IMPROVE- MENTS IN CORDAGE, WEBBING, AND SIMILAR ARTICLES, AND IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Tomlinson Bousfield, of Loughborough
Park, Brixton, in the County of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN CORDAGE, WEBBING, AND SIMILAR ARTICLES, AND IN MACHINERY FOR
MANUFACTURING THE SAME."-A communication from abroad by James
Amiraux Bazin, residing at Canton, State of Massachusetts, United
States of America.
Sealed the 14th September 1866, and dated the 8th May 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Tomlinson
Bousfield at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 8th May 1866.
I, GEORGE TOMLINSON BOUSFIELD, of Loughborough Park, Brixton, in the
County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CORDAGE, WEBBING, AND SIMILAR ARTICLES, AND IN MACHINERY
FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME," to be as follows:-
In the usual method of making ropes it is necessary to give the yarns a
much harder twist than would be essential for binding the separate fibres
together in order to compensate for what is taken out by the countertwist of
the strand, thereby making it necessary in laying these strands up into a rope
to give them a much harder twist than would otherwise be required, as it is the

page_text: tendency of each strand to untwist that keeps them all firmly bound together,
a hard twisted rope necessarily requiring an equally hard twist in the strands,
and thereby causing a constant strain upon all the fibres of which it is com-
posed; but where a soft and pliable rope is required, as the twist in the strands
must be proportionally reduced, the strands will be liable to be thrown out of
place, and into kinks by careless usage. To obviate this ropes are sometimes
made by braiding, which, though it prevents the strands from being thrown
out of place, is still more objectionable, as the strands in this case run around
spirally in contrary directions, and consequently a slight twisting of the rope
either way will throw all the strain upon one half the number of strands; and
where flat bands are required, as in saddle girths, reins, and other articles,
the usual method is to make them by weaving, like cloth, in which case the
crossing threads or filling only add weight to the fabric without in any way
increasing its strength, while the same objections hold in regard to making
this class of goods by braiding, as in braiding ropes.
To overcome the above-mentioned difficulties is the object of this Invention,
which consists in combining the strands of any fibrous material by an inter-
locking twist in which the strands all take the same spiral form that they
would have in a twisted rope of ordinary manufacture and yet hold each other
in place more effectually than can be done by braiding, this interlocking twist
being formed by successively passing each strand around to others, so that
each of the two so entwined shall in its turn entwine two others, and as the
strands all maintain this spiral form, irrespective of the twist in each, there
can be no unnecessary strain upon the fibres of which they are composed,
while under all circumstances, each strand will bear an equal amount of strain
with all the others, and cannot possibly kink or become misplaced.
And this Invention also consists in a new machine for forming the above
.described interlocking twist in which the spools that carry the strands are so
actuated that two of the strands are held stationary while another is passing around
them, thereby interlocking the strands as abové described, and this Invention
furthermore consists in so arranging the mechanism as to permit of its being
operated in either direction as may be desired according to the twist in the
yarns of which the strands are composed.
To enable others skilled in the art to understand and use this Invention
I will proceed to describe the manner in which it is carried out.
'Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved machine for making cordage
and similar articles; Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the same, below
the revolving platform; Figure 3 is a central vertical section through the
same, all the parts above the toothed ring with the exception of one spool

page_text: frame carrier being removed; Figure 4 is a plan of the machine, the same
parts being removed as in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan of the revolving
platform and sliding plates (detached); Figure 6 is a plan of the under side
of the same; Figure 7 is a plan of the under side of the same, the cam wheel
and gears connected therewith being removed; Figure 8 is a plan of the cam
wheel (detached); Figure 9 is an elevation of one of the spool frames with
its carrier (detached); Figure 10 is a section through one of the spools, and
a portion of its frame; Figure 11 is a perspective view of one of the spool
frame carriers; Figure 12 is a section through the tube or conductor through
which the finished rope passes; Figure 13 represents the manner in which
the strands are arranged in manufacturing cordage by this new method;
Figure 14 represents the relative position of the strands in webbing or flat
bands.
.
In the said Drawings A is the bed plate which is supported on legs a; from
this bed plate rise the standards b, which support a circular plate or ring. B, the
inside of which is provided with teeth c, every third tooth being cut away
at d for a purpose that will be explained hereafter; D is the driving shaft
which runs in bearings e rising from the bed A and carries at one end 'the
driving pulley E, and between the bearings the bevil gears F, G, one of
which engages with the intermediate gear H, which revolves on a pin f,
projecting up from the bed plate A, and engages with a gear I secured to
the lower end of a hollow shaft J, which revolves on a hollow vertical shaft
or spindle A' projecting up from the centre of the bed A, and carries at its
upper end a circular platform K, seen detached in Figures 5, 6, and 7, in
bearings g, in which revolve the shafts h of three gears L, M, N, which
engage with the teeth c of the ring B, as the platform K is revolved. In
this platform are formed three recesses 0, of the form shown in Figures 4
and 5, at the bottom of each of which is fitted a plate P which slides in
suitable grooves, and is steadied and held in place by means of a plate i and
pins j, a slot k (Figure 7) being formed in the plate P, so that it will play
on the fixed bearing 9. The outer end of this sliding plate P is furnished
with a curved ledge or projection 7 (Figures 3 and 5) so that when it is in the
position seen in Figure 5 it will close the outer end of the recess O and form
a circle; the plate P is also provided with another projection m, the outer
edge of which forms a continuation of the periphery of the platform K when
the sliding plate is in the position seen in red Figure 5. To the under side of
each plate P is secured a block n which slides in a slot o, cut through the
platform K, and from this block projects a pin p which fits into the cam
groove q.of the wheel Q (Figure 8); this cam wheel Q fits loosely over a

page_text: collar on the shaft J, Figure 3, and is driven by a cog wheel R, which fits
over and revolves loosely on the shaft J, and is provided with a pin s, which
fits into a slot t on the cam wheel Q, and the two are thus caused to revolve
together. The wheel R is driven by a smaller. gear S, secured to the end of
the shaft h of the wheel L, and thus through the connections explained the
motion of the wheel L is communicated to the cam wheel Q, each revolution of
which causes the plates P to be moved toward and from the centre of the
platform three times, for a purpose that will be explained hereafter. The
number of teeth on the wheel L is such that it will be revolved three times
by each revolution of the platform K, while two revolutions of the gear S
attached to its shaft are required for one revolution of the cog wheel R, and
cam. wheel Q attached to it, consequently two complete revolutions of the
platform K cause the sliding plates P to be moved back and forth. nine
times; T are the spools upon which the strands u are wound; these spools
révolve on shafts v (Figure 10), which are supported in the spool frames U,
of the form seen in Figures 1 and 9, the spools being prevented from revolving
loosely by springs 15, bearing against them as seen in Figures 1 and 10.
The shafts vare cut away at each end, so as to leave a shoulder 16 (Figure 10),
over which fits a notched disc a¹ which turns on a pivot 6¹, and serves to lock
the shaft in place in the frame U. When it is desired to remove the spool
from its frame U one of the discs a¹ is turned so as to bring its notch into
the position seen in red in Figure 9, when the shaft can be drawn out as
required.
To the under side of the circular top plate of the frame U is secured an
inclined strip c³, to which is fastened by means of a screw 17,the flat spring d³,
between the upper end of which and the strip c³ passes the strand u, which is
first led from the spool T over the bar e', and through the staple 18 and hole
19 in the strip &, the bar e¹ serving to prevent the strand from running off
the edge of the spool when full. The pressure of the upper end of the spring
d' on the strand, and the consequent degree of tension produced, is regulated
by means of the screw 17, which is prevented from becoming loose and falling
out when the machine is in operation by means of a wire spring f¹, which
embraces the screw just under its head and holds it tightly in place. Each
strand u passes through the opening in the top plate of the frame U; whence
it is led to the point 20 where the rope is formed.
The manner in which the spool frames U with their spools are actuated, so
that two of the strands u will be held stationary while another is passing around
them to form the interlocking twist will now be described. To the bottoin
of each of the frames U is secured a toothed carrier V, seen detached in

page_text: Figure 11, the portions 21, 22, of which fit one above, and the other below the
toothed ring B, while the central portion g¹ fits into one of the cut-off teeth d
as seen in Figures 3 and 4, and the lower curved portion h" fits against
the periphery of the platform K. As the motions of each of the spool frames
U while being carried around the toothed ring B are exactly alike I'will
describe that of one only, referring particularly to Figure 4, in which one spool
frame carrier only is shown in place without the spool frame, the remaining
eight being removed from the machine, the carrier V being in the position
shown in black with its central portion g' in one of the cut-off teeth d, and
the platform K being revolved the plate P is moved out into the position
seen in red in Figure 5, causing the ledge to pass outside the portion h¹ of
the carrier V; the plate P is now drawn in so as to enclose the lower portion
of the carrier in the circular recess O, around which it is carried, as seen in
green, by the revolution of one of the gears L, M, or N, which engages with
the central portion g'. As soon as the carrier is left by this gear in the cut-off
tooth d, as seen in red, the plate P is moved out and retained in that position
until it passes out from under the carrier, which then remains in the position.
seen in red until the next plate P arrives opposite to it, when it is carried around
the next recess O by the revolution of the next gear into the position seen in
blue, and again in a similar manner by the revolution of the third gear around
the third recess O into the position from which it started; W is a curved rack
with which the toothed portion 23 of the carrier engages as it is carried
round by the wheel L, so as to turn the carrier V in a direction to put the
twist into the strand which is taken out by its being carried around in the
recesses O by the wheels L, M, N. Every third spool frame is thus carried.
round one of the recesses O, while the other two remain in the toothed ring
B, as seen in Figure 1, and each spool frame in its turn is carried around
each of the recesses O and entirely around the machine, which causes the
strands to be interlocked in the manner above described. When the carriers.
V are in the recesses O the wheels M, N, may be raised up vertically to
allow of their insertion or removal, and a portion 24 of the edge of the platform-
K is made removeable for a similar purpose.
I do not intend to limit myself to the particular number of spools and strands.
above mentioned, as it is obvious that by varying the size of the toothed ring
B, any number which is the multiple of three can be used; the number. of
gears L, M, N, being also varied, one gear with a sliding plate P, and recess
O in the platform K being required for every three strands. If, however,
the number of strands be increased in the same ratio beyond twelve a hollow.
cylinder will be formed which will answer for engine hose, stout belting, and

page_text: similar articles, while if any one of the strands be left out a flat band or
webbing of a single thickness will be formed, and when the machine is to be
used particularly for the manufacture of webbing the toothed ring B, instead
of being stationary as above described may be made to revolve by suitable
mechanism in a direction contrary to that in which the spools are travelling in
order to prevent the twisting of the finished fabric which would take place if the
toothed ring was stationary. When it is desired to form a rope with a core or
heart piece the wire, rubber, cord, or other material to be employed for this
purpose is passed up through the hollow central spindle A¹ to the point where
the rope is being formed.
To the under side of the ring B are riveted a series of plates, Figures
3 and 4, which fit one on each side of the carriers V, when they are in the
cut off teeth d of the ring B, and prevent them from being thrown out of
place until they are taken by the gears L, M, N. The upper portion of the
pin s, which projects up from the gear R into the slot t of the cam wheel Q
is made eccentric and is provided with a handle 25, by turning which the cam
wheel Q may be thrown a little ahead of the gear R in either direction, so as
to insure the sliding plates P being thrown out in time to clear the edges of
the carriers V as the platform K revolves. The rope as it is formed passes
through an opening in a plate j¹ (Figure 12), at the bottom of a tube or con-
ductor X, the opening corresponding exactly to the size of the finished rope,
so that in passing through it all the inequalities are smoothed down and the
rope prevented from cockling. The plate j¹ is made in two pieces, half of the
opening being made in each piece, and the two pieces being held together
and in place by a suitable clamp. When a different sized rope is to be made
it is merely necessary to remove the plate j¹ and substitute one having a hole
of the size required. After leaving the conductor the rope passes over the
pulleys,, on the bar Y which is supported on the bent rods m³ rising from
the standards b, and thence over a pulley Z which revolves on a pin projecting
from one of the standards 6 to another pulley B¹, around which it is wound
four or five times, whence it is led to the reel C, by which it is taken up, as:
seen in Figure 1; this reel C is supported at the end of a bar n' held' in
place by a clamp D', and is revolved by means of a belt o¹ passing around. the
lower portion of the pulley B, which is attached to a horizontal gear 26,
revolving on a stud projecting up from the bed A, and engaging with a worm
E' on the end of the driving shaft D; the platforın K with the spools may
be revolved in either. direction in accordance with the direction of the twist
of the strand, as it is necessary that the spools should always revolve in the
same direction as the twist, in order that all the fibres shall lie lengthwise of

page_text: the rope as required to. insure the proper strength. When it is desired* to
revolve the platform in a direction contrary to the arrows 27 (Figure 4),: the
set screw pi in the bevel wheel F is loosened so that the wheel F can be moved
back on the driving shaft D out of gear with the intermediate wheel H; and
the bevel gear G is moved up on the same shaft, so as to engage therewith, and
is secured in place by a set screw q'; this device allows the driving shaft to
be always revolved in the same direction.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Tomlinson Bousfield in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 7th November 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE. PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
TOMLINSON BOUSFIELD; of Loughborough Park, Brixton, in the County of
Surrey, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord 1866,
in the twenty-ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said George Tomlinson Bousfield, Her special
license that I, the said George Tomlinson Bousfield, my executors, adminis
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said George Tomlinson Bousfield,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, ana
no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and
Isle of Man, an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CORDAGE, WEBBING, AND..
SIMILAR ARTICLES, AND IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME," being a
communication to me from abroad by James Amiraux Bazin, a person
resident at Canton, State of Massachusetts, United States of America, upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said George Tomlinson Bousfield,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should, particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Tomlinson Bousfield, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the

page_text: following statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved machine for making cordage
and similar articles; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the same below
the revolving platform; Fig. 3 is a central vertical section through the same,
all the parts above the toothed ring with the exception of one spool frame
carrier being removed; Fig. 4 is a plan of the machine, the same parts being
removed as in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a plan of the revolving platform and sliding
plates (detached); Fig. 6 is a plan of the under side of the same; Fig. 7 is
a plan of the under side of the same, the cam wheel and gears connected
therewith being removed; Fig. 8 is a plan of the cam wheel (detached);
Fig. 9 is an elevation of one of the spool frames with its carrier (detached);
Fig. 10 is a section through one of the spools and a portion of its frame;
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of one of the spool frame carriers'; Fig. 12 is a
section through the tube or conductor through which the finished rope passes;
Fig. 13 represents the manner in which the strands are arranged in manu-
facturing cordage by this new method; Fig. 14 represents the relative
position of the strands in webbing or flat bands.
In the usual method of making ropes, it is necessary to give the yarns a
much harder twist than would be essential for binding the separate fibres
together in order to compensate for what is taken out by the countertwist of
the strand, thereby making it necessary in laying these strands up into a rope
to give them a much harder twist than would otherwise be required, as it is
the tendency of each strand to untwist that keeps them all firmly bound
together; a hard twisted rope necessarily requiring an equally hard twist in
the strands, and thereby causing a constant strain upon all the fibres of which
it is composed. But where a soft and pliable rope is required, as the twist
in the strands must be proportionally reduced, the strands will be liable to be
thrown out of place and into kinks by careless usage. To obviate this ropes
are sometimes made by braiding, which though it prevents the strands from
being thrown out of place is still more objectionable, as the strands in this
case run around spirally in contrary directions, and consequently a slight
twisting of the rope either way will throw all the strain upon one half the
number of strands. And where flat bands are required, such as in saddle
girths, in reins, and other articles, the usual method is to make them by weaving,
like cloth, in which case the crossing threads or filling only add weight to the
fabric without in any way increasing its strength, while the same objections
hold in regard to making this class of goods by braiding, as in braiding
rones

page_text: To overcome the above-mentioned difficulties is the object of this Invention,
which consists in combining the strands of any fibrous material by an inter-
locking twist in which the strands all take the same spiral form that they would
have in a twisted rope of ordinary manufacture, and yet hold each other in
place more effectually than can be done by braiding; this interlocking twist
being formed by successively passing each strand around two others, so that
each of the two so entwined shall in its turn entwine two others, and as the
strands all maintain the same spiral form, irrespective of the twist in each,
there can be no unnecessary strain upon the fibres of which they are
composed, while under all circumstances each strand will bear an equal
amount of strain with all the others, and cannot possibly kink or become
misplaced.
And this Invention also consists in a new machine for forming the above-
described interlocking twist, in which the spools that carry the strands are so
actuated that two of the strands are held stationary while another is passing
around them, thereby interlocking the strands as above-described; and this
Invention furthermore consists in so arranging the mechanism as to permit of
its being operated in either direction as may be desired, according to the twist
in the yarns of which the strands are composed.
To enable others skilled in the art to understand and use this Invention I
will proceed to describe the manner in which it is carried out.
In the said Drawings A is the bed plate which is supported on legs a; from
this bed plate rise the standards 6, which support a circular plate or ring B,
the inside of which is provided with teeth c, every third tooth being cut away
at d for a purpose that will be explained hereafter. D is the driving shaft
which runs in bearings e rising from the bed A, and carries at one end the
driving pulley E, and between the bearings e the bevel gears F, G, one of
which engages with the intermediate gear H, which revolves on a pin ƒ pro-
jecting up from the bed plate A, and engages with a gear I secured to the
lower end of a hollow shaft J which revolves on a hollow vertical shaft or
spindle A¹ projecting up from the centre of the bed A, and carries at its upper
end a circular platform K, seen detached in Figs. 5, 6, and 7 in bearings g;
in which revolve the shafts h of three gears L, M, N, which engage with the
teeth c of the ring B as the platform K is revolved. In this platform are
formed three recesses ☐ of the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5, at the bottom
of each of which is fitted a plate P which slides in suitable grooves, and is
steadied and held in place by means of a plate i and pins j, a slot k (Fig. 7)
being formed in the plate P so that it will play on the fixed bearing 9. The
outer end of this sliding plate P is furnished with a curved ledge or pro-

page_text: jection (Figs. 3 and 5), so that when it is in the position seen in Fig. 5 it
will close the outer end of the recess O and form a circle; the plate P is also
provided with another projection m, the outer edge of which forms a conti
nuation of the periphery of the platform K when the sliding plate is in the
position shown in red, Fig. 5. To the under side of each plate P is secured
a block n which slides in a slot o cut through the platform K, and from this
block projects a pin p which fits into the cam groove 9 of the wheel Q
(Fig. 8); this cam wheel Q fits loosely over a collar r on the shaft J, Fig. 3,
and is driven by a cog wheel R which fits over and revolves loosely on the
shaft J, and is provided with a pin s which fits into a slot t on the cam
wheel Q, and the two are thus caused to revolve together. The wheel R is
driven by a smaller gear S secured to the end of the shaft h of the wheel L;
and thus through the connections explained the motion of the wheel L is com-
municated to the cam wheel Q, each revolution of which causes the plates P
to be moved toward and from the center of the platform three times for a
purpose that will be explained hereafter. The number of teeth
on the
wheel L is such that it will be revolved three times by each revolution of the
platform K, while two revolutions of the gear S attached to its shaft are
required for one revolution of the cog wheel R and cam wheel Q attached to
it, consequently two complete revolutions of the platform K cause the sliding
plates P to be moved back and forth nine times. Tare the spools upon
which the strands u are wound; these spools revolve on shafts (Fig. 10),
which are supported in the spool frames U of the form seen in Figs. 1 and 9;
the spools being prevented from revolving loosely by springs 15 bearing against
them, as seen in Figs. 1 and 10. The shafts vare cut away at each end so
as to leave a shoulder 16 (Fig. 10), over which fits a notched disk a¹ which
turns on a pivot 6¹, and serves to lock the shaft in place in the frame U.
When it is desired to remove the spool from its frame U, one of the disks a¹
is turned so as to bring its notch into the position seen in red in Fig. 9, when
the shaft v can be drawn out as required. To the under side of the circular
top plate of the frame U is secured an inclined strip c³, to which is fastened
by means of a screw 17 the flat spring d¹, between the upper end of which
and the strip c¹ passes the strand u, which is first led from the spool T over
the bar e¹ and through the staple 18 and hole 19 in the strip c¹, the bar e¹
serving to prevent the strand from running off the edge of the spool when
full. The pressure of the upper end of the spring d¹ on the strand and the
consequent degree of tension produced are regulated by means of the screw 17,
which is prevented from becoming loose and falling out when the machine is
in operation by means of a wire spring f¹, which embraces the screw just

page_text: under its head and holds it tightly in place. Each strand & passes through
the opening in the top plate of the frame U, whence it is led to the point 20
where the rope is formed.
The manner in which the spool frames U with their spools are actuated, so
that two of the strands u will be held stationary while another is passing
around them to form the interlocking twist, will now be described. To the
bottom of each of the frames U is secured a toothed carrier V, seen detached
in Fig. 11, the portions 21, 22, of which fit one above and the other below
the toothed ring B, while the central portion g¹ fits into one of the cut-off
teeth d, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4, and the lower curved portion h¹ fits against
the periphery of the platform K. As the motion of each of the spool frames U
while being carried around the toothed ring B is exactly alike I will describe
that of one only, referring particularly to Fig. 4, in which one spool frame
carrier only is shown in place without its spool frame, the remaining eight
being removed from the machine. The carrier V being in the position shown
in black with its central portion g' in one of the cut-off teeth d, and the plat-
form K being revolved, the plate P is moved out into the position seen in red;
in Fig. 5, causing the ledge to pass outside the portion h¹ of the carrier V ;
the plate P is now drawn in so as to inclose the lower portion of the carrier
in the circular recess O, around which it is carried, as seen in green, by the
revolution of one of the gears L, M, or N, which engages with the central
portion g¹. As soon as the carrier is left by this gear in the cut-off tooth d,
as seen in red, the plate P is moved out and retained in that position until it
passes out from under the carrier, which then remains in the position seen in
red until the next plate P arrives opposite to it, when it is carried around the
next recess O by the revolution of the next gear into the position seen in
blue; and, again, in a similar manner by the revolution of the third gear
around the third recess O into the position from which it started. W is a
curved. rack with which the toothed portion 23 of the carrier engages as it is
carried round by the wheel L so as to turn the carrier V in a direction to
put the twist into the strand which is taken out by its being carried around
in the recesses O by the wheels L, M, N. Every third spool frame is thus
carried round one of the recesses O, while the other two remain in the toothed
ring B, as seen in Fig. 1; and each spool frame in its turn is carried around
each of the recesses O and entirely around the machine, which causes the
strands to be interlocked in the manner above described. When the carriers V
are in the recesses O the wheels M, N, may be raised up vertically to allow
of their insertion or removal, and a portion 24 of the edge of the platform K
is made removable for a similar purpose.
!

page_text: I do not intend to limit myself to the particular number of spools and
strands above mentioned, as it is obvious that by varying the size of the
toothed ring B any number which is the multiple of three can be used, the
number of gears L, M, N, being also varied, one gear with a sliding plate P
and recess O in the platform K being required for every three strands. If,
however, the number of strands be increased in the same ratio beyond twelve,
a hollow cylinder will be formed which will answer for engine hose, stout
belting, similar articles, while if any one of the strands be left out a flat band
or webbing of a single thickness will be formed, and when the machine is to
be used particularly for the manufacture of webbing the toothed ring B,
instead of being stationary as above described, may be made to revolve by
suitable mechanism in a direction contrary to that in which the spools are
travelling in order to prevent the twisting of the finished fabric which would
take place if the toothed ring was stationary.
When it is desired to form a rope with a core or heart piece the wire,
rubber, cord, or other material to be employed for this purpose is passed up
through the hollow central spindle A¹ to the point where the rope is being
formed. To the under side of the ring B are riveted a series of plates i¹,
Figs. 3 and 4, which fit one on each side of the carriers V when they are in
the cut-off teeth d of the ring B, and prevent them from being thrown out of
place until they are taken by the gears L, M, N. The upper portion of the
pins which projects up from the gear R into the slot t of the cam wheel Q is
made eccentric, and is provided with a handle 25, by turning which the cam
wheel Qmay be thrown a little a-head of the gear R in either direction, so as
to insure the sliding plates P being thrown out in time to clear the edges of
the carriers V as the platform K revolves. The rope as it is formed passes
through an opening in a plate 1 (Fig. 12) at the bottom of a tube or con-
ductor X, the opening corresponding exactly to the size of the finished rope,
so that in passing through it all the inequalities are smoothed down and the
rope prevented from "cockling." The plate j¹ is made in two pieces, half of
the opening being made in each piece, and the two pieces being held together
and in place by a suitable clamp; when a different sized rope is to be made
it is merely necessary to remove the plate j', and substitute one having a hole
of the size required. After leaving the conductor the rope passes over the
pulleys k¹, P, on the bar Y which is supported on the bent rods m¹ rising from
the standards b, and thence over a pulley Z which revolves on a pin projecting
from one of the standards 6 to another pulley B', around which it is wound
four or five times, whence it is led to the reel C¹ by which it is taken up, as
seen in Fig. 1. This reel C¹ is supported at the end of a bar n¹ held in place

page_text: by a clamp D', and is revolved by means of a belt o' passing around the
lower portion of the pulley B' which is attached to a horizontal gear 26
revolving on a stud projecting up from the bed A, and engaging with a
worm E' on the end of the driving shaft D. The platform K with the spools
may be revolved in either direction in accordance with the direction of the
twist of the strand, as it is necessary that the spools should always revolve in
the same direction as the twist, in order that all the fibres shall lay length-
wise of the rope as required to insure the proper strength.
When it is desired to revolve the platform in a direction contrary to the
arrows 27 (Fig. 4) the set screw p¹ in the bevel wheel F is loosened, so that
the wheel F can be moved back on the driving shaft D out of gear with the
intermediate wheel H, and the bevel gear G is moved up on the same shaft so
as to engage therewith, and is secured in place by a set screw q¹; this device
allows the driving shaft to be always revolved in the same direction.
Having now set forth the nature of this Invention, and explained the
manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that
under the above recited Letters Patent I claim, as an improvement in the
manufacture of cordage, webbing, and other similar fabrics, laying up or so
combining the strands as to form an interlocking twist in which each and
every strand passes around and interlocks with two others as set forth, and
thereby brings the strain equally upon each strand.
Second, I claim in a machine for making cordage, webbing, and other
similar fabrics so actuating the spools by a mechanism, substantially as
described, that each strand will be carried around two stationary ones, and
thereby form an interlocking twist, as set forth.
Third, I claim the revolving platform K. furnished with a series of gears
L, M, N, sliding plates P, recesses O, and rack W, in combination with the
toothed ring B and a series of carriers V with their spool frames and spools
operating substantially as described.
Fourth, I claim the sliding plates P operated by a cam wheel Q in com-
bination with the platform K, and a series of carriers V with their spool
frames and spools operating substantially as set forth.
Fifth, I claim the combination of the gear L with its shaft h, gears S, R,
and cam wheel Q for operating the sliding plates V, as described.
Sixth, I claim the rack W, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
Seventh, I claim the plate at the bottom of the conductor X, constructed
and operating as set forth for the purpose specified.

page_text: Eighth, I claim adjusting the cam wheel Q by means of the eccentric pin s
on the gear R, as set forth.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the 91st.
October, 1866.