IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS AND DORRIES FOD
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Shorrock of the Firm of John Shorrock and John
Hutchinson Shorrock trading under the name of John and Ralph Shorrock
of Bolton Road and Lee Foundries, Darwen in the county of Lancaster
Engineers Millwrights, and Machinists, for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS
IN LOOMS AND DORRIES FOD
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Shorrock at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th August 1882.
JOHN SHORROCK, of the Firm of John Shorrock and John Hutchinson Shorrock
trading under the name of John and Ralph Shorrock of Bolton Road and Lee
Foundries Darwen in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, Millwrights and
Machinists. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS AND DOBBIES FOR WEAVING."
The first part of my invention relates to improvements in the construction of the
taking-up-motion catch in looms for weaving, which is as follows:-To the bottom
of the lathe or slay sword I affix a bracket, to which is bolted or otherwise a
footstep, in this footstep is placed (in swivel) an upright catch which moved by
the oscillation of the lathe or slay, works upon the ratchet wheel of the "taking
up motion." In another arrangement I use the same catch in a horizontal position
working it from either the crank shaft or tappet shaft, as circumstances or
requirements will permit, according to the class of loom to which it may be
applied. By this improvement I dispense with the old lever, catch and finger or
"rat-tail" and consequently the three points in connection there with. Further by
this improvement the "taking-up-motion" is altogether more positive in its action
and considerably more durable.
The second part of my invention relates to a fast and loose reed motion, which
is for the purpose of enabling a heavy cloth to be made in a loose reed loom.
It consists of an application to the stop rod by means of which the reed is locked
or "fast" during such portion of the movement of the lathe or slay as is
required to beat up the "pick" or thread of weft. The lock is released and
resumes the action of a "loose" reed when the lathe or slay is in such position,
that the shuttle might come in contact with the warp threads.
The means by which this object is accomplished, is as follows:-To the bottom
of the lathe or slay of a "loose" reed loom is affixed a bearing with a groove in
the middle. A small lever is fixed to this bearing by a stud or other equivalent.
To this lever a spring is attached to keep it in position. To the stop rod is
[Price R71

page_text: fixed an L bracket which works in the groove of the said bearing and ends
under the small lever above mentioned. To the framing of the loom is fixed a
small lever with a spring. By the forward motion of the lathe or slay, the small
lever affixed to the bearing above described, is brought in contact with the lever
fixed to the framing of the loom, and is released from its pressure upon the end 5
of the bracket in the groove. At such point the reed is consequently what
is termed "loose." This occurs only whilst the levers come in contact, so soon
as contact is over the pressure on the L bracket is renewed and the reed is again
in a locked or fast" position.
2
On the backward motion of the lathe or slay the small lever fixed to the framing 1
of the loom bears no resistance during contact with the lever fixed to the bearing
on the slay and consequently allows the retention of the locked or "fast" position
of the reed.
"
The third part of my invention relates to that class of looms for fancy weaving,
wherein the "shed" is caused to open by means of what is well known as the 1
dobby" or index machine" and consists of an improved method of working the
lattice or pattern motion for the aforesaid "dobby" at the same time considerably
reducing the power required to drive the same.
My invention consists in mounting and applying certain catches and springs or
their equivalents to the arms or knives which actuate the raising of the hooks in
such machines. On the lattice barrel shafts I attach a catch or rack wheel which
is operated upon and caused to revolve by the catches on the arms or knives
coming in contact with them during each downward, or upward stroke, thus giving
the requisite motion to the lattice barrel shafts, thereby enabling the lattice pegs to
work the wires according to the pattern required.
On each of the above mentioned lattice shafts I place a plate wheel, each
working in gear with the other, one wheel being fixed to its respective shaft, and
the other loose. On the shaft with the loose plate wheel, is fixed a catch box
which allows the space of one stroke or pick in the rotary motion of the wheel,
thus causing each lattice shaft to retain its consecutive place, and thereby obviating
any breakage or spoiling of pattern that might occur by the lattices moving out of
their consecutive order. The aforesaid catches working upon the ratchet wheel
are extended by handles projecting below the plate wheels and in such convenient
position that the "weaver or attendant may by contracting them and at the same
time turning the above mentioned plate wheels, move forward or backward the
lattices, according as desired.
On the opposite end of the lattice barrel shafts I attach star or "paul" wheels
and springs to give the necessary pause or stop motion as required, the lattice
barrel being made adjustable to compensate for the wearing of the pegs which
operate upon the hooks.
The novelty of this invention is its simplicity, by which it dispences with many
cumbersome parts already in use for working "dobbies," such as crank, swivels,
connecting rod, which is attached to one end of the tappet shaft, also L leg and
levers to which the opposite end of connecting rod is fixed, also with the cross
shaft, stud and catch which give motion to the lattice barrels. By dispensing with
these parts, the liabilities to get out of order are reduced, at the same time giving
more room about the loom and making more room in the passage at the end of the
loon from which the aforesaid connecting rod works.
Another feature in this invention is that the power required to drive it is
minimised, further by means of this arrangement the liability of spoiled patterns is
considerably diminished. Also that the taking-up-motion catch is so constructed and
simplified, that its action is more positive, at the same time being more durable.
Another important feature in these improvements is that a heavy cloth can be
made in a loose reed loom.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filerl
by the said John Shorrock in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th February 1883.
JOHN SHORROCK, of the Firm of John Shorrock and John Hutchinson Shorrock
trading under the name of John and Ralph Shorrock of Bolton Road and Lee
Foundries, Darwen in the County of Lancaster Engineers Millwrights and
Machinists "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS AND DOBBIES FOR WEAVING"
The first part of my invention relates to improvements in the construction of the
taking-up-motion catch in looms for weaving, which is as follows:
To the bottom of the lathe or slay sword I affix a bracket, to which is bolted or
otherwise a foot step; in this footstep is placed (in swivel) an upright catch which
is moved by the oscillation of the lathe or slay and works upon the ratchet wheel
of the taking-up motion.-In another arrangement I use the same catch in a
horizontal or diagonal position working it from either the crank shaft, or tappet
shaft, as circumstances or requirements will permit according to the class of loom
to which it may be applied.
The second part of my invention relates to a fast and loose reed motion which is
for the purpose of enabling a heavy cloth to be made in a loose reed loom-It
consists of an application to the stop rod, by means of which the reed is locked
or fast, during such portion of the movement of the lathe or slay as is required to
beat up the pick or thread of weft-The lock is released and resumes the action of
a loose read when the lathe or slay is in such position, that the shuttle might come
in contact with the warp threads
The means by which this object is accomplished, is as follows:-To the bottom
of the lathe or slay of a loose reed loom is affixed a bearing with a groove in the
middle-a small lever is fixed to this bearing by a stud or other equivalent To
this lever is attached a spring to keep it in position.-To the stop-rod is fixed a L
bracket, which works in the groove of the said bearing, and ends under the small
lever above mentioned. To the framing of the loom is fixed a small lever with a
spring. By the forward motion of the lathe or slay, the small lever attached to the
bearing above described, is brought in contact with the lever fixed to the framing
of the loom, and is released from its pressure upon the end of the L bracket in the
groove. At such point the reed is consequently what is termed loose.-This occurs
only whilst the levers are in contact with each other, as soon as the contact is
passed the pressure on the L bracket is renewed, and the reed is again in a locked
or fast position.
On the backward motion of the lathe or slay, the small lover fixed to the
framing of the loom bears no resistance during contact with the lever fixed to the
bearing on the slay, and consequently allows the retention of the locked or fast
position of the reed.
"
The third part of my invention relates to that class of looms for fancy weaving,
wherein the "shed" is caused to open by means of what is well known as the
dobby or index machine, and consists of an improved method of working the
attice or pattern motion for the aforesaid "dobby," at the same time considerably
educing the power required to drive the same.
My invention consists in mounting and applying certain catches and springs or
heir equivalents, to the arms or knives which actuate the raising of the hooks in.
uch machines-On the lattice barrel shafts, I attach a catch or rack wheel, which
s operated upon and caused to revolve by the catches on the arms or knives coming

page_text: in contact with them, during each downward stroke, thus giving the requisite
motion to the lattice barrel shafts, thereby enabling the lattice pegs to work the
wires or hooks according to the pattern required.
On each of the above mentioned lattice shafts, 1 place a plate wheel, each
working in gear with the other, one wheel being fixed to its respective shaft and
the other loose-On the shaft with the loose plate wheel is fixed a catch box, which
allows the space of one stroke or pick in the rotary motion of the wheel, thus
causing each lattice shaft to retain its consecutive place, thereby obviating any
breakage or spoiling of pattern, that might occur by the lattices moving out of
their consecutive order-The aforesaid catches working upon the ratchet wheels
are extended by handles projecting below the plate wheels and in such convenient
position that the "weaver or attendant may by contracting them, and at the same
time turning the above mentioned plate wheels, move forward or backward the
lattices according as desired.
"
"
On the opposite end of the lattice barrel shafts I attach star or pawl" wheels
and springs to give the necessary pause or stop motion as required;-the lattice
barrel being made adjustable to compensate for the wearing of the pegs which
operate upon the hooks.
In order that the said Invention may be more fully understood I will now
proceed to describe the drawings upon the sheets hereunto annexed, the same letters
and figures of reference being used throughout all the Figures to indicate the same
or corresponding parts of my Invention.
The first part of my invention relates to improvements in the construction of the
taking-up-motion catch in looms for weaving.
To the bottom of the slay sword A. I fix the bracket B, to which is bolted the
footstep C, the latter being provided with the journals D for the centres E of the
catch lever F to swivel in, as shewn in Fig: 1.-The catch F being secured in the
footstep C by the cap C, is moved or oscillated with the slay sword A, the upper
end of the catch being held in position against the taking up motion on ratchet
wheel G by the spiral spring H;-thus when the slay sword A is making a
backward stroke, the centres E move in a radial line upwards from the centre on
which the slay sword swivels thus causing the catch to operate on the wheel G,
giving the required motion to effect the taking-up motion-The end of the catch
lever F is provided with the loose end F¹, so that in case it wears or breaks it can
be replaced without disturbing the lever F, and is secured to the same by the bolt I,
the same being shown more fully in Fig: 2.
Fig 3 shows another arrangement I adopt in using this catch, working the same
from either the crank shaft or Tappet shaft.
On the crank shaft J. is fixed the cam or eccentric K; the end of the catch lever F
is provided with the semi circular clip L which sits on and moves with the cam or
eccentric K from which the catch lever Freceives its motion; actuating the taking-
up-motion ratchet wheel G as in Fig: 1, being held to its work, and to ensure
action by the spiral spring H fastened to the frame of the loom. To prevent the
catch lever F from sliding sideways, I provide the upright slide or stand M, being
In this case the
supported on the bracket N from the frame side of the loom.
catch works the ratchet wheel G every pick.
In working the catch from the tappet shaft J', the various parts are made
exactly the same as when worked from the crank shaft, the only difference being
that the ratchet wheel G is operated upon only once in two picks. It is evident
that the clip L can be made in a complete circle as shewn in dotted lines O, or in
halves and bolted together as shewn in dotted lines at P.-Fig: 4 is a plan of
catch lever F and Fig 5: a side elevation of slide Mand bracket N, for maintaining
the position of the catch lever F. By these improvements the old lever, catel
⚫ and finger or cat tail, with the three points in connection therewith, are dispensed
with.
The second part of my invention relates to a fast and loose reed motion, for the

page_text: purpose of enabling a heavy cloth to be made in a loose reed loom, and consists as
follows:-
To the bottom side of the slay p, is fixed the bearing a, with the groove or slot b,
in the middle, the lever c, is fixed to this bearing by the pin d, the lever cis held
in position when required to lock the reed by the spring e being held or supported
by the pin fTo the stop rod g is fixed the lever h, to which is secured the lever
or bracket k, which works or moves in the groove or slot b, of the bearing a, the
outer end being immediately under the lever c by which means the reed 2, is
locked or made fast during such portion of the movement of the slay, as is required
to beat up the pick or thread of weft put in, as shewn in dotted lines in Fig: I
and in plan in Fig: 6.-To enable the locked reed to be released when the slay p
is in such position as shewn in Fig: I (in full lines) that the shuttle might come
in contact with the warp threads, I fix to the framing of the loom the fixing m,
in which the lever n, swivels on the pin o, being placed in such position that the
lever c will strike against the lever n, when making a forward motion on the slay p
as shewn in fig: 6, the lever n being out of tension when in this position from
the spring which as soon as the lever c strikes against the end of the lever n,
the spring is extended and as it overcomes the tension of the spring e, the lever
assumes the position shewn in Fig: 7, by which action the end of the lever c
passes beyond the end of the lever, thus liberating the same,-thus being
released from the lever c the pressure is taken off the presser board s, behind the
reed, and the reed is consequently what is termed loose. This occurs only whilst
the levers c, and n, are in contact, for, as soon as such point is passed, the lever n,
flies back by the action of the spring r, and the lever k, is again locked by the
lever c, with the action or pressure imparted by the spring e, the reed being again
in a locked state. On the backward motion of the slay p, the lever n being out
of tension offers no resistance during contact with the lever c which moves forward
with it until the point of contact is passed, when, by the slight compression put on
the spring, it assumes its normal position again, ready for the next forward
stroke of the slay.-Fig: 8 is a front elevation of the bearing a, fixed underside
the slay p, with the lever c and spring e-Fig: 9 is an elevation of lever n, and
pin o, on fixing m.
The third part of my invention relates to improvements in what is well known
as the "dobby" or index machine, and consists in an improved method of working
the lattice or pattern motion which is shewn in Figs: 10 to 18.
On the arms or knives 1 and 1ª, which actuate the raising of the hooks or
wires 2 in such machines.-I fix the arms 3, provided with the pins 4, which
oscillate the catch levers 5, the latter being provided with the catches 6 operating
the rack wheels 7, fixed on the ends of the lattice barrel shafts 8 and 9, every
downward stroke of the arms 1, and 1º, thus causing the lattice barrel shafts to
revolve, thereby enabling the lattice pegs 12, to work the wires or hooks 2,
according to the pattern desired.-On each of the lattice shafts 8 and 9 I provide
the spur or plate wheels 10 and 11, each working in gear with the other, the
teeth or cogs being made extra long to enable the lattice barrel shafts to be
adjusted sideways to the wearing of the lattice pegs 12,-The wheel 11, is fixed
to the shaft 9, while the wheel 10 is loose on shaft 8.
On the lattice shaft S, with the loose wheel 10, is fixed the catch box 13,
which allows the space of one stroke or pick in the rotary motion of the wheel 10,
which is accomplished by cutting out of the boss of the wheel 10, one fourth of
the diameter as shewn at 14 in Fig: 17 and one eighth of the diameter of the
boss in the catch box 13, at 15, as shewn in Fig: 18, operating as follows; when
the arm or knife 1 is operating the ratchet wheel 7, the plate wheel on that shaf
revolves one eighth of a revolution, working the other plate wheel, which is loose
on the shaft, the same distance, without disturbing the shaft S., and as one fourth
of the diameter is cut out of the boss, it allows the one eighth diameter of the
clutch 13 to perform its work without hindrance to the wheel 10, thus causing

page_text: each lattice shaft to retain its consecutive position and performs its own work
independently; thereby obviating any breakage or spoiling of pattern that might
occur by the lattices moving out of their consecutive order.
To the dobby sides 16, are attached the arms 17, for carrying the centres or
shafts 18, on which are placed at each end the lattice pullies 19, provided with the
holes or slots for the lattices 20, to sit in when passing round the centres, the
numbers of holes or slots corresponding with the number of teeth in the rack
wheels 7, thereby ensuring only one lattice operating on the hooks during each
downward stroke of the arms or knives 1 and 1ª.
In another arrangement I dispense with the arms 3, pins 4, Catch-levers 5, and
catches 6, as in Fig: 15, and make them as in Fig: 16, wherein I place on the
arms 1 and 1°, the catches 21 and springs 22, which act direct upon the rack
wheels 7, during each downward stroke.
In case it is desired to move the lattices either forward or backward as desired,
it is accomplished by pressing the extended handles 23, inwardly, until the catches 21,
do not strike the rack wheels 7, when they can be turned at will.
In case the catches are worked as in Fig: 15 the top side of the catch levers 6,
are provided with the lugs 24, with a hole in each and through which is passed the
cords, 25, upwards and through the openings 26, in the fixing 27, placed on the
arm 28 for carrying the knives 1 and 1° or any other suitable position, the ends of
the cords being allowed to hang down as at 25° in Fig: 10, within reach of the
Attendant, and which is effected by simply pulling down at the cords when the
catch levers 6, are raised above the point of contact with the rack wheels 7, thereby
stopping the lattice motion which can be turned either way at will, with the other
hand.
«
To give the necessary pause or stop motion as required for the lattice barrel
shafts I place on the opposite end from the plate wheels and catches, the star or
'pawl" wheels 29 and 30, as shewn more fully in Fig: 13.-These "pawl" wheels
are provided with a corresponding number of cogs to those on the rack wheels 7,
the pause or stop motion being produced with the double arm 31, which is held in
position on the slide 32, and stay pin 33, fastened to the dobby frame 16,-the
pressure on the pawl wheels 29 and 30, is effected by the spring 34,-The slide 35,
on the double arm 31 is made sufficiently large to allow each side to work inde-
pendently thus, one shaft may be working when the arm 31 will give way
sufficiently to allow the "pawl" wheels to revolve one eighth of a revolution at
the same time holding the other firm, and so on consecutively with the lattice
shafts. Fig: 14 is a sectional plan through the centre line of the lattice barrel
shafts 8 and 9.
Having thus stated the nature of my invention, and described the mode of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to
the precise details or configuration of the parts I have shown and described, as the
same may be varied or modified without departing from the principle of my
invention, but what I claim and desire to be secured to me by Letters Patent is :-
First. The arrangement, use and construction of the improved taking up motion
catch, with the various parts connected therewith, whether worked from the slay
sword Crank shaft or Tappet shaft, substantially as described and as shown on the
drawings in Figs. 1 to 5.
Second. The respective combination of parts forming my improved fast and loose
reed motion, for enabling a heavy cloth to be made in a loose reed loom, substan-
tially in the manner described and as shown on the drawings in Figs. 1, 6, 7, 8
and 9.
Third. The arrangement, construction and use of the respective parts forming
my improvements in what is well-known as the "dobby or index machine for
opening the "Shed" in looms for fancy weaving, with the method for working the
lattice or pattern motion, and the means for causing each lattice shaft to maintain
its consecutive position and perform its own work independently, at the same time

page_text: allowing the same to be operated upon at will, together with the pause or stop
inotion, substantially as described, and as shown on the drawings in Figs. 10, 11,
12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18.
In witness whereof I the said John Shorrock have hereunto set my hand and
seal this Sixth day of February, One thousand eight hundred and eighty
three.
JOHN SHORROCK (L.S.)