IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM FOR THE PRODUCTION OF JACQUARD CARDS, AND IN THE SAID CARDS OR CARD BANDS
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Meyer, of Kennington, in the County of Surrey,
Mechanician, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM FOR
THE PRODUCTION OF JACQUARD CARDS, AND IN THE SAID CARDS OR CARD
BANDS."
Sealed the 24th February 1863, and dated the 30th August 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Meyer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th August 1862.
I, JOHN MEYER, of Kennington, in the County of Surrey, Mechanician,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MECHANISM FOR THE PRODUCTION OF JACQUARD CARDS, AND IN THE SAID CARDS OR
CARD BANDS," to be as follows:-
Instead of using the usual expensive plates containing several rows of holes
together with the corresponding number of punches, I employ plates having
only one line of holes with a corresponding row of punches (lace and stud
holes included,) I have one plate as die plate and one corresponding plate as
guide plate placed either horizontally or perpendicularly, the holes and punches
being, as stated, all in one line longitudinal with the card extending to the
highest point of numbers required in one row for any fabric. By means of a
line of finger keys I act through wire or pliable connections upon pieces
acting on the heads of the punches, the keys being in a single row,
and

page_text: numbered to correspond, each punch and key acting separately and inde-
pendently of the others.
I fasten the design paper to an endless band of wire gauze or perforated
metal or non-elastic substance, and cause the same to revolve over rollers or
cylinders; one thereof in close proximity to the keys is provided with a conical
or other dividing scale, and in front of this cylinder I arrange a row of
moveable indicating points numbered to correspond with the keys and
punches, and by placing the first indicating point on the first square in
accordance therewith, the punches are brought forward or moved by their
corresponding keys, as shewn by the indicating points, and then by a press I
perforate the card. By the same motion I carry the cards, and place them
in position for the next line of holes, and at the same time move the indi-
cating points to the next succeeding horizontal squares in the design paper.
The operation is then repeated till the the whole card is completed, when for
the next card the design cylinder is moved in order to bring the next line of
squares opposite to the indicating points, and then the card is read off on the
keys as before, perforated by the press, and so on for as many cards as are
required for the pattern.
To save the trouble of lacing the cards together, and to make them fit and
correspond with greater accuracy to the studs on the jacquard cylinders, I
perforate them in one continuous band for the whole design. With this
view the band is partially separated at the proper distances or widths of the
cards, the object being to make them act as though they were separate cards
laced together. To carry out this arrangement, I substitute for the die plate
aforesaid a cylinder equally divided and drilled on its circumference, which
cylinders can be made of several parts or sections made to fit together, and
capable of being removed and being interchanged, or of having a new section
or new sections substituted for the same; and I retain the one row of
punches, guide plates, keys, indicating points, design cylinders, and motions, as
in the first arrangement. In immediate contact with such perforated cylinder
I place a second cylinder of equal diameter and with equal pinions, but
provided with sliding bearings, so that whilst the two revolve equally together
the second is made, either by its own weight or by the aid of springs, to press
on the first or perforated cylinder. By introducing the paper, card, or other
substance between the said two cylinders, it will move in the same proportion
as they move, and the perforated cylinder will act like an endless plate to pas
in the same direction.
Instead of the perforated cylinder I can use a solid cylinder, and retain th
die plate, leaving the endless card band of card, paper, flexible metal, or othe

page_text: substance, first passing the same over the die plate, and then passing through
the cylinders, partially separating the band into divisions, so as to act as
separate cards on the jacquard cylinder. This machine is so constructed, that
a repeater or repeating machine can be used in conjunction therewith.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Meyer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th
February 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
MEYER, of Kennington, in the County of Surrey, Mechanician, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said John Meyer, Her special licence, that I, the said
John Meyer, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said John Meyer, 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 Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM FOR THE PRODUCTION OF JACQUARD CARDS, AND
IN THE SAID CARDS OR CARD BANDS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said John Meyer, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, 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 John Meyer, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The objects of my Invention are, first, to simplify and expedite the "reading
off" of the design; second, to improve the arrangements for punching or per-
forating the cards; third, to effect both the above operations in one and the
same machine; fourth, to provide, if desired, a substitute for ordinary cards,

page_text: retaining all their necessary qualities but discarding all the disadvantages now
attaching to them.
In order to particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, as also in what manner the same is to be performed, I will at once
refer to the accompanying Drawings, which consist of Sheets Nos. I. to III.
In Sheet No. I., Fig. I., plan view; Fig. 2 front elevation; Fig. 3, end
elevation, left-hand end (part of framing being broken away); Fig. 4, end
elevation of right-hand end; Fig. 5, cross section through the machine or
thereabouts.
To carry out my improvements I adopt the arrangements of mechanism
herein-after described, whereby the desired objects are effected. Instead of
using the usual expensive triplicate plates containing the full number of holes
required in any card with a corresponding number of punches, I employ only
one die plate or bolster (A), lace holes and stud holes included, and one plate
or punch-holding apparatus (B), containing the corresponding punches (C) and
punch stoppers (D), and which latter plate or apparatus is moveable and con-
nected by connecting rods E and E* to the pressure levers F. These plates or
punch-holding apparatus, or bolster, may be arranged and placed either hori-
zontically or vertically, and I can extend these arrangements to any extent in
point of numbers ever required in one line for any description of fabric.
Moreover, I can also attach a second or a third set of these arrangements in one
and the same machine, so as to produce duplicate or triplicate cards by the
same operation, and at the same time. And as sufficient pressure can be given
to perforate through several cards by one action of the punches, I can con-
sequently produce almost any number of the same card at the first reading, if
such should ever be required. I provide one or more rows of finger keys G,
one row being shown by the Drawings similar to those of a pianoforte or organ,
which are connected to the punch stoppers D by means of wires H (some only
being marked, or by other pliable gear, either by being carried over rollers or
by the intervention of small cranks I. These punch stoppers D serve to fix
the punches C in the position for punching. The finger keys G, together with
the indicators K (some only being marked, herein-after described, are all
numbered to correspond with the number of punches. When it is desired to
use more than a single row of punches it will only be necessary to increase the
size of the punch-holding apparatus and bolster, and to add the additional row
or rows of punches and punch stoppers and keys. Close to the row or rows
of finger keys aforesaid I fasten the design paper upon an endless band L, of
wire cloth, or other pliable but non-elastic substance, which revolves over
rollers or cylinders M, one of which being of a defined diameter I term the

page_text: leading cylinder M*. The leading cylinder M* is the nearest of these rollers
to the keys, and is furnished at one end with a dividing scale N, hereafter
described, and in front but in close proximity to it there is placed a moving
bar or rod, termed the "indicator rod" O, with moveable pointers or indi-
cators K aforesaid sliding thereon, and adjustable by means of set screws.
Now, by placing No. 1 pointer or indicator on the first square of the design
paper, and then passing over squares one less in number than the number
of lines required in the width of the card, and placing No. 2 indicating pointer
on the next succeeding square again, leaving the same number of squares,
and placing No. 3, and so on through the whole design the reading and
punching will be effected thus:-When a hole is to be perforated in the
card in accordance with what the indicator points to in the design paper,
the key corresponding in number with the indicator must be pressed down,
when it will be brought into contact with a catch spring P (attached
either to a rod or to part of the framing of the machine), by which it will
be held down until every other key required to complete that line of the
design paper be also acted on. By this operation, the before-mentioned punch-
stoppers will act on and confine their respective punches; when the treddle
board Q being depressed by the foot of the operator, the punch-holding appa-
ratus will descend on to to the card, paper, or other substance to be perforated,
aud those punches not acted on by the stoppers will yield to the resistance of
the card or other substance, and those confined by the stoppers will perforate
the card as required, entering the bolster or die plate A.
Should any part or parts of the pattern be repeated or reversed within
itself, and the draft of such repetitions or reversings of the pattern be only
once given on the design paper, the same result as above for the whole line of
holes is obtained by dividing the keys for the whole line into as many sections
as there are repetitions or reversings in the pattern, and altering the numbers
of the keys in each section to correspond with such only of the indicators as
are brought into use by the design paper. The frame R for the reception of
the cards to be perforated I place in a suitable guide slot, secured to the top
part of the framing of this machine. This frame is constructed so that it may
be adjusted to the requisite size of the card, and being provided with racks
which gear with two pinions or toothed sectors S, for which camb or any other
motion may be substituted, which are screwed or keyed on to the main shaft
or spindle T of the machine, which is turned so as to move the card frame the
required distance for the next line of holes; and this again is effected when
each upward motion of the pressure levers F takes place, by means of levers U
connected with the pressure spindle F' acting through a connecting rod V ор

page_text: a hammer or pall W, which acts on a ratchet X fixed on the main shaft, strong
spiral springs Y being affixed to the framing of the machine and to the levers
U (connected to the pressure spindle), causing and effecting such upward
motion of the punch-holding apparatus and likewise moving the ratchet ✗,
which turns the main shaft T. On one end of the main shaft T or spindle
there is fixed an endless screw Z³, which moves the indicator rod O by means
of a lever Z, this lever being furnished with a moveable fulcrum Z³, sliding in
a slot and adjustable at any part of the said slot, thereby the length of the
leverage can be regulated at will.
The indicator rod herein-before described is thus moved at each action of
the machine to each succeeding horizontal square of the design paper, and at
the same time also action is likewise given to the arrangement shewn in
Drawings, Sheet No. III., Fig. 9, and hereafter described, and also by the
upward pressure motion, by the aid of the eccentric rod which acts on the
catch springs P already mentioned, and which are placed under the finger keys
for the purpose of releasing them all simultaneously from such springs after
the reading and punching of each line of holes, ready for the next line. This
is done by the eccentric giving a partial turn, which brings it into contact with
the springs and presses them down, when the keys return to their level position
by the power of a spring coiled round each punch stopper. Thus each line is
read according as the indicators shew, and the card or cards perforated as
described until completed. The first lace holes are perforated with the second
line; the stud holes with the line succeeding the centre of the card, and the
last lace holes with the last line in the card. The keys for the stud and lace
holes are made of a different color, to distinguish them from the rest.
After the completion of each card, the card frame R before mentioned is
brought forward to its place to receive the next card, either by a reversing
motion connected on the pressure spindle or by a separate lever motion, or, as
shewn by the Drawing, by a handle fixed in front of the frame, whereupon the
motion of the main shaft being reversed, the indicators are brought back to
their commencing position.
The motion and action of the dividing scale N and leading cylinder M* I
produce as follows:-On the opposite end of the main shaft to that on which
the endless screw is attached I fix a crank or arm a, slotted throughout its
whole length, such slot being dovetailed with a sliding nut fitted therein, and
which nut being also fitted with a screw, is attached in a moveable manner by
a connecting rod 6 to the lever c, which moves the lever e, and consequently
the hammer or pall f, causing the dividing scale N and consequently the leading
cylinder M* aforesaid also to revolve exactly to that extent necessary to bring

page_text: the next line of squares of the design paper before the indicators ready for the
next card.
Description of the dividing scale above referred to.-Two circular flanges
are bored to fit the spindle of the leading cylinder and turned on their sides and
on their circumferences. One being divided on the outer circumference in,
say for decimals divisions, and the other in, say for non-decimal divisions, their
edges having ratchets on the spindle of the leading cylinder. I attach a
lever c which turns loosely on it and on whose end I make a joint d forming
a connection with the connecting rod 6 of the arm or crank a aforesaid, on
the said main shaft T. This lever c is provided with a cross slot having two
adjustable studs, and on the said spindle of the leading cylinder there is
another right-angled lever e which turns like the other loose in the angle
part. One arm of this latter lever is placed between the two studs of the
former lever c, whilst the other arm has a stud fixed on it on which I place
moveable hammers or pads f which act on the ratchet edges of the dividing
scale. One of these hammers or palls I arrange to turn the dividing
scale in proportion to the number of notches to the circumference of the
leading cylinder, and this hammer I use for both parts of the dividing scale.
If a longer motion of the leading cylinder be required then I can give a longer
stroke by shifting the bearing of the connecting rod 6 on the crank or arm a,
whereby I can make the hammer move two notches, three notches, or any
other number, and consequently by this arrangement I can secure the revolu-
tion of the leading cylinder to correspond either with a scale divided into
decimals or non-decimal parts of an inch or metre. I also place on the stud
a second hammer which is half a notch shorter than the first hammer, and
thus by shortening the stroke I in effect make out of one notch two notches, out
of three notches two, and out of five notches two, the two hammers acting
alternately. I also use three hammers by which means I can divide one notch
into three parts and produce on the leading cylinder the motion of one-third
of a notch for I make of two notches three, of four notches three, or out of.
five notches three, and by this means I divide to any variety, to correspond
with any existing design paper or with any ruling that may hereafter be
adopted.
In the Drawing Sheet No. II., Fig. 1, front elevation of the arrangement of
mechanism hereafter described; Fig. 2, cross section thereof; Fig. 3, a detail.
view of the punching mechanism, every alternate arrangement being in the form.
here shewn; Fig. 4, another detail view of the punching mechanism, every other
alternate arrangement being in the form shewn in this Figure.
To save the lacing of the cards and to make them fit with greater accuracy

page_text: to the studs of the loom cylinders, I perforate them in one continuous band
for the whole design, for which purpose I should use thin zinc, thin brass,
paper, cloth, or any other sufficiently strong yet flexible material, which can
be procured in continuous forms. I partially separate by perforating this con-
tinuous card band into the proper distances or widths of the cards, the object
being to make them act as if they were separate cards laced together. To
carry out this plan I substitute for the die plate or bolster of the first plan a
cylindrical tube 9,
which is fixed on the main shaft T, and being equally divided
and drilled on its circumference thus forms an endless die plate or bolster,
which cylinder can be made of several parts or sections capable of being fitted
together and of being fitted together and of being interchanged with the other
parts or sections; the punch and stopper-holding apparatus being constructed
of parts. But the same plan of reading and perforating as that herein-before
described is adopted. Immediately in contact with such perforated cylinder g, I
place a second cylinder h of equal diameter with pinions of equal size provided
with sliding bearings, in order that the two may revolve equally together, which
last-mentioned cylinder h is pressed by means of adjustable springs against the
first-mentioned perforated cylinder g, and upon introducing the card paper or
other substance between these cylinders it will move precisely in the same
proportion as they move. The action of this perforated cylinder will be like
that of an endless plate made to pass in the same direction, the second cylinder
h being drilled with lines of very small holes or slotted longitudinally and
corresponding with the the press mechanism containing a long punch with one
edge shaped for as many small punches to correspond with the side lines of
holes in the second cylinder. This press mechanism to act at the end of each
card and so partially separate the cards. I fix a circular knife on each end
of one of the cylinders which will cut the card band to an equal width. The
driving ratchet extends the whole circle to correspond with the first-mentioned
perforated cylinder. This machine being of continuous rotation the screw
for driving the indicator rod is made of parts or sections (so as to be able to
shorten the same) and with cross slots parallel with the centre line, this being
done to allow the introduction at the end of the card of the round part of the
lever for moving the indicator rod to slide to the commencement end of the
screw and bring the indicators to the commencing point for the next card;
the latter movement is effected by a spiral spring being placed on the round
end of the indicator rod inside the machine frame.
Third plan. This differs from the first and second plans in the following
particulars-Instead of using one of the cylinders as die plate, I retain the
die plate or bolster as in the plan first described, but I place the two cylinders

page_text: next to the die plate or bolster, one of them being drilled with lines of
small holes or slotted for partially separating the cards, and the other being
slotted to hold the punches for such purpose, there being several slots in the
cylinder I can place several of these punches so as to separate the card to any
width that may be required, the circular knife being the same as in the
second plan. The card, paper, or substance being led over the die plate or
bolster and between the two cylinders which move in the same manner as in
the second plan; the card, paper, or substance then moves the proper
and becomes partially separated at the proper places. One of these cylinders
may also be left solid, as also the separating press mechanism of the second
plan, which may be retained and used.
distances
My machines are so constructed and fitted together that a repeating machine
can be used therewith.
In the Drawings, Sheet No. II., all the parts, except those parts marked
g, h, E, are the same as in Sheet No. I., whether marked with the same figures
or not marked, as will be at once recognized upon inspection of the Drawings.
In Drawings, Sheet No. III., are various detail views.
Figs. 1 and 2, dividing scale; Figs. 3 and 4, small cranks and wire con-
nections between the finger keys and punch stoppers; Fig. 5, action
arrangements of the eccentric rod aforesaid, which liberates the catch springs
of the keys; Fig. 6, substitute for the small cranks and wire connections
shewn at Figs. 3 and 4; Figs. 7 and 8, action arrangements of the indicator
rod; Fig. 9, action arrangements for liberating the catch springs of the finger
keys, and for turning the main shaft. The main shaft being marked T, and F*
being the eccentric rod for the catch spring. The turning of the eccentric
rod F is effected after each line has been perforated by the following arrange-
ment, viz.:-The lever U in descending connects itself to the connecting
rod F by forcing it back, which is allowed by the spring x, x, until the stud
on the end of the lever U slides into the hole of the said connecting rod F³.
This arrangement works in the guide brackets Figs. 9*, F, which is fixed to
the framing of the machine. The said connecting rod F being connected to
the crank lever F, connecting rod F³, and short lever F, which is secured to
the eccentric rod F, by which arrangements F is caused to make a partial
turn, and so liberate the catch springs P. By lever U moving upwards the
same will separate itself from connecting rod F3 by coming in contact with
the part of the said guide bracket F", which is marked *. The spring X, X, X,
is for bringing back the eccentric to its forward position. Fig. 9* shews a
detached view of the guide bracket aforesaid; Fig. 10 shews connection of
punch stoppers D, small cranks I, and part of punch-holding apparatus B i

page_text: Fig. 11 shews the leading cylinders M and the indicator K; Fig. 12 shews
the double indicator which is to be used when the two-line punching
arrangements are used; Fig. 18, the two-line punching arrangement.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I have now to state that I do not limit
or confine myself to the precise details or forms herein-before described, as it
will be evident they may be varied, and yet be substantially the same in
effect; and I hereby declare that I claim as my Invention of "Improvements
in Mechanism for the Production of Jacquard Cards, and in the said Cards
or Card Bands,"
-
First, the substitution for the common punch guide and die plates of a
punch-holding apparatus and bolster longitudinal with the cards, which enable
me to produce the required result, if desired, with a single row of punches.
Second, the adoption of a single line of finger keys corresponding with a
single line of punches longitudinal with the cards.
Third, connecting the finger keys and punch stoppers acting on the punches,
as herein-before set forth.
Fourth, the use of the dividing scale, as described.
Fifth, the adoption of a perforated cylinder (constructed in segments, fitting
together, or in one piece, as herein-before stated) forming in effect an endless
die plate.
Sixth, the partial separation of the endless card or card bands, as
herein-before stated, whereby the system of lacing together the cards is dis-
pensed with.
Seventh, the arrangement or mechanism for reading and the self-acting
indicators.
Eighth, the reading and punching mechanism, whether one row or several
rows of keys or punches be adopted and used.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Meyer, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
Witness,
B. WALKER,
Clerk to General Patent Co. Limª.,
71, Fleet Street.
JOHN MEYER. (L.S.)