Improvements in Selvedge Weaving Appliances for Looms.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Mar., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 14th Dec., 1898-Accepted, 11th Feb., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Selvedge Weaving Appliances for Looms.
We, EDWARD TURNER WHITELOW, of 70, Deansgate, Manchester, Consulting
Engineer, and THE DUPLEX WEAVING APPLIANCE COMPANY, LIMITED, of 6, City
Road, Manchester, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
Our said invention relates to improvements in apparatus for weaving inner sel-
vedges for the purpose of producing two or more independent pieces of cloth side by
side in a loom.
As is usual in weaving with such appliances the warp threads are arranged so as to
leave a suitable space or interval at the place where the adjacent selvedges are to be
produced. After each weft thread has been shot it is seized by grippers lying in
the said interval which hold it while being cut. The cut ends are seized by side
fingers which draw them back into the shed formed by the weft threads of the ad-
jacent selvedges.
In its general features such a process is now well known and our said invention
relates to improvements in the means for practising it.
The principal parts of an appliance constructed in accordance with our said inven-
tion consist of
Firstly a main body supported in a suitable manner in front of the slay of the
loom.
Secondly a reciprocating carriage on which the side fingers for drawing in the
cut ends of weft are mounted.
Thirdly central grippers for holding the weft while being cut.
Fourthly a central hook which draws up the weft into the centre grippers and at
the same time acts as a cutting device.
Fifthly temples for keeping the middle selvedges straight as the weaving
proceeds.
Subsidiary parts of our invention relate to the details of the mechanism for actuat-
ing and controlling the action of the principal moving parts.
The movements of all the operative parts are derived from reciprocating cam bars
hereinafter called main cam bars, connected to the slay at one end. The travel and
the lifting and falling of these cam bars impart intermittent reciprocating motion to
certain sliding shafts attached to or connected with the operative parts. The ele-
vating and depressing of the cam bars is effected by rollers or similar guiding devices
mounted on a bridge or cross bracket secured to the body of the machine.
cam bars travel through the rollers their rear ends rise and fall according to the part
of each cam bar which momentarily lies between the rollers.
As the
By these means the cam bars are brought into or out of engagement with their
sliding shafts which thus receive intermittent reciprocating motion.
The front part of the carriage is formed as a cross-head and is carried by sliding
bars working in longitudinal guides in the body of the machine.
The crosshead carries guide ways in which are slide blocks bearing the side
fingers. The latter are operated to and fro by side levers having their fulcrums on
CD017

page_text: the carriage. The fore ends of these are caused to approach each other by bowls or
projections on the side levers meeting cams or inclines as the carriage advances. The
divergence of the side fingers is effected by bell crank levers (forced apart by the
retreat of a central shaft) being on the side levers.
Each side finger is formed somewhat like a pair of pincers having a loose limb
pivotted or hinged to a plate which is turned forwards at right angles to form the
lower fixed limb which carries a guard to prevent the side fingers damaging the warp
as they diverge.
Slots or the like adjustments are provided for setting the side fingers to suit
various kinds of cloth. The loose limb of each pair of fingers has fore and lateral
projections at and near its extremity engaging with corresponding notches or depres-
sions in the fixed limb. The fore projections serve as fenders to prevent the entrance
of warp threads into the fingers. The lateral projections form a baffle or drag to
retain the cut end of weft. The points of the fingers are turned inwards towards
the piece edge so as to form smoothers to press the cut ends of weft right into the
angle formed by the two sheds. Detents having suitable means for their release
when required are provided for preventing the premature shaking inwards or
outwards of the side fingers or the parts operating them and to limit their
stroke.
The opening and closing of the side fingers is effected by cam bars and stops or
studs.
Fenders are provided under the side fingers to gently and gradually depress the
warp as they advance and thus to relieve them from the strain of the top shed of the
warp.
Detents with means for releasing them are provided for preventing the free motion
of the carriage by the shaking of the loom or the friction of the other parts and for
ensuring definite positions for the carriage at each part of its stroke where a dwell or
pause is necessary.
The centre grippers (of which there are two) have each a fixed and a loose jaw.
They are opened on the retreat of the shaft which carries them by a cam plate at the
rear coming against a fixed cam plate or stop. On the next advance they are closed
by springs which normally tend to close the grippers as soon as they leave the fixed
cam plate. Detents and swinging catches or cam plates with means for relieving
them are provided for ensuring definite positions for the grippers at the successive
stages of their advance.
Each gripper is provided with a pin or projection which serves as a baffle or obstacle
to prevent the cut ends of weft slipping back over the grippers as they advance, and
thus to present them taut and straight to the side fingers.
Detents with means for releasing them are provided for preventing free motion of
the grippers from the shaking of the loom or of the other parts.
It
The hook has a double function, it serves not only to bring the weft into the centre
grippers in advance of the reed but also as a cutting device for cutting the weft.
consists of a single blade of metal preferably hard steel turned over at the point.
It works between two fixed plates which fit quite close to the book and besides serving
as guides they form in combination with the turned over end of the hook a shearing
device or punch for severing the weft.
Means are provided for raising and depressing the hook for giving it a motion to
and fro and for imparting to it a return stroke faster than the reed itself, so as to
enable it to snatch the weft away from the reed and to present it
to the centre grippers before the reed beats up. This acceleration of the hook enables
it to draw off from the shuttle a little extra weft before the shed is closed and thus
to provide a sufficient length of weft in the interval between the warps without
stretching or straining the weft.
As in the case of the carriage and the centre grippers detents with suitable releases
are provided for preventing free or uncontrolled motion of the hook.
To keep the internal selvedges straight we use narrow temples having internal
rollers armed with pins in the usual manner As however it is found in practice that

page_text: such roller temples are not sufficient we use in combination therewith rising and
falling frames or bars armed with needles which enter the cloth as the slay recedes
and which are withdrawn just before the reed beats up. These needle bars are formed
as levers and are operated by the shaft which carries the centre grippers. In one
form of this part of our said invention the needles are mounted on separate plates or
frames working in guides and operated by levers from the gripper shaft
as to ensure a truly vertical travel of the needles and thus prevent "combing" of
the cloth.
SO
Slotted guide plates are provided for restraining the rear ends of the cam bars
within proper limits so as to prevent irregular oscillation or shaking.
Dated this 16th day of March 1898
E. T. WHITELOW, A. M. Inst. C. E.,
70, Deansgate, Manchester, Agent for the Applicants.
We, EDWARD TURNER WHITELOW, of 70, Deansgate, Manchester, Consulting
Engineer, and THE DUPLEX WEAVING APPLIANCE COMPANY, LIMITED, of Parker Street
Mills, Ashley Lane, Manchester, late of 6, City Road, Manchester, 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 :-
Our said invention relates to improvements in apparatus for weaving inner
selvedges for the purpose of producing two or more independent pieces of cloth in a
loom.
As is usual in weaving with such appliances the warp threads are so arranged as to
leave a suitable space or interval at the place where the adjacent selvedges are to be
produced. The weft crossing such interval is seized by a pair of grippers lying in
the said interval by which it is held while being cut. It is then seized by transverse
or side fingers which draw the cut ends into the shed formed by the warp threads of
the adjacent selvedges. A fabric of this kind is shown in Fig. 1 in which the
threads w represent the warp threads, w₁ are the weft threads, which after having been
cut are turned into the cloth at each side.
In its general features such a process of producing two pieces is well known
and our said invention relates to improvements in the means for practising it.
The nature of and the mode of operation of our said invention is hereinafter
described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which the same letters of
reference indicate the same parts in all the figures. In some of the figures referred
to for describing particular details of the apparatus some details which are shown in
other figures are omitted in order to avoid overcrowding of individual figures and
thus to render the description clearer.
The following is an enumeration of the drawings herein referred to.
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the kind of selvedges to which this invention is
applicable.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the machine from which the cam bars and connection to the
slay are omitted so as to show the parts lying under them.
Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation through y-y of Fig. 2 as seen from the left side of
the machine (when facing the slay of the lcom).
Fig. 4 is a side elevation parallel to Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is an elevation of the rear end of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a detached elevation of the swinging catch plate for controlling the
advance of the centre grippers.

page_text: Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are plans showing the different positions of the carriage and the
mechanism which operates the side fingers.
Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the machine as seen from the reed of the loom (one
side finger is omitted in order to show the parts immediately behind it).
Fig. 11 is a side elevation on a larger scale of the centre grippers showing them open
ready to receive the weft.
Fig. 12 is a plan of the centre grippers on the same scale as Fig. 11.
Figs. 13, 14, 15 and 16 are elevations of the main cam bars for operating the various
parts of the machine.
Fig. 17 is a plan, showing the main cam bars connected to the slay of the loom and
in their proper position in the rollers.
Fig. 18 is an elevation of the shaft which carries the hook.
Fig. 19 is an elevation of the shaft to which the carriage is attached.
Fig. 20 is an elevation of the shaft for operating the side fingers and also the centre
gripper.
Fig. 21 is an elevation showing one of the side fingers when closed.
Fig. 22 is a plan showing the inner end of one of the fingers.
Fig. 23 is an elevation of one side finger when open.
Figs. 24 and 25 are side and front elevation respectively showing detail of temple
needles to be hereinafter described.
Fig. 26 is a detached view showing the hook and some of the parts for actuating
the same.
Fig. 27 is a front elevation of the bridge carrying the rollers for the main cam
bars.
Fig. 28 is a side elevation as seen from the right hand side (when facing the reed)
showing other parts for actuating the hook.
Figs. 29, 30, and 31 are plans to a larger scale showing the centre grippers in the
different positions they assume when in operation.
Considered generally a machine constructed in accordance with our said invention
consists of, firstly, a main body A (supported in front of the slay), secondly a sliding
carriage a on which the side fingers for drawing in the cut ends of weft are
mounted, thirdly, a central pair of grippers g¹g for holding the weft while being
cut, fourthly, a hook c which draws up the weft into the centre grippers and at the
same time acts as a cutting device, fifthly, temples for keeping the middle selvedges
straight.
We will now proceed to describe the mechanism for operating the different parts of
the machine.
The movements of all parts of the apparatus are derived from reciprocating cam
bars, preferably four, hereinafter called main cam bars connected to and travelling to
and fro with the slay and numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the drawings.
The cam bar 1 (Fig. 13) serves to lift and bring in the hook e which presents the
weft thread to the centre grippers.
The cam bar 2 (Fig. 14) serves to depress the hook c when cutting the thread and
to carry it outwards when the slay retreats.
The cam bar 3 (Fig. 15) has for its principal function the operation of the carriage
to and fro.
The cam bar 4 (Fig. 16) operates the centre grippers and effects the divergence of
the side fingers.
On the body A is a fixed bridge B carrying rollers 6 through which the main cam
bars 1, 2, 3 and 4 pass. The latter are hinged to the slay cap at 8. As the slay
advances and retreats the main cam bars 1, 2, 3, and 4 slide between the rollers b so
that their rear ends rise and fall according to the part of the cam bars which
momentarily lies between the rollers.b.
The body A is constructed of suitable metal and is carried in any suitable manner
in front of the slay, as for example on a vertical spring bar A¹ provided with slots or
other means for readily adjusting the height of the machine as compared with the
line of the cloth.

page_text: The carriage a is provided with slide bars a¹ which slide in fixed slides a² which
form part of the body A. A longitudinal shaft a³ attached to the carriage at a
slides through an aperture 6¹ in the bridge B. On the shaft a³ is a lug or projection a³.
On the main cam bar 3 is a stud a. While the slay is retreating from the edge of
the cloth the stud a takes behind the projection a³ and pushes the longitudinal
shaft a³ and with it the carriage a until the part a7 of the cam bar 3 comes between
the rollers b whereby the stud a is caused to rise and pass over the projection a
leaving the carriage resting in its extreme forward position (shown in Fig. 7)
while the slay continues to retreat. The rear end of the longitudinal shaft a³ passes
through the end plate 62 and is turned over at a³. The part as stands some little
distance from the part as so as to clear the cover plate 6.
When the slay again advances towards the edge of the cloth the heel a" of the cam
bar 3 comes against the turned over part as of the shaft a³ and pushes the latter and
with it the carriage until the side fingers reach the edge of the cloth. The part a¹º of
the cam bar 3 now enters between the rollers b whereupon the heel a is lifted over the
part as and the carriage a remains in the position shown in Fig. 8 in which the
carriage has again a short dwell while the slay still continues to advance.
After this short dwell the carriage is pushed into its extreme rear position (Fig. 9)
by a projection c¹0 on another longitudinal shaft (Fig. 2) (operated as herein-
after described in reference to the hook motion) coming against a projecting
plate all (Fig. 2) on the side of the shaft a³.
When in this extreme rear position the side fingers are out of the range of
the reed so that the latter may beat the weft right up to the edge of the
cloth.
The carriage retains this extreme rear position until the slay again retreats when
the cycle of operations of the carriage is repeated.
The carriage has thus three definite positions of rest in the following order,
viz.-its extreme rear position, its extreme forward position, and its intermediate
position. By forward position is meant nearest to the reed when the latter is
furthest from the edge of the cloth.
These three positions of rest of the carriage may be used conveniently to
explain the various stages of the other parts which will be subsequently described
in detail.
Assuming the carriage to be in its extreme rear position when the apparatus
is at work the reed will be right up to the edge of the cloth an uncut weft
thread will be lying between the centre grippers which at this stage lie out of
reach of the reed. The middle part of this weft thread has been brought up by
the hook in advance of the reed. Directly the reed retreats the centre grippers
close on the weft next the hook descends cutting the weft in its descent and
leaving the cut ends in the centre grippers.
The hook advances as the slay retreats ready to snatch the next weft thread after
the shuttle has crossed the loom. Meanwhile the carriage advances to its extreme
forward position. Just before the carriage reaches this position the side fingers borne
by the carriage enter the shed converge towards each other and open. During this
forward motion of the carriage and the hook the centre grippers also advance a short
distance so as to bring out the cut ends and present them at a suitable angle for the
side fingers to seize them. During the return of the slay the carriage is brought to
its intermediate position in which the already opened side fingers take on to and
seize the cut ends of weft. While the carriage is resting in its intermediate position
the side fingers draw the cut ends of weft in between the warps. When this is
accomplished the carriage continues its travel into its extreme rear position. While
the carriage is resting in its intermediate position the centre grippers also retreat
(after delivering the cut ends of weft to the side fingers) ready to receive the next
thread. Meanwhile the hook operated by an independent cam bar has also been
retreating with an accelerated motion as compared with the reed (the purpose of
which will be hereinafter explained) and has brought up a fresh weft thread when
the cycle recommences.

page_text: . The details of the mechanism for operating the side fingers centre grippers and the
snatching and cutting hook as well as the construction of these parts can now be well
understood.
The front part of the carriage a is formed as a crosshead extending between the
slide bars a¹. This crosshead contains guide ways in which move slide blocks a¹.
The slide blocks a12 (on which the side fingers are mounted) are caused to converge
towards or to diverge from each other by the side levers the fulcrums 11 of which are
mounted on the slide bars a¹ of the carriage. During the advance of the carriage a
from its extreme rear position until nearing its extreme forward position the side
levers occupy the positions shown in Figs. 2, 7 and 9, and the slide blocks a¹² are at
their furthest distance apart from each other. As the carriage a approaches its
extreme forward position (see Figs. 2 and 7) bowls or projections 2 on the underside
of the levers meet fixed cams or inclines a13. As the bowls 12 travel along the
edges of these cams the levers are pressed inwards causing the slide blocks a¹²
to come towards each other. By this motion the side fingers carried by the slide
blocks are caused to enter the sheds at their respective sides. Just as they
approach the open space between the two warp threads they are opened and kept
open by means to be described later while the carriage returns to its intermediate
position (at the weaving edge of the cloth). When however the carriage reaches this
intermediate position the levers are caused to diverge whereupon the side fingers close
on the cut ends of weft held by the centre grippers and draw them into the
warps at either side.
During the return of the carriage to its intermediate position the levers and the
slide blocks a¹² are liable to be displaced by the shaking of the loom and the machine
in the process of weaving. If such displacement takes place there is a liability of the
side fingers failing to seize the weft. In order to prevent such displacement of
the levers restraining devices now to be described are employed. On each of
the levers is a nose cam 18. During the outward travel of the carriage this nose
cam is outside and clear of the catch 12, owing to the levers being farthest apart.
On the return of the carriage (after the convergence of the levers ) the point 19
of the nose cam 18 comes inside the catch 12 which bearing against the flat side (10 of
the nose cam 8 keeps the levers towards each other until the thick part of the nose
cam has passed the catch (12 when the levers are again free to be forced asunder for
the purpose of drawing in the cut ends of weft. The catches 12 are mounted on
bars 13 hinged at to the bridge B. Springs 15 are provided for keeping the
catches 1 down to their work.
The divergence of the levers while the carriage is resting in its intermediate
position is effected by pressures acting outwardly on the bowls . These pressures
are obtained from a square shaft 10 (Figs. 7, 8 and 9) working in a guide (15 on the
body A of the machine and in the plate 63 and passing close under the cross bar of
the bridge B and below the longitudinal shaft a³ which operates the carriage. The
shaft which also serves to actuate the centre grippers is operated to and fro by
studs 17 and 18 on the main cam bar 4 (see Fig. 16) taking against a spur or pro-
jection 1 (Fig. 20) on the shaft 16.
When the slay is close up to the edge of the cloth the spur 116 lies between the
studs 17 and 18 of the cam bar 4. As the lay retreats the rear stud 17 bearing
against the spur 16 (Fig. 20) draws out the shaft until the part 10 of the cam
bar 4 enters between the rollers on the bridge B. The cain bar is thereby raised
and the stud 17 being lifted clear of the spur 116 the shaft is left resting in its
forward position until the slay has returned some distance when the stud 17 returns
riding over the spur 10 without affecting it, but as soon as the part 19 of the cain
bar 4 has left the rollers 6 the cam bar falls and the fore stud 18 then meets the fore
edge of the spur 1 and pushes back the shaft into its rear position. The shaft 1
has thus two positions a forward or outward position and a rear or inward position
with a dwell at each end. The forward position of the shaft is shown in Figs. 7
and 8. The rear position of the shaft is shown in Fig. 9.
The rearward stroke of the shaft is utilised to cause the divergence of the

page_text: levers which operate the side fingers. Fulcrumed to a fixed cross bar secured
behind the bridge B are bell crank levers 13 the inner ends of which are provided with
bowls (20. On the shaft is a plate which when the shaft is in its forward position
occupies the place shown in Fig. 8, where it remains until the carriage a has returned
to its intermediate position. At this instant the shaft 10 begins its backward stroke
when the plate 15 being pulled between the bowls (20 causes the bell crank levers (³ to
turn on their fulcrums. This turning action causes the other ends of the bell crank
levers to press on the bowls and thus to turn the levers outwards on their ful-
crums as shown in Fig. 9. The effect of this is to cause the side fingers to close on
the cut ends and to draw them into the warp. At the next forward stroke of the
shaft a cross bar 11 replaces the bell crank levers into the position shown in Figs. 7
and 8 ready for the next stroke. Stop pins 122 and 23 prevent the bell crank levers
from flying away when struck by the plate 15 on the cross bar [21.
The side fingers fare mounted as before mentioned on the slide blocks a¹ working
in the crosshead of the carriage a.
Each side finger is formed somewhat like a pair of pincers having a loose limb f
pivotted or hinged to a plate f2 which is turned forwards at right angles to form the
lower fixed limb f³. Attached to the lower fixed limb is a bent guard f¹ to prevent
the heel of the side fingers damaging the warp as they slide transversely thereon
when diverging. Each plate f is turned over backwards at right angles over the
slide block a2 to which it is secured by a screw fo passing through a slot fo and also
a screw f15 passing through a similar slot. The object of these slots is to enable the
side fingers to be adjusted nearer to or farther from the weaving edge of the cloth
when the carriage is in its intermediate position to suit different kinds or thicknesses
of yarn. The screw f¹ takes into the slots in the ends of the levers l. Each loose
limb f has fore and lateral projections and (see Figs. 22 and 23) at and near its
extremity which engage with corresponding depressions or notches in the lower fixed
limb f. The fore projection ♬ is formed quite at the extremity of the point and
serves as a fender to prevent the entrance of warp threads into the fingers when the
fingers are converging. The lateral projection f³ is put quite close to the inner edge
of the finger so as to forin a baffle or drag to retain the cut end of weft. The points
of the fingers are turned inwards as shown in Figs. 8 and 22 so as to form a smoother
which presses or smooths the cut end of weft right into the angle formed by the two
sheds at the weaving edge of the cloth. By this action the cut end of weft is laid
between the warps perfectly parallel to the cloth instead of at an acute angle as has
hitherto been the case in such appliances as for example as shown in Fig. 1. The
disadvantage of laying the cut ends of weft at such an angle is that on the beat up
of the reed it is liable to be beaten out through the fabric forming a loose floating
end on the face of the cloth.
To prevent the premature convergence of the levers during the forward stroke of
the carriage bell crank levers are provided. These levers have their fulcrums at (25
on the crosshead of the carriage a and are provided at their short ends with springs (26
also secured to the carriage a for the purpose of keeping them in their normal
position (see Fig. 2). The long end of each bell crank lever 124 is turned inwards
at 1 to form a hook. The angle (4ª of each bell crank lever is stepped to form a
catch which normally engages with corresponding catches 127 on the plates f2 of the
side fingers. While the carriage is advancing the catches 12 and 127 are in engage-
ment with each other and thus the side fingers cannot shake inwards until the proper
time arrives for the cam plate as to act on the bowl 2. Just prior to this moment
the hooks 123 meet the turned down ends of the hinged bars 112. The bell crank
levers thereupon turn on their fulcrums 125 the catches 24 and 27 are thereby
disengaged and the side fingers are free to travel inwards under the action of the
levers 1.
To prevent the levers being shaken too far asunder when the bowl meets the
cam 13 the bent down ends of the hinged bars 13 take over the outer edges of
the levers l, but when the carriage is in its intermediate position and the side fingers
are diverging it is necessary that they should have so much travel as to make

page_text: absolutely sure of them sliding off the cut ends of weft and also to ensure the proper
engagement of the catches 12 and 127. To allow this hollows (29 are formed in the
sides of the levers l. These hollows come opposite the turned down ends of the
hinged bars 3 when the carriage is in its intermediate position, and thus permit a
longer traverse of the side fingers. On the carriage retreating to its extreine rear
position the ends of these hollows act as cams and bring the levers inwards ready
for another stroke. The turned down ends of the hinged bars (13 are supported in
brackets [30
While
The opening and closing of the side fingers is effected by a cam bar f secured to
or forming part of the loose limb f of each finger. Each cain bar f works between
When the slide blocks
stops 10 and f fixed in the crosshead of the carriage a.
carrying the side fingers are apart the fingers are closed as shown in Fig. 21.
the fingers are converging the stop f¹¹ bears on the upper surface of the cam bar
and keeps the finger closed until the notch f¹ comes under the stop f¹. At this
instant the shoulder f13 of the cam bar comes into contact with the stop f10 and the
finger opens ready to receive the cut end of weft. On the divergence of the fingers
the reverse action takes place the shoulder f13 leaves the stop 10 and the stop f11
causes the finger to close and to be kept closed not only while the cut end of weft.
is being drawn into the warp but subsequently until the notch f12 again comes under
the stop f¹¹.
Under the fingers are fenders f¹ (Figs. 4 and 10) secured to the front of the cross-
head behind the fingers. These fenders are formed from sheet metal bent under the
fingers their object is to gently and gradually depress the warp under the fingers as
the carriage advances so as to relieve the fingers from the strain of the top shed of
the warp, while advancing and entering the shed.
To prevent the carriage a from being displaced by the shaking of the loom or
the operation of the other parts catches or detents are provided for retaining it in
each of its three definite positions. To retain the carriage in its forward position there
is a swinging detent a hinged at a on the end plate 62. This detent is pulled to
the shaft a by a spring a When the carriage reaches its extreme forward position
the point of the detent takes into a notch as in the shaft a³ and thereby prevents the
displacement of the carriage. On the return of the slay a lateral projection a¹º on
the end of the cain bar 4 bears against the part a20 of the detent and withdraws its
point from the notch. The carriage is then free to return to its intermediate
position at which point the detent again engages with the shaft in the notch a21
for the purpose of ensuring a definite intermediate position of the carriage while the
side fingers are being withdrawn.
To release the detent from the notch a" and thus permit the carriage returning to
its extreme rear position a second lateral projection 22 on the main cam bar 4 bears
against the part 20 on the detent.
When the carriage reaches its extreme rear position the point 17 of the detent
clicks in front of a lateral projection on the shaft 3 (Figs. 2, 3 and 19).
The projection 23 is very slight but it suffices to prevent the shaking forward
of the carriage. No special means are provided for releasing the detent from
this projection. The point of the detent is slightly rounded so that the moment
the carriage begins to move the spring a16 yields somewhat and the detent clears
itself.
The detailed description thus far has referred to the construction operation
and control of the carriage and of the side fingers. We will now proceed
to describe the construction and mode of operation and control of the centre
grippers.
There are two grippers one being on each side of a centre shaft y (Figs. 10, 11 and
12). Each gripper has a fixed jaw g¹ formed on a metal plate secured to the shaft g
by bolts g passing through slots to enable the height of the grippers to be adjusted
to suit the height of the shed and the side fingers. The loose jaw g³ of each gripper
is hinged at g to the fixed jaw to which it is also connected by means of a spring g
which normally keeps the grippers closed. The heel g of each loose jaw is rounded

page_text: to form a cam so that when the shaft is drawn backwards the heel gº will bear
against a fixed cam plate g7 (Figs. 11 and 27) secured to the body A. The combined
action of the plate g and the heel g" causes the gripper to open and to remain open
to receive the weft until the shaft g again advances. The shaft g herein called the
gripper shaft has an intermittent rectilinear motion in guides 15 and g³ cast on the
body A.
It will be more convenient to describe the successive movements of the gripper
shaft g by commencing with its extreme forward position (when nearest the slay)
with the grippers closed.
The motions of the shaft to derived from the main cam bar 4 have been already
described with reference to the operation of the side levers for effecting the
divergence of the side fingers. This shaft 10 also serves to operate the gripper
shaft g. Hinged at g10 to a projection from the shaft is a catch lever g which
has at its fore end a sneck g12 which takes over and lies some distance in front of a
laterally projecting pin g3 (Figs. 2 and 11) at the end of the gripper shaft when
the latter shaft and also the shaft 6 are both in their extreme forward position, as
shown particularly in Fig. 3.
When the shaft 1 has retreated sufficiently far the sneck g12 comes against the
pin g3 and pulls the gripper shaft g back into its extreme rear position (see Fig. 11)
and opens the grippers. In order to allow the shaft to still continue its backward
travel the sneck g12 must be lifted over the pin g13. This releasing of the sneck gl
is effected by a bowl g¹ under the lever g¹¹ riding over a swell 15 formed in a guide
plate g16 fixed to the body A. The tail end g of the latch lever is formed as a cam
guided between pins in the end plate 2. The straight part of the tail end g
prevents the sneck lifting away from the pin g until the bowl g¹ meets the swell g15
when the hollow part under the tail end g¹s of the latch lever gives sufficient clearance
to enable the latch lever g¹¹ to turn about its fulcrum. A spiral spring g¹ serves to
prevent the latch lever g¹¹ from dancing when in its uncontrolled positions.
It will be seen from the foregoing that the gripper shaft is brought back at a
single stroke from its extreme forward to its extreme rear position. The reverse or
forward motion must however take place in two successive stages.
During the first stage of the forward movement the gripper shaft g only advances
sufficiently far for the heel of the grippers to leave the plate g whereupon the
grippers are closed on the weft by the springs g. The gripper shaft makes a pause
at this moment. At the second stage the gripper shaft is pushed into its extreme
forward position.
The diagrams Figs. 29, 30, and 31 show the relative positions of the grippers in
their three positions of rest. In Fig. 29 the centre grippers are in their extreme
rear position behind the weaving edge of the cloth - with the last weft thread w
drawn in and presented to the open grippers by the hook. Fig. 30 shows the grippers
resting at the end of the first stage of their forward motion, the weft lying between
the grippers is cut at this stage by the descent of the point of the hook (to be
hereinafter described). Fig. 31 shows the grippers in their extreme forward position
in which the cut ends of weft are carried forward so as to be presented at an obtuse
angle to the open side fingers f, so that when the latter close and diverge they draw
the cut ends to the right and left into the warps as already described.
On the rear outside corners of the bottom grippers are pins g³. The corre-
sponding corners of the top grippers g³ are cut away. These corner pins g³ form
baffles or obstacles to prevent the cut ends of weft slipping back over the grippers as
they advance and thus to present them taut and straight to the side fingers (see
Fig. 31). It will be understood that the side fingers being open as they come back
to the position shown in Fig. 31 piss over and under the blades of the closed centre
grippers and seize the cut ends of weft at the back of the grippers.
The mechanism for effecting and controlling this intermittent forward motion of
the gripper shaft will now be described.
A bracket attached to the body A has mounted on it a swinging arm g² normally
12

page_text: pulled forwards by the spring 92. When the gripper shaft is moving backwards
the pin g bears against the arm and stretches the spring g". It is the
resilience of the spring which pulls forward the gripper shaft during its first
stage of forward movement.
The control of the forward movement of the gripper shaft g is effected by a swing-
ing catch plate g" (shown separately in Fig. 6). This catch plate has its fulcrum
at g2 on the body A and is normally pulled upwards by a spring 920 secured to a
bracket 27 attached to the body A.
While the gripper shaft g is in its extreme rear position the pin g13 rests in the
notch A premature forward motion of the gripper shaft is thus prevented until
the catch plate g₁ is depressed. The depression of the catch plate g21 for this
particular purpose is effected when the bell crank lever 30 having its fulcrum at g³
on the bracket g bears on a pin g33 on the catch plate g. The spring g32 is not the
effective agent in depressing the catch plate, its sole purpose is to prevent uncon-
trolled swinging of the hell crank lever g30. For this reason it is purposely made
inuch weaker than the spring 20 which holds the catch plate up. The actual
depression of the bell crank lever g30 is effected by a wedge shaped stud which forms
a projecting continuation of the fulcrum pin 10 of the latch lever g11 (Fig. 20),
which in its forward motion passes over the study on the bell crank lever g30
momentarily depressing the catch plate 21 sufficiently far for the pin is to leave the
notch and thus to enable the gripper shaft g under the pull of the spring g23 to
complete the first stage of its forward course. The stroke of the swing arm g" is
limited by a pin so that it may only pull the pin g¹³ against the stop g34 of the catch
plate. The latter prevents any further free motion of the gripper shaft from shaking
or notion of other parts. The second stage of the forward motion of the gripper
shaft g is effected by the pressure of the part of the advancing hook (Fig. 26)
bearing against the rear end of the shaft . (The operation of this hook is described
in detail below.) Just before this happens the pin g¹³ is released from the step 934
of the catch plate g2 by the pin 10 riding over the nose g35 of the catch plate 721 and
momentarily depressing it. When the gripper shaft reaches its extreme forward
position the pin 13 takes into the half round notch 3 of the catch plate (Fig. 4)
and thus displacement of the gripper shaft by shaking is prevented. Owing to the
shallowness of the notch 936 the pin g¹s is able to clear itself when the gripper shaft
cominences its back stroke.
As the shaft returns the pin g10 meets the front inclined face of the pin 929
(which at this moment is elevated owing to the rise of the catch plate) and passes
under it lifting the bell crank lever go. This missing of the pin is important
inasmuch as it prevents the depression of the catch plate and the premature release
of the gripper shaft before the slay begins to return. The hook c (Fig. 26) has a
double function. It serves to bring the weft into the centre grippers in advance of
the reed and also serves as a cutting device for cutting the weft. It consists of a
single blade of metal preferably hard steel turned over at c¹ and extending to c¹ and
works between two metal plates cf secured to the body A (Figs. 10, 11, and 12).
The upper straight edges of the plates care about level with the centre of the
grippers g g when the latter are closed. These plates fit quite close to the hook
and not only serve as guides for the hook but in combination with the turned over
end c they form a shearing device or punch for severing the weft.
Assuming the slay to be at its farthest point from the weaving edge of the cloth
the hook c will be in its extreme forward position with the part c¹ directed in a
downward direction (Fig. 4). On the reed returning towards the weaving edge of
the cloth bringing up a fresh weft thread the latter will be brought over the hook
which penetrates a short distance through the reed. The hook c then lifts and is
drawn backwards faster than the reed advances and snatching the weft places it
between the open centre grippers.
On the retreat of the slay after the centre grippers have closed on the weft the
turned over end of the hook c¹ is forced down between the plates c' thus cutting the

page_text: weft between the centre grippers. The hook after descending follows the reed and
takes up its extreme forward position to await the next weft.
These motions of the hook are obtained from the shaft which is operated
in a forward direction by the main cam bar 2 and in a backward direction by the
main cam bar 1.
It will be convenient to deal first with the forward motion of the hook and to
assume the cycle of operations to start from its extreme rear position with the point
of the hook raised as shown in Fig. 26. The hook is hinged at cl to a bracket or
projection c¹³ from the shaft which slides in the bridge b and in the end plate b².
The swing of the hook in a backward direction an 1 consequently the height of the
point of the hook is limited by a pin c¹³ on the bracket cl³.
A swinging catch c¹5 having its fulcrum at cle on the shaft c³ has two notches c¹7
and c¹ which engage alternately with a pin c on the upper part of the hook. When
the point of the hook is up the pin c¹ is in the notch c¹8. When the hook is down
the pin c is in the notch c¹. There are thus two strictly defined positions of rest
for the point of the hook. A spiral spring c20 keeps the catch in engagement with
the pin until released. Displacement of the point of the hook by shaking is thus
prevented.
When the slay has retreated from the edge of the cloth so far that the centre
grippers have closed on the weft, a lateral projection a² on the main cam bar 3 rides
over the part 2 of the catch c5 and momentarily depressing it releases the pin c¹⁹.
Thereupon a projecting stud c22 on the main cam bar 2 comes against the rear
edge 23 of the upper part of the hook causing the latter to turn on its fulcrum and
thus to depress the point of the hook and to bring the pin c¹ into the notch c¹.
The continued advance of the stud c2 now imparts longitudinal motion to the
shaft c3 and pushes it into its extreme forward position. When this is attained the
part 2 of the main cam bar 2 enters between the rollers b over the bridge. The main
cam bar is then lifted so that the stud 2 rides over and beyond the part c¹ of
the hook.
On the return stroke of the slay the swell c₁ again lifts the stud cover the
part of the hook. The projection a24 of the main cam bar again rides over
the part 2 momentarily depressing it and releasing the pin et from the notch c¹7.
Just at this instant a second stud on the main can bar 2 meets the fore edge c26
of the hook and causing it to turn about its fulcrum enables the point c' to
pick up the weft. The return stroke of the shaft c³ and with it the hook is accelerated
as compared with the motion of the slay so that the weft is as it were snatched
away from the reed by the book and delivered into the centre grippers before
the reed reaches the weaving edge of the piece. This acceleration of the hook
is of considerable importance as it enables the hook to draw off from the shuttle
a little extra weft before the shed is closed.
This accelerated return stroke of the hook is obtained by the means shown in
Fig. 28. This figure is drawn as seen from the other side of the machine as
compared with the other figures shown in elevation. That is to say it is seen
from the right hand side of the plan shown in Fig. 2, when looking towards the
slay so that the parts may be shown in the actual relation they bear to the rest of
the machine. It will therefore be understood that in this figure only motion from
right to left indicates the return stroke of the parts.
In the plan
The return stroke of the shaft c³ is effected by the main cam bar 1.
Fig. 2 the position of the main cam bar 1 is indicated by a dotted line (see also
Fig. 17). The cam bar 1 itself and the other parts connected with it are left out of
Fig. 2, in order to avoid overcrowding of the drawing at this part. The action can
however be sufficiently understood from a description of Fig. 28.
A frame or bracket c³ is secured to the end plate 62 and to the bridge B. This
frame carries the fulcrum c of a link c²27. A stud on the shaft in line with the
stud co on the other side of the shaft takes into a slot in the link c27. A stud c²
projects from the link e27 under the main cam bar 1.
Immediately after the point c¹ of the hook has been lifted as described the swell c30

page_text: of the main cam bir 1 meets the stud and driving backwards the link c27 the
shaft c³ is alsɔ pashel backwards but owing to the stul c25 being farther from the
fulcrum than the stud c the shaft and with it the hook travel faster than the main
cam bar 1 and the slay which propels it. In this way the accelerated retreat of the
look as compared with the progress of the reed is accomplished.
In order to prevent the shaft c³ being displaced when the hook is lifted a check
catch is provided. The latter is hinged at 2 and is normally pulled downwards
by the spring 33 When the shaft c³ is pushed backwards by the action of the main
cain 1 the round stud c28 clears itself from the rounded recess in the catch by lifting the
spring. On the shaft c³ reaching its extreme rear position the stud takes into
the rear recess which acts as a check to prevent the displacement of the shaft c³ when
the hook point is depressed to cut the weft.
enables
When the main cam bar 1 has put the shaft c³ in its extreme rear position the
swell c³ comes between the rollers and lifting the swell c30 over the stud c
the main cam bar 1 to ride over while the slay is completing its course.
Temples of ordinary construction are applied to the external or ordinary selvedges
of the cloth.
In order to hold the internal selvedges we apply to the apparatus narrow roller
temples having internal rollers t armed with pins in the usual manner. Such roller
temples used alone are however not sufficient to prevent the inner selvedges
travelling away from each other as the weaving proceeds. We accordingly use in
combination with rollers such as described rising and falling needles mounted in
frames which are caused to enter the cloth as the slay recedes and to withdraw
themselves just before the reed beats up in order to allow the cloth to proceed.
On the
In one form of this part of the invention the needles t¹ (Figs. 3 and 10) are
mounted on levers 12 having their fulcrums at t³ in blocks on the body A.
shaft g (which carries the centre grippers) is a plate textending laterally on both
sides. When the shaft g is forward the plate t (Fig. 3) bears on the part t of the
levers 2 and forces the needles through the fabric. On the retreat of the shaft g the
plate leaves the part to and passes on to the elevated ends to of the levers t² and
lifts the needles out of the fabric being woven.
For many kinds of openly woven or coarse fabrics such a method of operating the
temple needles t' is effective and sufficient. In the case of closely woven or fine
fabrics this circular motion of the needles t¹ is a disadvantage inasmuch as it has a
combing effect on the cloth i.e., when descending the weft within the needles is pressed
towards the edge of the temple box and when ascending the weft outside the needles
is pushed back towards the reed while the needles are clearing themselves. To
overcome this defect we in another form of these needle temples mount the needles in
a separate plate 17 (Figs. 24 and 25) working in grooves at the point of the temple
box. In this case the ends of the levers t take into the plates t7. The levers to are
operated as above described. This construction of temple ensures a truly
vertical travel of the needles and does away with the injurious combing
effect.
If the free ends of the main cam bars were left uncontrolled the shaking of the
loom and the apparatus when working rapidly would be liable to cause them to leave
their places and to oscillate sideways. To prevent this guide plates are provided
having curved slots into which take pins on the cam bars. These plates and curved
slots have no effect in directing the up and down motion of the cam bars which is
obtained exclusively from the rollers b. They however prevent the cam bars rising
higher or falling lower than necessary. These guide plates which are secured to the
sliding shafts are indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 18, 19 and 20. On the shaft 16
is a guide plated having a slot in which works a stud or pin de projecting laterally
from the main cam bar 4 (Fig. 16). On the shaft is a guide plate d³ having a
slot d in which works a pin o. stud de projecting laterally from the main camn bar 3.
On the shaft 3 is a guide plate d having a slot in which works a pin or stud d
projecting laterally from the main cam bar 2.
No guide plate is provided for the main cam bar 1.

page_text: The shapes of the slots in the guide plates are determined by marking out
the actual course of the studs in the cam bars when the machine is slowly
worked.
The function constraction operation and control of each part of the machine having
been described in detail the operation of these parts as an entire machine can now
be summarised.
Assuming the reed to be close up to the weaving edge of the cloth and all parts
of the apparatus in their extreme rear position the following cycle of operations takes
place.
In this position the centre portion of the last shoot of weft is lying between the
open centre grippers out of reach of the reed with the point of the hook elevated and
lying over the weft which it has brought up. The side fingers are closed and apart
and are lying out of reach of the reed. As soon as the reed begins to recede the
centre grippers advance their first stage and close on the weft. The point of the
hook now descends and cuts the weft. As soon as this has taken place the carriage
and the hook advance simultaneously. Just before the hook reaches its extreme
forward position it pushes forward the centre gripps into their extreme forward
position holding the cut ends of weft ready to be seized. Just before the carriage
reaches its extreme forward position the side fingers enter the shed approach each
other and open just as they reach the clear interval between the warps. All parts
now rest until the slay begins to approach again when the carriage returns to its
intermediate position bringing the open side fingers over the cut ends of weft. The
side fingers now close on the cut ends of weft and in diverging draw them into
the warp.
While the carriage is resting in its intermediate position and the ends are
being drawn in the centre grippers are pulled back and opened ready to receive the
fresh weft which the hook is meanwhile bringing in faster than the reed is travelling.
The shed changes (that is, the treading mechanism of the loom operates) as usual
just as the reed leaves the weaving edge of the cloth and consequently the cut
ends of weft are drawn into the next shed to that which contains the weft of
which they form part. The cut ends are thus actually woven in and not simply
turned in on themselves.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. An apparatus for weaving the two adjacent selvedges in a loon where two
with central
pieces are being woven side by side having in combination
grippers g g³, a hook c travelling faster than the reed when drawing up the
weft side fingers f opened and closed by cams for seizing the cut ends of weft
and laying them close in the angle of the warps, a carriage a for supporting the
side fingers, side levers having their fulerums on the said carriage detents or
notions of the
catches for ensuring definite positions for and preventing free
moving parts and cam bars 1234 hinged to the slay for operating the whole
substantially as set forth and shown.
2. In a machine such as described the combination of centre grippers g¹ g³ a
shaft g a swinging catch plate g21 a shaft a catch lever g¹ and a cam bar 4 substan-
tially as and for the purpose set forth and shown.
3. In a machine such as described the combination of the side fingers f
the carriage a the side levers the fixed cams a¹³ the bell crank levers the swinging
bars 13 the bell crank levers 124, the catches [27 the shaft the cam plate 15 the
shaft 3 and the cam bars 3 and 4 substantially as and for the purpose set forth and
shown.
4. In a machine such as described the side fingers consisting of a fixed lower
part 3 and a hinged upper part opened and closed by cam bara f the points of
the fingers being turned inwards so as to deliver and smooth the cut ends of weft
close into the angle of the warp substantially as and for the purpose set forth and
shown.

page_text: 5. In a machine such as described and shown the co:nbination with the side
fingers of angle plates or fenders f extending under the side fingers for relieving
the side fingers from the strain of the warp as they advance to enter the shed
substantially as set forth and shown.
6. In a machine such as described the combination of a central hook c turned
over at cl with side plates c to form a cutting device to sever the weft substantially
as set forth and shown.
7. In a machine such as described the combination with the grippers gl g³ of a
hook c which when presenting the weft to the grippers travels faster than the reed
substantially as and for the purpose set forth and shown.
8. In a machine such as described the combination of the rising falling and
sliding hook c the shaft c³ the catches c and 31 the link 27 and the cam
bars 1 and 2 substantially as and for the purpose set forth and shown.
9. In a machine such as described the levers t the fore ends of which are armed
with needles which are intermittently depressed by means of a plate on the
shaft for aiding in preventing the divergence of the selvedges as the weaving
proceeds.
10. In a machine such as described the combination of plates t7 working in guides t
and a lever to substantially as and for the purpose set forth and shown.
11. In a machine such as described the combination with the slay of a loom
of reciprocating main cam bars such as 1 2 3 and 4 with rollers b or their
equivalents for raising and depressing the cams for the purpose of imparting
intermittent reciprocating motion to the shafts which operate the grippers the side
fingers and the hook substantially as set forth and shown.
12. In a machine such as described the detents with means for their release for
preventing free motion of the operative parts in consequence of shaking vibration or
frictional contact substantially as set forth and shown.
Dated this 6th day of December 1898
E. T. WHITELOW, A.M. Inst. C.E.,
70, Deansgate, Manchester, Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: FIG. I.
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