Improvements in Looms for Weaving.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 2nd May, 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Looms for Weaving.
We, WILLIAM BOWKER, of 30 Guildhall Street, Preston, in the County of
Lancaster, Mechanical Engineer, and ROBERT WILLIAMS, of the same place,
Merchant, 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 :-
This invention has for its object the weaving in a loom, of cloth in which the
weft or filling is introduced between each decussation or crossing of the warps in a
double or two-ply form, and to supply the said weft or filling from large bobbins or
spools standing apart from the lay or slay so as to obviate the inconvenience of and
loss of time spent in replacing the cops or spools in loom shuttles as ordinarily
employed.
Letters Patent of the United States No. 375,335 December 27, 1887 were
granted to us for a new and useful improvement in looms the said improvement
having for its object the weaving of cloth of the kind above indicated. The said
improvement, however, amongst other devices, included the employment of two
shuttles (or weft carriers) a three-race rail on the lay (necessitating the employment
of drop-box mechanism), and one supply spool or bobbin of weft or filling, the said
weft in double or two-ply form being introduced between the warps in one direction
(that is to say from one end of the lay) only. According to this our present
invention we employ only one shuttle or weft carrier and only one race-rail (the
latter being of the kind usually employed in an ordinary loom) and we introduce
the double weft or filling between the warps from one of two supply spools
alternately, first from one end of the lay and then from the other; the double weft
or filling in this respect being passed between each decussation or crossing of the
warps first in one direction and then in the other in the same manner as obtains in
weaving plain cloth with a single weft thread in the ordinary way.
The apparatus we employ in conjunction with a loom of ordinary construction in
carrying our present invention into effect comprises: firstly, a weft carrier which
takes the place of the shuttle ordinarily employed and by means of prongs or
fingers on its upper side conveys the weft in double form through the "shed "first
from one side of the warp and then from the other, the said weft carrier being
thrown or driven through the shed by picking mechanism of the usual character;
secondly, a selvedge making device consisting of a selvedge thread shuttle and
attendant mechanism (applied to the shuttle boxes at each end of the lay) for lifting
off and transferring the weft thread from the weft carrier after it has emerged from
the shed and for causing the said weft thread to move over and past the selvedge-
thread shuttle so that the thread from the said selvedge thread shuttle may be
caused to be passed through the loop of the double weft subsequently to its having
been lifted or taken up from the weft carrier; thirdly, cam and lever mechanism
nctuated by the rotation of the ordinary tappet shaft for operating the said trans-
ferring and selvedge-thread shuttle mechanism; fourthly, a rising and falling
eyeletted jack with a tension device near each side or edge of the warp for guiding
the weft thread in position over the weft carrier, so that the prongs or fingers on
the upper side of such carrier may meet and carry along the said weft thread as
the said weft carrier is driven into the shed; and for simultaneously guiding the
weft thread not in use on the opposite side of the warp to a lower position, so that
the weft carrier as it enters the opposite shuttle box may pass over it, the said
device being operated by the to and fro motion of the usual rocking shaft which
actuates the harnesses or healds; fifthly, compensating take-up apparatus (operated

page_text: from the tappet shaft by cam and lever mechanism) to take up the slack of the weft
thread and impart the required tension or stretch to the double weft thread last
passed through the shed before the reed beats up, and thereby to tighten up the
double weft thread on the selvedge thread at the opposite side of the warp; sixthly,
a weighted gripping device behind the said compensating take-up apparatus (also
operated by cam and lever mechanism actuated by the tappet shaft) for the purpose
of seizing and holding firmly the weft thread from the supply spool or bobbin whilst
the take-up apparatus is operating; seventhly, one or more roliers or pressers and
springs arranged within a hinged box (hereinafter termed the "tension box")
behind the gripping device for the purpose of securing a uniform delivery of the
weft and for taking out the kinks in the weft thread as it arrives from the supply
spool or bobbin and also to prevent the said weft thread from running too freely to
the weft carrier whilst the said weft carrier is drawing or dragging the weft through
the shed; eighthly, a device for momentarily withdrawing the pressure of the rollers
or pressers and springs in the tension box from off the weft thread when the weft
carrier as it enters the shed first meets and exerts a sudden pull upon the weft
thread, the said device being actuated by the movement of the ordinary picking
arm or other suitable cam and lever arrangement; and ninthly, "knock-
off" apparatus for stopping the loom in the event of either the weft thread or the
selvedge thread breaking. The remaining parts of the loom are constructed
and operate in the usual manner.
"
In the accompanying drawings,
66
Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively front and plan views (partly in section) of so much
of an ordinary loom as is necessary to illustrate the method of applying certain
parts of our invention thereto, the breast beam, the cloth roller, and other parts
being omitted from the showing of Fig. 1.
Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the loom.
Figs. 3 and 4 are cross sectional views of the same loom taken at about the
line 1-2 Fig. 2 and illustrating the arrangement in side view of certain of the above
named devices and mechanism.
Figs. 3 and 4 are cross sectional views corresponding with Figs. 3 and 4 but
showing a modification of the arrangement of the compensating take-up apparatus
and also of the "knock-off" apparatus.
Fig. 5 illustrates the arrangement (partly in cross section) of the compensating
take-up apparatus, the gripping device, the tension box, and the knock-off apparatus
shewn in conjunction with other mechanism at Figs. 3 and 4.
Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the gripping device drawn to a larger scale.
Fig. 7 is a front view of the right hand part of the loom lay and shuttle box and
certain attendant parts in which is shewn the relative position of the weft carrier to
the mechanism for lifting and transferring the double weft thread on to the selvedge
thread shuttle when the weft carrier has so far entered the shuttle box as to be
in touching contact with the lifting finger.
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 7 shewing the position of the
double weft thread upon the prongs or fingers of the weft carrier as the latter is
emerging from betwixt the waips or shed and also shewing one of the cycletted
jacks holding the other weft thread down so that the weft carrier may pass over it
as hereinbefore mentioned.
Fig. 9 is another front view of the same parts shewing the relative positions of the
lifting finger and the point of the selvedge-thread shuttle when the said finger has
been slightly raised by the passage under it of the central bridge of the weft
carrier.
Fig. 10 is another front view of the same parts shewing their altered positions
when the weft carrier has wholly passed under the tran-ferring mechanism and the
said mechanism with its attendant parts has been moved to the right by the action
of the operating cam and lever mechanism hereinbefore referred to.
Fig. 11 is an end view (partly in section) of the mechanism shewn at Fig. 7.
Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view (the selvedge thread shuttle being omitted) as

page_text: shewn in elevation.
The parts of the shuttle box and attendant mechanism at the left hand side of the
lay correspond with those at the right hand side thereof (shewn in Figs. 7 to 12)
but are arranged in the reverse way as will be well understood-the same observation
applying to the other parts of the apparatus constructed in duplicate the said parts
being made right and left hand."
“
Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are respectively, side, end and plan views of the lifting or
transferring finger.
Figs. 16, 17 and 18 are respectively side, end, and plan views of an intermediate
lifting plate which supports in a recess therein the projecting side bearing of the
selvedge thread shuttle.
Fig. 19 is a plan view and Fig. 20 a back view shewing the intermediate lifting
plate in working position as regards the lifting or transferring finger.
Fig. 21 is an end view and Fig. 22 a side view of the selvedge thread shuttle ;
Fig. 23 is a section of Fig. 22; and Fig. 24 a cross section of Fig. 21.
Figs. 25 and 26 are respectively side and end views of the selvedge thread
shuttle as seen from the back or opposite side to that shown in Figs. 21 and 22.
Fig. 27 is an end view of the selvedge thread shuttle when the latter is in the
position for the weft thread to be drawn over and past it as shewn in side view at
Fig. 28 (see broken lines and the position of the double weft thread at Fig. 10) and
shews at the left hand side (of the said Fig. 27) more clearly the form or shape of
the bearing we preferably form upon the side of the said shuttle.
Figs. 29 and 30 are corresponding views to Figs. 19 and 20 shewing the
working position of the selvedge thread shuttle as regards the said intermediate
lifting plate and the lifting or transferring finger.
Fig. 31 is a plan view illustrating the composition of the cloth and the
formation of the selvedges thereof resulting from the employment of apparatus
in accordance with our said invention.
Fig. 32 is a sectional side view and Fig. 33 a back view of the eyeletted part
of the rising and falling jacks shewing the arrangement of the tension device we
employ in conjunction therewith.
Similar letters and numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several
views.
A is the loom framing; B the lay; C the lay sword; D the reed; E the
rocking shaft for sustaining the harnesses or healds; F the picker: G the breast
beam H the cloth roller; 1 the knock-off' shaft; J the crank shaft; JJ' rods
connecting the lay to crank shaft, J fast pulley, and J loose pulley on crank
shaft, Jpinion fixed to crank shaft engaging with gear J fixed to tappet shaft;
K the tappet shaft; L L' the operating cams; M the levers and M M the
lifting rods for operating the sliding transferring and selvedge thread shuttle
mechanism; N the lever and N the rod for actuating the take-up apparatus;
O the lever and 'the rod for actuating the gripping device; P the picking arm;
QQ the supply spools or bobbins of weft or filling; R R levers whose
approximately horizontal arms are jointed to the upper ends of the rods M2 M²;
S a grooved or recessed plate forming the bearing for the sliding transferring
and selvedge thread shuttle mechanism; T the weft carrier; U an ordinary
form of back swell presser; V the ordinary knock-off finger; and W the usual
sliding shoe for liberating the knock-off handle (the said handle and attendant
parts being omitted in order that the other apparatus may be more conspicuously
apparent).
is the picker stick pivoted to an extension C' from the sword of the lay,
said stick having fixed to it a leathern loop P through which the picking
arm extends, said arm being actuated by à cam K' fixed to the shaft K,
(see Figs. 2 and 24). A spring C, attached at one end to the stick P₁ and at
its other end to the extension C', returns the stick to position after having
thrown the weft carrier T.

page_text: The weft carrier T has a central bridge or transverse piece a whose upper
side carries prongs or fingers a' a' which take hold of or engage with the
weft thrend (see Fig. 8). The upper part of the weft carrier is cut or grooved
out horizontally and longitudinally on each side of the bridge a (sec broken
lines to the left of the bridge a at Fig. 7 also plan view Fig. 8 and end view
Fig. 11) and the said bridge is formed with inclined surfaces a a² which meet an
inclined part on the lower side of the lifting or transferring finger b (see Fig. 7).
As the carrier approaches the right hand end of the lay the inclined surface on the
right hand of the bridge a raises or lifts the said finger to the position shewn in
Fig. 9 in which raised position the finger b will remain until the said bridge has passed
forward from under the finger which will thereupon drop down again to its former
position. The purpose of so temporarily raising the finger b is to lift off or remove
the weft thread from the prongs or fingers of the carrier T the upward movement
of the finger also causing the pointed end of the selvedge thread shuttle to
enter a slot or opening in the said finger (see Fig. 15 and broken lines at
Fig. 9) whereby the passage of the weft thread from the carrier on to the
selvedge thread shuttle to the position shewn in broken lines at Fig. 9 is assured.
c is a sliding frame or back plate which engages with and is adapted to move in
the grooved plate S hereinbefore referred to; the said frame together with the
sleeved plate c secured to it by the screw s carries the transferring and selvedge
thread shuttle mechanism the said mechanism being detachable from the said
back plate or frame by disengaging the fastening screws when the selvedge-thread
shuttle is to be withdrawn from the frame for the purpose of inserting therein a
fresh supply of selvedge thread. The plate c is provided with a sleeve which
receives and supports within it the sleeve of the lifting finger of the selvedge
thread shuttle mechanism; the exterior of said sleeve e supports the shell bearing e
of the horizontal finger e hereinafter referred to. c' is a fixed stud mounted on
the sliding back plate c upon which one end of a connecting plate or link dis
jointed the other end of the said link being jointed to the upper end of the upright
arm of the lever R'. The fixed stud c' also answers as the pivot or fulcrum of a
bent lever we provided with a friction roller or bowl w. The horizontal finger wo
of the bent lever w stands under another horizontal finger e projecting from a boss e¹
having an elongated or shell bearing (see Fig. 12) fastened by means of a set
screw and a key e to the axis or spindle of the intermediate lifting platef (shewn
detached at Figs. 16, 17 and 18).
With a view to reducing the friction of the weft thread on the prongs or
fingers a¹ a of the weft carrier the said fingers may be in the form of rollers
working on vertical pivots this arrangement being shewn in section at Fig. 74 of
which is the bridge part of the carrier T and 2 a roller capable of rotating on
the vertical pivot 3.
The lifting plate is formed with a projecting stop or guard f which keeps the
pointed end of the selvedge thread shuttle in place over the slotted finger b, but
the said stop stands at such a distance above the shuttle point as to leave room for
the free passage of the weft thread over the shuttle after having been taken or
lifted off the weft carrier T. The plate is also formed with a groove or recess f
within which a pin or stop projecting from the back of the lifting finger b is free
to move to the extent required when the bridge of the carrier raises the lifting
finger as hereinbefore described. The stop rests on the lower end of the groove f
which is so placed that the finger when in its lowermost or normal position stands
at a lower level than the weft thread on the prongs or fingers a' a' of the carrier T.
The lifting plate is also formed with a circular opening or recess which
receives the projecting side bearing g' of the selvedge thread shuttle g (see Figs. 12,
29 and 30).
The selvedge thread shuttle encloses a spool y upon which is wound the selvedge
thread the said spool fitting easily on the fixed ping and being held in place by a
flat spring g capable of being moved round out of the way (as shewn in dotted
lines in Fig. 25) when the spool is to be withdrawn from the shuttle, the spiral

page_text: spring serving to press the flat spring against the inner flange of the spool and
thereby to produce the required degree of frictional contact therewith. The
selvedge thread is drawn from the spool through the hole under the ten-ion
spring' then through the hole " and another hole in the side of the shuttle
and thence to the edge of the cloth or warp. is a regulating screw for adjusting
the pressure of the tension spring g'.
The action of the transferring and selvedge thread shuttle mechanism as above
described is as follows:-
As the carrier T enters the shuttle box its central bridge a meets the incline on
the rear lower part of the lifting finger thereby raising the said finger which in
its upward movement lifts off the loop of weft thread from the carrier on to the pointed
end of the selvedge thread shuttle. The bridge a having passed forward clear of
the lifting finger the lever R' is caused by its operating cam on the tappet shaft
to move the sliding transferring and selvedge thread shuttle mechanism sidewise
(see Fig. 10) the bowl on the bent lever during this movement travelling
along the upper edge of a rail and being then drawn against an incline and on
to a raised part 2 of the said rail. The finger is thereby forced upwards at the
same time pushing up the finger e (see Fig. 10) and with it the lifting plate and
the lifting finger the selvedge thread shuttle being thereby brought round to the
position indicated in broken lines at Fig. 10 (shewn also at Fig. 28) and allowing the
double weft thread (by the action of the take-up apparatus hereinbefore referred
to and the forward or beating up movement of the lay) to be drawn over and away
from the selvedge thread shuttle and consequently over the selvedge thread which
stretches from the hole in the shuttle to the edge of the woven cloth. In the
said Fig. 10 the loop of the double weft r is shewn in broken lines approximately
in the form it assumes after having passed over the top of the selvedge thread
shuttle and as it is being pulled past the back of the rounded projecting side
bearing g of the selvedge thread shuttle (see Fig. 12) which rests and has a certain
amount of side and vertical play in the circular opening or recess (see Figs. 20
and 29). The position of the said side bearing of is indicated at Fig. 10 by a
occupying a position behind the
selvedge thread shuttle but in front of the loop of the double weft r (indicated in
stronger broken lines). The transferring mechanism and selvedge thread shuttle
remain in their turned-up positions until the carrier T has been again ejected or
picked from the shuttle box whereupon the operating cam causes the said mechanism
to be moved or slid back and the fingers e and w² the lifting plate and shuttle g to
resume their original positions as shewn at Fig. 7 the receding movement of the
lay and the said return movement of the sliding mechanism being in unison so that
the required tension on the selvedge thread is maintained the said selvedge thread
remaining stretched so as to be above and clear of the prongs or fingers of the
carrier when it is again ejected from the adjoining shuttle box. and are
projecting stops on the lifting finger band the lifting plate respectively which on
the return movement of the parts as described meet the end face of the back plate c
(see Figs. 7 to 10) and the vertical face g" (see Figs. 21 and 23) forms a stop for
a similar purpose on the shuttle g the said face meeting a depending projecting
party on the end of the back plate c (see Fig. 12).
circle
The arrangement of cam and lever mechanism for operating the transferring and
selvedge thread shuttle mechanism hereinabove described is partly shewn at
Figs. 1 and 2 and partly at Figs. 3 and 4. The levers M and M' are carried or
jointed on fixed studs or pivots m and carry at their free ends a bowl (shewn in
broken lines at Figs. 3 and 4) which enter the controlling groove or guide path
on the face of the cam. Only one of the said levers is shewn at Figs. 3 and 4
namely the lever M' (see Fig. 1) and the broken lines shewn on the representation
of the cam at Figs. 3 and 4 indicate the position of the groove on the inner or left
hand face of the further cam L' a corresponding groove being also on the inner or
right hand face of the cam I. In Fig. 3 the groove in broken lines (on the cam L'
as stated) and the lever M' (indicated wholly in broken lines in the said Fig. 3) are

page_text: in the position which obtains when the transferring or sliding mechanism is in its
normal position that is to say as shown at Figs. 1 and 7 the lever M' being then in
its lowest position. In Fig. 4 the said groove and the lever M' are shewn in the
altered position which obtains as the lever is being lifted by the rotation of the said
cam L to its highest position when the sliding mechanism will have been moved
back as shewn at Fig. 10. When at its highest position the lever M' is retained
therein by reason of the configuration or curvature of the cam groove which is so
formed as to impart the required duration of “dwell" during the period clapsing
between the turning-up of the transferring and selvedge thread shuttle mechanism
and the ejection from the shuttle box of the weft carrier hereinabove referred to.
As before stated there are corresponding grooves on the inner faces of the two
cams and the groove on one of the cams being in advance of the groove on
the other cam as regards the rotation of the tappet shaft to the extent of half
a revolution the cams being so located or fixed on the tappet shaft relatively to the
rotation of the crank shaft that the levers M and M will be raised as the lay is
beating up and assuming a vertical position (see Fig. 4) and lowered again as soon
as the weft carrier has been ejected for the next "pick" from the one shuttle
box or the other whose sliding mechanism has last been actuated by one of the said
levers M or M'.
At each end of the lay and at the back of the reed is a rising and falling
eyeletted device in the form of a "jack" supported in bearings so as to be
movable vertically therein and having a hole o eyelet through which the weft
thread passes, each of the said jacks being provided with a special spring for
forcing them upwardly. At Figs. 32 and 33 is the eyelet, a glass cross bar,
a presser preferably made of felting and a spring which presses the felting
down upon the glass cross bar the weft thread passing between the said felting
and cross bar and thereby receiving the drag or tension necessary to ensure its
remaining taut or tightly stretched during the receding or backward movement of
the lay in readiness to be taken hold of by the carrier at the next "pick."
Cords attached at one of their ends to the lower ends of the jacks pass over
guide pulleys and their other ends being connected to the depending ends of
belts or thongs fastened to the rocking shaft E (see Figs. 1, 3 and 4). Thus
the rotation of the said shaft E in one direction or the other causes one of the jacks
to be lowered (as shewn to the right of the reed in Figs. 1, 7 and 8) and the other
jack to be raised simultaneously (as shewn to the left of the reed in Fig. 1) the
raised jack holding up its weft thread at a suitable height in readiness to be taken
hold of by the prongs or fingers of the weft carrier when the latter is ejected from
the adjoining shuttle box and the lowered jack bringing down its weft thread
so that the said thread will rest upon the surface of the lay or race rail and allow
the weft carrier to pass over it (see Fig. 8) as it emerges from betwixt the warps and
enters the shuttle box.
The compensating take-up apparatus and gripping device are shewn in plan view
at Fig. 2, side views thereof being shewn at Figs. 3 and 4 and a sectional side view
at Fig. 5. The take-up apparatus comprises two eyeletted arms (the eyelets ko
and being shewn in section at Fig. 5) moving or vibrating one within the other
in opposite directions on a common centre or axis k projecting from the inner side
of the end framing A. of the loom. The inner arm is operated in one direction
by the upward pull of the spiral spring and in the other direction by the upward
push on its lower side of the upper extremity or rounded head of an arm forming
part of the rod N1 the latter at its lower end being jointed to the lever N and at its
upper end to the longer or outer arm to which it imparts a downward and an
upward or return movement as required. A bowl (shewn in broken lines) on the
free end of the lever N enters the groove of the cam (see outer groove or guide
path in solid lines of the cam L Figs. 3 and 4). In Fig. 3 the lever N is shewn in
its highest position that is to say when the take-up apparatus is closed or in its
normal position and in Fig. 4 when the arms and are distended or opened
out the lever N being then in its lowest position as shewn. It will be observed

page_text: that whilst the amount of movement of the longer or outer arm is arbitrary
(being determined by the amount of lift or throw of the lever N) the amount of
movement of the inner or shorter arm is variable being governed by the amount
of slack in the weft thread .r, passing through the apparatus at the time being, to
be taken up, the elastic spring moving the said arm to a greater or less extent as
required as will be readily understood. For the sake of clearness the take-up
apparatus at the further side of the loom is omitted from Figs. 3 and 4.
At Figs. 3 and 4 a modification of the compensating take-up apparatus is
shewn. In this arrangement the groove of the cain L causes the upward and
downward movement of a lever N pivoted at m' to the free end of which is
jointed the lower end of a vertically arranged rod N which at its upper end is jointed
upon a round finger or stud m. The stud projects at right angles from an arm in
working on a stud or hearing m behind another arm m' the said arm m' having
a semi-circular recess on its lower face so as to fit upon the upper side of the stud m².
The two arms m² and m' are free to work or partially rotate on the stud m
independently of each other. The arm m' forms part of a lever 10 in the form of a
curved arm which at its outer extremity is provided with either an eyelet hole
or a pair of short cross bars between which the weft thread is guided. kare
fixed studs projecting from the loom framing A and these studs are made with
grooves in which the weft thread under the said studs is guided as shewn. A is a
spring which pulls upwardly at the curved arm and is another spring which
pulls downwardly at the short arm m and serves to hold hard down in their
bearings the rod N the lever N and its bowl (shewn in broken lines) in the cam
groove and thus answers as a steadying spring. When the lever N' is in its
highest position the parts above described will be in the position shewn at Fig. 3ª
and when in its lowest position as shewn at Fig. 4. As in the previously described
arrangement the taking-up arm has its amount of movement or upward sweep
determined by the amount of slack in the weft thread whereas the movement of the
operating arm m³ carrying the projecting stud m' is arbitrary (see Fig. 4* in which
the projecting stud mhas left the semi-circular recess in the lower face of the
arin m. The action of the taking-up arm on the knock-off arm t is similar to
that described with reference to the arm or finger u shewn at Figs. 3, 4, and 5.
The gripping device comprises a weighted finger pivoted on the standard the
weighted end of the finger having a projecting pin which enters an elongated
eye in the upper end of the rod O', the lower end of the said rod being jointed to
the lever O, the said lever O working on a fixed stud or centre its other or free
end being provided with a bowl (indicated in broken lines) which enters a second
or inner groove or guide path on the face of the cam L. The lower face of the
weighted end of the finger when holding or arresting the delivery of the weft thread
rests upon the upper side of a table the said face being preferably serrated the
weft thread.r being seized between the said serrated face and a covering of
felting on the table as shewn at Fig. 6. In some cases the said lower face of the
weighted end of the finger and also the upper side of the table are made convex
in form as represented in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, but the construction shewn in Fig. 6 is
usually adopted by us as being preferable. The cam groove is so arranged as to
cause the weighted finger to be lifted clear of the table (see Fig. 3) whilst its
weft thread is being pulled through the warps or shed by the weft carrier and to be
lowered and thereby to seize and hold the said thread firmly simultaneously with
the removal or transferring of the weft thread from the carrier to the selvedge-
thread shuttle as hereinbefore described.
The tension box comprises an upper part or lid m hinged at m² to a lower part m¹
(see Fig. 5). The upper part m carries a pivoted roller m³ which presses the weft
thread upon the curved end of a spring m fastened at its other end to the floor of
the lower part m' (indicated in broken lines at Figs. 3, 4 and 5). The two ends of
the lid mare provided with eyelets me and me. The weft thread from the supply
spool
or bobbin is passed through an eyelet n in the arm or bracket n' upon which
the tension box is carried, then through the eyelet me between the presser roller m³

page_text: "
and the spring m and through the eyelet m. In practice it is found that when the
weft carrier first meets or takes hold of the weft thread and the said thread is
thereby subjected to a sudden pull or jerk it is desirable to take the pressure of the
tension box momentarily off the weft thread and to this end we fasten one end of a
cord m' to the free end of the hinged lid me the said cord being passed over guide
pulleys m and m³ down to the picking arm P to which its other end is connected.
The momentary lifting of the lid may also be effected by other convenient
arrangements of cam and lever devices if desired. The downward movement of the
picking arm when struck by the ordinary picking bowl" simultaneously effects
the picking or throw of the weft carrier from the shuttle box and the momentary
lifting or raising of the lid m. When the coarser kinds of weft or filling are
employed one presser roller and spring such as those shewn in the drawings and
hereinabove described will usually be found to answer the required purpose but
when using the finer kinds of weft two, three, or more such rollers and springs are
found in practice to be requisite, it having been demonstrated that it is better to
apply the tension to the finer wefts in two or more places, using springs of very
delicate adjustment, as by dividing the pressure on the weft there will be less
friction thereon at any point and therefore less liability of the weft being broken
than if the pressure is all supplied at one point. The position of the lid m when
raised as above described is indicated in broken lines at Fig. 3.
P
P
The construction of the knock-off apparatus is shown in side view at Fig. 5. To
the ordinary knock-off shaft we fasten a depending finger or catch n which is
designed to engage (as hereinafter explained) with the hooked end of a horizontal
lever or rocking bar o pivoted at o' on a stud or pin on the slide o the other end
of the lever being jointed to the lower end of a vertical bar mounted at its
upper end so as to be movable vertically in a bracket or stand p' (see also Figs. 2, 3
and 4). The vertical bar is made with an indent or notch which receives the
point of a detent r projecting from the same pivoted boss p as a lever or arm t
Whilst the detent remains engaged with the notch p² the lever or arm t will
remain sustained in the position shown in solid lines at Fig. 5. At its outer or free
end the lever or arm carries a projecting cross finger t' (see plan view Fig. 2)
which occupies a position over or across a horizontal arm projecting from the
upper part of the inner arm k¹ of the take-up apparatus. The action of the knock-
off apparatus as above described is as follows:-Under ordinary circumstances the
arm when the take-up apparatus is distended (as hereinbefore described and
shewn in broken lines at Fig. 5) would not move up to a position higher than that
shown by the broken lines indicated by the numeral 1 and consequently would not
move high enough to reach the cross finger but should the weft thread or the
selvedge thread happen to break the pressure of the weft thread upon the inner
arm would be withdrawn whereupon the arm u would fly up against the cross
finger under the action of the spring and thereby lift the levert to the position
shewn in broken lines indicated by the numeral 2 the said levert at the same time
moving the detent r out of the notch p² thus allowing the vertical bar
P to drop.
The downward movement of the bar p would thereupon depress that end of the
horizontal lever or rocking bar o to which it is connected (as shewn in broken
lines) causing the opposite or hooked end of the lever o to be raised, the said
hooked part being then in front of the finger or catch a which upon the forward
movement of the lay engages with the said finger thereby depressing the knock-
off finger V and causing it to engage with one of the notches in the shoe W and
thus to push the said shoe forward and so disengage the ordinary knock-off*
"spring handle and stop the loom. The cross pin or stopp determines the
amount of drop to be allowed to the vertical bar and the diagonally arranged
spiral spring answers the double purpose of importing the required downward
pull to the said bar p and also to receive the shock or cushion the blow of the said
finger with the hooked end of the lever when they meet or strike each other.
is a cord connected at one end to the hooked end of the lever o and at its other
end to a treadle the said treadle preferably resting on a spring and being
で
"

page_text: designed to be pressed down by the foot when the disconnection or disengagement
of the finger n' and the lever o" is to be effected.
At Figs. 3 and 4 is shewn a modification of the above described knock-off
apparatus. The taking-up arm acts upon the knock-off arm t similarly to the
finger u in Fig. 5, the detent vertical bar p and horizontal rocking lever o
operating as in the previously described arrangement. The rocking lever o
however has on its upper edge a catch of which in its normal position stands below
a projecting finger of on the edge of the lay sword C. The setting-on handle y has
attached to it a finger te³. Between the finger and the pointed end V of the
rocking lever o stands the head of a vertical arm Ws carried at its lower extremity
on a rocker shaft. Upon the breakage of the weft thread the lever o will
assume the position indicated in broken lines at Fig. 3 whereupon the finger o³
upon the forward movement of the lay sword ( engages with the catch o' the lever o
being pulled by the lay sword against the arm W which is thereby moved back
against the finger thus causing the handle y to be pushed back out of its
retaining notch and the loom to be stopped in the ordinary way. The upper face
of the vertical arm W adjoining the pointed end V of the lever o is preferably
grooved or indented so that the lever point may have a firmer hold thereon and be
prevented from slipping. Each end of the foom is provided with apparatus as
above described (excepting the setting-on handle and its finger w) the rocker
shaft extending from end to end of the loom and having two vertical arms W
(one at each end of the loom) so that the loom may be instantaneously stopped
whether the weft thread breaks at the setting on handle end or at the opposite end
of the loom.
At Fig. 31 the darker lines indicate the double weft introduced between the
warp threads from the right hand side of the loom and the finer lines w indicate
the double weft supplied or picked from the left hand side of the loom. 20" and to
are the selvedge threads.
We are aware that prior to our invention it had been proposed to produce
cloth in a loom in which the weft or filling was to be introduced between each
decussation or crossing of the warps in a double or two-ply form and to employ
for such purpose a carrier having prongs or fingers on its upper side. We do
not, therefore claim the use of such a carrier broadly, but what we claim is :-
1. In a loom, the combination with a lay having a single race, of a thread carrier
arranged to travel in said race, mechanism for operating said lay and carrier as set
forth, and means substantially as described for supplying weft thread to each side
of the warp from two supply bobbins or spools disconnected from said lay and
carrier, said carrier receiving its supply of weft thread alternately from each of the
two bobbins or spools in the manner described so that it takes hold of and intro-
duces a weft thread in a double or two-ply form the warps first from one end of the
lay and then from the other, selvedge making devices, one at or near each end of
the lay, and mechanism for operating said devices to cause each of them to lay
through a series of loops of the weft at one of the edges of the fabric woven a
selvedge thread separate from the weft threads substantially as described.
2. In a loom, the combination of the carrier T having a central bridge a and
prongs or fingers a', u', a lifting finger b having its free end normally at a lower
level than the weft thread upon said prongs or fingers, and provided with an
extension normally in the path of said bridge, and a selvedge thread shuttle having
its point normally in close proximity to said finger, substantially as herein described
for the purpose set forth.
3. In a loom, the combination of the slotted lifting finger b, provided with the
stop 2 and arranged to be operated in the manner set forth, a selvedge thread
shuttle having its point normally in close proximity to said finger, a lifting plate f
having a slot and a bearing for said shuttle and a projecting stop or guard over
said shuttle, a rail having an inclined part h' and a raised part , a bent lever u
arranged to be actuated by said rail, a finger e connected to said lifting plate and
B

page_text: arranged to be actuated by said bent lever, a sliding back plate c by which said
lifting finger, lifting plate and bent lever are carried and means for reciprocating
said sliding back plate, substantially as herein described for the purposes set forth.
4. In a loom, the combination with the mechanism constituting the selvedge
making device constructed substantially as described and carried by a sliding plate,
of mechanism for actuating said plate, and comprising a lever R' connected to said
plate, a lever M, connected to said lever R'and a cam L for operating said lever M,
substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.
5. In a loom the combination of the lay, a carrier having hooks and arranged to
travel in the race of said lay, means for operating said lay and carrier, selvedge
thread shuttle devices having mechanism for operating them as specified, to cause
them alternately to lay through the series of loops of the weft, at each edge of
the fabric woven, selvedge thread separate from the weft thread, weft thread
compensating take-up apparatus comprising an inner vibrating arm, a spiral
spring connected to said arm, an outer vibrating arm and means for operating
said arms in the manner set forth, and a gripping device for holding the weft
thread during the operation of said take-up apparatus substantially as set forth.
6. The combination of the compensating take-up apparatus comprising an inner
vibrating arm k', a spiral spring connected to said arm, an outer vibrating
arm, a connecting rod N with arm, a lever N and a cam L arranged to
operate as specified, with a weighted device, as set forth, for gripping or holding
the weft thread during the operation of the said take-up apparatus, substantially
as set forth.
+
7. The combination of a tension box comprising a hinged upper part or lid m
with a presser roller or rollers m³, and eyelets m³ and m² and a spring or springs m
with a lifting device for momentarily raising the said lid mat the required times for
the purpose set forth, substantially as specified.
8. The combination of the knock-off apparatus comprising a lever or arm u
operated as set forth, a lever t, a cross pin projecting from the said lever t, a
detent r, a notched vertical bar p, a pivoted hook lever or rocking bar o, a spring s¹,
slide o, a catch n³, a disengaging treadle e, and a cord, with the ordinary knock-
off shoe W, the ordinary knock-off finger V, and the ordinary knock-off' shaft I of a
loom, all arranged and operating substantially as set forth.
Dated this 16th day of March 1891.
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per C. E. Brougham.