1851 Great Exhibition: Official Catalogue: Class VI.: George Park MacIndoe
24. MACINDOE, GEORGE PARK, Glasgow — Patentee.
Self-acting mule for spinning cotton wool into yarn, with oscillating or vibrating lever for taking in or putting up the carriage, and a mode of putting down the faller from any of the twist pulleys by centrifugal disengaging catches.
This mule, for which letters patent were obtained in 1849-50, by the exhibitor, presents a combination of simple and efficient mechanical movements. The side. elevation of the head-stock given in the accompanying plate, explains how far the attempt at economy, construction, and convenience of arrangement, has succeeded; but the great features of the improvement are comprehended under the following nine heads:—
1. The mode of regulating the twist of the yarn, in direct communication with the spindles. By this plan, the movements of the spindles, and the twisting action, are made to work in complete concert—a point, which every cotton spinner will appreciate.
2. The taking-in or pulling-up of the carriage by an oscillating or vibrating lever (marked 36 in the plate). This movement possesses the peculiar feature of causing the carriage to start at a slow yet steady pace, gradually increasing in speed until half way, when its rate diminishes in a similar ratio up to the roller beam. This action is also three or four seconds quicker at each stretch than ordinary mangle-wheel mules, and is not affected by any change which may be made in the mule, to suit particular numbers.
3. The adaptation of a counterpart to the radial arm and screw, for winding on the yarn, as marked 59 in the plate.
4. The extension of the main driving shaft A, over the whole length of headstock, so as to distribute the various movements in the most convenient manner, and dispensing with additional connections.
5. The extension of the cam shaft c, from the drawing rollers at i, forward to the front end of the headstock.
6. The power of applying the headstock in the centre of the carriage, without the use of cranks, or connecting rods and joints for connecting the guides, which are in one length—this arrangement being advantageous for new mules, and capable of easy adaptation to old ones.
7. The backing-off motion, being worked by wheels, is capable of regulation to the greatest nicety.
8. The second draw, which is necessary for fine yarn.
9. The use of disengaging pulleys or friction pulleys g, with their peripheries indented at certain points, for the purpose of starting and stopping the several movements in connection with the cam shaft, with a steady and unbroken action.
The steel plate represents Macindoe's patent self-acting mule. In this description, owing to the complication of the references in the plate, only those are given which render clear the peculiar principles of the mule.
[It appears that the first self-acting mule was invented in 1793 by Mr. W. Strutt, of Derby, and the second by Mr. W. Kelly, of Lanark Mills, in 1792, but both were abandoned. About 35 years afterwards, two patents were granted on one day to two parties for self-acting mules. Since these were granted, about 20 others have been obtained for a like purpose, and their success has been as varied as their number. The machine is a wonderful industrial automaton.— R. E.]
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