IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING NARROW FABRICS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Bradbury, of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR
WEAVING NARROW FABRICS."
Scaled the 28th November 1876, and dated the 6th June 1870
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Bradbury at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th June 1876.
WILLIAM BRADBURY, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING NARROW FABRICS."
My Invention relates to the looms employed in the weaving of narrow fabrics,
such as tapes and ribbons. In such looms several tapes or ribbons are woven in
one loom at the same time, but as constructed previously to my Invention the
weaving of all the tapes or ribbons has ceased when the loom has been stopped
to attend to some requirements in the weaving of one tape or ribbon. To remedy
this defect is the object of my said Invention.
To this end I actuate the several parts of the loom by means of arms, discs, or
parts mounted on a rocking shaft, and I provide means whereby any one arm, disc,
or part can be disconnected from the said shaft so as to cease to be actuated by
the shaft at any time, and so long as may be required.
In the arrangement which I consider most suitable discs are fixed upon the
said shaft, and in the said discs are formned notches with which engage studs
which are fitted to slide in or on arms which are mounted on the said shaft. A
lever is arranged to retain each stud within its notch, and to withdraw the stud
from the notch to stop the action of the arm and to return the stud to the said
notch when the motion of the arm is to recommence. Each arm is connected by
meaus of a link or pair of links with a lever to which the reed is attached, the
arrangement constituting a "toggle-joint," the effect being that the reed is caused to
vibrate to and fro to beat up the weft. The healds are actuated by the vibrating
arins or links. Upon the beating-up lever are mounted two arms, the upper ends
of which are formed to receive the shuttle. As the said lever moves to and fro the
said arms are caused to vibrate by means of fixed inclines, or by other suitable
means, so that their upper ends approach each other within the opened sheet. Each
arm is fitted with a spring or catch, which is formed to engage with a projection or
notch on the shuttle. When the upper ends of the said arms approach each other
Price Gidl

page_text: the spring on one arm passes under the spring which at the time may have hold of
the shuttle, and engages with the shuttle, the effect being that the shuttle is moved
to and fro through the warp. To take up the woven fabric I employ a roller, which
is actuated by means of a pinion, which engages with two spur wheels differing
slightly in the numbers of their teeth, one wheel being fixed, and the pinion being
carried by an arm around the two wheels. The said pinion receives motion from
the vibrating arm by means of a cord, strap, or chain which actuates a ratchet wheel,
or by means of two cords arranged to hold and slip alternately, as previously used
in looms, or by other suitable means. In lieu of this arrangement all the taking-up
rollers may be driven by a common roller or shaft, from which any roller would
be disengaged by the action of arresting the movement of the beating-up lever and
connected parts.
I may employ ordinary arrangements for letting off the warp and for winding
the woven fabrics on bobbins, or I may employ the arrangements described as
follows, and which are also applicable to other or ordinary descriptions of looms
for weaving narrow fabrics. The warp passes from the warp bobbin partly around
a pulley, which is mounted on a lever, which is acted upon by a spring to impart
the requesite tension to the warp. A second spring acts to brake the warp bobbin
to restrain the delivery of the warp. When the first-named spring has been
extended to the fixed limit a strain is put upon a cord which acts upon the second
spring so as to relieve the warp bobbin to some extent, whereby a length of warp
is permitted to be let off. Weights may be substituted for the said springs. To
wind on the woven fabric the said fabric passes from the taking-up roller partly
around the bobbin and back again partly around the said taking-up roller, the fabric
being thus wound around the bobbin and the taking-up roller once, twice, or as often
as found to be most suitable. I prefer to mount the said bobbin upon a stud or
pin, which is fixed to an arm which is jointed to the framing. The weight of the
said arm, or a weight or spring fixed to or acting on the said arm, tends to move the
bobbin away from the taking-up roller, and so to keep the extended fabric tight.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said William Bradbury in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th Decem-
ber 1870.
WILLIAM BRADBURY, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING NARROW FABRICS."
My Invention relates to the looms employed in the weaving of narrow fabrics,
such as tapes and ribbons. In such looms several tapes or ribbons are woven in
one loom at the same time, but as ordinarily constructed previously to my Inven-
tion the weaving of all the tapes or ribbons has ceased when the loom has been
stopped to attend to some requirement in the weaving of one tape or ribbon. To
remedy this defect is the principal object of my Invention.
To this end I actuate the several parts of the loom by means of arms or discs or
parts mounted on a working shaft, and I provide means whereby any one arm,
disc, or part can be disconnected from the said shaft so far as to cease to be
actuated by the shaft at any time, and so long as may be required, and I employ
novel or modified arrangements for effecting the various operations of the loom, as
will bo herein-after described.
And in order that my Invention may be fully understood, I have appended
hereunto two Sheets of Drawings marked with letters of reference, corresponding
marks indicating the same parts in the various Figures.
Referring in this place to Sheet 1 of the said Drawings, Fig. 1 drawn about one-
fourth of the full size represents a side elevation of the parts employed in the
weaving of one tape or ribbon. The end frames or loom sides are not shown in
the Figure to avoid confusion, and may be of an ordinary character. The said
loom sides support cross rails A, B, which, in the example, are made of wood, and

page_text: which sustain the various parts, with the exception of the central shaft C, which
is mounted in bearings formed in or fixed to the loom sides. On the said shaft
are fixed discs D, and on each side of each disc is mounted an arm E.
Fig. 2 is a plan representing a portion of the said shaft with a number of the
said discs and arms. Each disc is formed with two diametrically opposite notches,
and each arm is fitted with a sliding bolt A, which is formed to enter a notch in
the disc.
To the cross-rails A are attached a number of frame castings F, one only shewing
in Fig. 1. Corresponding frames are secured on the right hand of the central
shaft, as indicated by the dotted lines, the loom represented being supposed to be a
double loom having complete tape looms arranged on both sides of the central shaft.
Each of the said frames sustains parts for weaving two tapes, the said parts being
arranged on each side of the frame, as seen in Fig. 3, which represents a front
clevation of one of the frames and certain of the attached parts. To oach frame
are secured double studs, which project from each side of the frame and sustain
the levers and parts for the two looms. The frames F are arranged in rows on
each side of the central shaft at a distance apart which will permit of the indepen-
dant action of each loom in the series, and any number of looms which may be
considered suitable in each case may be combined together so as to be actuated
by the one central shaft, but to avoid repetition I will describe the parts of one
loom only.
A lever G is mounted on a stud, and is connected by links b with the end of an
arm E, the arrangement forming a "toggle joint." The shaft C is caused to rock or
vibrate, and the lever G is thereby caused to vibrate to and fro, and to make a
double or to-and-fro movement of the arm E. A lever c is mounted on a stud and
is formed with a curved slot, into which enters a stud which projects from the sliding
bolt a.
To the lower end of this lever is jointed a rod d, by means of which the
said lever can be drawn from or pushed towards the central shaft. When moved
in a direction away from the shaft the said lever acts upon the stud in the bolt a
and withdraws the end of the said bolt from the notch in the disc D, and as the
arm E is only loosely mounted on the shaft the said shaft ceases to actuate the said
arm, and as a consequence the movements of all the parts which receive motion
from the said arm are arrested. The rod d is arranged to be kept in two positions
as when drawn out or pushed in by means of a bar c, but any suitable arrangement
may be adopted for this purpose or for actuating the lever c. If preferred the bolt a
inay be pushed towards the disc by means of a spring, in which case the lever c
need not be slotted, and also a "bowl" may be mounted on the stud in the said bolt.
The healds are attached to cords which pass over and under pulleys g, g, the
upper pulley being mounted on a fixed stud, and the lower pulley on a stud, which
is fixed to one end of a lever h. The other end of this lever is acted upon by a
spiral spring i, which tends to keep the cords tight, or a weight may be employed
for the same purpose. The endless loop formed by the cords and healds is attached
by one side to a pin, which is fixed to the links b, or is otherwise attached to the
link or links. As the said links vibrate up and down the side of the loop which is
fixed to the links is moved up and down, and the healds are thereby actuated so as
to open the shed, as will be readily understood from an inspection of the Drawing.
The upper end of the lever G is provided with a reed c¹ of a width suitable to
the width of the fabric to be woven, and also with apparatus H for pushing the
shuttle across the warp.
The said apparatus is illustrated about the full size by Figs. 4 to 7, on Sheet 2 of
the accompanying Drawings.
To the upper end of the lever G is bolted a plate H, the upper end of which is
formed in conjunction with the upper end of the said lever to grip the lower bar
of the reed c, as will be scen in Fig. 5. Two lever arms g', g', are mounted upon
fulcra at, and are formed with short projecting arms, which are fitted to engage
with the shorter arm of a bell-crank lever 7, which is mounted upon a pin carried
by the plate H.

page_text: The effect of the arrangement is that when the longer arm of the lever i¹ is
pressed towards the plate H the two arms g¹ are caused to vibrate, and their upper
ends are caused to approach each other. A spring j of caoutchouc or other suitable
material tends to cause the separation of the upper ends of the said arms. The
upper ends of the said arms are formed with jaws to receive a block k, which
carries the bobbin spool or cop of the yarn which constitutes the weft, and is
grooved or suitably formed to be held within the jaw of either of the two arms.
Figs. 8 and 9 represent the block with the bobbin and other parts which
together constitute the shuttle of the loom. To the said block is fixed a spindle,
upon which is mounted a bobbin or spool 2, which may be of any ordinary or
suitable description.
The ends of a wire frame marc inserted into a hole which is bored in a collar
upon the said spindle, and is formed with a cross bridle, which is pressed upon the
yarn upon the bobbin by the action of spiral springs which are attached by one
end to the said frame, and by the other end to the said block or spindle. The
pressure of the said bridle upon the yarn imparts a tension to the weft and
prevents the over-running of the bobbin. The bobbin may be readily withdrawn
when the outer end of the frame m is moved out of the way, the other end then
turning in the collar on the spindle.
On a fulcrum fixed to the upper end of each arm g¹ is mounted a catch n, which
is formed to engage with a projection on the block and is acted upon by a spring
which tends to course the outer end of the catch to be pressed downwards upon the
block. In the example crutches fitted to slide in spring cases formed on the arms
are pressed against the catches so as to impart the required tendency, as indicated
in Figs. 5 and 6, but this arrangement may be varied, as, for example, each catch
may be formed on or fixed to a blade spring which is fixed by one end to the arm g¹,
or an arm may be added to cach catch so as to form a bell-crank lever, and a spring
be arranged to act against the said arm. The two catches are seen behind the said
arm in Figs. 4 and 5, and are also represented in the diagrams 6 and 7. When the
block is resting within the jaw of one of the arms, as seen in Fig. 4, the catch on
the arm engages with the said projection and retains the block within the jaw.
The end of each catch is formed with an inclined face, and when a catch, say, for
example, the catch numbered 1, in Figs. 6 and 7, has engaged with the block, this
face is raised a little, as seen in Figs. 6, so that when the ends of the arms g', g²,
approach each other the extreme end of the other catch, numbered 2, passes below
the end of catch 1 and by acting on its inclined face raises catch 1 and thereby
disengages it from the block, and catch 2 passing below catch 1 takes its place and
engages with the projection or block k, as seen in Fig. 7.
The ends of the arms g¹ now receding from each other the said block is retained
by the arm on which catch 2 is mounted, and is therefore withdrawn from the
other arm.
On the next stroke of the two arms the catch 1 passes below catch 2
and re-engages with the block. It will thus be seen that as the said arins vibrate
to and fro the block and therefore the weft is passed to and fro from one arm to
the other.
As the lever G is moving back into the position represented in Fig. 1, the longer
arm of the lever comes in contact with a stop which is fixed on a rail o and the
shorter arm of the said lever is thereby moved downwards, and acting on the
arms g, g, causes their upper ends to approach each other and the shuttle is
passed through the shed of the warp.
The arrangements for causing the arms g¹ to approach each other may be varied,
as, for example, the lever i¹ may be modified in form and be arranged to run over
or under a fixed incline when the shuttle is to be passed through the shed, or the
two arms may pass between fixed inclines which press them towards each other or
which move their lower ends apart.
In the example the warp is wound upon the bobbin I which is numbered in a
bracket which is fixed to the cross rail B. This cross rail would preferably be
situated at a greater height above the other parts of the loom than is represented.

page_text: A cord lies in a groove in one end of the bobbin, and is attached by one end to
the cross rail and by the other end to a spring q, the arrangement acting to check
the delivery of the warp. A second cord is attached by one end to the same
spring, and is attached by the other end to one arm of a lover t which is mounted
on a fixed stud. The said cord is provided with a spring & which absorbs the
vibrations due to the action of the healds.
The other end of the said lever carries a bobbin or pulley u, under or around
which the warp J passes to the healds, the said lever imparting the necessary
tension to the warps. As the weaving proceeds and the warp is taken up the
pulley u is gradually drawn nearer to the healds thereby tightening the cord, the
effect of which is to relieve the warp bobbin to some extent from the tension of
the spring and the said warp bobbin is permitted to rotate and to let off a portion
of warp. This arrangement for letting off the warp is also applicable to other or
ordinary descriptions of looms for weaving narrow fabrics.
In lieu of this arrangement for letting off an ordinary or suitable arrangement
may be employed to effect the same object.
The woven fabric is taken up by the apparatus K which is also represented about
the full size in section by Fig. 10 on Sheet 2.
A disc K is fitted to revolve on a fixed stud, and is formed with a recess to contain
two spur wheels which gear with a pinion which is mounted on a pin fixed in the
periphery of the disc. The inner spur wheel is fixed to the said stud and the outer
spur wheel is fixed to a bobbin or roller w. The two spur wheels differ slightly in
the numbers of their teeth, as, for example, the wheel which is fixed to the spindle
may have one tooth more than the other wheel. The disc K is caused to revolve in
one direction as the weaving proceeds, whereby the roller w is caused to revolve but
at a greatly reduced rate of speed. Two grooves are turned in the circumference of
the said disc, and two cords x and y, seen in Fig. 1, lie in the said grooves. The
cord is attached by one end to a fixed point, and by the other end to a spiral
spring. The office of this cord is to prevent a backward movement of the disc K,
that is to say, a movement in a direction contrary to that indicated by the arrow.
The cord y is attached by one end to a weight y', and by the other end to a rodz
which is fixed to the lever G. As the said lever vibrates to and fro the cord
when moving in one direction turns the disc in the direction indicated, but when
inoving in the other direction the cord slips in the groove, the disc K boing kept
from turning back by the other cord. The extent of each movement of the said
disc may be regulated by fixing the cord y to the rod at a point higher or lower,
as may be required. In the example the fabric passes over a finger a¹ to the
taking-up roller wand thence to the winding-on bobbin L, which is mounted on a
weighted lever b. The fabric M is passed up and down so as to bo wound once,
twice, or as often as found to be suitable, around the roller and the bobbin, the folds
of the fabric extending in a loop between the roller and the bobbin, as seen in Fig. 1.
The end of the fabric is attached to the bobbin L upon which the fabric ultimately
becomes wound.
This arrangement for winding the fabric upon the winding-on bobbin is also applic-
able to other or ordinary descriptions of looms for weaving narrow fabrics. I do not,
however, confine myself to the use of the arrangement as the fabric may be wound
upon a bobbin by other ordinary or suitable means. Also I do not confine myself to
he use of the taking-up apparatus K, as other apparatus may be substituted
herefor.
The rocking shaft C may be actuated by means of an excentric fixed upon
hafting and connected by means of a rod with a lever arm fixed upon the said shaft
r by means of a crank or by other suitable means.
The said shaft is caused to rock to and fro whereby the lever G is caused to
ibrate to and fro, and to beat up the weft, the shedding, picking, and taking-up
pparatus, also receiving motion in the manner herein-before described.
When it is necessary to stop the weaving the rod d is drawn outwards, whereby
he arm E becomes disconnected from the shaft C and the movements of the parts

page_text: are arrested without interfering with the notion or arresting the movements of the
other looms combined together in the same frame.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of my said Invention, and
means for carrying the same into practical effect, I would have it to be understood
that I claim with reference to the foregoing description and the accompanying
Drawings-
First. The loom for weaving narrow fabrics, arranged and acting substantially as
set forth and indicated.
Secondly. Actuating a number of looms combined together in one framing by
means of a shaft rocking or vibrating on its axis.
Thirdly. The method of connecting or disconnecting each loom with and from the
said rocking shaft, substantially as set forth and indicated.
Fourthly. The method of actuating the healds by means of a vibrating link, sub-
stantially as herein-before set forth and indicated.
Fifthly. Picking the shuttle through the sheet by means of vibrating lever arms
and spring catches.
Sixthly. The arrangements for letting off the warp, substantially as set forth and
indicated.
Seventhly. The arrangements for taking-up the woven fabric, substantially as set
forth and indicated.
And, lastly. The method of winding the woven fabric upon a bobbin, substantially
as set forth and indicated.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Bradbury, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifth day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six.
Signed and scaled by the said
William Bradbury, in the presence of
EDWARD K. DUTTON,
Agent to the Patentee,
3, Princess Street,
Manchester.
WILLIAM BRADBURY. (L.S.)