IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THREADS OR YARNS APPLICABLE FOR WEAVING INTO FABRICS, CORDAGE, AND OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN MACHINERY APPERTAINING TO A PART THEREOF
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Wilkinson, of Cleveland Street, Fitzroy
Square, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THREADS OR YARNS APPLICABLE FOR
WEAVING INTO FABRICS, CORDAGE, AND OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN MACHINERY
APPERTAINING TO A PART THEREOF."
Sealed the 13th December 1864, and dated the 20th September 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Wilkinson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
20th September 1864.
I, WILLIAM WILKINSON, of Cleveland Street, Fitzroy Square, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THREADS OR YARNS APPLICABLE FOR
WEAVING INTO FABRICS, CORDAGE, AND OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN MACHINERY APPER-
TAINING TO A PART THEREOF," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates, first, to the manufacture of a mixed thread applicable
for hosiery and all kinds of knitted fabrics, and for weaving generally, and
consists in producing a thread by the combination of silk and flax. To effect
this I first cut the fillaments of silk and flax into suitable lengths to produce a
staple from which a thread may be spun. If the thread to be produced is
required to be white I wash the silk so that the color shall approximate to
that of the flax, and having cut both the silk and flax to the length of staple

page_text: required, I mix the fibres intimately together, and from such combination or
fibres produce a thread, by scribbling, combing, carding, spinning, and doubling
apparatus, such as used in the manufacture of cotton or wool. I sometimes
dye the fibres of silk and flax, before mixing them, either both of the same
color or they may be of different colors; after dyeing I mix the fibres, and
subsequently prepare the thread from such combination of colored fibres.
The second part consists. in the manufacture of thread suitable for all kinds
of weaving, such thread having a core or centre of cotton or other cheap
material, or it may be of india-rubber, if an elastic thread or cord is required,
and an exterior of silk or wool or other suitable filamentous material. Two,
three, four, five, or more threads.may be used for the covering, but I prefer to use
three or four; these are laid round the core in a helical direction by a machine,
the whole combination producing a soft and pliable thread. The covering
threads may be all of the same material and of same or different colours, or of
different materials and of one colour, or the threads of different materials may
be of different colours. The apparatus consists of a hollow spindle through
which the core thread or material to be covered is passed; this spindle is
fitted in suitable bearings and furnished with speed pulleys by which it is
driven; on the spindle is fixed a disc or plate furnished with two, three, or
more bobbin carriers, on which the material to be laid on the core is placed.
The material is wound on bobbins or cops adapted to such bobbin. carriers ;
these bobbin carriers may either be disposed parallel with the hollow spindles
or transversely thereto, and may be jointed at the stem so as to incline in a
direction. suitable for placing on the cop or bobbin;, but when put back into
position are held rigidly by springs, or otherwise. The covering threads, which
are kept at a proper degree of tension, lead through slots, in the disc which
are inclined to its diameter, and pass thence to the end of the spindle from
whence the core thread emerges. The core thread is: not allowed to rotate,
but is wound up on a measuring or registering cylinder continuously as the
covering tireads are laid on by the rotation of the spindle. I dispose a number
of these spindles in one machine in the manner of a spinning frame and cover
a number of threads at one and the same time. By this means the threads
become covered' or plaited with a much more expensive material than the
thread' forming tlie core that passes through the hollow spindle or spindles.
The third part of my Invention consists in manufacturing a thread of a
combination of flax and' alpaca, which I dye in any suitable color, or of
different colours; while in the fibrous state, and then scribble and card them
together in suitable proportions, say in equal proportions, the two materials
being mixed together to form a sliver which can be manufactured into a new

page_text: thread; this alpaca fibre may be of new wool or of rags torn up in the usual
way into a fibre and coated with a proportionable quantity of flax mixed and
dried as aforesaid, which will make a much stronger and. cheaper thread than
is now used in manufactures. I also manufacture a thread of a combination.
of alpaca and silk, or a combination of cotton and flax, which I treat and
prepare separately in the fibrous state in manner similar to that herein-before
described:
According to the fourth part of my Invention: I spin a thread, yarn, or rope
of hemp, jute, flax, or other fibre dyed white in the fibre. I stretch it out and
place one end in. a. twisting apparatus and the other on a swivel, so that it may
be rotated. I then apply some combed or carded wool or silk in the form of a
sliver or film to the rotating thread to which.it adheres, the operation being
performed somewhat. like spinning a yarn in a ropewalk. I thus obtain a
thread, yarn, or rope, the core or centre of which is of cheap material, with a
cover or plaiting of expensive material, of one or it might be of mixed colours,
both the core and the covering being dyed while in the fibre before being spun
or worked up into a yarn or thread. This kind, of thread or yarn will be
found very suitable for the backing of carpets, rugs, and other heavy goods,
and for machine bands,. and in addition to being durable, will be springy under
the tread of the foot..
The fifth part of my Invention consists in manufacturing a new thread
for weaving purposes from wire and filamentous or fibrous material twisted
together. I produce this thread in the machine herein-before. described,
disposing the wire in the hollow of the spindle and using it as the core, around
which I apply two or more threads of the same or different colors as before,
and so producing, a plaited thread which can be used for window blinds,
trimmings,. and all ornamentation used for theatrical purposes..
The sixth part of my Invention consists in coating a core or centre: with
strands of chenille,, which may be of the same or different colors. I apply the
chenille helically in the manner before described of plaiting on coating a cotton
core with silk, and which I effect in the same machine and in: same manner
as described with reference to that operation. Instead of the strands, or
covering being all of chenille, that material may be alternated with braid or
cords, or it may be, with flattened silver or gold wire, or with strips of silver
r gold, material. I also, manufacture gold and silver threads by plaiting them
n. like manner for manufacturing gold and silver lace for all kinds of
rimming purposes..
The seventh part relates to the manufacture of a fibrous thread of silk; which
prepare from waste silk and. old, woven silk torn up and reduced to a suitable

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Wilkinson, as Executor of said William Wilkinson,
deceased, in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th March 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
WILKINSON, of Cleveland Street, Fitzroy Square, in the County of Middlesex,
-Executor or-Administrator of William Wilkinson, of the same Place, Engineer,
who departed this life on the First day of February 1865, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Wilkinson, Her special licence that he, the said William
Wilkinson, his executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as he, the
said William Wilkinson, his 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 THE MANUFACTURE OF THREADS OR YARNS APPLICABLE FOR
WEAVING INTO FABRICS, CORDAGE, AND OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN MACHINERY
APPERTAINING TO A PART THEREOF," upon the condition (amongst others) that
he, the said William Wilkinson, his executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under his, 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 William Wilkinson, as such executo
'aforesaid, do hereby declare the nature of his said Invention, and in wha
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer
tained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the two Sheet
of Drawing hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereo
(that is to say) :-
My Invention consists, first, in the manufacture of a mixed thread applicabl

page_text: for hosiery and all kinds of knitted fabrics, and for weaving generally, and
consists in producing a thread suitable for such purposes of a combination of
silk and flax or other long fibres or filaments. To effect this I first cut the
filaments of silk and flax or other long fibres into suitable lengths to produce
a staple from which a thread may be spun. If the thread to be produced is
required to be white, I wash or bleach the silk so that the color shall
approximate to that of the flax, and having cut both the silk and flax
to the length of staple required I mix the fibres intimately together, and
from such combination of fibres produce a thread by scribbling, combing,
carding, spinning, and doubling apparatus, such as used in the ordinary
manufacture of cotton or wool. I sometimes dye the fibres of silk and flax
before mixing them, either both of the same color, or they may be of different
colors; after dyeing I mix the fibres and subsequently prepare and spin thread
from such combination of colored fibres.
The second part consists in the manufacture of thread suitable for all kinds
of weaving, such thread. having a core or centre of cotton or other cheap
material, or it may be of india-rubber or caoutchouc if an elastic thread or
cord is required; and an exterior of silk or wool or other suitable filamentous
material. Two, three, four, five, or more threads may be used for the
covering, but I prefer to use two, three, or four; these are laid round the
core in a helical direction by a machine, the whole combination producing a
soft and pliable thread. The covering threads may be all of the same material,.
and of same or different colors, or of different materials, and of one color, or the
threads of different materials may be of different colors, according to the effect
desired to be produced when such thread is manufactured into a fabric. This
apparatus consists of a hollow spindle through which the core thread or
material to be covered is passed; this spindle is fitted in suitable bearings.
and furnished with speed pullies by which it is driven; on the spindle is fixed.
a disc or plate furnished with one, two, three, or more bobbins or spool carriers
on which the material to be laid on the core is placed. This material (thread)
is wound on the bobbins or in cops adapted to such bobbin carriers; these
bobbin carriers may either be disposed parallel with the hollow spindle or
transversely thereto, and may be jointed at the stem so as to incline in a
direction suitable for placing on the cop or bobbin, but when put back to
position are held rigid by a spring or otherwise. The covering threads, which
are kept at a proper degree of tension, lead through slots in the disc (which
are inclined to its diameter) and pass thence to the end of the spindle, from
whence the core thread emerges. The core thread is not allowed to rotate,
but is wound upon a registering or measuring cylinder continuously as the

page_text: covering threads are laid on by the rotation of the spindle; I dispose a nuniber
of these spindles in one machine in the manner of a spinning frame, and
cover a number of threads at one and the same time. By this means the
thread becomes covered and plated with a much more expensive material than
the thread forming the core that passes through the hollow spindle or spindles.
The third part of my Invenon consists in manufacturing a thread of a
combination of flax and alpaca, which I dye of any suitable color or of
different colors while in a fibrous state, and then scribble and card them
together in suitable proportions, say, in equal proportions, the two materials
being mixed and scribbled together to form a sliver which can be manu-
factured into a new thread; this alpaca fibre may be new wool, or of rags torn.
up in the usual way into a 'fibrous state and carded with a proportionable
quantity of flax fibre, and mixed and dyed as aforesaid, which will make a
much stronger and cheaper thread than is now in use, and will have a richer
appearance than any now generally used in manufacture. I also manufacture
a'thread of a combination of alpaca and silk, or a combination of cotton and
flax, which I treat and prepare separately in the manner similar to that lastly
described.
According to the fourth part of my Invention I spin a thread from hemp,
jute, flax, or other fibre dyed while in the fibre, and when spun I stretch it
out and place one end on a twisting apparatus and the other on a swivel, so
that it may be rotated; I then apply some combed or carded wool in the
form of a sliver or film to the rotating thread, to which it adheres, the
operation being performed somewhat like spinning a yarn in a rope walk;
I thus obtain a thread the core or centre of which is of cheap material, with a
cover or plating of expensive material of the same or it might be of a different
color, both the core and other covering being dyed while in the fibre before
being spun or worked up into a yarn or thread. This kind of thread or yarn
will be found very suitable for the backing of carpets, rugs, and other heavy
goods, and in addition to being durable will be springy under the foot.
The fifth part of my Invention consists in manufacturing a new thread for
weaving or cordage purposes, from wire filamentous anil fibrous materials
twisted together. I produce this thread in the machine herein-after described,
disposing the wire in the hollow of the spindle and using it as the core, around
which I apply two or more threads of different colors, of the same or different
colors, as before described, and so producing a plated thread, which can be
used for window blinds, trimmings, and ornamentation used for theatrical
purposes.
The sixth part of my Invention consists in coating a core or centre with

page_text: chenille, which may be of the same or of different colors; I apply the chenille
helically, in the manner before described of plating or coating a cotton core
with silk, and whieh I effect in the same machine, and in same manner as
described with reference to that operation. Instead of the strands or covering
threads being all of chenille, that material may be alternated with braid or
cords, and it may be flatted silver or gold wire, or it may be with strips of
silver or gilt material. I also manufacture gold and silver threads by plating
or covering them in like manner for manufacturing gold and silver lace, and
for all kinds of trimming purposes.
I will now proceed to describe the method of carrying out this Invention
more in detail.
1st, in manufacturing a mixed thread applicable for hosiery and all kinds of
framework.knitted fabrics, and for weaving and. other purposes generally. I
produce various descriptions of threads by a combination of filamentous and
fibrous material or materials; which may be varied and dyed of various, colors
before being carded, and while still in the fibrous state, or it may be one color
only, or even in an undyed state if so required; to effect this I first cut the
filaments or fibres into suitable lengths (if necessary) to limit and equalize the
length of staple, from which staple a plain, or colored, or mixed thread
may be spun, if the thread to be produced is required to be white I wash and
bleach the above-named fibre or fibres before carding or spinning them.
As a further modification of this mixed thread I sometimes mix different
filaments or fibres together, such as silk and flax, or wool and silk, or
alpaca and wool, in any suitable proportions and of various colors, as before
described, if required. I also dye hemp, jute, flax, tow, and cocoa-nut fibre
before it is carded or spun; when the same fibre or fibres are cut into suitable
lengths for the production of the staple, as before described, from which a
thread may be spun from such combination of fibres a mixed or colored strong
thread may be produced, which will be found especially useful for stout
fabrics, such as carpets, hearth rugs, horse clothing, railway rugs, and
counterpanes, and all descriptions of heavy fabrics; by this means colored or
mixed thread can be produced by the present spinning machinery, which will
not require any detailed explanation, such as the scribbling, combing, carding,
spinning, and doubling apparatus ordinarily used in the manufacture of cotton
wool and flax threads.
2ndly, with reference to the manufacture of threads suitable for all kinds of
weaving and other purposes, such thread having a core or centre of cotton or
other cheap material, or it may be a caoutchouc or india-rubber thread or
core if required, with an exterior of two, three, or more threads used for the

page_text: covering, but I prefer to use three; these threads are laid round the centre
core or cores by a suitable machine, the whole combination producing a soft
pliable thread suitable for various purposes. The covering threads may be
all of the same material or of different materials, and of the same or different
colors, whereby a marbled or mixed thread may be produced either elastic or
inelastic.
The construction of the machine for producing these said threads will be
seen by a reference to the Drawings annexed.
Fig. 1 represents a front view of part of the machine, but which embraces
two sets of covering apparatus which will cover two threads at one time, the
-parts-being-repeated-across the-frame-according to the number of threads to
be operated on simultaneously, but which it is unnecessary to show; Fig. 2 is
a transverse section; Fig. 3, a plan; while Figs. 4, 5, and 6 show parts
detached.
A, A, the frame; B, B, driving cylinder of ordinary construction, to which
are attached driving pullies C, C, which communicate with a main driving
shaft by a strap or band D; E, E, E, E, are hollow revolving spindles through
which the core J (thread or material to be covered) is passed from the bobbins
F, F, placed on fixed spindles F', F. E, E, hollow spindles are fitted in
suitable bearings G, G, G, G, & furnished with speed pullies H, H, which
communicate with the driving cylinder B, B, before-mentioned, by means of
bands or straps I, I. On the spindles E, E, are fixed discs or plates K, K',
furnished with one, two, or more bobbin carriers L, L, L, on which are
placed bobbins, cops, or spools M, M, M, carrying the material for covering
the core J. These bobbin carriers may be disposed either parallel with the
hollow spindle transversely thereto (one set in each position is represented
in the Drawing), or in any other required position, and may be jointed at the
stem so as to incline in a direction suitable for placing on the cop; bobbin, or
spool, but when put back to its position, are held rigid by a spring or other-
wise. The threads N, N, N, on the bobbins M, M, M, which form the
plating or covering, are passed through slots, 0, 0, 0', cut in the disc K, as
before mentioned, which are inclined to its diameter, and continued thence to
the end of the spindle at 2, to which is attached another disc R, and which is
provided with either two, three, four, seven, or nine, or other number of holes
S, S, S', through which the covering threads N, N, N, are further conveyed
before being laid on the core thread J on its emerging at the end of the
spindle E at the point 2. This core or thread is not allowed to rotate in
general, but it may be carried round if required by being placed on the back
end of the hollow spindle E upon a carriage constructed to carry such core

page_text: bobbin, and by means of a ring or a proper shaped piece of metal corresponding
to the shape of the end of the hollow spindle E, and the same may be screwed
upon the end of the above-named spindle with small screws or metal fasten-
ings. This said ring may be provided to carry a pair of arms, which will be
attached to the right and left of the ring or otherwise; by these means the
core will be found to revolve with equal speed to the flyer.
I do not confine myself to the use of these bobbins alone, but I claim the
use of cops or spools which may be fixed to. the end of the hollow spindle E,
which may either rotate or remain stationary, or it may in some cases rotate
in the reverse direction to the flyer or flyers, but in either case when covered
is passed through a guide bar placed in front of the flyers, which traverses
to and fro, and lays the finished thread or threads side by side upon a regis-
tering or measuring cylinder or reel T continuously; as the covering threads
are laid on by the rotation of the revolving discs or. flyers K. The before-
named registering reel is worked by means of pullies U, one of which is
attached to the hollow spindle E and the other to shaft V, which is provided
with an endless screw W. working in a screw wheel X attached to the axis of
the measuring cylinder T. To the shaft Y may be attached another driving
or speed pulley Y correspoding with U to regulate the speed at which the
drawing-off cylinder or reel is to be worked.. Pulley Y is shown in the
Drawing as mounted on a stud, and attached to a spur pinion 3 gearing with
a wheel 4 fixed on shaft V; and by which the motion is first reduced, or this
motion may be obtained direct from the driving cylinder B, B, by means of
the ordinary appliances for such purposes. . In connection with this gear is
attached an ordinary constructed heart cam motion Z to regulate the position
of the threads on the drawing-off of cylinder T', the heart cam taking effect on
the guide bar P through guides 0, 0, on which the threads pass, and which bar
is traversed slowly across the breast of the reel according to the size of thread
being manufactured. The axis of the heart cam is driven from the.axis of
driving cylinder B, or it may be from the spindle E, by toothed or endless
screw gearing in manner similar to the axis of reel T; this drawing-off
cylinder may be constructed in divisions (two are represented in the Drawings)
each division acting in concert with its own particular flyer, which will be
worked separately, but in the same manner as herein-before described, thereby
enabling any one flyer to be stopped without throwing the whole out of
motion. Any number of these spindles and flyers can be worked in one
machine in the manner of a spinning frame, & covering any number of threads
or cores at one and the same time.
To render the working of the machine more perfect, and to ensure the

page_text: certain revolution of the spindles and flyers, I have constructed an appliance
which has for its object the tightening or slackening the spindle bands as
they may become affected from stretching or shrinking under the influence of
the atmosphere; this applance consists in what I shall term adjusting screws
al, a!, which are placed one at each end of the driving cylinder B, and ito
which the bearings of the cylinder are attached and supported, but in manner
so as to allow the screws a, a, to rotate. Two sockets are placed on the
frame through which the screws a, a, (one for each screw) work, thereby
raising and lowering the cylinder B as circumstances may require. I further
provide for the adjustment of the driving strap or band D, which would other-
wise be unduly tightened or loosened by the lowering or raising of the
cylinder, as before described in the process of tightening or slackening the
spindle bands. To obviate this I use a pair of tightening gallows pullies, over
which the driving band from the main shaft-passes; thesc pullics-work-in-a
frame or frames slotted, and are acted upon by a screw by means of which the
pullies are moved so as to deflect the driving strap more or less from its direct
course, and so accommodate it to the altered position of the driving cylinder.
The same result may be obtained by the application of small separate pullies to
each spindle taking effect on each band irrespective of the others; these pullies
consist of a small bobbin and frame e, e, working in a pair of .slot bars ffor
which are attached to a cross bar g, g; to these pullies is affixed a small
weight (or a spring may be used for the same purpose), which can be
increased or diminished as circumstances may require, and by means of which
there will always be a certain regulated amount of tension on the spindle
bands. Both these appliances are applicable to all kinds of spinning
machinery in which bands are used for driving; spindles, &c., may be adjusted
horizontally, or perpendicularly, or in any other required position. By these
means and apparatus a thread or cord is produced, which is covered or plated
with a much more expensive material than that forming the core which passes
through the hollow spindles. I also apply this method to the covering of wire
for telegraph and other purposes.
3rdly, I also manufacture a thread from filamentous and fibrous substances,
either mixed, plain, or colored, as before described. In the manufacture of
these threads I dispose the best quality of fibre outside, and the common
quality of fibre in the inside of the expensive material; it may, in some cases,
be entirely cotton in the centre of flax or woollen fibre, but is always placed
in such a manner that the wool will be always outside and the cotton or other
cheap material in the centre of the woollen fibre or flax. The way in which
I effect this and carry out this part of my Invention is by taking two or three

page_text: strips, spools, or slivers of flattened thread, and placing them upon a required
size tin, wooden, or other metal holder or holders; the same holder or holders
may be in separate compartments if required, or they may be so arranged as to
work side by side or one above another at any angle, or in a perpendicular-or
horizontal position, so as to pass them 'through the pressing rollers to press the
two or three strips, spools, or slivers into one, that is to say, when I use two
strips or slivers as above mentioned, I form that of the best quality rather
wider than the less expensive quality of material. In some cases 'I'use' three,
as last named, and in aH cases leave the two strips. or slivers of the best
material on the outer surface, and the inferior quality in the centre of the
more expensive material, and so coubine 'them as 'to constitute one 'sliver or
flattened thread. This compound sliver is then warped upon a'tin or metal
cylinder and placed in front of the roving machine, and wound, joined, and
brought from the roving machine in as many rovings or slivers as required,
according to the width of the roving machine; the whole of the fibre will be
found to give way proportionately, leaving the cheapest or inferior quality in
the centre and the more expensive quality outside. To insure this, the fibres
thus treated should approximate as near as possible to each other in their
length. It will be found by these means that there is no difficulty in
producing either mixed or plain threads of every fibrous or filamentous
description with an inferior quality of material in the centre of a non-
expensive one. I proceed to draw off the material so prepared, and twist
and spin it in ordinary spinning machinery, using that kind of spinning
machinery which is best adapted for the length of staple under operation; 'for
instance, if the staple be cut short, cotton-spinning machinery may be used,
while, for long staples, wool spinning machinery will be better adapted for
the purpose. These compound threads may be of flax, alpaca, silk, cotton,
and woollen fibres of various descriptions, so long as the best quality of the
cotton or other filamentous or fibrous materials be on the outer surface, and
the inferior or cheap quality in the centre, whatever may be the size of the
thread produced, and so form an article of first-class appearance, such as
cotton, flax, alpaca, or torn-up silk. The silk may be applied on the outer
surface of any of the above-named fibres as described, which will become
plated with a torn-up filament, whereby a thread having a cheap silk surface
upon a cotton, flax, alpaca, or other fibrous core will be obtained, the process
being effected' by means of the ordinary spinning machinery by passing slivers
or flat strips of these several materials together through rollers and in cams
as is usual before being placed in the drawing or roving machinery as herein-
before described.

page_text: 4thly, 1 manufacture covered threads suitable for the manufactures herein-
before mentioned in the ordinary spinning machinery, that is to say, I effect
this when spinning a thread from the fibre, and as it passes its successive
operations from flyer to flyer until it becomes of its required fineness, which
will be in accordance with the thread required for weaving and other purposes
generally. The manner in which this thread is produced with a centre core
of cheap material or materials by the action of the present spinning machinery
is by applying on the above-named fly or frame one, two, three, or more
bobbins, either side by side or one above another, or they may be placed at
any required angle or angles, or they may be-on separate spindles or holder in
a perpendicular, horizontal, or in any oblique position, with a hollow tube or
spindle in the centre, with a carriage on a pair of arms carrying a spindle on
which is mounted a bobbin or spool or balls of cheap material, such as hemp,
jute, flax, or any other filamentous or fibrous material or materials, at the
bottom of the hollow spindle. By these means, as the flyer or flyers revolve,
the best or most expensive material or materials laps or twists around the
centre core, which is of a cheap material as above described; this thread can
be made of any required substance or fineness, according to the manufacture
for which it is required. The above-named thread or threads may have
suitable guide slots, eyes, tubes, or rollers, with register screws if required; in
order to keep the thread or threads in one exact position, the same may be
fitted with a register frame furnished with holes at required angles, or a guide
bar, which may be regulated with a screw, or the above may work in slots
with suitable tightening screws in order to regulate the twist or lap upon the
thread or threads.
I do not confine myself to plating wool or other filamentous or fibrous
material or materials only in this apparatus, as I can plate wire of every
description, or only lap or twist various descriptions of metallic wires together
therein, either for ornamental, telegraph, or cordage purposes. The above will
be applicable for all kinds of weaving, for ropes, lines, twine, and mill banding,
and other purposes of manufacture generally, and which may be dyed of
various colors or not, according for what purposes the same may be required.
5thly, I spin threads from hemp, jute, flax, or other filamentous and
fibrous material or materials (dyed in the fibre if so required), or I take
cheap threads of the material or materials, and dye them any suitable color,
or they may be plain. I then lay them out, as is usually done in a rope
yard, or they may be warped upon bobbins or beams, and placed at the end of
the walk in a frame, so as to allow the material to be drawn off from any
required number at a time; this frame or machine may travel up and down

page_text: the walk if required, with a guide plate in front, so as to keep the threads
from being entangled together. I take one or more of the above-named
threads, and place them at the one end of a twisting apparatus, such as is used
in rope grounds, and the other end on a swivel or loper if necessary; so that it
may be rotated; the spinner then places round his waist some combed or
carded wool, or flax, or other filaments or fibres of a superior description in
the form of a sliver, or in its carded state, and applies it in the usual way by
hand from the waist in sufficient quantity to cover the rotating thread or
threads, which he passes through or carries in his hand, and to which the
wool or other fibre adheres; the rotating thread or threads are cut to any
required length, and may be laid upon the ground, the operation being
performed somewhat like spinning yarn in a rope yard. I thus obtain a
thread with a core or centre of cheap material with a cover or plating of
superior or it may be expensive material, of the same or it may be of different
colors; both the core and the covering are dyed before being spun into a
yarn or thread. Threads so manufactured are applicable for all kinds of
weaving, and for manufacturing purposes generally.
I do not confine myself to the above material only, but I wish it to be
understood that I claim plating threads with filamentous or fibrous materials,
or turn up silk or rags when carded and combed into a fibre. By the same means
I plate india-rubber or caoutchouc threads, gutta percha, and wire, and so
manufacture threads which may either be elastic or inelastic, and of any sub-
stance; I also put on the wirl or twisting apparatus any given number of strands
of cheap yarn; (strands of metallic wire may also be combined therewith, in
order to give strength), and cover the whole with hemp, jute, or flax, or other
fibrous material or materials, and manufacture therefrom ropes, cords, lines,
twines, and mill banding, and threads for weaving purposes generally.
6thly, I can also manufacture covered threads on the present spinuing
machinery, to carry out which I mount one, two, or more bobbins on a flyer
frame, which may be filled with hemp, jute, flax, or other cheap material,
and may be placed in front or in any part of the carding engine or main
carding cylinder, which may be in a series of rows, and when the flyers are
set in motion then the threads of a cheap description will be found to twist
together and pass over the surface of the main carding cylinder, which is filled
with the covering fibre, and as the flyer or flyers revolve round, causes the
thread or threads to twist, and so lap up the carded cotton, wool, or flax, or
other filamentous or fibrous material around the threads; the same may
pass through a set of rollers, brushes, eyes, or tubes, which will keep the

page_text: covered threads in one fixed position, and from thence it may pass through
a guide. bar, which may. traverse. backward and forward. by the heart motion
upon cops, bobbins, or reeling cylinder. The carding cylinder may revolve,
and the cheap thread may pass over it. while it is in motion, the diffing
cylinder and doffing plate being dispensed with, and in that case the main
carding cylinder will always be covered equally with the fibre, and when the
flyers carrying, round the core thread are set in motion, it. will be found that
the revolving threads will divest. the cylinder of the fibre, and the cheap
threads will be found to be completely. covered;, thereby the same result may
be obtained by the application of the above-named flyers around or in any
part of the roving frame, or they may-be placed upon or underneath the cans
of the same, and may be. in constant connection with: the rollers and brushes;
if required, the flyer may work in a direction transverse to that of the sliver,
and. in some cases I use two sets of rollers and brushes to keep the flatted
sliver in. one exact line, and the flyers carrying, the above-named. cheap
material may be revolving upon the sliver in a transverse direction, and. by
these means the threads will be. covered.
7thly. According to my, Invention I can. manufacture threads of the finest
and most expensive silk. on. a core of cotton or other cheap material, as well as
covered threads applicable for the manufacture. of carpets, hearth rugs,
counterpanes,: and other fabrics, such as cloth and blankets and other strong
webs; webs so made. will be of stronger and more: lasting description, and
such. threads will be. found extremely useful for the manufacture. of hosiery,
and in weaving silk ribbon and umbrella coverings, and for cabinet and
upholstery purposes; these threads may be. made of any given fineness
and kept soft and pliable, and will bear such tension. that. they may be worked
with the greatest ease in. the finest and. most delicate. fabrics as well as into
strong and. heavy goods; they will also be found, more level in their staple,.and
will be very suitable for articles of a delicate and rich description, such as
ribbons, lace, crape,,and, all kinds of shawl and for every description of weaving.
Silk, wool, flax, and linen. threads having a cotton. or other cheap fibrous
core (the surface will be completely covered with, the expensive material), will
appear as if, all of such expensive material (silk, wool,, flax, or linen) although
having an inferior quality of material. for. a. core in the centre of the thread
or silk. These thread, may be. of every number or count that can be. spun.
I. also coven india-rubber core with the above-named material. I can. produce
these. covered threads. in. lace frames in which 1. employ a. metal carriage: so
made. as: to carry a. metal bobbin, which may be either double. or single, each

page_text: bobbin carrying one or more covering threads); the bobbin is fitted in a
suitable verge of the carriage, into which the brass bobbin fits:; it is furnished
with a properly adjusted spring to carry and let, off a suitable quantity of the
more expensive covering material than that. around which, the brass bobbin
and carriage is revolving. The brass bobbins and carriages used in common
net lace frames, in twist lace or bobbim net machines, will answer the purpose
with suitable contrivances for holding the carriage (which I term the new flyer
frame into which the bobbins' are fitted), as the guide bar shifts just the width
of as carriage; then the carriage carrying the bobbin or fiyer will perform its
revolutions. round the warp threads, and by these means. I produce a. plated
thread. It will be. unnecessary to describe the whole of the various lace machines
as applied to this purpose, such as the lever machine, the, rotary comb or
rolling locker machines. (in each case dispensing with the net wheels), as; they
are all equally applicable for plating thread: of every description,, as will be
readily, understood.. I do not use the machine in this case for manfacturing
lace; or otherwise tlian for plating threads of every descriptiour to be used. for
the manufacture of woven. articles for hosiery, sewing, tasseling,, fringing,
and other textile purposes either elastic or inelastic: I also employ these
bobbin net lace machines for manufacturing worsted. lace; which may either be
plain or figured; if figured laces on fabrics are required the present jacquard
and other-well known figuring machinery (such as jacquard heads, wheels,
and cylinders is used with or without independent spools and threads to, cach
bobbin carriage or flyer) is used, but the application of these will not require
any detailed explanation, being well understood in that branch of manufacture:
I make shawls, counterpanes;. table covers, window curtains,, trimmings, carpets,
and every description of woollen, silk, or cotton fabrics in these machines,,and. I
print the same by means of blocks or rollers;. and in some cases: 1 print the
threads before being worked up, that is to say,,threads plated as above described.
In manufacturing fringe complete from the bobbin net lace machines (which
are constructed with a series of numbers of box, bobbins and carriage, flyers)
I do not confine myself to the use of threads that have to be drawn from the
warp beam, as I can take threads as they are wound on: spools; or cops at Man-
chester and other places; where: threads are, spun.. I place these. spools at, the
back of the lace machine and conduct the threads thence to the guide bars; the
spools or bobbins.are mounted. on wires, and. each, thread, is kept at. a proper
degree of tension; these threads are led. up: through the. comb. bars, and
attached to: the guide bars; and thence to the work beam, when the net. wheels
are dispensed with. I then plate the threads by the action; of my, new. bobbin
and carriage flyers.revolving round the cop or warp: threadi or threads,, and as

page_text: the twist is carried or wound up by the action of the point bar, by these
means I make plated threads of every description from filamentous or fibrous
materials with cores of cheap material; I also plate by the same means india-
rubber and produce elastic thread or cord, I also cover wire by the same
means for telegraphic and other purposes.
8tbly. Another mode of plating threads of a cheap material with a more
costly material or materials (for example such as silk, wool, or other fila-
mentous or fibrous material or materials of an expensive description on a core
of cotton), consists in plating & platting threads in what is known as a warp
machine, and round a core which may be of cotton, hemp, jute, flax, or other
cheap material. I plat and plate one, two, three, or more cores or threads
in such manner as to-completely-cover the said core, which-itself may consist
of one, two, or more threads. The covered thread so manufactured in this
machine may be used for various purposes in weaving cloth, lace, curtains,
counterpanes, table covers, carpets, hearth rugs, blankets, and other articles
where they can be applied with advantage, and will be found much stronger
and richer in appearance then any hitherto manufactured, by reason of their
being of a platted description instead of being merely twisted.
When orna-
mentation, is required upon the thread, the covering threads which may be of
various colors, will be so piated and placed together upon the inner thread or
core, so as to produce a rich and ornamental surface. When these platted
plated threads are woven up in power and other looms for manufacturing
fancy or plain fabrics, the above-named core may be of india-rubber thread,
which can be plated, as above described, which will be found extremely useful
for all purposes of manufacture. The machine in which I effect this
covering (the manufacture of platted plated threads) is a common warp
machine, fitted with guides and guide bars; it is also provided with needles
and needle bar, so that when the thread of the new description herein men-
tioned has to be platted and plated it is provided with back shaft cams and
wheels, and all other appliances for producing rotary motion, and so as to
produce the various shifts necessary to form the loops around the core or
cores. When this machine is intended only for the manufacture of the above
platted or plated threads for weaving and other textile purposes, it is pro-
vided with a proper cut of wheels; so that when-the-core- of cheap material
that is threaded through the guide bars, and is placed in the middle of two
other guide bars, the middle bar never in any case shifts over the top of the
needles, but always passes underneath, while the one that is in the front and
the other that is in the back traverses to the right and the other to the left (or
vice versa) of each other, so that the threads that are passed underneath the

page_text: beards of the needles never become entangled with those two expensive threads
that cross the one to the right and the other to the left, and so perform its
perfect revolution upon the top of the needles. When the two expensive
threads are crossed and placed upon the needles, the action of the presser so
lays down the beard or barb that is on the needle, and forms a complete double
platt.upon the lines or threads, which can be produced of any length without
a knot, unless in case of an accident. The thread that is spliced upon the
line or thread would not show the least alteration in thickness, and always
maintains its guage and character.
The Drawings show a cut or form of the wheels for effecting these move-
ments in the guide bars, which will vary according to the kind of web or
threads to be produced, as examplified in Figs. 7 and 8, such wheels are
calculated to produce a thread upon two needles, the action of the wheels
upon the guide bars will either make a fine or stout thread; in this case
twelve threads may be employed, (I do not confine myself to any number of
threads,) and use from one to any required number to each needle; by these
means I can produce a fine or stout thread with a core of cheap material, with
an outer surface of a more expensive material, such as silk, wool, or other
filamentous or fibrous material. The above-named threads may be of various
colors, or of as many colors or shades as there are threads to be produced,
and there may be different patterns, if required, upon the threads; this:
depends upon the manner of warping the threads upon the beams, as
explained in the following description of the method of warping the threads,,
viz., the threads are taken from the bobbins and passed singly through the
holes of a brass guide and wound upon a warping mill, 'from which they are
again taken in pairs or any given number, every one, two, or any given
number of threads being passed through the brass guide, which is filled with
holes with equal divisions, so that one thread cannot in any way entangle.
with another, and may be warped upon the beams in that combined state in
one or any given number of threads to each hole in the brass guide. From
the description I have given any competent workinan acquainted with cutting
wheels and putting patterns in a warp loom will be able to arrange patterns in
endless varities. Every needle in the loomi is employed, except where three
needles are occupied in platting or covering core, in which case the centre
cedle is left empty, the guide bars being threaded two and one. This
rrangement has the effect of concealing the centre or cores, which may be of
much stouter material, as it never enters into the beards of the needles.
When I make thread over three needles it will be necessary to employ three
arp beams for the threads: In some cases I dispense with the warp beams,

page_text: and use independent spools, which may be placed on a platform on the top of
the machine.
I do not confine myself to manufacturing covered 'threads or elastic cords
or threads, but I also manufacture webs of every description and braids,
which may be either elastic or inelastic. From the various descriptions of new.
covered threads according to what I am going to produce, I claim the pro-
duction of worsted lace, which may either be figured or plain, by means of the
ordinary jacquard-head arrangements, which do not require any detail expla-
nation. I also claim the use of printed threads for manufacturing every
description of fabrics, which will be found very serviceable for colored
trimmings, side curtains, table covers, and for all kinds of stout fabrics, as
well as elastic tops. for hosiery and other purposes generally. With the. addi-
tion of the wheel Fig. 9, a web may be produced upon four needles, and with
the further addition of wheel, Fig. 10, a web on six needles may be produced:
When six needles are employed the breadth of the web admits of its being.
striped; but in all cases, whatever may be the number of needles. employed or,
taken up in the formation of a braid or web, (which may be elastic or.
inelastic,) patterns can be formed or put in as above described. The said:
webs. may be manufactured in various forms, as flat, round, or angular; the
forms depend upon. the number of threads employed for each needle. Two
threads to a needle .produce a flat web; four, a square web; six, an angular
web, and any one or all of these different forms of webs.can.be.made at one
end: the same time, and with the same set of movements. A reeling machine
may occupy a position immediately under, or it may be parallel to the warp
beam and needles. The. threads. that are finished are wound upon the reel,
which may be performed by turning it by hand, or it may be actuated by a
motion from the machine. When the required quantity of material is réeled.
off the screws are slackened, which allows the stretchers. to contract, so
that, the hanks of. finished silk, or wool, or other material. (which may either
be elastic or inelastic) can be removed and. tied up. into hanks. Various
descriptions. of fringe, and gimp thread, and chenille may be manufactured
by. the above means.
Fig..11 is an elevation of a reel which is attached to the warp machine or
lace machine.herein-before described, as applied to the covering of threads,
which I prefer to employ as. a. substitute for the cloth beam to wind up said
covered thread as manufactured.
9thly, I apply my improvements to framework knitting machinery generally,
for the purpose of plating and covering threads. of various descriptions, as well
as plating the webs produced thereon. I wish it to be understood that the

page_text: whole of the web cr.webs now manufactured in the framework knitting machi-
nery is now plated by plans understood in the framework knitting branch, but
it is my invention to plate only parts of such webs as are now wholly plated;
whereby the webs are plated, in stripes which may be in various colors, and
continued throughout a given number of courses. In this manner one half
of the quantity of silk used by the present method of plating will be sufficient,
& stripes across the web may be produced on the fabrics with equal or any
required number of courses of each material, and will effect a saving of more
than one-half the 'silk or other expensive material at present used: Moreover,
this produces an ornamental fabric which will be found very suitable in
stockings, shirts, drawers, gloves, mittens, night caps, and all other articles
manufactured on framework knitting machinery, and this may be effected in the
simplest and easiest manner while fashioning and giving proper shapes to the
articles that are made of a plated description or not, according to the purposes
for which the same is to be applied. I do not intend to confine myself to only
the plating part of the web or webs as above described, but it is to be understood
that when these new parts of machinery are used, I plate the whole or part
of the cotton or wool, or other cheap material or materials with silk or other
filamentous, or fibrous material or materials of a much more expensive quality
when I am using one, two, three, four, or any given number of threads (one
thread only may be used if it is covered thread, manufactured as above described
which may be of various colors), according to what has to be produced; each
may be of a different material or materials, and may be in various colors; and
the whole or any part of them so woven and knit or looped together that each
of these cheap threads will be found completely embedded between the silk
or other expensive material, and in the event of a failure in any-of the loops
it will not run down, as is the case in ordinary looped fabrics; for example, I
make gloves and stockings; and every description of looped fabrics, of two,
three, or more threads, which in three-thread work may be one each of wool,
silk, and cotton. In this case the cotton may be disposed between the silk and
wool, leaving on the surface of the fabric silk on the one side and wool on the
other. In manufacturing gloves and stockings, pantaloons, and every descrip-
tion of articles of hosiery which may have a silk or woollen appearance, or of
silk on one side and wool on the other, with cotton or other cheap, material in
the centre of the fabric, or it may be of two threads only, one of silk and the
other of wool, or only of cotton, wool, or silk, the wool surface of the fabric
may be brushed with wire or whalebone brushes or teazles, which will raise a
pile upon the above-named fabric inside, which may in some cases be of a
different color to that on the face of the fabric; this fabric will be found warm

page_text: and much more comfortable than ordinary looped fabrics. I also manufacture
by these means stout looped fabrics with three or four threads of various
qualities and description of materials, which may be of wool, flax, or alpaca,
and may be plated with silk on both sides, while cotton composes the middle
or centre of the fabric. I claim this part of my Invention for manufacturing
shirts, drawers, gloves, and every description of articles produced in frame-
work knitting machinery, that may be manufactured according to the methods
set forth in this Specification; the same fabrics or webs may be ornamented
by tambouring or chevening, or other well-known methods of ornamenting
fabrics of this description, which are well understood by the manufacturers of
the aforesaid articles, according to the purposes for which the same may be
applied.
In manufacturing looped fabrics-of-threads according-to-my-Invention,-I
either make a plain fabric, or I work with needles disposed at different guages
in the same webs, for instance, if the general web be of a guage of three
needles to the lead, I alternate such guage by using in some of the leads only
two needles, and with either one, two, three, or more such leads adjoining,
according to the width of stripe wale, (lengthwise) or ornament required.
In plating threads in stocking frames or knitting machines, in which I use one,
two, three, or more threads simultaneously, I mount the bobbins carrying such
threads on a carriage fixed above, and moving with the thread.carrier, so that
the same distance will always exist between the bobbin and the point of the
carrier, which delivers the threads on the needles. By this means the threads
are always kept at the same degree of tension, and may be delivered uniformly
and in proper order on the stems of the needles, as is well understood; the
point of the thread carrier has several holes through which the threads are
conducted, in number corresponding with the number of threads to be worked
úp; the wool threads, or that covered with wool, is carried through the hole
next the front, the cotton thread through the next or middle hole, while the
silk covered thread is passed through the hole in the rear; these threads are all
laid parallel by the guides and carrier across the needle stems simultaneously,
and will be worked up into the fabric by the action of the machine, which is
well understood, for instance, in a stocking, the wool will be on the inside, the
silk on the outside, and the cotton embedded between the two.
If silk or other outer thread is only to be introduced at intervals as first
above-mentioned in order to produce stripes, I employ separate thread carriers
and guides for the different threads; 'or a separate thread carrier for the outer
thread only may be used, and I mount the threads respectively on and in
combination with their own thread carrier, so that each thread travels back-

page_text: wards and forwards. with the thread carrier, and guide by which it is delivered.
When the silk thread is to be omitted for a given number of courses, it is
simply permitted to remain stationary at the side of the loom for the given
number required, and then put into action again, and another plating or
rib or stripe formed on the fabric.
Fig. 12 represents a front elevation of a knitting frame, having the supply
thread bobbins mounted or moving with the thread. carrier, 'or carrier bar, as
described; when I am making striped fabrics I use two sets of the above-named
bobbins, carriers, and two carrier bars, which will traverse backwards and for-
wards by the action of the machine. .
Fig. 13 shows a detached plan of the thread guide at in Fig. 12... The
jack and tackle apparatus may also be employed in fashioning and ornament-
ing the above-named fabrics.
10thly, in manufacturing various descriptions of fabrics from filamentous
and fibrous materials, plated or not, which may be woven in the common
weaving looms, and do not require any detail description, with the exception of
the way in which I produce a new pile fabric. This pile fabric is applicable
for hearth rugs, carpets, table covers, coverlets, or matting, as a substitute
for every description of pile fabrics that may be woven in a loom, the present
mode of manufacturing pile fabrics in looms of various descriptions is by
lapping on the warp threads plain or various.colored threads of a filamentous
or fibrous nature, which may be in balls or in bobbins or cops. The above-
named threads are cut into suitable lengths according to the length of pile
required, instead of lapping round the warp thread threads of various des-
criptions to produce a pile 1 lap round them unspun filaments of various des-
criptions which may. be combed or carded and may either be dyed of various
colors or not, according to the kind of pile to be produced. This fibre is
lapped on the warp threads and tufted in by hand or by mechanical arrange-
ments, and by the action of the shuttle it is tied in, and forms an entirely new
pile fabric, which can be manufactured much cheaper than the present mode
of using threads for such like productions of pile fabrics, besides which a much
finer and closer pile can be thus obtained.
I do not confine myself to one material, as I can use carded waste silk, flax,
or wool, or any other filamentous or fibrous material, or they may be mixed
together, such as alpaca, or other materials of a fibrous nature, or torn up
rags when carded for the same purpose; I also lap warps of india-rubber
threads with fibres according to the above-named plan, which warp threads
may thus be either elastic or inelastic in the pile produced.
Ilaving described the nature of this Invention, and the manner of perform.

page_text: ing the-same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by
the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is-
First, I claim cutting and dyeing fibrous or .filamentous materials to a
required length of staple and subsequently carding. and spinning such fibres
into threads or yarns as herein-before described.
.Secondly, I claim the manufacture of plated. or covered threads, yarns,
or strands in the manner. herein-before described,, and their application
in the manufacture of woven and other fabrics in cordage and for other
purposes.
Thirdly, I claim the application of the machinery herein-before described
for the manufacture of. plated or covered threads, yarns, and webs in the
manner and as herein-before-described:
In witness whereof, I, the said William Wilkinson, as such Executor
as aforesaid, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day
of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
sixty-five.
Witness,
W. CLARK,
Patent Agent,.
53, Chancery Lane,
London.
WILLIAM WILKINSON: (L.S.)