IMPROVEMENTS IN CARDING ENGINES FOR CARDING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Bispham Kay, of Bolton-le-Moors, in
the County of Lancaster, Mechanical Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARDING ENGINES FOR CARDING COTTON AND OTHER
FIBROUS MATERIALS."
Sealed the 20th December 1875, and dated the 26th June 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Bispham Kay
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 26th June 1875..
I, THOMAS BISPHAM KAY, of Bolton-le-Moors, in the County of
Lancaster, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARDING ENGINES FOR CARDING COTTON
AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates, firstly, to certain modifications of and improve-
ments in the mechanical details for adjusting or "setting" the top cards
or "flats" of carding engines described in the Specification of Letters
Patent granted to Thomas Bispham Kay on or about the 14th day of

page_text: May 1868, for "Certain Improvements in Carding Engines to be
employed in Carding Cotton and other Fibrous Substances," and consists
in the application of a straight linked endless chain working in com-
bination with star wheels affixed to the regulating screws of the
"frustrum of a cone," so that the teeth of the said star wheels may
gear between the links and be actuated by the rivets (or bowls or bosses
carried thereby) connecting the links of the said chain, as the latter is
caused to traverse in lieu of the ordinary toothed chain and toothed chain
wheels at present in use.
Also in the application of regulating screws having right-hand and
left-hand threads thereupon tapped into the "cone" and into the fixed
brackets or bosses on the bend respectively or vice versa, instead of the
ordinary right-hand screws at present in use.
"
Also in the casting of the "ring" or flango supporting the " cone
upon the "bend of the carding engine, so as to form one piccc with
the same instead of casting it separate or apart therefrom and attaching
it afterwards as heretofore.
"
Also in the application of a double flat bracket or guide rest in
combination with the "frustrum of a cone to the "bend" of the
carding engine, i.c., a bracket composed of two parts, so that one portion
thereby may be capable of adjustment laterally, or from left to right,
or vice versa, and the other portion capable of a free sliding movement
along a radial line drawn from the centre of the cylinder shaft through
the centre of the flat, as the "cone" is caused to traverse, in lieu of the
. simple flat bracket now in use.
Another part of my Invention relates to certain modifications of and
improvements in the mechanical details for lifting, stripping, brushing
out, and grinding the top cards or "flats" of carding engines described
in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to Thomas Bispham Kay
and Frederick Mills on or about the 30th day of January 1873, for
"Improvements in Carding Engines for Carding Cotton and other
Fibrous Materials," and consists, firstly, in the application of four
segments of teeth to the segment wheel k instead of two only as
heretofore, by which I am enabled to raise and strip double the number
of flats in the same interval of time.
Also in the substitution of a segment wheel and tumbler for the spur
wheel and its vinion ior actuating the stripner s. by which I am

page_text: enabled to obtain a "dwell" during the movement of the said stripper
and whilst the flat is in the act of being stripped.
Another part of my Invention relates to certain modifications of and
improvements in the mechanical details for lifting, stripping, brushing
out, and grinding the top cards or "flats" of carding engines described
in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to Thomas Bispham Kay
and Francis Hamilton on or about the 27th day of February 1867, for
"Certain Improvements in Carding Engines to be Employed for Carding
Cotton and other Fibrous Materials," and consists in a modification of
that part of the mechanism as therein described for maintaining the top
card or "flat" steady during the operation of grinding.
According to the Invention therein specified the flat end is raised
between the guides 7¹ on the revolving box 7 by the lifter e, and
is pressed thereby against the spring h on the box g, which in
turning over has the flange g' thereupon face to face with the bracket /
during the operation of grinding, by which the flat is steadied during its
ascent and descent.
Now according to my present Invention the flange 9' is dispensed
with, and in lieu thereof the planed under surface of the flat is itself
brought face to face with the bracket 7, being pressed thereby clear of
the lifter e as the flat ascends, and against the spring h, by which it is
kept in close sliding contact with the said bracket / during the operation
of grinding, which is thereby effected with greater certainty and accuracy
than heretofore.
Another part of my Invention consists in the application to the
carding engine between the taker-in and the first flat of one or more
revolving carding rollers stripped by an automatic apparatus, consisting
of one or more oscillating strippers clothed with card wire, and
periodically describing ares, so as to penetrate in the wire of the said
roller or rollers, remove the dirt and strippings therefrom, and transfer
them to a stripping board or stripping boards also clothed with card
wire.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Bispham Kay in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 24th December 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
BISPHAM KAY, of Bolton-le-Moors, in the County of Lancaster,
Mechanical Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the thirty-
eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Thomas Bispham Kay, Her special
licence that I, the said Thomas Bispham Kay, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas Bispham
Kay, 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 CARDING ENGINES FOR CARDING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS
MATERIALS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Thomas Bispham Kay, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, 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 Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Bispham Kay, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
This Invention relates, firstly, to certain modifications of and improve-
ments in the mechanical details for adjusting or "setting" the top cards
or "flats" of carding engines described in the Specification of Letters
Patent granted to Thomas Bispham Kay on or about the 14th day of
May 1868, for "Certain Improvements in Carding Engines to be
employed in Carding Cotton and other Fibrous Materials," and consists

page_text: in the application of a straight linked endless chain working in com-
bination with star wheels affixed to the regulating screws of the
"frustrum of a cone," so that the teeth of the said star wheels may
gear between the links and be actuated by the rivits (or bowls or bosses
carried thereby) connecting the links of the said chain, as the latter is
caused to traverse in lieu of the ordinary toothed chain and toothed
chain wheels at present in use.
Also in the application of regulating screws having right-hand and
left-hand threads thereupon tapped into the " cone " and into the fixed
brackets or bosses on the bend respectively, or vice versa, instead of the
ordinary right-hand screws at present in use.
cone
"
Also in the casting of the "ring" or flange supporting the "
upon the bend of the carding engine, so as to form one piece with
the same instead of casting it separate or apart therefrom, and attaching
it afterwards as heretofore.
Also in the application of a double flat bracket or guide rest in
combination with the "frustrum of a cone" to the "bend" of the
carding engine, i.e., a bracket composed of two parts, so that one portion
thereby may be capable of adjustment laterally, or from left to right,
or vice versa, and the other portion capable of a free sliding movement
along a radial line drawn from the centre of the cylinder shaft through
the centre of the flat, as the " cone " is caused to traverse in lieu of the
simple flat bracket now in use.
Another part of my Invention relates to certain modifications of and
improvements in the mechanical details for lifting, stripping, brushing
out, and grinding the top cards or "flats" of carding engines described
in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to Thomas Bispham Kay
and Frederick Mills on or about the 30th day of January 1873, for
"Improvements in Carding Engines for Carding Cotton and other
Fibrous Materials," and consists, firstly, in the application of four
segments of teeth to the segment wheel K instead of two only as
heretofore, by which I am enabled to raise and strap double the number
of flats in the same interval of time.
Also in the substitution of a segment wheel and tumbler for the spur
wheel and its pinion for actuating the stripper S, by which I am
enabled to obtain a "dwell” during the movement of the said stripper,
and whilst the flat is in the act of being stripped.

page_text: C
Another part of my Invention relates to certain modifications of and
improvements in the mechanical details of lifting, stripping, brushing
out, and grinding the top cards or "flats" of carding engines described
in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to Thomas Bispham Kay
and Francis Hamilton on or about the 27th day of February 1867, for
"Certain Improvements in Carding Engines to be Employed for Carding
Cotton and other Fibrous Materials," and consists in a modification of
that part of the mechanism as therein described for maintaining the top
card or "flat" steady during the operation of grinding.
According to the Invention therein specified the flat end is raised
between the guides 9 on the revolving box 7 by the lifter e, and is
pressed thereby against the spring on the box g, which in turning
over has the flange 9' thereupon face to face with the bracket / during
the operation of grinding, by which the flat is steadied during its ascent
and descent.
Now according to my present Invention the flange is dispensed
with, and in lieu thereof the planed under surface of the flat is itself
brought face to face with the bracket 7, being pressed thereby clear of
the lifter e as the flat ascends, and against the spring h, by which it is
kept in close sliding contact with the said bracket during the operation
of grinding, which is thereby effected with greater certainty and accuracy
than heretofore.
Another part of my Invention consists in the application to the
carding engine between the taker-in and the first flat of one or more
revolving cording rollers stripped by an automatic apparatus, consisting
of one or more oscillating strippers clothed with card wire, and
periodically describing are, so as to penetrate in the wire of the said
roller or rollers, remove the dirt and strippings therefrom, and transfer
them to a stripping board or stripping boards also clothed with card
wire.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood, I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that
purpose I shall refer to several Figures on the Sheet of Drawings here-
unto annexed.
Fig. I. and II. represent a front and side view respectively of my a

page_text: Figures III. represents a side view of my improved form of regulating
screw.
Figures IV. and V. represent a front and side view respectively of my
improved double flat bracket as used in combination with the "frustrum
of a cone."
Figure VI. represent a front view of my improved segment wheel.
Figure VII., side arrangement of carding rollers and automatic stuffing
apparatus.
In Figures I. and II. a represents one of a series of star wheels affixed
to its regulating screw for actuating the cone c, and 6 is a portion of an
endless chain working in combination therewith, so that the teeth of the
said star wheel a may gear between the links and be actuated by the
rivets (or bowls or bosses carried thereby) connecting the links of
the said chain b, as the latter is caused to traverse, and so that the
said regulating screws (the number of which may be varied according
to circumstances) may be thereby connected and caused to move
simultaneously.
In Figure III., a, a, represents one of the series of regulating screws
having two sets of threads thereupon, one right hand and the other left,
and tapped into the fixed bend d and into the cone c respectively, or
vice versa; or the two sets of threads thereupon may be of the same
hand but of different pitch.
The tension of the endless chain connecting the series of regulating
screws (whether star wheels and bowled chains as herein-before described,
or the ordinary chain and chain wheels be used) may be regulated by
causing the said chain to pass round an adjustable pulley or wheel at
one or both ends thereof, distinct from and in addition to the wheels or
the regulating screws, and the chain may lie and traverse upon the
surface of the turned "flange" d, upon which the " cone c slides, or
upon curved guides as heretofore.
"
In Figures IV. and V. a represents one of the two parts of which the
flat bracket is composed, and b represents the other part thereof. The
latter is capable of adjustment laterally only, and may be arranged to
fit and lie between turned flanges or ribs on the face of the bend d, and
the former part a is capable of a free sliding movement along a radial

page_text: line drawn from the centre of the cylinder shaft through the centre of
each flat, or the "cone" is caused to traverse, but is restrained from
moving laterally by part b. The said part may be retained in
position after adjustment by a screw or bolt e, which may also retain
the part a from falling forward or away from its place against the
face of the bend, or a second screw or bolt may be employed to effect
this object.
Figure VI. represents a front view of my improved segment wheel. In
carrying this arrangement into practice I use a 16 pinion on the spur
wheel working into a carrier, which gears into the internal wheel of 1
80 teeth. The segment wheel has four segments of 9 teeth, each
separated by four equal spaces corresponding to 16 teeth each.
Figure VII. represents a side view of my improved arrangement of
carding rollers and automatic stripping apparatus. Here a represents
the main carding cylinder; b, b, the carding rollers; c, the oscillating
stripper covered with card wire; and d, the stripping board, also clothed
with card wire, and to which the strippings are transferred.
The oscillating stripper may be actuated by an eccentric or camb
motion, and has its wire set so as to strip the carding roller when in
contract therewith, and the wire of the stripping board is set with the
points back, so as to strip the stripper and retain the strippings taken
therefrom.
In conclusion, having thus described the nature of my Invention, and
the mode of carrying the same into practical effect, I wish it to be
distinctly understood that I claim as secured to me under the above in
part recited Letters Patent,-
Firstly. The arrangement star wheel and chain, as herein-before
described.
Secondly. The arrangement of regulating screw with two sets of
threads thereupon, as herein-before described.
Thirdly. The casting the "ring" or "flange" supporting the "cone"
upon the "bend" of the carding engine.
Fourthly. The application of a double flat bracket or guide rest in
combination with the "frustrum of a cone."
Fifthly. The arrangement of the segment wheel with four segments.

page_text: Sixthly. The arrangement of segment wheel and tumbler in lieu of
the spur wheel and pinion for actuating the stripper.
Seventhly. The arrangement of mechanism for holding the flat steady
during stripping and grinding, as herein-before described.
Eighthly. The arrangement of carding rollers and automatic stripper
as herein-before described, or any mere modification of the above-
mentioned arrangement of parts respectively as herein-before described;
set forth, and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Bispham Kay, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of December,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
five.