CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY, BY AID OP WHICH IMPROVEMENTS THREAD-WORK ORNAMENTS OF CERTAIN KINDS CAN BE FORMED IN NET OR LACE MADE BY CERTAIN MACHINERY COMMONLY CALLED BOBBIN NET MACHINERY
Year: 1836

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
SNEATH, of Iron Green, in the County of Nottingham, Lace Maker, send
greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Third day of May, in the sixth year of His reign, did, for
Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said William
Sneath, His especial license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I,
the said William Sneath, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said William Sneath, my executors, administrators, or assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in all His said Majesty's Colonies and Plan-
tations abroad, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY, BY AID
OP WHICH IMPROVEMENTS THREAD-WORK ORNAMENTS OF CERTAIN KINDS CAN BE
FORMED IN NET OR LACE MADE BY CERTAIN MACHINERY COMMONLY CALLED BOBBIN
NET MACHINERY;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I,
the said William Sneath, shall cause a particular description of the nature of
my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to bo
inrolled in His said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent,
as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at
largo uno
Unear

page_text: NUW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso; 1, the said
William Sneath, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and ascer
tained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon
that is to say:
My Invention consists in the application of certain mechanism to bobbin
net machinery whereby the bobbin net or lace made by such descriptions of
machines may be operated on, and have thread-work ornaments produced
thereto during the time that the bobbin net or lace is being made by the
ordinary parts of the bobbin-net machinery, or such improved mechanism may
be combined into and form a machine independent of and separate from the
machinery by which the bobbin net or lace is produced, as will be hereafter
described. I will, however, first remark that, according to the most general
practice of producing thread-work ornaments in bobbin net or lace made by
bobbin-net machinery, the same is performed by hand and with the needle; and
also with what are called tambour hooks; and there have been means proposed
for making thread-work ornaments to lace by machinery, both in connection with
and separate from the bobbin-net machinery by which the bobbin net or lace was
produced; and a Patent was taken by Henry Bock, of Ludgate Hill, in the
City of London, Esquire, for "Improvements in Machinery and Apparatus
for Embroidering or Ornamenting Cloths, Stuff's, and other Fabrics," bearing
date at Westminster, the Second day of May, One thousand eight hundred
and twenty-nine, which consists in working in ornamental thread work by
means of needles, each having an eye in the middle, and the lengths of thread
of which the ornament was produced was threaded through the eyes of such
needles, the needles being caused to pass through and through the bobbin net
or lace; and there was also a Patent taken by John Heathcoat, of Tiverton, in.
the County of Devon, for "Certain Improvements in Machinery used for
making-of-Bobbin or Twist Lace Net, whereby Net and other Fabrics may
"be produced," bearing date at Westminster, the Third day of October, One
thousand eight hundred and thirty-one, and in the Specification of such Patent
the Invention is explained to consist in combining certain parts of warp
machinery, whereby those varieties of work produced in warp machines might
be wrought in or upon the fabric of the net."
..
In order that my Invention may be most fully understood, I will now pro-
ceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed, which show my improvements
applied to that class of bobbin-net machinery called the roller-locker rotatory
machines, Figure 1 being a front view, Figure 2 a back view, Figure 3 a left-

page_text: hand end view, Figure 4 a traverse section, of a bobbin net machine, the con-
struction of which, however, constitutes no part of my Invention. It will not
therefore be necessary to enter into any description of the bobbin-net machinery;
and the various parts are only shewn by me in outline in the Drawing, in
order to more clearly point out the position and manner of working of the
mechanism applied by me, and constituting the Invention secured by the
present Letters Patent; and I would at once remark that I do not confine
myself to the use of any particular class of bobbin-net machines. In the
Drawing and description the same letters of reference are used to indicate
similar parts wherever they occur; and in order to the nature of each part of
my improvement being readily understood, I have, in the Drawings, given
details of the various parts, but as the names of such parts are written on or
against them, and as they are shown in their places at Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4,
and colored with the same color, I have not thought it necessary in this
description to give to each part a separate Figure as well as a distinguishing
letter. A is the ordinary upright shaft at the right-hand end of the bobbin-
net machine. This is lengthened at the upper end in order to receive and
have affixed thereto the bevelled cog wheel B, which takes into and drives the
bevelled pinion C, affixed on the shaft D. This shaft D turns in bearings at
the upper part of the machine or frame, as is clearly shewn in the Drawing;
and the shaft D makes three revolutions to one of the upright shaft A. On
the shaft D is affixed the cam E. This cam E is for the purpose of actuating
the clawker F, it being connected by a pin joint with the lever G (that lever
being kept to its proper position by a spring); one end of the lever G having
a friction roller resting on the cam E it consequently follows that each time
that the cam E lifts the lever G, it will cause the clawker F to draw round
one ratchet or tooth on the ratchet wheel H, that ratchet wheel moving on the
axis I; and the ratchet wheel is affixed to the wheels J and K, which also
move on the axis I; and it should be observed that the axis I is affixed in the
sliding bar or frame L, by which that axis, together with the wheels working
thereon, are capable of being raised and lowered by the pattern wheel, as will
be hereafter described. The sliding bar or frame L moves in the staples or
guides affixed to a cross framing for that purpose, as will be readily seen by
the Drawing; and the weight of the frame or bar L, with the various parts
connected therewith, is for the most part supported by a spring, there being
only sufficient weight unsupported to cause the same
to follow the
rises and falls of the pattern wheels hereafter mentioned. The wheels J
and K have a series of rises and falls cut thercon; and the nature
of such riscs and falls for the pattern hereafter described is shown in

page_text: the separate views of those wheels in the Drawing. The wheels I and K
respectively work levers M, M, moving on an axis supported by the framing
of the machine. These levers M, M, have adjustable projecting surfaces which
are acted on by the rises and falls on the wheels J and K, as is well understood
by mechanics acquainted with lace machinery, and they are clearly shewn in the
Drawing. N, N, are connecting rods attached respectively to the levers M, M;
by passing through projecting plates on such levers, and they are capable of
adjustment by screws and nuts as shown; these rods are consequently moved
therewith in the revolution of the wheels J and K. The connecting rods N, N,
at their other ends being one attached by a pin joint to a projecting arm on
the shaft or axis O, the other rod N being in like manner connected to the
shaft or axis P, the shafts O and P moving on points at each end of the frame,
and are further supported in suitable bearings affixed to the framing near
the middle and in front of the machine, as is clearly shown. To each of the
shafts or axes O, P, are affixed projecting arms O, P, at the ends of which
bearings are formed to receive the shafts or axes Q, R, those axes being
supported by and move in such bearings, there being adjusting screws against
the ends of the axes Q, R, screwed through fixed plates on the outer arms O',
P', for the purpose of adjusting the axes Q, R, lengthwise. To the shafts or
axes Q, R, are affixed the arms Q' and R', from which the bars S and T
are suspended, the bar S being suspended to the arms Q', and the bar T being
suspended to the arms R', as is clearly shown. The bars S and T being
capable of lateral movement in their respective arms Q', R', and as the
parts working together are coloured with the same colour, the manner of
their connection and also the order in which each part works, will be readily
traced, and it will be seen that the bar S will constantly be actuated by tho
working or revolving of the wheel J, the bar T being in like manner actuated
by the wheel K. The bars S and T I call the "opening loop bars," one of
their principal operations being to open the loops of the thread which is to
constitute the ornamental parts of the bobbin net or lace, such opening of the
loops being performed by certain barbed points hereafter described, which are
affixed to the bars S and T. The construction of the barbed points affixed
to the bars S and T is shown separately in the Drawing; the points affixed on
the bar S are barbed to the left hand, and the points affixed on the bar T are
barbed towards the right hand. V, V, are two connecting rods, one connecting
the bar S with the lever W, the other connecting the bar T with the lever X,
the levers W and X being suspended from and move on axes carried by the
standard Y, which is affixed to the quadrangular frame Z, that frame Z being
capable of sliding horizontally, it being placed and retained between two

page_text: parallel guides a, a, affixed to the projecting end framing b, b. By this means
the frame Z is capable of being actuated by the pattern wheel for giving hori-
zontal movement to the bars S and T, and the other parts connected with
such quadrangular frame, as will be hereafter described. c is an axis turning
in suitable bearings affixed to the quadrangular frame Z, and on this axis
are affixed the ratchet wheel d and the wheels c and f, the wheel e actuating
the lever W, and the wheel f actuating the lever X, those levers having
adjustable projecting surfaces, as shown and well understood, and hence hori-
zontal motion is communicated by the wheels e and f to the bars S and
T. It will therefore be seen that the bars S and T receive vertical motion
from the wheels J and K, and, as has just been stated, horizontal motion
by the wheels e and f, but in addition to these movements the bars S and
T receive further vertical and horizontal movement by means of pattern
wheels, which have been already mentioned, and will be hereafter described.
9 is a ratchet wheel moving on an axis carried by a projection from the
under side of the frame Z, as is clearly shown in the Drawing; this ratchet
wheel g is actuated by the clawker h. On one side of the ratchet wheel 9
are affixed studs, which working against the bent lever i, the lever i moving
on a fulcrum ', carried by an upright standard affixed to the frame Z. Con-
nected to the lever i by a pin joint is the rod j, that rod j being supported
to its work by the outer end passing freely through a hole or slot formed in
either of the levers W, X; and k is a projecting plate, into which are screwed
two adjusting screws, the heads of which act at proper intervals against the
levers W, X, and force them outwards. The object of this movement is to
carry the barbed points out of the way of the needles, as will be hereafter
described. At the left-hand end of the shaft D is affixed a cam l, against
which the friction roller at one end of the bent lever m acts; at the other
end of the bent lever m is affixed a projecting plate having a hole formed
therein, through which passes the connecting rod n, and the same is retained and
adjusted by screw nuts; the other end of the connecting rod n passes through
a hole formed in a projecting plate affixed to the lever o, there being a head
formed at the upper end of the connecting rod a, in order to prevent its falling
through. The lever m moves on an axis at m', and the lever o moves on an
axis at o', those axes being carried by suitable projections affixed to the
framing of the machine. The lever o is connected to the lever which carries
the driver p, by a connecting rod or link, adjustable in its length, as is shewn;
and the driver p has a tail piece p¹, by which it is thrown out from its ratchet
wheel at such times as it is not desired that the ratchet wheel shall be
actuated, all which will be fully described hereafter.

page_text: I will now proceed to trace the motion by which each ornamenting thread is
tied at the completion of a pattern on the bobbin, net or lace:-The axis I pro-
jects through the bar or sliding frame L to the left hand, and forms an axis for the
ratchet wheel and for the wheelr; the ratchet wheel 9 and the wheel r being
bolted together, they move at the same time. & is a lever having an adjustable
projecting surface, which is acted on by the wheel r, the levers having
its fulcrum at s¹; through a hole in the lever & passes the connecting rod t,
the same being adjusted by the screw nuts at the upper end. This connecting
rod is. attached by a pin joint to an arm affixed to the axis or shaft v, at the
back of the machine, which axis or shaft moves on points at each end, and
is supported about the middle by a bearing affixed to the upper framing of the
machine. The ratchet wheel q is moved round on its axis by a clawker w,
connected by a pin joint to the lever a, which moves on a fulcrum at x,
supported and carried by the framing of the upper part of the machine. At the
other end of the bent lever x (to that at which the clawker is connected)
there is a friction roller which moves over the cam y, which is affixed on the
shaft D. To the shaft or axis v are affixed four projecting arms, having hollow
bearings at their ends to receive the shaft or axis 2, which moves in such
bearings, and to the shaft or axis are affixed the arms (1), and from the arms (1)
is suspended the bar (2), in like manner, to the bars S and T, that is to say,
the bar (2) is capable of movement lengthwise, that is, in a direction from end
to end of the machine. The bar (2) I call the fastening-off bar, it performing
by means of certain hooks the operation of fastening off the ornamenting
threads at the completion of the pattern. The shape and construction of
these hooks being shewn full size, and being shewn in their places in
the various Figures of the Drawing, their construction will be readily
understood and their mode of working will be described hereafter. (3) is
a connecting link attached at one end to the bar (2), and at the other
end to the standard affixed to the sliding frame Z; hence it will be seen
that the bar (2), so far as tho pattern wheels are concerned, receives
similar motion to the bars S and T, whilst the other requisite movements
to the bar (2) are produced by the wheel r, and by means of a cam (4)
affixed on the shaft D, the cam (4) acting against a friction roller on the
lever (5), which lever is affixed to the shaft or axis (6), which moves in suit-
able bearings in the front framing. To the under part of this shaft or axis are
affixed two arms (7), and to the arms (7) are connected by pin joints the links
or short connecting rods (8), the other ends of such links or connecting rods
being attached by pin joints to the arnis (1); by this means an oscillating
movement to and from the bobbin net or lace is pro luced to the bar (2), in

page_text: order to the hooks on that bar passing beyon'l the points of their needles
hereafter described, in order that they may be raised and then lowere: to take:
hold of the loops and draw them down through the new loops or threads last
brought into the front of the bobbin net or lace by the needles, and thus pro-
duce a knot to cach thread, and fasten off the same previously to the orna-
menting threads being carried to other places at a distance from where the
pattern was last produced and tied off; and it may here be stated that such
ornamenting threads from pattern to pattern are to be cut or removed when the
lace or net is finished, if the pattern requires it. I have thought it desirable
first to describe those parts which operate in front of the machine.
I will
now proceed to trace the manner of working of the various parts by which
the ornamenting threads are passed through the lace, in order to be operated
on by the barbed points, and also by the hooks last described, by which the
ornamental threads at the proper period are fastened off. The needles which
pass the ornamenting threads through the lace are at the back of the machine,
and carry the threads from the back of the lace or bobbin net to the front
thereof, where the loops are taken hold of and opened by the barbed points
before described, there being two barbed points to each needle, one barbad
point from the bar S, and another barbed point from the bar T, there being
one needle to each pattern to be produced across the width of the machine,.
and one hook to tie off the thread to each needle. (9) is a ratchet wheel,
and (10) a wheel having various rises and falls cut therein; the wheels (9) and
(10) are both fixed on one axis (11), the axis (11) moving on points screwed
through bearings affixed to the upper part of the framing of the bobbin-net-
machine. The wheel (10) is the pattern wheel which governs the vertical.or.
up and down motion communicated to the bar or fraime L, and this pattern:
wheel (10) also communicates motion to what I call the needle bar, hereafter:
described. (12) is a lever having its fulcrum at (18), and (14) is a driver
attached by a pin joint to the lever (12), the driver being kept to the ratchet
wheel by a spring. (15) is a connecting rod attached at one end by a pin
joint to the lever (12), and to the short arm (16) affixed to the back
shaft (17) of the bobbin-net machine, and, by the working of such back
shaft motion is communicated to the ratchet wheel (9) and the pattern
wheel (10). On the surface of the pattern wheel (10) a projection (capable:
of adjustment, on the arm (18) rests the arm (18), being affixed to the shaft.
or axis (19), that shaft (19) moving on points at each end, and supported.
near its middle by a suitable bearing, and the arm (18) also communicates
motion to the bar or frame L. there being a set screw through the end of that
frame or bar L resting on the arm (18). To the shaft or axis (19) are affixed

page_text: the four arms (19), having bearings formed therein to receive and support the
shaft or axis (20), which axis is bent near its middle to be clear of the various
parts of the upper part of the machine, and there are adjusting screws (through
plates on the outer arms) which bear against the ends of axis 20. To the
shaft or axis (20) are affixed the arms (21), from which is suspended the
needle bar (22), in like manner to that above described to the bars S and T;
and the bar (22) is connected with the movement of the sliding frame Z in
the following manner :-The end of the needle bar (22) has a bent arm pro-
jecting out at right angles, and has a set screw (23) passing through it, and
resting against the plate (24), which has a projection formed thereon, the
plate (24) being affixed by screws, and capable of adjustment to the projecting
arm at the end of the needle bar. The projection on the plate (24) is at all
times drawn by a spring (25) towards the left-hand end of the machine,
consequently the projection on the plate (24) at all times rests against
the bolt head (26), the bolt sliding through a bracket (27) affixed to the
end framing of the machine. The head (26) of the bolt has a groove cut
in it formed to the bend of the needles, the object of which is that as the
needles are forced through the bobbin net or lace, the projection on the
plate (24) passes down one side of the groove in the head (26) of the
bolt, the bar (22) by its spring being drawn towards the left-hand end of
the machine; and in the continued motion of the needles through the
lace, the projection (24) passes up the other side of the groove, and thus
forces the bar (22) back. At the return of the needles, the bar (22) is first
carried to the left-hand end of the machine, and then forced back; by this
arrangement, notwithstanding the needles are considerably bent (as will be
seen, by the Drawing, where they are shewn separately at full size), the needles
will enter, pass through, and leave the bobbin net or lace without making the
hole larger than the diameter of the thickest parts of the needles which enter
the bobbin net or lace, and the effect will be precisely the same as if the
needles were straight instruments. It should be stated that the bend of the
needles is towards the right-hand end of the machine, and that in working the
machine the barbed points always descend on the left-hand side of their
respective needles, which will, however, be more fully described when I come
to explain the manner of working the pattern for which the pattern wheels
shewn in the Drawing are cut. The object of having the needles bent as above
stated, and as is shewn in the Drawing, is that the threads shall stand clear
of the needles, in order to insure the passage of the barbed points correctly
between the threads and the needles, whereby the barbed points take up the
loops brought in by the needles. (28) is a shaft or axis at the back of the

page_text: machine moving in suitable bearings at each end thereof, and also in a bearing
near its middle; (29) are two arms affixed to the under part of the shaft or
axis (28), the ends of these arms being connected with the arms which carry
the needle bar (22) by means of short connecting rods and pin joints. (30) is
an arm affixed to the upper side of the shaft or axis (28), and through a slot
formed in that arm (30) is affixed an axis for the lever (31)." This lever
(31) has an opening or catch (32) at one end, which embraces the stud
(33) of the lever (34), which lever (34) moves on a fulcrum at its lower
end, and the lever (34) is actuated by the cam (35) affixed on the shaft D,
there being a friction roller on the lever (34) which works in that cam; hence,
when the lever (31) embraces the stud (33) the needle bar will be actuated,
but when the lever (31) is by its tail piece (36) thrown off from the stud (33),
the needle bar will not be actuated, as will be hereafter described: (37) is a
lever baving its fulcrum on the arm (29); this lever (37) passes through and
is supported by a bracket (38) affixed to the main stay bar, and the lever
presses against the arms which carry the bar T, and the lever (37) being in
two parts, with slits, and connected by screws, the distance between the
needle bar (22) and the bar T is adjusted, there being a spring (39) affixed to
the bracket (38) and to the arm (29), by which those parts are constantly
drawn towards each other, and there is another spring attached to a projection
forward to the bracket (38), and affixed at the other end to the arm which
carries the bar S. A similar arrangement is placed at the other end of the
needle bar (22) and the bars S and T, whereby these parts are caused to work
correctly together. The object of this arrangement is, that on the needles first
entering the bobbin net or lace, the barbed points are standing near the bobbin
net or lace, and they are prevented being drawn too near by stops or set
screws passing through the arms which carry the bars S, T, those on the
arms to S bearing against the arms to T, and those of T bearing against tho
bracket (38); and so soon as the needles have passed to about the middle of the
bend, the levers (37) coming against the arms on which the bar T is suspended,
force the barbed points away from the bobbin net or lace, and into a proper
position to descend to take the loops last brought in by the needles. The
needles are at all times caused to enter and leave the lace in a horizontal
position by means of the arm (102) affixed to the needle bar (22). On the end
of the arm is a friction roller, which runs under the plate (103), that plate at
all times forming a straight surface along which the arm moves, and thus are
the needles held horizontally; and in order to this plate being at all times
in the proper position for forming the straight surface, it is affixed to the
bolt (104), sliding in staples (105), the arm (102) being kept to the

page_text: plate (103) by the spring (106). To the end of the bolt (104) is connected
by a pin joint a connecting rod (107), and this connecting rod is by a pin
joint connected to the lever (108), basing its fulcrum at (109), and the
lever (108) is connected by a link or connecting rod to the arm (18) affixed
to the shaft or axis (19), the connecting rod or link connecting these parts
together having pin joints at each end; by this means, when the needle bar is
lifted up by the pattern wheel, the plate (103) is drawn up also, and hence is
constantly a straight surface in a proper position to cause the needles to enter
and leave the bobbin net or lace horizontally. At the left-hand end of the
machine is placed the pattern wheel (40), which works the sliding frame Z, and
gives horizontal movement thereto, and to the parts connected therewith; this
wheel (40) is affixed to the axle (41), which moves on points screwed through
the projecting framing at this end of the machine, and on the axle (41) is also
affixed the ratchet wheel (42), which receives motion from the clawker (43),
which is drawn at all times towards its ratchet wheel by a spring, as shown in
the Drawing. The clawker is actuated in the following manner :-It moves on
an axis affixed (yet capable of adjustment) in the lever (44), that lever moving
on a fulcrum at (45); near the other end of the lever (44) to that at which it
moves on its fulcrum is affixed a projecting plate having a hole formed therein,
through which hole the connecting rod (46) passes, the head at its upper end
preventing its falling through the hole. The other end of the rod (46) passes
through a hole at the end of the bent lever (47), there being screw nuts on the
end of the rod (46) to adjust the length of the rod. The lever (47) moves
on a fulcrum (48) affixed to the end framing of the machine. On the other end
of the lever (47) is fixed a short projecting axle for a friction roller, which is
acted on by the short curved arm (49) affixed to the back shaft of the bobbin-
net machinery, and the working of that shaft actuates the pattern whee!.
the lower end of the clawker (43) is affixed a tail piece (50) in order that
when the tail piece (50) is pressed on, as hereafter described, the clawker will
be forced off its ratchet wheel, and will no longer give motion to the pattern
wheel, notwithstanding the continued working of the back shaft in order to the
machine producing the bobbin net or lace for a length to which the pattern
produced thereon is apart the one row from another, as will be hercafter
described. (51) is a lever moving on an axis (51) turning in bearings affixed
on the projecting framing at the left-hand end of the machine. This lever is
worked by the pattern wheel, and communicates motion therefrom to the
sliding frame Z, there being a projecting stud (52) affixed on the lever (51), but
capable of adjustment in a slit formed in that lever; the stud (52) rests on
the pattern wheel, and on the cut of that wheel will depend the movement
At.

page_text: communicated to the frame Z. The upper part of the lever (51) passes
through a plate (58) affixed on the frame Z, there being a slit or opening
formed through the plate (53) to receive the end of the lever (51); and the
plate (53) has also another slit by which it is affixed by screws to the frame Z,
and by which that plate can be adjusted to the proper length. On the left
hand end of the driving shaft, which, according to the present machine, is
actuated by the workmen, is affixed the cam (54), which works the bent lever
(55), the lever (55) having a friction roller at its upper end, which works
against the cam (54), and the bent lever (55) has its fulcrum at (56) affixed
to the end framing of the machine. At the lower end of the lever (55) is
affixed a projecting plate having a hole formed therein, through which passes
the short connecting rod (57), which is adjusted to its length and retained in
its place by a screw nut screwed on its lower end; the connecting rod (57)
also passes through a hole formed in the end of the lever (58), the rod (57)
having a head formed on its upper end, and the lever (58) has its fulcrum
at (59) affixed to a projecting bearing from the projecting framing at the
left-hand end of the machine. To the lever (58) is connected by a pin joint
the clawker h, which works the ratchet-wheel g, for carrying out the barbed
points so soon as they have taken hold of the thread, as above described.
It should be stated that the sliding frame is at all times drawn upon in a
direction from the machine by the springs (60), and the weight of the needle
bar. The opening loop bars and the fastening-off bar are all for the most
part supported by means of springs from above, as is shown in the Drawing.
From the foregoing description and an examination of the Drawing, it will
be found that the new mechanism applied to the bobbin-net machinery in no
way interferes with the ordinary process of making the lace or bobbin net, of
whatever description the bobbin-net machine may be adapted to produce, for
the working of the ornamental threads into the lace takes place above the
taking-up points, and before the bobbin net or lace is wound on the work
roller; there is, however, a second work a centre bar, near the taking-up
points, as is shown in the Drawing, the needles for conducting in the
ornamenting threads working between the two work or centre bars. And
excepting that such mechanism which produces the ornamental thread work
is actuated partly by the shaft A, the back shaft (17), and the driving shaft,
by which rotatory motion is communicated by the workman, the new mechanism
may be considered a separate machine from the machinery which produces
the bobbin net or lace; consequently, it will be evident, that the same may be
combined into a separate machine, having a work roller on which the bobbin
net or lace is wound when being made, and another, such as the warp beau,"

page_text: to wind on the bobbin net or lace as it becomes ornamented; and in combining
such machine it will only be necessary to provide a suitable framing, and
arranging the parts as above described in order that the needles, the barbed
points, and the fastening-off hooks, may receive their proper movements. It
should, however, be stated that in applying the new machinery to bobbin-net
machines, in order not to stop the ordinary working of the bobbin net or lace,
but on the contrary to permit of the same continually to be going on during
the operation of working in of the ornamenting threads, the pattern wheel (10)
is to be cut in such manner as to compensate for the constant taking up of
the lace as is the case in the pattern wheel (10), shown for the pattern
hereafter described; but in making a separate machine for working in orna-
mental thread-work on bobbin net or lace after it comes from the bobbin-net
machinery in which it has been made, then the bobbin net or lace may
remain stationary during the time a pattern is being worked, and then the
pattern wheel will not require such compensation as when the lace is
constantly being carried up, as in the bobbin net-machinery. It will now be
desirable to state that in working a length of lace in the bobbin-net machinery
(having my improvements applied thereto) depending on the distance at which
the rows of pattern shall be one from another, it is necessary to suspend the
working of the various parts of the mechanism which produce the ornamental
thread work to the bobbin net or lace. In order to accomplish this object
I apply the series of wheels, shown in their places at the back of the machine,
and separately in the Drawing, by which the drivers and clawkers working
the various ratchet wheels belonging to this part of the machinery are put
away from their respective ratchet wheels, and consequently no longer actuate
the same. (61) is a rod which at its upper end has a projecting stud (62),
capable of sliding thereon in order to its being adjusted by the set screw (63).
The rod (61) passes through a guide hole in the bracket (64), by which that
rod is controlled to rise and fall correctly. The stud (62) is under the
clawker F, which works the ratchet wheel II; consequently when the rod (61)
is lifted by its spring, it will by the stud (62) raise the clawker F out of its
ratchet wheel, and this will stay the working of the barbed points. The rod
(61) is connected at its lower end by a pin joint to the lever (64), which has its
fulcrum at (65) affixed to a projection from the back framing of the machine,
the lever (64) being at all times drawn upward by the spring (66) at
the end to which the rod (61) is attached, hence when the other end of
the lever (64) is not lifted by its wheel (67), the clawker F will be
raised out of its ratchet wheel, the other end of the lever (64) being in
two parts screwed together to obtain proper adjustment, and the end of the

page_text: lever (64) is bent in order to rest on its wheel during the time the parts are
required to work; and when it comes to the end of the run the end of the
lover (64) falls downwards by the drawing up of the spring at the other end
of the lever (64), and such will be the position of things till a quantity of
lace or bobbin net has been made, when the wheel (67), coming again under
the lever (64), will raise that end and permit the clawker F to fall into and
actuate its ratchet wheel II. (68) is a rod having a stud (69) at its upper
end, with a set screw to adjust it to the proper position; this stud (69) is
under the clawker, which works the ratchet wheel for actuating the bent hooks
on the fastening-off bar. The rod (68) passes through a guide hole (70)
formed in the projecting plate (70), by which that rod is controlled to move
correctly; and the rod (68) is connected by a pin joint to the lever
(71), which has its fulcrum at (72), affixed to a projection on the back
framing, as is clearly shewn in the Drawing; the end to which tho
rod (68) is connected to the lever (71), being constantly drawn upwards
by the spring (72), consequently when the other end of the lever (71)
is not resting on its wheel (73), the clawker W will be lifted out of
its ratchet wheel, and that ratchet wheel will not be worked till the
wheel (73) again lifts the lever (71) and depresses the rod (68). The
driver (14), which works the ratchet (9) of the pattern wheel (10), is lifted
by the lever (74), which has a stud (75), with a set screw for adjustment;
this stud comes under the driver (14), so that when the lever is depressed at
its other end it will by the stud (75) lift off the driver (14). The lever (74)
has its fulcrum at (76) affixed to the cross framing, as shown.
necting rod attached at one end to the lever (74), and at the
lever (78) by pin joints, the lever (78) having its fulcrum at (79) affixed to
the back framing. The other end of the lever (78) is acted on by the wheel (80),
and so long as that end is resting on the run of the wheel (80) the ratchet
wheel (9) will be worked by its driver; but when the end of the lever falls off
from the run on the wheel (80), the weight of that end will cause the
driver (14) to be raised off its ratchet wheel, and that wheel will no longer be
worked. (81) is a wheel for throwing off the driver p from the ratched
wheel d, and thus stop the working of the wheels which give the horizontal
movement to the bars S and T. This wheel (81) acts on the bent end of the
lever (82), which has its fulcrum at (83) affixed to a bearing (84); and (85)
is a connecting rod capable of adjustment in its length by screws, by which
the motion of the lever (82) is connected with the lever (86), which moves on
a fulcrum at (87), that lever (86) having a projecting stud, which, coming
against the tail pin p' of the driver p, forces it from its ratchet wheel. The
(77) is a con-
other end to the

page_text: lower end of the lever (86) comes.in contact with the arm (88) on the axis
(89), which axis moves in suitable bearings, at the end of the machine, the
arm (88) passing through a slit formed through a projecting plate affixed to the
end of the lever (86). (90) is another arm affixed. to the axis (89). The
arms (88) and (90) being set or adjusted in any position on the axis (89)
by set screws, as shewn, the arm (90) coming against the clawker h
forces it out from its ratchet wheel, when the end of the lever (82) falls
off its run on the wheel (81). (91) is a wheel by which the lever
(31) (which works the needle bar and causes it to swing to and from the
bobbin net or lace) is thrown off its stud (33) which is on the lever (34),
and worked by the cam (35) on the shaft D. The wheel (91) actuates the
bent lever (92), moving on a fulcrum at (93) affixed to a projection from the
back fraining. (94) is a rod connected to the other end of the lever (92),
and it is constantly drawn upwards by the spring (95), so that when the
lever is on its wheel (91), the rod (94) is depressed, and by the projecting.
stud (95), which, pressing on the tail piece (36) of the lever (31), raises it off
the stud (33) on the lever (34), worked by the cam (35) on the shaft D.
And at the same time the projecting stud (96), descending with the rod (94),
permits the lever (97), which has its fulcrum at (98), to be drawn down by its
spring (99), and a notch or catch to embrace the projecting stud (100) on the
arm (30) of the axis or shaft, which causes the needle bar to swing to and
from the lace. By this means the needle bar is retained back by the lever (97)
so long as it is not required to work; the rod (94) being guided to its work. by
passing through a hole formed in the plate (101). (124) is a lever moving
on a fulcrum at (125); this lever has a projecting stud (126) thercon, as is.
shown, which, resting against the wheel (127), by being borne up to that
-wheel--by the spring (128) at the upper end of this lever, the rod (129) is
attached by a pin joint; this rod kept to its horizontal position by passing
through a hole in the plate. (130), affixed to the projecting frame; and (131)
is a projecting stud on the rod (129), which being forced against the tail
end (50) of the clawker (43), the pattern wheel is no longer acted on. (132).
is a lever moving on its fulcrum at (133), the lever (132) having a projecting
stud (134), which, coming against, is acted on by the wheel (135). To
the lever (132) the connecting rod (136) is attached by a pin joint, as
shewn; the other end of the rod (136) being attached by a pin joint to
the lever (137) moving on a fulcrum at (138). (139) is a connecting rod,
attached at one end by a pin joint to the lever (137), and at the other end by
a pin joint to the lever (140), moving on a fulcrum (140). And (142) is a
short connecting rod connecting the lever (140) with the lever (41), as is.

page_text: clearly shewn, the lever (141) moving on a fulcrum at (143), the lever (141)
being at all times drawn towards the shaft D by the spring (144); hence, when
the wheel (135) forces back the lever (182), the lever (141) will be drawn off
the end of the arm (5) on the shaft or axis (6), and the cam (4) will actuate
the bent hooks, and give the oscillating movement thereto, the other requisite
movement being communicated to the bent hooks by the wheel r. Thus it
will be seen, that the various parts for working in the ornamenting threads
are thrown out of gear during the time the lace is being made from one
pattern to the next; and the various wheels above described for throwing the
parts out of action are on one axis (110), together with the ratchet
wheel (111), by which they are put in motion. (112) is an arm fixed to the
back shaft of the bobbin-net machine. (113) is a connecting rod, attached
by a pin joint to the arm (112); and the other end of the connecting
rod (113) passes through a hole in a projecting plate on the lever (114),
having its fulcrum at (115), there being a screw and screw nuts at the end of
the connecting rod to adjust its length. At the other end of the lever (114)
is connected by a pin joint the clawker (116), which is kept to its ratched
wheel by the spring (117). And (118) is another arm affixed to the back
shaft, having a connecting rod (119) attached thereto, the other end of the
connecting rod passing through the end of the lever (120), having its fulcrum
at (121), there being a screw and nuts to adjust the point at which the rod
should touch the lever (120). At the other end of the lever (120) is con-
nected the driver (122), which is kept to its ratched wheel, by the
spring (123).
I will now proceed to describe the manner of conducting the ornamenting
threads to the needles. (145) are a series of bobbins, one to each needle,
moving freely on axes in the frame (146), which is suspended from and
affixed to the shaft or axis (147), moving in suitable bearings at each end and
in a bearing about the middle, as is clearly shown. (148) is a beam around
which cach thread from the bobbins is wound, the thread taking about three
turns around the beam or roller (148) before it is passed through the eyes of
the needle, when the end of the thread is to be brought from the eye near the
point of the needle, and made fast to the bobbin net or lace, the other part
of the thread, which is within the needle, being within the groove at the back
of the bend, and the groove in front of the stem of the needle. (149) are
connecting links or rods attached to the frame (146) with the arm (29) of
the shaft or axis 28, consequently the beam and threads will oscillate with the
needle bar. The connecting rods (149) being connected to these parts by pin
joints, as shown in the Drawing, on one end of the roller or beam (148) is

page_text: affixed: a ratchet wheel (150), which is worked in the following manner:-To
take up the slack thread, (151) is a lever moving on a fulcrum át (52), affixed
to the end of the frame (146), having a driver (153) attached thereto by a pin
joint, such driver being constantly pressed on by the spring (154); and the lever
(151) is connected by the rod (155) to the lever (156) by means of pin joints,
as is clearly shown, the lever (156) moving on a fulcrum (157) áffixed to the
cross framing of the machine. (158) is a cam affixed on the shaft D working
the lever (156); hence when that lever (156) rises at that end which works
against the cam (158), the driver (153) will take into a tooth on the ratchet
wheel, and as the lever (156) is depressed by the cam the driver will actuate the
ratchet wheel, draw back the loose thread; and this will take place when the
needles have arrived at the end of their movement through the bobbin net or
lace; and at the coming back of the needle bar the stud (159) on the beam
frame, coming under the driver (153), moves it out from the ratchet wheel, and
leaves the beam free that more thread may be drawn off the roller or beani.
It should be remarked that in suspending the bars S, T, and (2), they are
prevented moving to and from the bobbin net or lace by means of arms (160),
which are affixed to the bars S, T, and (2), and they pass through staples
(161) affixed to the stiffening bars, which are affixed to the arms, R', Q,
and (1); the object of suspending the arms S, T, and (2), as first described,
being to obtain movement lengthwise of those bars, and which would also give
a movement to and from the lace or net if not counteracted by the means just
described, and it will be seen that through the staples (161) there are set
screws to prevent play therein, excepting so far as the movement of the bars.
S, T, and (2) lengthwise; and the bars S, T, and (2) are at all times drawn
towards the left-hand end of the machine. And it should also be remarked
that in order to insure the pattern being produced equally and regularly on
the bobbin net or lace, that the winding on of the lace to the work or lace
roller should be as equable as possible; and for this purpose I actuate the
work roller successively by finer ratchet wheels, commencing with that having
the fewest number of teeth, increasing the number of teeth by two for
each succeeding ratchet wheel; and I employ five or six such ratchet wheels
for this purpose, the workman changing from one to the next as soon as he
thinks the increased quantity of the winding on by the work roller will distort
his pattern.
I will now proceed to describe the manner of working of the pattern for
which the pattern wheels are cut, and in doing so I shall treat of the working
of one set of the instruments, they being repeated at the intervals at which
the pattern is to be produced, and the instruments for making each pattern

page_text: are a bent or curved needle, having two eyes, two barbed points, barbed at
opposite sides, and the fastening-off hooks, by which the ornamenting thread
is tied into a fast knot at the completion of the pattern. At the coming
through of the needle the stems of the barbed points are to stand before each
other, so that they appear to be one instrument barbed on both sides. When
the needle is through the bobbin net or lace (of whatever description it is
being made in the bobbin-net machine), the barbed points descend on the left-
hand side of the needle, and consequently the thread which is across the bend
of the needle will be to the left of the barbed points. The barbed points are
carried to the left hand by the wheel g, in order to get out of the way of the
needle when it is passing back through the lace or net, which it does imme-
diately the barbed points are drawn out of the way; and the barbed points
being drawn back so that the opening loop bars are drawn back by the springs,
and are again borne by the wheels e and f, and are controlled by those wheels
in their future movements till the needle is again through, and the barbed
points require to be drawn out of the way. The needle, in passing back
through the bobbin net or lace, leaves the loop on the barbs, and by the cut of
the wheels J, K, e, and f, the barbed points separate from each other, carrying
out or opening the loop left on the barbs. The whole of the apparatus is
raised, and at the same time carried to the left hand by means of the pattern
wheels, the cut on the wheels raising the barbed point on the bar T slightly
above the point on the bar S; the result of which will be, that the loop will be
held in a triangular form opposite where the needle next enters, as is shown
by the dotted red lines in Figure 5. The needle comes next through at the
point b, it having come through the point a in the first instance; when the
needle has entered about half way through, the barb point on the bar S
rises by its wheel to the height of that on T, the barbed points then cross
each other, and throw off the loop from the barbs, which is performed by
the back of each barbed point forcing off the thread from the barb of the
other, and the loop falls on the needle, tho needle passes completely through
the bobbin net or lace and through the loop from the barbed points; and
the barbed points, by their wheels, again stand one before the other, and
again descend between the needle and the thread which is across the bend
of the needle, and last brought in; by it, the barbed points are drawn
toward the left hand out of the way of the needle, and return to be actu-
ated by the wheels e, f, when the needle is back through the first loop and
through the bobbin net or lace, having left the second loop on the barbed
points; the barbed points again open from each other and extend the loop,
and by the pattern wheels carry the loop down in a triangular form,
B

page_text: extending over the point a, through which the needle first came. The
triangle will therefore be reversed to that first produced, and will be as is
shewn by blue, dotted lines in Figure 5, the barbed points being similarly
acted on to cause them to throw off the loop and deposit it on the needle,
the needle having entered again at the point a. This completes the first
ray of the star from a to b; like movements take place to produce
the stitch or ray from a to c, a to d, a to e, a to f, and a to g. The
needle according to this pattern always coming through at a to complete the
stitch, and when the needle has come through the point a to complete the
stitch from a to g, the barbed points take the loop as before described; and
when the needle has passed back through the bobbin net or lace, those points
open the loop in a triangular form opposite a point a little to the left hand
of a, as the needle comes through the lace or net one mesh further to the
left hand, and one mesh higher up the lace than the row of meshes of which
a is one.
The needle having entered the previous loop is held by the barbed
points at some little distance above the needle, and in such manner that the
upper part of the loops on the barbed points stands horizontally across the
needle. The bent hook on the fastening-off bar now comes into action; it is
caused to rise up between the needle and the thread last brought through
the bobbin net or lace by the needle till the small hook is above the horizontal
part of the thread on the barbed points; the beat hook is moved in towards
the bobbin net or lace, by which the hook at the point stands over the hori-
zontal thread on the barbed points. The bent hook is moved downwards and
recedes a short distance from the lace or net, carrying with it the horizontal
thread through or between the needle and the thread which lies across the
bend; the barbed points pass cach other, and throw off the loop from the barbs;
the continued descent of the bent hook carries the loop taken from the barbed
points close up to the bobbin net or lace, the needle passing back at the same
time through the bobbin net or lace, taking with it the thread last brought in by
it; but in consequence of the previous loop taken from the barbed points having
been taken down as above described, and retained on the bent hook close
to where the needle last came in, the drawing back of the needle with the
thread therein caused a fast knot to be tied, and when the same is fast, the bent
hook is by the working of its wheel lifted out of the knot and carried back to
its first position, that is, out of the way of the working of the needle and
barbed points, till the period again arrives for the thread to be fastened
off, when the bent hook again performs the process of taking down of
the thread off the barbed points between the thread last brought in by
the needle. It may be desirable here to remark, that in order to direct

page_text: the attention of the workman who may have to construct or set up a
machine according to my Invention, in order to his accomplishing a par-
ticular pattern, he should particularly bear in mind the action of the
four instruments by which each pattern is worked. First, that the bent
needle shall, by its wheels, enter through the bobbin net or lace at the
determined parts of the pattern. Secondly, that the barbed points shall be
acted on suitably to pass between the needle and the thread which is across
the bend thereof, in order to take and retain the loop of the ornamenting
thread and carry it over the place where the needle is next to enter, in order
to the needle passing within the loop previously formed, and which is for the
time held by the barbed points. Thirdly, that when the fastening off the
thread is required, that the bent hook for that purpose shall pass between the
needle and the thread last brought in by it, and take the previously-formed loop
which is on the barbed points, and carry it between the needle and the thread
last brought in, and consequently produce a fast knot; which last constitutes a
very important feature in my Invention, as by that means the pattern being
worked may be fastened off at any determined period as above described.
Now if a workman fully attend to these three points, and see that in the
working of the various instruments in their movements are clear of each other,
he will readily carry out my Invention, and any error in the mechanical com-
binations which actuate these sets of four instruments may readily be detected
and obviated.
Having thus described my Invention, and the manner of carrying the same
into effect, I would wish it to be understood, that I lay no claim to any part
of the bobbin net or lace machinery shown, nor do I confine myself thereto,
nor to the making of any kinds of lace or not therein, my improvements being
such that whatever be the description of lace or bobbin net which may be
made in the bobbin-net machine to which my Invention is applied, the same
may have thread-work ornaments, as above described, formed therein during
the time the lace machinery is working to produce the bobbin net or lace, or
the products of such machines may be subsequently ornamented by such
thread work by a machine constructed according to my improvements, all
which will readily be understood, and the patterns readily varied by an
intelligent workman. And I would further remark, that I do not confine
myself to any particular description of thread, whether of cotton, silk, or other
material, but I generally employ thread of greater thickness than that of
which the ground of the bobbin net or lace is formed. And I do not claim
any of the parts separately of the mechanism by which my Invention is per-
formed. But what I do claim as the Invention secured by the present Letters

page_text: Patent is, the application of the needles for carrying the ornamenting thread
through the lace or bobbin net, and leaving a loop thereof; the barbed points
and the fastening-off' hooks, in combination with suitable mechanism for giving
the requisite movements thereto, for the purpose of forming thread-work
ornaments in bobbin net or lace made by that description of machinery
commonly called bobbin-net machinery, and whereby such thread-work orna-
ments may be fastened off and recommenced as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Sneath, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Third day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.
WILLIAM (L.S.) SNEATH.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Third day of November, in
the seventh year of the reign of His Majesty King William the Fourth, the
said William Sneath came before our said Lord the King in His Chancery,
and acknowledged the Instrument aforesaid, and all and every thing therein
contained and specified, in form above written. And also the Instrument
aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made in the
fifty-fifth year of the reign of His late Majesty King George the Third.
Inrolled the Third day of November. One thousand eight hundred and