REVEA Improvements in the Attachment of the Picking Straps of Looms.
Year: 1891

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
REVEA
Improvements in the Attachment of the Picking Straps of Looms.
A communication to me from abroad by CARL GUSTAV HELD, of Zittau, in the
Empire of Germany, Tavern Keeper.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 35, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, 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 and accompanying drawing, that is to say :-
The rapid wear and frequent breakage of the picking straps of looms are caused
principally by the loose attachment of the strap to the picker or picking stick,
whereby at each stroke a rubbing action between the strap and the picker takes
place.
The method ordinarily hitherto used for connecting the strap and the picker is
illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawing. The top or head of
an ordinary picker has an opening through its flat side, and the top above this
opening is provided with a vertical slit. The usual method of fastening a picking
strap to such a picker is effected by passing the slit end of the strap through the
slit last described and out through the side of the hole in the picker head, and then
passing the other end of the strap through the slit in the first end and drawing it
tight upon the top of the picker, as shewn in Figures 1 and 2.
Another common method of fastening is effected by passing the end of the
strap which is provided with a hole through it through the opening in the
side of the picker head and then up through the slit in the top of the latter, a pin
or wedge being then passed through the hole in the end of the strap, and lying upon
the top of the head so that when the strap is pulled tight its end is prevented from
being drawn out, as shewn in Figures 3 and 4.
These methods of fastening have the disadvantage that the end of the strap upon
the top of the picker head is, by the working of the latter backwards and forwards,
worn through in a very short time, neither the arrangement of fastening shewn in
Figures 1 and 2 nor that shewn in Figures 3 and 4 providing an unvarying and firm
attachment of the strap to the picker. Such an unvarying and firm attachment is
however provided by the novel method of attachment of the strap which forms
the subject of the present invention, and is illustrated in Figures 5 to 7 of the
accompanying drawing.
In this arrangement the strap is doubled and each end is passed through one
side of the opening a through the picker head, and the two ends brought up
together through the slit in the top of the latter, and through the loop
formed by the strap, which is then drawn forward and stretched tight, so
that a fastening is formed which remains tight and unworn by the working of
the picker.
The ends of the strap are wound, as shewn in Figures 8 and 9, round the
picking stick, after being passed through a transverse hole in the latter, and can be
fixed firmly by a binding string.
By the arrangement described of attaching the strap to the picker a saving of
from 200 to 300 per cent. according to the strength of the stroke, is effected as com-
pared with the ordinary method. The movement of the picker is regular and even,
and it is impossible for the slit in the upper end to give way as the strap moves
backward and forward.
As soon as the picking strap is worn close above the slit it can be provided with.
a strap-screw, and again brought down upon the top of the picker, the screw then
lying upon the latter.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
:-
The method of attaching the picking strap of a loom to the picker, by passing
each end of the doubled strap through the opening in the side of the picker. head,
and then bringing both ends together through the top slit in the latter and under
the loop formed by the strap and then stretching them tight until the loop is drawn
down, substantially as described and shewn.
Dated this 23rd day of January 1891.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.