Improvements in and connected with Stop Motions for Power Looms.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 7th June, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 7th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 7th Apr.,
1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Stop Motions for
Power Looms.
JOHN VICKERMAN Longford near Minchinhampton Stroud Gloucester Cloth
Designer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide mechanism which is simpler and more
compact than in any other invention for stopping the loom and indicating to the
weaver the section in which the warp thread is broken or come slack and caused
the loom to stop. Said mechanism consists of the following
Firstly of suitable weighted headles.
Secondly of a suitable frame or case extending the length of the heald or
harness shaft and so arranged as to hold intact the whole number of weighted
headles required to weave any cloth and is provided with suitable cross rods and
moveable grates and swings to actuate the stopping rod and signal rods or pointers
or bells may be used as signals either spring or electric which may be actuated
by said swings.
Firstly the headles or healds which are of the same kind as the ordinary wire
headles having an eyelet about midway between the top and bottom for the warp
threads to pass through are instead of being connected to the top shaft of the
headle frame by means of a thin rod passed through the top loops of the headles
are connected to the top shaft by means of loops or strings or may be knitted to a
rig band an in ordinary worsted or cotton healds and may be suspended from the
top shaft any suitable distance from two to twelve inches or more as may be
required for jacquards, for the purpose of allowing the headle frame or its like to
lower while the headles remain still by being supported by hereinafter mentioned
cross rods, wires or strings. To the bottom part of each headle is connected a
weight or lingo. Another kind of headle may be used and act for the same
purpose viz. a wire headle with an elongated eyelet about midway from top to
bottom, the weight or lingo is connected by means of string loops being passed
through the eyelet and connected to the weight or lingo at a suitable distance
below the bottom of the headle. This headle is connected to the frame by ineans
of thin rods passed through the top or bottom loops of the headles as in the
ordinary wire headles the warp threads are passed through between the string
loops and the bottom of the elongated eyelet of the headle and the threads
are held down to the bottom of the eyelet by means of the weight or lingo but
should the warp threads meet with any obstruction as the headles are travelling
downwards the loops of thread and the weight or lingo will stay and allow
headles and frame to still lower but should a warp thread be broken or come slack
its corresponding weight will lower through an hereinafter mentioned section
grate into a moving or sliding grate below and by means of hereinafter mentioned
mechanism will stop the loom and work the corresponding signal bell or pointer as
may be used for the purpose of indicating to the weaver where the warp thread
has broken or come slack.
warp
Secondly. The headle frame case. This frame will be hereinafter called frame D
and is made the whole length of the heald shafts or headle frames and so arranged
as to hold intact the whole number of headles and headle frames required to weave
any cloth, at the bottom part of this frame D. is provided a sliding grate
extending the whole length of the same and is sliding backwards and forwards by
the motion of the loom and may be actuated by any convenient part of the loom

page_text: At
or may be actuated by excentric or cam wheels rotated by the motion of the loom.
This frame D is divided into sections by means of thin plates being placed cross-
wise of the frame D. extending from front to back of frame D and placed so as
to clear the sliding grate, these plates may be placed any suitable distance from
each other from four inches upwards. To each of the sections is provided a grate
made so as to fit close to each thin plate that they may be easily moved. These
grates will be hereinafter (called section grates) to each end of these section grates
there are two arms provided and the two front arms provided with pin projections
pointing upwards from the top of each front arm. The sliding grates may be
supported to the frame D. by the four arms resting on pulleys provided at the
back and front of frame D. in such a manner as to keep each section grate clear
from sliding grate. The section grates may if preferred be supported by swing
plates provided at the back and front of frame D., to each of these section grates
is provided a swinging frame with an arm attached, these swings fit loosely on a
rod extending the whole length of the frame D. This rod which will hereinafter
be called stopping rod is fitted loosely in socket so as to work loosely; to each of
the swinging frames is provided a short arm screwed fast to the stopping rod and
resting against each swing frame in such a manner as to press the swing frames
against the pin projection provided on the arm of the section grates. At one end
of the stopping rod is provided a longer arm screwed fast to the stopping rod and
connected to the stopping part of the loom. This arm will be hereinafter (called
stopping arm). The arms provided on the swinging frames point downwards
extending below the sliding grate. These arms will be hereinafter called signal
arms. About midway from top to bottom of the frame D. is provided suitable
guide rods to guide the weighted end of the headles into the section grates.
the top part of the frame D. is provided suitable cross plates or bearings extending
from front to back of the frame D. for the purpose of supporting cross rods or
cross wires or strings which may be placed between each headle frame and con-
nected to each end of the frame D. These cross rods, wires or strings are
provided to support the warp threads in line with the sley board or so called
running board also supporting the headles so as to keep the weighted end of same
clear from the sliding grate provided at the bottom of frame D. but should a
warp thread be broken or come slack the weighted end of the headle will lower
and pass through between the bars in section grates into the sliding grate below
so that when the sliding grate moves it will move the weighted end of the headle
thus moving one of the section grates, said section grate will move the corre-
sponding swing frame by means of the pin projection and by means of one of the
short arms will move the stopping rod and the stopping arm will throw off the
loom and the signal arm provided on the swinging frame actuate an electric bell
by pressing a button as used in different rooms of a house and the numbered
board may be placed at any suitable place on or near the loom, or to each signal
arm may be hinged, a pointer, said pointer having teeth or racks provided under-
neath at the outer ends and may be supported at the outer euls by a cross rod
extending the whole length of the frame D, at a suitable distance from the frame
so that the outer end of the pointer will be more easily seen by the operator.
These pointers are slided on the cross rods by the movement of the signal arms
and when moved the teeth or racks will catch on the cross rods and by means of
the swing frame will hold the stopping rod in such a position that the loom cannot
work until the pointer has been released from the cross rod, being held by the
teeth or racks. The hereinbefore mentioned stopping power may be obtained if
required when the sliding grates is making its backward motion by means of a
loopended rod provided to each section, the loop end fitting loosely around the
signal arms of the swing frames the opposite end being hinged to the lower end
of a lever hinged to the back part of the frame D. and the top end of such lever
resting against its corresponding back swing or the back part of the section grate,
thus should one of the section grates be moved backwards from its nominal position
said grate will move the corresponding signal arm provided on the swinging

page_text: frame, stop the loom and actuate either the signal bell or pointer as may be
provided for the purpose. To this motion may be attached a stopping mechanism
should the shuttle box fail to rise or lower in its proper place as is sometimes the
case caused by some strain or breakage thus causing the wrong shuttle to pass
through the shed or bosom and at times causing a breakage in the warp threads.
To prevent such breakage is provided an appendage similar to the weighted headle
connected to each shuttle box by suitable levers and strings and connected to a
corresponding lever worked in an opposite direction to each shuttle box by chains,
or in such a manner that so long as the shuttle box is in its place the weighted
end of the appendage will keep clear of the sliding grate, but should the shuttle
box fail to travel in the right direction the appendage will lower through a section
grate into the sliding grate and stop the loom and indicate to the weaver by
means of a bell or pointer the cause of the stoppage. The weft stop motion may
be indicated to the weaver by means of an arm secured to the stopping rod of the
same, this arm actuating a pointer or bell which would be an advantage to the
weaver as the weft will sometimes break at one end of the piece and catch on
again at the other, stopping the loom but leading the weaver to think the setting
on rod has slipped off as is sometimes the case.
Dated 6th June 1893.
JOHN VICKERMAN.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and_connected with Stop Motions for
Power Looms.
1, JOHN VICKERMAN, of Longford, Minchenhampton, near Stroud, in the
County of Gloucestershire, Cloth Designer, 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 refers to stop motions for power looms and the object thereof is
to stop the loom on the breakage, failure or undue slackness of an end or ends of
warp and to indicate to the weaver the position or positions or sections of the warp
in which the end or ends is or are down and also to indicate when it is the failure
or absence of weft which has stopped the loom.
For the purposes aforesaid I employ suitable healds and "lingoes" or weighted
headles through which the ends of warp are threaded. The said headles are
steadied and kept apart by suitable cross rods, wires or cords and in the same plane
or at the same angle as the lower half of the shed" and supported by a headle
case are other cross rods, wires or cords on which the warp forming the lower half
of the "shed" rests when intact. The position of these last named rods does not
permit the warp and headles to descend to the full extent of the downward move-
ment of the heald shafts or frames so long as the warp is at the proper tension and
intact, but should an end break, fail or become unduly slack, its corresponding
headle is drawn down to its full extent by the weight or lingoe which lowers
through a section grate into a reciprocatory grate or carriage actuated by levers
from the crank shaft or other suitable rotary part of the loom whereby the section
grate is slided end wise and oscillates a section lever which engages a corresponding
section frame fast on the stop or knocking off rod and rocks said stop rod so as to
bring the loom to a standstill. The section lever also carries a pointer or locking
finger which is adapted to engage with a fixed cross rail and hold the parts out
of action until released by the weaver, and to indicate to the weaver the section
or portion of warp in which the broken end is to be found. By means of levers
connected with the knocking off rod of the weft stop motion and a pointer
indicating locking finger adapted to engage with the cross rail, indication is afforded
when the failure or absence of weft is the cause of the loom being stopped.
or

page_text: In order that my invention may be more fully understood reference is herein had
to the drawings annexed, wherein :-
Fig. 1 is sectional transverse elevation of the headle frame or case, headles or
healds and parts comprising my improved warp stop motion.
Fig. 2 is front elevation of a part of same.
Fig. 3 is plan of the reciprocatory grate or carriage;
Fig. 4 is longitudinal section of same; and
Fig. 5 is a detail of one of the brackets carrying the pulleys by which the grate
is supported.
Fig. 6 is plan of one of the section grates and the angle irons supporting same
and forming ways in which the grates are capable of being slided.
Fig. 7 is enlarged section of the angle iron shewing the section grates resting
thereon;
Figs. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 shew the forms of headles or healds I may use in
conjunction with the warp stop motion :
Fig. 13 is transverse section of headle case shewing a modification of the parts
for actuating the stop rod and pointers or locking fingers; and
Fig. 14 is front elevation of part of same:
Fig. 15 is a detail hereinafter referred to.
Referring to the drawings a represents the heald or headle shafts from which are
suspended the headles b'preferably composed of wire and provided with mails or
eyelets c through which are passed the warp threads d. The headles are suspended
from the shafts a by loops of string passed through eyelets or openings at the upper
ends of the headles and around the shafts, and said loops of string may be separate
from each other or connected together by a string, or knitted to a "rig band
in ordinary worsted and cotton healds. To the lower ends of the headles are
attached weights or "lingoes" 6', having tapered or pointed ends.
as
Instead of a single shaft a frame a' may be used such as is shewn in Fig. 9, the
bottom rail or shaft being grooved or having a slot formed therein through which
the headles are passed and shielded and steadied thereby.
66
"
Another form of headle is shewn enlarged at Fig. 12. In this case the
rectangular heald frame a' is employed and the wire healds are passed over the
thin rods a² of said frame in the same way as ordinary wire healds, and as shewn at
Fig. 11.
The eyelet c for the warp is elongated and through it is passed a
string secured at both ends to the weight or lingo 6' which is suspended
below the bottom shaft of the frame a¹. The warp d is threaded through the
loop of string and eyelet c of the headle and is held down in the bottom of
said eyelet by the weight or "lingo", but, should there be any obstruction such
as would prevent the warp travelling downwards the elongated eyelet will permit
the headle frames to descend the proper distance and the obstructed warp to
remain.
Although the form of headle last described may be used and will act equally as
well for the same purpose as the headle first described, it possesses the disadvantage
of requiring the warp to be threaded through the loop of string and also
through the eyelet c so that more time and labour are consumed in healding
the warp.
The beadle case is represented at e and is made to hold intact the whole of the
headles, which enter same and are steadied and kept apart by means of cross rods,
wires, or cords el supported by plates e³ attached to the headle case or to the
adjustable studs of secured by nuts to the headle case. Above the "shed" the
headles are steadied and kept apart by cross wires or cords e³ suspended by wires e¹
from the top rail of the loom from which they may be easily removed. The headle
case e is divided at equi distances apart into sections cach to accomodate an equal
number of ends of warp by means of angle iron or ✓ pieces 7 secured at front and
back to the headle case and adapted to receive and support the section grates g¹
into which the weights or lingoes connected to each headle in the corresponding
section are capable of entering; the said shaped bars y also forming ways for

page_text: the grates g¹ to slide in. Under the section grates and just clear of same is a
reciprocatory grate or carriage h provided with pulleys h¹ journalled in brackets h²
secured to said grate, which rest on and are adapted to ride over the underportions
of brackets i bolted at suitable distances apart to the sides of the headle case e.
The said reciprocatory grate extends across the loom to accomodate the full width
of warp and is constructed of bars or lengths of thin hoop iron bored at distances
apart equal to the width of each section to receive pins or bolts h³ which are
passed therethrough and secured by nuts h*.
Hollow tubes or bushes are placed on the pins ³ between each bar to hold
said bars the proper distance apart.
The reciprocatory grate and also the section grates are divided into spaces
corresponding in number to the healds which the loom is designed to work.
To the front of the reciprocatory grate are connected lever arms; secured on a
rod or shaft j' journalled in bearings in the headle case and receiving an oscillatory
or rocking motion by means of levers from a cam or tappet mounted on the
crank shaft or other suitable rotary part of the loom, which by lever arms; imparts
a reciprocatory motion to the grate h. k is the stop or knocking off rod journalled
at in the headle case and connected by arm 2 (see Fig. 2) to the ordinary
knocking off mechanism of the loom. On said knocking off rod k and opposite
each section grate are loosely mounted section levers carrying at their lower
ends pointers or indicating locking fingers provided on their undersides with a
sneck or tooth which is adapted to engage with a fixed cross rail when moved
in a forward direction. Resting against each section lever 3 is a frame ko secured
by set screws on the knocking off rod k with which it is movable, independently
of the warp stop motion, when actuated in the ordinary manner for stopping the
loom, but is adapted to be moved as afterwards explained by the warp st.p
motion when the latter is actuated by the breakage or failure of an end or ends of
warp.
lit
On the top of the headle case and secured to the adjustable studs are plates
which support cross rods, wires or cords m' extending lengthways across the headle
case. The plates m are arranged at the angle assumed by the lower half of the
shed and in line with the running board n and the warp threads forming said lower
half of the "shed" rest on and are supported by the said cross rods m¹ in a
position a little above that to which the heald shafts will permit the headles to
descend, so that the weights or lingoes at the lower ends thereof will when
the warp is in tension and intact, be held clear of the reciprocatory grate h.
The studs by means of nuts, can be adjusted so as to alter or vary the angle
at which the cross or shed rods m¹ shall be supported and to accord with the angle
of the "shed."
The action of the motion is as follows:-When the warp is intact and at
proper tension the shed rods m' support the warp formning the lower half of the '
"shed" in line with the running board n and as this position is a little above the
limit to which the heald shafts will permit the headles to descend, the lower or
weighted ends of the latter are held above and clear of the reciprocatory grate h,
whilst the upper halves of the headles remain slack, these conditions being maintained
so long as no end of warp fails or breaks or becomes unduly slack. When this
occurs, however, the support to the headle concerned is immediately destroyed and
on the heald shaft descending, if it is not already down, the weight or lingo b' on
the end of the headle lowers through the section grate gl corresponding to the
section of warp in which the break or failure has occurred, into one of the spaces
in the reciprocatory grate which engages said lingo as it moves forward and thus
locks the said grate and the section grate together whereby the continued move-
ment of the reciprocatory grate causes the section grate to be slided forwards with
it, in doing which the bracket or extension g² on the front of the section grate
abuts against the corresponding section lever k³ and moves it on its pivot into the
position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, causing the pointer or finger
advance and engage with the cross rail and lock the parts. The said movement
to

page_text: 1
of the, section lever also forces its corresponding frame into the position
indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1 and thereby rocks or oscillates the knocking off
rod which by means of the arm and connecting link or rod actuates the
ordinary stopping mechanism of the loom and brings it to a standstill. The
pointer or locking finger engaged with the cross rail indicates to the weaver
the section in which the end is down or slack and he is thus enabled to speedily
locate it and tie it up or restore it to its proper tension.
Levers o pivotted at o' at the rear of the headle case e opposite each section
grate gland connected by rods or links o to the lower ends of the section levers k³
are employed for the purpose of oscillating the section levers and stop rod k in
the same manner as above set forth to stop the loom when the section grates
happen to be slided in the direction of arrow p by the headle or headles engaging
with the reciprocatory grate during its return or backward movement, but
ordinarily this added mechanism would only be required for very fast running
looms, weaving, say-from 200 to 300 picks per minute and the reciprocatory
grate working at half the speed of the loom.
A stop piece is employed to limit the outward movement of the section
levers k³, and, if desired, a button r adapted to be engaged and pressed by the
section levers when the latter are forced into the position shewn in dotted lines in
Fig. 1 and connected electrically with an indicating board in the room or office,
may be employed so that on the loom being stopped by the failure or breakage of an
end or ends of warp, the button will be pressed and complete the circuit and the
stoppage thereby indicated in the room or office.
The motion for indicating when the weft and not the warp has stopped the loom
is shewn at Fig. 8 and consists of lever a secured on the knocking off rod t of the
-ordinary weft stop motion and connected by links to the lever s pivotted at $3
and carrying a pointer or indicating locking finger at its lower end which
normally rests upon the cross rail l. When the rod t is actuated by the weft stop
motion it moves the lever s into the position indicated by dotted line and by
means of links and lever s² causes the pointer s to advance whereby the sneck or
recess therein engages with the cross rail and locks the parts, thus affording
indication to the weaver that the weft is the cause of the stoppage of the loom.
In both cases whether the failure or breakage of the warp or the weft is the
cause of the stoppage the weaver must remove or disengage the pointers from the
cross rail before the loom can proceed.
Attached to the sides of the headle case e and extending over each angle iron or
1 piece o are guide rods which serve to keep the outer headles of each section
clear of the said angle irons and the sides of the section grates. The upper edges
of the division bars of the section grates and reciprocatory grate may, if desired,
be tapered or provided with knife edges to prevent lodgement of the weights or
* lingoes b' thereon and it is for the same purpose that the lower ends of the weights
or lingoes bare tapered or pointed.
Referring to Figs. 13 to 15 shewing a modification of some of the parts forming
my improved warp stop motion, represents the knocking off' rod on which the
section levers are mounted and secured by set screws. The lower ends of the
section levers carry pointers or locking fingers k adapted as previously explained
to engage with the cross rail when the warp fails or breaks and stops the loom.
The section levers are provided with short extensions above the stop rod k.
Pivoted at v to the headle case is a swinging frame w on the central cross rail or
rod of which are loosely mounted levers a whose lower ends are connected by
links to the section grates g' which are adapted to be slided backwards and
forwards on the angle irons or 1 pieces g.
Above and clear of the section grates and supported in openings formed in the
top of the angle irons g are cross rods or wires y extending over the whole of the
section grates in the same manner as shewn and described in the Specification of
former Letters Patent granted to me on the 20th day of July 1892 No. 13256.
The upper ends of levers are connected by strings or chains to the

page_text: extensions of the section levers and also carry arms provided with a tooth or
sneck which is adapted to engage, when moved in one direction, with studs z
projecting from the sides of the section levers ³. The frame w is reciprocated or
swung backwards and forwards on its pivots by means of levers actuated by
and from the tappet or cam j³ mounted on a stud and preferably driven by gearing
from the crank shaft at about half the speed of the loom.
y
So long as the ends of warp are tight and intact, the weight of the section
levers pointers and arms hold the upper ends of the levers æ in line with
the pivots of the swing frame and said levers are therefore carried by the rail or
rod w' of said frame backwards and forwards between the position shewn in full
line in Fig. 15 and that indicated by the broken line 1 and the section grates g'
are thereby slided backwards and forwards under the cross rods
with the upper-
ends of levers as the centre of motion. On an end breaking or failing, the
weight or lingo attached to the headle concerned lowers through the cross rods y.
into and engages with the section grate 9' whose further motion is thus prevented,
the result being that the corresponding lever c is held at its lower end and con-
sequently, as the movement of the swing frame we continues the said lever is caused
to turn upon the centre bar or rod w¹ either in one direction or the other as.
indicated by the broken lines 2 and 3 (Fig. 15).
If the upper end of the lever moves in a forward direction to the position
indicated by broken line 2 the notch ou the arm .e² engages with the stud on the
corresponding section lever k³ and oscillates same so as to actuate the knocking off
rod and to place the finger or pointer k into engagement with the cross rail,
the chain or cord meanwhile remaining slack; but if the lever is moved in a
backward direction as indicated by broken line 3 the pull of the chain oscillates
the section lever and knocking off rod, whilst the arm rides over the stud :. By
this means in whichever direction the swinging frame is moving, the loom is stopped
and the locking finger or pointer & engaged with the fixed cross rail immediately
the sliding section grates are held by the descent of a headle which has lost its
support.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
Firstly. The construction, arrangement and combination of the mechanism for
stopping the loom when an end or ends of warp break or fail or are unduly slack
substantially as herein shewn and described.
Secondly. In warp stop motions for power looms, the healds or headles 6 made
of wire or the like and connected to the heald shafts or frames and having weights
or lingoes suspended therefrom as described and shewn in Figs. 1, 2, 9, 10, 11
and 12 together with adjustably supported shed rods m' arranged in the manner
and for the purposes substantially as set forth.
Thirdly. In warp stop motions for looms, the combination of the weighted
healds or headles, sliding section grates, a reciprocatory grate and means for
actuating same, section levers mounted loosely on the knocking off rod and adapted
to be engaged by extensions or brackets secured to the section grates and by
means of section frames fast on said knocking off' rod to oscillate the latter and
stop the loom, all arranged and operating in the manner substantially as shewn and
described.
Fourthly. In warp stop motions constructed to operate in sections according to
the division of the width of warp, the combination, with weighted headles b, shed
rods m¹ and means for oscillating the knocking off rod k to stop the loom, of
pointers or locking fingers hinged to the lower ends of the section levers k³ and
notched or recessed to engage with a fixed cross rail in manner and for purposes
substantially as herein shewn and described.
Fifthly. In warp stop motions, the combination, with weighted headles and shed
rods for supporting same and the warp, of the means for stopping the loom and

page_text: actuating the indicating locking fingers substantially as shewn and described with
reference to Figs. 13, 14, and 15.
Sixthly. In stop motions for looms the combination with the weft stop motion of
the means for actuating the pointer or locking fingers to indicate when the weft
has stopped the loom substantially as herein described and shewn.
Dated this 6th day of March 1894.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Huddersfield, Agents.