Improvements in Selvedge Weaving Apparatus for Looms.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Sept., 1893-Accepted, 23rd Dec., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Selvedge Weaving Apparatus for Looms.
We, WILLIAM SIMPSON of 64 Edward Street, Lower Broughton, Salford, in
the County of Lancaster, Weaving Manager, and THE DUPLEX WEAVING
APPLIANCE COMPANY LIMITED, of 8 Jordan Street, Knott Mill, Manchester, in
the County of Lancaster, Machine Makers, 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 :---
Our said invention relates to certain improvements in the machines or appliances
for forming inner selvedges when two or more pieces of cloth are woven in
a loom described in the Patent Specifications of William Simpson No. 8056
We wish
A.D. 1890 and of William Simpson and another No. 14614 A.D. 1891.
it however to be understood that in the present case we make no claim to anything
described in the aforesaid prior Specifications.
The warp threads are so arranged in the reed as to leave a suitable space or
interval between the sets of warp threads which are destined to form for example
two distinct pieces. When a pick has been made the weft thread last put in will
cross the said interval and connect the two sets of warp threads and if it were
simply cut either during the operation of weaving or subsequently "raw" imperfect
edges would be left at the inner adjacent selvedges of the two pieces of cloth.
The machine which forms the object of this invention is intended to cut the weft
thread where it crosses the interval between the two sets of warp threads and then
to double or turn the cut ends backwards in among and at right angles to the
warp threads forming the adjacent separate pieces of cloth in such a way that the
cut ends become incorporated into the cloth when the warp threads are caused to
cross each other by the treading of the warp so that two or more absolutely
independent pieces each with perfect selvedges are simultaneously produced in
the loom.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the warp and weft threads
hereinbefore referred to. A A represent the warp threads running in the direction
of the arrow A' from the reed to the cloth beam. B B represent the weft threads
which are cut in the interval Cleft between the two sets of warp threads and
are then turned back and incorporated in the cloth so that for a short distance
from the edge the number of weft threads is double that in the body of
the piece.
Figure 2 is a plan of the machine.
Figure 2 is a detached sectional elevation of one of the side grippers.
Figure 2 is a plan of both the side and central grippers.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation through -y of Figure 2.
Figure 3 is a detached view showing how the centre grippers are opencil..
Figure 4 is a side elevation of some of the parts for operating the side grippers
as seen from the opposite side to Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a front elevation of one of the side grippers showing other parts used
for operating them.
Figure 6 is an elevation showing the mode of attachment to the loom and the
temples used with machine.
Figure 7 is a plan of the temple rollers with the cover removed.
In certain of these figures it is to be understood that some parts are omitted in
order to more clearly elucidate the action of other parts.
The same figures or letters of reference refer to the same parts in all the
figures.

page_text: The chief working parts of the machine are firstly two centre grippers 1 having
a longitudinal reciprocating motion to and from the reed; secondly draw hooks 2
having a longitudinal reciprocating motion to and from the reed and also an up and
down motion; thirdly a knife 3 to cut the weft; fourthly two side grippers 4
having a reciprocating motion at right angles to the cloth and also an up and
down motion.
Generally the modus operandi of the parts 1, 2, 3 and 4 is as follows:-
The weft thread last put in is seized by the hooks 2 and drawn towards the
centre grippers 1 which firmly seize it and hold it while the hooks 2 descend
and pressing the weft on the knife 3 lying between the centre grippers cause it to
be severed. The centre grippers 1 each holding one of the cut ends then advance
towards the reed. Meanwhile the side brackets carrying the side grippers 4 have
been depressed until the latter occupy the position shown in Figure 3 that is to
say in the same horizontal plane as the weft. The side grippers 4 are then
protruded from their sheaths and open as shown in Figure 2 the centre grippers 1
pass the open jaws of the side grippers 4 and lay the cut ends therein. The
jaws 4 then close on the cut ends and retire with the eut ends of weft into the
shed. The centre grippers 1 then retire, the side grippers 4 are lifted, and the
process recommences. Just when the side brackets carrying the side grippers 4
are depressed the latter are in their sheaths. The warp threads indicated at 6
(Figures 2 and 3) are then pressed downwards to the level of the weft or the
centre of the shed while the warp threads 5 remain in their normal position. The
positions of the warp threads are shown in sectional elevation in Figure 3. The
result of this is that when the side grippers 4 are protruded from their sheaths
they are in the shed at the part marked 5 and when they retire into their sheaths
they draw the cut weft actually into the shed under the threads 5. The sheaths
are provided with curved horns 98 in order that there may be no abrupt break in
the warp at this point.
The remaining parts of the machine are chiefly for effecting the operations of
the grippers and hooks. In Figure 2B the centre grippers 1 and the side grippers 4
are shown in plan. The centre grippers 1 are hollowed at the sides to enable the
side grippers 4 to freely seize the cut ends of the weft threads as shown in this
figure which represents the centre grippers in their most forward position having
carried the cut ends of weft into the open side grippers 4. The motion of the
centre grippers 1 is so timed that they only advance after the weft thread last put
in is secured by the crossing of the shed owing to the treading of the loom. The
main length of the thread is therefore firmly held while the cut free ends are
carried into the next shed.
Figure 3 shows how the opening of the centre grippers 1 is effected. These
grippers in their normal position are kept closed by a spiral spring 6 pulling the
upper end of the loose member pivoted at 7" towards the fixed member. When
the centre grippers are pulled back into their rearmost position the heel of the
loose member is caused to bear against the inclined end of a fixed block 8 thus
tilting up the loose member and enabling the gripper to open and receive the weft
presented by the hooks 2.
The whole of the motions for operating the above mentioned effective parts of
the machine proper are derived from the lever 9 (Figure 3) having its fulcrum
at 10" in the bed of the machine. A link 10 slotted for purpose of adjustment is
connected to the slay cap 11 so that the reciprocating motion of the slay produces a
corresponding oscillation of the lever 9 about its fulcrum. The link 10 is secured
to the lever 9 by means of a slot and pin 12 and by varying the height of the
pin 12 the angle through which the lever 9 moves may be readily adjusted.
The draw hooks 2 (Figure 3) are secured at 13 to the lower arm of a bell crank
lever 14 fulcrumed at 15 in a bracket 16 sliding on the rod 17. Two stops 18
and 19 in the bracket 16 limit the backward and forward oscillation of the bell
crank lever 14 so that when it bears against the stop 18 the hooks 2 are down and
when it bears against the stop 19 the hooks 2 are up. A link 20 connects the bell

page_text: crank lever 14 with the lever 9. In the link 20 is a slot 21. When the stud 22 is
traversing this slot the sliding bracket 16 and consequently the hooks 2 dwell in
their forward or backward position respectively. The lower end of the bracket 16
is guided in a longitudinal slot in the base 23 of the machine. A spring 24 bearing
firmly against the bracket 16 prevents the latter moving while the pin 22 is
traversing the slot 21.
The knife 3 which is fixed has a shank taking into a hole in a bar 33 secured in
the bearing 26. A set screw 34 taking against the shank of the knife enables the
position of the latter to be set to the required position with regard to the grippers 1
and the hooks 2.
.
The centre grippers 1 are attached to a crosshead or block 24 secured to or
formed integral with a slide bar 25 sliding longitudinally in bearings 26 and 27 on
the bed plate of the machine. The tail end of the slide rod 25 is hinged at 29 to
a link 28 working on a stud at 30 in the oscillating lever 9. The centre grippers 1
thus follow the to and fro movement of the lever 9. In order to more securely
guide the lower end of the link 28 the hinge pin 29 is prolonged and carries an
anti-friction roller working in a guide slot 31 in the block 32 secured to the bed
plate.
The sliding and swinging blocks 36 (Figures 2 and 4) on which the side
grippers 4 are mounted are pivoted at 37 on slide blocks 38 (Figure 4) formed
on or secured to the slide bars 39 (Figures 3 and 4) which slide longitudinally in the
fixed bearings 26 and 27. A sliding block 40 connects the two bars 39 and ensures
their simultaneous movement. A spring 41 (Figure 2) secured in tension at 42 to
the sliding block 40 continually tends to pull the slide bars 39 backwards.
All the motions of the side grippers 4 and their carrying blocks 36 are derived
from the reciprocating motion of the slide rod 43 (Figure 4) working in the fixed
bearings 44 and 45. Secured to the slide rod 43 is a bracket 46 which is connected
at 47 by means of the link 48 to the main lever 9. At 49 in the bracket 46 is
fulcrumed a swing catch 50. A spiral spring 51 connected in tension to the heel of
the swing catch 50 continually tends to depress the front part so that in its forward
stroke (that is towards the reed) it may take behind and push forward the slide
block 40 and with it the slide rods 39 which carry the slide blocks 38 (Figure 2)
on which the swing blocks 36 carrying the side grippers 4 are pivoted. A stop 53
(Figure 4) in the bracket 46 prevents the fore end of the swing catch 50 descending
too low. When the rods 39 and with them the side grippers 4 have advanced to
the full extent of their forward stroke the bowl 54 mounted on a stud in the swing
catch 50 rides over the fixed stud 55 whereby the catch 50 is raised out of
engagement with the slide block 40. Thereupon the latter with the slide rods 39 is
pulled back by the spring 41 (Figure 2). To prevent shock on the return of the
slide rods 39 a spring 56 (Figures 2 and 3) is placed on the rod 25 so as to bear
against the through pin 57 and a crosshead 58 which slides freely on the rod 25.
The crosshead 58 has side arms 59 extending over the rods 39 in each of which is
a projecting stud 60. When the rods 39 slide backwards or forwards the stud 60
passes freely through a slut 61 in the bearing 26. On the sudden recoil of the
rods 39 the stud 60 meets the arm 59 which thus acts as a buffer to lessen shock
and at the same time limits the extent of the backward movement of the rods at
that moment. The forward stroke is limited by the position of the fixed
disengaging stud 55. The oscillation of each of the swing blocks 36 (Figure 4)
about the fulcrum 37 for the purpose of depressing the side grippers 4 is effected by the
bowl 62 mounted on the tail piece 63 riding up the inclined face and along the top of
the cam 64 the top of which is horizontal in order that the side grippers may dwell
in their depressed position. A spring 64 attached at one end to the slide block 38
and at the other end to the front of the swing block 36 continually tends to pull up
the front part of the swing block 36 so that it rises when the bowl 62 (Figure 4).
desceuds the inclined part at the rear of the cam 64 when the slide rods 39 retire.
The side grippers 4 are formed as shown in section in Figure 2. The upper
part is hinged in a slit in the lower part. The heel of the upper part has a

page_text: projection 65 which when it comes inside a hole in the part 66 causes the grippers
to gape as shown in Figure 2. The part 66 is attached to or formed integral with
the swing block 36 and partakes of its motion. Attached to the part 66 is a trough
or sheath 67 in which the side grippers 4 slide as the pin 68 is moved backwards
and forwards by the mechanism about to be described. The mere act of the
gripper retiring through the part 66 causes it to be closed.
The upright pin 68 (Figure 5) in the side gripper 4 engages with the lever 69
pivoted at 70 on the front of the swing block 36. A spiral spring 71 in tension
continually tends to pull the lower part of the lever 69 and with it the gripper 4
forwards so as to cause the gripper + to protrude from its sheath and to remain in
the position shown in plan in Figure 2 unless restrained. Pivoted at 72 (Figure 2)
on the top of the swing block 36 is a detent 73 formed as a bell crank lever-which
is caused to turn about its fulcrum by the action of the part 74 (Figure 4) of the
spring catch 78. The latter is pivoted at 75 in a crosshead 76 and by means of
the spring 77 the part 74 continually tends to bear downwards. The crosshead is
mounted on the bar 43 and moves therewith. When the latter retires the part 74
of the spring catch 78 bears against the long arm of the detent 73 (Figure 2) and
causing the latter to turn on its fulcrum the short arm bears against a prolongation
or pin at the top of the lever 69 of Figure 5 and thereby causes the gripper 4 to
be withdrawn into its sheath or trough. Pivoted at 80 (Figure 2) on the top of
the swing block 36 is a detent lever 81 which under the action of the stretched
spiral spring 82 tends to continually press with the short arm against the catch 83
of the lever 73 so that at a certain point in the backward stroke of the crosshead 76
the detent 81 engages with the catch 83 and keeps the gripper 4 in its sheath.
The catch 78 (Figure 4) in its continued retreat rides past the rounded nose of
the long arm of the lever 73 (Figure 2) and leaves it engaged as last explained.
At a certain point in the next forward stroke of the rod 39 the long arm of the
detent 81 comes in contact with a fixed upright pin 84 (Figure 2). This releases
the detent S1 from the lever 73 whereupon the spring 71 acts and causes the
gripper 4 to fly out of its sheath and to open. The position of the releasing
pins 84 is adjustable so that the side grippers 4 shall protrude at the right moment
by being mounted on slotted bars secured by bolts 86" to the bed plate.
Although for facility of description only one side gripper of each kind and one
set of devices for operating them have been mentioned it is of course to be under-
stood that the effective parts on each side of the centre line of the machine are
duplicates of and symmetrically arranged with regard to each other.
To prevent injury to the apparatus in the event of a shuttle or other object
becoming trapped between the reed and the machine the latter is mounted on a
vertical spring bar 85 (Figure 6) secured at its lower end to a convenient cross
rail 102 at the lower part of the loom.
When producing selvedges in the manner described the edges are thicker than
the body of the cloth and the continued outward pull of the grippers tends to cause
the edges of the cloth to gradually separate or creep away. To overcome this
tendency and to ensure the proper taking up of the cloth the apparatus is provided
with temples of a peculiar construction. The rollers of the temple are shown in
plan in Figure 7 with the cover removed. The rollers 87 preferably slightly taper
over which the cloth passes have lying between them a central roller 86 under
which the cloth passes. The roller 86 is only provided with teeth for a short
distance at the place where the selvedge passes. The inner bearings 88 of the
central roller are set somewhat lower than the outer bearings in such a manner that
the centre line of each of the rollers 86 makes an angle of about 10 degrees with
the plane in which lie the centre lines of the rollers 87. By the use of such a
combination of temple rollers the take up of the selvedge and the rest of the cloth
is equalised. To further assist the even taking up of the cloth and to prevent
shrinkage as the weaving proceeds a clamp 89 is provided which bears with its
front edge 90 (Figure 6) firmly against the under edge of the temple cover 100 and
thus positively grips the cloth except at the moment of beating up the weft by the

page_text: reed. The clamp is formed as a bell crank lever pivoted at 101 to a projection
from the bed plate of the machine. The pressure of the clamp is obtained by a
spring 91 bearing against a stud on the lower arm of the bell crank lever. To
enable the clamp to open each time the slay approaches in order that the cloth may
be pulled through the temples by the usual take-up motion a bracket 93 carrying
a bowl 94 is secured to the lower arm of the clamp. A contact piece or projec-
tion 95 is attached to the slay bottom in such a position that when the slay beats
up the part 95 bearing against the bowl 94 causes the edge of the clamp 90 to
momentarily release its grip of the cloth.
To enable the weaver to work the loom backwards as is sometimes necessary the
clamp may be released by a lever 96 mounted on the taking up motion rod 97 being
caused to bear on the stud 92.
It will of course be understood that the strokes and the motions of each part of
the machine will require accurately setting so that the successive operations may
follow at the proper instant. This may be readily effected by altering the slotted
junctions and by setting the brackets or cross heads on the sliding rods according
to the stroke of the slay of the particular loom to which the machine is to be
applied.
Although reference has hereinbefore been made to the simultaneous weaving of
two pieces only it is to be understood that by providing two or more intervals
between the warp threads and by using two or more machines, it is possible to
weave three or more independent pieces simultaneously.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In a machine for forming pairs of adjacent selvedges in weaving the
combination of
a. Hooks for seizing the weft drawing it to the knife and depressing it when
it reaches the knife for the purpose of severing the weft.
ẞ. A fixed knife for severing the weft.
Y. Central grippers having a longitudinal rectilinear motion in the direction of
the wurp only for seizing the weft and carrying the cut ends to the side
grippers. And
2. Side grippers having a rectilinear motion at right angles to the warp thread
for seizing the cut ends of weft and drawing the same into the shed
substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
2. In a selvedge weaving machine the combination of central grippers working
in a longitudinal rectilinear path with side grippers working transversely thereto.
substantially as and for the purpose herein before set forth.
3. The combination of parts for operating the hooks 2 from the lever 9
substantially as herein before set forth and shown in the accompanying drawings.
4. The knife 3 adjustable by having a shank taking into a fixed socket provided
with a set screw.
5. The combination of parts for effecting the reciprocating and oscillatory motion
of the swing blocks 36 substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in the
accompanying drawings.
6. The side grippers 4 constructed as shown in Figure 24 having hinged jaws
which are caused to open and to close on the cut ends of weft as they slide to and
fro in their sheaths substantially as set forth.
7. The improvement in the centre grippers I as illustrated in Figure 2B consisting
in removing a portion of their sides to enable the side grippers 4 to freely seize the
cut ends of the weft threads substantially as set forth.
8. In temples for use in appliances such as described the combination of a bell
crank lever 89 acting directly as the lower jaw for gripping the cloth, the anti-
friction bowl 94 for receiving the blow of the slay, the spring 91 for effecting the

page_text: grip of the lower jaw, and the releasing lever 96 for putting the grip out of act
when required substantially as herein before described and shown.
Dated this 14th day of September 1893.
EDWARD TURNER WHITELOW,
70, Deansgate, Manchester, Agent for the Applicants.