IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE TENSION OF THE WARPS IN LOOMS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Markland, of Compstall Bridge, in the County of
Chester, Overlooker, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
REGULATING THE TENSION OF THE WARPS IN LOOMS."
Sealed the 30th September 1876, and dated the 10th April 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Markland at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th April 1876.
WILLIAM MARKLAND, of Compstall Bridge, in the County of Chester, Overlooker.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE TENSION OF THE WARPS IN
LOOMS."
My Invention has for its object to regulate the tension of the warps in looms by
self-acting means, and to render such tension more uniform during the operation of
.weaving. To this end I attach each of the ropes or equivalent parts which are
wound around the pulleys on the ends of the warp beam by one end to a spring
and by the other end to a balance wegat, and I cause the balance weight to be
raised as the warp beam empties, so as to reduce the tension of the springs, and
thereby to reduce the tension of the warp. In the arrangement which I now
consider to be suitable each rope is attached by one end to a spiral spring, or to a
rod or part which is connected with a spiral spring, and I attach a balance weight
to the other end of the rope. A shaft is fitted to rock in bearings attached to or
formed in the framing of the loom, and on the said shaft are fixed two pulleys, to
each of which is fixed one end of a strap, chain, or cord, which is attached by the
other end to one of the said balance weights. On the said shaft is also fixed a
lever, on one arm of which is mounted a roller, which is kept in contact with the
warp on the beam by means of a weight which is fixed or formed on the other arm
of the said lever, and is of sufficient gravity to raise the aforesaid balance weights.
As the coil of warp lessens in diameter the said shaft is permitted to turn, and the
said balance weights are raised by the straps, which are drawn upwards by the
pulleys to which the said straps are attached."

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Markland in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th October
1876.
"
WILLIAM MARKLAND, of Compstall Bridge, in the County of Chester, Overlooker.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE TENSION OF THE WARPS IN
LOOMS."
My Invention has for its object to regulate the tension of the warps in looms by
self-acting means, and to render such tension more uniform during the operation of
weaving. To this end I attach each of the ropes or equivalent parts which are
wound around the pulleys on the ends of the warp beam by one end to a spring
and by the other end to a balance. weight, and I cause the balance weights to be
raised as the warp beam empties so as to reduce the tension of the springs, and
thereby to reduce the tension of the warp.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood, I have appended
hereunto a Sheet of Drawings made about one-quarter of the full size, and marked
with letters of reference, similar marks indicating the same parts in the various
Figures.
Referring to the said Drawings, Fig. 1 represents a back elevation, and Fig. 2 a
vertical cross section of so much of an ordinary loom as is necessary to be repre-
sented in order to the proper illustration of my Invention.
In the said Figures, a is the warp beam, which is mounted in the loom framing B
as is usual. Upon the end pulleys a, a, of the said beam are wound ropes b, b.
Each rope is attached by one end to a balance weight c. The other end of the rope
is formed into a loop or bight, and is thereby connected with a hooked rod e which
is mounted in a bracket d, which is secured to a cross rail C, or to any convenient
part of the loom. A spiral spring is mounted upon the rod e, and is compressed
between a nut and washer g and the bracket d. In order that the tension of this
spring may be readily adjusted, I employ a metal clamp h to form the bight on the
rope. A plan of the said clamp drawn to a larger scale is represented by Fig. 3.
The end of the rope is passed through the said clamp and is brought back again to
form the bight, which is secured by means of a screw, a metal plate being inter-
posed between the two parts of the rope and between the rope and the screw.
the said clamp is not considered to be necessary the rope may be secured by tying,
or by any other suitable means. A shaft i extends across the loom, and is mounted
in suitable bearings. On the said shaft are fixed two pulleys j,j, each of which is
connected by means of a strap, cord, or chain, with one of the two balance weights c.
On the said shaft is fixed a lever k, on which is fixed a weight 1, the gravity of
which is sufficient to raise both the weights c, c, by turning the two pulleys j, j
The action of the said lever is controlled by a second lever m, in the end of which
is mounted a roller n, which is pressed by the action of the weight against the
warp upon the beam. Although the levers / and m are separate in the Drawings
they may be formed together in one lever if preferred.
If
The action of the apparatus may be described as follows:- -When the warp beam
is full of yarn the tension of the springs is adjusted to impart a suitable amount of
strain to the ropes. As the weaving proceeds and the body of warp upon the beam
lessens in diameter, the rising of the roller n permits the weight to sink, and
thereby to turn the shaft i in its bearings, whereby the balance weights c are lifted.
As the raising of the said weights has the effect of relaxing the tension of the spiral
springs the strain upon the ropes is reduced, and as this reduction takes place
gradually during the emptying of the warp beam, the tension of the warp is reduced
as required without the necessity of any further adjustment of the springs by the
operator, and if the parts be well proportioned an uniform or nearly uniform
tension of the warp may be obtained. The arrangement also permits the warp
beam to make the rocking movements due to the action of the harness.
straps may be substituted for the said ropes, but I have found the latter to be
Chains or

page_text: suitable and convenient.
Short levers or arms might be substituted for the
pulleys, but not with advantage.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same may be carried into effect, I would have it to be
understood in conclusion that I claim―
First. The arrangements and combinations of parts substantially as and for the
purpose indicated herein-before, and in and by the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The arrangement for relaxing the springs, substantially as and for the
purpose herein-before set forth and indicated.
And, lastly. The employment of springs in connection with balance weights,
which are raised by self-acting means as the weaving proceeds for the purpose
herein-before indicated.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Markland, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six
Signed and sealed by the said William
Markland in the presence of
EDWARD K. DUTTON,
Agent to the Patentee,
3, Princess Street,
Manchester.
WILLIAM MARKLAND. (L.S.)