GB1594626A

GB1594626A - Knife module for tufting machines

Info

Publication number: GB1594626A
Application number: GB3628277A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Spencer Wright Industries Inc; Wright Industries Inc
Current assignee: Spencer Wright Industries Inc; RTS Wright Industries LLC
Priority date: 1977-08-31
Filing date: 1977-08-31
Publication date: 1981-08-05
Also published as: DE2835186C2; DE7823980U1; DE2835186A1

Description

(54) KNIFE MODULE FOR TUFTING MACHINES (71) We, SPENCER WRIGHT INDUSTRIES INC., a corporation organised and existing under the laws of the State of Tennessee, United States of America, of 1501 Riverside Drive, Chattenooga, State of Tennessee, United States of America, do hereby declare the 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: The invention concerns a knife module for tufting machines.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a knife module for the knife arrangement of a tufting machine which is capable of ready use in the context of fine gauge tufting machines.

According to the invention there is proposed a knife module for the cutter knife arrangement for a tufting machine which comprises a mounting block and a plurality of knives formed integrally therewith and extending therefrom in parallel, spaced apart disposition, the mounting block being adapted for location on and for attachment to a bar secured in position on the tufting machine.

According to a preferred feature the respective planes of the individual knives are inclined relative to two mutually perpendicular axes lying in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the module and themselves perpendicular to the said longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis of the module being that axis of the module intended to extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bar to which the mounting blocks are to be applied in use.

According to a still further preferred feature, the side faces of the mounting block are disposed parallel to the planes of the respective knives.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating two embodiments thereof and in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a knife module constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the knife module as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section taken on line X-X of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an end elevation of a part of a tufting machine showing the gauge parts, comprising knives, needles and loopers in a relative juxtaposition, the knives being provided in the form of a plurality of knife modules each constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 is a front elevation of a part of the arrangement shown in Figure 4; and Figures 6 and 7 are views corresponding to Figures 1 and 2 of a second embodiment.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 to 5 thereof, a knife module constructed in accordance with the invention comprises a body part 11 of generally rectangular form having a plurality of cutter knives 12 modulated integrally therewith, there being some ten knives mounted in the body part in equi-spaced parallel disposition therein.

As can be seen particularly from Figure 3, the side faces 13 of the body part 11 are in dined slightly in relation to the perpendicular to the front and rear faces 14, 15, respectively, of such body part, say at an angle of 4 , and the knives 12 are mounted in the body part in parallel disposition relative thereto. In addition, the said side faces 13 are inclined slightly from the perpendicular relative to the top and bottom surfaces 16, 17 respectively of the body part, say at an angle of 6 , and the knives 12 are similarly inclined relative to such surfaces.

In the embodiment illustrated, the body part 11 is approximately 0.625 inches long, and is of application in the context of a tufting machine for use in producing 1/16th" gauge fabrics, the knives 12 being 1.625 inches long and being provided at 0.0625 inch centres. The invention is, however, applicable to any gauge of tufted fabrics and to knives of any particular dimensions.

The body part 11 further includes a depending flange 18 of stepped configuration, the rear face 19 of the flange 18 being co-planar with the corresponding face 15 of the body part adjacent its region of connection with the upper and more substantial part thereof but being stepped, as shown at 20, to provide a seating 21 for engagement on the support bar 22.

An aperture 23 is provided in the flange 18 to receive a mounting bolt 24 whereby the module is attached to the support bar 22.

In use, a plurality of knife modules as herein disclosed is arranged in side-by-side disposition upon the support bar, being secured thereto by respective mounting bolts, with adjacent side faces of successive modules in mutual abutment. In effect, a knife bar having a multiplicity of individual knives extending therefrom in spaced apart parallel disposition results, the knives being provided at constant centres and each being positioned for co-operation with a respective looper.

In the event of knife failure at any particular location, such knife can readily be replaced by replacement of the module in which the knife is mounted.

If it is required to grind the knives, then such can be effected and the position of the module relative to the looper adjusted accordingly. Such adjustment can be effected by suitably moving the support bar, although other means may be provided. Thus, for example, we may prefer to provide elongate holes in the body part flanges, the major dimension of the elongate holes extending generally in the direction of the knives, thereby to allow of the adjustment of the modules relative to the support bar.The abutting surfaces of the flange and support bar may, if desired, be serrated in the longitudinal direction of such support bar, and the modules repositioned on such support bar by a displacement relative thereto equal to the pitch of the serrations, the knives being ground by an amount likewise equal to the pitch of the serrations thereby to maintain the cutting edge in a requisite disposition relative to the co-operating loopers.

The embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7 differs from that illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 primarily in the provision of a forwardly protruding ledge 51 at the upper region of the body part 52 and of a rearwardly protruding tongue 53 at the lower part of the rear face of the depending flange 54, the ledge and tongue 51,53, extending across the full width of the body part and flange respectively.

The ledge is supported by generally triangular webs 55 at the underside thereof and protrudes forwardly of the plane defined by the front edge 56a of the knives 56 by approximately 0.1875 inches. The ledge 51 facilitates the fitting of the module in position relative to the knife support bar.

The tongue 53 extends outwardly from the stepped rear face 54a of the flange by approximately 0.125 inches and, on fitting the module in position on a support bar, such tongue 53 is engaged with an appropriately positioned slot extending longitudinally of the support bar to maintain a requisite angular disposition of the module about the axis of the mounting bolt, and resists displacement from such position under load.

The side faces of the knife module shown in Figures 6 and 7 are inclined at an angle of approximately 100 relative to the perpendicular to the parallel top and bottom edges of the block.

The invention is not restricted to use in the context of regrindable knives, and is furthermore, of application in the context of tipped knives.

By means of the invention as aforesaid, not only is it possible more conveniently to provide knives at closer spacing than is the case with prior art structure, but the provision of such knives is thought likely to be less expensive than conventional arrangements having regard to the elimination of the knife blocks as used in conventional arrangements.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A knife module for the cutter knife arrangement of a tufting machine which comprises a mounting block and a plurality of knives formed integrally therewith and extending therefrom in parallel, spaced apart disposition, the mounting block being adapted for location on and for attachment to a bar secured in position on the tufting machine.

2. A knife module as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the respective planes of the individual knives are inclined relative to two mutually perpendicular axes lying in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the module and themselves perpendicular to the said longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis of the module being that axis of the module intended to extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bar to which the mounting blocks are to be applied in use.

3. A knife module as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the side faces of the mounting block are disposed parallel to the planes of the respective knives.

4. A knife module as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the side faces of the mounting block are inclined at an angle of 40 relative to the perpendicular to the rear face thereof.

5. A knife module as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, wherein the side faces of the mounting block are inclined at an angle of 6" relative to the perpendicular to the parallel top and bottom edges of the block.

6. A knife module as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, wherein the side faces of the mounting block are inclined at an angle of 10 to the perpendicular to the parallel top and bottom edges of the block.

7. A knife module as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further including a ledge at the front face of the block and extending transversely thereto.

8. A knife module as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the ledge forms a continuation of the top of the mounting block.

9. A knife module as claimed in any one of the proceding claims, wherein the rear face of the mounting block includes means for engagement with the knife support bar of the tufting machine, such means being adapted to locate the block relative to the knife support bar of the tufting machine.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. disclosed is arranged in side-by-side disposition upon the support bar, being secured thereto by respective mounting bolts, with adjacent side faces of successive modules in mutual abutment. In effect, a knife bar having a multiplicity of individual knives extending therefrom in spaced apart parallel disposition results, the knives being provided at constant centres and each being positioned for co-operation with a respective looper. In the event of knife failure at any particular location, such knife can readily be replaced by replacement of the module in which the knife is mounted. If it is required to grind the knives, then such can be effected and the position of the module relative to the looper adjusted accordingly. Such adjustment can be effected by suitably moving the support bar, although other means may be provided. Thus, for example, we may prefer to provide elongate holes in the body part flanges, the major dimension of the elongate holes extending generally in the direction of the knives, thereby to allow of the adjustment of the modules relative to the support bar.The abutting surfaces of the flange and support bar may, if desired, be serrated in the longitudinal direction of such support bar, and the modules repositioned on such support bar by a displacement relative thereto equal to the pitch of the serrations, the knives being ground by an amount likewise equal to the pitch of the serrations thereby to maintain the cutting edge in a requisite disposition relative to the co-operating loopers. The embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7 differs from that illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 primarily in the provision of a forwardly protruding ledge 51 at the upper region of the body part 52 and of a rearwardly protruding tongue 53 at the lower part of the rear face of the depending flange 54, the ledge and tongue 51,53, extending across the full width of the body part and flange respectively. The ledge is supported by generally triangular webs 55 at the underside thereof and protrudes forwardly of the plane defined by the front edge 56a of the knives 56 by approximately 0.1875 inches. The ledge 51 facilitates the fitting of the module in position relative to the knife support bar. The tongue 53 extends outwardly from the stepped rear face 54a of the flange by approximately 0.125 inches and, on fitting the module in position on a support bar, such tongue 53 is engaged with an appropriately positioned slot extending longitudinally of the support bar to maintain a requisite angular disposition of the module about the axis of the mounting bolt, and resists displacement from such position under load. The side faces of the knife module shown in Figures 6 and 7 are inclined at an angle of approximately 100 relative to the perpendicular to the parallel top and bottom edges of the block. The invention is not restricted to use in the context of regrindable knives, and is furthermore, of application in the context of tipped knives. By means of the invention as aforesaid, not only is it possible more conveniently to provide knives at closer spacing than is the case with prior art structure, but the provision of such knives is thought likely to be less expensive than conventional arrangements having regard to the elimination of the knife blocks as used in conventional arrangements. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A knife module for the cutter knife arrangement of a tufting machine which comprises a mounting block and a plurality of knives formed integrally therewith and extending therefrom in parallel, spaced apart disposition, the mounting block being adapted for location on and for attachment to a bar secured in position on the tufting machine.

10. A knife module as claimed in Claim 9,

wherein the said means comprises a step for engagement with the knife support bar of the tufting machine.

11. A knife module as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear face of the mounting block has serrations extending transversely thereof for co-operation with corresponding serrations provided longitudinally of the knife support bar of the tufting machine.

12. A knife module as claimed in Claim 9 or 10, wherein the said means comprises a tongue at the said rear face extending transversely of the block for locating engagement, in use, with a corresponding groove in the opposing face of the knife support bar.

13. A knife module as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting block includes an elongate aperture therein to receive a mounting bolt for securing the module in position relative to the knife support bar of the tufting machine, the major dimension of such elongate aperture extending generally in the direction of the knives.

14. A knife module for the cutter knife arrangement of a tufting machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the various figures of the accompanying drawings.

15. A knife assembly for a tufting machine comprising a plurality of knife modules as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

16. A knife assembly as claimed in Claim 15, in combination with a knife support bar to which the individual modules are attached in abutting side-by-side disposition.