The loom's shuttle-picking mechanism explained
With a needle-cored shuttle and Latin grammar exercises below
A detailed analysis of a loom's shuttle mechanism explains how the two catches h and K work together: h pulls while K releases, and h can seize the shuttle's load only when it locks into a by means of a spring pushed by the bevel m, while K, sliding off the bevel n, becomes unlocked. A marginal note describes a fine needle pierced with two eyes that serves as the axis of the shuttle, joined to one of its horns and locked from the opposite side. At the foot of the sheet Leonardo has written out Latin relative pronouns and grammar exercises. A red-and-brown drawing of the shuttle mounted in its race, and pointed shuttle figures in the left margin, illustrate the mechanism.
On this page
The catches h, K and the locking spring
When the two guides h and K are joined, h pulls while K releases; h draws the shuttle's load only if it locks into a through a spring pushed by the bevel m. As h receives the shuttle it rides a little up the bevel, K slips off the bevel n and unlocks, a locks and completes the pull, and K draws back until the treadle strikes.
A needle as the axis of the shuttle
A fine needle pierced with two windows (eyes) is to serve as the center of the shuttle. It is joined to one of the shuttle's two horns and, once threaded into its little tube, is locked from the opposite side.
Latin relative pronouns and grammar exercises
At the foot the sheet works through Latin relatives and simple sentences: qui, quod, quae with Italian glosses (il quale, el quale, la quale), homo / cosa / femina, ego qui amo, Petrus qui amat, and the declension qui cuius cui quem a quo, with cupio, concupio.
