CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN WEAVING
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PIERRE
ARMANDE Le Comte de FONTAINEMOREAU, of South Street, Finsbury, English
and Foreign Patent Office, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-second day of
May, One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, in the twelfth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Pierre Armand Le Comte de Fontainemoreau, my exors, adiñors, and
assigns, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I,
the said Pierre Armand Le Comte de Fontainemoreau, my exors, adññors, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Pierre Armand Le Comte de Fontaine-
moreau, my exors, adññors, 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, in the Islands of
Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her said Majesty's
Colonies and Plantations abroad, the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
WEAVING," communicated to me by a certain Foreigner residing abroad; in
which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said Pierre Armand
Le Comte de Fontainemoreau, should cause a particular description of the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in

page_text: the Jacquard machine for producing figured tissues, by superseding the use
of cards, and which improvements are applicable to all kinds of hand and
power looms.
In Drawing 1, Figure 1 represents a soctional elevation of the apparatus.
Figure 2 represents a side view of the same. Figure 3, a sectional view of the
apparatus with two cylinders. The several letters of reference in these three
Figures represent similar parts. A, A', is the foundation plate supporting the
improved apparatus above the loom. B, B, B', B', upright beans, provided
with grooves, into which the frame H is sliding. C, C³, is a cross piece for
connecting at top the upright beams B, B, B', B'. D, up and down lever,
having its fulcrum at on the columns F, and leading the frame H. The
dotted lines of the first Figure represent the action of that lever when giving
to the frame H an ascending motion. E, connecting rod, receiving its motion
(through the lever D) from the main motive power of the loom, by means of
connecting rods and levers, but it can be put in motion by any separate power.
It serves to transmit the movement of the lever D by means of the connecting
rod G to the frame H. H, frame sliding by the action of lever D and rod E,
between the grooves made in the upright beams B, B, B¹, B', and giving the
motion to lever U. I, I', cross basil bar set within the frame H, and serving
to raise the upright hooks J, J', when the keys O, O', bring them in front.
J, J, represent the upright hooks for raising the leashes or lames. K, K,
horizontal conductors, serving as needles, and through which pass each

page_text: of the upright hooks J, J'. They serve to approach or cause to recede the
upright hooks J, J', from the cross piece I, I', according to the motion of the
keys 0, 0, which have their lower extremities attached to the said conductors
K, K. L, L, spiral springs attached at one end by means of a pin to the
conductors or needles K, K, and at the other end by a hook to the cross
piece M. They serve to bring back the keys O, O¹, when their upper
extremitics, which bear upon the cylinders, have left the pegs. M, cross piece
supporting all the spiral springs L, L', and to which these last are attached at
one of their ends by means of small hooks. N, cross piece for stopping the
ends of the keys 0, 0¹. 0, 0¹, moveable keys placed and moving upon the
axis ', which carries them all, and which is set on the upright beams B', B'.
These keys are put in motion by the pegs with which the cylinder S is
provided. The number of the keys 0, 0, of the upright hooks J, J, of the
conductors or needles K, K, and finally of the spiral springs L, L, is the same.
S, cylinder, provided with moveable pegs, causing the keys O, O', to work
according to the required patterns. These pegs are moveable, and their
number is indefinite. They are set in and removed from the cylinder S by
one of their extremities, which for that purpose is terminated as a screw.
The axis of the cylinder S turns freely in bearings set close to the axis of
the keys 0, 0, on the bearers B', B'. T, click and spring work for moving
the circular lantern with which the cylinder is provided, and by which the
rotative motion is given to it. U, bent lever, receiving its movement from
the frame FI by means of the small roller a with which this lever is provided.
When the frame H ascends on account of the motion communicated by the
lever D to the rod E, the lever U is drawn back by the action of the spiral
That movement of the
spring b, which returns to its natural position.
lever Ucauses the double click T to engage the cog of the lantern, and
therefore the cylinder is stopped. When the said frame H descends by the
contrary motion of the lever D, the lever U riscs up again, and being
pressed by the small roller a causes the lantern conductor of the cylinder
S to advance, and this last impresses the same rotary motion on the
cylinder S. Z, Z, columns connecting the plate A, A', which supports
the Jacquard machine with the other part of the loom. a, Figure 2,
small roller set at the lower extremity of the frame H, and giving the motion
to the lever U. b, spring serving to compel the bent lever U to return
always to its proper position. In the ordinary process of producing figured
tissures or ties, each design requires a special set of cards by itself; but
by the simple application of the apparatus herein-before described, it is
very easy to work several patterns by the same cylinder, without causing any
•

page_text: delay or stoppage of the work. For that purpose, on the cylinder S a number
of pegs, double that of the keys, is set, and in that case each peg corresponds
at first to every key which produces a design, and another peg is inserted on
the space which separates each key. It is easily understood, that to have the
pegs acting on the keys 0, 0¹, it is only required to cause the cylinder to
advance of a quantity sufficient to have the pegs acting under the top of the
keys, the other pegs, which were operating before, will occupy the empty
space, which are replaced on the work by the other pegs. By such means
the cylinder S affords the facility of producing two designs. This system may
serve to multiply the designs. By employing two or more cylinders, prepared as
herein.before stated, they will be set under the cylinder S. This is represented
by Figure 1*, which is a sectional elevation of the apparatus provided with two
cylinders. In that Figure the plate A, A¹, of Figure 1, is prolonged suffici
ently on the side opposite to the column F to receive on this prolongation the
two supporters P, P, similar to the supporters B, B, B', B', and equally con-
nected at top by the cross-piece C, C'. On these supporters P, P', slides the
frame of the two cylinders S, S'. They are also united at bottom in the
shape of a carriage V, V, in order to move by means of the lever X, in a direc-
tion parallel to the axis of the two cylinders S, S¹. The frame Q can ascend
or descend on the frame P, P¹, by means of a rack put in motion by the
handle R. The range of this rack is such that the lower cylinder S¹ can take
the place of the upper one S. By that contrivance they are placed against
the center of the top of the keys O, O¹, and they can produce each of them
separate patterns without stopping, or even causing delay in the work of the
loom. The number of these cylinders can be increased according to the
series of patterns to be executed.
Figure 3 represents a side elevation of the apparatus, provided also with
the two cylinders S, St. In that Figure, S", S", represent the two lanterns
by which the cylinders S, S¹, fixed on the same axes as the lanterns, are
set in motion. The movement communicated to S", S, as well as the
component parts of the apparatus, are similar to those herein-before described
in Figures 1 and 2. I construct also the cylinder with longitudinal metallic
bands or plates, provided with pegs, and set horizontally on the length of
the cylinder. The cylinder so disposed is put in motion by the same means as
those herein-before described.
Figure 4, Drawing 1, represents a cylinder provided with the plates fitted
with the pegs, serving to put the keys O, O', in motion. A is a wood or metal
cylinder. B, B, B, iron plate supporting the pegs, when they are placed on the
upper band C. C, C, C, upper band of brass pierced with holes, in which the

page_text: pegs are set according to the disposition of the designs to be worked on the
tissue. D', D', D', pegs serving to raise the keys O, O', of Figures 1 and 2,
during their rotative motion round the axis of the cylinder.
Figures 5 and 6, Drawing 1, represent a section and plan of one of the
plates or bands, on which are set the pegs D', D', D', of Figure 4. This
plate is composed of two parts; the upper one is pierced with equidistant holes,
to receive the pegs D', D', D'; the other lower part turns on one side upon
a pivot over the first part, and is kept on the other side by means of a screw.
It is used to maintain all the. pegs D¹, D¹, D', in the holes wherein they have
been placed. A, A, represent the upper brass band, provided with holes,
countersunk, in order to receive the head of the pegs D', D', D'. B, B, rivetted
axes on which can turn the band E, E. C, iron screws uniting the bands
A, A, and E, E. D, D, D, holes properly disposed on the bands to receive
the pegs D¹, D', D¹. D¹, D', D¹, pegs shown as placed. E, E, iron band to
prevent the pegs D', D', D', from moving. E¹, E, position of the band E, E,
when it is opened in order to change the position of the pegs.
Figure 7 represents in what manner the pegs D', D', D', of Figure 4, raise
the keys 0, 0, of Figures 1 and 2. The number of these last is half less
than that of the pegs D¹, D¹, D', so that a single movement of transition
in the direction of the arrow, Figure 7, from A to A', the working of the
pattern may be altered, by merely causing the keys to be in communication
with pegs placed in a different position. This movement of transition is
effected by any suitable mechanism, and can be similar to that employed in
the common street organ to obtain a change of air with the same cylinder.
In that Figure 7, A, A, represent the plate fixed upon the cylinder herein-
before described when speaking of Figure 4. This plate A, A, is provided
with its moveable pegs. B, B, B, are the moveable pegs. C, C, C, C, the
disconnected keys, that is to say, the keys which are to be acted on by the
pegs B, B, B. C¹, C¹, C', C¹, represent the keys put in motion by the pegs
B, B, B. It is very often necessary to work large patterns in the tissue, but
the circumference of the cylinder A, Figure 4, may not be sufficient for their
production, and its diameter cannot again be increased to a certain extent
without complicating or rendering the apparatus too heavy, limits which are
dangerous to exceed. To surmount this difficulty, an endless chain, composed
of the metallic horizontal bands or plates, provided with pegs, is employed.
The metallic plates are not set horizontally round the cylinder, as herein-before
described when speaking of Figures 5 and 6, but are united one to the other
at their two horizontal extremities, by hinges which render them perfectly
moveable. The cylinder in that case is provided only with proper pins set

page_text: round at each extremity of its horizontal length. These pins catch with the
chain, which, being put in motion by the rotative action of the cylinder, compel
the pegs, set as herein-before described on the horizontal metallic plates, to act
on the keys C, C, C, C. By that means all that which the cards can produce
is obtained by a setting much more certain and quicker. The plates are
always the same, whatever may be the pattern to be executed; the pegs alone
can vary in their positions, but the setting of them is effected with the
utmost facility and precision, and nothing can disturb their action; therefore
all mistakes can easily be rectified if any were to occur.
That chain is repre-
sented by Figures 8 and 9, Drawing I.
In these Figures A, A, A, A1, A¹, A', represent the links of the chain, which
is composed of the horizontal metallic bands or plates set with pegs in a manner
similar to the plates represented by Figures 5 and 6. B, B, B, B', B, B', are
the hinges. C, C, C, the axes of the hinges. D, D, D, D', D', D', the plates
carrying the pegs. E, E, E, lower bands supporting the pegs, instead of
placing on the cylinder A, Fig. 4, the metallic plates A^, Fig. 5 and 6, or
the endless chain formed of a number of metallic plates, Fig. 8 and 9, and
provided with pegs, as herein-before described. These plates, either separately
or as an endless chain, can be set on the cylinder with their surfaces perforated
with suitable holes at the required distance. In that case the heads of the
keys O, O', of Fig. 1 and 2, will be made to enter by the rotative motion of
the cylinder in the holes of the plates, and will give the necessary movement
to the conductors K, K¹, and to the upright hooks J, J', in the manner herein-
before described.
From the above description of the several component parts of the apparatus
the process of working will be easily understood. In this apparatus for
replacing the Jacquard a considerable less number of pieces is required; and
the perforated cards through which the needles are made to pass, to cause
the threads to rise and fall according to the holes on the said cards for the
production of the pattern in the tissue, are entirely superseded, and replaced
by a cylinder of the simplest construction, provided with pegs serving to put
in motion the keys which lead the upper hook of the leashes. The mistakes
and bad working arising from the use of cards are therefore avoided, and the
most elaborate design produced with a certainty not attainable by the most
improved system of the Jacquard machine.
SECOND IMPROVEMENT

page_text: their satisfactory working is to obtain and at the same time to maintain the
most perfect regularity in the action of the mover. When these conditions
are not fulfilled, or when the mean velocity is not obtained or exceeded, the
work does not proceed with the requisite safety and regularly. Those incon-
veniences, as regard the action of the shuttle, may be obviated by the arrange-
ment hereafter described for putting the shuttle in motion.
In Figures 1 and 2, Drawing II., which represent the improved mode of
putting the shuttle in motion, the same letters represent similar parts. A, A,
A', A', represent the frame of the loom. B, B', the supporters of the batten.
C, the axis of the batten. D, D, the batten of the loom. E, E, iron rods on
which slides the taquet. F, F, taquets to throw the shuttle. G, shuttle, close
the taquet, and on the point of being shot. H, HI, arbor, serving to give an
up-and-down motion to the lever by which the shuttle is shot. I, bended
lever put in motion by the spiral spring J, setting in motion the lever
0,0'. J, spiral spring serving to give the motion to the lever I, with which
it is in communication. This spring J is regulated as to its power according
to the motion to be given to the shuttle. K, hammer, bearing on the motion
plate L. L, motion plate for the action. M, M, axis set on the frame of the
loom, serving for the transmission of motion. N, the reed. O, lever receiv-
ing the motion from the hammer K, and giving the movement to the
taquets F, F, by means of straps which put them in communication. The
arbor H, on which is fixed the lever which is to throw the shuttle, carries
on one of its sides the hammer K, which is set on the motion plate L. This
motion plate L is provided with a notch, the depth of which is regulated
according to the range through which the lever () is to travel. The spiral
spring J causes the hammer K to bear continually on the motion plate L, and
when the hammer faces the notch of the motion plate L it falls into the
notch, taking along with it the arbor O & the taquet F, and impresses
forcibly the motion on the shuttle G. From what is herein-before described
it is easy to perceive that the force causing the motion of the shuttle G
depends upon the force of the spiral spring J, and cannot vary, whatever may
be the velocity of the loom, whether the loom turns once or two hundred times
a minute, the shuttle G will always start with the same force, and will reach
the same point, without fear of breaking the threads, or of remaining in the
opening. The shuttle with rollers may be used when required, though not
with the same advantage in all kinds of looms. The spring J, herein-before
described, can be replaced by any other force whatever, independent of the
motive power of the loom. The system herein-before described can be also
applied to the box shuttle battens.

page_text: THIRD IMPROVEMENT.
This part of the Invention relates to a new mode of winding the warp. The
threads of the warp for plain tissues have generally been set on the same
roller, which is attended with the following inconveniences, videlicet:-The
threads are continually crossing each other over the same roller, and are con-
sequently easily entangled and broken. The angle formed by the two series of
threads with the tangent not being the same, the threads are not equally
distended, the weights holding the roller bearing on the lower half of the
threads, whilst those of the upper part, being too loose, are in danger of being
broken by the action of the shuttle.
In Figure 3, Drawing II., which is a sectional elevation of the new mode of
winding up the warp, the letter A is the roller, on which is placed tho
threads of the warp, corresponding to the leash D. C, C', weights to keep the
rollers A and B distended. D', D¹, in red lines, shew the lower position of
the treadle D, D. D, D, leash and treadle. E, E, treadle and leash, cross-
ing the former one D, D. E', E', set in red lines, shew the lower position of
the treadle E, E. F is the reed. G, the batten of the loom. H is the roller
on which the tissue is wound up. I, I, threads of the warp of the roller B.
I, in red line, shews the upper position. J, J, threads of the roller A. J, in
red line, shews the lower situation. Each of the threads of the warps cor-
responding to one of the treadles D, D; and E, E, is wound up over a cylinder
corresponding to A or B. Each of these cylinders is kept distended by means
of its weight always acting in the same direction on the threads, whatever may
be their position, and the threads being kept apart from the beginning of the
operation have no longer a tendency to be entangled among themselves, and
there is not the same danger of the shuttle during its action meeting with any
of them.
Having now described the Invention communicated to me, and the manner
of carrying the same into effect, I would wish it to be understood that I do
not confine myself to the precise details herein-before described, so long as the
general features of the arrangements be retained for the carrying out of the
said improvements; but what I claim as the Invention communicated to me,
and intended to be protected by the said Letters Patent, is-
Firstly, the constructing a cylinder with moveable pegs, and the adapting
thereof to supersede the use of perforated cards or other similar means for
producing figured tissues, as herein-before described in reference to Figures 1
and 2, Drawing I.
Secondly, the constructing metallic bands provided with moveable pegs or
suitable holes, either singly, or when forming by means of several of them an

page_text: endless chain, and the adapting thereof in combination with a cylinder, to
supersede the use of the perforated cards or other similar means for the pro-
duction of figured tissues, as herein-before described in reference to Figures 5,
6, 7, 8, and 9, of Drawing I.
Thirdly, the constructing and adapting of more than one cylinder, provided
with moveable pegs, to supersede the perforated cards or other similar means
for the protection of figured tissues, as herein-before described in reference to
Figures 1 and 3, Drawing I.
Fourthly, the employment of moveable pegs, keys, and conductors, serving
as needles, in combination with upright hooks, by means of which the warp
threads are raised or left stationary for the production of the pattern, as herein-
before described.
Fifthly, the arrangements and combinations herein-before described for
putting in motion the several parts, in substitution of the ordinary Jacquard
machine.
Sixthly, the giving motion to the shuttle by means of a uniform force inde-
pendently of the action of the loom, as herein-before described in reference to
Figures 1 and 2, Drawing II.
Lastly, the winding the warp threads on two rollers having their weight
acting always on them and on the warp threads, as herein-before described in
reference to Figure 3, Drawing II.
In witness whereof, I, the said Pierre Armand Le Comte de Fontaine-
moreau, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day
of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and forty-nine