Improvements in and relating to Buffers for Picker Staff's of Looms.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application. 17th June, 1889-Accepted. 20th July. 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Buffers for Picker Staff's
of Looms.
I JAMES INGRAM, of 79 Garden Street, Lawrence, County of Essex, State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, Weaver, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
My invention relates to buffers for cushioning the blow of the picker staff against
the race; and it consists in certain novel features hereinafter fully described the
object being to produce a simpler, cheaper and more effective device of this character
than is now in ordinary use.
The nature and operation of the improvement will be readily understood by all
conversant with such matters from the following explanation.
In the accompanying drawing,
Figure 1 is an elevation showing my improved buffer in use.
Figure 2 an enlarged vertical transverse section of the buffer removed.
Figuro 3 a plan view showing the form of buffer adapted for use with a horizontal
picking stick ; and
Figure 4 an enlarged vertical transverse section of the same.
Like letters and figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different
figures of the drawing.
A represents the race, B the picker staff and C, D, the buffers considered as
a whole.
The buffer C, consists of a plate b, provided with bolt holes d, whereby it may be
attached to the frame A. The plate b, is provided at its rear end with a laterally
projecting lug f, having a horizontal bolt-hole g, and at its forward end with a
vertically inclined laterally projecting flange k, extended rearwardly at its centre
forming a tube h, the opening i, of which registers with said bolt-hole.
The buffer proper H consists of a body m, fitted to slide longitudinally in the
tube h, and provided on its outer end with a vertically arranged head p, inclined at
an angle conforming to that assumed by the picker-staff when in that portion of
the race.
The outer face of the head p is grooved vertically at q, and in said groove is fixed
a cushion r, composed of layers of leather against which the picker strikes.
A bolt t, is fitted to slide in the opening g, of the lug f, its stem being secured in
the inner end of the buffer body m and its head v, outside said lug.
A coiled spring w, is disposed around the bolt t, between the body m of the buffer
proper and the inner face of the lug said spring acting expansively to return said
buffer proper after being struck by the picker.
In the device shown in Figures 3 and 4 the body of the buffer consists of a hollow
box the chamber y of which is preferably rectangular in cross-section. One end
of the chamber is open at 2, and its opposite end provided with a bolt-hole g in which
the bolt t is fitted to slide.
A horizontal lip or flange 15 projects laterally from the body and is provided
with bolt holes 16 whereby it may be adjusted on the frame A, as shown in Figure 3.
The body m, of the buffer proper H, is fitted to slide in the chamber y and is
secured by its inner end to the bolt t around which a coiled spring is disposed as
described.
The head p of the buffer proper projects horizontally at right angles from the outer
end of the body m, and a cushion of leather plates r, is secured to the outer face by
a bolt 17.
In the use of my improvement the staff B, on its return stroke, strikes the cushion r,
of the buffer proper forcing it inward into the body against the pressure of the

page_text: spring w, which serves to cushion or lessen the force of the blow. The bolt t, at the
same time slides in the opening 9, and its head v, engaging the lug f, serves as a
stop for the buffer when returned by said spring.
The flexible cushion r, also prevents wearing of the staff at the point where it
strikes the buffer.
By checking the blow of the staff as described, it is relieved from the constant
jar and concussion to which it is subjected when permitted to strike the end of the
frame or an unyielding buffer in the ordinary manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. In a buffer for picker-staffs a body attached to the race-frame and a spring
cushioned buffer proper fitted to slide in said body substantially as described.
Second. A buffer for picker-staffs comprising a body attachable to the race frame;
a buffer proper fitted to slide therein and provided with a head inclined at the angle
assumed by the staff and a spring for returning said buffer when engaged by said
staff substantially as described.
Third. In a buffer for picker-staffs a body attachable to the race-frame; a buffer
proper fitted to slide therein and provided with an inclined head having a flexible
cushion on its outer face; and a spring for returning said buffer proper substantially
as described.
Fourth. In a buffer for picker-staffs, a hollow body; a bolt fitted to slide in a bolt-
hole in one end of said body; a buffer proper secured to the stem of said bolt and
sliding in the opposite end of said body; a cushion of flexible material secured to
the outer face of the buffer proper; and a coiled spring disposed around said bolt
within the body substantially as described.
Fifth. In a buffer for picker-staffs, a body provided with a laterally projecting
flange; a bolt fitted to slide therein; a tube thereon; a buffer proper secured to said
bolt and fitted to slide in said tube; an inclined head thereon grooved vertically on
its outer face; a flexible cushion in said groove; and a coiled spring between said
flange and buffer proper substantially as described.
Sixth. In a buffer for picker-staffs, a body provided with a rectangular chamber
open at one end and having a bolt-hole in the opposite end; an attaching flange
thereon; a bolt sliding in said hole; a buffer proper having a head at right angles
to its body and secured to said bolt; a flexible cushion on said head; and a coiled
spring disposed within said chamber around said bolt substantially as described.
Seventh. The buffer C, consisting of the body b provided with the flang, and
tube h; the bolt t, fitted to slide in said flange; the buffer proper fitted to slide in
said tube and having the head p, and the spring w, between said buffer and flange
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Eighth. The frame A, in combination with the buffer C, provided with the spring
cushioned buffer proper H, having the inclined head p, substantially as described.
Ninth. The frame A, in combination with the buffer D, provided with the spring
cushioned buffer proper H, having the head p, and the cushion r, secured to said head
substantially as described.'
Tenth. The buffer D, consisting of the body x, having the flange 15, and
chamber y; the buffer proper H, fitted to slide in said chamber; the bolt t, sliding
in said body and secured to said buffer proper and the spring w, disposed around
said bolt within said chamber substantially as described.
Thated thin 17th 1 T 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.