IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Gavin Walker, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Manufacturer, and James Clachan, of the same Place,
Manager, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
Scaled the 29th September 1857, and dated the 15th July 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Gavin Walker and James
Clachan at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 15th July 1857.
We, GAVIN WALKER, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Manufacturer, and JAMES CLACHAN, of the same Place, Manager, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR
WEAVING," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates in some respects to an Invention for which British
Letters Patent for "Improvements in Looms for Weaving were granted to
Matthew Andrew Muir and James McIlwham, of Glasgow, North Britain,
on or about the Eighteenth day of June, One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-six, and it consists of certain mechanical combinations and arrangements
whereby Messrs. Muir and M'Ilwham's loom, as well as other looms of a
generally similar class, are rendered more effective as regards their range of
variety in weaving. In addition to the ordinary figure movements involved
in the loom or looms, herein-before referred to, the present Invention provides
for the addition to such mechanism of a separate twilling heddle action.

page_text: This twilling action is operated upon by an additional traversing lever working
over a portion of the barrel in a manner similar to the figuring lever,
actuating the drop boxes. of the shuttles. The fee end of this secondary or
additional lever bears against the under side of a broad or platform lever set
on a fixed stud centre in the loom framing, being broad enough to present an
acting surface sufficient to bear against the end of the secondary lever through-
out its traverse back and forward over the barrel. On this platform lever
there is an upper and a lower bent lever stop or pressing piece, with a broad
end face piece of such a size as to bear against a range of four or more
vertical link rods set in a suitable guide frame, and kept pressed forward
towards the lever face pieces by springs. The bottom ends of these vertical
link rods have catches upon them capable of coming, within the range of a
corresponding set of horizontal cam levers severally actuated by a continuously
revolving cam or tappet. The upper ends of the vertical link rods are con-
nected by suitable cord and lever movements with the heddle leaves, eight or
more in number, as may be required. The result of this arrangement is, that
whenever a twilling change is required to take place, the proper projection or
stud piece on the figuring barrel comes round to operate upon the additional
or secondary lever, the other end of which then lifts the platform lever, and
pushes back one set of the vertical link rods, so as to bring their lower ends
within the range of their operating cam levers, and at the same time releasing
the others of the vertical link rods which have already been. within the range
of and operated by the cam levers. The latter then lift the required number of
the heddle leaves whilst the rest descend by their spring or weight actions.
When in the course of the barrel's revolution the absence of the twilling
action projection allows the secondary lever to fall, the reverse action occurs,
and the twilling is obviously again reversed. The result of this arrangement
is, that in addition to the figuring powers already possessed by the loom or
looms, herein-before referred to, a great variety of additional effect can be
given to the goods woven in such. looms for the reason that the twilling can
be alternated and changed at pleasure to any extent. In other words, any
of the warp threads can be alternated from surface to surface of the piece at
pleasure. These arrangements, which are also applicable to other forms of
looms, thus afford the weaver a very superior range of effect as regards the
textures and varieties of the goods woven.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Gavin Walker and James Clachan in the Great Seal Patent
. Office on the 15th January 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, wc, GAVIN
WALKER, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Manufacturer,
and JAMES CLACHAN, of the same Place, Manager, send greeting."
⚫ WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twenty-first year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
us, the said Gavin Walker and James Clachan, Her special license that
we, the said Gavin Walker and James Clachan, our executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said Gavin Walker and
James Clachan, our executors, administrators, or assigns, should ȧt any
5 time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LOOMS FOR WEAVING," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said
o Gavin Walker and James Clachan, by an instrument in writing under our
hands and seals,. or under hand and seal' of one of us, 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 aftor the
5 date of the said Letters Patent.
. NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Gavin Walker and James Clachan,
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner tho
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement in writing, reference being had to.the accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say. :-
. Our said Invention relates in some respects to an Invention for which
British Letters Patent for "Improvements in Looms for Weaving were
granted to Matthew Andrew Muir and James McIlwham, of Glasgow, North
Britain, on or about the Eighteenth day of June, One thousand eight hundred
5 and fifty-six, and it consists of certain mechanical combinations and arrange-'
ments whereby Messieurs Muir and McIlwham's loom, as well as other looms
of a generally similar class, are rendored more effective as regards their range
of variety in weaving. In addition to the ordinary figuring movements

page_text: involved in the loom or looms herein-before referred to, the present Invention
provides for the addition to such mechanism of a separate twilling heddle
action. This twilling action is operated upon by an additional traversing
lever working over a portion of the barrel in a manner similar to the figuring
lever actuating the drop boxes of the shuttles: The free end of this secondary
or additional lever bears, against the under side of a broad or platform lever
set on a fixed stud centre in the loom framing, being broad enough to present
an acting surface sufficient to bear against the end of the secondary lever
throughout its traverse back and forward over the barrel. On this platform
Jever there is an upper and a lower bent lever stop or pressing piece, with a
broad end face piece of such a size as to bear against a range of four or more
vertical link rods set in a suitable guide frame, and kept pressed forward
towards the lever face pieces by springs. The bottom ends of these vertical
link rods have catches upon them capable of coming within the range of a
corresponding set of horizontal cam levers severally actuated by a continuously
revolving cam or tappet. The upper ends of the vertical link rods are con-
nected by suitable cord and lever movements with the beddle leaves, eight or
more in number, as may be required. The result of this arrangement is, that
whenever a twilling change is required. to take place, the proper projection or
stud piece on the figuring barrel comes round to operate upon the additional
or secondary lever, the other end of which then lifts the platform lever, and
pushes back one set of the vertical link rods, so as to bring their lower ends
within the range of their operating cam levers, and at the same time releasing
the others of the vertical link rods which have already been within the range
of and operated by the cam levers. The latter then lift the required number
of the headle leaves whilst the rest descend by their spring or weight actions.
When in the course of the barrel's. revolution the absence of the twilling
action projection allows the secondary lever to fall, the reverse action occurs,
and the twilling is obviously again reversed. The result of this arrangement
is, that in addition to the figuring powers already possessed by the loom or
looms herein-before referred to, a great variety of additional effect can be
given to the goods woven in such looms; for the reason that the twilling can
be alternated and changed at pleasure to any extent. In other words, any of
the warp threads can be alternated from surface to surface of the piece at
pleasure. These arrangements, which are also applicable to other forms of
looms, thus afford the weaver a very superior range of effect as regards the
textures and varieties of the goods woven.
And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood, we shall
now proceed to describe the several illustrative Figures, upon the explanatory

page_text: Sheet of Drawings which we have hereunto appended, for the purposes of
showing certain modifications under which our improvements may be judiciously
carried out in practice. In our Sheet of Drawings, the new parts or mechanical
arrangements, which constitute our present Invention, are coloured, in order
to distinguish them from the parts of the loom in ordinary use. Figure 1
on our Drawings is an end elevation of a loom showing one modification of
our improvements applied thereto; Figure 2 is a plan, corresponding to
Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of a loom, showing another modification
of our improvements, in which the mechanism is adapted for working a greater.
number of leaves of heddles than the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2;.
Figure 4 is a front view; and Figure 5 a plan corresponding to Figure 3:
In all the foregoing Figures, the parts of the loom not essential to. the
illustration of our Invention are omitted. Figure 6 is a partially, sectional
elevation; and Figure 7, a front view of another modification, or mechanical
arrangement, for actuating the twilling heddles; Figures 8 and 9 are partially
sectional views of portions of the pattern barrel, with the pins for raising the
links, by means of which the beddles are actuated, according to the require-
ments of the pattern to be woven; both of these Figures are drawn to a scale
one half of the real size. The mechanical arrangement shown in Figures 1
and 2 of our Drawings is adapted for working a series of eight leaves of
heddles. The principal working parts are arranged parallel to the end
standard A, at the side of the loom on which the pattern barrel B is fitted.
This pattern barrel forms a part of an Invention, for which Messieurs Matthew
Andrew Muir, and James McIlwham obtained British Letters Patent, as
5 recited in the introductory part of this Specification. In the Specification here
referred to, the pattern barrel with its connected mechanisın is described in
the Deed, and shown in the illustrative Drawings, as being used for the
purpose of actuating the series of shuttle-boxes, in the order or sequence
of succession necessary to produce the predetermined pattern of the woven
fabric. Now, the essential feature of our present Invention consists in
extending the utility of Messicurs Muir and M'Ilwhain's improvements,' by
combining therewith certain arrangements of mechanism for actuating the
heddles as well as the shuttle-drop box. The reciprocatory movement of the
different leaves of beddles being derived from that of the pattern barrel B, we
5 may, before describing the parts we have added thereto, briefly refer to some
of the movements connected therewith. The rod to which the shuttle-drop
box is attached is connected to the front end of the lever C, which oscillates
upon a stud pin carried in a bracket bolted to the side standard A. To the
back end of the lever C is jointed a forked link D; the two upwardly directed

page_text: Tegs are jointed to the sides of an open frame lever E, which vibrates upon a
centre F, carried in a bracket G, which is bolted to the back part of the loom.
These parts being thus arranged, the shuttle-drop box will rise as the frame lever
E descends, and vice versa'; the frame lever E is kept in an upward position
(unless otherwise acted upon) by a powerful helical, spring, so as to keep the
shuttle-drop box at its lowest position. The raising of the shuttle-drop box is
effected by the cams H, on the tappet shaft I; these cams do not act directly
upon the frame lever E, but each cam acts upon a pulley carried by a separate
catch bar J. carried loosely upon a horizontal spindle, fitted across the open
part of the frame lever E. The catch bars J, vibrate with the rotation of the
eams, without imparting any motion to the frame lever E, unless locked by
the action of the pattern mechanism, so as to be prevented from yielding to
the action of the cam, without depressing in a corresponding degree the frame
lever E. The locking of the catch bars J.js effected by the movement of a
horizontal bar, which is caused to slide to and fro in the slots K, which are
made in the sides of the frame lever E. The front ends of the catch bars J.
are made of different lengths, the one acted upon by the cam of the smallest
radius being the longest. When the locking bar is at the front extremity of
the slots K, it is clear of all the catch bars J; but when it is moved one
degree back, it passes over the end of the longest catch bar. This end catch
bar J, being thereby prevented from rising, the frame lever E, and the back
end of the lever C, is depressed, and the second cell of the shuttle-drop box
is raised on a level with the shuttle race. By causing the locking bar to be
moved still further back in the slots, the second or third catch bars are thereby
held down, and the third or fourth cells of the shuttle-drop box brought into
use. The locking bar is shifted to and fro, according to the requirements of
the pattern, by two horizontal rods, which are jointed to it outside the frame
lover E; these two rods are jointed at their back ends to the arms of a cross-
head which is bolted to a lever carried on a stud pin fixed in a curved arm
which projects downwards from the bracket. To the lower end of the lever
is jointed a rod, which passes towards the front of the loom, and rests upon a
roller fitted beneath the pattern barrel B; as this rod is pushed back. by the
pattern mechanism, the locking bar is moved backwards in a corresponding
degree in the slots K of the framo lever E. When not acted upon, by the
pattern mechanism, the locking bar is kept to the front end of the slots K, by
means of a spring, which acts upon the horizontal rods attached to the locking
bar. The pattern barrel B is carried loosely upon a horizontal spindle L,
fixed in the end standards M, the barrel has a ratchet wheel N, upon one end
of it, and upon the other end a spur wheel O.; the spur wheel O is in gear

page_text: with a pinion P, which is keyed to the end of a parallel screw spindle Q, carried
in brackets formed on the standards M. The pattern barrel B has a number
of holes R made in its periphery; these holes are arranged in a spiral
direction, the pitch of the spiral line of holes being made to correspond, as
suits the gearing arrangement, to the pitch of the screw Q. The sizes of the
wheels O and P are also so proportioned, that a nut lever S, carried by the
screw spindle Q, as it were, follows the helical line of holes upon the barrel,
being moved longitudinally a distance equal to the pitch of the helical line at
each revolution of the barrel. The pitch of the teeth of the ratchet wheel N, aro
made to correspond to that of the holes on the barrel as taken circularly, and at
each revolution of the tappet shaft I, the barrel is moved round to the extent of
a hole, by the action of a lever T, centred upon the spindle L, and acted upon
by a cam on the tappet shaft I. The lever T carries two catches or pauls
which alternately take into the teeth of the ratchet wheel N and the smaller
ratchet wheel U, which is fast to the screw spindle Q; by this means the
harrel B is driven in one direction by one of the pauls acting upon the teeth
of the ratchet wheel N, and then in the opposite direction by the secondl
paul acting on the teeth of the ratchet wheel U. The buss of the nut lever S
is tapped to work upon the screw spindle Q; this nut lever has a projection
upon its under side which comes in contact with the pins V which are
inserted in the holes of the barrel. As the projection on the nut lever S
travels over the pins V, the lower end of the nut lever pushes the rod back,
by which the locking bar in the slots K is moved backwards. The different
cells of the shuttle drop box being brought on a level with the race by the
varying heights of the pins, which are arranged in the barrel according to
the sequential order in which the shuttles are required to be thrown to form
the predetermined pattern. The reversing of the motion of the barrel is
obtained by means of a tumbling bar W; this bar is formed with end
spindles which turn in bearings in the standards M. The bar W has fitted
helical line of pins V
upon it an adjustable catch X, and at the end of the
is a reversing pin Y; this pin projects further from the face of the barrel
than the others, and it has upon it a lateral projection which comes in contact
at the proper time with the catch X. When the reversing pin Y comes in
contact with the catch X, it turns over the tumbling bar W, and by means
of a catch on the nut lever S keeps the projecting part of the nut lever away
from the face of the pins V, whilst it is being traversed back on the spindle Q.
If the pattern to be woven is of the class in which the second half is similar
to the first, but with the various portions in an inverted order, a single nut
lever S will be sufficient, one half of the pattern being woven whilst the

page_text: Barrel turns in one direction, and the other half whilst the barrel turns in the
opposite direction; the nut lever being correspondingly carried longitudinally
first in one direction, then in the other. The Patentee's improvements
also provide for cases in which the pattern' is not repeated inversely, "in
which arrangement two nut levers are used in lieu of one, as shown in our
Drawings. Thus far, the use of the pattern barrel B has been described as
confined to the raising and depressing of the shuttle drop box; we have now
to show the application of our improvements thereto, whereby the leaves of
leddles are actuated in their proper sequential order as well as the shuttlo
cells. The main part of the additional mechanism is carried within a vertical
frame a, the upper part of which is connected to the end standard A of the
loom by the horizontal stay b. The frame a carries at its upper and central
parts two horizontal guides cand d, passing through the parallel slots e; formed
in these guides are the vertical links f, the number of the slots e correspond to
the number of leaves of heddles to be worked. In this modification the number
is eight, as shown in the plan Figure 2 of our Drawings. The upper ends of
the link rods have an eye formed in each through which the cords 9 by
which they are attached to the heddle levers, are passed. These link rods f
are guided in their lateral and reciprocatory traverse by the slots e in the
guides c and d, but they are also guided in their vertical traverse by the
transverse rod h, which is passed through the longitudinal slots i in the link
rods f. and is secured to the frame d. The lower ends of the link rods fare
formed into hooks j, which are caused at the proper intervals to take into
recesses formed in the under sides of the horizontal cam levers k; these
recesses are indiented by dotted lines in the elevation, Figure 1 of our
Drawings. When not otherwise acted upon, each of the link rods f is kept
forwards by the pressure of a helical spring which serves to keep its
individual link rod beyond the range of cam levers k, until its pressure is
overcome by a superior force. The back part of the horizontal frame which
forms the central guide d is prolonged outwards and forms a recess in which
the series of helical springs are fitted. The springs are secured to short
horizontal rods. m, which slide to and fro in holes made through the front and
back of the recessed part of the guide d; the back ends of the springs press
against the inside of the recess; the front extremities of the horizontal rods m
each press against one of the eight link rods f. The link rods are moved
Backwards and brought within the range of the cam levers k by the action
of the broad or platform lever n, which is carried loosely upon a horizontal
spindle'n' fixed to the front part of the guide d. The front part of this
platform levor n consists of a rectangular metal plate, against the under side

page_text: 9
of which the free end of the lever 9 bears. The back part of the lever n
branches out into two bent arms o and o¹; the extremities of these arnis are
carried out laterally, and each forms a broad stop or pressing piece, which
bears against the front edges of the link rods f. Each of the link rods has a
portion of it cut away, forming a notch or recess, as shown at p in Figure 1
of our Drawings. One half of the link rods have these notches made opposite
the upper bent arm o, whilst the other half have the notches made opposite the
lower bent arm o' of the platform lever n. The platform lever n is brought
into, action by the stud lever q, the stud of which is tapped with an internal
screw to traverse to and upon the screw spindle Q. The central part of
the stud lever has a projecting piece r, which traverses over the periphory
of the barrel B, or the surface of the pins inserted therein. The free end of
the lever is made with a slot in which is fixed an adjustable piece of metal
carrying an antifriction roller s; this roller bears against the under side of the
platform lever n, the width of which is sufficient to admit of the lateral
traverse of the lever q. In this morlification of our Invention, one half of
the link rods are pressed backwards by the arms o or o¹, whilst the other
half is not affected by the operating arm. When the lever q is resting upon
the barrel B, the weight of the platform n is sufficient to press back the
link rods which are actuated by the arm o¹; or this may be done by a
spring. In the position in which the lever n is shown in Figures 1 and 2
of our Drawings the lower arm o¹ in pressing back the four link rods f,
which have the notched part p opposite the lower arm o'; and as the pressure
of the arm o' overcomes the resistance of their springs 1, the four link rods are
brought within the range of the cam levers k. The other four alternate link
rods f, which have their notched parts opposite the upper armo of the lever n,
remain unaffected by the arm of the lever, as the narrower part of the link
rods is beyond the reach of the arm o'. This is the relative position of the
parts during the time the projection r, of the lever q, is traversing over the
periphery of the pattern barrel B. When the other four link rods are to be
brought into operation, one or more pins t, are inserted in the holes in the
barrel B, and as the lever q traverses over these pins the arm o is pressed
against the four link rods f, next to those before acted upon, and they aro
brought within the range of the cam levers k. The link rods f, being con-
5nected by the cords g to the outer ends of the heddle levers, the depression of
the link rods raises the heddle leaves. This depression is effected by the action
of the horizontal cam levers k; these levers have each a slot at its backward
end through which is passed the horizontal spindle u, on which the cam levers
turn; the lever spindle u is fixed in a pair of standards v, the base of which is

page_text: secured to the flooring on which the loom is placed. The lower end of a strong
helical spring w is attached to an eye cast on the upper side of each of the cam
levers; the upper end of each spring w is fastened by an adjusting nut to a
bracket, bolted to the end standard A. The springs w raise the cam levers k
above the catches or hooks j of the link fods f, so as to always be in a position
ready for depressing the link rods. The depressing action is effected by means
of the cams y on the shaft ; there are four of these cams, corresponding to the
number of the cam levers k, and they are bolted to a pair of circular cheek plates
which are fitted on the end of the shaft z. The shaft has keyed to it a spur
wheel 1, shown in dotted lines; the spur wheel is driven by a pinion 2, fast on
the tappet shaft I; the wheel 1 and pinion 2 are proportioned, so that the
shaft makes one revolution to two of the tappet shaft I. As the link rods f
are pressed back by the action of the platform lever n, the catches ; on their
lower ends come within the range of the cam levers k, and as the cams' y are
successively brought round by the rotatory motion of the shaft z, the cam
levers are depresser and carry down the link rods with which they are engaged.
The downward motion of the link rods raises the twilling heddles to which
they are attached, each alternate link rod remaining unaffected by the lever n.
When the pressure of the cams y is taken off the levers k, the spring w raise
the levers k, whilst the weight of the connected heddle leaf raises its corre-
sponding link rod. The slot in the end of each of the cam levers ke admits of
a self-adjusting action of the levers, so that they clear the catches ; of the
link rods in their ascent; but when they reach their highest point they are
sufficiently forward to catch the hooks of the link rods when pressed back by
the action of the arms o or o¹.. In this manner the different twilling heddles
may be alternately actuated, according to the arrangement of the pins and the
intervening spaces on the barrel B. The modification, shown in Figures 3 to 5
of our Drawings, provides for the extended use of 'twilling heddles, this
arrangement being adapted for the working of an increased number of leave's
of heddles. The frame a, consisting of the two vertical standards which are
connected at the upper part by the plate c, which serves to guide the link
rods f, is similar to that shown in the first inodification. At the lower part of
the frame is a series of guide rods d, which are passed through transverse stay
pieces cast on or fixed in the centre of the side standards; the vertical rods d
serve to guide the cam levers in their reciprocatory traverse. The slots e,
in the top plate c, are made of sufficient length to admit of the link rods f
being arranged in two series parallel to each other; the link rods are con-
nected at their upper ends by the cords g to the overhead heddle levers g', and
they are guided vertically by the horizontal rods and slots i, as herein-before

page_text: described. The lower ends of the link rods f in like manner formed into
hooks or catches j, by which they are depressed when brought within the
range of the cam levers k; the link rods are each pressed beyond the range of
the cam levers by a helical spring 1 secured to a pressing bar m; the recess in
which the upper series of springs and pressing rods are arranged forms a part
of the top plate c, whilst the lower series is fitted nearly half-way down 'the
frame a. In this modification there are two platform levers n and n¹, one to
each series of link rods f; both the platform levers have diverging bent arms
o and o', which alternately press against the link rods f. The platform levers
n and n¹ are actuated by the duplex stud levers 9 and q'; the shorter lever q
bears upon the platform lever n, which actuates the front series of link rods f,
whilst the longer lever q³ operates upon the back series of link rods; both
the stud levers 7 and q¹ move to-and-fro upon the screw spindle Q, which,
together with the pattern barrel B, is actuated as in the first modification. In
this arrangement the lifting pins t, which are inserted in the holes in the
pattern barrel B are made of two different heights, as shown in the
enlarged detail views, Figures 8 and 9, where they are shown in end and
side elevations. The periphery of the barrel and the differential heights
of the pins t give three elevations to which the stud levers q and q' may
be raised. The platform lever n¹, of the back series of link rods, is arranged
in manner similar to the one in Figures 1 and 2, that is to say, each alter-
nate link rod of this series is in gear with the cam levers, whilst the other
half is free. But with respect to the front series of link rods, the whole of
them may be thrown out of gear with the cam levers; to this end the platform
lever n is so arranged, that when its platform is horizontal, neither of its bent
arms are in contact with the link rods. The intermediate height between the
barrel B and the highest part of the pins t admits of the lever n being placed
in this position whenever the front series of link rods f are required to be
thrown out of contact with the cam levers. The cam levers k are cast with a
secondary arm or catch piece k', by means of which the second or back series
of link rods are depressed; with this exception the arrangement and mode of
actuating the cam levers is in all respects similar to the modification shown in
Figures 1 and 2 on our Drawings.
By means of this duplex arrangement of the link rods, sixteen leaves of
heddles may be wrought in the sequential order required to produce the p
determined pattern.
pre-
Another mode of actuating the link rods of the leaves of heddles is shown
in Figures 6 and 7 on our Sheet of Drawings. In this arrangement, the
frame a, partially shown in the sectional view Figure 6, and the upper and

page_text: central guide plates c and d with their slots é, are similar to the corresponding
parts in Figures 1 and 2. The link rods are also arranged and constructed
in like manner, excepting that they have each a projecting piece at 9, against
which the studs on the modified arrangement of the platform lever n act. Tho
platform lever n oscillates upon a spindle carried in a pair of brackets, which
are cast on or bolted to the frame'a. The front end of the platform lever is a
rectangular plate, the breadth of which is equal to the longitudinal traverse of
the stud lever by which it is actuated. The back end of the lever n is formed
into a vertical segmental plate, the convex surface o of which faces the pro-
jections on the link rods. A series of studs or pins p are inserted in holes
in the segmental plate o; these studs or pins are so arranged as to act upon
the link rods in the order in which the leaves of hedilles are to be raised. In
the arrangement shown in Figures 6 and 7, the pins are adapted for operating
upon a series of twelve link rods, but the arrangement may be. varied accord-
ing to the number of leaves of heddles, to be wrought, that is to say, in this
instance, the link rods are arranged in series of three to each cam lover k, but
the links may be so arranged that four or more may be actuated by each cam
lever, the pins p being set in corresponding series in the segmental plate o.
In Figure 6 on our Drawing, the back end of the lever n is shown in its
highest position, the pins p being clear of the link rods f, the springs of
which are keeping the whole of them clear of the cam levers k, cousequently
the connected leaves of heddles are inoperative. Upon the lever n being
brought into a horizontal position, as indicated by the dotted lines, the centre
row of pius p³ will press back the centre rods f³ which are opposite to them,
and they will thus be brought within the range of the cam levers k. If the
platforin lever n is placed in a position intermediate to the full and the dotted
lines, the lowest row of pins p¹ will act upon the link rods f¹ opposite
thereto; so also, if the lever be correspondingly placed, but in the opposite
direction, namely, with its front end above the dotted lines, the upper row of
pins p³ are brought into action, and all their corresponding link rods f will
be pushed back. In this arrangement, three different heights of pins t in the
barrel Bare required to bring the several rows of pins p in contact with the
link rods f, and if the number of link rods be increased, the heights of the pins
must be varied in accordance therewith. It is obvious that this arrangement
for working the heddles combines great simplicity of mechanism, with the
power of working any number of leaves of heddles, required in practice.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, we may observe, in conclusion, that we do not confine or restrict

page_text: ourselves to the precise details or arrangements which we have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of our Invention; but what we
consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured
to us by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
First, the general arrangement and construction of machinery or apparatus
for actuating or raising the leaves of heddles during the operation of weaving,
as herein-before described.
Second, the system or mode of increasing the effective pattern or figure-
working range of looms of the classes or kinds herein-before referred to by
the combined action of the secondary lever and catch link rod arrangements,
and the connections of such link rods with the heddles, as herein-before
described.
Third, the system or mode of weaving in which the heddles are actuated or
raised by means of self-acting machinery used in conjunction with a pattern
barrel and its connected mechanism, as herein-before described.
Fourth, the system or mode of raising leaves of heddles in a sequential
order during the operation of weaving, by means of the mechanical arrange-
ments herein-before described.
Fifth, the system or mode of actuating or raising the heddles of weaving
machinery in which the connecting link rods are arranged in double or other
series, as shown in Figures 3 to 5 on our Drawings, and herein-before
described.
Sixth, the system or mode of actuating or raising any particular heddle leaf
or number of leaves of heddles, by means of the mechanical arrangement
shown in Figures 6 and 7 of our Drawings, and herein-before described.
Seventh, the system or mode of actuating or raising leaves of heddles by
means of pins inserted in a pattern barrel, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Clachan, on behalf of the said
Gavin Walker and of myself, have hereunto set my hand and seal,
this Thirteenth day of January, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
eight.
JAMES CLACHAN (L.S.)