Improvements in the Process of and Apparatus for Spinning and Doubling Textile Fibres.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Dec., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 14th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 25th Nov., 1893
[Communicated from abroad by DING CIE SUI, Watchmaker, and GEORGE S.
MINER, and WILLIAM N. BREWESTER, Clergymen, all of Foochow, China.]
Improvements in the Process of and Apparatus for Spinning and
Doubling Textile Fibres.
I, HENRY EDGAR, of St. Ermin's Westminster, in the County of Middlesex,
Commissioner of Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the process of and apparatus for spinning textile
fibres.
A spinning machine or frame constructed according to this invention consists
essentially of two parts, viz., a tubular receptacle for containing the fibrous
cotton or the like and a spool for winding up the twisted or spun strand.
The twist may be imparted to the strand or thread by rotating either the
winding up spool or the cotton receptacle around a vertical axis. The part thus
rotated is carried by a spindle the lower end of which rests upon a counter-
weighted lever and is driven by a frictional or equivalent device by means of
which the speed of rotation may be altered as the tension upon the strand
varies.
In one form of apparatus the fibrous cotton is carried in a tube which is held
vertically upon the upper part of the machine. Beneath the tube is arranged
the winding on and twisting device. This consists of a frame arranged to rotate
upon a vertical spindle and carrying a spool mounted upon a horizontal spindle.
The vertical spindle and the horizontal spindle are connected together by a
train of wheels. The vertical spindle is driven by the frame by means of a
spring or other frictional device interposed between them. This frame is driven
by a pulley the face of which is furnished with a pin or the like to engage with
a corresponding projection from the frame. The vertical spindle passes down-
wards and rests upon one end of a counterweighted lever which always exerts a
slight upwards pressure.
A strand or thread is led from the winding on spool to the tubular receptacle
and twisted into the fibre, and rotary motion is imparted to the frame.
As long
as the frame and the vertical spindle rotate at the same speed, twist is given
to the thread, but no rotary motion around its own axis is given to the
spool. As the twist increases, however, so does the tension upon the thread, and
this tension is at last sufficient to lift the spindle and the frame to a slight extent.
An arm upon the spindle now comes into contact with a suitable stop, and the
rotation of the spindle ceases although that of the frame is continued, with the
result that the spool is rotated upon its axis and fresh cotton is drawn from the
tubular receptacle until the tension is relieved, when the frame and spindle fall
back to their original positions.
In another form of apparatus the tubular cotton receptacle may be mounted.
upon the rotatable vertical spindle, and a winding on spool may be arranged at

page_text: the top of the machine. The vertical spindle, as before, is mounted upon one
end of a counterweighted lever and is driven by a frictional or equivalent device
which permits the speed of rotation to be varied. As the tension upon the
strand increases the tubular receptacle and the spindle are lifted and their rota-
tion is decreased or stopped until enough cotton has been drawn to relieve the
tension, when the spindle and its receptacle return to their original positions.
It is evident that by altering the weight upon the counterweighted lever any
degree of twist may be imparted to the thread, as the vertical spindle may be
made to lift when any desired degree of tension has been attained.
One winding on device or spool may be used in conjunction with two or more
cotton receptacles, so that the different threads may be twisted together.
Dated this 13th day of December 1898.
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in the Process of and Apparatus for Spinning and
Doubling Textile Fibres.
I, HENRY EDGAR, of St. Ermin's Westminster, in the County of Middlesex,
Commissioner of Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to the process of and apparatus for spinning textile
fibres.
A spinning machine or frame constructed according to this invention consists
essentially of two parts, viz., a tubular receptacle for containing the carded or
combed fibrous cotton or the like and a spool for winding up the twisted or spun
strand. The twist may be imparted to the strand or thread by rotating either the
winding up spool or the cotton receptacle around a vertical axis. The part thus
rotated is carried by a spindle the lower end of which rests upon a counter-
weighted lever and is driven by a frictional or equivalent device by means of
which the speed of rotation may be altered as the tension upon the strand
varies.
In one form of apparatus the fibrous cotton is carried in a tube which is held
vertically upon the upper part of the machine. Beneath the tube is arranged
the winding on and twisting device. This consists of a frame arranged to rotate
upon a vertical spindle and carrying a spool mounted upon a horizontal spindle.
The vertical spindle and the horizontal spindle are connected together by a
train of wheels. The vertical spindle is driven by the frame by means of a
spring or other frictional device interposed between them. This frame is driven
by a pulley the face of which is furnished with a pin or the like to engage with
a corresponding projection from the frame. The vertical spindle passes down-
wards and rests upon one end of a counterweighted lever which always exerts a
slight upward pressure.
A strand or thread is led from the winding on spool to the tubular receptacle
and twisted into the fibre, and rotary motion is imparted to the frame. As long
as the frame and the vertical spindle rotate at the same speed, twist is given
to the thread, but no rotary motion around its own axis is given to the
spool. As the twist increases, however, so does the tension upon the thread, and
this tension is at last sufficient to lift the spindle and the frame to a slight extent.
An arm upon the spindle now comes into contact with a suitable stop, and the

page_text: rotation of the spindle ceases although that of the frame is continued, with the
result that the spool is rotated upon its axis and fresh cotton is drawn from the
tubular receptacie until the tension is relieved, when the frame and spindle fail
back to their original positions.
In another form of apparatus the tubular cotton receptacle may be mounted
upon the rotatable vertical spindle, and a winding on spool may be arranged at
the top of the machine. The vertical spindle, as before, is mounted upon one
end of a counterweighted lever and is driven by a frictional or equivalent device
which permits the speed of rotation to be varied. As the tension upon the
strand increases the tubular receptacle and the spindle are lifted and their rota-
tion is decreased or stopped until enough cotton has been drawn to relieve the
tension, when the spindle and its recentacle return to their original positions.
It is evident that by altering the weight upon the counterweighted lever any
degree of twist may be imparted to the thread, as the vertical spindle may be
made to lift when any desired degree of tension has been attained.
One winding on device or spool may be used in conjunction with two or more
cotton receptacles, so that the different threads may be twisted together.
The accompanying drawings to which I will hereinafter refer illustrate in what
manner my improvements may be carried into effect.
Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a machine in which the cotton to be
spun is contained in a rotary tubular receptacle at the bottom of the machine,
while the winding on spool is mounted at the top of the frame.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same machine.
Figure 3 is a view to a larger scale of the bottom of the cotton receptacle and
some of its accessories.
It will be understood that although only one receptacle and its winding on
spool is shown on each side of the machine that any number of such receptacles
and their spools may be employed.
A is one of the tubular receptacles for the unspun fibre and is secured to the
upper end of a spindle B which is so mounted as to be rotated by a pulley C
driven from a main driving drum D. The spindle B is capable of vertical move-
ment and is illustrated in its lowest position on the right hand side of Figure 1
and in its highest position on the left hand side. The lower end of the spindle
rests upon one arm of a counterweighted lever which always exerts a slight
upwards thrust, although not sufficient in itself to lift the spindle and its recep-
tacle. The pulley C, which rotates upon a suitable bush or the like through
which the spindle passes, is formed or provided on its upper face with a lug or
projection which is capable of engaging with a similar lug a on the bottom of
the receptacle. Under certain conditions, then, the pulley when driven round
is capable of rotating the receptacle A.
At the top of the machine framing are arranged winding on spools F, one for
each receptacle, also driven from the main drum. In the example shown the
spools rest upon small rollers f which are driven from the drum and the winding
on spools are rotated by frictional contact. G G are polishing or smoothing
devices which may be mounted between the spools and the tubular receptacles,
and which may also be rotated by cords or bands from the main drum.
Each receptacle is charged with the unspun fibre and a thread from its winding
on spool is loosely twisted into or is otherwise connected to the fibre.
machine is started and the receptacles are rotated.
The
Referring to the mechanism on the right hand side of the machine it will be
seen that the rotation of the receptacle A puts twist into the fibre or strand,
while at the same time this twisted fibre is slowly wound on to the winding
on spool.
The different parts maintain their normal positions as shown until too much
twist is put into the strand, which then has enough tension set up in it to lift.
the receptacle and the spindle to the positions shown on the left hand side of
Figure 1. The receptacle is thus lifted out of contact with the rotating pulley C

page_text: and becomes stationary or has the speed of its rotation very much reduced. The
winding on spool, however, continues its rotation, and cotton is drawn from the
receptacle. This newly drawn cotton, however, has very little or no twist put
into it, and the tension upon the drawn strand is gradually relieved; until the
receptacle and its spindle all back to their original positions and resume their
rotary motion. Twist is thus again put into the yarn or strand until the
receptacle is again lifted, after which the tension is again relieved; and so on:*
It is evident that the amount of twist to be put into the cotton can be varied
by altering the weights upon the levers E, and by these weights the amount of
tension necessary to lift the receptacles can be. controlled..
1.
H, H, are guiding and jockey pulleys for the bands, by means of which the
receptacles are driven.
1.4401
The polishing or smoothing device G shown in the drawings consists merely
of two spring controlled plates between which the yarn passes and which are
mounted upon a pulley or the like. Other devices may be employed, however,
such as small friction bowls or rods, or such devices may be altogether dispensed
with.
In a modified form of machine the winding on spool may rotate upon the
vertical spindle and the receptacle may be fixed at the top of the machine. Such
a machine is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the former of which shows the
general arrangement of parts, while the latter shows on a larger scale the winding
on spool and the devices by which it has in addition a rotary motion around a
vertical axis imparted to it.
The spindle B, as before, rests upon one end of a counterweighted lever E and
is capable of being lifted when the tension upon the thread or yarn becomes
greater than is required. C is the driving pulley through which the spindle
freely passes, and J is a frame also loosely mounted upon the spindle but carried
thereby. The upper members of the frame carry the winding on spool F upon
a horizontal spindle K, which has secured to it a toothed wheel k. The ends of
the spindle Kare secured in spring arms 0. The spindle B is furnished with a
pinion and the pinion and the wheel are connected together by suitable
gear wheels and pinions 1, 2, 3, and 4. L is a spring or equivalent friction
device arranged between 6 and the frame J in such a manner that, under normal
conditions, when the frame is rotated, the spindle is carried round with it at the
same speed. When this occurs the spool F is not rotated upon its axis and twist
only is put into the thread which is being drawn and twisted from the fixed
receptacle A. When the tension becomes too great the frame and the spindle
are lifted slightly from the position they occupy in Figure 4 and an arm 6 upon
the spindle comes into contact with a finger m projecting from a bracket M, or
with some other equivalent retarding devices. The rotation of the spindle is
consequently retarded or stopped while that of the frame continues, this relative
motion being permitted by the frictional device L. The train of wheels 1, 2,
3 and 4 is thus put into motion, the spool is rotated upon its horizontal axis and
fibre is withdrawn from the receptacle A until the tension is relieved, when the
frame and its spindle resume their original positions. The bracket M is provided
with two other fingers n, o, which between them limit the movement of the end
of the counterweighted lever E. With the parts as shown in Figure 4 the
spindle. B is perfectly free to rotate as the arm 6' passes between the fingers m, n.
As before, the pulley Chas upon its face a projection c which may engage with a
similar projection a upon the under side of the frame so as to drive the latter.
If desired these driving projections may be substituted by springs similar to
that shown at L, `these springs engaging with the pulley and with the receptacle
or with the frame according to which is used.
In some cases of excessive tension the frame J may be lifted clear out of
contact with the driving pulley C and would thus cease to rotate. The upward
movement of the spindle is limited by the arm 6 coming into contact with the
bottom edge of the sleeve N in which the spindle rotates.

page_text: The fibrous material is placed within the receptacles in any convenient manner
and by any suitable means in such a quantity as to hold itself firmly in the
receptacles without offering undue resistance to drawing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In a machine for spinning fibrous material, the combination of a winding
on spool and a tubular receptacle of which is rotated around a vertical axis and
is carried by a spindle resting upon one arm of a counterweighted lever so that
it is lifted by the thread when undue tension is set up in such a manner as to
automatically relieve the tension, constructed arranged and operated substan-
tially as herein before described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2. In a machine for spinning fibrous material, the combination of a winding
on spool and a rotary tubular receptacle, the receptacle being mounted upon a
vertical spindle the end of which is supported on one arm of a counterweighted
lever in such a manner that undue tension upon the thread causes the receptacle
to lift and automatically relieve the tension, constructed arranged and operated
substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
3. In a machine for spinning fibrous material, the combination of a stationary
tubular receptacle and a rotary frame carrying the winding on spool, this frame
being mounted upon a vertical spindle the end of which is supported upon one
arm of a counterweighted lever in such a manner that undue tension upon the
thread causes the frame to rise and automatically relieve the tension, all con-
structed arranged and operated substantially as herein before described and as
illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
4. In a machine for spinning fibrous material, a frame mounted upon a vertical
spindle and carrying the winding on spool, constructed arranged and operated
substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
5. A machine for spinning fibrous material, constructed arranged and operated
substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
6. The herein before described process of drawing and twisting a thread directly
from a mass of unspun fibre contained within a tubular receptacle, either the
tubular receptacle or the twisting device being capable of rotary motion around
a vertical axis in such a manner as to be lifted when undue tension is set up
and thus to automatically relieve the tension, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 13th day of September AD 1899
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.