Improvements in and relating to Braiding Machines.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 26th Sept., 1891
COMPLETE DIECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by HENRY AUGUSTUS CLARK, of 61, Hampshire
Street, Electric Cable Manufacturer, and THOMAS ALEXANDER JOHNSTON,
of 31, Faneuil Hall Square, Real Estate Broker, both in Boston,
Massachusetts, United States of America.]
Improvements in and relating to Braiding Machines.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 relates to braiding machines which have two sets of bobbins
arranged to travel horizontally in circular paths or lines, about a common centre,
one set of bobbirs moving in a direction opposite to the other set of bobbins, the
threads form one set of bobbins passing by suitable mechanism alternately over and
under the bobbins in the other set, to form the braid.
The principal features of this invention consist in a fixed ring upon which are
radially mounted a series of gears equi-distantly spaced, and a second rotary ring
concentric with the fixed ring and upon which is secured an endless circular rack
or gear; the rotary ring is also forined with a vertical ring or circular raceway
for the upper set of bobbins while the lower bobbins are positioned beneath and
carried by the rotary ring. Each upper bobbin is mounted on a curved plate
toothed on its under edge and of a length to span from centre to centre of two of
the gears with which it meshes at certain times, but usually being advanced by
contact with a single gear, in order to permit passage of the lower bobbin threads.
at stated intervals of time beneath each upper bobbin and its carrier plate.
By such an arrangement the rotary movement of the endless toothed rack in one
direction compels the bobbin carrier plate or shuttles to travel upon the raceway
which, with the lower bobbins revolve in an opposite direction; this said inven-
tion also consists in combination with the bobbin carrier plate of mechanism by
which the threads from the lower bobbins are alternately passed below and above
the upper bobbins to form a braid; also consists in feed mechanism by which the
movement of the braid, or the object to be covered with a braid, is advanced
proportionately to the speed of the machine, or in other words made to correspond
in movement with the rapidity with which the braiding is accomplished; also
consist of the combination with the shuttle or carrier plate and a switch plate
secured thereto of one, two or more bobbins; also consists of means for auto-
matically stopping the machine in case a thread from any of the bobbins breaks;
or the braiding becomes entangled at the braiding point of the machine so that
the machine will immediately cease operation; also consists in other construction
and arrangement of parts in connection therewith for the operation of the machine
all substantially as hereinafter fully described.
In the accompanying sheet of drawings is illustrated a braiding machine
constructed in accordance with this invention,
Figure 1 being a plan view.
Figure 2 is an elevation partly in section of the same.
Figure 3 is an inside elevation of a part of the machine from a central point of
observation showing a shuttle with its bobbin in the act of passing over a lower
bobbin thread.
Figure 4 is a similar view in which the shuttle is passing under such bobbin
thread.
L
hhahhin omared

page_text: Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of the bobbin carrier plate and its actuating
parts.
Figure 7 is a plan of the bobbin carrier plate switch plate and bobbin.
Figure 8 is an elevation in part of the braiding machine with a part removed
for insertion of a bobbin carrier plate.
Figure 9 is a side elevation of said removable portion.
Figure 10 shows in elevation the bobbin tension and guide plate.
Figures 11 and 13 are respectively a perspective view and a view in elevation
of the feed mechanism.
Figure 12 is a diagram of the friction pulley and the co-operating pulleys about
which a driving belt is to pass for the machine as shown in Figures to 21.
Figure 14 is a detail front elevation of a portion of the braiding machine
showing two of the bobbins and the tension device and parts connecting with
the stopping mechanism.
Figure 15 is a vertical central section of the machine from the centre to its
outside at one side on a vertical line between two bobbins.
Figure 16 is a plan view of a bobbin and its support and detail plan view of some
of the parts of the stopping mechanism.
Figure 17 is a detail elevation of Figure 16 back of the stopping mechanism.
Figure 18 is a detail plan view of the parts of the stopping mechanism.
Figure 19 is a detail plan view below line 19-19 Figure 15.
Figures 20 and 21 are detail sections on line 20-20, Figure 16 but showing the
parts in two different positions.
Figure 22 is a vertical central section of the machine from the centre to one side
on a vertical line between the two bobbins, on the revolving ring.
Figure 23 is a detail plan view showing two of the upper bobbins and their
switch plate with other parts in plan view.
Figure 24 is a detail perspective view of a switch plate with two bobbins.
Figure 25 is a detail front view showing a portion of the ring and two of the
lower bobbins and their support and other parts.
Figures 26 and 27 are respectively a detail plan and a cross sectional view to be
hereinafter referred to.
Figure 28 is a detail elevation showing the means for locking the shipper
lever.
Figure 29 is a view in elevation of a switch plate with one bobbin in cross
section, the other bobbin being removed and
Figure 30 is a cross section on line 30-30 Figure 29.
Owing to the extensive use of covered or insulated wires for electrical con-
ductors, an urgent demand has been created for a braiding machine having certain
marked characteristics, of which high speed, rapidity in braiding, and employment
of a light or fine thread without danger of breaking are most essential.
It is endeavored to combine all these requisites in this invention.
In the drawings A, is a base or bed plate having feet B. C is a tubular post
or standard secured to the base and having secured to it the fixed ring D, by
its hub E and having a series of gears F radially mounted thereon at regular
intervals.
Concentrically with and about this fixed ring, (see Figure 3) is a movable
ring G with a vertical rim H the top edge of which serves as a raceway herein-
after described, and designed as the pathway for the shuttles. Pendant with or
otherwise secured to this ring are a series of bobbins J the threads a from which
pass through vertical guide plates K to the centre of the machine to be braided,
with the threads from the other bobbins, together or about a wire or core L or
other object to be covered with braid.
Vertically beneath and meshing with said series of gears F is an endless toothed
rack or gear M see Figure 3, cast or affixed upon the rotary ring G, likewise with
radial arms extending from a tubular hub N rigidly affixed to a sleeve P.
Rotation of the gear M is produced by a circular disc Q and friction pulley R

page_text: with a twist belt S passing about the friction pulley and two vertically revolving
pulleys T see Figure 12, said pulley R being in constant rotation and actuated by
some suitable prime motor.
In connection with the above described mechanism and its series of bobbins J
is a series of shuttles U equal in number to that of the bobbins in Figures 1 to 13.
Such number may be varied at pleasure to suit the size of the machine or for
other purposes. These shuttles carry the upper set of bobbins and travel in
circular paths and the threads from the lower bobbins pass over and under them
alternately and successively, the lower bobbins travelling in circular paths
oppositely, but at an equal rate of speed, thus creating a braiding stitch.
Each shuttle is similar to every other and the mechanism for operating each are
alike in every respect as likewise the parts by which the threads from the bobbins
are reciprocated in vertical right line movement to enable a passage of a thread
either over or under a shuttle to take place; therefore the description of a single
shuttle and its operating mechanism will answer for all.
The shuttle carrier plate W see Figures 5 and 7 consists of a bent casting,
rectangular in side elevation, and of the same curvature as the rim H or raceway
upon which it travels; it is rounded upon the top see Figure 2 and is furnished top
and bottom with lateral lips 6 which grasp the raceway and steady the plate
thereupon, its under edge being toothed as at d Figure 5 and engages with the
gears F before mentioned.
The length of the plate is such that it extends from centre to centre of any
two adjacent gears, the latter being double in number to those of the carrier
plates. Thus the motion of the carrier plate is continuous but while it is being
carried solely by one of these gears, an interval occurs during which the bobbin
thread is enabled to pass the carrier plate which moves across it.
Affixed upon the inside face of the carrier plate is the switch plate Y which
actuates the lower bobbin thread; said switch plate is widest in the centre tapering
towards either end, made of sheet metal and approximate in shape to that of an
ordinary shuttle, the width being sufficient to carry the bobbin thread clear of the
teeth d below, and of the bobbin V above.
This switch plate co-operates with an upright stationary switch bar e, see
Figure 4, secured above the ring D and as the movable ring G with the raceway
moves past it the lower bobbin thread impinges thereagainst and is raised so that
when the front end of the travelling switch plate has reached the thread, the latter
is lifted above its point and runs upon its upper edge whereby it is carried above
and over the shuttle bobbin and carrier plate.
This bobbin has its spindle placed horizontally and it extends inwardly and
radially towards the centre of the machine: the threads therefrom pass in the
same direction towards the centre of the machine.
Thus by reference to Figure 3 it will be seen as indicated by the arrows, that
the rotary ring G with its endless toothed wheel or gear, its bobbins and the
raceway H are travelling towards the left: the action of said wheel upon the gears
mounted on the stationary ring D is to revolve said gears and cause the carrier
plate to advance in the opposite direction from that in which the raceway is moving
with the lower bobbins.
Presuming the parts to be arranged as described the upper bobbin thread is free
to pass directly therefrom to the centre of the machine, while the lower bobbin
thread is moved within its guide K vertically at the same time feeding towards the
central point of the machine. This reciprocating motion of the threads from the
bobbin is effected as follows, assuming the parts are rotating in the direction as
indicated in Figures 3 and 4. The normal path of travel by each lower bobbin
thread, see Figure 4, is in a plane slightly below the longitudinal axis of the switch
plate Y, hence ordinarily the pointed end of the switch plate will pass above the
thread, and the latter is depressed by wiping contact along the under edge of said
switch plate.
The thread is thus held at a level below the toothed edge of the carrier

page_text: plate and all the parts of said shuttle as an entirety, are free to pass over
said thread.
The shuttle meantime continues along its path receding from the bobbin thread,
supplied by the bobbins which are carried by and moved in circular paths by the
rotation of the raceplate. By such movement the bobbin thread is now advanced
towards the stationary switch arm or post e against which it impinges, and by such
contact it is lifted above its normal position to such an extent that when the next
advancing shuttle is met, said thread is in a plane above the longitudinal axis or
point of the moving switch plate and the thread is raised and wipes across the upper
edge of said switch plate. By the arrangement of parts it is designed that the
movements of every lower bobbin thread shall be similar and simultaneous, hence
when one passes beneath a shuttle all do and conversely. To allow for the excess
of thread requisite to enable a bobbin thread to pass either above or beneath a
shuttle there is arranged external springs, see Figure 2 tangentially to the rim of
the movable ring G, and each carrying at its outer end a pulley over which the
bobbin thread passes in this way the thread is always under proper tension, while
the length of the thread necessary to accomplish the passage of the shuttle above
or beneath a bobbin thread is easily compensated for by the movement of the free
end of the spring towards the circumference of the raceway.
Immediately upon passage of a shuttle the pull upon the springs ceases, and the
slack required for passage of the shuttle is at once taken up by said springs which
now move away from the circumference of the raceway. In this manner each
thread is maintained under a constant tension and no slack occurs.
Thus as the shuttle approaches a lower bobbin thread, its movement is
imparted by one of the gears F which is travelling upon the rear half of the
toothed rack.
.
Consequently the forward part of the shuttle is now projecting to permit an
obstructed passage of the bobbin thread beneath as the front part of the carrier
plate advances the thread passes rearwardly until said front end has engaged the
next adjacent one of the series of gears when disengagement from the last active
gear ensues.
Travel of the shuttle is now produced by the gear just reached and now in mesh,
while the rear end of said shuttle is unsupported and free to allow the bobbin thread
to pass out from beneath the shuttle. Thus to pass the lower bobbin thread
beneath the front half of the shuttle, the latter is being actuated or pushed by one
of the gears travelling in the rear half of its rack, while to pass said bobbin thread
along the rear half the shuttle is being pulled or governed by the front half of its
rack engaging in the next one of the gear series F.
This machine is peculiarly adapted for braiding about a core, as for instance in
covering wire or whips, and the wire L is fed upwardly through the tubular post
and as the movement of such wire or core is to be proportioned to the rapidity with
which the braiding is accomplished, the following mechanism is arranged whereby
such parts are operated by and dependent upon the speed at which the bobbins are
revolved. Concentrically about the wire L, see Figure 11, is a stationary circular
collar m supported by a post and arm n secured to the floor or united with the base
of the machine, see Figure 1. Laterally thereof is formed an extension * and
furnished at its lower end with a pinion a.
Pivotally secured to the extension r and swinging transversely of the wire are
twin cylindrical bearings t in which are journalled shafts u furnished at one end
with worm gears v meshing with the worm w and at the opposite end with grooved
friction wheels y roughened upon the circumference to grasp the wire L being held
in contact therewith by a spring z.
Co-operating with the pinion a¹ is a gear 6' the latter being formed with a
tubular hub rigidly fastened to and supported at the end of a horizontal arm d
extending from a post e' bolted to some portion of the rotary ring. Thus as the
latter revolves the post travels in circular paths and revolves the gear b', likewise
its pinion. together with the shaft f' and worm w, shafts u by. which the friction

page_text: wheels y are rotated and the proper feed movement is imparted to the braid, or the
wire or other object being covered. Since the gear is controlled directly by the
rotary ring the various interconnecting parts which produce right line feed
movement of the wire to be covered are moved in such a manner as to cause said
feed movement to bear a constant ratio to the speed of the machine.
To ensure laying of the threads at a fixed point a light skeleton circular frame A¹
is positioned beneath the gear 6' see Figure 13: consequently the threads from all
the bobbins bear against its under surface and thus is obviated any irregularity
in the laying of the braid, particularly in the case of the lower bobbin threads,
which would otherwise be influenced by the reciprocating movement in permitting
the passage of the shuttles thereacross. It will be observed by reference to
Figure 4 that there is mounted upon the fixed ring D two series of switch posts g¹, h¹,
one set oppositely inclined from the other, while each switch plate Y of the carrier
plate is pointed at each end, both being alike.
The object of this is to enable the machine to be reversed, this is of great
importance where a thread has broken, in fact by this construction the machine
can be worked either right or left handed, provided the prime actuating mechanism
is arranged accordingly.
In Figure 8 is shown the manner in which the shuttle carrier plate W with its
bobbin is to be placed in position.
This is accomplished by making a part of the raceway removable in the form of
a plate m'. The rim H of the rotary ring G is also cut away in order to permit
removal of the gears F mounted in the fixed ring. In this manner should repairs
be needed, the shuttles can readily be taken off from the raceway and as readily
replaced. The machine in the present instance is supplied with a double set of
lower bobbins making each thread double, while the thread from each bobbin is a
single one.
In the remaining figures is shown more particularly means for automatically
stopping the machine in case any one of the threads breaks, or the braiding
becomes entangled at the braiding point of the machine so that the machine will
immediately cease operating: also in Figures 22 to 30 is shown the carrier plate
and its switch plate as having and carrying two bobbins in lieu of one as shown
in the previous figures all of which will now be fully described.
In Figures 15 and 22 the friction pulley R loosely fits the sleeve P which is
raised to engage with the circular disc Q by a lever B₁ pivoted at n' to the lower
part of the standard having a handle for operating it and bearing by its shorter
arm on the collar C loosely fitting the standard and on which the pulley R
rests the collar however does not revolve but is arranged to move freely up and
down on the standard a short distance when operated by the lever. The threads a
and from all the bobbins extend toward the centre of the machine and pass up
through a horizontal eye w' above and vertically concentric with the opening in
the standard, at the end of an arm y¹ pivoted at all to a support 6" of the frame-
work, and the threads from each pair of lower bobbins pass under a cross bar ell
attached to an arm d¹¹ depending from and secured by screws to the rim H of the
ring G, thence over a separate projecting arm e" down to and through an eye f" of
a weight D¹ to and over an eye or hook g" fixed on said arm to and over wheel h¹
in the free end of a horizontal tension spring E, thence through a vertical slot m¹!
between the guide plates K to the central eye w', the rim also having a vertical
slot in it back of and coincident with said guide slot m¹¹.
Each of the weights D' has a central vertical hole t" fitting loosely over a
vertical 1od F secured in position near a bobbin J to the arm e" and an arm u¹¹ of
the downwardly projecting arm d" and so that each weight can freely move up and
down upon its guide rod.
Horizontally pivoted between the bifurcated arms of the
one arm of which projects forward and has a cross piece to
weights D' as shown in Figures 14 and 15 the rear arm yll of
toward the centre of the machine.
arm d" is a lever Ģ¹
which is under the
the lever projecting

page_text: His a spring secured to the outside of the supporting arm " and bearing by
its free end against a lug or shoulder J' on the lever G' to return it to its normal
position after being acted over is in its normal position.
as will be hereinafter described, the lug resting
against the arm when the
Secured rigidly on posts K' rising from the feet of the machine is a flat ring L'
and outside of this ring in the same horizontal plane is another ring M¹ concentric
therewith and arranged to rest upon the top of the posts to swing or slide back
and forth thereon and connected to the other ring I by a series of fingers N' at
regular intervals, each finger pivoted to the stationary or inner ring L¹ concentri-
cally with the centre of the machine and connected to the outer ring by a pin P¹
of the ring passing through a longitudinal slot Q₁ in the finger, the fingers pro-
jecting beyond the outer ring as shown in Figure 18. Pivoted at its lower end to
the side of one of the posts K' near the lever B¹ is a vertical arm R' at the side of
the lever, its upper end engaging in a socket S¹ in a block T¹ firmly secured to the
outer ring M by a screw or in any suitable manner.
On the side of the swinging arm R' is a shoulder U' made by securing a block
by screws to the arm, under which the pulley operating lever B' is placed when
pressed down and the pulley moved into frictional contact with the disc for
running the machine, which holds it in such position: moving the lever out
from under the shoulder it lets the pulley drop sufficiently to release it from
frictional connection with the disc stopping the machine.
The inner ends y" of the levers G₁ are in a horizontal plane below the fingers N¹
which is their normal positions when the machine is running, as shown in
Figure 15, but if any one of these levers is swung up to its position shown in dotted
lines, in Figure 15 its inner end then will be in the same horizontal plane as the
ring fingers, which will be in the path of such raised lever and as the lever is
carried round in the running of the machine, it will strike against. the side of the
finger next to it in advance and move it and consequently swing the ring M' and
by its block T engagement with the upper end of the pivoted arm R' swing it on
its pivot and its shoulder U₁ from over the operating lever B' leaving it free to
move, so that the pulley by its weight will drop and be released from frictional
contact with the disc, stopping the machine.
The levers G¹ are operated automatically by the weights D' each of which is
suspended on a thread a leading from a bobbin J to the centre of the machine, and
in the operation of the machine each of these weights from the tension of the
threads when the machine is in operation, is held up nearly to the top of the bobbin,
as shown in Figures 14 and 15 and if one of these threads should break when
the machine is running, its weight D¹ would instantly drop on to the outer end of
the lever G' under it and pressing it down raise its inner end into the horizontal
plane of the fingers N₁ for it to strike the next one in advance and move the
ring M and consequently the arm R' from its engagement with the lever releasing
the pulley and stopping the machine, as before stated.
In the drawings the ring has six fingers, so that immediately a thread breaks
its lever G¹ will be near enough to a finger as it is moved to operate it and
stop the machine before it can make but a small part of a revolution.
In Figure 18 is shown the rings with the fingers and a lever in plan view
and in dotted lines a finger as moved with the lever in dotted lines as having
just moved it and passed by the finger the semi-circular dotted line indicating the
line of movement of the end y" of the lever.
V₁ is a vertical bar set and arranged to move up and down in an outer vertical
groove Win the rim H, being flush with the same and it extends above the rim
sufficient for a horizontal extension or arm Y₁ of it to lay a short distance above
and along the upper edge of the rim, but out far enough to be clear of the carrier
plates as they travel along the raceway.
This bar extends down in front of the arm d" supporting the lever G¹ and
between each pair of bobbins J rests by its lower end on a shoulder Z' of the
lezen

page_text: Pushing this bar V₁ down moves the lever G' in the same manner as one of the
weights when falling on it and stops the machine as before described.
Back of each bobbin V is a horizontal pin A" arranged to move back and
forth radially in a socket B" in its carrier plate W and a socket in the switch
plate.
A spiral spring C" around the pin A" between the two plates by its tension
acts to push the pin outward for its outer end to project beyond the carrier plate
when desired.
An arm D pivoted at E" to the inner side of the switch plate by its free end
lays in and engages with a cross slot F" in the inner end of the pin A" and
attached to the inner side of this arm D" is a short wire G" having an eye H"
through which the thread from the bobbin passes. J" is a lever pivoted at K" to
the side of the bar L" of the switch plate Y and adapted to bear by its angular
end M" against the bobbin head being held there by a spring N" bearing against
its side and the side of the switch plate to create friction on the bobbin. The
other end of this pivoted lever has an upwardly extending arm P" against which
rests the arm D as shown in Figures 16 and 17.
The thread from a bobbin V passes through an eye Q" of an arm R₁ rigidly
secured to the switch plate, to and through the eye H₁ of the lever D¹¹ and thence
to the central guiding eye wol of the machine.
As the thread is unwound from its bobbin in braiding, it pulls more or less upon
the arm D pressing correspondingly upon the arm P of the lever J" relieving
the spring pressure of its end M" upon the bobbin, letting the thread deliver freely
as needed, and as the pull upon the thread is lessened or relaxed, the arm D" is
accordingly released from pressure upon the lever J" allowing its spring N' to
press the lever the firmer upon the bobbin to prevent the thread from unwinding
too freely.
In running the machine the tension on the thread pulls upon the lever D strong
enough to overcome the power of the spring (" on the pin A" and holds it forward
or near to the bobbin as shown in Figure 16, preventing its outer end from pro-
jecting beyond the carrier plate, but the instant the thread breaks, its tension on
the lever D being then off, the spring C" acts on the pin and throws or moves it
outward for its outer end to project beyond the carrier plate, and as it is then the
same distance radially from the centre of the machine as the horizontal arm Y' of
the operating bar V and as such pin is on a horizontal plane lower than the hori-
zontal plane of the top of said horizontal arm, when pushed out as described, its
outer end will ride over and upon such arm, pressing down, the arm and thus the
bar V' which operates the lever G¹ to move it into the plane of the ring fingers to
act upon one of them, as before described to stop the machine.
The central guiding eye lever y engages by forked arms with the end of a
lever T pivoted to the support its other end U" being bent down and arranged
to be just over an outer extension or arm V of the horizontal arm Y' of the bar
but out of range of the operating pins A" of the shuttle.
When the machine is running the threads are drawn tightly under the guiding
eye which holds it up and consequently the end of the lever engaging with it, but if
for reason of imperfect weaving or bunching of the threads they are caused to lower,
the eye end being weighted falls with the threads, thus pressing down through its
connection with the lever T" the bar V₁ upon the lever G and stopping the
machine as before described.
Thus if either thread breaks or the threads at the central eye do not braid
properly, or run down in braiding, the machine will be automatically stopped and
farther braiding cease.
The eye end of the lever is weighted sufficiently to always fall if the threads
lower in braiding, to secure the end U" of its connecting lever T" being moved
into position to operate the bar V¹.
W is a horizontal arm pivoted to the rod H on which a bobbin J is supported
and resting by a rounded under projection Y" upon the head of the bobbin on its

page_text: supporting rod, its outer end which has an open slot Z" in which loosely lays the
rod F and on top of this arm is a weight A held thereon by being placed over an
upright pin B of the arm.
This weighted arm is for the purpose of creating friction on the head of the
bobbin to prevent it moving to loosen or unwind the thread faster than it is pulled
off in the braiding operation.
As intended in this braiding machine the thread from each pair of lower bobbins
are joined together as they pass over the wheel on the spring E, passing from
thence practically as one thread, in lieu of having only one bobbin and having two
threads wound upon it, and as is obvious, if desired, only one bobbin need be used
and one, two or more threads wound upon it as desired.
The weights D in their normal positions when supported on the bobbin threads
are at a height to bear more or less against the under side of the weighted tension
levers W so that if the thread is delivered too hard, the weight will be lifted
higher, raising the tension lever from the bobbin relieving it of its pressure more
or less, so that the thread will run off the bobbin freer and easier and thus between
the two, the bobbin thread will be automatically controlled in its delivery
therefrom.
On the underside of the operating lever B' is pivoted at C an arm D¹¹ bearing
by one end against the side of the vertical stop arm R¹ and having at its other end
an upward projecting piece E at the side of the lever.
When desirous of stopping the machine press the end E toward the lever
which will by its other end move the arm R¹ from its engagement with the lever
stopping the machine as before described.
The spring H' to the lever G'acts to return it to and hold it in its normal position
when otherwise free to be moved for operation thereon again. The arm Y¹ to the
bar V₁ is bevelled upon its upper side at each end to allow for either end to freely
pass under the pin A" when it is moved out to act upon the bar.
The support L for the fingers N¹ need not be in the form of a ring, it being
only essential to have the fingers pivoted to a support.
A spring F is attached to the two rings L' and M" to return the ring M¹ to
its normal position again after the lever G1 has acted upon it and passed its
finger N¹, a pin G of the ring M¹ resting against a stop J secured to the ring L'
as shown in Figure 18 holding the ring in place. In Figures 22 to 30 a thread a
from each bobbin of a pair of lower bobbins, which are arranged in pairs, passes up
and over a grooved roll " pivoted to downwardly projecting bracket J, secured
to the ring G thence down through an eye ell in a weight K arranged to freely
and down on a vertical rod L arranged to slide up and down in the
arms f, g, of the bracket J and from thence both pass together practically as
one over a grooved roll on the outer end of a spring arm ml secured to the
bracket, thence through the slot m" of the guide plates K, over the machine to the
upper end of a central tube M fitting in the upper end of the standard C.
move
吧
A thread from each bobbin J of a carrier plate passes through an eye till on a
post N of the plate, thence into an open slot in a separate lever P pivoted
at one end to a lug of the switch plate and having pivoted to its other end a
round pin Q which passes freely through a socket in the switch plate and
carrier plate, its outer end when the machine is in operation not projecting beyond
the outer surface or side of the carrier plate: from this lever Pthe thread passes
to the upper end of the tube M where it is braided.
A little at the left of the guide slot m" is a vertical rod R disposed in sockets
in two projecting arms a, of the rim H and in which sockets it can freely turn,
having an angular horizontal arm S at its lower end resting on the upper side of
the bracket arm f" and having a spiral spring attached to it to hold the rod
arm S against a vertical rod T arranged to slide up and down within certain
limits in sockets in the arms "", "", and having a collar or head U on its upper
end, so that with the arm Sui bearing against the rod Tu as shown in Figures 22,
23 and 25, the rod by its head u will be above and rest upon the arm S, holding

page_text: the rod up so that its lower end c will be above a certain horizontal plane for a
purpose to be hereinafter described.
The upper end of the rod R is bent in a horizontal line toward and over
ring G and has an angular end d which when its arm S rests against the
rod T as shown in said figures, projects over the upper side or edge of the rim H,.
but a little outside of the line of travel of the outer side of the carrier plate, as
shown in Figures 22, 26 and 27 so that the carrier plate will not strike it, the bent
end of this rod being in the same horizontal plane as the pins Q of the
carrier plates.
In Figure 22 a horizontal mitre gear U is secured to the sleeve P which
engages with a vertical mitre gear W on the end of a horizontal shaft Y adapted
to turn in bearings on the bed plate A and having a driving pulley A" and, a
loose pulley B operated by a belt C connected to any suitable driving power.
D is a shipper bar having arms which embrace the belt C by which with
proper movements the belt is shipped on to the driving or loose pulley as usual.
This shipper bar moves longitudinally back and forth in front of the pulleys
and is guided and partially held to its work by a longitudinal slot f engaging
with a screw' secured to a foot B. The other end of the shipper bar is pivoted
to a lever E pivoted on the under side of an arm F of the bed plate and
having a handle G for operation of the same.
On the upper side of the shipper lever is a bar H extending along the length
of the same and secured thereto by screws 9 passing through elongated
slots in the bar H and screwing into the lever which allows longitudinal
movement thereon its inner end being curved and provided with a notch m
arranged when the lever is moved to operate the shipper bar to move the belt upon
the driving pulley, to engage with a vertical spring arm J pivoted at n to a
post K and guided by a slot by which the lever is locked in such position to
prevent accidental unshipping of the belt as shown in Figures 23 and 28.
A spiral spring L is attached to one end of the shipper bar by one end, its
other end being connected to the bed at the tension of which acts to move the
shipper to the left and move the belt with it from the driving pulley on to the
loose pulley, if the spring arm Ju is disengaged from the operating lever to let it
be free to move.
The bar Hon the shipper lever has an upward projection ul on its end near
the handle, by which it can be moved by hand for its engagement with the spring
arm J when moving the shipper lever by hand to start the machine.
In running the machine the tension on a thread of each upper bobbin as it is
being braided pulls upon the lever P attached to the switch plate strong enough
to hold the pin Q back so that its outer end will not project beyond the outer side
of the carrier plate, but the instant such thread breaks its tension on the lever being
then off, the centrifugal force exerted by the travel of the carrier plate in a circular
line then acts to throw the pin Q outward so that it will project beyond the
periphery or outer side of the carrier plate and as in the travel of the ring and the
carrier plate in opposite directions the pin comes to the upper arm of the swivelling
rod Ruf and striking against its end din swings it so as to move its lower arm gli
against its spring, out from under the head U of the vertical rod T leaving the
rod free to drop for its lower end to be below the horizontal plane of the upper
end of the spring arm Jul which locks the shipper lever Eso that as the
rod T approaches the arm Jits lower end will strike the upper end of the
arm J and move it away from its engagement with the shipper lever leaving it
and the shipper free to be moved by the spring L", which moves the belt from the
driving pulley to the loose pulley stopping the machine, so that the thread can
be attended to by the operator, when the machine can be started into operation
as before.
To ensure the rod T dropping after the arm S has been moved away from it,
a weight M having a downwardly projecting arm w pivoted by such arm to
lugs or ears a³ of the bracket arm g has an extension of its arm disposed between
B

page_text: two collars 6 of the rod T the weight extending backward as shown in Figure 22
and resting in its normal position against the bracket so that its gravity will by its
collar connection hold the rod up for the spring arm S to pass under the rod
head U and which weight when the machine is running, the instant the arm S
is moved out from under the rod head by the pin Q striking its operating arm d
will be thrown or swung outward by the centrifugal force carrying down the rod T
by its engagement therewith into position to strike and move the arm to unlock the
shipper lever as described, and the instant the machine stops the gravity of the weight
will swing it back into its normal position raising the rod sufficient for the arm S
of the rod R to pass by its spring under the head of the rod T to hold and keep
it up in its normal position for its lower end to be above or out of the way of the
shipper lever locking arm in the running of the machine.
On a rear arm of the bracket J is pivoted a horizontal lever N (see
Figure 22) having an enlarged piece on its under side, which is adapted to rest
upon the edge of a head of the bobbin, the outer end of the lever having a
weight Psecured to it, by which friction is created on the bobbin to prevent too
free unwinding of the thread of the bobbin.
This lever extends outward and is disposed over a weight K of one of the
rods L so that as the thread a of its bobbin pulls too hard it will raise the
weight K up against the under side of the lever raising it more or less reducing
its friction on the bobbin and allowing the thread to unwind freer as desired.
On each rod L is secured a collar Qin such location above the weight K¹
that when the machine is running the tension of the thread a will keep the weight
up sufficiently for it to abut against the collar, and raise the rod up to such a height
that its lower end will be above the horizontal plane of the spring shipper lever
catch.
A collar Ron the lower end of the rod prevents by its resting on the bracket
arm the rod falling below a certain point.
If a thread from a lower bobbin breaks the weight K which it supports drops
down upon the collar R forces its respective rod L down to its lowermost position,
which is such that as it is carried round with the ring it will by its lower end d³
approach and strike the shipper lever catch arm, and move it from its engagement
therewith stopping the machine as before described for the rod T for the upper
bobbin threads.
Thus whether a thread from an upper bobbin or from a lower bobbin 'breaks their
respective rods will drop and stop the machine as described.
It is preferable to have the rods T and L arranged for operation as described
on each bracket supporting a pair of bobbins so that as soon as any 'thread breaks
the machine will be stopped quickly, although as is obvious a less number could be
arranged as desired but the operation of each set would be the same each one being
a duplicate of the others.
Each upper bobbin has a lever S pivoted at e" to its switch plate and arranged
to bear by its end f° on the bobbin head, as shown in Figures 22, 24, 29 and 30 'to
create 'friction thereon from the tension of a spiral spring T secured by one end
to the lever end f' and by its other end to the plate at g each lever also has an
arm which is in position for an arm m of the thread lever Pil to bear against
it, so that if the thread is pulling strongly it will raise the lever P which by its
arm m will press against the arm h of the friction lever and raise or'move it from
the bobbin head leaving the bobbin freer movement for the easy'delivery of the
thread therefrom and as 'the thread pulls with less force the lever P falls and
allows the friction lever to 'press the more firmly on the bobbin head to prevent
undue unwinding of the thread.
Obviously 'more than two bobbins can be attached to one switch plate and
carrier as desired the other parts necessary for the stopping of the machine, in
connection therewith being increased correspondingly.
Arranging two bobbins on a carrier plate with the switch plate is a very
important advantage the machine can be considerably reduced in diameter with the

page_text: same number of bobbins making it more compact which is especially desirable when
a large number of bobbins are to be used in both sets the machine as shown in
Figures 22 to 30 has eight bobbins in each set.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondents I declare that what I claim is :-
First. In a braiding machine, a fixed circular ring, a series of revoluble toothed
wheels mounted radially thereupon, a series of movable shuttles operated by said
toothed wheels combined with a rotary ring, the endless circular toothed gear
carried by said ring and meshing with said toothed wheels, a series of bobbin
supports affixed to said rotary ring, and a circular rim upon the latter forming an
endless raceway upon which the shuttles travel, substantially as described.
Second. The combination with a stationary circular ring, a series of toothed
wheels journaled thereupon, and a toothed shuttle carrier plate meshing successively
with said wheels, of a rotary plate, the endless circular toothed rack by which the
shuttles are caused to move, and the circular rim or raceway carried. by said
rotary plate and upon which said shuttles travel, substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
Third. In a braiding machine, a rotary toothed rim, a series of bobbin supports
carried thereby, said ring being provided with an upturned rim to serve as an
endless raceway, the vertical guides to receive the bobbin threads, a series of
shuttles each fitted with a toothed carrier plate and with switch plates Y, which
cause the bobbin threads to reciprocate, combined with a stationary circular ring
and a series of toothed wheels mounted thereupon to produce independent motion
of each shuttle in a direction oppositely of the moving raceway substantially as
described.
Fourth. A braiding machine, having a fixed tubular standard through which the
article to be covered passes, a stationary circular ring with a series of toothed
wheels radially mounted thereupon, a series of bobbin supports, an endless toothed
ring which carries said bobbins, a circular raceway or rim attached to said movable
ring, a series of shuttles travelling oppositely upon the moving raceway, and each
provided with a toothed rack which successively engages the toothed wheels, and
switch arms to cause the bobbin threads, successively raised and lowered, to pass
transversely beneath or above the shuttles, as herein specified and set forth.
Fifth. In combination with a rotary toothed ring, its vertical rim, or endless
raceway and the vertical bobbin thread guides K, the shuttle switch plates Y with
their shuttle spool supports, travelling independently and oppositely upon the
moving raceway, gears which engage said ring, toothed shuttle carrier plates which
engage said gear, and the switch posts stationary upon the fixed ring substantially
as described.
Sixth. A shuttle for braiding machines, composed as follows:-A. bent carrier
plate provided with a toothed rack, a stationary ring, a vertical switch plate Y
pointed at each end and connected to the inner face of said carrier plate, and a
shuttle spool support on the inner face of the switch plate substantially as and for
the purposes described.
Seventh. In braiding machines, a fixed circular ring, a series of oppositely
disposed switch posts, a revolving ring baving an endless circular raceway and
vertical guides K and a series of bobbin supports attached to said rotary ring,
combined with a series of shuttles travelling oppositely upon the moving raceway,
vertical switch plates pointed at both end with their longitudinal axes in a horizontal
plane and secured to said shuttles and a series of toothed wheels which successively
engage with the shuttles, and the endless toothed gear by which motion is imparted
to the shuttles, substantially as stated.
Eighth. The combination with a fixed circular ring having a central bore to
admit of a moving wire, a stationary standard secured to said ring, and the revoluble
feed wheels mounted upon said standard and to grasp said wire, of a rotary circular

page_text: ring, and interconnecting mechanism by which said feed wheels are moved pro-
portionately to the speed of the rotary circular ring, substantially as herein set
forth and stated.
Ninth. In combination with a stationary circular ring having a central bore, the
I standard m secured to said ring, the shaft f', its worm w, worm wheels v, pinion a¹,
and the revoluble feed wheels operated by said worm and all supported on said
standard a rotary circular ring, a bracket post carried by said ring, and
gear secured by a tubular hub, enclosed by said post and meshing with said
pinion, all substantially as herein described.
a
Tenth. In a braiding machine, the combination of a revolving ring, a support for
a bobbin secured to said ring, a weight adapted to be hung on the bobbin thread, a
guide for said weight, a lever G¹ and mechanism adapted to be actuated by said
lever to stop the operation of the machine.
Eleventh. In a braiding machine the combination of a revolving ring, a support
for a bobbin secured to said ring, a weight adapted to be hung on the bobbin
thread, a guide for said weight, a lever G₁, a finger N', a support for said finger, a
lever B, connected to the driving mechanism, an arm R' to lock said lever, and
mechanism operated by said finger to disengage said arm R¹ from said lever for the
purpose specified.
.
Twelfth. In a braiding machine the combination with a bobbin carrier, a pin
or rod adapted to move back and forth in said carrier, a spring acting on said
pin or rod, a lever H engaging with the pin or rod and engaging with the
thread from the bobbin a vertical moving bar or arm V₁ adapted to be engaged
by the pin or rod when moved outward by, said spring a lever G' and mechanism
operated by the lever BI for stopping the driving mechanism of the machine.
Thirteenth. In a braiding machine, the combination of a revolving ring, a support
for a bobbin secured to said ring a weight adapted to be hung on the bobbin thread
a guide for said weight a lever G', a series of fingers or arms concentrically arranged
and pivoted upon a suitable support, a ring connected by pins and slots to said
finger or arms and adapted to move forward and backward on a suitable support
an arm engaging with said ring and a lever connected to the driving mechanism
arranged to be locked by said arm for the purpose specified.
Fourteenth. In a braiding machine the combination with a lever having a central
guiding eye through which the threads from all the bobbins pass in braiding, a
lever engaging with said lever, a vertically moving bar or arm V₁ adapted to be
operated upon by said latter lever, a lever G' adapted by one of its arms to be
operated by said bar or arm and mechanism for releasing the driving mechanism
of the machine arranged to be operated by the other arm of said lever.
Fifteenth. In a braiding machine the combination with a carrier on a bobbin,
a pivoted spring arm arranged to bear upon the bobbin a pin or rod adapted
to move back and forth in said carrier a spring acting on said pin or rod a
lever D engaging with the pin or rod and engaging with the thread from
the bobbin, a vertically moving bar or arm V adapted to be engaged by the
pin or rod when moved outward by said spring, a lever G¹ and mechanism
operated by said lever for stopping the driving mechanism of the machine.
Sixteenth. In a braiding machine the combination with a support for a bobbin
a weight adapted to be hung upon the bobbin thread a guide for said weight
consisting of a rod or arm secured to a support the weight having a hole or
socket through it through which the rod passes and on which the weight is arranged
to freely slide up and down and a weighted arm pivoted to a support and arranged
to bear upon the bobbin for the purpose specified.
Seventeenth. In a braiding machine in combination a bobbins carrier a support
thereon for carrying a bobbin and a switch plate connected thereto having an
edge for guiding the thread past the length of the carrier and hobbin.
Eighteenth. In a braiding machine in combination a bobbin carrier, supports for
carrying two or more bobbins and a switch plate connected thereto having an edge
for guiding the thread past the length of the carrier and bobbins.

page_text: Nineteenth. In a braiding machine in combination a bobbin carrier supports
for carrying two or more bobbins and a switch plate connected thereto having a
pointed end and an upper and lower edge for guiding the thread over and under
the carrier and bobbins.
Twentieth. In a braiding machine in combination a bobbin carrier supports
thereon for carrying two or more bobbins and a switch plate connected thereto
having oppositely pointed ends and an upper and lower edge for guiding the thread
over and under the carrier & bobbins.
Twenty-first. In a braiding machine in combination a bobbin carrier provided
with a socket and having a pin arranged to slide back and forth in said socket, a
pivoted lever adapted to engage the thread from the bobbin and to which said pin
is attached a bar or rod Ti, arranged to slide up and down on a support, and to
move into position to unlock the driving mechanism of the machine, and a rod R
engaging with said rod T to hold it in position and provided with an arm
projecting into position to be acted upon by said pin provided the thread from the
bobbin breaks.
Twenty-second. In a braiding machine in combination a bobbin carrier provided
with a socket and having a pin arranged to slide back and forth in said socket a
pivoted lever adapted to engage the thread from the bobbin and to which said pin
is attached a bar or rod L arranged to slide up and down on a support and to
move into position to unlock the driving mechanism of the machine, a weighted
arm pivoted to a support and adapted to engage with the said rod and a rod R
engaging with the said rod T to hold it in position and provided with an arm
projecting into position to be acted upon by said pin provided the thread from the
bobbin breaks.
Dated this 19th day of August 1891.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.