IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to David Chalmers, of the City of Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Machinist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
Sealed the 18th February 1857, and dated the 16th August 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said David Chalmers at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th
August 1856.
I, DAVID CHALMERS, of the City of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists, firstly, in modes of giving oscillating movements to a
series of shuttle boxes, instead of the vertical or rotary motion at present
employed; secondly, in a combined letting-off and taking-up motion; thirdly,
in an improved fly reed; fourthly, in an improved temple; fifthly, in various
improved arrangements connected with the wire loom, and also in looms for
making plush or other pile fabrics.
The first part of the aforesaid improvements is represented in Figs. 1, 2, 3,
and 4 of the accompanying Drawings, in which the letters refer to each Figure
separately.
Fig. 1 is an end, and Fig. 2 a front view, of part of a loom.in which the
shuttle boxes move to and fro. At a is shewn part of one of the side frames
of a loom; b, the breast beam; c, the slay; and d, the slay sword.
The

page_text: shuttle boxes are shewn at e; they are fixed to or form part of frames f, fixed
to the shaft or centre g, the said shaft being connected by bearings h with the
slay sword and external frame or support k, which moves to and fro with
the sword at the beating up of the weft. In order to change the position of
the shuttles when required, as many toothed segments are made fast to the
l
shaft g as there are shuttles, the said segments being acted upon according to
the position of the fingers or projections m, which are moved up by means of
the cam n and lever o, in conjunction with a jacquard cylinder, pegs in a drum,
or lags, or any of the well known methods, by which a change of motion is
effected according to the desired pattern.
Fig. 3 is an end view, and Fig. 4 a plan, of parts of a loom in which the
shuttle boxes vibrate up and down. To the slay c are bolted frames or
.supports p, having a shaft or centre q, upon which vibrates the framer con-
taining the shuttle boxes's. The frame r has an arm t, furnished with a bowl
or roller placed within the slotted cam u, to which motion is given by means of
toothed segments and fingers, as in the former-example, thereby-changing the
shuttles as required by causing the framer to vibrate upon the shaft or centre q:
Fig. 5 represents the combined letting-off and taking-up motion. The
threads from the warp beam are represented at a; they pass over the roller b,
under the beam c, and over the roller d, from which they pass through the
healds to be converted into cloth by the, beating up of the weft, which cloth
passes over the roller beam c, the roller f, to the taking-up beam g. Motion
is given to the beams c and e by means of the spur wheel h on the crank
shaft working into the change wheel k, on the shaft or spindle of which is
the worm or endless screw 7, which drives the worm wheel m, shaft n, and
worms or endless screws o and p, acting upon worm wheels on the beams. The
speeds of the said beams are as nearly simultaneous as the nature of the cloth
requires, but any desired difference of velocity can be easily adjusted.
In Fig: 6, representing the improved fly reed; the slay is shown at a, and
the reed at 6, which is kept to its place when beating up by means of the
double arm or lever c, slotted rod d, and pin or stud e; the latter being made
fast to any convenient part of the main frame, so that when the end of the
slotted rod comes with force against the pin, the double lever holds the
reed firmly in its place, or a stud f'may be placed near the breast beam to
produce the same effect: When not beating up the reed is kept in its
place by springs, which easily give way when the shuttle is lodged in the warp.
Fig. 7 represents an improved temple, consisting originally of a bar of
square iron, having from the middle a semi-turn towards each end...
11....
Fig: 8 represents an improved connecting rod, suitablo for the wire 'loom

page_text: the end which passes near the crank shaft is slotted. Fig. 9 is another modi-
fication of the same, in which the end of the rod passing over the pin con-
nected to the slay sword is slotted, thereby producing the same effect. Fig. 10
is another form of connecting rod, adapted to the same purpose.
Fig. 11 is another arrangement for acting upon the slay and reed, by means
of the cam h on the shaft k, which acts upon the bent lever 1, connecting
rod m, and slay n; or I use eccentric toothed wheels for giving a differential
motion to the slay.
In Fig. 12, I shew fingers or needles, for acting on the pick shoot at the
selvedge, for the purpose of preventing the cutting down the selvedge wires,
which fingers o are put in motion by means of eccentrics p, cranks, or tappets;
also, in the looms for weaving wire cloth, the warp is made to pass through
eyes connected to springs, so as to cause the end of a warp which breaks to
be pulled out of the shed in order to prevent the damage which might other-
wise take place. In the looms for making plush or other pile fabrics, I cause
the lathe or slay to move vertically, by means of the action of an eccentric
instead of a crank, as hitherto employed.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said David Chalmers in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
16th February 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, DAVID
CHALMERS, of the City of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Machinist,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
David Chalmers, Her special licence that I, the said David Chalmers, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said David
Chalmers, my executors, administrators, and assigns should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR
WEAVING," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said David
Chalmers, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under

page_text: my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said David Chalmers, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the samo is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, that is to say:-
My Invention relates, firstly, to modes of giving oscillating movements to a
series of shuttle boxes, instead of the vertical or rotary motion at present
employed. The shuttle boxes are attached to frames made to vibrate to and
fro upon shafts or centres, connected by bearings with one of the slay swords,
and an external frame that moves simultaneously with the sword. In order
to change the position of the shuttles when required, I place upon the shaft
of the vibrating frame a single or double lever, which is acted upon by certain
fingers or projections, moved up and down or to and fro by means of a lever
in conjuction with a jacquard cylinder, or lags, pegs in a drum, or any of the
well-known methods, by which a change of motion is effected according to the
desired pattern; which arrangements for changing the position of the shuttles
may be also applied to the ordinary drop box.
Secondly, to a combined "letting-off" and "taking-up motion," in which the
threads from the warp beam pass over or under a beam or roller, from which
they proceed onwards to be converted into cloth, which also passes over or under
a beam or roller to the taking-up beam. The shafts of the beams or rollers are
furnished with worm wheels, acted upon by worms or endless screws, put into
motion by being connected to any suitable moving part of the loom; the speeds
of the rollers or beams are as nearly similar as the nature of the cloth requires,
but any desired difference of velocity can be readily obtained by means of change
wheels.
Thirdly, to an improved fly reed, which is kept in its place when beating up
by means of a double arm or lever, connected to a slotted rod which slides
upon a pin or stud fixed to any suitable part of the framing of the loom.
When the end of the slot presses against the pin or stud the double lever
holds the reed firmly in its place; when not beating up, the reed is kept up
by springs, which give way when the shuttle is lodged in the warp.
Fourthly, to an improved temple, which consists of a bar of metal having
from the middle a semi-turn or twist towards each end, or of two or more bars
of metal having a semi-turn or twist from end to end.

page_text: Fifthly, to various improved arrangements connected with the wire loom.
These improvements will be clearly understood by reference to the accom-
panying Sheet of Drawings with the figures and letters of reference thereon,
in which the letters refer to each Figure separately.
Fig. 1 is an end, and Fig. 2 a front elevation, of part of a loom adapted
for a series of shuttles, which with the shuttle boxes move to and fro ; Figs. 3
and 4 are modifications of parts of the same. Fig. 5 is an end elevation, and
Fig. 6 a plan, of part of a loom in which the shuttle boxes vibrate up and
down; and although I have shewn this plan I do not lay any special claim to
it, as I understand it has been used already. Fig. 7 represents the combined
letting-off and taking-up motion; Fig. 8, the improved fly reed; and Fig. 9,
the improved temple, representing the various improved arrangements con-
nected with the wire loom; Figs. 10, 11, 12, and 13, are modes of connecting
the crank shaft with the slay swords; Fig. 14 are eccentric wheels for giving
fast and slow motion to the slay; Fig. 15 represents the taking-up motion;
Figs. 16 and 17, front and end elevations of stopping and starting motion.
Fig. 18 represents an arrangement for assisting in the formation of the selvage;
Fig. 19 is a modification of the same; Fig. 20 shews a spring with an eye
for pulling a broken warp thread out of the shed; Fig. 21 represents a cloth
beam which shifts sidewise; Fig. 22 is an inside tappet or cam for working
jacquard machines, having one or more changes.
In Figs. 1 and 2, representing the arrangement of a loom in which the
shuttle boxes move to and fro, a is part of one of the main side frames of the
loom; 6, the breast beam; c, the slay; d, the slay sword; e, the shuttle boxes,
which are attached or form part of the vibrating frame f, fixed to the shaft or
centre g; the said shaft being connected by bearings h with the slay sword d,
and also to an external frame or support k, which moves to and fro with the
sword. In order to change the position of the shuttles when required, as
many steps or indentations as there are shuttle boxes are placed upon a double
lever m, fixed to the shaft g of the vibrating frame f, the said lever m being
acted upon by the fingers or projections n, which are raised so as to come in
contact with the lever m, by means of the cam o, on the tappet shaft P, in
conjunction with a lever q and a jacquard cylinder r, the hook of which is shewn
at s, the hammer at t, and the cards at u. The fingers or projections n are
placed upon rods v, the tops of which when raised act upon the inclined lever
or wedge w, releasing the catch a from the indentations y, thereby giving
liberty to the shuttle boxes, which otherwise are held fast when the inclined
lever w is not lifted up. The catch a is returned to its place by the spring z.
The lever m may be plain, and the fingers n of different lengths, as shewn

page_text: in Fig. 8, which produces the same effect as the steps in the lever, and the
fingers of equal length. In Fig. 4 I shew that instead of the cam o on the
tappet shaft a crank a' may be substituted, acting upon the lever q by means
of the connecting rod 6'; a slower motion may be given to it when required by
the spur wheels c', so as to give four picks to a card instead of two. As before
said, the apparatus for changing the position of the shuttles may be applied to
the ordinary drop box.
Figs. 5 and 6 represent an arrangement of a loom in which the shuttle
boxes move up and down. To the slay a are bolted or otherwise made
fast the frames or supports 6, having a shaft or centre c, upon which vibrates
the frame d containing the shuttle boxes e; the frame d has an arm f
furnished with a bowl or roller g, placed within the slotted cam h, for the
purpose of changing the position of the shuttle boxes when the desired
motion is given to the slotted cam, which is fixed to the shaft i, working in
bearings upon one of the slay swords, and an external frame, as described in
Figs. 1 and 2. The shaftri, cam h and shuttle box frame d are put in motion
by means of the fingers and double lever 1, operated upon by a jacquard
cylinder, as before described. The vibrating frame and boxes are held firm
by the catch m in the indentations n, which catch is pushed out when required
by the arm or lever o.
In Fig. 7, representing the combined letting-off and taking-up motion, the
threads from the warp beam are shewn at a passing over the roller b,
under the roller beam c, and over the roller d, from which they pass
through the healds to be converted into cloth by the beating-up of the
weft, which cloth passes over the roller beam e and the roller f to the
taking-up roller or beam g. Motion is given to the roller beams c and e by
means of the spur wheel h on the crank shaft.i.working in the change wheel k,
on the shaft or spindle of which is the worm or endless screw l, which drives
the worm wheel m, shaft n, and worms or endless screws o and p, acting upon
worm wheels g and r on the roller beams c and e. The speeds of the said
beams are nearly similar, varying according to the nature of the cloth, but any
required change of velocity can be obtained by changing the change wheel k.
In the Fig. 7 the worn wheel is shewn below the crank shaft, but it may
be placed above, or in any position suited to the loom to which the compound
motion is applied.
'
1
:
In Fig. 8, representing the improved fly reed, the slay is shewn at a, and
the reed at b, which is kept to its place when beating up by means of the
double arm or lever c, slotted rod d, and pin or stud e, the latter being fixed
to any convenient part of the main framing of the loom, so that when

page_text: the end of the slotted rod d comes with force against the pin e. the upper
part of the double lever c holds the reed b. firmly in its place; or the
same effect may be produced by causing the lower part of the double leve.
without the slotted rod to strike against a pin or stud f placed near the breast
beam. When not beating up, the reed is kept in its place by springs 9, which
give way when the shuttle is lodged in the warp.
Fig. 9 represents an improved temple to be applied to looms in general;
the said temple.consisting of a bar of metal having a semi-twist or turn from
the middle towards each end, or of two or more bars, each having a semi-twist
from end to end..
Figs. 10, 11, 12, and 13 represent improved modes of giving motion to the
slay and reed of the wire loom. Where cranks are employed, the slots for
the purpose of causing the slay to stop during the course of the pick or shoot
may be either on the crank shaft or the pin of the slay sword. In Fig. 11,
instead of the usual cranks, or the driving shaft, eccentrics are employed; the
slotted ends of the rods being placed upon the pins of the sword arms.
Fig. 13 represents a mode of giving motion to the slay and reed, by means of
placing on the shaft k a cam l, which acts upon the bent lever m and rod n
attached to the slay, which is maintained parallel in its course by its being
connected at the ends to slides o working in guides or frames p fixed to the
side frames of the loom.
.
Fig. 14 represents the employment of eccentric wheels for obtaining a fast
and slow motion. Instead of the slots in the connecting rods, oval or
other curved wheels may be used. for the same purpose. The slides and
guides for giving a parallel motion to the slay may be applied to all the
modes of connecting the driving shaft and the slay. In Fig. 15 repre-
senting a powerful taking-up motion adapted to the wire loom, the lever q,
instead of being acted upon by the sword arm, is put in motion by the bowls
or tappets r on the wheels, fixed to the tappet shaft t.
In Figs. 16 and 17, representing the stopping and starting motion. u are
the pulleys; v, the fly wheel; w, the breaks; a, the lever for giving pressure
to the breaks; and y, the handle for shifting the strap fork on to the fast
or loose pulleys.
In Fig. 18, representing a mode of assisting in the formation of the selvage,
the taper pins a are for the purpose of arresting the wire thread at the end of
each pick or shoot, and permitting the bending at the selvage to be gradual,
in order to prevent its breaking. The taper pins are alternately pushed in
and drawn back by means of the eccentrics b, placed upon the shaft c, extending
across the loom. Instead of the eccentrics, cranks may be used, as shewn in
Fi. 19.

page_text: Fig. 20 represents a spring with an eye, one of which is placed at each
end of each warp thread, so as to cause any end which may break to be
pulled out of the shed. The spring, which is either of metal or an elastic
material, is shewn at e, the eye at f, and the part by which it is connected to
the frame of the loom at g.
Fig. 21 represents a shifting cloth beam, for the purpose of laying the
selvage wires at the sides of each other, instead of one above the other, as
heretofore done, thereby preventing the necessity of packing. The beam is
shewn at h, upon the shaft of which is the screw or thread k, which traverses
through the nut as the beam revolves, the nut being fixed to the side
frame m.
Having thus fully described the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, I desire it to be distinctly.
understood that I do not confine myself to the exact details herein set forth;
but I claim as my Invention, and which, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, has not hitherto been used within the realm,-
Firstly, the to-and-fro oscillating motion to the shuttle boxes, and the
apparatus for changing the positions of the shuttles of looms; secondly, the
combined letting-off and taking-up motion; thirdly, the improved arrange-
ment of fly reed; fourthly, the improved temple; and, fifthly, the improved
arrangements connected with the wire loom and also the internal tappet for
working jacquard machines, as all such improvements are herein described,
and illustrated in the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said David Chalmers, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
DAVID CHALMERS. (L.8.)
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the within-
named David Chalmers, in the presence of
E. J. HUGHES, Patent Agent, Manchester.