These clamps or holders differ considerably from the clamps which are commonly used. I shall therefore particularly describe their construction, before showing them in operation. [Fig. 430.] and [431.] are views of the clamp in two different positions; a and b are two boards united together by a hinge c, at top, which of course allows them to shut and open. The lower parts, forming the jaws of the clamps, are made with teeth or indentations, between which parts the ends of the flax or hemp are securely held when the clamps are brought together; d d, are two pieces projecting from the board b, at the end of each of which is an eye shown by dots, and at the back of the board a, (see [fig. 430.],) there is a double armed lever e, turning upon a fixed pin f, which lever carries two circular wedges g g. These wedges pass into the eyes of the pieces d d, when the clamps are closed, and hold them fast. There is a segment ratchet h, at the upper part of the board a, which turns upon a stud i, and is pressed downward by a spring k. This ratchet receives the end of the lever e, and consequently keeps the circular wedges firm in the eyes, which hold the clamps securely together, and prevents their opening by the shaking of the machine.
When it is required to open the clamps, the ratchet h must be raised, and the lever e pushed aside by its handle l, which draws the circular wedges f from the eyes of the pieces d d, and the boards of the clamps immediately separate. For the convenience of suspending the holders in the machines, a piece of sheet iron m, is bent at right angles, and fastened to the back of the board b, as seen in [fig. 431.], forming a groove by means of which the holders are enabled to slide into the machine and hang there.
These clamps or holders are, when charged with the material, placed in the scutching machine, as shown at e e e in [figs. 428.] and [429.], bearing upon the edge-rail or bar f. The beaters are now made to revolve in the manner already described, by which the edges of the blades will strike against the pendent stricks of flax or hemp alternately on each side, and beat off, scutch or swingle the boom from the material, and render it fit for the operation of heckling which is to follow.
The whole machine is encased with boards, to prevent the inconvenience arising from dust, and an apparatus might be adapted with a blower to conduct away the dust created by the machine, and to discharge it out of the building.
In introducing these stricks of flax or hemp into the machine, the holder is placed upon the projecting end of the bar or edge-rail f, and is thence slidden into the machine; and after the material has been sufficiently scutched or swingled, the holders with the stricks are removed through the top of the machine, and others successively introduced at the end, and pushed along the rail.
If, however, it should be thought desirable, the stricks may be progressively carried through the scutching machine, and delivered into a similar edge-rail in the heckling machine, there to be operated upon in the way about to be described, by which means the whole process of scutching and heckling may go on without interruption.
