CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF MACHINERY FOR THE PURPOSE OP MANUFACTURING WEAVERS' REEDS BY WATER OR OTHER POWER
Year: 1817

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JEPTHA
AVERY WILKINSON, late of New York, in the United States of America, but
now residing in Covent Garden, in the County of Middlesex, Esquire, send
greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Third did, by
His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-third day of
August, in the fifty-seventh year of His reign, give and grant unto me, the
said Jeptha Avery Wilkinson, my exors, adñors, and assigns, His especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Jeptha
Avery Wilkinson, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, should and lawfully might,
during the term of years therein mentioned, make, use, exercise, and vend,
within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention
of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF MACHINERY FOR THE PURPOSE
OP MANUFACTURING WEAVERS' REEDS BY WATER OR OTHER POWER;" in which
said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso that if I, the said Jeptha
Avery Wilkinson, 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 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

page_text: granted, shall utterly cease, determine, and become void, as in and by the same,
relation being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Jeptha Avery Wilkinson, do hereby declare that the nature of my said In-
vention, and the manner in which the same is to performed, are particularly
described and ascertained in and by the Drawings hereunto annexed, and the
following description thereof (that is to say):-
That my Invention of certain improvements in the application of machinery
used to manufacture weavers' reeds consists in combining, constructing, arrang-
ing, and placing in the order and manner hereafter to be described, a variety
of well-known parts of machinery, by which a new combination is produced
capable of being set in motion by any of the principal actuating powers, such
as water, steam, horses, &c., and when set in motion the said new combina-
tion may be applied in the manufacture of weavers' reeds, in a more perfect
and beneficial way than has ever been known or made use of before.
I shall now proceed to describe the parts of which this improved combina-
tion of machinery consists, and endeavour to shew how the same is to be
arranged and put together, so as to act upon the materials of which weavers'
reeds are formed and constructed in the most beneficial way that I know and
make use of.
Fig. 1, shews a front elevation of the whole machine. A, A, A, A, repre-
sents the two sides of its frame, which I place or fix in an upright or
perpendicular position. These are kept exactly parallel to each other, by the
horizontal bars or ends B, B, which are bolted to the ends A, A, by flanches
in the usual manner. The projecting edgo bars, seen at C, C, C, C, are
triangular, two being placed upon the left-hand side of the frame, and one
on the right-hand side, forming three bearings for the head and foot blocks
to slide upon. These will be better understood by the plans of the head
and foot blocks placed under Fig. 1. By this construction the sliding blocks
D & E may move up and down, the edges of the bars C, C, C, C, serving as
guides for that purpose; and, to prevent any error or deviation from a right
line, the blocks have dovetailed grooves on each side, which exactly fit the
edges of C, C, C, C. The head block D and the foot block E are united or
connected by the carriage bar F, F, in the following manner-ȧ shows a bolt
which fixes the carriage bar F to the head block D, by passing through
both, the whole being screwed tight by a nut and screw on the end of the
bolt a. The foot block E has an aperture through it, which exactly fits
the carriage bar F, consequently the foot block may be shifted to any part
of the bar F at pleasure, and fixed by a binding screw or wedge. shews
the upper clamping bar, which receives and holds very securely the wooden

page_text: ribs c, c, the clamping bar being pressed very firmly upon the ribs c, c, by
the screws at each end fixing the whole to the head block D. d shews the
position of the lower clamping bars, which being fixed upon the lower ends
of the ribs hold them very firmly. The lower clamping bars have a projection
formed into a male screw, which passes through a hole in the foot block E,
and receives the thumb screw e, by this contrivance the ribs c, c, may be
submitted to such a degree of tension as to bring them into a straight line,
and consequently equidistant from each other. G represents a regulating or
dividing screw, which works in a pair of half holes inserted in the centre or
bush of the cog wheel H. The lower end of the screw being made fast to
the head block D, elevates or depresses the said block, and all the parts
attached thereto, the whole moving in a direct line upon the edges of the
bars C, C, C, C. I shews the position of a beveled wheel, which works in
another beveled wheel K, fixed upon the end of the shaft m. The wheel I
gives motion to the whole machinery, the said wheel being put in motion by
any power which shall be considered most convenient in the place where these
machines may be used. The axis or shaft m turns in the standards f, f, these
standards being fixed to the frame A, A. The wheel L would have 50 teeth
upon its periphery, but two thirds of these are removed, by which means when
the shaft m revolves, the teeth or cogs of the wheel L falling into gear with
the stud wheel 9 revolves it round, and then leaves it at rest until the teeth
return to repeat the operation. The wheel 9 being fixed on the shaft M,
revolves it, and likewise the wheel N fixed to the upper end of the said shaft.
The wheel N being geared into the wheel H turns it partly round, and
depresses the screw G, and all the parts attached to it, a quantity equal to
the distance between each dent or split when fixed between the ribs to form
a reed.
0 represents a contrate pin' wheel fixed upon the end of the
shaft m, with a portion of its pins or cogs removed. This wheel gears into
the wheel h, upon the axis of which is placed the roller i, and under it is
seen a similar roller k. These rollers are set in motion by the wheel O, their
office being that of feeding the flat steel or other metal wire from the reel Q,
into the machine, there to be cut off of a proper length, and then fixed
between the wooden ribs to form the reed. P represents a guide, through
which the wire is conducted into a die scen at 1, to be cut off by the action
of certain parts of the machinery to be hereafter described. After the wire
passes the die l, it immediately enters between the first pair of ribs, and enters
a second guide, which conducts it into the second pair of ribs, and there
leaves it to be cut off and fixed by winding yarn round each pair of ribs, the
method of doing which will be hereafter explained. Having stated that the

page_text: ribs c, c, are submitted to considerable tension, by which they are placed
very parallel to each other, it is found necessary to open then by a wedge
or such like contrivance to let the wire pass freely between; and when the
wedge is removed further from the part of the ribs that has been bound
with yarn, the ribs approach each other, and exert a slight pressure upon
the wire placed between them, which is afterwards fixed very secure by the
tension of the yarn wound round the ribs.
Fig. 2 represents the under side of the plate R, seen at R in Fig. 1. In
this Figure the whole passage of the wire o after it leaves the feeding rollers,
until it reaches the extremity of its destination may be distinctly traced.
Having traversed along the groove of the projecting guide P, it enters and
passes through the tempered steel die L, and pursues it course through or
between the first pair of ribs inclosed in the centre or pipe of the flier n.
The sliding conductors p, p, p, p, direct it into the groove or guide 7, 7; this
groove or guide is by the operation of parts of the machinery covered by the
sliding plate S, the said plate being placed over the grove by the wedge T,
which wedge is withdrawn by a cam r, fixed upon the axis of the shaft m, of
Fig. 1. After the wire has passed along this grove another pair of sliding
conductors s, 5, 5, 5, guide it between the second pair of ribs contained within the
pipe of the flier t, t, and the adjusting slide piece v, v, prevents the further
advance. The springs 1, 1, 1, 1, press the sliding conductors against the
edges of the wire or dent, and the springs 2, 2, are used to throw back the
sliding plate S, when the wedge T is drawn back. The spring 3 presses the
sliding plates S, S, down upon the wire or dents, and, in case of any inequality
in the wire, the plates S & S are not so tightly secrewed but that they would
yield to permit the unequal part to pass by. This Figure represents the parts
in position at the instant the fliers are to be depressed for the purpose of
cutting off the wire, which is effected by the edge of the steel pipe (seen on
the end of each flier) passing by the die 1, and in its passage dividing or
cutting off the wire from the supplying piece; and it may be here observed
that the sliding plates S, S, are shewn as being drawn back, by which means
the wire when cut off is ready to drop into its proper place between the
ribs, there to be made fast by the fliers winding and pressing the yarn round
each pair of ribs. Fig. 5 shews the under side or end of one of the fliers,
upon a scale as large as they are used for general purposes. o shews the
wire passing through the die 1, ready to be cut off by the edge. of the steel
ring. To keep the cutting end of the flier from yielding or springing away
from the die the key box or guide w is placed exactly opposite, and
embraces an equal portion of the steel cutting ring, the said key box or

page_text: guide being adjustible by the wind!ess screw 10, which is placed in a con-
venient position on the plate R, of Fig. 2. The hole where the yarn comes
through the end of the flier is seen at 4, Fig. 5; and I shall here observe,
that when the flier revolves once round, the yarn envelopes the ribs c, c, and
binds the dent or split very securely.
Fig. 3 represents the under side of the plate V, upon the same scale
as Fig. 2; its place will be seen in the elevation of the machine at V,
Fig. 1. The plate V is represented as having the brass sliding plate u
laid upon it. The office of the brass plate is to depress the fliers when
they are to cut off the dent or split, and wind the yarn round the ribs.
5, 5, 5, 5, represent the ends or under sides of four small steel collars, which
are placed upon the upper parts of the fliers; each of these collars have two
projecting studs, as shewn at 6, 6, 6, 6, which studs slide upon the inclined
planes or wedges 7, 7, 7, 7, when the brass plate is driven forward by the
cam x, seen at Fig. 1. The brass plate is represented in the advanced position
by the cam a, acting upon the end of the arm W, and when the cam retires
it is returned to its former position by a strong spring, seen at Y, Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 shews a section of Fig. 3, taken through the line 11, 12, in which
the form of the inclined planes 7, 7, 7, 7, are more plainly scen, and likewise
the position of the studs 6, 6, &c., which are represented as they appear when
depressed by the inclined plane, for the purpose of cutting off the dent or split.
Z
Fig. 6 represents the two fliers and their bobbins, as used to construct a
reed upon a larger scale than those seen in Fig. 1. The one on the left-
hand is shewn as a front elevation, and the other as a vertical section, by
which means the internal structure may be more completely understood.
shews the position of the wedge, which keeps two pairs of ribs extended at the
place where the wire enters the space contained between each rib. The left-
hand flier is represented as it appears when depressed to cut off the wire,
and wind the yarn round the ribs, the wedge z remaining stationary when the
fliers are depressed. 8, 8, shew the position of the yarn conductors, which
have each a spiral worm' formed upon their ends to receive the yarn, and create
sufficient friction upon it to enable the fliers to bind the yarn very tight round
the ribs of the reed, and thereby hold each dent or split very securly.
Fig. 7 represents the upper side of the cams r & a, fixed upon the
shaft m.
In this Figure the cogs of the wheel L are shewn as just
falling into gear with the stud wheel 9, giving motion to it
and the wheel
9 fixed upon the same axis at the same time. The contrate wheel 。 being
fixed upon the axis m revolves with the wheel L, and in due time falls
into gear with the wheel h, Fig. 1, by which means the wire is carried into

page_text: the machine as before described. In Fig. 3, 13 represents the sliding arm,
terminated at one end by two inclined planes; these are forced under the
studs 14, 14, by the pressure of the cam r, Figs. 1 and 7, and by that means
raise the bar 15, which bar has the wedge T fixed upon its lower end. By the
action of these parts the sliding plates S, S, Fig. 2, are carried forward, and
when the cam retires, the sliding arm 18 is forced back by a spring seen
at 16, Fig. 1, the wedge T being returned by similar means.
The position
of the sliding bar 13 in combination with the wedge bar 15, will be likewise
seen on the upper part of Fig. 4.
Fig. 8 represents an edge view of the sliding bar or arm 13, and the
wedge bar 15, separated from the machine; and Fig. 9 represents an end
view of the sliding bar 13, and a side view of the wedge bar, shewing the
form of the wedge T more distinctly.
Fig. 10 represents a side elevation of Fig. 1, shewing more perfectly the
mode of combining some of the parts than could be done on Fig. 1.
Fig. 11 represents a side view of the bush or centre, upon which the wheel H
is placed. 18 shews the position of a die or half-hole, which is let into the bush,
and retained there by the spring 19 (there being a similar die on the opposite
side of the bush). The spring throws it open, and disengages it from the screw
G whenever the ring 20 is removed. The wheel H is placed upon the bush,
and fixed by a key pin in the usual manner. Fig. 12 is a section of Fig, 11,
shewing. the internal form and position of the dies to greater advantage.
Fig. 13 represents a plan of the wheels 20 & 21 as they are placed in com-
bination with the wheels L, g, & 9. 22 and 23 represent the wheels that
revolve the back pair of fliers when the machinery is constructed to make
two reeds at the same time, the said wheels receiving their motion from the
wheel 9, in the same manner as the wheels 20 & 21.
Fig. 14 represents a plan of the wheels N & H as they appear on the
upper part of Fig. 1.
Having enumerated the various parts of my Invention and the use to which
cach is applied, I shall now describe the method of putting it to work after the
whole of the parts are combined, as shewn in Fig. 1. I first fill the bobbins
with yarn, and placing each within the frame of the flier to which it belongs, I
pass upwards through the pipe of each flier, and likewise through the centre of
cach bobbin, two ribs, which are prepared in the usual manner. . The upper
end of each rib is then placed between the clamping bars d, Fig. 1, and there
made fast to the head block D by the binding screws at each end; the four ribs
being secured at their upper ends are then fastened, and their lower ends to
the clamping bars d, and stretched very tight by the nut e, the foot block E

page_text: being previously fixed to the carriage bar F. The stretcher or wedge is then
placed between each pair of ribs, and passed down the centre of each flier and
bobbin until it rests upon the top of each flier. The end of the yarn is then
placed in the spiral worms on the ends of the yarn conductors 8, 8, and passed
through the small hole in the bottom pipe of the flier, and made fast to either
of the ribs. The wire o is then placed between the rollers i & k, and advanced
through the guide p until it reaches the die o. The machinery is then in a
proper state to be set in motion by any convenient power being applied to
the wheel I. The wheel I being set in motion, and in the direction of the
dart upon its periphery, moves the wheel K, and with it the wheel L, the
teeth of which, falling into gear with the stud wheel g, revolves it once, and
then leaves it at rest. By this movement the wheel N being geared into the
wheel H turns it partly round and depresses the screw G, and all the parts
attached to it, a quantity equal to the distance between each dent or split,
when fixed in the reed. Previous to the cogs of the wheel L falling into gear
with the stud wheel 9, the cam advances, and driving forward the inclined
plane or wedge 15, withdraws the wedge T, and uncovers the groove q, seen
in Fig. 2, in which the wire lays ready to be cut off by the flier n. By the
time the wedge T is withdrawn and the groove uncovered, the cam x, Fig. 1,
drives in the brass plate U, the inclined planes of which depress or force down
the fliers, and in their descent the flier n cuts off the wire, by passing the aper-
ture in the diel, by the time the fliers are depressed about two thirds of the dis-
tance they are to descend. The cogs of the wheel L fall into gear with the stud
wheel 9. and the wheel 9 being placed upon the same axis immediately begins
to revolve the wheels 20 & 21, and with them the fliers, by which means the
yarn will be unwound from each bobbin and wound round cach pair of ribs at
the same instant; consequently, the dent or split will be held fast at each end,
and in a very superior manner to those produced by the usual method. It
may be here observed, that after the fliers have performed the operation of
winding the yarn round the ribs, each pair of ribs are pressed very close upon
the last inserted dent or split. This might have the effect of preventing the
advance of the next portion of wire, but to hinder any inconvenience from
this circumstance the wedge or stretcher always remains stationary during
the time the fliers are depressed; therefore, when they return to their original
position, the bottom of the stretcher z will be found in a line with the bottom
of each flier; and as the width of the stretcher or wedge is full as thick as
the wire is broad, it always keeps the ribs sufficiently apart to let the wire pass
freely between. It may likewise be observed, that the movements of the parts
are so adjusted that, at the moment the fliers begin to revolve, the screw G

page_text: depresses the ribs, as has been before described; consequently, the yarn forms
a spiral line round the ribs, inclosing a dent or split at each revolution. It is
perhaps needless to say, that at each revolution of the wheel L, the same
movements take place and the same operations are repeated until the reed is
completed of sufficient length. What has been here stated applies to the
formation of a single reed by this improved combination of machinery; but,
by examining Figs. 2 & 3, it will be seen that the machinery may be so com-
bined, that two reeds may be made upon the same machine by doubling the
parts, as shewn in those Figures. It will also appear evident that any number
of these combinations of machinery may be so placed as to receive an impulse
from the same first moving power, whether it be produced by man, horse,
water, or steam, or any kind of power that may be produced conveniently in
the place where these combinations of machinery may be erected. And I
hereby further declare, that all the parts in the Drawing that are made of
brass are coloured to imitate that metal, and likewise those that are made of
iron or steel, the bobbins being made of any suitable wood or substance, and
in the ordinary way or manner. In fact, there is no individual part in the
whole combination that may not be formed and constructed of any suitable
metal or material.. and in the usual mode adopted by engineers and makers of
machines. And I hereby declare, that although I prefer placing the machinery
in a perpendicular position, yet with very trifling variation the same may be
used in an horizontal or oblique direction according to the convenience of the
place where the same may be used. The variation consists principally in
placing it upon any suitable frame, and suspending a weight to the foot block,
the cord or chain of which must pass over a pulley, by which means the parts
that before descended by their own gravity will then be drawn along by the
weight; and I shall here observe, that although the descent of the ribs is here
effected by the long screw G, Fig. 1, the same opperation may be performed,
converting one side or edge of the carriage bar into a rack, and elevating or
depressing it with an endless screw or worm: or the same effect may be pro-
duced by placing the long screw within the body or centre of the machinery;
in which case the female screw will be contained in the head block traversing
up and down while the screw G remains stationary.
And I hereby declare, that this improvement in the application of machinery
for making weavers' reeds may be made in various proportions, as far as regards
the size of its individual parts; but in the front elevation of the machinery, Fig. 1,
I have given a representation of the proportion I prefer for the purpose of making
reeds as above described; and I shall here observe, that a considerable variety
of reeds may be made upon the same machine by varrying the combination of

page_text: the wheels N and H, that is to say, by putting other wheels upon their axes
whose diameters vary in proportion from those now represented, the screw G
will be made to travel either faster or slower at each revolution of the wheel L,
and consequently the reed produced will be either fine or coarse according to
the relative proportion that may exist between the wheels N and H. And I
hereby further declare, that I do not claim as my Invention any of the
individual parts of which this improvement is constructed.
My Invention and improvements consist in combining, constructing,⚫
arranging, and placing in the order and manner above described, the various
individual parts and minor combinations herein enumerated, which, when
combined, constructed, and arranged in the manner and order as represented
upon the annexed Drawing, are capable of being applied to the manufacture
of weavers' reeds in a more beneficial way than has ever been known or made
use of before this Ipvention.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jeptha Avery Wilkinson, have hereunto
my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of February, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
J. A. WILKINSON. (L.S.)
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-first day of February,
in the year of our Lord 1818, the aforesaid Jeptha Avery Wilkinson came
before our said Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specifi-
cation aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in
form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped accord-
ing to the tenor of the Statute made for that;
purpose.
Inrolled the Twenty-first day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighteen.