GB2050451A

GB2050451A - Improved Beater Drum

Info

Publication number: GB2050451A
Application number: GB7904006A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Stewart & Sons Hacklemakers
Current assignee: Stewart & Sons Hacklemakers
Priority date: 1979-02-05
Filing date: 1979-02-05
Publication date: 1981-01-07
Also published as: GB2050451B

Abstract

In beater drums or opener rollers of the kind which have a toothed or pinned beater ring as used in open- end or break spinning to open up fibres, the toothed ring is located and retained on the drum solely by engagement between the flanges or sides of the drum and the ends of the ring. In one embodiment the drum (10) is formed in two parts (11) and 12). One part (11) comprises an integral side flange (13), the ring (14) which may be detachable and base part (15). The other part (12) comprises the other side flange (16) and base part (17). One part (12) is fixed to the drum shaft (9). Part (11) slides in to the shaft (9) trapping the ring (14) in a groove (20). A screw and collet arrangement (22) clamps the assembly tight. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved Beater Drum This invention relates to a beater drum, also known as an opener roller, of the kind which has a toothed or pinned beater ring, also known as a 'clothing sleeve'. Such beater drums are used in open-end or break spinning to open up fibres and present them individuaily to a spinning rotor.

Examples of such beater drums are described and illustrated in our published Patent Specifications Nos. 1,510,623 and 1,298,561.

It is known to have a replaceable beater ring, or clothing sleeve, held in place, either by being made a forced fit on the body, or by a clamping ring screwed to the body of the drum or roller. In such arrangements, proposed, for example in Patent Specification No. 1,502,440, the pinned beater ring is substantially fully supported throughout its axial length on the body of the drum or on the clamping ring.

In each case the internal diameter of the ring is critical and the inner surface of the ring has to be ground accurately to size which causes many problems.

Firstly, it is difficult to achieve the desired accuracy. Secondly, the teeth or pins are usually of much harder metal than the ring (e.g. steel pins in a brass or aluminium ring) and grinding tends to leave the hard metal of the pins slightly proud of the ring. The problem becomes even more acute when the pins are held in a matrix which involves the use of an adhesive such as "Loctite" as, for example, described in our Patent No.

1,298,561. The grinding results in vibration and sets up forces which tend to shatter the set Loctite causing movement of the pins and even causing the pins to be dislodged with disastrous effects.

The use of short pins whose tails do not protrude to the inside of the ring involves the handling of extremely short pins which makes the process very time-consuming and expensive.

An object of the invention is to provide a construction of beater drum which removes the need for accurate grinding of the inner surface of the toothed or pinned ring.

According to the invention, a beater drum has a toothed or pinned beater ring which is located and retained on the drum solely by engagement between flanges or ends of the drum and the ends of the ring.

One flange of the drum may be fixed to the drum shaft and the other flange removably attached either to said one flange or to the drum shaft.

Both ends of the ring may be free and the ring may be clamped between the two flanges of the drum by clamping means.

Alternatively, one end of the ring may be fixed to or integral with said other flange of the drum, and the other end of the ring may be held in contact with said one flange of the drum by clamping means.

The clamping means may comprise coaxial threads, one part of the thread being formed by a screw and the cooperating thread part being formed either on a part of the drum or on the drum shaft. Alternatively, the two drum parts may be screw threadedly engaged with each other.

Additionally or alternatively, the clamping means may comprise an expanding collet arrangement which may be incorporated in the drum shaft or a base of part of the drum. Thus, the two parts of the drum may be screwed together to trap the ring, or the shaft or one part of the drum may be expanded by means of a collet to hold the drum together and hold the ring in situ.

The ring may be located in a seating in one or both flanges and the seating may be a parallel sided recess or it may have one or both sides coned. The ring may be chamfered on one or both outside edges to match the coned seating.

Several embodiments of the invention are now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates, diagrammatically, a half view about the axis of rotation of a drum, in which the ring and one flange of the drum are integral and the clamping means is a colletforming part of the shaft; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a second embodiment in which the ring is clamped between the two end flanges of the drum, again using a collet as the clamping means, the collet forming part of the lower flange.In this embodiment, the lower flange may be loose on the shaft, locating by means of a step resting on the shaft end; Figure 3 shows a third embodiment in which the ring is held between the two flanges which are threaded and the whole assembly is secured on the shaft by means of a collet; Figure 4 shows a similar arrangement to Figure 3; but there is no locking collet, the lower flange being fixed to the shaft and the upper flange being screwed together to clamp the ring; and Figures 5 and 6 are embodiments similar to those shown in Figures 2 and 4 in which the flanges are of much greater mass than the ring.

In Figure 1 is shown a beater drum 10 mounted on a shaft 9. The drum 10 is formed in two parts 11 and 12. One part 11 comprises an integral side flange 13, ring 14 and base part 15. The other part 12 comprises the other side flange 1 6 and integral base part 17.

Flange 16 has a seating groove 18 with parallel sides 1 9 to receive the edge 20 of ring 14.

The shaft 9 has an internal threaded bore 21 adapted to receive a screw 22 which cooperates with the end of the shaft 9 which is split to form an expanding collet.

The part 12 is fixed to shaft 9 by, for example,shrink fitting the base part 17 onto the shaft. Alternatively the base part 17 may be a press fit or may be held on by adhesive such as Loctite.

The part 11 slides on to the shaft 9 until the ring 14 has its end 20 engaged in the seating groove 1 8. The screw 22 is then tighened thus causing slight radial exparnsion of the outer end of shaft 9 which clamps the part 11 firmly and thus traps ring 14 in groove 20.

To remove and replace ring 14 is a simple matter. The screw 22 is loosened, thereby releasing the collet and freeing base portions 1 5 from shaft 9 and the part 11 can be removed with its integral ring 14.

The shaft 9 and drum part 12 can be balanced independently of part 1 3 and ring 14.

Clearly there is no need to have an accurately machined inner surface 23 in ring 14.

In Figure 2, the ring 1 4a is separate from the both parts 1 2a and 13a. Part 1 2a comprises a flange 16a and base part 15a which may be fixed to the shaft 9a or may be a sliding fit on the shaft.

The end of the base of base part 1 5a is split to form a collet for receiving a screw 22a. Part 1 3a which has an integral flange 11 and base part 1 50 is a slip fit on base part 15a.

By slackening the screw 22a, the part 1 3a may be slid off to allow replacement of ring 1 4a.

Removing the screw 22a completely allows the part 1 2a to be removed and replaced if necessary.

It will be noted that flanges 12a, 13a can have a seating groove similar to groove 18 in Figure 1, or a groove 1 8a with an inclined outer side wall to as in firmly locating the end of ring 14a.

Alternatively, an oversized seating groove 1 80 could be provided, the ring 1 4a there being located by its tapered end regions located on an inclined outer side wall of groove 1 80.

In Figure 3, part 12b is fixed to the shaft 9b (although the arrangement shown in Figure 2 could also be used for part 1 2b). The base part 1 7b of part 1 2b has a screw thread 24 which engages a corresponding screw thread 25 on base part 1 sub.

Each of the side flanges 1 3b and 1 6b has a seating groove 1 8b with coned or inclined side walls 19b.

By screwing base part 1 sub into base part 1 7b, the ring 1 4b which can be thicker than that shown in the previous embodiments is trapped and clamped in grooves 18b. The whoie assembly can then be locked by tightening screw 22b into end of shaft 9b, and causing split end of base part 1 7b to expand into engagement with base part 15.

In Figure 4, base part 1 7c is fixed to shaft 9c, and there is no locking arrangement. By selecting the appropriate hand of the threads 24c, 25c in relation to the rotational direction of shaft 9c the arrangement is self-locking. In the construction, ring 14c is shown located in grooves 1 8c which have an inclined inner side wall, which is engaged by a tapered inner edge region of ring 14c.

In Figure 5, the part 1 2d is fixed to shaft 9d and the locking arrangement is similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 3. The mass of part 12dips very much greater than in the other embodiments described above and is very large in relation to the mass of ring 1 4d and the part 12d.

This reduces the need for accurate balancing of the ring 1 4d. Because of its small mass compared with the mass of the remainder of the drum, errors in ring balance can only have a minor effect on the total dynamic balance of the drum. This also makes it easier to balance the body of the drum prior to the assembly of the ring. It will be noted that in the embodiment of Figure 5, oversized seating grooves 1 8d are provided for ring 1 4d, these grooves having a tapered or inclined outer side wall.

If appropriate, as in the embodiments shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5, it may be preferable that guide means e.g. a key and groove are incorporated to ensure that the two parts of the drum are assembied in the same relative position each time a new ring is fitted.

Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment in which the part 1 2e is again of large mass, similar to the arrangement in Figure 5, but whereas in Figure 5 a central screw and coliet arrangement is used as a clamping means, in Figure 6 the two parts 1 2e and 1 3e are threaded together, after part 1 2e has been screwed to shaft 9e, in any known manner.

These embodiments of the invention provide a means whereby a beater drum may be readily fixed and removed from its shaft, also the pinned or toothed ring may be readily replaced on or off the machine and facilities may be provided for balancing the shaft and base of the drum individually and thereby selectively assembling a rotationally balanced unit.

An important feature of the invention is the use of a coaxial thread to lock the assembly together.

This thread may, as described, either be in the form of a screw cooperating with the thread in the centre of the shaft bearing down on an expanding collet arrangement or alternatively a thread external to the shaft whereby the two halves of the beater drum may be screwed together trapping a detachable or non-detachable pinned or toothed ring.

Rings can be drilled metal or plastics or cast plastics with the pins in place. They can be thick with the pintails buried or thin with or without the pintails protruding.

It must be understood that the individual variations in fixed and detached pinned surfaces, and detail seat arrangement are extraneous to the central invention which revolves around the quick release mechanism which allows the fitting and removal of a pinned ring without disturbing the spinning box on the spinning machine and without materially affecting the rotational balance of the beater drum. In particular, it should be noted that various different combinations of various features of the six embodiments particularly described could be used without departing from the invention, which is defined in the attached claims.

In use of beater drums it is sometimes necessary to have different pinning arrangements for different fibres. It is a feature of each of the embodiments of the invention that a beater ring may be changed without disturbing the shaft, the bearings, or the inner flange of the drum.

Claims

1. A beater drum which has a toothed or pinned beater ring, the ring being located and retained on the drum solely by engagement between flanges or ends of the drum and the ends of the ring.

2. A beater drum according to claim 1 in which one flange of the drum is fixed to the drum shaft and the other flange is removably attached either to the said one flange or to the drum shaft.

3. A beater drum according to claim 1 or claim 2 and in which both ends of the ring are free and the ring is clamped between the two flanges of the drum by clamping means.

4. A beater drum according to claim 2 and in which one end of the ring is fixed to or integral with said other flange of the drum, and the other end of the ring is held in contact with said one flange of the drum by clamping means.

5. A beater druum according to claim 3 or claim 4 and in which the clamping means comprises coaxial threads.

6. A beater drum according to claim 5 wherein one part of the thread is formed by a screw and a cooperating part of the thread is formed on a part of the drum or on a shaft for the drum.

7. A beater drum according to claim 5 wherein the coaxial threads are formed one on one drum part and the other on a second drum part.

8. A beater drum according to any one of claims 3 to 7 and in which the clamping means include an expanding collet arrangement.

9. A beater drum according to claim 8 and in which the collet arrangement is incorporated in the drum shaft.

10. A beater drum according to claim 8 in which the collet arrangement is incorporated in a base of a part of the drum.

11. A beater drum according to any one of the preceding claims and in which at least one end of the ring is located in a seating groove formed in one of the flanges.

12. A beater drum according to claim 11 wherein the seating groove has side walls extending at right angles to its base.

13. A beater drum according to any one of claims 10-1 2 wherein at least one end region of the ring is tapered internally or externally.

1 4. A beater drum according to any preceding claim and in which the ring is manufactured in accordance with the process described and claimed in our patent No. 1298561.

1 5. A beater drum substantially as hereinbefore particulariy described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

13. A beater drum according to claim 11 wherein one or both side walls of the seating groove is/are inclined or tapered.

14. A beater drum according to any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein at least one end region of the ring is tapered internally or externally.

1 5. A beater drum according to any preceding claim and in which the ring is manufactured in accordance with the process described and claimed in our Patent No. 1,298,561.

1 6. A beater drum substantially as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 18 August 1 980.

Superseded claims 1-16 New or Amended Claims:-

1. A beater drum which has a toothed or pinned beater ring which can be readily fitted onto and removed from its mounting shaft, the ring being located and retained on the drum by engagement of its ends between flanges or ends of the drum and wherein the pinned surface of the ring is unsupported on its rear face and wherein screw threads coaxial with the rotational axis of the mounting shaft are provided to lock the drum parts on the shaft.

3. A beater drum according to claim 1 or claim 2 and in which both ends of the ring are free and the ring is clamped between the two flanges of the drum.

4. A beater drum according to claim 2 and in which one end of the ring is fixed to or integral with said other flange of the drum, and the other end of the ring is held in contact with said one flange of the drum.

5. A beater drum according to any one of claims 1-4 wherein one of the threads is formed by a screw and a co-operating thread is formed on a part of the drum or on the shaft for the drum.

6. A beater drum according to any one of claims 1-4 wherein the coaxial threads are formed one on one drum part and the other on a second drum part.

7. A beater drum according to any one of the preceding claims and including an expanding collet arrangement to lock the drum parts on the shaft.

8. A beater drum according to claim 7 and in which the collet arrangement is incorporated in the drum shaft.

9. A beater drum according to claim 7 in which the collet arrangement is incorporated in a base of a part of the drum.

10. A beater drum according to any one of the preceding claims and in which at least one end of the ring is located in a seating groove formed in one of the flanges.

1 A beater drum according to claim 10 wherein the seating groove has side walls extending at right angles to its base.

12. A beater drum according to claim 10 wherein one or both side walls of the seating groove is/are inclined or tapered.