CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN CERTAIN MACHINERY POR MANUFACTURING BOBBIN NET LACE
Year: 1832

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
ALCOCK, of the Parish of Claines, in the County of Worcester, Lace Manu-
facturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS I did, by petition, humbly represent unto His present most
Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth, that I had invented "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN CERTAIN MACHINERY POR MANUFACTURING BOBBIN NET LACE,"
His said Majesty being willing to encourage useful Inventions, was graciously
pleased to issue certain Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great
Britain, which said Letters Patent do conclude with the words "Witness
Ourself at Our Palace at Westminster, the Eighth day of December, in the
third year of Our reign :" and by the said Letters Patent His said Majesty did,
for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Thomas Alcock, His especial license, sole priviledge and authority, that I,
the said Thomas Alcock, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I or they should at any time agree with (and no others), from
time to time and at all times during the term of fourteen years from the
date of the said Letters Patent, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, my said Invention, within England, Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in all His Majesty's Colonies and Plantations
abroad; and whereas the said Letters Patent, which conclude as
with the words "Witness Ourself, at Our Palace at Westminster, the Eighth
day of December, in the third year of Our reign, do contain a proviso, that I,.
the said Thomas Alcock, shall cause a particular description of the nature of
A
aforsaid

page_text: my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
inrolled in His said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent, as in
and by the same (reference being thereunto had), will more fully and at
large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Thomas Alcock, do hereby declare that my said Invention is particularly
described and ascertained by the following description thereof, that is to say :-
My said improvements in certain machinery for manufacturing bobbin net
lace consist in certain new parts (herein-after described) and in the application
of those parts (in the manner herein-after described), in addition to and in com-
bination with various parts of certain machinery for manufacturing bobbin net
lace, commonly known by the names of traverse warp machinery and Lever's
machinery amongst manufacturers of bobbin net lace and bobbin net lace
machine makers. Traverse warp machinery is so called because those threads
which are warped on a roller for use in the machinery are caused by the opera-
tion of certain parts thereof to traverse across the width of each breadth of net
in an oblique or diagonal direction from selvedge to selvedge, and then to re-
turn with contrary obliquities, whilst those threads which are wound on distinct
bobbins for use in the machinery are caused to proceed along the direction of
the length of the net. The said diagonal or traverse threads are supplied from
as many small warp rollers (called spools) as the number of breadths of net
which are required to be woven by the machinery at one operation; each
such roller or spool having as many distinct threads wound around it, side by
side, in the manner of a warp as will furnish the number of diagonal threads
requisite for the formation of one breadth of net, that is to say, of one breadth
which is bordered by a selvedge at each edge thereof. The longitudinal
threads which are to proceed along the direction of the length of the net are
supplied from a number of detached bobbins, each one mounted in a distinct
carriage of its own, and each bobbin having one thread and no more wound
upon it. Therefore, in traverse warp machinery it is the diagonal traverse
threads which are warped and supplied from spools or small warp rollers,
and the longitudinal threads which are supplied from bobbins in carriages,
whereas in a different class of bobbin net lace machinery (called traverse bobbin
machinery) the longitudinal threads are supplied from a long warp roller, and
the diagonal traverse threads from the bobbins in carriages. Traverse warp
machinery was originally invented by Mr. John Brown, who had a Patent for
his Invention in 1811, and the same has been extensively practised by him
and by others for making breadths of lace, that is to say, for making narrow

page_text: ribbands of lace net with firm selvedges for their borders, but several such
breadths are woven at once, side by side, in the same machine, and the several
breadths are united together during the progress of the weaving by threads
called whipping or lacing threads, which join all the several breadths into one
broad tissue of net, as wide as the machinery will contain, but the said
tissue of breadths of net after being finished, can (by drawing out the said
whipping threads) be divided into distinct narrow breadths of net, each one
bordered at its edges by firm selvedges, which will not unravel. Mr. Brown's
said traverse warp machinery has been long since superseded by quicker work-
ing machinery for making breadths, particularly by Lever's, machinery, which
is of the traverse bobbin class, and although repeated attempts have been made
to combine sundry parts of Mr. Brown's original traverse warp machinery called
forks and dividers and spools with sundry parts called bobbins, carriages, points,
and other parts of Lever's machinery, nevertheless such attempted combinations
of the parts of Mr. Brown's traverse warp with the parts of Lever's machinery
have not hitherto proved advantageous or only in a limited degree. The above-
named parts of Mr. Brown's traverse warp machinery which are called the forks
and dividers, perform the crossings of the spool or warp threads by shifting each
such thread over and across its neighbouring spool or warp thread with con-
trary obliquities, in order (by such crossing) to cause those spool or warp threads
to assume their intended diagonal direction in the meshes of the net.
Part of my said improvements is the application of certain new additional
parts, which I call lifting points, and holding points, for the purpose of lifting
the crossings which are made in the warp or spool threads of traverse warp
machinery by the action of the said forks and dividers;
the said crossings
being thereby lifted up so far above the forks and dividers, as that the Lever's
carriages, in proceeding to make their entrance between the crossed threads,
will begin that entrance beneath the crosses which have been so lifted up by.
the action of my said additional parts. .
And another part of my said improvements is the application of new addi-,
tional thick parts at the tops of the Lever's carriages,, which thick parts in
passing between the crossed warp threads beneath the aforesaid crossings
thereof, will open the spaces into which the taking up points must be in-
serted, in order to take up those crossings. My said lifting points and holding.
points are both of them cast into leads, like any other points for taking.
up, except that they are twice as many per inch in the row, and that the:
points are bended with knee bends, near to their pointed extremities, so,
that when the pointed extremities stand in a horizontal position in order
to enter between the warp threads, the shanks of the points and their leads,

page_text: will stand in a vertical position in order to be parallel to the warp and
threads and near thereto. Two rows of leads of such bended points are
screwed along two bars, which are placed horizontally across the width of the
machine, near to the warp threads; one of the rows, which I call the lifting
points, being in front, and the other, which I call the holding points, being at
the back thereof; the pointed extremities of both rows being turned inwards
toward each other, and inserted horizontally between the warp threads; but
their upright shauks and leads standing parallel to the warp threads between
the same and the insides of the Lever's comb bars. The said pointed extre-
mities of the holding points are inserted between the warp threads only just
so much lower down than the under sides of the Lever's combs as to avoid
interfering with the Lever's carriages, when the same are alternately passed and
repassed between the warp threads from one set of Lever combs to the other
set. The said pointed extremities of the holding points, when so inserted,
occupy the places of the guides in ordinary traverse bobbin Lever's machines,
and they retain the warp threads parallel to each other and equi-distant, so
as to keep regular spaces opened between those threads for the passing and
repassing of the Lever's bobbins and carriages. Wherefore the said holding
points must have suitable shogging motions given to them, the same as
the shogging motions which are usually given to the dividers in traverse
warp machines, for the purpose of racking the warp threads sideways at every
interval between the passing and repassing of the Lever's carriages amongst
the said warp threads. The horizontal bar to which the leads of holding points
are screwed, is supported across behind the warp threads upon axles or pivots, as
centres of motion at each end of it, and by turning the said bar a little round
about its said centres, the pointed extremities of the holding points can be
withdrawn backwards from between the warp threads clear thereof, or they
can be put forwards so as to be again inserted between the said threads. The
horizontal bar to which the leads of lifting points are screwed is supported
across the front of the warp threads, being borne upon pivots at each end, in
order that by motion about the said pivots the pointed extremities of the lifting
points may be withdrawn from or inserted between the warp threads. But
the said pivots are not fixed centres of motion like those of the holding point
bar, for they are supported by suitable upright links, from the ends of certain
spindle bar, arins, which poise the lifting point bar in a somewhat similar
manner to that whereby the common taking up point bars in Lever's machines
are suspended, except being inverted, because the spindle bar is below the lifting
point bar. By turning the said spindle bar a little round about the axles on
which it is supported at each end, its arms and upright links will cause the

page_text: ifti ng point bar to ascend or descend in a vertical plane so as to raise and
lower the row or lifting points with a motion parallel to itself; the extent of
motion being such as will let down the pointed extremities of the lifting points
very nearly as low as the row of the dividers of the traverse warp mechanism ;
but when the lifting points are raised up to their highest position, their pointed
extremities will stand only a very little below the pointed extremities of the hold-
ing points. The action whereby my said lifting points and holding points perform
the lifting up of the crossings which are made in the warp threads by the forks
and dividers is as follows:-Suppose that by the repeated passing and re-
passing of the Lever's bobbins and carriages, between the warp threads, com-
bined with the racking of those threads, the twisting of the bobbin threads
.about the warp threads, is nearly completed, and that the proper period is
nearly arrived for the crossing of the warp threads to be performed by the
forks and dividers, at that period of the operation of the machinery, the lifting
points having been previously let down to their lowest position, (their pointed
extremities having been withdrawn from between the warp threads as they
went down,) those extremities will stand opposite to the dividers, and only a little
above the level thereof, at the moment after the crossing has been effected by
the usual action of the forks and dividers, that is to say, the forks in
advancing push forwards all the warp threads clear out of the spaces between
the dividers, then each warp thread which has been so brought forwards is
crossed over its neighbouring warp thread by simultaneous racking motions of
the two sets of forks in opposite directions, after which the forks in retreating
will return all the warp threads in their crossed state into the spaces between
the dividers. This (which is the usual crossing action of traverse warp
machinery) being performed, the lifting points are instantly put back in
order to insert their pointed extremities between the crossed warp threads,
and then each pointed extremity will go immediately over one of the pins
(or teeth) of the dividers, so as to enter with certainty beneath all the
recently made crossings of the warp threads, notwithstanding that some
of those crossings may have been impeded by knots or har!s on the
threads from running upwards according to their own tendency to do so.
Immediately after the said insertion of the pointed extremities of the lifting
points, they begin to ascend, and in so doing, they lift or run up the crossings
before them in aid of the tendency of those crossings to run upwards. Never-
theless the said crossings are prevented from running up very far above the
lifting points as the same ascend, because the pointed extremities of the
holding points remain inserted between the warp threads above the crossings.
But when the lifting points have got nearly up to their highest position, their

page_text: pointed extremities being then exactly beneath the pointed extremities of the
holding points, the latter are suddenly withdrawn from between the warp
threads, in order to allow the crossings to run higher up. And note.-The
said withdrawing of the holding points must take place at that period of the
operation of the Lever's carriages when they having passed between the warp
threads are drawn out clear from them, and are just about entering again in
order to repass between the threads. The crossings being urged to run
upwards by the ascending motion of the lifting points, will run upwards very
suddenly the instant after the holding points are withdrawn as aforesaid, and
the carriages being at that moment clear of the warp threads they make no
impediment to such running up, as it is the lifting points which retain the
warp threads equidistant; after the holding points are so withdrawn those
lifting points must be immediately shogged in a suitable manner for racking
the warp threads, and after that racking, the carriages return and begin to
enter again between the crossed threads. The lower parts of the Lever's car-
riages first begin to enter, and the entrance will be made below all the crossings
of the warp threads, because the aforesaid action of the lifting points will have
caused those crossings to run up much higher than the places where the lower
parts of the Lever's carriages do begin to enter. The passing of the Lever's
carriages between the crossed warp threads (after having begun their entrance
as aforesaid below the crossings) will continue the running up of the crossings
as high as the tops of the carriages. Note.-The said action of turning up the
crossings by the passing of the carriages between the threads beneath the
crossings is the same as has been heretofore practised in some Lever's traverse
warp machines, and therefore that action forms no part of my improvement.
The holding points may return to the warp threads in an instant after they
have been withdrawn therefrom, and have, by so withdrawing, let the crossings
run upwards above, them, as before stated; when they do so return, their
pointed extremities, being again inserted between the warp threads will stand
just above the pointed extremities of the lifting points, which, by that time,
will have ascended to their highest position, and may then begin to descend
again in preparation for repeating their aforesaid action of lifting up the next
succeeding set of crossings as soon as the proper time arrives for doing so.
Whilst the lifting points are going down they must withdraw their pointed
extremities from. between the warp threads so as to be clear thereof some
time before they get to their lowest position, and then they will stand opposite
to the dividers, and only a little above the level thereof, as before-mentioned,
ready to be again inserted between the warp threads, as soon as those threads
have been crossed by the forks and returned into the dividers in their crossed

page_text: state. Note.-It has been already stated that suitable shogging motions must
be given to the holding points to produce the necessary racking of the warp
threads at every interval between the passing and repassing of the Lever's
carriages, because it is by means of the holding points that the warp threads
are kept equidistant, except during the short interval when the holding points
are withdrawn from between the warp threads (as before mentioned) and then
it is by means of the lifting points that the warp threads are kept equidistant
until such time as the holding points are again inserted between them. There-
fore, during the said interval whilst the threads are so kept equidistant by
the lifting points, the shogging motions requisite for the racking of the warp
threads must be given to those lifting points, and. the holding points may
partake of the same shogging motion.
And respecting the other part of my said improvements, which consists in
the application of an extra thickness at the top of every alternate Lever's
carriage, in order that such thick parts in passing between the warp threads
may open and enlarge the spaces between those warp threads which have been
recently crossed over each other, and thereby prepare those spaces for the
insertion of the taking-up points beneath the crossings which are to be taken
up. The said extra thickness at the top of every alternate Lever's carriages
will make that part thereof nearly double the ordinary thickness of the Lever's
carriages at other parts thereof, and will also be an extra height at the top
part of the Lever's carriages above the usual height of the Lever's carriages,
consequently, the said extra pieces will not interfere with the other intermediate
Lever's carriages which have no such extra pieces. The eyes at the upper
parts of the Lever's carriages, through which their bobbin threads come out,
must not be over the centres of the Lever's carriages, but the eyes at the tops
of those Lever's carriages which have the extra thickness must be about an
eighth of an inch more forwards than over the centres of the said carriages, and
the eyes of the other intermediate Lever's carriages (which have no extra thick-
ness at top) must be a like distance more backwards than over the centres of
the said carriages, wherefore the bobbin threads will proceed from the eyes at the
tops of the whole row of Lever's carriages in two divisions near a quarter of an
inch apart. Note.-The eyes of Lever's carriages have been thus disposed in
some Lever's traverse warp machines heretofore made, and therefore that dis-
position of the eyes is not of itself part of my improvements. The operation
of the points in taking up the crossings with the aid of my extra thicknesses
at the tops of the alternate Lever's carriages is as follows:-The points first
enter amongst the bobbin threads, and afterwards they enter amongst the
crossed warp threads by the aid of my aforesaid extra thicknesses on the

page_text: alternate Lever's carriages opening the spaces to make way for the insertion of
the points amongst the warp threads at the proper places beneath the
crossings. To perform this, the points which are about to take up are first
withdrawn from the meshes of the net, and tilted down so as to begin to make
their entrance amongst the bobbin threads at the moment when the Lever's
carriages get to their farthest extension from the warp threads, and on the
same side thereof, where those points which are about to take up are situated.
The parts being in that situation, the points first enter between the nearest
bobbin threads, proceeding from those eyes of the Lever's carriages which are
nearest to the points, and having well secured all those bobbin threads, the
points in entering further are racked a very little sideways before they take the
other bobbin threads, (viz., those proceeding from the eyes which are farthest
from the points, in order by such racking to cause the points to enter properly
between those other bobbin threads before the points reach the warp threads.
After having thus secured the due insertion of the points between all the
bobbin threads, the points are racked again if necessary (and just so much as
may be necessary) in order to bring the points exactly over those carriages
which have my extra thicknesses on the tops of them. The said insertion of
the points amongst the bobbin threads takes place when the Lever's carriages
are just beginning their motion towards the warp threads, and the points
follow after and overtake the bobbin threads whilst the said insertion is so
taking place; and after that insertion is made, the points continue to move
along with the Lever's carriages in proceeding to make their entrance amongst
the warp threads, but the points being exactly over the extra thicknesses at
the tops of the alternate Lever's carriages (as before stated,) these extra
thicknesses being extended beyond the extremities of the points, will enter
between the warp threads as the Lever's carriages move onwards, and by so
entering (before the points penetrate the warp threads) my said extra thick-
ness will open the spaces into which the points are intended to penetrate.
The said spaces are those in which crossings of the warp threads have been
made, and run upwards, in the manner before described, as high as the tops
of the alternate carriages, and by the extra thickness of those tops the correct
entrance of the points beneath those crossings is ensured. At the next suc-
ceeding time of taking up with the opposite row of points the action thereof is
similar to that above described, for in both cases, whether taking up with the
front points or with the back points, the alternate Lever's carriages, with my
extra thicknesses on their tops, will enter between those warp threads which
have been just crossed, beginning that entrance beneath the crossings, and
assisting those crosses to run up. The points (whether front or back) must

page_text: be so racked as to stand exactly over the said extra thicknesses after the
points have made their entrance properly amongst all the bobbin threads, but
before they penetrate the warp threads, and the points must not penetrate the
warp threads until after my extra thicknesses on the tops of the carriage have
opened the way for them. Note. The ordinary mode of taking up in
Lever's machines, called hugging the twist, is not applicable to machines
worked according to my said improvements, for the points must take up all
the twist every time that they do take up, that is to say, the requisite twists of
the bobbin threads around the warp threads being made, and then the warp
threads being crossed over each other, as before described, the said twists and
crossings must be taken up by the points in the manner before described, "imme-
diately after the warp threads are so crossed, and before any further twisting
is begun. My said improvements herein-before explained, are applicable in
Lever's machines in which suitable forks and dividers and spools, with their
appurtenances (such as were used in Mr. Brown's traverse warp machines,)
are substituted for the pushers and other parts which perform the dividing
and traversing of the carriages in common Lever's machines. A judicious
combination of suitable parts of Lever's machinery, with suitable parts of
traverse warp machinery, will be capable by the aid of my said improvements
of making breadths of net by the traverse warp system with great celerity and
perfection. The particular combination of various parts of Lever's machinery
and traverse warp machinery to which my said improvements may be applied
for such purpose is no part of my said Invention, which consists in my new
parts herein-before described, called holding points and lifting points, and my
extra thicknesses at the tops of the carriages, and in the application thereof in
the manner herein-before described, for the purpose of facilitating the opera-
tion of crossing the warp threads by traverse warp machinery, and taking up
the crossings by the points. Nevertheless, by way of instruction and example,
for the practising of my said improvements, I shall proceed to describe a
Lever's machine with traverse warp machinery and with my said improvements
combined therewith, and I have hereunto annexed three Sheets of Drawings
representing such a machine, viz.:Sheet I. is a section of some of the
principal parts which operate immediately upon the threads, drawn full size;
Sheet II. contains a like section of the machime, and a corresponding end
elevation, drawn one-sixth of the real size; and Sheet III. is a front elevation
of the machine, also one-sixth size. The same letters and figures of reference
are used to denote the same parts in all the different Figures. The usual pusher
bars of the common Lever's machine, which perform the dividing of the car-
riages, are to be removed with all their supporting brackets on the landing bars,

page_text: and all the tackle for giving motion to those pusher bars; also, the usual guide
bar for the warp threads, with the slea and the warp roller, are to be removed
with all their appurtenances. Likewise, the usual turn again bar, which supports
the turn again combs, and the selvedge guide bars for the selvedge thread guides
are to be removed. The combs are to be made complete by filling up all the
spaces usually left vacant for the turn again combs. The usual ratchet wheel of
eight teeth on the axis of the racking wheels is to be removed and another with
six teeth substituted. The racking wheel for the front comb' bar with its bolt
and lever may be removed altogether, because that bar will require no shog and
the turn again racking wheel and one of the selvedge bar racking wheels may
also be removed. The notches on the edges of the other racking wheels will
require to be cut anew suitably to the movements required for racking
traverse warp threads; the catch bar wheels will also require to be cut anew.
All these parts being thrown aside, the following traverse warp parts must be
substituted, namely, a divider bar a, and two fork bars b, d, furnished with
leads of dividers A, and forks B, D, of the same construction as those used in
Mr. Brown's traverse warp machines of the most improved kind, the structure
and operation whereof is commonly known to experienced and competent
bobbin net lace machine makers. The bars a, b, d, must be of suitable length
and guage to correspond with the Lever's machine, and the old pusher bars
which have been thrown aside may in some cases by suitable alteration be
converted into the divider bar a, and the lower of the two fork bars d. The
divider bar a is to be placed horizontally in the situation usually occupied by
the guide bar in Lever's machines but a little lower beneath the back comb
bar k, with the dividers A projecting forwards from it into a proper position
for guiding the warp threads. The two fork bars 6 and d are to be placed hori-
zontally beneath the divider bar a, parallel thereto and suspended in the arms s
of their usual crank bar or spindle bar e, the axles or pivots of which are to
be supported by suitable bearers from the sole bars or other fixed parts of the
Lever's machinery, and also the said fork bars 6 and d may be provided with their
usual racking wheels to give them the requisite shogging motions the same as in
Mr. Brown's traverse warp machines, so as to enable the forks B, D, to
produce the crossings of the adjoining warp threads one over another, as herein-
before mentioned: At a suitable distance beneath the fork bars the row of
spools fff for the warp threads is to be placed with the usual circular
dividing plates g, g, g, to each spool, with holes round their circumferences for
conducting the warp threads through in their way from the spools f, to the
forks b, d. The spools must be provided with all their apparatus, such as were
used in Mr. Brown's traverse warp machines of the most improved kind. The

page_text: spindles h, by which the spools fand circular dividing plates 9 are supported
(in order that by turning gradually round they may produce the requisite
traversing of the warp threads), must be mounted, each spindle in a suitable
socket, and those sockets must be affixed in a row along a horizontal bar H,
near to the lower back rafter of the frame of the Lever's machine. There' will
be as many distinct spools f, as the number of breadths of net which 'the
machine is intended to make at once, each spool having the proper number of
threads warped upon it to supply the diagonal or traverse threads for one
breadth, and the said number of threads will quite fill the number of holes
around the circumference of the circular dividing plate g, belonging to the
same spool. The several spools are turned slowly round by a set of endless
screws v, upon an horizontal axis, as usual in traverse warp machines. The
comb bars k, k, and the landing bars w, w, and the catch bars m, m, are to
remain as they originally were in the Lever's machine, but their catch bar
wheels must be cut with new notches, so as to alternately raise and lower the
two catch bars m, m, reciprocally at, every succeeding time of passing the
carriages between the warp threads without any interruption to that alter-
nation, because the carriages must in all cases be put through in one entire row
from the back combs to the front combs, and then from the front to the back,
and vice versa, without any intermission, such as must take place when the
carriages are to be divided in common Lever's machines. Note.-The divider
bar a may be fixed fast, as it does not require to be shogged in working.
The whipping threads for joining the several breadths of net together are to be
supplied from a small roller or beam L, suspended beneath the front comb bar k,
and the whipping threads are to be conducted upwards therefrom through
suitable thread guides o, fixed on a small guide bar p, which is mounted at the
inside of the front comb bar k, nearly in the same manner as the old turn-again
comb bar was mounted at the inside of the back comb bar k. The old racking
wheel q, belonging to one of the selvedge guide bars, may be cut anew with
suitable steps for shogging the said whipping thread guides in order that the
whipping threads may be alternately brought opposite to the adjacent selvedge
threads of the different breadths in such manner as to be taken into the twists
which are made between the selvedge bobbin threads and the extreme traverse
or turn again threads; the whipping threads being so taken, first into one
selvedge of each breadth and then into the adjacent selvedge of each neigh-
bouring breadth in such manner that the whipping threads will lace or unite
the adjoining breadths together by zig-zag stiches as is usually done in Mr.
Brown's traverse warp machines of the most improved kind. Note.-The
driving lever V belonging to the ratchet wheel for the racking wheels may

page_text: be moved by the front landing bar, as usual in common Lever's machines.
All the above parts and their mode of operation being well known to com-
petent machine makers, and the mode of combining the aforesaid part of the
Lever's machinery with those of the traverse warp machinery being no part of
my improvements, it is unnecessary to enter into farther particulars respecting
such combination, but only to explain the mode of applying my new addi-
tional lifting points and holding points and extra thicknesses at the tops of
the alternate Lever's carriages to a suitable combination of parts of Lever's
machinery with parts of traverse warp machinery. The bar 2 to which the
leads of my holding points 1 are screwed is to be applied horizontally above
the divider bar a, beneath the back comb bar k, as near thereto as it can
be placed. The bar 2 must be supported upon axles or pivots at cach
end of it, resting in brackets fastened to the sole bars or other fixed parts
of the framing of Lever's machine. The said bar 2 should have a thin
blade projecting upwards into the space between the back comb bar k and
the warp threads, and to that blade the leads of holding points 1 should be
screwed, much in the same manner as the usual guide bar of Lever's machine.;
the pointed extremities of my holding points 1, which are bended into a
horizontal direction, and inserted amongst the warp threads, being very
nearly in the same position as the eyes of the guides in common Lever's
machines. Note.-In some cases the old guide bar may be altered to serve for
the holding point bar 2. By turning the holding point bar 2 round about its
supporting pivots, the pointed extremities of the holding points 1 can be
withdrawn from the warp threads or inserted between the same when required,
as herein-before stated. And in case that the divider.bar a is to be fixed fast,
as before mentioned, all the shogging motions requisite for racking the warp
threads must then be given by a suitable racking wheel i to the holding
point bar 2, and all those shogging motions must be communicated to the
bar 3, to which the leads of my new lifting points 4 are screwed, whenever
that bar is raised up near to its highest position and engaged in the warp
threads, but not when the said bar 3 is down near to its lowest position. The
lifting point bar 3 is made like the holding point bar 2, and is disposed in like
manner between the front comb bark and the warp threads, but the pivots
at its ends instead of being borne in fixed supports, are sustained in the upper
ends of upright links 5, which go down to the ends of spindle or crank bar
arms 6, in order that the lifting point bar 3 may be raised up and down
parallel to itself, as before mentioned; and in so moving up and down the pivots
at the ends of the bar 3 are guided by vertical slots formed in brackets 7,
which are fixed to the frame, but the said slots do not prevent the bar 3 from

page_text: being tilted or turned round about upon its pivots in order to insert the extre-
mities of the lifting points 4 between the warp threads or to withdraw them
therefrom. The axis 8 of the spindle or crank bar, (whereof the arms 6 support
the lifting point bar 3, by means of the upright links 5 as aforesaid) is placed
horizontally at the lower part of the Lever's machinery, the pivots of the
axis 8 being supported in fixed bearings fastened to the framing. In order
to raise and lower the lifting point bar 3 as aforesaid, a suitable motion may
be communicated to the spindle or crank bar 8, and suitable stops may be
provided to limit the extent of the rising and falling motion; also springs may
be applied as shewn at 9, to balance the weight of the bar 3. There must
likewise be a suitable guide 12, of the nature of what is called a caster back,
(such as is used for the taking-up points of common Lever's machinery),
which caster back by means of an arm or lever 15, which is called the tipper.
arm, will turn or tilt the bar 3 about its pivots, so as to cause the lifting
points 4 to withdraw from the warp threads as they are going downwards;
the said tipper arm 15 being affixed to the bar 3 at one end. thereof with a
roller 16 at the lower end of it, to bear against the caster back 12,. whenever
the bar 3 with its tipper arm 15 and roller 16 descend low enough. The
caster back 12 hangs on a center pin against a fixed upright bearing bar 17.
The weight of the bar 3 urges the roller 16 against the bearing bar 17 and
the caster back 12, with a constant tendency to insert the lifting points 4.
amongst the warp threads. The said caster back 12 must not act to withdraw
the lifting points 4 from the warp threads until those points have descended
some little way down,, but it must then intercept the roller 16, and must act
by its wedged shape top to push back the said roller as the same descends,
and it will thereby tilt the bar 3 so much as to withdraw the points 4. And.
the same caster back 12 must afterwards hold back the roller 16, so as to
keep them withdrawn until they get quite down to their lowest position nearly
on a level with the dividers A, and then the caster back 12 must allow the
roller 16 of the tipper arm to come forwards under the lower end of the
caster back 12, and permit the bar 3 to tilt back again by its own weight in
order to insert the lifting points 4 amongst the warp threads, which threads
have been crossed only a moment before by the action of the forks B and D,
which action was performed in the interval whilst the lifting points 4 were
withdrawn from the warp threads by the caster back 12 in going down. The
forks B and D must be put forwards at the proper moment, so as to take the
warp threads out of the dividers A, and cross them by the shogging of the
forks, which forks must then go backwards again, in order to return the said
threads so crossed into the dividers A, in their crossed state, according to the

page_text: ordinary mode of Mr. Brown's traverse warp machinery. All which crossing
action must be performed in the interval whilst the lifting points 4 are with
drawn as aforesaid from the warp threads, and before they are inserted again
between those threads. The fork bars band d may be brought forwards and then
put back again by motion derived from the descending motion of the lifting
point bar 3; the connection by which such motion is communicated to the fork
bars and d, being by means of a guide plate 11, with a double inclined plane
projecting out on the edge of it. This guide plate 11 is to be screwed against
the aforesaid tipper arm 15, which is fixed fast to one end, of the lifting point
bar 3, so as to project downwards therefrom nearly in an upright position.
And when the said bar 3 in going downwards is tilted on its pivots by the
aforesaid action of the caster back 12, in order to withdraw the lifting points
4 from between the warp threads, the edge of the guide plate 11 will by
that tilting be brought in contact with a roller 18 at the end of a suit-
able lever arm 14 which projects out from the spindle bar e of the crank
bar arms s, in which the two fork bars b and d are both suspended. Where-
fore as soon as the lifting points 4 (in going down) are withdrawn from
between the warp threads by the aforesaid action of the caster back 12
tilting the lifting point bar 3, the double inclined plane which projects out
on the edge of the aforesaid guide plate 11, will come into action against
the roller 18 of the lever arm 14, as it is going down with the bar 3,
whereby it will first cause the fork bars to advance forwards by the action
of the lowest part of the double inclined plane of the guide plate 11 in
descending against the roller 18 at the end of the lever arm 14, pressing the
same backwards, and consequently bringing the fork bars forwards, in order
that the forks may take the warp threads out of the dividers and cross them;
but afterwards as the lifting points 4, and the guide plate 11 continue to
descend lower, the upper part of the same double inclined plane will allow the
fork bars to return backwards by the action of suitable springs, in order that
the forks may return the warp threads into the dividers in a crossed state, and
that return of the fork bars must be completed before the lifting points 4 have
descended to their lowest position, for their roller 16 then going beneath the
caster back 12 will allow them to penetrate between the warp threads. But
the lifting points 4 must not penetrate the warp threads until after the crossing
thereof is completed. Note,-When the fork bars 6 and d are brought
forwards by the aforesaid action of the roller 18 against the double inclined
plane of the guide plate 11, they must be suitably shogged in contrary.
directions, as is requisite for crossing the threads by the action of their own
racking wheels, of the same kind as were commonly used in Mr. Brown's.

page_text: traverse warp machines. When the lifting points 4 are again inserted between
the warp threads, and are raised upwards, the roller 16 of the tipper arm 15
will run up against the upright bearing bar 17, behind the caster back 12,
which will not therefore interfere with the tipper; consequently the weight
of the bar 3 will keep the lifting points 4 inserted between the threads in
going up. But the aforesaid guide plate 11, which is screwed to the tipper
arm 15, will be withdrawn from contact with the roller 18, by the tilting of
that bar when the insertion of the lifting points 4 takes place, so that the said
guide plate 11 will go up without touching the roller 18 of the arm 14.
Therefore, the fork bars will not be disturbed during the ascent of the lifting
points. The old guide bar racking wheel i of the Lever's machine may be cut
anew with suitable notches for shogging the holding point bar 2 in a proper
manner for racking the warp threads every time after the Lever's carriages have
passed between those threads and before they return; the order of those shogging
motions being the same as are usually given to the divider bar in Brown's
traverse warp machines of the most improved kind. The shogging motion so
given to the holding point bar 2 must be communicated to the lifting point
bar 3, as before mentioned, whenever the same is raised up, but not when it is
let down. This may be done by means of a suitable conducting plate connected
by a pin to one end of the holding point bar 2, and descending therefrom in
an upright position suitably to meet a guage screw which must be applied to
the end of one of the pivots of the lifting point bar 3, and which guage screw
will bear against the edge of that conducting plate by the action of a suitable
spring, drawing the row of lifting points endways. The said guage screw and
conducting plate must be so adjusted that the pointed extremities of the
lifting points 4 when raised up, will come exactly beneath the pointed
extremities of the holding points 1. The lifting point bar 3, when raised up
will be caused by this conducting plate and guage screw to partake of the full
extent of all the shogging motions which are given to the holding point bar 2
by the racking wheel i, as before-mentioned. The lower end of the same
conducting plate must be mounted upon a fixed center of motion, supported by
a suitable bracket from any fixed part of the framing; consequently, when
the lifting point bar 3 goes down, and its guage screw slides down the edge of
the conducting plate nearer and nearer to the fixed center of motion at the
lower end thereof, less and less shog will be communicated to the lifting points
4, and when the guage screw comes on a level with the said center of motion
of the conducting plate (where no shog can be communicated) the lifting
points 4 will be at their lowest position, and are then allowed by their caster
back 12 to drop in amongst the crossed warp threads. The said fixed center of

page_text: motion of their conducting plate must be properly adjusted in order to guide
the lifting points 4, so that their pointed extremities, when they penetrate
between the warp threads will come exactly over the pins or teeth of the
dividers A. Wherefore by means of the said conducting plate, whereof the
lower end is supported on a fixed center, and the upper end is so connected to
the holding point bar 2 as to be shogged therewith, the lifting points 4 in
going down will be guided so as to correspond with the dividers A when they
get down, and in going up they will be guided so as to correspond with the
holding points 1 when they get up; and whilst they remain up, they will
partake of all the shogging motions which are given to the holding points 1.
When the lifting points 4 are raised up nearly to their highest position, and
have lifted up the crossings of the warp threads before them, the holding points
1 must be put back as before-mentioned, in order to withdraw them from
between the warp threads, and allow the crossings thereof to run up above the
said holding points 1. To put the holding points 1 back, a short tipper arm
13 may be fixed fast to one end of the holding point bar 2, so as to project out
horizontally forwards therefrom in such a position that when the lifting point.
bar 3 arrives very nearly at the top of its course, a suitable gage screw, which
is applied at the upper end of the upright link 5, may lift up the end of the
tipper arm 13 of the holding point bar 2, so as to tilt that bar sufficiently to
withdraw the holding points 1 from between the warp threads, and also to
keep them back until the lifting points 4 begin to descend again, and then the
said gage screw will let down the end of the tipper arm 13, so as to allow
the holding points 1 to come forwards again by the action of a suitable
spring 10, in order to enter between the warp, threads. But, note, they must
make their entrance before the lifting points have descended so far as to begin
to withdraw from between the warp threads by the action of their caster back
12, before described. Note.-Two thin rulers of brass plate 19, 19, which are
bent angle gutter fashion, should be fixed by small screws to the insides of the
comb bars k, k, with their edges extending beneath the combs very near to the
warp threads, just above the pointed extremities of the holding points 1. The
opposite straight edges of the two rulers 19, 19, leaving a narrow crevice
between them for the warp threads to pass down in those edges, will keep the
warp threads steady, when the bobbins and carriages, by passing between
them, tend to deflect those threads from their proper vertical direction.
Note. The upper ends of the whipping thread guides O, before mentioned,
should pass up through suitable openings cut out in the flat part of the front
ruler 19, in order that the eyes of those guides may stand above the said
ruler. 19. for the convenience of threading the whipping threads through these

page_text: eyes. The whipping threads must be conducted down from the eyes of their
guides O to their roller L in such a direction as to pass clear of the lifting
point bar 3, and in front thereof. Note.-A brass ruler n, similar to those
above mentioned, must be fastened by small screws in front of the divider
bar a, with its straight edge projecting forwards and partly covering over the
teeth or pins A of the dividers. The warp threads, by resting against the
straight edge, are kept in a straight row, when they are lodged in their places
between the dividers A. My extra thicknesses on the tops of the alternate
Lever's carriages may be fastened on the tops of the common Lever's carriages,
in the manner shewn at 20, 20, Sheet I., by rivetting or soldering. But
it will be better to make new Lever's carriages for that half of the set which
is to have the said extra thicknesses 20, 20, on their tops, which thickness
must extend over about two-thirds of the diameter of the bobbin, from 20 to 20,
(tapering away at each extremity to the ordinary thickness of the carriage,) in
order that the extremities 20, 20, of such extra thicknesses may have made
their entrance amongst the warp threads, so as to have opened the spaces into
which the points are to be inserted before the bobbin threads which proceed from
the eyes of the said carriages come to range with the row of warp threads. The
taking-up points r, r, may be cast anew in leads, which are cranked down-
wards instead of being flat. Those cranked leads will permit the points to
descend a little lower than is usual in Lever's points, without interfering with
the catch bars m, m; the points can, in consequence, be inserted or set in
amongst the threads a little lower and nearer to the tops of the carriages, so as
to be more certain of securing the crossings of the warp threads. The small
racking motions which must be given to the taking-up points, as before
mentioned, whilst they are making their entrance amongst the bobbin threads
and the warp threads, may be produced by suitable conductor plates fixed
opposite to one end of each point bar y, y, in the manner usually practised for
guiding points which are to take up all the twist; but as common Lever's
machines take up what is called hugging the twist, their taking-up points r, r,
are not provided with such conducting plates, and the same must be added.
And whereas it is generally found to be the most easy and expeditious mode of
working bobbin net lace machinery, to actuate all the various parts thereof by
suitable motions derived from the continuous rotative motion of one handle or
axis, which may either be turned by the person who attends the machine or
by mechanical power, I have in the Drawings hereunto annexed represented
suitable wheelwork and revolving crank and wipers, or camms, which may be
used for actuating the combination of parts of Lever's machinery, 'with parts of
traverse warp machinery, to which my said improvements are applied in the
B

page_text: manner herein-before described, for the purpose of manufacturing breadths of
bobbin net lace. E, E, is the revolving handle, by which motion is given to
the whole of the machinery; it may extend across all the width of the frame,
being affixed at each end to two axes F, F, which are both mounted in the
same horizontal line in suitable bearings fixed at the tops of the seat posts of
the wood framing of Lever's machine. On the extremity of each axis F a spur
cog wheel is fixed as at G, G, in order to turn two other spur cog wheels I, I,
of double the size and number of teeth, which wheels are fixed on the two
extremities of a horizontal axis J, J, extending across all the width of the
machinery at the lower part thereof, the ends being supported in bearings
affixed to the upright legs of the wood frame. One of the large spur wheels I gives
motion to a smaller spur wheel R of one-third the size and number of teeth, and
the further end of the axis of the small wheel K is formed into a short crank a,
which by means of a crank rod M gives an alternate and reciprocating motion
to a lever N on a horizontal axis Z, supported in bearings at the back of the
wood frame. The axis Z extends near to the middle of the width of the
machine, and there another lever P on the said axis is connected by a link Q
to the back landing bar w, so as to communicate a vibrating or oscillating
motion thereto; and the front landing bar w, being connected with the back
one by the usual goose neck tackle, the two landing bars w, w, are put in
motion in contrary directions to each other, the same as in common Lever's
machines, except that there is no intermission of their oscillating motion, nor
any short motion, such as must be made in ordinary Lever's machines when
the division of the carriages is to take place, but the crank x, revolving con-
tinually and uniformly, produces a continual and uniform oscillating motion of
the landing bars back and front. The crank pin of the crank x may be made
capable of adjustment nearer to or farther from the center of the axis of the
wheel K, in order to suit it to the extent of motion required to be given to the
landing bars, which must be the same extent as usual in Lever's machines, and
the same balance springs and stops may be used, (except that the usual short
motion stops which detain the landing bars, when the carriages are dividing, are
to be removed altogether). The catch bars and their catch-bar wheels operate
as usual to pass and repass the carriages between the warp threads, except that
the catch-bar wheels are cut anew with a regular alternation of notches and pro-
minences, as before mentioned, in order that there may be no intermission to
tbe regular passing and repassing of the carriages, all in one row from the back
combs to the front ones, and vice versa. The racking wheels i and q, which
produce the shogging motions for racking the warp threads, are turned by motion
derived from the front landing bar in the usual manner of Lever's machines.

page_text: Near one end of the horizontal axis J, a smaller spur cog wheel R is fixed and
turns another spur cog wheel S of double the size and number of teeth, which
is fixed on the extreme end of a horizontal axis T, at the back of the machine
where that axis is supported in bearings affixed to the wood frame. The axis T
extends near to the middle of the machine, and there two wipers or camms 1,1;
are fixed upon it; they project out on opposite sides of its centre, and revolve
with it in order to actuate the two point bars y, y, alternately by means of
lifting levers U, U, and upright links W,W, which go up to the usual tail pole
levers X, X, of the spindle or crank bars Y, Y, by which the back and front
bars y, y, are suspended in the usual manner of Lever's machines. As the
large wheel S and the wipers l, l, revolve they act alternately, first one and then
the other beneath the levers U, U, to lift the same upwards, and by the
corresponding link W, that lifting causes one of the point bars y, y, to
descend in order to take up the meshes of the net, precisely in the same man-
ner as in taking up by bearing the foot upon one of the treadles in Lever's
machines, that is to say, the usual caster back of the point bar withdraws the
points from the meshes of the net when they begin to go down, and the same
caster back allows the points to drop in between the threads when they get
quite down, as usual in Lever's machines, (except that the points should
down a little lower than usual, and the points must be conducted in between
the treads with small racking motions, produced by suitable conducting plates
at the ends of the point bars, in order that all the twist may be taken up as
before mentioned ;) and after the points are entered between the threads they
are allowed by their wipers I, l, to go up again by the action of suitable springs,
such as are commonly used in Lever's machines. The handle E, E, must be
turned round four times to work one row of complete meshes of net, and in the
same time the large wheels I, I, and their axis J will make two turns. The
small wheel K, with the crank will make six turns, and the large wheel S
and its axis T, with the wipers 1, 1, will make one turn in working a row of
complete meshes; that is to say, at one half turn thereof, one of the wipers / will
cause the back points to take up a row of half meshes, and at the next half
turn the other wiper will cause the front points to take up another row of half
meshes. The several wheels and parts must be put together, so that one of
the wipers / will have put the points quite down and ready to penetrate amongst
the bobbin threads at the moment when the landing bars are fully extended by
the action of the crank x, with all the carriages drawn out from between the
warp threads on the same side as that point bar which is so put down.
go
The aforesaid wheel work and revolving crank and wipers or camms form no
art of my present improvements.
.7

page_text: My lifting points herein-before described are actuated by an excentric camm
21, which is fixed on the horizontal axis. J, so as to revolve twice during the
formation of a row of complete meshes of the net. The camm 21 may be an
excentric circle or nearly so, and in revolving the prominent part of its.circum-
ference acts against a roller. 22 at the end of one of the crank bar arms 6, so as to
press that arm down, and consequently by the connection of the horizontal axis 8
of that crank bar and its other arm 6, and their upright links 5, which go up.to
the pivots of my lifting point bar 3, as before described... That bar is is moved
downwards in opposition to its balance springs 9, with a motion parallel to
itself, and in a vertical direction according to the guidance of the vertical slots
in the fixed brackets 7.; and then, as the excentric camm 21 turns, further
round and presents the deficient part of its circumference.to the roller, 22, it
allows the lifting point bar 3 to go up again.by. the action of, its springs.9.
It has been herein-before fully explained that. the other.movements requisite
for producing the intended action of my lifting points 4 and my holding points
s are derived from the said going up and down of the lifting point bar. 3;.that is
to say, by the action of the tipper arm 15 and its roller 16 against the caster
back 12, and its upright bearing bar 17, my lifting points are withdrawn from
between the warp threads in going down, and they are.inserted again when
they get down; also by the action of the guide plate 11 against the roller 18
of the arm 14 belonging to the fork. bar suspension, the forks are duly brought
forwards and put back again as usual in. traverse..warp .machines, in order to
cross the warp threads; and also by means of the tipper arm 13 of the holding
point bar 2, with its corresponding gage screw belonging to the lifting point
bar 3, my holding points 1 are withdrawn from. between the crossed warp
threads when my lifting points. 4.get nearly up. to their highest position, and
the said holding points are allowed to return, between the threads, and the
lifting points begin to go down. again. The wheel work and other parts
must be so put together that the excentric camm 21 will allow the lifting point
bar.3 to arrive at its highest position a very little before the moment when one
or other of the ordinary taking up point:bars y, y, have been put down by the
action of the corresponding wiper I, l, to its lowest position, so that the said
taking up points will be making their entrance amongst the bobbin threads, all
the carriages being at the same. moment fully extended on the same side of the
warp threads as those taking up points.r which are so entering. 'Note. The
excentric camm 21 being an excentric circle, the up-and-down motion which
it is required to give to the lifting point bar 3 may be produced by a crank
formed on the axis which makes two turns whilst one row of complete meshes
is made. Note.-If the machinery is of considerable width the lifting point

page_text: bar 3 may be supported with as many upright links 5 and crank bar arms 6,
and guided by as many of the brackets 7 as are necessary to give it steadi-
ness of motion in the middle part between the ends, and an excentric camm
21 or a crank may be applied at each end of the axis J, J, in order to give
equal motion to each end of the lifting point bar 3.
Having now fully described my said improvements, and the manner of apply-
ing the same to use, I, the said Thomas Alcock, do hereby declare that my
new Invention whereof the exclusive use is granted unto me by His Majesty's
Royal Letters Patent, which conclude (as herein-before recited) with the words
"Witness Ourself at Our Palace, at Westminster, the Eighth day of December,
in the third year of Our reign," consists in the improvements herein-before called
lifting points and holding points, whereof the distinguishing characters are, that
the lifting points descend and penetrate beneath the crossings made in the warp
threads of traverse warp machinery by the forks and dividers thereof, and then
ascend, in order to lift or carry those crossings upwards to the holding points,
which then withdraw from between the crossed warp threads to permit the said
crossings to run higher up, and afterwards re-enter between those threads in order
to guide them and give them suitable racking motions, whilst the lifting points
ascend again to fetch up other succeeding crosses. And also the improvment
herein-before called extra thicknesses, at the tops of the alternate carriages for
the purpose of widening those alternate spaces between the crossed warp
threads into which the taking up points are to be inserted whilst the said extra
thicknesses keep the said spaces so widened, in order by such widening to
facilitate the insertion of the points and enable them to take up the crossings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Alcock, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and thirty-three.
THOMAS (L.S.) ALCOCK.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Thirty-first day of May, in the
third year of the reign of His present Majesty King William the Fourth, the
said Thomas Alcock came before our said Lord the King in His Chancery,
and acknowledged the instrument aforesaid, and all and every thing therein
contained and specified, in form above written. And also the instrument
aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made in the fifty-
fifth year of the reign of His late Majesty King George the Third.
Inrolled the Fifth day of June, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-