IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING AND COMBING PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Little, of Oldham, in the County of
Lancaster, Mechanical Engineer, and Thomas Charles Eastwood,
of Bingley, in the County of York, Machine Wool Comber, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING AND COMBING
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Little and
Thomas Charles Eastwood at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 19th September 1874.
We, GEORGE LITTLE, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster,
Mechanical Engineer, and THOMAS CHARLES EASTWOOD, of Bingley,
in the County of York, Machine Wool Comber, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PRE-
PARING AND COMBING WOOL, COTTON, AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS," to be as
follows:-

page_text: from the circular comb. This fan is in communication with a central
pipe which has branches leading to the cylinders, and to the situations
from the circular comb. This fan is in communication with a central
pipe which has branches leading to the cylinders, and to the situations
where the noil or other such substance is to be removed.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said George Little and Thomas Charles Eastwood in
the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th March 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, GEORGE
LITTLE, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster, Mechanical Engineer,
and THOMAS CHARLES EASTWOOD, of Bingley, in the County of York,
Machine Wool Comber, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the
thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto us, the said George Little and Thomas Charles-
Eastwood, Her special license that we, the said George Little and
Thomas Charles Eastwood, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as we, the said George Little and Thomas Charles Eastwood,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING AND COMBING WOOL, COTTON,
AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS," upon the condition, amongst others, that.
we, the said George Little and Thomas Charles Eastwood, by an instru-
ment in writing under our hands and seals (or under the hand and seal
of one of us), should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent..
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Little, do hereby declare

page_text: performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the.
following statement (and accompanying Drawings) that is to say:-
Our Invention relates to improvements upon that machinery for
which Letters Patent were granted to us, dated Twenty-fifth March
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, No. 904.
The first point in our present Invention relates to the feed apparatus.
In the former Patent aforesaid it was considered necessary that the
material should be carried forward at different speeds across the width
of the machine in proportion to the velocities due to the varying
diameter of the cylinder; but although that arrangement is valuable,
in many cases we have found that for some qualities of materials it is
not indispensible, and we therefore now propose to simplify that part
of the machine. For this purpose we use the concave or convex
cylinder formerly described; but in place of the chains or other surfaces
with differential speeds imparted to them, we use one roller of a convex
or concave form extending across the width of the machine.
Also and for the same reason instead of the double conical working
rollers specified under the above-mentioned previous Patent we now use
single rollers corresponding to the form of the concave or convex
cylinder, they being more simple in construction and answering the
purpose for some qualities of material, as mentioned in reference to the
feed apparatus, but a combination with the workers of the original
description may be employed, and they may be covered with wire cards
or formed as brushes.
The two parts of our Invention above referred to being connected
together in the general arrangement of machinery which we employ, we
will in the first place describe them by reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the
former being a side view of the machine, and the latter a plan view.
At 1 is the main driving shaft on which there is a pulley 2, a strap
from which passes over another pulley 3 on the shaft 4, which is that
of the cylinder 5 made of a concave form and covered with wire cards.
Upon the shaft 4 is a worm 6 taking into a worm wheel 7 on a shaft 8,
which at its other end carries a worm 9 in gear with a wheel 10 on a
shaft 11, and upon this shaft is mounted the feed roller 12 made of corre-
sponding form to the convex cylinder 5 and covered with wire cards, needle.
points, or other such apparatus. Upon the shaft 11 is a pinion 13 in
gear with another 14 mounted on a shaft 15 which carries the roller 16.

page_text: of the feed lattice 17, and at 18 is a dish beneath the feed roller 12
similar to that described under our former Patent aforesaid. Upon the
shaft 11 is a chain pulley 19 over which a chain 20 passes, as shewn by
the yellow colour in Fig. 1, and from thence over a pulley 21 mounted
on a shaft 22 which carries the worker 23, which according to our
present Invention is a single roller extending across the width of the
cylinder and formed convex so as to correspond on its surface to the
concave form of the cylinder. From the pulley 21 the chain 20 passes
under a guide pulley 22, and from thence over a pulley upon a second
worker 24 formed like that shown at 23 and before referred to; after
this the said chain imparts motion to a roller 25 also of a convex form.
The working rollers 23, 24, are represented as brushes (the latter is
not shewn in the plan view), and the rollers 12, 25, are supposed to be
covered with wire cards. Upon the feed roller 12 is a pulley over which
a chain passes, and from thence to another pulley 26 on a shaft 27
which carries a second feed roller 28 similar to that shewn at 12, and
upon the shaft of this second feed roller is a pinion gearing into another
upon the axis of the roller 30 of a second feed lattice 31. Upon the
shaft 1 is a pulley 32 which by means of a strap drives a pulley 33, on
the axis of which is an excentric 34, the strap thereof imparting an
upward and downward movement to a rod 35, the upper end of which
is connected to a lever 36 turning loosely on the shaft 11. This lever
carries a comb 37 which is formed of the shape of the surface of the
roller 12, and as it vibrates to and fro it raises the material under
operation to the surface of the wire cards or needle points. The lever 36
is connected by a rod 40 to another lever 41 turning on the shaft 27,
and which carries a comb 42 for acting in the manner above described
upon the surface of the second feed roller 28, and in like manner the
surface of the roller 25 is acted upon by a comb 413 put in motion by a
connecting rod 44 and lever 45. The material being placed upon the
lattices 17, 31, is delivered to the feed rollers 12, 28, from which it is
taken by the concave cylinder 5 and is carried forward, thereby being
worked in its progress by the rollers 23, 24, 25, after which it is placed
upon the circular comb 46, as described in the Specification of our
former Patent aforesaid, and we will assume for the present that this is
done in any suitable manner, reserving for the present a description
connected with that operation, and which constitutes another part of
our Invention.

page_text: In the arrangement above described we have shewn the feed as taking
place in two places on the cylinder, but that does not constitute any part
of our Invention, and there may be one feeding lattice only. The top
one is not shewn in the plan view, Fig. 2.
In reference also to the combs 37, 42, 43, we make no claim thereto,
and with regard to the workers they may be arranged in any desired
number and covered with brushes, wire cards, or other such apparatus.
The blue lines in Fig. 1 shew a covering for the several rollers.
Another part of our Invention relates to apparatus extending across
the width of the cylinder, and situate within the circular comb which
receives the material from the cylinder, this part of our Invention being
for the purpose of assisting the doffing in laying the fibres on to the said
circular comb as nearly as possible by their ends only.
One form of this apparatus is shown at Fig. 3, in which 50 represents
a portion of the cylinder and 46 the circular travelling comb, within the
points of which is adapted a brush 51, to which rotatory motion is
imparted in any convenient manner. This brush revolves slightly in
contact with the cylinder 50, and assists in placing the fibres upon the
comb points in the aforesaid manner. Bencath the brush 51 is a
stationary dish 52, and the said brush is of course formed of the required
convex form to suit the shape of the cylinder. The detached view,
Fig. 4, shews a modification of this part of our Invention, and it is also
shewn adapted to the machine in Figs. 1 and 2. In this instance a
stationary brush 53 is employed fitting the concave form of the cylinder,
extending across its width and situate as in the other instance within
the circular comb, the operation being the same as that above de-
scribed.
Fig. 5 exhibits another modification. In this instance the cover shown
by the blue lines in Fig. 1 is shewn at 54, from which there extends a
plate 55 pressed lightly against the circular comb 46 by means of a set
screw 47, and it therefore has the effect, as in the other cases, of guiding
the ends of the fibrous material on to the said comb.
Another part of our Invention consists in the use of a travelling card
or other such apparatus to remove noil or other such matters from the
circular comb while the material is thereon, whereby the fibres are
cleaned on both ends of the tuft previously to their being removed from

page_text: the said circular comb. This part of our Invention is shewn at Figs. 1
and 2, and also in the detached view, Fig. 6. Upon the shaft 4 is a
bevil wheel 56 taking into another 57 on a shaft 58, which by means of
bevils 59.drives a shaft 60 provided with a drum 70, over which there
passes an
endless belt 71 covered with wire cards, or other such
apparatus. This belt after passing over guide rollers 72, 73, returns to
the drum 70. Between the rollers 72, 73, the said card belt travels
against the inside of the circular comb 46, as seen particularly in the
detached view, Fig. 6, and just within the said comb is situate a fixed
blade 74, the edge thereof projecting just below the points of the teeth.
Upon the shaft 60 is a pulley, which by means of a band drives
another pulley 75, on the shaft of which is a brush 76 revolving in
contact with the travelling card 71, and upon the said shaft 60 is a bevil
pinion 77 taking into another 78, the shaft of which is provided with a
worm 79 in gear with a worm wheel 80 on a shaft 81, which carries
a comb 82. Upon the shaft 60 is an excentric acting in the fork of a
lever 83, which turns upon a fixed centre 84 and carries at its end a
doffing comb 85. As the circular comb receives the material from the
cylinder 5 it carries it forward to the blade 74, at which situation the
end which has been combed by the cylinder 5 hangs down in front of
the points of the circular comb 46, the other and uncombed end pro-
jecting downward between the blade 74 and the points of the circular
comb. In this situation the said inside end of the material is operated
upon by the travelling card 71, whereby the noil and other such matters
are removed from the comb and the fibres are opened and combed, the
effect being to produce tufts of material, which are cleaned at both ends
before they are removed from the circular comb. After this the material
is drawn off to form a sliver by any of the usual methods, but without
depending, as is now the case, upon the said drawing off for effecting the
entire combing of the inside end. During these operations the rotation of
the brush 76 will keep the travelling card 71 clean, and the said brush is
itself cleaned by the revolving comb 82, which is stripped by the doffing
comb 85, the refuse material falling into any convenient.receptacle or
to be taken away as hereafter to be mentioned.
In the foregoing description one working cylinder with its feed
apparatus and other parts is shewn adapted to the circular comb, but
two or more may in like manner be applied thereto, and a method of
driving such additional heads is shewn at Fig. 1, in which 90 represents

page_text: a bevil wheel taking into another 91 upon a shaft 92, which corresponds
to a similar shaft of another head, and so on the arrangement may be
repeated. Upon the shaft of the pulley 33 is a spiral spring 120 com-
municating motion to a similar shaft of the next head.
Another part of our Invention relates to a method of drawing off 5
dust from the operating parts of the machine and noil or other such
matter from the circular comb when two or more heads are adapted
thereto. This is shewn at Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. At 100 is a pipe
which is adapted to stand in a position central to the circular comb, but
it is not shewn in Figs. 1 and 2 in order to avoid confusion, and from 1
this central pipe there extend six branch pipes, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105,
106, each of them leading to the rollers corresponding to that shewn
at 51 in Fig. 3, and before referred to, or to the stationary brush or
other apparatus used in place thereof; and at 107 is another pipe, which
extends through that shewn at 100, its ends terminating at any apparatus 1
in ordinary use for removing noil or other such matter from the circular
comb. This apparatus is not shewn in the Drawing, as it does not
constitute any part of our Invention.
Referring now to Figs. 11 and 12, at 108 is a casing, within which is
a revolving fan 109 carrying a disc 110 which revolves with it, and 2
therefore dividing the casing into two compartments A, B, a fixed
partition 111 in the said casing making the division complete. In com-
munication with the compartment A is a pipe 107, which joins on to
that shewn by the same number of reference in Figs. 7, 8, and connected
with the compartment B is a pipe 112, which joins on to the central 2
pipe 100. When therefore the fan 109 is caused to revolve it draws
dust through the casing, shewn by the blue colour, the radial pipes 101,
102, 103, 104, 105, 106, and central pipe 100, while at the same time
the noil or other such matters are drawn through the pipe 107. The
double fan and central and branch pipes are shewn detached from each
other, but the said fan may be placed in any situation most convenient
for the premises.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of our said In-
vention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I desire-
it to be understood that we claim as secured to us under the above
in part recited Letters Patent and for the purposes above set forth,―
Firstly. The use of the feed apparatus, consisting of a roller or rollers

page_text: of a form corresponding to the convex a concave cylinder and formed
solid, that is, in one part only.
Secondly. The use of convex or concave workers formed in like
manner, in one part only.
Thirdly. The use of a brush or other apparatus, substantially as
described, for assisting the doffing, and illustrated at 51, 53, 55.
Fourthly. The use of the travelling card or equivalent apparatus,
illustrated by reference to 71.
Fifthly. The use, when two or more heads are applied to the circular
> comb, of the central pipe 100, its branch pipes, and the divided fan.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Little, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand cight hundred and seventy-five.
GEORGE LITTLE. (L.S.)