Improvements in the Picking Mechanism of Looms.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 4th Apr., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Picking Mechanism of Looms.
We, JAMES HAYTHORNTHWAITE of 62 Maurice Street, Nelson, in the County of
Lancaster, Cotton Manufacturer, and BULCOCK DUCKWORTH, of 38 Church Street,
Barrowford, aforesaid, Cabinet 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:-
Its objects are,
1st. To substitute a metallic band or coiled spring, in place of the ordinary leather
picking-band or strap, so that the excessive wear and tear, and cost of repairing or
renewing such part of the picking mechanism of looms, may be materially
minimised.
2nd. To obviate damage to the cloth in the loom, which is at present caused by
picking bands, or straps, which are saturated with oil or other softening medium, for
the
purpose of rendering them flexible, and which, when newly put on, throw off, by the
jerking action or picking-motion, the surplus, which falls on the cloth, deteriorating
the same, and causing the weaver additional trouble, to remove or obliterate it;
3rd. To prevent waste of yarn by the cop "knocking off," &
4th. To permit of the speed of the loom being increased.
In order that our invention may be fully understood, we attach a sheet of drawings
marked with letters and figures of reference indicating corresponding parts in various
figures.
Fig. 1. is a side view and Fig. 2 is an end view of the appliance, (with part of the
cap broken off, to show the coil spring),
Fig. 3. is a longitudinal section of Fig. 1, with the cap and outer socket (shown in
dotted lines) removed, Fig. 4 is an end view of same.
Fig. 5. shows a sectional elevation of the cap and outer socket.
Fig. 6. is an end view of the cap and outer socket, showing the inside of same,
and coiled spring.
Fig. 7. shows the appliance with a perforated socket, projecting into a peripherically
perforated cap.
Fig. 8. shows a view of a modification of Fig. 1, and
Fig. 9. is a side view of the buckle (20) of same.
In carrying out our invention, we fix, securely, to the loose extremity of the
ordinary picking-stick (1) a cylindrical box, or chamber (2), having in its centre, an
inner socket (8 Fig. 3) into which the stick (1) enters and is surrounded by an annular
space (4, Fig. 4) formed by the outer casing (5, Figs. 3 and 4) of the box (2).
The end of this inner socket (3) projects beyond the edge (6) or rim of the
box (2, Figs. 1 & 3) and is notched or toothed for the purpose hereinafter
described.
On the outside of this socket (3 Figs. 3 & 4), we apply an adjustable tubular
cover or outer socket (7, Fig. 5) on to which it fits loosely, and is readily engaged or
taken off or adjusted, when desirable.
This outer socket is provided with a cap or cover, (8' Figs. 1 to 7), which fits on
to the cylindrical chamber (2) previously referred to.
A metallic band, or blade-spring (9) is attached at one end by suitable means to the
barrel of the outer socket, (7, Fig. 6) round which it is coiled, and the other end or
extremity passes through an opening or slot, (10 Figs. 1 and 7), in the side of the
cylindrical box, already described, and is connected by means of a hook or other

page_text: suitable device, either direct to the picker, or immediately thereto, by means of a piece
of leather or the like.
The spring may be tightened or relaxed so as to reduce or lengthen the portion
which projects out of the box, and for this purpose we insert a cross-piece (11 Fig. 6)
in the inside of the cap, and stretching across the outer socket; the functions of which
are described in the following paragraph.
When the cap is fixed tight on the case, it is held securely in position by means of
a screw (12), (which penetrates it, and enters the end of the picking stick), and the
cross piece engages with the teeth (13) on the inner socket, previously mentioned.
Instead of employing a screw as just described, the inner-socket (3 Fig. 3) is
lengthened and the teeth (13) dispensed with, and perforations (15 Fig. 7) made in
place thereof.
The part (8) of the cap (8 Fig. 5) is also extended further out, and is provided
with holes, which fit over, and correspond with the holes (15 Fig. 7) in the socket,
when the cap is placed in the proper position; by these means the spring may also be
adjusted when necessary.
Fig. 8. is a modification of the arrangement shewn by Fig. 1: the case (2) being
dispensed with.
The end of the picking stick. fits into the socket (16) which is cone-shaped and is
securely attached thereto, by a screw or split pin, (17) by which, and the perfora-
tions (18) it may be turned either way so as to tighten or loosen the coil spring (9)
when necessary.
The loop (20 Figs. 8 & 9) is to allow more freedom of action when picking.
The coil spring is attached to the "picker" in the usual way, by any of the well
known methods.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, we declare that what we claim is :-
1st. In picking mechanism of looms the arrangement and combination of the parts
substantially as, and for the purpose herein before specified and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
2nd. The coil-spring (9), (Figs. 1 to 8).
3rd. The method of regulating, tightening or relaxing the coil-spring (9 Figs. 1
to 8).
4th. The loop or buckle (20 Figs. 8 & 9) all substantially, as, and for the purpose
specified and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 19th day of February 1896.
JAS. T. PEARSON,
Registered Patent Agent,
Agent for the Applicants.