CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING AND SPINNING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1847

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD,
ROBERTS, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-.
minster, the Fifteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and forty-seven, and in the tenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself,;
Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Richard Roberts,.
Her especial license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said
Richard Roberts, my exors, admors, and assigns, and every of them, by my-,
self and themselves, and by my and their deputy or deputies, servants or.
agents, or such others as I and they should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within that
part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England,
the Dominion of Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention
of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING AND SPINNING COTTON
AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a
proviso that if I, the said Richard Roberts, shall not particularly describe and
ascertain the nature.of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, and cause the
same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in part
recited. Letters Patent, then the said Letters Patent, and all liberties and
advantages whatsoever thereby granted, shall utterly cease, determine, and

page_text: become void, as in and by the same, reference.being thereto had, will more
fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Richard Roberts, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed; is particularly described
and ascertained in and by the Drawings hereto anuexed, and the following
explanation thereof, that is to say: -
My present Invention consists of improvements on Inventions secured to me
by Letters Patent bearing date respectively the Twenty-ninth day of March,
One thousand eight hundred and twenty-five,-and-the First day of July, One
thousand eight hundred and thirty, which Inventions are in extensive use
and well known to spinners, and therefore need not to be further explained
herein than is necessary to show the application of my present improvements,
the nature and object of the most important of weich I shall here point out,
to enable persons acquainted with my, former improvements in preparing and
spinning cotton and other fibrous substances the more readily to comprehend
when the same shall be explained in detail hereafter. .
The first of these improvements is to remedy the evils experienced in
passing the driving strap from the loose to the fast pulley, and vice versa,, by.
substituting a "friction cone" for the fast pulley.
:
The second consists of means for taking out and putting up the carriage,
and for working the winding on arm. by: toothed gear instead of by bands,.
scrolls, pulleys, and so: forth.
The third in arranging: the parts of the mechanism so as to admit of the
quadrant: and winding-on arm being worked on a. shaft, whereby they are
rendered much firmer than on a stud. . .
The fourth in the means I employ to liberate the cam shaft, whereby.
greater precision is ensured than is at present attained. with the "long lever"
and its adjuncts.:
The fifth in unlatching the faller and disengaging the winding-on movements
at the end of each stretch by the action of the cam shaft,, whilst, effecting the
necessary changes for recommencing the next stretch, whereby snarls are
almost entirely avoided...
As the mule, billy, jenny, jack frame, stretching frame, and the like
machines to which my improvements.:in. preparing, and spinning cotton and
other fibrous substances are principally applicable, differ but little from each
other so far as respects the application of my present improvements, I have
herein shown the same as applied to the mule only, since any mechanic of
ordinary talent who is acquainted with such machines may readily apply my
iinprovements to any of them.

page_text: The three Drawings annexed represent a mule headstock and part of the
carriage on each side of it, with my improvements applied thereto. Figure 1
is à side elevation of the headstock, and section of the carriage; Figure 2, a
plan view of the headstock; Figure 3, a plan view of the coupling plate
:usually called "" the square," which is connected with the carriage, and carries
part of my improved mechanism; Figure 4, front elevation of the headstock;
Figure 5, front elevation of the headstock partly in section taken through the
sline *,*, Figure 1; Figure 6, detached view in elevation of some of the
works in the carriage; Figure 7, plan view of the same; Figure 8 represents
a plan view of my improvements applied to a headstock of a mule for spinning
wool. The same letters and figures have reference to the same parts in the
different views of the machine. A represents the side framing of a mulo
headstock, to which is bolted the top frame B, supporting the rim shaft C in
bearings; C.1, the rim which gives motion to the spindle drums by a band
in the usual way; D, a shaft on which are cams to effect the various changes
in the movements of the mule, in a similar manner to that described in my
Letters Patent of the Twenty-ninth day of March, One thousand eight
hundred and twenty-five, and now in common use; E, the front roller working
in the stand E', fixed on the roller beam E²; F, the back shaft which gives
motion to the front roller by mitre wheels; the shaft F is driven by the rim
shaft C.through a train of wheels, seen in the Drawing, and similar to those
in common use; G, a shaft which receives motion from a pinion on the
shaft F, and communicates motion by the pinion G' to 'the bevel wheel R.;
W, a strap pulley loose on the rim shaft C, the interior of which forms a
friction box fitting on the conical pulley. W keyed on the rim shaft; Y, a
wheel fixed on the boss of the strap pulley. W, and gearing into the wheel Y:¹
keyed on the shaft Y2, on which is, also keyed the wheel Ys, which drives the
wheel H' on 'the shaft H. On the other end of the shaft. His keyed a
pinion H²; gearing into the bevel wheel Z, loose on the shaft Z. The wheel Z
continues to revolve as long as the machine is at work, and is connected with
the shaft Z, when required, by the catch box Z, seen best in Figure 4;
Z, a pinion keyed on the shaft 'Z', and gearing into the crank wheel K, which
is connected by the links K with the quadrant-L fixed by a set screw to a
shaft L', which carries a winding-on arm M, similar to that connected with
the quadrant, and described in my Letters Patent dated the First day of July,
One thousand eight hundred and thirty. The arm M is also attached to the
boss and a chased mortice in the
quadrant L. by a bolt passing through a
arin M, by means of which the relative position of the arm and quadrant
is adjusted; U is a spur wheel fixed on the shaft U, gearing into the quadrant

page_text: L, to which shaft is also fixed the wheel S, connected by a train of wheels
with the wheel S, fixed on the same shaft as the bevel wheel R; I is the
copping: plate, and J-the shaping rail, fitted up in the ordinary manner. The
carriage is constructed in every respect as is usual when the spindle drums are
driven by bevel gear; N; an iron frame forming. one end of the carriage;
O, the carriage coupling plate, supported by the bearer P., provided with
'wheels running upon the rails Q in the usual manner; a is the "stop lever,"
'similar to that in common.use, to which is connected the rod 6 by a joint; the
rother end of the rod b is attached to the middle arm of the lever c. To the
lower arm of the lever c is attached the spring d, the other end of which is
'fixed on a stud in the side frame A. To the upper arm of the lever c is
'jointed a rod e supported by guide loops attached to the side frame; the other
-end of the rod e is made flat and passes through a staple f; also fixed to the
'frame, and pressed downwards by a spring, as seen in Figure 1. The lifting
piece 9 hinges on a stud in the frame side, and is held in its proper position
by a stopping pin; h is the faller shaft, and i the counter faller shaft; j, the
sector shaft, seen best in Figures 6 and 7; and k the sector gearing into the
pinion on the faller shaft h; 1, the faller latch, supported by the bent
lever m, which carries the guide stud that slides on the copping rail, and is
held to the rail by the spring 25, as usual. The pieces marked j, k, l, and m,
'differ in no respect from those in general use for regulating the motion of the
'faller shaft h; but instead of unlatching the faller by a fixed inclined plane
as hitherto done, I employ the following mechanism:-n is a bent lever
loose on the counter faller shaft i, provided with an opening into which is
placed the boss of the faller latch... The arm o is fixed on a shaft p working
in bearings behind the stretcher q.. Upon the shaft p is another arm r, to
'which is connected the lower end of a rod s, the upper end of which is jointed
to the elbow lever t, fixed on a stud in the top frame B:; the other end of the
lever t supports the friction box lever u, which is provided with a roller acted
upon by a cam on the cam shaft D. To the bent lever n is bolted the piece v,
see Figure 7, one end of which fits loosely on the shaft i. w is a latch, also
fitting loosely on the shaft i, and supported by a set screw in the piece v;
1 is a shaft carrying bevel wheels to drive the spindle drums and the rim
band pulley 2; 3 is the winding-on shaft, on which is keyed the rim band
pulley 4,. the disc 11, the clutch 5, and the ratchet wheel 10. The clutch 6,
wheels 7 and 8, winding-on barrel 9, and snail disc 11, are loose on the
shaft 8, which works in bearings fixed to the coupling plate o; 12 is a
shaft on which are keyed the spur wheels 13 and 14, gearing into the wheels
and 8; the shaft 12 also works in bearings fixed to the coupling plate o. The

page_text: faller is depressed in the usual way by the ratchet wheel 10; the snail and
disc 11, the chain 15, and lever 16 which is keyed on the faller shaft; but
instead of the ordinary mechanism for slackening the chain and. gearing the
catch box when the faller is latched, I. use the following:-17 is a shaft
working in bearings on the plate O, and carrying the forked lever 18, in
which is a pulley under which the chain 15 is passed, and then attached to
the snail. On the shaft 17 is keyed another lever 19, the extremity of which
is inserted into a piece 20, screwed on the lower end of a rod 21, suspended
from a stud in the lever n. 22 is another shaft, also working in bearings
fixed to the coupling plate O, to which are keyed the catch box lever 24. and
'horizontal lever 23, taking into the piece 20.
Having now referred to the principal pieces of which my improvements are
composed, and such others as are necessary to explain their application, I will
now proceed to describe the manner in which they operate. The various
parts of the machine are respectively represented in the positions they assume
at the commencement of a stretch, motion being communicated to the loose
'pulley W by a strap, in the usual way, and, from, W to the working parts of
the machine in the following manner, that is to say: A cam on the shaft D,
'by its action on the lever u, presses the loose pulley W upon the conical
friction pulley W¹, which thereby gives motion to the shaft C. A second cam
on the same shaft, by its action on the lever y, puts the front roller E into
gear. A third cam, by its action on the lever z, keeps the wheel X from
acting on the friction pulley W. A fourth cam, by its action on the lever 25,
loose on the shaft 26, holds the bevel pinion G¹ in gear with the wheel R.
And a fifth cam on the prolongation of the shaft D. by its action on the levers
27 and 28, holds the catch box Z out of gear. 29 is a wheel for turuing the
cam shaft by hand if required. The shaft C gives motion to the "rim" C',
which by its band gives motion to the pulleys 4 and 2 in the carriage; the
latter, being keyed on the shaft 1, communicates motion to the spindles
through the bevel wheels and "spindle drums," in the ordinary manner.
Simultaneously with the motion of the spindles, the rollers revolve to deliver.
." the rovings," whilst the wheels S, S', and S* revolve to take out the carriage
'by the rack V, which, before it has left the first of these wheels, gears into the
second, and before leaving that gears into the third. The carriage having
arrived near the end of the stretch, the latch w passing under: the piece 'g
causes the upper side of it to raise the end of the rod e until the first catch on
the lower side of it is level with the opening in the staple f, when, by the
'action of the spring d'on the lever c, the rod e will be drawn in the direction
(of the arrow until the first catch on the upper side of the flat end of it is

page_text: arrested by the staple f. This action of the lever c will raise the stop lever
a a little. The carriage continues its' outward motion until the latch w falls on
the catch 31, the object of which is to retain the carriage until the requisite
amount of twist is given to the yarn. The piece 9 and rod e descend with the
latch 'w, thereby liberating the first catch on the upper side of the rod which
is again advanced in the direction of the arrow until the second stop on the
under side of the rod e comes against the staple, by which action the cam
shaft D is liberated, when it is made to perform the fourth of a revolution by
contact pulleys, in the ordinary manner, and by the action of the second and
fourth cams throws out of action the front roller E and pinion G', thereby
stopping the train of wheels S, T, S, T, and S³: The spinning in now
continued until the stop plate is brought round by the "twist wheel," in the
.ordinary manner, when the cam shaft performs another portion of a revolution,
during which the cams disconnect the pulley W with the friction pulley W',
and connect the wheel X with the friction pulley W', which is made to revolve
slowly in the 'opposite direction to W by the ordinary train of wheels, as shown
in the Drawings. The processes of "backing off" and putting down the
faller åre then effected by mechanism similar to that usually employed for that
purpose, and the backing off is continued until the latch falls into the notch
in the sector'k, when the bent lever n and rod 21 descend, and with them the
levers 19 and 23, by the former of which the chain 15 is slackened, and by
the latter the catch box 5 is geared. During the descent of the lever n, the
latch wis lifted off the catch 31 by the action of the piece v. The rising of
the latch w, through the intervention of the piece g, elevates the rod e, which is
then drawn forward until the second stop on the upper side comes against the
staple f. At this time the cam shaft D. performs another fourth of a revolu-
tion, and disengages the wheel X from the friction pulley W³, and puts into
gear the catch box Z2, thereby giving motion to the shaft Z¹, pinion Z³, and
crank wheel K, which, through the connecting rods K³, cause the quadrant L
to rotate through about one fourth of a revolution; and whilst the quadrant
thus rotates it communicates motion to the wheel U, and thereby to the wheel
ST, S, T, and S, which, acting on the rack V, as herein-before described,
effect the "putting up" of the carriage. During the "running in" of the
carriage, the "winding-on". chain causes the drum 9 to rotate, which, through
the wheels 8, 14, 13, and 7, and the catch box 6 and 5, gives motion to the
pulleys 4 and 2, thereby effecting the "winding on." This arrangement of
wheels is particularly convenient for adapting the "winding on" properties
of the machine to spindles..or wharves of various sizes without altering the
diameter of, the drum 9. A little before the carriage has arrived, in the
.

page_text: position shown in the Drawing, a stud 32, fixed to the "coupling plate " O,
comes in contact with the lower arm of the lever c, and draws down the rod b..
and stop lever a, when the cam shaft D performs another fourth of a revolu-
tion, and brings the various parts of the machine in the position for com-
mencing another stretch, in the following manner, namely,-The catch, box Z
is thrown out of gear, the pinion G₁ put into gear, the strap pulley W pressed
on to the friction pulley' W₁ by the lever u, which, through the elbow lever t,
the rod s, the levers 'r'and o, and the bent lever n, unlatch the faller, and allow
it to be drawn up in the ordinary way; and the rod 21, being connected with
the lever n, raises the piece 20 and levers 19 and 23, thereby disengaging tho
winding-on" motion. It has heretofore been customary to use a band and
a weight to re-wind the chain on the barrel 9 as the carriage runs out; but,
instead of the weight, I now attach to the end of the ordinary band a few feet'
of caoutchouc or other elastic medium; and in order to give it sufficient range
for elasticity, in this instance I carry the band under the pulley" 34, over
the pulley 35, and secure it to the stud 86, fixed to the framing of the
headstock.
66
In Figure 8 is shewn my improved method of taking out the carriage of a..
mule for spinning wool by decreasing velocity. The carriage is taken out at a
uniform velocity through any required part of a stretch, by the mechanism
herein-before described for that purpose; and when the pinion G' is thrown
out of gear, the pinion 37 is put into gear with the wheel 38, which, being
fast on the shaft Z, causes the crank wheel K, by its action upon the
quadrant, to continue the outward motion of the carriage at decreasing
velocity.
.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in which
the same is applied to my former Inventions herein-before referred to for
preparing and spinning cotton and other fibrous substances, I declare that I
claim as of my Invention,―
"
Firstly, the application, in connexion with mechanism herein-before
described, of a conical friction pulley instead of a fast strap pulley, for com-
municating rotary motion to machinery used in preparing and spinning cotton
and other fibrous substances.
Secondly, the application of a traverse motion, such as is herein-before
described, for taking out and putting up the carriage of a mule to any of
the machines used in preparing and spinning cotton and other fibrous
substances.
Thirdly, the application of a crank movement, such as is herein-before
described, for "putting up' or for "taking out" the carriage of a mule, or
"

page_text: to any of the machines used in preparing and spinning cotton and other fibrous
substances.
Fourthly, the application of the means herein-before described for un-
locking the "cam shaft," for latching and unlatching the carriage when out,.
and for gearing the "winding-on." catch box simultaneously with slackening!
the faller depressing chain, and unlatching the faller.
Fifthly, the application of the means herein-before described for unlatching:
the faller and disengaging the "winding-on" mechanism by the action of the
"cam shaft;" also the application of caoutchouc for returning the "winding-
on" barrel to its required position prior to each "putting up" of the
carriage.
. Lastly, I claim as my Invention the combination of mechanical movements:
herein-before described and set forth for producing the above-named effects,.
whatever may be the arrangement of those movements.
And I further declare, that I do not claim as of my Invention such parts of
the mule and other machines of that class herein referred to as act in aid of or
in concert with my present improvements, which have heretofore been in.
common use in similar machines.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Roberts, have hereunto set:
my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.
RICHP (L.s.) ROBERTS.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Thirteenth day of December,
in the year of our Lord 1847, the aforesaid Richard Roberts came before
our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specifica-
tion aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form:
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to
the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Fifteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-savon