Improved Apparatus for the Twisting and Topping of Yarns in the Manufacture of Twines, Cords, and Fishing Lines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Nov., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 11th June, 1898-Accepted, 6th Aug., 1898
Improved Apparatus for the Twisting and Topping of Yarns in the
Manufacture of Twines, Cords, and Fishing Lines.
JAMES MACFARLANE, 205, Kilmarnock Road, Shawlands, Glasgow, Ropework
Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The twisting or topping of the material is obtained from the harels (or spindle
rollers) which revolve by the motion and friction arising from the large drive
pulley on which they rest, and to increase the size of this pulley without adding to
its height above the level operated on, it is sunk proportionately to the increase
required which very considerably augments the production over the present system.
The "tops" are placed on a carriage which travels on rails. A series of tension
pullies regulate the twist or turn to each cord automatically.
The material is supported by swing brackets which open & shut by the action of
the topping carriage.
In the twisting and topping of yarns the twist or turn is obtained from the
harel working on the surface of a large pulley, the end or ends of the yarn being
attached to the hook on front part of harel prior to the twisting or topping, the
opposite end or ends of yarn being fitted on to loopers.
The large drive pulley in conjunction with the harels is conveniently situated in
the ropewalk to the requirements as at present, but to admit of its size being
considerably increased, it is sunk under the level upon which the material is being
treated to the extent of the depth required to facilitate the proper handling of the
material at a height convenient to the worker.
The diameter of the drive pulley is increased to such an extent without interfer-
ing with the height limit at which the worker can operate, that the capacity over
that of the present system is increased in ratio to the advantage in the size of the
pulley gained by the depth it is sunk below the level.
The rim of the drive pulley is fitted with such materials as give sufficient friction
to drive harels resting thereon.
The harels may also be driven by a continuous belt passing over and under each
in conjunction with large drive pulley.
The harels may be made of iron, brass or wood. To increase the twisting power
of the harels the length in preference to the diameter is added to, being the reverse
of the present rule.
The rests or guides for holding the harels in position are termed "heads" and
these are fitted with "slots" for holding the spindles of the harels at equal
distances.
The heads to admit of the harels bearing on rim of drive pulley are made in
ratio circle to the drive pulley and, are fitted independantly over top of same, so
as not to impede the action of drive pulley on harels. Instead of "slots" in the
"heads" facing downwards towards drive pulley rim, they are open towards the
top, which admits of the handling of the harels without removing or lifting
the "head"

page_text: A circled hoop of angle iron or brass measuring fully 3 the circle of drive pulley
or sufficient to cover the slots in "heads" is fitted over each "head" covering the
top of slots therein. A bush with hollow tube spindle is fitted into each slot and
this tube serves as a lubricator feeder for the harel spindle revolving on bush and
also passes thro' hole in circle hoop by which the adjustment necessary in pressure
is given to harel.
The topping carriage carries the "tops" for topping the yarns and travels either
by action of the "twist" going into the material or travels by regulating cord
attached to front. This regulating cord is attached to a reel either driven by hand
or other power at a speed equivalent to the present system whereby the worker
walks with the tops. This reel can be made to take up the topping carriage at
various speeds by the easy manner in which its size can be altered & regulated to
give the various numbers of turn or twist to the material per inch etc. A drag
cord is fixed to rear of topping carriage and travels full distance of the rails and is
attached to a large drum or reel which has drag weights to give sufficient tension
to this cord to hold the topping carriage from travelling except by the action of
the front reeling cord.
A ground rope may be fixed between rails on which topping carriage travels in
conjunction with rope pulley on carriage to steady the carriage while in motion.
The tension system by which the yarn or material is held at the other end
from the "harel" has independant adjustment against each harel's twisting and
provides a separate tension by the cord to which the loopers are fixed being
attached to a drag pulley with weight to its axle. These tension cords unwind up
the "walk" to the length consumed by the intake of the turn going into the
material. A guide board fitted on rope rails about 2 or 3 feet above the level
holds these tension cords in position, and adjusts the speed with which they return
to the drag pullies.
A coupling guide is attached to every three or more or less of these tension
cords, to obtain a stronger drag when it is required in topping" cords &
" lines."
66
Support-brackets for holding material while being treated are placed at suitable
distances alongside the rails of the topping carriage and are made with two arms
fitted together at right angles, so as the action of the topping carriage coming in
contact when travelling opens and closes each alternatively. The dividing pins to
keep the material apart while resting on these brackets are shaped thus ^
Dated this day the Sixteenth November 1897.
Improved Apparatus for the Twisting and Topping of Yarns in the
Manufacture of Twines, Cords, and Fishing Lines.
I, JAMES MACFARLANE, of 205, Kilmarnock Road, Shawlands, Glasgow, Manager,
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 twisting and topping of yarns in the manufacture
of twines, cords, and fishing lines.
Under this invention the twisting or topping of the material is obtained from
the harels (or spindle rollers or whirls) which revolve by the motion and friction
arising from the large drive wheel on which they rest, and, to increase the size of
this wheel without adding to its height above the level operated on, it is sunk pro-

page_text: portionately to the increase required which very considerably augments the pro-
duction over the present system. The tops are placed on a carriage which travels
on rails.
A series of tension pullies regulate the twist or turn to each cord
automatically. The material is supported by swing brackets which open and
shut by the action of the topping carriage.
In the twisting and topping of yarns the twist or turn is obtained from the harel
working on the surface of the large drive wheel, the end or ends of the yarn being
attached to the hook on the front part of the harel prior to the twisting or topping;
the opposite end or ends of the yarn being fitted on to loopers.
The large drive wheel working in conjunction with the harels is conveniently
situated in the ropewalk to the requirements as at present, but, in order to admit
of its size being considerably increased, it is sunk under the level upon which the
material is being treated, to the extent of the depth required to facilitate the
proper handling of the material at a height convenient to the worker.
The diameter of the drive wheel is increased to such an extent, without inter-
fering with the height limit at which the worker can operate, that the capacity over
the present system is increased in ratio to the advantage in the size of the wheel
gained by the depth it is sunk below the ground level.
The rim of the drive wheel is fitted with such materials as give sufficient friction
to drive the harels resting thereon.
The harels may be made of iron, brass, or wood.
To increase the twisting power of the harels, their length, in preference to
their diameter, is added to, which is the reverse of the present rule.
The rests or guides for holding the harels in position are termed "heads"
and these are made with slots for holding the spindles of the harels at such distances
as will admit of all the harels bearing equally on the rim of the drive wheel. The
heads are so curved as to conform to the periphery of the drive wheel and are
fitted independently over the top of same so as not to impede the action of the
drive wheel on the harels. Instead of the "slots" in the heads" facing down-
wards towards the drive pulley they are open towards the top which permits of the
handling of the harels without removing or lifting the heads.
A curved hoop of angle iron or brass, measuring fully 1/3 of the circle of the drive
pulley, or sufficient to cover the slots in the heads, is fitted over each "head cover-
ing the top of the slots therein. A bush with a tubular rod is fitted into each slot
and this rod serves as a means for lubricating the harel spindle revolving in the
bush. The rod also passes through a hole in the curved hoop and by it the
amount of pressure on the harel can be adjusted.
The topping carriage carries the "tops" for topping the yarns and travels either
by the action of the twist going into the material, or, by means of a regulating cord
attached to the front of the carriage.
The regulating cord is attached to a reel, either driven by hand or other power,
at a speed equivalent to the present system wherein the worker walks with the
tops. This reel can be made to take up the topping carriage at various speeds by
the easy manner in which its size can be altered and regulated to give the various
numbers of turn or twist to the material per inch, etc.
A drag cord is fixed to the rear of the topping carriage and travels the full
distance of the rails; it is attached to a large drum or recl which has drag
weights to give sufficient tension to this cord to prevent the topping carriage
travelling except by the action of the front reeling cord.
A ground rope may be fixed between the rails on which the topping carriage
travels in conjunction with a rope pulley on the carriage for the purpose of
steadying the carriage while in motion.
The tension system by which the yarn or material is held, at the other end from
the harel, has independent adjustment against each harels twisting, and provides
a separate tension, by the cord to which the loopers are fixed being attached to a
drag pulley having a weight suspended from its axle. These tension cords unwind

page_text: 66
up the walk" to an extent corresponding to the intake of the turn as it goes into
the material.
A guide board fitted on the rope rails about 2 or 3 feet above the ground levei
holds the tension cords in position and adjusts the speed with which they return to
the drag pullies.
A coupling guide is attached to every three (or more or less) of these tension
cords in order to obtain a stronger drag when it is required in topping cords and
lines.
Supporting brackets for holding the material whilst being treated are placed at
suitable distances apart and alongside the rails of the topping carriage and are
made with two arms fitted together at right angles so that the action of the topping
carriage coming in contact, when travelling, opens and closes each alternately.
The dividing pins to keep the material” apart while resting on these brackets
are of an A shape.
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood I have here-
unto appended two explanatory sheets of drawings, whereon,
Fig. shows, in side view, a rope walk fitted with my improved apparatus.
The walk is broken up into sections in order to show the arrangement more
clearly.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the same.
Fig. 3 is a front view of the drive wheel and the "harels."
Fig. 4 is an enlarged section showing a harel and the periphery of the drive
wheel.
Fig. 5 is a front view and Fig. 6 a back view of the topping carriage.
Fig. 7 is a view of the coupling guide.
Fig. 8 is an end view showing the tension reels or pulleys 11 and their drag
weights.
Fig. 9 is a side view and Fig. 10 an end view to an enlarged scale of a drag
reel or pulley.
Referring to the drawings whereon the same reference numerals wherever
repeated indicate the same parts.
1 is the drive wheel. 2 are the harels of which there may be 72 although
only 18 are shown on the drawings. 3 is the head. 4 is the topping carriage
running on rails 4ª. 5 is one of the supporting brackets. These brackets are
usually spaced about 30 feet apart in the rope walk. 6 is the guide board. 11 are
the tension or drag pullies. 12 is the drag rope. 13 is the regulating rope. 14 is
the driving shaft of the drive wheel. 15 is the driving belt. 16, 16 are bearings.
17 is the regulating pulley shaft. 18, 18 are uprights carrying a cross beam 19.
As will be seen the drive wheel, which is very large and is sunk almost 2 its
diameter below the ground level, has a circumferential band of rubber or like
suitable material 20 (see also Fig. 4) upon which the harels 2 rest. As the drive
wheel revolves the friction between the band and the harels causes them to revolve
rapidly and so twist the yarn 21 which, at the opposite end of the rope walk, is
caught by the twisting loopers 30. Each looper 30 has a tension cord 31 attached
to it and each one of these cords is attached to one of the series of drag pulleys 11
which are capable of turning freely and independently of one another on the
shaft 33, carried by the uprights 33". The tension cords first pass through
guides 34 on the guide board 6 then through the dividing pins 36ª and under the
roller 37 and then up to the pulleys 11. The guide board can move on the rope
rails 36 attached to the posts 37, 38. 39 are the drag weights attached to the
hubs of the drag pullies.
The tension cords 31 unwind up the "walk" to an extent corresponding to the
"intake" of the twist going into the material. In Fig. 2 three strands A are
shown, by way of illustration, as being twisted and as will be seen the twist in
the strands varies but this variation is compensated for by the drag pulley
arrangement so that when topping there is no fear of having strands in the cord
unequally twisted.

page_text: When topping cords and lines the strands (say by way of example three of them)
are led through the tops 25 of the topping carriage 4, as indicated at B Fig. 2,
to a twisting looper 40 which is connected to a coupling guide 41 having, say,
three tension cords connected to it so as to give a strong drag during the topping
operation.
The tension cords are threaded through holes 42 (see Fig. 7) in the coupling
guide 41 and the looper 40, when not in use, hangs down from it by means of
the cords 43, 44, attached to its ends. With this arrangement whenever it is
desired to top, say the three strands A just being twisted, they are cut off at about
the line (Fig. 2) and tied to the single looper 40, in the manner shown at B',
whereupon the drag weights tighten all the tension cords equally and pull the
loopers up against the coupling guide in the manner shown at Fig. 7.
The yarns are supported at intervals in the rope walk by the brackets 5 which,
as shown at Figs. 1 and 2, consists of two arms 5, 5b, arranged at right angles to
one another and hinged at 27 to the post 26. As will be seen the material is kept
apart not by means of the usual dividing pins but by means of a strip of metal or
a piece of wire 28 bent zig-zag wise and secured to each arm. The material lies
in the grooves thus formed in the metal strip or the wire. When the topping
carriage 4 advances in one direction it strikes the arm 5ª and moves it aside at
the same time bringing the other arm 5 up behind the carriage. On the other
hand, when the carriage is travelling in the opposite direction the arm 5b is
moved back to its former position parallel with the rails 4* and the arm 5ª is
moved into a position behind the carriage and across the rails. In this manner the
material is always kept supported.
The topping carriage may consist of a wood framework 45 with metal supports 46
carrying an arched bar 47 having the tops secured thereto and another thinner bar
with the guide loops 48. The drag cord 12 is attached to the rear of the carriage
and passes round guide pullies 49, 50, at the end of the rope walk and back to a
large reel (or drum) 51 provided with a drag weight 52 wound on its axle. The
regulating cord 13 is attached to the front of the carriage and passes round guide
pulleys 54, 55, 56, 59, to a reel 57 driven by belt gearing 58 from the main driving
shaft 14. If desired a ground rope may be attached as usual to the carriage.
60 (Fig. 4) are the slots made in the heads 3 for the spindles of the harels. As
will be seen, at Fig. 4, bearing bushes 62, 63, capable of sliding in the slots 60,
bear upon the upper sides of the spindles of the harels. Attached to these bushes
are long hollow screw rods 64 which pass through holes in the removable angle
iron covers 65, 66, and have screw nuts and removable lead washers 67 at their
upper ends. The pressure on the harels can be varied as desired by varying the
number of washers on the screws 64. The angle irons 65, 66, which cover the
open upper ends of the slots can be removed whenever necessary by means of
the hook 68 and cord 69 running over the pulley 70 of the cross beam 19. When the
angle irons are removed the harels can easily be taken out of place and changed.
Oil can be poured through the hollow rods 64 and the holes 64 to lubricate
the spindles of the harels.
71, 72, are the face plates of the heads.
As will be seen the heads are secured at each end to the uprights 18.
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 consider novel and desire to claim is :-
1. A large drive wheel partly sunk in the ground having in conjunction with
it heads provided with slots open at the top and covered by removable covers,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. The devices for regulating the pressure on the harels consisting of the bushes,
hollow screw rods, and lead or other weights, substantially as set forth.
3. The tension apparatus for automatically tempering the twist in the material,

page_text: 4. The construction of hinged or pivotted supporting brackets, substantially as
herein before described with reference to the drawings annexed.
5. The general arrangement and combination of parts of the apparatus sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings annexed.
Dated this 9th day of June 1898.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
100, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.