CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1850

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ABRAHAM
HALEY, of Frome, in the County of Somerset, Machinist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent, bearing date at Westminster, the Fourteenth day of
November, in the fourteenth year of 'Her reign, did give and grant unto me,
the said Abraham Haley, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial licence,
full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Abraham Haley, my
exors, adiiors, and assigns, and such others as. I, the said Abraham Haley, my
exors, adiñors, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within that part of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, the Dominion
of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, during the term of years therein
mentioned, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING;"
in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso obliging me, the said
Abraham Haley, to cause a particular description of my Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, by an Instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within six months from the date of the said Letters Patent, as in
and by the said Letters Patent, reference being thereunto had, will more)
fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention to be fully described and ascertained

page_text: hereby, reference being nad to the, Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say:-
My improvements in looms for weaving fabrics consist,―
Firstly, in a mode of giving motion to the slays of the looms by means of
excentric cams or grooves upon the fly wheels acting in combination with
connecting rods attached directly to the slay swords, such mode being intended
to supersede the use of the ordinary crank motion.
Secondly, in a method of obtaining two or more beats for each shoot of the
weft. *
Thirdly, in a mode of obtaining the picking motion for the throw of the
shuttle, and dispensing with the employment of the tappet shaft for that
purpose.
Fourthly, in a mode of mounting the heddles and harness of looms, and
in the construction of such mounting apparatus, and in the mode of working
them.
Fifthly, in a mode of constructing the slay beams and shuttle races and
shuttle boxes of looms.
In describing the first of these my improvements, I may state that the
ordinary mode of giving motion to the slays of looms is by means of cranks
upon the driving, or what is usually called, the crank shaft.
The arrangement and construction of cams and apparatus, which I employ
for the purpose of superseding the crank motion, are illustrated in the Draw-
ings attached to this my Specification.
Sheet A, Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a portion of a loom framing with
my improved apparatus attached, sufficient to shew its application and mode
of operation. The slay is in this Fig. shewn at its back stroke when the pick
is to be made. Fig. 2 shews the like elevation, but the slay is in its opposite
position, that is at the moment of beating up the weft. Fig. 3 a plan view,
and Fig. 4 is a detached view, of one of the fly wheels, and excentric or
grooved cams upon it. The Figures 1 and 2 show only one fly wheel and cam
as attached to one of the slay swords; a similar arrangement is attached to
the other slay sword, and as they work in perfect unison they effect an easy
and perfect movement of the slay; A, the driving shaft, occupying the place of
the ordinary crank shaft. This shaft is not cranked, but made straight or
cylindrical throughout its length; upon it is fixed the fly wheel B. It is not
necessary for me to describe more than one of these excentric cam apparatus,
the other upon the other side of the loom being identical. Upon the inner face
of the fly wheel B is formed the excentric cam groove C, which, though placed
excentrically to the centre of the shaft A, is concentric to itself, except at the

page_text: point C' nearest to the centre of the shaft A; at this point the curvature of
the groove is of a larger radius than the other portion; and, therefore, while
the pin D' upon the connecting rod D is traversing this part of the groove,
but a very small amount of motion will be communicated to the connecting
rod D until the pin arrives at the portion of the groove concentric to itself.
The connecting rod D is jointed at one end of the slay sword E.in the ordinary
manner, the other end is formed into a loop or slot D", through. which the
driving shaft A passes, and as the slay vibrates this end of the connecting rod
slides upon a boss fixed upon the shaft; a collar upon the outside of the boss
maintains the connecting rod close up to the face of the cam grooves. From
the side of the connecting rod nearest to the cam groove projects a stud
carrying the friction bowl D' passing into the cam groove, and upon the
revolutions of the fly wheel taking place, it follows the curvature of the cam
groove and effects the traverse of the connecting rod and the vibration of the
slay beam. The end of the connecting rod being slotted at D and passing
around the shaft, and its other end being attached to the slay sword, it always
preserves a position at or near the horizontal. It is not absolutely necessary
that the movement should be obtained by an excentric cam of two surfaces, as
above shewn and described, and. forming a groove; for I sometimes employ a
modification in which there is only one surface, or the periphery of an
excentric cam of similar excentric figure and curvature to the above. In this
case I employ a spring weight or other known means to maintain the friction
bowl always in contact with the periphery of the cam.
I will now describe another of my improvements, which consists in the
means by which I obtain a double action of the reed in beating up the weft.
In the ordinary method of weaving one beat up or action of the reed upon
the weft is effected at each stroke of the slay, the nature of the crank motion
by which the movement of the slay is usually effected being limited to, that
one effect at each stroke; and therefore it is necessary, particularly when
some descriptions of goods are manufactured, that the, beating action of the
reed should be effected with considerable force to get in the weft in the desired
manner, and as a necessary consequence great danger of straining and breaking
the warp threads are incurred. My improved means of beating up will obviate
to a great extent this disadvantage, and at the same time effect. the beating up
of the weft'in a superior manner. One of the apparatus which I employ-for
this purpose is a modification of that already described for giving, the requisite
movement to the slay, and is represented in Fig. 5, Sheet A, of the Draw-
ings, which shows an elevation of a portion of a loom, and Fig. 6, which is a
detached view of the cam-grooved face of the fly wheel, the, arrangement

page_text: and construction, as shown in these Figures, being the same as already shown
in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, and described under the first head of my improvements,
with the exception of the form or curvature of the eccentric cam groove
being different; and by reference to the Figs. it will be seen that the curvature
obtains its greatest eccentricity at two points, a and b, at a distance from each
other, and between which the eccentricity decreases, so that as the fly wheel
revolves, the friction bowl upon the pin D' will have arrived at the point a of
the cam groove, which is one of the points of its greatest eccentricity; and
consequently one beat-up of the slay is then given at a time when the shed is
almost closed; and as the wheel continues to revolve, the friction bowl upon,
the connecting rod will arrive at the point C, by which the slay will have
receded a short distance from the fabric, and it will now (as will be seen by
reference to the Drawings) again advance and give another beat-up. At this
point the shed is crossed, and it will be seen that the shoot of the weft will be
kept in or close to the former shoot of weft on account of the crossing of the
warp threads. The friction bowl has then arrived at the point 6 of the cam
groove, which is the second point of its greatest eccentricity, and is equal to
the first point a. By the application of two beats-up of the reed to each shoot
of the weft the force exerted at each will consequently be considerably less
than when effected at one beat only, as by the usual mode of working; and,
therefore, the warp will be less strained and liable to injury. My next
improvement in the construction of looms has reference to the picking
motion or movement from which the picking lever derives its action, and the
throw of the shuttle through the warp from one shuttle box to the other is
effected. By my improvement I dispense with the employment of the ordinary
tappet shaft for this purpose, using in lieu thereof an intermediate movement
obtained direct from the main driving shaft or the ordinary crank shaft of the
loom. This improvement is illustrated by the Drawing, Sheet B, Fig. 7, which
represents an elevation of the star or toothed side of the picking wheel.
Fig. 8, an elevation of the opposite side shewing the picking tappets; and
Fig. 9, an edge elevation of the picking wheel and connected apparatus. Each
loom is provided with two of my improved picking apparatus, one on each
side of the loom, connected with each shuttle box, and throwing the shuttle
from that box; and as these are identical, the description of one of them only
will be sufficient. F, one of the side frames of the loom; G, the main
driving (or crank shaft when the ordinary crank motion is employed). Upon
this shaft is fixed the arin or lever H, carrying the pin and friction bowl H';
the lever may be, if more convenient and desirable, fixed upon the boss or
centre of the fly wheel; the lever is provided with a slot and screw bolt, as

page_text: shewn at H", by which means it may be adjusted upon the shaft or fly wheel,
so that the position of the friction bowl H¹ may be accurately set to effect the
picking motion and the throw of the shuttle, or a small stud may be bolted. to
the wheel and adjusted by a slot. Beneath the shaft G is placed the picking
wheel I, revolving loosely upon a stud I' projecting from the side framing F
of the loom, or the same may run in a bearing instead of a stud. One side or
face of this wheel carries upon it the teeth K, K, K, and upon the other side-
or face are the tappets L, L, L; the picking wheel I is placed in such a relative
position to the lever H, that at each revolution of the main driving shaft G,
the friction bowl H' comes in contact with one of the teeth K of the picking
wheel I, and thereby moves that wheel round a certain portion of a revolution;
in the Drawings Figs. 7 and 8 there are six teeth shewn, and it would be one
sixth part of a revolution; the wheel I would then remain stationary until the
friction bowl H' again comes round it at the next revolution, when another tooth
will be struck and the wheel moved round another sixth of a revolution, and so.
on. The star wheel is kept stationary when not picking, and is prevented from
moving too far by the bowl T, upon the spring lever U acting upon the
indented periphery of the star wheel. M is a lever connected in any suitable
and convenient manner by rods, levers, or other means to the picking sticks;
the upper end of this lever carries a friction bow M, against which the
tappets L, L, L, act in succession as the picking wheel I revolves, and thereby
gives the picking motion to the picking levers. As the picking motion is
required to be effected upon each side of the loom at each alternate revolution
of the driving shaft and stroke of the slay; it is essential that no motion should
be given to the lever M at each alternate movement of the picking wheel I;
and by having the teeth K, K, K, upon one side of the picking wheel just double
in number to the picking tappets upon the other side, no such motion will be
given. I do not, however, confine myself to the employment of the exact number
of teeth and tappets shewn in the Drawings, and herein-before described, as
any other number may be used, provided always that the number of the teeth
upon one side are double the number of tappets upon the other side, so that
each alternate movement only gives the picking motion desired.
My next improvement bas reference to the mounting of the heddles and
harness of looms, and consists in so constructing them that the weight of the
harness shall be balanced or nearly so by the application of balance weights to.
the levers for that purpose, and also making the levers act as guides to each
other, and thus preventing the cords of the harness from coming into contact
with the adjacent levers, and so becoming abraded and injured. This improve-
ment is illustrated in Sheet B, Fig. 10, which represents an elevation of one

page_text: side of a harness lever;. Fig. 1-1, an elevation of a portion of the other side.;
and Fig. 12, a plan or edge view. N, the lever moving upon the fulcrum.Nin
the usual manner upon the outer end to balance-the weight of the harness is
the balance weight N"; this, as it will be seen by reference to the plan, Fig. 12,
is entirely placed on one side of the lever, so that one face of it shall present.a
flat surface against which the projecting knob or stud O of the next adjoining
lever bears, thereby each lever will form a guide for the next one to.it, and
thus prevent any lateral movement of the levers, and the cords of the harness
from coming in contact with and being abraded by them.` I do not confine
myself to any particular form of applying the weight, as other forms may be
used to effect the same purpose.
My next improvement has reference to the construction of the slay beam's
and shuttle beds of looms. Instead of making them of wood, according to the
usual methods, by which they are exceedingly liable to warp or change their
'forms, I construct them of cast iron, the slay beam and shuttle box bottoms
being of one casting, the sides of the shuttle boxes and shuttle bed I continue
to make of wood, and mount them upon the cast-iron slay bed or beam. This
improvement is illustrated in Fig. 13, which represents an elevation of one end
of a slay beam and the shuttle box; Fig. 14, a plan; Fig. 15, a section thro'
the line 1, 1; and Fig, 16 a section through the line 2, 2. P the cast-iron
slay beam and shuttle box bottom bolted to the slay swords P. Q, the shuttle
race of wood, or that part where the warp passes over, is secured to the slay
bottom P by bolts or screws. R, the slot in the bottom of the shuttle box for
the reception of the top of the picking lever; this slot may be dispensed with
where tlie common picking spindle is used; the back edge of the slay bottom.P
is formed with a groove, as shewn P, Fig. 16, for the reception of the lower
bar of the reed, where it is securely retained without any other fastening being
required except the hand rail which fits on the top box of the reed in the
ordinary manner.
My next improvement consists in a mode of communicating motion to the.
slay beam, by which I am enabled to obtain at pleasure either a single or a
double beat-up of the slay upon one. shoot of weft; this I effect by an arrange-
ment of jointed bars or connecting rods, and which is shewn in Figs. 17 and 18,
which represent a sectional elevation of a portion of a loom to which my
present arrangement of machinery is. adapted. Fig. 17 shews the machinery
adjusted to effect one stroke or beat-up of the slay upon each shoot of weft,
and Fig. 18 shows it adjusted for effecting two beats of the slay upon each
shoot. A, the framing of the loom. B, one of the two slay swords. C, the
driving shaft of the loom. This shaft, instead of being a cranked shaft for giving

page_text: motion to the slay, as usual, is formed straight, and it is placed in about the
same position as the ordinary crank shaft. D, the tappet shaft, driven by the
spur wheel E in the usual manner. F, a pinion gearing into the wheel E!
upon the tappet shaft. This wheel E' revolves upon a stud from the loom framing
and carries a crank upon it, and to a pin upon it one end of a connecting rod G
is connected, the other end being connected to the jointed bar or connecting
rod H, which is provided with a joint at about two fifths of its length, and
connected at one end to the slay sword and at the other loosely to the
driving shaft C, or the shaft C inay be merely a stud or pin fixed to the loom
framing, and forming a fulcrum for the end of the jointed connecting rod.
There are two points upon the jointed connecting rod H to which the end of
the connecting rod G can be attached at H and H"; and when it is attached
to it at the point H', the effect of the action of the arrangement will then be
to give to the slay one beat-up only, as the position assumed by the rod H
when the crank shaft F is at its greatest throw will be not above the right
line, as shewn in Fig: 17; and when the crank shaft is in its opposite position,
the slay will be at the back part of its traverse, and the jointed lever in the
position shewn. This will effect a single beat only for each complete traverse
of the slay; but when two beats for each complete traverse are required, then
a larger connecting rod G is substituted, and the end of it attached to the
other point H" of the jointed bar H, and when put in motion the positions
assumed by the jointed bar H at the two extreme positions or throws of the
crank shaft F will be as shewn in Fig. 18. The jointed bar will now pass
beyond the right line, and assume an angle opposite to that assumed at the
other throw. Thus, when the crank shaft revolves, the jointed bar H will
assume a right line from the lower angular position shown in dotted lines.
This will give one beat-up of the slay; but as the jointed bar continues its
motion, and passes beyond the right line to the angular one shewn above, then
the slay will be drawn back a short distance. Upon the return of the
crank the jointed lever H will descend and again assume or pass the right
line, when another beat-up of the slay will be given; thus it will be seen that
at one revolution of the crank shaft, and one complete stroke of the slay, one
or two beats-up of it, as desired, may be effected. I do not confine myself to
the arrangement of the bars and rods as here shewn and described, as that
may be variously modified.
My next improvement consists in a means by which I give motion to and
work the heddles or harness of loomis. This I effect by means of cams
instead of tappets, as usual.

page_text: Fig. 19 represents a side elevation of a portion of a loom to which my
present improvement is applied. Fig. 20 shows a section of the heddles and
the apparatus attached to. them; Fig. 21 a transverse section; and Fig. 22
sliews the cam upon an enlarged scale. A, the framing of the loom. Upon
the end of the crank shaft B is fixed a spur pinion C gearing into and giving
motion to the spur wheel D, moving upon a fixed stud projecting from the
framing of the loom. The outside face of this wheel forms the grooved
cam D, which gives motion to the heddles; 1 and 2 the groove, the por-
Within this groove
tion 1 being concentric and the portion 2 eccentric.
moves a bowl upon the lever E, the end of which moves upon a stud pro-
jecting froom the loom framing as a fulcrum. F, a connecting rod which
connects the lever E with the lever G, fixed upon the end of the horizontal
shaft H. The point of connection of the rod F with the lever G is adjustable
so as to regulate the amount of its motion, and consequently that of the heddles.
Upon the shaft H are fixed the two wheels or pullies I, I, around. which the
straps or bands K, K, connected to the heddles pass, and which straps are
fixed to the peripheries of 'the pullies. Above the pullies I, I, are placed the
guide pullies O, O; these are for the purpose of guiding the straps, so that
they shall ascend to the heddles close together.
Another mode of giving motion to the heddles from the shaft H is shewn
in Fig. 23. H, the horizontal shaft. N, N, two other shafts placed parallel
to the shaft II, and deriving motion from it by means of the spur wheels P, P,
which may be of any relative diameters, so as to increase or otherwise the
extent of motion of the shafts N, N, and consequently the amount of traverse
of the heddles. Q, Q, are two pullies fixed upon the shafts N, N, which, by
means of straps, give motion to the heddles.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, I claim,
Firstly, the application to looms for weaving textile fabrics of an arrange-
ment of cam movement apparatus, as shewn and described in Figures 1, 2, 3,
and 4.
Secondly, I claim the application to looms for weaving textile fabrics of
an arrangement of cam movement apparatus, as shewn and described in
Figures 5 and 6, or any modification thereof, as a substitute for the employ-
ment of the ordinary crank movement for giving motion to the slay beam of
looms, the form of cam being such that two or more beats-up of the slay are
effected for each shoot of weft thrown.
.
Thirdly, I claim the mode shewn and described in Figures 7, 8, and 9, of
obtaining the picking motion for throwing the shuttles direct from the main

page_text: driving shaft by means of a star or toothed wheel in combination with tappets,
to which an intermittent movement is given, and connected by any known and
convenient means with the ordinary picking levers.
Fourthly, I claim the application to looms of weighted levers for the
purpose of balancing the weight of the harness and appurtenances, and for
operating as guides for one lever to another, as shewn in Figures 11 and 12.
Fifthly, I claim the mode shewn and described in Figures 13, 14, 15,
and 16, of constructing the slay beams, shuttle races, and shuttle boxes of
looms of cast iron, with a groove cast in to receive the bottom bar of the reed.
Sixthly, the method of giving motion to the slays of looms, being an
arrangement or combination of jointed bars and connecting rods so as to
obtain a single or double beat-up of the reed upon the weft at one revolution
of the crank shaft or one complete traverse of the stay.
Seventhly, the methods of giving motion to the heddles or harness of looms
by means of grooved cams, and the pullies and wheels shewn and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Abraham Haley, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Twelfth day of May, One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-one.
Signed, sealed, and delivered, by the
within-named Abraham Haley, in the
presence of
ABRAHAM (L.S.) HALEY.
Enrolled the Fourteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.