IMPROVEMENTS IN WEAVING Dun AND OTHER FARRICC
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Crosland, of Rochdale, in the County of
Lancaster, Manager, and Thomas Boardman, of Westhoughton, in the
same County, Weaver, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WEAVING
Dun AND OTHER FARRICC"
Sealed the 20th October 1854, and dated the 27th April 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Crosland and
Thomas Boardman at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 27th April 1854.
We, EDWARD CROSLAND, of Rochdale, in the County of Lancaster, Manager,
and THOMAS BOARDMAN, of Westhoughton, in the same County, Weaver, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WEAVING
AND IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING CUT PILE AND OTHER FABRICS" to be as
follows:-
Our Invention consists, firstly, in an improved mode of shedding the warps
applicable to weaving double fabrics. The warps for forming the upper and
lower fabrics are conveyed direct from the warp beams to the fabric, and that
part of the upper warp which is required for the shed is drawn down while the
remainder remains stationary, and that part of the lower warp that is required for
the shed is raised while the rest is stationary.
Secondly, in weaving a double fabric united by a figure or binding warp. In
weaving this, double fabric, we propose to give two or more picks at a little

page_text: =
distance from the cloth for securing the binding warp into one of the fabrics,
in the same way as is now practised in weaving terry goods, and at the next
pick to carry forward the shoots of weft and the warps to the cloth, then
securing the binding warp by two or more picks into the other fabric, and
at the next pick carrying that forward as before, and so on. The distance
between the cloth and the place where the binding wefts are thrown in
depends on the length of pile required. The fabric thus produced must be
cut asunder by any of the methods now known..
Thirdly, in an improved combination of machinery for actuating the drop
boxes of looms. This consists of a chain, having projections of different lengths
on the links, or of a drum, on which the said projections are fixed. These pro-
jections act on catches, which are hinged to long levers connected to the drop
box. The catches are raised by levers, which are constantly in motion, and
elevate the catch that is acted upon by the projection on the chain or drum
above referred to..
Fourthly, in the application of a roller fixed on an excèntric shaft, over
which the warp is conveyed to the heddles. This roller is made to revolve,
and it is placed in such a position that the warp is slackened at the time of
shedding or of beating up the weft.
And, lastly, in an improved guide applied to a loomi, for regulating the
distance between two fabrics woven together and united by a binding warp,
and in an improved mode of cutting the said warp asunder, to make such
fabric into a pile fabric. The knife for cutting the binding warp is placed
between and projects beyond the two flat bars of metal forming the guide. A
lateral motion is given to this knife in any convenient manner; consequently, as
the fabric is drawn forward by the taking-up motion of the loom, the binding
warp is cut asunder, and the fabrics pass over and under the flat bars forming
the guide. The distance between the flat bars can be adjusted to suit the
length of pile required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Edward Crosland and Thomas Boardman in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 27th October 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, EDWARD
CROSLAND, of Rochdale, in the County of Lancaster, Manager, and THOMAS
BOARDMAN, of Westhoughton, in the same County, Weaver, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing. date the Twenty-seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord

page_text: One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the seventeenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us,
the said Edward Crosland and Thomas Boardman, Her special license that we,
the said Edward Crosland and Thomas Boardman, our executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as we, the said Edward Crosland and Thomas
Boardman, our 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 WEAVING AND
IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING CUT PILE AND OTHER FABRICS," upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that we, the said "Edward Crosland and Thomas
Boardman, by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals, or under
the hand and seal of either of us, 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 we, the said Edward Crosland and Thomas Boardman
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, that is to say:
The nature of our Invention of improvements in weaving consists in an
improved mode of weaving a double fabric united by a figure or binding warp,
which is cut asunder to produce two pile fabrics. This improved mode of
weaving consists in throwing two or more picks of weft at a little distance
from the cloth into the shed of the warp forming the back of the upper cloth;
these picks bind the figure warp, and at the succeeding pick the reed is made
to advance far enough to strike home the binding picks, and at the same time
to carry forward the figure warp, in the same manner as is now customary in
weaving certain descriptions of terry. fabrics. One. or more shoots of weft are
then put in to bind the same into the cloth; two or more picks of weft are then
thrown into the shed of the warp forming the back of the lower fabric, at a
little distance from the cloth. These picks bind the figure warp into the lower
fabric, and at the succeeding pick the reed is made to strike home the binding
picks in the lower fabric, and one or more shoots of weft are then put in to
bind the same into the cloth. By repeating these operations a double fabric is
produced, the figure or binding warp of which is cut asunder by a suitable
knife as the weaving proceeds, as will be explained hereafter....

page_text: Our improvements in machinery for weaving cut pile and other fabrics
consists, first, in an improved combination of parts for varying the stroke of
the reed, which improved combination of parts is applicable to weaving double
fabrics, as above described, or to weaving terry fabrics.
Secondly, in an improved guide for regulating the distance between two
fabrics woven together, and for holding the figure warp by which they are
united in à state of tension whilst being cut asunder.
Thirdly, in an improved instrument for cutting asunder the binding or
figure warp of double fabrics.
And, lastly, in an improved combination of machinery for actuating the drop
boxes of looms in which two or more shuttles are used, so as to bring any
shuttle when required in a line with the shuttle race.
Having thus stated the nature of our Invention, we will proceed to describe
the manner of performing the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 is a transverse sectional elevation of a loom, shewing one mode of
performing our improvements in weaving, our improved machinery for varying
the stroke of the reed, the guide for regulating the distance between two fabrics
woven together, and the machinery for cutting the binding or figure warp of
double fabrics; Figure 2 is a front view; Figure 3, an end elevation; and
Figure 4, a plan view of the same loom. a is the crank shaft; b, the lay or
batten; c, the lay swords; d, the tappet shaft; e, the tappets for working the
heddles e; f, the beam for the warp, forming the back of the upper fabric;
g, the beam for the warp of. the lower fabric; h, the beam for the figure or
binding warp, forming the pile when the fabric is cut asunder; i is the taking-
up roller for the upper fabric; and j, the taking-up roller for the lower fabric.
The parts above enumerated, and others that are required to make the loom
complete, are similar to those in looms for weaving double fabrics of the usual
construction. The tappets e, seen best in Figures 3 and 4, are connected to
the heddles e', see Figure 1, by means of treadles and jacks, and the tappets
are so shaped, that in forming the shed of the upper warp the lower warp
remains stationary, and in forming the shed of the lower warp the upper warp
remains stationary. This mode of forming the sheds has before been used in
weaving double fabrics, and is only referred to here as being the most suitable
for the purpose.
Our improved combination of machinery for varying the stroke of the reed
consists of the following parts: To the tappets e is fixed a tappet k; this
tappet acts upon a bowl supported by the lever ', which is keyed to the cross

page_text: shaft ; this shaft is supported in bearings attached to the loom sides. Upon
this shaft are fixed the levers, which are jointed above to the hinged con-
necting arms c'. These connecting arms are shewn in Figure 1 as forming
an elbow; consequently the distance, between the crank and the pin, by which
the connecting arm is jointed to the lay sword, is less than when the parts
forming the connecting arms are in a line. The effect of thus reducing the
distance from the crank to the lay sword is to reduce, when required, the stroke
of the reed; and by altering the positions of the studs in the levers ³, or the
lift of the tappet k, the variation in the length of the stroke can be regulated
to suit the length of pile in the fabric that is being woven. The Drawing
represents the parts in the positions they occupy when the reed is striking up
the binding wefts in the upper fabric at a distance of about three-eighths of an
inch from the body of the cloth. As soon as four or other suitable number of
binding picks have been given, one of the projections on the tappet k elevates
the lever ', thereby raising the rods or links k', and bringing the two arms
forming the connecting rods c¹ in a line; consequently, at the next stroke of the
reed the binding wefts that had before been thrown in are brought forward
to the head of the cloth, and at the same time the binding or figure warp is
slackened by the tappet 1, lever l', and rod, in the ordinary manner, thereby
allowing the figure warp to be brought forward with the binding wefts, above
referred to. Instead of the tappet 7 and parts connected therewith for slack-
ening the figure warp, we propose in some cases to use a roller fixed on an
excentric shaft over which the warp passes. This roller is made to revolve, so
that when the warp requires to be slackened, the warp is passing over the
shorter radius of the roller. The tappet k holds the lever k¹ up until one or
more shoots of weft have been thrown in, to secure the picks brought forward
into the upper fabric. The tappet & then lowers the lever and links ;
consequently the connecting arms c' again form an elbow, and at the following
strokes of the batton the reed beats up the weft into the lower fabric at a
distance of about three-eighths of an inch from the head of the fabric, in order
to bind the figure warp into the lower fabric. When the figure warp is thus
bound into the lower fabric with four or other suitable number of picks the
figure warp is again slackened, and that portion of the figure warp thus bound
into the lower fabric is brought forward as before. When four or five
portions of the figure warp have thas been bound alternately in the upper
and lower fabrics, the figure warp connecting the two fabrics is cut asunder,
so as to form two pile fabrics, in the following manner-m, m, are two
blades of metal, forming the guide for tightening the figure warp by
which the two fabrics are united, as above described. These blades m

page_text: are each supported at each end in bearings attached to the loom sides;
to the lower blade m, are fixed two guide brackets m', for supporting the
knives n. We prefer to make the cutting edges of these knives serrated,
as shewn in Figure 5. The lower knife has a longitudinal motion imparted
to it by the cam d', see Figure 4, on the tappet shaft d; this cam gives
motion to the lever n', whose fulcrum is at n². The shorter arm of the
lever is connected by the link n³ to the upright lever n', which is jointed
above to the bridle n', to which the lower knife is attached; consequently, at
every revolution of the tappet.shaft d, the lower knife n makes two or more
lateral moves, according to the shape of the cam d'. The upper knife does not
move longitudinally, being held by studs in the upper blade m, and furnished
with slots, to allow the upper ends of the bridle n' to move in,, as shewn in
Figure 4; but both the knives are occasionally brought forward, so that the
cutting edges project beyond the edges of the blades m by the tappet d², fixed
on the shaft d. This tappet acts on a bowl projecting from the lever o, fixed on
the shaft o¹, to which is also fixed the lever 02, the upper end of which serves
as fulcrum for the upright lever n'. In Figure 1 the lever o is raised;.
consequently the knives are within the blades m, as shewn also in Figure 4;.
but as soon as the tappet d² allows the end of the lever o to drop, the knives
are brought forward, so that the cutting edges come against and sever the pile
or figure warp, as will be explained hereafter. The blades m, which are shewn.
open in Figure 1, and closed in Figure 3, are opened and closed in the
following manner:-To the projecting end of each blade in is fixed a lever m²;
these levers have studs projecting from them, and the studs take into bevelled,
grooves in the vertical lever, p, whose fulcrum is at p¹; to this lever is attached
one end of the rod p2; the other end of which fits in a socket in the lay bottom
b. Every time that the reed is made to strike up into the fabric those picks
that had been thrown in at a little distance from the cloth, the blades m,
which had before been closed, are suddenly opened by the lay bottom acting on
the rod p The motion imparted to this rod is transmitted-to-the-lever-p,-tho-
inclined grooves in which, acting on the studs in the levers m², draw these
levers towards each other, thereby opening the blades m'. The amount of
opening must be regulated according to the length of pile or figure warp
between the upper and lower fabrics. The object of thus opening the blades m
is to stretch or tighten the figure or pile warp at the time when the knives n
are advanced, for the purpose of cutting the said warp asunder. By making
the knives serrated and sharp, it is evident that the teeth will enter between the
warps, and by giving a lateral motion to one of the blades, the serrated feeth
will act like scissors, and cut the warp asunder. The upper fabric is carried

page_text: over the upper blade m, and thence wound on to the cloth beam i, and the lower
lower blade m, is taken over the guide bar j',
fabric, after passing under the
and thence to the cloth beam j. We wish to remark here that we prefer to
give motion to each cloth beam by an independent taking-up motion, as a
more equal tension is thus given to the fabrics. When the knives have cut
asunder a portion of the double fabric, they are again brought back by the
action of the tappet d², and they are held back by a stud projecting from each
end of the upper blade m, which studs drop in front of the knives. The other.
parts of the loom that are not shewn in the Drawing are made in the usual
manner, and do not require to be particularly described.
We will now proceed to describe our improved machinery for raising and
lowering the drop boxes of looms in which two or more shuttles are used.
These improvements are shewn in Figure 6. 9 is a drop box of the ordinary
construction, to which is attached the rod q'; this rod is furnished below with
a bowl bearing on the rail r; on this rail are as many inclines 21 as there are
compartments in the drop box. To the rail r are also fixed two racks, having
ratchet teeth in contrary directions; the click s is for pushing the rail forward
and the click s' for pulling it back. These clicks are jointed to the levers s² and
s3, which are acted upon by the cam s', fixed on the crank shaft. The clicks s
and s are connected by links to the levers s, the outer extremities of which
are raised, when required, by the projections on the links of the chain se. This
chain is carried over suitable rollers, only one of which is shewn in the
Drawing, and the levers s' are kept in contact with the chain by springs. The
mode of operation is as follows:-The-top compartment of the drop box is now
supposed to be in a line with the shuttle race: as soon as the middle compart-
ment is required in a line with the shuttle race, the click s moves the rail r in
the direction of the arrow; by so doing, one of the inclines r¹, acting on the
bowl at the end of the rod q', raises the drop box q to the required level. The
drop box may then be raised or lowered by bringing either of the clicks s or s²
into action, or the drop box may remain stationary by holding both the
clicks out of gear, the positions of the clicks being governed by the chain se.
Having thus described the nature and particulars of our Invention, we wish
it to be understood that we claim as of our Invention,-
First, the improved mode of weaving double fabrics, in which the distance
between the fabrics is governed by varying the stroke of the reed.
Secondly, the improved combination of parts for varying the stroke of the
reed, as described.
Thirdly, the improved guide for regulating the distance between two fabrics
woven together, and for tightening the figure warp, as described.

page_text: Fourthly, the improved, instrument for cutting the figure warp of double
fabrics, as described.
And, lastly, the improved combination of machinery for varying the position
of the drop box, as described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Edward Crosland and Thomas Boardman,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-fifth day of October,
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
THOMAS BOARDMAN. (L.S.)
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the within-
named Edward Crosland and Thomas
Boardman, in the presence of
H. B. BARLOW,
Patent Agent,
Manchester.