IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COMBING WOOL,) SILK, AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS."
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Fearnley, Combing Overlooker, and Robert
Dracup, Mechanic, both of Thornton, near Bradford, in the County of York,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COMBING WOOL,)
SILK, AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Fearnley and Robert;
Dracup at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th August
1878.
WILLIAM FEARNLEY, Combing Overlooker, änd ROBERT DRACUP, Mechanic, both
of Thornton, near Bradford, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR COMBING WOOL, SILK, AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS."
Our improvements relate to that class of machines used in combing wool, silk,"
and other fibres, generally known as "Lister's machines," and consist in so
arranging the machinery that the fibrous material from the gill or feed comb to the
nip receives a backward combing by means of a lifting cleaning horizontal comb,
and thus ensures a perfect cleaning of the fibres, removing all nibs or noils out of
the fibres before the nip delivers them on the carrying comb, giving an extra
combing and producing better combed fibres.
In carrying out our Invention we employ a curved gill, in which are fitted fine
pins or teeth. This gill has a lifting and backward or drawback motion. The
drawback is worked by fitting on the side shaft of the frame of the combing
machine a tappet or cam, which actuates a friction roller fitted to a lever. The
fulcrum of this lever works on a stud, which is fixed in a bracket bolted to the
frame. Between the fulcrum and the friction roller is fitted a lever, which actuates
a short lever fitted on the end of a shaft which extends across the apparatus. On
this shaft are fitted two hanging-down levers, made with slot holes to regulate the
stroke.
To the hanging-down levers are fitted side levers, which are connected to rocking
levers. The top ends of these levers are fitted to the gill ends, the fulcrums being
:
}

page_text: the top of the levers and the ends fitted to the side levers, and work on studs fixed
in brackets bolted to the frame.
The tappet or cam is made with a curved cut-away part, in which falls the.
friction roller, bringing back the comb to the nip to comb back the fibres. The
tappet or cam revolving brings in the comb, whose teeth or pins comb backwards
through the fibres, removing the nibs or noils. The fibres are held tight between
the gill or feed comb and the nip, which allows the employment of fine teeth or
pins, and which removes all impurities from the fibres, leaving clean fringes to be
taken up by the nip and deposited on the carrying comb.
The lifting motion of the drawback comb is worked by fitting on the end of the
side shaft a bevil wheel, which actuates another bevil wheel fitted on a short shaft
working in a bearing fixed to the inside of the side frame.
On the shaft end, inside the frame, is fitted a tappet or cam, which actuates a
friction roller, which is fitted on the end of a short horizontal.lever fixed on the end
of a shaft, which extends across the frame. On the shaft are fitted arms, on the
ends of which are fitted long horizontal levers, to which are fixed upright levers,
which are attached to the under side of the gill. The tappet or can actuating the
friction roller lifts or lowers the tappet or cam lever giving motion to the shaft,
which works the long arms giving a lifting or lowering motion to the comb or
gill.
When the comb is lifted through the fibres the drawback motion comes in action,
removing the nibs or noils from the fibres.
We also employ an apparatus working backwards on the top of the fibres to
remove any. nibs or noils on the surface. The apparatus is constructed with a bent
bearer, on which is fitted a leather cleaner, which is held in position by a metal
curved guard, and secured by studs and nuts.
The leather cleaner is actuated by an eccentric fitted on tho back shaft of the
combing machine.
The eccentric actuates a friction roller fitted on the side of a lever, which works
a hanging-down lever. This lever actuates a short lever fitted on a shaft extending
across the frame. -
On the shaft are fitted hanging-down levers, to which are attached rods, and on
which are fitted racks. These racks actuate small cog wheels fitted on the ends of
the brush iron.
-
The small wheels work on.studs fitted in the ends of the brush iron, on which
are fitted small levers, and to which is fixed the cleaner.
The rack working backward or forward actuates the small wheels which give
motion to the cleaner, giving a lowering and backward motion, which brings the.
cleaner on the fibres, and brings the same to the gill front, removing any nib or
noil on the top of the fibres and placing then in the noils.
On the end of the friction roller lever is fitted a spiral spring, which is fixed at
the bottom end to the frame, but weights. may be employed.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Fearnley and Robert Dracup in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 24th February 1879.
WILLIAM FEARNLEY, Combing Overlooker, and ROBERT DRACUP, Mechanic, both
of Thornton, near Bradford, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR COMBING WOOL, SILK, AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS."
The said Invention relates to that class of machines used in combing wool, silk;
and other fibres, generally known as "Lister's machines," and consists in so
arranging machinery that the fibrous material from the gill or feed comb to the nip
receives a backward combing by means of a lifting cleaning comb, and thus ensures
a perfect cleaning of the fibres, removing all nibs or noils out of the fibres before
the nip delivers them on the carrying comb, giving an extra combing and producing
better combed fibres.
In carrying out our Invention we employ a curved gill, in which are fitted fine
pins or teeth. This gill has a lifting and backward or drawback motion. The
drawback is worked by fitting on the side shaft of the frame of the combing
machine a tappet or cam, which actuates a friction roller, which is fitted to a lever
whose fulcrum works on a stud which is fitted in a bracket bolted to the frame.
Between the fulcrum and the friction roller is fitted a short connecting rod, which
actuates a short lever fitted on the end of a shaft which extends across the machine;
On this shaft are fitted two hanging-down levers, having slot holes to regulate the
stroke..
To the hanging-down levers are fitted connecting levers, which are connected to
rocking levers having guides, in, which work the slide ends of the gill. The
rocking levers work on studs fitted in brackets secured to the frame of the machine.
The tappet or cam is made with a curved cut-away part, in which falls the friction
roller, to bring back the comb to the nip to comb back the fibres.
The tappet or cam revolving brings in the comb, whose teeth or pins comb back-
wards through the fibres, removing the nibs or noils. The fibres are held tight
between the gill or feed comb and the nip, which allows the employment of fine
teeth or pins, and which remove all impurities from the fibres, leaving clean fringes
to be taken up by the nip and deposited on the carrying comb.
The lifting motion of the drawback comb is worked by fitting on the end of the.
side shaft a bevil wheel, which actuates another bevil wheel fitted on a short shaft,
which works in bearings fixed to the inside of the side frame.
On the shaft and within the frames is fitted a tappet or cam, which actuates a
friction roller or runner, which is fitted to a lever fixed on a shaft extending across
the machine. This lever actuates the shaft and two long horizontal levers, to which
áre fitted connecting rods, which are secured to bosses formed on the under side of
the gill. The tappet or cam when working actuates the friction roller and lifts or.
lowers the friction roller lever, giving motion to the shaft which actuates the long.
arms, giving a lifting or lowering motion to the comb or gill. The ends of the
comb or gill are made with slides which work in the grooves made in the rocking
levers.
When the comb or gill is lifted through the fibres the drawback motion comes
into action, removing the nibs or noils from the fibres.
We also employ an apparatus working backwards on the top of the fibres to
remove the nibs or noils from the surface. This apparatus is constructed with a
bent bearer, to which is fitted a leather cleaner, and which is kept in position by a
metal guard and secured in position by studs and nuts.
The cleaner is actuated by means of a cam or eccentric fitted on the back shaft;
of the combing machine.

page_text: The cam or eccentric actuates a friction roller, which is fitted to a lever working
on a stud fitted to the side frame.
The lever actuates a short link, which is connected to a lever, and which is
*secured to a shaft extending across the frame.
On the shaft are fitted hanging-down levers, to which are fitted curved levers, and
to which are secured racks. These racks actuate small cog wheels fitted on studs
secured to the ends of the bearer of a brush.
The racks working backwards and forwards actuate the small wheels, giving a
lowering and backward motion to the cleaner, which brings the cleaner on the fibres
and brings the same to the gill front, removing the nibs or noils from the top of the
fibres and placing them in the noils.
A cam is also fitted on the short shaft, driven by the bevil wheels, which cam
actuates a friction roller fitted to a lever working on a stud fixed to a bearer
secured to the inside of the side frame. The end of the lever is made with a boss,
through which passes the end of a rod, which is hooked on the top end of the lever
worked by the cam or eccentric fitted on the back shaft. A spiral spring is fitted
on the end of the rod passing through the boss. This gear brings the cleaner
against the gill and gives a positive action.
$
But in order to enable our improvements to be better understood we will proceed
to describe the same by reference to the accompanying Drawing, in which Figure 1
represents a side elevation of our improvements; Figure 2, front view; Figure 3,
back view; and Figure 4, plan of the same; Figure 5 represents a side view (drawn
full size) of improved saddle for the gill fallers.
Similar letters of reference are used to represent similar parts.
A, curved cleaning gill, which is fitted by preference with fine pins or teeth B.
The cleaning gill has a lifting and drawback motion, and the drawback motion is
worked by a cam or tappet C, which is fitted on the side shaft D of the combing
machine. The cam C actuates a friction roller E, which is fitted to a lever F
working on a stud G, which is secured in a bracket bolted to the frame Q. To the
lever F is fitted a connecting rod H, to which is connected a short lever I, which, is
secured-to-the end of a shaft J, which extends.across the..machine. On.the.shaft J
are fitted two hanging-down levers K, having slot holes L to regulate the stroke.
To the levers K. are fitted connecting levers M, which are connected to the ends of
rocking levers N, which work on studs O fitted in brackets P secured to the frame Q.
To the rocking levers are secured guide levers R, in the guides of which work the
slides S of the curved gill A, keeping the gill in working position when the cleaning
gill is being lifted or drawn back.
The cam or tappet C is made with a cut-away part T, in which falls the friction
roller E, to bring back the gill to the nip to comb back the fibres. The cam or
tappet C in revolving lifts up the friction roller E, which actuates through the small
connecting rod H the shaft J, and consequently the levers K and connecting levers M,
bringing backwards the gill through the fibres, removing the nibs or noils, in fact,
removing all impurities, leaving clean fringes to be taken up by the nip to be
deposited on the carrying comb. The fibres are held tight between the gill or feed
comb and the nip, which allows the employment of fine teeth or pins.
The lifting motion of the cleaning gill A. is worked by fitting on the side shaft D
a bevil wheel U, working into another bevil wheel Y, which is fitted on a short
shaft W, working in bearings X bolted to the frame Q.
The shaft W, being actuated by the bevil wheels, turns a cain or tappet Y, which
is fitted on the shaft. The cam Y actuates a friction roller Z, which is fitted to a
lever A¹ fixed to a shaft B', extending across the machine. This shaft works in
bearings formed on brackets C¹, bolted to the frames Q of the machine.
The lever A' actuates the shaft B', giving a lifting and lowering motion to long
levers D¹, which are secured to the shaft B¹; the long levers are secured to con-
necting rods E, which are secured in bosses F¹, cust on the under side of the gill A
This gill, being guided in working position by the slides S, secured in the ends G¹

page_text: of the gill, the slides working in guides H of the rocking guide levers R, and the
slides are prevented from lifting out of the guides by the spiral spring I which IS
secured to a rod J¹ fitted to a lever K', secured on the shaft B'.
The cam Y revolving actuates the piston roller Z, which gives motion to the
shaft B, and a lifting and lowering motion to. the long levers D¹, working the gill
up and down in the guides II', giving a lifting motion to, the gill, the pins or teeth
of which are lifted through the fibres to be drawn back by the drawback inotion,
as herein-before described, the drawback motion coming into action directly the
pins or teeth of the gill are lifted through the fibres.
or
The cleaning apparatus for removing the nibs or noils from the surface of the
fibres, held tight between the gill or feed comb and the nip, is constructed with a
cleaner L formed of a bearer M', to which is fitted a leather N', and which is kept
is position by a guard O¹ secured by studs.and nuts. The cleaner L' is worked
backwards on the top of the fibres, and is actuated by means of a cam or eccentric P¹,
which is fitted on the back shaft Q1 of the combing machine.
This cam
eccentric actuates a friction roller R¹, which is fitted to a lever S'. This lever works
on a stud T¹, which is fitted in the side frame. The lever S¹actuates a short link U¹,
which is connected to a lever VI, and which is secured on the end of a shaft W',
extending across the frame top. On the shaft. W₁ are secured two hanging-down
levers X, to which are fitted curved levers Y¹, and to which are secured racks Z'.
The racks actuate small cog wheels A2 fitted on studs fixed on the end bearers of a
bush B³.
The racks when actuated by the shaft W₁ work forward and backward, giving a
lowering and backward motion to levers C³, to which is fitted the cleaner L¹, which
brings the cleaner on the fibres, and also to the gill front, removing the nibs or noils
from the top of the fibres, placing them in the noils.
To bring the cleaner against the gill and give a positive action, we fit on the
shaft W a cam or tappet Dº, which actuates a friction roller E² fitted on the end of
a bent lever F. This lever works on a stud fitted in a lever G2 secured to the
inside of the frame Q. The end of the lever is made with a boss and lug H2, through
which is passed a rod 13, hooked over the end of the lever S¹. Over the rod and
under the Ing is fitted a spiral spring J, to give by the action of the cam and friction
roller a positive motion to the cleaner.
We also lift up the three front fallers or gills K³ about half an inch higher than
the others, to draw the fibres lower down in the feed, and we employ saddles for the
gills to travel on the inclines L² instead of straight saddles as heretofore employed:
The inclines allow of the fallers working more into the fibres, causing the fibres to
be drawn straight through the gills.
Having thus described our improvements, and the best means we are acquainted.
with for carrying the same into effect, we would have it understood that we do not
confine ourselves to the precise details shewn and described, as they may be varied
without departing from the peculiar character of the Invention, but what we do
claim is,―
Firstly. The general arrangement, construction, and employment of a combined
lifting and drawback cleaning comb or gill, working backwards through the fibres
and removing the nibs or noils, leaving clean fringes to be taken up by the nip and
deposited on the carrying comb of a "Lester's combing machine," substantially in
the manner and for the purpose herein-before described, and shown in the accom-
panying Drawing.
Secondly. The construction and employment of the cleaning apparatus, substan-
tially as herein described, and represented in the accompanying Drawing.
Thirdly. The arrangement whereby the three first fallers are lifted up higher than
the others to draw the fibres lower down in the feed, substantially as described, and
represented in the annexed Drawing.
Fourthly. The inclined saddles causing the fibres to be drawn straight through

page_text: the gill substantially as herein-before described, and represented in the accom-'
panying Drawing.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Fearnley and Robert Dracup, have
hereto set our hands and seals, this Twentieth day of February, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
Witness,
WALTER JAS. TURNER, C.E.,
Patent Agent,
Bradford.
WILLIAM FEARNLEY. (L.S.)
ROBERT DRACUP..
(L.S.)