IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINE BELTING, PARTS OF WHICH PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Samule Long, of Hartford, in the County of
Hartford and State of Connecticut, one of the United States of America, for
an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINE BELTING, PARTS OF WHICH
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Samule Long at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st August 1880.
GEORGE SAMULE LONG, of Hartford, in the County of Hartford and State of
Connecticut, one of the United States of America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINE
BELTING, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO FABRICS FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
I have discovered and practically wrought out a manufacture having a warp of
metallic wire, steel, iron, brass, or the like, annealing each as soft as the metal can
be made, and a filling weft of fibre, cotton, linen, woolen, or even cheap silk so
wrought together that the goods will be two-ply, three-ply, or more, with a
corresponding increase in the thickness, body, and strength, so as to present the
fibre alone at the surfaces to form the contact with the pulleys, and to take the
wear due to the contact therewith.
I have devised a mode of equipping the ends, which keeps the piece in perfect
form, not allowing it to unravel. My fabric may be wrought of much width, and
of only moderate thickness, with a surface of rich material suitable for other uses
where stiffness and strength with extraordinary durability are desirable. My
fabric may be used for some varieties of upholstery, car-seats, and backs for seats,
seats for theatrical and other purposes, lounges, and upholstery generally. propose
to use the same also for coverings of trunks and valises, mail-bags, and other bags,
and for various other uses. I will describe it as confined to belting, which I
esteem its most important use.
. I introduce between the plies of my belting a series of wires lying straight or
nearly straight, which take a large portion of the tensile strain.
In carrying out my Invention I employ a series of warp wires of annealed iron,
and a series of selvage wires of copper or other soft material. They may be

page_text: wound on separate spools, yarn beams, or other convenient means of delivering
them into the loom as required; but I have in my experiments found no difficulty
in winding them together on the same beam, like ordinary warp yarns, and
delivering them at a uniform rate under the considerable tension required. The
loom is equipped with suitable harness, shuttles, and appurtenances for weaving
two-ply. The weft is compound yarn of soft spun cotton, forming an aggregate
yarn much larger than the warp.
It is important to the proper flexibility of the weft, in order to weave this goods
in its best quality, that the weft shall be two or more separately spun yarns.
I can wind the whole on a single bobbin and enclosed in a single shuttle, so that
it will be delivered together, and prefer to do so. I esteem six separate strands
the most desirable number, and will so describe it, that is to say, each yarn is
composed of six independent soft spun yarns of cotton. An inferior grade of
cotton or other fibre may serve, but esteem it important that the several strands
of which the wefts are composed are not only soft spun, so as to each be flexible
but also that they shall lie parallel to each other, that is to say, not spun or braided
together.
The harness is worked as in ordinary weaving of two-ply goods, the several
warps being alternated in position at intervals from the lower fabric to the upper
fabric and back again, so as to unite the two-ply into a single, tough, and practically
uniform fabric, while it is also in reality two separate fabrics applied together,
each having its independent filling. The fillings of the two-ply may be of different
characters or qualities of fibre if desired in any case, but I prefer to have them
exactly alike.
Between the two plies of goods I extend a series of nearly straight wires. These
wires extend longitudinally of the fabric similarly to the warp wires, but they are
not warps in any ordinary sense. They are liable to be slightly bent by being
deflected by the pressure of the wefts alternately in one direction and another, but
they are much less subjected to such deflection than the regular warp wires.
I provide a separate beam or beams or other delivering means for the straight
wires, as a less length of these wires is required for a given length of fabric on
account of the straight position in which they lie.
The selvage wires are by their position more deflected or bent alternately in
opposite directions to accommodate themselves to the weft. This is compensated
for by the increased capacity of the copper or brass to stretch, and no unequal
tension is experienced in the manufacture or in the subsequent use of the goods.
'I can weave my fabric of any width desired. For very narrow belts my goods
may be produced on a webbing loom, with the consequent capacity for manu-
facturing several pieces at once.
To equip the ends of my fabrics to serve as the abutting ends of belts I cut off
the material squarely to the proper length, and after unraveling or picking out the
weft for a short distance, say, half an inch, and immersing the ends of the wires
in acid and in melted solder to effect the necessary tinning I apply a cover or cap
of folled sheet metal. This cap should be of such width as will cover the exposed
ends of the wire, and lap a little upon the unraveled portion of the fabric.
By dampening the adjacent portion of the fabric, and clamping it tightly between
suitable clamps, the fibre is effectually protected from possible injury by the heat,
and the tinning of the wires and the application of the clamp may be performed
at leisure. The clamp when properly placed is soldered or sweated fast to the
enclosed wires by holding it temporarily in hot clamps or other suitable means.
It will be seen that the straight wires take all or nearly all the tensile strain on
the material. It will also be seen that the outside plies mainly form a protection
for the straight wires, and serve as a tough and resilient bed for affording a tight
hug on the pulleys, but all the warp wires contribute somewhat to the strength.
Their condition as separate plies on the two sides of the straight wire is favorable
to the alternate contraction and expansion which the two sides of the fabric are
compelled to undergo in repeatedly changing their position from the straight lines

page_text: between pulleys to the curved condition in passing around pulleys when the fabric
is used as belting.
I can make the goods three-ply, four-ply, or more if desirable in any case.
I can
also use various metals or materials for the warps and for the straight wires.
I can use various fibres for the weft. When my goods are made thin and wide
for different uses I propose to employ bright colored worsted, silk, or other fibre
for one-ply of the filling, and to treat the surface after the goods are manufactured,
so as to give it a teasled or velvety condition, which shall still further conduce to
the richness of the appearance, and especially to the concealing of the strong wires
which are deeply embedded within.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said George Samule Long in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th February 1881.
GEORGE SAMULE LONG, of Hartford, in the County of Hartford and State of
Connecticut, one of the United States of America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINE
BELTING, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO FABRICS FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
I have discovered and practically wrought out a manufacture having a warp of
metallic wire, steel, iron, brass, or the like, annealing each as soft as the metal can
be made, and a filling weft of fibre, cotton, linen, woollen, or even cheap silk, so
wrought together that the goods will be two-ply, three-ply, or more, with a
corresponding increase in the thickness, body, and strength, so as to present the
fibre alone at the surfaces to form the contact with the pulleys and to take the
wear due to contact therewith.
I have devised a mode of equipping the ends which keeps the piece in perfect
form, not allowing it to unravel.. My fabric may be wrought of much width and
of only moderate thickness, with a surface of rich material, suitable for other uses
where stiffness and strength with extraordinary durability are desirable. My fabric
may be used for some varieties of upholstery, car-seats, and backs for seats, seats
for theatrical and other purposes, lounges, and upholstery generally. I propose to
use the same also for coverings of trunks and valises, mail bags and other bags,
and for various other uses. I will describe it as confined to belting, which I
esteem its most important use.
I introduce between the plies of my belting a series of wires, lying straight, or
nearly straight, which take a large portion of the tensile strain.
In carrying out my Invention, I employ a series of warp wires of annealed iron,
and a series of selvage wires of copper or other soft material. They may be wound
on separate spools, yarn beams, or other convenient means of delivering them into
the loom as required. But I have in my experiments found no difficulty in
winding them together on the same beam, like ordinary warp yarns, and delivering

page_text: them at an uniform rate under the considerable tension required. The loom is
equipped with suitable harness, shuttles, and appurtenances for weaving two-ply.
The weft is compound yarn of soft spun cotton, forming an aggregate yarn much
larger than the warp.
It is important to the proper flexibility of the weft, in order to weave this goods
in its best quality, that the weft shall be two or more separately spun yarns; I can
wind the whole on a single bobbin, and enclosed in a single shuttle, so that it will
be delivered together, and prefer to do so. I esteem six separate strands the most
desirable number, and will so describe it; that is to say, each yarn is composed of
six independent soft spun yarns of cotton. An inferior grade of cotton or other
fibre may serve. But I esteem it important that the several strands, of which the
wefts are composed, are not only soft spun so as to each be flexible, but also that
they shall lie parallel to each other, that is to say, not spun or braided together.
The harness is worked as in ordinary weaving of two ply-goods, the several
warps being alternated in position at intervals from the lower fabric to the upper
fabric and back again, so as to unite the two-ply into a single tough and practically
uniform fabric, while it is also in reality two separate fabrics applied together, each
having its independent filling. The fillings of the two-ply may be of different
characters or qualities of fibre, if desired in any case, but I prefer to have them
exactly alike.
Between the two-plies of goods I extend a series of nearly straight wires. These
wires extend longitudinally of the fabric, similarly to the warp wires, but they are
not warps in any ordinary sense. They are liable to be slightly bent by being
deflected by the pressure of the wefts alternately in one direction and another, but
they are much less subjected to such deflection than the regular warp wires.
I provide a separate beam or beams or other delivery means for the straight
wires, as a less length of these wires is required for a given length of fabric on
account of the straight position in which they lie.
The selvage wires are by their position more deflected or bent alternately in
opposite directions to accommodate themselves to the weft. This is compensated
for by the increased capacity of the copper or brass to stretch, and no unequal
tension is experienced in the manufacture or in the subsequent use of the goods.
I can weave my fabric of any width desired. For very narrow belts my goods
may be produced on a webbing loom with the consequent capacity for manufacturing
several pieces at once.
To equip the ends of my fabrics to serve as the abutting ends of belts I cut off
the material squarely to the proper length, and after unravelling or picking out
the weft for a short distance, say, half an inch, and immersing the ends of the
wires in acid and in melted solder to effect the necessary tinning I apply a cover
or cap of folded sheet metal. This cap should be of such width as will cover the
exposed ends of the wire and lap a little upon the unravelled portion of the
fabric.
By dampening the adjacent portion of the fabric and clamping it tightly between
suitable clamps the fibre is effectually protected from possible injury by the heat,
and the tinning of the wires and the application of the clamp may be performed
at leisure. The clamp when properly placed is soldered or sweated fast to the
enclosed wires by holding it temporarily in hot clamps or other suitable means.
It will be seen that the straight wires take all or nearly all the tensile strain on
the material. It will also be seen that the outside plies mainly form a protection
for the straight wires and serve as a tough and resilient bed for affording a tight
hug on the pulleys, but all the warp wires contribute somewhat to the strength.
Their condition as separate plies on the two sides of the straight wire is favourable
to the alternate contraction and expansion which the two sides of the fabric are
compelled to undergo in repeatedly changing their position from the straight
lines between pulleys to the curved condition in passing around pulleys when the
fabric is used for belting.
I can make the goods three-ply, four-ply, or more if desirable in any case. I

page_text: can also use various metals or materials for the warps and for the straight wires.
I can use various fibre for the weft.
When my goods are made thin and wide
for different uses I propose to employ bright colored worsted, silk, or other fibre
for one-ply of the filling, and to treat the surface (after the goods are manufactured
so as to give it a teasled or velvety condition, which shall still further conduce
to the richness of the appearance, and especially to the concealing of the strong
wires which are deeply embedded within.
But that my Invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe the
same more in detail by the aid of the accompanying Drawings which form part
of this Specification.
Fig. 5 is a cross section.
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section in the plane of the straight wires.
Fig. 7 is a cross section of a single-ply fabric having wire warp and fibre
filling.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the Figures.
A, A, etc., are warp-wires of annealed iron; A¹, A¹, are selvage wires of copper
or soft brass. They may be wound on separate spools, yarn beams, or other
convenient means of delivering them into the loom as required, but I have in my
experiments found no difficulty in winding them together on the same beam like
ordinary warp yarns, and delivering them at an uniform rate under the considerable
tension required.
The loom is equipped with suitable harnesses, shuttles, and appurtenances for
for weaving two-ply. The weft is compound yarn of soft spun cotton forming an
aggregate yarn much larger than the warp, as indicated by B¹, B².
I
It is important to the proper flexibility of the weft, in order to weave this goods
in its best quality, that the weft shall be in two or more separately spun yarns.
can wind the whole on a single bobbin and enclosed in a single shuttle, so that it
will be delivered together, and I prefer to do so. I esteem six separate strands the
most desirable number, and will so describe it, that is to say, each yarn B is
coinposed of six independent soft spun yarns of cotton. An uniform grade of cotton
or other fibre may serve, but I esteem it important that the several strands of
which the wefts B are composed are not only soft spun so as to each be flexible,
but also that they shall lie parallel to each other, that is to say, not spun or braided
together.
The harnesses are worked as in ordinary weaving of two-ply goods, the several
warps being alternated in position at intervals from the lower fabric to the upper
fabric and back again, so as to unite the two-ply into a single tough and practically
uniform fabric, while it is also in reality two separate fabrics applied together, each
having its independent filling. The fillings of the two-ply may be of different
characters or qualities of fibre if desired in any case, but I prefer to have them
exactly alike.
Between the two plies of goods I extend a series of nearly straight wires C.
These wires extend longitudinally of the fabric similarly to the warp wires, but
they are not warps in any sense. They are liable to be slightly bent by being
deflected by the pressure of the wefts alternately in one direction and another, but
they are much less subjected to such deflection than the regular warp wires A, A.
I will refer to the wires C hereafter as straight wires; they lie practically straight

page_text: in the fabric.
A separate beam or other delivering means not shown is provided
for the straight wires C, a less length being required of these wires for a given
length of fabric on account of the straight position in which the wires C lie.
The selvage wires are by their position more deflected or bent alternately in
opposite directions to accommodate themselves to the weft. This is compensated
by the increased capacity of the copper or brass to stretch, and no unequal tension
is experienced in the manufacture or in the subsequent use of the goods.
I can weave my fabric of any width desired.. For very narrow belts my goods
may be produced on a webbing loom, with the consequent capacity for manu-
facturing several pieces at once.
To equip the ends of my fabrics to serve as the abutting ends of belts I cut off
the material squarely to the proper length, and after unravelling or picking out the
weft for a short distance, say half an inch, and immersing the ends of the wires in
acid and in melted solder, to effect the necessary tinning, apply a cover or cap of
folded sheet brass, as indicated by D. This cap should be of such width as will
cover the exposed ends of the wire, and lap a little upon the unravelled portion of
the fabric, as represented. By dampening the adjacent portion of the fabric and
clamping it between wooden or cold metal clamps not represented, the fibre is
effectually protected from possible injury by the heat and the tinning of the
wires A, A, and the application of the clamp D may be performed at leisure. The
clamp D properly placed is soldered or sweated fast to the enclosed wires by
clamping it temporarily in hot clamps not shown.
It will be seen that the straight wires C take all, or nearly all, the tensile strains
on the belt. It will also be seen that the outside plies mainly form a protection
for the straight wires C, and serve as a tough and resilient bed for affording a tight
hug on the pulley. But all the warp wires contribute somewhat to the strength.
Their condition as separate plies on the two sides of the straight wires is highly
favorable to the alternate contraction and expansion which the two sides of the
belt are compelled to undergo in repeatedly changing the position from the straight
lines between the pulleys to the curved condition in passing around the respective
pulleys.
Modifications may be made in many of the details without. departing from the
principle or sacrificing the advantages of the Invention. I can make the goods
three-fly, four-fly, or more, if desirable, in any case. I can, as already suggested,
use various metals for the warps A, A, and for the straight wires C. So, also, I can
use various, fibres for the weft, but it is essential to the success of the Invention
that more than ordinary means be employed to make the weft thick, soft, and
especially flexible, to accommodate itself to the nearly straight wires of the warp.
It will be seen that the filling B forms a bed or protection for the warps A, A, and
for the straight wires C. The weft or filling takes all the wear, and being of good
frictional qualities keeps the belt from slipping on the pulleys. The ordinary
function of weft, that of holding the fabric together laterally, is amply fulfilled by
very soft spun weft, because the strain in that direction is very insignificant.
The condition in which the weft lies, very greatly bent inward and outward, at
the passage of the several warps performs a double function, which is much more
important in goods for other uses than belting, that of concealing the wires.
My fabric may be used for some varieties of upholstery, car-seats, and backs for
seats, seats for theatrical and other purposes, lounges, and upholstery generally.
I. propose to use the same also for coverings of trunks and valises, mail-bags and
other bags, and for various other uses.
I propose when my goods are made thin and wide, for other uses, to employ
bright colored worsted or silk for the one-fly B₁ of the filling, and to treat the
surfaces after the goods are manufactured so as to give it a teasled or velvety
condition, which shall still further conduce to the richness of the appearance, and
especially to the concealing of the strong wires which lie deeply bedded within.
Figure 7 is a cross-section showing the material woven single-ply. I propose to.
+
5

page_text: use it sometimes in that condition. The warp is metallic wire, and the filling
cotton or other fibre spun with the necessary degree of hardness and woven
plain.
Having thus described my Invention I would have it understood that I do not
confine myself to the exact details as shown and described so long as the peculiar
characteristics of the Invention be retained, substantially as described.
But what I do claim is,-
+
First. As an improved belt the combination of wire warp and a soft fibrous weft,
so that the wires are bedded deeply in the fabric, and the fibre alone presented at
the surface, as herein specified.
Second. The wires Ċ enclosed between two plies of the goods, and adapted to
receive and transmit directly the tensile strain, as herein specified.
Third. A woven fabric having warps of wire combined with a compound weft,
each yarn of the latter composed of a number of soft spun yarns combined and
arranged relatively to each other and to the wires, and for the purposes herein
specified.
Fourth. A woven belting having wires A in the warp, and caps D soldered
thereon to form the ends, as herein specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Samule Long, have hereunto set my
band and seal, this 23rd day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
Witnesses,
WILLIAM COLBORNE BROOKES,
FREDERICK KISSAM.
GEORGE SAMULE LONG. (L.S.)