IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING AND SPINNING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES."
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Matthew Curtis, of, the City of Manchester,, in the
County of Lancaster, Machinist, and John Wain, of the same Place,
Mechanic, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
PREPARING AND SPINNING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Matthew Curtis at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents with their Petition, on the 11th.
September 1855.
We, MATTHEW CURTIS, of the City of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Machinist, and JOHN WAIN, of the same Place, Mechanic, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
PREPARING AND SPINNING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES" to be as
follows:-
Our improvements in machinery for preparing consist in applying a pair of
rollers behind the tumbler or other apparatus used for stopping drawing or
other frames on the absence of the sliver.
Our improvements in spinning, which apply chiefly to the self-acting mule
(the third one being applicable also to hand mules), consist, first, in placing the
friction cones used for backing-off on the tin roller shaft, or equivalent therefor,

page_text: mounted on the carriage square, and in driving such cones by an independent
band distinct from the rim band.
Secondly, in an improved apparatus for regulating the winding-on motion,
which is so arranged, that the time during which motion can be communicated
to the screw in the radial arm for raising the nut by the depression of the
counter faller is gradually diminished until the formation of the bottom of
the cop is completed.
Thirdly, in the application, in mules where the drums are driven by bands,
of a spring to the tightening pulley of the drum band, to keep the band at a
uniform tension.
Fourthly, in connecting by means of geering the back or drawing-out shaft
with the shaft on which the pinion is placed, which gives motion to the quadrant
of the radial arm.
Fifthly, in passing the scroll band round or over a pulley fast on the
drawing-out or back shaft, to assist in turning that shaft when the carriage is
going in.
Sixthly, in an improved arrangement for putting the friction cones for
backing-off in and out of contact.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Matthew Curtis in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
11th March 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, MATTHEW
CURTIS, of the City of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Machinist,
and JOHN WAIN, of the same Place, Mechanic, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria did, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date the Eleventh day of September, One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the nineteenth year of Her reign,
give and grant unto us, our executors, administrators, and assigns, Her especial
license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that we, the said Matthew
Curtis and John Wain, our executors, administrators, and assigns, should and
lawfully might, during the term of fourteen years therein expressed, make,
use, exercise, and vend, within 1er said Majesty's United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland,. the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, our
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING AND SPINNING
COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES;" in which said Letters Patent is

page_text: contained a proviso, that if we, the said Matthew Curtis and John Wain,
should not particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing
under our hands and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of us, and cause
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent, then
the said Letters Patent, and all liberties and advantages whatsoever thereby
granted, should utterly cease, determine, and become void, as in and by the
same, relation being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
Matthew Curtis and John Wain, do hereby declare that the nature of our
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement and
description, reference being had to the Drawings on two Sheets hereunto
annexed.
Our Invention consists, so far as regards improvements in machinery for
preparing, in applying a pair of rollers behind the tumbler or other apparatus
used for stopping drawing or other frames on the absence of the sliver; and
our Invention consists, so far as regards improvements in machinery for
spinning, in the six several improvements following, and which apply chiefly
to the self-acting mule (the third one being applicable also to hand mules,
that is to say:-
First, in placing the friction cones used for backing-off on the tin roller
shaft, or equivalent therefor, mounted on the carriage square, and in driving
such cones by an independent band distinct from the rim band.
Secondly, in an improved apparatus for regulating the winding-on motion,
which is so arranged, that the time during which motion can be communicated
to the screw in the radial arm for raising the nut on the screw by the depres-
sion of the counterfaller is gradually diminished until the formation of the
bottom of the cop is completed.
Thirdly, in the application (in mules where the drums are driven by bands)
of a spring to the tightening pulley of the drum band, to keep the band at a
uniform tension.
Fourthly, in connecting by means of geering the back or drawing-out shaft
with the shaft on which the pinion is placed, which gives motion to the
quadrant of the radial arm.
Fifthly, in passing the scroll band round or over a pulley fast on the
drawing-out or back shaft, to assist in turning that shaft when the carriage is

page_text: Sixthly, in an improved arrangement for putting the friction cones for
backing-off in and out of contact.
In describing our improvements, we shall explain and illustrate them as
applied to the class of mules known as "Lakin and Rhodes's," and for which
Robert Lakin and William Henry Rhodes obtained several Letters Patent,
dated respectively the Twelfth day of October, One thousand eight hundred
and forty-nine, and the First day of October, One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-two. They may, however, be applied to others, the requisite altera-
tions for which will readily occur to any mechanic conversant with such
machines.
In the following description and in the Drawings the same letters and
numbers of reference are used to indicate the same or corresponding parts in
all the Figures in which they occur. The scales to which the Figures are
drawn are stated on the Drawings.
Figure 1 is a plan, Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5, side elevations, and Figure 6 an end
elevation, of so much or such parts of a mule headstock as we think requisite
to illustrate our improvements; Figure 7 is a plan of part of a mule carriage;
and Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are detached parts.
We will now proceed to describe our improvements in machinery for pre-
paring, and for this purpose we refer to the Specification of a Patent granted
to Mr. Thomas Aitken, on the Twenty-eighth day of January, One thousand
eight hundred and forty, for certain improvements in the machinery or
apparatus for drawing cotton and other fibrous substances, in which he
described a pair of rollers to draw the sliver out of the can and placed a short
distance behind the drawing rollers. Between the can and the rollers he placed
a lever or tumbler, over which the sliver passed, and which lever or tumbler,
with the apparatus connected, caused the frame to stop on the breaking or
absence of the sliver.
Our improvement consists in placing the lover or tumbler between the pair
of rollers, as applied by Mr. Aitken, and the drawing rollers, instead of placing
it between the rollers and the can, the advantage of which consists in this:
that, as in Mr. Aitken's arrangement the sliver sometimes broke in passing
between his pair of rollers and the drawing rollers, the tumbler did not act, as
the sliver remained on it between the rollers and the can; and also we find
that the sliver will better withstand the action of the tumbler when passing
between the back rollers and the drawing rollers than when between the

page_text: rollers and the can, and consequently the tumbler is more certain in its
operation.
And in reference to our said improvements in machinery for preparing, wo
declare that what we claim as of our Invention is, the application of a pair of
rollers behind the tumbler or other apparatus used for stopping drawing or
other frames on the absence of the sliver.
"
We will now proceed to describe the first of our improvements in spinning
machinery. In a fixing on the carriago square is the stud a, on which rotates
the grooved pulley A, on a hoss of which is keyed the pinion B, which geers
with and drives the wheel C, on whoso boss is keyed the pinion D, which geers
with and drives the wheel E. This wheel rotates loose on tho tin roller shaft,
and on one side has cast with it the she friction cone E'. The grooved pulley F
is the one usually employed for communicating motion to the tin roller shaft,
on which it is keyed. To this pulley we cast or attach the he friction cone-F³,
bevilled to fit the cone E'. On a stud in the carriage square is the lever G,
Dear one end of which is placed an antifriction roller, which slides between the
bevilled fork of the lever c (end and side views of which are shewn at Figures
8 and 9. The other end of the lever G passes through and supports the boss
of the lover b, which moves on it. The upper end of this lever is forkod, and
enters into a groove in the boss of the wheel E. In Figure 10 the levers G
and b are shewn detached in elevation. On the shaft c' are, fixed the levers c³
and c. These and the other connected parts are those usually employed for
drawing the faller sector on to the bowl on which it rests, after the backing
off has taken place, and during the winding on of the yarn. The lever c is
fast on the shaft c', and the lever c is loose on it between the collars cand.c³,
both of which are fast on the shaft; they prevent the lever c' from moving
sideways. At the lower end of the lever c¹ is a stud, on which is placed a
bowl; this bowl as the carriage goes out passes over the lever P fast on the
shaft P. In the collar is fixed the short pin *. The fixing H' is fastened
to the floor, and to it is bolted the plate. H. An-end elevation of this plato
and fixing is shewn at Figure 11. To the lower part of the strap lever I is
attached one end of the bar I', which, near its other end is bovilled, has a
notched projection, and slides in the fixing I³. The notched part is drawn
against the fixing by the action of the spring Is, attached to the strap lever
5 and to the fixing I. The fixing I must be so placed, that when the notched
part of the bar I' is drawn against it, the strap lever will be in the position
required to keep the driving strap for the most part on the pulley J.
carriage end is fastened the fixing d, in which is the pin or stud e.
must be so adjusted, that as the carriage moves outward it will at the required
To the
This stud

page_text: time come in contact with the bevilled end of the bar I', and elevate it suffi-
ciently to raise the notched part above that portion of the fixing [* against
which it rested, and allow the spring Is to draw towards it the lower end of
the strap lever, and with it the bar I'. The pulley J is usually made fast on
the rim shaft K and the pulley L loose; but in the arrangement we are now
describing the reverse is the case. To connect the pulley J with the rim
pulley K', they are both fast on the boss or tube J', through which the rim
shaft passes. Fast on the rim shaft are the grooved pulley M, the pulley L,
and the bevil wheel N. The pulley L gives motion to the rim shaft, and the
grooved pulley M communicates motion to the grooved pulley A by an endless
band (not shewn in the Drawings), which passes from the pulley M over a
guide pulley fixed at the back of the headstock, then round the pulley A to
a guide pulley in front of the headstock, and thence over another guide pulley
at the back of the headstock to the pulley M. The bevil wheel N gives
motion to the drawing rollers in the usual way.
Having described the various parts, we will now proceed to explain the
operation:-As the carriage comes out. the driving strap being partly on both
of the pulleys J and L, motion will be given to the spindles from the grooved
pulley K', and to the drawing rollers from the bevil wheel N, in the usual way.
This will continue until the stud e in the fixing d comes in contact with and
lifts up the bevilled end of the bar I', which when sufficiently raised allows
the spring 1s to pull the lower end of the strap lever 1, and cause its upper
end to traverse the driving strap, from being partially on both the pulleys J
and L. to be wholly on the pulley L, when the grooved pulley K' will cease
giving motion to the spindles. As the carriage continues its outward course
the lower part of the lever 6 comes in contact with the bevilled end of the
plate H, and as it proceeds along the bevilled part the lower part of the lever
is moved sideways, and causes the upper or forked part of the lever to put the
cones E and F into contact, when, by means of the band which passes from
the grooved pulley M to the grooved pulley A, and by the pinions B and D
and wheels C and E, motion will be given to the tin roller shaft, and thence
to the spindles in the reverse direction to that they previously had. This
reverse motion of the tin roller shaft, as is well known, causes the click in
connection with the backing-off snail to fall against a tooth of the ratchet
wheel, and the backing-off takes place, and as we have not altered this part it
need not be further described. It will be evident that the time when motion
ceases to be communicated to the spindles by the grooved pulley K' will
depend upon the time when the stud e is made to come in contact with and
raise the bevilled end of the bar I', and also that the time of communicating

page_text: the reverse motion to the spindles from the grooved pulley M will depend upon
the time when the lover 6 acted upon by the plate H puts the cones E' and F
into contact; consequently the positions of the stud e and plate H must be
adapted to the several times when the changes are required to be made, which
will vary, according to circumstances. For instance, in spinning coarse
numbers, or in soft yarn where a small amount of twist is required, the
backing-off' may be entirely completed during the outward run of the carriage,
whereas in others it may be desirable only partially to have backed off before
the outward run is completed. We may also observe that it is desirable to
allow the carriage to move out about five inches after the bar I' is raised
previous to allowing the lever 6 to come in contact with the plate H, as it
allows a short period for the momentum of the tin roller to expend itself
previous to the cones E' and F¹ being brought into contact, and thereby to
diminish the shock and the strain on the bands. Motion is continued to the
drawing rollers until the outward movement of the carriage is completed. The
catch box used for driving the rollers is then taken out of geer by the change
motion in the usual way, and their motion ceases. The change motion at the
same time removes the tappet, which previously assisted in keeping the catch
box Q (Figure 6) out of geer; and if the backing-off has taken place before
the carriage has completed its outward run, the catch box Q will at once drop
into geer at the completion of the outward run, and the scroll will commence
drawing in the carriage; but as the carriage must not commence going in until
the backing-off has ceased, we use the lever c', a bowl at the lower end of
which passes over the lever P, and when the change motion has acted, the
lever P coming against the bowl is prevented rising further until the lever c' is
moved, when the shaft P¹, no longer being restrained, turus, and the catch box
drops into geer. The lever c' receives motion as follows:-When the backing-
off' takes place, the faller is depressed and the sector raised, and when it is
raised sufficiently to pass over the bowl, against which it rested, the spring O
attached to the carriage, and the lever c', aided by the chain O', pulling the
bowl on the lever, draws the levers and in the direction of the arrow.
These levers being fast to the shaft c', it is partially turned round, and with it
the cellar, the short pin in which, coming against the lever c¹, moves it
along with it. When that lever has been moved sufficiently out of the per-
pendicular, the lever P, which presses against and is held down by it, pushes it
up, and the catch box Q is allowed to drop into geer. The lever c' is left
loose on the shaft c' purposely to allow the lever P to overeme it when it
has been moved out of the perpendicular. It will, therefore, be seen that the
levers and Parc applied solely to prevent the catch box Q dropping into geer

page_text: until such time as the backing-off has taken place, and that when the backing-
off is accomplished by the time the outward run of the carriage is completed,
then these levers are not required. When the shaft c is partially turned, as
before mentioned, the lever c is moved with it, and the forked part, in which
one end of the lever G passes, being bevilled, it moves that lever, and causes
the other end of it, on which the lever 6 is supported, to move that lever at its
upper end, and by so doing takes the cones E' and F' out of contact, and thus
stops the grooved pulley M from giving motion to the spindles. We may here
observe, that when the lever G is acted upon by the lever C, the lower end of
the lever b is kept from moving by being in the opening in the plate II, which
acts as a fulcrum, and consequently, when motion is given to the lever b by the
lever G, it is compelled to move at its upper end, whereas when the lever bis
moved by the plate II the lever G forms its fulcrum, that lever being held in
its position by the end which passes into the bevilled fork of the lever c.
When the carriage has completed its inward run, the sector is knocked back
and the faller rises in the usual way, which causes the levers c' and cand
shaft to move back to their original position, and with them the levers c'
and c, the lever c moving with it one end of the lever G, and with it the lower
end of the lever b, the upper end being restrained by being in the groove in the
boss of the wheel E.
And we declare, in reference to this first of our improvements in spinning,
that what we claim as of our Invention is, the placing the friction cones used
for backing-off on the tin roller shaft, or equivalent therefor, mounted on the
carriage square, whereby, as herein-before described, we are enabled to back
off wholly or partially during the time the carriage comes out, and in driving
such cones by an independent band distinct from the rim band.
We will now proceed to describe the second of our improvements in spin-
ning machinery. On the winding-on barrel shaft R is fixed the grooved or
flanged pulley S; the bottom of the groove is covered with leather to create
friction between it and the hoop or ring T, and to ensure the ring being
carried round by the pulley when it revolves. The ring rests in the groove of
tho pulley, the flanges preventing its falling off. This ring is higher on one
side than the other; in the higher part there is a recess or hollow cut out, and
to the lower pait and against the higher is cast the projection or stop s. The
ring is shown detached in Figure 12, and with the grooved pulley S and
winding-on barrel shaft R in section in Figure 13. The lever R' at one end
is supported by a stud attached to the fixing R2: at the other end it is
weighted, and carries the small grooved pulley 1. The chain 2, attached at
one end to a finger on the faller shaft, and at the other to a finger on the

page_text: counter faller, passes under the grooved pulley 1, and supports it. On studs
in the lover Rare the bowl 8 and break 4, the under side of which is covered
with leather. On a stud in the carriage end is the break pulley R³, to which
is attached the grooved pulley R. The endless band 5 passes round the
grooved pulley R, then over the pulley 6 attached to the bevil R³, then to the
pulley 7, and thence under the guide pulley 8, to the grooved pulley R. In
the fixing R is the projection or stop s'; this projection or stop must be so
placed, that when the stop s is brought against the upper part of it, the recess
in the high part of tho ring T will be directly under the bowl 3. As is well
known, at the commencement of forming the cop bottom the spindles require
to make a greater number of revolutions during each going in of the carriage
than they do when the cop bottom is formed, and that the number of révo-
lutions required gradually diminishes in each successive stretch during the
formation of the cop bottom. It will generally be found that the winding-on
barrel shaft R has to make about double the number of revolutions atitho
commencement of the formation of the cop than it has to do when the 'cop
bottom is formed; this, however, varies in proportion to the thickness of the
cop. But supposing it took three turns at the commencement of forming a
cop bottom and one and a half at the finish, then we make the pulley S and
the inner diameter of the ring T relatively of such size, that the stop a on that
ring will by one and a quarter turns of the pulley S be carried round with the
ring from bearing against one side of the stop s', and brought to bear against
the other. Now, as the number of revolutions required to turn the ring
remains unvaried; or at one and a quarter, it will be seen, that if at the com-
mencement of the winding-on it requires three turns of the barrel shaft, thero
will be a difference of about one and three-quarter turns between the revolutions
of the barrel shaft and of the ring, while at the completion of the cop bottom
the difference will only be that between one and a half and one and a quarter,
or one quarter of a turn. The following is its mode of operation :-During
the coming out of the carriage, the pulley S carries the ring round with it
until the stop s comes against the under side of tho stop s', when, though the
pulley S will continue its revolution, the further revolution of the ring T will
be prevented by the opposition of the stops. When the carriage commences
its inward run, the pulley receives motion in the contrary direction to that it
had when the carriage was coming out, and consequently it will carry tho ring
T back with it until the stop s comes in contact with the upper side of the
stops, when the further progress of the ring in that direction is stopped, and
the recess in the ring will be under the bowl S. As the carriage moves in, and
out, so long as 'the break 4 is not in contact with the break pulley R³, that

page_text: pulley and the grooved pulley R' revolve on the stud without drawing the end.
less band 5; but so soon as the break is put on to the break pulley, the pulleys
cease to revolve, and then the grooved pulley takes the endless band with it,
which in turn gives motion to the pulley 6 and bevil R', and through the bevil
on the screw in the radial arm to the screw itself, by which means the nut on
it attached to the winding-on chain is gradually raised in the usual manner.
When the winding-on of the yarn takes place, if it is correct, the chain 2 is so
adjusted that it will keep the break about one inch above the break pulley; but
as the winding-on proceeds, if it is too quick, the tension of the yarn depresses
the counter faller, and with it the chain 2, lever R', bowl 3, and break 4.
Should this take place before the recess in the ring is under the bowl, the
bowl will rest on the high part of the ring, and the break will thereby be kept
from coming in contact with the break pulley, until by the going in of the car-
riage, the pulley S in taking the ring round has brought the two stops to
bear against each other, when the bowl being over the recess will be at liberty
to descend, and put the break in contact with the break pulley, and cause the
grooved pulley to take the endless band 5 with it, and thereby cause the nut
of the screw on the radial arm to be raised, which, as is well known, will
slacken the winding-on.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the period of time during which
motion can be communicated to the screw in the radial arm for raising the
nut by the depression of the counter faller is gradually diminished during the
formation of the cop bottom, for as the break cannot descend to be in contact
with the break pulley until the recess in the ring is under the bowl, the time
when it can act is thereby limited to the difference between the number of
turns required by the winding-on barrel and that required by the ring during
each going in of the carriage, and, as before explained, this difference becomes
gradually less as the formation of the cop bottom advances.
And we declare. in reference to this second of our improvements in spin-
ning machinery, that what we claim as of our Invention is, the application
of the pulley S, ring T, and stops s and s', or of any equivalents therefor. to
the winding-on barrel shaft, whereby the decreasing revolving speed of that
shaft during the formation of the bottom of the cop is made gradually to
diminish the time during which motion can be communicated to the screw
in the radial arm for raising the nut thereon by the depression of the counter
faller.
We will now describe the third of our improvements in spinning machinery.
which is shewn in Figure 7; where U is part of a mule carriage, in which g, g,
are drums for driving the spindles, and his-the drum-band for-communicating

page_text: notion to them in the ordinary way. The tightening pulley U¹ rotates on a
stud in the lever U2; this lever has its fulcrum on a stud in the fixing U³, fast
to the back board of the carriage. The spring U is attached at one end to
the lever U, and at the other by a screw and regulating nut to the carriage
end, through which the screw passes. As is well known, the drum bands are
liable to be affected by heat or cold, or by variation in the atmosphere, and
thereby to become too tight or too slack; this variation will to a great extent
be compensated by the action of the spring. which, if the band becomes slack,
will pull the lever with the tightening pulley and band, and, on the contrary,
will yield to the strain of the band when by its contraction it pulls the
tightening pulley with the lever towards the drums.
And we declare, in reference to this third of our improvements in spinning
machinery, that what we claim as of our Invention is, the application, in mules
where the drums are driven by bands, of a spring to the tightening pulley of
the drum band, to keep the band at a uniform tension.
We will now describe our fourth improvement in spinning machinery.
In suitable bearings attached to the frame sido is the shaft V', keyed on
which are the wheels V and V. On the squaring or drawing-out shaft
is keyed the wheel V', which geers with the wheel V, and on the pinion
shaft (or shaft on which is fixed the pinion which gives motion to the
quadrant of the radial arm) is the wheel V, which geers with the wheel
V. It will be seen that as the carriago comes out, the pinion shaft will
receive motion from the squaring shaft through the shaft V and wheels
V, V, V, and V*; and as the carriage goes in, the squaring or drawing-out
shaft will, through the same agency reversed, receive motion direct from the
pinion shaft. In this arrangement the band usually employed to give motion
to the pinion shaft is dispensed with.
And we declare, in reference to this fourth of our improvements in spin-
ning machinery, that what we claim as of our Invention is, the connecting
by means of geering, as herein-before described, instead of by bands, as
heretofore practised, the back or drawing-out shaft with the shaft on which
the pinion is placed, which gives motion to the quadrant of the radial arm.
We will now describe the fifth of our improvements in spinning machinery,
which will be seen in Figure 5. It consists in fastening on the drawing-out
or squaring shaft the pulley W, over or round which the scroll band W', used
for drawing in the carriage, passes from the scroll W³, and thence to the guide
pulley W and tension barrel W', in the usual way. The pulley W usually
rotates loose on the squaring shaft, that shaft acting merely as a stud; but by
fastening it on the shaft, it causes the scroll band to assist in driving the

page_text: squaring shaft when the carriage goes in, and thereby diminishes the strain on
the bands commonly used for drawing the carriage out.
And we declare, in reference to this fifth of our improvements in spinning
machinery, that what we claim as of our Invention is, in passing the scroll band
round or over the pulley W, fast on the back or drawing-out shaft, in manner
and for the purpose herein-before described.
We will now describe our sixth and last improvement in spinning
machinery. In reference to the first of our improvements, we described the
shaft c', on which were the collars c² and c³, and levers c, c, c', and c. When
using our sixth improvement, we do not apply the levers c and c¹ and collars
cand c, retaining only the shaft c' and lever and co, and to the levers c we
attach the forked plate c', a side view of which is shewn in Figure 14. This
plate must be so placed, that when the carriage comes out the points of the
bevilled end may bear upon and depress the bowl n. The fixing X is attached
to the frame side. Through a boss in this fixing the short shaft & passes, on
which are placed the levers 2 and o. Near the end of the lever n is a stud,
on which is the bowl m; and in the lever o, near the end, is a hole, through
which one end of the rod X' passes. This end is screwed, and has on two
nuts for the purpose of adjustment; the other end is attached by a stud to
the lever Y. This lever is the one usually employed for taking the backing-off
cones out of contact; to it is attached the lever Y', near the end of which is the
screw v, which is brought against the projection Y* of the strap lever I. On
the rod X' is the spring X, stop X, and loose collar X. As the carriage
comes out, the bevilled end of the forked plate c' comes against the bowl m,
and depresses it until the bowl enters, and passes up the recess of the forked
plate. The lever n is depressed with the bowl, and being fixed on the shaft t
causes it to move, and with it the lever o, the lower end of which, moving
along the rod X, acts on the loose collar X and spring X, which it com-
presses against the stop X. The spring being thus compressed endeavours
to push forward the stop, and with it the rod X', but is prevented from doing
so by the point of the screw v bearing against the projection Y on the strap
lever I. When the change is made to traverse the strap from the fast to the
loose pulley, the strap lever is moved for that purpose; this depresses the pro-
jection Y, which then no louger prevents the screw from descending, and
the spring X is then at liberty to force forward the rod X', and the end of the
lever Y, to which it is attached, and thus cause the backing-off cones to be
put in contact, which is done without loss of time, the spring X being com-
pressed and ready to act immediately as the strap lever is traversed. When
the backing-off is completed, as before stated, the shaft c' is partially turned

page_text: with the levers on it, and the forked plate c' is raised, and with it the bowl m,
(which is still in the recess of the plate,) and the lever n; at the same time
the shaft t is partially turned, and with it the lover o, the lower end of which,
coming against one of the two nuts, draws back the rod X' and lever Y, which
causes the backing-off cones to be taken out of contact.
And we declare, in reference to this sixth of our improvements in spinning
machinery, that what we claim as of our Invention is, the arrangement of parts
herein-before described for putting the friction cones for backing-off in and out
of contact.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals, the
Tenth day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-six.
MATTHEW CURTIS (L.8.)
JOHN WAIN.
(LB)
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the above-named
Matthew Curtis and John Wain, in the presence of
JOHN P. ASTON, Attorney,
Manchester.

page_text: Filed 24th February 1860.
In the Matter of Letters Patent granted to MATTHEW CURTIS, of
the City of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Machinist,
and JOHN WAIN, of the same Place, Mechanic, bearing date the
Eleventh day of September, in the year One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-five, for their Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR PREPARING AND SPINNING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES."
DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION proposed to be
entered by the said Matthew Curtis (in whom the entirety of the said
Patent is now vested) at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents
pursuant to the Statutes in that case made and provided.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MATTHEW
CURTIS, of the City of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Machinist, send
greeting.
WHEREAS by Letters Patent bearing date the Eleventh day of September,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, Her
Majesty Queen Victoria did grant to me Matthew Curtis and John Wain,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, the sole use, benefit, and advantage
of our Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING AND SPINNING
COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES," as in the said Letters Patent expressed;
and in pursuance of a proviso therein contained, a Specification of tho said

page_text: Invention was duly filed, and the other conditions and provisoes therein
contained have been duly performed: And whereas the entire interest in the
said Letters Patent is now duly vested in me, the said Matthew Curtis: And
whereas, since the date of the said Letters Patent, I, the said Matthew Curtis,
have discovered that such part of the said Invention as relates to preparing
cotton and other fibrous substances in the title and Specification of the said
Letters Patent mentioned or described was not new at the date of the
said Letters Patent.
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NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Matthew Curtis, do hereby disclaim so
much of the said title and Specification as relates to preparing cotton and
other fibrous substances, and I do hereby alter the said title and the said
Specification in the manner following, that is to say:-I alter the said title by
omitting the words "preparing and" therein, so that the same may stand and
be read as follows, that is to say:-" Improvements in Machinery for Spinning
Cotton and other Fibrous Substances." I also disclaim in the said Specification
the parts which follow the words "our Invention consists," that is to say, the
following words, "so far as regards improvements in machinery for preparing
in applying a pair of rollers behind the tumbler or other apparatus used for
stopping, drawing, or other frames on the absence of the sliver, and our
"Invention consists, so far as regards improvements in machinery for spinning,"
which words in the printed copies of the said Specification printed by the
Queen's Printer, and published at the Great Seal Patent Office, occur in the
16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th lines of the third page thereof: And also I
disclaim after the words "are detached parts," the whole of the passages com-
mencing with and including the words "we will now proceed to describe our
iinprovements in machinery for preparing," and terminating with and including
the words "apparatus used for stopping drawing or other frames on the
absence of the sliver," which passages in the said printed copies commence at
and include the 20th line in the 4th page, and extend to and terminate with
and include the 6th line in the fifth page thereof; and I declare that the part of
the said Specification which describes the said Invention as now intended to be
claimed by me will, when altered as proposed, be as follows, that is to say :-
"The nature of our said Invention, and the manner in which the same is
"to be performed, are particularly described and ascertained in and by the
"following statement and description, reference being had to the Drawings
"on two Sheets hereunto annexed.
"Our Invention consists in the six several improvements following, and
"which apply chiefly to the self-acting mule (the third one being applicable
also to hand mules) that is to say..

page_text: "First, in placing the friction cones used for backing-off on the tin roller
"shaft or equivalent therefor, mounted on the carriage square, and in driving
"such cones by an independent band distinct from the rim band.
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Secondly, in an improved apparatus for regulating the winding-on motion,
"which is so arranged that the time during which motion can be communi-
"cated to the screw in the radial arm for raising the nut on the screw by the
depression of the counterfaller, is gradually diminished until the formation
"of the bottom of the cop is completed.
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Thirdly, in the application (in mules where the drums are driven by
bands) of a spring to the tightening pulley of the drum band to keep tho
"band at a uniform tension.
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Fourthly, in connecting by means of geering, the back or drawing out
shaft with the shaft on which the pinion is placed, which gives motion to the
"quadrant of the radial arm.
"Fifthly, in passing the scroll band round or over a pulley fast on the
"drawing out or back shaft, to assist in turning that shaft when the carringe
" is going in.
"
Sixthly, in an improved arrangement for putting the friction cones for
backing off in and out of contact..
"In describing our improvements we shall explain and illustrate them as
applied to the class of mules known as "Lakin and Rhodes's," and for which
"Robert Lakin and William Henry Rhodes obtained several Letters Patent,
"dated respectively the Twelfth day of October, One thousand eight hundred
"and forty-nine, and the First day of October, One thousand eight hundred
"and fifty-two. They may, however, be applied to others, the requisite
"alterations for which will readily occur to any mechanic conversant with
"such machines.
"In the following description and in the Drawings, the same letters and
"numbers of reference are used to indicate the same or corresponding parts
"in all tho Figures in which they occur. The scales to which the Figures
are drawn aro stated on the Drawings.
16
"DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
"Figure 1 is a plan; Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5, side elevations, and Figure 6°
an end clevation, of so much or such parts of a mulo headstock as we think
requisito to illustrate our improvements; Figure 7 is a plan of part of a
mulo carriage; and Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 18, and 14, are detached parts.
"We will now proceed to describe the first of our improvements in spinning
machinery. In a fixing on the carriago square is the stud a, on which

page_text: rotates the grooved pulley A, on a boss of which is keyed the pinion B,
"which gears with and drives the wheel C, on whose boss is keyed the
"
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"
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pinion D, which gears with and drives the wheel E. This wheel rotates
loose on the tin roller shaft, and on one side has cast with it the she friction
"cone E. The grooved pulley F is the one usually employed for communi-
cating motion to the tin roller shaft on which it is keyed. To this pulley
we cast or attach the he friction cone F, bevilled to fit the cone E. On a stud
" in the carriage square is the lever G, near one end of which is placed an
"antifriction roller, which slides between the bevilled fork of the lever c, (end
" and side views of which are shewn at Figures 8 and 9.) The other end of
"the lever G passes through and supports the boss of the lever b, which moves
"on it. The upper end of this lever is forked and enters into a groove in the
"boss of the wheel E. In Figure 10 the levers G and b are shown detached
"in elevation. On the shaft c' are fixed the levers cand c. These and
"the other connected parts are those usually employed for drawing the
"faller sector on to the bowl on which it rests, after the backing off has taken
place, and during the winding on of the yarn. The lever c is fast on the
"shaft c', and the lever c' is loose on it between the collars & and c³, both of
"which are fast on the shaft; they prevent the lever c' from moving sideways.
"At the lower end of the lever c' is a stud, on which is placed a bowl; this
bowl, as the carriage goes out, passes over the lever P fast on the shaft P'.
In the collar c is fixed the short pin *. The fixing H' is fastened to the
floor, and to it is bolted the plate II. An end elevation of this plate and
fixing is shewn at Figure 11. To the lower part of the strap lever I is
"attached one end of the bar 1', which near its other end is bevilled, has a
"notched projection, and slides in the fixing I. The notched part is
"drawn against the fixing by the action of the spring Is, attached to the
"strap lover and to the fixing I. The fixing I must be so placed, that when
"the notched part of the bar Iis drawn against it, the strap lever will
"be in the position required to keep the driving strap for the most part on the
pulley J. To the carriage end is fastened the fixing in which is the pin
" or stud e. This stud must be so adjusted, that as the carriage moves out-
"ward it will at the required time come in contact with the bevilled end of
"the bar I', and elevate it sufficiently to raise the notched part above that
portion of the fixing I, against which it rested, and allow the spring 1 to
"draw towards it the lower end of the strap lever, and with it the bar 1'. The
"pulley J is usually made fast on the rim shaft K, and the pulley L loose,
"but in the arrangement we are now describing the reverse is the case.
"connect the pulley J with the rim pulley K', they are both fast ou the boss
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To

page_text: "
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or tube J', through which the rim shaft passes. Fast on the rim shaft are
"the grooved pulley M, the pulley L, and the bevil wheel N. The pulley L
gives motion to the rim shaft, and the grooved pulley M communicates
"motion to the grooved pulley A by an endless band (not shown in the
Drawings), which passes from the pulley M over a guide pulley fixed at the
"back of the headstock, then round the pulley A to a guide pulley in front of
"the headstock, and thence over another guide pulley at the back of the
"headstock to the pulley M. The bevil wheel N gives motion to the drawing
"rollers in the usual way.
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Having described the various parts, we will now proceed to explain the
operation. As the carriage comes out the driving strap being partly on
"both of the pulleys J and L, motion will be given to the spindles from the
"grooved pulley K, and to the drawing rollers from the bevil wheel N in
"the usual way. This will continue until the stud e in the fixing & comes in
contact with and lifts up the bevilled end of the bar 1', which, when
sufficiently raised, allows the spring 1 to pull the lower end of the strap
"lever I, and cause its upper end to traverse the driving strap from being
partially on both the pulleys J and L, to be wholly on the pulley I, when
"the grooved pulley K' will cease giving motion to the spindles. As the
carriage continues its outward course the lower part of the lever 6 comes in
" contact with the bevilled end of the plate H, and as it proceeds along the
"bevilled part, the lower part of the lever is moved sideways, and causes
"the upper or forked part of the lever to put the cones E and F into
"contact, when, by means of the band which passes from the grooved pulley M
to the grooved pulley A, and by the pinions B and D, and wheels C and E,
"motion will be given to the tin roller shaft, and thence to the spindles in
"the reverso direction to that they previously had. This reverse motion of
"the tin roller shaft, as is well known, causes the click in connection with the
backing-off snail to fall against a tooth of the ratchet wheel, and the backing-
"off takes place, and as we have not altered this part it need not be further
"doscribed. It will be evident that the time when motion ceases to be
" communicated to the spindles by the grooved pulley K' will depend upon
" the time when the stud e is made to come in contact with and raise tho
"bevilled end of the bar I', and also that the time of communicating the
"
"
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reverse motion to the spindles from the grooved pulley M will depend upon
"the time when the lever b, acted upon by the plate H, puts the cones E¹
"and F¹ into contact; consequently the positions of the stud e and plate H
"must be adapted to the several times when the changes are required to be
"made, which will vary according to circumstances. For instance, in

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spinning coarse numbers, or in soft yarn, where a small amount of twist is
required, the backing-off may be entirely completed during the outward run
"of the carriage, whereas in others it may be desirable only partially to have
"backed off before the outward run is completed. We may also observe
"that it is desirable to allow the carriage to move out about five inches after
"the bar is raised previous to allowing the lever b to come in contact with
"the plate II, as it allows a short period for the momentum of the tin roller
"to expend itself previous to the cones E' and F' being brought into contact,
"and thereby to diminish the shock and the strain on the bands. Motion is
" continued to the drawing rollers until the outward movement of the carriage
"is completed. The catch box used for driving the rollers is then taken out
"of geer by the change motion in the usual way, and their motion ceases.
"The change motion at the same time removes the tappet, which previously
"assisted in keeping the catch box Q, Figure 6, out of geer; and if the
backing-off has taken place before the carriage has completed its outward
run, the catch box Q will at once drop into geer at the completion of the
"outward run, and the scroll will commence drawing in the carriage; but as
"the carriage must not commence going in until the backing-off has ceased,
"we use the lever c', a bowl at the lower end of which passes over the lever P,
"and when the change motion has acted, the lever P coming against the
bowl, is prevented rising further until the lever is moved, when the
"shaft P¹ no longer being restrained turns, and the catch box drops into geer.
"The lever c' receives motion as follows:-When the backing-off takes place
"the faller is depressed and the sector raised, and when it is raised sufficiently
"to pass over the bowl against which it rested, the spring O attached to the
carriage, and the lever c', aided by the chain O', pulling the bowl on the
"lever c, draws the levers c³ and c in the direction of the arrow. These
"levers being fast to the shaft c', it is partially turned round, and with it the
"collar, the short pin, in which, coming against the lever c', moves it
along with it. When that lever has been moved sufficiently out of the
perpendicular, the lever P, which presses against and is held down by it,
pushes it up, and the catch box Q is allowed to drop into geer. The lever c'
"is left loose on the shaft c' purposely to allow the lever P to overcome it
"when it has been moved out of the perpendicular. It will, therefore, be
"seen that the levers c' and P are applied solely to prevent the catch box Q
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"
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dropping into geer until such time as the backing-off has taken place, and
"that when the backing-off is accomplished by the time the outward run of
"the carriage is completed, then these levers are not required. When the
"shaft c' is partially turned, as before mentioned, the lever c is moved with it,

page_text: 66
"and the forked part in which one end of the lever G passes being bevilled,*
"it moves that lever, and causes the other end of it on which the lever b is'
"supported to move that lever at its upper end, and by so doing takes the'
" cones E' and F' out of contact, and thus stops the grooved pulley M from'
giving motion to the spindles. We may here observe that when the lever G
"is' acted upon by the lever C, the lower end of the lever b is kept from'
"moving by being in the opening in the plate II, which acts as a fulcrum,'
"and consequently, when motion is given to the lever 6 by the lever G, it is'
"compelled to move at its upper end, whereas when the lover 6 is moved by'
"the plate II, the lever G forms its fulcrum, that lever being held in its'
"position by the end which passes into the bevilled fork of the lover c. When'
"the carriage has completed its inward run the sector is knocked back, and
"the faller rises in the usual way, which causes the levers c³ and c³ and'
"shaft to move back to their original position, and with them the levers c³>
"and c, the levers c moving with it one end of the lever G, and with it the'
"lower end of the lover b, the upper end being restrained by being in the*
groove in the boss of the wheel E.
"And we declare in reference to this first of our improvements in spinning,'
"that what we claim as of our Invention, is the placing the friction cones
"used for backing off on the tin roller shaft or equivalent therefor, mounted'
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on the carriage square, whereby as herein-before described we are enabled'
"to back off wholly or partially during the time the carriage comes out, and
"in driving such cones by an independent band distinct from the rim band..
"We will now proceed to describe the second of our improvements in'
"spinning machinery. On the winding-on barrel shaft R is fixed tho grooved'
or flanged pulley S; the bottom of the groove is covered with leather to'
"create friction between it and the hoop or ring T, and to ensure the ring*
"being carried round by the pulley when it revolves. The ring rests in the*
groove of the pulley, the flanges preventing its falling off. This ring is'
higher on one side than the other; in the higher part there is a recess or
"hollow cut out, and to the lower part and against the higher is cast the'
"projection or stop s. The ring is shown detached in Figure 12 and with'
"the grooved pulley S, and winding-on barrel shaft R in section in Figure 13.*
"The lever R' at one end is supported by a stud attached to the fixing R
"nt the other end it is weighted, and carries the small grooved pulley 1. The'
"chain 2 attached at one end to a finger on the faller shaft, and at the other'
"to a finger on the counterfaller, passes under the grooved pulley 1, and sup-'
"ports it. On studs in the lever R' are the bowl 3 and break 4, the underside
"of which is covered with leather. On a stud in the carriage end is the break'

page_text: 61
"
"
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"
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pulley R³, to which is attached the grooved pulley R. The endless band
" 5 passes round the grooved pulley R', then over the pulley 6 attached to the
"bevil R³, then to the pulley 7, and thence under the guide pulley 8 to the
grooved pulley R. In the fixing Ro is the projection or stop s'; this pro-
jection or stop must be so placed that when the stops is brought against
"the upper part of it, the recess in the high part of the ring T will be directly
"under the bowl 3. As is well known, at the commencement of forming the
cop bottom, the spindles require to make a greater number of revolutions
during each going in of the carriage than they do when the cop bottom is
formed, and that the number of revolutions required gradually diminishes
" in each successive stretch during the formation of the cop bottom. It will
generally be found that the winding-on barrel shaft R has to make about
"double the number of revolutions at the commencement of the formation of the
" cop than it has to do when the cop bottom is formed; this, however, varies in
proportion to the thickness of the cop. But supposing it took three turns at
"the commencement of forming a cop bottom, and one and a half at the finish,
"then we make the pulley S and the inner diameter of the ring T relatively of
"such size, that the stop s on that ring will by one and a quarter turns of the
pulley S, be carried round with the ring from bearing against one side of
"the stops, and brought to bear against the other. Now, as the number of
"revolutions required to turn the ring remains unvaried, or at one and a
quarter, it will be seen that if 'at the commencement of the winding-on it
requires three turns of the barrel shaft, there will be a difference of about
"one and three-quarter turns between the revolutions of the barrel shaft and
"of the ring, while, at the completion of the cop bottom, the difference will
only be that between one and a half and one and a quarter, or one quarter of
"a turn. The following is its mode of operation:-During the coming-out of
"the carriage, the pulley S carries the ring round with it until the stop s
comes against the under side of the stop s', when though the pulley S will
❝ continue its revolution, the further revolution of the ring T will be pre-
"vented by the opposition of the stops. When the carriage commences its
"inward run, the pulley S receives motion in the contrary direction to that
"it had when the carriage was coming out, and consequently it will carry the
ring T back with it until the stops comes in contact with the upper side of
"the stop s', when the further progress of the ring in that direction is stopped,
"and the recess in the ring will be under the bowl 8. As the carriage moves
"in and out, so long as the break 4 is not in contact with the break pulley R³,
"that pulley and the grooved pulley R* revolve on the stud without drawing
"the endless band 5; but so soon as the break is put on to the break pulley,
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"
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page_text: "the pulleys cease to revolve, and then the grooved pulley takes the endless
"band with it, which in turn gives motion to the pulley 6 and bevil R', and
"through the bevil on the screw in the radial arm to the screw itself, by
"which means the nut on it attached to the winding-on chain is gradually
"raised in the usual manner. When the winding-on of the yarn takes
"place, if it is correct, the chain 2 is so adjusted that it will keep the break
"about one inch above the break pulley; but as the winding-on proceeds if
"it is too quick, the tension of the yarn depresses the counterfaller, and with
"it the chain 2, lever R¹, bowl 8, and break 4. Should this take place before
"the recess in the ring is under the bowl, the bowl will rest on the high part
"of the ring, and the break will thereby be kept from coming in contact with
"the break pulley until, by the going-in of the carriage, the pulley S, in taking
"the ring round, has brought the two stops to bear against each other, when
"the bowl being over the recess, will be at liberty to descend and put the break
"in contact with the break pulley, and cause the grooved pulley to take the
"endless band 5 with it, and thereby cause the nut of the screw on the radial
arm to be raised, which, as is well known, will slacken the winding-on.
"From the foregoing it will be seen that the period of time during which
"motion can be communicated to the screw in the radial arm for raising the
"nut by the depression of the counterfaller, is gradually diminished during
"the formation of the cop bottom, for as the break cannot descend to be in
"contact with the break pulley until the recess in the ring is under the bowl,
"the time when it can act is thereby limited to the difference between the
"number of turns required by the winding-on barrel, and that required by
"the ring during each going in of the carriago, and, as before explained, this
"difference becomes gradually less as the formation of the cop bottom
"advances..
"And wo declare, in reference to this second of our improvements in
"spinning machinery, that what we claim as of our Invention is, the applica-
"tion of the pulley S, ring T, and stops a and s', or of any equivalents therefor,
to the winding-on barrel shaft, whereby the decreasing revolving speed of
"that shaft during the formation of the bottom of the cop is made gradually
to diminish the time during which motion can be communicated to the
screw in the radial arm for raising the nut thereon by the depression of the
"counterfaller.
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"We will now describe the third of our improvements in spinning
machinery, which is shewn in Figure 7, where U is part of a mulo carriage,
"in which 9, 9, are drums for driving the spindles, and h is the drum band for
"communicating motion to them in the ordinary way. The tightening pulley

page_text: ." U' rotates on a stud in the lever Us; this lever has its fulcrum on a stud in
"the fixing Us, fast to the backboard of the carriage. The spring U* is
"attached at one end to the lever Us, and at the other by a screw and
regulating nut to the carriage end, through which the screw passes. As is
"well known, the drum bands are liable to be affected by heat or cold, or by
"variation in the atmosphere, and thereby to become too tight or too slack.
"This variation will to a great extent be compensated by the action of the
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spring, which, if the band becomes slack, will pull the lever with the
tightening pulley and band, and on the contrary will yield to the strain of
"the band when by its contraction it pulls the tightening pulley with the lever
"towards the drums.
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"And we declare in reference to this third of our improvements in
spinning machinery, that what we claim as of our Invention is, the applica-
❝tion in mules where the drums are driven by bands, of a spring to the
tightening pulley of the drum band, to keep the band at a uniform
❝ tension.
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"We will now describe our fourth improvement in spinning machinery.
"In suitable bearings, attached to the frame side, is the shaft V, keyed on
"which are the wheels V2 and V. On the squaring or drawing-out shaft is
keyed the wheel V', which geers with the wheel V, and on the pinion shaft
(or shaft on which is fixed the pinion which gives motion to the quadrant
"of the radial arm) is the wheel V*, which geers with the wheel Vs. It will
"be seen that, as the carriage comes out, the pinion shaft will receive motion
" from the squaring shaft through the shaft V and wheels V', V2, Vs, and V*,
"and as the carriage goes in, the squaring or drawing-out shaft will, through
"the same agency reversed, receive motion direct from the pinion shaft. In
"this arrangement the band usually employed to give motion to the pinion
"shaft is dispensed with.
" And we declare, in reference to this fourth of our improvements in
"spinning machinery, that what we claim as of our Invention is, the con-
"necting, by means of gearing as herein-before described, instead of by bands
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as heretofore practised, the back or drawing-out shaft with the shaft on
"which the pinion is placed, which gives motion to the quadrant of the
"radial arm..
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"We will now describe the fifth of our improvements in spinning s
machinery, which will be seen in Figure 5. It consists in fastening on the
drawing-out or squaring shaft the pulley W, over or round which the scroll
"band W, used for drawing in the carriage, passes from the scroll W³, and
thence to the guide pulley. W and tension barrel W, in the usual way:

page_text: "The pulley W usually rotates loose on the squaring shaft, that shaft acting
"merely as a stud, but by fastening it on the shaft it causes the scroll baud
"to assist in driving this squaring shaft when the carriage goes in, and
thereby diminishes the strain on the bands commonly used for drawing tho
" carriage out.
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"And we declare, in reference to this fifth of our improvements in spinning'
"machinery, that what we claim as of our Invention is, in passing the scroll'
"band round or over the pulley W, fast on the back or drawing-out shaft, in'
"manner and for the purpose herein-before described.
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"We will now describe our sixth and last improvement in spinning
"machinery. In reference to the first of our improvements we described the
"shaft c, on which were the collars c³ and. c, and lovers c, c', c³, and cº.'
"When using our sixth improvement we do not apply the lovers c and c' and '
"collars and c³, retaining only the shaft c' and lever and c, and to the
"lovers we attach the forked plate c', a side view of which is shown in
Figure 14. This plate must be so placed that when the carriage comes out
the points of the bevilled end may bear upon and depress the bowl m. The
fixing is attached to the frame side. Through a boss in this fixing the
"short shaft & passes, on which are placed the levers n and o. Near the end'
"of the lever n is a stud, on which is the bowl m, and in the lever o near the
"end is a hole through which one end of the rod X' passes; this end is
"screwed and has on two nuts for the purpose of adjustment; the other end
"is attached by a stud to the lever Y. This lever is the one usually employed
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"
for taking the backing-off cones out of contact; to it is attached the lever Y',
"near the end of which is the screw u, which is brought against the pro-
jection Y of the strap lever I. On the rod X' is the spring ✗³, stop X³,
"and loose collar X'. As the carriage comes out, the bevilled end of the
"forked plate c' comes against the bowl m, and depresses it until the bowl.
"enters and passes up the recess of the forked plate. The lever n is
"depressed with the bowl, and being fixed on the shaft t causes it to move,
"and with it the lever o, the lower end of which, moving along the rod X',
"acts on the loose collar X and spring X", which it compresses against tho.
stop X. The spring being thus compressed endeavours to push forward the
stop and with it the rod X', but is prevented from doing so by the point of
"the screw v bearing against the projection Y* on the strap lever I. When
"the change is made to traverse the strap from the fast to the loose pulley,
"the strap lever is moved for that purpose; this depresses the projection Y",
"which then no longer prevents the screw from descending, and the spring
"X is then at liberty to force forward the rod X' and the end of the lover Y
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page_text: " to which it is attached, and thus cause the backing-off cones to be put in
" contact, which is done without loss of time; the spring X' being compressed
"and ready to act immediately as the strap lever is traversed. When the
backing-off is completed as before stated, the shaft c is partially turned
"with the levers on it, and the forked plate c' is raised, and with it the bowl
m (which is still in the recess of the plate) and the lever n; at the same
"time the shaft t is partially turned and with it the lever o, the lower end of
"which coming against one of the two nuts draws back the rod X' and
"lever Y, which causes the backing-off cones to be taken out of contact.
"And we declare in reference to this sixth of our improvements in spinning
" machinery, that what we claim as of our Invention is, the arrangement of
"parts herein-before described for putting the friction cones for backing-off
"in and out of contact."
In witness whereof, I, the said Matthew Curtis, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
Lincoln's Inn,
Attorney-General.
February 24th, 1860.