Improvements in and connected with Loom Picking Straps.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Mar, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 31st Oct., 1892-Accepted, 3rd Dec., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION...
Improvements in and connected with Loom Picking Straps.
WILLIAM ATHERTON, Oxford Leather Works, Todmorden, in the County of
Yorkshire, Leather Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to produce an improved picking band, or strap,
for looms, that shall have superior wearing qualities to those in general use, in
which there are frequent breakages, through the bands or straps being subject to a
chafing action, at that part fastened to the picking stick.
In carrying out my object, instead of using one long picking band or
strap (one end of which is fastened to the picker, and the reverse end to
the picking stick), I make use of a flat strap of leather or other material,
of any required length, width and shape, which I term the body-strap. The
shape I preferably make partly circular at that end which has to be connected
to the picking stick. Upon the face of the said body-strap, I place a
flat layer of leather or other material, corresponding in shape to the said body-
strap. Upon the back of the said body-strap, I place a flat layer of leather or
other material corresponding in shape to the said body-strap. These three layers
of leather or other material, I then fasten together by means of stitching or
revitting in a suitable manner. Through the three layers of leather or other
material, at the end that has to be connected to the picking stick, I punch a hole
of a required size, to allow of the end of a picking stick, being put through, so
that it fits into the three layers of leather or other material in a suitable manner.
At any required position towards the reverse end of the three layers of leather or
other material, I fix a buckle of metal.
The manner of applying my invention to a loom is as follows:-I fix a short
strap or band of leather, to the picker, and put the picker in its place upon the
spindle, 1 then fix my picking band or strap upon the picking stick, by putting the
end of the picking stick through the hole punched in the three layers of leather or
other material, 1 then take the end of the short strap or band of leather, which
has one end fixed to the picker, and I pass the reverse end through the buckle,
which is upon the picking band or strap, and fasten it to the buckle by the usual
well known means. My improved picking band or strap is then ready for
operating the picker. I can vary the length of the picking band or strap, as may
be required by drawing the short strap or band of leather fastened to the picker,
a greater or lesser distance through the said buckle. In my improved picking
band or strap; the liability to breakage is considerably reduced, as any chafing
action by the picking stick, is upon the sides of the hole in the three layers of
leather or other material, instead of upon the flat surface of the picking band or
strap as is the case in those in general use.
Dated this 29th day March 1892
H. & R. T. LORD,
Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Loom Picking Straps.
WILLIAM ATHERTON, Oxford Leather Works, Todmorden, in the County of
Yorkshire, Leather Merchant, 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 :-
In order to give a clear idea of my invention I make use of Figures 1. 2. and 3.

page_text: Figure 1. is a flat view of my improvement, and Figure 2. a side view. A. is
the body strap, B. a layer of leather or other material upon the face of the
body strap A. and C. a layer of leather or other material on the back of the body
strap A. These three layers, are fastened together by any suitable means. To the
end of the body strap A. I fasten a buckle a¹ of metal. D. represents the hole
punched in the body strap A. and layers B. and C. through which the end of a
picking stick E. has to be put.
The manner of applying my invention to a loom, is as follows; and is shewn in
Figure 3
I fix a strap or band of leather f', of any required length, to a picker F., and I
then place the picker in position upon the spindle G. of a loom, I then fix my
improved picking band or strap to the picking stick E. by putting the end of the
picking stick through the hole D, and fixing it in any suitable manner. I then
take the loose end of the strap or band and pass it through the buckle a¹ and
fasteu by the usual well known means. In fastening my improved picking band or
strap, to the strap or band f¹ I can use other methods instead of using the buckle a'
such as using studs, stitching, &c. My picking band operates the picker, by the
motion given by the loom, in the usual manner.
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 I
claim is :-
1. The employment of a picking band or strap for looms, consisting of layers of
leather or other material, and constructed, and fitted upon the picking stick of a
loom, in combination with a strap or band fastened to a picker as described.
Dated this 29th day of October 1892.