IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR COMBING FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in
the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR COMBING FIBROUS MATERIALS." A com-
munication from abroad by Henri Truxler, of Lure, Haute-Saône, in the
Republic of France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th August 1880.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR COMBING
FIBROUS MATERIALS." A communication from abroad by Henri Truxler, of Lure,
Haute-Saône, in the Republic of France.
This Invention relates to improvements in machinery or apparatus for combing
fibrous materials, by the employment of which improvements important advantages
are obtained.
The Invention has reference partly to the use in combing machines of the
following principal parts, viz. -—
1. A peculiar feeding apparatus which conducts forward the material and retires
from it a determined distance at a given moment.
2. A stripping off apparatus having a continuous rotatory motion at a variable
speed, the said apparatus at the same time containing in its interior the combing
device intended to clear the fore extremities of the tresses. The body of the
stripping off apparatus is made of a skeleton form suitable for the purpose.
The rotatory gripping devices forming part of the stripping off apparatus
perform two functions in this machine, viz. :-
1st. They serve to retain the material during the combing operation.
2nd. They serve to strip off or withdraw the combed filaments during the final
process of cleaning the fibres. This latter feature is applicable to combing machines
in general.
The feeding apparatus when in one position introduces the fore extremity of the
uncombed tress into a pair of grippers (then open) allowing the tress to enter into
the interior of the grippers for a certain distance for the operation of combing; as
[Prins R77

page_text: soon as the grippers are closed the fore extremity of the tress is traversed by a
combing segment provided with teeth, and the action of which removes all the
impurities. The grippers then open the feed holder containing the material to be
combed, retires sufficiently in order that a portion of the combed end of the tress,
which previously was projecting in the interior may be presented at the exterior
so that the final comb may be able to operate upon the combed tress as close as
possible to the grippers. The last mentioned actions having then taken place the
grippers close and the stripping off operation is performed by the same grippers
which were used in the combing of the fore end of the sliver. By means of this
arrangement and of a horizontal backward motion to which the grippers are
subjected during the stripping-off, the extraction and combing of fibres of any
description and length is effected in a satisfactory manner in one and the same
machine.
The stripping-off apparatus is provided with two pairs of grippers whereby two
operations may be performed at each revolution, its speed being necessarily one
half of that of the driving shaft and feeding apparatus. Motion is imparted to the
stripping off apparatus by a pair of elliptical wheels which give the required
variable speed, the one set of operations being performed at a comparatively slow
speed whilst the stripping-off is effected with a speed gradually accelerated.
The combing segment which works to and fro in the interior of the stripping off
apparatus is fast on a shaft passing through the latter, and receives its motion
through the intervention of a connecting rod from a cam or eccentric fast on
the driving shaft, its speed is therefore independent of that of the stripping off
apparatus.
An important feature of the Invention consists in the use for combing both the
extremity and the rear portion of the tress of the same pair of grippers, which are
subjected for the respective periods to the following variable motions, viz., a
movement by which the opening of the grippers is effected for the introduction of
the tress, the closing of the grippers during the combing, a half opening during the
backward motion of the tress, and the closing for the combing of the rear portion
of the tress at the moment of the stripping off, the whole being obtained by the
combination of curves and accessories connected to the grippers.
Other features consist in the movement of the feeding apparatus for the intro-
duction of the uncombed tress into the grippers, the backward movement of the
tress, also in the action of again seizing the fore extremity of the tress, the latter
action being obtained by means of a cam or eccentric which turns freely on the
axis of the oscillating feeding apparatus, the said cam or eccentric by its form
causing the feeding bars to advance or recede as required in relation to the centre
of its axis which supports the material.
Another feature consists in the application before referred to of the combing
segment working in the interior of the stripping off apparatus, and having for its
centre of oscillation the centre of the said apparatus. Also in the motion of the
stripping off apparatus, the speed of the same being variable, and the motion being
obtained by means of elliptical wheels, cams, or eccentrics, or any other suitable
arrangement.
Another feature consists in the general arrangement of the feeding apparatus in
relation to the stripping-off apparatus, and the means hereinafter described for
producing the different motions and actions. These consist in presenting the
uncombed end of the tress to a stripping-off' apparatus having a continuous rotatory
motion at a variable speed, the feeding of the material being obtained by means
of a feeding apparatus, independent of the combing of the said end of the tress.
The stripping off apparatus consists mainly of grippers which seize the fore end of
each tress, in its turn release it, and again seize it after the combing; the combing
segment oscillates in the centre of the stripping-off apparatus, as before mentioned,
and the feeding apparatus introduces the uncombed tress into the grippers, and
after the combing retires for a certain distance, as before explained.
A further feature consists in the cleaning of the combing segment during the

page_text: ascending motion of the segment, which arrangement admits of the brush working
at a low speed, whilst at the same time the cleaning is efficiently performed.
The holder of the feeding apparatus may be made of a gridiron shape, the tresses
being gripped between two gratings or sets of bars. The feeding holder is moved
towards the grippers under the action of a cam and eccentric, and levers, but is
drawn in the opposite direction by means of springs. The feeding holder works
between guides provided on an oscillating table, which is connected at each side
with certain levers receiving motion through the intervention of cams or eccentrics
and rods from the driving shaft. The levers and table are mounted on separate
shafts or axes so arranged that the whole apparatus receives an oscillating motion
by means of the said cams or eccentrics.
The springs before referred to which act upon the feeding holder constantly tend
to move the said holder in the direction of the axis of the oscillating table, but at
the desired moment the feeding holder is moved forward under the action of the
cam or eccentric (which is mounted on the axis of the table), and the tress of fibres
is inserted in the grippers which are opposite and open to receive it. One of the
jaws of each pair of grippers is carried on a support adapted to guides in the end
plates of the skeleton body of the stripping off apparatus, the arrangement being
such that the grippers are conducted with the said body in its rotatory motion; an
eccentric motion is also imparted by means of curved plates fixed at each extremity,
and the co-operation of spiral springs. The moveable jaws of the grippers are
carried by hinged lever arms jointed to suitable supports, and follow the same
rotary and eccentric motion, the grippers being, by means of the devices referred to,
caused to move backward as required. By the arrangement of the parts before
mentioned a rocking motion is obtained which opens and closes the grippers as
required.
The fore extremity of the tress to be combed is introduced into the grippers
partly by the forward motion of the feeding holder and partly under the action
of the stripping off apparatus itself in the following manner, vist. :-At the moment
when the feeding apparatus is in its lowest position, that is to say, ready to
commence its up stroke, the open grippers receive the extremity of the tress, the
stripping off apparatus rotates, and the feed apparatus rises in the same proportion
by reason of the form of the cam or eccentric that operates the table. By the time
that the feed holder has arrived at the horizontal position the two apparatus
are in close proximity, and the tress protruding beyond the feed holder becomes
entirely engaged in the grippers, and the fore extremity of the tress projects
inwardly for a distance determined according to the material operated upon. The.
grippers remain open until they are closed by means of the hinged levers before
referred to, and certain double arms and rollers in contact with the curved plates,
and by the tension of the helical springs before mentioned, the tress when the
grippers are closed being sufficiently compressed to withstand the combing of its
fore extremity which projects inwardly beyond the grippers, as before explained.
The combing segment has a reciprocating rotary motion up and down. It is
carried by arms mounted on the axis of the stripping off apparatus, and is operated
by a cam fast on the driving shaft through the intervention of a system of levers
and connecting rods. The combing segment when in its highest position remains
stationary until the moment when the fore extremity of the tress taken by the
grippers is conducted by the latter and presented to the combing segment, which
then descends sufficiently rapidly to remove all the impurities contained in the fore
extremity of the tress projecting beyond the grippers.
The combing segment is cleaned at the end of its stroke by a circular brush,
which removes therefrom the impurities and noyls or waste, and transfers the same
to a doffer, and the latter is provided with a detaching comb working at a high
speed to remove the said noyls or waste from the doffer, whence they fall into any
convenient receptacle. The circular brush is mounted on the levers of the feed
apparatus, and receives an oscillating motion at the same time as the feed apparatus,
and by the same means, in addition to which oscillating motion it receives also a

page_text: circular motion by means of gearing actuated by the driving shaft by the aid of a
connection having an intermediate wheel.
As soon as the combing of the fore extremity of the tress has been accomplished
the grippers open momentarily, and the feed holder retires, carrying the tress with
it. A small portion of the combed fore extremity which was projecting inwardly
beyond the grippers caused to protrude therefrom at the exterior; the grippers
then again close, and the stripping off apparatus continues its motion simultaneously
and in unison with the upward motion of the feed holder, the grippers holding the
combed extremity of the tress, and the feed holder retaining the portion not
combed. In order to complete the operation of combing a finishing comb is
provided, which penetrates that portion of the tress which is within the feed holder,
the teeth of the comb passing between the bars of the holder. When the holder
arrives at the horizontal position the two apparatus gradually diverge. The
finishing comb, which is provided at its extremity with three supplementary rows
of teeth, then enabled to approach the stripping off apparatus, and the said
additional teeth are caused to traverse the portion of the fore extremity of the
tress which had previously been combed. The finishing comb is carried by levers,
which are mounted upon centres or fulcra operated by a cam or eccentric, the latter
being so shaped that the finishing comb is caused to descend when the feed holder
has arrived at its highest position, and to rise again as soon as the operation of
stripping off is completed.
The last mentioned operation (the stripping off of the material) commences when
the finishing comb engages with the feed holder. It is performed partly by the
rotatory action of the stripping apparatus itself, and partly by the backward motion
of the grippers. The stripping off consists in the drawing of the fibres through
the finishing comb. It takes place in a rectilinear direction at the moment when
the feed holder is stationary, the rotary motion of the stripping-off apparatus
continuing, and the grippers retaining their hold of the fore extremity of the tress
until the whole of the filaments have been withdrawn from the feed apparatus.
The material stripped off may be received from the stripping off apparatus by a
carding roller or doffer provided with cards, whence it is removed by rollers, from
which it is conducted through a funnel shaped device to delivering rollers. The
material may be deposited in superposed layers, thus forming gradually a wide
combed sliver.
When it is required to comb material of a short fine description only the feed
holder may consist of a simple plate, also movable along the feed table, the extremity
of which (at the side of the stripping off apparatus) is covered with cloth and
leather. The plate carries the axis of a forked lever, which is provided at its
extremity with a gripper, the latter being opened and closed as required under the
action of the forked lever operated by a cam, which turns freely on the axis of the
oscillating table.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th
February 1881.
"
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex.
Gentleman. *IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR COMBING
FIBROUS MATERIALS." A communication from abroad by Henri Truxler, of Lure,
Haute-Saone, in the Republic of France.
The said Invention relates to improvements in machinery or apparatus for
combing fibrous materials, by the employment of which improvements important
advantages are obtained.
The Invention has reference partly to the use in combing machines of the
following principal parts, videlicet :-
1. A peculiar feeding apparatus which conducts forward the material and retires
from it a determined distance at a given moment.
2. A stripping-off apparatus having a continuous rotatory motion at a variable
speed, the said apparatus at the same time containing in its interior the combing
device intended to clear the fore extremities of the tresses.
The rotatory gripping devices forming part of the stripping off apparatus perform
two functions in this machine, viz. :-
--
1st. They serve to retain the material during the combing operation.
2nd. They serve to strip off or withdraw the combed filaments during the
final process of cleaning the fibres. This latter feature is applicable to combing
machines in general.
The feeding apparatus when in one position rapidly introduces the fore extremity
of the uncombed tress into a pair of grippers (then open), allowing the tress to
enter into the interior of the grippers for a certain distance for the operation of
combing; as soon as the grippers are closed the fore extremity of the tress is
traversed by a combing segment provided with a suitable number of rows of teeth,
and the action of which removes all the impurities. The grippers then open, the
feed holder containing the material to be combed retires sufficiently in order that a
portion of the combed end of the tress which previously was projecting in the
interior may be presented at the exterior, so that the final comb provided with one
or more rows of teeth may be able to operate upon the combed tress as close as
possible to the grippers. The last mentioned actions having then taken place thè
grippers close again whilst the final comb remains engaged with the material, and
the stripping-off operation is performed by the same grippers which were used in
the combing of the fore end of the tress. By means of this arrangement and of à
horizontal backward motion to which the grippers are subjected during the stripping-
off, the extraction and combing of fibres of any description and length is effected
in a satisfactory manner in one and the same machine.
The stripping-off apparatus is provided with two pairs of grippers, whereby two
operations may be performed at each revolution, its speed being necessarily one
half of that of the driving shaft and feeding apparatus. Motion is imparted to the
stripping off apparatus by a pair of elliptical wheels which give the required variable
speed, the one set of operations being performed at a comparatively slow speed,
whilst the stripping-off is effected with a speed gradually accelerated.
The combing segment which works to and fro in the interior of the stripping off
apparatus is fast on a shaft passing through the latter, and receives its motion
through the intervention of a connecting rod from a cam or eccentric fast on
the driving shaft, its speed is therefore independent of that of the stripping-off
apparatus.

page_text: And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the
several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the corresponding Figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings represents a longitudinal section of the
improved machine, and Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the combing and
stripping off apparatus shewing the parts for actuating the same.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the feeding apparatus showing the same in
its lowest position, and also showing the position of the elliptical wheels during the
introduction of the materials to be combed.
Figure 4 shows the same parts in the position which they occupy during the
combing of the fore end of the tress, and Figure 5 shows their position during the
backward motion of the fore end of the tress after it has been combed.
Figure is a longitudinal section of the same feeding apparatus in its most
elevated position when the stripping off or withdrawal of the combed filaments is
being performed as well as the final combing, that is to say, the combing of the rear
ends of the said filaments.
Figure 7 represents another modification of feeding apparatus provided with a
retaining gripper and specially adapted to the combing of short fibres.
Figure 8 is a vertical section drawn to a larger scale, showing the general
arrangement of the complete machine together with certain modifications of the
parts illustrated in the preceding Figures.
Referring to Figures 1 to 6, the prepared material being wound upon rollers or
reels passes into the machine from feed rollers or reel carriers over a suitable guide,
and is engaged in a feeding holder or grating A, which at each operation presents
the fore end of the uncombed tress to a first gripper H, H', formning part of the
stripping off apparatus. An excentric A¹ in contact with a roller B₁ carried by a
three armed lever B serves to move the holder A towards grippers H, H', which
are opened at the proper moment for the reception of the fore end of the tress.
The feeding holder A is guided by slides or guides forming part of an oscillating
table C, which is connected at both sides to levers F, Figure 1, by means of
connecting rods G provided with rollers E¹, the latter bearing against cams E fast
on the driving shaft D. The levers F are pivotted on an axis F¹, and the table C
oscillates on axes C¹ in such a manner that reciprocating motion is imparted to
the whole apparatus by the cams E.
The holder A which always tends to move towards the centre C¹ or centre of
oscillation under the action of two helical springs, is caused to advance and recede
as required by the cam A¹ which works freely upon the axis of the feed table C, and
when the holder arrives at the end of its stroke the protruding end of the tress is
introduced between the.open jaws of the grippers H, H¹.
Plates K provided with sleeves K¹ and connected by transverse bars or pieces k,
Figure 2, constitute the frame work of the circular skeleton of the stripping off
apparatus. The said apparatus revolves in the direction of the arrow at half the
speed of the feed apparatus or of the driving shaft B, which transmits the motion at
variable speed by means of two elliptical wheels Z, Z.
The jaws H of the grippers H, H¹, are carried upon supports working in guides
provided on the plates K; these plates being connected by the cross pieces / rotate
upon the sleeves K₁ supported by bearings fixed to the frame of the machine and
carry the two pairs of grippers round with them.
In addition to this rotary motion the grippers also partake of an excentric
motion which is imparted to them by means of rollers M, which bear against
cam surfaces L fixed to the frame of the machine at each extremity. The rollers M
are connected to the supports of the grippers, and are maintained in contact with
the cam L by helical springs N.
The movable jaws H' of the grippers are fixed to jointed arms J which are
jointed to supports I, and partake of the same rotatory and excentric motion as the
grippers.

page_text: The arins or levers J and the jaws H¹ oscillate upon pins fixed to the supports I,
and are in contact with double arms I fixed on axes passing through the supports I
and provided at their extremities with rollers J¹.
These rollers bear constantly against cam surfaces L¹ fixed to the frame of the
machine and virtually formed in one with the cam surfaces L.
By means of this arrangement when the double arms I' are in contact with the
cam surfaces L and with the jointed levers J, a swivelling motion is obtained
which causes the jaws H' to open and close.
The introduction of the fore end of the tress between the jaws of the grippers is
effected partly by the advance of the feeding holder, and partly by the stripping
off apparatus itself in the following manner, videlicet:-At the moment when the
feeding apparatus is in its lowest position, Figure 3, that is to say, ready to
commence its ascent, the open jaws H, H', receive the end of the tress, the stripping
off apparatus turns in the direction of the arrow x, Figure 1, and the feeding
apparatus rises in the same proportion as the former in consequence of the form of
the cam E, Figure 1.
On attaining a horizontal position the two parts approach each other naturally,
and the end of the tress protruding from the feeding holder becomes entirely
engaged in the gripping jaws H, H¹, so as to allow the end of the tress to project
on the interior for a given length according to the nature of the material.
At this moment the jaws H, H', which were previously held open are closed by
means of the jointed levers J, double arms I', and rollers J¹, in contact with the
cam surfaces L', and by the tension of the springs N. The material is thus held
between the jaws with sufficient firmness to support the combing of the end of the
tress protruding internally, as herein before described.
O is a combing segment which operates alternately in a downward direction, the
said segment being fixed by three arms of cast iron to a shaft O' rotating in the
centre of the stripping off apparatus.
The shaft O is provided at one extremity with a slotted lever 01, connected by
a rod Q to a long lever Q furnished at one extremity with a roller Qu bearing
upon a cam P fast on the driving shaft.
The combing segment O when in its highest position, Figure 3, remains
stationary until the fore end of the tress engaged between the jaws of the gripper
is moved by the latter in the direction of the arrow, Figure 3, and is presented to
the comb, which then descends with sufficient rapidity to clear the material of all
the impurities present in the end of the tress protruding through the jaws H, H.
When the comb has reached the end of its stroke it is cleaned by a circular
brush T, which removes all the impurities and refuse and transfers them to a
doffer U, the latter being in turn provided with a clearing or detaching comb b,
which partakes of a rapid motion and detaches the refuse projecting it into a
suitable receptacle.
The circular brush T is carried by the levers F and receives its oscillating motion
from the cams E simultaneously with the feeding apparatus. A movement of
rotation is also imparted to this brush by means of toothed wheels driven by the
driving shaft D, and an arm T¹ carrying an intermediate wheel.
When the combing of the fore end of the tress is completed the jaws H, H³,
which were closed during this operation are caused by the form of the cam surfaces
L' to open for a very short period, and the feeding holder A acted on by the
cam A' is caused to retire drawing the tress with it.
This backward motion is so arranged that a small portion of the combed end of
the tress which protruded behind the jaws now appears on the other side or in
front of the jaws, which then close again, and the stripping off apparatus continues
to rotate in the direction of the arrow x, Figure 1, whilst the feeding apparatus
rises to its highest position, at the same time keeping pace with the foriner.
The stripping off apparatus then holds the combed extremity of the tress on one
side, whilst the feeding apparatus holds the yet uncombed portion of the material
on the other; in order to complete the combing a finishing or final comb a is

page_text: caused to penetrate the tress entirely at the moment when it is held by the two
apparatus, and when it has passed the horizontal line the two apparatus gradually
separate. This separation enables the comb a to be placed in close proximity to
the stripping off apparatus, and admits of its being provided at its extremity with
three rows of combs in such a manner that the first and second row of teeth pass
through that portion of the tress which has already been combed, as hereinbefore
described, thereby ensuring an absolutely clean combing.
The comb, is secured to one extremity of a double lever R¹ oscillating on
centres R. This lever R¹ is provided with a roller S' bearing upon a cam S, which
is of such a form as to cause the comb a to descend a short distance at the moment
when the feeding apparatus arrives at its highest position, and cause it to rise
again inimediately after the stripping off or withdrawal (see Figure 6).
The stripping off commences at the moment when the comb a is engaged in the
feeding holder A, and the points have passed through the material. The stripping
off is effected partly by the rotatory action of the apparatus and partly by the
retiring or backward motion of the grippers H, H¹.
This retiring or receding motion is produced by the cam surfaces L and the
sliding supports I carrying the rollers M, and is intended to effect the extraction of
the fibres through the comb a in a straight line at the moment when the feed
apparatus is stationary, so as to avoid straining and breaking the fibres.
The stripping off apparatus continues its rotation and the grippers maintain their
hold on the tress until all the filaments, including even the longest, are drawn out
of the feeding apparatus.
After this has been effected the grippers carrying the whole of the tress are
presented to a carding roller or doffer V, provided with strips of card, and the tress
is thereby taken from the grippers and engages with the cards on the doffer,
forming by degrees a large combed sliver consisting of several layers.
The grippers remain open and continue their rotary motion in order to repeat
the operation when they are again brought opposite the feeder.
The stripping off apparatus is provided with two pairs of grippers, which aro
arranged diametrically opposite to each other and are actuated by the same parts,
this management enabling two operations to be performed at each revolution of the
apparatus.
The carding roller or doffer V receiving the combed material revolves in the
direction indicated by the arrow, and its speed varies according to the size of the
sheet or sliver which it is desired to produce; this depends on the length of the
material employed. The sheet thus formed upon the carding roller V is taken
from the latter by cylinders X and passes to a funnel F', whence it issues in the
form of a ribbon or band after being compressed between drawing rollers y, y.
The general arrangement of the machine is such as to enable it to comb filaments
of every description from the longest and coarsest to the shortest and finest
qualities. When the apparatus is designed to operate upon short fine filaments it is
slightly modified, as shewn in Figure 7, and next hereinafter described.
In lieu of a holder A in the form of a grating a plain plate is employed, as
shewn at f, Figure 7, the said plate being also made moveable upon the feeding
table C, which is covered at its extremity with cloth and leather (on the side at
which the stripping off is effected). To this plate is fixed an axis c upon which is
pivotted a forked lever g carrying a gripper h at one extremity; this gripper is
caused to open and close by means of the forked lever g and a cam St, turning
freely upon the axis C₁ of the oscillating table C.
The other parts of the feeding apparatus as well as their movements remain the
same as those already described.
'
Figure 8 represents a combing machine, which is similar in its general arrange-
ment to the apparatus hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, but
is modified in certain parts as hereinafter mentioned, videlicet
-
First. Feed Motion.-The cam A' actuating the feeding holder A, and which in
the arrangement firstly hereinbefore described is carried on the same axis as the

page_text: feeding apparatus itself, is carried upon the driving shaft D. Motion is imparted
to the holder A by means of levers B, C, and shaft E; the latter carries two
segments, which are in gear with racks connected to the holder or grating A. The
radius of the segments coincides with the centre C¹ of the feeding apparatus, so
that the oscillating motion of the feeding apparatus and of the clearing apparatus
is prevented from interfering with the action of the cam A'.
Secondly. Mode of Coupling the Feeding Apparatus and the Clearing Apparatus.
In this modification of the machine the two parts employed for this purpose,
which in the arrangement firstly hereinbefore described are altogether independent,
are both caused to partake of one motion only. The clearing brush T and the
doffer V are supported at each extremity by levers E¹, which are pivotted on an
axis F. The said levers are each pivotted with two rollers, H and I. The. roller H
is in contact with a cam G, fast on the driving shaft, and the roller I is in contact
with a shoe K on the feeding apparatus, consequently the ascending and descending
motion produced by the cam G is communicated to the feeding and clearing devices
simultaneously.
Thirdly. The Backward Motion or Partial Withdrawal of the Combed End
between the Jaws of the Grippers.-
As shown in Figure 8 the partial withdrawal of the combed end is not effected
by the motion of the feeding device or holder A and a cam, the said feeding holder
being employed exclusively for the introduction or insertion of the tress, and the
withdrawal being obtained by the motion of the gripper itself. During this operation
the jaws X, X, of the gripper are maintained half open by means of a tappet M on
a lever H, connected to the moveable jaw, and a wiper N carried on the shaft O¹
of the internal comb.
The wiper and tappet are capable of adjustment, and come in contact at a certain
moment so as to operate the lever H¹ and open the jaws half way, maintaining
them in this position as long as required, according to the extent to which it is
desired to withdraw the combed end.
Fourthly. Imparting Pressure to the Jaws of the Grippers.-The pressure of the
gripping jaws is obtained by the employment of levers O, P, which are provided
with helical springs Q, connected to the moveable levers H¹. The whole of the
pressure is applied to each of the grippers in turn, one only being acted upon at a
time, whilst the other is released. A recess R is formed in each of the moveable
jaws for the reception of the teeth of the fixed comb during the stripping off.
Fifthly. Retaining Gill.-A retaining rake or gill U₁ is fixed to an arm V, which
has no motion imparted to it, being rigidly connected to the frame, so that the
gills U remain stationery during the whole of the operations, and each time that
the feeding apparatus rises the grating A engages with the gills U'.
Sixthly. Arrangement and Motion of the Final Comb.-The finishing or final
combs Z are attached to a comb holder W, supported by the arm V and pivotted
on a centre y. A slight oscillating motion is imparted to the holder W at each
operation by means of a lever A", the rounded extremity of which is in contact
with an incline on the side plate B¹ of the stripping off apparatus. This oscillation,
which takes place at the commencement of the stripping off operation, causes the
combs Z to follow the grippers during their backward motion for a limited
distance.
A moveable bar D¹ is arranged between the two combs Z, the said bar being
connected at its two extremities to levers E¹, pivotted on a centre F¹. When the
feed apparatus ascends the levers E' rise, carrying the bar D' with them, but the
reverse occurs when the feed apparatus descends, the levers E¹ are then liberated,
and the bar D' descends likewise, but for a limited distance only, being impelled
by springs G'. The bar D¹ when in its most elevated position serves to prevent
the fibres from reaching the base of the comb teeth, which would be very injurious,
and when the bar descends it disengages the materials and clears the combs of a
considerable quantity of the impurities which usually adhere to them.
Seventhly. Blades for Clearing the Grippers.-One or more arms or blades I'

page_text: revolving at a speed in proportion to that of the grippers are employed to take the
combed materials from the grippers and transfer them to a doffer K¹.
Eighthly. Pressing Brush under the Doffer.-This brush is carried by a bent
shaft M turning on a centre Q and provided with two screws R', upon the points
of which the brush L¹ is centred so as to be free to rotate; the bent shaft M¹ is
driven by toothed gearing and may be caused to perform one or more revolutions
for each tress operated on. The brush L' is brought into contact with the
doffer K at each revolution of the shaft M¹ and is thereby caused to turn upon its
axis, and at the same time presses the filaments, causing then to be engaged more
deeply in the card teeth so as to produce a more connected or compacted sheet.
Ninthly. Funnel with Internal Guide.-A funnel N' is employed for the purpose
of gathering up the edges of the sheet or material as it leaves the machine, and
guiding the edges towards the centre by reason of the excentric shape of the said
funnel.
In lieu of the finishing combs, hereinbefore described, one or more rotating or
stationery combs may be arranged around the gripping apparatus for the purpose
of combing the tail or rear end of the tress.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said Invention
and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I would
observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters
Patent is,
First. The employment for combing the fore extremity as well as the other
part of the tress of one and the same pair of grippers partaking of different motions
at different periods of the operation, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Secondly. The combination of movements by which the following results are
obtained, videlicet:-First, the opening of the grippers for the introduction of the
tress; secondly, the closing of the same during the operation of combing; thirdly, the
half or partial opening during the backward motion of the tress; fourthly, the closing
of the said gripper for combing the rear or tail part of the tress during the operation
of stripping off, the whole being obtained by a combination of the curves or cam
surfaces and accessories connected to the grippers, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
Thirdly. The motion of the feeding apparatus for the introduction of the
uncombed tress into the grippers, the backward movement of the tress and the
reengagement of the fore end of the tress produced by a cam turning freely upon
the axis of the oscillating feeding apparatus, the said cam by reason of its form
causing the feeding holder to advance and retire as required to and from the centre
of its axis which supports the materials, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fourthly. The application and use of the combing segment working in the
interior of the stripping off apparatus and oscillating on the centre of the said
apparatus, substantially as hercin before described.
Fifthly. The motion of the stripping off apparatus at variable speed obtained
either by means of elliptical or excentric wheels or their equivalents, substantially
as herein before described.
Sixthly. The general arrangement of the feeding device relatively to the
combing and stripping off apparatus, and the means for carrying out the operation
of presenting the uncombed fore end of the tress alternately to a stripping off
apparatus by means of a feeding device independent of the combing of the fore
end, all substantially as hereinbefore described.
Seventhly. The peculiar combing and stripping off apparatus having a continuous
rotary motion at variable speed, and formed of a system of grippers together with
the details of the construction of the same, the said grippers being employed to
seize the end of the tress, in turn to release it, and seize it again after the combing,
all in combination with a combing segment oscillating in the centre of this
apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described.

page_text: Eighthly. The arrangement and motion of the finishing combs, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
Ninthly. The system of clearing the combing segment during its regular or
constant stroke so as to admit of a reduction in the speed of the brush employed
for this purpose, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Tenthly. The general construction, arrangement, and combination of parts
constituting an apparatus for combing fibrous materials, substantially as herein-
before described with reference to Figure 8 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal, this Twenty fourth day of February, One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)