MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CARPETS
Year: 1856

page_text: Sealed the 24th March 1857, and dated the 26th September 1856.
•
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Gower Woodward
at the Office of the Commissioners' of Patents, with his Petition, on
.. the 26th September 1856..
I, GEORGE GOWER WOODWARD, of Kidderminster, in the County of
Worcester, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for. "IMPROVE
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CARPETS," to be as follows:
The first part of this Invention relates to the application of certain im
provements described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me,
and bearing date the 26th day of October 1853. I apply the combination of
"self-colour "and parti-coloured warps, as therein described, to the manufacture
of other descriptions of carpets than are described in such Specification..
Secondly, my Invention consists in working self-colour and parti-coloured
warps in the same reed of the slay, that is, above and below each other, rising
as the pattern requires.
Thirdly, my Invention consists of improvements in dying parti-coloured
warps, the apparatus for which consists of a number of expanding slides, each
pair being fastened to cheek plates, and fitted on a main shaft supported on a
suitable framing. To the ends of these slides are attached semicircular picces
of metal; the slides are actuated by toothed wheels, by which the distance
between the semicircular pieces may be increased or diminished. To each of

page_text: the semicircular pieces of metal is fitted a spring clip, which moves easily to
and fro over the surface of the curve by means of rollers fitted beneath.
The yarns to be dyed are wound on the semicircular plates, and on each pair
is placed an endless strap or band; this is marked with the colour and places
where the yarn is to be dyed, and serves to guide the workman-in preparing
the parti-coloured yarns. The yarn and the strap or band are passed through
the clips, and secured to the curved plates by screw plates; by means of the
clips the yarns may be moved round the curved plates as the different portions
are dyed. The vessels or vats containing the dye or colouring matters are
placed beneath the yarns; the slides are actuated so as to bring the semi-
circular plates nearer together, by which a portion of the yarn on each pair of
slide plates is slackened; these parts are dipped into the dye vessels, and the
lids shut down; the yarns remain a sufficient time therein to be dyed. The lids
are then opened, and the slide plates extended, by which the yarns are again
tightened; the whole of the semicircular plates are then rotated, so as to
carry the dyed portions of the skeins of yarn beneath the apparatus, where
the yarn is dried by heated air. These operations are repeated until the whole
of the skeins are dyed the desired colours.
The next part of my Invention consists of improvements in apparatus for
winding yarns. A moveable frame is made to slip easily on to a driving shaft,
to which it is secured by a pin. The frame is put in motion by a pair of
toothed wheels; the axis of the driver passes through one of the standards,
which support the main shaft. The yarns to be wound are supported on a
frame carrying the bobbins; the threads are passed through guides, and
fastened to the moveable frame; when this is set in motion by means of the
toothed wheels, the whole of the yarns are wound thereon.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Gower Woodward in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 26th March 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
GOWER WOODWARD, of Kidderminster, in the County of Worcester, sends
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the

page_text: said George Gower Woodward, Her special licence that I, the said George
Gower Woodward, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said George Gower Woodward, my executors, administrators, and
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 Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CARPETS," upon the condition:
(amongst others) that I, the said George Gower, Woodward, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their.
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of 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 George Gower Woodward, 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:-
My Invention of improvements in the manufacture of carpets consist,
firstly, in the application of certain improvements described in the Speci-
fication of Letters Patent granted to me, and bearing date the Twenty-sixth
day of October, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in which Speci-
fication a combination of "self-colour" and parti-coloured warps is therein
described as applied to the manufacture of carpets and other looped fabrics..
Now, I apply the combination of self and parti-coloured warps to the
manufacture of other descriptions of carpet than are described in such Speci-
fication; for example, to the manufacture of carpets known as Kidderminster
and Dutch carpets.
Secondly, my Invention consists in working "self" colour and parti-
coloured warps in the manufacture of velvet, Brussells, and Dutch carpets
in the same reed of the slay, that is, above and below each other, rising as
the pattern requires.
Thirdly, my Invention consists of improvements in dyeing parti-coloured
warps.. The apparatus used for this process is represented by the Drawings
accompanying and forming a part of this Specification. It consists of a
number of expanding slides, each pair being fastened to cheek plates, and
fitted on a main shaft supported by a suitable framing. To. the ends of these
slides are attached semicircular pieces of metal, upon which the yarns are
wound; the slides are actuated by toothed wheels, by which the distance

page_text: between the semicircular pieces of metal may be increased or diminished.
To each of the semicircular pieces of metal is fitted a spring clip, which
moves easily to and fro over the surface of the curve by means of rollers;
fitted beneath. The yarns to be dyed are wound on the semicircular plates,
ánd. on each pair is placed an endless strap or band; this is marked with the
colour and places where the yarn' is to be dyed, and serves to guide the work-
man in preparing the parti-coloured yarns. The yarn and the strap or band
are passed through the clips, and secured to the curved plates by pressing
plates actuated by screws; by means of the clips the yarns may be moved
round the curved plates as the different portions are dyed. The vessels or
vats containing the dye or colouring matters are placed beneath the yarns;
the slides are actuated so as to bring the semicircular plates nearer together,
by which a portion of the yarn on each pair of slide plates is slackened; these
parts are dipped into the dye vessels, and the lids shut down; the yarns remain-
a sufficient time therein to be dyed. The lids are then opened, and the slide
plates extended, by which the yarns are again tightened; the whole of the
semicircular plates, are. then rotated, so as to carry the dyed portions of the
skeins of yarn beneath the apparatus, where the yarn is dried by means of
heated air. These operations are repeated until the whole of the skeins are
dyed the desired colours.
Figure 1. represents a front view of the apparatus; Figure 2 is an end view;
and Figure 3, a plan of the same; Figure 4 is a side view of a pair of slides;
detached from the machine; Figure 5, a plan of the same. A, A, is the
framing of the apparatus; B, B, the slides, to which the curved plates of
metal C, C, are attached. The greater portion of the inner edge of the slides
B,.B are made with a rack working on a pinion D, as shewn by the side
view, Figure 4. The slides are enclosed by a pair of check plates E, E
which are rivetted together, and the whole is slipped on to a main shaft; to
which it is keyed. The pinion D is fitted on a hollow shaft, to which is fixed
a wheel F. By turning this.wheel 'the racks of 'the slides B, B, are actuated,
and the idistance between the curved plates C regulated accordingly. G is a
set screw, by which the shaft of the pinion D is prevented from rotating,
thereby fixing; the curved plates C-in any. required position. Any number of
pairs of slides and curved plates fitted in the foregoing manner may be keyed or
otherwise secured to a main shaft H, fitted at one end with a handle or other
means for rotating the same. To each of the curved plates a spring clip or
moveable, carriage, is fitted, as shewn at I, I, Figures 2 and 4, consist of a
screw J, which passes through a groove, made in the plate C; above the groove
is fitted the pressing plate K, on which the upper part L presses when screwed

page_text: down; to the lower part of the screw I is secured a spring M, which presses
against the under side of the plate C; the ends of the spring are fitted
with antifriction rollers N, by which the clip or carriages move easily to and
fro. The colours or dying materials are placed in dye vats. A side view
of one of these vessels is shewn by Figure 6, and in plan. at. Figure 7.
It is divided into a series of compartments, fitted with lids O, O; to the
sides of the vat, and under each lid, are secured a copper clip O' lined with
india-rubber. P is a tap by which the contents of the vat may be drawn
off when required. When in use the vat rests upon the parallel bars Q
Figures 1 and 2. The slides B are first extended by turning the wheels E,
which are fastened by the set screws G. The yarns are wound on the plates-C
by rotating the main shaft II. By the side of or upon these skeins of yarns
is placed an endless band, varying in length according to the required length
of the skein of yarn; upon this strap or band are marked the places and
colours where the yarn is to be dyed. The yarn and endless band upon each
pair of the curved plates C are passed between the plates K and L of the
clip or carriage; the upper plate L is screwed down upon the yarn and endless
band, by which both are held tightly. If, now, the slides B, B, be drawn
inward by rotating the wheels F, a portion of the yarn (where it is required
to be dyed) will be slackened; and this portion is to be immersed in the vat or
dyc vessel, which is immediately underneath. When the yarns are placed in
the dye, the copper clips O' are closed down upon the yarns, and the lids shut.
The pressure of the india-rubber upon the yarn prevents any escape of fluid
from the vat. A thumb screw or button O2 is fitted over each of the clips O';
and these are screwed down when the yarn is immersed. This arrangement
prevents any accidental disturbance of the yarn during the time it is in the
vat. Another portion of the slackened yarns may then be dyed by causing
the clips or carriages I to traverse round the surface of the plates C. . When
the portions of the yarns above the vat have been dyed, the wheels F are
rotated to expand the slides B, the main shaft is rotated half a revolution, by
which the dyed portions of yarn are carried below the plates E, where they
are dried by the action of heated air. The undyed parts now above the dyc
vat pass through the process of dying, as before described, completing the
whole of the skeins. The yarns are then removed from the curved plates, and
the foregoing operations repeated with other yarns.
The next part of my Invention consists of an improved apparatus for
winding yarns, and is represented in elevation by Figure 8, and in plan by
Figure 9. A is a rectangular framing of wood or other suitable material,
which supports a vertical driving shaft B. Upon this shaft is fitted a rectan-

page_text: gular winding frame C, at the upper part of, which is a toothed wheel D;
this is made to slide up and down the driving shaft B. In gear with the
wheel D is another cogged wheel E; the axle F of this wheel passes througli
a slot made in the shaft B, and is secured upon the outer side of the slot by a
screw collar or flange. The other end of the axle E passes through a slot
made in one of the uprights or standards of the framing A, and is fitted with
a handle, by which the wheel E is put in motion. Upon the upper part
of the standard G is fitted the cross piece H, in which is inserted a number
of pins, which support the reels or bobbins I. Inside one of, the standards of
the framing A is fastened a piece of wood or iron, having a number of hooks k
rivetted to its surface; these hooks form guides for the yarns as they are wound
on to the frame C. A number of bobbins being placed upon the pins of the
cross piece H, the ends are passed over the hooks, and fastened to the frame C
which is then put in motion by means of the handle F, which drives the
wheel E in gear with the horizontal wheel D, and this being keyed to the
winding frame C, causes it to rotate and wind any required length of yarn
thereon. The slots in the framing A and the shaft B permit of the shaft
being raised sufficiently to allow the winding frame C to be slipped off; the
wheel D being previously detached therefrom.
Another modification of my improvements in dyeing parti-coloured yarns to
be used for the manufacture of carpets is as follows:-The yarns are in the
first instance wound upon the expanding slide apparatus, described in the first
part of this Specification; the skeins may then be marked or divided so as to
indicate the positions or spaces to be dyed of different colours, and also those
that are to remain uncoloured. When the skeins have been marked in this
manner, the slides are to be contracted or drawn inwards by rotating the
actuating wheels, and the yarns taken off; and when a sufficient quantity of
skeins, all of a corresponding length, have been marked and prepared in this
manner, they are ready for the operation of dyeing. The improved apparatus
I use for this purpose consists of a case or box in which the yarns are placed,
and is so constructed that a portion of the skeins may be immersed in the
inclosed
liquid dye, without communicating colour to the other parts which are
within the box or case. The dyeing apparatus consists of a rectangular case
or box, made of wood or other suitable material; the sides are made moveable
and so as to be attached readily to the other part of the case by screws or
other suitable fastenings; or they may be made to slide in grooves. Along
the upper edge of the bottom of the case or box, and beneath the part on
which the sides rest, is fastened a strip of copper, and the edges of the sides
are covered with vulcanized india-rubber, cemented or otherwise. fastened

page_text: thereto. The dyeing case or box is fitted with a lid or cover, and a pipe is so
arranged that it may be conveniently connected with the case to convey a
current of warm air to its interior, in order to dry the damp yarns placed
therein. The lid of the dyeing apparatus being thrown back, the sides are
then removed, and the skeins of yarns to be dyed are placed evenly upon the
bottom of the box or case. The. portions to be dyed are allowed to overhang
on one or both sides; the quantity thus projecting is regulated by the space
or mark made upon the skeins before removing them from the expanding
slides; the sides of the box or case are then put in their places, and screwed
up firmly. The pressure of the vulcanized india-rubber on the skeins prevents
the dye from passing beyond the sides of the case or box. The dyeing appa-
ratus, having the yarns arranged in the foregoing manner, is then suspended
over a dyeing vat, and is lowered therein until the bottom of the box or case
reaches the surface of the dye or colouring matter. By this means the pro-
truding portions of the skeins sink into the dye, and are allowed to remain so
until the required shade or tint is obtained. The box or case is then withdrawn
from the dyeing vat, opened, and the sides removed. Another portion of the
skeins are placed so as to enter the dye, as before described. At this stage of
the operation, that is to say, when a portion of the yarn within the box or case
is in a moist or damp state, a pipe may be connected with the box or case, in
order to convey a current of heated air to the interior of the box or case, and
thereby dry the moist or damp portions of the yarns in a rapid and efficient
manner. The foregoing operations are repeated with other portions of the
yarns, and with one or more colours, until the whole of the skeins are dyed of
the colours required, the particular combination of colours being of course
regulated by the pattern or design intended to be produced when these parti-
coloured yarns are woven in the loom.
The last part of my Invention consists of dyeing yarns of various colours,
which are so arranged on the different portions of the yarns as to produce a
certain pattern or design (previously determined upon), when the yarns are
woven into a fabric in the loom. After the series of threads or yarns are
wound upon one of the frames C, it is removed from the winding apparatus
by disconnecting it from the shaft B, and lifting the shaft clear of the frame,
and its place is supplied by another and similar frame. When a number of
these frames have been filled with yarns.in the manner herein-before described,
they are ready for the operation of dyeing in parti-colors; which operation
is carried out as follows:-Above each of a series of dye furnaces is fitted a
framework, which supporting suitable bearers for-carrying one of the frames C.
To the bearers are attached ratchet wheels, by rotating which the frame may

page_text: i
be lowered to any desired depth into the dye furnace below. The exact point
to which the yarn is to be dyed is denoted by an: indicator, attached by means
of a hook to the upper part of the frame, so that the workman may know
exactly how far the frame should be immersed into the dye. When the
désired shade or tint of colour is obtained, the frame is withdrawn from the
dye, and the operation repeated upon other parts of the yarns, if desired; or
the other portions of, the yarns are subjected to the action of other dyes or
coloring matters: Those operations are repeated until the whole of the yarns
on the different. frames are dyed of the various tints or colors required. to
produce the desired pattern..
By means of the modification of my improvements in dyeing yarns above
'described; the whole or any portion of the series of threads; or yarns may be
dyed of various colours in a rapid and efficient manner.
Having described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of carrying
the same into practical effect, I wish it to be understood.that I do not confine
myself to the precise arrangement of the details berein-before described. and
sliewo, as the same may be varied without departing from the Invention;
'but what I claim, and desire to secure under the herein-before recited Letters
Patent, is,
.
..
Firstly, the application of self-colour and parti-coloured warps in com-
bination, to the manufucture of Kidderminster and Dutch carpets..
Secondly, in the process of weaving velvet, Dutch, and Brussells carpets, I
claim the combination of "self-colour" and parti-coloured warps working in
the same reed of the slay.
Thirdly, I claim the improvements in dying parti-coloured yarns by means
of the apparatus herein-before' described and shewn, or. any mere modification
thereof.
Fourthly, I claim the improved apparatus or machinery for winding yarns,
as herein-before described and shewn; or any mere modification thereof.
And, lastly, I claim the. mode or system of dyeing parti-coloured, jarns,
lastly herein-before described,. and' the apparatus described for that purpose.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Gower Woodward, have here
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of Marchi, A.D!
1857
GEORGE GOWER WOODWARD. (L.s.)