GB2182683A - Cone winding spindle - Google Patents

Abstract

A spindle for winding thread onto conical cone centres comprises a conical support (4) for a cone centre (1), means for engaging the cone (slots 3 receiving inwardly directed cone centre flanges) to transmit rotational drive thereto and a latch (retractable ball 5) adapted to releasably secure a cone centre upon the spindle. The ball (5) retracts into a recess (11) when a button (14) is pressed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cone winding spindle This invention relates to a spindle for winding thread onto conical cone centres, particularly but not exclusively for precision winding.

Conical cone centres for carrying thread are well established. These need to be securely mounted onto spindles when being wound so that rotation of the spindle is transmitted to the cone centre without slipping. Prior arrangements have included spindles fitted with blades or sharpened wheels which engage the cone centre by cutting into the inner surface thereof. These have proved disadvantageous for use with plastic cone centres because the plastics materials are blemished by the stress of the blades resulting in an unsightly appearance of the final product. In addition the contraction of the cone centres due to the tension of yarn wound thereon has made it necessary for the blades or other cutting means to engage the cone beyond the area where the thread is wound.

Otherwise disengagement of the cone can be very difficult.

More complex arrangements have utilised conical spindles which expand to engage the cone centres.

These are expensive to manufacture.

According to the present invention a cone winding spindle comprises a conical support for a cone centre, means for engaging the cone to transmit rotational drive thereto and a latch adapted to releasably secure a cone centre upon the spindle.

The latch preferably includes a radially extensible member arranged to engage a surface of the cone centre.

A preferred spindle incorporates means adapted to eject a cone centre when the latch is released.

The latch is preferably actuated by pressing a member extending axially of the spindle.

The invention is further described by means of example and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawing.

The Figure shows a precision cone winding spindle in accordance with this invention. The cone centre 1 upon which thread is wound in use of the invention, is closed at the narrow end by a flange 2 perforated by a central circular aperture. Rotational drive is imparted to the cone centre by engagement of radially inwardly directed flanges (not shown) into slots 3 in the spindle body 4.

A latching mechanism serves to retain the cone centre 1 upon the spindle body 4. The latch comprises a ball 5 located in a conical or bell shaped aperture in a sleeve 6. A spring 7 acts against shoulders on the collar 6 and an axial member 9, urging the collar 6 upwardly as shown in the Figure.

A second spring 8 acts upon an ejector ring 10, urging the latter upwardly out of the spindle body 4.

A recess 11 in the axial member 9 serves to allow the ball 5 to withdraw as the member 9 is depressed so that the ball does not project from the aperture in the collar 6. In the position shown the ball cannot withdraw and the flange 2 of the cone centre is consequently secured in place by abutment of the flange 2 and the latch. Surfaces 12, 13 on the axial member 9 and ejector ring 10 respectively serve to cause the ring 10to be withdrawn into the spindle body when the member 9 is depressed.

To release the cone centre 1 from engagement in the position shown, the actuating button 14 of the axial member 9 is depressed causing the recess 11 to be aligned with the ball 5. Removal of the restraint on the flange 2 of the cone centre allows the ejector ring 10 to lift the cone centre from the spindle body for removal.

When a cone centre is desired to be engaged upon the spindle body, the actuating button 14 is inserted through the aperture in the flange 2 of the cone centre and the latter is pressed into engagement with the spindle body 4.

When the spindle is not loaded with a cone centre, the latch may be cocked in the closed position.

Depression of the axial member 9 until the ball 5 is received in the recess 11 allows the ejector ring 10 to rise past the ball, locking it in place. Insertion of the cone centre onto the spindle depresses the ejector ring into the position shown, allowing release of the latch.

Alternative embodiment of this invention incorporate two or more balls 5 or other latching arrangement. For example, one or more radially extendable latching members may be arranged to be actuated by twisting of the axial member.

The illustrated embodiment is preferred because the latch has a simple and economical construction which may be actuated by simply pressing the button 14.

1. A cone winding spindle comprising a conical support for a cone centre, means for engaging the cone to transmit rotational drive thereto and a latch adapted to releasably secure a cone centre upon the spindle.

2. A cone winding spindle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the latch includes a radially extensible member arranged to engage a surface of the cone centre.

3. A cone winding spindle as claimed in any preceding claim, incorporating means adapted to eject a cone centre when the latch is released.

4. A cone winding spindle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the latch is actuated by pressing a member extending axially of the spindle.

5. A cone winding spindle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the latch may be cocked in the closed position.

6. A cone winding spindle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

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

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Cone winding spindle This invention relates to a spindle for winding thread onto conical cone centres, particularly but not exclusively for precision winding. Conical cone centres for carrying thread are well established. These need to be securely mounted onto spindles when being wound so that rotation of the spindle is transmitted to the cone centre without slipping. Prior arrangements have included spindles fitted with blades or sharpened wheels which engage the cone centre by cutting into the inner surface thereof. These have proved disadvantageous for use with plastic cone centres because the plastics materials are blemished by the stress of the blades resulting in an unsightly appearance of the final product. In addition the contraction of the cone centres due to the tension of yarn wound thereon has made it necessary for the blades or other cutting means to engage the cone beyond the area where the thread is wound. Otherwise disengagement of the cone can be very difficult. More complex arrangements have utilised conical spindles which expand to engage the cone centres. These are expensive to manufacture. According to the present invention a cone winding spindle comprises a conical support for a cone centre, means for engaging the cone to transmit rotational drive thereto and a latch adapted to releasably secure a cone centre upon the spindle. The latch preferably includes a radially extensible member arranged to engage a surface of the cone centre. A preferred spindle incorporates means adapted to eject a cone centre when the latch is released. The latch is preferably actuated by pressing a member extending axially of the spindle. The invention is further described by means of example and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawing. The Figure shows a precision cone winding spindle in accordance with this invention. The cone centre 1 upon which thread is wound in use of the invention, is closed at the narrow end by a flange 2 perforated by a central circular aperture. Rotational drive is imparted to the cone centre by engagement of radially inwardly directed flanges (not shown) into slots 3 in the spindle body 4. A latching mechanism serves to retain the cone centre 1 upon the spindle body 4. The latch comprises a ball 5 located in a conical or bell shaped aperture in a sleeve 6. A spring 7 acts against shoulders on the collar 6 and an axial member 9, urging the collar 6 upwardly as shown in the Figure. A second spring 8 acts upon an ejector ring 10, urging the latter upwardly out of the spindle body 4. A recess 11 in the axial member 9 serves to allow the ball 5 to withdraw as the member 9 is depressed so that the ball does not project from the aperture in the collar 6. In the position shown the ball cannot withdraw and the flange 2 of the cone centre is consequently secured in place by abutment of the flange 2 and the latch. Surfaces 12, 13 on the axial member 9 and ejector ring 10 respectively serve to cause the ring 10to be withdrawn into the spindle body when the member 9 is depressed. To release the cone centre 1 from engagement in the position shown, the actuating button 14 of the axial member 9 is depressed causing the recess 11 to be aligned with the ball 5. Removal of the restraint on the flange 2 of the cone centre allows the ejector ring 10 to lift the cone centre from the spindle body for removal. When a cone centre is desired to be engaged upon the spindle body, the actuating button 14 is inserted through the aperture in the flange 2 of the cone centre and the latter is pressed into engagement with the spindle body 4. When the spindle is not loaded with a cone centre, the latch may be cocked in the closed position. Depression of the axial member 9 until the ball 5 is received in the recess 11 allows the ejector ring 10 to rise past the ball, locking it in place. Insertion of the cone centre onto the spindle depresses the ejector ring into the position shown, allowing release of the latch. Alternative embodiment of this invention incorporate two or more balls 5 or other latching arrangement. For example, one or more radially extendable latching members may be arranged to be actuated by twisting of the axial member. The illustrated embodiment is preferred because the latch has a simple and economical construction which may be actuated by simply pressing the button 14. CLAIMS

1. A cone winding spindle comprising a conical support for a cone centre, means for engaging the cone to transmit rotational drive thereto and a latch adapted to releasably secure a cone centre upon the spindle.

2. A cone winding spindle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the latch includes a radially extensible member arranged to engage a surface of the cone centre.

3. A cone winding spindle as claimed in any preceding claim, incorporating means adapted to eject a cone centre when the latch is released.

4. A cone winding spindle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the latch is actuated by pressing a member extending axially of the spindle.

5. A cone winding spindle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the latch may be cocked in the closed position.

6. A cone winding spindle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.