Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 29th July, 1886.
Complete Left, 26th Apr., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 27th May, 1887.
I JOHN HENRY JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as follows:-
This Invention has reference to machines for removing from bobbinet and similar
fabric the loose threads called clips or floats which connect together the figures
constituting the pattern of the fabric. It relates more particularly to machines of the
class that employ a series of cutting pickers, which, as the fabric is fed through the
machine are inserted under the floats or clips, and lift and sever the latter against
stationary cutter blades; and that employ mowing mechanism for cutting or mowing
off the clips or floats severed by the picker mechanism.
The present invention consists in certain improvements upon the machine shown
and described in the Specification to Letters Patent No. 837 dated January 20 1885
and upon machines of the same type.
Heretofore as described in said Patent a series of gangs or rows. of cutting pickers
have been arranged to act upon the surface of the lace as it is fed through the machine
and to sever the floats or clips, one set of pickers acting at right angles to the
movement of the fabric so as to sever those floats or clips that run parallel or nearly
so with the movement of the fabric and other sets acting obliquely so as to be capable
of use upon fabric wherein these connecting clips or floats lie in a variety of directions.
A sufficient number of pickers arranged so close together as to cover the fabric well
and insure the cutting of all the threads have been employed.

page_text: As described in the aforesaid Patent the fabric, after passing all the pickers was
carried by the feed mechanism over the edge of a throat plate, causing the severed
threads to stand out from the fabric in which position they were moved off by a
revolving cutter acting in connection with a stationary blade. To insure removal of
all the threads several cutters were necessary one being arranged transversely and the
others obliquely in the machine and the fabric passed successively through the several
cutters.
The gangs or groups of pickers have heretofore been carried by a moveable bed
having a vertical reciprocating motion of sufficient amplitude to enable the pickers to
lift the threads from the fabric and sever them against the stationary blades. The
rows of pickers have been carried upon horizontal slides connected with a wrist plate
oscillated on a vertical axis, whereby the several slides and with them the pickers,
wore moved back and forth in horizontal planes. The mechanisms were so timed
that the pickers moved first down, pressing upon the fabric then forward inserting
their pointed ends under the floats or clips then upward lifting the floats or clips and
_ cutting them and lastly back to the first position.
In the present invention the oblique rows of pickers and the oblique mowing cutters
are dispensed with the machine being adapted to operate only upon the more common
patterns of bobbinet wherein the floats or clips run with the fabric or nearly so.
There double rows of pickers arranged so as to break joints are employed; and the
rows are divided near the middle making two sets comprising each three half rows,
the points of the pickers in the two sets being in opposite directions. The divisions
or breaks between the two parts of the several rows are in different lines relatively to
the movement of the lace, so that a clip passing between the two parts of the first row
would encounter a picker on one of the other rows.
The picker on the inner end of each half row is as close as possible to that of the
complementary half row. To diminish the space between the two, the pickers, instead
of being straight have an offset, the lower part projecting backwards from the line of
the shank.
As heretofore the pickers are all carried by a picker bed which is reciprocated
vertically by means of eccentrics on the main shaft. Instead, however, of having a
separate horizontal slide for each row of pickers only two slides are used, one for each
set (three half rows) of pickers. These slides are reciprocated by eccentrics on the
main shaft outside of the frame of the machine by means of connecting rods, connected
by ball joints to bell-crank levers which in turn are connected by links to said slides.
Means are as heretofore, provided for regulating the movement of the picker bed.
To prevent the jar attending the vertical movement of the picker bed in the operation
of the machine, a counterweight is provided and is given an opposite movement to that
of the picker bed by means of eccentrics on the main shaft. Springs are provided to
balance the picker bed, and similar springs to balance the counterweight thus taking
the weight off the operating shaft.
The counterweight is provided with vertical rods which project up through the bed
and constitute guide rods for the counterweight. These rods also carry take up
rollers, one between each row of pickers, whereby the fabric is drawn down when the
pickers are up, and given out to the pickers as they descend.
Adjusting devices are provided for regulating the movement of the counter weight
and thereby regulating also the action of the take up rollers on the fabric.
The lace plate is perforated or formed with long slots like a grid iron. These slots
take the place of the grooves into which the lace was, in the former machine depressed
by the descent of the pickers.
The openings in the lace plate permit the passage of a current of air upward
through the same and through the meshes of the fabric thereon. The current or draft
may be created either by a suction blower or exhaust, or by any suitable blower
leading to the space beneath the lace plate. By this means the fine clippings of lace
dust, and other matter which heretofore collected in the grooves of the lace plate are
carried away. The up current of air also has the important effect of lifting the clips
or floats and thus facilitating the insertion of the pickers under the same.

page_text: Preferably this part of the invention is carried out by enclosing the top of the
machine to form a flue or passage leading to the mowing mechanism so that the air
passes between the rotary and stationary cutters for the purpose hereinafter set
forth, and thence passes out at the rear of the machine carrying away the dust clippings
and other refuse matter. Of course a separate exhaust or blower could be employed
for the mowing mechanism.
When it is not desired to use the draft through the lace plate, or when this draft
is interrupted by lifting the cover to gain access to the pickers or for other purposes
the perforations in the lace plate permit the dust clippings etc. to fall through into a
trough or drawer which is arranged at the bottom of the machine to receive them.
The operating mechanisms for the pickers and counterweight are arranged on each
side of these openings, and the whole machine is so organised as to permit the bulk of
the refuse passing through the lace plate to fall into the trough or drawer. This
trough or drawer also protects the knees of the operator from drippings of oil. The
lace plate is also provided with means for raising and lowering the same which both
facilitates the introduction and removal of the face and also enables the plate to be
adjusted to the position to secure the proper depth of action of the pickers.
The three several adjustments specified viz:-for the picker bed, for the counter-
weight and for the lace plate are provided respectively with indicating or registering
devices, so that the parts can readily be set to the positions found by experience to be
best for any particular pattern or style of lace.
The feed rollers are enclosed and are separated by a partition from the lace clipping
and operating mechanism; and the draft created by the suction blower or equivalent
means (as already described) carries out of the machine the fine clippings mowed off
by the rotary cutter. The plate upon which the lace passes from the cutters to the
feed rollers is perforated and the air draft is caused to pass through the lace carrying
away the fine dust and threads caught in the meshes of the fabric. The draft has also
the effect in passing over the lace in front of the rotary cutter, of assisting in raising
the clips from the fabric and holding them over the stationary blade in favorable
position to be mowed off.
The entire mowing mechanism is mounted on a separate frame so that it can readily
be removed from the bed of the machine and replaced by a similar mechanism. By
this construction but little time is lost in the operation of the machine when a change
is necessary owing to the cutting blades becoming too dull for use.
The rotary cutter is adjustable towards and away from the stationary blade. The
latter is also adjustable and it is held against the rotary cutter with yielding pressure.
Means are provided for withdrawing the throat plate of the cutting mechanism and
simultaneously separating the feed rollers to facilitate introduction of the fabric.
The picker holders carried by the picker slides are or may be constructed with
openings or sockets in which the pickers are inserted and in which they are held by
means of top plates and spring catches; the latter being so formed that they can
quickly be released and the whole row or any one or more of the pickers removed.
The support for the stationary blades which co-operate with the cutting pickers is
grooved on top and a fibrous strip held in the groove by a metal plate. This fibrous
strip is kept saturated with oil of which it supplies a sufficient quantity to the contact
surfaces of the pickers and stationary blades.
The slotted lace plate is held in position by the pressure of a spring or springs so
arranged as to bear firmly on the plate when raised to its operative position but to
relax their pressure when said plate is lowered thereby facilitating its removal.
It is sometimes desirable to check or stop altogether the draft passing through the
perforated plate leading to the feed rollers and to concentrate the draft more or less at
the opening between the throat plate and rotary cutter. To effect this a damper
supported on a spindle having bearings in the bed is placed just below the moving
mechanism and a handle is provided for turning the same. When closed the damper
shuts off entirely the passage of air through the perforated plate and all the air is
drawn over the throat plate. When this occurs there is a tendency for air to pass

page_text: upward between the stationary blade and the lace which current of air meeting the
sovered clips tends to keep them from turning downward and with the assistance of
the draft over the edge of the stationary cutter holds the clips in the best position to
be moved off by the rotary cutter.
To prevent the lace being drawn by the strong draft over it between the rotary and
stationary blade and the consequent cutting of the fabric, a suitable guard is provided.
This guard is preferably a comb having thin teeth supported by a bar or other support
just above the throat plate, the points of the teeth approaching very close to the
stationary blade and being just cleared by the cutting blades of the rotary cutter.
The teeth of the comb may be from an eighth to a quarter of an inch apart so that the
severed clips may pass between them and be properly over the stationary blade to
be cut.
DL1
001 1
3 T 1
1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Clipping Lace and other Fabrics.
I JOHN HENRY JOHNSON of 47 Lincolns Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this Invention which has been communicated
to me from abroad by The Willcox and Gibbs Sewing Machine Company and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This Invention has reference to machines for removing from bobbinet and similar
fabric the loose threads called clips or floats which connect together the figures
constituting the pattern of the fabric. It relates more particularly to machines of the
class that employ a series of cutting pickers which as the fabric is fed through the
machine are inserted under the floats or clips and lift and sever the latter against
stationary cutter blades and that employ mowing mechanism for cutting or mowing
off the clips or floats severed by the picker mechanism.
Heretofore a series of gangs or rows of cutting pickers have been arranged to act
upon the surface of the lace as it is fed through the machine. and to sever the floats or
clips, one set of pickers acting at right angles to the movement of the fabric so as to
sever those floats or clips that run parallel or nearly so with the fabric, and other sets
acting obliquely so as to be capable of use upon fabric wherein these connecting clips
or floats lie in a variety of directions. A sufficient number of pickers, arranged so
close together as to cover the fabric well and insure the cutting of all the threads
have been employed.
The
In such a machine the fabric aftor passing all the pickers is carried by the feed
mechanism over the edge of a throat plate, causing the several threads to stand out
from the fabric, in which position they are mowed off by a revolving cutter, acting
in connection with a stationery blade. To insure removal of all the threads, several
cutters are necessary, one being arranged tranversely and the others obliquely in the
machine, and the fabric passes successively through the several cutters.
gangs or groups of pickers have heretoforo been carried by a moveable bod
having a vertical reciprocating motion of sufficient amplitude to enable the pickers
to lift the threads from the fabric and sever them against the stationary blades. The
rows of pickers have been carried upon horizontal slides connected with a wrist plato
oscillated on a vertical axis, whereby the several slides, and with them the pickers
were moved back and forth in horizontal planes. The mechanisms were so timed
that the pickers moved first down, pressing upon the fabric, then forward inserting
their pointed ends under the floats or clips, then upward lifting the floats or clips and
cutting them, and lastly back to the first position.
In the present Invention the oblique rows of pickers and the oblique moving cutters
are dispensed with, the machine being adapted to operate only upon the more common
patterns of bobbinet wherein the floats or clips run with the fabric or nearly so.
Three double rows of pickers, arranged so as to break joints, are employed; and
the rows are divided near the middle, making two sets comprising each three half

page_text: rows, the points of the pickers in the two sets being in opposite directions. The
divisions or breaks between the two parts of the several rows are in different lines
relatively to the movement of the lace, so that a clip passing between the two parts of
the first row would encounter a picker on one of the other rows.
The picker at the inner end of each half row is as close as possible to that of the
complementary half row. To diminish the space between the two, the pickers, instead
of being straight, have an offset, the lower part projecting backwards from the line of
the shank.
As heretofore the pickers are all carried by a picker bed which is reciprocated
vertically by means of eccentrics on the main shaft. Instead however, of having a
separate horizontal slide for each row of pickers, but two slides are used, one for each
set (three half rows) of pickers. These slides are reciprocated by eccentrics on the
main shaft outside of the frame of the machine by means of connecting rods, connected
by ball joints to bell crank levers, which in turn are connected by links to said slides.
Means are, as heretofore, provided for regulating the movement of the picker bed.
To prevent the jar attending the vertical movement of the picker bed in the
operation of the machine, a counterweight is provided and is given an opposite
movement to that of the picker bed by means of eccentrics on the main shaft.
Springs are provided to balance the picker bed, and similar springs to balance the
counterweight, and thus take the weight off the operating shaft.
The counterweight is provided with vertical rods which project up through the bed
and constitute guide rods for the counterweight. These rods also carry take up rollers,
one between each two double rows of pickers, whereby the fabric is drawn down when
the pickers are up, and given out to the pickers as they descend.
Adjusting devices are provided for regulating the movement of the counterweight
and thereby regulating also the action of the take up rollers on the fabric.
The lace plate is perforated or formed with long slots like a gridiron. These slots
take the place of the grooves into which the lace was, in former machines, depressed
by the descent of the pickers. The openings in the lace plate permit the passage of a
current of air upward through the lace plate, and through the meshes of the fabric
thereon. The current or draft may be effected by an exhaust or suction blower or by
any suitable blower having a supply pipe leading to the space below the lace plate.
By this means the fine clippings, dust and other matter, which heretofore collected
and packed in the grooves of the lace plate are carried away. The up current of air
also has the important effect of lifting the clips or floats, and thus facilitating the
insertion of the pickers under the same.
Preferably this part of the invention is carried out by enclosing the top of the
machine to form a flue or passage leading to and through the mowing mechanism,
and finally out of the machine by a flue at the end thereof, through which all the dust,
clips and other refuse are carried away. A separato exhaust or blower could, of
course, be used for the mowing mechanism. When it is not desired to use the draft
through the lace plate, or when the cover is lifted for excess to the pickers or for
other purpose, in which case the draft through the plate ceases, the perforations in
the latter permit clippings to fall through into a trough or drawer arranged to receive
them, and which also serves to protect the knees of the operator from drippings of oil.
The operating mechanisms for the pickers and counterweight are arranged on each
side of these openings, and the whole machine is so organised as to permit the bulk
of the refuse passing through the lace plate to fall into the trough or drawer.
The lace plate is also provided with means for raising and lowering the same, which
both facilitates the introduction and removal of the lace, and also enables the plate to
be adjusted to the position to secure the proper depth of action of the pickers.
The three several adjustments specified videlicit for the picker bed, for the counter-
weight, and for the lace plate, are provided respectively with indicating or registering
devices, so that the parts can readily be set to the positions found by experience to be
best for any particular pattern or style of lace.
The feed rollers are enclosed, and are separated by a partition from the lace
clipping and operating mechanism; and the draft created by a suction blower or

page_text: equivalent means as already explained is directed part between the rotary and stationary
cutters of the mowing mechanism, carrying away the mowed off clips, and part through
the plate upon which the lace passes from the cutters to the feed rollers. This plate is
perforated, and the air draft passing through the lace carries away the fine dust and
threads caught in the meshes of the fabric. The draft has also the effect, in passing
over the lace in front of the rotary cutter of assisting in raising the clips from
the fabric and holding them over the stationary blade in favourable position to be
mowed off.
The entire mowing mechanism is mounted on a separate frame so that it can readily
be removed from the bed of the machine and replaced by a similar mechanism. By
this construction but little time is lost in the operation of the machine when a change
is necessary owing to the cutting blades becoming too dull for use.
It it sometimes desirable to check or stop altogether the draft passing through the
perforated plate leading to the feed rolls, and to concentrate the draft more or less at
the opening between the throat plate and the rotary cutter. To effect this a damper
supported on a spindle having boarings in the bed is placed just below the mowing
mechanism, and a handle is provided for turning the same.
When closed the damper
shuts off entirely the passage of air through the perforated plate and all the air is
drawn over the throat plate. When this occurs there is a tendency for air to pass
upward between the stationary blade and the lace, which current of air melting the
severed clips tends to keep them from turning downward, and with the assistance of
the draft over the edge of the stationary cutter holds the clips in the best position to
be mowed off by the rotary cutter.
To prevent the lace being drawn, by the strong draft over it, between the rotary
and stationary blade, and the consequent cutting of the fabric, a suitable guard is
provided. This guard is preferably a comb having thin teeth supported by a bar or
other support just above the throat plate, the points of the teeth approaching very
close to the stationary blade, and being just cleared by the cutting blades of the rotary
cutter. The teeth of the comb may be from one eighth to a quarter of an inch apart
so that the severed clips may pass between them and lie properly over the stationary
blade to be cut.
Certain improvements have also been made in the details of construction of the
mowing mechanism, as well as in other parts of the machine, all of which will be
hereinafter fully described.
In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a
side elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is
a plan view thereof with the covers partly broken away: Figure 2 is a plan view of
the picker mechanism with the covers, pickers, lace plate and stationary blades
removed; Figure 3 is a vertical cross-section on line -x- _Figure 2 and partly in
elevation; Figure 4 is a central vertical longitudinal section on line y y Figure 2
looking to the left; Figure 4* is a partial longitudinal section on line A-B Figure 3:
Figure 5 is an elevation and Figure 6 a cross-section of the preferred form of mowing
mechanism: Figure 7 is detail shewing in side and edge views a modified form of
picker; Figures 8 and 9 are views of the lace plate in plan and cross section
respectively: Figures 10, 11 and 12 are details illustrating the picker bed and picker
slides; Figures 13 and 14 are details illustrating means for supplying oil to the
pickers; and Figures 15 and 16 are details in cross section and plan respectively
showing the comb for holding the lace to be acted upon by the mowing mechanism.
The side frames A support the bed plate D of the picker mechanism, and the bed
plate D₁ of the mowing mechanism. The main shaft of the machine has bearings in
the bed D and is rotated by a bolt of pulley 2. By various devices hereafter
described motion is conveyed from this shaft t to the picker bed r, the picker slides I,
the feed rollers y y', and other parts of the machine.
The picker bed is a rectangular casting set inside the bed D (see Figures 10,
11 and 12). It is guided at each end by the vertical grooved pieces 10, which
embrace on three sides the stationary guide bars E, bolted to the frame, and upon
which the picker bed reciprocates vertically.

page_text: The rod or bar S has bearings in blocks 8 secured by screws 9 to the lower ends of
the vertical pieces 10, and this rod or bar S is connected with the main shaft t by
connecting rods 12 having caps 14, which embrace eccentrics 15 on said shaft, and also
by caps 7 which embrace the rod S. By the operation of the eccentrics 15 and their
connections the rod or bar S is reciprocated vertically, carrying with it the picker
bed 2.
The weight of the bed and its connected parts is taken off the main shaft by the
springs 17 fastened at one end to pins 6 screwed to the frame, and at the other to
yokes 18 in which the ends of the rod or bar S rest.
The bed is provided on each side with an outwardly projecting lip or flange 20
(see Figures 4 and 11) which is finished on three sides for bearing surfaces and forms
guides for the picker slides I. These slides rest upon the bed and are secured in
place on the flanges 20. by gibs 21 screwed to the inside vertical faces of said slides.
Each slide I has at its outer end three uprights or posts I¹. To the top of these
posts I are bolted by means of screws 23 the picker holders 22 composed each of two
steel plates and an intermediate bar, all firmly rivetted together. These picker holders
overhang the lace plate K as shown. They carry the rows of pickers G which are
inserted vertically in slots in the holders. There are three holders 22 carried by each
slide one for each half row of pickers.
The slides I are reciprocated by ball eccentrics 25 on the main shaft, from which
motion is conveyed by connecting rods 26 and ball joints 27 to the oscillating levers 30
turning on stationary pins 29 secured by screws 28 to the uprights 32, forming part of
bed plate D. The levers 30 are connected by pins 33 with the links 31, the other
ends of which are forked, and embrace bosses 26 on the slides I, to which bosses they
are connected by pivot pins 34.
The centres of qccentrics 25 are on the same side of the axis of shaft t so that the
slides I move in opposite directions and the tendency of one to jar the machine is
therefore opposed and neutralized by the motion of the other.
The pickers are arranged in double rows and the stationary co-operating blades G¹
are fastened by screws 35 to fixed supports 40, secured firmly to bridge pieces 46 on
bed D and extending across the machine between the two lines of pickers forming
the double row. The pickers G are slightly elastic and flexible so that they press
against the stationary blades, the pressure of the pickers in one single row being
neutralized by that of the complementary row.
The screws 35 fastening the stationary blades to their supports pass through slots in
said blades (see Figure 3) so that the position of the latter may be adjusted. The heads
of these screws 85 are below the surface of the blades so as not to interfere with the
action of the pickers.
The pickers G are held in their sockets by plates 37 which bear upon the tops of the
pickers. These plates are fastened down by pivoted catches 38 which pass up through
slots in the plates 37 and are turned, as shown in the drawings, so as to overlap
the edges of the slots and bear upon the plates. To remove the pickers of any row the
catches are given a quarter turn bringing them lengthwise of the slots, when the
plate 37 can be lifted off, and any one or all of the pickers of that half row withdrawn.
This arrangement is adopted to permit the ready and expeditions withdrawal and
replacement of the pickers when this is desired. The shanks of catches 38 are hollow
and threaded internally. They engage with screws 39 whose shanks are encircled by
spiral compression springs bearing at one end against the heads of the screws and at
the other against the underside of the top plate forming part of holder 22, causing the
top plates 37 to bear firmly upon the pickers.
As in the former machine the pickers in each single row are placed opposite the
spaces between the pickers of the adjacent row. To further ensure the covering of
the whole surface of the lace and the cutting of every float, the breaks or divisions in
the three double rows are in different lines, as shown in Figure 2, and the arrangement
of the six rows of pickers is such that no two pickers on one side are in the same line 5
running parallel with the fabric.
To diminish to a minimum the width of the break between the two halves of the

page_text: row, the lower ends of the pickers are preferably bent backwards so that the heel of
the pickers on the ends of each half row will, when the slides approach each other;
almost touch. This form of pickers is illustrated in figure 7, from which it will be
seen that the lifting finger 41 is set somewhat back with respect to the shank, so that
the point of the lifting finger instead of being in line with the front edge of the shank,
comes forward only to about the centro line thereof.
In order to diminish the friction and consequent wear caused by the movement of
the pickers G in contact with the stationary blades G', it is desirable to keep the
adjacent faces of these parts oiled. A very small quantity of oil is sufficient for this
purpose, and it is, of course, important to prevent any oil from dripping upon the lace.
This object is accomplished by the means illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. As there
shown the support 40 for the blades G' is grooved or channelled lengthwise on top and
in this groove is laid a strip 134 of some fibrous material which is kept saturated with
oil. The strip is of sufficient width to overlap the upper edges of blades G¹. Above
the strip 134 is placed a metal holding strip 133, fastened by screws 135 to the
support 40. The plate 133 is also grooved, and it is provided with holes 136. A
sufficient quantity of oil is poured in the grooves of plate 133 and finds access through
the holes therein to the fibrous strip 134 by which it is absorbed. Sufficient oil for
the contact surfaces of the pickers and stationary blades finds its way from the edges
of strips 134 to the picker and is carried down the latter, while there is no danger of
so much oil being supplied in this way as to cause it to drip upon the lace below the
pickers.
It has been found in operation that the vertical movement of the picker bed
produces, especially when running at high speed, a violent jar, and in the present
machine means have been provided to prevent this, said means consisting
essentially of a counterweight 6 adapted to oppose and neutralize the motion of the
picker bed and parts carried thereby. This weight b is composed of an open frame
of metal extending across the machine and connected by cross pieces b', the weight of
the whole being equal to that of the picker bed and parts carried thereby. The
weight b is supported similarly to the picker bed by a rod u resting at each end in a
yoke 41 supported by spiral springs 42 of the same size as the springs 17 and attached
to the frame in the same manner. The counterweight.is operated by eccentrics 43 on
the main shaft t. These eccentrics have the same throw as those that operate the
picker bed but the centres of the eccentrics 43 are on the opposite side of the axis
of shaft t from eccentrics 15, so that the connecting rods 44 operated by eccentrics 43
move up when connecting rods 12 move down and vice versa. The connecting rods 44
are connected by caps 47 at their lower ends with the bar u, whereby the counter-
weight bis reciprocated. The counterweight carries at each end vertical rods 45
which extend up through the bridge pieces 46 on the bed of the machine, and
constitute guides for the counterweight.
These rods also carry and operate the
take-up-rollers as hereinafter described.
Collars 49 on bar u bear against the cross pieces b' and prevent longitudinal movement
of the weight. The said rod also has washers 48 which bear against the posts E. The
rod u passes through slots in the vertical pieces 10 of the picker bed, through oblong
openings made in the connecting rods 12, and through slots in guide E (see
figures 3, 4, 10 and 11).
For the purpose of adjusting the vertical movement of the picker bed r, the rod S
is turned down at 51 to form eccentrics where it is embraced by the lower caps 7 on
connection rods 12, and the end 52 of the rod is squared so that by a suitable key the
rod can be turned in its bearings so as to vary the vertical movement of the rod and
picker bed. The length of movement of the picker bed is, of course, always the same,
but by the means specified the movement may be made to begin and end at a higher
or a lower point as desired. Rod u carrying the counterweight is also provided with
eccentrics 53 and with a squared end 54. The rods S and u are provided with
pointers 55, 56 respectively, opposite the graduated ares 57, 58, whereby the best
positions for different kinds of work can be noted and the parts readily adjusted
thereto.

page_text: The rotation of the rod u in its bearings is limited by a pin 59 working in a groove
in cross piece b¹ (see Figure 3) said groove extending half way around the rod.
Similar means are adopted to limit the movement of rod S. The rods are held, by the
friction of the bearings nearest the squared ends, in any position to which they may
be adjusted.
The lace plate K, instead of having grooves for the entrance of the picker fingers as
heretofore, is slotted entirely through (see Figures 4, 8 and 9) the slots extending
lengthwise of the plate the full length of the rows of pickers, and there being one
slot for each row. These slots answer the same purpose as the grooves, in that they
permit the blunt ends of the pickers to depress the lace, causing the floats or clips to
buckle up and the cutting fingers to be roadily and surely inserted under the same,
but instead of becoming filled and packed by the action of the pickers with clippings
of thread etcetera, as was formerly the case, such clippings are carried away by an up
current of air, which passes through the lace plate, and thence out at the rear of the
machine.
To form a passage or flue for this current of air the machine is closed on top by
the covers 140 and 141, hinged to the bridge pieces 46 at 142. Cover 140 encloses
the picker mechanism and cover 141, extends over the bed D¹ of the mowing
mechanism as far as the cover 113 of the rotary cutter. The covers have on top glass
windows 143 and 144 respectively, through which the operation of the machine can
be observed.
The front part of cover 140 extends over roller v, making therewith a practically
tight joint, and it is constructed to fit as tightly as possible on the sides of the machine,
so that the air will be drawn almost entirely from lower part of the machine through
the slots in the lace plate.
The suction blower or exhaust by which the draught is created, is located at any
convenient point and is connected with the discharge outlet or flue 121 at the rear of
the machine. When the covers 140, 141 are down the air is drawn from the under
part of the machine through the slots in the lace plate as indicated by the arrows
(Figure 4). As these slots are directly under the pickers the force of the current is
concentrated against the floats or clips at these points and assists materially in lifting
them for insertion of the points of the pickers. The air draught also carries away
from the meshes of the face all dust, lace clippings, etcetera, that may be caught
therein.
When for any reason the cover 140 or 141 is lifted, the air ceases to pass upward
through the lace plate, in which case the refuse matter may fall through the slots in
the plate. The machine is so organized that no working parts are directly below
the lace plate whose operation could be interfered with by such falling matter. The
eccentrics on shaft t are all placed near the ends of said shaft so as to be out of the
way. The two parts of the counterweight are rounded on top so that no considerable
amount of clippings could be arrested thereby. The ends of the slides I are covered
by a plate 61 bent down at the ends (see Figures 2 and 3) so that falling particles
and clippings cannot lodge between the openings to clog the slides and absorb oil.
To catch all such falling particles as well as drippings of oil, and to protect the
knees of the operator therefrom, a trough or drawer M is placed at the bottom of a
frame. The front part m of this drawer extends upward (see Figure 4) so that when
in place it closes the front part of the machine.
To prevent the lace as it passes under the take-up roller z from being depressed
away from said roller by the force of the air current, a shield 145 is placed directly
over this roller, so that the air passes over the shield and cannot act upon the lace.
The shield 145, however, is cut away at the sides outside the path of the lace, so that
part of the air current may pass down on each side of the lace.
The bed D¹ of the moving mechanism is enclosed, being separated from the bed D
of the picker mechanism by the partition 120. The lace plate K rests at its end upon
side bars 62 inside the space bounded by the bridge pieces 46. These bars rest upon
cams 63 upon the two shafts k, there being two cams on each shaft k, so that the lace
plato K is supported at its four corners. These cams are for the purpose of adjusting

page_text: the lace plate vertically to the position best suited for operation, as well as for lowering
it to facilitate introduction of the lace. The shafts k have at one end arms 64 (see
Figure 1) which are connected together by a link 65. By means of handle 66 both
shafts may be turned in the direction either to raise or lower the lace plato as desired.
As shown in Figures 1 and 4 the shafts k are turned to bring the lace plate to its
lowest point. In operation the plate would be raised more or less by moving the
handlo 66 in the other direction until arm 64 comes into contact with stop 70. Tho
shank of this stop passes through a curved slot 71 in a plate 72 on the frame, so that it
can be adjusted to different positions. The inner end of the shank is threaded and
upon it scrows a nut 73, so that the stop can be secured in any desired position. The
top of plate 72 is graduated (see Figure 2), so that the most favorable position of the
lace plate for different kinds of work may be noted.
On each side of the lace plate is a plate 1, screwed to the bed plate D. To the
underside of each plate is secured a loaf spring 75, said springs 75 entering
groove 74 in the opposite edges of the lace plate (figures 4 and 8). When the
plate K is depressed these springs bear very lightly, or not at all, upon the bottoms of
the grooves, but when the plate is raised the springs press firmly upon it, and thus
help to hold it steady in operation. To remove the lace plate it is depressed to its
lowest position, and plate 7 is unscrewed and removed. The lace plate can then be
slipped out.
Above the lace plate, in front of the first row of pickers is a smoothing roller v.
Between each two double rows of pickers is a take up roller 77, 78. These rollers
are for the purpose of drawing in a sufficient quantity of lace to give up to the pickers
so that there is no danger of tearing the fabric when depressed by the ends of the
pickers into the slots in the lace plate. These rollers operate when the pickers are
lifted from the lace by the rise of the picker bed, and as the counterweight moves in
opposite directions to the movements of the picker bed the take up rollers 77, 78 aro
carried on the ends of the rods 45 that project upwardly from the counterweight
through openings in bridge pieces 46 as already explained.
The take-up roller z is such as heretofore used. It is carried on the ends of arms 79,
secured to rock shaft 78, and the latter is oscillated from an eccentric on shaft t
through a connecting rod 81 (Figures 3 and 4^) and lever 80, the latter being rigidly
secured to the rock shaft.
Beyond the roller z and about on a level with the lace plate is a throat plate 84,
having a steel edge a screwed thereto. The throat plate slides in slots in the bed D¹
as shown in Figure 4. As the lace passes around this throat plate the severed clips
are caused to stand out from its surface, and are mowed off by the mowing mechanism.
This consists of a rotary cutter X and a stationary cutter fas heretofore. The blade f
is secured by screws 85 to its support. As shown in Figure 4 the support for the
blade is a part of the frame N, and the screws 85 pass through slots so that the blade f
may be set upward as required by wear.
The preferred construction of the mowing mechanism and its connected parts is
illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, to which reference is more particularly had in the
following description. The entire cutting mechanism is supported by a separate
frame N, which sets in an opening of suitable shape in the bed plate D', so that the
whole mechanism can be readily removed and replaced, which is sometimes desired, as
when the cutting edges become dull. In such case another frame with sharpened
blades can be at once inserted and the operation of the machine resumed with little
delay.
The rotary cutter X has its bearings in blocks N¹ supported by the frame N and
held in place thereon by means of tongues n fitted in grooves in the frame N. This
gives an independent adjustment of the rotary cutter towards and away from the
stationary blade. The movement is effected by adjusting screws 86 provided with
flanges or collars 87 turning in grooves in the stationary part N of the frame, the
ends of the screws engaging in threaded sockets in the sliding blocks N'.
The supports of the stationary blade has a horizontal plate or arm fll extending
under the bed N' of frame N. It turns on journal pins 88 tapped into the side

page_text: frame N. The horizontal arm f¹¹ of the support f¹ has a perforation through which
passes screw 89 taking into a threaded socket in base N' of the cutter frame. Around
the shank of screw 89 is a spiral spring 90 bearing below against the arın or plate f
and above against the bed N-The blade is therefore held against the rotary cutter
by spring pressure. The head of screw 89 forms a stop limiting the movement of
the blade in the direction of the rotary cutter X. The cutter X is driven by a belt 130
on one of the pulleys 131 or 132.
The feed rollers Y Y¹ draws the fabric through the machine roller Y is mounted on
a shaft 91 having bearings in the bed D¹, and which receives motion from the main
shaft t. Roller Yis turned on shaft 92 by friction due to contact with roller Y.
Motion is conveyed from small pulley 96 on main shaft t by bolt 97 to the large
pulley 98 on shaft 99, and from a small pulley on the latter shaft by bolt 100 to one
of the pulleys 101 or 102 on shaft 91 of roller Y, whereby the feed rollers are run at
a low speed compared with that of the main shaft. The pulleys 101 and 102 are of
different sizes, so that the feed rollers may be run at a relatively higher or lower
speed, as desired:
Roller Y¹ has its bearings in sliding blocks 93 working in slots in bed D₁, and the said
roller is normally held in contact with the roller Y by the spiral compression springs 94.
To insert a fresh piece of lace it is desirable to separate rollers Y Y¹, and also to
withdraw the throat plate 84, and both these operations are performed simultaneously
by means of devices best shown in Figures 1 and 2, and now to be described.
The lover 105 is pivoted by a screw pin 160 to a standard 107 on bed D. The said
lever 105 is connected by screw pin 106 to a link 108 and by the latter with a
projection of sliding throat plate 84 When moved the throat plate carries with it the
arms 109 one on each side of the machine. These arms are connected by pins 110 to
the vertical arms 104 on shaft 111. The forward ends of arms 109 bear against the
sliding blocks 93. Consequently when the lever 105 is moved to the left (Figure 1)
withdrawing the throat plate 84 the roller Y¹ is moved away from roller Y by the
action of the arms 109 upon the sliding blocks 93 containing the bearings of said
roller Y. An adjustable screw stop 112 is provided to limit the movement of these
parts in the direction to bring the throat plate and roller into their working
positions.
To remove the cutter frame and mechanism connected therewith, the throat plate 84
is withdrawn and the cover 113 which is hinged to the bed at 114 is turned back.
The greater part of the air current which passes above the shield 145 is led between
the rotary and stationary cutters as indicated by the arrows carrying away through
flue 121 the clips as they are moved off. The draft at this point has the additional
function of assisting in causing the clips to stand out from the fabric and thus insure
their being acted upon by the cutters. To prevent the air passing around over the
cutter X the cover 113 of the latter is made to fit closely for a short distance from the
front end as shown in Figure 4.
The part of the air current that passes under the shield 145 at the front and sides
thereof is drawn through the inclined plate 122 over which the lace passes to the feed
rollers and which is perforated with slots as shewn in Figure 2. The draft passing
through the lace removes the cut threads and dust that may be caught in the meshes
of the fabric. The slots in plate 122 are oblique so that every part of the lace will
during part of the trasverse over said plate, be exposed to the action of the draft. If
these slots were all inclined the same direction the projecting threads which form the
pattern acting on the edges of the slots would tend to divert the fabric from its proper
line of movement. To prevent this half the slots are inclined in one direction and half
in the other.
To regulate the amount of draft passing through the lace on plate 122 and concen-
trate it more or less at the mowing mechanism a damper 175 supported on a shaft 176
having bearings in bed D¹ is placed just below the mowing mechanism (see Figure 4).
This damper can be adjusted by a handle 177 (figure 1). When closed the damper 175
strikes stationary blades and the bottom of bed D' all the air is then drawn over the
throat plate 84. When this occurs there is a tendency for air to pass upward

page_text: between the back of the bladef and the lace above plate 122 which meeting the severed
clips tends to keep them from turning downward between the throat plate and
stationary blade and with the assistance of the draft over the edge of the stationary
cutter holds the clips in the best position to be cut by the rotary cutter.
In order to prevent the strong draft passing over the lace above the throat plate 84
from drawing the body of the fabric over the stationary blade whereby it would
be cut by the rotary knives a holding device or guard is placed in such position
as to hold the lace against the throat plate-This holding device is illustrated in
Figures 15 and 16. It consists of a bar 200 extending across the machine just
above the throat plate 84. To this bar are attached a number of teeth 201 of thin
steel the teeth being placed about a quarter of an inch apart or less to permit
the severed clips to pass between them. As shown in figure 15 the points of these
teeth come very close to the stationary blade f and are just cleared on top by the
rotary cutter-The bar 200 is supported by arms 202, which are fastoned by
screws 203 to the bed D¹. The bar 200 is attached to the arms 202 by a slot and
screw connection 204, giving the bar a slight adjustment towards and away from
the cutters.
It is obvious that modifications may be made in the details of construction and
arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention; and that
parts of the invention may, if desired, be used without others.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is.
First In a lace clipping machine the combination with the lace plate and feed
mechanism, of one or more parallel double rows, of pickers divided near the middle,
the breaks or divisions in the several rows being in different lines and relatively to tho
movement of the fabric, substantially as described.
Second-The combination with the lace plate and feed mechanism of one or more
rows of pickers divided into two sets working in opposite directions, and the supporting
and operating mechanism for said pickers, the latter being formed near their lower
ends with a backward projection or offset, substantially as described.
Third The combination with the picker slides of the picker holders carried thereby
and provided with openings or sockets for the insertion of the pickers, the top plates
for bearing upon the ends of said pickers, and the catches for securing said plates in
position and readily releasing them when the removal of the pickers is desired,
substantially as described.
Fourth-The combination with the picker holders having sockets for the insertion
of the pickers, the pickers, the top plates, the catches, and the springs causing the top
plates to bear firmly upon the ends of the pickers, substantially as described.
Fifth The combination with the picker slides and slotted lace plate of the operating
eccentrics on the main shaft, said eccentrics being on the outside of the frame, and
the connections as described for conveying motion from said eccentrics to said picker
slides, substantially as described.
Sixth The combination with the pickers of the lace plate having slots or openings
through the same, so that clippings and like matter may pass through it, substantially
as described.
Seventh-The combination with the pickers of the slotted lace plate, the slots in
said plate extending entirely through the same and being in line with the several rows
of pickers, so that the ends of tho pickers in their downward movement depress the
lace into said slots, substantially as described.
Eighth The combination of the pickers, the slotted lace plate and the flue above
said plate communicating with a blower, or means for creating a draught through the
openings in said plate, substantially as described.
Ninth The combination of the pickers, the lace plate having slots in line with said
pickers, and the cover enclosing the top of the machine and forming a flue or air
passage, substantially as described.
Tenth The combination with the slotted lace plate and picker mechanism, of the

page_text: minged cover enclosing said mechanism and forming an air fiue or passage,
substantially as described.
Eleventh The combination of the slotted lace plate, the cover or covers enclosing
the top of the machine, the take-up-roller, and the shield arranged above said roller,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
Twelfth The combination with the pickers and ineans for reciprocating the same
vertically of the lace plate and means for adjusting the same to different heights
substantially as described.
Thirteenth The combination with the lace plate, of the shafts supporting the same,
cams on said shafts, and means for turning said shafts by hand to raise or lower said
plate, substantially as described.
Fourteenth The combination of the lace plate, supporting shafts hand lever and
connections for adjusting said lace plate, and registering or indicating devices,
substantially as described.
Fifteenth The combination with the lace plate and adjustable support therefor, of
a spring or springs arranged to bear firmly on the lace plate when raised to its
operative position, but to relax their pressure when said plate is lowered, substantially
as described.
Sixteenth-The combination with the slotted or perforated lace plates, of the
drawer or receptacle below the same, substantially as described.
Seventeenth The combination with a vertically reciprocating part of the machine-
such as the picker bed of a counterweight, and means for reciprocating the same at
the same speed as said vertically reciprocating part, but in opposite directions,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Eighteenth The combination with the picker bed and the eccentrics and con-
nections for reciprocating the same vertically of the counterweight, and the eccentrics
and connections for reciprocating said counterweight at the same speed as said picker
bed but always in opposite directions, substantially as described.
Nineteenth-The combination of the main shaft, the picker bed eccentrics on the
main shaft, and connections for reciprocating said picker bed, the counterweight,
eccentrics also on the main shaft, connections for reciprocating the same in opposite
direction to the movement of said picker bed, and springs for relieving said main
shaft of the weight of said picker bed, and counterweight, substantially as described.
Twentieth-The combination of the picker bed, the supporting rod, the main shaft,
operating eccentrics thereon, connecting rods for conveying motion from said
eccentrics to said bar, eccentrics on said bar for adjusting the movement of the picker
bed, and registering or indicating devices, substantially as described.
Twenty first The combination with the picker bed, pickers carried thereby,
counterweight and means for reciprocating said picker bed and counterweight in
opposite directions, of take-up rollers, carried by said counterweight, for drawing in
the fabric when the pickers ascend and giving it out as they descend, substantially as
described.
Twenty second-The combination of the picker bed, counterweight, means for
reciprocating said bed and counterweight in opposite directions, take up rollers
carried by and movable with said counterweight, means for adjusting the movement
of the latter, and registering or indicating devices, substantially as described.
Twenty third The combination with the bed D¹, of a frame removably supported
in said bed and a rotary and stationary cutter, both carried by said frame and
removable therewith from said bed, substantially as described.
Twenty fourth-The combination with the bed D', having an opening of suitable
shape, of a frame removably supported in said opening, the stationary blade carried
by said frame, the rotary cutter having its bearings in blocks sliding in ways of said
frame, and adjusting ineans for setting said rotary cutter towards and away from the
stationary blade, substantially as described.
Twenty fifth-The combination with the rotary cutter of the stationary blade, the
pivoted support therefor, and the adjusting screw for adjusting said support
substantially as described.

page_text: Twenty sixth-The combination with the rotary cutter of the stationary blade, the
pivoted adjustable support therefor, the adjusting screw, and the spring for holding
the stationary blade in its operative position with yielding pressure, substantially as
described.
Twenty seventh-The combination with the throat plate and feed rollers, of the
lever and connections for withdrawing said throat plate and separating said food
rollers simultaneously, substantially as described.
Twenty eighth In a lace clipping machine, the combination of the mowing and
feed mechanism, the enclosed supporting bed separated by partitions from the picker
mechanism and an opening or flue leading to an exhaust for carrying the mowed-off
clips out of the machine, substantially as described.
Twenty ninth-The combination of the picker mechanism, the slotted lace plate, a
flue or passage above said plate leading to the mowing mechanism, and a flue beyond
said mowing mechanism in communication with an exhaust or suction blower,
whereby an air draft is created through said lace-plate and mowing mechanismi,
substantially as described.
Thirtieth The combination with the enclosed bed, of the mowing mechanism, and
means for creating a draught, whereby air is drawn between the cutting blades,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
Thirty first-The combination with the cutters and feed rollers of the plate upon
which the lace passes from the cutters to the feed rollers, said plate being provided
with openings or air passages, and means for creating a draught through said openings,
substantially as described.
Thirty second-The combination with the cutting pickers and the stationary blades,
of the fibrous strip for supplying oil to the contact surfaces, substantially as described.
Thirty third The combination of the stationary blades, the support therefor, and
the cutting pickers, the support for the stationary blades being grooved to form an oil
receptacle, substantially as described.
Thirty fourth-The combination with the cutting pickers, the stationary blades and
their support having a grooved top, of the fibrous strip and the trough-like perforated
metal strip holding said fibrous strip in place on said support, substantially as
described.
Thirty fifth-The combination with the enclosed bed, of the rotary cutter, the
stationary cutter, the flue adapted for connection with a blower, thereby air may be
drawn between said cutters, the perforated plate over which the lace passes from the
cutters, and the damper below the cutters for regulating the passage of air through
said plate, substantially as described.
Thirty sixth-The combination with the mowing mechanism, and means for causing
a draught of air between the cutters of the holding device comprising a bar with comb
teeth, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Dated the 26th day of April 1887
J. HENRY JOHNSON,
Agent.