IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Matthew Andrew Muir, of Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, Machinist, and James McIlwham, of the
same Place, Machinist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS
FOR WEAVING."
Sealed the 7th January 1859, and dated the 17th November 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Matthew Andrew Muir
and James McIlwham at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 17th November 1858.
We, MATTHEW ANDREW MUIR, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Machinist, and JAMES MCILWHAM, of the same Place, Machinist,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LOOMS FOR WEAVING," to be as follows, that is to say:-
This Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of looms for
weaving various classes of fabrics, but in particular what are known as
"check" and "corded" goods as well as other more or less ornamental fabrics
partaking more or less of the characteristics of such goods. The regulation of
the pattern producing or figuring actions in these looms is wholly derived from
a "barrel" or perforated figuring cylinder fitted up in connection with the
drop box for the shuttles, the take-up motion, and the heddles, so as to afford
a wide and conveniently adjustable range of figuring and variable or differential
action of the weaving details. The "barrel" or prime regulator of the figuring
mechanism is a cylinder running loose upon a horizontal fixed stud on the
outside of one of the loom framing standards, and it is fitted on its inner side
A

page_text: or edge with a wheel or a circle of teeth, in which there works one hook of a
double ended lever catch or detent. This lever or double working catch is
carried loosely upon a lateral adjustable stud in the upper end of a short
vibrating lever arm working loose upon a stud centre in the framing standard,
the vibratory action being given to it from a revolving cam or stud on the
projecting end of the tappet shaft of the loom. This cam works against the
under side of a long lever forming part of or attached to the short lever arm
directly connected with the barrel action. The other end of the double catch lever
has a catch arranged to gear at pleasure with the teeth of a small spur pinion
running loose on a stud carried by a bracket fast to the frame. This pinion
is constantly in gear with the teeth of the barrel or operating cylinder. In
this way when the back catch of the double detent lever is in gear with the
teeth of the barrel, the latter receives a forward rotatory movement, whilst
when the front catch is in gear with the pinion, the barrel's motion is reversed
and it rotates backwards. The barrel is perforated with a plain row of stud
holes completely encircling it. These holes are for the reception of the
regulating pins or projecting studs, which are employed for shifting the drop
box, the presence or absence of such pins operating through a short vertical
lever upon the drop box movement, a rod being passed backward from such
lever to the drop box connections, so as to raise and lower the drop box in
accordance with the predetermined positions of the pins, a blade or other
spring being fitted up to bring back the link rod after each operation of a stud
or studs. The same holes of the barrel serve also to carry other stud pins
cranked over to give a reversing action to the barrel, one such reversing pin
being fitted at each end of that portion of the barrel over which the operating
studs for the drop box extend. It is these reversing pins which set either end
of the double catch lever down as may be required.
They act in their passage round with the barrel upon a short lever arm or
catch, which is in connection with the double lever of the barrel movement.
In this way a superior range of working action is gained, as the reverse action
of the barrel doubles its operating power; and in addition to this, the arrange-
ment affords peculiar facilities for setting and obtaining any required number
of pattern-working shots or picks of the loom within the extreme limits of the
range of barrel action. The direct action of the operating pattern studs of the
barrel is conveyed to the drop box by means of the link rod jointed to the
vertical lever of the barrel action, as already referred to.
This link rod passes
back from the lower end of the barrel lever, and is linked at the far end to the
lower end of a double vertical lever set on a stud in the framing, the upper
end of this lever being linked by a short returning rod to a short jointed catch

page_text: piece, which again is hinged to a joint stud carried by the forward free end of
a large lever, vibrating on a fixed back stud in the framing. It is this lever
which is jointed near its front end to a descending rod, which is again jointed
to a double ended lever set on a stud near the bottom of the framing; this.
latter lever being again jointed at its front end with the bottom end of the
vertical rod passing upwards to the drop box in the lathe or slay of the loom.
The same stud on the large double-ended lever, before referred to, carries a
loosely jointed lever catch, weighted at one end, which weighted end is imme-
diately beneath the short jointed catch on the front end of the great lever.
The other end of the loosely weighted lever carries a small antifriction pulley
within the range of a continuously revolving cam or eccentric on the end of the
tappet shaft. The result of this arrangement is, that when the long link rod
of the barrel gives its shift for the change of the shuttle, the short jointed catch
on the front end of the great lever is pulled back to lock the weighted end of
the loosely jointed lever catch also on the great lever, so that as this weighted
end is held steady, the continuously revolving cam or eccentric on the tappet
shaft can operate upon the antifriction pulley of the weighted lever, and
through it force the great lever down and shift the drop box.
As a means of enlarging the scope of the loom, two or more cams and
corresponding weighted levers may be employed. The long link rod of the
barrel action also carries a stud capable of operating upon the lower end of a
loosely jointed double-ended vertical catch lever set on a fixed stud in the:
framing. This vertical lever has a hook on its upper end capable of gearing
with the stepped or notched end of the great lever. The lower end of this
lever has a blade spring attached to it, and a lateral stud upon the link rod of
the barrel works in between this spring and the lever. When the link rod is
pushed back it causes the hook at the upper end of the lever to remain out of:
gear with the stepped end of the great lever, and when the link rod is drawn
forward, the stud presses against the spring, and puts the hook in gear. The
same differential cam which works the long lever arm of the primary mover
of the barrel has also a cam shoulder upon it for operating against the hooked·
upper end of a double-ended vertical catch lever set on a fixed stud in the
framing, the lower end of this lever having a hook capable of gearing with
notches or steps in the back end of a lever fast to the bottom double lever,
which is directly connected to the vertical rod of the drop box. This latter
catch arrangement locks and unlocks the drop box action at every revolution
of the tappet shaft. The other catch arrangement, actuated directly from the
link rod of the barrel, is the actual holder of the drop box, the constantly
acting catch serving merely as an auxiliary to this catch to hold the drop box

page_text: from descending too soon. Any number of rows of holes and studs may be
tised in the barrel, and such rows of holes and studs may also be disposed
helically or spirally along the barrel, on the principle delineated in the Speci-
fication of the Invention of "improvements in looms for weaving, for which
Messrs. Muir and McIlwham obtained a grant of British Letters Patent, on
or about the 8th day of August One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, the
object being still further to extend the range of action of the barrel in combi-
nation with the reversing action herein-before referred to. And further than
this, the barrel may be fitted up with holes and studs, to actuate a twilling,
cording, or other movement, as well as a variable taking-up motion, which is
often necessary in securing a wide range of figuring effect in looms. In plain
looms, when it is not intended to use pattern barrels, as herein-before described,
a small barrel, on a principle generally similar to the barrel already described,
is fitted up in the centre, or at any other convenient part of the loom, being
operated upon by a stud on the tappet shaft. In this arrangement the studs
on the barrel operate upon pendant-hooked locking catches, which lock and
release the heddles, as required, to enable the shuttle to throw two or more
shots of weft into one shed, and thus produce the cording action.
Instead of using perforated or studded barrels, as herein-before referred to,
discs or other shaped details may be adopted for carrying the operating studs,
the reversing action of the barrel, disc, or other pattern working detail being
always resorted to, for the purpose of securing a superior range of action. In
still further extending the range of action of the barrel, disc, or other pattern-
working detail, the levers on which the studs operate may be fitted with
laterally adjustable projections, so that the sphere of action may be changed
from one line or row of the studs to another at pleasure, provision being
made for doing this automatically or otherwise. In this way the projection
on any lever may be set so as to cause that lever to be operated upon
by any desired line or row of the studs at pleasure. This shift of the lever
projections may be accomplished by means of inclined studs on the barrel, or
otherwise.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Matthew Andrew Muir and James McIlwham in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 16th May 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, wė, MATTHEW 3
ANDREW MUIR, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,

page_text: Machinist, and JAMES MILWHAM, of the same Place, Machinist, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventeeth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-second year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the
said Matthew Andrew Muir and James McIlwham, Her special license that
we, the said Matthew Andrew Muir and James McIlwham, our executors
administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said Matthew Andrew
Muir and James McIlwham, our executors, administrators, or 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 FOR WEAVING," upon the condition (amongst others)
that we, the said Matthew Andrew Muir and James McIlwham, by an
instrument in writing under our 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 we, the said Matthew Andrew Muir and James
McIlwham, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say:-
Our said Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of looms
for weaving various classes of fabrics, but in particular what are known as
"check" and "corded" goods, as well as other more or less ornamental
fabrics, partaking more or less of the characteristics of such goods. The
regulation of the pattern producing or figuring actions in these looms is wholly
derived from a "barrel" or perforated figuring cylinder, fitted up in connection
with the drop box for the shuttles, the take-up motion, and the heddles, so as
to afford a wide and conveniently adjustable range of figuring and variable or
differential action of the weaving details. The "barrel" or prime regulator of
the figuring mechanism is a cylinder running loose upon a horizontal fixed
stud on the outside of one of the loom framing standards, and it is fitted on its
inner side or edge with a wheel or a circle of teeth, in which there works one

page_text: hook of a double-ended lever catch or detent. This lever or double-working
catch is carried loosely upon a lateral adjustable stud in the upper end of a
short vibrating lever arm working loose upon a stud centre in the framing
standard, the vibratory action being given to it from a revolving cam or stud
on the projecting end of the tappet shaft of the loom. This cam works against
the under side of a long lever forming part of or attached to the short lever
arm directly connected with the barrel action. The other end of the double
catch lever has a catch arranged to gear at pleasure with the teeth of a small
spur pinion running loose on a stud carried by a bracket fast to the frame;
this pinion is constantly in gear with the teeth of the barrel or operating
cylinder. In this way when the back catch of the double detent lever is in
gear with the teeth of the barrel, the latter receives a forward rotatory
movement, whilst when the front catch is in gear with the pinion the barrel's
motion is reversed, and it rotates backwards. The barrel is perforated with a
plain row of stud holes completely encircling it. These holes are for the
reception of the regulating pins or projecting studs, which are employed for
shifting the drop box, the presence or absence of such pins operating through
a short vertical lever upon the drop box movement, a rod being passed back-
wards from such lever to the drop box connections, so as to raise and lower the
drop-box in accordance with the predetermined positions of the pins, a blade
or other spring being fitted up to bring back the link rod after each operation
of a stud or studs. The same holes of the barrel serve also to carry other
stud pins cranked over to give a reversing action to the barrel, one such
reversing pin being fitted at each end of that portion of the barrel over which
the operating studs for the drop box extend. It is these reversing pins which
set either end of the double catch lever down as may be required; they act in
their passage round with the barrel upon a short lever arm or catch, which is
in connection with the double lever of the barrel movement.
In this way a
superior range of working action is gained, as the reverse action of the barrel
doubles its operating power; and, in addition to this, the arrangement affords
peculiar facilities for setting and obtaining any required number of pattern
working shots or picks of the loom within the extreme limits of the range of
barrel action. The direct action of the operating pattern studs of the barrel is
conveyed to the drop box by means of the link rod jointed to the vertical lever
of the barrel action, as already referred to; this link rod passes back from the
lower end of the barrel lever, and is linked at the far end to the lower end of
a double vertical lever set on a stud in the framing; the upper end of this
lever being linked by a short returning rod to a short jointed catch-piece,
which again is hinged to a joint stud carried by the forward free end of a large

page_text: lever vibrating on a fixed back stud in the framing; it is this lever which is
jointed near its front end to a descending rod, which is again jointed to a
double-ended lever set on a stud near the bottom of the framing, this latter
lever being again jointed at its front end with the bottom end of the vertical
rod passing upwards to the drop box in the lathe or slay of the loom. The
same stud on the large double-ended lever before referred to carries a loosely
jointed lever catch, weighted at one end, which weighted end is immediately
beneath the short jointed catch on the front end of the great lever. The other
end of the loosely weighted lever carries a small antifriction pulley within the
range of a continuously revolving cam or eccentric on the end of the tappet
shaft. The result of this arrangement is that when the long link rod of the
barrel gives its shift for the change of a shuttle, the short jointed catch on the
front end of the great lever is pulled back to lock the weighted end of
the loosely jointed lever catch, also on the great lever, so that as this weighted
end is held steady, the continuously revolving cam or eccentric on the tappet
shaft can operate upon the antifriction pulley of the weighted lever, and
through it force the great lever down, and shift the drop box. As a means of
enlarging the scope of the loom, two or more cams and corresponding weighted
levers may be employed. The long link rod of the barrel action also carries a
stud capable of operating upon the lower end of a loosely jointed double-
ended vertical catch lever set on a fixed stud in the framing. This vertical
lever has a hook on its upper end capable of gearing with the stepped or
notched end of the great lever; the lower end of this lever has a blade spring
attached to it; and a lateral stud upon the link rod of the barrel works in
between this spring and the lever. When the link rod is pushed back, it
causes the hook at the upper end of the lever to remain out of gear with the
stepped end of the great lever; and when the link rod is drawn forward, the
stud presses against the spring and puts the hook in gear. The same
differential cam which works the long lever arm of the primary mover of the
barrel, has also a cam shoulder upon it for operating against the hooked upper
end of a double-ended vertical catch lever set on a fixed stud in the framing,
the lower end of this lever having a hook capable of gearing with notches or
steps in the back end of a lever fast to the bottom double lever, which is
directly connected to the vertical rod of the drop box. This latter catch
arrangement locks and unlocks the drop box action at every revolution of the
tappet shaft. The other catch arrangement actuated directly from the link rod
of the barrel is the actual holder of the drop box, the constantly acting catch
serving merely as an auxiliary to this catch, to hold the drop box from
descending too soon. Any number of rows of holes and studs may be used in

page_text: the barrel, and such rows of holes and studs may also be disposed helically or
spirally along the barrel, on the principle delineated in the Specification of the
Invention of "Improvements in Looms for Weaving," for which we obtained
a grant of British Letters Patent on or about the Eighteenth day of June, One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, the object being still further to extend
the range of action of the barrel in combination with the reversing action
herein-before referred to. And further than this, the barrel may be fitted up
with holes and studs to actuate a twilling, cording, or other movement, as well
as a variable taking-up motion, which is often necessary in securing a wide
range of figuring effect in looms. In plain looms, when it is not intended to
use pattern barrels, as herein-before described, a small barrel on a principal
generally similar to the barrel already described is fitted up in the centre, or
at any other convenient part of the loom, being operated upon by a stud on
the tappet shaft. In this arrangement the studs on the barrel operate upon
pendant hooked locking catches, which lock and release the heddles as
required, to enable the shuttle to throw two or more shots of weft into one
shed, and thus produce the cording action. Instead of using perforated or
studded barrels, as herein-before referred to, discs or other shaped details may
be adopted for carrying the operating studs, the reversing action of the barrel
disc or other pattern working detail being always resorted to for the purpose
of securing a superior range of action. In still further extending the range of
action of the barrel disc or other pattern working detail, the levers on which
the studs operate may be fitted with laterally adjustable projections, so that
the sphere of action may be changed from one line or row of the studs to
another at pleasure, provision being made for doing this automatically or
otherwise. In this way the projection on any lever may be set so as to cause
that lever to be operated upon by any desired line or row of the studs at
pleasure. This shift of the lever projections may be accomplished by means
of inclined studs on the barrel or otherwise.
And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood, we shall
now proceed to describe the several illustrative Figures on the explanatory
Sheet of Drawings which we have hereunto appended, for the purpose of
showing certain modifications under which our improvements in looms for
weaving may be judiciously carried out in practice, that is to say,-
Figure 1 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings is an end elevation or
view of the right-hand side of a loom, the parts of which are arranged according
to one modification of our improvements. Figure 2 is a front elevation of the
loom, and Figure 3, a plan showing those parts of the loom that are connected
with the improvements. Figure 4 is an elevation, partially in section, of the

page_text: barrel for actuating the heddles, and Figure 5 is an end view of the same.
As the general arrangement and construction of the loom is in part similar to
those in ordinary use, and in other parts corresponding to the looms described
in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to us, and bearing date on or
about the Eighteenth day of June One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, it
is unnecessary for us to dwell upon these details. We shall therefore proceed
at once to describe the barrel or figuring cylinder and its connected parts, as
comprehending the first part of our present Invention.
To the lower part of the right hand standard A of the loom framing is
bolted a long curved bracket B, which extends outwards in front of the loom,
and beyond the standard, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 on the accompanying
Drawing. The bracket B carries a laterally projecting stud, on which is fitted
the "barrel" or cylinder C, by means of which the figuring mechanism is
actuated in the predetermined sequential order. In this present modification
the figuring barrel C consists of a comparatively narrow cylinder of metal,
having two rows of equidistant holes made in its periphery, and on the inner
edge or margin of the barrel teeth are cast which form the wheel D. The
boss of the barrel is elongated outwards so as to admit of a pinching screw
being fitted thereto, in order that the barrel may be caused to rotate more or
less tightly upon the supporting stud. To the upper extremity of the bracket
B is fitted a laterally projecting stud that carries the pinion E, which gears
with the wheel D. The teeth of the wheel D and the pinion E are made very
square, so as to facilitate the holding of either the wheel or pinion by the
hooked extremities of a double lever catch or detent F. This lever catch
works loosely on a stud carried in the upper end of the long bell crank lever
G, which is centred upon the elongated stud or spindle that carries the barrel
C. The longer arm of the bell crank lever G is curved upwards, and extends
in a backward direction over the tappet shaft II, which extends beyond the
framing, and has fitted to it the cam I. This cam has a stud projecting from
its inner face, and upon this stud the free extremity of the lever G. bears. As
the cam I comes round with the motion of the tappet shaft, the lever G is
raised to the position shown in Figure 1 of our Drawings; this motion of the
lever throws the shorter arm forward, which causes the backward end of the
lever catch F to move the wheel D round one tooth. This motion of the
tooth by tooth each
wheel D towards the front of the loom will be continued
time the lever G is raised by the action of the cam I. Provision is also made
for causing the wheel to rotate in the opposite direction by means of the pinion
E, which will be presently referred to. The first office of the barrel C is that

page_text: of actuating the drop box so that the shots of weft may be thrown in, in the
predetermined sequential order.
In this modification of our Invention the shuttle drop box is shown as
arranged for a series of three shuttles, and the actuating mechanism is con-
structed in accordance therewith, but the improvements are equally applicable
to any other number of shuttles. The frame of the shuttle drop box J is
bolted to the vertical rod K, the lower extremity of which is jointed to the
horizontal lever L; this lever is carried upon a stud projecting laterally from
a bracket which is bolted to the side framing of the loom. The backward
extremity of the lever L is curved upwards, and the outer edge has three deep
serrations cut in it; these notches correspond to the number of the shuttles
to be operated. The projecting end of the catch lever M takes into one or
other of the notches in the lever L, accordingly as that lever is raised or
depressed. The catch lever M works loosely upon a stud projecting from
the framing, its free extremity extending upwards and towards the tappet
shaft H. The upper free end of the catch lever M is curved backwards in the
direction of the cam I, the projecting part now shown in the lowest position
in Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings comes in contact with the catch
lever and pushes it forward, so as to release its lower extremity from the
notched segmental end of the lever L. The stud on which the lever L is
centred also carries at its outer end a short lever arm N, to which is connected
the lower end of the vertical link O; the upper extremity of this link is
attached to a stud projecting from the lateral face of the lever P. This stud
also serves as a fulcrum for the weighted lever Q; this lever is forked at the
backward part, and has fitted therein an antifriction pulley, which is in the same
plane as the cam R, on the outer extremity of the tappet shaft H. The lever P
is carried on a stud projecting from the backward part of the side standard A;
at the front extremity of this lever is a stud which projects laterally from the face
of the lever, and upon this stud is centred the stepped catch piece S. The
upper or front edge of this catch piece forms a series of three steps or ser-
rations, the number of these steps or notches being made to accord with the
number of shuttles to be actuated. The object of these steps or serrations in
the catch will be explained after showing the connection of the lever P with
the figuring barrel C. To a stud fixed in the lateral face of the catch piece S
is attached one end of the rod T; the other extremity of this rod is connected
to the upper slotted end of the lever U, which is carried upon a stud pro-
jecting from the loom framing. The lower end of the lever U carries an
inwardly projecting stud, to which is attached the rod V; this rod extends

page_text: long the side of the loom to the front part, where it is bent to a right angle,
o as to terminate opposite the barrel C. A constant pressure in a backward
lirection is exerted upon the rod V by a blade spring W, which is bolted to a
ateral projection on the stud of the lever U. In this manner the lever U
only moves about its axis when a force greater than that of the spring W is
exerted upon the rod V.
The front part of the rod V is connected by the blade spring X, to the
pendent arm Y, which is carried upon the same stud as the wheel E; this
arm Y, hangs down in front of the barrel C, and in a line with the outermost
row of holes, or it may be in a line with the inner or other row of
holes. The face of the arm Y next the barrel is made with a triangular
projection Z, which is so set as to be within the range of the studs upon the
surface of the barrel, being drawn in contact therewith by the backward
pressure of the spring W. So long, therefore, as the point of the projection Z
is clear of the studs or pins in the barrel C, the rod V, and the parts connected
therewith, will not be influenced by the rotatory motion of the barrel C. But if
a series of pins or studs a be inserted in the holes of the barrel that are beneath
or in a line with the apex of the projection Z, then the pendent arm Y will be
moved outwards a distance corresponding to the height or projection of the
pin from the surface of the barrel C. To move the shuttle drop box J to one
of three different positions, the pins a require to be of two different heights,
and these elevations with the position of the parts when the projection Z rests
upon the periphery of the barrel, afford the means of shifting the drop box so
as to bring either shuttle in a line with the shed. The pins a are successively
brought under the projection Z on the arm Y, by the rotatory movement of
the barrel C, which primarily derives its motion from the tappet shaft H,
which is driven in the ordinary manner from the crank shaft of the loom.
The rotatory movement of the cam I lifts the lever G each time that the anti-
friction roller comes round; this motion causes one end of the double catch
to rise out of the tooth of the wheel D, with which it is engaged, and to
fall into the next, and at the same time draw the wheel round a distance equal
to the width of one tooth. Thus the continuous motion of the cam I imparts
a regular reciprocatory movement to the lever G, which causes the wheel D
and barrel C to be moved round with a uniform intermittent speed, and so
long as no other movements of the mechanism take place, the loom performs
ordinary plain weaving with a single shuttle. But if one of the pins a be inserted
in the row of holes beneath the projection of the arm Y, the rod V is thereby
drawn outwards, so that the lever U turns upon its axis, the upper end moving
backwards and drawing with it the rod T. The backward motion of the rod T

page_text: draws with it the catch piece S, which for the instant rests upon the end o
the weighted lever Q, at the same moment the projecting point of the revolving
cam I strikes against the upper free extremity of the catch lever M, thi
movement liberates the catch lever from the notch in the segmental end o
the lever L. This momentary release of the lever L is immediately followed
by the swell or projecting part of the cam R coming upon the antifriction roller
of the weighted lever Q, so that the cam presses down the ends of the levers Q
and L, causing a corresponding rise of the front end of the lever L, to which is
attached the rod K, carrying the drop box J. The moment the catch
piece S is drawn back by the motion of the lever U, it is held in that position
by the hooked catch b, which is carried upon a stud projecting from the face
of the side standard A. The upper end of the catch 6 is bent inwards to form
a hook, which extends over the steps or notches of the catch piece S, its office
being to hold the catch piece and lever P perfectly steady the instant a change
in the position of the lever has been effected. The catch 6 is kept in close
contiguity to the steps of the catch piece S by the pressure of a blade spring c
which is secured to the front edge of the catch bar 6; the lower end of this
blade spring presses against a lateral stud on the rod V, so that the catch
instantly arrests the movement of the parts when a change in the position of
the drop box has been made. In this manner the momentary release of the
catch lever M, each time the cam I comes round, admits of the depression of
the link O and lever L, if required, and a corresponding alteration in the
position of the drop box J. The lever L is, however, again immediately
caught and held by the catch lever M, the projecting catch of which is drawn
back into the notch of the lever L by the tensional pressure of the spring M¹,
one end of which is fast to the catch lever M, and the other to the standard A,
so that although the catch lever M is withdrawn from the notch of the lever L
at each revolution of the tappet shaft, if no movement of the lever U takes
place, it simply returns to the same notch in the segment, and it continues to
work in this manner until the pattern requires a change being made in the
position of the drop box. Where the pattern that is to be woven is simply
repeated again and again, the series of pins a are arranged in proper order
around the cylinder C, to produce the predetermined sequential order in which
the weft is to be woven in. But where the pattern to be woven is one in
which one half of the figure is repeated inversely, that is to say, in which the
second half of the figure is a repeat of the first, but with the several parts in
an inverted order, then the barrel C is caused to traverse first in one direction
and then back again. This change in the direction of the barrel's motion is
effected by attaching a stop d to the periphery of the barrel at each end of the

page_text: series of pins which go to make up one half of the predetermined figure. The
stops d are made to fit the holes in the barrel C, to which they are secured by
nuts, as shown in Figure 1; when the parts are in this position the barrel is
travelling round in the direction of the front of the loom, that is to say, the
backward end of the double catch F is drawing the barrel forward tooth by
tooth. The upper stop d continues to move round until it comes in contact
with a projecting nib on the bell crank lever e, which is carried upon a stud
projecting laterally from the bracket B. Each extremity of the bell crank
lever e carries a stud, the one on the shorter arm works through a curved slot
in the bracket B, whilst the stud on the longer arm connects it to the link f.
This link is made with a long slot to admit of the traverse of the arm and at
the same time effect the movement of the link only to the desired extent.
The upper end of the link f is connected to the double catch F; when the
lever e is caused to turn upon its axis by the contact of the stop d the longer
arm of the lever is depressed, which draws down the front end of the catch F,
and causes it to catch in the teeth of the pinion E. This motion of the bell
crank lever e moves the stud on the shorter arm over to the opposite end of
the segmental slot in the bracket B. This stud g extends outwards in a
lateral direction, and has secured to it one end of the helical spring h, the
other end of which is made fast to the lower part of the bracket B; the spring h,
serves to keep the bell crank lever e in position at either end of the slot.
Whilst the front end of the double catch F remains down the reciprocatory
movement of the lever G causes it to push the pinion E round tooth by tooth,
and this pinion being in gear with the wheel D it follows that the barrel C
now moves in a contrary direction to what it did when the backward end of
the catch F was engaged with the teeth of the wheel D. The barrel C con-
tinues to move round in this manner until the second or lower stop d comes
round to the nib on the bell crank lever e, the movement of which raises the
link f, and throws up the front end of the catch F, which restores the parts to the
position they are delineated in Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings.
As herein-before stated the barrel C, is in this modification made with two
rows of holes which encircle the barrel, and in the holes of the inner row a
series of pins or studs i are arranged; these pins are made of different heights,
and serve to suspend the taking-up motion, or to accelerate it according to
the nature of the material that is being woven. The pins or studs i act upon
the pointed projecting part of the lever k; this lever is centred upon the
stud that carries the pinion E, and it extends backwards over the barrel C
towards the lathe of the loom. The lever has projecting from its upper edge
two snugs, in which are fitted adjusting pinching screws 1, which serve to

page_text: retain and act as pivots for the projecting part j. In this manner the pro-
jecting part may be set to either one side or the other, so that if the pins i,
be made higher on one side than the other, the projecting part or tracing
point may be caused to traverse along one set of elevations while the barrel
is going in one direction, and along the parallel set when it is returning.
This mode of arranging the studs or pins so as to make each pin impart two
or more degrees of elevation to the lever k, greatly increases the working range
of the barrel, and it is also applied to the pins or studs used for actuating the
drop box J. The lever k, has bolted to it a laterally projecting guide piece m,
the under surface of which is slightly hollowed, and rests upon the periphery
of the wheel D. This guide piece m serves to prevent the point of the part j
from wearing a groove in the face of the barrel C, at the parts where no pius
are interposed. The backward end of the lever k, is widened out laterally,
and has a slot formed in it; in this slot is carried a pin which extends inwards
and comes beneath the segmentally shaped extremity of the link n. The
upper extremity of the link n is attached to the pawl o, which in its turn is
jointed to the lever p, this lever is centred upon a stud carried by the bracket q.
The lever p carries at its lower part a second pawl r, which is connected by a
stud to the link n; this stud works in a slot in the link, so that the latter may
be raised to a certain extent without lifting the pawl r. The lever p, has a
long slot made in the lower part, through which slot a pin s, that projects out
beyond the lathe t, passes. Thus as the lathe moves to-and-fro with the
motion of the crank shaft, a vibratory movement is likewise imparted to the
lever p; this motion is through the pawl o caused to turn the ratchet wheel u
slowly round as the cloth is woven. The rotatory motion of the wheel u is
communicated to the cloth beam v, by means of toothed gearing in the ordinary
manner as delineated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings. The
pawl o serves to give motion to the ratchet wheel u, while the ordinary plain
weaving is proceeding, but when during the weaving operation it is necessary
to suspend the take-up motion when required in weaving checked, corded, or
twilled fabrics with alternations of plain weaving, or weft shotting, then the
lever k is brought into action. When one or a series of the pins i are brought
beneath the part j of the lever k, the pin at the slotted extremity of the lever
comes in contact with the curved end of the link n, and raises it so that the
pawl o is lifted out clear of the ratchet wheel u, and so long as the pawl o
remains in this position no cloth will be taken up. The lever is also made
to move the ratchet wheel u with greater speed where the nature of the fabric
renders it necessary to take up the cloth faster than can be done by the pawl o.
This is effected when the projecting part of the lever k passes on to the higher

page_text: portion of the pins or studs i, the pawl r is then raised so that its extremity
strikes against the teeth of the wheel each time the lathe beats up the weft.
In this manner the wheel u is driven round, the increase of speed being pro-
portionate to the difference in the length of the lever arms carrying the pawls o
and r.
The last part of our present Invention has reference to the mode of actu-
ating the heddles in the required sequential order to produce the desired and
predetermined weaving effect. The crank shaft is fitted with an adjustable or
slotted crank w, the pin of which is connected to the short connecting rod x,
which in its turn is attached to the link y; this link traverses in the guide y¹,
the upper end of the link being attached to the rod z. The upper extremity
of the rod carries a stud by which it is attached to the slotted end of the
lever 1, which is centred on a stud carried in a bracket that is bolted to the
upper cross rail of the framing. The lever 1 extends inwards to the centre of
the loom, and has fitted to its extremity a small platform 2, which has a raised
edge on the inner side. The lever 1 is connected by the link 3 to the lower
lever 4, which is carried on a stud projecting from the framing. This secondary
lever 4, carries at its inner extremity a platform 5, with a raised edge similar
to the one above on the lever 1. The raised edges of the platforms 2 and 5,
serve to support a series of flat metal bars 6, to which the strings of the
heddles 7 are hung, so that each heddle leaf is separately supported by its
metal bar 6. The lower heddle leaves are attached by the strings 8, which
are passed under the pulleys 9, and are each fastened to a pendent lever 10.
The pulleys 9 are supported upon a transverse rail 11, that is bolted to the
standard 12, and the levers 10 are carried upon a stud projecting from the
bracket 13. The levers 10 are connected near the centres to the helical
springs 14, there being one to each lever, the other extremities of the springs
are fast to a projecting part of the framing. The springs thus serve to draw
the heddles 7 downwards, the parallelism of each being preserved by the double
strings 8, and pulleys 9. The raising of the hedolles is effected by the motion
of the lever 1 about its axis, this motion being derived from the crank shaft,
the predetermined order in which they are raised is accomplished by the
mechanism shown in connection with the lever 1. The inner end of this
lever has attached to it the link 15, by which it is connected to the tail of the
lever 16, this lever is centred upon a stud in the cross rail of the framing.
The lever 16 is bent upwards beyond the stud, and there forms a frame 17,
in which the tweeling barrel is carried so as to rotate easily therein, but with
an end frictional action. This barrel is shown in detail in Figures 4 and 5,
Figure 4 being an end elevation, and partially sectional view, and Figure 5

page_text: a longitudinal elevation partially in section. The barrel consists of a central
spindle 18, which is cast in one with the end discs 19 and 20; one of these
discs forms a sort of ratchet wheel on the end of the barrel as shown in
the end view Figure 4. A fillet is formed on each internal face of the
discs 19 and 20, to which the segmental plates 21, forming the body of
the barrel, are secured by screws 22. The plates 21, are ribbed on the
concave surfaces, and holes are cast or formed therein, in which are fitted
the pins 23. These rows of holes are arranged one row opposite each
tooth of the wheel 20, and one row between each tooth; these rows receive
the pins 23, which are arranged to produce the required weaving effect. The
stud on which the lever 16 is centred, also carries a bracket 24, the upper end
of which forms a platform on which is arranged a series of sliding pins 25,
these pins correspond in number to the number of heddles in the loom, and
they are kept in position by a top plate 26, which is screwed to the platform
beneath. The pins 25, are made to project a little beyond the edges of the
platform, their front ends being in contact with the bars 6 of the heddles, so
that when either of these pins are pushed forward by the pins in the barrel,
the heddle bar 6 opposite to it is also pushed in like manner, so that its upper
hooked extremity comes over the edge of the platform 2. The upward motion
of the lever 1 now carries the heddle bars 6, so hooked on the platform 2, with
it, and thereby raises the heddles 7 that are attached to these said bars, the
other heddle bars meanwhile resting upon the platform 5, and descending with
the downward motion of the front end of the lever 4, thus forming the shed.
The upward motion of the lever 1, at the same time raises the tail end of the
lever 16, thereby causing the tweeling barrel to pass away from the pins 25,
preparatory to turning it partially round to bring another row of the pins 23
into action for forming the next shed. The downward motion of the tweeling
barrel brings the wheel 20 under the pawl 27, which catches a tooth of the
wheel 20, and the barrel continuing to pass a little further it is drawn round
so as to present another row of pins for the next shedding action. There are
two pawls 27 and 28, and both are carried upon a stud that is fixed in a
bracket which is bolted to the framing; the pawls 27 and 28, catch in the
teeth of the ratchet wheel 20. Both the pawls 27 and 28 have angular pro-
jections on their under edges, which rest upon the segmental plate 29, or on
pins inserted therein. The vertical portion of the segmental plate is carried
upon a stud that is fixed in a projecting part of the bracket that carries the
pawls 27 and 28. To the lower end of the segmental plate there is attached
to or formed upon it a short arm by which it is connected to the helical spring
30, the other end of which is fast to the bracket that carries the pawls 27 and

page_text: 28. The spring 30 draws the segmental plate 29, so that the right-hand pin
in the plate would remain under the pawl 28, until otherwise acted upon. A
length of wire 31, is fastened to the plate 29, and to one arm of the bell crank
lever 32, which is carried on a bracket that projects from the edge of the
standard of the lever 1. The other arm of the bell crank lever 32, is con-
nected by a wire 33, to the bell crank lever 34, which in its turn is attached
to the rod V. The three pins inserted in the plate 29 serve to raise either of
the pawls 27 or 28 out of contact with the ratchet teeth 20, so that either the
rows of pins 23 opposite the teeth or the intermediate rows may be brought
into action. Thus, whilst the rod V is inoperative, the pawl 28 is kept up,
and the wheel 20 moves round tooth by tooth, every alternate row of pins being
brought into action. But when the rod V is actuated, the pawl 27 is raised
and the row or rows of pins between the teeth 20, now operate on the pins,
which move the bars 6. In this manner the pins 23 can be arranged to adjust
the shed for either plain weaving or tweeling, as required. The downward
motion of the inner end of the lever 1, raises the platform 5, so as to release
the bars 6 from the edge of the platform 2; at the same time the tensional
action of the springs 14 draws down the heddles 7, so as to cause the bars 6
to push back the pins 25, that were previously thrust forward. The helical
springs 14 thus serve to replace the pins 25 in their normal position, in
readiness to be again actuated by the pins 23 of the tweeling barrel; these
springs serve also to draw down those heddles that are not raised by the
platform 2.
Attention may here be directed to a modification in the arrangement of
these springs, which is delineated in red lines in Figure 2 on the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings. In this modification, the pendent levers 10 are curved
inwards in the direction of the centre of the loom, so as to bring the point of
attachment of each spring further in, and thus lessen the angle or space between
the springs and the fulcra of the levers 10. An important advantage is gained
by this adjustment, for as the heddles are raised by the platform 5, preparatory
to forming a new shed, the leverage of the springs 14, is lessened by reason of
their drawing at such an acute angle; and thus the heddles are relieved just at
the proper time from the tensional strain of the springs, which has hitherto
been found objectionable in practice. As the tweeling barrel moves forward
to the pins 25 to set them, for forming a new shed, the motion of the barrel is
assisted by the tensional action of the spring 35, which is fastened at one end
to the projecting part of the lever 16, and at the other to a stud set in a slot
in the cross rail of the loom framing. When the tweeling barrel is brought.
fairly up to the pins 25, which it has to push forward, a momentary pause or

page_text: dwell occurs, for the purpose of preventing the barrel from moving back too
quickly, so as to insure the bars 6, being properly hooked on to the edge of
the platform 2. This pause or dwell is obtained by means of the slot in the
lower end of the link 15, which admits of the link ascending the length of the
slot before the lever 16 is acted upon by the upward motion of the lever 1.
In order to prevent the barrel from being drawn over too forcibly in contact
with the pins 25, by the helical spring 35 an adjusting screw 36, is fitted in
a snug on the cross rail of the framing. By turning this screw upwards so as
to cause it to come in contact with the under side of the lever 16, the action
of the lever may be tempered with great nicety, so that the tweeling barrel is
brought up to the pins 25, with a graduated or less forcible action than could
be accomplished without this adjustment.
The studs or pins
extends out from
Another modification of our improvements consists in applying the figureing
barrel C, herein-before described, to looms for weaving plain, corded, or
"tarlatan," fabrics. In this modification the barrel C, the wheel D, the pinion
E, the double catch lever F, and the lever G, are arranged near the centre of
the loom between the side standards of the framing, the studs or pins inserted
in the barrel serving to keep the shed open during the time the required
number of shots of weft are thrown in to form the cord.
as they come round actuate a bent or crank lever, which
the face of the barrel towards the centre of the loom; this lever carries at its
outer extremity a vertical stud on which is centred a short lever having a
length of wire attached to each of its extremities. These wires are connected
to the vertical bars, to which the heddles are secured, and these bars work
down through slots cut in a horizontal guide plate fitted beneath the tappet
shaft. The vertical bars are made narrower towards the lower extremities,
so that when raised they are free to move to and fro in the slots of the guide
plate, but when depressed the wider part of the bar fits the slot in which it
works. The upper part of each bar is cut away on the backward edge to
form a curved recess or hook, to receive the laterally projecting studs on the
tappet levers, and the heddle bars when not otherwise acted upon are kept
within the range of these studs by means of helical springs. As the barrel
travels round, tooth by tooth, and no pins interfering with the horizontal lever,
the heddle bars are alternately depressed by the tappet levers in the usual
manner; but when one or more studs or pins intervene, the crank lever is
moved outwards, so as to draw the heddle bar that would otherwise be
depressed away from and beyond the range of the tappet lever, and the shed
is kept open so long as the crank lever is held in this position. Between the
two tappet levers is fitted a small sliding catch, which works in a slot in the

page_text: horizontal guide plate; this catch is attached in the crank lever by a wire,
and when the lever is actuated it moves the catch forward to hold down the
free tappet lever. A helical spring is attached to the back part of the catch,
which draws it back to the extremity of the slot, when the wire which connects
it to the crank lever is slackened by the lever moving off from the studs or
pins in the cylinder. Upon the lever being liberated, the spring of the heddle
bar draws it again within the range of the tappet lever, and the weaving
action goes on as before. The mechanical arrangement and fitting of the
parts connected with the barrel in its application to this and other similar
purposes may be variously modified to suit the particular style of weaving.
With these several improvements the range of action of the loom is greatly
increased, and the production of the fabric facilitated, at the same time
the working details are simplified, reduced in weight, and rendered less
expensive.
:
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, we may observe, in conclusion, that we do not confine or restrict
ourselves to the precise details or arrangements which we have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of our Invention; but what
we consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to us by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
First, the general arrangement and construction of machinery or apparatus
for weaving figured or ornamental fabrics, as herein-before described and
shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Second, the arrangement and construction of that portion of the weaving
apparatus herein-before designated the "figuring barrel," and its appurtenances,
in which one or more rows of holes are made to receive studs or pins for the
purpose of actuating the drop box and take-up motion, such figuring barrel
having a reverse or back and forward motion, for the purpose of extending
its action, as herein-before described, or any mere modification thereof.
Third, the system or mode of weaving figured, ornamental, or corded fabrics
by means of machinery or apparatus in which a figuring barrel or perforated
cylinder, or discs, or any mere equivalent therefor is used for the purpose of
actuating the drop box, or the take-up motion, as herein-before described and
shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth, the arrangement of the mechanism used in conjunction with the
figuring barrel or perforated cylinder, for the purpose of imparting the
required traverse or motion to the drop box and the ratchet wheel of the

page_text: take-up motion, as herein-before described and shown in the accompanying
Drawings, or any mere equivalent therefor.
Fifth, the system or mode of stopping or accelerating the motion of the
cloth beam by means of the mechanical arrangement in connection with the
figuring barrel, as herein-before described and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
Sixth, the arrangement and construction of the barrel, by means of which
the heddles are raised in the predetermined order to produce the required
weaving effect, as herein-before described and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
Seventh, the system or mode of weaving tweeled fabrics, or plain and
tweeled fabrics by means of the apparatus herein-before designated a "tweeling
barrel," and its connected mechanism for actuating the heddles in the proper
sequential order to produce the desired weaving effect, as herein-before
described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Eighth, the application and use of the perforated cylinder and its connected
mechanism to, and in looms, for the purpose of producing corded or tarlatan
fabrics, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Matthew Andrew Muir and James
McIlwham, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Fourteenth
day of May, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
MATTHEW A. MUIK.
JAMES MCILWHAM.
(L.8.)
(L.S.)