IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COMBING FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hunter Henry Murdoch, of the Firm of Murdoch and
Whiteman, of No. 7, Staple Inn, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agents,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COMBING FIBROUS
SUBSTANCES." A communication from abroad by Adrien Houget, of the Firm
of Adrien Houget and Company, of Verviers, in the Kingdom of Belgium,
Constructing Engineers.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hunter Henry Murdoch
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th December
1878.
HUNTER HENRY MURDOCH, of the Firm of Murdoch and Whiteman, of No. 7,
Staple Inn, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agents. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR COMBING FIBROUS SUBSTANCES." [A communication from abroad
by Adrien Houget, of the Firm of Adrien Houget and Company, of Verviers, in the
Kingdom of Belgium, Constructing Engineers.]
This Invention relates to fibre-combing machines of the class generally known
as Heilmann's machines, and it consists of the improvements hereinafter described,
by which certain parts of the machine are rendered more easy of access for the
purpose of adjusting and examining them and keeping them clean, and the produc-
tion of combed fibre is augmented, whilst the amount of waste is reduced. The said
improvements are as follows:-
Firstly. All the tappets, cams, or excentrics, which regulate the motion of the
parts, are affixed to the main shaft or axis of the machine, and are so arranged that
they are easy of access and may be readily adjusted.
Secondly. The feeding apparatus is so arranged and adjusted that when the
drawing out of the fibre takes place, the said feeding apparatus instead of being at
the top of its stroke, as is generally the case, is at the lowest part of its stroke,
which allows of the fibres being held closer up, so that a portion of the short fibres
D037

page_text: is combed with the longer staple, thus increasing the production of combed fibre
and reducing the amount of waste.
Thirdly. The cleaning comb for removing the last impurities from the fibres and
the feeding apparatus are made independent one of the other, which allows of their
being more easily examined, cleansed, and adjusted separately.
Fourthly. A narrow flat brush is mounted in front of the upper nipper of the
feeding apparatus for the purpose of forcing the front ends of the fibres to penetrate
between the teeth of the circular comb and to clean automatically the cleaning
comb.
Fifthly. Instead of the drawing out of the fibres being effected by friction as is
usual, rotatory motion is communicated to the upper drawing out roller by means
of pinions and ratchet motion. Slipping being thus prevented the machine is made
to produce a greater amount of combed fibre, whilst there is less waste.
Sixthly. The segments of the circular comb are constructed so that the height of
each of the bars or holders, which are placed in grooves, may be adjusted as required,
and that at all times the fixity and the parallelism of the said bars or holders may
be maintained, and that each bar or holder may be repaired or replaced without
interfering with those next to it.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Hunter Henry Murdoch in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th
June 1879.
HUNTER HENRY MURDOCH, of the Firm of Murdoch and Whiteman, of No. 7,
Staple Inn, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agents "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR COMBING FIBROUS SUBSTANCES." A communication from abroad
by Adrien Houget, of the Firm of Adrien Houget and Company, of Verviers, in the
Kingdom of Belgium, Constructing Engineers.
This Invention relates to machines of the class generally known as Heilmann's
machines for combing fibres, and it consists in the improvements herein-after
described, by which certain parts of the machine are rendered more easy of access
for the purposes of adjusting and examining them and keeping them clean, and the
production of combed fibre is augmented whilst the amount of waste is reduced.
The said improvements are as follows:-
Firstly. All the tappets, cams, or excentrics which regulate the motion of the
parts are affixed to the main shaft or axis of the machine are so arranged that
they are easy of access and may be readily adjusted.
Secondly. The feeding apparatus is so arranged and adjusted that when the
drawing out of the fibre takes place the said feeding apparatus, instead of being at
the top of its stroke as is generally the case, is at the lowest part of its stroke,
which allows of the fibres being held closer up, so that a portion of the short fibres
is combed with the longer staple, thus increasing the production of combed fibre
and reducing the amount of waste.
Thirdly. The cleaning comb for removing the last impurities from the fibres and
the feeding apparatus are made independent one of the other, which allows of
their being more easily examined, cleaned, and adjusted separately.
Fourthly. A narrow flat brush is mounted in front of the upper nipper of the
feeding apparatus for the purpose of forcing the front ends of the fibres to penetrate
between the teeth of the circular comb, and to clean automatically the cleaning
comb.
Fifthly. Instead of the drawing out of the fibres being effected by friction as is
usual, rotatory motion is forcibly communicated to the upper drawing out roller
by means of pinions and ratchet motion. Slipping being thus prevented, the
machine is made to produce a greater amount of combed fibre whilst there is less
waste.
Sixthly. The segments of the comb or comb-roller are constructed so that the
height of each of the bars or holders which are placed in grooves may be adjusted as
required, and that at all times the fixity and parallelism of the said bars or holders
may be maintained, and that each bar or holder may be repaired or replaced without
interfering with those next to it.
Having thus explained the nature of this Invention as communicated to me, I
will proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings the manner
in which the same is to be performed.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, represents in cross section a Heilmann combing machine con-
structed according to this Invention; Figure 2 represents a front view of the same,
partly in section; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the same; and Figure 4 represents
separately, drawn to a larger scale, certain parts of the same as herein-after
described.
The same letters of reference are used to indicate like parts in all the said
Figures.
Nearly all the tappets, cams, or excentrics which give motion to the parts are
affixed upon the main shaft A of the machine, and all the said tappets, cams, or

page_text: (
excentrics are so arranged as to be easy of access for inspection and adjustment.
Upon the said shaft A are mounted-
The cam or tappet B for opening the feed apparatus H¹.
The cam or tappet C which raises and lowers the said feed apparatus.
The cam or tappet D giving motion to the cleaning comb R for removing the
last impurities from the fibre, which comb is herein-after called the "finisher
comb."
The cam or tappet E is mounted on the ond of the rotatory comb spindle F, and
gives motion to the upper part of the nipper G, causing it to press upon the
counter nipper H held in position by springs I, the pressure of which may be
regulated by set screws K, K¹.
The two cams or tappets L, L, of the drawing out table b cause the parts of the
said table to move parallel to one another. The two cams or tappets M, M³,
actuate the levers N, N', which cause the drawing out roller O to press upon the
leather covered sectors a, a¹, of the rotatory comb F.
It will be seen that by the arrangement represented the said cams are open to
view and may be readily examined, which is an important point in practice. In
Heilmann's combing machines as usually constructed the feed apparatus His at the
top of its stroke when the drawing out of the fibre takes place. According to this
Invention the feeding apparatus H' is so arranged and adjusted with regard to the
drawing out roller O that it is at the lowest part of its stroke when the drawing
out of the fibre takes place.
By this means the distance between the point where the drawing out is effected
und the first set of teeth of the feed apparatus H' which retains the fibre is reduced
by the length of the stroke of the feed apparatus, and the fibres are held closer up
so that a portion of the short fibre is combed with the longer staple, thus increasing
the production of combed fibre and reducing the amount of waste. The stroke of
the drawing off table 6 is limited by the abutment screws P attached to the end of
two lever arms Q situated outside the machine, instead of being inside as is
ordinarily the case.
The feeding apparatus H' is made independent of the finisher comb R. By this
means the impurities accumulated in the feeding apparatus H' do not interfere with
the proper working of the finisher comb R, and each of the said parts may be raised
and cleansed separately, as is shewn by the dotted lines in Figures 1 and 3.
Upon the front end of the upper nipper G (shewn separately, drawn to a larger scale
in Figure 4) is mounted a flat narrow brush S by which the front ends of the fibre are
forced between the teeth of the comb F and also the cleansing of the "finisher comb" R
is effected automatically so that the said "finisher comb" is always kept clean. In
Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings Figure 1 represents in elevation the
drawing out apparatus separately; Figure 2 represents in elevation parts of the
same drawn to a larger scale; Figure 3 is a section taken through the line A, B,
Figure 2.
The sectors a, a', as is usual in such machines, give rotatory motion to the
drawing out roller by pressing upon it. Upon the shaft T carrying the said
sectors a, a, is affixed a plate u provided with two studs or projections c, d,
diametrically opposite one to the other on the said plate u. To the ordinary
drawing out table b is affixed an axis V upon which is mounted a toothed wheel W
having upon its inner side a ratchet wheel g. Upon the same axis V is mounted a
partially circular plate X to which is jointed at e the rod y, which plate is provided
with two pawls f, f¹, taking into the teeth of the ratchet wheel g.
The rod y passes through a screw ring h affixed to the drawing out arm N, the
said screw ring & being situated between two springs i, i, one of which springs i
deadens the shocks when the ratchet gear is brought to rest, whilst the other
spring acts to arrest the motion of the said ratchet gear.
The toothed wheel W gives motion to the roller k by means of a pinion affixed
upon one of its ends. The said roller ke gives motion to the endless travelling
creeper or apron m upon which the drawing out roller O presses. Rotatory motion

page_text: is communicated to the rollers k and O by means of pinions keyed upon their
axes, the amount of rotatory motion of the said pinions being governed by the
sector.
The action of the said apparatus is as follows :-
When one of the sectors a or a¹ comes in contact with the roller O, the said
roller presses upon it and is caused to rotate, at the same time one of the studs or
projections c or d on the plate u comes in contact with the lip of the partially
circular plate X, and communicates rotatory motion to the said plate X, motion
being by means of the pawls f, f', communicated to the toothed wheel W, and to
the rollers O and k and travelling creeper m. As soon as the stud or projection
then operating ceases to act on the partially circular plate X the motion of all the
parts of the drawing out apparatus ceases. The arm N now descends, drawing down
through the screw ring h, the rod y, the joint of which e causes the partially circular
plate X to return to its former position without acting upon the toothed wheel W or on
any of the parts driven by it, the pawls f, f¹, being caused to move backwards so
so as not to engage with the ratchet teeth of the wheel g.
As soon as the partially circular plate X has returned to its first position the
table b is caused to descend, drawing down with it the whole drawing out apparatus
into position for the operation described to be repeated.
Hitherto in Heilmann's combing machines it has been usual to fix the bars
composing the circular combs upon an iron plate by means of screws, traversing lugs,
or flanges upon the said bars, which are thus dependent one on the other, as seen
in Figure 1, Sheet 2 of the Drawings, so that should an accident make it necessary
to repair one or other of the said bars all those bars behind it have also to be
removed.
The said bars have also the disadvantage of being fixed to the plate so that it is
very difficult to adjust them to the proper height, and the delicacy of their adjust-
ment gives rise to their being easily injured or their parallelism impaired.
These defects are obviated by constructing and arranging the comb or comb-roller
as hereinafter described.
The said comb or comb-roller consists of two segmental pieces, one of which,
marked n, is represented in plan in Figure 4, Sheet 2, in side elevation in Figure 5,
and in section in Figure 6. In the said segmental pieces are formed inclined
slots O at equal distances one from the other. In each of the said slots O is placed
a metal bar v, represented separately in elevation in Figure 7, in plan in Figure 8,
and in transverse sections in Figures 9 and 10. One end of each of the said bars v
is formed in the shape of a T, as seen in Figure 8, and its other end is threaded so
as to receive a screw nut.
In a cavity or slot extending nearly the whole length of the said bars are
soldered the teeth which form the comb, as seen in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. It
will be readily understood that by means of the construction of the combs herein-
before described the bars may be easily raised or lowered in their slots and their
height adjusted as required. The fixity and parallelism of the said bars are
maintained, and each of the said bars may be removed separately without interfering
with the others.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to
the precise details herein described, and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings,
as the same may be varied without departing from the nature of the said
Invention.
But I claim as the Invention of improvements in machinery for combing
fibrous substances of the class generally known as Heilmann's Machines."
"
Firstly. Mounting the tappets, cams, or excentrics giving motion to the parts of
the machine upon the driving shaft or otherwise so as to be open to view and
easily examined, essentially as herein before described and illustrated in the accom-
panying Drawings.
Secondly. Arranging and adjusting the feeding apparatus of such machines so

page_text: that when the drawing out of the fibre takes place the said feeding apparatus is at
the lowest part of its stroke, essentially as and for the purpose described.
Thirdly. Making the finisher comb independent of the feeding apparatus,
essentially as and for the purposes described.
Fourthly. The application of a brush in front of the upper nipper of the feeding
apparatus, essentially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings and for the purposes set forth.
Fifthly. Giving motion to the upper drawing out roller by means of pinions and
ratchet gear, essentially as herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings and for the purposes set forth.
Sixthly. The construction and arrangement of the segmental pieces of the comb
or comb-roller, and the bars carrying the comb teeth, essentially as hereinbefore
described, and illustrated in Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, Sheet 2, of the accom-
panying Drawings.
+
In witness whereof, I, the said Hunter Henry Murdoch, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this. Seventeenth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
Witness,
J. BIANCHI,
his Clerk.
H. H. MURDOCH. (L.S.)