Improvements in the Shuttle Mechanism and Reeds of Looms.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 26th June, 1895-Accepted, 27th July, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Shuttle Mechanism and Reeds of Looms.
A communication from abroad by THE WEAVER JACQUARD AND ELECTRIC
SHUTTLE COMPANY, a company incorporated under the laws of the State
of West Virginia, of Norwalk, in the State of Connecticut, all in the
United States of America.
I, PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County
of Middlesex, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to he particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This invention relates to a shuttle mechanism for looms, and more particularly
to a shuttle mechanism in which the shuttle is moved through the influence of
electro-magnets to cause it to reciprocate, and consists in the features of con-
struction and arrangement of parts operating in connection with the shuttle, as
well as in the features of construction and arrangement of the reeds, which are
adapted to co-operate with the shuttle, in substantially the manner and for the
purposes more particularly hereinafter pointed out.
Referring to the accompanying drawing, in which is illustrated one embodiment
of the invention,
Fig. 1 is a front view of so much of a loom as is necessary to illustrate and
explain the invention;
Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the circuit-controllers.
Fig. 4 is an end view, partly in section, on the line 4, Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a sectional view, on the line 5, Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section on the line 6, Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 is a diagram view showing one arrangement of electrical circuits and
connections for carrying out the invention; and
Fig. 8 is a detail view, showing a side elevation of one of the reeds having a
lateral extension, but without the projection.
It is not deemed necessary to set forth the usual and common construction of
looms, and the means adopted for throwing the shuttle, but it is well understood
that in many instances, it is impracticable to throw the shuttle in the ordinary way,
and many devices have been suggested by which the shuttle can be moved between
the threads forming the shed, without injury to the threads, or distortion or
displacement thereof, and it is one of the main objects of the present invention to
move the shuttle through the agency of electro-magnets, so that there need not be
any positive or mechanical connection with the shuttle, and so that it may be
moved positively and regularly through any required distance and under any
desired circumstances, and in order that the shuttle may not come in contact with
the threads, the invention further consists in a new reed for guiding and controlling
the threads, as well as for operating in connection with the shuttle to accomplish the
purposes and objects desired, and while the various features of invention may
be carried out and embodied in various forms and details of construction, without
departing from the principle thereof, the specific construction and arrangement
illustrated in the accompanying drawings will now be described.

page_text: The race-way of the loom is represented at A, and in this instance it forms a
part of an enclosure or frame A', in which is mounted a shuttle-carrier or mover B..
The frame or enclosure may be provided with buffers A³, at each end, which may
be of any usual construction, adapted to take up the momentum of the shuttle-
carrier or mover, and the buffers may be mounted or supported on the frame of
the loom in any desired way.
The shuttle-carrier B, may be made of any suitable material, preferably of
insulating material, and is shown in the form of a rectangular block or box, having
mounted in its interior an electro-magnet B', and while the shape and size of this
magnet will vary according to circumstances, preferably the pole-piece B2, is of
an elongated shape, as best seen in Fig. 6, and projected above the carrier through
a slot A, in the race-way, and the upper surface of the pole-piece is preferably on
a level with the top of the race-way. While this magnet may be a permanent
magnet, in the present instance it is shown as an electro-magnet, having a coil B³,
surrounding the core, and connected so as to be energized from the source of
electricity S. which may be a battery, mechanical generator, or other source.
This shuttle-carrier is arranged to be moved back and forth in the frame in a
manner hereinafter pointed out, and a means is shown whereby the magnet may be
continuously energized, regardless of its position in the frame, and for this purpose
are arranged conductors C, C, on the frame beneath the carrier, which arc
connected with the source of supply, and contact-pieces b, 1, are provided on the
carrier, which move in contact with the conductors, and in this instance these
contact-pieces or connectors are in the form of rollers which move readily over the
conductors C, C, supporting the weight of the carrier, and avoiding friction, and
at the same time conducting the electricity to the coil 13, of the magnet, through
the medium of suitable wires between the terminals of the coil and the contact-
pieces. From this arrangement it will be seen that no matter what the position of
the shuttle-carrier in the race-way, its magnet will be fully energized, and it can
be moved back and forth with the least friction.
In order to move the shuttle-carrier, a series of magnets or solenoids are provided
and connected to a source of electric energy and suitable circuit-controllers,
whereby they may be energized in proper order to cause the carrier to move under
the influence of magnetic attraction, and while various forms and arrangements of
magnets can be used, in the present instance a series of magnets D, is shown
supported in the frame A', and having their pole-pieces D', extending through the
lower plate or partition A4, of the frame A, so as to be in as close proximity as
practicable with the shuttle-carrier, and these magnets are connected with the
source of electricity S, by suitable conductors, as a conductor C2, having branches
leading to one side of each coil of each magnet, while from the opposite side of
each coil of each magnet there are conductors C³, C, C, etc., each terminating in a
contact-piece c³, c, c, etc., and these contact-pieces are arranged at one end of the
frame and are shown in the form of springs, and the circuits of the various magnets
are controlled by a circuit-controller E.
This circuit-controller may be of any desired and convenient form and size,
according to the requirements of any particular case, and in the present instance it
consists of a cylinder of conducting material having mounted on its surface a series
of projections e, e¹, es, es, etc., they being arranged spirally around the surface, and
preferably overlapping each other slightly, and are adapted to be brought in
contact with the contact pieces adjacent thereto, so as to close the circuit through
the magnets in proper order and preferably to close the circuit through the next
succeeding magnet, before the circuit is broken in the next preceding magnet.
This circuit-controller is mounted to be driven by any suitable mechanism
connected with the loom, as a bevel gear F, on a shaft F, of the circuit-controller,
so that the controller may be operated in unison with the other parts of the loom..
The shaft F, of the circuit-controller is connected by a conductor C, with oue
pole of the battery or other source of electricity, and it will be seen that when any
one of the projections e, is in contact with the corresponding contact-piece c³, for

page_text: instance, the circuit is closed through one of the magnets D, and when the next
succeeding projection comes in contact with its corresponding contact-piece, the
circuit is closed through the next succeeding magnet, before it is broken in the
preceding magnet, and so ou successively.
As it is desirable to allow a certain dwell or time of rest for the shuttle-carrier,
after it has completed one of its movements, in order that the lay and other parts
of the loom may be operated in the usual manner, the contacts e, and elo, which are
at the ends of the series of contacts in the form of a segment of a circle are
provided, so that they will remain in contact with their respective contact-pieces
throughout a greater or less portion of the rotation or movement of the circuit-
controller, thereby completing the circuit through the respective magnets included
therein, and maintaining them in their energized condition, so that they will
operate to hold the shuttle-carrier against displacement or jar in its extreme
position.
Of course, it will be understood that the projections on the circuit-controller are
arranged on the opposite sides, so that in the present instance the magnets D, will
be energized in one series or order, to move the shuttle-carrier in one direction,
and in the reverse order or series to move the shuttle-carrier in the opposite direction,
allowing a sufficient dwell at the end of each movement.
Arranged adjacent to the race-way or frame are the swords G, which are
arranged to support the reeds H, between which the warp threads may pass in the
usual way, and in order that the shuttle may not come in contact with the warp
threads in its passage through the shed, and in order that the threads may be held
in proper relations on the race-way so that they will not be twisted, worn or
distorted by the passage of the shuttle, the reeds are formed so that they serve not
only the usual purpose of separating the threads and beating up the weft thread,
but also form a support or way on which the shuttle travels out of contact with
the threads. Thus, as best seen in Fig. 5, each reed consists of a straight
portion, having a lateral extension ', which is adapted to rest upon the top of
the race-way and form a channel between the adjacent reeds for the threads.
Sometimes it is advantageous to form a projection 2, on the end of the lateral
extension, to operate as a guide for the shuttle, although this is not absolutely
necessary, especially when the shuttle is guided and controlled magnetically in the
manner hereinafter set forth.
These reeds are made in whole or in part of magnetic material, and means are
provided whereby they may be separately energized in order that they may aid in
guiding, and to a certain extent, in propelling the shuttle, although it is to be
understood that when they are not separately energized, they operate to a greater
or less extent in guiding the shuttle through inagnetic induction.
In order that the reeds may operate in the manner set forth, they are arranged
in gangs or sets, and means are provided whereby each gang or set may be
separately magnetized, and as indicated in Fig. 2, the ends of a series of reeds are
connected together magnetically in any suitable way, as by bending their ends and
extending them to form a core, as seen at I, or by connecting them to a piece of
magnetic material having a core, as seen at I¹, and these cores are surrounded with
coils 12, and these are arranged to be successively energized in a manner similar to
the coils of the magnets D, and preferably in the same order, so that they will
co-operate with the magnets D in propelling the shuttle-carrier, and in order to get
the best effect, it is preferable to arrange these coils so that they practically
intervene between two successive coils of the magnets D, so that any one of the
coils will exert its greatest force at a point between the cores of two of the adjacent
magnets D, and this will be readily seen by reference to the diagram, Fig. 7.
These coils are connected by a conductor C', to the source of electric energy,
and by branches leading from this conductor to one terminal of each of the coils,
and the other terminals of the coils are connected in the present instance to the
conductors C, C+, C³, respectively, so that these latter conductors form a portion

page_text: of the circuit of the coils of each set of magnets and thereby but a single circuit-
controller is necessary to control both sets or series of magnets.
The shuttle K, may be of any desired shape, according to the bobbin or spool
to be carried thereby, and is preferably provided with friction-rollers k, and it is
either made of magnetic material, or has embedded in its body a mass of magnetic
material, so that it will be attracted by the shuttle-carrier, and when the reeds are
energized in the manner just described, by the sets or gangs of reeds, and in order
to prevent friction between the side of the shuttle and the reeds, one or more
friction rollers k², may be provided in the side of the shuttle adjacent the reeds.
Understanding, that so far a typical construction and arrangement of parts has
been described, in order that the principles of the invention may be understood,
its mode of operation will be set forth and it will be seen that the shuttle is
supported on the lateral extensions of the reeds and moves over their upper faces,
the friction rollers aiding in preventing friction, and the extensions preventing the
shuttle coming in contact with the threads between the adjacent reeds.
When the lateral extension is provided with an upward extension k², this serves
to prevent the shuttle being thrown or dislodged from its proper path, but it is
preferable to make use of magnetic induction to hold the shuttle to its path, and
while this is aided to a greater or less extent by the induction from the magnet of
the shuttle-carrier, by connecting the reeds in gangs and energizing these gangs
in advance as the shuttle moves through its path, the shuttle is held against the
face of the reeds and prevented from dislodgement, and as before stated, the reeds
also aid in propelling it.
Thus assuming the shuttle-carrier B, to be in the position indicated in dotted
lines, Fig. 1, and the circuit-controller to be operated, it will be seen that the
elougated projection e, is in contact with the contact-piece c³, and the circuit is
closed through the first magnet D, and at the same time the circuit is closed
through the first magnet 13, of the first gang of reeds, and as the circuit-controller
moves, the contact el closes the circuit with the contact-piece c', energizing the
next succeeding magnet D, and at the same time the next succeeding magnet 12,
and this through the magnetic attraction in these magnets, causes the shuttle-
carrier to move forward in its way, and it will be understood that its magnet
coils B are included in the circuit of the conductors C, C¹, whatever its position.
Thus, as the circuit-controller continues its movement, the respective magnets of
the series are energized in succession, and the shuttle-carrier moves forward to
the end of. the frame, and this through its energized magnet operating upon the
shuttle, causes the shuttle to traverse the shed moving over the lateral projections
of the reeds, and the magnets 12 on their respective gangs of reeds tend to hold it
in proper position, as well as to aid in its progressive movement.
When it has reached the extent of its movement in one direction through the
elongated contact eo, the shuttle is held in position until the necessary operations
are completed, and then it is caused to travel back again to its original position,
through a reversal of the order of energizing the magnets, and so on continuously.
It will thus be seen that the shuttle is moved positively under the influence of
magnetic induction and guided so that it moves accurately and in a proper course,
and at the same time it is out of contact with the threads or warp, and can do them
no injury, and that there is practically no limit to the length through which the
shuttle-carrier and shuttle may be moved at a uniform and positive speed.
It will be understood that the reeds may be used in connection with shuttles
moved otherwise than by magnetic induction and that they will perform their
functions to a greater or less extent in this connection, but they are specially
adapted to co-operate with a shuttle moved substantially as shown herein, and
they enable the device to be used in the manufacture of the most delicate fabrics,
regardless of their width.
It is also understood that the shuttle-carrier may be mechanically propelled,
instead of electrically, and still many of the advantages of the invention be attained.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me from abroad by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :--
1. The combination with a shuttle-carrier having an electro-magnet, of electrical
connections for energizing the magnet in all positions of the carrier, electro-magnetic
devices for moving the shuttle-carrier, and a magnetic shuttle moved by the shuttlė-
carrier, substantially as described.
2. The combination with a shuttle-carrier having an electro-magnet, of electrical
connections for energizing the electro-magnet of the shuttle-carrier in all positions
of the carrier, electro-magnetic devices for moving the carrier, and a magnetic
shuttle moved by the carrier, substantially as described.
3. The combination with a shuttle-carrier having an electro-magnet, of electric
conductors connected with a source of electrical supply and on which the shuttle-
carrier moves, and connections between the conductors and the magnet for
energizing the same at all positions of its movement, substantially as described.
4. The combination with a race-way, having a slot, of a shuttle-carrier having a
magnet the pole of which projects into the slot in the race-way, and means for
moving the carrier, substantially as described.
5. The combination with a frame or race-way, of a shuttle-carrier having a
magnet, a series of electro-magnets arranged along the race-way, electrical con-
nections for the magnets, and a circuit-controller for energizing the magnets in
regular order to propel the shuttle-carrier, substantially as described.
6. The combination with the frame or race-way of a loom, of a carrier having a
magnet, a series of electro-magnets arranged along the race-way, electrical con-
nections for the magnets, a circuit-controller operating in unison with the moving
parts of the loom and constructed and arranged to close the circuits of the
various magnets in regular succession to propel the carrier, substantially as
described.
7. The combination with the frame or race-way of a loom, of a shuttle-carrier
having a magnet, a series of electro-magnets arranged along the race-way and
electrical connections therefor, and a circuit-controller provided with contact pieces
for closing the circuits of the respective magnets, the contact-pieces for closing the
circuits of some of the magnets being elongated to produce a dwell, substantially
as described.
8. A reed for looms having a lateral extension integral therewith adapted to rest
upon the top of the race-way and to form a channel between the adjacent reeds for
the threads, substantially as described.
9. The combination with a race-way, of a reed having a lateral extension
integral therewith extending over the race-way, substantially as described.
10. The combination with the race-way, of a reed having a lateral extension
integral therewith extending over the race-way, a shuttle moving over the
extension, and means for moving the shuttle, substantially as described.
11. The combination with the race-way, of a series of reeds having lateral pro-
jections extending over the race-way, a magnetic shuttle mounted on and moving
over the lateral projections, a shuttle-carrier, a magnet mounted on the shuttle-
carrier, and means for moving the shuttle-carrier, substantially as described.
12. Ín a loom, a series of metallic reeds having their ends magnetically connected
in gangs and provided with coils, substantially as described.
13. In a loom, a series of reeds having their ends magnetically connected in
gangs, coils connected to each gang, electric connections with the coils, and means
for controlling the circuits through the coils, substantially as described.
14. The combination with the frame or race-way, of a series of reeds having
lateral extensions, means for magnetizing the reeds, a shuttle having magnetic
material, and means for moving the shuttle, substantially as described.
15. The combination with the frame, of a series of reeds having lateral
extensions, means for magnetizing the reeds, a shuttle having magnetic material

page_text: moving over the reeds, a shuttle-carrier having a magnet, electro-magnetic devices
for moving the shuttle-carrier, and a circuit-controller controlling the circuits of
the magnets and of the reeds, substantially as described.
16. The combination with the frame or race-way, of the reeds and means for
rendering the reeds magnetic, a magnetic shuttle, a shuttle-carrier having a magnet,
and means for moving the shuttle-carrier, substantially as described.
17. The combination with the frame or race-way, of reeds having lateral
extensions, magnets connected with the reeds, a magnetic shuttle, a shuttle-carrier
having a magnet, electric connections for energizing the magnet in all positions of
the carrier, a series of magnets for moving the shuttle-carrier, and a circuit-
controller controlling the circuits of the magnets and of the reeds, substantially as
described.
Dated the 26th day of Luna 1905
PHILIP M. JUSTICE.