CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING, SPINNING, AND WINDING WOOL, COTTON, FLAX, SILK, OR ANY OTHER FIBROUS BODIES
Year: 1843

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, J, MARTYN
JOHN ROBERTS, of Brynycaeran, in the County of Carmarthen, Gentleman,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen. Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the First day of June, in the sixth year of Her. reign, did, for
Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Martyn
John Roberts, Her especial license that I, the said Martyn John Roberts,
my exors, adñiors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Martyn
John Roberts, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of
years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within that part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
called England, Her Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed,
and in all Her Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING, SPINNING, AND WINDING
WOOL, COTTON, FLAX, SILK, OR ANY OTHER FIBROUS BODIES;" in which Letters
Patent there is contained a proviso that I, the said Martyn John Roberts,
should cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be enrolled in Her Majesty's
High Court of Chancery, within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the now reciting Letters Patent, as in and by the same,
reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Martyn John Roberts, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly-described-
and ascertained in and by the following verbal description, and the annexed
Drawing, which represents the parts of the full size.
My said Invention has for its object the obtaining or deriving from the
resistance of the air to a body in motion, instead of from the resistance of the
friction and adhesion of rubbing surfaces, that uniform or steady drag which is
essential for the proper performance of the well-known processes of preparing
and winding, and of spinning and winding wool, cotton, silk, flax, and similar
fibrous substances; and, by reason of the peculiar character of the drag so
obtained, I am enabled to perform the said processes at a much higher speed
than has hitherto been generally practised, and with greater economy of the
material so operated on, and to wind the roving or thread on to the bobbin
with more perfect uniformity of tension than can be ensured when the drag is
derived from the friction and adhesion of rubbing surfaces. And this my said
Invention is carried into effect by certain constructions, arrangements, and
adaptations of flyers and spindles, to be used for the purposes aforesaid,
whereby the momentum of the flyer and the friction on its points of support
may be reduced, or made so small in amount, that the resistance of the
atmosphere may become the effective retarding and regulating force. The
methods at present employed for obtaining that drag by the friction and
adhesion of rubbing surfaces are well understood by persons conversant with
the above-mentioned processes, as performed by the usual machines. For
instance, when a moveable or live spindle is employed; the flyer fixed to the
spindle and the bobbin, supported by the copping rail, and revolving with the
spindle by the slight adhesion between the spindle and the bobbin, friction
applied to the bobbin by a disc of soft material between the bobbin and
the copping rail is very commonly relied on for producing the diminution
of velocity of the bobbin, or difference of motion between the spindle and
bobbin, upon which the winding the fibres under process on the bobbin at a
proper tension depends. In some cases the friction is applied to the bobbin
by means of a tightened string embracing its lower edge, as is commonly done
in flax spinning when a fixed or dead spindle has been employed and the
flyer moveable. The "drag" has been attained by the friction and adhe-
sion of the flyer, or by friction on the bobbin, the flyer being driven at a
certain rate. In these and other cases, upon which it is not necessary to dwell
with farther particularity, the friction and adhesion of rubbing surfaces has
been employed and relied on for obtaining the requisite drag, which drag so
obtained is liable to all the variations to which such surfaces and the resistance

page_text: of such surfaces are subject. Sometimes the differential motion for winding of
the fibres under process upon the bobbin is attained by a train of wheelwork,
as in the "bobbin and fly frames," which gives the true differential motion
between the bobbin and the flyer; and, in such cases, friction. is not employed
for the purposes of obtaining the drag, as above mentioned... All the methods,
however, above referred to, are found inconvenient or defective; those of
friction and adhesion being difficult to regulate, and liable to considerable
variations, and those of wheelwork complicated and expensive. In carrying
out my Invention the flyers employed are to be made as light as possible, and
to move with as much freedom as possible on their points of support, so that
the resistance of the points of support may be reduced to an exceedingly small
quantity; in fact to so small a quantity as to be wholly disregarded, in com-
'parison with the resistance of the air to the arms of the flyers when moving at
the high velocities at which they are driven. The weight of the flyers must be
reduced as much as possible, but particularly the arms must be made as light
as is consistent with sufficient strength, since the momentum of flyers moving
at the same velocity depends on the weight of the arms, and the mean distance
of that weight from the axis of rotation; and if the motion of the bobbins be
suddenly checked, the momentum of the flyers is likely to cause the flyers to
overrun the bobbins, and to snarl the fibres under process. The resistance
derived from the air depends on the three following conditions:1. On the
surface or area of the arms of the flyer. 2. On the mean distance at which
that surface or area revolves about the axis of rotation. 3. On the angular
velocity of the flyer. Hence it will be obvious that for a given angular velo-
city the required resistance will be obtained and adjusted by' altering either the
surface of the arms of the flyers, or the mean 'distance at which that surface
revolves about the axis of rotation.
I shall now proceed to describe, by reference to the annexed Drawing, the
arrangements by which, in particular cases, I carry
out my
Invention. S, S, S,
Figure 3, is a spindle supported in the usual manner by a step rail (r); and
bolster rail (6), the spindle being driven by a band passing round the
wharve (W). The upper extremity of the spindle terminates in a point of
hardened steel for the purpose of acting as a bearing, and carrying the
socket or tube of the flyer (t), as hereafter described. The flyer shewn at
Figures 3, 4, and 6, is the size I use for No. 28 weft' worsted yarn, the
spindle revolving three thousand revolutions per minute. It is made of
box wood, and as thin as consistent with strength, namely about 1-16th
of an inch in thickness; "the eyes are bushed either with steel or
glass to prevent the. wood being cut by the fibres under process. At

page_text: the head of the flyer is a socket or tube closed by a steel or brass plug (9)
having a centre or bearing in it to receive the point of the spindle before
mentioned, and-the-lower-end-or-mouth-of-the-socket-or-tube_is_bushed.
to fit nicely upon the nick of the spindle point shewn in section (Figure 3) so
that when the flyer is placed upon the spindle it may revolve as freely as
possible. The upper and out part of the spindle (see Figure 2) upon which
the bobbin traverses, while raised and lowered by the action of the "lifting" or
copping rail" (d) is made square, oblong, or of some other figure that will
allow a washer or seat (ƒ) having a perforation in it, see Fig. 5, of like form
to slide freely longitudinally upon the spindle, and yet be made to turn round
along with it; this washer or seat is for the purpose of supporting the bobbin
which is fastened to it by a catch, pin, or other device, and in this manner the
bobbin can be carried round with the spindle in its revolutions and still be free
to partake of the perpendicular traverse by means of the copping or lifting
rail (d) in the usual manner, for the purpose of laying the fibres under process
regularly from top to the bottom of the bobbin. Instead of squaring the spindle
a groove or slot C, C (see Figures 1 and 3), may be made in the barrel of
the spindle of the length of the traverse. The washer, see Fig. 8, upon which
the bobbin sits, has a pin in it that fits into the slot, and will thus traverse
perpendicularly, and yet be carried round with the spindle. The flyer being
placed upon its bearing (the point of the spindle) and the spindle made to
revolve, the flyer would be carried round by the spindle at the same speed
were it not that the resistance of the air to the arms of the flyer causes it to be
retarded, and this retardation is in exact proportion to the amount of the
resistance of the air above the friction and adhesion between the bearing of the
flyer and the point of the spindle; and as this last is constant and of small
amount, the retardation can be adjusted to the greatest nicety by changing the
surface or area of the arms, or the mean distance of that surface or area from
the axis of motion. The fibres under process being led from the delivery rollers
through the eye of the flyer to the bobbin, the difference of the motions of the
bobbin (which moves with the spindle) and of the flyer, causes the winding on
of the fibres under process at the proper tension. In this case the resistance
of the air, diminished by the resistance (that is, the friction and adhesion) of the
points of support of the flyer, effects the winding on at the proper tension; and
it is evident that, the friction and adhesion being reduced to an exceedingly
small quantity, the drag will be derived from and depend on the resistance of
the air. Instead of supporting the flyer as already described, and shown in
Figure 3, I affix to the head of the flyer the pin h, as best seen in front and
side elevation in Figures 6 and 7; which pin runs freely in an opening or per-

page_text: foration at the top of the spindle, as seen in dotted lines at Figures 1, 2, and 4.
The pin h is of steel, and about one sixteenth of an inch longer than the hole
in the spindle; it is nicely pointed to run in the bearing at the bottom of the.
hole, and its neck nicely fitted to run in the mouth of the hole, so that the flyer
supported by this pin runs in the perforation with as little friction as possible.
And I would observe, that the. last-mentioned mode of supporting the flyer is
preferable to the other from the greater steadiness of the motion at high
velocities. It has been already observed, that the flyer should be made as light
as possible, consistent with strength, in order to avoid the ill effects that would
ensue were the flyer possessed of too much momentuin; because when this is the
case the momentum causes the flyer to overrun the bobbin, should it or the
spindle be accidentally or otherwise checked in its revolution, and which over-
running tends to "snarl" the yarn. As a further precaution to prevent the
flyer overrunning the bobbin, and thereby causing snarls when the machine is
stopped, I place a small flywheel on the driving shaft, which keeps the machine"
in motion after the driving strap is traversed on to the loose pulley, and only
allows it to come to rest gradually as the momentum of the flywheel is
expended.. The principle on which the drag is to be obtained according to my
Invention being understood, it will be perceived that the greater the surface of
the arms of the flyer the greater will be the resistance or drag, the velocity of
rotation being the same; or if it be convenient to preserve a certain surface of
arm, then a greater drag may be obtained by making the arms more distant
from each other, for by so doing the linear velocity or space passed over
through the air by the arms is increased and the resistance and drag increased
also. Should it be convenient to retain the same surface of arms, and also
the same distance between them, then the drag may be increased or diminished
by altering the speed at which the spindle is driven, for the greater the speed
the greater the drag, and vice versa. Such being the principles by which the
requisite drag is to be obtained and regulated, it will be easy to carry it out in
practice. The size of the flyer shewn at Figures 3, 4, and 6, is that which I
employ for spinning worsted weft, No. 28, at a velocity of three thousand
revolutions per minute upon a throstle. If a higher number or more tender
yarn is to be spun, which will require a less drag, all that is necessary is to reduce
the surface of the arms of the flyer until such a drag is obtained as pleases the
spinner; and if he wishes to drive at a higher speed he will diminish the surface
of his flyer or the distance between the arms until such, the required resistance
or drag, is obtained. The precise adjustments to be made in each case must
obviously depend on the peculiar circumstances of that case and the wishes of
the manufacturer. The. flyer shewn in Figure 7 is the size I employ for

page_text: spinning the same yarn, namely, worsted wefts, No. 28, at a speed of five
thousand revolutions per minute; and these flyers I make of steel as thin as
possible, as wood-of-such-dimensions_will_not_preserve its form under the
centrifugal action at such high speeds. A comparison of the above-mentioned
sizes will shew in what manner for different velocities of the spindles the
surfaces or areas of the flyers are to be altered. When a less drag is required
the workmen will reduce the surface of the arms of the flyer or the distance
between these arms, or drive at a less velocity; and if a greater drag be required
the workman will increase the surface of the arms of the flyer or the distance
between them, or drive the spindles at a higher speed; and any required drag
can be obtained by means of one or other of these changes. I may observe
that as the length or width of the flyers will depend on the bobbins employed,
it will in general be most convenient to make the above-mentioned adjustments
by increasing or diminishing the surfaces of the arms of the flyers and the
velocity at which they rotate, instead of by altering the mean distance of the
surface from the axis of rotation. In roving I employ flyers with arms of the
tubular form of about seven eighths of an inch in diameter and nine inches
long, made of wood or thin tin plate, and as light as possible, and in all other
respects the directions herein-before given for obtaining the objects of my
Invention are to be strictly adhered to. I have hitherto described my
Invention only as applied in connection with the live spindle, but it may be
applied to certain purposes of preparing and winding as for woollen and
flax rovings in connection with the dead spindle, the bobbin being
driven by a band at the required velocity, and the flyer supported by
the dead spindle in either of the ways above mentioned. In this case the
resistance, that is, the friction and adhesion of the points of support of the
flyer, is added to the resistance of the air, instead of being subtracted from
that resistance, as in the case of the living spindle, and consequently I do not
recommend this combination as applicable for tender rovings or yarns. In
this case also, however, whenever the resistance of the points of support to
the rotation of the flyer is inconsiderable in comparison with the resistance of
the air, the requisite drag will be obtained from and regulated by the resistance
of the air instead of the friction and adhesion of rubbing surfaces.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be and may be performed, I
wish it to be understood that I do not claim as of my Invention or the
exclusive use of flyers or spindles moveable freely in respect of each other,
except when the same are employed in connection with and for the purposes
of obtaining the requisite drag in the above-mentioned machinery from the

page_text: resistance of the atmosphere instead of from the resistance of rubbing surfaces.
But I claim as of my Invention the improvements in the said machinery
herein-before described, whereby the friction and adhesion of rubbing surfaces,
as hitherto employed and relied on for obtaining and affording the requisite
drag in such machinery, may be abandoned for such purposes, and in lieu
thereof may be substituted the drag derived from the resistance of the air on
the arms of the flyer, as above described.
And such my Invention being, to the best of my knowledge and belief,
entirely new, and never before used within that part of Her Majesty's United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, Her Dominion of
Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, or in Her said Majesty's Colonies
and Plantations abroad, I do hereby declare this to be my Specification of the
same, and I do verily believe this my said Specification doth comply fully in
all respects, without reserve or disguise, with the proviso in the herein-before
in part recited Letters Patent, wherefore I claim to maintain exclusive right
and privilege to my said Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said Martyn John Roberts, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of November, One
thousand eight hundred and forty-three
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-eighth day of November,
in the year of our Lord 1843, the aforesaid Martyn John Roberts came
before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the
Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified,
in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped
according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the First day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-three.