IMPROVE- MENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Leeming, of the Firm of Messieurs John Leeming
& Son, of Bradford, in the County of York, Machine Maker, and John Whyte,
of the City of Glasgow, Machinery Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
Sealed the 28th April 1876, and dated the 4th January 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Leeming and John
Whyte at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th January
1876.
JOHN LEEMING, of the Firm of Messieurs John Leeming & Son, of Bradford,
in the County of York, Machine Maker, and JOHN WHYTE, of the City of Glasgow,
Machinery Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
The improvements relate,―
Firstly. To the dobbie or apparatus by which the healds are lifted and depressed
as required by the pattern being woven.
Secondly. The Invention relates to looms known as loose reed looms, and the
object is by the use of improved apparatus connected with the reed to ensure the
immediate stoppage of the loom when a shuttle is caught in the shed.
Thirdly. To a combined pattern and multiple shuttle box, moving, setting, and
holding mechanism, whereby the required shuttle shall be placed in its proper
position, that is to say, in a line with the "race "of the slay, the shuttles being so
brought into position either in numerical order or in " skips," say, from shuttle one
to shuttle four, or from six to two, or three to five, or other number.
Now, as to the healds. The needles are operated by means of a series of heavy
end levers, which are in turn worked by the pattern mechanism (or if necessary
the needles can be operated on directly from the cylinder without the aid of
intervening apparatus), in such manner as to impart to the needles a double motion,
whereby the needles lift the "catch" clear of the "puller" at the termination of
the stroke of the "knife," the "button" then raises the puller clear of the
knife.
Connected with the pullers are a series of levers for lifting the healds, a like set
of shorter needles and levers connected with the healds are employed for pulling
the latter down. The second set of levers are arranged under the first set in order
to economise space; each set of pullers are provided with a knife which engage

page_text: with and operate on them as determined by the needles under the control of the
pattern mechanism.
In connection with our improved shedding apparatus the healds are operated by
means of a three-armed rocking lever; two of the ends of this lever are provided
with "branders ;" another rocking lever having two arms (and its fulcrum about
midway its length) is provided with the ordinary brander hooks. The hooks are
operated by pin barrel and needles, or by cards; to the ends of the latter lever are
attached cords, the upper cords passing over guide pulleys, and are thence continued
to and secured to the top heald staves, a cord from the other and lower end of the
said rocking lever passes over a guide pulley and to a short lever, a cord from the
latter being attached to the bottom heald 'staves, so that as the rocking lever is
moved on its fulcrum by the branders and hooks so will the healds be drawn up or
drawn downwards in a “positive” manner, and will not for either motion be
dependent on either springs or weights.
When using the dobbie for high speed looms we can dispense with the positive
motion in one direction and substitute springs or weights by connecting the top
and bottom levers so that they will simultaneously act whether the top or bottom
hooks are engaged and work the upper set of catches only, two needles being under
each catch.
For stopping the loom when a shuttle is caught we apply to the ordinary flight
rod a finger having at its other extremity a pin. When a shuttle is caught or
"trapped" in the shed, the partial rotation (given by the reed flying back) to the
flight rod, will raise the finger and pin referred to. The pin in its turn by means
of a connecting rod moves a bell-crank lever, on one arm of which is a projection
on which the ordinary" tongue" rests so long as the shuttle passes properly from
box to box. Should, however, the shuttle be caught in the shed, the finger on the
flight rod operates the bell-crank lever, turning the same, and drawing its projection
from under the tongue, which is thereon instantly depressed by means of a spring,
and the tongue comes in contact with the frog and stops the loom.
Next in order is the pattern mechanism for controlling the shuttle boxes. To
accomplish this we impart to two levers (which we call the pattern levers)
fulcrumed on the same stud a rising and falling motion, which is given them by the
cards on the cylinder. Each lever is provided with an equal number of prongs,
according to the number of shuttle boxes or shuttle cells; if six cells, then each
lever would be provided with 'three prongs; if four cells, two prongs each, and so
on; the cylinder is provided with a number of holes equal to the number of prongs
on both levers. The levers are so connected together, that when the card cylinder
operates on one, pushing it up, the other as a necessary consequence is forced down
against the cylinder, thus a positive and negative motion is given to the pattern
levers in both directions: The levers are balanced and frictioned so as to stand
steadily at any position the cylinder and cards in their upward motion may have
forced them to. We also employ two catches and a lever for reversing the cylinder
and cards when long patterns are required. To one of the pattern levers is
attached a connecting rod, which joins the pattern mechanism to the shuttle box
moving, setting, and holding mechanism, which consists of two levers having their
free ends jointed to two rack rods which gear into a toothed pinion, both racks
being continuously in gear. About midway and-jointed on the levers are two
engaging catch pieces with a number of notches corresponding to the number of
cells in the box, the pattern mechanism being connected to, and operating on the
catch pieces sets them in the requisite position. A lever having a continuous rising
and falling motion imparted by a cam or crank on: the tappet shaft engages with
that notch which' is nearest, and forces the box to the end of the stroke of the cam
lever. The other catch piece will at the same time be descending, and come against
the cam lever precisely at the finish of the-stroke and the momentum ceases; it
will thus be seen that the pattern mechanism and shuttle box moving, setting, and
holding mechanism is precisely the same in its results, that is to say, there is
positive and negative motion.
f
7A

page_text: Another arrangement of mechanisın for moving and setting the boxes or cells
containing the shuttles comprises two bell-crank levers; one arm of each in or
about the horizontal position bears upon a tappet. The other arms of the bell
cranks carry at their lower ends each a pawl; the latter are (by connections) under
the control of the pattern mechanism. A segment bell-crank lever having a number
of notches on its segment is mounted upon a stud; its straight arm is connected
with the shuttle box rod or rods. The tappet at each revolution, by operating the
bell cranks, causes the pawls connected therewith to advance upon the notched
segment, and as the pattern mechanism places one or other of the pawls opposite
one or other of the notches on the further advance of the pawls, so will the segment
lever and box rod or rods be operated by one of them, and the required shuttle be
brought into position for crossing the "race," the other or negative pawl
serves by entering a notch on the opposite side of the segment to arrest the
momentum.
the said John Leeming and John Whyte, in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 30th June 1876.
JOHN LEEMING, of the Firm of John Leeming and Son, of Bradford, in the County
of York, Machine Makers, and JOHN WHYTE, of the City of Glasgow, Machinery
Agent. IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
"
The improvements relate,―
Firstly. To the dobbie or apparatus by which the healds are lifted and depressed
as required by the pattern being woven.
Secondly. The Invention relates to looms known as loose reed looms, and the
object is by the use of improved apparatus connected with the reed to insure the
immediate stoppage of the loom when a shuttle is caught in the shed.
Thirdly. To a combined pattern and multiple shuttle box moving, setting, and
holding mechanism whereby the required shuttle shall be placed in its proper
position, that is to say, in a line with the "race" of the slay.
The needles are operated by means of a series of heavy end levers, which are in
turn worked by the pattern mechanism in such manner as to impart to the needles
a double motion whereby the needles lift the "catch" clear out of the "puller" at
the termination of the stroke of the "puller," the button then raises the catch clear
of the knife.
Connected with the catches for lifting the healds are a series of levers for lifting
the healds; these levers are working on teeth, so that their opposite ends move
in one and the same direction.
In connection with our improved shedding apparatus the healds are operated by
means of a three-armed rocking lever; two of the ends of this lever are provided
with "branders;" another rocking lever on the same shaft having two arms, and
its fulcrum about midway its length, is provided with the ordinary brander hooks.
The hooks are operated by pin barrel and needles or by cards. To the ends of the
latter lever are attached cords, the upper cords passing over guide pulleys, and are
thence continued to and secured to the top heald staves.
16
For stopping a loom when a shuttle is caught we apply to the ordinary flight
rod a finger having at its other extremity a pin. When a shuttle is caught or
trapped" in the shed the partial rotation (given by the reed flying back) to the
flight rod will raise the finger and pin referred to; the pin in its turn by means of
a connecting rod moves a bell-crank lever, on one arm of which is a projection on
which the ordinary "tongue" rests so long as the shuttle passes properly from box
to box. Should however the shuttle be caught in the shed the finger on the flight
rod operates the bell-crank lever, turning the same and drawing its projection from
under the tongue, which is thereon instantly depressed by means of a spring, and
the tongue comes in contact with the frog and stops the loom.

page_text: Next in order is the pattern mechanism for controlling the shuttle boxes. To
accomplish this we impart to two levers (which we call the pattern levers),
fulcrumed on the same stud, a rising and falling motion, which is given them by
the cards on the cylinder. Each lever is provided with an equal number of prongs
according to the number of shuttle boxes or shuttle cells; if six cells, then each
lever would be provided with three prongs, if four cells two prongs each, and so on.
The cylinder is provided with a number of holes equal to the number of prongs on
both levers. The levers are so connected together that when the card cylinder
operates on one, pushing it up, the other through the connection is forced down
against the cylinder; thus a positive and negative motion is given to the pattern
levers in both directions. The levers are balanced and frictioned so as to stand
steadily at any position the cylinder and cards in their upward motion may have
forced them to. We also employ catches and a lever for reversing the cylinder and
cards. When long patterns are required to one of the pattern levers is attached a
connecting rod, which joins the pattern mechanism to the shuttle box moving,
setting, and holding mechanism, which consists of two levers having their free
ends jointed to two rack rods which gear into a toothed pinion, both racks being
continuously in gear; about midway and jointed on the levers are two engaging
catch pieces with a number of notches corresponding to the number of cells in the
box; the pattern mechanism being connected to and operating on the catch pieces
set them in the requisite position; a lever having a continuous rising and falling
motion imparted by a cam or crank on the tappet shaft engages with that notch
which is nearest and forces the box to the end of the stroke of the cam lever, the
other catch piece will be at the same time be descending and come against the cam
lever precisely at the finish of the stroke, and the momentum ceases. It will thus
be seen that the pattern mechanism and shuttle box moving, setting, and holding
mechanism is precisely the same in its results, that is to say, there is positive and
negative motion.
Another arrangement of mechanism for moving and setting the boxes or cells
containing the shuttles comprises two bell-crank levers. One arm of each in or
about the horizontal position bears upon a tappet; the other arms of the bell cranks
carry at their lower ends each a paul; the latter are (by connections) under the
control of the pattern mechanism. A segment bell-crank lever having a number of
notches on its segment is mounted upon a stud; its straight arm is connected with
the shuttle box rod or rods. The tappet at each revolution by operating the bell
cranks causes the pauls connected therewith to advance upon the notched segment,
and as the pattern mechanism places one or other of the pauls opposite one or other
of the notches on the further advance of the pauls so will the segment lever and
box rod or rods be operated by one of them and the required shuttle be brought
into position for crossing the "race;" the other or negative paul serves by entering
a notch on the opposite side of the segment to arrest the momentum.
"
Such being the nature and object of this our said Invention we will now proceed
to describe the same in detail, and in order that the same may be fully understood
we have hereunto annexed Sheets of Drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
On Sheet 1 is shewn the combination and arrangement of apparatus for working
the healds.
Sheet 2 shews the improved combination of apparatus for stopping the loom
when a shuttle is caught in the shed.
On Sheet 3 is shewn improved construction of mechanism for operating the
shuttle boxes of loom.
Sheet 4 shews another construction of apparatus for a like purpose.
The healds are worked as follows:-
Sheet 1. The needles 1 are operated by means of a 'series of heavy end levers 2,
which are in turn worked by the pattern mechanism 3 in such manner as to
impart to the needles a double motion, whereby the needles lift the "catch" 4 clear

page_text: "puller" 5; the
with the catches
of the "puller" 5, at the termination of the stroke of the
"button" 6 then raises the catch 4 clear of the knife; connected
are a series of levers 7, 8, for lifting the healds; these levers work on studs 10
and 11, and engage with each other by means of teeth so as that their opposite
ends move in one and the same direction; 9 is a spring for pulling down the healds.
Sheet 2. For stopping the loom when a shuttle is caught, we apply to the
ordinary flight rod 1 a finger 2, having at its other extremity a pin 3, when a
shuttle is caught or "trapped" in the shed the partial rotation (given by the reed
flying back) to the flight rod 1 will raise the finger and pin referred to, the pin in
its turn, by means of a connecting rod 4, moves a bell-crank lever 5, on one arm of
which is a projection 6 on which the ordinary "tongue", rests so long as the
shuttle passes properly from box to box; should however the shuttle be caught in
the shed the finger 2 on the flight rod 1 operates the bell-crank lever 5, turning
the same, and drawing its projection 6 from under the tongue 7 which is thereon
instantly depressed by means of a spring 8, and the tongue 7 comes in contact with
the frog 9 and stops the loom!
At Sheet 3 is shewn an arrangement of mechanism for operating the shuttle
boxes comprising two bell-crank levers 1, 1, operated by the tappet 2; 3 and 4
are pauls connected by pin joints 5. with the bell crank's lower arm and by links
6, 6, to the lever 7; a link 8 connects the lever 7 with the lever 9; and lever 9 is
connected with lever 10 by means of the links 11, 12, and 13. At 14 is a notched
segmental bell-crank lever, to the lower arm of which is attached the spear or
shuttle box rod 15.
+
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-At each revolution of the tappet 2
the bell-crank levers 1, 1, are moved on their fulcrum pins 16, 16, whereby the
pauls 3 and 4 are caused to advance upon the notched bell crank 14, one of the
pauls will first engage with one of the notches and move the bell crank forward
until met by the other paul, so operating the rod 1b and setting the shuttle boxes.
Whether the rod 15 shall be raised or lowered so as to bring any particular cell
and shuttle in line with the race is determined by the levers 9 and 10, and their
connections with the link 7; and this is effected as follows:-An ordinary "peg
barrel and works under the projections 17 and 18 on the levers 9 and 10, and the pegs
being arranged on the barrel according to the pattern required to be woven so will
one or other of the levers 9 and 10 by the pegs be from time to time moved, and
the connecting links will operate lever 7; this on moving will, by the links 6, 6,
set the pauls 3 and 4 opposite their respective notches, and the notched bell crank
14 will be operated. The tappet 2 is formed at 19 so as to "dwell" or maintain
the levers 1, 1, and pauls 3, 4, firmly in contact with the bell crank 14, so as to
hold the rod 15 and shuttle box steady and firmly in position during the passage
of the shuttle across the race. The parts 20, 21, are for preventing breakage should
any obstruction to the free working of the loom occur. When extra strain arises
the arm 20 will move on its pin 22, bring the hooked end 23 upon the pin
24, raising the other end of the arm 20 and allowing the tappet to rotate without
operating the bell cranks 3, 4; 25 is a spring for keeping the arms 1* of the bell
crank together.
•
Figs., Sheet 4 are elevation and plan of shuttle box moving and setting mechanism.
1 and 2 are levers (which we term the pattern levers) having one common fulcrum
stud 3; at 4 is shewn a "card" or pattern cylinder; the levers 1 and 2 may be
provided with a number of pendant prongs according to the number of shuttle cells,
to act in conjunction with the holes or blanks in "cards" (or pins of unequal lengths
may, as shewn on the Drawings, be attached to the barrel, which barrel has a rising
and falling motion imparted thereto, as will be herein after explained); the levers
1 and 2 are connected at their ends by links 5 and lever 5*, so that if one be raised
by the pattern barrel 4 the other will be lowerd. The lever 1 is a bell crank, and
from its lower arm 1* is a rod 7 connecting the swivel piece 8 therewith; 9 and 10
are two levers, having at their free ends each a rack rod and rack 11, 12, gearing
with a pinion wheel 13 for operating "rotary" or circular shuttle box on the axis of

page_text: the pinion. For a rising and falling box there will be required only the spear mod
10* connected with one of the levers 9, 10. On fulcrum pins attached to the levers
9 and 10 are two upright catch pieces 14, 15, each having a number of notches
equal to the number of shuttle cells and shuttles, and these pieces are connected
by rods 16, 17, to the swivel piece 8.
The action is as follows:-A cam or crank will give a regular motion to the
lever 18 on its fulcrum stud 19. On the downward movement of the lever arm 18
the link 20 will, by turning the lever 21 on its fulcrum stud 22, force downwards
the pattern barrel 4, whereon the catch 23 will turn the pattern barrel 4 with its
pin or hole in the card (as the case may be) under the pendant parts 24 of the
levers 1, 2; meanwhile the other end of the lever 18 will have, by its upward
movement and the link 25 have forced upward the lever 26, and the end of one or
other of the slots 27, 27 (see plan), will have caught one of the notches on one or
other of the catch pieces 14, 15, and as the latter are connected with the levers 9.
and 10, the rods 10, 11, or spear rod 10x and boxes will be moved into proper
position, a change of shuttle will be effected as follows:-When the link 20 is
drawn by the lever 18 downwards the pattern barrel 4 will be forced upwards,
and the pin or blank of the card will act on 24, and force one of the levers 1, 2,
up; the arm 1* will be moved inward, the rod 7 will turn the swivel piece 8, and
the rods 16, 17, will change the position of the notched pieces 14, 15, so that on the
lever 26 again ascending its slots 27 will engage with some other of the notches
and move the levers 9, 10, and boxes as required.
Having thus fully described the nature and particulars of this our said Invention,
together with the manner in which the same is to be performed or carried into
practice, we would have it understood that we claim,—
Firstly. The geared levers 7 and 8 combined with and acting in combination,
the needles 1, levers 2, pattern mechanism 3, catches 4, and pullers 5, for operating
the healds, in the manner and for the purpose described.
Secondly. We claim the parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (Sheet 2), when combined and arranged
as described (and acting in conjunction with the ordinary loose reed), for the pur-
poses herein set forth.
Thirdly. For moving, setting, and holding the shuttle box we claim the bell-
crank levers 1, 1, pauls 4, segmental bell-crank lever 14 combined and acting, as
herein fully described and shewn by Drawings, Sheet 3.
Lastly. We claim the combination of the levers 18, 20, 21, 22, 26, for operating
the card or pattern mechanism 4, and through the notched presses 14, 15, and levers
9, 10, moving and setting the boxes as required, as such combination is herein set
forth and shewn by Drawings, Sheet 4.
We make no claim to any of the individual parts of the several combinations of
parts claimed, but limit ourselves to the specific combinations of defined parts as
set out under headings, firstly, secondly, thirdly, and lastly.
In witness whereof I, the said John Leeming, for and on behalf of myself
and the said James Whyte, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-
eighth day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-six.
Witness,
WALTER BRIERLEY,
Patent Office,
Halifax & Blackburn.
JOHN LEEMING. (L.S.)