Improvements in Dobbies and in Undermotions Employed in Looms for Weaving.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Sept., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 4th June, 1898-Accepted, 9th July, 1898
NOVIDIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Dobbies and in Undermotions Employed in Looms
for Weaving.
I, ROBERT HENRY PLACE, of Sandy Gate, Burnley, in the County of Lancaster,
Loom Dobby Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
<<
The first part of my invention has reference to the dobby to which I propose to
apply a cross border motion" for weaving two patterns such as squares, borders
and the like.
In carrying out my invention I employ two pegging barrels and two sets of
levers suitably hinged but the said levers are connected together by cog teeth so
that when the pegs on one barrel operate one set of levers the other set are moved
through the intervention of the cog teeth whereby the pattern is changed from
one pegging barrel to the other.
The second part of my invention has again reference to the dobby in connection
with what are known as the "Burnley Dobbies," my improvements consisting in
automatic means for changing the pattern. To do this, two pegging barrels are
employed and an endless chain working around a peg wheel. In one of the links
of the chain is a knuckle or peg, which on coming under a lever raises the said
lever which by means of a pin momentarily lifts a catch out of a ratchet wheel
whereby a tooth in the said ratchet wheel is missed, consequently the pattern is
changed from one square to another.
Thirdly. My invention relates to an undermotion for pulling down the heddles or
healds after they have been raised in the ordinary manner. The undermotion
primarily consists of segments which by means of leather straps or other means are
connected to the underside of the heald shaft. The opposite end of the said
segments are connected by strong spiral springs which pull the healds down after
being raised. These spiral springs have hitherto been connected to rigid parts
and in placing the spiral spring into position it has to be stretched which is a very
inconvenient operation because of the smallness of space allowed under the loom for
this purpose.
The object of my invention is to provide means to enable the springs to be placed
easily into position and to do that I place the hook which receives one end of the
springs on the top of an adjustable bar capable of being moved in its bearings, so
that when a spring has to be placed into position the bar is lowered so that the
spring can be placed in position without being stretched but after the spring has
been placed in position the adjustable bar is raised by a cam or other suitable
means whereby the springs are adjusted to any tension required.
Dated this 3rd day of September 1897.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax, Patent Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Dobbies and in Undermotions Employed in Looms
for Weaving.
I, ROBERT HENRY PLACE, of Sandy Gate, Burnley, in the County of Lancaster,
Loom Dobby Maker, 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 :-
"
The first part of my invention has reference to the dobby to which I propose to
apply a cross border motion" for weaving two patterns such as squares, borders
and the like.
In carrying out my invention I employ two pegging barrels and two sets of
levers suitably hinged but the said levers are connected together by cog teeth so
that when the pegs on one barrel operate one set of levers the other set are
moved through the intervention of the cog teeth whereby the weighted lovers now
employed are dispensed with.
In order that my said invention may be fully understood reference is hereinafter
had to the annexed sheet of drawings forming a part of the Specification in
which :-
Fig. 1 is sectional elevation of so much of a dobby as is essential to shew the
application of the first part of my invention.
"
Fig. 2 is front elevation of what is known as the "Burnley Dobby
embodying the second part of my invention, and Fig. 3 is elevation of the
undermotion shewing the application of the third part of
my invention.
Referring firstly to Fig. 1 letters a and b represent the two pegging barrels
each carrying its complement of lags a', b', in which the pegs are secured to
determine the patterns required, those on the lags a¹ giving one pattern
and those on the lags 61 giving another pattern. Each pegging barrel
is carried on a stud or shaft e secured to the compound swing lever c, d,such
compound lever being oscillated by the weaver in the usual way or worked
automatically by the machine itself through suitable mechanism for the purpose
of placing one barrel in action and the other out of action to change the pattern
at the proper times.
The above parts are common to this class of dobby, but heretofore the pegging
barrels have operated on two sets of levers, one set being weighted to ensure
descent of the levers after each lift, while the other set had necessarily to engage
and raise the weighted levers in their upward movement, the result being
that a considerable strain was put upon the pegs and they were frequently
broken.
My invention consists in dispensing with the weighted and other levers now
employed, and using in place thereof two sets of levers ƒ and g pivotted
respectively on cross rods or shafts f, g', secured at each end in the framework h.
Each lever in each set is provided at its inner end with cog teeth, which gear with
the teeth on the opposite lever, whereby when one lever is raised by a peg in its
pegging barrel it likewise raises the opposite corresponding lever.
In the drawings the barrel a is shewn to be in position for operating the
levers f, g, and the barrel b is clear and idle. The levers f are alternately curved
upwardly and straight at their extremities as shewn in full and dotted lines, the
curved ends acting on the ordinary levers ; and the straight ended levers acting on

page_text: the vertical needles k, that is to say, when the levers are raised as aforesaid, the
extremities of levers f descend and allow the catches j to descend on to the
reciprocatory knife which engages therewith and actuates the jacks to form
the "shed," the needles k likewise allowing the upper corresponding set of catches
to descend into engagement with the upper reciprocatory knife (not shown)
as ordinarily.
In gearing together two sets of levers employed in conjunction with two pegging
barrels as described, I avoid altogether the necessity for weighting one set of levers
the combined weight of two levers geared together ensuring their proper descent
after each lift, and thus the strain is equal on both sets of pegs in lags a¹ and b¹.
The motion is also easier causing fewer breakages of the pegs and requires less
power to lift.
The second part of my invention refers to another construction of the
dobby known as the "Burnley Dobby" in which also two pegging barrels are
employed.
Referring to Fig. 2 letters m and n represent ratchet wheels on the ends of the
two pegging barrel shafts m', n', the catches or pawls for actuating said ratchet
wheels and the lever o to which the pawls are connected and by whose oscillatory
motion a step by step movement is given alternately to the two ratchet wheels and
consequently the pegging barrels. The above parts are common to this description
of dobby and are well known. My invention then consists in providing means for
causing one of said pawls to miss a tooth at given periods for the purpose of
automatically changing the pattern being woven.
For such purpose
employ a chain wheel p around which passes an endless
chain p' of such a length as the periodic change of pattern required determines, and
to this chain is secured a knuckle or peg q, or there may be more than one knuckle
or peg if rapid changes are required or the chain is a long one.
The chain wheel is mounted on a short shaft r journalled in bearings in a bracket a
bolted to the framework h of the dobby, and on said shaft is also mounted a ratchet
wheel t and a barrel or boss u having curved or flat surfaces on which is adapted to
press a flat spring u' secured to the bracket 8 at u². A step by step motion is
given to the shaft r by a pull pawl t¹ pivotted to the lever o and engaging the teeth
of the ratchet t, which is drawn around thereby a tooth at a time, the pressure of
the flat spring u² against the flat or curved surfaces on the boss or barrel preventing
any excess of movement beyond that given by the pawl t¹. Pivotted at on a stud
secured to the bracket s is a lever v' which normally rests on a stud v2, and is
provided at its extremity with a stud or pin extending under and adapted to
engage the pawl m¹.
The pegging barrels are geared together by toothed wheels m2, n2, in order that
the movement of one barrel shall positively move the other barrel and to the same
extent.
In action, the pawls m¹, n' alternately take hold of a tooth on their respective
ratchet wheels and turn them about their axes to the extent of a tooth, and this
motion being communicated each time from one barrel to the other by the
gears m, n, it follows that the pawls m¹, n¹, will only engage with every other
tooth on the ratchet wheels. The pegging barrels act in turn to determine the
pattern, but, as they move together to the same extent at each swing of the lever o,
as explained, they present every other lag only to the shedding mechanism, the
intermediate or alternate lags being pegged for producing a change of pattern. It
is for the purpose of bringing these alternate lags into play to change the pattern
at predetermined times that the second part of my invention is intended and is
effected as follows;-At each complete traverse of the chain p¹ (whose length
determines the period between each change of pattern) around the chain wheel p,
the knuckle or peg q is presented thereby under the lever v¹ which it elevates and
by means of pin raises the pawl m¹ out of gear or clear of the ratchet wheel m
so that on the forward beat of said pawl no motion is given to the ratchet wheel nor

page_text: to either pegging barrel. The consequence of this is that the pawls on next
engaging their ratchet wheels take hold of the alternate teeth to those they had
previously engaged and therefore bring the alternate lags into action whereby the
pattern is changed, the new pattern continuing until the knuckle or peg q again
rides under the lever v¹ when the set of lags first in operation are again brought
into play this order of change continuing to take place at regular intervals
automatically throughout the whole piece being woven.
The third part of my invention relates to the undermotion for drawing down
the healds or headles after each lift by the dobby. Referring to Fig. 3, where
this part of my invention is illustrated, letter w represents the segments which are
connected at one end by leather straps or other means to the underside of the
bottom shafts of the healds as shewn and are turned upon their axes against the
tension of strong spiral springs x by the upward movement of the healds. These
springs have heretofore been connected to rigid parts and in attaching them to or
removing them from the undermotion they had to be stretched which, on account
of the smallness of space allowed under the loom rendered the operation very
inconvenient and difficult.
My invention consists in providing means for enabling the springs to be
placed easily into position, said means comprising adjustable bars y capable of
being moved vertically in ways in brackets or framing y¹ by means of cams y2
journalled in bearings in said brackets and adapted to be turned about their axes
by a key fitted on to the square ends of the cam shafts. At the upper ends of
said sliding bars are formed hooks y³, to which the outer ends of the springs are
to be attached. When desiring to place the springs in position or remove them
from the undermotion, the cams y² are turned round so as to present their shorter
radii to the lower ends of the bars y which therefore descend to the position shewn
iu dotted lines. While in this position the springs can be easily and expeditiously
hooked at one end to the segments and at the opposite ends to the hooks y³, no
stretching being necessary, and when in position and secure, the cams are again
rotated to present the longer radii to the bars y which are thus elevated to the
positions shown in full line and adjust the springs to the tension required. The
cams are prevented from turning, after being moved to the full extent by means of
keys or pins passed through the sides of the brackets y¹ and engaging with flats
on the cam shafts, or any equivalent locking devices may be adopted for this
purpose.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In dobbies for looms, the combination with two pegging barrels (arranged
to be moved alternately into position for actuating the shedding mechanism and
changing the pattern) of levers such as f, g, having cog teeth on their opposing
ends and so arranged that the movement of one lever gives positive movement to
the other lever in the manner and for the purposes, substantially as herein shewn
and described.
2. In the "Burnley Dobby," the combination with two pegging barrels geared
together by toothed wheels and actuated as set forth, of a chain wheel and endless
chain carrying one or more knuckles or pegs, a lever such as v', adapted to be
elevated by said knuckle, knuckles, or pegs and by means of a stud or pin to raise
the near pawl clear of the ratchet wheel on the corresponding pegging barrel shaft
and means for giving motion to the said chain wheel, all arranged and
acting in the manner and for the purposes, substantially as herein shewn and
described.
3. In undermotions for drawing down the healds or headles after they have
been raised by the dobby mechanism, the use and employment of adjustable bars
to which the springs for drawing down the healds are attached, and means for

page_text: adjusting said bars to allow of easy attachment of the springs and the adjustment
of their tension after attachment, substantially as herein set forth and for purposes
described.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Patent Agents, Halifax.