Improvements in Carding Engines

21,430. Ashworth, E. Oct. 12. Belt forks, operating, in carding-engines. For running the doffer at a slow speed for piecing up, the driving-strap a is transferred to the loose pulley, so that the doffer runs slower as the machine stops, or a brake is applied to the barrow pulley or other part through which the doffer is driven. The strap fork b is mounted on slides c, and is operated by a quick-threaded screw g, which is turned in one direction or the other by means of toothed pinions m, k and quadrant i, an arm j of the quadrant being connected with a sliding strap n provided with a rack s, which is operated through toothed gearing r by means of a handle. In a modification, the pinion k is provided with both internal and external teeth, the external teeth engaging with the toothed quadrant i and the internal teeth with the pinion m, which is surrounded by the wheel k. When a brake is applied to the barrow pulley &c., it is connected by links and levers to a treadle, so that, when the treadle is released, the doffer will immediately resume its higher speed.