IMPROVEMENTS IN FEEDING APPARATUS FOR DRAWING FRAMES AND SIMILAR MACHINES EMPLOYED IN THE DRESSING OR PREPARATION OF HEMP OR OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and
Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FEEDING APPARATUS FOR DRAWING FRAMES AND SIMILAR
MACHINES EMPLOYED IN THE DRESSING OR PREPARATION OF HEMP OR OTHER
FIBROUS MATERIALS." A communication from abroad by Joseph C. Todd, of
Paterson. New Jersey. United States of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th May 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FEEDING APPARATUS FOR
DRAWING FRAMES AND SIMILAR MACHINES EMPLOYED IN THE DRESSING OR PRE-
PARATION OF HEMP OR OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS." A communication from abroad
by Joseph C. Todd, of Paterson, New Jersey, United States of America.
This Invention relates to improvements in feeding apparatus for drawing frames
and other machinery employed in the dressing or preparation of hemp or other
fibrous materials, and consists in certain devices hereinafter set forth.

page_text: passing around pulleys on an adjacent shaft J', the proper speed is conveyed to the
drawing rollers H, I, through the belt K.
A lever V is arranged in connection with each of the bearings of the top roller I,
and connected by a rod W to tightening mechanism R, S, T, U, whereby the speed
of the drawing roller is automatically regulated to produce a sliver of uniform
size.
The said Invention relates chiefly to the construction and operation of the gill-
bars A, which are usually connected to tlie links of a chain and carried along by the
latter as it is driven by chain-wheels, to which the proper speed is imparted.
In such an arrangement the comb-teeth maintain a uniform angle with the links
of the chain, and if set to enter the fibres of the hemp, readily have a forward rake
or inclination, which prevents the teeth from clearing the fibres freely at the
drawing rollers.
My device for operating the gill-bars is so constructed as to obviate this defect,
and also dispenses with the chain connection for dragging the bars through the
machine.
The gill-bars, according to this Invention, are supported at each end by a block B,
which is fitted to a guide-channel in a frame C, and is bored to fit the bar A loosely,
so that the said bar can turn in the said block and the comb-teeth be inclined to
the desired angle. One of the frames C is secured to the rear frame O¹ of the
machine, and the other is supported by the studs X¹ at a distance of about three
inches from the inside of the front frame O. Another frame E formed with a guide-
groove similar to that in the frame C is secured inside the front frame O, and a
crank D is secured to each of the gill-bars and provided with a crank-pin e to fit
into the said groove.
The blocks B touch each other end to end, and by their length regulate the
distance apart of the gill-bars and keep them all the same distance from each other.
These blocks thus form close continuous endless lines in the guide-channels in the
frames C (and the rake or angle of the teeth upon the said gill-bars depends upon
the relation of the grooved frames C and E.
When the grooves in the frames C and E are concentric and coincide throughout,
the comb-teeth will set substantially as though the bars A were rigidly secured to a
chain, but as the frame E is adjustable upon the frame of the machine by means of
the bolts X, the grooves can be placed in any desired relation to each other, and the
angle of the teeth will be controlled in such a manuer as to have a forward pitch
at one end of the frame, and a backward inclination at the other, this effect being
produced by raising one end of the frame E and depressing the other end the
required amount.
By moving the frame E endwise, the teeth can be made to enter and leave the
fibre at any desired angle.
The lines of gill-bars with their guiding blocks B are driven by a pair of toothed
wheels F, mounted upon a shaft G, between the upper and lower lines of the bars,
and meshing with them in the same manner as with the teeth of other wheels, the
shaft G receiving the driving power of the machine, and transmitting it to the
feeding rollers P¹ by means of pulleys and the belt P.
By my improvements it will be seen that the tension of a chain is entirely'
avoided as the blocks B move loosely and freely in their channels, and that the
angle of the comb teeth can be greatly varied by the simple adjustment of the
grooved frame E, which controls the positions of the cranks D.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that my improved devices or apparatus are applicable not only for hemp
dressing, but for use in any machine in which fibrous material is treated in a
similar manner. I do not therefore limit myself to the combination of the said

page_text: gill-bars and guides with machinery for treating or working any particular kind of
fibre, nor to the precise construction herein shown and described, but I claim,-
The mode of carrying and driving the gill-bars and regulating the inclination of
the comb-teeth, substantially as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)