Improvements in or connected with Spindles for Spinning and like Frames.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Sept., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 21st June, 1898-Accepted, 23rd July,
1898
Improvements in or connected with Spindles for Spinning and
like Frames.
communication from abroad by JOHN KILBURN, of Belmont, State of
Massachusetts, one of the United States of America, Engineer.
I, ALFRED GEORGE BROOKES, of 55 & 56, Chancery Lane, in the County of
London, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
o be as follows:-
"
"self centering
The present invention relates to spindles of the type known as
or "top" spindles fór spinning and like frames, in which the rotating spindle is
adapted to seek its true center of rotation under an unbalanced load.
These spindles are commonly made with a tapered pintle or stem, which is
supported and rotates in a tapered bearing in a bolster, the end of the pintle resting
step."
upon a support termed a
"
In practice the rapid rotation of the spindle causes the end of its pintle to wear
away, or to wear into the step, and to thus fall further into the bearing in the
bolster, the tapered pintle binding in the inclined or tapered bearing in the bolster,
increasing the friction and retarding the rotation of the spindle.
The difficulty above noted has been obviated by adjusting the step and bolster
relatively to each other, to bring the bearing or step higher into the bearing of
the bolster, to thus raise the pintle of the spindle to accommodate for the wearing
away thereof, as above described.
The object of the present invention is to produce a device in which the bolster
is positively restrained from rotation only in the direction of rotation of the
spindle, being free to be rotated in an opposite direction for the purpose of obtain-
ing a relative longitudinal movement of the bolster and step, to obtain the
adjustment of the bolster and step, to raise the point of contact between the bolster
and step relatively to the tapering bearing of the bolster.
The present invention therefore consists of a bolster and step, and connections
between the bolster and step whereby a rotation of the bolster will affect a relative
longitudinal movement of the bolster and step, and it further consists of a bolster
arranged to be turned in a direction opposite to that in which the spindle rotates,
and restrained from turning it in the direction of rotation of the spindle. The
bolster case, bolster, spindle and spindle rail may be of any usual or preferred
form and arrangement, except in so far as will be hereinafter described.
The spindle has the usual tapered end or pintle which is received within the
tapering bearing of the bolster, resting at its lower end upon the top of a step
pintle or step. In order to adjust the point of contact between the spindle pintle
and step, relatively to the bearing of the bolster, I have in one embodiment of
5 my invention mounted the step pintle in a threaded bearing in a block fixed in the
bottom of the bolster case, said block being restrained from rotation.
The lower end of the bolster rests upon the top of said block and the upper end

page_text: of the step pintle projects into the bolster through an aperture in the bottom
thereof.
The upper end of the step pintle is polygonal in section, or other shape other
than round, and the aperture in the bolster is correspondingly shaped, so that a
rotation of the bolster will rotate the step pintle in its threaded bearing in the
block, causing said step pintle to move vertically in the bearing in the bolster,
thus raising or lowering the point of contact between the step pintle and the
spindle pintle relatively to the bearing in the bolster, to secure the proper adjust-
ment of the tapered end of the spindle pintle relatively to the tapered bearing of
the bolster.
I prefer to arrange the bolster so that it may be turned to adjust the step pintle
without removing it from the bolster case, and also to secure such adjustment by
a rotation of the bolster in a direction opposite to that in which the spindle rotates,
restraining the bolster from rotating with the spindle. For this purpose I have in
one form of my invention provided a clutch device consisting of inclined teeth and
notches, between the lower end of the bolster and the upper end of the block
which supports the step pintle, being so formed that the bolster may be turned
in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the spindle, without removing
the bolster from its case, but will be restrained from rotation with the spindle.
In order to provide for a gyrating or wabbling action of the bolster under the
action of the spindle in seeking the true center of rotation, I may introduce a
rocker washer between the end of the bolster and the top of the block which
supports the step pintle, said rocker washer having a rounded upper surface and
forming a rocking support for the bolster and being so arranged as not to affect
the operation of the clutch device.
It will thus be noted that by my invention as the step pintle or spindle wears
away, and permits the spindle pintle to drop further into the tapered bearing of
the bolster, thus increasing the friction between the spindle and bolster, that a
turn of the bolster in a direction opposite to that in which the
spindle rotates will raise the step pintle to adjust the spindle pintle
to a proper fit in the bolster, and
when
that
such adjustment
has been made the clutch device will prevent the bolster from turning with the
spindle, or holding the parts in their adjusted position.
In another embodiment of my invention the step pintle is fitted to have a vertical
movement in a block which is fixed in the bottom of the bolster case. The block
is secured in the bottom of the bolster case in any suitable manner to prevent its
rotation and the step pintle at its lower end has a sliding connection with said
block.
The upper end of the step pintle is threaded, and engages a threaded bearing in
the lower end of the bolster, the connection between the threaded step pintle and
the threaded bearing in the bolster being a loose threaded connection, so that the
bolster is free to gyrate or wabble under the action of the spindle in seeking its
true centre of rotation.
Fitted upon the step pintle between the bolster and the block and resting upon
the block is a nut or washer which has a threaded bearing which snugly fits the
threaded portion of the step pintle.
The rotation of this nut or washer acts to adjust the step pintle vertically and
thus adjust the point of contact of the step pintle and the spindle pintle relatively
to the tapering bearing of the bolster. The rotation of this nut or washer is
accomplished by the turning of the bolster, and for this purpose the bolster is
provided at its base with depending lugs or studs which take into apertures in the
top of the nut or washer.
In order that the nut or washer may be allowed to rotate in one direction and be
restrained from rotation in the other direction I have provided a clutch device
between said nut or washer and the block in which the step pintle is arranged
to have a vertical movement, which block as before stated is fixed against
rotation.

page_text: This clutch device may conveniently consist of inclined or V shaped teeth or
notches formed upon the bottom of the nut or washer and the top of the block, and
preferably arranged to permit a rotation of the bolster and the nut or washer in a
direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the spindle, and to restrain the
rotation of the bolster and the nut or washer in the opposite direction.
By this arrangement a rotation of the bolster in a direction opposite to the
direction of rotation of the spindle, will turn the nut or washer, and by means of
the threaded connection with the nut or washer and the bolster with the step
pintle, will cause the step pintle to be raised, and thus raise the point of contact
of the step pintle and spindle pintle relatively to the bearing in the bolster as
before explained.
In another embodiment of my invention the step pintle has a loose threaded
connection at its upper end in a bearing in the lower end of the bolster, and at its
lower end is fitted in a bearing in a block in the bottom of the bolster case, said
block being restrained from rotation.
The connection between the step pintle and the block is such, that the step pintle
is permitted to have a vertical movement in the block, but is restrained from
rotation therein.
As in the construction first described, there is a clutch. device between the lower
end of the bolster and the block, whereby the bolster may be turned in one direction
and restrained from turning in the opposite direction it being preferably arranged
to turn in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the spindle.
In the operation of the present invention, whatever the wear of the parts causes
the spindle pintle to drop in its bearing in the bolster and to bind therein, a turn
of the bolster in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the spindle,
will cause the step pintle to he raised and thus raise the point of contact between
the step pintle and spindle pintle relatively to the bearing in the bolster, thus
adjusting the fit between the spindle and the bolster; the clutch device holding
the bolster in the position to which it was turned in making the adjustment, and
thus maintaining the vertical adjustment of the step. The holster may be provided
with notches at its upper end to be engaged by a screw driver or other tool in
order to turn the same, or any other suitable device may be provided whereby, the
bolster may be turned without removing it from the bolster case.
Dated the 21st day of Sentember 1897
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in or connected with Spindles for Spinning and
like Frames.
A communication from abroad by JOHN KILBURN, of Belmont, State of
Massachusetts, one of the United States of America, Engineer.
I, ALFRED GEORGE BROOKES, of 55 & 56, Chancery Lane, in the County of
London, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
:
"
"
The present invention relates to spindles of the type known as "self centering
top" spindles for spinning and like frames, in which the rotating spindle is
adapted to seek its true center of rotation under an unbalanced load.
or

page_text: These spindles are commonly made with a tapered pintle or stem, which is
supported and rotates in a tapered bearing in a bolster, the end of the pintle resting
upon a support termed a step."
.
་་
In practice the rapid rotation of the spindle causes the end of its pintle to wear
away, or to wear into the step, and to thus fall further into the bearing in the
bolster, the tapered pintle binding in the inclined or tapered bearing in the bolster,
increasing the friction and retarding the rotation of the spindle.
The difficulty above noted has been obviated by adjusting the siep and bolster
relatively to each other, to bring the bearing or step higher into the bearing of
the bolster, to thus raise the pintle of the spindle to accommodate for the wearing
away thereof, as above described.
The object of the present invention is to produce a device in which the bolster
is positively restrained from rotation only in the direction of rotation of the
spindle, being free to be rotated in an opposite direction for the purpose of obtain-
ing a relative longitudinal movement of the bolster and step, to obtain the
adjustment of the bolster and step, to raise the point of contact between the bolster
and step relatively to the tapering bearing of the bolster.
The present invention therefore consists of a bolster and step, and connections
between the bolster and step whereby a rotation of the bolster will affect a relative
longitudinal movement of the bolster and step, and it further consists of a bolster
arranged to be turned in a direction opposite to that in which the spindle rotates,
and restrained from turning in the direction of rotation of the spindle.
In the drawings accompanying this specification:-
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the first form,
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the second form,
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of the third form of my invention, and
Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of a modification of the first form.
The bolster case A, bolster B, the spindle C and spindle rail D may be of any
usual or preferred form and arrangement, except in so far as will be hereinafter
described.
The spindle C has the usual tapered end or pintle c which is received within the
tapering bearing of the bolster B resting at its lower end upon the top of a step
pintle or step E. In order to adjust the point of contact between the spindle
pintle and step relatively to the bearing of the bolster, I have in the first form
of my invention illustrated in Figure 1, mounted the step pintle E in a threaded
bearing in a block F fixed in the bottom of the bolster case A, said block being
restrained from rotation by engagement therewith of a pin G projecting inwardly
through the side of the bottom of the bolster case A, and engaging a slot f in
the side of the block F. It is obvious that any suitable means may be used for
restraining the block F from rotation, the means above described being the form
preferred by me.
of
The lower end of the bolster B rests upon the top of the said block F and the
upper end of the step pintle projects into the bolster through an aperture 6 in
the bottom thereof. The upper end e of the step pintle E is polygonal in section
or other shape than round and the aperture in the bolster is correspondingly
shaped so that a rotation of the bolster will rotate the step pintle E in its threaded
bearing in the block F, causing the step pintle to move vertically in
the bearing of the bolster, thus raising or lowering the point
contact between the step pintle and the spindle pintle relatively to the bearing
in the bolster to secure the proper adjustment of the tapered end of the spindle
pintle c relatively to the tapered bearing of the bolster. I prefer to arrange the
bolster so that it may be turned to adjust the step pintle without removing it from
the bolster case, and also to secure such adjustment by a rotation in a direction
opposite to that in which the spindle rotates, restraining the bolster from rotating
with the spindle.
In the drawing the arrow c¹ indicates the direction of rotation of the spindle and
for the purpose of restraining the bolster from rotating therewith, I have in

page_text: this form of my invention provided a clutch device consisting of inclined teeth
and notches between the lower end of the bolster and the upper end of the block
which supports the step pintle, being so formed that the bolster may be turned in
a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the spindle without removing the
bolster from its case, but will be restrained from rotation with the spindle.
In the form illustrated in the drawing the lower end of the bolster is provided
with shaped teeth which have one side vertical and the other side inclined,
and which are adapted to engage notches f¹ on the upper end of the block F. The
notches may be of any desired form, but are preferably rectangular in shape as
shown.
The block F is thus seen to be a bolster support which supports the bolster in
proper longitudinal position and restrains it from rotation in the direction of the
rotation of the spindle..
In order to provide for a gyrating or wabbling action of the bolster under the
action of the spindle in seeking its true center of rotation, I have shown in
Figure 4 a modification of the first form of my invention which contemplates the
introduction of a rocker washer H between the end of the bolster and the top of
the block which supports the step pintle, said rocker washer having a rounded
upper surface and forming a rocking support for the bolster and being of such
thickness as not to affect the operation of the clutch device.
It will thus be noted that by my invention as the step pintle or spindle wears
away and permits the spindle pintle to drop farther into the tapered bearing of
the bolster, thus increasing the friction between the spindle and the bolster that a
turn or a fraction of a turn of the holster in a direction opposite to that in which
the spindle rotates will raise the step pintle to adjust the spindle pintle to a proper.
fit in the bolster, and that when said adjustment has been made the clutch device
will prevent the bolster from turning with the spindle, thus holding the parts in
their adjusted position.
In the second form of my invention illustrated in Figure 2 the step pintle El
is fitted to have a vertical movement in a block F¹ which is secured in the bottom
of the bolster case in any suitable manner as by the pin G and slot 2 substantially
as before described, to prevent its rotation, and the step pintle E' at its lower end
is provided with an outwardly projecting pin el which engages the slot f extending
from the bottom of the block F¹ to near the top of the same as shown, so that the
step pintle E' is prevented from rotation with the bolster but may move vertically
in the block to secure the proper positioning in the bolster.
The upper end of the step pintle E' is threaded and engages a thread bearing in
the lower end of the bolster 11, the connection between the threaded step pintle E¹
and the threaded bearing in the bolster being a loose threaded connection so that
the bolster is free to gyrate or wabble under the action of the spindle in seeking
its true center of rotation.
Fitted upon the step pintle between the bolster B₁ and the block F1 and resting
upon the said block is a nut or washer I which has a threaded bearing which
snugly fits the threaded portion of the step pintle E¹.
The rotation of this nut or washer operates to adjust the step pintle E vertically
and thus to adjust the point of contact of the step pintle and the spindle pintle
relatively to the tapering bearing of the bolster B¹. The rotation of this nut or
washer I is accomplished by the turning of the bolster, and for this purpose the
bolster is provided at its base with depending lugs or studs K which take into
apertures in the top of the nut or washer I. In order that the nut or washer
may be allowed to rotate in one direction and be restrained from rotation
in the other direction, I have provided a clutch device between said
nut or washer I and the block F¹ in which the step pintle is arranged to have a
vertical movement, which block, as before stated, is fixed against the rotation.
This clutch device may conveniently consist of inclined or V shaped teeth and
notches formed upon the bottom of the nut or washer I, and the top of the
block F and preferably arranged to permit a rotation of the bolster and the nut or

page_text: washer I in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the spindle and to
restrain the rotation of the bolster and the nut or washer in the opposite direction,
being substantially the same in form as those above described as used in the first
form of my invention.
By this arrangement a rotation of the bolster B¹ in a direction opposite to the
direction of rotation of the spindle, will turn the nut or washer, and by means of
the threaded connection with the nut or washer and the bolster with the step
pintle, will cause the step pintle to be raised, and thus raise the point of contact
of the step pintle and spindle pintle relatively to the bearing in the bolster as
before explained.
In the third form of my invention illustrated in Fig. 3 the step pintle E² has a
loose threaded connection at its upper end in a bearing in the lower end of the
bolster B and at its lower end is fitted in a bearing in a block in the bottom of
the bolster said block being restrained from rotation by any suitable means as
by the pin G and slot f2. The connection between the step pintle E2 and block F¹ is
the same as in the second form of my invention whereby the step pintle E2 is
permitted to have a vertical movement in the block, but is restrained from rotation
therein.
As in the first form of my invention, there is a clutch device between the lower
end of the bolster B2 and the block F whereby the bolster may be turned in one
direction and restrained from turning in the opposite direction, it being preferably
arranged to turn in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the spindle.
This clutch device is the same as that used in the first form of my invention and
described above.
In the operation of the present invention whenever the wear of the parts causes
the spindle pintle to drop in its bearing in the bolster and to bind therein, a
turn of the bolster in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the spindle,
will cause the step pintle to move relatively to the bearing in the bolster, thus
adjusting the fit between the spindle and the bolster; the clutch device holding
the bolster in the position to which it was turned in making the adjustment, and
thus maintaining the vertical adjustment of the step.
The bolster may be provided with notches 62 at its upper end to be engaged by
a screw driver or other tool in order to turn the same or any other suitable device
may be provided whereby the bolster may be turned without removing it from the
bolster case.
Having now particularly described, and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. The combination with a spindle and its bolster, of a clutch mechanism
arranged to restrain the rotation of the bolster in the direction of rotation of the
spindle and to permit its rotation in an opposite direction, substantially as
described.
2. The combination with a bolster case, bolster and bolster-support within the
case, of a threaded bearing in the support, a threaded pintle engaging said bear-
ing and projected into the bolster, and connections between the bolster and pintle,
whereby a rotation of the bolster effects a longitudinal movement of the pintle,
substantially as described.
3. The combination with the bolster and its support, of a rocker-washer inter-
posed between the bolster and its support, and means to retain the rocker-washer
in position under the bolster, substantially as described.
4. The combination with a bolster and its support, of a pintle longitudinally
movable in the support, and a rocker-washer surrounding the pintle between the
bolster and its support, substantially as described.
5. The combination with the spindle and its bolster, of means for restraining
the rotation of the bolster in the direction of rotation of the spindle, arranged

page_text: to permit its rotation in an opposite direction, and a step vertically adjustable
within the bolster by the rotation of the bolster, substantially as described.
6. The combination with the bolster supported upon its bottom face, a step
pintle engaging said bolster and arranged to be moved longitudinally within the
bolster by a rotation of the bolster, of inclined teeth upon the bolster and engag-
ing devices therefor arranged to permit a rotation of the bolster in one direction
and restrain it from rotation in the opposite direction, substantially as described.
7. The combination with a spindle, its bolster having a threaded opening in
its lower end, a fixed bolster support and step pintle threaded on its upper end,
of a threaded nut or washer interposed between the bolster support and bolster,
said bolster and nut or washer having connections therebetween whereby rotation
of the bolster will cause a rotation of the nut or washer, said nut or washer and
bolster support having a clutch device therebetween to permit rotation of bolster
and the nut or washer in one direction and prevent rotation in the opposite
direction, said step pintle having a sliding connection with the bolster support and
engaging the threaded openings in the bolster and the nut or washer, whereby a
rotation of the bolster will cause a relative longitudinal motion of the step pintle
in the bolster, substantially as described.
Ja of Tune 1898
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55/56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.