IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN FANCY OR FIGURE WEAVING
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Mason Pearson, of Little Horton, Bradford, in
the County of York, Overlooker, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
TV MANGOD
ADDADAGI DATA W
Scaled the 27th December 1873, and dated the 2nd July 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Mason Pearson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
2nd July 1873.
I, MASON PEARSON, of Little Horton, Bradford, in the County of
York, Overlooker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN FANCY OR FIGURE
WEAVING," to be as follows:-
The Invention relates to the production of fancy or figure weaving by
the use of series of small shuttles or instruments for carrying the yarn
to form the figure or pattern, so as to facilitate the production of the
patterns in different colors and in different positions in the body of the
weaving.
In carrying out my improvements the bobbins or holders for the weft

page_text: which is open at the part for the opening of the sheds. Each of these
part rings is formed with teeth acted upon by the teeth of racks, by
which in the wefting with them they are caused to revolve. The series
of these part rings to form with their yarn holders by their different
colors or character of weft each particular figure are of different
diameters, so that the bobbin or holder of one may freely pass the other,
and they are placed eccentrically of each other, so that at the point of
wefting each may pass through the shed opened for it at or about the
same level.
The racks by which the rotations of these rings are effected
in either direction are connected by chains or bands with slides capablo
of traversing in guides, and the connecting chains or bands to the
smaller rings next the largest are divided and connected to pulleys in
pairs of different diameters, such that whilst the slides all traverse the
same distance the extent of motion to the rack is varied to the size of
rings to be actuated, so that each ring with its bobbin or yarn holder
may simply have the desired extent of motion given to it.
The selection of slide to be acted upon to move the desired rack is
obtained by each slide being provided with a moveable catch, which is
moved out by projections in different relative positions on a traversing
picce which is caused to traverse different distances for the selection
desired by leverage operated by a rocking bar or frame carrying a
number of hinged or moveable pieces adapted to be brought into position
for the rocking bar or frame to be lifted different heights by corresponding
cams or tappets on the crank or other shaft, and the selection of tho
hinged piece for the time to be brought over the particular cam or
tappet is effected by arms or pulleys on the axes of them being operated
by straps or bands from the jacquard or pattern surface.
When the particular catch is brought into position, it is acted upon
for the traverse of the particular slide by a stud from another slide
operated by crank or such like motion.
The part rings carrying the bobbins or figuring weft yarns and the
frames in which they traverse, together with the racks operating the part
rings, are carried by a frame which is lifted and lowered out of or into
position on the batten or going part by levers and connecting rods
operated by cam or tappet motion, and this frame with its operating
parts is capable of endway motion on the batten to vary the position as
desired of the successive figures by a screw motion operated by drivers

page_text: or clawkers capable of actuating the screw in either direction by the
drivers or clawkers being operated, according to the selection desired, by
jacquard or pattern surface. The arm or frame carrying the axes of
these drivers or clawkers is held in position for action by spring pressure
capable of yielding to prevent breakage in the event of derangement of
the parts.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Mason Pearson in the Great Scal Patent Office
on the 2nd January 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MASON
PEARSON, of Little Horton, Bradford, in the County of York, Overlooker,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of July, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the
thirty-seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Mason Pearson, Her special
license that I, the said Mason Pearson, my exccutors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Mason Pearson, 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
MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN FANCY OR FIGURE WEAVING," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Mason Pearson, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or
one of their hands and seals, should particularly 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.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Mason Pearson, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement thereof, that is to say:-
The Invention relates to the production of fancy or figure weaving by
the use of series of small shuttles or instruments for carrying the yarn
to form the figure or pattern, and the object is to facilitate the production
of the patterns in different colors, and in different positions in the body
of the weaving.
In carrying out my improvements the bobbins or holders for the weft
yarn to form the figure or pattern are carried by part rings, each of
which is open at the part for the opening of the sheds. Each of these
part rings is formed with teeth acted upon by the teeth of racks, by
which in the wefting with them they are caused to revolve. The scries
of these part rings to form with their yarn holders by their different
colors or character of weft, cach particular figure are of different
diameters, and they are placed eccentrically of each other, so that whilst
the bobbin or holder of one may freely pass the other at the point of
wefting, every bobbin will in its turn pass through the shed opened for
it at or about the same level. The racks by which the rotations of these
rings are effected in cither direction are connected by chains or bands
with slides capable of traversing in guides. The connecting chains or
bands to these rings except the largest are divided and connected to
pulleys in pairs of different diameters, such that whilst the slides all
traverse the same distance the extent of motion to each respective rack
is varied to the relative size of the rings to be actuated by it, so that
cach ring with its bobbin or yarn holder may simply have the desired
extent of motion given to it.
The selection of slide to be acted upon to move the desired rack is
obtained by each slide being provided with a moveable catch which is
moved out by projections in different relative positions on a traversing
picce which is caused to traverse different distances for the selection
'desired by leverage operated by a rocking bar or frame carrying a
number of hinged or moveable pieces adapted to be brought into position
for the rocking bar or frame to be lifted different heights by corresponding
cams or tappets on the crank or other shaft, and the selection of the
hinged piece for the time to be brought over the particular cam or

page_text: ordinary manner; c is the cam or tappet shaft, which receives motion
from the shaft b. by tooth gear. In place however of this connecting
gear being permanent to effect at all times a continuous rotation of the
shaft c with the rotation of the shaft 6 this gearing is connected by
clutch connection operated by jacquard or pattern surface, so that the
shaft c may be left to rest at certain times of the rotation of the shaft b,
and then connected again as required. d is the batten or race for the
shuttles employed in producing the ground or body of the fabric. This
batten is supported on arms d', and is operated by cranks from the crank
shaft in the usual way. e, f, and 'g are the bobbins, by which, according
to the particnlar arrangement of parts shown, the figuring weft is laid
into sheds opened for them in the body of the fabric in the times and in
the order desired. These bobbins e, f, and 9 are supported each on a
separate part ring e¹, f, g, the bobbin e being supported by a part
ring e', the bobbin f by a part ring f¹, and the bobbin g by a part ring g'.
Separate front, back, edge, and sectional views of a part ring e¹ with
its means for holding a bobbin and guiding a thread therefrom are
indicated at Figures 19, 20, 21, and 22.
Figures 18 and 17 shew front views of the part rings f¹, 9¹. These
part rings are similarly formed, differing only in size. The object of such
difference being that those behind that in front of a series may be able
each in its partial rotation freely to carry its bobbin through a shed
opened for it, and back when desired into a position of rest without that
bobbin interfering with or being interfered with by any other of such
bobbins. The bobbin e of the part ring e¹ is supported on a split spring.
pin between the two arms e² of the thread guides es, e³, which are formed
cach with a hole through it for the passage therethrough of the thread
from the bobbin e. Between these guides e³, e³, I apply a piece of wool,
cotton, or other suitable material e adapted to produce slight friction
on the thread in its passage to the work. These parts of the other part
rings f¹, g, are similarly formed, and the thread, whether from the
guide e³ or f³ or g³, passes direct to the fabric. Each series of rings e¹,
f, and g is supported with capability of revolving in either direction in.
a box or chamber h, and there are as many of these boxes or chambers h
as may be desired for the production of the separate figures or portions
of figures across the piece of fabric for the time being woven.
According to the arrangement shown there are eight of these boxes
or chambers & affixed to and so as to be capable of movement with the.

page_text: bar has herein-after described, and although I have only shown three
part rings e, f, and g¹, each to carry a bobbin the number of such part
rings may be varied. Each of the part rings e¹, f¹, and 7¹ is formed
with teeth e, f, or g³ on its circumference, to be taken into by the teeth
of racks, by which those rings may have the desired rotary motion given
to them in their boxes or chambers h. The respective part rings e¹ are
actuated by the teeth of the rack e, whilst the several part rings f¹ are
actuated for their rotary motion by the teeth of the rack f, and the
respective part rings g' are actuated by the teeth of the rack 9. When
the threads carried by the bobbins e, f, and ġ are not for the time
required to aid in producing figures the bar h¹ is raised sufficiently high
to admit of a clear shed for the passage of the shuttle for the weft of
the ground or body of the work, at which time the part rings will all be
turned with their openings or spaces e, f, g, between the ends of such
part rings downwards, and the bobbins all at the top. But as shown
generally by the Drawings the bar h¹ is down in position for weft from
the bobbins e, f, or g, being thrown in sheds open for them in the body of
the fabric, and the bobbins e are in the act of passing through such
sheds. The distance of traverse of each rack e, f, g, is such as to give
simply. a complete rotation to each of such rings.
e, f, and g*, are stops, which may be adjustable to regulate the distance
of movement of the bars e, f, and 96, in either direction. The rack 9° is
formed with an arm 98, which is connected at its opposite ends to chains
or bands go, which pass over guide pulleys 910, 91, and under others g¹¹, 9";
to pulleys g¹² direct to slides j, j, separate views of one of which is shown
at Figures 13, 14, 15, and 16. The two slides j, j, are connected to the
ends of the bands 9, and they are also connected together by a band j¹,
which passes round a pulley j³ in the frame k, so that as one slide j is
moved in one direction along the openings ¹, formed for it in the frame k,
the other slide j connected therewith will be moved in corresponding
openings in the opposite direction, and so on. There are pairs of slides
and m for acting on the other racks e and f, and these slides and m
are guided in their endway movement by sliding in corresponding slotted
openings, ³, formed for them in the frame k.
Each of the slides j, l, and m, is formed with a moveable catch j³, as
better indicated by the separate views, Figures 14, 15, and 16. This
moveable catch j³ is supported to turn on a fixed stud j, and it is
formed so that when its end is borne upon to press it inwards, as

page_text: indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 15, the end je thereof will be
brought into position to be caught by the stud n³, projecting downwards
from the traversing slide n to cause that slide j to be moved. The sides n²
of the traversing slide n are formed to overlap and embrace the V edges k¹
of the frame k, so. as to retain and correctly guide the slide n in its
traversing movement.
The movement of the catches j³ so as to bring the part thereof in
position to be caught by the projection n' is effected by one or other of
the levers o, one of which is applied opposite each of the respective
slides j, l, m. Each lever o is formed to turn upon a fixed axis o¹, and
at one end: they each carry a roller o², which is capable of being acted
upon by a projection p¹ on the sliding frame p, whilst the opposite end o³
is in position opposite, but borne away by slight spring pressure from
acting on the end j³ of the catch j, but when the frame p is moved a
short distance so as to allow the pulleys of the opposite levers o to fall
into recesses between the projections p¹ of the frame p, then the tail
ends o³ of levers o will be brought into position to act on catches j³
of a slide j, l, or m, opposite thereto, passing it, and cause the part je
thereof to be moved into position to be taken by the projection n¹. The
lever arm j is provided with a stud, which when that lever is acted
upon by the end o³ of a lever o passes through the opening a cut out for
it in the upper part of the slotted opening or guide ², and then as that
slide is carried forwards that stud 1 slides along the inside of that guide
until it reaches the opening y at the opposite end, when so soon as the
catch j³ is released from the projection n', the stud being free allows the
catch js to move outwards, to which movement it has always a tendency
by reason of the small spiral spring j³. The like takes place in relation
to each of the slides j, l, or m.
The movement to and fro of the slide n is effected by that slide being
connected by pin joint n³ to one end of the connecting rod n, the other
end of which is connected by pin joint n' with the arm nº, which is
formed with a bevilled pinion n' and a pin n³ to enable it freely to turn in
the socket no, carried by the main framing. This pinion n' is taken into
by anothed bevilled pinion n affixed on the shaft or axis n", one end of
which is supported to turn in a bearing formed for it in the socket n', 3
and towards the other end it is supported by a bearing n, and at the
other end of this shaft or axis n¹¹ there is applied a bevilled pinion n 13, the.

page_text: teeth of which are taken into by the teeth of a corresponding bevilled
pinion n, affixed on the shaft or axis b.
The side plates of the frame p are supported on the ends of rods p*,
which pass through stationary guides p, carried by the frame , and at
their other ends are connected by pin joints p to the upper ends of the
arms p', affixed to the axis p³, which is supported to rock in stationary
bearings carried by the frame k, and has also affixed to it the arm pº, on
which is applied an adjustable stud p⁰ to receive one end of the con-
necting rod p", the upper end of which is connected by pin joint p¹ to
the outer end of the frame q. This frame q is at its other end supported
to rock on the fixed stud q', standing out from and supported by the
main framing. The frame q carries three axes q³, or it may be other
number of them, corresponding with the number of slides j, l, and m, and
part rings e, f, g, in each series for the time acting together to produce
by change of color or character of pattern weft each figure or part figure
or pattern to the fabric. To each of these axes q³ is applied as an arm
thereto a surface q³, the lower edge of which is capable of being brought
over to be acted upon by one of the cams or tappets », »¹, or ², on tho
shaft or axis b, and it is so brought by the axis being caused to make a
partial rotation by a band or strap q', operated from the jacquard or
other pattern surface. The axes q³ are drawn back by spiral springs q³.
In like manner the racks e and ƒ are formed with arms e³ and f³, which
are connected to the ends of bands or chains e³ and f³, but these bands
in place of passing direct to their slides and m, after passing over guide
pulleys go, are connected to the peripheries of the respective pulleys e"
and f", which pulleys e" and f" are formed on or affixed to other larger
pulleys and f¹, to the peripheries of which are connected the ends of
bands e, f, the other ends of which bands are connected to one or
other of the respective slides 7 or m.
The object of employing pulleys of different diameters to which to
connect the bands between the racks e and f, and the slides and m, is
that whilst the distance of traverse effected to each of the slides j, l,
and m, remains the same, the amount of traverse effected to each rack eª
and may be respectively reduced in relation to that to the rack 9°
corresponding to relative difference in diameter of the part ring e¹ to that
of the part ring f¹, and also of the part ring f¹ to the part ring g'.
Spring hammer stops are applied to act on flanges to the wheels ", e¹³,

page_text: and ƒ, at the right-hand side of the loom to retain those wheels correctly
after cach traverse of a bobbin e, f, or g.
I will now describe the means by which the bar h¹ is actuated for the
movement of the part rings into and out of position for their bobbins,
taking threads through sheds opened for them.
It will be understood that the jacquard or other pattern surface
employed will select the warp threads to be raised each time for the
passage of the particular figuring weft. The bar h¹ is capable of sliding
vertically on V formed pieces of the frame i, so that the several series
of part rings may be taken down into a position for producing pattern in
the fabric or lifted up out of the way of such weaving. For this purpose
the bar his formed with horns h³, the inner edges of which act in
the V edges of the V formed pieces of the frame i, and these parts
together with the parts thereof embrace the top of the back bar or
hand rail of the batten, so as to be capable of sliding thereon for the
purpose of shifting the position for operation of the weft threads carried
by the bobbins e, f, and g, to the positions where for the time they may
be required to produce figuring across the width of fabric by a screw
motion of the character of that described in the Specification of Letters
Patent granted to John Oates Greenwood, Daniel Mills, and myself,
bearing date the 16th day of February 1871, No. 411, except that the
catches Q and R therein referred to in place of being supported to turn
on axes from a rigid arm, that arm is now formed of part of an
L levers, which is supported to turn on the fixed stud s¹ and at its
end; this lever is sustained by a spring s³ which in the event of any
unduc pressure on the catches Q, R, will yield and prevent breakage.
The lifting of the bar h¹ is effected by a spring h³ acting on one end
of the lever which turns upon a fixed stud 70, and at its other end is
formed into a segmental rack hº, the teeth of which take into the teeth
of a corresponding segmental rack formed on the end of another
similar lever h³ which is supported to rock on a fixed stud ½³, and at its
other end is formed with a pin to receive the lower end of the connecting
rod by a sort of universal joint 7". The upper end of this connecting
rod is also by a similar universal joint 12 connected to the outer
end of the arm ¹³ affixed to the rod h, which is supported to rock in
bearings carried by the frame i and its other end carries another arm h¹5.
These two arms ¹³ and 15 are each by pin joint 7 connected to one end

page_text: of links ", the lower ends of which are by other pin joints connected to
projections from the bar h¹ by which the two ends of the bar h¹ will be
actuated alike for lifting and lowering it. The descent of the bar ¹ to bring
the figure weft bobbins into position for operation is effected by means
of a cam or tappet h¹s affixed on the crank shaft 6 acting on the lever h¹³,
which turns on the fixed stud 20 and is borne towards that cam or
tappet by means of the spring h¹, the lever h¹ is by pin joint h* con-
nected to the upper end of the rod 23; when not otherwise interfered
with this rod 7 is held in position by spring pressure, such that when
borne downwards by the action of the cam or tappet ¹s on the lever h¹º,
it will as shown bear on the stud 2 projecting from the lever arm h¹
and by acting through the levers h* and h³, and parts connected there-
with, cause the desired descent of the bar h¹. The rod 2 passes down
between the side plates of the tappet h on the shaft c, and it is borne
to that tappet by spring pressure, and so long as the shaft c is kept
revolving, the action of the tappet will be to throw the rod ½” off the
pin h, as described in the said former Specification referred to, but when
the rod is required to act as shewn on the stud 2, the shaft c will be
caused to be at rest with the noses of the tappet has out of the way of
the rod h¹³. This resting of the shaft or axis c may be effected by an
arrangement of parts such as also described in the Specification of such
said former Patent or by other suitable means. The bar is allowed to
rise so as to lift the boxes or chambers up out of the way at all times,
for the passage of the ordinary shuttles for throwing weft for the
weaving of the body of the fabric, and it is caused to descend only for
the action of the figuring bobbins. w aro guides applied to the bar h¹ to '
aid in retaining the bars e, f, and 9 in their correct positions.
Having thus described my Invention and means which I adopt in
carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that I do not
confine myself to the precise details shown and described, as these may
be varied without departing from the peculiar character of the Invention,
but what I do claim is,―.
First. The adaptation or combination of means whereby bobbins in
series are operated by part rings of different diameters, so that each
bobbin of the series may be operated for wefting in the production of
any figure or part figure in any order desired, substantially as described.
Secondly. I claim the mode of effecting changes in the order of
selection of the required fancy or figuring weft in fancy or figure weaving

page_text: by employing variable surfaces p¹ carried by sliding plates p for
operating on levers and slides, substantially as described.
Thirdly. I claim the arranging and combining parts forming a rocking
bar or frame provided with axes and arms or hinge pieces, which arms
or hinge pieces are capable of being brought into position by jacquard 5
or pattern surface to be operated by cams or tappets, thereby to effect
movements to various distances in apparatus employed in fancy or
figure weaving, substantially as described.
Fourthly, I claim the application of spring pressure to the arm
or L lever carrying the drivers or clawkers, or catches Q, R, adapted to 1
yield in case of need to prevent breakage in the event of derangement
of the parts in apparatus employed in fancy or figure weaving, sub-
stantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Mason Pearson, have hereunto set
my hand and scal, this Twenty-fourth day of December, in the 1
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
three.