CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING VARIOUS KINDS OF CLOTH
Year: 1838

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, TпоMAS
MELLODEW, of Wallshaw Cottage, in the Township of Oldham, in the County
of Lancaster, Mechanic, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by
Her Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Fifteenth day of May now last past, did, for Herself, Her
heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Thomas Mellodew, my
exors, adñiors, and assigns, Her especial licence, that I, the said Thomas
Mellodew, my exors, adiñors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas
Mellodew, my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term of years
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend.
within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention
of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING VARIOUS KINDS OF CLOTH;"
in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, obliging me, the said
Thomas Mellodew, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, and to cause the same to be enrolled
in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said recited Letters Patent, as in and by
the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Thomas Mellodew, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention to
consist in certain machinery to be attached to looms for weaving various kinds
of. cloth, which machinery is set in motion by the pull, strain, or jerk given to
the warp threads by the blow of the reed in beating up the weft, and produces
by its action a regular corresponding and sufficient delivery of yarn from the
warp beam, and taking up of cloth on the cloth beam, so long as the filling up
of the weft continues, but which delivery and taking up cease or are suspended
in case of the breaking or non-delivery of the weft (or shortly afterwards), in
consequence of the reed on being at such times struck up meeting with a
-diminished resistance inadequate to cause a sufficient pull, strain, or jerk upon
the warp threads to produce the effect required, although the general move-
ments of the loom continue in action.
And in further compliance with the said proviso, I, the said Thomas Mellodew,
do hereby describe the manner in which my said Invention is to be performed by
the following description thereof, reference being had to the Drawing annexed
hereto, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (similar letters of refer-
ence being used to denote similar parts in all the Figures), that is to say:-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 represents an elevation of one end of a power loom to which my
Invention is applied, the loom which I have selected for this Figure is one
for weaving fustians; Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same loom; and
Figure 3 is an elevation of that end of the loom opposite to the one seen in
Figure 1. Some of the known ordinary parts of the loom are left out in each
of the said Figures, in order the better to describe my Invention.
Figures 4, 5, and 6 represent detached parts of my improvements with
parts of the ordinary loom. attached thereto, for the purpose of better shewing
the same improvements. A represents. the warp beam; B, the carrier roller,
over which the warp or yarn passes forward through the reed C (which is
fixed in the ordinary manner in the lay or slay), and thence. over the breast
beam D in a woven state, till it is deposited or taken up as cloth on the cloth
beam E. The framing and various other parts of the loom are of the ordinary
construction, and are introduced in outline in the Drawings, to shew the
position and manner of applying my. Invention to the loom, while the various
parts of which my improvements.consist are tinted in colours, those particularly
connected with the giving-off or delivery motion being tinted blue, and those
particularly connected with the taking-up motion being tinted.pink. In order
to carry my said Invention into effect,. I have attached to the loom, two

page_text: perpendicular levers G, G, which move on fulcrums in the frame of the loom
at K, as seen in Figures 1, 3, 4, and 6, and support at their respective upper
extremities the carrier roller B, which revolves freely on its centres; i, i, are
two studs or pins screwed fast into the side framings of the loom near the
lower extremities of and close to those levers when in a rest position, in order
to prevent those levers from being at any time drawn farther towards the
breast beam; F is a long elastic elliptical spring, supported in the middle by
a small carriage X, placed on the lower framing of the loom, as best seen in
Figure 2, and (in plan) at Figure 5. The two extremities of this spring are
respectively attached to the small connecting rods II a, Hb, which rods are con-
nected to the lower extremities of the perpendicular levers G, G. The force,
elasticity, or resistance of this spring may be varied at pleasure by means of
the screw I, I, which, when turned, governs the position of the middle of the
spring by traversing the small carriage X in which it is supported. (The
nature and construction of this adjustment by the screw. I, I, will be best seen
at Figures 5 and 6). Supposing the warp or yarn to be carried from the warp
beani A (which is supported by the framing) over the carrier roller B, and
forward, as already described, over the breast beam D to the cloth beam E, to
which it is attached, it is evident that the position of the carrier roller B will
determine the tension of the warp, and this position, in consequence of the
roller B being supported on the levers G, G, will depend on the adjustment of
the spring F, by means of the screw I, I, as already described, for the more
forcibly the spring is made to act upon the lower end of the levers G, G, the
further the roller B will be drawn from the breast beam D, and the greater the
tension given to the warp. By means of this adjustment the tension of the warp
may be increased or diminished, according to the nature of the material to be
woven or description of cloth to be made. The action of the levers, rods, and
spring before mentioned is of primary importance for effecting the giving off of
the
yarn
from the warp beam; the remainder of the movements for that purpose
will be best seen by reference to Figures 1, 4, 5, and 6. O is a stud or pin
projecting from the connecting rod H a, and taking into a loop or slot in the
lower extremity of a perpendicular lever L. This lever L vibrates on the small
shaft M, and is provided with a dog or catch taking into the ratchet wheel N,
so as to gather one or more teeth at each vibration, and thereby cause the
shaft M to revolve. A spiral spring is wound round the stud or pin on which
the dog or catch is placed, one end of which spring is bent so as to rest upon
the dog or catch, and thus cause it to act with certainty. The formation and
position of the upper extremity of the lever L are such that the crank of
the driving shaft of the loom which is nearest to it presses against it in

page_text: revolving at the moment when the dog or catch takes into another tooth-of
the ratchet wheel, and so assist the spring F in forcing forward the ratchet
wheel N. P is a small weight suspended by a strap or band for the purpose
of producing, by means of the pulley over which it passes, a drag or slight
friction in the rotation of the shaft M, and thereby preventing that shaft from
revolving farther than the dog or catch will drive it. At the opposite end of the
shaft M is a small bevil wheel, driving a corresponding bevelled pinion placed
on the transverse shaft Q, which carries the worm R, taking into the worm
wheel S, with which the warp beam A is connected, as seen in Figures 1, 4,
and 6. Now, suppose the operation of weaving a fresh warp to commence. At
the commencement of this operation the recd C encounters little resistance in
beating up the weft, but as the weft accumulates in the cloth by the successive
picks or shoots of the shuttle a greater resistance is presented to the reed
(the vibration of the lay or slay in which it is fastened being always the same).
In proportion as this resistance increases the tension of the warp threads is
augmented, until at last the warp threads pulling at the carrier roller B move
or give a jerk to the levers G, G, in consequence of which the stud or pin O,
which projects from the connecting rod H a, causes the lever L to vibrate,
and thereby puts the movement for giving off the warp into effective operation;
as already described. At the same time that the giving off of the warp from
the warp beam A is proceeding, the motion for taking up the cloth on the
cloth beam E is also put in operation by the action of the connecting rod Hb,
at the opposite extremity of the spring F. The arrangement and construction
of the movements for effecting this taking up are seen in plan at Figure 5,
and in side elevation at Figures 4 and 6, where T represents a small con-
necting rod, terminating in a boss, and attached by means of a nut and screw
to the rod Hb, at one extremity, and sliding in a loop or support at the
other extremity, whereby it is allowed to move and partake of the motion of
the rod H b. A small lever U moves freely on the perpendicular shaft V, one
end of which is connected with the spiral spring W, the opposite end carrying
a dog or catch which takes into the ratchet wheel Y, so that the spring W,
when liberated from the rod T, has a tendency to cause the shaft V to revolve,
which shaft V, driving the cloth beam E by means of the worm c and worm
wheel Z, winds on the cloth as produced at a degree of tension dependant on
the force of the spring W, and which can be varied by means of a nut screwed
on to the upper end thereof, as seen in plan in Figure 5.
The gathering
motion of the lever U, for taking up a tooth in the ratchet wheel Y, is effected
by the motion of the rod T, which is provided with a slot or loop, through
which a pin projecting from the lever U passes, as seen at Figure 5. Thus,

page_text: supposing a certain amount of cloth to have been woven, and to have been
taken on to the cloth beam E by the motion imparted from the spring W, the
small lever U will come in contact with one end of the slot in the rod T
immediately after the reed quits the cloth, and be thereby pushed forward, so
as to draw back the dog or catch into another tooth in the ratchet wheel Y;
the spring W then pulls back the lever U just when the cloth is slackened by.
the blow of the reed, which causes the ratchet wheel Y, by the action of the
dog or catch, to revolve. From what has already been explained of the
giving-off and taking-up motions, and by retracing the two movements in
conjunction on the Drawings, it will be seen that the taking-up motion is
dependant on the giving-off motion, and that both those motions are caused by
the pull, strain, or jerk given to the warp threads upon the carrier roller B
when the reed is beating up the weft, which jerk throws out the lower ends of
the levers G, G. The giving off of the yarn and the taking up of the cloth
will be found to be correspondent, or sufficiently so for all practical purposes.
And further, inasmuch as the vibration of the lay or slay (being governed by.
the crank on the driving shaft) is alike at all times, no practical effect can be
produced on either the taking-up or giving-off motion, unless weft is supplied
from the shuttle; whenever, therefore, from the breaking or non-delivery of the
weft sufficient, resistance is not presented to the reed in beating up the
delivery of yarn from the warp beam, and consequently the taking up of cloth
on the cloth beam, will immediately or shortly cease. It will be further
observed, that the spring F is affected or bent by the pull of the warp alone,
and that the amount of force required to bend that spring and put the giving-
off and taking-up motions in action will depend on its adjustment at the
commencement, which is regulated by the screw I, I, so that supposing the
spring to be slack, a small resistance or accumulation of weft will affect it;
while, on the other hand, in proportion as it is screwed up to a greater degree
of tension by the screw I, I, it will require a greater accumulation of weft
before it is sufficiently bent to produce the same effect, thus the number of
picks or shoots of the shuttles in any given distance is governed, and the
quality of the cloth regulated.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in
which the same may be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not
intend to confine myself to the particular form or arrangement of machinery
required for a loom for weaving fustians, as I am quite aware that different
forms and arrangements will be found necessary for effecting the same objects
in looms for weaving other fabrics, but they will be such as any experienced
workman will at once understand from the description here given, and will be

page_text: governed by the nature of the loom to which my Invention is to be applied, as
well as by the nature of the work to be performed, nor do I mean to confine
my said Invention to looms moved by steam power, as the same is also
applicable to looms worked by the hand or any other adequate power; but
what I do claim as my Invention is, the causing the pull or strain upon or
jerk of the warp threads occasioned by the blow of the reed in beating up the
wheft, when sufficient resistance has been presented to it by the supply of the
weft from the shuttle, to produce, by means of a vibrating carrying roller such
as B, supported on vibrating levers such as G, G, or any other roller similarly
supported and acted upon by the jerk of the warp, with the other machinery
herein-before described, when attached to looms for weaving various kinds of
cloth, a regular corresponding and sufficient delivery of yarn from the warp
beam, and taking up of cloth on the cloth beam, so long as the proportionate
filling up of the weft continues, but which delivery and taking up will cease
or be suspended in case of the breaking or.non-delivery of a sufficient quantity
of the weft (or shortly afterwards), in consequence of the reed on being struck
up meeting with a diminished and inadequate resistance, and therefore causing
a diminished pull, strain, or jerk. And such my Invention herein-before
described being to the best of my knowledge and belief, new, and never before
used in this kingdom, I deliver this as my true and faithful Specification of
the same.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Mellodew, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.