When the check box B moves down it
draws with it such of the link rods I as are locked. to it and also actuates
the heddles which are attached to them, at the same time the recovering
plate C moves up and allows the link rods which are not locked to move up
also. By this means a simultaneous upward and downward motion is imparted
to the heddles and the required shed of warp is formed for the shuttle to
ass through. As the working continues a repetition of these movements takes
place and the desired pattern of web is produced. In applying this apparatus
to power looms the shaft F may be actuated from any conveniently situated
motion shaft of the loom.
Figure 12 shows a mode of applying this Invention to raising the shuttle.
box. A represents a shuttle box with four divisions for working four shuttles
and connected to one end of the lever B by the chains or cords C; the other
end of the lever B is made forked, and to it is attached a connecting rod for
each of the three lower shuttles, in this case three rods a, b, and care employed.
The lower ends of these rods are each attached to a link rod actuated in the
manner herein-before described for the heddle apparatus. When the link
rod to which the rod a is attached is locked the rod a is pulled down, but as
it is slotted at the end it passes through the fork till the end comes in contact
with the pin d and pulls down the end of the lever B, so that the shuttle
box A is raised by the other end of the lever B till the shelf a is above the
stopper which checks the boxes in a level with the race.
In the same
manner if the link rod to which the rod b is attached is locked it raises
the shelf 6 till it is checked on a level with the race, and the rod c lifts
the shelf to the level of the race. The top shuttle on the shelf c requires
no connecting rods as it is always level with the race when the box A is in its
normal position. A link rod is provided for throwing out the check when the
box is to be lowered. By this means any number of shuttles may be used to
weave different colours into the web.
Figure 1, Sheet 2, is a sectional plan, Figure 2 a front elevation partly in
section, and Figure 3 a transverse section of a heddle and shuttle-box
apparatus combined. A represents the check box which is attached by the
counecting rods B, B, to the cranks C which are fitted on the shaft D on
which the pulley E is fitted. The recovering plate F is actuated by the
eccentric G. to which it is connected by the rod H. The link rods I actuate
---
--

page_text: the heddles and are placed in two rows, as shown in Figure 4. The link
rods J actuate the shuttle box and are placed in a single row, as shown in
Figure 3. The checks or needles K are actuated by spiral springs a and
locked by a lock bar L in the same manner as herein-before described for the
Figures in Sheet 1, and shown on Figures 1 and 4, Sheet 2. The checks M
which check the shuttle-box link rods are also actuated by spiral springs 6 and
are locked by a spring catch c which is thrown out by the lock bar L,
Figure 3. The "pattern cylinder N is worked by inclined planes d, d³, fixed
in the columns O. The journals of the cylinder N are carried in blocks e,
Figures 1 and 5, attached to studs f which are fitted into a sliding box or
frame g placed inside of the check box. The front end of the box g which
acts against the front inclined plane d is formed of a tongue shape, as shown,
and the back inclined plane d' is acted upon by a tongue-shaped block h which
slides in the box g, the block h being pressed against the inclined plane by the
spiral spring i placed between the block h and the end of the box g.
The action of the cylinder N is as follows:-The check box A which carries
the cylinder N up and down along with it is represented in Figure 5 at the
extreme end of the upward movement. As the check box A moves down it
is guided vertically by the columns O, slots being formed in the top plate to
allow the inclined planes to pass through without touching it, but the inclined
plane d pushes forward the box 9 carrying with it the cylinder N into the
position shown dotted in Figure 5. This movement brings a notch or check j
formed in the side of the box g in front of the check pink which passes into the
notch and stops the box 9 and cylinder N from being pushed back by the
inclined plane d' during the upward motion of the check box A, but as the
block h moves freely inside of the box g the block h is pushed back by the
inclined plane and compresses the spiral spring i against the back of the box g,
as shown in Figure 1. When the check box A has nearly reached the top of
the upward movement the check pin k is pushed out of the notch by the lock
bar L, as shown on Figure 1, and the compressed spiral spring i forces back
the box g and cylinder N until the front of the box 9 comes in contact with
the column O; the needles or checks K. being liberated at the same time shoot
forward and check the link rods I according to the pattern or cards on the
cylinder. The front inclined plane d, Figure 5, is made shorter than the
back inclined plane d³, as shown, so that when the check box A begins to
move down the cylinder N does not leave the front of the check box A till the
box g meets the inclined plane d, and by that time the lock bar L has been
pushed up by the spring i and locked the checks K and M in the required
positions. The link rods J which actuate the shuttle-box apparatus are not
-

page_text: checked at the same time as the link rods which actuate the heddles, the
notch into which the check enters being formed opposite the lowest point to
which the check box A descends.
The action of the shuttle-box apparatus is as follows:-In Figure 3. the
check M is represented as unlocked, so that when the check box A descends
the check M will be pushed by the spring a into the notch in the link
rod J, and when the check box ascends the rod J is lifted up and turns the
cruciform lever P to which it is attached. By this means the end Q of the
lever Q¹ is depressed and the other end of the lever which is connected by
the rod R to the shuttle box is raised. Figure 6 is a plan of the end of
the lever Q¹ showing the connection of the link rods J to the tumbling levers
P, P1, P2, P³, the length of each lever being made according to the lift of the
shuttle box to which it is attached. When a different shuttle is to be worked
a different link rod is checked according to the pattern on the cylinder N, and
the other set free. When the link rod is lifted the arm 1 of the lever, which
is attached to that link rod, pulls forward the catch R, Figure 3, and the
sliding bar S strikes the toe of the lever which is down and turns it up to the
position shown at P, Figure 3.
Figure 7 shows another modification for actuating the shuttle box.
Figure 8 is a front elevation of the link rods A, and Figure 9 side elevations
of part of the link rods. B is a spring catch by which the link rods A are
held up while the check box moves up and down.
The mode of action is as follows:-The check a and lock bar 6 are
actuated in the manner herein-before described for Figures 3, 4, and 5,
Sheet 2. If it is required to raise the shuttle box which is connected to the
end of the lever C, not shown on the Drawing, and which is actuated by the
link rod A, the check a is pushed back by the pattern cylinder checking the
link rod A, as herein-before described, and locked by the lock bar b; the
check a by by means of the check pin c also pushes the spring catch B out of
the notch in the link rod, so that when the check box D descends the link
rod A is carried down with it and depresses the end of the lever C, thus
raising the end not shown in the Drawing and bringing the shuttle box to
the level of the race.. As the link rod A descends the toe d acts upon a stop
hinge e and pushes back the hinged rack E until the toe d passes under the
stop hingee; the rack E is now pushed forward by the spring F and the toeƒ
of the lever C is caught in the rack. By this means the lever C is kept in the
same position, until the next change of the shuttle box is required according
to the pattern. When the link rod A is carried up by the check box D the
stop hinge e is lifted by the toc d, as shown dotted, and as soon as the toe d

page_text: has passed it falls down to the position shown. When a change of the shuttle
box is required the corresponding link rod is checked, and as it descends the
toe on the link rod pushes back the rack E, as herein-before described, and
liberates the lever C from the rack, thus permitting it to rise or be pushed
further down according as the shuttle box required to be raised or lowered.
Figure 9 shows a mode of checking or notching the link rods A so as to
attain the required lift of the shuttle box by allowing the check a to move a
certain distance before actuating the link rod. The link rod A, Figure 7,
elevates the lowest shelf of the shuttle box to the level of the race A¹, Figure
9,. the next higher shelf As the next, and so on, the difference in the length
of the notches in the link rods being equal to the depth of the shelves in tho
shuttle box. Instead of suspending the link rods A by a spring catch B,
Figure 7, they may rest in the fork of the lever C, and move up and down
with it as the movements of the lever are regulated by the link rod, which
may be checked at the same time.
Figure 10 shows another method of actuating the shuttle box. The bottom
end of the link rod A is attached to a lever B centered upon the pin C and
placed over the lever D which actuates the shuttle box. The. end of the
lever B is formed into a cam a, and when the link rod A is carried down by
the check box, as herein-before described, the lever D is depressed. E. and
F are the ends of other, levers or cams which are attached to link rods not
seen on the Drawing.
Figure 11 is an arrangement of: mechanism for actuating the lock bar.
A is the check box. on which a disc B perforated round the edge is fitted
on a stud a; pins 6 may be fitted into any number of these perforations
according to the number of changes desired in the shuttle box. A toothed
pinion, not seen in the Drawing, is fitted on the stud a, which gears into
another pinion C having any suitable number of teeth and carried upon the
stud c, on which there is also placed a ratchet pinion d. e is a lever fitted on
the stud c and connected to the lever f by the arm g; h is the lock bar on
which slides a block or pin i which is connected to the lever j.
The action of the mechanism is as follows:-When the check box A
descends the lever f which is centered on the stud k is pushed out by the
inclined plane D. By this means the lever e, which is connected to the
lever by the arm g, is turned round, and the spring which is .attached
to the arm g turns the ratchet d, and the toothed pinion c which is on the
same axis turns the disc B by means of the toothed pinion on the.axis a,
but not seen on the Drawing. By this means the pins b fitted in the edge
of the disc B by coming in contact with the pin m in the lever; pushes back

page_text: the pin or block i under a stud fixed to the crosshead of the machine, so
that the lock bar h is pushed down and a link rod is checked in the manner
lierein-before described. It is evident that by increasing or decreasing the
number of pins 6 in the disc B the number of changes in the shuttle box will
be more or less frequent. When the pin 6 has passed the pin m in the lever
j: the spring pushes back the lever j and withdraws the sliding block i from
under the stud in the crosshead, so that the block bar is not actuated until the
next pin b¹ comes into contact with the pin m in the lever j, and consequently
since the check pink, Figure 5, Sheet 2, is not pushed out by reason of the
block bar remaining stationary the pattern cylinder is kept out till the next
change is required, which is effected by the pin 6 pushing back the lever j
and bringing the sliding pin i under the stud in the crosshead, so that the
lock bar is pushed down as it is carried up by the check box, and a different
link rod is checked according to the pattern. The throw of the lever ƒ may
be regulated by fixing a pin o in the check box to prevent the lever f being
pushed back by the spring p. All the modifications described on Sheet 2 may
be worked by a continuous rotary motion from any convenient motion shaft
in the loom. The pattern cylinder, which may be formed of wood or metal
or other material, is formed by turning out grooves, as seen at N, Figure 1,
Sheet 2, and covered with vegetable parchment or other material on which
the pattern is written, or for very extensive patterns cards may be used.
Figures 12 and 13 show another method of forming the pattern cylinder,
and consists in placing on a spindle any convenient number of discs a, b, Figures
12 and 13, having projections or arms c formed round the periphery. By
this means a great number of different patterns may be produced by simply
changing the position of the discs a, b, Figures 12 and 13, upon the spindle.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention, and the manner
in which the same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, we
would observe in conclusion that what we consider novel and original, and
therefor claim as the Invention secured to us by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
f
First. The general arrangement and construction of apparatus for working
the heddles of hand or power looms as herein-before described, or any mere
modification thereof.
Second. The general arrangement of apparatus for working shuttle boxes in
looms for weaving as herein-before described, or any mere modification thereof.
Third. The general arrangement of apparatus for actuating beddles and
shuttle boxes combined as herein-before described and shown at Figures 2
and 3, Sheet 2, of the accompanying sheet of Drawings.

page_text: Fourth. The locking of the horizontal checks or needles by means of a
bock bar as herein-before described and shown at Figures 6 and 7, Sheet 1,
of the accompanying Drawings.
Fifth. The actuating of the check boxes of jacquard apparatus by means
of a continuously revolving shaft provided with cranks as herein-before
described and shown at Figures 2 and 3, Sheet 2, of the accompanying
Drawings.
Sixth. The arrangement whereby the lock bar retains the pattern cylinder
out of contact with the checks and brings it in contact with them at the
required moment by means of the lock bar being released, allowing the frame
which carries the cylinder to be forced against the checks by means of the
spring box, as herein-before described and shown at Figures 5 and 11,
Sheet 2, of the accompanying Drawings.
Seventh. The arrangement and construction of segmental or composite
pattern barrel as herein-before described.
Eighth. The construction of variable index to be used in connection with
the shuttle-box actuating mechanism as herein-before described and shown at
B, Figure 11, Sheet 2, of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said William M'Ilwraith and Joseph
Bonner, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Eleventh day of
June, One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
WILLIAM MILWRAITH. (L.S.)
JOSEPH BONNER.
(L.S.)