Machine for Knotting Heald Threads.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Feb., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 24th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 10th Dec., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Machine for Knotting Heald Threads.
We, JACQUES HAUSER and FÜRCHTEGOTT NAEF both of 77 Eulerstrasse
Bale, Switzerland, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to a machine for knotting the threads for healds in the
same manner as is effected in knotting them by hand.
As is well known this is effected by folding together a certain length of thread
at its middle, and then tying the two parts twice together so as to form a knot at
those parts which correspond to the ends of the heald loop or eye, as also at a
small distance from the free ends of the thread.
The said machine for effecting this operation consists mainly of the following
parts.
Firstly. A bobbin or spool on which the heald thread is wound.
Secondly. A shears in which the end of the thread coming from the spool is
nipped while the length required for a heald is unwound therefrom, which shears
then cut off the said length.
Thirdly. A thread guide which hangs the thread, the end of which is nipped in
the shears, on to a hook, by the movement of which hook the length of thread for
a heald is drawn off from the spool.
Fourthly. Two shuttles each having a nipping plate in each of which is nipped
one end of the length of thread cut off for forming the heald, after the said hook
has drawn off such length, the hook being made to draw the ends of the thread
between the said shuttles, and the nipping plate, which is then in the open
position.
Fifthly. Two pins which act respectively on the nipping plates of the shuttles so
as firstly to move them away and thus allow of the introduction of the thread ends
as described, and secondly to allow the nipping plates to close on to the shuttles
and thus nip the threads therein.
Sixthly. Two moveable studs, the distance between which corresponds to the
length of the heald loop or eye to be formed, and against which the knotting of
the heald thread is effected.
Seventhly. Two shuttle holders which are combined with the necessary driving
gear, in order, firstly, to impart to the shuttles a rotary motion in such manner that
the shuttles can be turned through 1 revolutions, in order that the thread may
form a loop round the one shuttle, and secondly, to bring the shuttles from the one
side of the machine to the other, that is to say, to make them cross each other,
they being at the same time drawn through the before mentioned loop, and then
made to move away from each other so that by such motion they effect the knotting
against the before-mentioned studs.
Eighthly. The above named hook on which the heald thread is hung and which
has the necessary motion for drawing the heald thread off the spool and for bring-
ing the two halves thereof into such positions relatively to the two above named
studs, that the knottings shall take place at the required points of the heald.
The mode of producing a heald by means of this motion is as follows:
The thread coming from the spool, and whose free end is nipped in the shears is
drawn through the thread guide, and by the motion of the latter is hung upon the
before mentioned hook, the motion of which draws the requisite length of thread
for forming a heald from the spool, while the simultaneous movements of the thread
guide and the hook cause each half of the thread length to be brought between one

page_text: of the movable shuttles and the nipping plate thereof in order to nip the free end of
each half of the thread against the shuttle, after which the length of thread is cut
off by the shears, the nipping of the ends of the thread in the shuttles being
effected as herein described under "fifthly." The above named hook to which
the thread is hung at its middle is afterwards so moved that the two half lengths
are brought into the required position relatively to the two studs whose distance
apart corresponds to the length of the heald loop so that the knottings of the
two thread lengths can be drawn tight against these studs. These knottings are
produced by first causing the shuttles holding the threads to be turned by the
shuttle holder in such a manner that they are turned 1 times round, whereby a
loop of thread is formed round the one shuttle, which loop is transformed into a
knot after the shuttles have been moved apart while crossing each other in the
direction perpendicularly to the before mentioned rotation, such motion being also
effected by the shuttle holders. By such moving apart of the shuttles the knot
formed is drawn tight against the corresponding stud.
For forming the two consecutive pairs of tieings which correspond to the two
ends of the heald loop, the rotation of the shuttles is effected in the one direction
for the first pair of tieings and in the contrary direction for the other pair, that is
to say, the shuttles are turned from left to right for the two tieings forming the one
knot of the loop and in the contrary direction for the two tieings forming the other
end of the loop. After the two tieings which form the one end of the heald loop
have been drawn tight against the one stud, the tieings for forming the knot of the
other end of the loop are drawn tight against the other stud by a corresponding
motion of the shuttle holders, so that the knots forming the two ends of the loop
can be produced without altering the position of the hook on which the middle of
the thread length remains hung. After the completion of the loop of the heald
both studs are withdrawn and the two half lengths of thread are shifted by a
movement of the hook sufficiently for bringing the ends of the thread into the
necessary position for forming the end knot of the heald. The tieings for producing
this knot are effected by means of the shuttle motions in the same manner as those
for producing the first end of the heald loop and such tieing is effected against
one of the studs before described. When such end knot has been completed the
stud is again withdrawn, and the nipping plates which hold the ends of the thread
in the shuttle are moved away by the corresponding movable pin so as to release
the ends of the thread, and the finished heald is delivered by the hook on which it
hangs on to a heald counter.
Dated this 2nd day of February 1899
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Machine for Knotting Heald Threads.
We, JACQUES HAUSER, and FURCHTEGOTT NAEF, both of 77 Eulerstrasse,
Bale, Switzerland, Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :—
This invention relates to a machine for knotting the threads for healds in the
same manner as is effected in knotting by hand.
For effecting such manufacture of healds by mechanical means, a thread,
proceeding from a bobbin and passing through a moveable thread guide has its end
nipped in shears, and is, by the motion of the thread guide, hung upon a moveable
heald holder, by the upward motion of which the length of thread requisite for a
heald is unwound from the bobbin, while by the simultaneous motion of the thread
guide, each of the ends of the said length is coiled round the clamping cheek or
jaw of one of two moveable shuttles, so that each half length of the heald thread

page_text: is attached to a shuttle, whereupon the required length of thread is cut off by the
said shears.
The same heald-holder from which the middle of the length of thread is
suspended, is afterwards moved downward to such an extent as is required to bring
the two half lengths of thread opposite two moveable pins or bolts whose distance
apart corresponds to the length of the heald-loop to be formel, the thread being
brought into such a position as to enable the knots of the two half lengths to be
drawn tight upon these studs. These knots are produced by turning the shuttles,
of which the one is smaller than and passes through a hole in the other, through
one and a half rotation in the same direction, thereby forming a loop round each
shuttle, after which the shuttles cross each other and move apart, the smaller one
being drawn through the larger one. The loop of threal is by this means drawn
off the smaller shuttle and opened out, while that of the larger shuttle is also
drawn off by the movement apart of the shuttles; the part of the thread which is
nipped in the smaller shuttle is by this motion drawn through a slit of the larger
shuttle, and in pushing the loop off the latter, becomes interlaced therewith.
The pins against which the knots corresponding to the two ends of the heald loop
are drawn tight, are moveable so that after the two tyings corresponding to the one
end of the heald loop have been drawn tight against the one pin the other pin is.
moved parallel to the first one, in order that the tyings corresponding to the other
end of the heald loop can be drawn tight against the other stud, without requiring
the heald holder, to which the two half lengths of thread are suspended to be
shifted, both pins being moved back again after the forming of the loop, so as to
allow of the two half lengths of thread being sufficiently raised for bringing
the ends of the threads in the requisite position for tying the end knot of the
heald.
These tyings of the end knot are effected by means of the shuttle movements in
the same way as the above described tyings for the heald loop, the tyings being
drawn tight against one of the before mentioned pins. When the end knot of the
heald is tied, this pin or bolt is withdrawn, and the nipping jaws which secure the
ends of the thread in the shuttles are opened so as to release such ends of the finished
heald, whereupon the heald is delivered by the heald holder, on which it is hung by
its middle, to the heald counter.
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings shew the construction of a machine
for tying simultaneously ten healds in the above described manner; Fig. 1 shews a
front view, Fig. 2 a back view, and Fig. 3 a side view.
Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line X X Fig. 2.
Figs. 5 to 25 shew details to a larger scale.
Figs. 26 and 27 shew a heald and the mode of tying the knots thereof, Fig. 26
shewing the complete heald to a small scale.
Figs. 28 to 75 shew diagrams explaining the mode of working of the machine.
As shewn in Figs. 1 to 4, the two side pieces A and B of the framing are held
together by means of the rods C C₁ and the transverse pieces D D'EFF. To
the side piece A is fixed the bracket a carrying the axis a' on which the belt pullies b
and bare mounted loose.
The pulley is cast in one with the toothed pinion 6 which gears with the
toothed wheel c; the latter is fixed on the shaft d carried in bearings d¹ d² d³, and on
which are also fixed the cams I II III IV V and VI.
Each cam has a cam groove into which take the rollers d' of levers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
which are fixed on axes e¹ e² es e¹ eð e®.
The two ends of each axis rest upon two adjustable screw points f f carried by
bearers FF. The levers 1 to 6 will consequently receive a to and fro motion on
the rotation of the cams I to VI, corresponding to the forms of the cam grooves,
and these motions are transmitted to the several working parts of the machine.
The lever 1 is connected by rod g with arm g' fixed on the shaft o² carried in
bearings go. The shaft g* also carries the two arms g³ which are connected by
adjustable rods g* with the arms 9.

page_text: The one arm g' is fixed to shaft G while the other is fixed to the shaft G'; the
latter also carries the arms G G while the arms G2 G3 are fixed on the shaft G.
A rod g holds the arms G2 G3 together, near to their upper ends while the
arms GG³ are held together by the rod g'. The upper ends of the arms G² G³ are
formed as bearings and carry the rotatable shaft G, while the arms G* G³ carry
the shaft G. On these two shafts are fixed the devices H I for actuating the
shuttles. In order that these may always remain in a horizontal position during the
oscillations of the shafts G G7, the latter are provided at their ends with guide
sockets 9" 9 through which the guide rods G° are made to slide. In order to afford
the shafts G G7 and consequently the shuttle movers as great a to and fro motion
as possible, without unduly extending the guide rods, each of the latter is
constructed of two telescopically sliding parts 10 g; to the part g" are fixed
stops g, and to the part g" the stops gg. Between the two rings g13 g is
introduced a helical spring g¹. During the motion of the shuttle movers H and I
in the one direction, for example when they approach each other, the rings g¹¹³
are also moved towards each other by the sockets 98 93, and consequently the
spring is compressed, by which means the momentum of the rapidly moving
parts (shuttle movers) is counteracted. On the movement of the shuttle movers in
the contrary direction, that is to say, when they move apart, the spring 16 expands
again, moving the rings 915 913 apart and consequently moving the two parts of the
rod in such manner as to cause the rings 912 9" to approach each other; these rings
are however pushed outwards again by the guide sockets 98,9%, and consequently
the rings are made to approach and the spring is again compressed, so
that the momentum of the rapidly moving parts is also counteracted in this
direction.
13
The mechanism H I for moving the shuttles (Figs. 1 to 8) consists, for each set,
of the carriers hi fixed on the shafts G G7, and which each carry a horizontal
shaft. In the front part of each of these shafts is inserted a shuttle carrier ;
these carry at their rear end two lugs / projecting through two opposite slots h³ ³
of the shafts h, and against which bears the one end of the helical spring i
surrounding the shaft hi, the other end of the spring being held by the double
nuts by means of these springs the rear end of the shuttle carrier is
pressed against an adjusting screw i situated in the rear part of the shaft 'i. On
the rear end of each shaft his fixed a bevil pinion gearing with the bevil
pinion, the latter being fixed upon a shaft 7 on each side of the machine parallel
to the shafts G' G' and carried by carriers fixed on these shafts.
The inner ends of the shuttle carriers 22, which are opposite each other carry a
conical projection 88 (Figs. 5 and 8) which serves to receive the large shuttle J,
while a conical hollow of these projections receives the small shuttle j. Each
shuttle carrier is furthermore provided at its front end with a slot 10 in which
are contained two double hooks 10 pivotted on pins ".
Within a recess " formed at right angles to the slot 10 of the shuttle carrier h²
is a slide 2, while in a similar recess 11 of the shuttle carrier 2 is a slide i¹².
The outer edge of these slides is formed with recesses ¹³, into which take, at
the required moment, the heads of the bolts ¹³, sliding with spring action in the
shuttle carriers 22, and thereby preventing any unintentional shifting of the
slides h¹²¿¹
The slides h¹2 ¹ are formed on each side with notches into which take
alternately one or other of the projections of the double hooks 10, which turn
on whereby they are either pushed into the bore or out of the conical
projection 8 18.
The notches are so arranged that with similar positions of the slides h¹¹³,
when, for example the double hooks 10 of the shuttle-carrier ² are in the inward
position, those of the shuttle-carrier are pressed outwards, as shewn at Fig. 8, and
vice versa; the hooks 10 then take into the notches of the shuttles, so that when
the small shuttle is held in ³, the other carrier holds the large shuttle J (Fig. 8),
and the converse. Each slide is also provided with a guide pin his 16, by

page_text: means of which these slides are actuated when the shuttle movers approach each
other.
The large shuttle J Figs. 9, 10 and 11 has an eccentric boring j' which is enlarged
towards each end in order to enable the shuttle to be placed upon the conical
projections of the shuttle carriers; the boring has an opening or slot ² along
its entire length. On the side opposite this slot the shuttle contains a T shaped
slide j³, the ends of which project slightly beyond the ends of the shuttle. In a
groove in this slide is contained the nipping jaw j; pivotted upon a pin j.
In Fig. 10 this nipping jaw j is shewn closed, that is to say it is pushed into the
groove of the slide.
When the slide is pushed in the direction of the arrow a, (Fig. 10) the finger j³
presses against the edge of the recess 1, whereby the nipping jaw is opened,
assuming the position shewn in Fig. 9. If now the slide ³ is moved in the direction
of the arrow (Fig. 9) the finger j bears against the projections, and the nipping
jaw is closed again, the end surface of the finger being then applied against the
projection (Fig. 10) so that any unintentional opening of the nipping jaw, that is,
without a movement of the slide, is impossible. A screw j fixed in the slide 13 the
end of which enters a groove 10 of the shuttle, limits the to and fro motion of the
slide.
In the small shuttle j (Figs. 8, 12 and 13) the nipping jaw jis pivotted to a
pin on the slide j¹³ contained in the central bore of the shuttle, beyond which it
also projects somewhat at each end. Each end of the small shuttle j is made
conical for fitting into the conical bores h of the extensions 8 of the shuttle
carriers. The opening and closing of the nipping jaw j¹¹ is effected in the same
way as with the large shuttle J.
If the slide 3 is moved in the direction of the arrow x¹, the finger 1 bears
against the edge of the recess, and consequently the nipping jaw will be moved
into the open position shewn at Fig. 12, while when the slide 13 is moved in the
direction of the arrow 2 Fig. 12, the sloped end of the finger will bear against
the projection 18, whereby the nipping jaw is brought back into the closed position
shewn at Fig. 13. The movement of slides ³ ³ is effected by the inner edge of.
the slides against which the slides 31 bear when the shuttles are brought
together. Each slide 12 12 is for this purpose provided with a projection 1818,
which on the movement of the slides h¹2 2, moves the slides 313. The movement
of slides 1212 is effected by the rail Ko actuated by the cam III. For this purpose
the guide pin 1 15 of these slides, on the shuttle bearers moving together, takes
into a loop mounted adjustably upon a pin 17 on one of the bars K. The two
bars K are connected together by cross pieces k and pins ¹ moveable in slots of the
bars D D (Figs. 1, 2 and 5). The one pin k¹ (Fig. 1) is connected to the one end
of a rod 2 the other end of which is connected to the lever k³.
The latter is loose upon a shaft k on the bearer E, and carries a roller k³ which
takes into a slot k in the bar Kº. This bar is vertically moveable and is connected
by rod k with the arm k of the elbow lever 48 k; this lever is loose on the shaft k¹º
carried by bearer E, and the second arm ³ thereof is connected by the rod k¹ with
the lever 3 of cam III.
This cam consequently imparts to the bar K° a vertical to and fro motion which
is transmitted to the horizontally moving bars K K by means of k³ k².
The lever 5 of cam V is connected by rod to the toothed sector L; the teeth
of the latter gear with the pinion fixed on shaft L¹ which is carried in 12 d³ and
has fixed on its ends the bevil wheels 13 which gear with other bevil wheels / loose
on the shafts G G¹. The wheels 14 are formed in one with wheels 1 gearing with
wheels, which are fixed on spindles L2 whose trunnions rest in recesses of the
arms 9, while the one of these spindles is held at its upper end by an eye of the
rod ge and the other by an eye of the rod 9. At the upper end each spindle L2
carries a wheel gearing with the wheel; the latter is formed in one with the
spur wheel 19 and is carried loose upon the shaft G, G7. The wheel 1° gears with
a pinion 10 fixed on shaft 1.
17

page_text: In consequence of this arrangement the movements of the sector in the one
direction or the other effect the motion of the shuttle carriers and consequently of
the shuttles in the one direction or the other.
The thread carriers m (Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7) are carried on uprights m¹ fixed
on the bar M.; this has at each end an eye m² into which take the upper ends of
the vertically moveable spindles m³. On each of these spindles is a helical spring m³,
the one end of which is fixed to the ring m³ of the spindle m³, and the other to the
bearer D, which spring has for its.object to compensate for the weight of the bar M.
The ring m also carries a pin m³ which rests on the arm m' of the elbow
lever m² m³.
This lever is pivotted to the bearer 12, its other arm m³ being provided with a
guide roller which takes into a fork-shaped slot º of the bar Ko, so that by the
up and down motion of the latter, the bar M and consequently the thread guides
are also moved up and down. The slot ° consists of an upper, wider, part from
which branch two narrower parts so that both the guide rollers fitting in the
lower narrow parts of the slot can move simultaneously side by side in the upper
wide part of the slot.
The bar M carries furthermore a roller m³ which engages with the slot of a
lever mo pivotted to the bearer E; this lever is connected by the rod m¹¹ with the
lever m12 fixed on the shaft kt.
On this shaft is also fixed another lever m¹³ the guide roller m¹ of which engages
with the curved slot m¹ of the bar K2 arranged vertically moveable on the other
side of the machine. A rod n connects this bar with the arm n¹ of the elbow
lever n n fitted loose on the shaft 0; the arm n² on the other hand is connected
by the rod n³ with the lever 7 carried by the shaft e².
On the shaft e is also carried the lever 2 actuated by cam II, consequently the
bar M. and the thread guide are moved horizontally by means of this cam.
On the bar N (Fig. 2), arranged horizontally moveable on the pin k¹ at the rear
side of the machine, there is fixed the shears n' by means of the pin n° (Figs. 5
and 6), there being one for each set; it consists of the fixed part n', which carries
the one shears blade n' (Figs. 14 and 15) and to which is pivotted the nipping
jaw n; this latter has a slot n into which the second shears blade n³, pivotted
thereto, is pressed by a spring n¹¹. The nipping jaw n' is also pressed by a
spring n" (Fig. 5) against the part n³. A spring hook n¹² fixed to the upright 17
of the bar K (Fig. 7) serves for opening the shears.
When the bar N is moved in the direction of the arrow 3 (Fig. 15) the front
part of the nipping jaw n' remains attached to the hook n¹, and consequently the
nipping jaw, as also the shears, are opened. On the farther motion of the bar N in
the same direction, the nipping jaw n' leaves the hook n again (Fig. 16) and
consequently nips the thread which has meanwhile been brought within its range,
the shears blade being at the same time still held back by the hook n¹². The
length of the shears blade n is however so regulated that at such further motion of
the bar it also is released by the hook n", and is consequently closed rapidly by its
spring action, thereby severing the thread at a point above the nipped part. On
the reverse motion of the bar N the hook n¹2 is pressed outwards by the front part
of the shears blade n' in order afterwards to resume its original position by its
spring action.
The movement of the bar N is effected by the slot n¹³ of the bar K2 (Fig. 2)
into which takes the guide roller n¹ of the lever n15 loose upon the shaft *; the
upper end of this lever n¹ is connected by a rod ne with the bar N.
A bar O (Fig. 2) can slide in bearings o on the bearer E. A rod o' (Figs. 1
and 2) connects this bar with a two-armed lever o² pivotted to its support o³; the
other end of the lever o² is connected by the rod of with the lever o' pivotted to k¹²;
the guide roller oº of this lever takes into the slot 13 of the bar K.
For each set in the machine there are fixed on this bar O two vertical metal
tubes o, in each of which is a moveable guide piece o' (Fig. 17) in which is fixed
07
a glass hook o

page_text: A screw of taking into a slot 1 of the tube 06, prevents the piece o' and conse-
quently the hook os from turning; in the cover of the tubes of is a slot o" which
allows the hook of to be protruded out of the tube. The screw of and consequently
the hock o rest upon a pin o¹² fixed in the bar o³. This bar is arranged between
two rows of tubes of; it is connected, near each end with the longer arm P of two
levers P by means of two pieces o; each of the levers P is pivotted at pl to the
support p² on the bar O; the shorter arm p³ on the other hand carries a roller pt.
A rod p fixed to the bar K2 presses during the downward motion of this bar, upon
these two rollers p₁ and consequently the long arms p will have their ends raised,
thereby also raising the bar o and pushing the glass hooks out of the tubes o®.
On each side frame A B of the machine are fixed two brackets y g' which support
the guide rod q².
The brackets also carry screws 2° in hollows at the ends of which are mounted
the pointed ends of spindles g³. Each of these spindles carries three adjustable
stop rings, each of which has a notch q' (Figs. 18 to 22).
These rings are placed relatively to each other as indicated in the said figures.
Each spindle q³ also carries an arm 48, and these arms are connected together in an
articulated manner by the rod Q; a rod y' (Fig. 2) connects the rod Q with the
lever 6 of the cam VI, so that by the oscillations of this lever the spindles 7³ have
rotary motion imparted to them.
On the two guide rods g² is arranged the frame R, sliding with eyes r vertically
upon the rods; each of the eyes r carries a projection which, according to the
position of the stop rings q* 95 98, can either pass through the notches thereof or is
stopped by the one or other of the rings.
To the frame R is attached a heald holder for each set; it consists of a threaded
rod adjustably held in the frame R by two screw nuts; to the lower,
wide part thereof are pivotted two small bars, that are held together by a
spring
Each of these bars carries at the lower end a roller 76, upon which is hung the
heald thread by means of the thread guide.
To each eye is attached the one end of a steel wire », passing over loose
rollers and fixed at its other end in a groove of the disc T. A further steel
wire is fixed in a second groove of the disc T and, passing over a guide roller ",
has its other end fixed to the middle of the frame R. The wires 10 are so
attached to the disc T that when, on the rotation of this disc in one direction, the
wire 10 is coiled up on the disc, while the wires are wound off the same, and
vice versa, the frame R is thereby moved upwards or downwards. The wires
have weights attached to them which counterbalance the weight of the frame.
The disc T is loose on the pin t' of the bracket t carried by the bearer E, and has
attached to it a pinion t2 that gears with the toothed sector S.
This sector is loose on shaft g2 and is connected by a divided spring rod 8 s¹ with
the lever 8 of cam IV. Consequently, the frame R will be moved up and down by
the oscillations of the lever 8; when however the frame is stopped by a pair of the
stop rings 999, the rod ss being capable of lengthening and shortening, the con-
tinued motion of the lever 8 is not interfered with.
A bar U is fixed horizontally upon the bearers D and D' by brackets u (Figs. 1, 2,
4, 5, 6, 7, 23 and 24) and on this bar U there is provided, for each set in the
machine an L shaped block ¹, on which rest the horizontally moveable bars U¹ U'
with notches u² u³."
These bars U U2 are formed with openings through which the bearers u pass.
The bar U also has a slot for the passage of the heald holder.
The lower bar U2 carries a projection u having two holes 6 that serve to receive
the points u ul of the pins or bolts U³ U. These bolts, on the ends of which the
tyings are drawn tight, rest at their front ends by means by projections uu³ in
corresponding holes u¹³ of the block u', while the rear ends of the same pass
through the holes u¹ of the projection u fixed on the middle bar U¹ and carry
heads u¹. A spring ° placed upon these bolts, which bears at the one end

page_text: against the projection of the bolt and at the other end against the projection u",
presses the head uu" against the projection u".
,12
When the frame R is in the raised position, the lower bar U2 is held by the
spring (Figs. 1, 2 and 7) in the position shown at Figs. 23 and 24. On the
downward motion of the frame however, the projection 7 pushes the bar U back
to such an extent (as shewn at Fig. 7) that the heald holder can pass between the
block u and the projection ; the bar U' is at the same time held in the position
shown at Fig. 7 by one or more springs 18 (Fig. 1) so that the ends of the bolts
are drawn into the blocks u¹. The guide roller v' of the pin v fixed on the middle
bar U lies against the periphery of a cam disc V having projections (Figs. 1, 2,
4 and 25). This cam is carried by the shaft ² supported by brackets y from the
upper
bar U, and it carries a ratchet wheel V', with which gear the spring pawls v
of the two levers V2 placed loose upon the shaft ». The guide rollers are held
At the down-
by springs on the levers V2 against the side edges of the bar Ko.
ward motion of this bar, which is sloped off at top, the levers V2 assume the
position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 25; the pawl of the left lever V2, then
moves the wheel V₁ and consequently the cam Vo forward one tooth, while the
pawl of the right lever V2 takes into the next space, in order, at the next
upward motion of the bar Ko, that is, when the levers V2 are forced apart, also to
move the wheel V₁ forward one tooth. A pin prevents the two levers V2 from
coming too close together.
In consequence of the rotation of the wheel V' the projection of the cam Vo
comes in contact with the guide roller v¹, causing the bar U¹ to be brought into the
position shown at Fig. 23, that is, the bar U₁ is moved so far, that the end of
the upper, longer, bolt Us passes out of the block u¹.
By means of the projection the end of the lower, shorter, bolt U is
also forced out, while by the recess 10 both bolts are made to resume their
original position.
To the side frames A B is fixed a cross bar W on the spindles w of which are
mounted the thread spools or cops Y of which the threads y are led over the
bars CC to the thread guides.
Fig. 28 shews the developed peripheries of the cams I to VI, which are divided
into 120 sections marked 1 to 120, while Figs. 29 and 30 shew the slots of the two
bars K' K°. As will be seen from the foregoing description, the cams effect the
following motions :—
Cattle mavors HI
By the slot n the movements of the shears.
"
By the rod
m the horizontal motion of the thread guides.
the vertical motions of the hooks or thread holders o³.
The bar K° effects:
.
By the slot
By the slot
By the slot
the opening and closing as also the changing of the shuttles J j.
the motions of the thread guide tubes oº.
the vertical motions of the thread carriers m.
The above described apparatus operates as follows:
By the rotation of the driving pulley b, the cams I to VI are rotated in the
direction of the arrow z (Figs. 1, 2, and 28). If now it be assumed that the cams have
turned so far round that the guide rollers d' of the levers 1 to 6 have arrived at the
point 8 Fig. 28, the shuttle movers will have been drawn together, and the nipping
jaws of the shuttles Jj will have been opened (Figs. 1 to 7).
The frame R is raised up with the finished heald Z hung upon the heald holders
(Fig 31)

page_text: The thread guide m has been lifted from the position a" Figs. 31 and 36 to the
position 6, whereby the end of the thread y coming from a cop Y and passing
through the thread guide, is nipped in the shears n*.
On the further motion of the cams from 8 to 8 (Fig. 28) the bar K2 is pushed
upward by the cam II to such an extent that the guide roller m14
passes on to the
straight surface 4" of the slot m" (Fig. 29) whereby the thread guide m (Fig. 32)
will be shifted horizontally from point to point cl
From point 9 to point 10 (Fig. 28) the bar Ko is pushed downwards by the
cam III, so that the rollers 1 pass from the part 3' on to the part 2 of the slot ko
(Fig. 30) and consequently the thread guide in is moved downwards from point c¹¹
to d (Fig. 33).
From 10 to 11 (Fig. 28) the cam II moves the bar K² downwards so that the
guide roller m passes on to the part 3" of the slot m" (Fig. 29), and consequently
the thread guide m is moved back from point d" to all (Fig. 34).
From 11 to 13 (Fig. 28) the cam III raises the bar K to such an extent that
the guide rollers k pass from the part 2 of slot 4º to part 3' thereof (Fig. 30), by
this means the thread guide is raised to the point 6" (Fig. 35).
In consequence of the said movements of the thread guide (Figs. 31 to 35) the
thread y will have been coiled once round the nipping jaw of the small shuttle j.
During this time, that is, from 10 to 13 (Fig. 28) the cam IV will have moved
the frame R into its lowest position (Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 35).
The stopping rings 9 9 q will then stand in the position shewn in Figs. 18
to 20, so that the frame can pass all the rings freely.
From 14 to 15 (Fig. 28) the cam II moves the bar K' so far downwards that
the guide roller m passes on to the part 2 of the slot m¹ (Fig. 29), in consequence
of this the thread guide will be moved horizontally to the point ell (Fig. 36),
thereby sliding over the rollers of the heald holder, and hanging the thread y
upon the same.
From 16 to 17 (Fig. 28) the cam III moves the bar K° (Fig. 30) downwards so
that the guide rollers pass from the part 3¹ to the part 2' of the slot 4º,
consequently the thread guide is moved from point el downwards to point f
(Fig. 37).
From 16 to 21 the frame R is moved upward by cam IV up to the upper ring 9
(Fig. 38). During this motion of the frame R, that is, from 18 to 19, the cam VI
moves the rings 9* 93 and 9 in the direction of the arrow 21 (Fig. 18) into the
position shewn at Fig. 21, so that the frame is stopped by the upper rings 9. By
this upward motion of the frame and heald holder, the length of thread required
for one heald will be drawn off the cops Y, being drawn by the rollers through
the thread guide. The distances between the rings q* 9° 9° are adjusted according
to the length of the heald, and the desired points of the tyings.
From 22 to 23 (Fig. 28) the cam II moves the bar K' Fig. 29 downwards to such
an extent that the guide m" is moved from the part 2 of the slot m¹ on to the
part 1 of the same. By this means the thread guide is pushed from f" to g"
Fig. 39.
From 23 to 24 (Fig. 28) the bar K° is moved upwards by cam III to such an
extent that the guide rollers k¹ are brought from the part 2' of slot k into the
part 3' of the same slot, and consequently the thread guide is also moved upwards
from point g¹ (Fig. 40) to point h₁.
From 24 to 24 (Fig. 28) the bar K' (Fig. 29) is moved upwards by the cam II
so that the guide roller m¹s (Fig. 29) is brought from part 1 of the slot m¹ on to
the part 2", and consequently the thread guide is moved horizontally from point ¹¹
to point el (Fig. 41).
From 25 to 26 the cam III moves the bar K° downwards to such an extent that
the guide rollers 1 pass from the part 3 of the slot (Fig. 30) to the part 2', and
consequently the thread guide will be moved downwards from the point e¹¹ to the
point (Fig. 42).
From 26 to 27 the cam II draws the bar K* downwards to such an extent that

page_text: the guide roller m¹ passes from the part 2 of the slot m¹ on to the part 1"
(Fig. 29) consequently the thread guide will be moved back from point to g
(Fig. 43). In consequence hereof the thread y will also be coiled round the nipping
jaw of the large shuttle J.
From 27 to 28 the cam III draws the bar Kº downwards to such an extent that
the guide roller passes from the part 3 of the slot on to the part 2. By
this means the slides 12 12 are moved out of the position shown in Figs. 6 and 44
into the position shown at Fig. 45, whereby the nipping jaws of the shuttles are
closed so as to nip the coil of thread passed round them.
From 28 to 29 the cam II pushes the bar K2 downwards to such an extent that
the guide roller m" passes from the part 2 of the slot n¹³ on to the part 1, whereby
the shears passing under the shuttles are brought into the position indicated by the
point in Fig. 46. During this motion of the shears the nipping jaw n' remains
engaged with the spring hook 12 (Fig. 15) by which means the shears will be
opened. In the meantime, that is to say from 284 to 291, (Fig. 28) the cam III
will have drawn the bar Ko downwards to such an extent that the guide rollers k¹³
pass from the part 21 (Fig. 30) to the part 1 of the slot °. By this means the
point of the thread guide will be moved through the opened and still travelling
shears rapidly downwards from g" to " (Fig. 46). Before the shears arrive at
point the nipping jaw ' leaves the hook 12 (Fig. 16) and consequently nips the
thread situated between it and the fixed part of the shears. Immediately after-
wards the shears blade n', which had been seized by the hook n during the closing
of the nipping jaw n³, is released from such hook 2 in consequence of the further
motion of the shears and in closing it consequently cuts the thread y above the
nipped party (Fig. 47).
From 29 to 32 (Fig. 28) the cam IV moves the frame R downwards until it rests
upon the lower stopping rings Fig. 48. Somewhat after this downward motion of the
frame R (from 30 to 34 Fig. 28) the shuttles are moved asunder by means of cam I,
the small shuttle being held by the shuttle carrier h of the shuttle mover H while
the large shuttle J is held by the shuttle carrier 2 of the shuttle mover I (Fig. 49).
During this motion the thread which is freed by the downward motion of the
frame R is drawn tight by the moving asunder of the shuttles. The shuttles J j
are moved somewhat farther apart than the length of the two halves of the thread,
the shuttle carriers 2 being drawn somewhat out of the shafts whereby the
spring (Figs. 5 and 8) are compressed and consequently the thread y will be
drawn taut.
From 30 to 31 the cam II moves the bar K2 downwards so that the rod p³
fixed thereto, in pressing upon the rollers p1, pushes the thread holders o8 out of the
tubes o, so that the hooks of these thread holders pass somewhat above the stretched
thread (Fig. 50).
From 32 to 34 (Fig. 28) the cam III moves the bar K° downwards to such an
extent that the roller o passes from the part 2 of the slot ¹³ (Figs. 1 and 30) to
the
part 1 of the same slot. By this means the thread holder tubes oⓇ are pressed
to such an extent against the thread that the thread holders of bear against the
same, (Fig. 51).
From 34 to 38 (Fig. 28) the cam II raises the bar K2 again so that the rod p
fixed thereto leaves the rollers p again, in consequence of which the descending
thread holders o hang with their hooks on to the two thread halves.
From 35 to 38 the cam III again moves the bar Ko upwards to such an extent
that the guide roller o passes from part 1 to part 2 of the slot 3 (Figs. 1 and 30).
By this means the thread holder tubes o are pushed back into their original
position (Fig. 52). At the same time by means of the projection v³ of the cam
disc V (Fig. 25), the middle bar U₁ is pushed into the position shown in Figs. 23
and 53 so that the point u of the upper bolt U³ passes out of the block u¹ into the
corresponding hole u of the projection u.
From 36 to 39 (Fig. 28) the cam disc V moves the sector L in the direction of

page_text: the arrow 11 (Fig. 1) and consequently turns the shuttles through 1½ rotation in
the direction of the arrow (Fig. 54), whereby however, in consequence of the
position of the thread relatively to the shuttles no coiling of the thread upon the
latter can take place. The shuttles are only drawn so near together that the large
shuttle J covers the conical projection of the small one, (Fig. 55).
From 40 to 43 the cam V effects the turning of the shuttles Jj in the direction
of the arrow (Fig. 55) through 1 rotation, whereby the thread y is coiled 1
times round each shuttle, (Fig. 56), the necessary length of thread being drawn out
of the thread holder tubes.
From 43 to 43 the shuttle carriers are drawn completely together by means of
the cam I, that is to say the small shuttle j is inserted into the large one J, and
both shuttles are attached to both shuttle carriers (Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 57).
From 44 to 45 (Fig. 28) the cam III draws the bar Ko downwards to such an
extent that the guide roller is dropped from the part 2 of the slot 1 to 11,
(Figs. 1 and 30). By this means the slides 12, (Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 44 and 45) are
pushed farther into the shuttle carriers ² 2, (Fig. 58). By this means the double
hooks of the shuttle carrier 2 (Figs. 8 and 58) are drawn out of the recess
the small shuttlej and take into the recesses of the large shuttle, so that now this
latter is secured to the carrier 2 which before held the small shuttle (Fig. 58).
The double hooks of the shuttle carrier on the other hand are forced out of the
opposite recesses of the large shuttle J into the recesses of the small shuttle j,
and consequently the latter will be attached to the carrier .
of
From 45 to 49 the cam I again moves the shuttle carriers asunder, Fig. 59,
whereby the thread coils y" wound upon the small shuttle will be drawn off from
this shuttle and be straightened out, (Fig. 60). The thread coils y wound upon
the large shuttle J will also be drawn off from the shuttle by the thread nipped by
the small shuttle which is drawn through the slot 2 of the large shuttle, but such
thread coils will hang on to the part of the thread nipped by the small shuttle,
(Fig. 60), and will form a single tie with the same (Fig. 61).
From 45 to 48 the cam II moves the bar K2 downwards to such an
extent (Fig. 2) that the rod pushes the thread holders of upwards whereby the thread
halves are drawn out of the books of the latter, causing the tie to be brought to
the point of the bolt by which it will be stopped and against which it will be
drawn tight by the further motion of the shuttles, (Fig. 62). In this motion the
springs, (Figs. 5, 6 and 8) will give way, allowing the shuttle carriers ²² to
be drawn somewhat out of the shafts, whereby any breaking of the heald
thread is prevented.
From 47 to 49 (Fig. 28) the cam III draws the bar Ko downwards to such an
extent that the roller o° passes from the part 2 of the slot ¹³ (Figs. 1 and 30) to
the part 1 of the same slot and consequently causes the thread holders of to be
pushed against the thread as shown at (Fig. 51).
From 49 to 53 the cam 11 will cause the hooks of to be hung on to the thread
halves as at 34 to 38.
From 50 to 53 the thread holder tubes are by means of the cam III and bar K°
brought back into the position shown at Fig. 52 in the same manner as described
at 35 to 38.
From 50 to 54 (Fig. 28) the cam I will cause the shuttles Jj to be brought back
into the position at Fig. 64 as described at 35 to 39, the requisite tension of the
thread being obtained by the thread holders drawing the thread downwards into
the tubes of again.
From 5 to 54 (Fig. 28) the cam V will turn the shuttles again as described
at 35 to 39 in the direction of the arrow Fig. 54 as shown at Fig. 63.
From 55 to 58 (Fig. 28) the cam V will turn the shuttles Jj as at 40 to 43, in
the direction of the arrow, through 1 rotation, (Fig. 64), whereby the thread
will be again coiled round the shuttles as indicated in Fig. 56; from 58 to 58 the
shuttles will be moved together again as at 43 to 43 (Fig. 65).

page_text: From 59 to 6C the cam III raises the bar K° to such an extent that the guide
roller K Fig. 1 passes from the part 1" (Fig. 30) to the part 2 of the slot ko.
By this means the slides 12 12 will be moved in the direction of the arrow "
(Fig. 58), so that they will attain the position shown at Figs. 45 and 66. Con-
sequently the double hooks 10 of the shuttle carriers will be so moved (Fig. 66)
that the small shuttle j is again held by the shuttle carrier 2 and the large shuttle
by the carrier ³.
From 60 to 64 (Fig. 28) the cam I moves the shuttles apart as at 30 to 34 by
which means the second single tie s² (Figs. 27 and 67) of the double upper tie s²
of the heald Z will be drawn tight against the bolt point (Fig. 67). As however
during this ties the shuttles move apart in the contrary direction to that of the
motion by which the tie s was formed, while the shuttles are rotated in the same
direction, during such ties the interlacing of the two thread halves at s will take
place in the reverse direction to that of the tie s² (Fig. 27). By this means the
double tie or knot, when drawn tight, takes up less room and the two thread halves
will not be twisted.
From 60 to 63 (Fig. 28) the cam II and bar K2 will cause the thread holders o
to be pushed upwards simultaneously with the moving asunder of the shuttles as
at 45 to 48 so that the hooks of the thread holders will release the two thread
halves.
From 62 to 64 (Fig. 28) cam III and bar K° will cause the thread holder
tubes of together with the thread holders 08 to be pushed against the thread again
(Fig. 51) as at 32 to 34.
From 64 to 68 cam II and bar K2 will cause the hooks of the thread holders o
to be hung on to the thread again as at 49 to 53.
From 66 to 68 the cam III and bar Ko will push the thread holder tubes into the
position shown at Fig. 52 as at 35 to 38.
From 65 to 69 the cam I will draw the shuttles J j together into the position
shown at Fig. 64 as at 50 to 54.
From 66 to 69 the shuttles are again turned by the cam V in the direction of the
arrow (Fig. 54) as at 35 to 39.
From 69 to 72 the shuttles are turned by cam V in the same direction as at
66 to 69.
From 73 to 73 the shuttle carriers are drawn completely together by the cam I,
as at 43 to 43.
From 74 to 75 the cam III and bar K push the slides 12 12 into the shuttle
carriers again, as at 44 to 45, so that they pass from the position shewn at Fig. 66
to the position at Fig. 58, and consequently the large shuttle J will be again
connected to the shuttle carrier and the small shuttle to the carrier 2.
From 75 to 79 the cam I effects the moving asunder of the shuttles again as at
45 to 49.
From 75 to 78 the thread holders 08 are raised as at 45 to 48 and thus leave
the thread halves, so that the tieing of these halves (Fig. 68) can be effected
against the second bolt end u which has in the meantime been pushed out of the
projection by the projection of of the cam Vo
From 77 to 79 the cam III and the bar Ko push the thread holder tubes o
against the thread as at 47 to 49, (Fig. 51).
From 79 to 83 the hooks of are hung on to the thread halves by the cam II as
at 49 to 53.
From 80 to 83 the cam III and the bar K° effect the pushing back of the
thread tubes into the position shown at Fig. 52 as at 50 to 53.
From 80 to 84 the cam I effects the drawing together of the shuttles J j into
the position shown at Fig. 64 as at 50 to 54.
From 81 to 83 cam V effects the turning of the shuttles Jj in the direction of
the arrow (Fig. 69) as at 40 to 43.
From 84 to 87 the shuttles rotate as at 36 to 39 in the direction of the

page_text: arrow
1 turns.
(Fig. 70), consequently the thread will again be coiled upon the shuttles
From 88 to 88 the shuttle carriers are completely drawn together by the cam I
as at 43 to 43.
From 89 to 90 the slides ¹¹ are slid as at 59 to 60 in the direction of the
arrow (Fig. 58) so that they assume the position shown at Figs. 45 and 66;
consequently the small shuttle j is held by the double hook of the shuttle carrier /²
and the large shuttle J by the double hook of the carrier .
From 90 to 94 the shuttles are drawn apart as from 60 to 64 and the second
tieing of the double tieing 3 s (Fig. 27) is formed, and is drawn tight against
the bolt end 10 after the thread holders o8 have been pushed upwards by 90 to 93
as at 45 to 48 and have consequently released the thread halves. The tyings
for the heald loop Z are thus completed.
From 92 to 94 cam III and bar Ko effect the pushing of the thread holder
tubes and consequently the thread holders against the thread as at 32 to 34.
From 95 to 98 the hooks of the thread holder o are hung on to the thread by
cam II and bar K' as at 49 to 53.
From 95 to 99 cam I effects the drawing together of the shuttles into the
position shown at Fig. 55 as at 50 to 54.
From 95 to 98 the thread holder tubes are drawn back into the position
shown at Fig. 52 by cam III and bar Ko, as at 35 to 38.
From 95 to 99 the frame R is raised by cam IV to somewhat above the middle
stop (Fig. 71), the guide roller o of the bar U (Fig. 25) having previously
dropped into the recess of cam V° whereby the bar U₁ and the bolts U³ U¹ will
have been pushed into the position shown at Fig. 7.
From 96 to 98 cam V effects the turning of the shuttles J j in the direction of
the arrow (Fig. 55) as at 40 to 43.
From 99 to 102 the shuttles will be again turned in the same direction
as at 96 to 98 and the thread will be coiled up upon the same (Figs. 55 and 56).
From 99 to 101 the stop rings q y 9 will be brought by cam VI into the
position at Fig. 22 so that at the downward motion of the frame R by cam IV
from 101 to 102 it will rest upon the middle stop rings (Fig. 72) and consequently
the heald will be brought into the necessary position for forming the last two
tieings and 8, (Fig. 27).
From 103 to 103 cam I will again draw the shuttles completely together as at
43 to 43.
From 104 to 105 the slides h¹2 2 are pushed into the position at Fig. 58 as
at 44 to 45, so that the large shuttle is again held by 2 and the small one by i³.
From 105 to 107 the shuttles will be drawn apart as at 45 to 49 but only
half as far, because now by the raising of the heald the two thread parts situated
under the bars U U' U³ will have become shorter.
From 105 to 107 the thread holders o are raised by cam II and bar K2 as
at 45 to 48 and release the threads so that the fifth tieing of the heald
against the bolt end u³ can be drawn tight (Fig. 73) the said bolt end having
meanwhile been brought into the position shown at Fig. 23 by the projection v³ of
the cam Vo, Fig. 25.
From 106 to 107 cam 111 and bar K will push the thread holders against the
thread (Fig. 51) as at 47 to 49.
From 108 to 111 the cam II will cause the hooks o to be hung on to the
thread as at 49 to 53.
From 108 to 111 cam 1 will effect the drawing together of the shuttle holders
into the position at Fig. 64 as at 50 to 54.
From 109 to 111 the cam III and the bar K" will push the thread holders o
with their tubes of into the position shown at Fig. 52 as at 50 to 53.
From 109 to 111 the shuttles will be turned by cam V in the direction of the
arrow (Fig. 54) as at 36 to 39.

page_text: From 112 to 115 the shuttles will be again turned through 1 revolutions in
the direction of the arrow (Fig. 64) and consequently the thread will be again
coiled upon the same.
From 11 to 116 the shuttles will be entirely drawn together.
From 16 to 117 cam 111 and bar K° will move the slides 22 in the direction
of the arrow (Fig. 58) into the position shown in Figs. 45 and 66, as at 59 to 60,
and consequently the small shuttle will be held by the shuttle carrier ² and the
large one by the shuttle carrier i².
From 117 to the cam I will draw the shuttles apart (Fig. 67) as at 105
to 107.
From 118 to 120 cam II and bar K2 will move the thread holders of upwards
(Fig. 67) as at 45 to 48, and consequently they release the thread halves so that
the last tieing so can be drawn tight against the bolt end at the upward motion
of the shuttle.
From 118 to cam III and
thread as at 32 to 34, and from
by cam II and bar K² as at 49
bar K° will push the thread holders o against the
to 2 the hooks of will be hung on to the thread
to 53.
From 1 to 3 cam III and bar K° will draw the thread holder tubes back into
the position at Fig. 52, as at 35 to 38.
From 2 to 4 the shuttles will be drawn completely together by cam I.
From to 3 the thread guide will be moved froni point " (Fig. 46) to point 11
(Fig. 74) by cam 11 and bar K².
From 1 to 3 cam III and bar K° will raise the thread guide to point a
(Fig. 75), that is to say, in the position shown at Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
From to 3 the cam II and bar K2 will also push the shears from the position
shown at Fig. 47 into that shown at Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 31, 75.
From 4 to 6 the cam III and bar Ko will push the slides into the position
shown at Fig. 44 and consequently the nipping jaws of the shuttles will be
opened.
From 6 to 8 the frame R will be raised by cam IV into the position shown
at Fig. 31 whereby it will draw the finished heald from the opened nipping
jaws, the stop rings having previously been brought into the position shown at
Figs. 18 to 20, as at 5 to 6, so that the frame R can pass through all the
rings q* q³ qº.
From 7 to 8 the cam III and bar K will raise the thread guide from point all
(Fig. 75) to the point 62 (Fig. 31).
From 8 to 8 the cam II will push the thread guide to point c" (Fig. 32) and
so on.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :
A machine for knotting heald threads wherein the necessary tieings for forming
the heald are effected mechanically in the same manner as by hand, by causing a
thread y coming from a spool Y and whose end is nipped in shears n', to be hung
by a thread guide m on to a moveable holder by the movement of which the
length of thread required for one heald is drawn off from the spool, and the end
of each half of the heald thread being brought between the nipping jaws of
two shuttles Jj, which jaws are opened by slides 313, so that after the requisite
length of thread has been cut off by the shears n each heald end is nipped in the
jaws of the shuttle by a further motion of the slides, the tieings being then effected
by turning the shuttles through one and a half revolutions and then causing them
to pass through one of the loops of the thread so formed, after which the shuttles
are separated so that the interlacement of the threads thus effected is drawn tight
against one of two moveable bolts Us U the distance between which determines the
length of the heald loop, the points of the thread where the tieing is to be effected being

page_text: brought against the said bolts by the movement of the above mentioned holder
from which the heald is suspended; finally the finished heald is freed from the
nipping jaws of the shuttles on such jaws being opened by the said slides j³ 13
substantially as described.
Dated the 18th day of October 1892
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.