IMPROVEMENTS IN WEAVING
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Hadden Young, of 66, College Street,
Camden Town, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WEAVING."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Hadden
Young at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 5th November 1852.
I, JAMES HADDEN YOUNG, of 66, College Street, Camden Town,
in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WEAVING" to be as follows:-
The subject matter of my Invention is the weaving of fabrics of
linen, cotton, silk, or any other suitable material, in a circular loom.
For this purpose I erect a perpendicular shaft, to revolve in itself, in
the centre of a circle of suitable dimensions. Around this circle I arrange
warp threads parallel to said shaft, the warp being held in a framing
to be described more particularly hereafter. At right angles from the
shaft four or more arms will radiate; at the extremity of each arm
there will be a magnet of the necessary power (either a permanent
magnet or a bar of soft iron, in connection with a galvanic battery);
also various inclined planes, arranged tangentially to the circle described

page_text: by the arms. (See Note A.) The warp threads being held at the top of
the framing will pass through harness, then through a comb or "lame,"
which said comb will be fixed, instead of being moveable, as in the
common loom, serving to separate the warp threads. Immediately
underneath this comb will be a second comb, whose teeth, instead of
extending across as in the first, will be cut in the middle; the teeth of
the external part radiating inwardly, those of the internal part radiating
outwardly. Resting on and between these two lower combs I intend
to cause a shuttle to travel, as on a race, connected to one of the arms
of the shaft by means of the magnetic attraction, or as described in 1
Note A, the warp threads preventing any other connection. Beneath
this arrangement I place two combs, one above the other, and as close
as possible, their teeth radiating from the inner circle outwardly; and
immediately beneath them the woven material will commence.
The action of the mechanism will be as follows:-
1. The shaft rotating with its arms will cause the shuttle, by means
of the magnet or otherwise, as described in note A, to move round
between the inner and outer warp threads, laying the weft down on the
comb the lowest but one.
2. An inclined plane will cause this comb to move inwardly along a
radius of the circle, and thus allow the weft to fall on the lowest comb.
3. An inclined plane will then cause this comb to return to its place,
and the weft will thus be between the two combs.
4. An inclined plane will move the lowest comb inwardly, and thus
allow the weft to fall on the woven material.
5. The lowest comb will be pushed in its original position, and will
at the same time be slightly depressed so as to beat up the weft.
Remark, that the reason I use two combs in this place is, that I think
it requisite so to steady the warp that the teeth of the comb, in return-
ing, may not catch in the thread.
6. An inclined plane acting on the harness and its connection will
cause the warp threads to change sides and cross over the weft laid
down.
It will be observed that I always speak of combs having a motion
inwardly, in the direction of the radius described by the arms of the
ง

page_text: shaft. Now I propose, that unless I should prefer making the teeth
of these combs moveable, to divide these combs into sections of one,
two, or more inches, the alternate sections lying in different planes, so
that they may not interfere with each other in moving inwardly; and,
if found necessary, two or more teeth of the extremities of the lower
comb will work between the same warp threads as the extreme teeth
of the upper threads, so as to prevent the possibility of any. break
or line disfiguring the woven material.
I propose, instead of using ordinary harness, to use fine steel needles
with eyes, and these may be moved individually or in sections.
To speak more particularly of the arrangement of the warp threads,
I propose that it should be wound from warp, beams placed tangen-
tially outside the framing, on the ground, and the threads carried up
to the top of the loom over pins, and there, if necessary, held between
a clip.
As the woven material will envelope the machine like à cylinder,
the ordinary arrangement of taking up will be impossible, and this will
be effected as follows:-I place a hoop outside, and another inside, the
cloth; the inside one being convexly, the outer concavely, to the cloth.
They will be so placed that on the inner one being pressed down by
an inclined plane (which inner one may be armed with very short fine
teeth which will catch in the outer hoop, or both hoops may be covered
with caoutchouc or other elastic material,) on the arm, it will squeeze
the cloth up against the outer hoop, and carry it and the cloth down the
necessary distance, and on being relieved rise and relieve the cloth,
which at the same time will be held in its place by another similar
hoop pressing forward, so as to prevent its shifting..
In some cases it may be found convenient to dispense with the cir-
cular arrangement of the warp thread. In this 3 case, the arms radiating
from the shaft would be made to follow an eccentric line by constructing
them with a telescopic slide movement, and the warps would. be ar-
ranged in suitable breadths tangentially to the circle described by the
arms of the shaft.
There would be an interval between each breadth of warp. The
motion of the mechanism would be the same, only I should be able to
roll the warp off a beam, and the cloth on a beam, as at present.

page_text: The interval between cach breadth, not being filled by warp thread,
would cause a waste of weft; to obviate this I affix a pair of clippers
so constructed as to divide the weft on its issuing from a breadth, and,
carrying on the end to the next breadth, there relcase it.
Under this arrangement I propose in some cases to propel the
shuttle by a blow, as at present; the other arrangements remaining the
same.
I propose a self-acting arrangement for supplying shuttles, so that
the loom need not be stopped when the shuttles are empty; this, of
course, will only be possible when it is not intended to make a cylin-
drical web.
Finally, my improvements may be considered to be,-
1st. The circular and continuous motion of the shuttle in one
direction, and of the other mechanisms, by which the thread is exposed
to less sudden shocks.
2nd. The crossing of the warp threads, and the laying down and
beating down of the weft, can be all carried on simultaneously, instead
of each operation alternating as at present.
3rd. The connection of the shuttle by means of magnetic action, or
by friction rollers.
4th. The prevention of the wear of the warp which it is exposed to
in the ordinary loom, by the long distance the comb or slay has to
travel.
Note A. Instead of the magnet, I propose that the arm shall be pro-
longed, so as to extend underneath the circular framing (in which case
the framing must be so constructed as to be suspended from the ceiling,
or from a framework, or otherwise there would be obstructions to the
rotation of the arm, or a connection by gearing passing between the
supports of framing may be made). On this arm, then, I raisc two per-
pendiculars, one inside and the other outside of the circle, bearing each
a small roller covered with some elastic material; these two rollers will
hold between them a traveller in connection with the shuttle. This travel-
ler will be an acute-angled ellipse, and the rollers will press against the
narrowest point, and push it forward, and consequently the shuttle also.
It will be observed that the rollers will press against the warp threads
whilst pushing the traveller, which necessarily must move between these

page_text: threads; but the elasticity of the threads will form no impediment to
the progress of the rollers, which will rotate in a direction contrary
to their course, in order to diminish friction. This friction may, if
necessary, be further diminished by making the traveller a rolling
disc.
There are other means of effecting the same object, that of pro-
pelling the shuttle; viz., small rollers might be placed all round the
frame, kept in rotation by a band, and made to press against cach
other and propel the shuttle in its course at appropriate intervals,
regulated by the arms of the shaft.
I wish it to be understood that I claim, generally, the propelling
the shuttle constantly or continuously in a circular direction by a mag-
netic or a mechanical means.
Note B. Instead of a magnet, I also propose to form the race
already described of soft iron points, having copper wire insulated
wound round part of their length; then, if the arm carries with it the
two poles of a galvanic battery, such section of points would become
magnetic in succession, and draw the shuttle round the circle.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said James Hadden Young in the Great Seal Patent
Office, on the 5th May 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JAMES HADDEN YOUNG, of 66, College Street, Camden Town, in the
County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the six-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said James Hadden Young, Her special
licence that I, the said James Hadden Young, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said James Hadden
Young, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter

page_text: 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 WEAVING," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said James Hadden Young, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, 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 I, the said James Hadden Young, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement thereof (that is to say):
The subject matter of my Invention is the weaving of fabrics of linen,
cotton, silk, or any other suitable material, in a circular loom. For
this purpose, I erect a perpendicular shaft, to revolve on itself, in the
centre of a circle of suitable dimensions. Around this circle I arrange
warp threads parallel to said shaft, the warp being held in a framing
to be described more particularly hereafter. At right angles from the
shaft four or more arms will radiate. At the extremity of each arm
there will be a magnet of the necessary power, (either a permanent
magnet, or a bar of soft iron, in connection with a galvanic battery,)
also various inclined planes, arranged tangentially to the circle des-
cribed by the arms. (See Note A). The warp threads being held at the
top of the framing, will pass through harness, then through a comb or
"lame," which said comb will be fixed instead of being moveable, as in
the common loom, serving to separate the warp threads. Immediately
underneath this comb will be a second comb, whose teeth, instead of
extending across, as in the first, will be cut in the middle; the teeth of
the external part radiating inwardly, those of the internal radiating
outwardly. Resting on and between these two lower combs, I intend
to cause a shuttle to travel, as on a race, connected to one of the arms
of the shaft by means of the magnetic attraction, or as described in
Note A, the warp threads preventing any other connection. Beneath

page_text: this arrangement, I place. two combs, one above the other, and as close
as possible, their teeth radiating from the inner circle outwardly, and
immediately beneath them the woven material will commence.
.
The action of the mechanism will be as follows:-
First, The shaft rotating with its arms, will cause the shuttle, by
means of the magnet or otherwise, as described in Note A, to move
round between the inner and outer warp threads, laying the weft down
on the comb the lowest but one.
Second, an inclined plane will cause this comb to move inwardly
along a radius of the circle, and thus allow the weft to fall on the
lowest comb.
Third, an inclined plane will then cause this comb to return to its
place, and the weft will thus, be between the two combs.
Fourth, an inclined plane will move the lowest comb inwardly, and
thus allow the weft to fall on the woven material..
Fifth, the lowest comb will be pushed in its original position, and
will at the same time be slightly depressed, so as to beat up the weft.
Remark, that the reason I use two combs in this place is, that I
think it requisite so as to steady the warp, that the teeth of the comb
in returning may not catch-in the thread.
Sixth, an inclined plane, acting on the harness and its connection,
will cause the warp of threads to change sides and cross over the weft
laid down.
It will be observed that I always speak of combs having a motion
inwardly, in the direction of the radius, described by the arms of the
shaft. Now I propose, that unless I should prefer making the teeth of
these combs moveable, to divide these combs into sections of one, two,
or more inches, the alternate sections lying in different planes, so that
that they may not interfere with each other in moving inwardly; and if
found necessary, two or more teeth of the extremities of the lower comb
will work between the same warp threads, as the extreme teeth of the
upper threads, so as to prevent the possibility of any break or line dis-
figuring the woven material.
..I propose, instead of using ordinary harness, to use fine steel needles
with eyes, and these may be moved individually or in sections.
:

page_text: To speak more particularly of the arrangement of the warp threads,
I propose that it should be wound from warp beams, placed tan-
gentially outside the framing on the ground, and the threads carried up
to the top of the loom over pins, and there, if necessary, held between a
clip. As the woven material will envelope the machine like a cylinder,
the ordinary arrangement of taking up will be impossible; and this will
be effected as follows:-I place a hoop outside and another inside the
cloth, the inside one being convexly, the other concavely, to the cloth.
They will be so placed, that on the inner one being pressed down by an
inclined plane (which inner one may be arnied with very short fine
teeth which will catch in the outer hoop, or both hoops may be covered
with caoutchouc or other elastic material,) on the arm, it will squeeze the
cloth up against the outer hoop, and carry it and the cloth down the
necessary distance, and on being relieved, rise and relieve the cloth
(which at the same time will be held in its place by another similar
hoop pressing forward so as to prevent its shifting).
In some cases, it may be found convenient to dispense with the
circular arrangement of the warp thread. In this case, the arms
radiating from the shaft would be made to follow an excentric line, by
constructing them with a telescopic slide movement, and the warps
would be arranged in suitable breadths, tangentially to the circle
described by the arms of the shaft. There would be an interval
between each breadth of warp. The motion of mechanism would be
the same, only I should be able to roll the warp off a beam, and the
cloth on a beam, as at present. The interval between each breadth not
being filled by warp thread would cause a waste of weft; to obviate
this, I affix a pair of clippers, so constructed as to divide the weft on its
issuing from a breadth, and, carrying on the end to the next breadth,
there release it. Under this arrangement I propose, in some cases, to
propel the shuttle by a blow as at present, the other arrangements
remaining the same.
I propose a self-acting arrangement for supplying shuttles, so that
the loom need not be stopped when the shuttles are empty; this of
course will only be possible when it is not intended to make a cylin-
drical web.

page_text: Finally, my improvements may be considered to be-
First, the circular and continuous motion of the shuttle in one
direction, and of the other mechanisms, by which the thread is exposed
to less sudden shocks.
Second, the crossing of the warp threads, and the laying down and
beating down of the weft, can be all carried on simultaneously, instead
of each operating alternately as at present.
Third, the connection of the shuttle by means of magnetic action, or
by friction rollers.
Fourth, the prevention of the wear of the warp, which it is exposed
to in the ordinary loom by the long distance the comb or slay has to
travel.
Note A. Instead of the magnet, I propose that the arm shall be pro-
longed so as to extend underneath the circular framing (in which case
the framing must be so constructed as to be suspended from the ceiling
or from a framework, or otherwise there would be obstructions to the
rotation of the arm, or a connection by gearing passing between the
supports of framing may be made). On this arm then I raise two per-
pendiculars, one inside and the other outside of the circle, bearing cach
a small roller covered with some elastic material. These two rollers will
hold between them a traveller in connection with the shuttle; this
traveller will be an acute-angled ellipse, and the rollers will press
against the narrowest point, and push it forward, and consequently the
shuttle also. It will be observed that the rollers will press against the
warp threads whilst pushing the traveller, which necessarily must move
between these threads; but the clasticity of the threads will form no
impediment to the progress of the rollers, which will rotate in a direc-
tion contrary to their course, in order to diminish friction. This
friction may, if necessary, be further diminished by making the traveller
or rolling disc.
There are other means of effecting the same object, that of propelling
the shuttle, viz., small rollers might be placed all round the frame,
kept in rotation by a band, and made to press against each other, and
propel the shuttle in its course, at appropriate intervals regulated by the
arms of the shaft. I wish it to be understood, that I claim generally

page_text: And in order that my Invention may be more fully understood, and
readily carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the means pursued
by me.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1, represents a vertical section of part of a circular loom, and
Figure 2, a plan of the same (at the line A, B). a, is an upright shaft
or axis supported in bearings at b, b, as shewn. c, is a drum on the
shaft a, for the purpose of giving motion to it by means of a band or
strap from a steam engine or other motive power. d, is a boss, to which
are attached armis 9 and h, carrying the inclined planes or cam sur-
faces e and f, shewn at Figure 2. d', is a warp beam, round which the
warp is wound, supported in bearings on the beam e'. (I may here
remark that I have several of such warp beams placed round the
machine, as many as may be found convenient, although I have only
considered it necessary to shew one in the Drawing. f', is a warp f thread
passing over the support g', and pressed down to keep it in position by
the bar h', to which a weight i", is attached. f, are the warp threads,
in which a shed is formed by the threads passing through cyes in the
sliding headles j', and '. g, is a pin serving to separate the warp
threads. 1, 1, are the dents of the comb-see Figure 3-serving to
separate the warp threads; and m' and n', are small points, on which a
slide o', supporting the shuttle q', runs. i, is a boss, to which is attached
an arm j, supporting a magnet 7. Either a permanent magnet, or a bar
of soft iron rendered magnetic by its connection with a galvanic battery,
may be used, to which I make no claim, as it has been before proposed
to actuate shuttles by magnetic attraction. The arm k, supports the
magnet m, but I have not thought it necessary to show its appurten

page_text: ances, as it would be merely repeating what is shewn on. opposite side.
The magnet l, is shown in connection with the small iron or steel roller n.
By the means of its attractive power, the warp between them preventing
direct contact, the roller n works on its axis o, and p. To the roller n,
is attached. a shuttle q', having a bobbin r, on which the weft is wound,
and which weft is shewn as passing through an eye in the guide t.
Figures 4, 5, and 6, are separate views of the shuttle and connections.
Figure 4, is an end view of the shuttle and section of its support from.
the comb. Figure 5, is a view taken from the outer circumference,
and Figure 6, a plan. u, and v, are small blades serving to separate
the warp threads; the lower blade v, also serving to press down the weft
by means of the incline formed on its under side. Figure 7, is a
sectional plan at the line C, D. a³, is an arm attached to the boss i,
(see Figure 1). ³, another arm bearing inclined plane c³, and d³.
w, shows the portion of the woven material. x, is a sharp blade to cut
the web into breadths as it is drawn down. y, is a bevelled wheel keyed
on the shaft a, working in gear with another bevil wheel z, communi-
cating motion to the shaft a', on which is cut a spiral screw, working in
gear with the wheel b', which it causes to revolve and wind up the
woven material w, round a drum or work roller c.
I will now proceed to describe the working of the apparatus. Motion
being given to the shaft a, by means of a strap or band on the drum c,
the parts connected with it will be caused to revolve in the order they
are required to act. The magnet 7, by its attractive power acts on the
roller n, and causes the shuttle to travel between the divided warp threads
forming the shed, and thus unwind the weft (the end having been first
secured), laying it down on the small blades u. The inclined plane c³,
draws out the blades u, in succession; the inclined plane d³, pushes the
blades u, into their former position. The weft will, during these two
motons, have fallen on the blades v. The inclined plane q, draws out the
blades v. The inclined plane r', pushes in the blades v, into their former
position. During this movement the weft will have fallen on the woven
material w, and the weft thread will have been pressed down by the suc-
cessive action of the inclined surfaces on the blades. The inclined plane e,
draws in the headles; and the succeeding inclined plane f, pushes them

page_text: out, and thus causes the warp to cross over the weft. As c, and f, are
above each other, they may perform the operation simultaneously.
Whilst these movements have been going on, the rotation of the shaft
will, by means of the intermediate gear, have wound up the woven
material a distance regulated by the respective diameters of the wheels.
I have only described the motion of one of the shuttles and necessary
appurtenances, but it will be readily understood that any number may
move in succession according to the distances it may be found con-
venient to place them from each other, or as it may be found convenient
to regulate the incline of the various inclined planes. When it is
desirable to obtain a cylinder of the woven material, instead of cutting
it into breadths, I adopt the following arrangements to give motion to
the parts as shown. Figure 8, shows so much of the apparatus as will
enable me to describe this part of my Invention. A, is a fixed sup-
port; B, is a drum revolving on the support A, to which motion is
given by a band or strap. To this drum B, is secured an arm C, to which
is attached a toothed wheel D, taking into the teeth of the pinion E,
(supported by the bracket F, fixed to the beam G). This pinion E, is
keyed on the shaft II, at the end of which there is another pinion I,
taking into the teeth of the wheel K, which has its bearings on the sup-
port A. To the wheel K, is affixed the arm L, and wheel M, which works
into the teeth of the pinion N, which is keyed on the shaft O, and causes
it to revolve. It will be readily perceived that this arrangement can be
repeated to give motion to the various rotating parts of the machine,
whilst I can get all the bearings necessary for the support of the fixed
parts in the interior of the web, instead of being forced to cut it into
breadths by a connection with the exterior. Figure 9, represents the
method of taking down the cloth in a cylindrical form.
a, is a shaft
supported in bearings b, to which the drum c, is affixed, as before
described. a, is an arm carrying a roller 6, pressing on a ring c²,
resting on a conical projection d', on the shaft a. e, is a ring supported
by the cord, passing over a pulley g, supported by the pillar ; and
at the other end is a weight h; (similar pillars will be placed at intervals
round the machine. u, is the woven fabric.

page_text: The mode of working will be as follows:-
On the rotation of the arm a', the roller &, will press on the edge of
the ring &, and the web will thus be pressed against the exterior ring &³,
and depress the rings, with the woven material between them, the
distance necessary for taking down the cloth.
In this arrangement an inclined plane must be affixed to the central
shaft for tilting up the outer end of the small blade v, which will be
made to rise every succeeding incline plane, doing so rather less until the
circuit is completed, and the first shuttle goes over the same part again.
Figure 10, shows an arm A', bearing rollers B', and C', which push
against and push forward the shuttle D'.
I do not propose to confine myself to the precise arrangement herein
shown, so long as the peculiar character of my Invention be retained.
Thus, it may be convenient to have several headles or instruments to
divide the warps, instead of only two, as shown, and in different planes.
Again, it may be found convenient to make use of the ordinary thread
harness, which may be easily effected by connecting the opposite headles,
so that a pull on one will cause the warp threads to interchange posi-
tions, as is well known in the ordinary loom arrangements.
JAMES H. YOUNG. (L.S.)
Witness, JAMES G. JONES.