IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT. to, David Chalmers, of Manchester; in the
County of Lancaster, Manufacturer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said David Chalmers
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 31st January 1853.
I, DAVID CHALMERS, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS" to be as follows:-
My said improvements relate, firstly, to the particular descrip-
tion of loom, used for weaving damasks. By my improvements I
economise the cost of such loom labor in working, and wear and
tear of the machinery itself, by introducing 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more
shafts to produce any kind of tweed by tappets and parallel motion;
I also use 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more depressing tappets to produce
similar tweed in the opposite way. In the jacquard process I use
two shafts on the top of the machine lying in the direction of the
breadth of the loom. On the front of one of them I fix a lever to lift
the apparatus, which raises the warp threads to produce the required

page_text: figure; a heart-shaped tappet keeps the machine up during five
sixths or more of its circumference, and during the motion of the
other parts the machine is down, and change of card takes place
only once for six picks of the loom. Secondly; to an improvement
in that part of the loom technically called the letting off motion.
Thirdly, to an improved temple. Fourthly, to an improved weft
motion. Fifthly, to an improved fly reed; and, sixthly, to an
improved compound shuttle box. All of which improvements
will be understood by reference to the accompanying outline
Drawings, on which the same letters and figures of reference are
used to denote similar parts where different views are shewn.
In Sheet No. 1, Figure 1, represents part of a front eleva-
tion of a loom showing some of my said improvements; Figures 2,
and 3, are end elevations of the same. In Sheet No.-2, Figure 1, is
an end elevation of-my-improved-temple; and Figure 2; a plan
thereof. Figure 3, end elevation of my improved weft motion'; and
Figure 4, a plan thereof. Figure 5, and end- elevation of my im-
proved fly reed; Figure 6, a plan of the same; and Figure 7, and
end view of another mode of raising the reed. Figure an ele-
vation of 'my improved compound shuttle box; and Figure 9, plan
.of the same, showing the.mode of working it...
In Sheet No. 1, Figures 1, 2, and 3, show a combination of hed-
dles and jacquard process. The heddles A are moved by the tappets
B, B, bell cranks C, C, and springs D, D. Upon the end of the
main or crank shaft E, is a fly wheel F, with a pin fixed at G, raising
the rod H, which, but for the slot at the top, would move the lever
I, keyed on the shaft J, at each stroke of the main shaft E. The
lever I is kept down by the rod K, lever L, and can M, except
when the part N is opposite the roller in the lever L; then, al
resistance being removed, the leads are in action, bringing down the
couplings, comb, board, and lever O, also keyed on the shaft J, and
raising the lever I to be again ready for action. Motion is giver
to the cam by a series of toothed wheels. On the wheel P, keyed
on the same shaft as the cam M, in a line with the part N, is a pin

page_text: which by the rod Q works the lever R, shaft S, lever T, and jac-
quard cylinder U.
My improved letting off motion is also shown on No. 1, Sheet of
Drawings, where a represents a lever turning on the pin b, having
one end resting on the yarn beam, and the other jointed to a slot-
ted lever c. In this slot is a stud d, one end of which works in a
slot in the sword arm of the lathe or slay; and the other end
works in another slotted lever e, having its fulcrum on the shaft f
of the ratchet wheel g. At the top of the slotted lever e, is a
series of ratchets; at h, is another series of catches to retain
the motion given by the moveable ratchets to the ratchet wheel
which turns the shaft i, and bevil pinion k working with the bevil
wheel l, keyed to the shaft m; at the end of which is a worm n,
working into the worm wheel o, keyed on the shaft of the yarn beam.
My improved temple is shewn at Figures 1 and 2, on No. 2, Sheet
of Drawings, which represents a bar of metal the entire breadth
of the fabric to be woven, one of which bars is placed above the
fabric, and another below it. These bars A, B, are grooved or ser-
rated, and are supported by the brackets C, C, furnished with joints
and springs, in order to avoid damage if any trap takes place.
My improved weft motion is shown at Figures 3 and 4, No. 2,
Sheet of Drawings. Behind the lathe is a rod D, turning on bearings
having forks at each end; to one of these forks is a bent piece of
metal F, having a knob or head G, in a line with the projection H
on the side of the frog. Fixed to the breast.beam are other forks
I, I, so placed as to pass through the other forks E, E, which
they do in the absence of the weft thread. When the weft, is
present the fork at the end of the reed will be pushed back,
passing forward the bent piece of metal F, and knob G, out of the
way of the projection H.
My improved fly reed is shown at Figures 5, 6, and 7, on No. 2,
Sheet of Drawings; and consist of causing the false back k to fly up
and down at each motion of the lathe or slay; it is intended to be down
when the shuttle is passing and might be entrapped up when the shut-

page_text: tle is in the box and out of danger, with the reed ready to beat up
the weft. To the sword arm L is fixed a bracket M, to which is
jointed the lever N, curved on its upper side, which lever is con-
nected to a plate O, upon upon which the reed rests. In the other
modification at Figure 7, the plate has projections at the ends
carrying pulleys P, which work in the grooved cam, thereby
raising and depressing the reed at the each stroke of the lathe.
My improved compound shuttle box is shown at Figures 8, and 9,
in No. 2, Sheet of Drawing, in which the shuttle boxes revolve on
their own axles horizontally or one or both ends of the lathe. On
the end of the said shuttle boxes I make a place for the picker to
rest in, and further outwards a space for the action of two levers,
one acting above and the other below the part, fixed to and move-
able with the axle of the shuttle boxes. On this part there is also
a hammer with a spring to keep the shuttle box in its proper
position.
I desire it to be understood that the foregoing is an outline
description of my Invention, and that the Drawings are merely
illustrative of such description, and that I reserve the right to
modify the details so that I do not depart from the general plan
of such herein-before described improvements.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters
Patent, filed by the said David Chalmers in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 30th July 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
DAVID CHALMERS; of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Ma-
nufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of January,
in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three,
and in the sixteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs
and successors, give and grant unto me, the said David Chalmers,

page_text: Her especial license that I, the said David Chalmers, my exe-
cutors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
David Chalmers, my executors, administrators, or 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, vend, within the United King-
dom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle
of Man, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS," upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that I, the said David Chalmers, by
strument 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 Scal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
an in-
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said David Chalmers, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, that is to say: My said
improvements relate, first, to the particular description of loom used
for weaving dainasks. By my improvements I economise the cost of
such loom labour in working, and wear and tear of the machinery
itself, by introducing 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more shafts to produce any kind
of tweed by tappets and parallel motion; I also use 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or
more depressing tappets to produce similar tweed on the opposite
side of the cloth. In the jacquard process I use two shafts on the top
of the machine lying in the direction of the breadth of the loom. On
the front of one of them I fix a lever to lift the apparatus, which.
raises the warp threads to produce the required figure. A tappet
wheel or cam, with one or more notches in it, keeps the machine up
during about five sixths of its circumference, and during the
motion of the other part or parts the machine is down, and a
change of card takes place once for six or any other number of
picks of the loom. Secondly, to an improvement in that part of the
loom technically called the "letting-of motion." Thirdly, to an

page_text: improved temple. Fourthly, to an improved weft motion. Fifthly,
to an improved fly reed; and, sixthly, to an improved compound
shuttle box. All of which improvements will be understood by
reference to the accompanying Drawings, on which the same letters
and figures of reference are used to denote similar parts where
different views or diagrams are shewn.
In Sheet No. I., Fig.
represents a part of front elevation
of a loom showing some of my said improvements. Fig. 2 and
3, are end elevations of the same; and Fig. 4, a plan. thereof. In
Sheet No. II., Fig. 1, is an end elevation of my improved temple;
and Fig. 2, a plan thereof. Fig. 3, is an end elevation of my
improved weft motion; and Fig. 4, a plan thereof. Fig. 5, is
an end elevation of my improved fly reed; and Fig. 6, is a plan
of the same. Fig. 7, is an end view of another mode of accomplish-
ing the same object. Fig. 8, is an elevation of my improved com-
pound shuttle box; and Fig. 9, a plan of the same, showing the
inode of working it; and Fig. 10, shews a portion of the cards.
In Sheet No. I., Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, show a combination of healds
and jacquard process. The healds A, are moved by the tappets B, B,
bell cranks C, C, and springs D, D. Upon the end of the main or
crank shaft E, is a fly wheel F, with, a pin fixed at G, depressing
the rod I, which, but for the slot at the top, would move the lever
I, keyed on on the shaft J, at each stroke of the main shaft E.
The lever I is kept down by the rod K, lever L, and cam M,
except when the part N is opposite the roller in the lever L; then,
all resistance being removed, the weights are in action, bringing
down the couplings and lever O, also keyed on
raising the lever I, to be again ready for action.
to the cam by a series of toothed wheels. On the wheel P, keyed
on the same shaft as the cam M, in a line with the part N, is a pin
which, by the rod Q, works the lever R, shaft S, lever T, and jac-
quard cylinder U. At Fig 7, is an enlarged view of the cam m,
and lever L. A modification of the above is shewn in Figs. 8 and
9, where on the main crank shaft E, a pinion is placed to work into
the shaft J, and
Motion is given

page_text: a wheel one to eight, or any other proportion; and on the shaft of
this wheel is placed a tappet or cam having one, two, or more
notches in it, which gives motion to the lever L, and the rod K, in
the manner above described.
My improved letting off motion is also shown on No. 1, Sheet of
Drawings where a represents a lever turning on the pin b, having
one end resting on the yarn beam, and the other jointed to a slotted
lever c. In this slot is a stud d, one end of which works in a slot.in
the sword arm of the lathe or slay, and the other end works in
another slotted lever e, supported by a stud f, from the side of the
loom. In this lever is another stud g, which works in the slotted
lever h, having its fulcrum on the shaft i of the ratchet wheel j
At the top of the slotted lever.h, is a series of ratchets. At k is
another series of catches to retain the motion given by the moveable
ratchets to the ratchet wheel j, which turns the shaft i, and 'bevil
pinion m, working into the bevil wheel n, keyed to the shaft o, at
the end of which is a worm p; working into the worm wheel q,
keyed on the shaft of the
yarn beam.
My improved temple is shewn at Figs. 1 and 2, on No. II. Sheet
of Drawings, which represent two bars of metal or other material
the entire breadth of the fabric to be woven, one of which bars is
placed above the fabric, and another below it. These bars A, B,
are grooved or serrated divergently from the centre in each direc-
tion, and are supported by the brackets C, C, furnished with joints
and springs, in order to avoid damage should any trap take place.
My improved weft motion is shewn at Figs. 3 and 4, No. II. Sheet
of Drawings. Between the front, beam and the lathe is a rod d,
acting on bearings having a fork shaped instrument near each end.
To one of these forked shaped instruments, or to the rod itself, iš
attached a fixing of metal or material E, which acts upon a levér
F, on one end of which is a knob or head. The fulcrum of this
lever is on the returned end of the piece attached to the side of the
frog. To the lathe is fixed the piece G: At each end of the reed
is a grid H, H, through which the forks pass in the absence of the

page_text: weft thread. When the weft is present the forks are pushed back,
thus acting upon and causing the knob of the lever to be lifted out
of the way of the piece G, in consequence of which the frog is not
pushed forward, and the spring handle of the loom is not thrown
out of its place.
up
My improved fly reed is shewn at Figs. 5, 6 and 7, on No. II.
Sheet of Drawings. It consists of causing the loose or false back
K, to fly up and down at each motion of the lathe or slay; it is
down when the shuttle is passing, and up when the shuttle is in
the box and out of danger, with the reed ready to beat the weft.
To the sword arm L, is fixed a bracket M, to which is jointed the
lever N, curved on its upper side, which lever is connected to a
plate O, upon which the reed rests. In the other modification at
Fig. 7, the plate has projections at the ends, carrying pulleys P,
which work in the grooved cam, thereby raising and depressing the
reed at each stroke of the lathe."
My improved compound shuttle box is shewn at Figs. 8 and 9, in
No. II. Sheet of Drawings. The shuttle boxes revolve on their own
axis horizontally on one or both ends of the lathe. On the end of
the said shuttle boxes I make a place for the picker Q to rest, and
a space R for a hammer acting with a spring to keep the shuttle
box in its proper position. There are also two or more pieces S, S,
for the action of the levers both above and below, these being fixed
to and moveable with the shaft of the shuttle boxes. Motion is
obtained from the tappet shaft by mitre and worm wheels to the
shaft on which is placed the cylinder T. This shaft is supported
on the one end by the loom side, and on the other by a framework
U; a plan only of which is shown in Fig. 9. The fulcra of all the
levers are obtained from studs fixed in the said framework.
On
the cylinder. T are knobs (as in the cylinder of the jacquard
machine), on which act a species of cards or links of cast iron or
other material having small knobs so placed on them as to act upon
the levers when and where required to suit the pattern of the fabric
to be woven... The catches of the levers are all free from the end

page_text: of the shuttle box, except when any one of them is being acted upon
by the small knobs.
Having thus fully described the nature and particulars of my
said Invention, I desire it to be distinctly understood that I do
not confine myself to the exact details herein described, as such
may be varied or modified without departing from. the principle
thereof. But I claim as of my Invention, and which to the best of
my knowledge and belief has not been hitherto used within this
realm,-
Firstly, the form and mode of action of the three rods, and' their
connection with the fly and other wheels, tappet or cam, and levers,
or with one rod and notched tappet only;
Secondly, the tappet wheel or cam with one or more notches, its
lever and connections, as herein described and illustrated relating to.
the damask power loom;
Thirdly, the lever which acts and communicates between the yarn
beam and the motive power; and,
Fourthly, all the different combinations of levers, slots, studs,
catches and wheels as herein described and illustrated, to produce
the letting-off motion;
Fifthly, the application of serrated or grooved bars used as temples
in the manufacture of woven or textile fabrics;
Sixthly, the two connected forks acting at either end of the reed,
and the communication therefrom to the frog or spring handle of
the loom to act as a weft motion;
Seventhly, the loose half back of the reed, moveable either from
the apparatus deriving power from the sword arm, and acted upon
by a fixture from the side of the loom, or working by pullies in a
fixed grooved cam;
Eighthly, the horizontal circular shuttle boxes with any number
of shuttles;
Ninthly, the mode of bringing any required shuttle into opera-
tion; and,
Tenthly, the manner in which the pattern is derived by a species

page_text: of cards, links, or similar means, and the connection therefrom to the
shuttle boxes; as all of which improvements are herein described and
illustrated in the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said David Chalmers, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of July,
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
DAVID CHALMERS.
(L.S.)
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the
within-named David Chalmers,
in the presence of E. J. HUGHES,
Patent' Agent,
Manchester.