PATENT POWER LOOM. wheels, either to the loom of the construction which I employ, or by slight alterations, which will be obviously suggested, to the ordinary weaving-looms, at present in use by the public. The lay, g, attached to the rod, connected with the vibrating upon its centres below, the eccentric wheel, B, by means of the crank-rods, at F. This wheel, or pinion B, receives its motion from the wheel A, and the method by which these wheels are constructed, and the manner in which they are applied, are now to be particularly described. ABSTRACT of the Specification by ARCHIBALD BUCHANAN, Esq. of Catrine Cotton-works, one of the Partners of the House of James Finlay & Company, of an Improvement in the Construction of Weaving-Looms, im pelled by machinery, whereby a greater quantity of Cloth may be woven in a The given time, without injury to the bric, than by any application of power for that purpose heretofore employed. Now, KNOW YE, that I, the said Archibald Buchanan, in compliance with the said proviso, do hereby describe and ascertain the nature of my said invention; and I declare that the same consists in the application of two eccentric wheels, A. Both wheels, as already menand B, represented in fig. 2, to ationed, and as will, at once, appear weaving-loom, impelled by machin- by inspecting the drawings, and, ery, as represented in fig.1 and 2; and more particularly, fig. 2, are what that the application of these wheels is usually termed eccentric that is to the said loom is particularly ex- to say, their circumferences, in which hibited by fig. 2; as explained by the teeth are cut, deviate from the the description herein after set forth. common circular form, in such ratio But I, farther, expressly declare, as may be required, in order to give that while I refer, in my speci-the desired motion to the lay. In fication, to these two drawings, fig. 1 and 2, exhibiting different views of a weaving-loom,ofa construction at present in use by myself, this is done solely for the purpose of illustrating the ap-if carefully attended to, will be sufplication and operation of the said two eccentric wheels upon a weaving-loom, which I have found, from experience, to produce the best effect; and I protest, that I claim no part of the said loom, or of its construction as my invention, or as forming any part of my right ight of patent, except the application thereto of the said two eccentric wheels. A reference to the drawings, in fig. 1 and 2, and the key, or de scription thereof, hereunto annexed, will enable any person of ordinary mechanical skill, to understand and execute the application and operation of the said two eccentric the application sod opa order to construct such a wheel, A, as I use in weaving plain cloth, and which is fixed upon the treadleshaft, q, in fig. 1 and 2, the following description and explanations, ficient. Its greatest diameter being about 19 inches, and its smallest diameter about 16 inches-its deviation from the circular form amounts to about three inches. This deviation, however, may be increased, or diminished, at the d discretion of the Constructor, and according to the variation of velocity which he wishes to communicate to the reciprocating motion of the lay. To obtain the proper curve of eccentricity, let two concentric circles be drawn, corresponding with the greatest and smallest diameters. Divide these circles into any convenient number of equal Conven 8 parts; as, for example, 64, and draw radii from the centre to the points of division in the external circle. Divide the space between the circles into the same number of equal parts with the circumference, one of which being set off upon the first radius, two upon the second, and so on progressively, until the whole are set off, points will be obtained through which a curved line being drawn, the required form of the circumferences will be marked off upon each quadrant of the wheel. The highest points, as will appear by the drawings, are, at the two extremities of a diameter line, bisecting the external circle, and the lowest points, at the extremities of another diameter line, bisecting the internal circle at right angles to the former. Thus, the form obtained, bears some resemblance to an ellipse, with its conjugate and transverse diameters. The pinion, B, must, of course, be constructed so as to correspond with, and work into the wheel, A. To effect this, it is merely necessary to draw circles as in the former case, corresponding with the greatest and the smallest diameters required. Then set off one half of the radii drawn upon the wheel, A, the pinion being half its diameter, and add, progressively, to each radius of the pinion, as many equal parts as were taken from each corresponding radius of the wheel, and vice versa. The semidiameter of the pinion will thus correspond, in every point, with each quadrant of the wheel, and the pinion will revolve twice whilst the wheel performs one revolution as before stated—thus communicating two accelerated strokes to the lay, for each revolution of the treadle-shaft moving the wheel, A. The circumferential forms of both being thus obtained, the teeth are to be cut and rounded off, so as to work properly into each other in revolving upon their respective axes. Though the wheel, A, will thus produce two revolutions of the pinion, B, other proportions may be adopted when deemed expedient, and as may suit the motions to be communicated to a greater number of treadles for weaving plain, tweeled, or figured cloths. Those conversant with the art of weaving, will at once perceive, that a varied speed, applied to the recip rocating motion of the lay, is of the greatest advantage, and such as will keep the lay as nearly stationary as convenient at the point where the shuttle is thrown across the web; and when the shed, or divided portions of warp are sufficiently open to allow the shuttle to pass without injury to the warp threads. The lay, in returning, drives up the woof to the fell, or verge of the cloth, with a smart stroke, whilst the shed, or divided portions of warp are closing upon it, and when the least tension is given by the treadles to the warp threads. I have ascertained, by experience, that in looms having such wheels, and the other apparatus before described attached to them, the shuttle may be thrown across a web, 36 inches wide, 130 times per minute, without creating more breakage, in proportion to the quantity woven, than occurs in looms driven at the rate of 80 to 90 crossings of the shuttle per minute. * Description of the Drawings referred to in the prefixed Specifi cation. The construction of the wheels, A, B, upon the application of which the patent is claimed, is delineated on the drawing, fig. 2. * We understand that the patentee of this most important invention has himself driven the shuttle across the web 160 times per minute, without injury to the cloth, a speed which is nearly double of that of the looms at present in use. Fig. 1 and 2 exhibit the two end views of the loom. In the following description the same letters of the alphabet, and numerals, denote the same things in all the figures. pro C, D, E, F, denote the frame.-A, the strap, communicating motion to the loom, at b.b, the fast-and-loose pullies. c, a pinion fixed on the end of the pulley-spindle, and working into the wheel d, of triple the diameter, gives motion to the wiper-shaft, q. (See fig. 1.)-k, the lever and fork-and 7, the spring for engaging and disengaging the loom, at pleasure. (See fig. 1.) A lever is connected with the tecting-pin of the lay, 2, for disengaging the loom, should the shuttle remain in the shed.-m, a small eccentric wheel, fixed on the end of the wiper-shaft, q, (see fig. 1,) and connected with the lever, n, (see fig. 1,) on the top of which is jointed a circular piece of iron, o, (see fig. 1,) which acts on the ratchet-wheel, r, and draws up the cloth as it is woven; and for varying the fabric in thickness, a ratchetwheel of more or fewer teeth is applied.-p is a catch, bent in the same manner as o, which prevents the ratchet wheel, r, from returning back. By raising the handle, pp, these catches are all disengaged. Behind the ratchet-wheel, r, is fixed a small pinion working into the wheel, which is fixed on the end of the cloth-beam, t. (See fig. 1.) The beam, t, is covered with a cardfillet for holding the cloth.-x, is a small roll, which receives the cloth from the beam t, and round which it is wound, by the motion of the beam, te, the crank-shaft which receives motion from the wipershaft, q, by the wheels, A and B.— f, the connecting-bar.g, the lay.h, the lay-sword. (See fig. 1 and 2.) -S the heddle-roll bearer. (See fig. 1 and 2.)-Q the yarn-roll bearer. (See fig. 1 and 2.)-11 the yarnroll. (See fig. 1 and 2.)-14 a screw-box. (See fig. 1.)-1 is the protecting catch, for disengaging the loom when the shuttle stops in the shed; this catch is connected with a rod passing along the lay, on which the shuttle-springs in the boxes act; when the shuttle fails to enter the box, this catch falls down, and striking against the pin, 2, the lay is held fast, and the loom instantly disengaged by its connexion with the lever which acts on the handle of the loom, b. (See fig. 1 and 2.)-3 3, the heddlewipers, which, by acting on the friction pullies, fixed to the treadles, bb, alternately elevate and depress the treadles. (See fig. 2.)-77, the short marches connecting the heddles, 8 8 8 8, with the treadles, 6 6. (See fig. 2.)-4 4, frictionpullies, fixed to the heddle-wipers, 33, acting alternately on the treadles, 55, to which the picking-peg, q, for throwing the shuttle, is connected by bolts and screws.-10 is the warp-yarn beam. (See fig. 2.) A, B, the eccentric wheels for giving motion to the lay, g. (See fig. 2.)-y, the bearer of the boltfork k, and which extends so as to connect another loom. (See fig. 1.)-14 the friction wheel; its appendages are two plates fastened to the beam-shaft, and upon one of them is glued a piece of leather, which is made perfectly flat by turning, the face of one of the appendage-wheels is also turned flat, but this wheel is loose on the spindle; on the outside of it is the screwbox, 14, the outer part of which is made fast to the beam-shaft, by a pin passed through it, the inner part of the box is then screwed up against the outer face of the said wheel, which presses the two surfaces together, and any degree of tension can be given to the warpyarn by more or less screwing of the box, 14. (See fig. 1.) There is a small pinching screw-pin which is screwed into the outer box, the point of which enters a small cavity in the inner part of the box, and prevents it from unscrewing. -17, the long heddle marches connected to the heddles, 8, by cords, and to the short marches, 77, by wires. (See fig. 2.), the bearer of the pulley-shaft. (See fig. 1.) ON THE PROCESS FOR DISCHARGING TURKEY-RED. IN our first Number, we abridged, from that highly respectable Work, the Journal of Science and Art, an account of the discharging process of Turkey-red by means of presses, according to the arrangement adopted by Messrs. Henry Monteith & Co. This process, considered as the means of introducing the Turkey-red dye to an immense extent; as the cause of a greatly increased consumpt in the articles of cotton-cloth, soap, soda, oils, bleaching-powder, with many others; and as a source of greatly increased revenue, has proved of incalculable importance to this country. We think, therefore, that we shall at once afford gratification to our Readers, and only perform a piece of common justice to a highly meritorious individual, in stating to whom the country is indebted, for this important invention. This merit belongs to Mr. JOHN MILLER, now in the employment of Messrs. Charles Macintosh & Co. He completed his invention in the year 1802. Like all other great inventions, his has the merit of simplicity. So great, however, was the feat considered at the time, that printers from the Continent visited this country, in the hope of ascertaining the process; and so impracticable was it considered, that a popular preacher of the day was heard to refer to Turkey-red, in illustration of the scarlet of the Jews, mentioned in Holy Writ, as a colour which no human means could whiten. It Hargreave, the inventor of the hand-jenny, which contributed so much to the advancement and prosperity of the manufactures of this country, was allowed to live poor and neglected; and died, to leave his age the reproach, for that neglect, of the present; which, nevertheless, is content to bequeath to posterity the name of Miller, to be a similar reproach on itself. ought to be known, that, notwithstanding the wealth which individuals and the country have gained by his invention, this meritorious individual, distinguished as much by his worth as by his talent, possessing an extent of practical knowledge in his favourite art that is rarely to be met with, and, at more than sixty years of age, carrying into the pursuit of it all the enthusiasm of youth, has never obtained profit from his invention, nor reward, nor even thanks, "The easiest recompense,-how due!" Instances of such neglect are unhappily not limited either, in number or kind, or to any age or clime. Who does not recollect the case of poor Robert Burns? Flattered, it is true, and, for the gratification of their own vanity, dined by the great, he was yet allowed to live in penury; till, when he had died, and when his fame was seen to roll down time, in a stream that was not likely soon to dry up, the rich bethought themselves, and erected an imitation of a Heathen Temple, to echo back the voice of the poor ploughman's fame, and to sound forth that of their own Christian beneficence. Surely, surely, we think, it was to Jews and Heathens, and not to Christians, that the appeal was addressed, "What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will give him a stone?" Nor are instances wanting of the ancient date of such neglect. "There was," says Solomon, " a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it. Now, there was found in it A POOR WISE MAN, and HE, by his wisdom, DELIVERED THE CITY; YET no man remembered THAT SAME POOR MAN." Conduct like this, so preposterous, but yet so common, grins a Satire on the race. But, however common the imputation may be, it is one from which the wise and the virtuous of every age and country will be anxious to keep themselves free. In contemplating the case of Mr. Miller, there is one alleviating circumstance, to which we feel pride in referring. His wakeful and persevering ingenuity has lately produced a new modification of the discharging process of Turkey-red, which surpasses any that has yet been attempted in the art, and which, we trust, will be the means of obtaining, from the interest of individuals, that reward which generosity should, long ere now, have bestowed on his merits. The style of work which is the object of Mr. Miller's new inventtion is what is technically called the Two-red Bandana; and his process has the recommendations of being more economical; of preserving the whites, consequently of admitting combinations of the two reds with any variety of fast colours, as well as that of affording a pale red, which is much better fixed, and which, we find on comparison, possesses a greater degree of brightness, than can be attained by any process at present employed by printers. We cannot pretend to be acquainted with Mr. Miller's new process; but the opinion of experienced printers, who have examined his specimens, warrants us in the conjecture, that a chief feature in his invention consists in a peculiar mode which he possesses of discharging the mordant of the Turkey-red. It is well known, that the style of combining Turkey-red with other colours, which is so much practised on the Continent, and which is secured by a patent in this country, consists of a union of the most fixed colours, with others the most fugitive. On account of the fugitive nature of these colours, this beautiful style of printing is rapidly becoming unpopular on the Continent. There cannot be a doubt, therefore, that Mr. Miller's new process, which admits of not only the reds, but of all the other colours, being fast, must be of great importance to those individuals who may acquire the possession of it, and to the country at large. LIFE OF ARCHIMEDES. THERE is, perhaps, no species of writing that exercises upon the mind of the reader, a greater practical influence of a beneficial kind, than the biography of men, eminent for their talents, or distinguished by their virtues. The qualities which we admire in the abstract, this sort of composition sets before us in an embodied form; and a description |