Improvements in Machines for Washing and Scouring Wool or similar Fibres.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Dec, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 24th Sept., 1895-Accepted, 7th Dec., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Washing and Scouring Wool or
similar Fibres.
I JOHN DAWSON, of Mayfields Ironworks, Milnrow, near Rochdale, in the
County of Lancaster, Machine Maket, do hereby declare the nature of this
Invention to be as follows
This invention relates to improvements in machines for washing and scouring
wool and similar fibies and the object is to provide simple but efficient means for
actuating or controlling the movement of the delivery rake frame and the main
rahe frame, to provide means for raising the rake fames independently of their
ordinary actuating mechanism, to so alter the general construction of this class of
machine to make it simpler, and to provide means for adjusting or setting the
valious moving parts of the mechanism
To this end my invention consists essentially in the first place of giving to the
mam rake frame a vertically rising and falling and backwards and forwards
movement by means of one or more trains of wheels which are connected by certain
shafts with each other and with the rods by which the rake frame is suspended
from cranks and in, giving to the delivery rake frame, which is connected to the
mam ake frame a somewhat similar movement combined with a curvilinear
movement, partly by the means beforo ieferied to and partly by the addition of
1 slotted arm and rod or link.
The second portion of my invention consists essentially in the use of a ratchet
wheel combined with a pulley, shaft and chain mounted at each end of the machine
for raising the rake frames above their highest normal position during the time the
sud bowl of the machine is being cleaned out, whilst the third part of my invention
will be hereinafter referred to.
The fourth part of my invention consists in the provision of screws or the like
ariangements for setting or adjusting the rods, crank-pins and the like of the
actuating mechanism, and means for indicating the extent of such setting so that
the parts may be reset to certain positions without difficulty.
In carrying out the first portion of my invention I preferably provide, in the
shorter class of wool washing machines, a tiain of wheels at each end of the
machine, which are fixed on shafts and geared together by other wheels fixed on
a longitudinal shaft. To certain of the shafts cari ying the trains of wheels before
eterred to I fix ciank arms or dises, which have adjustably connected to them
crank-pins or studs on which are mounted swivelling sleeves through which the
rods to which the lake frame is connected, are passed The rotation of the wheels
before referred to causes the mechanism to so act that the main rake frame is given
a vertically rising and falling and horizontal backward aud forward movement in
a manner similar to that given to similar machines hitherto in use.
In longer
machines I use one or more trains of wheels intermediate of the two end trains
together with one or more additional cranks and rods
In order to give to the delivery rake frame a movement similar to that of the
main rake frame combined with a civilinear movement I fix to the crank-pin a
slotted arm in which is fixed a stud cauying a swivel piece Through the latter
is passed a 1od the lower end of which is coupled to the forward end of the delivery
akc. As the main frame is given the movement previously described the alotted
arm so rotates round the axis of the crank as to gradually raise the forward end of

page_text: the delivery rake when the main frame gets towards the bottom of its downward
stroke and whilst it completes also its forward stroke so that the wool is pushed
towards the squeezing rollers.
A
In carrying out the second portion of my invention I raise the rake frames in
the manner releured to by means of a ratchet whicel combine with a pulley. The
wheel and pulley are mounted upon a shaft which may be rotated by a crank
handle or the like and to the pulley is connected one end of chain ope or the
like the other end of which carries a hook for attachment to the take frame
pawl o catch is used to hold the parts in position when the frame is raised.
Similar mechanism is placed at both ends of the machine By the use of the
arrangements descubed the rake frames are held up out of the way during the time
the sud bowl is being cleaned and consequently there is more room for the operator
to clean in
In referring to that portion of my mvention dealing with the general arrange-
ment of the machine it should be said that part of the arrangement is referred to
under the first and second heads of my invention. The remaindci consists 10
simplifying the arrangement of the various brackets carrying the mechanisin and
so reducing the height of the settling tank for the suds and rearranging therein
the perforated and scum plates that the whole is easier of access for examining
and cleaning.
Referring to that portion of my invention dealing with the adjustment of those
parts of the mechanism needing it I provide in all cases those parts with scrowed
sm faces of separate sciews so made that they may be readily tui ued-they or their
nuts to alter the stroke of the take frames, to raise or lower them when necessai y
to allow of the descending a greater or lesser distance into the suds or to alter
the path of motion described by the rake points In order that the parts may be
reset to any particular place or places without difficulty one or other of the parts
working together is provided with a graduated scale.
It will be obvious to the skilled engineer that the details of my invention may
be readily altered without affecting the spirit of the invention but in order to
render a greater distinction between old and new means more evident I wish to say
In conclusion that I do not broadly claim as my invention the giving of a vertically
Using and falling and horizontally backward and forward movement to the rake
frame but only the described means for effecting such movement as such movement
has been accomplished by other mechanism in wool washing machines made por
to this application for Patent No do I claim broadly the giving of a similar
movement combined with a curvilinear one to the delivery take as such combined
movement has in part been also accomplished before but I do claim as my invention
the new means described for eflecting a similar or superior movement.
Dated this 21st day of December 1891
Improvements in Machines for Washing and Scouring Wool or
similar Fibres.
I, JOHN DAWSON, of Mayfields Ironworks, Milurow, near Rochdale, in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer and Machine Maker do hereby declare the nature
of this invention 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 improvements in machimes for washing and scouring
wool and similar fibres and the object is to provide simple but efficient means for
actuating on controlling the movement of the delivery lake and the main take; to
provide means for raising the lake frames independently of then ordmaty actuating

page_text: mechanism and to so alter the general construction of this class of machine to
make it simpler and also to provide means for adjusting or setting the various
moving parts of the mechanism.
To this end my invention consists essentially in the first place of giving to the
main rake frame a voitically rising and falling and backward and forward movement
by means of one or more trains of wheels which are connected by certain shafts
with each other and with the rods by which the rake fiame is suspended from
cranks, and in giving to the delivery rake frame which in some cases is connected
to the main rake frame a somewhat similar movement combined with a curvilinear
movement, partly by the means referred to and partly by the use of a slotted arm
and rod or link.
The second portion of my invention consists essentially in the use a ratchet wheel
combined with a pulley, shaft, and chain mounted at each end of the machine, for
raising the lake frames above their highest normal working position during the time
the sud bowl of the machine is being cleaned out, whilst the thud part of my
invention will be hereinafter referred to.
The fourth part of my invention consists in the provision of screws or the like
Brrangements for setting or adjusting the rods, crank-pins and the like and means
for indicating the extent of such setting so that the parts may be reset to certain
positions without difficulty
The accompanying drawings indicate the manner in which my improvements are
carried out In these
Fig. 1 is a partial longitudinal section of a wool washing machine with a partial
side elevation.
Fig. 2 is a plan of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an end elevation, partly in section to an enlarged scale.
Fig 4 shows means for actuating the delivery rake.
Fig. 5 shows the method of setting the crank pins.
Figs 6 and 7 are respectively a longitudinal section and plan of the settling
tank, and
Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the means for raising the rake frames
In cauying out my invention and refeuing more particularly to Figs 1 to 3
1 preferably provule, in the shorter class of woo! washing machines, a train of
wheels at each end of the machine and in the longer machines an additional tram
in the centre. On the first motion shaft A is mounted a fast and loose pulley or a
speed cone a by means of which the machine is driven, in the former case at one
constant speed, in the latter at several different speeds in accordance with the
character of the wool being treated. The shaft A is mounted in a suitable fiame B
carried on longitudinal rails b supported by pillais &' from the framing forming
the sides of the sud bowl A similar fiaine B supports the shafts and train of
wheels at the other end of the machine Ou shaft A is fixed a pinion al gearing
with and driving two spur wheels a fixed on shafts C and D The shaft A also
carries a bevel wheel E which gears with a similar wheel E' fixed on the longi-
tudinal shaft F and which has at its other end a bevel wheel e goaring with a
Similar wheel e fixed on a shaft e" which in turn drives wheels and through the
agency of a pinion f" and consequently then respective shafts G, II
shafts C. D, G and H have fixed at one end cranks e provided with crank-pins c¹.
On the latter are mounted swivels et provided with branch bosses which are
dulled out to allow the passage through them of rods d The latter are screwed
at their upper ends and nuts d' passed on them whilst their lower ends are provided
with bosses d fiom which the iako frame J is suspended. Bais o 1ods 7 fixed to
the rake frame are passed through the bosses for the latter purpose. The
delivery end of the rake fiame is, in the machine shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 a part
of the main rake and to support it a stay or 1od is coupled to it by oue end whilst
ts other end is passed on the first crank-pin c'. The crank arms may be replaced
by discs when desired.
The
The rotation of the wheels before described canses the described mechanism to

page_text: so act that the lake frame is given a vertically rising and falling and horizontal
backward and forward movement to propel the wool forward in the sud bowl, as in
Bome of the machines at present in use It will be obvious that by means of the
screwed portions of the rods d and the nuts the take frame may be caused to
descend more or less deeply into the suds in the sud bowl. One end of the rake
frame may also be lower than the other when desued. Whilst prefeuing to screw
the rods at the upper end I would have it understood that they may be screwed
at their lower ends or intermediate of the two ends, whilst they may each be made
in two separate preces and connected together by a screwed coupling.
As
In order to give to the delivery rake frame, when such as hinged to the end of
the main rake fiame, a movement similar to that of the main take frame combined
with a curvilinear movement, 1 fix to the first crank-pin e-see Fig 4-a slotted,
arm C in which is fixed a stud g carrying a swivel piece q'. Through the latter
18 passed a rod or link g" the lower end of which is coupled to the forward end of
the delivery inke whilst the upper end is screwed and a nut g passed on it.
the main take frame is given the movement eviously described the slotted au
whose connecting point with the rod g" is in advance of the crank pin, rotates
round the axis of the crank to gradually raise the forward end of the delivery rake
when the main rake frame gets towards the bottom of the downward stroke and
whilst it completes its forward stroke, so that the wool is pushed towards the
squeezing rolleis
By means of the slot in the arm C¹ the position of the stud v
can be altered so as to vary the movement of the end of the delivery inke frame as
desired whilst the slotted aim may have its position relative to the clank, also
altered as desired.
In carrying out the second portion of my invention and referring more
particularly to Figs. 3 and 8 I raise the lake frame in the manner and for the
purpose referred to by means of a ratchet wheel K combined with a pulley The
wheel and pulley are mounted upou a shaft K' supported in a bracket attached
to a suitable portion of the framework of the machine, as indicated in Fig. 3.
The end of the shaft is preferably squared so that it may be turned by a crank
haullo o the like. The bracket carries a stud at its upper end on which 18
mouted a pawl to retain the parts in any position desired. To the pulley 18
connected one end of a chain, rope or the like "the lower end of which caries a
hook for attachment to the take fiame. Similar mechanism is placed at both
ends of the machine. By these means the inke frame is held well out of the way
whilst the sud bowl is being cleaned.
In referring to that portion of my invention dealing with the general arrangement
of the machine it should be said that part of this is referred to under the first
and second heads of my inv cation The remainder consists in sumplifying the
arrangement of the various brackets carrying the mechanism and so reducing the
expense. Part of the improvements relate to the settling tank in which the suds
from the sud bowl are allowed to settle and deposit the solid matter before being
returned to the sud bowl by means of a pump on the like. This tank is reduced
in height and is shown in Figs 6 and 7. The suds from the trough beneath the
squeezing rollers are led by the pipe L to the tank M. In this tank 1 place an
elmed perforated plate which I prefet as it more effectually separates the solid
fiom the liquid matter, though a vertical plate might be used-through which the
suds pass
At the other end of the tank I place a solid plato m ovat which the
suds may flow into the compartment m' and also a plate which holds the scum
floating on the surface of the liquid, back. By these means the suds in their
passage through the tank are cleansed of impurities before they reach the
compartment m. They are drawn from the latter though the pipe M¹ and
forced into the sud bowl by means of a pump, or other appliances
Referring now to that portion of my mvention dealing with the adjustment of
those parts of the mechanism needing it, I provide in all cases those parts with
screwed surfaces or separate screws. The former method is illustrated by the
screwing of the ends of the suspension rods d and g" whilst the latter method is

page_text: 19
Shown appled to one of the cranks In this a separate screw N is used, Fig. 5,
passed through the end of the crank and also through a screwed hole in the
crank-pin d The shank of the latter passes through a slot in the crank and is
secured by a nut at the back. By these means the stroke of the cranks can be
altered as desired. In order that the parts may be re-set to any particular place
without difficulty and at the same time accurately oue or other of the adjacent
paitsi cach instance is provided with a graduated scale n whilst the other carries
an index math or a pointei n.
1
The wheels a and and are provided with flanges on which fits in each
case a cover whilst mside the flanges are fixed balance weights to render the
motion uniform, the weights counter balancing that of the rake franie and attached
parts.
In conclusion it will be obvious to the skilled engineer that the details of my
mvention may be readily departed from without affecting the spirit of the invention
but in order to render a gienter distinction between old and new means more
evident I wish it to be understood that I do not claim as my invention the giving
of a rising and falling and horizontally backward and forward movement to the
1ake frame but only the described means for effecting such movement as a similar
movement has been accomplished by other mechanism in wool-washing machines
made prior to this application for Patent. Nor do I claim broadly the giving of a
similai movement combined with a curvilinear one to the delivery ake frame as
such combined movement has in part been accomplished before. Neither do I
claim the use of a settling tank or any of the parts connected with the squeezing
olleis, nor the sud bowl but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manuer the same is to be performed I declare that what I
clain 1s
(1.) In a wool washing and scouring machine the improved means, combination
of parts and arrangement of mechanism for giving to the main rake frame for
propelling the wool forward in the aud bowl, a rising and falling and backward
and forward movement substantially as described.
(2.) In a wool washing and scouring machine the combination of cone pulley a
spur wheels a', a", f, ƒ¹, and ƒ" bevel wheels E, E, e aud e and their respective
shafts, cranks and their appurtenences and rods d, with the lake frame J
substantially as described and shown.
(3.) In a wool washing and scouring machine the improved means and combination
of parts for supporting and actuating the delivery rake frame constructed and
arranged substantially as shown and described with roference to Fig. 4.
(4.) In a wool washing and scouring machine the improved means for adjusting
and indicating the adjustment of the various parts substantially as and for the
pui poses described
(5.) In a wool washing and scouting machine the means for lifting the rake
frame independently of its actuating mechanism substantially as and for the
purposes described.
(6.) In a wool washing and scouring machine the combination with a settling
tank provided with a scum retaining plate of a porforated plate and solid plate m
substantially as and for the purposes described.
(7.) In a wool washing and scouring machine the general construction and
arrangement of parts substantially as described with reference to the accompanying
Irawings
Dared this 21st day of September 1895.
JOIN DAWSON,
Applicant