Improvements in "V Reeds" and "Hecks" used in Warping and Beaming Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in "V Reeds" and "Hecks" used in Warping and
Beaming Machines.
We, ALFRED SEELEY, of 27, Smith Street, Rochdale, in the County of Lancaster,
Commercial Traveller, and GRINDROD KERSHAW, of 64, Clement Royds Street,
Rochdale aforesaid, Draughtsman, do hereby declare the nature of the said inven-
tion to be as follows: -
1. Our invention refers to ".V reeds," through which the threads pass to warping
and beaming machines, such reeds being used in order to adapt the reed to various
widths of warps--and my invention relates to an improved combination, arrange-
ment and construction, which allows the threads from one division or space formed
by the dents to be readily passed to other spaces or divisions without having to
thread them through the spaces between the dents.
The frame of the reed is or may be formed by two horizontal and two vertical side
bars, the upper and lower horizontal sides being jointed together in the middle so as
to be placed more or less at an angle to each other.
The upper horizontal bars are arranged to rotate or nearly so. Dents are secured
vertically in the lower bars, connected together in pairs by cross bars.
Corresponding to the dents in the lower bars, are dents in the upper bars which
can partly rotate, these dents being of staple form.
When the reed is in the working position the upper partly rotary bars are turned
to bring their dents in contact with the upper ends of those in the lower bars.
When the threads have to be changed from one space to another the upper bars
are turned to bring the lengthway of the dents carried by them say horizontal, and
when the change has been made the upper bars can be turned into the working
position as above explained.
The upper bars are held in either position by a catch jointed to the vertical
side bars or by other means.
The
bars
upper may be formed by round rods, and the dents may be secured
in thin plates connected with the rods to partly rotate upon them as an axis.
2. Our invention relates to mechanism known as "hecks" used in warping and
beaming threads through the eyes of which hecks the warp threads pass, and it
is by these hecks that the warp threads are readily divided to take the "lease."
The object of our invention is such a combination and arrangement of mechanism
as will enable the warp threads to be readily divided into any required numbers.
The common heck only divides the threads passing through its eyes into two
equal halves, each alternate thread forming one division.
The eyes used may be termed straight needles (and will be hereinafter termed
needles) with a sufficiently large eye for a thread to pass through at its upper end.

page_text: These needles are guided vertically in holes at the required distance apart in
cross bars connected with the end frame of the heck-The lower ends of the needles
extend sufficiently below the lower cross bar to allow of the required lift when
dividing the threads.
Under the lower ends of the row of needles which are in a straight line, a hollow
roller extends, the axis of which is parallel to and immediately under the row of.
needles.
This roller can be rotated and moved endways upon its axis and its bearings at
each end are in slides that can be moved vertically on the side frames of the heck.
Each vertical slide has a bearing for a cross shaft, upon which shaft at each end a
spur wheel is secured, and each spur wheel gears with a toothed rack fixed on the
end frames of the heck-By rotating this shaft by a suitable handle at one end, the
slides and thus the hollow roller can be lifted and lowered, and the upper surface of
the hollow roller would come in contact with the lower end of the needles and lift
them When the shaft is rotated by the handle to lift the hollow roller, it is
prevented from rotating back by a pawl or catch, acting upon a toothed wheel or
ratchet on the said shaft which is lifted clear of the teeth when the hollow roller is
to descend.
The hollow roller is formed with rows of holes in a straight line parallel to its
axis, and where the holes are the lower ends of the needles will pass through, and
such needles will not be lifted when the hollow roller ascends, but where there are
no holes the lower ends of the needles coming over such part of the hollow roller will
be lifted.
A number of adjoining needles require in most cases to be lifted and an equal
number not to be lifted, and one lot is first required to be lifted and then the other
lot.
In such cases the holes in the hollow cylinder may be slots in length equal to the
number of needles not to be lifted.
The hollow roller is in its circumference provided with rows of holes or slits for
lifting the desired number of needles at a time, and there is an index wheel upon the
axis of the hollow roller, so that by a pointer to the index, that part of the hollow
roller can be brought by rotating it, opposite the lower ends of the needles to lift the
number desired. By, a screw wheel also on the axis of the hollow roller it may be
moved endways to the required extent.
When the hollow roller is rotated and brought by the index to the required
position for the number of needles to be lifted the roller being in the corresponding
position in its lengthway, the hollow roller is lifted and held up as above explained,
and when lowered, it is moved endways to bring its surface without holes or slits
opposite the ends of those needles not previously lifted, the hollow roller being lifted
again, and then lowered when the "lease" has been taken.
The needles are or may
be made with a double bend in each, to come into spaces formed by a grid or reed
attached to the frame of the heck to prevent them from turning.
There is or may be a bar to come upon the upper sides of these bends in the
needle to keep them down when the hollow roller is down, this bar being connected
with the slides carrying the bearings of the hollow roller so as to lift when it is
lifted. There is or may also be a catch bar hinged on the end frames of the heck
to move clear of the bends from the needles, at the first slight upward movement,
and then come forward by a spring or weight to catch upon the bends of those needles
which are not being lifted by the hollow roller to hold them down.
This catch bar is or may be arranged to be pushed clear of the bends in the needles
when the holding down bar actuated from the vertical slides is down, but when it
begins to ascend the catch bar is then allowed to come forward by a spring or weight
to prevent those needles from moving which are not to be lifted by the hollow roller.
Dated this Second day of June 1897.

page_text: Improvements in "V Reeds" and "Hecks" used in Warping and
Beaming Machines.
We, ALFRED SEELEY, of 27, Smith Street, Rochdale, in the County of Lancaster,
Commercial Traveller, and GRINDROD KERSHAW, of 64, Clement Royds Street,
Rochdale, aforesaid, Draughtsman, 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:-
1. Our invention refers to "V reeds," through which the threads pass to warping
and beaming machines, such reeds being used in order to adapt the reed to various
widths of warps-and my invention relates to an improved combination, arrange-
ment and construction, which allows the threads from one division or space formed
by the dents to be readily passed to other spaces or divisions without having to
thread them through the spaces between the dents.
The frame of the reed is or may be formed by two horizontal and two vertical side
bars, the upper and lower horizontal sides being jointed together in the middle so as
to be placed more or less at an angle to each other.
Dents are secured
The upper horizontal bars are arranged to rotate or nearly so.
vertically in the lower bars, connected together in pairs by cross bars.
Corresponding to the dents in the lower bars, are dents in the upper bars which
can partly rotate, these dents being of staple form.
When the reed is in the working position the upper partly rotary bars are turned
to bring their dents in contact with the upper ends of those in the lower bars.
When the threads have to be changed from one space to another the upper bars are
turned to bring the lengthway of the dents carried by them say horizontal, and when
the change has been made the upper bars can be turned into the working position
as above explained.
The upper bars are held in either position by a catch jointed to the vertical side
bars or by other means.
The upper bars may be formed by round rods, and the dents may be secured in
thin plates connected with the rods to partly rotate upon them as an axis.
2. Our invention relates to mechanism known as "hecks" used in warping and
beaming threads through the eyes of which hecks the warp threads pass, and it is
by these hecks that the warp threads are readily divided to take the "lease."
The object of our invention is such a combination and arrangement of mechanism
as will enable the warp threads to be readily divided into any required numbers.
The common heck only divides the threads passing through its eyes into two equal
halves, each alternate thread forming one division.
The eyes used may be termed straight needles (and will be hereinafter. termed
needles) with a sufficiently large eye for a thread to pass through at its upper end.
These needles are guided vertically in holes at the required distance apart in
cross bars connected with the end frame of the heck-The lower ends of the needles
extend sufficiently below the lower cross bar to allow of the required lift when
dividing the threads.
Under the lower ends of the row of needles which are in a straight line, a hollow
roller extends, the axis of which is parallel to and immediately under the row of
needles.
This roller can be rotated and moved endways upon its axis and its bearings at
each end are in slides that can be moved vertically on the side frames of the heck.
Each vertical slide has a bearing for a cross shaft, upon which shaft at each end a
spur wheel is secured, and each spur wheel gears with a toothed rack fixed on the

page_text: end frames of the heck-By rotating this shaft by a suitable handle at one end, the
slides and thus the hollow roller can be lifted and lowered, and the upper surface of
the hollow roller would come in contact with the lower end of the needles and lift
them When the shaft is rotated by the handle to lift the hollow roller, it is
prevented from rotating back by a pawl or catch acting upon a toothed wheel or
ratchet on the said shaft which is lifted clear of the teeth when the hollow roller is
to descend.
The hollow roller is formed with rows of holes in a straight line parallel to its
axis, and where the holes are the lower ends of the needles will pass through, and
such needles will not be lifted when the hollow roller ascends, but where there are
no holes the lower ends of the needles coming over such part of the hollow roller will
be lifted.
A number of adjoining needles require in most cases to be lifted and an equal
number not to be lifted, and one lot is first required to be lifted and then the other
lot.
In such cases the holes in the hollow cylinder may be slots in length equal to the
number of needles not to be lifted.
The hollow roller is in its circumference provided with rows of holes or slits for
lifting the desired number of needles at a time, and there is an index wheel upon the
axis of the hollow roller, so that by a pointer to the index, that part of the hollow
roller can be brought by rotating it, opposite the lower ends of the needles to lift the
number desired. By a screw wheel also on the axis of the hollow roller it may be
moved endways to the required extent.
When the hollow roller is rotated and brought by the index to the required
position for the number of needles to be lifted the roller being in the corresponding
position in its lengthway, the hollow roller is lifted and held up as above explained,
and when lowered, it is moved endways to bring its surface without holes or, slits
opposite the ends of those needles not previously lifted, the hollow roller being lifted
again, and then lowered when the "lease" has been taken. The needles are or may
be made with a double bend in each, to come into spaces formed by a grid or reed
attached to the frame of the heck to prevent them from turning.
There is or may be a bar to come upon the upper sides of these bends in the
needle to keep them down when the hollow roller is down, this bar being connected
with the slides carrying the bearings of the hollow roller so as to lift when it is
lifted. There is or may also be a catch bar hinged on the end frames of the heck
to move clear of the bends from the needles, at the first slight upward movement,
and then come forward by a spring or weight to catch upon the bends of those needles
which are not being lifted by the hollow roller to hold them down.
This catch bar is or may be arranged to be pushed clear of the bends in the needles
when the holding down bar actuated from the vertical slides is down, but when it
begins to ascend the catch bar is then allowed to come forward by a spring or weight
to prevent those needles from moving which are not to be lifted by the hollow roller.
Fig. 1, is a front elevation of our improved "V" reed.
.
Fig. 2, is a plan view.
Fig. 3, is a sectional elevation on the line A-B Fig. 1, with the frame carrying
the movable dents in the working position, and
Fig. 4, is a similar sectional elevation to Fig. 3, but with the frame carrying the
movable dents turned with the dents in a horizontal position.
Fig. 5, is an end elevation of another mode of constructing the frames for the
movable dents.
In Figs. 1 and 2, the "V" reed is shown with its two half frames hinged together
in the middle (which hinge forms the angle of the V") as when the two half
frames are placed in a straight line and in this position the spread of the threads
passing through the spaces formed by the dents is to the widest extent, but when the
two frames are placed in the V form, that is at an angle to each other, the same
threads would be brought closer together and would thus occupy less width.
One half frame is formed by a lower bar a, side bar b, and upper bar c, and the

page_text: other half by corresponding bars a¹, b', and c¹.—The lower bars a and a¹, have each
a pivot a², which enter holes in a part or frame at the required distance apart for
holding the reed in its vertical position.
These pivots a², may each enter a hole in a block a³, which has a hole through it
which is screw tapped to pass on a screw shaft a*, in suitable bearings, the screw
thread on the shaft for one block a³, is right, and that for the other, left handed so
that by rotating the screw shaft, the screw blocks may be made to approach to or
withdraw from each other-The blocks a³, are arranged to slide in guides (not shown)
on the carrying frame in the lengthway of the shaft a', which guides prevent the
blocks a³, from rotating on the shaft, and keep them erect. By this screw shaft a*,
(or by other means) the two halves of the reed may be made to assume and to remain
at any desired angle one to the other.
The lower ends of the side bars b and b¹, are each secured to the ends of their
respective lower bars a and a¹.-The dents d, are secured at their lower ends in their
respective lower bars a, and a¹, and each alternate pair of dents are connected by
short cross bars d¹, except the one dent on the left of Fig. 1, is connected to the side
bar b.
The upper and lower bars are both hinged at their inner ends to the ends of a
vertical bar d², which also forms one side of a pair of dents.
The hinged part d³, of the upper bars is formed of metal, each half of the hinge
has a round pivot d, from it, that fits a metal socket 5, secured to the end of the
upper bars if formed of wood, and each pivot d, has a groove round it so that the
side of a pin 6, passed across the socket part will enter this groove and prevent
the pivot from withdrawing from the socket but will allow the socket and thus the
upper bar to turn upon it.
The outer ends of the upper bars are round to form a pivot d', to pass each through
a hole in the upper end of its side bar b and 61, and the outer end of the pivot has a
wing screw nut ds, which when slack will allow the upper bar c or c', to be turned to
bring the dents do, carried by it into the positions shown in Fig. 4, when threads can
be passed into the spaces between the dents, or when in the spaces, will allow them
to be passed from one space to others without being threaded or passed endways
through the spaces between the dents.
When the winged nuts d³, are tightened the frames are held in either position
shown in Figs. 3 or 4.
Fig. 5 illustrates another mode of making the movable upper bars, which in this
case are round rods c³, ³, jointed in the middle to a vertical rod d².
The dents (some of which are shown) are secured to a thin metal bar c', which
has its end c5, bent at a right angle with holes through them for a round rod c³,
forming the upper bar of one half to pass through--The outer end of each round
rod c, is secured to the upper end of the side bar b.-The ends of the dents may be
secured in a wood bar hinged to turn upon the round bar --Bars so arranged can
be held in either position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 by a pin sliding by a helical spring
in a hole in the upper end of the slide bar, the end of the pin entering one hole in a
part projecting from the bar c, when the frame is in one position, and another hole
when the frame is in the other position, or instead of the spring pin, a screw cb, may
be used, the point of which will enter the said holes in either position of the frame.
Another mode of constructing the upper bars c and c¹, and parts corresponding to
and acting in the place of the dents is by cutting spaces out of a metal plate to
form a comb, the teeth of which represent the pairs of dents connected at their lower
ends and the spaces between the teeth, the spaces between the double connected
dents. These comb plates are or may be hinged to turn either as shown in
Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 or as in Fig. 5. These improvements can be used as straight
reeds as in Fig. 2, and the arrangements of the dents do, to turn, are also applicable
to straight reeds.
Fig. 6, is a front elevation partly in section of our improved heck.
levation and

page_text: Fig. 8, is a sectional elevation of connected parts detached the section being on the
line C D Fig. 6.
Fig. 9, is an end sectional elevation illustrating a modification.
a, is a bar or
plate forming the base frame of the heck.-a', two end vertical brackets secured to
the ends of the base plate a.
Between the two end brackets and secured to them at the ends are two cross bars--
an upper bar a³, and lower bar a³. In the centre line of the lengthway of these
cross bars a² and a³, holes are formed at the required distance apart, one for each
needle b, which have each an eye for the thread to pass through at their upper
ends. The needles are held and guided in these holes and can slide freely up and
down in them.-Each needle has or may have a projection from its side to rest upon
the lower cross bar a³, when down, or the upper parts of the needles above the uppe
cross bar a², are made so much larger in diameter than that part of the needle passing
through the hole in the upper cross bar a³, and below it into the lower cross bar a³,
that the shoulder thus formed on the upper parts of the needle will not pass through
the holes in the upper cross bar a³. The needles may also be made square in cross
section to fit square holes. Below the lower ends of the needles there is a thin
metal cylinder c, the axis of which is immediately below and parallel to the line of
the row of needles.
The shafts c¹ and c², are secured in the ends of the cylinder and each passes through
a vertical slot at, in the end brackets or stands a¹, and into a bearing c³, at the out-
side of the brackets a¹.
There is a descending vertical arm e, from each bearing c³, and there is a vertical
slot 5, in the lower part of the arm for a screw c6, to pass through, which screws into
an end bracket as, (one on each side) attached to the ends of the base plate a. In
these brackets a5, there are also bearings for a shaft d, passing across from one side
to the other of the frame, and on this shaft d, a spur wheel d¹, is secured at each end,
and each spur wheel gears with rack teeth c³, on the front edge of the said vertical
arms c.
By a crank handle d, partly shown on one end of this shaft d, it may be partly
rotated one way or the other so that both ends of the cylinder c, are lifted and lowered
again when required, and when lifted to the highest position, the shaft d, is
prevented from rotating back by a pawl d³, jointed on a stud d', in the side stand a¹,
which pawl is lifted clear of the teeth of the spur wheel when the cylinder c, is to be
brought down again to its lowest position in which it is shown in Fig. 6, when the
upper end of the slots c5, in the descending arms c', rest upon the screws c6.
The shaft d, wheels and toothed racks cause both ends of the cylinder c, to rise and
fall parallel to the line of the lower ends of the needles.
This periphery of the cylinder c, if unperforated would come against the lower
ends of the needles and lift them all, when it ascended, but it is made with holes or
slits a little larger or wider than the lower ends of the needles to allow the ends of
the needles not to be lifted to pass through into the thin cylinder.
Any desired rows of holes or slits are made in the cylinder to lift such sets or
groups of needles as may be desired, and allow others to remain down.
The cylinder c, is arranged to be slided to and fro in its lengthway so that slots
or holes and blank spaces in it may be brought under the ends of any desired
needles. For instance every three needles may have to be lifted, leaving every other
three not lifted, and the cylinder may be lifted and one set of alternate three needles
may be lifted by it, and the others may be left down, next by lowering the cylinder
and moving it endways to the required position the needles that were lifted will be
left down and those previously left down will be lifted. The surface of the cylinder
is divided into rows of holes or slits as desired according to the sets or groups of
needles to be lifted, and these rows are numbered on a wheel c³, that rotates with the
axis c', of the cylinder, so that by turning the cylinder c, until the number on this
index wheel comes opposite a pointer c³, secured to the stand a¹, the desired needles
can be lifted and by giving end movement to the cylinder c, to bring it to the

page_text: required position endways, the same row of slits or holes in the cylinder may be
made to operate to lift the needles in different order.
The index ca, for the end movement of the cylinder c, is formed on the projecting
end of the shaft c', the index number (which corresponds with that on the index
wheel) being brought in a line with the face of the boss of a wheel hereinafter
referred to.
By referring to Fig. 8, it will be seen that the shaft c¹, at one end can slide through
a bracket cb, which is secured to the side of the descending arm ; it also passes and
slides through the boss of the index wheel c, which is connected to it by a key which
fits a key groove on the shaft c-The boss of the index wheel c8, comes against the
end of the boss of a hand wheel cc, which has its journal in the bearing, having
the descending arm.-On the end of the boss of the hand wheel c°, inside the stand a¹,
a collar cd, is screwed to prevent the hand wheel cc, from moving endways (see Fig. 8).
The hole in the axis of the boss of this hand wheel c°, is or may be screw tapped to
fit screw threads on the shaft c', so that by rotating the hand wheel c°, the shaft c¹,
and thus the cylinder c, is moved to and fro endways, the index c", on the shaft c¹,,
being set to come in a line with the outer end of the boss upon the hand wheel c.
By rotating the handwheel c, on the end of the shaft c¹, the index wheel through
the key groove in the shaft and the key in the index wheel c8, is also rotated as well
as the cylinder c, so that any particular mark or number on the index wheel,
corresponding to some required arrangement of slots or holes in the cylinder is
brought under the ends of the needles, and then while the hand wheel ce is held from
rotating, the screw hand wheel cc, may be turned one way or the other to bring the
cylinder into the required position endways.
Part of the width of the index wheel c³, if made wide enough for the purpose, may
be notched for the end of a pawl or spring catch (not shown) to enter when the index
wheel is in the required position, then when so held from rotating the cylinder in its
lengthway may be adjusted to the required position by the hand wheel c―The
notches in the index wheel c8, may be V shaped to correspond with the end of a pawl
pressed by a spring towards the V notches, by which arrangement the cylinder c, may
be rotated by sufficient force against the resistance of the pawl, but when the Vend
of the pawl comes nearly over the required V notch, and the cylinder is left at liberty
the pressure of the spring acting upon the pawl will bring the cylinder to the exact
index position required, and hold it there with sufficient force.
Fig. 9 is a cross sectional elevation.
The needles b, are made with a double bend 61, forming a projection on one side,
this bend coming between spaces formed by wires 62, or dents like a reed extending
between the upper and lower cross bar a³ and a³.
This arrangement will prevent the needles from turning and will form a stop for the
lowest position of the needles when the lower side of the bend 6', is against the upper
surface of the lower cross bar a³.
Above these double bends 61, in the needles, a bar 63, passes across the heck, which
bar may be of angle section as shown. Its ends are secured to the upper ends of
extensions e, from the parts carrying and lifting the cylinder (shown in peculiar
dotted line in Figs. 6 and 7) so that this angle cross bar 63, will rise and fall with the
cylinder.
It will ascend with those needles which are lifted by the cylinder and will on the
descent of the cylinder bring them down again to their lowest position and prevent
them from lifting except when the cylinder is lifted.
There is or may be another bar b,'extending across the heck just below the angle
bar, and the ends of this bar 6, are connected to an arm 65, at each end jointed
at 66, to the upper ends to the stands a¹-This bar b, is acted upon by a spring or
weight at each end to press the edge of the bar bevelled on its lower side towards
double bends 61 of the needles, to put pressure on those needles which the cylinder is
not lifting to hold them down after the bends 6', on those needles to be lifted have
passed the bar b*.
In place of the bar 64, there is or may be a separate pawl lever for each needle

page_text: having a weighting arm to press the bevelled pawl end towards the bends 61, in the
needles, these pawls being separately jointed to the upper cross bar a³.-Or assuming
Fig. 9, to represent the separate pawls, each of them may have its axis on a wire
represented by 66, carried from the bar a². The bends 61, of the needles will act
upon the bevelled ends of the pawl to force them back when the needles are lifted by
the cylinder, the bevelled ends of the pawls coming opposite the bends of the needles
not being lifted by the cylinder will be held down by them against any slight
tendency of the tension of the threads to lift them.
The bar a, and if preferred the bar a³, are both made in two halves the dividing
line passing vertically and in the lengthway of the bars through the centre of the
holes for the needles and when the needles are placed in position, the two halves are
secured together by small screws. The cylinder c may be arranged to rotate only and
not also to move endways.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
-
1. The combination, arrangement and construction of reeds substantially in the
manner and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figs. 1 to 4
inclusive of the drawings and when modified as herein before described and
illustrated by Fig. 5 of the drawings.
2. The combination and arrangement of the mechanism of "hecks" substantially
as and for the purpose herein before described and illustrated by Figs. 6, 7 and 8 of
the drawings, and when the cylinder c, is arranged to rotate only and not also move
endways.
3. The combination and arrangement of the mechanism of "hecks" substantially
as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings when
modified by the combination therewith of the mechanism substantially as and for
the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by Fig. 9 of the drawings, and
when the cylinder c, is arranged to rotate only and not also move endways.
Dated this Second day of March 1898.
PETER J. LIVSEY,
Agent.