Improvements in and relating to Picking Sticks and to Picking Band Attachments of Looms.
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Picking Sticks and to Picking
Band Attachments of Looms.
I, JAMES SMITH of 27, Curzon Street, Colne, in the County of Lancaster,
Overlooker, 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:-
The first part of my invention relates to wooden picking sticks, and is designed
to prevent excessive wear and unequal strain upon the band at the point of its
attachment to the picker stick. The fore end of the picking stick is cut down to
form a vertical end, having below a horizontal projection or lip, to which one end
of a piece of leather or other suitable material is attached, whilst the opposite end
is attached on the top of the vertical end of the stick. The end of the picking band
is thrust through the opening formed between the leather attachment and the lip or
projection, and is then turned one or more times round the stick, when it is then
finally secured to a pin fixed to the stick in the usual way.
The next part of my invention is also designed to prevent excessive wear and
unequal strain, and consists of an appendage of buffalo hide, leather or other
suitable material, which is passed through the slot hole of the picker stick, and
secured above by a peg. The slot hole in the stick is cut obliquely, so as to cause
the appendage to point inwards in the direction of the picker. The appendage
below the stick is provided with horizontal slot holes, through which the upper end
of the picking band is laced under and over the bars or divisions intervening between
the slot holes, and is then securely fixed upon a pin or hook attached to or other-
wise stuck up above the face of the appendage.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 represents a wooden picking stick constructed in accordance with the first
part of my invention.
Fig. 2 represents an ordinary picking stick, to which is applied the appendage,
in accordance with the second part of my invention.
In Fig. 1, A represents the picking stick, which is cut down vertically at the
end B, and terminates below in a horizontal projection or lip C. To this lip is
attached one end of a piece of leather D, the other end being secured to the upper
surface of the stick as shewn. The lower end of the picking band E is secured to
the picker F, whilst the upper end is thrust through the opening between the
vertical end B of the stick A and the leather attachment D, when the band E
is then turned one or more times round the neck of the stick A, and is then secured
upon the peg G.
I would here observe that as the band E passes round the vertical end B of the
stick A, little or no chaffing or wearing of the band is experienced at that part,
whilst equal tension on both edges of the band is also ensured during the operation
of picking, thereby increasing to a considerable extent the durability of the band E.
I would also observe that a piece of leather or other suitable material may be
secured to the vertical face or end of the stick for the band to work upon, to further
increase its durability.
Fig. 2 represents the next part of my invention. B' is an appendage of buffalo
hide, leather or other suitable material, which is passed through the slot hole of
the picker stick, and secured above by a peg. The slot hole in this stick is cut
obliquely, so as to cause the appendage to point inwards in the direction of the
picker as shewn. The appendage is provided with slot holes H, Hand H³, through
which the upper end of the picking band E is laced under and over the bars or
divisions intervening between the slot holes, and is then securely fixed upon a hook
or pin G attached to or otherwise stuck up above the face of the appendage.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The construction of wood picking sticks, substantially as described and illus-
trated in Fig. 1.
2. The arrangement of the appendage B', substantially as described, and illus-
trated for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 24th day of September 1892.
THOS. RICHMOND,
Agent.