IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan-Brown, of the Firm of Brandon and
Morgan-Brown, Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings,
London, and 1, Rue Laffitte, Paris, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LOOMS FOR WEAVING." A communication from abroad by George Crompton,
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Morgan-Brown at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th May 1880.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 1, Rue Laffitte, Paris.
IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING." [A communication from abroad by
George Crompton, of Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America.]
This Invention relates to improvements in looms designed chiefly for weaving
worsted and woollen goods in whole or in part for clothing and similar purposes,
and has for its objects improvements in mechanism for operating drop shuttle
boxes, and an improved method of operating the lay with relation to the formation
of the shed for the reception of the weft, whereby the weft beaten in by the
reed is held packed closely between the warps while the succeeding shed is nearly
completed.
One part of this Invention consists in combining in a loom certain toothed gear,
a series of toothed cranks, shifting levers, upon which they are mounted, shuttle
box levers, connecting rods to join the toothed cranks with the shuttle box levers,
and a tier of shuttle boxes with selectors and a pattern surface to move them to
determine the direction of movement of the shifting lever, toothed cranks, and their
connected shuttle box levers.
In one plan of this Invention the primary and secondary levers for each series
of shuttle boxes are so located as to be turned about the same centre of motion,
and by means of shives carried by the said shuttle-box levers and chains, or
equivalents thereon extended over other opposing shives on fixed or movable studs,
two of the said levers are, by their changes of position, enabled to place opposite
the lay any one of a series of four shuttle boxes.

page_text: In other modified forms the shuttle box levers attached directly to the connecting
rods are joined by a chain that is extended either over a sheave or another lever
connected by a chain with the shuttle box rod; or the chain that gives the two
levers is made to support a sheave, the frame of which is attached by a suitable
chain or cord with the shuttle box rod.
The loom herein described is supposed to be one of that class known as the
"close shed," and the shed forming devices are and may be in construction and
operation the same as in the well known "Crompton " looms.
In many classes of worsted and woollen goods of single thickness, such as used
for clothing purposes, it is desired by the weaving operation to make the fabric so
that it will have the greatest possible solidity and firmness consistent with the
warp and weft used.
The weft in fabrics woven in ordinary woollen looms if beaten up very closely
by the dents of the reed carried by the lay, it striking a single blow, is liable to be
strained and broken, but by distributing this force, as hereinafter described,
striking the weft less hard at first, and thereafter holding it packed closely into
and between the warps while the subsequent shed is nearly formed (the dents of
the reed during the principal portion of the time occupied by the shedding devices
to form the subsequent shed not retiring from contact with the weft then beat in
by it) the fabric may be made much more dense and compact without injuriously
straining the warp, which compactness greatly improves the quality of the fabric,
and renders it possible to produce on fancy looms, especially of "close-shed"
variety, better goods, both as to weight and firmness, and with fewer broken
threads in the warp than are formed in goods of lighter weight and less firmness,
such as now made upon ordinary forms of fancy looms, and this also with less
strain upon the mechanism of the loom.
The dents of the reed in this improved method of weaving to produce most
compact fabrics strike the weft as the shed is closed, and the said dents remain in
contact therewith during the time that the take up mechanism of the loom (which
may be of any usual construction) operates to take up the slack in the cloth made
by that blow of the reed, and the reed remains in contact with the said weft while
the next shed to receive the next shot of filling is almost formed, or is sufficiently
sprung to receive the shuttle.
In practice, after the first beat up of the reed and lay, the latter instead of
standing perfectly still or dwelling is retracted for about three sixteenths of an
inch, but without retiring from contact with the said weft.
During this very small retrograde motion of the reed and lay, the harness-frames
act to form the next shed, and by their operation on the warps, the tension of
which is retained to substantially the degree to which they were subjected when
the reed and lay were most forward, the weft thread in the closed shed and the
dents of the reed are kept or maintained in firm contact, to thereby permit the said
dents to act upon the weft last laid and pack and keep it pressed into the space
inclosed by the then crossed warps, absolutely preventing the weft from slipping
backward away from the weft previously laid, and bound into the cloth ahead
of it.
In this improved plan of weaving the reed and lay remain forward in contact
with the weft for substantially one third the revolution of the crank shaft, at
which time the shuttle boxes are raised or permitted to fall.
In practice it has been found that a fabric made on the ordinary "close shed"
loom with a certain warp and weft beat in as closely as practicable without
breaking the warps, and so as to contain, say, eighty picks to the inch, may be
woven by the loom herein described with like warp and weft, and be made to
contain 104 picks to the inch.
This compact method of weaving is especially advantageous in the production of
worsted goods, for such goods in the finishing operation, subsequent to leaving the
loom, are washed as little as possible, and are not, nor can they be, fulled to the
extent possible with woollen goods. Making the cloth more compact and firmer

page_text: by weaving enables it to stand more strain without stretching, and also decreases
its tendency to shrink when wet.
Figure 1 is a front view of a loom containing the improvements hereinafter
described, parts of the box operating mechanism fully shown in other Figures being
however omitted.
Figure 2, a view of the left hand end of the loom.
Figure 3, a rear side elevation of the left hand end of the loom shown in
Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a partial sectional detail on the dotted lines x, x, Figure 3, to show
the selectors and the yielding box in which their lower ends work; Figure 5, a
detail showing the connecting link of the lay operating devices; Figures 6 and 7
are diagrams showing the selectors and shuttle box operating devices in different
positions; Figures S to 14 are diagrams representing some of the different positions
of the box levers to control the positions of the series of drop shuttle boxes at both
ends of the loom; Figures 15 to 20 are diagrams representing the operation of the
lay in beating up and packing the filling into the shed; Figure 21, a vertical
section of the lower part of the loom looking toward the right, the parts outside
the end frame of the loom being omitted; Figure 22, a section of Figure 21 on the
line xx, it however showing some devices outside the right hand end of the loom
frame and omitted from Figure 21; Figure 23, a detail of the driving mechanism
for the loom; Figure 24, a detail of the eccentric and its guide for moving the
shed forming devices; Figure 25, a modification of Figure 24; Figures 26 and 27
are sectional details of the elevator and depressor mechanism; Figure 28 (see
Sheet 1) is a modified form of selector and means to move it on its pivot; Figure 29,
a modified form of shuttle box lever for working a set of four shuttle boxes;
Figure 30, a diagram of yet another modified system of levers working a series of
four shuttle boxes; Figure 31, details showing a modified form of levers for moving.
a series of six shuttle boxes; Figure 32, a partial top view of Figure 31; Figure 33,
an end view of part of a loom showing the shuttle box levers adapted to actuate a
series of six shuttle boxes and a modified system of selectors; Figure 34, a sectional
detail of Figure 33.
The crank shaft b provided with cranks c to actuate the lay, picking arms d,
and bowls c, eccentric f to impart movement to the elevator and depressor rock-
shaft g through eccentric strap h, and link i, and pinion j, to drive the shuttle box
actuating mechanism, has upon its right hand end a bevel-toothed gear k, which is
engaged by bevel pinion on the power shaft m, having upon it the usual fast and
loose pulleys that in practice will receive a belt which will be under the control of
belt shipping devices, such as common in the "Crompton loom."
This shaft m is entirely supported in bearings k, l, m, upon the loom frame,
and, as herein shown, the fast and loose pulleys are located between the two
bearings, m', and this end of the shaft is prolonged across the face of gear & and
rests in bearing, and the bevel is so placed upon the said shaft that the top of
the fast pulley in operation turns upward from the loom frame. It is a desideratum
to drive all the looms in a room by open rather than crossed belts, and to be able
to do this the shaft m is provided with an extra key seat n¹ near the bearing /¹ in
order that all the looms at one side of the room may have their bevel pinions
changed from the position shown in Figure 22, so as to occupy a position on the
said shaft m next the bearing e', as in Figure 23.
The harness frames n, two only shown, are connected by straps and cording in
the usual way with the notched upright levers o pivoted at p, each upright lever
having attached to its projection a jack having hooks at 3, 4, to be engaged by
the usual elevator & or depressor t, which, as herein shown, are arranged to be
reciprocated in curved guiding slots 5, 6, in the extension a' of the frame work a,
said guide ways forming parts of arcs of circles having their centres at the centres p
of the levers o.
The elevator and depresser have their ends rounded to form ball like terminations

page_text: which are embraced by the concaved ends 7, and attached caps 7 of the connecting
rod u or v, which are shown as adjustably attached to the arms w, w*, extended
above and below the shaft g for different distances, the adjustment of the said
rods and therein enabling the acting edges of the elevator and depressor to
occupy angular positions with relation to each other when the shed is open, to
thereby elevate or depress the back harness frames more than those at the front,
and then subsequently to even all the harness frames when the elevator and
depressor are again brought into parallel position.
By inclining the elevator and depressor out of parallel line, as described, when
the shed is opened it is possible to shorten the upper ends of the upright levers
above the hooked jacks, thereby permitting the connection of the harness cording
with the said levers nearer in line with the points at which the elevator and
depressor draw upon the levers or jacks.
By inclining the edges of the elevator and depressor, as described, to open the
shed, and notching the ends of the upright levers, as shown, it is possible to ensure
with the greatest accuracy any exact adjustment vertically of any particular
harness frame of the series.
This adjustment of the cording on the notched ends of the levers is of great
utility, and will frequently be made available, especially in fancy looms, for it is
not infrequent that a pattern of cloth being woven will cause greater strain in some
one or more harness frames than on others, which so taxes the levers and cording
of the said frames, that the cording has to be adjusted independently on the levers
to have all the warps lifted by the harness frames, or depressed, so as to occupy
the proper planes in the formed shed. The arm a of shaft g is connected with
link which is attached to the strap h that embraces the eccentric f, the latter
being the device which imparts motion to the harness frames n.
The roller o¹ located at the pivotted point of the eccentric strap h, and the link ¿
works in a guiding groove p¹ in a bracket r, attached to the side of the loom.
This roll by its action on or in the guide way 71, see Figure 24, ensures a right
line movement for the link i¹, and also permits the eccentric strap h to move about
the pin 2*, connecting it with the said link during the time the hed is opened for
the passage of the shuttle.
It is obvious that a crank with a short connecting rod having a pin to enter the
said guide way might be used instead of the eccentric, as in Figure 25.
The shed forming pattern surface b¹ (of any usual construction) is placed upon a
shaft c¹ having a bevel gear d' engaged by a bevel gear f¹ on the shaft g', upon
which is placed the pattern surface of any usual construction, which controls
the selection of the shuttle boxes, these two shafts being so geared together as to
rotate in unison.
At one end of the shaft c' are two ratchet wheels 8, 9, see Figure 2, and shown
in dotted lines, Figure 1, having teeth pointing in opposite directions. Outside of
the said ratchet wheels is the usual cleck wheel 10, with which cooperates the
roller on the hand lever 12 pivoted at 13 and held down by the spring 14, the
said roller of the lever 12 holding the shaft c¹ at rest when not positively
actuated.
The pattern cylinder 6' derives its step by step movement in the forward
direction for regular weaving, or in backward direction when finding a miss-pick,
through a double hooked pawl, the shank a² of which is arranged in a sleeve b²
pivoted at 15, near the end of the connecting rod u which actuates the elevator.
A spring within the said sleeve (see Figure 1, dotted lines) pressing on a pin 16
of the shank a keeps the pawl held back in the case, and the pin 17 governs the
⚫ forward reciprocation of the shank a³ in the said sleeve.
This spring in the backward motion of the pawl is first compressed, and after
the ratchet is started and the pawl comes to rest, the spring by its expansion
completes the motion of the ratchet.
The hooks 18, 19, of the said double pawl face each other and partially embrace

page_text: the ratchets 8, 9, so that when the said sleeve is turned on its pivot the hook 18
will either engage the ratchet 9, or the hook 19 the ratchet 8, the former hook
turning the pattern surfaces forward, while the latter hook turns them backward.
At the lower part of the loom, and in front of the crank shaft, is a shaft c
having an arm d with which is connected a cord or wire e* which is attached at its
other end to the end of the shank u² of the double hooked pawl.
This cord e is extended through suitable guides f, so that when the said
shaft c is turned in the direction that it will be turned by depressing the treadle g³
the said pawl sleeve will have its inner end depressed to engage the hook 19 with
the ratchet S.
This treadle will be depressed by the operator whenever it is desired to find a
miss-pick, and during this time the elevator and depressor will operate the hooked
jacks, levers, and harness frames to form sheds, but the shuttle will not be thrown,
for the arm 2 (shown must clearly in Figures 2 and 3) will, by the depression of
the treadle, be moved from the full line position, Figure 2, to its dotted line
position, and acting upon one end of the lever pivotted at 20, and connected by
links 21, 22, with the auxiliary picking levers 23 pivoted to the picker rock
shaft 24 at 25 will throw the said auxiliary levers 23 from their full line position,
so that the picking bowls e will not strike the curved portions 26 of the auxiliary
picking levers 23, and the shuttles will not be thrown.
The picker rock-shaft 24, supported in suitable bearings 27, 28, has near its
forward end an arm 29 connected by link 30 with the picker staff 31 of usual
construction.
The arm (see Figure 2) has connected with it one end of a spring, which
so operates the shaft c² as to hold the treadle elevated as in full lines, Figures
1 and 21.
The rear parts 37 of the lay connecting links have enlarged heads 42 (shown
fully in side view, Figure 21), which are connected by links 43 (see Figure 5) with
the cranks c of the crank shaft, a yoke 44 extending about the crank shaft,
being adjustably held upon a cross bar 45 of link 43 by means of nuts 40, adjust-
ment of the said yoke 44 keeping the parts of the link 43 which surround the
crank shaft properly in contact therewith and compensating for wear.
In order that the lay and reed may remain in contact with each weft bent in, as
and during the time herein before stated, the lay connecting links, crank shaft, and
lay are so arranged and joined that when the lay is in its most forward position
the centres of the pins 39, 40, and 41, will be in a straight line. To enable the
dents p' of the reed to remain in contact with the weft as stated, or while the next
shed is being formed and crossed, or substantially so, as shown in diagrams
Figures 14, 19, the crank shaft is made to raise the centre pin 40 to its highest
position, or to a point above a straight line connecting the points 39, 41, when the
pin 40 is again, by the further rotation of the crank shaft, brought into the straight
Line position just referred to, the time occupied by the said pin 40 in moving from
a position just below its position in line with centres 39, 41, where the reed first
touched the weft, until it raises above and again descends to and just below the
said line to remove the dents of the reed from contact with the weft, being
substantially one third of the time occupied by the crank shaft in making one
revolution.
All the movements of the lay must be steady and positive and without the
intervention of springs of any sort, in order to secure the best result in weaving,
and ensure high speed, and the lay-connecting rods are therefore pivoted directly
upon the swords near the race-way of the lay.
The diagram, Figure 15, shows the position of the harness-frames, shed, and reed
and lay when the shuttle, after having been thrown, reaches the opposite box.
Figure 16, the position of the same parts when the reed first touches the weft.
Figure 17, when the lay and reed reach their most forward position.
Figure 18, the position when the lay and reed have been moved back for about

page_text: three sixteenths or one fourth of an inch, but with it the dents of the reed breaking
contact with the weft.
Figure 19, the position of the parts when the lay and reed are again at their
most forward throw, the shed being substantially formed, and
Figure 20, the position of the parts just as the dents of the reed are to break
contact with the weft, in which diagram it will be noticed that the new shed is
almost completed.
The line of warp 90, uppermost in Figure 16, is in Figure 17 the lowest.
The breast beam is marked 93 and the woven cloth 94.
The warp beam in this loom will be held at its ends by friction devices, controlled
by weights, so that there will be exerted upon the said beam a constant strain,
tending to pull back the warp and cloth and recover all slack therein, not positively
taken up by the take up. This backward strain assists in keeping the weft in the
shed in contact with the weft after it is beat into the warp, as the lay and reed are
made to recede slightly as described, and again move forward, the shed for the next
crossing of the shuttle being then made, as set forth.
Keeping the dents of the reed and lay forward against the cloth for a longer
period than usual in fancy-looms, for the purposes and as herein described, is also
made very advantageous in shifting the shuttle boxes carried by the lay, for the
boxes are changed during that time, and being moved the greatest part of their
distance while the lay stands still, or nearly so, are moved with the least expendi-
ture of power, and with least friction, and when their movement is that produced
by their own weight, it is obvious that they will move quicker and more surely
the nearer the box rod is in a vertical line.
The pattern surfaces are moved while the shed is being closed, and while the
selectors hold the toothed cranks in engagement with their actuating gear, the
shuttle-boxes being then shifted, and as soon as the shed is formed the selectors are
lifted, to be again distributed by the stationary pattern surfaces.
If it is desired to produce goods of less compact nature than that herein referred to
the link 43 may be connected with the head 42 by a pin at b¹, when the reed will
remain in contact with the cloth for a less time during each rotation of the crank-
shaft, as in ordinary woollen looms.
The Drawings, Figures 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 to 14 show four drop shuttle boxes at
each end of the loom.
The series of shuttle boxes a30 at the right hand end of the loom is supported by a
rod guided in the usual manner, and has connected with it a chain or
equivalent f³ which passes over shives d³, at the underside of the lay p² at its right
hand end, thence over the forward shive g³ of a pair of shives placed on a stud ³
of a bracket attached to the lay på at its left hand end, the said chain being
extended downward and about a shive 3 mounted on a stud of a bracket 13
attached to the side of the loom frame; thence the chain f³ is extended (see
Figure 2) diagonally upward over a shive t³ on a stud m³, thence down over the
said shive under and about a shive on the secondary shuttle box lever n³ having
its pivot on the fixed stud o³, and from thence the said chain is passed upward
about a shive 23 on the same stud m³ and down about the said shive, when it is
connected, as berein shown, by a link with the main shuttle box lever 8³ at the
rear of the secondary lever n³, having its fulcrum also on the stud o³, the said
levers n³, 83, by their change of position about the same centres, as hereinafter
described, through the said chain f3 or equivalent connecting device controlling the
positions of the tier of shuttle boxes a30 at the right hand side of the loom.
The series of shuttle boxes t30 at the left hand end of the loom, and shown fully
elevated, is mounted upon a shuttle box rod us adjustably connected by means of a
chain which is passed up over and about a shive w³ (see Figure 2) on the stud h³
before referred to, thence down about the shive 3 on the stud³ before referred to,
thence up diagonally across the end of the loom-frame at the rear of the chain f³
and over a shive a on the stud m³, thence downward and about a shive 6 on the
secondary lever c¹ pivoted upon the stud os, thence upward over a shive d' on the

page_text: stud m³ and downward, when it is connected, as herein shown, by a link e' with
the primary lever f*, also having its fulcrum on the stud 03, the said levers c¹, ƒª,
through the chain or equivalent ³, controlling by their change of position the tier
of shuttle boxes £30.
The shuttle box actuating devices, and the studs o³, m³, for the shives and levers
mounted thereon, are contained upon an independent frame work g*.
This frame work has studs h, i, upon which are placed toothed gears j, k, having
attached tooth wheel l, m, which mesh together, the toothed wheel m* having
imparted to it intermitting motion to the extent, as hercin shown, of half a
revolution, by the gear nt, having at its periphery two sectors of teeth separated
by blank spaces.
This gear n has at the rear of and attached to it a gear o, which is engaged and
rotated by the gear j on the crank shaft b before referred to.
having a convexed face.
The toothed wheel n* opposite the two points where its teeth are omitted is
provided with two arcal flanges 2 extended laterally therefrom. The long gear k
So
loose on its holding stud has fixed to it a holder
long as the toothed portions of wheel n' and gear are in contact, the said gear
will be rotated, but just as the last tooth of each of the two series of teeth of
wheel n leave the teeth of gear k', the convexed face of the holdǝr r is moved in
position to fit the convexed face of one of the flanges p*, thereby preventing the
further rotation of the long gear until the flanged part p' passes beyond the
holder, when a tooth of the wheel n will immediately engage with and again
rotate the long gear, consequently so long as the holder and one of the said
flanges are in contact, the long gears k, j, will be held at rest.
At the front of and adjustably connected with the gear n is a cam plate 8*
having a cam groove t so shaped as to receive and act upon a roll or pin of a
connecting rod u and move it upwards and downwards twice during each
rotation of the shaft b.
By adjusting the cam 8* upon the toothed gear n the time of moving the
connecting rod u may be accurately controlled.
The upper end of the connecting rod is attached at 48 with an arm 49 pivoted
at 50 (see Figure 2), the said arm 49 having at its outer end a long pin 52, upon
which are hung a series of selectors, shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, as reciprocating
wedges w, having toes 53, 54, to be acted upon by the selector moving devices
intermediate between them and the pattern surface h¹, the said devices being
shown in said Figures as composed of blocks x, which are connected with the
fingers a³, and moved in one direction by the pins or protuberances upon the
pattern surface h³, and the movement of the fingers and connected blocks in the
other direction is the result of gravity.
It will be noticed that the pattern surfaces for both the shedding and drop box
mechanism turn in unison, but as the devices which make the quick changes in the
shuttle box and shedding mechanism to ensure the proper weft and shed crossings
must be operated at different periods of time, it follows that the pattern surface of
shuttle box mechanism, although moved when the shedding pattern moves, must
not actually at that time cause the operation of the shifting levers, consequently
the shuttle box pattern surface is herein moved merely to bring into line that row
of its protuberances which are to determine which shuttle is next to be shot, and
after the shed is closed and the lay is substantially at its forward position the
selectors have given to them, by their especial cam on the cam or other driven shaft,
their movement, which causes. the shifting levers to turn on their fulera, and
during such movement of the selectors the protuberances or row of pattern indicators
previously brought into position act while the pattern surface is at rest, to ensure
the placing of each selector of the series of selectors in the position demanded by
the said protuberances.
and
As shown in the Drawings the pattern surface ¹, when turned, acts upon
turns the fingers and blocks at, so that when the selectors are next raised one or
the other of the toes 53 or 54 will strike the under surface of the said block, which

page_text: will,cause the selectors to be turned on their pivots 52, so that when the selectors
are immediately after brought into contact with the ends. 59 of the shifting levers 6*
the said levers will be turned in accordance with the demands of that row of
protuberances of the pattern surface h which was brought into operative position,
and there left when the pattern surface b¹ was last moved.
As the selectors are moved upward their inclined or wedge shaped points 55 are
thrown to one or the other side of a vertical line let fall from pivot. 52, so that
as the selectors are depressed by the cam 8, link u', and arin 49, the ends 55 enter
between the faces 50 of the spring jaws pivoted at 57, and held together by a
strong spring 58, and acting upon one or the other of the reversely inclined edges
of the ends of the shifting levers, also contained between the said jaws, turn the
said levers in one or the other direction about their fulcra 60, and cause the
toothed cranks c carried by them (one on each lever) to be thrown into position
to be engaged by the teeth of one or the other of the long gears j, k, in contact
with which they are held by the force of the said spring 58, while the said long
gears rotate the said toothed cranks in one or the other direction (see Figures 6
and 7), according to which one of the said gears is operative.
For sake of brevity, those devices which come directly in contact with the
protuberances of the pattern surface h', and cause the said selectors to turn on
their fulcra, are herein denominated as the intermediate connectors or devices
between the selectors and shuttle box pattern surface.
+
The forward ends 68 of the blocks are steadied and kept in straight course by
the comb like guide 69...
Each toothed crank is supported at its centre by a pin 61 on one of the
levers, and has a crank pin 62, which by means of a connecting rod do is
connected with one of the prime or secondary shuttle box levers, and consequently
as the said toothed cranks are rotated in one or the other direction the said prime
and secondary shuttle box levers are moved either both in the same or in opposite
directions, according to which one of the shuttle boxes of the series it is desired to
place opposite the race way of the lay.
The lower end 63 of the shifting levers 65 are steadied by moving in a guide e³
that regulates the extent of vibration of the lower ends of the shifting levers 65.
Figures 8 to 14 inclusive show a series of diagrams representing side and front
elevations of the shuttle box levers for the two sets of shuttle boxes at opposite
ends of the lay, with their connected chains and shives hereinbefore referred to as
upon the secondary levers and stationary stud m³.
The said diagrams are marked to designate that box at the right and left hand
side of the loom which will be brought opposite the race way of the lay when the
said levers are in the positions therein designated.
In the said diagrams the secondary shuttle box lever n³ is represented by the full
lever shaped outline, and the primary levers 83 cooperating with it to move the tier
of boxes at the right of the loom by the full single straight line, while the secondary
lever b for the left hand tier is represented by the lever shaped dotted outline, and
its cooperating primary lever f' by the single straight dotted line.
In operation, when the primary lever of either series of shuttle boxes is down
and the secondary lever up, box No. 2 will be operative; the reverse of this
position will bring box No. 3; when both levers are down, box No. 4, and both up,
box No. 1.
The movement of the secondary lever alone drawing on the chain about its shive
will move the boxes two spaces.
The shive on the stationary stud m³ enables me to use shuttle box levers having
the same centre of motion, thereby enabling all the lever cranks and connections to
be of the same length, and mutually interchangeable.
Adjusting the shives on the shuttle box levers, slots being made therein for that
purpose (see Figure 2), enables exact adjustments to be provided so as to bring the
shuttle box bottom and race way in exactly the right planes when at rest.
The modification, Figure 27, shows the selector prolonged by projection 80, with

page_text: which engages a spring 81, the tendency of which is to throw the lower end of the
selector toward the pattern surface h*, shown as a chain, and at the front side of the
selector is attached a stiff flat spring 82, to. act as the device intermediate between
the selector and pattern surface.
The selector in this Figure will be raised from between the spring held jaws 56,
and from contact with the end of the shifting lever b³, as in Figure 6, and will be
again thrown down therein in contact with the cord of the shifting lever, as in
Figure 7, while the pattern chain or surface is at rest.
When the shifter is elevated, it will be turned back against the stress of the
spring 81, provided a roll of the chain is in position: to be struck.by the flat spring
82, but if not acted upon by one of the said rolls, the selector will descend in
contact with the same edge of the shifting lever with which it was in contact when
just lifted.
The upper part 04 of the frame work a¹ containing the slots in which the
elevator and depressor move, are connected at their outer ends by bolts 65, having
springs 66, and the rear ends of the said parts 64 are so shaped and supported upon
the frame a' (as shown at 67, Figure 26), that the parts 64 may rise or move away
froin the part a', and permit the elevator or depressor to pass the notches or hooks
of the jack r, in case the movement of the harness levers and harness frames
become obstructed.
.
be
If the gear n makes one revolution for each rotation of the crank shaft, then the
said gear need have but one blank space and flange, and the cam groove to will b
shaped to give but one throw.
In Figure 29 the shuttle box levers n³, 83, have a chain a³ connected with them
at different distances from the fulcra of the said levers to give to thein unequal.
movements, and this chain is passed over a sheave 68 on a lever c8, having a cord or
chain 3, which in practice will be extended about suitable sheaves, and be so
connected with the shuttle box rod as to ensure the proper lifting of the shuttle
boxes at the time desired or indicated by the pattern surface.
In Figure 30 the two levers n³, 83, of unequal length have their fulcra between
their ends, and a chain d³ connected therewith is made to receive and support a
running sheave e8 in a frame connected by means of a second chain or cord over
suitable guide pulleys with the shuttle box rod. To operate a series of six shuttle
boxes the levers may be contrived, as in Figures 31, 32, wherein ³ represents the
main lever, n³ the secondary lever; but instead of mounting the main lever on a
fulcra in common with the secondary lever n³ it is placed on a fulcrum f8 carried
by an auxiliary lever g³, the latter being also joined at its opposite end with a
connecting rod d³, so that the range or extent of movement of the forward end of
the primary lever s³ is rendered capable of having given to it a greater range of
motion than in the plan, Figure 29, so as to enable the shuttle box levers g³, n³, 83,
by their changes of position in unison with or opposition to each other to control
six shuttle boxes.
Figure 33 shows three shuttle box levers n³, 8³, k³, all on the same fulcrum 18,
and contrived to work a series of six shuttle boxes. Of these levers those n³, s³,
may be considered the same as the levers marked by the same letters in Figure 30,
and the chain d³ supports a running sheave e³, having a chain m¹8; but in
Figure 33 this chain is connected with the third lever ³ rather than with the
shuttle box rod, as described with relation to the contrivance, Figure 30. The
chain m18 in Figure 33 serves to support a second running sheave n³, connected
by a link o with shuttle box lever p³, the forward end of which may be connected
in any suitable or usual way with the shuttle box rod u³, preferably however by
means of a chain extended about or over a sheave attached to the underside of the
lay and thence to the shuttle box rod. The movements of these levers, one or more
at the same time and in the same or opposite directions, enables any one box of a
series of six shuttle boxes to be instantly placed opposite the the race way of
the lay.

page_text: In this Figure 33 the selectors 78 are shown as weighted blocks pivoted to the
shifting levers 65, and weighted so as normally to hold the selectors in the position
shown in full lines. The lowermost or downwardly extended part 7x of each
selector is wedge shaped to be struck at one or its other side or face by the toes 88,
one for each selector, held in a rod t in a frame us carried by the lever 49, in
function and purpose the same as lever 19 before described. The lever 49 is
connected by rod w with a lever a³, the opposite end of which has a rod or link b³
moved by a cam 8, such as herein before described, and as the toes strike the
selectors the shifting levers are moved in one or the other direction for the purposes
before set forth, according to which side of the selector is so engaged. The
selectors, shown in Figure 33, have each a third arm, which by the weighted
part of the selector is kept up against the end of a finger c above it, which is acted
upon and kept up or permitted to fall by a pattern surface, or it may be a chain
on which the fingers rest. When the said pattern surface permits a finger to fall
it acts upon and turns the shifting lever below it into the position designated by
the second selector. The toes enter the space between the ends of the selectors, as
shown. The toes have shoulders do, see Figure 34, that are acted upon by con-
nected bars held up by a spring e to keep the toes normally in proper vertical
position, but permit them to yield or turn axially under strain. In all these plans
the shifting levers and connecting rods, more or less shown, are supposed to be all
as in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 6, and are to be actuated by like long gears.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Morgan-Brown in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th November 1880.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 1, Rue Laffitte,
Paris. IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING." A communication from abroad
by George Crompton, of Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America.
"
This Invention relates to improvements in looms, designed chiefly for weaving
worsted and woollen goods in whole or in part for clothing and similar purposes,
and has for its objects improvements in mechanism for operating drop shuttle
boxes, and an improved method of operating the lay with relation to the formation
of the shed for the reception of the weft, whereby the weft beaten in by the reed
is held packed closely between the warps while the succeeding shed is nearly
completed.
One part of this Invention consists in combining in a loom certain toothed gear,
a series of toothed cranks, shifting levers upon which they are mounted, shuttle
box levers, connecting rods to join the toothed cranks with the shuttle box
levers, and a tier of shuttle boxes with selectors and a pattern surface to move them
to determine the direction of movement of the shifting lever, toothed cranks, and
their connected shuttle box levers.
In one plan of this Invention the primary and secondary levers for each series
of shuttle boxes are so located as to be turned about the same centre of motion,
and by means of shives carried by the said shuttle-box levers, and chains or
equivalents thereon extended over other opposing shives on fixed or movable studs,
two of the said levers are by their changes of position enabled to place opposite the
lay any one of a series of four shuttle boxes.
"
In other modified forms the shuttle box levers attached directly to the connecting
rods are joined by a chain that is extended either over a sheave, or another lever
connected by a chain with the shuttle-box rod; or the chain that gives the two
levers is made to support a sheave, the frame of which is attached by a suitable
chain or cord with the shuttle box rod.
The loom herein described is supposed to be one of that class known as the
close-shed," and the shed forming devices are and may be in construction and
operation the same as in the well known " Crompton" looms.
In many classes of worsted and woollen goods of single thickness, such as used
for clothing purposes, it is desired by the weaving operation to make the fabric so
that it will have the greatest possible solidity and firmness consistent with the
warp and weft used.
The weft in fabrics woven in ordinary woollen looms, if beaten up very closely
by the dents of the reed carried by the lay, it striking a single blow is liable to be
strained and broken, but by distribuing this force, as hereinafter described, striking
the weft less hard at first, and thereafter holding it packed closely into and
between the warps while the subsequent shed is nearly formed (the dents of the
reed during the principal portion of the time occupied by the shedding devices to
form the subsequent shed not retiring from contact with the weft then beat in by
it), the fabric may be made much more dense and compact without injuriously
straining the warp, which compactness greatly improves the quality of the fabric,
and renders it possible to produce on fancy looms, epecially of "close-shed" variety
better goods, both as to weight and firmness, and with fewer broken threads in the
warp than are formed in goods of lighter weight and less firmness, such as now
made upon ordinary forms of fancy looms, and this also with less strain upon the
mechanism of the loom.

page_text: The dents of the reed in this improved method of weaving to produce most
compact fabrics strike the weft as the shed is closed, and the said dents remain in
contact therewith during the time that the take up mechanism of the loom (which
may be of any usual construction) operates to take up the slack in the cloth made
by that blow of the reed, and the reed remains in contact with the said weft while
the next shed to receive the next shot of filling is almost formed, or is sufficiently
sprung to receive the shuttle.
In practice after the first beat up of the reed and lay, the latter instead of
standing perfectly still or dwelling is retracted for about three sixteenths of an
inch, but without retiring from contact with the said weft.
During this very small rectrograde motion of the reed and lay the harness frames
act to form the next shed, and by their operation on the warps (the tension of which
is retained to substantially the degree to which they were subjected when the reed
and lay were most forward), the weft thread in the closed shed and the dents of
the reed are kept or maintained in firm contact, to thereby permit the said dents to
act upon the weft last laid, and pack and keep it pressed into the space enclosed by
the then crossed warps, absolutely preventing the weft from slipping backward
away from the weft previously laid, and bound into the cloth ahead of it.
In this improved plan of weaving the reed and lay remain forward in contact
with the weft for substantially one third the revolution of the crank shaft, at which
time the shuttle boxes are raised or permitted to fall.
In practice it has been found that a fabric made on the ordinary "close-shed"
loom with a certain warp and weft beat in as closely as practicable without
breaking the warps, and so as to contain, say, eighty picks to the inch, may be
woven by the loom herein described with like warp and weft, and be made to
contain 104 picks to the inch.
This compact method of weaving is especially advantageous in the production of
worsted goods, for such goods in the finishing operation subsequent to leaving the
loom are washed as little as possible, and are not, nor can they be fulled to the
extent possible with woollen goods. Making the cloth more compact and firmer
by weaving enables it to stand more strain without stretching, and also decreases
its tendency to shrink when wet.
Figure 1 is a front view of a loom containing the improvements hereinafter
described, parts of the box operating mechanism fully shown in other Figures
being however omitted.
Figure 2, a view of the left hand end of the loom.
Figure 3, a rear side elevation of the left hand end of the loom shown in
Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a partial sectional detail on the dotted lines x, x, Figure 3, to shew
the selectors and the yielding box in which their lower ends work; Figure 5, a
detail shewing the connecting link of the lay operating devices; Figures 6 and 7
are diagrams showing the selectors and shuttle-box operating devices in different
positions; Figures 8 to 14 are diagrams representing some of the different positions
of the box levers to control the positions of the series of drop shuttle boxes at both
ends of the loom; Figures 15 to 20 are diagrams representing the operation of the
lay in beating up and packing the filling into the shed; Figure 21, a vertical
section of the lower part of the loom looking toward the right, the parts outside
the end frame of the loom being omitted; Figure 22, a section of Figure 21 on the
line x-x, it however showing some devices outside the right hand end of the loom
frame and omitted from Figure 21; Figure 23, a detail of the driving mechanism
for the loom Figure 24, a detail of the eccentric and its guide for moving the
shed forming devices; Figure 25, a modification of Figure 24; Figures 26 and 27
are sectional details of the elevator and depresser mechanism; Figure 28 (see
Sheet 1) is a modified form of selector and means to move it on its pivot; Figure 29,
a modified form of shuttle box lever for working a set of four shuttle boxes;
Figure 30, a diagram of yet another modified system of levers working a series of
four shuttle boxes; Figure 31 details showing a modified form of levers for moving

page_text: a series of six shuttle boxes; Figure 32, a partial top view of Figure 31; Figure 33
an end view of part of a loom showing the shuttle-box levers adapted to actuate a
series of six shuttle boxes, and a modified system of selectors; Figure 34, a sectional
detail of Figure 33.
The crank shaft b provided with cranks c to actuate the lay, picking arms d and
bowls e, eccentric f to impart movement to the elevator and depressor, rock shaft g,
through eccentric strap h, and link i, and pinion j to drive the shuttle box actuating
mechanism, has upon its right hand end a bevel toothed gear k, which is engaged
by bevel pinion on the power shaft m, having upon it the usual fast and
loose pulleys that in practice will receive a belt which will be under the control of
belt shipping devices such as common in the Crompton loom.
This shaft m is entirely supported in bearings k, l, m, upon the loom frame,
and as herein shown the fast and loose pulleys are located between the two
bearings ', m', and this end of the shaft is prolonged across the face of gear / and
rests in bearing k', and the bevel 7 is so placed upon the said shaft that the top of
the fast pulley in operation turns upward from the loom frame. It is a desideratum
to drive all the looms in a room by open rather than crossed belts, and to t
able to do this the shaft m is provided with an extra key-seat n¹ near the
bearing ', in order that all the looms at one side of the room may have their bevel
pinions changed from the position shown in Figure 22, so as to occupy a position
on the said shaft m next the bearing , as in Figure 23A.
The harness frames n, two only shown, are connected by straps and cording in
the usual way with the notched upright levers o pivoted at 2, cach upright lever
having attached to its projection a jack having hooks at 3, 4, to be engaged by
the usual elevator s or depresser t which, as herein shewn, are arranged to be
reciprocated in curved guiding slots 5, 6, in the extension a¹ of the frame work a,
said guide ways forming parts of arcs of circles having their centres at the centres p
of the levers o.
The elevator and depresser have their ends rounded to form ball-like terminations,
which are embraced by the concaved ends 7 and attached caps 7 of the connecting
rods u or v, which are shown as adjustably attached to the arms w, w*, extended
above and below the shaft g for different distances, the adjustment of the said rods
u and v thereon enabling the acting edges of the elevator and depresser to occupy
angular positions with relation to each other when the shed is open, to thereby
elevate or depress the back harness frames more than those at the front, and then
subsequently to even all the harness frames when the elevator and depresser are
again brought into parallel position.
By inclining the elevator and depressor out of parallel line as described, when
the shed is opened, it is possible to shorten the upper ends of the upright levers
above the booked jacks, thereby permitting the connection of the harness cording
with the said levers nearer in line with the points at which the elevator and
depressor draw upon the levers or jacks.
By inclining the edges of the elevator and depressor as described to open the
shed, and notching the ends of the upright levers as shown, it is possible to ensure
with the greatest accuracy any exact adjustment vertically of any particular
harness frame of the series.
This adjustment of the cording on the notched ends of the levers is of great
utility, and will frequently be made avilable, especially in fancy looms, for
it is not infrequent that a pattern of cloth being woven will cause greater
strain in some one or more harness frames than on others, which so taxes the levers
and cording of the said frames that the cording has to be adjusted independently
on the levers to have all the warps lifted by the harness-frames, or depressed so as
to occupy the proper planes in the formed shed. The arm x of shaft g is connected
with link i, which is attached to the strap k that embraces the eccentric f, the
latter being the device which imparts motion to the harness frames n.
The roller o¹ located at the pivoted point of the eccentric strap h and the

page_text: link i, works in a guiding groove p', in a bracket 7, attached to the side of the
loom.
This roll, by its action on or in the guide-way r¹, see Figure 24, ensures a right
line movement for the link i, and also permits the eccentric strap h to move about
the pin 2* connecting it with the said link during the time the shed is opened for
the passage of the shuttle.
It is obvious that a crank with a short connecting rod having a pin to enter the
said guide-way might be used instead of the eccentric, as in Figure 25.
The shed forming pattern surface 61 (of any usual construction) is placed upon
a shaft c', having a bevel gear d' engaged by a bevel gear f' on the shaft g¹, upon
which is placed the pattern-surface h of any usual construction, which controls
the selection of the shuttle boxes, these two shafts being so geared together as to
rotate in unison.
At one end of the shaft c¹ are two ratchet wheels 8, 9, see Figure 2, and shown
in dotted lines Figure 1, having teeth pointing in opposite directions. Outside
of the said ratchet wheels is the usual check wheel 10, with which cooperates
the roller on the hand lever 12, pivotted at 13 and held down by the spring 14,
the said roller of the lever 12 holding the shaft c' at rest when not positively
actuated.
The pattern cylinder b¹ derives it step by step movement in the forward
direction for regular weaving, or in backward direction when finding a miss-pick,
through a double hooked pawl, the shank a of which is arranged in a sleeve b²,
pivoted at 15, near the end of the connecting rod u which actuates the elevator.
A spring within the said sleeve (see Figure 1 dotted lines), pressing on a pin 16
of the shank a keeps the pawl held back in the case, and the pin 17 governs the
forward reciprocation of the shank a² in the said sleeve.
This spring in the backward motion of the pawl is first compressed, and after
the ratchet is started and the pawl comes to rest, the spring by its expansion
completes the motion of the ratchet.
The hooks 18, 19 of the said double pawl face each other and partially embrace
the ratchets 8, 9, so that when the said sleeve is turned on its pivot, the hook 18
will either engage the ratchet 9, or the hook 19, the ratchet 8, the former hook
turning the pattern surfaces forward, while the latter hook turns them backward.
At the lower part of the loom, and in front of the crank shaft, is a shaft c³,
having an arm d, with which is connected a cord or wire c², which is attached at
its other end to the end of the shank a of the double hooked pawl.
This cord e2 is extended through suitable guides f, so that when the said shaft c*
is turned in the direction that it will be turned by depressing the treadle g*, the
said pawl sleeve will have its inner end depressed to engage the hook 19 with the
ratchet 8.
This treadle will be depressed by the operator whenever it is desired to find a
miss-pick, and during this time the elevator and depressor will operate the hooked
jacks, levers, and harness frame, to form sheds, but the shuttle will not be thrown,
for the arm (shown most clearly in Figures 2 and 3) will, by the depression of
the treadle, be moved from the full line position, Figure 2, to its dotted line
position, and acting upon one end of the lever , pivoted at 20, and connected by
links 21, 22 with the auxiliary picking levers 23, pivoted to the picker rock
shaft 24, at 25 will throw the said auxiliary levers 23 from their full line position,
so that the picking bowls e will not strike the curved portions 26 of the auxiliary
picking levers 23, and the shuttles will not be thrown.
The picker rock-shaft 24, supported in suitable bearings 27, 28, has near its
forward end an arm 29 connected by link 30 with the picker staff 31 of usual
construction.
The arm (see Figure 2) has connected with it one end of a spring 2, which so
operates the shaft cas to hold the treadle elevated as in full lines, Figures
1 and 21

page_text: The rear parts 37 of the lay connecting links have enlarged heads 42 (shown
fully in side view, Figure 21), which are connected by links 43 (see Figure 5), with
the cranks c of the crank shaft, a yoke 44, extending about the crank shaft being
adjustably held upon a cross bar 45 of link 43, by means of nuts 46, adjustment
of the said yoke 44 keeping the parts of the link 43, which surround the crank
shaft properly in contact therewith, and compensating for wear.
In order that the lay and reed may remain in contact with each weft beat in, as
and during the time hereinbefore stated, the lay-connecting links and crank shaft
and lay are so arranged and joined that when the lay is in its most forward position
the centres of the pins 39, 40, and 41 will be in a straight line. To enable the
dents p of the reed to remain in contact with the weft as stated, or while the next shed
is being formed and crossed, or substantially so, as shown in diagrams Figures 14, 19;
the crank shaft is made to raise the centre pin 40 to its highest position, or to a point
above a straight line connecting the points 39, 41, when the pin 40 is again, by the
further rotation of the crank shaft, brought into the straight line position just
referred to, the time occupied by the said pin 40 in moving from a position just
below its position in line with centres 39, 41, where the reed first touched the weft,
until it raises above and again descends to and just below the said line, to remove
the dents of the reed from contact with the weft, being substantially one third of
the time occupied by the crank shaft in making one revolution.
All the movements of the lay must be steady and positive and without the
intervention of springs of any sort, in order to secure the best result in weaving
and ensure high speed, and the lay-connecting rods are therefore pivotted directly
upon the swords near the race-way of the lay.
The diagram, Figure 15, shows the position of the harness frames shed and reed
and lay when the shuttle after having been thrown reaches the opposite box.
Figure 16, the position of the same parts when the reed first touches the weft.
Figure 17, when the lay and reed reach their most forward position.
Figure 18, the position when the lay and reed have been moved back for about
three sixteenths or one fourth of an inch, but with it the dents of the reed breaking
contact with the weft.
Figure 19, the position of the parts when the lay and reed are again at their
most forward throw, the shed being substantially formed, and
Figure 20, the position of the parts just as the dents of the reed are to break
contact with the weft, in which diagram it will be noticed that the new shed is
almost completed.
The line of warp 90 upperinost in Figure 16 is in Figure 17 the lowest. The
breast beam is marked 93; and the woven cloth 94.
The warp beam in this loom will be held at its ends by friction devices controlled
by weights, so that there will be exerted upon the said beam a constant strain,
tending to pull back the warp and cloth and recover all slack therein not positively
taken up by the take up. This backward strain assists in keeping the weft in the
shed in contact with the weft after it is beat into the warp, as the lay and reed are
made to recede slightly, as described, and again move forward, the shed for the next
crossing of the shuttle being then made, as set forth.
Keeping the dents of the reed and lay forward against the cloth for a longer
period than usual in fancy-looms, for the purposes and as herein described, is also
nade very advantageous in shifting the shuttle-boxes carried by the lay, for the
boxes are changed during that time, and being moved the greatest part of their
distance while the lay stands still or nearly .so are moved with the least
expenditure of power and with least friction, and when their movement is that
produced by their own weight it is obvious that they will move quicker and more
surely the nearer the box rod is in a vertical line.
The pattern surfaces are moved while the shed is being closed, and while the
selectors hold the toothed cranks in engagement with their actuating gear, the
shuttle boxes being then shifted, and as soon as the shed is formed the selectors
are lifted to be again distributed by the stationary pattern surfaces.

page_text: If it is desired to produce goods of less compact nature than that herein referred
to the link 43 may be connected with the head 42 by a pin at t¹, when the reed
will remain in contact with the cloth for a less time during each rotation of the
crank-shaft, as in ordinary woollen looms.
The Drawings, Figures 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 to 14, show four drop-shuttle boxes at
each end of the loom.
The series of shuttle-boxes as at the right hand end of the loom is supported
by a rod b guided in the usual manner, and has connected with it a chain or
equivalent f³ which passes over shives d³ at the underside of the lay p² at its right
hand end, thence over the forward shive g³ of a pair of shives placed on a stud h³
of a bracket 23 attached to the lay p2 at its left hand end, the said chain being
extended downward and about a shive 3 mounted on a stud k³ of a bracket 13
attached to the side of the loom frame; thence the chain f³ is extended (see
Figure 2) diagonally upward over a shive t³ on a stud m³, thence down over the
said shive, under and about a shive on the secondary shuttle box lever n³, having
its pivot on the fixed stud o³, and from thence the said chain is passed upward
about a shive p³ on the same stud m³, and down about the said shive, when it is
connected, as herein shown, by a link 3 with the main shuttle box lever 8 at the
rear of the secondary lever n³, having its fulcrum also on the stud o³, the said
levers n³, 83, by their change of position about the same centres, as hereinafter
described through the said chain f³ or equivalent connecting device controlling the
positions of the tier of shuttle boxes a30 at the right hand side of the loom.
The series of shuttle boxes t30 at the left hand end of the loom, and shown fully
elevated, is mounted upon a shuttle box rod u³, adjustably.connected by means of a
chains, which is passed up over and about a shive w³ (see Figure 2) on the stud h³
before referred to, thence down about the shive 3 on the stud / before roferred to,
thence up diagonally across the end of the loom frame at the rear of the chain f³ and
over a shive a on the stud m³, thence downward and about a shive b' on the secondary
lever c, pivoted upon the stud o³, thence upward over a shive d' on the stud m³
and downward, when it is connected as herein shown by a link e with the primary
lever f, also having its fulcrum on the stud o³, the said levers c, f, through the
chain or equivalent controlling by their change of position the tier of shuttle
boxes to
The shuttle-box actuating devices and the studs o³, m³ for the shives and levers
mounted thereon, are contained upon an independent frame work g*.
This frame work has studs e, i, upon which are placed toothed gears j, k, having
attached toothed wheels l, m, which mesh together; the toothed wheel m' having
imparted to it intermitting motion to the extent, as herein shown, of half a
revolution, by the gear n having at its periphery two sectors of teeth separated by
blank spaces.
This gear n has at the rear of and attached to it a gear o¹, which is engaged and
rotated by the gear ; on the crank shaft b before referred to.
The toothed wheel n opposite the two points where its teeth are omitted, is
provided with two arcal flanges p* extended laterally therefrom. The long gear k
loose on its holding stud has fixed to it a holder, having a convex face. So
long as the toothed portions of wheel n' and gear k are in contact, the said gear
will be rotated, but just as the last tooth of each of the two series of teeth of
wheel n leave the teeth of gear k, the convexed face of the holder is moved in
position to fit the convexed face of one of the flanges p*, thereby preventing the
further rotation of the long gear until the flanged part p passes beyond the
holder, when a tooth of the wheel n will immediately engage with and again
rotate the long gear, consequently so long as the holder and one of the said
flanges are in contact, the long gears, will be held at rest.
At the front of and adjustably connected with the gear n' is a cam plate a
having a cam groove t so shaped as to receive and act upon a roll or pin of a
connecting rod ut, and move it upwards and downwards twice during each rotation
of the shaft b.

page_text: By adjusting the cam s upon the toothed gear n', the time of moving the
connecting rod u* may be accurately controlled.
The upper end of the connecting rod is attached at 48 with an arm 49, pivoted
at 50 (see Figure 2), the said arm 49 having at its outer end a long pin 52, upon
which are hung a series of selectors, shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, as reciprocating
wedges w, having toes 53, 54, to be acted upon by the selector, moving devices
intermediate between them and the pattern surface ³, the said devices being shown
in said Figures as composed of blocks x, which are connected with the fingers a
and moved in one direction by the pine or protruberances upon the pattern surface h¹,
and the movement of the fingers and connected blocks in the other direction is the
result of gravity.
It will be noticed that the pattern surfaces for both the shedding and drop-box
mechanism turn in unison; but as the devices which make the quick changes in the
shuttle-box and shedding mechanism, to ensure the proper weft and shed crossings,
must be operated at different periods of time, it follows that the pattern surface of
the shuttle box mechanism, although moved when the shedding pattern noves,
must not actually at that time cause the operation of the shifting levers, consequently
the shuttle box pattern surface is herein moved, merely to bring into line that row
of its protuberances which are to determine which shuttle is next to be shot, and
after the shed is closed and the lay is substantially at its forward position, the
selectors have given to them by their especial cam on the cam or other driver
shaft, their movement which causes the shifting levers to turn on their fulcra, and
during such movement of the selectors the protuberances or row of pattern
indicators previously brought into position act while the pattern surface is at rest,
to ensure the placing of each selector of the series of selectors in the position
demanded by the said protuberances.
As shown in the Drawings, the pattern surface h' when turned, acts upon and turns
the fingers and blocks x, so that when the selectors are next raised, one or the
other of the toes 53 or 54 will strike the under surface of the said block, which
will cause the selectors to be turned on their pivots 52, so that when the selectors
are immediately after brought into contact with the ends 59 of the shifting levers
bs, the said levers will be turned in accordance with the demands of that row of
protuberances of the pattern-surface h' which was brought into operative position,
and there left when the pattern-surface b¹ was last moved.
As the selectors are moved upward their inclined or wedge shaped points 55 are
thrown to one or the other side of a vertical line let fall from pivot 52, so that
as the selectors are depressed by the cam 8', link us, and arm 49, the ends 55 enter
between the faces 56 of the spring jaws pivoted at 57, and held together by a
strong spring 58, and acting upon one or the other of the reversely inclined edges of
the ends of the shifting levers, also contained between the said jaws, turn the said
levers in one or the other direction about their fulcra 60, and cause the toothed-
cranks carried by them (one on each lever) to be thrown into position to be
engaged by the teeth of one or the other of the long gears j, k, in contact with
which they are held by the force of the said spring 58, while the said long-gears
rotate the said toothed-cranks in one or the other direction (see Figures 6 and 7),
according to which of the said gears is operative.
For sake of brevity, those devices which come directly in contact with the
protuberances of the pattern surface ', and cause the said selectors to turn on
their fulcra, are berein denominated as the intermediate connectors or devices
between the selectors and shuttle-box pattern-surface.
The forward ends 68 of the blocks are steadied and kept in straight course
by the comb-like guide 69.
Each toothed-crank c³ is supported at its centre by a pin 61 on one of the levers c³,
and has a crank-pin 62, which by means of a connecting-rod d³, is connected
with one of the prime or secondary shuttle-box levers, and consequently, as the
said toothed cranks are rotated in one or the other direction, the said prime and

page_text: secondary shuttle box levers are moved either both in the same or in opposite
directions, according to which one of the shuttle-boxes of the series it is desired
to place opposite the race-way of the lay.
The lower end 63 of the shifting levers 65 are steadied by moving in a guide e³
that regulates the extent of vibration of the lower ends of the shifting-levers b³.
Figures 8 to 14 inclusive show a series of diagrams representing side and front-
elevations of the shuttle-box levers for the two sets of shuttle-boxes at opposite
ends of the lay, with their connected chains and shives hereinbefore referred to,
as upon the secondary levers and stationary stud m³.
The said diagrams are marked to designate that box at the right and left hand
side of the loon, which will be brought opposite the race-way of the lay when
the said levers are in the positions therein designated.
In the said diagrams the secondary shuttle-box lever ³ is represented by the
full lever-shaped outline, and the primary levers 83 cooperating with it to move the
tier of boxes at the right of the loom by the full single straight line, while the
secondary lever b' for the left hand tier is represented by the lever-shaped dotted
outline, and its cooperating primary lever f by the single straight dotted line.
In operation, when the primary lever of either series of shuttle-boxes is down
and the secondary-lever up box No. 2 will be operative; the reverse of this position
will bring box No. 3; when both levers are down, box No. 4; and both up, box
No. 1.
The movement of the secondary lever alone drawing on the chain about its
shive will move the boxes two spaces.
The shive on the stationary stud m³ enables me to use shuttle-box levers
having the same centre of motion, thereby enabling all the lever-cranks and
connections to be of the same length and mutually interchangeable.
Adjusting the shives on the shuttle-box levers, slots being made therein for that
purpose (see Figure 2), enables exact adjustments to be provided so as to bring
the shuttle-box bottom and race-way in exactly the right planes when at rest.
The modification Figure 27 shows the selector prolonged by projection 80, with
which engages a spring 81, the tendency of which is to throw the lower end of the
selector toward the pattern-surface h¹, shown as a chain, aud at the front-side of
the selector is attached a stiff flat spring 82 to act as the device intermediate
between the selector and pattern surface.
The selector in this Figure will be raised from between the spring held jaws 56,
and from contact with the end of the shifting lever 65, as in Figure 6, and will be
again thrown down therein in contact with the end of the shifting-lever, as in
Figure 7, while the pattern chain or surface is at rest.
When the shifter is elevated, it will be turned back against the stress of the
spring 81, provided a roll of the chain is in position to be struck by the flat-
spring 82, but if not acted upon by one of the said rolls the selector will descend
in contact with the same edge of the shifting-lever with which it was in contact
when just lifted.
The upper part 64 of the frame work a¹ containing the slots in which the elevator
and depressor move, are connected at their outer ends by bolts 65, having springa 66,
and the rear ends of the said parts 64 are so shaped and supported upon the
frame a (as shown at 67, Figure 26), that the parts 64 may rise or move away
from the part a¹, and permit the elevator or depressor to pass the notches or hooks
of the jacks 7, in case the movement of the harness-levers and harness-frames
become obstructed.
If the gear n* makes one revolution for each rotation of the crank-shaft, then
the said gear need have but one blank space and flange, and the cam groove t' will
be shaped to give but one throw.
In Figure 29 the shuttle-box levers n³, 83, have a chain as connected with them
at different distances from the fulcra of the said levers, to give to them unequal
movements, and this chain is passed over a sheave 68 on a lever es, having a cord

page_text: or chain v³, which in practice will be extended about suitable sheaves, and be so
connected with the shuttle box rod as to ensure the proper lifting of the shuttle
boxes at the time desired or indicated by the pattern surface.
In Figure 30 the two levers n³, 83, of unequal length have their fulcra between
their ends, and a chain d³ connected therewith is made to receive and support a
running sheave es in a frame connected by means of a second chain or cord v³ over
suitable guide pulleys with the shuttle-box rod. To operate a series of six shuttle
boxes, the levers may be contrived, as in Figures 31, 32, wherein 83 represents the
main lever, n³ the secondary lever, but instead of mounting the main lever on a
fulcra in common with the secondary lever n³, it is placed on a fulcrum f³ carried
by an auxiliary lever 98, the latter being also joined at its opposite end with a
connecting rod d³, so that the range or extent of movement of the forward end of
the primary lever 83 is rendered capable of having given to it a greater range of
motion than in the plan, Figure 29, so as to enable the shuttle box levers g³, n³, 8³,
by their changes of position in unison with, or opposition to each other, to control
six shuttle boxes.
Figure 33 shows three shuttle-box levers n³, 83, 8, all on the same fulcrum 18,
and contrived to work a series of six shuttle boxes. Of these levers those n³, 83,
may be considered the same as the levers marked by the same letters in Figure 30,
and the chain d³ supports a running sheave e³, having a chain m¹8; but in Figure 33
this chain is connected with the third lever ³, rather than with the shuttle box
rod as described with relation to the contrivance, Figure 30. The chain m 18 in
Figure 33 serves to support a second running sheave n³ connected by a link o³ with
shuttle box lever p8, the forward end of which may be connected in any suitable
or usual way with the shuttle-box rod u³, preferably however by means of a chain
extended about or over a sheave attached to the underside of the lay, and thence
to the shuttle box rod. The movements of these levers, one or more at the same
time and in the same or opposite directions, enables any one box of a series of six
shuttle boxes to be instantly placed opposite the race way of the lay.
In this Figure 33 the selectors are shown as weighed blocks pivoted to the
shifting levers 65 and weighted so as normally to hold the selectors in the position
shown in full lines. The lowermost or downwardly extended part of each
selector is wedge-shaped to be struck at one or its other side or face by the toes 88,
one for each selector, held in a rod t in a frame 8 carried by the lever 49, in
function and purpose the same as lever 49 before described. The lever 49 is
connected by rod w with a lever a, the opposite end of which has a rod or link 6°
moved by a cam 8, such as herein before described, and as the toes strike the
selectors the shifting levers are moved in one or the other direction for the purposes
before set forth, according to which side of the selector is so engaged. The selectors
shown in Figure 33 have each a third arm, which by the weighted part of the
selector is kept up against the end of a finger c above it, which is acted upon and
kept up or permitted to fall by a pattern surface, or it may be a chain on which
the fingers rest. When the said pattern surface permits a finger to fall, it acts
upon and so turns the shifting lever below it into the position designated by the
second selector. The toes enter the space between the ends of the selectors, as
shown. The toes have shoulders do, see Figure 34, that are acted upon by
connected bars held up by a spring e to keep the toes normally in proper vertical
position, but permit them to yield or turn axially under strain. In all these plans
the shifting levers and connecting rods more or less shown, are supposed to be all
as in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 6, and are to be actuated by like long gears.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Invention
and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that
what I claim is,―
First. In a loom rotating toothed gears j, k, and a series of toothed cranks, and
shifting levers upon which they are mounted, and connecting rods, and shuttle-box
evers, and a tier of shuttle boxes combined with pivoted selectors, and a pattern-

page_text: surface and mechanism to move the selectors to effect or determine the direction of
inovement of the shifting-levers upon their fulcra, to enable the toothed cranks to
be turned in one or the other direction in accordance with the requirements of the
pattern surface, and by their connecting rods actuate the shuttle-box levers,
substantially as described.
Second. The intermittingly rotating long gears j, k, and toothed gears l*, m*,
combined with the toothed gear provided with blank spaces and flanges, as
described, mechanism to actuate the said gear, and the holder to act on the flanges
to stop the long-gears while the toothed and flanged gear rotates.
Third. In a loom two shifting levers 65 and mechanism to move them according
to the requirements of the pattern-surface, two toothed cranks, and two connecting
rods, and a pair of reversely rotating gears to turn the toothed cranks, combined
with a primary shuttle box lever, a secondary shuttle box lever and shive thereon,
a chain or connection f³ supported by shives, and a shuttle-box rod, and a series of
four shuttle-boxes to operate, substantially as described.
Fourth. The frame-work provided with curved guiding slots or ways, as
described, and the elevator and depressor adapted to be reciprocated therein to
engage the hooked jacks, and by one of their edges to even the shed, combined
with the hooked jacks, harness frames and cording, notched upright levers with
which the cording is connected, and with the rocker-shaft and mechanism to rock
it; its arms w, wx, of unequal length and connecting links u, v, to move one of the
ends of the lifter and depressor further than their other ends when opening the
shed, to enable the successive harness-frames at the rear of the front harness-frame
to be lifted higher than the one next in front of it, and to ensure accuracy of
adjustment of each frame of this series of harness-frames, all substantially as
described.
Fifth. The double hooked pawl and its pivoted sleeve and mechanism to
reciprocate them, and the pattern cylinder shaft provided with two ratchets,
combined with the treadle and flexible connecting device between the treadle shaft
and pawl, to enable the pattern surface to be turned forward during regular
weaving, and to be reversed to find a mispick through the treadle, substantially as
described.
Sixth. In a fancy loom the reed and lay, crank-sbaft and links (37, 38, and 43,)
to operate the lay, as described, to beat in the weft, remain in contact therewith, to
hold and pack the weft into the closed shed, while the warp beld, as described, is
opened or crossed to form and almost complete the succeeding shed combined with
shedding mechanism, essentially as described, adapted to substantially form the
shed for the reception of the weft while the reed is yet in contact with the weft
last laid, as set forth.
Seventh. In a close shed loom operating to form the sheds, as described,
connected pattern surfaces for the shed forming mechanism, and means controlled
by the shuttle-box pattern mechanism to move the shifting levers in one or the
other direction to engage the toothed cranks carried by them with one or the other
of their actuating long gears, to move one or the other or both of the shuttle-box
levers, as may be desired.
Eighth. The combination of the eccentric and its strap and roll with the link
and guide for the roll to operate the elevator and depressor, substantially as
described.
Ninth. That improvement in the art of weaving worsted and woollen goods on
fancy looms which consists in beating in the filling while the shed is closed,
causing the lay to dwell or remain substantially in its forward position with its
dents in contact with and so as to pack and hold the filling between the warps of
the closed shed, while the succeeding shed for the next shot of weft is almost
completed, to thereby make a compact and solid fabric, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
Tenth. The shifting levers f5 pivoted between their ends, and the toothed

page_text: cranks carried thereby, and rotating gears to turn the toothed crank in one or the
other direction, combined with mechanism to operate upon the shifting levers at
one end, and move them positively to engage their cranks with one or the other of
the actuating gear, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Morgan-Brown, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty seventh day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN. (L.S.)