IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Bullough, of Accrington, in the County of
Lancaster, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Bullough at tho
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
June 1856.
I, JAMES BULLOUGHI, of Accrington, in the County of Lancaster, Manu-
facturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN LOOMS," to be as follows:-
This Invention, which is an extension of or improvements on the Patent
granted to me, and dated the Ninth day of March, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-five, No. 529, relates to a further improvement in the stop-
rod, with a swell in the side of the shuttle-box instead of above it, as described
in the Specification of the Patent above mentioned. This arrangement consists
of the use of a light rod or tube in connection with a rod and lever, acting
upon a swell in the side of the shuttle-box by means of a trigger, which is in
the way of the frog when the shuttle is lodged in the shed, by which plau the
stop-rod acts with less force on the shuttle than on the ordinary methods, and
consequently will not obstruct or thwart it in its course from one shuttle-box
to the other, but will allow it to traverse with ease and steadiness, having a
lighter lever to lift and a shorter distance to lift it, as well as a greater
certainty of the stop-rod finger holding to the frog when the shuttle stops in
the shed, or does not box, than in the ordinary arrangement. Also, fór an

page_text: arrangement of mechanism for regulating the tension of the yarn as the yarn
bean decreases in diameter, which I accomplish by arranging a drum or
cylinder undor the yarn beam, worked by rack and pinion, eccentric, or other
motion. Over the said drum or cylinder I pass straps or cords, extending some
distance in contrary directions, acting on the extreme points of a lever, which
lever has a weight or balance at each end, which weights will ascend or
descend according to the inclination of the said lever, which motion is self-
adjusting by the variation of the diameter of the cloth beam. It is evident
these improvements will be applicable to the manufacture of cloth with thick
and thin stripes by twill or other fancy treading, by the introduction of a bar
or rod placed between the breast beam and the said roller, with a motion to
let back the warp threads, and take them up again, as required, to make the
necessary variation in the transverse stripe.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Bullough in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
20th December 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
BULLOUGH, of Accrington, in the County of Lancaster, Manufacturer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Royal
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of June, in the year of our
Lord Ono thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of ller
reigu, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said James Bullough, Her especial licence that 1, the said James Bullough,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said James
Bullough, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said James Bullough, by an instru-
ment in writing under my hand and scal, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Royal Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Bullough, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement
and accompanying Sheet of Drawings (that is to say):-
The nature of my said Invention, which is an extension of or improvements
on the Patent granted to me, and dated the Ninth day of March, One thou-
sand eight hundred and fifty-five, No. 529, relates to further improvements in
the stop-rods, in which the swells are placed either at the side or top, but con-
structed much thinner and lighter than usual, and made to act by means of
fingers or levers upon a small trigger, which depresses the ordinary stop-rod
finger only when the shuttle is lodged in the shed, or not boxed. The parts
which are alternately in motion being considerably lighter than those hitherto
employed, the shuttle is not thwarted or obstructed in its course from one
shuttle-box to the other, but traverses with case and steadiness, having lighter
levers to lift, and shorter distances to lift them. And to ensure a greater
certainty of the shuttle boxing, I regulate the lengths of the treddles by
making slots in them and the frames or brackets to which they are attached, in
which slots the studs or pins are adjusted, and by using a detached stud to
each treddle, the sheds can be regulated to the greatest nicety, thus rendering
the shuttle less liable to be obstructed in its passage through the shed, and
less liable to off the race board, by which so many accidents occur both
to the operatives and machinery; or one treddle pin may be used for any
number of treddles, which pin may be adjusted to any desired position in the
treddles and frames. By this arrangement the treddle bowls will always
maintain their position under the centres of the tappet shafts. The stu:ls or
pins can be placed at the back, as in those looms where small tappets are
employed, thus making the shed larger than the traverse of the tappets. Also,
to an arrangement of mechanism for regulating the tension of the yarn as the
yarn beam decreases in diameter, which I accomplish by making the levers
higher at the weight rope end than at the stud, so that the weights may have
a tendency to descend, and I place a drum or cylinder under the yarn beam,
worked by a rack and pinion or eccentric furnished with a small roller, which
presses against the yarn beam. Over the said drum or cylinder I pass straps,
ropes, or chains, extending some distance in contrary directions, which pass
over pullies at the weight rope ends of the levers, and are connected to the
weights, which are governed in their descent by the uncoiling of the drum by
means of the rack and pinion or eccentric as the yarn beam decreases in
diameter, thus forming a self-adjusting weighting motion. The small roller
with the rack and pinion or eccentric may be dispensed with, and an arrange-

page_text: ment made which will be only partially self-acting, either by placing a ratchet
wheel on the shaft of the drum or cylinder, or making the teeth in the flange
of the said cylinder to be acted upon by a catch or catches, which have simply
to be raised from the teeth to give freedom to the weight, which can then pass
down the inclined levers, and reduce the weight or pressure on the yarn beam.
The same effect may also be accomplished by catches acting in teeth on the
pullies or ratchet wheels on the shafts at the weight rope ends of the levers;
or the levers may be furnished with teeth or indentations, and the weights
with catches, which may be easily raised when the weights are to be shifted,
thus avoiding the danger of the weights falling in the act of lifting, and
proventing the causes of accidents which frequently occur in the methods_at
present adopted.
Another part of my said improvements consists in giving a self-acting
motion for retaking-up the cloth after the letting-back motion has been
in action, by means of an arm or lever on the cranked or letting-back rod,
which lever has a finger or swivel catch resting in the groove or thread of a
conical spiral worm fixed on the tappet shaft, the pitch and incline of which
form the governing of the take-up, which proceeds as the finger descends in
the groove, causing the cranked rod to resume its original position, and also
the catch of the ordinary taking-up wheel to re-enter the teeth, the said catch
having been lifted off when the letting-back was put in action. In ordinary
cases of weft breaking, it will be sufficient to allow the finger to be raised to
about the middle of the conical worm, the lower part being sufficient for
taking-up what is generally required for letting-back; but if a weft thread
breaks and catches again previous to stopping the loom, the operative_can
give additional lift by the handle, and raise the finger to the top of the cone,
which then descends with regularity, as before.
The manner in which my said improvements are to be performed will be
clearly understood by reference to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings,
and the letters of reference thereon, the said letters referring to each
Figure separately, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of part of a loom,
having one of my improved stop-rods attached; Fig. 2 is an end view
of the same; Fig. 3, a detached view of the stop-rod in another position ;
Fig. 4, a transverse section of a loom, shewing my improvements in the
treddles and letting-back motion; Fig. 5, a back elevation of part of a
loom, shewing my improved weighting motion; Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are other
modifications of the same; Fig. 9 is a front view, Fig. 10 a plan, and
Figs. 11 and 12, end views, of a modification of my improved stop-rod; and
Figs. 13 and 14, another modification of the same; Fig. 15 is a front view of

page_text: the conical worm; Fig. 16, represents a treddle, as at the back of a loom;
and Figs. 17 and 18, detached views of the treddles.
In Figs. 1, 2, and 3, which shew one of my improved stop-rods, a represents
the swells, which act upon the cranks or swell fingers 6 attached to the small
stop-rod e under the body of the slay d, and extending from one shuttle-box to
the other. Upon the said stop-rod c is an additional finger c, which lips over
the trigger or depressed finger f, vibrating on the pin g in the link h fixed to
the short stop-rod i, to which is attached the ordinary stop-rod finger k, corre-
sponding with the frog 1, which acts, when required, upon the starting and
stopping handle m. The rod i and finger & vibrate only when influenced by the
trigger f, the front edge of which corresponds with the projection n on tho
additional frog o placed on the bar p that connects the break with the frogs,
the requisite resistance being obtained by the spring q and set screw r. When
the shuttle enters the shuttle-box, the swell is pressed back, and with it the
swell finger b, turning the small stop-rod c a small part of a revolution, depres-
sing the lipped finger c and one end of the trigger or depressed finger f, and
raising the other end, thereby escaping the projection n on the additional frog o,
and so the working of the loom proceeds, as no downward movement has been
given to the large stop-rod finger k. But if the shuttle has lodged in the shed,
the swells remain inside the box as usual, the swell fingers fall inwards, and the
front part of the trigger is depressed, so as to come in contact with the catch
or. projection n on the additional frog o as the slay comes forward, thereby
offering resistance, and pushing back the link h, giving
EL slight turn to the
short stop-rod i, and depressing the usual stop-rod finger k, which comes in
contact with the frogs and stops the loom. The depression of the trigger is
assisted by the spring s, and also, if required, by the spring or projection t
attached to the loom side, or other convenient position, which is also applicable
to ordinary stop-rods. To ensure the downward motion of the stop-rod finger,
the spring u, placed under a rod or lever on the short stop-rod or under the
stop-rod finger, causes the parts to resume their working condition. The
additional frogs may be placed when desired either upon the frame of the loom
or any other convenient part.
.
Figs. 9, 10, 11, and 12 represent a modification of my improved stop-rod,
acting on the principle of causing a trigger to influence the ordinary stop-rod
finger. In this modification the swells a have spindles or arms & projecting
from the bosses of the pin holes on which they work; the spindles are furnished
with straight or bent pins c and d, held firmly by the screws e, one of the said
pius is connected by a band, cord, or wire f with the L lever or crank g, one
end of which presses upon one arm of the trigger or depressed finger h. The

page_text: two swells are connected by the cord or wire i, one end of which is attached
to the L lever, and the other to the pin d in the spindle of the swell; or the
said wire or cord may be attached directly to the spindles or pins connected to
them. The operation of this arrangement is as follows:-When the shuttlo
is in the box, the spindle and pin c is moved, as shewn by the dotted lines k,
pulling by means of the cord or wire f the upper part of the L lever g towards
the middle of the loom, and depressing its lower part, and also the arm of the
trigger upon which it rests, raising the other arm, which being clear of the
projection on the additional frog, described in the former example, no stoppage
takes place; but if the shuttle is lodged in the shed, or not boxed, the move-
ments are reversed; there being no obstruction to the spring upon the trigger,
it is depressed, and comes in the way of the projection on the additional frog,
which resistance again depresses the usual stop-rod finger, and the loom is
stopped.
Figs. 13 and 14 represent another simple arrangement for acting upon the
trigger or depressed finger l. As in the former examples, there is a short stop-
rod m, to which the ordinary stop-rod finger n is attached. Upon the said
stop-rod is fixed the bearing o for supporting one end of a smaller stop-rod p,
extending from one shuttle-box to the other, the other end is supported on
the slay sword on the opposite side of the loom; to this rod the trigger lis
attached, and also the swell fingers q acted upon by the swells 1. A spring s
presses upon the trigger to keep it to its place. It is obvious that when the
shuttle is boxed, the swell finger is pressed outwards, slightly turning the small
stop-rod, and raising the front of the trigger, which escapes the projection on
the additional frog; but when the shuttle is lodged in the shed, or not boxed,
the swell fingers move inwards, and the front of the trigger is depressed, so as
to be caught by the projection on the additional frog, which resistance gives a
slight turd to the short stop-rod, and depresses the ordinary stop-rod finger,
which, as the slay advances, comes in contact with the usual frog, and stops
the loom. In all these arrangements a spring or projection may be placed at
or near the terminus of the backward motion of the slay to lower the front of
the trigger, independant of the spring on the slay intended to keep it down.
Figs. 1 and 4 shew my adjustable treddle; the treddle brackets or frames
have the slots me in which the bosses and studs n can be shifted, and after-
wards made fast. o represents the treddles, which are also grooved or slotted,
as seen in Figs. 17 and 18, in order to maintain the treddle bowls p always
under the centre of the tappets. There may be a slotted bracket and stud or
pin to each treddle, so that the length of one may be adjusted without inter-
fering with another; or one pin may be employed for all the trelles, and

page_text: placed either in front of the loom, as in Figs. 1 and 4, or at the back, as in
Fig. 16. In whatever position the improved treddles are placed, it is evident
that the depth of the shed can be regulated, not only with exactness, but with
case and expedition, by which a greater certainty is insured of the shuttle:
boxing, and accidents thereby avoided.
Fig. 5 represents an improved weighting motion for regulating the tension
of the yarn as the yarn beam decreases in diameter. The levers are shown at
a, supported by the pin or fulcrum b, fixed to the frame c of the loom. The
said levers are inclined downwards towards the fulcrum, so that the weights d,
which are furnished with the rollers e, may move towards the said fulcrum, and
shorten the leverage when required. Either upon the pin forming the fulcrum,
or other convenient position, I place a drum or cylinder f, furnished with a.
pinion g working in the rack .h, supporting the frame i, and the small roller
k, which presses against the yarn beam 1. Over the drum or cylinder f, I
place ropes, chains, or straps m, extending in contrary directions over the
pullies n at the weight rope ends of the levers, and made fast to the weights..
It will be clearly evident that as the yarn beam decreases in diameter, the
rack h will ascend and allow the drum or cylinder to turn in the direction
of the arrow by means of the pinion g, thereby slackening the ropes or chains
and releasing the weights, which, descending towards the fulcrum, shortens
the leverage and diminishes the pressure upon the yarn beam, maintaining the
yarn at a uniform tension, thus forming an efficient self-adjusting weighting
motion. Instead of the said rack and pinion a cam or eccentric may be
employed, as shewn at o, Fig..6; or a simple arrangement may be formed by
which the leverage may be shortened with safety, as shewn in Fig. 7, by
placing a ratchet wheel p on the shaft of the drum or cylinder, or by making
teeth in one of the flanges of the said drum, in which wheel or teeth the catch
9 is allowed to rest, and hold the drum and weights when no change is
required, but which can be easily lifted by the operative, and the weights
moved towards the centre, when the tension of the warp has to be regulated;
or ratchet wheels and teeth may be placed on the shafts of the pullies at the
weight rope ends of the levers, as seen at r, Fig. 7. I place either upon the
frame of the loom or upon the levers the catches s, which when raised release
the weights, as before described. Another arrangement of great simplicity, as
shewn in Fig. 8, may be made by making the racks t of the levers them-
selves, the pullies u of the weights v running on flanges, so as not to interfere
with the teeth; the catches ware placed upon the weights, which can be
readily adjusted on the levers when the catches are raised, or instead of the
pullies u, toothed pinions x may be employed, working in the teeth or racks y

page_text: on the levers t, the said pinions being turned by the handles, thus obtaining
power to cause the weight to ascend or descend when required.
In Fig. 4, I show the method of retaking-up the cloth after the letting-
back motion has been in action. a is the cranked or letting-back rod, which
is acted upon by the weft lever b pressing against the pin c in the handle d.
Upon the shaft of the letting-back rod a is the bent lever e, furnished at the
end with a swivel finger f resting in the spiral thread of the conical worm g,
made fast to the tappet shaft h. When a weft thread breaks, and the loomi
is stopped, the cranked rod a is thrown back, the bent lever e is raised, and
with it the swivel finger f, which is lifted off the tappet shaft and placed
about midway of the conical worm, and rests either upon the top or other
desired part, according to the adjustment required, and when the loom is put
in motion, the finger descends gradually in the thread of the worm, causing
the cranked rod to resume its position and take up the cloth.
Having thus fully described the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, I desire it to be distinctly
understood that I do not confine myself to the exact details hercin set forth,
but I claim as my Invention, and which to the best of my knowledge and
belief has not been hitherto used within this realm,-
Firstly, the improved stop-rod and treddle motions for the purpose of
steadying the shuttles and regulating the sheds, to prevent the shuttles being
obstructed in their passage or flying off the race board.
Secondly, the several self-adjusting weighting motions;
And, thirdly, the retaking-up motion, as such improvements are herein
described, and illustrated in the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Bullough, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of December, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.
JAMES BULLOUGH. (L.S.)
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the within-named
James Bullough, in the presence of
E. J. HUGHES,
Patent Agent, Manchester.