New METHOD OF SPINNING FLAX AND HEMP BY MEANS OF MACHINERY
Year: 1832

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
BEATTIE SHANKLAND, of Liverpool Street, in the City of London, Esquire,
send greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth, by His
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Thirteenth day of April, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-
two, and in the second year of His reign, did, for Himself, His heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Alexander Beattie Shankland,
His especial licence that I, the said Alexander Beattie Shankland, my exors,
admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander Beattie Shankland,
my exors, admors, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein ex-
pressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also within all
His Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "A New
METHOD OF SPINNING FLAX AND HEMP BY MEANS OF MACHINERY;" in which said
Letters Patent is contained a proviso obliging the said Alexander Beattie
Shankland, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, particularly
to describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, and to cause the same to be enrolled in His
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six months next immediately
after the date of the said recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same,
reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Alexander Beattie Shankland, do hereby declare that the nature of the said
Invention, and how the same is to be performed, is herein described and
ascertained by the following description, reference being also made to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say:-
c, c, repre-
Drawing 1 Fig. 1, A, A, represents a front elevation of a fragment or
portion of an improved spindle for spinning flax and hemp into yarns for
the purpose of being manufactured into ropes. a, a, shews a front elevation
of a brass frame, which I call a spindle frame (all the Figures in this
Drawing being made upon a magnified scale in order to shew the parts
more distinctly). Within this frame the toothed roller b is placed, when it is
fixed in a swinging or moveable frame, to be hereafter described.
sents a steel sliding piece dovetailed into the brass spindle frame, where it is
retained by friction, as shewn by dotted lines at a, a, but capable of moving
in a small degree towards either end of the spindle. In the centre of the
sliding piece c, c, an oblong slit or aperture is made, which permits a very
small portion of the periphery of the toothed roller 6 to protrude beyond the
external surface of the sliding piece c. The use of this will be shewn here-
after. C, C, are two screws, which fix the frame a, a, to the spindle A, A, a
recess being formed in the spindle to receive it. Fig. 2 represents a vertical
section of the spindle frame shewn in Fig. 1 by a plane passing through it
in the direction of the dotted line B, B, in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, a, a, shews a
section of the spindle frame; b shews a side elevation of the toothed roller,
with a few of the teeth projecting beyond the steel sliding piece, which may
be seen between the letters c, c; d represents a side elevation of the roller
frame, within which the roller turns, the axis entering holes made to receive it
on each side of the roller frame. The roller frame swings or moves on the
steel pin or axis seen near d, but it is kept stationary by the spring e, which,
pressing at one end against the spindle frame and the other end against the
bottom cross bar of the roller frame d, forces the periphery of the toothed
roller against a curved part of the sliding piece just beneath the upper
letter c, in which state it will remain until it is acted upon in the manner to
be hereafter described. Fig. 3 represents an edge view of the toothed
roller b placed in the swinging frame, the pin or axis upon which it swings
or moves being shewn near d. Fig. 4 represents a front elevation of the
sliding piece c, c, detached. The dotted lines f shew the extent of a recess
within which a portion of the toothed roller 6 enters, being pressed by the
spring against the upper part f, as before described. 9 represents a passage
cut through the sliding piece c, c, inclining upwards; the use of this is to pass

page_text: the end of a yarn or thread through, so that it may be placed between the
teeth of the roller 6 in the way to be hereafter explained. Fig. 5 represents a
side view of Fig. 4; the inclination of the passage g in this Figure being more
plainly seen. Fig. 6 represents a vertical section of Fig. 4, by a plane passing in
the direction of the dotted line D, D, in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 represents a vertical
section, taken through the centre of the toothed roller b, shewn at bin
Fig. 2.
Drawing 2: Fig. 1 represents a front elevation of a machine drawn upon a
scale for spinning flax and hemp into yarns or threads. E, E, E, E, shew the
front parts of the frame. A, A, are two spindles, placed vertically, each having
a steel bearing which enters a brass cup shewn at h, h, there being a steel conical
point within the cup upon which each steel pivot or bearing moves or revolves.
F, F, are two whirls or pullies fixed to the lower parts of the brass spindles,
each being made to receive an endless woollen band, by which they are rapidly
moved when in the act of spinning. i represents a deep groove made in the
brass spindle A, communicating with the spindle frame a, a, below, and uniting
with a similar groove formed in the upper steel bearing k, k, the top or end
part of the bearing k being made cylindrical, which portion acts as a pivot to
turn in the half holes or brasses shewn at 1, 1; each of the pivots so constructed
are also made hollow to permit a yarn or thread to pass through in its passage to
the drawing rollers herein-after described. H is a grooved drawing roller
fixed to the axis m. The twisted thread or yarn passes through this groove, being
pressed upon very firmly by a leather rim, which is let into a groove in the
roller I; this roller turns freely on the axis J, which axis is kept stationary,
and it is likewise pressed down by a hook in the centre, the lower part of
which is formed into or combined with a spiral spring fixed in the frame
below. n is a cylindrical axis, upon the ends of which the two arms k, k, turn
or swing. To the upper ends of these arms the axis L of the two reels o, o,
and p, p, is attached. The arm to the left has a pivot hole to receive one
pivot of the axis L, and the other arm has a fork formed to receive the other
pivot, by which means the axis and reels may be very easily removed. Each
reel being placed on a cylindrical axis may be fixed at any convenient part of
the axis, and, when there, it will be retained by a spring shewn at q, q, which
is sufficiently strong to keep it fixed under ordinary circumstances while
receiving the thread or yarn, but under certain circumstances, where the tension
becomes so strong as to endanger the breaking of the yarn or thread, the fric-
tion created by the springs will be overcome, and then the reels will slip or
turn upon the axis.
Drawing No. 3: Fig. 1 represents a plan or bird's-eye view of the same

page_text: machine, the same letters of reference being applied to the same parts where-
ever they can be seen. r, r, r, r, represents in dotted lines the face of a
wooden cylinder, having two grooves or hollows turned in it of the shape
shewn beneath the rollers I, I. These hollows or curvatures form recesses
which permit a portion of the two spindles A, A, to enter, and when the
cylinder r, r,r,r, is clothed with flax or hemp the spindles will by this peculiar
construction be conveniently supplied with fibres to be spun into yarns or
threads. M, M, shews the axis of the cylinder, to which any suitable power
may be applied to set the whole of the acting parts in motion. N is a pulley
fixed on the axis M. Upon this is placed the woollen band S, which passes
over the pulley O, and turns the axis P, giving motion thereby to the following
parts t, t, is a woollen band which combines the pullies O and Q together,
by which means, when the pulley O is set in motion, the axis m will be turned
by the pulley Q, and then the rollers H, H, and I, I, will be turned and draw
away the threads or yarn from the spindles, from whence it will pass under the
axis n, and be received upon the reels 0, 0, 0, 0, and p, p, p, p, they being set in
motion by the following means:-u is a double grooved pulley which turns
freely on the fixed axis n. R is a woollen band combining the pulley O
with u. S is also an endless woollen band placed in the groove of the pulley u,
fixed on the axis L; it gives motion thereto, and thereby turns the reels 0, 0, 0, 0,
and p, p, p, p, whenever the pully u is turned by the endless band R. w, w, are
two forked standards, each of which receives a portion of the axis m of the
drawing roller H, which is turned small at two parts, to act as pivots or bear-
ings, the shoulders on each side preventing lateral motion. a, a, are two brass
bearings which receive the pivots formed on each end of the axis J; these are
retained in the standards by dovetails, from which they may be withdrawn at
pleasure when the hooked wire T is removed, which, being combined with
a spiral spring fixed in the frame of the machine, presses the leathered
rollers I, I, into the grooves of the rollers H, H, by which means so much
friction is produced that the thread or yarn placed between is readily drawn
through, and then received upon the reel.
Fig. 2 represents a plan or bird's-eye view of the same machine; but in
this Figure the reels, drawing rollers, and the upper cover of the machine is
removed, by which means the feeding cylinder r, r, r, r, is exposed, so as to be
better understood, and also some of the other parts that it will be necessary to
explain. U, U, is a wooden roller having a pully on one end to receive an
endless band V, which passes also over the pully W, fixed on the axis M, by
which means the roller U is set in motion. X, X, are two endless woollen
bands, shewn in dotted lines, which are passed over the roller U, U, and also

page_text: over the whirls or pullies fixed at lower ends of the spindles A, A; therefore
when the roller U is set in motion by the pully W, the spindles will be also
made to revolve with a proper velocity. y, y, y, represents three rows of hooked
staples fixed on the surface of the feeding cylinder r, r, r, r.
The hemp
or flax to be spun, being smoothly prepared, should be doubled, and the
central part or staple should be put under one of the hooked wires seen at y,.
and then the ends should be smoothly spread on each side and behind the
hook, around the cylinder, and in this manner the whole cylinder must be
clothed, as shewn on the right-hand side, one half of the cylinder being left
uncovered in order that the hooked staples may be more plainly seen.
Drawing 2: Fig. 2 represents a vertical section of Fig. 1, by a plane passing
through the dotted line y, y, shewn in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2 the manner of placing
the hooks on the feeding cylinder r, r, will be more plainly seen, and also the
band X which drives the spindle A. z, z, z, shews a vertical section of three
pieces of wood formed with curves internally, which are parallel to the feeding
cylinder; these are used to enclose the cylinder, and also the flax or hemp
with which it is cloathed, thereby preventing any waste, which might be the
case if this precaution was not adopted. The form of the cup or bearing his
shewn as a vertical section, and the pall that supports the arm k will be seen
placed immediately under it. The feeding cylinder r, r, shewn in the Figure,
is not covered with flax or hemp; the peculiar construction or form of its
surface will therefore be more plainly seen.
In order to prepare the machine for operation, a yarn or thread of any
fibrous substance must be fixed at one end to the cross bar of the reel shewn
by the letter p near z; the other end must then be passed under the axis n,
and between the drawing rollers H and I, and, being passed through the steel
bearing k of the spindle, it must be continued down the groove i, and then
the end must be put through the slanting passage cut through the sliding
piece c, shewn at g, Fig. 1, and then carried upwards, by which means it will
be caught and held by the toothed roller b, in which state the machine will be
ready, provided the feeding cylinder r, r, Fig. 2, be previously cloathed with
the materials to be spun in the manner before described. When the feeding
cylinder r is set in motion by any suitable power, and in the direction of the
darts shewn upon it, the band V, placed on the pulley W (seen in Fig. 1 in
dotted lines, and also in Figs. 1 and 2 in Drawing 3), will turn the roller U
(see Drawing 2, Fig. 2), and cause the band X to move the spindle A, and
whirl it round with considerable velocity, by which means the projecting teeth
of the toothed roller b, in its passage round, will catch hold of some of the
fibres from the feeding cylinder, and by the revolution of the spindle A they
will be immediately combined or joined to the end of the yarn or thread by

page_text: being twisted, and at the same instant the drawing rollers, being set in motion
in the manner to be hereafter described, will draw forward the thread or yarn
from the top of the bearing k, the reel being also put in motion to receive
the product of the spindle as fast as it is delivered from the drawing rollers.
It will be easily perceived that two or more spindles, with the machinery
appropriate, as herein-before described, may be combined and moved by the
same power, when a similar effect will be produced by each spindle.
The uniformity or equal size of the yarn or thread will be produced in the
following manner :-In Drawing 1, Fig. 1, the toothed roller b is represented
as having hold of some fibres of flax or hemp, which, being united with a
portion of yarn already twisted, will be drawn into the spindle by the action of
the drawing rollers before described, and as they enter they are released from
the teeth of the roller b, and instantly twisted, by which means every fibre
becomes united in the yarn or thread; and should the teeth of the roller at
any time take up too many of the fibres, they would, by an increase of the bulk,
force back the toothed roller b, and the teeth, being by this means drawn back
in proportion, they will of course take up fewer fibres, and by this means the
yarn or thread will be equalized; and whenever the number of fibres are
reduced, and the bulk thereby become smaller, the teeth of the roller will be
again protruded, and the proper quantity of fibres will be caught up and sup-
plied to the spindle. In Fig. 5 the dotted circle represents the periphery of the
toothed roller in contact with the curved part f, to which it should be accurately
fitted; but when the yarn or fibres are passing through, the periphery of the
roller will assume the position of the dotted line shewn in Figure 6. The size
of the yarn or thread may be to a certain degree increased or decreased by
the following means; namely, if the sliding piece c, c, Figs. 1 and 2, be
moved or slid towards the upper part of the vertical spindle, the teeth of the
roller 6 will project further outwards, and consequently they will take up more
fibres, and thereby make a larger yarn or thread; but, on the contrary, if the
sliding piece c, c, be moved or slid downwards, it will press back the roller b,
and, as the teeth will in that case not protrude or project so far beyond the
surface of the steel sliding piece, a smaller yarn or thread will of course be
produced. By such adjustment a considerable variation in the size of the yarn
or thread may be made with the same sized spindle frame and apparatus
combined therewith. Nevertheless, it will always be requisite to proportion
the spindle and apparatus not only to the size of the yarn or thread, but also
to the length of the fibre to be spun. The fibre should only form a
single spiral coil around the spindle when the machine is in action, and
if it is attempted to spin flax or hemp of great length with a small-sized
spindle, the fibres would be wound upon the spindle in coils one over the

page_text: other, and bind so tight that it would prevent the drawing rollers taking the
yarn or thread from the spindle without frequently breaking it.
Fig. 8 represents an edge view of a roller, the teeth of which are so
formed as to come close to the edge, but they do not project beyond.
Fig. 9 is a vertical section of Fig. 8, by a plane passing through the centre
of the roller and parallel to the axis. This kind of roller is more suitable for
spinning fine yarns or threads than that shewn at Fig. 3. The action of the
parts that set the drawing rollers and also the reels in motion is as follows:-
Drawing No. 3, Fig. 2: N shews a pulley fixed on the axis M. The
endless band S passes over this pulley and also that seen at O, by which means
the pulley O is set in motion. R, Fig. 1, is an endless band which unites
or combines the pulley u with O, giving motion thereto when the pulley O
revolves. S shews an endless band which passes over and combines the
pullies u and V together; when the band S is set in motion by the pulley N, it
will cause the pulley O to revolve, and with it the band t, t, (in the direction
shewn by the darts), the axis m and drawing rollers H, H, being moved in the
same direction, by which means the twisted yarn or thread will be advanced to-
wards the reels 0, 0, 0, 0, and p, p, p, p, upon which the yarn or thread is finally
received in the following manner:-The motion of the pulley O causes the pulley
u to turn or revolve freely upon the stationary axis n, thereby giving motion to
the band S, by which means the pulley v is turned, and with it the axis L, and
also the reels placed thereon; but should the motion of the reels exceed that
of the drawing rollers, the springs q, q, will yield and permit them to slip and
remain stationary for a short period, by which contrivance the yarn or thread is
prevented from breaking; or should this even fail, the band R would slip upon the
small pulley u, and thereby tend to prevent any accident of that kind. Spin-
ning machines of this description may be made of any suitable wood, metal,
or materials, according to circumstances, and the size or proportions may also
be varied to suit particular purposes. The spindle A, which in the Drawings
is shewn as placed vertical, may, by adapting the bearings to the purpose in
ways well known, be worked horizontally. By increasing or decreasing the
rapidity of the spindle in proportion to the velocity of the drawing rollers
the yarn or thread will be more or less twisted. The reels or spools that are
used to receive the yarns may also be made to revolve either vertically or
horizontally; they may also be made to remain stationary or to shift laterally
or perpendicularly by the application of cams or other well-known combi-
nations usually applied to machinery of a similar description to effect such
purposes. The feeding cylinder or cylinders for certain purposes may be
covered with card wire, which, being covered or charged with the flax or hemp
to be spun, will be found equally applicable in feeding, provided the distance of

page_text: the toothed roller from the cards be properly adjusted. Spindles of this
description, that are used for spinning fine yarn or thread, should be made
solid, their weight, when set in rapid motion, being serviceable in causing them
to overcome the slight impediments or resistances that occur in drawing out
the fibres from the feeding cylinder; but when they are made very large, as in
the case of spinning rope yarns with long-fibred materials, then they may be
made hollow, and loaded with lead, or any other substance that will give them
sufficient weight. The method of cloathing the cylinder with hemp or flax
may be likewise varied, as, for instance, the cylinder, if curved upon its surface,
should have the projecting curvatures covered with card wires, but the hollow
part opposite the spindle should be left free from any card teeth, the space being
equal to ths of an inch, and, in that case, the hemp or flax should be supplied
to the cylinder from a revolving apron, upon which the fibres being laid parallel
to the axis of the feeding cylinder, such apron must be made to revolve by the
rollers upon which it is stretched being set in motion, by being combined with
the machinery at any convenient part, to produce the desired effect. The
feeding cylinder may also be made perfectly cylindrical, and without curvatures
upon its surface, in which case the whole cylindrical surface should be
covered with card wires, and then it will be necessary to apply any simple
apparatus to cause the cylinder to traverse endways a distance equal to
the space the spindles are fixed apart, by which means the toothed rollers
will be presented to every part of the surface of the cylinder, and consequently
take off the hemp or flax from every part that is covered. When the cylinder
is sufficiently cloathed with fibres the revolving apron must be withdrawn
by throwing the wheelwork by which they are moved out of gear; or
if the motion be obtained by bands, they may be slipped off their pullies in
the usual way adopted for producing such effects, and which are so well
known to workmen as to need no further description here.
The parts of the machinery herein-before described, the use and application
of which in the spinning of flax and hemp I claim as belonging to my Invention
of A New Method of Spinning Hemp and Flax, are the spindle with the spindle
frame, the toothed roller and roller frame with the spring and the sliding
piece, and also the feeding cylinder, as herein-before respectively described,
and also the drawing rollers in combination therewith, as herein-before also
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Beattie Shankland, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, the Twelfth day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.
A. B. (L.S.) SHANKLAND.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twelfth day of October, in
the year of our Lord 1832, the aforesaid Alexander Beattie Shankland came
before our said Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the
Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and spe-
cified, in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was
stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Twelfth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.