CERTAIN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PEEPARING AND SPINNING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1848

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JOHN
METCALFE, of Little Bolton, in the County of Lancaster, Machine Maker, and
ROBERT HALLIWELL, of the same place, Mechanic, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, on or about the Eighth day of August,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, and
in the twelfth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto us, the said John Metcalfe and Robert Halliwell, our
exors, adiñiors, and assigns, Her especial license, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that we, the said John Metcalfe and Robert Halliwell, our exors,
adñiors, and assigns, and every of us, or such others as we, the said John
Metcalfe and Robert Halliwell, our exors, adñiors, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the
term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exer-
cise, and vend, within that part of Her Majesty's United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland called England, Her Dominion of Wales, and Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, our Invention of "CERTAIN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
FOR PEEPARING AND SPINNING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES;" in
which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso obliging us, the said John
Metcalfe and Robert Halliwell, by an instrument in writing under our hands
and seal, or under the hand and scal of one of us, particularly to describe and
ascertain the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the same is to

page_text: be performed, and to cause the same to be enrolled in Her Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said recited Letters Patent, as in and by the said Letters
Patent, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
John Metcalfe and Robert Halliwell, do hereby declare the nature of our
said Invention to consist,-
First, in a combination of parts forming apparatus for stopping drawing
frames, slubbing frames, roving frames, or any other machines of the like
nature used in preparing cotton and other fibrous substances, when any of the
slivers, slubbings, or rovings, with which such machines are supplied shall
break, or otherwise cease to be supplied..
Secondly, in an improved application of metallic springs for acting on the
pressers of flyers used in slubbing or roving frames, or other machines of the
like nature.
.
Thirdly, in the application of a mangle wheel, having its teeth excentric to
its axis, for the purpose of raising and depressing the copping rail of throstles
and other machines of the like nature, instead of employing the hearts or cams,
and levers, now known and in use for that purpose.
Fourthly, in improvements applicable to certain machines used for preparing
and spinning cotton and other fibrous substances, the said improvements being
applied in forming the bobbin, so that the material wound upon the spool
may be afterwards drawn off without the bobbin revolving, as is necessary in
ordinary cases.
Fifthly, in certain improvements in the machines for spinning cotton and
other fibrous substances, known by the name of "self-acting mules," such
improvements consisting in the peculiar adaptation and arrangement of
machinery, whereby the mangle wheel for taking in and out the carriage is
combined with the quadrant or radical arm for the winding motion of the
spindles.
Sixthly, in the method of starting the drawing rollers previous to the
running out of the carriage.
Seventhly, in the mechanism for more efficiently governing the winding of
the yarn on the spindles.
Eighthly, in the combination of parts for the purpose of backing off or
unwinding the coiled yarn from the spindles, and putting down the faller
previous to the running in of the carriage.
Ninthly, in the arrangement of apparatus for maintaining the carriage
parallel to the drawing rollers.

page_text: Tentbly, in the general arrangement of the self-acting mule, as will be
herein-after described.
Eleventhly, in certain improved mechanism applied to the winding-on
motion of self-acting mules..
And, lastly, in the application to band mules and self-acting mules of a differ.
ential motion for drawing out the carriage, and preventing the injurious effects
on the yarn, caused by the sudden check produced by the varying velocities of
the carriage at the time the motion changes from the regular speed of the
running out to that of the after draught.
And in further compliance with the said proviso, wo shall now. proceed
to describe the manner in which the said Inventions may be carried into
effect, and in order that it may be fully understood, we will refer to the five
Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed. The Drawings are made to the
scales marked on cach Sheet, and the letters and figures of reference in the
different views of the same machine or parts of machine, denote the same
piece in each.
In Sheet 1, Figure 1, represents a sectional elevation of the upper
part a drawing frame, to which our improved method of stopping such
machines is attached. Figure 2 is an elevation of the same taken from
the back of the machine; in this view s me of the pieces are broken
away, in order that the other parts may be shown more distinctly. Figure 3
is a plan view of part of the same. In these views a represents the back
plate, over which the slivers pass, when they are taken out of the cams
or receptacles, into which they are collected from the carding engines or
other machine. 6 is the bottom, and c the top feeding rollers, by which the
cotton is drawn out of the cans or other receivers. The slivers, which are shewn
by red lines, after passing over the plate a, are brought into an open slot,
provided in each of the faller levers d; these levers are hinged to a shaft
attached to the cross rail, as seen in the Drawing. The distance between the
feed roller and the faller levers d, must be regulated according to the
thickness of the sliver, and must be accurately adjusted, because the substance
of the sliver retains the lever in the position indicated. After the slivers have
passed between the feeding rollers b and c, they are conducted to the drawing
rollers in the usual manner. f is the roller beam f, to which are bolted the
bearings of a shaft g, which extends the wholo length of one head of the
drawing frame. To the shaft g are fixed the two arms h, which support the
balance rod i. To the shaft g is also keyed the stop lever k, which takes into
a slot made in the horizontal lever 7, seen best in the plan view, Figure 3,
and the weighted lever w, which is rather heavier than the rod i and arms h.

page_text: The lever is fixed on the sliding rod m, the end of which is an open fork
to take hold of the starting lever n. The sliding bar m is supported in
bearings attached to the roller beam f, and the short finger o is fixed to it for
the purpose of being acted upon by the weight p, which moves the driving
strap from the fast pulley u to the loose pulley v, as soon as one of the slivers
breaks, as will be described hereafter. The weight p is attached to a chain
passing partly round, the pulley q fixed on the shaft r, which turns in
bearings made in the roller beam f. Near one end of the shaft r is fixed, the
bent levers, which acts against the short finger o on the sliding bar m.
Having now enumerated the various parts of which this stopping apparatus
consists, we will explain how they operate when one of the slivers used for
snpplying the drawing frame ceases to pass through the slot of any one of the
levers d. The Drawing is made to represent the driving strap t on the fast
pulley u, and all the slivers are supposed to be passing between the feed
rollers and c. As soon as a sliver breaks, or ceases to pass through the slot
of the lever d, the lever which has been held up by the substance of the sliver
drops down by its own gravity, and assumes the position represented by the
dotted lines in Figure 1, (being prevented from dropping lower by the shaft,
which forms part of the apparatus for lifting up the top roller c); the balance
rodi, also slightly depressed, and the stop lever k is moved out of the notch in
the slot of the horizontal lever Z. See the plan view, Figure 3. The sliding
bar m is now liberated, and is acted upon by the bent levers and weight p,
which draw the bar m in the direction of the arrow, seen in Figure 2, and by
acting on the starting lever n, bring the strap t from the fast pulley to the
loom pulley v.
The machine will now remain at rest until the attendant has
replaced the sliver in the slot of the lever d, which had dropped, and as soon
as the said lever has been lifted off the balance rod i, and the driving strap t
has been brought on the driving pulley u, the weighted lever w will act on
the stop lever k, so that the lever k will take into the notch made in the slot
of the lever, and retain the sliding bar in its former position. The open slot,
at the end of the sliding bar m, allows the starting lever n to be acted upon
without interfering with the self-acting stopping apparatus. The methoil of
driving the drawing frame and the gearing for connecting the feeding and
drawing rollers are not represented in the Figures 1, 2, and 3, as they do not
differ from those in ordinary use, and are consequently well understood by
persons conversant with this class of machinery.
Figure 4 represents an elevation of a flyer, to which our improved metallic
spring for acting on the presser is attached. Figure 5 is a plan view of the
same. In these two views the spool is empty, in order that the position of the

page_text: spring may be shewn at the commencement of forming a bobbin. Figure 6
represents an elevation of the above flyer, and Figure 7 a plan view of the
same when the bobbin is completed. In these views A is the spring which is
attached to the flattened end of the rod B. C is the presser of the ordinary
construction formed of one piece with the rod B, or otherwise, as may be
found most convenient. The spring A bears against the boss of the flyer, and
is retained in that position by a small bridle D, seen best in Figure 6; the end
of the spring is provided with a notch or recess, which catches on the lower
part of the bridle D, when the presser is thrown back for doffing or piecing.
The upper bearing of the rod B is made with a projection on one side, against
which the spring A comes in contact when the notch or recess above men-
tioned takes on to the lower part of the bridle D, thereby preventing the
spring from being drawn through the said bridle; by bending the spring into
the shape shewn in the Drawing, the pressure will be found almost equal at
the various diameters of the bobbin. On referring to Figures 5 and 7 it will
be seen that the curved spring acts in an opposite direction to the presser,
being on the opposite side of the flyer, consequently a greater velocity may be
given to the spindle without causing vibration than by pressers in ordinary
use. By increasing or diminishing the strength of the spring the pressure
may be varied to suit the roving or slubbing under operation.
Figure 8 represents a sectional elevation of the principal parts of a throstle,
to which our improved excentric mangle wheel is attached, and Figure 9 is a
plan view of the said mangle wheel. In Figure 8, 1 is the shaft of the mangle
pinion 2. This shaft is actuated by the gearing usually employed for that
purpose in ordinary throstles; and the pinion 2 works into the teeth of the
mangle wheel 3, which is now supposed to have just turned the centre, or in
the position shewn by red lines in Figure 9. On the same shaft as the mangle
wheel is also fixed the bevel pinion 4, which gives motion to the wheel 5,
working on a stud attached to the frame side of the throstle, On the boss of
the bevel wheel 5 is fixed a spur pinion 6, which gives a lateral backward and
forward motion to the rack 7. The spur pinions 8, 8, are worked partly
round by the rack 7, and give an up and down motion to the bobbin rails 9,
by the chains, pulleys, and guide bars shewn in the Drawings. When the
pinion 2 is working on the pins of the mangle wheel, near the centre of the
shaft to which it is fixed, it is evident that the mangle wheel will revolve at a
greater speed than when the pinion is working in those teeth farthest from the
centre, consequently if the exentric mangle wheel is so fixed on its shaft that
the yarn is being wound on the end of the bobbin when the pinion 2 is
working in the teeth nearest the centre, the bobbins being then moved

page_text: yarn
than
upwards or downwards at their greatest velocity, will take up less
when the bobbins are taking up the yarn near their centre, at which time they
are acted upon by the centre teeth of the excentric mangle wheel, or those
teeth which are most remote from the axis. It will be apparent to everybody
acquainted with machinery of this description that by varying the speed of the
ascending and descending motion given to the bobbin rail 9, by the excentric
mangle wheel above described, the shape of the bobbin when full will resemble
a barrel, being larger in the centre than at the two ends, as clearly shewn in
Figure 8.
In Sheet 2, Figures 10, 11, and 12 represent parts of a roving frame, to
which our improvements are applied for forming the bobbin, so that the
material wound upon the spool may be drawn off without the bobbin revolving
and without injury to the roving. Figure 10 is an elevation taken from the
back of the machine. Figure 11 is an end elevation, and Figure 12 is a
sectional elevation of the same. In these views a is the driving shaft on which
must be fixed the differential wheels, as in roving frames of the ordinary con-
struction. b is a spur wheel fixed on the end of the shaft a, giving motion to
the upper cone C by the train of wheels shewn in Figure 10. The lower cone
dis driven by the strap, which is guided by the double fork f, attached to
the end of the rack bar g. To the end of the shaft of the lower cone is fixed
a bevel pinion h, driving the wheel i on the same vertical shaft as the bevel
pinion, which is made to gear alternately with each of the wheels and m,
by the action of the reversing apparatus, as will be explained hereafter. The
wheels and m are fast on the shaft n, near to the right-han end of which is
fixed a pinion o, taking into the pinion p; these pinions give motion to the
spur pinion g, which gears into the rack g, by means of the shafts and bevel
pinions clearly shown in Figure 10. To the right-hand end of the shaft n is
attached a coupling box 7, which unites the shaft n to the rods, the other
extremity of which is hinged to the reversing apparatus. The particular con-
struction of this apparatus does not require to be described, as it is commonly
applied to machines of this description. To the rack bar g is connected the
flat rod g', into which the stopping pins 9 and g³ are fixed. t is the lever
connected to the reversing apparatus, and on referring to Figure 10, it will be
seen that the pin g has moved the lever t out of the vertical position in which
it generally stands. Near the other extremity of the shaft is fixed a pinion u,
which gives motion to the copping apparatus by means of the wheel u¹ and
pinion, seen in Figures 10 and 11. W represents the lifting shaft, to the end of
of which is fixed the spur pinion w¹; the pinion v takes into the rack a, and the
pinion w' into the rack y. These racks are guided by suitable brackets attached to

page_text: screw
shaft
the frame end, and are in communication with each other by the
2, a projection on the rack y being provided with a screwed hole, into which
the shaft is screwed, and for which it serves as a nut. To the upper end of
the screw shaft, which also passes through two projections in the rack x, is
mounted loosely the wheel, the boss of which works in a bearing attached
to the frame end. This shaft is turned round by a worm on the end of the
front drawing roller. 1, 1, are the driving shafts of the spindles 2, 2, seen in
Figure 12; and 3 represents the copping rail, which is moved up and down by
racks and pinions in the ordinary way. 4, 4, are the spools on which the
rovings are wound, and 5, 5, the flyers..
Having now enumerated the parts necessary for explaining our improve-
ments, we will proceed to explain how they operate when the machine is set to
work. The various parts are shewn in their relative positions for commencing
a-bobbin, the bottom of the flyer legs being on a level with the top of the cone
which forms the base of the spool, as seen in Figure 12, and the strap c being.
at, the right-hand end of the cones, as seen in Figure 10. As soon as the
driving strap is set on the fast pulley of the machine, the lower cone d. will.
give motion to the rack g, by the shafts, wheels, and pinions above described,
and the rack will continue to move in the direction of the arrow shown above
it, until the ping, shown by dotted lines in Figure 10, by acting on the lever.
t, reverses. the direction of the traverse by bringing the whole m into gear
with the pinion k. During the first traverse of the rack the conc. strap:
will have traversed the whole length of the cones, and the copping rail 3. will
have been raised so as to lay the covings in regular coils on to the conical base;
of the spools. The raising of the copping rail is effected by the pinion v,
which takes into the rack a, and draws it downwards. At the same time the.
rack y imparts part of a rotation to the pinion w' fixed on the same shaft, as
the pinions which work: the racks attached to the copping rail. When the
cone strap and the reversing levert arrive in the positions marked in red,
the wheel m will have been drawn into gear with the pinion k, consequently
the rack g commences to move in the contrary direction, and the copping
rail by gradually descending will cause the rovings to be wound on over the
first layer. Before, however, the second ascent of the copping rail commences,
it is necessary that the relative position of the copping rail and the flyers.
should be changed, so that the rovings may be laid on in successive layers, and
this is effected by the worm fixed on the end of the front drawing roller, which
gives a rotary motion to the screw shaft z, and gradually lowers the rack'y, by
unscrewing the screw shaft out of the nut of the said rack. The amount of
rotation given to the shaft, and the pitch of the thread cut upon it, must be

page_text: so regulated that each lift of the copping rail shall bring the bobbins to a lower
level than the lift which preceded it, the difference in the level-being governed
by the thickness of roving under operation, so that when the whole number of
layers have been wound on the spool a bobbin will be produced similar to the
one shewn in Figure 12*. It will be evident to any one acquainted with
machinery for preparing and spinning cotton that bobbins made in this way
may have their rovings drawn off without being made to revolve, and without
straining or injuring the roving which is being drawn off.
I have described this part of our Invention as applied to a roving frame,
but it is also applicable to other machines for preparing cotton and other
fibrous substances, as well as to the spinning machines called "throstles," and to
doubling frames. It will, however, be unnecessary here to shew the various
applications of which it is capable, as they will vary according to the nature of
the machine, and will readily suggest themselves to any mechanic conversant
with such matters.
In Sheet 3, Figure 13 represents an elevation of our improved self-acting
mule, headstock, and carriage. Figure 14 is a plan view of the headstock
and part of the carriage. Figure 15 is an end elevation, taken partly in sec-
tion, representing the principal parts of the mechanism for driving the spindles
and for stopping them. Figure 16 is another end elevation, taken partly in
section, showing parts of the setting on motion and lever, for acting on the
break of the spindle friction box. Figure 17 is a plan view of the rod for
stopping and starting the drawing rollers. Figure 18 is a side elevation of
the rod for acting on the friction box of the spindle-driving apparatus.
Figure 19 is a sectional elevation of the above-mentioned friction box and the
band pulley, and Figure 19× is a section of the driving shaft, showing the cross.
head forged on it.
In Sheet 4, Figure 20 represents an elevation of parts of the same self-
acting mule, headstock, and carriage, taken from the reverse side of the machine.
Figure 21 is a plan view of parts of the gearing for working the carriage, and
of the carriage square and its appurtenances. The squaring bands are repre-
sented in Figures 20 and 21. Figure 22 is an end elevation of the carriage
square, showing the levers for throwing the "winding-on" and "backing "off"
catch boxes in and out of gear. Figure 23 is a sectional elevation of part of the
headstock, showing the apparatus for moving the catch box, which puts the
drawing rollers in and out of action. Figure 24 is a section of the before-
named catch box placed on the front roller coupling shaft. Figure 25 is a
front view of the coiled spring for the above-mentioned catch box; and
Figure 26 is a front view of the said catch box. In the above-mentioned

page_text: Figures, illustrative of our improvements in "self-acting mules," A represents the
main driving shaft, on which are fixed the driving pulleys B and C, revolving
in the same direction, but at different velocities. The pulley B is actuated by
a driving strap B², moved by steam or any other motive power, and drives the
mule at a quick speed during the going out and running in of the 'carringe.
The pulley C is provided with another driving strap C, and moves the driving
strap at a lower velocity for the backing off motion. The relative speed of these
two pullies is about as three to one, but the proportion must be varied according
to circumstances. The two outside pulleys B' and Care both loose on the
driving shaft.
Near one end of the shaft A is fixed the lever pinion D, which
takes into a bevel wheel D' fixed to a cross shaft, at the extremity of which
is keyed the spur pinion E, for giving motion to the mangle wheel F and spur
wheel G, which is fixed to the back of the mangle wheel. The pinion for
driving the mangle wheel is shewn by dotted lines in Figure 20, and is made
of one piece, with a shaft working in a bush, forming part of the swing frame
H. The mangle pinion is driven by a train of wheels, distinctly seen in
Figure 20, set in motion by the spur pinion E above referred to.
The spur
wheel G takes into the teeth of the rack I, the extremity of which is hinged
to the carriage of the mule, consequently the varying motions given to the wheel
G will be imparted by it to the carriage. On the driving shaft A is also fixed
a bevel wheel K, which communicates motion to the drawing rollers of the
mule during the taking out of the carriage. The bevel wheel K takes into
another wheel K', shewn in the plan view, Figure 14, revolving on a stud fixed"
to a bracket projecting from the frame side. The spur pinion L is attached to
the bevel wheel K³, and gives motion to the spur wheel L', which revolves
loose on the front roller coupling shaft M. The drawing rollers are kept in
motion during the taking out of the carriage, and in order to avoid the
"snarling" of the yarn, which would take place during the pause occasioned
by the mangle pinion going over the centre, or at the moment when the
carriage has run in, and before the next stretch commences, the following
mechanism has been applied :-
The various parts are shewn on an enlarged scale in Figures 24, 25, and
26 of Sheet 4. On the shaft M is fixed a boss M', on which is cast a
projection; this projection comes in contact with another projection cast upon
the sliding catch box N, the teeth of which catch box correspond to those
attached to the wheel L. O is a small box for containing a coiled spring;
this box is keyed to the shaft M, and the outer end of the above-mentioned
spring is secured to the box, the inner end of the spring being fixed
to the boss of a loose flange O', which forms the lid of the box O

page_text: From the flange O¹ project two pins fitting into holes in the sliding
catch box N, thereby establishing a communication between them. The
catch box N is moved in and out of contact with the catch box on the wheel
L' by means of the rod P, the peculiar shape of which is seen by the detached
Figure 17. Into the inclined slot near the left-hand end of the rod is
inserted the end of the fork P', which swivels on a stud placed for that purpose
above the shaft M, and shown clearly in Figure 23 of Sheet 4.
As long as
the carriage is running out the catch boxes remain in gear, and the end of
the fork P' remains in the position shown in Figures 17 and 23; when the
carriage arrives near the end of its stretch the counterfaller shaft R comes
in contact with the stud P³, projecting from the rod P, and by drawing the
rod for a short distance in the direction of the carriage brings the inclined
plane of the slot before-mentioned against the end of the fork P', thereby
disengaging the teeth of the catch box N, and at the same time stopping the
front roller, because when the catch box is disconnected the wheel L' revolves
loose on the shaft M. When the carriage is going out the projection in the
catch box N comes against the front of the projection on the boss M', as seen
in Figure 26, but as soon as the rod P has disengaged the catch box N, the
spring has a tendency to bring the projection before mentioned in contact
with the reverse side of the projection on the boss M, as seen by the dotted
lines in Figure 26, because the spring is fastened with its inner end to the
flange O¹, and this flange is connected to the catch box N in the manner
before described. The stud P³, see Figure 13 and 20, attached to the
rod P, is acted upon by the faller shaft S, and serves to movo the said rod
when the carriage comes in; by this means the catch box N is brought again
into contact with the catch box on the wheel L ready to start the drawing
rollers; but before the rollers actually commence revolving the projection in
the catch box N has to be brought again in contact with the reverse side of
the projection from the boss M, as seen in Figure 26. During the going out
of the carriage it is necessary that the spindles should be made to revolve
at a quick speed for giving the necessary twist to the yarn. The spindles are
driven by a longitudinal tin drum of the ordinary construction, seen partly
in Figures 14 and 21, set in motion by the rim or set of grooved pulleys T,
which are mounted loose on the end of the driving shaft A. Attached to the
rim T is the friction box T, which is acted upon by the conical friction
pulley U, and which pulley is connected to the same shaft by means of two
studs rivetted to the friction pulley U, and passing through holes in the cross
piece forged on the shaft A, as seen in Figures 19 and 19+. The friction
pulley C has a lateral motion imparted to it, and is brought into or out of

page_text: contact with the friction box T by the following means-V is a longitudinal
flat rod, which is shewn in the detached view, Figure 18; the right-hand end
of this rod terminates in a peculiarly shaped slot V, and is supported by a
stud V; the left-hand end is hinged to the spring forged lever V fixed on
the shaft Vs, and partly shewn by dotted lines in Figure 13. On this shaft
is also fixed the weight lever V, which serves to draw the friction pulley U
out of contact with the friction box, as soon as the catch in the slot V¹ is
lifted off the stud V; this is effected by the counterfaller shaft R coming in
contact, when the carriage is nearly out, with the inclined projection Vo,
which is attached to the side of the rod V, and may be set in any convenient
position by passing the connecting bolts into any of the holes shown in the
Drawing for the purpose. As soon as the friction pulley U has been drawn
out of the friction box T', the break T, whose inner surface is lined with
leather, is brought into action by the following means:-T³ is a shaft supported
in bearings attached to the frame side, seen best in Figures 15 and 16; to
this shaft is fixed the lever T, from which depends the click T³, which is
elevated when the carriage is nearly out by the inclined projection To fixed
to the carriage end, as seen in Figure 20. At the other end of the shaft T³,
is a short curved lever T', seen best in Figure 15, which, when the click T³ is
elevated, acts on the break T, and brings the inner surface of it against the out-
side of the friction box T', and holds it fast until the "backing off" commences.
Having now described the manner of drawing out the carriage and of
driving the drawing rollers and spindles, we will proceed to describe the
manner in which the "backing off" is effected. When the carriage has arrived
within a short distance of the end of the stretch, the notch in the strap fork
rod W, see Figures 13 and 14, is lifted out of the bracket W' by means of
the counterfaller shaft R, which comes in contact with the under side of elbow
piece. W a pin in which clevates the rod W as soon as the counterfaller
shaft comes under the said elbow piece. The strap fork rod being now
liberated is drawn in the direction of the arrow on Figure 13 by the counter-
weight W3; this action of the strap fork rod brings the strap rod B on the
loose B, and at the same time the strap C is brought on to the fast pulley C.
The ends of the fork levers for guiding the driving straps are retained in
notches in the double elbow lever W, and when the mule is required to be
stopped, the attendant, by drawing the handle W³ towards him, disengages
the ends of the forked levers, which are drawn together by the spring W,
and brings the strap which was driving on to the loose pulley, as seen distinctly
in the plan view, Figure 14, and section, Figure 16, of Sheet 3. The driving
strap C³ has been brought on the slow-motion pulley C, and at the same time

page_text: the projection G', fixed to the before-mentioned wheel G, has come in contac
with a stud X, fixed to the lever X', as seen by dotted lines in Figure 13
The lever X is keyed on the shaft X, which passes through suitable bearings
in the frame sides. Near the extremity of the shaft X is keyed the pendant
lever X3, at the bottom of which is a stud for the antifriction bowl X.
We will now describe those parts belonging to the "backing-off" motion which
are affixed to the carriage of the mule, and shewn in Figures 13, 14, 20, 21,
and 22. Y represents a longitudinal rack sliding in suitable bearings attached
to the carriage end. Y is an adjustable bracket bolted to the rack Y, and
acted upon by the bowl X, as will be hereafter explained. Z represents a
forked lever hinged below to the shaft of the copping rail bowl, and above to
the connecting link 2, which is connected to a short vertical rack 4, the
teeth of which take into a segment S', fixed on the faller shaft S, consequently
any motion given to the lever Z is imparted to the faller. A is the shaft of
the tin drum which works the spindles; this shaft revolves in bearings
attached to the square of the carriage, as seen in Figure 21 of Sheet 4. A¹
is a spur pinion, the teeth of which take into the rack Y. Attached to the
pinion a is the catch box a³, both of which are loose on the shaft a. a³ is
a double catch box, which is connected to the shaft a by means of a boss
having two parallel grooves in it, thereby allowing the catch box to move
laterally on the shaft. a is a vertical lever, seen best in Figure 22, into the
upper part of which is introduced the end of a swivel fork taking into the
groove of the double catch a³. The fulcrum of the lever a is attached to
the square of the carriage, and to the lower end of the lever is hinged the
horizontal lever a, which is provided with three notches, the centre one of
which is in contact with a stud aº during the running out of the carriage.
Having now enumerated the parts requisite for producing the "backing-off
motion," we will suppose that the carriage has nearly completed its outward-run,
or to be at that point when the projection Y' comes in contact with the bowl X,
and the projection G' in contact with the stud X. At this time the loose catch a²,
see Figure 20, which hangs on a stud fixed to the lever a³, is elevated.by
the inclined bracket a fixed to the floor of the room, thereby clevating the
lever a sufficiently to lift the centre notch off the stud aº. The spring a,
attached to the lever a', draws it in the direction of the arrow in Figure 22,
until the lowest notch comes against the stud a, and at the same time gears.
the double catch box a with the catch a. During the completion of the
outward run of the carriage, the rack Y will have been pushed inwards by the
action of the projection G¹ on the stud X, thereby uncoiling the yarn from the
spindles by means of the before-described pinion a¹ and catch box a³, and the

page_text: faller will at the same time be acted upon, and place the yarn in its proper
position for winding on, by the pin Y in the rack Y coming in contact with
the forked lever Z, and bringing it in a vertical position, as shewn by the
dotted lines in Figure 13. At the end of the rack Y is a stud Y, which
takes into a slot in the upper end of the lever b', the fulcrum of which is
attached to the carriage end. The lower end of the lever is provided with an
antifriction roller, acted upon by the spring , which retains the rack Y in
its proper position, when the lever Z is in a slanting direction or in a vertical
position, the spring being so shaped that it acts in both cases on the anti-
friction bowl at the end of the lever 6. The shaper rail is of the ordinary
construction, and its position is lowered in the usual manner to suit the
increasing size of the cop. A portion of the shaper rail is shewn in Figure 13
of Sheet 3, and is marked C. It will be apparent that as the position of the
copping rail lowers, the lever Z will assume a less slanting position, and the
rack Y will travel through less space, thereby regulating the putting down of
the faller, and the amount of yarn unwound by the spindles. We have
already described, with reference to the "backing off," that the driving strap
has been brought on the slow motion, at which time the end of the fork
rod W arrives near the elbow lever e, see Figure 13.
It is now necessary
that the driving strap should be brought again on the quick speed, driving
pulley B previous to the running in of the carriage; and this is effected at the
time that the mangle pinion is passing the dead run of the mangle wheel by
the lever II, attached to the top of the swing frame H, which elevates the
horizontal arm of the elbow lever e; the upper arm of the wheel, which
comes against the small bowl, revolving on a stud fixed in the fork rod W,
thereby placing the notch of the fork rod into the bracket W', as seen in
Figures 13 and 14. As soon as the mangle pinion has passed the dead run,
it moves the mangle wheel in the contrary direction, and the carriage begins
to run in, the winding on commencing at the same time. The various parts
for producing which motion we will now proceed to describe. To the carriage
square b, see Figures 20 and 21, is fixed a bracket, on which the horizontal
leverd is hinged. At one end of this lever is fixed a chain, which passes
under the pulley 6', and is fastened to the lever a', as seen in Figure 22.
The carriage having arrived at the end of its stretch, the other end of the
lever d is under the swing frame H, and is pressed down by it during the
time the mangle pinion is passing the dead run of the mangle wheel, thereby
elevating the other end of the lever d, and at the same time drawing the
double catch box as out of gear with the catch box a³, and in gear with the
catch box a¹. During the time that the lever at is moving the double

page_text: catch box in the manner above described, the horizontal lever a' has been
drawn in the contrary direction to the arrow seen in Figure 22, until the
upper notch comes against the stud a', which retains it there during the
running in of the carriage. To the catch box at is fixed the pinion a", both
of which are loose on the shaft a, and are prevented from moving laterally by
suitable set washers. The pinion a" gears into the carrier pinion a", which
takes into the teeth of the wheel h, fixed on the shaft h of the winding-on
barrel ; see Figures 13 and 21. is the winding-on chain, one end of
which is attached to the barrel, and the other end to the nut f¹ on the
screw of the radial arm f. During the running in of the carriage, the
chain his unwound from the barrel, and gives motion to the spindles by the
wheel and pinions a" and a¹; the double catch box a being in com-
munication with the catch box a establishes the connection between the
pinion a and the shaft a of the tin rollers, which drive the spindles. The
chain his wound on the barrel h in tho ordinary manner by the cord and
weight ho, as seen in Figure 13. The radial arm f is mounted on a stud
fixed to the frame side, and to it is cast the segment of a wheel, acted upon by
the teeth of a pinion F, keyed on the shaft of the mangle wheel F. The
pinion and segment must be so proportioned that the radial arm is moved
through the requisite are for winding on during the definite part rotation of
the mangle wheel. The radial arm f is provided with the screw f³ and
nut f, before mentioned. At the commencement of forming a cop, the nut is
near the bottom of the screw, and the chain is held in nearly a horizontal
line, consequently the arc formed by the nut is scarcely perceptible; and as
the carriage moves inward the winding-on barrel will unroll the chain in pro-
portion to the almost unyielding position of the nut, or nearly commensurate
with the length of the stretch, thereby giving the requisite amount of rotations
to the spindles for winding up the yarn at the first stretch.
As the cop
increases in diameter, the spindles will require fewer rotations to wind on the
yarn; and in order to reduce the number of rotations, the nut f' is gradually
raised up the screw f³, consequently the arc formed by the screw nut is larger
and a corresponding amount of chain is yielded by the nut at each vibration of
the radial arm. In order to remedy the defects caused by the irregular rise of
the nut f', and consequently the imperfect winding on of the spindles, we
apply the grooved shaft i for more effectually governing the tension of the
The object of the grooved shaft is to effect with certainty and precision
what had formerly been done by a strap or band and pulleys, namely, to com-
municate motion from the shaft of the winding-on barrel to the screw nut f¹,
so as to cause the latter to ascend or descend on the screw f, to compensate
yarn.

page_text: for the above-mentioned irregularities. The grooved shaft i is generally in a
either direction, when required, by the
the counterfaller shaft, and shewn in
state of rest, but is turned round in
agency of the lever R' fixed on
Figures 13 and 14. To the end of this lever is fixed a stud, which takes
This
into a segmental slot, formed in the upper arm of the lever .
lever vibrates on a stud attached to the carriage end; and the lower arm
of the lever terminates in a fork, which takes into the groove formed in
the double catch box . The catch box is made to slide freely on the
shaft i, but is connected with it by a projecting key or midfeather fixed
to the catch box; and taking into the groove of the shaft and are
two bevil pinions mounted loosely on the shaft i, and provided with
These pinions
catches boxes corresponding to the double catch box i'.
are both in gear with the bevel wheel h', secured to the shaft of the winding-
on barrel, and receive their motion from it. The shaft remains at rest as
long as the stud in the lever R¹ remains in the centre portion of the segmental
slot of the lever k, but should the counter faller be depressed by the more
than requisite tension of the yarn during the running in of the carriage, the
lever R' will be depressed also, and consequently its stud will act in the lower
portion of the slot, thereby causing the lower arm of the lever to slide the
double catch box into gear with the catch box of the pinion 2", which
instantly gives motion to the shaft i; this motion is communicated to the
screw by the bevel pinion i, fixed on the shaft i, the double pinion s
revolving on the stud of the radial arm, and the pinion f', fixed on the
screw, as clearly seen in Figures 13 and 14. By this means the nut f¹
is caused to run the screw, and the tention of the yarn is arrested by
giving chain to the winding-on barrel. In like manner, when the spindles do
not take the yarn up fast enough, the counter faller rises, and at the same
time the stud of the lever R¹ goes into the upper portion of the slot ¹, thereby
moving the double catch box into gear with the catch of the pinion 3,
which imparts motion to the shaft i in the contrary direction to that in which it
had previously been revolving, consequently the screw nut f¹ will be drawn
downwards, and the chain, by being held back, gives moro motion to the
winding on barrel and to the spindles. By these means the degree of tension
of the yarn is made to regulate with great accuracy the taking up of the spin-
5dles during the different stages of the building of the cop. When the carriage
has nearly completed its inward run, the end of the rack Y comes into con-
tact with the projection Y, seen in Figure 13, which is placed in a suitable
position for causing the rack Y, lever Z, and faller shafts, to resume the posi
tions in which they are required for the drawing out. The spindles are also

page_text: put again to their highest velocity for spinning by the stud 7, which is attached
to the cross rail of the carriage, and seen in Figures 13, 20, and 21. Thi
stud, when the carriage is nearly in, coines against the lower end of the lever
1', the upper end of which is in connection with the bar V, and brings the
friction pulley U in contact with the friction box T', by the levers before
described. The cords and pulleys for driving the spindles are clearly shewn in
the Drawings, and do not require to be particularly enumerated. The hori
zontal lever a, seen in Figure 22, has also to be liberated from tlie position
in which we had described it during the running in of the carriage, in order
that the double catch box a³ may be brought out of gear with the catch box
alo; this is effected by the inclined plane m, seen in Figures 13, 20, and 22,
fixed to the frame side, which is so situated that the lever as is lifted by it
when the carriage has run in sufficiently to disengage the upper notch from the
stud a, thus allowing the spring a to bring the various parts into their required
positions for the going out of the carriage, as shewn in Figure 22.
improved system of squaring bands, which is found very simple and efficacious,
consists of the following parts, seen in Figures 20 and 21:-n is a hollow
cast-iron shaft, supported in suitable bearings. Attached to the carriage upon
this shaft are fixed three or more pulleys o*, one only of which is shewn in the
Drawings. Oue of these pulleys is placed near the centre of the mule, and one
near each end; to each of them are attached the ends of two cords, straps, or
chains, the other ends being fixed to the small rollers o', which are loose on
studs fixed into brackets attached to the floor of the room. The cords, straps,
or chains are so wound on the pulleys o* that as the carriage goes out one of
them is wound on and the other unwound in the same proportion; the small
rollers o¹ are provided with ratchet wheels and palls for keeping the cords at
the required tension.
Our
:
The foregoing description relates to our improvements fifthly, sixthly,
seventhly, eighthly, ninthly, and tenthly, herein-before mentioned, in
self-acting mules, as well as to such other parts of the machine as are
generally understood, but are requisite for explaining the application of our
improvements to such known parts. The general construction of the framing.
of the mule, the method of connecting. the drawing rollers and spindles' to
the parts which drive them, and various other particulars are omitted, as they
are similar to those in general use.
We will now proceed to describe two other methods of producing the
winding-on motion which are applicable to self-acting mules. These improve-
ments are drawn on Sheet 5. Figure 27 is a front elevation, and Figure 28
an end elevation of one of these winding-oni motions. In these views a

page_text: is a disc keyed on the shaft of the mangle wheel, marked F, in Figures 13
and 14, on Sheet 3, of the self-acting mule herein-before described. In
suitable bearings provided in the boss and outer rim of this disc, the screws b
revolve. C are the screw nuts of the screws b, and to the lower end of
each screw is attached a bevel pinion d; these pinions all gear into a wheel c,
seen in Figure 28, mounted loosely on the same shaft as the disc a. In the
disc A are seven slots, through which the projecting ends of the nuts C pass.
To the back of the wheel e is a bevel pinion corresponding to the pinion f³,
shown and described with reference to the Figures 13 and 14; this pinion
may be actuated in the same manner, and is for the same purpose as the
pinion, on the grooved shaft i, or by any other method for producing the
same effect. f is a guide plate fixed to the shaft of the disc a, and between
this plate and the disc the winding-on chain h³ is guided. One end of the
chain is attached to the stud g, and after being carried over the projecting
ends of the nuts C, and over the guide roller h, the other end is attacherl to
the winding-on barrel. The guide roller is supported in any suitable
bearing attached to the framing.
In Figure 27 the nuts C are shewn in the positions they will assume
when the bottom of the cop is formed, but at the commencement of
forming a cop the nuts are all close to the pinions d. The pitch of
the screws is so proportioned that the motion given to them by the wheel
e expands the nuts gradually during the formation of the bottom of the cop,
so as to let of the required length of chain during the inward run of the
carriage. It will be perceived that as the mangle wheel F performs nearly a
revolution during the outward run of the carriage, the same motion will be
given to the disc a, and, therefore, when the carriage is running in, that
portion of the winding-on chain which had been coiled round the projecting
ends of the screw nuts will be unwound.
Figure 29 represents a front elevation of a winding-on motion, consisting of
a radial arm somewhat similar to those in general use, and certain mechanism
for actuating it. In this viewf is the radial arm supposed to be mounted
loosely on a prolongation of the shaft of the mangle wheel F, represented in
Figures 13 and 14, or it may be mounted on any other suitable bearing. fr
is the screw nut, and f the screw, similar to those before described with
reference to the self-acting mule, and actuated in the same manner. To the
radial arm is cast the segment of a pulley l, to which is attached the lower
end of a chain m; this chain is secured above to the curved lever n, the
fulcrum of which is a stud fixed to the framing of the mule. An antifriction
roller o is mounted on a bracket fixed to the carriage square, and serves to
R

page_text: support the curved lever n. The carriage is now supposed to be out, and
the lever n, and radial arm f, in their highest positions. As the carriage
moves inwards the end of the lever lowers gradually and regulates the descent
of the radial arm, the dotted lines representing their relative positions when
the carriage arrives near the drawing rollers. In the above-described winding-
on motions, shewn in Figures 27, 28, and 29, we consider that a material
improvement will be effected on those in ordinary use, as in the winding-on
motion shown in Figures 27 and 28 the pitch of the screws 6 and in the one
shewn in Figure 29, the shape of the curved lever n may be formed to
suit the desired form of the cop chase, on that part of the cop between the
nose and the thickest part thereof. By these means the counter faller will
work steadier, and the injurious effects of the back lash or play in the teeth
of the wheels for driving the radial arm will be avoided.
In Figures 30, 31, and 32 are shewn our improvements for drawing
out the carriage, as applied to a hand mule. The said improvements are par-
ticularly applicable to fine spinning, and may be applied to self-acting mules.
In these views only those parts of the mule are shewn which are requisite for
explaining the improvements, the remainder being well understood by persons
conversant with spinning.
To the boss
In Figure 30, p represents the rim shaft, and p' a bevel wheel fixed upon it;
this wheel drives the shaft q, to the lower extremity of which is fixed the bevel
pinion q', taking into the wheel r, fixed on the boss of the bevel wheel r',
which is mounted loosely on the front roller coupling shaft r³.
of the wheel is also fixed the catch box, taking into a catch box r*,
which is connected to the shaft by a sliding key, or any of the ordinary
methods. The bevel wheel is fixed on the same shaft. The bevel
wheel takes into the pinion s, fixed on a short shaft s¹, to the other
extremity of which is fixed the worms for giving motion to the wheel t,
which revolves loose on the shaft t¹. On the boss of the wheel t is mounted
the mitre wheel ts, forming part of the differential motion. The wheel t* is
connected to the boss of the wheel t by a sliding key, or any of the ordinary
methods, and is moved in and out of gear by a forked lever, which is not shewn
in the Drawing. The bevel wheel before mentioned takes into the
pinion u, fixed on the same shaft as the worm u', which gives motion to the
spur wheel t, forming part of the differential motion. The mitre wheel t' is
fixed to the shaft t', and imparts to it the varying speeds communicated by
the differential motion. It is necessary to premise that the carriage of the
mule is connected to the scrolls t, one of which is seen in Figure 32, by cords
or bands in the usual manner, as seen in Figure 30. The carriage of the

page_text: mule is now supposed to be running out, and the catch boxes and 7*
being in gear, the front roller coupling shaft is revolving, and remains in
motion until the catch box is thrown out of gear. The wheel receives a
constant motion from the rim shaft p, as long as the same is revolving, and
the wheel of the differental motion remains in action as long as the front
roller coupling shaft is revolving, and the combined action of these motions
gives the requisite speed for taking the carriage out during the delivering of
the rollers. When the requisite length of sliver has been delivered by the
rollers, the catch boxes and are disconnected, thereby stopping the
rollers and the spur wheel to of the differential motion. The after draught
now commences, and the carriage completes its run out at the required slow
speed by the agency of the worm s³, the spur wheel t, and mitre wheel t".
When the after draught is completed, the wheel t is drawn out of gear by
the forked lever above referred to, thereby stopping the shaft t, and the out-
ward movement of the carriage. During the running in of the carriage, the
catch boxes and are disconnected, and the mitre wheel t is out of
gear with the other wheels of the differential motion; but when the carriage
arrives at the roller beam both are geared at the same time by means of
suitable levers, which are not shewn in the Drawings as they may be applied
in various ways. By this improved arrangement the change from the quick
to the slow motion of the carriage is produced without the injurious effects
occasioned by disconnecting one pair of wheels and connecting another, as has
been the practice hitherto. By changing the pinion 9', the necessary altera-
tions in the speed of drawing rollers and of the carriage may be effected.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, we would have it understood that we do
not confine ourselves to the details shown and described, so long as the peculiar
character of any part of our Invention be retained; but what we claim is,-
First, the combination of parts forming apparatus for stopping drawing
frames, slubbing frames, roving frames, or any other machines of the like
nature, as shown and described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3 of
Sheet 1, and the peculiar action of the lever d, as herein-before set forth.
Secondly, the improved application of metallic springs for acting on and in
combination with the pressers of flyers, as shewn and described with reference
to Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 of Sheet 1.
Thirdly, the mangle wheel marked 8, in Figures 8 and 9, on Sheet 1,
having its teeth placed excentrically on its shaft or axis, and its application to
throstles and other machines of the like nature, for the purposes herein-before
described.

page_text: y and
Fourthly, the arrangement of mechanism for reversing the direction in
which the copping rail moves, and the combination of the racks x and
the screw shaft, as applied to machinery for forming bobbins in the manner
herein-before described with reference to Figures 10, 11, and 12, of Sheet 2.
Fifthly, the peculiar arrangement of such combination applied to self-acting
mules, that the segment attached to the radial arm shall receive its motion
direct by contact with and from a pinion on the axis of the mangle wheel, and
that the radius of such pinion, without the intervention of other intermediate
agency, shall be commensurate to give such motion to the segment of such
radial arm that the same may move through the desired are requisite for giving
the amount of winding-on motion to the spindles, as shown and described with
reference to Figures 13, 14, 20, 21, and 22, of Sheets 3 and 4; and we claim
the above combination when a chain passing round a pulley is employed for
connecting the axis of the mangle wheel to the segment of the radial arm.
Sixthly, the method of starting the drawing rollers, as shown and described
with reference to Figures 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, and 26, of Sheets 3 and 4.
Seventhly, the application and adaptation of the grooved shaft i, and
the parts connected therewith, as shewn and described with reference to
Figures 13, 14, 20, 21, and 22, of Sheets 3 and 4, for the purpose of regu-
lating the winding-on motion" by the varying position of the counter faller.
Eighthly, the combination of parts, consisting of the rack Y, acted upon by
the projection G', fixed to the mangle wheel, and the parts connected there-
with, as shewn and described with reference to Figures 13, 14, 20, 21, and
22, in Sheets 3 and 4, for the purposes of "backing off" and putting down the
faller previous to the running in of the carriage.
Ninthly, the arrangement of apparatus for maintaining the carriage parallel
to the drawing rollers, as shewn and described with reference to Figures 20
and 21, on Sheet 4, and marked n, ox and o'.
Tenthly, the general arrangement of the whole self-acting mule, as shewn
and described with reference to the Figures on Sheets 3 and 4.
Eleventhly, the application of screws of various pitches radiating from a
centre, and combined on a disc, as shewn and described with reference to
Figures 27 and 28 of Sheet 5, for varying the amount of chain given out and
taken up to suit the winding-on motion, such disc being affixed to the shaft of
the mangle wheel or otherwise. And also the peculiar application and adap-
tation of the curved lever N, as shewn and described with reference to
Figure 29 of Sheet 5, for the purpose of giving, by the movement of the
carriage, the required ascending and descending movement to the radial
arm f

page_text: And, lastly, the application to hand mules and self-acting mules of a
differential motion for drawing out the carriage, whether constructed as shewn
and described with reference to Figures 30, 31, and 32, of Sheet 5, or
otherwise.
And such Invention being, to the best of our belief, entirely new, and never
before used within that part of the United Kingdom called England, the
Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick-on-Tweed, we do hereby declare
this to be the Specification of the same, and that we believe this our said
Specification doth comply in all respects, fully and without reserve or disguise,
with the proviso in the said herein-before in part recited Letters Patent
contained; wherefore we do hereby claim to maintain exclusive right and
privilege to the said Invention.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto respectively set our hands and
seals, the Seventh day of February, One thousand eight hundred and
forty-nine.
ROBERT S. BARLOW,
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Seventh day of February, in
the year of our Lord 1849, the aforesaid John Metcalfe and Robert Halli-
well came before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknow-
ledged the Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained
and specified, in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid
was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.