IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robertson and James Guthrie Orchar,
of Dundee, in the County of Forfar, North Britain,, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING.""
Sealed the 14th December 1866, and dated the 16th June 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robertson and
James Guthrie Orchar at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 16th June 1866.
We, WILLIAM ROBERTSON and JAMES GUTHRIE. ORCHAR, of Dundee, in the
County of Forfar, North Britain, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING," to be as follows, that is
to say:
This Invention essentially relates to arrangements of certain parts of looms
for weaving known as the "uptake" mechanism, and the peculiar feature in it
consists in so combining the parts that one and the same mechanical system is
rendered capable of discharging its functions in a twofold manner, so that
either what is known as the "drag" or "positive" "uptake" can be brought
into action at the will of the attendant, whenever either one or the other mode
of winding on the cloth as it is woven may be required.
Under one modification of this Invention the stud on which the ratchet and
pinion ordinarily employed in "drag uptake" mechanism, instead of being
placed close enough to the cloth beam, so that the uptake pinion shall gear
directly into the spur wheel on the cloth beam, is in the present arrangement

page_text: moved further from the cloth beam, and a second toothed wheel constantly in
gear with the wheel on the beam is placed so as to revolve upon another stud;
from this stud as a centre a segmental slot is formed in the framing of the
loom, and a stud capable of being adjusted to any desired position thereon is
provided for receiving an intervening wheel actuated by the pinion driven by the
ratchet, as the latter is rotated by the pall of the "uptake" mechanism. It
is evident from the foregoing description that the arrangement admits of a set
of change pinions being used on the stud by which the ratchet wheel is carried,
and therefore the rate of taking up the cloth when working the "positive
uptake" will vary and depend entirely upon the relation between the number
of teeth on the pinion and the number of teeth in the wheel on the cloth
beam. It will be understood that change wheels or pinions are only re-
quired when the "positive uptake" is being worked. While in working
the "drag uptake" the smallest pinion that can conveniently be applied is put
on the stud by which the ratchet wheel is carried, and no change pinions are
required. When it is desired to produce the "positive uptake" the stud in
the "spanner" on the rocking shaft is adjusted to to give the necessary move-
ment to the lever carrying the uptake pall, so that the pall takes into one
or more teeth of the ratchet as may be required for each vibration of the
rocking shaft spanner, and the spring used with the "drag uptake is
tightened to cause the lower end of the lever to remain in contact with the
stud in the spanner during the whole period of its vibration; in which case
the amount of " uptake is governed, firstly, by the positive rate of motion
communicated to the ratchet wheel; and, secondly, by the amount of motion
transmitted to the cloth beam, which of itself depends as herein-before
described on the relation between the number of teeth in the driving pinion
and driven wheel. When however the "drag uptake" is necessary the stud
in the "spanner" on the rocking shaft is adjusted to give a greater amount of
motion to the lever carrying the uptake pall than is necessary to be taken
advantage of, and the spring which causes the lower end of the lever to follow
the stud in the spanner is released and adjusted, so that the lever does not
remain in contact with the stud over the whole vibration of the spanner, but
only to such an extent as the wefting of the cloth requires, in which case the
amount of "uptake" is regulated by the adjustment of the spring which
actuates the lever and uptake pall. In either case the ratchet wheel is
held from recoiling back by means of retaining catches or pålls.
"

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Robertson and James Guthrie Orchar in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 15th December 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we; WILLIAM
ROBERTSON and JAMES GUTHRIE. ORCHAR,, of Dundee, in the County of Forfar,
North Britain,, send greeting..
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the twenty-ninth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us,
the said William Robertson and James Guthrie Orchar, Her special license
that we, the said William Robertson and James Guthrie Orchar, our
executors,. administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said William
Robertson and James Guthrie. Orchar,. our exccutors,. administrators, or
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make,. use, exercise,. and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING," upon the condition
(amongst others) that we, the said William Robertson and James Guthrie
Orchar, by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six. calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said William Robertson and James
Guthrie Orchar, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly de-
scribed and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being
had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say:-
Our said Invention essentially relates to the arrangement of certain parts of
looms for weaving known as the "uptake" mechanism, and the peculiar
feature in it consists in so combining the parts that one and the same
mechanical system is rendered capable of discharging its functions in a two-
fuld manner, so that either what is known as the "drag uptake" or "positive
uptake" can be brought into action at the will of the attendant whenever

page_text: either one or the other mode of winding on the cloth as it is woven may be
required.
"
Under one modification of this Invention the stud on which the ratchet and
pinion ordinarily employed in "drag uptake" mechanism (instead of being
placed close enough to the cloth beam, so that the uptake pinion shall gear
directly into the spur wheel on the cloth beam), is in the present arrangement
moved further from the cloth beam, and a second toothed wheel constantly in
gear with the wheel on the beam is placed so as to revolve upon another stud;
from this stud as a centre a segmental slot is formed in the framing of the
loom, and a stud capable of being adjusted to any desired position therein is
provided for receiving an intervening wheel actuated by the pinion driven by
the ratchet as the latter is rotated by the pall of the uptake mechanism. It
is evident from the foregoing description that the arrangement admits of a set
of change pinions being used on the stud by which the ratchet wheel is carried,
and therefore the rate of taking up the cloth when working the positive
uptake will vary and depend entirely upon the relation between the number of
teeth on the pinion and the number of teeth on the of the cloth beam.
It will be understood that change wheels or pinions are only required when
the "positive uptake is being worked. While in working the "drag uptake
the smallest pinion that can conveniently be applied is put on the stud by
which the ratchet wheel is carried, and no change pinions are required.
When it is desired to produce the "positive uptake" the stud in the spanner on
the rocking shaft is adjusted to give the necessary movement to the lever
carrying the uptake pall, so that the pall takes into one or more teeth of the
ratchet as may be required for each vibration of the rocking shaft spanner,
and the spring used with the "drag uptake" is tightened to cause the lower
end of the lever to remain in contact with the stud on the spanner during the
whole period of its vibration, in which case the amount of uptake is governed,
firstly, by the positive rate of motion communicated to the ratchet wheel; and,
secondly, by the amount of motion transmitted to the cloth beam, which of
itself depends as herein-before described on the relation between the number
of teeth in the driving pinion and driven wheel. When, however, the "drag
uptake" is necessary the stud in the spanner on the rocking shaft is adjusted
to give a greater amount of motion to the lever carrying the uptake pall than
is necessary to be taken advantage of, and the spring which causes the lower
end of the lever to follow the stud in the spanner is released and adjusted, so
that the lever does not remain in contact with the stud over the whole vibra-
tion of the spanner, but only to such an extent as the wefting of the cloth

page_text: requires, in which case the amount of uptake is regulated by the adjustment
of the spring which actuates the lever and uptake pall. In either case the
ratchet wheel is held from recoiling back by means of retaining catches or
palls.
And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood we shall
now proceed to describe more particularly the system, mode, or manner in or
under which the same is or may be used or practically carried into effect,
reference being had, for the sake of more complete elucidation, to the Figures
upon the two explanatory Sheets of Drawings, which we have hereunto
appended, it being explained that both Figures on Sheet 1 form no part of
our present Invention, we have, however, herein included them for the sake of
rendering more intelligible that in which our said Invention virtually consists.
By first showing and setting forth the two species of uptake mechanism
at present in use, it greatly facilitates the description and better understanding
of our particular Invention itself, that is to say :-
Figure 1, Sheet 1, is an end elevation of an ordinary "positive uptake,"
in which the line of cloth passes over the breast beam and round the back of
what is usually termed the emery roller, and is then wound on a separate
roller resting on inclined brackets causing it to press against the emery roller
and so wind on the woven fabric. The motion may be more fully understood
by reference to the letters on the Drawing.
A is a part of the loom sido or framing upon which the uptake mechanism
is carried; B, the sword shaft or rocking shaft, on one end of which the
vibrating spanner C is keyed, and which transmits a vibratory movement to
the lever E through the connecting rod D, the lever E is carried loosely on the
end of the spindle F, and carries at its upper end the pall catch G, which
actuates the ratchet wheel H keyed on the spindle F, which passes through
the socket on the bracket I. On the inner end of the spindle is keyed the
change pinion J, which is geared into the stud wheel K carried loosely on the
fixed stud L. Attached to the wheel K is the pinion M gearing into the
wheel N on the emery roller O, round which the woven fabric passes and is
rolled on the winding-on roller P as already described. The bracket I is
capable of being shifted up or down on the loom framing to admit of larger
or smaller change pinions on the spindle F, and carries the retaining catch Q.
The connecting rod D may also be placed so as to give more or less vibration
to the lever E according as it may be desired to take one or more teeth
of the ratchet for each vibration of the spanner C. It is evident from the
foregoing description that a positive rate of uptake will be communicated to
the emery roller O, and that the rate may be varied to suit the fabric by

page_text: having a set of change pinions and by taking one or more teeth of the ratchet
H at a time.
Figure 2, Sheet 1, is an end elevation of an ordinary "drag uptake" in
which the line of cloth passes over the breast beam and on to the cloth
roller. The action of this motion may be understood as follows:-A is a part
of the loom side or framing upon which the uptake mechanism is carried;
B, the sword shaft or rocking shaft, on one end of which the vibrating
spanner C is keyed; D is a stud having an antifriction ball or roller E
adjustable up or down in the slot of the spanner C, and acting on the lower
end of the lever F, at the upper end of which is carried the pall catch G,
which takes into one or more teeth of the large ratchet wheel H; I, I, are two
retaining catches carried on the stud J, and adjusted to retain the ratchet
at half a tooth, the lever F is carried on the outer and of the revolving spindle
K, on which the ratchet wheel H is keyed, the spindle K passes through a
socket cast on the frame of the loom, and has keyed on its one end the small
pinion L which is geared into the cloth roller wheel M. To the top of the
lever F is attached loosely the spiral spring N with a screw at its other end
passing through a fixed stud O, and adjustable by means of the thumb nut P.
The working action of the "drag uptake" takes place as follows:-The
stud D is adjusted in the slot of the spanner C, to give a greater amount of
motion than is necessary to be taken advantage of for the proper wefting of
the fabric, and the spiral spring N is adjusted so as to have sufficient power
to take up the woven fabric and at the same time maintain a sufficient ten-
sional strain according to the weight of the fabric, in order to obtain a firm
tramp and evenly laid weft.
Having now set forth the two arrangements of mechanism which constitute
the ordinary "positive "uptake," and the ordinary "drag uptake" at present
in use, we proceed to describe the combined positive and drag uptake
mechanism constituting our present Invention as follows:-
Figure 1, Sheet 2, is an end elevation showing some of the parts of a loom
with our combined "positive" and "drag uptake" mechanism applied thereto;
Figure 2, Sheet 2, being a front elevation of the same. In both Figures the
part of the loom framing A is that which carries the " uptake "mechanism, the
sword shaft B vibrating in bearings in the ordinary manner, and to the outer
end of which the vibrating spanner C is keyed. In the slot of this spanner C
a stud D carrying the antifriction roller or ball E is situated, being capable of
adjustment to any desired position in the slut. The roller or ball E acts upon
the lower end of the lever F, and the lever F which works loosely on the end
of the revolving spindle G carries at its upper end the pall catch H; 1, 1, are

page_text: retaining catches adjusted to hold at half a tooth of the ratchet wheel; J is a
spiral spring connected to the top of the lever F and capable of being slackened
or tightened by means of the thumb nut K. The large ratchet wheel L which
is actuated by the pail catch H is keyed on the spindle G which passes through
a socket cast on the frame of the loom, and on the inner end of which is
keyed the change pinion M which transmits the motion to the cloth roller
wheel N through the intermediate toothed stud wheels O₁ and 0%. The.
intermediate wheel O¹ carried upon the fixed stud P¹ is constantly in gear
with the cloth roller wheel N ; the other intermediate wheel O is carried upon
an adjustable stud Pa in the segmental slot formed in the framing of the loom,
the radius of which extends from the centre of the fixed stud P', thus causing
this wheel to remain constantly in gear with the intermediate wheel O¹, while
it is free to be set up or down so as to gear with any size of change pinion
required on the spindle G. The cloth passes round underneath the cloth
roller Q, which is covered with emery or perforated iron to take a firm hold
of the cluth; it is then wound on the roller R carried on inclined brackets S,
which allow the roller R to press down on the roller Q, from which it receives
the winding-on motion; the brackets S are bolted to the front rail of the
loom T. The combined mechanism here described properly represents the
"positive uptake" when provided with a set of change pinions for the end of
the spindle G; while the "drag uptake" would be properly represented by
placing the smallest of the set of change pinions on the end of the spindle G,
and then lowering the stud P with its intermediate wheel O' to gear with the
above-mentioned smallest pinion.
"
"
Having thus described the combined mechanism common to both the
positive" and "drag uptakes" by this Invention rendered capable of dis-
charging the functions in either manner by simple adjustment as follows:-
When the fabric to be woven renders it desirable to take up by the "positive
motion the positive change pinion is to be put on the spindle G, and the stud
D adjusted in the slot of the spanner C to give sufficient movement to the
lever F, and the pall catch H, for one or more teeth of the ratchet L ; then by
tightening the spiral spring J so as to cause the lower end of the lever F to
follow the antifriction ball E throughout its forward vibration steadily, the
uptake will be substantially positive, and will serve every purpose for which
positive uptake motions are ordinarily employed in power looms.
When the fabric to be woven renders it desirable to take up by a drag
motion, the smallest of the set of change pinions is to be put upon the
spindle G and the motion otherwise trimmed in accordance therewith.
The working of the "drag uptake" is thus :-The stud D and roller E are

page_text: adjusted in the slot of the spanner C to give a greater amount of motion than
is necessary to be utilized for the proper wefting of the fabric; the spiral
spring J is also adjusted by the thumb nut K, sufficient tension being
given to it producing the necessary pull to take up the fabric as it is
woven, and at the same time maintaining a sufficient tensional strain on the
cloth according to the weight of the fabric, in order to obtain a firm tramp
and evenly laid weft.
"
It may herein be observed that the term "drag uptake" is what is known
to practical weavers as that class of mechanism more particularly applicable
for the weaving of heavy or closely wefted fabrics, such as sail cloth, "ducks,'
flax sheetings, and other generally similar fabrics, when a heavy blow of the
reed and lay is necessary to beat up the weft to the degree of closeness
requisite; on the other hand, the "positive uptake" is more particularly
applicable for the weaving of light, soft, or thinly wefted fabrics.
From what has herein-before been set forth it is evident to the practical
weaver that a system of "uptake" mechanism capable of being used at will
either as a "drag uptake" or "positive uptake" is of great value and con-
venience to the manufacturer, in order to enable him to meet more easily and
quickly the continually varying requirements of his trade, which object it is
the purpose of this Invention more particularly to fulfil. That which has s
berein-before been referred to as a "drag uptake" may also be understood as
a "non-positive uptake."
Having now described the nature of our said Invention, and the manner
in which the same is or may be used or practically carried into effect,
we would observe in conclusion that we do not claim to have invented
any of the mechanism illustrated at and described in reference to Figures 1
and 2, Sheet 1 of the Drawings; for, as has herein-before been mentioned,
the mechanism shown in these Figures has long been in use, and is included
in the present Specification only for the sake of facilitating the better under-
standing of that in which our present Invention actually consists; but what
we do consider as novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to us by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
First, the general arrangement and combination of parts constituting the
combined "positive" and "drag uptake" mechanism as herein-before described,
or any mere modification thereof.
Second, the combining together into one system of mechanism that which
has hitherto constituted two separate and distinct systems, the "positive up-
take system and the "drag uptake" system, and the manner of altering the
combined system of mechanism by the use and introduction of a set of change
"
$

page_text: pinions, thereby rendering the combined system capable of discharging its
functions in a two-fold manner, that is either as a "drag uptake" or "positive
uptake," as herein-before described, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Robertson and James Guthrie
Orchar, have hereunto set our bands and seals, this Twelfth day of
December, One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
Witness,
(L.S.)
WILLIAM ROBERTSON.
JAMES GUTHRIE ORCHAR. (L.S.)
ST. JOHN VINCENT DAY, C.E.,
Patent Office,
166, Buchanan St.,
Glasgow.