IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Bullough, of Baxenden, in the County of
Lancaster, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS
FOR WEAVING."
Sealed the 12th September 1865, and dated the 17th March 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Bullough at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th
March 1865.
I, JAMES BULLOUGH, of Baxenden, in the County of Lancaster, Manu-
facturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in certain modifications or improvements of the
Invention entitled "Improvements in Looms for Weaving," for which
Letters Patent were granted to me dated April 14, 1864, No. 936. In
that Invention I placed a slide or rod on or near the slay cap, and fixed on
the rod a number of forks or combs. The rod was held in bearings, and was
caused, at the proper time after the shuttle had passed, to make part of a
revolution by attaching. it to one or more levers, wheels, straps, or cords
worked by one or more eccentrics on the tappet or crank shafts of the loom.
This motion of the rod was for the purpose of bringing the combs or forks
in contact with the weft, and forcing it back towards the reed for. enabling
the weft feelers of the weft motion to descend sooner upon the weft than they
would be able to have done if the weft had not been carried back.

page_text: In my present improvements I employ the forks, whether with single or
double prongs, for holding back the weft in a line parallel or nearly so with
the reed, and cause the forks to be in position for holding the weft before the
shuttle passes across the race of the slay, the weft being held sufficiently near
the reed for the weft feelers to descend soon enough upon it. The said forks
are moved back by causing a lever on the rod which carries them to come in
contact with a spring bar when the slay is moving back, and they are moved
forwards out of the way of the cloth, when the weft is to be beaten up, by a
lever and spring or weight, there being adjustable stops to determine the
extent of the movements. The weft beyond each end fork passes in an
angular direction to the selvedges, thereby giving a greater length than usual
to each pick, the effect of which is to assist the work of the temples, and
cause more uniformity in the tension of every pick of weft, and thereby
produce better cloth.
In another arrangement I cause the weft to be held in a line parallel or
nearly so with the reed by employing pins working vertically in holes or
guides in the slay, the pins being raised to hold the pick of weft for enabling
the weft feelers to descend quickly upon it, and depressed to clear the cloth
when the reed is beaten up by means of levers having bowls working on or
in cams or inclines fixed to the breast beam; or the levers are raised up and
down by attaching to the floor or framework of the loom cords and springs
working in connection with the movement of the slay.
In another arrangement I fix two or more pins in the slay at sufficient
distance from the reed to allow the shuttle to pass across the slay, which pins
are for the purpose of holding the weft in a similar position to that before
described; and for enabling the pins to clear the cloth when the reed is
beating up I fix thin brackets on the breast beam, and raise the cloth upon
them.
In another arrangement I employ compressed air for blowing the pick of
weft to or near the reed after it has been thrown across by the shuttle for
enabling the weft feelers to descend without loss of time. For this purpose
I place a pipe at the front of the slay, and form in it and the slay a number
of perforations, and connect the pipe to a bellows or other apparatus for com-
pressing the air, the apparatus being worked by the movement of the slay, or
by an eccentric on the crank or tappet shaft; or, when desired, I fix jets or
tubes on the pipe pointing towards the reed.
In wide looms great inconvenience has been felt when the operative has
had to attend to the under working parts of the machinery, in consequence of
the back bar being in the way. In order to obviate this defect I alter the

page_text: shape of the said bar and leave gaps or spaces between the middle and ends,
the bottom of the gaps being attached to or forming part of the bed plates,
and the tops being held by connecting bars or rods capable of being easily
detached.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Bullough in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
16th September 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
BULLOUGH, of Baxenden, in the County of Lancaster, Manufacturer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said James Bullough, Her special license that I, the said James
Bullough, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said James Bullough, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and 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 for "Ix-
PROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said James Bullough, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly 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 James Bullough, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement,
(that is to say) :-
This Invention consists in certain modifications or improvements of the
Invention entitled "Improvements in Looms for Weaving," for which Letters
Patent were granted to me bearing date the Fourteenth day of April, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, Number 986.

page_text: In that Invention I placed a slide or rod on or near the slay cap, and fixed on
the rod a number of forks or combs. The rod was held in bearings, and was
caused, at the proper time after the shuttle had passed, to make part of a
revolution by attaching it. to one or more levers, wheels, straps, or cords
worked by one or more eccentrics on the tappet or crank shafts of the loom.
This motion of the rod was for the purpose of bringing the combs or forks
in contact with the weft and forcing it back towards the reed for enabling the
weft feelers of the weft motion to descend sooner upon the weft than they
would be able to have done if the weft had not been carried back.
In my present improvements I employ the forks, whether with single or
double prongs, for holding back the weft in a line parallel or nearly so with
the reed, according to the width of the loom, and cause the forks to be in
their extreme backward position before the shuttle passes across the race of
the slay, so that when the weft has been thrown it shall be at once held suffi-
ciently near the reed for the weft feelers to descend quickly upon it or detect
its absence. The sail forks are moved back by causing a lever on the rod
which carries them to come in contact with a spring bar when the slay is
moving back, and they are moved forwards out of the way of the cloth when
the weft is to be beaten up by a lever and spring or weight, there being
adjustable stops to determine the extent of the movements. The weft beyond
each end fork passes in an angular direction to the selvedges, thereby giving
a greater length than usual to each pick, the effect of which is to assist the
work of the temples, and cause more uniformity in the tension of every pick
of weft, and thereby produce better cloth.
;
In another arrangement I cause the weft to be held in a line parallel or
nearly so with the reed, by employing two or more pins working vertically in
holes or guides in the slay, the pins being raised before the shuttle passes
ncross the race of the slay ready to hold the pick of weft when it has been
thrown across by the shuttle for enabling the weft feelers to descend quickly
upon it, and the pins being depressed to clear the cloth before the reed beats
up by means of levers having bowls or pins working on or in cams.or inclines
fixed to the breast beam.
In another arrangement I fix two or more pins in the slay at sufficient
distance from the reed to allow the shuttle to pass across the slay, which pins
are for the purpose of holding the weft in a similar position to that before
described; and for enabling the pins to clear the cloth when the reed is
beating up I fix thin brackets on the breast beam and raise the cloth upon
them.
. In another arrangement I employ compressed air for blowing the pick of

page_text: weft to or near the reed after it has been thrown across by the shuttle for
enabling the weft feelers to descend and feel for the weft without loss of time.
For this purpose I place a pipe at the front of the slay, and form in it and
the slay a number of perforations, and connect the pipe to a bellows or other
apparatus for compressing the air, the apparatus being worked by the move-
ment of the slay, or by a tappet on the crank or tappet shafts; and when
desired I fix jets or tubes on the pipe pointing towards the reed.
In wide looms great inconvenience has been felt when the operative has
had to attend to the under working parts of the machinery, in consequence of
the back rail being in the way. In order to obviate this defect I alter the
shape of the said rail, and leave gaps or spaces between the middle and ends,
the bottom of the gaps being attached to or forming part of bed plates,
and the tops being held by connecting bars or rods capable of being easily
detached.
This Invention will be clearly understood by the following detailed
description thereof, reference being had to the figures and letters on the
accompanying two Sheets of Drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an end elevation,
and Fig. 2 a plan of part of a loom having forks fixed to a rod on the reed
cap, and also one arrangement of mechanism for enabling the forks to be in
their most backward position before the shuttlo passes across the race of the
slay for holding back the pick of weft in a line parallel or nearly so with the
reed immediately after it has been thrown across by the shuttle; Fig. 3 an
enlarged view of some of the parts; and Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are
views of parts of looms provided with other contrivances for attaining the
same object; and Fig. 11 a view of my improved back rail for enabling easy
access to the under working parts of the loom.
In one or other of the several Figures a represents the whole or part of
the end frames of the loom; b, the breast beam; c, the crank shaft; d, the
tappet shaft; e, the slay or batten; f, part of one of the sword arms; g, the
reed; h, the reed cap; and k, one of the weft feelers. I employ one,
two, or any other desired number of forks, according to the width of the fabric
to be woven; but in Figs. 1 and 2 I shew two only, one near each selvedge.
The forks, whether with single or double prongs, are shewn at 1, Figs. 1, 2,
and 8; they are fixed to the rod m, which extends from one end of the reed
cap h to the other, and works in suitable bearings. The said forks are moved
back to hold the weft, by causing the lever n, fixed to the rod m, to come in
contact with the spring bar o when, the slay is moving back. The top of the
spring bar is fixed to the framework of the loom, and the lower end is
prevented from coming too far forwards by the stop pin p.. The forks are

page_text: moved forwards, as shewn by the dotted lines, Figs. 1 and 3, out of the way
of the cloth when the weft is to be beaten up by causing the lever q fixed to
the rod m to be pulled by the india-rubber spring r, or by a metal spring or
weight, and the extent of the movements are determined by the stops 8, t.
Thus when the slay is moving back the lever n comes in contact with the
spring bar o, by which the said lever is turned until the lever q comes in
contact with the stop s, and then the forks are in their most backward posi-
tion before the shuttle passes across the race of the slay, ready to hold the
weft in a line parallel or nearly so with the reed after it has been thrown
across by the shuttle. When the weft is thrown across the slay it passes from
each end fork alternately in an angular direction to the selvedges, as shewn
at one end in Fig. 2, thereby giving a greater length than usual to each pick
of weft, the effect of which is to assist the work of the temples, and cause
more uniformity in the tension of every pick of weft, and when the weft is
beaten up there is less contraction of the selvedges, and a much better cloth
is produced. When the forks are turned back for holding the pick of weft,
they are held by the stop s, and the spring bar o yields to allow the slay to
move to its most backward position, and when after the crank has turned the
back centre, and the reed arriving at the beat up, the lever n passes away
from the spring bar, and allows the india-rubber spring r to turn forward the
forks until the lever 7 comes in contact with the stop t, for the purpose of
placing the tips of the forks above the edge of the cloth before the reed beats
up the weft.
In another arrangement I cause the weft to be held in a line parallel or nearly
so with the reed by employing two or more pins working vertically in holes or
guides in the slay, the pins being raised before the shuttle passes across the
race of the slay ready to hold back the pick of weft for enabling the weft feelers
to descend quickly upon it or detect its absence, and afterwards depressed to
clear the cloth before the reed is beating up. One arrangement of this
contrivance and mode of working it is represented in the end view and plan,
Figs. 4 and 5. The pins which work vertically are shewn at u; they rest on
levers v jointed to brackets fixed to the slay, and are provided with horizontal
pins or bowls w working on cam plates a fixed to the breast beam, and when
the slay is moving back the pins or bowls w ride on the highest part of the
cam plates, and raise the pins u above the slay before the shuttle passes across
the race, as seen in Fig. 4, ready for holding back the pick of weft imme-
diately after it has been thrown across by the shuttle. Just before the reed
arrives at the beat up, the pins or bowls w descend to the lowest part of the
cam plates, and place the tops of the pins u below the cloth. The pins u hold

page_text: back the weft, as shewn in Fig. 5, the picks passing alternately in a diagonal
direction from each end pin to the selvedges for assisting the templing and
making better cloth; but I desire it to be understood that I place the pins at
any desired position between the selvedges, according to the width of the
fabric, or the amount of assistance required to be given to the temples, the
pins being in some cases at or near the centre of the cloth. I have only.
shewn one mode of raising and depressing the pins, but it is evident they can
be moved up and down by attaching cords and springs to the floor or frame-
work of the loom, and working them in connection with the movement of the
slay, or they may be worked by any other suitable contrivance.
:
In another arrangement I fix two or more pins in the slay at sufficient
distance from the reed to allow the shuttle to pass across the slay, which pins.
are for the purpose of holding the weft in similar positions to these shewn in
Figs. 2 and 5, and for enabling the pins to clear the cloth; when the reed is
beating up I fix thin brackets on the breast beam, and raise the cloth upon
them. This arrangement is represented in the end and front views, Figs. 6
and 7, in which the pins are shewn at y, and one of the brackets at z. The
pins may be made of round or flat wire, but I prefer them to be formed of
thin flat spring steel having their edges facing the reed, so that if by accident
the shuttle should strike them they will yield and prevent any inconvenience: .
These stationary pins are always ready for holding back the pick of weft
after it has been thrown across by the shuttle for enabling the weft feelers to
descend quickly upon the weft or detect its absence, and the picks pass alter-
nately from each end pin in a diagonal direction, the same as with the
moveable pins and forks, and thereby assist the templing and make better
cloth.
.
:
:
In another arrangement I employ compressed air for blowing the pick of
weft to or near the reed after it has been thrown across by the shuttle for
enabling the weft feelers to descend without loss of time. For this purpose
I place a pipe at the front of the slay, and fix to it a number of small pipes
with their mouths facing the reed, and connect the pipe to a bellows or other
apparatus for compressing the air, the said bellows or apparatus being worked
by the movement of the slay, or by a tappet on the crank or tappet shafts.
Part of the pipe fixed to the front of the slay is shewn at a¹ in the end and
front views, Figs. 9 and 10, and some of the small pipes, whose mouths face
the reed at b. The said 'small pipes are placed below the surface of the slay,
in which there are recessed grooves c' for directing the air to the pick, so that
the said pick shall be blown back towards the reed for enabling the weft.feelers
to descend quickly upon it, or detect its absence.

page_text: One arrangement for compressing the air and forcing it towards the reed is
shewn in Fig. 8. The long pipe placed at the front of the slay is marked a¹,
it is closed at one end, and its other end is fixed to the top of the bellows d¹,
to the two boards of which are connected springs e¹. To the bottom board is
linked the connecting rod f¹, jointed to the L lever g', having a bowl.h" on its
vertical arm in contact with the double tappet on the tappet shaft d, and
the top board is held fast to the framework. At one part of the stroke the
tappet presses. forward the L lever and expands the bellows, which is supplied
with. air through the orifices and pipe; and at another part of the stroke, just
after the pick has been thrown across the springs e³, press up the vertical arm
of the L lever to the lesser radius of the tappet, and contract the bellows so
as to force the air back through the pipes and orifices to the pick of weft, and
blow it back towards the reed; and when required I place an inlet air valve
in the bellows or pipe.
In another arrangement I fix on the tappet shaft a double internal tappet
having a groove adapted for working a lever, and expanding and contracting
the bellows at the exact times required, it being understood that the tappet
must be single when it is fixed to the crank shaft.
I may here remark that when using the forks for taking back the weft, I
employ a shuttle having its eye near its upper surface for enabling the lower
ends of the forks to seize the weft without going far into the yarn, but when
pins are used I place the eye of the shuttle near its bottom surface for placing.
the weft below the tops of the pins.
For enabling the operative to obtain easy access when required to the
under working parts of the loom, I employ an improved back rail having gaps.
or spaces between its middle and ends; the parts of the rail at the bottom of the.
gaps are cast to bed plates resting on the foundation, and the tops of the gaps
are connected together when the loom is working by tie or connecting rods or
bars capable of being easily detached. This arrangement is represented in.
Fig. 11, in which the back rail is shewn at 12, the bed plates at m¹, the gaps or
spaces at n¹, and the tie or connecting rods at o'. The corners p¹ have recesses,
into which the ends of the tie rods o¹ are entered for the purpose of main-
taining the back rail firm when the loom is working, but when the tie rods
are removed the operative can pass without difficulty to the under working
parts of the loom.
Having now described the nature and particulars of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, I desire it to be understood
that in looms for weaving I claim,―
First, the employment and arrangements of moveable forks, moveable pins,

page_text: and stationary pins for holding back the weft in a line parallel or nearly so
with the reed, for enabling the weft feelers to descend upon the weft, or detect
its absence, immediately after the shuttle has been thrown across the race of
the slay, and also for resisting the templing, and making better cloth.
Secondly, the system of employing compressed air for blowing back the
weft towards the reed, for enabling the feelers to detect its presence or absence
without loss of time.
And, thirdly, the improved back rail for obtaining easy access to the under
working parts of the loom, as all such improvements are herein described and
illustrated in the accompanying two Sheets of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Bullough, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the
within-named James Bullough, in
the presence of
E. J. HUGHES,
JAMES BULLOUGH. (L.B.)
Patent Agent,
Manchester.