IMPROVE- IN MACHINERY FOR HACKLING OR COMBING FLAX AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Combe, of Belfast, in the Kingdom
of Ireland, Machine Maker, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
IN MACHINERY FOR HACKLING OR COMBING FLAX AND OTHER
FIBROUS SUBSTANCES."
Sealed the 23rd March .1853, and dated the 26th January 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Combe
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 26th January 1853.
1, JAMES COMвE, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR HACKLING OR COMBING
FLAX AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES" to be as follows:--
This Invention relates, firstly, to the application to the hackling
machines of an apparatus for buffing, rubbing, or softening the
fibres under operation, either before it has undergone any of the
hackling process. at all, or after. it has passed over one or more of
the gradations, or after it has been fully hackled, as may best suit
This buffing process is
the different materials to be acted on.
effected by the action of a set of buffers or tools attached to a part
877.

page_text: of the same apparatus which carries the hackles in some cases, and
is worked by a separate apparatus in others, according to the con-
struction of machine to which it is applied.
The Invention relates, secondly, to the arrangement of the hackles,
so that all the rows of pins, or as great a number of them as possible,
may be at such a distance from each other as will just allow suffi-
cient room for a stripper rod to work between them, at the same
time making the points of the hackle pins project such a distance
beyond the stocks in which they are fixed as will allow room for
the stripper rods to work up and down sufficiently far to clean
the hackles from tow when they are down, and yet expose enough
of the length of the pins for effecting the hackling operation without
going below the surface of the stocks, as is the present practice.
The objects gained by this arrangement are twofold; first, it
admits of getting a greater number of rows in a given space, which
is of great value in fine hackling; and, secondly, it enables much
finer hackles to be cleaned by the action of stripper rods than was
before possible.
The Invention relates, thirdly, to the application of mechanical
means for varying and adjusting the height of the stripper rods
(which act as guards), with reference to the points of the hackle
pins during each lift of the holders, and on any or each gradation
of hackles as may be required, so as to cause them to act on the
fibre in a more gradual manner than has hitherto been attained.
The action may be so arranged that, as the holders descend, more
of the length of the pins may gradually be exposed, or that the
fibre may be lowered right down to the hackles, whilst a small part
only of the pins is exposed, and then the length of pin so exposed
gradually increased as the hackling process goes on, according to
the different sort of work to be done. The advantages of this ar-
rangement are, that by using the stripper rods as guards, the
height of which varies during the time occupied by each lift of
the head, and causing a more gradual action of the hackles on
the flax, a greater proportion of dressed fibre is obtained, and
consequently a less proportion of tow or waste, and also a shorter
lift of the holders is required than at present in changing from

page_text: one tool to another, and in changing to hackle the other side of
the fibre.
Another Improvement springing out of that last mentioned
relates to the construction of the hackles and pins of different
lengths in the same or different rows, so that when the fibre is
allowed to sink to a certain depth among the pins by the stripper
rods or guards, it is presented to the action of a smaller number of
pins, or, in fact, to a coarser hackle than when it is allowed to sink
lower. There may be as many lengths of pins used as is required
for the different kinds of work for which the machine is intended.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters
Patent, filed by the said James Combe in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 26th July 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JAMES COMBE, of Belfast, in the Kingdom of Ireland, Machine
Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of January,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
three, in the sixteenth year of Her reign, did, for 'Herself, Her
heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said James
Combe, Her special license that I, the said James Combe, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
James Combe, 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
MACHINERY FOR HACKLING OR COMBING FLAX AND OTHER FIBROUS SUB-
STANCES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
James Combe, by an instrument in writing under my hand aud

page_text: 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 James Combe, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto anuexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon (that is to say):
This Invention consists, firstly, in applying to the hackling
machine suitable apparatus for buffing, rubbing, or softening the
flax, either before it has been subjected to the action of any of the
hackle pins, or after it has passed over one or more gradations of
hackles, or after it has been fully hackled, as may best suit the dif-
férent material to be acted on. By this application of apparatus for
buffing, softening, and rubbing, advantage is taken of the flax
being on the holders and in the machine to effect a desirable
operation in a superior manner to what has been done before.
When this buffing process is to be applied either before or after
the hackling has been performed, an arrangement such as is shewn
at Figures 1 and 2, Sheet I. of the accompanying Drawings, is used,
and is attached either to the roughing or finishing end of the machine,
as is required, the usual slides and apparatus for supporting and
carrying the holders through the machine being prolonged as far as
the buffing apparatus extends. Fig. 1, is an end view, and Fig. 2,
a side view of the buffing apparatus. a, a, are two grooved boards,
which are caused to close upon the pendent flax just below the bite
of the holders, and then, by descending while holding the flax (which
is for the time stationary) between their ribbed surfaces, to impart
to it a kind of rubbing or rippling action which will straighten and
soften the fibres. These boards a, a, are carried by arins b, b*,
which are jointed at their lower ends 'to a crank shaft c, having its
bearings in the framing d, of the hackling machine, and driven by a

page_text: strap and pulley or other mechanical equivalent from any of the
moving shafts of the machine. The grooved boards a, and a*, are
made sufficiently long to include the breadth of flax which passes
into or out of the machine at each traverse motion of the holders.
The arm b, is retained in its position sideways by a radius rod or
curved arm e, which is jointed to the framing. The combined action
of this arm with that of the crank c, causes the board a, to describe
a figure something like a half moon descending in contact with the
flax in the straight line and returning up in the curved one. The
board a, has a similar motion given to it by the crank c, and
radius rod, acting upon its arm 6*. It will now be understood
that, as the slide containing the holders with flax in them is
lowered, the boards will close upon the flax, and subject it to friction
between the ribbed surfaces. As they pass down over the flax a
velocity is given to the crank c, in proportion to the amount of
action required.
Fig. 3, shews another arrangement for producing the same result
on a machine provided with sheets of hackles. a, a, are ribs or teethi
fixed on two endless bands or belts b, b, and gearing into each other
as shewn. Motion is communicated from the machine to these
endless bands of teeth, and a similar result is produced to that
before described. This arrangement is adapted for operating upon
longer flax than the one shewn at Figures 1 and 2.
When it is required to attach the buffing apparatus to the drum
or other contrivance which carries the hackles, or to apply it after
the flax has passed over one or more of the gradations of hackles,
and where neither of these modes already described can be readily
applied, the arrangement shewn at Fig. 4, may be used. In this
case, part of the working surface of the hackle cylinder or sheet, is
appropriated to the ribs or teeth a, a, and a roller with similar
teeth is made to work in between them, the roller being geared so
as to preserve a proper space between the buffing teeth for the flax.
This arrangement is shewn as applied to a reversing cylinder
hackling machine, and it is therefore required to act in opposite
directions. For this purpose two small toothed rollers b, b, are

page_text: provided and placed one on each side of the slide containing the
holders. These rollers are brought into action alternately, accord-
ing to the direction of rotation of the cylinder. The lowering of
the holder allows the end of the flax to go gradually in between
the buffing teeth.
The studs which support the different moving parts in all these
arrangements are made adjustable, so that the depth of intersection
of the teeth can be regulated to suit the severity of the action that
is required.
This Invention consists, secondly, in arranging the hackle pins
(whether they are carried by a drum or roller, or by shects, bands,
or fillets,) in rows of uniform distance apart, and with such a space
between the rows as will suffice for the free action of the stripper
rods between them, and in making the hackle pins project such a
distance above the stocks in which they are fixed as will allow room
for the stripper rods to work up and down, or out and in between
them, sufficiently far to clear the hackles from tow, and when they
are down to expose sufficient length of pin for the purpose of
hackling without the stripper rods being required to go between the
hackle stocks, as was the practice previously. The advantages
gained by this arrangement are twofold; first, it admits of a
greater number of rows of pins in a given space, which is of great
value in fine hackling; and, secondly, it enables much finer hackles
to be cleared by the action of stripper rods than was before possible.
The mode of carrying out this part of the Invention is shewn at
Fig. 5, Sheet II., and also at Figures 6, 7, and 8, which are detached
views drawn on a larger scale. In all these Figures the same letters
indicate the like parts. a, a, are the rings on which the hackles b,
are fixed by screws at each end of their stocks. Four lines of pins
are shewn in each stock; but this may of course be varied. These
rings a, a, have a flange c, projecting at right angles from their
periphery (as shewn best at Fig. S), and in these flanges are radial
slots for receiving the stripper rods d. A plate e, is fastened on the
outside of these rings a, for the purpose of keeping all the stripper
rods in their places.

page_text: It has hitherto frequently been the practice to use the stripper rods
as guards for preventing the flax from going too deep into the
hackles, and to adjust them for different sorts of flax, by taking them
out and altering their breadth; but this occupied a great deal of time,
as did also the regulating of the height of the guards by screws, as was
sometimes done. But in all these cases, the height or position of the
guards in action, with relation to the pins, was uniform and constant,
and did not vary during the time the hackles were acting on the flax.
Now the third head of this Invention consists in the application
of certain mechanical means for the purpose of varying and adjust-
ing the height or position of the guards or stripper rods (which
act as guards) with reference to the points of the hackle pins
during the time of each lift and descent of the holders, and on all
or any of the different gradations of hackles, so as to cause the
hackles to act on the flax in a more gradual manner than has been
hitherto attained, and thereby produce a better quality of dressed
flax and a greater yield in proportion to the tow; and also tow
having a greater length of fibre than heretofore by reason of the
pins acting on a greater length of fibre of raw flax at once. The
action of this apparatus may be adjusted, so that, as the holders
descend, more of the length of the pins may gradually be exposed,
or so that the flax may be lowered right down upon the hackles,
whilst but a small portion of the pins are exposed to act, and then
the length of pin so exposed may be gradually increased as the
hackling process goes on. But these are points which the judgment
of those in charge of the machines will easily adapt to the different
sorts of work to be done.
The manner in which these different objects are attained is
shewn in two forms, namely, at Fig. 5, as applied to a reversing
circular hackling machine; and at Fig. 9, as applied to a flat or
sheet machine; and from these it will be quite evident how the
same principle can be applied to hackling machines of other con-
structions.
"
At Fig. 5, the apparatus for regulating the movement of the
guards or stripper rods is shown in side elevation; the hackle

page_text: cylinder and guards or stripper rods (which have been already
referred to) being represented in section. f, is one of the main
shafts of the hackling machine, which revolves at a spead equal to
one fourth of the lifts of the holders. To this shaft is keyed a cam
g, on the edge of which a bowle 7, carried by a stud on the lever i,
rests. This lever i, is supported at one end on a stud j, attached to
the framing, of the hackling machine, and it is weighted at its
outer extremity for the purpose of keeping the bowle
always in
contact with the edge of the cam g. There is also attached to the
lever i, by a pin and point, a rod l, the lower end of which is con-
nected to a lever, which is provided with a segment rack m, and
works on a stud affixed to the framing. This segment rack takes
into and communicates motion to a pinion a, keyed to a shaft o,
which extends from one end to the other of the machine. At in-
tervals on this shaft o, and corresponding with one or more grada-
tions of hackles, small levers or links p, are fixed, and to these
levers guide bars 2, 2, are attached for regulating the position of
the guards or stripper rods d, as their respective rows of hackle pins
are brought to act upon the flax. At their opposite end these
guide bars are connected respectively by a link (similar in
position and equal in radius to the levers p) to one of a series of
. adjustable upright pillars s, and all the parts are made so that when
the shaft o is caused to rock from right to left, or from left to
right, by the cam g acting through the parts described, the curved
guide bars will be caused to descend on one or other side of the
cylinder, and depress the stripper rods d, as they pass beneath and
in contact with the guide bars, which stripper rods, by the action of
their centrifugal force when the cylinder is revolving, always fly as
far out from the centre of motion as the radial slots in which they
work will permit. By this means the hackle pins will be allowed
to act to any required amount on one side of the flax, and after-
wards, when the direction of rotation of the cylinder is reversed, to
act upon the opposite side. When the holders are raised to allow
of this change of motion of the cylinder, the cam g, by presenting
a depression to the bowle of the weighted lever i, will permit that
2

page_text: lever to fall and rock the segment rack m, whereby the pinion n,
and its axle o, will be driven round sufficiently to bring the links
or levers (on that shaft) to a vertical position. The guide bars
will now be raised, and the stripper rods, as they are brought up
under the guide bars, will take such a position as will expose but a
short length of pin. As the holders again descend, the cam g will
depress the guide bars q, in the opposite direction, so as to allow the
pins to act on the other side of the flax. The next time the head
or holder side rises, the guide bars will also rise and remain up
while the holders are shifted to the next gradation of hackles, after
which they will descend again on the same side to do the other
side of the flax, the guide bars retaining the same position. On
the next rising of the head or holder slide the direction of rotation
of the cylinder is again changed, after which the guide bars descend
to the first position; these several motions are repeated at the
required intervals by reason of the peculiar form of the periphery of
the cam g.
The dotted lines in Figure 5, shew two positions, which the links
and occupy when the guide bars are raised to their highest,
position, and when they are depressed on the right-hand side of the
cylinder. The pillars s, and shaft o, are made adjustable, as is also
the position and length of the connecting rod b, so that any required
amount of motion can be obtained for the guide bars; and the
form of the guide bars is also such that more or less length of pin
can be exposed to act on the end or any other part of the flax, as is
thought desirable.
The machine represented at Fig. 5, as double, may be made
single if required. In a case of a double machine the shaft o, is
employed for actuating both sets of guide bars.
Figure 9, represents another arrangement for carrying out the
third part of this Juvention, which arrangement is applicable to flat
or sheet machines and others, where there either is no centrifugal
force brought into action, or not sufficient for keeping out the
stripper rods. From the description of this and the previously de-
scribed arrangement, it will be evident how the principle may be
B

page_text: adapted to any kind of hackling machines. In this Figure a, a,
represents an end view of the usual sheet, to which the sheet bars
b, b, hackles c, c, and the stripper cock d, are attached, and which
passes over and is supported by the usual shafts e, e, pullies f, f, and
slides g. h, is the holder with the flax. i, is one of the main shafts
of the machine, on which is fixed a cam or tappet, the projecting
points of which correspond with the lift of the head and holders.
Z, is a lever hung on a shaft m, fixed in the framing n of the machine.
The pendent lever carries a bowle, which lies in contact with the
edge of the cam k. On the shaft m is a horizontal slotted arm o,
in which a stud or pin p, is fixed. This pin passes through a slot
in the end of the guide bar 1, which extends over the top of the
sheet of hackles alongside of the rows of stripper cocks, and is sup-
ported at its other end by a fixed stud 1, set in a slotted bracket
attached to the cross bar of the machine, and capable of adjust-
ment vertically. The action of this arrangement of parts is that the
projecting points of the tappet k will, through the lever l, press
down the arm o, and with it the guidebars q, which are in contact
with the stripper rods. Near the edges of the sheet of hackles, and
at suitable intervals, small pulleys or rounded surfaces s, s, are
mounted. Over these pulleys or rounded surfaces (as the case may
be), and underneath the stripper rods, a band of india-rubber or
other suitable substance is passed, and drawn to sufficient tension to
support the weight of the stripper rods and keep them up against
the quite bars. These arms o, guide bars q, and bands and pulleys
s, are placed at such intervals along the length of the machine as
will ensure the stripper rods being kept in their proper positions ;
and usually one set at the end of each two gradations or breadths
of hackles is sufficient. It will be apparent from inspecting Fig. 9,
that the end of the guide bar q, which is next the fixed stud r, has
least motion, and thereby permits the rods when passing under the
lower end of the guide bar to rise but a short distance; the effect of
this is to expose a greater length of pin to act on the end of the
strick of flax, which requires, and is capable of enduring, more severe
hackling. The amount of hackling can be regulated in any desired

page_text: way, by varying the cams and motion and position of the studs. It
will be apparent that the weight of the stripper rods and the centri-
fugal force which they acquire takes them out and keeps them so
till they come up to the place where the guide bars begin to act, so
that the bands have simply to keep the rods up in their places when
passing under the guide bars.
The fourth and last head of this Invention springs out of the third
head, and consists in employing, in connection with the guide bars
which determine the position of the guards or stripper rods, hackles
with pins of different lengths in the same or different rows. Fig. S,
shews a row of hackle pins of different lengths; and Fig. 7, an ar-
rangement in which the rows of hackle pins are of different lengths.
The object of this difference of length is, that when the flax by the
position of the stripper rods or guards is only allowed to sink to
such a depth that the long pins can act, they form a coarser hackle
than when all are in action, and thereby a larger yield of dressed
flax is produced from the more gradual action of the hackles, and a
smaller number of changes of the holders is required.
I have described my improved machinery as having reference
only to the treatment of flax fibre; but it will be evident that it is
also applicable to the hackling or combing of china-grass, silk,
and other fibrous substances requiring such treatment.
Having now described my Invention of improvements in ma-
chinery for hackling or combing flax and other fibrous substances,
I wish it to be understood that, under the above in part recited
Letters Patent, I claim, first, the application to hackling machinery
of reciprocating or rotating friction or buffing surfaces, for the
purpose of straightening and softening the fibres of flax and other
like substances, either prior to or subsequently to their undergoing
the
process of hackling or combing. Secondly, arranging the rows
of hackle pins at equal distances apart, and inserting between them
stripper rods, as above explained. Thirdly, varying and adjusting
the height or position of the guards or stripper rods with regard to
the points of the hackle pins during the descent and rising of the
holders, for the purpose of producing a more gradual action on the

page_text: fibres thau has hitherto been attained. And, lastly, I claim the
use of hackle pins of different lengths, in the same or in different
rows, in connection with guards or stripper rods regulated or ad-
justed as above described. .
In witness whereof, I, the said James Combe, have hereunto
set my hand and scal, this Twenty-second day. of July, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
three.
JAMES COMBE. (LS..)