CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINERY FOR ROVING, SPINNING, AND TWISTING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1836

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN BURNS
SMITH, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Cotton Spinner, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing
date at Westminster, the Thirtieth day of April, in the sixth year of His
reign, did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Burns Smith, His especial licence, full power, sole privilege
and authority, that I, the said John Burns Smith, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, and such others as I, the said John Burns Smith,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no other, from time to time and at all times during the term of
years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed,
my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINERY FOR ROVING,
SPINNING, AND TWISTING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES;" in which
said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that 1, the said John Burns
Smith, shall cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in His
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited 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
John Burns Smith, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Invention, and

page_text: the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly described and
ascertained in the Drawings hereto annexed, and to the following explanation
thereof, that is to say :-
now
My improvements in the machinery for roving, spinning, and twisting
cotton and other fibrous substances, consist in the first place, of a new,
simple, and improved arrangement of those parts of ordinary throstle frames
constituting the spindle and flyer, and through the agency of which thread or
yarn is wound or spun upon cylindrical or other bobbins which are
commonly used in ordinary throstles and spinning frames; which improve-
ments are designed principally to arrest or prevent the tremulous vibrations
of the spindle when revolving at high velocities (which is the common error
existing in ordinary spinning machinery), and thereby considerably improving
the quality of the yarn which is produced, and at the same allowing the spindle
to be driven at a much greater speed, consequently effecting a larger produce in
a given time than can be spun upon any other throstle or spinning frame at
present in use. These improvements also relieve the throstle or spinning
frame of one of the longitudinal rails for guiding the spindles (commonly
known as the bolster rail), and also allow the spindle to be materially
reduced in its length, as the rails which are here required are the common
bottom or foot rail for supporting the spindle and the ordinary copping
rail, which by its ascent and fall regulates the winding of the yarn on
to the bobbin as heretofore. And secondly, my improvements in spinning
apply particularly to those machines used in spinning certain qualities of
thread or yarn called or known by the name of "mules," "billies," and
"stretchers," and more particularly to those which are rendered self-acting by
the aid of mechanical motions and combinations, with which spinners are
generally conversant, and which improvements are especially designed to faci-
litate and regulate the variating speed of the spindles during the "running
in" of the mule carriage containing the spindles through the various stages in
the formation of the cop or winding on the yarn to the spindle, commonly
called the copping motion, which, in conjunction with the faller wires, as
commonly used, by being regulated and governed by my said improvement,
and also by imparting a variating or unequal degree of speed to the spindles at
such times as may be required, which is effected by a modification of the said
improvement. In order that these improvements in spinning may be more
perfectly explained and better understood, I have shewn in two Sheets of
Drawings accompanying these Presents distinct and particular representations
of my improved combination and arrangement of spindles and flyers, to be

page_text: used in throstle or spinning frames, in complete elevation and sectional views,
and also the various parts in detail of which they are to be composed, in all
of which Figures the same letters of reference point out corresponding parts.
And in reference to the improvements in self-acting mules, I have shewn such
views of the particular improvements in each motion that I intend to claim as
new as will enable any competent person to understand the intents and
purposes of my Invention, and shall refer to them in such a manner that will
render them perfectly intelligible, and prevent the necessity of shewing the
whole of a self-acting mule, which I consider would only tend to confuse and
mislead the reader. In these Figures also it will be seen that corresponding
letters of reference are marked upon each part of the views which are similar
in effect.
Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings exhibits those parts of my improve-
ments in spinning which appertain to the throstle and ordinary spinning
frame, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, representing the first class or arrangement
of my improved spindle and flyer, in the latter of which Figures it will be seen
to consist of an inner spindle a, a (represented detached in Figure 1), sur-
rounded by an outer casing or tube b; b, which is in fact the spindle carrying the
ordinary flyer, except that it is excavated or made hollow in order to receive the
inner spindle a, a, against which the outer or excavated spindle bears at top and
bottom while running. The spindle a, a, is to be screwed or otherwise fixed
to the common foot rail of the throstle or spinning frame, as shewn at c, c.
The outer casing or excavated spindle b, b; is shewn detached at Figure 2,
and the ordinary flyer, consisting of bent arms carrying eyes or guides at
their extremities, is drawn a little above at Figure 3. This flyer is screwed
or otherwise conveniently secured to the outer spindle or tube b, b, and con-
sequently revolves with it when driven by the band which proceeds from the
ordinary longitudinal drum of the throstle or spinning frame, and passes round
the wharve or pully d, d, cast on to or otherwise fixed to the bottom of the
tube b, b, for that purpose. I prefer that the flyer should be screwed to the top
of the tube or excavated spindle in the manner shewn in the Drawing, that
it may be convenient to doff' or remove the bobbin when it has become full of
yarn, which is to be done by turning the flyer the reverse way to which the
spindle b, b, is running, which will necessarily unscrew the flyer or detach it
from the tube or spindle b, b, when the full bobbin may be removed and an
empty one placed in its stead. The bobbin e, e, upon which the yarn or thread
is intended to be wound or spun, runs loosely round the spindle, and its
revolution is slightly resisted, or the drag accomplished by the washer or other
friction surface f, f, being placed between the bobbin e and the copping rail or

page_text: plate g, g. This copping rail is raised and depressed in the ordinary manner,
and thus effects the regular winding on or coiling of the thread or yarn to the
bobbin. Now, it will be seen that in this arrangement of the parts con-
stituting my improved spindle and flyer I have determined to drive the.flyer,
allowing the bobbin to follow, and thus adjust or regulate the required drag;
but by reference to the following Figures, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, I shall shew
another or second class of arrangement of parts, in which I regulate the drag
and cause the thread or yarn to be spun or wound upon the bobbin by a
reversed position; that is to say, in this arrangement of my improved spindle
and flyer I cause the bobbin to be driven, and the flyer to follow, running
loosely or entirely free, governed merely by the thread or yarn in its progress
from the drawing rollers on to the bobbin; Figure 6 being a sectional repre-
sentation of the spindle and flyer, and Figure 7 a front elevation of tho
same complete, as it will appear in its proper position in the throstle or spinning
frame. a, a, is the spindle, which in this instance is also screwed or fixed on
to the foot rail b, b; c, c, the flyer, which is soldered or otherwise fastened to
the brass top or cap piece d, and running loosely round the upper part of the
spindle a; e, e, is the bobbin upon which the thread or yarn is intended to
be spun, which is driven by the friction of its inner cylindrical surface and-
bottom coming in contact with the tube and wharve f, f, regulated by washers
as may be required. This wharve f. f, is driven by the band passing round it
from the ordinary longitudinal drum, as before mentioned with reference to
my first arrangement of spindle and flyer, and the bobbin with the tube and
wharvef, f, is to be raised and depressed by the rise and fall of the copping:
rail 9, 9, as heretofore. Now in order to doff or remove the bobbin in the
event of its being filled with yarn, a small-slot or groove h, seen best in the
horizontal section above) which is cut down, the upper part of the brass cap
picce & must be brought immediately under the small pin or projecting stud i,
which is inserted in the top of the spindle a, a, when the flyer and cap piece
may be drawn off together, and removed while another bobbin is_put-upon-
the tube and wharve and then-the-flyer replaced, when it will run loosely as
heretofore. The pin i, having escaped from the slot h, will now act act as a lock
or fastening to hold the flyer down, as the projection or pin on the top of the
spindle secures the cap piece and flyer from rising. Figure 8 shews a
sectional view of the same kind of spindle and flyer, but with another
modification of the contrivance for removing the flyer when it becomes
necessary to doff or remove the bobbin. In the upper part of the stationary.
spindle a, a, there is a curved groove or worm k cut for the purpose of
receiving the pin or projecting piece 7, which is fixed into the cap piece d,

page_text: carrying the flyer, and is seen in Figure 9, which is a sectional view taken
through the flyer and cap piece. When the flyer is performing its ordinary
revolutions; the pin 7 will run in the horizontal groove m cut in the spindle,
and thus prevent the flyer from rising; but when it is expedient to remove the
flyer in order to doff the bobbin, it must be held until the pine can be brought
into the rising or curved groove k, and thus run up the worm and be removed
from the spindle.
Figure 10 represents another modification of effecting the same object.
In this view it will be seen that the flyer c revolves in a race or way cut
in the outer surface of the cap piece d, shewn at n, n, and the cap piece
itself is screwed to the spindle in the same manner as the flyer in Figure 1,
and may be removed and replaced by the same means.
Figure 11 exhibits another arrangement of my improved spindle, which is
constructed more particularly for the purpose of spinning weft or "filling," and
may either be used with or without a bobbin. In this Figure I have repre-
sented the "pin-cop" spun upon the bare spindle. In this arrangement the
spindle is driven and the flyer runs loosely upon it. The spindle is shewn
at a, a, having the wharve b, by which it is driven, securely fixed upon
it. The foot rail is shewn at c, c, upon which is screwed a tubular
picce d, d, acting as a bearing for the spindle, and at the same time as a
nut for the screw c, e, to work in. This screw e, e, is for tho purpose
of raising or lowering the spindle so as to adjust the top to the flyer, 'that its
length may be governed and regulated at pleasure. f, f, is the copping rail
which is raised and depressed by any ordinary contrivance. There is a small
tube or collar g, g, screwed to the copping rail, upon which a brass tube h runs,
and to this tube the flyer i, i, is firmly attached, and altogether running loosely
round the spindle a, a. The drag may be regulated by a small friction band
running along the circular part h* of the brass tube, or by any other con-
trivance.
:
Figure 12 represents a similar arrangement of spindle and flyer adapted
for a cylindrical bobbin, as commonly used in throstle frames, shewing
the same contrivances for regulating the height of the spindle. In this
instance it will be seen that the ordinary flyer is screwed to the top of
the spindle, as usual, and the bobbin runs loosely upon the spindle.
Having now described the first of my improvements in spinning, which
relate, as above stated, to throstle spinning, I now proceed to illustrate the
second feature of improvement, applicable in particular to mules, billies,
and stretchers, and more especially those upon the self-acting principle.
In Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings Figure 1 represents a side eleva-
tion of those parts of a self-acting mule which are requisite to shew the

page_text: particular novelty I desire to claim as my improvement in its relative
position.
Figure 2 is an end elevation of the improved parts, which is taken at the
back of the mule.
It will be seen these improvements are particularly simple in themselves,
and would be represented perfectly detached; but that they may be better
understood, and more eligibly explained, I have represented them in con-
nexion with the ordinary and well-known parts of the machine, leaving
those parts which I do not desire to claim as new in outline; and the par-
ticular parts which I intend to claim as new, and perfectly original in their
application, I have represented as shaded with colour. a, a, is the frame-
work of the mule carriage bearing upon wheels b, b, which run upon the slips
or rails c, c. This carriage a, a, supports the line of spindles d, d, upon which
the thread or yarn is to be spun as it proceeds from the drawing rollers e, e.
There are two pullies f, f, supported by bearings upon the headstock of the
mule, round the fast one of which a strap 9 passes from the primary motive
power which drives the upright shaft h, h, through the bevil wheels i, i,
and this shaft h, h, drives the front rollers e, e, together with the "going out"
of the mule carriage in the ordinary manner.
Now the mule carriage having
arrived at the end of its stretch or "running out," as it is represented in
Figure 1, in order to "run in" the carriage for the purpose of winding the
yarn on to the spindles, I propose to employ a shaft having a perfectly spiral
groove cut in its periphery, and decreasing invariably in the exact proportion as
the finished diameter of the cop is to the diameter of the spindle. This shaft
or spiral screw is shewn coloured at k, k, and is placed exactly in the centre of
the length of the carriage, so that it is not used for "squaring" the carriage,
but only for "running in," commencing quickly, and finishing the run slowly in
proportionate decreasing speed, which is known to be the best practical mode
of mule spinning, and has hitherto been only perfectly performed by hand.
It will here be necessary to state, that previously to "running in" the
carriage, the "backing off" or uncoiling the yarn from the spindlo above the
cop before it is wound must be performed by any ordinary means, as to this
part of the process my improvements do not extend. It will be seen that there
is a boss or collar / surrounding the shaft k, k; this boss receives the plunger m
through an opening in its periphery, and guides the plunger m into the groove
cut in the shaft k. Thus the plunger m acts as a tooth in the screw or worm
shaft, and effects the "running in" of the mule carriage. The spindles are
driven by the bands proceeding from the drum n, and this drum is driven by
the bands and pullies o, o, o. There is a lever p provided for the purpose of
lifting the plunger miuto and out of the groove of the screw shaft, which is

page_text: or
governed by any ordinary contrivance, and the lever p at the same time of
lifting the plunger out of the groove lifts the bevil wheel q out of gear, and
thus stops the revolution of the spindles, so that another "stretch'
"running out" of the carriage may be performed. In order to govern or
regulate the rotary motion of the spindles suitably to the gradual variation of
the increasing diameter of the cop during the formation of the cop bottom, I
employ a wheel or disc having a convolute rack, or series of teeth, formed
either upon its surface or periphery, as shewn at r, r, but more perfectly
in Figure 2, in which this wheel is represented with the teeth formed upon its
surface, which I prefer. The mode of varying the speed of the shaft 8, 8, com-
manding the spindles, is effected by the pinion t running in the convolute rack
formed upon the surface of the wheel r, which disc or wheel has also a corre-
sponding race or groove u cut in its surface, in which a pinion v runs, which
is attached to the pinion and slides with it upon the square shaft w, upon which
they are mounted. Now it will be seen, that as the pinion enters the convo-
lute rack at the outer surface or greatest diameter of the teeth, the motion
will be comparatively quicker than as it advances to the centre, where it will
evidently lose speed, and consequently allow the quantity of yarn which is
taken up by the spindle to be increased in its proper proportion. Now the
manner in which the pinion is caused to advance towards the centre of the
convolute rack is by driving the disc containing the rack of teeth at such
a variable speed as the growing diameter of the cop requires, which may be
effected by the following means:-
-Upon the back of the disc or wheel
there is a pinion x attached (seen by dots in Figure 2), which is driven
by the segmental rack or quadrant y, provided with an upright central
arm z, upon which is mounted a stud carrying the lever 1. This lever has a
screwed thread cut upon it about the centre, as seen in the Drawing, and jointed
in a socket to the upper part of the lever, to allow it to work in the sliding
nut 2, running in the groove 3, which is stationary, and suspended from the
fulcrum or centre of the quadrant. This nut is the fulcrum upon which tho
lever 1 turns, and with it the quadrant y. Now as this nut slides up the
stationary groove or way 3, the fulcrum is consequently varied, when the
quadrant receives a shorter sweep, and gives less speed at every successivo
stretch of yarn or running out of the carriage to the pinion and convoluto
rack r. The mode of sliding the nut up the groove is effected by the small
pinion 4 at the bottom of the lever striking against a stationary stud-or pro-
jection upon the frame of the headstock, and this lever and pinion are worked
upon their fulcrum or nut by means of the rack 5 and pinion 6 upon the foot
of the upright shaft h, h.

page_text: Having now fully described the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, it may be considered almost
unnecessary to recapitulate the particular parts which I intend to claim as new
and original, but as I wish it to be perfectly understood that I do not claim
any parts or combination of parts which are old, but which are only shewn
here in order to render the subject of my Invention more perfectly understood.
But I do claim the whole of the arrangements and combinations of the parts
of the spindles and flyers to be used in throstle and other spinning frames, as
shewn in the Drawings in Sheet 1, and also the introduction of the spiral
grooved or worm shaft k, k, either for the purpose of "running in" the
carriage, or any other way in which it may be applied to effect any particular
motion, as far as regards the mule, billy, or stretching frames; and also the
mode of varying the rotary motion of the spindles to suit the increasing
diameter of the cop by means of the wheel or convolute series of teeth, as
shewn at r in the Drawings, whether the teeth are formed upon its surface or
upon the decreasing periphery of the wheel; and in this case the wheel must
be formed as a scroll or conical screw. And I also claim any application of
the said wheel to perform any office or motion, as far as regards mules, billies,
and stretching frames.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Burns Smith, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.
JOHN BURNS (L.S.) SMITH.
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the said
John Burns Smith in the presence of
JOHN DAVIES.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-sixth day of October,
in the seventh year of the reign of His Majesty King William the Fourth, the
said John Burns Smith 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.