CERTAIN IMPROVE- TV COMBINA WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Smith, of Bradford, in the County of
York, Worsted Spinner, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVE-
TV COMBINA WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES"
Sealed the 5th August 1853, and dated the 9th June 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Smith at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 9th June 1853.
I, JOSEPH SMITH, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS SUB-
STANCES" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the use and application of certain new
mechanical arrangements and combinations of parts in the construction
of machines to be employed for combing wool and other fibrous sub>-
stances, in which machines the combs thereof are so constructed and
actuated as that the operations of filling such said combs with wool.
and stripping it therefrom, are rendered continuous instead of inter-
mittent, or being performed at intervals of time, as hitherto practised,
such said operations of filling and stripping being effected according to

page_text: this Invention by a new and peculiar compound movement of the
combs and comb carriers, that is to say, whilst the filling combs, or
those combs which receive the wool first, are moving in a circular
direction thus , the carrier of these combs is also being moved in
a circular direction thus
. or at right angles to the direction of
motion of such said combs, whilst the carrier of another comb, which
revolves in a horizontal direction, has reciprocating motion imparted
thereto so as to cause it to approach those combs upon which the wool
is first donned (and at every half revolution thereof), and as these combs
revolve the bottom comb lashes the wool upon the horizontal comb,
and at the same time the top comb is being filled with wool at a point
opposite to that at which the lashing is taking place; after which, and
when the roots of the teeth of one of the filling combs are opposite to
the teeth of the horizontal comb, this last-mentioned comb retires
suddenly from the filling comb, and thereby draws the wool therefrom
in a straight line, or nearly so; and it should be observed, that an
important feature in this Invention consists in working the wool so that
it is gradually combed and drawn from the points to the roots without
breaking the fibres of the wool. But in order to explain the nature of
this Invention more fully reference must be had to the illustrative
Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the numeral figures and
letters of reference marked thereon respectively, as follows:-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Sheet 1, exhibits a top plan view of a machine constructed according
to this Invention; Sheet 2, is a side elevation thereof (at A, Sheet 1);
Sheet 3, is a side elevation (at B, Sheet 1); Sheet 4, is an end view
of the machine (at C, Sheet 1); Sheet 5, is an end view (at D, Sheet 1);
and Sheet 6, exhibits detached portions hereafter referred to. At each
of these Sheets of Drawings the same letters of reference are employed
to denote corresponding parts in so far as such parts appear or
can be seen at each of the Sheets and Figures respectively. A, A,
marks the framing of the machine, to which are adjusted the
standards B, and C, the same being employed to support a casting

page_text: D, or comb carrier, to which are attached circular combs E, E;
one end of the casting D, has an axle F, fixed to or formed thereon,
which revolves in a bearing in the standard B, and the opposite part
of the casting D, is supported and kept central with the axle F, in the
following manner and by the following means:-It will be seen upon
referring to Fig. 1, Sheet 6, that the casting D, is formed with snugs
or projections d, through which pass rods e, e, to the ends whereof
castings G, G, are connected, said castings being employed for support-
ing the axes of the compound stripping rollers I, I, by means of
bevilled pinions K, K, fixed upon the ends of the spindles of the rollers
I, I, which pinions take or gear into the teeth of a bevilled wheel L,
fixed to or formed upon the standards C, and this mode of gearing the
pinions K, K, with the wheel L, effects three objects:-Firstly, this
end of the casting D, or comb carrier, and combs E, E, are supported
and rotate centrally with the axle F. Secondly, the sun and planet
movement produced by the rotation of the geared pinions K, K, over
the fixed wheel L, produces rotary movement of the circular combs
E, E, at right angles, or nearly so, to the direction of motion of the
casting D, such movement being effected by means of a worm f, taking
into a pinion g, fixed upon one end of a spindle h, which spindle works
in a hole in the casting D, as shown at Sheet 6, and there is a pinion i,
fixed upon the other end of the spindle h, which takes or gears into
circular racks k, fixed to or formed upon the inner surfaces of the
circular comb carrier (shown also at Fig. 2, of Sheet 6), said combs
being connected to the casting D, by rings and screws 1, 2, (as
exhibited at Sheets 4, and 5.) Thirdly, the rotation of the bevilled
pinions K, K, imparts to the rollers I, I, the requisite motion for
stripping the wool from the combs E, E. M, marks a pulley; N, a
cam fixed upon the axle F; and O, P, fast and loose pulleys thereon,
over which a strap or band passes for imparting motion to the several
parts of the machine; Q, marks a spindle working in bearings in the
framing A; one end of this spindle has a bell crank lever R, affixed
thereto, and there is an arm S, fixed upon said spindle, the upper end
of which arm is connected to a casting T, for imparting motion thereto
in one direction, a piece of vulcanized india-rubber 7, or other elastic

page_text: substance or material, being employed to impart motion to the casting
T, in an opposite direction; this casting is retained and guided in its
proper course by V shaped guides U, fixed to or formed upon the
framing A, as shown at Sheets 1, and 5; n, n, mark rods, securely
fixed into the casting T, T; to the upper ends of these rods a piece of
metal W, is attached, and supports the axes of the stripping doffing
rollers X, and X'; the lower end of the axis of the roller X, works in
a bearing in the casting T, and the axis of the roller X', passes through
a hole in this casting, and has a bevilled wheel Y, fixed thereon, which
takes or gears into a corresponding bevilled wheel Z, mounted loosely
upon a feather in the spindle o, said spindle being supported by and
working in bearings formed in the brackets p, attached to the framing
A; there is a forked piece q, fixed to the under side of the casting T,
which embraces the boss of the wheel Z, and thereby ensures the
constant gearing of the wheels Y, and Z, as the casting T, is moved
backwards and forwards. r, marks a bevilled wheel fixed upon one end
of the spindle o, which takes or gears into a corresponding bevilled
wheels,
fixed upon the cross shaft t; this shaft works in bearings
formed in the brackets 3, 3, and there is a pulley u, fixed upon one end
of the spindle t, over which, as also the pulley M, a band or gut 4,
passes for imparting motion to the train of wheels r, s, Y, Z, and
stripping rollers X, X. v, marks a circular shaped casting or comb
carrier fixed to the casting T; and w, is a circular comb attached to
the casting or carrier v, by a ring and screws 5, and 6; this comb has
a rack fixed to or formed thereon, which takes into a pinion worked by
a worm and worm wheel in a similar manner to that before men-
tioned with reference to the combs E, E, and is for the purpose of
imparting circular motion to said comb for advancing and working
the wool as it is lashed thereon. The noil is taken off the combs by
coming into contact with teeth or heckles a, fixed in a casting attached
to the framing A, as shown at Figure 3, of Sheets 1, and 6.
The operations of this machine are as follows:-Upon rotary motion
being imparted to the casting or comb carrier D, the wool to be combed
will be delivered on to the combs E, E, at every half revolution of the
carrier D, which will carry the wool round until the points thereof come

page_text: into contact with the teeth of the comb w, and thereby lash it thereon;
and simultane usly with the rotation of the axle F, and the combs E, E,
which rotate at right angles to said axle, the comb, will be
advanced by the action of the cam N, upon the bell crank lever R,
towards and nearly close to the combs E, E, until one or other of these
combs come opposite to the comb u, (as exhibited at Fig. 4, of Sheet
6,) when the elastic force of the spring 7, operating upon the rod S, will
cause the comb carrier, and comb w, (attached thereto,) to recede
suddenly from the combs E, E, and thereby draw and straighten the
fibres of the wool; and as the combs E, E, and w, continue to rotate
in the direction of the arrows flight (by the means berore described), the
wool therein will gradually approach those parts of the peripheries of
the combs E, and w, which are nearest together, and in like manner
the wool will be combed and drawn gradually from the points to the
roots thereof; and simultaneously with these movements the operations
of stripping the wool from the front of the combs, and backing or
stripping the wool from the back of the combs, will be effected, as also
the taking off of the noil from the combs.
Thus it will be seen, that according to this Invention the machine at
every half revolution performs the following operations simultaneously,
and without stopping the machine for that purpose-Firstly, that
of filling or donning the wool on to the combs. Secondly, the lashing,
working, clearing, and straightening the fibres thereof. Thirdly, the
drawing a continuous and endless sliver from the combs; and, Fourthly,
the backing or stripping the wool from the back of the combs, and
taking off the noil therefrom, thereby effecting improvements in pre-
paring wool, hair, silk, flax, and other fibrous substances.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand cight hundred and fifty-three, in the six-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Joseph Smith, Her special licence
that I, the said Joseph Smith, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Joseph Smith, my executors, administra-
tors, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein ex-
pressed, 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 "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
COMBING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Joseph Smith, by an instrument
in writing under my hand and seal, 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 Joseph Smith, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof (that is to say):
This Invention consists in the use and application of certain new
mechanical arrangements and combinations of parts in the construction
of machines to be employed for combing wool and other fibrous sub-
stances, in which machines the combs thereof are so constructed and
actuated as that the operations of filling such said combs with wool, and
stripping it therefrom, are rendered continuous instead of intermittent
or being performed at intervals of time, as hitherto practised, such said
operations of filling and stripping being effected according to this
Juvention by a new and peculiar compound movement of the combs
and comb carriers, that is to say, whilst the filling combs, or those
combs which receive the wool first, are moving in a circular direction
thus
the carrier of these combs is also being moved in a circular

page_text: direction thus or at right angles to the direction of motion of
such said combs, whilst the carrier of another comb, which revolves in
an horizontal direction, has reciprocating motion imparted thereto so
as to cause it to approach those combs upon which the wool is first
donned (at every half revolution thereof), and as these combs revolve
the bottom comb lashes the wool upon the horizontal comb, and at the
same time the top comb is being filled with wool at a point opposite to
that at which the lashing is taking place; after which, and when the
roots of the teeth of one of the filling combs are opposite to the teeth of
the horizontal comb, this last-mentioned comb retires suddenly from
the filling comb, and thereby draws the wool therefrom in a straight
line, or nearly so. And it should be observed, that an important feature
in this Invention consists in working the wool so that it is graduall
combed and drawn from the points to the roots without breaking the
fibres of the wool; but in order to explain the nature of this Invention
more fully reference must be had to the illustrative Sheets of Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the numeral figures and letters of reference
marked thereon respectively, as follows:-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
In Sheet 1, of the Drawings, Figure 1, exhibits a top plan view of a
machine constructed according to this Invention, and Figure 2, is a
side elevation thereof at A, Figure 1. In Sheet 2, Figure 1, is an
end elevation (at B, Sheet 1, Figure 1.) and Figure 2, is a side view
of the machine (at C, Figure 1, Sheet 1). In Sheet 3, Figure 1,
is an end view (at D, Figure 1, Sheet 1), and Figures 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, and 7, exhibit detached portions hereafter referred to. At each
of the Figures of these Sheets of Drawings the same letters of
reference are employed to denote corresponding parts, in so far
as such parts appear or can be seen at each of the Sheets and
Figures respectively. A, A, marks the framing of the machine, to
which are adjusted the standards B, and C, the same being employed
to support a casting D, or comb carrier, to which are attached circular
combs E, E; one end of the casting D, has an axle F, fixed to or
formed thereon which revolves in a bearing in the standard B, and the

page_text: opposite part of the casting D, is supported and kept central with the
axle F, in the following manner and by the following means:-It will be
seen upon referring to Figure 1, Sheet 3, that the casting D, is formed
with snugs or projections d, through which pass rods e, e, to the ends
whereof castings G, G, are connected, said castings being employed for
supporting the axes of the compound stripping rollers I, I, by means of
bevilled pinions K, K, fixed upon the ends of the spindles of the rollers
I, I, which pinions take or gear into the teeth of a bevilled wheel L,
fixed to or formed upon the standard C, and this mode of gearing the
pinions K, K, with the wheel L, effects three objects:-Firstly, this
end of the casting D, or comb carrier, and combs E, E, are supported
and rotate centrally with the axle F. Secondly, the sun and planet
movement produced by the rotation of the geared pinions K, K,
over the fixed wheel L, produces rotary movement of the circular
combs E, E, at right angles, or nearly so, to the direction of motion
of the casting D, such movement being effected by means of a
worm f, taking into a pinion g, fixed upon one end of a spindle h,
which spindle works in a hole in the casting D, as shown at
Figure 3, Sheet 2, and there is a pinion i, fixed upon the other
end of the spindle h, which takes or gears into circular racks k, fixed
to or formed upon the inner surfaces of the circular comb carrier
(shewn also at Figure 3, Sheet 3), the said combs being connected to
the casting D, by rings and screws 1, 2, as exhibited at Figure 1,
Sheet 2. Thirdly, the rotation of the bevilled pinions K, K, imparts to
the rollers I, I, the requisite motion for stripping the wool from the
combs E, E. I would here remark that, if preferred, the comb carrier
D, may also be supported at the other end by means of a forked picce
attached thereto, and passing through the centre of the bevil wheel L.
Upon the axis F, are the fast and loose pullies M, and N. A spur
wheel O, is also keyed upon the said axis, and by means of a carrier
wheel P, drives another spur wheel Q, keyed upon one end of a
shaft R. This shaft R, carries a cam S, which works between two
friction pullies 1, 1, attached to a casting t, t, connected to the lower side
of the sliding casting T; and thus the necessary reciprocating motion
is imparted to the sliding casting T. The casting T, sliding in

page_text: V grooves v, v, formed in the framing for that purpose (see Figure 1,
Sheet 3). The formation and action of the cam S, are clearly exhibited
at Figure 5, Sheet 3, the blue and red lines shewing the movement
of the same.
This cam is so formed that the diameter, taken across
the centre in any direction, is the same, so that both of the friction
rollers 1, 7, are always in contact therewith, and the motion thereby
imparted to the casting T, is steady and regular throughout. n, n, mark
rods securely fixed into the casting T, T; to the upper ends of these
rods a piece of metal W, is attached, and supports the axes of the
stripping or doffing rollers X, and X'; the lower end of the axis of the
roller X, works in a bearing in the casting T, and the axis of the
roller X, passes through a hole in this casting, and has a bevilled wheel
Y, fixed thereon, which takes or gears into a corresponding bevilled
wheel Z, mounted loosely upon a feather in the spindle o; said spindle
being supported by and working in bearings formed in the brackets p,
attached to the framing A; there is a forked piece q, fixed to the under
side of the casting T, which embraces the boss of the wheel Z, and
thereby ensures the constant gearing of the wheels Y, and Z, as the
casting T, is moved backwards and forwards. 7, marks a bevilled
wheel fixed upon one end of the spindle o, which takes or gears into
a corresponding bevilled wheels, fixed upon the cross shaft R; this
shaft works in bearings formed in the brackets 3, 3. The shaft R, as
before stated, is driven by means of the spur gearing O, P, Q, and by this
means motion is imparted to the wheels r, s, Y, Z, and stripping rollers
X, X'; v', marks a circular shaped casting or comb carrier fixed to the
casting T; and wv, is a circular comb attached to the casting or carrier
V, by a ring and screws 5, and 6; this comb has a rack fixed to or
formed Chereon, which takes into a pinion worked by a worm and worm
wheel in a similar manner to that before mentioned with reference to
the combs E, E, and is for the purpose of imparting circular motion to
said combs for advancing and working the wool as it is lashed thereon.
The noil is taken off the combs by coming into contact with teeth or
heckles a, fixed in a casting attached to the framing A, as shewn at
Figure 1, Sheet 1, and Figure 4, Sheet 3.
The operations of this machine are as follows:-Upon rotary motion

page_text: being imparted to the casting or comb carrier D, the wool to be
combed will be delivered on to the combs E, E, at every half revolution
of the carrier D, which will carry the wool round until the points
thereof come into contact with the teeth of the comb wc, and thereby
lash it thereon; and simultaneously with the rotation of the axle F, and
the combs E, E, (which rotate at right angles to said axle.) the comb
w, will be advanced (by the action of the cam S, against the friction
pullies 1, 1) towards and nearly close to the combs E, E, until one or
other of these combs come opposite to the comb (as exhibited at
Figure 6, of Sheet 3). The action of the cam S, will then cause the
comb carrier, and comb w, (attached thereto) to recede suddenly
from the combs E, E, and thereby draw and straighten the fibres of the
wool; and as the combs E, E, and w, continue to rotate in the direc-
tion of the arrows flight (by the means before described), the wool
therein will gradually approach those parts of the peripheries of the
combs E, and w, which are nearest together, and in like manner the wool
will be combed and drawn gradually from the points to the roots
thereof; and simultaneously with these movements the operation of
stripping the wool from the front of the comb, and backing or strip-
ping the wool from the back of the comb, will be effected, as also the
taking off of the noil from the combs.
Thus it will be seen, that according to this Invention the machine at
every half revolution performs the following operations simultaneously,
and without stopping the machine for that purpose:-Firstly, that of
filling or donning the wool on to the combs. Secondly, the lashing
working, clearing, and straightening the fibres thereof. Thirdly, the
drawing a continuous and endless sliver from the combs; and, Fourthly,
the backing or stripping the wool from the back of the comb, and
taking off the noil therefrom, thereby effecting improvements in pre-
paring wool, hair, silk, flax, and other fibrous substances.
I would here observe, that it will be evident that by placing another
pair of revolving combs similar to those marked E, E, upon the other
side of the sliding and revolving comb w, the action of the said comb w,
will carry the wool or other fibrous substance from one to the other,
where the fibres thereof will again undergo the process of working or

page_text: straightening, and by increasing the number of combs the operation
can be carried on and repeated to any desired extent.
Having thus described the nature and object of my said Invention of
certain improvements in combing wool and other fibrous substances,
together with the manner of carrying the same into practical effect, I
would remark, in conclusion, that I claim as my Invention the use and
application for such purposes of circular combs having a compound
revolving motion as above described, and the combination therewith of
a comb or combs having both a rectilinear and a circular motion
imparted thereto in the manner and for the purposes above particularly
set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Smith, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this day of December, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
Witness,
JOSEPH LONGBOTTOM,
Leeds Road, Bradford.
JOSEPH SMITH. (L.S.)