IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING AND SPINNING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Forsyth, of Caldbeck, in the County of
Cumberland, Spinner, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR PREPARING AND SPINNING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES."
Sealed the 3rd October 1854, and dated the 3rd April 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Forsyth at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 3rd
April 1854.
I, JAMES FORSYTH, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING AND SPINNING WOOL AND OTHER
FIBROUS SUBSTANCES" to be as follows:-
I construct a carding engine in the ordinary manner, except as regards the
doffing apparatus or machinery for removing the wool or other fibrous
substance from the engine. For this purpose I employ a doffing cylinder,
having on its surface a number of rings of card with spaces between them.
This doffing cylinder is made to traverse endways on its axis to a sufficient
extent, to enable it to remove the whole of the fibrous substance from the main
cylinder of the carding engine. The fibrous substance is doffed off the doffing
cylinder by a doffer bar, and it is thus delivered in as many separate bands or
slivers as there are rings of card upon the doffing cylinder. Each sliver

page_text: passes partly round a small vertical roller and through a "grip flyer," con-
sisting of a revolving tube carrying two small rollers pressed together by
springs, one of which rollers may be driven by disc wheels, as described in the
Specification of certain Letters Patent granted to me, the aforesaid James
Forsyth, and Edwin Pettitt, on or about the 15 day of April 1852, and the
7th day of October 1852. The fibrous substance then passes between one or
more pairs of rollers, being drawn or elongated, if desired, and it is then
twisted and wound up by means of a bobbin and fly. The twisted slubbing or
coarse yarn thus obtained may be employed for many purposes without any
further operation, or it may be elongated and twisted, as described in the
Specifications of the aforesaid Patents; or it may be drawn and spun upon the
ordinary mules or mule jenny. The small vertical roller and the grip flyer
may be replaced by a "Dyer's tube," or a simple revolving tube, which may
have a pin in it, to give it additional hold upon the fibrous substance, and
different qualities or descriptions of yarns may thus be produced.
The traversing motion of the doffing cylinder is produced by a heart motion,
or by a rack and pinion or mangle motion, so that the cylinder may traverse at
as uniform a velocity as possible. The length of the traversing motion may
be varied by means of a lever, whose fulcrum is moveable, or the arms of
which are otherwise capable of having their relative proportions varied.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Forsyth in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
3rd October 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
FORSYTH, of Caldbeck, in the County of Cumberland, Spinner, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Third day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the seventeenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said James Forsyth, Her special licence that I, the said James Forsyth, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said James
Forsyth, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel

page_text: Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
PREPARING AND SPINNING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said James Forsyth, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Forsyth, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the accompanying Drawing, and to
the figures and letters marked thereon (that is to say :)-
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawing is an elevation or side view of a
machine constructed according to my Invention; Figure 2 is an end view of
the same; Figure 3 is a plan of the same machine. The same letters indi-
cate similar parts in each Figure. A and B are two main carding cylinders,
furnished with feeding rollers at C, and working rollers D, E, F, D', E', F',
and stripping rollers G, H, I, G', H', I', and fancy rollers J, J', in the ordinary
manner. K is an intermediate cylinder or middle doffer, which receives the
wool or other fibrous substance from A. The stripping roller G¹ removes
the fibrous substance from K, and conveys it to the second main cylinder B.
All these cylinders or rollers are covered with wire card. L is the doffer or
doffer cylinder, which receives the fibrous substance from the carding cylinder
B, and Qis the doffer bar or comb, which detaches the fibrous substance from
the doffer L. The doffer L is not completely covered with wire card, but has
a number of narrow rings or fillets of card a, a, a, with spaces between them,
as shown in Figures 2 and 8. The fibrous substance is thus brought off the
doffer in a series of narrow ribbons or slivers, instead of being delivered in one
thin fleece or lap. In order to enable the doffer to remove the wool or other
fibrous substance from every part of the cylinder B, the-doffer is made to
traverse from side to side in the direction of its axis. The extent of the
traverse is equal to the width of the spaces between the fillets of cards on
the doffer or thereabouts. The width of the fillets of cards and of the spaces
between them may be from half an inch to an inch, or more or less, according
to the length of the staple and the size of the sliver, or number or grist of
yarn to be produced, and the relative velocities of the different parts. The
width of the spaces may be less or greater than the width of the fillets of card;

page_text: and in operating upon wool of long staple, these spaces may be made about
an inch wide, or of sufficient width to prevent the fibres on one fillet of card
from being entangled with those on the adjoining fillets. In operating upon
wool or other fibrous substance of short staple the fillets of card may be placed
nearer together. In order to obtain a uniform sliver, it is of great importance
to give a uniform traversing motion to the doffer, which I effect in the follow-
ing manner: The doffer L is fixed upon its spindle or shaft b, which is capable
of sliding endways in its bearings on the frame Z of the machine. c, c, are
two collars on the spindle b, between which is fitted the end d of the short
arm of a lever P, turning on the fulcrum f. M is a rod connected by a pin
to the long arm of the lever P, and having a slot in its opposite end, which is
capable of sliding upon a spindle g. The spindle g carries a heart-shaped disc
or cam N, which works between two rollers h, h, on the rod M.
On the heart spindle g is a bevil wheel i, which is driven by another bevil
wheel j, on whose spindle is a pinion k driven by the wheel on the doffer
spindle through the intervention of an intermediate or carrier wheel m. By
the revolution of the heart N the rod M is moved to and fro, and its motion is
communicated by means of the lever P to the doffer spindle b. The wheel
and pinion m are made of sufficient width to remain in gear with each other
notwithstanding the traversing motion of the wheel 1, which moves with the
doffer and its spindle. In order to give a steady uniform motion to the doffer,
the heart is constructed as shewn in Figure 4; a circle is drawn and the semi-
circumference divided into any number of equal parts; radial lines 0, 1, 2, 3,
&c., are drawn from the centre to each of these divisions. The length of
stroke required for the rod M, in Figure 2, is divided into as many equal parts
or fractions as the number of divisions in the semi-circumference of the circle.
A point a is taken on the line o at any convenient distance from the centre of
the circle, and a smaller circle is described concentric with the larger circle,
and passing through the point . One of the equal parts or fractions of the
length of stroke is set off from the circumference of the smaller circle on the
line 1. Two of such equal parts are marked off on the line 2, and three
parts on the line 3, and so on. A curved line y is then drawn through all
these points; another line is drawn within the line y at a distance from it
equal to the radius of one of the small rollers h, in Figure 2. This line z is
the proper form for one half of the heart; the other half is drawn in a similar
manner. The length of stroke of the rod M is made considerably greater than
the extent of traverse required in the doffer, and the motion is reduced by the
lever P, so that any imperfection or looseness in any of the parts may be

page_text: reduced in amount, and may affect the uniformity of the motion of the doffer as
little as possible. The longer arm of the lever P is made with a slot, in which
the end of the rod M. may be raised or lowered, and secured at different heights
by means of the pin which connects it to the lever. The length or extent of
traverse of the doffer may thus be varied. Great care must be taken in
adjusting the small rollers against which the heart acts, and also the collars
fixed on the end of the spindle of the doffing cylinder. Any looseness in this
adjustment will cause a rest of the doffing cylinder, during which rest the main
cylinder will be accumulating wool, and produce an inequality in the sliver or
yarn.
Other pinions of different diameters may be substituted for the pinion k, and
the bearing of the carrier wheel m is made adjustible in a curved slot to adapt
it to the different sizes of pinions. By this means the velocity of the traversing
motion may be varied.
The doffer receives its rotary motion by means of a belt passing round a
pulley n on the shaft of the main cylinder B, and driving another pulley o con-
nected with a pinion p, which geers into the wheel on the doffer spindle. The
position of the spindle of the pinion p may be adjusted in a slot in the framing,
so as to admit of other pinions of different diameters being substituted for it.
The velocity of rotation of the doffer L may thus be varied.
The doffer bar or comb Q is not made to traverse with the doffer L, but is
driven in the ordinary manner by a spindle 9 with a crank pin at each end
connected to the doffer bar by the connecting rods q', 2ª.
The narrow bands or slivers of wool or other fibrous substance are detached
from the fillets of card on the doffer by the comb Q, and are conducted through
the guide R, which is shown separately in Figure 8. This guide consists of a
bar with a pin r opposite each space between the fillets of card on the doffer
L. The guide R is not fixed, but is made to traverse with the doffer L, for
which purpose it has two arms s, s, which fit loose upon upon the doffer
spindle, and are kept in their places by shoulders or collars. The guide R is
supported by a transverse bar on which it slides. The slivers, on leaving the
guide R, pass through series of revolving tubes S, S, to the drawing
rollers T, whence they descend to the bobbins and fliers U, U, by which they
are spun into yarn.
Figure 5 is an elevation on a larger scale of one of the tubes S, and
Figure 6 is a longitudinal section of the same. It consists of a tube, carrying a
warve or pulley, and provided with a small transverse pin t, the effect of which
is to obtain sufficient hold upon the sliver to cause it to revolve with the

page_text: tube; by this means a certain amount of twist is given to the sliver between
the tube S and the doffer, which twist flies out as the sliver passes out of the
tube S. The sliver is then elongated by the drawing rollers T, and spun into
yarn by the bobbins and fliers U, U.
V is a pulley on the spindle of the main cylinder B, which drives another
pulley on the spindle of the wheel u, which communicates motion through an
adjustable carrier wheel to the pinion on the spindle of a tin cylinder which
drives the spindles of the fliers U, U, by means of cords or bands, in the usual
manner. A pulley on the spindle of the tin cylinder drives another pulley on
the spindle w, on which are other pulleys or a long cylind, driving the tubes
S by means of cords or bands.
W is another pulley on the spindle of the main cylinder B, which drives the
stripping rollers G, H, I, and the fancy roller J¹, the ordinary manner.
X is an endless chain, which passes round toothed wheels or pulleys on the
spindle of the doffer L, and on the spindles of the working rollers D¹, E¹, F¹;
is a moveable pulley for tightening the chain X. The toothed pulley or
wheel on the working roller E' is made larger than that on the roller D'.
The wheel on F' is larger than that on E¹, so that the roller E¹ revolves faster
than F, and the roller D¹ revolves faster than E¹. The same arrangement is
employed for the working rollers D, E, F, on the first main cylinder A, which
are driven by an endless chain passing round a wheel or pulley on the spindle
of the middle doffer K. When any knot or irregularity in the fibrous sub-
stance on the main cylinder comes in contact with the working rollers and is
partially taken up by them, the irregularity is again brought by all three
rollers to the same spot upon the main cylinder, or nearly so, when the working
rollers all revolve at the same rate. By causing the working rollers to revolve
at different speeds, as herein-before described, this imperfection is avoided and
greater uniformity is obtained. The result of combining together the various
arrangements herein-before described is the production of yarn of good quality
and of great uniformity direct from the carding engine.
This yarn may be used for many purposes without submitting it to any
further operations. If, however, it be required to produce very fine yarns I
take the yarn from this machine and draw and spin it by means of grip flyers,
as described in the Specification of certain Letters Patent granted to me, the
said James Forsyth, and Edwin Pettitt, and bearing date the Seventh day of
October, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two; and in the Specifications
of certain other Letters Patent, granted to me, the said James Forsyth, and
Edwin Pettitt, and bearing date respectively at Westminster, the Fifteenth day

page_text: of April, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two; and at Edinburgh, the
Twenty-second day December in the same year; and at Dublin, the Twenty-
eighth day of December in the same year.
Various descriptions of yarn can be produced by varying the relative speeds
of some of the parts of the machine. Thus, if the surfaces of the drawing rollers
T are driven at or about the same velocity as that at which the sliver leaves
the doffer, and the revolving tubes S are driven at a high velocity, the yarn
will be of a woolly nature. If, on the contrary, the speed of the rollers T is
increased and that of the tubes S diminished, the fibres will be laid straighter
in the yarn, which will be more of the nature of worsted.
Figure 7 is a plan of a portion of the machine, showing another method of
varying the description of yarn produced. L is a portion of the doffer with its
fillets or rings of card a, a; S, S, are the revolving tubes; y¹, y¹, are a series
of small vertical rollers or smooth pins, round which the slivers pass before
entering the tubes S. These pins or rollers y', y', are mounted on the guide
bar R in lieu of the divisions r, r, in Figure 8, and traverse backwards and
forwards with the doffer L. Each of the pins or rollers y¹ is placed on one
side of a fillet of card a, so that the sliver is drawn off sideways, and being
twisted at the same time by the revolving tube S, the fibres are laid round the
sliver, so as to produce a woolly yarn in lieu of being laid in a longitudinal
direction.
In constructing machines as herein-before described, it may be observed,
that in general the bobbins and fliers will occupy a greater space than the
width of the doffer cylinder which supplies them; I therefore place the bobbins
and fliers with their spindles in two rows, one behind the other; there may be
the same number in the back row as in the front row, or a less number may
be placed in the back row when a sufficient number can thus be placed; or
the spindles may be arranged in a semicircular or other convenient form.
Another arrangement is that shown in the Drawing, in which the slivers are
made to diverge in passing from the rollers to the bobbins and fliers. In lieu
of revolving tubes constructed, as shewn in Figures 5 and 6, the ordinary
Dyer's tubes" may be employed. The grip flyers described in the Specifi-
cations of the former Letters Patent, herein-before mentioned, may also be
used in lieu of the tubes S. The tubes S have, however, the advantage of
being simple in construction, and of being readily threaded when the slivers are
accidentally broken.
66
Two or more sets of drawing rollers may be used for the purpose of drawing
the fibres and laying them parallel to each other. The ordinary gills may be

page_text: also used between the rollers for separating and straightening the fibres when
operating upon wool or flax or other fibrous substances of long staple.
In lieu of employing the heart-shaped cam to produce the traversing motion
of the doffer, the motion may be given by means of a pulley carrying a rib or
flange upon its periphery. This pulley is mounted upon a spindle placed
parallel to the spindle of the doffer, and the rib upon the pulley is made to
enter between two small rollers at the lower end of the lever P. The rib upon
the pulley is made in a zigzag form, or it may consist of a half turn of a right-
handed screw and a half turn of a left-handed screw, starting from one point on
the circumference and meeting again at the opposite point. The revolution of
this pulley will act upon the lever P, and produce the required uniform traversé
in the doffer. The lever Pacts as before in reducing the effect of irregu-
larities or looseness of the parts; its fulcrum may be made adjustable for the
purpose of varying the stroke of the doffer.
Another mode of giving the traverse is by means of a "mangle motion,"
having a double rack connected by a semicircle at each end, within which
works a pinion. Other varieties of the mangle motion may be employed, but
they must be arranged so as to reuder the irregular motion at the ends of the
stroke as small as possible, and I still employ the lever P in Figure 2 to
reduce the motion in communicating it to the doffer.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not claim
generally the construction of carding machinery with a traversing doffer
having separate rings or fillets of card; but what I claim as my improve-
ments in machinery for preparing and spinning wool and other fibrous sub-
stances is,-
Firstly, the modes herein-before described, of communicating the traversing
motion to the doffer or doffing cylinder of machinery for carding or preparing
fibrous substances.
Secondly, the constructing machinery for preparing or spinning fibrous sub-
stances with drawing rollers in combination with revolving tubes, constructed
as herein-before described in reference to Figures 5 and 6.
Thirdly, the combination of a traversing doffer having separate rings or
fillets of card with revolving tubes and a series of small rollers or pins round
which the slivers pass on leaving the doffer, as herein-before described in
reference to Figure 7.
Fourthly, the constructing machinery for preparing and spinning wool and
other fibrous substances at one operation, by the combination of the uniformly

page_text: traversing doffer, having. separate rings or fillets of card with grip flyers or
revolving tubes, and drawing rollers and bobbins and flyers, as herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Forsyth, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
Witness,
CHARLES COWPER,
20, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane.
JAMES FORSYTH. (L.S.)