IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LOOPED FABRICS
Year: 1844

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD
HARRIS, the elder, of Leicester, Manufacturer, 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 Ninth day of November, in the eighth year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Richard Harris, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority,
that I, the said Richard Harris, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Richard Harris, my exors, adiñors, or 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 England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY EMPLOYED IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF LOOPED FABRICS;" in which said Letters Patent is contained
a proviso that I, the said Richard Harris, shall cause a particular description
of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being there-
unto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Richard Harris, do hereby declare that the nature of my Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and

page_text: ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had
to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon, that is to say :-
In the manufacture of looped fabrics too classes of machines are used,-
First, knitting frames, each of which works by looping a single thread on
a row of needles, and drawing the last row of loops made of such single
thread through the previously formed row of loops which hang on the row
of needles.
Secondly, warp frames, or machines which work with as many threads as
there are needles, the neighbouring warp threads being formed into loops on
the needles, and the loop of one neighbouring thread is drawn through the
loop of another neighbouring thread, thus producing fabrics of various
textures.
And machines have been made combining the peculiar characters of these
two classes of machines into one machine capable of producing fabrics of a
compound character, consisting of warp fabrics and stocking fabrics, and these
machines may correctly be called "compound machines," partaking as they
do of the combined characters of two classes of machines. And my Invention
consists,―
First, of a mode of using several thread carriers (in making stocking
fabrics) with different colored yarn or thread, combined with the use of suit-
able pattern surfaces, in such manner that the yarn or thread of either of
the different thread carriers is brought into action in the order desired, the
other thread carriers remaining out of action during the time that one of
them is being used. And the thread carriers can, by means of arranging the
pattern surfaces suitably, be brought into action in any order of succession,
producing a series of stripes, such stripes being wider or narrower, according
as each thread carrier is worked more or less often in succession. And the
warp threads may be all of one color, or they may be of different colors,
depending on the taste of the manufacturer; and if with different colors the
warp portion of the fabric will be produced in a series of stripes longitudinally
of the compound fabrics produced. And my improvements consist,-
Secondly, of so arranging the parts of such compound machines as to give
motion to the various parts by means of a rotatory axis, driven by manual or
other power.
And in order that my Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed,
in which the same letters of reference are used to indicate the same parts
wherever they occur.

page_text: The nature of each of the views shown by the Drawings being written
thereon, it will not be necessary to repeat them here. a is the crank axis, by
the rotation of which the workman gives motion to the various parts of the
machinery. This axis, by means of two bevelled toothed wheels fixed thereon,
gives motion to the two axes b and c, there being bevelled toothed wheels
fixed on those axes b and c, which taking into are driven by the two
bevelled toothed wheels on the end of the crank axis a. And it will be
seen that the two bevelled toothed wheels on the driving axis are fixed toge-
ther, and they slide on the axis a, yet turn therewith, as is well understood,"
and, therefore, according as one or other wheel is in gear, so will be the
axis e or g, which for the time being will be acting, The axis b, by a bevelled
toothed wheel, gives motion to the bevelled toothed wheel d on the axis e, and
the axis c, by means of a bevelled toothed wheel fixed thereon, gives motion
to the bevelled toothed wheel affixed on the axis g, and it is from the cams
on the axes e and g that motion is communicated to the various parts of the
machinery. I would here remark, that the portion of the machinery consti-
tuting the stocking frame is for the most part similar to machinery heretofore
niade, wherein the needle bar is made to move to and fro; and the apparatus
constituting the portion of the machine for lapping the warp threads on to
the needles is for the most part similar to what has been before described. It
will not therefore be necessary to enter into a detailed description of all the
parts, as a workman accustomed to such machines will, by a careful exami-
nation of the Drawings, aided by a short description of the action of the
principal parts, readily understand the construction and manner of working of
the machine. On the axis are affixed two cams h, h, which give motion
to the levers h', the trucks of those levers resting on the surfaces or periphe-
ries of the cams. h, h³, are connecting rods, which the connect levers h¹ with
the levers h³, by pin joints, as shown by the Drawings, the levers h³ moving
on the fixed axes, one at each end of the machine, and on these axes the
pattern surfaces or wheels move in the following manner :-On the levers h
are placed drivers h' on axes, by means of which drivers the pattern surfaces
or wheels i receive motion, there being a ratchet formed in the peripheries of
these wheels i; hence in every revolution of the axes e the pattern surfaces
will be moved a distance equal to one tooth each, which will bring up fresh
parts of the pattern surfaces to select one or other of the thread carriers, as
will be hereafter described. The machine is shewn to be working with three
thread carriers, each intended to carry a different colored thread or yarn, but
machines may be made with other numbers, and actuated by suitable pattern

page_text: surfaces. The pattern surfaces i, i, each consists of a circular disc or plate
having holes for receiving projections 2, 3, there being four rows of holes, the
pins when placed in any of the second circle of holes acting to put in motion
one of the thread carriers; and the pins, when placed in the third row or
circle of holes, acting to select another of the thread carriers; and when any
pins are placed in the holes of the fourth or inner circle of holes they act to put
in motion the third thread carrier; and it should be understood that the
pins are, in forming the pattern, to be so arranged that two of the thread
carriers are not brought into action at the same time. The outer or first row
of holes are not shewn to be used, as there are only three thread carriers, but,
if desired, four thread carriers may be used, in which case the first row of
holes would be called into use, and have some of the pins applied at those
times where it was desired to have that thread carrier worked. The pins or
projections are secured to the plates or pattern surfaces i by means of screw
nuts, which screw on to the ends of the pins which pass through the pattern
surfaces i. The thread carriers are put into motion by the pattern surfaces
in the following manner: j.j, are levers moving on a fixed axis j. These
levers are forced outwards by means of springs, one to each of the levers j,
and there is a projection or inclined plane on each of the levers j, against
which the pins on the pattern surfaces come, and thus push the levers
inwards, the effect of which will be, that whichever lever j is touched and
pressed inwards by a pin on either of the pattern surfaces, that pin will,
by a lever j, give motion to certain apparatus, which will be the means of
causing the thread carrier, which is controlled thereby, to be the one which
will carry its thread across the needles of the machine, whilst the other thread
carriers will remain out of action. The levers j are attached to sliding bars j',
which partly embrace and slide upon one or other of the bars k on which the
thread carriers move, and, by so doing, when either of the sliding bolts * is
moved by its lever j being selected, it will cause that; thread carrier to be
moved into such a position as that a projection l' on the upper part of such
thread carrier will be placed in a position to be taken across the machine
preceding the movement of the slurcock in the manner I will now proceed
to explain The front view of the machine shewn in the Drawing represent
the parts in the position they would be in just before the thread carrier (* is
moved across the machine; and it will be seen on examining that view of the
Drawing, that the thread carrier * has been selected and pushed a little
beyond the other thread carriers; hence it will be in such a position that when
the sliding bolt m is permitted to descend by passing beyond the inclined
plane n, the sliding bolt m will come against the part of that thread carrier
1, and consequently that thread carrier will be moved across the machine a

page_text: little ahead of the slurcock, as is well understood, in order that a quantity of
thread may be on the needles before the jacks are drawn; and the moving of
whichever of the thread carriers across the machine which may have been
selected into the position of the thread carrier *, as shown, is performed
as follows: On the axis e there is a cylinder o, which has an inclined groove
formed therein for receiving the truck of the lever o'. Hence, as the cylinder
o revolves with the axis e, the lever o' will move to and fro on its axis o: The
lever o' is, by means of a pin joint, attached to the lever p, there being a slot
in such lever for the pin joint. The lever p moves on an axis at p', and its
lower end has a connecting rod p" attached thereto, the connecting rod, at its
other end, being attached by a pin joint to the lever p³, which, like the lever
p, moves on a similar axis p'; and it is by means of the levers p and p³ that
motion is given to the axis q (such axis moving on centre points) by means of
the cord g', which is passed round and is fixed to the pulley q² affixed on the axis
9, and the ends of the cord q' are respectively attached to the ends of the levers
p and ps. Hence, when they are moved to and fro by the cylinder o, they will
give motion to the axis q first in one direction and then in the other, and by such
means the selected thread carrier is carried across the machine, and also the
slurcock, by means of cords actuated by the pulleys and s; the cord s¹ being
attached at one of its ends to the sliding bar of the carriage 1: The cord
then passes round the pulley s; and is made fast thereto; then it passes
to the other end of the sliding bar of the carriage t, the cord being guided by
the guide pulleys &³, as is shewn in the Drawing. The carriage t is of an
ordinary construction, running on two wheels t¹ on the fixed bar v, the spring
t pressing under the fixed bar v', and the carriage t is retained in its place
between the bars v and v¹ by side plates, as is shewn. The sliding bar t
slides in staples affixed at the back of the carriage t; and there is a notch at
each end of such sliding bar for receiving the tooth of one of the levers t',
which have their axes at the back of the carriage t, and it will be seen that
there are studs, or projections at the back of the bar ¹, which, towards the end
of the motion, lift the levers t' out of the notch in that end of the sliding bar
t, and the further movement of the sliding bar will bring the notch at the
other end thereof under the teeth of the other lever t, which, falling into that
notch, will be in a position to hold the sliding bar; and when the motion of
the cord is reversed the carriage t will be drawn back across the machine; and
the moving of the carriage t will allow of the sliding bolt m on the carriage t
descending down the inclined plane n; and then it will come against the thread
carrier in the position shewn at *, and carry it across the inachinė; and
having arrived there the thread carrier will stop in such a position that it will

page_text: not come back with the carriage t unless the pattern surface at the right-hand
end of the machine should select it at the next movement, as there is a
corresponding inclined plane n at the right-hand end of the machine which
releases the sliding bolt m from the thread carrier. It may at any time
be brought across the machine; consequently the carriage t will at the next
movement pass back with the same thread carrier unless another of the thread
carriers be selected, which may be at the right-hand end of the machine.
The slurcock is caused to follow the thread carrier at a short distance by
means of a pulley r giving motion to the cord ¹, which passes round that
pulley, and is made fast thereon. The two ends of the cord r¹ pass over guide
pulleys, and are made fast to the two ends of the slurcock carriage, the
nature of which is well understood, and is clearly shown in the Drawing; it
moves on the fixed bar u, and it is facilitated in so doing by the four wheels,
two of which run on the bar u and two below it. By this part of the
arrange-
ment of the machinery it will be seen, that if the machine be continued to
work for any length of time, it would produce stocking fabric composed of
any number of threads not exceeding four used in succession, according as
the pattern surfaces may be arranged; and, if desired, machines may be made
having more thread carriers than four. But this machine, as before described,
is arranged as a compound machine for producing fabrics compounded of
stocking fabric and warp fabric.
And I will now describe how the machine, having worked for any desired
length of time for making stocking fabric, may stop making such class of
work, and go on for a time making warp fabric combined with the previously
formed stocking fabric, and then again stop the working of warp fabric, and
again for any time go on working stocking fabric; and this change may be
resorted to as often or as seldom, and in such order, as the workman may think
it desirable to arrange the pattern surfaces for that purpose. The machine
constructed by us is of a coarse guage, having eight needles to the inch, and is
used for making shawls, but this guage may be varied. And the machine is
arranged for working with a guide bar, carrying four guides to the inch, each
guide being capable of working with two needles, but this may be varied
according to the judgment of the workman. w is a pattern surface on an
axis w¹ at the left-hand end of the machine, and is for the purpose of changing
the fabric from time to time. This pattern surface consists of a disc w, having
a circle of holes for receiving screw pins w%, which are fixed in any of the
screwed holes by means of nuts, as shewn. The studs work between two
bent plases 1, 2, fixed on the lever a, which moves on a fulerum at ³; and
there are inclined planes fixed at a, a, against which the studs or screw pins

page_text: wpress as the pattern surface revolves, according as those pins project on one
or other side of the pattern surface, and it will consequently be understood,
that if all the pins projected on one side of the pattern surface no change of
fabric would be made, but the machine would continue to make all stocking
fabric or all warp fabric; but when one or more of the studs or pins projects
or project on the other side of the pattern surface, a change of fabric will take
place. Hence, according to the placing of the pins, so will be the length of
time.that one or other class of fabric will be produced. The moving of the
lever x will, by means of the connecting rod at, give motion to the lever **,
moving on an axis at the right-hand end of the machine, which lever, at its
upper end, by a fork, embraces the boss of the two levelled toothed wheels on
the axis a. Hence, when the lever x is moved by a pin on the pattern
surface it will cause the wheels to be moved, and consequently cause a change
to take place in the working of the machinery. The Drawings shew the parts
in the positions for working stocking fabric; but, by a pin on the pattern
surface w acting on the lever x so as to reverse its position the warp part of
the machinery would be brought into action, which I will now describe.
The pattern surface w receives motion by means of the lever y, which has
a driver y' thereon, which takes into and drives the ratchets on the pattern
surface w, the lever y receiving motion by the cam y or y³, which are
respectively on the axes e and g. Hence, whichever of those axes is in
motion the ratchet of the pattern surface w will receive motion at each
revolution of either of those axes, and the ratchet wheel will be prevented
moving excepting when driven by the driver, as above described. Motion
being obtained to the axis g as above described, that axis puts in motion the
guide bar z by means of the cam z¹ on the axis g actuating the lever z', which,
by means of the connecting rod 23, gives motion to "the machine" which
carries the guide bar z, and causes the guide bar to move up and down to lap
the warp threads carried thereby, as is well understood, and separately forms
no part of my Invention; and the guide bar receives suitable racking
motions from a lace wheel, the cut of which will be varied according to the
texture of fabric desired to be produced. This lace wheel receives motion by
means of a cam on the axis g, which acts on the lever 2, which, by means
of a connecting rod, gives motion to the lever 27, carrying a driver which
drives the ratchet wheel of the lace wheel round, and gives the rackings to
the guide bar, as is well understood, in order to produce the requisite looping
of the warp threads on the needles. The needle bar of this machine moves to
and fro, and it is caused to rise in order that the beards of the needles may be
closed by the fixed presser bar, which is similar to what has before been done,

page_text: and therefore constitutes no part of my Invention I will, however, slightly
trace the motion to the needle bar, as it has to receive motion from which-
ever axis e org may for the time being be operating, for which purpose on the
axis e is a cam A, the frame A¹ around which has an opening through it so as
to allow of the truck on the lever B (on which the cam A operates) to move
independently of the cam A when a change of fabric is to take place, as above
explained. The cam A gives motion to the lever B, which, by a connecting
rod C attached to it and to the levers E, gives motion to the levers E, and
there is a bar D which combines the two levers E, E, together at their lower
ends. The upper ends of each of the levers E being forked, receives one of
the necks of the needle-bar carriage F. Hence the needle bar will be moved
to and fro, as has heretofore been practised in some stocking frames; and, in
order that the needle carriage may be moved whichever axis e or g is in action,
there is on the axis g a cam G, which gives motion to the bar D by means of
a connecting rod H, which is attached to an arm on the rod D; and it will be
seen, that in the frame G¹ of the cam G there is an opening through which the
truck on its lever can pass out, so that whichever cam A or G be acting it
will give motion to the bar D, and consequently to the needle bar. And on
the plates on which the needle carriage moves there are projecting pieces
over which the front wheels of the needle-bar carriage passes as it goes back,
by which the needles will be raised up against the fixed presser bar J as
the needles go back, the new loop being at the same time moved under the
beards by the sinkers until the ends of the needles are in a line with the front
of the sinkers, when the raising of the bar M raises the sinkers out of the way
of the newly formed loops; and the work will be knocked over by a series of
plates K, one between each pair of neighbouring needles, as has heretofore been
practised. On the upper ends of the levers E the arms L are affixed, which
raise the locking bar M by the trucks on the arms L running on the surfaces
M'. This bar M, in going up, raises the jacks, and consequently the sinkers,
above the needles; and as the bar M descends the jacks fall on to the cramps
in their springs, as shewn, and are there held until operated upon by the slur-
cock in the frame courses. When making the warp-fabric portions of the
compound fabric it is desirable to relieve the friction of the weight on the
warp beam at the time of going back of of the needles. For this purpose a
lever N rests on the bar D, so that when that bar comes forward it will lift
the lever N, to which a cord is attached, such cord being attached also to the
cord on which the weight of the warp beam hangs, by which movement the
weight will be raised, and the friction to the warp threads relieved.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the best means I

page_text: am acquainted with for performing the same, I would have it understood that
I do not confine myself to the precise details, so long as the peculiar character
of either part of my Invention be retained; and I would remark, that the
stocking frame shewn and described is that description of frame known as the
"lever stocking frame," and a Patent was granted for the same to William
Bedford, dated Seventeenth September, One thousand eight hundred and
forty. But what I claim is,
First, the mode of arranging stocking frames whereby several thread
carriers may be used in combination with suitable patent surfaces actuated by
the machinery, so as to allow of any of the thread carriers being brought into
action for a time, and left out of action for a time; and,
Secondly, I claim the obtaining motion to a compound machine of the
description herein described (partaking of a stocking fraine and a warp frame)
by means of a rotatory axis, as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Harris, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-five.
Enrolled the Ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and forty-five.