Improvements in the Picking Motion of Weaving Looms.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Nov., 1897--Accepted, 12th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Picking Motion of Weaving Looms.
We, JOHN JASON BROWN, residing at Dover Street, Preston, in the County of
Waterloo, and Province of Ontario, Canada, Loom Fixer, and FREDERICK SAMUEL
ARNTFIELD, residing at William Street, in the same place, Loom Fixer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in the pick
motion for weaving looms, and relates more particularly to the arrangement and
construction of the parts constituting the pick motion, whereby the rapidity and
power of the pick can be controlled, and the danger of accident or breakage to any
of the parts avoided; and the object of the invention is to so construct the pick
motion that the full power of the picker stick is obtained from the commence-
ment of its stroke, and its speed gradually increased from the commencement to
the finish of the stroke; and to provide the sweep arm with a relief motion, which
will cause its united action with the shoe shaft, during the normal operation of the
pick motion, and allow it to disengage itself from the action of the shoe shaft when
any part of the pick motion has been stopped, by accident or otherwise, in order
that the action of the shoe shaft can continue without imparting motion to the
pick, thus avoiding accident or breakage to the pick motion or shoe shaft; the
device being hereinafter set forth and more particularly pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of a portion of the frame of a weaving loom,
showing the pick motion and mechanism for operating it.
Fig. 2 is a view partly in section of a portion of the shoe shaft, sweep arm and
relief motion.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the sweep arm and relief motion for separably
locking the sweep arm to the shoe shaft, showing the sweep arm disconnected from
the relief motion.
Fig. 4 is a similar view looking at the same parts from the opposite side.
Fig. 5 is a section through the shoe shaft and hubs of the relief motion and sweep
arm.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the relief motion showing an alternative form of
spring actuating the latch and trip dog.
Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the specification and
drawings.
A represents a portion of the frame of the loom; B represents the shoe shaft
journalled on the inner side of the frame A. Although the shoe shaft B is shown
in the drawings to be rectangular in cross section, we do not confine ourselves
to this particular shape, as we may make the shoe shaft of any shape suitable for
our purpose.

page_text: C represents the picking dog, which is provided with an elongated hub D,
having a central bore E rectangular in cross section, through which passes the
shoe shaft B. The top of the picking dog C is bevelled, the incline being from the
rear to the front. The inner side of the top of the picking dog C is provided with
a flange F, parallel with the top of the dog, which serves as a tenon in the manner
hereinafter specified.
G represents the sweep arm provided with a hub H loosely mounted on the hub !
of the picking dog C. The outer side face, or that side face of the sweep arm G
contiguous to the picking dog C, is provided with a substantially L-shaped lug I
which forms a rabbet for the flange F. The inner side face, or that face of the
picking dog C contiguous to the sweep arm G, is provided with a cam K, sub-
stantially triangular-shaped in cross section, and formed in the adjacent side face
of the sweep arm G is a recess L, opposed to the cam K for the purpose of receiving
the cam when the sweep arm and picking dog are normally locked together. The
side face of the sweep arm G remote from the picking dog C is provided with two
lugs M, N, arranged one vertically above the other, and located one above and the
other below the recess L. O represents a latch located between the lugs M, N,
and projecting beyond the front of the sweep arm G. The latch O is provided
with a lip P, overlapping the cam K. Passing through the lugs M, N, and the
latch is a pin Q, by means of which the latch is pivotally connected to the lugs.
Formed in the latch O is a slot R, opposed to the pin Q. S represents
a spring, one end of which presses against the back of the lip P,
and the other end of which engages a pin T, resting against the
outer face of the lugs M, N. The body portion of the spring S is
bent to pass through the slot R and around the pin Q. By means of the
spring S the latch is held in such a position as to normally engage the cam K,
and separably lock the sweep arm G to the picking dog C, in order that the
picking dog and sweep arm can move unitedly and in conjunction with the shoe
shaft, when the picking motion is working freely.
Passing through the lugs M, N, is a pivot pin U, and mounted on the pivot
pin U is a trip dog V, which overhangs the sweep arm G, and is adapted to be
engaged by the picking dog C. The trip dog V is provided with a tooth W, which
is adapted to engage a tooth X, extending rearwardly from the latch O. Coiled on
the pivot pin U are the ends of a spring W, while the body of the spring is adapted
to press against the back of the trip dog. Extending outwardly from the top of
the sweep arm G, is a pin Y, on which is mounted one end of the sweep stick %,
the opposite end of the sweep stick being provided with a metallic tug strap A',
embracing the picker stick B. The lower end of the picker stick B is pivotally
connected by a pivot pin or bolt C¹ to the rocker arm D'. The rocker arm
is extended to project considerably beyond the bottom of the picker stick B',
and formed in the extension of the rocker arm D¹ is an elongated slot E¹. Located
within the slot E¹ is a pivot bolt F¹ provided with the usual lock nut G¹ to lock the
pivot bolt in any set position in the slot E¹. Mounted on the pivot bolt F¹ is the
lower end of a pitman H¹ whilst the upper end of the pitman H' is pivotally con-
nected to a lug I, projecting from the tug strap A¹. The pitman H' consists of
two sections a, a¹; the section a is in the form of a sleeve, whilst the section a¹
slides within the section a. The section a is provided with two elongated slots all,
and extending through the slots all are pins J connected to the section a¹, and
provided with the usual locking nuts K. The purpose of this construction is to
make the pitman longitudinally adjustable, in order that it can be fitted to any class
of loom having a pick motion operated by a sweep stick and lug strap. Instead
of extending the rocker arm in the manner indicated in the drawings, an inde-
pendent extension can be bolted to the ordinary rocker arm. By using the metallic
tug strap hereinbefore described, and using the pitman, the stirrup strap formerly
used can be dispensed with, as also can the canvas or leather tug straps, which it was

page_text: necessary to use in connection with the stirrup strap. By providing the extension
of the rocker arm with an elongated slot, and moveably placing in the slot the lower
pivot pin or bolt of the pitman, the rapidity and power of the pick can be controlled
and regulated; that is, by moving the pivot pin or bolt to the inner end, or that
end of the slot E' contiguous to the shoe shaft, the power and speed of movement of
the pick is decreased, and by moving the pivot bolt to the opposite or outer end
of the slot, the power and speed of the pick is increased. By means of the pitman
the full power of the pick is obtained on the commencement of its stroke, and the
speed of the pick is increased from the commencement to the end of the stroke.
To explain this motion more fully we will assume that the pivot bolt F1 is at
the outer end of the slot E', as shown in the drawings. During the motion of the
pick the pitman causes the downward movement of the tug strap, as indicated by
arrows in the drawings, bringing the tug strap into closer proximity to the pivot
bolt of the picker stick, gradually increasing the speed of the picker stick from
the commencement to the finish of its stroke. On the return of the picker stick
the pitman raises the tug strap into its normal or starting position. By this means
the full power of the picker stick is obtained throughout the stroke, without
increasing the speed of the pick on the start, and these parts are saved from all
unnecessary wear. The use of the stirrup strap necessitated the making of screw-
nail holes in the picker stick, which necessarily weakened the picker stick and
rendered it more liable to breakage or injury than would otherwise be the case.
By dispensing with the use of the stirrup strap the weakening of the picker stick
can be avoided. In the event of the stoppage of any part of the picking motion
during the operation of the loom, the stoppage would arrest the motion of the sweep
arm. The continued action of the shoe shaft after the sweep arm had been arrested
would cause the picking dog to move in conjunction with the shoe shaft, and allow
the cam carried by the shoe shaft to move outwardly the latch O, and permit the
disengagement of the picking dog from the latch. The tooth X of the latch O
would engage the tooth W of the trip dog V, when the latch O had been moved
into its outer position by the cam K. The engagement of the tooth X with the
tooth Wenables the trip dog V to hold the latch O in its outer position, until
the return of the picking dog to the sweep arm. The return of the picking dog
to the sweep arm upsets the trip dog and allows the latch to come into engage-
ment with the cam K. If the obstruction to the movement of the pick still con-
tinue the picking dog will again separate itself from the sweep arm in the manner
just described, and if the obstruction has been removed the sweep arm will move
in conjunction with the shoe shaft and picking dog. By this means instantaneous
relief is given to the sweep arm in the case of an accident to the picking motion.
Mounted on the hub D at the end opposite the picking dog C is a band L', pro-
vided with a set nut M¹. The band L rests easily against the side face of the hub
of the sweep arm G, and by means of the band L' and picking dog C the sweep
arm is maintained in its proper position. Projecting from the lug M is a pin Ni
and projecting from the hub of the picking dog C is a pin 01. Connected to the
pins N, O is a spring P₁, the purpose of the spring being to facilitate the
reunion of the picking dog and sweep arm after a separation.
In Fig. 6 we have shown an alternative form of spring, which consists of a leaf 2
substantially S-shaped, provided with two lugs 2, through which passes the pivot
pin Q, one of the lugs 2ª being above and the other lug 2" below the pivoted
latch O. The hub of the trip dog V is fitted with a set screw 3, which is adapted
to bear against the adjacent end 2b of the spring 2. The opposite end 2° of the
spring 2 presses against the back of the latch O. By means of the set screw 3
the pressure of the springs can be varied (that is, increased or diminished to meet
the requirements of the relief motion). By using the leaf spring and arranging
it in the manner indicated in Fig. 6 one spring can be employed to operate the
latch and the trip dog, and its pressure can be varied to meet the requirements of
the relief motion.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In a weaving loom a pick motion consisting of a picker stick, a sweep stick,
a tug strap connected to the sweep stick embracing the picker stick and means
for lowering the tug strap on the picker stick during its stroke, to gradually
increase the speed of the pick from the commencement to the completion of the
stroke, substantially as specified.
2. In a weaving loom the combination of the picker stick, a sweep stick, a
tug strap connected to the sweep stick embracing the picker stick, and a pitman
pivotally connected to the rocker arm and to the tug strap, to lower it on the
picker stick during its stroke, to gradually increase the speed of the pick from the
commencement to the completion of the stroke, substantially as specified.
3. In a weaving loom the combination of the rocker arm, a picker stick pivotally
connected to the rocker arm, the sweep stick, a tug strap carried by the sweep
stick embracing the picker stick, a pitman pivotally connected to the rocker arm
and to the tug strap, substantially as specified.
4. In a weaving loom the combination of the rocker arm, an extension for
the rocker arm having an elongated slot, a picker stick pivotally connected to the
rocker arm, a sweep stick, a tug strap carried by the sweep stick embracing the
picker stick, a pitman having one end pivotally connected to the tug strap, and
the opposite end provided with a pivot bolt longitudinally moveable in the elongated
slot of the rocker arm extension, substantially as specified.
5. In a weaving loom the combination of the rocker arm an extension for the
rocker arm having an elongated slot, the picker stick pivotally connected to the
rocker arm, the sweep stick, a tug strap carried by the sweep stick, a pitman, con-
sisting of telescopic sections, means of locking the telescopic sections in their
adjusted positions, one end of the pitman pivotally connected to the tug strap,
and the opposite end provided with a pivot bolt longitudinally moveable to the
elongated slot, substantially as specified.
6. In a weaving loom, a relief for the picking motion, consisting of a picking dog
mounted on and moving in conjunction with the shoe shaft, and a sweep arm loosely
mounted on and separably locked to the picking dog, substantially as specified.
7. In a weaving loom, a relief for the picking motion, consisting of a picking
dog having an enlarged hub, through the bore of which passes the shoe shaft, a
sweep arm loosely mounted on the hub of the picking dog, and means for separably
locking together the sweep arm and picking dog, substantially as specified.
8. In a weaving loom, a relief for the picking motion, consisting of a picking
dog, provided with an enlarged hub through the bore of which passes the shoe
shaft, the sweep arm loosely mounted on the hub of the picking dog, a spring
actuated latch carried by the sweep arm, normally engaging a cam carried by
the picking dog, to separably lock together the sweep arm and picking dog, sub-
stantially as specified.
9. In a weaving loom, a relief for the picking motion, consisting of a picking
dog having its top bevelled and inclined from rear to front, and an enlarged hub
through the bore of which passes the shoe shaft, a sweep arm loosely mounted
on the hub of the picking dog, a spring actuated latch pivotally connected to the
sweep arm, a cam carried by the picking dog normally engaged by the latch,
an L-shaped lug embracing the top of the picking dog, substantially as specified.
10. In a weaving loom, a relief for the picking motion, consisting of a picking
dog having its top bevelled and inclined from rear to front, an enlarged hub
ihrough the bore of which passes the shoe shaft, a sweep arm loosely mounted on
the hub of the picking dog, a spring actuated latch pivotally connected to the
sweep am, a cam carried by the picking dog normally engaged by the latch,
an L-shaped lug embracing the top of the picking dog, a tooth extending
rearwardly from the end of the latch, a trip dog pivotally connected to the sweep

page_text: arm, to normally engage the tooth of the latch, and overhanging the sweep arm
to be engaged by the return of the picking dog, substantially as specified.
11. In a weaving loom, a relief for the picking motion, consisting of a picking
dog having its top bevelled and inclined from rear to front, an enlarged hub
through the bore of which passes the shoe shaft, a sweep arm loosely mounted on
the hub of the picking dog, a spring actuated latch pivotally connected to the
sweep arm, a cam carried by the picking dog normally engaged by the latch,
an L-shaped lug embracing the top of the picking dog, a tooth extending rearwardly
from the end of the latch, a trip dog pivotally connected to the sweep arm, to
normally engage the tooth of the latch, and overhanging the sweep arm to be
engaged by the return of the picking dog, and a spring connected to the sweep
arm and picking dog, to facilitate their return to their normal position after
being separated, substantially as specified.
Thated its 20th day of November 1807
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicants.