GB1582327A

GB1582327A - Looms

Info

Publication number: GB1582327A
Application number: GB1542177A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: James Mackie and Sons Ltd
Current assignee: James Mackie and Sons Ltd
Priority date: 1977-04-13
Filing date: 1977-04-13
Publication date: 1981-01-07

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO LOOMS (71) We, JAMES MACKIE & SONS LIMITED, a British Company of P.O. Box 149, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT12 7ED, do hereby declare this invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention, which constitutes an improvement in or modification of the invention claimed in our Patent No. 1447862, relates to shuttleless looms of the weft transfer type i.e. looms in which the weft thread, yarn or tape is carried through the warp shed by means of two weft inserters e.g.

rapiers, each being reciprocated into and out from the shed from- opposite sides of the loom respectively, one weft inserter (the weft inserter) gripping the weft inserted into the shed, the weft being transferred at the centre of the shed to the other inserter (weft receiver) which is then driven outwardly to carry the weft through the remainder of the shed.

Such a shuttleless loom of the weft transfer type in accordance with the invention of our British Patent No. 1447862 (hereinafter called the parent patent) having weft inserters provided with a gripper to grip the weft yarn, is characterised in that an opener is provided for the yarn gripper of the inserter which opener extends across a plurality of warp threads and is arranged to act between or through the intermediary of the warp threads tb operate the gripper as the inserter passes through the shed.

The weft inserter described in the specification of the parent patent No. 1447862 are relatively deep and consequently the opener described in that specification did not have to extend very far into the warp shed and was connected to the reed of the loom. However if the height of the weft inserter is reduced for example in the manner described in the specification of our co-pending applicåtion No. 14597/76 (Serial No. 1582326) then the opener has to extend further down into the shed to enable is to engage the appròpriate member on the inserter head. If the opener was to remain in this position it would foul the woven cloth during beat-up despite-being moved up by the reed.

This is avoided in a shuttleless loom of the weft transfer type in accordance with this invention which has an opener for the weft yarn gripper of a weft inserter or inserters arranged on a mounting to extend over a plurality of warp threads and to act between or through the intermediary of the warp threads to operate the gripper or grippers of a weft inserter'or inserters passing through the shed, means being provided to move the opener relatively to its mounting during movement of the inserters through the shed and, preferably also out of the path of the cloth during beat-up.

Preferably two openers are provided, one for the gripper of each.inserter, and each opener is preferably moved by means of a cam or cams, the cam or cams being such that as the weft inserters approach each other at the centre of the shed for weft transfer, the opener for the left hand or weft inserting inserter is in a position raised from the path of the inserter so that the gripper remains closed to carry weft into the shed. At the- same . time, the opener for the right hand or weft receiving inserter is positioned lo open the gripper.At weft transfer the opener for the weft inserting inserter snaps into a position to open the gripper and virtually simultaneously the opener for the weft receiving inserter snaps out of engagement with the gripper allowing this to snap shut under the influence of its own spring bias.

The openers are preferably pivotally carried by the reed so that when beat-up occurs the openers are moved by the reed and at the same time the cam means holds the openers pivoted to a position well clear of the cloth.

ÀlterhativelyX the opener or openers may be mounted on a bracket or bar remote from the reed. The bracket or bar may, for example, be stationary, in which case the opener or openers will be moved solely by the respective cams or other suitable operating means.

The invention will now be further de scribed by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the two weft inserts of a shuttleless loom of the yarn transfer type; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the gripping means of the weft receiver shown in Fig. 1; Figs. 3 and 4 are elevations of the weft receiving inserter showing the gripper in the closed and open position respectively.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a part of the loom showing the openers for the grippers of the inserters of Figs. 1 to 4: and Figs. 6A and 6B are detail views of part of Fig. 5 showing the openers in both operative and non-operative positions.

Referring to Fig. 1 the weft inserter gene rally indicated at 2 is substantially that described in our co-pending Application No.

28670/73 1(Specification No. 1468819). It is shown carrying a weft end 4 which it has engaged outside the shed and the weft is held extending across the lower face of the inserter by means of a pivoted clamp generally indicated at 6.

The clamp member 6 is lifted to open the clamp when an arm 8 connected to the clamp member 6 is depressed against the bias of a-spring 10. The weft is then inserted through the remainder of the shed by the weft receiving inserter generally indicated at 12 in Fig. 1.

The weft inserter 12 is of shallow chan nel section- and is reciprocated into and out from the shed by means of a tape 14 to which the inserter 12 is attached.

The inserter includes means for gripping the weft yarn so that once this has been tralisferred from the inserter 2 the yarn can be pulled out thiough the remainder of the shed. This yarn gripper comprises a stationary hook member 16 projecting out from the front - end of the inserter and a pivoted deflector arm 18, the grm 18 being pivoted at 20 to the inserter and biassed by means of a spring 22 to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3'in which it engages tlie hook membet to grip the weft.The front of the arm is is formed as a beak 19 so as to deflect yarn' 'db'wn towards the positioned.

As can clearly be seen in Fig. 2 the hook member is formed to define a Vshaped slot 24 the two upwardly extending sides 26 and 28 of which are each formed with'a hook 30 and with a tongue 31 which is positioned so as to trap the yarn and to help prevent it escaping during transfer from one inserter to the other.

The end of the arm 18 is positioned to engage in the V-shaped slot in its lower or gripping position and as can be seen in Fig. 2 the sides of the end of the arm 18 also slope so as to wedge tightly with the sides of the slot.

The bottom edge 32 of the end of the deflector member is designed so as never to "bottom" against the bottom of the Vshaped slot 24.

The tail 34 of the deflector member 18 is bowed upwardly as can be seen in Figs.

1, 3 and 4.

When the weft inserter.l2 is moving towards the centre of the shed in the left hand direction as seen in the drawings the gripper is closed with the end of the deflector 18 engaged within the V-shaped slot of the hook member as can be seen in Fig. 3. As it approaches the centre of the shed the bowed arm 34 of the deflector member strikes the underside of a curved opener plate 36 which depends downwardly to act on the arm through the warp threads. The deflector is thus pivoted in a clockwise direction about its pivot 20 against the bias of the spring 22 so that the end of the arm 18 rises from the hooked member as can be seen in Figs. 1 and 4. In this position the underside of the end of the deflector arm acts to help deflect the weft yarn carried by the weft inserter 2, down behind the hooks 30.In fact the hooks are moved under the weft 4 carried across the end of the inserter 2 and the weft is then deflected down behind the barbs of the hook as can be seen in Fig. 1.

At the centre of the shed, and at weft transfer a second opener 38 for the left hand pr weft inserting inserter 2 is moved down from the position shown to engage the arm 8 to open, the gripper to release the weft.

At the same time, the opener 36 for the weft receiving inserter 12 is moved up to release the arm 34, so that the front end of the - deflector 18- is driven down into the V-shaped slot between the hooks by means of the spring 22. This acts, as can clearly be seen in Fig. 2, tightly to wedge thë weft against the sides of the slot behind the two hooks and the top of the walls of the slot at this point are rounded so that the weft will not be unduly - frayed. The two weft inserters then move in opposite directions.

The deflector 18 is shaped so that when in this position the upper surface carries on the line of the hooks ascan clearly be seen; at the point A' marked in Fig. 3 to 'help to prevent the hooks fouling as the inserter is withdrawn through the warp shed.

As can be seen with reference to Figs. 5 and 6 the openers 36, 38 have to extend fairly far down into the shed so as to be able to engage the bowed arms of the weft inserters. In this position they would foul the cloth during beat-up, and this is avoided by moving the openers both prior to and during beat-up.

The openers 36, -38 are each carried by two arms 40, 42 extending from sleeve member 44 which is pivotally connected at 46 to brackets 48, 50 respectively each of which brackets is carried by the upper arm 52 of a reed assembly generally indicated at 54.

Each pivotally mounted sleeve 44 is connected to a bowed arm 56 pivotally connected at 58 to the upper end of a rod 60, the lower end of the rod 60 for the right hand opener 36 being pivotally connected at 62 to one end of a cranked arm 64, which is pivotally mounted at 66 to a bracket 68 on the loom frame. The other end of the cranked arm 64 carries a cam follower 70 which is held against the periphery of a rotary cam 72 by means of a spring 74, acting on the said one end of the cranked lever 64.

The opener 38 for the left hand or weft inserting inserter is similarly connected by means of a rod 60' and cranked lever 64' to a second rotary cam 72' the cams 72 and 72' being both mounted on a single shaft 74 which is rotated in timed sequence with the main drive shaft of the loom.

As will be seen from Fig. 5 each of the cams 72 and 72' are formed with lobes 76, 78 respectively these lobes being offset from one another relatively to the shaft 74.

In the position shown in Fig. 5 the weft inserters are approaching each other at the centre of the weft shed. As the weft receiving inserter moves to the centre of the shed, the wedge gripper members 18, 28 begin to open as the opener 36 is at a position in the shed at which it will engage the bowed lever 34 of the gripper of the weft receiving inserter, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The opener 38 for the left hand or weft inserting inserter remains relatively raised to a position above the bowed lever 8 of that inserter.

As can be seen in Fig. 5, at this position, the cranked lever 64 for the right hand opener is pivoted relatively in a clockwise direction from the left (as seen in the drawing) about the pivot 66 due to the en zagement of the follower 70 with cam lobe 76. This means that the sleeve 44 of the onener 36 has pivoted about the pivot 46 to its lowest position in the shed. On the other hand cam follower 70' of the cranked lever 64' is still engaged by the periphery of the cam in advance of lobe 78 of.the cam 72' so that thk rod 60' is in a relatively lowered position causing the opener 38 relatively to be raised.

At the point of weft transfer, the opener 36 is lifted .to enable the wedge gripper of the weft receiving inserter to snap shut and this is achieved as the cam follower 70 is engages from the lobe 76 of the cam 72. At the same time or fractionally before, the follower 70' engages the lobe 78 of cam 72' to move the opener 3'8 sharply down into the shed to act on the gripper of the left hand or weft inserting inserter to open this to allow weft transfer to take place.

On reference to Figs. 6A and 6B the two openers 36, 38 are shown in full broken lines at their positions just prior to weft transfer between the two inserters, and in long broken lines at their positions at weft transfer.

As can also be seen in Fig. 6 the reed assembly 54 is carried by an arm 80 connected to a main loom shaft 82. During beat-up this shaft is rotated to the right as seen in Fig. 6, causing the arm 80 and the reed assembly 54 also to move to the right to the position shown in short dash lines.

As the sleeves 44 of the two openers are pivotally mounted at 46 to brackets 48, 50 of the reed assembly and as the sleeves 44 are also connected to arms 56, 56' movement of the reed causes a further pivotal movement of the sleeves 44 and openers 36, 38 as can be seen in the drawing. At the same time the arms 56 pivot about their pivots 58 and the arms 60, 60' pivot about their pivots 62, 62' relative to the levers 64, 64'. It will be appreciated when the opener is in this position it is well clear of the warp threads to allow normal unobstructed beat-up to occur. During this time the openers are maintained in an upper position as the cam followers 70, 70' are engaged at an appropriate portion of the periphery of the cams.

The weft receiving inserter 12 described herein forms the subject of our co-pending apnlication No. 14597/76 (Serial No.

1582 326) from which this application is divided.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A shuttleless loom of the weft transfer type having at least one opener for a yarn gripper of a weft inserter or inserters, the onener being arranged on a mounting to extend across a plurality of warp threads and to act between or through the intermediary of the warp threads to operate the grinper or grippers of an inserter or inserters passing through the shed, means being provided to move the opener relatively to its mounting during movement of the inserters through the shed.

2. A shuttleless loom of the weft trans

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

prevent the hooks fouling as the inserter is withdrawn through the warp shed.

As can be seen with reference to Figs. 5 and 6 the openers 36, 38 have to extend fairly far down into the shed so as to be able to engage the bowed arms of the weft inserters. In this position they would foul the cloth during beat-up, and this is avoided by moving the openers both prior to and during beat-up.

The openers 36, -38 are each carried by two arms 40, 42 extending from sleeve member 44 which is pivotally connected at 46 to brackets 48, 50 respectively each of which brackets is carried by the upper arm 52 of a reed assembly generally indicated at 54.

Each pivotally mounted sleeve 44 is connected to a bowed arm 56 pivotally connected at 58 to the upper end of a rod 60, the lower end of the rod 60 for the right hand opener 36 being pivotally connected at 62 to one end of a cranked arm 64, which is pivotally mounted at 66 to a bracket 68 on the loom frame. The other end of the cranked arm 64 carries a cam follower 70 which is held against the periphery of a rotary cam 72 by means of a spring 74, acting on the said one end of the cranked lever 64.

The opener 38 for the left hand or weft inserting inserter is similarly connected by means of a rod 60' and cranked lever 64' to a second rotary cam 72' the cams 72 and 72' being both mounted on a single shaft 74 which is rotated in timed sequence with the main drive shaft of the loom.

As will be seen from Fig. 5 each of the cams 72 and 72' are formed with lobes 76, 78 respectively these lobes being offset from one another relatively to the shaft 74.

In the position shown in Fig. 5 the weft inserters are approaching each other at the centre of the weft shed. As the weft receiving inserter moves to the centre of the shed, the wedge gripper members 18, 28 begin to open as the opener 36 is at a position in the shed at which it will engage the bowed lever 34 of the gripper of the weft receiving inserter, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The opener 38 for the left hand or weft inserting inserter remains relatively raised to a position above the bowed lever 8 of that inserter.

As can be seen in Fig. 5, at this position, the cranked lever 64 for the right hand opener is pivoted relatively in a clockwise direction from the left (as seen in the drawing) about the pivot 66 due to the en zagement of the follower 70 with cam lobe 76. This means that the sleeve 44 of the onener 36 has pivoted about the pivot 46 to its lowest position in the shed. On the other hand cam follower 70' of the cranked lever 64' is still engaged by the periphery of the cam in advance of lobe 78 of.the cam 72' so that thk rod 60' is in a relatively lowered position causing the opener 38 relatively to be raised.

At the point of weft transfer, the opener 36 is lifted .to enable the wedge gripper of the weft receiving inserter to snap shut and this is achieved as the cam follower 70 is engages from the lobe 76 of the cam 72. At the same time or fractionally before, the follower 70' engages the lobe 78 of cam 72' to move the opener 3'8 sharply down into the shed to act on the gripper of the left hand or weft inserting inserter to open this to allow weft transfer to take place.

On reference to Figs. 6A and 6B the two openers 36, 38 are shown in full broken lines at their positions just prior to weft transfer between the two inserters, and in long broken lines at their positions at weft transfer.

As can also be seen in Fig. 6 the reed assembly 54 is carried by an arm 80 connected to a main loom shaft 82. During beat-up this shaft is rotated to the right as seen in Fig. 6, causing the arm 80 and the reed assembly 54 also to move to the right to the position shown in short dash lines.

As the sleeves 44 of the two openers are pivotally mounted at 46 to brackets 48, 50 of the reed assembly and as the sleeves 44 are also connected to arms 56, 56' movement of the reed causes a further pivotal movement of the sleeves 44 and openers 36, 38 as can be seen in the drawing. At the same time the arms 56 pivot about their pivots 58 and the arms 60, 60' pivot about their pivots 62, 62' relative to the levers 64, 64'. It will be appreciated when the opener is in this position it is well clear of the warp threads to allow normal unobstructed beat-up to occur. During this time the openers are maintained in an upper position as the cam followers 70, 70' are engaged at an appropriate portion of the periphery of the cams.

The weft receiving inserter 12 described herein forms the subject of our co-pending apnlication No. 14597/76 (Serial No.

1582 326) from which this application is divided.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A shuttleless loom of the weft transfer type having at least one opener for a yarn gripper of a weft inserter or inserters, the onener being arranged on a mounting to extend across a plurality of warp threads and to act between or through the intermediary of the warp threads to operate the grinper or grippers of an inserter or inserters passing through the shed, means being provided to move the opener relatively to its mounting during movement of the inserters through the shed.
2. A shuttleless loom of the weft trans

fer type as claimed -in claim 1 wherein means are provided to move the opener out of the path of the cloth, during beat-up.
3. A loom as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which two openers are provided, one for the gripper of each weft inserter, each opener being provided with separate means to move it during the loom cycle.
4. A loom as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which one opener is provided for both weft inserters.
5. A loom as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the means to move the or each opener comprises a cam or cams driven in time with the remaining parts of the loom, and pivotal linkage connecting the cam(s) to a pivotal mounting for the opener.
6. A loom as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the opener or openers is pivotally mounted on a reed assembly of the loom.
7. A loom as claimed in any one of claims 1 'to 5 in which the opener or openers is mounted on a part of the loom remote from a reed assembly of the loom.
8. A loom of the weft transfer type having an opener or openers for the grippers of weft inserters substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.