IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE PINS OF HACKLES, COMBS, AND CYLINDERS USED IN HACKLING, COMBING, AND PREPARING WOOL, FLAX, AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES, AND. IN THE MODE OP. APPLYING THEM TO MANUFACTURING PURPOSES
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Richards Harding, of Leeds, in the County
of York, Hackle and Hackle Pin Manufacturer, for the Invention' of
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE PINS OF HACKLES, COMBS,
AND CYLINDERS USED IN HACKLING, COMBING, AND PREPARING WOOL, FLAX,
AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES, AND. IN THE MODE OP. APPLYING THEM TO
MANUFACTURING PURPOSES."
Sealed the 22nd December 1854, and dated the 1st July 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Richards Harding
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
1st July 1854.
I, THOMAS RICHARDS HARDING, of Leeds, in the County of York, Hackle
and Hackle Pin Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE PINS OF HACKLES,
COMBS, AND CYLINDERS USED IN HACKLING, COMBING, AND PREPARING WOOL, FLAX,
AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES, AND IN THE MODE OF APPLYING THEM TO MANU-
PACTURING PURPOSES," to be as follows:--
My improvements consist,-.
First, in making the pins or teeth by means of pressure applied by cylin-
ders or other similar mechanism, provided with, grooves, which form a model
or matrix for the pins.

page_text: Second, in the application of standard gauges to the shears used in cutting
off the pins, so as to ensure that all the pins cut with each particular guage
shall be of an uniform length.
Third, in employing a revolving barrel or cylinder in tempering the pins.
Fourth, in applying the heat of gas for the purpose of tempering the pins.
Fifth, in fixing the pins on hackles or combs having flat surfaces in curved
lines, instead of in straight lines as heretofore.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thomas Richards Harding in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 1st January 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
RICHARDS HARDING, of Leeds, in the County of York, Hackle and Hackle Pin
Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the First day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the eighteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Thomas Richards Harding, Her special license that I, the said Thomas
Richards Harding, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, tho said Thomas Richards Harding, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
• IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE PINS OF HACKLES, COMBS, AND
CYLINDERS, AND IN HACKLING, COMBING, AND PREPARING WOOL, FLAX, AND OTHER
FIBROUS SUBSTANCES, AND IN THE MODE OF APPLYING THEM TO MANUFACTURING
PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Thomas
Richards Harding, by an instrument in writing under my hand and scal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Richards Harding, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the

page_text: following statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
My Invention of "Improvements in the Manufacture of the Pins of
Hackles, Combs, and Cylinders used in Hackling, Combing, and Preparing
Wool, Flax, and other Fibrous Substances, and in the Mode of Applying them
to Manufacturing Purposes," relates, first, to the forming of the pins or teeth
for hackles, combs, and cylinders, either of cast steel or iron, and consists in
making the said pins or teeth by means of pressure applied by cylinders or
other analogous mechanical contrivances provided with dies, in the surfaces of
which are made grooves or channels, so arranged, that when the surfaces
of the cylindrical or segmental dies are brought together, the grooves made
therein will form a model or matrix for the pins.
Fig. 1 represents a plan view, and Fig. 2 a side elevation, of one arrange-
ment of machinery for carrying out the object of my Invention. In this
arrangement, the segmental dies, which form portions of a cylinder, are
attached to arms which are made to turn on centres, and vibrate or recipro-
cate up and down. Fig. 3 is a plan view, and Fig. 4 a side elevation, of
another arrangement, being a modification of the above. In this latter
arrangement the dies are attached to rollers or cylinders, which are made
to rotate in one direction, instead of reciprocating, as in the former instance.
The principle of construction and operation is, however, the same in both
cases; and I have, therefore, in order to avoid prolixity in description, marked
similar letters of reference on corresponding or equivalent parts in the Figures.
To prevent confusion, however, I will first describe the arrangement shewn in
Figures 1 and 2, and will then proceed to point out and explain the minor
differences and modifications shewn in Figures 3 and 4.
The framework of the machine is shewn at a, a, a, a, and the main driving
shaft at b. On this shaft is mounted a pinion, which actuates the wheel con
the shaft d, and one end of this shaft carries the crank pin e, which drives the
slide e. This crank pin is capable of adjustment, so that the length of its
stroke, and consequently of the traverse of the slide e*, may be varied to suit
the length or size of pins intended to be produced. To this slide e* are
attached the links f, f, f, f, which are connected to and work the arms or
levers,,, 12, 1, 1, 1, 1. At the inner ends of these levers are fixed
the segmental dies g, in which are made conical grooves of the form of the
required pins. In this instance four grooves are represented in each die, as
seen in Fig. 1, but they may be either more or less in number, as may be
preferred. The grooves of one segment or cylinder coincide with those of the
other, and the plane surfaces work true.against each other. The two dies are

page_text: kept closely in contact by the set screws h, h, at each end of the levers k, k.
The framing is held firmly by the transverse or stay pieces i. i, which are made
strong enough to support the strain upon them when the wires of which the
pins are made are passing through the machine.
The wires, after being cut to the required length and properly rubbed, are
fed by a suitable feeding apparatus, hereafter described, into four tubes j, j,
above, and of which there are as many as there are grooves in the segmental
dies. g, g; and from these tubes j, j, the wires fall into the grooves of the
uppermost pair of dies, when the arms or levers k, k, are raised up to their
higliest point; then, by the motion of the slide e below, all the series of levers
k',,, are brought down, and the pins are formed by the action of the
dies one against the other, the several sets of dies being made to act in suc-
cession on the pins.
At a certain part.of the dies the gate is cut wider than at the other parts,
so as to allow the wires to fall through into the tube 7, where they remain till
the next rise of the levers k, k, which in so doing will come in contact with
the spring catch o of the tube 7, and by opening the spring will allow the
wires to fall into the set of dies immediately below, when the wires or pins
will be again operated upon. This operation is repeated with every set of
levers, as many as the case may require, until the pin falls out at the lower
part of the machine. In some instances, where only a very short point may
be desired, the passing through one set of dies will be sufficient to complete
the pin, but for larger pins and strong sizes a series of dies and levers is
necessary; and when the pins are finished they fall into a receptacle arranged
at the proper place to receive them.
In Figures 1 and 2, the levers are all represented as being one above the
other in the same vertical plane; but it may be desirable for some purposes to
set the alternate pairs of levers at right angles to each other, so that if any
burr be produced on the pins by one series of dies, it will be effaced by the
next pair through which the pins will pass.
Figures 3 and 4 represent a plan and clevation of a modification of the
above, the dies in this instance being attached to or made in the surfaces of a
series of rollers or cylinders, mounted in bearings one above the other as
represented in Fig. 4. These rollers or cylinders are geared together, so
that they may be made to revolve in the direction of the arrows, and cach
pair is pressed together by the tightening screws h, h, as represented in the
Figures.
The feeding apparatus (shewn in Figures 3 and 4, but not shewn in Figures
1..,and, 2,). consists of a drum, provided with a series of vertical tubes,

page_text: arranged round a centre in radial lines, as shewn in Fig. 3, to correspond with
the gates or grooves (see Fig. 4*) of the die cylinders k, k; when brought over
the same, the wires cut to the proper length are fed into these tubes, and rest
at the bottom on a plate of sheet iron, a portion of which is cut out over the
grooves of the cylinders, for the purpose of allowing the wires to fall through
into the dies of the upper pair of rollers. A shutter is provided to close this
opening, except at the proper time, when it is drawn back and the wires
allowed to drop through. A projecting cam p is fixed to one of the top cylin-
ders, and by its revolution acts upon the pendant arms of the frame 7, and
withdraws the shutter or stop g, on which the four wires of one of the radial
lines were supported immediately over the four grooves, and thus allows those
wires to drop into the grooves of the lies y, on the rollers or cylinders k, at
the proper period of the revolution. The drum is provided at its periphery
with a ratchet wheel, which is actuated by a pawle 2, in connection with the
frame 7, and consequently the drum is moved round the distance of one tooth
of the ratchet at every rotation of the rollers or cylinders. By the continued
revolution of the die cylinders the wires are pressed between the dies, and the
point will be thereby partially formed; they will then drop through the
enlarged part of the gate into the nip of the next set of cylinders, which are
so arranged in connection with the first set as to receive them at the proper
period of their revolution, and so on, through the whole series, until they are
discharged finished at the lower part of the machine.
This feeding apparatus, as described, is also applicable to the reciprocating
arrangement shewn in Figures 1 and 2, but has not been shewn in those
Figures, in order to avoid unnecessary complexity in the Drawing. The wires
may be fed in while the machine is in motion, a child being employed to
fill the tubes of the feeder while the drum z is rotating.
When the material requires the application of heat the lower portion of the
tubes is removed, leaving the bare pins resting on the supporting plate, and a
flame of gas is made by means of a jet of air to impinge upon the lower ends
of the wires as the feeding apparatus moves round. By this means the wires
may be red hot, and while in that state may be dropped into the dies of the
first set of cylinders, and operated upon more effectually than if cold.
The next improvement relates to the apparatus used for cutting the wire
into lengths for the pins. This is usually done by means of shears; but as the
same apparatus is of course capable of cutting pins of various lengths, it is
necessary to set the apparatus to a given gauge. Hitherto this has been done
by pushing the points of the pins against a plate set from the cutter the
required distance, and secured. there either by bolts and nuts, screws, or in a

page_text: slide. Every time this gauge is set, there is great liability of setting it to
different lengths, according as the workman is more or less careful in setting the
apparatus before commencing. To obviate this difficulty, I propose to employ
a standard gauge, which when applied to the cutting machine will prevent
the possibility of error, if ordinary care is used. My improved standard gauge
consists of a hollow block or tube, through which the set screw passes, and
when placed at each end of the lower cutter, and made to bear against the
surface of the cutter itself, the back gaug plate is put on and screwed hard
against the tube or hollow block. By this means absolute uniformity of length
of the pins is obtained.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation, and Fig. 6 an end view, of a pair of shears or
cutters, with the above improvement adapted thereto. i and j are the blades
of the shears; k, the gauge plate, against the surface of which the points of
the wires are brought. This gauge plate is capable of moving laterally along
the screw m, according to the required length of wire to be cut off. n is the
hollow block or tube which forms the standard gauge, and is shewn detached
at Fig. 6. When the machine is to be set, this tube n must be passed over the
end of the screw m, and made to bear against the face of the lower cutter j;
the gauge plate is then brought up to the end of the tube or hollow block n,
and screwed tightly up against it by means of the nut o.
My third improvement relates to an improved mode of tempering the pins,
whereby this operation may be performed with more facility and certainty
than heretofore, inasmuch as the pins are subjected to a more regular heat,
and the time during which they are under operation may be determined with
accuracy. This is effected by causing the pins to travel slowly through the
tempering apparatus, which is so arranged that all the pins must be subjected
to the same amount of heat which is produced by the combustion of
gas, and
may therefore be regulated with great facility. The above object may be
effected, either by means of a rotating apparatus, consisting of a cylinder or
barrel, something like a coffee roaster, or the pins may be carried through the
machine in trays made to travel onward over a fire.
The former arrangement is shewn in longitudinal section at Fig. 7, an end
view thereof being shewn at Fig. 8. p, p, is a barrel, having an opening at one
end to receive the pins, and being open at the opposite end to deliver the same
when finished.
This barrel is provided internally with a hollow screw or worm q, q, ex-
tending helically from end to end thereof, and the cylinder is mounted in
bearings in the chamber r, r, at the under side of which is placed a fire, or a
system of gas burners or pipes, to heat the cylinder p, p, by the flame of gas.

page_text: Openings are made at the upper part of the chamber 7, r, for the products of
combustion to escape. On the hollow axle of the barrel or cylinder p, p, is
mounted a band wheel or pulleys, whereby a rotary motion of any desired
speed may be communicated to the barrel.
It will now be seen that upon supplying the pins to the barrel through the
hollow axle, and communicating a slow rotary motion thereto by means of the
band wheel, the pins will be acted upon by the heat during their passage
through the machine, and will ultimately fall out at the other end finished and
well tempered.
Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section, Fig. 10 a transverse section, and Fig. 11
a plan view, of an arrangement in which the pins are placed in trays that are
made to travel through the machine, instead of being fed into a barrel, as in
Figures 7 and 8. t, t, are the trays, which are moved forward through the
hot chamber r, r, by means of the two long side screws u, u. On one end
of one of these screws are mounted the fast and loose pullies s, s, whereby
motion is communicated to the whole apparatus, the motion of one screw being
transferred to the other by toothed wheels at the other end, as shewn by dots.
in Fig. 10.
It is scarcely necessary to say that the trays with the pins in them are
carried slowly through the machino by means of the screws u, u, the trays
being provided at their sides or in some other convenient part with teeth, that
take into the threads of the screws. I would remark, that although I have
shewn gas burners as adapted to the above apparatus for the purpose of heating
the pins, yet a naked fire may also be employed with advantage. I, however,
prefer to use gas whenever it can be conveniently obtained.
My last improvement relates to a novel mode of applying pins to manu-
facturing purposes and consists in fixing the pins or hackles in curved lines on
flat surfaces instead of in straight lines. This improvement will be best under-
stood by referring to Fig. 12, which represents a front view of a. hackle
constructed on my improved plan; Fig. 13 is a side view of the same. Instead
of fixing the pins in straight lines they are fixed in curved lines, produced by
striking a circle from the point v, Fig. 12.
Having now described my Invention of "improvements in the manufacture
of the pins of hackles, combs, and cylinders used in hackling, combing,
and preparing wool, flax, and other fibrous substances, and also the mode
of applying them to manufacturing purposes," I would observe that although
I have shewn the best means with which I am at present acquainted for
carrying my improvements into effect, I do not mean or intend to confine
inyself rigidly to the precise arrangement or construction of parts herein shewn

page_text: and described, as they may, perhaps, be varied without departing from the
nature and object of my Invention. I claim, in conclusion,―
First, the method herein shewn and described of manufacturing or pro-
ducing the pins of hackles, combs, or cylinders used in hackling, combing,
and preparing fibrous substances, or any modification of such method, in
which the pins are formed by means of pressure between dies formed in,
mounted on, or attached to a roller or cylinder, or part of a cylinder, that
vibrate on or rotate round a centre or centres, as above described.
Second, I claim the use of and application to the shears (used in cutting off
the pins) of moveable standard gauges, for determining with accuracy the
length of the pins, as shewn in the Figures.
Third, I claim the use and application of a barrel or cylinder, heated
by means of gas, or in any other convenient manner, and operating as above
described, for tempering the pins and delivering them at one end thereof when
finished. I also claim the use, for tempering the pins of the travelling appa-
ratus shewn in Figures 9, 10, and 11, and also the application, of the flame of
gas for heating apparatus in which hackle pins are tempered.
Lastly, I claim fixing the pins of hand hackles or combs in curved lines on
flat surfaces, as above shewn and described, instead of placing them in straight
lines, as is usually the case.
'In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Richards Harding, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of December, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFatt,
66, Chancery Lane.
THOS R. HARDING. (L.S.)