A Machine for the Manufacture of Mats from Straw or Grass.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Aug., 1889
Complete Specification Left. 30th Apr., 1890-Accepted, 1st Aug., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Machine for the Manufacture of Mats from Straw or Grass.
I, KASPAR KOTTMANN, of Lauboentoe, County of Langkat, Province of the East
Coast of Sumatra, Planter, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has for its object to weave together at one end collections or quantities
forming united bunches or bundles of straw or of the long grass of the tropical zone
(hereinafter called bundles) in such a manner, that the product thus obtained is loose
on the one broad side (usually the greater) and is bound or secured on the other.
Mats made in this way will serve as roofing, for houses and barns and roofs can be
thatched or covered with these mats better and much more rapidly than has been usual
heretofore.
In the machine the straw or other material is conveyed in bundles from a rotating
carry-in or taking-in drum into a carrier that acts so to speak as a wearing shuttle
and introduces its contents always from the same side between the open sheds of the
warp cords.
The machine is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 of the annexed two sheets of drawings.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine, the framing in front being supposed to be
cut away, the levers on the said front framing being indicated by broken lines.
Fig. 2 is the rear elevation of the binder or loom proper; the devices for feeding
the material and the taking drum not being shewn.
Fig. 3 is a front longitudinal elevation of the complete machine.
The machine comprises the device for feeding the material, and the loom proper.
To the former device belongs also the taking in drum A having cells or compart-
ments into which attendants or layers-in seated on seats (S1, S2, S³,) are continually
laying in bundles of grass or straw. This drum is moved in a rotary sense one com-
partment or cell at each revolution of the main shaft a, so that a full compartment
comes over the hopper S (which is formed by strips s and s¹ of flat iron) and the
bundle contained in the former falls into the latter.
In order to prevent the bundles from falling away when the walls of the cells pass
below the level of the axis of the drum shaft, the hopper S is extended at the top by
means of a prolongation of the flat iron strips s¹ to a point above the seat S².
The straw bundle is conveyed by a series of operations into a shuttle or carrier B
(hereinafter called the shuttle) and there grasped and firmly held for transport into
the loom. This shuttle B corresponds to the ordinary shuttle employed in weaving
and is divided in several places whereby the necessary spaces are provided for the
passage of various levers.
The bottom of the shuttle is bent up to a great extent on the rear side, and has a
slight upward inclination on the front side, whereby the straw at this end (nearest the
loom) is brought better together. The separate parts of the shuttle are held together
by supports 6 provided on the framing. The entire shuttle is moveable by means of
links pivoted at 3 and is moved by a lever into the loom and returned therefiom,
this lever being operated by a rod d furnished with a roller d' working in a groove
of an eccentric C.
Behind the shuttle, in bearings 62 which are connected with the framing, are a
presser shaft g and a rod p.
Pressers gare fixed on the shaft g2 and serve to hold the straw or other material
firmly in the shuttle, and two of the same are connected by a rod gl which reaches up
to the end of the shuttle, and is there provided with a projection in the shape of a
presser also for the purpose of holding.
Between the hopper strips are arms n fixed on a shaft n¹; they are held by a

page_text: weight n³ placed on a lever n² and resting on any suitable supports. Rotary movement
is imparted to a shaft c from an eccentric P, (with consequent operation of feeding
hooks c¹ fixed on the said shaft c) by means of levers and 2 (the former with
eccentric pin) situated on the ends of a shaft and of a rod ³ and a lever
The feeding hooks serve to throw the bundle resting on the rods », over and
beyond the rods n which give way accordingly, and to press the bundle into the
shuttle.
On the shaft is a small lever whence depends a rod leading to a bent lever k
connected by a pin k¹ to a lever 2 fixed on the presser shaft carrying the pressers g.
The rotation of the shaft c after the manner (as regards direction) of the hands of a
clock causes the pressers g to rise. The lever : which carries the pin is mounted on
a shaft provided with a tappet z in the path of which lies one end of a lever,
whilst the other end lies in the path of the rod p, and is intended to push back that
rod at the proper time (see Fig. 3).
The rod p is provided with an inclined plane pl which moves up against a small
rollor o¹ mounted on a lever o on the presser shaft g² which is partially rotated when
the roller o is raised.
The loom is arranged beside the carrying-in and feeding mechanism bereinbefore
described. Warp rollers D (of which three are shown as being employed in the
machine illustrated in the annexed sheet of drawings) are situated near the base of
the machine, and their rotation is controlled by brake bands i. Two warp frames E
and E (consisting each of a framework of beams) move vertically in slots formed by
ribs of the framing of the machine. The horizontal portions of the frames are
connected in couples or pairs each by three rods e² or e³ respectively. The rods e³
have each an eye e, and the rods e³ have each an eye e¹.
Through these eyes pass cords ordinary strong string for instance to form a warp.
The crossing of the same, after each shot, is effected by arms F F and F1 F1 operated
by eccentrics G G and G G₁, each warp frame being connected by ropes with a pair
of the said arms, and moved in an opposite direction to the other frame.
In order to ensure the descent of each warp frame when its corresponding eccentric
recedes, and in order that the descent shall not depend solely on the weight of the
frames, the warp frames are connected at their lower ends by ropes passing over
pulleys (Fig. 1), in this way the descent of one frame is caused to take place during
the ascent of the other.
The lathe consists of two lathe feet capable of rotation about the axis h¹, and
extended to form the reed or slay which is formed with three slots ³ for the
passage of the warp. The movement or throw of the lathe is effected by means of an
eccentric Kformed with grooves in which engage pins fixed to the lathe feet.
The finished mat begins at the front part of the warp under the sheet iron piece 1,
passes over the roller L (operated by ratchet mechanism) and between the latter and
the feeler-roller M along strips or bands (designed to effect the release from the
projections pins or teeth of the roller L) on to the ground.
The roller L must be roughened, or it may be provided with pins or teeth or the
like, with the object of grasping the mat more firmly.
The feeler-roller is pressed up to its work by a weight m¹ fixed on the lever m. The
sheet iron piece is adjustable and is fixed to the two side frames of the loom by means
of slotted bands or arms 12.
Loosely mounted on a shaft w' (Fig. 1) are hooks w which are pressed downwards
by springs w², and correspond in position with the slots w³ (Fig. 3) of the lathe in such
a manner that when the lathe moves forward the hooks w can enter in the slots.
To the lathe, or to a foot of the same, is connected a combination of rods and levers =
(Figs. 1 & 3) connecting with a pawl that operates the ratchet wheel 2 of the ratchet
roller L when the lathe moves forward.
On the lathe foot is also mounted a pin having a sliding block and engaging with
one arm of a bent lever y¹ (Figs. 1 & 3) pivoted to the framing or standard, the other
arm of the lever y' being connected with the upwardly extending rod y2 which serves
to impart rotary motion to a shaft y' by means of a lever y³.

page_text: On the shaft y are mounted throwers y which serve to push away from the shuttle
and onto the side table T, the rear part or that portion of the bundle which has not
passed into the loom.
On the lever y³ is mounted a pin y³ capable of freely moving for a certain distance
in a slot of a segment-shaped disc that is able to rotate on the shaft y. The
disc is connected by means of a rod with a bent lever x²³ able to rotate on the
shaft of the taking-in drum A and by means of a pawl z operates a ratchet wheel R
fixed on the shaft of the drum A.
A. pressing hammer 1 (Fig. 1) able to rotate on the shaft w¹, has a lower face of
corresponding shape to its block or bed t upon which rests the bundle of straw when
the shuttle has pushed it into the loom.
A projection on the pressing hammer is furnished with a small roller (Fig. 3)
with which the pressing hammer rests on a projecting bolt 3, as long as the hammer
is to remain inoperative. This bolt ³ has (by means of a spring or springs for
instance) a constant tendency to project and will only recede at the proper time,
namely, when the pressing hammer is to fall.
The bolt-withdrawing mechanism as illustrated in the annexed sheet of drawings
comprises a lever u² connected with the bolt and which can be struck by tappets u¹ on
a disc u, whereby the bolt is caused to recede so as to allow the pressing hain mer to
fall.
The pressing hammer is also provided with an arm with an inclined plane t
which, when the pressing haminer is in its lowest position, is struck by a small
roller or a like device (mounted on the lathe) at the forward movement of the lathe
so as to again raise the arm t³ with the pressing hammer, until a bevelled part on the
roller strikes and pushes back the bolt and rests upon it after the same has again
moved forward.
The machine is actuated from the main shaft a which may be driven for example by
manual power by means of crank handles a² mounted on a flywheel a' and also on the
shaft a through the medium of toothed gearing N.
In a power machine the gearing Z shown in the present case may be used, the
flywheel a being in such case provided with teeth to transmit the power to the shaft a.
The bundles laid into the cells or compartments of the taking-in drum A are
carried, resting against the strips salong by the drum until the first or front bundle
lies over the hopper S, and slides down and falls upon the rods n. The feeding hook c¹
mounted on the shaft c presses downwards the bundle lying on the arms n, the arms n
yielding until the bundle has arrived in the shuttle B. In consequence of the movement
of the shaft c in the direction of the rotation of the hands of a clock, the bent lever k has
already raised (by means of the shaft g²) the presser levers g before the bundle has
entered the shuttle, and when the feeding hook again rises by the operation of the
returning groove of an eccentric P (in conjunction with the shafts & c) the presser
levers fall again, by the action of their weight and the contact of k² with k¹, the
upon
bundle lying in the shuttle which they hold firmly, in order that the bundle shall not
remain behind (in consequence of its inertia) during the quick movement of the shuttle
towards the loom which now takes place.
The shuttle is now moved forward by the lever
passed into the open shed in the loom as shown in
which projects beyond the shuttle arrives, when the
bed fixed to the framing.
and the material is thereby
Fig. 1. The tip of the bundle
travel is completed, over the
However before the entire travel of the shuttle is completed, the rod p of
rectangular cross-section which is freely movable in its bearings, but is slightly braked
therein, strikes against the framing of the loom, and is arrested, whilst the shuttle
continues its travel. The roller o¹ on the lever o is thereby pushed upon the inclined
plane pl situated on the rod p whereby the pressure shaft is rotated and the pressers g
are raised to such an extent that the material then rests free in the shuttle and is
retained in the loom whilst the shuttle goes back empty.
The two armed lever u is rotated by means of one of the tappets and draws back
the tappet which is being held by spring pressure, whereby the pressing hammer t¹

page_text: resting with its roller 2 on ³ loses its support and falls by its own weight upon the
correspondingly shaped bed t. The bundle is thus firmly held whilst the shuttle goes
back empty.
The mechanism of the loom is at rest during the movement of the shuttle. The
lathe is now thrown forward by the eccentric K, and lifts the pressing hammer
by means of its roller which presses on the inclined plane t of the arm t³ (pressing
hammer).
When the pressing hammer t' ascends, its roller t2 again comes into contact with the
inclined plane of the elastically mounted bolt 3 and pushes back the same (Fig. 3).
The bolt springs forward again after the roller 2 has passed by, and fixes the hammer
in its inoperative position after the lathe has moved back (Fig. 1 shows the pressing
hammer in its raised position after the lathe with its roller has gone back again).
After the shuttle has gone back (as mentioned above) the lathe pushes the bundle
which lies partly in the shuttle and partly on the bed along in front of it, and the
bundle after it has left the bed t passes on to the lower warp (cords) in the loom.
The hooks which are capable of free movement about the shaft w¹ and are pressed
down by springs w² pass, when the lathe advances, into the corresponding slots w³
of the same.
The hooks situated in an inclined plane are raised and the bundle is brought behind
them under the sheet iron piece.
The forward movement of the lathe also effects by means of the system of levers
the forward movement of the finished mat, as the ratchet tooth on the end of the
system of levers engages with and moves the toothed wheel 2 fixed on the same shaft
as the ratchet roller. The forward movement of the lathe by means of the system of
levers (also starting from the foot of the lathe) likewise operates the throwers-out y
to push forward the material that is not in the loom (i.e. not caught by the lathe).
The portion of the bundle situated outside the loom thus passes on to the table T.
The motion of the lever y³ is employed in the last stage to effect a further advance
of the taking-in drum by causing the pin y when it has arrived at the end of the
slot to rotate the disc a mounted loosely on the shaft y' and also to rotate the drum A
through the medium of the ratchet mechanism.
The next cell containing a bundle passes over the hopper S and the bundle falls
down upon the rods where it remains at rest until the process of weaving the
preceding bundle is completed.
The lathe is returned by the action of the groove of the eccentric immediately after
the shot, the throwers-out y and the two ratchet mechanisms assuming their positions
of rest. The hooks w raised at the forward movement, are now pressed down by the
action of the spring and projections on the hooks now hold firmly the bundle
situated behind them; this is necessary, because the crossing of the warp now taking
place causes a considerable slackening of the cords, and the bundle would otherwise
fall back. The crossing of the warp is effected as hereinabove mentioned, by the
beaters FF operated by the eccentric G G¹.
When this has taken place, the feed of the material into the shuttle, and the
weaving process begin anew (that is to say) another bundle is pressed by the
hooks into the shuttle off which the pressers g have been previously lifted.
But after the pressers g have been slightly opened at the end of the operation of
feeding the material, the cause of this opening must be removed before the pressers
fall down again, as the bundle would otherwise not be seized and held in the shuttle.
This is effected by means of the tappet (on the shaft 3) which by means of the
lever again moves the rod p forward, whereby the inclined plane pl is moved out of
the path of the roller o', so that when the pressers g are released, they can fall com-
pletely down. The material seized and situated in the shuttle is now brought into the
loom, left therein, and the whole hereinabove described process of weaving, bringing
in and feeding is repeated.
Dated this 1st day of Aust 1880

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Machine for the Manufacture of Mats from Straw or Grass.
I, KASPAR KOTTMANN of Lauboentoe County Langkat, Province of the East Coast
of Sumatra, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object to weave together at one end collections or
quantities forming untied bunches or bundles of straw or of the long grass of the
tropical zone (hereinafter called bundles) in such a manner that the product thus
obtained is loose on the one broad side (usually the greater) and is bound or secured
on the other. Mats made in this way will serve as roofing for houses and barns,
and roofs can be thatched or covered with these mats better and much more rapidly
than has been usual heretofore.
In the machine the straw or other material is conveyed in bundles from a rotating
carry-in or taking-in drum into a carrier that acts so to speak as a weaving shuttle
and introduces its contents always from the same side between the open sheds of the
warp cords.
Referring to the two sheets of drawings filed with my provisional specification and
to the three sheets annexed hereto and in which corresponding parts are similarly
lettered :-
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine, the framing in front being supposed
to be cut away, the levers on the said front framing being indicated by broken
lines.
Fig. 2 is the rear elevation of the binder or loom proper; the devices for
feeding the material and the taking-in drum not being shewn.
Fig. 3 is a front longitudinal elevation of the complete machine.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the machine corresponding to Fig. 1, but on a larger
scale, with the taking in drum omitted.
Fig. 5 is a front longitudinal elevation of the machine corresponding to Fig. 2, but
on a larger scale, constituting a longitudinal elevation according to Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 illustrates separately operating parts shewn in Fig. 4, which serve to convey
the material into the machine and thence into the loom.
Fig. 7 illustrates the taking in drum as shewn in Fig. 1, in its entire arrangement,
in which besides the mechanism for actuating the drum and the mechanism for
throwing out the material which operates with the movement of the drum, is only the
side frame as shewn.
Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section through one part of the taking-in drum.
The machine comprises the device for feeding the material, and the loom proper.
To the former device belongs also the taking in drum A having cells or compart-
ments into which attendants or layers-in seated on seats (S1 S2 S*) are continually
laying in bundles of grass or straw. This drum is moved in a rotary sense and one
compartment or cell is dislodged at each revolution of the main shaft a, so that a
full compartment comes over the hopper S (which is formed by strips s and s¹ of flat
iron) and the bundle contained in the former falls into the latter.
In order to prevent the bundles from falling away when the walls of the cells pass
below the level of the axis of the drum shaft, the hopper S is extended at the top by
means of a prolongation of the flat iron strips s¹ to a point above the seat $3.
The straw bundle is conveyed by a series of operations into a shuttle or carrier B
(hereinafter called the shuttle) and there grasped and firmly held for transport into
the loom. This shuttle B corresponds to the ordinary shuttle employed in weaving
and is divided in several places whereby the necessary spaces are provided for the
passage of various levers.
The bottom of the shuttle is bent up to a great extent on the rear side, and has, a

page_text: slight upward inclination on the front side, whereby the straw at this end (nearest
the loom) is brought better together. The separate parts of the shuttle are held
together by supports provided on the framing. The entire shuttle is movable by
means of links pivoted at 63 and is moved by a lever & into the loom and returned
therefrom, this lever being operated by a rod d furnished with roller d' working
in a groove of an eccentric (.
Behind the shuttle, in bearings 62 which are connected with the framing, are a
presser shaft g² and a rod p.
Pressers g are fixed on the shaft and serve to hold the straw or other material
firmly in the shuttle, and two of the same are connected by a rod g₁ which reaches up
to the end of the shuttle, and is there provided with a projection g³ in the shape of a
presser also for the purpose of holding.
Between the hopper strips s or ss are arms fixed on a shaft n'; they are held
by a weight n³ placed on a lever n² and resting on any suitable supports. Rotary
movement is imparted to a shafte from an eccentric P, (with consequent operation of
feeding hooks cfixed on the said shaft c) by means of levers 1 and 2 (the
former with eccentric pin) situated on the ends of a shaft r and of a rod r³ and a
lever.
The feeding hooks e serve to throw the bundle resting on the rods n, over and
beyond the rods n which give way accordingly, and to press the bundle into the
shuttle..
On the shafte is a small lever 0 whence depends a rod leading to a bent lever k
connected by a pin k¹ to a lever ² fixed on the presser shaft carrying the pressers g.
The rotation of the shaft c after the manner (as regards direction) of the hands of a
clock causes the pressers to rise. The lever which carries the pin k¹ is mounted
on a shaft provided with a tappet in the path of which lies one end of a lever z³,
whilst the other end lies in the path of the rod p, and is intended to push back that
rod at the proper time. (See Figs. 3, 4 and 6.)
The rod is provided with an inclined plane p' which moves up against a small
roller o mounted on a lever o on the presser shaft g2 which is partially rotated
when the roller o¹ is raised.
The loom is arranged beside the carrying-in and feeding mechanism herein before
described. Warp rollers D of which three are shewn as being employed in the
machine illustrated in the drawings are situated near the base of the machine, and
their rotation is controlled by brake bands i. Two warp frames E and E¹ (consisting
each of a framework of beams) move vertically in slots formed by ribs ; of the
framing of the machine. The horizontal portions of the frames are connected in
couples or pairs each by three rods e² or e³ respectively. The rods e³ have each an
eye e, and the rods e³ have each an eye e¹.
Through these eyes pass cords, ordinary strong string for instance, to form a warp.
The crossing of the same after each shot, is effected by arms F F and F F¹ operated
by eccentrics G G and G G¹, each warp frame being connected by ropes with a pair
of the said arms, and moved in an opposite direction to the other frame.
In order to ensure the descent of each warp frame when its corresponding eccentric
recedes, and in order that the descent shall not depend solely on the weight of the
frames, the warp frames are connected at their lower ends by ropes passing over
pulleyse (Figs. 1 & 4) in this way the descent of one frame is caused to take place
during the ascent of the other.
The lathe consists of two lathe feet capable of rotating about the axis h¹, and
extended to form the reed or slay which is formed with three slots h³ for the
passage of the warp. The movement or throw of the lathe is effected by means of
an eccentric K formed with grooves in which engage pins /* fixed to the lathe feet..
The finished mat begins at the front part of the warp under the sheet iron
piece, passes over the roller L (operated by ratchet mechanism) and between
the latter and the feeler roller M along strips or bands (designed to effect the
release from the-projections pins.or teeth of the roller L) on to the ground.

page_text: The roller L may be roughened, or it may be provided with pins or teeth or the
like, with the object of grasping the inat more firmly.
The feeler roller is pressed up to its work by a weight m¹ fixed on the lever m.
The sheet iron piece l'is adjustable and is fixed to the two side frames of the loom
by means of slotted bands or arms 12.
Loosely mounted on a shaft w' (Figs. 1 and 4) are hooks w which are pressed
downwards by springs w², and correspond in position with the slots (Figs. 3 & 5)
of the lathe in such a manner that when the lathe moves forward the books w can
enter in the slots.
To the lathe, or to a foot of the same, is connected a combination of rods and
levers, (Figs. 1 3 4 and 5) connecting with a pawl that operates the ratchet
wheel of the ratchet roller L when the lathe moves forward.
On the lathe foot is also mounted a pin having a sliding block and engaging with
one arm of a bent lever y¹ (Figs. 1 and 3) pivoted to the framing or standard, the
other arm of the lever y¹ being connected with the upwardly extending rod which
serves to impart rotary motion to a shaft y' by means of a lever y³.
On the shaft y' are mounted throwers y which serve to push away from the shuttle
and on to the side table T, the rear part or that portion of the bundle which has
not passed into the loom.
On the levery is mounted a pin y' capable of freely moving for a certain distance
in a slot of a segment-shaped disea that is able to rotate on the shaft y'. The
disc is connected by means of a rod a2 with a bent lever able to rotate on the
shaft of the taking-in drum A and by means of a pawl at operates a ratchet wheel R
fixed on the shaft of the drum A.
A pressing hammer t¹ (Figs. 1 and 4) able to rotate on the shaft w¹, has a lower
face of corresponding shape to its block or bed t upon which rests the bundle of straw
when the shuttle has pushed it into the loom.
A projection on the pressing hammer is furnished with a small roller 2 (Fig 3)
with which the pressing hammer rests on a projecting bolt 3, as long as the hammer
is to remain inoperative. The bolt 3 has (by means of a spring or springs for
instance) a constant tendency to project and will only recede at the proper time,
namely, when the pressing hammer is to fall.
The bolt-withdrawing mechanism as illustrated in the annexed drawings comprises
a lever u² connected with the bolt and which can be struck by tappets on a disc u,
whereby the bolt 3 is caused to recede so as to allow the pressing hammer to
fall.
The pressing hammer is also provided with an arm t³ with an inclined plane t¹
which, when the pressing hammer is in its lowest position, is struck by a small
roller, or a like device (mounted on the lathe) at the forward movement of the
lathe so as to again raise the arm with the pressing hammer, until a bevelled part
on the roller strikes and pushes back the bolt and rests upon it after the same
has again moved forward.
The machine is actuated from the main shaft a which may be driven for example
by manual power by means of crank handles a mounted on a fly-wheel a¹ and also
on the shaft a through the medium of toothed gearing N.
In a power machine the gearing Z shown in the present case may be used, the
flywheel a being in such case provided with teeth to transmit the power to the
shaft a.
The bundles laid into the cells or compartments of the taking-in drum A are
carried, resting against the strips s along by the drum until the first or front bundle
lies over the hopper S, and slides down and falls upon the rods n. The feeding
hook c¹ mounted on the shaft c presses downwards the bundle lying on the arms n,
the arms a yielding until the bundle has arrived in the shuttle B. In consequence
of the movement of the shaft c in the direction of the rotation of the hands of a
clock, the bent lever has already raised (by means of the shaft g²) the presser
levers before the bundle has entered the shuttle, and when the feeding hook again

page_text: 2*
rises by the operation of the returning groove of an eccentric P (in conjunction with
the shafts and c) the presser levers fall again, by the action of their weight and the
contact of with A, upon the bundle lying in the shuttle which they hold firmly,
in order that the bundle shall not remain behind (in consequence of its inertia)
during the quick movement of the shuttle towards the loom which now takes place.
The shuttle is now moved forward by the lever and the material is thereby
passed into the open shed in the loom as shown in Fig. 1. The tip of the bundle
which projects beyond the shuttle arrives, when the travel is completed, over the
bed t fixed to the framing.
However before the entire travel of the shuttle is completed, the rod p of
rectangular cross-section which is freely movable in its bearings, but is slightly
braked therein, strikes against the framing of the loom, and is arrested, whilst the
shuttle continues its travel. The roller o on the lever o is thereby pushed upon the
inclined plane p₁ situated on the rod p whereby the pressure shaft is rotated and
the pressers g are raised to such an extent that the material then rests free in
the shuttle and is retained in the loom whilst the shuttle goes back empty.
'The two armed lever u³ is rotated by means of one of the tappets and draws
back the tappet 3 which is being held by spring pressure, whereby the pressing
hammer resting with its roller 2 on 3 loses its support and falls by its own weight
upon the correspondingly shaped bed t. The bundle is thus firmly held whilst the
shuttle goes back empty.
The mechanism of the loom is at rest during the movement of the shuttle. The
lathe is now thrown forward by the eccentric K and lifts the pressing hammer t'
by means of its roller which presses on the inclined plane t* of the arm t³ (pressing
hammer).
When the pressing hammer t¹ ascends, its roller t2 again comes into contact with
the inclined plane of the elastically mounted bolt and pushes back the same
(Figs. 3 and 5). The bolt springs forward again after the roller has passed by,
and fixes the hammer in its inoperative position after the lathe has moved back;
Figs. 1 and 4 show the pressing hammer in its raised position after the lathe with its
roller has gone back again.
After the shuttle has gone back (as mentioned above) the lathe pushes the bundle
which lies partly in the shuttle and partly on the bed along in front of it, and
the bundle after it has left the bed i passes on to the lower warp (cords) in the
loom.
The hooks w which are capable of free movement about the shaft w¹ and are pressed
down by springs w² pass, when the lathe advances, into the corresponding slots w
of the same.
The hooks situated in an inclined plane are raised and the bundle is brought behind
them under the sheet iron piece.
The forward movement of the lathe also affects by means of the system of levers z
the forward movement of the finished mat as the ratchet teeth on the end of the
system of levers engages with and moves the toothed wheel z² fixed on the same
shaft as the ratchet roller. The forward movement of the lathe by means of the
system of levers (also starting from the foot of the lathe) likewise operates the
throwers out y to push forward the material that is not in the loom (i.e. not caught
by the lathe).
The portion of the bundle situated outside the loom thus passes on to the table T.
The motion of the lever y³ is employed in the last stage to effect a further advance
of the taking-in drum by causing the pin y when it has arrived at the end of
the slot to rotate the disc a mounted loosely on the shaft y and also to rotate
the drum A through the medium of the ratchet mechanism.
The next cell containing a bundle passes over the hopper S and the bundle falls
down upon the rods n where it remains at rest until the process of weaving the
preceding bundle is completed.
The lathe is returned by the action of the groove of the eccentric immediately

page_text: after the shot, the throwers out y and the two ratchet mechanisms assuming their
positions of rest. The hooks we raised at the forward movement are now pressed
down by the action of the spring 2 and projections won the hooks now hold
firmly the bundle situated behind them; this is necessary, because the crossing of
the warp now taking place causes a considerable slackening of the cords, and the
bundle would otherwise fall back. The crossing of the warp is effected as herein-
above mentioned, by the beaters F F operated by the eccentric G G¹.
When this has taken place, the feed of the material into the shuttle and the
weaving process begin anew (that is to say) another bundle is pressed by the
hooks into the shuttle off which the pressers y have been previously lifted.
But after the pressers 9 have been slightly opened at the end of the operation of
feeding the material the cause of this opening must be removed before the pressers
fall down again, as the bundle would otherwise not be seized and held in the
shuttle. This is effected by means of the tappet (on the shaft 2) which by
means of the lever again moves the rod p forward, whereby the inclined plane pl
is moved out of the path of the roller o', so that when the pressers g are released,
they can fall completely down. The material seized and actuated in the shuttle is
now brought into the loom left therein, and the whole hereinabove described process
of weaving bringing in and feeding is repeated.
Having now particularly described, and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A machine for the manufacture of mats from straw or grass, comprising
weaving mechanism in which a collection or quantity of straw or grass to form
the weft is, at each beat of the lathe, adapted to be fed upon a carrier shuttle the
arrangement being such that the carrier shuttle charged with the collection or
quantity of straw or grass conveys its charge laterally between the warped cords,
releases it, and again returns into position to receive a fresh charge as set
forth.
2. A machine of the kind referred to in claim 1 so arranged that the carrier
shuttle for the material to form the weft can only partly enter the loom, the inner
frame of the loom being formed with a suitable opening for the other portion, so
that only one side or end of the collection of straw or grass is bound with cord,
whilst the other remains loose, substantially as described.
3. A machine of the kind referred to in claim 1 having a rotary drum having
open cells or compartments for receiving the collections or quantities of straw or
grass, and from which a hopper or discharge passage leads down to the carrier shuttle
as set forth.
4. In a machine for the manufacture of mats from straw or grass a drum A having
open cells or compartments at its periphery to receive the collections or quantities of
straw or grass and capable of being moved to the extent of one cell at a time, with a
devices extending around a part of the lower cells and forming a discharge
passage S as set forth.
5. In a machine of the kind referred to arms n in the discharge passage S which
arms are so arranged as not to yield to the weight of the material fed in, but will yield
to the pressure of feed hooks c' situated above the discharge passage S, and will move
with these hooks which force the collections or quantities of straw or grass into the
shuttle B the arrangement being such that the arins n are pressed by the hooks beyond
the outlet of the passage S so as to allow of the passage of the collection or quantity of
straw or grass into the shuttle, but, after the return of the feed hooks c¹, will again
return to their position of rest by the action of the weights n³ or their equivalent as
set forth.
6. In a machine of the kind referred to, a carrier shuttle arranged laterally of the
loom and adapted to receive and carry the weft material into position for binding, in
combination with presser arms ggl and mechanism for moving the shuttle towards the
loom, in such a manner that the head of the shuttle enters the loom carrying with it
B

page_text: the side or end of the material that is to be bound with cord substantially as
described. -
7. In a carrier shuttle of the kind referred to in claim 6 the combination with a
movable rod p carrying an inclined plane p adapted to cause the presser shaft to
partly rotate when the said rod strikes against a fixed part of the loom, of a device
comprising the parts adapted to bring the rod p back into its original position
when the carrier shuttle is again ready for the reception of a fresh collection or
quantity of straw or grass, substantially as herein described.
8. In a machine of the kind referred to a bed arranged at the inner side of the
outer frame of the loom and situated approximately in the path of the bottom of
the carrier shuttle to receive the front end of the collection or quantity of straw or
grass held by the carrier shuttle, this bed being furnished at its rear with a recess, and
against which bed a pressing hammer t' that has a lower face approximately corre-
sponding to the surface of the bed can fall in such a manner as to clamp or firmly
hold the collection or quantity of straw or grass fed in by the carrier shuttle, until the
shuttle has again moved back, in combination with an arresting device (capable of
being thrown out of gear) upon which the pressing hammer rests when moved upward
until again disengaged, substantially as herein described.
9. In a machine of the kind referred to a loom for cord warp braked by means of
mechanism Di, and straw bunch weft, the said loom being constructed with vertically
guided cord frames E and E' connected together by cords passing over pulleys e¹, and
receiving upward and downward movement from beaters or eccentric levers F and F
that are subjected to the action of eccentrics and a lathe H which is vertically slotted
to correspond with the position of the cords and to allow of the shedding of the warp,
and is provided with slots w³ for the passage of hooks w, w, that are subjected to
spring pressure, and hold back the collection or quantity of straw or grass after the
forward throw of the lathe and during the return inovement of the same substantially
as hereinbefore described.
10. In a machine of the kind referred to throwers y arranged laterally of the loom
and so arranged and operated that during the forward movement of the lathe they
push off from the carrier shuttle to the front that portion of the collection or quantity
of straw or grass that is not bound.
11. My improved machine for the manufacture of mats from straw or grass,
constructed arranged and operating substantially as described and shown.
Dated this 30th day of April 1890.
K. KOTTMANN,
Per L. W.