IMPROVEMENTS IN JACQUARD APPARATUS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Hart, residing at No. 255, George Street,
in the City of Glasgow, Foreman to Messrs. David and John Anderson,
of the said City, Manufacturers, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
Sealed the 18th May 1855, and dated the 18th December 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Hart at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th December
1854.
I, THOMAS HART, residing at No. 255, George Street, in the City of
Glasgow, Foreman to Messrs. David and John Anderson, of the said City,
Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN JACQUARD APPARATUS FOR WEAVING " to be as follows:-
According to the ordinary and well-known construction of looms for weaving
tartans, and other chequered fabrics and goods in which the colours or nature
of the woof have to be changed at intervals, a number of shuttles are employed,
one for each different colour or nature of woof, which are thrown from and to,
and when at rest are contained in, a tier of shuttle boxes one above another, at
one end of the lay. This tier of shuttle boxes is capable of sliding up and
down, so as to bring any required shuttle opposite to the race.
After one

page_text: shuttle has made the number of shots of its particular colour or nature of woof
which are required by the pattern, the tier of shuttle boxes is shifted up or
down, so as to bring the shuttle for another colour or nature of woof opposite
to the race, and so on. Many contrivances for regulating the shifting of the
tier of shuttle boxes have been invented and used, some of which are of the
nature of that well-known piece of machinery called the jacquard apparatus.
My Invention consists in improvements in the manner of constructing and
working jacquard apparatus, so as to regulate the shifting of the shuttle boxes
in a more convenient and efficient manner than has hitherto been used, which
improvements are also to a certain extent applicable to jacquard apparatus for
what purpose soever employed, it being well known that jacquard apparatus is
generally applicable to the production of a series of varied movements of
machinery in regular order.
For the sake of greater distinctness, I shall divide this statement of the
nature of my Invention into three parts: the first, relating to the mode of action
of the bars or rods, well known by the name of "jacquard needles," when
specially applied to the shifting of shuttle boxes; the second, relating to the
construction of the "jacquard cylinder ;" and the third, to a method of causing
the rotation of the jacquard cylinder to stop and to recommence at particular
periods in the working of the loom. The tier of shuttle boxes is supported and
raised or lowered by a rod near and parallel to one of the swords of the loom,
and having at its lower end a slide capable of moving in vertical guides. When
this slide is at its lowest elevation the uppermost shuttle box is opposite to the
race, and there are a series of spring catches at different heights for supporting
the slide at the different elevations required, in order to bring the other shuttle
boxes opposite to the race. Each of those catches is capable of being drawn
back when necessary, so as to allow the slide to descend; but on being let go,
each catch is brought by a spring forward to its original position.
Below the slide there is a lever, capable of moving in a vertical plane, and of
lifting the slide, and consequently the shuttle boxes, to any required height. To
this lever are attached the vertical hooks of the jacquard apparatus, one less in
number than the number of shuttles. These hooks are moved forward and
backward at proper times in the usual and well-known manner by horizontal
rods or bars, called needles, through holes in which needles the hooks pass.
When any hook is moved forward by its needle it is caught upon and drawn up
by one of a set of horizontal rails fixed to a sliding frame, which constitutes the
claw of the jacquard apparatus, and moves up and down with each double shot
of the loom; when the hook is drawn back, it is freed from the claw. The
horizontal rails of the claw opposite the different hooks are fixed to their sliding

page_text: frame at different elevations, each being suited for drawing up the lever, and
so raising the slide and the shuttle boxes to the height required for bringing
one particular shuttle to the level of the race; and they are also capable of
being adjusted by having their elevation varied, so as to make them work
correctly and without shocks. Thus, when all the hooks are drawn back, the
highest shuttle is opposite to the race. When the hook opposite the highest
rail is moved forward and caught upon that rail, the raising of the claw lifts
the second shuttle, reckoning downwards to the race, and so on, the lowest rail
and the hook opposite to it corresponding to the lowest shuttle.
It is obvious that when the instant arrives for bringing a new shuttle opposite
to the race, the box containing that shuttle may be either above or below the
level of the race, and may be at various distances above or below. If it is
below, it is lifted to the proper elevation by the proper hook, in the manner
already described; but if it is above, it is dropped to the proper elevation in
the following manner :-Each of the jacquard needles (except that belonging
to the hook, which corresponds to the lowest rail and to the highest elevation of
the shuttle boxes,) is so connected with the spring catches, formerly mentioned,
by levers, or other known means of transmitting motion, that on being pushed
forward, it not merely advances the hook proper for lifting the shuttle boxes to
the required elevation, but at the same time and by the same movement draws
back every spring catch above the level of that catch which is proper for
supporting the boxes at the required elevation; and there is an additional
needle, not having any hook, which, on being pushed forward, draws back
all the spring catches at once, so as to let the shuttle boxes drop to their
lowest position.
The nature of the first part of my Invention is the combination of known
pieces of machinery in such a way that each shuttle has one jacquard needle
corresponding to it, which, being pushed forward, the required shuttle, whether
above or below the level of the race, and at what distance soever, is imme-
diately brought opposite to the race by this one operation, in the manner
herein-before described. 'There is still another additional needle, not con-
nected with any shuttle, but intended for a purpose to be described in the
sequel.
The second part.of.my Invention is an improved construction of the jacquard
cylinder, which moves backward and forward at each double shot of the loom,
and by whose surface the needles are pushed forward when required, in the
manner well known. According to the ordinary construction, this cylinder is
square or polygonal in section, having on each flat surface a number of holes,
corresponding to the ends of the needles. It has upon its axis a ratchet wheel,

page_text: or some equivalent apparatus, acted upon by a click, which turns on a fixed pin,
and which, at each complete stroke of the frame carrying the cylinder, pulls the
ratchet wheel round by the space of one tooth, and brings round a new flat
surface of the cylinder. The cylinder in revolving brings forward one by one
a chain of pattern cards, fitting its flat surface, pierced with holes, corresponding
to the holes in the cylinder opposite to the needles, which are not to be pushed
forward at each shot, and not pierced opposite to the needles which are to be
pushed forward. According to my improved construction, the cylinder and its
ratchet wheel are made so large as not to revolve more than once for each
repetition of the pattern. Instead of flat faces, the cylinder has longitudinal
bars, having between them open spaces or slots, corresponding in number and
position with the teeth of the ratchet wheel, by which they are brought suc-
cessively opposite to the needles; and instead of using pattern cards, I insert
studs or stoppers into these slots at the points which are brought opposite to
the needles to be pushed forward at each double shot of the loom, leaving the
other parts of the slots vacant. This construction is stronger and more
durable, more easily altered to any required pattern, less expensive, and less
liable to injury than the ordinary system of pattern cards, and is applicable
to the cylinders of jacquard apparatus in general.
The third part of my Invention consists in a method of causing the rotation
of the jacquard cylinder to stop and to recommence when required. If there
were nothing in the machinery beyond what I have already described, the
rotation of the jacquard cylinder would go on continuously at the rate of one
tooth of the ratchet wheel for each double shot of the loom; and it would be
necessary, after every slot of the cylinder containing a stopper for pushing
forward a needle and bringing a new shuttle to the race, to have a number of
vacant slots, corresponding with the number of additional double shots to be
made with the same shuttle before again changing the colour or nature of the
woof; and hence it would be necessary that the entire number of double shots
in the pattern should either be exactly the same with the entire number of
slots in the circumference of the cylinder, or should be an exact aliquot part
of that number, such as one-half, one-third, or the like. But supposing it
were possible to make the rotation of the jacquard cylinder stop at a certain
shot of the pattern, and recommence after any assigned, number of double
shots, the same shuttle would continue in action all the while the cylinder
was standing still, and thus there might be introduced into the pattern at any
part or parts required any required number of double shots of any particular
colour or nature of woof over and above the number corresponding to the
slots in the jacquard cylinder, so that it would not be necessary that the

page_text: number of double shots in the pattern should be either exactly equal to, or
an exact aliquot part of, the number of slots in the cylinder.
The third part of my Invention is a method of accomplishing this object,
and is applicable to the cylinders of jacquard apparatus in general. It is
obvious, that if the click which acts on the teeth of the ratchet wheel of the
cylinder be disengaged from the teeth, the cylinder will cease to rotate until
the click is again allowed to take hold.
I have already mentioned a certain additional needle, not acting upon any
of the hooks for lifting, or the catches for supporting the shuttle boxes. To
distinguish this needle, I shall call it the "disengaging needle." When this
needle is pushed forward, by a stopper fixed in one of the slots of the cylinder
for that purpose, one of its effects is, by means of levers, or any ordinary mode
of transmitting motion, to disengage the click of the ratchet wheel of the
cylinder. The click is then kept in its disengaged position by a rest or spring
catch, and remain so until that rest or catch is withdrawn, by means to be
afterwards described. During this time, therefore, the cylinder ceases to
rotate, and continues to give a reciprocating movement to the disengaging
needle. Another effect of the motion of the disengaging needle is as
follows:-
There is a second ratchet wheel, which I call the index wheel, having any
convenient number of teeth, and an equal number of holes round its rim, in
any one of which a pin can be fixed, for a purpose to be presently described.
Round a barrel on the axis of this wheel a chain, cord, or strap is wound, with
a weight hung to it, which, when the wheel is not otherwise acted upon, keeps
it in a fixed position, and brings it back to that position when it is set at liberty
after having been moved. The index wheel is pulled round by a click, which
receives a longitudinal reciprocating motion from the disengaging needle, and
which advances the wheel by one tooth for every double shot of the loom
during the period in which the jacquard cylinder continues to act on the dis-
engaging needle.
A second click, having no longitudinal motion, prevents the index wheel from
being turned back by the weight during this operation. The pin, before
mentioned, being fixed in a particular hole in the rim of the index wheel, is
brought round step by step, and after a number of double shots, depending
on the position of that hole, it is at length brought to press against a bar,
connected in such a way with the two clicks of the index wheel, and with the
rest or spring catch of the click of the ratchet wheel of the jacquard cylinder,
that at the same moment the first two clicks are disengaged from the teeth of
the index wheel and kept disengaged by a spring catch, and the last click is

page_text: allowed again to take hold of the teeth of the ratchet wheel of the cylinder;
in consequence of which, the jacquard cylinder recommences its rotation, and
ceases to act on the disengaging needle, while at the same time the index
wheel, being free, is pulled by the weight back to its original position. On the
return of the index wheel to its original position, the pin strikes against and
removes the spring catch of the two clicks of the index wheel, leaving them
in readiness to repeat their action so soon as the disengaging needle is again
pushed forward.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thomas Hart in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
16th June 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
HART, residing at Number Two hundred and fifty-five, George Street, in the
City of Glasgow, Foreman to Messieurs David and John Anderson, of the
said City, Manufacturers, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the eighteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Thomas Hart, Her special licence that I, the said Thomas Hart,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas
Hart, my executors, 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 JACQUARD APPARATUS FOR
WEAVING," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Thomas Hart,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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
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 Thomas Hart, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, that is to say :-

page_text: According to the ordinary and well-known construction of looms for weaving
tartans, and other chequered fabrics and goods in which the colours or nature
of the woof have to be changed at intervals, a number of shuttles are employed,
one for each different colour or nature of woof, which are thrown from and
to, and when at rest are contained in, a tier of shuttle boxes, one above
another, at one end of the lay. This tier of shuttle boxes is capable of sliding
up and down, so as to bring any required shuttle opposite to the race. After
one shuttle has made the number of shots of its particular colour or nature of
woof which are required by the pattern, the tier of shuttle boxes is shifted up
or down, so as to bring the shuttle for another colour or nature of woof opposite
to the race, and so on. Many contrivances for regulating the shifting of the
tier of shuttle boxes have been invented and used, some of which are of the
nature of that well-known piece of machinery called the jacquard apparatus.
My Invention consists in improvements in the manner of constructing and
working a jacquard apparatus, so as to regulate the shifting of the shuttle
boxes in a more convenient and efficient manner than has hitherto been used,
which improvements are also to a certain extent applicable to jacquard appa-
ratus for what purpose soever employed, it being well known that jacquard
apparatus is generally applicable to the production of a series of varied move-
ments of machinery in regular order.
The tier of shuttle boxes is supported and raised or lowered by a rod,
having at its lower end a slider capable of moving vertically. When this
slider is at its lowest elevation the uppermost shuttle box is opposite to the
race, and there are a series of spring catches at different heights for supporting
the slider at the different elevations required, in order to bring the other
shuttle boxes opposite to the race. Each of those catches is capable of being
drawn back when necessary, so as to allow the slider to descend; but on
being let go, éach catch is brought by a spring forward to its original position.
Below the slider there is a bar, capable of moving in a vertical direction, and
of lifting the slider, and consequently the shuttle boxes, to any required height.
With this lifting bar are connected the vertical hooks of the jacquard appa-
ratus, one less in number than the shuttles. These hooks are moved forward
and backwards at proper times in the usual and well-known manner by
means of horizontal rods or bars, called needles. When any hook is moved
forward by its needle, it is caught upon and drawn up by one of a set of hori-
zontal rails, fixed to a sliding frame, which constitutes the claw of the jacquard
apparatus, and moves up and down with each double shot of the loom; when
the hook is drawn back it is freed from the claw. The horizontal rails of the

page_text: claw opposite the different hooks are fixed to their sliding frame at different
elevations, each being suited for drawing up the lever, and so raising the
slider and the shuttle boxes to the height required for bringing one particular
shuttle to the level of the race, and they are also capable of being adjusted
by having their elevation varied, so as to make them work correctly and
without shocks.
It is obvious, that when the instant arrives for bringing a new shuttle oppo-
site to the race, the box containing that shuttle may be either above or below
the level of the race, and may be at various distances above or below. If it is
below, it is lifted to the proper elevation by the proper hook, in the manner
already described; but if it is above, it is dropped to the proper elevation in
the following manner:-Each of the jacquard needles (except that belonging
to the hook, which corresponds to the highest elevation of the shuttle boxes,)
is so connected with the spring catches, formerly mentioned, by levers or other
known means of transmitting motion, that, on being pushed forward, it not
merely advances the hook proper for lifting the shuttle boxes to the required
elevation, but at the same time and by the same movement draws back every
spring catch above the level of that catch, which is proper for supporting the
boxes at the required elevation; and there is an additional needle, not having
any hook, which, on being pushed forward, draws back all the spring catches
at once, so as to let the shuttle boxes drop to their lowest position. There is
still another additional needle, not connected with any shuttle, but intended
for a purpose to be described in the sequel.
Another part of my Invention is an improved construction of the jacquard
cylinder, which moves backward and forward at each double shot of the loom,
and by whose surface the needles are pushed forward when required in the
manner well known. According to the ordinary construction, this cylinder is
square or polygonal in section, having on each flat surface a number of holes,
corresponding to the ends of the needles. It has upon its axis a ratchet
wheel, or some equivalent apparatus, acted upon by a click, which turns
on a fixed pin, and which, at each complete stroke of the frame carrying
the cylinder, pulls the ratchet wheel round by the space of one tooth, and
brings round a new flat surface of the cylinder. The cylinder in revolving
brings forward one by one a chain of pattern cards, fitting its flat surfaces,
pierced with holes, corresponding to the holes in the cylinder opposite to
the needles, which are not to be pushed forward at each shot, and not
pierced opposite to the needles which are to be pushed forward. According
to my improved construction, the cylinder and its ratchet wheel are made so

page_text: large as not to revolve more than once for each repetition of the pattern.
Instead of flat faces, the cylinder has bars or ribs, having between them open
spaces, corresponding in number and position with the teeth of the ratchet wheel,
by which they are brought successively opposite to the needles; and instead
of using pattern cards, I insert stoppers into these spaces at the points which
are brought opposite to the needles to be pushed forward at each double shot
of the loom. This construction is stronger and more durable, more easily
altered to any required pattern, less expensive, and less liable to injury than
the ordinary system of pattern cards, and is applicable to the cylinders of
jacquard apparatus of various kinds.
Another part of my Invention consists in a method of causing the rotation
of the jacquard cylinder to stop and to recommence when required. If there
were nothing in the machinery beyond what I have already described, the
rotation of the jacquard cylinder would go on continuously, at the rate of one
tooth of the ratchet wheel for each double shot of the loom; and it would be
necessary, after every space of the cylinder containing a stopper for pushing
forward a needle and bringing a new shuttle to the race, to have a number of
vacant spaces, corresponding with the number of additional double shots to be
made with the same shuttle, before again changing the color or nature of the
woof, and hence it would be necessary that the entire number of double shots
in the pattern should either be exactly the same with the entire number of
spaces in the circumference of the cylinder, or should be an exact aliquot part
of that number, such as one-half, one-third, or the like. But supposing it
were possible to make the rotation of the jacquard cylinder stop at a certain
shot of the pattern, and recommence after any assigned number of double
shots, the same shuttle would continue in action all the while the cylinder was
standing still, and thus there might be introduced into the pattern at any part
or parts required any required number of double shots of any particular color
or nature of woof over and above the number corresponding to the spaces in
the circumference of the jacquard cylinder, so that it would not be necessary
that the number of double shots in the pattern should be either exactly equal
to, or an exact aliquot part of, the number of spaces in the circumference of
the cylinder. This part of my Invention is a method of accomplishing this
object, and is applicable to jacquard apparatus of various kinds and for various
purposes. It is obvious that if the click which acts on the teeth of the ratchet
wheel of the cylinder be disengaged from the teeth, the cylinder will cease to
rotate until the click is again allowed to take hold. I have already mentioned
a certain additional needle, not acting upon any of the hooks for lifting, or the

page_text: catches for supporting the shuttle boxes. To distinguish this needle, I shall
call it the disengaging needle. When this needle is pushed forward by a
stopper fixed in one of the spaces of the cylinder for that purpose, one of its
effects is, by means of levers, or any ordinary mode of transmitting motion, to
disengage the click of the ratchet wheel of the cylinder; the click is then kept
in its disengaged position by a rest or spring catch, and remains so until that
rest or catch is set free, by means to be afterwards described. During this
time, therefore, the cylinder ceases to rotate, and continues to give a recipro-
cating movement to the disengaging needle. Another effect of the motion of
the disengaging needle is as follows:--There is a second ratchet wheel, which I
call the index wheel, having any convenient number of teeth, and a corre-
sponding number of holes round its rim, in which pins can be fixed, for a
purpose to be presently described. Round a barrel or pulley on the axis of
this wheel a chain, cord, or strap is wound, with a weight hung to it, which,
when the wheel is not otherwise acted upon, keeps it in a fixed position, and
brings it back to that position when it is set at liberty after having been
moved. The index wheel is pulled round by a click, which receives a longitu-
dinal reciprocating motion from the disengaging needle, and which advances
the wheel by one tooth for every double shot of the loom during the period in
which the jacquard cylinder continues to act on the disengaging needle. A
second click, having no longitudinal motion, prevents the index wheel from
being turned back by the weight during this operation. A pin fixed in a par-
ticular hole in the rim of the index wheel is brought round step by step, and
after a number of double shots, depending on the position of that hole, it is at
length brought to press against a bar connected in such a way with the two
clicks of the index wheel, and with the rest or spring catch of the click of the
ratchet wheel of the jacquard cylinder, that at the same moment the first two
clicks are disengaged from the teeth of the index wheel, and kept disengaged
by a spring catch or catches, and the last click is allowed again to take hold of
the teeth of the ratchet wheel of the cylinder; in consequence of which, the
jacquard cylinder recommences its rotation, and ceases to act on the disen-
gaging needle, while at the same time the index wheel, being free, is pulled by
the weight back to its original position. On the return of the index wheel to
its original position, the spring catch or catches of the two clicks of the index
wheel are removed, leaving those clicks in readiness to repeat their action so
soon as the disengaging needle is again pushed forward.
I shall now proceed to describe the Drawing annexed hereto, which Draw-
ing represents machinery whereby my Invention is or may be carried into

page_text: effect, it being understood that the arrangement and details of such machinery
may be varied, to suit the circumstances under which it is to be employed,
without departing from the principle of my Invention.
Figure Second is a plan of the said machinery; Figure First is a vertical
and longitudinal section of the said machinery along a line which is marked
on the plan, Figure Second, by alternate long and round dots; Figure Third
is a side elevation of the said machinery, in a plane parallel to the plane of
section before mentioned; Figure Fourth is a front elevation of a certain part
of the said machinery, called the claw. The different parts of the machinery are
distinguished by symbols of reference, consisting of letters, or of letters and
numbers combined; and when any particular part of the machinery is visible
in more than one Figure, the same symbol is affixed to such part in each
Figure in which it occurs. The same symbol is occasionally repeated more
than once in the same Figure, either at different points of the same part of the
machinery, or on two or more similar parts of the machinery; but in such
cases, the symbol so repeated in the Drawing is not repeated in this descrip-
tion, but mentioned as if it occurred only once in the Drawing. Dotted lines
in the Drawing, when not otherwise specified, shew the positions of parts of
the machinery which in the actual machine are concealed behind other
parts; but in certain cases dotted lines are used to represent positions of parts of
the machinery different from those corresponding to the general position of the
machinery, as shewn in the Drawing, and those cases are particularly specified
in the sequel of this description.
The whole of the machinery, where not otherwise specified, is shewn in the
position corresponding to the lowest position of the shuttles, and to that period
of a revolution when a double shot has just been completed, and when that
motion of the machinery is about to commence which will produce a change in
the elevation of the shuttle boxes. A is one end of the tappet shaft of a loom
revolving once for each double shot of the woof; B is part of a rod supporting
the shuttle boxes. This rod is forked at its lower end, where it is jointed to
a slider 61, capable of moving up and down on a guide rod 62. The elevation
of this slider regulates the elevation of the shuttle boxes. Those two parts of
the loom just mentioned, viz., the end of the tappet shaft and part of the rod
which supports the shuttle boxes, are the only parts shewn in the Drawing, as
they are the parts whereby the loom is connected with the machinery for
carrying my Invention into effect. a 1 is a cam, keyed on the shaft A, which
cam, through the pin or stud c 1 and rod c 2, guided by the guide lever c 3,
imparts a reciprocating motion to the lever C. The lever C is keyed on the

page_text: shaft c 4, which carries on its ends two forks, marked c 5, whose prongs
embrace the ends of the shaft g of the jacquard cylinder, and impart a hori-
zontal reciprocating motion to that cylinder. On the tappet shaft A is a crank
a 2, which, by means of a crank pin a 3 and a slotted link d 1, communicates
a vibrating movement to the toothed sector D upon the shaft d 2. This
toothed sector, acting on a rack fixed to the back of the frame E, called a
"claw," gives a reciprocating vertical motion to the said claw, which is guided
by two spindles, marked f. The rise of the claw takes place immediately after
the forward movement of the jacquard cylinder. The length of the slot in the
link d 1 is adjusted, and the extent of motion of the claw consequently regu-
lated, by means of an adjusting screw d 3. The parts marked A, a 1, a 2, a 3,
C, c1, c2, c 3, d 1, and d 3, are not shewn in the Third Figure, although par-
tially visible past the framework in that view of the actual machinery which
the Third Figure represents, because to shew them in that Figure would have
made it needlessly complex by the mere repetition of parts completely shewn in
Figures First and Second. The claw E is shewn in side elevation in Figure
First, in plan in Figure Second, and separately in front elevation in Figure
Fourth. e 1, e2, e 3, are its three horizontal rails, suitable for lifting the shuttle
boxes to three different heights; which rails are moveable in vertical guides,
and capable of being adjusted to work correctly by screws shewn in the Figures.
G is the ratchet wheel of the jacquard cylinder, acted on by the click K, which
when in action pulls the said wheel round by one tooth for each double shot
of the loom; k are two springs, pressing against the inner side of the said
wheel, so as to produce friction sufficient to prevent it from revolving, except
under the action of the click. The shaft g of the jacquard cylinder is sup-
ported by two plumber blocks, marked H, which slide horizontally on rails
marked h. The jacquard cylinder consists of circular ribs, formed like wheels
or discs, one more in number than the number of needles, and capable of being
removed from the shaft and replaced upon it when required. In the machine
represented in the Drawing there are six such circular ribs, marked respec-
tively g 1, g 2, g 3, g 4, g 5, g 6; each of those circular ribs is pierced round
its rim with holes, equal in number to the teeth in the ratchet wheel G, which
holes serve, by means of pins, for the fixing of stoppers, marked i, at such points
between the ribs as are suitable for producing the required pattern by the
action of such stoppers on the needles; so that the number of spaces in which
such stoppers can be fixed, reckoning round the circumference of the jacquard
cylinder, is equal to the number of teeth in the ratchet wheel G for each needle;
and reckoning parallel to the axis of the jacquard cylinder, equal to the number

page_text: of needles for each tooth of the ratchet wheel, or in all equal to the product
of these two numbers. It is evident that the same number and arrangement of
spaces might be obtained by making the ribs of the jacquard cylinder consist
of straight bars parallel to its axis, equal in number to the teeth of the ratchet
wheel, and having holes in each such rib equal in number to the needles, for
the fixing of stoppers in the spaces between the ribs. L1, L2, L3, L4, L5,
are needles, supported in a horizontal position in the frame of the machine,
and capable of moving longitudinally. Those needles are represented in the
Drawing as being in their furthest backward position, which they assume when
not pushed forward by the stoppers in the jacquard cylinder. The needles
L1 and L 5 are furnished with spiral springs, shewn in the Drawing, for
restoring them to the said backward position when the stoppers cease to act on
them; the intermediate needles are drawn back by the action of other parts
of the machinery. N 1, N 2, N 3, are catches, each consisting of a vertical
lever with a projecting tooth, suitable for supporting the slider 61, and con-
sequently the shuttle boxes, at a different elevation. Each of those vertical
levers turns upon and is supported by the end of a horizontal lever; one of
those horizontal levers is shewn in Figure, First and marked O 3. In Figure
Second the horizontal levers are concealed by the spiral springs o 4, 05, 06,
which serve to draw back the upper ends and forward the lower ends of the
catches N 1, N 2, N 3. The said horizontal levers are supported by, and
capable of turning on, a shaft marked o; and their positions, and consequently
the elevations of the respective catches, are adjusted by means of screws, one
of which, o 3, is shewn in Figure 1st. The catches N 1, N 2, N 3, are acted
upon by the needles L2, L3, L4, by means of the following mechanism :-
M 1, M 2, M 3, are horizontal shafts at right angles to the needles; to the
shaft M 1 is fixed a lever n 1, which, by means of a rod n 4, is capable of
drawing back the catch N 1; to the shaft M 2 is fixed a lever n 2, which, by
means of a rod n 5, is capable of drawing back the catch N2; to the shaft
M 3 is fixed a lever n 3, which, by means of a rod n 6, is capable of drawing
back the catch N 3. Moreover, to the shaft M 1 are fixed three levers m 1,
m 2, m 4, which traverse respectively slits m, and are capable of being pushed
forward by the needles L2, L3, L4; to the shaft M 2 are fixed two levers
m 3, m 5, which traverse respectively slits m, and are capable of being pushed
forward by the needles L3, L4; to the shaft M 3 is fixed one lever m 6,
which traverses a slit m, and is capable of being pushed forward by the needle
L4. The needles L1 and L5 are not connected with any of the supporting
catches N 1, N 2, N 3; hence, when the needle L 2 is pushed forward, the

page_text: catch N 1 is drawn back alone; when the needle L 3 is pushed forward, the
catches N 1 and N 2 are drawn back at once; and when the needle L 4 is
pushed forward, the catches N 1, N 2, N 3, are all drawn back at once; so
that the pushing forward of one of those needles draws back at one operation
all the supporting catches above a certain position of the slider 61, to which the
needle corresponds; and the shuttle boxes can by one operation be dropped to
any required position above which they happen to be. The following is the
mechanism whereby the shuttle boxes are raised to any required position below
which they happen to be:-S is a horizontal lifting bar, capable of moving in
a vertical direction; to guide the motion of this bar, it is fixed to two levers,
marked s 1, which are fixed on the ends of a shaft marked s 2; the lifting bar
S passes below a projection on the slider 1, and above the lower ends of the
hooks P1, P2, P 3, which are capable of rising and falling between vertical
guides marked r. These hooks have weights behind, to make their upper ends
fall into an oblique position backward when not otherwise acted on; one of
those weights is shewn in Figure First, and marked q 3. The forward position
of the upper end of a hook is marked by dotted lines in Figure First. The
hooks P1, P2, P 3, are capable of being pushed forward by the needles L 1,
L2, L3, respectively; when the hook P 1 is pushed forward by the needle
L1, it is caught by the uppermost rail e 1 of the claw, and thereby made to
lift the slider 1, and consequently the shuttle boxes, into the highest position,
by means of the bar S; when the hook P 2 is pushed forward by the needle
L2, it is caught by the second rail e 2 of the claw, and thereby made to lift
the slider and shuttle boxes to their highest position but one; when the hook
P3 is pushed forward by the needle L 3, it is caught by the third rail e 3 of
the claw, and thereby made to lift the slider and shuttle boxes to their highest
position but two; and it is evident that each of the needles L1, L2, L3, L4,
corresponds to a particular elevation of the slider and shuttle boxes, and that
each of those needles, on being pushed forward, at one and the same moment
advances the hook (if any) proper for lifting the slider and shuttle boxes to the
required position, and draws back every catch (if any) above the required
position of the slider 61; so that any required shuttle is brought at once to
the level of the race froin any position simply by the pushing forward of the
needle corresponding to it.
The following is the mechanism for causing the rotation of the jacquard
cylinder to stop at any required double shot of the pattern, and to recom-
mence at any required number of double shots thereafter-L 5 is the dis-
engaging needle, having a spiral spring to draw it back when not pushed

page_text: forward. M 4 is a shaft, to which the disengaging needle communicates a
reciprocating motion by means of the lever m 7. Fixed to the shaft M 4
are two other levers, v2 and u 5. When the disengaging needle is pressed
forward, the lever v 2, pressing on the pin v 1, advances the disengaging bar
or catch V, which, by means of the lever v 3, raises the click K, so as to prevent
it from acting on the teeth of the ratchet wheel G. The disengaged position
of the click K, and the corresponding positions of the lever v 3 and catch V,
are shewn by dotted lines. In this position, these parts of the mechanism are
retained by the catch V taking hold of the rest v 4, until that catch is set free,
by means to be afterwards described, when the spring v 5 restores them to
their original position. T is the second ratchet wheel, called the index wheel,
having a number of holes in its rim, corresponding with its teeth. tl is a
pulley on the axis of the index wheel; t 2, another pulley; t 3, a chain,
whereby the weight t 4 is hung over these pulleys; t 5 and 6 are pins fixed
in two of the holes in the rim of the index wheel. The number of teeth
between these pins fixes the number of double shots to be made before the
rotation of the jacquard cylinder recommences. Through the lever m 7,
the shaft M 4, the lever u 5, the rod u 4, the lever u 3, the shaft u 2, and the
lever u 1, the jacquard cylinder, acting by means of a stopper on the disen-
gaging needle L 5, communicates a reciprocating motion to the click U, and
advances the index wheel by one tooth for each double shot, raising at the
same time the weight t 4. The fixed click u 6 prevents the index wheel from
running back during this operation; at length, after the required number of
double shots, the pin t 6, which has been gradually advancing with the rota-
tion of the index wheel, depresses a lever W, which turns on the centre w 1,
and raises the opposite lever w 2. The lever w 2, by means of a pin a 1,
raises the bar w 3, which moves vertically in guides w 4, and is prevented
from descending too far by the rest w 5. Upon the raising of the bar w 3, a
pin fixed in it, a 3, lifts the disengaging catch V, and sets it free from the rest
v4, whereupon the spring v 5 draws back this catch, and the lever v 3 and
the click K descends and takes hold of the teeth of the ratchet wheel G of the
jacquard cylinder, which recommences its rotation, and consequently ceases to
act on the disengaging needle; at the same time the head a 2 of the bar
w 3 lifts the two clicks U and u 6 of the index wheel T, whereupon the
weight t 4 descends, causing the index wheel to rotate back to its original
position. The bar w 3, upon 1st being raised, is kept in an elevated position
by the two spring catches w 6, w 7. Upon the return of the index wheel to
its original position, the pin t 5 strikes the under side of the lever W, and by

page_text: means of the arm y, fixed to that lever, draws back the spring catch w 6.
The disengaging catch V, upon returning to its original position, draws back
the spring catch w 7; consequently, so soon as both the disengaging catch
and the index wheel have returned to their original positions, not sooner and
not later, the bar w 3 is set free from both the catches w 6 and w 7, and per-
mitted to drop; whereupon the two clicks U, and u 6, again take hold of the
teeth of the index wheel, so as to be ready to act as soon as a stopper in the
jacquard cylinder shall again push forward the disengaging needle. It is
obvious, that, if required, two separate bars, instead of the single bar w 3,
moved by two independent levers instead of the single lever W, with the
levers connected with it, might be employed to lift the disengaging catch V,
and the pair of clicks U and u 6 respectively. y 1 is a pin to limit the extent
of motion of the arm y. The framework of the machinery is marked Z at
various points.
Although one arrangement of parts only is represented in the Drawing
hereto annexed, and described in detail herein, it is evident that various other
arrangements are practicable for the carrying out of my Invention, the details
of such arrangements being regulated in each case by the construction and
purpose of the particular loom or other machine with which the machinery
for carrying my Invention into effect is to be connected. For example: the
construction and arrangement of the parts for giving motion to such machinery
must be suited to the position of the tappet shaft by which they are to be
moved. The shaft of the jacquard cylinder may receive its reciprocating
motion through the direct action of a rod or rods instead of through a lever.
The machinery represented in the Drawing is suited to be applied to a loom
in which the shuttle boxes are capable of being shifted in any manner between
four different elevations, and the number of needles, hooks, catches, and other
parts is suited for producing such shifting of the shuttle boxes, according to
any required pattern; but in applying my Invention to other looms or other
machines, the number of such parts may be increased or diminished to any
extent, so as to be adapted to the number and complexity of the shiftings of
which the shuttle boxes are to be capable, or of the other motions which
the jacquard apparatus is to regulate. Should it not be intended to weave
such patterns as require the introduction of additional shots over and above
those corresponding to the teeth in the circumference of the jacquard cylinder,
the disengaging needle and index wheel and all the parts connected with
them for the purpose of causing the introduction of such shots may be omitted.
The index wheel may, if desired, be made with less than a complete circle of

page_text: teeth and pin holes; or it may be made with more than a complete circle
of teeth and pin holes, by making its rim of a helical or spiral form, and
making either the index wheel itself, or the lever on which its pins act, or
both, capable of motion in a direction parallel to the axis of the index wheel.
The index wheel may be moved back by a spring instead of a weight, and the
details of the machinery may be otherwise varied without departing from
the principle of my Invention.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First, the improved construction and combination of jacquard apparatus
and machinery connected therewith, as herein-before described.
Second, the improved method of regulating the different elevations of the
shuttle boxes of looms by means of a series of catches, arranged and adjusted
as herein-before described.
Third, the method of connecting the needles or moveable bars of a jacquard
apparatus with the catches for supporting a slider at different elevations, so
that the pushing forward of any particular needle or bar shall at one opera-
tion and at the same instant withdraw all such catches which are above a
particular elevation, corresponding to the particular needle or bar, in the
manner herein-before described.
Fourth, the method of connecting the needles or moveable bars of a
jacquard apparatus at once with the catches for supporting a slider at different
elevations, and with the apparatus for lifting such slider to different elevations,
so that the pushing forward of any one particular needle or bar shall at one
operation and at the same instant withdraw all such catches which are above
a particular elevation, corresponding to the particular needle or bar; and also
put into action the apparatus for lifting the slider to the same particular
elevation, thereby causing by one operation the slider to be either raised or
lowered, as the case may be, from any other elevation to the particular eleva-
tion required, in the manner herein-before described.
Fifth, the improved construction of jacquard cylinders, as herein-before
described.
Sixth, the method of regulating certain movements of machinery or appa-
ratus by means of the wheel, which I have called an index wheel, which, after
having been made to rotate through the certain assigned angle, or part of a
revolution or revolutions, disengages itself from the machinery which moves it,
and returns to its original position, as herein-before described.
Seventh, the method of causing the rotation of the jacquard cylinder to stop

page_text: at any required period of its revolution, and to recommence at any required
period of the revolution of the wheel, which I have called an index wheel,
which index wheel acts when the jacquard cylinder does not rotate, and is at
rest when the jacquard cylinder rotates, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Hart, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
W. J. MACQUORN,
Rankine,
Witness.
THOMAS HART. (L.S.)