Improvements in Self-acting Spinning Mules.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of
f Application, 27th Apr
1800
Complete Specification Loft 20th Inn 1000 Accented 24th Mor
1000
Complete Specification Loft, 20th Jan, 1000 Accepted, 24th Mar, 1000
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Self-acting Spinning Mules.
We, WILLIAM HOWARD, of 387, Front Street, Woonsocket, R.I., U.S.A.,
and EDWARD HILTON, of 13, Vose Street, Woonsocket, R.I., U.S.A., do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows: -
My invention has relation to self-acting spinning mules; and more particularly
to belt-shipping mechanism therefor.
.:
"
The general object of the invention is to provide a self-actor mule with a belt
shipping mechanism which is governed by the speed of the mule, preferably
through the quadrant, and is arranged to gradually shift the belt from the fast
pulley to the loose pulley on the main shaft, and secure it in such position as the
inule carriage is making its outward run, and is also arranged to release the belt
and quickly shift the same from the loose to the fast pulley incident to the inward
or winding on movement of the carriage. This manner of shifting the belt is
advantageous, because the gradual shifting of the belt from the fast pulley to the
loose pulley incident to the outward run of the carriage, prevents breakages, and
also prevents wear on the belt and obvious burning and wear of the friction disk,
inasmuch as the shifting is accomplished, i.e., the belt is caused to leave the fast
pulley before the gear on the main drive shaft, which is designed to transmit the
backing off movement to the spindles, is moved into engagement with the friction
disk, and in consequence, the friction disk has only the momentum of the carriage
to overcome and is enabled to quickly accomplish the backing off of the spindles.
The shipping of the belt being governed by the speed of the mule as stated, the
mechanism when once set and regulated requires no alteration from one count of
yarn to another.
With the foregoing in view, the invention will be fully understood from the
following description and claims, when taken in conjunction with the annexed
drawings, in which :-
:-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of so much of a self-actor mule as is necessary to
illustrate my invention.
Figure 2 is a detail top plan illustrating the main drive shaft and its appurten-
ances, together with the belt, and a portion of the belt-shifting mechanism.
Figure 3 is a transverse section taken in the plane indicated by the line 3-3
of Fig. 1.
Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are perspective views of certain details which will be
hereinafter referred to.
In the said drawings, similar letters designate corresponding parts in all of the
several views, referring to which:-
A is the main frame of a self-actor mule, B is the carriage which is drawn
in and out through the medium of scrolls and ropes, or other suitable means
which form no part of my invention, and are therefore not illustrated; C is the
quadrant for regulating the winding on, said quadrant gaining its motion from
the carriage in the usual manner through the medium of the ordinary well known
mechanism, which it is not deemed necessary to illustrate; D is the drive belt,
[P Q1

page_text: and E is the main drive shaft which bears the fast friction disk a, fast and loose
pulleys and c, and the gear wheel d, said gear wheel being loose on the shaft
and arranged to engage the friction disk a, and having for its purpose to effect,
through the medium of the ordinary mechanism (not shown) the backing off of
the spindles when it is placed in engagement with said disk by the well known
mechanism, which forms no part of my invention, and is therefore not shown
herein.
fixed on
On the shaft e of the quadrant C is a crank f, the same being provided with a
lateral projection y, which takes loosely through a slot in a pitman i and is
designed to impinge against the inner end of the slot and also against an adjust-
able screw at the outer end thereof, for a purpose presently to be described. The
pitman i extends loosely through an eye in one arm of a bell-crank lever k, and
is provided with an adjustable collar 1, and a spring m, the latter being interposed
between the collar and the said arm of the lever, so as to serve in conjunction
with the slot to effect an end hereinafter pointed out. The other or upper arm
of the said bell-crank lever is connected by a pitman n with an arm
a rock shaft g, better illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.
In addition to the arm p the rock shaft q is provided with a lever r fast thereon,
and a loosely mounted belt-shipping lever s, said lever s being interposed between
the lever and a collar t, as shown. The levers is. provided with the usual fork u,
to receive the belt I), and also with a lateral lug v for the engagement of the lever r.
The lever r in turn is provided with a lateral arm w, which rests in rear of the lever s
with respect to the direction in which said levers is thrown to shift the belt from
the fast to the loose pulley, and is designed for the connection of one end of a
coiled spring, the opposite end of which is connected to the belt shifting levers,
as best shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings.
F designates a gravitating latch, which is loosely connected with and disposed
in the direction in which the belt-shipping lever s is moved, G is a keeper for
said latch, which is arranged on a support H forming a part of the main frame,
I is a lever which is fulcrumed on an arm y of the support H (see Fig. 8), and
has an arm normally resting on the support below the latch F, and a depending
arm a, and J designates a pendant lever which is also fulcrumed on the arm y
of the support H, and has a screw 61 arranged to engage the arm a¹ of the lever I.
The pendant lever J in turn is arranged in the path of and is designed to be
engaged by the faller arm c¹, incident to the inward or winding on movement
"
"
of the carriage.
In the practical operation of my improvements, the mechanism is so arranged
that when the belt D is on the fast pulley b, the carriage B moves out or towards
the quadrant C, and said quadrant moves in the direction indicated by the arrow
in Fig. 1. As shown in said figure, the carriage has almost completed its outward
movement and the quadrant has moved the pitman i, bell crank lever k. pitmann,
arm p, shaft g, lever r, and levers in the directions indicated by the arrow,
and thereby shifted the belt D from the fast pulley b to the loose pulley c.
the belt is thus shipped from the fast pulley to the loose pulley, the gravitating
latch F rides over and drops into engagement with the keeper G, and thereby
retains the belt on the loose pulley. With this done, the lever and the belt
shifting levers assume the relative positions shown in Fig. 5. At this time the
gear is shifted into engagement with the friction disk a. by mechanism, (not
shown) and the backing off of the spindles is effected.
When
When the carriage runs in and the quadrant is reversed, i.e., moved in the
direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow, the pitman i, lever k, pitman
arm p, shaft g, and lever r will be moved in directions opposite to those indicated
by the arrow, and in consequence, the spring a will be stretched or expanded after
the manner shown in Figure 4. This continues until the faller arm c¹, or anv
other suitable tappet on the carriage B impinges against the pendant lever J,
when the lever I will be rocked and will lift the latch F out of engagement with
the keeper G, and thus release the belt shipping levers, and enable the spring.

page_text: to retract and ship the belt from the loose pulley to the fast pulley. With this
done, the carriage is again caused to move outward and the operation above
described is repeated.
By virtue of the pitman i being provided with the slot to receive the stud g
of the quadrant crank, and having the screw j for the engagement of the said
stud, and also having the spring m, lost motion between the quadrant crank and
the rock shaft q may be effectually prevented, such end being attained by properly
adjusting the screw j and the collar back of the spring m.
It will be readily appreciated from the foregoing that the belt is gradually
shifted to the loose pulley during the outward run of the carriage, and in con-
sequence, breakage of parts is avoided and frictional wear of both belt and friction
disk is avoided, as is also burning of the latter. At the same time, the friction
disk having only the momentum of the carriage to overcome is enabled to quickly
accomplish the backing off of the spindles. This contributes materially to the
speed capabilities of the machine as does also the quick shifting of the belt to
the fast pulley on the inward or "winding on movement of the carriage.
Dated this 27th day of April 1899.
"
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.
Improvements in Sen-acting Spinning is.
We, WILLIAM HOWARD, of 387, Front Street, Woonsocket, R.I., U.S.A.,
Engineer, and EDWARD HILTON, of 13, Vose Street, Woonsocket, R.I., U.S.A.,
Overseer 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:-
This invention relates to self acting spuining mules and more particularly to
belt shifting mechanism therein.
<
It has for its general object to provide a self acting spinning mule with belt
shifting mechanism governed by the speed of the mule preferably through the
quadrant which is arranged to gradually shift the belt from the fast to the loose
pulley on the main drive-shaft, and secure it in such position as the mule carriage
is making its outward run, and is also arranged to release the belt and quickly
shift the same from the loose to the fast pulley incident to the inward or winding
on" movement of the carriage. This manner of shifting the belt is advantageous,
because the gradual shifting of the belt from the fast to the loose pulley incident
to the outward run of the carriage prevents breakages and wear on the belt, and
obviates burning and wear of the friction disc, for the shifting is accomplished,
i.e. the belt caused to leave the fast pulley, before the gear on the main drive
shaft which is designed to transmit the backing off movement to the spindles is
moved into engagement with the friction disc, and in consequence, the friction
disc has only the momentum of the carriage to overcome and is enabled to quickly
accomplish the backing off of the spindles, which contribute to the speed capa-
bilities of the machine as does also the quick shifting of the belt to the fast pulley
on the inward or "winding on movement of the carriage. The shifting of the
belt being governed by the speed of the mule, as stated, the mechanisin when
once set and regulated requires no alteration from one count of yarn to another.
Reference being had to the drawings:-

page_text: Figure 1 is a side elevation of such part of a self acting mule as is necessary
to shew my invention.
Fig. 2 is a detail plan view illustrating the main drive shaft and appurtenances
with a belt and a portion of the belt shifting mechanism.
Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.
Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are perspective views of various details.
A indicates the main frame of a self acting mule, B the carriage drawn in and
out by medium of scrolls and ropes, or other means, not shewn, C is a quadrant
for regulating the winding on, gaining its motion from the carriage in the usual
manner, not shewn. D is the drive-belt and E the main driveshaft which bears
the fast friction disc a, fast and loose pulleys b and c and the gear wheel d, said
gear-wheel being loose on the shaft, and arranged to engage the friction-disc (6
and having for its purpose to effect the backing off of the spindles when placed in
engagement with said friction-dise by any well known mechanism.
On the shaft e of the quadrant C is a crank f, the same having a lateral pro-
jection g which takes loosely through a slot in the pitman i and is designed to
impinge against the inner end of the said slot and also against an adjustable
screw at the outer end thereof for a purpose presently described. The pitman i
extends loosely through an eye attached to one end of a bell-crank lever k and
has an adjustable collar and a spring m, the latter between the collar and said
arm, serves, in conjunction with the slot to effect an end hereinafter pointed out.
The upper arm of the bell-crank lever is connected by the pitman n with an
arm fixed on the rock-shaft 2 (Figs. 1 and 3).
In addition to the arm p the rock-shaft has an arm fast thereon, and the
loosely mounted belt shifting levers, said lever being between the lever " and
collar as shewn in Fig. 1. The levers is provided with the usual fork u to
receive the belt D and also the lateral lug for the engagement of the lever
The lever has a lateral arm w which rests in rear of the levers with respect to
the direction in which said lever s is thrown to shift the belt from the fast pulley
to the loose pulley and is designed for the connection of one end of a coiled
spring the opposite end of which is connected to the belt-shifting lever s
(Figs. 4 and 5).
Fis a gravitating latch loosely connected with and disposed in the direction
in which the belt shifting levers is moved. G is a keeper for said latch, which
is arranged on the support H, part of the main frame. I is a lever fulcrumed
on an army of the support H (Fig. 8) and has an arm, normally resting upon
the support H below the latch F, and a depending arm a'. J is a pendant
lever also fulcrumed on the arm y, and has a screw arranged to engage the
arm a of the lever 1. The pendant lever J is arranged in the path of and
designed to be engaged by the faller-arm c¹ incident to the inward or winding
on movement of the carriage.
In practice when the belt D is on the fast pulley 6 the carriage B moves out
or towards the quadrant C, and the quadrant moves in the direction of the arrow
(Fig. 1). As shewn in Fig. 1 the carriage B has almost completed its outward
movement and the quadrant C has moved the pitman i, bell-crank lever k, pit-
mann, lever p, shaft g and levers and s in the direction shewn by the
arrows, and shifted the belt D from the fast pulley to the loose pulley c.
When
the belt is thus shifted from the fast pulley to the loose pulley, the gravitating
latch rides over and drops into engagement with the keeper G and retains the
belt on the loose pulley. With this done the lever r and the belt shifting lever s
assume the position shewn in Fig. 5. At this time the gear d is shifted into
engagement with the friction disc a, (mechanism not shewn) and the backing off
of the spindles is effected. When the carriage runs inwards and the quadrant
is reversed the pitman i, bell-crank lever k pitman n, lever P shaft and lever r
are moved in a direction opposite to the arrows and the spring is stretched.
This continues until the faller arm c¹ or other suitable tappet on the carriage B
impinges against the pendant lever J when the lever I is rocked and will lift the

page_text: latch F out of engagement with the keeper G and thus release the belt shifting
levers and enable the spring a to retract and shift the belt D from the loose
pulley to the fast pulley and so on.
By virtue of the pitman i having the sloth to receive the study of the quadrant C
and having the screw j for engagement of said stud, and also having a spring m,
lost-motion between the quadrant C and the rock-shaft q may be effectually pre-
vented, such end being attained by adjusting the screw and the collar at the
back of the spring m.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
(1) A self acting mule comprising a carriage, a belt-shifter, a movable device
connected by intermediate mechanism with the carriage and arranged to engage
and move the belt-shifter on one movement of the carriage and move away from
the belt shifter on the other movement of the carriage, a spring interposed between
and connecting the belt-shifter and the movable device, suitable means for holding
the belt-shifting device in the position to which it is moved through the medium
of the movable device, and suitable means for automatically releasing the belt-
shifter substantially as specified.
(2) A self acting mule comprising a carriage, a belt shifter, a lever connecte
by intermediate mechanism with the carriage and arranged to engage and move
the belt-shifter on one movement of the carriage and move away from the belt
shifter on the other movement of the carriage, a spring interposed between and
connecting the belt shifter and lever, a keeper, a latch connected to the belt shifter
and arranged to automatically engage the keeper, and a latch releasing device
arranged in the path of the carriage, substantially as specified.
(3) A self acting mule comprising a carriage, a belt-shifter, mechanism con-
nected with the carriage for moving the belt-shifter in one direction incident to
the run of the carriage in one direction; said mechanism being adapted to move in
the opposite direction on the opposite movement of the carriage, a spring connect-
ing said mechanism and the belt-shifter, means for automatically securing the
belt-shifter subsequent to its movement through the medium of the said mechanism
and means operative by the last mentioned movement of the carriage for releasing
the belt shifter, substantially as specified.
(4) A self acting mule comprising a carriage, a rock-shaft, mechanism inter-
mediate of the carriage and rock-shaft a beltshifting lever loose on the rock-shaft,
a lever fast on the rock-shaft, a lever fast on the rock-shaft arranged to engage
and move the belt-shifting lever when the shaft is rocked in one direction and
move independent of said shifting-lever when the shaft is rocked in the opposite
direction, a spring connecting the belt shifting lever and the fast lever, suitable
means for holding the belt-shifting lever in the position to which it is moved
through the medium of the lever and suitable means operative by the carriage
for automatically releasing the shifting lever, substantially as specified.
(5) A self-acting mule comprising a carriage, a quadrant connected to and
1aovable in concert with the carriage, a belt-shifter, a movable device connected
by intermediate mechanism with the quadrant and arranged to engage and move
the belt shifter on one movement of the quadrant and move away from the belt-
shifter on the other movement of the quadrant, a spring interposed between and
connecting the belt-shifter and the movable device, suitable means for holding
the belt shifter in the position to which it is moved through the medium of the
movable device, and suitable means for automatically releasing the belt shifter,
substantially as specified.
(6) A self acting mule comprising a carriage, a quadrant connected and movable
in concert with the carriage, a belt-shifter, and mechanism intermediate of the belt
shifter and quadrant for moving the former from the latter substantially as
specified.

page_text: (7) A self acting mule comprising a carriage having a tappett, a quadrant
movable in concert with the carriage, a rock-shaft connected by intermediate
mechanism with the quadrant, a belt shifting lever loose on the rock-shaft, a
lever fast on said rock-shaft and arranged to engage the belt-shifting lever when
moved in one direction, a coiled spring connecting the belt-shifting and fast
levers, a keeper, a latch connected to the belt-shifting lever and arranged to auto-
matically engage the keeper, and a latch releasing device arranged in the path
of the tappett on the carriage, substantially as specified.
(S) A self acting mule comprising a carriage, carrying a tappett, a quadrant
movable in concert with the carriage and having a crank on its shaft provided
with a lateral stud a bell-crank lever, a rock-shaft having an arm connected with
one arm of the bell-crank lever, a pitman connected to the other arm of the bell.
crank lever and having a slot receiving the stud on the crank and an adjustable
screw to engage the stud, a spring interposed between the bell-crank lever and a
collar on the pitman, a belt-shifting lever loose on the rock-shaft, a lever fast
on said rock-shaft and arranged to engage the belt-shifting lever when moved
in one direction, a coiled spring connecting the belt-shifting and fast levers a
keeper, a latch connected to the belt-shifting lever and arranged to automatically
engage the keeper, and a latch releasing device arranged in the path of the tappett
on the carriage, substantially as specified.
(9) A self acting mule comprising a quadrant, a rock-shaft having an arm, a
belt-shifting lever movable with the rock-shaft and a bell-crank lever having one
arm connected with the arm of the rock-shaft and its other arm connected with the
quadrant, substantially as specified.
(10) A self acting mule comprising a quadrant having a crank on its shaft, a
rock-shaft having an arm, a belt-shifting lever movable with the rock-shaft, a
bell-crank lever having one end connected with the arm of the rock-shaft, a pitman
loosely connected to the other arm of the bell-crank lever and the quadrant crank
so as to play longitudinally with respect to the same and a spring interposed
between the collar on said pitman, and the bell-crank lever substantially as
specified.
(11) A self acting mule comprising a quadrant, a rock-shaft, mechanism inter-
mediate of the quadrant and the rock-shaft, a belt-shifting device loose on the
rock-shaft a lever fast on the rock-shaft arranged to engage and move the belt
shifting lever when the shaft is rocked in one direction and move independent
of said shifting lever when the shaft is rocked in the opposite direction, and a
spring connecting the belt shifting lever with the fast lever, substantially as
specified.
Dated this 27th day of January 1900