Improvements in Automatic Feed Apparatus for Carding Machines.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Aug., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 13th Apr., 1893-Accepted, 13th May, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Feed Apparatus for Carding Machines.
We, JOHN WILLIAM KNOWLES, or Globe Foundry, Manningham, Bradford, in
the County of York, Machine Maker, and JOSEPH HAYTON, of the same place
Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in the feeding apparatus of
carding engines, and has for its object, the construction and mounting of the same,
and the protection of the spiked feeding apron in such a manner that, the rolling or
balling of the fibre in the hopper is prevented, the breakage of the fibre reduced,
and a more regular feed to the carding cylinders effected, also to provide means
whereby the attendant may know, without examining the hopper, when all the fibre
has been delivered from the hopper to the machine.
We accomplish our object in the following manner-The hopper for the
reception of the fibre to be fed to the machine is mounted in the ordinary position
and provided with a grid at the bottom, hinged in a suitable manner to the machine
and to the hopper plate, which is kept in the position for feeding, by the weight of
the fibre in the hopper.
The spiked feeding apron is mounted and operated as hitherto, but some portion
of its depth in the hopper is protected by a plate, grid or a flexible apron travelling.
over rollers, below which is secured a serrated bar, over the teeth of which the
fibre is drawn by the spiked feeding apron.
By inserting a division plate or the like between the spiked feeding apron and
the fibre in the upper portion of the hopper, the fibre is thereby protected from the
feeding apron, except through a narrow space near the bottom of the hopper, by
which means, the tendency to roll the fibre into balls in the hopper is reduced, thus
leaving it more open so that it is easily drawn by the spiked apron over the serrated
bar without damaging the fibre.
As the weight of fibre is reduced in the hopper, the back plate gradually moves
towards the division plate or the like thereby keeping the fibre in contact with the
feeding apron, and when all the fibre is extracted, the hopper plate is moved by
means of springs, weights or tappets to such an extent that an arm is liberated,
which indicates that all the fibre in the hopper has been fed to the machine.
Dated this 2nd day of August 1892.
JOHN WAUGH,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Feed Apparatus for Carding Machines.
We, JOHN WILLIAM KNOWLES, of Globe Foundry, Manningham, Bradford, in
the County of York, Machine Maker, and JOSEPH HAYTON, of the same place,
Mechanic do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention relates to certain improvements in the feeding apparatus of
carding engines, and the like, and has for its object, the construction and mounting
of the same, and the protection of the spiked feeding apron in such a manner that,
the rolling or balling of the fibre in the hopper is prevented, the breakage of the
fibre reduced, and a more regular feed to the carding cylinders effected; also to -
LR 27
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page_text: provide means whereby the attendant may know without examination, when all
the fibre has been delivered from the hopper to the machine.
In order that our invention may be fully and clearly understood, we will describe
the same in detail by making reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Fig. 1 represents a section through the feeding end of a carding machine as
arranged according to our invention, and
Figs. 2 and 3 are modifications.
The hopper A for the reception of the fibre to be fed to the machine, is mounted
in the ordinary manner. Near to the bottom of the said hopper A. we hinge a
plate or grid B, extending the whole width of the hopper, and when the latter is
charged with fibre, the plate or grid B and the extended portion B', hinged at B²,
are somewhat in the position as shewn by Fig. 1. Near to the top of the hopper A
is mounted on a shaft a second plate or grid G provided with two levers H, one on each
side of the hopper, and to the said levers and any convenient part of the machine
are attached the spiral springs J or the like.
.
The spiked feeding apron C is mounted on the rollers D. D. and operated as
hitherto, but protected on the side communicating with the hopper A by a plate or
grid E, with the exception of a narrow portion at X through which the fibre is fed
to the endless apron Cthus by these means the tendency to roll the fibre into balls
in the hopper A is reduced, and is delivered on to the endless apron C in a more
open condition, and without damage to the fibre, as is the case when the apron is
unprotected as hitherto.
Upon the fibre being fed by the endless apron C to the carding machine, the
quantity in the hopper A is consequently reduced, the spiral springs J operate
upon the levers H, causing the plate or grid G secured thereto to operate upon the
plate or grid B, causing the latter to move on its hinge in the direction of the
arrow, and thereby reduce the area in the hopper.A, ensuring a constant feed to
the apron C.
In order to facilitate the feeding of the fibre to the endless aproń C. we secure
in or near the bottom of the hopper, a steam chest M, provided with spikes M',
whereby the temperature of the fibre is increased, and therefore more easily
opened out.
Upon the hopper A. becoming empty, the lever K secured on the same shaft as
the grid G, will have moved such a distance as to be clear of the guard L. as
shewn by dotted lines, and thereby indicating at a glance that all the fibre in the
hopper has been fed to the machine.
In Figures 2 and 3 we illustrate modifications of our apparatus. Introducing in
Fig. 2 between the protecting plate E. and the apron C, the feed rollers R. In
Fig. 3 we substitute an additional revolving feed apron T, for the rollers R, which
we find on experiment will answer equally as well.
The spiked feeding apron C, and the feed apron T may be constructed as shewn
by Figs. 4 and 5, the legs N supporting the pins N¹ are secured in any convenient
manner to the iron bars O and connected together, forming an endless apron, by
the links P; the iron bars O being of a suitable width corresponding with the
faces formed upon the octagonal roller D. By constructing the feeding apron in
the manner described, the apron is prevented slipping over the roller D and thus
ensuring a constant feed to the carding engine, or the like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The automatic feeding of carding engines and the like by the combination of
the moveable grids B, B and G with the apron C and protecting plate or grid E
arranged substantially in the manner as shewn and described.
2. The combination of the feed rollers R, or feed apron T with the protecting
plate E and apron C arranged substantially, in the manner herein before described.
.

page_text: 3. The combination of the steam chest M, moveable grids B, B', G, with the
apron C and protecting plate_ or grid E arranged substantially in the manner and
for the purpose hereinbefore described.
Dated thin 19th day of April 1893
JOHN WAUGH,
Agent.