IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Smith, of the Firm of R. Smith and Sons,
of Kidderminster, in the County of Worcester, Carpet and Rug Manufacturers,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
Sealed the 4th December 1877, and dated the 8th June 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Smith at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th June 1877.
EDWARD SMITH, of the Firm of R. Smith and Sons, of Kidderminster, in the
County of Worcester, Carpet and Rug Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
My Invention relates more particularly to looms for weaving chenille rugs, but it
is also wholly or partly applicable to the weaving of other descriptions of fabrics,
and it consists chiefly of an improved arrangement of the heddles and of the appa-
ratus for operating the same, whereby I am enabled to produce by the aid of a
single treddle only the series of actions for which, according to the ordinary method,
a number of treddles are required. My Invention however, also embraces improve-
ments in the take-up apparatus for winding up the material as it is woven, as herein-
after more fully described.
In carrying out my Invention as applied, for example, to the weaving of a chenille
rug with 4 chains or warps, vizt, a float chain, a catcher chain, a ground chain, and
a dead chain, the catcher chain being divided between two leaves of heddles or
shafts, I employ five leaves or shafts, herein-after termed shafts Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4,
and 5, arranged in the following manner, vizt.:—
Shafts Nos. 1 and 5 each carry one-half or portion of the catcher chain; shafts
Nos. and 4 carry between them the ground chain; and shaft No. 3 carries the
float chain. The whole of the shafts are connected with the treddle by the means
herein-after described, so as to obtain the following series of actions, vizt.-By the
first depression of the treddle, shafts Nos. 1, 2, and 3 are lifted, and shafts Nos. 4
and 5 are depressed, so as to produce a double shed, the catcher chain and ground
chain being both above and below, and the float chain also above, whilst the dead
Price Gl1

page_text: .
chain lies between the two. The shuttle carrying the ordinary weft is then passed
through and returned, and the weft is beaten up into the fabric. The treddle is
next released, and shafts Nos. 2, 3, and 4 return to their normal position, leaving
shaft No. 1 elevated, and shaft No. 5 depressed, in which positions such two shafts
are locked or retained by the means herein-after described. The chenille weft or
fur is then passed through the shed thus left and combed down in the ordinary
manner, after which the treddle is again operated, whereby shafts Nos. 4 and 5,
which by the previous motion of the treddle were depressed are elevated, whilst
shafts Nos. 1 and 2 are depressed. Shaft No. 3 is also elevated, this shaft according
to my Invention being raised at every tread. The shuttle carrying the ordinary
weft is then again passed through one of the two sheds thus formed, and returned
through the other shed, and the weft is beaten up into the fabric, and on the
treddle being released shaft No. 1 is left and locked or secured in its depressed
position, and shaft No. 5 in its elevated position for the passage of the chenille
as before, and the preceding series of operations are repeated, and so on, in
succession.
If desired, one half of the threads of the catcher chain may be situate at the
centre in lieu of at the back by varying the stroke or motion of the shafts Nos. 1
and 5.
The apparatus for operating the shafts or heddles is constructed and arranged in
the following manner-I employ a set or sets of rocking frames or levers, which
are operated by a double pawl or catch, or by two sets of pawls or catches, carried
by a rod or lever connected with the treddle in such a manner that the frames or
levers are acted upon alternately at opposite ends or otherwise by opposite sides or
portions of, the double pawl or catch, or by one of the pawls or catches, so as to
cause the frames or levers to rock or oscillate upon centres on which they are
pivotted.
•
The rocking frames or levers are connected by rods or otherwise with the shafts
or heddles, so as to obtain the movements herein-before described. For example,
shafts Nos. 1 and 5 may be connected to opposite ends of one frame or lever, or set
of levers and shafts; Nos. 2 and 4 be connected to another frame or lever, or set of
levers, whilst shaft No. 3, which is elevated at every tread, is lifted, by shafts Nos. 2
and 4 alternately by means of a hook or other connection capable of being disengaged
at will, but arranged so that whichever of those two shafts is being lifted shaft
No. 3 shall be raised with it. The frame or frames, or levers connected with shafts
Nos. 1 and 5 (or the other frames or levers if desired), aro locked or secured when
the treddle is released, as before mentioned, while the chenille or fur is being
inserted, by means of catches, consisting, for example, of an oscillating double detent,
which is stopped by a spring bolt in the two required positions, but is capable of
passing from one position to the other on the withdrawal of the bolt by means of a
pivotted projection from the treddle rod acting when the treddle is depressed upon
an incline on the bolt, or any other similar arrangement may be adopted whereby
the frames or levers are alternately locked or secured, when the treddle, is
released and unlocked or liberated so as to be acted upon by the operating
pawls or catches, when the treddle is again depressed.
My improvements in the take-up apparatus consist in transmitting motion
from the treddle to the lever connected with the pawl or other device for
operating the take-up roller by means of an intermediate shaft, having keyed
thereon two rods or levers, which are attached so as to be capable of adjust-
ment at their opposite ends to the said lever and treddle respectively, or a bell-
crank lever mounted upon a stud centre may be employed in substitution therefor
where the location of the treddle and lever admits of that arrangement. I am
thereby enabled to dispense with the ordinary rocking beam and cords, and whilst
obtaining a more steady and certain action, to provide equal or greater facilities for
adjustment to suit any required variations in the feed of the roller.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Edward Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th
December 1877.
EDWARD SMITH, of the Firm of R. Smith and Sons, of Kidderminster, in the
County of Worcester, Carpet and Rug Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LOOMS FOR WEAVING.
My said Invention relates to looms for weaving chenille hearth-rugs and other
like fabrics, and it consists of an improved arrangement of the heddles, shafts, or
harness, and an improved construction and arrangement of the apparatus for
operating the same, whereby I am enabled to produce by the aid of a single
treddle only the series of actions for which, according to the ordinary method, a
number of treddles are required. This result is obtained by the employment of two
rocking levers or tumblers (or two sets of rocking levers or tumblers, forming
practically two levers), mounted on a horizontal centre or fulcrum immediately
between their two extremities, so as to be capable of moving independently the one
of the other, and also of acting conjointly at the requisite periods. These rocking
levers are operated by means of a catch or tappet lever connected with the treddle
and arranged in such a manner as to act upon the levers alternately at opposite
sides of the centre or fulcrum, any two consecutive depressions of the treddle having
the effect of moving the two rocking levers first into an inclined position in one
direction, and then into an inclined position in the opposite direction, whilst on
each release of the treddle one of the levers is locked or retained in its inclined
position, the other returning to its normal horizontal position, where it remains
until it, together with the locked or retained lever, is acted upon in a direction
opposite to that of its previous movement on the next depression of the treddle
taking place, and so on, in succession. To the opposite arms of that one of the
rocking levers which is locked or retained at each release of the treddle, as before
mentioned, there are respectively connected two leaves of heddles or shafts, each
carrying one half of the catcher chain, and to the opposite ends of the other lever
are respectively connected two other leaves of heddles or shafts, each carrying one
half of the ground chain. The float chain is carried on another heddle or shaft,
which is raised at every tread by a connection with the two shafts carrying the
ground chain, so that whichever of the two is being elevated, the shaft carrying the
float chain shall be raised with it, whilst the dead chain retains its neutral position
as in the ordinary manner, being neither elevated nor depressed.
By means of the arrangement herein-before described, there is produced at each
depression of the treddle a fresh double shed, through which the ordinary 'weft is
passed to be then beaten up into the fabric, whilst on each release of the treddle
one half of the threads of the catcher chain being left suspended, a fresh shed is
formed for the chenille weft or fur, which is passed through and combed down in the
usual manner.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the
Figures on the annexed Sheets of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) of my Drawings represents a front elevation of a loom con-
structed according to my said Invention (the lathe or batten being assumed to have
been removed); and Figure 2 is a side sectional elevation of the same.
Figure 3 (Sheet 2) is a similar view to Fig. 2 Sheet 1), but shewing the parts in
a different position.
Figures 4 and 5 are sectional views of a portion of the loom, illustrating respec-
tively other stages of the operation.
And Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively front and side elevations drawn to a larger
scale of the rocking levers or tumblers, and their appurtenances, for actuating the

page_text: In the loom illustrated by the Drawings five leaves of heddles or shafts are
employed, marked respectively A, A, B, B¹, and C. Between the two shafts A, A',
is divided the catcher chain, which is conducted from the roller D, on which it is
wound, over a guide roller a, and passed, one half through the shaft A, and the other
half through the shaft A¹. The ground chain, which is carried on the roller E, is
in a similar manner divided between the two shafts B and B¹. The float chain
passes from its roller F through the shaft C, whilst the dead chain, which is carried
by the roller G, simply passes with the other chains through the reed or sley of the
lathe or batten I, it being, as in the ordinary manner, constantly neutral, that is to
say, never either elevated or depressed.
The whole of the shafts are operated by means of a single treddle K only, which
is suspended at a¹ to a portion of the frame L of the loom, and connected through
the intervention of the rod b, upper lever M, and the bar c, to the apparatus for
actuating the shafts before referred to, and herein-after more fully described, the
lever M, which is pivotted at d to a connection with the frame L, being provided
with a.counterweight attached to a cord e passing over suitable pulleys, not shewn
on my Drawings, for the purpose of restoring the treddle when released to its normal
position in contact with a stop c³, as represented in Figure 2.
The apparatus for actuating the shafts is constructed and arranged in the
following manner, reference being had for the general arrangement to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4,
and 5, and for the details of construction to the enlarged views of the actuating
apparatus detached, Figs. 6 and 7:—
In an overhead bracket L³, suspended from a portion of the main frame L, there
is carried a stud or stationary spindle f, having loosely mounted thereon the
following parts, viz. :—
1st. A rocking lever or tumbler A² (herein-after termed the catcher chain lever),
to which are connected the shafts A, A¹, carrying between them the threads of the
catcher chain, the connection being made by means of rods g,g', attached respectively
at points 1, 2, situate on opposite sides of the fulcrum f.
Second. A rocking lever or tumbler B2 (herein-after termed the ground chain
lever), to the opposite ends 3, 4, respectively of which are connected by means of
rods h, h, the shafts B, B', carrying between them the threads of the ground chain.
Thirdly. A tappet or actuating lever N, carrying at its upper end a pin or stud i,
on which is loosely mounted one end of a small vibrating or crank lever k, jointed
at e to the bar c connected with the lever M of the treaddle apparatus.
The two rocking levers and the tappet lever are arranged so as to be capable of
moving independently of each other, and also of acting conjointly at the requisite
periods.
The catcher chain lever A² is brought alternately into two different positions, as
shown in Figures 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7, and Figures 3 and 4 respectively, under the action
of successive depressions of the treaddle, whereby the two portions of the catcher
chain carried by the shafts A and A' are in turn elevated. This lever is locked or
retained in both positions in contact with the respective sides of the bracket L¹ by
means of a spring K¹ of suitable strength attached at its end to the bracket L³,
and at its opposite end 2 to an arm 3 of the lever, so as to maintain the shed com-
pleted by the catcher chain open when the treaddle is released until the treaddle is
again depressed, when the lever will be moved into the other of the two positions.
and again locked or retained, as before.
The ground chain lever B² is capable of assuming successively three different posi-
tions, viz., the horizontal position or position of rest, shewn in Figures 1, 2, 4, 6,
and 7, and the two inclined positions, represented in Figures 3 and 5 respectively.
In the first position (Figures 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7) the ground chain is neutral, both the
shafts B, B¹, being in their central position; in the second position (Figure 3) the
shaft B' is elevated, and the shaft B depressed; whilst the third position (Figure 5)
is the converse of that shewn in Figure 3, the shaft B being elevated, and the shaft
B' depressed. These movements are attained by the aid of the tappet lever N,
which is operated under the action of the middle K. by the bar c through the inter-

page_text: vention of the crank lever k; this lever is provided with a semicircular projection a³,
the opposite sides 5, 6, of which alternately are brought in contact with a projec-
tion 7 formed on the lever N, so as to move it successively in opposite directions.
The lever. N is thus brought by consecutive depressions of the treddle alternately
into the two extreme positions shewn in Figures 3 and 5 respectively, whilst on the
release of the treddle between two consecutive treads, the lever assumes one of the
intermediate positions indicated respectively in Figures 1, 2, 6, and 7, and Figure 4,
in which latter position it is retained by means of a spring catch m engaging in a
groove or slideway at n in a doubly inclined ledge n¹ formed on or attached to the
bracket L'..
Assuming the parts to be in the position represented in Figures 1, 2, 6, and 7, with
the ground chain lever B³ horizontal and the catcher chain lever A² locked or
retained in its left-hand angular position, it will be seen that the lever N is slightly
inclined to the left hand of the vertical line passing through the centre f, and that
the side of the projection a² of the crank lever k is in contact with the projection 7
of the lover N. On depressing now the treddle, the spring catch m first descends
vertically until its extremity is clear of the ledge n¹ of the bracket L¹, the crank
lever k at the same time making a partial revolution in the direction denoted by
the arrow; the lever N then turns upon its centro f in the left-hand direction, as
indicated, until it comes in contact with. a projection 8 formed on one end of the
catcher chain lever A³, which it conducts with it in its movement, overcoming the
force of the locking or retaining spring and the motion of the lever N being still
continued, it next comes in contact with a projection 9 formed on one end of the
ground chain lever B², and the whole then travel together until they arrive at the
position indicated in Fig. 3, both the catcher chain lever and the ground chain lever
being in their right-hand angular positions.
When the treddle is released the side 6 of the projection a² of the crank lever k
acts upon the projection 7 of the lever N, and raises it, as indicated by the arrow,
until the spring catch m, ascending the left-hand side of the incline of the ledge n¹,
drops into the groove or slideway n, the lever N by this movement being thrown
to the opposite side of the vertical line passing through the centre f; this position
of the parts is indicated in Fig. 4, from an inspection of which Figure it will be
seen that the catcher chain lever A is locked or retained by the spring k¹ in its
right-hand angular position, whilst the ground chain lever B² has returned by gravi-
tation to its normal horizontal position.
On the treddle being again depressed the spring catch m first slides down its
groove or slide way n until it is clear of the ledge n¹, the crank lever kat the same
time turning upon its centre i in the reverse direction of its previous motion, the
lever N then turns upon its centre fin the right-hand direction, as indicated by
the arrow, until it comes in contact with a projection 10 provided on the opposite
end of the catcher chain lever A2 to that on which the projection 8 is formed, and
the force of the locking or retaining spring k¹ being overcome the catcher chain
lever is conducted with the lever N, which then continues its motion until it comes
in contact with a projection 11, provided on the opposite end of the ground chain
lever to that on which the projection 9 is formed, the whole then again travel
together until they arrive at the position indicated in Fig. 5, both the catcher
chain lever and the ground chain lever being then in their left-hand angular
position.
When the treddle is next released the side 5 of the projection a³ acts upon the
projection 7 of the lever N, and raises it until the spring catch ascending the incline
of the ledge n¹ in the reverse direction of its previous motion drops again into the
groove or slideway at n, by which action the lever N is moved to the left-hand side
of the vertical line; passing through the centre of the ground chain lever B² is
allowed to return to its normal horizontal position, whilst the catcher chain lever A²
is locked or retained in its left-hand angular position, as shewn in Figs. 1, 2, 6, & 7,
and herein-before referred to.

page_text: On the treddle being again twice alternately depressed and released a repetition
of the former operations takes place, and so on in succession.
By these means the requisite movements of the shafts A, A¹, carrying between
them the threads of the catcher chain, and the shafts B, B₁, carrying between them
the threads of the ground chain, are obtained. The shaft C, however, which carries
the float chain is not directly connected with the rocking levers, but is lifted
through the intervention of one of the two shtfts B, B¹, at every depression of the
table, it being connected to such shafts by a strap or flexible connection o, so that
whichever of them is being lifted the shaft C will be raised with it.
The actions of the several shafts will be understood by reverting to Figs. 1 and 2,
Fig. 3, Figure 4, and Fig. 5, which represent the shafts with the chains in four
respective positions, that is to say, illustrate four stages in the operation of weaving
a chenille rug.
In the position shewn in Figures 1 and 2, the ground chain lever B³ being hori-
zontal, the whole of the ground chain, and also the float chain, is situate in the centre
together with the dead chain, the catcher chain lever A2 (which when in a condition
of rest is always locked or retained in one of two inclined positions, so that one-half
of the catcher chain is elevated whilst the other half is situate at the centre) is
represented in those Figures as in its left-hand position, the shaft A therefore being
in this case raised. The whole of the chains, with the exception of one-half of the
catcher chain, are therefore situate in the centre and form the lower portion of a
shed 12, the upper portion of which is formed by the elevated half of the catcher
chain.
Let it now be assumed that the chenille weft or fur has been passed through
the shed 12, and combed down in the ordinary manner. The treddle is then
operated, and the parts are brought into the position shewn in Figure 3, the catcher
chain lever A, and the ground chain lever B³, both being in their right-hand
inclined position, the shaft A, carrying one-half of the catcher chain, which was
previously elevated, is now down, and the shaft A¹, carrying the other half, is raised;
the shaft B¹ carrying one-half of the ground chain is elevated; and the shaft B
carrying the other half is depressed, and the shaft C carrying the float chain has
been raised by the shaft B. A double shed 13, 13, is thus formed, the upper
portion of which consists of the float chain, one half of the catcher chain, and one
half of the ground chain; the lower portion consists of the other half of the ground
chain, whilst the intermediate portion between the two sheds 13, 13, is coinposed
of the dead chain and the other half of the catcher chain. The shuttle, carrying
the ordinary weft, is then passed through one of the two sheds 13, 13, and returned
through the other, and the weft is beaten up into the fabric by the aid of the lathe
or batten I in the ordinary manner. The treddle K is then released, and the parts
assume the position represented in Figure 4, which is similar to that shewn in
Figures 1 and 2, with the exception that the catcher chain lever A, which is locked
or retained as before, is in its opposite inclined position, the shaft A¹ being up and the
shaft A down. A fresh shed 12 is thus produced, through which the chenille weft
The treddle is then
or fur is passed to be combed down in the usual manner.
again depressed, whereby the shafts A, B, which in the position shewn in Figure 3
were elevated are brought into their lower position, and the shafts A, B, are raised,
as shewn in Figure 5, the shaft C, which is also raised, being in this case lifted by
the shaft B. The ordinary weft is then again passed and returned through the new
double shed 13, 13, and beaten up into the fabric.
On another depression of the treddle taking place, the shafts and chains resume
the position indicated in Figures 1 and 2 for the reception of the chenille weft or
fur as before, and the whole series of operations is recommenced, and so on in
succession.
The fabric as woven passes over the spike roll O, and is taken up in the ordinary
manner.
It will be obvious that by suitably arranging the shafts carrying the catcher

page_text: chain, their stroke or motion may be so adjusted that the two halves of the threads
shall alternately exchange positions from the face to the back in lieu of from the
face to the centre, as in the example herein-before described.
In weaving what is known as the drop ley, that is to say, the margin at the
extremity of the rug which is to be subsequently turned under, the shaft C,
carrying the float chain, may if desired be disconnected from the shafts B, B', by
detaching or unfastening the strap o.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that I do not confine myself to the precise
arrangement, herein-before described, of the rocking levers or tumblers, nor to the
mode of connecting the same with the treddle, nor to the precise means of con-
necting the shaft carrying the float chain with the two other shafts which elevate
it, nor to the precise method of locking or securing the catcher chain shafts at the
requisite periods, as the details may be varied without departing from the principle
of iny said Invention; but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is,―
First. Actuating the whole of the shafts, heddles, or harness, so as to obtain the
series of motions thereof necessary for the production of a chenille rug or fabric
from one and the same treddle, substantially as herein-before described.
Secondly. Elevating the shaft or heddle carrying the float chain by connexions
with two other shafts or beddles, which are elevated alternately, so that such shaft
or heddle shall be lifted at every depression of the treddle by whichever of the
said two shafts or heddles is being raised, substantially as herein-before described.
Thirdly. Locking or retaining in position the shafts or heddles carrying the
catcher chain when the other shafts or heddles resume their normal or neutral
position, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described..
Fourthly. The employment of rocking levers or tumblers, operated by a catch
or tappet lever from a single treddle, and arranged and combined together and
with the shafts, heddles, or harness, in such a manner that the release of the treddle
between two consecutive depressions shall be utilized in or for the production of
a shed for the passage of the chenille weft or fur, substantially as herein-before
described.
Fifthly. The general arrangement and combination of parts forming a loom for
weaving chenille, hearthrugs, and other like fabrics, substantially as herein-before
described and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Smith, have to this my Specification
set my hand and seal, the Third day of December, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-seven.
EDWARD SMITH. (L.S.)