EP1926852B1 - Device for coupling a heald frame and a connecting rod, heald frame equipped with such a device, mechanism for actuating such a frame and weaving machine incorporating such a mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a device (5) fixed on a heald frame comprising a projecting member (53) with circular cross-section adapted to be inserted into a circular bore (32) of one connecting rod end (31). The device (5) is provided with means (56c1) for being relatively guided with respect to the connecting rod end (31) towards a position aligning a central axis (X32) of the bore (32) and an axis (X53) of articulation of the connecting rod defined by the projecting member (53), prior to insertion (F3) of the member (53) in the bore (32), thereby facilitating the work of an operator having to fix the connecting rod (3) to a hedder frame equipped with the device (5).

Description

The present invention relates to a hooking device between a heald frame and a connecting rod actuated by a weave mechanism. The invention also relates to a heddle frame equipped with such a device, to an actuating mechanism of such a frame and to a loom equipped with at least one such mechanism.

To simplify the operations of assembly and disassembly of heald frames on a loom, it is known to use devices ensuring the hooking and unhooking of frames relative to their drive rods. US Patent 5,000,229 shows a coupling device, fixed on a heald frame and provided with a boss which defines a hinge axis for a frame drive rod and which is capped with a bore at the end. of the connecting rod. A latch is hinged to one side of the device and must be actuated by means of a lever when it is necessary to couple the connecting rod to the frame or to decouple it. When an operator wishes to couple the rod to the frame, he must maneuver the frame to bring precisely the boss of the coupling device opposite the central bore of the connecting rod, which is not always easy to the extent that the different frames of a loom are arranged one behind the other being very close together, so inaccessible.

It is these drawbacks that the invention intends to remedy more particularly by proposing a device with which the attachment of a rod to a loom frame or a frame on a rod is much easier than with known systems.

In this spirit, the invention relates to a coupling device between a heald frame and a connecting rod actuated by a loom weave mechanism, this device being fixed to the frame and comprising a protruding member with a suitable circular section. to be introduced into a bore formed in a connecting rod end, this member then defining an axis of articulation of the connecting rod. This device is characterized in that it is provided with relative guide means of the protruding member and the end of connecting rod towards a position of alignment of a central axis of the bore and the axis of articulation defined by the protruding member, before introduction of this body into this bore.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible for an operator to use the alignment means to pre-position the end bore of a connecting rod and the protruding member of the device attached to the frame, before engaging actually this organ in this bore. This allows the operator to work judging, even blind, without having to visually check the proper alignment of the bore and the protruding member, before pushing the member protruding into the bore.

• Les moyens d'alignement comprennent un flasque pourvu d'une ouverture d'accès de l'extrémité de bielle à l'organe en saillie, les bords de cette ouverture étant adaptés pour assurer le guidage relatif de la surface périphérique externe de cette extrémité et de l'organe en saillie vers la position d'alignement des axes précités. De préférence, cette ouverture est débouchante sur un côté du flasque et les bords précités sont au moins en partie convergents à partir de ce côté et globalement complémentaires d'une portion de la surface périphérique externe de l'extrémité de la bielle.
• Le dispositif comprend des moyens de retenue de l'organe en saillie dans l'alésage, ces moyens étant escamotables sous l'action de l'extrémité de la bielle lorsque la bielle approche d'une configuration d'alignement des axes précités en étant guidée par les moyens d'alignement. Ces moyens de retenue comprennent avantageusement un verrou, pivotant par rapport à une structure de support de l'organe, entre une première position, de retenue de l'extrémité de bielle parallèlement à l'axe d'articulation, et une seconde position, dans laquelle le verrou ne s'oppose pas au déplacement relatif de l'extrémité de bielle et du dispositif parallèlement à l'axe d'articulation. Des moyens de rappel du verrou vers sa position de retenue peuvent être prévus, notamment sous la forme d'une languette élastique monobloc avec le verrou.
• Le dispositif comprend un premier flasque sur lequel est fixé l'organe en saillie et un second flasque globalement parallèle au premier et qui porte les moyens d'alignement. Dans ce cas, le verrou est avantageusement monté pivotant entre les flasques, autour d'un axe globalement perpendiculaire à ceux-ci.

According to other advantageous but non-obligatory aspects of the invention, such a device may incorporate one or more of the following features, taken in any technically permissible combination:

• The alignment means comprise a flange provided with an access opening from the connecting rod end to the protruding member, the edges of this opening being adapted to provide relative guidance of the outer peripheral surface of this end and of the organ in protrusion towards the alignment position of the aforementioned axes. Preferably, this opening is open on one side of the flange and the aforementioned edges are at least partly convergent from this side and generally complementary to a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the end of the connecting rod.
• The device comprises means for retaining the member projecting into the bore, these means being retractable under the action of the end of the connecting rod when the rod approaches an alignment configuration of the aforementioned axes being guided by the alignment means. These retaining means advantageously comprise a latch, pivotable relative to a support structure of the member, between a first position, retaining the connecting rod end parallel to the axis of articulation, and a second position, in which the lock does not oppose the relative movement of the rod end and the device parallel to the axis of articulation. Means for returning the latch to its retaining position may be provided, in particular in the form of a resilient one-piece tongue with the latch.
• The device comprises a first flange on which is fixed the protruding member and a second flange generally parallel to the first and which carries the alignment means. In this case, the latch is advantageously pivotally mounted between the flanges around an axis generally perpendicular to them.

The invention also relates to a heddle frame of a loom equipped with a hooking device as mentioned above.

In addition, the invention relates to a mechanism for actuating a heddle frame of a loom from a weave mechanism, this mechanism comprising at least one connecting rod whose one end is configured in loop around a circular bore. This mechanism is characterized in that it also comprises a device as mentioned above, the protruding member defines a hinge axis for the end of the connecting rod and whose relative guide means are able to guide this end and the protruding member relative to each other to a position of alignment of the aforementioned hinge pin and a central axis of the bore, before introduction of the protruding member in this bore.

Advantageously, the device is mounted on an amount of the heald frame.

Finally, the invention relates to a loom equipped with at least one actuating mechanism as mentioned above.

• la figure 1 est une représentation schématique de principe d'un métier à tisser conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue à plus grande échelle du détail II à la figure 1 ;
• la figure 2A est une coupe partielle à plus grande échelle selon la ligne A-A à la figure 2 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective éclatée des éléments visibles à la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue analogue à la figure 2 lors de l'accrochage de la bielle et du cadre ;
• la figure 5 est une vue analogue à la figure 4 à la fin du mouvement d'approche relatif de la bielle et du cadre ;
• la figure 5A est une coupe partielle à plus grande échelle selon la ligne A-A à la figure 5 ; et
• la figure 6 est une vue analogue à la figure 2 pour un mécanisme d'accrochage conforme à un second mode de réalisation de l'invention.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of two embodiments of a hooking device, a heald frame, a actuating mechanism and a loom according to its principle, given solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic representation of a weaving machine according to the invention;
• the figure 2 is a larger-scale view of detail II to the figure 1 ;
• the Figure 2A is a partial section on a larger scale along the line AA to the figure 2 ;
• the figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the elements visible in the figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 is a view similar to the figure 2 when attaching the connecting rod and the frame;
• the figure 5 is a view similar to the figure 4 at the end of the relative approach movement of the connecting rod and the frame;
• the Figure 5A is a partial section on a larger scale along the line AA to the figure 5 ; and
• the figure 6 is a view similar to the figure 2 for a hooking mechanism according to a second embodiment of the invention.

To the figure 1 , a dobby 1 is intended to drive a heddle frame 2 of a loom M in an oscillating vertical movement represented by the arrows F ₁ and F ' ₁ . To do this, an actuating arm 11 of the dobby 1 is coupled, by connecting rods 3 and oscillating levers 4, to the frame 2. The trade M comprises several frames, only one of which is shown in FIG. figure 1 for the clarity of the drawing.

The two rods 3 which attack the frame 2 have their respective upper ends 31 configured in a loop and which each define a bore 32 of circular section centered on an axis X ₃₂ . Each end 31 is integral with the rest of the connecting rod 3 corresponding. Alternatively, it may be an end reported.

Two devices 5 intended to cooperate each with the end 31 of a driving rod 3 are fixed in the lower part of the lower cross member 21 of the frame 2.

One of these devices is more particularly visible to Figures 2 to 5 . It comprises a base flange 51 on which is riveted, by means of a not shown rivet, a pin 53 protruding from the face 51a of the flange 51 visible to the figure 3 . The pin 53 has a circular outer section centered on an axis X ₅₃ . A bar 54 is used to fix the device 5 on the cross member 21 by means of two screws 55 represented by their center lines. A front flange 56 is disposed parallel to the flange 51 to which it is rigidly associated by five rivets, namely three rivets 57a through holes 54a formed in the bar 54 and two stepped rivets 57b of larger section than the rivets 57a. Alternatively, the pin 53 is not riveted to the flange 51 by an independent rivet but immobilized thereon by plastic deformation or riveting of its rear portion to the figure 3 .

A plastic latch 58 is pivotally mounted around one of the rivets 57b, that is to say around its longitudinal axis X ₅₇ which is perpendicular to the flanges 51 and 56.

In mounted configuration of the device 5, the latch 58 is interposed between the two flanges 51 and 56. The latch 58 comprises a heel 58a intended to cooperate with the face 31b of the end 31 of the rod 3 located opposite the flange 51 when this end is received in the device 5 in attachment configuration.

The surface 31a is circular, with a rectilinear generatrix and with a circular section centered on the X axis ₃₂ of the bore 32.

As is clear from the Figure 2A , the heel 58a has, on its side facing the flange 56, a return 58b which partially covers the face 31b when the latch 58 retains the end 31 around the pin 53. The return 58b prevents the end 31 away from the flange 51 when it has been placed around the pin 53. Thus, the return 58b immobilizes the end 31 parallel to the X axes ₃₂ and X ₅₃ which are then merged.

When the rod 3 is hooked on the device 5, that is to say when the pin 53 is engaged in the bore 32, the X axis ₅₃ forms an axis of articulation for the rod 3 which can oscillate, with an angular amplitude of a few degrees around this axis, as represented by the arrow P at the figure 2 . The bore 32 is equipped with a sliding ring 34 on the pin 53. The pin 53 thus defines, by its central axis of symmetry X ₅₃ , an axis of articulation of the connecting rod 3 on the frame 2.

The latch 58 comprises an operating lug 58d which extends substantially opposite the bead 58a with respect to the X axis ₅₇ in the mounted configuration of the device. The latch 58 also comprises a resilient tongue 58e which bears against the surface 54d of the bar 54 facing the pin 53, as visible in FIG. figure 2 . The tongue 58e, which is integral with the rest of the latch 58, is configured to exert on it a torque C tending to tilt the heel 58a about the X axis ₅₇ in the direction of the axis X ₅₃ and the surface 31a when the rod 3 is in place around the pin 53.

For the sake of clarity, the parts shown in broken lines at the figure 2 are omitted from Figures 4, 5 and 6 because they are masked by the flange 56.

The flange 56 is generally U-shaped inverted and comprises two arms 56a and a base 56b connecting these two arms. Between the arms 56a is defined an opening O ₅₆ which is open on the lower side of the flange, that is to say on its side facing the current portion 33 of the connecting rod 3, in the hooked configuration of the connecting rod and the frame .

A lateral boss 58f formed on the latch 58 defines a surface 58g which abuts against the outer edge of the arm 56a when the latch 58 is subjected to the only torque C. The arm 56a thus constitutes a stop to the movement of the latch 58 under the effect of the C pair.

The inner edges 56c of the arms 56a are decomposed into two concave portions 56c ₁ and 56c ₂ , the portions 56c ₁ being configured in a circular arc, with a radius R ₅₆ substantially equal to the radius R ₃₁ of the surface 31a. The portions 56c ₂ define with the edge 56d of the base 56b a recess.

The portions 56c ₁ of the edges 56c make it possible to guide the frame when the frame 2 is hooked onto the link 3 so as to align the X axis ₃₂ with the X axis ₅₃ of the pin 53. In fact, the operator can bring, judged, the device 5 generally above the end 31a, as shown in FIG. figure 4 , then move the frame 2 by a force F ₂ in translation parallel to the flanges 51 to bring the edges 56c resting on the surface 31a of the end 31. In their portions 56c ₁ , the edges 56c are convergent since free end of the arms 56a, that is to say the lower side of the flange 56, to the edge 56d.

Given the complementarity of shapes between on the one hand, the portion of the surface 31a which comes into contact with the edges 56c and, on the other hand, the portions 56c ₁ , the end 31 is thus guided with respect to the device 5 to a position represented in figure 5 which is unequivocal with respect to the flange 56. In other words, the edges 56c are guided by their portions 56c ₁ on the surface 31a to position the device 5 relative to the end 31. It is sufficient that the arms 56a are configured so that the portions 56c ₁ are centered on the X axis ₅₃ so that, by its contact with these portions 56c ₁ , the end 31 and its bore 32 are automatically centered on the X axis ₅₃ , when the device 5 is moved by the effort F ₂ .

In the final part of the approach movement guided by the portions 56c ₁ of the edges 56c, the end 31 comes, by a portion 31a ₁ of its surface 31a, bearing against the internal radial surface 58c of the return 58b to which it transmits a effort F ' ₂ which is the resultant of the effort F ₂ . The return 58b and the heel 58a are thus pushed back by the force F ' ₂ , as shown in FIG. figure 5 , against the torque C, in a rotational retraction movement around the latch 58 about the X axis ₅₇ , as illustrated by the arrow E ₅₈ at the figure 5 .

When the end 31 comes into contact with the inner edges of the arms 56a, that is to say when the flange 56 has been moved to "cap" the end 31, and when the lock has been pushed by the end 31 towards the position of the figure 5 where it does not interfere with the end 31 and the flange 51, it is then possible to push the end 31 through the opening O ₅₆ in the direction of the flange 51 and parallel to the axis X ₅₃ to engage the pin 53 in the bore 32. This relative movement of the end 31 and the pin 53 is represented by the arrows F ₃ to figures 3 and 5A . It corresponds to the introduction of the pin 53 in the bore 32.

Once the end 31 in place around the pin 53, the latch 58 is reduced, under the effect of the torque C exerted by the tongue 58e, to the position of the figure 2 where the return 58b retains the end 31 in place between the two flanges 51 and 56, opposing an extraction movement parallel to the X axis ₃₃ and directed away from the flange 51.

Thus, if one is placed in the reference frame of the rod 3, the movement of the frame 2 and the device 5 is an approach movement in which the device 5 is guided by its edges 56c ₁ on the surface 31a of the end of connecting rod 31. In the reference frame 2 and the device 5, the rod end 31 is guided by the edges 56c ₁ . In all cases, the relative guidance between the device 5 and the end 31 has the effect of aligning the X ₃₂ and X axes ₅₃ , which then makes it possible to easily engage the end 31 around the member 53, that is to say, to engage the member 53 in the bore 32.

This results in an automatic locking of the connecting rod 3 in the device 5, without it being necessary for the operator to act directly on the latch 58.

Given the automatic nature of this locking and guiding to a unambiguous position obtained through the portions 56c ₁ edges 56c, the attachment can be achieved without the operator visually control the pre-alignment of the end 31 and the device 5.

When it is necessary to unhook the frame 2 of the rod 3, it is sufficient for the operator to press the tab 58d in the direction of the arrow F ₅ to the figure 2 , which has the effect of releasing the heel 58a and the return 58b of the end 31 and release the rod which can then be extracted through the opening O ₅₆ .

In the second embodiment of the invention shown in figure 6 , the shape of the flanges 51 and 56 is modified to allow the mounting of the device 5 on a vertical post 22 of the frame 2. For this purpose, the flange 56 is extended by a tab 56 which comes to overlap a portion of the upright 22 The flange 51 is also extended by a leg of the same type. The legs 56e and equivalent of the two flanges are assembled by means of rivets 57a which pass through the post 22. The attachment of the device 5 to the frame 2 is thus performed without resorting to a bar of the type of the bar 54 of the first embodiment.

The invention has been shown for a frame driven by dobby 1. It is however applicable regardless of the exact type of armor mechanics which may be a basic armor mechanic.

The portions 56c ₁ are not necessarily in an arc. They can take any form adapted according to the geometry of the part of the external surface 31a with which they cooperate which is not necessarily circular section. In particular, the edges 56c can be configured in V, while the end 31 is generally shaped tip.

In the two embodiments described, the attachment mechanisms can be arranged on the bottom or on the top of the frame, according to the configuration of the transmission rods of the movement of the armor mechanics.

Claims (13)

1. A coupling device for coupling a heddle frame (2) and a connecting rod (3) actuated by a weave motion (1) of a loom (M), said device (5) being fastened on said frame and including a projecting member (53) of circular section suitable for being inserted in a bore (32) provided in one end (31) of the connecting rod, said member then defining a hinge axis (X₅₃) for said connecting rod, characterized in that it is provided with means (56c₁) for guiding said member (53) relative to said end of the connecting rod (31) towards an alignment position (Figure 5) in which a central axis (X₃₂) of said bore is in alignment with said hinge axis (X₅₃), prior to introducing (F₃) said member into said bore.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said alignment means comprise a plate (56) provided with an opening (O₅₆) giving said end (31) of the connecting rod (3) access to said projecting member (53), the edges (56c) of said opening being adapted (56c₁) to provide relative guidance for the outside peripheral surface (31a) of said end and said member (53) towards said alignment position.
3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that said opening (O₅₆) opens out into a side of said plate (56) and said edges (56c) converge at least in part (56c₁) from said side and are generally complementary to a portion of the outside peripheral surface (31a) of said end (31).
4. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it includes retaining means (58) for retaining said member (53) in said bore (32), said means being retractable (E₅₈) under the action (F'₂) of said end (31) when said connecting rod (3) approaches (F₂) an alignment configuration (Figure 5) of said axes (X₃₂, X₅₃) by being guided by said alignment means (56c₁).
5. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that said retaining means comprise a catch (58) mounted to pivot (E₅₈), relative to a support structure (51, 56, 57) for said member (53), between a first position for retaining said end (31) parallel to said hinge axis (X₅₃), and a second position in which said catch does not oppose relative movement between said end and said device parallel to said axis.
6. A device according to claim 5, characterized in that it includes return means (58e) for returning said pivotal catch (59) towards said retaining position.
7. A device according to claim 6, characterized in that said return means are formed by a resilient tongue (58e) formed integrally with said catch (58).
8. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it includes a first plate (51) to which said member (53) is fastened, and a second plate (56) generally parallel to the first plate and carrying said alignment means (56c₁).
9. A device according to any one of claims 5 to 7 and claim 8, characterized in that said catch (58) is mounted to pivot between said plates (51, 56) about an axis (X₅₇) that is generally perpendicular to said plates.
10. A heddle frame (2) of a loom fitted with a coupling device (5) according to any preceding claim.
11. A frame according to claim 10, characterized in that said device (5) is fastened on an upright (22) of the frame.
12. A mechanism for actuating a heddle frame (2) of a loom from a weave motion, said mechanism (1) comprising at least one connecting rod (3) having one end (31) configured to form a loop about a circular bore (32), characterized in that it also comprises a device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 in which the projecting member (53) defines a hinge axis (X₅₃) for said connecting rod end (31) and in which the relative guide means (56c₁) are suitable for guiding said connecting rod end (31) and said member (53) towards a position in which said hinge axis (X₅₃) and a central axis (X₃₂) of said bore are in alignment, prior to introducing (F₃) said member into said bore.
13. A loom (M) fitted with at least one actuator mechanism (5, 31) according to claim 12.

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