1162 



WOOLLEN MANUFACTURE 



the centre of the machine ; while the holding combs descend to lay the wool among 

 the points of the combs g, g. For obtaining this upward-and-downward motion, the 

 combs M, M, are placed between the frame N, and retained there just as the combs 

 g, g, are upon the holders i, i. The framing N, is made fast to the bar or spindle o, 

 which moves vertically through openings in the cross-head p, and the cross-framing 

 of the machine Q ; from the top of which there is a strap passing over pulleys with a 

 suspended weight to it ; the cross-head being supported by the two guide-rods K, fixed 

 to the cross-framing Q. It is by the guide-rods H, and the spindle o, 'that the frame 

 N is made to move up and down ; while the spindle is made to rise by the studs f, 

 as the wheels c and d come successively under the studs s, on the spindle o. 



A quantity of wool is to bo placed on each of the combs g, g, and M, M, the machine 

 being in the position shown in jig. 2125. When the main-shaft b, is set in motion, it 

 will drive by its pinion the toothed wheel c, and therefrom the remaining parts of the 

 machine. The first effect of the movement will be to raise the combs M, M. sufficiently 

 high to remove the wool out of the way of the combs g, g, which will be drawn towards 

 the centre of the machine, as soon as they are released by the studs/, passing the pro- 

 jecting arms q, on the tables h ; but the distance between the combs g, g, and the 

 combs M, M, will depend on the height to which the gauge-plates B have been raised. 

 These plates are raised one step at each revolution of the shaft c ; the combs g. ff, will 

 therefore be continually approaching more nearly to the combs M, M, till the plates B, 

 are so much raised as to permit the tables h to approach the plates B, below the lowest 

 step or graduation, when the machine will continue to work. Notwithstanding the 

 plates B continuing to rise, there being only parallel surfaces against which the 

 tables come, the combs g, g, will successively come to the same position, till the 

 inclined projection K, on the ratchet-wheel s, comes under the lever F, which will stop 

 the machine. The wool which has been combed, is then to be removed, and a fresh 

 quantity introduced. It should be remarked that the combs g, g, are continuallj' 

 moving from side to side of the machine, at the same time that they are combing out 

 the wool. The chief object of the invention is obviously to give the above peculiar 

 motion to the combs g, g, and M, M, which may be applied also to combing goat-hair. 



For the purposes of the worsted manufacture, wool should be rendered inelastic to a 

 considerable degree, so that its fibres may form long lines, capable of being twisted 

 into straight level yarn. Mr. Bayliffe, of Kendal, has sought to accomplish this 

 object, first, by introducing into the drawing machine a rapidly revolving wheel, 

 in contact with the front drawing roller, by whose friction the filaments are 

 heated, and at the same time deprived of their curling elasticity; secondly, by 

 employing a moveable regulating roller, by which the extent of surface on the 

 periphery of the wheel that the lengths of wool is to act upon, may be increased or 

 diminished at pleasure, and, consequently, the effect regulated or tempered as the 

 quality of the wool may require ; thirdly, the employment of steam in a rotatory 

 drum or hollow wheel, in place of the wheel first described, for the purpose of heating 

 the wool, in the process of drawing, in order to facilitate the operation of straightening 

 the fibres. 



These objects may be effected in 

 several ways; that is, the machinery 

 may be variously constructed, and still 

 embrace the principles proposed. Fig. 

 2126, shows one mode: a, is the fric- 

 tion wheel ; b, the front drawing roller, 

 placed in the drawing-frame in the 

 same way as usual ; the larger wheel 

 a, constituting the lower roller of 

 the pair of front drawing rollers; c 

 and d are the pair of back drawing 

 rollers, which are actuated by gear 

 connected to the front rollers, as, in 

 the ordinary construction of draw- 

 ing machines, the front rollers moving 

 very considerably faster than the back 

 rollers, and, consequently, drawing or extending the fibres of the sliver of wool, 

 as it passes through between them ; c is a guide-roller, bearing upon the periphery 

 of the large wheel ; / is a tension roller, which presses the fibres of the wool down 

 upon the wheel a. 



Now, supposing the back rollers c and d, to be turned with a given velocity, and 

 the front roller b to be driven much faster, the effect would bo, that the fibres of wool 

 constituting the sliver, passing through the machine, would be considerably extended 

 between b and d t which is precisely the effect accomplished in the ordinary drawing 



2126 



