IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTRIDGE BELT FABRICS AND LOOMS FOR WEAVING THE SAME
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
CARTRIDGE BELT FABRICS AND LOOMS FOR WEAVING THE SAME." A com-
munication from abroad by Anson Mills, of Washington, D.C., United States
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd December 1880.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTRIDGE BELT FABRICS AND LOOMS FOR
WEAVING THE SAME." A communication from abroad by Anson Mills, of
Washington, D.C., United States of America, Major 10th Cavalry, United States
Army.
<<
This improved cartridge belt fabric is a heavy double fabric laced together with
a small portion of the warp called by weavers binders," the fabric being similar
to what is known as "back binding," producing when the "binders" are not used
a hollow or tubular fabric used for making hydraulic hose. The loops or thimbles
are woven on one thickness of and extend only partly across the fabric, leaving at
each edge a selvage composed of the full thickness of the double fabric. It is
preferred to omit the binders for a space of, say, four or five dents of the reed at
each edge of the fabric. In this way rounded and comparatively soft edges to the
belt are obtained, the selvages being tubular, and if it be desired to cord the selvages
a number of warp threads from the main beam carried in separate harness, and
worked so as not to engage in the weft threads, but simply to fill the hollow of the
tubular selvage may be used.
The belt thus made possesses a solidity and body which particularly adapt it to
the uses for which it is intended.
The loom used to weave the said fabric may, except in the respects hereinafter
I shall describe
particularly noted, be of any ordinary or suitable construction.
the improvements in the loom as applied to a double loom intended to weave two
belts or strips of looped fabric simultaneously.
In carrying out this Invention the several working parts are supported in a

page_text: main frame of suitable construction for the purpose. There are two cloth beams,
each of which has its own take-up, the said take-up being an intermittent take-up
of any ordinary or suitable construction, and the intermittent action may be
obtained by means of a movable guard which at proper intervals is interposed
between a pawl and a ratchet so as to render the pawl inoperative.
The mechanism for operating the guard is arranged in the following manner :-
To each guard is pivotted a connecting rod, which at the other end jointed or
pivotted to a boss or radial projection fast on a rocking shaft supported in suitable
bearings in the lower part of the loom frame. The shaft receives movement as
follows-At one end it has a radial arm fixed to it which by a cord is connected
with an upper pivotted or oscillatory lever hung on a suitable stud projecting from
the loom frame. This lever extends above and rests upon a chain carried by a
rotating chain shaft which is connected with and receives a uniform and continuous
movement of rotation from some appropriate moving part of the loom, and is of
course so arranged that it may by means of a suitable clutch be disconnected from
the source of power during the weaving of the plain fabric at the ends of the belt,
as will be understood without further explanation.
Assuming that there are twenty four picks in each loop or thimble of the belt
and sixteen picks in the main fabric intervening between the loops, then the chain
for operating the arm will have 24 bolts and sixteen spaces. The bolts at the time
the loop or thimble is to be woven come beneath and raise the lever and maintain
it elevated during twenty four picks. When the lever is thus elevated it lifts the
radial arm, and consequently causes the rocking shaft to partially rotate in a
direction to draw each guard under the take-up pawl. As soon as the chain revolves
to a sufficient extent to bring the spaces in it under the lever, the latter will drop,
and then by the action of another arm on the rocking shaft attached to a spring
(which at the other end is attached to the loom frame, and is put under tension
when the lever is elevated), the said rocking shaft is returned to its first position,
thus causing the guard to be removed from between the take up pawl and its
ratchet. I thus obtain a cloth beam take-up which is automatically thrown into
and out of action at stated times, according to the requirements of the work.
The lay carries two reeds, one for each cloth beam. The harnesses or heddles
are operated in the usual way by jacks actuated from a suitable pattern chain
which may be a double cylinder repeating chain, the one chain for weaving the
plain fabric at the ends of the belt, the other for weaving the looped fabric.
For each cloth beam there is a loop warp beam which contains the warp that
enters into the loops or thimbles, and a main warp beam which carries all the
remaining warp used in the fabric.
Each beam is controlled by an ordinary friction let-off, and each main warp
beam is controlled by a positive let off consisting of a four armed lever, one arm
carrying the adjustable weight, another arm carrying the roller over which the
warp is led from the beam, the third arm connected by a rod with the pawl of the
let-off mechanism, and the fourth arm constituting a stop to limit the downward
movement of the arm that carries the weight. The third arm ordinarily holds up
the pawl out of engagement with the let-off ratchet. When, however, the tension
of the warp becomes sufficiently great to overcome the weight it draws forward
the second arm, and consequently the third arm descends and allows the vibratory
pawl (actuated from the lay in the usual manner) to fall into engagement with the
ratchet, thus causing partial rotation of the let off shaft, a worm on which engaging
a worm gear on the warp beam rotates the said beam sufficiently to relieve the
tension.
The warp beams are set as closely as possible to the cloth beam, the distance
between the two being noticeably less than in ordinary looms.
Upon the breast beam at the back of each cloth beam is a metal frame, which is
secured to the beam by bolts passing through slots in the frame, which permit the
said frame to be adjusted forward or back on the breast beam. Secured in a like
adjustable manner to the frame are brackets or standards carrying a cross-rod

page_text: which constitute the axis, on which are hung a series of devices termed "needles."
Each consists of a thin strip of steel or other metal suitable for the purpose, with a
hook-like depending projection, which constitutes the needle proper. These needles
are hung at one end on the cross rod, and at the other end on rod supported by a
vertical rod passing up loosely through the overhanging part of the loom frame.
The vertical rod terminates above the loom frame in a head, which prevents it from
dropping these through, and below the frame it is encircled by a spiral spring
held between the frame above and a boss or pin on the vertical rod below. This
arrangement permits the needles to rise slightly when occasion demands.
The points of the needles proper are normally just above the warp when the main
fabric is being woven. But when the weaving of the main fabric ceases and that
of the loop commences the fabric which forms the loop rises a little and so gathers
in front of the needles, the weft beaten up by the reed passing under and beyond
the needles, which rise slightly to permit the weft to pass, and then fall so as to
retain the weft. The needles thus act as a take up for the loop (the main fabric
being at rest during this time), and serve to hold the loop fabric in place and to
bring the two points where the weaving of the loop begins and ends together, so
that when the weaving of the main fabric again commences the loop will be
perfectly formed and united with the said main fabric.
The needles pass through the dents of the reed, and there may be as many
needles as may be found requisite in order to act as a take-up for the thimble part
of the fabric. The reed beats up against the needle supporting frame, and in order
that it may beat up sufficiently far I make the table over which the work is drawn
longitudinally movable, it being mounted in suitable guides in the frame with its
inner edge projecting beyond the inner edge of the said frame, and held in that
position with a yielding pressure by springs. A rest is provided which will prevent
the needles from dropping too far.
Assuming the loom to contain ten harnesses they are appropriated as follows:-
Two carry the two sheds of the lower half of the double cloth; two carry the
warps which form the narrow selvage on one side or edge of the belt; two carry
the warps which form the broad selvage on the other side or edge of the belt, and
are used to cover the overshot of the shoot in passing from the main fabric to the
loop and back again, and if it is desired to cover this overshot more perfectly two
extra harnesses will be required to raise as much of the binders as will place the
shoot exactly in the middle of the cloth; two carry binders which have each one
thread in each dent of the reed, except three or four dents at the selvages, the
binders being there dispensed with in order to get a comparatively soft rounded
selvage, and two carry the warp for the thimbles.
By omitting the binders for a number of dents on each selvage as above
provided for, I obtain on each edge of the fabric a tubular rounded selvage. If it be
desired to cord this selvage, a number of warp threads in separate harness, worked
so as not to engage with the woof threads, but simply to fill up the tubular selvage,
may be used.
The pattern mechanism employed is arranged in the following manner:-
Two pattern chains (one of which forms the plain double fabric at the ends of
the belt, and the other of which forms the thimbles and parts of the plain double
fabric intermediate between them) are mounted in a carriage or frame in such a
manner that they may move to and fro horizontally and lengthwise of the carriage,
being so connected as to thus move simultaneously and together; the sliding
support in which they are mounted is moved by means of a crank handle. The
chain first mentioned acts on jack operating fingers through the intermediary of
bell crank levers, of which one end adjoins the chain, and the other end comes
immediately below shoulders on the sides of the fingers.
The chain secondly mentioned when in operative position comes directly under
and operates directly upon the lower ends of the fingers.
The operation of the loom when in motion is as follows:-
The handle of the double cylinder repeating chain is turned to bring the chain

page_text: (which forms the plain double fabric) in position to operate the jacks. This will
cause a plain double fabric to be woven of a length desired for one end of the belt.
The handle is then turned to shift the sliding chain carrying frame to a position to
throw the said chain out of action and to bring into play the other chain, which
causes the weaving of the loops or thimbles and the parts of the fabric intervening
between them. As soon as it becomes time to weave a thimble or loop the cloth
beam take up ceases to act, and the proper set of needles or harness for weaving the
loop alone act, in conjunction, of course, with those which act at the beginning and
end of the formation of the loop to cover the overshot of the shoot. The reed beats
up the shoot or weft so that it shall pass the needles by which it is retained as soon
sufficient fabric has been woven for the loop, the remaining harnesses again act, and
the weaving of the spaces of the main fabric between the successive loops again
commences, the weaving of spaces and loops alternating until a sufficient number
of thimbles have been formed, after which the chain secondly mentioned is thrown
out of action, and the first mentioned chain brought into action to weave the plain
double fabric required for the other end of the belt, thus completing it. The fabric
can be woven in strips of indefinite length and then cut up into belts.
It is manifest that the form and arrangement of the needles can be varied, the
essential feature being a take up which has needles or retaining points extending
down from above into the warp, and which, while inactive during the weaving of
the plain fabric, shall be in position to act as a take up for the thimble the instant
the cloth beam take up is inactive.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th
June 1881.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARTRIDGE BELT FABRICS AND LOOMS FOR
WEAVING THE SAME." A communication from abroad by Anson Mills, of
Washington, D.C., United States of America, Major 10th Cavalry, United States
Army.
The said Invention relates to improvements in cartridge belt fabrics and in
looms for weaving the same, the said improvements being hereinafter described
with reference to the several Figures of the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
The improved cartridge belt fabric is shewn in perspective view in Figure 9, and
in enlarged cross section in Figure 10. It is a heavy double fabric laced together
with a small portion of the warp called by weavers "binders," the fabric being
similar to what is known as "back binding," producing when the "binders" are
not used a hollow or tubular fabric used for making hydraulic hose. The loops or
thimbles a are woven on one thickness of and extend only partly across the fabric,
leaving at each edge a selvage 6¹, c¹, composed of the full thickness of the double

page_text: fabric. It is preferred to omit the binders for a space of, say, four or five dents of
the reed at each edge of the fabric. In this way rounded and comparatively
soft edges to the belt are obtained, the selvages being tubular, as indicated in
Figure 10, and if it be desired to cord the selvages a number of warp threads from
the main beam carried in separate harness and worked so as not to engage in the
weft threads, but simply to fill the hollow of the tubular selvage, may be used as
indicated at g in Figure 10. In this Figure but one tubular selvage is represented
as filled, the other being left empty in order to show more clearly its tubular
form.
The belt thus made possesses a solidity and body which particularly adapt it to
the uses for which it is intended.
The loom constructed according to the said Invention and adapted for weaving
the said fabric is represented in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive of the accompanying
Drawings.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the loom.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same with some of the parts removed.
Figure 3 is a plan of the same with the reeds removed.
Figure 4 is a section taken along the line x, x, Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a sectional side elevation of the needles and their frame drawn to an
enlarged scale.
Figure 6 is a plan of the same.
Figure 7 is a section taken along the line y, y, Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a plan of the mechanism for producing automatically the requisite
intermittent action of the cloth beam take-up.
The loom, except in the respects hereinafter particularly noted, may be of any
ordinary or suitable construction. The machine shewn in the Drawing is a double
loom intended to weave two belts or strips of looped fabric simultaneously.
A is the frame in which the several working parts are supported. Two cloth
beams B are employed, each of which has its own take-up C, the said take-up being
an intermittent take-up of any ordinary or suitable construction, and the
intermittent action in this instance being obtained by means of the movable
guard a, which at proper intervals is interposed between the pawl b and the ratchet
wheel c so as to render the pawl inoperative.
The mechanism for operating the guard a is represented in Figure 8. To each
guard is pivoted a connecting rod p, which at the other end is jointed or pivoted to
a boss or radial projection p' fast on a rocking shaft p², the latter being supported
in suitable bearings in the lower part of the loom frame. The shaft receives motion
in the following manner :-
At one end it has a radial arm r fixed to it, which by a cord, the upper end of
which is indicated at s', is connected with an upper pivoted or oscillatory lever s
hung on a suitable stud projecting from the loom frame. This lever & extends
above and rests upon a chain (not shown) carried by a rotating chain shaft t which
is connected with and receives a uniform and continuous movement of rotation
from some appropriate moving part of the loom, and is necessarily so arranged
that it may by means of a suitable clutch be disconnected from the source of power
during the weaving of the plain fabric at the ends of the belt, as will be understood
without further explanation.
Assuming that there are twenty four picks in each loop or thimble of the belt,
and sixteen picks in the main fabric intervening between the loops, then the chain
for operating the arms will have twenty four bolts and sixteen spaces. The bolts
at the time the loop or thimble is to be woven come beneath and raise the lever 8
and maintain it elevated during twenty four picks. When the lever 8 is thus
elevated it lifts the radial arm r, and consequently causes the shaft p² to partially
rotate in a direction to draw each guard a under the take-up pawl. As soon
as the chain revolves to a sufficient extent to bring the spaces in it under the
lever s the latter will drop, and then by the action of another arm von the rocking
shaft p2 attached to a spring w (which at the other end is attached to the loom

page_text: frame and is put under tension when the levers is elevated), the said rocking
shaft is returned to its first position, thus causing the guard to be removed from
between the take-up pawl and its ratchet wheel. I thus obtain a cloth beam
take-up which is automaticaily thrown into and out of action at stated times
according to the requirements of the work.
D is the lay which carries two reeds E, one for each cloth beam; F are the
harnesses or heddles operated in the usual manner by jacks actuated from a
suitable pattern chain which may be, as shewn in Figures 2 and 3, a double
cylinder repeating chain, viz., one chain for weaving the plain fabric at the ends of
the belt, the other for weaving the looped fabric.
For each cloth beam there is a loop warp beam G which contains the warp that
enters into the loops or thimbles, and a main warp beam H which carries all the
remaining warp used in the fabric. Each beam G is controlled by an ordinary
friction let off I, and each main warp beam is controlled by a positive let off
consisting of a four armed lever J, one arm 1 carrying the adjustable weight,
another arm 2 carrying the roller over which the warp is led from the beam, the
third arm 3 connected by a rod with the pawl of the let off mechanism, and the
fourth arm 4 constituting a stop to limit the downward movement of the arm that
carries the weight. The arm 3 ordinarily holds up the pawl out of engagement
with the let off ratchet wheel. When, however, the tension of the warp becomes
sufficiently great to overcome the weight, it draws forward the arm 2, and
consequently the arm 3 descends and allows the vibratory pawl (actuated from the
lay in the usual manner) to fall into engagement with the ratchet wheel, thus
causing partial rotation of the let-off shaft. A worm 5 on which engaging a worm
gear on the warp beam rotates the said beam sufficiently to relieve the tension.
The warp beams are set as closely as possible to the cloth beam, the distance
between the two being noticeably less than in ordinary looms.
Upon the breast-beam K at the back of each cloth beam is a metal frame L
(shown on an enlarged scale in Figures 5, 6, and 7), which is secured to the beam
by bolts passing through slots & in the frame, the slots admitting of the said frame
being adjusted forward or back on the breast beam. Secured in a like adjustable
manner to the frame are brackets or standards M carrying a cross-rod e; this rod
constitutes the axis, on which are hung a series of devices N, termed by my foreign
correspondent "needles," the shape of which is clearly shewn in Figure 5. Each
consists of a thin strip of steel or other metal suitable for the purpose, with a
hook-like depending projection f which constitutes the needle proper. These
needles are lung at one end on the cross rod e, and at the other end on a rod g
supported by a vertical rod h, the latter passing up loosely through the overhanging
part of the loom frame. The rod h terminates above the loom frame in a head
which prevents it from dropping therethrough, and below the frame it is encircled
by a spiral spring i (Figure 1) held between the frame above, and a boss or pin on
the rod h below. This arrangement permits the needles to rise slightly when
occasion demands.
The points of the needles proper ƒ are normally just above the warp when the
main fabric is being woven, but when the weaving of the main fabric ceases and
that of the loop commences the fabric which forms the loop rises a little and so
gathers in front of the needles, the weft beaten up by the reed passing under and
beyond the needles f, which rise slightly to permit the weft to pass, and then fall
so as to retain the weft. The needles thus act as a take-up for the loop (the main
fabric being at rest during this time) and serve to hold the loop fabric in place,
and to bring the two points where the weaving of the loop begins and ends
together, so that when the wearing of the main fabric again commences the loop
will be perfectly formed and united with the said main fabric.
The needles pass through the dents of the reed, and as many needles may be
employed as may be found requisite, in order to act as a take-up for the thimble
part of the fabric. The reed beats up against the needle supporting frame, and in
order that it may beat up sufficiently far, I make the table O over which the work

page_text: is drawn, longitudinally movable, it being mounted in suitable guides in the frame,
as shown, with its inner edge projecting beyond the inner edge of the said frame,
and being held in that position with a yielding pressure by springs j. A rest k is
provided which will prevent the needles from dropping too far.
In the loom shown there are ten harnesses; two carry the two sheds of the
lower half of the double cloth; two carry the warps which form the narrow selvage
on one side or edge of the belt; two carry the warps which form the broad selvage
on the other side or edge of the belt, and are used to cover the overshot of the
shoot in passing from the main fabric to the loop and back again, and if it is
desired to cover this over shot more perfectly, two extra harnesses will be required
to raise as much of the binders as will place the shoot exactly in the middle of the
cloth; two carry binders which have each one thread in each dent of the reed,
except three or four dents at the selvages, the binders being there dispensed with
in order to obtain a compatively soft rounded selvage; and two carry the warp
for the thimbles,
By omitting the binders for a number of dents on each selvage as above
provided for, I obtain on each edge of the fabric a tubular rounded selvage. If it be
desired to cord this selvage, a number of warp threads in separate harness, worked
so as not to engage with the woof threads, but simply to fill up the tubular selvage,
may be used.
The pattern mechanisn which I employ is represented in Figures 2 and 4, and
requires but brief description. The two pattern chains, videlicet, P (which forms the
plain double fabric at the ends of the belt and R (which forms the thimbles and
parts of the plain double fabric intermediate between them) are mounted in the
carriage or frame S (shown in cross section in Figure 4, and in side elevation in
Figure 2) in such a manner that they may move to and fro horizontally and
lengthwise of the carriage, being so connected as to thus move simultaneously and
together; the sliding support in which they are mounted is moved by means of a
crank handle Z. The chain P acts on the jack operating fingers through the
intervention of bell crank levers m, one end of which adjoins the chain P, whilst
the other end comes immediately below shoulders n on the sides of the fingers 1.
The chain R when in operative position comes directly under and operates directly
upon the lower ends of the fingers l', and it is shown in this position in Figure 4,
the chain P being out of operative connection with the bell crank levers m.
The loom when in motion operates in the following manner, videlicet:―
The handle of the double cylinder repeating chain is turned to bring the chain P
(which forms the plain double fabric) in position to operate the jacks. This will
cause a plain double fabric to be woven of a length desired for one end of the belt.
The handle is then turned to shift the sliding chain carrying frame to a position
to throw the chain P out of action, and to bring into play the chain R, which
causes the weaving of the loops or thimbles and the parts of the fabric intervening
between them. As soon as it becomes time to weave a thimble or loop the cloth
beam take-up ceases to act, and the proper set of heddles or harness for weaving
the loop alone act in conjunction necessarily with those which act at the beginning
and end of the formation of the loop to cover the over shot of the shoot. The
reed beats up the shoot or weft so that it shall pass the needles by which it is
retained; as soon as sufficient fabric has been woven for the loop the remaining
harnesses again act, and the weaving of the spaces of the main fabric between the
successive loops again commences the weaving of spaces and loops alternating, until
a sufficient number of thimbles have been formed, after which the chain R is
thrown out of action, and the chain P brought into action to weave the plain
double fabric required for the other end of the belt, thus completing it, and so on
in succession, repeating the operations hereinbefore described. The fabric can be
woven in strips of indefinite length and then cut up into belts.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that the form and arrangement of the needles

page_text: may be varied, the essential feature being a take-up which has needles or retaining
points extending down from above into the warp, and which, while inactive during
the weaving of the plain fabric, shall be in position to act as a take-up for the
thimble the instant the cloth beam take up is inactive. I do not therefore restrict
myself to the precise details, hereinbefore described and illustrated in the
accompanying Drawings, but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters
Patent is,-
First. A woven cartridge belt composed of a double fabric woven with thimbles
or pockets on one thickness of the fabric, which extend only partly across the
fabric, leaving at each edge a selvage composed of the full thickness of the double
fabric.
Second. A cartridge belt fabric composed of a double fabric, having tubular or
tubular and corded selvages, and woven with thimbles on one thickness of and
extending only partly across the fabric, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Third. The combination with the cloth and warp beams and the automatic
intermittently operating cloth beam take-up of a loop or thimble take-up provided
with needles or retaining points extending down from above into the warp, and
operating at the times the said cloth beam take-up is inactive to take up the loop
or thimble fabric, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fourth. The vibratory or rising and falling thimble take-up, arranged above the
warp, with needles or retaining points extending down into the same, in combi-
nation with the cloth and warp beams, and the automatic intermittently operating
cloth beam take-up, substantially as herein before described.
Fifth. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the cloth beam
and its intermittent take-up, the loop or thimble take-up, the thimble warp beam
and its let off, and the main fabric warp beam and its positive let off, these
elements being combined for joint operation, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of June, One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)