Improvements in and relating to Machines or Mechanism for the Lacing or Connecting Together of Jacquard Cards..
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Feb., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 10th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 13th Dec., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Machines or Mechanism for the
Lacing or Connecting Together of Jacquard Cards..
We, ROBERT REID, and JOHN FISHER, both of Abbey Gardens Works, Dunfermline,
Fifeshire, Manufacturers, and JOSEPH PARKINSON, of Chester Street, Horton Lane,
Bradford, Yorkshire, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of our invention to be
as follows:-
This invention has reference to improvements on the machine for lacing or
connecting together Jacquard cards for which Royal Letters Patent were granted
to the applicants Robert Reid and John Fisher, No. 11947 August 18th 1888 ; and
the present improvements comprise new constructions, or arrangements and com-
binations, or modified developments of several of the important or component parts
of the mechanism, and mechanical motions connected therewith, all with a view to
simplifying and cheapening the cost of the machine, and making it more applicable for
general use at the class of work for which it is required. The mechanism and driving
spindles are carried on two main vertical side frames stayed together by longitudinal
stays, much the same as described in the Specification of the aforesaid Patent, and
the improvements consist all as follows:-One improvement consists in mounting the
three or other number of vertical acting needles in a vertical reciprocating frame,
consisting of two parallel vertical reciprocating rods, sliding through slots formed in
the two upper front longitudinal stay bars, and secured near their upper ends to the
cross plates of the rocking shaft, levers, and rods which reciprocate them up
and down from the first main motion cam shaft in the same or an equivalent manner
to that of the needle frame in the aforesaid Patent. A horizontal longitudinal bar
is mounted at the lower end of, and between the said two vertical slide rods of the
needle frame, and has a series of horizontal longitudinal slots formed in it at distances
apart corresponding to and for securing the holder of each vertical needle, nearly in
the positions desired. Each needle is carried through a vertical slot or hole in the
adjustable holder and secured in same by pinching screws, and these holders or
brackets are each secured by bolts or screws in the aforesaid slots in the horizontal
carrying bar so as to be adjusted longitudinally and space the needles to suit the
lacing of any required length of cards.
Another improvement consists in dispensing with the horizontal reciprocating
frame, and rods and plates which pressed down the cards while being laced, described
in the Specification of the aforesaid Patent, and mounting a new or improved con-
struction of stay guide behind each needle for preventing them bending while being
reciprocated vertically upwards, on a longitudinal rocking spindle or bar carried in
under-hung brackets from the lower longitudinal front stay bar; and also mounting
on a longitudinal spindle carried on said under-hung brackets a new or improved
construction and arrangement of pressing foot behind each needle. The needle guard
or stay guides for pressing against each needle to prevent it being bent while being
eciprocated upwards and tightening the knot would consist of a curved or angled vertical
lever mounted at its upper end by an eye behind each needle on the rocking spindle, and
having its lower end curved to act on the back of the needle close down to the eye of the
needle as it is raised from the cards after making each stitch, to support it when the shuttle
and motion of the cards are tightening the knot or knots. A curved or bent lever would
be mounted or fulcrumed by an eye at its lower end on the needle stay rocking Shaft
in line behind one of the vertically reciprocating rods of the needle frame, and
this reciprocating rod would have a cam plate mounted at its lower end to act on a
roller or pulley mounted on the upper end of the curved stay lever, so as to oscillate
the rocking shaft and press all the stay levers against the needles while these are

page_text: being reciprocated upwards, a rounded or bevelled edge on the upper part of the
cam permitting the roller on lever to fall forward and thus oscillate rocking shaft and
stay arms out of action while needles are reciprocating downwards and lacing cards.
The presser feet for holding down the card's while lacing them are formed of a curved
shape and partly surround the needles, and each of these feet is mounted by an eye at
its upper end on the aforesaid longitudinal spindle or bar, and have a bellcrank
vertical arm, with a tension spring at upper end to keep each foot pressing against
the cards being laced down on to the supporting bed-plate or shuttle race.
Another improvement consists in the construction and arrangement of the shuttles
and shuttle carriers and drivers and their guide race or frame, and the mechanical
motions given to same. Instead of mounting the shuttles and shuttle carriers in
tandem line, to reciprocate together in the longitudinal direction of the machine, as
described in the Specification of the aforesaid Patent, they are by the present im-
provements mounted individually parallel with each other to reciprocate transversely
from back to front of machine and vice versa, horizontally under and in the same
direction as the motion of the cards being laced, and these and their slide guides
are adjusted longitudinally on end stays carrying the slides to any desired fixed
position to suit the length or size and position of cards where the lacing is desired.
Each shuttle and its embracing driver is mounted in its said carrying slides and
each fitted with a removable cover and securing spring plate in front and notched
driving slot below so as to be reciprocated by the vertical web of a planed angle
iron bar, secured to bosses at its end, bored to slide on guides secured in
brackets on the inside of each side frame, under the shuttle races, this angle iron
bar being reciprocated by connecting rods having their one end attached to the back
ends of these angle bars and their other ends attached to crank pins on the side of
revolving spur wheels carried on stud spindles at the back end of frames, and receive
their motion from wheels on the main cam shaft of the machine, all below the back
spindle and barrels carrying the chains with the cards on them.
Another improvement consists in dispensing with the smaller ratchet wheels
mounted on the chain wheel shafts, and pawls for preventing the larger chain ratchet
wheels slipping while their pawls are riding over the teeth, as described in the
Specification of the aforesaid Patent, and substituting therefor a plain surfaced wheel
or pulley having a friction brake or brake strap behind mounted on the upper end
of the vertical aim of the bellcrank, with a pressure spring fitted behind, and having
the other arm of the bellerank actuated by a roller or pulley from the segmental
cams on the feed tappet cam shaft, the motions being transmitted all otherwise
substantially the same as in the former Patent, the friction brake gripping and
stopping the motion of the wheels on the chain shaft while the pawls of the chain
ratchet wheels are slipping over their teeth, and while the sewing is taking place,
and loosening same when the pawls are moving the chain wheels and chains forward
with the cards.
Another improvement consists in substituting for the solid projecting segments
formed on the feed disc cams which actuate the feed pawl levers of the chain ratchet
wheels, portable or removable feed tappets. This could be effected under one arrange-
ment by forming short tappets or segments with curved or rounded outer surfaces,
and having inner projecting stems which would pass between guide slides in the side
of the cam wheel, and be secured by screws inserted through holes in the tappet
stems and side of wheels, and by this means any size or length of projecting curved
tappets or segments can be used to suit the motion required and be renewed when
worn. By a further improvement both these feed tappet cams and the friction brake
actuating cams would be mounted on their shafts outside the framing of the machine
to facilitate the changes of the cams or segments.
are
By a further improvement the back shaft on which the chain driving wheels ar
secured, would be mounted in quadrant arms on each side frame of the machine
adjusted by pins in slots so as to raise or lower or shift the shaft to any varying
position, and sliding horizontal hinged levers or arms would be mounted below the
front chain, shaft with pulleys on their ends. Said levers are controlled by springs to

page_text: give uniform tension on card carrying chain, and also adjustable for varying lengths
of chain by means of eye bolt attached to spring. These card carrying chains would
by these improvements be formed with a part cut away on each unler surface edge
instead of only one edge as heretofore, so as to have a projecting part in the centre
of the under surface and thus form a better gripping part on the chain actuating wheels.
The tension regulating check levers fitted at upper part of machine are by a further
improvement adjusted longitudinally by screw holts or pins in slots formed in a
longitudinal rail or stay rod at top of machine framing.
By another improvement, instead of starting and stopping the mechanism by
friction gear as described in the Specification of the aforesaid Patent, this is effected
by mounting fast and loose pulleys side by side on a stud spindle mounted in bearing
brackets in the side frame of the machine, and shifting the driving belt from the loose
to the fast pulley and vice versa when starting and stopping the machine respectively
by a belt fork lever secured on a spindle below, having a lever in front projecting
down and connected to a lever on a rock bar at the back of machine, and having
a double tread lever in front and which is operated by the foot of the attendant to
shift the driving belt and start or stop the machine. A spur pinion on this stud
pulley spindle would gear with and actuate a spur wheel on the first or main driving
cam shaft of the machine, mounted below, which through levers and connecting rods
actuates the needles frame above much in the same manner as described in the
Specification of the aforesaid Patent, and this wheel would gear with a wheel which
rotates and reciprocates the connecting links of the shuttle frame. While a pinion
on this main driving shaft would gear with and actuate the shaft on which the tappet.
cams are mounted. The card carrying chain driving ratchet wheels can be shifted
longitudinally along their shafts and fixed by set screws to suit the position of
the shuttles and sizes of cards to be laced. The construction of the machine and
motions of the mechanism are otherwise substantially the same as described in the
Specification of the aforesaid Patent. The thread would be wound on the shuttle
spools by a mechanisin mounted in an oscillating frame bracket over the driving
pulleys at the side of the machine frame. This is effected under one arrangement by
mounting a spur wheel on the end of a stud spindle on which a pulley or roller is
mounted near the centre of the bracket frame, which is fulcrumed to oscillate and
put by a hand lever and catch this roller into or out of gear with the fast or loose
driving pulley of the machine. This spur wheel gears through an intermediate wheel
with another spur wheel mounted on a stud spindle in the bracket frame, and the
spool of each shuttle is inserted between a notch in the end of this spindle and a
notch in an outer overhung projecting bearing, so as to wind the thread when put in
gearing, the thread being guided by a band lever fulcrumed on a vertical screw stud
near its centre.
Data the 7th Ia 10UN
W. R. M. THOMSON, & Co.,
Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Machines or Mechanism for the
Lacing or Connecting Together of Jacquard Cards.
.
We, ROBERT REID and JOHN FISHER both of Abbey Gardens Works, Dunfermline,
Fifeshire, Manufacturers, and JOSEPH PARKINSON, of Chester Street Horton Lane,
Bradford, Yorkshire, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed; to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
This invention is a development of the invention described in the Specification of
Letters Patent No. 11947 of 1888, the present improvements have for object to
simplify and cheapen the cost of the machine and render it better applicable for
general use at the class of work for which it is required.

page_text: As shewn in the accompanying drawings of which Figures 1 and 2 are respectively
a front elevation and plan, Figure 3 an end elevation and Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8
views of details hereinafter referred to.
The operating mechanism is carried on two main vertical side frames A, A secured
together by longitudinal stays a, a in the manner described in the Specification
hereinbefore referred to.
The three or other number of needles B are mounted in a vertical reciprocating
frame consisting of two parallel rods b, b fitted to slide through guide holes formed
at a' in the two upper front longitudinal stay bars a and secured near their upper ends
in a longitudinal horizontal bar C whose ends are connected by rods c to the levers c¹
of the rocking shaft e² which is operated through the lever c³ and rod c* from the first
motion cam shaft D in the same or an equivalent manner to that of the needle frame
in the Specification before referred to. A horizontal longitudinal bar E is mounted
at the lower end of and between the said two vertical slide rods b, b of the needle
frame and has a series of horizontal longitudinal slots e formed in it for securing the
holder e' of each vertical needle B, in the position desired. As seen more particularly
in Figures 4 and each needle B is carried through a vertical slot or hole in the
adjustable holder e¹ and is secured therein by pinching screws c². These holders or
brackets are each secured by bolts or screws e³ in the slots e in the horizontal
carrying bar E so as to be capable of adjustment longitudinally for spacing the
needles B for lacing cards of any length.
The horizontal reciprocating frame rods and plates used as described in the before
mentioned Specification for pressing down the cards while being laced are dispensed
with and a stay guide is provided behind each needle for preventing it being bent
whilst it is out of the card the said guide being mounted on a longitudinal rocking
spindle or bar F (see Figs. 4 and 5) carried in brackets F¹ secured to the stay bar a.
A presser foot is also provided and mounted behind each needle on a longitudinal
spindle G carried by the brackets F'. These needle guards or stay guides consist each
of a lever mounted at its upper end by an eye behind each needle on the rocking
spindle F. The lower end of said lever is curved to act on the back of the needle B
close down to the eye as it is raised from the cards after making each stitch and thus
serves to support the needle when by the motion of the cards and the shuttle the knot
is tightened. A curved or bent lever is centred on an eye at its lower end on the
rocking shaft F in line behind one of the rods 6 of the needle frame, and the horizontal
bar E has a caun plate 6' mounted at its right hand end to act on a roller or pulley f
on the upper end of the curved lever fl so as to oscillate the rocking shaft F and press
all the stay levers f against the needles B whilst these are being reciprocated upwards;
whilst a rounded or beveled edge is formed on the upper part of the cams b¹ to permit
the roller and lever f¹ to fall forward through the action of a spiral spring f
acting upon the lower end of the lever f¹ and thus oscillate the rocking shaft F to
bring the stay arins fout of action while the needles are moving downwards to form
the stitch for lacing the cards. The presser feet g for holding down the cards while
being laced are. of curved shape and partly surround the needles B. Each of these
feet is mounted by an eye at its upper end on the spindle or bar G which has a bell
crank arm g¹ with a tension spring 92 at its upper. end to keep each foot g pressing the
cards down on to the supporting bed plate or shuttle race. A blade spring G' is or
may also be provided to hold the cards down on to the chains while approaching
and passing.under the lacing mechanism.
Instead of mounting the shuttles and shuttle carriers in tandem line to recipro-
cate together in the longitudinal direction of the machine, as described in the
Specification of the aforesaid Patent, they are by the present improvements (as
shewn more particularly at Figs. 6, 7 and 8) mounted individually parallel with
each other to reciprocate transversely of the machine horizontally under the cards
being laced.
The shuttles H with their carriers 'H' are fitted in slide guides H²
which are adjustable on end stays and are fixed thereto by set screws in any
desired position to suit the lengths of cards. Each shuttle carrier H₁ is mounted
in its carrying slide H³ and each is fitted in front with a removable cover

page_text: hinged at i and adapted to be locked in position by the horizontal arm of a spring
pressed bell crank lever i engaging a catch 2 formed on the front of the carrier H
The shuttle carrier H is also provided with a driving slot j below so as to be
reciprocated by the vertical web j¹ of an angle iron bar J, carried by bosses at its
ends, said bosses being bored to slide on guide rods k secured in brackets k¹ on the
inside of each side frame A. This angle iron bar J is reciprocated by connecting
rods L having their inner ends attached to the bosses 2 of the angle bar J and their
outer ends centred on crank pins on the sides of revolving spur wheels carried on
stud spindles at the back end of the frame A. The wheels I receive their motion
from wheels D¹ on the main cam shaft D of the machine.
The smaller ratchet wheels and pawls for preventing the larger chain ratchet wheels
slipping while the feed pawls are riding over the teeth as described in the Specification
of the aforesaid Patent are dispensed with and in lieu thereof a plain surfaced wheel or
pulley M is provided and fitted with a friction brake m. The brake m is mounted on
the upper end of the vertical arm m¹ of the bell crank m¹, m³ and is pressed against
the pulley M by a spring m² fitted behind. The other arm m³ of the bell crank is
actuated by a roller or pulley from the segmental cams m* on the feed tappet cam
shaft N, the friction brake block m stopping the motion of the wheels on the chain
shaft whilst the pawl o is slipping over its teeth and the sewing is taking place and
being raised out of grip with the wheel M, when the pawl is moving the chain wheels
and chains forward with the cards.
In lieu of the solid projecting segments formed on the feed dis: cam for actuating
the feed pawl lever O of the chain ratchet wheel, portable or removable feed tappets
are employed. Under one arrangement short tappets or segments p are usedland with
curved or rounded outer surfaces, and have inner projecting stems which pass between
guide slides p' in the side of the cam wheel P and are secured by screws p² inserted:
through holes in the tappet stems and the side of the wheel P. By this means any
size or length of projecting curved' tappets or segments can be used to suit the motion:
required and they can be renewed when worn. Both the feed tappet cam P and the
friction brake actuating cam m² are mounted on the shaft N outside the framing A of
the machine to facilitate the changes of the cams or segments p.
.
The back shaft Q on which the chain driving wheels Q are secured is mounted in
quadrant arms q on each side frame A of the machine said arms being held adjustably
by pins or screws q¹ in slots q² so as to permit the shaft being raised or lowered to any
position. Horizontal hinged levers or arms R (see Fig. 3) are mounted below the
front chain shaft S with pulleys on their ends. Said levers R being controlled by
springs to give uniform tension on the card carrying chain T and the tension on the
springs being adjustable to suit varying lengths of chain by means of eye bolts 2
attached to the spring r¹. These card carrying chains T are formed with a part cut
away on each under surface edge instead of only one edge as heretofore, so as to have
a projecting part in the centre of the under surface and thus form a better gripping
part on the chain actuating wheels Q'. These wheels Qare formed with a circular
flange on one side of sufficient diameter to lift the cards off the pins on the chains and
thus deliver the laced cards free from the machine. The take up levers U fitted at the
upper part of machine are secured so as to be adjustable longitudinally by.screw
bolts or pins in slots u' formed in the rail or stay rod a at the top of machine framing,
and the take up lever posts V are likewise held adjustably in slots in the bar C by
screws v¹. The starting and stopping of the mechanism is effected by mounting fast
and loose pulleys W, W side by side on a stud spindle wo mounted in bearing brackets
in the side frame A of the machine, the driving belt being shifted from the loose to
the fast pulley and vice versa when starting and stopping the machine by a belt fork
lever w¹ secured on a spindle w² below. This spindle has a lever w³ in front projecting
down and connected by a link to a lever on a rocking bar we under the machine
upon which rocking bar is fixed a double tread lever a in front to be operated by the
foot of the attendant to shift the driving belt. A spur pinion 1 on the spindle w gears
with and actuates a spur wheel I)' on the first or main driving cam shaft D of the
machine which through lovers and connecting rods actuates the needle frame above,

page_text: A pinion 2 on the main driving shaft D gears with and actuates a wheel 3 on the
shaft N on which the tappet cams are mounted. The chain driving wheels Q¹ can be
shifted longitudinally along their shafts Q and fixed by set screws to suit the position
of the shuttles and the sizes of cards to be laced. The construction of the machine and
the motions of the mechanism are in other respects substantially as described in the
Specification before referred to. The thread is wound on the shuttle spools by
mechanism mounted in an oscillating frame bracket 4 over the driving pulleys W, Wi
at the side of the machine frame A. This is effected by mounting a spur wheel 5 on
the end of a stud spindle 6 on which a pulley or roller 7 is mounted near the centre
of the bracket frame 4, which is centred to oscillate on the spindle 8 and put the
roller 7 into or out of gear with the fast or loose driving pulley W of the machine.
The spur wheel 5 gears with another spur wheel 9 mounted on a stud spindle 10 in
the bracket frame 4 and the spool of each shuttle is inserted between a notch in the
end of this spindle 10 and a notch in an outer overhung projecting bearing 11; so that
the thread is wound on to the spool when the roller 7 is depressed the thread being
guided by a hand lever 12 centred on a vertical screw stud 13 near its centre.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the improved machine for
lacing Jacquard cards substantially as herein before described with reference to the
annexed drawings.
2. In a card lacing machine the arrangement of the reciprocating needle bar frame
having needle holders and take up lever posts fitted adjustably thereon substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a card lacing machine the needle stays ƒ fitted and arranged to operate
substantially as described.
4. In a card lacing machine the reciprocating shuttle carriers fitted with hinged
locking covers substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 6, 7
and 8 of the annexed drawings.
5. In a card lacing machine the shuttle carrier slides secured adjustably on stay
rods substantially as described.
6. In a card lacing machine the arrangement of the shuttle carriers Hand slides in
transverse parallel rows in combination with the angle bar driver J operated sub-
stantially as described.
7. In a card lacing machine the brake M m on the chain wheel shaft constructed
and arranged to operate substantially as described.
8. In a card lacing machine the feed disc cam P fitted with removable tappets p
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
9. In a card lacing machine the arrangement of the hinged tension levers R and
rollers for securing uniform tension on the card feeding chains substantially as
described:
10. In a card lacing machine the arrangement for permitting adjustment of the take
up levers U, substantially as described.
Dated this Eighth day of November 1890.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.