Improved Check-strap for Weaving-looms.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 6th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 8th Feb., 1897-Accepted. 27th Mar., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Check-strap for Weaving-looms.
HUGH SPENCER No. 80 Bicknell Street, Blackburn in the County of Lancaster
Power-loom Overlooker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
An improvement upon the check-strap now in use: a bracket of iron or other
suitable material is affixed to the sleigh at the place where the check-strap is now
fixed and a strap is attached to this bracket in such a manner that it may be coiled
round the centre-pin of the same and it is attached at the other end to the picker-
preserver in the same way as the check-strap now in use is attached: when the
picker throws the shuttle (which it does with great force) the picker is stopped at
the end of its throw by the picker-preserver which is attached to the check-strap
and on the sudden impact of the picker with the picker-preserver the strap is pulled
and the coil caused to slightly unroll thus bringing the picker to a standstill
gently and causing an immense saving of picking-band.
Dated this 4th day of May 1896.
HUGH SPENCER.
I, HUGH SPENCER of 80 Bricknell Street, Blackburn, Loom Overlooker 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:-
My invention consists of an improved check strap for checking the movements
of pickers in looms after striking the shuttle, and thereby serving to bring the
pickers to a standstill in a gradual manner and effecting an immense saving of
picking bands.
And in order that my said invention may be readily understood and carried into
practical effect I have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings, in which,
Fig. 1 is a side view of my improved check strap in its normal position and in
the position it assumes before the picker operates upon the shuttle.
Fig. 2. is a side view of the same strap, but in the position it occupies when the
picker has thrown the shuttle and in the act of cushioning or checking the impact
and movement of the picker and picking band.
Fig. 3. is a plan of Fig. 1.
As will be seen in all the views I employ a strong, by preference, leather strap
or thong (A) one end of which is coiled round and secured to a centre pin or
bridge (B) on metal bracket (C) whilst the other end is secured to the picker
preserver (D) mounted on the picker spindle (E).
A separate check strap and bracket is used for each shuttle box, the bracket
being bolted or otherwise fixed to the respective ends of the loom sley.

page_text: With the picker set fully back and ready for throwing the shuttle the strap
occupies the coiled up position shewn in Fig. 1, but as soon as the picker has
thrown the shuttle (which it does with great force) it comes against the
preserver (D) and driving it forward in the direction of the arrow, causes the
strap to be pulled forward and so be partly unrolled from (or more tightly coiled
on) the axis (B).
In such manner and by virtue of the strap tending to resist uncoiling the picker
is brought to a standstill in a gentle and gradual manner with obvious advantages
to the picker and picking band.
If desired the check strap may operate in a reverse manner & for preserving
the picker against the impact of the shuttle, or it might be connected direct to the
picker or to the picking band.
Likewise, the coiling of the strap may be effected or assisted by a metal spring
and the length of strap or amount of coil may be varied. The axis (B) may be
made to wind up in coiling the strap end, but we prefer a fixed axis.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, 1 declare that what I claim is,
1st. A flexible strap coiled at one end upon a pin or axis in proximity to the
shuttle hox of a loom, and at the other end secured to a picker preserver or
vice versa as and for the purposes set forth.
2nd. The combination of bracket (C) with bridge or cross-pin (B), strap (A)
and picker preserver (D), all mounted and operating as and for the purposes set
forth.
Dated this 6th day of February 1907
HUGH SPENCER,
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
55 Market Street, Manchester, Agents.