Parent Tambour Machine.
The first idea of this machine arose from a casual onversation with a gentleman, at that period extensively engaged in the muslin manufacture, and fond of cal pursuits. Sonic study convinced the inventor, that rho construction of a machine, which, by bringing into action a great number of needles at the same time, would hot ten the process by manual labour, and might lie rendered actually efficient, was perfectly practicable. The oiversilication of pattern seemed to constitute the -.thole difficulty, and the application of Sir Isaac town's principle, of two forces acting at right angles to each other, presented a facility of overcoming tl is ..le, which encouraged him to proceed. To apply this principle in the various ways which might effect his pm pose, did not occur for a long time afterwards, and Lis first idea was confined to the construction of a machine, which might be put in motion by a person who exercise his di!'err tion in shaping the pattern, whilst he should be enabled to perferm all the other operations by the pressure of his feet. It seemed more easy to mor c the cloth than the needles, and for this r axon the cloth frame was made to shift in both Liens ; at the same time he received a suggestion, that a per pendieular position might admit of many ences of which a horizontal one could not be made susceptible ; and of the justice of the remark, he immediately adopted it. After some consideration, a machine was constructed under his direction, and after wards a second, which he casually superintended, being at that time engaged in other pursuits. After two years, he formed a connection, by which his whole study and time were to be devoted to the completion and practical application of his invention. Six of the machines were set to work in this way, after which he was sent to Lon don by the company, in order to procure the patent, and comply with that proviso common to all patents, which requires a specification of the invention to be enrolled in the Court of Chancery within thirty days of the.
sealing of the patent. At this period, the idea of render ing the machine automatic had barely presented itself to him, and consequently the last part of the specifica tion which describes the possibility of applying mechani cal power, is stated as merely prospective. Upon his return, he extended and applied this principle so long as the work was under his direction. The results of that experience, and what has since occurred to him, will be found in the description which follows.
In Plate CXXXVI. are represented four elevations of this machine, according to the latest improvements made upon it. Fig. 1. is a transverse elevation, viewed in front, or at that part where the person who has the care and superintendance of it is supposed to be placed. At AAA, are three upright posts, being exactly one half of what arc used, those behind corresponding in every respect with those in fi ont. At B is a horizontal cross-tail, of which one is before and two behind. The frame in which the cloth is stretched appears at C, the lower beam and under part being concealed by the beam D, but correspondent in every particular with the upper part, which is visible. At • is the middle frame, which in that work contained 54 needles, each being placed at the distance of one inch asunder, and designed to tam bour a piece of muslin 6-4ths wide, one whole row being wrought at the same time. The cloth frame is suspend ed, so that it will move freely, and without the exertion of much power, either upwards or downwards ; and with equal facility from right to left, and vice versa. To ensure this, the roller G is placed above ; and in order that both sides of the cloth frame may rise and sink equally, cords are attached to each end, which, after passing a sufficient number of times round the roller G, descend upon the opposite side, where the weight of the frame is nearly, but not quite, counterpoised by the weights LL.