of Spinning Machines and similar Textile Machinery.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 7th May, 1887
Complete Left, 13th Dec., 1887
Complete Accepted, 13th Jan., 1888
of Spinning Machines and similar Textile Machinery.
I EMILE MAERTENS of 295 Broadway in the City of Providence State of Rhode
Island United States of America Woollen Mill Superintendent do hereby declare the
nature of this Invention to be as follows:-
The object of my Invention is to provide a cheap and practicable plan of converting
an ordinary spinning or twisting frame, mule or like piece of machinery from
a "single-drive" machine to a multiple-drive" machine that is to say from a
machine in which a separate driving band is employed for each spindle to one in
which a single band is used for driving a series or set of spindles a further object
being to so construct a tension device for the band, and to so apply the same to said
band that no material deflection of the latter will be caused by the action of the
tension device thereupon.
The majority of spinning and twisting frames at present in use, have the driving
drum midway between the opposite rows of spindles and with its axis in a
horizontal plane in line with the whirls of the opposite spindles, when the latter
are fixed, or in a plane midway of the limits of movement of the whirls when the
spindles reciprocate, a special driving band for each spindle being employed.
This common method of driving the spindles is open to many objections, and in
order that my invention may be better understood, I will at the outset briefly allude
to the requirements necessary for proper spinning or twisting.
In the first place a certain amount of tension on the driving band is required in
order that the spindle may be driven at its proper speed, a lack of proper tension
causing loss of twist in the yarn as well as wear of the band due to the slipping of
the same on the driving drum or spindle whirl, while on the other hand excessive
tension is accompanied by a corresponding excessive consumption of power and
lubricant and undue wear upon the machinery.
When a single band for each spindle is employed, the tension upon the bands varies
with almost every spindle and the bands tighten and slacken in accordance with

page_text: the variations of temperature or hygrometric condition of the atmosphere in
the mill.
The bands are frequently tied up in the wrong way and allowed to run in this
manner for some time before detection thus causing wrong twist in the yarns and
serious loss, either because of waste or from working such defective yarn up
into cloth.
Waste due to slack twisted yarns is also a considerable item of loss in a large mill,
and when the driving band becomes slack, it must be replaced and in most cases, is
unfit for further use.
Most of these objections may be overcome or materially lessened by a system of
multiple driving that is to say, a system in which a series of spindles are driven by a
single band, for by this means not only is the extent of possible variation in the
working of the spindles reduced because of the less number of independent driving
bands employed, but provision is afforded for using a tension device for each band a
plan which cannot be advantageously adopted when there is a separate band for each
spindle, because of the excessive number of tension devices which would be necessary
in such case with the accompanying excessive wear and excessive consumption of
power and lubricant in running the machine.
So far as I am aware, however no simple, cheap and practicable plan of multiple
drive and tension device has been heretofore devised for use in connection with
machines having the driving drum and spindles located as in the present single drive
machines, and my invention has for its object the provision of such means so that
the ordinary machines can at slight expense be changed to practical multiple drive
machines.
I arrange the spindles in sets, each set comprising a series of spindles (preferably
not more than four) on each side of the machine and I carry the band over and in
contact with the drum in crossing from one series of spindles to the other at one end
of the set and under and in contact with the drum in passing from series to series at
the opposite end of the set and I apply a tension device to the band at such point that
it will not interfere with the driving contact between the drum and band at the points
where the latter crosses the drum.
By this means I avail myself of the driving contact of the band with the drum at
each end of the set of spindles and 1 am enabled to use in connection with the band,
a direct-acting tension pulley carried by a weighted compensating lever and dispense
with all carrying pulleys which are indispensable if any attempt is made to impart
tension to the band where it crosses from one series of spindles to the other at one
end of the set.
When the spindles are stationary the tension pulley may act upon the band at a
point between the drum and the spindle but when the spindles reciprocate, I use a
tension pulley acting upon a special loop of the band this loop extending from the
drum to the pulley and then back to the drum as by this arrangement all deflection
of the band between the drum and spindles is avoided and the tendency of the
band to leave the whirl on account of such deflection of the band is effectually
overcome.
The improved form of tension device may be used in connection with a band
employed for driving any desired number of spindles located at each side of the
machine, or the tension device may be employed with advantage when the spindle or
series of spindles driven by the band is at one side of the drum.
When a series of spindles at one side of the drum is driven in this manner the tension
pulley is arranged at an angle so as to carry the band from one end of the series to
the other.
If desired the band may pass from a spindle to and in contact with the drum and
then directly to a side tension pulley and back from the same to and in contact with
the drum and thence to the spindle.
This lessens the extent of driving contact of the drum and band as compared with
the other plans but if desired this can be compensated for by giving the band an
extra turn around the drum at any convenient point.

page_text: The pulley which receives the tension loop of the band has a shaft which is adapted
to a recess in a block of wood, raw-hide or other material providing a good bearing
for the shaft the latter being retained in position by a transverse pin or any other
suitable means.
The bearing block is adapted to the recessed outer end of one arm of the tension
lever, the other arm of which is provided with a suitable adjustable weight.
The lever is hung to a transverse rod or shaft, and the arm of the lever is made in
two parts connected by a bolt at right angles to the line of the shaft, so that said arm
of the lever is free to swing in a plane at right angles to that in which the lever itself
moves, whereby the tension pulley is at liberty to accommodate itself to any angle
which may be assumed by the tension loop of the driving band.
The hub of the lever is notched, so that said lever can be dropped onto the pivot
rod or lifted therefrom with facility and said hub is recessed for the reception of a
ring secured to the pivot rod, a lug projecting into a slot in the hub of the lever
and serving by contact with the ends of said slot to limit the swinging movement of
the tension lever.
The ring is provided with a set screw whereby it may be secured upon the pivot
rod in any desired position which the desired variations in the limit of movement of
the tension lever may demand.
Although as above remarked, this form of tension lever is preferred, various forms
of levers may be used in carrying out the main feature of my invention for instance a
lever of a different order having a weight adjustable between the fulcrum of the lever
and the hearing of the tension pulley may be used, or the tension pulleys may be
carried by bell-crank levers, a lever of the latter class being employed when the
tension pulley is located at one side of the driving drum.
The side tension pulley may be so arranged that one limb of the special loop may
be free from contact with the driving drum, no material deflection of the belt
resulting from this slight change.
1008
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, W.C.,
Agents.

page_text: Improvements in Means for Driving the Spindles and like Parts
of Spinning Machines and similar Textile Machinery.
I, EMILE MAERTENS, of 295 Broadway in the City of Providence, State of Rhode
Island, United States of America, Woollen Mill Superintendent 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, that is
to say:
"
One object of my Invention is to provide a cheap and practicable plan of converting
an ordinary spinning or twisting frame mule or like piece of machinery from a
single drive" machine to a "multiple drive" machine, that is to say, from a machine
in which a separate driving band is employed for each spindle, to one in which a
single band is used for driving a series or set of spindles or bobbins a further object
being to so construct a tension device for the band and to so apply the same to said
band that no material deflection of the latter will be caused by the action of the tension
device thereupon.
I will describe my Invention with reference to the accompanying drawings;
Figure 1 of which is a transverse section partly in elevation and figure 2 a plan view
of sufficient of a spinning or twisting frame to illustrate my Invention: Figures 3, 4,
and 5 views illustrating different plans of multiple banding in accordance with my
Invention Figs. 6 to 12 inclusive views shewing other forms of banding with which
my improved tension device can be used. Figures 13 to 17 inclusive enlarged views
of the tension device; Figures 18 to 20 inclusive views shewing modified forms of
the same. Figures 21 to 27 inclusive views illustrating ways in which some of these
modified forms of tension device may be used; and Figures 28 and 29 views illustrating
a preferable form of applying the pulleys in double frames that is to say frames in
which there are a series of spindles on each side of the driving drum.
The majority of spinning and twisting frames at present in use have the driving
drum centrally between the opposite rows of spindles and with its axis in a horizontal
plane in line with the whirls of the opposite spindles, spools or bobbins when the
latter are fixed or in a plane midway of the limits of movement of the whirls when
the spindles spools or bobbins reciprocate, hence the term mid-plane where used in
this Specification has reference to the horizontal plane of the axis of the drum
and not to the disposition of the drum centrally in respect to the opposite rows of
spindles.
The common method of driving the spindles or bobbins is to employ a special
driving band for each spindle a plan which is open to many objections and in order
that my Invention may be the better understood I will at the outset briefly allude to
the requirements necessary for proper spinning or twisting..
In the first place a certain amount of tension on the driving band is required in
order that the spindle or bobbin may be driven at its proper speed a lack of proper
tension causing loss of twist in the yarn as well as wear of the band due to the slipping

page_text: of the same on the driving drum or on the whirl while on the other hand excessive
tension is accompanied by a corresponding excessive consumption of power and
lubricant and undue wear upon the machinery.
When a single band for each spindle is employed the tension upon the band varies
with almost every spindle and the bands tighten and slacken in accordance with
the variation of temperature or hygrometric condition of the atmosphere in the mill.
The bands are frequently tied up in the wrong way, and allowed to run in this
manner for some time before detection, thus causing wrong twist in the yarns,
and serious loss, either because of waste or from working such defective yarn up into
cloth.
Waste due to slack twisted yarns is also a considerable item of loss in a large mill
and when the driving band becomes slack, it must be replaced and in most cases, is
unfit for further use.
Most of these objections may be overcome, or materially lessened, by a system of
multiple driving, that is to say, a system in which a series of spindles or bobbins are
driven by a single band, for by this means not only is the extent of possible variation
in working reduced, because of the less number of independent driving bands
employed, but provision is afforded for using a tension device for each band, a plan
which cannot be advantageously adopted where there is a separate band for each
spindle, because of the excessive number of tension devices which would be necessary
in such case, with the accompanying excessive wear and excessive consumption of
power and lubricant in running the machine.
So far as I am aware, however, no simple cheap and practicable plan of multiple
drive and tension device has been heretofore devised for use in connection with
machines having the driving drum and spindles located as in the present single drive
machines, as shown, for instance, in Figure 1 and my invention has for its object the
provision of such means, so that the ordinary machines can, at slight expense, be
changed to practical multiple drive machines.
In Figures 1 and 2 A represents the central driving drum of a spinning or twisting
frame, B, B, the opposite spindles, B₁ B₁ the spindle rails, D, D, the lifter rails, and w
the driving band adapted to the driving drum and to the whirls of bobbins on which
the yarn is wound, the machine shown being a cap spinning machine, in which the
spindles are fixed and the bobbins rotated although, as will be evident, my invention
can be applied as well to machines in which the spindles are rotated.
I arrange the spindles in sets, each set comprising a series of spindles on each side
of the machine and I apply a tension device to the band at such point that it will
not interfere with the driving contact between the drum and band where the latter
crosses the drum from one series of spindles to the other at the end of the set.
By this means I avail myself of the driving contact of the band with the drum at
each end of the set of spindles and I am enabled to use in connection with the
band, a direct-acting tension pulley carried by a weighted compensating lever and
dispense with the carrying pulleys which are necessary in other systems of banding
with which I am familiar.
When the whirls are not reciprocated the tension pulley may act upon the band at
a point between the drum and spindle, but when the whirls reciprocate, I prefer to
use a tension pulley a acting upon a special loop y of the band w, this loop extending
from the drum to the pulley and then back to the drum, as by this arrangement all
deflection of the band between the drum and whirls is avoided and the tendency of
the band to leave the whirl on account of such deflection of the band is effectually
overcome.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 show my improved plan of banding and tension device applied,
respectively to four, six and ten spindles.
The improved form of tension device may however be used in connection with a
band employed for driving a less number of spindles or bobbins than four; for
instance, Figure 6 shows a two spindle arrangement, one spindle being located at
each side of the machine and Figure 7 shows three spindles, two on one side of the
drum and one on the opposite side.

page_text: The tension device may also be employed with advantage when the spindle or series
of spindles is at one side of the drum Figures 8, 9 and 10 showing respectively one
two and four spindles arranged in this manner.
When a series of spindles at one side of the drum is driven in this manner, the
tension pulley can be arranged at an angle, so as to carry the band from one end
of the series to the other, as shown in Figures 9 and 10.
If desired, the special loop y to which the tension pulley is adapted may be of
the character shown in Figures 11 and 12 that is to say, the band may pass from a
whirl to and in contact with the drum and then directly to a side tension pulley,
and back from the same to and in contact with the drum and thence to a whirl, as in
Figure 11.
This lessens the extent of driving contact of the drum and band, as compared with
the other plans shown, but if desired, this can be compensated for by giving the band
an extra turn round the drum at any convenient point, as shown, for instance in
Figure 12.
The tension device which I prefer to use is shown in figures 13 to 17.
The pulley x which receives the tension loop y of the band w has a shaft a which is
adapted to a recess in a block of wood raw hide or other material providing a good
bearing for the shaft, the latter being retained in position by a transverse pin d or
other suitable means.
The bearing block b is adapted to the recessed outer end of one arm of the tension
lever G the other arm f¹ of which is provided with a suitable adjustable weight g.
The lever G is hung to a transverse rod or shaft and the arm f of the lever is made
in two parts connected by a bolt i at right angles to the line of the shaft / so that said
arın fof the lever is free to swing in a plane at right angles to that in which the lever
itself moves, whereby the tension pulley x is at liberty to accommodate itself to any
angle which may be assumed by the tension loop y of the driving band.
The hub m of the lever G is notched so that said lever can be dropped on to the
pivot rod or lifted therefrom with facility and said hub is recessed for the reception of
a ring n secured to the pivot rod h. a lug n¹ projecting into a slot p. in the hub m of
the lever and serving by contact with the ends of said slot p to limit the swinging
movement of the tension lever.
The ring n is provided with a set screws whereby it may be secured upon the
pivot rod h in any position which the desired variations in the limit of movement of
the tension lever may demand.
Although as above remarked this form of tension lever is preferred various forms
of levers may be used in carrying out the main feature of my invention for instance,
in Fig. 18 I have shown a lever of a different order having a weight adjustable
between the fulcrum of the lever and the bearing of the tension pulley and in
Figs. 19 and 20 I have shown tension pulleys carried by bell crank levers, a lever of the
latter class being employed when the tension pulley is located at one side of the
driving drum as in Figs. 11 and 12.
The side tension pulley x may be so arranged that one limb of the special loop y
may be free from contact with the driving drum as shown for instance in Fig. 19 no
material deflection of the belt resulting from this slight change.
Fig. 21 shows the application of the form of tension pulley shown in Fig. 20 to the
driving band of a spinning mule but in this case the tension pulley is so large that the
loop does not come in contact with the drum the tension pulley being in fact applied
to a loop of the band extending between adjacent spindle whirls.
By this means the tension pulley can be placed upon the outside of the mule
carriage where it is readily accessible. The large size of the pulley permits the taking
up of a large amount of slack with but slight movement of the pulley and there is no
acute deflection of the band in its passage from the whirl to the tension pulley Bo
that there is no tendency to run the band off the whirl.
In Figs. 21 & 22 I have shown a single band driving twelve spindles but it will be
evident that it may be applied to a greater or less number if desired.
The band passes directly from the whirl of one end spindle of the set to that of the

page_text: spindle at the other end of the set the end whirls being in a lower plane than the
intermediate whirls to permit this. In order however to avoid chafing of the band
which would inevitably occur if the spindles were banded up as shown by dotted lines
in Fig. 22. the band passes to the end whirl of the set from the whirl of the next inner
spindle so that by the time it reaches a cross band in its direct passage from one end
whirl to the other it will be deflected to such an extent as not to come in contact with
said cross band.
In Figs. 23 and 24 I have shown the tension pulley applied to a loop formed
between two whirls on the same spindle instead of between the whirls of successive
spindles while in Fig. 25 I have shown pulleys outside the line of spindles for convey-
ing the band from one end of the set of spindles to the other and thus dispense with
the necessity of placing the whirls on the end spindles of the set in a lower plane
than those of the intermediate spindles.
In Figs. 26 and 27 I have shown a tension device of the character represented in
Fig. 19 as applied to a spinning or twisting frame having spindles on both sides of the
central drum.
I find it preferable in many cases in these double machines (that is to say machines
having rows of spindles on both sides of the drum) to apply tension pulleys to the
band at each end of the set of spindles as shown in Fig. 28 for instance, preserving
however the special loop extending from drum to pulley and thence back to the drum.
Tension is thus applied both to the oncoming and delivery portion of the band and
less weight is required in order to get the proper tension while the pulleys serve to so
direct the band at each end of the set of spindles as to cross or separate the turns of
said band and thus obviate all risk of chafing or overrunning whereas these latter
objections are very likely to arise if any attempt is made to make a complete turn of
the band around the drum at either end of the set of spindles in the absence of the
tension pulley.
Where the set of spindles comprises a large number it is sometimes advisable to
employ in addition to the tension pulleys at the ends of the set one or more inter-
mediate tension pulleys one of these intermediate tension pulleys being shown in
Fig. 29. This provides for the taking up of a large amount of slack without excessive
oscillation of the levers carrying the tension pulleys at the ends of the set.
The mode of applying tension shown in Figs. 28 and 29 may be carried out by the
use of side tension pulleys instead of pulleys located above the drum, as will be readily
understood.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is
First: The combination of a set of spindles comprising a series on each side of the
machine an intermediate driving drum having its axis substantially in a mid-plane in
respect to the whirls of the spindles or bobbins, a single band driving said set of
spindles or bobbins and passing over the drum in crossing from series to series
at one end of the set and under the drum in crossing from series to series at the
opposite end of the set and a tension device acting directly upon said band without
the intervention of carrier pulloys substantially as herein before described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Second The combination of a series of spindles a driving drum having its axis
substantially in a mid-plane in respect to the whirls, a single driving band passing
alternately around the drum and around a whirl and a tension pulley adapted to
a special loop of the band extending from the drum to the tension pulley and thence
back to or towards the drum substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
Third: The combination in a spinning or like machine of a driving drum a series
or set of spindles and a tension pulley with a single band passing alternately around
the drum and around a whirl and having between successive whirls a portion extending
beyond the drum and around the tension pulley substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.

page_text: Fourth: The combination in a spinning or like machine of a driving drum a series
of spindles at one side of the same and a single driving band passing alternately
around the drum and around a whirl of the intermediate spindles of the set but passing
from the whirls of those spindles next to the end spindles of the set around whirls in
a different plane on said end spindles and thence directly from one end spindle to the
other substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fifth The combination of the weighted tension lever and its pulley the slotted
hub the pivot rod for said lever and a ring carried by said rod and having a lug
adapted to a slot in the hub of the tenison lever and serving to limit the movement
of the latter under the influence of the weight or band substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Sixth The combination of the driving drum a set of spindles comprising a series
on each side of the drum a single band passing alternately around the drum and
around a whirl and tension pulleys applied to loops of the band extending beyond the
drum at the ends of the set substantially as herein before described with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
Seventh The combination of the driving drum a set of spindles comprising a series
on each side of the drum a single band passing alternately around the drum and
around a whirl and tension pulleys at each end of the set each of said pulleys being
applied to a special loop of the band passing from drum to pulley and thence to
drum substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
:
Eighth The combination of the driving drum a set of spindles comprising a series
on each side of the drum a single band passing alternately around the drum and
around a whirl tension pulleys applied to loops of the band extending beyond the drum
at the ends of the set and one or more additional tension pulleys each applied to a loop
of the band at a point between the ends of the set substantially as herein before
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 13th day of December 1887