Improvements in or connected with Machines for Blowing, Beating, and Forming into Laps, Cotton or other Textile Material.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 15th May, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 17th Mar., 1590-Accepted, 10th May, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Machines for Blowing, Beating,
and Forming into Laps, Cotton or other Textile Material.
We JOHN ALSTON HART of Higher Bank Blackburn in the County of Lancaster
Engineer, and Doctor CHARLES BAYNES of Knuzden House Blackburn aforesaid
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention to be as follows
Our Invention relates to machines for blowing, beating and forming into laps
cotton and other textile material and has for its object to provide means for more
effectually controlling and regulating the operations of such machines and also the
textile material passing through the feed and delivery mechanism of such machines.
In carrying out our Invention we provide means which acting upon the textile
material during its passage into through or from such machines regulate and vary the
position of the strap on the cone drum or drums used for varying the speed of the
feed or delivery mechanism of such machines.
The means we provide for these purposes consist of a roller or rollers and a number
of pressing surfaces, between which pressing surfaces and the roller or rollers the
textile material passes. These pressing surfaces also act upon springs in a state of
tension or compression and the action of these pressers and springs is concentrated
upon and so actuates (directly or indirectly) the mechanism which controls the
position of the strap upon the cone drum or drums. One method of concentrating
the action of such pressing surfaces and springs is by fastening one of the ends of
each spring (say for example spiral steel springs are used) to a bar say of steel, and
fastening the other end of each spring to each pressing surface or to a part.in
connection therewith then by putting a suitable pressure upon the bar as for instance
by making the said bar of such a weight as to put a suitable strain upon each spring
and coupling this bar (directly or indirectly) to the mechanism which regulates and
controls the position of the strap upon the cone drum or drums when a variation in
the thickness of material acting upon any or all of the pressing surfaces, springs and
bar or weight, tends to put more or less strain upon the springs, such alteration in
strain will move the bar or weight and so actuate and vary directly or indirectly the
mechanism which controls and regulates the position of the strap or the cone drum
or drums and so regulate the speed thereof.
M.
We may use any suitable form or kind of springs such.for example as spiral
springs, flat springs, C springs, or rods in tortion, or we may use bands and pulleys
and we may use pressing surfaces mounted on levers, and knife edges.or combined
with springs, or we may cause the roller or rollers to receive and transmit the move-
ment, due to variations in the thickness and density of the textile material passing
between the pressing surfaces and the roller or rollers, to the mechanism which moves
and controls the position of the strap upon the cone drum or drums.
We may enclose all or a part of the mechanism to exclude extraneous inatter..
1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Machines for Blowing, Beating,
and Forming into Laps, Cotton or other Textile Material.
'
We JOHN ALSTON HART of Higher Bank Blackburn in the County of Lancaster
Engineer and Doctor CHARLES BAYNES of Knuzden House Blackburn aforesaid
Engineer 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:
Our Invention relates to the thickness gauging mechanism used in machines for
blowing beating and forming into laps cotton or other textile material for the purpose
of enabling the quantity of such material passing into through or from the machine
to be controlled and regulated and our said Invention has for its essential feature the
use of springs or of a system of springs as a means for combining averaging or con-
centrating the action of the several pressing surfaces (whether rotary or not) used in
such gauging mechanism and thus obtaining the average thickness of the textile
material passing between a series of such pressing surfaces and a roller or rollers so
that the quantity of textile material passing into through or from the machine can be
regulated in any desired way, such for instance as by controlling the speed varying
mechanism by which the feeding or delivery of the textile material is effected.
By the use of springs for such concentrating or combining of the actions of the
pressing surfaces in place of the means hitherto used, the friction of the gauging
mechanism is reduced to a very small amount, there is less liability of its getting out
of order, the parts are subjected to but little or practically no wear, dust and fluff
have little effect upon the springs and the gauging mechanism is sensitive to the
slightest variations in the thickness of the sheet of textile material passing through it.
In order that our Invention may be well understood we will describe with
reference to the accompanying Drawings manners in which the same may be carried
into practical effect. We premise that we do not limit ourselves to the forms of
springs or their mode of connection between the parts with which they are connected
or to the precise details which we hereinafter describe and illustrate.
Figures 1 and 2 shew an arrangement according to our Invention as applied to the
ordinary pressers and gauges used in a cotton lap finisher and as applied to regulating
and controlling the quantity of textile material passing into such machines.
A is the feed roller add B D the series of cotton pressers or levers freely supported
on the shaft C and having at B surfaces suitably formed for pressing and gauging the
cotton or other textile material which passes between them and the roller A as it is
fed into the machine.
Our Invention is shewn applied to the ends D of such pressers. The bar F is
suspended from the ends D by the series of spiral springs E, each spring having one
end attached to a separate cotton presser and the other end to the bar F and the
resulting motion of this bar F is used to control the speed varying mechanism by
which the feed roller A is driven; in the Figure we have shewn the speed varying
mechanism ordinarily used for the purpose consisting of a pair of cone drums K Ki
connected by a strap (not shewn in Figure 1). One cone drum K is driven off some
suitable shaft of the machine through the pulley R, the other or variable one K' bears
on its axis the worm L gearing into the worm wheel M which drives the feed
roller A.
The two connected strap forks I, I which control the position of the strap on the
cone drums and thereby the speed of the feed roller being controlled by the pin H¹
projecting from one end of the lever H which is suspended from the bar F by the
pin G and having its other or fulcrum end adjustable by means of the nuts P P fixing
the fulcrum T in the bracket Q fixed to the framing.
The bar F while free to rise and fall under the combined action of the springs E
should be so adjusted and maintained that it is always kept parallel to the line formed
by the presser ends D as they all hang in their lowest position with no textile material
between their presser ends at B and the roller A so that when there is the same

page_text: hickness of material between each pressing surface and the roller the stress put upon
the bar by each spring shall be the same when using a series of pressing surfaces
which are all alike in shape and size and springs which are uniform in length and
stiffness. For this purpose we provide any suitable parallel motion, such for instance
as that shewn in the Figure where 0 0' are two arins, one at each end of the bar F
and fast thereto, the bearing pins at their extremities being confined by slots
respectively in the bracket N fixed to the framing and in the back of the cone
drum box at N¹.
The bar F, lover H, and strap forks H', are of such a weight or so weighted, as to
give the pressure required at B for the proper pressing and gauging of the cotton or
other textile material.
The series of spiral springs E is composed of springs of uniform size and strength,
and their extensions should be proportional to the loads put upon them and when a
variation occurs in the thickness of textile material passing between the pressing
surface on the end of any presser or lever, and the roller, that pressing surface will,
through its attached spring, tend to put more or less stress on the bar tending to
move it, and by the combined action of all the pressing surfaces, acting through their
respective springs, the bar F will be kept suspended in such manner as to be, at any
moment, always the same distance below the average height at that moment of the
presser ends D, however irregular the individual heights or positions of such presser
ends may be; and consequently the rise and fall of the bar F will correspond with
the increase or decrease in the average thickness of the sheet of textile material
passing between the series of the gauging surfaces and the roller, and will by the
connection of the bar F with the speed varying mechanism regulate and control the
speed of the feed roller and thereby the quantity of textile material passing into such
machines.
Figures 3 and 4 shew another mode of carrying out our Invention in which the
gauging and pressing surfaces are combined with and form part of the springs
through which the combination and concentration of the motions of the individual
gauging and pressing surfaces is effected.
A is the roller between which and the pressers E E¹ the sheet of textile material
passes.
BC is a frame or piece extending across the width of the machine and supported
at each end on the adjustable knife edges R, on which it is free to turn with very small
friction. Fast to the frame B C are the levers D which bear the bar F, which bar is
connected to the speed varying mechanism which controls the quantity of textile
material passing into through or from the machine. Thus, for instance, the bar F,
may be connected by a link S, with the lever H, shewn in connection with the cone
drums, in Figures 1 and 2.
To the frame B (, are attached side by side the series of spring pressers E E¹
suitably formed at the end E for pressing and gauging the textile material as it passes
between them and the roller A.
The frame B C, levers D and bar F and its attachments must be of such a weight
or so weighted as to give the pressure required at E for the proper pressing and gauging
of the cotton or other textile material.
A
The figures.shew a convenient method of attaching the springs to the frame B C.-
groove J formed in the frame B C, confines the end E' while the ledge B supports
the spring nearer its centre; while the end E' being doubled back upon itself, forms
a projection which by bearing against the ledge or piece B', fastened by set screws to
the frame, restrains the springs from being drawn off the frame by the friction of
textile material. This construction enables the springs to be made of any required
width, however narrow, and by this means the number of pressing and gauging
surfaces in the width of the machine can be made as great as desirable and at small
cost and without involving an increase in the friction of the gauging mechanism; and
at the same time enables the springs to be easily taken out and replaced for examina-
tion and renewal.

page_text: We do not however confine ourselves to any particular method of attaching the
springs as they may be attached by any suitable means such for instance as by having
the ends E¹ fastened to the bar by cramps or set screws or by firmly fixing the ends El
in a groove formed in the frame or piece B. C by running into the said groove some
easily fusible metal.
The springs E E should be made so that the relation of the size of the pressing and
gauging surface to the strength of the spring with which such surface is combined,
should be the same for all, a condition best complied with by making them all of
uniform size; shape and strength their deflections should also be proportional
to the stresses put on them and when a variation occurs in the thickness of textile
material passing between any spring presser and the roller, that spring presser will
tend to put more or less stress upon the frame B. Ctending to turn it round on its
knife edges and by the combined action of all the spring pressers, the frame B. C will
by so turning on its knife edges always take up at any moment the same position
relative to what, at that moment is the average position or height of the presser ends
at E-however irregular the individual position or deflections of the various presser
ends may be and consequently the bar will by the movements of the frame B C to
which it is attached rise and fall with the corresponding increase and decrease in the
average thickness of the textile material passing between the series of presser ends
at E and the roller A and by controlling the speed varying mechanism to which it is
directly or indirectly connected, control and regulate the quantity of textile material
passing into through or from the machine.
The concentration and combining of the actions of the pressing and gauging surfaces
may be effected by alteration in the mode of the arrangement of the " parts :-thus
in Figure 6 if A be a roller and B. C. D one of a series of springs side by side having
their ends at B suitably formed for pressing and gauging the textile material as it
passes between such ends B.and the roller A then we may either confine the ends at D
say by a stationary bar or piece extending across such ends and obtain the combined
action of the pressing and gauging surfaces by the movements of a bar or piece
pressing against the series of springs at C or we may confine or support the springs
at C by a stationary bar or support extending across the series and obtain the combined
action of the gauging surfaces by the movements of a bar pressing against the ends of
the series of springs at D or we may rigidly fix the ends D of the springs in a
stationary bar or piece extending across the frame and obtain the combined action of
the pressing and gauging surfaces by the movements of the roller A suitably weighted
or pressed against the ends of the springs at B.
The frame or part B. U should be so adjusted by means of its adjustable knife edges
that when there is no textile material between the pressing and gauging surfaces of
the springs and the roller they shall all press equally against the roller so that when
there is the same thickness of textile material between each of them and the roller they
shall each give the same stress to the bar.
Figure 5 shews separately one of the springs used in Figure 3 we may in some
cases fill them in solid under the lip in any suitable manner as there indicated by the
dotted line, we may also in some cases taper the width of the springs throughout their
length or narrow or taper them throughout any desired portion thereof so as to prevent
side friction and in some cases we may fasten the springs towards the ends of the
frame B. C or confine them by projections thereon in such manner as to prevent side
friction between the end springs and the frame of the machine.
We may also use a dash pot or equivalent device in connection with the bar or frame
to obviate any oscillation thereof due to the vibration or action of the machine.
The roller A may be the feed roller or a roller specially provided and driven for the
purpose of gauging and the roller may be situated either above or below the springs.
The springs should be made of suitable strength to properly control the speed
varying mechanisun to which they are connected. For instance in the spiral spring
arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2 where there are shewn 26 pressing and
ganging surfaces in a machine 38 inches wide, we find a suitable strength is such

page_text: that each spring E when loaded with a weight of 2 lbs. will stretch one inch when the
connection of the springs to the ordinary cone drums is such as is shewn.
In the spring presser arrangement shewn in Figures 3 and 4 in which the bar F is
connected to the lever H and cone drums illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 by a link, we
find that a similar strength will when using 50 spring pressers in the same width of
machine be such that each spring presser when loaded at the end E with a weight
of 40 lbs. will deflect at that end one inch. The weighting of bar Fand its attachments
may be equivalent to a weight of 70 lbs. in the above arrangements.
Though we give the above proportions to indicate the stiffness of the springs used
in the arrangement, we do not confine ourselves to the ahove proportions as they may
be varied to suit the requirements of the machine.
In order to make the action of the apparatus more perfect by making the pressure
of each presser upon any particular thickness of material always the same at different
times whatever may be the average thickness we may provide means by which the
bar which moves up and down under the action of the pressers through their springs
can have additional weight or stress put upon it as the average thickness of the cotton
passing through the machine increases so that the pressure on the cotton passing
between any presser and the roller depends only upon the thickness of the cotton
between that individual presser and the roller.
This may be effected by attaching to the bar one end of a spring or springs having
its other end or their other ends attached to a stationary part such as the framing or a
special fixed bar provided for the purpose in such manner that the stress put by this
spring or these springs upon the bar increases as the average thickness of textile
material under the whole series of pressers increases.
The pressures under which the various thicknesses are gauged will depend upon
those thicknesses the pressure being greater the greater the thickness.
The stiffness of the spring or of the system of springs by which the additional
stress is put upon the bar should be equal to the combined stiffness of the upper
springs.
In this arrangement the upper or concentrating spiral springs should be twice as
stiff as in the case where the weighting of the bar is not varied with the position of
that bar in order that they should have the same control over the speed varying
mechanism. The varying weighting or loading of the bar may be effected by other
means than springs such as for instance by the action of a weight whose leverage is
varied by the position of the bar, a convenient arrangement for which would be by
making the strap forks shewn in Figures 1 and 2 of such a weight and disposing of
that weight in such a manner relatively to their centres of movement as to exert a
pull which varies with the position of the strap on the cone drums. The method of
rendering the pressures more uniform can be used with the form shewn in which the
pressing and gauging surfaces are formed on and as a part of the springs by which
the concentration of the action of such pressing surfaces is effected.
The amount of stress put upon the system of springs by the weights or other
means and the stiffness of the springs should be such that the resulting stretch will
be sufficient to ensure that every spring will at all times act upon the bar or part in
which their actions are combined and concentrated however much (within the limits
for which the machine is constructed) the extension or deflection of any one may differ
at any time from the average.
Thus if there be an average thickness of 6 laps passing between the series of
pressing and gauging surfaces and the roller in the machine shewn in Figures 1
and 2 and if at the same time there be only a thickness of one lap between one of
these surfaces and the roller then the spring in connexion with that pressing and
gauging surface should still give a stress on the bar or part and cause that pressing
surface to press on the textile material with a sufficient pressure.
We do not confine ourselves to the particular speed varying mechanism illustrated
as any suitable one may be used and the speed varying mechanism may be connected
to either the feed or delivery mechanism of the machine or so as, to regulate the
quantity of material passing into through or from such machine.

page_text: In place of using a speed varying mechanism the movements of the bar may be
observed to ascertain what regulation of the material is needed and these movements
of the bar may be rendered more clearly defined by means of a bar pointer or
lever connected to the bar and so fashioned and placed as to indicate the average
thickness of textile material then passing through the guaging mechanism and thus
enable the operative, in machines where raw cotton or other textile material is fed
into or on to the lattice of such machines to regulate and adjust the supply of
such material and so regulate and control the quantity of textile material passing
into through or from such machines.
In some cases we may use an indicating arrangement constructed in the above
manner for the feed end or lattice of a combined opener and lap forming machine
to the delivery mechanism of which is connected a speed varying mechanism con-
trolled by the same or a similar gauging mechanism in which springs are used in
the manner and for the purpose of our Invention or the quantity of textile material
passing into such machine may be regulated and controlled by the application of
a speed varying mechanism applied to the feed mechanism of such machine and
controlled by a gauging mechanism in which springs are used in the manner and
for the purpose of our Invention while the quantity of textile material passing from
such machine is still further regulated and controlled by the application of a speed
varying mechanism applied to the delivery mechanism of such machines and con-
controlled by a gauging mechanism in which springs are used in the method and
for the purpose of our Invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is―
First. In machines for blowing beating and forming into laps cotton or other
textile material, springs as a means for combining or concentrating the action of the
individual members of a series of pressing and gauging surfaces caused by variations
in the thickness of textile material passing between such surfaces and a roller
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second. In machines for blowing beating and forming into laps cotton or other
textile material the combination of springs as a means for combining or concentrating
the action of the individual members of a series of pressing and gauging surfaces
caused by variations in the thickness of textile material passing between such surfaces
and a roller with means for controlling or regulating the quantity of textile material
passing into through or from such machines substantially as hereinbefore described.
Third. In machines for blowing beating and forming into laps cotton or other
textile material the combination of springs as a means for combining and concentrating
the action of the individual members of a series of pressing and gauging surfaces
caused by variations in the thickness of textile material passing between such surfaces
and a roller with means for controlling a speed varying mechanism substantially as
and for the purposes described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Fourth. In machines for blowing beating and forming into laps cotton or other
textile material the combination of springs on which are formed pressing and gauging
surfaces the said springs being used as a means for combining or concentrating the
action of the individual members of a series of such pressing and gauging surfaces
caused by variations in the thickness of textile material passing between such surfaces
and a roller with means for indicating controlling or regulating the quantity of textile
material passing into through or from such machines substantially as described.
Fifth. In machines for blowing beating and forming into laps cotton or other
textile material, the combination of spiral springs E the cotton pressers or levers B D
the roller A a bar F and a speed varying mechanism substantially as and for the
purposes described and illustrated with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accom-
panying drawings.
Sixth. In machines for blowing beating and forming into laps cotton or other

page_text: textile material the combination of the roller A and springs E E' acting on a
weighted frame B C and a speed varying mechanism substantially as and for the
purpose described and illustrated with reference to Figures 34 and 5 of the accom-
panying drawings.
1