IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING AND SPINNING HEMP AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING ROPES, TWINES, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Wilson Fell, of Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, Rope and Sail Maker, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING AND SPINNING HEMP AND OTHER
FIBROUS MATERIALS FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING ROPES, TWINES,
AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES."
Sealed the 8th December 1852, and dated the 1st October 1852.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Wilson Fell
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 1st October 1852.
1, JOHN WILSON FELL, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Rope and Sail Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING AND SPINNING HEMP AND
OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING ROPES, TWINES,
AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES," to be as follows, that is to say:-
This Invention relates chiefly to an improved mode of spinning hemp
or other fibrous materials for the purpose of making ropes, twines, or

page_text: .
.
other similar articles. According to one arrangement of the machinery
the sliver ready for spinning is delivered by the gilling machine into
revolving cans or cylinders, or the sliver may be so delivered on to
bobbins as herein-after described. The cans or containing cistern
holding the sliver ready for spinning are placed on a carriage, which
travels along the spinning walk on rails, and delivers the sliver as it
moves along, with or without drawing rollers, through tubes as herein-
after described. A spinning frame is erected at each end of the walk,
cach spinning alternately as the carriage goes from one to the other.
One set of drawing rollers and tubes is made to answer in both actions,
as the frame carrying the rollers is made to turn round on the carriage
when the latter reaches cither end of the walk, so as always to present
the tubes towards the right side. An endless band passes down one
side of the walk and up the other, underneath the carriage, such band
being set in motion by a shaft at the head of the walk. This endless
band gives motion to the carriage, to the drawing rollers on the carriage
(if any), and to the spinning frames. It passes round two gab or
expanding wheels on a cross shaft under the carriage, one being on
each side the centre of the carriage, which are in and out of gear
alternately, according as the carriage is going up or down the walk; the
one in gear on the cross shaft drives a longitudinal shaft, which again
drives the axles by means of teeth and pinion, which ultimately drives
the carriage by means of friction of the wheels on the rail, or a gab
wheel with a ground rope on the middle of the carriage to prevent its
slipping on the rails. The gab wheel in gear also driving the rollers
(if any) by means of suitable gearing, the pinions on the cross and
longitudinal shafts can be shifted according as the yarn is required
large or small. The cans and cylinders can either be used as the sliver
is put in, or, by means of a cover for each end, may be inverted; the
bottom cover taken off, so that the sliver comes out in the same order as
it is put in; this is a very great advantage, for the fibres have in con-
sequence much less tendency to separate and turn back than if the
sliver were drawn from the same end of the cans at which it is put in,
as the cans are revolving when the sliver is going in causes it to come
out clear.

page_text: The tubes are constructed of considerable length with steel bottom,
sides, and top, to keep them from wearing by the friction of the sliver.
The sides are placed at a little distance from each other, nearing towards
the point of the tube at which the yarn comes out. The upper part goes
in between the sides somewhat in the shape of a wedge without a point;
it is also considerably higher than the sides, so that a screw spring
pressing upon it regulates the pressure upon the yarn. It is kept from
drawing out towards the point, and getting jammed, by means of a cross
jin in the upper part of it catching two upright pins fastened into the
sides; the yarn is thus, pressed into small compass, and made perfectly
smooth and hard.
The endless band is kept tight by means of the wheel at the
extreme end of tlie walk being fixed into a sliding frame and a
tackle or screw hauling the wheel out as required; the wheel drives
by means of bevils, the driven one moving along a grooved longi-
tudinal shaft which drives the spinning frame; the advantage of this is,
that the endless band has fewer turns in it. As the yarn requires to be
borne up from the ground, and also to be kept separate from each other,
a series of rails are placed along the side of the walk standing with the
head across the carriage rails, with divisions on the top. The standard.
of this rail moves upon a centre at the top, but at the bottom stands
between two pivots which bear it up, on the same principle as ai
English gate, thus in its natural position standing across in the way of
the carriage, so that when it is drawn up against the rail it pushes it
aside until the carriage passes, when it again when it again swings
back, and bears up the yarn and keeps it separate, being self-acting.
The advantage to be derived from this Invention is the production of
a greater quantity of spun yarn of a better quality with more economy
than by those hitherto used.
An essential feature of this Invention is the similarity of its mechanical
effects to that of the human hand in spinning.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Wilson Fell in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 1st April 1853.
:
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JOHN WILSON FELL, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Rope and Sail Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the First day of October, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the sixteenth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me; the said John Wilson Fell, Her special licence
that I, the said John Wilson Fell, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said John Wilson Fell, my 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 PRE-
PARING AND SPINNING HEMP AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS FOR THE
PURPOSE OF MAKING ROPES, TWINES, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Wilson Fell, by
an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly
describe and ascertain 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 John Wilson Fell, do hereby
declare the nature of my 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 Drawing here-
unto attached, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that
is to say):
My said Invention relates chiefly to an improved mode of spinning
hemp or other fibrous materials, for the purpose of making ropes,

page_text: twines, or other similar articles. According to one arrangement of the
machinery the sliver ready for spinning is delivered by the gilling
machine into revolving cans or cylinders, or the sliver may be so
delivered on to bobbins. The cans or containing apparatus holding the
sliver ready for spinning are placed upon a carriage, which travels along
the spinning walk on rails, and delivers the sliver as it moves along,
with or without drawing rollers, through tubes as herein-after described.
A spinning frame is erected at each end of the walk, cach spinning
alternately as the carriage goes from one to the other. One set of
drawing rollers and tubes made to answer in both actions, as the the
frame carrying the rollers is made to turn round on the carriage when
the latter reaches either end of the walk, so as always to present the
tubes towards the right side. An endless band passes down one side of
the walk and up the other, underneath the carriage, such band being
set in motion by a shaft at the head of the walk. This endless band
gives motion to the carriage, to the drawing rollers on the carriage (if
any), and to the spinning frames. It passes round two gab or expand
ing wheels on a cross shaft under the carriage, one being on each side
the centre of the carriage, which are in and out of gear alternately as
the carriage is going up or down the walk. The one in gear on the
cross shaft drives a longitudinal shaft, which again drives the axles by
means of gearing which ultimately drives the carriage by means of
the friction of the wheels on the rails, or a gab wheel with a ground
rope in the middle of the carriage to prevent its slipping on the rails.
The gab wheel in gear also drives the rollers (if any) by means of
suitable gearing, the pinions on the cross and longitudinal shaft being
moveable or changeable according as the yarn is required large or small.
The cans or cylinders can either be used as the sliver is put in, or, by
means of a cover for each end, they may be inverted, and the bottom
cover taken off, so that the sliver comes out in the same order that it is
put in; this is a very great advantage, for the fibres have in consequence
-much less tendency to separate and turn back than if the sliver were
drawn from the same end of the cans at which it is put in, and the
cans revolving whilst the sliver is going in it is thereby caused to come
out clear.
:

page_text: The tubes are constructed of considerable length, with steel bottom
sides, and top, to keep them from wearing by the friction of the sliver
The sides are placed at a little distance from each other, nearing
towards the point of the tube at which the yarn comes out, the upper
part going in between the sides somewhat in the shape of a wedge
without a point; it is also considerably higher than the sides, so that a
screw spring pressing upon it regulates the pressure upon the yarn.
It is kept from drawing out towards the point, and getting jammed,
by means of a cross pin in the upper part of it catching upright pins
fastened into the sides; the yarn is thus pressed into small compass,
and made perfectly smooth and hard.
The endless band is kept tight by means of the wheel at the extreme
end of the walk being fixed into a sliding frame, which is hauled out as
required by a tackle or screw. The wheel drives by means of gearing
the driven one moving along a grooved longitudinal shaft, which drives
the spinning frame; the advantage of this is, that the endless band
has fewer turns in it. As the yarns require to be borne up from the
ground, and also to be kept separate from each other, a series of rails
are placed along the side of the walk, standing with the head across the
carriage rails, and having divisions on the top; thus, in its natural
position, standing across the way of the carriage, so that when it is
drawn up against the rail it pushes it aside until the carriage passes,
when it again swings back, and bears up the yarn and keeps it
.separate, being self-acting.
The advantage to be derived from this Invention is, the production
of a greater quantity of spun yarn, of a better quality, and with more
economy, than by those hitherto in use.
An essential feature of this Invention is the similarity of its me-
chanical effects to that of the human hand in spinning.
And in order that my Invention may be properly understood, I shall
now proceed to describe the several Figures on the Sheets of Drawings
⚫hereunto attached. Figure 1, on Sheet 1, of my Drawings, is a longi-
.tudinal elevation of one form of my rope spinning machinery, with the
gearing and end details condensed, or brought close up to the carriage,
in order to present all the parts in a short view. Figure 2, is an end

page_text: or face view of the spinning or twisting apparatus detached. Figure 3,
is a vertical section of my coiling apparatus, for coiling the slivers
into their receiving cans; and Figure 4, is a plan of this apparatus
corresponding.
Figure 1, on Sheet 2, is a combined plan of the entire spinning
machine. Figure 2, is a longitudinal section of one of the thimbles or
delivering conductors through which the sliver passes to the spinning
apparatus and Figure 3, is a plan of the same corresponding. Figure
4, is a front elevation of the thimble; and Figure 5, is a back view.
A, is the line of rails for the traverse of the carriage B, back and for-
ward thereon, from end to end of the spinning walk or ground. This
carriage is simply a rectangular timber railed platform, running on the
four wheels C, and having the sliver cans D, disposed upon it in two
vertical rows. From these cans the slivers E, pass up and over the guides
F, thence descending and passing through guide eyes G, to the thimbles
H. These thimbles are each formed with a trumpet receiving mouth
J, in one piece with the supporting bracket J; and the sliver passage
through is made adjustable by an upper loose piece K, held down by
a helical coil L, adjustable to any tensional strength by a thumb nut
beneath. The upper spindle is shaped into a saddle piece M, em-
bracing the thimble, so that the aperture can yield to suit the thickness
of the sliver passing through. After leaving the delivering thimbles, the
slivers are twisted individually as at N, by being hooked on to the
spindles O, of the end spinning frame. These spindles are carried in
the frame P, and they receive motion from the rope pulley Q, from
which an endless rope R, passes diagonally right and left over the line
of bearing pulleys S, so that the peripheries of the spindle. warves T, are
made to bear against and be turned by the rope in its passage. The whole
of the movements are driven from a band on the fast and loose pulleys
U, on a shaft carrying an expanding or gab wheel V, round which the
endless rope W, is passed. This rope takes a turn round a horizontal
pulley X, carried in bearings in a horizontal traversing frame at one
end of the ground, by which the rope can be set up taut, as required,
by turning the screw Y. The spindle of the pulley X, carries. à bevil
wheel Z, gearing. with a bevil pinion a, capable of traversing along. a
groove in the shaft b, so as to follow the wheel Z, when the latter is

page_text: screwed up, a catch piece being carried with the traverse apparatus,
and made to embrace a ring groove in the pinion. boss. The shaft b,
has at one end a spur wheel d, in gear with a second wheel e, which by
means of the clutch f, can be engaged or disengaged at pleasure with
the shaft of the rope pulley Q. The clutch f, is governed by a lever g,
the upper end of which is attached to an endless rope h, passed over
supporting pulleys, and extending from end to end of the spinning
ground, so that the operator can stop the spindles' movement at any
part of his journey along the line of traverse of the machine. Under-
neath the platform of the carriage is a short horizontal shaft i, on which
are loosely set a pair of separate gab wheels j, k, from the inner faces of
which wheels a set of clutch pins project so as to be capable of entering
holes in the disc plates l, m, set on keys in the shaft i. By this means
either of the gab wheels may be geared with the shaft i at pleasure, by
moving the lever handle n, the lever being set on a centre at o, and
jointed at its opposite end p, to a traversing bar in the carriage frame
work. From this bar two clutch pieces q, project forward so that their
forked ends embrace the ring grooves in the bosses of the sliding discs
1, m; and hence when one gab, as j, in the plan, is put into gear, the
other k, is disengaged; and this power of adjustment is given equally
to both sides of the carriage by jointing a second lever handle 2, to work
in concert with n. One end of the shaft i, carries a bevil pinion s, in
gear with a bevil wheel t, fast on a longitudinal shaft u, each end of
which has a bevil pinion v, in gear with a corresponding pinion w, set
respectively on the shafts a, on which the four railway wheels C, are
keyed. The same shaft u, also carries a bevil wheel y, gearing with a
pinion, on a transverse shaft 1, on which is a central gab wheel 2,
round which a ground rope may be passed to keep the carriage from
slipping on the rails, if required. The rope W, after taking a turn
round the first gab wheel V, passes, as I shall suppose, in the direction
of the arrows round the second gab wlicel 3, fast on the shaft 4, which
carries a bevil pinion 5, gearing with a bevil pinion 6, set on a shaft, so
as to drive a second: and reverse spinning apparatus, set at the opposite
end of the ground to that already described. From this point the rope
passes along the line of the spinning action, taking a turn in its way
round the gab j, on the can carriage. Thence it passes to the other

page_text: end of the ground and round the pulley X, returning along the other
side of the ground round the other carriage gab k, over the carrying.
pulley 7, and finally round the two horizontal pulleys 8, to the first
motion shaft. The attendant can start and stop the machine at any
part of the ground by the overhead cord 9, which passes over suitable
guide pulleys for the purpose, and is connected with the strap fork of
the driving pulleys U. In the Drawings I have supposed the spinning
to be just commenced on the left side, the carriage being on its way
to the right, as indicated by the arrow, whilst the spinning apparatus
O, P, twists the slivers as they are given off from the carriage.
The gab j, being the one in gear, the traverse of the rope W, acting
through the gearing already described, conveys the sliver carriage
along the rails by the adhesion of the driven wheels C. Then,
when the carriage has finished its run, the can platform is reversed
by swinging round upon a centre pin, a circular, rail track 10, being
provided on the carriage frame for the supporting wheels 11, of
the platform to run upon in turning. This brings the sliver tubes
round next to the opposite spinning apparatus, or that at the end
of the ground which the carriage has now reached; and the gab
wheels on the carriage being reversed in their engagements the
carriage returns again spinning back to its first position. One of the
bearing up or supporting gates for the yarn as it is being spun is
represented at 12. The gate is supported by a double acting hinge 13,
similar to the double swing hinge of ordinary house doors, so that the
gate always tends to stand across the rails. The upper edge of the
gate is notched or grooved as at 14, each groove holding a line of
yarn, and separated by inclined projections, so that the yarns always
fall easily into their individual recesses on any shift occurring. The
carriage carries a longitudinal bar slung by elastic bands, so that as
the carriage approaches the gate in either direction the bar gently opens
the gate and allows the carriage to pass.
In Figures 3, and 4, on Sheet 1, two sliver cans A, are represented
as in the act of being filled by a coiling action. The motion is derived
from the fast and loose pulleys B, on the shaft C, carrying the fluted
rollers D, between which and the rollers E the passing slivers are
pressed. At F, is a piston on the first motion shaft, in gear with a

page_text: carrier wheel G, which again gears with a pinion. H, on a shaft driving
the pair of rollers I. The sliver J, enters from the gilling or drawing
head through the conductors K, passing as indicated by the arrows, and
entering the shifting cover pieces L, of the cans A. The open lower ends
of the cans rest each upon a horizontal spur wheel M, geared together
by the carrier N, and driven by the wheel O, on the spindle P, through
the wheel and pinion Q. Each can contains a moveable false bottom R,
fast on the vertical spindle S, which revolves with the can by means of
a feather in the wheel boss fitting the spindle grove. All the gearing
is contained in a fixed position by means of the frame piece T, carrying
the wheel bosses; and the spindles are free to revolve loosely in the
terminal eyes of the cross head U, being counterpoised by a weight V,
hung to a cord passed over suitable guides. When so arranged, as the
sliver is brought forward by the rollers, it is gradually coiled inside the
cans in regular layers; the false bottom R gradually descending until,
when the can is full, the bottom end of the can and its false bottom
exactly coincide in level. The full can is then removed, and the cover
piece I, being taken off, an adjustable bottom is put in its place, and
the can is then so disposed in the carriage of the spinning machine
that the sliver shall be uncoiled from what in Figure 3, Sheet 1, is the
lower end of the can, so that the sliver is really taken out in the exact
condition in which it entered the can. By this process the sliver has
a turn or twist put into it; and this turn is of great value. in the after
process of spinning or twisting, as the yarns have thus less tendency to
give way or separate in the twisting action, and the sliver also comes
off clearer from the containing cans.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I may observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine
or restrict myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have
bad occasion to describe or refer to, as many variations may be made
therefrom without deviating from the principles or main features of my
Invention. But what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the general arrangement and construction of machinery, appa-

page_text: atus, or means for spinning and twisting fibrous materials, as herein-
before described.
Second, the spinning or twisting yarns upon the stretch from pre-
viously prepared sliver out of cans, bobbins, or other receptacles, by
means of self-acting tubes or delivering conductors.
Third, the system or mode of spinning or twisting fibrous materials
wherein the slivers or the partially manufactured material to be twisted
are mechanically traversed back and forward between the terminal
twisting machines.
Fourth, the application and use of a reversible delivering apparatus
for conveying the slivers to the twisting heads.
Fifth, the system er mode of spinning or twisting in each direction
of the sliver carriage traverse by means of a reversing delivery head.
Sixth, the system or mode of spinning or twisting fibrous materials
wherein the sliver carriage is traversed by means of the tractive adhesion
of its wheels upon the carrying rails.
Seventh, the application and use of self-acting swing gates or sup-
porting bars for carrying the yarns, as herein-before described.
Eighth, the system or mode of carrying or supporting the extended
yarns upon notched or recessed bars or gates.
Ninth, the application and use of adjustable thimbles or delivering
conductors capable of expansion and contraction to suit the slivers.
Tenth, the system or mode of filling the silver cans by self-acting
coiling as herein-before described.
Eleventh, the system or mode of spinning or twisting fibrous
materials wherein the slivers are taken from the cans during the
twisting process at the opposite end to that of their entrance.
Twelfth, the application and use of prepared slivers in which a turn
has been put, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Wilson Fell, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of March, in the
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
year
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