IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO RING SPINNING AND DOUBLING FRAMES PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER SPINNING MACHINES
Year: 1884

page_text: We, GEORGE SHEPHERD of Bacup, in the County of Lancaster, Cotton Spinner,
and HENRY MIDGLEY of the same place, Manager, do hereby declare the nature
of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO RING SPINNING AND
DOUBLING FRAMES PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER
SPINNING MACHINES," to be as follows:-
Firstly. Our invention relates to means for preventing or obviating the effects of
what is termed the "ballooning" of the threads in ring spinning and doubling
frames, and consists in an improved construction and arrangement of mechanism
for this purpose namely:
Wo use a thin metal plate of any convenient length, or it may extend the entire
length of the side of a ring spinning or doubling frame, if desired, and in this
thin plate we form a hole of sufficient size, for each spindle, concentric with each
ring and form a narrow groove or slit at about a tangent to the circle of each hole,
in the thin plate for the thread to pass through.
The said thin plate is mounted on studs secured in the ring rail, at any desired
height above it.
According to a modification of our invention, we mount the said thin plate on
rods to slide vertically through the ring rail so as to be moved and adjusted to any
desired position to and from the ring rail.
According to another modification of our invention we mount the said thin plate
on rods that will slide freely through the ring rail and the spindle rail, and if
required through another rail below it and actuate these rods to move up and down
vertically from the same shaft and by the same means as the copping or ring rail is
moved, or by a cam or cams, so that it moves at the same time and in the same
direction as the ring rail but at a different speed, the distance between the thin
plate and ring rail being reduced as the cop or bobbin-builds.
The thin plate is or may be actuated independently of the copping or ring rail,
if desired

page_text: Secondly. Our invention relates to what are known as the under-clearers of ring
spinning frames and which are also used in other spinning machines.
These clearers are rotated by contact with the underside of the front fluted
rollers of spinning machines.
Our invention consists in forming these under-clearers with a conical boss for
each spindle with spaces or necks of reduced diameter between the conical bosses
which are separately covered with flannel or other fibrous material-This form of
boss for under clearers allows the waste fibre to be readily removed from them
when desired.

page_text: We GEORGE SHEPHERD of Bacup in the County of Lancaster, Cotton Spinner,
and HENRY MIDGLEY of the same place, Manager do hereby declare the nature
of said invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO RING SPINNING AND
DOUBLING FRAMES PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER
SPINNING MACHINES, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Firstly. Our invention relates to means for preventing or obviating the effects of
what is termed the "ballooning" of the threads in ring spinning and doubling
frames and consists in an improved construction and arrangement of mechanism
for this purpose namely―
We use a thin metal plate of any convenient length, or it may extend the entire
length of the side of a ring spinning or doubling frame if desired, and in this thin
plate we form a hole of sufficient size for each spindle, concentric with each ring
and form a narrow groove or slit at about a tangent to the circle of each hole in
the thin plate for the thread to pass through.
The said thin plate is mounted on studs secured in the ring rail, at any desired
height above it.
According to a modification of our invention we mount the said thin plate on
rods to slide vertically through the ring rail so as to be moved and adjusted to any
desired position to and from the ring rail.
According to another modification of our invention we mount the said thin plate
on rods that will slide freely through the ring rail and the spindle rail, and if
required through another rail below it and actuate these rods to move up and down
vertically from the same shaft and by the same means as the copping or ring rail is
moved or. by a can or cams so that it moves at the same time and in the same
direction as the ring rail but at a different speed, the distance between the thin
plate and ring rail being reduced as the cop or bobbin builds.
The thin plate is or may be actuated independently of the copping or ring rail,
if desired.
Secondly. Our invention relates to what are known as the under clearers of
ring spiuning frames and which are also used in other spinning machines.
These clearers are rotated by contact with the underside of the front fluted
rollers of spinning machines.
Our invention consists in forming these under-clearers with a conical boss for
each spindle, with spaces or necks of reduced diameter between the conical bosses
which are separately covered with flannel or other fibrous material.-This form of
boss for under clearers allows the waste fibre to be readily removed from them
when desired.
Fig 1 is a front elevation of part of a ring frame at one end-fig 2 is a cross
sectional elevation of part of the frame at x-x fig 1, and tig 3 is a similar elevation
at y-y fig 1.
Fig 4 is a plan view of some of the parts shown in figs 1, 2 and 3.
Fig 5 is a front elevation to represent the anti-balloon arrangement and the ring
rail, and their connection according to one modification of our invention.
Fig 6 is a front elevation of parts illustrating another modification of our
invention.
Fig 7 is a front elevation and fig 8 a side elevation illustrating another
modification of our invention

page_text: Fig 10 is a front elevation at the end of the frame illustrating another modifi-
cation of our invention.
Figs 11 and 12 are front and edge views respectively of details, and fig 13 a side
elevation of parts shown in fig 1-and Fig 14 is a side view illustrating an under
clearer according to the second part of our invention.
The figures above referred to will be more fully explained hereinafter.
The improved anti-ballooning arrangement according to our invention is shown
in figs 1, 2 and 3, but is most readily understood from the plan fig 5-It is formed
by a thin plate of metal a with a circular hole cut out of it for each spindlo each
hole being concentric with its spindle and a little larger in diameter than the inner
diameter of the rings b¹ so that the full cop or bobbin will pass clear through the
hole in the plate. The front edge of the plate (a) is formed as shown in fig 4 and
there is a slit in its front edge for each hole to allow the thread to pass through,
this slot being at about a tangent to the circle of the hole.
The thread in each case rotates round the hole in the plate in the direction
shown by the arrow in fig 4 so that it passes freely over and past the opening of
the slit and will not pass out-If the threads rotate in the contrary direction to
that shown by the arrow the direction of the slits will have to be reversed
accordingly.
This improved anti-balloon arrangement forms its own rail, the holes are smooth
and perfectly circular and concentric with the spindles and are not liable to be bent
or put out of position as in anti-balloon rings or wires attached to a rail.
Owing to the form of the front edge of the plate and the direction of the slit,
the thread when being pieced is readily guided into the slit and enters the hole.
The plates a are or may be used carried on short studs or rods secured in the
ring rail b as in fig 5 where b represents a part of a ring rail, and a part of the
anti-balloon plate.
Only one stud a¹ is shown between the plate a and rail b but it will be understood
that as many studs (a') are used as are required.
Figs 1, 2 and 3 illustrate one modification of our invention where the anti-
balloon plate a or its equivalent is actuated to move at the same time as the ring
rail band in the same direction but at a different or variable speed, when the ring
rail b has motion conveyed to it according to a common arrangement, and this
modification will be first described and then the others.
A represents part of the framing of a ring frame, A¹ the spindle carrying rail,
A2 another rail below it, c the spindles, b the ring or copping rail; b¹ the rings;
d the thread guide wires; e the front rollers.
The ring rail b is carried on the upper ends of rods 62 placed at suitable intervals
commonly termed "pokers" which slide freely through holes or guides in the
rails A¹ and A³.
The lower end of each rod or poker 63, comes into a hole in a bar b³ extending.
across the frame to the other side where there is a similar poker for the ring rail on
that side, as the ring rails on both sides according to this common arrangement
rise and fall simultaneously.
fis a shaft which extends in suitable bearings from end to end of the frame and
on this shaft there is a circular block or pulley f¹ for each poker 63 on that side of
the frame-One end of a jointed chain is secured to the block f' and the other end
to the cross bar b³.
The shaft fis oscillated in the ordinary manner from the copping motion, and
consequently the ring rail b is worked up and down gradually, rising higher and
higher until the cop or bobbin is filled with thread ready to be doffed.
In some common arrangements the jointed chain connected with the block f' is
attached to an arm fast on the lower end of each poker b².
According to this part and modification of our invention we arrange the anti-
balloon plate (a) or its equivalent on rods or pokers a¹ same as the pokers for the
ring rail and we secure a circular block or pulley on the shaft f for each poker a¹
but of smaller diameter than those blocks f1 for the ring rail b, and connect each

page_text: block by a jointed chain with a cross bar a into holes in the ends of which the
lower ends of the pokers u¹ rest, consequently the anti-balloon plate a or its
equivalent will move in the same direction and at the same time as the ring rail b
but at a different speed.
If the block is circular as above described the speed will be different but uniform
in relation to the ring rail but we prefer to give a variable up and down motion to
the anti-balloon plate a or its equivalent in relation to the ring rail.
When the ring rail (b) is brought to its lowest position as when doffing it is in
about the position shown by b fig 1, and the anti-balloon plate or its equivalent is
at or about the position marked a fig 1, where it is most out of the way for doffing
the cops or bobbins.
When the frame commences a fresh set the anti-balloon plate a or its equivalent
is moved into or about the position marked a* (fig 1) and at the finish of the set
the ring rail b is at or about the position marked * and the anti-balloon plate or
its equivalent at or about the position marked a³, (fig 1).
For about one fourth of the build of the cops or bobbins from the commencement
of the set we prefer to give motion to the anti-balloon plate or its equivalent at
about the same speed as the ring rail but during the remaining portion of the build
of the cop the speed of the anti-balloon plate or its equivalent is diminished in
relation to that of the ring rail.
This variable speed during the building of the cop is produced by a block fƒª of
the shape shown in figs 1 and 2.
When the ring rail b is lowered to the position for doffing the anti-balloon plate
is only lowered correspondingly to say the position marked a* fig 1, and it is
brought down to the position marked a fig 1, by partly rotating the shaft f so as
to cause the ring rail b to descend until the end of an adjustable screw stop b*
comes against the floor, when the continued partial rotation of the shaft f causes
the jointed chains between the blocks f¹ and bars 63 to become slack, and lowers
the anti-balloon plate a or its equivalent to the position marked a fig 1.
The shaft fis or may be turned by a handle g loose on the shaft f (see figs 1
and 13) which is kept in place by a collar g¹ fast on the shaft f and against a
disc g² also fast on the shaft f. This disc g² has a notch for a ratchet pawl g
jointed on the handle g so that when it is moved the pawl g³ catches the notch in
the disc g and partly rotates the shaft. f.
When the stops U (there are two on each bar 6) touch the floor the weight or
weights used to counter-balance the ring rail b and connected parts have to be
lifted, and when the shaft f has been turned to the required extent a pawl g' on a
stud in the framing or in a bracket on the framing.enters a notch in the edge of the
disc gif so arranged, or the edge of another disc g fast on the shaft fand retains
it in that position while doffing and when that operation is completed the retaining
pawl g is released and turned back out of the way and so as not to catch on the
notch in the disc g* and the shaft f is allowed to go back to its normal position,
the pawl g³ on the handle g being also turned back so as to be out of the way and
not catch upon the notch in the pulley or disc g³ when the copping motion is at
work.
The handle rests against a stud 9º from the framing or a bracket attached to it,
when the copping motion is working.
The stops b might be formed by a collar on each poker 6' but as it is most
convenient to have the lower ends of the pokers loose in the cross bars 6³ the
stops b* are on the cross bars to keep them from getting separated from the pokers
when the jointed chains became slack after the ends of the stops come against the
floor.
It will be understood from the preceding description that when the set is finished
the copping rail b and anti-balloon arrangement is lowered by screwing the copping
motion back in the ordinary manner to its position for doffing and then the anti-
balloon plate is or may be brought further down and held down as described while
the got is deffed

page_text: Another common and well known mode of actuating the ring rail is by levers or
arms on shafts or axes placed across the frame or at a right angle to the lengthway
of the ring rail and our invention as applied to this well known mode of actuating
the ring rail is illustrated by fig 6, where a represents the anti-balloon plate
or its equivalent, 6 the ring or copping rail, A¹ the spindle and A³ the rail
below it.
f represents the shaft or fulcrum of the lever (one for each poker); f' the arm
acting upon the end of the poker 6*; and b³ the arm connected with the rod bª
which gives motion to the shaft or lever f
In this case the arın f¹ which actuates the poker for the ring rail is also made to
actuate the poker a¹ for the anti-balloon plate a or its equivalent.
In fig 6 the plate a and rail bare shown in the doffing position where a collar b
on the poker 62 of the ring rail acts as a stop for the lowest position of the ring
rail and the arm f¹ is shown lowered to bring the plate a into its lowest position
for doffing.
This is done by moving the arm ƒ³ or any other arm or lever connected with the
rod be and holding it by a catch or pawl while doffing.
In the modification shown by figs 1, 2 and 3 the ring rails and connected parts
are lifted as usual by a preponderating counter balance weight or weights and are
pulled down by a chain from the copping motion mechanism which becomes slack
when the shaft f is turned to cause the plate (a) or its equivalent to descend and
in the arrangement illustrated by fig 6 the ring rails are also supposed to be
actuated by a counter weight or weights to lift the ring rail, and to be drawn
down by a chain or equivalent arrangement which can become slack when the
levers or arms f¹ are depressed, as described, below their lowest normal position
when working.
But in place of the arrangement described in connection with fig 6 for giving
extra lowering movement to the anti-balloon mechanism this object is or may be
also effected by forming the rod or connection 6º between the copping mechanism,
and the first lever or arm 6 with a slot for a pin in the arm be as shown in fig 6ª
by lifting the end of this rod the notch b' is released from the pin, and the arın b
is then allowed to pass to the end of the slot 68 and lower the plato a and by
moving the arm be to lift the anti-balloon arrangements the notch 67 at the end of
the rod 6 will again catch upon the stud in the lever 65.
Other lengthening and shortening or releasing arrangements may be used.
Fig 7 illustrates another modification where the pokers a' from the plate a or its
equivalent are actuated by bell crank levers h each lever having its fulcrum h¹ on a
bracket A secured to the rail A².
The arm h² of the levers are connected together by a wire or rod h³ passing from
one lever to another, with a right and left handed screw coupling h¹ to adjust the
position of the lever h or the level of the plate a.
The end of one arm h² of each bell crank lever is or may be formed with an
eye h³ swivelling on a pin 6 passing through a hole in the end of the arm as shown
in figs 11 and 12.
The rod or wire h³ connecting the levers in this case is made to pass through the
eye, and each length of rod has a screw thread at the ends and the lengths are
coupled together by a screw nut coupling h' having lock nuts.
There is also a screw nut on each side of the swivel eye h³ so that each bell
crank lever can be adjusted separately without disturbing the adjustment of the
other levers.
When the anti-balloon plate a or its equivalent is arranged as illustrated by
fig 7, it may be moved and adjusted up and down as required by any suitable
means or by an arrangement shown by fig 10 where i is a screw shaft in suitable
bearings in the end of the frame A having a screw nut upon it which nut is
prevented from revolving with the screw by a pin i2 from it which can move freely
in a slot in the rail A* or in a part from that rail.
..
en

page_text: on the screw nut or the pin entering the slot so that when the screw shaft i is
rotated by the hand wheel ³ the nut and consequently the plate a will be
adjusted in any required position. The levers h on one side of a frame, are or may be
connected with the levers on the other side of the frame to move together if desired.
Figs 8 and 9 illustrate another modification of our invention in which the anti-
balloon plate a or its equivalent when arranged as illustrated by fig 7 is or may be
actuated by selfacting means.
A³ represents the bracket carrying the fulcrum h¹ of the bell crank lever, h the
lever and h³ the upper arm of the lever, f is the shaft (as in figs 1, 2 and 3) having
a suitably shaped cam j upon it acting upon a bowl on a stud in a lever j¹ having
its fulcrum on a stud in the framing or in a bracket from the framing-The end
of the lever has a short length of chain attached to it that passes round a
pulley free on a stud j in a bracket secured to the rail A³.
The other end of the short chain is connected with the rod or wire h³ and thus as
the cam j oscillates, the plate a will be moved up and down accordingly and when
the shaft fis turned by the handle g (figs 1 and 13) the cam j is so shaped and
arranged as to cause the plate a to be lowered into the doffing position.
Instead of a disc cam j as shown a drum cam may be used the action of such
cam being in a line with the shaft f in which case lever jl being changed in position
accordingly and the wire or rod h³ (fig 7) may be directly connected with the end
of it.
The pulley fig 8, may be a pulley with three grooves, and the short lengths of
jointed chain in each groove may be attached thereto, one chain extending between
the lever and its groove (say the middle groove) the other chain from the lower
groove to the wire or rod h³ figs 7 and 9, and another to a pulley is on the opposite
side of the frame so that both sides may be thus simultaneously actuated from the
same cam.
It is obvious that in place of chains and pulleys, levers may be used, and a shaft
may be used to connect the mechanism of one side with that on the other side of
the frame if desired.
In place of lowering the anti-balloon plate or its equivalent in the arrangements
shown by figs 7, 8 and 9, by turning the shaft by the handle g this may be
effected by a lengthening, shortening or releasing arrangement similar to that
herein before described and illustrated by fig 6, the rod 6 would in this case be the
first length of rod corresponding to the wire or rod ³ between the cam lever j¹ and
the arm of the lever h the arm h² corresponding to the arm 65 fig 6º.
Fig 14 shows our improved under clearer which is in the position a¹ shown in
figs 1, 2 and 3, under the front fluted roller. It is made with conical bosses x¹
covered with flannel as usual.
The cone form of the bosses allows the waste which laps on them to be easily
removed which is difficult to get off in the ordinary under clearer with cylindrical
bosses.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed We declare that what
we claim is
1. The construction of anti-balloon arrangements formed by a plate of thin
metal having a hole in it for each spindle and a slit to admit the thread,
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
2. The mounting of anti-balloon plates (a) or their equivalents on rods so as to
be capable of being adjusted up and down and brought down into the position
for doffing, substantially as herein before described and illustrated by the drawings.
3. The arranging of anti-balloon plates a or their equivalents so as to be
worked up and down by connection with the shafts or mechanism actuating the
copping or ring rails and lowered when the ring rail is lowered for doffing, to
remain near the ring rail while doffing, substantially as herein before described and
illustrated by the drawings.

page_text: 4. The combinations and arrangements of mechanism for actuating anti-balloon
arrangements, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by figs 1, 2, 3
and 4 and figs 6 and 6a of the drawings.
5. The combination and arrangement of mechanism for actuating anti-balloon
arrangements, substantially as herein before described and illustrated by figs 7 and
10 and figs 11 and 12 and by figs 7, 8 and 9 and fig 6 of the drawings.
6. The system or mode of and arrangements for giving extra motion to the
shafts or mechanism actuating the ring rail so as to bring the anti-balloon
arrangements to a position near the ring rail for doffing and also the means for
lowering the anti-balloon arrangements independently of the ring rails substantially
as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
7. The construction of under-clearers with conical bosses as herein before described
and illustrated by fig 14 of the drawings.