IMPROVEMENTS IN WARPING YARNS OR THREADS, AND IN THE MACHINERY OB APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to David Clark, of Paisley, in the County of
Renfrew, North Britain, Mill Manager, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN WARPING YARNS OR THREADS, AND IN THE MACHINERY
OB APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
Sealed the 21st March 1876, and dated the 23rd September 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said David Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
23rd September 1875.
•
I, DAVID CLARK, of Paisley, in the County of Renfrew, North
Britain, Mill Manager, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WARPING YARNS OR THREADS, AND IN THE
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOB," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists generally in a new or improved simple and
direct mode of and means or machinery for warping the spun or double
yarn or thread from the usual bobbins into a prepared "chain" at once,
ready for being subsequently bleached, dyed, dressed, polished, or
treated in any of the usual ways adopted with warp for looms or thread

page_text: for sewing or other purposes, or otherwise wound on to the usual beams
ready for being dressed or woven from these, all otherwise as usual;
and which improvements besides producing a better and more uniformly
stretched and prepared "chain" or beam of warp saves much time and
labour in the operation.
And the nature and novelty of the Invention consist in the new or
improved construction and arrangement of the mechanism and mode of
working the same, and treating the yarn or thread therein, all as
follows:-
"
The full bobbins of yarn or thread prepared in the usual manner are
placed in a "bank," in sufficient number of "ends or threads to form
the full warp or "chain" required, as from 360 to 500 ends or bobbins,
each set in an improved manner on a stationary vertical spindle, and all
fixed as close in eight or more long longitudinal rails over each other as
will allow the bobbins to turn freely in the frame or bank, angled so as
to lic sufficiently forward at the top and towards the front or converging
line of the thread to the drawing off mechanism, as to come within an
ordinary length of separating reed or "heck" with a thread in cach
split (and of an improved construction for inserting the "lees" to be
herein-after described), and with such a small or acute angle on the
whole as to have little or no lateral strain on the thread from cach
bobbin, and leave the threads sufficiently apart not to rub on each other
or get crossed or entangled in converging to the reed; and with a nearly
uniform tension on each by letting the lower end of its bobbin rest on a
stationary washer of flannel or india-rubber (or other cloth or soft
material), on the rail at the neck of each spindle, the size or rough
holding power of which would regulate the friction on the end of the
bobbin and consequent tension on the thread, and so ensure their
uniform tightness. Thus the yarns or threads converging in a very acute
angle from the "bank," increasing to little more than 30° at the near or
front end are all brought forward over and under a small under and
upper roller respectively, slightly in front of cach other and behind the
reed, both rollers being made of brass or other metal to give stiffness
and weight, all so as to bring the angular threads at this point into a
horizontal line or plane forward through the recd, which as well as the
rollers is carried in a stiff frame projecting up 3 feet or so from the floor,
about mid-distance between the front end of the bank of bobbins, and
the new or improved construction of warp drawing and delivery frame

page_text: or machine proper, which, consists as follows:-That is, having a short
or narrow condensing or dividing reed, to which the whole set of threads
converge and are passed through with from 5 to 10 threads in each, split
in a narrow band over a small tin or other roller which measures it and
conducts it round the under side of a large drum or roller, and below
and over a smaller heavy roller resting on the large roller and warp, so
as to flatten and pull it forward over the measuring roller, and conduct
or lead it over a smooth, edged, hollow curved, wooden, or other bar,
which contracts or condenses the warp and leads it through between a
second or corresponding set of pressing and drawing rollers, which
deliver the whole in a very regularly prepared plain warp or chain at
this front end of the machine (at once without any previous beaming)
where the attendant stands, and besides controlling the action of the
machine with his foot may by hand, loop, or "chain warp the whole in
an ordinary manner into a bag or basket below; or otherwise the machine
may deliver the plain warp chain into these, or cams made to revolve
and receive it automatically, as the cams do the "slivers" in cotton
preparing machines..
The said pressing, drawing, and delivery drums and rollers of this
machine, are preferably covered with woollen or other cloth, and are
carried and revolve in bush bearings in the side cheeks of a portable
frame at about the same height as the reeds,, convenient for the
attendant to stand or sit and receive the delivered warp or chain with
full power to overlook the whole of the converging threads, so that he
can stop the rollers by one foot on a spring stopping or starting treadle
and belt fork lever the instant he sees a broken end or entangled
thread.
.
rs.
The fast and loose pulleys on to which the forked lever shifts the
belt to stop or start the machine are mounted on the spindle of the
large delivery drum which drives the other front one through geared spur
wheels of equal size keyed on their spindles, the other rollers only
requiring to be driven by the action of the warp on their surface.
While the small back roller measures the cloth by a small screw on its
spindle working into the screw wheel of a speed counter- or surface
measurer, proportionate to the circumference of the roller with dial and
index wheel which shows the number of yards of warp run through the
delivery machine, and which enables the attendant to stop the machine
and double shed the yarn and put in the lees thread at every 500 yards,

page_text: or other distance to remove twists from the threads as well as lessen tho
chance of twisting, all in a more simple and expeditious manner by the
said improved reed, which has an inch or so of each alternate split filled
up solid at the opposite upper and lower edge of the splits or recd, so
that the mere raising of the reed lifts one-half of the yarns and leaves
the other half down, thus making the first shed for the first shot or end
of the "lees," thread being passed through when the reed is then pushed
down to reverse the shed, and pass the second shot or end of the "lees"
through it, and the reed being mounted in guides at each end of its
carrying frame, it may be quickly raised or lowered by hand or through
an automatic lever, and a rod or other equivalent carried to a treadle at
the front of the machine, without the attendant requiring to go to the
reed.
When the warp, instead of being delivered in a chain at once as
described, is desired to be delivered or wound on to beams ready for the
weaving or dressing machines or other treatment on or from the beam,
this may also be done in this improved machine by placing the ordinary
beaming machine in front of the "lees" reed frame, and leading the
warp in its spread form from that reed over guide rollers on to the
beam, actuated by the ordinary carrying and driving drum and fast and
loose pulleys with controlling fork hand bar or lever.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said David Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 23rd March 1876.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, DAVID
CLARK, of Paisley, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain, Mill
Manager, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
thirty-ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said David Clark, Her special licence,
that I, the said David Clark, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said David Clark, my executors,

page_text: administrators, and assigns, should at any 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
WARPING YARNS' OR THREADS, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED
THEREFOR," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said David
Clark, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly 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 David Clark, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement in writing, reference being had to the accom-1
panying Sheet of Drawings, and to the reference letters and numerals
marked thereon, that is to say :—
68
"
My said Invention consists generally in a new or improved simple and .
direct mode of and means or machinery for warping the spun or doubled
yarn or thread from the usual bobbins into a prepared “chain or
warp" at once, ready for being subsequently bleached, dyed, dressed,
polished, or treated in any of the usual ways adopted with warps for
looms or for thread for sewing or other purposes, or it might be warped
or wound on to the usual warp beams direct from the improved bank of
bobbins ready for being dressed or woven from these beams all sub-
sequently and otherwise as usual, and which Invention or improvements
besides producing a better and more uniformly stretched and prépared
“chain” or beam of warp, saves much time and labour in the
operation.
The nature and novelty of the Invention consist in the partially new
or improved construction and arrangement of the warping mechanism
and mode of working the same, and treating the yarn or thread therein,
all as follows :—
1
1

page_text: said Invention may be properly understood I will now proceed to describo
the several Figures on the Sheet of Drawings, which I have hereunto
appended for the purpose of showing the best modes and means or
mechanism I am at present aware of for putting the Invention into
effect or practice, the same reference letters and numerals indicating tho
same parts in all the Figures where shown.
Figures 1 and 2 are respectively a longitudinal side elevation and plan
of a warping machine or mechanism 1, 2, 3, constructed in accordance
with and illustrative of one modification of my said Invention for
producing the warp in a most regular, uniform, compact, finished chain
a, a¹, at once from the bobbins of thread or yarn a, b, of my new or
improved construction of bank 1 at the front or delivery end 2' of the
"chain" drawing, pressing, condensing, and delivery machine 2,
without tho first beaming of the samo as is most usual.
Referring to these Figures 1 and 2 (which show a back view of only
the front end part of the new or improved bank 1 of the bobbins of
thread or yarn a, b, for want of space on the Sheet of Drawings) the
full bobbins 6 of yarn or thread a prepared or spun and wound in the
usual manner are placed in a "bank" at 1 in sufficient number of ends
or threads a to form the full warp or "chain" required as from 360 to
500 ends or bobbins, cach set in an improved manner on a stationary
vertical spindle b' as close as will allow freedom for the bobbins & to turn
clear of cach other in six or other suitable number of longitudinal rails A,
each secured step ways over the other in the strong end and intermediate
frames A', which are fixed by broad flanges A" or otherwise to the floor,
and sufficiently forward or in advance of each other towards the top as
to allow of the bobbins 6 of cach lower row being easily removed and
new ones inserted on the spindle b clear of the bobbins and rail A above,
and sufficiently angled outwards at the back A' as well as over the
top and towards the front or converging line A™ of threads a, a, a,
towards the drawing off mechanism 2 as to come within an ordinary
length of dividing or separating reed B placed at 3, intermediately
between that machine and the bank 1, and having each thread a passed
through a separato split B', B" of the reed B, which is of an improved
construction or arrangement for facilitating the insertion of the "lecs
rods, as will herein-after be described. The greatest angle on the con-
verging threads is so small or acute both vertically and laterally by this
arrangement of the bank 1 and bobbins 6 as to have little or no
"2

page_text: preceptiblo lateral strain. on the thread, and yet leave the bobbin threads
sufficiently apart not to rub on each other or get crossed or entangled
in converging to the reed B, and all with a nearly uniform tension on
cach by merely letting the lower end of each bobbin rest on a stationary
washer of paper, flannel, india-rubber, or other suitable cloth or soft
material, on the rails A at the neck of each spindle 6', and the size or
rough holding power of these washers would regulate the friction on
the end of the bobbin, and consequently the tension and uniform
tightness of each thread as desired, the weight of each bobbin getting
lighter much in the same proportion as the leverage or pulling radii get
smaller, thus maintaining nearly the same uniform tightness or tension
to the last. The threads or yarns a can thus all converged from the
"bank" 1 within an angle of little more than 30° at the near or front
end towards the reeds B, H, and are all first brought forward over
and under the small lower and upper roller C, O', respectively, the
latter slightly in front of the former and carried to revolve loosely in
bearings on the sides of the frame 3, D, D, behind the reed B, both
rollers being preferably made of brass or other metal to give stiffness
and weight to the upper one, all so as to bring the angular threads a
at this point into a horizontal line or plane forward through the middle
of the reed B, which is carried on the parallel rods or frame E, E,
sliding and actuated as will be herein-after described in the guides e, e,
in the front of the standards D of the same stiff frame 3 carrying the
rollers C, O', and projecting up from three to four feet or so from the
floor at 3, about mid-distance between the front end A" of the bank of
bobbins 1 and the new or improved construction of warp drawing and
delivery frame or machine 2. But for want of room on the Sheet of
Drawings the bank of bobbins and reed frame 3 are shown much nearer
the drawing delivery machine 2 than they are in reality when working,
which shows the angle of the threads proportionally more obtuse.
The improved warp drawing, pressing, and delivery machine 2 proper is
formed of two main side frames I, I, secured together by transverse stays
or ends at I³, and secured to the floor so as to carry the journal bearings
of a near guiding and measuring roller J, and drawing drums K; K', and
having pressing rollers L, L, resting with their weight on these so as to
prèss and draw the warp in a band or cliain a' between them, the two
drums being geared together so as to revolvo at the same surface speed
by the spur wheels K", K³, of equal size on their 'spindles at one side of

page_text: the frame I, I, the whole being actuated through the fast and loose
pulleys K", K', mounted on the spindle of the front or delivery
drum K', and by a driving belt K' passed over these from a pulley on
any adjacent prime moving shaft, the belt being controlled by tho
fork N, keyed on the spindle N', carried in the long stud brackets N",
actuated by the treadle lever Nº in front and the foot of the attendant,
so as to start the machine by pressing the belt on to the fast pulley K",
while the lever and spiral or other spring N³ shifts the belt on to the
slack pulley K³ whenever the treadle N is set free by the removal of
the foot.
The roller J has a small screw or worm j on its spindle, which turns
a small worm wheel j' on the first motion spindle of a measuring
counter and index j", carried on a bracket projecting from one of the
side frames I, all so as by different indexes and pointers on the dial, and
corresponding reducing speed wheels inside, to indicate units, tens, and
hundreds of yards, so that the attendant can stop the machine when
any desired number of yards has run through it, and mark it by the
insertion of a "lees" thread or otherwise.
A short or narrow condensing dividing reed H is carried on the top of
the platform H' at the back of tho side frames I, and the whole set of
threads a from the bobbins and reed B converge and pass through the
narrow reed H, with from five to ten threads in each split, the whole
now forming a narrow band of threads passed over the first small
hollow thin metallic or other guide roller J, which as it revolves by the
action of the band or chain of yarn measures it and conducts it round
the under side and up in front and top of the first large drum or
roller K, below and over a new smaller heavy metal or other roller L,
resting on the large roller K, and warp pressed and drawn between
them so as to flatten and pull it forward over the measuring roller J,
and conduct or lead it over a new smooth-edged hollow-curved wooden
or other bar M, shown in side view detached in Figure M2, which
contracts or condenses the warp a¹, and leads it through between a
second or corresponding set of drawing and pressing drum and new
heavy roller K' and L', which draw and deliver the whole in a very
regularly prepared compact plain warp or chain a' at this front end 2¹
of the machine (at once without any previous beaming) where the
attendant stands to watch and control its proper action and that of the
delivery of the finished warp; thus whilo with his foot, as before stated,

page_text: "
on the treadle lever N' he keeps the belt K' on the fast pulley and the
machine in motion, he has his two hands free, with which he loops up
the warp "hand over hand as it is delivered in front in the chain form
in an ordinary manner into a bag, basket, or other receptacle at 2¹
below; or otherwise, when desired, the machine may deliver the plain
warp chain into these without looping, or into cans made to revolve and
receive it automatically, as the cans do, the "slivers” in cotton pre-
paring machines.
The said improved pressing, drawing, and delivery drums and rollers
of this machine are preferably covered with woolen or other cloth for
softness and griping effect, and are carried and revolve (as indicated by
the arrows in Figure 1) in bush bearings in or attached to the side
cheeks I, I, of a portable frame, nearly the same height as the reeds B
and H, convenient for the attendant to stand or sit and receive the
delivered warp or chain at 2' in front, with full power to overlook the
whole of the converging threads a and chain a¹, so that he can stop
the rollers by one foot and the spring stopping and starting treadle and
belt fork lever arrangement N, N³, N³, N', as before stated, the instant he
sees a broken end or entangled thread, so that the defect may be at once
corrected, and also stop the machine when he has run or measured off
the proper length of yarn or warp through it, and which he sees
registered on the dial of the measuring indicator ", so as to double
shed the yarn and insert the lees rods and thread, as indicated at h, h³,
and herein-after described, at say every 500 yards, or other distance, to
insure the regularity of the thread or yarn, and remove or lessen the
chance of twisting in the chain, and enable it to be easily opened out
again, all in a more simple and expeditious manner by the said improved
construction and arrangement of reed mechanism, shown at 3 in
Figures 1 and 2, and a small bit of the reed itself to a large scale in
elevation and transverse section in Figure B 3, where it will be seen. that
each alternate "split" B' of the reed B is open from top to bottom,
while all the intermediate splits B" are closed up at the upper and lower
ends, leaving only a short slit or split B" in the centre, so that by merely
raising or lowering the reed B first in the one direction and then in the
other, one-half of the thread or yarn passing through the narrow
splits B raised or depressed, leaving the other half in its straight
position unmoved, making the first shed for the insertion of the first
rod h, and then by moving the reed B in the opposite direction makes

page_text: the second or reverse shed for the insertion of the second lees rod h¹.
This shifting of the reed B is effected by its sliding frame or rods E, E,
which are connected to two slotted levers E' fast on the transverse
rocking spindle F carried in bearing brackets F, secured to the
standards D, D, with a catch quadrant F" at one side, and a spring
hand lever F keyed on the same end of the spindle F, so that it can be
instantly set and held in any of its three required positions, namely, in
its normal central working position, shown in black lines in Figure 1,
when all the threads are passing in a plane through the centre of the
reed B, or to any of the lateral positions indicated by the red lines 1
at f, f, in the same Figure, which would give and correspond to the
up and down position of the reed B, to give the double shed required
for the insertion of the rods h, h¹. The lees threads are inserted by
drawing forward the rods 1, 2, to the short reed H, where the whole of
the threads are reduced to a narrow strip or band, and where a long 1
needle or short rod with the lees thread is pushed back and forward
through the sheds or openings at h² in front of the reed H formed by
the rods h, h³, as they are successively brought up to the back ½³ of the
reed H and removed, when the warp is then ready for producing or
running off another distance and "lees" length, until the whole length 2
or chain desired is run off, all as described in reference to and shown in
the Drawings.
When the warp (instead of being delivered in a chain as described)
is desired to be delivered or wound on to the ordinary warp beans or
rollers (ready for being chained off these again, or for removal to the
weaving or dressing machines, or for other treatment on or from the
beam) this may also be done in this improved machine by placing
the ordinary beaming machine in front of the "lees" reed frame, and
leading the warp in its spread form from that reed over guide rollers on
to the beam, actuated by the ordinary carrying and driving drum and 3
fast and loose pulleys with controlling fork, hand bar, or lever, all as in
the ordinary beaming machines or mechanism, but with my said new or
improved bobbin bank 1 and "lees" reed mechanism 3 herein-before
described as forming part of my improved warping mechanism.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the 3
manner in which the same is to be performed, I have to state that I do
not confine myself to the precise details herein described or delincated,
neither on the other hand do I desire to claim all the parts herein
.

page_text: shown and described of warping machines separately, except in com-
bination with my said improvements, but what I consider novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, -
-
First. The general construction and arrangement or combination of
the parts of warping mechanism, as herein described in reference to and
shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Second. The general construction of a stepped bobbin frame or
bank 1 stepped and inclined forward towards the top for warping
machines, all substantially as herein described in reference to and shown
in the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
Third. The general construction and arrangement of a warp drawing,
pressing, and delivery machine or mechanism 2 with pressing rollers
L, L', and warp gathering or condensing bar M, all substantially as
herein described in reference to and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
Fourth. The general construction or arrangement of lees reed moving
and setting mechanism 3 for the insertion of the lees rods through the
warp in warping machines, all substantially as hercin described in
reference to and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said David Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of March, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
six.
Witness,
W. R. M. THOMSON,
Patent Agent,
Glasgow.
DAVID CLARK. (L.S.)