IMPROVEMENTS IN PICKERS AND PICKER STICKS FOR LOOMS, AND IN CONNECTING THE SAID PICKERS TO THEIR STICKS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Emil Schlesinger, of Bradford, in the County
of York, Merchant, and Joseph Horrocks, also of Bradford, Picker Manu-
facturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PICKERS AND PICKER STICKS
FOR LOOMS, AND IN CONNECTING THE SAID PICKERS TO THEIR STICKS."
Sealed the 18th May 1877, and dated the 29th November 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Emil Schlesinger
and Joseph Horrocks at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
29th November 1876.
FREDERICK EMIL SCHLESINGER, of Bradford, in the County of York, Merchant,
and JOSEPH HORROCKS, also of Bradford, Picker Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN PICKERS AND PICKER STICKS FOR LOOMS, AND IN CONNECTING THE SAID PICKERS
TO THEIR STICKS."
Our Invention consists of the improvements herein-after described in pickers and
picker sticks for looms, and in the mode of attaching the said pickers to their
sticks; the principal objects of our said Invention being to prevent undue chafing
and wear of the pickers and picker straps, and to facilitate the adjustment of the
latter.
Pickers of the ordinary forms are open at one side or at both sides. In the
former case a longitudinal slot is formed in the side of the picker, the portion of the
picker between such slot and the upper edge of the said side constituting a longi-
Ludinal bar, around which the lower end of the picker strap is passed. In the latter
case a longitudinal slot is formed in the upper part of top of the picker, the
portions of the picker at the sides of this slot constituting two longitudinal bars,
around one of which the lower end of the picker strap is passed. The lower end of
the said strap has on it an eye, through which the other end is drawn after the said
strap has been passed around either of the aforesaid bars so as to form a loop which
rides on the aforesaid bar, the said upper end being then drawn up and attached to
the picker stick. This arrangement is attended by the defects that the breadth of
the strap being in a plane parallel to the picker spindle the said strap is caused to
take the strain edgewise, and the edges of the said strap consequently chafe against
the said eye and against the slot in the picker stick and become worn thereby, and

page_text: when worn at these parts the strap becomes almost useless, and that the picker
soon becomes bent out of shape and consequently useless.
Now according to one of the arrangements constituting our Invention we make
that part of the picker which slides on the spindle of a box form, i.e., closed at its
bottom, sides and ends and open at its upper part, the usual holes being made in its
ends for the spindle to pass through; and we connect the strap to the said picker
by means of a top or plate of metal or other suitable material, having on its upper
side a transverse staple or loop through which the said strap is passed, and on its
under side a lug or lugs, in which is or are formed a hole or holes for the spindle.
The said lug or lugs may fit inside the picker, or when the top is made with two
lugs they may be at such distances apart as to fit over the outer ends of the said
picker. In either case when the said top is fitted to the said picker the holes in
the said picker and the said lug or lugs coincide, so that when the spindle is
passed through the said holes it secures the picker top to the said picker.
We make the free end of the picker stick square, and cut therein a longitudinal
slot or a square hole for the reception of a short flat or square bar (herein-after
termed the "strap adjuster"), having at its lower end a slot which is parallel to
the picker stick and through which the picker strap is passed, the ends of the said
strap being then lapped, one over the other and secured by means of rivets, or of
screws and nuts, or in any other suitable manner.
In the strap adjuster are holes at short distances apart, and a corresponding hole
is formed in the head of the picker stick, so that by sliding the strap adjuster in the
slot in the picker stick until one of the holes in the said adjuster coincides with the
hole in the stick, and passing a bolt through them the said adjuster, can be affixed
to the said stick and the strap can be slackened or tightened as required without
separating its ends.
The heads of the picker sticker is or may be strengthened by a band of metal
fixed thereon. This arrangement is attended by the following advantages:
(1.) The breadth of the picker strap being in a plane at right angles to the spindle
instead of parallel thereto the strain is taken equally by the whole width of the
strap instead of falling mainly on its edges as heretofore, and the unduo chafing of
the strap is thus obviated.
(2.) As the strap wears at those parts which pass through the picker and tho
strap adjuster aforesaid the said strap can be shifted round so as to bring unworn
portions into contact with the said picker and adjuster.
(3.) The picker when worn can be removed and a new one can be substituted
without unfastening the ends of the strap.
(4.) Owing to the improved form of the picker grease is prevented from being
thrown therefrom on to the "piece" in the loom.
According to a modification of the preceding arrangement instead of using the
picker strap doubled, as herein-before described, we use it single, and pass its lower
end around the metal bar or staple aforesaid, and connect the end of the loop thus
formed to the strap by means of a rivet or of a screw and nut, and we make holes
in the upper end of the said strap and pass it through the longitudinal slot in the
picker stick (dispensing with the strap adjuster hercin-before described), and
connect it to the said stick by means of a bolt passed through the holes in the said
slot and one of the holes in the end of the said strap. This arrangement also
admits of the adjustment of the strap.
According to another modification instead of forming the metal bar or staple
under which the end of the picker strap is passed with a flat plate which covers the
upper part of the picker and is provided with a lug or lugs through which the
spindle passes, as herein-before described with reference to our first arrangement,
we dispense with such plate and form on the under part of the said bar or staplo
a lug which fits between the sides of the picker, and connect the said lug to the
picker by means of a screw or bolt passing through holes in the said sides and
through a corresponding hole in the said lug.
According to another modification we dispense with the aforesaid bar or staple

page_text: and lug and pass the lower end of the picker strap around the screw or bolt herein-
before last referred to (on which we prefer to mount a loose tube to prevent the
chafing of the strap), and we connect the end of the loop thus formed to the said
strap by means of a rivet, or of a screw and nut, or otherwise.
Our Invention relates further to pickers made wholly of hide, and consists in
making in the top or upper part of the picker two transverse slots, and in passing
the end of the picker strap down through one of these slots, then under the trans-
verse bar between them, and up through the other slot, the said strap being
connected to the picker stick either by means of the strap adjuster, hercin-before
described, or directly to a picker stick of the ordinary kind, as hercin-after described.
In this arrangement also the breadth of the strap is in a plane at right angles to
the spindle.
Our Invention relates further to such pickers as are made wholly of hide with a
longitudinal bar at the upper part of the picker, such har being at the middle of the
picker, i.e., above and in the same vertical plane as the spindle. This bar is
ordinarily formed by making a slot in one side of the picker and bending or
pressing the portion of hide between the said slot and the upper edge of the picker
into the middle of the picker. According to this part of our Invention we make
such bar by forming a slot at each side of the picker and drawing or pressing the
bars thus formed towards one another till they meet at the middle of the picker,
which is thus made much stronger at that part than the ordinary picker, and is,
therefore less liable to be pulled out of shape.
Our improved pickers may be used with picker sticks of the ordinary kind, in
which case we dispense with the strap adjuster, herein-before described, and pass
the strap through a longitudinal slot in the head of the said stick, and secure the
said strap in position by means of a screw passed through a hole in the said stick,
the point or side of which screw bears on the said strap.
Our improvements can be used without altering the looms to which they are
applied.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Frederick Emil Schlesinger and Joseph Horrocks in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 29th May 1877.
FREDERICK EMIL SCHLESINGER, of Bradford, in the County of York, Merchant,
and JOSEPH HORROCKS, also of Bradford, Picker Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN PICKERS AND PICKER STICKS FOR LOOMS, AND IN CONNECTING THE SAID PICKERS
TO THEIR STICKS."
Our Invention consists of the improvements herein-after described in pickers and
picker sticks for looms, and in the mode of connecting the said pickers to their sticks,
the principal objects of our said Invention being to prevent undue chafing and wear
of the pickers and picker straps, and to facilitate the adjustment of the latter.
Pickers of the ordinary forms are open at one side or at both sides. In the former
case a longitudinal slot is formed in the side of the picker, the portion of the picker
between such slot and the upper edge of the said side constituting a longitudinal
bar, around which the lower end of the picker strap is passed. In the latter case
a longitudinal. slot is formed in the upper part or top of the picker, the portions of
the picker at the sides of this slot constituting two longitudinal bars, around one of
which the lower end of the picker strap is passed. The lower end of the said strap
has in it an eye, through which the other end is drawn after the said strap has been
passed around either of the aforesaid bars, so as to form a loop, which rides on the
aforesaid bar, the said upper end being then drawn up and attached to the picker
stick. This arrangement is attended by the defects that the breadth of the strap
being in a plane parallel to the picker spindle the said strap is caused to take the

page_text: strain edgewise, and the edges of the said strap consequently chafe against the said
eye and against the slot in the picker stick, and become worn thereby, and when
worn at those parts the strap becomes almost useless.
Now according to one of the arrangements constituting our Invention we make
that part of the picker which slides on the spindle of a box formn, i.e., closed at its
bottom, sides and ends, and open at its upper part, the usual holes being made in its
ends for the spindle to pass through, and we connect the strap to the said picker by
means of a transverse staple or loop, through which the picker strap is passed. The
said staple (which is made of metal or other suitable material) has on its under side
a lug, which fits between the sides of the picker, and is connected thereto by means
of a screw or bolt passing through holes in the said sides, and through a coincident
hole in the said lug. Instead of the aforesaid lug a spring hook may be formed on
the under side of the staple, so as to enable the workman to readily attach the said
staple to and detach it from the screw or bolt aforesaid.
We make the free end of the picker stick square, and cut therein a longitudinal
slot or a square hole for the reception of a short flat or square bar, made of hide,
wood, or metal (herein-after termed the "strap adjuster") having at its lower end
a slot which is parallel to the picker stick, and through which the picker strap is
passed, the ends of the said strap being then lapped one over the other, and secured
by means of rivets or of screws and nuts, or in any other suitable manner.
In the strap adjuster are holes at short distances apart, and a corresponding hole
is formed in the head of the picker stick, so that by sliding the strap adjuster in tho
slot in the picker stick until one of the holes in the said adjuster coincides with the
hole in the stick, and passing a bolt through them the said adjuster can be affixed
to the said stick, and the strap can be slackened or tightened as required without
separating its ends.
The head of the picker stick is or may be strengthened by a band of metal fixed
thereon. This arrangement is attended by the following advantages:-
(1.) The breadth of the picker strap being in a plane at right angles to the
spindle instead of parallel thereto the strain is taken equally by the whole width of
the strap, instead of falling mainly on its edges, as heretofore, and the undue chafing
of the strap is thus obviated.
(2.) As the strap wears at those parts which pass through the picker or the
staple and the strap adjuster aforesaid the said strap can be shifted round so as to
bring unworn portions into contact with the said picker or the said staple and
adjuster.
(3.) When the spring hook aforesaid is used the picker when worn can be
removed, and a new one can be substituted without unfastening the ends of the
strap.
(4.) Owing to the improved form of the picker grease is to a great extent prevented
from being thrown therefrom on to the "piece" in the loom.
According to a modification of the preceding arrangement, instead of using the
picker strap doubled, as herein-before described, we use it single, and pass its lower
end around the metal bar or staple aforesaid, and connect the end of the loop thus
formed to the strap by means of a rivet, or of a screw and nut, and we make holes
in the upper end of the said strap, and pass it through the longitudinal slot in the
picker stick (dispensing with the strap adjuster herein-before described), and connect
it to the said stick by means of a bolt passed through the holes in the said slot and
one of the holes in the end of the said strap. This arrangement may be modified
by dispensing with the aforesaid holes in the strap, and passing it between two
roughened metal plates fitted loosely in the slot in the head of the picker stick
(which in this case we prefer to make cylindrical), which plates are caused by a set
screw to grip the strap firmly. These arrangements also admit of the adjustment of
the strap.
According to another modification we dispense with the aforesaid bar or staple
and lug, and pass the lower end of the picker strap around the screw or bolt herein-
before last referred to (on which we prefer to mount a loose tube to prevent the

page_text: chafing of the strap), and we connect the end of the loop thus formed to the said
strap by means of a rivet or of a screw and nut or otherwise.
Our Invention relates further to pickers made wholly of hide, and consists in
making in the top or upper part of the picker two transverse slots, and in passing
the end of the picker strap down through one of these slots, then under the trans-
verse bar between them, and up through the other slot, the said strap being
connected to the picker stick either by incans of the strap adjuster herein-before
described, or directly to a picker stick of the ordinary kind, as herein-after described.
In this arrangement also the breadth of the strap is in a plane at right angles to
the spindle.
Our Invention relates further to such pickers as are made wholly of hide with a
longitudinal bar at the upper part of the picker, such bar being at the middle of
the picker, ie., above and in the same vertical plane as the spindle. This bar is
ordinarily formed by making a slot in one side of the picker, and bending or pressing
the portion of hide between the said slot and the upper edge of the picker into the
middle of the picker. According to this part of our Invention we make the picker
of a box form, as herein-before described, and we make the aforesaid bar by forming
a slot in each side of the picker, and drawing or pressing the bars thus formed
towards one another till they meet at the middle of the picker, which is thus
made much stronger than the ordinary picker, and is therefore less liable to be pulled
out of shape.
Our improved pickers may be used with picker sticks of the ordinary kind, in
which case we dispense with the strap adjuster herein-before described, and pass
the strap through a longitudinal slot in the head of the said stick, and secure the
said strap in position by means of a screw passed through a hole in the said stick,
the point or side of which screw bears on the said strap.
Our improvements can be used without necessitating any alteration of the loomis.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention we will proceed to describe
the manner in which it is to be performed, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, with respect to which we
would premise that the same letters indicate the same parts in all the Figures.
Figures 1 and 2 are elevations taken at right angles to one another of a picker
and picker stick constructed and connected together according to the first of the
arrangements constituting our Invention.
Figure 3 is a plan of the said picker and of the staple C herein-after described.
A is the picker which slides on the spindle B in the ordinary way; C is the staplo
through which the strap D passes.
The said staple is represented separately in section in Figure 4, and in elevation
in Figure 5. c is the lug aforesaid through which is passed the screw bolt or pin E;
F is the head of the picker stick, which we prefer to make square and to strengthen
by a metal band f'; G is the "strap adjuster" which fits in a longitudinal slot or
(when the strap adjuster is square in cross section) a square hole in the picker stick,
and is fixed therein at any required height by means of a screw bolt I passing
through holes in the picker stick, and through one of a series of holes g*, g², in the
said strap adjuster; ' is the slot through which the picker strap is passed, its ends
being then lapped one over the other and secured by means of a screw and nut d²,
or otherwise.
Instead of the lug c a spring hook, represented in Figure 5a, may be fixed to the
under side of the staple C, so as to enable the workman to readily attach it to and
detach it from the screw bolt E. In this case we prefer to form the spring X with
a tongue, in order to limit as much as possible the play of the hook on the
bolt E.
نا
Figure 6 represents in elevation a modification of the foregoing arrangement, in
which modification the lower end of the strap D is passed round the stapl C, and is
then connected to the body of the strap by means of the screw and nut d², or of
a rivet, holes ³, d, being formed in the upper end of the said strap (as indicated in

page_text: dotted lines) which is passed through the slot in the picker stick, and secured
therein by passing the bolt H through one of the said holes.
This arrangement may be modified, as represented in transverse section in
Figure 7, by dispensing with the holes in the strap and passing it between the
roughened plates I, I, which are fitted loosely in the slot in the picker stick (which
in this case we prefer to make cylindrical, as represented), which plates are caused
by a set screw J to grip the strap firmly; f is a strengthening band.
Figure 8 represents in longitudinal vertical section the modification in which the
staple C is dispensed with, and the lower end of the strap D is passed around the
bolt E (on which we prefer to mount a loose tube e to prevent the chafing of the
strap), the end of the strap being connected to the body thereof, as in the last
preceding arrangement; or the strap may be fastened in the ordinary way by
passing one end of the said strap up through an eye formed in the lower end.
Figure 9 is a plan, and Figure 10 is a vertical longitudinal section of a picker
made wholly of hide and having a transverse bar, as herein-before described. In
the top of the picker we form two transverse slots a', a¹, leaving between them the
bar a, to which the picker strap is attached.
Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, illustrate our improvements in the manufacture or
formation of such pickers as are made wholly of hide with a longitudinal bar, as
herein-before described; Figures 11, 12, and 13, represent in side elevation, trans-
verse vertical section, and plan respectively a partially-formed picker, which we
make of a box form open at the top; we then cut in the sides of the said picker
slots a³, ³, so as to form two bars a, a, which we then draw or pass towards one
another till they meet at the middle of the picker, and there form one strong bar a³,
as represented in side elevation in Figure 14 and in plan in Figure 15; we then
make in the picker the usual holes for the spindle. The picker thus made is much
stronger than the ordinary picker, and is therefore less liable to be pulled out of
shape. We prefer to fasten the strap in the manner represented in Figure 6.
Figure 16 represents in transverse section the head of an ordinary picker stick
with the arrangement of strap which we use when using our improved picker with
such stick. In this case the picker strap D is held in position in the slot in the
picker stick by means of a set screw J, the end of which bears against the said
strap.
Our improvements can be used without necessitating any alteration of the looms.
We make our improved pickers by the ordinary processes of steeping the hide in
water till it is sufficiently soft and pliable, and then cutting, bending, and pressing
it into the required form by means of dies and pressing tools.
Our improved
pickers may be made of hide or other suitable material.
Having now described the nature of our Invention, and the manner in which the
same is to be performed, we wish it to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to
the precise details described, as they may be varied without departing from the nature
of our said Invention, but we claim as our said Invention,-
Firstly. So forming or constructing pickers, and so connecting the picker straps
thereto and to the picker stick, that the breadth of the picker strap shall be in a
plane at right angles to the spindle.
Secondly. The improvements herein-before described with reference to Figures 1,
2, 3, 4, and 5 of the accompanying Drawings, in constructing and connecting pickers
and picker sticks, that is to say, making the picker of a box form open at top, and
connecting it to the picker stick by passing the ends of the picker strap through a
staple jointed by means of a transverse screw bolt or pin to the said picker, and
through a slotted bar or strap adjuster fitted in a longitudinal slot or in a square
hole formed in the picker stick, so as to be capable of adjustment therein, essentially
as and for the purposes described.
Thirdly. The several modifications herein-before described and illustrated in
Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the accompanying Drawings, of the arrangements
described in our second claim.

page_text: Fourthly. The improvement herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 9
and 10 of the accompanying Drawings, in making such pickers as are made wholly
of hide, that is to say, making the picker with a transverse bar for the picker
strap to pass around, instead of with a longitudinal bar or longitudinal bars as
heretofore.
Fifthly. The improvements herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 11,
12, 13, 14, and 15 of the accompanying Drawings, in making such pickers as are
made wholly of hide and have longitudinal bars for the picker straps to pass around,
that is to say, making the picker of a box form open at top, and forming in the
sides two longitudinal slots, and bending and pressing the bars thus formed towards
one another till they meet at the middle of the picker and there form a strong bar,
essentially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick Emil Schlesinger, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
F. E. SCHLESINGER. (L.S.)