Improvements in or relating to Circular Weaving Looms.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Circular Weaving Looms.
We, CHARLES GREY HILL, of Arnot Hill, in the County of Nottingham, Gentleman,
and RUDOLPH WEISS, of 143, Great Alfred Street, in the Borough of Nottingham,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in circular looms such as described in the
Specification of Letters Patent No. 12190 of June 23rd 1894.
In carrying out this invention, the jacks which carry and propel the shuttles and
also perform the beating up of the weft threads, instead of each working independently
as described in the specification cited, are divided into groups of, for example say six
and each group into two sub-groups, the alternate jacks in each group forming one
sub-group, and the remainder the other sub-group.
The whole of the shuttle propelling and beating up jacks in each sub-group may
be connected to one common operating slide, preferably by casting the lower ends of
the said jacks into a soft metal foot or bracket, which is secured to the upper end of
the operating slide by a screw or other suitable means.
The operating slides are carried and operated in the manner hereinafter
described.
In order that the gauge of the fabric may be independent of the gauge of or
disposition of the shuttle propelling and beating up jacks, we employ independent
mechanism for performing the sheding of the warp threads, and preferably dispose
the said mechanism as follows:-
For example we will suppose there are three times the number of
warp threads
employed as there are shuttle propelling and beating up jacks, then to each group of
six of the said jacks there will be eighteen warp threads.
warp
Each warp thread is operated by a thin metal blade (hereinafter called
blades") provided with a warp eye for the passage of the warp thread, and a group
of eighteen of these blades will be in this case required for each group of six shuttle
propelling and beating up jacks.
Each group of eighteen warp blades may be divided for example into three sub-
groups Nos. 1-4-7-10-13 and 16 forming one group Nos. 2-5-8-11-14
and 17 another sub-group and Nos. 3-6-9-12-15 and 18 the remaining sub-
group. Each sub-group of warp blades is arranged in a different circumferential
line to the other sub-groups in the same group, that is, according to the direction
which the warp threads take, the sub-groups are placed one behind the other.
The whole of the warp blades in each sub-group are also connected to one common
operating slide preferably in the same manner as described in reference to the
shuttle propelling and beating up jacks. The upper ends of the warp blades forming
each sub-group may also be connected to each other by similar means and be
supported in a sley or sleys.
By means of the above arrangement we are enabled to change the "set out" of
the loom by removing the shuttle propelling and beating up jacks and the warp blades
from their respective operating slides, and replacing them with others of different
gauges.

page_text: We are thus able to produce fabrics of different gauges on the same loom with very
little alteration.
It will be understood that the above is a description of a segment of the loom and
that the circumference of the said loom will be made up of segments correspondingly
arranged, the shuttle propelling and beating up jacks in each of the anid segments
being operated by two slides, and the warp blades by three slides.
The slides are carried preferably parallel to the axis of the loom in recesses in the
outer surface of a ring secured to the framing of the loom, or between metal blades
cast into a soft metal foundation in segments which are, secured to the said ring, and
each set of slides is preferably arranged in one recess or in the space between the two
metal blades as follows:-
The two slides for operating the shuttle propelling and beating up jacks may be
placed side by side at the bottom of the recess, whilst the slides for operating the warp
blades. are made the full width of the recess or space, and are placed one over the
other. If preferred the latter may be placed side by side in pairs in the same manner
as the jack operating slides.
The whole are held in position by an enclosing cylindrical cam ring which may be
mounted and operated in the same manner as described in the specification
cited.
The cam ring with this arrangement is preferably provided on its inner surface
with five cam races placed one above the other, and the corresponding slide in
each set is adapted to engage with one of the said races.
For this purpose the slides in each set vary in length, the outer one being the
shortest and the two inner ones the longest, and each is provided with a heel or neb
to engage with its respective cam race. The length of these heels or nebs may be
adjusted according to the position of the slide in the recess or space, or the walls of
the successor spaces may be reduced or stepped down and the internal diameter of
the cam ring reduced to fit the reduced parts of the said walls.
By subdividing the warp threads into three sub-groups and operating each of the
said Sab-groups by an independent cam race, we are enabled to make a two or one
diagonal fabric and also by using two of the sub-groups we are able to make a plain
fabric with two-thirds the number of threads as the two to one fabric without altering
the set out of the loom.
If however the warp blades were divided say into four sub-groups, we could make
a three to one diagonal fabric and a plain fabric with either the same or half the
number of threads. We could also make a two to one diagonal fabric by employing
three of the sub-groups of warp blades and employing three fourths of the number of
threads.
The warp blades are distributed in the manner described for the purpose of
producing a diagonal fabric but numerous other effects may be produced by arranging
the warp blades in different orders in the several sub-groups.
It will also be understood that the warp threads may be distributed differently for
each of the shuttles employed.
It is obvious that the movement imparted to the warp blade operating slides must
be different for the different classes of fabric, and in order to obtain the different
movements required we form the whole or part of the cam races in the following
manner:-
Each of the said races may be formed with double parts that is, upper and lower
parts alternating with single central parts, from which latter the upper and lower
parts alternately diverge from and converge into again. The single central parts
are formed in removable and interchangable studs or blocks, which are preferably
inserted in corresponding openings in the cam ring from the exterior side, where
they are secured by screws or other convenient means. The single central parts of
the races in the interchangable studs or blocks are disposed according to the
movement required, that is, to return the slides to the position which they previously
occupied, that is back into the same wall of the shed or move them into the
transverse position, that is, in the opposite wall of the shed.

page_text: For example the heels of some of the slides may for one shuttle engage with
the lower part of the race. They are then moved into the single central parts of the
race after the passage of a shuttle during the beating up of the warp thread, the
heels are then moved into the upper or lower part of the race for the next shuttle
according to the disposition of the single central parts in the interchangable stud
or block.
The warp threads will be moved in a corresponding manner that is after the
passage of each shuttle the whole of the threads are successively brought into the
centre of the shed and the single central parts of the cam races are preferably disposed
so as to cross the warp threads to a limited extent in order to hold the weft thread in
position whilst it is beat up, the warp threads are then redistributed for the passage
of the next shuttle.
In order to provide means for removing the slides from the recesses or spaces
without removing the enclosing cam ring, a renovable bar may be placed in the
i bottom of each recess, the said bar being of a sufficient thickness so that when
withdrawn the heels of the slides may be wholly withdrawn from the cam races, and.
the slides then withdrawn from the recesses.
If preferred however provision may be made for removing the slides by forming a
segment or segments of the inner face of the cam ring removable or other convenient.
means may be provided,
Dated this 14th day of December 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Circular Weaving Looms.
We, CHARLES GREY HILL, of Arnot Hill, in the County of Nottingham, Gentleman,
and RUDOLPH WEISS, of 143, Great Alfred Street, in the City of Nottingham,
Engineer, 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 circular looms such as described in the
Specification of Letters Patent No. 12190 of June 23rd 1894.
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings
in which :-
Figure 1 is a vertical section showing a loom constructed according to our.
invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical elevation, and
Figure 3 a plan showing two upper segments of the circular sley for holding the
vertical sliders, showing the position of the latter.
Figure 4 is an end elevation, and
Figure 5 a side elevation of one sub-group of jacks in each group, and the
operating slider.
Figure 6 is an end elevation, and
Figure 7 a side elevation of the other sub-group of jacks in each group, and the
operating slider.
Figure 8 is an end elevation, and
Figure 9 a side elevation of a group of warp operating blades and the operating
slider.
Figure 10 is a development of part of the interior, and

page_text: Figure 11 a vertical section of the cam ring.
Figures 2 to 11 inclusive are drawn to a larger scale than Figure 1.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
In carrying out this invention the jacks A which carry and propel the shuttles B
and also perform the beating up of the weft threads, instead of each working
independently of the others as described in the specification cited, are divided into
groups of, for example say eight, and each group into two sub-groups, the alternate
jacks in each group forming one sub-group, and the remainder the other sub-group.
The whole of the shuttle propelling and beating up jacks A¹ in one sub-group of
each group (see Figures 4 and 5) are formed with extensions A which work above
the centre of the path of the shuttles B and are connected to one common operating
slider C.
The whole of the jacks A in the other sub-group A³ of each group (see Figures 6
and 7) are also formed with extensions A2 which work below the centre of the path
of the shuttle, and are connected to one common operating slider C¹. The
jacks A in one sub-group A¹ are placed alternately with the jacks in the other
sub-group A³.
The operating sliders C C are carried and operated in the manner hereinafter
described.
In order that the gauge of the fabric may be independent of the gauge of and
disposition of the shuttle propelling and beating up jacks A, we employ independent
mechanisin for performing the shedding of the warp threads B' see Figure 1 and
dispose the said mechanism as follows:-
Each warp thread is operated by an independent thin metal blade D (hereinafter
called a warp blade) (see Figures 7, 8 and 9) provided with a warp eye D' for the
passage of a warp thread, and these blades are arranged in, say for example, groups of
twenty-four.
Each group of twenty-four warp blades D is preferably divided into four sub-
groups each containing six warp blades D (see Figures 8 and 9) and each sub-group
is arranged in a different circumferential line to the other sub-groups in the same
group, as shown in Figure 1.
The whole of the warp blades in each sub-group are connected to one common
operating slider, for example, as shown in Figure 1 No. 1 sub-group is connected to
and operated by a slider E, No. 2 sub-group to a slider E¹, No. 3 sub-group to a
slider E, and No. 4 sub-group to a slider E.
In distributing the warp threads B2 in the operating warp blades, each group of
twenty-four threads may be disposed with every fourth thread in the same sub-group,
that is, for example as follows:-Threads Nos. 1-5-9-13-17-21 in No. I sub-
group, Threads Nos. 2-6-10-14-18-22 in No. 2 sub-group, Threads Nos. 3–
7-11-15-19-23 in No. 3 sub-group, and threads Nos. 4-8-12-16-20-24
in No. 4 sub-group.
The whole of the sliders for operating the shuttle propelling and beating up
jacks A and the warp blades D are carried preferably parallel to the axis of the loom
in recesses or compartments in a ring secured to the framing of the loom, or as shown
between hard metal blades cast into a soft metal foundation in segments which are
secured to the cylindrical casing G.
A segment constructed in the manner described is shown in Figures 2 and 3 and it
is formed of hard metal plates F F cast into a soft metal foundation F2 as shown.
Each segment is formed with recesses F3 to receive the sliders E E E E for
operating the warp blades D, and compartments F4 for receiving the sliders C C¹ for
operating the shuttle propelling and cperating jacks A, the whole of which may be
arranged as follows:-
The two sliders CC for operating each sub-group of shuttle propelling and beating
up jacks A, are preferably placed in the compartments I as shown in Figures 1
and 2 and 3 with a stationary distance "piece or dummy H between them and a
distance piece or dummy H at the back of the inner slider C¹.
The four sliders E E E E³, for operating each of the sub-groups of warp blades D

page_text: of each group, are placed in the recesses with a stationary distance piece or
dummy H' behind each slider.
It will be understood that the above is a description of a segment of the loom, and
that the circumference of the said looms will be made up of segments correspondingly
arranged, the shuttle propelling and beating up jacks in each of the said segments
being operated by two sliders and the warp blades by four sliders.
The sliders E E E Es are held in position by an enclosing cylindrical cam ring I
(see Figure 1) which is mounted and operated as shown in the same manner as
described in the specification cited.
The cam ring I (see Figures 1-10 and 11) is provided on its inner surface with
six cam races placed one above the other as shown, and the sliders in each set are
each provided at their lower ends with a stud K which engages in one of the
cam races.
The sliders are on this account varied in length the outer one E being the shortest
and the inner one C¹ the longest, and the walls of the recesses F3 and compartments F
are reduced or stepped down and the internal diameter of the cam ring I
correspondingly reduced to fit the reduced parts as shown.
.
With this arrangement the studs K on the sliders may be all of the same length,
and the inner face of the cam ring where each race is formed works close up to the
body of the slider which it is operating.
If preferred the sliders may be placed side by side in recesses instead of being
placed one above the other as shown.
By subdividing the warp blades D into four sub-groups and operating each such
group by an independent cam race as shown, we can make a three to one diagonal
fabric, and a plain fabric, with either the same or half the number of threads. We
can also make a two to one diagonal fabric by employing three of the sub-groups of
warp blades and employing three fourths of the number of threads, without altering
the set out of the loom.
If however the warp blades were divided into say three sub-groups we could make
a two to one diagonal fabric, and also by using two of the sub-groups we are able to
make a plain fabric with two thirds the number of threads as the two to one fabric,
without altering the set out of the loom.
The threads are distributed in the warp blades in the manner described for the
purpose of producing either a diagonal or twill fabric or a plain fabric, but numerous
other effects may be produced by arranging the threads in the warp blades in
different orders in the several sub-groups.
It is obvious that the movements imparted to the warp blade operating slider of
each sub-group must be different for the different classes of fabric, and in order to
obtain the different movements required for each shuttle, we form the cam races J
JJ J (see Figures 10 and 11) for operating the respective sliders E E E E³ each
in the following manner.
Each of the said races is formed with double parts, that is an upper part j
and a lower part j alternating with single central part from which latter the
upper and lower parts alternately diverge from, and converge into again as
shown.
The single central parts of the races are formed in removable and interchangeable
studs or blocks L which are inserted in corresponding openings in the wall of the cam
ring I from the exterior, where they may be secured by straps L' secured to the cam
ring, or by other convenient means.
The single central parts of the races in the interchangeable studs or blocks L
are disposed according to the movement required, that is, according to whether they
are required to return the sliders to the position which they previously occupied,
and thus move the warp thread which they operate back into the same wall of
the shed again, or move them into the reverse position that is into the opposite
wall of the shed.
For example the studs K of the sliders E which operate No. 1 sub-group of warp
blades D may for one shuttle be in the lower part of the race J, they are then

page_text: moved into the central part j³ of the race as the cam rotates, and after the passage
of a shuttle and during the beating up of a weft thread, the studs are then moved
into upper part j or lower part j' of the race according to the disposition of the single
central part in the interchangeable stud L.
The warp threads operated by the warp blades D which are connected to the
slider E that is sub-group No. 1 will be moved in a corresponding manner.
In the cam ring shown at Figures 10 and 11 the single parts of the cam races j³
are so disposed as to produce a plain fabric.
The sliders C C¹ are operated by two cam races J J in which the studs K on the
said sliders engage. The upper race J is provided with turnouts Jo in order that by
reversing the direction of rotation of the cam ring I the projection A³ on the sub-
groups A' of the shuttle propelling and beating up jacks may be moved into the
same position as the projections A³ on the sub-groups A so that the shuttles B¹ may
be released and thus removed.
The whole or any of the sliders E E E E and CC may be removed without
removing the cam ring I by withdrawing the stationary distance pieces H H and
withdrawing the studs K on said sliders from their operating cam races.
Each sub-group of shuttle propelling and beating up jacks, and each sub-group of
warp blades is secured to a base M (see Figures 4-5-6-7-8 and 9) this base is
provided with a pin M¹ which engages with a hole in the upper end of its operating
slider and is retained in this position by a spring M².
By means of this arrangeinent we are enabled to change the set out of the
loom by removing the shuttle propelling and beating up jacks A and the warp
blades D from their respective sliders, and replacing them with others of different
gauges.
The shuttle propelling and beating up jacks A in each sub-group, are connected
together at the points N, the jacks in the sub-groups A¹ are also in addition connected
at their upper ends N¹. The upper ends of each sub-group of warp blades D are
also connected at their upper ends N2.
The edges of the projections A2 of the shuttle operating and beating up jacks A
are disposed in a line which is parallel to the inclines on the rear of the shuttles so
that they all bear on the shuttles in the act of propelling them.
The upper ends of both the shuttle propelling and beating up jacks A and the
warp blades D (see Figure 1) are supported in a sley O secured to a ring O' which is
secured by brackets 0 0s to the framing.
The cylindrical casing G is built up of horizontal sections which are each
connected by radial arms G¹ to bosses G mounted on the central pillar G³ of
the loom.
If preferred the operating sliders may be carried in sections secured to the inner
face of a fixed ring occupying the position of the cam ring I in the present
arrangement, and the cam races be formed on the outer face of a rotating cylinder
occupying the present position of the cylinder G, thus reversing the arrangement
shown.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In a circular loom moving the shuttle-operating and beating up jacks A in
groups or sub-groups by means of sliders such as C substantially as described.
2. In a circular loom moving the warp blades D in groups or sub-groups by means
of sliders such as E substantially as described.
3. In a circular loom arranging the shuttle operating and beating up jacks A in
groups and each group in two sub-groups the jacks in one sub-group alternating with
those in the other sub-group and operating each sub-group by means of a slider such
as C actuated by a cam race substantially as described.
4. In a circular loom arranging the warp blades D in groups and each group in two

page_text: or more sub-groups and operating each sub-group by a slider such as E actuated by
a cam race substantially as described.
5. In a circular loom arranging the shuttle operating jacks A in groups and each
group in two sub-groups and operating each sub-group by sliders such as C C¹ placed
in one compartment of the supporting sley substantially as described.
6. In a circular loom arranging the warp blades D in groups and each group in
two or more sub-groups and operating the sub-group by sliders such as E E¹ E² E³
placed in one recess in the supporting sley substantially as described.
7. In a circular loom operating sub-groups of shuttle propelling and beating
up jacks by means of sliders such as actuated by a cam race and making said
sub-groups of jacks detachable from their operating sliders substantially as
described.
8. In a circular loom operating groups or sub-groups of warp blades D by means of
sliders such as E actuated by a cam race and making said groups or sub-groups of
warp blades detachable from their operating sliders substantially as described.
9. In a circular loom the combination with a cam ring with a double cam race jj¹
alternating with a single race of detachable studs such as L in which the said single
races are formed substantially as described.
10. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete circular
loom substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
C. G. HILL.
R. WEISS.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicants.