IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Clegg, of Oldham, in the County of
Lancaster, Mechanical Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
Sealed the 30th August 1870, and dated the 3rd March 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Clegg at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on tho
3rd March 1870.
I, JOHN CLEGG, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster, Mechanical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates, firstly, to that arrangement of looms in which
several series of segment tappets are strung together in the form of a
chain, and consists in a novel arrangement for joining them together.
For this purpose I use a central bolt which binds together the said
tappets transversely, and the joints I form by rods which also pass
transversely through the several series. The driving is not effected by
the bolt ends, but through the medium of bosses through which the rods

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Clegg in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 2nd September 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
CLEGG, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster, Mechanical Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Third day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand cight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-fourth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said John Clegg, Her special licence that I,
the said John Clegg, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said John Clegg, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and
Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING,"
upon the condition, amongst others, that I, the said John Clegg,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same 'to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Clegg, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement and accompanying Drawings (that is to say) :-
My Invention relates, firstly, to those arrangements of looms in which
several series of segment tappets are strung together in the form of a
chain, and is shewn at Figures 1 to 7 inclusive of the accompanying
Drawings, which in some respects represent a well known method of
constructing such chains, and which I shall have to describe; but the
novelty I claim will be subsequently pointed out.
In Figure 1 one of the ordinary recessed wheels by which the chain
is driven is shewn at 1; and Figure 2 is a cross section of the same.

page_text: A number of these according to the requirements of the case are placed
side by side, and are bound together by means of bolts passing through
holes 3, thus constituting several projecting flanges formed with
recesses 4, and by means of which the chain is to be driven; Figures 3,
4, and 5 represent one of the links of the chain detached, Figure 3 being
a face view of one side, Figure 4 an edge view, and Figure 5 a plan
view of the under side; Figure 6 is a face view of three links joined
together but showing the reverse face to Figure 3 and situate side by
side as they would appear when hanging from the driving, wheel; and
Figure 7 is a plan view of three tiers of links joined together.
Referring firstly to Figures 3, 4 and 5, the link 4 is provided with a
recessed projecting part 5 through which a hole is formed, and on the
other is a similar part 7, but recessed in the opposite direction, as seen
particularly in the under side view Figure 5, and between these two is
a third hole S. In putting the chain together the part of another link
corresponding-to-that shewn at 5 is placed against the recessed part 7,
and so on alternately with a succession of links until the required
length of chain is formed, and as many tiers are placed side by side
as may be desired. These several links are bound together by bolts 2
which pass through the holes 8, and they abut against each other by
means of bosses which surround the hole S and project rather more than
the parts 5, 7. Through the holes 6 of each link are placed pins 9
which constitute joints, upon which the said links can turn so as to
accommodate themselves to the circumference of the wheel 1, and the
whole thus put together is shown in the plan view Figure 7. When
this chain is placed upon the driving wheel the parts 5, 7, through
which the joint pins pass rest in the recesses 4, as seen in Figure 1,
they being of a corresponding curved form, and it is therefore by means
of these parts or bosses that the links of the chain are driven. The
bosses of the holes through which the bolts 2 pass are rather smaller
in diameter than the other joint bosses 5, 7, and they therefore run
clear of the wheel, but both of these parts may be made to gear there-
with. In Figures 1 and 6 the usual risers and sinkers formed upon the
links are shewn at 10, 11, and at 12 is an ordinary treadle.
The next part of my Invention relates to under pick looms, in
which I employ a particular arrangement of check for the picking sticks,
and is shown at Figures Sand 9, the former being a front elevation, and

page_text: the latter an end view of certain parts of the loom with my Invention
adapted. The lathe is shewn at 13, and the two picking sticks at 14, 15,
to both of which parts motion is communicated by any of the means
now in use. To the picking stick 14 is attached a strap of leather or
other such suitable material 16, which passes through staples 17, 18,
carried by the swords 19, 20, and is at its other end attached to the
other picking stick 15, upon this strap are affixed blocks 21, 22, of
leather or other such material, and of a sufficient thickness not to pass
through but to arrive in contact with the staples 17, 18. According to
the position shewn the picking has to be effected from the right hand
side, and the picking stick on the left hand has rebounded to a certain
extent as is usual, so that it is at liberty to move backward for a short
distance, and the block 21 is nearly in contact with the staple 17.
Upon the shuttle being thrown by the stick 14 it strikes the other
stick 15 and causes it to move backward, but in so doing it draws the
strap 16 forward, but its movement beyond a certain distance is prevented
by the block 21 which arrives in contact with the staple 17, and the
amount of elasticity which exists in the strap acts as a yielding check
upon the picking stick 15. When the shuttle is thrown from the other
side of the loom the same result takes place with regard to the stick 14,
the block 22 arriving in contact with the staple 18. The strap 16 is
shewn as formed in three pieces, the central part 16* being united to
the others by bolts so that the length of the whole may be adjusted at
pleasure.
Figures 10 and 11 are detached views representing a modification of
this part of my Invention, and in which the difference consists in
employing two straps instead of one. At 14, 15, are the two picking
sticks, to the former of which is fixed a strap 23 which passes freely
through the staple 17 on the "sword". 19, and is connected to a hook 24
attached to the staple 18 on the other sword 20. To the left hand
picking stick is attached a second strap 25, which passes freely through
the staple 18 and is attached to a hook 26 upon the staple 17. Suppose
the picking as before described to be effected from the right hand the
shuttle will cause the stick 15 to move backward, by which means the
strap 25 will be drawn with it, and as it is confined by the hook 26 its
elasticity will afford the required check. In like manner when the
picking takes place from the left hand side the stick 14 will draw
forward the strap 23 with the same result as that above described in
reference to the other side of the loom.

page_text: The next part of my Invention relates to a method of casing the
swell to allow the shuttle to go in and out of the box, and is shewn in
Figures 8 and 9 before referred to. At 19 is the lathe sword, and at 27
the stop rod, to which is attached a lever 28, its upper end being in contact
with the swell 29, and at 30 is another lever forming with that above
mentioned a bell crank. To the lever 30 is attached a metallic spring 31
(or it may be another clastic medium), the lower end of which is con-
nected to one arm 32 of a bell-crank lever, the other arm thereof being
at 33, and these two parts are capable of turning upon a centre 34 carried
by the lathe sword 19. The lever 33 extends downwards behind a pro-
jection 35 formed upon a fixed arm 36, which is attached to the
stationary framework. As the lathe advances the end of the lever 33 is
brought into contact with the projecting part 35, whereby it is caused
to turn upon its centre 34 and draw. downward the spring 31 together
with the lever 30, and by these means the upper part 28 of the said lever
is forced forward so as to press against_the_swell-29,-but-as-this is done
through the medium of the spring 31 an elastic pressure will be the
result. The arm 36 is mounted on the framework by means of a bolt
which passes through a slot, and the position of the stop 35 may
therefore be regulated in order to determine at pleasure the time of the
pressure upon the swell, and the said pressure itself may be increased
or diminished by the connexion 37.
My next improvement relates to an arrangement for reversing or
turning back the loom by power, and is shewn at Figures 12 and 13, the
former being à partial side view and the latter a partial plan view of a
loom constructed according to my Invention. The crank shaft is shewn
at 38, upon which is the fast pulley 39 and the loose pulley 40. Attached
to the latter of them is a pinion 41 in gear with another pinion 42
carried by a stud 43, which carries a pinion 44 taking into the teeth of
an internal wheel 45 mounted loosely upon the crank shaft, and which
carries one half 46 of a clutch box, the other half 47 thereof being fast
upon the crank shaft, and these two halves are kept apart except at
times as hereafter to be described by a coiled spring 48 placed between
them. At 49 is the usual strap fork connected at its other end to the
ordinary lever 50 which is situate within the ordinary notched plate.
At 51 is another plate through which the said lever also passes, seen
in the detached view Figure 14, and which plate is provided with an
incline 52. To the under side of this plate 51 is attached a pin 53,
which projects into a slot 54 formed in an arm 55, the other end of

page_text: which is jointed to a lever 56 turning upon a fixed centre 57 and
embracing at its other end the half clutch box 46, and the plate 51 is
continued by a rod 57 which extends across the loom after the manner
of an ordinary stop rod. According to the position of the parts shown
in the Drawing the strap is on the loose pulley, the clutch box 46, 47, is
kept out of gear by the force of the spring, and the pinions 41, 42, 44,
internal wheel 45, and half clutch box 46 are therefore running but
without operating upon the working parts of the loom. If it be desired
to bring the strap on to the fast pulley so as to work the loom forward
the rod 57 is moved in the direction of the arrow, and the plate 51 by
carrying the lever 50 with it will allow of its springing into the usual
notch for the working position, and for again arresting the motion of the
loom. The rod 57 is moved in the other direction so as to cause the
incline 52 to act against the lever 50 and spring it from its notch, and
so far the arrangement may be considered of ordinary construction.
But again referring to the position shewn in the Drawings (the strap
being on the loose pulley), and supposing it desired to turn the loom
back by power, the rod 57 is moved in the direction of the dotted arrow;
this movement will cause the pin 53 which now bears against the end of
the slot 54 to be carried forward drawing with it the arm 55, and this
arm being connected to the lever 56 causes it to turn upon its centre 57
so as to overcome the spring 48 and shift the loose half clutch 46 into
gear with the other half 47 which is fast upon the crank shaft, and thus
the geering 41, 42, 44, 45, becomes connected to the said crank shaft
and causes it to revolve.
The above-mentioned shifting of the strap is effected as above stated
while it is on the loose pulley, but the slot in the plate 51 allows this to
be done without affecting the strap lever. The arrows on the wheels
and crank shaft 38 in Figure 12 shew the direction in which it runs
while the loom is working forward, and the arrows on the pinions 41, 42,
41, and the internal wheel 45 shew the direction in which they are
driven when the pin 53 has been shifted as above described, and the
clutches 46, 47, are in gear, and it will be thereby seen that when such
movement of the pin is effected that the crank shaft is driven by the
loose pulley in the backward direction. For again arresting the motion
of the loom it is simply necessary for the attendant to release the rod 57,
when the spring 48 separates the two halves 46, 47, of the clutch box
and the motion of the loom is immediately arrested, the strap still
running on the loose pulley.

page_text: The next part of my Invention refers to rising box looms, and con-
sists in a method of turning back by hand, and is shewn at Figures
15, 16, 17, 18, of which Figure 15 is a partial side elevation of the loom ;
Figure 16, an end view thereof, and Figures 17 and 18 are similar views
but taken at the opposite end of the loom. The crank shaft is shewn
at 60, and the fast and loose pulleys at 61, 62. Upon the fast pulley
is one-half of a clutch 63, and the other half is upon a pinion 64 which
is capable of sliding upon the crank shaft 60, but is always in gear more
or less with a wheel 65 mounted on a stud 66, and this wheel carrics
the pins 67 by which the star wheel 68 is driven for effecting in the usual
manner the motion of the pattern chain or similar apparatus which
regulates the raising and falling of the shuttle boxes. In gear with the
wheel 67 is a pinion 69 mounted upon a shaft which carries at its other
end a bevil 70 taking into another 71 upon a shaft 72 which is provided at
the front of the loom with a pulley handle 73, upon the other side of the
loom represented at Figures 17 and 18, and_on-the-crank shaft is a pinion
-74-gearing into a wheel 75, and this wheel drives the second star, wheel
76, the arrangement thus far being the same at both sides of the loom.
At 77 is a shaft extending across the loom and carrying at one end a
pinion 78 and at the other a pinion 79, the two being in gear with the
wheels 67, 75, and thus the train of the gearing at each end of the loom
is connected. In gear with the wheel 75 is a pinion 80 attached to a
short shaft which carries at its other end a bevil 81 taking into another
82 upon a shaft 83 from which the jacquard and the picking chain are
driven if that apparatus be employed. Connected to the half of the
clutch box and which is fast with the pinion 64 is a forked lever 84
turning upon a centre 85 and connected at the lower end to a rod $6
which extends across the loom, and is at its other end jointed to a lever
87 (see Figures 17 and 18), which lever is fixed to a shaft 88 and is
connected by a link 89 to another lever 90 mounted on a centre 91 and
provided at its other end with a fork 92 which embraces the grooved
boss fast with the pinion 74, and this pinion has a boss 93 which is part
of the cam 94 used for the lifting motion of the jacquard apparatus.
This cam upon its outward face has a recess 95, which when the pinion
74 is slidden forward passes on to a pin 96 projecting from a wheel 97
fast upon the crank shaft, and the arrangement thus constitutes a clutch
box.
At Figure 98 is a rod extending across the loom after the manner of

page_text: 87 before mentioned is mounted, and as already described this lever is
connected to the other forked lever Sd by the rod S6. According to
the positions of the parts shown in the Drawings the clutch boxes 63,
95, 96, are out of gear, and if the strap be on the loose pulley no motion
will be communicated to any part of the loom, or if it be on the fast
pulley the crank shaft only will be driven. In order to put the several
parts into operation the rod 98 is slidden forward so as to turn the
shaft 88 upon its axis in the direction of the arrow, Figure 17, whereby
the lever 87 will be caused to turn in the direction of the arrow and
draw forward the rod 86, and as this rod at the-other end of the machine
(see Fig. 15) is connected to the lever 81 the two parts of the clutch
box 63 will be placed in gear. The gearing 64, 65, will now therefore
be driven and will impart motion to the star wheel 68; at the same
time the pinion 74 on the crank shaft will be driven, and will by means
of the gearing shewn and described communicate motion to the star
wheel 76 simultaneously with the movements above described, and
the aforesaid turning of the shaft SS, and lever 87, the link 89 will
cause the lever 90 to turn in the direction of the arrow thereon, and
this will cause the pinion 74 and with it the cam 91 to slide upon the
crank shaft, whereby the said cam will become locked to the wheel 97.
Also at the same time the pinion 80 will be driven, and motion com-
municated to the jacquard shaft 83. It will thus be seen that the
gearing for both sides of the machine are connected by the shaft 77,
that the whole is under the command of the rod 98, and the method
by which I am enabled to turn back the loom by hand will be readily
explained. When it is desired to perform that operation the rod 98
is drawn in the opposite direction to that for putting the loom to work,
and the various levers and rods above described will be caused to move
in the opposite direction to that just described, whereby the parts
will be restored to the positions shewn in the Drawings, the clutches
63, 94, being out of gear. When this has been done, the strap having
been previously placed upon the loose pulley, the pulley handle 73 is
turned whereby the bevils 70, 71, and spur pinion 69 will be caused
to revolve, and as the said pinion 69 gears into the wheel 65 the star
wheel 6S and pinions 64, 74, (now loose on the crank shaft 60) together
with other parts connected therewith may be caused to turn backward,
while the several driving wheels on the other side of the loom (Figures
17, 18,) will also be caused to move in the same direction through the
medium of the shaft 77 and wheels 78, 79. The rod 98 may be

page_text: specially adapted for the purposes above described, but I use that rod
which is ordinarily employed for the ungearing picking motion, so that
the whole may be governed by one operation.
In Figures 17 and 18 I have shewn this motion, but that does not
constitute any part of my Invention. I will, however, point out the
principal parts thereof in order to connect the whole. The picking lever
for one side is at 100 mounted on a centre 101, and the cam which
actuates it at 102, the two parts, according to the position shewn, being
separated. At the bottom of the lever 100 is a pin 103 bearing against
a lever 104 which is carried by the shaft 88 before described; and this
lever has another arm 105 which is pressed upward by a lever 106 to
which a spring 107 is connected, and the said lever 106 passes at its
upper end through a rod 108 which passes to the other side of the
machine (Figure 15) and is there connected to a lever 109 which embraces
the picking lever 110. The end 111 of the rod (Figure 17) is turned
-downward, and against it is a flat spring 112 attached to the lever 100,
and which tends to draw forward the said lever pin 103, and consequently
lever 105. The movement of the rod 98 and consequent turning of the
shaft SS before described will turn the lever 104 in the direction of the
arrow, whereby its upper end will be removed from the pin 103, and
the lever 100 being then drawn by the spring 112 will move the bowl
into the plane of the cam 102. At the same time the arm 105 will be
moved from the lever 106, which will then be free to turn upon its centre
and will be drawn forward by the spring 107, carrying with it the
rod 108, which at the other side of the machine, as seen at Figure 15, is
attached to the lever 109 for moving the bowl into gear with the picking
cam.
I have thus alluded to the picking motion as it is connected to the
rod 98, but, as before stated, I lay no claini thereto, it being now sub-
stantially in use.
It will of course be understood that there are notches or similar
apparatus provided as usual for keeping the rod 9S in any desired
position.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I desire it to be
understood that I claim as secured to me under the above in part recited
Tadbo Datant

page_text: Firstly. Constructing and arranging such pattern chains as aforesaid
so that the driving is effected by the notched wheels acting upon bosses
through which the joint rods or bolts pass, as illustrated at Figures 1 to 7
inclusive.
Secondly. In under pick looms the use of the check strap or straps
described in reference to Figures 8, 9, 10, 11.
Thirdly. The arrangement for easing the swell described in referenco
to Figures 8, 9, aforesaid.
Fourthly. The reversing motion by power described in reference to
Figures 12, 13, 14.
Fifthly. In rising box looms the method of ungearing and turning
back by hand as illustrated in reference to Figures 15, 16, 17, 18,
and I claim these several points of Invention without limiting myself
to exact mechanical details, but substantially as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Clegg, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Thirty-first day of August, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.