IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE MANU- FACTURE OF WEAVERS' HARNESS
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Vincent Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughts-
man, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE MANU-
FACTURE OF WEAVERS' HARNESS."-A communication.
Sealed the 30th June 1854, and dated the 7th April 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Vincent Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
7th April 1854.
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE MANUFACTURE
OF WEAVERS HARNESS" to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the making of weavers' double knotted leash
harness by machinery driven by hand or power, so arranged that the whole
process of making the harness is effected by the combined action of the
working parts.
The objects desired and which are effected by this machine are the follow-
ing, viz., tying two knots, which form the eye in the middle of the harness;
tying a knot upon each back band to confine the eye to its place; forming a
leash between the eye and one of the back bands, and removing or drawing
A

page_text: away the back bands as the twine is tied to them, in order to regulate the
number of the beers to the given space.
This machine somewhat resembles the common braiding machine, in that it
is provided with bobbins, which are carried through a serpentine or winding
track around a range of fixed central shafts. There are two carriages, which
carry each a twine bobbin, and are formed each of two parts, in order to permit
of the upper part with its bobbin being detached from the lower part, (which
is always in connection with the driving machinery,) for the purpose of passing
through loops formed in the twine, and thereby producing the required knots
in the harness. The loops are formed by means of hooks and pressers, which
take hold of the twine, drag it off its bobbin, and bring it under the action of
descending fingers, which pass below the bobbin track. The bobbin then in
travelling its course passes through the loop (the upper part of the carriage
being detached from the lower for that purpose), and a knot is formed.
The back bands before mentioned pass up from reels at the lower part
of the machine through the central shafts at the ends of the range (which
shafts are made hollow for the purpose) to a travelling cross bar at the
upper part of the machine. As the leash harness is knotted upon these
bands, which form, as it were, selvage ends, the whole is drawn slowly upwards
by a suitable take-up motion.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alfred Vincent Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 7th October 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALFRED
VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of April, A.D. 1854, in the seventeenth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, Her special license that I, the said Alfred
Vincent Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, 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

page_text: "
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE MANUFACTURE OF WEAVERS HARNESS,'
being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad, upon the condition
(amongst others) that J, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, by an instrument 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 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 Alfred Vincent Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
The Invention consists in making weavers' double knotted leash harness, by
machinery driven by hand or power, so arranged that the whole process of
making the harness is effected by various apparatus or tools combined, and
working together, as in this Specification described, making one machine.
The objects desired and which are effected by this machine are the follow-
ing, viz., tying two knots, which form the eye in the middle of the harness;
tying a knot upon each back band to confine the eye to its place; forming a
leash between the eye and one of the back bands, and removing or drawing
away the back bands as the twine is tied to them, in order to regulate the
number of the beers to the given space.
The machine consists of stationary parts, shafts, geer, cams, levers, springs,
tools of various forms, &c., as represented by the Drawings hereto annexed,
and making part of this Specification.
Figure 1 of the Drawings represents the end elevation of the machine, and
shows the gearing operating the horizontal shafts U, V, & Z, the manner of
operating the upright screw shaft X'. By removing a portion of this shaft
& framing are also shewn the end stud 5, the two spindles & spools O, O,
the knot hook F on the front stand. On the back stands are also seen the
rolling. hook I, the nipper J, the marking reservoir R, the knot point E, and
the knock-off K, in succession; several cams as indicated by the letters are also
shown, etc.
Figure 2 represents the front view, and shows more particularly the arrange-
ment of the clutches p', p, p, p, p, and their geers; the upright screw.
shaft X, and the other apparatus for raising the harness; the harness
shafts X3, X3, with their horns; the line of studs 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5, and the
A

page_text: three plates A, B, & C; the spool cars D, D; the downfalls H, H, etc; the
cams U, U, etc.
Figure 3 represents the top view or plan, showing more particularly the
openings in plates B & C; it also shows several of the cams which operate
the tools, etc., as by reference to the letters in the Specification will be seen;
also the several tools, switches, etc., as lettered.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal section through the centre of the line of studs.
Figure 5 is a cross section taken in a vertical plane in the middle of the
machine, showing the projection Z, operating the knock off K; the cam V2
operating the wing G, and the cam on its back operating the bar V' and wire
V³, attached to the lip g to turn the wing G on its axis; also the swan track
grooves in plate C, and the traveller track grooves in plate B, with an end
view of the spool car D, & clutch p, &c., as lettered.
Figure 6 represents the spool car D of full size, showing the internal
arrangement of the flippers m, m, with their springs, the one up & the other
down, with its position on plates B & C; also the bottom of the swan plate
N, & the top of the swan carrier M, separately.
Figure 7 represents the clutch p of full size.
Figure 8 represents the leash cam U', with the lever U³ operating the rod q,
and the leash switch lever a¹, etc.
Figure 9 represents the side and end of cam V2, of one half size, with the
levers which it operates.
The stationary parts of the machine are, the frame X, X, X, as represented
in the Drawings, to which reference is also made when the different parts
herein-after named are lettered and numbered. The bed plate A attached to
the end top pieces of the frame.
Upon plate A by legs is supported another plate B, at the distance of 43
inches above it. This plate is of smaller dimensions than A, and is called the
middle plate.
Upon plate B, at the height of 23 inches above it, is set a smaller plate C,
called the top plate. This is composed of two plates, each about 's of an
inch thick, fastened together, the one upon the other, by screws.
The upper
or cap plate can thus be removed at pleasure. This differs from the other by
having a cut made in it at the exterior sides of the swan track, herein-after
mentioned, so that with the under plate a groove is formed for the swan N
to run in, which is thereby prevented also from working up and down.
Upon plate A are established in line five shafts or studs, marked 1, 2, 3,
4, & 5, secured firmly under the plate by nuts at a distance of 2 inches
from each other respectively. Four of these studs, viz., 1, 2, 4, & 5, are

page_text: prolonged to a height of 2 inches above the upper surface of plate C.
The other stud No. 3 comes up within about an inch of said surface. Nos. 1,
3, & 5, are hollow.
Through plate C is cut a series of circles, the centres of which coincide
5 with the centres of studs 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5, and of such diameter (say 3
inches) that they cross each other, and thus form one continuous mortice, con-
sisting of a series of segments of circles. A circular piece of metal t is
attached around each stud, forming collars, the upper end of which is on a
level with that of plate C; a groove is made in their outer periphery on the
same level with the groove in the plate C, before mentioned, and of the same
width, forming an inner track for the swan N. A portion of each of these
collars, as well as a piece at each end of the opening in plate C, is cut out as
at t', to allow the downfalls H, H, and the wing G, hereafter mentioned, to
pass down below the level of the groove, already mentioned, the peripheries
of these segments or collars parallel with the exterior sides of the segments
forming the mortise with said exterior sides with their respective grooves the
swan track C', C2, C3, C, C, in Figures 3, 4, & 5.
In plate B a similar opening is cut immediately under and corresponding
with that in plate C, but of a smaller size, the diameter of the circle being
about three inches. And on a level with plate B, and of the same thickness
with it, circular collars m', m², m³, m³, m³, of two inches diameter are attached,
and secured around each stud. This leaves an opening between the collars
and the exterior sides of this opening of half an inch, called the traveller track
and is marked B', B2, B3, B, B', in Figures 3 & 4.
There are four stands set upon and secured to plate B, for the purpose of
holding several of the tools. One stand e is directly in front of stud 3;
another fis directly opposite on the other side or rear of the studs, and equally
distant. The other two W, W, are stationed one each side of and in line
with f. The top of these stands is nearly on a level with the top of the stud.
Upon the middle ones e, f, are supported the knot hooks F, F, and knot points
E, E, one of each on a stand; on f there is also, between the knot point &
knot hook, the knock-off' K; on each side stand one of the nippers J &
rolling hooks I is supported; on the stand W, back of stud 5, there is also
attached the apparatus R for marking the harness.
These are all the stationary parts necessary to be particularly mentioned.
There are other stands for supporting levers, etc., which in the description of
other parts of the machine will be incidentally mentioned, from which and by
examining the Drawings they will be understood.
The shafts, cams, and gearing are arranged as ollows, viz. Under the

page_text: bed plate A is the main shaft Y, as represented in the Drawings, making
This shaft
as its proper speed about twenty-five revolutions per minute.
carries near stud 1 a bevil gear of 66 teeth, which gears into another of 22
teeth on the short upright shaft Q. Upon this upright shaft just beneath
P' gears
plate B is a fast spur gear P, which works into gear P¹ on stud 1.
into P on stud 2, & so on, to P on stud 5. All the stud gear P-, with their
collars, play loose on their respective studs. Upon and to the top of three
of these stud gear, viz., P3, P4, P³, are attached horizontal clutches p³, p', p³,
for the purpose of catching the pin in the bottom of the traveller L, here-
after mentioned, and carrying forward the spool car D, (of which the traveller
forms a part), by the revolution of the stud gear, as will be more fully described.
Above the gear P1, P2, but not attached to them, but by an internal collar to
the gear S1, S2, on same studs for the same purpose, as above mentioned, are
the clutches p', p². These five clutches are so arranged, by having one over
& the next below the small collars attached to them alternately, that they can
revolve without hitting each other, and thus the pin 7 aforesaid can be detached
from one clutch by the next as directed by the switches, and propelled in the
desired direction. The object in connecting the clutches p', p², to stud gear
S', S², instead of P1, P2, is, that in the process of forming the leash, it is
necessary to reverse the direction of one of the spool cars D in this vicinity,
without affecting the movement of the other. This is effected in the follow-
ing manner-The shaft Q is hollowed sufficiently to receive a rod g within it.
Through the upper end of this rod is a horizontal clutch pin projecting beyond
the surface of the shaft Q, between the loose gear Q₁ & S on said shaft;
by this means the lifting or depressing the rod will clutch one wheel and
unclutch the other, and vice versa. When in gear with S3, S1 & S2, on
studs 1 & 2, in connection with it, are driven in the same direction as P', P²,
respectively driven by P on same shaft. When the gear Q' is driven, that
works into Q, an intermediate stud gear on a short stud on plate A in rear of
studi. Qis attached by a collar to Q3 on same stud. Q³ gears into the
lower half of S¹, and thus reverses the direction of the clutch p', & conse-
quently of p², from that of the gear P¹, P³, respectively. The clutching and
unclutching of the two wheels Q', and S³, on Q, is effected in the following
manner-The rod q is jointed at its lower end to a lever U³, provided with a
pin, which by a spring on the cam U₁ is held down on to the periphery of the
said cam, which is concentric for the greater part of its circumference; and at
U, Fig. 8, has a projection, which in passing acts on the pin, and elevates
the lever to lift the rod and shift the clutch at the time required, and by the
continued rotation lets down the lever and rod to reshift the clutch.

page_text: The main shaft Y also drives three horizontal shafts, viz. :-Shaft U in
front of shaft Y, by a gear of 28 teeth into one of 84 teeth. This shaft
carries two cams U¹, U. U is about 9 inches in diameter, and is formed
as represented by Figure 8; and in addition to working the clutch-rod q,
just described, operates also an upright lever a¹, and gives the leash switch a,
attached to it, a lateral movement by the side surface U, Fig. 8. The switch
a is for the purpose of reversing the traveller, and of closing a part of the
traveller track, as will be hereafter described. This switch is connected at
its outer end with the upper end of lever a', which turns on an unversal
joint at a³, as it must both shift and move the switch in & out. The lower
end of this lever a¹ is confined from its position to the side of the cam wheel
U', so that the side of this wheel cam, formed as represented at Figure 8, can
give a lateral movement to the said lever by operating upon the bent arm of
said lever or pin, so that the said switch is turned or shifted, the counteraction
being effected by a spring; and the switch is drawn out at the required time
by a lip U, Fig. 8, which projects beyond the periphery of the cam wheel and
on one side of it, and which catches a wrist pin on the end of the lever a¹,
and by its form draws in this end of the lever, and consequently draws out the
switch; and the moment this lip has passed, the lower end of the lever is sud-
denly drawn out by the tension of a spring, a², to force in the switch by a
quick motion to strike the traveller at the time required to reverse its
direction, and at the same time that the clutch is shifted by the clutch rod q,
before described.
Cam U is about six inches in diameter, and operating by varying the surface
its sides upon two upright levers b² & d'; by the first gives a lateral motion
to switches & b, and by the second to switch d, for the purpose more fully
hereafter described.
The lower back shaft V is driven by shaft Y by a geer of 56 teeth
into one on shaft V of 84 teeth, and holds three cams V1, V2, V3. These
are represented by Figure 5, and operate upon levers similar to V4+, Fig. 5,
in shape and size, all attached and having their fulcra upon the lower back
piece of the frame X. These cams raise and lower the downfalls H, H, and
the wing G, and with a slight difference in the wing cam V2 are precisely the
same. This difference is for the following reason: when the knock-off K
is about to push the thread off the points E, E, hereafter described, the wing
G must be dropped a little that the knock-off may not strike it; it is neces-
sary therefore that the cam should be arranged to operate upon the lever
attached to the rod g¹ to effect that object. Upon the back side of said cam V²,
as represented in Figure 5, there is a peripherical surface cam, forming nearly a

page_text: half circle, which is adjusted to press back upon a pin & bar V, connected
by a wire V8 to the lip g² on the bottom of rod g', for the purpose of giving
at a proper time to the rod & the ring G a turn of about an eighth of a
circle, and retaining it in that position, as is more fully described elsewhere;
when this purpose is effected, the rod is turned back by the tension of a spring
attached to switch 62 in Figure 5.
There is also between V¹ & V³, on the shaft, a worm V5, Fig. 2, which
assists in operating the marking apparatus.
Shaft Z, the upper back shaft, is driven by shaft V, both having geer of
84 teeth, connected by an intermediate stud geer of 34 teeth, and holds the
following cams all of the same diameter:-
Beginning next to the geer is a cam Z', effecting two objects; first, by vary-
ing the surface of its side, it gives a lateral motion to the frame of the rolling
hook I; second, by a triangular pin, projecting from the other side, it acts
upon the lever to operate the nipper J. The cam Z effects two purposes;
first, by varying the surface on its side it gives a lateral motion to the knot
hooks F, F; and second, by a triangular pin Z, Fig. 5, projected from the
other side, to operate the knock-off K. The cam Z by a pin, as in the cam Z¹,
acts on nipper lever j³, and by an opening in its periphery and by varying the
surface of its sides gives a lateral motion to the knot points E, E, by means
of the lever E¹, and confines the movement of said lever on both sides.
Between the cams Z & Z³ there is on the shaft a triangular projection or
pin Z, Fig. 5, for the purpose of operating a lever R³, which acts upon &
forces forward the marking bar of the marking apparatus.
The tools which effect the tying of the knots have been already referred to
in describing the use of the cams, etc., and are as follows, viz. :-Two spool
cars, No. 1 & 2, or D, D; two knot points E, E; two knot hooks F, F;
a double wing G; two, downfalls H, H; two rolling hooks I, I; two nippers
J, J, and a knock-off K.
The spool car is composed of the traveller L, the swan carrier M, the
swan N, and the spindle with its spool O.
The traveller L, Figs. 6, is made of three plates, the middle of which is of
the same thickness as plate B, of an oblong shape, rounded at each end about
1 inch in length, and of a width to fit the traveller track. It is confined to the
track by the upper & lower plate secured to it; these are each about 2 inches
long and 1 wide, of an oblong shape, but pointed at both ends, and of an
inch thick; these overlay above and below the plate B, on the one side, and
circular collars m, on the other; they are not fitted to track so closely as to
prevent them from moving easily upon the surface of 'plate B, & the collars.

page_text: From the lower plate a pin is projected sufficiently far below that it can be
caught & propelled by the horizontal clutches before mentioned, upon
the studs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Upon the traveller is secured, by pins or otherwise, the
swan carrier M; this is about 2 inches high, 's of an inch thick, and some-
what shorter than the upper plate of the traveller L; it is hollowed into two
vertical circular cavities for the purpose of receiving two pins or flippers m, m,
with wings, and a spiral spring to operate each, as shown in Figure 6. These
flippers project up through the flat top of the carrier sufficiently high to engage
with and remain in permanent connection with the swan N, when there is
no counteracting movement, by means of corresponding cavities in the bottom
of the swan into which they fit. These flippers are easily depressed when a
horizontal pressure is received upon their wings. The swan N is composed of
two plates; the upper one is about 24 inches long, 14 wide, and thick, and
runs on a level with the upper surface of plate C; to it is attached the lower
plate, 1 inches wide, 3 inches long, and inch thick, or of a thickness to
move easily in the grooves, before mentioned, when describing the swan track;
this is secured from getting off the track by means of the cap plate, which is
screwed down to the under plate C. On the under side of the lower plate of
the swan are the two cavities, already mentioned, to receive the flippers. The
swan does not sit close down upon the carrier, but an opening is left between
them. At certain stages of the process it is necessary for the swan to pass over
the wing G, and the downfalls EI, H, while the carrier passes under them,
therefore the swan must be partially disengaged from the carrier; by this
arrangement, when the spool car D comes in contact with the wings or down-
falls laying across its track, the edge of the wing, etc., passes into the opening
left between the carrier, & the swan presses horizontally against the wing of
the flipper next to it with sufficient force, so that the flipper is depressed, and
the wing G passes over it & under the swan. As soon as the wing Ghas
passed, the relieved flipper springs up into the cavity in the swan, & resumes
its connection in time to allow the other flipper to be operated upon in the
same manner, without at any time having the swan entirely disconnected from
the carrier. The wing or downfall being passed, both flippers are again in
connection.
The spindle & spool O is simply a spindle set on the swan for a spool. On
the forward end of the swan is a stud or rod, shaped like a swan's neck, raised
to about the height of the spindle; to the front of this stud a light spring is
attached for creating friction. The thread from the spool is passed through a
hole in the neck, then between the neck and the spring, then over the top of
the neck through a groove therein, and then through a hole in the top of the

page_text: spindle, and is tied to the back band of the harness. This spring is adjusted
to prevent any thread coming off the spool by the friction it causes by pressing
upon the thread, while there is any slack thread to be taken up outside.
The wing or double wing G is formed of two thin flat sides or wings, con-
nected by centre much lower than the sides (say 's of an inch). These wings
lie horizontally, and terminate in points or fingers g, g, bent downwards at right
angles. On the under side of these wings a horizontal groove is made. When
the fingers are laying in the groove cut in the front of stud No. 2, and in
the back of No. 4, this longitudinal groove is directly over the thread to. be
operated upon. To this wing is attached a rod g' running up through the stud
3, and by it the wing is raised, depressed, and turned about an eighth of a
circle on its axis. The wings' extreme depression is just below the level of the
horizontal groove in plate C, and the elevation a little above the top of the line
of studs. When its part is finished, it is turned on its axis about an eighth of
a circle, as before mentioned to remove the sides out of the way until again
required, as is described hereafter.
The downfalls H, H, are located, as represented in the Drawings, one at
each end of the mortise, and attached to a rod h, which, sliding up and down,
carries the downfall with it. These rise and fall to the same level as the wing
G, the cut in each end of the plate C, and in the segments around studs 1 &
5, being made for that purpose. The bottom of the downfall is about the
width & thickness of the sides of the wing G, projects horizontally towards
the stud, and turns up in a finger nearly perpendicular. 3ths of an inch on
the under side and up to the end of the finger is also a longitudinal groove;
this finger in moving up and down comes in contact with the stud & slides
upon it. The purpose of the wing & downfalls is to press down a line of
thread & to hold it there a definite time. The longitudinal groove keeps
the thread in position, & prevents any chafing while the carrier is passing.
The rolling hooks H, are set in frames i, i, on the stands W, W, as epre-
sented in the Drawings see Fig. 3, &c.; they are placed between the end
studs 1 & 5 and the downfall rods h, h, on a level with the top of the studs,
and project a little by the line of studs. The frame is operated upon by the
cam Z', already mentioned, and has a lateral movement, so that the hook
moves from the stud to the downfall rod, and by the pressure of the spiral
spring I', back to the stud, and the hook being on bearings in the frame by
means of a circular pin projected at right angles, & brought in contact with
a stationary point; when moving laterally, it is caused to turn on said bearings,
and by a spiral spring around the base of the hook, to turn back about half a
revolution on its axis.

page_text: The nippers J, J, are each attached to the same stands W, W, as the rolling
hooks, on a level with the top of the studs between studs 1 & 2, and 4 & 5,
but close to 1 and 5, and are used for the purpose of holding at the proper
times the thread. These project so that the beak is a little by the line of the
centre of the studs. Each nipper, as represented by the Drawings, is composed
of two bars, attached together by means of a curved projection made from each,
about ths of an inch at the highest point, and 1 inch-long, which hinge-like
play into each other by means of a slot cut in one of them to receive the other,
upon the pin which connects them together. From the middle of this pro-
jection rearward to the end of the lower bar it is about 6 inches, and from
this curve to this end both bars are straight; they are laid in slotted stands
,, but are not prevented from moving backward and forward as required.
The upper bar is about ths of an inch shorter than the other at the rear end,
and comes only as far as the stand j'. About 3ths of an inch from this end
the upper surface is sloped off, decreasing gradually in thickness, until it
terminates in a thin edge on the lower side, retaining, however, the width of
the bar. The extreme end of the slope of this bar, when the beak of the
nipper is closed, rests against the top of slot in stand j', and is pressed against
it by a spring fastened to the upper side of the lower bar; this slot is about
an inch high. The end of the lever 73, operating the nipper backward &
forward, is, as represented in the Drawings, inserted through the lower bar
about 4 inches from the rear end. The beak being closed, the lever j³,
operated by the cam, as before mentioned, gives a direct motion to the rear.
At first the motion takes effect upon the upper bar, and forces the sloped end
through the slot ; this operates upon the fulcrum or curved hinge only suffi-
cient to open the beak perpendicularly, or nearly so; the continued movement
of the lever then slides both bars through the slot, bringing these ends nearer
together, and at the same time giving a rolling motion by the action of the
curved hinge, so as to clear the beak from the thread it just held by a down-
ward backward motion; and upon the return action of the lever, caused by the
spring on the top of the nipper, an upward forward motion is given, while
the upper and lower toothed ends pass above and below the thread to be seized,
and then the action of the spring before mentioned upon the sloped end of the
upper bar shuts the teeth together with the thread between.
The knot hooks F, F, are attached one to each of the middle stands, and
having a pivot on the rear of the stand, move the other end confined in its
movement by a slot in the front of said stand laterally, by means of the cam Z³
operating upon the arm of the rear hook F, extended to its vicinity in one

page_text: direction, and by the pressure of the spiral spring F in the other, and this
hook being connected by wires and the lever F, with the other, causes that to
move in the contrary direction. Between the stands and the line of studs these
hooks are curved, as represented in the Drawings, and terminate in a point
bent at right angles towards the centre stud, nearly in the same line and on a
level with the top of the studs. The front hook moves from the right & the
rear from the left towards the centre, and are curved, to avoid any collision with
the wing G.
The knot points E, E, are also attached, one to each of the middle stands,
and having a pivot on the rear of the stand with a slot on the front of said
stand to allow it to move; its free end laterally is curved between the stand &
the line of studs to avoid the wing G, and terminates in a straight point; they
are also connected together by wires to the lever E', moved by cam Z, which
I have described as having an opening upon its periphery; in this opening the
bent arm of the lever moves, and is prevented, being confined on both sides,
from moving either way laterally, more than is prescribed by the shape or form
of this opening, as it is necessary that the point should remain wherever it is
stationed perfectly free from vibration and firm. The point of each is in a line
and below the top of stud 2 or 4, say half an inch, when lying in the groove
cut in said studs 2 and 4, facing the centre.
These knot points and hooks work together in pairs, viz., the point on the
front stand with the hook on the rear, and the point on the rear with
the hook on the front; the first-mentioned pair operating between the 24 &
3d studs, and the other between the 4th & 3, where the knots are tied,
which form the eye of the harness. It is evident, that as the hook & point
have their pivots in line equidistant from studs 2 & 3, and as the point lays
in a groove in stud 2, in line with the centres of the studs, and the hook is
directly over the centre of stud 3, as will hereafter be described, that as it is
necessary that at a certain point between these two they should pass cach
other in their lateral movement, either one or the other must be prevented
from describing the arc of a circle, which they would naturally do, and thus
come in contact instead of passing. To effect this, as well as another object,
presently mentioned, the following arrangement is made in relation to the
movement of the knot point:-In the slot e' on the front part of the stand in
which the bar of the knot point is confined, is laid a piece of metal, inclining
upwards towards the centre, but retrograding from the line of studs as it inclines
upwards, so that when the extreme point of the knot point is nearest the
centre, it shall be about a quarter of an inch higher than when at the groove.

page_text: On each side of this inclined piece is a pin, let down from the under side of the
knot point; a slot is also cut in said point where the pivot pin secures it to the
rear of the stand. When the lever E' acts upon and pushes the knot points
toward the centre, the points, prevented from moving in any other direction
than that which the pins will allow, follow the track which said pins are
obliged to make, in following the shape of the aforesaid inclined piece, which,
as has been before said, retrogrades as it inclines upward, and gives to the
extreme point, instead of a curved track, the one thus prescribed, while the rear
end, having the slot, yields to the pressure. The hook and point can thus pass
each other; at the same time the thread is between the two points and crosses
the line of studs, the two points not being now in line with the studs; when
therefore the thread is knocked off the points, instead of getting under the
points, which would naturally be the case were the points in line with the studs,
it comes immediately into said line by the tension of the line of thread in that
direction.
The knock-off K is placed on the stand f between the hook & point, for
the purpose of removing from the points the knots forming the eye when nearly
closed. This is done by pushing the knock-off down upon the twine between
the knots. It is made of two flat bars; the front piece has a grooved nose k',
to prevent the twine from slipping away when it comes upon it. This nose
comes to the line of studs. This piece on its under side has a wedge-shaped
piece, the inclined side of which is parallel with an inclined plane in the slotted
stand, against which it rests, being retained there by the action of the spiral
spring attached to the rear end of the bar and the back stand . When this
spring is overcome or removed, the bar slides both downward and forward upon
this inclined rest, and a motion resembling a push rather than a strike would
be given. Upon the back of this is attached the other bar, by means of a pin
fastened to the first, passing through a slot k', in the second, by which the
lower bar is pushed forward by the upper, but is allowed to be drawn back to
its first position by means of the spring or otherwise. The upper has, as a
fulcrum, a pin passing through it on stand 3, and is operated upon at the other
end by a wedge-shaped pin Z on cam Z, Fig. 5, adjusted properly. It is to
be observed, that one side of the beak projects forward a little more than the
other, so that the front line is not parallel with the line of studs. This is so
constructed, because the thread or twine between the points just closing the
knots is not in a line with the studs, but is drawn towards each point for the
purpose (besides those given when speaking of the knot points) of allowing
the knock-off' to operate upon it without interfering with the knots already
tied, which are in a direct line with the studs, and immediately over it.

page_text: The arrangement for guiding & propelling the spool car on the tracks is
effected by means of a series of switches to guide & direct, and a series of
clutches to seize and propel it; the last have been sufficiently described
in connection with the geer P1, P2, P3, P, P, to be understood by reference to
the Drawings.
The traveller L of the spool car is guided and directed by five switches at
the circular openings B', B2, B3, B4, B. Beginning at the rear of opening B
near B' is a spring switch T, operated by a spiral spring concealed within the
collar around stud 2, made hollow for the purpose. This switch lies directly
in the track near the point where B & B meet. It is arranged to give way
only to a pressure from the travellers when passing from B, by the rear of B
towards B¹; if the direction of the travellers were reversed it would not yield.
This switch answers here, because the travellers always move in this direction.
The next switch b', between B & B in rear, and its corresponding one b
between B & B in front, are pointed bars, attached by a pivot to the under
side of plate B, and connected by wires and lever. By the operation of the
upright lever b², moving on a pivot on plate A, and driven by cam U2, they
have a lateral motion, but the reverse of each other. When, therefore, the
point of switch b' lies against the opening B and closes it in the rear to the
traveller coming from B³, the point of switch blies against the opening B,
and closes it in front to the other traveller coming also from B³, and vice
versa. The next switch d of the same form is placed in the rear between the
openings B&B; it corresponds with the leash switch a in front, between
the openings B¹ & B², and might be operated with it in the same manner as
b&b are; but as switch a has other duties to perform, cach is operated
separately. d is operated by a lever d', moved also by cam U2, and closes as
required in the rear the openings B & B. The leash switch a, besides the
lateral motion of the other pointed switches, has another property, partially
described in connection with the cam U¹, which will, as there stated, be more
fully described when describing the formation of the leash.
All these four switches, besides acting as obstacles to the passage of the
travellers, act also as guides and supporters of the travellers at the same time.
There are various springs attached to the switches, knot hooks, and rolling
hooks, & other tools, to cause prompt reaction; the necessity for which,
when not here mentioned incidentally, or represented in the Drawings, will
readily present themselves to the workman, and which it is deemed unnecessary
to mention more particularly.
It has already been stated that studs No. 1 & 5 were hollow; through
these are drawn the back band from the spools hung under the front bar of the

page_text: frame X. The band comes through the small hole on the top of these studs
near the point, which is so shaped that the thread may easily slide off, and
is tied to pins upon a horizontal bar X, as represented in the Drawings,
Figure 2. This bar is raised by means of an upright screw shaft X'. This
shaft is connected by an intermediate change gear to a short shaft X², which
is driven by the shaft U by means of bevel gear; the one upon shaft U having
40 teeth, and the one upon the short shaft 20 teeth. By raising the horizontal
bar, regulated by the intermediate stud gear, the operator ties upon the back
band the number of beers he desires.
Having now described the cams, switches, tools, &c. for tying the knots, I
will show the manner in which the knots are formed and tied; it is as follows,
viz.—
The end of the thread from each spool is tied to the back bands and points
on top of studs 1 and 5, spool car No. 1 being at stud No. 1, and No. 2 at
stud No. 5. As spool car No. 2 has nothing to do in forming the leash, I
first describe its operation:-No. 1 is in operation at the same time, and differs
from No. 2 only in its movement in forming the leash. This change will be
explained by itself. Swan No. 2 moves from a point in front of studs No. 5
& 4, and by the rear of No. 4 passes round No. 4 to the front; while this is
done, the knot hook F seizes on its hook the thread at No. 4, and by a lateral
motion carries it to and over the centre of stud No. 3, in a straight line from
No. 5, and the knot point E moves to the side of No. 4 into the groove in that
As soon
stud, so that the thread may not get down between it and stud No. 4.
as the knot hook has arrived at No. 3 the wing G revolves about an eighth of
a circle, until the finger g strikes against the groove, already mentioned, in the
rear of No. 4, which brings the grooved sides over the thread, but not yet on
it. The spool car moves around No. 4 nearly twice, and while it moves around
the second time the wing G drops, carrying the thread down below the level of
the swan track groove, and the thread is in this position, viz., from No. 5
across the top of No. 4 in a straight line, then descending by the side of No. 4
under the wing G, then over the knot hook F, forming a loop of sufficient size
for the swan and its spool to pass through, and then to the spool, which, as I
have just said, continuing round, carries the thread from the knot hook to the
other side of the knot point E at No. 4 and around it; then it passes the
wing G, which is in the last-named position, and through the rectangular
figure formed by the thread between 3 & 4, creating a loose knot, which is
now to be tied. The spool car having passed, the wing moves round by the
front of No. 3 to the rear of No. 2, the swan with its spool passing through
the loop made between No. 2 & 3 by swan No. 1 to a point between 1 & 2

page_text: in front. As soon as the swans are out of the way the wing is caused to rise,
which necessarily slackens the loop, and the spring on the swan neck prevent-
ing the thread from leaving the spool while there is slack thread elsewhere,
the onward movement of the spool car gradually draws the loop closer as the
wing rises upon the knot hook & point. The spool car continuing in motion
passes by the front of stud No. 1 round to the rear. In passing the line of
studs at the end between the downfall and No. 1, the thread is seized by the
rolling hook I. This turning on its axis gradually takes a firmer hold of the
thread, as the frame i, upon which the hook is set, moving laterally carries
the end of the hook to a point near the downfall rod h, between it and out of
the way of the downfall's course with the thread, nearly in a straight line (when
the knot is tied) from the knot point to the rolling hook. When the spool car
has arrived at the point last named, viz., between studs No. 1 & 2 in the
rear, the wing G has risen, left the thread, and turned out of the way; and the
downfall H, carrying with it the thread, over which it has been suspended,
begins to descend. As soon as the wing leaves the thread the knot point moves
towards the knot hook, the descent of the downfall drawing away the slack
until the knot is closed. When the knot point has moved towards stud 3, the
distance required by the operator, (depending on the length of the eye, which is
governed by the cams Z3 & 4) it stops, and the knot hook, until now over
stud 3, moves towards & passes the knot point, and when passing it the
thread slips off the hook, because the inclination of the hook can no longer
retain it, and the knot is nearly tied on the point. The thread is then knocked
off the two points by the knock-off K, and the knots are drawn tight, forming
a knotted eye by the downfall. The thread, when carried by the downfall, as
before mentioned, held by the groove in the finger & bottom of the downfall
down below the swan track groove, forms a loop from the top of stud 1, down
under the downfall over the rolling hook, and is drawn taut across the harness.
At this point the nipper J, having rejected the thread now over it, seizes this
one, and closing upon it, continues to hold it until the knot is tied upon the
back band, when it rejects it and seizes the next. The spool car during this
time continues to pass round stud 1 again, the swan going over the downfall
and through the loop, and continues on, and when in front of stud 2 the
downfall begins to rise, loosening the thread now forming the open knot. The
thread on the other side of this knot I have already stated is firmly held by
the nipper J. The spring on the swan neck prevents any thread from coming
off of the spool, and the downfall is rising, slackening the thread of the knot.
While this process is going on here, the knot hook between studs 2 & 3 hooks
on to the thread, and carries it over stud 3 (the spool car having advanced

page_text: From the foregoing description it will be observed that spool car 2 passes
by the rear of stud 2, across between studs 1 & 2, to and by the front of
stud 1, around it twice, and then from the rear of stud 1 to the front of stud
2, etc. Now, for the purpose of forming the leash, it is necessary that the
twine should run from the eye to the back band at stud 1, so as to cross the
line of thread laid by spool car No. 2. To effect this purpose, the spool car
No. 1, between studs 1 & 2, must run in the reverse direction of spool
car No. 2. When, therefore, the spool car No. 1, coming from the rear of B
opening, has arrived at a point between studs 1 & 2, the rod q of the
shaft Q is raised by the cam U, and its clutch pin, leaving the gear S³
for Q', causes it to operate upon Q and Q³; the stud gear and consequently
the direction of S¹ is reversed, which also reverses the direction of cluthecs
p & p², while the latter is carrying the spool car. The clutches are so
adjusted, that as p² is carrying the car back towards the rear of opening B²
(which it could do only until it met the spring switch T, which would stop it),
the pin is seized by p¹, and the car is carried round the stud 1 by the rear
twice, forming the knot upon the back band, and operating in all other
respects as spool car No. 2. When the spool car has arrived at a point
between studs 1 & 2, its natural direction would be either again round
stud 1, which is not required, or a cross to the rear of opening B2 (which, as
before said, cannot be done), but it is necessary that it should take its direc-
tion by the front of opening B2, the same as spool car 2. For this purpose,
the leash switch a, which has been drawn back by the means mentioned, when
B

page_text: describing the cam U', flies forward, and, directed by a guard, strikes the centre
plate of the traveller at the rear end, and while at the same time it closes the
opening B' in that direction, forces round the spool car, and points it towards
the front of opening B². At the same time the clutch pin of the rod q is
lowered from gear Q¹ & connected with S3, by which the clutches p' & p² change
their course and carry the pin in the desired direction. In order to allow
the spool car to be turned, as just described, it is necessary also to have the
point between the openings C & C in front cut off above the groove, as
represented in Figure 3, and under the groove to cut away the plate to a thin
edge, that the carrier M may not be obstructed. The corresponding point in
plate B is also rounded off.
The marking apparatus consists of a reservoir & marking bar R, Fig. 1,
2, 3, 5. This bar is charged with ink from the reservoir, and forced forward
upon and marks the harness. It is then drawn back to the reservoir and
charged again, springs pressing it upward, that no more ink may exude than
necessary. It is regulated to mark at will in the following manner-Upon
the shaft V is a worm V, Fig. 2; connected to this is a pinion 1 of 19 teeth,
being the number of eyes to the beer, or of any other number of teeth at will,
having a pin projecting forwards. As the pinion is revolved by the worm, the
pin is carried against the bar, Fig. 5, having its lower end attached to the
plate A, so as to slide on the pin fastening it. The upper end is inserted through
a hole in the rear end of the marking bar. The pressure of this pin forces the
bar into position, to be acted upon by crooked lever, having its fulcrum as
shown in Fig. 5. One of the arms of this lever, when the other is operated
upon by a triangular pin Z2 on shaft Z, is brought into contact with the bar 2
by the pressure of the aforesaid pinion pin, and pushing against it forces the
marking bar forward. When the action is over, the bar is drawn back &
laterally by springs out of the way, until again acted upon by the pin of the
pinion 71.
To a stationary horizontal bar over the machine, Fig. 2, are attached, by
sockets prepared to receive them, the two harness shafts X3, X³. Upon the
lower end of each is a metallic horn, coming down within a short distance of
the points on studs 1 & 5, and inside of them. As the harness is raised up
by the operation of the screw shaft X', it slides upon the horns and upon the
shafts, as represented in Fig. 2.
By the foregoing description I do not mean to confine myself to the exact
dimensions and distances therein given, but state them as those I have found,
in my judgment, the best proportioned for the machine, and the best suited, in
my opinion, to effect the desired purpose; nor do I mean to confine myself

page_text: to the particular modes of operating the different tools, as therein described;
but to include in the same all other modes in which mechanical equivalents
can be substituted to produce the same effect. Those I have given I consider
the most convenient and the best.
I claim as the Invention communicated to me as aforesaid, the combination
of the spool cars, knot hooks, knot points, rolling hooks, nippers, downfalls,
wing, and knock-off' or their equivalents, in the manner herein described, or in
any other manner substantially the same, for tying knots as herein described,
or for any other similar purpose.
I also claim the mode of forming the leash of the harness by means of the
spool car in combination with the clutches and switches, in the manner herein
described, or in any equivalent manner.
I also claim the construction of the nippers, operated in the manner
described, or by equivalent means.
I also claim the mode of operation of the spool car, substantially as
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Seventh day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
A. V. NEWTON. (L.S.)