IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COMBING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Brook, the younger, of Huddersfield, in the County
of York, Woollen Manufacturer, and Job Stake, of the same Place, Combing
Machine Manager, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
COMBING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES."
Sealed the 15th March 1878, and dated the 20th October 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Brook and Job Stake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th October 1877.
GEORGE BROOK, the younger, of Huddersfield, in the County of York, Woollen
Manufacturer, and JOB STAKE, of the same Place, Combing Machine Manager.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COMBING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS SUB-
STANCES.
"
This Invention relates to machinery for combing wool and other fibrous sub-
stances wherein circular combs are employed, into which the fibrous substance is
pressed by brushes, commonly called "dabbing brushes."
The object of our improvements is to dispense with the use of these brushes,
which rapidly wear away, and are a source of considerable expense. In place thereof
we propose to press the fibrous substance into the teeth of the comb by means of
one or a series of star wheels, or wheels placed between the rows of teeth, and
having fingers, which as they slowly revolve will force the wool or fibrous substance
3 gradually down into the teeth of the comb. Small revolving brushes may also be
used.
One or more plain rollers may be employed for the purpose of flattening the
material before reaching the star wheels, so that the whole of the fibres are certain
to be operated upon.
Having been pressed into the combs the material passes under holding-down
plates or knives, which prevent it from being lifted out of the teeth during the
process of separation or combing.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Brook and Job Stake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
20th April 1878.
GEORGE BROOK, the younger, of Huddersfield, in the County of York, Woollen
Manufacturer, and JOB STAKE, of the same Place, Combing Machine Manager.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COMBING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS SUB-
STANCES.
"
This Invention relates to machinery for combing wool and other fibrous sub-
stances wherein circular combs are employed, into which the fibrous substance is
pressed by brushes, commonly called "dabbing" brushes.
The object of our improvements is to dispense with the use of these brushes,
which rapidly wear away and are a source of considerable expense.
In place
thereof we propose to press the fibrous substance into the teeth of the comb by
means of one or a series of star wheels or wheels placed between the rows of teeth,
and having fingers, which as they revolve will force the wool or fibrous substance
gradually down into the teeth of the comb. Small revolving brushes may also be
used.
One or more plain rollers may be employed for the purpose of flattening the
material before reaching the star wheels, so that the whole of the fibres are certain
to be operated upon.
Having been passed into the combs the material passes under an angle-pressing
plate or knife, which prevents it from being lifted out of the teeth during the process
of separation or combing.
In order that our Invention may be more fully understood we herein give
reference to the accompanying Sheets of Drawings illustrative thereof.
Figs. 1, 2, and 3 are front elevation, section, and plan view of such parts of an
ordinary circular or Noble's comb as are required for our explanation. A is a
portion of the large circle, and B a portion of a small circle comb; C are a series of
star wheels (shewn full size in Figs. 4 and 5), which are mounted on a short shaft
or axis D, carried in bearings E fixed to the pillar F; G and H are adjustable plates
for guiding and holding down the fibres, the plate G being fixed to the circle by
stud and nut a, and the plate H being carried by the bearings E. An adjustable
holding-down knife J is carried by pillars b, attached to the upper side of the
plate H. When the machine is working rotation is communicated to the star
wheels C from the same source as that from which the large circle receives its
motion by means of pinions K, upright shaft L, and bevil wheels M. During the
rotation of the large circle the fibres pass over the plate G, which supports them
until reaching the wheels C, which revolve at a quicker surface speed than the
circle, and press the fibres firmly into the teeth thereof. It will be seen that spaces
are left between the rows of teeth in both circles to admit of the star wheels
entering sufficiently deep between them. After leaving the star wheels the fibres
are prevented from rising out of the comb by the plate H and holding-down knife J,
which extends from about the tangent point of the circles to the point of separation
of the fibres. Adjustable guides Z are employed to keep the blades steady and
prevent damage to the comb teeth.
In Figs. 6 and 7, which are similar in most respects to those already described,
we shew an additional plain roller N, which flattens the fibres as they pass over the
plate S, and also additional guide and pressing fingers P, which likewise assist in
preparing the fibres for the action of the star wheels. The roller N may be driven
by pulleys and band R from the shaft D.
Instead of the roller N we may employ an additional series of discs W, as shewn
in Fig. 8, caused to rotate by gear wheels driven by spindle D.
We are aware that the use of loose discs or wheels and holding-down knives or
fingers for preventing the fibrous substance from rising out of the comb teeth after

page_text: being pressed or forced therein by other means is not new, and we are also aware
that it has been attempted to effect the result of the dabbing operation by means
of wipers working through or across the rows of teeth instead of between them, as
shewn in the accompanying Drawings, we therefore would have it understood that
we lay no claim to the use of any portion of the apparatus herein shewn "per se,”
but what we do claim as our Invention and consider to be new is,-
The use of wheels or discs which by means of gearing are caused to revolve
between the rows of teeth at the feed or tangent point of the large and small
circular combs, as and for the purpose herein shewn and described.
Secondly. The use of the angle plate H, substantially as herein shewn and
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Job Stake, for and on behalf of myself and the
said George Brook, the younger, have hereunto set my hand and seal;
this Seventeenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
J. W. TASKER,
Patent Agent,
Halifax.
JOB STAKE. (L.S.)