Improvements in Machines or Frames for Spinning and Twisting Fibres.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 16th June, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 15th Apr., 1893-Accepted, 16th June,
1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Improvements in Machines or Frames for Spinning and Twisting
Fibres.
I, ARTHUR WILSON METCALFE of Glass House Mill, Pateley Bridge in the
County of York Flax Spinner do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention relates to machines or frames mainly designed for use in flax
spinning some of the improvements being applicable to spinning frames generally
and the improvements comprise
Firstly Improved appliances for ensuring the rapid lifting or raising of the
spools or bobbins preparatory to doffing.
Secondly-Improved apparatus and means for regulating and maintaining
relative position of ring rail and thread plate.
:
Thirdly Improved apparatus for traversing the tension pulley, or a guide
in unison with the spindle rail thereby to ensure the driving tape being directed
to and on the same plane as the wharle.
:-
Fourthly To the construction and use of an improved weighting lever having
changeable fulcrums and in conjunction with such levers of a rest or stop for
preventing damage to said levers.
:-
Fifthly To minimize the variation in length and action of the traverse rod
(arising from expansion and contraction) by controlling said rod from about midway
its length.
:-
Sixthly To improvements in the immersing troughs of flax spinning frames.
Seventhly-To improved mountings for the top rollers.
Eighthly To improved means and appliances for adjusting and setting the
spindles truly concentric to the rings in ring spinning frames.
Ninethly To improved appliances for ensuring simultaneous movement of
the spindle rails and to rigidly connecting spindle rails together across the frame
from side to side for purpose of adding stiffness to them.
For lifting or raising the spools for doffing there is attached to the spindle rail a
projecting finger which when the rail reaches any predetermined position in the
building of the cop comes in contact with a latch which throws out of gear the
building or descending motion of the spindle rail and simultaneously there is brought
into operation by means of a clutch motion an automatic motion (for raising the
spindle rail to its original position) consisting of pulleys or gearing which change
the direction of traverse of the spindle rail, that is to say, to raise said rail and at
a much quicker rate than the downward traverse or descent of said rail.
In the spinning of rigid fibres (such as flax and jute) and where a proportionate
strong drag is necessary, it is desirable a constant distance (approximately) be
maintained between the ring rail and the thread plate such object is accomplished
by imparting a constant reciprocating motion to the ring rail, within certain limits,
say 1 inch to 1 or thereabouts. That is to say, that the distance from the ring
rail, to the thread plate shall not vary more than about the distance above stated
and in conjunction with above arrangement, is to be employed a spool or tube, the
upper end of which can be brought nearly to the apex of the angle of the thread
and close to the thread plate, and a constant descending or lowering motion is
imparted so that the spool or tube is filled (preferably) at one descent.
For the purpose of directing the tape in a plane with the centre of the wharles
when the latter rise and fall, the tension pulleys are mounted and traversed in
1

page_text: conjunction with the spindle rail, or a curved guide plate preferably covered with
enamel, is employed, and said guide is traversed in conjunction with the spindle
rails, so that the running on part of the tape is delivered directly opposite the
centre of the wharle.
The said weighting lever has two or more slots formed in its fulcrum end and
such slots engage with one or other of two or more pins according to the position
to which the lever is raised. The free end of the lever is provided with a deep
slot or hook of such form, as that the loop of the weight, will not be detached when
the weight comes in contact with, and upon a board, which is provided for receiving
the weights, thereby to ease the levers when the saddles are to be released. The
board referred to as receiving the weights prevents the levers being subjected to
sudden strain and breakage arising from the sudden release of the spring wire.
For minimising the effects of expansion of the traverse rod, preferably about
midway the length of said rod is applied an attachment which operates as a stop piece
thereby limiting the traverse of the said rod in order to prevent the rove being brought
too near the edges of the rollers, the rod has usual motion by worm and heart or
eccentric and there is a blade or bow spring applied so as to allow it to slip when
the rod moves to its stop at the centre of the frame. The stroke of the heart or
eccentric is preferably adjusted to the same amount as the limit or stop at the
centre of the frame. If desirable inore than one point of control can be provided
in the length of the rod in which case that part of the rod from the driving end to
the first stop will be actuated as above, but between the first and each succeeding
stop the rod is divided and the parts are joined together so as to be capable of
moving in the same manner as the projection at the driving end.
In the water troughs employed in wet spinning the pipes or rods which serve
to guide the yarn and on which the yarn was liable to wrap or gather, are dispensed
with, and in substitution thereof, angle boards edged with brass and independent
of the trough covers are employed, the said edged boards being held in slots or
guides, affording facilities for removal & replacement.
The top rollers are mounted upon a separate beam, affording greater rigidity to
said rollers, and upon which beam are mounted stands of suitable shape, a part
of which would form a bearing for the back roller, another part of which would
form a holder for the back pressing roller, a loose brass or cap placed over axis
forms the part of presser for the saddle, this arrangement dispenses with require-
ment of any adjustment of the back presser roller. In conjunction with above at
intervals of length, are introduced screwing blocks for adjusting the reach of the
rollers. This arrangement dispenses with a large proportion of the adjusting screws
employed for adjusting the "reach.'
The arrangement as above admits of the use of a screwing stand in which the
screw is protected or boxed in thereby avoiding the lodgement of dirt and wet
clogging the screws which thereby when being adjusted were frequently broken or
injured.
For adjusting the spindles in position, truly concentric with the ring, I employ
two eccentric washers, through which the spindle is passed, the inner washer fits
into a recess in the ring rail, and fits the socket of the spindle, the other is received
in a recess formed in the first washer, and each has a projecting flange for purpose
of securing hold on them, when being turned for adjustment of the spindle to the
centre of the ring.
For simultaneously raising and lowering the spindle rails a
cross shaft is
employed upon which are worms or skew pinions gearing with a worm wheel on
each side of the frame, the said worm wheel in each case being fixed upon a shaft
extending the length of the frame and to which shaft the lifter chains are attached.
Or a sliding rod may be employed at each side of the frame and connected to each
other so as to simultaneously operate the spindle rails.
In order to add stiffuces to the spindle rails, I fix at suitable intervals along the
frame and between the middle, bearers, bars or stays across the frame from one

page_text: rail to the other thus forming the two spindle rails into one rigid framework
capable of rising and falling all together.
The same may be applied to frames with stationary spindle rails.
Deted this 14th day of Lu100
WALTER BRIERLEY,
Penny Bank Chambers, Waterhouse Street, Halifax,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines or Frames for Spinning and Twisting
Fibres.
I, ARTHUR WILSON METCALFE of Glasshouse Mill, Pateley Bridge in the
County of York, Flax Spinner, 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 machines or frames mainly designed for use in flax
spinning, some of the improvements being applicable to spinning frames generally,
and the improvements comprise.
Firstly. Improved apparatus and means for regulating and maintaining relative
position of ring rail and thread plate.
Secondly. Improved appliances for ensuring simultaneous movement of the
spindle rails and to rigidly connecting spindle rails together across the frame from
side to side for purpose of adding stiffness to them.
Thirdly. Improved appliances for ensuring the rapid lifting or raising of the
spools or bobbins preparatory to doffing.
Fourthly. Improved apparatus for traversing the tension pulley and a guide in
unison with the spindle rail thereby to ensure the driving tape being directed to and
on the same plane as the centre of the warve.
Fifthly. The construction and use of an improved weighting lever having
changeable fulcrums, and in conjunction with such levers of a rest or stop for
preventing damage to said levers.
Sixthly. Improved mounting for the top rollers.
Seventhly. Means for compensating the action due to expansion of the rove
traverse rods.
In the spinning of rigid fibres (such as flax and jute) and where a proportionately
strong drag is necessary it is desirable a constant distance (approximately) be
maintained between the ring rail and the thread plate. Such object is accomplished
by imparting a constant reciprocating motion to the ring rail within certain limits
of say one inch to one and a quarter inches or thereabouts. That is to say that the
distance from the ring rail to the thread plate shall not vary more than about the
distance above stated, and in conjunction with the above arrangement is to be
employed a spool or tube, the upper end of which can be brought nearly to
the apex of the angle of the thread and a constant descending motion is imparted
so that the spool or tube is filled preferably at one descent.
For simultaneously raising and lowering the spindle rails a
cross shaft is
employed upon which are worms or skew pinions gearing with a worm wheel on
each side of the frame the said wheel in each case being fixed upon a shaft
extending the length of the frame and to which shaft the lifter chains are attached.
Or a sliding rod may be employed on each side of the frame and connected to
each other so as to simultaneously operate the spindle rails.
In order to add stiffness to the spindle rails and to form a support for the tension
pulleys, there are fixed along the frame and between the middle bearers, bars or
stays across the frame from one rail to the other, thus forming the two spindle rails
into one rigid frame work, capable of rising and falling all together. The same
cross bars may be applied to frames with stationary spindle rails.

page_text: For lifting or raising the spools for doffing there is attached to the spindle rail a
projecting finger which when the rail reaches any predetermined position in the
building of the cop, comes in contact with a latch which throws out of gear the
building or descending motion of the spindle rail, and simultaneously there is
brought into operation by means of a clutch, an automatic motion for raising the
spindle rails to their original position consisting of pulleys and gearing which
change the direction of traverse of the spindle rails and raise them at a much
quicker rate than the downward or building traverse.
For the purpose of directing the tape in a plane with the centre of the warves
when the latter rise and fall, the tension pulleys are mounted and traversed in
conjunction with the spindle rails or a curved guide preferably covered with enamel
is employed and said guide is traversed in conjunction with the spindle rail so that
the running on part of the tape is delivered directly opposite the centre of the warve.
The weighting lever has two or more slots in its fulcrum end, and such slots
engage with one or other of two or more pins according to the position to which
the lever is raised.
The free end of the lever is provided with a deep slot or hook of such depth as
that the loop of the weight shall not be detached when the weight comes in contact
with and upon a board which is provided for receiving the weights thereby to ease
the levers when the saddles are to be released. The board referred to as receiving
the weights prevents the levers being subjected to sudden strain and breakage
arising from the sudden release of the spring wire.
The top rollers are mounted upon a separate beam affording greater rigidity to
said rollers and upon this beam are mounted stands of suitable shape, a part of
which would form a bearing for the back roller, another part of which would form
a holder for the back pressing roller, a loose brass or cap placed over axis forms
the part of presser for the saddle, this arrangement dispenses with requirement of
any adjustment of the top presser roller. In conjunction with above at intervals of
length are introduced screwing blocks for adjusting the "reach" of the rollers.
This arrangement dispenses with a large proportion of the adjusting screws
employed for adjusting the "reach."
It also admits of the use of screwing stands or blocks in which the screw is
protected or boxed in, thereby avoiding the lodgement of dirt or wet clogging the
screw which thereby when being adjusted were frequently broken or injured.
For minimising the effects of expansion of the rove traverse rod (due to heat)
preferably about midway its length is applied an attachment which operates as a
stop piece, thereby limiting the traverse of the said rod in order to prevent the
rove being brought too near the edges of the rollers.
The rod has usual motion by worm and heart or eccentric, and there is a blade
or bow spring applied so as to allow it to slip when the rod moves to its stop at the
centre of the frame. The stroke of the heart or eccentric is preferably adjusted
to the same amount as the limit or stop at centre of frame. If desirable more than
one point of control can be provided in the length of the rod in which case that
part of the rod from the driving end to the first stop will be actuated as above, but
between the first and each succeeding stop the rod is divided and the ends are joined
together so as to be capable of moving in the same manner as the projection at the
driving end.
Such being the nature and object of this my said invention the following is a
complete description of same reference being had to the accompanying drawings in
which :-
Fig. 1 is an elevation of spinning frame shewing arrangement of spindle and
ring rails &c. with moving parts.
A. A are the spindle rails mounted upon sliding brackets F F which slide up
and down upon the pillars R R fixed at top to arms of "middle bearer," M M and
at bottom to same and to bottom rails B B. They are raised and lowered
simultaneously by the shafts and chain pulleys X X from their lowest to highest
position. The bridge piece N connects the two rails A A together firmly and serves

page_text: 5
to carry the rod U upon which the tension pulley Tis hung which guides the driving
tape level upon the warve W at all heights of the spindle rail. The ring rails J* J×
with the rings J J in them are raised and lowered by the rods S S and the shafts
and chain pulleys Y Y within certain fixed limits of say 1" to 14" Z is the traveller
mounted on the ring J. O is the thread plate made specially broad to catch the
water and P is the lower plate for intercepting the drip and causing it to fall more
gently into the gutter G to avoid splashing the rings. L is the pressing lever for
the rollers with a deep hook into which the weight K is hung. The lever swings.
about the two fulcrums 1 and 2 fixed in the bracket V. At 3 the spring wire is
attached. When the spring wire is released the lever falls until the weight K
comes upon the board H which runs the length of the frame suspended as shewn.
Fig. 2. shews the arrangement for lowering and raising the spindle rails.
The lifter shafts X X have mounted on them on one end the worm wheels 10. 10.
which are geared into the worms 9. 9 fixed upon the shaft 8 which is driven
preferably from one of the boss rollers D, D by a series of belts and gearing 57, 56,
The
55, 54, 53, 52, 62, 61, 11 with facilities for changing the speed say at 53.
worm wheel 7 by which it is rotated is made to slide upon a key in the shaft 8 so
that it can be thrown out of gear with the worm 11. It is held in position by the
lever 6 and the catch 5 which when released allows the lever 6 to fall over by means
of the weight 61 and slides the worm wheel 7 along the shaft as shewn in dotted
lines out of gear with the worm 11. At the same time at the right hand end of
lever 6 the arm comes against a collar 12 working a lever 13 which by means of
the clutch 14 brings a worm or skew pinion 15 on shaft 8 into gear with a pulley 16
constantly revolving by means of a belt from the pulley 17 upon the cylinder
shaft C.
When the spindle rail has descended to the bottom position at A¹ and the bobbin
is filled the arm A 1 comes in contact with the washer or collar 4 and lifts the
latch 5, thus throwing the wheel 7 out of gear and bringing the wheel 15 into gear,.
which reverses the motion of shaft 8 and winds the spindle rails A, A rapidly to
the top. On arriving at the top the arm A² attach to spindle rail on right hand
side lifts the cullar and rod 19 which actuates an automatic stopper 82, 83, 84, 85
as shown in detail in Figs. 11, 12, 13.
Fig. 3 gives a side view of some of the parts shewn in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 shews the spindle rail A and warve W with tape leading on to it from
any level above or below, guided by the curved surfaces upon bracket as shewn,
which rises and falls with the rails A.
Fig. 5 is an end view of the top roller and rove transverse motion.
Fig. 6 is a front elevation of same.
The traverse rod 21 is worked from the roller D1 by means of a worm and
worm wheel 26 with heart 25 mounted upon it and revolving upon a stud 27 in the
usual way. The friction rollers 24 24 are mounted upon a moveable piece 22 which
instead of being rigidly fixed to the traverse bar 21 as ordinary is clamped to such
bar 21 by means of bolts, and a spring 23 which can be tightened to such an extent
as to make the rod 21 move to and fro with the piece 22 but so as to slip on the
rod 21 when the traverse rod comes against either of the stops 30. 30 as shewn in
Fig. 7. The rod 21 will return to its normal position with the return stroke of the
piece 22.
Fig. 7 shews the traverse rod 21 passing through one of the brackets 29 upon a
bearing block.
At each side and upon the rod 21 are fixed two stops 30. 30 for limiting the
stroke of the traverse on either side of the centre, and preventing the rove 65.
(passing through the notches 66) from running past the sides of the rollers D 1.
Fig. 8 shews a sliding joint to act similarly to that shown in Fig. 6. The piece 31
is fixed to the rod 21' and grasps the rod 21 by the bolt and spring 32.
Fig. 9 gives details of motion for traversing the ring rails J× J× and is an internal
view of the frame and Q as shewn in Fig. 2.
Two levers 42 and 43 are mounted upon a stud 44 midway across the frame.

page_text: These are caused to oscillate from 58 and 60 to 59 and 61 respectively by means of
the heart or eccentric 41 driven from the shaft 70 by the pulleys and gearing 51.50.
49. and 48.
At their extreme ends the levers 42 and 43 are connected by means of
chains 45, 45 and chain pulleys 40, 40 to the shafts Y Y causing them to revolve
back and forward and raise and lower the ring rails J* J*. In the figure the ring
rail is shewn at its lowest on the left side and at its highest on the right Z being
the top position of traveller and Z' the bottom.
Fig. 10 is a front elevation of frame end, 65 is the rove passing through the
notch 66 in guide rod 21. 66' shews position of notch at other end of traverse.
Figs. 11. 12. and 13 shew action of belt fork C' and C² are the fast and loose
pulleys respectively. The belt passes through the fork 80 and is pulled onto the
pulley C from the handle 82 at opposite end of frame. To same handle are
attached a weight and chain passing over the pulley 84. Therefore in drawing out
the handle to position in Fig. 12 the weight is lifted and the handle falls into the
catch 83. When the spindle rail A rises to its highest point ready for doffing as
described under Fig. 2 the rod 19 is lifted and this raises the pall 85 and releases
the handle from the catch 83 when it is at once drawn inwards by the weight 86
and the belt is thrown to loose pulley C².
Fig. 14 shews the arrangement of drawing rollers. The front roller D is mounted
on a stand 92 in the usual way upon the upper part of which on a flat face the
smaller beam 91 is laid. On this later beam are mounted at intervals of every pair
of rollers D' D³ stands 96. 96 which form a bearing for D' and have a deep groove
into which the pressing roller D³ fits and revolves. The pressure from the lever L
and spring wire 94. 94 is communicated to the two rollers D2 and D³ by a cross bar
or "saddle" 95, 95 having a bearing for the roller D2 in the usual way. The upper
end simply presses upon the loose piece 97 inserted into the groove in 96, which
communicate its share of pressure to roller D³. The beam 91 can slide upon
stand 92.
Fig. 15 shews section of screwing block or stand for moving the beam 91 nearer
or farther from the roller D. The piece 99 containing a long screw 100 is firmly
mounted upon beam 90. The piece 98 is fastened to beam 91 and the screw 100
engages in it at the part 98. The screws may be revolved separately by the square
end at 101 or all together by the worm shaft and worm wheel 103 and 102 from one
end of frame.
Having now particularly described my invention and the means which I adopt in
carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that I do not confine
myself to the precise arrangement of parts as shewn and described, as the same may
be varied without departing from the peculiar character of my improvements but
what I do claim is :-
Firstly. The general arrangement in connection with a self contained ring
spindle, whereby a short reciprocating motion is imparted to the ring rail whilst the
spindle and bobbin are gradually descended to form the building of the cop
substantially as described.
Secondly. The introduction of cross bars or stays between the spindle rails
independent of the usual middle bearers, for adding stiffness and rigidity to the
said rails and to form a support for the tension pulleys, substantially as
described.
Thirdly. The general arrangement of motions whereby the spindle rail is
automatically raised to its highest position preparatory to doffing and the use in
connection with the same of an automatic belt fork stopper to stop the machine
when the spindle rails are wound up, substantially as described.
Fourthly. The carrying up and down with the spindle warves of the tension
'pulleys and guides to direct the driving tape on to the centre of the warve
substantially as described.
Fifthly. The use of two or more fulcrums in the weighting lever, of the deep

page_text: hook to prevent the weight being displaced and the use of a board or support to
receive the weight when the lever is released the whole in combination substantially
as and for the purpose described.
Sixthly. The general arrangement for minimising the effects of expansion in the
rove traverse rod by means of sliding connections and controlling stops,
substantially as described.
Seventhly. The arrangement of the drawing rollers and stands by which the top
or back roller is mounted upon a separate beam capable of being moved nearer to
or further from the front or bottom roller, and in connection with the same beam of
stands for carrying the top pressing rollers in such manner that they always remain
in the same vertical relation with the back roller at any position of the reach. The
whole substantially as described.
Dated this 14th day of April 1893.