Improvements in Jacquard-oard Punch-selecting Machines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 16th July, 1834
Complete Specification Left, 16th Apr., 1895-Accepted, 18th May, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Jacquard-oard Punch-selecting Machines.
I, JOSEPH HOUGH, of No. 3060 Rosehill Street, City of Philadelphia, State of
Pennsylvania, United States of America, Lace Curtain Pattern Reader, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :—
This invention relates to that class of Jacquard-card punch-selecting mechanism
in which the punches are connected with a series of needles having provision
whereby the latter may be manipulated in a manner to retract those punches not to
be used in the operation of perforating a particular card or cards.
Heretofore where a double-card design or pattern has been employed, a separate
and independent reading operation has been required for each card. My object
is to provide means whereby a single reading of the design will suffice for the
selection of the punches for the two cards; and to this end the invention consists in
various features of construction and organization of parts that will be hereinafter
described.
As the present. improvements relate solely to the means for controlling the back
needles, and as the construction and arrangement of the other parts of the machine
are well known, I have not deemed it necessary to describe herein other than the
novel features.
The machine comprises a main frame, longitudinal side bars operatively connected
with the usual needle-selecting frame at the forward end of the machine, and back
needles which are connected with the set of selecting needles by means of the
wale-strings.
The back needles and their operating devices are supported in a longitudinally
novable carriage at the rear of the machine, said carriage being bolted or otherwise
connected with the longitudinal side bars.
The needles are arranged in horizontal series in the carriage; there being a
single or a plurality of series, as desired. In the present instance two series are
used, each being connected with a separate and independent set of controlling
devices. As the construction and operation of each set are practically the same, a
description of one set only will suffice. The needles of each row are fitted to and
guided in transversely disposed perforated plates, on the carriage, those ends of the
needles to which the respective wale-strings are tied extending forwardly, and
the opposite ends of the needles projecting rearwardly, of the carriage. Pivoted to the
rear end of each needle, is an arm which is held normally elevated by the action of
a flat spring secured to the needle. The free end of the arm is provided with
a depending portion or lug to which are fitted two spring controlled pins. Suitably
disposed springs within the lug serve to project the points of the pins normally
beyond the inner edge of the lug, for a purpose hereinafter described. On the sides
of the carriage are fixed rearwardly extending guide-rods to which are applied
guide brachets on the respective ends of a transverse draw-bar, whereby the said
The bar is
bar may be reciprocated transversely and be guided in its movements.
arranged immediately below the series of arms and its outer edge is provided
throughout its length with a projecting lip with which the pins on said arms
are adapted to be temporarily engaged at predetermined periods, as below explained.
Mounted in suitable bearings in rearwardly extending arms on the sides of
the carriage, is a rock-shaft on the right hand end of which is fixed a hand lever

page_text: whereby the shaft may be operated. On this shaft, at intervals apart, are fixed
upwardly-extending crank arms, which are respectively connected by links, with
brackets depending from the bar, to the end that when the shaft is properly moved
the bar and its connections will be correspondingly actuated. Fixed to one of the
lateral arms, adjacent to the hand lever, is a peripherally notched sector with
the notches of which is adapted to be engaged at certain times, a pivoted dog
on the side of the hand lever, said dog linked with and operated by an ordinary
spring-actuated thumb lever on the side of the hand lever. Hence if the latter
lever be moved to a predetermined position and, the dog be engaged with the
opposed notch, said lever and its connections will be held in place.
In the present instance there are four notches in the edge of the sector
hereinafter termed the first, second, third and fourth notches respectively. When
the dog is engaged with the second notch, the lever is in normal position; that is to
say, the lipped bar is held in a position to be engaged by the projecting pins on the
arms, should the latter be depressed. If each arm be partially depressed, the lower
pin thereon will be engaged with the under side of the lipped edge of the bar, but
if the arm be depressed still farther the upper pin will be engaged with sail
edge. Assuming that certain of the arms are partially and others fully depressed,
if the lever be drawn backwards until the dog engages the first notch all the
arms engaged with the bar together with their respective needles, will be retracted,
and in consequence the corresponding series of selecting-needles at the forward part
of the machine will be thrown out of operation. This being done, if the lateral
bars be drawn forward in the ordinary way, the operative selecting-needles will bear
against the corresponding punches in the proximate punch frame and project them
into engagement with the detachable perforated punch block in the usual
manner; which block with the selected punches therein may be transferred by the
operator to the punching machine for the purpose of perforating a card as
formerly.
The punches for one card having been secured, if the handle lever be thrown
forward until the dog is engaged with the third notch the bar will be moved
forwardly sufficiently to release the lower pins engaged therewith, whereupon the
arms to which said pins are fitted will be thrown upward by their individual springs
and the parts connected with said arms will resume their normal position. In this
operation those armis wliose upper pins are engaged with the lipped bars will not be
freed, and, in consequence, the corresponding punches will be held out of action,
thereby permitting the formation of the second card, in a manner similar to the card
first described. Hence during each reading of the design, the selection of the punches
for the two cards may be had. When the punches for the second card have been
selected, the hand lever is thrown forward until the dog is engaged with the fourth
notch, thereby moving the bar sufficiently forward to free the engaged pins, and, in
consequence, all the needles resume their normal position. The lever is then retracted
to engage the dog with the second notch, whereupon the parts occupy the
normal or first described position in readiness for another reading and selecting
operation.
In order positively to retract the needles when the hand lever is thrown to
the extreme forward position, I offset the under edges of the needles, and
arrange immediately beneath the needles in engagement with their offsets, a
transverse bar which is connected by means of rods with the lipped bar.
when the latter bar is moved the other bar is correspondingly actuated.
Hence
The bar is so arranged in respect to the offsets that during the forward movement
of the bar, immediately after the arms have been freed, it takes against the opposed
shoulder of the offsets and forces the needles forward; but owing to the elongation
of the offset the bar during its rearward movement does not act upon the needles.
That the bar and its connections shall tend to assume the extreme forward
position, attach to said bar, near its respective ends, and to suitably disposed
brackets in the carriage, strong retracting springs.
As a simple and efficient means whereby the pivoted arms may be conveniently

page_text: depressed by the operator as and for the purpose above stated, I have designed a.
travelling key-board device which I shall now proceed to describe, as follows:-
Fixed to the top of the carriage, rearwardly of the arms, is a transverse bar in
which is a longitudinal guide way, preferably though not essentially, of dovetail form
in cross-section, to receive a correspondingly formed rib on a frame, to the end that
the latter with its connections may traverse the bar from end to end.
This frame is provided on its forward face with a pair of lugs between which is
fitted a rod. On this rod, side by side, is arranged a series of independently movable
bell-crank levers, the rearwardly projecting arms of which are provided with tails
that overhang the pivoted arms respectively; that is to say, in this instance there
are eight levers the tails of which extend directly above eight adjoining pivoted
arms respectively. The upwardly extending arms of the levers are spread outwardly,
so as to occupy a larger compass than otherwise. The arms are held normally
elevated by means of separate retracting springs recured thereto and to the
overhanging portion of the frame respectively. Fitted to perforations in the frame
plate are two sets of key pins, each set corresponding in numbers with the levers.
The sets are arranged one above the other, and their pins are so disposed that one
of each set takes against the opposed lever arm. Hence if a key of the upper set
be pressed inwardly by the operator said key will bear against the opposed lever
arm, move it rearwardly and, perforce, depress the other arm of the lever, the tail
of which, striking the opposed pivoted arm, will depress the latter sufficiently to
engage the upper pin with the lipped bar; and again if a key of the lower set be
operated the opposed lever will be moved to depress the corresponding pivoted arm
sufficiently to engage the lower pin with the lipped bar. Thus by the act of moving
the frame from side to side of the machine, and by properly manipulating the keys
at predetermined stages of the movements, the pivoted arms may be operated to
meet the requirements of any pattern or design.
'
I preferably provide means whereby the key frame, upon its being advanced
intermittently, from one series of needle arms to the next adjacent series, may be
locked in place in order to prevent its displacement during the act of manipulating
the keys. This means comprises, in this instance, a lever pivoted to a lug on the
face of the frame plate, and adapted to register at the proper times with a series of
sockets formed at regular intervals apart in the face of the guide bar. The shorter
arm of this lever, constitutes the bolt, said arm being bent horizontally and being
fitted to a perforation in the frame-plate. The longer arm is extended rearwardly
and is fitted to a lug on the overhanging portion of said plate. Its free end
is provided with a head between which and the lug is interposed a spring the
tendency of which is to maintain the shorter arm normally in contact with the
socketed guide bar.
Extending upwardly from the carriage is a pattern-holding frame of well-known
construction.
Improvements in Jacquard-card Punch-selecting Machines.
I, JOSEPH HOUGH, of No. 3060 Rosehill Street, City of Philadelphia, State of
Pennsylvania, United States of America, Lace Curtain Pattern Reader, 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:-
That class of lace known as
"
Nottingham lace is woven on looms equipped

page_text: the needles to which the respective wale-strings are tied extending forwardly, and
the opposite ends of the needles projecting rearwardly, of the carriage. Pivoted
to the rear end of each needle, as at x, is an arm 7, which is held normally elevated
by the action of a flat spring 8 secured to the needle see Figures 1 and 3. The
free end of the arm is provided with a depending portion or lug 9 to which are
fitted two spring controlled pins 10, 11. Suitably disposed springs 12 within the
lug serve to project the points of the pins normally beyond the inner edge of the
lug, for a purpose hereinafter described. On the sides of the carriage are fixed
rearwardly-extending guide-rods 13 to which are applied guide brackets 14 on the
respective ends of a transverse draw bar 15, whereby the said bar may be reci-
The bar is arranged
procated transversely and be guided in its movements.
immediately below the series of arms 7 and its outer edge is provided throughout
its length with a projecting lip 16, with which the pins 10, 11 on said arms are
adapted to be temporarily engaged at predetermined periods, as below explained.
Mounted in suitable bearings in rearwardly extending arms 17, on the sides
of the carriage, is a rock-shaft 18 on the right hand end of which is fixed a hand
lever 19 whereby the shaft may be operated. On this shaft, at intervals apart,
are fixed upwardly-extending crank arms 20, which are respectively connected
by links 21, with brackets 22 depending from the bar 15, to the end that when
the shaft is properly moved the bar and its connections will be correspondingly
actuated. Fixed to one of the lateral arms 17, adjacent to the hand lever, is a
peripherally notched sector 23 with the notches of which is adapted to be engaged
at certain times, a pivoted dog 24 on the side of the hand lever, said dog linked
with and operated by an ordinary spring-actuated thumb lever 25 on the side of
the hand lever. Hence if the latter lever be moved to a predetermined position,
and, the dog he engaged with the opposed notch, said lever and its connections will
be held in place.
In the present instance there are four notches in the edge of the sector, the same
being marked 1, 2, 3, and 4" respectively. When the dog is engaged with the
notch 2, the lever is in normal position; that is to say, the lipped bar is held in a
position to be engaged by the projecting pins on the arms 7, should the latter be
depressed. If each arm be partially depressed, the lower pin 11 thereon will be
engaged with the under side of the lipped edge of the bar, but if the arm
be depressed still farther the upper pin will be engaged with said edge. Assuming
that certain of the arms are partially and others fully depressed, if the lever be
drawn backwards until the dog engages the notch marked 1* all the arms engaged
with the bar, together with their respective needles, will be retracted, and in con-
sequence the corresponding series of selecting-needles at the forward part of the
machine will be thrown out of operation. This being done, if the lateral bars be
drawn forward in the ordinary way, the operative selecting-needles will bear
against the corresponding punches in the proximate punch frame and project them
into engagement with the detachable perforated punch block in the usual manner;
which block with the selected punches therein may be transferred by the operator
to the punching machine for the purpose of perforating a card as formerly.
The punches for one card having been secured, if the handle lever be thrown
forward until the dog is engaged with the notch marked 3*, the bar will be moved
forwardly sufficiently to release the lower pins engaged therewith, whereupon the
arms to which the said pins are fitted will be thrown upward by their individual
springs and the parts connected with said arms will resume their normal position.
In this operation those arms whose upper pins 10 are engaged with the lipped bars
will not be freed, and in consequence, the corresponding punches will be held out
of action, thereby permitting the formation of the second card, in a manner similar
to the card first described. Hence during each reading of the design, the selection
of the punches for the two cards may be had. When the punches for the second
card have been selected, the hand lever is thrown forward until the dog is engaged
with the notch marked 4*, thereby moving the bar sufficiently forward to free the

page_text: engaged pins, and, in consequence, all the needles resume their normal position.
The lever is then retracted to engage the dog with the notch marked 2*, whereupon
the parts occupy the normal or first described position in readiness for another
reading and selecting operation.
In order positively to retract the needles when the hand lever is thrown to the
extreme forward position, I offset the under edges of the needles as at 26, Figure 1,
and arrange immediately beneath the needles in engagement with their offsets, a
transverse bar 27 which is connected by means of rods 28 with the lipped bar.
Hence when the latter bar is moved the other bar is correspondingly actuated.
The bar 27 is so arranged in respect to the offsets that during the forward
movement of the bar, immediately after the arms have been freed, it takes against
the opposed shoulder of the offsets and forces the needles forward; but owing to
the elongation of the offset the bar during its rearward movement does not act
upon the needles!
That the bar and its connections shall tend to assume the extreme forward
position, I attach to said bar, near its respective ends, and to suitably disposed
brackets 29 in the carriage, strong retracting springs 30, as seen in Figure 1.
As a simple and efficient means whereby the pivoted arms 7 may be conveniently
depressed by the operator as and for the purpose above stated, I have designed a
travelling key-board device which I shall now proceed to describe, as follows:-
Fixed to the top of the carriage, rearwardly of the arms 7, is a transverse
bar 31 in which is a longitudinal guide-way 32, preferably though not essentially
of dovetail form in cross-section, to receive a correspondingly formed rib 33 on a
frame 34 to the end that the latter, with its connections, may traverse the bar from
end to end.
This frame is provided on its forward face with a pair of lugs 35 between which
is fitted a rod 36 Figure 2. On this rod, side by side, is arranged a series of
independently movable bell-crank levers 37, Figure 1, the rearwardly projecting
arms 38 of which are provided with tails that overhang the arms 7 respectively:
that is to say, in this instance there are eight levers the tails of which extend
directly above eight adjoining arms 7 respectively. The upwardly extending arms
of the levers are spread outwardly, as seen, so as to occupy a larger compass than
otherwise. The arms are held normally elevated by means of separate retracting
springs 39 secured thereto and to the overhanging portion of the frame respectively.
Fitted to perforations in the frame plate are two sets of key pins 40, each set
corresponding in numbers with the levers. The sets are arranged one above the
other as seen, and their pins are so disposed that one of each set takes against the
opposed lever arm. Hence if a key of the upper set be pressed inwardly by
the operator said key will bear against the opposed lever arm, move it rearwardly
and, perforce, depress the other arm of the lever, the tail of which, striking the
opposed pivoted arm 7, will depress the latter sufficiently to engage the upper
pin 10 with the lipped bar; and again if a key of the lower set be operated the
opposed lever will be moved to depress the corresponding pivoted arm sufficiently
to engage the lower pin 11 with the lipped bar. Thus by the act of moving the
frame from side to side of the machine, and by properly manipulating the keys at
predetermined stages of the movements, the pivoted arms may be operated to meet
the requirements of any pattern or design.
I preferably provide means whereby the key frame, upon its being advanced
intermittently, from one series of needles arms to the next adjacent series, may be
locked in place in order to prevent its displacement during the act of manipulating
the keys. This means comprises, in this instance, a lever 41 pivoted to a lug 42
on the face of the frame plate, and adapted to register at the proper times with a
series of sockets 43 Figure 2 formed at regular intervals apart in the face of the
guide bar. The shorter arm of this lever, constitutes the bolt, said arm being
bent horizontally and being fitted to a perforation in the frame-plate.. The longer
arm is extended rearwardly and is fitted to a lug on the overhanging portion of

page_text: said plate. Its free end is provided with a head 44 between which and the lug in
interposed a spring 45 the tendency of which is to maintain the shorter arm
normally in contact with the socketed guide bar.
Extending upwardly from the carriage is a pattern-holding frame 46 of well-
known construction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-.
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
1. In a Jacquard-card punch-selecting machine, the combination with the back
needles and their supporting parts, of means whereby a predetermined number of
said needles may be retracted, and means whereby one or a series of said latter
needies may be released independently of the remaining retracted necàles ;:
substantially as described.
2. In a machine of the class recited, the combination with the back needles, an
their supporting parts, of a retracting device, means whereby the needles, or a
predetermined number thereof, may be connected with said device, and means
whereby certain of said connected needles may be released from the retracting
device at different periods; substantially as described.
3. In a machine of the class recited, the combination with the back needles an:
their supporting parts, of a retracting device, means for operating the same within
prescribed limits, and arms on said needles provided each with a plurality of
independent catches adapted to be engaged with said retracting device, at
predetermined periods; substantially as described.
4. In a machine of the class recited, the combination with the back needles, and
their supporting parts, of a reciprocative retracting device, means for reciprocating
the same within prescribed limits, arms on said needles provided each with a
plurality of independent catches adapted to be engaged with said retracting device
at predetermined periods, and means for maintaining said arms to effect the
engagement of the catches, substantially as described.
5. In a machine of the class recited, the combination with the back needles and
their supporting parts, of a retracting device, means for operating the same,.
vibratory arms connected with said needles, catches on said arms adapted to be
engaged with said device when the latter is in one position, and to be disengaged
therefrom when the device is in another position substantially as described.
6. In a machine of the class recited, the combination with the back needles, and
their supporting parts, of a reciprocative bar rearward of the needles, a rock-shaft,
an operating device therefor, connections intermediate. the said shaft and bar, and
vibratory arms connected with said needles, and provided with catches adapted to
be engaged with and disengaged from said bar at predetermined intervals,
substantially as described.
7. In a machine of the class recited, the combination with the back needles, and
their supporting parts, of a reciprocative bar, a rock-shaft, connections intermediate
the said shaft and bar, a hand lever on said shaft, a locking dog on the lever, a
notched sector adjacent to the latter, and vibratory arms connected with the
needles and provided each with catches adapted to be engaged with and disengaged
from said bar at predetermined intervals; substantially as described.
8. In a machine of the class recited, the combination with the back needles and
their supporting parts, of a needle-retracting device, provisions whereby they may
be engaged with said device, key-operated levers to effect their engagement, and
means whereby one or a series of said needles may be released from said retracting
device independently of the others; substantially as described.
9. In a niachine of the class recited the combination with the back needles, and
their supporting parts, of a retracting device, means for operating the same within
prescribed limits, and arms on said needles provided each with a plurality of
independent catches adapted to be engaged with said retracting device at pre-
determined periods, and a travelling frame or carriage arranged above the said
.

page_text: arms, and provided with a series of key-operated levers adapted to act upon
predetermined arms in its path; substantially as described.
10. In a machine of the class recited, the combination with the back needles,
and their supporting parts, of a retracting device, means for operating the same
within prescribed limits, and arms on said needles provided each with a plurality of
independent catches adapted to be engaged with said retracting device, at pre-
determined periods, and a travelling frame or carriage arranged above the said
arms, and provided with a series of key-operated levers adapted to act upon
predetermined arms in its path, and devices to lock the said frame or carriage at
points throughout its traverse; substantially as described.
Dated this 16th day of April 1895.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.