Improvements in Weft Pile Cutting Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Apr., 1899-Accepted, 18th Nov., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Weft Pile Cutting Machines.
I, OSCAR DREY, of Newton Street, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
This invention relates to machines in which floated weft threads on woven
fabrics are cut so as to produce pile fabrics.
In the type of machine to which this invention particularly relates, the two
ends of the cloth are joined together and the thus produced endless fabric is
caused to travel continuously through the machine. In one part of its passage,
where it is in a horizontal open condition, the weft floats are cut by a suitable
knife which may either be attached by its holder to the machine, or be held by
the operative. From the cutting point in the upper part of the machine, the
fabric passes to and is folded in the lower part, where the folds of the fabric are
reversed in such a manner that the folds first made may be first unfolded without
interfering with folds made afterwards. The unfolded cloth returns to the cut-
ting point through staving and tension devices, and each time that the junction
between the two ends of the cloth is reached, the attendant shifts the knife to
recommence cutting in another race.
The objects of my present invention are to simplify the construction and opera-
tion of the machines; to render them more certain in action; to reduce the risk of
cutting or tearing the cloth to provide more prefect control of the motion of
the machine; and to ensure that any accumulation of cloth is taken up when the
machine is reversed.
I will describe my present improvements with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which:
Figure 1 represents a vertical longitudinal section through the machine, the
driving mechanism being omitted.
Figure 2 shows a plan of the complete machine:
Figure 3, the driving mechanism on a larger scale;
Figure 4, a cross section of the driving mechanism;
Figure 5, a side view of the same;
Figure 6, a side view of the reversing gear and plaiting motion;
Figure 7, a side view of the reversing motion and plaiting tappet:
Figure 8, an end view of the lattice driving motion;
Figure 9, an enlarged elevation of one swing arm as seen from within the
machine;
Figure 10, a side view, and
Figure 11, an elevation of the fold beater;
Figure 12, a front view of the taking-up motion;
Figure 13, a view of the same from within the machine;
Figure 14, a cross section of the same;
Figure 15, a plan of the same;
Figure 16 lan end, and side elevations respectively of the sliding bearings;

page_text: Figure 17, a plan, and
Figure 18, a longitudinal cross section of the knife.
The numeral 1, indicates the framing of the machine. and 2, the woven fabric
upon which the floated weft is cut to form the pile. These threads are cut at
the upper part of the machine near the table 36, by the knife 105. On the
shaft 4, there is mounted the friction clutch 7 and the pulley 8 which is driven
by the crossed belt 9. On the opposite side of the machine, the shaft 39 has
mounted upon it the friction clutch 40 and the pulley 41. which latter is driven
by the open belt 42. The shaft 4 has also fixed upon it a wheel 5. gearing with
the wheel 6, fixed upon the shaft 10. The shaft 39 also has fixed unon it the
wheel 39 gearing with the wheel 39b, fixed upon the shaft 10. This latter
shaft will consequently be driven in one or the other direction according as it
is driven from the shaft 4, or from the shaft 39. By this arrangement of driving
gearing, if the machine be driven from the shaft 39 for reversing, it will be seen
that, following about the shewn ratios of the gearing, it will be driven more
slowly than in the normal forward direction by the shaft 4. The shaft 10 carries
the drawing roller or drum 11 and the wheel 44 which gears with the pinion 45,
fixed upon the roller shaft 12.
Near the top, at the front end of the machine, there is mounted the guide
roller 31, around which the cloth passes from the cutting point to the drawing
roller 11, whence it travels around the roller 12, to roller 33, on the spindle of
which or near thereto, there are mounted the two swing arms 13 and 14, one of
which is separately shewn by Figure 9. These arms carry at their lower ends
the parallel rollers 15 16, between which the cloth passes just before it is folded
by the motion of the arms. These rollers are driven, as shewn by Figures 3
and 4, by a belt 17 from the pulley 47 on the shaft 10. This belt compels the
rotation of the pulley 52, fixed upon the spindle 33, upon which there is fixed
the contiguous and similar pulley 53. On the spindle of the roller 16 there is
fixed a pulley 54 which is driven from the pulley 53 by a second belt 18. The
two rollers 15 16 are geared together by the wheels 49 50. Figure 2. The
journals of the roller 15 are carried in slot bearings as shewn by Figure 9. in
which their movement in one direction is limited by the ends of the levers 15º,
adjustable each by a screw 15b. This adjustment is regulated according to the
character of the cloth operated on in the machine. Movement of the journals
and roller in the other direction is possible. but is restrained by the arm 15 and
spring 15, and thus a limited amount of elasticity is provided.
The fabric 2, passes from the roller 33 downwards between the rollers 15 16.
pendulum motion is given to the swing arms and rollers by means of the con-
necting rod 19 and the lever 19. which, at about one third its height from the
fulcrum, carries a friction bowl in the grooved cam 20 on the shaft 24.
This pendulum motion and the rotation of the rollers 15 16 causes the fabric
to be delivered in folds upon a triangular arrangement of rollers or staves 21,
Figures 1 and 3. To prevent ballooning of the cloth during the plaiting or fold-
ing, there is attached to a stay rod which connects the two swing arms, a
beater 13b, which pats down the just made fold. This beater is separately shewn
by Figures 10 and 11.
Just below the staves 21 there is a drum 34. Referring to Figures 1 and 3. it
is seen that, as the folds of cloth 3 are produced, their edges fall to the right
and to the left of the triangle formed by the staves 21. and in superposition with
the drum 34, which turns in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 1,
preferably intermittently. This motion of the drum may be produced by the
means illustrated by Figures 3 and 4. A cam 23 is fixed on the shaft 24 which
is rotated by means of the wheels 39 39°, from the shaft 10. The cam actuates
a lever 60 which is connected by a link to the lever 62 on which there is an
arm 61 carrying the click 61 which engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel 64
fixed on the shaft 26. On this shaft there is also fixed a spur wheel 83 gearing
with the intermediate wheel 84 meshed with the wheel 85 fixed on the shaft of

page_text: The drum is conse-
the wheel 86 which gears with the wheel 87 of the drum 34.
quently intermittently rotated as is governed by the contour of the cam 23. A
second pinion 88 is also fixed upon the shaft 26 at the back of the machine and
gears with the wheel 89 which drives the wheel 90, fixed upon the spindle of the
roller 67, which partly carries and gives motion to the endless lattice or web 28.
This lattice passes under the drum 34 and return around the rollers 67b 67º, of
which one, 67, is adjustable in such a manner as thereby the tension of the lattice
may be regulated. Backward motion of this system may be prevented by means
of a click 88 engaging with the teeth of one of the gearing wheels or, as shewn,
with the teeth of an additional ratchet wheel 88b on the shaft 26, Figures 2 and 8.
By the motion of the drum 34. the successive folds of the fabric are carried
down between it and the lattice 28 upon which they are conveyed in the direction
of the roller 67°. The consecutive order of the folds is thus reversed, those first
made being now uppermost upon the lattice. From this condition, at 67º, the
cloth is unfolded and passes over the suspended roller 30, around the staves or
rollers 29, round the adjustable roller 35 and roller 35, the tension rollers 74
74 74b 74° 74 74, and the guide rollers 75 and 76 to the compensating device
through which it returns to the table 36 and the knife 105.
If, in existing machines of this type, it should be necessary to put the knife
out of action, the fabric will run forward for some distance before it can be
stopped. It is consequently necessary in such a case to return the cloth so that
the cutting of the weft floats may be resumed at the point where it left off.
This return of the cloth causes an accumulation of it in the machine which I
now diminish by the means illustrated by Figures 23 4 5 6 and 7. At the front
of the machine there are two treadles 92 and 93 on the lower one of which the
operative stands, or which she depresses with her foot when cutting.
This treadle is connected by the pitman 94 and lever 94 with the
clutch motion 7, SO that when the treadle is depressed, the clutch is
in action. The upper treadle 93 is connected by a pitman or
chain 95 and arm 95 with the clutch lever 93. There is also attached by
a chain 93 to the treadle 93, a brake lever 97 to the opposite end of which there
is attached the brake strap 98 which passes over the brake drum 99, Figures 3
and 4. A spring 100, attached to the brake lever tends to hold the brake on,
when there is no weight upon the treadle 93. By the action of these devices,
as soon as the operative brings her weight on the lower treadle 92, its connected
clutch is put in gear, the brake is released, by the resulting contact of the
lever 94 with the brake lever 97, and the machine is driven in the forward direc-
tion. The instant the operative takes her weight off the treadle, the clutch goes
out of gear and the brake comes on, with the result that the machine is stopped
at once. If she then desires to reverse the machine, she depresses the upper
lever 93, and thereby puts the reversing clutch 40 into action. The clutch levers
are restrained by the springs 101, which tend to hold the clutches out of action.
I will now describe the devices which I employ to compensate or take up any
accumulation of the cloth in the machine, with reference to Figures 12 13 14 15
and 16. A roller 43 is carried by its journals in two angle-block bearings 46 46ª,
and is normally supported by the cloth 2. These bearings can travel in the
slots 48 48* on each side of the machine. A hook 57, attaches the cord 51 or 51º,
to each bearing 46 46". Each of the cords passes downwards, around the
pulleys 75 75°, and thence upwards to a drum 63 or 63, around which two or
three turns are taken. A weight 68 is attached to the free end of each cord. On
cach drum 63 63, there is fixed a ratchet wheel 76 having its teeth engaged
by a click 76b. When cloth accumulates in consequence of a reversal in the
direction of its travel, the weight of the otherwise unsupported roller 43, causes it
to descend and take up the slack as indicated by the full line Figure 12.
As soon
as the roller commences to fall, the drums 63 63ª are turned by the action of the
When the
weights 68, the clicks riding over the teeth of the ratchet wheels.
forward motion of the cloth is resumed, the roller 43 is gradually pulled upwards

page_text: by the pull on the cloth, and this pull is transmitted through the cords to the
weights 68. But now, the clicks 76, prevent the turning of the drums in the
direction of the pull and the cords must therefore be dragged frictionally over
their surfaces. The amount of resistance thus set up is governed by the number
of the turns of the cords around their respective drums and the tension in the
cloth may thus be readily adjusted. When the roller 43 reaches its highest posi-
tion, its further ascent is resisted by the bearings coming into contact at 77 77,
with the lower ends of the rods 78 78, which are attached to the levers 79 79",
the lifting of which is resisted by the springs 81 81°, or equivalent weights.
Instead of the roller 43, a simple stave or bar may be used, and instead of being
constrained to move vertically, it may be arranged to move diagonally or horizon-
tally or even in a curved path. Also, instead of the two drums 63 63", a single
drum may be employed if both the cords 51 51ª be led around its surface, and in
this case the drum may occupy any convenient position.
The holder 102, and the sliding block 103, of the knife are constructed of
aluminium for the sake of lightness. At the front of the block 103, is the fixed
knife handle 104, in which the knife is freely pivoted at 70, as shewn by
Figures 17 and 18. In work, the knife is held by the feeler clip 71, in close
contact with the underside of the cross-bar 59. The feeler clip is fixed upon the
lower end of a pivot which has fixed upon its upper end a link 72 by the outer
end of which it is attached to a corresponding link 73 by the connecting rod 73.
The link 73 is fixed upon the upper end of a pivot upon which there is also fixed
an arm 73, on the outer end of which there is hinged the pin 59, which passes
through the wall of the carrier into the block 103 and thus locks the latter. If
the point of the knife should penetrate the cloth by accident, the cloth, travel-
ling in the direction indicated by the arrow, comes into contact with and dis-
places the feeler clip 71. This displacement of the feeler clip moves the links
and the connecting rod attached thereto into the positions indicated by the dotted
lines Figure 17, thereby withdrawing the pin 59" and releasing the block 103,
so that the latter is instantly free to move in the direction in which the cloth is
travelling, and carries the knife with it. The motion of the cloth at once turns
the point of the knife in the opposite direction, as indicated by the broken lines
Figure 18. As the knife now points in the direction to which the cloth is travel-
ling, the cloth immediately withdraws itself from the knife and any risk of
further cutting or tearing the cloth is obviated. The horns 82, rest upon the
surface of the cloth and thus distribute the weight of the apparatus.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. In a weft pile cutting machine, the combination and arrangement of two
pulleys on two separate shafts, one of the pulleys being rotated by an open belt
and the other by a crossed belt so that forward or backward motion may be given
to the machine, a brake on the forward motion shaft, two clutches respectively
arranged to connect and disconnect the two pulleys, two treadles, and means for
connecting both of the treadles with the brake and one of them with the clutch
motion of the forward driving shaft and the other with the clutch 'motion of the
reversing shaft, substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
2. In a weft pile cutting machine, two treadles at the front end of the machine
in combination with two driving shafts rotating in opposite directions, two clutches
whereby the shafts may respectively be put into and out of action, and links
transmitting the motion of the treadles to the clutches, substantially as herein-
before described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
3. In a weft pile cutting machine, the combination and arrangement with the
two rollers of the pendulum motion, of fixed bearings in the two swing arms for
one of the rollers, and slot bearings for the journals of the other roller, an adjust-

page_text: able stop to prevent the motion of each journal in one direction and a spring
controlled stop restraining the motion of each journal in the other direction, sub-
stantially as herein before described and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
4. In a weft pile cutting machine, the combination with the two swing arms
of the pendulum folding motion, of slotted bearings for the journals of one of
the rotiers, and adjustable stop preventing the motion of each journal in one
direction and a spring stop restraining the motion of each journal in the other
direction, substantially as herein before described and as illustrated by the accom-
panying drawings.
5. In a weft pile cutting machine, the combination with the pendulum folder,
of a beater adapted to pat down and compress the folds of cloth as they are made,
substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
6. In a weft pile cutting machine, the combination and arrangement with the
swing arms of the pendulum folder, of a connecting rod 19, a rocking lever 19",
and a cam on the rotary shaft 24 actuating the rocking lever by a triction bowl
thereon, substantially as herein before described and as illustrated by the accom-
panying drawings.
7. In a weft pile cutting machine, the combination and arrangement with the
drum 34 and lattice 28, of means for giving intermittent motion thereto and con-
sisting of a cam 23 on the shaft 24, an oscillating lever 60 actuated by the cam,
a cranked lever linked with lever 60, a click pinned on the cranked lever, a
ratchet wheel operated by the click, and a toothed wheel on the ratchet wheel
spindle gearing through intermediate wheels with wheels on the drum and on one
of the lattice roller spindles respectively, substantially as herein before described
and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
8. In a weft pile cutting machine, cloth tension devices consisting of the sus-
pended roller 30, the staves 29, the adjustable roller 35, the roller 35", and the
tension rollers 74 74° 74° 74° 74 74°, substantially as herein before described and
as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
9. In a weft pile cutting machine, the combination and arrangement of a
roller supported by the cloth, sliding bearings for the roller, cords attached to
the bearings, a drum or drums around which the cords are turned, a ratchet wheel
and click for each drum, and springs or weights attached to the cords, substan-
tially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
10. In a weft pile cutting machine, the combination and arrangement with a
jockey roller which compensates the cloth accumulation, of two weighted cords
bearing part of the weight of the roller and having one or more turns around a
drum or drums which can be rotated in one direction only by the weighted cords,
substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
11. In a weft pile cutting machine, the combination with the knife, of a free
joint connecting the handle 104 with the knife, substantially as herein before
described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
AA1) 1899
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.