A NEW OR IMPROVED WOOL MAT OR RUG
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Ogden and John Edward Thomas, of Halifax,
in the County of York, Spinners and Manufacturers, for the Invention of
A NEW OR IMPROVED WOOL MAT OR RUG."
"
Sealed the 21st June 1878, in pursuance of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, and
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Ogden and John
Edward Thomas at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd
November 1877.
THOMAS OGDEN and JOHN EDWARD THOMAS, of Halifax, in the County of York,
Spinners and Manufacturers. "A NEW OR IMPROVED WOOL MAT OR RUG."
The object of our Invention is to imitate by the process of weaving that kind of
mat or rug which has hitherto consisted of the skin and wool of a sheep or other
animal having long fleecy hair.
Our imitation consists of lightly spun wool yarn, mixed with other firmer and
stronger material, to form the body of the mat or rug.
The process of weaving is as follows:-Light or fleecy wool yarn, mixed if desired
with other material, is employed for the warp, any suitable inferior substance being
employed for weft. After every few picks the wool yarn threads are raised by the
healds, and the weaver inserts a rod between them and the remainder of the warp.
With this rod he draws the wool threads forwards so as to form a loop about the
length of the hair on a natural skin, the warp is then lowered, and picks of weft
inserted to secure the same. The loops of wool yarn are then cut by running a
knife along the edge of the stick or rod, and the loose ends present a similar
appearance to an ordinary fleece.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Ogden and John Edward Thomas in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 22nd June 1878.
THOMAS OGDEN and JOHN EDWARD THOMAS, of Halifax, in the County of York,
Spinners and Manufacturers. "A NEW OR IMPROVED WOOL MAT OR RUG."
The object of our Invention is to imitate by the process of weaving that kind of
mat or rug which has hitherto consisted of the skin and wool of a sheep or other
animal having long fleecy hair.
Our imitation consists of lightly spun wool yarn, mixed with other firmer and
stronger material to form the body of the mat or rug.
The process of weaving is as follows:-Light or fleecy wool yarn mixed if desirable
with other material is employed for the warp, any suitable inferior substance being
employed for weft. After every few "picks," the wool yarn threads are raised by
the healds, and the weaver inserts a rod between them and the remainder of the
warp. With this rod he draws the wool threads forwards, so as to form a number
of loops about the length of the hair on a natural skin; the warp is then lowered,
and "picks" of weft inserted to secure the same. The loops of wool yarn are then
cut by running a knife along the edge of the stick or rod, and the loose ends present
a similar appearance to an ordinary fleece.
In combination with wool we may employ China grass or other material.
In conclusion we would have it understood that we lay no claim to the process of
weaving herein described, as the same is already well known; but what we do
claim as our Invention, and consider to be new, is the manufacture of mats or rugs
in imitation of natural skins and fleeces in manner substantially as herein
described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Thomas Ogden and John Edward Thomas,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Eighteenth day of June, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
THOMAS OGDEN.
(L.S.)
JOHN EDWARD THOMAS. (L.S.)