Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Oct., 1887
Complete Left, 3rd May, 1888
Complete Accepted, 8th June, 1888
A communication from JAMES H. MCMULLAN, of Biddeford, Main, in the United
States of America.
I WILLIAM BODDEN of Hargreaves Works Oldham in the County of Lancaster
Spindle Maker do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the footsteps of that class of spindles (used in ring
spinning and doubling frames) which are carried in a single rail, and consists
principally in the combination with the bolster or spindle carrier which is fixed in
the rail of a removable footstep which is fitted with a spiral spring and is capable of
yielding in all directions so as to allow the spindle to centre itself, whereby much
power is saved, all jar is prevented, and the spindle is much steadier under high
velocities than heretofore.
The footstep is carried partly in the lower part of the bolster and partly in a loose
cap
which is screwed onto the lower end of the bolster.
The footstep is made with a collar or shoulder near the top which comes against
the lower end of the bolster and prevents the footstep from rising.
The footstep is kept up against the lower end of the bolster by means of a spiral
spring which acts between the lower side of the collar and a shoulder formed inside
the screwed cap.
The footstep is made a loose fit both in the screwed cap and in the bolster, and thus
a certain amount of lateral play is provided for, at the same time that the spiral spring
allows of its yielding also in a vertical direction.
in
The spindle is thus not held quite rigidly but is capable of yielding to a slight extent
any. direction.
GEORGE DAVIES,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester,
Agent for. the Applicant.

page_text: A communication from JAMES H. MCMULLAN, of Biddeford, Main, in the United
States of America.
I WILLIAM BODDEN of Hargreaves Works Oldham in the County of Lancaster
Spindle Maker do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner tho
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
The invention is illustrated on the accompanying drawings, in, which
Fig. 1. on Sheet 1 of the drawings is an elevation, partly in central vertical section,
of a single rail spinning spindle with the supports therefor.
Fig. 2. is an elevation of the spindle with a sleeve whirl attached thereto.
Fig. 3. is an elevation of that form of step support which I prefer to use.
Fig. 4. is a central sectional elevation of a spindle foot-step with a portion
of the spindle that is supported therein and Fig. 5 is a plan of the said footstep.
On Sheet 2 of the drawings Figs. 6. and 7. are elevations (partly in section) of
slight modifications of this invention hereinafter referred to.
Similar reference numbers refer to similar parts in all of the views.
In the drawings, 1. represents the bolster bearing support which is preferably
provided with the external collar 2, the nut 3, and the washer 4, the said nut
engaging with a screw thread upon the exterior of the said support. I prefer to
form an oil chamber 5 in the upper part of the collar 2 as shown, and to form an
oil conduit 6. through the side of the support 1, and communicating with the said
chamber.
Whenever it may be desired to do so a washer 18, may be placed encircling the
elevated part, 7, of the bolster bearing support, and covering the top of the oil-
chamber 5 in the usual manner.
At the base of the bolster or support. 1, is secured the footstep case S. in any
convenient manner, the construction which I prefer being shown at Fig. 3 in the
drawings. This preferred form of footstep case is provided with a sleeve 9. screw
threaded in its interior and which engages with a screw thread upon the surface
of the support 1.
-- The footstep case of this form is usually provided with flattened surfaces 10, which
are adapted to receive a wrench. Below the bottom of the threaded part-of-the-
sleeve 9. is the step well 11, in which the footstep 12 is supported. The said step-well
is preferably provided with an extension 22, smaller in diameter than the main well,
and which is used to support and guide the lower end of the footstep 12, while the
upper part of the well supports and guides the collar 19. upon the footstep 12. and
contains the open coiled spring 14 which surrounds the said lower end of the footstep,
although the said extension may sometimes be dispensed with, and the lower end of
the footstep be supported by the spring 14.

page_text: I prefer to make the footstep 12 as shown in the drawings, with the collar 19
surrounding it, and a little below the lower end of the bearing of the spindle in the
said footstep, although the construction thereof may in some cases be changed very
materially, it being understood that the footstep is not so made as to form a combined
step and bolster bearing. The cavity in the footstep 12, which supports the spindlo
is preferably made of the shape of the spindle and so large that the spindle fits loosely
therein, and provided with oil holes 13. leading from the space surrounding the step
to the said cavity in the interior thereof.
The diameter of the various parts of the footstep 12, including that of the collar 19.
are preferably such that the footstep may yield laterally in all directions to a slight
extent, without coming in contact with the sides of the step-well or central hole in
the bolster bearing support 1.
The weight of the footstep, as well as that of the spindle and its load supported
by the said footstep, is preferably borne by the open coiled metallic spring 14. one
end of which rests upon the bottom, or a shoulder in the side of the step well 11 and
the other end of which bears against the collar 19. upon the footstep 12. This
spring 14 is, when made as illustrated, preferably made longer than the space
which it occupies in the completed structure and is thus in a state of compression
when in its place in consequence of which the collar 19, is pressed with considerable
force against the lower end of the bolster bearing support 1.
In order that the sediment which forms within this structure when it is in operation
may pass into the step well 11, without difficulty, conduits 20 or their equivalents are
formed to allow the said sediment, to pass by the collar 19. These conduits may be
made in any convenient way, it only being necessary that the stepwell 11, and the
interior of the lower end of the bolster bearing support 1. should freely communicate
with each other, 1 prefer that the foot step 12. may yield laterally with equal freedom
in all directions, for which reason the lower end of the bolster bearing support 1. is
preferably made a plane surface, or, nearly so, as is also the upper surface of the
collar 19 for the same reason. I prefer to allow the footstep 12 in this device to be
free to rotate, retarded only by the friction which exists between it and the parts of
the structure with which it is in contact, in order that all parts of the interior of the
step may become equally worn when the device is operated.
In some cases however, if desired, the footstep 12. may be prevented from rotating
by means of the device represented at Fig. 6. Sheet 2 a hole being drilled through the
side of the step case 8, in which is inserted a pin 21, the inner end of which enters
the conduit 20 or a corresponding slot or opening made in the side of the collar 19, or
of the footstep for that purpose.
Or the same effect may be produced in the manner illustrated, by Fig. 7. the upper
end of the spring 14 being bent upwards and inserted in the conduit 20 (or its
equivalent) and the lower end coming against a pin 21. inserted through the
side of the step case 8.
This device will allow of a limited amount of rotation of the footstep the
coiled spring 14. having a tendency always to return the footstep to its original
position.
The step case 8 serves to hold the foot step 12 in such a position that the upper
side of the collar 19 rests against a fixed surface in connection with the bolster
bearing support 1.; any other construction of the parts whereby a pressure is brought
to hear against the lower end of the spring 14, and whereby the footstep 12 is held
firmly by the said spring upwardly against a fixed support may in some cases be
equivalently substituted for the said step case.
I do not desire to limit myself in all cases to the use of the exact form of spring
that is illustrated for supporting the footstep 12, since I am aware that other forms of
spring may sometimes be equivalently substituted therefor.
The lower part of the spindle 15 is preferably made of a small diameter and
terminating in a sharp point, although any other suitable construction of these
parts may be adopted at the will of the maker of the device, to meet any unusual
requirements.

page_text: When the lower end of the spindle is made of a small diameter as shown, the
spindle increases in diameter as the bolster bearing is approached from its lower end.
The bolster bearing is preferably cylindrical.
The spindle is preferably provided with a sleeve whirl, the plane of whose band
groove crosses the said bearing in its bolster. The fit of the spindle 15. in its bolster
bearing should be a rather loose one, in order that the blade, or upper unsupported
end of the spindle may be able to yield slightly to the force exerted thereon by an
unbalanced load.
The central hole in the bolster bearing support 1. is shown as a cylindrical one,
for the greater part of its extent, and slightly larger than the diameter of the spindle,
although I do not in all cases desire to limit myself to this exact construction. I prefer
to form near the upper part of the bolster bearing an oil retaining groove 17. to
prevent oil in considerable quantities from passing over the top of the bolster 1. when
the spindle is being used.
I have found that a spindle of the kind described runs very well indeed at the usual
speeds at which such spindles are operated, and that it is perfectly practicable to
remove the step case for the purpose of cleansing it and removing the sediment which
is intentionally allowed to settle therein below the lower end of the spindle, even when
the spindle is in operation and spinning yarn.
I prefer to make the fit of the lower end of the bolster bearing support 1. with the
shoulder of the step case with which it is usually in contact so perfect that the joint
between them may easily be made impervious to oil by screwing up the step case tightly,
although a soft metallic or other suitable washer may sometimes be advantageously
inserted at this joint as an equivalent for such perfect fit.
The much desired and so called gyrating capacity of the spindles is possessed by
this invention to a considerable degree on account of the looseness of the fit of the
spindle in the step and bolster bearings and of the freedom of the step to move laterally
to a slight extent in all directions.
When an elastic spring supports the step as herein described the spindle runs with
very little jar indeed at the highest desirable speeds.
The form of the lower end of the spindle insures that the bolster bearing is
properly lubricated when there is sufficient oil in the interior of the holster, the
oil being carried upward by the action upon it of centrifugal force. Another great
advantage of the spindle as illustrated is the cheapness of its construction and the
case with which all its parts are reached for the purposes of examination and
cleansing.
I do not desire to limit myself in the use of this invention in all cases to the
particular forms of the various parts of the structure which are herein illustrated,
since such forms of some of the parts may in some cases be much changed without
departing from the invention.
I am especially aware that it may in some cases be desirable to make the combined
bolster bearing and bolster bearing support in two or more pieces, and I do not
consider it to be a departure from my invention as hereinafter claimed to interpose a
washer or other similar bearing surface between the top of the collar 19. and the
bottom of the bolster bearing support 1. or otherwise in connection with the said support,
since the action of the various parts of the structure would not be substantially
_changed thereby.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is
First. A bolster bearing support provided with a bolster bearing and adapted to be
secured to a spindle rail combined with a footstep, a metallic spring, supporting the
said footstep, a step case containing the said spring and footstep, the said footstep
being free to move laterally in all directions within the said case, and a spindle with
its driving whirl, supported in said footstep and bolster bearing substantially as
described and for the purposes specified.

page_text: Secondly. A bolster bearing support with a bolster bearing formed integrally
therewith and adapted to be secured to the spindle rail combined with a step case at
the base of the said support, a footstep, a metallic spring supporting the said footstep,
and forcing it upwards against a fixed surface in connection with the said bolster
bearing support and with respect to which support, the said footstep is free to move
laterally in all directions, and a spindle provided with a driving whirl supported by
the said footstep and bolster bearing, substantially and described and for the purposes
specified.
Thirdly. A bolster bearing support with a bolster bearing formed integrally therewith
and adapted to be secured to a spindle rail, combined with a step case at the base of
the said support, a footstep and a metallic spring supporting the said footstep
supported in the said step case and a spindle provided with a driving whirl supported
in the said footstep and bolster bearing, substantially as described and for the purposes
specified.
Fourthly. A bolster bearing support provided with a bolster bearing and adapted
to be secured to a spindle rail and provided with a step supporting chamber at its
base a footstep and a spring holding the said footstep upwards against a fixed surface
in connection with the said bolster bearing support, and a spindle provided with a
driving whirl supported in the said footstep and bolster bearing substantially as
described and for the purposes specified.
Fifthly. The spinning device which consists of a bolster bearing support with a bolster
bearing formed integrally therewith, a detachable step case at the base of the said support,
a footstep and a spring within, the said step case, the said spring supporting the said foot-
step and, forcing it upwards against a fixed surface in connection with the said bolster
bearing support, the said footstep being free to move laterally in all directions and to
revolve or partially revolve with respect to the said step case and bolster bearing
support, and a spindle provided with sleeve whirl the plane of whose band groove
crosses the said bolster bearing substantially as described and for the purposes set
forth.
Sixthly. The spinning device which consists of a bolster bearing support with a
bolster bearing formed integrally therewith, a detachable step case at the base of the
said support, a footstep and a spring within the said step case, the said spring
supporting the said footstep and forcing it upwards against a fixed surface in
connection with the said bolster bearing support, the said footstep being free to move
laterally in all directions but not to revolve with respect to the said step case and
bolster bearing support, and a spindle provided with a sleeve whirl, the plane of whose
band groove crosses the said bolster bearing, substantially as described and for the
purposes set forth.
Seventhly. The combination of a step case adapted to be attached to and detached
from the base of a bolster bearing support, of a vertical spindle, with a footstep
supported therein and free to move laterally in all directions with respect thereto,
and to revolve or partially revolve substantially as described and for the purposes
specified.
Eighthly. The combination of a step case adapted to be attached to and detached
from the base of a bolster bearing support of a vertical spindle with a footstep
supported therein and free to move laterally in all directions with respect thereto,
but not to revolve or partially revolve therein substantially as described and for the
purposes specified.
GEORGE DAVIES,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester,
Agent for Applicant.