CN111926439A

CN111926439A - Opening device for marking a selvedge or a fabric on a weaving machine and method for adjusting such an opening device

Info

Publication number: CN111926439A
Application number: CN202010402180.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 朱利亚诺·里瓦; 乔瓦尼·萨拉
Original assignee: Staubli Italia AG
Current assignee: Staubli Italia AG
Priority date: 2019-05-13
Filing date: 2020-05-13
Publication date: 2020-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 2040-05-13
Also published as: CN111926439B; EP3739092A1; EP3739092B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a shedding device for marking selvedge or fabric on a weaving machine, comprising a beam intended to extend above the weaving machine, parallel to the weft axis of the weaving machine, and at least one jacquard head. The jacquard head comprises: an optional hook; a drive means for moving the optional hook between the upper and lower positions, comprising a primary pulley; a harness connected to the hook; and a heddle support for anchoring a heddle. The opening device further comprises a spindle extending parallel to the beam for driving the primary pulley and a motor for driving the spindle. The jacquard head rests via at least one spacer on at least one supporting rib of the beam. Furthermore, the primary pulley is rotationally fixed with the primary shaft and is slidable along the shaft. Further, the main shaft and the main pulley are splined and have mating splines, and the main shaft is inserted in a central bore of the main pulley. The invention also relates to a method for adjusting such an opening device.

Description

Opening device for marking a selvedge or a fabric on a weaving machine and method for adjusting such an opening device

Technical Field

The invention relates to an opening device for marking a selvedge or a fabric on a weaving machine. The invention also relates to a method for adjusting the position of the jacquard head of the opening device in the weft direction of a weaving machine.

Background

In the weaving field, it is known to use one or several jacquard heads for selvedge marking of fabrics woven on a weaving machine. Such A jacquard head is known from FR- A-2677380 and comprises an optional hook driven by A knife between an upper position and A lower position. The head includes a primary pulley that drives a belt for moving the knife in an alternating vertical translational motion.

It is also known from US-A-5257649 to secure the jacquard head along the beam viA stirrups and nuts. This is relatively complex and implies long maintenance times when the jacquard head needs to be adjusted along the weft direction of the corresponding loom.

These jacquard heads can also be used to weave narrow fabrics, such as belts.

Usually, one or several jacquard heads are supported by a beam above the weaving machine and said one or several jacquard heads are driven by a main shaft. Has proven to be efficient and reliable

This is the case with the CX 172 jacquard opening device. In particular, the primary pulley of each jacquard head is locked on a spindle driven by a crank mechanism powered by an electric motor. The continuous rotation of the output shaft of the electric motor is converted by means of a crank mechanism into an alternating movement of the main shaft, which is transmitted by the main pulley and the associated belt to the knives of each jacquard head.

Since several fabrics or belts can be woven on a given loom, it is sometimes necessary to adapt the position of the jacquard head to the actual width of the fabric or to the position of the different belts woven on the loom.

About

CX 172 jacquard opening device, each jacquard head being driven to the open position when it is necessary to adjust the position of the jacquard head along the weft axis, and the crank mechanism being indexed, i.e. locked in place, by means of one or several pins. The jacquard head movement is then also indexed by one or several other pins. The jacquard head movement is then released from the main shaft and the jacquard head is released from the beam. After this, the patterning head can be moved along the beam, i.e. along the weft axis.

This process is generally complex, lengthy and requires qualified manpower, in particular because it requires the indexing of the crank mechanism and the indexing of the moving parts of each jacquard head. Fine adjustment of the position of the jacquard head is not easy.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to solve this problem by means of a new shedding device in which the position of the jacquard head along the weft direction of the loom can be easily and quickly adjusted without the need for indexing of some moving parts.

To this end, the invention relates to an opening device for marking a selvedge or a fabric on a weaving machine, comprising:

-a beam intended to extend parallel to the weft axis of the weaving machine above the weaving machine;

-at least one jacquard head comprising:

an optional hook;

a drive device for moving the optional hook between the upper and lower positions, the drive device comprising a primary pulley;

a heddle connected to a hook;

a heddle support for anchoring a heddle;

-a main shaft for driving the main pulley in rotation, the main shaft extending parallel to the beam; and

-a motor for driving the spindle.

According to the invention, the jacquard head rests on at least one supporting rib of the beam via at least one pad, and the primary pulley is rotationally fixed with the primary shaft and is able to slide along this shaft. Further, the main shaft and the main pulley are splined and have mating splines, and the main shaft is inserted into a central bore of the main pulley.

Thanks to the invention, the position of the jacquard head along the weft axis can be adjusted by sliding the primary pulley along the primary axis while keeping the pulley rotationally fixed with the axis. Thus, it is no longer necessary to index the crank mechanism and the jacquard head movement before moving the jacquard head parallel to the weft direction of the loom. The mating splines on the main shaft and the primary pulley are easy and economical to implement for guiding the primary pulley along the main shaft. Since the spindle is inserted in the central hole of the primary pulley, the assembly consisting of spindle and primary pulley remains compact.

According to an advantageous but optional aspect of the invention, such opening devices may incorporate one or several of the following features, considered in any technically allowable combination:

the jacquard head is provided with a quick-lock mechanism for locking the jacquard head along the beam and the jacquard head can slide along the beam when the quick-lock mechanism is inactive.

The quick locking mechanism comprises a clamp that is reversibly movable with respect to the frame of the jacquard head between a first locking position, in which the beam is clamped between the pad and the clamp, and a second release position, in which the clamp does not hinder the sliding movement of the jacquard head along the beam.

The clamp pushes the locking rib of the beam from below in the first position of the clamp.

The quick-locking mechanism comprises an eccentric which drives the clamping member or constitutes the clamping member.

The arms of the clamp are provided with resilient pads which are compressed between the longitudinal surface of the beam and the clamp when the clamp is in its first, locked position.

The clamp moves vertically relative to the frame of the jacquard head between a first locked position of the clamp and a second released position of the clamp.

The clamping member is driven between its first locking position and its second release position, and between its second release position and its first locking position by an eccentric rotatably mounted on the jacquard head and articulated inside a nut movable in a horizontal groove of the clamping member.

The clamp is formed by an eccentric which is rotatably mounted on the jacquard head and which has an outer surface which in a first, locked position of the clamp pushes on the beam and in a second, released position is spaced apart from the beam by a gap.

The beams comprise two cross beams and the jacquard head is mounted between these cross beams and rests on the supporting ribs of each cross beam via at least one pad.

The beam comprises at least one cross-beam defining a support rib having a longitudinal surface receiving the pad and forming an angle of between 0 ° and 45 °, preferably between 10 ° and 30 °, with respect to a horizontal plane. In this case, preferably, the cross beam also defines a locking rib having a longitudinal surface receiving the clip and forming an angle of between 0 ° and 45 °, preferably between 10 ° and 30 °, with respect to the horizontal plane.

The beam comprises a single beam, the jacquard head extends above and along both lateral sides of the beam, and the clamp of the quick-lock mechanism is located below the beam.

The invention also relates to a method for adjusting the position of at least one jacquard head of an opening device as mentioned above and comprising a quick-locking mechanism, along the weft direction of a weaving machine, comprising at least the following steps:

a) releasing the quick locking mechanism;

b) sliding the jacquard head along the beam while keeping the main belt pulley and the main shaft rotationally fixed; and

c) the quick-lock mechanism is switched into an application configuration in which it locks the jacquard head on the beam.

Drawings

The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will be clearer from reading the following description of two embodiments of an opening device and a method according to the principles of an opening device, provided purely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a perspective view of an opening device mounted on a weaving machine according to a first embodiment of the invention;

figure 2 is a perspective view of the opening device of figure 1, wherein the covers of the two cross-members and the lateral plates have been removed;

figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken along plane III on figure 1, perpendicular to the weft axis of the loom, in which the quick-locking mechanism of the jacquard head is in the released configuration;

figure 4 is a side view similar to figure 3, with the locking mechanism in the application configuration;

figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the locking mechanism of the jacquard head of figures 3 and 4;

fig. 6 is a detailed view corresponding to detail VI on fig. 3, in which the lever and the primary pulley of the locking mechanism have been removed;

figure 7 is a detailed view similar to figure 6, when the locking mechanism is in the application configuration; in other words, fig. 7 corresponds to detail VII on fig. 4;

FIG. 8 is a partial section view taken along the line VIII-VIII on FIG. 7;

fig. 9 is a side view similar to fig. 3 of a jacquard head belonging to an opening device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the locking mechanism of the jacquard head is in the release configuration; and

figure 10 is a side view similar to figure 9 of the same jacquard head, with the locking mechanism in the application configuration.

Detailed Description

The weaving machine L is partially shown in fig. 1 and comprises a set of heald frames 2, said set of heald frames 2 being equipped with heddles 4, said heddles 4 being adapted to form a shed together with warp yarns 6 from a coil, not shown. The fabric F is woven on a loom L.

In the loom L, the warp yarns 6 extend overall parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the loom, and weft yarns, not shown, are inserted parallel to the transverse axis Y. The axes X and Y are perpendicular to each other and generally horizontal. The axis Y is the weft axis of the loom L. The heddle frame 2 is vertical and parallel to the weft axis Y.

The opening device 10 is used to weave two selvedges S1 and S2 onto the lateral edges of the fabric F. Preferably, these selvedges S1 and S2 include the marking of the fabric F, which is carried out by the pattern obtained by the warp and weft yarns in each selvedge.

In this example, the opening device 10 comprises two jacquard heads 20 and a beam 30, the beam 30 being formed by a first beam 302 and a second beam 304 extending on either side of an axis Y' parallel to and above the axis Y. Preferably, the two

beams

302 and 304 have the same geometry and the two

beams

302 and 304 are made of the same aluminum profile. The cross beams 302 and 304 are mounted at their

respective ends

302A, 302B, 304A and 304B on two

plates

306 and 308, the two

plates

306 and 308 being hidden behind respective covers 310. The two jacquard heads 20 are located within the interior volume V30 of the beam 30 defined between the cross beams 302, 304 and the

plates

306 and 308. The axis Y' is the longitudinal axis of the volume V30.

In fig. 2, only the opening arrangement 10 is shown. In addition, 302 and 304 and cover 310 associated with plate 308 are removed to illustrate some other components of opening device 10.

In this example, the two jacquard heads 20 are identical. Thus, unless otherwise indicated, the description of one jacquard head applies to the other jacquard head. Hereinafter, the jacquard head 20 shown on the right side of fig. 1 and 2 will be described in more detail.

The jacquard head 20 comprises seventy-two optional heddles 202, each connected to a heddle 204 by a harness cord 206. In fig. 1 and 2, only one heddle 204 and three harness cords are shown below each jacquard head 20, but in practice there are a large number of such heddles and harness cords 206. The harness cords 206 together form a heddle H of the loom L associated with each jacquard head 20.

Each jacquard head 20 has a frame 220 and is provided with a heddle support 203, which heddle support 203 extends downwards from the frame 220 of the jacquard head 20 and which heddle support 203 supports an anchor plate 205, at which anchor plate 205 a spring 207 extending downwards from each heddle 204 is anchored. Such a spring 207 pulls the associated heddle 204 downwards against the lifting action of the corresponding harness cord 206.

A selection device, not shown, such as an electromagnet, is located inside each jacquard head 20 to keep the selected hooks 202 in their upper position according to the pattern for marking to be achieved on the selvedges S1 and S2 of the fabric F.

The hook 202 is shown only in fig. 3. Each hook 202 is suspended to a pulley block 2022. Two optional hooks 2020 on two opposing knives 208 moving in anti-phase between the top and bottom positions are linked by a rope 2060 wound around a not shown pulley of a pulley block 2022.

Parts

208, 2020, 2022, and 2060 are only shown in phantom in fig. 3, as

parts

208, 2020, 2022, and 2060 are all included within frame 220. Each time a pick is made, the knife 208 reaches the top position and, upon activation of the electromagnet, the hook 2020 may remain in the top position or may freely follow the knife 208 towards the bottom position. The respective knives 208 are secured to a belt 210, which belt 210 runs around a number of idler pulleys 212 and is driven by a primary pulley 214. The parts 208 to 214 constitute the moving part of the jacquard head 20.

Other configurations are contemplated for driving the optional hook 202 of each jacquard head 20 in a vertically alternating motion.

For clarity, the lateral face of the jacquard head 20 facing the plate 308 is shown blank in fig. 3 to better show some of the internal components 202 to 212 of the jacquard head 20 in dashed lines. The actual geometry of the lateral faces of the jacquard head 20 facing the plates 308 can be seen in fig. 2 and 4.

The plate 308 supports an electric motor 312, the electric motor 312 being connected to the spindle 50 by a crank mechanism 314, the spindle 50 extending within a volume V30 parallel to the axis Y' from the plate 308 towards the plate 306, wherein a free end 502 of the spindle 50 is located near the plate 306. For example, the distance between the plate 306 and the free end 502 measured parallel to the axis Y' may be less than 50 mm. Alternatively, the main shaft 50 may extend to the plate 306 and have bearings in the plate 306. The crank mechanism 314 comprises a connecting rod 313, which connecting rod 313 is articulated on the one hand to a wheel 315 driven by an electric motor 312 and on the other hand to a lever connected to the main shaft 50. The crank mechanism 314 converts the continuous rotational motion of the output shaft of the motor 312 into an alternating rotational motion of the main shaft 50 about the longitudinal axis a50 of the main shaft 50.

In effect, the longitudinal axis a50 of the main shaft 50 overlaps the axis Y'.

The main shaft 50 is spline-type. In other words, the outer peripheral surface of the main shaft 50 is provided with longitudinal ribs 504 spaced apart by longitudinal grooves 506.

On the other hand, primary pulley 214 has a splined central through hole 2140, which splined central through hole 2140 is provided with an inner longitudinal rib 2146 and an inner longitudinal groove 2144.

The geometry of the rib 504 and the groove 2144 is complementary on the one hand, and the geometry of the rib 2146 and the groove 506 is complementary on the other hand. Thus, the main shaft 50 may be engaged within the central bore 2140 of the main pulley 214 of each jacquard head 20 such that the main pulley 214 is rotationally fixed with the main shaft 50 by a splined fit, while remaining slidable along the shaft.

The use of a splined main shaft 50 and primary pulley 214 is easy and economical to implement.

Each

beam

302 or 304 has support ribs 316 for supporting two jacquard heads 20.

Z20 represents the vertical central axis of the jacquard head 20.

318 denotes the longitudinal upper surface of the rib 316. The longitudinal surface 318 is oriented upwardly. P₃₀Represents a horizontal plane defined by beam 30 and passing through the inner edge of each longitudinal surface 318, which is the edge closest to axis Z20.

The longitudinal surface 318 is not horizontal. The longitudinal surfaces 318 converge together toward the top of the volume V30 and the axis Z20. Alpha denotes the surface 318 and the plane P₃₀From plane P₃₀Oriented toward a line that extends the surface 318 toward the opposing beam.The angle alpha may be between 0 deg. and 45 deg., preferably between 10 deg. and 30 deg., depending on the design chosen for the cross beams 302 and 304. In this example, the angle is non-zero since the longitudinal surface 318 is not horizontal.

Two pads 218 are provided on the longitudinal sides of the frame 220 visible in fig. 2 to allow the jacquard head to rest on the longitudinal surfaces 318 of the support ribs 316 of the cross beam 302 and slide on the longitudinal surfaces 318. In this example, each spacer 218 is mounted to a frame 220 of the jacquard head 20 by screws 219.

The frame 220 is provided with two further pads 218 on opposite longitudinal sides, hidden in fig. 2, only one of the further two pads 218 being visible in fig. 2.

In the example of fig. 1 to 8, each gasket 218 is mounted in the vicinity of an edge between a longitudinal side of the frame 220 parallel to the axis Y 'and an end plate 222 of the frame perpendicular to the axis Y'. Alternatively, the gasket 218 may also be located between these two edges, on the longitudinal sides of the frame 220.

Each jacquard head 20 is slidably movable on the cross-members 302 and 304 along the axis Y' thanks to the cooperation of the pads 218 and the longitudinal bearing surfaces 318 of the bearing ribs 316. As long as the splined spindles and primary pulleys remain engaged with each other so that one is rotationally fixed relative to the other, the transmission of motion between the spindle 50 and the primary pulley 214 does not impede this sliding motion regardless of the position of the jacquard head 20 along axis Y' within volume V30.

Thus, the position adjustment of the jacquard head 20 in a direction parallel to the axis Y' of the weft axis Y is quick and easy. In particular, the crank mechanism 314 or the inner members 208-212 that create the motion of the jacquard head need not be indexed in order to hold the blade 208 in place.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, each jacquard head 20 is provided with a quick-lock mechanism 60, the quick-lock mechanism 60 comprising a locking shaft 62, the locking shaft 62 extending parallel to the axis Y' and being hinged on two opposite end plates 222 of the jacquard head frame 220. The locking shaft 62 is assembled at each of its

ends

62A and 62B to an eccentric 64 and a rod 66. The two rods are connected by a handle 68, which handle 68 is formed by a link extending outside the frame 220 parallel to the axis Y'.

Each eccentric 64 is hinged within a nut 70, which nut 70 has an upper flat surface 70A and a lower flat surface 70B, which are parallel to each other. Each nut 70 is received within an oval transverse groove 72A of a clamp 72, wherein the major axis of the transverse groove 72A is horizontal. As shown by a comparison of fig. 6 and 7, in which the pulley 214 is omitted for clarity, the nut 70 may slide horizontally within the groove 72A.

Each clamp 72 has two

arms

72B and 72C and two

roots

72D and 72E. The

roots

72D and 72E cooperate with some of the vertical surfaces 320 of the cross beams 302 and 304 to guide the clamp 72 in a vertical translational movement as explained below.

Each cross beam 302 is provided with a locking rib 326, the locking rib 326 defining a longitudinal surface 328. The longitudinal surface 328 is oriented downwardly. P'₃₀Representing a horizontal plane defined by beam 30 and passing through the inner edges of the two longitudinal surfaces 328, which are defined as the edges of surface 3018.

The two surfaces 328 of the two

beams

302 and 304 are oriented in opposite directions relative to the surfaces 318 of the two

beams

302 and 304. The longitudinal surface 328 is not horizontal. The longitudinal surfaces 328 converge toward the bottom of the volume V30 and the axis Z20. Beta represents surface 328 and plane P'₃₀Angle of (d) from plane P'₃₀Oriented toward a line that extends the surface 328 toward the opposing beam. The angle β may be between 0 ° and 45 °, preferably between 10 ° and 30 °, depending on the design chosen for the cross beams 302 and 304. In this example, the angle is non-zero since the longitudinal surface 328 is not horizontal.

An elastomeric pad 74 is mounted on the free end of each

arm

72B and 72C.

In the first locking position shown on fig. 4, 7 and 8, the handle 68 has been moved up into close proximity to the frame 220 and the two eccentrics 64 of the quick lock mechanism 60 act on the nut 70. Thus, the locking shaft 62 is centered within the horizontal groove 72A and is located in a lower portion of the vertical groove 72F of each clamp 72. In this configuration, the two clamps 72, located in the immediate vicinity of the two

ends

62A and 62B of the locking shaft 62, move upwards and the elastic pads 74 press firmly against the longitudinal surfaces 328 of the locking ribs 326, which fix the jacquard head 20 on the cross beams 302 and 304 along the axis Y'.

In the second release position shown on fig. 3 and 6, the handle 68 is brought down, which means that rotation of the two eccentrics 64 moves the nut 70 to the left on fig. 6 within the horizontal groove 72A, and the locking shaft 62 is located in the upper part of the groove 72F, bringing the clamp 72 and the pad 74 down away from the longitudinal surface 328. In this configuration, the locking mechanism is released as long as it does not brake jacquard head 20 on surface 328. Thus, a sliding movement of the jacquard head 20 along the axis Y' is possible.

The use of the elastic gasket 74 allows to compensate for any play between the clamp 72 and the longitudinal surface 328 in the first locking position of the quick locking mechanism 60 and also allows to adapt: in this case, movement of the eccentric 64 within the nut 70 will cause overtravel of the clamp 72 in the upward direction.

Nevertheless, the resilient pad 74 is optional and may be omitted.

In order to facilitate detection of the locking position of the quick-lock mechanism 60 on the one hand in fig. 4, 7 and 8 and on the other hand the release position of the quick-lock mechanism 60 on the fig. 3 and 6, balls 76 are mounted in respective housings 72G provided on each clamp 72. The balls are sized and positioned to partially engage within the grooves 66A provided on each rod 66 when the grooves 66A are aligned with the balls 76 and the housing 72G. A resilient means, not shown, such as a spring, resiliently urges the ball 76 into the groove 66A. Thus, when the handle 68 is in the position of fig. 3, the two slots 66A are aligned with the housing 72G so that the ball 76 can be engaged between the slots. In the alternative configuration of fig. 4, the same ball engages in the other two grooves 66A. Thus, the ball 76 forms a hard spot that is perceptible to the user when moved out of the first locked position or the second released position of the quick lock mechanism 60 with the lever 66 and the handle 68 held in the first locked position or the second released position.

The ball 76 is not shown in fig. 6 and 7.

In the locking position of the quick-lock mechanism 60, each cross-beam 302 or 304 is clamped between the

pads

218 and 74, which ensures a safe and permanent fixation of the jacquard head 20 on this cross-beam. The angles alpha and beta contribute to this fixing effect. Furthermore, the fixation of the jacquard head 20 in the locked position of the quick-lock mechanism is even more effective, since the two cross-members are clamped between the

pads

218 and 74 on the front and rear longitudinal sides of the frame 220.

In this embodiment, the two clamps 72 at each

end

62A or 62B of the locking shaft have a translational vertical movement between a first locking position of the two clamps 72, corresponding to the applied configuration of the quick-lock mechanism 60, and a second release position of the two clamps 72, corresponding to the inactive configuration of the mechanism.

In the second embodiment of the invention shown on fig. 9 and 10, the same elements as those in the first embodiment have the same reference numerals. Hereinafter, the difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described.

In fig. 9 and 10, the end caps of the jacquard head 20 have been removed, allowing visualization of the internal movement of the jacquard head 20.

In the second embodiment, the primary pulley 214 is provided with two teeth 2146, the two teeth 2146 cooperating with corresponding longitudinal grooves 506 of the main shaft 50. In this embodiment, the splined spindle 50 and primary pulley 214 are also used, but the splined spindle 50 and primary pulley 214 have different geometries.

As in the first embodiment, the belt 210, driven by the primary pulley 214, runs over four idler pulleys 212 and drives some of the knives 208 to move the optional hook 202 in a vertically alternating motion. As in the first embodiment, these optional hooks 202 are suspended to a pulley block 2022, which pulley block 2022 itself is suspended to a cord 2060 driven by a hook 2020 located on the blade 208. Here, the

parts

208, 2020, 2022 and 2060 are again only indicated by dashed lines on fig. 9, since the

parts

208, 2020, 2022 and 2060 are comprised within the frame 220 of the jacquard head 20.

In this embodiment, the beam 20 is comprised of a single beam 302, the single beam 302 defining an upper support rib 316 and a lower locking rib 326.

A slidable liner 218 mounted on the frame 220 of the jacquard head rests on the longitudinal surface 318 and is defined by support ribs 316. In practice, several pads 218 may be provided on the longitudinal dimension of the jacquard head frame 220 parallel to the axis Y'.

The quick lock mechanism 60 includes a locking shaft 62 hinged on two end plates 222 of the jacquard head 20, an eccentric 64 mounted at each end of the locking shaft 62, a rod 66 fastened with the locking shaft, and a handle 68.

In the locked configuration of the quick lock mechanism, the outer helical surface 64A of each eccentric 64 is considered to interact directly with the lower longitudinal surface 328 defined by the locking ribs 326. In the locked configuration of the quick lock mechanism 60, the lower longitudinal surface 328 receives the helical surface in an abutting manner. In other words, in this second embodiment, the clamp 72 is formed by each eccentric 64 and moves in rotation between its first, locked position and its second, released position, instead of in translation as in the first embodiment.

Thus, in this second embodiment of the invention, the jacquard head 20 extends above the cross-beam 302 and along the two

lateral sides

302A and 302B of the cross-beam 302, and the clamps 72 formed by the eccentric are located below this cross-beam.

In this embodiment, the two

longitudinal surfaces

318 and 328 of the cross beam 302 are parallel and horizontal to each other, said two

longitudinal surfaces

318 and 328 interacting respectively on the one hand with the slidable gasket 218 and on the other hand with the clamp 72.

In the release configuration of the quick-lock mechanism 60 shown on fig. 9, there is a vertical gap G between the helical surface 64A of the clamps 64 to 72 and the locking rib 326. Thus, locking mechanism 60 does not hinder translational movement of the jacquard head 20 along axis Y', which movement is possible due to the sliding of the pads 218 on the support ribs 316.

In the locked configuration of fig. 10, the handle 68 has been rotated 90 ° about the longitudinal axis of the locking shaft 62, relative to the position of the handle 68 on fig. 9, and in a clockwise direction, which brings the surface 64A into firm contact with the locking rib 326 from below, thus hindering any displacement of the jacquard head 20 along the axis Y'.

In both embodiments of the invention, in the application configuration of the quick-lock mechanism 60, the cross-beam 302, and possibly both

cross-beams

302 and 304, is clamped between the pad 218 carried by the jacquard head 20 and the clamp 72 of the quick-lock mechanism, this clamp 72 possibly being equipped with one or several elastic pads 74. In this application configuration, the clamp 72 pushes the locking rib 326 of each

cross beam

302 or 304 upwards via a vertical force exerted on the corresponding longitudinal surface 328 from below.

In both of the mentioned embodiments of the invention, when it is necessary to adjust the position of the jacquard head 20 in the weft direction Y of the weaving machine L, one starts by releasing the quick-lock mechanism 60, by moving the handle 68 of the quick-lock mechanism 60 towards the position shown on figure 3 in the first embodiment or towards the position shown on figure 9 in the second embodiment. This occurs by rotating the handle 68 about the central axis of the lock shaft 62 in a counterclockwise direction on fig. 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10.

One can then slide jacquard head 20 along beam 30 while keeping primary pulley 214 rotationally fixed with main shaft 50 by the cooperation of splines, ribs or

teeth

2146 or 504 of

members

214 and 50 with splines or

grooves

2144 or 506. When the appropriate position of the jacquard head 20 is reached along the weft direction, the jacquard head 20 can be firmly fixed on the beam 30 by switching the quick locking mechanism 60 back to the application configuration, in which the quick locking mechanism 60 locks the jacquard head 20 on the beam 30. This occurs by rotating the handle 68 about the central axis of the lock shaft 62 in a clockwise direction on fig. 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10.

The invention is shown on the drawings in the case of an opening device comprising two jacquard heads. However, the number of jacquard heads may be equal to one or greater than or equal to three.

Regardless of the embodiment of the present invention, the liner 218 is advantageously made of a material having a low coefficient of friction relative to the material of the beam 30. For example, the liner 218 may be made of a plastic material such as PEEK. Alternatively, the pad may be made of rolling elements.

According to a not shown embodiment of the invention, the beam 30 may comprise a single cross beam 302 with an inclined surface, as in the first embodiment, and the jacquard head may be mounted in a cantilever manner on this cross beam.

The embodiments and variations mentioned above can be combined to produce new embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. An opening device (10) for marking a selvedge (S1, S2) or a fabric on a weaving machine (L), comprising:

-a beam (30), said beam (30) being intended to extend above the loom, parallel to a weft axis (Y) of the loom;

-at least one jacquard head (20) comprising:

an optional hook (202);

-a drive arrangement (208 to 214) for moving the optional hook between an upper position and a lower position, the drive arrangement comprising a primary pulley (214);

a heddle (H) connected to the hook; and

a heddle support (203), the heddle support (203) being for anchoring the heddle;

-a main shaft (50), said main shaft (50) being intended to drive said main pulley in a rotary manner, said main shaft extending parallel to said beam (30); and

a motor (312), the motor (312) for driving the spindle,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

-the jacquard head (20) rests on at least one supporting rib (316) of the beam (30) via at least one pad (218), the pad (218) having a low friction coefficient with respect to the material of the beam (30),

-the primary pulley (214) is rotationally fixed with the primary shaft (50) and is slidable along the shaft,

-the main shaft (50) and the main pulley (214) are splined and have mating splines (504/2144, 506/2146), and

-the main shaft is inserted in a central hole (2140) of the main pulley.

2. The opening device according to claim 1, wherein the jacquard head (20) is provided with a quick-lock mechanism (60), the quick-lock mechanism (60) being for locking the jacquard head along the beam (30), and wherein the jacquard head is slidable along the beam when the quick-lock mechanism is inactive.

3. The opening device according to claim 2, wherein the quick-locking mechanism comprises a clamp (72), the clamp (72) being reversibly movable with respect to a frame (220) of the jacquard head (20) between a first locking position, in which the beam (30) is clamped between the pad (218) and the clamp, and a second release position, in which the clamp does not hinder a sliding movement of the jacquard head along the beam.

4. The opening device according to claim 3, wherein the clamp (72) pushes the locking rib (326) of the beam (30) from below in the first position of the clamp (72).

5. Opening device according to one of claims 3 and 4, wherein the quick-locking mechanism (60) comprises an eccentric (64), the eccentric (64) driving the clamp (72) or constituting the clamp (72).

6. Opening device according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the arms (72B, 72C) of the clamp (72) are equipped with resilient pads (74), the resilient pads (74) being compressed between a longitudinal surface (328) of the beam (30) and the clamp when the clamp is in its first locking position.

7. The opening device according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the clamp (72) is vertically movable with respect to the frame (220) of the jacquard head (20) between a first locking position of the clamp (72) and a second release position of the clamp (72).

8. Opening device according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the clamping member (72) is driven by an eccentric (64) between a first locking position of the clamping member (72) and a second release position of the clamping member (72), and between the second release position of the clamping member (72) and the first locking position of the clamping member (72), the eccentric (64) being rotatably mounted on the jacquard head (20) and being articulated within a nut (70), the nut (70) being movable in a horizontal groove (72A) of the clamping member.

9. The opening device according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the clamp (72) is formed by an eccentric (64), the eccentric (64) being rotatably mounted on the jacquard head (20), and the eccentric (64) having an outer surface (64A) which in the first, locked position of the clamp pushes on the beam (30) and in the second, released position is spaced from the beam by a gap (G).

10. The opening device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the beam (30) comprises two cross beams (302, 304) and the jacquard head (20) is mounted between these cross beams and rests on a bearing rib (316) of each cross beam via at least one gasket (218).

11. The opening device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the beam (30) comprises at least one cross beam (302, 304), the at least one cross beam (302, 304) defining a support rib (316), the support rib (316) having a longitudinal surface (318) receiving the gasket (218), and wherein the longitudinal surface is relative to a horizontal plane (P)₃₀) Forming an angle (alpha) between 0 deg. and 45 deg..

12. The opening device according to claim 11, wherein the longitudinal surface (318) is relative to a horizontal plane (P)₃₀) Forming an angle (alpha) between 10 deg. and 30 deg..

13. The opening device of claim 11, wherein the cross-beam (302, 304) further defines a locking rib (326), the locking rib (326) having a longitudinal surface (328) that receives the clip (72), and wherein the longitudinal surface is relative to a horizontal plane (P'₃₀) Forming an angle (β) between 0 ° and 45 °.

14. The finish of claim 13 wherein the longitudinal surface (328) is relative to a horizontal plane (P'₃₀) Forming an angle (β) between 10 ° and 30 °.

15. The opening device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the beam (30) comprises a single cross beam (302), the jacquard head (20) extending above and along two lateral sides (302A, 302B) of the cross beam, and the clamp (302) of the quick-lock mechanism (60) being located below the cross beam.

16. Method for adjusting the position of at least one jacquard head (20) of an opening device (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4 along the weft direction (Y, Y') of a weaving machine (L), characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps:

a) releasing the quick lock mechanism (60);

b) sliding the jacquard head along the beam (30) while keeping the primary pulley (214) rotationally fixed with the main shaft (50); and

c) switching the quick-lock mechanism (60) into an application configuration in which the quick-lock mechanism (60) locks the jacquard head (20) on the beam (30).