IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINERY FOR SPINNING COTTON, FLAX, WOOL, Tow, CR OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1816

page_text: LEIGH BRADBURY, of the City of Gloucester, do send greeting.
WHEREAS His present Majesty King George the Third, in and by His
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Ninth day of March, in the fifty-sixth year of His reign, for
Himself, His heirs and successors, did give and grant unto me, the said
John Leigh Bradbury, my executors, administrators, and assigns, His special
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said John Leigh
Bradbury, my executors, administrators, and assigns, and every of them, by
myself and themselves, or by my and their deputy or deputies, servants or
agents, or such others as 1, the said John Leigh Bradbury, my executors,
administrators, or assigns, shall at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times thereafter during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINERY FOR SPINNING COTTON, FLAX, WOOL, Tow,
CR OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES;" in which Letters Patent there is contained
a proviso, obliging me, the said John Leigh Bradbury, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the
nature of my said Invention, and of the manner in which the same is to be
performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court
of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said recited Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Leigh Bradbury, do hereby describe and ascertain that my said new
invented improvements in the machinery for spinning cotton, flax, wool, tow,
and other fibrous substances, to consist,―
First, of a method of making or causing the bobbins (which contain and
hold the thread or yarn spun from the materials aforesaid) to gather in and
wind up upon them the said thread or yarn with a quickness that shall pro-
gressively increase, and be proportionate to the speed with which the fly shall
have its revolutions accelerated, and to the speed with which the rollers com-
monly used in spinning the materials aforesaid shall be made to deliver out
the substance prepared for spinning.
And, secondly, that my next improvement in the machinery aforesaid
consists of methods of preventing the waste of materials which usually occurs
when the thread or yarn breaks,-by-causing--the action of the rollers to cease,
and the passage of the roving or material prepared for spinning to be stopped,
in such a manner that no more of the said material shall pass through the
rollers from the time that the thread or yarn breaks until the action of the
rollers is again restored and the roving again be set free, as herein-after
described.
My method of effecting the first mentioned improvement, for making the
action of the bobbin proportionate to the velocity of the fly and of the rollers,
consists in connecting a moveable part to each bobbin, or to a washer or part
joined to the said bobbin, in such a manner, that when the bobbin is turned
round the said moveable part shall fly out from the centre or axis of motion
by the principle called the centrifugal force, in such a way that it shall either
press against the inside of a fixed ring surrounding it, or cause another part
proceeding from it to press against the outside of the said ring, so as in both
cases to cause the said part to have a friction against the said ring that shall
become greater in proportion as the velocity of the revolutions of the fly are
accelerated, by which means the difference between the quickness of the revo-
lutions of the fly and of the bobbin (on which difference the action of the
bobbin in gathering and winding up the thread or yarn depends) is increased
in proportion as the fly turns round with more velocity.
And my method of effecting my second mentioned improvement, for pre-
venting the waste of materials which occurs on the thread or yarn breaking
while in the action of being spun, consists in making the thread or yarn in
passing to the fly and bobbin act on one arm of a small balanced part, so as
to counterpoise and keep up the opposite arm, which is somewhat heavier than
it, as long as the said thread is unbroken, but the instant the said thread or

page_text: yarn is broken, and that its continuity ceases, the opposite arm of the balance
aforesaid falls down, so as to come in contact with a revolving or otherwise
moving part of the machinery, which acts on said arm in such a manner by a
part or parts projecting from it as to give a motion to a bar connected with
the said balance, which raises another part or parts extending to the axis of
the two upper back rollers, beneath which the roving belonging to the thread
or yarn aforesaid passes, so as to cause the said rollers to rise up quite clear
from the said roving; and also at the same instant the said part in rising gives
motion to another part, which presses the roving against a part projecting for
that purpose above it, or by other means gripes it so that it can no longer
pass, whereupon all waste of the roving ceases, and the only part lost is the
portion of the thread or yarn between its fracture and the front rollers, and in
the meantime the said roving remains sufficiently close to the said front
rollers to be immediately acted on and drawn forward upon the upper, back,
and middle rollers being let down when the broken thread is pieced. The
foregoing description contains my improvements faithfully; but for the sake
of further illustration, and to facilitate the understanding of them to workmen
and artificers, I annex the following Drawings of various parts of the machinery
aforesaid, together with the explanations of them, according to one of the
modes of constructing the same, to which I give the preference..
Figure 1 represents a side view of the rollers of a spinning frame, and of
such parts of the framework and machinery as are necessary to exhibit my
improvements, including the bobbin, fly, and spindle. In this Figure, A shows
the spindle, with its warve X; Y, part of the collar rail; Z, part of the
copping rail, which raises and lowers the bobbin so as to lay on the thread' or
yarn evenly; C is the fly, which twists the thread or yarn, and guides it to the
bobbin B; and f represents the side of the fixed ring fastened to the copping
rail, which surrounds the lower part of the bottom of the bobbin, together with
a thick wooden or other washer beneath it, resting on a thin metal washer, both
of which washers are concealed by the position of f. The wooden washer is
represented detached at Figure 5 and Figure 6, the first of which exhibits a
plan or direct view of it, and the second a side view; in both of which 6 repre-
sents a pin, that projects from and enters into a corresponding hole in the
bottom of the bobbin, so as to oblige the bobbin and washer to turn round
together; and C, in Figure 6, is a hole, drilled at the side of the said washer
in a direction towards the centre, in which hole the small wooden pin e, Figure
7, is placed, so as to move freely in and out, which pin, when the bobbin and
large washer are in motion, is driven out by the centrifugal force against the
inside of the fixed ring that surrounds it, which ring is shewn at f, Figure 1,

page_text: and more at large in a direct view at Figure 4, and thereby causes that friction
whose increase, being commensurate with the speed of the revolutions of the
fly and spindle, retards the revolution of the bobbin proportionably, and thereby
causes it to take up the thread or yarn more quickly, according as it is spun,
and delivered out with more speed by the fly and rollers. The depth of the
ring, Figure 4, is equal to the thickness of the large washer, and the part g
attached to it is for the purpose of fastening it to the copping rail by the screw
holes therein represented. It is obvious that the bottom of the bobbin might
be made thick enough to contain the pin e, and thereby supersede the large
washer, but in this way the pins would be more liable to be lost, and time
would be wasted in taking out pins from the full bobbins and in putting them
into the empty ones, which considerations render the use of the larger washer
beneath the bobbin preferable. The other portions of Figure 1 represent the
parts used in my second described improvement, wherein 3, 3, 3, shews the
ends of the rollers; O, O, an upright piece of brass or iron, branched out at
top, so as to sustain the axles of the back and middle rollers, and supported by
clasps or otherwise against the roller rail J, so as to move freely up and down
within said clasps. The lower end of O, O, rests on the bar I, I, that slides
back and forwards beneath the roller rail J, that sustains the rollers through
the perforated plates K and L, one of which plates is placed at the front and
the other at the back of the said rail. On the end of this sliding bar I, I, next
O, O, there is an inclined plane M, ascending from the front upwards, and ter-
minating in the hollow N, the effect of which inclined plane is to raise up 0, 0,
when it is drawn forwards, and along with it to elevate the upper and back
rollers 3, 3, which are sustained by the said 0, 0, and thereby to leave the
roving or material prepared for being spun free and uncompressed. The arm
Q, which is attached to the said 0, 0, is of course raised along with it, and
presses its upper part, which is grooved against the lower side of the roving,
and forces it upwards against the horizontal wire spring R, fixed to the roller
stand, and placed so above the roving as to correspond with the groove in the
top of Q, which arm Q when raised presses the roving between it and the spring
R, so as to gripe it fast like a pair of nippers, and to stop its farther progress
towards the front rollers, which, still revolving, break it short just at its entrance
on them, where it remains ready to be immediately acted on when the back
and middle rollers 3, 3, are again let down. The hollow or nick at the top of
the inclined plane M retains the end of 0, 0, steadily in its proper position
until the bar I, I, is pushed back in order to let down the rollers.
Having described the method by which the horizontal bar I, I, in sliding
back and forwards, raises and lets down the vertical bar O, O, that sustains the

page_text: rollers, I have next to explain the manner in which the breaking of the thread
or yarn causes the bar I, I, to be moved forwards to make the rollers ascend.
At the front of I, I, over the fly and bobbin, the eye F, through which the
thread or yarn passes to the fly and bobbin, turns vertically on a pivot G, and
is so balanced by the counterpoise H, which is heavier than it, that as soon as
the thread breaks, H falls down towards the horizontal shaft or bar T, that
revolves beneath it in the direction marked by the , so as to come in
contact with one of the leaves or teeth U, U, which project from T, and which
immediately forces H forwards, and thereby causes I, I, to slide on along with
it, which, by its inclined plane M, elevates O, O, and thus raises the rollers and
gripes the roving at the same instant, as before explained, so as to produce the
effect required. When the broken thread is pieced after the bar I, I, is pressed
back by the hand, and the back and middle rollers 3, 3, are consequently
lowered, its action or pressure in passing downwards to the fly and bobbin
from the rollers is sufficient to depress the eye F, through which it runs, and
thereby to elevate H out of the reach of the leaves or teeth U, U, until the
thread again breaks, and causes the effect before described to be again produced,
by the removal of its pressure in the eye F, and by the consequent descent of
the catch and counterpoise H. In order to adjust the length of O, O, to the
greater nicety, it is jointed with a sliding slot at S, through which a screw
passes that holds it fast in the desired position.
Figure 2 is a downward view of the rollers, of which the front one A has
two bosses; but the back and middle rollers 3, 3, have separate bosses, the
centres of which turn in the frame or arms on the top of the bar 0, 0, before
described, and slide up and down in the slots C, C, C, and of the roller stand,
according as they are acted on by O, O. Q represents the grooved arms,
attached behind to O, O, for griping the roving; and R, R, shews the horizontal
springs fastened to the cap D on the back rail. Figure 3 is a back view of
the bar O, O, and of the frame that supports the middle and back rollers 3, 3;
where represents the arm for griping the roving; and R, the horizontal
spring, against which the said roving is pressed by the ascent of Q.
The foregoing explanation of the Drawings exhibits that method of those
to which the before given definitions of my improvements aforesaid apply, which
I think the best; but it is obvious that similar motions, forming variations of
those exemplified, but still comprised within my definitions aforesaid, may be
effected in other ways so as to produce the same effects. Thus, a moveable
part may be made to fly out from the bobbin or washer, to which it is con-
nected by the centrifugal force, so as to press against the fixed ring, and to
cause the effects before described in other methods besides that in the example.

page_text: First, by a horizontal arm, proceeding outwards from a ring placed beneath
the bobbin on the spindle, may be used instead of the thick washer, before
described, and on this arm a small tube may be placed, so as to move freely
back and forwards from the centre towards the fixed ring; or, secondly, a
small peg or pin may be sustained on the said arm by two or more rings, so as
to move in the same manner as the tube, either of which tube or peg, so placed
on the arm when the bobbin is in motion, and connected with the arm, will
by the centrifugal force be pressed against the inside of the fixed ring, so as
to cause an effect similar to that in the example; thirdly, a piece may be
jointed to the outward extremity of the said arm, so as that its end shall fly
.out by the centrifugal force and press against the ring, in the same manner as
the parts before described; also, fourthly, a pressure against the outside of the
fixed ring may be caused so as to produce a similar effect by making the
washer or the bottom of bobbin thick enough to rise above the ring and
through said part, passing a wire or similar thing horizontally from side to side
through a hole made therein near the centre, to one end of which wire a small
weight being attached, and to the other end a hook or projection bending
downwards beyond the ring. When the bobbin and washer revolve, the small
weight will fly out by the centrifugal force, draw the wire through the hole,
and cause the hook or projection at its other end to press against the outside
of the fixed ring, as proposed; fifthly, the small weight may be also attached
to the end of one arm of a bent lever, so jointed at its angle to the washer or
bobbin, that when in motion the weighted arm may fly out in the same
manner, and cause the other arm of the bent lever to press against the outside
of the fixed ring and produce the same effect. There may also be variations
made in the mode of raising and lowering the rollers, which would produce an
effect in saving waste, similar to the method described; one of which variations
is represented in Figure 8, where I, I, shews that part that holds the eye,
which is moved as before described; but at the other end it is jointed to two
other pieces, one of which B descends to a fixed rail C, to which it is fastened
by a joint, and the other piece W ascends to the upright piece O, O, raising
the upper rollers. These two pieces B and W remain in the angle represented
in the Figure while the thread is sound; but when it breaks, and the catch
falling on the revolving bar causes I, I, to be drawn forward, as before de-
scribed, then the angle formed by the pieces B and W becomes more obtuse,
and the roller will be forced upwards, as required. It may also be easily con-
ceived how the same original movement may be made (by intermediate levers,
or by racks and pinions, or by other mechanical arrangements in common use,)
to elevate the rollers, by parts acting from above them, so as to produce a

page_text: similar effect to that described. The eye and counterpoise also may be made
to assume various positions also with regard to each other besides that de-
scribed, one of which is represented in Figure 9, where the eye F is placed
erect, and at right angles to the counterpoise catch H, which H remains
horizontal when the thread is sound, but falls down, as before described, when
the said thread breaks. It will therefore be manifest that any person attempting
any such variations will infringe on my Patent, and be liable to the penalties
in that case by law provided.
The advantages which will arise from the use of my said improvements
will be more evident on considering the imperfections of the usual mode of
spinning by machinery which these improvements remedy :-
First, the bobbin in the common method being retarded only by its weight
pressing on the copping rail from moving round as quick as the fly, when the
latter moves with above a certain velocity, which is very limited, the friction
of the revolving spindle, aiding the action of the fly in pulling round the bobbin
by the thread, causes the said bobbin to rise above the copping rail, and to cease
from gathering in the thread altogether. But by my improvement first recited,
the velocity of the movements of the said parts have no other limits but what
arise from the wear of the machinery and from the danger of the heating of the
parts in motion, and may be increased considerably above the common speed
before any serious inconvenience can arise from these circumstances, by which
means a given number of spindles in a spinning mill may be made to perform
vastly more work (perhaps double or treble as much, or more,) without any
increase of the hands employed, so that the value of every spinning mill or
other similar machinery wherein my said improvement is used will at once be
increased in the above proportion at a very small cost comparatively.
Secondly, in the common mode of spinning by machinery. When a thread
breaks, the roving or material to be spun continues to be delivered out and to
run to waste till seen by the person who attends the frame, (who is for the
most part a child) and of course subject to all the causes of inattention, which
act more forcibly in early years,) which waste amounts, in even the best regu-
lated mills, to a very large quantity annually; but by my improvement for
preventing waste this evil is compleatly removed, the machinery becomes self-
regulated and totally independant of the care of the children or others employed
to piece the threads. In this particular and on this account the persons
employed in a spinning mill for said purpose may be made to attend each a
great number of spindles, and thereby much fewer of them be required, and
the profits be increased on this account, as well as by the saving of waste, and
prevention of the damage which the waste causes to the machinery.

page_text: Lastly, I declare that it is my intent that all parts necessary to give the
proper motions to the portions of spinning machinery described in this my
Specification, which parts for greater brevity are omitted, should be constructed
and made in the same manner as they are usually made in the mills or
other efficient machinery used for spinning, and that all the parts of the said
machinery should be made of such metals, wood, or other materials as are
usually applied to their construction.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Leigh Bradbury, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixteen.
JOHN LEIGH BRADBURY. (L.S.)