IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR WEAVING
Year: 1845

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
HENSON, of Wynyatt Street, Clerkenwell, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Eleventh day of November,
in the ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said William Henson, Her especial licence that I, the
said William Henson, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said William Henson, my exors, adiñiors, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also within
all Her Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR WEAVING;" in which said Letters Patent there is
contained a proviso obliging me, the said William Henson, by an instrument
in writing under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, and to cause the same to be iurolled in Her Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months. next and immediately after

page_text: the date of the said recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Henson, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are described and
ascertained by the Drawings hereto annexed, and the words following, that
is to say:
The important feature of novelty in my present Invention consists in what
I shall call a compound loom for weaving cloth of cotton, wool, flax, silk, or
any other fibrous material, in which loom, by the combining and putting
together of certain old and well-known parts and certain new and original
parts of mechanism, the weaving of from several, say two to fifty, pieces of
cloth at a time may go on, and in such way as to effect a saving of expence
in the manufacture, and also a saving of room in the manufactory.
I shall now proceed to describe that compound loom, and also certain minor
improvements in machinery for weaving applied in this compound loom, but
adaptable likewise to ordinary looms. In order to render the Invention more
intelligible I have attached hereto four Sheets of Drawings, Nos. 1, 2, 3, and
4, and have delineated the various parts both in plan and detail, and marked
them also with their corresponding letters of reference.
Sheet 1.-Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation of the compound looni,
shewing a series of four pieces of cloth weaving at a time. Figure 2 is a plan
of the same.
Sheet 2.-Figure 3 is a right-hand elevation, shewing the main geering or
driving apparatus. Figure 4 shews the corresponding end, which is the left-
hand elevation.
The above four views shew the machine in its working condition when its
parts are together.
Sheet 3.-Figure 5 shews a side elevation of the levers, cams, and catch
bolts, also the main driving shaft, with the cams attached, in detail.
Figure 6 is a plan of the machine as cut through the machine horizontally
at the point marked with a red line in Figure 1, Sheet 1, and shews the
arrangement of the headle frames or shafts, as also the manner of working
them, together with the mechanism for throwing them in and out of geer at
pleasure.
Figure 7 is an end elevation of the same portion of the loom as last
mentioned, shewing a section of the headle frames and geering for working
them

page_text: Figure 8 is an enlarged view (of half the real size) of the mode of attaching
and detaching the headle frames to the driving frames, thereby rendering
it easy to throw them in and out of geer, either one at a time, the whole, or
any definite number.
Figure 9 is another plan, shewing the manner of working the headle frames
by a rectangular shaft driven from the main shaft (k) by a pair of mitre
wheels, which rectangular shaft has affixed thereto two cams or tappets, and
connects the driving frames by means of short links, thereby doing away with
the chains, as shewn in Figures 6 and 7.
Sheet 4. Figure 10 is a plan of my improved shuttle. Figure 11 is a
side elevation, shewing the mode of taking in and out the bobbin. Figure 12
is an end elevation of the shuttle and bobbin.
Figure 13, Sheet 4, is an edge elevation of my improved temple. Figure
14 is a front elevation of the same. Figure 15 shews the same edge
elevation, with the position of the selvage of the cloth as operated upon by
the temple.
I will now proceed to describe the construction and operation of the
machine, and point out or shew, singly and in combination, the various parts
of mechanism by their letters of reference. (a, a, a, a, a, a,) Figure 1, 2, 3,
and 4, Sheet 1 and 2, shew the end frames of the machine, to which are
attached the side rails (b, c, d, and e). (6) is the top rail for supporting the
spring. (c) is another rail for supporting the journals and bearings of the
cloth rollers. (d) is the rail for the support of the headle frames. (e) is the
bottom rail for supporting or carrying the warp beam. This constitutes the
framing of the machine. (f) is the main driving pully, which becomes a
driver or not, at the will of the operator, by means of the clutch box (9),
which slides on a feather on the driving or pinion shaft (h). (i) is the driving
pinion, which works into the driven wheel (1), of four times its circumference,
which wheel is attached to the main shaft (k). This main shaft (k) carries on
it, at various points, the whole of the cams and trips or tappets which work
the principal movements of the machine for producing the various effects
required in the process of weaving, which effects are obtained by the
action of the cams (l, m, n, o, and p,) and working into and operating upon
the levers (g, r, s, t, and u,) which levers form the main movers to the various
parts of the machine. The effects of each movement I will now proceed to
describe.
The first movement required is in opening the sheds (A), as seen in
longitudinal elevation, Sheet 1, Fig. 1, so as to make room for the shuttle
to pass through, which carries the wefts. These sheds are upon this Draw-

page_text: ing 4 in number, and are opened by means of the cams (o & p), these
cams operating on the levers (t and u) at each end of the frame by means
of the edges or rims of the said cams working against friction rollers or
trucks fastened on studs or bearings marked vand w. These friction rollers
or trucks are kept in contact with the edges of the cams (o and p) by
means of a small connecting rod (x), which limits the distance between the
two levers. These two levers (t, u,) radiate on two pins marked (B and
B, and ply between the jaws of the bracket (C, C,) which gives it a permanent
moving point. At the upper end of these two levers (t and u) there are two
centre pins, on to which play or move the two strap ends of the traverse bars
(D and E). The other end of these bars work into bearings provided in the
stud or bracket (F, F,) which gives each traverse bar a perfect parallel motion.
On each of these traverse bars are fastened one cross bracket (G, G). On the
outer point of these cross brackets there is attached one end of each of the two
traverse chains H, H, and H, H). These traverse chains pass around the
pulleys (I, I, and J, J,) at both ends of the machine, which is shewn in detail,
Fig. 6 and 7, Sheet 3. The other ends of the said chains are attached to the
moving frames (K, K,) which carry the headle frames (L). These headle
frames can, at the will of the operator, be thrown in and out of gear, and
stopped at pleasure, the arrangements for which will be described in another
part of this Specification.
The second movement required is that of throwing the shuttles, which
in the machine shewn in these Drawing, Fig. 1 and 2, Sheet 1, are
four in number, and marked with the letters (M). These shuttles are
thrown alternately, from back to front by means of the two driving bars
(n and o). On to each bar are affixed 4 tappet points (P, P, P, P,)
which tappet points project up at a sufficient height from the plane of the
driving bars as to come in contact with the points of the shuttles, so that
when the driving bars are let go with sufficient force the shuttles receive their
necessary impetus to convey them with their wefts through the shods to the
opposite side of the loom from front to back, and are sent back again by the
opposite machinery in the same way from back to front. The driving bars are
each passed back to their respective places by means of the ends of the
traverse bars (D, D,) which receive their motion by the cams (o and p), as
connected with the levers (t and u), as before described. The ends of each
traverse bar (D) are each marked with the letters (Q and R). As the traverse
bars passes from back to front it pushes the driving bars over the spring bolts
(S, S,) which is clearly shewn in detail, Figure 7. These spring bolts hold
the driving bars fast until the time arrives when the spring bolts (S) are slid or

page_text: pulled down by means of a motion derived from a cam on the main shaft
marked (u). This cam moves the arm piece (s), which arm piece is fastened
to the small traverse shaft (T), which is shewn in Figure 6 and 7. This latter
shaft has fastened at each end thereof two crooked arms (u), bent in to and
working on the bottom of the spring bolt (S). Now it will be readily seen
that when the cam (u) strikes or moves the arm piece (s) it gives motion to
the shaft (T), which has the crooked arms (U, U,) working at the bottoms of
the afore-mentioned spring bolts (S), which moves or pulls these bolts down
when the driving bars (n and o) "let go" alternately, and the shuttles are
driven through the sheds marked (A), and are again driven back by the
corresponding motion. The spring or impetus is given to the driving bars (n
and o) by means of the pendulam ears (V and W), each of which has at its'
centre or point of suspension spiral springs, precisely the same as the springs'
used for the common door spring. The amount of tention of each spring is
regulated by the centre pins (a). At the lower end of these pendulani bars
are affixed two connecting rods (Y and Z), each of which are connected by
the opposite ends to each of the driving bars (n and o), so that when the
traverse bars (D, D,) push back the driving bars (n and o) the pendulum bars
are pulled back and held in the position as shewn in the end elevations,
Figures 3 and 4, Sheet 2. When the driving bars are released by the spring
bolts (S) the force of the springs in the centres or points of action of the
pendulum bars, as before described, throws the shuttles from back to front,
and from front to back alternately, thereby carrying their wefts, and thus
forming the several pieces of cloth. There are peculiar features in and
attachments to the shuttels, which are more particularly described hereafter.
The third' movement to be described is commonly called the lay motion, for
striking home the weft which forms the cloth. The lay frame is marked (a¹),
which carries the lays (b', b', 6', b',) and runs from right to left, and is
suspended by the spring (c, c). This spring (, c,) by means of the rods
(d, d) in the arrangement now being described, operates on all the lays at
one time, which lays are thrown up with the frame in the manner herein-
after mentioned. It will be seen, Sheet 1, Figure 1, that the tention of the
spring c, c, is pulled down to its maximum point by means of the cams (e); as
before named, pressing down the levers (7); and that the spring is held in that
position until the weft is passed through the sheds, those sheds having been
opened before the descent of that lay. The manner in which the lay frame
with the spring is held down is by the peculiar shape of the cams (1, 1) as seen
in Figure 7, Sheet 3, which cans are in the position of letting go the long

page_text: levers (9), which gives the first blow to the wefts. The same levers are shewn
in the ascent as being pulled up by the force of the spring; but in weaving
heavy cloths there is generally required a secondary blow, which blow is in
the present machine caused by means of the cam (m) pressing up the levers
(E,E). The ends of these levers (E', E¹,) catch under notches in the lower
ends of the vertical rods (f', f), which rods are suspended from the extreme
end of the two arms (9.9). The secondary blow of the lays comes with
greater force on account of the blow being communicated by the rods
(f) which are off from the point of action, consequently the leverage will
be greater.
Having now shewn the manner of opening the several sheds, and also of
throwing the several shuttles, and of driving up the several wefts by the lays,
it will be necessary to explain the manner of taking up the cloth, but previous
to which I shall describe the mode in which the beams (h', h³, h', h¹,) are
operated upon to keep the warps tight, which is simply by means of the
weights (,,, ) these being suspended by the leather belts (‚Ì‚Ì‚Ï³‚)
each of which passes one turn over the ends of the beam in grooves formed
thereon for the purpose. The taking-up motion of the cloth rollers is caused
by means of the rod (k), which at its lower end is connected or fastened to a
rod projecting from the lay frame, and at its upper end is attached to the lever
(1), which lever moves on a fulcrum point on the centre of the ratchett (o²).
To the end of this lever (4) is attached another lever (m³), passing over the
frame of the machine at right angles with the former, which is connected by
the short links (n¹). The fulcrum point of the lever ("") is on the centre of
the ratchett wheel (0¹), and the corresponding end is attached to the spiral
spring (p), which spiral spring pulls back the lever when the lay ascends.
This lever has a small poll or catch (p 2) working on a joint made to receive
it, and catches into the notches on the periphery of the ratchett wheel (o'),
and when acted on with the descending stroke of the lay frame pushes the
ratchett. wheel (o¹), and operates on the cloth rollers for the taking up of the
cloth. The other end of the lever (m³) rests on the outer end of the cloth
roller (t), and as the diameter increases by the constant accumulation of
cloth on the roller it shortens the amount of motion required for the poll or
catch (p) in the exact proportion necessary at all times from the commence-
ment of the weaving of the piece of cloth to its completion. The short link
(n) has a slot in it at the bottom end, which gives the necessary play to
prevent the lever (m²) from raising from the cloth, or, in other words, to
allow the lay to descend without lifting the end of the lever (m³) from the

page_text: cloth roller. It will be seen, that as the poll (p 2) turns the ratchett wheel
round it operates on the small longitudinal shaft (9'), which shaft runs into
bearings affixed to the cross rails (c), formerly described, which shaft carries
thereon four worms (r³, r¹, r³, r¹,) which worms work into the wheels (s', s²,)
affixed into the ends of the shaft of the cloth rollers (t, t,) by which the work
is taken up. These cloth rollers (t", t¹) are held in their position by means
of the ratchett wheels and catch or poll at the back of the machine, marked
(u, u, u, u). It will be necessary in stopping of each loom or each piece
of cloth to disconnect or throw out of geer the afore-mentioned taking-up
motion, so that the cloth may not be overstretched. This is accomplished by
the clutch boxes (¹), which slide on a feather on the shafts or axles of the
cloth rollers (¹), which clutch boxes are operated on by the levers (w¹).
These levers are suspended on the ends of the brackets or hangers (¹), which
are fastened to the rails (c), as before described. Now it will be seen, that if
the worm wheels (s', s², s¹, s',) be loose on the shaft, and the clutch boxes made
to slide on a feather thereon, that the clutch boxes become the drivers; so
that when thrown into geer with the corresponding catches on the face of the
worm wheels (s, s¹,) that the cloth rollers will turn round at the necessary
speed required for taking up or tighteening such piece, and the reverse when
the clutch boxes are thrown out of geer, thus accomplishing the throwing in
and out of geer of each piece of cloth, and stopping and starting them at
pleasure. It will also be necessary to stop the shuttles from passing through
the sheds while the operator mends the broken thread of the warp or weft.
This is done by turning down that portion of the tappett points which project
above the plane of the driving bars (o and n), as before described. These
tappett's points work on a joint or hinge having a spring catch attached
thereto, which connects them to or releases them from the driving bars at
pleasure, so that when the tappett points are turned down there is nothing to
come in contact with the shuttles to drive them forward; consequently the
shuttle remains stationery until the operator again turns up the tappett points
(P, P.) when the shuttle is thrown as before, thus keeping part of the machine
and some shuttles in motion, while other shuttles remain or any one shuttle
remains stationary. It will be necessary in stopping the weaving of any
particular piece of cloth forming one section of this loom to stop the headle
frames (L, L) connected therewith), which open the sheds. These headle
frames receive their motion by the two driving frames (K, K,) which are fully
shewn in Figures 6, 7, and 8, Sheet No. 3. The driving frames are two in
number, and receive their motion through the medium of the traverse chains
H, H, passing over the pullies I, I, and J, J, at each end of the machine, as

page_text: before described. Two of the traverse chains are fastened on to each frame
at each end thereof. These chains, passing over the pullies J, J, are fastened
to the top frame, and the chains passing over the pulleys I, I, are fastened to
the bottom frame, by which arrangement each frame receives an alternating
motion. These frames are supported by means of the carriers R³, which
carriers are fastened on to the side of each frame at three different points,
as marked
in Plan, Fig. 6, the frames being guided and kept
parallel with each other in their movements by means of the friction rollers
(L³, L³,) running on the top and side edges of the side rails (d), as before
described in Sheet 1, Fig. 1, so that each driving frame slides or traverses
parallel with and free from each other by the agency of these carriers and
friction rollers, as before described. The ends of the said headle frames L, L,
which carry the shafts, pass out through the side of the driving frames K,
and come nearly in contact with the throwing-out handle or lever (n²) on the
left-hand side of the plate and spiral spring (m²) on the right-hand side, but
not touching either while traversing and in geer. The headle frames, as
marked (L, L), are independent of the driving frames K. until they are locked
into the catches P, P, P, as shewn in Fig. 6; but when a particular set of the
headle frames are required to be thrown out of the motion the operator pulls
the handle or lever operating upon that set towards him. That handle or
lever moves upon the fulcrum point 0³, the upper end of which lever
comes in contact with the stretcher pieces (R2, R) of the headle frames
intended to be stopped, and thereby pushes that one set of headle frames out
of the catches P2, P3, and throws them into the catcbes (S³, S2,) on the
opposite side, thereby locking that particular set of headle frames, and causing
the same to remain stationary while the traverse frames (K) keep moving.
When the set of frames so stopped have been released by the handle or lever
(n) been pushed back again by the spiral spring (m³), then this set of frames
lock again into the catches P³, P, and then receive the motion given, as
before described, by the drawing frames.
A peculiar feature in this machine is the manner of constructing the
shuttle so that it will carry a bobbin containing more than twice the quantity
of yarn of any shuttle now in use with which I am acquainted, thereby
making up twice the length of cloth with the weft before stopping the loom to
change the bobbin. The shape and construction of the shuttle and. bobbin
will be seen by reference to Figs. 10, 11, and 12, Sheet 4.
Fig. 10 is a-plan, shewing a vertical view of both bobbin and shuttle; also
the manner in which the two ends of the shuttle are bound or held together
hy the top binding strap (a2). There are two longitudinal side straps

page_text: (6,6) running round the base of the shuttle, as seen in side elevation, Fig. 11,
into which run the journals or bearings of the trucks or rollers (*,*).
These rollers are four in number, and may be seen by reference to Figs. 10
and 11. The open space in the centre of the shuttle which receives the
bobbin, as marked (d³, d³,) is closed up at the bottom by the lid (e), which
lid is hung with a hinge (f), as shewn open in Fig. 11 in dotted line. This
lid has affixed to its centre a spindle which carries the bobbin (9). This
spindle, being split through the middle at the top (n²), has two small shoulders
or notches thereon, which catch over the top of the bobbin (h2, h²), keeping it
from rising by the pull of the weft as the latter passes through the whole (*).
When the lid is closed up or shut it is held by and catches into the spring
catch (), and when required to be opened the spring is pressed by the thumb
or finger, when the lid can be turned down again or opened, and then upon
the spindle a fresh bobbin can be placed.
Another peculiar feature in this machine is a self-acting temple, the shape
and mechanical arrangement of which is shewn in detail, Fig. 13, 14, and 15,
Sheet 4.
Figures 13 and 14 furnish an edge and front view of the temple, shewing
the arm (), into which are affixed two stud pins (63, 6) on which stud pins
run two pulleys (m², m³) the centres of which are placed about two and a
half inches apart from each other, which pulleys carry on their peripheries an
endless belt, as marked (n²), 'in recesses turned thereon for the purpose. This
endless belt I prefer to be composed of a piece of leather, stretched and
shaved to an equal thickness, the two ends of which are brought in contact
and sewn together, making an endless belt of leather. This endless belt is
covered on the outside surface with small plates of metal, which I prefer to be
of brass, laid consecutively and close to each other, of about one tenth of an
inch in thickness, and three eighths of an inch in width, and on the inside sur-
face with similar pieces of about one thirtieth of an inch in thickness. These
inside and outside pieces of brass are rivetted together, having the leather
belt intervening between, as shewn in edge view, Fig. 14. This belt, when
completed, forms an endless belt of consecutive layers of brass on the inside
and outside, with a continuous piece of leather as a medium between. Near
the edge of this belt is affixed a series of small pins or spurs, shewn in Fig. 13,
14, and 15. These pins are made of steel, and are screwed into each con-
secutive piece of brass, forming an endless series of pins or spurs, which are
brought into contact with the edges of the cloth as it is taken up by the cloth
rollers. By the combined action of the temples, and by the taking-up motion,

page_text: as before described, the cloth is always kept stretched tight to its desired
width throughout the whole length of the piece of cloth while being woven.
The pins or spurs are shewn in Fig. 15 protruding through the edge of the
cloth as marked (0%, 03, 02, 02, 0%). The situation of the before-mentioned
self-acting temple on the compound loom, when in action, may be seen by
reference to Sheet 1, Fig. 1.
The shuttle and bobbin and self-acting temples lastly described are obviously
adapted to ordinary looms by means which will readily suggest theinselves to
mechanics acquainted with the construction and working of these looms and
of their various parts. I have described and shewn these portions of my
Invention in detail with Figures as applied to my compound loom, but in
applying my shuttle and bobbin to the ordinary single horizontal loom the
part which now forms the base of my present shuttle will be in a vertical line
and parallel to the reeds, and the rollers will be placed on the side of the
shuttles, so that they will travel on the warps forming the inside of the sheds.
In applying the self-acting temples to ordinary looms the temple may be.
fastened to any part of the sides of the loom most convenient, or on to a bar.
running parallel with the cloth, or on to what is commonly called the breast
bar, the continuous belt, with its points or spurs, being in contact with the
selvage of the cloth, as before described, which continuous belt will be operated
upon by the taking-up motion of the cloth roller of the loom.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I hereby declare that what I claim as of my
Invention is,―
Firstly, the compound loom for weaving several pieces of cloth at one and
the same time, constructed and arranged as above described and represented.
Secondly, I claim as of my Invention, and as an improvement in machinery
for weaving, a shuttle with a moveable lid and bobbin of the form and
combined together in the manner herein-before described.
Lastly, I claim as of my Invention, and as an improvement in machinery
for weaving, the self-acting temple, constructed and operating in the weaving
of fabrics as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-six.
WILLIAM (L.s.) HENSON:

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Eleventh day of May, in the
year of our Lord 1846, the aforesaid William Henson came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Eleventh day of May, in the year of our Lord One
Enrolled the Eleventh day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-six.