Improvements in Looms for Weaving Chenille and for other Purposes.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Looms for Weaving Chenille and for other
Purposes.
1, SYDNEY PITT, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey, Gentleman, (a communi-
cation to me from abroad by Haleyon Skinner, Machinist, and Eugene Tymeson,
Master weaver, both of Yonkers, in the County of Westchester, and State of New
York, U.S. America,) 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 object of the invention is more particularly to enable the chenille or fur which
is used in the manufacture of chenille carpets to be woven with facility and rapidity
by power; but the invention is applicable to the weaving of other articles or goods.
It has been customary to weave chenille in a series of laterally connected strips or
strands constituting a broad web of fabric, which is subsequently cut longitudinally
into separate strips each of which constitutes a strand of chenille or fur which is used
as filling in the weaving of a chenille fabric; and this practice is followed with the
mechanism which I am about to describe.
In order that a pattern may be produced in the chenille carpet or other fabric the
color or shade of the chenille is varied in the operation of weaving it by the employ-
ment of yarns of the required different colors or shades. These yarns constitute the
filling of the web in the weaving of the chenille and they are tied together by warp
threads; and when the strands are cut apart and woven into the carpet or other
chenille fabric. the coloured yarns of the fur form the pile of the fabric.
When the web is cut longitudinally, each strip or strand of chenille consists of a
set of warp threads with the filling of coloured yarns; and in the operation of
weaving the web of chenille. the adjacent sets of warp threads are separated by
spaces so that the portions of the filling yarns extending between the adjacent
sets are as long, when cut in two crosswise as is required to form the pile of the
chenille strands.
The general mode of operation of the invention is that the different varieties of
coloured yarns required for the weaving of the chenille are wound in cops or in

page_text: balls, and are held in a shifting yarn holder having as many yarn cases or divisions
as there are varieties of yarns required for the chenille; and as each shade or
colour of yarn is required in weaving, the yarn case containing it is placed opposite
the position for weaving by shifting the yarn holder, after which the yarn from that
case is drawn across the loom and is interwoven with the warp threads. By operating
in this manner, a large number or shades of yarn can be held in a comparatively
small space, and the employment of a large number of shuttles (one for each shade
or colour of yarn) is dispensed with. After a yarn is drawn across the loom, the
portion of it required for the web is cut loose from the residue in the yarn holder,
so that the latter is left free to be turned to place the next required cop of yarn in
the position for weaving; and in order that the selvage at the opposite side of the
web may be even, whatever surplus yarn may project beyond the proper line is
cut off.
The invention consists of certain methods of weaving and of certain combinations
by which the above mode of operation is worked out, and which are set forth in the
claims at the close of this specification. In order that these may be fully understood,
I have represented in the accompanying drawings and will proceed to describe the
best form of loom which I have thus far devised to embody the invention; it being
understood that the mechanism may be varied as circumstances or the views of
different constructors or users render expedient, and that the combinations are
not restricted to the peculiarities of the combining devices or power transmitting
mechanism by means of which the members are combined and caused to operate in
the required order.
Figure 1 of the said drawings represents a front view of the said loom.
Figure 2 represents the right hand side of the loom.
Figure 3 represents the left hand side of the loom.
Figure represents a fractional plan of the loom.
Figure 5 is a section of parts of the loom showing more particularly the inner end
of the yarn holder and the yarn cutting mechanism.
Figure 6 is a detached view of the yarn tension.
Figures 7 and 8 are transverse sections of parts of the loom showing different
positions of the heddles and their appurtenances.
Figure is a view of parts of the wire doup heddles, enlarged as compared with
Figures 7 and S.
Figure 10 is a transverse section of parts of the loom showing more particularly
the lay mechanism and selvage shears.
Figure 11 is a front view of the nipper opener, and Figure 12 is an end view
thereof.
Figure 13 is a section of one of the yarn cases of the yarn holder with its yarn
tube.
Figures 14, 15, and 16. are views of the yarn drawer for drawing the yarn across
the loom.
Figures 17, 18, 19, and 20, are views showing the nippers in different positions as
hereinafter more particularly described.
Figure 21 is an enlarged view of a piece of the fabric with the threads opened so as
to show the intercalation of the warp and weft threads.
In consequence of the small scale upon which drawings for patents have to be
made, each set of warp threads for a strand of chenille is represented by a
line in Figures 4. 17, 18, 19 and 20, of the said drawings: the dents of the reed
single
and the heddles also are represented as less numerous than they are in the working
loom.
The various moving parts of the loom are connected and combined by the main
frame A and I prefer to effect the movements of the moving devices in some
cases by means of cams alone. and in others by means of cams and springs operating
antagonistically, the motion being transmitted to the working members by means of
levers and rods or straps. The cams are secured to the cam shaft B, which is mounted
in bearings upon the main frame and is connected by a cog-wheel b, and pinion ¹,

page_text: with the driving shaft B', to which the power is applied in the customary manner by
a belt and pulleys. Each strip of chenille in the present case has a set of six warp
threads; and in order that ravelling may be prevented after the web is cut up into
strands two warp threads of each set (one at each side of the set) are shifted or twined
alternately inside and outside, or right and left, of the respective next adjacent two
warp threads of the set, as is practiced in what is called gauze weaving; these
twined warp threads being operated for this purpose by means of doup heddles. In
consequence of this mode of operation a longer length of the twined warp threads of
cach set is used up in weaving than of the other warp threads, hence the warp
threads are wound upon two warp beams, the one, C, for the twined or doup
warp threads of each set, and the other warp beam, C, for the remaining four
warp threads of each set. Each of these warp beams is fitted in practice with the
usual pace or brake to prevent the warp from coming off too freely, which fittings
being well known are not represented in the drawings to avoid complexity. The
warp threads from the warp beams are conducted over whip rolls D. D', through
the frames of heddles E. E. E2, and through the reed F. of the lay F', over the
breast beam G, to the cloth roll H, which is provided in practice with the usual take
up, which being well known is not represented in the drawings. The mode of
operating the heddles will be described hereafter.
The coloured yarns which form the filling of the fabric are wound in cops or in
balls, cops being preferred, and are held at one side of the loom (in this case the left
hand side thereof) in the shifting yarn holder I. Each yarn as required for weaving
is drawn across the loom by means of a reciprocating varn drawing device, J, which
seizes the end of the yarn projecting from the yarn holder, draws the yarn across the
loom, and then releases it. I prefer to construct the shifting yarn holder I in a
cylindrical form, as represented in the drawings so that it may be shifted by turning
it upon its axis. The yarn holder comprises a series of divisions or yarn cases i.
each large enough to hold a cop of varn (or a ball, if the yarn be wound in balls):
and in order that the amount of shifting may be as small as possible. I prefer to
arrange the yarn cases in two parallel rows i, i. In order that the end of the yarn
from each yarn case may be presented to the yarn drawing device or needle. I fit each
yarn case with a yarn tube, through which the varn is conducted and from the beak
or nozzle. . of which it protrudes. In order that the yarn may not render too
freely when drawn from the yarn case. each yarn has tension put upon it between the
yarn case and the end or nozzle of the tube. For this purpose the nozzle of each
yarn tube is separated from the residue by a narrow space in which is inserted a yarn
tension device, which I prefer to make of a piece of thick felt. K. through which the
yarn is passed. The friction of the felt upon the varn makes tension upon it when it
is drawn through the felt, and this tension may be enhanced by means of a tension
spring. . which is arranged in the proper position to bear upon the felt and press it
when the yarn tube is at the weaving position or in the proper position to have the
yarn drawn from it by the reciprocating varn drawing device or needle.
The yarn holder I. may be shifted by the hand of an operator, or by power. For
simplicity I prefer to have the yarn holder shifted by an operator: and in order that
he or she may do this with facility each yarn case is numbered, and a moveable
index L. of these numbers is applied to the yarn holder: a pointer . being secured
to the frame of the loom. so that when any number of the index is opposite the
pointer. 7. the nozzle of the varn tube of the corresponding number of the yarn cases
is in the weaving position. To facilitate the work of shifting the shifting yarn holder,
I find it expedient to use an additional index which faces the operator. This face
index M consists of a segment the face of which is graduated and numbered, as seen
in Figure 1. with numbers corresponding with those of the yarn cases of the shifting
yarn holder.
A moveable pointer, m, is provided for this additional face index, and
this pointer is secured to a rock shaft and is connected with the shifting yarn
holder through the intervention of a pinion, m³ (secured to the shaft of the yarn
holder) and the segment, m, which is geared into said pinion, and is connected by an
arm with the rock shaft of the pointer. When, the shifting yarn holder is moved

page_text: backward or forward from the zero point between the yarn cases of the lowest and
highest numbers, the pointer, m, is moved correspondingly along the graduations of
the face index M. It is obvious that the same practical result will be attained by
securing the graduated segmental face index M. to the arm of the pointer m, and
making fast the end of the pointer, m, to the frame of the loom.
The yarn holder can be readily shifted by applying the hand to it. In order that it
may be stopped and may be held in position during the seizing and drawing out of
the yarn from the desired yarn case, a stop N is provided. I prefer that this stop
should be of the pawl variety, and in the example represented in the drawings its beak
is fitted to engage in the spaces between the nozzles of the yarn tubes, which then
act as teeth for the stop or pawl. The stop N, is pivoted to the frame of the loom,
and in order that it may be readily operated, it is connected by a rod, n, with a
treddle N¹, to which the operator can apply his foot for the purpose of disengaging
the stop to permit the yarn holder to be shifted; while the relaxation of pressure upon
the treddle permits the pawl to be engaged with the nozzles by the action of a
spring n and to stop the revolution of the yarn holder.
When the shifting yarn holder is charged with yarns, the end of each cop of yari
is passed through the yarn tube (as represented in Figure 13) and is left protruding
from the nozzle of the varn tube so that it may be readily seized by the yarn drawing
device and drawn by it through the shed of warp threads, which is opened for the
purpose by the movement of the heddles.
The yarn drawing device or needle J;
which I have used with success for the purpose, cousists of a pair of spring nippers. j.
mounted at one end of a reciprocating rod or stem . by which the nippers are pushed
through the shed from the side of the loom opposite that at which the shifting yarn
holder is located, and are drawn back again with the yarn. The nippers, (more
particularly represented at Figures 14, 15 and 16) have spring jaws secured to a
shank, which is fitted to slide in the end of the tubular rod or stem and is pressed
endways by a spiral spring: the distance to which the nippers can be moved by the
spring being limited by a cross pin (Figures 14 and 16) that passes through a slot
in the nipper shank. This yarn drawing device or needle is operated at the proper
times by means of the draw cam J' (Figures I and 2) which is secured to the cani
shaft B, of the loom, and operates upon the yarn drawing device through the
intervention of the treddle lever J, link J3, elbow lever J, link J. and slide J, to
the last of which the butt of the yarn drawing device is secured. The treddle J², is
fitted with two trucks j,, which embrace the rim of the draw cam J₁, and absence
of back lash is ensured by connecting one of the trucks 6, with the treddle lever
through the intervention of a lever stock and spring. The slide Jº, is
guided in its movements by means of the guide JS and a guide eye . is
provided for the stem and by their action the yarn drawing device is caused to
move across the loom substantially in a straight line. When the yarn drawing
device is advanced to the yarn holder, the jaws of the nippers, j, are forced onto the
nozzle of the yarn tube, i, standing at the time in the proper position for having
its yarn drawn out; the slide spring yielding if necessary to prevent excessive jar.
The entrance of the nozzle between the jaws of the nippers opens them, so that the
protruding end of the yarn is received between them; and when the yarn drawing
device is drawn backward by the action of the draw cam, J1, the nippers being pulled
off the nozzle of the yarn tube close upon the end of the yarn and seize it.
continued backward movement of the yarn drawing device (J) then draws the varu
through the shed of warp threads. As the yarn drawing device is drawn back rapidly
by the draw cam, J, a bumper J, is provided to stop it; and in order that there may
be no rebound, a rebound stop is provided. This rebound stop, O, has preferably a
lever form it is pivotted to the frame of the loom and its outer end is notched to
engage with a pin, o, secured to the lever, J, through which motion is transmitted
to the yarn drawing device J. A spring, o', is provided to cause the rebound stop to
engage with the pin p. as soon as that pin passes the shoulder of the notch of the
rebound stop. In order that the rebound stop may release the yarn drawing device
before it is to be moved to seize a yarn, the rebound stop, is connected by a rod o
The

page_text: with a lever of, which is fitted with a truck 5, and is pivotted to a bracket projecting
from the frame of the loom. in the proper position to have its truck operated upon by
the draw cam, Ț¹, a little before the yarn drawing device is moved,
P
After the yarn is drawn through the shed of warp threads the latter is partially
closed upon the strand of yarn by the movement of the heddles by the first incline, c.
of the heddle gam E, so that the yarn is held by the pressure of the warp threads, and
then the strand of yarn in the shed is cut loose from the yarn tube so that the strand
may be driven up by the lay, and that the yarn holder may be shifted to place the
next required yarn in position to be drawn into the shed. The cutting loose of the
yarn is effected by means of a cutting device which I prefer to be a pair of shears
that are located at a sufficient distance in the loom inside of the nozzle of the yarn
tubes (say about 14 inches) to leave the cut end of yarn protruding from the nozzle of
the varn tube. The blades of the pair of shears are supported by being pivotted to a
bracket P, and they are operated preferably by means of the cutting cam 12, (which
is secured to the cam shaft, B) and a spring 13 acting antagonistically to that
cam (P). To this end the shanks of the blades are slotted and inclined in opposite
directions: and a pin, p, is fitted to slide in the slots. This pin is held by a swinging
arm, p, which is connected by a pivot, p, with the bracket P, and it is connected by
a rod, with the lever P. upon which the cutting cam P2, operates through the
intervention of a truck. The cutting cam P2, when raising the rear end of the lever P
depresses its front end and draws the pin, p, through the diverging slotted shanks of
the shear blades, thereby causing them to close and cut the yarn. Then the onward
passage of the cutting cam past the lever permits the rear arm of that lever (P³) to be
drawn downward by the spring 13; the front end of the lever 1", is correspondingly
raised and the shear blades are opened to permit the yarn drawing device to pass
between them and seize the end of the yarn which is next to be drawn across the loom.
Before the strand of yarn in the shed is beaten up, the end held by the yarn drawing
device should be released by opening the jaws of the nippers. For this purpose the
opener Q, (more fully represented at Figures 11 and 12) is provided.
substantially of a pivotted wedge which is forced between the nippers by means of the
opening cam Q1 which is secured to the main cam shaft B. The opening cam operates
upon the opener, Q. through the intervention of a lever Q2, and rod, g, the last of which
is connected with the stock, gl, of the opener, Q. The form of the opening cam Q¹, is
such as to leave the opener between the nippers until the end of the strand of yarn
is drawn from them by the beating up of the strand; then the opening cam releases
the opening lever Q2, and the opener Q is withdrawn from between the nippers by
means of a spring Q3, which is conected with the opening lever Q².
It consists
In order that the operation of the yarn drawing device may be rendered absolutely
certain, it is expedient that the end of the yarn which is seized by the nippers should
he materially longer than is necessary to form the pile of the strand of chenille at the
needle side of the loom, which in this example is the right hand side thereof. As the
excess of yarn would be wasted if the nippers should be drawn back far enough to
clear the reed of the lay before they are opened, the nippers, j. (as previously
described) are connected with the needle stem through the intervention of the
moveable shank and when the yarn drawing device is drawn back to its full
extent by the cam J. the nippers are left close to the warp threads and in the way of
the reed of the lay, and the nippers are opened in this position. Then, a supple-
mentary backward movement is imparted to them so that they are withdrawn out of
the way of the reed of the lay. This supplenfentary backward movement is preferably
imparted to the nippers by the opening cam Q. For this purpose the opener Qis
fitted with a horn. q. (Figure 11) which when the opener is forced between the
nippers to open them is forced against the end (710. Figure 15) of the nipper shank:
and pushes it backward; thus moving the nipper jaws out of the way of the advancing
reed of the lay. When the opener Q is withdrawn from the nippers, as previously
described, the horn. 2, being also withdrawn from the front end of the nipper shank
permits the spring, to restore the nippers to their forward or normal position for
advancing to seize the yarn.

page_text: The strand of yarn is beaten up by means of the lay F¹; but before the yarn is
beaten up the shed is closed by the operation of the second incline, cl, of the beddle
cam E, upon the heddles. The lay F is fitted in the usual manner with a reed F',
through the dents of which the warp threads are passed. The lay F, is connected by
arms, f, with a rock shaft, f, and is operated by the lay cam, F, which is secured to
the main cam shaft B,of the loom; the cam operatingupon the lay rock shaft.fi, through
the intervention of an arm, f, which is fitted at its end with a truck to run on the
lay cam, F. I prefer to effect the return movement of the lay by a spring F³, which
operates antagonistically to the lay cam F2.
In order that the edge of the fabric or selvage at the needle side of the loom may be
uniform, the ends of the yarns protruding there are trimmed or cut off in line. I
effect this trimmingbymeans of a selvage trimmer, and I prefer to arrange this trimmer
closer to the breast beam, G, of the loom than the yarn drawing device is, so that
the trimming may be effected after the yarns are beaten up. To this end a selvage
trimmer R. is located at the side of the loom opposite to that at which the yarn
holder, I, is placed, and is arranged to cut the yarns as they are brought to the breast
beam, G. by the taking up of the woven fabric by the cloth roll. This selvage trimmer
is formed by preference of a fixed blader secured to the breast beam, and a vibratable
cutting blade, which is operated in the loom I am describing by connecting it by a
rod, with an arm³, secured to the lay rock shaft fl, so that the moveable blade,
is alternately opened and closed upon the fixed blade r.
The opening of the sheds of warp threads for the drawing of the colored yarns
through them is effected by moving the leaves of heddles E, E1, E2 through which
the warp threads are passed. The rear leaf of heddles E, and the middle leaf E',
contain plain heddles; the front leaf, E. contains doup heddles. The means by
which the heddles are operated is represented more particularly at Figures 7, 8, and 9.
The rear leaf of heddles, E. is suspended by straps from the rear segments, e², of
rockers that are pivotted to bracket arms, e. secured to the upper cross beam, A¹, of
the loom frame. The front leaf of heddles. E2, is connected by straps with the front
segments, e, of the same rockers; so that when the front. leaf is drawn down, the
rear leaf is raised, and vice versa. The front leaf, E, is connected by a rod, e, with
a treddle, E6, which is operated by the beddle cam, E. secured to the main cam
shaft B; and the treddle, E, is fitted with a truck, e, which runs in a groove of the
heddle cam. The rear leaf of heddles E is connected with springs E7, which ensure
its descent when the front leaf is raised. I prefer to connect the middle leaf of
heddles. E', by a rod, e, with the same treddle. E, so that all the leaves of the heddles
are in this example operated by the same heddle cam E5, and two of the leaves of
heddles (E1, E2) are operated positively in both directions. As the middle leaf, E', is
moved both up and down by means of the rod e. the leaf is guided by guides
secured to the frame of the loom, in which guides the ends of the middle leaf are
held loosely. As the front leaf of heddles. E¹, is nearer the breast beam of the loom
than the others, it does not require the same amount of movement as either of the two
leaves behind it to open the shed sufficiently for the passage of the yarn drawing device;
hence the front segments, e³, of the rockers are of smaller radius than the rear segments
and the rods, e, are crossed to suit the different extents of movement required for
the middle leaf E¹, and the front leaf E2. The doups of the front leaf of heddles
are preferably made of wire, as represented more fully at Figure 9; each doup a,
consisting of an eye-ended piece of wire whose stem passes through the eye of the
corresponding, heddles, a', of the front leaf. Such wire doups reduce the friction of
doup heddles and are much more durable than cord doups. These doups are all
connected with a doup bar E3 This doup bar is connected with springs E8, which
tend to draw it and the doups downward so that the doups are close to the eyes of the
doup heddles when they are raised.
As previously described. I prefer that each strip of chenille should be woven with
six warp threads. In this case four of the warp threads of each set of the six
required for a strip of chenille, which four for distinction may be called the main
warp threads, are wound upon the warp beam C'; the remaining two warp threads

page_text: of each set, which for distinction may be called the doup warp threads, being wound
upon the warp beam C. I have found it expedient to arrange these warp threads
in the following manner (see Figure 21). Commencing at the left hand side of
cach set, the first warp thread at the rear heddle frame is a doup thread; the
second and third warp threads are main warp threads; the fourth is a doup thread,
and the fifth and sixth at the right hand side of the set are main warp threads. The
third warp thread, which is a main warp thread, and the sixth are passed through
eyes of heddles in the rear heddle frame and are drawn thence between the heddles of
the middle and front heddle frames (E1 and E2) and through the dents of the reed
straight (in a horizontal direction) to the breast beam of the loom.
The second and fifth warp threads (which are main warp threads) are passed
between the heddles of the rear heddle frame E, through the eyes of the heddles in
the middle heddle frame E¹, and between the heddles of the front heddle frame E,
and through the dents of the reed straight (in a horizontal direction) to the
breast beam. The first warp thread at the left hand side of the set, which is a
doup thread, is passed through the eye of a heddle in the rear heddle frame, thence
between the heddles of the middle heddle frame and crosswise under the second and
third warp threads to the eye of the doup of a doup heddle in the front or doup
frame, which is to the right hand of the said second and third or main warp
threads. The fourth warp thread of the set, which is also a doup thread, is passed
through the eye of a heddle in the rear warp frame E, thence between the heddles of
the middle heddle frame and crosswise under the fifth and sixth warp threads to the
eye of a doup heddle in the front frame, E, which is to the right hand side of the
said fifth and sixth warp threads. The doup threads are conducted from the eyes of
the doup heddles through the dents of the reed to the breast beam. By reason
of the means of operating the heddles previously described, it follows that when the
rear frame, E, is depressed, the intermediate or middle frame, El, and the doup
frame, E, are raised; and when the rear frame of heddles, E, is raised, the
intermediate frame, E', and the doup frame, E, are depressed; and consequently that
the doup warp threads of each set are raised at each passage of a strand of filling
yarn across the warp threads, but are raised alternately by the rise of the rear
frame of heddles (as represented at Figure 8) and by the rise of the doup heddles
(as represented at Figure 7); the rise by the rear frame of heddles holding these
doup warp threads at the left hand side respectively of each of the next two main
warp threads of the set and the rise by the doup heddles holding these doup warp
threads at the right hand sides respectively of each of the same two main warp
threads of the set; so that each doup warp thread is turned or crossed with the next
two warp threads at each alternate opening of the shed, as represented in an
exaggerated manner at Figure 21, and the strips of chenille are thereby prevented
from ravelling when they are cut apart. When the rear heddle frame raises the doup
threads the strain upon them pulls the doups upward and sidewise through the eyes of
the doup heddles. In order that the strain of raising the doup bar, E3, at this time
may be more or less relieved, the doup bar is connected with the doup heddle
frame, by means of coris e passing over pulleys c. As this doup heddle frame
is depressed, the doup bar, E³, is pulled upwards at the same time by the cords c8, and
the doup warp threads are consequently relieved inore or less of the strain of raising
the doup bar E³.
When the doup warp threads of each set are raised by the rise of the front or doup
frame E, they are crossed under the adjacent central warp threads, and if the tension
upon the threads was unchanged the doup warp threads would raise the adjacent main
warp threads, and the shed would not be properly formed. To obviate such action,
a tension-relaxing device is employed to relax the tension upon the doup warp threads
when the doup frame E, is raised. I prefer to construct this tension relaxing
device of a spring T, and a lever T¹; the said spring being connected at one end with
the swinging frame d. of the whip roll D, and at its other end with the lever T¹;
and the said lever having one of its arms in position to be raised by a projection t,
secured to the doup frame E². Hence whenever the front or doup frame E is

page_text: raised its projection; t, moves the lever T, thereby increasing the tension force and
causing it to neutralize a portion of the strain caused by the weight, d, upon the
whip roll D, so that the tension upon the doup warp threads which pass over this
whip roller is relaxed. When again the doup frame, E2, is lowered, the strain upon
the spring T is relieved, and the tension made upon the doup threads by the whip roll
weight is restored.
Whenever the doup warp threads are raised in their cross conditions beneath the
adjacent main warp threads, the length of doup threads required between the rear
heddle frame and the fell of the fabric is increased. In order to allow for this
increase and to take back the slack at other times, the roll D2, over which the doup
warp threads pass, and the whip roll D are arranged as represented in the drawing, so
that the forward movement of the whip roll when its tension on the warp threads is
relaxed (as previously described) gives out an amount of warp threads equal to twice
its forward movement; and the return movement of the same whip roll when its full
tension is restored takes up the slack. When the doup warp threads are raised by the
rear frame of heddles E, the said warp threads pull upon the doups of the doup
heddles, and in order that the doup threads may then raise or assist in raising these
doups it is expedient to subject the doup warp threads to an increase of the tension
upon them. The following means are used for this purpose: A tension lever, U, is
fitted to engage at its rear end with a projection, u, upon the rod of the weight, d¹, of
the doup whip roll D, and the front end of the tension lever is fitted with a truck that
is operated by the tension cam, U₁, at the time the tension upon the doup warp threads
is to be increased. Hence at this time the pressure of the tension lever U upon the
weight-rod supplements the action of the weight upon the whip roll, D, of the doup
warp threads, and consequently the tension strain on the doup warp threads is then
temporarily increased; but as the tension cam passes by the front end of the tension
lever U, the strain upon the whip roll of the doup warp threads is reduced to that
effected by the weight alone.
The operator or attendant of the said loom is supplied with a card showing the
succession in which the numbers of the yarn cases are to be put in position for being
drawn across the loom to form the pattern of the woven fabric. Before each
movement of the yarn drawing device J, the attendant withdraws the stop N for the
shifting yarn holder, shifts the latter (by moving it backward or forward as required)
until the yarn ease of the desired number is placed in the position for having its yarn
drawn out, as indicated by the appearance of that number opposite the pointer of the
index at which the attendant finds it most convenient to look, and then stops the
further movement of the yarn holder, by releasing the stop N, so that the yarn holder
may be held stationary. The weaving is then effected by the automatic action of the
loom as before described.
As some of the above described devices require to be operated at only each alternate
movement of the heddles, while others (such as the yarn drawing device and the lay,
as well as the beddles) require to be operated at every movement of the heddles, I
have found it expedient to arrange the main cam shaft. B, to revolve once for every
two movements of the heddles, and to duplicate the grades of the cams (as represented
in the drawings) which operate the devices that operate at every movement of the
heddles, and to use a single cam projection (as represented in the drawings) for the
cams of those devices which are operated once for each alternate movement of
the heddles.
One of the advantages incident to the invention is that the strips of chenille at each
margin of the woven fabric are woven practically perfect, whereas with the fabric
produced by all previous chenille looms which I have seen, the strip of chenille at each
margin of the fabric is imperfect and useless for subsequent weaving.
A leading feature of the invention is the shifting yarn holder constructed with yarn
cases to hold the separate yarns. This system of holding masses of yarn in cases
differs materially from the previous systems of holding the yarns upon spindles or
bobbins, and it is attended with the advantage that a large number of masses of yarn
of different colours or shades can be held in a separate condition in a comparatively

page_text: small space, and that each particular mass of yarn (whether in the form of a cop or
ball) can as wanted for use be moved successively (by shifting the yarn holder) to the
same position for having its yarn drawn from the mass in the case in which it is held.
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 supply of yarns of different colours or shades to a loom for weaving by
means of a shifting yarn holder constructed with a series of yarn cases to hold the
variety of yarns required in weaving, substantially as before set forth.
2. The combination substantially as before set forth of the shifting yarn holder
constructed with yarn cases, with a tension device to prevent the yarns from rendering
too freely from the yarn cases.
3. The combination substantially as before set forth of the shifting yarn holder with
an index of the yarn cases, which index is arranged upon the yarn holder and moves
with it.
4. The combination substantially as before set forth of the shifting yarn holder,
with a face index of the yarn cases, which index is separate from the yarn holder but
is moved correspondingly.
5. The combination substantially as before set forth of the shifting yarn holder
constructed with yarn cases, with the stop by which the said yarn holder is held when
a yarn is to be drawn from one of the yarn cases.
6. The combination substantially as before set forth of the shifting yarn holder
constructed with yarn cases, with a yarn drawing device by means of which the yarn
is drawn from the yarn cases across the loom.
7. The combination substantially as before set forth of the shifting yarn holder
constructed with yarn cases and the yarn drawing device, with the yarn cutter by
means of which the drawn strand of yarn is cut loose from the yarn holder.
S. The combination substantially as before set forth of a
constructed with yarn cases with the yarn drawing device and with the selvage
shifting yarn lolder
trimmer, whereby the ends of the strands of yarn which have been seized by the yarn
drawing device are trimmed to a substantially uniform length.
9. The combination substantially as before set forth of the shifting yarn holder
constructed with yarn cases, the yarn tubes through which the yarns from the said
cases are conducted, and the yarn drawing device constructed with nippers adapted to
be opened by being forced against one of said yarn tubes.
10. The combination substantially as before set forth of the spring nippers of the
yarn drawing device with the rod (by which they are moved) through the intervention
of a sliding shank and spring.
11. The combination substantially as before set forth of the nippers of the yarn
drawing device. the opener, and a cam for imparting the supplementary backward
movement to the nippers.
12. The combination substantially as before set forth of the yarn drawing device
with the rebound stop.
13. The combination substantially as before set forth of the shifting yarn holder
provided with yarn cases with the yarn drawing device, the plain heddles. the doup
heddles, and the lay.