Improvements in Machinery for Preparing, Assorting, Straightening, Tearing, Teazing, Doubling, Twisting, Braiding, and Weaving, Cotton, Wool, and other Fibrous Substances
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, DAVID
CHRISTIE, of No. 3, Saint John's Place, Broughton, in the Borough of Salford,
in the County of Lancaster, Merchant, send greeting.
WHEREAS in consequence of a communication made to me by a certain
Foreigner residing abroad, I became and am in possession of an Invention for
"Improvements in Machinery for Preparing, Assorting, Straightening,
Tearing, Teazing, Doubling, Twisting, Braiding, and Weaving, Cotton, Wool,
and other Fibrous Substances:" and whereas Her present most Excellent
Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster
the Tenth day of December now last past, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said David Christie, my exors,
adñiors, and assigns, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said David Christie, my exors, adiñors, and assigns, and
such others as I, the said David Christie, my exors, admors, or assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within that part of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland called England, Her Dominion of Wales, and
Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR PREPARING, ASSORTING, STRAIGHTENING, TEARING, TEAZING, DOUBLING,
TWISTING, BRAIDING, AND WEAVING COTTON, WOOL, AND OTHER FIBROUS
SUBSTANCES;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso requiring

page_text: that I, the said David Christie, shall particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be enrolled in Her
said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as,
reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
•
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
David Christie, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly described and
ascertained in and by this present Instrument in writing, 'reference being
had to the several Drawings hereunto annexed, and in which said several
Drawings similar parts are marked and referred to by similar letters or figures
and small arrows being placed to describe the direction of motion; that is to
say:
The first of my improvements in machinery for preparing cotton, wool, and
other fibrous substances, consists of two modifications of a machine commonly
called or known by the name of a "cotton gin," for separating the fibres of
cotton from the sced or other extraneous matters.
These improvements are represented on Sheet 1 of the Drawings, Fig: 1,
being a sectional elevation, and Fig. 2 a plan view of one of the improved
gins; and Fig. 3 a sectional elevation, and Fig. 4 a side elevation of the
other improved gin.
b and c.
In Figs. 1 and 2 a represents an endless flexible belt passing round the rollers
Over the roller c is placed a top roller d; e is a drum furnished with
serrated steel blades, as seen in detached Figs. 5 and 6, on referring to which
it will be seen that under the points of each row of teeth there is a groove to
collect the dust and prevent the teeth from getting choked or filled up. In
some cases, in place. of the drum e, I propose to substitute a drum, the circum-
ference, of which is formed of a flat wire with incisions in it, as described in
the Specification of an English Patent granted to Francis Alton Calvert on or
about the Eighteenth day of January, One thousand eight hundred and forty-
nine, for removing the fibres of cotton from the seeds, in which Specification
the drum is particularly described in reference to Figs. 7, 8, and 9. Above
the drum e are mounted the rollers f, g, h, and i. These rollers are made with
longitudinal grooves over the greater part of their circumference; and in one
place they have a segmental shaped recess, which is concentric with the drum
e, when each roller is in the position of the roller h, as shewn. The roller J,
which is placed below the roller i, has grooves around the whole of its circum-
ference for the purpose of throwing off the seeds when free from cotton, whilst the

page_text: revolving brush k strikes the fibres of cotton out of the teeth of the toothed steel
blades fixed on the circumference of the drum e. The requisite motion is given
to the revolving parts of the machine by a strap passing round the pulley e¹ (see
Fig. 2), fixed. on the shaft of the drum e. Near the other end of the same
shaft is fixed the pinion geering into the wheel e, which is fast to the pinion
e, and revolves on a stud fixed to the frame side... The pinion e gears into a
carrier. e. which gives motion to the wheel e, mounted loosely on the shaft of
the drum e: The wheel e imparts a slow motion to the rollers f, g, h, i, and j,
by gearing into pinionis fixed on their respective axes, as clearly, shewn; by the
red circles in Eig: 1. The seeds and cotton to be operated upon are spread
upon the belt a, to which an intermittent advancing motion is given in the
following manner. Upon the shaft of the roller c is fixed the disk or inter-
mittent wheel with 5 (or any other suitable number of) slots, as shewn by
dotted lines in Fig. 1. The pinion m is loose on the shaft of the roller c, and
is turned round by the wheel ; the pinion mi gears into the pinion n, which
has a flange and pin for taking into the slots of the disk l; and as..this, disk
has five slots in it, each revolution of the pinion n will cause the roller c to
perform one fifth of a revolution. When the cotton and seeds have passed
between the rollers c and d, they are carried upwards by the drum e until they
are stopped by the roller ƒ when in the position shewn in the Drawing, which
prevents for a short period. their further advance. During the time that the
seeds are held by the roller f, the serrated blades of the drum e are removing
the cotton from the seeds and other extraneous matter; and when the recess
in the roller f is concentric with the drum e, the seeds, with the cotton partially
removed; pass between the roller f and drum, e,.and occupy. the space between
the rollers f, g, and drum e, where they are again operated upon until they are
allowed to pass forward by the recess in the roller g.coming opposite to the
drum e. The cotton and seeds are again similarly arrested, first, by the rollers
h, and then by the roller i, when the recess in the roller i allows them to pass
onward. The cotton is sufficiently separated from the seeds and other extraneous
matters, which then drop on to the roller.j, which throws them out of the
machine, whilst the cotton, after being liberated from the teeth of the blades
on the drum e by the brush k; is collected in any suitable receiver. The speed
of the various rollers, and the quantity. of cotton and seeds supplied on the belt
a, must be regulated according to the quality of the cotton to be operated upon.
.. In Figs. 8 and 4 e. represents the drum, which is similar in its construction
to the ones already .described in Figs. 1 and 2; and 9 is a fluted roller
revolving slowly in the same. direction as the drum e, thereby causing the
circumferences, where they approximate, to run in opposite directions, as

page_text: shewn by the arrows. r is a fixed plate, the lower edge of which reaches
nearly to the roller q; and s is an adjustable plate, the lower edge of which is
set to within a quarter of an inch, or a little more or less, as may be required,
from the circumference of the drum e. The two plates r and s, and the
two side frames of the machine form a hopper, into which the seed and cotton'
to be operated upon are thrown. As soon as motion is communicated to the
various parts of the machine, the cotton adhering to the lowermost seeds in
the hopper is partially removed by the teeth of the drum e, and the seeds and
cotton are all set in motion by the drum e and roller q. By this means
they are constantly presenting fresh surfaces to the action of the teeth of the
drum, which strips the cotton off the seeds until they are sufficiently free
from fibre. The seeds then drop through the opening left between the plate s
and the drum e, into the receiver u, and a fresh supply of cotton and seeds is
put into the hopper. The cotton is stripped off the teeth of the drum e by
the brush k, as before described, and the fibres of cotton, after being thrown
off by the brush, are collected in any suitable receptacle. The cotton and
seeds may also be set in motion by the endless strap t, passing over the rollers
t' and to, the former of which is driven from the roller 9 by the wheels shown
in red in Fig. 3, or by any suitable agitator or conductor placed in the hopper.
If it be found requisite, the roller q, in addition to or in place of the longitudinal
grooves shown in the Drawing, may be made with spiral or zig-zag grooves
cut in opposite directions on its surface, so as to impart a lateral motion to the
contents of the hopper, as well as the revolving motion imparted to it by the
action of the drum e and roller q, as already described.
I do not claim any of the parts separately which I have shown or described,
but I do claim the novel combination of such parts as I have shown and
described when they constitute a gin.
My first improvements in machinery for preparing, assorting, and straighten-
ing cotton, wool, and other fibrous substances, consist in an arrangement of
certain toothed cylinders, for the purpose of extracting or detaching motes and
dirt from cotton or other fibrous substances before it reaches the main cylinder
of a carding engine. These improvements are shewn in Sheet 2 of the
Drawings. Fig. 7 is a side elevation, shewing the nature of the arrange-
ment in connection with the main cylinder of a card. Fig. 8 is a front eleva-
tion of the same. Fig. 9 is a detached view of a part of the comb H. A is
a toothed wire cylinder, similarly constructed to that for which an English
Patent was granted to Francis Alton Calvert, on or about the Eighteenth
January, One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, which receives the
cotton or other fibrous substance from the feeding rollers, and carries it

page_text: forward till it is met by the teeth on the cylinder B, which extracts or detaches
the dirt or motes that may be combined with it, whilst the clean cotton or
other fibrous substance is carried forward by the cylinder A to be doffed by the
main cylinder of the card C. The speed of the cylinder A is similar to that of
ordinary lickers in, while the speed of the cylinder B is extremely slow, and it
carries the dirt backwards in the direction indicated by the arrow till it is met
by the points of the comb H, fixed to the front edge of the stripping bar G.
This comb has a reciprocating motion for the purpose of doffing the cylinder B ;
this reciprocating motion is obtained by the cam E, placed upon the shaft of
the lap drum I. It will be seen by reference to the Drawing that this cam
moves the lever F and the bar G gradually forward, and then allows them to
move quickly backward by the spring f¹.
In regard to this part of my Invention I do not claim any of the parts
separately which I have shown or described, but I do claim,-
First, a licker in, such as I have described and shown, operating in con-
junction with the main cylinder of a carding engine, and with one or more
cleaning cylinders; and,
Secondly, the doffing apparatus, when applied to this arrangement of
machinery.
'
Another of my improvements in machinery for preparing, assorting, and
straightening cotton, wool, and other fibrous substances, consists in the novel
arrangement of cylinders and other apparatus constituting a carding engine
shewn in Fig. 10 of Sheet 2 of the Drawings. (a) is a licker in; (b) is a
main cylinder; (c) is a doffer; (d) is a stripper; (e) is a main cylinder; (f) is a
doffer; (o) is a third main cylinder; (p) is a doffer; (9) is a reducing doffer or
collecting and delivering cylinder; (s) is a comb; (i, i,) are clearing cylinders;
(j) are top strippers; (k) is a lap rod cylinder; (7) is a lap rod; (m) is a
weighted roller; (n, n,) are feed rollers. The cotton or other fibrous sub-
stances is drawn by the feed rollers to the required thickness before reaching
the cards. The fibre is thereby more easily rendered to the cards, it being
less whipped and destroyed in a thin and rapid feed than the same amount fed
in a slow but thick and dense form; the action on the cards is easier, while
at the same time the dirt and weightiest impurities are more easily disengaged
from a thin than from a thick stratum. The staple is taken by the licker in
(a), in order that the dirt and impurities disengaged in the action between the
licker in and the main cylinder may, by the motion of those cylinders, escape
through an aperture into a chamber, which is provided in the casing at (t),
while the staple is carried forward and carded on the edge of the doffer (c),
from which it is taken by the stripper (d) to the main cylinder (e), which cards
it on the edge of the doffer (f). The doffer (f) delivers it to the action of the

page_text: main cylinder (o), which takes it underneath and cards 'it on the edge of the
doffer (p), which, revolving in a contrary direction to the main cylinder (o),
takes the staple over to the collecting and delivering cylinder (7). This
cylinder (q) moves at a much slower speed, and collects the staple into a mat
about as many times thicker than when on the doffer (p) as the surface speed 5
of (g) is less than that. of the doffer. (p); and presents it to the action of the
comb (s). (g, g) represent thin wood or sheet-iron partitions, which keep the
impurities off one cylinder from passing' to: 'another, and also to prevent the
cylinders from detrimentally fanning each other.
:
!
In this portion of my Invention I do not claim any of-the parts separately; 1
but I do claim,-
i
.
First, such a novel arrangement or combination of the parts. forming a
carding engine as I have shown and described; and,
Secondly, of the dust boxes when applied to such machine.
:
The next' of my improvements in machinery for preparing, assorting, and 1
straightening cotton, wool, and other fibrous substances, consists in a novel
arrangement of the raising roller or "fancy" in a carding engine, by placing
it in such a position that it acts upon the main cylinder before the fibrous
substance under operation is acted upon by the workers.
In Fig. 11 I have shewn a side elevation of the principal parts of a carding
engine, with my improvement applied thereto. 1 is the main cylinder; 2 is
the licker in; 3 and 4 the feeding rollers; '5, 5, 5, are the workers, and 6, 6, 6,
the clearers; 7 is the raising roller or "fancy," placed according to my
improvement below the licker in. The periphery of the roller 7 is made to
move considerably faster than that of the main cylinder. By this arrangement
the fibrous substance is taken from the main cylinder and given again to the
licker in, thereby keeping the wire cards of the main cylinder clearer than
heretofore, and there is more space left on the surface of the main cylinder
for the workers and clearers than would be the case if the "fancy" were
placed in its usual position near the doffer. 8 is a stripper, placed so as to
strip the fancy roller 7, and deliver the cotton to the licker in 2. The
raising roller or "fancy" 7 may, without departing from my Invention, be
placed above, the licker in.
I do not claim any of the parts separately which I have shown or described;
but I do claim the novel arrangement of the raising roller or "fancy" in a.
carding engine, as shown and as described.
My next improvement in preparing, assorting, and straightening fibrous
substances, consists in a novel arrangement of machinery for combing wool, in
which the wool, either in a rough or carded state, is taken from the feed 'rollers
by the toothed cylinder A, see Figs. 12 and 18, and carried forward to thei

page_text: comb cylinder B, and there stripped and carried forward to the cylinder ⚫C,
which cylinder slightly raises it from its points, so that it can be easily caught
upon the horizontal sliding combs D, which are continuously sliding along in
front of and close to the cylinder B, thereby receiving the wool in small
portions, to be assorted and straightened, while the short wool or noils which
are not already deposited in the bottom of the comb B are carried forward till
they come in contact with the cylinder E, which is constructed similarly to
the cylinder C, and partially performs the same office, with this difference
only, that it effectually strips off all short and unassorted wool, and deposits it
back to the cylinder A, to be again carried forward; as before described.
F, F, see Fig. 18, are: a pair of' drawing rollers, for the purpose of drawing
the long assorted wool from the teeth of the horizontal comb D, and thereby
depositing it in a can or ball in the usual well-known way; the noils are
carried forward and stripped by a small elastic roller G.
Having thus described this part of my improvements in preparing, assorting,
and straightening fibrous substances, I do not claim any of the parts sepa-
rately; but I do claim,―
:
•
.
.
First, the metallic chain and combs D, and also. their mode of action as
herein-before described, in combination with the comb cylinder B; and,
Secondly, the arrangement of the cylinders Hand.A; with the comb. cylin-
der B, and their mode of action, as herein-before described, when used in this
or in any other preparing, assorting, straightening, or combing machines.
Another of my improvements in machinery for preparing, assorting, and
straightening the fibres of wool, or other fibrous substances, consists in
placing in a machine in a vertical position a ring or hoop. having internal
radial teeth. I have likewise introduced what I denominate. an. intersecting
toothed wheel a, which is so situated as to revolve between the teeth: on the
vertical comb wheel and the drawing rollers. This wheel is furnished with
pointed teeth, and revolves on a centre pin, but is not driven by gearing of any
kind, its motion being derived from that of the wool as it passes, upon the teeth
of the vertical comb wheel. This intersecting toothed wheel serves very effec-
tually to prevent the nubs of wool from passing in between the drawing
rollers, and causes them to ascend with the short fibres.to the top of the wheel,
where the same is removed by the noiling roller J.
.
In the accompanying Sheet 3 of the Drawings, Fig. 14 is a front elevation
and Fig. 15 is an end view of the same. A, A, is a vertical wheel, hoop, or
ring, denominated the comb wheel or ring. This ring is sustained in its ver-
tical position by means of grooved friction rollers B, B, B, to one of which I
apply the power by which it is made to revolve. C, C; C, are the comb teeth
that are set around the inner edge of the ring A.
These teeth I make.about

page_text: 2 inches long, or more or less, as may be found convenient. The ring A is
made about six inches wide, and one and a half inches thick at its outer edge.
On its inner edge, where it receives the teeth, it is bevelled on the sides, so as
to present a rim of about one quarter of an inch in width. This form is shewn
at A in the section. D is a cylinder which is covered on its periphery with a
series of longitudinal combs, extending from end to end, or the cylinder may
be covered with needle-pointed or other suitable cards, as shewn in the Draw-
ing at X, the teeth of which are about three quarters of an inch long, and
standing at a sufficient angle to cause them readily to penetrate the wool on
the vertical ring. E is a clearer, which is furnished with fancy card teeth.
F is a revolving cylinder, which takes the wool from the feed rollers h, h,
and delivers the same to the cylinder D. G, G, Fig. 14, is a narrow belt
containing teeth on its face, for the purpose of carrying up the wool and
presenting the straightened ends of the same to the drawing rollers, H, H.
Instead of the belt G, I sometimes use a current of air or steam for carrying
off the wool. I, I, is a pair of rollers which delivers the straightened or
combed wool as it is continuously drawn from the rollers H, H, into a can. J
is a roller covered with leather, for the purpose of stripping or removing the
short wool or noils from the teeth of the vertical ring A. (a) is the inter-
secting toothed wheel before referred to in the description.
I do not claim any of the parts separately in this machine which I have
shewn and described; but I do claim,-
First, that novel arrangement of parts which arises from the vertical position
of the wheel A.
Secondly, the combination of the wheel or ring A with the cylinder D.
Thirdly, the combination of the intersecting wheel a with the teeth C of the
vertical wheel A.
Fourthly, the combination of the elastic roller J with the ring A, and its
action in stripping the internal teeth C.
And, lastly, the toothed belt G, as combined with the other parts of this
machine.
My improvements in machinery for tearing and teazing cotton, wool, and
other fibrous substances, whether in a woven or spun state only, are shewn in
Figs. 16, 17, and 18 of the Drawings. Fig. 16 is a longitudinal section of
the machine. The frame is represented at A, A, A, the casings at B, B, B.
D is a shaft, put in motion by any convenient motive power, and from which
shaft motion is communicated directly or indirectly to all the moving parts of
the machine. The yarn, cloth, or other material to be operated upon, in order
to bring it again into nearly its original condition of loose fibre, is spread upon
a feeding apron E, which has a slow motion towards the roll F. This roll

page_text: revolves in the direction indicated by the arrow, and being fluted or toothed,
draws in the material between itself and tho iron shell G, and passes it forward
to the roll F', which is similar to F, but it revolves faster than F, thereby
causing it to take all the material that is presented by the roll F, and at the
same time tending to draw the threads or fibres to a position at right angles to
its axis. The rolls F and F are so supported that they can rise or fall from
or towards the shell G, according as there may be large or small pieces between
them and the shell. The material is thrust out from between the roll F and
shell G, towards the first picking cylinder H. This cylinder is made by adding
to a plain cylindrical drum strips of metal about one inch by three quarters
inch, and of the same length as the face of the cylinder, parallel to its axis.
Upon the outer surface of these strips are secured plates (one of which is repre-
sented at Figs. 17 and 18), somewhat wider than the strips, having fine teeth
cut upon one of their edges, and set in such a manner that the points of the
teeth will be somewhat further from the centre of the pulley than the other
edge, and also projecting forward in the direction of the motion of the pulley,
and overlapping the strips to which they aro attached. The cylinder is so
placed that the teeth of the serrated plates will, when the cylinder is in motion,
barcly clear the shell G. When the material is projected from between the
roll F and the shell G, the part so projected will be combed and torn to
shreds, while the twist of the yarn (if the material be such) will be taken
out by the rapid motion of the serrated plates, while large and long pieces
will be prevented from being passed through, being held between the rolls
and the shells. The material is taken from the cylinder H by the brush I,
which revolves more rapidly than the cylinder, and at the same time is assisted
by the rotary fan B, which also keeps the brush clean, by the current of air
produced by the fan and brush. The material now partially torn and teazed
is blown upon the second feeding apron J, which has a slow movement in the
direction indicated by the arrow, and is prevented from leaving this apron by
the cylinder K, which moves slowly, being carried round by the apron.. This
cylinder is made by covering a slight frame with wire cloth, thus allowing the
air from the fan to pass through and retain the material upon the apron,
thereby forming a lap. The material now passes under the small roll L,
which is a plain cylinder, for the purpose of leading it to the second pair of
feeding rolls M, M, and then to the cylinder O, the brush P, and fan R, each
of which act respectively the same as the rolls F, F', the cylinder A, brush I,
and fan R, except that the teeth of the cylinder O are finer than those of the
cylinder H. The material, after passing the cylinder O and brush P, is blown
out of the machine.

page_text: I wish to remark, that I do not claim the particular construction or any or
the component parts of the machine; but I claim the general arrangement and
combination of such mechanism as above described and represented in Figs. 16,
17, and 18, for tearing and teazing cotton, wool, and other fibrous substances.
My first improvement in machinery for doubling and twisting cotton and
other fibrous substances consists in certain improvements upon the ordinary
ring travellers which are now generally known and in use for twisting fibrous
substances, as in spinning cotton and in doubling threads.
In Fig. 19, I have shown my improved substitute for the ordinary ring
traveller, and certain other parts of a "throstle" in connection therewith.
A is a spindle which carries round the bobbin B; and C is the copping rail
furnished with the bushes D; these bushes are hollowed out to receive the
split ring E (shown detached in the plan view, Fig. 20), which guides the yarn
or thread as it proceeds to the bobbin B. The ring E, instead of being made
of flattened wire as shown in the Drawing, may be made of ordinary round
wire, or any other suitable shape, providing the ends are made to overlap, as
shown in Fig. 20.
I claim the ring E, shown in Figs. 19 and 20, when used in the manner
and for the purposes herein-before described.
Another of my improvements in machinery for doubling and twisting cotton
consists in obviating to a great extent the slipping which now takes place in
the bobbins of "throstles" when the same are set in motion by contact or
friction. The means I employ for effecting this object are particularly
described by reference to Fig. 21, in which F represents the driving shaft of
a throstle constructed according to one of the well-known plans of driving by
contact or friction. G is the driving disk, and H the wharve revolving loose
on the spindle I; the bobbin to be driven is mounted in the usual manner on
the spindle and wharve, and is carried round with the wharve. The lower
surface of the wharve has heretofore been furnished with a leather washer, in
order to increase the friction between it and the driver G; but by inducing
magnetism in the wharve H, or in the driving disk G by galvanism, or any
'other well-known means, I produce as much adhesion between the metallic
surfaces of the two at the point of contact as will suffice to drive the wharve
and bobbin without slipping, whereby a uniform amount of twist is produced
in the yarn or thread under operation. The apparatus I employ for this
purpose is that which is known by the name of Grove's Battery, and I make
the current by placing the helix of wire K round the shaft F, one end of which
helix is connected with the north and the other with the south pole of the said
battery.

page_text: I do not claim any of the parts separately which I have herein shewn and
described; but I do claim as of'my Invention; when applied to machinery-for.
doubling and twisting, increasing the force of contact between a driving and a
driven wheel, by passing through the points of contact a current of magnetism,:
galvanism, or electricity.
:
My first improvement under the head of improvements' in- machinery for
weaving," consists in' covering or partially enclosing or lining with any suitable
metal that part of the harness, or that part of the headles of looms, through
which the warp threads are passed to be elevated and depressed in the opera-
tion of weaving. This metal casing may be added to or covered over the eyes
or loops of harness' or headles, of whatever fibrous substance they may be made,
whereby they are more durable and less injurious to the warp than when used
without a metal-lining. The manner in which I carry. my Invention into
operation is, by taking each eye or loop of harness or heddle, and introducing
into it a piece of metal shaped like that in the Drawing at Fig. 22, and then
compressing, by means of the press shown in Figs. 23 and 24, or other suitable
apparatus, the thin piece of metal on each side against the eye or loop,
whereby it becomes fixed.
.
;
Fig. 25 represents part, of the heddle before the metal casing has been
put on; and Fig. 26 represents the same with the metal casing fixed on.
.
1.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and in what manner the
same is carried into effect, I declare that I do not. claim metal in combination
with harness or heddles when used in the solid state and fixed to the harness
or heddle yarn at each end, such heddle yarn not being continuous, as in my
Invention. But what I do claim as my Invention is, covering, coating, or
lining the previously formed textile loops or eyes in heddles or harness with
metal.
:
My improvements in doubling, twisting, and braiding cotton, wool, and
other fibrous substances, consist, first, in the novel application of certain
machinery, to form fishing and other nets; and secondly, in an improved stop™
motion when applied to such machines. "The net to be made by this improved
machinery is of the description wherein the separate cords which form the
sides of the mësh are produced by twisting together. two or more smaller yarns;
and the joinings of the mesh made by braiding these smaller yarns, forming.
one cord with those forming the adjoining "cord; these operations of twisting
and braiding being necessarily produced alternately as the net is being formed."
The means by which I accomplish these operations are described "and
reference is made to the accompaying Drawings upon Sheet 4, which represent
a machine for forming a net of 8 cords."
"

page_text: a similar one J,
shewn
Fig. 27 is a front elevation of the machine; Fig. 28, a plan view with the
guide bars removed; Fig. 29, a view of the machine from underneath;
Fig. 30, a section through two of the tables, their driving wheels and sup-
porting bed plate; Fig. 31, a perspective view of the clutch apparatus used
in forming the braid; Fig. 32, a piece of netting, shewing the position of the
smaller yarns as twisted in the sides of the meshes, and braided in their
junction; Fig. 33, a diagram, shewing the direction the different cords 'take
in the formation of the net. A, A, A, are the supporting frames; B' is the
loose, and B the fast pulley, to which the power is communicated to drive the
machine; C, C, the take-up rollers which draw the finished net from the
machine as it is formed, the lower roll C being driven by the worm D, worm
wheel E, shaft G, and conical wheels F, F', thus giving it a uniform motion;
the upper roll C being heavy, is carried and turned by the lower one, and the
net between them is drawn along by their combined action. Upon the end of
the driving shaft H is fixed a conical wheel I, which drives
the axis of which is vertical. Fixed to the same axis is a spur wheel 21,
in Fig. 29. This spur wheel drives the train of wheels 1', 31, 41, 51, 61, 7, 8¹,
which are below the bed plate K. Each of these eight wheels is attached to a
short shaft, which passes through and has a bearing in the bed plate K, and
they each have a circular table or disc upon their upper ends, the diameter of
these tables being the same as the diameter of the wheels at the pitch line.
The tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, each have six radial slots extending
towards their centre from their outer circumference. In each of the tables, 8
of these slots (the alternate ones) are occupied by spindles, a section of which,
shewing their form, may be seen at L, L, Fig. 30. Upon the upper part of
these spindles are placed bobbins a, a, a, containing the yarns from which the
net is to be formed. These bobbins are placed within a flyer b, b. The yarn
from the bobbin is drawn around one of the arms of the flyer, thence down
through the coil through a loop, in the small weights c, c, (which weights are
guided by a connection around the flyer,) thence up through the coil again to
the fabric. By this arrangement, the weights c, c, c, being always upon the
yarns, prevent them from becoming slack. Now it will be seen, that having
eight tables, each containing three bobbins of yarns, if they be put in rotation,
there will be produced eight separate cords, each formed of three yarns. Upon
the Diagram, Fig. 33, let the cords 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, correspond with
those which would be formed by the tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; 6, 7, and 8,
respectively. It will be scen that if we first join.1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6,
7 and 8, as at a¹, a¹, a', a', then after twisting cord again a short distance, join
2 and 3, 4 and 5, 6 and 7, as at 6's, 6, 6, and continue repeating these

page_text: operations, we shall form a net. These junctions are made by interchanging the
threads of the cords, which are to be joined, which is accomplished as follows:-
In Fig. 28 it will be seen, from the direction of the motion and the fact that
the tables have an equal motion, that the occupied slots in table 1 will come
opposite to those which are not occupied in table 2, and vice versa. The small
levers d, d², remain stationary in the position drawn when the cord is being
twisted, and have a vibratory motion when the two cords are being braided
together. The extreme of the vibration of d in one direction is shewn by
dotted lines when it takes this position; as the table revolves, and the lever
vibrates, the spindle and its bobbin in the table 2, which meets the lever d, is
guided by it into the table 1, and the spindle and bobbin in table 4 are
guided into table 3. This being accomplished, the lever d has arrived at the
extreme of its vibration in the other direction, and in a position to transfer a
spindle and bobbin from the table 1 to the table 2, and also from the table 3
to the table 4. In this manner, the lever making three complete vibrations
to one revolution of the tables, all the bobbins are passed from table 2 to
table 1, and from table 4 to table 3, also from table 1 to table 2, and from
table 3 to table 4 by the action of the lever d. This being accomplished, the
lever rests while the tables make one sixth of a revolution, after which the
same vibratory motion as before returns the spindle and bobbins back again to
their original positions, the separate yarns of each table having been braided
with those of the adjoining tables returned to its original position, and formed
the junctions a, a, a', a', it being observed that the lever d' acts simultaneously
and in the same manner as the lever d. The yarn now twists by the revolu-
tions of the tables and forms the sides of the meshes, which being done, an
interchange is effected between the tables 2 and 3, 4 and 5, 6 and 7, by means
of the levers e, e, e, worked in precisely the same manner as the levers d, d³,
forming the junctions at 6', b¹, b¹, no junction being now made by the cords 1
and 8; which form the selvage. These operations being repeated, form the net.
From the foregoing it is apparent that the motion of the tables is a regular
rotary and continuous one, and the movement of the levers d, d', an intermit-
tent one, making three complete vibrations, then resting during the space of
half a vibration (which corresponds with of a revolution of the tables as
it makes three complete vibrations to one revolution), then making three more
complete vibrations and again resting when midway between the extremes of
its vibrations, while the sides of the mesh are being twisted while the inter-
change is effected by the levers e, e, e, and while the sides of the mesh are
continued to. another junction. The levers d, d'; are each fastened to a short

page_text: shaft, which passes through a bearing in the bed plate K; and have arms f,f,
attached to their lower ends; these arms are connected, by a bar g. This bar, by
a connecting rod h, is attached to the crank pin i'set in a disc j, the disc being
on the short shaft k, which, by its revolutions and connections. described, gives
the vibratory movements to the levers d, d'. The toothed wheel 8¹ drives a
pinion of one third its diameter, the teeth of which are somewhat longer than
those of wheel 81. The pinion is loose upon the shaft k, and has upon its
upper side, shewn in Figs. 27 and 31, a: dog m.. Upon the shaft k are two
clutch pins n, n, diametrically opposite, but placed one above the other on
the shaft, as seen in Figs. 27 and 31. The dog m has a recess cut in it so as
to allow the pin n¹ to pass when the pinion'is in the position shewn in Fig. 31.
o is a lever having its fulcrum at p, and its opposite end forked, and embracing
a necked slot formed below, and connected to the pinion 1, so that as the lever
is moved up or down, the pinion is slid upon its shaft by it. This lever is
depressed by the coiled spring q. A projection r is formed near its centre and
rests upon the cam s. On the lower end of the cam s, is fixed a ratchet
wheel w, spaced for 14 teeth, one of them being omitted; this ratchet is driven
by two teeth, placed diametrically opposite each other on the disc j. Suppose
the part of the ratchet wheel w to be in a line between the centres of the two
shafts, as shewn in Fig. 29, then the disc might revolve, and there would be
no movement of the ratchet w; but when the ratchet is in this position the
projection on the lever o is in the recess t of the cam s, which allows the
dog.m to fall below the clutch pin n³, and therefore the shaft k has no motion.
This is the position this apparatus takes when the cords forming the sides of
the meshes are being made. When it is necessary. to, interlock the separate
cords, the ratchet w is moved. the space of one tooth by the pally, which is
upon the lower end of the lever. This lever has its fulcrum at near its
centre; at its upper end a pin i projects from it towards and opposite to a
clutch-pin o¹ in a collar below the necked groove attached to the pinion ; thus
this clutch pin o¹ is always in motion. A cam ti, upon the take-up roll C,. is
placed.so that at the proper time the junction of the cords is effected; this is
done by depressing the rod P, the bell-crank.lever m³, and moving the rod p²,
which, being attached to the lever z, acts on the pin ", 'so that the pin o' in its
revolution engages with it and moves the ratchet w the space of one tooth.
This movement by the cam s raises the lever: o and pinion 7, so that the dog m¹
engages with the clutch pin n', and sets the shaft k in motion; each revolution
turns the ratchet-w two teeth, so that three. revolutions will bring the projec-
tion to the second: rise of the cam u²; this.second rise. by the lever o raises

page_text: :
the dog m, so that it is immediately disengaged from the clutch pin n', and in
a position to engage with the clutch pin n, which it does after the pinion i has
made half a revolution. The shaft know makes three more revolutions,
moving the ratchet w six more teeth when the cams has advanced, so that
the projection r falls again into the recess t, and the ratchet regains its original
position, where it remains until again called into action by the cam upon the
take-up roll C. By the above description it will be seen that by a cam on the
take-up roll the crank pini is brought into action; makes three complete
revolutions, stops during the time of half a revolution, makes three more
complete revolutions, and again. stops until brought into motion as before.
This is the required movement to operate the levers d, d¹ before described.
The levers e, e, e, are worked by a similar arrangement, as may be seen in the
Drawings, and entirely independent of that which works, the levers d, d', the
movements of d, d being alternate with those of e, e, e.
The second part of my improvements are applicable to the machinery herein-
before described for making nets, and consists in an arrangement of mechanism
by which, when any one of the yarns or threads forming the cords. is expended
or broken, the machine is caused to stop. This improvement is described by
reference to the Drawings upon Sheet 5, which shew the apparatus for stopping
as connected to the machine for making fishing nets and similar fabrics.
Figure 34 is a part of the front elevation of the machine shewn in Fig. 27
of Sheet 4, with my improved stop motion applied thereto. Fig. 35 is part
of a cross section. Fig. 36 a section of one of the guide bars and vibrating
rods, and shewing one of the drop levers of the actual size used. Fig. 37 a
plan view shewing the direction, of the yarns. Upon these Drawings at A
is seen a part of the supporting frame at K, the bed plate, and a, a, a, are the
bobbins which contain the yarns, each of which letters correspond in their
designation with the same parts upon,Sheet 4. p', p', are the guide bars over
which the net is drawn, it being formed at their edges; each of the revolving
tables is provided with a bent.drop lever 7', of the shape shewn in the Draw-
ings. The direction of the yarns as they proceed from the bobbins is shewn
by blue lines, being supported at, a short distance perpendicularly above the
centre of the bobbin by a flyer before described, thence taking an angular
direction towards the net, and being kept at a slight tension by small weights
also before described. When the bobbins revolve with their tables, as they
each come opposite the bent drop lever q', the yarn from them, in its angular
course from the flyer to the net, strikes the surface edge s² of the lever, seen in
Figs. 35 and 36, at first near its end, then follows it towards its. elbow, in
doing which, from the shape of the lever and the course of the yarn, the bent

page_text: or elbow-shaped end is raised, and the straight end t' depressed, the lever q¹
on the right-hand side of Fig. 35 being shewn with its end t¹ depressed, and
the lever 2¹
on the left-hand side of Fig. 35 being shown with its end t elevated.
Thus as each bobbin passes the lever q¹, the end t is depressed by the yarn, and
rises again from the weight of the bent end, and in one revolution of the
tables, there being three bobbins to each table, the end t is depressed and
raised three times; but in case either of the yarns is broken or expended from
the bobbin, the end t will fail to be depressed at its proper time. From this
failure the stop motion is derived. One end of the stripper rod u¹ grasps the
belt which drives the machine, and is encircled by a spiril spring, which always
tends to throw the belt upon the loose pulley, but when the machine is in
action the rod is held so as to guide the belt upon the fast pulley by a notch
cut in it, hooking upon the lever v³, which has a fulcrum at w¹. When the
machine is to be stopped, the end of the lever adjoining the rod u' is depressed
and releases the rod u¹ to guide the belt upon the loose pulley. The pinion 7"
is one third of the diameter, and is driven by one of the wheels which drive
the revolving tables, and makes three revolutions to one revolution of the
tables, and by means of a crank pin set in it, and a connecting rod, gives the
lever ¹ a vibrating motion upon its fulcrum y'. Upon the lever a¹ is hung
a second lever ¹, having its fulcrum at a", and its lower end passing through
a cross rod 6" in the lever 21, which rod is slotted, so that the lever 2¹ can
move in it in either direction from the centre of its movements. Around the
rod, and on each side of the lever a¹, is a spiral spring, each retained at a proper
degree of compression by a small pin in one end and a part of the lever a² at
the other end, having just space enough between them for the lever ¹. The
lower end of the lever ¹ is jointed in a line with the fulcrum of the lever
to a small three-armed lever c", which turns upon a stud pin at d", but has no
motion when the machine is in proper action. Its horizontal arms are con-
nected from their ends by wires e¹¹, e¹¹, to the lever v'. The upper part of the
lever enters a hole in the cross lever f", and vibrates it upon the stud pin g¹¹.
Connected to the ends of this lever f", and vibrated by it, are sliding rods h¹¹,
which extend the length of the machine, and have suitable bearings to slide or
turn in. By following the movements given by the pinion 7", it will be seen
that the rods " will have an end-long vibrating motion, and the time of one
complete vibration is the same as is occupied by each of the bobbins in passing
the lever q. A notch is cut in the rod h", which must be opposite to the
lever q' at the time the end t¹ is depressed by the yarns from the bobbins as
before described, and into which notch the end t' of the lever q¹ rises if it is
not depressed by the yarn. When this happens, the rod h", being caught by

page_text: .
the lever, is prevented from vibrating; and must stop, and the upper end of
the lever is held: fast, but the lever being positively connected to the
pinion A must continue to move, which it is able to do by compressing one of
the springs which confine 'the lower end of the leyer: This moves the lever
5c, pulls upon one of the wires e¹, e, lifts the lever v¹, and releases the stop
rod u', which throws the belt to the loose pulley and stops the machine. The
apparatus above described would be complete, and effectually stop the machine
when the yarn from the bobbin became expended or broken, if the yarns were
continually twisting to form a cord; but during the change, forming the braid'
in the junction of the cords, from the derangement produced in the direction' of
the yarns, the machine! would stop unnecessarily. The measures used 'to'
prevent this unnecessary' stopping are as follows:-Bent wires are attached to
the sliding rods ", as shewn at m" in Figure 34. When the changes producing:
the braid are being made, the rod h" is caused to turn upon its axis sufficiently
to bring the wire m below the rod '"; and to act as a guard to prevent the
end of the levers from falling into the notches cut in the rod h¹¹. It has
been 'described, that the bell-crank lever 'm', on Sheet 4, is moved from a cam
on the take-up roll C when the change to form the braid is to be made. A
smmall armn is attached to the same shaft as the lever m¹; this arm is con-
nected to the bent levers o", o", by 'the wires p", 'p". The levers o", o, turn
upon stud pins in the lever f", and are connected by short rods' to arms on the
sliding rod ", so that as the arm n¹¹ is depressed, it causes the sliding rods h¹¹
to turn upon their axes and bring the wires m" in a position to prevent the
levers being 'caught in the notches in the rod h. When the change forming
the braid is completed, the cam upon the take-up roll G releases the arm n
and by a spring upon the rod connecting the lever o" with the arm from the
sliding rod h, the apparatus is again brought to á position to be influenced by
the loss or breakage of a yarn.
"
."
I do not claim any of the parts separately which I have shewn arid described ;*
but I do claim;
First, the novel application of such machinery' as I have shewn and
described for forming fishing and other nets;*.
And, secondly, the apparatus for stopping such machinery when any one of
the threads is either exhausted or broken: "
I will now proceed to describe my improvements' in power looms for
weaving cut pile fabrics, and the method of making, constructing, and using
the same, reference being had to Figures 88, 89, 40, 41, and 42 of Sheet 6,
in which Figure 88 is a side elevation of the frame and other parts of the
loom, the shuttle boxes being shown in section. Figure 89 is a front
elevation Figure 40 is a vertical section-midway between the frames.

page_text: Figure 41 is a sectional plan shewing the improved apparatus; and Figure 42
is a detached view of one of the wires b. The same letters indicate the like
parts in all the Figures. In my improved loom I do not use figuring wires,
which are placed transversely across the cloth, and over which the figuring
pile is drawn and subsequently cut from, but I weave simultaneously two
pieces of cloth at a distance apart, equal to twice the length of the pile required.
The pile warp is alternately woven into each of the pieces of the cloth, and
the pile warp, after being cut midway between the two pieces of cloth, forms.
the pile on each. I am aware that two cloths with an intermediate pile has
been attempted to be made, and that a number of pieces have been so made;
but the pile on such cloths was never of a uniform length, owing to absence
in the loom of a suitable gauge and cutting apparatus, which are supplied by
my Invention. B, is the crank shaft; C, the lathe; and D the lathe swords.
The yarn and cloth beams, stop motions, pickers, and many parts common
to all power looms are not represented, as they do not form any part of
my Invention, and they are not necessary to explain it. The yarn after
leaving its beams passes over suitable rollers shewn at (a, a, a), Figure 40,
the upper and lower rollers guiding the warps which form the body of
the two pieces of cloth, and the middle one guiding the yarn which forms
the pile. The yarns thence pass through the harnesses, which are not
shewn, thence through a false stationary reed (6); this reed has each split or
dent formed as is shewn at Figure 42, one of which passes between each
space in the reed d. By using two pieces of flat wire for each, when they
are soldered together they will leave near the middle an eye, into which one
of the intersecting plates to be hereafter described can enter and be supported.
Thence the yarn passes forward to the two pieces of cloth, one of which is
formed upon the upper surface of the intersecting plates, and the other is
formed under the lower surface of them. The intersecting plates (c) are
formed of thin pieces of metal of the width of twice the length of pile required,
and long enough to reach from the breast beam through the reed (d) to the
false reed (b), into the eyes in which they enter. They are bent edgewise
into the form of an are of a circle, with a radius equal to the distance from
them to the axis of vibration of the lay, and the end next the breast beam
has a saw-cut in its centre a short distance, so that when the plates are placed
side by side in position, the saw-cuts will form a groove transverse to
the cloth. Into this groove is inserted a long thin knife (e), with its edge.
towards the reed d; this knife has an end-long vibratory motion given to it by
any of the well-known means for obtaining vibratory action, and serves the
warp forming the pile. There are two shuttles used, one placed above the
other; the lower one is supported in its transit across the cloth by the bed of

page_text: the lathe, as in ordinary looms. The upper one is supported in its transit
across the cloth by the intersecting plates (c). It will be seen that the yarns
forming the body of the upper piece of cloth, and also those which form the
body of the lower piece of cloth, can, by the ordinary tappets and harnesses, be
crossed and recrossed to form sheds, and the shuttles which carry the filling
or weft threads thrown in them simultaneously, and thus two distinct pieces
of cloth will be made at the same time, one piece being formed above and one
piece below the intersecting plates (c). In addition to the warps forming the
body of each cloth, I use another warp for the pile. This is made, by the
ordinary means of tappets and levers and harnesses, to cross from the lower
piece of cloth to the upper, and vice versa. In doing this it passes between
and by the intersecting plates (c), and it is the object of the false reed (6) to
prevent the threads from catching upon the ends of as well as to support the
intersecting plates.
Although I have thus described the false reed as the means by which the
warp threads are guided past the ends of the intersecting plates, and which
support the ends of the intersecting plates, I do not limit myself to this
particular construction, for the same object would be secured if (instead of the
false reed), in the end of each of the intersecting plates there was a small hole,
and if two pieces of twine, being supported above and below the web in the
manner of a harness, were passed through and crossed in the hole; this con-
trivance would guide the yarns by the ends of the plates. Again, if the end
of the intersecting plate was bent up above or down below the web, or if it wero
split and bent in both directions, the same object would be accomplished. As
the weaving proceeds the pile warp is continually crossed from the upper to
the lower web and back again, and woven into both of them. The fabric,
then, consists of two pieces of cloth united by the pile warp, and at a distance
apart equal to twice the length of the pile required. This is drawn forward
as fast as woven by ordinary take-up rolls to the vibrating knife (e), which, as
it severs the pile warp, separates the two pieces. I do not claim any of the
parts separately which I have shewn and described, but I do claim,―
First, the use, in power looms for weaving pile goods, of intersecting plates
entering between the two pieces of cloth, and allowing the pile warps to cross
and recross from one cloth to the other, which plates extend through the reed
and form a guage for the length of the pile.
Secondly, I claim the knife working in slots in the intersecting plates, by
which the pile is cut and the two cloths separated; and,
Lastly, the method of giving motion to the lathe by the cranks acting direct
n slots in the lathe swords:

page_text: I will now proceed to describe another of my improvements in machinery
for weaving. This improvement consists in applying a flexible cylinder in the
place of or in addition to the ordinary leash rods, which are used for separating
the warp threads when passing from the guide roller 'above the warp beam
to the heddles' or' harness. This cylinder is for the purpose of compensating
for the unequal tension of the yarns wound on the warp beani.
Fig. 43 represents a sectional elevation of this last-mentioned improvement,
and of certain other parts of a loom in connection therewith. A is the guide
roller over which the warps (represented by red lines) pass when drawn off the
warp beam: B, B, are two of the ordinary leash rods for separating the warp
threads, and C is a flexible cylinder' made of a tube of vulcanized india rubber,
or other suitable elastic material, filled with water or air. The object attained
by the use of this flexible cylinder is keeping the threads of the warp at a
uniform or nearly uniform tension, because those warp threads that are tighter
than the others will cause an 'indentation in the flexible tube C; thereby com-
pressing it into the shape shown by dotted lines; whereas, if any of the threads
are too slack, the compression of the adjacent threads will cause the flexible
tube to expand, so as to counteract the injurious effect of those slack threads.
I claim, with respect to Figure 43, the application of flexible cylinders in the
place of or in addition to the ordinary leash rods when used for the purpose
herein-before explained.
4.
My last improvement in machinery for weaving consists in an improved self-
acting temple, which is represented in Figures 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48, of Sheet 6
of the Drawings. Figure 44 is a sectional elevation of parts of a loom, shewing
the method of applying my improved "temple." 'Figure 45 is a front eleva-
tion, and Figure 46 a plan view of the same. Figures 47 and 48 are two
views of one side of the improved "temple." "In Figures 44, 45, and 46, a is
the ordinary breast beam of a loom. The red lines b represent the cloth, and
c the taking-up roller, which is only seen in Figure 44.. Motion must be
given to the taking-up roller by any of the means now known and in use.
d, d, are two brackets, seen best in Figures 47 and 48,"fixed to the breast
beam a, or they may be fixed to the loom in a variety of other ways'; and'd', d'
are two flap pieces hinged to the brackets' d. The pieces are furnished with
serrated plates &³, which catch hold of the selvages of the cloth, and the lower
part of the brackets d is partially covered with leather, or other yielding 'mate-
rial, to protect the edge or teeth of the plates . The flap pieces d' are
hinged to the brackets d in a twofold angular position, as seen in Figures 45
and 46, so that when the taking-up roller c draws the cloth forward, the flap
pieces &³ allow it to pass without injuring the selvages, while at the same time

page_text: the drawing towards each other of the selvages, which are held by the pins at
the lower edge of the plates d³, brings the said plates against the leather on
the brackets d. Other variations of construction may be made, but I prefer
the arrangement shewn in the Drawings, and I claim the above described self-
acting temple, or any modification of the same.
And this Invention being, to the best of my knowledge and belief, entirely
new, and never before used within that part of Her said Majesty's United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, Her Dominion of
Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, I do hereby declare this to be
my Specification of the same, and that I do verily believe this my said Spe-
cification doth comply in all respects, fully and without reserve or disguise,
with the proviso in the said herein-before in part recited Letters Patent
contained; wherefore I do hereby claim to maintain exclusive right and
privilege to the said Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said David Christie, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundund and £f.