IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON- STRUCTION OF WARP BEAMS."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Robert Aldred, of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF WARP BEAMS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Robert Aldred at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd October 1880.
JOHN ROBERT ALDRED, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WARP BEAMS."
My Invention is particularly applicable to back beams for looms, and it consists
in so constructing the beam that the flanges may be caused to approach or recede
from each other simultaneously, and remain at right angles with the beam without
the use of wedges, wood screws, or set screws. I make a hollow beam of wood or
other material, and I cut a transverse slot through the centre of each end of the
beam extending inwards as far as the flange is required to traverse; this slot
intersects the hole which runs through the length of the beam. I place a shaft
through the beam projecting a sufficient distance at each end to form the bearings;
near each end of the shaft, extending the saine length as the slots in the beam,
make a right hand and left hand screw working in nuts, cast with or connected to
the flanges by pieces which pass through the transverse slots. A handle is applied
to one end of the shaft to turn it when required to cause the flanges to approach or
recede from each other. I use a set screw at one or both ends of the beam to
prevent it from turning independently of the shaft when at work.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Robert Aldred in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd April
1881.
JOHN ROBERT ALDRED, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WARF BEAMS."
My Invention is particularly applicable to back beams for looms, and it consists
in so constructing the beam that the flanges may be caused to approach or recede
from each other simultaneously, and remain at right angles with the beam without
the use of wedges, wood screws, or set screws.
I make a hollow beam of wood or other material, and I cut a transverse slot
parallel to the axis of the beam through the centre of each end of the beam
extending inwards as far as the flange is required to traverse; this slot intersects
the hole which runs through the length of the beam.
I place a shaft through the beam projecting a sufficient distance at each end to
form the bearings; near each end of the shaft, extending the same length as the
slots in the beam, I make a right hand and left hand screw working in nuts
cast with or connected to the flanges by pieces which pass through the transverse
slots.
A handle is applied to one end of the shaft to turn it when required to cause the
flanges to approach or recede from each other.
I use a set screw at one or both ends of the beam to prevent it from turning
independently of the shaft when at work..
And in order that my Invention may be fully understood and readily carried
into effect, I will describe the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, reference being
had to the Figures and letters marked thereon.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal elevation partly in section of a warp beam constructed
according to my Invention, and Fig. 2 shows a cross section of the same.
a is the
beam made of sheet iron, in each end of which is fitted a cast iron flanged boss or
end piece b, to which the ends of the beam are fixed with screws or otherwise; c is
a shaft extending through the beam and projecting a sufficient distance beyond the
beam to form a bearing at each end; on this shaft are cut a right hand screw and
a left hand screw; d, d, are the beam flanges, on each of which is a long annular
projection or bearing surface fitting round the beam. In the centre of each beam
flange is a nut or boss, one fitting on the right hand screw, and the other fitting on
the left hand screw. Each nut or boss is connected to the beam flange by two webs
or feathers, marked e, which pass through longitudinal slots in the shell of the beam;
these slots extend from the end towards the middle of the beam any required
distance, so that the flanges may approach each other.
"
At each end of the shaft c I form a square, so that the shaft may be readily turned
by a key or handle; f, f, are the ruffles fixed on to the beam. There is a set screw g
in each end piece b, in order to secure the shaft c, so that the beam may not rotate
independently of the shaft.
To make the flanges approach or recede from each other, the beam is held
stationary, and the shaft c which rotates in the end pieces b is turned by a key or
handle, and the flanges slide along the beam simultaneously, always being equi-
distant from the middle of the beam.
When the flanges are in the desired position, the set screw or screws g must be
turned to hold the beam a and shaft c rigidly together.
The annular projection or bearing of the flange is so fitted to the bean as to allow
the flange to slide easily, and at the same time it keeps the face of the flange
always at right angles to the axis of the beam, so that the flanges never require
wedging.
My improved warp beam may be used for beaming and slashing machines.

page_text: I have shown a beam made with a sheet iron shell with cast metal ends, and
with two iron flanges, each cast in one piece with the nut that fits the screwed
shaft, but it is obvious that other materials may be used, and the construction may
be varied, and I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the details
described and delineated.
What I claim is,―
1. The slotted warp beam a, in which is fitted the shaft c, substantially as and
for the purpose shown and described.
2. The flange d, connected by webs e with a central boss or nut, substantially as
and for the purpose shown and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Robert Aldred, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this First day of April, One thousand eight hundred and
eighty one.
JOHN ROBERT ALDRED. (L.S.)