CERTAIN IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CHENILLE AND OTHER PILED FABRICS
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Peake, of Abbey Street Mill, Derby, in the
County of Derby, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
Sealed the 14th April 1857, and dated the 9th December 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Peake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th
December 1856.
I, THOMAS PEAKE, of Abbey Street Mill, Derby, in the County of Derby,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CHENILLE AND OTHER PILED FABRICS," to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements upon a former Patent,
granted unto me, the said Thomas Peake, in conjunction with William Smith
and William Dickenson, on the 13th day of November 1851.
And the features of novelty and improvement which constitute this present
Invention consist, firstly, in dispensing with the endless cords marked R, as
described in the Specification of the aforesaid former Patent, of the 13th day
of November 1851; and in substituting in place of such said cords other
cords of considerable length, but not endless, for the purpose of rendering the
same more durable and certain in their action for the functions they have to
perform than the former above-mentioned cords, which I have found very

page_text: defective in practice, in consequence of their being worked wholly by friction,
that is to say, by passing over friction pulleys, by which said cords did not
always move uniformly, but worked faster at one time than at another.
The above objections I propose to remedy by fastening the ends of the
improved elongated cords respectively to the bobbins which contain the same,
and which I place near the top of the machine, and to a revolving reel or
winder placed at another part of said machine, so that by imparting motion
to such said reel or winder by gearing, the cords will always be advanced
regularly and at a uniform speed, thereby obviating the defects of the former
endless cords R.
My present improvements consist, secondly, in substituting a forked piece
or pieces of metal in lieu of only using holes, as referred to in the Speci-
fication of my said former Patent of 13th November 1851, for the purpose of
regulating the quantity of silk which passes around such said forked pieces ;
or in other words, for giving off as near as may be, and with as little waste as
possible, the exact quantity of silk necessary to manufacture any desired size
of chenille.
The third part of my said present improvements consists in the use and
employment of certain improved mechanism, by the use of which I am
enabled to manufacture several distinct and separate lengths or ends of
chenille from one and the same shuttle at one and the same operation,
instead of only making one length or end from one shuttle, according to the
mode set forth and described in the Specification of my said former Patent;
and this I effect by carrying several cords through one shuttle instead of
using only two cords or wires, as formerly practised by me, and making only
one end or length of chenille in each separate shuttle, and according to the
number of lengths or ends of chenille which I make at one time in each
separate shuttle; in like manner I form the cutter rollers for dividing the silk,
for example, suppose I make 8 ends of chenille at one time in one shuttle,
I so form the said cutter rollers as to divido the silk into 8 equal parts,
every two of the aforesaid cords passing at each side of such divided pieces of
silk, which is fixed thereon as the said cords or wires are twisted. By this
improvement I require fewer hands and lessen the waste of silk, the quantity
wasted diminishing in proportion to the increase of the number of lengths or
ends which I make at one time from each separate shuttle, that is to say, as
it is only the extreme outer parts of the loop of silk, of which the chenille is
made that is wasted, it follows, therefore, that by making 2, 4, or 8, or any
other number of lengths or ends of chenille at one time, and taking into
consideration that the cutters which divide the silk make no waste whatever,

page_text: it is still only the extreme outer parts that are wasted, and hence there is the
same waste in making only one piece as there would be in making 8 or any
greater number by my improved method, it being only necessary by my said
improvements to regulate and adjust the length of the loop or quantity of silk
according to the number of lengths or ends of chenille desired to be made, as
before stated.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thomas Peake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
9th June 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
PEAKE, of Abbey Street Mill, Derby, in the County of Derby, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Thomas Peake, Her special licence that I, the said Thomas Peake, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas
Peake, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF CHENILLE AND OTHER PILED FABRICS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Thomas Peake, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Peake, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement
thereof, that is to say:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements upon a former Patent,
granted unto me, the said Thomas Peake, in conjunction with William Smith
and William Dickenson, on the 13th day of November 1851.

page_text: And the features of novelty and improvement which constitute this present
Invention consist, firstly, in dispensing with the endless cords marked R, as
described in the Specification of the aforesaid former Patent, of the 13th
November 1851; and in substituting in place of such said cords other cords
of considerable length but not endless, for the purpose of rendering the same
more durable and certain in their action for the functions they have to perform
than the former above-mentioned cords, which I have found very defective in
practice in consequence of their being worked wholly by friction, that is to
say, by passing over friction pulleys, by which said cords did not always move
uniformly, but worked faster at one time than at another.
The above objections I propose to remedy by fastening the ends of the
improved elongated cords respectively to the bobbins which contain the same,.
and which I place near the top of the machine, and to a revolving reel or
winder placed at another part of said machine, so that by imparting motion.
to such said reel or winder by gearing, the cords will always be advanced
regularly and at an uniform speed, thereby obviating the defects of the former
endless cords R.
My present improvements consist, secondly, in substituting a forked piece
or pieces of metal in lieu of only using holes, as referred to in the Speci-
fication of my said former Patent of 13th November 1851, for the purpose of
regulating the quantity of silk which passes around such said forked pieces;
or in other words, for giving off as near as may be, and with as littlo waste as
possible, the exact quantity of silk necessary to manufacture any desired size
of chenille.
The third part of my said present improvements consists in the use and
employment of certain improved mechanism, by the use of which I am
enabled to manufacture several distinct and separate lengths or ends of
chenille from one and the same shuttle at one and the same operation, instead
of only making one length or end from one shuttle, according to the mode set
forth and described in the Specification of my said former Patent. By this
improvement I require fewer hands and lessen the waste of silk, the quantity
wasted diminishing in proportion to the increase of the number of lengths or
ends which I make at one time from each separate shuttle; that is to say, as
it is only the extreme outer parts of the loop of silk of which the chenille is
made that is wasted, it follows, therefore, that by making two, four, eight, or
any other number of lengths or ends of chenille at one time, and taking into
consideration that the cutters which divide the silk make no waste whatever,
it is still only the extremc outer parts that are wasted, and hence there is the
same waste in making only one piece as there would be in making eight or

page_text: said improvements to regulate and adjust the length of the loop or quantity of
silk according to the number of lengthis or ends of chenille desired to be made,
as before stated.
In order to explain my said Invention as completely as possible, I now
proceed to describe the best means I am acquainted with for carrying the same
into practical effect, for which purpose I have annexed to these Presents two
Sheets of illustrative Drawings, and have marked the same with numeral
figures and letters of reference, similar letters of reference being employed to
denote corresponding parts in so far as such parts appear or can be seen at
cach of such said Figures respectively.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
At Sheet 1, Figure 1 exhibits an elevation of the driving end of the
machine which I employ for effecting my said improvements in the manu-
facture of chenille; Figure 2 is an elevation of the opposite end of said
machine; Figure 3 is a transverse and vertical section of the machine as it
would appear if divided through the line A, B, at Figure 4 of Sheet 2, said
Figure representing a partial front elevation of the machine; Figures 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, exhibit detached portions, herein-after particularly described and referred
to, same being drawn to an enlarged scale to render the construction thereof
more intelligible.
At Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, of Sheets 1 and 2, A denotes the framing of the
machine, to which are connected the following parts:B, the main driving
shaft, supported by suitable bearings fixed to the framing A; a, b, fast and
loose pullies; C, a tin roller drum, securely fixed on the shaft B, so as to niove
therewith; D, a pinion, fixed on cud of the shaft B. This pinion takes or
gears into a toothed wheel c, for transmitting motion from the shaft B to the
shaft E through the agency of the wheel D fixed thereon, and the carrier
wheels d, e, and f, the teeth of such said several wheels taking or gearing into
each other. There is a pinion G fixed on the opposite end of the shaft E
(shewn also at Figuro 4 of Sheet 2); this pinion takes into a carrier wheel II,
for imparting motion to another wheel I; which is securely fixed upon a
revolving shaft g; and to this last-mentioned wheel, as also to the shaft I, a
skeleton reel or winder K is fixed, and nioves 'therewith. G'is a pinion,
gearing into pinions G2, for imparting motion to the cutters Z aud 26; his
another tin roller drum, the axis whereof is a spindle i, supported near its ends
by suitable bearings fixed to the framing A; L, M, are conical grooved
pullies, respectively. fixed upon the shafts B and i; N is an endless cord

page_text: passing around the pulleys L, M, for imparting motion to the drum h, such
motion being transmitted to the shuttle j by means of the cord k. O is an
endless band; passing around the drum C and warve or pulley for imparting
ratatory motion to the flyers m, m, for winding the chenille (as it is manu-
factured) on to the bobbins n, n. The spindles m' of these flyers pass loosely
through the said bobbins; and there are friction wires o shewn at Figure 4 of
Sheet 2, one to cach bobbin, to prevent said bobbins from turning with their
respective spindles. p, p, are pinions of similar diameter, securely fixed on the
spindles m'; g is another pinion, fixed on the spindle r, on which the warve or
pulley is fixed. These pinions all gear into each other, and thus all the four
spindles move simultaneously and at the same speed. When it is desired to
manufacture eight ends of chenille from one shuttle, I then arrange the
pindles and gearing for working them in the manner exhibited at Figure 5
of Sheet 2, which exhibits a plan view of one of the castings, of which there
are two, connected together by rods, similar to those marked 1, 1, at Figures 3
and 4. of Shoots 1 and 2, 3, 81, representing plates similar to those above
referred to. One of these plates for four spindles is exhibited at Figure 6 of
Sheet 2. P is the motion plate, to which are connected side rods t, t, which
pass throngh guide holes formed in the top and bottom plates 8, 8', as at
Figure 4 of Sheet 2. The lower ends of the rods t, t, have a cross rod u
securely fixed and adjusted thereto in proper position by set screws 2, 2. The
rod u rests upon a heart wheel 3 fixed upon the spindle v, so that as this
spindle rotates (by the action of the bevil wheels 4 and 5, and worm and
warm wheel 6 and 7, respectively fixed on the spindles 8 and v,) the plate P
raises and lowers the bobbins n thereon, by which the chenille is laid or wound
regularly around the same. I would hero remark that I have found it
desirable in practice, to construct these bobbins with wires w, as at Figure 7,
instead of winding the chenille round the barrel of the bobbin, by which
I protect the silk from being crushed; and this improved mode of constructing
bobbins constitutes a part of my present Invention. It will be seen, upon
referring to Figure 4, of Sheet 2, that the cone pulley M is formed double,
that is, with a second smaller cone pulley 9; around one of the grooves of this
pulley an endless cord 10 passes, and from thence over a grooved pulley Q,
connected by a stud or pin to the upper part of the framing of the machine.
The pulley Q bns a pinion 11 fixed thereto, which takes into a toothed wheel R
fixed on the spindle 12, supported by brackets x fixed to the end framings of
the machine, and by these means I impart motion to the roller y which is
fixed on the spindle 12. are slotted castings into which the axes of the
vollers 13 and 14 are loosely dropped; S is a guide plate, through the holes in

page_text: which the threads or wires, or both, pass from the bobbins 15, 16, shewn at
Figure 3 of Sheet 1. T is a loose grooved roller for guiding the improved
clongated cords 25 from the bobbins 15 and 16 into and through the hole in
the shuttle j, and from thence through holes at and over pins + fixed in
the forks 18, as at Figure 9. The construction of this shuttle, as also of the
parts or pieces connected thereto, will be better understood by referring to
Figure 9 of Sheet 2, at which Figure it will be seen that the part which
carries the quill 27, containing the silk from which the chenille is to be made,
is capable of revolving around the hollow picce j', and is kept in proper
position between the shoulders xx, and supported by the piece 20, which is
fixed to the bottom of the piece j¹ by a set screw; and it is to this piece 20
that the forks 18 above mentioned are fixed and connected in the following
manner: To the piece 20 a piece 21 is affixed, in which are formed slot holes
for connecting and adjusting thereto by screws 22 the forks 18, so that
according to the number of ends and size of the chenille to be manufactured
at one time from one shuttle, in like manner the said forks may be set
cither nearer together or farther apart, so as to cause as little waste of silk as
possible. 23 and 24 are bent wires for guiding the silk from the quill to the
forks, the rotation of the shuttle causing the silk to be wound around said forks,
which are kept stationary by fixing the head of the shuttle in the bar U, samo`
being securely fixed to the framing of the machine. The construction of the
cutters which I employ for dividing the silk thus wound around said forks is
similar to that before described in the Specification of my said former Patent
of the Thirteenth November, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, the
number of cutting edges being made in accordance with the number of ends
of chenille to be made from one shuttle. Observing, that in constructing these
cutters it is of the greatest importance that they be made of the very best
steel, I have found cast steel best for the purpose. The cutters when forged
are then turned in a lathe to the desired shape and afterwards hardened; they
are then let down or tempered until they assume a pale straw color, after
which they are fixed on their respective axes or spindles and ground in a lathe
with emery powder until they are perfectly true, the accuracy of their per-
f. rnance for cutting or dividing the silk depending entirely upon the cutting
edges at Z (which should not be sharpe but slightly rounded) being always in'
close contact with the plain parts of the grooved cutter 26. I employ set
screws 28 for adjusting the roller Z laterally, and for maintaining forced-
contact of the rolling surfaces of the cutters..
At Sheet 2, Figure 8 exhibits a top plan view and section of the cutters'
which I employ for making four lengths or ends of chenille from one shuttle."

page_text: Y are clearers for removing dirt and loose silk from said cutters. The
elongated cords 25, before mentioned, pass from the bobbins 15 and 16 through
the middle of the shuttle down the edges of the forks 18, and pass from thence
around the grooved cutter roller 26 to one of the rails of the reel or winder K,
to which they are made fast.
In adapting the above improvements, in combination with the other parts of
the machine to which they are applied, to the manufacture of piled fabrics, I
proceed as follows:-I dispense with the cords 25, at Figure 3, and in place
of the cutter rollers Z and 26 I use plain cylinders of steel, kept in forced
contact by the screws 28, and I make the forks 18 of such lengths as that they
are clear of the aforesaid cylinders, and I make the sides of the forks sufficiently
taper to admit of the silk as it is wound round the samo being readily drawn
off by the rollers as it becomes wedged or squeezed between them. By the
above method the silk is-not divided or cut, and therefore the loops become
twisted with and are firmly held in and by the threads 29, as before stated
with reference to my improved method, lastly above described, of manu-
facturing chenille, and in this manner and by these means I manufacture piled
fabrics.
I now proceed to describe the mode of operating with the above improved
mechanism for manufacturing chenille as follows:―
MODE OF OPERATING.
Suppose motion to be imparted to the fast driving pulley a from any
suitable prime mover, such motion is transmitted simultaneously to the several
other parts of the machine, in the manner before stated, the effect of which is
to conduct, advance, and guide the threads and wires 29 into and along
the grooves in the cutters Z and 26; and supposing these threads and wires to
be connected to one or other of the wires of the bobbins n, it follows, therefore,
that the rotation of the several spindles m² will have the effect of twisting such
said threads or wires around each other; at the same time the rotation of the
quil 27 around the fixed part of the shuttle will cause the silk from the said
quill to be wound round and about the cords 25 and forks 18, against which
said cords are pressed and thus maintained in proper position, so as to ensure
an uniform length of coil, as before stated. The rotation of the reel or winder
K, gently pulling these cords, causes the silk wound around them to be pulled
downwards, and as the silk becomes squeezed or wedged between the cutting
edges of the cutting roller Z and plain part of the roller 26, the silk is thus
divided, and being held between the two threads or wires, or one thread
and one wire, as the case may be; the silk thus divided becomes twisted with

page_text: the said threads or wires, and thus becomes firmly held thereby in a helical
direction, thus producing an uniform level surface, the silk helices being either
more or less dense or close together, according to the velocity of the flyers and
quality of work which it is desired to manufacture. The desired alteration of
speed of the different parts of the mechanism may be effected as follows:-
Suppose it is desired to make loose or coarse chenille, it is then necessary to
increase the speed of the twisting motion, and to diminish the speed at which
the silk is delivered, and vice versa for fine or close work. It will appear
obvious, therefore, that to effect the first object it is only necessary to shift the
cord N from the larger diameter of the cone pulley M to the smaller diameter
thereof, and to shift the cord on the upper cono pulley L to the larger diameter
thereof, thus increasing the speed of the wheels P and 9, and diminishing tho
speed of the reel or winder K. It is of course necessary to adjust the speed of
the delivery of the wires or threads 29 to suit the increased speed of the twist,
to avoid breakage of such said wires or threads. By the improved method of
advancing the silk to be cut, I mean by making the ends of the cords 25 fast
by one end to the bobbins 15 and 16, and by the other end to the reel or
winder K, the silk is advanced regularly and uniformly, and thus produces
corresponding uniformity in the work manufactured, moreover the cord lasts
for a considerably longer time than the short endless cords R, described and
represented in the Specification and Drawings of my said former Patent of the
Thirteenth November; One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one. The cords
25, when entirely drawn off the bobbins, are readily replaced by other full
bobbins of cord, the ends whereof are connected to the reel or winder K,
as before stated. The former cords are then removed from said reel and freed
from the waste silk, and are then wound on to bobbins to be again used
as before.
In conclusion, I would remark, that although I have only described and
represented a portion of the machine with one shuttle and its accompanying
mechanism, it will appear evident to any practical man that the machine may
bo made to contain several of such said shuttles and their mechanism. In
practice I have found the best results to be derived from a machine in which
three of such said shuttles and their mechanism have been arranged, as being
a number best adapted for the superintendence of one operative, more
especially as by my improved method of manufacturing several ends or lengths
of chenille from one shuttle, one operator can produce as much work as four
persons could by the former method, supposing by my improved method I
inanufacture eight ends or lengths of chenille from each separate shuttle, and
Lence I effect a saving of manual labour.

page_text: Having now fully described and set forth the nature of my said Invention
of "Certain Improvements in the Manufacture of Chenille and other Piled
Fabrics," together with the best means I am acquainted with for carrying the
same into practical effect, I hereby declare my Invention to consist in, and
I claim,-
Firstly, the elongated cords marked 25 at Figure 3 of Sheet I., for the
purpose above particularly described and set forth.
Secondly, the forked pieces, marked 18 at Figure 8 of Sheet 2, for the
purpose of regulating and ensuring an uniform quantity of silk being passed
round the cords 25, which move against said forked pieces, as above stated.
Thirdly, the combining together of two or more of the spindles and flyers,
marked m and m² at Figures 3 and 4 of Sheets 1 and 2, for the purpose
of manufacturing two or more distinct and separate ends or lengths of chenille
from one and the same shuttle at one and the same operation, whereby I cause
less waste of silk, as above stated:
Fourthly, the cutters Z and 26, at Figure 8 of Sheet 2, for dividing
the silk.
And, lastly, the general combination and arrangement of the present
above-described improvements, with those parts of the mechanism which are
described, referred to, and represented in the Specification and Drawings
of my said former Patent of the 13th November 1851.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Peake, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-seven.
Witness,
JNO. DUNNICLIFF, Solicitor,
Derby.
THOS PEAKE. (LS.)