IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Raphael Hunter Brandon of N° 1 Rue Laffitte Paris, in
"
the Republic of France, Engineer and Patent Agent for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING communicated to me by George
Crompton, Loombuilder of Worcester Massachusetts, United States of
America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Raphael Hunter Brandon at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th July 1883.
ני
RAPHAEL HUNTER BRANDON, of N° 1, Rue Laffitte, Paris, in the Republic of
France, Engineer and Patent Agent, "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
communicated to me by George Crompton, Loombuilder, of Worcester, Massa-
chusetts, United States of America
The Invention in looms herein described relates to improvements partly founded
upon the Invention for which Letters Patent were granted dated May 29th 1880
No 2195. and partly upon the Invention for which Letters Patent were granted dated
April 9th 1870 N° 1048.
This Invention has for its object an improved construction and arrangement of
mechanical parts whereby the action of the loom is made more certain, effective,
and precise, so as to enable it to be worked with greater ease on the part of the
loom attendant, and with less expenditure of power.
That part of the Invention which consists of improvements in shuttle-box-
operating mechanism relates: Firstly, to the combination of a series of pivoted
gear-carriers, toothed cranks pivoted thereon, and partial goars to oscillate the said
toothed cranks in one or the other direction at will, with a main lever in operative
connection with the series of shuttle-boxes, and with an auxiliary lever pivoted
thereon, each end of the latter being adapted to be moved in one or the other
direction, or both ends thereof in the same direction by means intermediate to the
said toothed cranks and the said auxiliary lever, the main lever deriving its move-
ments through change of position of the said auxiliary lever, substantially as
hereinafter described. It is however to be noted that some of the parts mentioned
as being mechanically suitable for being used as described, may, as is obvious, be

page_text: replaced by known equivalents, and this observation applies not only to the first
head of the present Invention, but to the second and following heads, as will be
well understood by those who are acquainted with loom machinery.
These said
improvements relate Secondly. To the combination of two independently oscillating
toothed cranks, and two partial gears to engage and turn the same first in one and
then in the opposite direction, with the main lever, and auxiliary lever pivoted
thereon, and two radius bars provided with pins or studs, and connectors joined
with the said toothed cranks, whereby the latter and their connectors are retained
in the same horizontal plane side by side between the partial gears which actuate
them, substantially as hereinafter described. Thirdly, to the use in combination of
two sets of shuttle-box actuating mechanisms located at one side of the loom
frame, and constructed substantially as hereinafter described, and containing
mechanism such as herein before named, the said two sets of mechanisms being
adapted to operate the series of boxes at each end of the lay, the boxes at the
farthest end of the lay from the main and auxiliary levers being connected there-
with through flexible connections substantially as hereinafter described. Fourthly.
To the combination of a shuttle-box pattern chain or surface, indicating levers
actuated thereby, and gear carriers with which the said indicating levers are
attached, with a pivoted lever on which the said indicating lovers have their fulcra,
and with a spring to hold the pivoted lever in position, to operate substantially as
hereinafter described.
The Invention also relates, Fifthly, to the combination in a loom of the close
shed order of the following parts, vis: a series of drop shuttle-boxes, a box-rod, a
main lever, an auxiliary lever pivoted thereon and actuated by pins or studs
deriving their movement from connectors joined with intermittingly oscillated
toothed cranks mounted on gear-carriers, and actuated by partial goars, shed
formning mechanism composed of upright levers, notched jacks pivoted thereon, an
elevator and depressor to engage the-notched. jacks, and means to actuate the said
elevator and depressor, a pattern-chain for the series of shuttle boxes, a pattern
chain for the shed-forming mechanism, one pattern chain shaft to move both the
said pattern-chains, and an upright shaft to drive the pattern chain-shaft, the
upright shaft having a system of gears and a clutch whereby the pattern chain
shaft may be driven positively in either direction from the said upright
shaft, or the latter bo disconnected from the shaft of the loom driving it, to
permit the said upright pattorn-chain-shaft to be driven by hand if desired
to find a lost pick, substantially as hereinafter described. Sixthly, to the
combination of two warp-beams containing two sets of warps, and two indepondent
sets of whip-rolls with two concentric shafts, and worms thereon to engage the
gears of and turn the said warp-beams, substantially as hereinafter described.
Seventhly, to the combination of two sets of arms pivoted on the loom side, and
the whip-rolls rigidly supported thereby, with weights to keep the whip-rolls
pressed outward, and to aid in effecting the tension of the warps, substantially
as hereinafter described. Eighthly, To the combination of the upright shaft of
the let off mechanism and its ratchet, pawl, and pawl carrier, and a hub provided
with an annular groove or surface for the reception of a brake, with a brake
actuated through the pawl moving mechanism, whereby the brake is made to
increase its pressure on the said hub while the pawl is moving it, substantially
as hereinafter described. Ninthly, To the use of an improved construction of
temple, the same comprising a base plate, a strap, a series of prongs or teeth,
a stud, a spring and a slotted drum on which the said strap is wound by tho
spring, substantially as hereinafter described. Tenthly, To the use of mechanism
under the control of the binders of the shuttle-boxes, whereby the picking of the
shuttles is prevented when a shuttle box cell opposite the shuttle to be picked or
thrown is already occupied by a shuttle, substantially as hereinafter described.
Eleventhly. To the combination of two rocking shafts having their bearings on a
stationary part of the loom frame, with the two rock-shafts of the picking
mechanism, and with means to connect them with each other and with the picker

page_text: sticks, whereby the movement of the picker sticks and shuttles is prevented,
substantially as hereinafter described. Twelfthly. To the combination of two
rocking shafts having their bearings on a stationary part of the loom with two
picking rock shafts, and means to connect them with the picker sticks, and with
intermediate mechanism between the said shafts first mentioned, and the picking
rock shafts, whereby the movement of the picking sticks may be suspended,
substantially as hereinafter described. Thirteenthly. To the combination in a weft.
stopping mechanism of a rod guiding plate provided with a curved surface, means
to support the said plate as described from and below the breast-beam, a knocking.
off-rod provided with a projection to co-operate with the said curved surface and
turn the said knocking-off rod about its axis, with the lay, a plate attached thereto,
a weft feeler supported by it, and intermediate devices under the control of tho
weft fecler to slide the knocking-off-rod forward when the weft fails, substantially
na hereinafter described. Fourteenthly. To the combination with tho above in
the said mechanism, of a shipper handle, and a suitable arm or lever, and rod
between it and the knocking off rod, substantially as hereinafter described. And
Fifteenthly. To the combination with a shuttle box mechanism containing a main
and auxiliary lover, and the described devices for moving them, of a spring case to
contain the spring of the box rod whereby the spring may be made longer and
more durable and the rod be made shorter, 'substantially as hereinafter described.
The Specification of the patent N° 2195. A.D 1880, above referred to, doscribes
shed forming mechanism, substantially such as herein contained ; and tho
Specification of the Patent N° 1048. A.D. 1870, above referred to, describes a
shuttle box actuating mechanism, containing a long and a short auxiliary lever,
the latter having jointed to each end of it a connecting rod, and the opposite ends
of the said connecting rods being made to surround cranks of two independent
crank-shafts, having fixed bearings arranged in an arc of a circle. Each of the
said shafts has a gear, which is engaged aud driven in one direction only, and that
intermittingly, by a large gear having its axis of rotation at the centre of a circle,
the arc of which is occupied by the said crank shafts, and the said crank-shafts
each carry a loose gear and a clutch, making a complex apparatus requiring
considerable space.
One part of the present Invention, as stated, has for its object to improve tho
construction of a shuttle box mechanism containing in its organization a main
lever and an auxiliary lover, in order that the said mechanism so improved may
be made more simple, compact, efficient, and certain in its operation. As described
in the Specification of the said Patent N° 1048 A.D. 1870, all the crank shafts are
operated by one large gear, and the crank shafts are always rotated in ono
direction, but according to the present invention, the cranks, carried by gears
rather than by a shaft, are never rotated, but simply oscillated, and two partial
gears are employed, one above and the other below, to oscillate them, and the said
gears having the cranks being quite thin and having their fulcra on pivoted
gear carriers may be arranged very compactly side by side in the same plano
which enables the long crank shafts and their gears and clutches to be dispensed
with.
The improvements in let off, enable the warps adapted to be woven into what
is known as fancy fabrics to be placed upon two beams so that the warps
comprising the face or figure of the fabric may, if desired, be held at a different
tension from the warps constituting the chief part of the back of the fabric
whereby the said warps may be let off in variable amount. according to the
requirements of the pattern, and both of these warp beams are placed under the
control of worms on concentric shafts located at the same side of the loon.
The picker sticks at either side of the loom will be left at rest provided the cell
of the shuttle box at the opposite side of the loom and opposite the shuttle about
to be struck by the said picker stick, contains a shuttle, the parts comprising this
arrangement consisting of the binders, fingers resting thereon and pivoted on the
lay; tail-pieces connected with the said fingers, and two rock shafts pivoted upon

page_text: a stationary part of the loom frame, each rock shaft having an arm adapted to bo
struck by one of the said tail pieces. Each rock shaft has a second arm joined by
a suitable wire with a hook pivoted upon an arm loose on the picking rock shaft,
the elevation of either of the said catches preventing the picking cam from
operating the picker stick with which the said catch directly co-operates. The
oscillating knocking off rod has a rigid projection which is acted upon by the
lower end of a drop rod connected with the weft feeler pivoted upon a stand
secured to the lay. The knocking off rod has a second projection which
cooperates with a curved or warped surface on the bracket which guides it and
which causes the said rod to oscillate as it is being moved forward to strike a lever
pivoted on the breast-beam and stop the loom. The partial rotation of the said
rod as described lowers the projection first referred to, below the end of the drop-
rod, so that the latter need not be unnecessarily strained during the forward
inovement of the lay, and so that the projection which co-operates with the said
drop rod may be moved out of the way as the lay is moved backward and remain
out of operative position. until the knocking off rod is pushed back longitudinally
as it will be when it is desired to start the loom. The bracket and parts holding
the knocking off rod are made adjustable both vertically and horizontally with
relation to the breast beam so as to correctly position the parts. according to the
height of the lay.
Fig 1 represents in front elevation a loom embodying this invention, the central
part thereof being however broken out to shorten the same upon the drawing, part
of the shuttle box mechanism shown in other Figs being also omitted Fig 2 a
detail of one of the upright levers and notched jacks of the shed forming
mechanism. Fig 3 a left hand end view of a loom embodying this Invention, it
shewing more fully the shuttle box and let off mechanism. Fig. 4 a detail showing
the gearing instrumental in moving the long partial gears intermittingly and for
moving the rod which actuates the rocking shaft that reciprocates the lifter and
depressor of the shed forming mechanisin. Figs. 5 & 6 top view and section
shewing the temple. Figs. 7 to 11 inclusive enlarged details of the templo.
Tig: 12 a partial rear elevation of the left hand end of the loom shown in figure 3.
Fig. 13 a detail of one of the main and auxiliary levers of the shuttle box operating
mechanism and means for operating it, detached from the other parts of the loom.
Fig. 13, a diagram showing one main and auxiliary lever in full lines, the said
full lines and the different dotted lines representing the four different positions
which the said parts and attached box rod will occupy to insure the placing of each
cell of a series of four shuttle boxes opposite the shuttle race way. Fig. 13b a
detail of the lower end of the spring case, box-rod-and spring.-Fig. 14 a detail
of the loom illustrative of the mechanism to stop the picking. Fig. 15 a partial
side elevation of the right hand end of the loom chiefly to show the power driven
shaft which drives the cam and crank shafts, and to show parts of the let-off
apparatus. Fig. 16 a partial top or plan view of the right hand end of the loom,
chiefly to show the whip rolls of the let-off. Fig. 17 a detail showing part of the
apparatus for positively moving the whip rolls into their outward or back position
in case the usual tension weights fail to do so. Fig. 18 a partial sectional detail
of the loom chiefly to show the let-off mechanism. Fig. 19 a broken top view of
the two concentric shafts of the let-off' below the dotted line x-x fig: 18. Fig. 20
a vertical or longitudinal section of part of the outer one of the two concentric
slufts of the let off' mechanism with the inner shaft thereof in elevation. Fig. 21
details showing the manner of connecting the tubular whip-rolls with their
carrying levers. Figs. 22 to 28 represent details of weft-stop mechanism to be
hereinafter described.
Referring to the drawing, A represents the loom frame of suitable shape to
sustain the working parts. A' represents the lay operating crank-shaft, A the
connecting rods, A" the lay, d³ its swords, A³ the under or cam shaft, A' a bevel
gear thereon driven by a bevel pinion A³, on the shaft Aº, at the side of the loom
and having usual fast and loose pulleys. The usual driving belt (not shown,) will

page_text: be moved from one to the other of the said pulleys by a shipper fork fastened to a
rod A7, connected with an elbow As, joined with the shipper handle A³, which is
adapted to engage as usual with and to be held by a notch in the usual shipper
holding or locking plate A The upright levers o, notched jacks r, lifter 8,
depresser t, their connecting and actuating links u, v, rock-shaft g, its arm w, wx,
arm, link i, guide, harness frames n, cording connecting the same with the
said levers o, the brake 12, and spring 14, to prevent the pattern chain shaft
over running, and the means shown for vibrating the upright levers o, and
actuating the harness frames, are all substantially the same as in the described
in the Specification of the said patent N° 2195 A.D. 1880, to which reference
may be had, so need not be herein further described. The crank-shaft A¹,
at its left hand end outside the loom frame, has a crank a, provided with
a crank pin a³, which is extended through an eye in a link a', pivoted to the
lower end of the rod i, and having a roller adapted to enter a slot in the guide ¹,
substantially as described in the Specification of the said patent N° 2195 A.D. 1880.
The crank-pin a, at its outer end, enters a slot, see fig. 4, in a short crank a³,
connected with the hub of a pin-wheel a*, mounted loosely on a fixed stud a³, held
by a bracket aº, the pin of the pin-wheel engaging a star-wheel a7, fast on and
intermittingly moving a short shaft a³, having at its outer end a bevel gear a³,
which is in gear with the teeth of two reversely placed bevel-toothed clutching-
gears a, and b, both loose on an upright shaft b', having suitable fixed bearings
and having at its upper end a bevel gear bs, which engages a bevel gear 63, fast to
the pattern-chain shaft b', which has fast upon it usual notched hubs b¹³, b¹³, to
receive and carry the pattern chain 65, for the shed-forming mechanism, and the
chain be, for the shuttle-box mechanism. The upright shaft 6', between the two
bevel toothed clutching gears a, b, provided respectively with toothed hubs 2, 3,
(see figs. 3 & 12) for clutching purposes, has splined to slide upon but always
rotate with it, a clutching hub or sleeve 67, toothed at each end to be engaged and
driven by the teeth 2, or 3, of the hubs of either one or the other of the said
gears a¹o, or b, according as it is desired to rotate the upright shaft b', and pattern
chain shaft b, and pattern chain positively in a forward direction for regular
weaving, or backward to find a miss pick or to correct other imperfections in
weaving. The hub or sleeve 67, is placed under the control of the operator, who, by
the hand-lever 4, pivoted at 5, (as shown by dotted lines fig. 12) and having its
short end in engagement with a pin of a collar 60, adjustably attached to a slide
rod 69, is enabled to lift or depress the said slide rod so that the yoke 6º, attached
thereto will move the hub b', and cause it to be engaged and driven in one or the
other direction by one of the gears a, b, and with the hub the shaft b¹. When the
hub 6', is in an intermediate position and its teeth are free from both series of
teeth 2, and 3, of the gears alo, and b, the pattern chain shaft b*, may be rotated
by hand, the operator then engaging the hand wheel c fast thereon. Referring to
the shuttle-box mechanism, the rolls and spaces of the pattern-chain 6º, for. the
shuttle or drop-box mechanism act in succession upon the short ends of a series of
indicating levers c', pivoted at c², on a lever c³, the latter being in turn pivoted
at, and having its long arm acted upon by a spring co, the strength of which is
such as to be overcome and permit the lever c³, having the movable fulcra for the
indicating levers, to move in case of undue or injurious strain on the parts.-The
indicating levers c', at their outer ends, support rods 6, 7, 8, 9, connected
respectively with gear carriers 14, 13, 12, 10, placed side by side and having a
common fulcra 15, the outer ends of the said gear carriers being guided in a slotted
comb 16. Each gear carrier has a pivot or pin which receives a toothed crank c³,
having part of its teeth cut away or omitted as shown in figs. 3 & 13 and
provided with a crank pin 17, which receives a connecting rod cº, joined at its
other end with a pin of a radius bar having its fulcrum at c', now to be described.
In this present invention there are two pairs of radius bars, a long and a short
one in each pair. One pair if radius bars is vibrated by the toothed cranks
mounted on the gear carriers 10, 12, made available to operate the shuttle or drop

page_text: .
boxes 130, at the left hand end of the loom, while the other pair is moved by the
toothed cranks mounted on the gear carriers 13, 14, and made available in
operating the drop shuttle boxes at the right hand end of the loom. The short
untoothed portions or spaces 90, of the toothed cranks c³, (see fig. 13) permit, the
latter to be readily engaged by a tooth of the long partial gear which is to operate
it, and the longer untoothed spaces 91, of the said partial gear enable the same to
run out of mesh from the toothed cranks after the latter have been rotated a little
over 180 degrees. The toothed cranks are turned as described, in one or the other
direction, according to which long gear c³, or cº, drives it. The carriers being
raised or lowered by the rods 6, 7, 8, 9, in accordance with the indications of the
pattern-chain be, thus cause the toothed crank of any particular carrier to be turned
forward or backward to correspondingly move its connected radius bar to be
described. The toothed crank at the front (fig. 13) when next to be turned must
be dropped into engagement with the partial gear under it. The two partial long
gears c, c, mounted on studs 18, 19, rotate in opposite directions in an intermitting
manner and are connected to move in unison by means of two idle pinions 20, 21,
engaged with each other and respectively with pinions 22, & 23, (see fig. 4) fast
with relation to the rear ends of the long gears c³, c, respectively. The long
gear co, has fast upon it an arc shaped projection or detent e, which at times acts
upon first one and then the other of the arc shaped segmental Banges 24, oxtended
laterally from the gear d, provided with two series of segmental teeth 25, 26, see
fig. 4, and fast on the cam shaft A³. The long partial gear c', at the rear of the
projection co, has an attached pinion 23, having one of its teeth removed in order
that the segmental series 25, 26, of teeth may readily engage and then run out of
mesh with the pinion 23, to rotate it once and then leave it at rest, the shaft A³,
rotating constantly, thus rotating the said long partial gears while the segments
25, 26, are in engagement with the teeth of the gear 23, but leaving the latter genr
and the gears.c8.c, at rest after the teeth. of the.seginents 25,-26,-run out of inesh.
with the pinion 23, the detent c¹ then co-operating with a flange 24, retaining the
pinion 23, and gear cat rest while the gear-carriers are redistributed by the
pattern-surface and its connections to place the toothed cranks into engagement
with one or the other partial gear which is next, to partially rotate them.
The box-rod d, for the series of drop shuttle-boxes 30, at the left hand end of
the lay, is extended down through a strong spiral spring , and then through a
spring-case or shield d, and has attached to its lower end a nut d', said spring
being partly compressed keeps the nut d', in contact with the lower end of the
spring-case. The lower end of the spiral spring d³, is extended down into the said
spring-case, (see sectional detail fig. 13) and its lower end is supported in the
said spring-case at a point below the guide d (see fig. 3,) in which the said spring-
case slides, the said guide forming part of a bracket c', attached to the axis d, of
the lay. The spring-case d; at its lower end has a laterally extended pin d³, (sce
dotted lines fig. 1) which is embraced by one end of the link do, pivoted upon the
end of the main shuttle-box-lever e by the pin do, so that as the said lever is
moved, as will be described, the said spring-case is raised and lowered in its
guides, and with it the spring do, and the series of drop shuttle-boxes, the said
spring sustaining the entire weight of the said series of shuttle-boxes. In
case of obstructions to the movements of the said shuttle-boxes which would
break the working parts of the loom or otherwise injure the same, the spring ³,
will be further compressed as the spring case continues in motion. By lengthening
the spring case d', so that the lower end of the said spring terininates below the
guide de, a much longer spring can be employed than has been commonly used in
looms for this purpose, for the lower end of the spring d³, has heretofore never been
extended below the guide . This long spring insures certainty in the operation
of the boxes, enables them to be held more steadily, to jump less, and in case of
obstruction to the movement of the boxes, the spring being long, will not be "set"
as it is called by an undue amount of compression as would be the case with a
shorter spring such as heretofore commonly used; and in connection with the very
"

page_text: 'simple form of main and auxiliary levers and their actuating devices the whole of
.the shuttle-box mechanism is made more simple and accurate. The main
shuttle-box lever e, preferably. an elbow or angular lever having its fulcrum
at e³, has pivoted upon its upper end at 28, (see fig. 13) an auxiliary lever e³,
shown best in figs. 13, 13, it having two smooth faces 29, 30. There are
four radius bars operated by the toothed cranks. Those actuated by the cranks
having their fulcra on the carriers 10, 12, and marked 31. 32. forming one pair,
while those actuated by the toothed cranks having their fulera on the carriers 13,
14, and marked 33, 34, form a second pair. The radius bars 31, 34, are shorter
than those 32, 33. The corresponding bars of each pair of bars have pins 35, 36,
extended each toward the other and across the plane of movement of the main
shuttle-box lever located between the bars of each pair and at points at different
distances from the fulcra c', of the said radius bars, and the said pins receive
against them the faces 29, 30, of the auxiliary lever e³, the latter being kept in
contact with the said pins by the weight of the shuttle boxes acting upon tho
outer end of the main shuttle-box-lever. The pins 35; 36, act respectively against
the auxiliary lever below and above its fulcrum, and as the pins are moved
backward & forward in the arc of a circle by the toothed cranks and their attached
connecting rods the said pins may be made to simultaneously move backward or
forward the upper and lower ends of the said auxiliary lever, or to move either
end of said lever forward and the other end backward, such movements in
unison with or in opposition to each other enabling the outer end of the main
shuttle box lever e, to be moved to bring opposite the race-way of the lay at one
movement, any cell of the shuttle-box, and from any position. Each main and
nuxiliary lever and pair of co-operating pins and their actuating devices enabling
the use of a series of four drop boxes, and giving the operator control of the same
by most simple & effective mechanism of great durability and strength, devices
very certain and reliable in their operation and requiring but little power to move
them even at a high rate of speed.
The tier of drop shuttle boxes a³, at the right hand end of the lay, has its
box-rod supported as described with reference to the rod d', but the spring case d¹³,
substantially like the spring case d³, has an ear d¹³, with which is joined the
flexible connection g², part rod and part chain, extended over the three sheaves
ggg, its other end being fastened to a standard g', attached to a second main
shuttle-box lever go, having its fulcrum at e², in common with the main lever e,
already described, the main lever g³, being in every way like the main lever e, and
being operated in like manner by like devices, but by the flexible connection 9², it
will move the shuttle-boxes at the opposite end of the lay. The auxiliary lever g,
of the lever gs, is like the lever e³, and is actuated by the pins or projections 35, 36,
on the pair of radius bars. 33, 34, before referred to. Fig. 13 shows by full and
dotted lines the various positions in which each main and auxiliary lever may be
placed by the toothed cranks and radius bars to enable any one of a series of four
shuttle boxes to be placed opposite the race way of the lay at will, and it will be
understood that each main lever and its auxiliary lever may be moved in like manner,
each set of main and auxiliary levers controlling its own series of drop boxes. In
figs. 13, 13, the regular connections for the ends of the main levers with the
spring-cases are omitted but such connections are fully shown in figs. 1, 3, & 13b.
A holder 38, pivoted at 39, in a suitable stand or bracket, (see fig. 3) and having
an inclined or V shaped face & pressed toward the front of the loom by a suitable
spring or weight, has its face engaged by hooks or catches 40, pivoted to the gear
carriers at 42, and while the toothed cranks are in engagement with and are being
positively rotated by one or the other of the long partial gears above or below it
to effect a change of shuttle-boxes, the said catches are positively held in engage-
ment by one of the cam projections 41, of the cam shaft A³, the spaces 43, between
the said cam projections enabling the said catches 40, to slip off the holder as is
necessary to permit the gear carriers to be raised or lowered by the fingers of the
pattern mechanism.

page_text: The harness frames n, are are joined by cording n¹, n³, with the upright levers of
the shed forming mechanism. The take-up beam f, has a gear f¹, driven by an
intermediate gear f³, engaged by a pinion f³, on a shaft having attached to it a
ratchet wheel, actuated by a pawl f5, on a three armed pawl carrying lever fe,
pivoted at 7, and having a movable weight f, to keep the lower arm of the said
lever pressed toward the finger or stud f³, secured to the sword of the lay, the
said finger turning the said lever & moving the pawl backward over the ratchet.
The winding of the cloth on the take-up roll is effected by the weight f, the
position of which on the backwardly extended arm of the lever fe, is regulated by
the diameter of the mass of cloth on the cloth beam through the instrumentality
of a pad f, which rests against the cloth as it is wound upon the cloth-beam.
The pad is carried by the rod f¹, held in bearings f13, attached to the inner side
of the breast beam g³, the opposite end of the said rod marked f¹, being joined by
a link f, with and so as to slide the said weight backward on the arm of the
lever f as the diameter of the cloth on the take-up beam is increased.
Referring to the picking mechanism each picker stick h, is joined by a suitable
strap h, more or less rigid, with the upper end of an arm h², loose on the picking
rocker shaft h³, upon which is fastened a shoe h*, adapted to be struck by the
tappet rolls h. The rocker shaft h³, has fast upon it an arm ho, the lower end of
which is acted upon by a spring h", which normally keeps the shoe h*, elevated
within the range of the roller tappets h. Each loose arm h², has a hook pivoted
upon it at (see dotted lines at right of Fig. 1) which engages the upper end of
the arm ho, when the loom is running properly, and as the rocker shaft is turned
by the action of a tappet roll on the shoe , the said arm he, acting on the said
hook h', compels the arm h³, to turn in unison with the rock shaft h³, & actunte
the picker stick against the stress of its usual spring h¹. In the working of the
loom, if the two series of shifting shuttle boxes should happen to present
simultaneously opposite the race way of the lay a shuttle box containing a shuttle,
the picking of the said shuttles would be prevented automatically, for the binders
co-operating with the cells occupied by the said shuttles will be thrown outward,
and each of the said binders acting against an auxiliary protecting finger 50, will
cause an attached arm 51, (sec fig. 1) to come within range of and strike an
arm 52, on a rock shaft 53, having bearings on a fixed part of the loom-frame at
the rear of the lay, the said rock-shaft having at its end at the opposite side of the
loom, an arm 54, (see fig. 1) connected by a wire 55, with a hook 56, which
normally engages a projection 57, on a hub attached to the rocker-shaft h³, and as
the said hook is lifted it will not upon a projection 58, of a leg r³, attached to the
rear side of the book ', and effect the disengagement of the latter hook from the
arm ho, thus preventing the movement of the picker-stick as the rock-shaft h³ is
turned. The tier of shuttle boxes a, at the right hand end of the lay, has a like
finger 50, and arm 51, which acts on a like arm 52, on a second shaft 59, it in turn
having an arm connected by a like wire 55, with a like hook 56, to effect in like
manner the disengagement of the hook h², from the arm ho, on the shaft h³, at the
left hand side of the loom. These two shafts 53, & 59, are provided with a
suitable hand-lever 60, (see fig. 15) by which to turn them and lift both hooks h³,
when it is desired to find lost picks by reversing the pattern-chain by means of
the clutch on the upright shaft and to run the pattern chain in the reverse direction,
to the place where the imperfection occurred, without actuating the shuttles, after
which the pattern-chain will be again run in its forward direction and the hook h³,
be dropped. A. spring 61, acts against the handle of the said lever to retain it in
place.
In fig. 1, 70, represents the ordinary protector rod carried by the lay and having
a protection finger 71, which rests against the binder of each shuttle-box as it
comes into position opposite the race of the lay.
The temple herein described and shown in figs. 5, & 6, and on an enlarged
scale in figs. 7, to 11, inclusive, is composed of a hook to engage the fabric at each
selvage, a strap connected therewith, a spiral spring with which the strap is con-

page_text: nected, a stud to hold the opposite end of the spring, a plate to hold the stud, and
a slotted drum to surround the spring & stud and receive about it the said strap
as the drum is turned by the spring. The loom frame, near the brest-beam, has
at each side an arm or plate 4, upon which is secured by a screw 75, a stud rº,
notched at its lower end (see fig. 11) to receive and hold the bent end of a spring 7,
the opposite end of the said spring being provided with a hook 80, extended out
through a slot (see figs. 7 & 10) in the drum 78, where it has hooked upon it one
end of the strap, the free and of which is provided with a hook 8³, provided with
several sharp or pin pointed prongs 82, to enter the fabric F, near its selvage as
shown in fig. 5. The drum 78, has a central hub which surrounds a reduced
circular portion of the stud 76, (see fig. 8) and turns thereon easily. The spring 27,
is so wound and held that its free end always acts to turn the drum, about the
stud as the spring is permitted to unwind, during which movement the strap 7º,
will be wound upon the said drum. The power of the spring and the extent of
movement of the drum to wind the strap may be regulated by loosening the stud 20,
& turning and refastening it in a different position by the screw 75. The druin is
retained on the stud by the pin 2:10.
Referring to the let-off, Figs 3, & 15 to 21, k, k¹, represent two sets of warps
carried by beams 2, 3, having usual heads or flanges and attached worm
gears k,, respectively engaged and rotated at the proper or desired speed by the
worms,, the former splined on the shaft k, and the latter on the tubular
shaft surrounding and concentric with relation to the shaft 7. (see figs. 18 & 20).
The shaft k has a ratchet k, and a hand wheel ko, and the hub of the ratchet
wheel has an annular groove ", to receive a brake k¹³, having a tail-picco
extended through a spiral spring k¹, and a washer k¹³, and an arm 16, adjustably
attached to the link k", which actuates the pawl-carrier 18, and causes the
pawl ko, to engage the ratchet-wheel ko, and rotate shaft k, at the proper
speed, or at such times as the position of the whip-roller ko, attached to
arm, pivoted at 2, demands,. The tubular shaft 3, has a ratchet m, having
its hub grooved at m', a brake m², a spiral spring m³, an arm m², a link m³,
pawl carrier mo, pawl m², and hand wheel me, all the same as parts having like
names and connected with and operating the shaft k'. The link m³ is joined at its
rear end with the upper arm of the three armed lever m³, pivoted at m¹º, and having
attached to it, between its lower end and the lower end of an opposed lever m¹³,
having its journals at m¹³, a tubular whip roll m. The whip-roll ko, has its right
hand end held in an arm n³, pivoted at nt. Each arm m³, & k¹, m", & n³, at its
inner face has a like annulus 46, and a projection 82, which receives about it the
notched end of the tube which constitutes the main part of the whip-roll, and the
latter is held in position between the said arms by a rod 47, extended longi-
tudinally through the tube and the said arms and provided with suitable nuts as
shown in the drawings. The Arm m¹s, has an extension m³, on which are placed
adjustable weights n, and the co-operating arm m³, has a like extension n², having
a weight n, (see fig. 3). Projections no, of arms ¹¹, & n³, have weights o³,
& rods o³, hung to them. The brakes k¹³, & m², prevent the rotation of tho
ratchet-wheels further than it is intended that their pawls should move them, and
the pressure of the brakes is increased as the said pawls act to carry the said
ratchets forward, thus preventing over running, as it is called. The warp k, for the
face of the fabric to be wrought in raised figures needs to be held under less
strain & to have a greater movement and so each whip-roll is made to operato
independently of the other in controlling the warp extended over it.
The arm n³, at the right hand end of the loom is provided with an extension p,
having a foot po, to rest upon the extension p, of the bracket p7, the extension p,
having adjustably attached to it a rod 2', joined at its lower end with a lever p²,
acted upon by the tappets p³, on the cam shaft A³, the said tappets effecting the
movement of the whip-rolls into their extreme backward positions after each beat
of the lay provided the weights hung upon the whip-roll arms failed to carry them
fully backward. The backward movement of the whip-rolls is checked & limited

page_text: by the foot p³, acting on the ear pº, of the bracket p'. The weights no, hung upon
the arms n, & the weights of, constitute means for retaining the whip-rolls
against the warp in a yielding manner to adapt them to follow up any slack
therein, yet permit the warp to yield to strain thereon. The whip-rolls are moved
backwards & forwards by the strain of the warps thereon at each beat of the lay, or
while the dents of the reed are borne against the fell of the cloth, and when the
strain on the warps is sufficient to move the connecting rods k", mo, far enough in
the direction of the arrows 100, (figs. 18, & 3) to place the pawls of the pawl-carrier
back of other teeth of the ratchets, then the said pawls, as the lay retires from tho
fell of the cloth, will turn the shafts k7, k, the distance of one tooth, the pawl-
carriers & arms being then turned positively by the weights. The whip rolls
put together as shown & described make a very rigid structure suitable to
withstand & resist any unequal strain which may be exerted upon the tubes at
either end, and leave, the warps without rods or shafts extended across above their
upper portions. Each pawl m', & 19, has connected with it a cord 65, attached to
a button 66, on the loom-frame back of the lay (see fig. 18) so that either one or
both of the said pawls may be thrown out of range of the ratchet to be operated by
it thus enabling the warp beam to be turned back by hand.
Referring to figs. 22, to 28, the weft-stop mechanism will now be described
Fig. 22 shows a section of the lay & breast-beam of a loom provided with the
improved weft stopping mechanism. Fig. 23, a top view of the said fig. 22.
Fig. 24, another like section with the lay moved forward, the weft being supposed
to be absent. Fig. 25, a broken top view & Figs.. 26, 27, & 28, are details to be
referred to. The shipper lever Aº, (see fig. 1,) has pivoted upon it a wedge-
blocks, having its inner face so bevelled that when the block is turned upon its
pivot, the said inclined face acting against the shipper-handle will force it laterally
from the notch of the slotted plate A10, which holds the shipper, thus releasing it
to stop the loom. This wedge block has a rod s_connected with it which is
extended through suitable guides on the breast-beam, and the end of the rod
terminates near one end of an arm or lever 85, pivoted upon the under side of the
breast beam at 80, the opposite end of the said lever marked 85, being made broad
and so located that the outer end of the knocking-off-rod 87, when moved forward
will strike against and turn the said lever on its pivot, &, its other end then acting
against a collar or block 112, to move the rod 8, & effect the stopping of the loom.
The plate, attached to the breast-beam has guide ways to receive the bracket t³,
attached thereto by screws t³, extended through slots t, (see fig. 27) so as to be
adjusted vertically to permit the foot 13, of the said bracket to be placed at the
proper height with relation to the lay. The foot of the bracket t, or an adjustable
plate thereon is suitably grooved to receive the shank of the rod guiding plate to,
slotted as shown at 86, figure 23, to be adjustably attached thereto by the adjusting
screw or bolt t. The plate to, has two curved, cain-like, or warped surfaces, 1, 3,
and the round knocking-off-rod has two projections to, to, which act respectively
against the said surfaces to, t¹, as the rod is reciprocated, as will be described, and
cause the latter to partially rotate or oscillate in the said bracket between the
projection or ears u¹, u² & 87, & 88,. The cam u³, is adjustably connected
by a bolt u', to the ear 88, of the bracket t, & at the rear end of the said
bracket is a back stop tx attached thereto, preferably in an adjustable manner
by the bolt to. The guide-plate 18 attached to the lay has ears 89, to
receive the pin or rock-shaft 113, of the head piece 114, to which the
weft-feeler v, is connected by screws. The drop-rod us, is connected with the
head 114, by the pin v, and is extended loosely into the grooved face of the guide
plate, behind a guard or bar v. The lay is chambered as usual to receive the
weft-feeler in case the weft is broken or fails to be laid across the said space by the
shuttle. When the weft is absent or broken, or fails to hold up the weft feeler v,
as the lay is moved toward the breast-beam for the reed to strike the cloth at the
fell, the lower end of the drop rod us, rides down the incline of the cam u³, sufficiently
to meet the projection to, which at that time is turned up as shown in figs. 22 & 26

page_text: and moves the knocking-off-rod 87, forward from its position, figs. 22, & 26, to the
position shown in figures 25, & 28, the front end of the said rod striking against
the arm 85, of the lever s", pivoted at 8, on a plate 115, adjustably attached to the
under side of the breast-bean, causing the arm 116, of the said lever to act against
a block 112, attached to the rod 8', which thus moved will release the shipper-handle
and stop the loom. The lever 85, has a projection 89* which strikes the shoulders
190, 191, of the plate 115, and thus limits the extent of movement of the said lever.
As the lower end of the drop-rod in contact with the projection to, of the knocking-
off-rod carries the same forward during the forward movement of the lay, the
projection, strikes the curved or twisted surface to and causes the said knocking-
off-rod to be turned or oscillated about its longitudinal centre until the projection to,
is depressed to pass below the end of the drop-rod us, that happening just as the
knocking-off-rod moves the lever 85, and the drop-rod passes beyond the projection t⁹,
as in figs. 25, & 28. As the lay A", is moved backward or away from the broast-
beam, the lower end of the drop rod passes over tho projection to, and strikes against
and rides up the cam or incline u³, lifting the said drop-rod & weft-feeler as in
fig. 22, ready for the passage of the shuttle along the race of the lay as usual.
When the loom is to be again started, movement of the rod 8, in the direction
of the arrow 92, fig. 25, by the shipper lever Aº, will cause the block 112, to
act against the arm 116, of the lever 85, and cause the said lever to slide the
knocking-off-rod 87, in the direction of the arrow 93, or back into working position
with. its rear end against the back stop 7x, as in fig. 22. As the rod 87, is so
moved backward the projection 9, acts on the inclined curved or twisted
surface t, and the said rod is thereby oscillated or turned in the reverse direction
from that when it was moved forward as before described, and the projection to,
is again clevated into the path of movement of the lower end of the drop rod u³.
At the next forward movement of the lay, if the weft has been properly laid across
the warp and the feeler is held up by the said weft, then the lower end of
the rod us, will not descend so low as to touch the projection to, of the rod 8', and
the latter will not be moved forward to knock off the shipper A³, and stop the
loom. By making the parts t, t, t, adjustable as described both vertically &
horizontally, the weft stop motion devices may be readily adjusted to the lay and
breast-beam.
Having now described the nature and object of the said Invention together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, I would remark in conclusion that what are claimed as the
improvements constituting the present Invention are:-
-In shuttle box operating mechanism of looms, 1. The combination of parts
consisting of a series of pivoted gear-carriers, toothed cranks pivoted thereon, and
partial gears causing the said toothed cranks to oscillate in one or the other
direction at will, with a main lever in operative connection with the series of
shuttle-boxes, and with an auxiliary lever pivoted thereon, each end of the latter
being adapted to be moved in one or the other direction or both ends thereof in
the same direction, by means intermediate to the said toothed cranks and the said
auxiliary lever, the main lever deriving its movements through change of position
of the said auxiliary lever, the said parts or their equivalents being constructed
arranged and operating substantially as herein before described.
2. The combination of parts consisting of two independently oscillated toothed
cranks, and two partial gears caused to engage and move the same first in one and
then in an opposite direction, with the main lever and auxiliary lever pivoted
thereon, and two radius bars provided with pins or studs, and connectors joined
with the said toothed cranks, the latter and their connectors being arranged in the
same horizontal plane side by side and between the partial gears which operate
them, the said parts or their equivalents being constructed arranged and operating
substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. The use in combination of two sets of shuttle box actuating, mechanisms
located at one side of the loom frame and constructe 1 substantially as shown and.

page_text: herein before described, and adapted to operate, from one side of the loom-frame by
connections as shown, the box rods of two sets of four boxes located at opposito
ends of the lay, all as shown and described.
4. The combination of parts consisting of a shuttle-box pattern chain or surface,
and series of indicating levers actuated thereby, and gear carriers with which they
are attached, with a pivoted lever on which the said indicating levers have their
fulera, and with a spring to hold the pivoted lever in position, the said parts or
their equivalents being constructed arranged and operating substantially as herein-
before described.
In a loom of the close shed order. 5. The combination of parts consisting of a
series of drop-shuttle-boxes, a box rod, a main lever, an auxiliary lever pivoted
thereon and actuated by pins or studs deriving their movement from connectors
joined with intermittingly oscillated toothed cranks mounted on gear carriers and
actuated by partial gears, shed forming mechanism composed of upright levers,
notched jacks pivoted thereon, an elevator and depressor to engage the notched
jacks, and means to actuate the said elevator-and depressor, a pattern-chain for the
series of shuttle-boxes, a pattern chain for the shed-forming mechanism, one
pattern-chain shaft to nove both the said pattern chains, and an upright shaft to
drive the pattern-chain-shaft, the upright shaft having a systein of gears and a
clutch whereby the pattern-chain-shaft may be driven positively in either direction
from the said upright shaft, or the latter be disconnected from the shaft of the loom
driving it, to permit the said pattern-chain-shaft to be driven by hand if desired to
find a lost pick, the said parts or their equivalents being constructed arranged and
operating substantially as hereinbefore described.
6. The combination of two warp beams containing two sets of warps, and two
independent concentric shafts provided with worms to turn the said beams, with
two whip-rolls and with mechanism actuated thereby to turn the said independent
shafts, substantially_as_herein before.described. -
7. The combination of two sets of arms pivoted on the loom side, and the whip
rolls rigidly supported thereby, with weights to keep the whip-rolls pressed
outward and to aid in effecting the tension of the warps, substantially as herein-
before described.
8. The combination of the upright shaft of the let-off mechanism, and its ratchet,
pawl and pawl-carrier, and hub provided with an annular groove or surface for the
reception of a brake, with a brake actuated through the pawl moving mechanisin,
whereby the brake is made to increase its pressure on the said hub, while the pawl
is moving it, substantially as hereinbefore described.
9. The herein before improved construction of temple to distend the fabric being
woven, it being composed essentially of a plate, a strap and a stud, a spring and a
slotted drum on which the strap is wound by the spring, all arranged and operating
substantially as herein before described.
10. The herein before described improved mechanism for preventing the picking
of the shuttle when the shuttle box cell opposite the shuttle to be picked is already
occupied by a shuttle substantially as described.
11. The combination of the two rocking shafts having their bearings on a
stationary part of the loom-frame, with the two rock-shafts of the picking
mechanisin and with means to connect them with each other and with the picker-
sticks, whereby the movement of the picker-sticks and shuttles is provented,
substantially as herein before described.
12. The combination of the two rocking-shafts 53, 59, having their bearings on
a stationary part of the loom, combined with the rock-shafts h³, and means to
connect them with the picker sticks, and with intermediate mechanism between
the said shafts 53, 59. and h³, whereby the movement of the picking sticks may be
suspended, substantially as herein before described.
In a weft stopping mechanism. 13. The combination of parts consisting of a rod
guiding plate provided with a curved surface, means to support the said plate as
described from and below the breast beam, a knocking off rod provided with a

page_text: projection to co-operate with the said curved surface and turn the said knocking
off rod about its axis, with the lay, a plate attached thoreto, a woft-fuoler
supported by it and intermediate devices under the control of the weft-feeler, to
slide the knocking-off rod forward when the weft fails, the said parts or otheir
equivalents being constructed arranged and operating substantially as horeinbeforo
described.
14, The further combination with such parts of a shipper-handle and a suitable
arm or lever, and rod between it and the knocking-off-rod, substantially as and for
the purpose herein before described.
15. The combination with a shuttle box mechanism such as is hereinbefore
described and containing a main lever and an auxiliary lever and the described
devices for moving them, of a spring-case containing the spring of the box-rod, so
that the spring may be made longer and more durable and the rod be made shorter,
substantially as herein before described.
In Witness whereof, I, the said Raphael Hunter Brandon, have hereunto set my
hand and seal this 23rd day of July, in the year of our Lord. One thousand, eight
hundred and eighty three.