IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Singleton, of Darwen, in the County of
Lancaster, Machine Maker, for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS
FOR WEAVING."
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Singleton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th July 1881.
THOMAS SINGLETON, of Darwen, in the County of Lancaster, Machine Maker.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
'
This Invention relates to certain improvements in means for selfactingly
regulating the tension on the warp beam. I employ a rope or chain passing round
the neck of the beam fixed. to a spring or stud at its one end, its other being
attached to a regulating screw passing through a slot in a fulcrumed lever, a feeler
to bear against the warp is attached to an L lever on the beam increases or
diminishes in size the friction upon the neck of the beam is regulated accordingly.
Instead of oscillating the beam by lever and eccentric, I employ a short lever to
which is attached a rod and spring, the spring being attached in such a manner
that it can be regulated; weights or friction clips may be used in lieu of springs.
For an improved break for stopping the slay in any desired. position. To the
spring bandle or stop rod I pivot a double acting lever of peculiar form, having
two inclined fingers at one end for raising and another inclined finger which
takes the place of the tumbler bracket; this bracket. is pivotted, on a stud, which is
carried in a slot in the stop rod so as to be easily regulated; a fulcrumed lever,
one end of which rests in the bracket aforesaid and is fulerumed between the stop
rod and the brake wheel, its fulcrumed end being continued at right angles, carries
a stud upon which is another lever forming the brake on the underside of the wheel;
its end being inclined on the underside of the bearing on a stud or projection; a'
spring is attached from the fulcrumed lever to the stud, and on the stop rod being
knocked off from any cause, the fulcrumed lever end is lowered by moving down
the finger or incline of the double acting lever, and by means of the spring brake,

page_text: lever, and stud, the brake is applied. Under the aforesaid double acting lever.I
fix a dead bracket or stud, which with the lower inclined finger of the lever raises
and takes off the brake on starting the loom; or the brake lever may be pivotted
and act upon one side of the brake wheel, it being actuated by a crank fulcrumed
lever bearing a stud and regulated by weight or spring. For an improved strap
fork constructed of wrought iron without welding, I make my improved fork in
one piece of wrought iron fixed on a cast iron centre carried in a slotted bracket.
For an improved spindle stud I construct my spindle stud with the head slotted
and bored for a nipple, which nipple passes through the eyebolt and carries a piece
of leather for the shuttle to strike against (should it rise from being disturbed)
instead of against the iron as heretofore; the nipple also carries the spindle end,
and when worn can be easily replaced.
For an improved knocking off motion when the shuttle stops opposite the fork.
On the weft fork lever I pivot a heavy ended lever bearing upon another lever
pivotted on the weft fork stud; the latter lever comes against the shuttle and lifts
the first named lever, so that it comes in contact with the spindle stud or other
convenient part, and so immediately knocks off.
For an improved protecting guide for the taking up lever and so allowing more
wearing surface, the protecting guide I make with a hole to correspond with the
lever, so that it slides on to same and protects it from wearing, the stud or pin
passing through the whole improved regulating stud or screw and bracket for
regulating the back board of the shuttle, so as to throw it more or less forward;
the stud passes through a bracket in front of the shuttle box and is regulated and
held in position by a set screw. To prevent the shuttle getting between the slay
and the temple I fix a strip of metal or other substance on to the slay so as to fill
up the space between same.
To prevent the wearing of the picker band I fix a thin strip of metal in the slot
of the picker, so that the picker strap bears on same; it presenting a smooth and
even surface preserves the picker strap.
For an improved shed rod of ordinary wood or tin shed rods, I make my shed
rods of metal and turn the edges over and inwards so as to strengthen the rods and
dispense with soldering.
For an improved shuttle box, instead of the back of the shuttle box having
a tongue and swell, I make it in two parts, the lower portion against which the
shuttle slides is plain and even, the upper part or wing against which the picker
bears or beds is attached to the lower parts by screws in slots, or by other suitable
means so as to be adjustable, the whole being hinged or attached by spring.
The swell, consisting of an antifriction bowl, is carried on an adjustable spring
lever, which also carries an adjustable spring guide for steadying the back part of
the shuttle on its fore part coming in contact with the swell, the bottom of the
shuttle box is of wood or compressed paper in lieu of metal so as to give lightness
to the slay; or the whole race of the slay may have a surface of compressed paper.
The swell may be placed either at the back or front of the shuttle box. The
preserve and check straps are combined and attached at the front part of the
spindle and pass around the back of the shuttle box towards the end, then across
and along the front and attached to the spring lever or other convenient part of
the slay in such a manner that on the shuttle striking the picker the check strap
acts as a buffer, tightens and bears against the antifriction bowl or swell, and also
acts as a buffer at each pick and return of the shuttle. In this arrangement no
picker foot or slot in the shuttle box is required. The check strap may be
continued from one box to the other.
For an improved picking stud and bowl I construct the picking stud of steel
and so greatly reduce its bulk; the bowl I make of lignumvitæ to render its action
silent, and little or no lubrication is required.
For improved crank arms I construct either wholly or partly of lignum vitæ ; the
crank pin neck has a metal strap for holding on and adjusting the cap, the bolt or
bolts passing through a slot; the wear and tear is regulated by inserting strips of

page_text: metal in the slot, the slay pin end of the crank arm has a lignum vitæ bush.
carried in its neck, a slot or nick being cut part way up the arm; a bolt is passéd
through the arm, so that the bush can be gripped or tightened as required; or the
hend only of the crank pin neck may be of lignum vitae and the rest of common
wood with the lignum vitæ bush, as before described; the above crank arm may
have buffalo hide strap with or without loose neck, as preferred, and metal crank
arms may have slots for tightening up the necks as described for the wood ones.
A bush placed in the crank arm having a hole through which the crank pin passes
is made to work either fast or loose upon the crank pin by means of the slot above
referred to, or by a key and slot on pin and bush.
For an improved strap fork joint, shank, and guide for strap fork shank I
construct the joint like a compass joint. The fork at its point has a large hole,
through which a turned flanged bush is passed, the rim of the bush projecting
through the fork sufficient to clear it; a flat flange is placed upon it; the whole is
then secured, by a bolt which makes a sound joint and presents a large wearing
surface. This joint may also be applied to the weft fork hammer or a steadying
adjustable arm, clip, or slot may be used to the ordinary joints. The strap fork shank
guide on the spring handle is adjustable, and has a longitudinal slot, which tends to
steady the fork in whatever position it is placed. The guides of the fork are in
separate pieces, so as to be reversible, or the guide may consist of a square or
round box adjustable, attached to the spring handle and the shank of the fork a
fast or loose ball or knob, so that the ball fits the socket box at all sides, and at the
same time allows the required motion to the fork. To allow for wear of the
shank end of the strap fork I make the shank end with a slit part way down its
length; so that a screw tapped into the metal at one side and bearing against the
other opens the slit and enlarges the shank end and keeps it an even fit.
For an improved self acting rising and falling healed notion the heald roller is
carried at each end on a spindle. Bearing upon each spindle is a spiral spring,
the whole being carried in suitable boxes or brackets, so that on the healds pulling
downwards the springs are compressed and expand as the roller rises.
For improved regulating stay and stop brackets for wing rod I make the stay
brackets of wood with a wide bearing surface in the form of two clips, which can
be regulated for the wear and tear of the necks by taking off the top clip and
planing the bearing surface, or the brackets may be made of buffalo hide; either
method requires little or no oil. I fix the stop brackets on the slay sword arm, aud
so shorten the wing rod and prevent any lateral movement of same.
For regulating the reed top and bottom I fix at the back of the reed under the
slay cap a long steel blade pivotted in the centre and carrying a spring support
thereon; its ends are supported or guided by screws in slots; the spring also carries
at each end a pivotted support bearing against the back of the reed, these pivotted
supports being self adjusting; or a supporting blade may be fixed in the centre by
a screw in a slot and a spring bearing in the centre against the screw, its ends
fitting on to and bearing against the supporting blade. For supporting the reed I
lengthen the wings of the stop rod and bend them, or over at right angles, and
attach to them a supporting plate with slot for regulating same.
Or I cut each end of the reed case to angle, and attach as loose wedge shaped or
angular piece thereto, similar to the slay or reed cap before described.
For regulating the reed bottom I fix a plate at each end of the wing rod, the
plates having stud, screws, and nuts, by tightening or slackening of which the
reed can be regulated. In lieu of the clatter wedge I place an angular piece of
plate steel attached to the above arrangement.
For locking the reed I pivot a lever in a suitable position to that on the forward
movement of the slay the end of the lever slides up the slay sword and comes in
contact with the wing rod bracket and so locks the reed, a notch on the slay sword
keeps the lever in position.
For regulating the slay cap I fix plates in the slay caps, having bosses in which
are screws, the heads of which when screwed out bed upon the ears of the sword,

page_text: and so as they are screwed out more or less the slay cap is moved forward or
adjusted; or the screws may be in the ears of the slay sword and bed against the
plate; or the ends of the slay cap may be cut off at an angle and a slotted wedge or
loose angular piece placed between it and the ears of the slay sword; as the
angular piece is moved one way or the other the slay cap is adjusted; the angular
piece may be held in position by a screw and washer. Or I screw into the slay
cap a bush with an internal and external thread, into which is screwed a flanged
bush, the flange of which beds against the ears of the slay sword; a bolt secures
the whole; for regulating, the flanged bush is screwed one way or the other. For
improved weft for holder arrangement I construct the weft fork bracket so as to
be easily fitted, and the fork kept parallel with the weft grate by means of a spring
table in pillar, the table bearing against one side of the weft fork bracket.
For an improved adjustable back beam or bearer I pivot the beam or rod on a
suitable bearing with a spring to act upon same, so that the beam presents an even
pressure or resistance all along the width of the warp and is self adjusting. For
regulating the position of the cloth roller, so as to work a large number of cuts
upon same, I attach to the cloth roller lever adjustable bearings in the form of a
neck swivelled on a screw, so as to be adjusted to any nicety without stopping the
loom; or I fix on the cloth roller shaft a spur wheel having an eccentric pinion
wheel cast thereto, the spur wheel gearing in a fixed rack on the cloth roller lever
in another eccentric pinion on the cloth roller increases in size the spur wheel
moves down the rack, and so decreases the distance between the two eccentric
pinions self actingly adjusts itself.
Or I place four lever links to connect the cloth roller shaft and the cloth roller
lever. To one of the levers I attach an inclined plate in such position as to bear
against a stud; as the cloth roller increases it opens the links and allows for a
larger number of cuts as before described.
Or I shorten the cloth roller lever and attach to it a spring, which passes back
to a pivotted arm; this arm is of such form as to bear against the other end of the
cloth roller lever, and, as the cloth roller increases in size, gives or allows for the
tension on the spring or weight.
For knocking off the spring handle when the reed flies out I place the finger
loose upon the rod and fix a bracket to the rod carrying a spring to support the
finger at its engaging end; by this means the finger being loose is not damaged, but
the spring only bent; to prevent the finger disengaging too soon I fix a blade spring
to bear on its side and increase the friction.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas Singleton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th January 1882.
P
attached.
Fig. 2 is an end view of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3. is a plan view of Fig. 1.
The first part of my Invention relates to an improved arrangement of brake for
stopping the sley in any required position. To the spring handle or stop rod A. I
pivot a double acting lever B of peculiar form having inclined fingers B', B², and
B³, the fingers B and B for raising, and the other inclined finger B¹, takes the
place of the tumbler bracket; this bracket is pivotted on a stud C, which is carried
in a slot C in the stop rod so as to be easily regulated, a fulcrumed lever D, one
end of which rests on the bracket aforesaid, and is fulcrumed between the stop
rod A and the brake wheel E, its fulcrumed end D₁ being continued at right
angles, carries a stud F, upon which is another lever G forming the block or
shoe acting on the side of the wheel E (see Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 5), regulated by
weights or springs. At Fig. 4 is shown a modified arrangement of brake lever;
the shoe acting upon the under side of the brake wheel is inclined on its under-
side J and bears against the stud H; the spring is attached from the fulcrumed
lever D to the stud H; on the stop rod being knocked off from any cause, the
fulcrumed lever end is lowered by passing the finger B' and falling into the hollow
of finger B or incline of the double acting lever B, and by means of the weight,
spring, shoe, lever, and stud H the brake is applied. Under the aforesaid double
acting lever B (see Fig. 2) I fix a dead bracket or stud L, which bears against the
lower inclined finger B³ of the lever B, and so raises and takes off the brake on
starting the loom. Second part of my Invention relates to an improved knocking
off motion when the shuttle stops opposite the weft fork, and is shewn at Figs. 1
and 3. On the weft fork lever M I pivot a heavy ended lever N bearing upon
another lever P pivotted on the weft fork stud R; the latter lever P comes against
the shuttle and lifts the heavy ended lever N, so that it comes in contact with the
spindle stud S or other convenient part, and so immediately knocks off and stops
the loom.
Thirdly. At Fig. 6 and 7, 7ª, and 7B, Sheet 2, I shew an improved strap fork
joint, shank, and guide for strap fork shank. I construct the joint like a compass
joint; the fork at its pivot has a large hole U, through which a turned flanged
bush V is passed, the rim of the bush projecting through the fork sufficient to clear
it; a flat flange V' is placed upon it; the whole is carried by a bracket, and is then
secured by a bolt W, which makes a sound joint and presents a large wearing
surface; this joint may also be applied to the weft fork hammer or a steadying
adjustable arm; a clip or slot may be used to the ordinary joints.
The strap fork shank guide is formed so that the shank bears against the spring
or against a second bracket attached to the guide, so as to be adjustable; Figs. 8
and 9 shew a strap fork composed of one piece of wrought iron passing through
a cast iron stud T pivotted in an adjustable bracket.

page_text: Fig. 10, Sheet 1, shews a guide and fork, which consist of a square or round
adjustable box X attached to the spring handle; the shank of the fork consists of
a fast or loose ball or knob Y, constructed so that the ball fits the socket box X at
all sides, and at the same time allows the required notion to the fork. To allow for
wear of the shank end of the strap fork I make the shank end with a slit Z part
way down its length, so that a screw tapped into the metal at one side and bearing
against the other opens the slit and enlarges the shank end, and so keeps it an
even fit.
Fourthly. Fig. 11 and 12 shew an improved spindle stud.
I construct my spindle stud A with the head slotted or bored for a nipple B,
which nipple passes through the eyebolt C, and carries a piece of leather D for the
shuttle to strike against (should it rise from being disturbed), instead of against
the iron, as heretofore; the nipple B also carries the spindle end E, and when worn
can be easily replaced; the spindle stud may be cast slotted or bored.
Fifthly. At Figs. 13 and 14 is shewn an improved protecting guide for the
taking up lever to allow more wearing surface.
The protecting guide E' is made with a hole F to correspond with the lever G,
so that it slides on to the same and protects it from wearing, the stud or pin H
passing through the whole.
Sixthly. At Fig. 15 is shewn an improved shed rod constructed of tin or metal
in lieu of the ordinary wood rods; my improved shed rods are made of metal
strips, the edges turned over and inwards, forming two circles, or parts of circles,
so as to strengthen the rods and dispense with soldering. Seventh. At Figs. 16
and 17 is shewn an arrangement for preventing the wear of the picker bands.
I fix a thin strip of metal J in the slot of the picker, so that the picker strap K
bears upon it, and is so prevented from being worn.
Eighth. At Fig. 18, Sheet 3, is shewn an improved means for selfactingly
regulating the tension on the warp beam. I employ a rope or chain A passing
round the neck B of the beam B¹ fixed to a spring or stud D at its one end, its
other being attached to a regulating screw E passing through a slot in the
fulcrumed spring lever F; a feeler G which bears against the warp is attached to
an lever H on the opposite side of the beam, the lower end of the L lever bears
upon an adjustable stud or screw J in the fulcrumed spring lever F, so that as the
beam B diminishes in size, the friction upon the neck of the beam is regulated
accordingly; weights or friction clips may be used in lieu of springs.
Ninth. At Fig. 19 is shewn an improved shuttle box instead of the back of the
shuttle box, having a tongue and swell. I make it in two parts, the lower
portion A against which the shuttle slides is plain and even; the upper part or
wing B against which the picker bears or beds is attached to the lower part by
screws C, C, in slots, or by other suitable means, so as to be adjustable, the whole
being attach by a spring.
I also employ a stud or screw D and bracket E in front of the shuttle box for
regulating the back board of the shuttle, so as to throw it more or less forward.
Tenth. At Fig. 20 is shewn a shuttle box with an improved swell preserve and
check strap; the swell consists of an antifriction bowl F which is carried on an
adjustable lever or spring G, which also carries an adjustable spring guide H for
steadying the back part of the shuttle on its forepart coming in contact with the
swell F; the bottom of the shuttle box is of wood or compressed paper, so as to
give lightness to the sley, or the whole race of the sley may have a surface of
compressed paper; the swell may be placed either on the back or front of the
shuttle box. J is the preserve, and H the check strap, which are combined and
attached at the front part of the spindle L, and may be used either with or without
the adjustable swell. The preserve strap is attached to the back of the sley, the
check strap K passing around the back of the shuttle box towards the end, then
across and along the front, being connected to the check strap from the opposite
box, or to the spring lever or other convenient part of the sley in such a manner
that on the shuttle striking the picker the check strap acts as a buffer, tightens

page_text: and bears against the antifriction bowl or swell, and also acts as a buffer at each
pick and return of the shuttle. In this arrangement no picker foot or slot in the
shuttle box is required.
Eleventh. At Fig. 21 is shewn an arrangement for regulating the reed top and
bottom. I fix at the back of the reed M under the sley cap a long steel blade N
pivotted in the centre at P by a screw in a slot, and carrying a spring support R
therein; its ends may be supported or guided by screws in slots; the spring may
also carry at each end a pivotted support bearing against the back of the reed,
these pivotted supports being self adjusting.
I
Twelvth. At Fig. 22 is shewn an arrangement for supporting the reed.
lengthen the wings of the stop rod S, and bend them over at right angles, and
attach to them a supporting plate T with slot for regulating same, or I cut each
end of the reed case V to an angle (see Fig. 23), and attach a loose wedge shaped
or angular piece W thereto, which, when moved one way or the other, remains
parallel with the reed case, similar to the sley or reed cap afterwards described.
Thirteenth. At Figs. 24 and 25 is shewn on angular plate of steel in lieu of the
clatter wedge for regulating the reed case, the plate having slots Z for regulating
screws.
Fourteenth. At Fig. 26 is shewn an arrangement for regulating the sley cap.
I fix plates A in the sley caps, having bosses B in which are screws C, the heads
of which when screwed out bed upon the ears D of the sley sword, and so as they
are screwed out more or less the sley cap is moved forward or adjusted, or the
screws may be in the ears of the sley sword and bed against the plate, or the ends
of the sley cap may be cut off at an angle, and a slotted wedge or loose angular
piece placed between it and the ears of the sley sword, similar to arrangement
shewn at Fig. 23, so that as the angular piece is moved one way or the other, the
sley cap is adjusted; the angular piece may be held in position by a screw and
washer, or as shewn at Fig. 27; I screw into this sley cap à bush E with an
internal and external thread, into which is screwed a flanged bush F, the flange of
which beds against the ears D of the sley sword; a bolt secures the whole; the
flanged bush is turned one way or the other when regulating.
Fifteenth. At Fig. 28 is shewn an arrangement for locking the reed. I pivot a
lever A in a suitable position so that on the forward movement of the sley the end
of the lever slides up the sley sword and comes in contact with the wing rod
bracket B, and so locks the reed, a notch or arm C on the sley sword keeps the
lever in position.
Sixteenth. At Fig. 29, 294, is shewn an improved weft fork holder arrangement.
I construct the weft fork bracket so as to be easily fitted; the fork is kept parallel
with the weft grate by means of a spring table F in a pillar G, the table bearing
against a boss or collar H on the weft fork bracket.
For an improved adjustable back beam or bearer I pivot the beam or rod on &
suitable bearing with a spring to act upon same, so that the beam presents an even
pressure or resistance all along the width of the warp and is self adjusting, similar
to support and regulator for reed case (see Fig. 21, Sheet 3.)
Seventeenth. At Figs. 30, 31, 32, and 33, are shewn my improved crank arms.
I construct the crank arms either wholly of lignumvitæ (as at Fig. 30 and 31); the
crank pin neck A has a metal strap B for holding on and adjusting the cap,
the bolt or bolts passing through a slot in the sley pin end C or crank arm, a
lignum vitæ or metal bush D is carried in its neck, a slot or nick E being cut part
way up the arm, a bolt F is passed through the arm so that the bush D can be
gripped or tightened as required, or the head only of the crank pin neck may be
of lignum vitæ, and the rest of common wood with the lignumvita bush as before
described; the above crank arms may have buffalo hide strap, with or without a
loose neck as preferred, or the metal crank arms may have slots E (see Figs. 32
and 33) for tightening up the necks as described for the wood ones, a bush D is
placed in the crank arm having a hole through which the crank pin passes, or it
may have a stud J, and so can be made to work either fast or loose upon the

page_text: crank pin by means of the slot above referred to, or by a key and slot, or pin and
bush.
Having thus fully described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same may be performed or carried into
effect, I would have it understood that what I claim as the Invention to be secured
to me by the hereinbefore part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. Thei mproved arrangement and construction of brakes, as shewn, illustrated,
and described at Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Sheet 1.
Second. The improved knocking off motion, as shewn, illustrated, and described
on Figs 1 and 2, Sheet 1.
Third. The improved strap, forks, regulating brackets, and joints, constructed as
shewn, illustrated, and described at Figs. 6, 7, 74, 7, 8, 9, and 10.
Fourth. The improved spindle stud constructed as shewn, illustrated, and
described at Figs. 11 and 12.
1
Fifth. The improved protecting guide for taking up lever, constructed as shewn,
illustrated, and described at Figs 13 and 14.
Sixth. The improved shed rod constructed as shewn, illustrated, and described
at Fig. 15.
.
Seventh. The arrangement for preventing the wear of the picker bands, as
shewn, illustrated, and described at Figs. 16 and 17.
Eighth. The improved arrangement for selfactingly regulating the tension on
the warp bean, as shewn, illustrated, and described at Fig. 18.
Ninth. The improved shuttle box constructed as shewn, illustrated, and
described at Fig. 19.
Tenth. The improved swell and arrangement of preserve and check straps, as
shewn, illustrated, and described at Fig. 20.
Eleventh. The improved arrangements for regulating and supporting the reed
top and bottom, as shewn, illustrated, and described at Fig. 21, which is also
applicable for supporting and regulating the back rest.
Twelvth. The various improved arrangements for supporting and regulating the
reed as shewn, illustrated, and described at Figs. 22, 23, 24, and 25.
Thirteenth. The improved arrangement for regulating the sley caps, as shewn,
illustrated, and described at Figs. 23, 20, and 27.
Fourteenth. An improved arrangement for locking the reed, as shewn,
illustrated, and described at Fig. 28.
Fifteenth. An improved weft fork holder arrangement, applicable when the weft
holder slides parallel to the weft grate, as shewn, illustrated, and described at
Figs. 29 and 29ª.
Lastly. For the improved crank arms constructed and arranged as shewn,
illustrated, and described at Figs. 30, 31, 32, and 33.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Singleton, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Seventh day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
THOMAS SINGLETON. (L.S.)
Witness,
FLETCHER YATES SINGLETON,
John E. Walsh,
Patent Agent and Consulting Engineer,
Halifax and Leeds.