IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SPINDLES AND FLYERS FOR ROVING AND SLUBBING FRAMES, AND IN TOOLS OR MACHINERY FOR MAKING THE SAME
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Johnson, of Over Darwen, Mill Manager,
John Lowe, of Bolton, Machinist, and Joseph Fowler, of Bolton,
Spindle and Flyer Manufacturer, all in the County of Lancaster,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SPINDLES
AND FLYERS FOR ROVING AND SLUBBING FRAMES, AND IN TOOLS OR MACHINERY
FOR MAKING THE SAME.”
"
Scaled the 26th May 1871, and dated the 5th December 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Johnson, John
Lowe, and Joseph Fowler at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 5th December 1870.
We, JAMES JOHNSON, of Over Darwen, Mill Manager, JOHN LOWE,
of Bolton, Machinist, and JOSEPH FOWLER, of Bolton, Spindle and Flyer
Manufacturer, all in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
SPINDLES AND FLYERS FOR ROVING AND SLUBBING FRAMES, AND IN TOOLS OR
MACHINERY FOR MAKING THE SAME," to be as follows:-
Hitherto spindles and flyers for roving and slubbing frames have been
connected by means of a pin through the socket of the flyer and a slit

page_text: in the end of the spindle, and this arrangement is not found altogether
satisfactory as dirt and "fly" are liable to accumulate in the slit, so
that the flyer fits imperfectly and the pins are frequently broken.
Our improvements consist in drilling out the socket of the flyer to
leave a part which we cut by suitable punches to form two flat sides and
form corresponding flat sides upon the end of the spindle.
According to another modification (which we prefer) we cut two
screw or helical grooves in the socket of the flyer by means of suitablo
punches, and form corresponding grooves upon the end of the spindle,
the flyer being secured upon the spindle by a slight screw movement.
The tools or machinery for making the flat sides or screw grooves upon
the ends of the spindles consist of a rotating cutter, under which the
spindle is traversed in suitable centres, the helical groove being formed
by simultaneously turning the spindle as it advances by means of a
guiding screw. For forming the flats and helical or screw grooves in:
the sockets of the flyers a series of punches are used one larger than the
other, the smallest being used first and the largest last. The flyer to
be operated upon is fixed in a suitable holder, which can have a partial
rotary motion imparted to it. When screw grooves are required the
punches are mounted upon an axis at equal distances apart, the axis of
cach punch in a radial line. The axis carrying the punches is mounted
on slides, so that each punch as the axis rotates will come in a line with
the axis of the flyer, so that the punch can be forced into and with-
drawn from the socket, the back. movement causing the axis carrying
the punches to partly rotate by means of a pawl and ratchet to present a
fresh punch for the next forward movement, these backward and forward
movements continuing until all the punches have operated, when another
flyer is placed in the holder.
The reciprocating movements may be given by a lever or other means,
and the partial rotary movement to the flyer by being geared or con-
nected with the mechanism giving the reciprocating movements to the
punches.

page_text: .
Machinist, and JOSEPH FOWLER, of Bolton, Spindle and Flyer Manufac
turer, all in the County of Lancaster, send grecting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto us, the said James Johnson, John Lowe, and Joseph.
Fowler, Her special license that we, the said James Johnson, John
Lowe, and Joseph Fowler, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as we, the said James Johnson, John Lowe, and Joseph
Fowler, our executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after 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 Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SPINDLES AND FLYERS FOR
ROVING AND SLUBBING FRAMES, AND IN TOOLS OR MACHINERY FOR MAKING THE
SAME," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said James
Johnson, John Lowe,. and Joseph Fowler, by an instrument in writing
under our hands and seals (or under the hand and seal of one of us),
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said James Johnson, John Lowe, and
Joseph Fowler, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement and
accompanying Drawings (that is to say):-
•
Hitherto spindles and flyers for roving and slubbing frames have been
connected by means of a pin through the socket of the flyer and a slit
in the end of the spindle, but this arrangement is not found altogether
satisfactory as dirt and "fly" are liable to accumulate in the slit so that
the flyer fits imperfectly upon the spindle and the pins are frequently
broken.
1
Our improvements consist in drilling out the socket of the flyer to
leave a part which we cut away by suitable punches to form two

page_text: spindle.
According to another modification of our Invention (which we prefer)
we cut two screw or helical grooves in the socket of each flyer by means
of suitable punches, and form corresponding grooves upon the end of
the spindle so that the flyer is secured upon the spindle by having a
slight screw movement imparted to it, and is removed by the reverse.
movement.
The tools or machinery for making the flat sides or screw grooves
upon the ends of the spindles consist of one or two rotating cutters,
against which cutter or cutters each spindle is traversed in suitable
centres or bearings, the helical or screw grooves being formed by
simultaneously turning the spindle as it is advanced by means of a
guiding screw or incline. For forming the flats or helical or screw
grooves in the sockets of the flyers a series of punches are used one
larger than the other, the smallest being used first and the largest the
last. The flyer to be operated upon is secured in a suitable holder which
can have an advancing motion imparted to it and a partial rotary motion
when screw grooves are required, the flyer being forced against the
punch, a series of which are carried on a wheel which is turned to bring
each punch carried by it to operate upon the flyer in succession.
The accompanying Sheet of Drawings illustrates our improvements.
Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of the end of a spindle and part of a
flyer, and Fig. 2 is an end view with the socket of the flyer in section.
The end of the spindle a has two flat sides (a¹) upon it which fit
corresponding flats (6') formed out of the solid socket (6) of the flyer.
Fig. 3 is a side view of a spindle and flyer partly in section, and Fig. 4
an end view of it with the socket part of the flyer in section. The end
of the spindle (a) has two screw or helical grooves (a³) cut in it as
shown, and a part left in the socket (6) of the flyer is cut out by
punches to leave projections b² to correspond to the grooves upon the
end of the spindle a. Figs. 5 and 6 are views corresponding to Figs.
3 and 4, the only difference being that a picce (6") is brazed or otherwiso
secured in the top of the flyer, as shown. The sockets of the flyers
when prepared for punching to fit the ends of the spindles are drilled
out as shown in section in Fig. 7 leaving a solid portion (6*) of the
socket to be punched out to the shape required. The punches enter, at
3

page_text: -
"
the lower end of the socket, but may enter from the upper end when the
flyers are made as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 as the sockets of the flyers in
that case are punched before the piece (6) is brazed in its place. The
inclination of the screw grooves (a³) upon the ends of the spindles (a) is
to the right or left accordingly as the flyer "leads" or "follows" the
bobbin, but the direction of the screw should be such that the pull of
the sliver upon the flyer will tend to screw the flyer upon the end of tho
spindle. The flats or screw grooves may be cut upon the ends of the
spindles by the machine illustrated by Figs. 8, 9, and 10, Fig. 8
being a plan, Fig. 9 a side or end view, and Fig. 10 a cross section
on the line W-X, Fig. 8. A is the bed of the machine in a T form,"
carried on suitable stands (A') partly shown in Fig. 9. The bed
carries two headstocks (c) fitted to slide the lengthway of the
bed, being moved or adjusted by screws c'. Instead of one screw.
for each headstocks there may be one screw shaft connecting both
headstocks, having a right and left-handed screw thread, so that
by turning the screw shaft both headstocks may be simultaneously
moved to and from cach other. As both headstocks are alike one only.
will be described. The headstock (c) .has a socket (c³), in which a
stem (d) fits that can be turned round in the socket, and when adjusted'
can be secured by a set screw (d) passing through the socket. Upon:
the stem (d) there is a spur wheel d³, which is driven by a spur pinion e¹;
which rotates in a bearing formed in a projection from the headstock,
the pinion being arranged to move with the headstock, and slide on a
fixed key passing lengthway of the shaft (e) which drives both head-
stocks, one end of the shaft working in a bearing (e) in the bracket
secured to the bed; e* being the fast and loose driving pulleys on the end.
of the shaft e. To the spur, wheel da bevel wheel dis secured, and
this gears with another wheel (d') on one end of a short cross shaft (ď³),
having bearings in the stem part (d).
shaft there is a small spur wheel
the end of a short shaft d³, having bearings in the end of the stem
part as shown. This latter short shaft has circular cutter (d) secured.
upon it that acts upon the end of the spindle. In Fig. 8 the cutters (ď.).
are drawn with their shafts or axes (a) parallel to the axis of the spindle
(a);
but for cutting grooves or flats in a line with the axis of the spindle
the cutters are turned to bring their axis at a right angle to the axis
of the spindle, or they may be used in the position shown, the work
in this case..being done by the side of the cutter; and for.cutting screw.
•
On the other end of the short..
that gears with another. (₫) on'

page_text: grooves the axis of the cuiters are placed at such angle to the axis of the
spindle as to agree with and give the required inclination to the screw.
This adjustment is made by turning round the stems (d) in the sockets
of the headstocks as the bevel wheels (d³ and d') remain in gear in every
position of the stem. The spindle (a) to be operated upon is held in
stands secured on a long slide (ƒ) arranged to move in the bed at a
There
right angle to the direction in which the headstocks can slide.
are two of these stands ƒ and ƒ³ secured to the slide by bolts having
Theads which fit slots passing the lengthway of the slide, so that the
stands can be readily adjusted to suit different lengths of spindles. The
stands are arranged with holes in them to hold bushes, which can be
changed to suit different diameters of spindles, and the end stand ƒ¹ has
a handle f³ jointed on a stud f*; and when this handle is in the position
shown in the Drawings its free end rests upon a hook projection ƒ³
from the stand, and it thus resists the thrust upon the spindle, the end
of which comes against the side of the handle, which can be lifted and
turned out of the way when a spindle is to be placed in or removed from
the stands. The spindle also passes through an hollow shaft g having
its bearings in stand 9' secured to the slide, and one end of this hollow
shaft has a face plate 7³ formed upon it, in which there is a pin that fits
a short slot in a radial direction in a driver g* secured upon the spindle,
which driver will cause the spindle to rotate with the hollow shaft in
either direction. Upon the opposite end of the hollow shaft there is a
broad spur wheel g³ that gears and will remain in gear in every position
of the slide, with teeth in a rack that moves horizontally across the
slide f; one end of the rack passes through a guide (') secured to the
bed, the other end of the rack having a slot in it, and works upon a
cross shaft h³ carried by brackets secured to the bed (see Fig. 10). In
the rack bar h there is a stud for the bowl that works in a cam
groove (not shewn) in a cam * secured upon the cross shaft. The
to-and-fro movement given to the rack bar imparts oscillatory move-
ment to the spindle and a swivel die (½³) centered upon a pin hº at the
under side of the bar works in a groove in the plate A' which can swivel
on a centre ⁄³ fitting a hole in the slide f. The action of the swivel
die * on this plate / gives the required end movement to the slide f
and spindle simultaneously with the oscillatory movement. The plate h
can be turned upon its centre pin * and secured by a set screw 7° in
any required position at an angle to the line of movement of the rack
bar (h). If set exactly parallel to the movement of the rack bar thero

page_text: will be no end movement in the slide, but there will be oscillatory move-
ment given to the spindle. By adjusting the plate any required pitch
either right or left can be given to the screw, and by disconnecting the
wheel with the rack end movement only will be given to the slide, such
as will be required for cutting flat sides or grooves in a line with the
axis of the spindle. The cam is formed to give the required extent
of oscillation, and to give the movement uniformly or nearly so both
backward and forward, so that the rotating cutters may act upon the
spindle both ways if required. But the cam (4) may be shaped to
produce a uniform forward movement for cutting in one direction, and
then a quick back movement to withdraw the end of the spindle from
the action of the rotating cutters. The cam shaft hª is driven by a
worm e on the shaft e in gear with a worm wheel e³ loose upon the
shaft, but made to gear with it by a clutch box e. But the cam shaft h³
may be driven by a worm acting on a worm wheel on a fixed stud, the
worm wheel having a spur pinion secured to it that gears with a wheel
loose upon the shaft h³, and geared with it by a clutch box (eº). When
the shaft h has made a complete revolution a cam piece h*, which is
secured upon the side of the cam * by a set screw, comes in contact
with a lever e' upon a stud e³ secured to the bed, and releases its other
end from the bent end of a clutch lever e carried by a bracket secured
to the bed. One arm of this lever is weighted so that the clutch is
thrown out of gear when the cam shaft A has completed its revolution.
When the cam shaft h³ is out of gear the cam can be turned by hand to
adjust the spindle if desired, or when the spindle is fixed it will only bo
necessary to hold the clutch in gear for a moment when the end of the
stopping lever (e') will fall and latch the clutch lever, the machine being
thus made self-acting.
The sockets of the flyers may be punched to correspond to and fit the
ends of the spindles by the machine illustrated by Figs. 11, 12, 13, and 14.
Fig. 11 is a side elevation partly in section; Fig. 12, an end elevation
at the left; Fig. 18, a cross sectional elevation at Y-Z, Fig. 11, looking
towards the left; and Fig. 14 is an end elevation at the right.
A is the frame of the machine; i, a pair of driving pulleys working
upon a stud ³ fixed in the frame. a, a pinion fast on the boss of the inner
pulley gears with a wheel fast at the end of a shaft j in bearings upon
projections from the frame. Upon the other end of the shaft ; there is
a crank which is connected by a rod ♬ with a lever j' centered on a

page_text: stud in the frame, the upper part of the lever having the segment of a
broad spur
wheel formed upon it which gears with a wheel k¹ secured upon
the end of a shaft / having bearings in the frame, as shown. This shaft
has a right and left handed screw thread cut upon the bearing part at
cach end equal to the pitch of the screw grooves to be cut in the sockets
of the flyers. The lower bearings of the screw shaft are both smooth
and the tops of the threads work against the smooth surface of tho
bearings, but one of the caps upon the bearings, accordingly as it is a
right or left handed thread that is required, fits the thread as a half
screw nut, and causes the shaft to move endways when oscillated. The
inner end of the shaft k is squared (see Fig. 13), and a sliding hoop
part is fitted on to it, the play being prevented by two V pieces and a
set screw and lock nut, as shown, the end of the set screw entering a
shallow hole in a cross piece that rests upon the two V pieces. The inner
end of the hoop part is screwed to fit the screw thread upon the exterior
boss of a hand wheel ³ fitted to rotate upon the round part of the shaft
and kept in its place by a collar k*. By turning the hand wheel the
hoop part can be slided to and fro on the square end of the shaft and
oscillate with it at the same time. At the end of the shaft / there is
a centre k³ which enters the hole in the axis of the flyer at the top side:
of the socket, the exterior of the bottom end of the socket fitting a holo
in a projection from the sliding hoop, this part having a hole to admit
of brushes suitable for different sizes of flyers. When the flyer is placed
so that the legs are outwards from the centre (4) the hand wheel k³ is
turned to draw the socket firmly against the centre, and and as the legs 2
of the flyer rest against the sides of the projection from the hoop part it.
receives the same movements as the shaft k without any "play." When.
the flyer is secured in the holder as explained the legs are vertically one
over the other when the shaft k has arrived at the end of its back move.
ment so that each punch can be brought opposite to the socket of the 3
flyer without coming in contact with the legs of the flyer. Twelve or
more punches may be used to punch the flyer, each punch being about
one-fiftieth part of an inch larger than the one immediately preceding it.
Fig. 15 is a side and Fig. 16 an end view of the smallest, and Fig. 17 is
a side view and Fig. 18 an end view of the largest punch (full size) for 3
flyers of about the size shown by Figs. 3 and 4. These punches aro
secured in their places by cottars which take hold of the notches or flat
places in their sides and prevent them from turning or moving
endways. The punches are mounted in the order in which they aro
'

page_text: required to be used in studs & fixed in the face of a wheel ♬ which can
rotate, being secured upon a shaft in bearings, as shown. In the edgo
of the wheel ♬ there is a rim, in which there are as many notches 1× as
there are studs or punches, and the wheel is held steady when punching
by a pawl or catch ♬ centered upon a short shaft & having bearings in
the frame. The end of this shaft has an arm upon it carrying a bowl
at its end that rests against a cam secured upon the shaft j. This
cam is shaped and arranged to lift the catch ♬ out of the notch just
before the wheel is turned, and to release the catch after the wheel has
begun to move to allow it to be ready to enter the next notch which
arrives opposite to it. The crank gives the oscillating shaft k move-
ment enough to draw the socket of the flyer a short distance clear of the
end of the punch, and when the punch is just clear the wheel ♬ begins
to move, and its movement is completed before the end of the socket of
the flyer has arrived in its forward movement at the end of the punch,
from 45 to 60 degrees of revolution of the shaft j being taken to move
the wheel so as to change from one punch to the next. The movement
of the punch wheel ♬ is produced by a cam m on the shaft j which acts
on a lever m³ centred to oscillate upon the punch wheel shaft . This
lever carries a pawl m³ which acts upon a ratchet wheel m³ secured on
the shaft l, and having as many teeth as there are notches in the punch
wheel P. The cam m is shaped to give the quick movement for changing
the punches, this movement beginning as soon as the punch is clear of
the socket of the flyer. The back movement may occupy nearly all the
remainder of the revolution of the shaft j.
Instead of the cam m acting directly upon the lever m³ it may act
upon a bowl on a stud secured in a rod slotted to slide on the shaft j at
one end and jointed with the pawl lever at the other end, as shown in
peculiar dotted line in Fig. 13, this latter arrangement permitting of a
cam of smaller range of action, and thus of a reduction in the steepness
of the cam inclines.
The flyers may be punched with the legs turned away from the punches
when constructed as shewn by Figs. 5 and 6.
The same machine may be used for punching flyers with flat sides or
grooves, as shewn by Figs. 1 and 2, by arranging the shaft / so as only
to have end movement and the screw to rotate upon and only to move
endways with the shaft, which in this case must be prevented from

page_text: rotating by being made square-sided at one or both ends and sliding
through a square hole or bearing, or by other means.
We have now particularly described the nature of our Invention, and
the mode of carrying it into effect, and claim as our Invention,―
Firstly. The construction of slubbing and roving flyers and spindles
so as to connect the one with the other by forming flat sides or screw
grooves upon the ends of the spindles to fit corresponding flats or
projections in the sockets of the flyers solid therewith, substantially as
herein-before described.
Secondly. The use of rotating cutters for forming the screw grooves ]
on the ends of the spindles, as herein-before described.
Thirdly. The combination and arrangement of the parts of the
machine shown by Figs. 8, 9, and 10 for cutting one or two grooves or
flats at the same time, and the arrangements for giving the oscillatory
and end movements to the spindle, substantially as herein-before 1
described.
Fourthly. The combination and arrangement of the mechanism for
punching the sockets of roving and slubbing flyers, and the arrangement
of the punches in a wheel to be brought forward in succession as required,
substantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Lowe, on my own behalf and
on behalf of the said James Johnson and Joseph Fowler, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of May, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
one.
2
2
Witness,
PETER J. LIVSEY,
Patent Agent,
Manchester.
JOHN LOWE. (L.S.).