IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR ROVING AND SPINNING WOOLLEN OR OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Whiteley, of the Firm of William Whiteley and
Sons, of Lockwood, near Huddersfield, in the County of York, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR ROVING AND SPINNING WOOLLEN OR
OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES."
Sealed the 22nd August 1876, and dated the 26th June 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Whiteley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th June 1876.
WILLIAM WHITELEY, of the Firm of William Whiteley and Sons, of Lockwood,
near Huddersfield, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
ROVING AND SPINNING WOOLLEN OR OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES."
This Invention relates to further improvements in machinery for the above
purposes, for which Letters Patent were granted to me bearing date the 21st day of
May 1874, No. 1804, and the object of the present Invention, like that of the one
above referred to, is to obtain by the use of improved machinery results equal with
regard to the quality of yarn to those hitherto obtainable only by the use of the
spinning "mule" at an increased rate of production and considerable reduction in
the amount of space or room occupied.
I still retain the main features of my prior Invention, in performing which I
combine the principle of mule spinning, that is, drawing and spinning at the same
time, with the method of and certain parts of the apparatus for spinning of an
ordinary frame. In this my present Invention I simplify the spinning action, and
effect it in a more convenient and economical manner by employing reciprocatory or
travelling delivery rollers and condenser bobbins or equivalent apparatus in the
following manner :---
The rovings or condenser threads required to be spun are wound upon ordinary
condenser bobbins in the usual manner. Each thread (in spinning) is unwound by
the usual surface drum, and passes through delivery rollers, and also through a
revolving tuber or nipper. The condenser bobbins and delivery rollers are mounted
on rails extending from end to end of the machine, and the tubes or nippers are
likewise mounted on rails, the two rails having a reciprocatory or approaching and
receding motion imparted to them by racks and pinions or other equivalent, and

page_text: during the receding motion above mentioned the roving is drawn and partially
spun, the spinning operation being completed by revolving spindle and flyer or
other equivalent as soon as the nipper has released its hold of the roving and begins
to approach the condenser bobbins preparatory to the succeeding draught.
In this Invention I employ an improved revolving nipper, wich consists of a
slotted tube containing a spring so shaped as to be acted on or opened and closed
by the lateral movement of the wharle or pulley which drives the said tube or
nipper.
The reciprocatory motions of the "nippers" and "condenser bobbins" is governed
by the two "scrolls," one of which controls the approaching and the other the
receding motion. Positive motion is imparted to each of these scrolls alternately by
change gearing, consisting principally of toothed wheels and "clutches" or other
equivalents. The tubes or nippers are also opened and closed at the proper time by a
suitable arrangement of rack worms and pinions, operated by cam and toothed
wheels from the main driving source.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Whiteley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd
December 1876.
WILLIAM WHITELEY, of the Firm of William Whiteley and Sons, of Lockwood,
near Huddersfield, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
ROVING AND SPINNING WOOLLEN OR OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES."
This Invention relates to further improvements in machinery for the above
purposes, for which Letters Patent were granted to me hearing date the 21st day
of May 1874, No. 1804, and the object of the present Invention, like that of the one
above referred to, is to obtain by the use of improved machinery results equal with
regard to the quality of yarn to those hitherto obtainable only by the use of the
spinning "mule" at an increased rate of production and considerable reduction in
the amount of space or room occupied.
I still retain the main features of my prior Invention, in performing which I
combine the principle of mule spinning, that is, drawing and spinning at the same
time, with the method of and certain parts of the apparatus for spinning of an
ordinary "frame." In this my present Invention I simplify the spinning action, and
effect it in a more convenient and economical manner by employing reciprocatory or
travelling delivery rollers and condenser bobbins or equivalent apparatus in the
manner which I will now proceed more fully to describe with the aid of Drawings.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying Drawings will serve to illustrate the general principle
of my Invention, and those parts of the apparatus immediately concerned in the
operation of spinning.
The rovings or condenser threads required to be spun are wound upon ordinary
condenser bobbins in the usual manner, which bobbins in section are indicated by
the letter A. From this bobbin the roving is unwound by the usual surface drum B,
and passed forward and held by the feed or delivery rollers C, D. The thread also
passes through a revolving nipper E, and thence through the guide eye and flyer to
the spindle.
On commencing to spin, the feed or delivery rollers C, D, and also the condenser
bobbin, surface drum, and "nipper," occupy the position shewn in Fig. 1, the roving
being held between the delivery rollers and the "nipper." The rollers and "nipper
are then caused to recede from each other in the direction of the arrows, shewn in
Fig. 1, and during the earlier part of this movement the rollers C, D, revolve and
deliver such quantity of roving or condensing sliver as it is desired to draw or
elongate into yarn, as in the ordinary spinning mule; the rollers C, D, then cease
to revolve, and during the remainder of the receding movement the portion delivered.

page_text: during the earlier part is spun, drawn, or elongated. The receding motion of the
rollers C, D, and nipper E is continued until the nippers have approached the guide
eyes Z, as shewn in dotted lines in Fig. 1.
Fig. 2 shows the nippers and rollers travelling in the direction of the arrows, the
nipper being closed, and revolving so as to give the twist necessary for the draught
or elongation of the yarn, in which direction they continue until reaching the
position shewn in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The roving has then been subjected to an
amount of draught varying according to the proportion which the amount delivered
bears to the travel of the rollers and "nipper," and has been twisted and drawn,
elongated, or spun during the whole of the time.
Thus far the operation has been similar to that performed on a mule, but as soon
as the nipper has reached its lowest position it relaxes its hold upon the thread,
and simultaneously the "nippers" and rollers commence to approach each other and
return to their original position with the jaws of the nipper E open previous to
"nipping" the yarn for another "draught," as shewn in Fig. 3.
As soon as the downward movement of the rollers commences, the spun thread
begins to wind upon the bobbin, which revolves within the ring H, and which
together form part of a frame spinning apparatus, known as the "ring-flyer"
principle.
The winding of the thread upon the bobbin F is continuous, one half of each
draught being passed forward to the said bobbin F on the spindle G as the tubes E
and rollers C, D, approach each other, and the other half being passed forward by
the nipping tube during the succeeding draught. The bobbin and spindle revolve
in the same direction as the nipper E, but at a quicker speed than the said "nipper,"
so that the thread undergoes additional twisting after the nipper relaxes its hold
thereon, giving the yarn the requisite amount of twist.
Such being the nature of my Invention, I will now proceed to describe the manner
in which the same is or may be performed or carried into practice, for the fuller
explanation of which I herein give reference to the Drawings hereto annexed.
Fig. 4 is a front elevation of my machine, and illustrates the most prominent parts
thereof.
Fig. 5 is a general plan view, many portions being broken away or otherwise
omitted for the sake of clearness.
Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the dotted line A, B, in Fig. 4, looking in the
direction of the arrow.
Fig. 7 is an end elevation partly in section, the sectional line being indicated by
dotted lines C, D, in Figs. 4 and 10.
Fig. 8 is an end elevation of scroll end of machine, otherwise illustrated by side
elevations in Figs. 4 and 10.
Fig. 9 is a plan view of Fig. 8, and embraces the principal parts of Fig. 10.
Fig. 10 is side elevation of headstock or scroll end of machine viewed from
opposite side to Fig. 4.
Fig. 11 is skeleton or detail of scrolls and scroll bands.
Fig. 12 is elevation of drivin end.
Fig. 13 is side elevation of same and of Fig. 14.
Fig. 14 is end elevation with the parts shewn in Fig. 12 removed.
Figs. 15, 16, and 17 are details (full size) of revolving nipper and apparatus for
opening and closing the same.
Figs. 18, 19, and 20 are details (half size) of apparatus for driving revolving
nippers.
Figs. 21 and 22 are full size details of parts of reversing gear, more particularly
indicated by the figures or letters thereon.
Fig. 23 is detail in section of certain parts, which are fully distinguished by the
figures or letters of reference.
The general arrangement of my machine bears some resemblance to an ordinary
spinning frame, the framework being similar, and the spindles being placed at each
side of the frame.

page_text: The principal parts of the machine have already been referred to, and will be
indicated by the same letters throughout the description.
In describing the manner in which the various movements of the machine are
performed it will be found best to trace out each movement separately as far as
possible from the others.
I will first describe the manner in which the rising and falling or reciprocating
motion of the condenser bobbins and nipping tubes is effected. The condenser
bobbins, surface drums, and delivery rollers are attached to or supported by a rail J,
which rail is carried by racks K gearing into toothed pinions L. The nipping tubes
are carried in rails M attached to brackets N at the end of other racks P, which
likewise gear with the pinions L. When rotary motion is communicated to these
pinions L, the rails J and M either approach each other or recede, according to the
direction in which the pinions L are turned. The shafts R, upon which the pinions L
are mounted, extend from end to end of the machine, and at one end of each shaft is a
grooved barrel S. Underneath these barrels on short shafts T are two scrolls U
and V. Each scroll is connected with the barrel above it by means of two bands
wound thereon in opposite directions, so that as "the scroll" is taking up one band
from the barrel the said barrel is taking up the other band given off by the scroll.
The rotary motion of the scrolls, by means of the bands thereon, communicates rotary
motion to the barrels S, and thence to the pinions L, and so effects the rising and
falling or reciprocatory motion of the delivery rollers and revolving tubes or nippers.
Each scroll is connected by means of the barrels S and train of gearing W with the
other scroll in such a manner as to be capable of causing it to rotate, and they
receive intermittent motion alternately from the main driving source. The scroll V
is in gear during the running out or drawing part of the movement, and determins
the speed of the apparatus at different positions, according to the quality or class of
yarn under operation. The scroll U performs the return or approaching movement,
and is designed so as to effect it as speedily as possible without any sudden jerk at
the beginning or end of the movement.
The manner of communicating the motion to the scrolls is as follows:-1 is the first
driving shaft of the machine, upon which is a bevil wheel 2 gearing with another
bevel wheel 3 at the top of the upright shaft 4. At the bottom of this shaft is a
bevel wheel 5 gearing with bevel wheel 6 on the short shaft 7, at the end of which
is a toothed wheel 8. This toothed wheel 8 gears through intermediates with
another toothed wheel 9, which is fast upon a short shaft 10, mounted loosely on
which shaft is half of a clutch 11, connected with a toothed wheel 12. This short
shaft also carries loosely another toothed wheel 13 and half of clutch 14 fast
together. The grooved boss 16 and halves of clutches 17 and 18, all fast together,
slide upon a feather, key, or other equivalent on the said shaft 10. The wheel 12,
by means of intermediates m, m, m, drives the scroll U, and the wheel 13 drives the
scroll V by means of the wheel 13*.
It will be seen that as both scroll driving wheels are mounted loosely on the
shaft 10, that scroll only can be driven of which the driving wheel is engaged with
one of the sliding clutches 17 or 18, during which time the disengaged scroll is
rotating in an opposite direction by means of the check hands preparatory to its
return into gear at the next operation.
The change from one clutch to the other is effected by means of the clutch fork
or lever 19, of which the stud 20 is the fulcrum. On the other end of this lever is
a bowl 21 running in a cam groove 22. This cam has an intermittent motion of
half a revolution communicated to it whenever the "nipper" rail reaches the extent
of either the rising or falling movement, which half revolution throws the sliding
clutch 17 or 18 into one or other of the loose half clutches 11 or 14, so as to drive
one or other of the scrolls.
The intermittent motion of the cam 22 is obtained in the following manner :-
On the upright shaft 4 is a clutch 23, the upper half of which is capable of sliding
on a feather on the said shaft, and the lower half loose thereon, the same being sup-
ported by bracket 24. To the lower half of the said clutch 23 is attached the bevel

page_text: wheel 25, gearing with another bevil wheel 26 on the end of the cam shaft 27. Through
the lower half of the clutch 23 (see detail full size) passes a pin 28, one end of which
rests upon the inclined end 29 of lever 30, and the other end supports the upper
half of the clutch. The incline 29 terminates at the stop piece 29a on the hinged
lever 30, and when the lever is withdrawn it allows the pin 28 to descend to the
lowest part of the incline, and at the same time the upper half of the clutch falls or
is pressed by the spring 31 into gear with the lower half, turning it round and also
the wheel 25 until the pin again ascends the incline and lifts the clutch out of gear,
which occurs as soon as the latter has completed one revolution. The wheel 25
being only half the size of the wheel 26, the latter makes only half a revolution for
each complete revolution of the former. The withdrawal of the hinged piece 30 at
the proper time is effected by an incline on the upright rod 32, which when raised
or lowered presses against the bowl 33 on the hinged lever 30. To the top of the
upright rod 32 is attached a lever 34, working on the fulcrum 35, to the other end
of which is attached a rod 36, provided with pins or stop pieces 37 at points as far
apart as the distance traversed by the nipping tube. A finger attached to the
nipping rail or to the bracket carrying the same comes in contact with one of the
stop pieces above mentioned, and so causes the incline on the upright rod 32 to pass
the bowl 33 on the hinged lever 30.
The nipping tubes are opened and closed as herein-after described at each change
in the direction of their movement. I have shewn in detail, full size, an improved
construction of tube, and the method of opening and closing the same, the apparatus
for which is illustrated in several of the general views of the machine, shewing the
relative position of the parts and their connection with the remainder of the
apparatus.
The tube E, which is nearly square in the middle, is formed with a round neck at
each end. The rail M in which they revolve is formed in halves, which join at the
centre line of the tubes, being bored to receive the necks of the same. The wharle E¹
is constructed so as to slide freely on the body or square part of the tube, and the
boss or hub upon which the wharle is formed is also provided with two collars or
flanges f. The nipping part of the tube is composed of a flat spring g bent to the
shape shewn in the Drawing, and working on the pin h. As the wharle is moved
over the body of the tube it comes in contact with one of the projecting parts i of
the spring g, and so either opens or closes the nip. The movement of the wharle
over the body of the tube is effected by means of the sliding plate 39, which is
formed so as to enter between the flanges or collars f on the wharle, allowing the
tube to rotate freely the whole time. This plate is attached at intervals throughout
its length to nuts 41, which are received within the nipper rail. Through these
nuts pass worms or screws 42, which revolve in the nipping rail, the same being pro-
vided at the bottom with toothed wheels 43 gearing with a rack 44 placed under-
neath the rail M from end to end. When this rack is moved laterally the worms or
screws 42 are caused to revolve, and in so doing they raise or lower the nuts 41 and
lugs 40 and plate 39, and so alter the position of the wharle upon the tube and cause
it to press down one of the projections i and release the other, which either opens or
closes the nip as is required. The lateral movement of the rack 44 is effected by means
of the toothed segment lever 45 and connecting rod 46, actuated at the proper time
by pinion or toothed wheel 47 sliding on a feather on the diagonal shaft 48. These
diagonal shafts have intermittent rotation in opposite directions alternately imparted
to them by bevel gear 49, which receives motion through the rack 50 aad pinion 51
from the cam 52 on the shaft 27. The manner in which this shaft is caused to
rotate intermittently to the extent of half a revolution has been already explained.
The revolving tubes are driven by endless bands from the pullies 53, mounted at
intervals upon the rods 54, each pulley having several grooves and driving several
tubes. The pullies are driven by bevil wheels 55, which receive their motion from
pulley 56. The pullies 56 are driven by bands or cords from the pullies 57 on the
main driving shaft. They rise and fall with the nipper rail, and carry with them

page_text: the guide pullies 58, other stationary or adjustable pullies 59 being employed either
to guide or regulate the tension on the band or cord.
I prefer to use double pullies and cords in order to obtain greater power and
more positive motion. The nippers may also be worked from tin cylinders in the
same manner as the spindles if preferred.
The spindles G are driven by endless bands from the tin cylinders 62, on the end
of each of which is a pulley 63. These pulleys are driven by double belt or cord 64
from the pulley 65 mounted on the main driving shaft.
The delivery rollers C, D, are actuated by bevils 69, one of each pair of which
slides on the shafts 70, which shafts are caused to revolve for a certain definite
period, which commences with the receding motion of the tubes and rollers. A
diagonal shaft 71, having at each end a bevel wheel 72 and 73, communicates motion
from another bevel wheel 74, which is attached to one half of a clutch 75. This
clutch is thrown into gear at the proper time by incline 76 on cam plate 52 acting
on bowl 77 on lever 78, a stud or pin on which enters a groove in the boss of the
clutch 75, and is held in gear by catch 79 until a peg 80 in the slubbing wheel 81
lifts the catch 79 and liberates the clutch lever 78, which is drawn out of gear by
the spiral spring 82. The peg in the slubbing wheel is adjustable for the purpose
of regulating the amount of sliver required for each draught, as in the ordinary
spinning mule.
The slubbing wheel is caused to rotate as soon as the clutch 75 is thrown into
gear by the following means:-The toothed wheels 83 receive constant rotary
motion from the shaft 7 by intermediate gearing. One of these is attached to a boss
on the other end of which is half a clutch 84. Through this boss passes a short
shaft 85, carrying a broad pinion 86 and the other half of the clutch 84. The two
halves of the clutch are thrown into gear by the lever 78 (simultaneously with
clutch 75), and the pinion is then caused to revolve and drive the slubbing
wheel 81.
: For facilitating the stoppage and starting of the machine I have devised the
following means:-The rods 87 run the whole length of the machine on each
side, and are provided with hand levers at intervals, the two sides being connected
by rod 88. The handle 89 consists of a bell-crank lever, which is connected by
rod 90 with a three-armed lever 91, one arm of which presses against a bowl 92
attached to the slideable strap guide rod 93, and draws the same on to the driving
pulley 94, where it is held by the catch 95 falling on to a stop piece. When the
lever 89 is moved in the opposite direction, one branch of the three-armed lever 91
lifts up the catch 95 and releases the strap guide rod, which is drawn by spring 97
on to the loose pulley 98.
The pullies a, b, c, and chains d, together with other apparatus shewn in con-
nexion therewith, constitute the "shaper" motion for forming the "cop." This being
similar to the apparatus used for the purpose in a mule, I do not think further
description necessary, as it forms no part of my Invention.
For spinning cotton and worsted one or more pairs of drawing rollers may be
employed to draw the roving before it is delivered to be spun by the rollers Č, D.
Such rollers are equivalent to those already used upon cotton and worsted mules
both in this country and abroad, and their employment in the manner suggested
could be readily provided for by any person practically acquainted with spinning
machinery after he has read and understood the description of my improved
machinery given above.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed or carried into practice, I would have it understood that
I claim,―
Firstly. The combination of nipping and twisting apparatus with reciprocating or
travelling delivery rollers and condensing bobbins, employed in the manner and for
the purpose substantially as described.
Secondly. The general construction and arrangement of parts constituting my

page_text: improved machine, operating in the manner and for the purpose substantially as
herein described and shewn by the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Whiteley, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Nineteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witness,
J. W. TASKER,
Patent Agent,
Halifax.
WILLIAM WHITELEY. (L.B.)