Improvements in Clutches applicable for Card Feeding Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 13th Feb., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Clutches applicable for Card Feeding Machines.
I, CHARLES HERITAGE WOODBURY of Franklin in the County of Norfolk
and State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Designer, 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 has relation to clutches generally and particularly to that kind or
class that are adapted to he used on so-called "Bramwell" card feeding machines
in governing or controlling the operation of the spike or lifting apron relatively to
the operation of the scales for weighing the stock.
It is essential in order to secure perfect and even work in the use of card-feeding
machines that the spike or supply apron should be stopped the moment the scale
pans receive their complement of wool. If the apron is not so stopped, a
superfluous amount of stock will be carried over into the pans of the scale, resulting
in uneven feed.
To obviate the objections mentioned, quickly operating clutches are desirable to
.connect and disconnect the apron-operating shaft to and from the driving means;
and it is to accomplish this end that my improvements have been devised, having
in view also the points of simplicity of construction, certainty of operation, and the
avoidance of undue shock or jar to the machine in the use of the device.
The nature or character and mode of operation of my improvements, as well as
the scope of my invention, will now be set forth and pointed out.
Reference is to be had to the annexed drawings, and to the letters and figures
marked thereon, forming a part of this specification, the same letters designating
the same parts or features as the case may be, wherever they occur.
Of the drawings-
Figure 1 is a face view of a clutch for card-feeding machines, embodying my
invention, parts being shown as broken away, the better to illustrate the actual
improvements.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central sectional view of the same, some of the parts,
however, being shown as in elevation.
Fig. 3 is a face view of the latch or dog carrying disk, the latch being shown in
place.
Fig. 4 is an inner face view of the trip-latch operated ratchet disk, equipped
with means for operating the latch or dog shown in Fig. 3.
In the drawings-
a designates a driven pulley (though it might as well be a toothed gear or
equivalent device), which is centrally provided with an aperture b to enable it to be
placed upon the shaft which carries and actuates the spike or supply apron, and to
run loosely upon the said shaft.
One side of the pulley a is provided with an annular chamber, projecting
inwardly from the outer walls of which are a series of blocks, stops, or teeth c
suitably formed, and which may be an integral part of the pulley, or be fixed or
adjustable thereon.
d is a disk adapted to be secured to the apron shaft so as to turn in unison
therewith. This disk is arranged in the annular chamber of the pulley a, and
within the inner ends of stops or teeth c.

page_text: On the outer face of the disk d, there is arranged a radially sliding latch or
dog e, provided at its inner end or part with a yoke-like device f arranged to
embrace the apron shaft, and guided and held in place at its outer end by means
connected with the said disk.
g
The last mentioned device is provided with a sleeve 9 upon which the trip-latch
ratchet disk his loosely arranged, and is provided on its inner face with a cam i
which is adapted to operate between two pins or projections jj extending outward
from the yoke-like part of the latch or dog e on opposite sides of the apron shaft.
A spring k is connected with the ratchet disk h and other suitable parts of the
device so as to move and hold the said disk back in a position which will cause the
cam i to act upon the pins or projections ; in such manner as to move and hold
the latch e projected normally outward, as is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3.
When, however, the disk d is moved around against the tension or stress of the
spring k, the cam i will act upon the pins or projections ; of the latch or dog e in
such manner as to move the latter inward.
When the latch or dog is in its outward position, it will engage the stops c, and
when it is moved inward it will clear the same.
1 is the trip-latch of common function and having the usual relationship to the
ratchet disk h; so that it need not be further described herein.
In the use of my invention, when the machine is running and the apron is being
operated to fill the scale pans, the disk will be held back in normal position by
the spring k, the dog e will be projected to engage one of the stops c, by the action
of the cam i, and the pulley a will be clutched, as it were, with the apron shaft, it
being understood, of course, that the trip-latch will be held out of engagement
with the teeth of the trip latch disk h. The moment the scale pans become filled,
the trip latch will be operated so as to engage one of the teeth of the disk hand
move it, as it were, forward against the tension of the spring k, causing the latch
or dog e to be drawn inward and disengaged from the stops or teeth c, and so
effect an unclutching of the pulley a from the apron shaft, instantly stopping the
operation of the latter. As soon as the trip-latch is again moved out of
engagement with the ratchet disk h, the spring k will act to restore the parts to
what, for the purposes of this specification, I have called their normal position.
It will be noted that by my improved manner of mounting and supporting the
latch or dog, e, it is always kept in exact position, not liable to breakage or displace-
ment, and is adapted to bo actuated with the utmost certainty and ease.
The structure, as a whole, is adapted to be made strong, and so as not to be
disorganized with readiness or in the ordinary use of the machine.
Of course the pulley a may be provided with as many stops or blocks c, and the
trip-latch disc h may have as many teeth as circumstances may suggest.
Instead of the pins j, the latch or dog e may be provided with anti-friction rollers
or the like, at this point.
Other changes of form may be made in parts of my invention without departing
from the nature or spirit of the improvements.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A clutch comprising in its construction a driving member having inwardly-
projecting stops; a driven member equipped with a radially movable latch or dog,
the inner part of which is made in yoke-form and the outer end of which is guided
by the said driven member; pins or projections on the yoke part of the latch or
dog; the trip-latch ratchet disk provided with a cam to operate between the said
pins or projections; and a spring to move the trip-latch disk in one direction, as
set forth.
2. A clutch comprising in its construction a driving member, having inwardly
projecting stops; a driven member equipped with a radially movable latch or dog
held against sidewise movement by guides on the driven member; two pins or

page_text: projections on the inner part of said dog; a ratchet disk having a cam to operate
between said pins or projections; and a spring to move the disk in one direction.
Dated this 6th day of November A.D. 1896.
CHARLES HERITAGE WOODBURY.
Win. P. Thompson & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents.