1837 Hartford and Tilton's Patent Model of a Loom Heddle

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Object Details

inventor

Hartford, Benjamin

Tilton, William B.

Description

Loom Heddles and Harness Patent Model

Patent No. 544, issued December 29, 1837

Benjamin Hartford and William B. Tilton of Enfield, New Hampshire

Hartford and Tilton improved upon the construction of heddles (the mechanisms that raise and lower warp threads) by using strips of rolled flat metal with an eye punched through the middle of each strip to allow for the passage of warp yarns. Heddles were commonly constructed of cord. The replacement of metal for cord produced a more durable heddle. These one-piece metallic strips and the construction of the heddle frame were the basis of their patent. The heddles slid on two rods and were attached to adjustable clasps, permitting the heddles to correspond to the part of the reed (a comb-like device used to space the warp yarns evenly) that was in operation.

Location

Currently not on view

model constructed

before 1837-12-29

patent date

1837-12-29

ID Number

TE.T11409.015

patent number

544

accession number

89797

catalog number

T.11409.15

Object Name

loom heddle patent model

Object Type

Patent Model

Physical Description

wood (overall material)

metal (overall material)

associated place

United States: New Hampshire, Enfield

Related Publication

Janssen, Barbara Suit. Patent Models Index

See more items in

Home and Community Life: Textiles

Patent Models, Textile Machinery

Textiles

Patent Models

Data Source

National Museum of American History

classified