IMPROVEMENTS IN LACE MACHINERY.
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Aaron Mosley, of Old Radford, in the County
of Nottingham, Mechanic, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LACE MACHINERY.'
Sealed the 14th January 1870, and dated the 11th November 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Aaron Mosley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
11th November 1869.
I, AARON MOSLEY, of Old Radford, in the County of Nottingham,
Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN LACE MACHINERY," to be as follows:-
The object of my improvements is to effect a more rapid movement
to and fro of the ordinary carriages of lace machines, whereby I can
produce more work in a given time than can be obtained in machines of
the ordinary construction, and in order to accomplish this object I
arrange the working mechanism of the machine according to two
methods on two fixed centres only, and by another method I employ
four fixed centres, all of which are explained in the following description.

page_text: The Invention consists in the first method in attaching the lower ends
of two rods or links to a lever depending from a fixed point, the upper
ends of the links being attached to near the lower ends of oscillating
bars, or what are known in the trade as back and front joints, both of
which are centered upon one pin, which acts as the other fixed centre.
These bars or joints have feet or projections upon them, to which pins
are fitted for holding in place the front and back catch bars respectively,
both of which are furnished with rollers working on curved surfaces
formed on a fixed portion of the frame of the machine for compelling
the catch bars to rise and fall at the proper times for drawing the
carriages from one side of the work to the other. The carriages are free
to slide in combs, which are fixed to comb bars in the ordinary manner.
The depending lever first herein-before mentioned is caused to oscillate
by a link or connecting rod being attached to its free end and worked
by means of a crank, eccentric, or other mechanical appliance.
The Drawing annexed represents the above improvements. A, A, are
the two rods or links, and B the depending lever which moves upon the
fixed centre at C; D, E, are respectively the front and back joints with
the landing bars F, G, attached, and which are centred upon the pin
at H; I, J, are the catch bars which take hold of alternately the tails of
the carriages K and draw them across the machine. The catch bar
which has drawn them to one side takes them back to about the centre
of the machine, when the tooth of the opposite catch bar falls or is
forced into the notches of the opposite sides of the carriages to draw
them to the opposite side of the machine, and in order to admit of this
being done the roller on the catch bar rides up an incline of the curve
until the tooth is clear of the notches..
In some cases I as it were reverse the placing of the links, levers,
and bars as above described and centre an elbow lever at its lower end,
leaving one end free to be acted upon by the connecting rod of the
crank. In this case the two rods or links are jointed to the lever at one
end, and their opposite ends are connected to the loose ends of short
arms forming part of the joint or landing bars, both of which are
pivotted upon the same pin which forms the second fixed centre in this
arrangement. The catch bars in this mode work into the notches of the
carriages and draw them to and fro in a similar manner to that first
described. The important feature in this second arrangement is that I
am enabled to work the levers and rods or links from the upper part of
the machine instead of from the lower.

page_text: Although I have described my Invention as working from two fixed
centres only, I do not wish to confine myself strictly to their use, as by
another arrangement of mechanism, which I have invented for the more
speedy and the more economical working of lace machines, I can work
from four fixed centres, as hereafter described. To one end of an elbow
moved to and fro by a
lever which is centre upon a pin, and which is
connecting rod as first herein-before described, I attach two rods or
bars; one of these is connected to one arm of a double or elbow lever,
which is centred upon a pin and which forms the second centre of the
four. The other arm of the double lever has connected to it a rod or
bar, which runs across the machine and is secured to the lower end of
one of the landing bars forming part of either the back or front joints
as the case may be. Both of these joints are fitted upon one pin which
forms the third fixed centre. The other rod or bar which is fastened to
the first mentioned lever is connected at its other end to a short lever
at a little distance from the loose end of the same, the
which is on a fixed pin and forms the fourth fixed centre.
free end of the short lever has a link connected to it
other end of
The extreme
for forming a
connection with the other landing bar and joint, and as the depending
lever is moved to and fro a motion of all the other levers, rods, and bars
is effected for the proper working of the catch bars for moying the
carriages from one side of the machine to the other..
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Aaron Mosley in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 11th May 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, AARON
MOSLEY, of Old Radford, in the County of Nottingham, Mechanic, send
greeting..
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the
thirty-third year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Aaron Mosley, Her special licenco
that I, the said Aaron Mosley, my executors, administrators, and

page_text: .
assigns, or such others as I, the said Aaron Mosley, 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 t
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LACE MACHINERY," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Aaron Mosley, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under 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 Aaron Mosley, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to 1
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, that is to say :-
The object of my improvements is to effect a more rapid movement
to and fro of the ordinary carriages of lace machines. I arrange the
working mechanism of the machine according to two methods on two
fixed centres only, by another method I employ four fixed centres, all
of which are explained in the following description.
The Invention consists in the first method in attaching the lower ends
of two rods or links to a lever depending from a fixed point, the upper
ends of the links being attached to near the lower ends of oscillating
bars, or what are known in the trade as back and front joints, both of
which are centred upon one pin, which acts as the other fixed centre.
These bars or joints have feet or projections upon them, to which pins
are fitted for holding in place the back and front catch bars respectively,
both of which are furnished with rollers working on curved surfaces
formed on a fixed portion of the frame of the machine for compelling
the catch bars to rise and fall at the proper times for drawing the
carriages from one side of the work to the other. The carriages are free
to slide in combs which are fixed to comb bars in the ordinary manner.
The depending lever first herein-before mentioned is caused to oscillate
by a link or connecting rod being attached to its free end and worked
by means of a crank, eccentric, or other mechanical appliance.

page_text: In some cases I as it were reverse the placing of the links, levers, and
Bars as above described, and centre an elbow lever at its lower end,
leaving one end free to be acted upon by the connecting rod of the
crank. In this case the two rods or links are jointed to the lever at onc
end, and their opposite ends are connected to the loose ends of short
arms forming part of the joint or landing bars, both of which are pivoted
upon the same pin which forms the second fixed centre in this arrange-
ment. The catch bars in this mode work into the notches of the
carriages and draw them to and fro in a similar manner to that first
described. The important feature of this second arrangement is. that I
am enabled to work the levers and rods or links from the upper part
of the machine instead of from the lower..
Although I have described my Invention as working from two fixed
centres only, I do not wish to confine myself strictly to their use,. as. by
another arrangement of mechanism which I have invented for the
more speedy and the more economical working of lace machines I can
work from four fixed centres,. as hereafter described. To one end of an
elbow lever which is centred upon a pin, and which is moved to. and
fro by a connecting rod as first herein-before described, I attach two rods
or bars; one of these is connected to one arm of a double or elbow lever,
which is centred upon a pin and which forms the second centre of the
four. The other arm of the double lever has connected to it a rod or
bar which runs across the machine, and is. secured to the lower end of
one of the landing bars forming part of either the back or front joints as
the case may be. Both of these joints are fitted upon one pin which
forms the third fixed centre. The other rod or bar which is fastened to
the first-mentioned: lever is connected at its other end to a short lever at
a little distance from the loose end of the same, the other end of which
is on a fixed pin and forms the fourth fixed centre. The extreme free
end of the short lever has a link connected to it for forming a con-
nection with the other landing bar and joint, and as the depending, lever
is moved to and fro a motion of all the other levers, rods, and bars. is:
effected for the proper working of the catch bars for moving the carriages.
from one side of the machine to the other..
The manner in which I carry the first-described method into effect is:
represented in Figures 1 and 2 on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings,
where A is the rod or bar leading from the crank or eccentric on the
shaft driven by a strap or otherwise as found desirablo; B is a lover

page_text: suspended on the pin C, so that the bar A communicates a to-and-fro
movement to it corresponding to the throw of the crank or eccentric.
This lever B has connected to its lower end the bottoms of two bent or
curved rods or links C, D, which are fastened by pins or studs to fect
or lugs E, E, formed on the edge of what are termed the front and
back joints G, H, which are themselves centred upon a pin I at the
upper part of the framing. Other feet or lugs J, K, on the landing
bars U, V, carry weighted levers L, M, such as are in common use and
known as catch bars; these are formed with depending plates N, O, to
act as jaws or catches, which take into notches or teeth on the edges
of the bobbin carrier or carriage P to draw it across from one side of the
work to the other alternately; they are provided with short levers which
carry on their ends small rollers, so that as the carriage is moved to
one side or the other the plates on the opposite bars are caused to rise
by the rollers riding up inclined or curved surfaces, and become dis-
engaged from the notches on the carriage to allow it to pass to the
other side of the work freely. The carriage is held in position by
resting upon the comb bars Q, R, and when a number of carriages are
employed they are kept apart by the comb plates S, T, the thickness of
which regulates the distance one carriage shall be from another, and
so determines the fineness or coarseness of the work to be produced.
When the carriages are drawn beyond a certain point they are prevented
falling through between the free ends of the comb plates by the ends of
them resting upon the bars U, V, which move with the bars G, II, and
the catch bars N, O. These bars U, V, are what are known as landing
bars from the duty they have to perform, that of supporting or landing
the carriages at the end of each travel. The comb plates are held in
place and at the proper distances apart by the tails of them being cast into
a block W of soft metal, such as lead shaped in a suitable mould. The
block or blocks W are fixed at the proper height by screw bolts which
pass through them and into the bars Q, R, as usual, therefore this
portion of the apparatus forms no part of my Invention. Figure 2
shows clearly how the carriage is drawn to one side of the machino
or frame, and by each side of the apparatus being the same it will bo
easily understood how the carriage can be drawn to the opposite side of
the machine. It will be observed that the whole of the moving parts
are held and supported by two fixed centres only, so that their arrange-
ment is very simple, and from its simplicity it is not liable to get out of
order. One of the fixed centres is the pin C and the other the pin I. This

page_text: simple method admits of the carriages being drawn to and fro at a greater
speed than can be effected by the apparatus usually employed, at the
same time there are fewer liabilities for derangement of the parts. I
propose to fit one set of levers or links to the inside of each end frame
of the machine, and work them by separate connecting rods from the
same crank shaft to ensure regularity of movement.
In the foregoing description and Drawings I have referred to the
apparatus as being driven by a connecting rod from the lower part or
underneath the same, but I do not confine myself to that method, as I
can work a similar apparatus from above, as represented in Figures
3 and 4 in Sheet 2, where the connecting rod is pinned to an elbow
lever Z fitted to the upper part of the frame. In this case I joint the
two links at their lower ends to short levers a, b, forming part of the
joints G, H, so that they partake of a movement corresponding to the
length of their travel, which is sufficient to draw the carriage or
carriages from the central part of the machine or frame to one side or
the other.
.
The other parts of the apparatus are the same as those first described,
and the same letters of reference correspond therewith.
By another arrangement of the various levers, and others in connec-.
tion with them, I am enabled to work the catch and joint bars from four
fixed centres, as previously spoken of. This arrangement is represented
in Figure 5 on Sheet 3 of the Drawings. I attach one end of the con-
necting rod A to one free end of an elbow lever c, and pin the lower ends
of two links or bars d, e, to the other free end f. of the elbow lever.
The other ends of the links d, e, are opened out or divided, and one of
them d is jointed to one free end of another elbow lever g centred upon
the pin h, as shown, while the end of the link e is secured to the free end
of a single lever i, which is free to move upon the pin j. The end of
the link e is pinned to the lever i at a short distance from its loose
end to obtain the proper stroke of the catch bar, which is accomplished
by means of a short link being connected one end to the free end of the
lever i and the other to the foot or lug E. This arrangement ensures a
correct movement being given to the joint bar and the catch bar to draw
the carriage to one side of the frame, and in order to obtain a corre-
sponding travel of the joint on the opposite side of the frame I attach a
bar m to the other free end of the elbow lever. This bar. m leads

page_text: across to the opposite side of the machine, and. by being fastened to the
foot I cause that joint and catch bar to have the same distance to travel
over on that side of the machine as the other catch bar on the opposite
side.
It is evident that the different parts of this mechanism are
supported by four fixed centres instead of two, as in the previous
Figures.
In Sheet 4, Figures 6, 7, and 8 respectively, I have shown cach of
the three arrangements of mechanism as above described on a smaller
scale. They are each fitted in a frame of the make shown, which is the
common form of construction. It will be observed that in these Figures.
certain modifications are introduced, such as screw pins passing through
additional bars to admit of the combs being set at the proper height
with the greatest degree of nicety, as well as
the landing bars which are
similarly adjusted.
The side frames of the machines are braced and tied at fixed
distances apart according to the width of work to be produced by
mcans of the ordinary braces and tie rods. The frame carries the
warp thread beam or roller as well as the winding on roller, the
movements of which are controlled in any ordinary method, and the
change or crossing of the threads to form the "shed" are actuated
by the jacquard, as is usual, the "shed" being formed at the commence-
ment of cach travel of the bobbing carriages, the whole of which move
at the same time from one side of the machine to the other.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I do not
confine myself strictly to the arrangement of the links and other parts of
the apparatus as above described and shown, as the same may be
differently arranged to suit different forms or constructions of machines;
but what I do claim as my Invention is,---
Firstly. Supporting the working mechanism of lace machinery upon
two fixed centres only, substantially as hercin-before described and
represented in Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 1, of the Drawings annexed.
Secondly. I claim the arrangement of mechanism working upon two
fixed centres only, as described and shown in Figures 3 and 4 on
Sheet of the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: And, thirdly. I claim supporting the working parts of lace machinery
upon four fixed centres, as herein-before described and represented in
Figure 5 on Sheet 3 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Aaron Mosley, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Ninth day of May One thousand eight
hundred and seventy.
Witness to the signature of
the said Aaron Mosley,
W. G. SANDER,
Ranson St.,
New Basford.
AARON MOSLEY. (L.S.)"