IMPROVEMENTS IN PICKERS FOR LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Almond, Cotton Manufacturer, of Blackburn, and
Joseph Holding, Engineer, of Manchester, both in the County of Lancashire,
for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PICKERS FOR LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Almond and
Joseph Holding at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th
October 1880.
HENRY ALMOND, Cotton Manufacturer, of Blackburn, and JOSEPH HOLDING,
Engineer, of Manchester, both in the County of Lancashire. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PICKERS FOR LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
"
The object of this Invention is to entirely dispense with the friction on the
picker" bands or straps, caused by the constant rubbing action of the same
against the picker spindle as at present employed, the consequence of which is that
the "bands" or "straps" are soon worn away, and also by the present arrange-
ment can only be used limited in width, as they have to pass through an opening
in the top of the picker, which opening rarely exceeds one inch in width.
"
Now our improvements consist in constructing the picker so that the "strap
or "band" is attached to a projection or tongue on the top side of the picker, and
which projection or tongue can be either made during the formation of the picker,
or applied afterwards. In the latter case it would be placed in the slot of the
picker through which the "strap or " band of the picker (as hitherto employed)
has passed, and which has been secured on the top side.
"
In the case of the application of a loose projection or tongue, the latter can be
made of hide or metal.
By our improvements "straps" or "bands" of a greater width, and consequently
stronger and more durable, can be employed, and it will also be seen that we can
adopt our Invention to the pickers now in use.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Almond and Joseph Holding in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 12th April 1881.
HENRY ALMOND, Cotton Manufacturer, of Blackburn, and JOSEPH HOLDING,
Engineer, of Manchester, both in the County of Lancashire. IMPROVEMENTS IN
PICKERS FOR LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
The object of this Invention is to entirely dispense with the friction of the
picker "bands" or straps, caused by the constant rubbing action of the same
against the picker spindle as at present employed, the consequence of which is that
the "bands or straps are soon worn away, and also by the present arrange-
ment can only be used limited in width, as they have to pass through an opening
in the top of tho picker, which opening rarely excels one inch in width.
"
""
"
Now our improvements consist in constructing the picker so that the " strap
or "band" is attached to a projection or tongue on the top side of the picker, and
which projection or tongue can be either made during the formation of the picker,
or applied afterwards. In the latter case it would be placed in the slot of the
picker, through which the "strap or "band" of the picker (as hitherto employed)
has passed, and which has been secured on the top side.
"
By our improvements "straps" or "bands" of a greater width, and consequently
stronger and more durable, can be employed, and it will also be seen that we can
adopt our Invention to the pickers now in use.
Such being the nature and object of this our said Invention, and, in order that
the same may be fully understood, we have hereunto annexed a Sheet of Drawings
shewing the improved construction of picker, in which Fig. 1 shews picker; Fig. 2,
a vertical section of same; and Fig. 3 shews the picker and picking strap attached.
A is a picker, constructed of hide, in parts B, C, as ordinary, the centre part D
being extended above the picker, and forming the tongue E, upon or over which
the strap F is passed and secured by holding peg or pin G. Holes or loops H
being punched or formed in the strap F, as shewn, it is folded and passed over the
tongue E, instead of being threaded through a loop or eye formed through the top
of the picker, as heretofore. It will be understood that the part D, of which the
tongue E is formed, need not of necessity be the entire length of the picker, so long
as there is sufficient hide of which to form the tongue E, and part to secure or
rivet to the body of the picker.
The construction of picker above described entirely frees the picking band or
strap F from contact with picker spindle, and the pull of the strap is direct upon
the picker and in the direction of the traverse of the picker.
Having thus fully described the nature and particulars of this our Invention,
together with the manner in which the same is to be performed, we would have it
understood that we claim as our Invention,―
The construction of pickers A and tongue E combined, as and for the purpose
herein described and illustrated by Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Almond, have, for and on behalf of
myself and the said Joseph Holding, hereunto annexed my hand and seal,
this Eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty one.
Witness,
WALTER BRIERLEY,
Patent Agent,
Halifax & Blackburn.
HENRY ALMOND. (L.S.)