CERTAIN IMPROVE- MENTS IN POWER LOOMS FOR WEAVING, AND IN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND TIL Darnen TADA
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Shaw, Brewer, William Ditchfield,
Accountant, and Jolin Knowles, Machinist, all of Blackburn, in
the County of Lancaster, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVE-
MENTS IN POWER LOOMS FOR WEAVING, AND IN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND
TIL Darnen TADA "
Sealed the 23rd October 1874, and dated the 27th April 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Shaw, William
Ditchfield, and John Knowles at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents, with their Petition, on the 27th April 1874.
We, HENRY SHAW, Brewer, WILLIAM DITCHFIELD, Accountant, and
JOHN KNOWLES, Machinist, all of Blackburn, in the County of Lancaster,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN POWER LOOMS FOR WEAVING, AND AN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING
AND SEPARATING PILE FABRICS WOVEN DOUBLE FACE TO FACE," to be as
follows:-

page_text: on the Fifteenth day of January, One thousand cight hundred and
seventy-two, and numbered 122, for the Invention of "Certain Improve-
ments in Power Looms for Weaving, and in Apparatus for Cutting
Double Pile Fabrics, and for Weaving Carpets and other Fancy Fabrics,"
and consist,--
Firstly. In a novel arrangement of machinery for weaving Brussels,
Turkey, and other pile carpets double Face to Face. To enable us to
effect this object we use double the quantity of warp threads used for
single fabrics, and we either have two threads wound on one spool or
use double the quantity of spools or warp beams, as the case may be. In
place of a number of wires as are now used to form the pile we use one
or two rods or wires, which enter between the two fabrics by means of
suitable arrangement of machanism, and thus keep the top and bottom
fabrics at equal distance from each other, and the pile of uniform length.
The warp threads which form the pile are interlaced between the top and
bottom fabrics as the pattern to be woven requires. The pile is then cut
and the two fabrics separated by means of apparatus herein-after
described. Table covers, toilet covers, and other similar fabrics wo
weave in the above novel manner.
Secondly. In a novel apparatus for cutting and separating double pile
fabrics, known as Utrecht, plush, and other velvets, Brussels, Turkey,
and other pile carpets, table covers, toilet covers, and other similar
fabrics when woven face to face. The pile can be cut and the two
fabrics separated by our method after being woven and taken from the
loom, but we prefer performing this operation during the process of
weaving, and for this purpose we place a rail in front of and nearly on a
level with the breast beam of the loom. On this rail we fix a steel comb
or plate with finely cut teeth, which enters between the two fabrics as
On this comb or plate we
they are drawn forward by the cloth rollers.
place another plate, having sharp serrated cutting teeth, the fineness
and shape of the teeth being regulated according to the nature of the
material to be cut. The two plates are fixed so that the points of the
teeth in the upper plate are a small distance from the points of the teeth
in the comb or bottom plate, so as to allow the interlaced warp threads
which form the pile to be drawn between the teeth of the bottom comb
or plate, and a sharp reciprocating motion being given to either the top
or bottom plate, or both, from any of the most convenient parts of the
loom; the interlaced warp threads which have been drawn between the

page_text: teeth of the bottom comb or plate are cut, and the two fabrics are
separated in a most clean and effectual manner.
In another arrangement of the apparatus we use in place of the
above-named top plate a sharp cutter, which runs from end to end of and
presses firmly on the bottom comb or plate, and in its passage cuts the
interlaced warp threads as before described, or if found desirable we can
use two combs or plates fixed in such a manner that they meet at the
points of the teeth, but at such an angle as will admit of a cutter
running between them, which in its passage from one side to the other
cuts the interlaced warp threads drawn between the teeth of the two
plates. Instead of combs or plates in one length we can apply the same
principle by having the teeth set singly or in small sections, which
having a radial motion imparted to them similar to the action of scissors
cuts the interlaced warp threads as they are drawn forward in manner
as before described. These improved modes of cutting obviate the
difficulty hitherto experienced in other systems of keeping the cutting
appliances sharp and in efficient cutting order, and remove all liability
of damage to the fabric during the process, and perform the work in a
much more simple and effectual manner.
Thirdly. In a novel arrangement of machinery for raising and
depessing the leaves of healds for the passage of the shuttle through
the
warp threads. 1st. We mount two chains of tappets on cylinders,
one above and one below a treadle placed in a horizontal position, and
the whole fixed in a suitable framework. The top chain raises the heald
and the bottom chain depresses it. The links or tappets forming theso
chains are so constructed that they overlap each other, and when
brought into action keep the heald up or down as long as may be
required by the pattern being woven. This apparatus is placed at the
end of the loom and attached to the healds by wire rods or cords.
2nd. We place a number of bell-crank levers in a suitable framework,
which we fix on the top of the loom. To one end of these bell-crank
levers is attached a hook for the purpose of raising the heald which is
attached to the other end of the lever. The hooks are actuated by a
perforated card made of sheet iron, or any other suitable material, with
an indentation on one side for the purpose of holding a piece of tin or
other suitable material used for covering over the perforations in the card
as the pattern being woven may require. These cards act on vertical
needles, the heads of which are under the book before named, and when
द

page_text: a perforation in the card is covered or obstructed it causes the hook to be
lifted and so prevents the heald from rising. 3rd. We place a number
of T levers in a suitable framework at the end of the loom, placing
vertical hooks on each side of the T levers. The hooks are actuated by
the cards above named, and lifted by a lever which is worked by a cam
on one of the shafts of the loom.
Fourthly. In a novel arrangement of machinery for weaving cloth
known as Kidderminster carpet, in connection with the jacquard
apparatus, we work a number of shuttle boxes by means of cams of
different elevations so arranged as to bring any shuttle into action that
may be required. These cams revolve with the tappet shaft of the loom,
and are made to slide to any required part by means of a fork actuated
by links in a chain having on their surface a zig-zag groove, in which
runs a bowl attached to one end of the fork lever, for the purpose of
causing any shuttle to be brought into use that may be required. These
shuttle boxes can also be actuated by means of hooks and perforated
cards acting on suitable cams.
Fifthly. In a novel arrangement of machinery for weaving fabrics
known as handkerchiefs, shawls, and towels. For this purpose we placo
at each end of the batten of the loom two or more shuttle boxes, which
are actuated by cams placed on a shaft which extends across the loom.
These cams have intermittent star wheels attached to them, and are
actuated by a second star wheel having a cylinder attached, on which
revolves a chain with the before-mentioned zig-zag grooves in it, and
this chain works a second chain with a star wheel. The two chains are
for the purpose of working alternately. When one chain has revolved
once, or as many times as the pattern to be woven requires, it stops and
puts the other chain into gear till the border of the fabric is woven, and
then the border chain puts the ground chain into gear till.the border is
again wanted.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Henry Shaw, William Ditchfield, and John
Knowles, in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th October 1874.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Henry Shaw, William Ditchfield, and John
Knowles, in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th October 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, HENRY
SHAW, Brewer, William DitchfiELD, Accountant, and JOHN KNOWLES,

page_text: Machinist, all of Blackburn, in the County of Lancaster, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of April, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the
thirty-seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto us, the said Henry Shaw, William
Ditchfield, and John Knowles, Her special license that we, the said
Henry Shaw, William Ditchfield, and John Knowles, our executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said Henry
Shaw, William Ditchfield, and John Knowles, our exccutors, admini-
strators, 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 "CERTAIN IMPROVE-
MENTS IN POWER LOOMS FOR WEAVING, AND IN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND
SEPARATING PILE FABRICS WHEN WOVEN DOUBLE FACE TO FACE," upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that we, the said Henry Shaw, William
Ditchfield, and John Knowles, our exccutors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under our, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, 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 Scal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Henry Shaw, William Ditchfield, and
John Knowles, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement, that is to say:—-
Our Invention for "Certain Improvements in Power Looms for
Weaving, and in Apparatus for Cutting and Separating Pile Fabrics
Woven Double Face to Face, and for Weaving Carpets and other Faucy
Fabrics," has for its object,-
First. The weaving of pile fabrics double face to face, by a com-
bination of simplified machinery, whereby the tedious and expensive
plan of cutting out the wires to form the pile as hitherto adopted in the
manufacture of pile fabrics in single pieces.

page_text: And, Secondly. The cutting and separating of pile fabrics when woven
double face to face, whereby a much more even and level pile is obtained
with much less risk of damage to the fabric during the process of cutting
than has been the case in the other methods of cutting hitherto adopted.
And, Thirdly. The weaving of what is generally known as Kidder-
minster or Scotch carpets by means of a novel arrangement of
mechanism which actuates the shuttle boxes, whether vertical or
circular, and regulates the picking tappets by the aid of a perforated
pattern chain, so as to allow of one, two, three, four, or more picks
being given from each side of the loom alternately.
In order that our Invention may be fully understood and readily
carried into effect we will proceed to describe the accompanying Sheet
of Drawings, reference being had to the figures and letters marked
thereon:
-
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a power loom with our improvements
attached; Figure 2 is a plan of the same.
Figure 3 is a full-sized plan of link or card of perforated pattern chain
for shedding, shuttle box, and picking tappet motions; Figure 4 is an
cnd view of the same.
Figure 5 is a front view of shuttle box motion and picking tappet
levers.
Figure 6 is an end view of compound frog or stop motion for pre-
venting "traps" or breakage to the warp tlırcads.
Figure 7 is an end view of the fabric woven double face to face,
shewing the interlacing of the pile warp threads.
Figure 8 is a plan of the plates of the cutting apparatus; Figure 9 is
an end view of the same.
Figure 10 is an end view of picking chain.
Figure 11 is an end view of vertical shuttle boxes and parts for
actuating the same.
The first part of our Invention to be explained is applicable to tho
weaving of pile fabrics double face to face, known as Utrecht, plush,
and other velvets, Brussels, Turkey, and other cut pile carpets,
table and toilet covers, and other pile fabrics.. For the purpose of

page_text: weaving Utrecht and other plain velvets, as shewn at Figure 7, wo
attach the healds by means of rods or cords to a shedding apparatus
placed at one end of the loom, as shown at "A" (Figs. 1 & 2).
This apparatus is composed of a number of T levers ("B") fixed on
a shaft in a suitable framework, and the said T levers have hooks (C)
attached on each side of the shaft or fulcrum, which hooks are actuated
through the medium of needles (D) by a perforated pattern chain (E).
This chain (of which a link or card is shewn in full at Fig. 3) having
certain of the perforations, covered with tin or other flexible metal, is
mounted on and revolves with a cylinder which has given to it a reci-
procating motion to and from the points of the needles (D). When the
cylinder with the pattern chain comes in contact with the points of the
needles (D), the perforations that are covered cause the hooks (C) to fall
or be pressed back and out of the way of the lifter (F) and to fall on to
lifter (F). When so arranged lifters (F and F¹) are caused to rise by
means of a cam and lever (G and G¹). The hooks that remain on
lifter (F) cause the healds to which they are attached to rise, and the
hooks that are thrown on to lifter (F) cause the healds to which they
are attached to fall, and so open the warp threads for the passage of the
shuttle carrying the weft thread, and thus forms the crossing of the pilo
warp threads, as shewn in Fig. 7.
In weaving plain velvet double, as shewn at Fig. 7, the pile warp
threads, numbers 1 & 2 and numbers 3 and 4 respectively, cross each
other alternately. When figured fabrics, such as Brussels, Turkey, and
other pile carpets, table and toilet covers, and other figured pile fabrics,
are required to be woven double face to face, we use double the number
of pile warp threads used for single fabrics, and we either have two
threads wound on a spool, or use double the number of spools or warp
beams, as the case may be, and the crossing of the pile warp threads is
effected and the pattern formed by the ordinary jacquard apparatus.
In order to effectually keep the two fabrics at equal distance from each
other, and so form the pile of uniform length, we use one or two oval
or semi-oval steel rods or wires, which arc inserted between the two
ground warps at intervals of 4, 6, or 8 picks. The oval or semi-oval rod
or rods are inserted in and withdrawn from between the two fabrics
by means of an internal cam (H) and compound lovers (H' & H").
When the oval or semi-oval rod (I) (Fig. 2) is withdrawn by the

page_text: saddle (I) the point of the oval rod (I) is carried forward by vertical
lever (J) opposite the opening in the shed prepared for it by the shedding
apparatus (A), and is forced into the shed by cam (H) and levers (H'
& H").
For the purpose of suspending the shuttle during the time the, oval
rod is being inserted we use a chain of picking tappets (Fig. 10), the
links of which we now make of malleable castings instead of the
ordinary cast iron. The length of this chain depends on the number of
shots or picks between each insertion of the oval wire or rod. As the
two fabrics are being woven according to the foregoing arrangement, face
to face, with the pile threads interlaced (whether plain or figured fabrics),
we cut or separate the two pieces, and for this purpose we place a
rail (K) (Figs. 1 & 2) in front of and nearly on a level with the breast
beam of the loom. On this rail we fix a steel comb or plate (L)
(Figs. 1, 8, & 9), having finely cut teeth which enter between the two
fabrics as they are drawn forward by the cloth rollers (M) (Figs. 1 & 2).
On this comb or plate we place another plate (N) (Figs. 1, 2, 8, & 9),
having sharp serrated cutting teeth, the fineness and shape of the teeth
being regulated according to the nature of the material to be cut. The
two plates are fixed so that the points of the teeth in the upper plate (N)
are a small distance from the points of the teeth in comb or bottom
plate L (Figs. 8 & 9) so as to allow the interlaced warp threads which
form the pile to be drawn between the teeth of the comb or bottom
plate (L), and a sharp reciprocating motion being given to either the
top or bottom plate (or both if required) the interlaced pile warp threads
which have been drawn between the teeth of the comb or bottom plate
are cut, and the two fabrics separated in a most clean, even, and
effectual manner.
We prefer to give the reciprocating motion to the top plate (N) by
means of levers (O & O¹) and eccentric (P) (Fig. 1), which
eccentric (P) is fixed on and revolves with the tappet shaft of the loom,
but the motion may be given from any other convenient part of the
loom.
In another arrangement of the apparatus we use in place of the above-
named top plate (N) a sharp cutter which runs from end to end of and
presses firmly on the bottom comb or plate (L), and in its passage cuts
the interlaced pile warp threads as before described; or if found desirable
we can use two combs or plates fixed in such a manner that they meet

page_text: at the points of the teeth, but at such an angle as will admit of a cutter
running between them, which in its passage from one side to the other
cuts the interlaced pile warp threads drawn between the teeth of the two
plates. Instead of combs or plates in one length, as shewn at N
(Figs. 1 & 2), we can apply the same principle by having the teeth set
singly or in sections, which having a radial motion imparted to them
similar to the action of scissors cuts the interlaced pile warp threads as
they are drawn forward in manner before described.
The pile can be cut and the two fabrics separated by our method after
being woven and taken from the loom, but we prefer performing this
operation during the process of weaving. These improved methods of
cutting the pile warp threads and separating the two fabrics when woven
double face to face, obviate the difficulty hitherto experienced in other
systems of keeping the cutting appliances sharp and in efficient cutting
order, and remove all liability to damage of the fabric during the
process, and perform the work in a much more simple and effectual
manner.
In weaving the before-mentioned and similar valuable fabrics it is of
great importance to prevent "traps" or breakages of the warp threads,
which are of common occurrence with heavy fast reed looms. To effect
this object we use a compound frog (Fig. 6) having the usual notch on
the top side and a projection either inside or outside, as may be most con-
venient. We then fix on the stop rod (6) two wings (a), one being a
little longer than the other. If the shuttle fails to arrive in the shuttle
box the longer wing takes hold of projection (c), and as the slay or
batten comes up causes the shorter wing to press against the notch in
the frog so firmly as to render "traps" impossible.
To looms already at work this improvement can be applied by adding
the longer wing to the one already in use, and making the projection (c)
in a separate piece. The longer or supplemental wing we now find it
necessary to make of spring steel.
The next part of our Invention consists in a novel arrangement of
machinery for weaving what is generally known as Kidderminster or
Scotch carpets. For this purpose, and in conjunction with the ordinary
jacquard apparatus, we mount any required number of shuttle boxes,
vertical or circular, at each side of the slay or batten R (Figs. 5 & 11).
in connexion with sliding picking tappets (S & S', Fig. 5). These

page_text: shuttle boxes and sliding tappets are actuated by a perforated pattern
chain (T. Fig. 11), which is similar in construction to the one marked E
and before described. This pattern chain is mounted on and revolves
with a cylinder, which has a sliding motion imparted to it from any con-
venient part of the loom, and as it comes in contact with the
levers (V & V¹) it causes either lever V or V₁ to take hold of pins on
disc W (Figs. 5 & 11), and causes the disc to move one section by the
motion of the slay beating up, and so raises or lowers one or more shuttle
boxes as may be required by the pattern being woven, levers X (Figs. 5
& 11) on being pressed forward by the pattern chain cause sliding
picking tappet (S') to fall out of gear and sliding picking tappet (S) to
fall into gear by means of forks Y & Y¹ and connecting rod Y*, and
thus allows as many shuttles to be thrown from one side to the other
consecutively as the pattern being woven requires. The disc W is
mounted on a stud with a boss attached and a chain Z, with one end
attached to the shuttle boxes R¹ and the other to the boss on disc W, and
as the disc moves backward or forward it raises or lowers the shuttle
boxes as required.
Having thus fully described and explained our Invention for certain
improvements in power looms for weaving, and in apparatus for cutting
and separating pile fabrics when woven double face to face, and for
weaving carpets and other fancy fabrics, and the manner of carrying
same into operation, we wish it to be particularly understood that we
claim as our Invention,―
First. The novel mode of weaving Brussels, Turkey, and other cut
pile carpets, table covers, toilet covers, and other pile fabrics double faco
to face, as described.
Second. The novel arrangement of mechanism for actuating the
healds in power looms as shewn and described.
Third. The novel arrangement for actuating the healds, picking
tappets, and shuttle boxes in power looms by means of perforated
pattern chain, as shewn and described.
Fourth. The novel arrangement for keeping the two fabrics (when
woven double face to face) at equal distance from each other and the
pile of uniform length by means of oval or semi-oval steel rod or rods,
as described.

page_text: Fifth. The use of malleable cast iron for picking chains, as shewn and
described.
Sixth. The novel method of cutting and separating pile fabrics when
woven double face to face, by means of combs or plates in one length or
in sections, as shewn and described, and other modifications of the same
principle.
Seventh. The novel arrangement for preventing "traps" or breakages
of the warp threads by means of spring steel, supplementary wing on
stop rod, as shewn and described.
Eighth. The novel arrangement of mechanism for actuating the
shuttle boxes and picking tappets in power looms for weaving Kidder-
minster carpets and other similar fabrics, as shewn and described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Henry Shaw, William Ditchfield,
and John Knowles, have hereunto set our hands and seals,
this Twenty-third day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.
Witness to the signature of
the said Henry Shaw,
William Ditchfield, and
John Knowles,
JOHN HAWORTH,
Accountant,
Blackburn.
HENRY SHAW.
(L.S.)
WILLIAM DITCHFIELD. (L.S.)
JOHN KNOWLES.
(L.S.)