IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Thompson, of Larkfield, Rawdon, near Leeds, in
the County of York, Stuff Manufacturer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING,"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Thompson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th October 1880.
WILLIAM THOMPSON, of Larkfield, Rawdon, near Leeds, in the County of York,
Stuff Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
This Invention relates to improved appliances whereby the reed is securely and
firmly held as a fast reed, free from vibration, but when from any cause the shutter
is caught in the shed, or does not box properly, the reed is loose.
Looms constructed according to this my said Invention have applied to the stay
and near the back of the reed a cross bar or shaft carried in bearings, and provided
with a number of fingers or stop pieces, caused by a partial turn of the bar or shaft
on which they are mounted to be brought into about the horizontal position
wherever their ends support a cross bar (or spring) securing the reed in position.
When the shuttle does not box properly the fingers or stop pieces are lowered or
brought from the horizontal position to an angle, so clearing the cross bar, and the
reed is loose and free to fly back, or the fingers may be raised and lowered so as
to hold the reed fast when raised, and reed loose when the fingers are lowered; or
in some cases swivel pieces in lieu of the tingers may be employed, and for slow
speed looms a cross bar is employed instead of the fingers or stop pieces.
For operating the fingers, stop pieces, or swivel, a lever stud and an incline are
employed, or in some cases, such as high speed looms, I employ a double or V springs,
between which the stud of the lever would pass one way, and under on its return
beat.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Thompson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th
April 1881.
WILLIAM THOMPSON, of Larkfield, Rawdon, near Leeds, in the County of York,
Stuff Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
This Invention relates to improved appliances whereby the reed is securely and
firmly held as a fast reed, free from vibration, but when from any cause the shutter
is caught in the shed, or does not box properly, the reed is loose.
Loomis constructed according to this my said Invention have applied to the stay
and near the back of the reed a cross bar or shaft carried in bearings, and provided
with a number of fingers or stop pieces, caused by a partial turn of the bar or shaft
on which they are mounted to be brought into about the horizontal position
whereon their ends support a cross bar (or spring) securing the reed in position.
When the shuttle does not box properly the fingers or stop pieces are lowered or
brought from the horizontal position to an angle, so clearing the cross bar, and the
reed is loose and free to fly back, or the fingers may be raised and lowered so as to
hold the reed fast, when raised, and reed, loose when the fingers are lowered; or in
some cases swivel pieces in lieu of the fingers may be employed, and for slow speed
looms a cross bar employed instead of the fingers or stop pieces.
Such being the nature and object of this my said Invention, will now proceed
to describe the same in detail, and have hereunto annexed a Sheet of Drawings
illustrative thereof, in which
Fig. 1 is an end elevation of beam or slay, having my improved apparatus
attached, and shewing "fast reed;" Fig. 2 is a plan view; Fig. 3 is an elevation
shewing reed in loose position; Fig. 4 shews holding fingers raised. The several
details are of separate parts of the apparatus. Fig. 5, elevation of back of the reed.
1 is a beain or slay; 2, the reed; at 3 is a shaft carried by bracket 4, latter also
carrying shaft 5, on which shaft 5 are levers 6 and 7. As the beam or slay
advances to the beat up, the runner 8 ascends the incline 9, see Fig. 3, and by
turning the shaft 5 the lever 7, by its stud 10, releases itself from the lower end of
the notched lever or finger 11, and so leaving the reed 2 loose and free to open in
the event of obstruction. When the beam and slay return from the beat up, the
runner 8 passes under the end 12 of the hinged incline 9; the runner 8 is set in
such position in the slot 13 of the lever 6, that just before the beat up commences
the runner 8 will pass over the end 14 of the incline 9, and fall to position shewn
at Fig. 1, a fast reed position; the angle plate 15 attached to the upper fingers 11
extends the whole length of the reed, so as to hold the latter firmly in position.
16 is a spiral spring connected by strap to a boss on the shaft 3, for the purpose of
holding the finger 11 and angle plate 15 lightly to the reed; 17 is a like spiral
spring attached by strap to a boss on the shaft 5, for the purpose of ensuring the
fall of the lever 6 and runner 8.
At Fig. 4 is shewn the construction in which the equivalent of the fingers 11 are
raised into position behind the bar 15, extending across the loom and turning upon
its rod 3; at 16 is a spring and strap for holding the bar 15 lightly to the reed 2,
the finger 11 receiving its rising and falling motion from the action of the lever 6,
incline 9, and pulley 8, already as described in reference to Fig. 1 and 3. When
the fingers 11 are raised they are supported so as to make the reed secure or fast
for the beat up, by the brackets 18 attached to the beam 1. 19 is a guide eye for
fingers 11, there being one of such guides at each end of the loom.
Having thus fully described the nature and particulars of this my said Invention,
together with the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or

page_text: carried into practical effect, I would have it understood. that I do not claim any of
the parts herein referred to when considered separately, but what I do claim is,-
The combination and use of lever 6, arm 7, pulley 8, incline 9, and supporting
pieces 11, acting in manner and for the purpose described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Thompson, have hereunto annexed
my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
Witness,
WALTER BRIERLEY,
Patent Agent,
Halifax & Blackburn.
WILLIAM THOMPSON. (L.S.)