Improvements in Looms for Weaving Tufted Pile Fabrics, and more Particularly relating to Looms for Weaving "Moquette" Carpets of Great Width.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Oct., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 26th July, 1899-Accepted, 27th Oct.,
1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Looms for Weaving Tufted Pile Fabrics, and more
Particularly relating to Looms for Weaving "Moquette" Carpets
of Great Width.
We, MICHAEL TOMKINSON and PETER ADAM, both of the Firm of Tomkinson
and Adam, of Kidderminster, in the County of Worcester, Carpet Manufacturers,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication to us from
Halcyon Skinner and Frank H. Connolly, both of Yonkers, in the State
of New York, in the United States of America, Engineers), to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in looms for weaving tufted pile
fabrics and more particularly to looms for weaving "Moquette" carpets, whereby
the weaving of fabrics of considerable greater width than has hitherto been
feasible, is accomplished.
A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a front view of the left half of the loom.
Fig. 2, is a front view of the right half of the loom.
Fig. 3, is a vertical section from front to rear in the plane of the line 3-3
of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4, is a partial vertical section from front to rear in the plane of the
line 4-4 of Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is a partial vertical section from front to rear in the plane of the
line 5-5 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 is a partial vertical section from front to rear in the plane of the
line 6-6 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 is a partial top plan view showing the shuttle and the means for drawing
the weft thread up into proximity to the fell in position to be engaged by the
lay beam.
Fig. 8 is a top plan view of one of the spool carrying arms, showing the ends
of two adjacent spools in position therein.
Fig. 9 is a side view of the same.
Fig. 10 is a front view.
Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail view for showing more clearly the parts which
operate the nippers.
Fig. 12 is a view of a portion of the parts shown in Fig. 11, showing the nippers
in their raised position about to grasp the tufts.
Fige. 13, 14 and 15, represent detail views of the jaws of the nippers in
different positions which they assume.
Fig. 16 is an enlarged detail section representing the comb and its operating
parts, the comb being represented in its forward upper position in full lines and
in its forward downward position in dotted lines.

page_text: Fig. 17 is a top plan view of a portion of the same.
Fig. 18 is a detail vertical section of the comb and a portion of its operating
mechanism, the comb being shown in full lines in its backward and downward
position and in dotted lines in its backward and upward position.
Fig. 19 is a partial front view of the same.
Fig. 20 is an enlarged detail top plan view of a portion of the tuft severing
shears and a portion of their operating mechanism, the shears being shown in
their open position in full lines and in their closed position in dotted lines.
Fig. 21 is a vertical section in the plane of the line 21--21 of Fig. 20.
Fig. 22 is a section in the plane of the line 22-22 of Fig. 20.
Fig. 23 is an enlarged detail side view of the chain reversing mechanism.
Fig. 24 is a front view of the same, and,
Fig. 25 is a view similar to Fig. 23, with a portion of the controlling disc
Fig. 25 is a view similar to Fig. 23, with a portion of the controlling disc
nearest to the observer, broken away, the parts being shown in the reverse posi-
tion to that shown in Fig. 23.
A designates the main frame of the loom, B the breast beam, B' the web
supporting plate and B2 the take-up roller. C designates the stationary shuttle
race and D a set of heddles. The usual mechanism for operating the heddles
and shuttles has not been shown in the accompanying drawings as it is believed
that it would unduly complicate the same.
E designates the main drive shaft which is mounted in suitable bearings and
extends transversely across the loom at a point near its base. F designates the
lay beam which is mounted to rock back and forth on a cross shaft f which lay
beam is operated by two operating mechanisms each of which consists of a cam f¹
on the drive shaft E, which cam engages a roller 2 carried by a rocking arm f
connected to the lay beam by a short rod ft. The cam f' is so constructed that
it will impart, to the lay beam F, three forward and backward movements during
one revolution of the drive shaft E.
The spool frame carrying chains which are denoted by G, are arranged in
pairs. In the present instance three pairs of chains are represented located side
by side. These chains G are endless and are driven by sprocket wheels g mounted
on a cross shaft g' carried by the loom. A plurality of idler sprockets are
located in any suitable position above the loom frame, the number of idler
sprockets varying according to the length of the chain.
Guides engage the outer peripheries of the chains for feeding the chains
to the drive sprockets g which guides are provided with curved flanges g' over
which the chains slide. These guides permit the use of a very long spool
carring chain without taking up too much room. If it were not for the use of
these guides the chain would have to be fed directly from one of the idler
sprockets to the drive sprocket g, as the position of the adjacent ends of the
spool carrying frames is such as to preclude the use of sprockets engaging the
outer sides of the said chains.
The spool holding frames are arranged in rows and are removably connected
with the chains G. In the present instance three spool holding frames are
located in each row and the rows are spaced apart a distance equal to the length
of the step by step movement of the chains G.
Each of the spool holding frames consists of a cross bar having a pair of
upwardly extended end arms and a pair of curved arms g located near the
ends of the bar. The arms are arranged to correspond with the chains G.
The ends arms g6 are adapted to support the spindles of the spools 8 so that
several spools, in the present instance three, are supported with their axes in
alignment with each other thereby doing away with the necessity of using a
very long single spool and frame which would tend to sag and thus disturb the
alignment of the tuft threads.
The curved arms g extend about half way around the ends of the spools but
spaced therefrom, which arms are provided at their inner or free ends with pro-

page_text: jections adapted to enter the open links of the chain G and with spring
actuated pawis 10 adapted to engage the said open links for removably retaining.
the spool holding frames in position.
A thread guide gl* is secured to the cross beam of the thread holding frame
which guide serves to separate the threads into tufts and hold them in position
to be engaged by the nippers and severed by the shearing mechanism."
Each row of spool holding frames is released from the chains G when the
row reaches the position where it is to be engaged by the transferring mechanism.
by means of a series of tripping arms g" mounted on a cross rock shaft g¹ which
rock shaft is operated at the proper intervals by an arm g¹³ having a connecting
rod g leading to one arm of a rocking lever gl, the other arm of which is.
provided with a stud or roller g¹ which is engaged by a cam 97 carried by the
drive shaft E. The tripping arms g" referred to when rocked forwardly serve
to force back the pawls g on the arms g and thus release them from the
chains G.
The transferring mechanism above referred to comprises a series of rocking
arms h keyed to a cross rock shaft H. These arms correspond in number to the
arms g' of the spool frames. Each of these arms is provided with an adjustable
plate having a socket h for receiving two sides of the arm gat a point about
midway between its ends, and a spring actuated arm h³ in position to engage
a third side of the arm g whereby the said arm is held in its socket h². The
arm his further provided with an extension h which is adapted to partially
embrace the cross bar of the spool holding frame as shown. The extension h
has a forward and rearward adjustment as has also the plate h¹. The two
arms h which are located between the outer arms are provided with two sockets ha
and two spring actuated arms h³ so that the said arms may support two adjacent
arms g' of the spool holding frames.
The transferring arms are raised at the proper intervals to receive one row
of spool carrying frames from the chains G, then lowered to bring the spools
down into proximity to the fell of the cloth where the tuft threads may be
grasped by the nippers and a portion thereof severed by the shearing mechanism
and the arms are then again raised to return the spool carrying frames into
engagement with the said chains. The means employed for imparting the said
alternating upward and downward movements to the arms comprises a cam h³
carried by the drive shaft E which cam engages a stud or roller 6 on a rocking
arm h, the free end of which arm is connected to one of the arms h by a con-
necting rod 8. As all of the arms h are keyed to the rock shaft H, the upward
movement of one of the arms imparts a similar movement to all of them.
The downward movement of the transferring mechanism is arrested by means
of an adjusting screw h³ carried by a bracket h¹0 mounted on one of the side
uprights of the main frame A, which adjusting screw is adapted to engage an
arm projecting from the rock shaft H.
We provide a shearing mechanism for severing the tuft threads after their
free ends have been engaged by the nippers and a portion of the threads with-
drawn from the spools which shearing mechanism is constructed and arranged
as follows:
A pair of side arms i project forwardly from and are keyed to a rock
shaft I located beneath the rock shaft H. Outer and inner movable cutting
blades, are mounted in bearings in the free ends of the side arms . These
cutting blades are mounted in planes at a slight angle to each other so that when
the cutting edges of the said blades are caused to overlap, the straight cutting
edge of the inner blade 2 will rest upon the top of the outer blade 21. The
cutting edge of the outer blade is of zig-zag form so as to produce a shearing
cut upon the threads thereby ensuring a clean severing of the said threads. Inter-
mediate strengthening arms 3 project forwardly and have their free ends in
engagement with the inner cutting blade. These arms are arched so as not
to interfere with the regular action of the heddles D.
In operating the cutting blades the inner blade is first advanced into its

page_text: foremost position and the outer cutting blade is then drawn inwardly to the limit
of its movement in that direction.
The means employed for operating the cutting blades, is as follows:-A trans-
verse bar is mounted to slide in suitable bearings in the arms i, ³, which bar
is provided with a series of cams on its front face which cams are fitted to
engage studs or rollers carried by the cutting blade 2. One or more retract-
ing springs extend from the cutting blade to points on one or more of the
arms 3.
This spring holds the blade at the limit of its inner movement except
when the blade is forced outwardly by the transverse movement of the bar 2.
This bar is provided with a rearwardly extended cam plate 28 which plate is
provided with an elongated groove 29.
A forwardly and backwardly movable rod is provided with an adjustable
uprising pin or lug which enters the groove and serves to impart the
transverse movement to the bar as the rod to is moved back and forth. The
outer end of this rod is provided with an elongated slot 22 within which is
located a pin 3 carried by the outer cutting blade . The parts are so arranged
that during the first portion of the rearward movements of the rod 20 the inner
cutter blade is moved forwardly and during the latter portion of the rearward
movement of the rod, the cutting blade is moved rearwardly.
The mechanism shown for imparting the forward and backward movements to
the rod comprises a rocking lever pivoted to an arm 25 depending from
one of the side arms i. One arm of the rocking lever is connected to the rod 210
and its other arm is connected to a rocking lever by a rod 17, the lever 216
having a stud or roller 18, which is held in engagement with a cam i¹ on
the shaft E by a retracting spring 20.
The means employed for raising and lowering the cutting mechanism, com-
prises a rocking lever 21 connected to one of the arms i by a rod 222, which
lever is provided with a stud or roller 23 under the control of a cam 22 on
the drive shaft E. When the cutting mechanism is in its lowered position ready
to sever the tuft threads, the outer cutting blade ¹ rests intermediate its ends
upon a plurality of adjustable arms hinged to rigid arms 226 carried by the
breast beam B. The adjusting screw serves to raise or lower the free
end of the hinged arm 25. The limit of the downward movement of the cutting
mechanism is adjustably limited by means of an adjusting screw 22* mounted
in a bracket 22* carried by one of the side uprights of the main frame A, which
adjusting screw is arranged to engage an arm projecting from the rock shaft I.
After the limit of the downward movement of the cutting mechanism has been
adjusted, the arms are adjusted so as to just touch the bottom of the outer
blade so that although the said blade may be made quite light, it can not yield
when the cutting operation is being performed. The mechanism for operating
the nippers is located below the warp threads and the nippers are normally
located below the same, the jaws of the nippers being brought upward at intervals
between the warp threads into position to grasp the free ends of the tuft threads
when the spools have been brought down in proximity to the fabric.
The nipper jaws are denoted by J, J¹, the jaw J¹ being movable toward and
away from the jaw J. These jaws extend transversely across the loom and their
upper edges are cut to form teeth which pass up between the warp threads
for engaging the tuft threads. The jaw Jis supported in the free ends of the
arm which are pivoted on a cross shaft, which cross shaft is carried by the
free ends of arms 2 keyed to a rock shaft. The jaw J¹ is hinged on a cross
bar which is mounted in bearings projecting from the stationary jaw J.
The jaws are held normally apart by means of a spring extending from one
of the tail pieces 77 carried by the cross rod j to a point on one of the arms j.
These tail pieces 77 are provided with studs or rollers 18 which are adapted to
be operated by cams 1.
Each of these cams, in the present instance, consist of two parts, the cam
part proper being extensible by means of adjusting screws 10 along the other

page_text: part . There are a number of these cams and they are all keyed to a rock
shaft carried by the arms j of the jaw J. These cams are operated, for closing
the jaws, at predetermined intervals by means of a cam j13 on the drive shaft E,
which cam engages a stud or roller j¹ carried by one arm of a rocking lever 15,
the other arm of which is connected with an arm 16 keyed to the shaft 1 by
a rod 17.
The nippers are swung back and forth at the required periods by means of a
cam 18 carried by the drive shaft E, which cam engages a stud or roller
carried by one arm of a rocking lever 720, the other arm of which is connected
to one of the arms j by a connecting rod 1.
The mechanism for raising and lowering the nippers, is as follows:-A pair
of cams K are mounted on the drive shaft E, each of which cams engages a stud
or roller carried by one arm of a rocking lever k¹, the other arm of which is
connected by a rod with the free end of an arm keyed to the cross shaft j³.
The upward and downward movements of the nippers do not interfere with
the movements of the cam which operates the nipper jaw j¹ nor with the cam
which swings the nippers backward and forward.
The comb for drawing the tufte snugly into position to be woven into the
fabric after they have been inserted therein is constructed and arranged with
its operating mechanism as follows:-The comb proper is denoted by L and it
has a plurality of downwardly extended teeth which are adapted to enter the
spaces between the warp threads when the comb is lowered. This comb L is
secured to the free ends of a plurality of arms keyed to a cross bar carried
by the free ends of a pair of arms keyed to a shaft mounted in suitable
bearings carried by the frame. The shaft is provided with a downwardly
extended arm 16 which is provided with a stud or roller . The cross bar or
shaft 7 is provided with an arm 18 having a stud 19 at its free end.
A vertically reciprocating bar M is mounted at its upper end in a bracket
secured to the web supporting plate B' and at its lower end in a bracket leading
from the main frame A.
The upper end of this vertically reciprocating bar M is developed into a hook m
which is held in engagement with the stud 19 by means of a spring m¹ leading
to the supporting bracket for the cloth winding roll B2.
An operating bar N is arranged to operate the rocking arm 70 and the vertically
reciprocating bar M for imparting to the comb L an upward, forward, down-
ward and rearward movement, as follows: The rear end of the operating bar N
is hinged to the free end of a rocking lever n having a stud or roller n¹ held in
engagement with a cam n² on the shaft E by a spring n³.
The bar N is provided near its forward end with a pair of adjustable
collars n', n5, which are provided with projections adapted to alternately engage
the stud on the free end of the arm 16. These collars are so arranged that,
as the bar N is slid rearwardly or forwardly, there is a short lost motion before
they are caused to engage the stud and rock the arm 16.
The bar N is further provided with an adjustable collar nº which is provided
with an incline n' arranged to alternately raise and lower the bar M and thereby
the comb L.
By reason of the hook m being held yieldingly in engagement with the stud 1,
the said hook may be swung rearwardly thereby disengaging the said stud and
permitting the comb to be swung out of the way of the cloth when so desired.
The collars n, n5 and no, are so arranged that when the cam n² is rotated to
cause the bar N to slide forwardly the comb is first raised and then moved
forwardly and, as the movement of the bar is reversed, the comb will be first
lowered and then drawn rearwardly into its original position.
The means employed for advancing the chains G a sufficient distance to bring
the spool holding frames in position to be successively engaged by the trans-
ferring mechanism is as follows: -A ratchet wheel O is keyed to the rotary
shaft g upon which the sprocket wheels g are mounted. Adjacent to the ratchet

page_text: wheel O a disc o is loosely mounted, which disc is provided with a spring actuated
pawl o arranged in position to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel U so as to
rotate the said ratchet wheel when the disc is rotated in one direction but to
idly slip over the said teeth when the disc is rotated in the opposite direction.
A spring leading from the main frame to the disc o tends to return the
disc to its normal position after it has been partially rotated for advancing the
ratchet wheel 0 and thereby the chains G the required distance. The disc o is
partially rotated in a direction to advance the chains G by means of a rocking
lever Phaving a sector portion p from which a chain p¹ leads to the periphery
of the disc o. This rocking lever P is suitablý mounted on the frame A and
is provided with a second arm p² from which a rod 3 leads to a rocking lever p*.
This rocking lever 74 is provided with a stud or roller på which is engaged by
a cam 27 mounted on the drive shaft E.
When it is desired to work the design in reversed order, the following means
are provided for reversing the movement of the chains as, for instance, when
the threads upon the last spool of the series have been used.
A disc Q is loosely mounted upon the shaft gl upon the opposite side of the
ratchet wheel O from the disc o. This disc Q is connected with the arm p of
the lever P by means of a chain q and a spring q' leads from the main frame A
to the disc Q tending to return the disc to its normal position after it has been
operated by the lever P. The disc Q is provided with a spring actuated pawl q
which is adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from the teeth of the ratchet
wheel O.
The spring of the pawl o' and the spring 93 of the pawl q² are so arranged
that they will hold the pawls either in or out of engagement with the ratchet
wheel O. When the pawl o¹ is held in engagement with the ratchet wheel O,
the chain is moved in one direction as the lever P. is operated and when the
pawl q is held in engagement with the ratchet wheel O, the chain is moved in
the opposite direction.
The pawls o' and 2 are preferably provided with thumb pieces projecting
out beyond the peripheries of the discs o and Q so that the said pawls may be
readily operated by hand.
The means employed for bringing up the weft threads into close proximity
to the tufts when the weft threads have been led across the shed by the shuttle,
so that the reed upon the lay beam may engage the thread at all points and
beat it up is as follows:-A rock shaft R extends across the loom and it is
mounted in suitable bearings. This rock shaft is provided at its ends with
arms, which arms, when swung forwardly are fitted to engage the weft
thread and draw it up into proximity to the completed fabric. The said arms,
when swung rearwardly, are down out of the way of the warp and weft threads.
The means which are employed for swinging the arms r, comprises an arm 2
keyed to the cross shaft R the free end of which arm is connected by a rod 3
to one arm of a rocking lever 4, the other arm of which is provided with a stud
or roller. This stud or roller is held in engagement with a cam 6 mounted
on the operating shaft E by means of a retracting spring r. These arms r, r',
do not interfere with the lay beam F and their forward and backward move-
ments are so timed relative to the movements of the lay beam that the said
arms are caused to positively bring the weft thread into position to be engaged
by the reed or comb attached to the lay beam, as the lay beam swings forwardly.
In the improved loom the nippers insert the tufts around the weft thread and
are operated from below the warps, the said nippers being projected upwardly
below the warp threads to grasp the ends of the yarns upon the spools which
are brought down to a convenient position just above the fell of the cloth, from
the chains, by the transferring mechanism. The ends of these tuft threads pro-
ject but very little below the guides g* and they are held accurately in position
so that the nippers are caused to grasp all of the ends evenly and firmly.

page_text: When the nippers have closed upon the ends of the tuft threads, an upward
movement of the spools draws off the required length for the tufts which are
then severed by the cutting mechanism. The nippers are then caused to move
downwardly until one half of the length of the severed tufts is held below the
warps close to the fell with the other half extending above. A shot of weft is
then thrown in and beaten up. The nippers are then caused to move upwardly
thereby carrying the ends which they hold, up around the said weft thread..
The nippers are then caused to release the tuft threads as soon as they are
carried to the proper height.
After releasing the tuft threads, the nippers continue their upward move-
ment until the ends are straightened.
The comb L, which is mounted just above the fabric and near the fell with
its teeth projecting downwardly is caused to move forwardly over the tops of the
nippers and is then dropped upon the warp outside of the nippers with
the teeth in the comb projecting between the warp threads. The comb is
then drawn rearwardly against the nippers and as the nippers are drawn down
out of the way, the comb presses against the upturned ends of the tufts thereby
holding them accurately in position and preventing them from spreading and
mixing with each other. The comb is held in this position until another shot
of weft is inserted and beaten up. As the lay beam is swung forwardly, the
nippers are pressed back under the fell and are caused to remain there until
required to repeat their movements herein before described.
The nippers are so constructed and operated as to ensure the greatest accuracy
in these movements so that the surface of the fabric is almost perfect as it comes
from the loom, thereby reducing the loss by shearing and finishing to a
minimum.
The comb, as constructed and operated, serves other useful purposes besides
keeping the ends of the tufts in position. It serves in lieu of temples to keep
the fabric out to its full width and it also keeps the groups of warp threads
separated so as to give a passage for the nippers as they rise through the warp to
take the ends of the yarns. The comb may also be raised by hand and swung
out of the way for convenience in inspecting the work or mending the threads.
By constructing, mounting and operating the spool carrying frames in the
manner herein before described, the loom is rendered capable of weaving carpets
of any desired width in a simple and effective manner.
It has been found very difficult to weave tufted fabrics of this character over
a yard in width for a great many reasons. Some of these reasons are, that it
is necessary that the bars of the spool frames to which the tuft guides are
attached shall be kept perfectly straight and that they shall not be liable to
spring out of line but shall present the ends of the tuft threads projecting from
the guides in an even and uniform row. At the same time these bars must be
light enough to be handled by the operatives, chiefly women and young girls,
who have to remove the spools from the frames when the spools are empty and
put in full spools and insert the ends of the tuft threads into the guides ready
to be attached to the carrying chains.
In this structure of loom very wide fabric may be woven with very little
increase in weight or bulk per foot of increase in width in the loom.
The spool frames may he made in any number of separate sections, each section
carrying its spool and all so mounted as to constitute practically a single frame
of any length desired, the sections being as light and easily handled as the frames
now used in weaving narrow fabrics.
These frames, when brought to their proper position, hold the short projecting
ends of the whole row of tuft threads more evenly in position than it is possible
to do in the old way used in narrow looms in which the projecting ends are left
long enough to form a row of tufts, and are always more or less scattered and
disordered.

page_text: The use of pairs of chains for each section of the spool holding frames and the
use of a single device for detaching from the chains all of the sections in one
row at once, renders it feasible to form very wide fabric.
The method of constructing, supporting and operating the shears by which the
tufts are cut from the body of the yarns on the spools, is especially valuable in
connection with looms for weaving wide fabrics by reason of its obviating the
. necessity of great proportional increase in the weight and bulk of the operating
parts in order to give them sufficient rigidity.
In looms heretofore used, the arms or bars to which the shear blades are
attached, are supported only at their ends. In this structure it will be seen
that the blades are supported at as many points in their lengths as may be neces-
sary to keep the blades firmly in contact at the points of cutting although the
blades themselves may be made very light.
Furthermore, the raising and lowering of the cutting mechanism substantially in
unison with the raising and lowering of the spool frame transferring mechanism,
gives an unobstructed view of the warp and fabric when the cutting mechanism
is raised thereby giving the operative free access to the said warp.
There are various ways of combining the warp and weft forming the body of
the fabric. Some goods are made with two shots of weft for each row of tufts,
some with three shots and some have been made with four. Any of these goods
may be woven on this loom by adapting the movement of the harness, the lay
and the weft inserting devices, to the movements of the other parts of the loom
without interfering in any way with the structure and arrangement of the novel
portions of the said loom.
By the use of the reversing mechanism for the spool frame carrying chains,
the movement of the chains can be reversed at any time and thereby produce a
reverse pattern in the fabric when so desired.
The mechanism for engaging the weft threads and bringing them up into close
proximity to the tufts at all times, ensures proper beating up of the said weft
threads by the forward movements of the lay beam.
It will be seen that the shuttle race is stationary and that the lav beam reed
being necessarily in front of the race, it is necessary that it should be swung
down below the warp when the lay beam is at the limit of its backward move-
ment a sufficient distance to permit the weft to be carried toward the fell so as
to be in front of the reed when it is moved forward.
By the arrangement shown and described, the arms rr may carry the weft
forward the instant the shuttle clears the warp even before the shed begins to
close. The arms being very light may have a rapid movement and a longer
range of motion than the heavy lay beam and may be swung backward and down-
ward sufficiently far to allow the weft to pass over their ends, while at the limit
of their forward movement they will rise considerably higher above the warp
than the lay beam reed. Another great advantage in this construction is the
fact that the lay beam may be swung only a very short distance which is very
desirable in view of the fact that the said beam is necessarily quite heavy where
wide fabrics are being woven.
The curved guides over which the chains G are led, serve a very important
function in that they permit a very long chain to be utilized by enabling the
chain to be bent back upon itself for a considerable distance, the use of sprockets
for this purpose not being possible because of the spool holding frames being
in the way.
A loom constructed in the manner above described, is not only capable of
weaving very wide fabrics but is also capable of weaving the same in an accurate
and expeditious manner. By forming the pile of fabric upon its upper surface
instead of its under surface," the operative is enabled to see any imperfection in
the weaving or in the pattern thereof immediately after it is woven instead of
at a considerable time thereafter.
It is evident that changes might be resorted to in the form and arrangement

page_text: of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the inven-
tion; hence it is not desired to limit the invention strictly to the structure herein
set forth.
Dated this 27th day of October 1898.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.
Improvements in Looms for Weaving Tufted Pile Fabrics, and more
Particularly relating to Looms for Weaving "Moquette" Carpets
of Great Width.
We, MICHAEL TOMKINSON and PETER ADAM, both of the Firm of Tomkinson
and Adam, of Kidderminster, in the County of Worcester, Carpet Manufacturers,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication to us from
Halycon Skinner and Frank H. Connolly, both of Yonkers, in the State
of New York, in the United States of America, Engineers), and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and acertained in and
by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in looms for weaving tufted pile
fabrics and more particularly to looms for weaving "Moquette" carpets, whereby
the weaving of fabrics of considerably greater width than has hitherto been
feasible, is accomplished.
A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the drawings accom-
panying the Provisional Specification, in which drawings
Fig. 1 is a front view of the left half of the loom.
Fig. 2 is a front view of the right half of the loom.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section from front to rear in the plane of the line 3---3
of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a partial vertical section from front to rear in the plane of the
line 44 of Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is a partial vertical section from front to rear in the plane of the
line 5-5 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 is a partial vertical section from front to rear in the plane of the
line 6-6 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 is a partial top plan view showing the shuttle and the means for drawing
the weft thread up into proximity to the fell in position to be engaged by the
lay beam.
Fig. 8 is a top plan view of one of the spool carrying arms, showing the ends
of two adjacent spools in position therein.
Fig. 9 is a side view of the same.
Fig. 10 is a front view.
Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail view for showing more clearly the parts which
operate the nippers.
Fig. 12 is a view of a portion of the parts shown in Fig. 11 showing the nippers
in their raised position about to grasp the tufts.
Figs. 13, 14 and 15 represent detail views of the jaws of the nippers in
different positions which they assume.
Fig. 16 is an enlarged detail section representing the comb and its operating
parts, the comb being represented in its forward upper position in full lines and
in its forward downward position in dotted lines.
Fig. 17 is a top plan view of a portion of the same.

page_text: Fig. 18 is a detail vertical section of the comb and a portion of its operating
mechanism, the comb being shown in full lines in its backward and downward
position and in dotted lines in its backward and upward position.
Fig. 19 is a partial front view of the same.
Fig. 20 is an enlarged detail top plan view of a portion of the tuft severing
shears and a portion of their operating mechanism, the shears being shown in
their open position in full lines and in their closed position in dotted lines.
Fig. 21 is a vertical section in the plane of the line 21-21 of Fig. 20.
Fig. 22 is a section in the plane of the line 22-22 of Fig. 20.
Fig. 23 is an enlarged detail side view of the chain reversing mechanism.
Fig. 24 is a front view of the same, and
Fig. 25 is a view similar to Fig. 23 with a portion of the controlling disc
nearest the observer, broken away, the parts being shown in the reverse position
to that shown in Fig. 23.
A designates the main frame of the loom, B the breast beam, B¹ the web
supporting plate and B2 the take-up roller. C designates the stationary shuttle
race and D a set of heddles. The mechanism for operating the heddles and
shuttles has not been shown in the drawings as it is believed that it would unduly
complicate the same.
E designates the main drive shaft which is mounted in suitable bearings and
extends transversely across the loom at a point near its base. F designates the
lay beam which is mounted to rock back and forth on a cross shaft f which lay
beam is operated by two operating mechanisms each of which consists of a cam fi
on the drive shaft E, which cam engages a roller f2 carried by a rocking arm f³
connected to the lay beam by a short rod ft. The cam f¹ is so constructed that
it will impart, to the lay beam F, three forward and backward movements during
one revolution of the drive shaft E.
The spool frame carrying chains which are denoted by G, are arranged in
pairs. In the present instance three pairs of chains are represented located side
by side. These chains G are endless and are driven by sprocket wheels g mounted
on a cross shaft g' carried by the loom. A plurality of idler sprockets g² are
located in any suitable position above the loom frame, the number of idler
sprockets varying according to the length of the chain.
Guides g³ engage the outer peripheries of the chains for feeding the chains
to the drive sprockets g which guides are provided with curved flanges g* over
which the chains slide. These guides permit the use of a very long spool
carrying chain without taking up too much room. If it were not for the use of
these guides the chain would have to be fed directly from one of the idler
sprockets g² to the drive sprocket g, as the position of the adjacent ends of the
spool carrying frames is such as to preclude the use of sprockets engaging the
outer sides of the said chains.
The spool holding frames are arranged in rows and are removably connected
with the chains G. In the present instance three spool holding frames are
located in each row and the rows are spaced apart a distance equal to the length
of the step by step movement of the chains G.
Each of the spool holding frames consists of a cross bar g having a pair of
upwardly extended end arms 96 and a pair of curved arms g' located near the
ends of the bar. The arms are arranged to correspond with the chains G..
The ends arms 96 are adapted to support the spindles of the spools 8 so that
several spools, in the present instance three, are supported with their axes in
alignment with each other thereby doing away with the necessity of using a
very long single spool and frame which would tend to sag and thus disturb the
alignment of the tuft threads.
The curved arms 97 extend about half way around the ends of the spools but
spaced therefrom, which arms are provided at their inner or free ends with pro-
jections adapted to enter the open links of the chain G and with spring

page_text: actuated pawls 10 adapted to engage the said open links for removably retaining
the spool holding frames in position.
A thread guide gl1* is secured to the cross beam of the thread holding frame
which guide serves to separate the threads into tufts and hold them in position
to be engaged by the nippers and severed by the shearing mechanism.
Each row of spool holding frames is released from the chains G when tho
row reaches the position where it is to be engaged by the transferring mechanism
by means of a series of tripping arms gl mounted on a cross rock shaft g12 which
rock shaft is operated at the proper intervals by an arm g¹³ having a connecting
rod g leading to one arm of a rocking lever gl, the other arm of which is
provided with a stud or roller g₁6 which is engaged by a cam 97 carried by the
drive shaft E. The tripping arms g" referred to when rocked forwardly serve
to force back the pawls g10 on the arms g' and thus release them from the
chains G.
The
The transferring mechanism above referred to comprises a series of rocking
arms h keyed to a cross rock shaft H. These arms correspond in number to the
arms g of the spool frames. Each of these arms is provided with an adjustable
plate h having a socket h² for receiving two sides of the arm g' at a point about
midway between its ends, and a spring actuated arm h³ in position to engage
a third side of the arm g7 whereby the said arm is held in its socket h².
arm his further provided with an extension h which is adapted to partially
embrace the cross bar 5 of the spool holding frame as shown. The extension h
has a forward and rearward adjustment as has also the plate h¹. The two
arms h which are located between the outer arms are provided with two sockets h³
and two spring actuated arms h³ so that the said arms may support two adjacent
arms g of the spool holding frames.
The transferring arms h are raised at the proper intervals to receive one row
of spool carrying frames from the chains G, then lowered to bring the spools
down into proximity to the fell of the cloth where the tuft threads may be
grasped by the nippers and a portion thereof severed by the shearing mechanism
and the arms are then again raised to return the spool carrying frames into
engagement with the said chains. The means employed for imparting the said
alternating upward and downward movements to the arms h comprises a cam 75
carried by the drive shaft E which cam engages a stud or roller 6 on a rocking
arm h, the free end of which arm is connected to one of the arms h by a con-
necting rod 8 (see Fig. 4). As all of the arms h are keyed to the. rock shaft H,
the upward movement of one of the arms imparts a similar movement to all
of them.
The downward movement of the transferring mechanism is arrested by means
of an adjusting screw h³ (see Fig. 6) carried by a bracket 10 mounted on one of
the side uprights of the main frame A, which adjusting screw is adapted to
engage an arm h¹ projecting from the rock shaft H, (see Fig. 6).
We provide a shearing mechanism for severing the tuft threads after their
free ends have been engaged by the nippers and a portion of the threads with-
drawn from the spools which shearing mechanism is constructed and arranged
as follows: A pair of side arms i project forwardly from and are keyed to a rock
shaft I located beneath the rock shaft H. Outer and inner movable cutting
blades ¹, are mounted in bearings in the free ends of the side arms i. These
cutting blades are mounted in planes at a slight angle to each other so that when
the cutting edges of the said blades are caused to overlap, the straight cutting
edge of the inner blade will rest upon the top of the outer blade . The
cutting edge of the outer blade is of zigzag form so as to produce a shearing
cut upon the threads thereby ensuring a clean severing of the said threads. Inter-
mediate strengthening arms project forwardly and have their free ends in
engagement with the inner cutting blade 2. These arms are arched so as not
to interfere with the regular action of the heddles D.
In operating the cutting blades the inner blade is first advanced into its

page_text: foremost position and the outer cutting blade is then drawn inwardly to the limit
of its movement in that direction.
A trans-
The means employed for operating the cutting blades, is as follows:
verse bar is mounted to slide in suitable bearings in the arms i, 3, which bar
is provided with a series of cams on its front face which cams are fitted to
engage studs or rollers carried by the cutting blade 2. One or more retract-
ing springs extend from the cutting blade to points on one or more of the
arms. This spring holds the blade 22 at the limit of its inner movement except
when the blade is forced outwardly by the transverse movement of the bar is.
This bar is provided with a rearwardly extended cam plate 28 which plate is
provided with an elongated groove 2.
A forwardly and backwardly movable rod 10 is provided with an adjustable
uprising pin or lug which enters the cross groove and serves to impart the
transverse movement to the bar as the rod 10 is moved back and forth. The
outer end of this rod 10 is provided with an elongated slot 12 within which is
located a pin 13 carried by the outer cutting blade ¹. The parts are so arranged
that during the first portion of the rearward movements of the rod 10 the inner
cutter blade 2 is moved forwardly and during the latter portion of the rearward
movement of the rod 0, the cutting blade is moved rearwardly.
The mechanism shown for imparting the forward and backward movements to
the rod 20 comprises a rocking lever i pivoted to an arm 15 depending from
one of the side arms i. One arm of the rocking lever ¿¹ is connected to the rod 210
and its other arm is connected to a rocking lever by a rod 17, the lever 216
having a stud or roller 218 (see Fig. 6) which is held in engagement with a cam ¿¹ on
the shaft E by a retracting spring 20
The means employed for raising and lowering the cutting mechanism, com-
prises a rocking lever 21 connected to one of the arms i by a rod 222, which
lever is provided with a stud or roller 23 under the control of a cam 224 on
the drive shaft E. When the cutting mechanism is in its lowered position ready
to sever the tuft threads, the outer cutting blade rests intermediate its ends
upon a plurality of adjustable arms 22 hinged to rigid arms 226 carried by the
breast beam B (see Fig. 5). The adjusting screw 227 serves to raise or lower the free
end of the hinged arm 25. The limit of the downward movement of the cutting
mechanism is adjustably limited by means of an adjusting screw 226* mounted
in a bracket * carried by one of the said uprights of the main frame A, which
adjusting scrow is arranged to engage an arm 23 projecting from the rock shaft I.
After the limit of the downward movement of the cutting mechanism has been
adjusted, the arms are adjusted so as to just touch the bottom of the outer
blade so that although the said blade may be made quite light, it can not yield
when the cutting operation is being performed. The mechanism for operating
the nippers is located below the warp threads and the nippers are normally
located below the same, the jaws of the nippers being brought upward at intervals
between the warp threads into position to grasp the free ends of the tuft threads
when the spools have been brought down in proximity to the fabric.
The nipper jaws are denoted by J, J¹, the jaw J¹ being movable toward and
away from the jaw J. These jaws extend transversely across the loom and their
upper edges are cut to form teeth which pass up between the warp threads
for engaging the tuft threads. The jaw J is supported in the free ends of the
arm which are pivoted on a cross shaft ¹, which cross shaft is carried by the
free ends of arms keyed to a rock shaft 3. The jaw J¹ is hinged on a cross
bar which is mounted in bearings projecting from stationary jaw J. The
jaws are held normally apart by means of a spring j extending from one of the
tail pieces carried by the cross rod to a point on one of the arms j. These
tail pieces are provided with studs or rollers 8 which are adapted to be operated
by cams j
Each of these cams, in the present instance, consists of two parts, the cam
part proper being extensible by means of adjusting screws 10 along the other

page_text: part . There are a number of these cams and they are all keyed to a rock
shaft carried by the arm j of the jaw J. These cams are operated, for closing
the jaws, at predetermined intervals by means of a cam 13 on the drive shaft E,
which cam engages a stud or roller carried by one arm of a rocking lever jis,
the other arm of which is connected with an arm j6 keyed to the shaft j12 by
a rod j¹7.
The nippers are swung back and forth at the required periods by means of a
cam 18 carried by the drive shaft E, which cam engages a stud or roller j¹³
carried by one arm of a rocking lever, the other arm of which is connected
to one of the arms j by a connecting rod 1.
-
The mechanism for raising and lowering the nippers, is as follows: A pair
of cams K are mounted on the drive shaft E, each of which cams engages a stud
or roller carried by one arm of a rocking lever 1, the other arm of which is
connected by a rod with the free end of an arm keyed to the cross shaft j³.
The upward and downward movements of the nippers do not interfere with
the movements of the cam which operates the nipper jaw J¹ nor with the cam
which swings the nippers backward and forward.
The comb for drawing the tufts snugly into position to be woven into the
fabric after they have been inserted therein is constructed and arranged with
its operating mechanism as follows:-The comb proper is denoted by L and it
has a plurality of downwardly extended teeth which are adapted to enter the
spaces between the warp threads when the comb is lowered. This comb L is
secured to the free ends of a plurality of arms keyed to a cross bar 12 carried
by the free ends of a pair of arms keyed to a shaft 4 mounted in suitable
bearings carried by the frame. The shaft 4 is provided with a downwardly
extended arm 76 which is provided with a stud or roller 17. The cross bar or
shaft is provided with an arm 18 having a stud 19 at its free end.
A vertically reciprocating bar M is mounted at its upper end in a bracket
secured to the web supporting plate B¹ and at its lower end in a bracket leading
from the main frame A.
The upper end of this vertically reciprocating bar M is developed into a hook m
which is held in engagement with the stud 9 by means of a spring m¹ leading
to the supporting bracket for the cloth winding roll 12.
An operating bar N is arranged to operate the rocking arm 1 and the vertically
reciprocating bar M for imparting to the comb L an upward, forward, down-
ward and rearward movement, as follows:-The rear end of the operating bar N
is hinged to the free end of a rocking lever n having a stud or roller n¹ held in
engagement with a cam n² on the shaft E by a spring n³.
The bar N is provided near its forward end with a pair of adjustable
collars n, n, which are provided with projections adapted to alternately engage
the stud on the free end of the arm 16. These collars are so arranged that,
as the bar N is slid rearwardly or forwardly, there is a short lost motion before
they are caused to engage the stud and rock the arm 16.
The bar N is further provided with an adjustable collar n
with an incline n' arranged to alternately raise and lower the
the comb L.
which is provided
bar M and thereby
By reason of the hook m being held yeildingly in engagement with the stud 1,
the said hook may be swung rearwardly thereby disengaging the said stud and
permitting the comb to be swung out of the way of the cloth when so desired.
The collars n, n5 and no, are so arranged that when the cam n2 is rotated to
cause the bar N to slide forwardly the comb is first raised and then moved
forwardly and, as the movement of the bar is reversed, the comb will be first
lowered and then drawn rearwardly into its original position.
The means employed for advancing the chains G a sufficient distance to bring
the spool holding frames in position to be successively engaged by the trans-
ferring mechanism is as follows:-A ratchet wheel O is keyed to the rotary
shaft gl upon which the sprocket wheels g are mounted. Adjacent to the ratchet

page_text: wheel O a disc o is loosely mounted, which disc is provided with a spring actuated
pawl o arranged in position to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel so as to
rotate the said ratchet wheel when the disc is rotated in one direction, but to
idly slip over the said teeth when the disc is rotated in the opposite direction.
A spring o leading from the main frame to the disc o tends to return the
disc to its normal position after it has been partially rotated for advancing the
ratchet wheel and thereby the chains G the required distance. The disc o is
partially rotated in a direction to advance the chains G by means of a rocking
lever P having a sector portion p from which a chain p¹ leads to the periphery
of the disc o. This rocking lever P is suitably mounted on the frame A and
is provided with a second arm 72 from which a rod 2 leads to a rocking lever .
This rocking lever 24 is provided with a stud or roller 2 which is engaged by
a cam p mounted on the drive shaft E.
When it is desired to work the design in reversed order, the following means
are provided for reversing the movement of the chains as, for instance, when
the threads upon the last spool of the series have been used.
A disc Q is loosely mounted upon the shaft gl upon the opposite side of the
ratchet wheel O from the disc o. This disc Q is connected with the arm P of
the lever p by means of a chain q and a spring q' leads from the main frame A
to the disc Q tending to return the disc to its normal position after it has been
operated by the lever P. The disc Q is provided with a spring actuated pawl q
which is adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from the teeth of the ratchet
wheel O.
The spring 3 of the pawl o¹ and the spring q3 of the pawl q2 are so arranged
that they will hold the pawls either in or out of engagement with the ratchet
wheel O. When the pawl o¹ is held in engagement with the ratchet wheel O,
the chain is moved in one direction as the lever P is operated and when the
pawl q is held in engagement with the ratchet wheel O, the chain is moved in
the opposite direction.
The pawls o and are preferably provided with thumb pieces projecting
out beyond the peripheries of the discs o and Q so that the said pawls o¹ and
may be readily operated by hand.
The means employed for bringing up the weft threads into close proximity
to the tufts when the weft threads have been led across the shed by the shuttle,
so that the reed upon the lay beam may engage the thread at all points and
beat it up is as follows:-A rock shaft R extends across the loom and it is
mounted in suitable bearings. This rock shaft is provided at its ends with
arms r, r, which arms, when swung forwardly are fitted to engage the weft
thread and draw it up into proximity to the completed fabric. The said arms,
when swung rearwardly, are down out of the way of the warp and weft
threads.
The means which are employed for swinging the arms r, 1 comprises an arm 2
keyed to the cross shaft R the free end of which arm is connected by a rod 3
to one arm of a rocking lever 4, the other arm of which is provided with a stud
or roller. This stud or roller is held in engagement with a cam 6 mounted
on the operating shaft E by means of a retracting spring r7. These arms r, rl,
do not interfere with the lay beam F and their forward and backward move-
ments are so timed relative to the movements of the lay beam that the said
arms are caused to positively bring the weft thread into position to be engaged
by the reed or comb attached to the lay beam, as the lay beam swings forwardly.
In the improved loom the nippers insert the tufts around the weft thread and
are operated from below the warps, the said nippers being projected upwardly
between the warp threads to grasp the ends of the yarns upon the spools which
are brought down to a convenient position just above the fell of the cloth, from
the chains, by the transferring mechanism. The ends of these tufts threads pro-
ject but very little below the guides g* and they are held accurately in position
so that the nippers are caused to grasp all of the ends evenly and firmly.

page_text: When the nippers have closed upon the ends of the tuft threads, an upward
movement of the spools draws off the required length for the tufts which are
then severed by the cutting mechanisın. The nippers are then caused to move
downwardly until one-half of the length of the severed tufts is held below the
warps close to the fell with the other half extending above. A shot of weft is
then thrown in and beaten up. The nippers are then caused to move upwardly
thereby carrying the ends which they hold, up around the said weft thread.
The nippers are then caused to release the tuft threads as soon as they are
carried to the proper height. After releasing the tuft threads, the nippers continue
their upward movement until the ends are straightened.
The comb L, which is mounted just above the fabric and near the fell with
its teeth projecting downwardly is caused to move forwardly over the tops of the
nippers and is then dropped upon the warp outside of the nippers with
the teeth in the comb projecting between the warp threads. The comb is
then drawn rearwardly against the nippers and as the nippers are drawn down
out of the way, the comb presses against the upturned ends of the tufts thereby
holding them accurately in position and preventing them from spreading and
mixing with each other. The comb is held in this position until another shot
of weft is inserted and beaten up. As the lay beam is swung forwardly, the
nippers are pressed back under the fell and are caused to remain there until
required to repeat their movements herein before described.
The nippers are so constructed and operated as to ensure the greatest accuracy
in these movements so that the surface of the fabric is almost perfect as it comes
from the loom, thereby reducing the loss by shearing and finishing to a
minimum.
The comb, as constructed and operated, serves other useful purposes besides
keeping the ends of the tufts in position. It serves in lieu of temples to keep
the fabric out to its full width and it also keeps the groups of warp threads
separated so as to give a passage for the nippers as they rise through the warp to
take the ends of the yarns. The comb may also be raised by hand and swung
out of the way for convenience in inspecting the work or mending the threads.
By constructing, mounting and operating the spool carrying frames in the
manner herein before described, the loom is rendered capable of weaving carpets
of any desired width in a simple and effective manner.
It has been found very difficult to weave tufted fabrics of this character over
a yard in width for a great many reasons. Some of these reasons are, that it
is necessary that the bars of the spool frames to which the tuft guides are
attached shall be kept perfectly straight and that they shall not be liable to
spring out of line but shall present the ends of the tuft threads projecting from
the guides in an even and uniform row. At the same time these bars must be
light enough to be handled by the operatives, chiefly women and young girls.
who have to remove the spools from the frames when the spools are empty and
put in full spools and insert the ends of the tuft threads into the guides ready
to be attached to the carrying chains.
In this structure of loom very wide fabric may be woven with very little
increase in weight or bulk per foot of increase in width in the loom.
The spool frames may be made in any number of separate sections, each section
carrying its spool and all so mounted as to constitute practically a single frame
of any length desired, the sections being as light and easily handled as the frames
now used in weaving narrow fabrics.
These frames, when brought to their proper position, hold the short projecting
ends of the whole row of tuft threads more evenly in position than it is possible.
to do in the old way used in narrow looms in which the projecting ends are left
long enough to form a row of tufts, and are always more or less scattered and
disordered.
The use of pairs of chains for each section of the spool holding frames and the
use of a single device for detaching from the chains all of the sections in one
row at once, renders it feasible to form very wide fabric.

page_text: The method of constructing, supporting and operating the shears by which the
tufts are cut from the body of the yarns on the spools, is especially valuable in
connection with looms for weaving wide fabrics by reason of its obviating the
necessity of great proportional increase in the weight and bulk of the operating
parts in order to give them sufficient rigidity.
In looms heretofore used, the arms or bars to which the shear blades are
attached, are supported only at their ends. In this structure it will be seen
that the blades are supported at as many points in their lengths as may be neces-
sary to keep the blades firmly in contact at the points of cutting although the
blades themselves may be made very light.
Furthermore, the raising and lowering of the cutting mechanism substantially in
unison with the raising and lowering of the spool frame transferring mechanism,
gives an unobstructed view of the warp and fabric when the cutting mechanism
is raised thereby giving the operative free access to the said warp.
There are various ways of combining the warp and weft forming the body of
the fabric. Some goods are made with two shots of weft for each row of tufts,
some with three shots and some have been made with four. Any of these goods
may be woven on this loom by adapting the movement of the harness, the lay
and the weft inserting devices, to the movements of the other parts of the loom
without interfering in any way with the structure and arrangement of the novel
portions of the said loom.
By the use of the reversing mechanism for the spool frame carrying chains,
the movement of the chains can be reversed at any time and thereby produce a
reverse pattern in the fabric when so desired.
The mechanism for engaging the weft threads and bringing them up into close
proximity to the tufts at all times, ensures proper beating up of the said weft
threads by the forward movements of the lay beam.
It will be seen that the shuttle race is stationary and that the lay beam reed
being necessarily in front of the race, it is necessary that it should be swung
down below the warp when the lay beam is at the limit of its backward move-
ment a sufficient distance to permit the weft to be carried toward the fell so as
to be in front of the reed when it is moved forward.
By the arrangement shown and described, the arms r, rl, may carry the weft
forward the instant the shuttle clears the warp even before the shed begins to
close. The arms being very light may have a rapid movement and a longer
range of motion than the heavy lay beam and may be swung backward and down-
ward sufficiently far to allow the weft to pass over their ends, while at the limit
of their forward movement they will rise considerably higher above the warp
than the lay beam reed. Another great advantage in this construction is the
fact that the lay beam may be swung only a very short distance which is very
desirable in view of the fact that the said beam is necessarily quite heavy where
wide fabrics are being woven.
The curved guides over which the chains G are led, serve a very important
function in that they permit a very long chain to be utilized by enabling the
chain to be bent back upon itself for a considerable distance, the use of sprockets
for this purpose not being possible because of the spool holding frames being
in the way.
A loom constructed in the manner above described, is not only capable of
weaving very wide fabrics but is also capable of weaving the same in an accurate
and expeditious manner. By forming the pile of fabric upon its upper surface
instead of its under surface, the operative is enabled to see any imperfection in
the weaving or in the pattern thereof immediately after it is woven instead of
at a considerable time thereafter.
It is evident that changes might be resorted to in the form and arrangement
of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the inven-
tion; hence it is not desired to limit the invention strictly to the structure herein
set forth,

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1. In a loom for weaving tufted pile fabrics, a plurality of spool carrying
frames, a transferring mechanism and a plurality of spool frame carrying chains
arranged to present a plurality of the frames in alignment for engagement by the
said transferring mechanism, substantially as set forth.
2. In a loom for weaving tufted pile fabrics, a plurality of pairs of spool frame
carrying chains, a plurality of rows of spool carrying frames carried thereby,
each row comprising a number of frames in alignment with each other, means
for imparting a step by step movement to the chains and means for simultaneously
removing a row of frames from the chains, substantially as set forth.
3. In a loom for weaving tufted pile fabrics, a plurality of pairs of spool frame
carrying chains, a plurality of rows of spool carrying frames carried thereby, each
row comprising a number of frames in alignment with each other, means for
imparting a step by step movement to the chains, means for simultaneously
removing a row of frames from the, chains, and transferring mechanism arranged
to engage the frames as they are removed from the chains, substantially as set
forth.
4. A spool carrying frame comprising a cross bar having arms at its opposite
ends for supporting the spool and a second set of arms arranged to partially
embrace the spools and to be removably secured to the frame carrying chains,
substantially as set forth.
5. The combination with the frame carrying chains, of the spool carrying frame
comprising a cross bar having arms uprising therefrom and means for removably
securing the said arms to the chains comprising lugs arranged to enter the chain
links and spring actuated pawls carried by the arms and arranged to yieldingly
hold the lugs within the links, substantially as set forth.
6. The combination with the frame carrying chains, of a spool carrying frame
having arms uprising therefrom, lugs on the arms in position to enter the chain
links, spring actuated pawls carried by the arms in position to yieldingly hold
the frame on the chains and means for releasing the pawls and thereby the frame
comprising a rock shaft having tripping arms arranged to engage the pawls and
means for operating the said shaft, substantially as set forth.
7. The combination with spool frame carrying chains, of a row of spool frames
having arms removably engaged with the said chains and transferring mechanism
comprising a plurality of arms arranged to yieldingly engage the arms on the
spool frames for simultaneously raising and lowering all of the frames, substan-
tially as set forth.
8. The combination with one set of spool frame carrying chains and the frames
carried thereby, of sprockets arranged to engage the inner faces of the links
and a curved guide arranged to engage the outer faces of the links without inter-
fering with the spool carrying frames, substantially as set forth.
9. The combination with the spool frame carrying chains, a rotary shaft having
sprockets arranged to engage the said chains and means for imparting a step by
step movement to the chains comprising a ratchet wheel carried by said shaft,
a disc loosely mounted on the shaft in proximity to the ratchet wheel, a pawl
carried by the disc in position to partially rotate the shaft when the disc is turned
in one direction, and means for alternately turning the disc in opposite directions,
substantially as set forth.
10. The combination with spool frame carrying chains and a rotary shaft having
sprockets in engagement with the said chains, means for imparting to the chains,
a step by step movement in one direction and means for reversing the movement
of the chains, substantially as set forth.
11. The combination with spool frame carrying chains and a rotary shaft
having sprockets engaged with said chains, of means for imparting a step by

page_text: step movement of the chains, comprising a ratchet wheel fixed to the shaft, discs
loosely mounted upon the shaft upon opposite sides of the ratchet wheel, spring
actuated pawls carried by the discs, means for partially rotating the discs in
opposite directions and means for causing one or the other of the said pawls to
engage the ratchet wheel for imparting to the ratchet wheel and thereby the
chain a movement forwardly or backwardly as desired, substantially as set forth.
12. The combination with spool frame carrying chains and a rotary shaft having
sprockets engaged with said chains, of means for imparting a step by step move-
ment to the chains comprising a ratchet wheel fixed to the shaft, a disc loosely
mounted on the shaft in proximity to the ratchet wheel, a pawl carried by the
disc in position to engage the ratchet wheel, a drive shaft, a cam thereon, a
rocking lever operated by said cam, a connection between the lever and the disc
for turning it in one direction and a retracting spring engaging the disc tending
to turn it in the opposite direction, substantially as set forth."
13. In a loom for weaving tufted pile fabrics, a cutting mechanism comprising
a suitable support, a pair of side arms carried thereby, inner and outer cutting
blades mounted to move toward and away from each other in the said side arms
and intermediate supporting arms for the inner cutting blade, substantially as
set forth.
14. In a loom for weaving tufted pile fabrics, a cutting mechanism comprising
a rock shaft, a pair of side arms projecting therefrom, inner and outer cutting
blades mounted to move toward and away from each other between the said
arms and intermediate supporting arms carried by the frame in position to support
the outer cutting blade at points intermediate its ends when the cutting mechanism
is in position to cut, substantially as set forth.
15. In a loom for weaving tufted pile fabrics, a cutting mechanism comprising
a rock shaft, a pair of side arms projecting therefrom, inner and outer cutting
blades mounted to move toward and away from each other between the said
arms, and intermediate adjustable supporting arms carried by the frame in posi-
tion to support the outer cutting blade intermediate its ends when the cutting
mechanism is in position to cut, substantially as set forth..
16. In a loom for weaving tufted pile fabrics, a cutting mechanism, means for
raising and lowering the same and means for adjustably limiting the downward
movement of the cutting mechanism independently of its raising and lowering
means, substantially as set forth.
17. In a loom for weaving tufted pile fabrics, a transferring mechanism, means
for raising and lowering the same and means for adjustably limiting the down-
ward movement of the transferring mechanism, independently of the means for
raising and lowering the same, substantially as set forth.
18. In a loom for weaving tufted pile fabrics, a spool carrying mechanism
arranged to bring the spools down into proximity to the fabric and then return
them to their carrying mechanism and a guide mechanism arranged to be moved
down in proximity to the fabric and up away from the same, substantially
as set forth.
19. In a loom for weaving tufted pile fabrics, a suitable spool carrying mech-
anism, a transferring mechanism arranged to bring the spools down into proximity
to the fabric above the warp, a cutting mechanism, nippers arranged below the
warp, means for moving the nippers upwardly through the warp and cause them
to grasp the tuft threads, means for moving the transferring mechanism up-
wardly a distance sufficient to form the required length of tufts and means for
operating the cutting mechanism to sever the tufts at the required point, sub-
stantially as set forth.
20. In a loom for weaving tufted pile fabrics, means for bringing the tuft spools
above and into proximity to the fabric, nippers, means for imparting to the nippers
an upward movement and causing them to grasp the tufts, means for severing the
tufts, means for lowering the nippers to bring about half the length of the tufts
below the fabric, means for inserting a shot of weft and means for causing the

page_text: nippers to successively rise through the warp, release the tufts, straighten their
ends and then move below the warp, substantially as set forth.
21. The combination with the usual warp and weft inserting mechanism, of
a loom and its lay beam, of means for engaging the portion of the weft nearest
the shuttle and bringing it up into proximity to the fabric whereby the dents
of the reed are caused to positively engage the weft throughout the width of the
fabric, substantially as set forth.
22. The combination with the usual warp and weft inserting mechanism, of
a loom and its lay beam, of a rock shaft having fingers arranged to alternately
engage the weft thread and bring it into proximity to the fabric when the shaft
is rocked forwardly whereby the reed is caused to positively engage the said
weft thread throughout the width of the fabric substantially as set forth.
23. In a loom for weaving tufted pile fabrics, nippers for inserting tuft into
the fabric, means for opening and closing the jaws of the nippers, means for
swinging the nippers forwardly and backwardly and means for raising and lower-
ing the nippers all the said means arranged to operate independently of each
other, substantially as set forth.
24. In a loom for weaving tufted pile fabrics, the combination with means for
inserting the tufts into the fabric, of a comb located in position to engage and
disengage the tufts and means for imparting to the comb upward, forward, down-
ward and rearward movements, substantially as set forth.
25. In a loom for weaving tufted pile fabrics, the combination with means for
inserting the tufts into the fabric, of a comb and means for operating it, the said
comb being hinged so as to permit it to be swung away from the face of the
fabric when desired, substantially as set forth.
26. In a loom for weaving tufted pile fabrics, the combination with means for
inserting the tufts into the fabric, of a comb, a rocking lever for imparting to the
comb its forward and backward movements, a vertically reciprocating bar for
imparting the upward and downward movements to the comb, means for operating
the rocking lever and bar and means for disengaging the bar from the comb for
permitting the comb to be swung away from the face of the fabric, when desired,
substantially as set forth.
27. In a loom for weaving tufted pile fabrics, means for presenting the tuft
spool into proximity to the face of the fabric, nippers arranged to engage the
tufts and insert them into the fabric and nipper operating mechanism, the said
nippers and nipper operating mechanism being located normally beneath the
fabric, substantially as set forth.
יה.
1
T1
1000
HARRIS & MILLS,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.