Improvements in Machines for Measuring and Plaiting Piece Goods.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Nov., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 27th June, 1893-Accepted, 29th July, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Measuring and Plaiting Piece Goods.
We JAMES CHAMBERS of Victoria Works, Bury, in the County of Lancaster,
Mechanic, and SAMUEL COOK of Victoria Works, Bury, in the County of Lancaster,
Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our said invention relates to improvements in machines for plaiting or laying
woven and other fabrics in layers in a pile of any desired length of fold. The
essential features in a machine constructed in accordance with our said invention
are horizontally reciprocating cloth distributors which carry the cloth alternately
from one end of the table to the other in order to leave it in suitable clamps which
retain the fold of cloth last made while the distributor retires and also serve to
hold the plaited pile of cloth securely on the table of the machine.
The cloth distributors mounted in suitable carriages receive their reciprocating
motion from one or more endless belts, cords, chains, or other flexible connecting
media, to which they are attached and which passing round suitable wheels or
pulleys are driven backwards and forwards from a mangle wheel motion or from a
crank and connecting rod. The distributors or blades of which there are two are
mounted parallel and are provided with vertical slides in order that they may have
opposing up and down motions imparted to them. The distributors are alternately
raised and lowered in relation to each other at a suitable part of their traverse,
so that the fold may be introduced into or under the clamps.
In one form of our said invention the clamps rest on the table of the machine
and the bottom members thereof are drawn towards each other by the resilience of
stretched springs. The upper member of the clamp consists of one or more freely
hinged plates or fingers so formed that when the clamp is closed and the bottom
parts pulled towards each other by the springs the hinged part (or parts) is
pressed firmly down on the bottom part of the clamp and secures the fold last made.
To receive the cloth the bottom part of the clamp is caused to recede by a cam,
thus leaving the top part hanging freely. The distributing blade with the cloth
then enters the clamp when the springs hereinbefore referred to pull the bottom
part inwards. Each time the bottom part of the clamp recedes the layer previously
put in is left behind on the table and the clamp comes back over that layer and
presses it. To enable this to be done the clamp has a vertical lift besides the
backward and forward motion herein before referred to.
In another form of our said invention the clamps are stationary and the table
has a rocking motion imparted to it so that the pile of cloth is lowered at each end
alternately for permitting the insertion of the distributors.
As the pile of cloth increases in thickness we provide means for lowering the
table automatically consisting of a ratchet arrangement operated by a system of
links and levers and gearing by which a rotary motion is imparted to nuts in which
work vertical screws on which the table is mounted. In some cases the table is
held up against the clamps by a friction apparatus with sufficient pressure to keep
the pile of cloth under the clamp when the distributor is withdrawn. The pressure
in this case is adjustable to suit cloths of various kinds.
To adjust the machine to form plaits or layers of different lengths the fixings or
brackets which regulate the distance apart of the clamps are set to graduated
indicating marks on the machine and at the same time the stroke of the distributors
is regulated by adjusting the length of a slot in the mangle wheel arrangement or

page_text: by adjusting the stroke of the crank when that device for working the distributors
is employed.
Dated this 22nd day of November 1892.
EDWARD TURNER WHITELOW,
70, Deansgate Manchester, Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Measuring and Plaiting Piece Goods.
We JAMES CHAMBERS of Victoria Works, Bury, in the County of Lancaster,
Mechanic, and SAMUEL COOK of Victoria Works, Bury, in the County of
Lancaster, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
Our said invention relates to improvements in machines for plaiting or laying
woven or other fabrics in layers in a pile of any desired length of fold.
In a machine constructed in accordance with our said invention we use
horizontally reciprocating cloth distributors which convey the cloth alternately
from one end of a-table to another in order to leave it in or under suitable clamps
which retain the fold of cloth last made when the distributor retires and at the
same time hold the pile of previously formed folds securely on the table of the
machine.
The cloth distributors are mounted in suitable carriages which are caused to
reciprocate as for example by being connected to one or more endless belts cords
or the like passing round pulleys driven by a mangle wheel motion. We however
prefer to operate the carriages by means of a crank and suitable connecting rods
as hereinafter described.
The distributors of which there are two are provided with blades parallel to each
other and having in addition to their horizontal motion a vertical reciprocating
motion. The distributors are alternately raised and lowered in relation to each
other at a suitable part of their course in order that the fold of cloth surrounding
the edge of the blade may be introduced into or under the clamps.
In our Provisional Specification we referred to a construction in which the clamps
were drawn towards each other by springs. We however do not find that this
construction works so well in practice as the other construction referred to and we
have therefore abandoned that part of our said invention while retaining the vertical
lift of the clamps when using a stationary table.
In another construction of the machine the clamps are stationary and the table
has a rocking motion imparted to it whereby the pile of cloth is lowered at each
end alternately to permit the distributors to pass under the clamps. The table is
held up against the clamps by an adjustable friction apparatus and a balance weight
with sufficient pressure to keep the pile of cloth under the clamp when the
distributor is withdrawn. The balance weight which balances the weight of the
table and the cloth thereon is so applied as to become more effective as the pile of
cloth increases in weight. To adjust the machine to form plaits or layers of
different lengths the fixings or brackets which regulate the distance apart of the
clamps are set to indicating marks on the machine and at the same time the stroke
of the distributors is regulated to correspond by varying the stroke of the crank.
Our said invention may be carried out in several ways which we will describe
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a side elevation
Figure 2 is a plan
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with our
said invention.
Figures 4 and 5 are sectional elevations showing modifications to be hereinafter
J

page_text: In Figures 1 to 3 to which reference will be first made a is the main driving
shaft to which motion is imparted by means of fast and loose pulleys at a¹ in the
usual manner.
b is a second motion shaft driven by a spur wheel b¹ from a pinion a²
(Figure 2) from the shaft a. c is the carriage which carries the cloth distributors
and which receives its reciprocating motion by means of the link work c¹ c³ ³ from
the crank on the second motion shaft b. The crank pin is mounted in the
slot and by means of the set screw c taking into the crank pin the throw of the
crank and consequently the stroke of the carriage c may be varied in order that
various lengths of folds may be made. Each end of the carriage is borne by
travelling wheels 8 which take into racks e secured to the side frames of the
machine. The shafts 0 on which the wheels c are mounted and which stretch
across the machine revolve in bearings in the carriage c when the latter moves
along the racks.
(Figure 3) are brackets to which the distributor blades c¹ are fastened. The
brackets c work in slides els shown in plan in Figure 2 from which the carriages
and some other parts have been omitted in order to render the other details clearer.
At each side of the machine there are mounted on the shafts co stud wheels c
having studs which take into corresponding notches in the brackets cand
alternately depress and lift the brackets c" as the carriage c reciprocates. The
relative positions of the notches and studs c¹ are so adjusted that as the carriage
reaches the ends of the table one of the distributor blades 12 is depressed so as to
pass under the clamp and insert the fold of cloth while the other rides over the
clamp as shown in dotted lines to the right hand of Figure 3. Owing to the notches
in one of the brackets c¹ engaging with the stud wheels c¹ on the left hand while
the other engages on the right hand the motions of the distributor blades are
opposed to each other that is to say when one is raised the other is depressed.
The course of the cloth is indicated by the dotted line d in Figure 3. After
passing the stretching rails at d¹ it traverses the examining table d² over the cross
rail and between the distributor blades c¹² to the table.
The clamps fare carried by brackets f' bolted to the side frames of the machine.
Their distance apart may be varied by means of the slots 2 through which the
fastening bolts are passed. Suitable marks or graduations may be put on the frame
to enable the distance apart to be readily adjusted.
A
The table e is provided with a foot stalk f3 which is connected at its lower end
by the link to a swinging lever f5 pivoted at fe to the frame of the machine.
stud on the lever f is provided with a bowl taking into an excentric groove in
the cam f³ on the shaft b. By this combination a rocking motion is imparted to the
table e and each end is raised and lowered alternately. The cam is so set on the
shaft b as that the ends of the table descend just as the distributing knives c¹² reach
the clamps in order to allow of the insertion of the fold of cloth. The table is pivoted
at e in vertical slides e' which descend as the pile of cloth increases in thickness.
On one side of the slide e² is a rack the teeth of which are indicated by dotted
lines at e. Into the rack e³ gears a pinion fixed on the shaft et carried in suitable
bearings at the sides of the machine. On the same shaft et is a brake pulley e
having a friction band e' fixed at one end and attached at its other end to a brake
lever e having a sliding weight e for the purpose of adjusting the friction on the
pulley. Neglecting for the moment the weight of the table and the cloth resting
thereon the vertical descent of the whole table when a new fold of cloth is
introduced (as distinguished from the temporary positive depression of each end
when the distributor blade enters the clamp) is resisted by the friction of the brake
and by varying the position of the weight e the pressure between the table e and
the clamps may be varied to suit the kind of cloth operated upon. A handle p is
provided for releasing the grip by hand when required.
The weight of the table is balanced by a weighted lever e¹0 secured to the
shaft e. This lever is set at such an angle on the shaft et as just to balance the
table when there is no cloth lying on it. As the table descends and the shaft et
turns through a corresponding angle the lever will rise and owing to the increase

page_text: of the distance of its centre of gravity from a vertical line through the centre
of the power of the lever will increase as the pile of cloth increases in thickness
and weight. Thus whether the table be full or empty there will be an approximate
equality between the total weight of the table and the balancing power of the
weighted lever 10. The position of the weight on the lever e¹ and the angle of
the lever itself on the shaft et may be varied to suit goods of various weights. By
using such a combination of a weighted lever and a friction brake for controlling
the descent of the table a practically uniform grip throughout the entire operation
of plaiting a piece of cloth may be obtained.
In lieu of a weighted lever other means for balancing the weight of the table
and its load may be used as for instance a spring the resilience of which would
increase as the weight of the table and the cloth augments.
We are aware that it has been proposed to use springs for such a purpose and
we wish it to be understood that we make no claim to the balancing of the table
in and of itself either by springs or other means.
Figure 4 shows a modification of our said invention. In this case instead of
obtaining a rocking motion for the table by means of a foot stalk we alternately
raise each end of the table by bell crank levers k the lower arms of which engage
with slots in the reciprocating bar k¹ which derives its motion by means of the
levers from the cain 3 on the shaft b as will be evident from the drawing
without further explanation. The shaft e the racks e³ the friction pulley e and
the weight lever eo are arranged in different positions to suit the different arrange-
ment of the machine but their function is exactly as hereinbefore described. The
table itself rests by its own weight on the upper arms of the bell crank levers k
and is kept in position by rods m sliding in holes in the vertical slides e². As one
or other of the bell crank levers is depressed the end of the table (as distinguished
from the whole table) descends and allows the distributor knife to place the cloth
under the clamp. In lieu of a stud wheel for raising and lowering the distributor
blades I use the discs n having noses n¹ which at the proper moment engage
with snugs and lift or depress the brackets carrying the distributor blades.
The other parts of the machine are substantially as described with reference to
Figures 1, 2 and 3.
Figure 5 shows the arrangement we use when the clamps are lifted alternately
instead of alternately lowering each end of the table. The clamps are mounted
in sliding carriers o which are alternately caused to rise and fall by the action of
the bell crank levers o' operated by the cam 02 on the shaft b. The table is
supported as before on sliding supports controlled by a friction brake and balance
weight and all the other parts of the machine are as hereinbefore described with
reference to the preceding figures.
Such a machine as hereinbefore described in which a number of folds of
identical length are made can be used as a measuring machine by applying a
counter to register the number of strokes of the carriage or the oscillations of the
table as will be well understood.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A cloth folding machine having fixed clamps a rocking table controlled by
the combined use of a friction brake and a weighted lever and a horizontally
reciprocating carriage with vertically reciprocating cloth distributors substantially
as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and described with reference to
Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
2. In a cloth folding machine the combination of the fixed clamps f the rocking
table e the links f³ff the stud f" and the excentric or cam f substantially as
and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and described with reference to
Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
3. In a cloth folding machine having a table which descends as the pile of cloth

page_text: increases the combination of a friction brake for controlling the grip and a
weighted balance lever or its equivalent for controlling the descent of the table
substantially as herein before described and shown in the accompanying drawings.
4. In a machine such as set forth in Claim No. 1 the use in combination
with the other elements of the means set forth and described with reference to
Figure 4 for alternately raising and depressing the ends of the table substantially
as set forth.
5. In a cloth folding machine the combination of a table whose descent is
controlled and in which the grip is regulated by the hereinbefore described friction
brake and weighted lever or its equivalent of the means hereinbefore described
with reference to Figure 5 for alternately raising and lowering the clamps
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 26th day of June 1893.
EDWARD TURNER WHITELOW,
70, Deansgate, Manchester, Agent for Applicants.