Improvements in and connected with Stop Motions for Power Looms
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 27th June, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 20th Mar., 1895-Accepted, 20th Apr., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Stop Motions for Power
Looms: :
JOHN VICKERMAN of Longfords near Minchinhampton Stroud Gloucester
Cloth Designer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide mechanism for stopping the loom when
a warp thread is broken or come unduly slack and to indicate to the weaver
where the broken warp thread is situated also to separate and cause an opening
between the warp threads near to where the broken warp thread is situated, said
mechanism consists of the following
Firstly of sutiable heald or headle frames.
Secondly of sutiable weighted healds or headles having a tapered point at the
bottom part thereoff.
Thirdly of a sutiable frame or case extending the whole length of heald or
headle frames, and is provided with sutiable cross rods wires or strings for supporting
the warp threads also with a reciprocatory grate or carrage and with swing bars
carreying a needle for deviding the warp threads, said bars also carreying a sigmal
rod or locking finger said finger beign applicable for actuating spring or electric
sigmal bells.
Firstly the heald or headle shafts or frames the top shaft of these frames may be
made of wood as in ordinary wood heald shafts or may be made of iron or steel to
this shaft is provided thin steel, or any other suitable metal plates or tongs so
arranged as to fit on each side of the shaft so that they will be in a perpendicular
position when the heald or headle frames are in the loom ready for weaving, these
plates are provided to keep the headle frames from catching or clicking each other,
and from catching and bending the wire healds, these plates may be made so as to
be used as hooks or bearings to support one or more of the hereinafter mentioned
cross rods or wires provided to support and guide the hereinafter mentioned healds
or headles. These heald frames may be made any length to suit the width of piece
to be woven, at the top part of these frames, are provided suitable rods or wires
extending the length of the frame for the purpose of supporting and guiding the
hereinafter mentioned healds or headles, these frames may be provided with bottom
shafts extending the whole length of the frame having a recess or groove along the
under edge from one end of the shaft to the other so as to hold intact all the
number of weighted healds required, which may be hooked in and along on each
side of the recess provided on the shaft or shafts. The bottom shaft of the frame
may be of a suitable solid metal rod passed through the hereinafter mentioned
headles having an elongated loop at the bottom part thereof.
Secondly the healds or headles having a pointed weight or lingo connected to the
bottom part thereof. These healds may be made of steel or any other kind of
wire and may be varied in length and shape as may be required. Firstly a heald
or headles made with one or two elongated loops at the top part thereof and
supported to the top shaft by cotton or any other kind of string loops, or may be
knitted to a rig band as in ordinary cotton or worsted healds, these healds are
steadied and kept in line with thin rods or wires provided in the hereinbefore
mentioned heald frames being passed through the elongated loops of same, and
drawn tight and secured to each end of the mentioned headle frames, this heald is
only made to extend to the warp eyelet. The weight or lingo is connected to the
heald by cotton or any other kind of string being put through the eyelet of the
[DQ71

page_text: heald and secured to the weight or lingo any suitable distance from the said eyelet.
Another kind of heald may be made having one or more elongated loops at the top,
and an elongated loop at the bottom and the warp eyelet at a suitable distance
from the top and bottom of same. This heald instead of having an elongated loop
at the bottom may be made with a long hook so as to be hooked into the eyelet of
the lingo, and the upper part of the loop lodged in the recess provided in and along
the bottom shaft of the hereinbefore mentioned heald or headle frame.
Thirdly the headle frame case, this frame will hereinafter be called frame D,
and is made the whole length of the: heald shafts or heald frames and so arranged
as to hold intact the whole number of headles and headle frames required to weave
any cloth, at the bottom part of this frame D, is provided a reciprocatory grate
or carriage extending the whole length of the frame, the bars of this grate are
placed crossways thus forming a simular shape of a ladder and is slided backwards
and forward end ways of frame D, by the motion of the loom, and may be actuated
by any convenient part of the loom or may be actuated by eccentric or cam wheels
rotated by the motion of the loom. This frame D. is provided with suitable swing
bars hinged at the back and front of frame D. thus forming the appearance of
another grate along the frame D, these bars may be hinged any suitable distance
from each other from one to two inches apart and may be hinged any suitable
distance above the hereinbefore mentioned sliding grate, and extending downwards
from its swing pins by short arms so that the horizontal part of the bars will clear
the sliding grate. At the outside of frame D to the swing pin of each of these
swing bars is connected an arm pointing downwards extending below the sliding
grate. These arms will hereinafter he called arms B. To each of these arms B.
and at the lower part thereof is secured a rod pointing horizontally towards the
front of the loom in such a manner as to be seen by the weaver, these rods will
hereinafter be called signal rods or pointers, in line with the end of these signal
rods is provided a rod or shaft extending the whole length of frame D. this rod is
provided with suitable pin projections, said rod will hereinafter be called rod E.
At the end of each signal rod is hinged a sneck or catch resting unto its
corresponding pin projection provided on and along the rod E; near to arms be
is provided another rod extending the whole length of frame D having suitable
projections provided along the same so as to rest against each arm B, this rod will
hereinafter be called rod A. and may be hinged at each end of frame D. to a
Lshaped lever provided with a guide pulley at the outer end of the horizontal
part of said lever this guide pulley is provided to support and actuate a knocking
off rod which may be hinged to the setting on rod or stopping part of the loom, to
this rod is provided a suitable projection that if moved by guide pulley provided on
the shaped lever it will come in contact with a suitable plate or bracket provided
on the lower part of the slay-board or so called running board or it may be
actuated by any other suitable part of the loom, at the top part of frame D is
provided suitable cross plates or bearings extending from front to back of the
frame D for the purpose of supporting cross-rods or cross wires or strings which
may be placed between each headle frame or its like, and connected to each end of
the frame D, these cross-rods wires or strings or provided to support the warp
threads in line with the slay board or so-called running board also supporting the
headles so as keep the weighted ends of same clear from the sliding grate provided
at the bottom of frame D. But should a warp thread be broken or become unduly
slack the weighted end of the headle will lower through between the swing bars
into the sliding grate provided at the bottom of frame D. so that when the sliding
grate moves off it will move the weighted end of the headle thus moving one of
the swing bars, said swing bars will move rod A through the medium of arm B.
and the signal rod which is secured to the lower part of arm B will be moved so
that the sneck or catch provided on the signal rod will catch on its corresponding
pin projection provided on the rod E thus holding the hinged rod which is hinged
to the setting on rod or knocking off part of the loom in such a possition through
the medium of the L shaped lever having be actuated by rod A. that the plates

page_text: or bracket provided on the slay board will come in contact with the projection
provided on the hinged rod and throw off the loom and the signal rod will point
out to the weaver where the warp thread is broken or come unduly slack also
holding the hinged rod in such a position that the loom will not work till the sneck
or catch has been released from the pin shaped projection provided on the rod E.
A needle may attached to each hinged pin of the swing bar at the back part of
frame D. pointing upwards into the warp threads thus when the swing bar is moved
the needle will open a space in the warp threads and may be held in that position
by the following mechanism namely at a suitable distance from each arm B. along
the lower part of frame D is provided suitable pin projections on which rests a
sneck or catch or catch plate hinged to each arm B connected to the swing bar
thus when the swing bar is moved by the weighted end of headle the needle will
open a space in the warp threads near to where the broken warp thread is and the
catch plate or sneck provided on arm B. will be held by the pin projection provided
at the lower part of frame D. thus keeping an open space in the warp threads till
the catch plate provided on arm B has been released from the pin projection.
A spring signal bell may be connected to each of these arms B. or an electric bell
may be actuated by pressing a button as in different rooms of an house and the
numbered board may be placed in any suitable place near the loom or in any other
room or office to indicate the stopping of the loom.
Dated this 26th day of June 1894.
Improvements in and connected with Stop Motions for Power
.
Looms.
I JOHN VICKERMAN, of Longfords Minchinhampton, near Stroud Gloucester-
shire, Cloth Designer, 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 :-
This invention comprises an improved method of and means for stopping the
loom on the breakage, failure or undue slackness of an end or ends or threads of
warp and for indicating to the weaver the position or positions or sections of warp
in which the end or ends of warp is or are down, and causing an opening or division
to be formed in the warp at or near the place where the broken or slack end or
thread is situated.
In order that the same may be fully understood reference is hereinafter had to
the accompanying sheets of drawings wherein :-
6
Fig. 1 is elevation of a heald or headle frame and healds constructed and
arranged according to my invention.
Fig. 2. shews some of the modifications which may be made in respect of the
method of attaching the healds to the heald shafts and to the weights or
lingoes.”
Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the heald frames, heald frame case, and parts
comprising my improved warp stop motion, and Fig. 4 is front elevation of same,
the central portion being removed to shew both ends.
Fig. 5 is plan view of the lower portion of the heald frame case.
Fig. 6 is front elevation of the double locking rail O³, 04.
Referring in the first instance more particularly to the healds and heald frames
shewn in Figs. 1, 2, 3 & 4. A represents the rectangular heald frames in which
are contained, guided and supported the healds B. C is the heald frame case
made to bold intact the maximum number of heald frames and healds which
the loom will work. The frames A are provided with intermediate and bottom

page_text: longitudinal rails A', A2, both of which are slotted or have longitudinal openings
formed therethrough as shewn. The healds B are made of steel or other suitable
wire and have weights or "lingoes" D attached to the lower ends thereof by loops
or hooks B' one half of each of which is passed through the opening in the bottom
rail A as shewn in Fig. 3.
The upper ends of the healds are connected to rods or wires E¹ attached to the
heald shafts E by a loop or loops B² of worsted, cotton or other like suitable
thread or cord which are passed through the opening in the rail A', said loops
being either separate from each other or knitted to a "rig" band.
The rails A1, A2, keep the healds intact and prevent them catching on the
neighbouring healds.
The heald shafts E pass through slots A³ in the sides of frames A and are
adapted to be raised and lowered independently of the heald frames to the limits of
the said slots and-or-of the metal loops E2 passing around and over the top rail
of the heald frames and attached to said shafts. The heald shafts are raised and
lowered by the shedding mechanism in the ordinary manner by means of cords E³,
connected to hooks fast to the metal loops E, and said shafts are guided and
steadied vertically by guide plates A attached at each end to the top and
intermediate rails of the frames A.
The action of the healds and frames is as follows:-
"
When the heald shafts are raised by the shedding mechanism they are brought
into engagement with the underside of the top rail of the heald frames as shewn
on the left of Fig. 1, and from this point the heald frames are raised by and with
the heald shafts to the full extent of their upward motion and the healds are thus
drawn tight with the lower parts of the loops B¹ and tops of the "lingoes" D up
against the underside of the bottom rail A² as shewn in Figs. 3 and 4. On the
descent of the heald shafts to change the "shed" the whole weight of the frames A
and weighted healds draws down the warp to form the lower half of the "shed
until the cords A5 which are connected at one end to the frames A and at the
opposite ends to any fixed point A, are drawn tight. These cords A³ are
arranged to support the heald frames A in the position they occupy when the warp
forming the lower half of the "shed" has reached a position in line with or at the
same angle as the slay board F, so that the weight of said frames thus being taken
off the warp, its tension is sufficient to maintain it in line with the slay board and
to hold the weighted healds clear of the warp stop motion. The shafts E continue
their descent to the limits of the slots A³ and-or-loops E2 as shewn on the right
of Fig. 1 and in Figs. 3 & 4. As the healds are supported by the warp in a
position above that to which they are capable of falling this excess of downward
motion of the shafts E over the healds B is compensated for by the cord loops B
which become slack between the heald shafts and healds, as shewn, and are in
readiness whenever called upon by the failure or breakage of an end of warp, to
let the heald, whose support is thus destroyed, fall immediately to its full length as
shewn at A in Figs. 1 and 3 and, engaging with the warp stop motion bring the
loom to a standstill.
I may or may not employ additional means for supporting the warp, of the lower
half of the "shed" in line with the slay board, said means consisting of "shed
rods" (of which two only are shewn at G in Fig. 3)-carried by the end frames of
the case C and which are fully described and shewn in the Specifications of
Letters Patents granted to me on the 20th day of July 1892, No. 13256 and on
the 7th day of June 1893 No. 11130. In the case of harness Jacquard looms,
however, in which no heald shafts are used, it will be necessary to employ such
said "shed rods" the harness remaining as at present. The construction and
arrangement of the healds and parts connected therewith as described forms an
addition to the constructions and arrangements of healds for warp stop motions
described and shewn in the before mentioned Specifications of Letters Patents
granted to me and it will be obvious that any of same can be used in conjunction
with my improved warp stop motions.

page_text: I will now proceed to describe the warp stop motion illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6,
and comprising the following mechanism namely A rectangular grate or sub-
divided carriage H adapted to be reciprocated backwards and forwards endwise of
case C on pulleys H¹ and guided in its motion by other pulleys H2 all mounted in
suitable positions in the said heald frame case C. The motion of said carriage or
grate is derived from a cam I mounted on the main shaft or other suitable rotary
part I of the loom and acting through the medium of levers J, J, and connecting
links JJ, the latter of which is connected to one end of a strap J³, passing under
a pulley J carried in a bracket bolted to one end of the case C'and made fast at
its opposite end to the reciprocatory grate H. The return movement of the said
grate is ensured by means of a strong spring or springs H³ connected at one end to
the grate and at the other end to the case C or a fixed stud. On each side of the
reciprocatory grate and resting on pulleys K on which they are adapted to move
end wise, are rods K', K2 on the former of which are pivotted arms L arranged at
distances apart equal to the spaces into which the grate H is divided. The front
ends of said swing arms rest on the front of rod K2, and against stop picces L' and
they extend through slots M' in levers M and slots N' in needles or detector
wires N each pivotted to the case C at M2 and N2 respectively. The upper ends
of the needles or detector wires N project through the lower half of the "shed" as
shewn, and they are suitably rounded, pointed, or flattened to pass easily through
the warp without injuring it or allowing the threads to catch thereon. The
levers M are provided at their lower ends with a second series of slots M³
through which are passed the rear ends of pointers or locking fingers O pivotted
alternately in two different planes at 0, 02, and resting respectively on the two
catch rails 03, 04. This arrangement of the indicating locking fingers O in
two series or planes one above the other gives ample space for the movement
of each finger.
On the front of the case C and on each rail 03, 0*, are formed respectively
recesses C¹ & 0 into which the swing arms L and the locking fingers are
adapted to enter when actuated as afterwards set forth and become locked therewith.
On one side of each of the recesses C¹ & O are secured stop pieces (2 and 0° for
limiting the motion of the swing arms L and locking fingers O and keeping them
separate and distinct from each other. The rods K', K2 are connected at one end
to a suitable lever K³ centred at K, and carrying at its upper end a guide plate or
arm K and hinged catch lever K. The end wise movement of said rods K' K²
causes the lever K³, to be moved in the direction of arrow b (Fig. 4) and brings the
guide plate K into engagement with the knocking off rod (or a lever hinged
thereto) whose slight oscillation as is well known is sufficient to cause the driving
strap to be transferred from the fast to the loose pulley; the hinged catch
lever K meanwhile engaging with the fixed plate or stud P and holding the parts
out of action until the lever is released by the weaver. The lever K³ or
rods K', K, are drawn back unto their normal positions by strong spring or
springs Q, or by means of lever R and cord R' as shewn in dotted lines in Fig. 4.
The needles or detector wires N and levers M may be arranged at the back
In this
instead of at the front of the case C as indicated by dotted lines in Fig 3.
case the swing arms L would be hinged to the front rod K2 and the locking
fingers pivotted at S S¹.
The warp stop motion above described is actuated in the manner following, that
is to say:- -When an end or thread of warp breaks or becomes unduly slack and
the support of the heald concerned is thus destroyed the said heald, if down, or
immediately it is lowered by the shedding mechanism will as previously explained,
fall to its full extent and allow the weight or lingoe on the end thereof to pass
between the swing arms L and enter one of the spaces in the reciprocatory grate H
as shewn at C in Fig 3. This weight is immediately engaged by one of the
divisions of the grate which, moving in the direction of the arrow in Fig 5 brings
said lingoe into contact with one of the swing arms L as shewn at d in Fig 5 and as
the latter is prevented from oscillating on its centre in the same direction by reason

page_text: of the stop piece L' it follows that it will be pushed bodily forward with the
grate H to the extent of its motio nand thereby slide the rods K', K, end wise to
the same extent and oscillate the lever K³, which in turn will rock the knocking off
rod and bring the loom to a standstill.
The swing arm L falls into its corresponding recess C¹ on the completion of the
endwise motion of the grate H and rods K', K2 and locks said parts until released
by the weaver after tieing up the broken end of warp. The movement of the
swing arm as described causes its corresponding lever M and needle or detector
wire N to be moved upon their centres as indicated by broken centre lines in
Fig. 4. the former turning its respective indicating locking finger O on its pivot to
the extent illustrated in broken line in Fig. 5, so as to bring the forward end
thereof into engagement with its corresponding recess 0³ in the rail 03 or 0 as
the case may be and thus lock the parts and indicate to the weaver the section or
portion of warp in which the break has occurred. The discovery of the broken or
slack end of warp is further facilitated by the detector wire or needle N, which
separates and opens out the warp at or about the place where the end is down.
The said needles N can be used also for raising the swing arms L out of the
recesses before restarting the loom. The motion may be electrically connected
with an indicator or alarm, or ordinary bell to give audible warning.
Although the locking fingers O and detector needles N are shewn to be working
in conjunction with the warp stop motion it will be understood that either oue or
the other may be used alone in said motion.
It will be obvious also that the end wise movement of the rods K' K2 with
grate H may be communicated to the knocking-off rod by any equivalent arrange-
ment of levers or devices which are commonly employed for transmitting a
reciprocatory or rocking motion from one piece of mechanism to another and that
a like variation may be made in the means for and method of reciprocating the
grate H without in any wise departing from the essential features of this my
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
Firstly. In warp stop motions for looms the employment of heald frames such
as A. having loose heald shafts adapted to rise and fall within limits independently
of said frames and weighted healds B suspended from said shafts or rods attached
thereto, in the manner and for the purposes substantially as herein shewn and
described.
Secondly. In warp stop motions for looms the combination with a heald frame
and loose heald shaft secured therein, of means for limiting the upward and
downward movement of said shaft and for guiding same vertically; grooved
rails A', A2 for keeping the healds intact and tight and weighted wire healds
suspended by a loop or loops of string from the heald shaft all arranged and
operating in manner and for purposes shewn and described.
Thirdly. The warp stop motion for looms comprising a heald frame case,
longitudinal grate or carriage, reciprocated end wise continuously whilst the loom
is in action; swing arms L; rods K1, K2, adapted to move endwise with said swing
arms and reciprocatory grate; lever K³ for actuating the knocking off rod; slotted
levers M; indicating locking fingers 0 and catch rails 03, 0 provided with
recesses 0 and stop pieces (6 all arranged, actuated, and operating in the manner
and for the purposes substantially as herein shewn and described.
Fourthly. In warp stop motions for looms the means substantially as shewn and
described for causing an opening or division to be made in the warp at or near the
place where the broken or slack end of warp is situated.
Fifthly. In warp stop motions the combination with reciprocatory grate H,
moveable rods K', K2, and swing arms L hinged on one of said rods and engaging
with stop pieces on the other rod, of recesses C¹ formed in the case C into which

page_text: the swing arms are adapted to enter and lock the parts whilst the loom is out of
action substantially as described and shewn.
Sixthly. The general arrangement combination, and operation of the parts
herein described for bringing about the stoppage of the loom on the breakage,
failure or undue slackness of an end or ends or threads of warp.
Dated this
dov of March 1805
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Huddersfield, Agents for the Applicant.