CERTAIN MACHINERY OR IMPLEMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE PROCESS OF WEAVING PLAIN OR FIGURED CLOTHS OR FABRICS, WHICH MAY BE USED ON AND IN CONJUNCTION. WITH LOOMS NOW IN COMMON USE; AND ALSO CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF LOOMS FOR WEAVING PLAIN AND FIGURED CLOTHS OR FABRICS, AND IN THE METHOD OF WORKING LOOMS EITHER BY HAND, BY STEAM, OR OTHER POWER
Year: 1822

page_text: PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD'
ROBERTS, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, in that part of Great
Britain called England, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Fourth did, by His
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of His United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, called England, bearing date at Westminster, the Fourteenth day
of November, 1822, in the third year of His reign, give and grant unto me, the
said Richard Roberts, my executors, administrators, and assigns, His especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Richard
Roberts, my executors, administrators, and assigns, during the term of years
therein mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention
of "CERTAIN MACHINERY OR IMPLEMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE PROCESS OF WEAVING
PLAIN OR FIGURED CLOTHS OR FABRICS, WHICH MAY BE USED ON AND IN CONJUNCTION.
WITH LOOMS NOW IN COMMON USE; AND ALSO CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF LOOMS FOR WEAVING PLAIN AND FIGURED CLOTHS OR FABRICS,
AND IN THE METHOD OF WORKING LOOMS EITHER BY HAND, BY STEAM, OR OTHER
POWER;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso that if
I, the said Richard Roberts, shall not particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, and cause the same to
be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar

page_text: months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent, that
then the said Letters Patent, and all liberties and advantages whatsoever
thereby granted, shall utterly cease, determine, and become void, as in and
by the same (relation being thereunto had) will more fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Richard Roberts, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention by the
following description thereof, and the manner in which the same is to be
performed and carried into effect by the six Sheets of Drawings and Figures
annexed, reference being had thereto and to the particular explanation thereof.
I will explain the nature of my various improvements, and will describe the
manner in which they are to be applied in conjunction with looms now in
common use; and at the conclusion of this my Specification, I will point out
the variations and improvements--which constitute my present claim of
invention.
The first of my improvements in the construction of looms consists in an
improved manner of constructing and applying the tappets or wipers which
are to be employed for the purpose of raising and lowering the various shafts
or heddles in looms where more than two shafts or heddles are used. This
improvement is applicable to hand looms, as well as to those which are usually
denominated power looms. And in order to explain clearly the nature and
application of the said improvement, I have hereunto annexed two Sheets of
Drawings, numbered Sheets I. and II., which represent a power loom mounted
with six shafts or heddles adapted to weave twilled cloths or fustians, and
other similar fabrics. Note, the Figures upon these Sheets are chiefly drawn to
a scale of about two inches to a foot; and the same characters or letters of
reference are used to denote corresponding parts upon the Figures, wherever
they occur.
Figure 1, Sheet I., represents a front elevation of the loom wherein the
cloth roller and breast beam are supposed to be removed in order to explain
the works behind them. Fig. 2 shews an end elevation of the loom.
Fig. 3, Sheet II.; represents an elevation of the opposite end. Fig. 4 shews
an horizontal plan of the upper parts; and Figs. 5 and 6 represent detached
parts. The framing and stationary parts of the loom are distinguished by a
shading of black, and the moving parts are distinguished by different colours
to assist the explanation. The framing is composed of two end or main
frames a, a, which are situated parallel to each other, and are maintained at a
proper distance asunder by branced rails or braces b extending in an horizontal
direction, one on each side of the loom, being secured by bolts to the end

page_text: frames a, a.
c, c, represent two arched frames which serve to support the
upper works of the looni. These frames are bolted at each end to the two end
frames a, a. The breast beam, over which the cloth passes in front of the loom,
is supported upon two projections which are cast out of the end frames, as
seen at e, e, in Figures 1 and 4'; and by its being bolted to the said projections
at each end serves to strengthen the framing in a considerable degree. A
represents the yarn roller upon which the yarns of the warp are wound. This
roller is caused. to turn with a considerable degree of friction in order to keep
the warp in a state of sufficient tension by the operation of two strong cords,
which are passed several times round its ends, and have heavy weights B
suspended from them. The yarns of the warp are conducted up from the
roller A, and pass over a small roller C, from whence they proceed to the lease
rods d, and through the eyes or loops of the various shafts or heddles H, which
are adapted to move up and down so as to separate the yarns of the warp into
sheds, in order that the shuttle may be passed between then to form the cloth
or fabric. D represents the lay in which the reed 40 is placed. It is mounted
upon two vertical arms E, E, which are attached at their lower extremities to
an horizontal axis F, 'exténding between the two end frames, and turning upon
pivots in two small supports, which are bolted to the lower rail of the said
frames. The lay D is adapted to be moved forward upon its axis, for the pur-
pose of beating up the weft; but when it is moved backwards it affords room
for the shuttle to be passed between the divided warp. G, Figures 2 and 3,
represents the place of the breast beam over which the finished cloth or fabric
passes, and descends to the cloth-roller I, upon which it is wound or taken up
in proportion as it is produced, for which purpose the cloth roller I has a cog
wheel K fixed upon its axis, which engages with the teeth of a small pinion
upon the axis of the ratchet wheel L. This ratchet wheel is furnished with a
click or pall i adapted to hook upon its teeth so as to turn it round by degrees.
The pall i is joined to the upper end of a lever h, which moves upon a fixed
centre pin h, and has a long arm m proceeding from it.. This arm is adapted
to be moved by a pin n, which projects out from the arm E of the lay. The
lever his formed with short arm o projecting backwards, which has a weight p
suspended from it. This weight operates to draw the pall and turn the
ratchet wheel L and cloth roller round so as to wind up the
circumference; and in proportion as the weight p descends it is raised again,
and the pall i is caused to hook over another tooth of the ratchet wheel by the
action of the pin n, which proceeds from the arm of the lay; as before
mentioned; the ratchet wheel is prevented from 'turning back by the action of
the small holding click or pall q, which is adapted to fall into its teeth. The
cloth upon its

page_text: machine is put in motion by the strap P passing round the rigger or pulley M,
which is fixed to a small fly wheel k upon the extremity of the crank axis R.
This axis has two cranks r, r, formed upon it for giving motion to the lay D by
means of the connecting links Q. The other extremity of the crank axis has
a small cog wheel V fixed upon it, engaging with the teeth of a wheel W, of
twice the diameter. This wheel is fixed upon the end of an horizontal axis X,
which extends the intire length of the loom, and turns in bearings or collars
attached to the two end frames a, a. The axis is also supported by a bearing
at x, and has a small bevelled pinion s fixed upon it, which engages with the
teeth of a large bevelled wheel v fixed upon the axis t of the tappet wheel T, the
proportion of the bevelled wheel and pinion being such that the tappet wheel will
make one revolution for every nine revolutions of the crank axis R. The axis
t of the tappet wheel is supported in two bearings, which are screwed to cross
rails of the frame, one of which bearings is seen at n, Figures 1 and 3. These
cross rails are supported by being screwed to two other rails, which extend
from back to front of the loom between the traces b, as represented at y, in
Figures 2 and 3. The tappet wheel T is composed of two metal wheels or
rims 8 and 9, Fig. 6, which are mounted upon an axis t, being placed at about
four inches from each other. These two wheels have nine holes bored in their
rims, as seen in Figures 1 and 5, through which a number of cylindrical pins
of metal pass. These pins have each six small metal rollers or tappets 10
fitted upon them side by side, so as to turn round freely and independently
of each other. The small rollers or tappets 10 (in the loom I am now
describing) are fifty-four, in number, and are adapted to operate upon a
series of curved levers 12 and 13, which are situated beneath the tappet
wheel. These curved levers are twelve in number, and are placed side by
side so as to occupy the same space as the distance between the rims or wheels
8 and 9. These levers are adapted to move upon fixed centres supported
in small bearings or brackets 14 and 15, which are screwed to the rails y,
of the frame, as represented in Figure 5. Six of the aforesaid curved levers
are fitted upon centres in the bracket 14, and the other six are fitted upon
centres in the bracket 15, crossing each other in alternate order in such
manner that the extreme ends of the six levers marked 12 full in the middle
of the length of the loom, and are attached by cords 11 to the lower shafts
or rails 16 of the beddles H, one of the said levers being attached to each
heddle, at the same time the extreme ends of the six curved levers which
are marked 13 extend near to one of the end frames a of the loom, and have
a cord 18 attached to each of them. These cords proceed in a perpendicular
direction to the upper part of the loom, and are united to the ends of a series

page_text: of long and short levers which are marked 19 and 21. The long levers
marked 19 are six in number, and are arranged side by side so as to turn
upon a fixed centre 20 supported in the arched frame c, c, as represented in
Figures 1, 3, and 4; the other extremities of the levers 19 are connected by
cords 25 with the upper shafts or rails 17 of the heddles H, one of the said
levers being attached to each heddle; the short levers marked 21 are also
six in number, being mounted so as to turn upon a centre or axis 22. They
are situated beneath the long levers 19, and are united to them at one end by
short connecting links 24 in such a manner that the long and short levers
are caused to move up and down in pairs. The other extremities of the
short levers 21 are attached by cords 26 to the upper shafts or rails 17 of
the beddles II in the same manner as the long levers 19. By this arrange-
ment when any of the cords 18 are pulled downwards they cause the
corresponding shafts or heddles H of the loom to move upwards in a parallel
and uniform manner. The operation of the tappet wheel T and curved levers
12 and 13 is as follows:- Suppose the tappet wheel to be turned upon its
axis, so that one of the small rollers or tappets 10 is caused to press down
one of the curved levers 13, as represented in Figures 5 and 6, it will draw
down one of the perpendicular cords 18 and by the system of levers which
are situated at the upper part of the loom as herein-before described, the
corresponding shaft or heddle will be drawn up for the purpose of separating
the yarns of the warp; at the same time the cord 11, which is attached to
the lower shaft of the same heddle, will raise the adjacent curved lever 12
into the spaces between the small rollers or tappets 10, as represented in the
Figure 6, so that when the same heddle requires to be depressed or drawn
downwards, another of the small rollers or tappets 10 will have come into
action upon the curved lever 12, so as to bear it down, and thereby draw down
the corresponding heddle, which, by means of the levers 19 and 21 and the
perpendicular cords 18, will raise the lever 13 up into a proper position to be
again operated upon by the small rollers or tappets 10 in their rotation, the
tension of the heddles being maintained by the weight of such of the aforesaid
curved levers as may be in the act of rising between the small rollers or
tȧppets. 10. The order or arrangement of the small rollers or tappets 10 will
require to be varied occasionally in the tappet wheel, but as this will depend
upon the nature of the cloth or fabric which is intended to be woven, it must
be regulated by the discretion of the weaver. For this purpose each of the
small rollers or tappets 10 has a projecting bass or centre formed out of one.
of its sides only, the other side being made flat; thus if the two flat sides of
the said small rollers are placed towards each other upon any one of the

page_text: cylindrical pins in the tappet wheel they will depress the two adjacent curved
levers, and will allow room. for the corresponding levers to rise up on each
side as represented at 27 in Fig. 6; or if the two projecting centres of the
small rollers are placed towards each other, they will depress the two outer-
most levers of the two pairs of levers; and will permit the two corresponding
levers to rise up between the small rollers, as represented at 28 in Fig. 6;
but if the projecting centres of two of the small rollers are placed on the same
side they will depress the levers alternately, and will allow the corresponding
levers of the two pairs of levers to rise between them alternately as represented
at 29, Figure 6; but in some cases I make both sides of the small rollers or
tappets flat, and introduce loose collets or washers between them to keep
them at a proper distance as under to operate upon the curved levers in the
required order. By this mode of construction the tappet wheel may be
caused to operate upon the various shafts or heddles of the loom to raise and
depress them in almost any required order of succession for separating the
yarns of the warp, so that the shuttle may be passed between then to produce
different kinds of cloth. The rim or wheel 8 of the tappet wheel is wedged
fast upon the axis t, and has the nine cylindrical pins secured fast into it for
the small rollers or tappets 10 to turn upon, but the rim or wheel 9 is fitted
to slide upon the axis so as to be capable of moving into the dotted position 9,
in which situation all the small rollers or tappets 10 may be drawn off the
cylindrical pins and put on again in any required order for producing various
descriptions of cloths or fabrics, and then the wheel or rim 9 may be put
back into its place and secured, a small key passing through the axis t. as
seen at 3 in Figure 6. This operation may be performed without removing
any of the framing of the loom, or without taking the tappet wheel or axis
out of its place. When this improved tappet wheel is applied to looms
which are worked by hand, it will be necessary to employ a ratchet wheel
connected with a treddle or other similar contrivance for moving the tappet
wheel round a portion of a revolution at every shoot, or at such intervals as
the nature of the cloth or fabric may require. The operation of pecking or
throwing the shuttle is performed. by means of a double arm or tappet-30,
which is fixed upon the horizontal axis X, as seen in Figures 1 and 2. This
arm is furnished with two small rollers at its extremities, which project out
on opposite sides so as to be capable of operating upon the two pecking levers
31 and 32, which move upon an axis or centre 33 in a stationary bracket
screwed to the end frame a. The pecking levers 31 and 32 have each a small
rod or wire 34 jointed to their extremities, which rods proceed upwards,
and are attached to the two extremities of a leather strap 35, which passes

page_text: over two guides or sectors 36 and 37, and then proceeds round the small
wheel 38, which is mounted upon an axis turning in bearings at the upper
part of the arched frames c, c. The leather strap 85 is fixed by small screw
bolts to the rims of the sectors 36 and 37, and also to the rim of the
wheel 38. By this means, when either of the two pecking levers 31 or 32:
are depressed by the action of the small rollers before mentioned on the
tappet arm 30, the strap 35 is put in motion so as to turn the wheel 38 a
portion of a revolution, and as the pecking levers 31 and 32 are operated
upon or depressed alternately at each peck or shoot, the wheel 38 will be
turned alternately backwards and forwards, and by means of the long arm 39.
upon the end of its axis, and the strings or cords 41, the peckers 42 will be:
jerked or thrown backwards and forwards upon their wires 43 in order to
strike the shuttle and cause it to pass rapidly along the shuttle race in front:
of the reed and between the divided warps so as to produce a cloth or fabric,
the strings 41 are suspended in the middle by two small cords 45 to prevent
their becoming entangled with the upper part of the lay; the shuttle is adapted
to enter alternately into the shuttle boxes, which are formed at each end
of the lay (as represented clearly in the Plan, Fig. 4), and remain there'
during the operation of beating up the weft; but if at any time the shuttle:
should happen to be stopped in its flight or passage between the divided.
warp or should fall short so as not to enter properly into the opposite shuttle
box, the machine is contrived so as to stop itself and prevent the lay from
coming forwards, otherwise the yarns of the warp, as well as the reed, would
be in danger of being broken to pieces. This operation of stopping the machine
is effected by means of two small curved levers which move upon a centre:
in openings formed in the back of the shuttle boxes, and are adapted to
project into the sides of the shuttle boxes, being pressed inwards by slight
springs 46, as represented by the blue shade in the Plan Figure 4, but when the
shuttle is thrown into either of the shuttle boxes it overcomes the resistance
of the springs 46, and forces the curved levers outwards, as represented at the
left-hand end of the lay in the Figure 4, where the shuttle is represented
as properly lodged in the left-hand shuttle box. The curved levers of the
shuttle boxes have each a small arm 47 bearing behind them, which
arms- project from each end of a long axis 48 extending from one end of
the lay D to the other, and turning in small brackets attached to the under
side of the lay, as represented in Figure 1. By this means when either of
the curved levers is forced outwards by the shuttle being properly lodged
in one of the shuttle boxes, the arms 47 are pressed backwards, which
turns the axis 48 round in a slight degree; the axis 48 has two other arms

page_text: projecting from it in an horizontal direction, being immediately over the two end
frames a, a, of the loom, as represented at 49, in Figures 2, 3, and 4. When
the ends of the arms 49 are depressed by the action of the springs 46
bearing behind the levers or arms 47, they are adapted to catch against
stop pieces 50 upon the end frames, and thereby prevent the lay from coming
forwards; but when the shuttle is properly lodged in either of the shuttle
boxes at the ends of the lay, it forces the curved levers of that box outwards,
and by turning the axis 48 raises the ends of the two arms 49 up, sufficiently
to pass clear over the stops 50, and thereby allow the lay to come forwards
and beat up the weft. Whenever the lay is prevented from coming forward by
the shuttle not passing clear across between the warp, as before described,
the main strap P is caused to move off the pulley or rigger M of the crank,
axis, and on to the circumference of the loose pulley N, and thus put the loom.
intirely out of action; this is effected by means of one of the stop pieces 50,
which the arms 49 upon the lay catch against, being moveable in a slight
degree upon a centre 51 attached to the end frame a, as represented in
Figures 1 and 3; this stop-piece has a small wire 52 attached to it which is
connected with a latch 53, situated behind a long upright spring 54, the lower
end of which spring is screwed fast to the brace b of the framing, the upper
end of the spring 54 has a tendency to move towards the right hand end of
the loom, but is restrained by being hooked into a notched piece or bracket 55,
which is screwed to the end frame, as represented in Figures 1, 3, and 4, in
which position it is adapted to keep the main strap P upon the circumference
of the rigger or pulley M, by means of the small connecting rod 56, which is
attached to the outermost end of the strap lever 57, as represented in the Plan,
Figure 4; but when the spring 54 is forced out of its notch in the bracket 55,
by the action of the small latch 53 and stop-piece 50, as before mentioned, the
upper end of the spring flies suddenly towards the right hand and into the
other hook of the bracket 55, and by drawing the connecting rod 56, it pulls
the extremity of the strap lever 57 towards the end of the loom, so as to move
its other extremity outwards, and by the main strap passing through a loop
formed in the end of the said lever, it is shifted on to the circumference of the
loose pulley N. The strap lever 57 is mounted upon a centre or stud 58 in a
small bracket, which is screwed to the end frame a of the loom; the upper part
of the spring 54 serves as a handle for the purpose of setting the loom in
motion or stopping it when required, by moving the main strap on to the
circumference of the fast or loose pulleys M or N.
The second of my improvements in the construction of looms for the weaving
of figured cloths or fabrics consists in the employment. of certain machinery or

page_text: implements, which are adapted to direct the movements of the various shafts,
heddles, or cords in any required order of succession, for the purpose of sepa-
rating the yarns of the warp in a proper manner, to produce a figured cloth or
fabric in a more simple and convenient manner than has been hitherto effected.
The inconvenience which occurs in the present mode of weaving figured cloths
or fabrics arises chiefly from the manner of laying down or preparing the
model or pattern which is to be employed for directing the movements of the
shafts, heddles, or cords of the loom. This inconvenience I have in a great mea-
sure overcome; for after much study and expense, I have found out and invented
a simple and effective manner of forming or preparing a pattern or model,
which is to be employed for the purpose of directing the requisite movements
in the shafts, heddles, or cords of looms for weaving figured cloths or fabrics,
by means of which improvement I am enabled to prepare the loom for weaving
almost any new figure or pattern at a small expense, and without much difficulty.
I employ a cylinder or other curved or plain surface, which surface is pierced
with a vast number of small holes so as only to leave very minute divisions
between the holes, somewhat resembling a sieve. The surface being thus pre-
pared, I cover it with a sheet of stout drawing paper or other similar suitable
material, which I affix or secure upon the perforated surface by flour paste or
otherwise. In this state the perforated surface is placed in such a situation.
that the light may pass through the holes which are formed in it, and shine
through the paper sufficiently to point out clearly the situation of the holes, in
order that a small punch or needle may be passed through the paper at the
proper places to form a pierced representation of the desired figure or pattern.
The part of the paper which falls between the figures is not pierced through,
but is left of an even surface so as to cover or hide the numerous holes in the
perforated surface. The cylinder or other surface being thus prepared, is
placed in the loom in such a manner that it can be moved or advanced at
intervals, so as to be capable of presenting every part of the surface to the ends
of a line or row of needles, or small wires, which needles or wires are caused
to press against the surface of the paper with a tendency to pass through or
enter the holes whenever any of the holes happen to present themselves
opposite to the end of one or more of the said needles, at the same time those
needles which fall between the points of the figure or pattern are held back
or prevented from advancing by bearing against the even surface of the paper
or other material with which the perforated surface is covered, as herein-before
mentioned. The needles have each a small string or cord passing through a
small hole formed in them, which strings or cords operate upon the shafts,
heddles, or cords of the loom, so as to cause them to be raised in a succession

page_text: or-order corresponding with the pattern, which was pierced through the surface
of the paper or other material; and when it is required to place a new pattern
into the loom, it is effected in a similar manner, having first removed the
covering of paper or other material and substituted a plain one, which is adapted
to have the new figure or pattern pierced through it.
In order to explain clearly the manner of carrying my aforesaid improvement
into effect, I have hereunto annexed Drawings which are marked Sheets III.,
IV., V.; they represent my improved machinery adapted to operate with a loom
for weaving figured cloths or fabrics, furnished with a suitable number of shafts,.
heddles, or cords, Note, the above Drawings are represented to a scale of.
about one half the real size, and the same characters or letters of reference are
used to denote corresponding parts upon the Figures whenever they occur.
Fig. 1, Sheet III, represents a section of the machine; Fig. 2, Sheet IV.,.
represents an end view of the machine, supposed to be taken in a direc-
tion parallel to the piece of cloth which is in the loom; and Fig. 3,
Sheet V., represents an horizontal plan. A represents the perforated or
pattern cylinder; it is mounted upon an axis which extends across the
breadth of the framing of the machine, and is supported at each end upon
bearings which are furnished with screw caps and plates adapted to bear
against the ends of the axis, and cause a slight resistance to the cylinder's
motion; these caps and plates are represented at b, b, Fig. 3. a, a, represent
the needles, a few only of which are represented in the Figures 2 and 3; they
are arranged in a line or row parallel to the axis of the cylinder A, and are
guided by sliding through holes formed in small stationary bars of metal c, c;
the outermost end of the needles are bent or hook under in such a manner as
to allow a flat bar of metal B to pass through the hooks, as seen in Fig. 1.
'The needles have each a small hole formed in them, through which fine strings
or cords 2, 2, are passed, and after proceeding through the holes in the fixed
bars C and D, they descend and are attached to a corresponding number of shafts,
heddles, or cords belonging to the figure loom, which is supposed to be situated
immediately beneath the machinery which I am now describing; the cords 2, 2,
also extend above the needles, and are firmly attached to the top rail E of the
framing, in such a situation that when the ends of the needles are bearing
against the surface of the paper upon the cylinder, the cords 2, 2, are some-
what forced out of a right line, as represented in Figure 1, which circumstance
gives the needles a tendency to advance and projects through the holes in the
cylinder whenever any of the said holes may happen to fall opposite to the ends
of the needles; and when the needles are so advanced through the holes in the
cylinder, the cords 2; 2, become nearly perpendicular. 3, 4, 5, and 6, repres

page_text: sent flat bars of metal which are furnished with small points, or teeth
projecting.out from them somewhat in the manner of: a comb, but which for
distinction I will denominate forks. The points upon the forks are situated at
the same distance asunder as the needles; and the 'cords 2, 2; which pass
through the small holes in the needles, as before mentioned, pass up freely
between the points or teeth of the said forks, the small holes in the needles
being arranged in such a manner that, when the whole of the needles are with
drawn from the holes in the cylinder, all the cords 2, 2, will be contained
between the teeth of the two forks 4. and 6, arranged alternately between the
two lines of teeth, and the other two forks 3 and 5 will be empty, or without
any cords between their teeth. In this situation, if the forks 4 and 6 were
moved. up and down alternately for each peck or shoot, one half of the
cords 2, 2, would be drawn up by means of the small knots or beads 8 upon
them being taken by the teeth of the forks; and by the cords 2, 2, being
connected with the shafts, heddles, or cords of the loom, one half of the said
shafts, heddles, or cords would be raised, and the other half would remain
stationary, so as to divide or separate the warp into two equal sheds, and allow
the shuttle to pass between them to form a plain cloth or fabric; but if any of
the needles should be permitted to advance or enter the holes formed on the
surface of the pattern cylinder A, the cords 2 belonging to such needles would
be moved into the teeth of the corresponding or opposite forks 3 or 5, in
which position they would be beyond the reach of the forks 4 and 6, and could
only be carried up by the action of their respective forks 3.and 5 taking hold
of the knots or beads 8, which are fixed upon them as before mentioned. The
forks 3 and 5. are not moved up and down alternately each peck or shoot, in
the manner of the forks 4 and 6, but they are both of them caused to move
up and down at each peck or shoot, so that in fact when either of the
forks 4 and 6 are moved up and down, as before mentioned, the same action
causes both the forks 3 and 5 to move up and down also. By this operation
it will appear that whatever arrangement or figure the holes upon the pattern
cylinder A may present, and the machine be put in motion with the cylinder
turning round a short space every peck or shoot, that a corresponding effect
will be produced upon the needles which, by the cords 2, 2; and forks 3, 4, 5;
and 6, will communicate the requisite action to the shafts, heddles, or cords of
the figure loom, so as to cause it to weave a cloth or fabric with a figure in it
corresponding with the figure which was pierced: upon, the pattern.cylinder A;
or if the said cylinder is-caused to turn round at intervals through a portion of
a revolution only, and then turn back again, it will be capable of prcducing a

page_text: figure or pattern in weaving, which is termed a point pattern, and that by
having only one half of the figure pierced through upon the cylinder.
I will now describe the manner of communicating the requisite movements
to the various parts of the machine, so as to produce the operations herein-
before stated. G represents an axis or shaft, which extends across the main
frame of the machine. It is adapted to make one half of a revolution for
every peck or shoot. This axis is furnished with a number of cams or tappets
projecting from it, which cams or tappets are adapted to operate upon levers
connected with the various parts of the machine in the following manner :-
I represents a cam, which is situated upon the end of the axis for giving
motion to the pattern cylinder A. It is of a circular form, having two small
prominences or beaks upon the opposite points of its circumference. The
camm H has a small roller h bearing against it, being mounted on the extremity
of a bent lever I, which moves upon a fixed centre of motion at i; the
horizontal arm of the bent lever I is furnished with a counterweight k, which
operates to keep the roller h continually in contact with the circumference of
the camm H. The lever I has a connecting rod K, K, jointed to it, the
other extremity of which rod is attached by a joint to a short lever L, which
is fixed upon the end of an axis 7, extending across the frame of the machine..
This axis has two small arms m and a rising from it, one at each end, which
arms have two levers or palls o, p, jointed to them. The pall marked p is
adapted to operate upon the teeth of a ratchet p 1, formed at one end of the
pattern cylinder A. The other pall, marked o, is formed to a small hook, so
as to take hold of the teeth of the ratchet wheel o 1, which is situated at the
opposite end of the pattern cylinder; the teeth of the said two ratchet wheels
being formed in opposite directions. The palls o and p have tails projecting from
them on the opposite sides of their centre of motion, which tails are adapted to
be borne upon by two small studs or beaks, which project from an axis q at
right angles to each other. Thus, when the pull o is raised out of the teeth of
the ratchet wheel by its tail being depressed by one of the said beaks, the
pull p is relieved or let down so as to be brought into action, and vice versa.
By this means when the connecting rod K, K, is moved backwards and for-
wards by the action of the camm H and counterweight k, it moves the
cylinder round each time a quantity equal to one tooth of the ratchet wheel;
at the same time the direction in which the cylinder will be moved round will
be determined by one or other of the palls o and p being in action. The use
of the two palls o and p is to cause the cylinder to revolve at pleasure in
contrary directions, for repeating and reversing a pattern in weaving; and the

page_text: instant when the palls o and p are to change, their position is determined by
the pierced pattern upon the cylinder A, and by the assistance of two needles,
which I will denominate reversing needles. These needles are situated in the
same line as the needles a, but near to the end of the pattern cylinder, and
are adapted to enter the small holes which are formed on its surface, so that
the cords which pass through the said reversing needles may be taken up by
the forks 3 and 5, in a manner exactly similar to the needles a, for drawing
the shafts or heddles of the loom, as before described, except that the cords
of the said reversing needles are not in any way operated upon by the forks
4 and 6, because the teeth of the said forks do not extend so far as the outer-
most needles. The cords 9, 9, proceeding from the two reversing needles,
pass through the fixed guide bar at C, and then descend, and are attached to
two levers 10 and 11, which move upon a fixed.centre of motion at 12. The
other ends of the levers 10 and 11 are connected by a cord 13, which passes
round a pulley 14 upon the axis q in such a manner that when the ends of
the levers 10 or 11 are drawn up by the operation of the reversing needles
and forks 3 or 5 (as before mentioned), it depresses the other ends, cand draws
the cord 13 so as to turn the pulley 14 and axis q in a sufficient degree to
reverse the position of the palls o and p, and thereby cause the pattern
cylinder A to turn in a contrary direction. When either of the levers 10 or 11
are moved up and down, the axis q is caused to turn one fourth of a revolution,
and then remain stationary. This is effected by the action of a small spring 15
which is adapted to bear against the flat surfaces of a small square block of
metal 16, fixed to the side of the pulley 14, similar in its operation to the
joint of a pocket knife, as will be clearly seen in Figures 1 and 3. Note, the
whole of the movements connected with the pattern cylinder A are coloured
yellow in the Drawings. Before the pattern cylinder A can be moved by its
palls o or p, it is necessary that the ends of all the needles should be with-
drawn from the holes in its circumference. This is effected by the bar B, which
passes through the hooks of the needles (as herein-before mentioned) being
moved backwards by the connecting links N, N, which are attached to its two
ends, as represented in the Plan, Figure 3. The extremities of the links N, N,
are jointed to levers 19, 19, moving upon an axis 20, which extends across the
frame of the machine. The middle of the axis 20 has an horizontal arm pro-
jecting from it, to the extremity of which a weight 21 is suspended. The
upper ends of the levers 19 have small rollers 18 fixed in them, which bear
against the circumference of two camms M, M, situated upon the main axis G.
These camms are formed to portions of a circle round the axis, and have each
two indentations upon their circumferences, as represented in Fig. 1, so that

page_text: when the camins have turned round to a particular point, the rollers 18 are
caused to fall into the said indentations by the action of the weight 21, and
by drawing the connecting links N, N, they operate to withdraw the ends
of all the needles from the holes in the pattern cylinder A, previous to
its being moved round a tooth of the ratchet wheels; but as soon as
the requisite movement of the cylinder A has been effected, the large
circumference of the camms M, M, has arrived opposite to the rollers 18,
and thereby forced the connecting links N, N, and bar B, backwards
into the position seen in Figure 1, so as to relieve the needles a, and
suffer them to bear against the surface of the pattern cylinder A, or to enter
the holes according to the nature of the pattern as herein-before described.
Note, all the parts connected with the mechanism for withdrawing the needles
are coloured blue in the Drawings. The lifting motions of the fork bars 3, 4,
5, and 6, are performed by two camms or tappets. O and P, projecting on
opposite sides of the main axis, as représented in the Figures 1, 2, and 3.
These camms are adapted to operate upon two small rollers 7 and s, which are
fixed in two crooked levers R and S. These levers move upon a fixed centre
pin at Q, and their other extremities are connected in a peculiar manner by
strings or cords with the ends of four long levers t, v, w, and a, which.move
upon separate axes T, extending across the frame. Upon the opposite side of
the axes T the levers t, v, w, and x, are formed double, and are connected by
upright rods with each end of the four fork bars 3, 4, 5, 6, as represented in
the Plan, Figure 3. It may be observed, by reference to the Figures 1 and 2,
that the long levers w and t, which are connected with the forks 4 and 6, have
each one. cord or string proceeding from them, which are attached to the
extremities of the two crooked levers R and S; and since the main axis G
makes one half of a revolution for each shoot, and there are two camms O, P;
situated at opposite sides of the axis, the fork bars 4 and 6 will be moved up
and down alternately in the same manner as the two treddles of a loom for
weaving plain cloth; but at the same time it may be observed, by reference to
the Figures 1 and 2, that the levers and v, which are connected with the fork
bars 3 and 5, have each two cords.or strings descending from then, one of
which strings are attached to the extremities of each of the crooked levers R
and S, by which means, when either of the levers R and S are depressed by
the camms O or P, both the fork bars 3 and 5 are caused to move upwards for
the purpose of carrying up such of the shafts, heddles, or cords of the loom as
may be required for weaving the desired figures or patterns in the cloth or
fabric, which is determined by the operation of the needles a entering the
holes in the pierced pattern upon the cylinder A, as herein-before mentioned.

page_text: The extremity of the lower lever x is prolonged sufficiently to prevent the
cords 2, 2, from becoming entangled with the levers when the cords are in a
relaxed state, as represented in the Figure 1. Note, the various parts which
are concerned in the- movements of the fork bars are coloured with red and
light brown to render them distinct. This apparatus may be worked in a
different manner from what I have already described. Suppose the pattern
cylinder A pierced with small holes all over its surface, and the range of
needles a applied exactly similar to the last described machine; but instead of
covering its circumference with a sheet of paper, and piercing the figures or
patterns through it, I cut out pieces of paper, or other suitable material, into
the form of the desired figures or patterns, and paste or otherwise secure them
upon the surface of the cylinder in the required order. By this means, all the
other parts of the cylinder are left uncovered, so that the row or line of needles;
when suffered to advance, will fall through the holes in the surface of the
cylinder, except in such parts as may happen to drop upon the figures or
patterns. This operation will cause the strings or. cords 2, 2, of the shafts or
hedilles to be moved into the forks, and be taken up in the required order of
succession. But in this last-mentioned mode of working 'it will be necessary
to tie up the strings or cords which serve to connect the levers t, v, w, and x,
and the levers R and S, in the reverse order to what has been described, so that
the forks 3 and 5 may be caused to move up and down alternatély at each
shoot, and thereby produce a plain cloth or fabric; at the same time both the
forks 4.and 6 will be moved up and down at each shoot for effecting the figure
or pattern. The mechanisin for weaving figured cloths or fabrics, as described
upon the Sheets III., IV., and V., may be put in motion by the power of steam
or other suitable means, or it may be worked by hand in conjunction with a
common handloom, adapted for the weaving of figured cloths or fabrics, in
which case the axis G must be caused to make one half of a revolution for
each peck or shoot, by the operation of a treddle or ratchet wheel, or other
similar contrivance.
The third of my improvements in the construction of looms for weaving
plain and figured cloths or fabrics, consists in certain improved machinery for
taking up or winding the cloth upon the cloth beam or roller, in proportion as it
is produced. This improvement is applicable to the working of looms by
hand, as well as to those which are denominated power looms.. In the present
mode of working handlooms, such as are usually employed, it is very difficult
to produce an even cloth or fabric, viz, a cloth or fabric where each shoot of
the weft has been beat up or struck with an equal force of the lay. This
difficulty arises in consequence of the line or part where the cloth or fabric

page_text: begins to be formed by the union of the warp and weft occasionally varying its
place on the loom.in a slight degree, by which circumstance it should require
a discretionary blow of the. lay to beat up each shoot of the weft in an equal
degree, so as to produce an even cloth or fabric. My above-mentioned
improvement is adapted to operate in such a manner as to cause the line where
the cloth or fabric begins to be formed (by the union of the warp and weft) to
remain always at one point, or nearly so, by which means the lay may be
moved backwards and forwards nearly to the same extent, and beat up every
shoot of the weft equally, and produce an even cloth or fabric. The mechanism
by which I produce this effect is described by reference to the Figures 1 and 2
upon the Sheet VI. of Drawings hereunto annexed. The Figure 2 is supposed
to represent the end frame of a power loom, with only such of its parts intro-
duced as are requisite for explaining their connexion with my improvement.
A represents the yarn beam or roller, which is caused to turn with considerable
resistance by the operation of the cord and weight B, after the usual manner of
the looms at present in use. H represents the cloth beam or roller, having a
toothed wheel upon its axis, as shewn by the dotted circle I, which engages
with the teeth of a pinion fixed upon the axis of a ratchet wheel K. This ratchet
wheel is adapted to be moved round by the action of a hooked pall or click k,
which is jointed to a lever L moving upon a fixed centre pin at m. The lever
L is formed with a long arm 7 projecting downward sufficiently to be moved by
the action of a pin or stud v proceeding from the lay arm G whenever the lay
is moved backwards sufficiently to effect a shoot; but when the lay is moved
forward in order to beat up the weft, the lever L and click k is caused to
return and take fresh hold of the teeth of the ratchet wheel by the action of
the weight t, which is suspended from a short arm o, projecting from the
lever L, at the opposite side of the centre of motion. In this state of working
if the weft is put in regularly so as to form an even cloth or fabric, with the
lay coming forward to the same point, the ratchet wheel K will be moved
round slightly at every shoot; but if a thin weft should be put or laid in
during a few shoots, it would require that the lay should come more forwards,
or otherwise that the cloth or fabric should be taken up in a less degree in
order to beat up the weft equally. This latter effect my improvement is
adapted to produce in the following manner :-The upper part of the lay G is
furnished with a projecting pin b, which, upon the lay coming a little more
forward than usual, the said pin comes in contact with the end c of a crooked
lever c, d, e, which moves upon a fixed centre at d; and by forcing the end c of
the said lever back, it raises its end e until it rests upon the step formed on the
small spring h, in which situation it also raises the hook of the click k out of

page_text: the teeth of the racket wheel K, as shewn by the position in Figure 1, so as to
prevent the click from producing any effect upon the ratchet wheel or cloth
roller during that shoot; but when the lay is moved back again to make a
second shoot, the click k falls again into the teeth of the ratchet wheel, in
consequence of the spring h being drawn back to release the lever e by means
of a small pin or stud 8, which projects out from the side of the click; and as
no cloth had been taken up on the preceding shoot, the lay would probably not
come forwards. sufficiently to allow its pin 6 to touch the end c of the bent
lever, as before mentioned; consequently, the click & being engaged with the
teeth of the ratchet wheel at the same time that it was put in motion by the
action of the pin upon the lay, the click would move the ratchet wheel
round and take up the cloth or fabric; the ratchet wheel is furnished with a
second pall or click, which is adapted to drop into its teeth and prevent it from
turning back. The second pall or click is not represented in the Figures. By
the application of this improvement to looms they would be found to take up
the cloth or fabric exactly according to the quantity of weft which might be
put in, at the same time producing a cloth or fabric of a more even texture
than could well be produced by the methods which are at present known and
in use. It must be observed that when the above-mentioned improvement is
applied to power looms, or where the lay is moved backward and forward by
the action of a crank, that the link or connecting rod proceeding from it must
be formed to a box, or a spring must be applied in some convenient manner to
render it slightly elastic, in order that the lay may have liberty of coming
forwards sufficiently to act upon the bent lever c, d, e, when it may be required.
to raise the click k, and prevent the cloth from being taken up, as herein-
before described.
The Fig. 1 upon the Sheet VI. of Drawings hereunto annexed represent the
position of the various parts of the mechanism, when the lay G is supposed to
have been brought forwards at a time when no weft had been put in, or a weft
so thin as not to require a tooth of the ratchet wheel to take up the cloth or
fabric, by which occurrence the stud or pin b upon the lay has been brought
sufficiently forwards to have struck the bent lever c, d, e, and raised the click k
above the teeth of the ratchet wheel K so much as not to produce any
advance on the cloth, beam, or roller; at the same time it may be observed in
the Figure that the pin 8, which projects from the side of the click k, is in
the act of withdrawing the small spring h, in order to allow the arme of the
bent lever to drop, and suffer the click k to become engaged with the teeth of
the ratchet wheel so as to move it round at the succeeding shoot if required.
The fourth of my improvements in the construction of looms for weaving:

page_text: plain and figured cloths or fabrics consists in an improved combination of machi-
nery for working or moving the yarn and cloth beams or rollers. This improve-
ment may be used in conjunction with looms now in common use, whether they
be moved by hand, by steam, or other power. The usual method of working the
yarn roller or yarn beam of looms has been to suspend a considerable weight
by a cord or a strap, which was connected with the yarn roller, for the purpose
of keeping the threads of the warp in a state of sufficient tension to sustain
or support the blow of the reed in beating up the weft, and at the same time
to suffer the yarn roller to yield in a sufficient degree to allow of the threads
of the warp being separated or divided for the shuttle to pass between them
at every shoot. The cloth beam or roller upon which the cloth or fabric is
wound on the looms at present in use, has been usually caused to move
round a short space from time to time as the cloth is produced by the action
of the lay in moving backwards, and by means of a weight acting by a
click upon a toothed or ratchet wheel, the cloth roller being prevented from
turning back by the action of the click or pall, which moves upon a fixed
centre, and is adapted to fall into the teeth of the said toothed or ratchet
wheel to retain it in one direction firmly. In my above-mentioned improve-
ment I cause the yarn beam or roller to be turned round a slight portion of a
revolution at each shoot by means of a screw and worm wheel, or other
similar contrivance, for the purpose of giving out the warp regularly, and do
not permit the said beam or roller to yield for effecting the separation of the
warp as herein-before mentioned; but I allow the cloth beam or roller, to
yield instead of the yarn beam or roller; by this important improvement I
am enabled to beat up the weft with a much smarter blow of the read, and
thereby produce a more close or firm cloth or fabric than could well be pro-
duced by the ordinary method. Figure 3, upon the Sheet VI. of Drawings
hereunto annexed, will serve to explain clearly the mode of carrying my
aforesaid improvement into effect. The Figure is supposed to represent the
end framing of the loom which is marked (1), but I have only introduced such
parts of the loom as were found requisite to explain their connections with
my improvement. A represents the yarn beam or roller, having a cog or
toothed wheel B fixed upon the end of its axis, which engages with the threads
of a screw or worm C, formed upon one end of a small horizontal axis D,
which is adapted to turn in fixed bearings 2, 2, attached to the end frame (1).
At the other end of the axis D a wheel or pulley E is fixed, having two
grooves formed on its circumference; the outermost groove has a small string
or cord e passing twice round in it; one end of this cord has a small weight h
attached to it, and the other end is attached to the extremity e of a lever or

page_text: arm F, which proceeds from the lay G, in such a position that when the lay
is moved backward upon its centre of motion g, in the usual manner to make
a shoot, it will operate to draw the cord e, and turn the pulley E and axis D
round a short space, which, by its screw or worm C, will turn the wheel B
and yarn roller A in a very slight degree so as to give out a sufficient length
of yarn or warp to effect the next shoot, but when the shoot has been made
and the lay brought forwards to beat up the weft, the cord e will be slackened
or relieved, and the weight h will draw it tight again round the pulley E into
a situation to be operated upon by the lever F, upon the return of the lay;
but to prevent the pulley E and axis D from being turned round by the action
or descent of the weight h, a second string or cord m is applied upon the
other groove of the pulley E, the cord m performing two turns round the
pulley, and has one of its extremities tied fast to the frame 1 at m, whilst the
other extremity is attached to a small weight n; by this arrangement, when
the cord e is relieved or slackened to renew its operation as before mentioned,
the pulley E is restrained in a sufficient degree (to prevent its being moved
round) by the tension or resistance occasioned by the cord m, which is tied
fast to the frame (1) as above described.
I will now explain in what manner the yarn or warp is caused to be given
out in an equal degree, whether the yarn beam or roller be full or empty, or
according to the gradual diminution of its diameter in the course of working.
A represents a cylindrical roller, whose circumference is adapted to remain
continually in contact with the circumference or surface of the yarn or warp
upon the yarn beam; the roller a is situated at the upper end of a long lever b,
which turns upon a fixed centre at c, the lever b has a small sliding piece d
fitted upon it which can be secured at any required part by a thumb screw;
from the piece da small cord o, o, proceeds, and after passing round a pulley r
(situated upon a lay near its centre of motion) its extremity is attached to the
ende of the lever F, which lever moves upon a joint or centre pin attached to
the lay at G. The lower end of this lever is continually forced away from the
lay by the action of a spring (s), which is situated behind it, so that the
cord o, o, is kept in a state of tension, and by its connection with the upright
lever (6) causes the roller (a) to remain constantly in contact with the surface
of the warp upon the yarn beam. By this arrangement, in proportion as the
diameter of the yarn beam diminishes, the cord o, o, will be relieved and permit
the end of the lever F to remove farther from the centre of motion, the lay.
thereby encreasing the extent of action upon the corde and pulley E, which
is connected with the worm C and wheel B, situated upon the end of the yarn
beam, thereby causing an equal length of warp to be given out at every shoot.

page_text: The manner of taking up .the cloth or fabric, or winding it upon the cloth
beam in proportion as it is produced, is described by reference to the same
Figure 3. H represents the cloth roller or beam, having a toothed wheel I
fixed upon its axis; this wheel engages with the teeth of a pinion, which is
fixed upon the axis of the pulley K, having two grooves formed on it (which
are represented of different diameters in the Figure for the sake of distinction.
The largest of the grooves upon the pulley K has a cord k passed twice round
it, to the end of which cord a small weight (4) is attached, and to the other
end of the same cord a larger-sized weight is attached; this last weight is
situated in such a manner as to be operated upon by an arm or lever t, which
projects out from the axis g of the lay. By this means, when the lay is moved
backwards in order to make a shoot, the levert lifts up the weight v and
relieves the cord / sufficiently to allow the small weight 4 to descend; but
when the shoot has been effected and the lay brought forward in order to beat
up the weft, the weight descends and turns the pulley K, which, by its
pinion acting in the teeth of the wheel I, turns the cloth beam and winds or
takes up the cloth upon its circumference; the cloth is kept upon the cloth
beam sufficiently tight during the raising of the weight by the operation of the
second cord w, which makes two turns round one of the grooves of the
pulley K, and has a large weight 5 and a small weight 6 attached to its extre-
mities; the weight 5 has a string 8 fastened to it which passes over a small
pulley and descends to the arm t of the lay; thus every time that the lay is
brought forwards it pulls the string 8, and raises the weight 5 in a slight
degree, which, by its descent, keeps the cloth tight during the rise of the
weight v. This mode of constructing the taking-up mechanism of the cloth
beam will admit of its yielding sufficiently to separate, the threads of the
warp in making a shoot.
The fifth of my improvements in the construction of looms for weaving
plain or figured cloths or fabrics consists in an improved manner of arranging
the warps and shuttles in such looms as are usually denominated small-ware
looms or swivel looms, which are employed chiefly for ribbons and other similar
narrow cloths or fabrics. These looms are generally adapted to weave a
number of ribbons at once, the warps being arranged in a line side by side in
such manner that one set of shafts or heddles and one lay, having the requisite
number of short reeds placed in it, may be caused to operate upon the whole
number of warps at the same time. It is necessary in small-ware looms to
place the separate warps at a sufficient distance asunder to allow a proper
space for the shuttles to lie at rest between each warp during the operation of
beating up the weft, so that the looms are found to extend to a very incon-

page_text: venient length when many breadths of ribbons are attempted to be wove at
one operation. My above-mentioned improvement is adapted to remove this
inconvenience by placing two rows or lines of shuttles and warps, one somewhat
below the other, in such positions that the spaces for containing the shuttles in
the upper row or line may fall opposite to the places intended for the warps
on the lower row or line, and vice versa, by which arrangement I am enabled
to work nearly double the number of warps within a given length, and still
operate upon the whole number by one system of shafts or heddles and one
lay having two lines or rows of short reeds fixed in it alternately above and
below each other in a sufficient degree to correspond with the two rows or
lines of warps as herein-before mentioned.
The manner of carrying this improvement into effect will be clearly seen by.
reference to the Figures 6 and 7 upon the Sheet VI. of Drawings hereunto an-
nexed. Figure 6 represents a portion of the upper part of the lay of a small-ware
loom, supposed to be viewed in front; and Figure 7 represents a cross section,
supposed to be taken through the lay at the dotted line Z, Z. A and B represents
the two bars or beams of the lay. The upper bar A has a metal plate a screwed
against it; the under edge of this plate has a number of square notches formed
in it, as seen at c. b, represents a similar plate of metal, which is screwed to the
lower bar B of the lay. This plate is also formed with a number of square
notches in it, as seen at d, being arranged so as to fall in the spaces between
the notches c in the upper plate. e represents a third plate of metal, which is
formed with square notches h and i, being arranged alternately on each side,
so that when the plate e is placed in the space between the plates a and b, it
forms a number of oblong openings c, h, and i, d, sufficiently large for the
separate warps to pass through, as represented by the lines w, w, x, x, in
Figure 7, being arranged alternately in two rows or lines. The plate e is held
in its place by a number of small screw pillars e projecting from narrow pieces
of wood or metal k, which are screwed to the bars A and B of the lay, as
seen at k in Figure 7, and by the dotted lines k in Figure 6. The plate e is
not so wide as the space between the plates a and b, so that two narrow
openings or grooves are left, which are upon a lever, with the centres of the
oblong openings c, h, and i, d. These grooves form guides for the two rows
or lines of shuttles m and n to slide in, as represented in the section Figure 7.
The shuttles are adapted to be moved backwards and forwards across the
oblong openings c, h, and i, d, between the divided warps by means of the
metal prongs or drivers o and p, projecting from two bars O and P which
extend the entire length of the lay, and slide in guides or channels formed
upon the face of the lay. The bars O and P are connected together by a
lever Q, which moves upon a centre of motion 9 fixed to the arm or sword D

page_text: of the lay. By this connection, when the bar O, with its prongs or drivers'o is
moved from right to left, the bar P, with its prongs or drivers p, will be moved
from left to right, and vice versa; thus suppose the bar O to be moved from
right to left, or in the direction of the arrow shewn in Figure 6, its prongs
or drivers o would move the upper line or row of shuttles m across the oblong
openings c and h, and between the divided warps w, w, seen in Figure 7,
which pass through the said openings in such a manner that the right-hand
shuttle m 1 would be moved into the place of the shuttle m 2, and the
shuttle m 2 would be moved into the place of the shuttle m 3, and
so on throughout the whole line or row until beyond the last opening at
the left-hand end, and where a vacant groove is reserved to receive the end
shuttle; at the same time the lower row or line of shuttles n' would be moving
by the prongs or drivers p across the oblong openings i and d, and between
the warps a, a, seen in Figure 7, which pass through the said openings in
such a manner that the shuttle n 1 would be moved into the vacant groove r,
and the shuttle n 2 would be moved into the place of the shuttle n 1, and so
on throughout the intire line or row. The reeds are divided into short
lengths, each length being supported by a small block of wood y, y. These
are arranged between the bars A and B of the lay in two rows or lines corre-
sponding in height with the two rows or lines of shuttles, as seen in Fig. 7,
where s, s, represents the top and bottom ribs of the upper row or line of
reeds, and t, t, shew the top and bottom ribs of the lower line or row of reeds.
The various shafts or heddles of the loom may be arranged one behind the
other, and may be moved in the usual manner, and the bars O and P for
throwing or passing the shuttles may be moved in any suitable manner either
by hand or otherwise as may be found most convenient.
The sixth of my improvements in the construction of looms for weaving.
plain or figured cloths or fabrics consists in an improved manner of arranging
and working the shuttles or looms for weaving narrow cloths or fabrics, by
means of which improvement several shuttles may be employed, each con-
taining yarn of a different shade or colour. These shuttles may be brought
into action in any required order of succession for weaving coloured patterns.
The apparatus for effecting this object is described by the Figures 4 and 5 upon.
the Sheet VI. of Drawings hereunto annexed. These Figures are supposed
to represent a portion of the lay belonging to one of the small-ware looms
such as are at present in use for weaving narrow cloths or fabrics, such as
ribbands, tapes, &c. Figure 4 shews a front view, and Figure 5, a cross section,
A and B represent the rails or bars of the lay, having the reed 8, s, fixed
between them in the usual manner. At each end of the lay a small vertical.
rail G, G, is fixed, having grooves or channels formed in them as represented

page_text: at a, a, in Figure 5. These grooves form guides for the purpose of supporting
a metal frame C and D, which is adapted to slide freely up and down in the
grooves a, a. The metal frame C, D, is divided into compartments through-
out the length of the lay by a number of narrow metal plates e, e, being equal
in width to the spaces left between the warps to contain the shuttles. Each
of the plates e, e, has a number of narrow grooves or slits formed through it
in an horizontal direction one above the other, which groves are adapted to
receive the shuttles containing different colours or shades of yarn, the ends
of the shuttles are formed so as to be capable of sliding backwards and
forwards in the said grooves, as seen at 1, 2, 3, and 4, in Figure 5. By this
means the narrow plates of metal e, e, before mentioned are completely
divided into separate pieces, and therefore require to be supported and held
together. This is effected by a number of thin metal plates E, E, which are
formed with openings in them resembling a line of arches, the pillars h
between the said openings being secured to the portions of the plates e, e.
Each of the openings or arches in the metal plates E, E, are sufficiently
large to contain a shuttle and allow it to be moved without obstruction..
The lines w, w, Figure 5, represent one of the warps supposed to be separated
for the shuttles to pass; the separate warps pass through the spaces which are
left between the metal plates E, E, e, e, and through the reeds of the lay.
In the Figures 4 and 5 four different shuttles are represented, one above the
other, for containing the different colours, but a greater number might be
used if the nature of the pattern to be woven should require it, by having
the sliding frame C, D, made wider, and having a greater number of grooves.
and arches formed in it for containing shuttles. The four rows or lines of
shuttles which are represented in the Drawings are marked m 1, m 2, m 3,
and m 4; but the shuttle marked m 3 is the only one that is shewn in the
right position for weaving, being on a level with the centre of the reed, and
in such a situation that it might be passed between the yarns of the divided
warps; and by sliding the frame C, D, up or down, any one of the four rows
or lines of shuttles may be brought into action in the same position as the
shuttle m 3. The shuttles are thrown or passed between the divided yarns
of the warps by the action of a row or line of prongs or drivers o, which
project from an equal number of narrow bars of metal p extending between
the bars o, o, being fixed thereto by screws; the bars o, o, are adapted to slide
backwards and forwards in grooves or channels formed in the rails A and B
of the lay; and as the prongs or drivers o are simply narrow pieces, they
only operate upon that row or line of shuttles which is brought into the proper
position between the divided yarns of the warps. In the Figure 4, the.
lines of rows of shuttles marked m 3 is supposed to have been passed across.

page_text: between the divided yarns of the row or line of warps, and therefore the
groove 3 in the plate e, c, is shewn vacant in order to receive its shuttle again
at the next shoot. The frame C, D, may be moved up and down by hand
or by treddles in the usual manner for the purpose of bringing the various
rows or lines of coloured shuttles into action at the proper time to produce
the figures or patterns; but if it should be desired, the requisite movements
for bringing the rows or lines of shuttles into action at the proper periods
may be communicated to the strings or cords F, which are attached to the
frame C, D. These cords may be drawn up or let down at the proper intervals
by being connected with my improvement for weaving figured cloths or fabrics
(viz.), by having a certain number of the needles a belonging to the perforated
or pattern cylinder devoted to the bringing up of the various coloured shuttles
in the same manner as described for raising and lowering the various
shafts or heddles, and which has been already described by reference to the
Sheets III., IV., and V. of Drawing hereunto annexed.
Having already described the nature and operation of the aforesaid
machinery, or implements applicable to the process of weaving plain or figured
cloths or fabrics, which may be used on and in conjunction with looms now
in common use, and also certain improvements in the construction of looms
for weaving plain and figured cloths or fabrics, and in the method of working
looms either by hand, by steam, or other power, I do hereby declare that my
Invention consists in the following particulars:
First, my improved tappet wheel and levers to produce the requisite move-
ments of the heddles in looms wherein more than two shafts or heddles are
employed, whether the loom be worked by hand or by other power. The
said tappet wheel and levers are represented in Figures 5 and 6, Sheet II.,
and have already been described. The distinctive character of my tappet
wheel is, that it consists of a number of small rollers or tappets arranged in
the circumference of a circle or revolving wheel, and adapted to operate
upon a system of levers, one half of which are elevating levers for the purpose
of raising the shafts or heddles, and the other half are depressing levers for
the purpose of depressing the shafts or heddles. The arrangement of the
said rollers or tappets in my tappet wheel admit of being varied by reversing
the rollers or tappets or by inserting loose collets or washers between them
as herein-before described, so that each roller may at pleasure be placed so
as to operate upon either an elevating lever or a depressing lever, according
to the fabric of the cloth which is to be woven.
.
Secondly, in the employment of a perforated cylinder or other suitable
perforated surface, having a covering of paper or other similar material fixed
firmly upon it, through the substance of which covering the pattern or figure

page_text: intended to be woven is pierced or cut. In some kinds of work the desired
pattern or figure may be cut out from or formed with a separate piece or
pieces of paper or other suitable material, and then fixed upon the perforated
surface. The cylinder or surface thus prepared I use in conjunction with
machinery already known and in use for directing the movements of the
various shafts, heddles, or cords in looms for weaving figured cloths or fabrics
as herein-before described.
Thirdly, in the improved machinery or apparatus for winding or taking up
the cloth upon the cloth roller in proportion as it is produced. This improve-
ment is described with reference to the Figures 1 and 2 upon the Sheet VI.
of Drawings hereunto annexed, and is applicable to the working of looms by
hand as well as to those which are denominated power looms.
Fourthly, in the improved combination of machinery for turning the warp
roller so as to give out the warp regularly, and at the same time to take
up or wind the cloth or fabric upon the cloth roller in proportion as it is pro-
duced. This improvement is described by reference to the Figure 3 upon the
Sheet VI. of Drawings hereunto annexed.
Fifthly, in the improved manner of arranging the shuttles and warps in
looms for weaving narrow cloths or fabrics, by which means a greater number
of shuttles may be worked, and a greater number of cloths or webs may be
produced in a loom of a given length than has been hitherto done; this
improvement is described with reference to the Figures 6 and 7 upon the
Sheet VI. of Drawings hereunto annexed.
Sixthly, in the improved manner of arranging and working the shuttles in
looms for weaving narrow cloths or fabrics, whereby several distinct shuttles,
each containing a different coloured yarn, may be employed in a more conve-
nient manner than has been hitherto practised. This improvement is described
with reference to Figures 4 and 5 in the Sheet VI. of Drawings hereunto
annexed. All other parts which have been described or mentioned in this
my Specification have only been introduced to explain clearly the manner
of applying my improvements to looms which are at present in use, and
therefore form no part of my Invention. At the same time I must observe
that the form and proportions of the different parts may be varied according
to the discretion of the workman employed in constructing the same, as well
as the materials of which the same may be made, without departing from the
object of my improvements.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Roberts, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of May, One thousand eight hundred
and twenty-three.
RICH" (L.S.) ROBERTS.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Tenth day of May, in the
fourth year of the reign of His Majesty King George the Fourth, the said
Richard Roberts came before our said Lord the King in His Chancery,
and acknowledged the Instrument aforesaid, and all and every thing therein
contained and specified, in form above written. And also the Instrument
aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made in the
fifty-fifth year of the reign of His late Majesty King George the Third.
Inrolled the Twelfth day of May, in the year of our Lord One