IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF AND MACHINERY FOR DRAWING, TWISTING, AND SPINNING FIBROUS THREADS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert Anderton Foster, of Queensbury, near Bradford,
in the County of York, Spinner and Manufacturer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF AND MACHINERY FOR DRAWING,
TWISTING, AND SPINNING FIBROUS THREADS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert Anderton Foster at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th April 1877.
HERBERT ANDERTON FOSTER, of Queensbury, near Bradford, in the County of
York, Spinner and Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
AND MACHINERY FOR DRAWING, TWISTING, AND SPINNING FIBROUS THREADS."
This Invention relates to the manufacture of improved threads or yarn of the
class known as "fancy yarns," and to the construction and use of improved
machinery to be employed in such manufacture.
Thread or yarn made according to this my Invention consists of a combination
of colours, one of which, for an interval of its length, predominates or is the shade
colour in the succeeding length; another colour predominates, then the shade or colour
or colours of the first interval or length is repeated.
I employ two or more pairs of back-draw rollers; these are timed and speeded so
as alternately to vary the drafts from the coloured rovings or fibres from which the
thread is to be drawn and twisted; at one time the main supply may be from blue,
next from red, then again from blue, the timing and speeding of the draw rollers
being effected by means of gear wheels, levers, and change speed or cone pullics.
Fibres of different colours so combined are then, by spindle and flyer or other spring
appliance, spun and wound as usual.

page_text: connecting link 30, lever 31, axle 32, and the segment wheel 33 thereon. The
segment 33, as shown, gears with both the wheels 3, 3*, carrying the internal bevel
wheel 4, 4*, and as the latter wheels and the wheels 5, 6, and 7 are loose upon the
shaft E, the variation is communicated alternatoly to each of the fluted rollers 9 and.
10, so that at one time fluted roller 9 will be in full motion drawing its supply of
fibre, meanwhile fluted roller 10 will be moving so slowly as only to maintain
continuity of its fibre (continuity not being absolutely necessary, but advantageous)
with the predominating fibre (of another color) being drawn by roller 9; and then
the order will be reversed, fluted roller 10 will be the active drawing roller, 9 being
nearly passive or on its slowest motion. The fibres alternately drawn from the
the bobbins are twisted and spun by flyer and spindle, as common to spinning
machinery.
It will be observed on reference to the star cam 24, Fig. 7, its grooves and rays
do not occupy a uniform or regular relative position to the axis around which it
moves; it is so constructed in order that, in addition to timing and speeding (by
means of the lovers and gear described) the fluted draw rollers, it may also vary
the number of revolutions made by the said rollers, so that different lengths of the
predominating shados of yarn may be produced, that, when woven, the colours are
the more dispersed over the width of the piece.
When yarn having uniform length of the varying colours, as at Fig. 11, is requirod,
the rays and grooves of the star cam must be concentric or equal distance from its
axis, or cone speed pulleys, crank or eliptical gear may be used for actuating the
fluted draw rollers, but the star wheel, shewn and described, will be found to be
very advantageous.
I have shewn (Fig. 10) apparatus for imparting to the fluted rollers suddenly a
higher speed during a portion of the time of "drawing" or drafting the fibre
whereby an increased quantity of material for the time being is drawn, producing a
coarser or thicker yarn for a space or interval of its length (see Fig. 12).
The Thead levor 36 is caused to rock to and fro on its stud 37 by means of the
antifriction bowl or runner 38 (at each revolution of the wheel 39) bearing upon one
or other of the projecting fingers 40, 40, the movement of the lever 36 being, by
slotted link 41, communicated to the lever and paul or catch 42 giving a suddenly
increased rotation to the wheel 43 which is on the axis of the fluted drawing roller,
the lever 44 operates (on the alternate motion of lever 36) a like paul or catch and
wheel on the axis of the other fluted drawing roller from the opposite end of the
machine, see Fig. 1.
Although I have shewn but two pairs of fluted and plain rollers, it will be under-
stood that other number may be employed if greater variety of color desired, their
being a repetition of the like parts for driving the additional fluted draw rollers.
When desirable, a "core" thread may be used, around which the fibre will be drawn
and twisted.
Having thus fully described the nature and particulars of this my said Invention,
together with the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried
into practical effect, I would have it understood that, of the mechanism described
and illustrated, I do not claim any separate part thereof, nor do 1 claim fancy yarns
or threads known as "knotted yarn,"
""mottled yarn," yarn produced by drawing
from spaced, printed, or dyed slivers and rovings, or yarn printed or dyed at intervals
of its length, but I claim,-
Firstly. The improved manufacture of yarn or fibrous threads, herein described
and shewn.
Secondly. The combination of parts constituting the apparatus employed for
timing and speeding the drawing rollers, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
Thirdly. The use of drawing apparatus arranged to act intermittently and pro-
duce fibrous threads of different colours in different part, substantially as heroin
described.
Fourthly. The combination of star wheel 24 or its equivalent with levers and

page_text: driving gear, each as are herein described as being used therewith, the whole sub-
stantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert Anderton Foster, have hereunto set
any hand and seal, this Eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
WALTER BRIERLEY,
Patent Agent,
HERBERT ANDERTON FOSTER. (L.S.)
Halifax & Blackburn.