IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBING MACHINES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Clayton Mewburn, of 169, Fleet Street, in the City
of London, Patent Agent and Consulting Engineer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBING MACHINES.” A communication from abroad by
La Société Amédéo Prouvost et Compagnie, of Roubaix. France.
Sealed the 4th July 1879, and dated the 5th May 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Clayton Mewburn
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th May 1879.
JOHN CLAYTON MEWBURN, of 169, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent
Agent and Consulting Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBING MACHINES." [A
communication from abroad by La Société Amédée Prouvost et Compagnie, of
Roubaix, France.]
This Invention has reference to combing machines having what is called a square
motion, and the improvements consist :-
First. In substituting for the elliptical feed movement a quadrangular feed
movement which permits of charging the wool normally to the teeth of the carrier
comb, and of afterwards retiring in a line practically perpendicular to the first
direction so as to parallelize the fibres deposited on the comb without straining
them.
Secondly. In fitting the machine with an apparatus which is hereinafter called
the collector for collecting all the long fibres deposited by the feed in the carrier
comb.
Thirdly. In a new process by which a double system of combing is introduced in
front of the drawing apparatus by means of 3 (more or less) combing segments
returning in rotation by a retrograde movement to their starting point; the object
of this improvement being to free the top of the combing machine of all obstructing
parts while allowing of a double combing being effected in a suitable manner.
I will proceed to describe these improvements successively :-
Feed Apparatus.-To impart to this apparatus the quadrangular movement before
mentioned a cam is made to act within and against the four sides of a frame from
the lower side of which a rod is carried, this rod passes into a socket or sleeve
which is pivoted to a fixed support. The upper part of the frame carries the feed

page_text: rollers. When motion is given to the cam the feed rollers follow the four sides of
a quadrilateral figure, and consequently the wool or fibre is laid on the carrier
comb in a line corresponding to one side of this figure and normally to the teeth,
and when the feed apparatus retires it follows a line at right angles to the first
line so that the parallelization of the fibres is effected in a line practically perpen-
dicular to the teeth. This quadrangular motion is obtained by means of a singlo
cain and of a pivot, and can be applied to other purposes; I will speak of it again
in describing the collector.
The cam is composed of two portions of circles concentric with the shaft with
which it turns, and of two other arcs of circles described respectively from points at
the ends of one of the first named portions of circles with a radius such that the
cam has the same diameter in every direction.
The
Collector. This apparatus is composed of two distinct parts; first, a small comb
for preparing the long fibres on the carrier comb by drawing them inwards; and
secondly, a fluted roller arrangement for taking hold of the long fibres thus prepared
in order to collect or combine them in a sort of lap or fleece around a drum or
cylinder. The small comb receives a quick quadrangular movement by means of
an arrangement the same as but smaller than that already described for the feed.
The cam works against the four sides of a frame, from one side of which a rod is
carried, the said rod taking into a pivoted socket. The comb, which is fixed on
this rod, is furnished with a row of teeth, the points of which describe a quadri-
lateral figure. By means of this arrangement this comb can be worked as near as
may be wished to the teeth of the carrier comb, consequently in one portion of the
quadrilateral movement the small comb enters the long fibres normally, then it
draws them within the comb by following the next line of the quadrilateral figure,
parallelizing them in this moveinent, and prepares them for being taken by the
combing apparatus. This second apparatus consists of two fluted rollers pressing
between them two belts, the longer of which is twisted by means of a guide so as
to return to the horizontal position. A drum or cylinder then bears by its own
weight on this belt, so that when the fluted rollers are put in motion and drive the
belts, the drum itself is drawn into the motion by its friction on the belt.
fluted rollers are driven by the rack or toothed ring which supports the large
carrier comb through the intermediation of toothed pinions and wheels, one of the
wheels being adjustable in a slide so as to allow of the position of the fluted rollers
being altered without their being put out of gear. The fluted rollers turn in two
half bearings, one of which is held by a screw acting by the pressure of a spiral
spring so as to keep the rollers in contact while allowing them to separate slightly
in case of need in order not to strain the belts and to allow of the passage of
inequalities in the small sliver of wool which the rollers pull from the comb. The
two apparatus, of which the collector is composed, therefore act as follows:-The
small comb prepares the long fibres by drawing them within the carrier comb, then,
almost immediately, the fluted rollers of the collector take hold of them between
their belts in the form of a small fringe or sliver which remains upon the large belt,
and then becomes wound on the drum; this latter being covered with a sufficiently
rough cloth.
When the lap is sufficiently thick the attendant breaks it by hand
and allows a fresh one to be formed. The cam of the small comb may conveniently
be driven by a shaft from the bottom of the machine by means of a doubly crossed
belt passing over a tightening roller. By this means this belt is prevented coming
too near the belt which drives the shaft of the feed apparatus.
Combing Segments.-The apparatus hitherto employed in combing machines for
introducing in front of the drawing apparatus a double system of combing have
objections which interfere with the general working of the machine. Independently
of the difficulty experienced in working and regulating them in an efficaceous
manner they cover the carrier comb so that it is impossible to approach it for
certain detail operations which are of great importance. The object of the present
improvement is to substitute for these apparatus a simple arrangement easily fitted,
occupying only a small space, and leaving the carrier comb and the inside of the

page_text: machine quite uncovered. To obtain this result I employ three segments, each of
which in turn comes back to its starting point by a retrograde movement above the
other two. During this movement the other two segments are lowered in front of
the drawing apparatus so as to effect the double combing. The arrangement I
adopt has the advantage of compelling the segments to be quite close together so
as to prevent any opening between the teeth situated near the joints. It also
allows of the carrier comb being readily examined and repaired, and of being
unmounted in case of need.
In the said arrangement a vertical shaft drives a rod, to which it imparts a con-
tinuous circular motion. This rod can also oscillate slightly in a vertical direction
upon a hinge. On this rod are mounted, firstly, a conical roller which runs on a
circular way; and secondly, a cap jointed to the rod; this rod has a journal which
engages in a hinge connected to a double guide sliding on two cylindrical rods.
These rods are themselves connected to the centre of the machine by a pivot, which
not only allows them to move in a horizontal circular direction, but also to rise and
fall. By the arrangement above described the continuous circular motion of the
shaft is transformed into a reciprocating horizontal motion of the cylindrical rods.
The circular way is slightly altered in the form of an incline plane at the position
corresponding with the extreme position of the rods, so that at this moment the
parts are lifted to extents proportioned to the lever arms of the arrangement, and
the rods occupy a raised position. The circular way is constructed to keep the parts
in this position during the return to the original starting point, then it slightly
descends so as to return the rods to the horizontal position. The rods in fact by
one turn of the shaft undergo four successive movements, viz., forward, risc, return,
fall. A small rod is jointed to the top of the central pivot and follows its move-
ments. It is fixed at its outer end to a bolt. The upward movement causes the
advance of the bolt, which on the contrary retires during the downward movement.
A spiral spring which becomes compressed during one half of the forward move-
ment of the rods reacts during the other half of this movement in order to equili-
brate the work because the action upon the rods at this time is at a very acute
angle. This spring has no action on the bolt. The rods are connected by a strong
circular guide having a mortise into which the bolt is guided. The said guide is
fitted in a turned cavity formed at the back of each segment in such manner that
in all the horizontal forward movement of the rods the segments are pressed near
each other by the simple friction of this guide. The segments are also formed with
a mortise to receive the bolt when the upward movement is produced. From this
moment it will be understood that the rods and the last segment which is at the
extreme point are connected together, forming as it were only one piece; conse-
quently when the rods return to their starting point they also bring back the last
segment, keeping it in a raised position so that it may pass over the other segments.
This movement is effected without shock because the segment does not travel in a
guide and the parts rest by their own weight on the conical roller.
The segments
carry at their lower part two studs which exactly fit in the downward move-
ment into holes formed for this purpose in a ring mounted on the rack so as
to ensure the exact working of these segments by the carrier comb; these seg-
ments are besides combined with the carrier comb by the simple fact that the
wool is taken from the teeth of both. There is therefore a mathematical
working of the three segments, which cannot be retarded by any slipping or
accelerated by any drawing. The rod which carries the conical roller can be
lengthened or shortened at will. Thus the horizontal amplitude of the rods
which are pivoted at the centre of the machine can be as variable as desired,
and this permits of determining very exactly the movement for causing the bolt
to take into the mortise of the segments.
The arrangement, before described, allows of the following successive movements
being produced in a most suitable manner:-1. Forward movement of the rods
empty. 2. Raising of the rods and of a segment. 3. Securing of the bolt. 4. Return

page_text: of the rods with a segment. 5. Descent of the rods and of the segment. 6. Releasing
of the bolt and freeing of the segment.
In this manner the segment, which had been removed on leaving the drawing
apparatus, is deposited completely free, but combined with the carrier comb a little
before the drawing apparatus ready to receive the wool which is engaged therein
by the movement of the lifter.
A fixed guard on the supports of the drawing apparatus keeps the segments firm
in front of the drawing apparatus; the segment engages under this guard for a
short distance. As the segments are always connected to the centre of the machine
by the rods it will be understood that the rigidity of the latter will prevent any
excentration, deviation, or inclination.
A heating pipe is fitted to heat the segments during their travel on the carrier
comb.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Clayton Mewburn in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th July 1879.
JOHN CLAYTON MEWBURN, of 169, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent
Agent and Consulting Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBING MACHINES."
(A communication from abroad by La Société Amédée Prouvost et Compagnie, of
Roubaix, France.)
This Invention has reference to combing machines having what is called a square
motion, and the improvements consist,-
First. In substituting for the elliptical feed movement a quadrangular feed inove-
ment which permits of charging the wool normally to the teeth of the carrier
comb, and of afterwards retiring in a line practically perpendicular to the first
direction, so as to parallelize the fibres deposited on the comb without straining
them.
Secondly. In fitting the machine with an apparatus, which is hereinafter called
the collector, for collecting all the long fibres deposited by the feed in the carrier
comb.
Thirdly. In a new process by which a double system of combing is introduced in
front of the drawing apparatus by means of 3 (more or less) combing segments
returning in rotation by a retrograde movement to their starting point, the object of
this improvement being to free the top of the combing machine of all obstructing
parts, while allowing of a double combing being effected in a suitable manner.
I will proceed to describe these improvements successively, and will refer to the
annexed Sheet of Drawings, which illustrate the same.
Feed Apparatus-To impart to this apparatus the quadrangular movement before
mentioned, a cam c (Figure 2) is made to act within and against the four sides of a
frame b, from the lower side of which a rod is carried; this rod passes into a
socket or sleeve d, which is pivoted at p to a fixed support 8. The upper part of the
frame carries the feed rollers a. When motion is given to the cam the feed rollers
follow the four sides of a quadrilateral figure 1, 2, 3, 4, and consequently the wool or
fibre is laid on the carrier comb according to the line 1, 2, and normally to the
teeth; and when the feed apparatus retires it follows the line 2, 3, so that the
parallelization of the fibres is effected in a line practically perpendicular to the teeth.
This quadrangular motion is obtained by means of a single cam and of a pivot, and
can be applied to other purposes; I will speak of it again in describing the
collector.
The cam is composed of two portions of circles V, X, and Y, Z, concentric with the
shaft with which it turns, and of two other arcs of circles V, Z, and X, Y, described
respectively from the points V and X, with a radius such that the cam has the same
diameter in every direction.
Collector. This apparatus is composed of two distinct parts, first, a small comb p
(Figure 7) for preparing the long fibres on the carrier comb by drawing them
inwards; and, secondly, a fluted roller arrangement (Figure 6) for taking hold of
the long fibres thus prepared in order to collect or combine them in a sort of lap or
fleece around a drum or cylinder N. The small comb p (Figure 7) receives a quick
quadrangular movement by means of an arrangement the same as but smaller than
that already described for the feed. The cam c works against the four sides of a
frame b, from one side of which a rod t is carried, the said rod taking into a pivoted
socket. The comb p, which is fixed on this rod, is furnished with a row of teeth,
the points of which describe a quadrilateral figure 1, 2, 3, 4 (Figure 7). By means
of this arrangement this comb can be worked as near as may be wished to the teeth
of the carrier comb, consequently in the portion 1, 2, of the quadrilateral movement
the small comb enters the long fibres normally, then it draws them within the comb

page_text: by following the next line 2, 3, parallelizing them in this movement, and prepares
them for being taken by the combining apparatus. This apparatus, which is shown
in the plan view Figure 3, and in Figure 6, consists of two fluted rollers c pressing
between them two belts, the longer of which is twisted by means of a guide g so as
to return to the horizontal position. A wooden drum or cylinder N then bears by
its own weight on this belt, so that when the fluted rollers c are put in motion and
drive the belts, the drum itself is drawn into the motion by its friction on the belt.
The whole apparatus is fixed on the steam box by the screws V. The fluted rollers
are driven by the rack or toothed ring, which supports the large carrier comb;
the
pinion a gears with the rack; on the shaft of the pinion a a wheel b is mounted;
this wheel drives the rollers c by means of the intermediate wheels c', d, the wheel d
being adjustable in a slide so as to allow of the position of the fluted rollers being
altered without their being put out of gear. The fluted rollers turn in two half
bearings, as seen in Figure 3, one of which is held by a screw acting by the pressure
of a spiral spring, so as to keep the rollers in contact while allowing them to separate
slightly in case of need in order not to strain the belts, and to allow of the passage
of inequalities in the small sliver of wool which the rollers pull from the comb. The
two apparatus of which the collector is composed therefore net as follows:-The
comb prepares the long fibres by drawing them within the carrier comb, then
almost immediately the fluted rollers c of the collector take hold of them between
their belts in the form of a small fringe or sliver, which remains upon the large belt
and then becomes wound on the drum N, this latter being covered with a sufficiently
rough cloth. When the lap is sufficiently thick the attendant breaks it by hand
and allows a fresh ono to be formed. The cam of the small comb p may conveniently
be driven, as shewn in Figure 7, by a shaft from the bottom of the machine by
means of a doubly crossed belt passing over a tightening roller T. By this means
this belt is prevented coming too near the belt which drives the shaft of the feed
apparatus.
Combing Segments.-The apparatus hitherto employed in combing machines for
introducing in front of the drawing apparatus a double system of combing have
objections which interfere with the general working of the machine. Independently
of the difficulty experienced in working and regulating them in an efficacious
manner, they cover the carrier comb so that it is impossible to approach it for certain
detail operations, which are of great importance. The object of the present
improvement is to substitute for these apparatus a simple arrangement, easily fitted,
occupying only a small space, and leaving the carrier comb and the inside of the
machine quite uncovered. To obtain this result I employ three (more or less)
segments A, B, C, Figure 3, each of which in turn comes back to its starting point
Y by a retrograde movement above the other two. During this movement the other
two segments are lowered in front of the drawing apparatus, so as to effect the
double combing. The arrangement I adopt has the advantage of compelling the
segments to be quite close together, so as to prevent any opening between the teeth
situated near the joints. It also allows of the carrier comb being readily examined
and repaired, and of being unmounted in case of need.
In the said arrangement a vertical shaft A, Figures 1 and 3, drives a rod M,
to which it imparts a continuous circular motion. This rod can also oscillate
slightly in a vertical direction upon a hinge J. On this rod aro mounted,
firstly, a conical roller G, which runs on a circular way G¹; and, secondly,
a cap I jointed to the rod. This rod has a journal, which engages in a hinge
connected to a double guide sliding on two cylindrical rods T, T¹, Figure 5.
These rods are themselves connected to the centre of the machine by a pivot
P, which not only allows them to move in a horizontal circular direction, but
also to rise and fall. By the arrangement above described, the continuous
circular motion of the shaft A is transformed into a reciprocating horizontal
motion of the rods T and T¹. The circular way G' is slightly altered in the form
of an inclined plane at the position corresponding with the extreme position X of

page_text: the rods T, T', so that at this moment the parts are lifted to extents proportioned to
the lever arms of the arrangement, and the rods T, T', occupy the position indicated
by the dotted line u. The circular way G' is then horizontal, so as to keep the
parts in this position during the return to the original starting point Y; then it
slightly descends, so as to return the rods to the horizontal position. The rods T, T',
in fact, by one turn of the shaft A, undergo 4 successive movements, viz., forward,
rise, return, fall. A rod B is jointed to the top of the central pivot P, and follows
its movements. It is fixed at its outer end to a bolt V. The upward movement
causes the advance of the bolt V, which on the contrary retires during the down-
ward movement. Figures 1, 3, and 5 show an arrangement of spiral spring, which
becomes compressed, as indicated in Figure 1, during one half of the forward
movement of the rods, and reacts during the other half of this movement, in order
to equilibrate the work, because the action of the rod M upon the rods T, T¹, at this
time is at a very acute angle. This spring has no action on the bolt V. It will bo
seen by Figure 3 that the rods T, T¹, are connected by a strong guide E, E, having
a mortise into which the bolt is guided (Figure 4). The said guide is fitted in a
turned cavity, formed at the back of each segment in such manner that in all the
horizontal forward movement of the rods, the segments are pressed near each other
by the simple friction of this guide. The segments are also formed with a mortise
to receive the bolt when the upward movement is produced. From this moment it
will be understood that the rods T, T', and the last segment which is at the point X
are connected together, forming, as it were, only one piece; consequently, when the
rods return to their starting point, they also bring back the last segment, keeping
it in the position u (Figure 1), so that it may pass over the other segments. This
movement is effected without shock, because the segment does not travel in a guide,
and the parts rest by their own weight on the conical roller G. The segments carry
at their lower part two studs D, which exactly fit in the downward movement, into
holes formed for this purpose in a ring K, mounted on the rack so as to ensure the
exact working of these segments by the carrier comb; these segments are besides
combined with the carrier comb by the simple fact that the wool is taken from the
teeth of both. There is therefore a mathematical working of the 3 segments, which
cannot be retarded by any slipping, or accelerated by any drawing.
The rod M can be lengthened or shortened at will. Thus the horizontal amplitude
of the rods T, T", can be as variable as desired, and this permits of determining
very exactly the movement for causing the bolt to take into the mortise of the
segments.
4.
The arrangement before described allows of the following successive movements
being produced in a most suitable manner :--1. Forward movement of the rods
empty. 2. Raising of the rods and of a segment. 3. Securing of the bolt.
Return of the rods with the segment. 5. Descent of the rods and of the segment.
6. Releasing of the bolt and freeing of the segment.
In this manner the segment which had been removed on leaving the drawing
apparatus is deposited completely free, but combined with the carrier comb a little
before the drawing apparatus ready to receive the wool, which is engaged therein
by the movement of the lifter.
A fixed guard H (Figure 1) on the supports of the drawing apparatus keeps the
segments firm in front of the drawing apparatus; the segment engages under this
guard for a short distance. As the segments are always connected to the centre of
the machine by the rods T, T', it will be understood that the rigidity of the latter
will prevent any excentration, deviation, or inclination.
A heating pipe S (Figure 1) is fitted to heat the segments during their travel on
the carrier comb.
And having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,—
First. Constructing or fitting combing machines with a quadrangular feed move-
ment, arranged and acting substantially as and for the purpose hereinbofore described,
and represented in the annexed Drawings.

page_text: Second. Constructing or fitting combing machines with an apparatus bereinbefore
called the collector, arranged and acting substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before described, and represented in the annexed Drawings.
Third. Constructing or fitting combing machines with combing segments, arranged
and working substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described, and repre-
sented in the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Clayton Mewburn, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighth day of July, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy nine.
J. C. MEWBURN. (LS.)