AUTOMATICALLY REGULATING THE "DRAG" IN SPINDLE AND FLYER MACHINES FOR DOUBLING COTTON, AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1884

page_text: I JOHN ROSTRON of Perseverance Mill, Gladstone Street, Halliwell Road, Bolton
in the County of Lancaster, Cotton Doubler, do hereby declare the nature of
my Invention for AUTOMATICALLY REGULATING THE "DRAG" IN SPINDLE AND
FLYER MACHINES FOR DOUBLING COTTON, AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS," to be
as follows:-
:-
"
"
The object of my invention is to regulate automatically the 'drag' on the
bobbins in spindle and flyer machines for doubling cotton, and other fibrous
materials, such as, Silk, Worsted, Linen, Jute, and others, by mechanical means as
the yarn is being wound on the bobbins.
It is well-known that owing to the irregular "drag" caused by the many and
uncertain appliances at present in use, a great irregularity or uncertainty is found
to exist in the strength of the yarn produced.
The nature of my invention consists in constructing self-acting mechanism for
effectually regulating the "drag" as the yarn is being wound on the bobbins;
i.e. giving the lightest drag "when the bobbins are empty, and gradually
and automatically increasing it as the bobbins fill. When the first lap or layer
is wound on the empty bobbin, little or no " drag" is required. It will be easily
seen that the diameter of the bobbin increases at a greater ratio at the commence-
ment than it does at the finish, therefore a greater proportion of "drag" must
be applied at the commencement than at the finish.
To effect this I regulate the tension on the "drag-bands "automatically; to the
ends of which are fixed suitable hollow vessels. The increase of tension is effected
by causing water or other suitable liquids to flow automatically into the said
hollow vessels. The water or other liquid is supplied from a vessel or vessels
from which it is displaced to any extent or variation of quantity as may be
desired, by a plunger or plungers of any convenient shape. The water or liquid so
displaced either drops in, or is conveyed by convenient means to the hollow vessels
on the ends of the "drag-bands.” The descent of the plunger is governed by
worms and wheels or other equivalents to produce a slow motion, and is coupled
to a centre screwed spindle from which the plunger hangs immediately over the
[Price Gd.1

page_text: vessel containing the water or other liquid to be displaced. The apparatus
referred to is driven by convenient means from the doubling machine to which it
is attacherl.
Previous to refilling the vessel, the plunger is raised against a stop or other
equivalents, the object of which is to prevent the lower end of the plunger being
raised above the level of the water or liquid when the discharging vessel is full.
Deted this cleventh day of March 1884.
EDMUND CHADWICK,
Agent for the Applicant.
"
IN SPINDLE AND
I JOHN ROSTRON of Perseverance Mill, Gladstone Street, Halliwell Road, Bolton,
in the County of Lancaster, Cotton Doubler, do hereby declare the nature of
AUTOMATICALLY REGULATING THE " DRAG
my Invention for "
.FLYER MACHINES FOR DOUBLING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS,"
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :—
"
" and
The object of my invention is to regulate automatically the "drag
on the
bobbins in spindle and flyer machines for doubling Cotton, and other fibrous
materials, such as, Silk, Worsted, Linen, Jute, and others, by mechanical means as
the yarn is being wound on the bobbins.
It is well known that owing to the irregular "drag" caused by the many and
uncertain appliances at present in use, a great irregularity or uncertainty is found
to exist in the strength of the yarn produced.
The nature of my invention consists in constructing self-acting mechanism for
effectually regulating the "drag" as the yarn is being wound on the bobbins,
i.e. giving the lightest "drag" when the bobbins are empty, and gradually and
automatically increasing it as the bobbins fill. When the first lap or layer is wound
on the empty bobbin, little or no "drag" is required. It will be easily seen that
the diameter of the bobbin increases at a greater ratio at the commencement than
it does at the finish, therefore a greater proportion of "drag" must be applied at
the commencement than at the finish.
To effect this I regulate the tension on the "drag" bands automatically, to the
ends of which are fixed suitable hollow vessels. The increase of tension is effected
by causing water or other suitable liquids to flow automatically into the said
hollow vessels. The water or other liquid is supplied from a vessel or vessels
from which it is displaced to any extent or variation of quantity as may be
desired, by a plunger or plungers of any convenient shape. The water or liquid
so displaced, either drops in, or is conveyed by convenient means to the hollow
vessels on the ends of the "drag" bands. The descent of the plunger is governed
by worms and wheels or other equivalents to produce a slow motion, and is
coupled to a centre screwed spindle from which the plunger hangs immediately
over the vessel containing the water or other liquid to be displaced. The apparatus

page_text: .
referred to is driven by convenient means from the doubling machine to which
it is attached.
Previous to re-filling the vessel, the plunger is raised against a stop or other
equivalents, the object of which is to prevent the lower end of the plunger being
raised above the level of the water or other liquid when the discharging vessel
is full.
For this purpose I arrange the mechanical movements and arrangements of
mechanism in the manner I will describe referring to the accompanying drawings;
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of one arrangement of my improved apparatus for
automatically and differentially regulating the "drag" on the bobbins in spindle
and flyer machines; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is an end
elevation of so much of a doubling frame as is necessary to illustrate my present
invention, and Fig. 4 is a side view of the same.
"
"
To the end of the ordinary "drag" band 1 is attached the hollow vessel 2; tho
drag" band 1 being guided over the pulleys 3 and 4, to and over the pulley 5
mounted on the fixing 6, the latter being secured to any convenient part of the
doubling frame. On the fixing 6 is mounted the swivelling dish 8 to receive the
hollow vessel 9 containing water, oil, or other liquids. The liquid is displaced
from the vessel 9 by the conical plunger 12, which causes it to flow through the
opening 10 and down the overflow pipe 11 into the vessel 2 attached to the "drag"
band 1. The conical plunger 12 is suspended immediately above the liquid in the
vessel 9 by the rod 13 from the screwed spindle 14. The screwed spindle 14 is
mounted in the fixing 15, on and over which are placed the worm wheels 16 and 17,
the latter being provided with the screwed dies 18 placed in the taper recess on
the top side. The spindle 14 is screwed to suit and work in the dies as in Figs. 1
and 5; the worm wheels being worked or driven by the worm 19 from the shaft 20,
pulley 21 and band 22 from any convenient part of the frame as shown, or by any
other suitable equivalents to produce a slow motion. The worm wheels 16 and 17
are of equal pitch and different diameters to allow both to revolve by the action of
one worm, and thus give a slow motion, the latter being in ratio to the difference
in the diameter of the wheel 10 driving or turning the spindle and that of the
wheel 17 operating the screw. To ensure the spindle 14 revolving, the boss of the
wheel 16 is provided with the pin 24 which operates and slides in the slot 23, thus
allowing the spindle to descend in proportion to the speed of the driving gear.
The dies 18 are held down when working by the weight of the spindle and its
adjuncts.
When the yarn bobbins are empty, the vessel 2 is empty or otherwise according
to circumstances, being of the requisite weight for empty bobbins, thus giving the
lightest "drag" when the bobbins are empty, at which time the underside of
the conical plunger 12 rests or lies on the surface of the liquid in the vessel 9.
Immediately the machine is started and the yarn commences to wind on the
bobbins, the diameter of the latter increases at the greatest speed, at which time
the greatest proportion of “drag” is required, this is accomplished by the largest
diameter of the conical plunger dipping into the liquid and displacing its equivalent
into the vessel 2, and so on as the conical plunger descends, thus gradually and
differentially decreasing the quantity of water or other liquids as the diameter of
the bobbin increases, at the same time automatically increasing the weight and
amount of “drag" on the bands 1, giving a greater proportion of “drag” at the
commencement than at the finish.
When the bobbins are full the contents of the vessel 2 are emptied into the
vessel 9 or otherwise, and the screwed spindle 14 is lifted, by which the dies 18
lift in the tapered recess sufficiently to allow the screw to pass; immediately they
are free of the screw they again drop into their original place when the spindle
and screw can be placed on them, which places the underside of the conical plunger
on the surface of the liquid, when the apparatus is again ready for operation as
before stated.

page_text: In another arrangement I dispense with the worm wheel 16, in which case the
worm wheel 17 is provided with the boss 43, which rests or sits on the top of the
fixing 15. The dies 18 are arranged as before described; also the spindle 14 with
the slot 23. The boss of the fixing 15 is provided with the pin 24, which fits in
the slot 23 in the spindle and thus prevents it revolving; the descent being effected
by the revolving action of the wheel 17 and dies 18. The worm wheel 17 is driven
as before described by the worm 19 on the shaft 20, the band pulley 21 being
substituted by the ratchet wheel 39, driven by the catch 40 from the lever 41
and rod 42, the latter receiving its reciprocating motion from any convenient
part of the frame. This arrangement is fully shewn in Fig. 11, of which Fig. 12
is a plan.
In some cases I construct a double arrangement to regulate the "drag" bands on
both sides of a fraine as in Figs. 3 and 4, the same being operated from one set of
driving gear. Each end of the frame is provided with this apparatus, both being
coupled to the "drag" bands, consequently they are operated from both ends, thus
giving an equal tension throughout the entire length of the frame. The conical
plungers 12 are suspended from the crossbar 25 attached to the bottom end of
the spindle 14.
It is obvious that my improved automatic and differential mechanism for
regulating the tension on the "drag" bands may be constructed in a number of
ways without departing from the principle of my invention, of which I will now
describe two methods, which are shewn fully in Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 10. Fig. 7 is an
elevation and Fig. 8 a plan of the same. On the centre spindle 26 is fixed the
spiral grooved conical barrel 27, round and on which the "drag" band 1 is drawn
when revolving, which is operated by the worm wheel 28 and worm 29, from the
pulley 21 and band 22 from any convenient part of the frame. The worm wheel 28
is mounted in the fixing 30, & provided with the pin 24 operating in the slot 23,
which allows the spindle 26 to slide and maintain a direct pull on the "drag"
band. The other end of the centre spindle 26 is screwed to the same pitch as the
spiral on the conical barrel, thus sliding at equal ratio to the winding on of the
drag" band, and maintaining as before described a direct pull, as shewn in Fig. 8.
When the bobbins are empty the conical barrel 27 and the "drag" band are in
the position shewn in Fig. 8, which, instantly the machine starts commences
to wind the "drag" band on the largest diameter, thus giving the greatest
proportion of "drag" when the diameter of the bobbin increases at the greatest
speed. As the spiral conical barrel continues to revolve the pull on the "drag
band is automatically and differentially decreased in proportion as the diameter
of the bobbin increases, at the same time increasing the pull or tension on the
drag" band from the least at the commencement to the greatest at the completion
of the bobbin, when the conical barrel will have moved to the end or otherwise of
its travel.
"
"
To re-set this apparatus when required to start fresh bobbins, the pins 32 are
removed and the worm lifted out of gear, which allows the worm wheel to be
turned backwards until the stop or collar 33 comes in contact with the collar 34
on the worm wheel bush, as shewn on the drawings. If necessary the worm
gearing can be substituted with the ratchet wheel 39 and catch 40, shewn in
Figs. 9 and 10.
Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation, and Fig. 10 a plan of the same, wherein I provide
the variable pitched screw 35, in which the pin 24 slides when the screw revolves.
The pin 24 is secured to the slide block 36, which slides in the slide bar 37 secured
to the fixing 38. To the end of the slide block is attached the "drag" band 1,
which is operated or pulled automatically and differentially by the action of the
screwed spindle 35. This spindle is provided at the commencement with a coarse
screw gradually diminishing to a fine one, with the result of operating the traverse
of the slide block 36 accordingly, thus effecting the "drag" on the bobbins 39, as
before described,

page_text: The spindle 35 is operated by the ratchet wheel 39 and the catch 40, worked by
the lever 41 and rod 42, from any convenient part of the frame. If desired this
apparatus may be worked with worm gearing as before described. When it is
desired to re-set this apparatus, it is effected by simply lifting the catch and pulling
at the cord, or by turning the ratchet wheel backwards.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my Invention,
and in what manner the same may be performed, I would have it understood that
I do not limit myself to the exact details herein described and shewn as they may
be varied or modified without departing from the nature of my Invention. It is
also obvious that the "drag" bands may be regulated automatically by any suitable
mechanisin that will give a differential motion from the greatest to the least in
proportion to the amount of yarn wound onto and through each progressive stage
of the formation of the bobbin, at the same time automatically increasing the
tension or pull on the "drag" band from the least at the commencement to the
greatest on the completion of the hobbin.
I declare that what I claim is
1st Regulating the "drag," on bobbins employed in spindle and flyer machines
for doubling cotton and other fibrous materials, automatically and differentially in
proportion to the amount of yarn wound onto the bobbin through each and every
progressive stage of its formation.
#
2nd Mechanism or apparatus for automatically and differentially regulating the
'drag" on bobbins in the machines referred to, substantially as and for the
purposes herein set forth, or any mere modification or imitation thereof.
EDMUND CHADWICK,
Agent for the Applicant.