IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
in the County of Middlesex, and of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."-A com-
munication from Gustave Bornèque, of Bavillers, in the Empire of
France, Manufacturer.
Sealed the 29th May 1855, and dated the 29th January 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
29th January 1855.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, and of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING,'
a communication from Gustave Bornèque, of Bavillers, in the Empire of
France, Manufacturer, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved construction and arrangement of
mechanism for actuating the drop boxes of looms, and consists in elevating the
drop box by means of a knife edge and hook or bolt, which are brought into
connection with each other when the drop box is to be elevated. The knife
edge is fitted inside a vertical sliding box or frame, which is connected by a
link or short connecting rod with an over-head lever; the other end of this

page_text: lever is connected to an adjustable rod, which is attached at its lower end to
a lever working on a fixed centre at one extremity.. This lever is connected
by a link to a second lever, placed at right angles to it, and this second lever
is depressed, when the elevation of the drop box is required, by a suitable
cam, carried on an intermediate shaft in the loom. This shaft is driven from
the tappet shaft of the loom by spur gearing, so arranged as to give the
requisite proportionate number of turns to the cam in relation to the move-
ments of the lay, by which means the change of shuttle may occur either at
every "beat up," or after any given number of beats of the lay, according to the
pattern or design to be produced. In front of the knife edge is fitted a look,
which is held back from, the knife edge when no change of the shuttle is
required, and this hook is connected to the drop box by a chain passing under
and over suitable guide pulleys.
The hook or other catch is brought forward so as to be over the knife edge
by means of an endless chain of pins or tappets, or perforated cards, somewhat
similar to those used in a jacquard machine. This tappet.chain is passed over
a rectangular or polygonal drum, which is caused, to turn and bring a fresh
link or card of the chain opposite the hook at each descent of the drop box.
This is effected by the same over-head lever which works the drop box. This
lever carries a short pendant rod or hook, which in its descent presses upon
a pin in a species of trundle wheel on the druni shaft, so that a partial turn
is given to the drum at each descent of the drop box.
The action of this apparatus is as follows, the drop box being made for two
shuttles only-The cam on the intermediate shaft, herein-before referred to,
by depressing the lower levers will elevate one end of the over-head lever, and
as this end is connected. with the box or. frame carrying the, knife' edge, it
follows that the knife edge will be elevated also. Then, if the hook or other
catch should happen to have been previously pushed forward or otherwise
brought over the knife edge, so as to engage itself with it by the tappet chain
or cards; it will of course be elevated with the knife edge, and the 'drop box,
which is connected by a chain with this hook, will be elevated accordingly,
thereby bringing the lower one of 'the two shuttles into action, which shuttle
will remain in action until the cam has released' the lower levers and allowed
them to rise, whereupon the knife edge will fall, and the drop box will resume
its original position again, the other shuttle remaining in action until another
tappet or pin has again brought the hook or catch in contact with the knife
edge.
"
11

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 28th July 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON,. of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
and of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the eighteenth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Henry Johnson, Her special license that me, the said John
Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, or 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 FOR WEAVING," a communication from Gustave
Borneque, of Bavillers, in the Empire of. France, Manufacturer, upon the.
condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Henry Johnson, by an.
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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 I, the said John Henry Johnson, do hereby.
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
The said Invention relates to an improved construction and arrangement of
mechanism for actuating the drop boxes of looms, and consists in elevating
the drop box by means of a knife edge and hook or bolt, which are brought into
connection with each other when the drop box is to be elevated. The knife
edge is fitted inside a vertical sliding box or frame, which is connected by a
link or short connecting rod with an over-head lever; the other end of this lever
is connected to an adjustable rod, which is attached at its lower end to a lever

page_text: working on a fixed centre at one extremity. This lever is connected by a link
to a second lever, placed at right angles to it, and this second lever is depressed,
when the clevation of the drop box is required, by a suitable cam, carried on
an intermediate shaft in the loom. This shaft is driven from the tappet shaft
of the loom by spur gearing, so arranged as to give the requisite proportionate
number of turns to the cam in relation to the movements of the lathe, by
which means the change of shuttle may occur either at every "beat up," or
after any given number of beats of the lathe, according to the pattern or design
to be produced. In front of the knife edge is fitted a hook, which is held back
from the knife edge when no change of shuttle is required, and this book is
connected to the drop box by a chain passing under and over suitable guide
pulleys. The hook or other catch is brought forward so as to be over the
knife edge by means of an endless chain of pins or tappets, or perforated cards,
somewhat similar to those used in a jacquard machine. This tappet chain is
passed over a rectangular or polygonal drum, which is caused to turn and
bring a fresh link or card of the chain opposite the hook at each descent of the
drop box. This is effected by the same over-head lever which works the drop
box; this lever carries a short pendant rod or hook, which in its descent presses
upon a pin in a species of trundle wheel on the drum shaft, so that a partial
turn is given to the drum at each descent of the drop box. The action of this
apparatus is as follows, the drop box being made for two shuttles only:-The
cam on the intermediate shaft, herein-before referred to, by depressing the lower
levers will elevate one end of the over-head lever, and as this end is connected
with the box or frame carrying the knife edge, it follows that the knife edge
will be elevated also; then if the hook or other catch should happen to have
been previously pushed forward or otherwise brought over the knife edge, so as
to engage itself with it by the tappet chain or cards, it will of course be elevated
with the knife edge, and the drop box, which is connected by a chain with this
hook will be elevated accordingly, thereby bringing the lower one of the two
shuttles into action, which shuttle will remain in action until the cam has
released the lower levers and allowed them to rise, whereupon the knife edge
will fall, and the drop box will resume its original position again, the upper
shuttle remaining in action until another tappet or pin has again brought the
hook or catch in contact with the knife edge.
And.in order that the said Invention may be more properly understood, I
shall now proceed to describe and refer to the several Figures on the Sheets
of. Drawings hereunto annexed.
Fig. 1, on Sheet 1 of the Drawings, represents a front elevation of a
portion of a loom, showing the mechanism for actuating the drop box, which

page_text: is arranged for two shuttles; Fig. 2, on the same Sheet of Drawings, is a
corresponding side elevation of the same; and Fig. 3 is a detail of a portion
of the mechanism detached.
The drop box mechanism is enclosed in a double box or frame, fitted on to
a suitable portion of the framing of the loom. The internal box A carries a
knife edge B, against which is pressed the hook C, which, being elevated by
the knife edge B, elevates also, by means of the chain D, the shuttle or drop
box E, to which the chain is attached. The whole of the movements of the
mechanism are obtained from a cam F, driven by the spur wheels G and G¹
fast on the tappet shaft.
The cam F depresses the two levers H and H', which, by means of the
rod J, made adjustable in length by the screw J¹, give motion to the vibrating
lever K, which actuates the internal box or frame A, which effects the rising
or falling of the drop boxes. This change of position of the drop box is
effected by the moveable or fixed knife edge B, which, according to the
arrangement of the curve F of the cam, and the relative number of teeth in
the spur wheels G and G', elevates or depresses the drop box after any
required number of picks, according to the particular pattern to be produced.
The knife edge B in rising takes with it or leaves behind it, as the case may
be, the hook C, according as this hook is pushed forward or not by the pro-
jecting pins or tappets L on the endless tappet chain M. As the chain D
connects this hook with the drop box E, it follows, that when the hook is
elevated the drop box will be elevated simultaneously, so as to bring the
shuttle on a level with the shuttle race.
The endless tappet chain M passes over and is actuated by the drum P,.
which receives its motion intermittantly from the vibrating lever K by means
of the hooked catch or pall N, (Fig. 3,) the downward movement of which is
regulated according to the pitch of the studs or pins in the trundle wheel O,
which should correspond to those of the drum P. The movement of the
trundle wheel occurs at the time when the lever K pushes down the internal
box A, carrying the knife edge to the bottom of the outer box O', so that a
tappet or link of the endless chain L may be brought in front of the hook C,.
and either push it on to the knife edge B, or leave it untouched, according as the
link may or may not be fitted with a stud or tappet L to push it forward. In
order to regulate and steady the rotation of the trundle wheel, a T piece Q is
placed beneath it, which is kept pushed upwards against the studs on the wheel
by the helical spring R. In this arrangement the hook is made so as to fall
backwards always by its own gravity, this construction being more simple;
but it may be made to fall forwards on to the knife edge if desired, the hook

page_text: being acted upon only or pushed from off the knife edge when the drop box
is not to be moved.
Fig. 1, on Sheet 2 of the Drawings, represents a front elevation of a
portion of a loom with a drop box adapted for four shuttles, shewing the
actuating mechanism; Fig. 2 is a corresponding, side elevation of the same,
partly in section; and Fig. 3 is a detail, shewing a portion of the actuating
mechanism detached.. For: working these, drop. boxes, the cam F of the
first arrangement, herein-before described, is still employed, as well as the
levers H, H³, and rod J; also the endless tappet chain M, knife edge B,
hook C, and trundle wheel O, with the hooked catch or pall N, (Fig. 3,) sliding
box A, and fixed outer box O¹; all of which pieces of mechanism have been
herein-before described, and need not therefore be described under the second
arrangement, which consists of a new form of the outer box enclosing the
sliding box A, the motion being imparted to this latter box by graduated
levers. The outer box enclosing the sliding box A in the first arrangement
contained but one box and one knife edge, whilst the. present box O¹ contains
five inner boxes and knife edges, and may be made to contain more, according
to the number of shuttles to be used in the loom. The knife edge and its
box A, placed in the centre of the outer box, serves to raise the drop box to
the height of the second shuttle; the boxes and knife edges T, T¹, on each
side of the first box bring up the third shuttle into action, and the boxes and
knife edges U. U¹, placed at the ends of the outer box, bring up the fourth
shuttle to the level of the shuttle race. It will thus be readily understood
that any required number of shuttles may be used by simply increasing the
number of the actuating pieces of mechanism, and making the drop box
accordingly. In place of using five sliding boxes and knife edges for actuating
four shuttles, three knife edges and boxes only need be employed, but this
construction would be more liable to derangement, as the drop box would not
be certain of always being presented to the race perfectly parallel or straight.
In the two-shuttle arrangement, Sheet:1, one lever K only is used, having
only one box A to elevate; but in this second arrangement as many levers
are required as there are boxes, the levers being indicated by the letters
K', K², V, V³, and Y. They are all placed on the same common fulcrum to
raise each their respective box to the desired height: In place of using an
endless tappet chain, as illustrated" in the Drawings, for bringing the drop
boxes into action, perforated cards may be employed.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried'
into effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict

page_text: myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of the said Invention; but what
I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,→
First, the general arrangement and construction of machinery or apparatus
for actuating the drop boxes of looms, as herein-before described.
Second, the peculiar construction and arrangement of mechanism for
working two or more shuttles, and in the application of such mechanism to
power looms, as herein-before described.
Third, the application and use of a hook and knife edge, actuated by a
tappet chain or perforated cards, for working the drop boxes of looms, as
herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of July, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.B.)

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
in the County of Middlesex, and of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."-A com-
munication from Gustave Bornèque, of Bavillers, in the Empire of
France, Manufacturer.
Sealed the 29th May 1855, and dated the 29th January 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
29th January 1855.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, and of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING,"
a communication from Gustave Bornèque, of Bavillers, in the Empire of
France, Manufacturer, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved construction and arrangement of
mechanisin for actuating the drop boxes of looms, and consists in elevating the
drop box by means of a knife edge and hook or bolt, which are brought into
connection with each other when the drop box is to be elevated. The knife
edge is fitted inside a vertical sliding box or frame, which is connected by
link or short connecting rod with an over-head lever; the other end of this

page_text: 4.
lever is connected to an adjustable rod, which is attached at its lower end to
a lever working on a fixed centre at one extremity. This lever is connected
by a link to a second lever, placed at right angles to it, and this second lever
is depressed, when the elevation of the drop box is required, by a suitable
cam, carried on an intermediate shaft in the loom. This shaft is driven from
the tappet shaft of the loom by spur gearing, so arranged as to give the
requisite proportionate number of turns to the cam in relation to the move-
ments of the lay, by which means the change of shuttle may occur either at
every "beat up," or after any giver number of beats of the lay, according to the
pattern or design to be produced. In front of the knife edge is fitted a hook,
which is held back from, the knife edge when no change of the shuttle is
required, and this hook is connected to the drop box by a chain passing under
and over suitable guide pulleys.
a
The hook or other catch is brought forward so as to be over the knife edge
by means of an endless chain of pins or tappets, or perforated cards, somewhat
similar to those, used in a jacquard machine. This tappet chain is passed over
rectangular or polygonal drum, which is caused. to turn and bring a fresh
link or card of the chain opposite the hook at each descent of the drop b
This is effected by the same over-head lever which works the drop box. This
lever carries a short pendant rod or hook, which in its descent presses upon
a pin in a species of trundle wheel on the druni shaft, so that a partial túrn
is given to the drum at each descent of the drop box.
....
r
box.
The action of this apparatus is as follows, the drop box being made for two
shuttles only-The cam on the intermediate shaft, herein-before referred to,
by depressing the lower levers will elevate one end of the over-head lever, and
as this end is, connected with the box or frame carrying the knife edge, it
follows that the knife edge will be elevated also. Then, if the hook or other
catch should happen to have been previously pushed forward or otherwise
brought over the knife edge, so as to engage itself with it by the tappet chain
or cards, it will of course be elevated with the knife edge, and the drop box,
which is connected by a chain with this hook, will be elevated accordingly,
thereby bringing the lower one of the two shuttles into action, which shuttle
will remain in action until the cam has released the lower levers and allowed
them to rise, whereupon the knife edge will fall, and the drop box will resume
its original position again, the other shuttle remaining in action until another
tappet or pin has again brought the hook or catch in contact with the knife
edoe
.....
21.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 28th July 1855.
זי
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS, SHALL, COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON; of, 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields,, in the County of Middlesex,
and of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters:
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the eighteenth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors; give and grant unto me,.
the said John Henry Johnson, Her special license that me, the said Johns
Henry Johnson, my executors; administrators, and assigns, or such others.
as.I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, or 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 FOR WEAVING," a communication from Gustave
Borneque, of Bavillers, in the Empire of France, Manufacturer, upon the,
condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Henry Johnson, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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 I, the. said John Henry Johnson, do hereby,
declare the nature of the said Invention, and, in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described, and ascertained in and by the
following, statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and
to the letters and figures. marked thereon, that is to say:
The said Invention relates to an improved;.construction and. arrangement of
mechanism for actuating the drop boxes of looms, and consists in elevating:
the drop box by means of a knife edge and hook or bolt, which are brought into
connection with each other, when the, drop box is to be elevated. The knife.
edge is fitted inside a vertical sliding box or frame, which is connected by 'a,
link or short connecting rod with an over-head lever; the other end of this lever
is connected to a an adjustable rod; which is attached at its lower end, to a lever,

page_text: working on a fixed centre at one extremity. This lever is connected by a link
to a second lever, placed at right angles to it, and this second lever is depressed,
when the clevation of the drop box is required, by a suitable cam, carried on
an intermediate shaft in the loom. This shaft is driven from the tappet shaft
of the loom by spur gearing, so arranged as to give the requisite proportionate
number of turns to the cam in relation to the movements of the lathe, by
which means the change of shuttle may occur either at every "beat up," or
after any given number of beats of the lathe, according to the pattern or design
to be produced. In front of the knife edge is fitted a hook, which is held back
from the knife edge when no change of shuttle is required, and this book is
connected to the drop box by a chain passing under and over suitable guide
pulleys. The hook or other catch is brought forward so as to be over the
knife edge by means of an endless chain of pins or tappets, or perforated cards,
somewhat similar to those used in a jacquard machine. This tappet chain is
passed over a rectangular or polygonal drum, which is caused to turn and
bring a fresh link or card of the chain opposite the hook at each descent of the
drop box. This is effected by the same over-head lever which works the drop
box; this lever carries a short pendant rod or hook, which in its descent presses
upon a pin in a species of trundle wheel on the drum shaft, so that a partial
turn is given to the drum at each descent of the drop box. The action of this
apparatus is as follows, the drop box being made for two shuttles only:-The
cam on the intermediate shaft, herein-before referred to, by depressing the lower
levers will elevate one end of the over-head lever, and as this end is connected
with the box or frame carrying the knife edge, it follows that the knife edge
will be elevated also; then if the hook or other catch should happen to have
been previously pushed forward or otherwise brought over the knife edge, so as
to engage itself with it by the tappet chain or cards, it will of course be elevated
with the knife edge, and the drop box, which is connected by a chain with this
hook will be elevated accordingly, thereby bringing the lower one of the two
shuttles into action, which shuttle will remain in action until the cam has
released the lower levers and allowed them to rise, whereupon the knife edge
will fall, and the drop box will resume its original position again, the upper
shuttle remaining in action until another tappet or pin has again brought the
hook or catch in contact with the knife edge.
And in order that the said Invention may be more properly understood, I
shall now proceed to describe and refer to the several Figures on the Sheets
of Drawings hereunto annexed.
Fig. 1, on Sheet 1 of the Drawings, represents a front clevation of a
portion of a loom, shewing the mechanism for actuating the drop box, which

page_text: is arranged for two shuttles; Fig. 2, on the same Sheet of Drawings, is a
corresponding side elevation of the same; and Fig. 3 is a detail of a portion
of the mechanism detached.
The drop box mechanism is enclosed in a double box or frame, fitted on to
a suitable portion of the framing of the loom. The internal box A carries a
knife edge B, against which is pressed the hook C, which, being elevated by
the knife edge B, elevates also, by means of the chain D; the shuttle or drop
box E, to which the chain is attached. The whole of the movements of the
mechanism are obtained from a cam F, driven by the spur wheels G and G¹
fast on the tappet shaft.
The cam F depresses the two levers H and H', which, by means of the
rod J, made adjustable in length by the screw J', give motion to the vibrating
lever K, which actuates the internal box or frame A, which effects the rising
or falling of the drop boxes. This change of position of the drop box is
effected by the moveable or fixed knife edge B, which, according to the
arrangement of the curve F of the cam, and the relative number of teeth in
the spur wheels G and G', elevates or depresses the drop box after any
required number of picks, according to the particular pattern to be produced.
The knife edge B in rising takes with it or leaves behind it, as the case may
be, the hook C, according as this hook is pushed forward or not by the pro-
jecting pins or tappets L on the endless tappet chain M. As the chain D
connects this hook with the drop box E, it follows, that when the hook is
elevated the drop box will be elevated simultaneously, so as to bring the
shuttle on a level with the shuttle race.
The endless tappet chain M passes over and is actuated by the drum P,
which receives its motion intermittantly from the vibrating lever K by means
of the hooked catch or pall N, (Fig. 3,) the downward movement of, which is
regulated according to the pitch of the studs or pins in the trundle wheel O,
which should correspond to those of the drum P. The movement of the
trundle wheel occurs at the time when the lever K pushes down the internal
box A, carrying the knife edge to the bottom of the outer box O', so that a
tappet or link of the endless chain L may be brought in front of the hook C,
and either push it on to the knife edge B, or leave it untouched, according as the
link may or may not be fitted with a stud or tappet L to push it forward. In
order to regulate and steady the rotation of the trundle wheel, a T piece Q is
placed beneath it, which is kept pushed upwards against the studs on the wheel
by the helical spring R. In this arrangement the hook is made so as to fall
backwards always by its own gravity, this construction being more simple;
but it may be made to fall forwards on to the knife edge if desired, the hook

page_text: * being acted upon only or pushed from off the knife edge when the drop box
is not to be moved.
;
Fig. 1, on Sheet 2 of the Drawings, represents a front elevation of a
portion of a loom with a drop, box adapted for four shuttles, shewing the
actuating mechanism; Fig. 2 is a corresponding, side elevation of the same,
partly in section; and Fig. 3 is a detail, shewing a portion of the actuating
mechanism detached. For. working these drop boxes, the cam F of the
first arrangement, herein-before described, is still employed, as well as the
levers H, H, and rod J; also the endless tappet chain M, knife edge B,
hook C, and trundle wheel O, with the hooked catch or pall N, (Fig. 3,) sliding
box A, and fixed outer box O'; all of which pieces of mechanism have been
herein-before described, and need not therefore be described under the second
arrangement, which consists of a new form of the outer box enclosing the
sliding box A, the motion being imparted to this, latter box by graduated
levers. The outer box enclosing the sliding box A in the first arrangement
contained but one, box and one knife edge, whilst the-present box O' contains
five inner boxes and knife edges, and may be made to contain more, according
to the number of shuttles to be used in the loom. The knife edge and its
box A, placed in the centre of the outer box, serves to raise the drop box to
the height of the second shuttle; the boxes and knife edges T, T', on each
side of the first box bring up the third shuttle into action, and the boxes and
knife edges U, U, placed at the ends of the outer box, bring up the fourth
shuttle to the level of the shuttle race. It will thus be readily understood
that any required number of shuttles may be used by simply increasing the
number of the actuating pieces of mechanism, and, making the drop box
accordingly. In place of using five sliding boxes and knife edges for actuating
four shuttles, three knife edges and boxes only need; be employed, but this
construction would be more liable to derangement; as the drop box. would not
be certain of always being presented to the race perfectly parallel or straight.
In the two-shuttle arrangement, Sheet 1, one lever K only is used, having
only one box A to elevate; but in this second arrangement as many levers
are required as there are boxes, the levers; being indicated by. the. letters
K', K², V, V, and Y. They are all placed on the same common fulcrum to
raise each their respective box to the desired height:. In place, of using an
endless tappet chain, as illustrated in the Drawings, for bringing the drop
boxes. into action, perforated cards may be employed."
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the, same is or may be used or carried i
into effect, I would observe,, in, conclusion, that, I do not confine or restrict

page_text: myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of the said Invention; but what
I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
First, the general arrangement and construction of machinery or apparatus
for actuating the drop boxes of looms, as herein-before described.
Second, the peculiar construction and arrangement of mechanism for
working two or more shuttles, and in the application of such mechanism to
power looms, as herein-before described.
Third, the application and use of a hook and knife edge, actuated by a
tappet chain or perforated cards, for working the drop boxes of looms, as
herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of July, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)