IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Clayton and Thomas Richmond, both of Burnley,
in the County of Lancaster, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS
FOR WEAVING."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Clayton and Thomas
Richmond at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th July
1881.
JOHN CLAYTON and THOMAS RICHMOND, both of Burnley, in the County of
Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
This Invention relates to a novel arrangement of shedding motion or index
apparatus for changing the order of succession in which the healds are to be moved
when producing various patterns of weaving in the same fabric.
The mechanism consists of a series of circular plates, discs, or levers secured to a
grooved shaft at suitable distances apart by bosses severally placed between each
plate or disc; these are firmly fixed on the said shaft by means of a screw nut.
On each of the said bosses, and between each plate, disc, or lever, is loosely
mounted an eccentric or cam, from which projects outwards a stem or finger, to the
end of which is jointed a catch capable of taking into one or other of two snecks
formed on the circumference of the plate or disc. Each catch is provided with a
spring so as to keep it in contact with the plate or disc, and is selected and placed
in or out of position by means of peg legs or cards; these operate on a series of
levers against which the catch strikes when required to be thrown out of working
position, the said levers also acting as stops to retain the eccentrics, which would
otherwise have a tendency to be carried forward by the revolving movement of the
plates, discs, or levers. Each eccentric is provided with an eccentric rod, the lower
end of which is jointed to a two armed lever or jack; one arın of the said lever is
connected by a cord direct to one end of the heald; a cord from the other arm is
passed over a sheaf or pulley to the other end of the heald, whereby both ends of
the heald are equally lifted. The healds are lowered by cords passing from the jack
levers direct through the warp, round sheaves or pulleys to the healds below. By
this arrangement the usual knives or lifting levers are dispensed with, a revolving
movement being imparted to the eccentrics through the medium of the plates, discs,
or levers, which have a continuous revolving action from the crank or tappet shaft,
also a more perfect indication for selecting the required tread or movement of the
healds. The springs or weights for pulling down the healds may be despensed
with, a positive action being imparted to the healds.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Clayton and Thomas Richmond in the Great Scal Patent
Office on the 14th January 1882.
JOHN CLAYTON and THOMAS RICHMOND, both of Burnley, in the County of
Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
Our Invention relates to a novel arrangement of shedding motion or index
apparatus for changing the order of succession in which healds are to be moved
when producing various patterns of weaving in the same fabric. The mechanism
consists of a series of discs or levers secured to a grooved shaft at suitable distances
apart by bosses severally placed between each disc or lever; these are firmly fixed
on the said shaft by means of a screwed nut. On each boss, and between each disc
or lever, is loosely mounted an eccentric or cam, to the full part of which is jointed
a catch capable of taking into one or other of the two snecks formed on the
circumference of the disc or lever. The said catch is provided with a spring so as to
.keep it in contact when required with its disc or lever; the eccentrics are selected
and placed in or out of working position by means of peg lags or cards or other
device of like nature operating upon a series of levers, against which the catch of
the eccentric strikes when required to be thrown out of working position, the said
levers also acting as stops to retain the eccentrics when not in action, which would
otherwise have a tendency to be carried forward by the revolving movement of
the discs or levers. Each eccentric is embraced by an eccentric rod, to the lower
end of which is jointed a two armed jack lever, one arm of which is connected by a
cord or wire to one end of the heald; a cord or wire from the other arm is passed
over a pulley, and attached to the other end, whereby both ends are equally and
steadily lifted. And in order that our Invention may be properly understood and
readily carried into operation, we will proceed to describe the annexed Sheet of
Drawings, reference being had to the Figures and letters marked thereon, the same
letters referring to the same parts in the various views and Figures. Fig. 1 is a
_ side view of the apparatus in which is represented the mechanism effecting a
continuous revolving motion to the discs or levers hereinafter referred to.
Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation in which is represented the mechanism for selecting,
retaining, and actuating the eccentrics or cams; Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are views
.shewing more fully the eccentrics and parts connected therewith.
The apparatus is supported by the pillars A from the top rail B, or at the end of
the loom, as may be found most convenient; in the side frames are formed bearings
for the shaft C, which rotates by preference at one half the speed of the crank
shaft D, by which it may be actuated through the medium of the endless chain E
and wheels F. On the shaft C is firmly secured by a key or nut, or both, a series
of discs or levers G kept at suitable distances apart by bosses or rings H of required
width, so as to admit of an eccentric or cam I being loosely mounted between each
disc or lever, and severally upon the said bosses or rings. To the full part of each
eccentric is jointed a catch lever or finger J, which is capable of taking into and
engaging with one or other of the two 'snecks formed on the circumference of the
disc or lever G, and to keep it in contact 'therewith the spring K is inserted, which
also acting against the projecting piece L, exerts a slight friction or resistance to
that part of the rod M embracing the eccentric, whereby a steadier motion is
ensured. The end of the eccentric rod M is jointed to a two armed jack lever N
which is attached by cords or wires O to 'the heald P in the manner shewn in
Fig. 2, whereby both ends of the heald are equally and steadily lifted. The upper
or lower stop levers R and S, seen in Fig. 2, will, according to the pattern surface
presented on the cylinder T, through the medium of the respective catch levers or

page_text: fingers J, determine which of the eccentrics shall be moved upwards or downwards,
and also those requiring to dwell in their upper or lower positions, the healds
dwelling or moving in like manner with the eccentrics by which they are actuated.
Having thus described the nature of our said Invention, and the manner of
carrying the same into practical effect, we would have it understood that we
claim,―
Firstly. Mounting loosely on a shaft or spindle eccentrics or cams, which are
selected, retained, and actuated in the manner described, for the purpose set forth.
Secondly. The method shewn and illustrated for equally and steadily lifting.
both ends of the healds.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Clayton and Thomas Richmond, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Tenth day of January, One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
JOHN CLAYTON.
(L.S.)
THOS. RICHMOND, (L.S.)