IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING NETS FOR FISHING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Stuart, of Musselburgh, in the County of Mid
Lothian, North Britain, and William Stuart, of the same Place, Manu-
facturers, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
FOR MANUFACTURING NETS FOR FISHING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 1st July 1859, and dated the 27th April 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Stuart and William
Stuart,at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 27th April 1859.
We, JOHN STUART, of Musselburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian, North
Britain, and WILLIAM STUART, of the same Place, Manufacturers, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR
APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING NETS FOR FISHING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," to
be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the arrangement and
construction of machinery for manufacturing nets or open-meshed fabrics from
yarns or twine composed of various fibrous materials. These improvements are
more or less based upon a net-making machine for which Letters Patent for
Scotland were granted to James Paterson, on or about the Twenty-seventh day
of July, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-five, and which Letters
Patent were subsequently wholly assigned to the said Messieurs-John and
William Stuart. The mechanical arrangement by means of which the twine
Price Sd1

page_text: or yarn is netted, consists of a combination of needles, hooks, and "fallers,"
the joint operations of which form a series of twisted loops extending across
the machine. Through this series of loops a length of twine or yarn is carried
by means of a shuttle, which in this machine consists of a long hooked wire
or slender rod, which is caused to pass through the loops, and in traversing
back to its normal position it draws with it the twine or yarn, which is cut
off by a self-acting cutter when the traverse is completed. A corresponding
arrangement is fitted upon the other side of the machine, so that the two
shuttles work alternately to form the series of equidistant knots in the material
of which the net is manufactured. The net-making machine as arranged
according to the Specification of James Paterson's Letters Patent herein-
before in part recited, and as at present used in this manufacture, is limited
in its production to the coarser kinds of mesh, that is to say, the present
machine is not capable of producing net of a finer mesh than forty, or at the
utmost forty-three meshes to the yard; the nets of higher numbers or smaller
meshes than these have hitherto been made by hand.
Now the object of the present Invention is to modify the original
machine, so as to render it capable of producing the higher numbers of mesh,
or finer qualities of net, solely by mechanical means. The first modification
consists in altering the form of the needles. Each of these needles consists of
two thin plates of brass set in a metal holder, by which each is fixed to the
needle bar. One of the horizontally projecting plates is turned downwards to
form a hook or holder; the adjoining plate is made somewhat broader at the
outer extremity, where it forms a hook of a triangular figure, the apex of
which is directed downwards. The metal forming the base of the triangle
being thicker at that part is grooved out, and forms an indentation on
the upper edge of the needle, as well as a lateral groove, which holds the yarn
during a portion of the operation. In the needles made according to the
present improvements, they are reduced in size, and the front edge of the
triangular part is made quite straight or vertical. This modification in the
form causes it to take up less yarn than heretofore, so that the mesh can be
made much finer than has ever hitherto been possible by mechanical means,
allowing the hooks also in this movement to travel in a vertical manner, thus
also adding largely towards this result. This improvement admits of machine-
made nets being made up to sixty meshes or "rows" to the yard, or even
higher, and of being manufactured with the same facility as the ordinary mesh
of thirty-three to the yard. The upper parts of the "fallers" are, according
to the improved modification, made of thin steel or iron, so as to give
additional space to the knots, which, owing to the small mesh, would other-

page_text: In
wise get jammed by the hooks and needles at that part when the "fallers"
are raised to receive the yarn or twine for the succeeding meshes.
addition to the ordinary mechanism for actuating the "fallers" there is
applied an improved buffing bar, for ensuring the more perfect action of the
fallers. This addition consists of a horizontal bar, which works to and fro in
guides; this bar has two arms attached to it which project outwards, the free
extremity of each arm having a slot made therein. Through these slots are
passed the upwardly turned ends of a second horizontal bar, arranged parallel
to the first; this bar has forged to it a pendent piece of metal, which is bent
to a right angle a short distance below the horizontal bar, and is centred upon
a lateral stud. The inner extremity of the pendant bar is turned inwards,
and it has attached to it a helical spring, the upper extremity of which
is secured to a convenient part of the machine. The centre of the pendent
bar is jointed to a link, which is connected to a rectangular bridle piece,
between the vertical bars of which the treadle that actuates the fallers passes.
In its normal state the spring keeps the first or buffing bar clear of the fallers;
but upon the treadle being depressed when near the ground, it depresses the
bridle and pendent bar, which, moving about its centre, causes the buffing
bar to come in contact with the fallers, so as to ensure the uniform action of
the whole series. The faller bar has also connected with it an improved
arrangement for setting it with great nicety, in order to adjust it to the
different thicknesses or inequalities of yarn or twine used in the manufacture.
The faller bar is adjusted by means of vertical screws which pass through
the "slay" or main body; these screws work through studs that project from
the "slay," and on which the faller bar rests. A horizontal arm is fitted by a
pinching screw to each of the adjusting screws; the free ends of these arms
are connected by a bar which has a vertical slet made in it near one end;
parallel with the slot in this bar is a hand lever, which is centred on a stud
fixed to a part of the framing. The lower end of the hand lever carries a
stud which works in the vertical slot of the cross bar, and the upper part of
the lever has an angular projection formed on its inner face; this stop takes
into the notches of a serrated piece of metal that is fixed near to the lever.
By shifting the stop on the lever from one notch to another, the machine
attendant is enabled to adjust the faller bar, because the lateral motion of the
hand lever moves the horizontal bar, and with it the adjusting screws, so that
The hook bar
the faller bar may be raised or lowered with minute accuracy.
part
is shifted laterally as required by means of a T-shaped lever, the central
of which forms a hand lever extending outwards in front of the machine; the
two lateral arms are curved forwards at the outer extremities, and these arms

page_text: may be caused to hold either one of a pair of spring incliners that are arranged
parallel to the central handlever. The differential cam guide or "fair leader,"
by which the curved path or course of the hook bar is controlled, so as to
guide the hooks through and about the needles and fallers, in order to wind
the yarn in the required convolutions, is also modified to suit the reduced size
of the mesh. This differential cam consists of an iron plate, of an elliptical
figure, in which a curved or eccentric groove is formed; in this groove a
laterally projecting pin or stud on the actuating hand lever of the hook bartra-
verses, so that as the stud is caused to follow the course of the groove the hooks
rise or fall, recede or approach, according to a predetermined arrangement.
The stud is for one-third of its diameter flattened, so as to admit of the hooks
and needles coming into as close proximity as possible. In the improved
differential cam guide there are two small loosely hung palls, which serve to
control the path of the hook bar in a downward and horizontal direction, the
latter course being of much importance in obtaining a small mesh. In lieu of
using weights for drawing back the shuttles, the actuating cords are attached
to two levers, which are connected to each other by a series of spiral springs,so
as to retain them at right angles to the direction of the cords; the office of
these cords is to draw the shuttles to the backward extremity of the shuttle
race. Another pair of cords is carried away to the treadles, which are actuated
by the machine attendant; when these treadles are depressed the shuttles are
alternately caused to pass over the needles and through the fallers. Upon
the shuttle being liberated, the springs draw the levers back to their normal
position, and this action with draws the shuttle, and with it the yarn or
twine. This arrangement is greatly superior to the original one, as the force
is gradually reduced as the shuttle reaches the extremity of the race; with
the weights it is exactly the reverse.
An improved arrangement is also applied to the machine for the purpose of
tightening the knots where heavy yarns are used. Under one modification
this consists of a crank fitted to an overhead and continuously revolving shaft;
the crank pin has attached to it a pendent rod, near the lower end of which it
is hollowed out to form a catch. This pendent rod is connected to a bell-
crank lever, which is centred upon a stud projecting from the framing; the
horizontal arm of the bell-crank lever is secured to a rod, that is in its turn
connected to the actuating treadle. The catch at the lower part of the pen-
dent rod engages the back ward part of the ratchet pall, so as to draw round
the net drum and tighten the yarns at the required moment.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Stuart and William Stuart in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 27th October 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JOHN
STUART, of Musselburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain, and
WILLIAM STUART, of the same Place, Manufacturers, 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 One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-second year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant uuto
us, the said John Stuart and William Stuart, Her special license that we, the
Baid John Stuart and William Stuart, our executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as we, the said John Stuart and William Stuart, our
executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and
noothers, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the terin 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 MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
FOR MANUFACTURING NETS FOR FISHING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," upon the
condition (amongst others) that we, the said John Stuart and William Stuart,
by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals, or under the hand
and seal of one 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 John Stuart and William Stuart, 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, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
Our said Invention relates to certain improvements in the arrangement and
construction of machinery for manufacturing nets or open-meshed fabrics from
yarns or twine composed of various fibrous materials. These improvements are
more or less based upon a net-making machine for which Letters Patent for
Scotland were granted to James Paterson, on orabout the Twenty-seventh day
of July, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-five, and which Letters Patent
were subsequently wholly assigned to us. The mechanical arrangement by

page_text: means of which the twine or yarn is netted, consists of acombination of needles
hooks, and "fallers," the joint operations of which form a series of twisted
loops extending across the machine. Through this series of loops a length of
twine or yarn is carried by means of a shuttle, which in this machine consists
of a long hooked wire or slender rod, which is caused to pass through the
loops; and in traversing back to its normal position, it draws with it the twine
or yarn, which is cut off bya self-acting cutter when the traverse is completed.
A corresponding arrangement is fitted upon the other side of the machine, so
that the two shuttles work alternately to form the series of equidistant knots
in the material of which the net is manufactured. The net-making machine,
as arranged according to the Specification of James Paterson's Letters Patent,
herein-before in part recited, and as at present used in this manufacture, is
limited in its production to the coarser kinds of mesh; that is to say, the
present machine is not capable of producing net of a finer mesh than 40, or at
the utmost 43 meshes to the yard; the nets of higher numbers or smaller
meshes than these have hitherto been made by hand. Now the object of the
present Invention is to modify the original machine, so as to render it capable
of producing the higher numbers of mesh, or finer qualities of net, solely by
mechanical means. The first modification consists in altering the form of the
needles; each of these needles consists of two thin plates of brass set in a
metal holder, by which each is fixed to the needle bar. One of the hori-
zontally projecting plates is turned downwards to form a hook or holder; the
adjoining plate is made somewhat broader at the outer extremity, where it
forms a hook of a triangular figure, the apex of which is directed downwards.
The metal forming the base of the triangle being thicker at that part is
grooved out, and forms an indentation on the upper edge of the needle, as well
as a lateral groove which holds the yarn during a portion of the operations..
In the needles made according to the present improvements they are reduced
in size, and the front edge of the triangular part is made almost straight or
vertical. This modification in the form causes it to take up less yarn than
heretofore, so that the mesh can be made much finer than has ever hitherto
been possible by mechanical means, allowing the hooks also in the movement
to travel in a vertical manner, thus adding largely towards this result. This
improvement admits of machine-made nets being made up to 60 meshes
or "rows" to the yard, or even higher, and of being manufactured with the
same facility as the ordinary mesh of 33 to the yard. The upper parts of the
"fallers" are, according to the improved modification, made of thin steel or
iron, so as to give additional space to the knots, which owing to the small
mesh would otherwise get jammed bythe hooks and needles at that part when

page_text: "
the "fallers are raised to receive the yarn or twine for the succeeding
meshes. In addition to the ordinary mechanism for actuating the "fallers,"
there is applied an improved buffing bar for insuring the more perfect action of
the "fallers." This addition consists of a horizontal bar which works to and
fro in guides; this bar has two armsattached to it which project outwards, the
free extremity of each arm having a slot made therein. Through these slotsare
passed the upwardly turned ends of a second horizontal bar arranged parallel to
the first; this bar has forged to it a pendent piece of metal which is bent to a
right angle a short distance below the horizontal bar, and is centred upon a
lateral stud. The inner extremity of the pendent bar is turned inwards, and
it has attached to it a helical spring, the upper extremity of which is secured
to a convenient part of the machine. The centre of the pendent bar is jointed
to a link which is connected to a rectangular bridle piece, between the vertical
bars of which the treadle that actuates the fallers passes. In its normal state
the spring keeps the first or buffing bar clear of the fallers; but upon the
treadle being depressed when near the ground it depresses the bridle and
pendent bar, which, moving about its centre, causes the buffing bar to come
in contact with the fallers, so as to ensure the uniform action of the whole
series; the faller bar has also connected with it an improved arrangement for
setting it with great nicety, in order to adjust it to the different thicknesses or
inequalities of yarn or twine used in the manufacture. The faller bar is
adjusted by means of vertical screws which pass through the "slay" or inain
body; these screws work through studs that project from the "slay," and on
which the faller bar rests. A horizontal arm is fitted by a pinching screw to
each of the adjusting screws; the free ends of these arms are connected by a
bar which has a vertical slot made in it near one end. Parallel with the slot
in this bar is a hand lever, which is centred on a stud fixed to a part of the
framing; the lower end of the hand lever carries a stud which works in the
vertical slot of the cross bar, and the upper part of the lever has an angular
projection formed on its inner face; this stop takes into the notches of a
serrated piece of metal that is fixed near to the lever. By shifting the stop
on the lever from one notch to another, the machine attendant is enabled to
adjust the faller bar, because the lateral motion of the hand lever moves the
horizontal bar and with it the adjusting screws, so that the faller bar may be
raised or lowered with minute accuracy. The hook bar is shifted laterally, as
required, by means of a T-shaped lever, the central part of which forms a
hand lever, extending outwards in front of the machine; the two lateral arms
are curved forwards at the outer extremities, and these arms may be caused
to hold either one of a pair of spring incliners that are arranged parallel to the

page_text: central hand lever. The differential cam guide or "fair leader," by which the
curved path or course of the hook bar is controlled, so as to guide the hooks
through and about the needles and fallers, in order to wind the yarn in the
required convolutions, is also modified to suit the reduced size of the mesh.
This differential cam consists of an iron plate of an elliptical figure, in which
a curved or eccentric groove is formed. In this groove a laterally projecting
pin or stud on the actuating hand lever of the hook bar traverses, so that as
the stud is caused to follow the course of the groove, the hooks rise or fall,
recede or approach, according to a predetermined arrangement. The stud is
for one-third of its diameter flattened so as to admit of the hooks and needles
coming into as close proximity as possible. In the improved differential cam
guide there are two small loosely hung palls, which serve to control the path
of the hook bar in a downward and horizontal direction, the latter course being
of much importance in obtaining a small mesh; this latter pall can be fixed
in the fair leader either pointing outwardly or inwardly, both serving the same
purpose,but modified in shape as they are wished to be used. In lieu of using
weights for drawing back the shuttles, the actuating cords are attached to two
levers, which are connected to each other by a series of spiral springs so as to
retain them at right angles to the direction of the cords; the office of these
cords is to draw the shuttles to the backward extremity of the shuttle race.
Another pair of cords is carried away to the treadles, which are actuated by
the machine attendant; when these treadles are depressed, the shuttles are
alternately caused to pass over the needles and through the fallers. Upon
the treadle being liberated, the springs draw the levers back to their normal
position, and this action withdraws the shuttle and with it the yarn or
twine. This arrangement is greatly superior to the original one, as the force
is gradually reduced as the shuttle reaches the extremity of the race; with
the weights it is exactly the reverse. An improved arrangementis also applied
to the machine for the purpose of tightening the knots where heavy yarns
are used.
Under one modification this consists of a crank fitted to an overhead and
continuously revolving shaft; the crank pin has attached to it a pendent rod,
near the lower end of which it is hollowed out to form a catch. This pendent
rod is connected to a bell-crank lever, which is centred upon a stud projecting
from the framing; the horizontal arm of the bell-crank lever is secured to a
rod that is in its turn connected to the actuating treadle. The catch at the
lower part of the pendent rod engages the backward part of the ratchet pall, so
as to draw round the net drum and tighten the yarns at the required moment.
And in order that our said Invention of improvements in machinery or

page_text: apparatus for manufacturing nets for fishing, and for other purposes, may be
properly understood, we shall now proceed to describe the several Figures on
the explanatory Sheet of Drawings, which we have hereunto appended for the
purpose of showing certain modifications under which our improvements may
be judiciously carried out in practice, that is to say :-
Figure 1 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings is a front elevation of a
net-making machine having our improvements applied thereto. Figure 2 is a
vertical section of the machine, and Figure 3 is a plan corresponding to
Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 is a front view of the guide or "fair leader,"
by means of which the hooks are guided in the proper positions for forming
the knots in the net. Figures 5 to 9 are different views of the needles,.
hooks, and the upper part of a faller, which will be herein-after referred to
in detail, in describing these portions of the mechanism.
The framing of the machine consists of the open standards A, which are,
connected by the transverse frame B, to the front part of which some of the:
principle actuating portions of the mechanism are attached. At the upper.
part of the standards A are two laterally projecting ledges, to which are
bolted the boxes C,in each of which are fitted a pair of antifriction rollers;.
upon these rollers the spindle of the beam or wooden cylinder D turns, on
which the net as it is manufactured is wound. This cylinder has a longi-
tudinal notch or recess cut in its periphery, in which is inserted a series of
pins corresponding in number to the meshes in the width of the net to be
made. At the commencement of the operations with the machine, a piece of
net is hung upon the pins in the beam D, the loops at the lower part of the
piece being each caught in one of a series of hooks E, which extend in a
row across the machine. One of these hooks is shown separately in Figures 7
and 8, which represent an elevation and plan of this part of the apparatus ;
the hook is formed of brass, its extremity being bent outwards in a lateral
direction, as shown in the plan Figure 8. The hooks are fixed into leaden
shanks, which are made with dovetailed indentations to admit of their being
readily attached to the bar F, the shanks of the series of hooks being firmly
held by a secondary bar, which is bolted to the lower one. The hook bar F is
made with two outwardly projecting eyes,by means of which it is connected
to the horizontal shaft G, the journals of which are carried in the rocking
frame H. The centres on which this frame moves are a pair of screws that pass.
through the snugs I, which are bolted to the front part of the frame
B. The hook bar is moved to and fro in the required direction by means of the
hand.lever J,which is furnished with a cross handle at its outer extremity.
The hand lever J has fitted to it a laterally projecting screw K, the end of

page_text: which projects out on the other side of the bar, the extent of the projection
being regulated by a nut; the projecting part is filed smooth andflatononeside,
it forms a stud or pin, which enters and travels in the curved groove or recess
made in the guide L. This guide, which is technically designated the "fair
leader," is shown separately in Figure 4, which is an elevation of the guide,
looking upon its inner face. It consists of an elliptically-shaped plate of iron,
which is supported at right angles to the front of the machine by being bolted
to an outwardly projecting bracket that is secured to the front part of the
frame B. The peculiar form of the curved groove or recess M is shown in
Figure 4,and it is by the traverse of the pin K in this circuitous path, which
causes the hooks E to place the loops of the net in the proper positions for
forming the knots. To the face of the guide L is fixed a stud on which is
hung the pall N, which is prevented from moving too far back by a stop fixed
behind it; a second pall O is fitted just below the centre of the groove;
this
pall may be arranged on either side of the curved recess in the plate, as
indicated by the dotted lines in the Figure. The action of this part of the
apparatus will be again referred to after describing the other parts of the
machine, which act in conjunction with the hooks. The meshes of the net
are formed by knotting to the loops of the last row of meshes the yarn which
is to form the next row; this is effected by a series of operations, the most
important of which is the guiding of the yarn in a particular manner about a
series of duplex hooks technically termed "needles."
Figure 5 represents a side elevation of one of the needles, and Figure 6 is a
plan of a series of three needles as they appear when arrangedontheneedlebar.
Each needle as constructed according to our improvements consists of a brass
hook P,the extremity of which is downwardly directed, and extends outwards
in an angular direction, as is shown in Figure 5. The outer part of the hook
is bent in a lateral direction towards the right,as shown in the plan, Figure 6.
Arranged parallel with the hook P is a second hooked part Q, the outer
extremity of which is downwardly directed and formed of a triangular figure,
the front or nose part of the hook forming a vertical or nearly vertical line.
This modification is important, as it admits of much smaller meshes being
made with this kind of needle than heretofore, on account of this part of the
needle occupying less space. The metal at the upper part of the triangle is
bent over to the side and curved downwards to form a concavity; this part of
the needle forms a horizontal groove for the passage of the shuttle when a
series are arranged together as in Figure 6. The overlapping part of the
metal is also formed into a smooth segmental groove immediately beneath the
upper groove, as is indicated by the dotted line in Figure 5, and the outer part

page_text: of the needle diverges a little to the left, as shown in the plan, Figure 6.
These duplex needles have the leaden shanks R cast thereon, which have
dovetailed indentations so that they fit the needle bar S; this bar is arranged
in an angular position, and is carried upon brackets which are bolted to the
transverse cast-iron bar T, which forms a part of the framing of the machine.
The needles are arranged side by side on the needle bar, and are bolted down
bya secondary bar similar to the arrangement ofthe hooks E. Behind the needle
bar and extending above it is a rectangular frame U, termed the 'relieving bar,"
its office being to bring the meshes into and move them off the "wickers" of
the needles; this is effected by the projecting part on the front of the bar.
The frame U is centred upon two screws, the ends of which enter conical holes
made in two pendent brackets, which are bolted to the standards A. The
lower part of the frame or relieving bar U is connected by means of the rod
V to the treadle W. Immediately below the needles is arranged a series of
thin steel bars X, which are termed "fallers," the upper extremity of each of
these fallers is formed into a hook as shown in Figure 2, and in the enlarged
view Figure 9. When the fallers are raised, the terminal hooks rise between
the duplex extremities of the needles; the lower ends of the fallers, when in
their lowest position rest upon the transverse bar Y, by means of which they
are raised. The bar Y is connected by levers and adjustable links to the
treadle Z, which is kept in an elevated position when not otherwise acted
upon by the helical spring a. The depression of the treadle Z raises the
fallers X to the level of the bar b, and they are pushed back so as to rest
thereon by means of a duplex buffer arranged at the front part of the machine.
This movement consists of two flat bars c, which rest on the frame B; these
bars are connected to the vertical duplex crosshead d, and this part is bolted
to the bell-crank lever e, the fulcrum of which is a stud projecting. from the
bracket carrying the "fair leader "L. The extremity of the short arm of the
bell-crank lever e is attached to a helical spring f, which is fast to the under
side of the board g. The bell-crank lever has jointed to it the upper extremity
of the bridle h, between the open part of which the treadle Z moves freely.
When the fallers are raised up to the bar b, the treadle then slightly
depresses the bridle h, which causes the buffing bars c to be moved backwards;
and in this manner press the fallers back, so that they rest on the bar b. A
downward pressure is exerted on each faller by means of a thin curved
blade spring i, which is fitted in front of the faller, one extremity of the spring
being secured to a bar of iron fastened to the under side of the frame. B;
the free end resting in a notch cut for the purpose in the front edge of the
faller.. The pressure of these springs keeps the whole series of fallers resting

page_text: firmly on the supporting bars, and when the fallers are moved off from the
bar b, the action of the springs causes the fallers to descend smartly and
nearly simultaneously on the faller bar Y. Connected with the faller bar Y
is a movement for adjusting with great nicety the height of the faller bar, so
that it may be regulated with the utmost exactness to suit the different sizes
of yarn or twine used in the net manufacture. The arrangement of this
movement is shewn in Figure1 on the accompanying Drawings; it consists of
two screws j, which work out through eyes cast on the outer faces of the
brackets, one of which is shewn in Figure 2, each eye having an internal
screw made therein, which corresponds to the screws j. The lower ends of the
screws jare squared, and to these ends are fitted two horizontal levers, which
projects forward towards the front part of the machine. The levers are con-
nected to each other by the rod k, which is jointed by a link to the curved hand
lever. This lever is centred upon a stud which is fixed in the face of the
framing B; the handle of the lever is brought within convenient reach of the
operator, and projecting out from the back part of the flattened portion of the
lever is a pin or flat blade, which falls into the notches of a segmental
index plate m. This plate is fixed to the front of the frame B, and by moving
the handle more or less to the right or left, the screws are slightly raised or
depressed. The upper extremities of these screws fixed in the faller bar Y,
it follows that a corresponding amount of traverse in a vertical direction
is thereby imparted to it. The several notches in the index plate m may be
marked in such manner as to enable the operator to readily adjust the faller
bar to the thickness of yarn about to be used. During the time that the
fallers are held in a stationary position, they are retained by the keeper n,
which is a thin plate of metal attached to a rocking shaft, carried in snugs
pendent from the bar T. On the face of the keeper n, there is a small pro-
jecting part which falls into the notches or recessed parts cut in the backs of
the fallers X. At the back part of the rocking shaft, a laterally projecting
bracket o is fitted thereto; the lower extremity of a curved blade spring p
presses on the face of this bracket, and causes the keeper to come in contact
with the fallers, and so lock them during the time the beam is operated on by
the keeper treadle and the knots of the net are being drawn tight. When
the fallers have performed their part in the formation of the knots, they are
then required to be moved quickly out of the way; this is done by causing
them to descend in rapid succession on to the faller bar Y. The pushing off
of the fallers from the bar is effected almost simultaneously by means of a
"slur" or traversing apparatus, which moves with great rapidity from side to
side ofthe machine. The slur q is a small wheeled apparatus, which traverses

page_text: to and fro in a groove formed by attaching a strip of metal to the surface of
the bar ; the front part of the slur is made with an outwardly projecting
finger, as shown in Figure 2 on our Drawings. As the slur traverses along
behind the fallers, the finger comes in contact with them, and so pushes them
off the bar b. The slur has attached to each end of it a cord r, which is
wound on to the contiguous pulley sp the spindles of these pulleys are carried
in brackets projecting laterally from the end standards. On the spindle of
each pulley s is a barrel t, to which is attached the end of the cord u; this
cord passes under the pulley of the weight v, the other extremity of the cord
being carried upwards and fastened to the exterior of the shuttle race, or as
it is technically termed the shuttle rod." A second cord w is attached to
the barrel t, and several turns are wound on the barrel in a direction contrary
to that which causes the cord u to be wound on the barrel. The extremity of
this cord,after being passed under the pulley in the treadlex is secured to the
bracket on the face of the standard; the arrangement is precisely similar on
both sides of the machine. When the treadle is depressed by the foot of
the operator, the cord w is unwound from the barrel and the cord u wound
thereon, at the same time raising the weight v. As the treadle comes near
the floor, it depresses the T-shaped end of a rod pendant from the end of a
bell-crauk y, the upper part of which is shewn in Figure 1. The bell-crank
lever is centred on a stud projecting from the face of the end standard, and
the lever moves in a plane parallel thereto. The motion of the bell-crank lever
about its centre causes its upper extremity to move the barrel t along the
spindle, so that a projecting nib or catch on the periphery of the barrel iş
brought into contact with the teeth of the annular ratchet wheel on the
pulleys, at the same time the stope is brought opposite to the extremity of
the bar b, which prevents the slur traversing too far. The operator simul-
taneously with the depression of the treadle liberates,by a jerk ou a slack cord,
a catch at the opposite end of the slur traverse, which releases the slur, the
descent of the weight causing it to be drawn rapidly along the traverse, the
finger or projecting stud of the slur pushing off in its course the fallers X.
The parts are now restored to their normal position, and the slur is held bythe
spring catch prior to the traverse being effected to the opposite side of the
machine; the passage of the slur thus takes placefrom side to side of the machine
in manner similar to the action of a shuttle in wearing. A secondary buffing
bar for pushing the fallers forward is fitted at the back of them; this bar 1
slides backwards and forwards on the bar T; it is connected by the links 2 to
the bell-crank levers 3. The levers are centred on the horizontal shaft 4,
and their free extremities are connected by a rod, to which is attached the

page_text: pendent link 5; this link extends downwards between a slot made in the
treadle Z, it has at the lower part a projecting nib or catch shown by a dotted
line in Figure 2 of our Drawing. The link is held or retained in an angular
position by the helical spring 6, the upper extremity of which is fast to a stud
fixed in the end standard. The link 5 is depressed by the lower part or base:
plate of the snug 7, which is bolted to the treadle and projects over the slot,
and when the treadle is depressed this projecting part comes on the nib of the
link and draws it down. This motion of the link causes the bell-crank levers 3
to turn upon their centres and move the bar 1 inwards, which pushes the
fallers forward so that the long notch made in the front edge of each is close
up to the bar of the frame B. The fallers are now sufficiently forward that
they may be raised up clear of the needles and in readiness to be moved
backwards between their projecting hooks. The further depression of the
treadle brings the stud 8, which is carried in the snug 7, in contact with the
link 5, which knocks away the nib and the link is instantly drawn back,
restoring the bar 1 to its normal position. Both of these movements for
actuating the bar 1, follow each other instantaneously, and the operation of
moving the bar in both directions is effected during the descent of the treadle,
so that by the time the treadle touches the bridle h, the fallers are ready for
being pushed back between the needles. It has been herein-before stated,
that the net is formed by the interlacing or knotting of a length of yarn to the
previously formed row of loops, the yarns being carried through these loops
by means of shuttles or wires which are projected and caused to traverse from
"each side of the machine alternately. The shuttle rods 9,in which the shuttles
traverse, project outwards in a lateral direction from the end standards A, to
which 'they are attached by brackets, and are supported at the outer ends by
vertical wooden struts. A pulley is fitted at the extremities of each shuttle
rod, and round these pulleys the cord 10 is carried; one end of this cord is
fastened to the rim of the pulley 11, and the other end is secured to the pulley
after passing several turns round it, so as to have a sufficient amount wound
on it to admit of its extending across the machine when unwound. The
pulley 11 is hung in a pendant bracket which is bolted to the under side of
the shuttle rod; the pulley is of the compound kind, having a pulley 12, of
'much smaller diameter, cast in one with it. The shuttles are simply lengths
of wire having a hook to receive the twine at their forward extremities
they are made long enough to extend wholly across the width of the net,
and they are fastened by twine to the cord 10, as shewn in the sectional
part of the shuttle rod to the right of Figure 1 in our Drawings. These
shuttles pass through nozzles or guides fixed to the inuer ends of the

page_text: shuttle rods, and they are caused to traverse across the machine by giving
motion to the cords 10, the arrangement on each side of the machine being
similar. Supposing that it is required to cause the right-hand shuttle to
traverse across the machine, the treadle 13 on the left-hand side is depressed
by the operator; this action draws the cord 14 downwards, and causes it to
pass over its respective guide pulleys in the direction of the arrows. 'The
depression of the treadle 13 thus unwinds a corresponding length of cord from
the pulley 12, the rotatory movement of the pulley winding the cord 15 on to
its periphery, this cord being fastened to the pulley to wind on in the opposite
direction. The extremity of the cord 15 is connected to the free end of a
lever 16, which is centred on a stud fixed to the flooring. There is a corre-
sponding lever 16 to actuate the cord 15 on the left-hand side of themachine.
The two levers 16 are connected to each other by means of the helical spring
17, which retains the levers in the angular position shewn in Figures 1 and 2;
when the spring is not otherwise acted upon, the turning of the pulley 12 also
puts the pulley 11 in motion, which thus draws the cord 10 from the inner
end of the shuttle race 9; at the same time a corresponding amount of cord is
unwound from the pulley, and passes round the pulley at the outer end of the
shuttle rod. The motion of the cord in the forward direction carries the
shuttle over the needles,passing in its passage through the previously prepared
loops of the net. When the shuttle emerges from the opposite end of the
loops, the attendant hooks the end of the yarn of which the net is made into
the hook on the extremity of the shuttle, and the pressure on the treadle 13
being removed the shuttle is drawn back through the loops, carrying with it
the yarn; the drawing back of the shuttle is effected by the spring 17, the
depression of the treadle 13, and the consequent winding up of the cord 15,.
having previously drawn the lever attached thereto outwards, and so distended
the spring. When the treadle is released, the reaction of the spring draws the
cord 15 off the pulley 12, thus causing the pulley 11 to rewind the outward.
portion of the cord 10 on its periphery and draw back the shuttle. At the
next operation of this kind the shuttle on the left-hand side of the machine is,
operated, and the insertion of the shuttle is effected by means of the right-
hand treade 13. The yarn for the supply of the shuttles is wound on bobbins
which are affixed to the front of the shuttle rods, so as to be within convenient
reach of the operator. In the process of making net with this machine, the
hook bar F, carrying the hooks E, has to be moved to the right or left at
every alternation, so as to cause the hooks to enter the tallers, one faller to the
right or left, according to the position it was in at the formation of the
previous half mesh; this operation is effected by means of the mechanical

page_text: arrangement shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying Drawings.
At the right-hand side of the frame H a curved blade spring 18 is fixed to the
upper part of the frame; the pressure of the spring against the projecting
stop 19, which is bolted to the hook bar F, has a tendency to keep the bar
towards the right; on the opposite or left-hand side of the frame H is fixed a
spring 20, against which the end of a screw 21 presses; this screw is carried
in a stud or angle piece of ircn bolted to the hook bar F; by turning this
screw the hook bar is accurately adjusted to bring the hooks properly between
the needles when the hook bar is moved forward. The arrangement for
retaining the hook bar to the right or left is attached to the board g, and
consists of a T-shaped hand lever 22, the handle part of which extends
outwards in front of the machine; this lever is centred on a stud fixed in the
board g. The laterally projecting extremities of the lever 22 are curved
outwards, and when the handle of the lever is pushed to the right or left, one
of the hooked extremities passes behind one of the catches 23, which forms a
vertical projection on the face of one of the horizontal pawls 24.. These pawis
are centred on studs fixed to the outwardly projecting base plates 25, which
are fastened to the board g; the pawls are each pressed outwards in a
lateral direction by the springs 26, the inner ends of which are secured by
pins to the base plates 25; outside each pawl is fitted an adjusting screw 27,
to regulate the backward traverse of the pawls. When the hook bar F is
lowered by means of the lever J, to take the net off the failers, the pendant
catches 28 come between the catches 23, and by moving the hand lever 22
either to the right or left, the contiguous catch 23 presses against the pendant
catch 28, and so moves the hook bar in either direction as required. When
the yarn has been passed through the loops of the net, and the knots are
properly formed, they are drawn tight by depressing the treadle 29, which is
connected by a link 30 to a lever 31, extending across the machine, and
centred on a stud in the end standard. The lever 31 is connected by a link 32
to the lever 33; this lever has attached to it the rod 34, the upper end of
which has a slot in it, that serves by means of a stud to connect the rod to the
frame 35. This frame has three diverging arms, the extremities of which
extend over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 36; the frame has also the
outwardly extending arm 37, which connects the frame by means of the
rod 38 to the wooden spring 39. One end of this spring is screwed down to
the floor, and near its centre a prop 40 is interposed. The frame 35 has also
bolted to it the horizontal arm 41, to which the counterweight 42 is attached
by means of a pinching screw. The arm 37 carries a stud, on which is centred
a-bell-crank lever 43, which swings on the stud, one arm forming a pawl to

page_text: actuate the ratchet wheel 36. The other arm of the lever 43 has a laterally
projecting stud, which is caught by the curved recess or catch made in the
rod 44, to which a reciprocatory movement is communicated from the
crank 45. The lower end of the rod 44 is slotted and connected to the bell-
crank lever 46, which is carried on a transverse shaft 47, the other arm of the
lever being connected to the treddle 29 by the link 48. The ratchet wheel 36
is fast to the shaft of the drum D, and it is made with an annular ring of
teeth, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2 on the accompanying Drawings;
the wheel is prevented from turning towards the front of the machine by a
pawl, which is carried on a stud on the inner face of the frame 35. When
the treadle 29 is depressed the rod 44 catches on the stud of the lever 43,
which takes into the teeth of the ratchet wheel 35, the rotation of the crank 45
causing the lever 43 to force round the drum sufficiently to draw the knots
tight, the downward movement of the treadle serving also to press the keeper n
into the notches in the fallers X. The depression of the treadle 29 also draw
down the rod 33, and with it the frame 35, thereby raising the weight 42,so as
to keep the net tightly strained on the drum. As the meshes are formed the
net is wound upon the drum D; the pawl, which is carried on the frame 35,
does not interfere with the motion of the drum when winding on or moving in
a backward direction; its longer end counterbalances the shorter, and causes
it to be kept continuously in contact with the annular ratchet teeth, and so
prevent any movement in a contrary direction. An indicator 49 is attached to
the machine at the left-hand side, the mechanism of which is actuated by the
rotatory movement of the drum D, so as to shew at a glance the number of
yards of net on the drum, as well as the rate of manufacture.
In manufacturing nets with this machine,supposing the moving parts of the
machine to be in the position indicated in Figure 2 on the accompanying
Drawings, the hooks are first passed through the needles by raising the handle
into the first catch in the fixed pawl of the grooved guide or "fair leader" L.
The relieving bar is then brought forward by means of the treadle W being
depressed, the action of the relieving bar serves to bring forward one of
the legs of the mesh into the "wickers" of the needles. The lever J
is then depressed so as to bring the end of the screw K to the bottom
of the fixed pawl in the "fair leader." The fallers are then raised up
to the slur bar, which is done by depressing the faller bar treadle, and
while so doing the buffing bar is brought into operation, for the purpose of
pressing the fallers back on to the slur bar. The next operation is to pass
the shuttles through the cavity formed by the joint action of the hooks, needles,
and fallers, so as to draw the yarn back through the cavity, the mesh being

page_text: formed by the descent of the fallers, as they are caused to drop in succession
by the traverse of the slur. The lever J is then raised, which brings the
hooks below the faller heads; the relieving barisagain brought forward, so as
to disengage the net from the hooks. The keeper treadle is now depressed to
the floor, which raises the fallers to clear the net from the groove in the
needles, at the same time the keeper comes in contact with the fallers and
locks them, whilst the beam is drawing the knots tight. The lever J is then
raised and depressed, so as to bring the hooks into a position to disconnect the
net from the fallers, which being done the row is completed.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that what I consider to be novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
First, the general arrangement and construction of machinery or apparatus
for manufacturing nets, for fishing and for other. purposes.
Second, the system or mode of manufacturing nets by means of the improved
machinery orapparatus, herein-beforedescribedand shownintheaccompanying
Drawings.
Third, the system or mode of manufacturing uets by machinery, in which
the meshes of nets, so manufactured. are much smaller than have heretofore
been produced by machinery, the reduced size of the mesh being obtained by
means, of the improved needles and mechanical arrangements herein-before
described and shown in the Drawings hereunto, annexed.
Fourth, the use and application of the mechanical arrangements for buffing
or pushing the fallers to and fro, in order to bring them into the exact
positions required for the subsequent movements, as herein-before described
and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Fifth, the mechanical arrangement for adjusting with great nicety thefaller
bar, so as to regulate the bar to suit the varying thickness of the yarn used in
the manufacture of nets, as herein-before described and shown in the
accompanying Drawings.
Sixth, the arrangement and construction of the grooved guide L, or "fair
leader, "as delineated in the accompanying Drawings, which improved grooved
guide or "fair leader" is designed to enable the machine to make a smaller
mesh than has been hitherto possible.
Seventh, the mechanical arrangements for drawing back the shuttle by
means of springs in lieu of weights, as herein-before described and shown in
the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: Eighth, the mechanical arrangement, by means of which the hook bar is
shifted laterally, as herein-before described and shown in the accompanying
Drawings, or any mere equivalent therefor.
Ninth, the mechanical arrangement for shifting round the net beam, and
tightening the row of knots, as herein-before described and shewn in the
Drawings hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Stuart, on behalf of myself
and the said Johr Stuart, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this
Twenty-sixth day of October, One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-nine.
WILLIAM STUART. (L.S.)