Improvements relating to Noble's Combing Machine.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Dec., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 25th Jan., 1895-Accepted, 2nd Mar., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Noble's Combing Machine.
We, ALEXANDER NORMAN SHARP of Prospect Mill, Bingley in the County of
York, Spinner, and SAMUEL METCALFE of the same place, Combing Manager do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Relating to certain improvements in the feeding of Noble's combs & has for its
object the producing of a perfectly even sliver & noil.
The above is accomplished in the following manner, viz., by the gradual raising
of the feed knife at the end nearest where it re-enters the combs.
This may be carried out by the use of any well known mechanical means, which
begin to raise the feed knife from the commencement of a full set of balls unto the
finish thereof.
Dated this Thirteenth day of December 1894.
ALEXANDER NORMAN SHARP.
SAMUEL METCALFE.
Improvements relating to ODIES COmbing machine.
We, ALEXANDER NORMAN SHARP, Spinner of Prospect Mill Bingley, in the
County of York, and SAMUEL METCALFE, of the same place, Combing 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 :-
This invention relates to a new or improved appliance for the even feeding of
Noble's comb, and has for its object the producing of a perfectly even sliver and
noil, from the commencement of a full set of balls unto the finish thereof.
The balls at the commencement being large, require the feed knife to be in its
lowest position, (to draw through the conductors sufficient wool or other fibrous
material necessary to feed the comb,) and therefore at its greatest friction on the
wool or other fibrous material, and as the above said balls are reduced in size and
weight, the friction of the feed knife is proportionately reduced, by being gradually
raised, thus causing it to feed perfectly even.
For this purpose we employ a hollow screw, which is made to revolve in a bored
casting mounted on the feed bracket, at the end nearest to where the wool re-enters
the combs. Through the above hollow screw passes a screwed spindle to the bottom
of which is fastened the feed knife, and the said screwed spindle and feed knife are
gradually raised by means of a vertical tappet fixed on the outer circle of the comb
which on every revolution of the outer circle comes in contact with a loose lever,
to which is attached a spring pawl which moves a ratchet wheel keyed on to the
above mentioned hollow screw, causing it to revolve and gradually to raise the
spindle and feed knife at the end nearest to where the wool re-enters the combs.
Our improved appliance is fitted in the same manner to both sides of the comb,
but in the following description we have only described it in connection with one
side of the machine.

page_text: The following reference letters refer to the ngures generally.
In Fig. 5, we show the hollow screw a, (in section), which is made revolve in the
bored casting b, fixed to the feed bracket c.
Through the hollow screw a, passes the screwed spindle d,' to the bottom of which
is fastened the feed knife 'A.
The screwed spindle d, and feed knife A, are: gradually raised by means of a
vertical tappet e, (shown in its position on Figs. 1 and 2,) coming in contact on
every revolution of the outer circle with the lever f, (which works loose on the
second shoulder of the hollow screw a,) to which is attached the spring pawl g,
which moves the ratchet wheel which is keyed on to the first shoulder of the
hollow screw.a, causing it to revolve slightly and consequently gradually raising
the spindle d, and feed knife A, at the end nearest to where the wool re-enters the
combs. To bring the leverf, back after being moved by the vertical tappet e, we
employ a spiral spring i, which bears against the lever f, and a small upright j,
mounted on the feed bracket c. The spiral spring i, and the lever f, (by means of
the slot hole k,) work loose on a stud l, having a head m, secured by a nut n, to
the upright; the lever f, with the slot hole k, is always forced back against the
head m, on the stud 1, by the spiral springi, immediately the tappet e, has passed,
and is ready for the next revolution of the said tappet e.
To prevent any backward movement of the hollow screw a, we employ a small
spring catch o, secured to the upright j,and into the ratchet wheel h, which is
clearly shown on Figs. 1 and 3.
At the commencement of each full set of balls, the feed knife A, is lowered into
position by the hand wheel p, which is fastened on to the hollow screw a, by means
of a key g, and a nut r. The two lock. nuts s, are to adjust the feed knife A, to
the position required.
It is obvious that other mechanical: arrangements may be used to. raise the feed
knife. A, but we prefer the one herein described.
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,
The gradual raising of the feed knife A, for the even feeding of combing
machines,. substantially as herein shown and described.
The combination with the feed. knife A, of a combing machine, of an appliance
adanted to raise the said food knife
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ALEXANDER .NORMAN SHARP.
SAMUEL METCALEE.