Improvements in Spinning Mules.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Oct., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 17th July, 1897-Accepted, 28th Aug., 1897
Improvements in Spinning Mules.
I JOHN DEMPSTER WHYTE, of 31 Lime Avenue, Urmston, near Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My said invention relates to spinning mules and refers particularly to an improved
method of winding the spun yarn into cops upon the revolving spindles as is well
understood.
Under the present practice when the carriage of the mule has reached the limit of
its outward traverse, after the "backing off" the winder faller drops and directs the
yarn to the base of the conical top or nose of the cop. The carriage is run in and
the spindles are revolved at a variable speed, the maximum speed being attained
towards the end of the traverse of the carriage.
At the same time the faller wire is gradually raised and the yarn is thus wound,
upon the spindle in closely pitched spirals.
Cops wound in this manner are subject to many disadvantages. The layers of
close spirálly wound yarn being directly superimposed upon each other, the slightest
accident to the cop or any rough handling results in the cop being "slubbed " or
broken so that it is impossible to unwind the cop. Moreover in skewering the cop
when placing the same in the shuttle it is sometimes "stabbed" thus causing a
large proportion of waste.
The object of my invention is to wind the cops in such a manner as to obviate
these disadvantages.
To effect this instead of winding the cop in a series of successive superimposed
spirals as usual, I cross wind the yarn and so succeed in obtaining a cop much more
coherent and less liable to be broken than leretofore.
The means which I employ to effect this cross winding result may vary, but under
a suitable arrangement I mount an endless flexible band upon pullies supported by.
the carriage of the mule. The outer surface of the endless band is formed or
provided with a succession or series of double inclines intended to act on the yarn.
The band carrying these inclines is disposed to traverse at right angles to the
yarn across the width of the mule and between the spindles and the winder and
counter faller wires. In practice it might be found necessary to increase the
present distance between the spindles and these wires to allow of the passage of the
band of double inclines. The endless band of double inclines is driven at a suitable
speed from any convenient moving part of the mechanism of the mule or in any
suitable manner.
Suppose the winding on of the spun yarn is commencing the band carrying the
double inclines is driven as stated at right angles to the yarn. The yarn as it is
wound upon the spindles is caused to move rapidly up and down the double
inclines. At the same time the copping motion is arranged to slightly raise the
fallers during the winding on of the spun yarn. The gradual raising of the winder
faller wire from the base of the cone of the cop to the apex or nose is however
dispensed with. By the indicated means the yarn is rapidly raised and lowered or

page_text: vibrated between the base of the couical top of the cop to the apex or nose, and as
a consequence I am enabled to produce a cross wound cop composed of widely
pitched spirals of yarn. It is essential that the copping motion should be effected
during the process of winding on of the spun yarn in order to produce an evenly
wound cop. As the copping motion proceeds the pullies carrying the endless band
of double inclines are also arranged to be correspondingly raised. The inclines up
which the yarns are led may be less abrupt than the descending side, so as to
provide for a gradual spiral ascent of the yarn to the nose of the cop and an abrupt
descent to the base which will produce a more tightly wound cop.
If considered desirable the material from which the doable inclines are made may
be of greater width at the top than at the bottom in order to put an increased
tension on the yarn by reason of the greater extent of bearing surface. The double
inclines may be made from any suitable material so as to offer as little frictional
resistance to the passage of the yarn as possible.
Instead of carrying the double inclines upon an endless travelling band as
described I might mount or form them upon a bar arranged to traverse across the
width of the mule, the bar being returned to its normal position on the completion
of the winding of each length of spun yarn.
Cops wound according to my invention may if desired be placed directly in the
shuttle without the use of a skewer, and may be unwound either from the exterior
or interior. They are not liable to "slubbing" and can be utilized with little or no
waste. The spindles moreover may be driven at their maximum speed during the
process of winding.
I JOHN DEMPSTER WHYTE, of 31 Lime Avenue, Urmston, near Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement and accompanying drawings:-
My said invention relates to spinning mules and refers particularly to an
improved method of winding the spun yarn into cops upon the revolving spindles as
is well understood.
Under the present practice when the carriage of the mule has reached the limit
of its outward traverse, during the "backing off" the winder faller drops and
directs the yarn to the base of the conical top or nose of the cop. The carriage is
run in and the spindles are revolved at a variable speed, the maximum speed being
attained towards the end of the traverse of the carriage.
At the same time the faller wire is gradually raised and the yarn is thus wound
upon the spindle in closely pitched spirals.
Cops wound in this manner are subject to many disadvantages. The layers of
close spirally wound yarn being directly superimposed upon each other, the slightest
accident to the cop or any rough handling results in the cop being "slubbed" or
broken so that it is impossible to unwind the cop. Moreover in skewering the cop
when placing the same in the shuttle it is sometimes "stabbed "thus causing a
large proportion of waste,

page_text: The object of my invention is to wind the cops in such a manner as to obviate
these disadvantages.
To effect this instead of winding the cop in a series of successfully superimposed
spirals as usual, I cross wind the yarn and so succeed in obtaining a cop much more
coherent and less liable to be broken than heretofore.
In carrying my invention into effect I vibrate or rapidly raise and lower the yarn
in the space between the winding faller wire and the spindle during the run in of
the carriage. The yaru is thus caused to mount rapidly from the base of the cop
noso to the apex and to descend from thence to the base.
The yarn being thus rapidly raised and lowered upon the revolving spindle instead of
being wound upon the spindle in closely pitched spirals as heretofore is cross wound
in widely pitched spirals of yarn. To effect this rapid vibration of the yarn I
employ a number of double inclines disposed below the yarn and traversed between
the spindles and the winding faller wires at right angles to the yarn.
By the traversing of this series of double inclines the yaru is rapidly raised and
lowered during the run in of the carriage.
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood I will now
describe the same with reference to the accompanying two sheets of drawings.
On Sheet 1.
Fig. 1 represents a sectional elevation of a portion of the series of double inclines.
Fig. 2 is a plan of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a cross section.
Fig. 4 represents a method of running the inclines round the ends of the mule.
Fig. 5 indicates the method of traversing the double inclines.
Fig. 6 shows the means of driving or traversing the double inclines. Figs. 4 to 6
are drawn to a scale of about oue half that of Figs. 1 to 3.
Fig. 7 shows the relative position of the inclines to the spindle and the winder and
counterfaller wires.
On Sheet 2.
Figs. 8 to 10 indicate the means whereby the series of double inclines are raised
as the winding of the cop proceeds, being respectively end elevation, front elevation
and plan.
Fig. 11 is a detail view.
Referring in the first place to Figs. 1 and 3. These figures indicate the contour
of the double inclines and the method of carrying the same.
The double inclines a may be pressed, stamped or cast from sheet metal or any
other convenient material formed with a smooth surface so as to offer as little
frictional resistance to the passage of the yara as possible. They extend along the
full length of the mule, and to some extent round the ends thereof. The double
inclines a may be made singly or in sections and are mounted upon a rigid bar or
carrier b by brazing or other convenient means, so as to present no obstruction to
the free passage of the yarn over their surfaces.
The carrier b is adapted to bo freely traversed upon a slide e formed with turned
over edges to embrace the edges of the carrier b. In order to provide for the free
running of the inclino carrier b the slide e may be formed with anti-friction
bowls c¹ as shown, upon which the incline carrier bears. If considered advisable
however the carrier 6 may bo provided with the anti-friction bowls instead of the
alide.
The double inclines are set at an angle upon the carrier as indicated in
Figs. 3 and 7 so as to conform to the angle of the cop nose.
It will be evident that as the double inclines are traversed along the full length
of the inule, the series of double inclines must be made of greater length than the
length of the mule so as to act equally upon all the yarns. In cases where space is no
object the inclines upon the carrier may project beyond the ends of the mule and in
this case the carrier b may be rigid throughout its length. Where however space is
a consideration the carrior is formed flexible at each end for a certain
portion of its length. The slide is then curved at each end round the ends of the

page_text: mule and the flexible portion of the carrier b is traversed in the curved portion of
the slide. It will be noted from an inspection of Fig. 4 of the drawings that this
flexible portion is formed from a number of links d loosely pivotted together at d².
The double inclines raprosented by the thick lines in plan view in Fig. 4 are detached
from each other and are each firmly secured at a¹ to one of these links and are thus
carried round the ends of the mule.
When drawn out into the straight portion of the slide c the inclines a adjust
themselves into line with those secured to the rigid portion of the carrier.
The method of traversing the inclino carrier b across the length of the mule is
indicated in Figs. 5 and 6.
Upon the inner end of one of the carriages e and near the headstock of the mule
I mount a piniou ƒ capable of revolving in suitable bearings formed in brackets e¹
secured in any convenient situation to the carriage e.
Upon the axis g of the winding drum from which the tin roller is driven during
the inward run of tho carriage I mount a bevel wheel gl. The hevel wheel a gears
with a bevel wheel g2 upon the axis of which is mounted a spur wheel g³. The
apur wheel g goars with another spur wheel A mounted upon the spindle carrying
the pinion f.
As the carriage is run out and in during the operations of spinning and
winding, the drum upon the axis g is revolved first in one direction and then
the other as is well known. This therefore causes the pinion f through the
interposed gearing to be also revolved in alternate directions.
The incline carrier 6 is formed with rack teeth about midway for a portion of
its length. These rack teeth gear, with the pinion f as indicated in Fig. 5. To
permit of this one side of the slide c is cut away for some distance. It will be
noted that as the pinion f is mounted at the inner cad of one of the carriages
of the mule near the headstock it will in no way interfere with the fallers and
wires. As the carriago of the mulo is run out and in, the revolution of the pinion f
in alternate directions effects the traverse first in one direction and then the other, of
the incline carrier b.
In addition however to this alternate traverse of the incline carrier b it is
essential that as the building of the cop proceeds the inclines a must be gradually
raised until the cop is completed.
Figs. 8 to 10 illustrate tho method of effecting this.
The slide c within which the incline carrier b is traversed is supported at suitable
intervals in its length by rods i. Brackets are secured to the underside of the
slide c. The brackets are formed with jaws 2 within which are bolted the upper
ends of the rods i as clearly indicated in the detail view Fig. 10. The rods are
adapted to slide freely in brackets ; secured to the earringo e, and aro formed at
their lower ends with feet is. The rods i supporting the slide c are canted to the
Bame angle as the spindles. A rail sliding in suitable bearings secured to the
carriage e and running upon anti-friction bowls is formed with extensions. A
bellerunk lever k rocking freely upon a fixed stud k secured to the carriage e carries
at one end a bowl working within a groove formed in the underside of the foot i³
of the rod i. A. stud adjustably secured in a slot of the extension 3 of the rail j
engages with a slot in the other arm of the bellcrank lever k. It will be evident
that if the rail j¹ be traversed in the direction of the arrow the bellcrank lever k
will be turned upon its fulcrum and the rod i raised carrying with it the slide c. It
will be understood that each of the supporting rods i are correspondingly supported
and actuated by similar bellcrank levers. The rail j¹ is actuated as follows. The
shaft g from which the traversing of the slido carrier b is obtained is again utilised.
Upon the end of this shaft is mounted a plain disc m carrying a spring pawl m
The pawl m gears with a ratchet wheel a mounted upon a short shaft n carried in
bearings secured to the carriage e. Upon shaft n' I mount a worm o gearing with
a worm wheel o¹.
The axis of this worm wheel o¹ also carries a worm p which gears with a worin
wheel p¹. The worm wheel p² gears with suitably formed teeth upon the rail j³.

page_text: During the run in of the carriage the revolution of the shaft g' revolves the
worm o by means of the ratchet and pawl and the slight necessary raising of
the slide c by the traversing of the rail j¹ is effected. On the outward run of the
carriage and consequent reverse revolution of the shaft g during the spinning of tho
yarn the pawl m¹ simply slips over the teeth of the ratchet wheel and the worm
gearing is unaffected. The amount of traverse of the rail j¹ during the building of
the cops must be slight and tho worm gearing to effect this is proportioned
accordingly with respect to the speed of revolution of the shaft g. Suppose forinstanco
the distance from the stud / to the stud k¹, and from the stud 'to the bowl k'on the bell-
crank lever is as 1 to 4 and the lift of the slide c is to be four inches the path through
which the rail i must traverse the stud / would be 1 inch only. The stud is made
adjustable within the slot of the extension to provide for the different counts of
yarn being spun. For instance when spinning 40s yarn the stud would have to
be lowered sufficiently to cause the rail j to be traversed about twice the distance
in order to raise the supporting rods i the requisite height than would be necessary
with 20s yarn to produce cops of equal diameter.
To lower the slide c after the cops have been doffed the worm p is mado
removable from the shaft on which it is mounted.
The rail may then be moved back to the starting point thus lowering the
slide c to its normal position for the commencement of the build of the cops.
I will now describe the working of my invention during the building of the cops.
At the commencement of the winding of the yarn upon the spindle the slide c is in
its lowest position so that the yarn is directed by the winding faller wire to the
point upon the spindle at which the winding commences.
The yarn then lies on the inclines. On the run in of the carriage the series of
inclines a is traversed by the pinion f along the length of the mule in the direction
of the arrow Fig. 1. The passage of the series of inclines a causes the yarn to
follow the contour of the double inclines and thus a rapid vibratory motion is
imparted to the yarn, causing the same to be cross wound upon the spindle in widely
pitched spirals.
From an inspection of Fig. 1 it will be noted that the yarn on its way to the
spindle slides up the less inclined side of the inclines and descends the more abrupt
This provides for a gradual spiral ascent of the yarn to the nose of the cop
and an abrupt descent to the base which will produce a more firmly wound cop.
It is to be understood that I do not confine myself to the exact size or angle of
the double inclines although I have shown what I consider to be most suitable.
Upon the run out of the carriage the incline. carrier b is returned by the reverse
rotation of the pinion f to its normal position.
The present practice of imparting the maximum velocity to the spindles when the
winding of the yarn begins on the bare spindle and the gradual decreasing of that
velocity until tho cop bottom is formed is retained under my invention.
It must be understood however that the gradual raising of the winding faller
wire from the base of the cop nose to the apex during the run in of the carriage is
dispensed with. But the copping rail may be used with such an incline only as will
raise the faller wire a distance corresponding to the raising of the inclines which is
effected during the run in of the carriage as already described and indicated in
Sheet 2 of the drawings.
Except in this respect the movements of the fallers remain as at present.
An inspection of Fig. 7 Sheet 1 of the drawings will show the relative
position of the double inclines and the spindle and faller wires.
In this view the yarn is shown upon the top of the double incline.
It may be found necessary in practice to alightly increase the space between the
winding faller wire and the spindle to provide for the interposition of the
inclines a.
Under the present practice as the yarn is gradually wound from the base to the
apex of the cop nose the speed of revolution of the spindles is correspondingly
increased

page_text: This variable motion of the spindles is dispensed with under my invention and the
spindles are revolved at a uniform speed relatively to the speed of the run in of
the carriage. It will be noted from an inspection of Fig. 3 of the drawings that the
apex of the double incline a is formed of greater width than the base. This has the
effect of taking up slack yarn as it is wound upon the thinnest portion of the cop
nose. In order to preserve the same relative distance of the inclines from the cop
nose I cant the inclines a upon the carrier 6 as indicated in Figs. 3 and 7.
As my invention consists essentially in the production of cross wound cops in a
mule by vibrating the yarn as it is being wound upon the spindle by means of
double inclines or their equivalents traversed along the length of the mule, it must be
understood that I do not confine myself to the exact method described for effecting
the traversing and raising of the incline carrier b as these means might easily be
varied by any experienced machinist.
Cops wound according to my invention may if desired be placed directly in the
shuttle without the use of a skewer and may be unwound either from the exterior or
interior..
They are not liable to be "slubbed " and can be utilized with little or no waste.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.
(1) As means for producing cross wound cops in a spinning mule, imparting a
vibratory motion to the yarn in the space between the spindle and the winding
faller wire by means of an interposed travelling series of double inclines or their
equivalents snbstantially as set forth.
(2) The double inclines a mounted upon a carrier and traversed in or upon a slide
arranged and acting in the manner and for the purposes and substantially as
described and illustrated.
(3) The method of traversing or reciprocating the carrier b in reverse directions
by means of a rack and pinion or their equivalents substantially as described and
illustrated with reference to Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings.
(4) The method of gradually raising the series of inclines a as the building of the
cop proceeds substantially as described and indicated with reference to Sheet 2 of
the drawings.
(5) The general arrangement construction and combination of mechanism for
producing a cross wound cop in a spinning mule substantially as described and
illustrated.