Wool to Carding Machines.
Year: 1885

page_text: Wool to Carding Machines.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FEED APPARATUS CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR
FEEDING WOOL TO CARDING MACHINES to be as follows:-
"
This invention relates to feed apparatus for carding and other machines working
textile materials and comprises a toothed feed-drum to which intermittent motion
is imparted and a toothed comb, the teeth of the said feed-drum and comb having
split working portions, a brake for the feed drum, a comb operating with variable
speeds, a rising and falling comb, a holder for the material under treatment, a brush
for the feed-apron and drum, the said feed-apron being independent of the discharge
apron, and a heater in the feed apron.
In carrying the said invention into practice I provide a suitable frame upon
which the driving shaft is mounted. The said driving shaft carries a pinion by
which motion is imparted to a second pinion and thence to three toothed wheels.
hereinafter termed the first, second or third wheels respectively the shafts of the
Baid pinions and toothed wheels being properly mounted on the said frame.
Disc cranks are secured to the shafts of the said toothed wheels.
The feed drum is provided with teeth and is secured to a shaft which is mounted
on the frame and carries a fourth toothed wheel with which gears a pinion herein-
after termed the third pinion, the shaft whereof carries a pinion hereinafter termed
the fourth pinion which gears with a piuion hereinafter termed the fifth pinion.
The shaft of the said fifth pinion carries a ratchet with which a pawl engages, the
arm which supports the latter being connected with a rod the lower end whereof is
attached to a wrist pin or stud on the crank of the first toothed wheel the effect of
which arrangement is to impart intermittent motion to the feed drum.
Located below the drum at the feed end of the machine, is an apron for directing
wool or the like to the said drum, and at the opposite end of the machine is an
apron for discharging the combed wool or the like, as will be hereafter more fully
referred to.

page_text: Feed rollers direct the combed wool from the discharge apron to the carding or
other machine. On the shaft of one of said feed rollers is mounted a pinion
termed the sixth pinion which meshes with an idler pinion. On the shaft of the
roller around which the discharge apron passes is a pinion, termed the seventh
pinion, which meshes with the said idler pinion whereby motion is communicated
to the said apron.
The shaft of the feed drum carries a sprocket wheel around which passes a chain
or band which also engages with a second sprocket wheel on the shaft of one of
the rollers carrying the feed apron whereby the said apron receives its motion.
Adjacent to the feed drum, are arranged a number of combs.
One comb, hereinafter termed the pivotted comb, is located above the feed-drum
and somewhat in front of the same, and is pivotted to, and operated by, a rising
and falling arm which is mounted at the top of the frame and receives motion by
means of an arm and a rod, the lower end of the latter being connected with a
wrist pin or stud on the disc crank on the shaft of the first toothed wheel.
An elbow lever is also mounted at the top of, the frame at the rear of the pivotted
comb, which lever is connected to said comb by means of a rod and also to another
rod which has its lower end connected with a wrist pin or stud on the disc crank
on the shaft of the third toothed wheel, by which means, horizontal motions in
opposite directions are imparted to the pivotted comb, and as the latter is raised
and lowered by an arm as heretofore stated, the comb has elliptical motions
imparted to it.
Another comb, hereinafter termed the second comb, is located somewhat above
the drum at the rear thereof, and consequently at the rear of the pivotted comb
and is pivotted to an arm which is mounted on the frame, and receives motion by
means of an arm and a rod, the lower end of the latter being connected with a
wrist pin or stud on the disc crank on the shaft of the second toothed wheel, the
effect of which is to raise and lower the second comb.
an
Pivotted to the back of said comb is an arin having connected with its shaft
elbow lever which, by means of a rod or bar attached to a wrist pin or stud on
the disc crank on the shaft of the third toothed wheel, imparts horizontal motions
in opposite directions to the said second comb, so that the latter has elliptical
motions imparted to it. A third comb hereinafter termed the rotary comb is
located below the second comb and has connected with its shaft a toothed seginent
with which meshes a second toothed segment mounted on the frame, said segments
having excentric axes, whereby the rotary comb is rotated with variable speed,
first rapidly and then slowly to the end of the motion. The second segment
receives rotary motions in opposite directions by means of a rod or bar whose lower
end is connected to a wrist pin or stud on the disc crank on the shaft of the second
toothed wheel.
A rising and falling stripping comb is located below, and rearward of, the rotary
comb and has its shaft fitted in a curved slot and connected with a rod whose
lower end is connected to a lever, the latter being carried by a shaft parallel with
the shafts of the first second and third toothed wheels. On the said parallel shaft
is fixed, on one side of the machine, a lever, and on the shaft of the third toothed
wheel, on the opposite side of the machine, is fixed another lever which has a slot
and a roller whereby rising and falling motions are imparted to the stripping
comb.
A holder is pivotted to a link which is suitably mounted on the frame above
the discharge apron said holder, consisting of a piece of board or other suitable
material having at its front a downwardly projecting lip. Connected with the
said holder is a strap whose upper end is attached to an arm secured to the shaft
on which the arm or lever oscillating the pivotted comb is supported. Located
in front of the discharge apron and below the rotary and stripping combs is a
stationary comb, so disposed that the teeth of the rotary comb pass between those
of the stationary comb. The teeth of the feed drum and those of the rotary comb
are forked so as to take hold of wool or the like to be combed.

page_text: Within the feed apron are pipes which are connected with return bends, supported
on the frame of the apparatus, and which are in communication with a supply of
steam or other medium for heating the apron, and consequently the wool or other
material thereon, said material when in warm or hot condition being most readily
combed.
To the end of the feed drum or the shaft thereof, is secured a pulley or ring
around which is passed a band of metal or other suitable material, and to said band
is attached a screw hook or eye, the threaded portion of which is passed through a
bar connected with the frame of the machine. A nut is fitted to the threaded
portion of the hook or eye, whereby the tension of the band on the ring or pulley
may be adjusted, and provision is made for holding the feed drum when the same
is relieved of power, thus preventing return motion thereof.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows; that is to say :-Power is applied
to the driving shaft, whereby the first second and third toothed wheels are set in
motion, and thus by means of arms and rods the pawl, the ratchet, the third, fourth
and fifth pinions and the fourth toothed wheel intermittent rotary motion is
imparted to the feed drum, consequently the wool, or other material supplied to the
feed apron and reaching the drum, is taken up by the latter and held at intervals
while being subjected to the combing operation as will be described hereinafter.
Owing to the connecting mechanism of the pivotted, second and rotary combs.
the latter are operated, the pivotted comb moving backward and forward in an
elliptical motion, and working against the wool or other material raised by the
drum, thus thinning and straightening out the same.
The stream of material now
reaches the second comb, where it is straightened and further thinned,' and next
subjected to the action of the rotary comb, whose teeth pass between the teeth.of
the drum; and thus is uniformly combed. Owing to segmental gearing, the motion
of the.rotary comb is at first rapid as it enters the stream of material, and then
gradually less rapid as it completes its throw, so that the material is not injured as
the combing operation advances, and the material thins out. The second and
rotary combs move in reverse directions, so that the rotary comb acts against the
material after it has been straightened out and thinned by the second comb, said
rotary comb then drawing the material through the teeth of the drum, at which.
time the drum has its dwell.
The stream of material is also carried through the teeth of the stationary comb
by the rotary comb and next stripped off said rotary comb and then held by means
of the descending stripping comb while the rotary comb returns to its first position
towards the second comb. The holder now descends and bears against the material
on the discharge apron, so that the stripping comb is permitted to rise, and the
material is then carried away by the discharge apron. The holder is permitted to
move with the discharging material on the apron, owing to the said link, until the
strap lifts said holder, in which case the holder is returned to its elevated position
ready to advance against the combed material continued to be fed to the discharge.
apron by the rotary comb.
When the pivotted and second combs have completed their advance motions,
they rise, and when the return motions are completed, they re-enter the material
and act thereon in the manner stated. On the return motions the said combs do
not interfere with the advancing material.

page_text: improvements in Feed-apparatus, chiefly Designed for Feeding
Wool to Carding Machines.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co, Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to an improved feed-apparatus, chiefly designed for feeding ||
wool to carding-machines.
My improved apparatus comprises the following parts, viz:-a feed-drum to
which intermittent rotary motion is imparted; an oscillating comb and means for
operating the same and for varying the angular velocity thereof; a rising and
falling stripping comb; a holder for the material; travelling feed and discharge
aprons or endless belts; a heater in the feed apron; and a brush arranged in
combination with the said feed apron and drum. The teeth of the said feed-drum
and of the oscillating comb have split or forked working portions, as, and for the
purpose, hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawing.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a feed-apparatus for a carding-machine, embodying
my invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of a portion of the said machine.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tooth such as I employ for the feed-drum and
for the oscillating comb.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawing.
A is the frame of the machine. B is a driving shaft mounted in bearings therein
and having fixed upon it a pinion C, whereby motion is imparted to a pinion D
and, through this pinion, to a number of toothed wheels D¹, D³, D³, D* gearing one
with another. The shafts of the said pinion and wheels, are mounted in suitable
bearings in the frame A.
E, E, E are disc-cranks secured to the shafts of the wheels D1, D2, D3; E³ is a
cam secured to the shaft of the wheel D'.
F is a feed-drum having teeth G, and fixed upon a shaft F¹, which is mounted in
bearings in the frame A and has fixed thereon a toothed wheel H. With this
toothed wheel gears a pinion J, the shaft whereof has fixed upon it a pinion J',
which gears with a pinion J', whose shaft carries a ratchet-wheel J. With this
ratchet-wheel engages a pawl J* supported by the arm K. This arm is coupled to
a rod or link K₁, the lower end whereof is coupled to a wrist-pin or stud on one
of the cranks E. By these means, intermittent rotary motion is imparted to the
feed-drum F.
Below the drum F, at the feed end of the machine, is a travelling apron or
endless belt L for conducting the wool or other material to the drum F; and, at
the opposite end of the machine, is another travelling apron or endless belt L³, for

page_text: discharging the combed wool or other material into the carding-machine as nerein
after described.
L*, L' are feed-rollers which conduct the combed wool from the apron L¹ to the
carding-machine. These rollers receive motion from the driving shaft of the carding-
machine. On the shaft of the lower roller L. is mounted a pinion d, which gears
with an idler pinion & On the shaft of the roller f, around which the apron L¹
passes, is a pinion e', which also gears with the idler pinion e. By these means,
motion is communicated to the said apron L¹. The shaft of the roller f¹ has fixed.
thereon a spur-wheel g, around which is passed a chain, belt or band h, which is
also passed around a spur-wheel k on the shaft of the roller c. By these means,
motion is imparted from the apron L¹ to the apron L
M, N, P indicate combs which are suitably arranged relatively to the feed-
drum F, and which are operated as hereinafter described. The comb M is situated
above the feed-drum and a short distance in front of the same, and is pivotted to,
and operated by, a rising and falling arm M¹, which is mounted upon a shaft
carried in bearings at the top of the frame A, and which receives motion from one
of the disc-cranks E by means of an arm M', and a rod M³, the lower end of the
latter being connected with a wrist-pin or stud on the said disc-crank. A bell-
crank-lever M' is mounted on a shaft carried in bearings at the top of the frame A
behind the comb M, and is coupled. to the said comb by means of a rod M. The
said bell-crank-lever is also coupled to a rod Mº, which, in Figures 1 and 2; is shown
by dotted lines, and which is connected, at its lower end, with a wrist-pin or stud
on one of the cranks E. By these means, horizontal reciprocating motion is
imparted to the comb M; but, as the said comb is, at the same time, raised and
lowered by the arm M¹, as herein before stated, the said comb will move in an
elliptical path.
The comb N is situated above the drum F at the rear thereof, and consequently
at the rear of the comb M, and is pivotted to an arm N¹, which is mounted on a
shaft carried in bearings in the frame A. This comb receives motion from one of
the cranks E by means of an arm N2, and a rod N³, the lower end of the latter
being connected with a wrist-pin or stud on the said crank. The said comb N is
thus alternately raised and lowered. An arm N is coupled to the back of the said
comb, and to a bell-crank-lever N³ mounted on a shaft which is carried in bearings
in the frame A. This lever is coupled, by means of a rod or bar N6, with a wrist-
pin or stud on a crank E', which imparts horizontal reciprocating motion to the
said comb, so that the latter moves in an elliptical path.
The oscillating comb P is situated below the comb N, and has connected with
its shaft a toothed segment P¹, with which gears a toothed segment P³, mounted on
a shaft carried in bearings in the frame A. These segments are elliptical and have
eccentric axes so that the angular velocity of the comb P is varied during each
oscillation thereof, that is to say, the said comb is moved first rapidly and then
slowly to the end of its movement. The segment P' receives rotary motion
alternately in opposite directions by means of a rod or bar P³, whose lower end is
connected with a wrist-pin or stud on one of the cranks E¹.
Qis a rising and falling stripping comb, which is situated below and behind the
comb P, and has its shaft Q¹ fitted in curved slots Q' in the frame A. This comb
is connected with rods Q³, whose lower ends carry rollers or studs Q. These
rollers or studs bear on the cams E on the shaft of the toothed wheel D', whereby
rising and falling motions are imparted to the said comb Q.
Ris a holder, which is pivotted to a link R¹ suitably coupled to the frame A
above the discharge-apron L. This holder consists of a piece of board or other
suitable material having at the front end a downwardly projecting lip R*. A
strap R2, is connected with the said holder and is attached, at its upper end, to an
arm Rs fixed upon the shaft R, on which is fixed the arm or lever M*.
In front of the apron I and below the combs P, Q, is a stationary comb S, so
disposed that the teeth of the copb P pass between those of the comb S.
.

page_text: The teeth G of the feed-drum and the teeth G' of the oscillating comb Pare
split or bifurcated at their working ends, as shown in Figure 3, to ensure their
taking proper hold of the wool or other material to be combed.
.
Within the apron L are pipes T, which are connected with return-beuds sup.
ported on the frame of the apparatus. These pipes are in communication with a
supply of steam or other medium for heating the apron and, consequently, the wool
or other material thereon, which material is most readily combed when warm
or hot.
To the end of the feed-drum F or to the shaft thereof is secured a pulley or.
ring U, around which is passed a band V of metal or other suitable material.
To this band is attached a hook or eye W having a screw-threaded shank, which
is passed through a bar X attached to the frame of the machine. A nut Y is
fitted on the screw-threaded portion of the said hook or eye, whereby the tension
of the band on the ring or pulley may be adjusted, and provision is made for
holding the feed-drum, when necessary, to prevent. any return motion thereof.
Z is a rotary brush arranged below the drum F and at the rear end of the
apron L for the purposes hereinafter explained. The shaft of this brush is
provided with a pinion or spur-wheel a, gearing with an idler pinion or spur-
wheel mounted on a stud fixed in the frame of the machine. This spur-wheel b
gears with a pinion on the shaft of the roller c, which pinion is not shown in the
drawing. By these means, rotary motion is imparted to the said brush.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows, that is to say:-Power is applied
to the shaft B, whereby the gear-wheels D¹, D', D³, D* are set in motion, and thus,
by means of the arm K, rod K¹, pawl J*, ratchet-wheel J³, pinions Jª, J¹, J, and.
wheel H, an intermittent rotary motion is imparted to the feed-drum F; con-
sequently the wool or other material supplied to the apron L and reaching the
said drum is taken up by the latter and held at intervals while being subjected to
the combing operations, which will be described in their order. The combs M, N, P
are operated by the mechanism above described, the comb M moving in an
elliptical path, and working against the wool or other material raised by the drum,
thus thinning and straightening out the same. The stream of material, when it
reaches the comb N, is further straightened out and thinned. It is then subjected
to the action of the oscillating comb (whose teeth pass between the teeth of the
drum F) and is thus well and uniformly combed. By reason of the shape and
arrangement of the segments P1, P2, the motion of the comb P is, às above stated,
at first rapid as it enters the stream of material and then gradually less rapid as it
completes its throw, therefore the material is not injured as the combing operation
advances and the material thins out. The combs N, P move in reverse directions,
so that the comb P acts against the material after it has been straightened out and
thinued by the comb N, the said comb P then drawing the material through the
teeth of the drum, whilst the drum is stationary. The stream of material is also
carried through the teeth of the comb S by the comb P, and is then stripped off
the said comb P, and is held by means of the descending comb Q, while the comb P
returns to its original position in proximity to the comb N. The holder R now
descends and bears against the material on the apron L¹, thereby holding the said
material while the comb Q is raised, and the material is then carried away by the
apron L. The holder R is permitted by the link R¹ to move with the material
on the apron L¹ until the strap R lifts the said holder, and returns it to its
elevated position, ready to advance against the combed material fed to the
apron L by the comb P. Should any of the material on the feed-apron L pass
under the drum and not be taken up by the teeth thereof, it will reach the
brush Z and be driven thereby against the teeth of the said drum, and thus
returned to the stream of material which is properly fed to the drum. When the
combs M, N have completed their advance movements, they rise on their return
movements. When the latter are completed, they re-enter the material and act
thereon in the manner above described. On their return movements, the said
combs do not interfere with the advancing material,

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent I wish it understood that I claim :—
First A feed-drum and means for imparting an intermittent rotary motion
thereto, arranged in combination with two combs and means for moving the same
in elliptical paths, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Second-The combination of parts comprising the feed-drum and means for
rotating the same, the oscillating comb P, the stripping comb Q, and the stationary
comb S, or other support for the material, arranged beneath the said comb. Q,
(with or without the holder R) all substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Third-The combination, with the stripping comb Q, of the shaft Q₁ fitted in
the curved slots Q, the rods Q³ coupled to the said shaft, and means for imparting
a rising and falling motion to the said rods, substantially as, and for the purpose,
Bet forth.
Fourth-The combination of parts comprising the travelling discharge apron or
endless belt, the holder R, the stripping comb, and means for imparting a rising
and falling motion to the said comb, (with or without the oscillating comb P and
with or without the stationary comb S), all substantially as, and for the purposes,
set forth.
Fifth The combination of parts comprising the holder R having a lip at its
front end, the link R¹ connecting one end of the said holder with the frame of the
machine, and means for imparting a rising and falling motion to the said holder,
substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth:
Sixth-The combination, with the travelling feed apron or endless belt and the
feed-drum, of a rotary brush, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Seventh-The combination, with the comb P, of the mechanism comprising the
toothed segments P1, P2, for imparting oscillating motion to the said comb and
varying the angular velocity thereof, substantially as, and for the purpose, set
forth.
Eighth A tooth having a solid shank with
stantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
split or bifurcated end, sub-
Ninth A comb provided with teeth having bifurcated working ends, sub-
stantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Tenth A feed-drum provided with teeth having bifurcated working ends,
substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Eleventh The combination of parts comprising the travelling feed-apron or
endless belt, the feed-drum, the combs M, N, the oscillating comb P, the stripping
comb Q, the stationary comb S, the holder R, the travelling discharge apron or
endless belt and mechanism for operating the said feed-drum, holders, combs, and
aprons, all substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Twelfth-The improved feed-apparatus consisting of the parts constructed and
combined substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing
and operating as, and for the purposes, set forth.
n
0 1 1
T
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.