IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING AND FINISHING THREADS OR YARNS
Year: 1857

page_text: *n the Matter of a Patent granted to PETER KERR, of Paisley, in the
County of Renfrew, North Britain, Manufacturer; for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING AND FINISHING THREADS OR YARNS,"
bearing date the 2nd day of October 1857.
DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION proposed to be
entered by the said Peter Kerr as such Patentee as aforesaid, pursuant
to the Statutes in that case made and provided.
WHEREAS since filing the Specification to the said Letters Patent I have
been advised that it is doubtful whether the claim to Invention made by the
seventh claiming clause at the end of the said Specification can be supported
in a Court of Law, I, for this reason, wish to disclaim, and I do hereby dis-
claim the part of the said Specification which is in the words following, viz.,
"Seventh, the system or mode of obtaining the requisite degree of tension
"upon the threads or yarns undergoing the process of polishing or finishing.
"by means of a moveable frame and weights, as herein-before described."
And whereas I have been further advised that it;is. possible that a Court of
Law may hold that the Specification claims some of the mechanical parts of
the machinery which are described, or some combination thereof, which were
not new at the date of the said Patent, I, for this reason; wish to introduce in
the paragraph of the Specification immediately preceding the claiming clauses
the following words, viz.,. I however make no claim to any of the mechanical

page_text: Alteration may be better understood I annex a copy of the Specification as it
will appear when such Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration have been
made as aforesaid.
"
"My said Invention relates to machinery or apparatus to be used for
preparing, polishing, and finishing threads or yarns, the object of the
improvements being the securing of a superior polishing or finishing action
"upon the yarns or threads by means of the conjoint action of frictional
tension and heat. In carrying out these improvements in practice it is
preferred to use an open vertical framing of parallel side standards, carrying.
bearings for the support of the different horizontal shafts of the apparatus.
"These shafts are driven by central pulleys, the actual finishing parts being
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upon the overhanging portions of the shafts extending beyond the limits of
"the central framing. This arrangement forms or involves four several
"thread carrying pulleys, two on an upper and two on a lower shaft, over
"which the thread in the bank is stretched in two separate sets, one on each
"side of the machine, the hanks being suitably distended by weighted lever
or other tensional apparatus. Both of the shafts are actuated directly at the
proper speed from the prime mover, so as to carry round or along the
hanks at a velocity best suited for the effect to be produced.. The rubbing,
polishing, or finishing action is given to the thread hanks by means of two
separate revolving rubbers or frictional operators set in pairs úpon the ends
of corresponding horizontal shafts, which are made to revolve at a high
1 velocity in a direction corresponding with the traverse or passage of the
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page_text: "hanks. These polishers are so disposed that in each pair working upon one
"set of hanks there is one such polisher or frictional operator in the interior
of the hanks that is embraced by the two parallel lines of the threads, and
"one polisher outside or wholly exterior to the hanks. In this way both
"sides of the threads are fully operated upon. The polishers consist of
"numerously vaned arms set upon hollow shafts or tubes open at the ends to
"the atmosphere, and having lateral slots in them, so that air passing in at
the tube ends is forcibly discharged through the slots by the vane action
against the passing threads, and this air being itself heated by the severe
"frictional action of the parts, aids very materially in drying the primarily
"starched threads, and completing their finish. The vaned arms are eacli
"terminated by a longitudinal bar of metal forming the actual rubbing
surfaces; and the contiguous vane polishers are geared together to work in
concert, so that the vanes of each work into the intermediate spaces of the
other, and the lines of threads being between them, the frictional action is
"materially heightened, owing to the opposed resistance of the vanes. And
"in order still further to improve the frictional effect, the vane bars are
"formed with transverse grooves or with annular grooves all round them, so
"that they can be used on any side. The effect of this is that the vanes
grasp or embrace a greater extent of surfaces of the threads, and they thus
operate in a more rapid manner than plain bars."
"
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"And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood, I shall
now proceed to describe the several illustrative Figures upon the explana
>
tory Sheet of Drawings which I have hereunto appended for the purpose
"of showing certain modifications under which my improvements may be
judiciously carried out in practice.
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Figure 1 on my Sheet of Drawings is a front elevation of one modification'
"of my improved machinery or apparatus for preparing and finishing threads
or yarns; Figure 2 is an end view or elevation of the right-hand side of the
"machine as looking upon its front; Figure 3 is a plan corresponding to'
Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is an end view or elevation of another modifi-
"cation or arrangement of machinery for polishing threads or yarns;
Figure 5 is a transverse vertical section, and Figure 6 a plan, of one
"arrangement of a polisher for finishing threads or yarns by means of the
"combined agency of friction and heat. In the mechanical arrangement'
"shown in Figures 1 to 3 of my Drawings the framing A is by preference of³
"cast iron, and consists of two rectangular open panelled end standards'
"united by two horizontal cross stays B, arranged near the upper and lower
"extremities of the side standards. The middle rail of each of the sile

page_text: "
standards A has two horizontal slots cast or otherwise formed therein. In
"one pair of these slots C (Figure 8) is fitted the bushes D of the main
"driving shaft E; these bushes are secured to the standards by bolts and
nuts, and are consequently adjustable laterally to the extent or length of
the slots C. The driving shaft E has keyed to it the fast and loose pulleys
"F, which are driven by the endless belt G, that is actuated from a steam
engine or other prime mover. The shaft E has fast to it a spur wheel H,
"..which is in gear with a corresponding wheel I, from which the shaft J
derives its motion. The shaft J is arranged parallel to the main shaft E,
and its journals are carried in adjustable bushes K, which are fitted in the
,slots L made in the middle rail of the side' standards A. The shaft E is
made sufficiently long to extend some distance beyond the side standards;
and upon these projecting portions upon either side of the machine is fitted
a metallic polisher. Each of these polishers consists of an elongated eye or
tubular boss M, which fits the shaft E tightly. Near to each extremity of the
"boss M is fixed a metal plate N, the periphery of which is notched or curved to
"form a series of undulating projections, as is shown in the enlarged sectional
"view, Figure 5. These projecting parts of the plates N have holes made
"therein to receive. the ends of a series of metal rods or bars O, the ends of
which are passed through the holes in the plates N, and are secured thereto
by nuts, as shown in the plan, Figure 6, of my Drawings. The surfaces of
the polishing bars O are turned or otherwise cut to form a series of annular
grooves or notches from end to end of the bars, as is shown upon the upper
part of the bars in Figure 6. These grooves or annular indentations serve
"to receive. and divide the threads which are subjected to the polishing
"operation. A corresponding arrangement of a pair of metallic polishers P
"ȧre fitted upon the extremities of the shaft J. The bars Q of the polishers P
"are made to slightly interlock or overlap those of its contiguous and parallel
polisher; and this adjustment of the two polishers may be readily and
"accurately obtained by means of the adjustable bushes D'and K, which
carry the shafts E and J. The spur wheels H and I on the shafts E and J
are of equal diameter, and the shafts therefore move at a corresponding
speed, but in opposite directions. The shaft J has a worm or screw R
"turned upon one portion of its periphery; this screw gears with the worm
"wheel S, the spindle of which is carried in the bush T. This bush is
"arranged in an angular position, and is bolted to the front upper cross stay
"
"
"
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"
of the framing A. . The upper end of the spindle of the worm wheel S has
"fast to it a bevel wheel U, which gears with a similar wheel V keyed to the
"shaft W, to which it gives motion. The shaft W is carried in bushes, which

page_text: "
"
"are bolted to the upper part of the side standards A, and the extremities of
"the shaft, which extend beyond the sides of the machine, carry the flanged
"wooden rollers X. These rollers overhang the polishers, so that upon one
"side their peripheries are in a line with the contiguous portions of the
polishing bars O and Q. A short columnar standard Y is bolted to the
flooring at each side of the machine; these standards each carry a horizontal
"fixed shaft Z, the inner extremity of which is bolted to the lower rail of the
"standards A. To each of the shafts Z is fitted loosely a tubular bush a;
"which carries the rectangular open frame b. This frame 6 has bolted
"to it near the shaft a a pair of brackets c, in which the spindle of the
flanged wooden roller d rotates. At equal distances along the frame b
"are fixed the transverse bars e; these bars serve to support the weights f:
"Above the frame b, and projecting inwards from the front upright. of
"each of the standards A, is a tension roller g, the spindle of which is
"secured to the framing of the machine by. a bolt and nut fitted in a
"slot in the side standard. The bank of thread or yarn to be polished
or finished after having been starched : or prepared by any of the sub-
stances usually employed is spread over the surface of the roller ✗ on
each side of the machine, and one half is then passed between the polishing
"bars O and Q, and under the roller d, the other half of the thread or yarn
passes in front of the tension roller g and of the polishing bars Q, that is to
say, the endless cord, which the hank of thread or yarn forms, passes round
"the several rollers as shown at i in Figure 2 of my Drawing, and to retain
"
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"
"
or keep each skein or hank in its place the periphery of the tension roller g
"is divided by a series of equidistant flanges h. The shaft E being put in
"motion the two polishers on each side rotate in opposite directions, the
"thread or yarn being carried between them by the rotatory movement of
"the roller X. The necessary amount of tension upon the thread is regulated
by means of the weights f, the number of which may be increased or
diminished at pleasure according to the nature of the work. The threads'
"or yarns divided in the manner. before described are subjected to the
frictional polishing action of the grooves or annular indentations in the bars
"of the polishers, the rotary motion. of which rapidly smooths and polishes: the
"surface of the threads or yarns. After the hanks have been sufficiently polished
or. finished they are quickly released from the machine by removing the
weights and lifting the frame b, this takes off the tensional pressure, and the
"threads or yarns are easily removed from the rollers. Other banks/are then
"put on to the rollers X and properly spread or. divided, the. weights f.are
"replaced upon the frame b, the machine is again started, and the polishing
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page_text: "
"operation repeated:. In the modification shown in Figure 4 of my Drawing
"the finishing of the threads or yarns is effected by means of a single grooved
polisher. The framing A of the machine is similar to that herein-before
"described and shown in Figures 1 to 3 of my Drawing. The main or driving
"shaft 'E has fitted to each of its projecting extremities a polisher N, the rods
or bars O of which are grooved as before described. The middle rail of the
"side standard A has pendent from it a bracket P immediately behind the
"periphery of the polisher N. The bracket. P has secured to it a fixed shaft,
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which projects outwards from the side standards A and parallel to the polishing
"bars O; this shaft serves as a journal for the tubular bush of the forked or
"duplex arms Q, which carry at their extremities the smooth metal rollers R.
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"
The position of these rollers and their tension upon the threads or yarns is
"regulated by the hand lever S, which is fast to the tubular bush of the arms
"Q. The lever S extends outwards in front of the machine so as to be within
66 easy reach of the attendant. The lever has a pin passed through it which
traverses in the curved slot of the guide T, 'this guide is bolted to the front
upright of the side standard A, and the lever S is secured to any part of its
segmental slot by means of the key U, which is made to fit the screwed end
"of the traversing pin of the lever S. The arrangement of the frame b, the
"tensional roller d, and the adjustable weights fis in all respects similar to
"that herein-before described. The threads or yarns are passed over the
upper roller X, and upon each side of the grooved polisher N, thence they
"are carried under the roller d, in front of the flanged roller g. The pressure
" of the rollers R against the threads or yarns being adjusted by means of the
"key U, the machine is set in motion and the polishing or finishing operation
" is effected by the friction of the grooves in the bars O against the threads or
yarns. The pressure of the rollers R upon the threads may be regulated
"with the utmost nicety by means of the lever S and key U, so as to accom-
plish the polishing or finishing operation in the shortest time as well as in a
"very superior manner."
"
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j
"In Figures 5 and 6 of my Drawings the polishers are somewhat
" modified from the arrangements shown in Figures 1 to 4. In this
" modification the polisher consists of a central shaft J, which is hollow
throughout the length of the polisher, and open at its outer or overhanging
end, this tubular part of the shaft ; has a number of longitudinal slots k
"cut therein, and between these slots are fitted the vanes or fanner blades 1,
"these vanes are bolted to the radial arms m, which are cast on or otherwise
attached to the shaft j at the part just within the end plates n. The end
plates are similar in their construction to those herein-before described, the

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polishing bars o are secured to the end plates n by the nuts p. A portion
"of the bars o is shown with the grooves or annular indentations at 9, it will
"be understood however that the whole surface of the bars is grooved in like
"manner. In this arrangement of the polishers the drying and finishing of
"the threads or yarns is facilitated by the current of air which is drawn in
through the open end of the tubular shaft j, and which escapes through the
"slots k, and is driven by the fan blades against the threads or yarns under
operation. The air thus drawn in through the shaft ; may be derived from
the apartment in which the machine is worked, and consequently of the
ordinary temperature, or in lieu thereof a current of heated air may be
"used for the purpose if a higher temperature is found to be. desirable.
"With these various improvements the process or processes of polishing or
"finishing threads or yarns may be effected with great facility and in a
highly superior, manner."
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"
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Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention; and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
"into effect, I may observe in conclusion that I do not confine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to
"describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of my Invention. I however
"make no claim to any of the mechanical parts separately, nor to any
"combination thereof when polishers such as are herein described and shewn
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are not used, but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore
"claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
"Letters Patent, is,"
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First, the general arrangement and construction of machinery or
apparatus for preparing and finishing threads or yarns, as herein-before
"described."
6
Second, the arrangement and construction of polishing apparatus in
"which the threads or yarns are polished by frictional contact with bars or
"rods or simple rollers or cylinders, in which grooves or annular indenta-
"tions are made for the purpose of smoothing and polishing the said threads
or yarns, as herein-before described."
"
"Third, the system or mode of polishing or finishing threads or yarns by
means of a pair of grooved frictional polishers, as herein-before described."
"Fourth, the system or mode of polishing or finishing threads or yarns by
means of a single grooved frictional polisher, roller, or cylinder, as herein-
"before described."
Fifth, the system or mode of constructing grooved frictional polishers in

page_text: "which a current of air is caused to pass through the shafts thereof, and to
impinge upon the threads or yarns by means of fanner blades or vanes, as
"herein-before described. But I make no claim to the fanner blades or vanes
by which a current of air is caused to pass through the shafts, and to impinge
on the threads or yarns."
In witness whereof, I, the said Peter Kerr, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Peter. Kerr, of Paisley, in the County of Renfrew,
North Britain, Manufacturer, for. the: Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PREPARING AND FINISHING THREADS OR. YARNS."
Sealed the 5th January 1858, and dated the 2nd October 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left, by the said Peter. Kerr at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd October
1857.
I, PETER KERB, of Paisley, in the County of Renfrew,. North Britain,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN PREPARING AND FINISHING THREADS OR YARNS," to be as follows,
that is to say :-
This Invention relates to machinery or apparatus to be used for preparing,
polishing, and finishing threads or yarns; the object of the improvements being
the securing of a superior polishing or finishing action upon the yarns or
threads by means of the conjoint action of frictional tension and heat. In
carrying out these improvements in practice, it is preferred to use an open
vertical framing of parallel side standards, carrying bearings for the support of
the different horizontal shafts of the apparatus. These shafts are driven by
central pulleys, the actual finishing parts being upon the overhanging portion
of the shafts .extending beyond the limits of the central framing. This
arrangement forms or involves four several thread-carrying pulleys, two on an
upper and two on a lower shaft, over which the thread in the hank is stretched

page_text: In this
in two separate sets, one on each side of the machine, the hanks being suitably
distended by weighted lever' or other tensional apparatus. Both of the shafts
are actuated directly at the proper speed from the prime mover, so as to carry
round or along the hanks at the velocity best suited for the effect to be
produced. The rubbing, polishing, or finishing action is given to the thread
hanks by means of two separate revolving rubbers or fractional operators set
in pairs upon the ends of corresponding horizontal shafts, which are made to
revolve at a high velocity in a direction corresponding with the traverse or
passage of the hanks. These polishers are so disposed that, in each pair
working upon one set of hanks, there is one such polisher or frictional operator
in the interior of the hanks that is embraced by the two parallel lines of the
threads, and one polisher outside or wholly exterior to the hanks.
way both sides of the threads are fully operated upon. The polishers consist
of numerously vaned arms set upon hollow shafts or tubes open at the ends to
the atmosphere, and having lateral slots in them, so that air passing in at the
tube ends is forcibly discharged through the slots by the vane action against
the passing threads; and this air being itself heated by the severe frictional
action of the parts, aids very materially in drying the primarily starched
threads and completing their finish. The vaned arms are each terminated by
a longitudinal bar of metal forming the actual rubbing surfaces, and the con-
tiguous vane polishers are geared together to work in concert, so that the
vanes of each work into the intermediate spaces of the other, and the lines of
threads being between them, the frictional action is materially heightened,
owing to the opposed resistance of the vanes. And in order still further to
improve the frictional effect, the vane bars are formed with the transverse
grooves, or with annular grooves all round them, so that they can be used on
any side. The effect of this is, that the vanes grasp or embrace a greater
extent of surfaces of the threads, and they thus operate in a more rapid
manner than plain bars.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed 3
by the said Peter Kerr in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st April
1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PETER
KERB, of Paisley, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain, Manufacturer,
send greeting.
E

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Second day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twenty-first year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Peter Kerr, Her special license that I, the said Peter Kerr, my executors,
administrators, or assigns, or such others as I, the said Peter Kerr, my
executors, administrators, or 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 Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING AND FINISHING
THREADS OR YARNS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Peter Kerr, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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 Peter Kerr, 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,
reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and
figures marked thereon, that is to say:―
My said Invention relates to machinery or apparatus to be used for pre-
paring, polishing, and finishing threads or yarns; the object of the improve-
ments being the securing of a superior polishing or finishing action upon the
yarns or threads by means of the conjoint action of frictional tension and heat.
In carrying out these improvements in practice, it is preferred to use an open
vertical framing of parallel side standards, carrying bearings for the support of
the different horizontal shafts of the apparatus. These shafts are driven by
central pulleys, the actual finishing parts being upon the overhanging portions
of the shafts extending beyond the limits of the central framing. This
arrangement forms or involves four several thread-carrying pulleys, two on an
upper and two on a lower shaft, over which the thread in the hank is stretched
in two separate sets, one on each side of the machine; the hanks being
suitably distended by weighted lever or other tensional apparatus. Both of
the shafts are actuated directly at the proper speed from the prime mover, so
as to carry round or along the hanks at the velocity best suited for the effect
to be produced. The rubbing, polishing, or finishing action is given to the
thread hanks by means of two separate revolving rubbers or frictional

page_text: operators set in pairs upon the ends of corresponding horizontal shafts, which
are made to revolve at a high velocity in a direction corresponding with the
traverse or passage of the banks. These polishers are so disposed that in each
pair working upon one set of-hanks there is one such polisher or frictional
operator in the interior of the hanks that is embraced by the two parallel lines
of the threads, and one polisher outside or wholly exterior to the hanks. In
this way both sides of the threads are fully operated upon. The polishers
consist of numerously vaned arms set upon hollow shafts or tubes open at the
ends to the atmosphere, and having lateral slots in them, so that air passing in
at the tube ends is forcibly discharged through the slots by the vane action
against the passing threads, and this air being itself heated by the severe
frictional action of the parts, aids very materially in drying the primarily
starched threads and completing their finish. The vaned arms are each
terminated by a longitudinal bar of metal, forming the actual rubbing surfaces,
and the contiguous vane polishers are geared together to work in concert, so
that the vanes of each work into the intermediate spaces of the other, and the
lines of threads being between them, the frictional action is materially
heightened owing to the opposed resistance of the vanes. And in order. still
further to improve the frictional effect, the vane bars are formed, with trans-
verse grooves or with annular grooves all round them, so that they can be
used on any side. The effect of this is, that the vanes grasp or embrace a
greater extent of surfaces of the threads, and they thus operate in. a more
rapid manner than plain bars.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood, I shall
now proceed to describe the several illustrative Figures upon the. explanatory
Sheet of Drawings which I have hereunto appended for the purpose of
showing certain modifications under which my improvements may be judi-
ciously carried out in practice. Figure 1 on my Sheet of Drawings is a front
elevation of one modification of my improved machinery or apparatus for pre-
paring and finishing threads or yarns; Figure 2 is an end view or elevation of
the right-hand side of the machine as looking upon its front; Figure 3 is a
plan corresponding to Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is an end view or elevation
of another modification or arrangement of machinery for polishing threads.or
yarns; Figure 5 is a transverse vertical section, and Figure 6, a plan, of one
arrangement of a polisher for finishing threads or yarns by means, of-the
combined agency of friction and heat: In the mechanical arrangement shown
in Figures 1 to 3 of my Drawings, the framing A is by preference of cast iron,
and consists of two rectangular open panelled end standards; united-by-two
horizontal cross stays B, arranged -near the upper and lower extremities of the

page_text: side standards. The middle rail of each of the side standards A has two
horizontal slots cast or otherwise formed therein. In one pair of these slots
C (Figure 3) is fitted the brushes D of the main driving shaft E; these bushes
are secured to the standards by bolts and nuts, and are consequently ad-
justable laterally to the extent or length of the slots C. The driving shaft
E has keyed to it the fast and loose pulleys F, which are driven by
the endless belt G, that is actuated from a steam engine or other prime
mover. The shaft E has fast to it a spur wheel H, which is in gear with a
corresponding wheel I, from which the shaft J derives its motion. The shaft
J is arranged parallel to the main shaft E, and its journals are carried in
adjustable bushes K, which are fitted in the slots, L, made in the middle rail
of the side standards A. The shaft E is made sufficiently long to extend
some distance beyond the side standards, and upon these projecting portions
upon either side of the machine is fitted a metallic polisher. Each of these
polishers consist of an elongated eye or tubular boss M, which fits the shaft E
tightly. Near to each extremity of the boss M is fixed a metal plate N, the
periphery of which is notched or curved to form a series of undulating projec-
tions, as is shown in the enlarged sectional view, Figure 5. These projecting
parts of the plates N have holes made therein to receive the ends of a series
of metal rods or bars O, the ends of which are passed through the holes in the
plates N, and are secured thereto by nuts, as shown in the plan, Figure 6, of
my Drawings. The surfaces of the polishing bars O are turned or otherwise cut
to form a series of annular grooves or notches from end to. end of the bars, as
is shown upon the upper part of the bars in Figure 6. These grooves or
annular indentations serve to receive and divide the threads which are sub-
jected to the polishing operation. A corresponding arrangement of a
pair
of metallic polishers P are fitted upon the extremities of the shaft J. The
bars of the polishers P are made to slightly interlock or overlap those of
its contiguous and parallel polisher, and this adjustment of the two polishers
may be readily and accurately obtained by means of the adjustable brushes D
and K, which carry the shafts E and J. The spur wheels H and I, on the
shafts E and J, are of equal diameter, and the shafts therefore move at a
corresponding speed, but in opposite directions. The shaft J has a worm or
screw R turned upon one portion of its periphery; this screw gears with the
worm wheel S, the spindle of which is carried in the bush T. This bush is
arranged in. an angular position, and is bolted to the front upper cross stay of
the framing A. The upper end. of the spindle of the worm wheel S has, fast
to it a bevel wheel U, which gears with a similar wheel V, keyed to the shaft
W, to which it gives motion. The shaft W is carried in bushes, which are

page_text: bolted to the upper part of the side standards A, and the extremities of the
shaft which extend beyond the sides of the machine carry the flanged wooden
rollers X. These rollers overhang the polishers, so that upon one side their
peripheries are in a line with the contiguous portions of the polishing bars O
and Q. A short columnar standard Y is bolted to the flooring at each side of
the machine; these standards each carry a horizontal fixed shaft Z, the inner
extremity of which is bolted to the lower rail of the standards A. To each
of the shafts Z is fitted loosely a tubular bush a, which carries the rectangular
open frame b. This frame 6 has bolted to it, near the shaft a, a pair of
brackets c, in which the spindle of the flanged wooden roller d rotates. At
equal distances along the frame b are fixed the transverse bars e, these bars
serve to support the weights f. Above the frame b, and projecting inwards
from the front upright of each of the standards A, is a tension roller g, the
spindle of which is secured to the framing of the machine by a bolt and nut
fitted in a slot in the side standard. The bank of thread or yarn to be
polished or finished, after having been starched or prepared by any of the
substances usually employed, is spread over the surface of the roller X, on
each side of the machine, and one half is then passed between the polishing
bars O and Q, and under the roller d, the other half of the thread or yarn
passes in front of the tension roller g, and of the polishing bars Q, that is
to say, the endless cord which the hank of thread or yarn forms passes round
the several rollers, as shown at i in Figure 2 of my Drawing, and to retain
or keep each skein or hank in its place the periphery of the tension roller
is divided by a series of equidistant flanges h. The shaft E being put in
motion, the two polishers on each side rotate in opposite directions, the thread
or yarn being carried between them by the rotatory movement of the roller X.
The necessary amount of tension upon the thread is regulated by means
of the weights f, the number of which may be increased or diminished
at pleasure, according to the nature of the work. The threads or yarns,
divided in the manner before described, are subjected to the frictional
polishing action of the grooves or annular indentations in the bars of the
polishers, the rotatory motion of which rapidly smoothes and polishes the
surface of the threads or yarns. After the banks have been sufficiently
polishing or finished, they are quickly released from the machine by removing
the weights and lifting the frame b; this takes off the tensional pressure, and
the threads or yarns are easily removed from the rollers. Other hanks are
then put on to the rollers X, and properly spread or divided, the weights are
replaced upon the frame 6, the machine is again started, and the polishing
operation repeated. In the modification shown in Figure 4 of my Drawing
g

page_text: the finishing of the threads or yarns is effected by means of a single grooved
polisher. The framing A of the machine is similar to that herein-before
described, and shown in Figures 1 to 3 of my Drawing. The main or driving
shaft E has fitted to each of its projecting extremities a polisher N, the rods
or bars O of which are grooved, as before described. The middle rail of the
side standard A has pendent from it a bracket P immediately behind the
periphery of the polisher N. The bracket P has secured to it a fixed shaft,
which projects outwards from the side standards A, and parallel to the
polishing bars O; this shaft serves as a journal for the tubular bush of the
forked or duplex arms Q, which carry at their extremities the smooth metal
rollers R. The position of these rollers and their tension upon the threads or
yarns is regulated by the hand lever S, which is fast to the tubular bush of the
arms Q. The lever S extends outwards in front of the machine, so as to be
within easy reach of the attendant. The lever has a pin passed through it,"
which traverses in the curved slot of the guide T; this guide is bolted to the
front upright of the side standard A, and the lever S is secured to any part of
its segmental slot by means of the key U, which is made to fit the screwed end
of the traversing pin of the lever S. The arrangement of the frame b, the
tensional roller d, and the adjustable weights f,is in all respects similar to that
herein-before described. The threads or yarns are passed over the upper.
roller X, and upon each side of the grooved polisher N, thence they are
carried under the roller d, and in front of the flanged roller, 9. The pressure.
of the rollers R against the threads or yarns being adjusted by means of the
key U, the machine is set in motion and the polishing or finishing operation is
effected by the friction of the grooves in the bars O against the threads or
yarns. The pressure of the rollers R upon the threads may be regulated with
the utmost nicety by means of the lever S and key U, so as to accomplish the
polishing or finishing operation in the shortest time as well as in a very
superior manner.
In Figures 5 and 6 of my Drawings the polishers are somewhat modified
from the arrangements shown in Figures 1 to 4. In this modification the
polisher consists of a central shaft j, which is hollow throughout the length of
the polisher, and open at its outer or overhanging end; this tubular part of the
shaft j has a number of longitudinal slots k cut therein, and between these slots
are fitted the vanes or fanner blades 1; these vanes are bolted to the radial
arms m, which are cast on or otherwise attached to the shaft j at the part just
within the end plates n. The end plates are similar in their construction to
those herein-before described, the polishing bars o are secured to the end.
plates by the nuts p. A portion of the bars o is shown with the grooves or

page_text: annular indentations at q; it will be understood, however, that the whole
surface of the bars is grooved in like manner. In this arrangement of the
polishers the drying and finishing of the threads or yarns is facilitated by the
current of air which is drawn in through the open end of the tubular shaft j,
and which escapes through the slots k, and is driven by the fan blades against
the threads or yarns under operation. The air thus drawn in through the
shaft may be derived from the apartment in which the machine is worked,
and consequently of the ordinary temperature, or in lieu thereof a current of
heated air may be used for the purpose, if a higher temperature is found to be
desirable. With these various improvements the process or processes of
polishing or finishing threads or yarns may be effected with great facility and
in a highly superior manner.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I may observe in conclusion that I do not confine or restrict myself
to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to describe
or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without deviating from
the principles or main features of my Invention; but what I consider to be
novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the general arrangement and construction of machinery or apparatus
for preparing and finishing threads or yarns, as herein-before described.
Second, the system or mode of polishing and finishing threads or yarns by
means of the machinery or apparatus, as herein-before described.
Third, the arrangement and construction of polishing apparatus, in which
the threads or yarns are polished by frictional contact with bars or rods, or
simple rollers or cylinders, in which grooves or annular indentations are made
for the purpose of smoothing and polishing the said threads or yarns, as herein-
before described.
Fourth, the system or mode of polishing or finishing threads or yarns by
means of a pair of grooved frictional polishers, as herein-before described.
Fifth, the system or mode of polishing or finishing threads or yarns by
means of a single grooved frictional polisher, roller, or cylinder, as herein-
before described.
Sixth, the system or mode of constructing grooved frictional polishers, in
which a current of air is caused to pass through the shafts thereof and to
impiuge upon the threads or yarns by means of fanner blades or vanes, as
herein-before described.
Seventh, the system or node of obtaining the requisite degree of tension

page_text: upon the threads or yarns undergoing the process of polishing or finishing by
means of a moveable frame and weights, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Peter Kerr, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirtieth day of March, One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-eight.
PETER KERR. (L.B.)