Improvements in Pickers and Picker Bands for Looms.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Dec., 1894-Accepted, 6th July, 1895
Improvements in Pickers and Picker Bands for Looms.
I, WILLIAM MUIR of 117 Greenhead Street, Glasgow, Mill 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 pickers and picker bands for looms and it has for its
object to enable the full width of the picker band to be utilized instead of, as is
generally the case at present, using it edgewise which results in the bands being
readily torn or broken; and it has also for its object to enable the part of the
band passing round and in immediate contact with the picker stick to be readily
replaced when worn.
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood I have
hereunto appended two explanatory sheets of drawings, whereon,
Fig. 1 is a front elevation and Fig. 2 a side elevation of one form of the
picker.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a wood or metal pin.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation of another form of picker and Fig. 4 is a side view of
the same.
Fig. 5 is an end view of a flat picker for check boxes.
Fig. 6 is an end view of another form of flat picker and Fig. 7 is a plan of the
same.
Figs. 8 and 9 are front elevations of check loom pickers.
Fig. 10 is a side view of the same.
Fig. 11 is a front view, Fig. 12 a side view and Fig. 13 a plan view of a "scoop"
picker.
Fig. 14 is a front view and Fig. 15 a side view of another form of picker.
Fig. 16 is a front view and Fig. 17 a side view of another form of picker.
Fig. 18 is a front view and Fig. 19 a side view of another form of picker.
Fig. 20 is a front view and Fig. 21 a side view of another form of picker.
Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a picking strap or band fitted to a picker and
picker stick.
Fig. 22 is a side view of the picker Fig. 22.
Fig. 23 is a side view of the band at the part where it passes round the picker
stick.
Referring to the drawings whereou the same reference letters wherever repeated
indicate the same or similar parts.
In carrying out my invention I so construct or form the picker a that a slot b,
or slots, either horizontal, vertical or inclined is or are made or formed lengthwise
through it on a plane parallel to the line of the picker spindle c. Through
this slot 6 (or slots) the picker band (in two plies) is passed and is retained in
place by means of one or more pins e or equivalent. The upper part of the picker
is preferably broadened out in order that the slot or slots may be made the full
width of the ordinary picker band.
Figs. 1 and 2 show a picker made with a thickened upper part a' having a
longitudinal slot right through it. The picking band dis passed through the
lot, as shown, and is held in place by a pin e inserted in it at the back. In
order to allow of adjustment three or other number of holes fare made in the
band as indicated in dotted lines, through any one of which the pin e can be passed

page_text: as desired. The pin e which is the same as that in common use with picker bands
is shown to an enlarged scale at Fig. 24. As will be seen at Fig. 2 the top
part a¹ of the picker is broadened out in order to enable a slot of the full width of
the ordinary band being made in it.
Figs. 3 and 4 show a picker which is made with two projections a² a³ one at one
end and one at the other end of the widened out part a¹ of the picker. A slot b is
made in both of these projections through which the band d is passed and secured
in place by a pin e as before.
Figs. 5, 6, and 7 show flat pickers. In Fig. 5 the picker is made with a
horizontal slot b just beside and parallel with the spindle hole c¹.
This slot passes
right through the body of the picker from side to side and the band d is inserted
in it being secured in place by a pin e as before. The picker Figs. 6 and 7 differs
from that at Fig. 5 in having a box shaped piece g rivetted to its upper side. This
piece has a slot in it through which the band is passed.
gare the rivets which are passed right through the body of the picker and the
underside of the box piece.
Figs. 8, 9 and 10 show a picker having an elongated top part through which
vertical slots are made for the reception of the picking band d. In Fig. 8 the
inner ply of leather his carried right round the body of the picker whereas in
Fig. 9 it only extends up to the level of the bottom of the slots .
Figs. 11, 12 and 13 show a "scoop" picker having horizontal slots in each side
wall as, a for the reception of the picking band d. As will be seen at Figs. 12
and 13 the top part al of the picker is widened out very considerably.
Figs. 14 and 15 show a picker made with vertical slot holes in each side
wall. As will be seen the top part of the picker is broadened out in order to allow
the slots to be made just beside the picker spindle holes, c. This picker has an
advantage over those shown at Figs. 8, 9 and 10 as it is not so high. If desired
the slots instead of being vertical may be inclined as indicated in dotted lines at b
Fig. 15.
In Figs. 16 and 17 the picker is shown as made with a lug i at one end having
a slot bin it for the reception of the picker band.
In Figs. 18 and 19 the picker is shown as made with raised parts or pro-
jections having horizontal slots in them for the reception of the picking
band d. These figs, differ from Figs. 3 and 4 in having the projection in the
centre instead of at the end (compare Fig. 3).
In Figs. 20 and 21 the picker is shown as made with a vertical lug having a
vertical slot in it for the reception of the picking band.
"
"
Fig. 22 shows the picking and as it appear when attached to the picker a anl
picker stick .
The picker shown in this figure is somewhat the same as those
shown at Figs. 8, 9 and 10 except that the slots are horizontal instead of
vertical. As will be seen the band is passed right through the slots and is
secured in place by the pin e. The baud which is passed round the collar of the
picker stick has a short strip or piece of leather inserted between it and the
stick. The strip is held in place by means of the oblong washer a ant pin which
latter is of the same form as that shown at Fig. 2. When fitting the strip in
place the leather washer is pulled down the strap to about the position shown in
dotted lines at min the side view Fig. 23 and the doubled strip m is insert. I
in the inside of the doubled band, thereafter the washer is pushed up along the
band until it reaches the position shown at Figs. 22 and 23 whereupon the pin o
is inserted in holes made for its reception in the plies of the band and the leather
strip.
In fitting on the band, it is, preferably, first secured to the picker stick and then
to the picker. The strip m which is inserted for the purpose of preventing the
band wearing, can be readily replaced when worn out.
The whole forms a rapid and efficient method of attaching picking bands to both
1ickers and picker sticks.
With this invention a direct pull is effected on the picker.

page_text: The picker can be made of buffalo hide, papier maché, wood, or leather.
The picker band instead of being made of leather (as usual) may be made of
strong woven fabric such as, cotton, linen, or camel hair, and have eyelets in it for
the pins to pass through.
If desired the pin e may be passed through the band and the top of the picker
at or about the centre instead of at the back.
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
consider novel and desire to claim is :
1. The several constructions of picker substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to the drawings annexed.
2. The combination with the picking band of a strip of leather or equivalent m
which when worn out can be easily replaced, and means for holding the strip in
place in the band, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
drawings annexed.
Dated this 1st day of December 1894.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70 Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.