Improvements in Apparatus for Transferring Patterns to Jacquard Cards.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 30th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 1st Feb., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Transferring Patterns to Jacquard
Cards.
We. THOMAS ISAAC BIRKIN and THOMAS STANLEY BIRKIN of Broadway, Notting-
ham, Lace Manufacturers, and RUDOLF WEISS of 139 Noel Street, Nottingham,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In machines for this purpose as at present constructed selecting needles are
employed acting upon punches which by means of a press perforate the jacquard
cards. The selecting needles are operated by strings which are moved according to
the pattern to be transferred.
The pattern sheet is ruled in squares or rectangles like a chess board the pattern
being drawn by coloring some of the squares and leaving others blank.
Our invention relates to a machine by which these strings are actuated.
We fasten the strings to the lower ends of keys pivotted near their upper ends
upon a rod running across the machine, there being one key and one string for each
column of the pattern. The strings are all normally kept tight by these keys, which
are prevented from turning the top corners of each being held by coming beneath
lever catches whose other ends are attached to springs. When the operator wishes
to release one of the strings so that it can be loosened he presses upon the other
corner of the top of the key and thereby turns it slightly about its pivot thus releas-
ing it from its lever catch, it is then free to be moved in the manner hereinafter
described. Running across the machine is a rocking shaft having fixed to it two segments.
When this shaft is turned in one direction one segment comes against the lower ends
of the keys and brings them all back to their normal position. The other segment is
of smaller radius than the first so that when the keys are in their normal position and
the shaft is turned this segment passes beneath the keys, but when a key has been
released from its lever catch and slightly displaced its end comes into the path of the
second segment so that when the shaft is turned the key is carried with it and its
string is thereby loosened.
The pattern is held and operated in the following manner :-Facing the operator is
a table above which is a plate pressed against the table by springs. The pattern is
placed between the table and plate and its end is passed between a pair of feeding
rolls one of which carries a ratchet wheel which gears with a ratchet operated from the
rocking shaft so that each time the rocking shaft is moved in one direction the pattern
is advanced through a distance corresponding to one tooth of the ratchet.
The method of working the machine is as follows:-The pattern is placed in.
position with its first row parallel with the plate and showing beyond it. The
operator then releases those keys which are opposite to the colored squares of the
pattern but leaves untouched those which are opposite to the blank squares, or if the
imachine is suitably arranged he may release the keys opposite to the blank squares
and leave untouched those opposite the colored squares. When this has been done
throughout the whole length of the row the.operator turns the rocking shaft by means
of a handle at one end. Thereupon the second segment comes against the keys
which have been released and thereby loosens their strings but passes beneath the
keys which have not been released without touching them. This having been done
the punching mechanism is set in operation and the row is punched. The punching
mechanism is the same as that usually employed and needs no description. The
operator then turns the rocking shaft in the reverse direction thereby bringing by

page_text: means of the first segment all the keys back to their normal position and at the same
time advancing the pattern exposing the next row.
are then repeated.
Dated this 2-1
1 1000
The operations above described
THOMAS ISAAC BIRKIN.
THOMAS STANLEY BIRKIN.
RUDOLF WEISS.
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Transferring Patterns to Jacquard
Cards.
We, THOMAS IṢAAO BIRKIN and THOMAS STANLEY BIRKIN of Broadway, Notting-
ham Lace Manufacturers, and RUDOLF WEISS of 139 Noel Street, Nottingham
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this Invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement
In machines for this purpose as at present constructed selecting needles are
employed acting upon punches which by means of a press perforate the jacquard
cards. The selecting needles are operated by strings which are moved according to
the pattern to be transferred.
The pattern sheet is ruled in squares or rectangles like a chess board the pattern
being drawn by coloring some of the squares and leaving others blank.
Our Invention relates to a machine by which these strings are actuated.
We fasten the strings to the lower ends of keys pivotted near their upper ends
upon a rod running across the machine, there being one key and one string for each
column of the pattern. The strings are all normally kept fight by these keys which
are prevented from turning, the top corners of each being held by coming beneath
lever catches whose other ends are attached to springs. When the operator wishes to
release one of the strings so that it can be loosened he presses upon the other corner
of the top of the key and thereby turns it slightly about its pivot thus releasing it
from its lever catch, it is then free to be moved in the manner hereinafter described.
Running across the machine is a rocking shaft having fixed to it two segments.
When the shaft is turned in one direction one segment comes against the lower ends
of the keys and brings them all back to their normal position. The other segment is
of smaller radius than the first so that when the keys are in their normal position and
the shaft is turned this segment passes beneath the keys, but when a key has been
released from its lever catch and slightly displaced its end comes into the path of the
second segment so that when the shaft is turned the key is carried with it and its
string is thereby loosened.
1
The pattern is held and operated in the following manner :-Facing the operator
is a table, above which is a plate pressed against the table by springs. The pattern
is placed between the table and plate and its end is passed between a pair of feeding
rolls one of which carries a ratchet wheel which gears with a ratchet operated from the
rocking shaft so that each time the rocking shaft is moved in one direction the pattern
is advanced through a distance corresponding to one tooth of the ratchet.
The method of working the machine is as follows:-The pattern is placed in
position with its first row parallel with the plate and showing beyond it. The
operator then releases those keys which are opposite to the colored squares of the
pattern but leaves untouched those which are opposite to the blank squares, or if the
machine is suitably arranged be may release the keys opposite to the blank squares
and leave untouched those opposite the colored squares. When this has been done
throughout the whole length of the row the operator turns the rocking shaft by
means of a handle at one end. Thereupon the second segment.comes against the

page_text: keys which have been released and thereby loosens their strings but passes beneath
the keys which have not been released without touching them. This having been
done the punching mechanism is set in operation and the row is punched. The
punching mechanism is the same as that usually employed and needs no description.
The operator then turns the rocking shaft in the reverse direction thereby bringing by
means of the first segment all the boys book to their normal position and at the sama
time advancing the pattern exposing the next row.
The operations above described are then repeated.
In order that our said Invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
effect we will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
time advancing the pattern exposing the next row.
The operations above described are then repeated.
In order that our said Invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
effect we will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a vertical section of apparatus constructed in accordance with our
Invention.
Figure 2 is a portion of a plan of the same.
Figure 3 is a front elevation with part removed.
Figures 4 and 5 show some of the parts separately.
A board or table 1 stretches across the front side of the frame. The draft sheet 6
is placed upon it, and after being drawn under the rounded bottom of board is put
between the rollers 2 on shaft 3 and rollers 4 on the arms 5. Arms 5 are by their weight
or by means of springs pressing the rollers 4 against rollers 2, so holding the draft-
sheet 6 fast. Shaft 3 lies in brackets 7 fastened to the back of the board 1 and bas
attached to it a ratchet wheel 8, which can be operated upon by pawl 9, which with its
lower end engages with an excentric on the rocking shaft 20; stretched accross the
frame and superlying the draft sheet is the steel bar 11 which is held in position by
flat springs 12 which are fastened to the top rail 13. By a movement of the rocking
shaft 29 the ratchet wheel S and consequently the shafts 3 are turned so much as to
bring under the bottom edge of bar 11 another line or card of the draft sheet. Of course
different distances between the lines or cards will want ratchet wheels of accordingly.
different numbers of teeth for which purpose ratchet wheels will be interchangeable.
Keys 14 are hanging on the traverse rod 15. They are held at even distances and
in their lateral position generally by combs 16 which are preferably cast in leads 17.
These are fastened to the front bar 18, which holds together the stands 19 and 19¹.
The rod 15 is held by the combs 16. The bell crank le vers or catches 20 are hung
upon the rod 21 and held in position by combs 22 cast in leads 23 fastened to back
bar 24. These catches 20 have holes 25 through which pass elastic strings 26 which
are on the other end attached to the rod 27. Each catch 20 superlics with its corner 201
the corner 14 of the key 14 opposite, and thus the action of the springs 26 is used
for the purpose of holding the keys 14 in the position shewn in Figure 5, that is
lying with their front edges against the stop bar 28. In this position the distance
between the front top of the keys 14 and the bottom edge of bar 11, will be such as to
allow one card, or horizontal line of the draft sheet to be seen. The distance side-
ways of one key 14 from the other key 14 is the same as the distance sideways of one
vertical line or bar from the next line or har and the draft sheet is placed so as to
bring each bar of the draft sheet, opposite one of the keys 14.
The combs 16 also serve as guides for the catches 20 for the purpose of assuring
their wanted position relative to the keys 14. The catches also serve to prevent the.
keys 14 returning by momentum after the front edges 14 in the process of reading
have been depressed.
To the keys 14 are fastened through holes 143 the strings 10 which connect the
keys with the selecting needles.
A traverse shaft 29 lying in brackets 30 on stands 19 and 19' has on one end a
handle 31 by which the operator can give to the shaft 29 a rocking movement. A
segment of a tube 32 stretches parallel with the shaft, and parallel with the keys 14
across the frame, and is fastened to the shaft 29 by brackets 33. Another traverse
segment 34 is fastened to the shaft 29 by brackets 35.

page_text: The operator by giving the proper movement to the lever or handle 31 on the
shaft. 29, brings by means of the tube segment 34 all the keys 14 into the position seen
in Figure 5. Then he gives the lever 31 a retro-movement so as to bring the tube
segments 32 and 34 into the position as shewn in Figure 4. He then adjusts the
draft sheet as described before. The operator then depresses with his fingers,
or by means of a thimble with a suitable projection or by means of a suitably
constructed stick or other instrument those keys which appear opposite those
squares or bars in the draft sheet which he wants to read. The top front side
of the keys 14 is formed as shewn 14 slanting for the purpose of allowing
the light to fall on the draft sheet 145 is the flat or gallerie on which the operator
works 14 are nicks or recesses cut into the keys for the purpose of facilitating the
replacing of the keys in case the operator depresses them in mistake. When the
operator has gone through the reading of one card he gives by the handle 31 to
the tube segments 32 and 34 the position as shewn in Figure 1. Now in this position
those keys which have been read (or depressed) are letting loose the strings 10, while
those which have not been read are kept fast and the strings back at their point of
attachment to the keys. The attendant on the side of the frame where the punches
are will then work his part of the machine for the purpose of moving the selecting
needles and punches. When this work is done, the operator commences in the same
way as before a new card having by the moving of the lever 31 been brought into the
space between the top of keys 14 and bottom of bar 11.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
.
1. Apparatus substantially as described for transferring patterns to jacquard cards.
2. In apparatus for transferring patterns to jacquard cards the keys spaced in
accordance with the divisions of the draft sheet and with their ends in close proximity
to the draft sheet, and in a line extending across the draft sheet from side to side as
herein set forth.
3. In apparatus for transferring patterns to jacquard cards, the keys and catches
operating in combination therewith, holding the keys in line, admitting of any key
being displaced and retaining the key so displaced but yielding to pressure to permit
the key to be returned as herein set forth.
4. In apparatus for transferring patterns to jacquard cards, the keys and catches
retaining the keys when selected, and segments carried by a rocking axis, which
operate upon the selected keys giving to them the movement necessary to select the
punches and afterwards returning them to their normal positions as herein set forth.
5. In apparatus for transferring patterns to jacquard cards the keys and catches
and the rocking axis operating the keys and also operating on a ratchet and rollers
or equivalent parts in such manner as to advance the draft paper line by line as
herein set forth.
Dated this 27th day of December 1889.
THOMAS ISAAC BIRKIN.
THOMAS STANLEY BIRKIN.
RUDOLF WEISS.