IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Oldfield, of Coventry, in the County of
Warwick, Machinist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS."
Sealed the 19th May 1863, and dated the 1st December 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Oldfield at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
1st December 1862.
I, BENJAMIN OLDFIELD, of Coventry, in the County of Warwick, Machinist,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
Looms," to be as follows, that is to say:-
My Invention consists, firstly, in working a series of shuttles that rise and
fall with one rack and two pairs of pinions to each space. Each pair of
pinions is fixed on a separate pin, the pins being placed upright one on each
side the space. The rack is placed in the back part of the batten that carries
the slay; the bottom pinion works in this rack, which gives the motion, the
other pinion being carried up to the required height. The shuttles have
similar racks fixed, in their backs; consequently a rise or fall action, as the
case may be, will bring the required row of shuttles to the pinions; the
bottom rack is then drawn along, thus causing the shuttles to pass through
the opening.
Secondly, my Invention consists in working a series of shuttles that rise
and fall with one pair of pegs or levers to each space. Each lever has a hole.

page_text: through it, and a wire is passed through this hole to admit of the lever being
drawn along it. Below this wire rod is placed an iron plate slotted out for
the bottom part of the lever to work in, which imparts motion to the lever.
Between the wires and the slotted plates an iron slide runs on rollers, studs
being fixed in the slide to actuate the lever; this slide being drawn along, the
studs catch one of the levers, and carry it along the slot in the bottom plate,
throws the lever off the slide, and at the same time another lever takes its
place. The shuttles in this case are similar in construction to those required
under the first head of my improvements; but instead of.a rack being inserted
in the back of each shuttle, the back is simply grooved or slotted at each
extremity to receive the levers. The levers, slotted plates, and slides are fixed
in the back part of the batten carrying the slay, the levers being always at
the same height. The front part of the batten has to rise or fall to bring the
required row of shuttles to the levers; the slide is then drawn along, thus
causing the shuttles to pass through the opening. By these improvements I
require but one pair of slides in marionette to actuate the shuttles, instead of a
separate pair of slides to each row of shuttles, as hitherto employed.
Thirdly, my improvements consist in working two or more shuttles simul-
taneously by employing a pair of pinions below the series of shuttles, by which
pair of pinions the motion is imparted, and a pair of pinions to each shuttle,
the driving pinions and the followers being all fixed in the same pair of
spindles.
Fourthly, I obtain the same result as that last described by the employ-
ment of one pair of pegs or levers furnished with as many studs as there may
be rows of shuttles.
Fifthly, my improvements consist in the employment of a series of shuttles,
one at the back of the other, as in my former Patent dated September 1860,
and numbered 2155, but reversing their position, turning them upside, so
that the quills come underneath. The advantage thus obtained is, that I am
able to work in a greater number of colors without changing the shute.
Whilst the ground or body of the fabric is being worked, that part of the
batten by which the figure is formed is lifted up sufficiently to allow the
shuttles to clear the top opening. Whilst the figure is being worked,
the portion of the batten forming, the ground is lowered, the part forming
the figure coming down also; the shed or opening to make the figure rises
into the spaces of the batten, and the shuttles are then drawn across. In
order to afford ready access to the shuttles, the batten is hung at each end;
it can thus be lifted up to shew the shuttles, or it may be moved either to the
right or left.

page_text: Sixthly, my improvements consist in dispensing with the bottom shaft of
the loom with its motion wheels, obtaining the motion from the upper shaft..
For this purpose I place a cam of any desirable shape upon the top or crank.
shaft, employing a treadle with a pulley for the cam to work over, the treadle
being kept always up to the cam by a weight or spring.. An iron hook is
suspended from each of the ground shafts working in a slot to keep them in
position. The treadle in descending catches the hook, and draws down the
one shaft at the same time that it raises the other shaft; the treadle then rises,
and in again descending catches the other hook.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters-Patent, filed
by the said Benjamin Oldfield in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
1st June 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, BENJAMIN
OLDFIELD, of Coventry, in the County of Warwick, Machinist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the First day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two; in the twenty-sixth year of Her.
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Benjamin Oldfield, Her special licence, that I, the said Benjamin Oldfield,
my executors; administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Benjamin.
Oldfield, my 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
Looms," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Benjamin
Oldfield, 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 immie-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Benjamin Oldfield, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-

page_text: My Invention consists, firstly, in working a series of shuttles that rise and
fall with one rack and two pairs of pinions to each space. Each pair of
pinions is fixed on a separate pin, the pins being placed upright one on each
side the space; the rack is placed in the back part of the batten that carries
the slay. The bottom pinion works in the rack which gives the motion, the
other pinion being carried up to the required height. The shuttles have
similar racks fixed in their backs, consequently a rise or fall action, as the
case may be, will bring the required row of shuttles to the pinions; the
bottom rack is then drawn along, thus causing the shuttles to pass through
the opening.
+
Secondly, my Invention consists in working a series of shuttles that rise
and fall with one pair of pegs or levers to each space; each lever has a hole
through it, and a wire is passed through this hole to admit of the lever being
drawn along it. Below this wire rod is placed an iron plate slotted out for
the bottom part of the lever to work in, which imparts motion to the lever.
Between the wires and the slotted plates an iron slide runs on rollers, studs
being fixed in the slide to actuate the lever; this slide being drawn along, the
studs catch one of the levers and carry it along the slot in the bottom plate
throws the lever off the slide, and at the same time another lever takes its
place. The shuttles in this case are similar in construction to those required
under the first head of my improvements, but instead of a rack being inserted
in the back of each shuttle, the back is simply grooved or slotted at each
extremity to receive the levers. The levers, slotted plates, and slides are fixed
in the back part of the batten carrying the slay; the levers being always at
the same height, the front part of the batten has to rise or fall to bring the
required row of shuttles to the levers; the slide is then drawn along, thus
causing the shuttles to pass through the opening. By these improvements I
require but one pair of slides in marionette to actuate the shuttles, instead of a
separate pair of slides to each row of shuttles, as hitherto employed.
Thirdly, my improvements consist in working two or more shuttles simul-
taneously by employing a pair of pinions below the series of shuttles, by which
pair of pinions the motion is imparted, and a pair of pinions to each shuttle,
the driving pinion and the followers being all fixed in the same pair of spindles.
Fourthly, I obtain the same result as that last described by the employment
of one pair of pegs or levers furnished with as many studs as there may be
rows of shuttles.
Fifthly, my improvements consist in the employment of a series of shuttles,
one at the back of the other, as in my former Patent, dated September One
thousand eight hundred and sixty, but reversing their position, turning them

page_text: gear into the rack in the back of the shuttles; (M, M,) are two strips screwed
to the front frame (J, J); (N, N,) are slides slotted for the two strips marked
(M, M,) to work in, and which keep the rise and fall part in position;
(o, o,) are two strips screwed to the frame (J, J,) before referred to, and to
which are attached the guides for the spindles (K, K,) and which said strips
carry the slay.
The second part of my Invention is represented in Figure 3, by which
improvement the shuttles may be worked in place of the pinions and rack
shewn and described in Figures 1 and 2. (a, a,) are two pegs or levers
working loosely along the wire (b); (c) is a slide on which are formed studs
or projections (d, d,) and (e, e,) for the purpose of pushing backwards or for-
ward the pegs or levers (a, a.) Figure 4 is an end view of the same.
Figure 5 is a side and end view of the peg or lever, before mentioned, drawn
full size; Figure 6 is the slotted plate marked (f,) the wire marked (6.) .The
parts carrying the slide (c) and slotted plate (f) are fixed to uprights similar
to those marked (J, J,) in (Figure 2.) The curve in the slotted plate is for
the purpose of giving the proper motion to the peg or lever.
The third part of my Invention is represented in (Figure 9,) a front view of:
a batten for working two shuttles simultaneously. (a) is the bed of the
batten; (b, b,) the planks for carrying the shuttles; (c, c,) the shuttles;
(d) the slay. (Figure 10) is a back view of the same, shewing the frame-
work for supporting the planks (e, e, e, e,) which are screwed to the bed of
the batten, as shewn; (f.f.) are the uprights carrying the top strip (9) for
fastening the slay (d); (h, h,) are two spindles to which are fixed the three
pinions (i, i, i,) gearing into the rack at the back of the shuttle; (j, j,) are
the racks fixed in the backs of the shuttles, into which also the pinions (i, i,)
gear; (K) is a pulley, shewn in dotted lines, for the cord attached to the rack
to work in.
The fourth part of my Invention, by which I obtain the same result as in
that last described, is shewn in (Figure 7) a front view, and (Figure 8) an
end view, of an improved motion for driving shuttles. (a) is the bed of
batten; (b, b,) the planks for carrying the shuttles; (c) the shuttle; (d) is
an iron projection peculiarly formed to give the rise and fall motion to the
pegs or studs; (e, e,) (f, f,) & (g, g,) are the slides or frames in which holes
are, made for the pegs or studs to work loose in; (h, h,) are guides simply for
the purpose of keeping the slide in position; (i, i,) are two friction rollers for
the slide to work on, as shewn. In the shuttle holes are made for the pegs or
studs to work in; the motion being given to the slide in the usual way, the
pegs will rise and fall as required to work the shuttle.

page_text: For
The Drawings represent one shuttle only or single shuttle batten.
more shuttles I should of course require more pegs; and this mode of working
the shuttles I can also apply to the batten described under the fifth head of
my improvements, which consists in the employment of a series of shuttles,
one at the back of the other, as in (Figure 3) of the Specification of my
former Patent, dated September One thousand eight hundred and sixty,
but reversing the position of the shuttles, turning them upside down, so
that the quills come underneath, as before described; or this description of
batten may be worked as described in that Specification, but by means of
the pegs herein specified instead of the rack and pinion.
(Figure 11) shews the sixth part of my improvements, being an arrange-
ment by which I avoid the use of a bottom shaft with its motion wheels!
(a) is a cam (more than one may be used if required) working on a shaft
marked (6) shewn in section, which cam actuates the pulley (c) fixed to the
treadle (d, d); (e) is the centre or fulcrum on which the treadle works;
(f) the stand or support for carrying the same, which is bolted to the floor
or to part of the loom%3B (9) is a spring fixed to the floor or loom
for the purpose of keeping the treadle (d) up to the cam; (h) is a frame
fixed to the floor, shewing two slots, but of course more may be used
according to the number of shafts required; (i) is a hook or catch, of
which there are any requisite number, two only being shewn, one being shewn
brought down by the treadle (d,) the other up ready for the treadle to bring
down when it next descends. These hooks or catches are each attached by a
pin (and on which it works) to wire rods marked (j,j); these rods are
attached either to the shafts, tumblers, or rocking pole; (K) is a spring fixed
for forcing out the hook or catch as it ascends. When more hooks or catches
are worked, I dispense with the fixed spring (K), and 'adopt other means. for
producing the desired motion to the hooks or catches. (L) is a spring catch
screwed to the frame (h) for holding the hook or catch down in the position
shewn in the Drawing. On the hook or catch (i) are formed two studs or
projections for keeping the hook or catch to its work; (M) is also a spring
for forcing back the hook or catch as it ascends the frame through the opening
shewn. (Figure 12) is a side elevation of the frame (h,) shewing the hook
or catch (i) spring (K,) and spring catch (l.)
The shuttle, shewn in the Drawings I form. by cutting away all the wood
centre in the shuttle shewn in the Drawings of my former Specification,
already alluded to, and which improvement is therein applied to shuttles
working in a vertical position. In the shuttle shewn in the present Drawings

page_text: the metal guard is similarly applied to the old form of shuttle to work
horizontally.
Having thus described the nature of, my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I claim, without limiting myself to these
precise details,-.
Firstly, the improvements described in working a series of shuttles,
whether as rise and fall, or one at the back of the other, with one rack and
two pairs of pinions, or with fewer racks and pinions than there are rows of
shuttles.
Secondly, I claim working a series of shuttles either to rise and fall, or one
at the back of the other, with one pair of pegs or levers and slides to each
space, or with fewer pegs, levers, and slides than there are rows of shuttles, as
herein described.
Thirdly, I claim the improvements described under the third head of my
Specification.
Fourthly, I claim the improvements by which I obtain the same result, as
before described, by the employment of one pair of pegs or levers with as
many studs as there may be rows of shuttles,, or a peg batten in which the
pegs only rise and fall; and I also claim the peculiar forms of pegs, as, herein
described and illustrated.
Fifthly, I claim the reversed position of the shuttles, and the improvements
in working them, whether horizontally or vertically, described under the fifth
part of my Specification.
Sixthly, I claim the improved arrangement by which I avoid the use of a
bottom shaft and its appliances.
And, lastly, I claim the improved construction of the shuttles, as herein more
fully set forth and specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Oldfield, have hereunto set my.
hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
BENJAMIN OLDFIELD.
(L.S.)