IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OR ARRANGEMENT OF METALLIC BOBBINS FOR USE IN TWIST LACE MACHINES AND BOBBIN NET MACHINES, ALSO IN ADAPTING TWIST LACE AND BOBBIN NET MACHINES FOR THE ManufactURE OF FIGURED AND PILED FABRICS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Wilkinson, Civil Engineer, of the Town and
County of the Town of Nottingham, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OR ARRANGEMENT OF METALLIC BOBBINS FOR USE IN
TWIST LACE MACHINES AND BOBBIN NET MACHINES, ALSO IN ADAPTING TWIST
LACE AND BOBBIN NET MACHINES FOR THE ManufactURE OF FIGURED AND
PILED FABRICS
"
aled the 17th April 1877, and dated the 1st February 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Wilkinson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st February 1877
ALEXANDER WILKINSON, Civil Engineer, of the Town and County of the Town
of Nottingham "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OR ARRANGEMENT OF
METALLIC BOBBINS FOR USE IN TWIST LACE MACHINES AND BOBBIN NET
MACHINES, ALSO IN ADAPTING TWIST LACE AND BOBBIN NET MACHINES FOR THE
MANUFACTURE OF FIGURED AND PILE FABRICS"
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction or arrangement of
metallic bobbins for use in twist lace machines and bobbin net machines, also in
adapting twist lace and bobbin net machines for the manufacture of figured and
pile fabies, and consists,―
Firstly In constructing independent twist lace or bobbin net bobbins in or with
thice sections, in order that two distinct threads may be wound on, and kept
separate from each other, and used therefiom, instead of one thread on and from
each bobbin only as heretofore, whereby double the number of threads can be
thrown into a given space than is now donc, which will allow of single spun cotton
being substituted for the expensive double spun cotton now used It will also
enable double the number of loops to be formed by the same movements of the
machine than is at present effected
Secondly In adapting twist lace machines to the manufacture of a class of stout
fabrics which it has been heretofore impracticable to produce by them, namely,
carpets, hearth rugs, curtains, coverlets, and every description of bobbin net lace
without interfering with the employment of the same machines for the production
of lighter fabrics as at present,

page_text: Thirdly In manufacturing stout fabrics on or in twist laco and bobbin net
machines with every variety of pattern raised on or embodied theicin
Fourthly In adapting twist lace or bobbin net machines to the manufacture of
cut pile fabrics
Fifthly In constructing or forming spools in or with three sections in order that
thice distinct threads can be wound on, the thice threads being of the same or of
different colours, thicknesses, or materials to be used in combination.
According to the first part of my Invention I revet together three metal discs,
these being kept a little apart in the centre by boss-like projections from both faces
of the centic disc or projections from the inner faces of the outer discs so as to leave
two recesses for the threads, one on each side of the centre disc, and between it and
the opposite side discs
The filling of the double bobbins is effected by means of a filling machine of the
same sort as is in general use, but it is necessary to observe that the back must
have double the number of bobbins to supply the drum in the fist instance, and
the sley of the winding machine must contain double the number of compartments
contained in those used for filling single bobbins
The two threads are led out from the bobbin on opposite sides of the bobbin
cainage, so that supposing a series of bobbins with their carnages to be mounted
side by side and at work, the threads from the night of one bobbin will fall into the
same space between the points as that coming from the left side of the next
adjoining bobbin callinge It is by this means that double the number of threads
is thrown into any given space, and double the number of loops are formed by the
same number of movements Great facility is thus afforded for the formation of
strong grounds for ornamental patterns The grounds being formed of double
threads completely cover the warp when the twist is close together, and if the twist
be made moie open and threads be used of different colours then a shot or shaded
fabic may be pioduced
When the web is to be figured on one side only there are two spools or bobbins
attached to every bobbin cairage, that is to say, supposing the figuring work to be
put on is equally distributed over the whole web there are two spools to each
bobbin carriage, but where the figuing is to be in stripes on only upon certain
poi
tions of the web then the number of the spools is reduced accordingly These
spools, as before mentioned, are formed in three sections, and can be made of wood
o any suitable metal They are so constructed that three threads may be readily
' wound on them of any different colours that may be requisite to be used, namely,
two cotton threads may be wound upon two sections of the spools and a silk thread
in the centre These spools when in contact and at work with double biass bobbins
silk flowers or ornamental figuring may be readily raised on the cotton fabric on
both sides if iequued with great facility These spools aio mounted on a horizontal
bai at the back or underneath the machine, and the spools and bars are allowed to
traverse backwards and forwards, while any number of these spools along with
double or two-grooved bobbins may be brought into contact when momentarily
equned By this means a great variety of paltains may be readily produced
When the figure is intended to be raised on the back of the web only then the
figuing threads are to be led though the back guide bais
The threads from the spools are carried over 1ods, and fiom thence descend to
weights pievious to being passed through the sley The weights are cach placed
in a fixed upright tube, in which they have 100m to move up and down, so that the
threads may be kept in a fixed position and thereby prevented from becoming
entangled From the sley they are threaded through the front set of guide bars,
or instead of the guide bais being employed for this purpose brass or steel bais
sunilar to those gencially made use of in twist lace machinery for figuing purposes
may be substituted
The patterns themselves are produced by means of any of the different kinds of
Jacquard heads, wheels, or cylinders now m uso, the action of which and their

page_text: application to twist lace machines being well known do not stand in need of any
detailed application
The thick threads are supplied from spools or bobbins constructed in three
sections, as herein-before mentioned, the fourth section on the bars carrying the
threads for producing the filling-in of the pattern
When the thick threads are used for forming the outlines of the figures in the
pattern I supply these threads fiom independent spools or bobbins Heretofore
such threads have been supplied from beams, and when any one thread was
required to be brought into a pattern all the other threads upon the same beam
requied to be unwound to a cei tan extent and wasted, these having subsequently
to be cut off from the cloth, whereas by winding the threads on independent spools
or bobbins any one thiend may be brought into use without the others being
disturbed Again, by using independent spools divided in three sections, together
with doublo oi two-thread bobbins, which are made in three sections, two thicads
may be conveniently wound on instead of one only, as is now the case
By using
double grooved bobbins I am able to apply the threads from these bobbins for the
warp, and the thread from the spools for the filling up of the pattern, or what is
commonly called "fining," and by thus having so many threads at command to
thow m at any required intervals I can produce the most ichly filled patterns
with a much less number of movements and with threads of less cost, as before
explained, than could be done by using single thead bobbins which are at present
in use
The part of my improvements just described will be found especially applicable
to the manufacture of what is known by the name of plait lace, since by the
adaptation of my system of action such lace may be produced of a size, and of a
fineness in the meshes, and richness in the figures which is impracticable with the
present existing machinery
Further, by dispensing entirely with the beam I get rid of the 11sk of the
breakage of pattern threads now so frequently occurring, ausing from the diagging
stiain which the beam cxerts on these threads
When piled fabrics are to be produced a set of knives or cutters may be employed
as being each cast in the same lead along with the point to which it is attached, in
which condition they are conveniently fixed to the point bais, but they may, if
requnod, be cast in separate loads from the points At the instant at which the
loops of the pile are being cut the movement of the point bars causes the cutters to
pass though the loop The threads from the spools which are employed to form
the pile are held by means of the bus being pressed up against the weights or
against the threads themselves so as to prevent them being drawn off the spools
The movement of the bais is effected by means of a Jacquard head The knives
may also be fixed below the point bars in the slide bars to follow the guide bais, or
they may be attached to point heads as fixed knives The twist lace machine to
which double bobbins have been herein-before described as applied is of the kind
known as the "Leaver's" machine, but they may with equal advantage be applied to
all the other varieties of twist lace or bobbin net machines, and cucular machines
in general.
.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters l'atent filed by
the said Alexander Wilkinson in the Great Seal Patent Offee on the 30th
July 1877
ALEXANDER WILKINSON, of the Town and County of Nottingham, Civil Engineer.
0 "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF METALLIC BOBBINS
FOR USE IN TWIST LACE MACHINES AND BOBBIN NET MACHINES, ALSO IN ADAPTING
TWIST LACE AND BOBBIN NET MACHINES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF FIGURED AND
PILE FABRICS"

page_text: This Invention consists of improvements to every kind of twist lace or bobbin
net machines, whereby double the number of threads can be thrown into a given
space than is now done, which will allow of single spun cotton being substituted
for the double spun cotton now used, it will also allow double the number of loops
to be formed by the same movements of the machine than is at present effected.
Also in adapting twist. lace machines to the manufacture of a class of stout fabrics
which it has heretofore been impracticable to produce by them, namely, carpets,
hear thrugs, curtains, coverlets, and every description of bobbin net lace without
interfering with the employment of the same machines for the production of the
lighter fabrics as at present
Also in manufacturing stout fabrics on or in twist lace and bobbin net machines
with every variety of pattern on or raised oi embodied thereon
Also in adapting twist lace or bobbin net machines to the manufacture of cut
pile fabrics
Also in constructing twist lace or bobbin net in three sections, in order that two
distinct threads may be wound on and kept separate from each other and used
therefi om instead of one thread, as heretofore
Also in constructing or forming spools in or with three sections in order that
three distinct threads can be wound on, the three threads being the same or of
different colours, thicknesses, or material to be used in combination.
According to the first my Invention I 11vett together three brass discs, they
being kept a little apart in the centre by boss-like projections from the both faces
of the centre disc so as to leave two recessus for the threads, one on each side of the
centre disc The two threads are led out from the bobbin on opposite sides of the
bobbin cage, so that supposing a series of bobbins with their callages to be
mounted, side by side, and at work, the threads from the right of one bobbin will
fall into the same space between the points as that coming from the left-hand side
of the next adjoining bobbin carriage, it is by this means that double the number
of theads are thrown into any given space and double the number of loops nie
formed by the same number of movements Great facility is thus afforded for the
formation of strong grounds for ornamental patteins, the grounds being formed of
double threads completely cover the warp when the twist is close together, and if
the twist be made more open and theads be used of different colours then a shot or
shaded fabric may be produced
When the web is to be figured on one side only there are two spools or bobbins
attached to every bobbin carnage, that is to say, supposing the figured work to be
put ou is equally to be distributed over the whole web there are two spools to each
bobbin cariage, but when the figuing is to be in stupes on only upon certain
portions of the web then the number of the spools is reduced accordingly, these
spools can be made in wood or metal and formed in three sections, they and so
constructed that these threads may cadily be wound on them of any different
colours that may be requisite to be used, namely, two cotton threads may be wound
upon two sections of the spools and a silk thread upon the centre, these spools
when in contact and at work with double bobbins Flowers or ornamental
figuing may be readily raised on the cotton fabric on both sides, if requned, with
great facility These spools are mounted on an horizontal bar at the back or under-
neath the machine, and the spools and bais are allowed to traverse backwards and
forwards, while any number of these spools along with double or grooved bobbins
may be brought into contact instantly, when requned, by this means a gicat
variety of patterns may be readily produced when the figure is intended to be
1aused on the back of the web only, then the figuring thicads are to be led back by
the back guide bars
The threads from the spools are carried over rods and from thence descend to
weights previous to being passed through the sley; the weights are each placed in
a fixed upright tube in which they have 100m to pass up and down, so that the
threads may be kept in a fixed position and thereby prevented from becoming
entangled. From the sley they are threaded through the front set of guide bais,

page_text: or instead of the guide bus being used for this purpose brass or steel bais, similar
to those made use of in twist lace machinery for figuring purposes, may be sub-
stituted
The patterns themselves are produced by means of any of the different kinds of
"Jacquard" heads, wheels, or cylinders now in use, the action of which and their
application to twist lace machines being well known, need not be described
The thick threads supplied from spools constructed in three sections, as herein-
before mentioned, the fourth section on the bars carrying the threads for producing
thefilling in of the patterns
When the thick threads are used for forming the outlines of the figures in the
pattern, I supply these from independent spools or bobbins, heretofore such threads
have been supplied from beains, and when any one thread was required to bo
biought into a pattern all the other threads upon the same beam requied to be
unwound to a certain extent and wasted, these having subsequently to be cut off
from the cloth, whereas by winding the threads on independent spools or bobbins
any one thread may be brought into use without the otheis being disturbed, again
by using independent spools divided in three sections, two threads may be con-
veniently wound on instead of one only, as is now the case. By using double grooved
bobbins I am able to apply the threads from these bobbins for the warp and the
threads from the spools for the filling up of the pattern, or what is commonly
called fining, and by thus having so many threads at command to throw in at any
equired intervais I can produce the most ichly filled-in patterns with a much less
number of movements and with threads of less cost, as before explained, than could
be done by using single thread bobbins which are at present in use.
The part of my improvements Just described will be found especially applicable
to the manufacture of what is known by the name of "Valencienes" lace, since by
the adaptation of my system of action such lace may be produced of a size and of a
fineness in the ineshes and 1chness in the figures which is impracticable with the
present existing machinery.
Further, by disponsing entirely with the beam I get rid of the 11sk of breakage of
pattern threads, now so frequently occurring, arising from the draging strain which
the beain exerts on these threads
When piled fabrics are to be produced a set of knives or cutters may
be employed, as each being cast in the same lead along with the point to
which it is attached, in which condition they are conveniently fixed to the point
bai, but they may, if requned, be cast in separate leads from the points
At the instant at which the loops of the pile are being cut the movement of the
point bais causing the cutters to pass through the loop The threads from the spools
which are employed to form the pile are held by means of the bars being pressed
up against the weights or against the threads themselves, so as to prevent them
being diawn off the spools
The movement of the bars is effected by means of a "Jacquard" head, the knives
may also be fixed below the point bars, in the slide bais, to follow the guide bars, 01
they may be attached to point leads as fixed knives The twist lace machine to
which double bobbins have been heiein-before described as applied is of the kind
known as the "Lever's " machine, but they may with equal advantage be applied to
all the other varieties of twist lace o1 bobbin net machines, and circular machines
in general
The filling in of the double bobbins is effected by means of a filling machine of
the same soit as is in general use, but it is necessary to observe that the jack inust
have double the number of bobbins to supply the dium in the first instance and
the sley of the winding machine must contain double the number of compartments
contained in those used for single bobbins I sometimes use in combination with
double brass bobbins as herein-before mentioned, two extra holes in the bobbin
canlage in order to pull tight or slack threads from either side of the bobbin
canage, these threads sometimes being gicatly employed in different kinds of
ornamental and figured laces in general.

page_text: I further claim as my Invention the use of a beat ded point, or a split point, that
may be used in a twist lace machine; these points as here mentioned inay be readily
cast in large or small leads, and may be conveniently applied to all kinds of lace
machines oi bobbin net frames Great facility is afforded by using the bearded point,
oi split point, which will be shewn in Figs 1 and 2, in combination with double brass
bobbins, these points are so constructed in order that they divide the two threads
that are proceeding from cach bobbin cariage so as to keep the two distinct threads
at one time from twisting round the warp thi cad as the point bar is passing from
front to back in order to throw any thread in a given space across the machine, and
in some cases the points, as before mentioned, may be placed with the beard
upright in the fiont point bar and the leads reversed in the back point bai, in
order to keep the thieads from the bobbin canages separate from each other if
requied
In some cases when stout fabrics are to be produced these points may be dispensed
with, if requned, and the ordinary points used that are now in use
Figures 3, 4, and 5, shows the construction of a double brass bobbin that may be
pressed out with great facility, these thiec pieces are so piessed with holes in at
the same time they are pressed out of the solid metal, so as to require no second
punching process for the 11vetts
Figure 6 shows a front view of a bobbin as here mentioned mounted in its carriage
and ready for work for all kinds of twist lace machinery
Fig 7 is an edge view of the bobbin, Figure 8 shows a full sized bobbin, and
Figure 9 shews the bobbin and canage constructed for a rolling locker or curtai
machine with the threads mounted in the bobbins and fit for immediate use
Figure 10 shews an elevation of spool in three sections, and Figure 11 shews an
under side plan of same
Fig 12 shews the point removed from lead
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Wilkinson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Thirtieth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven