IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Singleton, of Darwen, in the County of Lancaster,
Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Singleton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th August 1878.
THOMAS SINGLETON, of Darwen, in the County of Lancaster, Gentleman.
'IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
This Invention consists,―
Firstly. Of an improved crank arm which gives a steadier motion, and a longer
dwell is obtained. The arm I construct in two parts, joined together by he and she joint.
These joints are carried by a radius steadying arm or connecting rod, having a fork
joint in which the arm joints rest, a pin passing through and securing the whole.
The other end of the rod forms a boss, and works on a fulcrum stud fixed to the
lower part of the loom side, the ends or neck of the crank arm being an
ordinary.
Secondly. To improved construction of crank arm without joint for regulating
for the wear of necks-To dispense with cotter and gib I employ a long bolt, one
end of which is screwed into the block carrying step for crank, the other end
abutting against the sliding block for stay pin. The straps are secured by an eye
bolt, through the eye of which the long bolt passes. When the necks are worn
they can be tightened up by giving a turn or two to the long bolt, and by tightening
up the nut of eye bolt the eye presses on the long bolt and acts as lock nut on
same.
By another method I construct the crank end of arm with strap and fast and
sliding block, the strap being fixed or secured by eye bolt, the remaining part of
the arm being made of wrought iron or other suitable metal in the form of a spindle,
having a boss for stay pin. The spindle end is screwed into and through the fast
block, and comes into and abuts against a recess in the fixed block. When necks

page_text: are worn a tightening up is effected by giving a turn to the spindle. In order to
keep the proper distance between the necks, strips of metal are inserted in the recess
of the sliding block against which end of spindle abutts. Or in lieu of gib, cotter
screw bolt, or spindle, I employ a taper wedge, one side of which bears against the
fixed block and the other against the moveable. The wedge at the thinner ends is
secured, and as two lock nuts, and as step wears by screwing up the nuts the
tightening is effected.
In the block of crank end of arm I bore a long hole in line from neck to neck, having
another hole or inlet from upper side midway its length at right angles. The long
hole is then filled past the inlet, which is also filled, and the end sealed with emery
or other powder. A spindle of a suitable length, one end carrying the neck for stay
pin, the other the size of the long hole, is inserted in the long hole. The straps are
secured by bolt. When the crank has worked the emery in, the long hole becomes
rammed and hard; as the necks wear, the loose emery or supply in the inlet works
down to the long hole, fills up space caused by wear of necks, and becomes rammed
and hard, this being self-regulating.
Thirdly. Fast and loose reed arrangement. By fixing the reed shaft to work on
centres and bearings combined there is less frictional contact. I also shorten the
reed shaft and bring the knocking-off finger in the inside of the loom frame fixed
to the wing of reed shaft, and instead of coming in contact with spring stop handlo
as heretofore (when the shuttle is caught in the shed), comes in contact with one
end of a lever working on a stud, the other end or finger coming into a notch at
the end of the fork lever and kept in position by a spring.
Front and back tension is obtained by means of spiral spring from the wing of
the reed shaft to end of lever carried on a bracket. The other end of L lever bearing
against the slay sword is acted upon, and motion is imparted to the slay sword; or
by a lever, one end hinged to the frame of loom (the other end connected to reed
wing), the lever having spiral spring attached from midway its length to the swing
rail or other convenient fixture. By this method the spring will last longer, as it
has less strain.
'
Front tension was obtained heretofore by spring from wing of reed shaft direct
to slay sword, and back tension by bow spring and organ handle. The weft fork
or forks and weft fork hammer have a free rocking motion upon centres which carry
the bosses and fork, and & adjustable so as to compensate for wear.
Improved motion for preventing cracks in cloth.-I employ an inclined plate
(bearing against stop handle) for actuating finger lever for releasing the catch of
taking-up motion.
For threading the weft through the eye of the shuttle I employ a curved wiro,
the half of which is covered with bristles, forming a brush similar to brushes used
for cleaning glass tubes, &c. In threading the shuttle I place the weft end to be
threaded on the bristles of the brush and thrust the other end of brush through the
eye and draw the whole through. The thread sticks or clings to the bristles, and is
thus threaded.
Or another method.-I take a piece of steel wire and double it together so as to
form a loop or eye at the one end, the other ends being left a little open or apart.
The whole is then curved to the shape of the incline of the eye; slip the weft down
the open ends of the threader to the loop or eye; close the ends and thread through
the eye of shuttle; draw the whole through, and the weft is brought with the eye
of the threader; or threader can be made so that on closing the open ends the two
wires of the threader will close on and hold the thread between them, and either end
may be pushed through the shuttle eye first.
The check or preserve trap nearest the reed I attach to the shuttle box at right
angles partly around the said box and over the picking spindle, tho picker acting
on the edge of such preserve strap.
When the shuttle has not properly boxed, and end is projecting out of box end,
and so does not stop the loom, but raises the weft fork, I employ a bell-crank lever

page_text: and finger, on which the shuttle acts, and actuates the fork lever and knocks off and
stops the loom.
For spring reed motion.- Fixed in the heater or bracket is a buffer and spiral
spring, which, when the finger or tumbler attached to the reed shaft arm comes in
contact during the heating up, gives or allows motion to the reed, thus preventing
cracks in cloth.
To prevent breakage, when warp becomes entangled with the "rods," I employ a
fulcrum lever having stop pieces against which the rods rest, the fulcrum of the
said lover and vertical arms carried by a rod extending across the loom; a boss on
the cross rod is connected with a spiral spring or weight; there is also a spiral
spring or balance weight attached to the end of the first-named lever.
When any of the rods catch the warp, the rod or rods is or are carried forward
by the warp against the projections, and so secure the fulcrum lever on its centre ;
and to the vertical lever an arm, rod, or cord is connected with the hammer, which
is thereby depressed, and stops the loom.
To an improvement in tubes on which the weft is carried, I employ a taper strip
of metal twisted on a spindle the size required.
As an adjustable attachment for connecting spiral springs in lieu of hooks or
rings, I employ a metal strip having a series of recesses cut or ground on each edge,
so the said attachment may be wormed or screwed into the end of the spiral spring,
the coils of which enter the recesses in the edges of the said attachment.
Instead of leather for heald roller, I use thin strips of copper, with suitable ends
for the heald cords.
In the winder's guide I employ one or more springs in the slot or thread guide,
with end or ends of spring or side of blade indented, so as to prevent the operative
lifting out the thread.
The spring for operating the screw brake is carried by the stop handle, and tho
tension of same is regulated by thumb or ring screw.

page_text: "
f
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas Singleton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th
February 1879.
THOMAS SINGLETON, of Darwen, in the County of Lancaster, Gentleman.
IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
This Invention consists,―
: Firstly. Of an improved crank arm which gives a steadier motion, and a longer
dwell is obtained. The arm I construct in two parts, joined together by he and
she joint. These joints are carried by a radius steadying arm or connecting rod,
having a fork joint in which the arm joints rest, a pin passing through and securing
the whole (or these joints may be chilled to prevent wear and tear). The other end
of the rod forins a boss, and works on a fulcrum stud fixed to the lower part of the
loom side, the ends or neck of the crank arm being as ordinary.
1
Secondly. To improved construction of crank arm without joint for regulating
for the wear of necks.-To dispense with cotter and gib I employ a long bolt, one
end of which is screwed into the block carrying step for the crank, the other end
abutting against the sliding block for stay pin. The straps are secured by an eye
bolt, through the eye of which the long bolt passes. When the necks are worn
they can be tightened up by giving a turn or two to the long bolt, and by tightening
up the nut of eye bolt the eye presses on the long bolt and acts as lock nut on
same.
By another method I construct the crank end of arm with strap and sliding
block, the strap being fixed or secured by eye bolt, the remaining part of the arm
being made of wrought iron or other suitable metal in the form of a spindle, having
a boss for stay pin. The spindle end is screwed into and through the fast block,
and comes into and abutts against a recess in the fixed block. When necks are
worn a tightening up is effected by giving a turn to the spindle. In order to keep
the proper distance between the necks, strips of metal are inserted in the recess of
the sliding block against which the end of spindle abutts. Or in lieu of gib, cotter,
screw bolt, or spindle, I employ a taper wedge, one side of which bears against the
fixed block and the other against the moveable. The wedge at the thinner ends is
secured, and has two lock nuts, and as step wears by screwing up the nuts the
tightening is effected.
Thirdly. Fast and loose reed arrangement.-By fixing the reed shaft to work on
centres and bearings combined there is less frictional contact. By chilling the
centre bearings there is less wear and tear. I also shorten the reed shaft and bring
the knocking-off finger to the inside of the loom frame fixed to the wing of reed
shaft, and instead of coming in contact with the spring stop handle as heretofore
(when the shuttle is caught in the shed), comes in contact with one end of a lover
working on a stud, the other end or finger coming into a notch at the end of the
fork lever and kept in position by a spring.
Front and back tension is obtained by means of spiral spring from the wing of
the reed shaft to end of lever carried on a bracket. The other end of L lever bears
against the slay sword, and is acted upon and motion is imparted to the spring by
the slay sword; or by a lever, one end hinged to the frame of loom (the other end
connected to reed wing), the lever having spiral spring attached from midway
its length to the swing rail or other convenient fixture. By this method the spring
will last longer, as it has less strain. By the arrangement described the operator
can re-adjust the reed in any position of the slay except at the beating up
point.
Improved apparatus for preventing cracks in the cloth.-I employ an inclined
plate bearing against stop handle for actuating finger lever for releasing the catch
of taking-up motion. The spring for operating the screw brake is carried by the
stop handle, and the tension of same is regulated by thumb or wing screw.
For threading the weft through the eye of the shuttle I employ a curved wire,

page_text: the half of which is covered with bristles, forming a brush similar to brushes used
for cleaning glass tubes. In threading the shuttle I place the weft end to be
threaded on the bristles of the brush and thrust the other end of brush through
the eye and draw the whole through. The thread sticks or clings to the bristles,
and is thus threaded.
Or another method.-I take a piece of steel wire and double it together so as to
form a loop or eye at the one end, the other end being left a little opon or apart.
The whole is then curved to the shape of the incline of the eye; slip the weft down
the open ends of the threader to the loop or eye; close the ends and thread through
the eye of shuttle; draw the whole through, and the weft is brought with the eye
of the threader; or threader can be made so that on closing the open ends the two
wires of the threader will close on and hold the thread between them, and either
end may be pushed through the shuttle eye first.
When the shuttle has not properly boxed, and its end is projecting out of box,
and so does not stop the loom, but raises the weft fork, I employ a bell-crank, curved
or straight, lever and finger, on which the shuttle acts, and actuates the fork lever
and knocks off and stops the loom. The above is also applicable for dispensing
with stop-rod finger.
For spring reed motion.-Fixed in the heater or incline bracket is a buffer and
spiral spring, which, whon the finger or tumbler attached to the reed shaft arm
comes in contact during the beating up, gives or allows motion to the reed, thus
preventing cracks in cloth.
To prevent breakage, when warp becomes entangled with the rods, I employ a
fulcrum lever having stop pieces against which the rods rest, the fulcrum of the
said lever and vertical arms carried by a rod or shaft extending across the loom;
a boss on the cross rod is connected with the spiral spring or weight; there is
also a spiral spring or balance weight attached to the end of the lever.
When any of the rods catch the warp, the rod or rods is or are carried
forward by the warp against the projections, and so move the fulcrum lever on
its centre; and to the vertical lever an arın, rod, or cord is connected with the
hammer, which is thereby depressed and stops the loom. The above-named rods
aro balanced by the lever and springs so as to relieve the yarn from carrying the
same.
To an improvement in tubes on which the weft is carried, I employ a taper strip
of metal twisted on a spindle the size required.
As an adjustable attachment for connecting spiral springs in lieu of hooks or
rings, I employ a metal strip having a series of recesses cut, ground, or cast on each
edge, so that the said attachment may be wormed or screwed into the end of the
spiral spring, the coils of which enter the recesses in the edges of the said
attachment.
Such being the nature and object of this my said Invention, the following
description, aided by the Drawings, fully illustrate the particulars thereof, in which
at Fig. 1 the improved crank arm is shown.
The arm I construct in two parts, 1 and 2, joined together by he and she joint.
These joints 1, 2, are carried by a radius steadying arm or connecting rod 3, having
a fork or clip joint 4 on which the arm joints 1, 2, rest, a pin 5 passing through and
securing the whole, and the joints may be chilled (or steel bushes used). The other
end of the rod 3 forms a boss, and works on a fulcrum pin stud 5' fixed to the
lower part of the loom side, the ends or neck of the crank arm being as ordinary.
Secondly. To improved construction of crank arm, not having the improved joint
above described, for regulating for the wear of necks (see Figs. 2 and 3). To dispense
with cotter and gib I employ a long bolt 6, one end of which is screwed into the
block 7 carrying step for the crank, the other end of bolt 6 abutting against the
sliding block for the slay pin. The straps 8, 8, are secured by an eye bolt 9, through.
the eye of which the long bolt 6 passes. When the necks are worn they can be
tightened up by giving a turn or two to the bolt 6, and by tightening up the nut
eye bolt 9 the eye presses on the long bolt 6 and acts as lock nut on same.
of

page_text: By another method (see Fig. 4) I construct the crank end of arm with strap 10
and sliding block 11, the strap being fixed or secured by eye bolt 12, the remaining
part of the arm being made of wrought iron or other suitable metal in the form of
a spindle 13, having a boss 14 for slay pin; the spindle end is screwed into and
through the fast block, and comes into and abutts against a recess in the sliding 5
block 11. When the necks are worn a tightening up is effected by giving a turn to
the spindle 13. In order to keep the proper distance between the necks, strips of
inetal are inserted in the recess of the sliding block against which the end of the spindle
abutts; or in lieu of gib, cotter, screw bolt, or spindle, I employ a taper wedge 15,
see Fig. 5, one side of which bears against the fixed block 16, and the other against 1
the moveable block 17. The wedge at the thinner end is secured, and has two lock
nuts 18, 18, and as the step wears tightening is effected by screwing up the
nuts 18.
Another method, see Fig. 50-In the block of crank end of arm I bore a long
hole in line from neck to neck, having another hole or inlet from upper side midway I
its length at right angles. The long hole is then filled past the inlet, which is also
filled (and the end sealed) with emery or other powder. A spindle of a suitable
length (one end carrying the neck for slay pin, the other the size of the long hole)
is inserted in the long hole. The straps are secured by bolt. When the crank has
worked the emery in the long hole becomes rammed and hard; as the necks wear, 2
the loose emery or supply in, the inlet works down to the long hole, fills up space
caused by wear of necks, and becomes rammed and hard, thus being self-
regulating.
Thirdly. Fast and loose reed arrangement.-By fixing the reed shaft to work on
centres and bearing combined there is less frictional contact; by chilling the 2
centre bearings there is less wear and tear. I also shorten the reed shaft 19, seo
Fig. 1, and bring the knocking-off finger 20 to the inside of the loom frame fixed
to the wing of reed shaft 19, and instead of coming in contact with the spring stop
handle as heretofore (when the shuttle is caught in the shed), comes in contact with
one end of a lever 21 working on a stud 22, the other end or finger coming into a
notch at the end of the fork lever 23, and kept in position by a spring 24.
Front and back tension is obtained by means of spiral spring 25 from the wing
of the reed shaft 19 to end of L or other shaped lever 26 carried on a bracket 27.
The other end of L lever 26 bears against the slay sword 28, and is acted upon, and
motion is imparted to the spring by the slay sword; or the like object may be
attained by a lever, one end hinged to the frame of loom (the other end connected
to reed wing), the lever having spiral spring attached from midway its length to the
swing rail or other convenient fixture. By this method the spring will last longer,
as it has less strain. By the arrangement described the operator can re-adjust the
reed in any position of the slay except at the beating up point.
Improved apparatus (see Figs. 6, 7, and 7*) for preventing cracks in the cloth.-I
employ a double inclined plate or finger 30 bearing against stop handle 30¹ for
actuating finger lever 31 for releasing the catch of taking-up motion; or the
spring 32 for operating the screw brake is carried by the stop handle, and the
tension of samo is regulated by thumb or wing screw.
For threading the weft through the eye of the shuttle I employ a curved wire,
the half of which is covered with bristles, Fig. 8, forming a brush similar to brushes
used for cleaning glass tubes. In threading the shuttle I place the weft end to be
threaded on the bristles of the brush, and thrust the other end of brush through
the eye and draw the whole through. The thread sticks or clings to the bristles, and
is thus threaded.
Or another method.—I take a piece of steel or other wire and double it together
80 as form a loop or eye at the one end, the other ends being left a little open or
apart, and tipped or headed if required. The whole is then curved to the shape of
the incline of the eye; slip the weft down the open ends of the threader to the loop
or eye; close the ends and thread through the eye of shuttle; draw the whole through,
and the weft is brought with the eye of the threader; or threader can be made so

page_text: that on closing the open ends the two wires of the threader will close on and hold.
the thread between them, and either end may be pushed through the shuttle eye
first.
I attach the check or preserving strap, see Fig. 9, to the shuttle box and picker
spindle at right angles partly around the said box and over the picking spindle, the
picker acting on the edge of such preserve strap.
For spring reed motion.-Fixed in the heater or incline bracket is a buffer and spiral
spring 34, see Fig. 10, which when the finger or tumbler attached to the reed shaft
arm comes in contact during the beating up, gives or allows motion to the reed, thus
preventing cracks in cloth.
To prevent breakage when warp becomes entangled with the rods, see Fig. 11, I
employ a fulcrum lever 35, having stop pieces 36, against which the rods 37 rest.
The fulcrum of the lever 35 and vertical arms 38 are carried by a rod 39 extending
across the loom. A boss 40 on the cross rod 39 is connected with a spiral spring or
weight 41; there is also a spiral spring or balance weight 42 attached to the end of
the lever 35.
When any of the warp catches the rods, the rod or rods is or are carried forward
by the warp against the projections, and so move the fulcrum lever 35 on its centre,
and to the vertical lever an arm, rod, or cord 39' is connected with the hammer by
means of the lever 39, which is thereby depressed, and stops the loom.
To an improvement in tubes on which the weft is carried, I employ a taper strip
of metal twisted on a spindle the size required, see Fig. 10ª.
As an adjustable attachment for connecting spiral springs in lieu of hooks or
rings, see Figs. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17, I employ a metal strip 45, having a series
of recesses 46 cut, ground, or cast on each edge, so that the said attachment may be
wormed or screwed into the end of the spiral spring, the coils of which enter the
recesses in the edges of the said attachment.
When the shuttle has not properly boxed, see Fig. 18, and its end is projecting
out of box, and so does not stop the loom, but raises the weft fork, I employ a bell
crank, curved or straight, lever 32 and finger 33, on which the shuttle acts, and
actuates the fork lever 34, and knocks off and stops the loom. The abovo is also
applicable for dispensing with stop rod finger, and tends to prevent breakage of the
yarn.
Fig. 12 shows spiked plate and screwing adjustment, the spikes being passed
through the strap 48 and revitted on other side.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Singleton, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of February, in the year of our Lord Ono
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
o Witness,
JOSEPH STEAD,
Clerk to Walter Brierley,
Patent Agent,
Halifax & Blackburn.
THO³. SINGLETON. (L.S.)