CERTAIN IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR WEAVING FIGURED GOODS
Year: 1821

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, STEPHEN
WILSON, of Streatham, in the County of Surrey, Esquire, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present Majesty King George the Fourth, in and by
His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date
at Westminster, the Eighth day of March, in the second year of the reign
of His said present Majesty King George the Fourth, (after reciting therein
that I, the said Stephen Wilson, having by my Petition humbly represented
that, in consequence of discoveries by myself, and communications made to
me by Foreigners residing abroad, was in possession of "CERTAIN IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR WEAVING FIGURED GOODS," and that the same were
new in this Kingdom, and had not been practised therein by any other person
or persons whomsoever to my knowledge or belief,) did give and grant unto
me, the said Stephen Wilson, my exors, admors, and assigns, His especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Stephen
Wilson, my exors, adiñiors, and assigns, and every of them, by myself and
themselves, or by my and their deputy or deputies, servants or agents, or such
others as I, the said Stephen Wilson, 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 expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend the said Invention within that
part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England,
the Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in
all His Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, in such manner as to
me, the said Stephen Wilson, my exors, admors, and assigns, or any of them,
should in my and their discretions seem meet, and that I, the said Stephen

page_text: Wilson, my exors, admors, and assigns, should and lawfully might have and
enjoy the whole profit, benefit, commodity, and advantage from time to time
coming, growing, accruing, and arising by reason of the said Invention for
and during the term of years therein mentioned;" in which Letters Patent
there is contained a proviso that if I, the said Stephen Wilson, should not
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, and cause the same to be inrolled in His Majesty's
High Court of Chancery within four calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent, that then the said Letters Patent,
and all liberties and advantages whatsoever thereby granted, should utterly
cease, determine, and become void, anything therein-before contained to the
contrary thereof in anywise notwithstanding.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Stephen Wilson, do hereby describe and ascertain the nature of my said
improvements, and a manner in which the same may be performed, by
a description thereof referring to Drawings and Figures annexed (that is to
say):
The said improvements do consist in a pattern machine, by means of which
the cards, slips, or pasteboards which direct the pattern, and which are used
in the weaving apparatus already introduced into this country, are punched,
pierced, or stamped with any number of holes at one operation, and by means
of which machine also all the punches required for this one operation are
placed in their respective situations by machinery connected with or relating to
cords, in the nature of a false simple, on which the pattern of the work to be
performed is first read in. And also that the said improvements do moreover
consist in a weaving apparatus so arranged that it may be extended or multi-
plied to any distance or number along the loom, and thereby may be adapted
to the weaving of broad figured works, and with a long lever so placed that
it will give a power to the foot of the weaver that will enable him to draw
the heaviest mountures and figured works by treading, without the use of a
draw-boy. And also that the said improvements do moreover consist in a
certain loop formed on to the end of each of what are called the needles used
in the weaving apparatus already introduced into this country, as also in a
regulating pin, horizontal wire, and particular adjustment of this loop to the
springs, as will be herein-after described.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND FIGURES ANNEXED.
Figure One represents the pattern machine, which is in fact a kind of
false simple, the pattern being read in upon it and subsequently transferred

page_text: to the loom in a manner to be herein-after described. A, A, A, A, a, a, are
a series of endless cords passing under the rotating wooden cylinder B at the
lower part of the wooden framework C, C, C, C, C, and above over mullets
or pulleys rotating in the frames D, D, such mullets or pulleys and frames
constituting the tables commonly used by weavers. On each of these endless
cords at E is a small traversing ring; fastened to each of these rings, and
appending perpendicularly from it, is a single thread having a lingoe or
weight at its lower extremity F. From and under the framework at b is
suspended a board G resembling a common comber board, being pierced
with holes in number and situation corresponding with the perpendicular
threads which pass through them, and serve to keep these threads distinct
from one another. At d, the endless cords pass through certain wires con-
tained in a small wooden frame H, let in between the two uprights of the
framework C, C, C, C, C, at c, c, and there screwed to them; but as this
frame cannot be described in this Diagram for an explanation of this part of
the machine I must refer to the next Figure. The threads are crossed at L, L,
which are rods for keeping the cross.
Figure 2 represents the entire of one endless cord and part of another.
At d, it will be seen, that each of these cords passes through an eye formed
on a piece of stout wire, which I call a punch projector; the broad end of the
punch projector formed by the return of the wire to a certain distance slides
on two horizontal wires situated at right angles with it, sections of which are
shewn at e, e, e, e; these wires extend from side to side of the small frame H.
f is a small regulating pin with a head or shoulder at the top, passing
through the loops formed by the broad end of the punch projector, thereby
confining its motion to a determined extent. The front P of the small frame
His perforated with holes corresponding in size, number, and position with
the punch projectors, and through which the punch projectors protrude when
the back part of the loop at their broad end is advanced to the regulating pin f.
It will be seen by this Diagram that this motion may be given to either of
the punch projectors by advancing that endless cord which passes through the
eye formed upon it in the direction from I to J, while the lingoe F will return
it to its former position. It will be proper here to observe, that although only
two punch projectors are here represented, for the purpose of more clearly
explaining the principle on which they act, there must, in fact, be as many
punch projectors as there are endless cords. These punch projectors being
placed for the sake of a compact arrangement in columns one above another,
as well as in horizontal rows, care must be taken when the endless cords are
passed through the eyes formed on them, that a regular and corresponding

page_text: That
arrangement be preserved between the cords and punch projectors.
which I have found most convenient has been to pass the first cord (which
will of course in reading in be counted from the back of the machine) through
the eye of that punch projector which protrudes through the upper left corner
hole of the front P of the small frame H, the second endless cord through
the eye of the punch projector next below it, and so on to the bottom of the
first column of holes, and then return to the top hole of the second column, so
that where the column consists of eight holes, as in the machine herein
describing, Figure 3, the ninth cord will pass through the eye of that punch
projector which protrudes at the top hole of the second column. There must,
of course, be a regulating pin to each column of punch projectors. The
number of punch projectors and their disposition into columns or rows may
be determined according to circumstances and the pattern required. Qis a
section of what I call the punch holder, and which consists of a thick brass
plate perforated with holes, which I call cells, corresponding in number and
situation with the holes herein-before described in the front P of the small
frame H, but considerably larger. The size I prefer is two tenths of an inch
in diameter. This brass plate, when in use, is attached to that part of the
framework C, C, C, C, C, at c, c, exactly over the front P of the small frame
H, in such manner that the centres of the holes in the front P, and of the
cells in the punch holder Q, may exactly correspond. In this situation the
cells of the punch holder are filled with punches made of a size to move
easily in the cells, and which will be herein-after more particularly described.
This being done, it will be perceived that by advancing one of the endless
cords, as shewn at I, the punch projector will be protruded into the cell of
the punch holder immediately opposite to it, thereby displacing the punch
which will be received into R, which I call the punch receiver, and which I
shall now more particularly describe.
Figure 3 represents this punch receiver, which consists of a thick steel
plate perforated with holes corresponding with the cells in the punch holder Q,
Fig. 2, and similar to them, except that they are somewhat smaller in
diameter, and are countersunk at the back, in order to admit the head of
the punch, so that it may be flush with the back of the punch receiver, the
head of the punch being made large to prevent its passing through the punch
receiver though permitted to pass into it.
There are many modes of placing the punch receiver in a situation to
receive the punches projected from the punch holder, but that which I have
adopted is as follows:-Projecting at right angles from the punch holder are
two steel guide pins over which the punch receiver slides, the guide pins

page_text: passing through the perforations d, d. These guide pins and perforations must
be so regulated that the centres of the holes in the punch receiver exactly
correspond with the centres of the cells in the punch holder. K, K, are the
handles.
Having now described the principal parts of the pattern machine, I shall
proceed to describe the manner or process of transferring the pattern to the
punches. The pattern being read in in the ordinary way on that part of the
endless cords A, a, below the rods L, L, it is passed under the rotating
cylinder B to a height sufficient for a person standing in front of the machine
to reach with convenience. This person must then take the upper thread of
the pattern commonly called a beard, and draw it towards him sufficiently
forward to admit of his passing the stick M, M, at the back of the cards,
thereby keeping them separate from the others. The first beard may then be
withdrawn. In this position it will be seen that all those punch projectors
attached to the cords which have been so drawn forward by being themselves
advanced, as herein-before described, will have protruded the corresponding
number of punches out of the punch holder into the punch receiver. The
punch receiver must then be removed, and a card or pasteboard, which I call
a slip, must be stamped with those punches which have been protruded, in a
manner herein-after to be described. The punches having performed this
duty are removed from the punch receiver, and replaced in the punch holder
by the following simple means:-The punch receiver with the punches in it
is placed on the guide pins in its former position, and a rack of pins N, Fig. 4,
which I call the returning frame, corresponding with the holes in the punch
receiver, is applied to the front of the punches, which being pressed upon by
it are returned into the cells of the punch holder. The stick M, M, is then
withdrawn, and a second set of cords being drawn forward by the next beard
in a similar manner, the whole pattern is by degrees transferred to the punches,
and thence to the slips.
I will now proceed to describe more particularly the manner of stamping
the slips, and for this purpose must give a more ample description of the punch
receiver, Fig. 3. At its front and back edge is a lip or groove, as shewn in
the section, Figure 5, for the purpose, as will be afterwards shewn, of with-
drawing the punch receiver with the punches after the stamping of a slip.
h, h, h, h, are mortices to receive corresponding tenants formed on the stamping
plate in the usual way, and for the known purpose of keeping the holes of the
different plates always in the same respective positions.
Figure 6 is the stamping plate.
which pass through the holes 1, 1,
m, m, are guide pins serving as tenants,
in the stamping plate and d, d, in the

page_text: punch receiver to keep the whole steady in their respective places. k, k, k, k,
are the tenants before alluded to. The stamping plate consists of two plates
of steel, perforated in a manner similar to the punch receiver, and united by
two hinges at a, a. The slip being placed on one plate, and the other folded
over upon it, the punch receiver with the punches in it, as taken from the
punch holder, after the operation of projecting the punches, is placed upon
them, and in this position submitted to a stamping pressure. The stamping
press may be of various constructions. The one I have adopted with success
is shewn at Figure 7, which is a simple screw press worked by a lever Z,
with a fly wheel or fly weights attached to its upper extremity Y. S is a
steel hinged flap kept at an obtuse angle with the side of the block or slab
by the springs r, r. A similar flap, but somewhat deeper, is attached to the
opposite side of the block or slab. These flaps, when the block or slab is
depressed, catch under the lips or grooves shewn in Figure 5, and when the
press is raised withdraw the punch receiver with the punches after the
stamping of a slip, which is thus prepared for use. R, R, are iron guides
for the stamping plates, rabited to hold them down while the punch receiver.
with the punches is withdrawn. The block or slab of the press should be of
solid iron.
Figures 8 and 9 are end views of the stamping block or slab.
Figure 10 is a side view of a front of a small frame, as herein-before
described at P, Figure 2, shewing a column of twelve punch projectors, the
necessary horizontal wires, and the regulating pin with the endless cords
passing through the eyes of the punch projectors.
Figure 11 is a punch projector. In order to prevent confusion the punch
projectors are distinguished by sets, each set having the eyes of the projectors
formed on to them at a greater or less distance from the end than the others,
by which means the cords are kept more distinct. The difference of these
distances must in no case be less than the line of motion of the punch
projectors.
Figure 12 represents a punch, being a perfect cylinder of steel with a head
a trifle larger in circumference than the cylinder, to fit into the counter-
sinks described in the punch receiver to prevent them dropping through. The
cutting end of this punch is formed by being ground in one direction on a
cylinder of the same size.
I shall now proceed to describe certain other improvements, which have
lately been communicated to me from Foreigners residing abroad, in
various parts of the weaving apparatus already introduced into and used in
this country.

page_text: The first improvement consists in a machine having that part or side of it
at which the revolving bar or axe carré rotates placed at one side or other
of the loom instead of towards the cane roll, as in the machines already
introduced (see Figure 13). By this arrangement an opportunity is afforded
of extending the revoving bar or axe carré, and other parts of the machinery
connected with it, to any required extent along the loom towards the cane roll;
and also of using two or more machines at the same loom (see Figure 15).
The advantages to be derived from this are evident, since the weaver will thus
be enabled to work two or more patterns at the same time without shifting
the slips on the revolving bar. The additional length that may thus be given
to the revolving bar will admit of a ground harness being added, or lamms
being worked at the same time as a mounture. This is done by adding to
that end of the revolving bar nearest the breast roll G, Figure 13, additional
slips similar to those already introduced, but of course with a fewer number
of holes punched in them, or these holes may be stamped in the slips before
mentioned. It should here be observed, with reference to the pattern machine
herein-before described, that where it is intended to use a ground harness,
or where lamms are worked at the same time as a mounture, the pattern
may be read in and transferred to the slips in the manner herein-before
described.
The next improvement consists in having the iron lever for raising the
block O (Figure 13) placed as shewn in this Figure, and with a long arm U,
so that a rope or other connecting medium V may hang from the end of it
perpendicularly at the back of the weaver; this rope must be connected at
the other end to a long treadle, by which means the weaver is able to draw
the heaviest mountures and figured works, by treading, without the use of a
draw-boy.
Figure 16 represents a revolving bar or axe carré. The next improvement
is in the needles represented by the horizontal lines, Figure 17, and c, c, c,
Fig. 18, which are provided at the extremity furthest from the revolving bar
with a long loop (see Figure 14). This loop slides upon a horizontal wire,
and has a regulating pin passing through it, its action being similar to the punch
projectors described in Fig. 2. This loop moving between two of the hori-
zontal wires r, r, serves to prevent the needle from turning, thereby keeping
the eye formed on the needle always in that position best adapted to facilitate
the rising and falling of the lifting hooks a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a, a,
Figure 17. Another advantage of this loop is that it may be made to work
against a spiral spring simply let into a cell in the ordinary mode, but without
being connected in any way with the end of the needle. The various
dimensions of the weaving apparatus, and consequently of the improvements

page_text: herein-before described, may vary at pleasure, as may also the relative
dimensions; but those relative dimensions which I most approve have been
described in the Drawings annexed. The various parts of the improvements
may also be made of various woods or metals or combinations of either or both,
as may by experiment be found most suitable; but those substances which
I have described are such I have adopted and found best to answer the
purpose. Neither do I claim any right to the whole of the weaving apparatus
which has already been introduced into this country, or to any part or parts of
the same, except such part or parts as have been herein-before particularly
described to be improvements upon those already introduced into this country.
But a machine by means of which the cards, slip, or pasteboards which direct
the pattern as aforesaid are punched, pierced, or stamped with any number
of holes at one operation, and by means of which all the punches required for this
one operation are placed in their respective situations by machinery connected
with or relating to cords on which the pattern of the work has been read in,
and also the alterations in and additions to a weaving apparatus, which altera-
tions and additions have been herein-before described, and by which it may be
extended or multiplied to any distance or number along the loom, and also a
long lever so placed as aforesaid, together with the loop on the needle, the
regulating pin, horizontal wires, and particular adjustment of this loop to the
springs, as herein-before described, being to the best of my knowledge and
belief entirely entirely new, and never before used in these Kingdoms, I am
desirous to maintain this my exclusive right and privilege to the same.
In witness whereof, I, the said Stephen Wilson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventh day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and twenty-one.