CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FIGURED OR ORNAMENTAL LACE
Year: 1842

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
CROFTS, of New Radford, in the Parish of Radford, in the County of Notting-
ham, Lace Machine Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Eighth day of September, in the sixth year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
William Crofts, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority,
that I, the said William Crofts, my exors, adññiors, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said William Crofts, my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during
the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-
Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
FIGURED OR ORNAMENTAL LACE;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a
proviso, that I, the said William Crofts, shall cause a particular description of
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with sathe id proviso, I, the said
William Crofts, do hereby declare that the nature of my Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and

page_text: ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon (that is to say):-
The construction of lace machinery being well understood, it will not be
necessary for me to enter into a particular description of machinery to which
each of my improvements is applicable. I shall, therefore, for the most part,
confine my description to the improvements which are secured by the present
Letters Patent, only entering into a description of the old machinery where I
think that it will facilitate the workman in understanding and applying any of
my improvements, and having described the nature of my improvements, and
the best means I am acquainted with for carrying them into effect, I will after-
wards point out the particular adaptations of parts which constitute each of
my improvements. And it may be remarked, that in explaining my various
improvements, I have in each case selected the class of lace machinery which
I consider most suitable for giving full effect to the improvements; at the
same time, I do not confine the application of the improvements to the par-
.ticular class of lace machinery shown, as- the same may be varied, and have
parts of my Invention applied thereto.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS, MARKED No. 1.
These Drawings show various views of a lace machine; and parts thereof,
separately acting with a single tier, of carriages by the aid of catch bars, as is
well understood, and there is sufficient of the said machinery shown in outline
to enable a workman readily to understand the manner of applying some of
my improvements thereto. There are four of my improvements shown applied
to the machinery represented in the Drawings No. 1.
First, a mode of constructing pattern surfaces to be used, combined with
other apparatus for operating on the parts of lace machinery to produce orna-
mental lace.
Secondly, the apparatus working in combination with the pattern surfaces
above mentioned are so arranged, and such is the case also with regard to the
pattern surfaces, that instruments will be selected sufficient for working two
movements of the lace machinery in respect to the threads; so as to allow more
time for the pattern surfaces to change, to again be ready to make another
double selection of the instruments which work or controul the operations of
the threads of lace machinery.
Thirdly, a mode of using extra points for holding up the work in such
manner, that both front and back point bars may be out of the work at the
same time, by which greater speed of the front and back point bars may be

page_text: obtained in consequence of the front and back points being permitted to leave
the work without remaining in till the other point bar has taken up, the extra
points being used to take the work immediately it is brought up, whereby the
back and front point bars will almost at all times be either ascending with the
work or descending for the work, each point bar making only a very slight
rest at the moment when the extra points are taking the work therefrom; and,
Fourthly, a peculiar arrangement of apparatus for coupling up a series of
intercepting instruments for each breadth of lace to be produced from one
pattern surface. The nature of each of the views shown by the Drawings
being written thereon, it will not be necessary to repeat them here. The
class of machinery shown works with a single tier of carriages, which constantly
swing through and through between the warp threads, and without traversing.
the bobbin threads, all which is well understood.
I will now proceed to describe the nature of the pattern surface and appa-
ratus combined therewith. The pattern surface used in the machinery shewn
in the Drawing, is made into an endless chain, but that-is not necessary, as the
peculiar mode resorted to for forming the pattern surfaces may be set up on
any suitable moving frame or surface, so long as the apparatus acted upon and
selected thereby is so arranged as to be operated on by other machinery, to
give the movements requisite to the parts which govern or which operate
on the threads, for it will be seen that the pattern surface is made up of a
series of very thin strips of metal, or other proper material, which are not
strong or stiff enough. to work the instruments which cause the threads, or
parts of the machinery operating with the threads, to move, such movement
being performed by the apparatus combined with the pattern surfaces so
made, the pattern surfaces simply acting as selecting surfaces where little
force is required. a, a, are a series of boards of wood (or other proper
material) of a width suitable for the width of pattern of lace, according
to the arrangement of the machinery. with which such apparatus is com-
bined. These series of boards are hinged together, so as to produce an
endless chain of surfaces, such endless chain being carried by a wheel b,
which turns freely on an axis above the machine, as will readily be understood.
At each end of each board a is affixed a metal plate, with cogs or teeth formed
thereon, as is shewn, and the chain is readily moved at intervals, to bring
fresh surfaces to operate by means of the cog wheels such-
C,
cng wheels
being affixed on the axis c', which turns in suitable bearings carried by the
swing frame d, d, which swings on necks or axes at d', d', as is shewn, in
order that the pattern surfaces may move away from the instruments they
operate on, to allow of the pattern surfaces being changed. The swing

page_text: frame d carries two guiding grooves, between which the projecting studs f
on the chain of pattern surfaces slide, by which the part of the chain of
pattern surfaces which is in operation is held truly to the instruments with
which such surfaces are to work; and care is to be observed in this part of the
workmanship to ensure that the parts are accurately formed, as the strips of
metal constituting the various pattern surfaces are very thin, consequently the
chain of pattern surfaces must be guided very correctly by the grooves in which
the studs f, f, slide. The frame d, d, is caused to swing away from and back
towards the instruments, which work with the pattern surfaces in the following
manner:e is a bevelled toothed wheel, which takes into and is driven by a
bevelled toothed wheel g, which is affixed on the main shaft or axis h of the
machine. The wheel e is affixed on the shaft or axis i, which has affixed
thereon five cams, the object of which will be hereafter explained. The cam j
gives the necessary swinging motion to the frame d, d, by means of the lever j
and connecting rod or link 7. The cam being formed in such manner as to
cause the frame to swing away from the instruments with which the pattern
surfaces a, a, work immediately after the selection has been effected by the
pattern surfaces, and when so moved away the pattern surfaces are moved so
as to present another portion of the chain of surfaces, in order that when the
frame d is allowed to swing or move back towards the instruments a fresh part
of the pattern surfaces may operate thereon. And the movement of the
pattern surfaces a is accomplished in the following manner:-k is a cam on
the axis i, which gives motion to the lever ', which carries a driver , which
actuates the ratchet wheel ³, affixed on the axis c', such driver giving motion
to the axis c when the frame d is swung back; and the cog wheels c will
thereby be caused to turn, and the chain of pattern surfaces will be moved
onwards, and the pattern surface will be prevented being moved too much or
too little by means of the wheel l on the axis c', such wheel having a series of
angular notches formed thereon, as is shewn, into one of which the angular
stop l', on the lever 1, is constantly borne by the spring 1, so that when the
driver has acted upon its ratchet wheel and moved the axis round a distance,
so as to move the stop l'out of one angular notch into the next, the pressure
of the stop will cause the parts to be stopped in a correct position. a, a, are
a series of thin strips of metal, each cut with such rises and falls as the pattern
to be made requires, the rises and falls shewn being simply to illustrate the
nature of the rises and falls, and do not shew any particular pattern; the work-
man, however, will readily understand how to form the required rises and falls
for his particular pattern by the description hereafter given of the mode of
working of the parts which work with the pattern surfaces.

page_text: The narrow and thin strips of metal a', a', are to be so formed in respect to
the frame or boards or surfaces which carry them that they may be readily
applied and readily removed, that the same boards, frames, or surfaces may
have many sets of such strips of metal to fit therein or thereto, to allow of
readily changing from one pattern to another.
The simplest mode of accomplishing this end, with which I am acquainted,
is shown in the Drawings under description, and consists in having a series of
grooves formed to receive the series of parallel strips of metal a¹, a', as is
shown, and the whole are secured by the wire or pins a² which pass through
them, and then one end of each pin or wire a² is opened in the manner of a
split cotter, as is shown, but other means of combining the various strips of
metal together, provided they allow of ready removal, in order to admit of
other strips with different rises and falls being introduced and held in the
same boards, frames, or surfaces, a, a. I would here remark, that I am aware
that strips of metal have been before used for making up parts of pattern
surfaces, but in such cases they have been driven permanently into the
surfaces which carry them, and the frames and surfaces so carrying them have
not been suitably made for having a change of such metal strips from time to
time introduced. I do not, therefore, claim the using of strips of metal
generally for making up or partly making up of pattern surfaces for lace
machinery, this part of the machinery only relating to so constructing pattern
surfaces with a series of metal plates, side by side, and parallel with each
other, properly kept separate by being in grooves or otherwise, and so that
they may be changed from time to time by removal of one set from the
carrying frames or surfaces, and fresh ones introduced. In fact, each strip of
metal acts as a single type, having several rises and falls to operate on
instruments of a lace machine, and the frame or surface which carries them
may be said to represent the "form" for receiving the pattern type composed
of strips of metal, or other material, as above explained. This part of the
present Invention having some resemblance to my former Invention, which is
now well known, where each filling piece or pattern type only acted on one
instrument, and then passed away, the present arrangement, however, has for
its object the so producing pattern surfaces that each strip of which the
pattern is composed shall operate on instruments, as will be more fully
understood when I have traced the effect of the pattern surfaces through
the various parts which are governed thereby. It may be here remarked,
that although the pattern surfaces here shewn are caused to operate several
times on the same instruments, yet it will be evident that a similar arrange-
ment may be made so as to act on several instruments at the same time by

page_text: working the strips of metal in the opposite direction; or at right angles to the
position shown.. Each strip of metal a¹ of which the pattern surface is
composed operates on two sliding bolts m, m, which slide in suitable combs
m, which guide them correctly, these bolts are made of thin metal, as is shown,
and each has a projection m² affixed at the end which comes next the pattern
surfaces,, and these projections are so fixed that both the projections of the
two bolts m may at all times be operated on by the same strip of metal a'. At
the other end of each bolt m is affixed a plate of metal m³, so that the end of
cach of the bolts m rests against separate levers n, the plate m³ to each bolt m
coming between a pair of levers.n, thus, notwithstanding the circumstance of
the bolts m and the levers.n.being made of very thin metal, all parts will be
caused to work securely, and, the bolts will not be liable to spring from their
work. The levers n move on an axis n', which is carried by suitable parts of
the framing of the machine, as is clearly shown, the levers n being kept separate
by their axis being carried by a comb, the separate teeth or plates of which
separate the several levers n one from the others. One end of each lever hangs
downwards and works between the plates of the comb or'sley o, the other end
of each lever n moves between the plates of the sley 22, and on each of the
levers n rests a plate q; the nature and shape of these plates are clearly shown
in the Drawings; these plates are guided by the sley p and the sley r, there being
two stops or rods s,.t, as is shown. The stop s supporting the plates q, and the
stop t preventing.such.plates as are opposite it going back, and at the same
time it supports the upper plates g, which are moved back by the upper locker,
as hereafter described. There are two of the plates q connected to each of the
sliding bars v, v; by means of threads or fine wires v', so that each barv will be
actuated when either of the plates q are moved; and when either of the bars
is moved, the intercepting instruments, hereafter explained, will be forced in
amongst the warp threads, and prevent the threads which come against them
partaking of the shogging or racking motions of the guide bar. The pattern
apparatus here shown is sufficient for making one breadth of lace, and the
pattern will be repeated. across the whole width of the machine by the corre
sponding intercepters of cach breadth of lace to be produced being coupled up
to the same sliding bar v, consequently whatever effect is caused or permitted
to take place, according as.a particular interceptor of one breadth is caused to
enter or is kept out from amongst the warp threads, the corresponding inter
ceptor of each breadth of lace across the machine will cause or allow a simila
effect to take place in all the breadths. The sliding rods vare supported a
intervals at the back of the machine, as is shewn at y, y, the various sliding
rods v being kept separate and supported by small uprights v³, v, on the long ones

page_text: of which are placed rollers, over which the threads. pass which connect the
levers (which act on the intercepters w), with the sliding bars v, there being
horizontal rods x, which keep the threads 10' separate, as is clearly shewn, more
particularly in the Drawing, where a portion of a plan of these parts of the
apparatus is shown full-size, and where the positions of the sliding bars v, and
the direction of the threads which connect the sliding-bars with the levers for
moving the intercepters w, will very readily be traced, and the workman will
perceive how small a space is required to this mode-of working with pattern
surfaces; "y, y, y, being three of the diagonal bars. (affixed to the main framing)
which carry the sliding bars vand parts working therewith, and these bars y
will be repeated from end to end of the machine; the parts shown in the plan
are suitable for working interceptors for two breadths of lace; and it will be seen
that the corresponding intercepter of each breadth is coupled up to the same
sliding baru, and such would-be the case in respect to the corresponding inter-
cepter in each breadth, which is not shewn in the Drawing; by this arrangement
the coupling up of each intercepter will be kept free from the others, and may
readily be got.at. I would remark, that this mode of using a single pattern
surface suitable in width for one breadth only, however many breadths tliere'
may be across the machine, is similar in principle to my Invention secured by
a former Patent granted to me. It may be here stated, that I do not confine
myself to the exact details of coupling the intercepting instruments with sliding
bars v, nor do I confine myself to the particular mode of moving the bars v, as
the same may be varied, so long as the mode of using sliding bars v be retained
for giving motion to intercepting instruments. is a locker bar, for the pur-
pose of bringing back all the sliding bars v after they have been used for inter-
cepting their respective threads. This locker bar is worked by means of the
cam-z¹ on the main shaft or axis of the machine, as is shown; this cam gives
motion to the arm-z, affixed on the spindle bar 3, which turns in bearings, as
is shown; is an arm which is affixed to the spindle bar, such-arm, being
connected with the locker bar, as is shown, causes the blade of the locker bar
to move all the sliding bars v back to their resting place, so that all the inter-
cepters may lie out from amongst the warp threads after they have been
selected, and caused to intercept the threads, according to the pattern surface
used. A is a cam affixed on the main axis of the machine, and it gives motion
to the lever B, which, by means of the connecting rod B¹, gives motion to the
locker bar B, the blade of which causes all the intercepters w, which may have
been selected and caused to enter amongst the threads, to be carried back after
they have performed their duty of intercepting certain of the threads, and it
will be understood that so soon as the locker bar and B2 have carried back

page_text: the sliding bars vand the intercepters w, they get out of the way, so as to allow
those parts to be again selected. The intercepters move in the sleys or combs
w2, w, as is shown, and they are operated on by the levers w³, which are
coupled up to the sliding bars v by means of the strings or threads or fine wires
w³, as is shown, the levers w³ moving on an axis carried by a comb, as is
shown, the separate plates of which keep the levers separate; it will; therefore,
be seen that each intercepter is acted on by the pattern surfaces à¹, a', by
means of two sliding plates 2, the object of which arrangement is that at each
time of selecting the plates q by the apparatus above explained, the quantity of
instruments selected will be sufficient for two selections of the intercepters, con-
sequently there will be ample time for the pattern surfaces to move away from
the instruments on which they act, and change the pattern surface before the
fresh pattern surface is required to act, and this peculiarity in one part of my
present Invention is very important, for it has been found in practice that all
those classes of pattern surfaces which have to pass away from the instruments
acted on by them, in order that they may bring up fresh parts of the pattern
surfaces, retard the operation of the general machinery, in order to allow of
time for such moving away of the pattern surfaces, and the changing thereof,
and the again coming up of the pattern surfaces to operate on the instruments
used to transmit the pattern to the working parts of the machine, hence it is
desirable to resort to means of using such descriptions or classes of pattern
surfaces in a manner that they may select sufficient instruments for two opera-
tions of the working parts of the lace machinery to which they are applied;
and this part of my Invention is equally applicable when other pattern
surfaces are used where they have to move away from the instruments on which
they act, in order to change their pattern surfaces, such as what are called organ
barrels or other surfaces with projecting studs, and this part of the Invention
is also applicable when jacquard cards are used, the instruments working with
such pattern surfaces being varied accordingly, which the workman will readily
do when he has fully become acquainted with the manner of working with the
instruments shown and described. The levers n, when they have been selected
by means of the pattern surfaces a¹, are acted on and held by means of the
locker blades C of the locker bar C. The pattern surfaces simply select, and
do not further cause the instruments so selected to operate on the interceptors,
but the necessary power for this operation is transmitted by means of the
locker bars D, E. Thus the locker bar C operates on the levers n when these
have been selected, and cause those levers n to be held as selected, and
the levers n act on the plates 7 in such manner as to bring the selected plates q
within the range of the locker bars D or E, in the following manner; on the

page_text: I
axis i is affixed the cam F, which gives motion to the lever F, which is con-
nected with the locker bar C' by means of the connecting rod F, such locker
bar having two blades, which hold the ends of the levers n, thus those levers
which are selected by means of the highest rises are taken and held by the
locker blade C, and those levers n which are not operated on by the pattern
surfaces a are not taken by either of the blade C or C³, whilst those levers n
which are taken by the intermediate surface of the pattern surface, are held by
means of the blade C³, and the consequence of such movements will be that
those plates which are acted on by the levers n, which are acted on by the
blade C³, will not be brought within the range of either of the locker bars
D, E, and therefore the interceptors which are connected with those levers
thro' the sliding bars v will not be forced in amongst the warp threads, and the
warp threads at those places will take the rackings given to the warp or guide
bars which carry them, as is well understood, when working with instruments
to intercept the racking, if the warp threads of lace machinery. The plates q
are worked by means of the locker bars D, E, in the following manner :-It
has already been stated that there are two plates to each sliding bar v, by
which arrangement the same bar v may be moved first by the locker bar D,
and then by the locker bar E, or only by one of those locker bars, according
as the pattern may require these locker bars D, E, working one after the
other, in such manner that the locker bar D will operate on the plates
which have been brought within its range before one racking of the
warp threads, and then will allow the interceptors w, and the bars v
to be replaced by their respective locker bars, and then the locker bar. E will
move the plates g brought within its range, and consequently the interceptors
which are in connection with the bars v, coupled up with such plates 9 before
the next racking of the warp threads, where the interceptors are to be intro-
duced. The locker bars D, E, are caused to work in succession by means of
the cams D', E', affixed to the axis i, such cams respectively giving motion to
the levers D, E, and those levers, by means of connecting rods D³, E³,
respectively, give motion to the locker bars D, E, as will readily be understood
on a careful examination of the Drawings now under description; thus it will
be understood that the pattern surface, each time of selecting, is capable of
operating on all or any of the levers n, and according to the pattern of lace to
be produced, so will be the selection of levers n; and it will be evident that any
of the interceptors may by one selection of the pattern surfaces a¹, a', be
caused to be operated on by the movements of the locker bars D and E, or by
either of them, or the whole of the levers n may be so operated on by the

page_text: pattern surfaces as to cause the plates q all to be out of the way of the locker
bars D and E, in which case all of the warp threads would partake of the
rackings of their bars at the times of the movements of the locker bars D and
E, as no interceptor w would be introduced amongst the warp threads, thus
will very ample time be given for the changing of the pattern surfaces, and for
their moving from and to the instruments on which they operate.
I will now describe the arrangement of apparatus for working the front and
back point bars, and for combining therewith extra points, in such manner that
the ordinary front and back taking-up points may not be required to remain
so long in the work as heretofore, for the extra points are so worked as to take
the work from the back and front taking-up points as soon as they bring the
work up, thus allowing the ordinary back and front points to be out of the
work at the same time, the one.descending, the other ascending. The back
and front point bars may be worked by any of the well-known means, with
this difference, that in place of the one remaining in the work till the other
comes up, as heretofore, they are in no way to wait for each other, but are to
be so worked as to leave the net almost immediately they have taken it up; a
very slight rest being made in order to allow the extra points to take the
work from them. The Drawings show the back and front points worked by
similar apparatus to that heretofore employed, and the nature of each part
being written thereon, will. enable the workman to trace the mode of their
working. On the spindle bar of the back taking-up points the arms G, G,
move freely, and H.is the spindle, bar of the extra points used for taking the
work as fast as the same is brought up by the back and the front taking up
points. The arms or rods. H', which. carry the extra point bar I, are connected
to the arms H2 of the spindle bar H, and the arms G, G, by pin joints, by
which means the motion of the extra point bar I will be governed. The
points on the back and front point bars are grooved on their upper sides in
order to allow of the extra points. I, more readily and surely to pass into the
work correctly, motion is communicated to the extra point bar by means of the
cam J, fixed on the main shaft or axis of the machine, which gives motion to
the lever K, which is connected to one of the arms H³ by a link or
connecting rod K¹. As is shown by this arrangement, the extra points I will
at all times take the work as fast as it is brought up by either the back or
the front points, and thus allow of the back and the front points going out of
the lace without waiting for each other, and thus will both back and front
points .be permitted to be both out of the lace or work at the same time.
It will be evident that there must either be twice as many extra points as there

page_text: are taking-up points on either the back or front point bars, or that the extra
points and the ordinary point bars may rack to each other, so that the
extra points may at all times be in a position to take the work from the back
or front bars, as either comes up. The Drawing shows the parts so arranged
that the extra points used are of the same number as those of the back and;
front point bars, and the extra points are caused to rack to correspond in with.
the back and the front points as they come up; and this is accomplished by:.
means of the cam L on the axis of the guide bar wheels, and the cam is to be
so cut as to cause the extra points to successively range opposite the back
and the front taking-up points, the cam L giving motion to the lever M, against:
the upper. end of which lever the adjusting screw of the extra point :bar is
constantly borne. It should be remarked, that the extra points may, if desired,>
be fixed on two bars, each containing as many points as the front and back
bar with which it works, the object of using an extra point bar or extra
points being to take the work from the ordinary back and front points, 'so:as
to allow of their going out of the work, as before explained. And I may here.
remark that I am aware that extra points have before been used in bobbin:
net or lace machinery for various purposes; this part of my Invention is not,
therefore, the use of extra points generally, but only the combining the use: of:
extra points with the use of back and front taking-up points, in such manner
that the work may be taken by the extra points as soon as sufficiently brought
up by the back and front points, thus allowing of the back and front points
leaving the work as soon as brought up, and without waiting the coming up of
the other taking-up points.
I have already stated that when those classes of pattern surfaces are used
which have to pass away or be seperate from the instruments on which they,
operate before changing are used, that time is lost in the working of the
machinery; and I have above described a mode of working with one pattern!
surface in such manner that enough selection is made at one time for two
operations of the intercepting instruments. And in a former Patent.Ì claimed
the using of two of such pattern surfaces to act on guide bars in succession,
thus allowing each pattern surface double the time for moving and changing to.
what one such pattern would have if a like number of selections were made on
the guide bars in the same time.
Now, one part of my present Invention is the combining of two separate
pattern surfaces with the use of intercepting instruments, in such manner that
each such pattern surface will have double the time allowed it for getting away,
and changing its surface and returning to its work, to what would be allowed
if only one pattern surface were used.

page_text: These Drawings show so much of lace machinery, similar to that shown in
the previous Drawings, as will enable me to describe this part of my Invention,
at the same time I do not confine myself to the use of lace machinery working
with a single tier of carriages. This part of my Invention relating to a mode
of operating on intercepting instruments, when used in lace machinery, for
varying the rackings of any of the warp threads from the racking of other
warp threads of the warp bars which carry or move them. These Drawings
also show the improvement before described for using extra points in com-
bination with the back and front taking-up points. The pattern surfaces shown
as being used in carrying out this part of my Invention are what are called
jacquard cards, but the mode of working intercepting instruments by means of
two pattern surfaces is equally applicable when using any of those classes of
pattern surfaces which require to be moved away or seperated from the
instruments on which they operate before changing; the workman making his
intermediate instruments suitable for causing the particular pattern surfaces
used to act on the intercepting instruments employed. The intercepters used
in the present case are similar to those shown and described in the former
Drawings, and they are drawn out of the threads by a locker bar worked by a
cam in a similar manner, and the intercepters are forced amongst the warp
threads by means of similar levers to those before described, such levers being
operated on by suitable threads or connecting wires, which are put in motion
by any suitable instruments. N, O, are two jacquard barrels or frames, which
move on axes, which turn in bearings in two sliding bars P, one at each end
of the jacquard barrels or frames, the bars P sliding in guides or brackets
P¹, affixed to the main framing, and the two sliding bars P are caused to move
to and fro by means of the cam Q, affixed to the main or driving axis of the
machine, such cam acting on the lever P³, affixed on the spindle bar P³, and
to the spindle bar P³ are affixed the two levers P', one to each sliding bar P,
each lever P being connected by a link or connecting rod P³ to one of the
sliding bars P, hence in the working of the machine the sliding bars P will
move forwards and backwards, and will thus take the two jacquard barrels or
frames from the instruments with which they work, and allow of the pattern
cards being changed, and will then bring them up to make their selection of
the instruments which are caused to work the interceptors; and motion is
communicated to the jacquard barrels, in order to change the pattern surfaces,
by means of an intermediate cog wheel R, which moves on an axis carried by
one of the sliding bars P; on that wheel R is affixed a ratchet wheel S, which

page_text: receives motion from a cam T, affixed on the main shaft or axis of the machine,
which gives motion to the lever T', which has a driver T connected therewith,
which drives the ratchet wheel S at a time when the jacquard barrels are
away from the instruments on which they operate, the wheel R taking into
and driving the cog wheels N, O, affixed on the axis of the jacquard barrels ;
and the jacquard barrels, or one of them, are or is to have suitable means for
holding them in position when once placed, as is well understood, but is not shown
in the Drawings. V, W, are two sets or rows of levers, each set or row of levers
V, W, moving on an axis carried by a comb, the separate plates of which keep
the levers separate; and there is one of the levers V and W coupled with one of the
levers to, which works the sliding intercepting instruments w; it will, therefore,
be understood that there are as many levers V and as many levers W as there
are intercepting instruments w. The jacquard barrel N works to select the
levers V, and the jacquard barrel O works to select the levers W, but the levers
V, W, although selected at the same time, they only operate on the inter-
ceptors w in succession, and at times when two different rackings of the guide
or warp threads are taking place; hence it will be seen that by thus using two
pattern surfaces, each capable of working all the interceptors, those pattern
surfaces have a time allowed them (for moving away and changing, and of again
coming to their work) equal to the time occupied in two separate rackings of
the warp threads, which time will be found ample, and allow of the machinery
working faster than when only one pattern surface is used in combination with
the use of intercepting instruments, because when only one such pattern
surface is used, that pattern surface would have to pass away from the instru-
ments with which it works and change its pattern, and come back to work
each time of racking the warp threads (when the interceptors are to be intrc-
duced) of the lace machinery, and this mode of working might, if desired, be
carried further by using more than two such pattern surfaces, each capable of
selecting for all the intercepting instruments used. But I have not, in the
present state of lace machinery, found that the working of the various parts is
so fast as to require more than two such pattern surfaces to keep well up in
selecting with the speed of other parts of the machinery, and it will be seen
that the object of this part of my Invention is so to work those classes of
pattern surfaces. (used with lace machinery that require to move away or be
separated from the instruments with which they work, in order to change the
pattern) that full time for the safe working of pattern surface for the selecting
the instruments which work the intercepting instruments may be allowed,
and that without interfering with the speed at which the other parts of
the machinery will safely work. X, X, are two frames in which the instru

page_text: .ments. on which. the jacquard cards operate slide; these frames X, each
consists of two perforated plates fixed to the main framing of the machinery,
and the standards which carry the combs of the levers V, W,.are each fixed to
the main framing of the machinery: In the perforated plates of. the frames
X, X, the bolts (1), (1), slide, there being one such bolt (1) in each frame X
to each intercepting instrument w, and each sliding bolt operates on one
of the levers V or W.. The one end of each of the bolts (1) is suitably
formed to be operated on by a jacquard card, so that the bolt may either be
driven forward by the card, or pass through the card, according as the spot of
the card which comes oppositè a sliding bolt (1) is perforated or unperforated,
the other end of each bolt (1) having a plate (2) affixed to it, such platė
passing between two levers V or W, thus keeping them separate, there being
another plate of metal (3) fixed on the surface of each plate (2), in order to
act asta-shoulder or projection to press against one of the levers V or W, the
tails of those levers working in combs in order to keep them correct. Y, Z, are
two locker bars, one acting on the tails of those levers V which are selected by
the pattern surface, and the other working on the tails of the levers W which
are selected. The locker bar Y is worked by means of a cam Y! on the main
shaft or axis of the machine which works on the lever Y, which is connected
with an arm of the locker bar Y by means of a connecting rod or link. Y³, as
is shewn, and the cam Y¹ is so formed as to cause. all the interceptors which
are in connection or worked by the levers V, which have been selected to enter
amongst the warp threads before a racking of those threads takes place, and
when the duty of the interceptors has been performed, the interceptors will be
withdrawn from amongst the threads by the locker bar which acts on the
interceptors w. Z is a cam affixed on the main shaft or axis of the machine
which acts on the lever Z³, which, by means of a connecting rod or link Z³,
gives motion to the locker bar Z, and that locker bar Z, will come into
operation at a different racking of the warp threads to that when the locker
bar Y comes into action, thus allowing each of the pattern surfaces the time
of two workings of the interceptors amongst the warp threads to be taking
place whilst the pattern surfaces are moving away, and changing, and coming
again to work, as above explained. And it should be understood that the
threads or wires used for coupling the levers V, W, with the levers which
move the interceptors into the threads are sufficiently slack to allow of the
selection by the pattern surfaces without operating on the interceptors. The
levers V, W, are all returned to their proper positions, to allow of their sliding
bolts (1) being acted on by the pattern surfaces by means of two bars (4), (4),
which are affixed on two sliding bars (5), (5), which slide in suitable slides

page_text: or brackets (6), (6), and these sliding bars (5), (5), are worked by cams (7)
affixed on the main axis. or shaft of the machine which give motion to the
levers (8), one connected to each sliding. bar (5), by means of a link or
connecting rod (9); by this, arrangement all the levers V, W, which had been
previously selected, will be moved back, so as to place the sliding bolts (1) in
proper positions, again to be acted on by the perforated pattern cards.
I. would remark, in. respect to this part of my Invention, that I do not
confine myself. to. the, use, of the precise. details of instruments used for com-
municating motion to selecting instruments when two or more of the classes
of pattern surfaces are used. in combination with intercepting instruments
(that is, instruments caused at times.to enter amongst or operate on the warp
threads of: lace. machinery to vary the rackings of warp threads), as the in-
struments for operating on the. intercepting instruments used may be varied
without departing from this part of my Invention, so long as two or more such
pattern: surfaces. as: are above-mentioned are worked in combination with
intercepting instruments; each such pattern: surface. being suitable for opera-
ting or selecting for working all: the, intercepting instruments, and so that the
selections-so made by such pattern. sarfaces may be used at. separate rackings
of the warp. threads, as. above described. And I would further remark, in
respect to this part of my. Invention, that although I have shewn the two
pattern surfaces used as being caused to work at one time when making their
selections of the instruments which are caused to operate on the inter-
cepting instruments employed, yet I do not confine myself thereto, as it will
be evident that when two or more of. such classes of pattern surfaces are used
(which require to be separate from the instruments with which they work
when changing), that such pattern surfaces. may succeed each other into
operation on the instruments used. for working the intercepting instruments
which may be employed, in which case the same time fór moving and
changing of each will be allowed as if they operated in their selection simul-
taneously.
I will now. describe another part of my Invention, which has for its object
the facilitating the movement of jacquard cards or other extensive lengths or
chains of pattern surfaces used in combination.with lace machinery.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING No. 3.
This Drawing shews a section of a suitable arrangement of barrels for
carrying out this part of my Invention, and the improvements consist in
causing the chain of pattern surfaces used to be carried by a series of barrels,

page_text: each barrel being suitably formed for moving the pattern surface, and thu
relieve the working jacquard, or such like barrel having the whole strain o
moving the whole weight of cards or surfaces used, as is now practised. In
the Drawing, A represents the working jacquard barrel which causes the
perforated cards to operate on suitable instruments in order to select such o
them as are to produce a particular effect. B, B, are a series of simila
barrels, over which the chain of cards used hang, and the barrels B are to
be caused to turn with the same surface speed, so that as fast as the barrel A
has operated with a card, and moves to take another, there may be another
ready for such purpose, by the supply being constantly kept up by the rotation
of the other barrels B. The number of barrels B to be employed will vary,
according to the length of chain of pattern surfaces used, and it is desirable
that the weight of cards or surfaces between any two of the barrels B should
not be considerable; and in order further to relieve the parts of the chain of
cards from strain, I apply a wire across between every tenth and eleventh cards
in the chain, or it may be between other of the cards, such wires protruding
beyond the width of the chain of cards, so as to rest on inclined bars C, and
slide down the same, as will readily be understood on reference to the Drawing
now under description. Thus, supposing the working jacquard cylinder A
continues to work up the chain of cards, each wire, as it comes to the inclined
bars or surfaces C, will rest on such bars C, and slide down it, and at the same
time the first barrel B will take up and remove as many cards and place them
between the first and second barrels B, as are given off from the working
barrel A, and such will be the case with the second and third barrels B,
and between the third and fourth barrels B, and so on between each pair
of barrels B, however numerous they may be, there being similar inclined
bars C between each two of the barrels B, and there will be a like weight
of the chain of cards between each two of the barrels B, by which the strain
on any one will be very unimportant, and the working barrel A will be relieved
from having to draw from the whole mass of cards, which is important when
a very extended chain of cards is used. The barrels B may be caused to move
round by any convenient means; I believe the best arrangement will be to
have shafting with bevilled wheelwork, as shown, so that all the barrels B
will be simultaneously moved, and at a speed to correspond with that of the
working barrel.
I will now describe another part of my Invention, which relates to the
making of cloth-work in traverse net or lace.

page_text: This Drawing shows so much of a bobbin net machine, with two tiers of
carriages, as will enable me to explain this part of my Invention, which
relates to a mode of using independent instruments to work on the warp
threads in such manner that each warp thread may be caused to enter into
spaces of one or other of two warp bars which are shogged by their peculiar
cut of wheels, whereby I am enabled to make a fabric of cloth in pattern in
traversed twist lace, composed of intersections of bobbin threads around and
between warp threads, as shown in the enlarged or magnified sketch thereof.
A, A, are two guide bars for making the selvages; B, C, and D, E, are four
warp bars, with a series of plates or combs thereon, to act as guides to the
threads which may be between them at any time; and will be seen that the
independent intercepting instruments F are so arranged that they can cause
the front warp threads to be placed in either of the bars B or C, and the
independent instruments or interceptors G are so formed and arranged that
they will place the back warp threads into the spaces of the combs or either of
the warp bars D, E. The wheels for working the warp bars C, D, are suitable
for making traversed bobbin net, consequently if all the threads were worked
by those bars C, D, plain bobbin net would be made by the machine, but
wherever there are threads placed in the spaces of the bars B, E, owing to the
cut of wheels being proper for making the traversed cloth-work above mentioned,
cloth-work will be made at those places; and as the independent instruments
are to be worked by means of jacquard or other proper pattern surfaces, the
independent intercepting instruments may be caused to operate in any order
and any desired pattern of cloth-work made of the description of texture
before mentioned. I have not thought it necessary, in describing this part of
my Invention, to show the pattern surfaces applied to the intercepting
instruments F, G, as it will be evident that the same may be applied in any
of the well-known manners of giving motion to similar independent
instruments.
The various cut of wheels used being shown separately and being written
on, it will not be necessary to enter into a further description thereof.
Another part of my Invention may also be described by the aid of the part of
a lace machine, shewn in the Drawing, No. 4, and this part of my Invention
consists in a mode of introducing extra threads into the lace produced in
bobbin net or twist lace machinery, and consists in using the independent
instruments F, G, for that purpose. Thus, supposing it desired to introduce

page_text: an extra warp thread for each bobbin thread used, in this case the bars A, A,
would represent the ordinary front and back guide bars, and the bars B, C, and
D, E, would each be capable of holding as many warp threads as those of A,
and the effect produced would depend on the positions of the additional warp
threads, and as this would be governed by the independent instruments being
worked by jacquard or other pattern surfaces, and suitable cuts of wheels for
giving motion to the bars A, A, and B, C, and D, E, various textures and
patterns of lace may be produced.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and the best means I am
acquainted with for performing the same, I would have it understood that
what I claim is,
First, the mode of making pattern surfaces by combining a series of thin
strips of metal or other proper material, parallel to each other, each such strip
having several surfaces formed thereon suitable for selecting at several times;
or of selecting several instruments at the same time, when such strips of
material are so arranged in respect to the frame or surface which carries them
that the pattern may be readily broken up and re-used in the same or
similar frames or surfaces, as above described in respect to the Drawings,
No. 1.
Secondly, I claim the mode of working pattern surfaces (which change
when separate from the instruments with which they work), whereby a
sufficient selection shall be made for governing the working of two separate
rackings of the warp threads by intercepting instruments, thus allowing the
single pattern surface used, more time for moving and changing than when a'
single pattern surface has to select for each time the interceptors are intro-
duced, as described in respect to Drawings No. 1.
Thirdly, I claim the mode of applying extra points in combination with the
back and front taking-up points of twist lace machinery, whereby the work is
taken by the extra points as soon as the work is sufficiently brought up by
the back or front points, thus allowing of the back and front points being out
of the work at the same time, as above shewn and described.
Fourthly, I claim the mode of employing the long bars v in combination
with independent intercepting instruments as described in respect to the
Drawings No. 1.
Fifthly, I claim the combining of two or more of such pattern surfaces (as
require to be separate from the instruments on which they operate when
changing the pattern) with intercepting instruments of twist lace machinery,
such pattern surfaces being each capable of selecting for all the intercepting
instruments used, whereby more time is allowed for the moving and changing

page_text: of such pattern surfaces than when only one such pattern surface is used with
intercepting instruments, as described in respect to Drawings No. 2.
Sixthly, I claim the mode of working a chain of cards or other pattern
surfaces used with twist lace machinery, by applying a series of barrels to give
motion to the length of chain of cards or other surfaces at intervals in its
length, as described in respect to Drawing No. 3.
Seventhly, I claim the mode of making a traversed cloth work in pattern
in traversed lace, by means of independent instruments acting on the warp
threads, as described in respect to the Drawing No. 4.
And, eighthly, I claim the mode of introducing extra warp threads into
twist lace by means of the independent instruments F, G, and warp bars
working therewith, as described in respect to Drawing No. 4.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Crofts, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-three.
W. (L.S.) CROFTS.
AND RE IT REMEMBERED that on the Fighth day of March in