IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBING AND DRAWING WOOL, AND CERTAIN DESCRIPTIONS OF HAIR
Year: 1841

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
Ross, of Leicester, Worsted Manufacturer, send greeting.
.
said
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Fifteenth day of October, in the fifth year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Henry
Ross, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the
said Henry Ross, my exors, adññors, and assigns, or such others as I, the sa
Henry Ross, my exors, adñors, or assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of
years
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBING AND DRAWING WOOL, AND CERTAIN DESCRIPTIONS
OF HAIR;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the
said Henry Ross, should cause a particular description of the nature of my
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters
Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully
and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Henry Ross, do hereby declare that the nature of my Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and ascer-
tained by the following description thereof, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, and figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say:—

page_text: My Invention relates, first, to improvements in the construction of combs
for combing wool, and such descriptions of hair as are submitted to a similar
process. In constructing combs as heretofore practised, when for combing
wool and hair, the longest teeth are placed in the front row, the second row of
teeth are shorter, the third row are still shorter, and, if a fourth row be used,
they are still shorter; by such construction of combs I have found that the
spaces between the rows of teeth are liable to become filled up with loose
wool or hair, and the subsequent processes are prejudiced, and considerable
waste is the consequence. Now, the object. of this..part of my Invention is to
obtain a facility of working and a saving of material, by reversing the order in
which the teeth of combs are set..
..
Figure 1 represents an end view of a comb constructed according to my
improvements, the shorter teeth being placed in the front row, longer teeth in
the second row, and still longer in the third row. By this arrangement it will
be found that the process of combing will be improved, and a saving will take
place with regard to the produce of well-combed wool, the subsequent pro-
cesses in getting a sliver being also benefitted; and although I have found
that such an arrangement is the best, yet a material improvement is conse-
quent on having at least one row of the fronter rows of teeth shorter than the
teeth in a row or rows at the back thereof. Figure 2 shows an arrangement
where the first row of teeth is the longest, the second row being shortest, and
the third row the intermediate length, there being in this arrangement only
three rows of teeth; and when four rows of teeth are used, although I prefer
that the shortest teeth should be in the front row and the longest teeth in the
back row, increasing the length of teeth from the front to the back, from the
first row to the last, yet I have found that so long as there is a row of shorter
teeth in front of a row of longer teeth behind, a considerable portion of the
benefit may be derived. I have shown two arrangements of combs, having
four rows of teeth, at Figures 3 and 4, in which cases, although the longest
teeth are in the front row, there will be seen to be one or two rows of shorter
teeth in front of another row of teeth which are longer.
I will now describe the second part of my Invention, which has for its
object a mode of obtaining fine combs with considerable strength. Figure 5
shows a comb constructed according to this part of my Invention, the object
being to get the teeth of smaller diameter and closer together, yet to offer a
strength equal to much larger diameter. In carrying out this part of my
Invention, a represents one of the teeth, having a groove in its face at b; and
c is what I call a supporting tooth, which, being fixed to the head of the comb,
inclines towards the tooth a, and the point thereof enters the groove. b of the

page_text: tooth a, and in such manner each of the teeth a of the back row of the teeth
in the comb, Figure 5, is sustained and strengthened, consequently, when the
draft or pull caused by the process of combing comes on the back of the teeth
a, the teeth c will act as diagonal stays, and prevent the bending of the teeth a.
Figure 6 shows a comb, each of the teeth a, in the three rows, having a tooth.c
to sustain it. By this arrangement it will be evident that the teeth a and c may
be of small diameter, and set closely together, and offer a strength to resist the
strain of the combing action equal if not greater than teeth of much larger
diameter.
I will now, describe the third, fourth, and fifth parts of my Invention, which
relate to filling combs, and to means of combing and working wool and hair
requiring such processes; also in a mode of heating combs, and also in a mode
of heating the heads of combs while being filled, and whilst in the act of
combing wool. The Drawings marked No. 2.shew various views of this
machinery. The nature of each of the views being written on the Drawings, it
will not be necessary to repeat them here; and it will be seen that these various
improvements are combined to work together, although that is not essential,
on the contrary, the improvements may be worked separately, but I believe.it
to be most advantageous that they should be combined in their working.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING No. 2.
a, a represents the framing of the machinery, the nature of which will be
traced in the various views of the Drawings; b is the main or driving shaft
which receives motion from a steam engine, or other power, by means of a
strap acting on the fast pulley c, affixed to the main shaft or axis b, and such
strap will be moved to or from the fast pulley by means of the fork d affixed
on the bar e, such bar being attached by pin joints to the levers f, f, such
levers moving on axes y, g, affixed to the framing of the machine, by which
arrangement the workman can throw off the driving strap or band when he is
standing at any part of the front of the machinery. On the shaft or axis bis
affixed the drum or pulley h, which, by means of an endless band or strap i,
gives motion to the drum or pulley j, affixed on the crank axis k, such crank
axis giving motion to what I call the feeding apparatus; such feeding apparatus
being constructed and worked in the following manner:-(1), (1), are two
side castings which have bearings (2), (2), by which they are connected with
the crank k. I may here remark, that there are two similar feeding appa-
ratus shewn as working together in the same machine; it will, therefore, be
necessary only to describe one of them, as the description will apply to both:
they are, however, so placed on the crank axis ke as to balance each other.
;

page_text: (3) is the feeding table which is placed between the two side frames or castings
(1), (1); the feeding table (3) has raised or projecting sides (4), (4), affixed
thereto; the front part of the feeding table has projecting bearings (5) affixed
thereto, such projecting bearings receiving necks or axes affixed to the front
ends of the side frames or castings (1), (1), consequently the side frames
(1), (1), may partake of different motions to the feeding table, in order
that the motion of the side frames may be varied so as to lash the wool more
or less deep into the combs. At the back end of each of the side frames
(1), (1), there are attached connecting rods (6), which move on axes at (7);
and there are several holes in the upper parts of the connecting rods (6), so as
to vary the depth to which the wool shall be lashed into the combs, according
to the length of wool under process, the shorter staple of wool requiring to be
lashed deeper by the action of the apparatus into the combs than the long
staple wool. The back part of the feeding table is attached by pin joints to
two connecting rods (8), (8), which move on axes at their lower ends at
(9), (9) (10) is a roller moving on axes at the back end of the feeding
table, over which passes the endless feeding cloth (11), such feeding cloth
passing over the surface of the feeding table, and over the lower feeding
roller (12), as is shewn by red lines; (13) is a roller turning on axes carried
by the two raised sides of the feeding table; (14), (14) is an endless feeding
cloth working on the roller (13) and on the upper feeding roller (15), and
the wool or hair to be combed is carried forward between the feeding cloths
(11) and (14), and by such means will be held, and be prevented from flying
about, which it would otherwise do, in consequence of the motion commu-
nicated to the feeding apparatus when lashing the wool into the combs. (16)
is a brush fixed across the front of the feeding apparatus, in order to support
the wool when feeding into and working it through the combs; (17) is a
roller placed in front of the feeding apparatus, and above the upper feeding
roller (15), by which the wool, in the act of being lashed upon the combs, is
prevented passing back over the feeding roller (15); (18) is a bobbin or
roller, on to which the wool to be combed is first wound, such roller moving
on axes at the back of the feeding table, as is shewn, the wool having been
first roughly prepared by the machine called the sheeter, and wound on to the
bobbin (18), or the wool may be otherwise spread on to the feeding cloth
(11). In the front of the feeding apparatus is affixed a screen or board (19),
in order to prevent the air which will be agitated below the feeding apparatus
from being forced or blown against or towards the comb into which the wool
or hair is being lashed or worked. The axis of the lower feeding roller (12)
turns in bearings carried by the frames or castings (1), (1); the axis of the

page_text: upper feeding roller (15) is received at each end in a hook on a lever (20),
such lever moving on an axis (21), carried by the side frames or castings (1),
and the upper feeding roller is caused to press on the lower feeding roller by
means of levers (22), one at each end of the axis of the feeding (15). Each
of the levers (22) moves on axis (23). (24) is a connecting rod which connects
the lever (22) with the lever (20); and (25) is another connecting rod at the
other end of the lever (22) which, passing through an opening of the side
frame or casting (1), is constantly borne upwards by the spring (26), which is
on the upper surface of the side frame or casting 1, 1, and in this manner are
the two ends of the upper feeding roller 15 borne down on to the feeding
roller 12. Motion is communicated to the feeding rollers, and consequently
to the feeding cloths 11 and 14, in the following manner: 27 is a cog wheel
affixed on the axis of the lower feeding roller 12, which, taking into, is driven
by the cog wheel 28, such cog wheel 28 being affixed to the ratchet wheel 29.
The ratchet wheel 29, and the cog wheel 28, move on an axis affixed to the
right-hand side frame or casting 1; 30 is a clawker, which, taking into, drives
the ratchet wheel 29, and motion is communicated to the clawker 30 by means
of a cam 31, affixed on the crank shaft k, there being a quadrangular frame
formed at the end of the clawker 30, within which the cam 31 revolves, and
the clawker 30 is retained in its position by means of the bracket 32 affixed
to the side frame 1, through which the back end of the stem of the clawker
slides, the other end of the clawker being formed into a fork so as to embrace
the ratchet wheel 29. In order to prevent the feeding rollers being drawn
round by the strain of the wool in lashing it into the combs, I have applied an
apparatus to the other end of the feeding roller 12. 33 is a cog wheel affixed
on the axis of the feeding roller 12; 34 is a lever moving on an axis affixed
to the left-hand side frame or casting (1). This lever 34 has a tooth at its
front end which enters between the teeth of the cog wheel 33. The back
end of the lever 34 is formed into a fork, within which the cam 35 on the
shaft works, and such cam is so formed as to cause the lever 34 to hold the
cog wheel 33, and, consequently, the feeding roller 12, during the time of
lashing and working the wool into the comb by the feeding apparatus,
such lever 34 releasing the cog wheel 33 during the time that the
feeding rollers require to be turned for bringing forward fresh quantities of
wool, as has been above described. On the shaft or axis b is affixed the
drum l, which gives motion by a strap m to the drum n, affixed on the shaft
or axis o, such shaft or axis o turning in bearings at o', carried by the framing
of the machinery. On the axis or shaft o are affixed the plates or frames 36,
consequently, those plates or frames revolve with the axis o. On each of the

page_text: plates or frames 36 are applied two levers 37, the nature of which is clearly
shewn in the various views of the Drawing. Each lever moves on an axis 38
affixed on the plate or frame 36; 39, 39, are two bars, each connecting two of
the levers 37, and each pair of levers carries a comb 40, which is affixed to
the bar 39 by means of the clamp handle 40%, as is shewn in the Drawing,
and it will be seen that the teeth of the combs 40 are set obliquely, so that the
wool which is brought up from left to right will be penetrated by the combs
in the first instance at a considerable distance from the heads of the carrying
combs; and as the wool is progressively carried towards the right-hand end of
the machine, the teeth of the combs (40) will come close up to the heads of
the combs which carry. the wool, as, will be hereafter described. .It should be
stated, that the heads of the comb (40) are parallel to the heads of the
carrying combs, and work close. up to them, and the teeth of the combs (40)
are so set or bent in their heads as, to be most distant at their left-hand ends
from the carrying combs. The levers (37) which carry the combs (40), are
caused to work the combs (40) in such manner as to draw the combs, after
they have entered the wool by the revolution of the axis o through the wool,
in a direction from the carrying combs towards the axis o, consequently, the
combs (40), in addition to the rotatory motion caused by the axis o, will have
a motion towards the axis o communicated to them by means of the levers
(37), such levers (37) being worked by means of cranks. (41), which pass
through the slots formed through the levers (37). The axes of .the cranks
turn in bearings carried by the plates or frames (36), and. on one end of each
of the crank axes (41) is affixed a cog wheel (42), such wheels (42) taking
into, are governed in their action by the cog wheel (43); such cog wheel (43)
being affixed to the framing of the machinery. The axis o passes freely
through the wheel (43), hence it will be seen that in the revolution of the
axis o, rotatory motion will be communicated to the frames or plates (36), and,
consequently, to the combs (40); and the levers (37), being governed in their
working by the cog wheel (42) and the fixed wheel (43), the compound
motion to the combs (40) will be obtained as above described. (44) (44),
are balanced weights applied to the levers (37), in order to balance the combs
affixed at their other ends.
I will now proceed to describe how empty combs are to be conducted into
the machine to have wool or hair lashed and worked thereon by the feeding
apparatus, and then to be further worked by the combs (40). p is a bar
having a groove formed on its upper surface to receive the heads of the
combs, as is shown; and there is a guard p¹ fixed over the groove, which pre-
vents the combs being forced out of the groove in their progress through the

page_text: machine. (45) shews the head of a comb which has been introduced at the
end of the groove, and is in the position it would assume supposing the other
part of the groove to be full of combs; and the comb (45) would descend
down the inclined plane p by its own weight, and when it comes into a
horizontal position, or nearly so, the cog wheel 7 on the axis q¹ would drive it
forward, and also all other the combs which are in the groove, in consequence
of each comb having a toothed rack formed thereon, into which the teeth
of the cog wheel 7 take. The cog wheel 7 receives motion in the following
manner:-On the axis b is affixed a bevilled toothed wheel q², which takes
into and drives the bevelled wheel q', affixed on the axis q', which turns in
bearings at q. On the front end of the axis q' is affixed the screw or worm q³,
which takes into and drives the toothed wheel q' on the axis q', the axis q'
turning in bearings at q. The combs (45) which I. have called the carrying
combs, as they progress through the machine from the left towards the right-
hand end, will, by means of the first and second feeding apparatus, have the
wool lashed and worked thereon, and will become filled therewith; and when
they come to the combs (40) they will be further worked thereby, the wool in
the carrying combs (45) being first worked by the teeth in the comb (40) at
a considerable distance from the heads of the combs (45), and consequently
towards the ends of the fibres of the wool; and as the wool is carried onwards.
the teeth of the combs (40) will work the same closer and closer up to the
heads of the combs (45). And in order that the wool may not be driven away
from the working combs (40), I apply a rotatory brush 7, which turns on axes
carried by the bearings 8, s, and motion is communicated to such brush in the
following manner :-On the axis 6 is affixed a bevelled cog wheel t, which
takes into and drives the bevelled wheel t¹, fixed on the axes t2, such axis
turning in bearings at t³. On the front end of the axis is affixed the
bevelled wheel t, which takes into and drives the bevelled wheel t5, affixed on
the axis to, such axis turning in bearings at t. On the axis to is affixed the
screw or worm t, which, taking into, drives the toothed wheel to on the axis of
the brush r. The wool from the carrying combs (45), as it comes out of the
machine, is to be removed in the ordinary manner, or by a machine to be
hereafter described; and the combs (40) are from time to time to be removed
and emptied as they become filled with wool. It is important that the heads of
the carrying combs, during the time that they are being past through the
machine, should be kept heated, and for this purpose the bar p is kept heated
by any convenient means. The apparatus shewn in the Drawing is employed
to heat the combs previous to their going into the machine, and also for
heating the bar p, and also for raising steam, which escapes in small jets

page_text: against the wool as it is being lashed into the carrying combs. u is a furnace,
the nature of which is clearly shewn in the Drawing. v, v, v, are three
chambers or boxes to receive three combs (45), in order to their being heated.
In each of these chambers or boxes are to be fixed a series of points or
teeth w, which are, however, only shewn in one of them, to prevent confusion.
In the Drawings these teeth w act as conductors of heat to the teeth of the
combs placed amongst them, the teeth w being so fixed as to come in contact
with the teeth of the carrying combs when the teeth of such combs are
inserted into the boxes. x is a box, of larger dimensions, in order to receive
the obliquely set teeth of the combs (40). y is a flue passing from the furnace
underneath the bar p, by means of which the bar p is heated. I would,
however, here remark, that the bar p may be kept heated by steam, hot water,
or other convenient means, in place of such flue, the object being to keep that
bar sufficiently heated, in order to heat the heads of the carrying combs during
their progress through the machine. z is a vessel containing water, and 2¹ is
a pipe at the two sides and end of the furnace, connected and opening into the
vessel z, by which means the water in the vessel z will circulate through the
pipe 2, and the steam produced will rise to the upper part of the vessel z, and
flow off therefrom by the pipe 2 into the pipe 23, which is perforated with
small holes, through which jets of steam will pass to the wool under process.
is a safety valve; 2, 25, are guage cocks. In order to supply the vessel
with water from time to time as required, the plug of the safety valve is to be
removed, and water poured therein. It should be stated, that it is the
intention to apply steam to the finer classes of wool, the lower qualities
seldom requiring it. It should be stated, in respect to the feeding apparatus
for feeding wool or hair into and working it through the carrying combs, that
although I prefer the use of two feeding cloths (11) and (14) for feeding the
wool or hair up to the feeding rollers (12), (15), yet the same may be varied
so long as the moving surface or surfaces by which the wool or hair is fed up
to the feeding rollers is so arranged as to securely hold the wool or hair
during the time of lashing the same into the combs; and, to shew that
variation may take place, I have introduced Figure 7, where only one feeding
cloth (11) is used, and the wool or hair carried forward thereby is pressed upon
by a board or surface (14), hinged to the sides of the feeding table; and such
board is raised when the feeding rollers (12), (15), are moved in the following
manner: On the board is affixed a bent stem (46), on which is formed a
quadrangular frame (47), within which the cam (48)
being affixed to the crank which works the feeding apparatus, by which
arrangement the board (14) will be raised when the feeding rollers are about
moves, the cam (48)

page_text: the wool retained securely from flying about by the action of the machine, such
an arrangement would possess the peculiar character of this part of my
Invention.
I will now describe the sixth part of my Invention, which relates to another
arrangement of machinery for giving motion to working combs for combing
wool and hair.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING MARKED No. 3.
e,
a, a, shews the framing of the machine, the nature of which is clearly
shewn in the two Figures of the Drawing. p is the bar on which the carrying
combs are caused to slide, as described in the former machine. 6 is the main
shaft or axis, turning in bearing at each side of the machine at c.
This axis
receives motion from a steam engine or other power by means of a drum fixed
in the axis b, as is well understood. On the axis b is affixed the cog wheel
which takes into and drives the cog wheel f, which is affixed on the axis g,
such axis turning in bearings h at each side of the machine. The wheel f
takes into and drives the cog wheel i, affixed on the axis j, such axis being
carried by the two rocking shafts k, such rocking shafts moving on the axis g.
1, 1, are arms carrying bars m, m. Such bars m, m, are suitably arranged for
having combs (40) affixed thereon by clamp handles n, as is shewn in the
Drawing. On the axis g is affixed the cog wheel o, which takes into and
drives the intermediate wheel q, such intermediate wheel taking into and
driving the cog wheel r. The cog wheel r is affixed on the crank axis s.
t, t, are two connecting rods connected with the cranks s, and also with the
rocking shafts k, k, by means of pin joints, there being several holes in the
rocking shafts to receive the pins of the joints, in order to vary the length of
movement through which the combs are caused to pass by means of the
cranks s and the connecting rods t, t. In using this part of the Invention the
wool or hair to be combed is progressively brought before the combs (40) by
means of the carrying combs, and by the action of the machinery the same
will be combed out, the wheel f giving rotatory motion to the combs, and the
rocking shaft k giving a drawing motion from the carrying combs. It will be
evident that some of the details of this machine may be varied, the points to
be observed being, that the arms 1, 1, with their combs, are to have rotatory

page_text: motion, and that their axis of motion shall, when the wool has entered the
teeth of the combs, be drawn or moved away from the carrying combs.
I will now describe the seventh part of my Invention, which relates to
another machine for working combs for combing out wool and hair.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING MARKED No. 4.
p is a bar into which the carrying combs are placed, and are moved in the
manner described above. a, a, is the framing of the machine; b is the main
or driving shaft, which receives motion from a steam engine or other power by
means of a drum fixed on the axis b, as is well understood. The axis b turns
in bearings at each side of the machine at c, c. On the axis b is fixed the
drum d, which, by means of the strap or band e, gives motion to the drum f
such drum f being affixed on the crank axis g, which turns in bearings on each
side of the machine at h, h. i is a bar carried by the two rocking shafts j, the
bar being suitably constructed for receiving a working comb (40), and
having it affixed thereto by the clamp handle k, as is shewn. The rocking
shafts f receive motion from the crank axis g in the following manner :-1, 1,
are bearings affixed to the bars m, m, such bearings receiving the crank axis g,
and allow of that axis turning therein. The bars m are connected by pin
joints to the rocking shafts j, j, and n, n, as is shewn; and the movement of
the rocking shafts j, with their combs, in respect to the carrying combs, is con-
trolled by the rods o, o, which are attached by pin joints to the rocking
shafts n, n,j,j: The wool to be combed being contained in the combs in the bar
p, will be combed and worked by the motion of the machine by the comb (40).
I will now describe the eighth part of my Invention, which relates to
another machine for combing out wool or hair.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING No. 5.
. a, a, is the framing of the machine; 6 is the main or driving shaft which
receives motion from a steam engine, or other power, by a strap acting on a
drum affixed to the axis b, as is well understood; the axis 6 turns in bearings
at each side of the machine at c, as is shewn. On the axis b is affixed the
drum d, which, by means of a band or strap e, gives motion to the drum
affixed to the crank axis g, as is shewn, the crank axis g turning in bearings
on each side of the machine, as is shewn. The crank axis 6 gives motion to
the working combs in the following manner:-i, i, are bars to which the bar
is affixed, as is shewn in the Drawing, but capable of sliding up and down on
the bars i. In order to vary the length of draught of the working combs, the
J

page_text: bar jis suitably formed for receiving. a working comb (40), and having it
affixed thereto by means of the handle k, as is shewn. The bars i, i, receive
motion from the crank axis g, in a direction up and down and to and from the
carrying combs, there being bearings 7 affixed to the bars i in which the crank
of the axis g revolves, and the other end of the bars i, i, are governed in their
motion by the guides m, m, which are affixed to the side framing of the
machine, the bars i, i, having friction rollers which work within the
guides m, m.
I will now.describe the ninth part of my Invention, which relates to another
mode of arranging, machinery for combing wool or hair.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING No. 6.
The parts of this machinery are similar in most respects to those described
in the Drawing No. 5, and are therefore marked with the same letters of
reference, the only difference being, that the bars i, i, in place of being governed
in their movement by the slides m, m, are in the present machine governed by
a second crank axis n, which works in slots formed in the ends of the bars
i, i; and motion is communicated to the crank axis n, which turns in bearings
at n¹ by means of a cog wheel n³, affixed on the crank axle g, taking into and
driving an intermediate wheel n³, such intermediate wheel taking into and
'driving a cog wheel n', affixed on the crank axis n.
. I will now describe the tenth part of my Invention, which relates to another
mode of arranging machinery for combing wool and hair.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING No. 7..
The machinery shewn in this Drawing varies, but little from the machinery
shewn in Drawing No. 5, and therefore the parts are marked with the same
letters of reference, the difference being in the manner of governing the motion
of the lower ends of the bars i, i, which in this case is performed by an
eccentric or cam motion driven on the axis g. r, r, are levers affixed to the
axes s, the upper end of the levers r carrying friction rollers, which work
against the surfaces of the cams, the other ends being connected by a con-
necting rod by pin joints to the bars i, i.
I will now describe the eleventh part of my Invention, which relates
to a machine for drawing off wool or hair from combs, in order to obtain a
continuous sliver.

page_text: necessary to repeat them here. a, a, shews the framing of the machinery, the
nature of which will readily be traced in the various Figures of the Drawings.
b is the main or driving shaft which turns in bearings at c. At each side
of the machine on the axis 6 is affixed a pinion d, which takes into and drives
the wheels e and f; the wheel turns on an axis affixed to the side framing
of the machine; on the wheel f is affixed a pinion g, which takes into and
drives the cog wheel h, affixed on the cam shaft i, the cog wheel e takes into
and drives the cog wheels k, l, which are respectively affixed on the drawing
rollers m, n, and the axis of the drawing roller n has a cog wheel thereon,
which takes into and drives the cog wheel o, which is affixed on the axis of
the clearing roller P,
such clearing roller being for the purpose of preventing
the fibres of wool wrapping around the upper drawing roller n'; and the
axes of the roller p turn in bearings formed in the bars
9, which carry the
axes of the upper drawing roller n¹. The upper drawing rollers m¹, n', are
kept pressed against their lower drawing rollers m, n, by levers r at each of
their ends, to which the bars q which carry their axes are connected by pin
joints. Such levers r, moving on axes r¹, are constantly pressed on by springs s,
acting on the connecting rods t, attached by pin joints to the levers 7, as is
clearly shown in the Drawing. v, v, v, is an endless carrying cloth or strap
worked by the drawing rollers n, m, and supported by the rollers w, w, the
lower roller w being carried by levers w¹, and tightened up or adjusted by the
rods w, and the screw nuts w³. x is a roller covered with card teeth, which is
caused to revolve by the passage of the wool or hair moving with the cloth
v, v; and in addition to its rotatory motion, a to-and-fro motion in the direction
of its length is communicated to the roller x by means of the lever r³ worked
by the cam x, affixed on the main or driving shaft b; a is a doffing comb,
which is worked up and down in the teeth of the roller a, in order to remove
any loose fibres in those teeth, and the comb * is carried by rods y constantly
pressed upon by springs y¹; and the rods y are affixed to straps which embrace
excentrics affixed on the axis y³, such axis y receiving motion by means of the
cog wheel y affixed on the axis 6, taking into and driving the cog wheel
affixed on the axis . The cam shaft i has two similar cams placed thereon,
which give motion to the rocking shaft z, in such manner that the comb
carried by one of them shall at all times be in a position to have the wool
drawn off therefrom, and alternately allow of the empty combs being taken
away and full ones applied. Each pair of rocking shafts has a frame or
slide affixed at their upper parts, as is shewn; and the shafts are affixed to
the axes A and B, there being a projecting arm affixed to each of the axes
A and B, in which there are several holes for attaching the connecting rods C, D,

page_text: which are connected respectively to the arms 22. Hence it will be seen, that the
friction rollers on the rods C, D, working in the grooves of their respective
cams E, F, and those cams being set at opposite points on their axes i, the
movement of one will follow the other, and allow of time on the one hand for
the wool to be withdrawn from the successive combs brought up, and for
placing in fresh combs, and in all cases the drawing rollers will be drawing
wool from one or other of the combs in the frames or slides, or from both. On
the axis 6 is affixed the drum G, which, by means of the strap H, gives motion
to the pulley I, affixed on the axis J, such axis having affixed thereon the drum
K, which, by means of the strap L, gives motion to the tube M, which turns
in the bearings N, as is shewn, and the nature of the tube N will readily be
seen by examining the Drawings. On the axis 6 is affixed the drum O, which,
by means of a strap P, gives motion to the drum Q, which moves on an axis
affixed to the side framing of the machine. R is a cog wheel affixed to the
drum Q, such cog wheel R taking into and driving the cog wheel S, affixed on
the axis of the lower roller T, the axes of the upper and lower rollers T being
geared together by the cog wheels V. In working this machine, combs full of
combed wool will be successively placed in the frames or slides carried by the
rocking shafts z; and the wool will be drawn from the combs by means of the
drawing rollers n, n', and m and m³, and the wool will be carried forward by
the cloth or strap v, and the products of two cylinders, where they are laid
over each other on the cloth v, will be mixed and matted together by the
roller a moving in a rotatory as well as a reciprocatory direction, and the wool
will pass from the cloth v to the tube M, and then between the rollers T. It
will be evident that some of the details of this machine may be varied, and yet
retain the same character of action, whereby two sets of drawing rollers are
caused to draw off wool or hair from two combs, and combine the products
thereof into a continuous sliver.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in
which each of the several parts thereof is to be carried into effect, I do not
confine myself to the precise details, so long as the peculiar character of either
of the parts be retained. But what I claim is,―
First, the mode of constructing combs for combing wool and hair, by
causing some one or more row or rows of the shorter teeth to be placed in
front of one or more of the row or rows of longer teeth.
:
Secondly, I claim the mode of constructing combs for combing wool and
hair by applying the supporting teeth c, as above described.
Thirdly, I claim the mode of constructing the feeding apparatus for carrying
wool or
-hair up to the drawing rollers (12), (15), by means of one or more

page_text: moving surfaces as above explained, whereby the wool or hair will be
progressively fed up to the rollers 12, 15, and securely held when lashing on
to combs. And I also claim the application of jets of steam to the wool, as
described.
3
.1.
Fourthly, I claim the mode of heating combs by means of points w placed
in boxes, as above described. And I also claim the mode of heating the heads
of combs by applying heat to the bar p, on which the heads of combs move in
passing through a machine when being filled, or when, having the wool
contained in such combs, worked by other combs.
1
Fifthly, I claim the mode of controlling the action of rotatory combs by
applying the levers 37 and crank action. (41). And I also claim the mode of
supporting the wool or hair which is being combed, by means of the
brush r, as described in respect to the machinery shown in Drawings marked
No. 2.
.:
Sixthly, I claim the mode of giving rotatory motion to the working combs,
and horizontal motion to the axis thereof, by means of the parts k,'t, f, and i.
And I also claim the using of travelling combs in a bar or guide p; in com-
bination with rotatory combs, when the axis of motion of such combs is
moved away from the travelling combs, as described in respect to the Drawing
No 3.
21
Seventhly; I claim the mode of mounting working combs on rocking
shafts, and governed in their movement by a crank action, and by the parts
n, m, o, as described in respect to the Drawing No. 4.
Eighthly, I claim the mode of working combs by means of bars i, i, worked
by a crank action, and governed by guides m, m, as described in respect to
Drawing No. 5.
Ninthly, I claim the mode of combining the parts g, l, n, for working combs
for combing wool, as described in respect to Drawing No. 6.
Tenthly, I claim the mode of combining the parts g, i, together with the
parts t, r, v, for working combs for combing wool, as described in respect to
Drawing No. 7.
And, eleventhly, I claim the mode of combining the two pairs of drawing
rollers to draw off the wool or hair from two combs, and to combine the
products thereof into a continuous sliver, as described in respect to Drawings
No. 8.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Ross, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-two.
HENRY (L.8.) ROSS."

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Fifteenth day of April, in
the year of our Lord 1842, the aforesaid Henry Ross came before our said
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification afore-
said, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above
written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the
tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.