IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOM SHUTTLES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Monroe Palmer, of Cambridge, County of Middle-
sex, State of Massachusetts, U. S. A., and Charles Albert Shaw, of. Salem,
County of Essex, State of Massachusetts, United States of America, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOM SHUTTLES."
Sealed the 15th October 1878, and dated the 24th April 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Monroe Paliner and
Charles Albert Shaw at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
24th April 1878.
JAMES MONROE PALMER, of Cambridge, County of Middlesex, State of Massa-
chusetts, U. S. A., and CHARLES ALBERT SHAW, of Salem, County of Essex,
State of Massachusetts, United States of America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOM
SHUTTLES."
•
Our Invention relates principally to that class of loom shuttles which are
employed in what is generally known as "cop weaving," and consists in a novel
construction and arrangement of the parts, as herein-after more fully set forth, by
which many of the defects in the ordinary shuttle are overcome, and a more
effective device of this character is produced than is now in common use.
All practical weavers are aware that much difficulty has heretofore been
experienced in preventing the cop from becoming accidentally detached from the
spindle or displaced thereon by the percussive blows of the picker staffs on the
shuttle, and the concussion produced by the sudden stoppage of the shuttle at
the end of its course across the loom, such accidental displacement or detachment
resulting in a large waste of the thread or yarn. To obviate this various devices
have been heretofore employed, among which are corrugated and also barbed
spindles, the corrugations and barbs serving to increase the friction, and thus more
securely retain the cop; but such spindles are objectionable, as a great deal more
force is required to be exerted in slipping on the cop than with smooth spindles,
so that both the outer and inner layers of threads are thereby frequently disturbed
to such an extent, especially by careless workmen, as to cause an increase instead
of a decrease of waste.

page_text: It will be obvious therefore that the cop should not only be securely held in
proper position on the spindle during the throw of the shuttle, but that the spindle
should be so constructed that the cop may be readily slipped on to the same without
materially disarranging its layers of thread or changing it from its normal shape.
The spindle head in shuttles of this class are usually pivoted or journalled in the
body of the shuttle nearest its upper side in such a manner as to admit of the
elevation of the spindle to receive the cop, the rear portion of the spindle head
abutting against the rear inner portion of the shuttle when the spindle is depressed
or is in position for use, contact being made by a spring pressing on the spindle
head. The rear end or heel of the shuttle, thus serving as a stop for the spindle
head, soon becomes compressed or worn away at the point of contact therewith,
causing a corresponding depression of the spindle, and the consequent breakage of
threads or performance of poor work. This compression or wearing away of the
wood of the shuttle by the action of the spindle head has heretofore been imper-
fectly obviated by building up or reinforcing the compressed or worn portions by
means of "lifts" or thin pieces of leather, wood, or metal, cemented or otherwise
attached to the same. It will therefore also be obvious that a simpler and more
effective means for overcoming this last-named difficulty is desirable.
Our said Invention is easily adapted to shuttles of the ordinary form, and is
carried into practice as follows, that is to say:-The spindle head is pivoted or
journalled in the ordinary manner on a pin passing laterally through the body of
the shuttle and through a hole, the inner end of a flat spring pressing on the upper
side of the head. The body of the spindle head is provided with a lateral opening
or rectangular slot, and is also drilled longitudinally to receive the shank of the
spindle. It is also provided with a horizontally projecting stud or spindle at its
forward end, and with a downwardly-projecting lug or dog at its rear.
The shank of the spindle should be integral with the body, and consists of a
cone or taper, a straight part, another cone or taper, and another straight part, and
is preferably formed by turning down this section of the spindle into shape. The
first-named cone or taper is larger than the other cone or taper, and the first-named
straight portion is longer and also has a greater diameter than the other straight
portion, the object of this being to enable the shank to be readily inserted in the
spindle head. The first-named cone or taper is fitted to work-in a corresponding
conical socket or tapering bearing within the aforesaid stud or nipple, the said second
cone being also fitted to work in a like socket or bearing in the opposite end of the
spindle head.
Around the first-named straight part of the shank of the spindle, and disposed
within the aforesaid slot, there is a coiled spring, one end of which abuts against
the spindle head at the forward end of the slot, the other resting against a pin
which passes through the first-named straight part, the said pin being preferably
of such a length as to prevent the spindle from entirely revolving in either
direction.
A spring or face plate provided with a lip has its upper end secured to the heel
of the shuttle beneath the said spindle head spring by means of screws, and projects
downwardly over that portion of the shuttle against which the said lug or dog
abuts or strikes when the spindle is in position for use.
When the spindle is elevated and the dog is swung out of contact with the plate,
the plate may be readily pushed or swung forward, and thin pieces-or "lifts" of
paper or other material inserted beneath the same, where they will be securely
retained by a lip without the aid of cement, and thus the compression or wear of
the wood at this point, caused by the action of the spindle head, may be easily and
effectually compensated as required.
The plate is also provided with a set screw, which may be used in lieu of the
paper lifts, but the lifts are preferable, and the screw may be dispensed with
if desired.
In the use of our improvements the said spindle is raised, and the cop slipped
carefully but firmly on to the same. It is then depressed until the dog comes into

page_text: contact with the aforesaid face plate, in which position it will be held by the said
spindle head spring pressing upon the upper side of the spindle head, the pressure
of the spring being regulated by the screw by which the spring is secured to the
heel of the shuttle. The shuttle may now be threaded up, placed in the race or box,
and power applied to the loom in the usual manner.
When the picker staff strikes the shuttle, throwing it across the web as it arrives
at the end of its course or throw, the usual sudden stoppage or concussion will tend
to detach the cop from the spindle. When the motions are reversed, and the picker
staff strikes the shuttle, the tendency will also be to detach the cop. To overcome
this tendency or defect the spindle is fitted to slide longitudinally in the spindle
head, and is provided with the aforesaid coiled spring and pin.
When the body of the shuttle arrives at the end of its throw, and its motion is
suddenly arrested, the momentum acquired by the spindle will cause it to continue
a short distance on its course after the shuttle has stopped, the said pin which passes
through the first-named straight part acting against the coiled spring to compress it
in the aforesaid slot, thus gradually taking up or neutralizing the effects of the
concussion.
When the motion is reversed, and the picker staff strikes the body of the shuttle,
throwing it suddenly, the said coiled spring will be again compressed in overcoming
the inertia of the spindle, and thus take up or neutralize the percussive blow of the
picker staff, and prevent the cop from being detached thereby, all in a manner
which will be readily obvious without a more explicit description.
It will also be obvious that a very smooth and straight spindle may be used,
whereby the danger of disarranging the layers of thread or yarn in putting on the
cop incident to most spindles will be overcome. The said cones or tapers and the
conical sockets or bearings in which they work constitute a very important feature
of our said Invention, although the second-named cone and its socket are merely
auxiliary to the first-named cone, and may be dispensed with if desired.
We may modify the construction of parts of our improved shuttle as follows,
that is to say-The projecting stud or nipple is formed into a conical frustum, a
corresponding conical socket being attached to the spindle.
For the spindle head the dog or lug may be inclined, and when this form is used
the face plate and surface on which it rests must be inclined to correspond.
In one modification the dog or lug is not employed, a pin, which passes laterally
through the body of the shuttle and notch, acting to stop the spindle head in a
proper position, the said face plate not being required.
The spindle of our improved shuttle is preferably slotted or split lengthwise
through its centre.
Our said improved shuttle is well adapted for weaving either cotton, woollen, silk,
or other fibrous materials, and will effect a very large saving in waste over any
other shuttle now in use.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Monroe Palmer and Charles Albert Shaw in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 24th October 1878.
JAMES MONROE PALMER, of Cambridge, County of Middlesex, State of Massa-
chusetts, U. S. A., and CHARLES ALBERT SHAW, of Salem, County of Essex,
State of Massachusetts, United States of America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOM
SHUTTLES."
Our Invention relates principally to that class of loom shuttles which are
employed in what is generally known as "cop weaving," and consists in a novel
construction and arrangement of the parts as herein-after more fully set forth, by
which many of the defects in the ordinary shuttle are overcome, and a more
effective device of this character is produced than is now in common use.
All practical weavers are aware that much difficulty has heretofore been
experienced in preventing the cop from becoming accidentally detached from the
spindle or disc placed thereon by the percussive blows of the picker staffs on the
shuttle, and the concussion produced by the sudden stoppage of the shuttle at
the end of its course across the loom, such accidental displacement or detachment
resulting in a great waste of the thread or yarn. To obviate these difficulties
various devices have been heretofore employed, among which are corrugated and
also barbed spindles, the corrugations and barbs serving to increase the friction and
thus more securely retain the cop; but such spindles are objectionable, as a great
deal more force is required to be exerted in slipping on the cop than with smooth
spindles, so that both the outer and inner layers of threads are thereby frequently
disturbed to such an extent, especially by careless workmen, as to cause an increase
instead of a decrease of waste.
It will be obvious, therefore, that the cop should not only be securely held in
proper position on the spindle during the throw of the shuttle, but that the spindle
should be so constructed that the cop may be readily slipped on the same without
materially disarranging its layers of thread or changing it from its normal shape.
The spindle heads in shuttles of this class are usually pivotted or journalled in the
body of the shuttle nearest its upper side, in such a manner as to admit of the
clevation of the spindle to receive the cop, the rear portion of the spindle head
abutting against the rear inner portion of the shuttle when the spindle is depressed
or is in position for use, contact being maintained by a spring pressing on the
spindle head. The rear end or heel of the shuttle thus serving as a stop for the
spindle head soon becomes compressed or worn away at the point of contact there-
with, causing a corresponding depression of the spindle and the consequent breakage
of threads or performance of poor work. This compression or wearing away of the
wood of the shuttle by the action of the spindle head has heretofore been imperfectly
obviated by building up or reinforcing the compressed or worn portions by means
of " lifts or thin pieces of leather, wood, or metal cemented or otherwise attached
to the same. It will therefore also be obvious that simpler and more effective
means for overcoming this last-named difficulty are desirable.
"
Our Invention is easily adapted to shuttles of the ordinary form, and may be
readily understood by the aid of the accompanying Drawing which we will now
proceed to describe.
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of our improved shuttle; Figure 2, a
side elevation of the spindle and spindle head of the same detached.
Figure 3 illustrates a modified construction of the spindle and spindle head.
Figure 4 shews the adjusting spring or face plate.
Figures 5 and 6 shew further modifications of the construction of the spindle
head, and Figure 7 is a side view of a portion of the said spindle.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the Drawing.
A represents the body of the shuttle; B, the spindle; C, the spindle head; D, the

page_text: spindle head spring; and E, the screw by which the said spring is secured to the
heel of the shuttle. The spindle head is pivotted or journalled in the ordinary
manner on a pin, not shown, passing laterally through the body of the shuttle and
through the hole G, the inner end of the flat spring D pressing on the upper side of
the head at the point f. The body of the said spindle head is provided with a
lateral opening or rectangular slot S, and is also drilled longitudinally to receive
the shank of the spindle B. It is also provided with a horizontally projecting stud
or nipple J at its forward end and with a downwardly projecting lug or dog Lat
its rear end.
The shank of the spindle should be integral with the body, and consists of the
conical or taper part K, the straight part Z, the conical or taper part P, and straight
part Z2, as best seen in Figure 7, and is preferably formed by turning down this
section of the spindle into shape as shown. The cone or taper K is larger than the
cone or taper part P, and the straight portion Z is longer and also has a greater
diameter than the straight portion 7, the object of this being to enable the shank
to be readily inserted in the spindle head. The cone K is fitted to work in a
corresponding conical socket or tapering bearing h within the stud or projection J,
the auxiliary cone P being also fitted to work in a like socket or bearing in the
opposite end of the spindle head, as best seen in Figures 1 and 2.
Around the straight part Z of the shank of the spindle and disposed within the
slot S there is a coiled spring H, one end of which abuts against the spindle head
at the forward end of the slot, the other resting against the pin O which passes
through the part Z, the pin being preferably of such a length as to prevent the
spindle from entirely revolving in either direction.
A spring or face plate i provided with a lip m has its upper end secured to the
heel of the shuttle beneath the spring D by means of the screws a, a, and projects
downwardly over that portion of the shuttle, against which the lug or dog Ĺ abuts
or strikes when the spindle B is in position for use.
When the spindle is elevated and the dog is swung out of contact with the plate,
the said plate may be readily pushed or swung forward, and thin pieces or lifts
of paper or other material inserted beneath the same where they will be securely
retained by the lip m without the aid of cement, and thus the compression or wear
of the wood at this point caused by the action of the spindle head may be easily
and effectually compensated as required..
The aforesaid plate is also provided with a set screw n which may be used in
lieu of the paper "lifts," but the lifts are preferable, and the screw may be
dispensed with if desired.
In using our Invention the spindle B is raised and the cop slipped carefully, but
firmly on to the same; it is then depressed until the dog L comes into contact with
the plate i, in which position it will be held by the spring D pressing upon the
upper side of the spindle head at f, the pressure of the spring being regulated by
the screw E. The shuttle may now be threaded up and placed in the race or box
and power applied to the loom in the usual manner.
When the picker staff strikes the shuttle, for entrance, at 1, throwing it across
the web as it arrives at the end of this course or throw, the usual sudden stoppage
or concussion will tend to detach the cop from the spindle. When the motions are
reversed and the picker staff strikes the shuttle at r, the tendency will also be to
detach the cop. To overcome this tendency or defect the spindle is fitted to slide
longitudinally in the spindle head, and is provided with the spring H and pin O as
shown.
When the body of the shuttle travelling in a direction from to r arrives at the
end of this throw, and its motion is suddenly arrested, the momentum acquired by
the spindle will cause it to continue a short distance on its course after the shuttle
has stopped, the pin O acting against the spring H to compress it in the slot S, thus
gradually taking up or neutralizing the effects of the concussion.
When the motion is reversed, and the picker staff strikes the body of the shuttle
at, throwing it suddenly in the direction of 1, the spring H will be again com-
'

page_text: pressed in overcoming the inertia of the spindle, and will thus take up or neutralize
the percussive blow of the picker staff, and prevent the cop from being detached
thereby, all in a manner which will be readily obvious without a more explicit
description.
It will also be obvious that a very smooth and straight spindle may be used,
whereby the danger of disarranging the layers of thread or yarn in putting on the
cop, incident to most spindles, will be overcome. The cone or taper part K, and
the conical socket or bearing in which it works, constitute a very important feature
of our Invention. The cone P and its socket, although advantageous, are merely
auxiliary to the cone K, and may be dispensed with if desired.
When the shank of the spindle has straight bearings only, as at Z, Z², whether
the bearings are of equal size or not, the vibratory movements of the spindle will
cause the shank at its bearing parts to wear rapidly, and the hole through the
spindle head in which the shank works to become worn away and enlarged, especially
at that part of the spindle head nearest the point of the spindle, thereby loosening
the spindle in its head, and rendering the shuttle unfit for performing good work.
The evil effects of this wearing away of the journals of the spindle are entirely
overcome by the cones K, P, and their conical sockets, the expansive action of the
spring H drawing the cones into their sockets at each throw of the shuttle,
thereby centreing" the spindle, and keeping it in a proper working position.
"
An alternate or modified construction of this portion of our improvement is shown
in Figure 3, the stud J being formed into a conical frustum g, a corresponding
conical socket d being attached to the spindle, but the form shown in Figures 1, 2,
and 7 is preferable.
Alternato or modified forms of the said spindle head are also shown in Figures 5
and 6.
In Figure 5 the dog or lug L is inclined, as seen at Q, and when this form is used
the plate i and surface on which it rests must be correspondingly inclined.
In Figure 6 the dog or lug L is not employed, a pin (not shown) which passes
laterally through the body of the shuttle and notch R act to stop the spindle head
in the proper position, the plate i not being required. The latter form however is
not so desirable as those shown in Figures 2 and 5, for the reason that the pin on
which the head is pivotted has to resist unaided the shock produced by the blow of
the picker staff when the shuttle is driven in the direction of 7, and also because
the dog L, having a vertical face at right angles to the spindle, serves to keep the
spindle more securely in position, and does less injury to the wood of the shuttle.
The end of the shank of the spindle does not come flush with the rear face of
the spindle head, thus permitting the cones K, P, to wear or settle longitudinally in
their sockets without bringing the end into contact with the plate i.
The spindle B is preferably slotted or split lengthwise through its centre, as
shown, and the shuttle in other respects than those described is of the ordinary
construction.
Our improved shuttle is well adapted for weaving either cotton, woollen, silk, or
other fibrous materials, and will be more economical with regard to waste than
other shuttles now in use.
Having thus fully described our said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, we wish it understood that we claim,-
First. In a loom shuttle the spindle, the cone or taper párt K, the spring, the
pin, the spindle head; and the conical socket h, combined to operate as and for the
purpose set forth.
Second. In a loom shuttle the spindle head provided with the dog having an
outer or vertical face at right angles or nearly at rght angles to the axial line of
the spindle, as and for the purpose set forth.
Third. In a loom shuttle the spindle provided with the auxiliary cone or taper
part P in combination with the socket for the said taper part, as and for the purpose
specified.
Fourth. In a loom shuttle the spring or plate provided with the lip, in combi-

page_text: nation with the head in which the spindle is secured, as and for the purpose set
forth.
Fifth. In a loom shuttle the set screw in combination with the said spring or
plate, as and for the purpose set forth.
Sixth. In a loom shuttle the cone K, the conical socket h, and the spindle, in
combination with the spring for forcing or drawing the cone into the socket, and
thus "centrcing" the spindle, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, we, the said James Monroe Palmer and Charles Albert
Shaw, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Fourth day of September,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JAMES MONROE PALMER. (L.S.)
CHARLES ALBERT SHAW. (L.S.)