IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Crabtree, of Shipley, near Bradford, in the County
of York, Machine Maker, and Joln Lister, of the said Bradford, Machinist, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Crabtree and John
Lister at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th July 1878.
JAMES CRABTREE, of Shipley, near Bradford, in the County of York, Machine
Maker, and JOHN LISTER, of the said Bradford, Machinist. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
Our improvements relate to means for operating the heddles for changes of
shedding; also in an improved picking motion, and of an improved drop-box
motion.
Firstly. For operating the heddles we employ a rod worked by the tappet shaft,
which actuates the clawkers which communicate motion to the knives 'for rising the
heddles. The knives are operated on by holders selected by pattern surface so as
to be brought in position, and such as are selected are held for a time by holders
made like wedges, or made straight, which enter and fit in the catches of the knives;
the needles of the holders dropping in the holes of the card and card cylinder allow
the knives to pass over the wedges. We also employ holders having guides on the
tops of the wedges, but the incline of the wedges are made the contrary way of
the wedges or holders without guides.
Secondly. We operate the heddles for changes of shedding by fixing on the crank
shaft of the loom an eccentric working an eccentric rod which is connected to the
end of a lever, and which actuates a shaft on which are fitted arms carrying a rod,
on which are fitted blades having double catches; these catches actuate knives
working in gratings. Two sets of knives are employed, one set for pulling up, and
the other set for pulling down. The blades with the double catches are acted on
by metal or wood cards formed with rounded heads and small pins. When the

page_text: card is formed, the pins are placed according to pattern in a metal or wood card
plate, and wire is passed through small holes drilled in the bottom parts of the pins.
The wire is passed under the card plate, thus keeping the metal or wood cards
always in position. The rounded heads of the cards lift up the blades having
double catches, bringing the catches in gear with the catches of the top knives.
The blades are not lifted when the lower knives are to be drawn. The knives after
having been acted on by the blades are brought back in a working position by a
cross bar working in slides formed in the motion frame, which is fitted on the top
of the loom. This cross bar is actuated by levers which are connected to arms cast
on the end of the shaft of the levers. This shaft is worked by a rod which is
actuated by an eccentric. The gear is arranged to vary the shed.
Our improvements in means for effecting pick and pick relate to fixing on the
side frames of a loom guide brackets, on which are fitted guides, and on which work
picking arms, which are fitted to the lath swords of the loom. The ends of the
picking arms are made with lugs, between which are fitted friction rollers or pullies.
Openings are made in the guide brackets, through which pass rods which are
attached to the heddles, knives, hooks, or card motion. The rods at each end of
the loom are connected by a horizontal rod, so as to allow of throwing one in gear
and the other out of gear. The heddle rod lifts the picking arms, and brings the
friction roller or pulley in gear with a peculiarly shaped cam which is fixed to the
picking shaft, giving as many picks as required, or pick and pick.
Our improved drop-box motion is constructed by fixing a bracket on the outside
of the loom frame. On the bracket is fitted a rocking lever, in the centre of which
are fitted two levers having slot openings, in which slide projecting cams which are
actuated by rods fitted to the heddles' cam motion. The rocking motion is given
by a cam fitted on the low shaft of the loom. The rod is actuated by the card
motion which lifts up the cam working in the guide, raising or lowering the rocking
levers, consequently raising or lowering the drop box, producing a positive raising
or lowering of the box.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Crabtree and John Lister in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 9th January 1879.
JAMES CRABTREE, of Shipley, near Bradford, in the County of York, Machine
Maker, and JOHN LISTER, of the said Bradford, Machinist, "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
The said Invention relates to means for operating the heddles for changes of
shedding; also in an improved drop-box motion, and in an improved picking
motion.
Firstly. For operating the heddles we employ the ordinary knives for raising the
heddles. The knives are operated on by holders selected by pattern surface, so as
to be brought in position, and such as are selected are held for a time by wedge-
shaped holders, which enter and fit in the catches of the knives, the needles of the
holders dropping in the holes of the card and card cylinder, which allows the knives
to pass over the wedges. We also employ holders having guides on the tops of the
wedges, but the incline of the wedges is made the contrary way, and works the
contrary way of the wedges or holders which have no guides.
Secondly. We operate the heddles for changes of shedding by fixing on the crank
shaft of the Icom double eccentrics, which actuate an eccentric rod connected to the
end of a lever, and which actuates a shaft on which are fitted arms to which is
fitted a shaft, and on which are fitted blades having double catches; these catches
actuate knives working in gratings. Two sets of knives are employed, one set for
pulling up, and the other set for pulling down. The blades with the double catches
are acted on by metal or wood cards, which are formed with rounded heads having
projecting pins. When the card is formed, the pins are placed according to pattern
in a metal or wood card plate, and a wire is passed through small holes drilled in
the bottom parts of the pins. The wire is passed under the card plate, thus keeping
the rounded heads always in position. The rounded card heads lift up the blades
having double catches, bringing the catches in gear with the catches of the top
knives. The blades are not lifted when the lower knives are to be drawn.
knives after having been acted on by the blades are brought back in working
position by a cross bar working in slides formed in the motion frame which is
fitted on the top of the loom. This cross bar is actuated by levers which are
connected to the arms fitted on the shaft actuated_by_the_double eccentrics. The
gear is so arranged to vary the shed.
The
Our improved drop-box motion is constructed by fixing a bracket on the outside
of the loom frame. In the bracket is fitted a rocking lever, in the centre of which
are fitted two levers having slot openings in which slide projecting cams, which are
actuated by rods fitted to a card motion which is fitted to the shedding motion.
The rocking motion is given by cams which are fitted on the low shaft of the loom.
The rocking motion of the rocking lever raises and lowers the drop box, producing
a positive rising and lowering of the box.
Our improvements in means for effecting pick and pick relate to fixing on the
side frames of the loom brackets, in which work the picking shafts. On the ends
of the picking shafts are bolted brackets on which are fitted friction rollers or
bowls, which are actuated by sectors fitted on the end with tappet noses. The
sectors are worked backward and forward by arms fitted in sockets which are fixed
to the lathe swords of the loom. The fulcrum ends of the sectors are made with
bosses, through which pass small shafts having collars, and on which rest the bottom
end of the bosses. The shafts work through stay plates, and through top guides,
and also through bottom guides. On the bottom ends of the shaft are fitted fixings,
on which work cams giving a lifting and lowering motion to the sectors, giving a-
lifting motion when picking is not required, and lowering for picking, but the
motion can be reversed. The shaft on which are fitted the cams for working the
sectors is actuated by a peg wheel fitted at one end of the shaft. The peg wheel is.

page_text: worked by a lever having a catch, which is fitted to one of the lathe swords. The
catch lever is lifted out of gear when required by a rod or band which is attached
to a knife end of the shedding motion.
But in order to enable our improvements to be better understood, we will proceed
to describe the same by reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which,-
Figure 1, Sheet, 1, represents a front view, and Figure 2, Sheet 1, a side view of
one of the holders for working the knives for operating the heddles.
Figure 3, Sheet 1, represents a front view, and Figure 4, Sheet 1, a side view of
one of the holders with guides also for operating the heddles.
Figure 5, Sheet 1, represents a side view of our improved shedding apparatus;
Figure 6, Sheet 1, end view; and Figure 7, Sheet 1, plan, shewing the knives of the
same.
.
Figure 8, Sheet 1, represents a side view of a star wheel for carrying round the
cards.
Figure 9, Sheet 1, represents a grating through which work the knives.
Figure 10, Sheet 1, represents a metal or wooden card, and Figure 11, Sheet 1, a
rounded head for the same.
Figure 12, Sheet 2, represents an end view of a loom with our improved drop-
box apparatus, and Figure 13, Sheet 2, back view of the loom with the same.
Figure 14, Sheet 3, represents a side view of our improved pick and pick appa-
ratus, and Figure 15, Sheet 3, end view of the same; and Figure 16, Sheet
of sector.
Similar letters of reference are used to represent similar parts.
plan
A, wedge-shaped holder for holding in position for a time the knives selected by
the pattern surface; B, needle of the holder; C, reversed wedge-shaped holder;
B, needle; and D, guide.
For operating the heddles for changes of shedding we fit on the crank shaft E of
the loom double eccentrics F and G, which actuate an eccentric rod H connected to
the end of a lever I fitted on a shaft J. On this shaft are fitted levers having arms
K and L. In the top arms K is fitted a shaft M, on which are placed blades N
having double catches O. The ends of the blades pass through the middle part P
of the grating Q (see Figure 9). The gratings Q are fitted with frames W³ forming
rests for the top knives and blades N. The double catches actuate knives R and S.
The knives R are for pulling up, and the knives S for pulling down. The knives
are made with stop catches U. The top knives work through the top openings V
of the gratings Q, and the bottom knives through the bottom openings W. The
blades N are actuated by metal or wooden cards formed with card plates X (sec
Figures 10 and 11), which are made with holes Y, and in which are placed, according
to pattern, metal or wooden heads Z. These heads have projecting pins A¹, which
are passed through any of the required holes Y, and when in position are secured
by a wire, which is passed through small holes made in the pins; the wire is passed
under the card plate X. The card plates to form the card are connected together
by wires, which are passed through small holes B₁ of the plates. The heads Z,
according to pattern, lift up the blades N, bringing the top catch of the double
catches Ŏ in contact with the catch ends C of the top knives R, pulling in the
selected knives, and bringing the shed in position for the shuttle to pass through.
The knives after having been acted on by the blades N are brought back by a
cross bar D¹. The ends of this cross bar are made with studs V³, on which are
fitted small blocks E', which work in slides F' formed in the side frame G¹, and on
the projecting ends of the studs Vs are fitted side levers H¹, which are connected to
the ends of the shaft I', which is fitted in the ends of the levers or arms L, actuated
by the double eccentrics F and G. The eccentric F lifts up the lever I, and brings
the shed in position for the shuttle to pass through, and the eccentric G lowers the
lever I, closing the shed, and brings back the knives in position and ready for the
heads Z, changing the pattern.
In Figure 8, Sheet 1, J¹ is a star wheel fitted to the side of the card cylinder
bracket and on the card cylinder shaft. This star wheel carries the card round, and

page_text: is actuated in the usual way. The working of the card is steadied by the head K¹
fitted on a stud L', over which is fitted a spiral spring M¹. The spring keeps the
head K pressed against the star wheel.
Sheet 2. Improved Drop-box Motion.-On the outside of the loom frame N' we
fix a bracket O¹, in which is fitted a stud P', on which works a rocking lever Q¹.
On each side of this lever are fitted levers R¹, having slot openings or slides S', in
which work projecting cams T¹ and U. At the back of these cams are fitted
plates V¹, having projecting bosses W₁, through which pass rods X' and X¹¹ having
screwed ends on which are screwed nuts. The projecting cams are actuated by
cams Y and Z¹, which are fitted on the low shaft A2 of the loom. The cams Y¹
and Z¹ coming in contact with the projecting cams T' and U give the rocking
motion to the lever Q', and the projecting cams are brought in contact with the
cams Y and Z by the lifting of the rods X' and X", which are actuated by a card
motion B2 fitted to the shedding motion herein-before described. The knives C³,
which are actuated by the card, are fitted on the top of the shedding motion frame,
and are actuated by levers D2 connected to other levers E, which are fitted on a
shaft F2 working in bearings G fixed to the top rail H² of the loom. On the
shaft F2 are fitted levers 12, to which are fixed tie rods X1 and X", which when
actuated lift up the projecting cam T', which, coming in contact with the cam Y¹,
forces the lever Q₁ to fall downwards, lifting up the other end of the lever, lifting
the pin J2 into the opening K² of the lever L2 (but if more than two drop boxes
are employed, the lever L² has as many notches as boxes). The lever L² is kept in
working position by the spiral spring M2, which is fitted to the lever and secured
at the other end to a bracket N2, which is bolted to the loom side frame. On the
lever Q is fitted a lever 02, which is secured to a bolt P fitted in bearers Q³ fixed
to the drop box R2. A spring S² is fitted to the levers R' to prevent any breakage,
should any obstruction occur allowing the levers to open. The lever Q is fitted
with a weight T2 to balance the lever. On the side of the levers R' are fitted catch
levers U2 working on pins fitted to the side of the levers R'. The top end of each
lever U² is made with a catch V2, in which catches a pin W' fitted or cast on the
side of the projecting cam T', which keeps the cam in position until required to be
lifted or lowered, and on the side of the loom frame is fitted a small casting X2 to
knock off the cam T' and let it down out of position. A spiral spring Y* is fitted
to the arm Z³ of the catch lever U³ and secured to the lever Q¹. The rocking
motion of the lever Q¹ raises and lowers the drop box, giving a positive rising and
lowering motion to the drop box..
Sheet 3. Improvements in Means for Effecting Pick and Pick or other kind of
Pick. On the side frame of the loom N' is fixed a bracket A³, in which works the '
picking shaft B³, and on the end C3 of this shaft is fitted a bracket D³, on which is
fitted on a stud a friction roller or bowl Es, which is actuated by a sector F³, which
receives a forward-and-backward motion from an arın G³ fitted in a socket H³ fixed
to the lathe sword I³ of the loom. A boss Ja is cast on one end of the sector, and
nose K³ is fitted on the other end. Through the boss J3 passes the top end of a
small shaft L³ having a collar M³, on which rests the boss of the sector. The
shaft L³ works through a plate N³, which is secured to another plate 0³. These
plates are secured to the loom frame N₁ and to the side of the frame P³. A top
guide Q is also secured to the side of the frame P³, and a guide bracket Us is
secured to the under side of the plate N³. Through these guides and plate N³
works the sector shaft L³, which is actuated by a cam R³ fitted on a shaft S³. The
cam actuates a fixing T3 made or fitted on the end of the shaft L³, which lifts and
lowers the shaft L³, and consequently lifts or lowers the sector F³, bringing it in
contact with the friction roller or bowl E3 for picking, or removing it from contact
when not required to pick. A pin V is fitted to the shaft L, which works in a
slot hole made in the bracket Us, preventing the shaft turning. A picking appa-
ratus is fitted at each end of the loom, and the cams R³ fitted on the shaft Ss are
actuated by a peg wheel fitted on the shaft, as herein-before described.
Having thus described our improvements, and the best means we are acquainted

page_text: with for carrying the same into effect, we would have it understood that we do not
confine ourselves to the precise details shewn and described, as these may be varied
without departing from the peculiar character of the Invention, but what we do
claim is,―
Firstly. The wedges for holding in position (for a time) the knives selected by the
pattern surface, substantially as herein described, and represented in the annexed
Drawings.
Secondly. The arrangement, construction, and employment of the shedding
motion, having blades made with double catches which actuate knives connected
to the heddles, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described, and
represented in the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly. The arrangement, construction, and employment of the positive lifting
and lowering motion of the loom's drop boxes, substantially as herein-before
.described, and represented in the Drawings annexed.
Fourthly. The means or method of picking from the swords of the loom, enabling
to pick as many times as required from each side of the loom, substantially as
and for the purpose herein-before described, and represented in the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said James Crabtree and John Lister, have hereto
set our hands and seals, this Seventh day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
t
Witness,
WALTER JAS. TURNER, C.E.,
Patent Agent,
Bradford.
JAMES CRABTREE. (L.S.)
(L.S.)
JOHN LISTER.