IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN MULES FOR SPINNING
Year: 1884

page_text: We, WILLIAM HURST, of the firm of Richard Threlfall, of Bridgman place
Machine Works, Machinist; and WALTER HAMER, Manager, of the same place,
both of Bolton in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of our
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN MULES FOR SPINNING,”
to be as follows:-
Our invention has reference to improvements for effecting a simultaneous motion
to the spindles in self-acting mules known as "double and treble deckers," by
means of mechanism or gearing, whereby the tin driving cylinders employed to
drive the spindles by bands are coupled together, which causes a more regular
speed of the spindles, and produces an uniform cop on both carriages of the mule
provided the copping motions are similar-which is otherwise with the appliances
at present in use.
Under the present system the tin driving cylinders in a pair of mules are con-
nected or coupled by bands, through the slipping and elasticity of which, fluctuations
and irregularities in the speed of the spindles are produced, which are detrimental
to good spinning, both as regards the form of cop and regular twist.
To overcome these defects we provide the shaft of one of the tin driving
cylinders with a bevel wheel working or gearing into a bevel wheel on an upright
shaft; the latter being supported and mounted in suitable fixings. The bottom
end or otherwise of the upright shaft is provided with a bevel wheel working or
gearing into a bevel wheel on a cross-shaft placed at a convenient height or
distance from the floor. This cross-shaft extends across the "wheel-gate" to the
opposite carriage, being connected to the tin driving cylinder in a similar way to
that above described by wheels and shafts, thereby producing a simultaneous
motion to both driving cylinders. The cross-shaft is mounted and supported in
suitable fixings, and carried to and fro with the action of the carriage, or it may
be provided with a key way, or a feather, to allow the bevel wheels operating it,
or otherwise, to slide as demanded by the travel of the mule carriages.
To compensate for any unevenness or springing of the floor, the said cross-shaft
is provided at each end, or otherwise, with a universal joint, or other equivalents.
By our improvements the speeds of the driving cylinders are simultaneous and
positive throughout, with the result of entirely dispensing with slipping, which
gives a more uniform speed of the spindles when spinning, but more especially
when winding, at the same time being more durable, and less liable to stoppages
or breakages than hitherto, thereby resulting in greater production and better
quality of yarn.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
We, WILLIAM HURST, of the firm of Richard Threlfall of Bridgman place
Machine Works, and WALTER HAMER, Manager; of the same place, both of Bolton
in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of our Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN MULES FOR SPINNING," and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Our invention has reference to improvements for effecting a simultaneous motion
to the spindles in, self-acting mules known as double and triple "deckers" by
means of mechanism or gearing, whereby the tin driving cylinders employed to
drive the spindles by bands are coupled together, which causes a more regular
speed of the spindles and produces an uniform cop on both carriages of the mule-
provided the copping motions are similar-which is otherwise with the appliances
at present in use. For this purpose we arrange the mechanical movements and
arrangements of mechanism in the manner we will describe referring to the-
accompanying drawings; Fig. 1 is a plan shewing one arrangement of coupling
decked mules by our improvements; Fig. 2 is a detailed front view of our improve-
ments applied to a mule carriage and driving shaft, and Fig. 3 is a transverse
section of the same through line A¹ B¹. To the shaft A on which the tin driving
cylinders are mounted is fixed the bevel wheel B which gears into and drives the bevel
wheel C mounted on the upright shaft D. This shaft is mounted in the fixing E
secured to and carried on the carriage F of the mule. On the bottom end of the
upright shaft D is fixed the bevel wheel G gearing into and working the bevel
wheel H mounted and fixed on the bush I in the fixing J; the latter being secured
in any convenient way to the fixing K from the carriage F. The bush I is secured
to the cross-shaft L by the set screw M or other equivalents, by which the shaft L
revolves with the action of the bevel gearing before mentioned. The cross-shaft L
extends across the "wheel-gate" and under the opposite carriage to the carriage of
the "decker "mule, being connected to the shaft of the tin driving cylinders in a
similar way to that above described; by which a synchronal motion is produced
to the driving cylinders coupled together; being carried to and fro with the action
of the carriage.
It is manifest that our improvements may be varied by making the shaft L
revolve in stationary fixings in which case it is provided with a key-way or a
feather to allow the bevel wheels H operating it to slide as demanded by the travel
of the mule carriage F.
To compensate for any unevenness or springing of the floor, or in case anything
drops on the carriage rails and causes the carriage to rise considerably above its
normal position, the cross-shaft L is provided with the bearings N mounted in the
universal joints O or other equivalents, which can be placed in any convenient
position according to circumstances.
A
Our invention will be better understood by referring to Fig. 1 which represents
in full lines an arrangement of "double deckers;" Nos 1 and 2 being supplied with
their own headstocks 7 and 8 respectively, Nos 3 and 4 being "deckers.". In our

page_text: arrangement the driving shaft A on carriage of No 1 mule is coupled to the driving
shaft A on carriage of No 3 "decker" mule, and No 2 to No 4 of the "decker"
mule. In the case of "triple deckers" as shewn in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and.
numbered 5 and 6, the cross shafts L are extended from N° 3 to N° 5, and from
No 4 to No 6..
..
It is obvious that our improvements may be constructed and applied with
advantage to what are known as "hand-mule deckers" without departing from
the principle of the same, being arranged to suit the various constructions
accordingly.
.
It will be readily seen that our improvements ensure a simultaneous and positive
motion of the driving cylinders for operating the spindles, producing an uniform
speed of the spindles when spinning and especially when winding. Slipping is
entirely dispensed with between the mule and "decker" spindles, with the result
of increased production and a better quality of yarn.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that
what we claim is
"
1. The method, substantially as herein described, of producing an uniform speed
of the driving cylinders employed in mules known as deckers," by means of
positive gearing coupling the driving shafts A together.
2. In apparatus for effecting a simultaneous and positive motion to the driving
cylinders employed for operating the spindles in mules known as "deckers" in the
manner referred to in the preceding claim, the arrangement of positive gearing to
couple the driving shafts A together, substantially as and for the purposes herein
set forth and shewn on the drawings, or any mere modification or imitation
thereof.