26,433. Barron, T. H., [Dewey, J. C.]. Dec. 19. Loom weft-replenishing mechanism ; change-box motions.-In weft-feeler mechanism for automatic looms provided with drop-box motions, the weft detectors are mounted upon a pivoted support which is moved up and down by connexion with the box rod, so that the detectors always maintain proper relation with the shuttle boxes. The softiron detectors b are loosely mounted within electric solenoids b<1> carried by a frame N, which is pivoted on the breast beam and is connected by a rod g<1> to the box-rod, so that it is moved up and down in the arc of a circle with the shuttle boxes.. As the lay moves forwards, the detectors b pass through holes in the shutt!e boxes and shutcles, only the horizontal detector entering the corresponding shuttle sufficiently far to become operative. When the weft in the shuttle is substantially exhausted, an iron riog on the shuttle spindle is uncovered, and contacts with and attracts the detector b, so that, when the lay moves back, the detector is partly drawn through its solenoid against the influence of the electric current passing through the solenoid. The ends b<2> of the detectors are enlarged, to prevent the detectors from being drawn entirely from the solenoids. In a modified form, the detectors R, Fig. 4, consist of permanent magnets passing through helical springs R, which are confined between ears r<1> on a stand r on the pivoted frame N. A projecting pin t on the detector engages the spring, which tends to hold the magnetic detector in its normal position. When the detector b is drawn backwards, its front end frees a detector rod m<11>, and allows the latter to move longitudinally and act through a bellcrank lever to depress the hooked end of an actuator, which is pivoted on a spring-controlled slide on the breast beam. The said hookei end is caught by a vib:ating hammer, and the slide is moved forwards, and acts through a lever to rock a shaft. A finger on the shaft raises a hunter into position to be struck by a dagger on the lay. The bunter is moved forwards and acts through an arm on which it is pivoted, to rock the shaft on which the transferrer is mounted. The transferrer is depressed in the usual manner, and conveys a full weft-carrier from the usual circular magazine into the acting shuttle. The magazine is moved positively in unison with the shuttle boxes to place opposite the transferrer a weft-carrier with weft corresponding to that in the acting shuttle. A cam-actuated rod prevents the depressing arm of the bell-crank lever connected to the rod m<11> from depressing the hooked end of the actuator while the frame N is being moved from one position to another. Any suitable weft-detectors may be mounted on the frame N, and suitable means are employed to return the detectors to their normal positions after their operative movements. The drop-box motion is of a known form, and comprises a mutilated gear, which is controlled by pattern mechanism so as to be moved into and out of engagement with a mutilated gear on the cam shaft as required, the former mutilated gear acting through a connector on the box-lever, which is connected to the box-rod. The usual weft-fork mechanism is employed to stop the loom upon the breakage or entire exhaustion of the weft.