An Improved Picking Motion of Looms for Weaving.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Feb., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 18th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 17th Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Picking Motion of Looms for Weaving.
We, JAMES Moss and ABRAHAM Moss, of Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, Fustian
Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention has reference to the picking mechanism of looms for weaving, our
object being to dispense with the picking mechanism at present employed, and to
substitute therefor an entirely new and different form of mechanism for sending the
shuttle across the loom.
"
In carrying out our invention we attach at the back or other convenient part of
the slay board or "going part a lever arm having a slot therein, through which
passes a fixed stud so that as the slay oscillates backward and forward, the lever arm
is operated thereby in such a manner as to cause a finger (on the same stud as the
lever arm is hinged upon) to come into contact with an antifriction bowl connected to
a horizontal rod, moving such horizontal rod end wise, causing a spring thereon to be
compressed, at the same time locking the horizontal rod so as to retain the compressed
spring in position until released, which is effected on the return movement of the
slay, whereupon the compressed spring shoots forward suddenly and causes the
horizontal rod to throw the shuttle across the loom. The mechanism for releasing
the horizontal rod after the spring is compressed, may comprise a hinged tumbling
finger which is not operated as the slay beats towards the breast beam, but only on
the return motion of the slay, in which case the tumbling lever remains rigid so that
on the horizontal rod coming in contact with it, such rod is thereby released and the
spring commences to act; or the said horizontal rod may be released from its
holding position by a short lever arm on the same stud as the slotted lever, such lever
arm being connected to a short horizontal rod, the movement of which operates a
ratchet wheel, bringing into play another ratchet wheel which will remove the
horizontal rod from its holding position.
By the employment of this form of mechanism, the picking tappets and bowls
and all the mechanism connected therewith usually employed for sending the shuttle
across the loom is now dispensed with.
Dated this 17th day of February 1890
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Picking Motion of Looms for Weaving.
We, JAMES Moss, and ABRAHAM Moss, of Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, Fustian
Manufacturers, 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 invention has reference to the picking mechanism of looms for weaving our
object being to dispense with the picking mechanism at present employed, and to
substitute therefor an entirely new and different form of mechanism for sending the
shuttle across the loom consisting of a compressed spiral or other form of spring,
together with means for compressing and releasing such spring.
In order that our invention may be more fully understood, we have annexed
hereto a sheet of drawings illustrative thereof, to which reference is herein made.
Fig. 1 is end elevation of the slay, or going part of a loom shewing one form of
our improved apparatus applied thereto;

page_text: Fig. 3 plan view of same.
Fig. 4 is a detail of a portion of our said improvements.
Fig. 5 is front view of the slay or going part illustrating a modified construction
and arrangement of our improved picking mechanism; and
Figs. 6 and 7 are details of the parts thereof.
Referring to the drawings the same letters of reference indicate corresponding
parts throughout. A represents part of the framework of the loom, B the crank shaft
connected by crank arm to the slay or going part D which is carried by the lathe
swords E all of said parts being arranged and operated in the ordinary manner.
Supported by the brackets a, cast to or projecting from the plate a¹, fixed to the back
of the slay and to which the crank arm C is connected, is a vertical pin or stud b to the
lower end of which is secured a short lever are provided with slot e' through which
passes a fixed stud d projecting up from the bracket bolted to the frame of the loom.
Mounted on the same vertical stud b, is another short lever arm e, to the extremity of
which is connected one end of a horizontal rod e¹ whose opposite end is secured to a
book ended finger e² capable of engaging when moving in one direction-with the
teeth of the ratchet wheelf which is mounted on a stud supported on the underside
of the shuttle box or slay by brackets. On the same stud f1 is a star wheel f³
having only half the number of teeth or projections possessed by the ratchet wheel f
which when the said ratchet wheel f³ is partially rotated as afterwards explained
successively engage with the extremity of a finger a (shewn more plainly in Fig. 4,)
secured to a flat spring g', attached to the bracket g* bolted to the back of the slay,
the said spring gl allowing the finger g when the teeth on the ratchet wheel f³ come
in contact therewith to be depressed so as to withdraw the sneck on said finger
clear of the catch or lug i, projecting from the side of the picker lever k, leaving
such leverk free to be operated by the spiral spring m which throws the shuttle n
across the loom. The picker lever is mounted on a stud supported by brackets 7 on
the underside of the slay. The spiral spring mis placed upon a shaft or rod m¹
secured to a bracket o at about the centre of and in front of the slay, one end of said
spring abutting against a collar p secured by set screw to end of the rod m¹ whilst
the opposite end of said spring abuts against the flange which is free to move
endwise on rod m³, such said flanger and another flange being carried by two
parallel rods, connected by the bont arm s to the picker lever k.
When the picker
lever is in the position shewn in Figs. 1 to 4 the spiral spring is compressed between
the flange and collar p so that immediately the said picker lever k is released by
the revolving star wheel f³ removing sneck from catch i, the force of the spring is
exerted upon the flange which is forced thereby end wise towards the bracket o and
by means of the rods flange ² and arms draws the picker lever suddenly towards
the inner part of the loom with sufficient force to send the shuttle across the loom to
the opposite side thereof. The picker lever k carries a metal or other picker t,
provided with an indiarubber or other yielding cushion, for throwing the shuttle
out of the box, and also for receiving it when sent home across the loom. For
the purpose of forcing back the picker lever k and compressing the spring m
after such lever has been operated and sent the shuttle across the loom
as explained, we employ a bent lever u mounted on the vertical stud which said
lever extends through slots or openings at the back and in front of the slay. Such
said lever u after each pick has been made, is placed into the position shewn in dotted
lines of Fig. 3 by the action of the fixed stud d working in the slot of the lever arm c,
which operation is performed as the slay beats up the weft thread. Similar mechanism
to that above described is arranged at the opposite side of the loom for operating the
picker lever in the opposite shuttle box. In order to break the force of the spiral
springs m, when released and prevent concussion and breakage of the parts, we place
on the rod m¹ and against each side of bracket indiarubber or other suitable yielding
collars, v, which act as cushions for receiving the flanges when impelled against
them by the springs. The action of our improved picking mechanism above described
is as follows: When the loom is set in motion and the slay or going part oscillated

page_text: backwards and forwards, the vertical stud 6 alternately approaches and recedes from
the lower fixed stud d, which lies in the slot c¹ of the short lever arm c causing such
lever arm to be oscillated or moved upon its fulcrum b as it is carried back and
forward by the movement of the slay, thereby giving a corresponding oscillating motion
to the said stud b and also to levers e and u fixed thereon. In the several figures on
the drawings the slay is shewn at the extent of its backward movement, away from the
cloth, and the picker lever held in position ready for throwing the shuttle across
the loom after the next beat up of the slay. Assuming therefore that the slay is
making its return journey so as to beat up the weft the lever arm e commences to
move in the direction of the arrow e³ (see Fig. 3) and on the arrival of the slay at the
full extent of its forward movement, the said lever arm has completed its motion in
the direction of the arrow and forced the end of finger e² over the ratchet wheel f
placing the hooked portion thereof in position to engage with a tooth on said ratchet
wheel, so that when the slay and lever arm e commence their return or backward
movement, the hooked portion of the finger e moves such ratchet wheel a distance
equal to one tooth thereby partially rotating the stud f1 and likewise the ratchet
wheel thereon. The said ratchet wheel is shewn as having only three teeth or
half the number possessed by the ratchet wheel f, this being designed so that the
picker lever shall only be operated every other pick, or alternately with the operation
of the picker lever at the opposite side of the loom. The movement of the ratchet
wheel a distance equal to two of its teeth brings a tooth on ratchet wheel f³ into
contact with the finger g, which by reason of its connection to the flat spring g', is
thereby depressed and removes the catch h clear of the projecting sneck i on the
picker lever so as to set the spring m free, whereupon the shuttle is sent across to the
opposite side of the loom. A holding catch pivotted to the back of the slay or
shuttle box prevents any return movement of the ratchet wheel after being partially
rotated by the hook ended finger e³.
At the next beat up of the slay, the picker lever k is forced back into the position
shewn in the drawings by means of the bent lever u, which, as before described, is
moved to the position shewn in dotted line in Fig. 3 by the action of the fixed stud d
on the slotted lever arm c as it is moved backward and forward by the slay; the
projecting sneck i on the picker lever k riding over and depressing the finger g until
it is next engaged and locked by the catch h thereon; simultaneously with the act of
placing the picker lover into position as just described, the spiral spring m is also com-
pressed between the flange and collar p fixed on the end of rod m'.
In Fig. 5 which is front view of the slay and shuttle box, we shew a modifica-
tion of the means for sending the shuttle across the loom, the movement of the
picker lever or finger k in this case being in a horizontal plane instead of in a
vertical plane as shewn and described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. t is the
picker and k the lever or finger which is secured to a bracket k³ capable of sliding
end wise on the rod supported by bracket bolted to the end of the slay.
The said parts are shewn detached in Figs. 6 and 7, which are front and end.
views respectively thereof. The sliding bracket k¹ is connected hy horizontal rods ²
to a flanger as shewn in the former figures, such bracket ¹ carrying on
its upper side an antifriction bowl with which the bent lever u engages
for the purpose of forcing the picker t back into position after sending the
shuttle across the loom. The lever u and ratchet wheels f and f³ previously
mentioned are employed and operated in precisely the same manner and by the
same means as already explained, and when a tooth on the ratchet wheel f*
depresses the finger 9, and removes the catch h clear of the sneck i formed on
the loose bracket k¹ the sudden expansion of the spiral spring draws or slides the
bracket and picker t in the direction of the arrows with sufficient force to send
the shuttle n across the loom.
Fig. 8 shews the picker lever k as forming a spring in itself being composed of a
blade of strong spring steel and connected to a bracket secured on the shaft F upon
which the slay oscillates. When the lever is released by finger g being depressed
and sneck h moved clear of catch i projecting from the spring lever, the energy or

page_text: force stored up in the said spring lever by being bent out of the perpendicular,
immediately exerts itself and the lever moves suddenly forward in the shuttle box to
send the shuttle across the loom. The picker lever is then moved back to the position
shown in the backward movement of the slay by means of lever G operated through!
the medium of the connecting rod w. (see Fig. 8*) bell crank lever w¹ and bracket w
bolted to lathe sword E. The spring picker lever may be employed in place oi
the springs shewn in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
The improvements herein fully described may be applied either under or above the
loom.
By the employment of the mechanism herein fully shewn and described, the
picking tappets, and bowls, picking arms and straps and other mechanism usually
employed therewith for sending the shuttle across the loom are now dispensed with,
and in the abandonment of leather straps alone, a considerable saving in cost for
renewals is effected; whilst the mechanism above described and comprising an
improved picking motion is certain, effective, and smooth in action, and as it is
operated entirely by the movement of the slay, is better adapted for performing the
work specified than the ordinary picking motions.
We would have it understood that we do not confine ourselves to exact construction
and arrangement of parts forming our improved motion as herein shewn and described
which may be altered and varied in detail by the employment of equivalent and known
mechanical devices without departing from the main features embodied therein.
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. In looms for weaving the employment of a spiral spring for throwing the shuttle
across the loom, such said spring being compressed and released by the slay or going
part in manner substantially as herein shewn and described.
2. In looms for weaving where the shuttle throwing spring is operated by the
movement of the slayboard, the combination therewith of a ratchet wheel f, star
wheels made to revolve by the forward movement of a finger e also operated by the
movement of the slay, substantially as described.
3. In looms for weaving where the shuttle throwing spring is operated by the
movement of the slay board, the combination therewith of the slotted arm e fixed
stud d, bent lever u and parts connected therewith employed in the manner and for
the purposes substantially as described.
4. In looms for weaving where the shuttle throwing spring is operated by the
movement of the slayboard, the combination therewith of spindle m¹ rod crank
arms, picker lever k and picker t and parts connected therewith employed in the
manner and for purposes set forth.
5. In looms for weaving, the employment therein of a blade of strong spring steel
employed to throw the shuttle across the loom when operated in the manner substan-
tially as herein described and shewn in Fig. 8.
Dated this 17th day of November 1890.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax and Huddersfield, Agents.