Improvements relating to Bolsters for the Spindles of Spinning and similar Machines.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Mar., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 19th Apr., 1887.
[Communicated from abroad by JOHN BOOTH, of Central Falls, Rhode Island, United
States of America, Machinist.]
Improvements relating to Bolsters for the Spindles of Spinning and
similar Machines.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 :—
My invention relates to spindles and supports therefor for spinning frames and
analogous machines; and has for its objects to provide a construction whereby the
bolster may be rigidly secured in the bolster case, and at the same time the spindle be
permitted to have the requisite lateral motion to accommodate itself to uneven strain
from any cause or to an unevenly loaded bobbin; to provide a bolster for spindles,
composed of hard or vulcanized rubber of such form or construction and having such
relationship to the bolster case as to produce improved results; to provide a
construction whereby the spindle may, if desired, be lubricated entirely with water;
and to provide other improvements in the devices mentioned, incidental to the
foregoing.
In order to enable others to make and use my invention, I will now proceed to
describe the same, having reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 represents a twisting spindle and its adjuncts embodying my invention all
excepting the spindle being shewn in vertical section.
Figure 1 is a plan of spider plate hereinafter referred to.
Figure 2 is a side view of my improved bolster.
Figure 3 is a view, partially in vertical section, of a slightly different form of
spindle and its appurtenances having my improvements applied thereto.
Figure 4 is a detail view of a modified form of the invention.
Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in all of the figures.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a represents a spindle b; a sleeve whirl, and ca
bolster case of common form and construction, as employed in certain types of spinning
or twisting frames.

page_text: d
represents (having reference to Figures 1 and 2) the bolster composed of hard or
vulcanized rubber, provided with a longitudinal bore of uniform diameter, between
the upper end e and the point f. From the point to the point the bore of the
bolster is made smaller and of such form as to fit the foot of the spindle.
The bolster d for a portion of its length at or near its centre, as between the points
indicated by the letters and i, is uniform in circumference, and above and below
these points the bolster is cut away so as to reduce its circumference. At its point of
enlarged circumference the bolster is adapted to fit rigidly in the bolster case, when
forced therein, as it is designed in practice to be. The purpose of this construction is
to avoid having the bolster bear against or touch the sides of the bolster case above
and below its portion of enlarged circumference. The bolster is also so constructed
that its lower end shall not touch the bottom of the bolster case, which construction,
by reason of the flexible nature of the hard rubber of which the bolster is composed,
affords freedom of motion of the foot of the spindle in all directions within certain
limits.
j represents a spider plate arranged in the bolstor case at the top thereof and
surrounding the upper end of the bolster, but some distance therefrom, to limit the
movement laterally of said bolster at this point.
The spindle is turned down slightly from the point to its foot which point is
slightly above the highest point of enlarged circumference of the bolster, so that the
spindle from said point to its foot does not touch the sides of the bolster, these
features contributing to the objects of the invention, as hereinbefore set forth.
In Figure 3 I have shewn the spindle as made slightly tapering in form from
substantially the highest point of enlarged circumference of the bolster to the foot of
the spindle, and the bore in the bolster as enlarged from said point i to the point,
this construction affording substantially the same results as that shewn in Figure 1.
A. slit or kerf 7 is formed in the bolster through one side thereof, from the top e to
the point, from which latter point it extends as a groove in the outside of the bolster
to the point h, where it intersects with a hole m extending through the bolster to the
interior thereof.
By the construction described I am enabled to secure the bolster in the bolster case
in a rigid manner as described, and at the same time, by reason of the clastic
properties of the material composing the bolster, allow sufficient lateral play to the
spindle to permit it to find its true centre of rotation when subjected to an uneven
load or uneven strain resulting from any cause.
As is well known, water affords the best lubricant for iron or steel and vulcanized
rubber having surfaces moving in frictional contact with each other. By my invention
I am therefore enabled to employ water as a lubricant for spindles instead of oil, by
which I effect a great saving in the operation of spinning frames. The space between
the bolster and the bolster case at the upper end thereof, and between the spindle and
the interior of the bolster toward the lower end of the latter, affording a receptacle for
a bountiful supply of water for the purpose mentioned.
The kerf formed in the bolster permits of the thorough lubrication of the spindle
in the upper portion of its bearings and the groove extending down from the kerf Z
to the hole m permits the lubricant drawn upward by the rotation of the spindle to
return to the lower part of the bolster to lubricate the spindle step.
I prefer to form a hole, n, in the bolster near the step or at the top of the step
bearing, for the purpose of admitting freely the lubricant to the step at this point.
I prefer also to dissolve a little sal-soda (carbonate of soda) or other similar chemical,
in the water used to lubricate the spindle, for the purpose of preventing the water
from rusting the metal, and at the same time improving the former as a lubricant.
Although I prefer to employ water as a lubricant in the operation of my invention,
as being in several respects superior to oil in addition to being cheaper, I am not in
any sense confined thereto, as oil or other lubricant may be used with the same results
as in spindles and their supports as heretofore constructed.
In Figure 4 I have shown a slightly modified construction of support and bearing
for the spindle. In this instance the bolster is cut away between the points ƒ and h

page_text: and the steps, composed of hard or vulcanized rubber, is secured at its lower end
substantially in a rigid manner in the bolster case, and is provided with a flexible
neck o, intermediate of its base and the step proper, so that the spindle will be allowed
substantially the same freedom of motion as in the other constructions shown.
Other changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts comprising
my improvements in order to make it meet the exigencies of particular cases, without
departing from the nature or spirit of the invention, the essential feature of which is
the hard or vulcanized rubber bolster rigidly secured in the bolster case, whereby I
am enabled to provide for the necessary lateral play of the spindle in finding the true
centre of rotation, and permitted, if I so desire, to employ water as a lubricant.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by my foreign
correspondent I declare that what I claim is :
First. A bolster case, combined with a holster composed of hard or vulcanized
rubber rigidly secured in the bolster case, in combination with a flexible step for the
spindle, as, and for the purposes set forth.
Second. A bolster case combined with a bolster composed of hard or vulcanized
rubber, having a section of considerable length, at a point intermediate of its ends of
enlarged circumference, said bolster being rigidly secured at said point of enlarged
circumference in said bolster case, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore
set forth.
Third. A bolster case, combined with a bolster composed of hard or vulcanized
rubber tapering at its upper and lower ends, with a section of considerable length at
or near its centre uniform in circumference, said bolster being rigidly secured at the
point uniform in circumference in said bolster case, as and for the purposes hereinbefore
set forth.
Fourth. A bolster case having a bore of substantially uniform diameter, in
combination with a bolster composed of hard or vulcanized rubber, slightly tapering
exteriorly at its upper and lower ends, said bolster being rigidly secured in said
bolster case at the point between said exteriorly tapering portions, as and for the
purposes, set forth.
Fifth. A bolster case having a bore of substantially uniform diameter, in com-
bination with a holster composed of hard or vulcanized rubber, slightly tapering
exteriorly at its upper and lower ends, and provided with a vertical groove exteriorly,
as between the points e and i and a hole or aperture below said groove, said bolster
being rigidly secured in said holster case at the point between the exteriorly tapering
portions, as and for the purposes, set forth.
Sixth. A bolster case, combined with a bolster composed of hard or vulcanized
rubber, having a section of considerable length at a point intermediate of its ends of
enlarged circumference, said bolster being rigidly secured at said point of enlarged
circumference in said bolster case, and having its bore enlarged at a point substantially
corresponding to that at which it is rigidly fixed in the bolster case, substantially as
described.
Seventh. A bolster case combined with a bolster composed of hard or vulcanized
rubber, rigidly secured in the bolster case, as and for the purposes set forth.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.
Agents for the Applicant.