IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR OPERATING UPON WOOL, ALPACA, MOHAIR, AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS PREPARATORY AND PRIOR TO BEING SPUN
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Sharp Bailey, of Keighley, in the
County of York, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR OPERATING UPON WOOL, ALPACA, MOHAIR, AND
OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS PREPARATORY AND PRIOR TO BEING SPUN."
Sealed the 2nd June 1854, and dated the 17th December 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Sharp
Bailey at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 17th December 1853.
I, JOSEPH SHARP BAILEY, of Keighley, in the County of York, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR OPERATING UPON WOOL, ALPACA, MOHAIR, AND OTHER
FIBROUS MATERIALS " to be as follows:-
My improvements consist in machinery for operating upon wool,
alpaca, mohair, and other fibrous materials to prepare them for the
subsequent operations of spinning, and for other purposes.
First, employing what are known as porcupine rollers, on which the
teeth are mounted in row parrellel to the axes of the rollers, with in-
tervals of space between such rows, in which spaces are placed strips
or pieces of india-rubber or other elastic material, or of leather, gutta
Λ

page_text: percha, or other flexible material, provided with springs or other means
to give them an elastic action.
Secondly, the employment of auxiliary holding combs with travelling
chain combs, or with gill combs operating during the filling of such
combs, and the employment of working combs operating upon the
fibrous materials carried by such travelling chain combs or gill combs.
Thirdly, discharging the fibrous materials from the lower races or
rows of teeth of gill apparatus, instead of from the upper race or row
as usual.
Fourthly, discharging the fibrous materials from gill apparatus, or to
a comb or combs placed between the upper and the lower races or rows
of teeth.
Fifthly, removing and transferring the fibrous materials from the
working comb to another comb, or back to such working comb sub-
sequently to being worked, and previous to being drawn into sliver.
Sixthly, the employment of additional rollers in combination with
ordinary drawing rollers for drawing fibrous materials from combs into
slivers.
Seventhly, the employment of rotary comb carriers or comb holders
carrying combs mounted on revolving machines for filling and trans-
fering fibrous materials.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Joseph Sharp Bailey in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 17th June 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, JOSEPII
SHARP BAILEY, of Keighley, in the County of York, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of December, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the
seventeenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Joseph Sharp Bailey, Her
special licence that I, the said Joseph Sharp Bailey, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Joseph

page_text: Sharp Bailey, my executors, administrators, and 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 Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man,
an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR OPERATING UPON
WOOL, ALPACA, MOHAIR, AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS, PREPARATORY AND
PRIOR TO BEING SPUN," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said Joseph Sharp Bailey, by an instrument in writing under my
hand and seal, 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 I, the said Joseph Sharp Bailey, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
My improvements relate to several of the operations of the prepa-
ration of wool, alpaca, mohair, and other similar fibrous materials,
which such materials undergo to prepare them for the spinny opera-
tion, and to the machinery employed in carrying out those operations.
In describing these my several improvements I will describe thom
singly, so as to be fully understood. Therefore, first, by reference to
the annexed Drawings, Figure I will illustrate my improvement in
that part of preparing machinery known as preparing porcupine or
toothed rollers; the portion of the machine here illustrated is intended
to represent a portion of a preparing machine for preparing wool, &c.,
but I do not herewith intend to confine the application of my improve-
ment to that class of construction of machines, but it is equally appli-
cable to other classes or constructions of preparing machines in which
porcupine or toothed rollers are employed. The teeth A, A, A, upon
those rollers are mounted in any known manner, but I adapt and apply
to them strips or pieces of some flexible material B, B, which may be
either elastic of their own nature, or an elastic action may be imparted

page_text: to them by other means, in such manner as to produce the desired end;
these strips or pieces of material may be perforated, so as to admit or
allow the teeth of the porcupine rollers to pass into or through them, or
each row or series of teeth may, instead of being provided with one
strip or piece of material perforated as above, have two strips or pieces
adapted to them, namely, one on each side of the row of teeth, and
which two strips or pieces of material are bound together by rings or
other bands of some elastic substance, as india-rubber; and these rings
or bands so binding the strips or pieces as to pass between the several
teeth of the row, whether the strips or pieces of material thus adapted
and applied be adapted and applied with perforation into which the teeth
are received, or formed of two strips or pieces bound or secured toge-
ther, they are intended, as far as practicable, to be constantly in contact
with the sides of the teeth at whatever part of the teeth such may bo
situated, when such are moved or traversed along the teeth to and
from the points thereof; the rollers C, C, C, are provided with flanges
or projections D, D, D, fixed upon them, and it is to these flanges or
projections that the ends of the strips or pieces of flexible or elastic mate-
rial are secured, and with such a degree of tension as to insure the strips
of pieces of material being moved outwards or towards the points of
the teeth at the proper times during the revolutions of the rollers.
The action or mode of operation of this improved machinery upon
the fibrous material submitted to its action is as follows:-The wool or
other fibrous material is fed and passed in by the feeding head E, of
any convenient construction, from which it is taken by the teeth A, A, A,
of the first roller C, the strips or pieces of flexible material B, B, B,
being then at or near the bottom of the teeth; the fibrous material is
then carried by the motion of the roller to the nearest point to the
teeth of the second roller C, by the teeth of which second roller
it is taken off the teeth of the first roller; the transfer of the fibrous
material from the teeth of the first roller to those of the second
roller is effected or facilitated by the outward movement of the strips
or pieces of flexible or elastic material towards the points of the teeth,
and thereby push or remove the fibrous material from the teeth; the
fibrous material being thus received on to the teeth of the second roller

page_text: is operated upon, and then transferred and again operated upon, as
previously described with respect to the first roller, and so on to
whatever number of rollers may be employed, and to being delivered
from the machine, as well known.
The porcupine rollers have an accelerated motion, that is, the second
of such rollers has a greater surface velocity than the first, and the
third greater than the second, and so on.
I have now fully described this the first part of my present improve-
ments in machinery for operating upon wool, &c., namely, the use and
employment of porcupine or toothed rollers, to the teeth of which are
adapted and applied strips or pieces of material flexible or elastic, and
operating to strip or remove the fibrous material from the teeth of
such rollers.
With regard to the second part of my present improvements, refe-
rence must be had to Figure 2 in the annexed Drawings. This part
relates to travelling chain combs and to gill combs, both of which are
employed in the preparation or combing of wool and other fibrous
materials, and consists in the adaptation to, and the use and employ-
ment in combination with, such machinery of auxiliary holding combs,
and likewise of working combs.
I will first describe my improvement as relates to the adaptation of
auxiliary holding combs to travelling chain combs. Figure 2, to which I
have before referred, is intended to represent my improved chain comb
machinery; but I do not limit my right to adapt my improvement to
this class or construction of machines only, as my auxiliary holding
comb may be adapted and applied to other classes or constructions
of preparing or combing machinery. Upon the chains A, of which
there are two, are mounted the comb frames or levers B, B, carrying
the combs C, C, upon them. The frames or levers have tail levers
D, D, attached to them, the ends of which, when the machine is in
operation, always moves or traverses within the guide or grooved race
E, so as constantly to maintain the teeth of the combs practically ver-
tical; the chains are endless, and they pass over or around the wheels
F, (of which there are also two,) and pullies G, G, (of which there
are four, two to each chain). Upon the comb frames or levers B, B,

page_text: are mounted other levers or frames II, II, carrying the auxiliary holding
combs I, I. There are tail levers to these frames, and they have springs
of india-rubber or other material connecting them with the comb frames
B, B, in such manner and with such a degree of tension as constantly
to effect a tendency in such springs to elevate the holding combs I, I,
and out of contact or action with any wool or other fibrous material
upon the travelling combs C, C, but at the same time to allow the
auxiliary holding combs I, I, to be depressed when necessary by passing
under a guide or cam or other depressing influence, so that the teeth of
such auxiliary holding combs shall, when so depressed, pass into and
amongst the fibrous material upon the travelling chain comb, and press
and hold firmly such fibrous materials securely upon such combs during
a portion of the traverse of the chain, and whilst drawing or receiving
the fibrous material from the feeding head K of the machine. The
mode by which I here effect the depression of the auxiliary holding
comb I, I, at the proper time by means of the guide bar 1, under
which the auxiliary comb frames pass, and the projections N, N, upon
which frames coming in contact with the guide bar L, as the frames
are traversing onwards, are thereby depressed, and hold the fibrous
material upon the travelling chain combs, as before stated. The
guide bar L is of such a length that it shall by its action upon the
auxiliary holding comb frames retain those frames depressed, and the
auxiliary holding combs in operation, so long as the travelling chain
combs are filling or receiving fibrous materials from the feeding
head of the machine. When the frames are traversed so far as they
are past or beyond the influence or action of the guide bar, the frames
carrying the auxiliary holding combs will, by the action of the india-
rubber or other springs, be elevated, and the auxiliary holding combs
will be withdrawn or released from the fibrous material upon the
travelling chain combs, thus leaving such fibrous material upon such
travelling chain combs, in a looser and more advantageous state than
when no such auxiliary holding combs are used and employed. And
also that such fibrous material is better disposed for the subsequent
operation, namely, the removing or drawing off of such fibrous material
from the travelling chain combs. As it would be necessary to use and

page_text: employ a receiving comb having a greater number of pitches or rows
of teeth than if the auxiliary holding comb was not employed.
Now with respect to my improvements, namely, the adaptation and
the use and employment of auxiliary holding combs to and with what
are known as gill combs, reference must be had to Figure 3, of the
annexed Drawings, which is intended to represent ordinary screw gill
comb machinery. A, A, the gills, upon each of which are mounted the
auxiliary holding comb frames or levers B, B; by means of brackets or
other suitable means, these frames or levers carry the auxiliary holding
combs C, C; the frames or levers are mounted in such manner as to
allow the auxiliary holding combs to be elevated or depressed as before
described, with respect to my last described improvement; there are
small tail levers D, D, connected by india-rubber or other suitablo
springs to the brackets upon the gills, or to the gills themselves; these
springs are to effect by their tension a constant tendency to elevate the
auxiliary holding combs as previously described; the projection N, upon
the tops of the auxiliary holding combs are for the purpose of depressing
the auxiliary holding combs, and holding the fibrous material upon the
gill combs when filling or receiving such fibrous materials from the
feeding head. This depression is effected by the guide bar E, under
which the projections N, N, pass successively as the gills are moved
onward from the feeding head, by the action of the screws.
In using and employing my present improvement in combination with
gill machines, it is necessary to arrange to work the gills at a distance
asunder, a little more than the length of staple of the fibrous material
under operation.
My other improvements in connection with travelling chain combs,
and also with gill combs machinery, is the adaptation and application
to those classes of machinery for preparing or combing wool and other
fibrous materials, and the use and employment therewith of working
combs operating upon the fibrous materials carried by such travelling
chain combs or gill combs. I will first describe the adaptation of this
improvement to travelling chain combs, and illustrate it by reference to
Figure 4, which is intended to represent a portion of a chain comb
machine, as represented in Figure 2, though my improvement is equally

page_text: applicable to other description or construction of preparing or combing
machinery, and I sometimes adapt and apply it accordingly. A, the
travelling chain; B, the comb frame; C, the comb; these having been
previously fully described, renders it unnecessary further again to
describe them now; the feeding or delivery head is composed of the
pair of rollers 0, 0, around the lower of which, and also around the
roller P, an endless cloth or apron passes, and upon the upper surface
of this apron the fibrous material passes into the machine, and also
it passes under the smaller roller Q, mounted above the roller P;
upon a stud or fulcrum at R, fixed to the framing of the machine, is
mounted the lever S, the forward arm of which carries the working
comb T, immediately in front of the rollers P and Q; I sometimes place
other or additional or supplemental holding teeth T, and which may be
the same or a different pitch. Further forward on this lever is the in-
clined or cam surface U, and this is the medium or means by which
the working comb and teeth are elevated at the proper time as the
travelling comb passes under it; the reverse end of the lever S, is con-
nected by a link to a click V, the lever to which this is attached being
mounted loosely upon the neck of the lower feeding roller O, so that
both the lever and the roller may move independent of each other. A
spring W, of india-rubber or other suitable material is mounted con-
veniently, so as to effect by its elastic action and tension a tendency to
depress the arm of the lever S, and consequently the working comb carried
by such lever, and also this spring is intended to maintain the working
comb so depressed when such working comb is not elevated or raised by
the passing of the travelling chain comb beneath the inclined or cam
surface of the lever S; and for effecting this elevation or raising of the
lever S, the travelling chain comb carries upon it a protection or bowl Y,
which as the travelling chain comb recedes or moves from the feeding
head, this projection or bowl upon it comes under and elevates the lever
S, and consequently the working comb T. The feeding rollers and the
feeding apron or cloth have an intermittant movement given to them,
so as to feed or pass into the machine the fibrous materials; and this is
eflected by the click V, gearing or taking into the teeth of a ratchet
wheel fixed upon the axis of the lower feeding roller O. Thus when the

page_text: forward arm of the lever S, is elevated by the passing of the travelling
chain comb under the inclined or cam part of it, the opposite arm will
be depressed, and the click V will con sequently be moved backwards
over the teeth of the ratchet wheel, and no movement will be com-
municated to it; but as the travelling chain comb passes onwards,
and from under the inclined or cam part of the lever, that arm of it
will be depressed, and the opposite arm will be elevated by the
action of the spring, and consequently the click will move round the
ratchet wheel and the feed rollers a certain distance, and thus pass or
feed a quantity of the fibrous materials into the machine.
The next, Figure 5, illustrates the adaptation of this improvement to
gill comb machinery. The several parts, in so far as relates to the
feeding head and the working comb, are the same as those previously
last described, but in combination with the screw gill, as shewn at A;
the action when in operation will be similar to that already described,
and therefore will not require further description or illustration.
I have now fully described this part of my present improvements in
machinery for operating upon wool and other fibrous materials, namely,
the adaptation, application, use, and employment to and with travelling
chain combs, and also to and with gill combs, of auxiliary holding combs ;
and likewise the adaptation, use, and employment to and with travelling
chain combs, chain combs, and likewise to and with gill combs, of
working combs operating upon the fibrous materials upon or carried by
such travelling chain combs or by such gill combs.
My next improvement relates also to gill comb machinery. By the
usual method of employing with this class or construction of machinery
for operating upon wool and other fibrous materials, the fibrous
materials are discharged and removed from such machinery from the
upper row or race of teeth, that is, from gill comb teeth, while such
gills are upon the upper screws. My present improvement consists in
discharging the fibrous materials' from the lower rows or races, and
from the sanic side of the gill coinb teeth as that upon which the fibrous
material has been fed or received into the machine. To illustrate this
improvement reference must be had also to Figure 3.
traversed by tlie screws in the usual manner along the
The gills arë
upper row or

page_text: race, and then backward along the lower race to the end of that race
immediately below the feeding head at Z; here the fibrous materials are
drawn off by the drawing rollers Z', which may be of any ordinary and
convenient construction.
I have fully described my present improvement relating to gill
machinery, being the discharging or removing the wool or other fibrous
materials from off the teeth of gilt combs, when such gill combs are in
or upon the lower rows or races of traverse or rows or races of screws.
My next improvement is also applicable to gill comb machinery, and
consists in discharging the fibrous materials from off the teeth of such
gill combs, after such gill combs have completed their upper traverse,
and during the falling from the upper to the lower race or row of screws,
or traverse, that is, the gill combs as they fall from the upper to the
lower traverse, or row, or race, deposit and transfer the fibrous material
such gill combs previously retained upon them, on to a suitable and
moveable comb or combs.
This improvement is also illustrated in Figure 3, of the annexed
Drawings, and alse in Figure 6, which is intended to represent an end
or transverse elevation of the gill machinery, and the travelling or chain
comb to which the fibrous material is transferred. A, is the gill
comb after having completed its upper traverse or race, falling to the
lower traverse or race, and in its descent it passes close to, and deposits
and transfers the fibrous materials upon it, on to the receiving,
travelling, or moveable comb B; although I have shewn and described
this travelling receiving comb to be an endless comb, it is not essential
that this should be a comb of the class and construction I have shown,
as any other convenient and suitable construction may be used and
employed.
I have now fully described my said improvement in the discharging
or transfer of fibrous materials from gill comb machinery, to be the
discharge or transfer of such fibrous materials from the teeth of gill
comb machinery on to a comb or combs placed or traversing between
the upper and the lower races or rows of traverse of the gills, or the
rows of screws.
My improvements relative to the transfer of wool and other fibrous

page_text: materials from one comb to another previous and preparatory to being
drawn into sliver, and after the operation of working or combing has
been effected. Figure 7, is intended to represent a machine for this
purpose, will illustrate this improvement. A, the drawing rollers by
which the fibrous material is to be drawn from the comb B, on to
which such fibrous material has been transferred from the comb C; the
comb B, I prefer to be an attachment to the machine, though it may
be otherwise employed; when it is prepared to receive the transfer of
the fibrous materials, it is secured to the machine; the workman then
takes the comb C, from any combing machine, having upon such comb
the fibrous material which have been previously worked or combed, and
which has now to be transferred, and moving such comb past the comb
to which the fibrous material is to be transferred in the direction of
the arrow, the teeth of both combs being in the same direction, the
fibrous materials will be removed from the first or working comb, and
transferred to the second or receiving comb. Another part of this
improvement relates to the transfer of fibrous materials from one
comb to another comb, such combs being those used and employed in
hand combing. This improvement is illustrated in Figure 8, which is
intended to represent hand combs; after the fibrous material has been
worked upon the comb A, the fibrous material is to be transferred
to the comb B, by the workman passing the teeth of the comb B
through the fibrous materials upon the comb A, and some of the teeth
of the comb B pass between the rows or pitches of teeth of the comb
A, and at or about a right angle to those of the comb A, and then
drawing off the fibrous material from the comb A, it will be on the
comb B, thus transferred from the comb A to the comb B.
Figure. 9 will illustrate another of my improvements in transferring
fibrous materials. This is for transferring such fibrous materials from
the comb on which such fibrous materials have been worked or filled,
to a pair of nippers or holders, and then to re-transfer back to the same
comb, or on to another comb, from which it is to be subsequently drawn
into a sliver. The framing of this machine carries brackets, upon which
is fixed the fulcrum of motion of the lever D, which lever carries at its
outer end the nipper or jaw A. The fellow or corresponding nipper, or

page_text: jaw A is attached to the top of the framing; a rod 3 descends from
this lever, and is attached below to the treadle lever C, the outer end
of which is the treadle for the foot of the attendant. When the fibrous
material upon a comb E has to be re-transferred back to itself, or to
another comb, the attendant takes the comb having fibrous material
upon it and places it, as shewn in the Figure. The fibrous material
laying upon the under nipper or jaw A, he then places his foot upon the
treadle, depresses that lever, and through the rod of connection brings
down the upper nipper or jaw A, thereby holding the fibrous material
securely. He now lowers and withdraws the comb from the fibrous
material, and if it is desired to re-transfer it back to such comb again,
the teeth of such comb are at once re-inserted in the fibrous material,
and if another comb is to be employed, the teeth of that comb is
inserted in the fibrous material, and the nippers or jaws released.
I have now fully described my present improvements relative to the
transfer of fibrous materials from comb to comb, namely, the removing
and transferring fibrous materials from any description of working combs
on to other combs, and likewise the removal and transfer of fibrous
materials from working combs back again to such working combs, or
on to other combs; this removal and transfer of the fibrous material
being effected subsequent to the operation of working such fibrous
material, and prior to the operation of drawing such fibrous materials
into sliver.
It will be necessary here to remark and state the object of my
several improvements in transferring fibrous material, as before
described, previous to be drawn into sliver; it is that the loops formed
during the filling, or charging and working, or combing of the fibrous
material may be released or loosened, to facilitate the drawing
operation.
My next improvement relates to that operation in the preparation
of wool and other fibrous materials, known as the drawing operation, or
that operation in which the fibres of wool and other materials are drawn
by means of rollers from the teeth of combs, and formed into what are
denominated slivers. In the machinery usually employed to perform
this operation, one pair of such drawing rollers only is used, or in other

page_text: words, fibrous material is drawn off the comb teeth by one pair of
Follers and formed thus into a sliver from such pair of rollers only,
without any addition or accumulation of inaterial drawn from such
comb teeth or other comb teeth by other and separate rollers. This
being the case, my present improvements consist in adapting and
employing as an addition to, and in combination with, such ordinary
drawing rollers of additional rollers, or pairs of rollers; reference must
now further be had to the annexed Drawing, Figure 10, which is
intended to represent a sectional clevation of my said present improved
drawing head or apparatus, and shewing its adaptation and application
to a traversing comb or series of combs, or I may here remark that
this, my present improvement, is alike applicable to the drawing of
wool and other fibrous materials from all descriptions or constructions
of combs generally..
The Drawing represents the drawing head as consisting of three pairs
or sets of drawing rollers placed at different distances from the comb or
combs, and acting or operating in combination, each pair or set of rollers
separately drawing fibrous material from the comb or combs, and
forming or producing a sliver composed of the fibrous material drawn
by the several pairs or sets of rollers united or added together, such
accumulation or addition of the fibrous material taking place in succes-
sion from one pair or set of drawing rollers to another, or the next in
succession, and at the time or period of drawing the fibrous materials
by that pair or set of drawing rollers from the comb or combs. By
reference to the Figure, A wiil represent the frame of the drawing
head or apparatus; B, B', B", the several pairs or sets of drawing
rollers; C, the endless band or belt, passing partially around or in
connection with the several pairs or sets of rollers, so that; supposing
the comb or series of combs D have a progressing movement in the
direction of tlie the first pair or set of rollers B will take or
draw off from such.comb or series of combs a certain portion or quan-
tity of fibrous material, and form such into a sliver or portion of a
sliver, which is carried onward. by the endless band or belt to the second
pair or set of rollers B', where, by the action or operation of this second
pair or set of rollers, another portion. or quantity of fibrous material is

page_text: drawn from the comb or combs, and such is added and accumulated to
that previously drawn by the first pair or set of rollers B. The sliver or
portion of the sliver is thus increased in size or bulk. The endless band
or belt now carries it still further onwards to the third pair or set of
rollers B, when the same operation as that which took place at the
pair or set of rollers B' is repeated, whence the sliver is carried off
through the bell mouth and pair of guilding rollers E, to the cam or
receptacle F. Although I have here shewn this mode of receiving the
sliver of wool from the last pair or set of drawing rollers, it forms no
part of my present improvements; therefore this method, or any other
method or means, may be employed, as most convenient and suitable.
And although I have herein shewn and described three pairs or sets
of drawing rollers acting or operating in combination or connection,
still my present improvement is not confined to that particular number,
nor to the particular positions or situations of the several pairs or sets
of rollers or of the whole drawing head, relative to the comb or series
of combs from the teeth of which the wool or other fibrous material is
to be drawn.
I have now fully described and shewn my present improvements in
drawing wool and other fibrous material from a comb or combs by means
of ordinary drawing rollers, to which ordinary drawing rollers, other or
additional rollers, or pairs or sets of other or additional rollers are
adapted and applied, and with which such other or additional rollers, or
pairs or sets of additional rollers are used and employed in combina-
tion and connection for drawing such fibrous materials from such comb
or combs, and forming thereby sliver or slivers.
The last improvements of these my present improvements also has
reference to operating upon or preparing wool and other fibrous.
materials, and the operations to which my said present improvements
are more particularly applicable, are the filling or feeding fibrous
materials on to a comb or combs, and the transfer of such fibrous
material subsequently, either on to another comb or other combs or to
drawing rollers. In proceeding further to describe these my improve-
ments, reference must be had to the Drawings, Figure 11 and
Figure 12. These are intended to represent two separate machines or

page_text: arrangements of machinery, constructed according to and in conformity
with my present improvements. The former of these, Figure 11, is
intended to represent a sectional elevation of my improved circular
revolving machine; and Figure 11, a plan view of one of the rotary
comb frames or holders. A, A, represents the general fixed framing of
the machine, upon which are mounted the several feeding heads B, B,
B, B, and although I have here arranged four such feeding heads to
supply the wool or other fibrous materials to the machine, my improve-
ment is not limited to that particular number of such feeding heads, or
to the particular arrangement there shewn, as more or less of such
feeding heads may be adapted and applied, and their arrangements
made suitable to circumstances and convenience and the size of the
machine; and although I have also herein shewn the arrangement and
construction of the several feeding heads, as slightly differing from each
other, still the mode of operation is identical in all. I have thus
modified the arrangement of such feeding heads, to show that modifica-
tions may be carried out without affecting any improvements. In all
cases the feeding head, or that part or end of it immediately adjoining.
to and delivering the fibrous materials to the passing comb, is carried
forward or onward by the passing cam surfaces of the revolving frame,
carrying the comb frames for a certain distance, so as to cause the
feeding head to assume positions more advantageous for the delivery or
drawing of the fibrous material from the feeding head, and the filling
of such fibrous material on to the passing comb, than were such feeding
head to maintain a position stationary as relative to the passing combs,
and the fibres of the material will be drawn from the feeding head,
between the teeth of the working comb, placed upon the feeding head,
in a direction more parallel to the strain upon the fibres, than if such
feeding head were relatively stationary. This feeding head is com-
posed of the ordinary feed rollers u, from which the fibrous material is
received on to the endless band or belt and rollers b; the first roller
carrying this endless band or belt is mounted upon a frame or arms
attached to and capable of moving upon the apis of the lower feeding
roller, so as to allow and permit the discharging end or part adjoining
to and in connection with the passing comb to be moved forward or

page_text: onward with it for a certain distance. The feeding head carries upon
it the working comb c; this comb is arranged and mounted upon the
feeding head, in a somewhat similar manner to that I have already
described in a previous part of this my present Specification, and also
previously shewn and represented in the annexed Drawings at Figure 4
and this working comb I have therein described as constituting one
part of my present improvements. Upon bearings formed in the end
frames of the machine are mounted shafts carrying the bearing or
carrying rollers or pullies C, C', C', C', by these the revolving frame D,
is carried and supported, and also guided; they, in fact, perform the
office of a central axis or shaft to the revolving frame (of which there
is none), and also as friction rollers or pullies to reduce the friction.
By this arrangement and construction of mounting and working the
revolving frame, the interior portion of the machine is left free and
unoccupied by any revolving arms or other moving or fixed parts, by
which I am enabled to adapt and apply to such interior of this machine,
the discharging or transferring machine, which I have already herein
previously described, and also previously shewn in the Drawings,
Figure 6, and which improved machinery, therein more fully described,
now constitutes one feature or part of this my present improved
revolving machine.
The revolving frame D is composed of two sides, held at a distance
asunder by the stretching or holding bolts E, E, E, E, E, and between
them, and carried by bearings in them, are mounted the rotary comb
frames or comb holders F, F, F, F, F. These are moved and revolved
in their bearings by the action of a guide race or groove G', shewn in
dotted lines behind the revolving frame D. This guide race is carried
by and fixed to the end framing B; at one or both sides of the machine
upon the axis or shafts carrying the rotary comb frames F, F, F, F, F,
are fixed double ended levers. II, II, pins or studs, upon the ends of
which, taking alternately into the guide groove or race as the machine
revolves, govern and regulate the positions and situation of the rotary
comb frames upon the revolving frame at all parts of their revolutions.
Upon the axis or shafts carrying the rotary comb frames F, are
mounted loosely the double armed levers I, I, I, I, I, carrying at their

page_text: outer ends the auxiliary holding combs L, L, L, L, L. It will not be
necessary here to fully describe this particular improvement, as I have
berein-before fully described it with reference to Figure 2, and also
therein fully shewn and represented it. It will be quite sufficient here
to state, that as constituting a part. of this my present improved
revolving machine, the action of operation and object are the same
as I have herein-before described. The edges of the revolving frames
D are formed with varying eccentric or cam surfaces K, K, K, and it
is by theso surfaces that the forward or onward movement of the dis-
charge or delivery end of the feeding head is effected. When the
rotary combs are in operation upon the fibrous material, carried by or
delivered from such feeding head, and to this end the arms or frames
carrying the delivery end of the feed head are provided with pins or
studs upon their sides, with which pins or studs the eccentric or cam
surfaces K, K, K, move against as they come round in succession, and
thus carry forwards or onwards the delivery end of the feeding head at
the proper times, when the eccentric or çam surfaces are severally past
and clear from the pin or studs before. named, upon the feeding head
frames. Those frames and the feeding head are brought back to their
original positions, or the positions they assume previous to their being
acted upon by the eccentric or cam surfaces, by means of springs or
other convenient or suitable means, as gravity, where available upon the
side of the revolving frame D. Next to and between it and the general
framing of the machine A, is fixed a toothed ring N, shown in the
Drawing only by dotted lines, and it is by this ring that the requisite
revolving movement is given to the revolving frame, and consequently
to the other parts of the machine, it being driven by the pinion O,
upon the main driving shaft through the carrying or intermediate
wheel P. Q, the ordinary fast and loose pullies.
In describing the action and operation of this machine, it will be
unnecessary to refer to more than one of the rotary comb frames and
its attendant combs, as all of them being identical in their action and
movements, the description of one will be the description of the
whole. The machine being set in a movement, the revolving frame
D will revolve in the direction of the arrow ☐
I will, now

page_text: therefore describe the action of the rotary comb franie F, from the
position and situation shewn in the Drawing. As the revolving frame
carrying it moves onwards, the action of the guide race or groove G,
fixed upon the framing of the machine, causes the rotary frame to
assume an horizontal position, or nearly so, until it arrives immediately
before the first feeding head, which is shewn in its proper position.
At this moment the outer comb F', upon the rotary comb now as it
descends past the first feeding head takes hold of and carries away the
fibrous material from the feeding head, and drawing it through or
between the teeth of the working comb upon such feeding head. When
the teeth of the rotary comb have attained a sufficient hold of the
fibrous material from the feeding head, the auxiliary holding comb
upon the rotary comb is caused to close upon the fibrous material
immediately behind such rotary comb, and thus holds the fibrous
material firmly thereon. This movement of the auxiliary holding
comb is effected by the arm or lever R, attached to the framing of the
machine, immediately below the feeding head, and having a spring
attached to it in such manner, and of such a degree of tension, as to
close the auxiliary holding upon the fibrous material upon the rotary
comb, and also to return back to its first position, as shewn, when the
lever of the auxiliary holding comb shall have passed from contact
with it, and at the same time as this release takes place the auxiliary
holding comb is released from holding the fibrous materials, and
returns to its former or previous position. This action of the auxiliary
holding comb, however, should not take place before the fibrous
material carried by the rotary comb from the feeding head is drawn
from and entirely clear of the feeding head, as the object of the
auxiliary holding comb is to hold the fibrous material during the
filling or charging of such fibrous material upon the rotary comb from
the feeding head. At about the same time that the rotary comb has
obtained a firm hold of the fibrous material from the feeding head, and
the auxiliary holding comb is fairly down and retaining the fibrous
material upon the rotary comb, the eccentric or cam surface upon the
edge of the revolving frame comes into contact with the extreme end
of the feeding head, or the frame carrying the front feeding band or

page_text: belt, and as it passes or moves onwards carries that end of the feeding
head forward with it. The rotary comb being now opposite to or very
nearly opposite to the working comb upon the feeding head, and as
they move forwards they recede so as to draw the fibrous material held
by the rotary combs wholly from the feeding head, when the continued
onward movement of the eccentric or cam surface releases the feeding
head and allows and permits such feeding head to return to its original
or former or stationary position, preparatory to the action of the next
succeeding rotary comb. At the same time the auxiliary holding
comb is also released from holding the fibrous materials upon tho
rotary combs, and the rotary comb is then in a position to operate and
act with the next succeeding feeding head, when the foregoing described
action is repeated, and so on in succession until the rotary comb has so
on in succession acted and operated with all the feeding heads, whatever
the number of such feeding heads may be so employed. The guido
race or groove is so far of such a curvature as to cause the rotary
combs to assume the best relative positions with respect to the several
feeding heads operated and acted with. Only one of such two rotary
combs upon each rotary frame bas hitherto been in action and operation,
and immediately after such rotary comb has operated and acted with the
last of the feeding head and received fibrous materials from that feeding
head, and also the others in succession. At this point of the revolution
of the revolving frame the guide, groove, or race is of such a contour
or form, and of such an eccentricity as to change the relative position
of the rotary comb frame upon the revolving frame; that is, the
rotary comb F, which hitherto during the revolution of the revolving
frame has been outwards and operating and acting with the several
feeding heads, and thereby become filled or charged with fibrous
materials from such feeding heads in succession, is now by this action
of the guiding groove or race turned or moved inwards, whilst the
rotary comb F", which until now has been inwards, and during the
latter part or portion of the revolution of the revolving frame empty
and inactive, takes the outward place or position to operate and act
with the feeding heads during the next revolution of the revolving
frame. As the revolution of the revolving frame continues, the rotary
B2

page_text: comb F', now filled or charged with fibrous material passes inwards
until it arrives at the point V, where there is a transfer comb, and on
to which transfer comb the fibrous material upon the rotary comb Fis
transferred, as the rotary comb passes it. This comb I have herein-
before fully described and shewn in reference to Figure 6. Though.I
do not always and solely use and employ this description or construction
of transfer comb, though in most cases I prefer the arrangement and
construction therein described and shewn as best adapted and most
suitable for the purposes of a transfer comb applicable to this my
present improved revolving machine.
I have now fully described one of my present improved machines
which I employ for the purpose of filling and charging wool and other
fibrous materials upon rotary carrying combs, such rotary carrying combs
being adapted to and mounted upon revolving frames, and subsequently
removing and transferring such fibrous materials from such rotary
carrying combs on to another comb or other combs, and thus to be
removed from this my present improved machine. It is not essential
to my present Invention of improvements that all the arrangements
or the construction of this machine should be always the same identically
as those herewith shown in the Drawings, or herein described, or that
the exact proportions of the several parts should be the same, as I
sometimes deviate from them, but without in any degree affecting the
substance or the stability of my improvements. Thus the size or
general dimensions of the machine may be more or less, according to
the quality of the fibrous materials intended to be operated upon. The
number of feeding heads, as also the number of rotary combs used and
employed, may be either relatively or otherwise different from what
are shewn in the Drawings, the closeness together, or the frequency of
the feeding heads, and also the period of time, or period of the revo
lution during which the rotary combs may be in action or operation
with the feeding head, may or will be determined by the staple or
by the nature or quality of the fibrous material intended to be operated
upon..
.
I now proceed to describe my second improved machine for filling or
charging wool and other fibrous materials upon rotary combs, and

page_text: subsequently delivering, discharging, and transferring such
materials so filled or charged from such rotary combs on to another
comb or other combs, for subsequent removal or discharge therefrom,
by drawing rollers, or by other means, as most convenient or desirable;
or sometimes I dispense with the use and employment of this receiving
or transfer comb or combs, and adapt and apply to and employ in con-
nection with my present improved machine drawing rollers of any
convenient and desirable arrangement or construction.
In now proceeding further to describe this my present improved
machine; I must refer to the annexed Drawings, Figure 12, which is
intended to represent a sectional elevation of my present improved
chain rotary comb machine.
.
It may be proper for me here to remark, that the general action or
operation of this machine upon the fibrous materials submitted to it is
very similar to that already last described, although the general arrange-
ment and construction of some parts may be somewhat different.
It
may be necessary here to remark, that in the description of this
my present improved machine upon which I am now about to enter, the
mode or method herein adapted and applied to receiving or drawing off'
from the rotary combs the fibrous materials filled or charged upon such
rotary combs is that of drawing rollers. The second method which I
sometimes adopt to this machine is that of a transfer comb. This last
is shewn in the Drawing adapted to the machine, the adaptation being
illustrated in red lines. This therefore will not enter into my present
description, but will be subsequently described, the present description
only referring to the drawing rollers as a means or method of delivery
or discharge of the fibrous materials from the rotary combs.
In this improved machine, as in that I have herein last described,
the action or operation of the several rotary combs with the several
feeding heads, and the filling or charging the fibrous materials from the
feeding heads on to the rotary combs, are so identical in all as to
render quite unnecessary to describe more than the action or operation
or one of such rotary combs only. In proceeding it will be seen that
the arrangement, construction, and mode or manner of action and
operation of the several feeding heads, are the same as those used and

page_text: employed in my improved machine already and last described. A, A,
the general framing of the machine upon which the several feeding
heads B, B, B, are mounted, they being mounted on either or both sides
of the machine, so that the rotary combs carried by the endless chains
may act and operate on the feeding heads, or upon the fibrous materials
fed or delivered in by such feeding heads, either during the ascent or
the descent, or both the ascent and the descent, of such rotary combs.
Upon the upper part of the general framing of the machine, in proper
and suitable bearings, is mounted an horizontal shaft, which carriers by
being fixed upon it two chain wheels, one of which D only is shewn
in the Drawing; around these chain wheels pass two endless chains,
one only of these C being also shown; upon the lower part of each side
of framing of the machine are mounted pullies E, E, around each two
of which the endless chain also passes; these pullies act as guides to
the chains, and also maintain those chains in a proper state of tension;
upon these chains are mounted the rotary comb frames F, F, at any
suitable and convenient distance asunder, but still they should not be
mounted or placed at such a small distance or interval of space asunder,
or their relative positions be such as to interfere with their perfect inde-
pendent action, either when acting or operating in conjunction with the
feeding heads, or when revolving to change their guide race or groove;
the rotary comb frames are the same in arrangement and construction
to those herein-before described with respect to my improved machine
last described; that is, the comb frames are mounted upon a central
shaft or axis which revolves in bushes on bearings in the endless
chains; one or both ends of these axis or shafts are provided with
double armed or ended levers, upon the ends of which are pins or studs
taking or passing into the guiding groove or race G, of which there
may be one or two, according as the shafts or axis of the rotary comb
frames are provided with levers at one or both ends. H, the change
bar for effecting the partial revolution of the rotary comb frame; it
will be seen, that this change bar or guide crosses in its direction the
direction of traverse of the endless chains, and therefore as the rotary
comb frames successively arrive at this spot, they obtain they partial
rotary movement by the pins or studs upon the levers upon the ends of

page_text: the axis or shafts following the direction of the change bar, and thus
passing over to the side of the endless chain opposite to that at which
they had just previously been traversing. I, the drawing rollers for
drawing off the fibrous material from the rotary combs as they arrive
in succession by the traverse of the endless chains. Although I have
here shewn the adaptation and application to this improved machine
of ordinary drawing rollers, I sometimes adapt and apply to such
machine, and use and employ therewith any other description or con-
struction of drawing head, as my improved drawing machinery herein-
before described with reference to Figure 10; at the upper part of this
machine the guide race or groove is of such a contour or form as to
allow and cause the one of the pins or studs upon the double armed
lever upon the rotary comb frame, to leave the said guide groove or
race in which it had been traversing, and at the same time to allow and
cause the other of such pins or studs to enter the guiding groove or race,
but at the same time the positions of the rotary comb frame relative
to the feeding heads is unchanged, or as near to as practically may be.
In describing the action and operation of this improved machine, it will
only be necessary to describe the movements, action, and operation of
one rotary comb frame and its carried or attendant combs, being all
identical in such movements and operation, in thus taking the rotary
comb frame as its comb F' is just commencing the operation of filling
or charging the fibrous materials from the first feeding head, or No. 1,
or that feeding head first after the drawing rollers or machinery; the
one of the rotary combs F', upon the rotary comb frame, takes hold of
and draw the fibrous materials from the feeding head, or is partially
filled or charged from that feeding head, in the manner, and acting or
operating with the feeding head, as herein-before already fully described.
The continued working of the machine carries the rotary comb frame.
upwards to the upper part of the machine, acting and operating with
the several feeding heads in succession, as such rotary comb frames
pass them; thus the rotary comb F', that is, the comb upon one side
of the rotary comb frame, is filled or charged, or partially filled or
charged with fibrous materials from the several feeding heads. Here
the continued revolving movement of the machine carries the rotary

page_text: comb frame over the driving wheel to the side of the machine opposite
to that it had been traversing upwards, and descending on that side.
The rotary comb frame now acts and operates with the several feeding
heads, arranged and situated on that side of the machine; but as the
rotary comb frame has still retained its relative position, that is, at or
nearly an horizontal. position, the rotary comb F', which is the one on
to which the fibrous material has been filled or charged, or received,
during the upward movement of the rotary comb frames, is now towards
the interim of the machine, and the rotary comb F", which hitherto
has been empty or out of action, is now towards the feeding, and is
the conib on to which the fibrous materials from the several feeding
heads on that side of the machine is received, or filled or charged
during the descent of the rotary comb frame on that side of the
machine, and as it passes such feeding heads in succession. As the
several rotary comb frames arrive in succession at the drawing off
rollers or machinery, the fibrous materials is by the action and opera-
tion of such drawing off rollers, drawn from one of the two rotary
combs carried by such rotary comb frames, while the other of such
rotary combs being only but partially filled or charged with fibrous
material, having received such fibrous materials from a portion or part
only of the whole number of feeding heads is continued and carried
onwards and upwards to complete such filling or charging by the fibrous
material from the remaining number of feeding heads, and in due
course as it arrives at the drawing off rollers the fibrous material is
drawn off and withdrawn from such rotary comb preparatory to a
repetition of the filling and charging operation. Thus it will be seen
and understood that each rotary comb receives fibrous material from
every feeding head, and finally, when so filled or charged, the fibrous
material is delivered or drawn off from such rotary combs, and these
operations take place with the rotary combs alternately.
As before stated, I sometimes dispense with the drawing off rollers
or machinery herein shown and described, and for the purpose of their
delivering or discharging the fibrous materials from the rotary combs. I
adapt and employ a transfer comb or transfer combs;
the colored lines in the interior of the machine at X.
this is shewn in
This travelling

page_text: transfer comb or combs I have herein-before previously fully described,
which renders further description here unnecessary; however, at this
point of the traverse or evolution of the endless chain, the guide groove
or race is of such a contour or form as to allow and cause the rotary
comb frame to assume the position shown by the colored lines the more
effectually to deposit and transfer the fibrous material from such rotary
combs on to the transfer or receiving comb.
I have now fully described my second improved machine for filling
or charging wool and other fibrous materials on to combs, and for
discharging, or delivering, or transferring such fibrous materials from
such combs; and although I have shewn in the Drawings herewith,
and have described in the foregoing description herein, with respect to
this last particular arrangement and construction of machine, as also
with respect to the arrangement and construction of machine imme-
diately preceding, still I do not limit or confine my Invention of those
improvements to those shown and described arrangements and con-
struction, as such may be varied. Still in all cases or descriptions of
such machines, my principal feature and improvement will be, that
there shall be adapted, used, and employed, rotary comb frames, or
comb frames or holders having rotary motion or movement given or
communicated to them, or which comb frames are caused to describe
rotary or revolving movement or motion upon or around their own axis
or centre of motion, such axis or centre of movement or motion being
in or upon a revolving frame, or in or upon endless chains having a
revolving or rotary movement or motion, and operating by such com-
bined movements or motions in filling or charging fibrous materials on to
or upon a comb or combs attached to and carried by such rotary comb
frames, from two or more suitable, proper, or convenient feeding heads,
and subsequently, after such filling or charging, to deliver, discharge,
or transfer such fibrous material from such rotary comb or combs,
to or on suitable and convenient receiving or drawing apparatus or
machinery.
Sometimes, when my improved machines are constructed of con-
siderable magnitude and a greater number of feeding heads are adapted
and employed, I discharge, deliver, or transfer the fibrous material from

page_text: the rotary combs twice or a greater number. of times during one
revolution of the revolving frame.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Sharp Bailey, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of June, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
four
Wittness,
JAMES MARL.
JOSEPH SHARP BAILEY. (L.S..)