Improvements in Loom Pickers for Weaving.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application 25th July, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 20th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 24th July, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Loom Pickers for Weaving.
ALEXANDER DICK STEWART, 7 Cumphill Quadrant, Langside, Glasgow, Scotland,
Fancy Dress Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
Pickers for looms have hitherto been made of some soft material, or materials,
bound together by wires, rivets, and such like appliances, and when each picker has
been used on one or both sides, the entire picker is thrown aside as waste. In this
invention the only soft material employed is situated exactly at the part of the
picker, where the point of the shuttle strikes, when in active operation, and can be
rearranged, or entirely removed and renewed at pleasure. The rest of the picker
is composed of some rigid and darable substance or substances, such as metals, and
is intended to be as nearly as possible, permanent. In most cases the loom spindle
for guiding the picker passes through two bushes composed of brass, white metal or
the like, which are screwed into the holes at opposite ends of the upper portion of
the picker, and which can be removed and renewed at pleasure.
After the picker has been used for the ordinary average time and is therefore worn
by point of shuttle it is only necessary to remove the soft material and rearrange it
so as to present a new surface to the impact of the shuttle or if thought more
desirable fit the picker with new soft material. As the body of the picker is composed
of rigid and durable and practically permanent materials it will be obvious that the
Occasional renewal of the soft material, and at long intervals of the bushes in spindle
holes, render the picker for all practical purposes as good as new and saves both time
and material besides giving much more satisfactory work.
These pickers are suitable for all kinds of looms such as overpick, underpick,
airpick, springpick and the like, the alterations required to make them suit any
loin being only in detail. This applies also to all kinds of hand-looms.
Having now given a short description of the invention the best way of shewing
how the objects aimed at are carried into effect will be to explain the construction of
the ordinary picker for an overpick loom and then explain the differences in the
new picker. The materials used in the construction of the present pickers are
numerous, buffalo hide, ordinary leather and hard woods being amongst the number.
The custom is to make the picker entirely of one soft substance like the above and
after making it into the required shape to bind the different parts together with
wires, rivets and such like appliances. The picker in the following description is
looked at from the front of the loom and the word "wide" means from side to
side of the front face, the word "deep" means from top to bottom and the word
thick" from front to back.
(A) A semicircular tongue about one and a half inches wide, one inch deep, and
fully quarter of an inch thick which goes into slot at bottom of shuttle box to guide
and steady the picker.
(B) A solid mass of material lying immediately above the tongue about one and a
half inches wide, one inch deep and one inch thick being the portion of picker
against which the point of the shuttle strikes and which propels the shuttle.
(C) A solid piece of material slightly curved upwards at the two ends, about two

page_text: and a half inches wide, half an inch deep and one inch thick which lies immediately
above and projects from each side of the solid mass (B) and which supports on its
outer ends the two pieces (D).
(D) Two thin pieces of solid material about three eighths of an inch wide, one inch
deep and one inch thick, that is; from front to back of picker, through which the
holes for the loom spindle that guides the picker are hored.
(E) Sometimes one hat generally two solid pieces lying horizontal and parallel and
which form the top of the picker about one and three quarter inches wide, fully
quarter of an inch deep and fully quarter of an inch thick, lying about three eighths
of an inch separate, the space between forming the hole for leather strap to pass
through which connects the picker to picking-stick or pluck-stick of loom.
The substances that may be employed to make the permanent body of the new
picker are numerous and amongst others such metals as iron or steel in the form of
cast or cast malleable, wrought, sheet, piping or wire, aluminium, brass, bronze,
delta metal, white metal and the like in a number of different forms.
The soft substances which may he employed to fill or partially fill the chamber, or
be fastened to the picker, to receive the shuttle are also numerous amongst others
being buffalo hide, leather, land woods, cork, india rubber, gutta percha, ele.
One of the principal objects aimed at in this new picker is the rapid renewal of
that part of the picker on which the point of the shuttle strikes and this could
be attained by simply having a piece or pieces of soft material fastened on by rivets,
screws, wires, twine, cement or such like appliances to the face or faces of that
portion of the picker marked (B)-that part of the picker having been made somewhat
narrower in width to make room for the soft material, but, the plan of having a cavity
or hollow chamber extending the whole width, depth and breadth of that portion of the
picker marked (B) offers greater advantages. The soft material or materials put into
this chamber are prevented from getting out at the end next shuttle by a small metal
Hange or alternatively a number of small metal poiuts encircling the internal mouth.
of the chamber and at the other end are forced forward by a set screw which is in
the central pap of a piece of metal which can be taken out of, and replaced again
in, the end of chamber. A thin piece of metal fitting the chamber exactly is
put between the soft material and the point of the set screw. The movable piece
of metal and the set screw are only employed when the chamber is of a square or
irregular shape and in some cases a small lever or powerful spring may be employed
in place of set screws.
When the chamber is round the method used to force the soft material forward
is to have the one end of the circular chamber screwed internally for about half its
length and have a piece of tube about three quarters of an inch long screwed
externally and small enough to allow of its being screwed inside the chamber. The
forcing power is got by entting two or four small square shaped notches in the luck
part of the small piece of tube and by these it can be turned and of course acts
powerfully against the thin piece of metal behind soft material.
Taking an entirely east metal picker for an overpick loom with a square chamber
as the first example and contrasting it with the ordinary picker already described it
will be found that-
(A) Is a semicircular tongue of metal the same width and depth and thickness as
in the former example, but with the whole of the centre taken out to give lightness
-the outer shell or rim that remains is about an eighth of an inch in bulk.
(B) Is a hollow cavity or chamber the walls being of cast metal as light as possible
and the dimensions the same as (B) in the ordinary picker.
(C) Is represented by a bar of metal lying along the centre of the top of the square
chamber (B)-the same length as in former example, but: only three eighths of an
inch deep and quarter of an inch thick and this har supports the two pieces (D).
(D) The two pieces (D) are represented by two circular pieces of cast metal an
inch in diameter and quarter of an inch thick having two small cast metal projections
the same thickness and half an inch in length and breadth extending upwards and
which sunport (E).

page_text: (E) The double bars (E) in the ordinary picker are represented by a single round
bar of cast metal, about three eighths of an inch thick baving a small thin casting
attached to it below with a slot an inch and a half long in it. The strap for pulling
the picker goes round the bar and through the slot. If two brass or white metal or
similar bushes are screwed into the circular pieces (D) and the soft material and the
movable piece of metal with set screw and the thin piece of metal behind soft
material are added the cast metal picker with square chamber is complete.
The cast metal picker with circular chamber for soft material is exactly similar to
the square chambered cast metal picker but the chamber is cast circular about one
inch in diameter, is screwed internally for about half its length and has the screwed
tube foreing appliance already described to fix the soft material-the soft material
and plate behind are of course circular and exactly fit the chamber.
Another picker with circular chamber is made of a combination of cast and
malleable metal. The chamber for soft material consists of a piece of malleable iron
or steel or other tough metal pipe about one inch in diameter and one and a half
inches long. The tongue and the upper portions of the picker are of cast metal of
the same dimensions as in circular chambered cast metal sample, but are each
rivetted to the metal pipe by four rivets passing through four small paps on each
casting and through the outer easing of pipe the heads of the rivets being counter-
sunk into the interior of pipe. The tongue and upper casting have each two small
projections at each end which overlap the ends of the metal tube or pipe and at one
end form the four catches to prevent the soft material getting out and at the other
prevent the pressure of screws on soft material displacing the enstings on pipe. The
other fittings are similar to former example.
One of the most useful forms of the new picker is constructed of a combination of
thin and thicker sheet metal and sometimes a casting held together by rivets and
sometimes brazing. First a piece of sheet metal of the required thickness is cut ont
by a die the total length being abcut eight and a half inches and the greatest width
fully two inches. The two extreme points of this sheet are semicircular in shape and
represent the two sides of the tongue- the next inch and quarter fully of the sheet
at each end represent the bends out from each side of the tongue to the outsides of
hollow chamber and the sides of the hollow chamber respectively-these portions are
all about one and a half inches wide. The sheet then widens out to fully two inches
and represents the two upper sides and the top of picker. When the sheet has
been cut it is folded together the middle of sheet having a double bend an inch
apart and the two sides being flat and parallel thereafter for two and a half inches.
when the two sides are again bent inwards to form the two sides of the tongue which
are rivetted together by three double ended rivets which keep them about quarter
of an inch apart. A small thin casting barely two and a half inches long, an inch
in width from front to beck and having two projections an inch and a half long, an
inch wide and quarter of an inch thick cast at right angles on its two ends and
having a slot an inch and a quarter long and quarter of an inch wide in the centre of
its top is rivetted firmly to the top of the thin sheet formerly described and this
casting supports the two bushes for the loom spindle to pass through and by means
of the slot, and pieces punched cut of the upper portion of the thin sheet of metal,
provides for the connection with loom. The bottom of the hollow chamber for
holding soft material is formed by the two bends inward to meet the two sides of
tongue and the sides of hollow chamber are formed by the thin sheet metal, but for
the top of chamber a plate of thick sheet metal fully one and a half inches long rather
less than one inch wide and having two small projections on each side about one
eighth of an inch long and each extending along the sides of the plate about quarter
of an inch and having the one end of the plate about an eighth of an inch from end
bent downwards towards chamber and two holes punched close to other end, is
required. This plate is placed in between the two sides of thin sheet metal about
one inch above the bends forming bettom of chamber and the four projections on
sides of plate pass through four slots in the two sides and are firmly rivetted up.
The chamber is then fully formed the bend down in upper plate and two small

page_text: projections upwards from bottom of chamber keeping in the soft material and the
two holes and one of the studs of tongue keeping the movable piece of metal with set
screw in position. Instead of casting for top of picker a thick piece of sheet metal
fully five inches long, one inch wide and about an eighth of an inch thick with a
slot in centre for leather strap and having the two ends fully an inch and a quarter
from their extremities, bent at right angles, can be used. When this sheet is used
the brass or other metal hushes for the spindle are not screwed into the metal but
the screw on each bush is put through the respective holes into a metal nut
on inside. It is almost needless to remark that this picker is made as light as possible
by punching out pieces wherever they can be spared.
Pickers can also be made entirely or partially of wire or large and small tubes
screwed, rivetted brazed or otherwise firmly fastened together. In the picker for
underpick looins the whole of the picker including the tongue for going into the slot in
bottom of shuttle box is composed of some rigid and durable substance or substances
such as metals the hollow chamber for soft material being situated in front of the pluck
stick where the present solid piece of leather or other soft material is situated and the
soft material it contains is forced forward from behind by screw lever or spring in
much the same way as in overpick loom pickers.
To explain all the different kinds of pickers and how they will be constructed would
take up too much space suffice it to say that the principle is always the same
namely a rigid and durable and practically permanent main body, a portion of soft
material easily removable where the shuttle strikes the picker and in most cases the
points where the friction of the loom spindle acts on the picker also easily
removable.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Loom Pickers for Weaving.
ALEXANDER DICK STEWART 7 Camphill Quadrant, Langside, Glasgow, Scotland,
Fancy Dress Manufacturer, 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:—
Pickers for looms have hitherto been made of some soft material or materials,
bound together by wires, rivets and such like appliances, and when each picker has
been used on one, or both sides, the entire picker is thrown aside as waste. In this
invention almost the only soft material employed, is situated exactly at the part of
the picker, where the point of the shuttle strikes, when in active operation, and can
be rearranged or entirely removed and renewed, at pleasure. The rest of the picker
is composed of some rigid aud durable substance or substances, such as metals,
and is intended to be as nearly as possible permanent. In most cases the loom
spindle for guiding the picker, passes through two bushes composed of brass,
whito metal or the like, which are screwed into the holes at opposite ends, of the
upper portion of the picker, and which can be removed and renewed at pleasure.
After the picker has been used for the ordinary average time, and is therefore worn
by point of shuttle, it is only necessary to remove the soft material, and rearrange
it, so as to present a new surface to the impact of the shuttle, or if thought more
desirable, fit the picker with new soft material. As the body of the picker is
composed of rigid, and durable, and, practically permanent materials, it will be
obvious that the occasional renewal of the soft material, and at long intervals of the

page_text: bushes in spindle holes, render the picker for all practical purposes as good as
new, and saves both time and material, besides giving much more satisfactory
work. These pickers are suitable for all kinds of looms, such as overpick, under-
pick, airpick, springpick, and the like, the alterations required to make them suit
any loom, whether for check or plain work, being only in detail. This applies
also to all kinds of hand looms. Having now given a short description of the
invention, the best way of shewing how the objects aimed at, are carried into effect,
will be to explain the construction of the ordinary picker, for an overpick loom, and
then explain the differences in the new picker. The materials used in the con-
struction of the present pickers are numerous, buffalo hide, ordinary leather, and
hard woods, being amongst the number. The custom is to make the picker
entirely of one soft substance, like the above, and after making it into the required
shape, to bind the different parts together with wires, rivets, and such like appliances.
The picker in the following description, is looked at from the front of the loom,
and the word "Wide," means from side to side of the front face-the word "deep,"
means from top to bottom, and the word "thick," from front to back.
(A) A semicircular tongue, about one and a half inches wide, one inch deep, and
fully quarter of an inch thick, which goes into slot at bottom of shuttle box, to
guide and steady the picker.
(B) A solid mass of material lying immediately above the tongue about one and
a half inches wide, one inch deep and one inch thick, being the portion of picker
against which the point of the shuttle strikes and which propels the shuttle.
(C) A solid piece of material slightly curved upwards at the two ends about two
and a half inches wide, half an inch deep and one inch thick which lies immediately
above and projects from each side of the solid mass "(B)," and which supports on
its outer ends the two pieces "D."
(D) Two thin pieces of solid material about three eighths of an inch wide, one
inch deep and one inch thick (that is from front to back of picker) through which
the holes for the loom spindle that guides the picker are bored.
(E) Sometimes one but generally two solid pieces lying horizontal, and parallel,
and which form the top of the picker, about one and three quarter inches wide,
fully quarter of an inch deep, and fully quarter of an inch thick, lying about
three eighths of an inch separate, the space between forming the hole, for leather
strap to pass through, which connects the picker to picking stick or pluck-stick of
loom.
The substances that may be employed to make the permanent body of the new
picker, are numerous, and amongst others such metals, as iron or steel in the form
of, cast or cast-malleable, wrought, sheet, piping or wire, aluminium, brass or gun-
metal, delta metal, white metal, kronaud, or alloys of these metals, and the like,
in a number of different forms. The soft substances that may be employed to fill,
or partially fill, the chambers, or be fastened to the picker to receive the shuttlo
are also numerous, amongst others being rhinoceros, buffalo, or other hides, leather,
hard woods, cork, india rubber, gutta percha or a combination of these, or like
materials. One of the principal objects aimed at in this new picker, is the rapid
renewal of that part of the picker on which the point of the shuttle strikes, and
this could be attained by simply having a piece, or pieces of soft material, fastened
on by rivets, screws, wire, twine, cement, or such like appliances to the face, or
faces, of that portion of the picker marked "B," that part of the picker having
been made somewhat narrower, in width, to make room for the soft material, but,
the plan of having a cavity, or hollow chamber, extending the whole width, depth,
and breadth, or thickness, of that portion of the picker marked "B," offers greater
advantages. The soft material, or materials, put into this chamber, are prevented
from getting out at the end next shuttle, by a small metal Hauge, or alternately, a
number of small metal points encircling and projecting inwards from the circum-
ference of the mouth of the chamber, and at the other end are forced forward by a
set screw, which is in the central pap of a piece of metal, which can be taken out
and replaced again in the end of the chamber. A thin circular piece of metal from

page_text: a half to three quarters of an inch in diameter, with a small hole in centre, is
rivetted loosely to the point of the set screw, and presses against back of soft
material, and prevents point of set screw penetrating soft material. If found more
convenient a thin plate of metal fitting chamber exactly, can be placed loose against
the back of the soft material. The movable piece of metal and set screw are only
employed, when the chamber is of a square or irregular shape. In some cases a
small lever, or powerful flat or spiral spring, may be employed in place of set
screws. When the chamber is round, the method used to force the soft material
forward, is to have the end of chamber furthest from the shuttle, screwed internally
for about half its length, and have a piece of tube about three quarters of an inch
long, screwed externally, and small enough to allow of its being screwed inside the
larger tube, which forms the chamber. The forcing power is got by cutting, two or
four, small square shaped notches in the back part of the small piece of tube, and
by these it can be turned, and of course acts powerfully against the thin piece of
metal behind soft material.
Taking an entirely cast metal picker for an overpick, loom, with a square
chamber, as the first example, and contrasting it with the ordinary picker, already
described, it will be found that-
(A) Is a semicircular tongue of metal, the same width, and depth, and thickness,
as in the former example, but; with the whole of the centre taken out to give
lightness the outer shell or rim that remains is about an eighth of an inch in bulk,
and to both sides of this rim, and covering the entire sides of the tongue, thin
pieces of some antifriction metal, such as, brass, are rivetted or screwed.
(B) Is a hollow cavity, or chamber, the walls being of cast metal, as light as
possible, and the dimensions the same as "B," in the ordinary picker-may be
made higher than wide.
(C) Is represented by two separate supports at opposite ends or a bar of metal
lying along the centre of the top of the square shaped chamber "B," the same
length as in former example but; only three eighths of an inch deep, and quarter of
an inch thick, and this bar supports the two pieces "D."
(D) The two pieces "D" are represented by two circular pieces of cast metal,
an inch in diameter, and quarter of an inch thick, having two small cast metal
projections, the same thickness, and half an inch in length, and breadth, extending
exactly upwards, or slightly towards the front of the loom, and which support "(E)."
(E) The double bars "E" in the ordinary picker, are represented by a single
round bar of cast metal, about three eighths of an inch thick, having a small thin
casting attached to it below, or slightly to one side, with a slot barely an inch and
a balf long, and quarter of an inch wide, in it. The strap for pulling the picker
goes round the bar and through the slot. If two brass, or white metal, or similar
bushes, are screwed into the circular pieces "D," and the soft material or materials
are put into chamber, and the movable piece of metal with set screw and small
circular plate, or, the thin piece of metal behind soft material, are added, the cast
metal picker with square shaped chamber is complete.
A cast metal picker with circular chamber, for soft material, can be made exactly
similar in general construction to square or rectangular cast metal picker, but; the
chamber is cast circular, about one inch in diameter is screwed internally for about
half its length, and has the screwed tube forcing appliance, already described, to
fix the soft material-the soft material or materials and plate behind are of course
circular, and exactly fit the chamber. Another picker with circular chamber, is
made of a combination of cast and malleable metal. The chamber for soft material
consists of a piece of malleable iron, or steel, or other tough metal pipe, about one
inch in diameter, and one and a half long. The tongue and the upper portions of
the picker rre of cast metal, of the same dimensions as in circular chambered
cast metal sample, but; are each rivetted to the metal pipe by four rivets, passing
through four small paps on each casing, and through the outer casting of the pipe.
The tongue and upper casting have each two small projections, at each end, which
overlap the ends of the metal tube, or pipe, and at one end form, the four catches

page_text: to prevent the soft material getting ont, and at the other prevent the pressure of
screws ou soft material, displacing the castings on pipe. The other fittings are
similar to former example. One of the most useful forms of the new picker, is
constructed of a combination of thin and thicker sheet metal, and sometimes a
casting, held together by rivets and sometimes brazing. First a piece of sheet
metal of the required thickness is cut out by a die, the total length being about
eight inches, and the greatest width two and a quarter inches. The two extreme
points of this sheet are semicircular in shape, and represent the two sides of the
tongue. The shape of the sheet is quite simple. Two inches at each end are one
and a half inches wide, and the rest of the sheet, namely, four inches in centre, is
two and a quarter inches wide. From the same side of each of the one and a half
inch wide portions, stnall triangular pieces of inetal are left projecting-these
triangular pieces are fully half an inch wide at base, and fully quarter of an inch long,
and their centres are exactly one inch from each end of sheet. Almost exactly in
the centre of sheet, a slot is punched, barely one and a half inches long, and fully
five sixteenths of an inch wide. At half an inch from the centre on each side, two
pieces, square at ends next centre, and semicircular at opposite ends, and each
ineasuring barely one and a half inches wide, and one and a quarter inches long,
are punched out. Besides these larger pieces, a number of small slots aud holes
are punched in sheet, the uses of which will be understood, when the fitting
together of picker is explained. After being shaped and punched as described, the
sheet of metal is bent, so as to form the top and sides of the entire picker. To
form the ends, a strip of metal somewhat thicker, six and a half inches long, and
one inch wide is required. This strip has a slot in centre, the same size as slot in
large sheet, and two holes about five eighths of an inch in diameter, barely two
inches from each side of centre, and the extreme ends are bent round inwards to fit
pieces of No. 10 wire. After other small holes have been punched, this strip of
metal is bent at right angles, fully one and an eighth inches from centre on each
side, and one and a quarter inches further from centre on each side, is bent slightly
inwards, so as, to follow curves on sides. When this strip is placed at right angles
across top of larger sheet, the slot in the one corresponding with the slot in the
other, they are rivetted together, and form the sides and ends of the picker, the
ends of the strip being secured by two pieces of wire, extending from side to side
of the picker, aud rivetted up tight at both ends. To form the top of chamber for
soft material, a small piece of comparatively thick metal is required, it is two inches
long and fully seven eighths of an inch wide, and has two small pieces projecting
from each side, which pass through the side plates and are firmly rivetted up. The
one end of this small piece of metal, barely quarter of an inch from end, is bent
down so as to form the upper catch for the soft material in chamber, the catches
at the lower corners, being formed by the triangular pieces of metal, left projecting
from the large sheet of metal forming the sides of picker, and already described.
The triangles of metal are split in centre, and the two halves are rivetted together,
and if necessary also brazed. To prevent the sharp edges of the metal cutting the
leather band that pulls the picker, the inside edge of slot in top of picker, next
front of loom, requires to be covered, and the same applies to the two ends of top
and front slots. A piece of round brass rod with a deep cut barely an eighth of an
inch wide, and traversing its whole length, is accordingly passed over inner edge
of slot, and firmly rivetted, and two thin pieces of metal pass from top to front of
picker, round the outside of lower half of brass rod, and the ends of these pieces aro
securely rivetted to the top, and front of picker respectively. The two brass or
other metal bushes through which the loom spindle passes, are placed in the two
holes in the metal strip already described, and as the strip of metal is too thin to
take a screw, they are either screwed into two light nuts inside, or into the ends of
a thin metal tube, which passes from side to side of picker. The extreme points of
the large metal sheet first described, and which form the two sides of the tongue
of picker, are fastened together about a quarter of an inch apart, by three double
ended metal rivets, and the two upper of these rivets also pass through, and partly

page_text: secure, the thin brass or other antifriction metal plates, fixed on each side of the
tongue, the brass plates being also secured by two copper rivets each, near bottom
of picker. These brass plates can also be secured by screws ouly, so that when
worn they can be easily renewed. The small piece of metal with set screw in centre
for securing soft material in chamber, stauds vertical, the upper end being supported
through two holes in the plates forming roof of chamber, and the lower end having
a gab which passes over the stud, that holds the tongue of picker together, at
that end.
A form of picker for an overpick loom will now be described, which without
decreasing the efficiency of the picker, very much decreases its weight. This is
effected by simply doing away with all the upper portions of the pickers already
described, the lower portions being the same. This picker can be made in all the
substances, that those already described can be made in. When made ont of
wrought metal, that is; not a casting, it is composed of the following parts, namely,
a sheet of thin metal barely seven inches long. Two inches at each end are ouo and
a half inches wide, and the centre three inches barely two and a half inches wide.
Projecting from the same sides of sheet, bet, at opposite ends, one inch from each
end, are two triangular pieces of metal the same as previously described. One
eighth of an inch from centre, on each side, there is a rectangular hole punched,
one and three eighths of an inch wide, and seven eighths of an inch long. Besides
these large pieces there are two small slots, for fastening top of chamber, and a
number of small holes ou each half of sheet. This sheet of metal is bent double,
and forms the two entire sides of picker. Inside the top of sheet after being bent
double, and fastened to the sheet by six rivets, is a piece of thin metal tube
corresponding exactly in length to the width of the sheet, and fully half an inch in
internal diameter. This tube is screwed internally for fully half an inch from each
end, and the brass or other metal bushes through which the loom spindle passes,
are screwed into the ends of tube, and the spindle of course passes through centre
of tube. The strap for tugging or pulling the picker, passes through the two
rectangular holes already described, and round the tube, and the ends of the
rectangular holes, are guarded by thin pieces of metal passing from side to side of
picker, and rivetted to the two faces, these guards, being to prevent the tugging
strap being cut. The top of chamber is formed of a small piece of thick metal as
before described, rivetted securely by two projecting pieces of motal, to each side
of picker. The catches for keeping in soft material at top and bottom of chamber,
at end next shuttle, are formed as in picker formerly described, by bend down from
top plate, and the two triangular pieces of metal, split and rivette, and if necessary
brazed. The soft material in chamber is kept in position by small piece of metal
with set screw and plate, or other suitable appliance, as before described and the
sides of tongue are covered with plates of brass or other antifriction metal or
substance. This pickor can also be made as a casting the hollow tube for spindle
passing through and for holding tugging strap, and the chamber for containing soft
material, and the tongue below, all being cast hollow in one piece, a slot of course,
being left below centre of cast tube, for tugging strap to pass through. If you add
the two small bushes for spindle at each end of tube, the small piece of metal with
set screw and plate, and the two pieces of metal or other antifriction substance for
the sides of tongue, and the soft material or materials for inside of chamber, the
cast metal picker is complete. This picker can also be made as a combination of
wrought, and cast metals, the tube for holding the bushes for loom spindle being
of wrought metal, and the lower portions of picker composed of cast metal, the two
being held together by rings on the upper part of casting, through which the tube
is put, and to which it is firmly fastened by rivets, brazing, or such like appliances--
the tugging strap is kept in position by rings, and the other details are the same as
in pickers already described. A very simple form of this picker can be made of
two metal tubes, firmly connected together, and having a tongue fixed to lower
tube. The upper tube is fully half an inch in internal diameter, and about two and
three eighths of an inch long. The lower tube, which forins the chamber for soft

page_text: material, is seven eighths of an inch in internal diameter, and one and a half inches
long. These tubes are connected together, fully half an inch apart, by a casting,
or strips, or a sheet of metal, a slot fully one and a quarter inches long, and fully
quarter of an inch wide, being left below centre of upper tube for the strap that
lugs or pulls the picker, passing through. The connection between the tubes and
the tongue below, are rivetted to the tubes, by rivets with countersunk heads,
passing from the inside of tubes to the outside of castings, or whatever is employed
to unite the tubes and form tongue. The upper tube is screwed internally for
about half an inch at each end, to receive the bushes for loom spindle, and the
lower tube for about three quarters of an inch at one end, to receive the smaller
piece of tube which presses the soft material forward. The soft material in chamber
is prevented from getting out at end of chamber, or large tube, next shuttle, by
either the end of the tube being compressed, or otherwise made smaller, all round,
or by four points at nearly equal distances apart, projecting about one eighth of an
inch from inner circumference of tube, towards centre-two of these points come
from upper casting, or connection, and two from the tongue casting, or whatever it
is made of. The other details are similar to those already explained. It will be
seen from the foregoing descriptious, how pickers for any kind of overpick looms
can be constructed, the alterations required being only in detail. Pickers for
underpick looms are of extremely simple formation, consisting at present of an
oblong block of some soft material such as leather. They generally measure barely
four inches long, by fully an inch square. As in the case of overpick loom pickers,
the construction of the present pickers will be first described, and then the
differences in new picker will be shewn.
(w.) The first inch and three eighths of the length next shuttle, is a solid mass of
leather, or the like, fully an inch square, against which the shuttle strikes, and by
which the shuttle is propelled. From the underpart of this solid mass, a tongue of
leather projects into the slot in bottom of shuttle box, it is about three quarters of an
inch long, and fully one inch broad, and about three eighths of an inch thick.
(c.) The whole of the rest of the length of the picker, consists of a vertical slot
about two inches long, and three eighths of an inch wide, through which the picking,
or pluck-stick, passes which propels the picker. The sides and back end of this slot
are composed of thick leather, and the front end is formed by the back part of solid
mass ("W.")
When this picker has been once used, the entire picker is thrown aside as waste,
and a new one substituted. In the new picker, only the small portion of soft material
against which the point of the shuttle strikes has to be changed, the main body of
the picker being as nearly as possible permanent. The permanent body of the new
picker can he made in a large variety of materials, including those already mentioned
in connection with overpick pickers, and the same applies to the soft materials. The
formation of the new picker will now be compared with the old.
(w.) The first inch and a quarter of the length next shuttle, is a hollow chamber
about an inch square, for containing the soft material for receiving the point of
shuttle, and at the back part of chamber, the appliances for forcing forward soft
material are situated. The chamber is entirely open at top and bottom, except four
narrow right angled corners to keep the soft material in position. It is also open at
end next shuttle, except at the four corners, in each of which a small triangular piece
of solid substance, or inetal, is left to keep soft material from being forced out of
chamber, by pressure from behind. From the bottom of this chamber a tongue
projects, consisting of two thin blades of metal, the external surfaces of which are
about three eighths of an inch apart. The tongue is three quarters of an inch long,
and fully an inch broad, and has the usual bevel to clear pluckstick.
(r.) The whole of the rest of the picker consists of a vertical slot, about two inches
long, fully one inch in height, and three eighths of an inch wide, through which the
picking, or pluckstick, passes which propels the picker. The sides and ends of this
slot are composed of thin rigid material, or materials, such as inetals.
The new underpick picker can be made as a casting in any suitable material, or

page_text: materials, such as metals, in which case the hollow chamber and slot, are left hollow by
means of cores, and the thin blades of metal to form tongue, are cast attached to the saine.
It can also be made in a combination of sheet metal and castings. In this case there
is a sole plate, about an eighth of an inch thick, cast of some suitable substance, or
metal, such as brass. The sole plate is about three and three quarter inches long, and
fully an inch wide, and fully three eighths of an inch from one end, there is a hole in
casting barely an inch long, and half an inch wide. One eighth of an inch further
from front end, there is another hole in casting, one and three quarter inches long,
and three eighths of an inch wide, and this hole is separated from end of plate by
about quarter of an inch of solid metal. The two thin blades of metal forming the
two sides of tongue to guide picker in shuttle box, are cast attached to the bottom of
the three eighths of an inch strip of metal in front, and the one eighth strip of metal
in centre, and their outside surfaces are three eighths of an inch apart. A piece of
metal about one eighth of an inch thick, and about an inch high, and wide, is east on
the upper side of the one eighth inch piece of metal already described, which is
between the ends of the two slots or holes. This piece of metal sometimes has a thin
flange on each side, extending about quarter of an inch towards the front end of
picker, and also a small pap, barely half an inch in diameter, and quarter of an inch
thick, cast on the centre, and projecting towards the chamber. This pap rises about
an eighth of an inch above the piece of metal to which it is attached, and is for set
screw to work in, for forcing forward the soft material in chamber. There is also a
piece of metal projecting upwards, cast at the back end of the sole plate, about one
inch in height, quarter of an inch wide, and three eighths of an inch thick-it is
slightly curved inwards towards slot, so as to keep pluckstick always acting on its
surface, when drawing back picker. The upper part of the sides of picker are formerl
of thin slicet metal, in a very simple way.
A strip of metal is cut about nine and a half inches long, and about one and a
quarter inches wide throughout its entire length, except two and a quarter inebes
fully in centre, which are barely an inch and a half in width. There is a hole about
an inch square made in centre of strip, a small triangular piece of metal being left in
each of the four corners, to keep soft. inaterial from being forced out of chamber.
After other small holes have been made for rivets, the strip of metal has a double
bend, fully an inch apart, made in its centre, and an inch and a half further from
centre, on each side, there are bends of fully a quarter of an inch inwards, so as to
bring thin metal close to the slot, through which pluckstick passes. The wide part
of strip has its edges, top and bottom, bent at right angles inwards, and the narrow
parts have their bottom edges only, bent at right angles out wards, the bent projections
being in each case, rather less than quarter of an inch. The thin metal is theu
rivetted to sole plate, the front portion which forms chamber, being rivetted inside,
and the back portions which surround the slot for pluckstick, being rivetted to sole
plate outside. The top bends in front portion, of course overlap at front corners, and
are rivetted together, and the thin metal is also rivetted to the projections from brass
sole-plate, in centre and at back. The soft material, which is generally about quarter
of an inch thick, is introduced, piece by piece, into chamber from the top near centre.
Small portions of the bottom edges are cut off when required, as for example at
centre bends, to prevent the bottom edges overlapping. The apparatus for forcing
forward the soft material is of course situated at back of chamber, and can consist of
a metal wedge, or a flat, or spiral spring, or the like, hut, the best method is to have
a small piece of metal slightly bevelled, or curved, about an inch long, hinged
between the two sides of tongue below bottom of chamber and quite close to back
metal partition. From the top of picker a set screw with a tapered point, is screwed
down through the small pap before described, and the wedgelike point of set screw,
presses between the metal partition and the small lunged piece of metal, and forces
the top point of the latter, against the back of soft material, with great power. The
back of the soft material can either be protected by a small circular plate, rivetted
very loosely to the point of hinged metal, or a thin plate of metal exactly fitting
chamber, can be placed between the soft inaterial and the point of forcing metal.

page_text: To describe all the different methods of inaking these new pickers is unnecessary,
as the principle on which they are all constructed is the same, namely, the parts
where the frictions of the loom spindle, the bottom plate of shuttle box, the point of
the shuttle, and the sides of slot in bottom of shuttle box, operate, made of suitable
material, and easily removable, and renewable the remainder of picker being made of
a substance, or substances, as nearly as possible permanent. If from any cause it is
found desirable, such frictional parts as the sides of tongue in overpick pickers, and
the bottom of sole plate in underpick pickers, may be clad with any description of
soft material as well as anti-friction metals.
The foregoing description which is illustrated by comparing the present forms of
pickers with the new forms, should be ample, but although the principle involved in
new pickers, is exceedingly simple, the construction of some of the pickers, more
especially those made of sheet metal, is a little complicated, and a few drawings are
therefore appended, to further illustrate the new constructions.
Figure 1, represents the side view, or elevation, of a cast metal picker for an
overpick loom, with rectangular chamber for soft material, which has been already
described in specification. A is the narrow semi-circular strip of cast metal, forming
the centre of the tongue, and requires a thin sheet of antifriction metal, such as
brass, placed on each side, to complete it. The shape of the side sheets is represented
by A, Figure 10. B represents the rectangular chamber for soft material, the shaded
portion being metal, and the white portion a rectangular hole in side, to give
lightness. The opposite side has of course a similar hole, and the top and bottom
have also openings, along centres. The screw J, and the plate K, are for forcing
forward soft material in chamber, and are supported by a piece of metal standing
vertical at back of chamber, which can be put in and taken out, so as to allow of
renewal of soft material. The Figures 7 and 8 give a general idea of the end, and
side views, of this forcing appliance. C represents a bar of metal to support the end
pieces D, the shaded part is solid, and the white portion marked F is an opening.
D. D, represent the two circular pieces of metal, and metal projections upward, into
which the bushes for loom spindle are screwed. 0, 0, represent the face plates of the
two bushes, the side, and face views of which hushes, are given by the Figures 11
and 21 respectively. E is the round cast metal bar, with the small thin casting below,
with slot in it, for keeping tugging strap in position. Figure 2 simply represents
the end view, next shuttle, of the same cast metal picker. A is the tongue, with
brass plates attached to each side. B is the rectangular chamber, with the four
triangular metal corners, to keep soft material in chamber, from being forced out.
C, is the end view of inetal har. D is one of the circular pieces of inetal, with
projection upwards, and hole F, in centre for brass bush. E, the round bar, is behind
and attached to the upper portion of D. Figure 3 represents the thin sheet of metal,
to form the top, and entire sides, of a picker for an overpick loom, with rectangular
chamber, as already described in specification. The. sheet is eight inches long over
all. The two semi-circular portions A, A, at the extreme ends, represent, the sides of
tongue, the two portions, B, B, the sides of the chamber for soft material. C, C, and
and D, D, and E, E, are all solid parts of the sheet and, F, F, F, are two semicircular
holes, and a central slot, punched out of the sheet. There are also four small slots
Z, Z, Z, Z, and twenty seven small holes in sheet. The sheet is bent at the six lines
marked S, and the shape it then bas, is shewn by Figure 13. The two projecting
points G, G, are split in centre, and bent at right angles with sheet, and after sheet
itself is bent, the two halves of each point overlap, and are rivetted together, and
form the lower corners for keeping in soft material in chamber. B, see Figure 13.
Figure 4 is the strip of metal, for forming the ends of the same picker. It has two
large circular holes, and a central slot punched in it, marked F, F, F, and also seven
small holes. The ends of sheet H, II, are narrower than the centre. It is bent into
the shape shewn by Figure 5, at the points marked S, S, S, S, in Figure 4, and the
extreme ends I, H, have a turn put on them, as shewn in Figure 5. This bent strip
of metal is placed across the centre of large sheet, Figure 3, the slots and holes in
the centres of the two, being put exactly opposite each other, and they are then

page_text: rivetted together, with five small rivets. A small piece of round brass rod, with a cut
in side, is passed through the slot in centre, the double sheets going into cut in side
of rod, and it is rivetted to the double sheets, through the remaining two holes, see
top of Figure 12. Figure 6 is a small piece of thick sheet metal, having three.
rectangular holes F, F, F, and two small projections, on each side. It is bent at
right angles at the line S, and is then placed between the sides of the large sheet,
Figure 3, the curved and bent end Y being at same side of sheet, as the points G, G,
and the four projections being put through the sinall slots Z, Z, Z, Z, they are firmly
rivetted up, and this sheet then forms the top of the chamber, B, and the upper
projections for keeping in soft material, see Figure 13. Figure 12 represents the side
view, of the entire picker made from these sheets. A, is the tongue with brass plates
on each side, same shape as Figure 10. B, is the chamber for soft material. J, is
the head of screw for forcing forward soft material, the whole of the apparatus being
shewn by Figures 7 and 8. The two upper horns of Figure 7 go through the two
small rectangular holes in Figure 6, and the gab in the lower horn, goes over the
rivet R, between sides of tongue. %, %, are the two projecting points of the sheet,
Figure 6, rivetted up, and the two circular points H, H, are the rivetted ends of the
wires, that pass through the ends, H, H, Figure 5, to fasten them to the sides of
picker. F and F are open spaces, and between them there is a thin metal tube,
which exactly fits the picker from side to side, and into the ends of this tube the
hrass bushes for loomi spindle to pass through, are screwed. The faces of these
lushes are seen at 0, 0, Figure 12, and a side, and face view, of these bushes, are
given by Figures 11 and 21 respectively. To prevent the tugging strap being cut
by sharp edges of metal, at ends of upper slot F, Figure 12, it is necessary to pass
two small metal plates, from the front face of picker, to the top of picker, round
below the brass rod, E. The form of the pieces of metal for this purpose, is shewn
by Figure 9, and the two points, 1, and M, are bent at right angles at the lines S
and S. These points are rivetted securely to the picker, see Figure 12, M to front
and I to top. Figure 13 is simply, the end next shuttle view, of the same picker.
A, is the tongue shewing two, of the three metal rivets, that hold it together. B, is
the chatnber for soft material. F, is the hole for brass bush for loom spindle, which
is, of course, in the strip of metal Figure 4. Figure 16 represents a complete picker
for an overpick loom, with rectangular chamber for soft material, composed of sheet
metal, the upper portion of the ordinary picker, being dispensed with, and the centre
of the tube which holds the bushes for loom spindle to pass through, utilized for
holding the tng lug, or picking strap connection. This picker has been already
described in specification. The whole of the sides and top of the picker, are
constructed of the sheet of metal, Figure 22. This is a sheet of metal, ent to the
shape indicated by diagram, having two rectangular holes, F, F, near its centre, and
four small slots 7, 7, 7, 7, and twenty four small holes pierced in its surface. It is
bent at the five points marked S, and the shape it then assumes, is shewn by
Figure 15. The points G of the sheet are split, bent at right angles, overlapped, and
rivetted together, and form the bottom corners, of the shuttle end, of the chamber, B,
for keeping in soft material, as shewn in Figure 15. The small thick sheet of metal
Figure 6, is inserted between the two sides of picker, and the four projecting points,
inserted into the four slots 7, 7, 7, 7, and rivetted up, the end of the sheet, Y,
having, of course, been previously bent at right angles, at the line, S. A
tube of thiu metal exactly the same length as the width of top of picker, is then
inserted inside the top of sheet, and rivetted firmly to sheet by six rivets-ree side of
tube Figure 16, and end of tube at, F, Figure 15. To prevent the sharp edges of
the sheet metal, entting tug lug, the two ends of the slot, "F," Figure 16, are covered
hy two small pieces of metal, the shape of Figure 14. These small sheets are hent at
right angles at the two points, S, S, are inserted under, the tuhe, see T, T, Figure 16,
and are then firmly rivetted, to the four faces of picker. Plates of brass, or other
antifriction substance, are rivetted or screwed on the two sides of the tongue, A.
Figure 16, the shape of these plates being shewn by Figure 10, and the two sides of
the tongue, A, are fastened together by three double ended rivets, see Figure, 15.

page_text: Two brass, or other metal bushes are screwed into the ends of the tube, 0, 0, Figure 16,
the face shape of these bushes, being shewn by Figure 20. If the soft material is
placed in chamber, B, Figure 16, and the screw forcing appliance shewn by Figures 7,
and 8, is placed in back of chamber, this picker is complete. The position of the
screw forcing appliance, when in position, is shewn at J, Figure 16. Figure 15, is
simply the end view of the same picker, as Figure 16, but, without brass bushes at
ends of tube. Figure 18 is the side view of the metal sole plate for an underpick
picker, which has been already described in specification. E, E, is the sole plate;
A, the tongue; C, the curved piece of metal forming the back of slot for pluck stick,
and D the thin metal partition, which forms the front end of slot for pluck stick, the
back part of chamber for soft material, the support for the pap P, and to which the
parts, D, D, of the sheet of metal, Figure 19, are rivetted. The bent lever, H,
Figure 18, hinged on a pin passing through tongue, with the plate, K, and the pointed
screw, J, passing through the pap. P, constitute the forcing appliance for soft material,
in the chamber, W. The dotted lines indicate the positions, of the top, and front,
of the thin sheet metal, after being rivetted to sole plate. Figure 17 is simply a
view of the upper face of sole plate E, E. The parts marked F, F, are two rectangular
holes in plate, forming the bottoms of chamber, W, for soft material, and the slot X,
respectively, and all the rest of the plate is thin solid metal. Figure 19, represents
the shape of the thin sheet of metal, that forms the front and sides of the chamber W,
and the sides of the slot, X. The two narrow end pieces at foot of sheet marked V, V,
are bent at right angles outwards, and the three narrow centre pieces at foot
marked T, T, T, and the three narrow centre pieces at top marked N, N, N, are bent
at right angles inwards. The main sheet is then bent, at the six points marked with
the letter, S, and the shape it. then assumes is shewn by the lines marked with the
letter, S, in Figure 17. The sheet of metal, after being bent, is rivetted to the sole
plate through the parts V, V, and T, T, T, and the upper parts N, N, N, are
overlapped and rivetted together at corners. The shaded parts X, X, then form the
sides of the slot for pluck stick, the extreme ends being rivetted to the horn, C,
Figure 18, and the white portions of sheet D, D. Figure 19, are rivetted to the thin
partition D, Figure 18. The shaded parts of sheet, W, W, Figure 19, form the sides
of chamber for soft material, and the white centre E, with metal corners, forins the
front of the chamber for soft material, that being the part of picker where the shuttle
strikes. The parts N, N, N, form the flange at top of chamber which keeps the soft
material in position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is-
1st. The whole arrangements of the picker, are claimed as a new combination, and
are patented as such. The separate details claimed as new are
2nd. The rectangular, irregular, and circular shaped chambers, for containing soft
material.
3rd. The methods of foreing forward and securing the soft material, both in overpick,
and underpick pickers.
4th. The system of making all the parts of picker, on which there is friction, easily
removable and renewable.
5th. The system of making the tube, which holds the bushes for loom spindle,
available for tugging strap, and dispensing with top part of picker.
6th. The general forms and methods of construction, both as regards cast, and
combination pickers.
Tated this Dond day of Auril 1807
ALEXANDER DICK STEWART,