IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to David Chalmers, of the City of Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Machinist, and John Theophilus Swallow, of the
same Place, Cotton Waste Dealer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN LOOMS."
Sealed the 12th October 1858, and dated the 17th April 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said David Chalmers and John
Theophilus Swallow at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 17th April 1858.
We, DAVID CHALMERS, of the City of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Machinist, and JOHN THEOPHILUS SWALLOW, of the same Place,
Cotton Waste Dealer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS," to be as follows:-
Firstly, to the shuttle box motion in which cards are employed for changing
the pattern, and a stationary catch to turn the cylinder. We now propose to
lift off the aforesaid catch directly the loom stops, by placing it at the end of
a shaft, having an arm or lever with its upper part in contact with the weft
lever, so that when the latter comes forward the catch is thrown off, and no
motion given to the card cylinder, thereby thus preventing inconvenience and
loss of time caused by the necessity of turning back the cards as hitherto
adopted.

page_text: Secondly, we employ an improved arrangement of cards for forming the
pattern. Instead of linking them together according to the present plan, we
attach them at the required intervals or distances to two belts of leather, or
other suitable material, in eyelet holes to save wear, and thus produce a
continuous pattern of extreme lightness, obviating the necessity of using so
many cards as in the modes heretofore adopted.
Thirdly, we use an improved shedding motion for working any required
number of healds. At the upper part of the loom we place two slides or
knives working in guides in the usual manner, their alternate action being
given by bell cranks or levers connected by rods, all moving together by being
connected with another lever to a treddle or tappet. The rods which connect
the bell cranks are extended so as to form bearings for a card cylinder, which
moves to and fro with the cranks, thereby giving motion to the cards, the
latter acting against wires or pins connected to hooks attached to the healds;
the alternate movement of the cylinder, in conjunction with the reverse action
of the two cranks, enables us to employ but one card for two picks, thus
obtaining a great economy of material and time, and also of working a large
number of healds in an easy and expeditious manner. Whenever the loom
stops, a handle works the clutch connected with the tappet or tappets, and
throws the tappet out of gear, so that the twill will not be lost when the loom
is again started.
Fourthly, we also attach an arm or lever to the shaft connected to the fly
reed, so that when the shuttle is lodged in the warp and the reed goes back,
the said arm or lever may rise up and come in contact with the frog, and stop
the loom before a second shuttle could pass. The aforesaid arrangements
may be applied to rising and falling, common drop box, quadrant, or revolving
shuttle boxes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said David Chalmers and John Theophilus Swallow in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 16th October 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, DAVID
CHALMERS, of the City of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Machinist,
and JOHN THEOPHILUS SWALLOW, of the same Place, Cotton Waste Dealer,
send greeting.
8
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters 3
Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of April, in the year of our

page_text: Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-first year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and. successors, give and grant unto
us, the said David Chalmers and John Theophilus Swallow, Her especial
license that we, the said David Chalmers and John Theophilus Swallow,
our executors. administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said
David Chalmers and John Theophilus Swallow, our executors, administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that we, the said David Chalmers and John Theophilus Swallow, our executors,
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our, their, or one of our
or their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said David Chalmers and John Theophilus
Swallow, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement and the accompanying Drawings
(that is to say):
Our improvements consist, first, in a new or improved mode of working the
heddles of power looms, applicable to the purpose of weaving various kinds of
twilled or figured fabrics; and second in improvements in the mode of
actuating the shuttle boxes in drop box looms where a number of shuttles are
used.
In order to make our Invention more clearly understood, we have hereunto
annexed two Sheets of Drawings marked I. and II., to which and to the letters
and figures of reference marked thereon, the following description relates,
the same letter or letters and figures conjoined indicating in all cases the same
parts of the machinery or apparatus. It must be observed that those parts of
the loom which do not relate to our Invention are omitted in order to prevent
confusion, and also that only so much of the framework is shown as is
necessary for the purpose of elucidation.
Figs. 1 and 2 represent our improved mode of actuating the heddles of
power looms. A, A, two cross bars at the lower part of the loom, which
support two pieces of framework A', A', which again support the moving

page_text: parts of the apparatus; B and B', two shafts or axes, at the extremities of
which are fixed two pairs of compound levers (one pair being on each side
of the frame), each consisting of three arms. The lower arms of these levers
are connected together by the connecting rods B2, so that the levers move at
the same time with a corresponding motion; B³, B³, two other rods con-
necting the upper arms of the compound levers from which they receive
motion; these rods B³, B³, carry the square axis B, which is similar in its
construction and operation to the square axis or batten of the jacquard loom,
and round which passes a chain of cards or plates in a similar manner;
B³, B, two sets of needles similar in their action to the needles of a jacquard
loom, but of a much stronger and more substantial construction; B° and B',
two systems of hooks in pairs, which are attached by cords or wires to the
lower shafts of the heddles, there being a pair or two corresponding hooks to
each heddle; one of these hooks is shewn separately in Fig. 3; B and Bº,
two other pairs of arms of the compound levers which carry the knives or
blades B and B", which move in guides in the two pieces of framework
A¹, A¹; the knife B acting upon the system of hooks B, and the knife B"
acting upon the system of hooks B'; B12, an arm on the axis B, which
receives a vibratory motion from a cam or eccentric on the tappet shaft of
the loom, and through which the mechanism is put in motion; B¹³, the
square at the extremity of the square axis B, which is acted upon by the
hook B, and held by a hammer and spring in the usual manner. From
the description it will be seen that the compound levers make a vibration
upwards or downwards for each shoot of the shuttle, and the square axis B*
acts alternately on each set of the needles B, B³, and also that the two
systems of hooks B and B are in like manner respectively acted upon
alternately by the knives B and B", those hooks which are not required to
be taken down being moved clear of the knives by the action of the needles.
Each card or plate thus acts twice in its passage over the square axis, that is,
first on one set of the needles and then on the other, there being two rows
of holes in the square axis for this purpose, and the pattern on the cards or
plates arranged to correspond; one half the number of cards or plates for
any pattern being only necessary to what would be required if the cards or
plates were arranged to act in the ordinary manner. The operation of this
arrangement of the apparatus is only to depress the heddles, those heddles
which are not depressed being raised by springs or jacks (in the usual
manner) in order to form the sheed for the passage of the shuttle. In cases
where it is required to form the sheed without the assistance of springs, we
make use of a double hook, as shown in Fig. 4. These hooks are attached

page_text: to the lowermost heald shaft, as shown in the Figure, and the two heald
shafts are coupled together at the ends by means of thin plates, and when in
action are steadied by means of guides. The action of the knives on the
hooks in this case is to raise as well as to depress them, the other parts of
the mechanism being varied to correspond. Fig. 5 represents our mode of
stopping the motion of the square axis B on its axis the moment the weft
breaks; B is a tube turning loose on a rod; this tube is in connection with
the weft motion, and carries at one end the lever B, which is carried down-
wards in a curved form, so that the extremity takes into a loop or filbow on
the hook B. When the loom is at work, the lever B¹ does not interfere
with the operation of the hook B, but the moment the weft breaks, the
lever B¹ lifts the catch B", so that it does not act upon the square B¹³, and
the square axis ceases to turn, and consequently the chain of card ceases to
advance, and thus the necessity of the operative turning the chain of cards
back (in order to prevent a break in the pattern) before he again starts the
loom is obviated. It will be seen that this apparatus is equally applicable to
the jacquard loom in the same manner. Instead of actuating the apparatus
by the lever B and the can or eccentric, as described, we sometimes perform
the same by means of two cams on the tappet shaft, which act on two friction
rollers, which turn on two studs, forming a continuous double lever keyed.
on to the shaft B or B'. By placing the cams near to or farther from the.
shaft B or B', the depth of the sheed may be increased or diminished. We
do not confine ourselves to placing this apparatus under the loom, but
occasionally place it above or at the side, and also combine it with jacks, as
may be required. This apparatus is shewn in the Drawing as applied only to
work five heddles, but may obviously be applied to a greater or less number,
if required.
The second part of our Invention, which relates to improvements in the
mode of actuating the shuttle boxes in drop-box looms, will be understood:
from Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10; Fig. 6 representing a side view of the apparatus,
and Fig. 7 a front view of the same. A, A, portions of the framework of
the loom; A3, A3, framework of the apparatus; C, an eccentric at the end
of the tappet shaft, which actuates by means of a connecting rod the bent
lever C, which is supported by the fixing A, at the other end of which is a
square axis or batten C³, round which passes the chain or series of cards or
plates, by the action of which the change of the shuttles is effected; C³, the
square by which square axis is held, by means of a hammer and spring in
the usual manner. At the other end of the axis is another square C*, by
which coming in contact with the catch C³ the square axis is moved forward

page_text: at each vibration of the bent lever C¹. This catch C³ hangs downward from
the letting back rod C, by which the catch is taken out of the way of the
square C when the weft breaks or the loom stops, and the forward motion
of the square axis is immediately stopped, by which any break in the pattern
is prevented. D, D, D, three lifters or sliders, which are lifted by the cards
or plates in the same manner as the needles are acted upon in jacquard looms;
these lifters are shown separately in Figs. 8, 9, and 10, and it will be seen
that they are each furnished with two arms, at the ends of which are pro-
jections or prongs, which are different in each. In Fig. 9 the prongs are
both of the same height, whilst in Figs. 8 and 10 they are of different heights,
and in the one the reverse of the other. .D', a vibrating frame, which consists
of two double arms and turns on the axis D³; the arms are connected by
means of two bars, which stand immediately over the prongs on the lifters,
the effect of which is that when a lifter is raised it places the vibrating frame
in a certain position, and holds it firmly in that position as long as the lifter is
held up, and this position is different according to the lifter which happens
to be raised. At one end of the axis D is an arm D³, which is connected by
the connecting rod D to the upright arm of the lever D³; from this lever
proceeds the rod D, the other end of which is attached to the shuttle boxes
at D. From this it will be clear that the position of the shuttle boxes will
depend upon the lifter which happens to be raised, but as the lifter drops
down again at the next vibration of the bent lever C, therefore the lever D³
and the shuttle boxes D7 have to be retained until the shuttle in use has to
be changed, which is effected by the retaining or locking lever E³ in the
following manner :-E, a catch turning on a stud on the locking lever E³,
and which takes hold of a stud or pin on the framework of the loom, and thus
firmly holds the locking lever in the position shewn in the Figure. At the
lower end of the locking lever are as many notches as there shuttle boxes
in the loom, in one of which the end of the lever D is retained; but when
the shuttle has to be changed, the lever D³ has to be released from the locking
lever E³, which is effected in the following manner:-The catch E is furnished
with a counterpiece or tail which terminates in an inclined plane; this
inclined plane is acted upon by the lower end of the lever E', which forms a
half joint, so that the lever acts upon the inclined plane when it moves
forward, but not when it moves backwards. The lever E' is keyed on to the
axis E, from which projects a thin blade or leaf of metal shewn by dotted
lines in Figure 6. At the lower end of the sliders D, D, D, are projections D³
(see Figs. 8, 9, and 10); when a slider rises its projection takes hold of the
leaf and turns the axis E, and consequently the lever E³ acts upon the inclined

page_text: plane, and the catch E is detached from its pin, and the locking lever E³ is
released and is drawn backwards by the action of the spring-E7, one end
of which attached to the framework, and the other to a pin on the catch E.
This operation takes place when any one of the sliders rises, and consequently
the lever D is released, so as to be placed in a fresh position, as already
described, which being done it is again locked in the following manner:-On
the tappet shaft is an eccentric E', which actuates a connecting rod E³, at the
other end of which is a loop, which plays on a pin on the locking lever E³,
and this connecting rod acting at the proper time pulls the locking lever
forward, and the catch E* again taking hold of its pin the lever D is secured
in its new position until that has again to be changed, as already described.
Instead of actuating the square C by the catch C³ as described, we also, as
occasion may require, actuate it from the tappet shaft by means of a cam or
eccentric, which acts upon it through the medium of a rod and catch.
From what has been said, it will be clear that the cards or plates only act
upon the sliders D, D, D, when the shuttle has to be changed, and consequently
all the intermediate cards or plates have to be perforated just the same as the
square axis itself. We, however, dispense with the intermediate cards or plates
altogether in the following manner :-One or two bands of listing, either of tapc,
leather, or india-rubber material, or other fabric, are provided, which are perfo-
rated, and eyelets inserted at the proper distance to receive the projecting pins
on the square axis, and on this band or bands are fixed at the proper places the
cards or plates by which the lifters are to be raised and the shuttle changed.
We also vary the mode of changing the pattern in the following manner :-
We form the cards or plates which are to make the changes into one con-
tinuous chain, and act to turn the square axis only, when a change has to be
made; this we effect by taking the catch which acts upon the square C+, com-
pletely clear of it, except when a change has to be made, and this is done by
means of a small lever or arm on the letting back rod, which is lifted as may
be required by means of prominences on a chain or listing, which is moved
forward at a regular speed by means of a worm wheel, and worm or catch
wheel, or toothed wheels as may be convenient. Where the pattern is long,
we pass the band over a series of rollers forming two tiers, the band going
over the top rollers and under the bottom ones; one or both sets of the rollers
being driven by pinions or worm wheels, and worms or straps, or bands, in
order to propel forward the band of listing. The same arrangement we also
use as occasion may require to feed forward the chain or series of cards, or
band or bands before described. It will be seen that the apparatus as
described is shewn in a case where three shuttles only are used, but we do

page_text: not confine ourselves to that number, as a great or less number may be
used by using a corresponding number of lifters, and making corresponding
alterations in the other parts of the apparatus.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, we hereby declare that what we claim as
new and of our Invention, is as follows:-
In respect to the first part of our Invention, we claim,
First, the application and adaptation of the compound levers turning on the
centres B and B', as shewn in Figs. 1 and 2, and herein described.
Second, we claim the application and adaptation of the square axis B+, which
acts on both the sets of needles B, B, and also the cards or plates constructed
and arranged so that each card acts twice, that is, first one set of the needles
B, B, and then on the other set, as shewn in Figs. 1 and 2, and herein
described.
Third, we claim the application and adaptation of the hook shewn in Fig. 4,
and herein described.
Fourth, we claim the application and adaptation of the apparatus shewn in
Fig. 5, for lifting the catch off the square in order to stop the motion of the
square axis when the weft breaks, as herein described.
Fifth, we also claim the application and adaptation of the same apparatus
to the jacquard loom, as herein described.
In respect to the second part of our Invention, we claim,-
Sixth, the application and adaptation of the lifters D, D, D, as shewn sepa-
rately in Figs. 8, 9, and 10, also the application and adaptation of the vibrating
frame D¹, and its combination with the lifters D, D, D, as described.
Seventh, we claim the application and adaptation of the retaining or locking
lever E³, as shewn in Fig. 6, and herein described.
Eighth, we claim the application and adaptation of the unlocking apparatus,
that is, the combination of the catch E, the lever Es, and the axis E', with its
leaf or blade as shewn in Fig. 6, and therein described.
Ninth, we claim the application and adaptation of the locking apparatus,
that is, the combination of the eccentric E¹, and connecting rod E³, as shewn
in Fig. 6, and herein described.
Tenth, we claim the application and adaptation of the band of listing, for
conveying the cards or plates for raising the sliders, as herein described.
Eleventh, we claim the application and adaptation of the small lever on the
letting back rod in conjunction with the chain or listing, and its prominences
for throwing the catch, which turns the square into geer when required, as
herein described.

page_text: Twelfth, we also claim the application and adaptation of the two tiers of
rollers for conveying the band of listing, or the chain or listing, and its pro-
minences as heroin described
In witness whereof, I, the said John Theophilus Swallow, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Theophilus Swallow, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
JOHN THEOPHILUS SWALLOW. (L.S.)
Signed by the within-named John Theo-
philus Swallow, in the presence of
JOHN POTTER, C. E.,
9, Corporation Street,
Manchester.