IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR WINDING YARNS OR THREAD."
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Riddell Fairgrieve, of Boston, in the
United States of America, Machinist, and Simeon Bathgate, of the Town
and County of Selkirk, North Britain, Engineer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR WINDING YARNS OR
THREAD."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Riddell Fairgrieve
and Simeon Bathgate at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 7th June 1859.
We, ROBERT RIDDELL FAIRGRIEVE, of Boston, in the United States of
America, Machinist, and SIMEON BATHGATE, of the Town and County of
Selkirk, North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR WINDING YARNS
OR THREAD," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the arrangement, construction, and working of
various classes of winding machines, such as are used in different branches of
textile manufactures, and embracing and embodying in particular an effective
system of automatically suspending the action of the winding spindles as each
becomes full of yarn or thread. But there are also some minor improvements
as regards guiding and dragging the yarn, whilst each winding spindle is
quite independant of its neighbour. According to one modification of this
machinery, the ordinary long open rectangular framing has, fitted in bearings,

page_text: along its centre a long horizontal main shaft driven by end strap pulleys, and
carrying the main continuous tin driving drum, which extends from end to
end of the machine, and drives the whole of the spindes. by means of a series
of endless bands, which pass up from the long drum and over the spindle
pulleys, warves, or barrels. The spindles are arranged horizontally in bearings
at the top of the framing, and transversely as regards the length of the
machine. Each spindle has upon it a long plain cylindrical driving barrel,
and as the driving drum is at a right angle with the axial lines of the spindles,
the endless bands are twisted or half crossed in passing from the drum to
the spindles. The front end of cach spindle is fitted with a hollow conical
pirn mould, in the interior of which the pirn or wound-up yarn as it leaves the
large bobbins is arranged to work. The yarn or thread to be wound is carried
upon a line or scries of large bobbins or other holders set on pegs near the
bottom of the framing at the front side, each bobbin being at a slight angle
with the horizontal line. The yarn or thread passes upwards in each case
from the bobbin, and thence round and between horizontal drag wires arranged
in sets of four in moveable wooden head blocks, and up to the spindle, passing
through a longitudinal side slit in the conc. Each spindle has also a thread
guide operated by a heart motion, for traversing the yarn during its laying-on
upon the spindle, and it is also fitted with a conical wooden pirn or thread
carrier made with considerable taper at the front end, where it is deeply
grooved annularly. This pirn is driven in each case by the spindle by means
of a wire pin carried by the end of the pirn, fitting into a notch in the collar
of the spindle. The pirns are made of a proper conical form at the bottom,
to suit the taper of the moulds, and they are turned with fine grooves or steps,
for the thread to rest on and make a proper beginning on the pirn; the main
body of the pirn is made parallel, and to pass easily through the point of the
moulds. The pirn is put through the mould with the thread attached to it, and
passed over the V-guide at the side of the mould, which has a suitable opening
or slot, as before described, in the side of it, for the thread to traverse in while
in course of being wound on the pirn. The spindle being then brought
forward to the pirn, the band is slipped on to the barrel, which drives the
spindle and pirn, and winds on the thread, and the motion of the traversing
guide spreads it uniformly over the conical part of the pirn. The pull of the
band in driving the spindle, keeps the pirn close up to the mould with sufficient
force for the purpose, at the same time with such an easy and uniform pressure
that it has not any tendency to injure the yarns, and as the pirn is filling, it
pushes the spindle back, and the band gradually travels along the barrel until
the pirn is filled to the extent required. The position of the barrel on the

page_text: spindle in relation to the cylinder is such, that when the pirn is filled to the
extent required, the band slips off at the end of the barrel, and the spindle
stops and remains stationary until the pirn is removed and another put in,
when the spindle is again brought forward and the band slipped on to the
barrel, as already described. In winding from bobbins, the tension on the
thread is regulated by its being passed around the drag wires to the extent
necessary to suit the kind of yarn, and the moveable head into which these
wires are fixed has a small weight attached to it at one corner, which causes
the head to turn on the centre screw or pin to the extent necessary to take up
any slackness of the thread that arises from the overrunning of the bobbin,
and thus keeps the tension uniform. In winding from cop, the drag wires
may be allowed to work in the same manner, or the moveable head may be
set in a proper position, and fixed by the centre screw. The machine may
also be used to wind yarn from the hank, but in general for woollen yarn
it will be found more advantageous to wind from the hank on to bobbins, and
again from the bobbins on to the pirns.
The chief points of improvements in this Invention are, first, the mode of
driving the spindle by means of a band on a plain barrel fixed on the spindle,
for the purpose of regulating the pressure on the pirn into the mould, and also
for regulating the stopping of the spindle by the band slipping off at the end
of the barrel when the pirn is filled to the extent required.
Second, the improvements on the form and construction of the conical
moulds for the pirns working in, which facilitate the adjustment of the moulds
to suit the position of the spindles and reduce the friction on the yarn, and
allow the thread guides to come nearly close to the pirns, so as to have a more
certain control over the traverse of the thread on the pirn.
Third, the form and construction of the thread guides, and the traversing
bar for fixing them on, which facilitate the proper adjustment of the guides,
and make the traverse of the threads more certain and uniform than other
modes of traversing the threads.
Fourth, the mode of guiding and dragging the threads by means of the
self-acting or adjustable guide wires, which regulate and make the tension on
the threads uniform, whether winding from bobbins, copes, or hanks.
Fifth, the general arrangements by which these parts are combined along
with other parts of the machine to make the whole convenient, simple, and
efficient.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Robert Fairgrieve and Simeon Bathgate in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 6th December 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, ROBERT
FAIRGRIEVE, of Boston, in the United States of America, Machinist, and
SIMEON BATHGATE, of the Town and County of Selkirk, North Britain,
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-second year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the
said Robert Fairgrieve and Simeon Bathgate, Her special license that we, the
said Robert Fairgrieve and Simeon Bathgate, our executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as we, the said Robert Fairgrieve and Simeon
Bathgate, our executors, administrators, or assigns should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United K m of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an ention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR
APPARATUS FOR WINDING YARNS OR THREAD," upon the condition (amongst
others) that we, the said Robert Fairgrieve and Simeon Bathgate, by an
instrument in writing under our hands and seals, or under the hand and seal
of one of us, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Robert Fairgrieve and Simeon Bath-
gate, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
Our said Invention relates to the arrangement, construction, and working
of various classes of winding machines, such as are used in different branches of
textile manufactures, and embracing and embodying in particular an effective
system of automatically suspending the action of the winding spindles as each
becomes full of yarn or thread. But there are also some minor improvements
as regards guiding and dragging the yarn, whilst each winding spindle is
quite independent of its neighbour. According to one modification of thi

page_text: machine the ordinary long open rectangular framing has, fitted in bearings
along its centre, a long horizontal main shaft driven by end strap pulleys,
and carrying the main continuous tin driving drum, which extends from end
to end of the machine, and drives the whole of the spindles by means of a
series of endless bands, which pass up from the long drum and over the
spindle pulleys, wharves, or barrels. The spindles are arranged horizontally
in bearings at the top of the framing, and transversely as regards the length
of the machine. Each spindle has upon it a long plain cylindrical driving
barrel, and as the driving drum is at a right angle with the axial line of the
spindles, the endless bands are twisted or half crossed in passing from the
drum to the spindles. The front end of each spindle is fitted with a hollow
conical pirn mould, in the interior of which the pirn or wound-up yarn as it
leaves the large bobbins is arranged to work. The yarn or thread to be
wound is carried upon a line or series of large bobbins, or other holders set
on pegs near the bottom of the framing at the front side, each bobbin being
at a slight angle with the horizontal line. The yarn or thread passes upwards
in each case from the bobbin, and thence round and between horizontal drag
wires arranged, in sets of four, in movable wooden head blocks, and up to
the spindle, passing through a longitudinal side slit in the cone. Each spindle
has also a thread guide, operated by a heart motion, for traversing the yarn
during its laying-on upon the spindle, and it is also fitted with a conical
wooden pirn or thread carrier, made with considerable taper at the front end,
where it is deeply grooved annularly. The pirn is driven in each case by the
spindle, by means of a wire pin carried by the end of the pirn, fitting into a
notch in the collar of the spindle. The pirns are made of a proper conical
form at the bottom to suit the taper of the moulds, and they are turned with
fine grooves or steps for the thread to rest on, and make a proper beginning
on the pirn; the main body of the pirn is made parallel, and to pass easily
through the point of the moulds. The pirn is put through the mould, with
the thread attached to it, and passed over the V-guide at the side of the
mould, which has a suitable opening or slot, as before described, in the side of
it for the thread to traverse in while in course of being wound on the pirn.
The spindle being then brought forward to the pirn, the band is slipped on to
the barrel, which drives the spindle and pirn, and winds on the thread, and
the motion of the traversing guide spreads it uniformly over the conical part
of the pirn. The pull of the band in driving the spindle keeps the pirn close
up to the mould with sufficient force for the purpose, at the same time with
such an easy and uniform pressure, that it has not any tendency to injure the
yarns, and as the pirn is filling it pushes the spindle back, and the band gra

page_text: dually travels along the barrel until the pirn is filled to the extent required.
The position of the barrel on the spindle in relation to the cylinder is such,
that when the pirn is filled to the extent required, the band slips off at the
end of the barrel, and the spindle stops and remains stationary until the pirn
is removed and another put in, when the spindle is again brought forward, and
the band slipped on to the barrel; as already described. In winding from
bobbins, the tension on the thread is regulated by its being passed around the
drag wires to the extent necessary to suit the kind of yarn, and the moveable
head into which the wires are fixed has a small weight attached to it at one
corner, which causes the head to turn on the centre screw or pin to the
extent necessary to take up any slackness of the thread that arises from the
overwinding of the bobbin, and thus keeps the tension uniform. In winding
from cops, the drag wires may be allowed to work in the same manner, or
the moveable head may be set in a proper position, and fixed by the centre
screw. The machine may also be used to wind yarn from the hank, but in
general for woollen yarn it will be found more advantageous to wind from the
hank on. to bobbins, and again from the bobbins on to the pirns.
The chief points of improvements in this Invention are, first, the mode of
driving the spindle by means of a band on a plain barrel fixed on the spindle
for the purpose of regulating the pressure on the pirn into the mould, and
also for regulating the stopping of the spindle by the band slipping off at the
end of the barrel when the pirn is filled to the extent required.
Second, the improvements on the form and construction of the conical
moulds for the pirns working in, which facilitates the adjustment of the
moulds to suit the position of the spindles, and reduce the friction on the
yarn, and allow the thread guides to come nearly close to the pirns, so as to
have a more certain control over the traverse of the thread on the pirn.
Third, the form and construction of the thread guides and the traversing
bar for fixing them on, which facilitates the proper adjustment of the guides,
and makes the traverse of the threads more certain and uniform than other
modes of traversing the threads.
Fourth, the mode of guiding and dragging the threads by means of the
self-acting or adjustable guide wires which regulate and make the tension on
the threads uniform whether winding from bobbins, cops, or hanks.
Fifth, the general arrangements by which these parts are combined along
with other parts of the machine to make the whole convenient, simple, and
efficient.
And in order that our said Invention of improvements in machinery or
apparatus for winding yarns or threads may be properly understood, we shall

page_text: now proceed to describe the several Figures on the explanatory Sheet of
Drawings, which we have hereunto appended for the purpose of showing
certain modifications under which our improvements may be judiciously carried
out in practice, that is to say, Figure 1 on the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings is an end elevation of a pirn-winding machine arranged according
to one modification of our improvements; Figure 2 is a transverse vertical
section of the same; and Figure 3 is an end elevation of the right hand
lateral extremity of the machine; Figure 4 is a front view or longitudinal
elevation of the machine; and Figure 5 is a plan corresponding thereto;
Figures 6 and 7 are front and side elevations of one of the pirn moulds and
guides drawn to an enlarged scale; Figure 8 is a front view of one of the
moveable heads detached from the machine; and Figure 9 is a plan of the
same, showing the arrangement of the drag wires for regulating the tension of
the yarn or thread.
According to the modification delineated in the accompanying Drawings,
the machine consists of an open rectangular framing composed of two end
standards A, which are connected to each other by the longitudinal lower
rails B, arranged at the front and back parts of the machine. A corres-
ponding binding rail C extends from the upper part of the end standards along
the front of the machine; behind this rail, and arranged parallel thereto,
are two other rails D and E. The lower cross rails of the end standards have
slots cast therein; in one pair of these slots are fitted the adjustable bearings
of the long horizontal shaft F, the extremities of which extend out beyond.
the end standards A. Motion is communicated to the different moving
parts of the machine from this main shaft F, by means of an endless belt
which is passed round the fast and loose pulley G, and is primarily driven
from a steam engine or other prime mover. The shaft F carries the longi-
tudinal drum or driving cylinder H, by means of which the whole series of
spindles are put in motion. To the upper rails D and E are bolted the
bearing plates I, which support the spindles J; these spindles run in grooves
cast in the upper edges of the plates, and are arranged at right angles to the
driving cylinder H. Each spindle has fitted to it a plain cylindrical driving
barrel K, which is driven by means of an endless band or belt L; the band
passes round the main cylinder H, is then half twisted and passed over the
barrel K above, the whole series of spindles being arranged and driven in like
manner. The pirns M on which the yarn is wound are made hollow to slip
over the ends of the spindles J; the inner end of each towards the base is formed
of a conical figure, and grooved on the surface so as to hold the thread thereon.
The configuration of the conical part of the pirn is shown in dotted lines in

page_text: Figure 7 on our illustrative Drawings, the remaining portion of the pirn
being of a simple cylindrical figure. Each pirn is slipped on to the outwardly
extending end of the spindle, and it is caused to rotate therewith by the
projecting eye N, which is placed in a slot made for the purpose in the disc o
formed on the spindle, and against which the base of the pirn presses during
the winding operation. The conical part of the pirn corresponds in figure, or
nearly so, with the interior of the conical mould P, which is arranged in front
of the spindle, as shown more particularly in Figures 6 and 7 of the accom-
panying Drawings. The moulds are formed of a vertical piece of metal,
which has a slot Q cast in it to afford the means of securing each mould to
the front binding rail C, and of accurately adjusting it opposite the extremity
of its contiguous spindle. The conical part of the mould extends outwards in
front of the upright, and it has a longitudinal opening formed at the side as
shown in Figure 7, for the purpose of allowing the thread to be regularly
wound on the pirn. The moulds are arranged opposite to their respective
spindles, and they are secured to the rail C by means of bolts and nuts, or
other suitable fastenings. Parallel. to each spindle is fitted a guide R, which
is bolted down to the moveable bar S; these guides by their reciprocatory
movement serve to lay the thread or yarn upon the pirn in an even and
regular manner. Each guide consists of a base plate, having a slot made
therein to admit of the requisite adjustment on the bar S from the base plate;
an arm extends outwards towards the front of the mould, at which part the
arm is bent at right angles in the direction of the contiguous mould. The
yarn or thread to be wound on the pirn is carried through a groove formed
along this laterally projecting part of the guide. The accompanying Draw-
ings illustrate two modes of winding yarn, in one the yarn is taken from
bobbins, and in the other from cops. According to the former mode a series
of spindles T are fixed in the longitudinal rail B; on these spindles are placed
the filled bobbins U, the yarn from which is subjected to a certain amount of
"drag" or tension during the winding operation. The arrangement for this
purpose is fitted to the rail V, which is attached to and supported by the
pendent bracket pieces W that are bolted to the upper binding rail C. To
this rail, and below each mould P, is fixed a screw or pin which serves to sup-
port a moveable head or rectangular piece of wood X, in the outer face of
which are fixed four or other suitable number of drag wires Y. Figures 8
and 9 are enlarged views representing one of these moveable heads detached
from the supporting rail, and showing the outwardly projecting drag wires.
At one end of the head X is affixed a small weight; this is attached to the
side of the head, and tends to keep it in a position nearly vertical when freely

page_text: suspended upon its supporting spindle. The yarn or thread from the bobbins
U is carried upwards and passed over the two upper drag wires Y, then
under the lower ones and upwards to the guide R, through the groove of
which it passes to the pirn M. The arrangement of the moveable heads and
drag wires ensures perfect uniformity in the winding of the pirns, for if the
tension is regulated so as to keep the heads X, say, at an angle of 45 degrees
or more, then upon any overrunning of the bobbins, the slackness thus caused
is taken up by the head falling more or less towards the vertical position. The
yarn as before observed is laid in a regular and uniform manner on the
pirns by means of the guides R, which have a reciprocatory movement
imparted to them by the motion given to the bar S. This motion is primarily
communicated from the main shaft F, on the extremity of which, opposite to
the fast and loose pulley G, is fitted a pinion Z; this pinion gears with a spur
wheel a, running loosely on a stud projecting laterally from the end standard
of the framing. On the inner boss of the wheel a is a pinion b, which drives
the wheel c, and thereby gives motion to the shaft d, which extends from end
to end of the machine. The shaft d has fitted to it the two heart wheel e,
the peripheries of which are in contact with the antifriction rollers f; the
studs of these rollers are adjustable in the slots which are formed in the lower
ends of the oscillating levers g. Each of the levers g is centred on a stud
carried in an adjustable bracket, which is bolted to the end standard; the upper
portion of the lever extends above the framing of the machine, and has a slot
formed in it similar to the lower extremity. In order to keep the antifriction
roller continuously in contact with the heart wheel c, the lever g is made
with a laterally projecting arm, which carries a weight h. In the slot at the
upper end of each lever g is fitted a pin i, the inner extremity of which fits
into a groove made in the contiguous end of the bar S. With this arrange-
ment it follows, that as the heart wheels e are slowly rotated the bar S is
moved to and fro in a corresponding degree, which causes the guides R to
traverse parallel with the pirns, and so lay the thread evenly thereon. In the
accompanying Drawings the pirns are delineated in the different positions they
assume during the filling operation; that is to say, at the commencement the
thread is attached to the pirn M, which is then slipped on to one of the
spindles J, and the strap L is put over the barrel K; in this position the
greater portion of the cylindrical part of the pirn projects through the front
part of the mould P, and the strap L crosses the barrel K at the backward
part, as shown at the right-hand extremity of Figure 5, and in the end view,
Figure 3.. As the yarn accumulates upon the pirn, the pressure of the
conically wound portion against the inner surface of the mould P causes the

page_text: spindle to gradually recede, and this amount of traverse is so regulated, that
when the pirn is filled to the proper extent, the strap I slips off from the front
end of the barrel K, and the spindle consequently stops. The varying position
of the straps when the pirns are nearly and completely filled are delineated at
the left-hand extremity of the plan, Figure 5, on the accompanying Drawings.
In winding yarn from the cop, it is preferred to use the arrangement shown
in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5, which consists of two end standards ; these stand
on the floor, and to them is fixed the rail on which the pins or spindles k are
arranged. The upper end of each standard is made with an inwardly
projecting part, in which is a slot that serves to carry the supporting stud or
bolt of the longitudinal rail 1. To this rail is bolted the arms m, which
support the inner rail n immediately below the drag wires. The cops o are
placed upon the pins k, and the yarn is carried upwards through a small
hooked guide eye fixed in the front rail 1, then through corresponding eyes in
the inner rail n to the guide wires. For winding yarn from the cop, a
different mode of carrying it round the guide wires is preferred to that herein-
before described. The moveable head X is arranged with the small weight at
the upper corner, and the yarn is first passed round the lower and outer drag
wire, then upwards to the upper corner wire, from thence downwards in an
angular direction below the opposite lower corner wire, and lastly is carried up
past the upper corner wire; from this point the yarn is carried up to the
overhead guide, and disposed as herein-before described. This machine may
also be used for winding yarn from the hank, for which purpose it may, with
very trifling modifications, be readily adapted. With these several improve-
ments, the operation of winding yarn or thread is effected in an easy and
certain manner, the arrangement of the mechanism or apparatus insuring a
regular and even laying on of the yarn upon the pirn, together with an
unerring certainty in the stoppage of the spindle when the predetermined
quantity of yarn has been duly wound on.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, we would observe, in conclusion, that what we consider novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to us by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent, is,
First, the general arrangement and construction of machinery or apparatus
for winding yarns or threads, as herein-before described and shown in the
accompanying Drawings.
Second, the system or mode of driving the spindles for the purpose of
regulating the pressure of the pirn in or against the mould, and of stopping the

page_text: rotatory movement of the spindles, which stopping is effected by passing an
endless band over the cylindrical barrel or drum on each spindle, the back-
ward movement of the spindle as the pirn fills causing the strap to slip off the
barrel when a sufficient quantity of yarn is wound on the pirn, as is herein-
before described, and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Third, the arrangement and construction of the conical moulds in which the
pirns work, whereby the adjustment of each mould to suit the position of its
contiguous spindle is greatly facilitated, the improved configuration of the
mould also admitting of the thread guides coming in close proximity to the
pirns, so as to have a more certain control over the thread or yarn as it is laid
on the pirn, as herein-before described and delineated in the accompanying
Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
Fourth, the system or mode of laying or traversing the yarn or thread
to and fro on the pirn by means of guides, and the mechanical arrangement
connected therewith, so as to lay the yarn or thread on the pirn in a more
regular and uniform manner than has been heretofore accomplished, as herein-
before described and show in the accompanying Drawings.
Fifth, the system or mode of regulating the tension on the yarn or thread
by means of the moveable head, and the arrangement of drag wires so as to
cause a uniform tension on the yarn or thread, whether the same is being
wound from bobbins, cops, or hanks, as herein-before described and delineated
in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof. I, the said Simeon Bathgate, on behalf of the said
Robert Fairgrieve and myself, have hereunto set my hand and seal,
this Fifth day of December, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
nine.
SIMEON BATHGATE. (L.S.)