CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STOP RODS OR PROTECTORS IN POWER LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Hudson, of Burnley, in the County of
Lancaster, Machinist, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
D
Sealed the 12th January 1856, and dated the 16th August 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Hudson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th
August 1855.
I, WILLIAM HUDSON, of Burnley, in the County of Lancaster, Machinist,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STOP RODS OR PROTECTORS IN POWER LOOMS FOR WEAVING"
to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in the construction and application to the power
loom of a "stop rod" or "protector" of a novel form and arrangement, so
contrived as to operate only during that part of the revolution of the crank
shaft which corresponds with the time intervening between the entrance of
the shuttle into the box and the ensuing pick, so that the motions of the
shuttle are unobstructed by it. It is to be used in lieu of, and as a substitute
for, the common "stop rod."

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Hudson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
13th February 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
HUDSON, of Burnley, in the County of Lancaster, Machinist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
year of
Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of August, in the nineteenth
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Hudson, Her special licence that I, the said William Hudson,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Hudson, my executors, administrators, or 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 of "CERTAIN IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STOP RODS OR PROTECTORS IN POWER LOOMS FOR
WEAVING," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William
Hudson, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should par-
ticularly 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 William Hudson, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement (that is to say):-
My said Invention consists in the construction and application to the power
loom of a "stop rod" or "protector," so formed and arranged as to be at
liberty to operate only during that part of the revolution of the crank which
corresponds with the interval between the entrance of the shuttle into the
shuttle box and the next ensuing pick, so that the movements of the shuttle
are not in any wise obstructed by its action, as they are by that of the stop rod
in ordinary use. Upon the common stop rod the force of a spring is constantly
exerted to retain the "tongue" or "horizontal finger "in its lowest position, so
that the latter would be interlocked with the frog at every beat up of the sley
if it were not raised at the proper juncture by the shuttle entering the box
and acting upon it through the intervention of the swell, the presence of the
shuttle in one of the boxes being thus a necessary condition to the advance o

page_text: the slcy beyond a certain point. The depressed position of the stop rod
tongue is in this case its normal or regular working condition, which has to be
interrupted or reversed by the agency of the shuttle in order to enable the
tongue to clear the frog mouth as the sley advances to the beat up. The
necessary consequence of such an arrangement is, that the shuttle when in
either of the boxes is constantly subjected to the pressure of the stop rod
spring, the force of such pressure having to be overcome by the momentum
of the shuttle in entering the box, and also tending to retard its exit therefrom.
This state of things entails tho necessity of a stronger pick and more rapid
throw of the shuttle, attended with the consequent evils of aggravated wear
and tear.
The working arrangements of my new stop rod are the opposites of the
foregoing, the elevated position of the "horizontal finger" or "tongue" being
its normal or regular working condition, in which it is retained by the constant
action of a spring, undergoing, however, a momentary depression ench time
that its point approaches the mouth of the frog in the event of the absence of
the shuttle from both shuttle boxes. The action of the stop rod spring is
exerted in a direction contrary to that in which the common stop rod spring
acts, and thus its constant tendency is to relieve the shuttle from all pressure
or impediment by the stop rod as well in leaving as in entering the boxes.
The construction and arrangement of my improved stop rod I shall explain
in detail by reference to the Drawings annexed to these Presents, and which
Drawings represent three variations or modifications of my Invention, all of
which I have found to act successfully in practice.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, is an elevation view, taken from the interior of the loom
towards the driving side, and showing one form of my improved mechanism;
Figure 2 on the same Sheet is a horizontal view of the parts constituting the
same improvement. Figure 3, Sheet 2, is an elevation view of the taking-up
side of the loom, shewing a second arrangement; and Figure 4 on the same
Sheet is a horizontal view of the same. Figure 5 on the third Sheet is an
elevation of the driving side of a loom, shewing a third modification; and
Figure 6, on the same Sheet, a Diagram, for the purpose of illustrating expla-
nations herein-after to be given. The various parts referred to from time to
time will be indicated by the numerical characters inscribed thereon, and it is
to be understood that each number or character, however frequently repeated,
still refers throughout to the like thing or part occurring under different aspects
or in different Figures.
In all the Drawings the parts figured 1 represent portions of the ordinary
standing framework of the loom; 2 is the frog; 3, the sley sword; 4, the

page_text: of
sley cap; 5 is the sley beam or batten, seen in section in Figures 1 and 3, and
in end view in Figure 5; 6 is the stop rod or protector. It is furnished with
a hook projecting towards the back part of the sley, and to this hook is
attached one end of a spiral spring 7, the opposite extremity of which is
secured to a pin or eye bolt in the lower part of the sley sword. The spring
7 is best seen in Figure 1, its position being also shewn in dotted lines in
Figure 3, but in this latter view, as well as in Figure 5, it would be concealed
from the spectator by the sley sword 3. 8, in Figures 1, 2, and 5, is the
horizontal finger or tongue of the stop rod, which becomes engaged with the
notch in the frog 2 when it is necessary to arrest the advance of the sley;
but 8 a, in Figure 3, is only an auxiliary finger or tongue for the purpose
bringing down the acting finger or tongue, which in this case is supposed
to be at the opposite side of the loom. 9 is a narrow tram or plate, secured
to the front side of the batten, and having its lower edge projecting down-
wards to meet the tongue 8 or 8 a, and prevent its further elevation. It will
be seen that the tendency of the spring 7 is to turn the stop rod 6 in such a
direction as will elevate the finger or tongue 8 or 8 a until the rise of the
latter is stopped by the lower edge of the plate 9, and that under the influence
of the spring 7 the tongue will remain in contact with the stop plate until
depressed by some force capable of overcoming the resistance of such spring.
The elevation of the tongue 8, when in contact with the edge of the stop
plate 9, is sufficient to carry it clear of the notch or mouth of the frog 2.
10 is one of two upright arms or fingers, carried by the stop rod 6, and attached
to it at those parts which are nearly opposite to the middle of the shuttle
boxes. Each of the upright arms 10 is furnished with a block 11, secured by
a set screw, and into an opening in the front of each block is inserted a small
buffer of wood or leather 12. Through each of the back boards an aperture
(18, Figure 3,) is made opposite to each of the blocks 11, and the arms 10
are fixed upon the stop rod at such an angle, that when the stop rod tongue 8
is depressed, the front parts of the blocks 11 and buffers 12 are partially
projected into the shuttle boxes through such apertures; but so long as
nothing interferes to counteract the action of the spring 7, and the tongue 8
remains elevated, both the block 11 and buffer 12 are withdrawn from the
shuttle box, which is consequently left perfectly clear from obstruction. So
long, therefore, as nothing interferes with the action of the spring 7, and the
several parts retain the respective positions in which they are represented
in the Drawings, the shuttle is free to enter and leave the boxes without
hindrance or obstruction. This state of things is permitted to continue from
the time when the pick takes place until the interval allowed for the transit

page_text: of the shuttle through the shed has expired. The mechanism, to be hereafter
described, for depressing the stop rod tongue is then brought into operation.
This mechanism is sufficiently rigid to overcome the resistance of the stop rod
spring, and supposing the buffers or feelers 12 to encounter no impediment in
entering the shuttle boxes, the stop rod tongue will at once be depressed by
the action of such mechanism, in the manner hereafter pointed out, and, being
so depressed, will come in contact with the frog, and stop the further advance
of the sley. If, however, the shuttle have duly effected a lodgment in either
of the boxes. its presence there will stay the advance of the buffers or
feelers 12, and the further motion of the stop rod round its axis, and the
tongue 8 will be maintained in its elevated position, the mechanism appointed
for depressing it yielding in its turn, and permitting the tongue 8 to be
carried clear of the frog, and the movements of the loom to continue without
interruption. I may here remark that, if preferred, a light swell may be used
for the purpose of binding the shuttle when in the box, the buffers 12 in that
case being dispensed with, and the blocks 11 resting against the backs of
the swells.
I will now proceed to explain the mechanism which I apply for the purpose
of depressing the stop rod tongue when the shuttle misses boxing. Of this
I have shewn three modifications or variations, which I shall describe in order.
I shall first proceed with that represented in Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 1. 14 is
a bowl or friction roller, carried by a pin projecting laterally from the stop rod
tongue 8; 15 is a stop piece, having its lower surface reduced to the form of
an incline, tapering towards the sley at the part marked 16 in the Drawing,
and having a notch in its upper side at 17. This stop piece is not rigidly
fixed, but mounted on the upper extremity of a spring 18, attached to the
loom side by a bracket, or in any other convenient manner. The bowl 14
when the sley beats up meets the incline 16, and if the shuttle is absent from
both boxes the action of the incline on the bowl depresses the stop rod tongue,
and brings it into contact with the frog; but if the shuttle is present in either
box, it opposes the entrance of the feeler or buffer 12, and prevents the
depression of the stop rod tongue 8, at the same time causing the spring 18
to yield, and the stop piece 15 to recede before the advance of the sley.
19 is a bell-crank lever, pivoted on a stud in the loom side. One arm of this
lever terminates in a catch, which becomes engaged with the notch 17 in the
stop piece 15, when the latter is pressed back by the advancing sley, and thus
prevents the stop piece from following the sley as the latter retires, and
exerting an injurious pressure on the shuttle at the time when the pick takes
place. 20 is a spring, which keeps down the catch lever 19. The vertical

page_text: arm of the lever 19 is connected by a chain 21 with the sley sword, so that
as the sley goes back the catch of the lever 19 is raised out of the notch 17,
and the stop piece 15 allowed to return to its working position. The length
of the chain is, however, so adjusted that this does not take place until the pick
has been made and the shuttle has left the box.
The arrangement represented in Figures 3 and 4, Sheet 2, is supposed to
be applied to the taking-up side of the loom, the stop rod tongue and frog
being on the opposite side. 8 a is a supplementary finger attached to the stop
rod, for the purpose of governing its [motions only; its extremity is armed
with a pin 22 projecting laterally from it. 23 is a short arm or lever pivoted
on the stud 24; it carries the stop piece 25, the contour of which is repre-
sented in the Drawing, and consists of three faces or inclines 28, 29, and 30.
The bar or lever 23 has also a small stud projecting from its side and
carrying a friction roller 26. This friction roller works between two opposing
faces, formed by an angular bend in the spring 27, and it will be seen that the
configuration of the latter, and the manner of its application to the friction
roller 26, are such, that whether the lever 23 is raised or depressed, the action
of the spring 27 will always tend to restore it to its original position. The
mode of action is as follows:-When the sley advances, the pin 22 encounters
the incline 28, and if the shuttle is absent from both boxes, the pin 22 is
depressed, by moving along the surface of the incline, carrying with it the
finger 8 a, and turning the stop rod partially round, so as to bring down the
stop rod tongue at the opposite side of the loom into contact with the frog.
If, however, the shuttle is present in one of the boxes, so as to prevent the
depression of the finger 8 a, the lever 23 is raised so as to let the pin 22 pass
under the surfaces 28 and 29. Upon the return of the sley, the pin 22 passes
over the incline 30, which forms the upper surface of the stop piece 25, the
arm 23 yielding a little in the downward direction. In this case, the action
of the incline 30 upon the stop rod has a tendency to withdraw the feeler 12
from the shuttle box, so that the latter cannot at all impede the shuttle at the
time when the pick is made.
In my third method, represented in Figure 5, Sheet 3, I attach to the stop
rod a leg or spur 31, armed at its extremity with a friction bowl 32. A
spring 33, mounted on a fixing on the loom side, projects under the path of the
friction bowl, and is furnished with a swell or prominence 34, so situated as to
be encountered by the friction bowl 32 as the crank is passing over its top
If the shuttle is absent from the boxes, the obstruction offered by the
swell 34 to the friction bowl 32 will have the effect of depressing the stop
rod tongue 8; but if the shuttle is in one of the boxes, so as to prevent the
centre.

page_text: entrance of the feeler 12, the spring 33 will yield, so as to allow the bowl 32
to pass the swell. On the return of the sley. the action of the swell will
have no tendency to produce pressure on the shuttle as the latter leaves
the box, but the contrary. 35 is a pin to limit the upward recoil of the
spring 33.
I am aware that previous attempts have been made to relieve the shuttle
from the pressure of the stop rod spring by mechanism employed to elevate
the stop rod tongue during a portion of the sweep of the sley. In some cases
the action of the spring of the ordinary stop rod has been partially counteracted
or suspended by the traverse of a spur projecting from the stop rod over the
faces or inclined surfaces of a fixture, so arranged as to elevate the stop rod
during part of the sweep, and to leave it during the other part to be depressed
by the spring in the ordinary way. In other cases the spring has been applied
to the stop rod so as to keep the tongue of the latter elevated, except when its
necessary depression was provided for by means bearing a partial resemblance
to some of those adopted in my arrangements.
In the Specification enrolled under certain Letters Patent granted to
William Kenworthy, of Blackburn, Cotton Spinner, on the Twelfth day of
December, One thousand eight hundred and forty-four, and in the eighth year
of the reign of Her present Majesty, examples will be found of arrangements
of the nature to which I have just alluded; and I now advert to the same,
for the purpose, in the first place, of disclaiming any pretensions to originality
as respects such parts of my improvements as might otherwise appear to have
been anticipated by the previous Invention of the said William Kenworthy;
and in the second place, for the purpose of explaining and pointing out in
what particulars my Invention differs from that of the said William Ken-
worthy, as well as in what respects I consider it new and superior to any of
like character that have gone before it.
Referring, therefore, to Figure 6, Sheet 3, which is a circle supposed to
represent the orbit described by the crank of a power loom, I would premise
that in all cases wherein the instant arrestation of the advance of the sley
becomes necessary, the same must take place when the crank is at or near its
top centre, or the point in the circle marked 36, or it will be of no avail. It
is also an object of importance, with a view to economical and expeditious
weaving, that the pick should be made when the crank has reached the part
of the circle marked 37, and somewhat before it reaches the bottom centre,
marked 38. A cursory inspection of the arrangements described in Mr. Ken-
worthy's Specification will prove that the pressure of the stop rod, being brought
to bear on the shuttle in the box when the crank is at its top centre 36, cannot

page_text: be again removed therefrom until the latter has reached the opposite point of
its orbit, or the bottom centre, marked 38. One of two consequences inevitably
ensues, viz., either that the shuttle has to be expelled from the box under the
pressure of the stop rod spring, or that the pick must be made after the crank
has passed the bottom centre. In either case the advantage gained will be slight.
Now, that which I consider the most important and distinguishing feature in
my arrangement is, that the pressure of the stop rod upon the shuttle is
only exerted during the time or during a portion of the time that the crank
is passing from its top centre to the beat-up, that is, during that part of the
revolution of the crank which is represented by the portion of the circle in
Figure 6 lying between the points 36 and 39. The pick can therefore take
place as soon as ever the shed is opened, and the shuttle will be perfectly free
from obstruction in its passage from the box, as well as unimpeded in its
entrance thereto.
I further wish it to be understood that I do not intend by anything con-
tained in the foregoing statement to claim any exclusive right or privilege to
or in the method described of applying the spring of the stop rod so as to act
in a contrary direction from that generally adopted; nor do I claim the exclu-
sive use of the friction rollers 14 or 32, or pin 22 attached to the stop rod
tongue or finger, for the purpose of governing the motions of the latter by
contact with the inclined or horizontal surfaces of stop pieces, so long as the
same are not used with stop pieces of the particular kinds herein-before
described, or mounted in manner similar thereto; but what I do claim as new,
and of my Invention, are,―
Firstly, the peculiar construction and mounting of the stop piece 15, carried
by the spring 18, and its use for the purpose of depressing the stop rod
tongue.
Secondly, the application of the detent or catch 19, for the purpose of
retaining the stop piece 15 when driven back by the advance of the sley, and
the method of disengaging the same by the recession of the sley acting through
the chain 21.
Thirdly, the construction and use of the lever 23, furnished with the stop
picce 25, under and over which the pin 22 on the stop rod tongue is made to
pass, for the purpose of depressing the stop rod, as explained.
Fourthly, the configuration of the spring 27, and the application of it in
connection with the friction roller 26, for the purpose of reacting on the lever
last mentioned..
Fifthly, the use and application of the spring or arm 33, furnished with the
swell or prominence 34, for the purpose of bringing down the stop rod tongue

page_text: when the crank is about passing the top centre, and releasing it immediately
afterwards.
And, sixthly, all the three specific combinations of mechanical parts, dis-
tinguished in the Drawings by color, and severally represented at Figures 1
and 2, Sheet 1; Figures 3 and 4, Sheet 2; and Figure 5, Sheet 3, or any
combination similarly constituted, and being mere imitations of the same,
identical in general character.
And this Invention being, to the best of my knowledge and belief, new, and
not heretofore practised in these realms, I declare this to be my true and faithful
Specification of the same.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Hudson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.
WILLIAM HUDSON. (L.8.)
Signed & sealed by the said William Hudson,
in the presence of
J. TAYLOR, Patent Agent,
Manchester.