GB2191513A - Spinning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Spinning apparatus comprises a flyer 10 coaxial with and rotatable relative to a bobbin 11, the bobbin and the flyer both being supported by a common support plate 30 at one axial end in cantilever fashion, and the bobbin being readily removable from the apparatus. The support plate 30 is carried by a support block 20 which is vertically movable to provide height adjustment of the flyer and bobbin. A flyer whorl 36 and a bobbin whorl 46 are each arranged to be driven at a number of ratios by a band 48 passing round a main drive wheel 8. A pair of radially spaced arms 58 extend axially from the flyer whorl 36 to beyond the unsupported end of the bobbin where the arms are connected by a radially extending portion which provides a loop 64 on the axis of rotation. Fibres to be spun are threaded first through the loop 64, then through a secondary loop 66, and from there the fibres are guided by an axially movable clip 68 on to the bobbin at the desired axial location. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Spinning apparatus The invention relates to apparatus for spinning fibres together into a continuous thread, such apparatus being generally known as a spinning wheel.

Traditionally spinning wheels have been made of timber and comprise a foot driven treadle which operates a driving wheel arranged to drive rotatably a flyer mechanism and a bobbin by means of a driving band. The flyer mechanism comprises a metal spindle rotatably supported at each end and having at one end an orifice and eye arrangement through which the fibres to be spun are threaded. Near this end a flyer is fixed to rotate with the spindle, the flyer having a pair of arms together forming a Cshape and each extending away from the orifice and eye arrangement at a radial spacing from the spindle axis. One of the two arms of the flyer is used during spinning to guide the thread from the orifice and eye to a position radially spaced from the axis of the spindle. The spindle is driven by a detachable spindle whorl at its other end.The bobbin has a hollow shaft which is loosely supported for rotation on the spindle between the flyer and the spindle whorl, the bobbin being drivable by its own integral whorl positioned inwardly adjacent the spindle whorl. In use, the thread guided by one arm of the flyer passes radially inwardly therefrom to be wound on to the bobbin.

Thus in the traditional spinning wheel the spindle passes right through the hollow shaft of the bobbin, so that when it is desired to change the bobbin the spindle must be disengaged from one of its supports to enable removal of the spindle whorl, thereby permitting the bobbin to be slidably removed from the spindle. In addition, the driving band which passes round the bobbin whorl must be loosened to permit removal of the bobbin together with its integral whorl.

Viewed from one aspect the invention provides spinning apparatus comprising a flyer coaxial with and rotatable relative to a bobbin, the bobbin being supported at one axial end thereof in cantilever fashion so as to be readily removable from the apparatus.

With such an arrangement, the bobbin can be changed without the relatively complicated procedure associated with traditional spinning wheels. The bobbin might have a bobbin whorl which is removable with the bobbin, for example the whorl might be integral with the bobbin, but preferably the bobbin is removably connected to its bobbin whorl such that the whorl remains in position on the apparatus when the bobbin is removed. This means that when the bobbin is removed there is no need to loosen any band which engages the whorl.

In general, the band will be a drive band which drives the bobbin whorl from a main drive wheel of the apparatus, although it could alternatively be a fixed friction band which restrains the tendency of the bobbin to rotate along with the flyer. Whatever the form of engagement on the bobbin whorl, it is in any event advantageous if such engagement need not be loosened prior to removal of the bobbin.

Since the bobbin is supported in cantilever fashion, the constraints on flyer design normally present in traditional spinning wheels are substantially reduced. Thus the flyer may be supported at each axial end thereof, or it may be supported at only one end thereof remote from the bobbin support. Preferably, however, the flyer is supported at one end thereof in cantilever fashion by the same support as that provided for the bobbin. Such an arrangement provides the spinner with ready access to and good visibility of the bobbin and the flyer.

In a preferred embodiment the flyer is provided with a flyer whorl from which extends an arm sufficiently radially spaced from the axis of rotation so as not to interfere with the bobbin, the arm extending to beyond the unsupported end of the bobbin where it provides means disposed on the axis of rotation for receiving fibres to be spun. For example the arm might comprise a bar radially spaced from and parallel to the axis of rotation, the bar having a radially extending portion which is bent to form a loop on said axis for receiving the fibres. In use, a spinner can simply pass the fibres through the axial loop when starting up, thus avoiding the more troublesome operation of threading the fibres through the orifice and eye arrangement of traditional spinning wheel spindles.Preferably the bar has a secondary loop formed at the junction between the radially spaced portion and the radially extending portion, so that the fibres can be guided radially outwardly from the axial loop to the secondary loop.

The radially spaced portion of the bar is preferably provided with means for guiding the fibres from the secondary loop on to the bobbin at a location selected by the spinner. Although this might be done by a series of axially spaced hooks or the like on the bar, preferably a spring clip is provided to be axially movable on the bar. With such an arrangement the spinner can move the clip along the bar to obtain an even build up of spun thread along the length of the bobbin.

The axial loop might be formed at a free end of the bar, but in a preferred arrangement the bar is generally U-shaped and comprises two symmetrically opposed radially spaced portions, each connected to the flyer whorl and connected together remote from the whorl by a radially extending portion. This arrangement gives the flyer stability during rotation, and if two secondary loops are provided for guiding the fibres the spinner can use either of these as desired.

The bobbin and flyer whorls may be mounted relative to each other in a number of ways, but preferably they are provided on opposite sides of a common support. This ensures that there is no interference between the two whorls during relative rotation thereof.

Preferably the bobbin whorl is disposed on the side of the support remote from the bobbin itself, and is arranged to drive a spindle extending through the support and through the flyer whorl, the spindle being removably connected to the bobbin which is thereby supported in cantilever fashion. In a preferred arrangement the spindle and bobbin have a screw threaded connection so that the bobbin can be simply removed from the apparatus by unscrewing it from the end of the spindle. The screw thread will generally be such that the bobbin will not be unscrewed in use.

It is sometimes desirable to adjust the height of the bobbin and flyer to suit the comfort of the spinner, and this can be achieved by providing means for adjusting the height of the common support of the bobbin and flyer.

Viewed from another aspect the invention provides a bobbin for use in spinning apparatus as discussed herein, the bobbin having means at one axial end thereof for removable connection with the spinning apparatus. The connecting means may take any convenient form, e.g. a force fit, but is preferably a screw threaded connection.

Viewed from a further aspect the invention provides spinning apparatus comprising a flyer coaxial with and rotatable relative to a bobbin, a main drive wheel for rotatably driving at least the flyer, and a reciprocable treadle for rotatably driving the main wheel, wherein the main wheel, flyer and bobbin are mounted by an upright frame and the treadle is mounted by a lower frame which is pivotally connected to the upright frame so as to be pivotable between a treadle operating position and a stowed position in which the lower frame and treadle are generally adjacent the upright frame.

With such an arrangement the lower frame can be conveniently stowed for storage or easy transport. Preferably the upright frame includes a horizontal member of circular crosssection and the lower frame includes a sleeve fitted on the horizontal member for pivotal movement. This aspect of the invention is of course useful in combination with the other aspects, both broadly and with the various preferred features of those aspects.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the spinning apparatus in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus; Figure 3 is a section in a horizontal plane through the axis of rotation of the flyer and bobin; and Figure 4 is a side elevation showing the folding arrangement of the treadle.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the spinning apparatus 2 comprises an upright frame 4 connected to a ground-engaging base frame 5 which supports a treadle 6, a main drive wheel 8, a flyer 10 and a bobbin 11. The frame 4 includes front and rear upright portions 12 and 14 which are spaced apart to mount rotatably therebetween the main drive wheel 8. The rear frame portion 14 has two spaced vertical posts 16 which are connected together at their upper ends by a cross member 18. A support block 20 is formed with a pair of spaced vertical bores through which the vertical posts 16 respectively extend. An adjustment rod 22 is rotatably supported by the upper cross member 18 and extends vertically to be supported at its other end by a lower cross member 24.The rod is formed with an external screw thread which mates with a corresponding internal thread of a central vertical bore in the upper cross member, so that manual turning of the rod by means of a knob 26 at its upper end causes vertical adjustment of the support block 20. Accurate alignment of the block is maintained by the sliding guidance provided by the vertical posts 16.

The support block 20 is provided with a pair of spaced, horiontally projecting lugs 28 between which a support plate 30 is rigidly connected to be parallel to the block. Referring to Figure 3, the support plate has a central bush 32 on which is mounted a bearing 34 which in turn carries a flyer whorl 36.

Passing axially through the bush 32 is a rotatable spindle 38 externally threaded at its forward end for mating engagement with an internal thread of the bobbin 11 which is thus supported in cantilever fashion. The bobbin consists of a shaft 42 on which spun thread is to be wound and an annular retaining flange 44 at each end of the shaft. A small pad of adherent material e.g. Velcro (trademark) may be provided on the shaft to enable initial fastening of the thread to the bobbin. At the rear end of the spindle 38 a bobbin whorl 46 is secured to rotate therewith, the whorl having two separate annular grooves 47 so as to be drivable at a selected ratio by a drive band 48 (see Fig. 1) which passes round the main wheel 8.

The flyer whorl 36 is also provided with three separate annular grooves 50, 52 and 54, any of which can be selected to be driven by the band 48. In the illustrated embodiment a single drive band passes twice round the main wheel 8 in which two annular grooves 55 are provided and once round each whorl, but an alternative arrangement might have a separate band for each whorl. The flyer whorl 36 has a pair of opposed radially projecting portions 56 each formed with an aperture for receiving a respective arm 58 of the flyer 10.

The end of each arm is threaded so that it can be secured to the radial portion 44 by a pair of nuts 62 on opposite sides thereof. The two flyer arms form part of a single bar which is generally U-shaped, extending from the flyer whorl to embrace the bobbin 11 within the "U". The bar is bent into three loops along its length, the principal loop 64 being positioned on the axis of rotation and forwardly spaced from the bobbin. A pair of opposed secondary loops 66 are radially outwardly spaced from the principal loop and are bent inwardly towards the bobbin. A spring clip 68 is mounted on one of the flyer arms 58 to be movable threalong, the clip having an inwardly projecting hook 70 for receiving and guiding thread.The illustrated clip is formed of conventional spring wire but may alternatively be made of strip-shaped wire so as to be more comfortable for a user to pinch when loosening the clip. Alternatively the clip may be provided with suitable finger engagement tabs.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 4, the treadle 6 is pivotally mounted on a horizontal shaft 72 of the ground-engaging base frame 5. Remote from the pivotal axis the treadle is connected by a flexible tie 76 to a crank 78 of the main drive wheel 8, so that reciprocating pivotal operation of the treadle by a user drives the wheel.

The treadle is arranged to be pivoted into an upright position to assist transport of the spinning apparatus. The rear portion 14 of the upright frame 4 includes a lower horizontal member 80 of circular cross-section around which a sleeve member 82 is pivotally fitted.

The sleeve member is rigidly connected to the base frame 5 which is thus pivotable about the horizontal member 80 between the operative position 82 and the stowed position 84, both shown in Figure 4. The path of movement between these two positions and an intermediate position 86 are also illustrated. A pair of butterfly nuts 88 are provided to secure the base frame 5 to the forward portion 12 of the upright frame 4 in the operative position, although alternative securing means are clearly possible. When it is desired to stow the base frame 5 the securing means is loosened and the flexible tie 76 is disconnected from the treadle, so that the base frame can be pivoted about the member 80 to the stowed position where it is suitably secured.

The frames of the spinning apparatus are made of aluminium tubing, the main drive wheel of cast aluminium, and the support block and treadle of wood. Of course, these components could all be made of a variety of other suitable materials.

The operation of the spinning apparatus is as follows. It is convenient when starting up to use a piece of string or the like to guide the first fibres to be spun onto the bobbin.

Thus the string is threaded through the principal loop 64 and then is passed radially outwardly to one of the secondary loops 66 through which it is threaded. From there it is guided over the hook 70 of the spring clip onto the bobbin shaft 42 to which it can be either tied or fastened to a pad of adherent material. The string establishes the path of the fibres which are drawn through the principal loop as the user begins to operate the apparatus. Reciprocal movement of the treadle 6 drives the main wheel 8 which in turn drives the flyer and spindle whorls by means of the drive band 48. The annular grooves of the bobbin whorl are of narrower diameter than those of the flyer whorl so that the bobbin 40 tends to rotate faster than the flyer 10.As the flyer rotates the fibres are spun into a continuous thread which is wound onto the bobbin due to the fact that it is rotating faster than the flyer. If the user wishes to obtain more twist of the fibres per unit length without changing the selection of annular grooves, he or she can simply pull against the fibres being drawn onto the apparatus by the bobbin, thereby slowing the bobbin down and causing the drive band to slip on the bobbin whorl. The spring clip is moved along the flyer arm so as to wind the spun thread on to the bobbin shaft at the desired point. If, as sometimes happens, the thread breaks during spinning it can be a difficult task to locate the free end of the thread on the bobbin. In such circumstances, the position of the spring clip on the flyer arm can act as a marker to assist in locating the free end.

The height of the flyer and bobbin can be adjusted for the comfort of the user by turning the knob 26. If any substantial change is to be effected in such height then it will be necessary to change the length of the drive band or to provide a new one. When it is desired to change the bobbin it is a simple matter to unscrew the existing bobbin from the end of the spindle and replace it with a new one. The bobbin whorl remains fixed on the other end of the spindle and is not affected by the change.

There may be a number of possible variations to the broad aspects and specific details of the spinning apparatus and it is intended that these be included within the scope of this specification.

Claims (15)

1. Spinning apparatus comprising a flyer coaxial with and rotatable relative to a bobbin, the bobbin being supported at one axial end thereof in cantilever fashion so as to be readily removable from the apparatus.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bobbin is removably connected to a bob bin whorl such that the whorl remains in position on the apparatus when the bobbin is removed.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the flyer is supported at one end thereof in cantilever fashion by the same support as that provided for the bobbin.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the flyer and the bobbin are each connected to a respective whorl, the bobbin and flyer whorls being provided on opposite sides of the support.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bobbin whorl is disposed on the side of the support remote from the bobbin itself, and is arranged to drive a spindle extending through the support and through the flyer whorl, the bobbin being removably connected to the spindle.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein an arm extends from the flyer whorl sufficiently radially spaced from the axis of rotation so as not to interfere with the bobbin, the arm extending to beyond the unsupported end of the bobbin where it provides means disposed on the axis of rotation for receiving fibres to be spun.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the arm comprises a bar having a portion radially spaced from and parallel to the axis of rotation and having a radially extending portion which is bent to form a loop on said axis for receiving the fibres.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bar has a secondary loop formed at the junction between the radially spaced portion and the radially extending portion, so that the fibres can be guided radially outwardly from the axial loop to the secondary loop.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6,7 or 8, including a clip axially movable on the arm for guiding the fibres from the flyer onto the bobbin at a location selected by the spinner.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3 to 8, including means for adjusting the height of the support of the bobbin and flyer.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a main drive wheel for rotatably driving at least the flyer, and a reciprocable treadle for rotatably driving the main wheel, wherein the main wheel, flyer and bobbin are mounted by an upright frame and the treadle is mounted by a lower frame which is pivotally connected to the upright frame so as to be pivotable between a treadle operating position and a stowed position in which the lower frame and treadle are generally adjacent the upright frame.

12. A bobbin for use in spinning aparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, the bobbin having means at one axial end thereof for removable connection with the apparatus.

13. Spinning apparatus comprising a flyer coaxial with and rotatable relative to a bobbin, a main drive wheel for rotatably driving at least the flyer, and a reciprocable treadle for rotatably driving the main wheel, wherein the main wheel, flyer and bobbin are mounted by an upright frame and the treadle is mounted by a lower frame which is pivotally connected to the upright frame so as to be pivotable between a treadle operating position and a stowed position in which the lower frame and treadle are generally adjacent the upright frame.

14. Spinning apparatus substantially as here it before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A bobbin for use in spinning apparatus and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.