Machine for Inserting Diagonal Strips into Woven Fabrics.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Machine for Inserting Diagonal Strips into Woven Fabrics.
I, HENRY BURLING MORRIS, Machinist, a citizen of the United States, residing in
Geneva, in the County of Ontario, and State of New York, U.S.A., 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 the manufacture of that class of textile fabrics wherein
some of the strips, or threads are arranged as a warp and weft, perpendicular to
each other in direction, and other strips are diagonally disposed with reference to the
warp and weft. This mode of weaving is most commonly employed in the manufacture
of the " open cane work" used for the seats and backs of chairs. For this kind of
work, my invention is especially designed.
The machine embodying my invention involves improved means for inserting
diagonal threads into a woven fabric, improved means for feeding the fabric to the
mechanism for inserting the diagonal threads, and improved devices for severing the
threads at proper lengths.
The object of the first part of my invention is to provide improved means for
separating the threads in a woven fabric, so that diagonal threads may be inserted.
To this end my invention consists in providing one or more pairs of separators or
dies, adapted to hold the threads of the fabric apart, and open spaces or ways for the
insertion of the diagonal threads. In this connection my invention also consists in
certain improved organizations of instrumentalities and details of construction herein-
after set forth.
The object of the next part of my invention is to provide improved means for
inserting the diagonal threads in the spaces or ways thus opened in the fabric. To
this end my invention consists in a thread carrier or needle mounted on a frame or
carriage, reciprocating in line with the separators, and carrying the thread into and
through the diagonal open spaces in the woven fabric.
In this connection my invention also consists in providing devices for clamping or
holding the ends of the diagonal threads, after their insertion in the fabric, and during
the return or backward movement of the needle.

page_text: My invention, in this connection, also consists in improved devices for cutting the
diagonal threads to the proper lengths after their insertion in the fabric, and after the
needle has reached the extremity of its backward movement.
The object of the next part of my invention is to provide improved means for
feeding the woven fabric to the separators. To this end my invention consists in
providing a roller having series of pins, suitably spaced, to take hold of the fabric
between the warp and weft threads, and in arranging a second roller in close prox-
imity to the first roller, and provided with recesses into which the pins of the first
roller project.
Certain improved organizations of instrumentalities and details of construction,
which render the machine simple and effective are also comprehended in my inven-
tion, and will be hereinafter fully described.
The subject-matter claimed is hereinafter designated.
In the accompanying drawings-
Fig. 1, is a plan view of my improved machine, with some of the parts removed.
Fig. 2, is an elevation of the same, from the right hand side, with some of the
parts omitted to better illustrate the working parts.
Fig. 3, is an enlarged detailed view, partly broken away, of one pair of dies or
separators, showing also the needle for inserting the diagonal threads, the mechanism
for reciprocating the needle, and devices for holding the threads after their insertion
by the needle.
Fig. 4, is an enlarged view, partly in section, of one end of the dies or separators,
and devices for retaining the threads after their insertion.
"
Fig. 5, is a perspective view, partly broken away, of the dies, the needle, its carrying
frame, and devices for securing the diagonal strip, after its insertion.
Fig. 6, is a transverse section of the dios or separators, showing how the threads
of the fabric are separated, and also showing, in section, the needle-carrying frame.
Fig. 7, is a perspective view of one of the lower dies.
Fig. 8, is a plan view of the same.
Fig. 9, is a side view of the needle, the inner end being broken away.
Fig. 10, is a longitudinal, central section of the outer end of the needle, and also a
cross section of the same.
Fig. 11, is a plan view of a portion of the woven fabric into which the diagonal
threads are inserted.
Fig. 12, is a similar view with the diagonal threads in placo; and,
Fig. 13, is a detail view of the gear for causing the feed rolls to revolve
synchronously.
For convenience I will term that end of the machine indicated by the letter A, the
front end, and that end indicated by the letter B, the rear end. C indicates the right
hand side, and D, the left hand side.
The main frame or bed E, may be of any suitable construction, but is preferably
rectangular, as shown. Upright standards F, and G, are arranged respectively on
opposite sides of the frame E, about midway between its ends. A shaft H, is mounted
in suitable bearings in the lower ends of the uprights F, and G, and projects a short
distance from each side thereof. The driving pulley I, is secured to the right hand
end of the shaft H, as indicated in Fig. 1. A cam J, is secured to the shaft H, near
the inner side of the upright F.
The groovej, of the cam J, is engaged by a friction roller k, on the operating
rod K, of the feed-rollers. The rod K, is bifurcated at k¹, as shown, to straddle the
main driving shaft. The lower end k³, of the rod, projects through a guide
secured to the frame E. On the rear end of the frame are mounted two uprights L,
in the upper ends of which are mounted the feed-rollers M and M', secured to
shafts M, and M. On the shafts M. M³, are gear-wheels m', m³, which are of the
same size and which intermesh so that the rollers revolve synchronously and one of
the rollers preferably the lower one-is provided with a ratchet-wheel m, with
which the upper end of the rod K, engages. A gravity-pawl m', also engages with
the ratchet-wheel m, and prevents the backward movement of the rollers.

page_text: As the cam J, on the main driving-shaft, revolves, the rod K, is reciprocated inter-
mittently.e., at each revolution of the driving-shaft to engage alternately with
the teeth of the ratchet-wheel m, and turn the rollers, which engage with the fabric,
to feed it through the machine. The fabric passes through the machine in a continuous
length.
One of the rollers-preferably the upper one, M, is provided on its surface with a
series of radially projecting pins m³, which enter corresponding recesses in the lower
roller M'. The pins on the roller are suitably spaced to correspond with the openings
in the fabric N, so that, at each actuation of the rollers, a horizontal series of pins
will engage with the threads of the fabric, and feed it forward a distance corresponding
to the distance between the threads.
Fig. 11, illustrates the formation of the fabric, which is of usual construction.
On the upper end of the upright F, is arranged a cross-bar F¹, and on the opposite
upright G, is arranged a cross-bar G¹. The bars F1 and G¹ support the lower dies
or separators, which are disposed diagonally, relatively to the fabric, as it passes over
them. The lower die or separator O, at the front end of the machine, extends from
the front end of the cross-bar G', to the cross-bar F¹, and is firmly secured thereto.
The lower die O', at the rear end, is disposed diagonally in an opposite direction to
that of the die O, and is secured to the cross-bars F and G, in a similar manner. The
inner ends of the dies 0, and 0¹, are brought close together, as shown, and from
these onds diverge at substantially a right-angle, their outer ends being widely
separated, as indicated in Fig 1.
1
The upper dies P. and P₁, are arranged to act directly over the dies O, and 0¹,
and are secured to a triangular frame Q, the apex of which is directly over the inner
ends of the dies, and the sides are connected at their outer ends by the base g. On
each side of the driving-shaft H, outside the uprights F, and G, are secured cams R, R',
cach provided with a cam-groover, with which engage friction rollers 7, on the
lower ends of upright rods, extending through guide-ways r³, in the uprights F,
and G, and secured at their upper ends, respectively, to the apex and base of the
triangular frame Q. As the cams R, R', on the driving-shaft, revolve, the rods,
are reciprocated vertically, and consequently raise and lower the triangular frame Q,
carrying with it the upper dios P, and P
The formation of the upper and lower dies is shown particularly in Figs. 4 to 8,
inclusive.
I will describe the details of construction of the dies O and P, at the front end of
the machine. The dies O', and P1, at the rear end are similar in construction and
operation, the only difference being the direction in which they are disposed-as
above explained.
The lower die O, is formed on its upper face with a series of projections o, which
alternate with a series of recesses O¹. These projections and recesses extend diago-
nally across the dies, to conform to the direction of the longitudinal threads of the
fabric, which extend through and over them..
The upper die P, is likewise formed with a series of projections and recesses,
arranged so that the projections on the upper die shall enter the recesses in the lower
die, and the projections on the lower die are arranged to enter the recesses in the
apper die. Guide-pins p,-preferably secured to the upper die, and projecting
downwardly are arranged to enter corresponding recesses p¹, in the lower die. These
pins, by entering the interstices of the fabric, serve to prevent lateral or longitudinal
movement, while the dies are together.
The outer end of the lower die O, which is prolonged a short distance beyond the
upper die, is provided with an upwardly projecting block O', having a recess 0%, for
the reception of a plate or blade P¹, on the outer end of the upper die P. The
projections o, on the upper and lower dies are provided with grooves o², which are
all in line with each other, and form a passage or race between the dies, when they
are together. The projection 0%, and plate P', are perforated at o³, and p³, so that when
the dies are together the openings o³, and p³, and the grooves o³, are in line with each
other.

page_text: When the upper die is depressed against the lower die, it separates the threads
of the fabric, which is between them, and opens a passage or way through which a
diagonal thread may be passed. The warp threads or strips are elevated, and the
weft strips are depressed.
The diagonal strips which are inserted into the fabric are taken from a continuous
strip of material, which, when cane is used, may be formed by gluing or otherwise
securing short strips of the material together. The end of the strip is carried by a
needle S, preferably formed as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. In this instance the needle
is hollow, its outer end being slightly tapered and split at s, as shown, and provided
with forwardly projecting teeth, which firmly clamp the end of the strip, and carry
it forward. The needle is preferably made of steel, or of some other metal having
sufficient resiliency to cause the teeth s¹, to firmly clamp the threads. One end of the
needle which I term the heel-is secured to a bracket T, mounted on the end of a
frame T¹, which is provided with a dove-tailed tongue T2, fitting in a dove-tailed
recess T³, in the underside of the frame O.
The needle S, is somewhat longer than the dies O, and P, and is adapted to pass
through the openings o³, and p2, and through the grooves o³, in the projections of the
dies.
At the extremity of its backward movement, the point of the needlo rests in
the opening o³, of the block o³.
The under side of the frame T', is provided with a toothed bar T, which engages
a segmental rack T%, on the upper end of a rocking-bar T. The lower end of the
bar is hinged to a bracket T', on the main frame E. A friction-roller t, near the
lower end of the bar T, engages with a cam groove u, in the cam U, which is
mounted on the end of a shaft U', having its bearings in a bracket U2, and flexibly
connected at its inner end to a short shaft Us, journaled in bearings in a bracket U³,
projecting from the main frame. The shaft U4, carries a gear wheel U, which engages
with a cog U, secured to the main driving-shaft H. The cam U, is thus revolved
..multaneously with the driving-shaft, and causes the rocking bar T, to oscillate, thus
moving the needle-carrier T¹, back and forth parallel with the dies, and causing the
needle S, to pass through the race or passage-way between the dies and between the
threads of the fabric, when the dies are together.
The needle carries the strip diagonally through the fabric, a short portion of the
strip extending beyond the point of the needle at each forward movement. When
the needle has reached the extremity of its inward movement, the end of the strip
is clamped and held fast during the return or backward movement of the needle.
The devices for clamping the end of the strip preferably consists of a bell-crank
lever V, pivoted in a slot v, at the inner end of the lower die O. The lower end of
the lever V, projects beneath the die, and the needle-carrying frame T¹, abuts against
it at the extremity of its backward movement. The upper and forward end of the
bell-crank lever is provided with a pin or stud v', projecting downwardly therefrom
and adapted to pierce and hold the end of the strip or thread at the proper time. A
lug, projects forwardly from the upper end of the bell-crank lover, and engages at
times with a lug 3, on the inner end of the upper dio, P. A spring, secured to
the outer end of the lower die O, engages with recesses, and, at the upper
inner end of the lever V. When the needle-carrying frame has reached the extremity
of its forward movement it abuts against the lower end of the lever V, and rocks
it on it on its axis, so as to depress its upper end, and cause the stud v', to engage
with the end of the strip or thread, projecting from the needle. The spring *,
then engages with the notch, in the lever V, and holds it positively in place.
The lever V, remains in this position until the needle-carrying frame has reached the
extremity of its backward movement. The upper die is then elevated, and the lug v³,
engaging with the lug v³, swings the lever V, so as to withdraw the stud el, from
the end of the strip. The spring 1, then engages with the notch &, and hoids
the lever V, in its elevated position until positively moved back on the return of the
needle.
After the strip has been inserted into the fabric, and the needle has been. with-
drawn to the extremity of its backward movement, the point of the needle will be

page_text: located outside the recess 0³. When in this position, the upper die is elevated and
the thread is severed by the separation of the plate P1, from the block 0%.
It will be observed that when the diagonal threads have been inserted, their ends
project a short distance beyond the sides of the fabric. The block 02, and the blade
or plate P, are therefore slightly beveled and recessed, as shown, to allow the
projecting ends of the diagonal threads to pass freely by them, when the fabric is
fed forward.
As above stated, the dies at the rear end of the machine are similar, in all respects,
to the dies at the front end; the needle and needle-carrying frame, with its actuating
mechanism, are similar; and the clamping devices for the inner ends of the threads,
and the shearing or severing devices are duplicates.
The feed-rollers are actuated to feed the fabric forward when the dies are elevated ;
when the dies are depressed the feed is stopped, until a diagonal thread has been
inserted. After the insertion, and while the dies are elevated, the fabric is fed forward
into position for the insertion of the next diagonal thread.
The dies O, and P, not only separate the warp and weft threads of the fabric, but
also separate the diagonals inserted by the dies O and P.
The machine which 1 have thus minutely described, in construction and operation,
is simple and efficient, but it is obvious that the details of construction may be varied
without departing from my invention. Numerous modifications of some of the parts
will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and need not be specified.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed. I declare that what I
claim is―
1. In a machine for inserting diagonal threads in warp fabrics, the combination,
substantially as hereinbefore set forth,, of the separators for opening a diagonal
passage in the fabric, means for actuating the separators, the needle which carries
the diagonal thread through said passage, and means for actuating the needle.
2. In a machine for inserting diagonal threads in warp fabrics, the combination,
substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the separators for opening a diagonal passage
in the fabric, between the warp and weft threads, means for actuating the separators,
the needle which carries the diagonal thread through said passage, means for actuating
the needle, and devices for holding the end of the diagonal thread during the backward
movement of the needle.
3. In a machine for inserting diagonal threads in warp fabrics, the combination,
substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the separators for opening a diagonal
passage in the fabric, between the warp and weft threads, means for actuating the
separators, the needle which carries the diagonal thread through said passage, means
for actuating the needle, and devices for severing the diagonal thread inserted from
the thread carried by the needle.
4. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the separators for
opening a diagonal passage in the fabric, between the warp and weft threads, means
for actuating the separators, the needle which carries the diagonal thread through
said passage, means for actuating the needle, the feed-rollers for carrying the fabric
through the machine, and means for actuating them.
5. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the upper and lower
dies formed with a longitudinal groove or race, means for raising and lowering the
upper die relatively to the lower die, the feed-rollers for carrying the fabric through
the dies, the needle and means for reciprocating the needle in the longitudinal groove
or race.
6. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the main frame,
the upper and lower feed-rollers geared to revolve synchronously, and formed with
projecting pins and recesses corresponding with the interstices in the fabric, and
means for actuating the feed-rollers.
7. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the main frame, the
upper and lower dies, the main driving-shaft, connections between the driving-shaft

page_text: and the upper dies, whereby they are raised and lowered relatively to the lower dies,
the feed-rollers, connections between the main driving-shaft and the feed-rollers for
actuating them, the needle, the needle-carrying frame, and connections between the
needle-carrying frame and the main driving-shaft.
8. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the main frame, the
upper and lower dies, the main driving-shaft, the frame to which the upper dies are
secured, the vertical rods secured to the die-supporting frame, the cams on the
driving-shaft with which the vertical rods engage, the upper and lower feed-rollers
geared to revolve synchronously, the feed-roll actuating-rod, and the cam on the
driving-shaft with which said rod engages.
9. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of the lower die formed
with alternate projections and recesses and longitudinal grooves, the upper die formed
with alternate projections and longitudinal grooves, the recessed block on the outer
end of the lower die, and the blade or plate on the upper die adapted to enter said
recess, said block and plate being perforated for the purpose specified.
10. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the lower die, the
upper die, the needle-carrying frame, the needle, the bell-crank lever pivoted to the
lower die and projecting beneath it, a clamping-device on the lower front portion of
the lever, and a lug or projection on the front end of the lever engaging with a lug
or projection on the upper die, for the purpose specified.
11. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the separators, the
clamping-devices, and the needle formed with a horizontal central opening and tapered,
split and provided with forwardly projecting teeth at its front end.
Dated this 18th day of February 1889.
HENRY BURLING MORRIS.