IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COTTON CORDS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Mellodew and John Hardy, both of Oldham, in
the County of Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF COTTON CORDS."
.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Mellodew and John
Hardy at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th August
1877.
JAMES MELLODEW and JOHN HARDY, both of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COTTON CORDS."
Our Invention relates to a peculiar method of weaving or manufacturing cotton
cords, whereby we obtain a better "bind," and produce a more "curly" appearance,
upon a cloth of less weight than heretofore, and consists; principally in an improved
method of drawing in the warp threads through the healds constituting an
improved "tie-up."
We employ two binding warps and two face warps alternately; but instead of
causing the binding warp threads to pass alternately under two weft threads, and
then over two, and so on, as heretofore practised, we so draw in the binding warps
that they pass first under two and over two, then under one and over one, next
under two and over two, and so on alternately. The face threads we draw in as
usual. For example, in drawing in a twelve shaft cord, twelve to the round, the
second and third, fifth and sixth, eighth and ninth, eleventh and twelfth, are face.
threads drawn in the usual manner.
:
We draw in the first over two, under two, over one, under one, over two, under;
two, over one, under one.
We draw in the fourth under one, over two, under two, over one, under one, over;
two, under two, over one.

page_text: We draw in the seventh under two, over two, under one, over one, under two, over
two, under one, over one.
And we draw in the tenth over one, under two, over two, under one, over one,
under two, over two, under one.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said James Mellodew and John Hardy in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
9th February 1878.-.
JAMES MELLODEW and JOHN HARDY, both of Oldham, in the County of Lan-
caster. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COTTON CORDS.”
56
This Invention relates more particularly to improvements in the manufacture of
cotton cords, commonly called eight shaft thicksetts and Genoa cords, the object being
to obtain the necessary curl, cockle, or undulation in the cloth so woven, and to
make a better bind and a firmer back than has hitherto been done by any other
method.
We employ the binding pick and two face picks alternately; but instead of
causing the binding warp threads to pass alternately under two weft threads, and
then over two, and so on, as heretofore practised, by a varied arrangement of the
warp threads we bind more firmly together the face and the back of the cloth, at.
the same time causing it to curl, cockle, or undulate more than ordinary makes,
thereby producing a better wearing and a more substantial cloth. This is accom-
plished by giving to the threads of warp that form the niche or root of the cords
a greater tension than the rest of the warp threads used in forming the back of the
cloth so woven.
In order more fully to describe the nature of our Invention we have annexed
diagram Drawings showing the manner (under slight variations) by which we
attain the above-mentioned objects.
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are weavers' drafts, the first representing the mode of
working with six ends to the draft or "gait over," but ten, twelve, or more ends
may be used, as shown by Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The warp threads can be drawn
into the healds and worked as shown in any of the annexed diagrams, and the
same principle is capable of being carried even further.
In referring to the diagram, Fig. 1a, it will be seen that we make each weft pick
to the face to float or extend under one and over five ends, and over one, under one,
and over four ends, alternately.
In Fig. 2a we make the face picks to float or extend as follows:-First pick, under
one, over six, under one and over four ends; second pick, over one, under one, over
four, under one and over five ends; third pick, under one, over five, under one
and over five ends; fourth pick, over one, under one, over five five, under one and
over four ends; which is also capable of further variation upon the same principle,
as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.
Fig. 3 shows weavers' draft of the old method of threading the face with our new
back.
On reference to the diagram, Fig. 2b, it will be seen that we make the weft picks
that form the back to float or extend as follows:-First pick, over one, under one,

page_text: over two and under two ends respectively, and the same with the other picks, with
slight variation, until the back or foundation of the cloth is made, vizt., we float or
extend under two and over two ends in the threads that form the niche or root of
the cord (as shown in diagrams 1, 2, 3), giving to these two last-mentioned ends in
every rib or cord so formed extra tension, which binds firmer the face to the back,
and gives that improved appearance of curling, cockling, or undulation so much
desired in this kind of manufacture.
The twitch that forms the root or niche of the cord can also be made by using
four or more ends instead of the two mentioned, and also one or more dents in the
reed, as shown at Figs. 6 and 7.
In Fig. 4, to form the back the weft thread passes under two, over one, under one,
over one, under two, over one, under one, over one.
In Fig. 5, it passes under two, over one, under two, over one, under one, over one,
under two, over one, under two, over one, under one, over one.
Having now described the nature and object of our said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, we wish it to be understood that we claim as our Invention the improve-.
ments in the manufacture of cotton cords, herein-before described, or any mere
modification thereof operating in substantially the same or a similar manner.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Hardy (on behalf of myself and the
said James Mellodew) have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Eighth
day of February, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-eight.
JOHN HARDY. (L.S.)