IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN WEAVING LOOPED, LENO, AND OTHER FABRICS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Lawrence Hall and Robert Smith, Manufacturers, and
Daniel Snape, Manager, all of Black Lane, Radcliffe, near Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
EMPLOYED IN WEAVING LOOPED, LENO, AND OTHER FABRICS.”
Sealed the 15th March 1878, and dated the 21st September 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Lawrence Hall, Robert Smith,
and Daniel Snape at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st
September 1877.
LAWRENCE HALL and ROBERT SMITH, Manufacturers, and DANIEL SNAPE, Manager,
all of Black Lane, Ratcliffe, near Manchester, in the County of Lancaster.
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN WEAVING LOOPED, LENO, AND OTHER
FABRICS."
Our Invention consists in an improved harness, or a combination of harness and
healds for weaving looped, leno, and other fabrics, whereby a certain amount of
twist is given to the warp threads between the harness and the fell of the cloth ;
the twist can be given to some of the warp threads while the others remain without
twist, according to the pattern to be woven.
In performing our Invention, the warp threads on leaving the warp beam or
beams are drawn through the harness or healds as usual, and those warp threads
that require twisting are drawn in twos or more through beads or small rings. The
bealds or harness are caused to be lifted up on either side of the middle ends when
looping to give the twist, and on one side only when weaving twill, plain, satin, or
figures.
When two or more warp beams are used, a self-slackening apparatus is employed;
this apparatus consists of a rod, which is lifted when the warps are tightened, and
a catch which is acted upon by the rod; this catch takes into a ratchet wheel on
the warp beam, and when the rod is lifted, the catch liberates the warp beam, and
allows the yarn to be drawn off.

page_text: The same ends that go through the beads or small rings go through mails at the
back of the harness, and there is thread and a little weight attached to each of the
mails. A bar is required on the top side of the warp threads that go through
the beads or rings.
When the yarn that goes through the beads or rings is on a beam by itself, it is
let off the beam by a self-acting motion, which is brought into action by the rod
above referred to; this rod is raised by the yarn, and acts on the catch, taking into
the ratchet wheel on the warp beam; the catch is moved to and fro by an eccentric
or other equivalent, and is lifted out of gear when the yarn is slack, and when one
beam only is used, the rod and eccentric motion or other equivalent is not required,
as the warp beam will be slackened by the action of the warp threads between the
warp threads that go through the beads or rings.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Lawrence Hall, Robert Smith, and Daniel Snape in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 21st March 1878.
LAWRENCE HALL and ROBERT SMITH, Manufacturers, and DANIEL SNAPE, Manager,
all of Black Lane, Radciffe, near Manchester, in the County of Lancaster.
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN WEAVING LOOPED, LENO, AND OTHER
FABRICS."
Our Invention consists in an improved harness, or a combination of harness and
healds for weaving looped, leno, and other fabrics, whereby a certain amount of
twist is given to the warp threads between the harness and the fell of the cloth;
the twist can be given to some of the warp threads while the others remain without
twist, according to the pattern to be woven.
And in order that our Invention may be fully understood and readily carried
into operation, we will proceed to describe the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, in
which,―
Fig. 1 is an elevation of parts of a loom of the ordinary construction, shewing the
position of the warps when the shed is open.
Fig. 2 represents the same parts when the shed is closed.
Figs. 3 and 4 are diagrams, shewing the mode of looping the warp threads.
a is the warp beam on which the looped warp threads are wound; and b is an
additional warp beam for the warp threads that pass between the looped warp
threads; c is the usual guide roller; e, the harness; f, the lathe ; and 9, the taking
up roller.
Above the warp threads is the cross shaft h, on which are levers supporting the
rod i, which passes between the warp threads from the beams a and b; the rod i is
moved up and down by the lever j, connected by a link to the lever that works the
jacquard, or from any other convenient part of the loom.
In some cases all the warp threads are wound on the same warp beam.
The mode of operation is as follows:-The warp threads on leaving the warp
beam or beams are drawn through the harness or healds e as usual, and those warp
threads that require twisting are drawn in twos (or in some cases more than two)

page_text: through beads or small rings at k; and in order to keep the beads or rings in
position they are knit to a half heald, as shewn at l. The beads or rings are lifted
up on either side of the middle ends when looping to give the twist, and on one side
only when weaving twill, plain, satin, or figures.
In Figs. 3 and 4 we have shewn two middle ends between the looped ends, but
we do no limit ourselves to two middle ends, as a single end, or any greater number
of ends, may be used, according to the nature of the fabric to be woven.
When the left-hand looped end rises, the bead or ring is to the left of the middle
ends, as shewn in Fig. 3; and when the right-hand looped end rises, the bead or
ring is to the right hand, as shewn in Fig. 4; these alternate risings of the looped
ends give the twist to the warp threads.
The
When the shed is open, as shewn in Fig. 1, the rod i is clear of all the warp
threads, and the slack of the looped ends is drawn down by the lingoes m; but
when the shed is closed, as shewn in Fig. 2, the rod i is brought down to press
against all the looped warp threads to draw the yarn off the warp beam a.
looped warp threads all pass under the bar n placed at the back of the harness.
When all the warp threads are wouud on the same warp beam, the looped ends
will be slackened by the action of the rod i, as before described.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, we wish it to be understood that we do not intend to limit
ourselves to the details given, as they may be varied or modified, and we claim,
First. Drawing the warp threads that are to be twisted through beads or small
rings, in the manner and for the purposes described.
Secondly. The rod n, placed at the back of the harness, to guide the looped warp
ends, as described.
And, lastly. The half heald connected to the beads or rings, as shewn and
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Lawrence Hall, for myself and on behalf of the
said Robert Smith and Daniel Snape, have hereunto set my hand and seal,
this Nineteenth day of March, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
eight.
LAWRENCE HALL. (L.S.)