Fig. 1.—Fancy Loom for Weaving Narrow Fabrics
Fig. 2.—Double Index Dobby
Fig. 3.—Overshot Dobby
The Overhead Dobby
A popular machine for light fancy warp figures is the overhead dobby shown at Fig. 2, which may be used as auxiliary either to the plain cam loom or the fancy head loom. It is placed on a well braced, rigid frame and built as high as convenient so as to reduce the angle of the harness strings. It is driven directly from a two to one shaft, which may be either underneath the loom or at the end, and is connected with a threaded adjustable rod, which is attached to a slotted lever and can be adjusted to govern the depth of the dobby shed.
It is customary to put two of these dobby machines over each loom, but having only one main drive the two machines are coupled together and work in unison. Such an arrangement has the double advantage of a less acute angle at the harness tie-up, and also affords facilities for a distinctly different pattern on either half of the loom. It minimizes the risk of the harness threads cutting into the compart boards, and prolongs relatively the life of the dobby harness. Furthermore it allows for a straight tie-up on either machine so that there is no limitation to the length or character of the design, as is often the case where two patterns are run together on the same machine, or where point tie-ups are used, as would very likely be necessary if only one machine was installed to cover different designs on both halves of the loom. As we have previously stated it is not advisable to limit capacity for the saving of a few dollars in the initial cost.