Improvements in Apparatus for Drawing Off the Wool from Circular Combing Machines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 28th June, 1898-Accepted, 30th July, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Drawing Off the Wool from Circular
Combing Machines.
We, ALBERT LONG, of No. 50, Hancock Street, Lawrence, and ROBERT FOSTER,
of Brown Street, Methuen, both in the County of Essex, and State of Massachusetts,
United States of America, Gentlemen, do hereby declare the nature of our inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to circle combs, and is hereinafter described in connec-
tion with a wool comb of the type known as the Noble comb.
The invention has for its object to provide an improved method of and means
for drawing off the wool, and for conducting the same from one set of drawing-off
rolls to the other set. Heretofore the drawing-off has been accomplished by
means of fluted rolls and leather aprons, so arranged as to take the projecting
fibres of wool from the combs and form the same into a sliver, that portion which
is drawn from the large comb or circle being conducted between the leather aprons
from the drawing-off rolls of the large circle to the drawing-off rolls of the small
circle, where it combines with the wool from the small circle to form the sliver. This
method is open to several objections, well known to those skilled in
the art of combing wool, the two principal ones being the wear
on the leather aprons, and the frequent breaking of the sliver caused
by the wool from the large circle following the aprons around in-
stead of passing between the drawing-off rolls of the small circle. The
wear on the aprons is very considerable, and requires them to be frequently re-
newed, thus involving expense and trouble. The breaking of the sliver is disad-
vantageous in itself, and also because it requires the stoppage of the comb, and
consequent loss of time.
By means of the present invention, the leather aprons are dispensed with, and
the drawing-off accomplished by a novel arrangement of smooth-surfaced rolls,
an improved conducting device being also provided for conducting the wool from
one drawing-off head to the other.
The invention consists in the novel features of construction and arrangement
which will now be explained, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, form-
ing a part of this specification, and then pointed out in the claims hereto annexed.
Of the drawings,
Figure 1 represents a top plan view of the improved drawing-off heads and the
sliver-conducting devices interposed therebetween.
Figure represents a side elevation of the same, with portions of the machine
broken away, looking in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1.
Figure 3 represents a side elevation, looking in the opposite direction.
Figure 4 represents a horizontal section on the line 44 of Figure 2.
Figure 5 represents a vertical longitudinal section of the upper portion of the
machine, on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.
Figure 6 represents an enlarged side elevation of one of the drawing-off heads.
877

page_text: Figure 7 represents a section on line 7-7, Fig. 6.
Figure 8 represents a section on line 8-8, Fig. 6.
Figure 9 represents a section on line 9-9, Fig. 6.
Figure 10 represents a diagrammatic plan of the machine, with the parts in
operative positions.
Figure 11 represents a section on the line 11-11 of Figure 2.
The same reference characters indicate the sanie parts in all the figures.
Referring to the drawings,-
15 in Figure 10 designates the large circle of a Noble comb, and one of the
small circles. For the purpose of drawing the wool from the teeth of the large
circle, I provide in place of the usual two fluted rolls and leather apron, four
smooth-surfaced rolls k, arranged in a train and bearing against each
other at three points, so as to have three "nips" on the sliver. For certain kinds
of wool and in certain cases, it may suffice to have only three rolls in this head;
but for general work, I prefer to have four, as shown. The fibers of wool are
drawn, as shown in Figure 10, from between the teeth on the large circle, and
passing in the form of a sliver between the rolls of the drawing-head, they are
conducted by means of a conducting device hereinafter described, to the other
drawing-head adjacent to the small circle. Here they meet and blend with the
fibers of wool from said small circle, passing between the rolls therewith, and
uniting to form a single sliver in the ordinary manner. There are three rolls in
this head, smooth-surfaced like those in the other drawing-head. The mounting
of the rolls in each head is as follows:-
a a designate supporting standards mounted on a base b and broadened at their
upper ends to form tables c c, on which rest the two drawing-heads d and e, which
pivotally surround driving-shafts f and a³. The group of rolls corresponding to
the small circle of the comb comprises a roll y formed as an enlargement on
the upper end of the shaft f, and two other rolls r and s. The roll-shafts are
provided with gears o p q, whereby the rolls and s are driven by the roll g. The
shaft is supported in suitable bearings hi on the frame a, and is provided
below the base with a gear j adapted to mesh with a suitable driving-gear (not
shown). Rotary motion is transmitted from the shaft f to the shaft a by suit-
able intermeshing gears a¹ a5 a6, receiving motion from the gear j. In the draw-
ing-head e, the roll is the driver, and the other three are driven by gears from
this roll, in the same manner as the rolls in the head d.
In order that the tension of the rolls in each head upon the sliver may be
adjusted, yielding bearings are provided for the rolls rs and for the rolls ³kk³.
These bearings are best illustrated in Figures 6 to 9, which show the construction
of the drawing-head d. Recesses tu are formed in the frame of the head d, and
in said recesses are mounted carriers vw, which are retained in position by over-
lapping edge-plates a¹ a¹ k bolted to the head, and by the upper and lower walls
of the recesses in which the carriers are mounted. To said carriers are bolted
brackets bc, having sleeves 62 at their outer ends, which support and journal
the rolls rs. The carriers we are provided with enlarged portions 1, forming
sockets in which are located spiral springs 1. Said springs press against the
ends of the sockets, and against plunger-blocks 2, which are backed by adjusting-
screws g. In this way, the rolls rs are yieldingly actuated toward the roll g,
and the amount of pressure upon the wool sliver is regulated with the adjusting-
screws g. The mounting of the rolls in the other drawing-head is similar
to that of the rolls rs, with the addition of a third yieldingly-mounted roll.
The heads are adapted to be moved radially upon their respective shafts a limited
distance, in order to adjust the outer surfaces of the rolls to the circular combs.
They are secured in position by bolts (Figure 6 and 7) passing through circular
slots in the tables c and screwing into the heads. The shafts f and a³ turn in bush-
ings (Figure 5), which pass loosely through sleeves formed on each head, 5
and are secured by means of set-screws be in journals on the standards a.
In order that the drawing-rolls of each head may be adjusted toward and away

page_text: from their respective circles for the purpose of regulating the closeness of the
"nip," the standards a are provided with slots a a through which pass the
bolts as a which clamp said standards to the base b. When, therefore, it is
desired to move the drawing-heads bodily, the nuts on said bolts are loosened,
and the standards together with their shafts are moved a small distance, though
not sufficiently to disengage the gears underneath the base b, the bolts being then
tightened up again.
It is to be noted with respect to those drawing-rolls in each head which are
mounted in yielding bearings, that both ends of each roll are journalled in a
single carrier, so that the roll is moved bodily instead of having its ends indepen-
dently adjustable, which is the practice with the fluted rolls employed on machines
now in use. The improved construction here shown gives an even contact through-
out the length of each roll, and permits of a single adjustment for both bearings
of the roll, instead of two adjustments as formerly.
The mounting of both bearings of the roll in a solid frame or carrier is an
important feature, since it is essential to the best results that the surfaces of the
rolls be, as nearly as possible, exactly parallel at all times. It will further be
noted that the bearings of each roll are placed as near together as possible, and
that the roll is of very stout construction, in order to prevent any possibility of
buckling.
The particular arrangement of drawing-off rolls which we have invented pro-
duces what may be termed a lock-nip on the wool. This lock-nip consists in the
action produced by two smooth-faced positively driven rolls, co-operating at
separate points with a third positively driven smooth-faced roll. In the case of
the drawing-head e of the large circle, the wool is engaged with a double lock-nip;
that is, there is the lock-nip produced by the three rolls, and that produced
by the three rolls. The powerful drawing action which results is adequate
to draw the wool from between the teeth of the large circle, and is, we have
found, even superior to that produced by fluted rolls and leathers. In the case
of the small circle, which holds its wool less tenaciously, three drawing-rolls are
sufficient, though we have found that this is the least number which can be
depended upon to do satisfactory work under all conditions.
designates a supporting frame intermediate of the drawing-heads, the said
frame resting on extended portions of the said heads and being movably
secured thereto by shouldered bolts passing through slots in said frame.
This arrangement allows the drawing-heads to be moved independently of the
frame d³. Standards de d on the frame support a pair of horizontal rolls d
the upper roll being yieldingly arranged upon the lower one and pressed
downwardly thereon by means of springs to in the tops of the standards (see
Figure 3). On the shafts of the two rolls are intermeshing gears, and on
the shaft of the lower one is a bevel-gear e³, which meshes with a bevel-gear_e
secured to a vertical shaft . Said shaft is journalled in a sleeve secured to the
supporting frame d³, and is rotated by means of a sprocket chain ft engaging
sprocket-wheels and f³ on the shafts e and f respectively. The chain is normally
held taut by means of a spring attached to the head e and to a stud m¹ project-
ing from the under side of the frame d'. On said stud is mounted a roller m,
which bears against the edge of a cam plate n on the under side of the head d, and
co-operates therewith in resisting the pull of the chain. The various positions
of the drawing-head d with respect to the frame 3 require the cam platen to he
adjustable, in order to maintain the chain fat its proper degree of tautness, and
for this purpose said plate is provided (Figure 11) with a pivot pin extending
up into the bed-plate of the head d, and with clamping-screws ² n³ extending
hrough circular slots in the cam-plate. When the cam-plate is to be adjusted,
he screws n n³ are loosened, the plate turned on its pivot to the required adjust-
nent, and the screws then tightened to clamp the plate in place.
Guiding troughs or conduits 9 g for the support of the sliver as it approaches
and leaves the rolls are adjustably mounted between ears g³ ³ formed on the

page_text: frame d³. The trunnions of said conduits are closely fitted in their bearings, so
that when tilted to a certain position the conduits will remain in that position.
The trunnions are provided, outside the gears g³, with handles, whereby the
conduits may be tilted. These guiding troughs or conduits are supplemented by
pivoted funnels or bell-shaped conductors, whose shanks are loosely held
in sleeves 7 formed upon the heels of the guiding conduits.
The operation of the machine as applied to a Noble comb is best illustrated in
Figure 10. The long wool from the teeth of the large circle or comb is drawn
off between the rolls ³, passing through the bell-guide adjacent thereto,
and along the guiding trough, through the horizontal rolls dd, and through the
Here it meets the short
other trough and bell-guide to the drawing-rolls rst.
wool from the smaller comb 4. and the two are blended into one sliver in passing
between the latter rolls. This sliver is passed forward into a can, for future
operations.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1. In a circle comb, the combination with the toothed circles and means for
operating them, of a set of three or more smooth-surfaced drawing-off rolls adapted
to engage the wool between their adjacent surfaces, and means for positively and
continuously driving said rolls.
2. In a circle comb, a drawing-off device comprising a smooth-surfaced roll,
two other smooth-surfaced rolls co-acting with the first roll at separate points to
engage the wool, and means for positively and continuously driving said rolls.
3. In a circle comb, a drawing-off device comprising a driving-shaft carrying a
smooth-surfaced roll and a gear, means for continuously rotating said shaft, and
two other smooth-surfaced rolls provided with gears on their shafts meshing with
the gear on the driving-shaft, the rolls being adapted to engage the wool between
their adjacent surfaces.
4. In a circle comb, the combination with the large and small toothed circles
and means for operating them, of a series of smooth-surfaced drawing-off rolls
adjacent to the large circle and adapted to engage and draw off the wool there-
from between their adjacent surfaces, means for positively and continuously driv-
ing said rolls, a series of smooth-surfaced drawing-off rolls adjacent to the small
circle and adapted to engage and draw off the wool therefrom between their adjacent
surfaces and to combine it with a sliver from the large circle to form a single
sliver, means for positively and continuously driving said rolls, and means for
guiding the sliver from the drawing-off rolls of the large circle to those of the
small circle.
5. In a circle comb, the combination with the toothed circles and means for
operating them, of drawing-off devices adjacent to the respective circles, means for
operating said devices, and intermediate means for guiding and advancing a sliver
from one set of drawing-off devices to the other, the said means comprising a set
of co-acting smooth-surfaced rolls adapted to engage the wool between their
adjacent surfaces, and means for positively driving said rolls.
6. In a Noble comb, drawing-off devices adjacent to the large and small toothed
circles, co-acting rolls adapted to guide and advance a sliver from the drawing-off
devices of one circle to those of the other, and stationary devices for supporting
and guiding the sliver between said rolls and the drawing-off devices.
7. In a circular wool-combing machine, the combination with the large and
small circles, of drawing-off devices adjacent to each circle, and means for con
ducting a sliver from the drawing-off devices of the large circle to those of the
small circle, the said means comprising a set of co-acting smooth-surfaced rolls
guiding troughs or conduits on either side of said rolls, and funnel-shaped guide
at opposite ends of said troughs.
8. In a drawing-off device for a circle comb, the combination of a drawing-rol

page_text: and bearings therefor, a frame, a carrier provided with bearings fixed thereto, a
roll journalled in said bearings, a connection between the frame and carrier to
permit the latter to slide but prevent tilting thereof in the former, and means
for sliding the carrier in the frame, whereby the parallel relation of the rolls is
not changed as they are moved toward or away from each other.
9. In a circular wool-combing machine, two drawing-heads having smooth-
surfaced drawing-off rolls, and an intermediate guiding mechanism comprising a
frame adjustably mounted between and carried by said drawing-heads, and suit-
able conducting devices on said frame adapted to guide a sliver from the rolls
of one drawing head to the rolls of the other.
10. In a Noble comb, a drawing-off device comprising a driving-shaft provided
with a gear and carrying a smooth-surfaced drawing-roll, a frame or head pivotally
embracing said shaft, solid frames or carriers mounted to slide in guides on said
head, smooth-surfaced drawing-rolls supported in bearings on said frames and
having gears mounted on their shafts and meshing with the gear on the driving.
shaft, and springs interposed between the sliding carriers and the heads and
operating to yieldingly actuate the carriers and their rolls toward the roll on the
driving-shaft.
11. In a Noble comb, two drawing-heads provided with drawing-rolls and shafts
for driving said rolls, intermediate rolls supported between said heads for guiding
and advancing a sliver from one head to the other, and a sprocket-and-chain device
connected with one of the driving-shafts and with said intermediate rolls, for
driving the latter.
12. In a circular wool-combing machine, in combination, two independent
linearly and pivotally adjustable drawing-heads having drawing-off rolls, vertical
shafts for driving said rolls, an intermediate frame adjustably supported on said
drawing-heads, conducting-rolls mounted on said frame, for conducting a sliver
from one drawing-head to the other, a sprocket-and-chain device for driving said
conducting-rolls from one of the vertical shafts, a roller carried by the frame,
and an adjustable cam-plate co-operating with said roller to adjust said sprocket-
and-chain device.
13. In a drawing-off device for a circle comb, the combination of a drawing-roll
and bearings therefor, a frame, a carrier provided with bearings fixed thereto, a
roll journalled in said bearings, a connection between the frame and carrier to
permit the carrier to slide but prevent tilting thereof in the frame, and a yielding
adjusting means for sliding the carrier in the frame.
14. In a drawing-off device for a circle comb, the combination of a drawing-roll
and bearings therefor, a frame, a carrier provided with bearings fixed thereto and
mounted in said frame, a roll journalled in the said bearings on the carrier, a
guiding connection between the frame and carrier to permit the latter to slide
but prevent tilting thereof in the former, and a single set-screw for sliding the
carrier in the frame.
15. The combination of the drawing-heads and drawing-off rolls, of a frame
upported between said heads, conducting-rolls mounted on said frame, and means
for driving the conducting-rolls from the drawing-rolls.
16. In a circle comb, the combination of the drawing-heads and drawing-rolls,
f a frame adjustably mounted between said heads, conducting-rolls mounted on
aid frame, and means for driving the conducting-rolls from the drawing-rolls,
ncluding a sprocket-and-chain connection, and means for adjusting the frame be-
ween the drawing-heads.
17. In a circle comb, the combination of the drawing-heads and sets of drawing-
olls, of a frame, supports between said heads, conducting-rolls carried by said
rame, and means including a sprocket-and-chain connection, for driving the con-
ucting-rolls from the drawing-rolls, a roller on the frame, and a cam-plate
djustably mounted on one of the drawing-heads whereby to adjust the frame
ward and away from one set of drawing-rolls and thereby adjust the sprocket-und-
hain connection.

page_text: 18. In a circle comb, the combination of the drawing-heads and sets of drawing-
rolls, of a stationary guide for supporting the sliver between the sets of drawing-
rolls.
19. In a circle comb, the combination of the drawing-heads and sets of rolls,
of a stationary guide for supporting the sliver between the sets of drawing-rolls
and means at the end of the stationary guide for leading the sliver from the draw-
ing-rolls to the said guide.
20. In a circle comb, the combination of the drawing-heads and sets of drawing-
rolls, of a stationary guide for supporting the sliver between the sets of drawing-
rolls, and trumpets pivotally mounted at the ends of the guide for leading the sliver
from the first set of drawing-rolls to the guide, and from the guide to the second
set of drawing-rolls.
1000
ALBERT LONG.
ROBERT FOSTER.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.