IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1843

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
EDMOND DONISTHORPE, of Bradford, in the County of York, Top Manu-
facturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-fifth day of November, in the seventh year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant upto me, the
said George Edmond Donisthorpe, Her especial licence, full power, sole
privilege and authority, that I, the said George Edmond Donisthorpe, my
exors, adñors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said George Edmond
Donisthorpe, my exors, adññiors, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES;" in
which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said George
Edmond Donisthorpe, shall cause a particular description of the nature of
my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in part

page_text: recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto nau,
will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
George Edmond Donisthorpe, do hereby declare that the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are
fully described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof,
reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures
and letters marked thereon (that is to say):-
My Invention relates,-
First, to apparatus for covering or holding down the wool or other fibres
into a comb into which it is being fed during the time that the feeding appa-
ratus is returning to feed another portion of wool or other fibrous material
into the comb.
Secondly, my Invention relates to applying a blast of air to facilitate the
raising of the wool or other fibrous materials in combs when drawing off the
same therefrom, and also to raise and direct the fibres of wool or other
fibrous material into a suitable position for being taken hold of by the
drawing rollers.
Thirdly, my Invention relates to the combining rotatory combs, which work
on axes, and are governed in their movement by excentrics or suitably formed
curved surfaces, with suitable means for causing a succession of straight
combs to pass before such working combs, in order that the wool in such
straight combs may be combed out, or worked by the rotatory combs.
And in order that this Invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to
describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS MARKED A.
These Drawings represent machinery for combing wool and other fibrous
substances, such as was described in the Specification of my Patent granted
the Fifteenth day of June, One thousand eight hundred and forty-three, and
the parts are marked with the same means of reference as were used in that
Specification; and I have preferred to take this course, as I believe that such
machinery is the most suitable for receiving the first and second of my
present improvements. At the same time I do not confine these improvements
in their use to the arrangement of machinery shewn in the present Drawings.
The machinery shewn having been fully explained in my former Specification, it
will not be necessary to repeat the description here, and it will only be necessary
to explain any of those parts which were described in my former Specification
when the present improvements require such description. The wool or other

page_text: fibrous substance is lashed on the combs by the feeding apparatus, which consists
of the table A, on to which the fibres are fed, and of the two sides plates B, B,
which are affixed to the axis C, which moves in bearings at D, D. The two
plates B carry the grooved rollers E, E, the axes or necks of the lower one
being borne up to those of the upper one by means of springs F. The
wool as it is moved forward by the feed rollers E passes through the mouth-
piece G, which is fixed to and carried by the side plates B. The mode in which
motion is communicated to the feeding apparatus will be hereafter described.
H, H, are sliding guides on the axis C, which control the width of the
slivers fed through the rollers E. In lashing wool on to the comb by the
feeding apparatus, it is desirable, when the feeding apparatus has descended
to its lowest position, and has fed wool on to the comb, that the wool on the
comb should be covered or held down during the returning of the feeding
aparatus to feed another portion of wool or other fibrous material into
the comb into which wool or other fibrous material is lashed, thus
separating the ends of the staple held by the comb from those held by the
feeding apparatus. And this covering the wool constitutes the first object
of the present improvements. The cover or flap I, on the axis of which is
a cog wheel J, which takes into and is driven by the sliding toothed rack
K, which is put in motion in the following manner. On the sliding rack K
is affixed the projection L, which stands in the way of the studs M+ and N+
on the arms O+, which arms are put in motion by the movement of the
feeding apparatus in such manner that the stud M+ strikes the projection when
the feeding apparatus is at its highest position, so as to move the rack, and
cause the flap or cover I to be thrown back into the position shewn in the
Drawings, and the stud N+ strikes against the projection L when the feeding
apparatus comes to its lowest position, so that the cover or flap I assumes
and retains the position shewn by dotted lines, and covers the wool on the
comb whilst the feeding apparatus goes up to its highest position, there
being a strap X, with a weight which bears upon the axis of the flap, to
prevent the flap being driven too far by the studs M+ and N+. The arms O+
move freely on the axis C, and they are caused to move with that axis by means
of set screws P, which affix the arms 0+ to one of the side plates B, the
slots shewn allowing for adjustment. In order to give motion to the grooved
rollers of the feeding apparatus, the cog wheel (1) gives motion to the cog
wheel Q affixed on the axis Q¹, on which is affixed the screw or wor.n Q²
which takes into and drives the toothed wheel R, which is affixed on the
hollow boss R', which turns freely on the axis C of the feeding apparatus.

page_text: On the hollow boss R¹ is affixed the cog wheel R2, which takes into and
drives the cog wheel S, affixed on the axis of the upper one of the grooved
rollers of the feeding apparatus. The mode of giving the lashing motion
to the feeding apparatus by which the wool or other suitable fibrous material
is fed into the comb b, is as follows:-T is a toothed sector moving on the
axis T. This sector takes into and drives the cog wheel V affixed on the end
of the axis C, to which the feeding apparatus is affixed as above described.
The sector receives motion by means of the connecting rod U, which receives
motion by means of the crank pin W affixed to the cog wheel (11). It will be
evident that when the feeding apparatus differs in its action from that
shewn and described, it will be necessary to vary the apparatus for separating
the fibres held by the feeding apparatus from those held by the comb,
as the feeding apparatus returns into a position for again lashing wool
into the comb with which it may be working. On the axis (14) is
affixed a cog wheel (58), which takes into and drives the cog wheel (39),
which turns on the fixed axis (40), and the wheel (39) gives motion to
the cog wheel (41), which is on one of the axes of one of the drawing
rollers p, q, and thus is motion given to those drawing rollers p, q; and
motion is communicated to the delivering rollers r, s, from the axis of
one of the drawing rollers, by means of a cog wheel (42), which takes into
the cog wheel (43) affixed on the axis (44) of one of the drawing rollers,
which remove the wool or other fibrous material from the back of the
comb b; and motion is given to the delivering rollers r, s, by means of the
cog wheel (43) taking into and driving the intermediate cog wheel (45), which
takes into and drives the cog wheel (46), affixed on the axis (47), on the lower
end of which is affixed the bevilled toothed wheel (48), which takes into and
drives the bevilled toothed wheel (49), affixed on one of the axes of the
delivering rollers r, s, the rollers r, s, being geared together by means of cog
wheels. There is a second set of drawing rollers, for removing the shorter
staple of wool or other suitable fibrous material from the front of the comb b,
as is shewn by the present Drawings; and in order to give motion thereto
the cog wheel (43) takes into and drives the cog wheel (50) on the axis of
one of the second pair of drawing rollers. It will be seen that the brush
(for cleaning the comb b after the drawing rollers have removed the wool or
other suitable fibrous material therefrom), receives its motion by a strap driven
by the boss of the driving drum. I have found that a blast of heated air
may be very advantageously applied into the combs before lashing wool or
other similar fibrous materials into the combs, which facilitates the raising

page_text: of the wool or other similar fibrous matters when drawing off the same from
the combs; and a blast of air, which does not require to be heated, may also be
advantageously used in order to lay the ends of the wool or other similar
fibrous material in the combs b against the endless cloth v, by which the ends
of the wool or other suitable fibrous material, as brought up by the comb b,
will be raised and inclined in the direction they are travelling, and thus,
when they come in contact with the endless cloth v, they will be carried
forward thereby more favorably for the drawing rollers p, q, to take hold of
them. (51) is a tube through which a current or blast of air is to be
uniformly and constantly kept up, blowing in the direction of the arrow, and
the application of a blast of heated air to heat the comb, and thus to facilitate;
the wool being raised therein. And the use of air to assist the endless cloth v in
carrying forwards the ends of the combed out wool or other suitable fibrous
material to the drawing rollers, constitute the second part of these improve-
ments. In using a blast of heated air for heating the combs to facilitate the
raising of the wool afterwards combed therein, I have found the most con-
venient means to be the causing a blast of air to pass through a charcoal fire
placed near the moving comb b, and the products of heated air passed there-
from pass amongst the teeth of the combs and heat them; or the blast of
highly heated air may be otherwise obtained, and in this manner may combs
for combing wool be more advantageously heated, and the raising of the wool
or fibre therein facilitated. Previous to drawing the wool from the combs, it
is desirable that the same should be moved from the head of the combs, and
this is accomplished in the following manner :-On the axis (20) is affixed a
cog wheel (52), which takes into and drives the cog wheel (53) on the axis
(54) of the crank (55). To the crank (55) is attached the connecting rod
(56), the upper end of the connecting rod being attached to the lever (57) by
a pin joint, and to the connecting rod (56) is affixed the curved inclined
plane (58), which, coming under the wool or other suitable fibrous material
in the comb b, raises it up the teeth thercof.
I will now describe the third part of my Invention, whereby straight combs,
carrying wool or other fibrous material to be worked or combed out, pass in
succession before a rotatory axis, having a series of working combs, each of
which in its rotation is governed by an excentric guide or suitably formed
curved surface. And I would here remark, that the use of such an arrange-
ment of working combs, governed by an excentric or suitably formed curved
surface in their revolution, is not new, and separately the same is not claimed
as new, this part of my Invention being confined to the combination of such

page_text: an arrangement of working combs, with suitable machinery, for causing straight
combs in succession to pass by such working combs with wool or other fibrous
material to be combed out and worked thereby.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING MARKED B.
Figure 1 is a plan of the machine; Figure 2 is a transverse section of the
machine; Figure 3 is part of a front view of the machine, shewing how the
combs are successively placed into the machine. I have not thought it
necessary to shew the machinery for filling the combs before they come up to
the working combs, as that forms no part of the Invention; and I would only
state, that the combs may be filled in any convenient manner.
a is the main
or driving shaft of the machine, which receives motion from a steam engine or
other power. is a bevilled toothed wheel affixed on the shaft a, and takes
into and drives the bevilled toothed wheel c affixed on the axis d. On the
axis d is affixed a screw e, which takes into and drives the screw wheel f
affixed on the axis g, there being a cog wheel h affixed on the axis g, which
takes into the teeth of the racks on the heads of the combs, and thus moves
the combs on the table i, the combs being guided thereon. The combs are
placed on the table at one end, the other end of the comb resting on the
inclined plane ¹, so that as the previously introduced comb moves away, the
newly introduced comb descends down the inclined plane on to the table, and
thus is a constant supply of combs introduced on to the table. On the axis a
is affixed the cog wheel j, which takes into and drives the intermediate cog
wheel k, and the wheel k takes into and drives the cog wheel l, which is
The working
affixed on the axis m which carries the working combs n.
combs each move on necks or axes, as will be readily understood on examin-
ing Figure 4, which shews one of the working combs separately, with appa-
On the axis m are affixed arms o, shewn
ratus which works therewith.
separately with one of the combs at Figure 5, the arms o at each end of the
combs receiving the axes of the combs, and thus carrying the combs round
with them when the axis m revolves; and in order to govern or control the
action of the teeth of the combs, p, p, is an excentric guide fixed to the
framing of the machine at one end, and on the axis of each comb is affixed a
lever with a roller q, which works in the excentric guide p, by which means
the teeth of the working combs may be caused to take (when revolving) any
desired positions in respect to the carrying combs, the excentric guide being pro-
perly formed according to the positions desired to be obtained to the teeth, but
I believe the arrangement shewn to be the best. It is desirable that each of
the combs should carry apparatus for clearing the same of wool or other fibres

page_text: continuously as the machine is worked, and in clearing the working combs to
place the wool or other fibres on to the carrying combs so that it may be
recombed; but at the same time it is desirable that only part of each comb
should be so cleared, a portion continuing to work the wool or other fibres
after the same have been replaced on to the carrying combs from the other
parts of the working combs. On each of the working combs is a sliding bar 1,
carrying a brush or other suitable points s, the bar 7 being guided by staples r',
and this bar is caused to move along the teeth of the working combs by
means of the apparatus which I will now describe. t, t, are arms affixed on
the axis v, such axis receiving continuous rotatory motion from the wheel,
which gives motion to the intermediate cog wheel w, which takes into and
drives the intermediate cog wheel a, which gives motion to the cog wheel y
affixed on the axis v, by which the parts are so timed as to cause the sliding
bars r to be moved at the proper periods, and the bars are again raised up
the teeth of the working combs by fixed curved bars .
proper to remark, that this mode of clearing and working the rotatory
working combs is similar to what has before been described by me in a former
Patent.
It is here, however,
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the best means
I am acquainted with for performing the same, I would wish it to be under-
stood that I do not confine myself to the precise details shewn, so long as the
peculiar character of either part of my Invention be retained; but what I
claim is,-
First, the mode of covering or holding down the wool or other fibrous
materials in combs, into which the same is being fed during the time that the
feeding apparatus is moving away, and returning again to feed fresh quantities
into the comb.
Secondly, I claim the application of streams of air to facilitate the raising
of the wool or other similar fibres in combs, by causing a blast of heated air
to pass amongst the teeth of the combs, and also the use of a blast of air to
raise and direct the combed fibres to the drawing apparatus for drawing off
wool or other fibres from combs.
And thirdly, I claim the combining rotatory working combs, which work on
axes and are guided by excentrics or curved surfaces, with suitable machinery
for causing straight combs successively to move before such working combs.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Edmond Donisthorpe, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of May, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-four.
GEORGE EDMUND (L.S.) DONISTHORPE.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-fifth day of May, in the
year of our Lord 1844, the aforesaid George Edmond Donisthorpe came
before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the
Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified,
in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped
according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.