Improvements in Looms.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 1st Feb., 1806
[Communicated from abroad by DANIEL MUNSON SEATON, Lawyer, and
JOHN AMBROSE LEDDEN, Merchant, both of the City and County of
San Francisco, State of California, United States of America.]
Improvements in Looms.
I, WALLACE FAIRWEATHER, C.E., of 62 Saint Vincent Street, in the City of
Glasgow, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in looms, and has for its object to cause
the filling threads to be taken from two sources the supply of which may be
added to without stopping or retarding the action of the machine, making it
practically inexhaustable; to lay in the threads from the different sources
alternately and thereby cause the one to bind the other; to cause a steady action
of the laying in mechanism and thereby avoid breakage of the threads; 'to
simplify the mechanism of the loom whereby much of the mechanism now in use is
done away with to the saving in cost of construction and in the weight of the
completed loom.
With these objects in view the present invention consists
First, in providing a carrying mechanism in lieu of the ordinary shuttle which
oscillates between the warp threads to take at the end of each stroke an end of
thread from the source at that end of its stroke and to lay this thread between
the warp threads on its return, to leave it while performing the same operation
from the source on the opposite side of the loom ;
Second, in providing feeding mechanisms at either side of the loom to measure
the filling threads into lengths twice the width of the warp, to cut the lengths
from the source, and present the ends of the cut lengths to the carrying mechanism
alternately whereby the different ends of each length are laid in the same direction
but alternately with the ends of the length from the opposite side of the loom
thereby causing the loop of each length to extend around and bind the intermediate
free end of the length laid in from the opposite side;
Third, to provide a driving mechanism for the carrying mechanism which will
maintain an even and constant driving force on the carrying mechanism throughout
its stroke and thereby avoid breaking the filling, thread by the varying speed
caused by the sudden impact now given the ordinary shuttle to impart initial
velocity sufficient to carry it across the loom; and
Fourth, in discarding from the construction all the mechanism now in use to
propel the shuttle which has of necessity been cumbrous to accomplish its work,
and in substituting therefor the light running driving mechanism hereinafter set
forth and described.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1, is a front elevation of the lay of a loom having this invention thereon.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail in front view, of the carrying mechanism.
Fig. 3, is an enlarged detail view in plan showing the carrier, the jaw at one
end opened, and the opposite end in section to show construction.
Figs. 4, 5 and 6, are enlarged details showing the feeding devices in their several
positions of operation.
Figs. 7, 8 and 9 show the measuring device in detail.

page_text: •
Fig. 10, is a diagram to show the manner in which the web threads are laid in
by this improved loom.
In every respect other than the operation of the shuttle this loom is similar to
those in use now, and therefore we will confine ourselves in this Specification to
the operation only of these several improvements only dealing with the known
constructions and their operation when they effect the workings of the attach-
ments.
In the stead of the ordinary shuttle a carrier is employed the office of which
is to pass back and forth between the warp threads and deposit the web threads
therein from either side. To accomplish this it is provided on both ends with
grasping devices which are adapted to catch the thread when presented at the
forward end of the strokes and to hold it during the backward portion of the
stroke until it has reached a predetermined point and theu to drop it, thus laying
the web threads.
In the present construction we let D, represent such a carrier. At either end
this carrier is provided with spring actuated nippers as seen at Fig. 3, of drawings.
These nippers consist of the stationary jaws, D4, D4, and pivotted jaws D3, D3.
The latter are provided with the springs D5, to keep them closed and with the
extensions D6, by means of which they are opened. These extensions are set back
of the pivots D 8, on which the jaws operate. On the breast beam of the loom
are mounted the plates D 9, and D 10, to extend into the path of the extensions D 6,
at the termination of the strokes in the operation of the carrier. It will be
observed (see Fig. 3) that the plate D 10, does not extend as far forward as
plate D9, the reason for which construction exists in the necessity for straightening
that part of the end of the thread which overhangs the grasp of the jaws. It is for
this purpose that the jaws D 3, are provided with the small pin D", over which the
thread is drawn at the proper time, or just as the carrier is passing from between
the warp threads. It is to aid in this operation that the plate D 10, is employed,
and it is to govern the opening of the jaw D3, which is carrying the thread, 30
that a slight tension is maintained on the thread while it is being drawn from the
grasp of the jaw 'over the small pin D 11. In this manner the final ends of the
threads are laid smoothly into the fabric and crinkling is avoided.
This carrier is driven back and forth across the lay from side to side alternately
to the beat of the lay carrying the reeds C. For this purpose it is mounted on the
rollers D2, D2, which are mounted in the body D, and are broad enough to pass
over the bottom warp threads without injury to them. In operation the jaws D3,
approaching the feeder of the threads is thrown open by the plates D 9, just before
reaching the thread-
-as shown in Fig. 3, of drawings-and pass out of contact with
the said plates when the jaws have been advanced so that the pin D 11, is extended
beyond the thread. In this position the springs D5, throws the jaw D3, shut and
causes it to grasp the thread. The carrier is then immediately driven to the
opposite side of the lay, where the jaw D6, at the other end performs the same
operation, as described.
As the carrier is thus driven from side to side of the lay it will be observed that
the following end of the carrier has in the grasp of its jaws the end of the thread
being laid in. The extensions D 6, of the jaws thus holding the thread are operated
upon by the plate D 10, as above described to release the thread and straighten the
end thereof.
During these oscillations of the carrier-and alternately to the throw thereof―
the operation of the lay carrying the reeds C, for beating in the web, and the
operation of the harness to reverse the warp threads have been proceeding as in
the ordinary loom, weaving each thread into the fabric as it is laid in.
The driving mechanism for throwing the shuttle in the looms now in use are the
picker sticks which strike the shuttle and throw it from side to side of the lay.
The impetus given the shuttle at the stroke, to carry it through the warp threads,
causes a great many breakages of the thread carried by it. This causes trouble to
the operator in then opening the warp aud capturing the broken end and making a

page_text: tie with the thread in the shuttle. Instead of this picker stick mechanism to drive
the carrier, a driving mechanism is herein used which controls the action of the
carrier throughout its stroke and compels it to move with varying speeds in unison
with the other parts of the loom mechanism.
The driving mechanism consists primarily of a frame B, in which are mounted
the carrying wheels B', B', on which the frame is carried on the top beam of the
lay A. These wheels are grooved and mounted on the upper and lower
tracks A 2, A 2. The frame B is provided with an extension downward to carry
the driving wheels B 3. B3, and the idler B2. The wheels B 3, B3, and the
idler B2, are deeply grooved to receive the cord B4, which is arranged on the
three wheels in the manuer shown i.e. passing over the idler and under the driving
wheels. The cord B+, is drawn taut and made fast to the ends of the lay frame
which causes the wheels B 3, B 3, and idler B 2, to rotate as the frame B, is drawn
across the lay.
The wheels B3, B3, receive between them the wheel D 1, on the carrier D.
This wheel is provided on its periphery with the ridge d, which fits into the grooves
of the wheels B 3, B 3.
When the frame B, is moved from side to side it will be observed the cord B 4,
produces a rotation of the wheels B3, B 3, which in turn rotate the wheel D 1, and
this rotation at the top is in the direction opposite to that in which the carrier is
moved. By reason of this construction the upper threads of the warp which are
between the wheel D1, and wheels B 3, B 3, are caught evenly and carried over
the wheels D1, smoothly to avoid crowding or crumpling them in front of the
wheel.
At the same time this construction insures an even action of the carrier as the
rotation of the wheel D1, prevents any hitches or jams between the carrier and
the driving mechanism.
To move the frame from side to side of the lay it is provided with the
straps B 5, B5, the ends of which are attached to the drum B7. The drum B7,
is mounted on the frame of the loom and is provided with a pinion B8, rigidly
connected to it which is engaged by the segment cog gear B 9. The segment B9
is connected to a crank on the running gear of the loom by the rod B 10. As the
crank revolves the rod B 10, is given a reciprocating movement to throw the
segment back and forth which rotates the pinion B 8, and the drum B 7, in opposite
directions. The straps B5, B5 being attached to the drum are drawn first one
and then the other over the friction, or guide, pulleys B6, to throw the frame Bas
described. The crank to which the rod B 10, is attached is geared with the
running gear of the loom in any suitable manner to produce a rapid movement of
the frame B, and carrier D, as the lay is carried back from the breast beam of
the loom, and also to produce a slow movement of these parts as the lay comes
forward, whereby the carrier is moved slowly at the ends of its stroke, when it is
taking its grasp on the threads from the feeders and also when it is laying in and
straightening the last end of the thread being laid in as described above.
It is apparent that a continuous thread thus fed from two sources as described
would not be desirable as the web thread would be doubled. To overcome this
possible objection feeding devices are provided which hold the thread in position to
deliver successively the two ends of lengths of thread cut to just double the width
of the warp.
I accomplish this by means of feeders E, and measurers H at either end of the
lay of the loom. The former is constructed as follows.
They consist of the plates E, which are pivotally_mounted on the lay,
extensions of the same being provided to hold them. They are fan-shaped or
Hared on their forward edge where they are provided with the two recesses E1, E2.
On the face of the plates E, are mounted the spring plates E3, rigidly secured to
said plates near the pivoted mountings of the same. At the forward edge the
spring plates are given the same shape as the plates E, that is they are provided
with recesses corresponding to the recesses E 1, and E 2. The tension of the

page_text: spring plates seat them against the plates E, normally. Between the plate E, and
spring plate E 3, the filling or web thread is carried. To guide the threads are
provided the pins E 4, which are mounted in the plate E, and extended through
perforations provided for them in the spring plate E 3. When the spring plate is
raised and the feeder thrown up the thread rests on the pins E 4, as shown at
Fig. 5, of drawings.
Mounted in the plates E, between the recesses E 1, and E 2, is the swinging
shear blade E5, which severs the thread at the proper times. Over the end of
the shear blade is extended the finger E6, of the spring plate E 3, whereby when
the shear blade is raised the spring plate is likewise raised. The raising and
lowering of the shear blade is accomplished by the cam rod F, which is stationally
mounted on the frame of the lay. The blade has a yoked extension E 7, the forks
of which straddle the rod F, and are thrown back and forth by it. As the yoke is
thrown forward the blade is depressed and severs the thread, a stationary fellow
blade being mounted on the plate E.
The plate E, is thrown into the position shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, successively,
by means of the rod G, and its connections G 1, G2, G3, and cam wheel G 4. The
rod G, is mounted rigidly in the plate E, and is pivotally connected to the rod G 1,
which is pivotally connected to the crooked rod G 2, having a bearing in the frame
of the loom and provided with the crank end G 3, which rests against a convoluted
cam on the face of the cam wheel G 4. In their operation these various connections
throw the feeder plate E, into the positions illustrated. Thus in the position
shown in Fig. 4, the crank end G3, is forced by the fullest part of the cam
wheel G 4, over so that the end of the rod G 2, connected to the rod G 1, is raised
to its fullest extent raising the rod G, and depressing the feeder to present the
recess E 1, in the path of the carrier D. As the cam wheel G 4, is turned a lower
portion thereof permits the crank end to come forward to its full extent, when it
will be observed the plate E, is raised to the position shown in Fig. 5. As now
the cam wheel G 4, further rotates an intermediate level is presented which throws
the crank end G 3, a little further back and through its connections presents the
recess E 2, to the carrier D.
as to make
The cam,wheel G 4, is geared with the running mechanism so
one complete revolution for every two beats of the lay. In this manner the
recesses E1, and E2, are successively presented to the carrier D, alternately to
the beats of the lay.
As the leader falls from the position shown in Fig. 5 to that next following
shown in Fig. 6, the thread carried between the plate E, and spring plate E 3, is
cut by the blade E 5, being forced down by the yoked extension E 7, running over
the incline of the rod F, and being forced forward thereby. This causes the blade
to descend and severs the thread which has been fed between the plate E, and
spring plate directly across its path. In this manner are the web threads cut in
lengths.
To measure the lengths there is provided a measuring device H, on either side
of the lay which seizes the thread and carries the same in the shape of a loop,
into a channel prepared for it, as the feeder is turned to the position shown in
Fig. 5, or when the thread is allowed to run free between the plates E and E 3,
the latter being raised by the blade being thrown open. At this instant it will be
observed the carrier has taken the end of the thread presented in recess E 1, and
has started across the lay, and the feeder E, has been raised which raises the
plate E 3, and allows the thread to run free from the bobbin I, through the
guides J and K.
At this instant the measurer takes the thread and forms a long loop with it,
one end of which the carrier has and the other end, when cut, will be presented
in the recess E 2, when the carrier returns after laying in the first half of the
length.
This measuring device as shown in the drawings consists of a channel H, in
which the thread is laid. In guides H 1, is run a plunger H 2, having on the

page_text: inner side a hook H 3, which extends over the thread channel. In the thread
channel are mounted the springs H 4, which bear lightly against each other..
They serve to catch and hold the thread as the plunger and hook are raised. The
plunger H 2, may be operated by any suitable mechanism to raise and lower it,.
that herein shown being a system of cross-levers of well known construction.
This plunger is thrown down into the channel H, and returned every second
forward movement of the lay beam, to catch the thread just after the carrier has
taken the first end of every length from the recess E 1. Thus it will be seen the
hook H 3, is above the path of the thread always and is suddenly depressed to.
measure the threads into lengths of proper dimensions.
It will now be seen the fabric constructed by this loom is not that usually woven.
In this, the threads are cut in lengths just double the width of the fabric, and
each half of every length from one side or source is alternated with a half from.
the other side or source. Also it will be observed the free ends of the different
threads are bound by the loops of the other. This construction is shown in
diagram at Fig. 10, of drawings.
The several instrumentalities herein described may be indefinitely varied without
avoiding the scope of this invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven--
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a loom the combination with a carrier adapted to be passed back and forth.
between the warp threads and provided with devices to catch the web thread from.
sources on either side the loom and draw it between the warp threads, with a
driving mechanism to so pass the carrier back and forth, and feeding devices on.
both sides of the loom to present the thread to the carriers, substantially as.
described.
2. In a loom the combination with a carrier adapted to be passed back and forth
between the warp threads and provided with devices to catch the web thread from.
sources on either side the loom and draw it between the warp threads, with a
driving mechanism to so pass the carrier back and forth, feeding devices on both
sides of the loom to present successively the two ends of the web threads cut in
lengths, and cutting devices to cut the thread in lengths for the feeding devices,.
substantially as described.
3. In a loom, a mechanism for presenting the yarn or thread to a reciprocating
filling carrier, consisting of a feeder pivotally mounted and having slots or recesses
at its forward edge, means for drawing the thread across these recesses, and a.
cutter by means of which the thread is severed between the said recesses,.
substantially as described.
4. In a loom a feeder for the filling yarn consisting of the vertically oscillating
plate with the recesses E1, E2, a mechanism by which the feeder is alternately
raised and depressed so the said openings are presented alternately to the filling.
carrier, in combination with the plate between which and the feeder plate the yarn
is drawn and retained, and a cutter for severing the yarn so that the ends thereof
will be presented to the jaws of the carrier, substantially as described.
5. In a loom a feeder pivoted at one end and the opposite end provided with
openings or recesses into which the ends of the filling yarn are presented to the
jaws of the filling carrier, and mechanism by which the free ends of the feeder is.
caused to reciprocate to present the said recesses alternately to the jaws of the
filling carrier, pins mounted in the said feeder over which the yarn is drawn, and a
spring actuated plate to catch and hold the thread, in combination with measuring
devices whereby the thread is drawn across the said pins, substantially as.
described.
6. In a loom a carrier adapted to be passed back and forth between the warp.
threads to catch the web threads from the sources on either side the loom and draw
it between the warp threads, said carrier being provided at either end with spring:

page_text: actuated nippers pivotally mounted in said carriers, and a pin mounted in the end
of the said nippers behind which the filling yarn is caught, substantially as
described.
7. In a loom the combination of a carrier adapted to be passed back and forth
between the warp threads and provided at either end with spring actuated nippers
pivotally mounted in said carriers and having a pin mounted in the end of the said
nippers behind which the filling yarn is caught, with suitable extensions on the
frame of the loom to open the said nippers at predetermined points, substantially
as described.
Dated this 12th day of December 1895.
WALLACE FAIRWEATHER,
62 Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow, Chartered Patent Agent.