CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR HECKLING FLAX, HEMP, AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES, REQUIRING SUCH PROCESS
Year: 1833

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSHUA
WORDSWORTH, of Leeds, in the County of York, Machine Maker, send
greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing
date at Westminster, the Sixth day of December, in the fourth year of His
reign, did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Joshua Wordsworth, His especial licence, full power, sole privilege
and authority that I, the said Joshua Wordsworth, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Joshua Wordsworth, my
executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR HECKLING FLAX,
HEMP, AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES, REQUIRING SUCH PROCESS;" in which said
Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said Joshua Wordsworth,
shall cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in His said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and

page_text: immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and
by the same, reference being, thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that. in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Joshua Wordsworth, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference being had
to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon; that is to say:
My Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Heckling Flax, Hemp,
and other Fibrous Substances requiring such Process, consists in the adaptation
and peculiar arrangement of certain implements or apparatus constituting a
machine in which a succession of stricks of flax, or other like materials, may
be subjected to the operation of several series of revolving heckles of different
degrees of fineness, for the purpose of gradually separating or opening the long
fibres of the flax or other material, and combing or dressing them smooth;
at the same time the tow or entangled refuse portion of the material taken
off from the striks by the keckle points is removed from the heckles by
rotary brushes and collars covered with wire cards, and discharged into
suitable receivers, from whence it may be taken to a, carding engine to
be worked in the ordinary way. The accompany Drawings represent in
several Figures or machine for performing the heckling process in the way
stated, in which machine the operative parts are all repeated, that is, the
machine is made double for the purpose of allowing two series of stricks
of flax or other material to be acted upon at one time.
Figure 1 is a horizontal view of the machine; Figure 2 is a side elevation
of the same, and Figures 3 and 4 are end views of the whole, being, represented
in working order, and in which several Figures the respective letters of
reference point out corresponding parts of the machine. A,,A are two large
barrels or drums, upon the surfaces of which are fixed longitudinally several
series of brass ribs a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, holding heckle points. These nibs
are placed at small distances apart round the barrels, all the heckle, points
standing radially from the axis, and the barrels are mounted, upon axles
supported by pedestals with plummer blocks bearing on the rails of the end
frames. B, B are two horizontal wheels or pullies turning upon vertical
shafts, which pullies conduct an endless chain C, C, C, C, carrying the holders,
from whence the stricks of flax or other material intended to be heckled 'are
suspended.. At one end of the axle of each of the barrels a toothed wheel
D, D, is affixed, and these are connected by a similar wheel E, and a pinion

page_text: F, the latter of which is fixed upon, the axle, of the driving rigger G. The
power of a steam engine, or any other first mover, being applied by a band
and rigger, or otherwise, to the axle of G, the pinion F is driven round,
which, through the agency of the toothed wheels E and D, D, geared thereto,
cause the heckle barrels. A, A, to revolve simultaneously in opposite directions,
as shewn by the arrows in Figures 3 and 4. The stricks of flax intended to
be operated upon are severally confined between pairs of clamps / fastened
together, which clamps, with the stricks, are then suspended on the respective
holders H, H, attached to the endless chain C, the lower portions of the flax
hanging down for the purpose of being acted upon by the rotary heckles,
while the upper portions are turned up in loops, and confined by spring levers
attached to each carrier...The respective holders H consist of a forked frame
with hooks at the lower parts of their arms, which receive the ends of the
clamps. % that confine the strick of flax. From the upper part of each
forked fraíne a perpendicular pin extends, which pins, when inserted into the
sockets 1, 1, 1, in front of the chain, form axles for the frames to turn upon at
certain periods of the operation. On the upper end of each pin a small arm
or tappet piece m is fixed, standing at right angles to the face of the forked
frame of the holder H.. These tappets, as the endless chain conducts the
holders along at certain periods, come in contact with stationary pins
or wipers n, n, fixed to the guide rails o, on which the chain C
slides, and these wipers acting against the tappets as they pass cause
the holders to be turned round at those periods for the purpose of bringing the
reverse side of the strick of the flax on to the heckle points. Let it now
be supposed that all the holders connected to the endless chain have been
furnished with stricks of flax or other material to be heckled, and that the
barrels A, A, are put in motion in the way described, revolving in the direction
of the arrows shewn in Figures 3 and 4, a pinion I, on the end of the axles
of one of the barrels A (see Fig. 4), will drive a train of toothed gear
J, K, L, M, and N, on the axle of the latter, of which there is a bevelled
pinion taking into a bevelled wheel.p, turning horizontally at the lower end of
the perpendicular shaft of one of the chain pullies B (see Figures 2 and 4).
It will hence be perceived that as the barrels go round such rotary motion
will be communicated to the pulley B as will cause it to drive the
chain C forward, and by that means conduct the several stricks of flax pro-
gressively along the barrel. When each successive holder, with its strick of
flax or other material, is brought to the part, Figure 1, the fibres come in
contact with the rotary barrel, and first strike upon the series of coarse.
heckles a, a, placed upon an inclined or conical surface of the barrel, by which

page_text: means the lower ends of the flax in each strick is first acted upon, and as
it advances the upper part, and ultimately the whole length of the long fibres
of the suspended strick, is gradually brought on to the heckles, which pro-
gressive operation prevents the long fibres from being broken, and causes a
smaller quantity of tow to be produced than is usually taken off in any of the
ordinary modes of heckling. After the strick of flax or other material has
been carried by the travelling chain past the first inclined or conical surface a
of the heckling barrel, it there comes upon the cylindrical part a of the
barrel, which is also furnished with coarse heckles that penetrate and comb
down the whole pendent length of the fibres; but in order that both sides
of the strick of flax may be equally operated upon, the holder is now to be
turned round upon its pin or pivot, which movement is effected by one
arm of the lever or tappet m (as the carrying chain moves onward) coming
against the stationary pin or wiper n, which changes the position of the holder,
as shewn at p, in the horizontal view Figure 1. The under part of the guide
rail o, upon which the chain slides, is at this part cut away for the purpose of
allowing the holder to turn round horizontally, and a pin or projection at the
under side of the guide rail, as the chain continues moving, acts against the
side of the carrier frame, and forces it into a position parellel with the chain.
The other side of the strick of flax is by these means brought on to the
leckles of the second inclined or conical surface of the barrel at c, and the
travelling chain proceeding onward the fibres of the material are in succession
passed over and combed by the heckles of increasing fineness d, e, and f, on
the cylindrical part of the revolving barrel until the strick having arrived at
the second wiper n, the frame or holder is at q turned round as before, and the
reverse side of the strick (or that first operated upon by the heckles a and b)
is brought progressively on to the heckles of increasing fineness g, h, and i;
and having past the last series of rotary heckles, the holders are in succession
to be removed from the machine, the material having been sufficiently dressed.
The clamps of the holders are now opened by the attendant, and the stricks of
wax or other material are taken out and again placed between the clamps in
reversed positions in order that the other ends of the fibres may be operated
upon. The clamps, with the stricks, are then suspended again in the holders,
the uncombed ends of the fibres hanging down upon the heckle barrel. In
order to avoid interrupting the continual operation of the machine, it is
proposed that the strick on its second introduction shall be placed in the
holders on the opposite side at y, which is one of the reasons for constructing
a double machine; and the strick being thence carried along by the travelling
endless chain in the way already described, the fibres will be first brought

page_text: under the operation of the coarse heckles on the inclined or conical surface
of the second revolving barrel A, and then of the other heckles increasing
in fineness on the cylindrical part of the barrel until, having reached the end,
as in the former instance, the fibres of the flax may be considered to be
sufficiently dressed, and may then be withdrawn.
It may be necessary here to remark that as different kinds and qualities of
material will require different degrees of working by the heckles, this can be
effected by varying the comparative speeds of the travelling holders and the
heckle barrels. These comparative speeds, it will be perceived, depend upon
the diameters of the wheels and pinions by which the pulley B is driven from
the rotation of the heckle barrel. These wheels and pinions are therefore
intended to be removed and changed for others of different diameters as cir-
cumstances may require. It will be perceived that the faster the stricks travel
through the machine, compared to the rotary speed of the heckle barrel, so
much the less will the material be acted upon by the rotary heckles; but as
different qualities of material must be differently operated upon, according to
circumstances, it is impossible to set out any definite speeds or proportions of
speed; that will, however, be readily perceived by competent workmen when
working the machine. In the process of opening the fibres of the material by
the rotary heckles, a quantity of short or loose fibres, as tow, will be taken off
the stricks by the heckle points, and will remain adhering to the barrel
between the points of the heckles; in order, therefore, to remove this tow or
other loose entangled material from the heckles, several series of brushes or
blocks with bristles are affixed longitudinally on to rotary barrels Q, Q.
These brush barrels are mounted parellel to the heckle barrels upon
axles supported in plummer blocks affixed to brackets extending from the
end frames of the machine. Those parts of the brush barrels which are
opposite to the cylindrical portions of the heckle barrels are cylindrical, and
those parts which are opposite to the bevels are contra bevelled, or made as
frustrums of cones reversed or in an opposite angle, as r, s, so as to run parellel
to the enclined surfaces of the heckle barrels a and c. Upon the periphery of
these barrels Q, Q, ribs or blocks with bristles or brushes are fixed longitu-
diually at suitable distances apart, the bristles all standing radially from the
axle, and taking into the points of the heckles. Rotary motions are given to the
brush barrels Q, Q, by bands passing from the riggers at G over pullies R, R,
fixed at the end of each of the axles of the brush barrels. Hence it will be
perceived that the barrels Q, Q, will revolve in opposite directions to the
heckle barrels, and with a sufficiently increased speed to enable the brushes to
pass through between the points of the heckles, and in so doing to remove the

page_text: tow or other loose matter therefrom. The tow or other loose fibrous material
collected upon the brushes is transferred thence on to wire cards placed round
the periphery of the barrels S, S, which barrels are mounted upon axles
parellel to the brush rollers, and turn in plummér blocks upon brackets,
extending from the end frames of the machine. These barrels are cylindrical,
and covered with sheets of wire cards at those parts which are opposite to the
cylindrical portions of the brush barrels; but those portions of the barrels S
which are opposite to the bevelled parts 7 and 8, after the brush barrels are
bevelled or made conical at t, u, to fit or correspond with the enclined sur-
faces r and s, these are covered with sheets of wire cards; also rotary motions
are communicated to the card barrels S, S, by bands from the pulley T, on to
the side of the toothed wheel M (see Figures 2 and 4), which bands drives
similar pullies V, V, mounted upon studs fixed in the end frame. Upon the
side of each of these pullies V a pinion U is fixed, which pinion takes into the
teeth of the wheel W. on the end of the axle of each of the card barrels S, S,
by which means such slow motions are given to the barrels S as will allow
the brushes of the barrels Q to comb off and deposit the tow or other fibrous
material upon the wire cards as they revolve, and from whence it is to be
removed by a doffing comb, and let fall into any convenient receptacle below,
in the same way as in ordinary carding engines. The doffing combs X, X, X,
are formed to the shape of the card barrels, and are attached to straight bars
extending along the machine on both sides, which are supported at their
extremities by levers Y, Y, vibrating upon fulcrum pivots at w, w. To these
levers perpendicular rods Z, Z, are connected by joints, and the lower ends of
cach of these rods is attached to an excentric disc, roller, or crank x, x, on the
axle of the brush barrel. Hence it will be perceived, that by the rotation of
the excentrics a, the lovers Y will be made to vibrate and strike off, or doff' the
tow or other material from the card barrels, in a similar way to the operations
of tlie doffing comb of an ordinary carding engine.
Having now described fully the construction and mode of using my
improved Machinery or Apparatus for Heckling Flax, Hemp, and other
Fibrous Substances requiring such Process, I desire it to be understood,
first, I do not confine myself to the double construction of machine shewn
in the Drawings, as a machine with one heckling barrel, onė brush
barrel, and one card barrel would perform the same operations, to a
certain extent; but I claim the general arrangement of the operative parts
of the machine for the purpose of heckling, whether constructed single or
double; and I claim, as a particular and important feature of my Inven-
tion, placing the first or coarses heckles upon inclined surfaces, by

page_text: which the ends of the fibres, and afterwards the more compact part of the
strick, are gradually brought on to the heckles, and also turning the strick
round, and certain parts of the operation for the purpose of operating equally
upon both sides of the strick.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joshua Wordsworth, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fourth day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-four.