IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Sagar, of Burnley, in the County of
Lancaster, Machine Maker, and Thomas Richmond, of the same
Place, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS
FOR WEAVING."
Sealed the 10th July 1868, and dated the 15th January 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Sagar and
Thomas Richmond at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 15th January 1868.
We, THOMAS SAGAR, of Burnley, in the County of Lancaster,
Machine Maker, and THOMAS RICHMOND, of the same Place, Manu-
facturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING," to be as follows:-
Our improvements in looms relate, first, to a taking-up motion with
a single positive taking-up roller. The novelty consists in an improve-
ment in the method of driving the ratchet wheel or other wheel used
for the like purpose.
of clicks or catches to hold and drive the ratchet wheel; these catches
require a great amount of care to keep them to their proper lengths.
The catches have also had their axles parallel to the ratchet wheel.
The ordinary plan has been to use a number

page_text: Now we propose to use instead of the ordinary catches or clicks a
number of thin metallic plates, which will require no adjustment
whatever for length; the thickness of the plates determines the motion
of the ratchet wheel. The motion of the plates which work the ratchet
wheel is governed by the varying diameter of the cloth on the cloth
beam by connecting rods, levers, or eccentrics, or other means.
We
Our Invention relates, secondly, to the "weft fork" and grid.
propose to substitute for the ordinary weft fork (which has heretofore
been made with the prongs open at the ends) one of a similar kind, with
the exception that instead of the prongs being open at the end they
are closed like a grid. We also propose to make the grid in the slay
project so as to allow the weft fork to work through it.
Thirdly, to an improvement or modification of our self-regulating
letting-off motion for which Letters Patent were granted to us on the
4th day of July 1866, No. 1775. The tension of the warp being so
exactly balanced that if the shuttle be caught in the shed of a fast
reed loom no ends will be broken, for the slight increase of tension on
the yarn at that time is sufficient to draw the warp from the beam
to the extent required. Now we propose to effect the same object
without either the wheels, catches, or other gearing described in the
Specification of the said Patent. On one end of the axle of the shedding
bearer or vibrator we attach a chain, cord, or band, and from there pass
it around the yarn beam and under or round a pulley, thence it is
carried across to the other side of the loom over or around a pulley or
other similar means and round the other end of the yarn beam, and from
there on to the other end of the axle of the vibrator, to which it is
fastened. The tension is put upon the warp by a spring, lever, or
weight connected to the shedding bearer or acting thereon.
The mode of operation is as follows:-The yarn being passed over the
vibrator and the loom being set in motion, on the opening of the shed
the tension of the warp depresses the shedding bearer or vibrator and
slackens both ends of the chain sufficiently to allow as much warp to
escape as the tension of the warp requires. When the shed of the warp
is being closed and the vibrator is moving outwards the yarn beam is
locked perfectly fast by the chain, rope, or band, and it is only released
by the forward motion of the vibrator.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Sagar and Thomas Richmond in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th July 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, THOMAS
SAGAR, of Burnley, in the County of Lancaster, Machine Maker, and
THOMAS RICHMOND, of the same Place, Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fifteenth day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
first year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto us, the said Thomas Sagar and Thomas Richmond,
Her special license that we, the said Thomas Sagar and Thomas
Richmond, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as we, the said Thomas Sagar and Thomas Richmond, our executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LOOMB FOR WEAVING," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the
said Thomas Sagar and Thomas Richmond, our executors or adminis
trators, by an instrument in writing under our, or their, or one of our
or their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of
the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Thomas Sagar and Thomas
Richmond, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement (that is to say):-
Our improvements in looms consist, first, in the use of thin metallic
plates instead of catches to work and hold the ratchet wheel of the
taking-up motion, which plates are also applicable to the ratchet wheel
of the letting-off motion; secondly, in an improved taking-up motion
with a single positive taking-up roller; thirdly, in certain improved

page_text: modes of constructing the weft fork and the grid or grate into which
it works; and, lastly, in an improved self-regulating letting-off motion
being a modification of or an improvement upon the letting-off motion
for which Letters Patent were granted to us on the Fourth day of July,
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, Number 1775.
And in order that our Invention may be fully understood we will
proceed to describe the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
Figure 1 represents the end of a loom to which certain parts of our
improvements are applied. a is the crank shaft; b, the tappet shaft;
c, the warp beam; d, the vibrator or shedding bearer; e, the breast
beam; and the taking-up roller, to which motion is given from the
ratchet wheel g by the train of wheels and pinions shewn by dotted
circles. The parts above enumerated and all the others requisite to
complete the loom, and which are not referred to hereafter, are made in
any approved manner.
Our first improvement, relating to the taking-up motion with a single
positive taking-up roller, is performed in the following manner :-The
novelty consists in an improved mode of driving the ratchet wheel g
or other wheel used for the like purpose. In the ordinary plan a
number of clicks or catches are employed to drive and hold the ratchet
wheel, and these catches require a great amount of care to keep them
to their proper lengths. Now we propose to use instead of the ordinary
catches or clicks a number of thin metallic plates h³ which will require
no adjustment whatever for length. These plates are free to move
up and down in the box which is fixed to the short arm of the elbow
lever h, to which a vibrating motion is given by the tappet 6 on the
tappel shaft b.
As these plates drop upon and between the teeth
of the ratchet wheel it is evident that the oscillating motion of the
lever imparts a slight rotary motion to the ratchet wheel g, and the
thickness of the plates 2 determines the accuracy of the motion of
the ratchet wheel. The plates in the box i act as retaining catches
to the ratchet wheel. We wish to observe that similar plates may be
applied to the ratchet wheel of the letting-off motion when the let-off
is effected by a ratchet wheel. The to-and-fro motion of the plates h³
working over the ratchet wheel g, is governed by the varying diameter
of the cloth on the cloth beam f by means of the pressing rod f', which
is held against the cloth on the cloth beam by a fold of the cloth; to
one end of this rod f' is jointed the elbow lever j mounted on the stud j',

page_text: the bent arm k is jointed to the longer arm of the lever j, and the
outer end of this arm is provided with a parabolic curved incline /
the point of which when the cloth beam is empty enters between
the tappet b' and the stud h³ projecting from the long arm of the
elbow lever h. By this arrangement when the cloth beam is empty
the tappet b' gives the greatest throw to the lever h and plates h³, but
as the cloth accumulates on the beam the parabolic curve is gradually
pushed forward and raises the end of the lever so as to prevent the
drop and consequently reduce the notion of the lever in proportion
to the increased diameter of the cloth wound on the beam.
Figure 2 represents a modification of this part of our Invention; in
this arrangement the motion of the ratchet wheel g is governed by
the bar, one end of which is jointed to the presser bar f', and the other
end is provided with teeth gearing into the pinion 6 cast or fixed to
the boss of the eccentric or cam 63 which is loose on the tappet shaft b.
When the cloth beam f is empty the lever bears upon the tappet b'
and cam 6, but as the clothi accumulates on the beam the rack is
pushed forward and turns the cam gradually round, thereby preventing
the descent of the lever on to the tappet 6' and reducing the amount
of oscillation of the lever h in proportion to the diameter of the cloth
on the beam.
Our improvements in the
" weft forks" and grates are shewn in
Figures 3 to 10. We propose to substitute for the ordinary weft fork
(which has heretofore been made with the prongs open at the ends)
one of a similar kind with the exception that instead of the prongs
being open at the end they are closed like a grid. Figures 3 and 4 are
two views of our improved weft fork. The catch and boss are made
as usual, but instead of prongs projecting from the boss we now forge
the plate m to the boss, and in this plate two slot holes are punched,
leaving three ribs which correspond to the usual prongs, thus combining
strength with lightness. The number of ribs on the fork (3) or the
number (4) on the grate is not material as either a less or greater
number may be used. Figures 5 and 6 are two views of our improved
grates, which consist of a brass or other plate with four ribs leaving
three spaces for the prongs or ribs of the weft fork.
The upper part.
of the grate is left open to allow the solid part of the plate m to pass
when the fork enters the grate. Figures 7 and 8 represent two views of
another of our improved weft forks; in this case the plate mis uiade:

page_text: with three ribs, which are intended to enter into a grate of the ordinary
construction. Figures 9 and 10 are two views of another of our improved
weft forks; in this case the boss is formed by bending the plate forming
the continuation of the catch, and to the boss is soldered or welded a
plate similar to m in Figures 3 and 4, or a plate with open prongs or
By this means the labor of boring out the hole in the
ordinary prongs.
boss is dispensed with.
Our improvements in or modifications of our improved self-regulating
letting-off motion are shewn in Figures 1 and 11. In the letting-off
motion patented by us in One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, and
above referred to, the tension of the warp is so exactly balanced that
if the shuttle be caught in the shed of a fast reed loom no ends will be
broken, for the slight increase of tension on the yarn at that time is
sufficient to draw the warp from the beam to the extent required.
Now we propose to effect the same object without either the wheels,
catches, or other gearing described in the Specification of the said
Patent. On one end of the axle of the shedding bearer or vibrator d
we attach a chain, cord, or band n, and from there pass it around the
yaru beam c and under or around a guide pulley n', thence it is carried
across to the other side of the loom, under or around the pulley n² and
around the other end of the yarn beam c, and from there it is taken up
to the other end of the axle of the vibrator to which it is fastened.
The tension is put upon the warp by the weight o connected to the
shedding bearer or vibrator by the lever o', link 0%, and lever d¹ keyed
to the end of the axle of the vibrator, or a spring may be connected to
the vibrator to give the desired tension. The lever d at the other end
of the vibrator is for letting off or tightening up the warp by hand.
To this lever a projection is cast which comes against the loom side
when the warp beam is taken out of the loom.
The mode of operation is as follows:-The yarn being passed over
the vibrator and the loom being set in motion on the opening of the
shed the tension on the warp depresses the shedding bearer or vibrator
and slackens both ends of the chain, rope, or band n sufficiently to
allow as much warp to escape as the tension of the warp requires.
When the shed of the warp is being closed and the vibrator is moving
outwards the yarn beam is locked perfectly fast by the chain, rope, or
band n and it is only released again by the forward motion of the
vibrator; both ends of the chain, band, or cord n being tightened or

page_text: slackened at the same time communicate an equal motion or strain
throughout the whole of its extent.
Figure 12 represents a modification of our improved self-regulating
letting-off motion.
One end of the chain, cord, or band n is secured
at n' to a boss on the axle of the vibrator d, and the other end of the
chain, cord, or band is secured to the said axle at n³, the end passing
down at the inside of the boss at n' and at the outside of the axlo
at n³, consequently when the tension on the warp presses forward the
vibrator the end at n is slackened and the end at n³ is tightened, but as
the boss to which the end n' is secured is larger than the axle it, is
evident that the slackening is in excess of the tightening up, and
therefore the amount of warp let off is in proportion to the difference in
the respective diameters of the boss at n' and the axle at n; the
nearer these approach each other in diameter and the tighter the yarn
beam is held, the tension of the warp is regulated by the weight o con-
nected to the lever h' as shewn in Figures 1 and 11.
Figure 13 represents another modification of this part of our Inven-
tion. In this arrangement one end of the chain, cord, or band n is
secured at n to the cross stay w, and the other end of the chain, cord,
or band has passed around the ends of the warp beam c and the guide
pulleys n' and n is secured to the weighted lever x, which is connected
to the lever d' fixed to the axle of the vibrator d by the link o³.. In
all these modifications of our improved letting-off motion the amount
of let-off is self-regulating according to the tension on the warp.
Having thus stated the nature of our Invention, and described several
modes of performing the same, we wish it to be understood that we
do not intend to limit ourselves to the details given, as the same may he
slightly modified without departing from the peculiar character of the
Invention; and we claim,-
First. The application of metallic plates to act as catches for working
and holding the ratchet wheels of looms, as shewn and described in
reference to Figures 1 and 2.
Secondly. The improved modes described and shewn in Figures 1 and 2
for regulating the motion of the take-up in proportion to the increasing
diameter of the cloth wound on the cloth beam.
Thirdly. The improved modes described and shewn in Figures 3 to 10
of constructing the weft forks and grates.

page_text: Fourthly. Uniting the extremities of the prongs of weft forks as
shewn in Figures 3 and 4.
Fifthly. The improved mode of forming the boss of the weft fork
by bending the plate of which it is partly composed, as shewn in
Figures and 10.
And sixthly. The various improved self-regulating letting-off motions
as shewn and described in reference to Figures 1, 11, 12, and 13, and
particularly the continuous chain, band, or cord n when used in the
manner and for the purpose described.
In witness whereof we, the said Thomas Sagar and Thomas
Richmond, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Thirteenth
day of July One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
THOMAS. SAGAR. (L.S.)
THOS. RICHMOND. (L.S.)