Improvements in "Faller Couplings" used in Self-acting Mules and Twiners for Spinning and Doubling Cotton and other Fibrous Materials.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 9th May, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 9th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 15th Apr., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in "Faller Couplings" used in Self-acting Mules and
Twiners for Spinning and Doubling Cotton and other Fibrous
Materials.
We JAMES PICKFORD of 127 Shaw Road, Royton, in the County of Lancaster,
Overlooker and JOSEPH TAYLOR of Shaw Road, Royton in the County of
Lancaster, Mill Manager do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
Our invention relates to self acting mules and twiners for spinning and doubling
cotton and other fibrous materials and has reference more particularly to the
"faller couplings" which are used in such mules and twiners for the purpose of
regulating the action of the well known winding fallers and "counter-fallers"
employed in those machines.
In the arrangement of "faller couplings" ordinarily in use for connecting the
counter-faller and winding faller, the shaft which carries the faller-wire by means
of which the yarns or threads spun or doubled in a self-acting mule or twiner
are guided while being wound upon the spindles has secured upon it an arm to
which by means of a link is connected a rod or chain the other end of which
is connected to the weighting lever or weight by means of which the counter-faller-
wire used to keep the yarns or threads spun or doubled in the required state of
tension, while they are being wound upon the spindles is caused to bear against
the yarns or threads.
In these arrangements during the spinning or doubling
the winding faller is kept out of action by springs or weights provided for the
purpose and the above mentioned arm upon the faller-shaft acting by means of
the link, and rod or chain aforesaid upon the weight or lever provided to act
upon the counterfaller, causes the counter-faller wire to be kept out of action.
When the "backing-off" commences as is well understood the counter-faller is
gradually liberated and allowed to come into contact with the yarns or threads.
By means of the counter-faller-weights the counter-faller when in action is caused
to bear against the yarns or threads.
It has been found in the arrangement of "faller coupling" above described
as being in ordinary use when employed in spinning or doubling low or coarse
counts of yarn or thread that sometimes the pull of the springs or weights by
which the winding faller is kept out of action while spinning or doubling is taking
place, is in consequence of the vibration of the machine and other causes overcome
by the counter-faller-weights which are sustained at such time by the winding
faller. In such cases the winding faller has been pulled down and the counter-
faller liberated and brought into contact with the yarns or threads whilst the
spinning or doubling is going on. As the faller and counter-faller are required to
be out of action whilst the spinning or doubling is going on, the result of such
derangement of the faller and counter-faller is the breakage of the yarns or
threads.
Our invention consists in improvements by means of which the faller and
counter-faller of a self-acting mule or twiner are caused to be securely held out of
action during the time that spinning or doubling is proceeding even when heavy
counter-faller weights are used, and our invention also consists in means by which
the faller and counter-faller are released before the termination of the outward run
of the carriage or slide of the mule or twiner.
According to our invention we secure upon the counter-faller-shaft of the
self-acting mule or twiner to which our invention is applied an arm provided with
a lever or catch which is capable of at times engaging with a notch or projection

page_text: formed in or upon an arm secured upon the winding faller-shaft. The arm and
lever or catch and the arm formed with a notch or projection are so formed that
the projection or notch upon the said lever or catch when caused to engage with
the notch or projection in or upon the arm on the faller-shaft will remain in
engagement therewith until the said lever or catch is disengaged as will be herein-
after described. During the time that the lever or catch above mentioned is in
engagement with the notch or projection in the arm above referred to the said
lever or catch will prevent the winding faller-shaft from being turned by the
weight used to cause the counter-faller to bear against the yarns or threads being
wound upon the spindles. The lever or catch above described is provided with a
bowl or part which at the proper time is acted upon by an incline, cam or other
suitable device or apparatus provided upon or in any suitable part of the mule or
twiner in such manner that the said lever or catch will be disengaged from the
notch or projection in the arm secured upon the faller-shaft. When this has been
done the faller-shaft and counter-faller-shaft will be at liberty to turn in the
ordinary manner.
Our invention will completely prevent the fallers and counter-fallers of the mules
and twiners to which it may be applied from coming into contact with the yarns
or threads being spun or doubled except at the times when such fallers and
counter-fallers are required to act upon the yarns or tbreads while they are being
wound upon the spindles.
While our invention is particularly applicable to self-acting mules and twiners
for spinning and doubling low or course counts of yarn or thread as in such mules
and twiners heavy weights are employed to cause the counter-fallers to exert the
pressure necessary to keep the yarns or threads spun or doubled in the required
state of tension while they are being wound upon the spindles our invention is
applicable to the fallers and counter-fallers of all kinds of self-acting mules and
twiners.
Dahi
S1000
HOWARD
CHEETHAM,
Manchester, Agent to the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in "Faller Couplings" used in Self-acting Mules and
Twiners for Spinning and Doubling Cotton and other Fibrous
Materials.
We, JAMES PICKFORD of 127 Shaw Road Royton, in the County of Lancaster,
Overlooker and JOSEPH TAYLOR of Shaw Road Royton in the County of
Lancaster, Mill Manager 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 :-
Our invention relates to self-acting mules and twiners for spinning and doubling
cotton and other fibrous materials and has reference more particularly to the "faller
couplings" which are used in such mules and twiners for the purpose of regulating
the action of the well known winding fallers, and "counter-fallers employed in
those machines.
In the arrangement of "faller couplings" ordinarily in use for connecting the
counter-faller and winding faller, the shaft which carries the faller wire by means
of which the yarns or threads spun or doubled in a self-acting mule or twiner are
guided while being wound upon the spindles has secured upon it an arm to which
by means of a link is connected a rod or chain the other end of which is con-
nected to the weighting lever or weight by means of which the counter-faller-wire
used to keep the yarns or threads spun or doubled in the required state of tension,
while they are being wound upon the spindles is caused to bear against the yarns
or threads. In these arrangements during the spinning or doubling the winding

page_text: faller is kept out of action by springs or weights provided for the purpose and
the above mentioned arm upon the faller-shaft acting by means of the link and
rod or chain aforesaid supports the weighting lever provided to act upon the
counter-faller during the winding of the yarn on the spindles. By this means the
weighting lever prevented from acting on the counter-faller-wire which is thus
allowed to remain at rest. When the "backing-off" commences as is well under-
stood the counter-faller is gradually liberated and allowed to come into contact
with the yarns or threads. By means of the counter-faller-weighting lever the
counter-faller-wire when the winding takes place caused to bear against the yarns
or threads as is well understood.
It has been found in the arrangement of "faller-coupling" above described as
being in ordinary use when employed in spinning or doubling low or coarse counts
of yarn or thread that sometimes the pull of the springs or weights by which the
winding faller is kept out of action while spinning or doubling is taking place is in
consequence of the vibration of the machine and other causes overcome by the
weighting levers the weight of which is sustained at such time by the winding
faller. In such cases the winding faller has been pulled down and the counter-
faller suddenly liberated thereby stripping" the yarns or threads from the spindles
whilst the spinning or doubling is going on. The result of such derangement of
the fuller and counter-faller is the breakage of the yarns or threads and consequent
interruption of the spinning or doubling.
66
Our invention consists in improvements forming a faller-locking apparatus by
means of which the faller and counter-faller of a self-acting mule or twiner which
are connected or coupled together by means of ordinary faller couplings are caused
to be securely locked in their normal position during the time that spinning or
doubling is proceeding even when heavy counter-faller weights are used, and our
invention also consists in means by which the faller locking apparatus is unlocked
so that the faller and counter-faller are released or unlocked before the termi-
nation of the outward run of the carriage of the mule or the slide of the
twiner.
Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings illustrate so much of a self-acting
mule as is necessary for the illustration of our invention and the manner in which
it is to be carried into effect when applied to a mule.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of part of a self-acting mule headstock partly in
section showing the position of the parts during the outward run of the "carriage."
Fig. 2 is a plan of such parts of Fig. 1 as are necessary to illustrate our
invention.
In order to facilitate the description of our invention we will first apply
reference letters to the parts illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying
drawings and then proceed to indicate which of the said parts are applied to the
self-acting mule in accordance with our invention and to explain the manner in
which such parts operate.
At (a) is shown the winding faller shaft to which are secured the usual faller
sickles (a) of which one only is shown in the accompanying drawings. Through
the ends of the sickles (a') the faller wire (a') passes as is well understood. These
parts are commonly known as the winding faller.
At (6) is shown the counter-faller shaft to which are secured the usual counter-
faller sickles (6) of which one only is shown in the accompanying drawings.
Through the ends of the sickles (') the counter-faller wire (6³) passes as is
well understood. These parts are commonly known as the counter-faller.
At (a³) is shown an arm secured to the faller shaft (a). The arm (a³) is formed
with projections (a') and (a) the space between which constitutes a notch.
At (6) is shown an arm which is secured to the counter-faller shaft (b).
At (c) is shown a lever which is jointed by means of the stud (64) to the end of
the arm (). The lever (c) is provided with a projection or stud (c¹) formed on it
or secured to it in any suitable manner,

page_text: At (c) is an antifriction bowl which is attached to the lever (c) by means of
the pin (c).
At (d) is shown a portion of the framing of the headstock of a self-acting mule.
At (d) is shown a bracket which is secured to the framing (d) and capable of
being adjusted horizontally in relation thereto.
At (d) is shown a bracket formed with an inclined part (d') which is secured to
the bracket (d) and capable of being adjusted vertically in relation thereto.
At (e) is shown so much of a spindle of a self-acting mule as is necessary to
illustrate the application of our invention and at (e) is shown a cop wound upon
such spindle.
According to our invention we secure upon the counter-faller shaft (b) of the
self-acting mule to which our invention is applied, an arm (6) provided with a
lever or catch (c). The projection (c) of the lever (c) is capable of at times
engaging with the notch formed between the projections (a) and (a) of the
arm (a) which is secured upon the winding faller shaft (a). When the carriage of
the mule is making its outward run the projection (c') of the lever (c) is held by
the notch which is formed between the projections (a) and (a) of the arm (a).
The faller shaft (a) when in the position shown in Fig. 1 is prevented from turning
in a direction contrary to that indicated by the arrow (1) by the well known stops
which are secured to the faller shaft (a). The counter-faller shaft (b) is prevented
from turning in the direction indicated by the arrow (1) during the outward run of
the carriage by the coupling chain already referred to as forming part of the
ordinary faller-coupling, and the counter-faller shaft (b) is prevented from turning
in the direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow (1) by the lever (c) when
such lever (c) is locked with the arm (a³). Any tendency of the faller shaft (a)
to turn in the direction indicated by the arrow (1) is prevented by the pro-
jection (e) of the lever (c). Any tendency which the lever (c) might have to turn
the counter-faller in the direction indicated by the arrow (1) would be at once-
arrested by the faller coupling chain which connects the counter-faller to the
weighting lever.
"
"
During the time that the projection (c) of the lever (c) is in engagement with
the notch in the arm (a) the winding faller-shaft (a) will be prevented from being
turned in the direction indicated by the arrow (1) by the pull of the weighting-
lever which is connected to it by the faller coupling chain which connects
the winding faller and the weighting-lever as previously referred to. When the
carriage during its outward run is nearing the end of the "stretch the
bowl (c) of the lever (c) will come into contact with the inclined face (d') of
the bracket (d) which will cause the projection (c) of the lever (c) to be dis-
engaged from the notch in the arm (a) and the winding-faller and counterfaller
will then be at liberty to perferm their "backing off" and "winding on
functions as usual. Our invention does not interfere with the relative position of
the winding faller wire and counter faller wire in relation to the yarn but is
intended to secure the winding faller wire and counter faller wire in their
normal positions during the spinning and doubling. Our invention will prevent
the derangement of the normal position of the winding faller and counter faller
whilst the yarns or threads are being spun or doubled. During the spinning or
doubling the winding faller and the counter faller are locked together and remain
so until the lever (c) has been disengaged by the incline (d), unless the attendant
disengages the lever (c) to enable him to raise the counter-faller by hand which he
sometimes requires to do, to ease the yarn on the spindles especially when com-
mencing a fresh set of cops. After any such raising of the counter-faller the
attendant relocks the lever (c) with the arm (a³). By these arrangements the
counter-faller is prevented from being raised until the lever (c) has been
disengaged.
We have described our invention in the foregoing description as when applied to
self-acting mules,

page_text: As is well known to persons conversant with self-acting twiners in which the
carriage, spindles, fallers and the parts connected therewith are stationary, the
creel parts are mounted on a "slide which make its inward and outward run to
make the "stretch." In the self-acting mule the creel parts are stationary and
the carriage with its spindles, fallers and the parts connected therewith makes its
inward and outward run to make the "stretch." In self-acting twiners the slide
with its creel parts is moved in and out to make the "stretch"
" whilst the
carriage proper with its spindles, fallers and other parts is stationary.
In order to apply our invention to self-acting twiners it is necessary to apply the
parts secured to the faller shafts in the same way as they are shown and described
as when applied to self-acting mules and to employ with them the modified
arrangements. which we will now proceed to describe.
We mount a sliding incline (d) on the stationary framing so that it may be free
to be moved in a horizontal direction by means of a rod secured to it at one end
and so arranged that the "slide" when nearing the end of its outward run shall
move the rod and the sliding incline (d) towards and under the bowl () when the
projection (c) of the lever (c) will be disengaged from the notch in the arm (a³)
and the winding faller and counter-faller will then be at liberty to perform their
backing off" and "winding on" functions in the ordinary manner.
In order that the application of our invention to a self-acting twiner may be
more easily understood we have in Fig. 3 shown a side view partly in section
of so much of a self-acting twiner headstock as is necessary to fully illustrate
the application of our invention to a machine of this kind. To such of
the parts shown in Fig. 3 as are similar to parts shown in Figs. 1 and 2 we have
applied the same letters of reference as are applied to the corresponding parts
shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and as such parts do not need further description we shall
not further describe them. (f) is the rod to which is connected the sliding
incline (d) which sliding incline (*) is so mounted in a guide (9') secured upon
the stationary framing (9) as to be capable of being moved in the direction
indicated by the arrow (3) and in the opposite direction. The rod (f) which is
guided at one end by being secured to the sliding incline (d') is also guided by a
bracket (g) secured to the stationary framework (y) of the self acting twiner and
is connected by means of a stud (h¹) to a lever (h) capable of being oscillated
upon a stud (3) secured in the stationary framework (g). In the lever (h) is
screwed a set screw (2) which when adjusted into position may be secured by
means of a lock nut (h). The set screw (*) is arranged to be acted upon and
moved in the direction indicated by the arrow (3) when the "slide" (i) is nearing
the end of its outward run in the direction indicated by the arrow (3). A spiral
spring (5) bears against the bracket (9) at one end and bearing at the other end
against a collar (f) secured upon the rod (f) tends to move such rod (f) and the
sliding incline (d) in the direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow (3). It
is obvious that a weight might be substituted for the spring (j) and that by the
rod (f) being suitably formed the set screw (*) might be mounted in the rod (f)
instead of being mounted in a lever (h) to which the rod (f) is connected.
When the "slide" (i) approaches the end of its outward run in the direction
indicated by the arrow (3) it will arrive against the set screw (/³) and acting
thereon will cause the rod (f) and the sliding incline (d) to be moved also in the
direction indicated by the arrow (3) and causing the sliding incline (d') to act upon
the bowl () will cause the lever or catch (c) to be disengaged from the arm (a³)
and then the winding faller and the counter-faller will be at liberty to perform
their "backing off" and "winding on" functions in the ordinary manner.
When the "slide" (i) makes its inward run previously to commencing another
"stretch
the spring (j) will cause the sliding incline (d) to be removed from
under the bowl (c) when the projection (c) on the lever (c) will be at liberty to
engage with the notch formed in the arm (a) when the winding faller moves to its
normal position at the end of the inward run of the "slide" preparatory to com-
mencing another "stretch when it assumes the position shown in Fig. 3.
"
"

page_text: A modification of our invention may be made by mounting the lever (c) on a
stationary stud or bracket secured to one of the " spurs" or any other convenient
part of the carriage in self-acting mules or to any convenient fixed part of the
framing in self acting twiners instead of mounting it on the arm (6³) as herein-
before described. In this modification of our invention the counter-faller may be
moved by the attendant to ease the tension of the yarns or threads at any time
during spinning or doubling without such attendant having first to disengage the
lever () from the arm (a).
It will be obvious that the arm (a) may be provided with a projection or stud
and the lever (c) formed with a notch instead of the projection (¹).
While our invention is particularly applicable to self-acting mules and twiners
for spinning or doubling low or coarse counts of yarn or thread as in such mules
and twiners heavy weights are employed to cause the counter-fallers to exert the
pressure necessary to keep the yarns or threads spun or doubled in the required
state of tension while they are being wound upon the spindles our invention is of
great benefit when applied to the fallers and counter-fallers of self-acting mules
and twiners, spinning or doubling other than low or course counts of yarn as by it
we are enabled to use less force than is required with the ordinary arrangements, to
bring up the winding faller when disengaged at the termination of the inward run
of the carriage.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In a self-acting mule the combination and arrangement of parts consisting
of the lever (c) whether mounted on the arm (6) or on a fixed stud secured to the
carriage, the arm (a³) and the incline (d) for the purposes and substantially in the
manner hereinbefore described and illustrated in and by Figs. 1 and 2 of
the accompanying drawings.
2. In a self-acting twiner the combination and arrangement of parts consisting
of the lever (c) whether mounted on the arm (63) or on a fixed stud secured to the
framing of the self-acting twiner, the arm (a³) and the sliding incline (d) with the
rod (f) and its connections for the purposes and substantially in the manner
hereinbefore described and illustrated in and by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Eighth day of March 1893.
HOWARD
CHEETHAM,
Manchester, Agent to the Applicants.