Improvements in and in connection with the Starting and Stopping of Self-actor Mules and other Textile Machines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd May, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Feb., 1895-Accepted, 13th Apr., 1895
Improvements in and in connection with the Starting and Stopping
of Self-actor Mules and other Textile Machines.
JOSEPH JONES, Mill Manager, 7, Crawford Terrace Ashton under Lyne do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has reference to a new or improved method of, or construction,
arrangement and combination of parts or mechanism for locking those parts used
to start or stop the machine or machines.
To what is usually termed the setting-on handle I apply a catch lever pivoted
at one end, the other being free, the latter end engages with the horn bracket and
must be released before the mule or machine can be started when the driving strap
is running on the loose pulley.
To the catch lever & nearest its pivoted end I apply a second or drop lever, to
allow the safety catch to be temporarily disengaged whilst whipping the cop
bottoms or other special purposes. The arrangement permits both levers to be
automatically put into action during the act of restarting or setting-on.
A modification consists of placing a catch on the rod or moving part in such
manner that it may fall over the boss of the horn bracket of the mule (say), and
thus prevent the machine being restarted before first releasing the catch.
may be employed to hold it temporarily out of action if desired.
Means
Another modification is to attach a catch or lever &c. to the fixed horn bracket,
with collar, stop or other suitable mechanism to engage the set-on rod with the
catch.
Other modifications may consist of applying any of the before, named arrange-
ments or their equivalents, cams, eccentrics or inclines to any convenient fixed or
moving part or parts; having the same end in view.
Another modification is a catch or its equivalent attached either to the vertical
rod, or at the end of the slot guide bracket, with a rod, cord or other connection
to disengage it at any part of the traverse of mule carriage or other machine.
An arrangement of spring, spring clip, or spring actuated levers or catches may
form another modification.
To any of the above or "other" arrangements or in connection therewith, or
if prefered separate from, I apply means to signal the restarting of the machine
or machines.
Preferably by sound as in the type of foghorn used by cyclists, in which case a
tumbling lever, hammer or other means are employed to discharge the air contained
in the reservoir, at or before the instant of restarting.
Similar means may be employed to strike a bell or gong &c. for like purposes.
Also an arrangement of electric bells or gongs may be employed in either
"single" or "multiple" form; circuit being made by spring, lever or other form
of contact.
Dand thin and MAL 1901

page_text: Improvements in and in connection with the Starting and Stopping
of Self-actor Mules and other Textile Machines.
JOSEPH JONES 7 Crawford Terrace, Ashton under Lyne in the County of
Lancashire, Cotton Mill Manager, 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 :-
My invention has reference to a new or improved method of, or construction
arrangement and combination of parts, or mechanism for locking the starting gear
of mules, scutchers or other machines.
To prevent the accidental starting by the attendant or other person, or as
sometimes occurs, the machine is set in motion, through the vibration caused by
the unsteady running of the strap, or defective gear. To what is usually termed
the setting-on handle I apply a catch lever, pivoted at one end, the other being
free; the latter engages with the horn bracket, and must be released before
restarting the machine, that is to move the belt from the loose to the fast pulley.
To the catch lever and nearest its pivoted end I apply a second or drop lever, to
allow the safety catch to be temporarily disengaged, whilst performing whipping
operations, during which the belt is required to be quickly traversed from one
pulley to the other.
The arrangement permits both levers to be automatically put into action during
the act of restarting or "setting-on."
In order that the nature and application of my invention may be clearly
understood, I will describe the same with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
In which, Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of my improved apparatus on the
headstock frame of a spinning mule, shewing such parts only, as are necessary
for my description.
"
or
To the frame F, is fixed the usual "stag-born "swan-neck" bracket H,
carrying one end of the set-on rod R', or as shewn the starting handle R; which
latter slides through a prepared slot in H, communication between these parts and
the driving belt being by one or other of the ordinary methods in use.
In the handle R are one or more notches V, the function of which is to retain
the strap when placed on either the fast pulley or the loose pulley.
In ordinary use, from working, vibration or other causes, the notches V become
worn or rounded and liable to uncertainty of action. In view of such and to
guard against accidents which may be caused by the gear being thus defective,
I apply my improved safety catch in one or other of the forms described hereafter.
A projection A Fig. 1, or its equivalent, is cast with or otherwise fastened to the
handle R, pivoted thereto is a lever, latch or catch L, or its equivalent; the
opposite or free end of lever L is so arranged that it will fall before, or against H.
as to lock and totally prevent the restarting of mule, before first disengaging the
catch L' shewn dotted.
If desirable a bracket B or its equivalent may be employed to support and
engage with the free end of L or its equivalent, having teeth, notches pins or the
like, for the purpose of stopping, or giving a slow or differential speed to the
mule at any part of the stretch. When "whipping" cop bottoms it is necessary
to temporarily disengage the safety catch. To effect this I employ (preferably)
a secondary or drop lever D whose action is as follows; Upon raising the free end
as shewn at L', D falls by gravity to a vertical position D' thus forming a support
for the catch, at the same time permits the starting handle R to be traversed

page_text: "
"
and
quickly to & from, without locking it. Upon restarting after "whipping
before the full traverse of strap is completed, D making contact with the upper
part of R or its equivalent, is knocked back and ceases to support the catch L which
falls and again assumes the position from which I started, being that occupied by
catch when the mule or machine is said to be working.
To prevent the said catch being lifted too high, f provide a tail piece or other
substitute as T.
A modification consists as shewn in Fig. of a catch L', or its equivalent,
carried by a stop collar Q, or bracket, screwed or otherwise fastened to the stop
rod R¹ substantially as shewn. When "whipping" its position is indicated at L
being beyond the vertical line it remains out of gear. A finger or other bracket C,
is so arranged on the moving part of the carriage or machine, as to knock over
the catch before completing the next outward journey of the carriage, placing it
as shewn at L', ready for securing stop rod at next stoppage of the mule.
part of H making contact with L is preferably bevelled as shewn. On the
rod R' may be threaded a bracket like B in Fig. 1, for substantially, similar
purposes.
That
Fig. 3. illustrates a modification consisting of a self-weighted or otherwise
actuated latch, hinged lever or the like attached to H, in such a manner that while
the strap is on the fast pulley, it lies upon the plain surface of R, at a slight
inclination as shewn dotted at E. Immediately the strap is brought on to the
loose pulley, a prepared recess S, in the handle R, permits E to assume a position
more vertical & thus securely lock the starting handle. If the recess S, be not
employed, and the upper surface of R, remain plain throughout its length & the
drop E shortened accordingly to fall about vertical when H engages with either
notch V; the rod will be locked when in both positions, that is either when at rest
or at work.
Fig. 4. is a modification which admits of teeth, notches or serations being
inserted in the rod, or handle bar R, when a special bracket as B in Fig. 1. for
that object, is not used; the inclination of the said serations, R³ may be to the
right or the left hand, according as the catch G is placed, for a push or pull
contact. G marks its disengaged position from which it may be automatically
re-set if desired.
"
Fig. 5. is a modification of catch on the pull principle. Carried by pin, bolt or
other suitable means is a catch of the form shewn at J, having a tail piece as K,
suitably placed; the catch is free upon the handle bar R, and operates similar to
that described in Fig. 2; its automatic action being self contained. The sketch
Fig. 5. shews the starting rod to be in its "stopped" position, engaging with the
horn bracket H, shewn in part section. It will readily be understood as indicated
by dotted lines, how the tail K¹ must come in contact, and throw over the catch
from J¹ to its engaged position, before the notch V engages the handle R with H ;
thereby automatically locking same. If preferred the latch may be attached to
the rod or other convenient part of the starting gear.
Fig. 6. illustrates by side elevation a modification of my improvements wherein
the locking part is fixed at or about right angles to the handle bar R. To H, is
fixed a bracket P, carrying a stud, which latter supports a latch M, or its
equivalent, having conveniently placed a tail piece O, by which M may be
operated or disengaged by means of a finger, incline or the like fixed on the
traversing parts of machine (as C in Fig. 2); or any other part of the said gear,
used for the purpose of avoiding accidents by firmly securing the starting gear of
textile machinery when the same are said to be at rest.
Fig. 7. is an enlarged end view of Figure 6 shewing the lever M, in its different
positions. A bracket P, is secured to H, on the stud of which works the lever M
shewn locked in the notch N of the handle R. The tail or projection O, serves
to act as a stay and support to M when in its disengaged position M², also to
receive the automatic action from cam, incline, finger or other mechanism carried
by the carriage or other moving parts to operate the same. M¹ indicates the lever

page_text: when the mule is working, The position of O, may vary according to the means
used to give an automatic action.
"
To any of the herebefore mentioned or other combinations and arrangements of
part or parts, or in connection therewith, or if preferred, seperate therefrom; I
apply means to give a signal at the instant of or prior to the restarting of the
machine preferably by "sound' as in the type of foghorn used by cyclists and
illustrated by Fig. 8 of which the following is a description. The rod R¹ passes
through the boss of H in the usual way, and carries a finger F, which operates a
self-weighted or otherwise actuated hammer W, lever, or its equivalent; employed
to strike the bag A of the "horn" the said hammer falling upon and discharging
the air contained in the reservoir, thus producing an audible sound or alarm. C is
a clip or other suitable bracket to carry the horn; and the mechanism used to
operate it if preferred. A projection T, or other means are provided to engage
with F or the like for the purpose of re-adjusting or setting W, automatically, or
otherwise. W, may also be used to strike either a gong or the hammer of a bell.
In Fig. 9. is illustrated a form of signalling by electrical agency. The traverse
bar B is moved or slid through the carrying arms H of the hanger, at each
stopping and starting, or passage of the belt from loose to fast pulley or vice versá;
the belt is shifted by means of the guide forks F attached to B, which latter is
directly connected with the stop rod or starting gear. To the arm H, is secured
a non-conducting strip I carrying two contact screws, an insulated contact maker O,
is attached to B moving along with it (but capable of adjustment) and so arranged
preferably that circuit is completed on moving the traverse bar B, about
one eighth of an inch, and. remain intact for about two thirds of the whole
traverse; the bell or bells may be arranged to ring at both stopping and starting
or alone for starting if desired. It is required to prevent the contact maker O,
touching more than one of the screws of I when either extreen traverse is made. The
battery A may be conveniently placed, I prefer one large battery located suitably
and having a series of bells connected thereto, in one or other of the usual ways.
The bell or bells C, may be fixed at the headstock or near centre of the machine
or in case of the mule one in either half, and the same bell may serve for two
machines or more if desired. This or other method of electrical alarm may be
employed with any of the herein before mentioned arrangements or combination of
part or parts.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is;
1. To the ordinary starting gear of mules, scutchers or other machines an
arrangement or combination of part or parts substantially as and for the purposes
herein before set forth with reference to the annexed drawings.
2. An arrangement consisting of part or parts which cannot be permanently
placed out of gear or disengaged when in ordinary use, thereby minimising the
possibility of an accident, from such causes as substantially set forth and indicated.
3. The automatic action of part or parts hereinbefore set forth and iudicated.
4. To any of the hereinbefore named, or other arrangements or in connection
therewith, or if preferred seperate therefrom, an audible, means of signalling, at
or before the instant of restarting the machine or machines, either by mechanical
or electrical agency substantially as and for the purposes set forth and indicated.
Dated this 31st day of January 1895.