IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOM PICKERS."
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry McManus, of New York, in the United States
of America, but at present of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOM PICKERS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry McManus at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th February 1876.
HENRY MCMANUS, of New York, in the United States of America, but at
present of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN LOOM PICKERS."
The object of this Invention is a loom picker formed in sections so as to be
readily applied to and removed from the rod and adapted to receive peculiar
beating pads and bearings, as fully herein-after described.
The picker consists of an outer metallic shell containing a bearing and a beating
block. The shell may be of any suitable form, but is made in two sections, each
recessed so as to enclose between them two sockets, the former, being nearly
cylindrical to receive the bearing which slides on the usual rod, and the latter being
rectangular for the reception of the striking block, an eye at the end of the shell
serving for the attachment of the strap. The two sections of the shell are con-
nected so as to be detachable by screw pins. The striking block consists of a
rectangular block of compressed paper, paper pulp, or paper composition, and is
secured in its position by being clamped while soft between the sections of the shell,
each of which has slots through which the material protrudes slightly under
pressure. The bearing is hollow, and may consist of a short moulded tube of
papier mâché or paper composition, or may be in two semi-tubular pieces fitted
together and confined in the socket in the shell.
A convenient mode of manufacture consists in folding a sheet of paper, and
hending or moulding each side to form the bearing portions which clamp the rod.
A paper or paper pulp bearing, on account of its durability, is desirable, and it may
in many instances be employed without lubricating material, or may be boiled or
soaked in oil or other suitable lubricants before being applied. By making the shell in
sections the pick may be applied to the rod or spindle without removing the latter.
By employing paper or condensed pulp for the bearing the necessity of covering
the rod with paper may be avoided. While it is preferable to make the shell in
ГД

page_text: sections it may consist of a metallic case, one side being detachable, for the intro-
duction of a pulp filling, which constitutes both the bearing and the beating block.
In some cases, especially in looms already in use, the paper bearing may be
inserted in a tube secured in any suitable manner to the usual raw hide picker, a
much more extended and durable bearing for the picker being thus obtained. The
bearing may be secured in its place in the shell in various ways.
According to one modification I form an internal shoulder at one end of the
socket for the bearing, and insert the bearing from the opposite end, and secure it
by means of a spring catch entering a recess formed in the bearing, the latter being
provided with a suitable metal strengthening collar; or I screw the bearing into the
socket, and further secure it by means of the spring catch if desired; or I employ a
screw cap or a cap fitted with a bayonet joint to retain the bearing in its place, in
which case the bearing may be screwed into its socket or not as preferred. Or in
lieu of the preceding arrangements a closing plate may be employed, having pro-
jections fitting in suitable recesses, or between lugs, and secured by a removeable
pin, whereby increased facility is afforded for removing and replacing the bearing
when required. The shell may be provided with a pendent projection of raw hide
or paper composition.
In some cases leather or raw hide may be used for the beating block in combina-
tion with my improved shell, and the beating block may be retained in its place by
a screw or pin.
The Invention is applicable to loom pickers of every description. The material
for the bearing may be applied in sheets or blocks in lieu of or with tubes,
according to the kind of loom and to the description of picker used.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed. by
the said Henry McManus in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th August
1876.
HENRY MCMANUS, of New York, in the United States of America, but at present
of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex. IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOM
PICKERS."
My Invention has for its chief objects constructing the outer shell or body of a
loom packer in such a manner that it may be readily applied to and removed from
the rod or spindle, and providing means for securing the beating block and bearing
in the shell or body so as to adinit of their being removed therefrom with facility
when worn, and replaced by fresh ones.
These objects may be effected according to my Invention in a variety of ways,
as herein-after described, reference being had to the several Figures on the accom-
panying Sheet of Drawings, the same letters on which indicate corresponding parts
in all the Figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings represents an end elevation of a picker,
.constructed according to one modification of iny Invention, and Figure 2 is a side
elevation of the same.
The picker consists of an outer metallic shell A containing a bearing B and a
beating block C. The shell, which may be of any suitable form, is made in two
sections or halves A1, A2, each recessed so as to enclose between them two sockets
a, a¹, the former of which is nearly cylindrical, to receive the bearing B, which
slides on the usual rod or spindle, whilst the latter a¹ is either rectangular, as shewn,
or of any other suitable shape, for the reception of the beating block C. One
of the sections of the shell is shown separate in Figure 3, that Figure representing
an elevation of its inner face. The two sections are connected together by means
of screw pins b, b, so as to admit of their being readily detached when required.
An eye a² is provided for the attachment of the strap. The bearing B may be
composed of metal, but it is preferred to make it of compressed paper, paper pulp,
'

page_text: or paper composition. It may consist of a short moulded tube of such material, or of
two semi-tubular pieces fitted together and confined within the socket a of the shell.
The beating block C may be composed of leather, raw hide, or any other suitable
material, but I prefer to employ for the beating block a mass of compressed paper,
paper pulp, or paper composition, which I secure in position by clamping it while
in a soft condition between the sections of the shell, each of which has slots 1, 61,
formed in it, through which the material exudes slightly under pressure. By
inaking the shell in sections the picker may be applied to the rod or spindle without
removing the latter. If desired, the two halves or sections of the shell may consist
of a single sheet or piece of metal stamped or pressed out, and then folded or
doubled together.
Figures 4 and 5 represent respectively a longitudinal section and plan of a sheet
or piece of metal prepared for this purpose, with cavities or indentations a, a¹,
and Figure 6 represents an end view of the sheet or piece, folded or doubled
together so as to form the shell, with sockets a, a¹, for the reception of the bearing
and beating block respectively. Or the shell may be composed in sections by
hinging, as shewn in side and end elevation in Figures 7 and 8 respectively; u, v,
being the points at which the movable portions A1, A2, are hinged to the body of
the shell A. The moveable portion A¹ for retaining the bearing block is secured by
means of a pint passing through a projection r formed on such movable portion
and through lugs 8, 8, provided on the socket a. The portion A2 for retaining the
beater is secured by means of a pin y passing through a tail piece w with which
this portion is provided, and which tail piece also serves to secure a pendent projec-
tion h of raw hide, leather, compressed paper, paper pulp, or paper composition, by
passing through such pendent projection, and holding it against a lug x formed on
the body A. Or the tail piece w may be constructed, as shewn in Figure 9, so as
to secure the pendent projection h, and at the same time retain the beating block C
in its socket by passing through an opening or slot provided in the latter for that
purpose.
When the metallic shell or body of the picker is made otherwise than in sections
the bearing and beating block may, according to my Invention, be secured in their
places in the shell in a variety of ways.
According to one modification (which is illustrated in longitudinal section, plan,
and end view, in Figures 10, 11, and 12 respectively of this part of my Invention,
I form an internal shoulder e at one end of the socket a for the bearing B, and I insert
the bearing from the opposite end and secure it by means of a spring catch b²
entering a recess, or one of a series of recesses c formed in the bearing, the latter
when it is made of paper composition or other similar material being provided
with a metal strengthening collar d. Or two spring catches b², b², may be employed,
attached one on each side of the web k, as shewn in the sectional elevation and end
view Figures 13 and 14 respectively. Or the bearing B may be provided with a
projecting flange m, and be screwed into the socket a, as shewn at in the sectional
elevation, Figure 15, and it may be further secured by a spring catch if desired. Or
I employ a screw cap, as shewn at n, in the sectional clevation, Figure 16.. Or a cap n
secured by a bayonet joint, as shewn at o in the side elevation, Figure 17. In the
latter Figure a lug p is represented as formed in the cap n for the purpose of more
securely retaining it in position by means of a pin passing through the lug into the
web k.
For further security the bearing may also be screwed into its socket when
any of the other means of fastening described are employed.
Another modification of my Invention for retaining the bearing and beating block
in their places is illustrated in the sectional elevation and end view, Figures 18 and
19 respectively, as applied to the securing of the bearing only as in the Figures pre-
viously described. According to this arrangement I employ a closing plate or end
piece n, having projections q, r, the former (9) entering a recess formed in the body A,
whilst the latter (1) fits between lugs 8, 8, formed in the socket a, the plate being
secured by a removable pin t passing through the projection and the lugs 8, 8. Or
1 modify the arrangement of the end piece with its projections in the manner shewn

page_text: in Figures 20 and 21. In this case the end piece n is provided with projecting
arms, s, fitting into longitudinal grooves or recesses formed in the socket a, and
also with a lug p for securing such end piece to the web k by means of a screw
pin p¹.
In some cases the pendant block h may be composed of metal, as shewn in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 6, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19, in lieu of being formed of raw hide,
leather, or paper composition, as herein-before described, with reference to the
arrangements, Figures 7, 8, and 9, or it may be composed of metal faced with
raw hide, leather, or paper composition.
In
When paper composition is employed the facing or covering may be secured by
forcing the paper pulp when in a plastic condition through openings provided in
the socket a, as shewn in Figures 10 and 12, or by any other suitable means.
Figures 10, 12, and 13, I have represented the beating block C as being secured in
place by means of a screw g, but I prefer to employ means similar to those adopted
for securing the bearings in their places, but which it will be unnecessary further to
illustrate.
The Invention is applicable to loom pickers of every description, the mode of
adapting it varying according to the kind of loom and the description of the picker
used. For example, the ordinary or other pickers employed in check looms may be
protected by covering the surfaces subject to become worn with sheets or blocks of
compressed paper, paper pulp, or paper composition, or with raw hide or leather
attached thereto by any suitable means so as to admit of their being readily
removed when deteriorated and replaced by fresh ones.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I
would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,―-
First. Constructing loom pickers with an outer metallic shell or body made in
sections detachably connected together, and containing sockets for the reception of
a bearing and a beating block, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated
by my Drawings.
Secondly. Securing the bearing and the beating block of a loom picker in an
outer metallic shell or body when the latter is constructed otherwise than in
sections, detachably connected together in such a manner as to admit of such
bearing and beating block, or either of them, being readily removed from the said
shell or body, and replaced as required, substantially as herein-before described
and illustrated by my Drawings.
Thirdly. The combination with a metallic loom picker of a pendent projection of
raw hide, leather, compressed paper, paper pulp, or paper composition, substantially
as herein-before described.
Fourthly. Protecting the parts of metallic loom pickers subject to be worn, by
covering such parts with raw hide, leather, compressed paper, paper pulp, or paper
composition, substantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry McManus, have to this my Specification
set my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of August One thousand eight
hundred and carranty civ
HENRY MCMANUS. (L.S.)