Improvements in and relating to Looms for Weaving.
Year: 1894

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Looms for Weaving.
We. WILLIAM BELL WHITE of Red Scar Spring Works, Colne, in the
County of Lancaster, Machinist, HENRY RAWSON of 1, Conduit Street, Nelson,
in the said county Overlooker JOHN MYERS of 19, Woodside Terrace, Nelson
aforesaid, Overlooker and JAMES MORRISON of Shaw Street, Colne aforesaid,
Overlooker, 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 :-
The first part of this invention consists of an improved arrangement for weighting
the cloth or piece roller of looms.
Referring to Fig. 1 (Sheet 1) of the accompanying drawings, the piece roller A
is mounted on a suitable slide-piece A¹ sliding in a slot A2 in the loom frame. The
slide piece A¹ has always a tendency to be drawn upwards by the tension of a
spring As secured to the slide-piece and the shuttle stand respectively, or to a
bracket fixed to the loom side. To the lower portion of the slide piece A¹is
a loose catch A', which is capable of engaging with the teeth of a rack A fixed
to the loom side. As the cloth on the piece roller A increases in size, the catch A'
is lowered against the tension of the spring A and engages with fresh teeth on the
rack A³.
When the piece is to be pulled off, the catch A is still further lowered on the
rack A by depressing the slide piece A' by hand, when the piece roller A becomes
entirely free from the card or measuring roller.
The next part of our invention, which is also illustrated in Fig. 1 is designed to
dispense with the use of bow springs of loose reed looms, which soon become worn
by friction, and we substitute therefor a lever B mounted on the stud B' of the
usual type of bracket B and acted upon by a spiral or other spring B³, which
encircles a vertical projection on the lever B, the said lever presenting plenty of
wearing surface to the bowl or the like B of the organ handle B³, with which it is
acted upon.
The next part of our invention is represented in Fig. 2, and relates to the
broken backs of circular box looms. The spring C is attached direct to the heel
of the broken back C', which works in a slotted. L bracket C fixed to the loom side,
instead of extending much further across the loom. By this arrangement of broken
back considerably less space is occupied, so much so that all the taking-up gearing
may be removed to the outside of the loom.
In Fig. 3 is represented the next part of our invention, which relates more
particularly to circular box looms. It often happens in this class of loom that the
revolving box fails to present a full opening for the traverse of the picker.
Instead of entering the groove of the box, the picker will in such instance be
brought violently against the box end or wing, which invariably results in damage
to some of the working parts.
We remedy this by providing the foot of the picking shaft D (seen in Fig. 3)
with a yielding footstep. The footstep may be formed in two halves D' and D,
the former being fixed, whilst the latter is carried by a rod D2, and kept in position
by the pressure of a spring D³ or the like. The yielding portion of the footstep is
supported by bracket D' fixed to loom frame, and pressure of spring D³ is adjusted
by set screw D' bearing against boss D on rod D².
In the event of the picker striking the box end as already described, the picking
shaft will fly out of the yielding footstep or socket, and so prevent damage.

page_text: Figs. 4 and 5 represent the next portion of our invention, which consists of an
improved weighting or let-off motion, and is designed to let off the warp in a
peculiar and novel manner, and also to automatically relieve the same of weight
the amount required as the warp is being diminished in size, and taken up into
the fabric.
On the shaft or ruffle of the warp beam E, which is supported by a bracket E
fixed to the loom side is fixed or keyed a friction plate E', and between it and
another friction plate E' loosely mounted on the said shaft is introduced some
packing to engender friction. The loose friction plate E on its reverse side is
provided with an inclined swell or raised surface, against which bears the wedge
piece E, the upper end of which proceeds through a slot formed in a horizontal
projection E extending from the said loosely mounted friction plate E³, whilst
the lower extremity of the wedge piece is held by a chain E secured at its
other extremity to the bracket lever E7 by thumb screw E. The said bracket E'
carries the screw shaft E, on the thread of which is capable of moving the
weight E10
This weight E is moved along the screw shaft E' in a peculiar and novel
manner about to be explained, thereby slackening the chain E, and reducing the
friction on the friction plates. This is effected by securing to the back bearer a
rocking lever or feeler E" acted upon by spiral spring E" and giving motion at its
extremity to the operating catch E3 against which it bears, thus slowly operating
the ratchet E mounted on screw shaft E, into the teeth of which also engages the
weighted retaining catch E12 fixed to the loom side.
It will at once be apparent that on motion being given to the ratchet E by the
operating catch E as above described, the screw shaft E' will, in turning gradually
bring the weight E nearer the fulcrum of bracket lever E', and thus the warp will
be slowly relieved of weight as it is taken up into the fabric.
From the foregoing description of this part of our invention, it will be readily
seen that the screw shaft E and lever E' may be adapted to ordinary weighting
motions at present in existence, the chain. from the warp beams being attached
direct to the said lever E' and the weight or weights caused to move nearer or
further from the fulcrum of the said lever by means of a handwheel or the like
secured to the said screw shaft E'.
The next part of our invention is illustrated in Fig. 6, and represents another
arrangement of weighting motion. We fix to the ruffle of the warp beam a cap F,
on which are cast or fixed two or more studs F¹. On a raised surface formed on
this cap is slipped ratchet F on whose other face is slipped another cap F', the
whole being firmly held by nuts screwed on the said studs F. The beam shaft is
formed with square ends, which enter square holes on the caps, so that when
the warp is being gradually unwound, the caps F and F move with it, but the
ratchet is prevented from doing so by the catch F mounted on bracket Fs fixed
to the loom frame. By tightening the nuts any desired weight or drag may be
put upon the warp beam.
The next part of our invention consists of a novel arrangement of adjustable
slip catch to be used in conjunction with the taking-up motions of looms for the
purpose of automatically letting back the warp to the extent of one, two or more
teetbot the ratchet on the operating and retaining catches being raised automatically
or otherwise. One arrangement is shewn in Fig. 7. G is a swinging piece or lever
mounted on the boss G¹ of the taking-up motion.
The sad swinging piece is formed with a slot at its lower extremity, in which
may be regulated by means of a bolt and nut the adjustable projecting arm G'
carrying slip catch G. Adjusting screw G at the bottom of the slot regulates the
nin.ber of teeth the catch may be let back.
Fig. 8 represents another arrangement of slip catch. In this view the swing piece
or lever His mounted on the shaft H', and one extremity of the said lever carries
a weight H adjustable in a slut, whilst the other extremity of the said lever is
formed with a boss, in which is adjustable the catch piece H³ acting in the

page_text: teeth of ratchet H of the take-up. The adjusting screw He is also provided
as in the preceding arrangement to determine the number of teeth to be let
back.
The next part of our invention shewn in Figs. 9, 10 and 11 relates to circular
boxes, and consists in constructing the wings of such boxes of sheet metal,
preferably steel with a ledge at the bottom to fit into the seating or bottom of the
box, where they may be secured by screws. Referring to Fig. 9, J is a box end
constructed in accordance with our invention. The entire box is lined with sheet
metal J secured by screws J2 to the bottom of the box. The said sheet metal
lining in each respective box is provided with ears J³, the ear on one side of one
box overlapping that on the adjacent box. In both ears is formed a hole, so that
when the star-plate, which may be in either of the forms shewn in Figs. 10 and 11
is finally fixed in position by screws the whole of the parts will be firmly bound
together and may constitute the wings of the boxes, the wooden wings being
dispensed with. Besides having the advantage of remaining perfectly true for
an indefinite length of time, the wings of our improved circular box, being made of
steel, will not give way through dampness or dryness as, wooden wings do.
The next part of our invention consists of an improved arrangement for producing
an automatic recoil in the taking up motion on the stoppage of the loom through
the absence or breakage of the weft. The bracket K (Fig. 13) is fixed to the
loom frame and carries the fork holder K', with which slides the slide piece K³
adjustably secured to the fork holder. This slide piece is formed with a
projection K³ (see Fig. 14) which slides in vertical arm of L lever K working on
stud fixed to bracket K.
When the weft fork K' is drawn forward by fork hammer K on the absence.
or breakage of the weft, the slide K2 is brought against vertical arm of lever
moving the same forward whilst the horizontal arm of the said lever thereby raises
vertical rod K' having an adjusting boss K8 fixed at its lower extremity, which
simultaneously raises horizontal arm K, thereby giving a partial turn to catch
rod K, and raising the catches of the taking up motion. At the same time the
projecting portion of the fork slide K' comes in contact with swing lever M*
knocking the spring handle from its detent and bringing the loom to a stand.
.
Another arrangement for the same purpose is represented in Fig. 15. Through
a hole in the bracket L adjustably fixed to the loom frame is introduced a stud or
T piece L having a nose or pin L. Over the stad or T piece L' is slipped spiral.
spring L compressed by adjustable boss L, so that the nose or pin will always
have a tendency to spring into one or other of the indentations L and L formed
in fork slide on motion being given to the latter. To the fork slide L' is
adjustably fixed vertical rod L* connected with the catch rod.
In Fig. 14 is also illustrated the next part of our invention, which is designed to
be used chiefly in connection with the previous arrangement for producing an
automatic recoil. It is sometimes necessary to stop the loom when the weft is
unbroken, and the weaver often does this by placing his hand upon the weft fork
in order to properly box the shuttle, in which case a "thick place" would
invariably result. Now in order to obviate this, we make use of a spring button
or thumb-stop M.
The spiral spring M¹ is mounted on rod M2 secured by boss M³ to swing.
lever M.
The thumb stop M is so arranged in juxtaposition with the fork hammer K
that when struck by the weaver, the fork hammer comes in contact with it, knocking
the spring handle from its detent and stopping the loom. It will be evident that
during this motion, the taking-up mechanism will be unaffected.
Instead of being arranged as described the spring button or thumb stop may be
mounted vertically on a wire rod secured to the spring handle M³ or to the swing,
lever M*.
The next part of our invention is shewn in Figs. 16 and 17, and consists of an

page_text: improved attachment to the picking stick for the purpose of relieving the picking
band from unequal strain or drag. For this purpose we apply an attachment N to
the picking stick N' consisting of several coils of wire and its two ends of any.
desired length are then respectively clipped round a slotted holder N for the
picking band N³. A screw or the like N is now driven through the picking
stick N¹ and through the wire loop N which is thereby kept in position by means
of a nut N. The picking band after being carried through the slot of the holder
may be secured by a peg pushed through a hole in the band or it may be fastened
in any other suitable manner.
This attachment not only supplies additional elasticity to the band, but also
brings about a cousiderable diminution of chock and strain on the throw of
the pick.
Our invention further relates to weft forks, and consists in forming the prongs
thereof with flutings grooves or corrugations in order to strengthen them and cause
them to present a round and smooth surface to the weft.
Fig. 18 is a detached view of a weft fork constructed in accordance with our
invention, and having fluted, grooved or corrugated prongs O, whereby such
prongs are not only strengthened, but they also present a rounder and smoother
surface to the weft.
The next part of our invention relates to the card or pattern surface of looms,
and consists in so adapting the card or cards and operating mechanism as to cause
one card to answer the purpose of two cards of the usual construction.
Fig. 19 illustrates the card surface and Fig. 20 the pattern cylinder constructed.
in accordance with our invention. Each of the cards P of the pattern surface
are formed with indentations or blanks on each half of the card, and the cards
are consequently moved only half distance, or the ratchet of the cylinder is
provided with two teeth to one flat of the cylinder, so that one card' will serve for
four picks; or in other words, the card cylinder is made double the number to the
round, say sixteen instead of eight.
It will therefore be evident that a great saving in number of cards used will be.
effected or to the extent of one half. When two indentations occur in succession
on the same card, they may be formed as at P¹, or one indentation may be formed.
sufficiently large to answer the same purpose..
The next part of our invention relates to improvements in loose and fast reed
combinations and also to improved brake appliances for looms. Fig. 21 is a
detached elevation, and Fig. 22 a detached plan view of a loom side with our
improved arrangements and mechanism applied. Q is the stop rod carrying the
usual stop-rod finger Q' and back rib Q, which keep the reed in place. When the
shuttle becomes trapped in the shed or is absent from the box, the tongue Q³ fixed
to the stop-rod falls, and with the motion of the sley comes against the frog Q
carrying horizontal connecting rod Q, which draws forward rocking or radial
arm Q having bowl Q at its extremity.
This motion of the radial arm Q raises the finger Q as well as duck bills Q",
which are mounted loose on the stop rod Q, and are fastened to front rib Qas
well as the usual back rib, the said front rib extending from duck bill to duck
bill across the loom, and considerably strengthening the arrangement. The whole
of the parts Q³, Qu¸Q", Q¹ and Q thus move together, and the finger Q being
acted upon in the manner herein before described by radial arm Q on the shuttle
being absent from the box or trapped in the shed the stop rod finger Q' withdraws
the back rib Q and thereby liberates the reed.
Simultaneously with this movement, the frog Q draws forward brake rod R,
which acting on shaped brake lever R' applies friction or brake power to the fly
wheel R. Moreover, the projecting portion R of brake rod R coming in
contact with spring handle Q instantly stops the loom. The motion of brake
rod R compresses spring R³ against fixed bracket R, which when the frog Q is
relieved of stop-rod tongue returns the brake to its normal position.

page_text: When the
Another arrangement of brake is also shewn in Figs. 21 and 22.
brake rod R is drawn forward as already described, it brings with it the C shaped
pince piece S inclined on one of its sides, which is thereby caused to bear against·
the disc or rim S¹ cast or secured to fly wheel R2, and an inclined or other suitable
face plate S secured to the loom side (shewn in plan view Fig. 22). The frictional.
surface may be packed to engender friction. Enormous brake power is thus;
obtained by this arrangement, which instantly brings the loom to a stand.
As already described in the preceding arrangement, the spring R³, when relieved
from compression against fixed bracket R returns the brake rod R to its normal;
position, and at the same time bow spring S³ acting on brake rod R through the
medium of connections. S withdraws the Ushaped pince piece S from the face of
dise S', entirely withdrawing the brake mechanism.
If desired, the ordinary brake lever Se operated as usual may be employed in
addition to the arrangement above described.
The next portion of our invention relates to loom shuttle guards. One of our
improved arrangements of shuttle guard is shewn in Figs. 23, and 24. The guard
or rod T is bent at its extremities and made to work in the end brackets T¹ at each
end of the sley cap. When the guard is required to serve the purposes for which
it is intended, it is raised by hand so as to project in front of the sley and the arm
or projection T2 fixed to it moves forward so as to depress blade spring T³,
(see Fig. 24) into an indentation in which it falls and becomes rigidly held in.
position.
The guard is struck down by hand by the weaver so as to assume its original
position in front of the sley, when it would be liable to obstruct him in his duties.
Another arrangement of shuttle guard is shewn in Figs. 25, and 26. This is
designed to work automatically by the motion of the setting-ou handle or other
suitable moving part of the loom. U is a bent or cranked rod or guard its
extremities moving in side brackets U like the preceding arrangement. At the
setting-on side of the loom, the rod extends beyond bracket U₁ and is then bent
round at U so that when a vertical motion is given thereto it will raise the
guard U in position in front of the reed. The setting-on-handle carries a
projection U, a stud on the other end of which works in slot of radial arm U',
centred on shaft U which proceeds to the back of the sley. Fixed to this end of
the shaft is arm U which operating vertical rod U' moves the guard U in or out
of position.
".
An essential feature of this part of our invention is shewn in Fig. 26. Secured
to radial arm U is a piece US having two indentations in its face. Projecting
from the bottom of the sley are two stays Us carrying a slide piece U10 which is
acted upon in a forward direction by spiral spring U so that the nose U12 of slide.
piece will fall into one or other of indentations on indented piece U8 as the guard
is raised or lowered. Blade spring U¹s also aids in maintaining the guard in
position in front of the sley.
i
Another of our improved devices for preventing the shuttle flying out of looms
is illustrated in Fig. 27. In this view the shuttle guard or rod V is made to swivel'
into or out of action on the swivel pieces V' centred on the studs V2 fixed to the
sley cap. One of the swivel pieces. carries a projection V³ having a catch at its
extremity which when the guard is moved into or out of action engages with one or
other of the indentations of the spring V* firmly locking the guard.
Fig. 28 shews how the rod or guard V may be secured to the swivel piece V! by
means of an additional head-piece V2 provided with prongs, which may be rivetted
to the guard or rod V.
!
Figs. 29 and 30 are elevation and plan respectively of a further improved form
of shuttle guard, which is capable of being raised automatically in position to act,
as a shuttle guard when the loom is in motion but has to be lowered by the weaver,
when he so desires.
In Fig. 29, the guard is shewn lowered against the reed for the weaver to perform
!
:

page_text: his duties such as taking ends up et cetera: To get the guard W in this position; it
is struck down by the weaver, when the connecting rod or arm Wi carrying
Ushaped projecting piece W' (see Fig. 30) is thereby raised, causing one of the
U extremities to deflect the spring W. When the loom is set in motion, the other
extremity of the U projecting piece comes in contact with bent projection W4
adjustable in slot W, when the connecting rod or arm Wis at once depressed,.
and the guard W being banged up or raised in front of the sley, the rod or
projecting piece W2 falls into the detent W of spring or springs W, which then
assume their normal position, and the guard becomes firmly locked.
Fig. 31 illustrates the next part of our invention consisting of an improved form
of shuttle peg for holding bobbins or tubes thereon. X is the peg having a spiral
spring X³ near the shank X'. The tip of the peg is formed with a depressible
foot X centred on stud X³. In placing the bobbin or tube on the peg the
depressible foot X2 is knocked into the groove X but when in place the foot piece
is returned to the position shewn in the drawings. The spiral spring X' holds the
bobbin or tube firmly against depressible foot piece. X².
Our invention further relates to loom spindles and consists in forming the
spindle tubular instead of solid as heretofore and in filling the said tubular spindle
with a solid lubricant such as black lead or plumbago pulverized to a fine powder,
the spindle being perforated to permit of the lubricant finding its way to the
exterior of the spindle through the vibration of the parts and the motion of the
picker.
The spindle is plugged at its extremities with plugs of hard wood or fibre which
fit into the spindle stud and bear against the butt spring respectively.
Referring to Fig. 32 (Sheet 5) of the accompanying drawings Y is the tubular
spindle filled with pulverized plumbago and perforated with holes. Y¹. The said
tubular spindle is plugged at each end with plugs Y2 of hard wood or fibre, one of
the said plugs being fitted into a hole of the spindle stud Y3 whilst the other bears
against the butt spring Y4.
Our invention relates lastly to an improved device or tensional appliance to be
used in conjunction with the buffer straps of looms. Figs. 32 and 33 are elevation
and plan respectively of a loom shuttle box with this part of our invention applied.
Z is a bracket of novel construction secured to the sley. The said bracket is
formed with two vertical ribs or bars Z'.
Instead of the strap Z secured to buffer strap Z3 being attached direct to the
loom sley, it is coiled with a separate and independent band of leather one or more
times round the vertical rib or ribs of the bracket Z and the two straps secured
together by a peg Z' so that on the buffer strap being struck by the picker the
.said device will offer tensional resistance thereto owing to the coils of leather being
drawn together.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is.:-
1. The improved arrangement for weighting the cloth or piece roller of looms
substantially as described and illustrated in Fig. 1.
2. Slide piece A¹ operated by spring A³, catch A and rack A' substantially as
shewn and described for the purpose set forth.
3. The arrangement for dispensing with the use of bow springs of loose reed
looms, substantially as described and illustrated in Fig. 1.
4. The improved construction and arrangement of broken backs of circular
box looms and parts connected therewith substantially as described and illustrated
in Fig. 2.
5. The spring or yielding footstep for picking shaft in circular box looms
substantially as described and illustrated in Fig. 3 for the purpose specified.
6. The improved weighting or let-off motion represented in Figs. 4 and 5,

page_text: Consisting of friction plates for applying the requisite friction to the warp beam and
also means for automatically relieving the latter of weight to the amount required
as the warp is being diminished in size and taken up into the fabric substantially as
described and set forth.
7. The screw shaft E, weight E moved automatically as shewn, rocking
lever E retaining catch E operating catch Es and ratchet E substantially as
described for the purpose specified.
8. The improved weighting motion illustrated in Fig. 6 substantially as described
and shewn.
9. The improved construction and arrangement of adjustable slip catches for
taking up motions of looms substantially as described and illustrated in Figs. 7
and 8.
10. In circular box looms, lining the box with sheet metal, formed with ears J.
overlapping each other or other-wise so as to constitute the wings of such boxes
when star plates are fixed substantially as described and illustrated in Figs. 9, 10,.
and 11.
11. The improved arrangements for producing an automatic recoil in the taking--
up motion on stoppage of loom through absence or breakage of weft, substantially
as described and shewn in Figs. 13, 14 and 15.
12. The improved thumb stop M represented in Fig. 14 for stopping the loon
when weft is unbroken, substantially as described and set forth.
13. The improved attachment to picking stick for relieving picking band of
unequal strain or drag, substantially as described and illustrated in Figs. 16
and 17.
14. Forming weft fork prongs with flutings, grooves, or corrugations to.
strengthen them, and cause them to present a round and smooth surface to the weft,.
substantially as described and shewn in Fig. 18.
15. In an index machine, forming the cards with indentations or blanks on each
half of the card, and moving the pattern cylinder only half distance, so that one
card will serve for four picks, substantially as described and illustrated in Figs. 19.
and 20.
16. The improved fast and loose reed combinations substantially as described
and illustrated in Fig. 21.
17. The front rib or stay rod to strengthen and steady the duck bills,
substantially as described and illustrated in Fig. 21.
18. The improved brake appliances for looms, substantially as described and
illustrated in Figs. 21 and 22.
19. Wedge or pince piece S inclined on one of its sides, disc or rim S', inclined
face plate S, and means for returning the brake to its normal position, substantially
as described and illustrated in Figs. 21 and 22.
20. The improved shuttle guard represented in Figs. 23 and 24, substantially as
described and shewn in the drawings.
21. The means for preventing shuttles "flying out" of looms, substantially as
described and illustrated in Figs. 25 and 26.
22. The device for locking the guard in its extreme positions, substantially as
described and illustrated in Fig. 26.
23. The improved arrangement or shuttle guard arranged to swivel parallel to
the sley, and means for locking the said guard in position, substantially as described
and illustrated in Figs. 27 and 28.
24. The improved arrangement of shuttle guard, substantially as described and
shewn in Figs. 29 and 30.
25. The improved form and construction of shuttle peg for holding bobbins or
tubes, substantially as described and shewn in Fig. 31.
26. Forming loom spindles tubular, and filling the same with a pulverized solid
lubricant, and allowing such lubricant to gradually find its way to the exterior of
the spindle, substantially as described and set forth in Figs. 32 and 33.

page_text: i
27. The improved tensional appliance for giving increased elasticity to buffer
straps of looms, substantially as described and illustrated in Figs. 32 and 33.
Dated this 15th day of May 1894:
F. RICHMOND,
79, St. James Street, Burnley, Agent for Applicants.