IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hugh Crawford, James Crawford, Robert Crawford,
and Robert Templeton, all of Beith, in the County of Ayr, North Britain,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
#
Sealed the 15th August 1862, and dated the 17th February 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hugh Crawford, James
Crawford, Robert Crawford, and Robert Templeton, at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the 17th February
1862.
We, HUGH CRAWFORD, JAMES CRAWFORD, ROBERT CRAWFORD, and ROBERT
TEMPLETON, all of Beith, in the County of Ayr, North Britain, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR
WEAVING," to be as follows, that is to say:-
This Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of looms for
weaving. The object of the improvements under one head of the Invention is
to ensure an uninterrupted supply of weft by self-acting means when the weft
in the operating shuttle is exhausted.
Under one modification of these improvements the pirn or cop on which the
weft is wound is made with a slot in the backward end of it, so that when
placed on the shuttle spindle the end of a curved blade spring, fitted: in the
shuttle and extending longitudinally, passes under the weft wound on the pirn.
A slot is formed in the side of the shuttle to admit of a blade spring being

page_text: proper
fitted therein; the end of this spring is bent at right angles, and enters
through the side of the shuttle, its inner end being notched, so that when the
upper blade spring is held down by its end passing under the weft on the pirn,
it serves to retain the lateral spring and prevent its springing out beyond the
level of the side of the shuttle. In weaving with a shuttle of this kind, when
the weft is exhausted, or nearly so, the longitudinal blade spring is liberated,
which releases the side spring, so that it projects beyond the side, and in its
traverse into the circular shuttle box fitted at one side of the loom it comes into
contact with a mechanical arrangement that moves round the shuttle box, and
carries away the used shuttle and brings another one with a full pirn into
action. The yarn is wound on the pirn, so that when the springs are liberated
there is always a sufficient quantity of weft on the pirn to complete the shot,
and thus any defects in the cloth arising from an imperfect or deficient shot of
weft is avoided. The arrangement for operating the shuttle box at the
instant is actuated by the laterally projecting spring, which on being liberated
raises a bent spring, which is carried on a bracket piece bolted to the lathe;
when this spring is raised it allows a spring lever which projects inwards over
the breast beam to move the rotatory shuttle box round to the extent of one
cell. The cell thus brought into a line' with the shed contains a fresh shuttle
with a full pirn; the instant this is done, the spring again falls into a notch
in the box and holds it until the weft on the pirn is exhausted. The shuttles
are supplied to the rotatory box through a longitudinal opening at the side,
which is arranged in an angular position, so as to be opposite the cell next to
that which is in use. This opening has fitted to it one or more springs, to
prevent the shuttle or shuttles not in use from springing out. Extending over
the shuttle box is a rod, which has pendent from it a T-shaped piece of metal
which acts like the ordinary swell in the shuttle box; the rod has at its inner
extremity an arm which is in contact with a vertical arm on the spindle of the
weft fork motion, so that when the shuttle duly completes its transverse, it
pushes the swell back in the ordinary way, but if absent, the loom is stopped; 3
this part is arranged to allow of the rotatory movement of the shuttle box, in
order to liberate the empty shuttle when the box is turned round. With this
Arrangement, the instant. that the weft is exhausted in the shuttle its lateral
spring acts on the arrangement for liberating the shuttle box, and another cél!
with a new shuttle is brought into a line with the shed, and the weaving goes s
on without causing any break or irregularity in the woven fabric." As the
rotatory shuttle box is turned round, section by section, the used shuttles fall
out of the cells in succession into a receiver beneath.
it to
The second part of this Invention has reference to an arrangement to avoid

page_text: the stopping of the loom when the weft is either broken or exhausted. The
spindle of the weft fork is carried on a vertical arm fast to a transverse shaft,
at the other extremity, of which is a laterally projecting arm which rests
against a bow piece that is connected to a vertical pin extending up through
the bracket piece before referred to, carrying the spring which retains and
liberates the shuttle box. Upon the weft fork being brought into action by
the absence of the weft; the laterally. projecting arm raises the vertical spring,
which liberates the retaining spring, and the shuttle box. is free to be turned
partially round in order to bring another shuttle into use.. Provision is also
made for drawing back the "take up "one, two, or other number of shots, so
that the new weft may be closely beaten up and no breaks occur in the cloth.
A small gauge piece is bolted to a lever having two laterally projecting arms;
this lever is carried on a stud in the loom framing. The lower part of the
lever is connected by a spring to a cross rail of the framing, whilst the upper
arm forms a pawl which falls into the ratchet wheel of the "take up" motion,
so that according to the extent of traverse afforded by the gauge piece, any
required number of teeth of the ratchet wheel may be drawn back when the
weft fork comes into action either from the breakage or running out of the
weft. In either case a new shuttle is brought into action by the movement of
the shuttle box, and in this manner the weaving is carried on continuously,
without requiring any other attention than that of supplying full shuttles to
the rotatory box, and two, three, or more of these may be put into the opening
at a time, so as to ensure a due supply.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Hugh Crawford, James Crawford, Robert Crawford, and
Robert Templeton, in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th August
1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, HUGH
CRAWFORD, JAMES CRAWFORD, ROBERT CRAWFORD, and ROBEET TEMPLETON, all
of Beith, in the County of Ayr, North Britain, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of Her reign,.
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said
Hugh Crawford, James Crawford, Robert Crawford, and Robert Templeton,
Her special license that we, the said Hugh Crawford, James Crawford,

page_text: Robert Crawford, and Robert Templeton, our executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as we, the 'said Hugh Crawford, James Crawford,
Robert Crawford, and Robert Templeton, our executors, administrators, or
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 LOOMS FOR WEAVING,"
upon the condition
(amongst others) that we, the said Hugh Crawford, James Crawford,. Robert
Crawford, and Robert Templeton, our executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under our hands and seals, or under the hand and seal,
of one of them, 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 we, the said Hugh Crawford, James Crawford,
Robert Crawford, and Robert Templeton, 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,
reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and
figures marked thereon, that is to say:―
Our said Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of looms for
weaving. The object of the improvements under one head of the Invention is
to ensure an uninterrupted supply of weft by self-acting means when the weft
in the operating shuttle is exhausted.
Under one modification of these improvements the pirn on which the weft is
wound is made with a slot in the backward end of it, so that when placed on
the shuttle spindle the end of a curved blade spring fitted in the shuttle and
extending longitudinally passes under the weft wound on the pirn. A slot is
formed'in the side of the shuttle to admit of a blade spring being fitted therein;
the end of this spring is bent at right angles and enters through the side
of the shuttle, its inner end being notched so that when the upper blade
spring is held down by its end passing under the weft on the pirn it serves
to retain the lateral spring and prevent it springing out beyond the level of
'the side of the shuttle. In weaving with a shuttle of this kind, when the weft
is exhausted, or nearly so, the longitudinal blade spring is liberated; which
releases the side spring so that it projects beyond the side, and in its traverse
into the circular shuttle box fitted at one side of the loom it comes into contact

page_text: with a mechanical arrangement that moves round the shuttle box, and carries
away the used shuttle, and brings another one with a full pirn into action.
The yarn is wound on the pirn.so that when the springs are liberated there is
always a sufficient quantity of weft on the pirn to complete the shot, and thus
any defects in the cloth arising from an imperfect or deficient shot of weft is
avoided. The arrangement for operating the shuttle box at the proper instant
is actuated by the laterally projecting spring, which, on being liberated, raises
a bent spring which is carried on a bracket piece bolted to the lathe.. When
this spring is raised it allows a spring lever which projects inwards over the
breast beam to move the rotatory shuttle box round to the extent of one cel!.
The cell thus brought into a line with the shed contains a fresh shuttle with a
full pirn; the instant this is done the spring again falls into a notch in the
box and holds it until the weft on the pirn is exhausted. The shuttles are
supplied to the rotatory box through a longitudinal opening at the side, which
is arranged in an angular position so as to be opposite the cell next to that
which is in use; this opening has fitted to it one or more springs to prevent
the shuttle or shuttles not in use from springing out. Extending over the
shuttle box is a rod which has pendent. from it a T-shaped piece of metal,
which acts like the ordinary swell in the shuttle.box; the rod has at its inner
extremity an arm which is in contact with a vertical arm on the spindle of the
weft fork motion; so that when the shuttle duly completes its traverse it
pushes the swell back in the ordinary way, but if absent the loom is stopped;
this part is arranged to allow of the rotatory movement of the shuttle box in
order to liberate the empty shuttle when the box is turned round. With this
arrangement the instant that the weft is exhausted in the shuttle its lateral
spring acts on the arrangement for liberating the shuttle box, and another cell
with a new shuttle is brought into a line with the shed and the weaving.goes
on without causing any break or irregularity in the woven fabric. As the
rotatory shuttle box is turned round, section by section, the used shuttles fall
out of the cells in succession into a receiver beneath.
i.
The second part of this Invention has reference to an arrangement to avoid
the stopping of the loom when the weft is either broken or exhausted. The
spindle of the weft fork is carried on a vertical arm fast to a transverse shaft,
at the other extremity of which is a laterally projecting arm which rests
against a bow piece that is connected to a vertical pin extending up through
the bracket piece before referred to carrying the spring which retains and
liberates the shuttle box. Upon the weft fork being brought into action by
the absence of the weft the laterally projecting arm raises the vertical spring
which liberates the retaining spring, and the shuttle box is free to be turned

page_text: partially round in order to bring another shuttle into use. Provision is also
made-for drawing back the "take up "one, two, or other number of shots, so
that the new weft may be closely beaten up and no breaks occur in the cloth.
A small gauge piece is bolted to a lever having two laterally projecting arms; -
this lever is carried on a stud in the loom framing. The lower part of the
lever is connected by a spring to a cross rail of the framing whilst the upper
arm forms a pawl which falls into the ratchet wheel of the "take up" motion,
so that according to the extent of the traverse afforded by the gauge piece any
required number of teeth of the ratchet wheel may be drawn back when the
weft fork comes into action either from the breakage or running out of the
weft. In either,case a new shuttle is brought into action by the movement of
the shuttle box, and in this manner the weaving is carried on continuously
without requiring any other attention than that of supplying full shuttles to the
rotatory box, and two, three, or more of these may be put into the opening ät
a time so as to ensure a due supply.
And in order that our said Invention of "Improvements in Looms for
Weaving" may be properly understood, we shall now proceed to describe the
several Figures on the explanatory Sheet of Drawings which we have
hereunto appended for the purpose of showing certain modifications under
which our improvements may be judiciously carried out in practice, that is
to say:-
Figure 1 is a transverse sectional elevation of a loom fitted according to our
improvements; Figure 2 is a front view of the loom; and Figure. 3 is a plan
corresponding to Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional elevation
of the rotatory shuttle box; Figure 5 is an end view of the same, showing a por-
tion of the mechanical arrangement for actuating the shuttle box, and Figure 6
is a vertical section taken through the opening in which the full shuttles are
passed to supply the several cells of the rotatory box; Figure 7 is an
elevation of our improved shuttle, showing the spindle raised for placing the
pirn therein; Figure 8 is a longitudinal section of the shuttle; Figure 9 is a
plan of the same, showing the pirn partly filled, and Figure 10 is a corre-
sponding under side view showing the side spring released and in the position
which would cause a new shuttle to be brought into action, the weft in the
one being supposed to be exhausted..
According to one modification of our Invention the shuttle is the means by
which the shuttle box is turned, and a new shuttle is brought into operation ;
we will therefore first describe our improvements therein. The main portion
of the shuttle A is made according to the ordinary system, the spindle B, on
which the pirn is placed, is fitted on a pin passed through the shuttle, and upon

page_text: which it turns. The spindle has brazed to its point or outer extremity a blade
spring C, which curves slightly outwards just beyond the solid part, and then
forms a sudden rise or bend terminating in a bent part which enters and passes
through a hole formed for the purpose in the backward end of the spindle, as
shown in Figure 7. The pirn D is made with a slot E (Figure 8) at the
backward part, so that when the pirn is placed on the spindle and pushed up
to its shoulder, the backward curved portion of the spring extends above the
slot in the pirn; but this is not the case when the weft is wound thereon. In
winding the weft à small portion is wound near the centre of the pirn, the
conical portion of the pirn is then wound and completed in the ordinary way.
When the pirn is placed on the spindle B, the pressure of the weft at the
slotted part of the pirn causes the spring C to be dépressed, so that its 'free
extremity projects out beyond the hole in the spindle. The heel of the spindle
rests on a blade spring F, which holds it steady when placed either in the
horizontal or vertical positions. A recess and slot is formed in the side of the
shuttle, in which is screwed the spring G; the end of this spring is bent at
right angles to its length, and curves inwards as shown in Figure 9. When
the pirn is placed on the spindle and pushed up to the shoulder, the swell at.
the front portion of the spring C, serves to hold the pirn firmly in its place.
The spindle is then turned down to the horizontál position, at the same time
the spring G is pushed inwards, so that the point of the spring C which is
projecting below the spindle enters a hole in the bent part of the spring G,
and which comes immediately under the point of the spring C, when pressed
inwards in the manner described. In this position the spring G is flush with
the side of the shuttle, and it passes freely in and out of its cell in the rotatory
shuttle box. When, however, the weft beconies exhausted, and the portion
which covers the conical part of the pirn is unwound, the spring C rises and
liberates the spring G, which starts out beyond the side of the shuttle, as
shown in Figure 10. This projecting part comes into contact with the
mechanism to be presently described, which causes a partially rotatory move-
ment of the shuttle box to take place, and another shuttle is brought into
action. The small quantity of yarn wound on the pirn at the central part.
ensures a due supply of weft to complete the shot after the spring C is liberated,
and this prevents any defects in the cloth which would arise from a deficiency
of weft. These shuttles are also adapted for being used with ordinary cops in
which a paper tube takes the place of the pirn; to adapt, these tubes to our
improved shuttle it is necessary to make a longitudinal cut or slit in the tube,:
or otherwise to form it of paper sufficiently thin to break and liberate the
spring C upon the weft being expended. The mechanical arrangements for

page_text: effecting the change of the shuttle either upon the weft being exhausted or
from its breaking during the traverse through the shed, are shown in Figures 1
to 6 of the accompanying Drawing. In these Figures there are; numerous
parts, which are common to all modern power looms, and therefore need not
be particularly described. The lathe H has fixed to it the laterally projecting
spindle I, on which are fitted the bearings of the rotatory shuttle box J; the
space beyond the outer bearing to the end plate of the spindle is filled in with
a cylindrical piece of wood, grooved at the upper part to receive the picker K,
and afford the necessary space for the picker and shuttle. The picker is
wrought in the ordinary way by means of the picking stick, but there is an
arrangement for causing to be brought back rapidly irrespective of the
motion of the picking stick. A small pendent arm is fixed to the stationary
end piece of the shuttle box; this arm carries the helical spring L, one end of
which is fast to the projecting stud of the arm, whilst the other is prolonged
upwards, and terminates in an eye. A small strap or cord is attached to the
picker K, passed through the eye of the spring L, and the ends fastened to an
eye fixed to the frame of the shuttle box. When the picker has struck the
shuttle and completed its forward traverse, the spring Lis then free to act and
draws the picker back with great rapidity. In this modification the shuttle
box J is shown constructed with six cells for receiving the shuttles, but this
number may be varied if required. In front of the shuttle box is fixed a
small metal bar, to which is attached an open frame or mouthpiece M, to
receive the filled shuttles as they require to be passed into the cells of the shuttle
box J. Below the open frame or mouthpiece M is a small shelf N, to receive.
the shuttles in readiness to be passed into the mouth M. To prevent the shuttles
from flying out of the mouth M, there are two small springs fitted to the ends
of the frame M, and a loose plate M', which readily admits of the shuttle.
passing inwards, but falls forward into an angular position that prevents the
egress of the shuttle. The mouthpiece M may be made of any convenient.
depth, so as to hold a number of shuttles, in which case it is preferred to fit it
with the end springs and loose plates corresponding to the number of shuttles
the mouthpiece is intended to hold. With this arrangement the loom.
attendant has only to place the filled shuttles in the opening M from time to.
time to ensure the cells of the box J being properly supplied, for as the empty
cells are brought round the filled shuttles instantly drop in. The rotatory shuttle
box is moved round by automatic means in the following manner :-Let it be
assumed that the weft on the operating shuttle has been so far exhausted as to.
liberate the spring G as it passes through the shed in either direction, the
quantity of yarn wound on the central part of the pirn, as before explained,

page_text: will be sufficient to complete the pick. As the shuttle, traverses into its cell
in the box J, the spring G.comes into contact with the lower edge of the
plate O, which serves to retain the shuttle box in its place during the weaving;
this plate is centred on a stud at the inner end, as shown in Figure 4. The
lower edge of this plate O forms an inclined plane, so that as the shuttle
passes into the cell the plate is raised and lifts the link P, which is connected
to the plate O by a stud projecting out from it in front. The link P is slotted
at its lower. end, as shown in Figure 5, and is connected by a stud to the bent
lever Q; this lever is attached at its backward end to the lever R. This lever
is fast to a short horizontal shaft carried on the sword of the lathe H, and to
this shaft is connected by a pinching screw the horizontal lever S, the two
levers R and S forming a kind of bell-crank lever arrangement. These levers
receive a constant reciprocatory movement, while the loom is in motion from
the arm T, which is fitted, on the tappet shaft U. As the shaft rotates the
antifriction roller carried on a stud in the slotted extremity of the arm Traises
the lever Stand moves the levers R and Q forward, and so long as the weaving.
is 'proceeding regularly, this to-and-fro motion goes on without producing any
other effect. But when the link P is raised by the action of the shuttle on the
plate O, the front extremity of the bent lever Q is raised above the stud V,
which projects laterally from the arm W; this action lifts the finger-Q' of the
lever Q sufficiently high to catch the contiguous tooth of the ratchet wheel ✗
on the inner end of the shuttle box J, the object of the stud V being to retain
the lever Qin position, whilst the forward motion of the lever R. pushes the
shuttle box round, so that another cell with a full shuttle is brought into a
line with the shed. The shifting of the several parts to bring the new shuttle
into operation is effected with instantaneous rapidity, so that the weaving goes.
on without interruption. To guard against breakage of the parts of the
movement should there be a stoppage in the shifting mechanism from any
accidental cause, the lever S is jointed near its inner end, but the lever is.
prevented from bending each time the lever T. comes round by. the flat.
spring S', which consists of one or more pieces of flat steel extending over and
pressing on the moveable part of the lever S; should any extraordinary
pressure or retarding force be brought on the lever S, the spring T' gives way
and prevents injury to the other parts. An india-rubber or other spring Y is
attached to the lever S, and the lower part of the lathe sword which draws the
lever back to its normal position after being raised by the arm T. This arm
is fitted loosely on the tappet shaft U with a species of coupling, which is
shown more clearly in Figure 2; there is a fixed collar on the shaft having
a step like recess in it, and on the inner side of the arm T, is another and

page_text: similar collar, which is fitted to the shaft with a pinching screw. The boss
of the arm is recessed to correspond to the collars on each side. The effect
of this arrangement is that when the arm is moving round towards the lever
S, it is actuated by the T-shaped projections on the boss of the arm being
in contact with the corresponding recessed parts of the collars T. This
continues until the lever T is raised to a position at right angles to the lever
S, when the arrangement of the collars T¹ admit of its falling forward a
certain distance until again checked by the recessed parts on the further side
of the collars. By means of this accellerated movement of the lever T,
it is kept clear of the other parts as the lathe is moving backwards. The
several cells of the shuttle box J have a part cut away at the sides, as shown
in Figures 5 and 6, for the purpose of allowing the shuttle to move freely into
the cell after the spring G is liberated. A grove is also formed in the shuttle
box J', on the opposite side of the loom for the same purpose in case the
spring G should be liberated whilst the shuttle is traversing towards that side
of the loom. Whilst the lever Qis shifting the ratchet wheel X round to
the extent of one-sixth of the rotatory shuttle box, the uplifted link P descends,
its lower end being slotted to allow of this downward movement, so that the
plate O is again brought into its normal position in the new cell of the shuttle
box, and the weaving goes on with the shuttle contained within it. To the
face of the plate O, is fixed a small bent spring O¹, which is furnished with
a stop to prevent the free end of the spring from extending out too far
while the plate O is raised. When the plate O is raised, the spring O¹
extends a little over the edge of the shuttle box, so as to prevent the descent
of the plate O back into the cell from which it has been lifted, but the
shuttle box in its forward movement is carried sufficiently far to allow the
plate O and spring to fall into the new cell. When the change in
the shuttle box has been made, the ratchet wheel ✗, is retained by the
pendent catch X', which is pressed forward over the tooth of the ratchet
wheel by the blade spring X. As the shuttle box is moved round the
shuttle that is out of action is prevented from being thrown out of the cell
through the vibration of the lathe by the wire Z, which is fastened to the
lathe, and extends over the cell, and at the next movement of the shuttle
box; the shuttle falls out from the cell on to the shelf a, from whence they
are taken to be refilled at leisure.
Our improvements also comprehend an arrangement to be used in con-
junction with the herein-before described mechanism for shifting the shuttle
box, but in this arrangement the shifting action is effected by a modification
of the weft fork action and is brought into operation either upon the breaking

page_text: g
of the weft or its becoming exhausted. This is done by an arrangement of
the weft fork, which is used for effecting the change in the shuttle box in
place of stopping the loom, as heretofore. The weft fork 6 is balanced in the
usual manner, and upon the weft breaking the backward end of the fork falls
and comes in contact with the upper end of the bell-crank lever c. The
lever c is fitted on a stud projecting inwards from the loom framing, and this
lever is kept vibrating to and fro by the action of the lever d on the shaft U;
which is fitted on the shaft in manner similar to the lever T. The action of
the lever c draws forward the bent arm e, which is fixed by a pinching screw
to the upper end of the vertical lever f; this lever is fast to a tubular shaft g
carried on the shaft h. The tubular shaft 9 is kept in its place on the shaft h
by end collars, which are fixed by pinching screws, and the motion of the shaft,
caused by the lever f, raises the lever i which, in its turn, lifts the stud j
projecting laterally from the bell-crank lever k. The stud j carries at its
outer end a small vertical rod t, which, upon being raised, lifts up the plate ✪
and so liberates the rotatory shuttle box. This action brings the lever Qinto
operation and the shuttle box is turned one cell, as previously described. The
lever l'being brought back to its normal position by the spring k', the lever i is
slotted longitudinally, and in this slot is carried a laterally projecting lever m,
which raises the pawls n and n' out of the ratchet wheel o so as to let back
one or more teeth of the wheel while the change of the shuttle box is made.
The bent lever pis so arranged as to let back the ratchet wheel o one or
more teeth, as may be required, by the action of the adjustable stop on the
lever P₁ the pawl g of 'which falls into the teeth of the ratchet wheel o. The
adjustable stop r, which is carried in a slot formed in the lever p, has a notch
formed in it which catches the framing, and the stop may be set so as to
allow the ratchet wheel to turn back one or more teeth, as may be required
in order to prevent any breaks or deficiency in the woven fabric. The lower
part of the lever p is bent inwards to allow of a counterweight being hung
thereon if required. In case the shuttle should be caught in the shed the
shuttle box is provided with a self-acting arrangement or swell for bringing
the stop motion of the loom into action. Above the shuttle box J is arranged
a small horizontal shafts which swings freely in its bearings and is formed
with the pendent projecting' part t. As the shuttle traverses to and fro the
pendant t is pushed outwards by the shuttle, which causes the shaft s to turn
upon its axis and causes the pendent lever t¹ on the end of the shaft s to puch
back the lever u which is fast to the shaft v. The motion of the shaft v about
its axis raises the lever w, which lifts the catch a so that it moves forward
clear of the projecting stop on the vertical blade spring a¹, which consequently

page_text: remains in its normal position. But if the sequence of movements should not
take place owing to the absence of the shuttle, the catch a comes in contact
with the stop on the spring a¹, so that the screw in the upper end of the spring
pushes back the lever y, which instantly starts the spring lever z from its
retaining notch and the loom is stopped by the shifting of the strap. The
shuttle box J¹ is provided with the usual spring 1 at the back, which spring
acts on the lever 2 fast to the end of the shaft v, the absence of the shuttle
causing the loom to be stopped as before described. Hinged to the shafts or
other convenient part is a flap piece or loose back in front of the lathe sword
and in a line with the reed, so as to allow the shuttle box to rotate freely
although the shuttle should not be driven fairly home.
.
Figure 11 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings is a partially sectional
elevation showing an arrangement for actuating the rotatory shuttle box in a
predetermined order or sequence, so as to adapt the loom for weaving checked,
striped, or figured goods, in which the patterns are produced by an alternate
or regular succession of colours. In this modification the bell-crank lever c,
which receives its reciprocatory movement from the lever d on the shaft U,
has at its upper end a slot in which is fitted a stud carrying the ratchet
wheel 3, which is formed of a thin plate of iron or other suitable material.
Inside the ratchet wheel and on the same stud is fitted a pattern wheel 4, the
periphery of which is notched in such manner that a given number of shots of
weft may be thrown in between each notch, the distance between the notches
serving to regulate the shifting of the shuttle box and so cause it to change more
or less frequently, as the pattern may require. The lever f. has fitted to it an
inwardly projecting rod which carries the pawl 5, this pawl 5 rests on the pattern
wheel 4 and partly extends over the segmental end of the lever c. To the breast
beam 6 is fixed the spring pawl 7 which takes into the teeth of the ratchet
wheel 4; this pawl is made with its catch directed inwards to allow the ratchet
wheel 3 to be moved round by the action of the lever c in conjunction with the
fixed paw! 7. The upper end of the lever c is made with a laterally projecting
part which is slotted and fitted with the pawl 8, which prevents the ratchet
wheel 3 from turning in the opposite direction. As the lever c'rises and falls
with the action of the arm d, the ratchet wheel and the parts connected move to
and fro, the forward movement being sufficient to allow of the pawl 7 taking
into another tooth of the ratchet wheel 3, and this movement of the ratchet
wheel tooth by tooth takes place at each rotation of the shaft U. The pattern
wheel 4 moves in unison with the wheel 3, the two being connected together;
the adjustment of the joint movement is obtained by the frictional. contact of
india-rubber or other suitable material, the pressure of which is adjusted by a

page_text: nut on the stud. Whilst the periphery of the pattern wheel 4 is moving
beneath the pawl 5, the weaving goes on with the coloured weft that at 'the
moment is being woven in, but on the pawl 5 falling into one of the notches
of the pattern wheel 4, it at the same time takes into a corresponding notch
formed in the upper face of the segmental end of the lever c, and the forward
motion of this lever causes the lever f to be brought towards the breast
beam 6. This motion of the lever f turns the tubular shaft 9 partially on its
axis, which causes the lever i to raise the rod 1, and operate the intervening
parts so as to raise the plate O, in the manner herein-before explained. The
raising of the plate O causes a new cell of the shuttle box to be brought
round, in which is a shuttle carrying a differently coloured weft; the weaving
with this second weft goes on until another notch in the pattern wheel is
brought round by the motion of the ratchet wheel, when a change takes place,
and so on throughout the series. In lieu of the pattern wheel 4, an endless
band may be arranged in such manner as to bring the cells of the shuttle box
round in succession; this band consists of a series of metal plates or other
suitable material connected together so as to be quite flexible. The band
passes over a small barrel on the stud of the lever c, the end of the barrel
having on it the ratchet wheel 3, by which it is moved step by step, carrying
with it the flexible band. Holes are made in the plates forming the band at
distances asunder agreeing with the changes required in the weft, so that as
the band moves round, and the pawl 5 falls into one of the holes, the change
is effected. In this modification the weft fork is fitted in the ordinary way
in the lever y for stopping the loom on the breakage of the weft. In this
modification or arrangement of the loom the shuttle-box J is fitted with an
external casing so as to admit of its making the rotatory movement without
displacing the shuttle; or in lieu of this, the box may be supplied in the
ordinary way by passing the shuttles through the mouthpiece of the shuttle-
box as they are required, the used shuttles being discharged in the manner
herein-before described. By means of the foregoing mechanical arrangement,
different colours of weft or sizes of yarn may be introduced at pleasure into
the woven fabric, and in this way a great variety of checked, striped, figured,
and other generally similar goods may be produced in the loom.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, we would observe in conclusion, that what we consider novel
and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to us by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
First; the arrangement, construction, and combination of parts forming the

page_text: self-acting movement or mechanism for actuating the rotatory shuttle-boxes
of looms for weaving, so that when the weft in the shuttle becomes expended'
or broken the shuttle box is shifted round,. & a new shuttle is brought into
operation, as herein-before described and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
Second, the arrangement and construction of shuttles with spring spindles.
and lateral springs; also the forming of pirns with end recesses to be used:
with such shuttles, so that when the weft is exhausted, or nearly so, the lateral
spring is, liberated, which brings into action the movement by which the
shuttle box is shifted round a cell, as herein-before described and shown
in the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification of the said
arrangement.
i
Third, the system or mode of causing the rotatory shuttle boxes of looms
to be moved round to the extent of one cell upon the weft breaking or
becoming exhausted, which is accomplished by means of the mechanical move-
ment or combination. of parts connected with the weft fork or protector,. as
herein-before described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth, the system or mode of letting back the "take-up motion" one or
more teeth of the ratchet wheel while the loom is weaving, which is accom-
plished by the arrangement and combination of parts herein-before described
and shown in the accompanying Drawings..
Fifth, the system or mode of weaving checked, striped, figured, and other
similar fabrics by means of the mechanical arrangement or combination of
parts for bringing the cells of the shuttle box round in the required succession,
as herein-before described and shown in the accompanying Drawings, or any
mere modification of the said arrangement.
In witness whereof, we, the said Hugh Crawford, James Crawford,
Robert Crawford, and Robert Templeton, have hereunto set our
hands and seals, this Twelfth day of August, One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-two.