IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO MACHINERY FOR PREPARING, SPINNING, AND DOUBLING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS." PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1878

page_text: i'
LETTERS PATENT to James Higgins, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster,
Machine Maker, Alfred Higgins, of the same Place, Machine Maker, and
Thoinas Schofield Whitworth, of the same Place, Manager, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO MACHINERY FOR PREPARING, SPINNING,
AND DOUBLING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Higgins, Alfred
Higgins, and Thomas Schofield Whitworth at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents on the 10th September 1878.
JAMES HIGGINS, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Machine Maker, ALFRED
HIGGINGS, of the same Place, Machine Maker, and THOMAS SCHOFIELD WHITWORTH,
of the same Place, Manager. IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO MACHINERY FOR
PREPARING, SPINNING, AND DOUBLING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS."
The first part of our Invention relates to carding engines in which flexible bands
are employed, and is an improvement upon that arrangement for which Letters
Patent were granted to Henry Higgins and Thomas Schofield Whitworth, dated
20th July 1869, No. 2197, and to us, dated May 12th, 1877. In the latter arrange-
ment the ends of the top flats were cut parallel with the surfaces on which the
card wire is fastened, in order that when the flats were being ground or stripped
the ends might pass into parallel slides. These parallel parts rest when carding on
filbows or drop pins at the angle to which the flats are required to be heeled.
According to our present Invention we cut the flats in a similar manner, but in.
order to obtain the requisite heel we introduce a screw or its equivalent into the
flat itself, to cause the flat to rest towards one edge of the flexible bend, but the
other is raised to the required heel by the screw, the said screw being placed in such
a position in the fat that whilst resting on the flexible bend it does not interfere
with the flat passing up freely into the parallel slides during the operations of
grinding and stripping.
Secondly. Our Invention relates to spinning frames which are provided with a

page_text: movable bolster rail, and consists in a method of fitting up the parts which carry
the spindles, whereby we are enabled to send such parts froin the place of manufac-
ture in a condition to be erected, without the usual tedious process of adjustment.
To accomplish this we cast or otherwise secure together the bottom rail and the
slides in which the brackets of the bolster rail move. The said brackets having
been adapted to their slides, are secured therein by bolts or other such suitable
means, and thus, the bolster rail having been secured to its brackets, the two rails
and the slides are practically' in one part. We now drill the two rails, and adapt
the bushes for the spindles, whereby the whole becomes fitted true together. Or the
two rails may be drilled separately, and having been secured together as above, the
fitting may be completed by rymering or otherwise, and in this condition we send
the same to the inill where the whole machine is to be erected. When that has
been done the bolts which attach the bolster rail brackets to the slides are
removed, and the spinning or doubling may proceed. This method of fitting up
may be effected in any convenient portions to constitute the whole length of the
frame.
Thirdly. Our Invention refers to an improvement upon an air arrangement for
which Letters Patent were granted to us, dated May 12th, 1877, No. 1859, or to
other arrangements in which a loose tube or collar situate between the spindle and
bobbin is employed, and consists in an arrangement whereby we are enabled more
readily to apply lubricating material and to remove dirt. For these purposes we form
the bolster rail in two longitudinal parts, the bottom resting on the upper part, the
carrier passing through it and working on the bolster which is carried by the lower
part. These two parts are separated from each other so as to leave a space opposite
the lower ends of the said tubes or collars. To lubricate or clean the part of the
bolster which passes up into the carrier, either the carrier itself may be raised to
admit of the oil or brush being used to this part of the bolster, or from the circum-
ference of the carrier we remove a portion or portions, so as to expose the upper
part of the bolster on which the carrier works. By applying a brush or other suit-
able instrument through the aforesaid space dirt may be removed from the tube or
collar and bush, and lubricating material may be applied through the. said rail
space. This method of lubricating the bolster by applying oil between the two
longitudinal parts of the rail is also applicable to all machines made on the sliding
bolster principle.
Instead of forming the rail in two parts the longitudinal space may be obtained
therein by casting.
Fourthly. Our Invention relates to the ring and traveller frame, and consists in a
method of securing an end for the fresh bobbin when the doffing has to be effected.
For this purpose we provide the wharve or part that runs therewith with a hook or
hooks projecting upward, and beneath which the ring plate conducts the yarn when
doffing is required, and then a turn or two winds it on. After this the removal of
the fitted bobbin conveys the yarn into the hooks, which, by detaining it, cause it
to be broken, leaving an end for a fresh bobbin. We propose to mount the bobbin
on a loose collar carried by the wharve, and to form the hook or hooks upon a
spring clip embracing the said collar, and to connect the bobbin thereto by the
elasticity of the said hook or hooks.
Fifthly. Our Invention relates to a method of lubricating when a dead spindle is
employed with a suspended bush or collar running thereon, such method also serving
the purpose of casing the said bush or collar from its footstep by tending to lift it
. therefrom, for which purpose we cause lubricating material or air to be drawn
upward into a cavity between the upper end of the spindle and the top of the
collar or bush. To effect this we propose to form a spiral channel upon the spindle
communicating at the lower end thereof with a reservoir of lubricating material,
and the bush or collar running around this spiral draws up lubricating inaterial or
air, or both, into the said space, while at the same time the whole length of the
spindle is kept lubricated.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Higgins, Alfred Higgins, and Thomas Schofield Whitworth in
the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th March 1879.
JAMES HIGGINS, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Machine Maker, ALFRED
HIGGINS, of the same Place, Machine Maker, and THOMAS SCHOFIELD WHITWORTH,
of the same Place, Manager. "IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO MACHINERY FOR
PREPARING, SPINNING, AND DOUBLING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS."
The first part of our Invention relates to carding engines in which flexible bends
are employed, and is an improvement upon that arrangement for which Letters
Patent were granted to Henry Higgins and Thomas Schofield Whitworth, dated 20th
July 1869, No. 2197, and to us, dated May 12th, 1877. In the latter arrangement the
ends of the top flats were cut parallel with the surfaces on which the card wire is
fastened, in order that when the flats were being ground or stripped the ends might
pass into parallel slides. These parallel parts rested when carding upon filbows or
drop pins at the angle to which the flats were required to be heeled. According to
to our present Invention we cut the flats in a similar manner, but in order to obtain
the requisite heel we introduce a screw or its equivalent into the flat itself, to cause
the said flat to rest towards one end on the flexible bend, but the other is raised to
the required heel by the screw, the said screw being placed in such a position in the
flat that whilst resting on the flexible bend it does not interfere with the flat
passing up freely into the parallel slides during the operations of grinding and
stripping.
.
This part of our Invention is shewn at Fig. 1, which represents a portion of a
carding engine constructed according to the former Patents aforesaid, and in the
detached view of a flat and parts connected therewith at Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
At a is the flat which carries the wire, and at b the part connected therewith
which rests upon the flexible bend c. At d are the parallel slides into which the
flat has to pass for the purposes of cleaning and grinding as formerly described.
According to our present Invention the heeling is accomplished by a set screw e
or its equivalent carried by the flat itself, and this screw, as seen particularly in the
enlarged views, Figs. 3, 4, is connected to the part b, and when in carding position
rests upon the bend c, at seen at Fig. 2; it is however placed on one side of the
part b, and when therefore the flat is raised, it (the said screw) passes on the out-
side of the parallel slides d, so that no obstruction takes place when the operations
of cleaning and grinding have to be performed as described under the aforesaid
former Patents, and the necessary means for healing are self-contained with the
flat, and capable of adjustment by turning the screw e.
The second part of our Invention relates to spinning frames, and consists in a
inethod of fitting up the parts which carry the spindles whereby we are enabled to
send such parts from the place of manufacture in a condition to be erected without
the usual tedious process of adjustment.
This part of our Invention is shewn at Figs. 7 to 10, which represent detached
portions of a spinning frame in which the bolster rail is supposed to be movable in
guides g, such guides being situate at intervals across the machine as is well under-
stood. These slides are provided with brackets h, which carry the bottom rail i,
and these parts therefore are formed as at Fig. 9, the said slide and support for the
bottom rail i being as one piece either by casting or permanently bolting together;
the Drawing shows the former means, and at k are flanges by means of which the
said parts are attached to the framework, as shewn at Fig. 8.
Fig. 10 shews the arrangement of the two rails as prepared for the purposes of
our Invention.
The bolster rail is carried by brackets as at l capable (if required to do so) of
moving in the slides g, but for the present and for the purposes of our Invention,
now to be described, the brackets are firmly secured to the slidės g by bolts as
at m, and the two rails ƒ, i, and brackets which support them, are united together

page_text: as in one piece. That being the condition of the parts, we proceed to drill, bore, or
otherwise perforate the two rails f, i, for the spindles by any known method, so
that the bushes; footsteps, or other such parts when adapted will be true to each
other. By this arrangement and operations therefore one part of the machine is
complete in itself, and the said operations may be performed in the establish-
ment where the machine is made, and sent to the mill in the condition shewn
at Fig. 10, to be there adapted to the machine by means of the flanges k, as
shewn at Fig. 8. In this condition however the movable bolster rail f (when that
arrangement is used) is fast with the slide g, but in order to put the machine into
working order it is simply necessary to remove the bolts m, after which the bracket
'will be free to move as in ordinary spinning or doubling frames with sliding
bolsters.
It will have been seen that the objects of this part of our Invention are to obtain
true perforations of the rails f, i, with reference to each other, and increased facility
in constructing the machines, and a modification of the above-described operations.
may be adopted by perforating the two rails f, i, separately in a preparatory
manner, then uniting them as shewn at Fig. 10, and subsequently finishing the said
perforations by rymering or other such well-known means.
This improvement is partly applicable to fixed bolster rails, either with ring or
flyer, the only modification being that the brackets h, m, would remain in one
piece.
The method of constructing the machine would be similar to that above
described.
The third part of our Invention is shewn at Figs. 12 to 15, and refers to arrange-
ments in which a loose tube or collar is situate between the spindle and bobbin,
and consists in an arrangement whereby we are more readily enabled to supply
lubricating material and to remove dirt. At n is the bolster rail as it may be
ordinarily considered, but instead of being a plain bar as usual, it is composed of
two parts, the second part thereof being at n* united to the other or main part by
struts o, this union being effected by casting or otherwise. Upon the upper part n*,
and through the intervention of flannel or other such material, the bobbin b rests,
but it follows that there is a space between the two parts n, n*, as at g. At r is
the loose tube or carrier situate between the spindle and the bobbin, and resting
upon the bolster 8, a projecting part 8* of which extends into the said loose tube or
carrier. The bottom part of this tube or carrier is partly cut away as seen at t in
the detached views, Figs. 14 and 15. When it is desired to lubricate that part of
bolster which projects into the tube or carrier, oil may be applied through the
openings q, t, or for cleaning the parts a brush or other suitable instrument may be
passed through the space q, or instead of using the openings t the carrier or tube
may be removed, leaving the bolster s free of access through the space q.
The fourth part of our Invention relates to the ring and traveller frame, and
consists in a method of securing an end for the fresh bobbin when the doffing has
'to be effected. This improvement is shown in the general view, Fig. 16, and
detached views, Figs. 17 and 18, but the said Fig. 16 shews also another part of our
Invention to be hereafter described. At 1 is the dead spindle upon which is
mounted a tube 2 provided with the wharve 3 by which the said tube is driven,
such tube being provided with thin strips of metal 4 (say 3 in number) bent over
at their upper ends, so as to constitute hooks, and by these elastic parts the lower
end of the bobbin is carried, its upper end being adapted (for the purposes of this
part of our Invention) in any ordinary manner. The Drawing shews the positions
of the parts which they assume when spinning or doubling, but when the doffing is
to take place, then the ring rail 5 is lowered so as to carry the thread below the
bottom of the bobbin, which motion may be effected by the means to be described
under the Patent granted to James Higgins and Thomas Schofield Whitworth',
dated May 23d, 1868, or by any other suitable means. This operation will cause a
thread to pass below a hook 4, and a turn or two having been effected, the filled
bobbin is withdrawn, the detaining hook causing the thread to be broken off, but

page_text: leaving an end from the ring for the fresh bobbin ready for resuming the operation
of spinning or doubling.
Fig. 19 represents a modification of the above-described detaining parts. In this
instance the strips of metal 4 are not turned over as in Figs. 16, 18, but the hooks
are constituted by serrating the edges of the said strips 4.
The fifth part of our Invention relates to a method of lubricating when a dead
spindle is employed with a suspended bush or collar running thereon, and consists
in a method of lubricating the same, serving also the purpose of easing the said bushi
or collar from its steps by tending to lift it therefrom.
This part of our Invention is shewn at Fig. 16, before referred to. The revolving
tube 2 is provided with an upper part 6, which carries the bobbin 7, its lower end
resting at 8 upon a shoulder formed on the spindle 1, and on which it is suspended,
the lower part of the said tube not running in a footstep. At 10 is a reservoir for
lubricating material communicating by channels 11 with a passage 12 formned up
the interior of the spindle 1, the upper end of such passage communicating with a
space 13 formed in the upper part of the tube 2. The circumference of the spindle 1
on the inside of the tube 2 is formed with a spiral groove, and as the said tube
therefore revolves, the lubricating material is drawn in at the bottom of the tube,
and is forced upward into the cavity 13, thereby lubricating the surfaces, and
tending to lift the tube 2 from its seat 8, thereby rendering it more completely (and
as it were elastically) suspended. The lubricating material forced into the space
descends through the passage 12 and channels 11 into the reservoir 10, to be again
elevated by the aforesaid spiral groove, so that a constant circulation is kept up.
At 14 is a flange to prevent the lubricating material from being thrown upward
from the reservoir.
13
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of our said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, we desire it to be understood that
we claim as secured to us under the above in part recited Letters Patent, and for
the purposes above set forth,-
Firstly. In reference to Figs. 1 to 6, the use of the set screw e, or of its equiva-
leut, carried by the flat or part connected therewith.
Secondly. In reference to Figs. 7 to 11, boring or otherwise perforating the two
spindle rails while they are temporarily attached together; also constructing the
parts which carry the spindles, substantially as described.
Thirdly. In reference to Figs. 12 to 15, forming the bolster rail with a cavity as
at q.
Fourthly. In reference to Figs. 16 to 19, adapting hooks or other such catches to
the revolving wharve or part connected therewith.
Fifthly. In reference to Fig. 16 aforesaid, the use of a spiral groove for forcing
lubricating material against the upper part of a suspended bush or collar.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Higgins, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Eighth day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-nine.
ALFRED HIGGINS. (L.S.)