GB2051148A - Double Twisting Machines - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-spindle double twist twisting machine has a spindle frame (2) in the form of a support plate mountable in either a vertical or horizontal spindle machine and on which a plurality of spindle assemblies are supported in two staggered rows. The support plate has side flanges (3) to facilitate forming an enclosure around spindle assembly whorls (7) and a belt drive assembly (22). A separator wall (4,5) is mounted on the support plate between the rows of spindle assemblies (6) and is extendable to adjust for yarn package sizes and operating conditions. The spindle assemblies are formed with discs (111) having segments (113) provided thereon for mounting of magnets (115) or weights to resist rotation of the yarn package from which yarn is withdrawn into the twisting operation. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Multi Spindle Double Twist Twisting Machine The present invention relates to a multi-spindle double twist twisting machine and more particularly to a spindle frame therefor and related belt drive assembly and spindle assembly.

Muiti-spindle double twist twisting machines have been well-known and in commercial use for many years. There are two basic types of such machines, the one in longer prior use being the type with the axes of the spindle assemblies being arranged in vertical disposition, and the more recent type being that in which the spindle assemblies are arranged with their axes in horizontal disposition. An example of the latter is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,641,757.

In the conventional vertical spindle machines there are usually two parallel rows of spindle assemblies extending from a common level, whereas in the horizontal spindle machine there are usually two rows of spindle assemblies on each side of the machine, which is of particular advantage in that a greater number of spindles in the same floor space is possible in comparison with a vertical spindle machine and the spindle assemblies are more accessible than in the vertical spindle machine. Also, the noise factor is reduced in a horizontal spindle machine. Thus, the horizontal spindle machine has efficiency and operational advantages over the vertical spindle machine, but the vertical machine may be made in a simple construction with less investment for smaller capacities and is less complicated in operation.As a result, both the horizontal spindle and the vertical spindle machines are in common use.

At the present time, a manufacturer interested in supplying machines for both the horizontal spindle and the vertical spindle markets must manufacture machines of both types, with a commensurate high manufacturing, inventory and parts costs. In this regard, one of the more expensive items in the manufacture of a double twist twisting machine is the spindle frame portion on which spindle assembly mounting means are mounted for support of spindle assemblies with yarn packages thereon during the twisting operation. In the past it was necessary to manufacture and inventory different parts for the spindle frames of the vertical and horizontal machines.An object of the present invention is to provide a spindle frame that is applicable to both horizontal spindle machines and vertical spindle machines so that only one type of support plate need be manufactured and stored, and production does not have to be closely related to specific customer orders but can be conveniently and more cheaply handled.

Another important component of double twist twisting machines is the separator wall that is disposed between the rows of spindle assemblies to prevent tangling of yarns from one spindle assembly with the yarns from a spindle assembly in the adjacent row when one of the yarns breaks.

A different separator wall would conventionally be necessary for each type of machine, and as a matter of fact separator walls are not common in horizontal spindle machines. Thus the separator wall poses another problem for the manufacturer who produces both horizontal and vertical spindle machines. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a separator wall construction that can be used in either the horizontal or the vertical spindle type machine and conveniently can be incorporated in a spindle frame construction as an integral part thereof for use in either type of machine. Furthermore, this separator wall preferably has an adjustability capability in combination with support of ballooning yarn guides to provide more efficient operation with a minimum obstruction to access to the spindle assemblies for package replacement and also for spindle assembly maintenance.

In both the horizontal spindle and vertical spindle machines, belt drive assemblies are used to drive the spindle assemblies by belt engagement with whorls on the spindle assemblies and, because of this relationship, spindle frames have been conventionally designed and constructed for at least partial mounting support of the belt drive assembly, which has required different spindle frame designs for the different machines. In contrast, the present invention, in one of its aspects, involves a spindle frame construction that is independent of the belt drive assembly, which is otherwise mounted on the machine so that a common spindle assembly construction can be used on machines having different types of belt drive assemblies. This independence of the spindle frame from the belt drive assembly also facilitates construction and inventorying of parts.

Another difference between some conventional horizontal spindle machines and vertical spindle machines is in the provision in the spindle assembly to resist possible rotation of the yarn package during operation. In a typical vertical spindle machine a magnet is attached to a disc on the spindle assembly for attraction to another magnet mounted on the machine frame, whereas in a typical horizontal spindle machine a weight is mounted on the spindle assembly at an offset from the axis to resist rotation about the horizontal axis of the spindle. Thus different spindle assembly components have been required to accommodate these different means of resisting rotation.In contrast, one aspect of the present invention provides a spindle assembly component that will accommodate either a magnet or a weight and can, therefore, be used either in a horizontal spindle or a vertical spindle machine, providing the same type of manufacturing and inventorying advantages as the spindle frame of the present invention.

The present invention provides a spindle frame for supporting a plurality of spindle assemblies in a multi-spindle double twist twisting machine having vertical frame stands at the ends of sections of the machine, the said spindle frame comprising a support plate formed for mounting spindle assemblies thereon, a plurality of spindle assembly mounting means on said plate for mounting spindle assemblies thereon with whorl portions of said spindle assemblies projecting in cantilever arrangement from one side of said plate and yarn supporting portions of said spindle assemblies projecting in cantilever arrangement from the other side of said plate, said support plate having longitudinal ends for mounting of said plate in the vertical frame stands at the ends of a machine section as a self-supporting subframe mountable alternatively in either a machine in which the spindle assemblies are disposed with their axes vertical or a machine in which the spindle assemblies are disposed with their axes horizontal.

Preferably the spindle frame is provided with two rows of spindle assembly mounting means so that a spindle frame can be mounted on each side of a horizontal spindle machine for disposition of two rows of spindle assemblies on each side of the machine or one spindle frame can be used to support two rows of spindle assemblies in a vertical spindle machine.The spindle assembly mounting means in one row are preferably staggered with respect to the spindle assembly mounting means in the other row of the spindle frame so that when the spindle frame is used in a horizontal spindle machine the yarn take-off from one spindle assembly will not interfere with any adjacent spindle assembly in the other row and also uniquely allows for aligned alternate yarn ballooning guides to be used on a common separator wall, as described below, when the spindle frame is used in either a vertical or horizontal spindle machine. Heretofore, such a staggered spindle assembly arrangement in a double row vertical spindle machine has not been used or contemplated.

In a preferred embodiment, the support plate is provided with side flanges projecting from the longitudinal edges thereof in the direction of the whorl portions to provide sides to the spindle frame for rigidifying the frame and for attachment of enclosure plates thereto to form an enclosure to reduce noise. In addition, flanges, similar to the side flanges, are preferably provided centrally on the support plate by forming the support plate in two longitudinally extending plate portions, each portion having one row of the spindle assembly mounting means thereof, and each having a perpendicularly projecting flange along the longitudinal edge thereof adjacent the other plate portion and connected to the corresponding flange of the other plate portion for attachment of the plate portions to form an integral support plate.This flange attachment feature is particularly advantageous when the spindle frame includes a separator wall along the longitudinal centre line thereof as the separator wall may be formed with an attaching flange projecting therefrom between the adjacent support plate portion flanges and secured to and between said flanges to conveniently form the separator wall as an integral portion of the spindle frame.

The aforementioned separator wall projects perpendicularly from the support plate along the longitudinal centre line thereof on the side from which the yarn supporting portions project to provide separation of the spindle assemblies in one row from those in the other and thereby prevent entanglement or other interference by a broken yarn from one spindle assembly with the yarn of a spindle assembly in the other row.

Importantly, this integral incorporation of the separator wall in the support plate provides a spindle frame complete with separator wall that is capable of use in either a vertical or a horizontal spindle machine.

To further enable a single spindle frame to be used in various machines and under different operating conditions, the separator wall is made to be extendable perpendicularly of the support, thereby allowing adjustment of the projecting extent of the separator wall to provide necessary separation with different size yarn packages and under different operating conditions and yet allowing adjustment to the least projecting extent necessary so as to minimize obstruction to access to the spindle frames and yarn packages.This separator wail extension, in one embodiment of the invention, is provided by having an inner base portion of the separator wall secured to the support plate and an outer adjustable portion mounted on the inner base portion for adjustable positioning, preferably in telescoping relation, with respect thereto for adjustment of the extent of the separator wall perpendicular to the support plate. This separator wall adjustment also importantly allows for mounting of ballooning yarn guides on the adjustable outer portion of the separator wall for extendable adjustment therewith and projecting therefrom beyond the spindle assemblies for guiding therethrough of yarn ballooning from the spindle assemblies. Thus the adjustment of the separator wall extent automatically and simultaneously provides adjustment of the guides.Means are provided for adjustably extending the separator wall, which may be in the form of at least one stationary threaded sleeve projecting between the rows of spindle assemblies, an outer wall portion, and a threaded rod secured to the outer wall portion and threadably engaged in the sleeve for threadable extension of the rod and outer wall portion with respect to the spindle frame. When the separator wall has a stationary inner base portion, the threaded sleeve is disposed for projection within the inner base portion. It should be understood, that these features of the separator wali, while preferably being used in conjunction with a spindle frame of the type capable of alternative use in a vertical spindle machine and a horizontal spindle machine, has inventive application as well independently whether or not the alternative spindle frame mounting feature is used.

The aforementioned staggered relation of the spindle assembly means is accomplished by having the spindle assembly mounting means in both rows equally spaced and with the spindle assembly mounting means in one row staggered with respect to the spindle assembly mounting means in the other row by an amount equal to approximately one half the spacing between the centres of spindle assemblies. This will provide a spacing between one end of each row and the end of the section a distance greater by approximately one half of the space between the centres of spindle assemblies in the row than the spacing between the other end of the row from the other end of the section. This spacing can be conveniently used to support a receiver for temporarily storing spindle assembly heads when replacing yarn packages or when servicing the spindle assemblies.Preferably the width of each receiver is equivalent to approximately one half the spacing between the centres of spindle assemblies in the row and the receivers on opposite sides of the spindle frame are at opposite ends of the section. However, the receiver mounting feature can be used in an arrangement where the spindle assembly mounting means are not staggered and the spacings are at the same ends of both rows. In this regard the spacing feature is particularly applicable to the vertical spindle type machine.

This end spacing feature relates also to the afore-mentioned formation of the support plate from two flanged plate portions as the same plate portions can be formed for use in either position and only one type of plate portion need be produced. In this regard two identical support plate portions can be combined with the spacing at the same ends or one can be reversed so that the spacings are at opposite ends. This, therefore, further enhances the maximum utilization of a minimum number of parts in making different types of machines.

So that a common spindle frame construction can be manufactured and inventoried for different types of machines, the support plate is made for mounting in a machine frame stand independent of the mounting on the machine frame of the means for driving the spindle assemblies.

Preferably the means for driving the spindle assemblies is in the form of a belt drive assembly that includes a longitudinally extending beam secured at its ends to the vertical frame stands and disposed adjacent the side of the support plate from which the whorl portions project. The beam is aligned with the row of spindle assembly mounting means and is mounted to the machine frame independent of the mounting of the support plate. Drive belt guiding elements are supported on the beam adjacent the projecting whorl portions and a drive belt is guided and supported on the elements in driving engagement with the whorl portions, with means being provided for driving the belt.In the preferred embodiment there are two longitudinally extending rows of spindle assembly mounting means disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal centre line of the support plate, and the beam is disposed along the centre line of the support plate with the beam and belt guiding elements disposed between the rows of spindle assembly mounting means. Thus, the spindle frame and the belt drive assembly are each independently constructed and are mounted independently on the machine frame, while having related components that result in a driving relationship when mounted in the frame.Also, with this arrangement different belt drive assemblies may be combined with the same type of spindle frame as long as there remains the operative relationship between the related components, particularly the relative disposition of the beam and belt guide elements of the belt drive assembly with respect to the whorl portions projecting from the spindle frame.

In the preferred embodiment a spindle assembly is provided for use in either a horizontal spindle or vertical spindle machine so that it is adaptable for either type of use and separate spindle assemblies for each type of machine are not required, thereby providing the same type of manufacturing and inventorying advantage as in the use of a single spindle frame for both types of machines as described above.This spindle assembly has a rotatable whorl portion and a yarn supporting portion, with the yarn supporting portion including means for alternative mounting thereon of magnet means for providing resistance to rotation when the spindle assembly is used in a machine having co-operative magnets on a stationary part, such as on a vertical spindle machine, or weight means offset from the spindle assembly axis to provide resistance to rotation when the spindle assembly is assembled in a machine with the axis of the spindle assembly extending horizontally.For this purpose, the yarn supporting portion includes a disc mounted concentrically on the assembly inwardly of a yarn package thereon, and the alternative mounting means comprises at least one segment formed in the disc adjacent the radial outward extent thereof and formed for receiving the magnet means and at least one other segment offset from the axis of the spring assembly formed for receiving the weight means. Preferably, the segment for receiving the magnet means is in the form of a recess.

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a two-for-one double twist twisting machine with vertical arrangement of the spindle axes (vertical machines); Fig. 2 is a similar view of a two-for-one double twist twisting machine with horizontal arrangement of the spindle axes (horizontal machines); Fig. 3 is a transverse section of a spindle bench; Fig. 4 is the schematic topview of a two-forone double twist twisting machine; Fig. 5 shows the arrangement of the parts of two-part spindle bench in one section; Fig. 6 shows another arrangement of this kind for one section.

Figs. 7 and 8 show a spindle adapted for use in a vertical and in a horizontal machine.

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 each mainly represent one section of a two-part two-for-one double twist twisting machine. Each section is arranged between two vertical machine frames 1. The spindle frames, arranged in each section, are identical for a vertical and a horizontal machine, i.e. as shown in the transverse section of Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1 , the spindle frame 2 of one section each is mounted between the machine frames by means of a fastening angle iron 31. On both sides, the spindle frame has side flanks 3. As shown in Fig. 3 in detail, the spindle frame is manufactured from two plates 2.1 and 2.2, which in their transverse sections are U-bent and which are linked by flanks 25. A centre separator wall is installed in the centre plane of the spindle frame.

The centre separator wall consists of a lower part 4, which is U-shaped, and an upper part 5, which can be telescopically height adjusted in the lower part. On the upper part 5 of the centre separator wall, support means 14 for balloon thread guides 13 are arranged. The lower part is formed by two bent sheets, which are in the shape of stairs, which are each connected by one section and which are clamped between the flanks 25, thus being connected with the spindle frame.

As further shown in Fig. 3, parts 4 and 5 of the centre separator wall are interlocked by a threaded spindle 27 and a screw nut 28. In each section of the machine one respective threaded spindle is arranged at the ends of the centre separator wall. By turning the threaded spindle, the height position of the balloon thread guide 13 can simultaneously be adjusted together with the height of the centre separator wall.

Bearing housings 8 for the spindles 6 are stationarily mounted on spindle frame 2. Each spindle 6 comprises a whorl 7, a balloon limiter 9, a protection pot 10, a delivery spool 11 and an upper part 12. The construction of a two-for-one spindle is generally known. Such a two-for-one spindle is shown for example in US-patent 3,295,306. A suitable connection of the bearing housing 8 with spindle frame 2 can be seen for example from US-patent 3,716,980. Openings 20 are provided in the spindle frame for taking up the bearing housings 8, each opening 20 having an appropriate bayonet fitting. The spindle frames are sectionally mounted to the frames 1 with the fastening angle-iron 31. Seen in a downward direction of the yarn path from the thread guides 13, there is a rotatingly driven shaft with overfeed rolls 1 5.A traverse rod 1 6 together with traverse thread guides 17 are coupled to the overfeed rolls 1 5. Traverse rod 16 extends longitudinally of the machine and is traversed towards a cross spool for displacement of the yarn. Drive rolls 18 are mounted on a further rotatingly driven shaft and serve for the circumferential drive of the free driven spools 19. Details for mounting these spools are known and are not represented.

The arrangement of the spindles is effected in such a way that whorl 7 is cantilevered on one side of the spindle frame and the spindles themselves on the other side of the spindle frame.

The drive of the whorls is effected by a drive belt 22, which is tangentially adjacent to the whorls.

By suitable guide and tension means, e.g. rolls 33, the tangential belt is pressed, guided or tensioned against the whorls. A beam 26 serves for bearing the rolls 33. The beam 26 is also positioned between the two machine frames 1, which are at opposite ends of each machine section. The positioning is carried out independently of the spindle frame by means of an independent connecting piece in the form of a fastening angleiron 32. Thus, the spindle frame and the spindle bearing on the one hand and the belt guidance on the other hand are isolated from one another as far as vibrations and noise are concerned.

In contrast with the vertical machine, the horizontal machine is equipped with two spindle rows on each side of the machine with horizontally aligned spindles. On each machine side, only one shaft for take-off rolls 1 5 is provided, whereas, double the number of take-off rolls are installed on this shaft. On both sides of the machine there are two levels of take-up means, which correspond to those take-up means of the vertical machine. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2 spindles of each machine side are driven by a drive belt 23 and a drive belt 24 respectively. The spindle frames are arranged in such a way that together with the cover means 29 and 30 they form a box-shape housing in which the whorl 1 7 is mounted in cantilever fashion and in which the belts 23, 24 are guided.

Furthermore, beams 26 are located in this housing, as in the vertical machine for taking up the guide and pressure rolls for the drive belts.

The beams of the horizontal machine, too, are isolated as far as vibration and noise are concerned, and are fastened to the frames 1 of each section by means of an angle-iron as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 represents a schematic view of a twofor-one double twist twisting machine, which can either be a horizontal or a vertical machine. Each of these machines is a two-part type, having sides A and B, and is separated in the longitudinal direction into sections by means of machine frames 1. As far as the construction is concerned, all sections are identical. At one end of the machine there is the drive housing with a motor 34 and drive connections (not shown) for the drive of the drive belts for the spindles, the drive rolls for the take-up spools, the overfeed shafts and the traverse motion equipment. At the other end a housing 83 contains mainly tension and deflection rolls for the drive belts.

Spindle frames as shown in transverse section in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 are incorporated in a horizontal machine of the type shown for example in USpatent 3,641,757. This machine construction offers considerable advantages as regards its influence on the environment (noise dampening, vibration dampening) as well as regards operation. It should be mentioned, that this horizontal machine can also be equipped with the casings of the type disclosed in US-patent 3,641,757. As specially shown in Fig. 5 for one section, this spindle frame has the advantage that the spindles of one row are staggered relative to those of the other row. This fact offers considerable advantages for the uninfluenced yarn path. The same spindle frame can also be used for the less expensive and smaller vertical machine.Thus, Fig. 1 shows the spindles 6 of the left hand side and of the right hand side of the machine stagger with respect to each other.

Because of this, similar to the horizontal machine of Fig. 2, a free space 80, equal to half the spindle spacing or a little more, is formed in each section of the machine and on each machine side. It is possible to install take-up reservoirs 21 for yarn brakes into the free space (see Figs. 1 and 2).

By means of the spindle frame used in the invention it is possible to connect the support plates 2.1 and 2.2 in such a way that, as shown in Fig. 5, the free spaces 80 of the support plates 2.1 and 2.2 are arranged at opposite ends of a section, with the spindles staggered or the free spaces 80 of the support plates 2.1, 2.2 can be at the same end of the section 81, as shown in Fig.

6. The spindles of both rows of a spindle frame are then arranged opposite one another, as shown in Fig. 6 for one section. The spindle frame shown in Fig. 6 could be used for a vertical machine of the type shown in Fig. 2 but with the spindles not staggered.

An embodiment of a spindle useful for the invention is shown in Fig. 7, which is a schematic representation of a two-for-one twisting spindle for horizontal or vertical machines and Fig. 8, which is a topview of a package carrier plate.

The two-for-one twisting spindle of Fig. 7 has the construction shown in DIN 63955. It comprises a rotatable rotor 101 and a package carrier 102 pivoted on the rotor. The rotor 101 is pivoted in a housing 103 by means of ball bearings. It is driven by whorl 104 and drive belt 105. A storage disc 106 as well as a ballooning yarn guide 107 are tightly connected with the rotor. The package carrier 102 is supported on a spindle shank 108 in ball bearings 118, 119. The package carrier comprises a spool pot 10, a spool uptake 110 and a package carrier disc 111 plate.

A yarn brake 112, which is represented in Fig. 1 by a dotted line, can be inserted into the spool uptake 110.

The package carrier disc 111 is provided with segments 11 3 and mounting means 11 4. Details of these components are shown in Fig. 8. The segments 11 3 are adapted to take up the magnet means. If the spindle assembly is disposed in the two-for-one uptwister with its axis vertical, there is an operative connection between these magnet means 11 5 and a stationary magnet means 116.

The radial force resists rotation of the package carrier 102 with spool pot 109, spool uptake 110 and package carrier disc 111.

If the spindle assembly is located in the twofor-one up-twister with its axis horizontal, weights 11 7 are mounted on the mounting means 114.

For this purpose, the weights are provided with a hole which spring-spread tongues (reeds of horn) of the mounting means 114 are passed through, which lock the weights 11 7 by means of their radial projections. If the spindle assembly is built in with its axis horizontal, the weights serve to prevent the package carrier from rotating.

It should be mentioned that, as far as the invention is concerned, it is not essential in which way the magnets and the weights are fastened.

The only important point is that the package carrier disc is formed so that either magnet means or weights can be set in and fixed. The magnet means or weights can be fixed also by gluing them into the package carrier disc.

Claims (36)

Claims

1. A spindle frame for supporting a plurality of spindle assemblies in a multi-spindle double twist twisting machine having vertical frame stands at the ends of sections of the machine, the said spindle frame comprising a support plate formed for mounting spindle assemblies thereon, a plurality of spindle assembly mounting means on said plate for mounting spindle assemblies thereon with whorl portions of said spindle assemblies projecting in cantilever arrangement from one side of said plate and yarn supporting portions of said spindle assemblies projecting in cantilever arrangement from the other side of said plate, said support plate having longitudinal ends for mounting of said plate in the vertical frame stands at the ends of a machine section as a selfsupporting sub-frame mountable alternatively in either a machine in which the spindle assemblies are disposed with their axes vertical or a machine in which the spindle assemblies are disposed with their axes horizontal.

2. A spindle frame according to claim 1, wherein said spindle frame includes two longitudinal rows of said spindle assembly mounting means on said plate, said rows being disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal centre line of said support plate, and said support plate being capable of assembly in a vertical spindle type machine with the centre line of said support plate disposed along the longitudinal centre line of the machine.

3. A spindle frame according to claim 2, wherein the spindle assembly mounting means in one of said rows are staggered longitudinally with respect to the spindle assembly mounting means in the other row.

4. A spindle frame according to any preceding claim, wherein said support plate has side flanges projecting from the longitudinal edges thereof in the direction of said whorl portions to provide sides to said spindle frame for rigidifying the frame and for attachment of enclosure plates thereto.

5. A spindle frame according to claim 2, wherein said support plate is formed of two longitudinally extending plate portions, each portion having one row of said spindle assembly mounting means thereon, and each said plate portion having a perpendicularly projecting flange along the longitudinal edge thereof adjacent the other said plate portion and connected to the corresponding flange of the other said plate portion for attachment of said plate portions to form an integral support plate.

6. A spindle frame according to claim 5, comprising a separator wall mounted on said support plate along the longitudinal centre line thereof and projecting perpendicularly therefrom on the side from which said yarn supporting portions project, said separator wall having an attaching flange extending longitudinally therealong and projecting therefrom between said adjacent support plate portion flanges, and said separator wall flange being secured to and between said adjacent support plate portion flanges.

7. A spindle according to claim 2, comprising a separator wall mounted on said support plate along the longitudinal centre line thereof and projecting perpendicularly therefrom on the side from which said yarn supporting portions project.

8. A spindle frame according to claim 7, wherein said separator wall is extendable perpendicularly of said support plate.

9. A spindle frame according to claim 7 or 8, comprising ballooning yarn guides mounted on said separator wall and projecting therefrom beyond said spindle assemblies for guiding therethrough yarn ballooning from said spindle assemblies.

10. A spindle frame according to claim 8, wherein said separator wall comprises an inner base portion secured to said support plate and an outer adjustable portion mounted on said inner base portion for adjustable positioning with respect thereto for adjustment of the extent of said separator wall perpendicular to said support plate.

11. A spindle frame according to claim 10, wherein said inner and outer portions of said separator wall are disposed in telescoping relation for extension of said separator wall.

12. A spindle frame according to claim 10 or 11, comprising ballooning yarn guides mounted on said adjustable outer portion of said separator wall for extendable adjustment therewith and projecting therefrom beyond said spindle assemblies for guiding therethrough of yarn ballooning from said spindle assemblies.

1 3. A spindle frame according to claim 1, wherein said spindle assembly mounting means are disposed on said plate for mounting of spindle assemblies with the spindle assembly adjacent one end of said plate spaced from said one end a distance from its center greater by approximately one half the distance between centre of spindle assemblies than the distance the spindle assembly adjacent the other end of said support plate is spaced therefrom.

14. A spindle frame according to claim 13, wherein there are two longitudinal rows of said spindle assembly mounting means on said support plate for mounting of spindle assemblies with the spindle assembly adjacent one end of said plate in each row being spaced from said one end a distance from its centre greater by approximately one half the distance between centres of spindle assemblies than the distance the spindle assembly adjacent the other end of said support plate in each row is spaced from said other end.

1 5. A spindle frame according to claim 13, wherein there are two longitudinal rows of said spindle assembly mounting means on said support plate for mounting of spindle assemblies with the spindle assembly adjacent one end of said plate in one row being spaced from said one end a distance from its centre greater by approximately one half the distance between centres of spindle assemblies than the distance the spindle assembly adjacent the other end of said support plate in said one row is spaced from said other end, and the spindle assembly adjacent said other end of said support plate in the other row being spaced from said other end a distance from its centre greater by approximately one half the distance between centres of spindle assemblies than the distance the spindle assembly adjacent said one end of said support plate in said other row is spaced from said one end.

1 6. A spindle frame according to claim 1, wherein each spindle assembly has a yarn package supporting portion including means for alternative mounting thereof of a magnet means for providing resistance to rotation when in a machine having co-operative magnets on a stationary part or weight means offset from the spindle assembly axis to provide resistance to rotation when said spindle frame is assembled in a machine with the axes of the spindle assemblies extending horizontally.

17. A spindle frame according to claim 16, wherein said spindle assemblies include yarn package supporting discs formed with a plurality of segments, at least one of said segments being formed for receiving said magnet means and at least one other of said segments being formed for receiving said weight means.

18. A spindle frame according to claim 17, wherein said at least one segment for receiving magnet means is in the form of a recess.

1 9. A spindle frame according to any preceding claim, wherein said support plate is mounted to the machine frame stand independent of the mounting on the machine frame of means for driving the spindle assemblies.

20. A spindle frame for supporting a plurality of spindle assemblies in a multi-spindle double twist twisting machine having vertical frame stands at the ends of sections of the machine and a belt drive assembly for rotating said spindle assemblies, said spindle frame comprising a support plate formed for mounting spindle assemblies thereon, at least one row of spindle assembly mounting means on said plate for mounting spindle assemblies thereon with whorl portions of said spindle assemblies projecting in cantilever arrangement from one side of said plate and yarn supporting portions of said spindle assemblies projecting a cantilever arrangement from the other side of said plate, said support plate having longitudinal ends for mounting of said plate in the vertical frame stands at the ends of a machine section as a self-supporting subframe mountable alternatively in either a machine in which the spindle assemblies are disposed with their axes vertical or a machine in which the spindle assemblies are disposed with their axes horizontal, said belt drive assembly including a longitudinally extending beam secured at its ends to said vertical frame stands and disposed adjacent the side of said support plate from which said whorl portions project, said beam being aligned with said row of spindle assembly mounting means and being mounted to said machine frame independent of the mounting of said support plate, drive belt guiding elements supported on said beam adjacent said projecting whorl portions, a drive belt guided and supported on said elements in driving engagement with said whorl portions, and means for driving said belt.

21. A spindle frame and a belt drive assembly according to claim 20, wherein said support plate has two longitudinally extending rows of spindle assembly mounting means disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal centre line of said support plate, and said beam is disposed along the centre line of said support plate with said beam and said belt guiding elements being disposed between said rows of spindle assembly mounting means.

22. A spindle frame for supporting a plurality of spindle assemblies in a multi-spindle double twist twisting machine, said spindle frame having means for mounting spindle assemblies in two longitudinally extending rows with yarn supporting portions of said spindle assemblies projecting from one side of said spindle frame, and a separator wall projecting between said rows of spindle assemblies for separation thereof, said separator wall being extendable in the direction of projection of the yarn supporting portions of said spindle assemblies.

23. A spindle frame according to claim 22, wherein said separator wall comprises a stationary inner base portion and an outer adjustable portion mounted on said inner base portion for adjustable positioning with respect thereto for adjustment of the extent of said separator wall.

24. A spindle frame according to claim 23, wherein said inner and outer portions of said separator wall are disposed in telescoping relation for extension of said separator wall.

25. A spindle frame according to claim 22, comprising means for adjustably extending said separator wall comprising at least one stationary threaded sleeve projecting between said rows of spindle assemblies, an outer wall portion, and a threaded rod secured to said outer wall portion and threadably engaged in said sleeve for threadable extension of said rod and outer wall portion with respect to said spindle frame.

26. A spindle frame according to claim 23 or 24, comprising means for adjustably extending said separator wall comprising at least one stationary threaded sleeve projecting between said rows within said stationary inner base portion, and a threaded rod secured to said outer wall portion and threadably engaged in said sleeve for threadable extension of said rod and outer wall portion with respect to said spindle frame.

27. A spindle frame according to any one of claims 22 to 26, comprising ballooning yarn guides mounted on said separator wall for extendable adjustment therewith and projecting therefrom beyond said spindle assemblies for guiding therethrough yarn ballooning from said spindle assemblies.

28. A spindle frame for supporting a plurality of spindle assemblies with their axes vertical in a multi-spindle double twist twisting machine, said spindle frame comprising a support plate formed for mounting spindle assemblies thereon, means on said support plate for mounting spindle assemblies in two rows extending on opposite sides of the centre line of the machine, said spindle assembly mounting means being equally spaced in both rows and the spindle mounting means in one row being staggered longitudinally with respect to the spindle assembly mounting means in the other row at a spacing of approximately one half the spacing between the centres of spindle assemblies.

29. A spindle frame according to claim 28, wherein the spindle mounting means in each row are arranged in each section of the machine to provide a spacing between one end of each row and the end of said section greater by approximately one half of the space between the centres of spindle assemblies in the row than the spacing between the other end of the row from the other end of said section.

30. A spindle frame according to claim 29, wherein each longitudinal section of the machine includes on each side thereof a receiver for temporary storing of spindle assembly heads removed from spindle assemblies, said receiver being mounted on said support plate in the space provided by said spacing and the width of each said receiver being equivalent to approximately one half the spacing between the centres of spindle assemblies in the row, and the receivers on opposite sides of the spindle frame being at opposite ends of the section.

31. A spindle frame according to any one of claims 28 to 30, comprising a separator wall mounted on said support plate and projecting between said rows of spindle mounting means, said separator wall being extendable between said rows of spindle mounting means, and ballooning yarn guides mounted on said separator wall for extendable adjustment therewith and projecting therefrom beyond said spindle assemblies for guiding therethrough yarn ballooning from said spindle assemblies, said guides being disposed at spacings equivalent to one half the spacing between spindle assembly centres to provide guides for each spindle mounting means in said staggered rows.

32. A spindle frame substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

33. A spindle assembly for use in multi-spindle double twist twisting machines either in which the spindle assemblies are disposed with the axes vertical or in which the spindle assemblies are disposed with the axes horizontal, said spindle assembly having a rotatable whorl portion and a yarn supporting portion, said yarn supporting portion including means for alternative mounting thereon of magnet means for providing resistance to rotation when in a machine having cooperative magnets on a stationary part or weight means offset from the spindle assembly axis to provide resistance to rotation when said spindle assembly is assembled in a machine with the axis of the spindle assembly extending horizontally.

34. A spindle assembly according to claim 33, wherein said yarn supporting portion includes a disc mounted concentrically on said assembly inwardly of a yarn package thereon, and said alternative mounting means comprises at least one segment formed in said disc adjacent the radial outward extent thereof and formed for receiving said magnet means, and at least one other segment offset from the axis of said spindle assembly formed for receiving said weight means.

35. A spindle assembly according to claim 34 or 35, wherein said at least one segment for receiving magnet means is in the form of a recess.

36. A spindle assembly substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.