IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR TWISTING AND DOUBLING YARNS, MORE PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE TO THE MANUFACTURE OF LAID CORDS, TWINES, AND BANDING."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Briggs, of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR TWISTING AND DOUBLING YARNS, MORE
PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE TO THE MANUFACTURE OF LAID CORDS, TWINES,
AND BANDING."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Briggs at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th February 1880.
THOMAS BRIGGS, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR TWISTING AND DOUBLING
YARNS, MORE PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE TO THE MANUFACTURE OF LAID CORDS,
TWINES, AND BANDING."
"
This Invention relates to the construction of machinery or apparatus for twisting
and doubling yarns or strands, and is more particularly applicable for the purposo
of forming a laid twine, cord, or banding, and winding the same onto bobbins,
The first part of the Invention consists in an arrangement of apparatus for
carrying and driving the "letting off" spindles of such machine, which "let off"
the strands of yarn, and at the same time impart an additional twist thereto.
On the front framing of the machine I mount these spindles, which I term the
letting off" spindles, in groups of (say) three each, two of the spindles of each
group being carried in fixed bearings, and the other one mounted in an adjustable
bearing which is capable of being moved backwards or forwards in a bracket by
means of a screw or otherwise.
These spindles have each a grooved pulley or wharve fixed on them, and are
driven from a grooved pulley at the back of the machine by an endless cord or band
which passes from the last named pulley round the wharves of the three spindles.
This cord or band may be tightened or loosened by moving the adjustable bearing
above referred to.
Conveniently situated at the back part of the machine is mounted the "doubling
spindle" which is driven by skew bevel gearing from the main driving shaft, a
bevel wheel keyed upon the latter gearing with a bevel pinion keyed on the said
doubling spindle.

page_text: connected together at the top by a circular bar or ring, and any one (or more) of
these bars has an eye through which I pass the yarn from the bobbin.
I also sometimes use a flyer having two upright arms connected together in the
centre by means of a light bar bent to suit the shape of the bobbin, and to allow
the yarn to pass up and down freely. On this bar, or forming part thereof, is a
split tube with a bell mouth at each end, which gives a rounded or smoothed effect
to the yarn as the twist is given to it (to some extent) whilst passing through this
tube.
I also sometimes effect the sizing of the yarns when passing from the cage or
flyer to the draw rollers by having a conical chamber (lined with flannel or other
material which is saturated with sizo) placed immediately over the flyer, so that in
revolving the latter throws the yarn against the sides of the cone, which causes it
to take up the size, and the yarn being at the same time rubbed against the
woollen cloth in its passage becomes rounded and smoothed, and its appearanco
greatly improved thereby..

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas Briggs in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th August
1880.
THOMAS BRIGGS, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster.
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR TWISTING AND DOUBLING
YARNS, MORE PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE TO THE MANUFACTURE OF LAID CORDS,
TWINES, AND BANDING."
This Invention relates to the construction of machinery or apparatus for twisting
and doubling yarns or strands, and is more particularly applicable for the purposo
of forming a laid twine, cord, or banding, and winding the same onto bobbius.
Such being the nature and object of my said Invention, I will now proceed to
describo in detail the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or
carried into practical effect, and in order that the same may be clearly understood,
I have hereunto annexed two Sheets of Drawings illustrative thereof, and have
marked the same with figures and letters of reference corresponding with those
in the following explanation thereof:-
Fig. 1 is an elevation of the driving end of my improved machine, and Fig. 2 is
a vertical section showing the working parts of the same, and Figs. 3 to 12
inclusive are detached views of portions of the mechanism hereinafter referred to,
Figs. 7 to 12 being drawn to a larger scale. The first part of the Invention
consists in an arrangement of apparatus for carrying and driving the "letting off"
spindles of such machine which "let off" the strands of yarn, and at the same time
impart an additional twist thereto. On the front framing a, a, of the machine I
mount these spindles b, b, bx, which I term the "letting off" spindles, in groups of
(say) three each (sec plan view, Fig. 5), two of the spindles of each group being
carried in fixed bearings c, c, the bolsters and footsteps of which are provided on
the top with a flange and ears (see Fig. 11), and are passed through the rail and
secured to the top thereof, instead of being held by a set screw through the side of
the rail in the ordinary way. The other spindle 6x is mounted in an adjustable
bearing d,, which is capable of being moved backwards or forwards in a bracket
c, c, by means of a screw or otherwise (see Figs. 2 and 5). These spindles b, b, have
each a grooved pulley or wharve f,, fixed on them, and are driven from a grooved
pulley g, g, at the back of the machine by an endless cord or band h, h, which
passes from the last named pulley round the wharves ff of the three spindles
b, b, b. This cord or band h, k, may be tightened or loosened by moving the
adjustable bearing d above referred to. Conveniently situated at the back of the
machine is mounted the " doubling spindle" i, i, which is driven by skew bevel
gearing and friction plates from the main driving shaft k, k, Fig. 2, a bevel wheel
1, 1, keyed upon the latter, gearing with a bevel pinion m, m, running loose on tho
said "doubling spindle" i, i. This spindle i, i, forms the cord by doubling the
three strands together in the reverse direction to the twist which tho "letting off"
spindles b, b, bx, have given them, and at the same time winds the same onto the
bobbin n, n, in the usual manner. On the boss of the bevel pinion m, m, and
keyed thereto is a friction plate or disc o, o, covered on its under side with india
rubber, leather, or other suitable material.
On the same spindle (but sliding on a key or feather) is also mounted another
friction plate p, p, covered on its upper face with india rubber or other suitable
material, and which is capable of being moved into or out of contact with the upper
friction plate or disc o, o, by means of a forked slide q, q, which is tapered or wedge
formed, and slides into a slotted disc 7, 2, running loosely on the said spindle (seo
detached views, Fig. 7. This slotted disc, r, is dished or hollowed out on the top
to contain oil or other lubricating matter. On a rail at the back of the machine I
mount an upright spindle or shaft 8, 8, on which is keyed a rim wheel or grooved
pulley g, g, (before inentioned), around which passes the cord or band h, h, (for

page_text: driving the "letting off" spindles b, b, bx. A change pinion t, t, Fig. 5, is also
keyed onto this spindle 8, 8, which gears into an intermediate wheel u, u, driven by
a spur wheel v, v, koyed on the lower part of the " doubling spindle i, i. This
change pinion t, t, is used for varying the speed of the "letting off" spindles b, b, bx,
and hence more or less twist can be imparted to the strands of yarn as may be
required.
On the doubling spindle i, i, (near the upper part) is also keyed a worm w, w,
which gears into a worm wheel x, x, and the latter by means of an intermediate
wheel y, y, drives the change wheel z, z, connected to the draw roller 1, 1, over or
around which the strands of yarn pass, and by means of which the twine or cord is
passed through a "top" 2, 2, onto the doubling flyer 3, 3. The tension rollers 4, +,
(which have roughened surfaces) vary in diameter, and are driven at different
speeds for the purpose of stretching the strands and keeping them tight. Or instead
of mounting the flyers 3, 3, on the top of what is now the doubling spindle, I place
the worm w, w, there, and from it drive the draw motion, which is situated where
tho present tension rollers 4, 4, aro shown, and which by this arrangement aro
dispensed with. In this case I place a doubling spindle immediately behind this
upright shaft and drive it therefrom by spur wheels, and where the present draw
roller 1, 1, is, I place a roller running loose on a stud, round which I pass the
strands for the purpose of equalizing the tension.
Another part of the Invention consists of a self-acting stop motion for separately
stopping the revolution of each doubling spindle and the "letting off" spindles, and
the draw rollers connected therewith, whenever a strand breaks or a bobbin runs
empty without stopping the action of the other spindles and draw rollers of the
machine.
This is effected as follows:-On the cross rail 5, 5, of the machine (see Fig. 2) I
mount a catch lever 6, 6, (shaped somewhat like a bell-crank with a hook or
catch 7 on the end of one arm), which is capable of turning on a pivot, sec plan
view, Fig. 6. This lever is provided with holes through which pass vertical pins or
pegs 8, 8, having at their upper ends loops or twirls through which the strands of
yarn pass. A shaft 9, 9, is also mounted on the machine (beneath the pegs), on
which is keyed a block 10, 10, having projections thereon. This shaft 9, 9, is
always revolving, and when a strand breaks or a bobbin runs empty, its cor-
responding peg or pin 8 drops, and one of the projections on the block 10 coming
into contact with it, partly turns the catch lever 6 on its pivot, and sets free
another lever 11, 11, which is then pulled back by a spring 12 attached to the
frame. This last mentioned lever in its turn acts upon the forked slide q, q, above
mentioned, and causing the lower friction plate p, p, to fall out of contact with the
upper one o, o, stops the revolutions of this section of the machine.
This
I have here described only one section of the machine, consisting of (say) three
"letting off" spindles b, b, bx, with their stop motion, draw rollers, and doubling
spindle i, i, but it will be understood that a complete machine consists of any
convenient number of these sections (each complete in itself), and all mounted in
one frame, and driven by one main driving shaft extending from end to end.
shaft and the "knocking off" shaft are continuously revolving, and the stopping
of one section does not in any way interfere with the working of the remainder.
I use a traversing motion of the ordinary construction, see Fig. 4, but for drawing
down the yarn or threads onto the doubling bobbin, I employ a drag block 13 (see
Fig. 2), with rim and flange, but instead of the usual screw and friction clips, I
regulate the pressure upon the drag block by a leather covered break actuated by
a lever and weights 14, 14.
I sometimes use for the "letting off" spindles a cage 15, Fig. 2, formed with
numerous upright bars connected together at the top by a circular bar or ring, and
any one (or more) of these bars has an eye through which I pass the yarn from the
bobbin.
The advantage of this safety flyer is, that having no arms nor projecting parts, it
does not catch nor take hold of anything that may be brought in contact with it.
"

page_text: I also sometimes use a flyer (see Figs. 8, 9, and 10), having two upright arms
connected together in the centre by means of a light bar 16 bent to suit the shape
of the bobbin, and to allow the yarn to pass up and down freely. On this bar, or
forming part thereof, is a split tube 17, with a bell mouth at each end, which gives
a rounded or smoothed effect to the yarn as the twist is given to it (to some extent), 5
whilst passing through this tubo.
I also sometimes effect the sizing of the yarns when passing from the cage or
flyer to the draw rollers, by having a conical chamber 18, 18, see Fig. 12 (lined with
flannel or other material which is saturated with size), placed immediately over the
flyer, so that in revolving the latter throws the yarn against the sides of the cone 1
which causes it to take up the size, and the yarn being at the same time rubbed
against the woollen cloth in its passage becomes rounded and smoothed, and its
appearance greatly improved thereby.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, together
with the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into 1
practical effect, I wish it to be understood that I claim as my Invention,-
First. The general construction and arrangement of the various parts of the
machine, as herein before set forth and illustrated by the Drawings annexed, and
more especially I claim,―
Secondly. The adjustable slide bracket for carrying one of the "letting off"
spindles, and by means of which the band is tightened or loosened.
Thirdly. The method and arrangement bereinbefore described for adjusting and
fixing the bolsters and footsteps for the spindles.
Fourthly. The draw motion and tension rollers as arranged and actuated.
Fifthly. The wedge-slide block and friction plates, as described.
Sixthly. The small vertical shaft driven by change wheels, as shown and described,
for regulating the amount of twist imparted to the strands.
Seventhly. The application of the lever and weights to the drag block, as
described.
Eighthly. The alternative arrangement of the draw rollers and doubling spindle,
as herein before described, and
Ninthly. The peculiar construction of flyers for the "letting off" spindles, as
hereinbefore described and illustrated by the Drawings annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Briggs, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Ninth day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
Witnessed by
JOHN HUGHES,
Clerk to George Davies, C.E.,
Patent Office,
St. Ann's Sq.,
Manchester.
THO. BRIGGS. (L.S.)