ITBS20130087A1 - DEVICE FOR POWERING THE WIRE TO THE NEEDLES OF A TEXTILE MACHINE - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Attached to a patent application for INVENTION entitled:

â € œDevice for feeding thread to the needles of a textile machineâ €

The present invention relates to a device for feeding thread to the needles of a textile machine. The invention also relates to a yarn dispensing element for a yarn guide for textile machines, and a yarn guide comprising this dispensing element. The present invention relates to the technical sector of textile machines for knitting, seamless knitting, hosiery and the like, in particular circular textile machines.

In this text, the term `` textile machine '' generally refers to a textile machine, preferably circular, suitable for the production of textile articles and equipped with a plurality of feeding points, or `` falls '', in which the yarn is supplied to the machine needles. This textile machine can be, for example, of the single-needle or double-needle type.

There are known devices for feeding yarn to the needles of a textile machine, known in the sector as â € œYarn guide devicesâ € or â € œYarn guide groupsâ € or â € œrigatorsâ €.

These devices are intended to be positioned in correspondence with the needles of the textile machine and each comprise one or more, typically a plurality, of thread feeding members, called `` thread guides '', which are responsible for supplying the needles of the textile machine with threads necessary for the formation of the stitches. The yarn guides are arranged adjacent to the needle holder in correspondence with a feed or drop of the textile machine.

Typically, several yarn guides are arranged in correspondence with a single feed or feed, which can be operated individually, simultaneously or alternatively, in such a way as to supply more threads to the needles and / or vary the thread or threads supplied to the needles that pass through this fall due to the motion of the needle holder in relation to the thread guides (in the case of circular textile machines, due to the rotation of the cylinder). Typically, a single device for feeding the yarn (or yarn guide assembly) comprises for this purpose a plurality of yarn guides associated with a feed.

In the known art, each yarn guide is typically substantially constituted by a body with an elongated conformation pivoted, in correspondence with an intermediate portion of its longitudinal extension, to a fixed body of the yarn guide device, and protruding, with its operating end (or thread dispensing), in the direction of the needles arranged in the needle holder. The yarn guide is able to rotate in a controlled way (according to an angle of predetermined amplitude), by means of special actuators present in the device, around its fulcrum to operate between a rest condition, in which it is spaced, with its extremity of thread dispensing, from the machine needles to prevent the needles, in correspondence with the feed or fall considered, from `` catching '' the thread delivered by the thread guide, and a working condition in which the thread guide is close together, with the its thread delivery end, to the needles in such a way that the latter, activated in correspondence with the feed in question, can take the thread and proceed with the formation of new stitches.

The need to be able to perform various types of textile processing in correspondence with the same feed or fall (of knitting) of the machine, has highlighted the need to be able to position the dispensing end of the yarn guide in different positions, typically more than two distinct locations. These positions require the provision of specific elements that make up the yarn guide and of various actuators for its operation.

An example of a device for feeding yarn to the needles of a textile machine designed to satisfy this need is described in the Italian patent IT 1325202, in the name of the same Applicant; in this solution, the wire guide is able to position its own wire delivery end in six different operating positions.

There are also known elements for dispensing the yarn for a yarn guide for textile machines, or members intended to be mounted on the yarn guide at its terminal end for dispensing the yarn and able to guide the sliding of the yarn, feeding on a specific feed, to hand it to the needles of the cylinder (or other needle bed of the textile machine). The wire dispensing element (sometimes identified, in the sector, with the term `` tube '') consists of a hollow tubular body, protruding at the end of the wire guide, through which the thread to be fed to the machine needles.

An example of a yarn dispensing element, intended to be mounted on a yarn guide, is described in the Italian patent IT 1325183, in the name of the same Applicant; in this solution, the dispensing element is mounted to the yarn guide in such a way that it can be rotated around an axis arranged orthogonally to the axial development of the dispensing element itself. In addition, the dispensing element, or tube, can be moved axially with respect to the end of the wire guide on which it is mounted. Once the position of the tube has been established, it is fixed to the thread guide by means of a threaded dowel. The possibility of modifying the inclination and advancement of the tube with respect to the end of the thread guide allows you to adjust the distance and the orientation of the tube with respect to the needles of the textile machine.

The Applicant has found that known devices for feeding yarn to the needles of a textile machine are not free from drawbacks and can be improved under various aspects, in particular with reference to the performance and efficiency obtainable from such devices and their structural complexity and operational.

A typical drawback of known solutions is represented by the fact that it is not always possible to obtain a precise positioning of the dispensing end of the yarn guide, due to inaccuracies in the movement of the yarn guide and its components and / or due to the vibrations to which The yarn guide is subject in the passage between the different operating conditions, for example from the rest condition to the working condition. Furthermore, the known yarn guiding devices are characterized by a reduced repeatability in the positioning of the ends of the single yarn guides, which are typically positioned in different points, with respect to the needles of the textile machine, at each respective passage between the rest condition and the working condition.

The reduced positioning accuracy and poor repeatability generally lead to a reduction in the overall performance of the device; for example, the thread dispensing end may be farther or closer to the needles than a desired value; in general, the vibrations of the yarn guides of the known devices can lead to an incorrect creation of the stitches and / or generate defects in weaves.

A further drawback of the known solutions lies in the fact that, typically due to the structure of the yarn guide and / or the vibrations to which it is subject, it is necessary to make continuous and / or frequent adjustments and calibrations to the device for feeding the yarn. , in order to correct the positioning errors of the yarn guides and recalibrate the components so that they move as desired.

A further drawback of the known devices, found by the Applicant, resides in the typical kinematics of known yarn guides (ie the movement pattern of its components), which makes their movement not very precise and / or makes it difficult to produce.

A further drawback of the known devices consists in the difficulty of controlling and / or adjusting with precision, according to the requirements, the various positions that the dispensing end of the yarn guide can assume; this makes the known devices not very versatile and difficult to adapt to different textile machines and / or to different types of textile processing.

A further drawback of known devices consists in their structural complexity: in fact they typically comprise a plurality of yarn guides, which can be operated individually, movably inserted inside a single body of the device. Due to the number of elements that make up each yarn guide, as well as to the position and movement of the actuators dedicated individually to each of the yarn guides, the body of the device assumes a complicated and difficult structure; this increases production costs and makes assembly, setting and maintenance operations difficult and / or slow. Furthermore, considering that a single textile machine comprises several devices for feeding the thread arranged around or along the needle holder, the installation of known textile machines is more susceptible to assembly errors, and operation is subject to failures and / or malfunctions. A further drawback of the known solutions consists in the low operating speed obtainable for the individual yarn guides, due to the structure and / or kinematics of known yarn guides.

The Applicant has also found that the yarn dispensing elements of known type, present in yarn guides for textile machines, and in general the yarn guide members for textile machines, are not free from drawbacks and can be improved under various aspects.

A typical drawback of known yarn dispensing elements consists in the difficulty of precisely defining their position with respect to the end of the yarn guide on which they are mounted. This is due in particular to the need to manually rotate the dispensing element in the yarn guide seat and then fix its position with the special locking dowel. These operations can be difficult and / or slow and typically lead to errors in the positioning of the dispensing element, which assumes an incorrect orientation and / or distance with respect to the needles.

A further drawback of the known dispensing elements is characterized by the instability of the fastening position assumed with respect to the yarn guide on which they are mounted and / or by the predisposition - during the yarn guide motion - to vibratory phenomena. This instability is also due, and often to a significant extent, to the masses in motion, in particular to the mass of the yarn guide.

A further drawback of the known dispensing elements lies in the manufacturing difficulty and / or in the high cost of such solutions, and / or in the predisposition to breakage and wear phenomena.

In this situation, the underlying purpose of the present invention, in its various aspects and / or embodiments, is to provide a device for feeding yarn to the needles of textile machines that may be able to overcome one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks. .

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for feeding yarn to the needles of textile machines characterized by a high precision and / or repeatability in the positioning of the yarn dispensing end, and / or characterized by a movement of the single yarn guides stable and not subject to vibratory phenomena.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for feeding thread to the needles of textile machines capable of positioning the thread dispensing end of each thread guide selectively in a multiplicity of positions, and characterized by a high versatility of use such as to make it easily adaptable to different types of textile machines and / or to production needs.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for feeding yarn to the needles of textile machines capable of operating the respective yarn guides with greater speed than known devices.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for feeding yarn to the needles of textile machines capable of improving the performance of a textile machine, in particular of increasing the textile productivity of the machine, for example in terms of quantity of mesh produced in the unit of time and / or complexity of the mesh produced.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for feeding thread to the needles of textile machines capable of allowing a more efficient and effective control of the thread feeding to the machine needles.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for feeding yarn to the needles of textile machines characterized by a simple and rational structure.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for feeding yarn to the needles of textile machines characterized by a competitive cost and / or by a high reliability of operation and / or by a high ease of assembly and / or installation and / or maintenance.

A further object of the present invention is to propose a device for feeding yarn to the needles of textile machines characterized by an innovative structure and / or operation.

A further object of the present invention, in its various aspects and / or embodiments, in particular as regards the yarn dispensing element intended to be mounted on a yarn guide, is to provide a yarn dispensing element to the textile machine needles, and a thread guide comprising this element, which may be capable of overcoming one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a thread dispensing element capable of being mounted on a respective thread guide in a precise manner, in such a way as to assume a determined position and a specific orientation with respect to the needles of the machine.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a yarn dispensing element capable of being mounted on a respective yarn guide in a simple and / or rapid and / or easily reversible manner.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a yarn dispensing element characterized by a high mounting stability on the respective yarn guide.

A further object of the present invention is to make available an element for dispensing the thread which is simple and / or economical to manufacture.

These objects, and any other objects, which will become clearer in the course of the following description, are substantially achieved by a device for feeding yarn to the needles of a textile machine and / or by a yarn dispensing element for a yarn guide for textile machines and / or from a yarn guide comprising such dispensing element, according to one or more of the attached claims, each of which taken alone (without its related dependencies) or in any combination with the other claims, as well as according to the following aspects and / or embodiments, variously combined, also with the aforementioned claims. In a first aspect, the invention relates to a device for feeding yarn to the needles of a textile machine, the device comprising:

- a body of the device intended to be associated with a weaving machine, in correspondence with a needle-holder member of the weaving machine, and configured to movably house thread guide means,

- yarn guide means, movably housed at least partially in said body and comprising a first lever, a second lever and a yarn guide.

In one aspect, said first lever is rotatably mounted to said body of the device in such a way as to be able to rotate around a first axis of rotation. In one aspect, the yarn guide is rotatably mounted to said first lever in such a way as to be able to rotate, with respect to said first lever, around a second axis of rotation, said yarn guide having an elongated conformation and extending longitudinally between a rear end and an end. the front, the latter extending and emerging from said body in the direction of said needle holder and defining at least one passage for a thread to be delivered to the needles of said needle holder, said thread guide being provided with a guide portion interposed between said rear and front ends.

In one aspect, the second lever is rotatably mounted to said body of the device in such a way as to be able to rotate around a third axis of rotation, said second lever extending longitudinally between an operating end and a guide end, said guide portion of the yarn guide being configured to remain translatable and / or slidingly in contact with said guide end of the second lever.

In one aspect, the yarn guide means comprise actuation means positioned at least partially in said body and configured and arranged to move, in a controlled manner, at least said first lever and said second lever to position said yarn guide in a plurality of operating positions with respect to said body and compared to the needle holder of the textile machine.

In one aspect, said actuation means comprise a first actuator which can be activated on said first lever to cause rotation thereof, around said first axis of rotation and with an amplitude equal to a first angle of adjustable value, between an advanced position and a retracted position, which correspond respectively to a displacement of said front end of the thread guide away from said needle holder and a displacement of said front end of the thread guide towards said needle holder. In one aspect, these displacements occur according to a mode and / or trajectory defined by the conformation of said guiding portion of the yarn guide. In one aspect, said actuation means comprise a second actuator which can be activated on said second lever to cause its rotation, around said third axis of rotation and with an amplitude equal to a second angle of adjustable value, between a first position and a second position, to which correspond respectively a displacement of said front end of the thread guide in raising with respect to said needle holder, up to a first vertical height, and a displacement of said front end of the thread guide in lowering with respect to said needle holder, up to a second vertical dimension lower than said first vertical dimension.

In one aspect, said yarn guide means comprise elastic means positioned at least partially in said body and configured and arranged to elastically contrast the movement imposed on said first lever and / or on said second lever by said actuation means.

In one aspect, the first lever and the second lever are not constrained to each other, ie they perform their respective rotational movements independently of each other. In one aspect the aforesaid needle holder is a needle bed; preferably the needle holder is a cylinder of a circular weaving machine.

In one aspect said first, second and third axes are parallel to each other.

In one aspect, the device is intended to be mounted on the weaving machine in such a way as to be positioned adjacent to and in proximity to the needle holder, so that it can selectively interact with the needles of the needle holder.

In one aspect, the yarn guide has a back corresponding to a thickness of the yarn guide, said thickness developing orthogonally to the longitudinal extension of the yarn guide. In one aspect the back is in an upper position in the thread guide. In one aspect, said guide portion of the yarn guide is defined on said back of the yarn guide and comprises a portion of an upper surface of the yarn guide which extends in the direction of the longitudinal development of the yarn guide. In one aspect, the upper surface portion which defines said guide portion develops on planes substantially parallel to said second axis of rotation of the yarn guide with respect to the first lever.

In one aspect called the back of the yarn guide, in particular the guide portion on the back of the yarn guide, it is kept pressed, with a determined force, on the guide end of the second lever by means of said first elastic element, which prevents the detachment, typically due to gravity, of the yarn guide from the second lever.

In one aspect, said guide portion of the yarn guide forms a plane cam associated with said guide end of the second lever, which acts as a follower associated with said plane cam. The profile of the guide portion determines the trajectory followed by the front end of the yarn guide following the rotation imposed on the yarn guide by the first lever and / or following the rotation imposed on the yarn guide by the second lever.

In one aspect, the yarn guide comprises a fin emerging from the yarn guide itself and extending along a longitudinal portion of the yarn guide, parallel to said longitudinal axis of the yarn guide. In one aspect said back of the wire guide is made on said fin and / or coincides with an upper surface of the fin. In one aspect said guide portion is defined on said fin, preferably it is defined on an upper surface of the fin. In one aspect, the upper surface of the fin develops on planes substantially parallel to one or more of said first, second and third axes of rotation.

In one aspect, said fin is kept pressed at the top, with a determined force, on the guide end of the second lever, preferably by means of said first elastic element.

In one aspect, said first lever and said second lever are both rotatably mounted to said body at the same point, said third axis of rotation coinciding with said first axis of rotation, at which they intersect to form a cross configuration. In one aspect, the second lever comprises, between the actuating end and the guide end, a through notch in which the first lever is inserted, called notch making a fork mounting of the first lever on the second lever.

In one aspect, said first elastic element is constrained to said yarn guide at a point of the yarn guide interposed between the guide portion and the front end.

In one aspect, said second elastic element is constrained to said first lever at the upper end of the first lever, or to a point proximal to said upper end, or to a point interposed between the central portion and the upper end of the first lever.

In one aspect, the actuation means comprise a third actuator active on said second lever to cause a further rotation thereof, around the third axis of rotation and with an amplitude equal to a third angle of adjustable value, between said first or second position and a third position, in which said further rotation of the second lever to move to said third position corresponds to a displacement of the front end of the thread guide in lowering with respect to the needle holder, up to a third vertical dimension lower than the second vertical dimension . In one aspect, the activation of the third actuator allows the guide end of the second lever to be rotated downwards, bringing it to said third position. In one aspect, the passage of the second lever into the third position can take place either starting from the first position, or starting from the second position: in the first case the third actuator moves the second lever - in lowering - from the first level directly to the third vertical level, while in the second case the third actuator moves the second lever - lowering - from the second level to the third vertical level.

In one aspect, said thread guide means comprise a third lever rotatably mounted to said body of the device in such a way as to be able to rotate around a fourth axis of rotation, preferably parallel to said first axis of rotation, said third lever comprising an actuation portion and a thrust portion, said thrust portion being configured to interact with said actuation end of the second lever to cause rotation of the second lever about said third axis of rotation between said first position and said second position.

In one aspect, said second actuator is arranged in said body in such a way as to interact with the operating end of the second lever, preferably at a point distinct from that on which the third actuator acts on the second lever, or is arranged in a said body in such a way as to interact with the thrust portion of the third lever.

In one aspect, the front end of the thread guide is intended to cooperate with one or more needles of the weaving machine and is equipped with at least one thread dispensing element which is removably associated with the thread guide and defines said passage for a thread to be delivered to the needles. of said needle holder.

In one aspect, the body is provided with at least one housing seat configured to movably house, at least partially, said thread guide means in said body. In one aspect, the first lever and / or the second lever are rotatably mounted to the body inside said seat. In one aspect, the front end of the thread guide protrudes and emerges from the seat in the direction of said needle holder. In one aspect, the actuation means are preferably positioned inside the seat.

In one aspect, said body comprises a plurality of said seats, distinct from each other, each of said seats being configured to movably house respective thread guide means in said body, each of said respective thread guide means comprising at least one respective thread guide and respective actuation means configured for positioning said respective thread guide in a plurality of operating positions with respect to its seat and with respect to the needle-holder member of the textile machine.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a textile machine for knitting, hosiery or the like, comprising a needle-holder member having a plurality of side-by-side and substantially vertical grooves, each groove movably housing a movable needle on command in the respective groove for the knitting, and comprising a device for feeding yarn to the needles according to any one of the above aspects and / or the claims, said needle holder member being movable relative to said device for feeding yarn along a trajectory of motion.

In a further independent aspect, the invention relates to a device for feeding yarn to the needles of a textile machine, the device comprising: - a body of the device intended to be associated with a textile machine, in correspondence with a needle holder of the textile machine, and equipped with at least one housing seat configured for movably housing yarn guide means in said body,

- yarn guide means, movably housed at least partially in said at least one housing seat and comprising at least:

- a thread guide having an elongated conformation extending longitudinally between a rear end and a front end, the latter extending and emerging from said seat in the direction of said needle holder and defining at least one passage for a thread to be delivered to the said needle holder;

- actuation means positioned at least partially in said seat and configured and arranged to move, in a controlled manner, said yarn guide to position it in a plurality of operating positions with respect to said seat and with respect to the needle holder of the textile machine,

in which said seat is configured and arranged, in particular it is shaped, to guide the movement of said yarn guide means, in particular to guide the movement of said yarn guide in its motion between said plurality of operating positions, and / or and to ensure the maintenance of each operating position assumed by the yarn guide during the processing of the textile machine.

In one aspect, said seat defines an operating plane on which said thread guide means lie and / or are mobile in the seat, said operating plane having a development substantially parallel to the orientation of the needles of said needle holder, said longitudinal development of the seat lying on this operational level. In one aspect, said seat is singularly dedicated to movably housing a single yarn guide. In one aspect, the operating plane of the seat is such as to be, when the device is mounted, substantially aligned with the needles of the textile machine.

In one aspect, the seat has the shape of a notch, or groove, made in said body of the device, and comprises two facing side walls, preferably parallel to each other, configured to slidably house said wire guide means. In one aspect, said two side walls are substantially identical to each other and / or each have a respective lower portion, the lower portions being facing and configured to guide the movement of said yarn guide from the sides, parallel to said walls, between said plurality of operating positions , containing it laterally inside the seat.

In one aspect, the distance between said side walls of the seat is substantially equal to a thickness of said yarn guide, orthogonal to its longitudinal development, so that said yarn guide, in its movement between said operating positions, in particular towards and away from with respect to said needle-holder member, it moves substantially in contact with said side walls of the seat, and parallel to said walls, avoiding lateral or transverse oscillations with respect to the walls of the thread guide.

In one aspect, the seat, in particular the distance between said side walls of the seat, is dimensioned in such a way that said wire guide, movably inserted inside the seat, is laterally separated from said side walls, in particular by at least a portion of them, a space or gap of at least 1 hundredth of a millimeter and / or at least 5 hundredths of a millimeter and / or at least 1 tenth of a millimeter and / or at least 2 tenths of a millimeter and / or at least 5 tenths of a millimeter and / or at least 1 millimeter with respect to each wall.

In one aspect, said seat is configured to guide the movement of said yarn guide from the inside of said body, in particular along said operating plane. In one aspect, said seat is configured to guide the movement of said yarn guide by means of a lateral containment, by means of said two facing side walls, at least of said rear end of the yarn guide.

In one aspect, said seat is configured to guide the movement of said yarn guide from the sides without interacting with its front end.

In one aspect, said seat is configured to guide the movement of said yarn guide from the inside of the body by means of a lateral containment, through said two facing side walls, of a fraction of its longitudinal extension, from said rear end, of at least 10 % and / or at least 20% and / or at least 30% and / or at least 40% and / or at least 50% and / or at least 60% and / or at least 80% of its longitudinal extent.

In one aspect, said seat is configured to guide the movement of said first lever from the sides, in particular at least of the upper and / or lower end of the first lever. In one aspect the upper portions of the two seat walls contain and guide the upper end of the first lever from the sides, and / or the lower portions of the two seat walls contain and guide the lower end of the first lever from the sides.

In one aspect, said seat does not guide or contain from the sides the movement of said second lever, which is positioned in correspondence with the free space of the seat.

In one aspect, the guide end of the second lever comprises a respective fork configured to slidably house, at least partially, said guide portion of the yarn guide, in such a way as to guide its motion from the sides in contact with the guide end of the second lever, and avoid lateral oscillations of the guide portion. In one aspect, the guide end fork allows to keep the motion of the wire guide, inside the seat, aligned with the operating plane of the seat itself. In one aspect, the fork of the guide end of the second lever forms an upper guide for the yarn guide, which completes the guide function performed below by the lower portions of the two side walls of the seat.

In one aspect, said body comprises a plurality of said seats, distinct from each other, each of said seats being configured to movably house respective thread guide means in said body, each of said respective thread guide means comprising at least one respective thread guide and respective actuation means configured for positioning said respective thread guide in a plurality of operating positions with respect to its seat and with respect to the needle-holder member of the textile machine.

In one aspect, the seats of said plurality of seats of the body of the device have respective longitudinal developments parallel to each other, that is, they define respective operating planes parallel to each other and parallel to the orientation of the needles of said needle-holder member.

In one aspect, the seats of said plurality of seats are configured and arranged to house each respective thread guide means, said respective thread guide means being able to comprise a respective thread guide of the oscillating type, i.e. movable both vertically with respect to said needle holder and radially away from , and approaching said needle-holder member, or being able to comprise a respective thread guide of the non-oscillating type, ie movable only vertically with respect to said needle-carrier member.

In a further independent aspect thereof, the invention relates to a yarn dispensing element for a yarn guide for textile machines, the dispensing element comprising a body having a mounting portion, intended to be removably mounted at a front end of a thread guide, and an operative portion, intended to be turned towards the needles of a needle holder member of a textile machine,

in which said assembly portion is configured and arranged to allow the assembly of the dispensing element to the yarn guide according to a given discrete number of configurations with respect to the yarn guide, to which the same discrete number of positions taken by the operating portion of the dispensing element with respect to the needles of the needle-holder member, said dispensing element being configured to be selectively mountable to the thread guide exclusively in a configuration selected from said determined discrete number of configurations.

In one aspect, said discrete number of mounting configurations is exactly equal to two, said mounting portion being able to be mounted to the wire guide in a first mounting configuration, which corresponds to a low position of the operating portion, or in a second configuration of assembly, which corresponds to a high position of the operating portion. In one aspect, the mounting portion is characterized by bilateral symmetry, ie it is symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry passing through the longitudinal axis of the mounting portion.

In one aspect, said longitudinal hole is open on said rear end defining a first opening and is open on said front end defining a second opening, said first opening allowing the insertion of a supply wire in the dispensing element and said second opening allowing the feeding thread to come out towards the needles of the textile machine.

In one aspect the second opening is misaligned from the first opening with respect to said longitudinal axis. In one aspect, said first opening is coaxial to said longitudinal axis. In one aspect, in said first mounting configuration the second opening is lower than the first opening with respect to said longitudinal axis, and in said second mounting configuration the second opening is higher than the first opening with respect to said longitudinal axis. In one aspect, the operative portion extends from said mounting portion and is misaligned with respect to it, in particular it has a respective longitudinal axis which is transverse to (ie does not coincide with) said longitudinal axis of the mounting portion.

In one aspect, the mounting configuration is selected when inserting the mounting portion into the mounting seat, inside which any rotation of the dispensing element with respect to the wire guide is prevented.

In one aspect, the axial position of said assembly portion inside said seat of the thread guide can be selectively varied during assembly, in such a way as to vary the distance between the operating portion and the needles of the weaving machine.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a thread guide for textile machines equipped with a front end facing the needles of said textile machine, said front end having at least one mounting seat intended to removably house a dispensing element according to any one of the above aspects and / or the claims.

In one aspect, the front end of the wire guide comprises a mounting seat counter-shaped to the mounting portion of said dispensing element. In one aspect, said mounting seat consists of a hole passing through the front end of the wire guide, into which the mounting portion of the dispensing element can be inserted. In one aspect, the yarn guide comprises said dispensing element mounted thereto.

In one aspect, the wire guide comprises locking means arranged at said mounting seat and configured to removably engage with said mounting portion of the dispensing element to mount it stably and removably in said mounting seat.

In one aspect, the needle holder is a needle holder cylinder of a circular weaving machine or a needle bed of a linear weaving machine.

In one aspect, said textile machine is a textile machine for knitting, hosiery or the like, preferably a circular textile machine, preferably a seamless type textile machine.

Each of the above aspects of the invention may be taken alone or in combination with any of the claims or other aspects described. Further characteristics and advantages will become clearer from the detailed description of some embodiments, including also a preferred embodiment, exemplary but not exclusive, of a device for feeding thread to the needles of a weaving machine in accordance with the present invention, and of a yarn dispensing element for a yarn guide for textile machines in accordance with the present invention. This description will be set out below with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided for indicative purposes only and, therefore, not limitative, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a possible embodiment of a device for feeding thread to the needles of a textile machine according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the device of Figure 1; figure 3 shows a further perspective view of the device of figure 1; figure 4 shows a side view of the device of figure 1;

figure 5 shows a bottom view of the device of figure 1;

figure 6 shows an enlarged detail of a front portion of the device of figure 1;

figure 7 shows a further perspective view of the device of figure 1, with some parts removed;

figure 8 shows a front view of the device of figure 1;

figure 8a shows a longitudinal sectional view of the device of figure 1, sectioned along the plane VIIIa-VIIIa;

- figures 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e and 9f show six longitudinal sectional views of the device of figure 1, with some parts removed, in six different operating positions, these sections being obtained by sectioning the device along the VIIIa-VIIIa plane of figure 8;

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a yarn guide for textile machines comprising a yarn dispensing element in accordance with the present invention;

- figure 10a shows an enlargement of a portion of the yarn guide of figure 10, with some parts in transparency and with the yarn dispensing element in a first operating configuration;

- figure 10b shows a further enlargement of a portion of the yarn guide of figure 10, with some parts in transparency and with the yarn dispensing element in a second operating configuration;

- figure 11 shows an exploded perspective view of the yarn guide and of the yarn dispensing element of figure 10;

figure 12 shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a yarn dispensing element according to the present invention;

- figure 12a shows a longitudinal section view of the yarn dispensing element of figure 12, sectioned along the XIIa-XIIa plane.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, the number 1 globally indicates a device for feeding thread to the needles of a textile machine in accordance with the present invention, while the numbers 60 and 6 respectively identify a yarn dispensing element. for a yarn guide for textile machines and a yarn guide for textile machines in accordance with the present invention. In general, the same reference number is used for the same or similar elements, possibly in their construction variants.

The device of the present invention is intended to be placed in any textile machine for feeding the yarn to the needles of a needle holder of the machine, for forming the stitch.

The textile machine can be a textile machine for knitting, hosiery or the like, and is preferably a circular textile machine and / or a seamless type textile machine. The needle holder is preferably a needle holder cylinder of a circular weaving machine, but it can also be a needle bed of a linear weaving machine. The textile machine and the relative needle holder are not shown in detail in the figures, as they are known per se and of a conventional type. The present invention is suitable for use on both new and existing machines, in the latter case as a replacement for traditional wire feeding devices. The operation of the entire textile machine (for example the interaction between the thread guides and the needles, the cooperation between needles and threads, etc.) is not described in detail, as it is known in the technical field of the present invention.

The device 1 comprises a body 2 of the device which can be associated with a weaving machine, in correspondence with a needle-holder member of the weaving machine, and configured to movably house thread guiding means 4. The thread guiding means 4 are movably housed at least partially in the body 2 and comprise a first lever 5 rotatably mounted to the body of the device in such a way as to be able to rotate around a first axis of rotation X. The thread guide means further comprise a thread guide 6 rotatably mounted to the first lever 5 so as to be able to rotate with respect to it , around a second axis of rotation Y. The thread guide 6 has an elongated conformation and extends longitudinally between a rear end 7 and a front end 8, the latter extending and emerging from the body in the direction of the needle holder and defining at least one passage 61 for a thread to be delivered to the needles of the needle holder. The yarn guide is also equipped with a guide portion 9 interposed between the rear and front ends.

The wire guide means also comprise a second lever 10 which is also rotatably mounted to the body of the device in such a way as to be able to rotate around a third axis of rotation Z. The second lever extends longitudinally between an operating end 11 and an end of guide 12. The guide portion 9 of the yarn guide 6 is configured to remain translatable and / or slidingly in contact with the guide end 12 of the second lever. In other words, the guide portion of the yarn guide and the guide end of the second lever are kept in contact with each other during operation and can slide over each other. This sliding takes place on respective contact surfaces and the contact point changes instantaneously during the movement of the yarn guide and of the second lever. In particular, at the point of contact, the guiding portion of the thread guide and the guiding end of the second lever translate with respect to each other, while overall the contact point follows a curvilinear trajectory determined by the rotation of the first lever. with respect to the body and / or from the rotation of the thread guide with respect to the first lever and / or from the rotation of the second lever with respect to the body of the device. Preferably, the wire guide is hung or suspended from the body of the device, that is, it is not directly linked to the body of the device but is movably mounted to it by means of the interposition of the first lever and the second lever. More in detail, the wire guide is pivoted in a first point (preferably its rear end) on the first lever, and is also kept, in a second point (preferably its front end), in contact with the second lever. The yarn guide means also comprise actuation means 13 positioned at least partially in the body 2 and capable of moving, in a controlled manner, at least the first lever 5 and the second lever 10 to position the yarn guide 6 in a plurality of operating positions (A, B , C, D, E, F, described in detail hereinafter) with respect to the body and with respect to the needle holder of the textile machine.

The actuation means 13 comprise a first actuator 14 active on the first lever 5 to cause a rotation thereof, around the first axis of rotation X and with an amplitude equal to a first angle of adjustable value, between an advanced position and a retracted position, at which correspond respectively to a displacement of the front end 8 of the thread guide away from the needle holder and a displacement of the front end of the thread guide towards the needle holder. Said moving towards and away preferably takes place according to a modality and / or a trajectory which can be defined by the conformation of the guiding portion of the yarn guide.

In other words, the first actuator acts on the first lever in such a way as to give the thread guide a radial back and forth movement with respect to the needle holder, between a radially rearward position with respect to the needle holder and a level close to the needle holder. € ™ needle holder.

Preferably, the actuation means 13 comprise a second actuator 15 active on the second lever to cause its rotation, around the third axis Z of rotation and with an amplitude equal to a second angle of adjustable value, between a first position and a second position, at the which correspond respectively to a displacement of the front end 8 of the thread guide being lifted with respect to the needle holder element, up to a first vertical level 101, and a displacement of the front end of the thread guide lowered with respect to the holder element - needles, up to a second vertical dimension 102 lower than the first vertical dimension.

Preferably, the thread guide means comprise elastic means positioned at least partially in the body and capable of elastically opposing the movement imposed on the first lever and / or on the second lever by the aforementioned actuation means.

Preferably, the elastic means comprise a first elastic element 17 having one end constrained to the body and the opposite end constrained to the yarn guide 6. This first elastic element causes a pull of the yarn guide towards the second lever 10 and maintains the guide portion 9 of the thread guide in contact with the guide end 12 of the second lever.

In addition, the first elastic element 17 preferably determines a pulling of the yarn guide, towards the first vertical dimension 101, such as to transmit (through the guide portion 9 of the yarn guide in contact with the guide end 12 of the second lever) a thrust on the second lever 10 towards its first position. Preferably the first elastic element is configured to oppose the action of at least the second actuator 15, keeping the second lever in the respective first position when the second actuator does not act on the second lever.

Preferably, the elastic means comprise a second elastic element 18 having one end constrained to the body and the opposite end constrained to the first lever 5. This second elastic element causes a pull of the first lever towards its rear position and contrasts the action of the first actuator 14, keeping the first lever in the rearward position when the first actuator does not act on the first lever 5.

Basically, the elastic means allow an â € œautomatic returnâ € of the lever they act on when the actuator acting on the same lever is deactivated. In other words, the elastic means work â € œin oppositionâ € with respect to the actuator acting on the same lever: when the actuator is active it overcomes the elastic force of the elastic means, while when it is inactive the elastic force is such as to return the lever to the position opposite to that determined by the activation of the actuator. In particular, the first elastic element is active on the yarn guide, and through it on the second lever, while the second elastic element is active on the first lever, and through the latter on the yarn guide.

Preferably, as shown by way of example in the figures, the first elastic element and / or the second elastic element consist of a helical spring having a certain elastic coefficient, such as not to stop the movement of the lever when the actuator acting on it is active. and at the same time able to guarantee the â € œreturnâ € of the lever when the actuator is deactivated.

Preferably, as can be seen in particular in Figures 9a-9f, the yarn guide means are characterized by the fact that the first lever 5, the second lever 10 and the yarn guide 6 collectively form a kinematic structure in an "articulated square" configured to position selective, the front end of the thread guide in the aforementioned plurality of operating positions.

This quadrilateral is kinematically defined by a first fixed hinge, corresponding to the point at which the first lever 5 is rotatably mounted to the body 2, a second movable hinge, corresponding to the point in which the yarn guide 6 is rotatably mounted to the first lever, a carriage constraint at the point of contact between the guide portion 9 of the yarn guide and the guide end 12 of the second lever, and a third fixed hinge, corresponding to the point at which the second lever 10 is rotatably mounted to the body 2 Preferably (as exemplarily shown in the figures), the first fixed hinge and the third fixed hinge can coincide in a single point, i.e. the first lever and the second lever can be rotatably mounted at the same point of the body 2, in which case the first and third axis of rotation X and Z coincide. The first fixed hinge and the third fixed hinge are both kinematically constrained â € œto the groundâ €, i.e. they allow the rotation of the first lever and the second lever respectively but are fixed with respect to the body of the device (the first axis of rotation X and the third axis rotation Z are fixed with respect to the body 2). From a kinematic point of view, the line that joins the first fixed hinge to the third fixed hinge (which is reduced to a point if the first lever and the second lever are rotatably mounted to the body in the same point, i.e. they have their respective axes of coinciding rotation) represents the fixed frame of the articulated quadrilateral.

Preferably, the actuation means comprise a third actuator 19 active on the second lever 10 to cause a further rotation thereof, around the third axis of rotation Z and with an amplitude equal to a third angle of adjustable value, between the aforementioned first or second position and a third position, in which said further rotation of the second lever, to move to said third position, corresponds to a displacement of the front end 8 of the thread guide in lowering with respect to the needle holder, up to a third lower vertical dimension 103 at the second vertical level 102. In substance, the activation of the third actuator 19 allows the guide end of the second lever to be rotated downwards, bringing it to said third position. The passage of the second lever into the third position can take place either starting from the first position or starting from the second position: in the first case the third actuator moves the second lever - in lowering - from the first level directly to the third vertical level, while in the second case the third actuator moves the second lever - lowering - from the second level to the third vertical level.

Note that the third actuator allows the second lever to be brought into said third position (which corresponds to a positioning of the front end of the yarn guide at the third vertical dimension 103) without having previously activated the second actuator: in other words, the second and third actuators act independently on the second lever, so that the latter can be positioned as required in its first, second or third position.

Preferably the first actuator 14, the second actuator 15 and / or the third actuator 19 each comprise a respective piston, preferably pneumatic (or fluid-dynamic): each piston can be selectively moved at least between an inactive configuration, in which it does not interact with the respective lever or yarn guide, and an active configuration, in which it is active on the respective lever or yarn guide and exerts a thrust having a certain amount on the respective lever or yarn guide. Typically each piston has a respective rod, which comes out when the piston is activated and re-enters (or stays inside a cylinder) when the piston is deactivated.

Preferably the body 2 is equipped with at least one housing seat 3 configured to movably house, at least partially, said wire guide means 4 in said body 2. Preferably the first lever 5 and / or the second lever 10 are rotatably mounted to the body at the Inside of this seat 3. Preferably the front end 8 of the thread guide protrudes and emerges from the seat in the direction of the needle holder. Preferably, the actuation means are positioned inside the seat.

Basically, the thread guide of the present invention is characterized by the fact that it can move, with respect to the needle holder (for example a cylinder of a circular textile machine), both radially (approaching and moving away from the needle holder needles) and vertically (rising and lowering with respect to the needles of the needle holder organ). This type of thread guide is known in the sector as an “oscillating thread guide”, precisely because - in addition to the traditional vertical movement - it is able to move towards and back with respect to the needle holder.

The first actuator is precisely the actuation means that allows this radial movement of the yarn guide (i.e. to bring the yarn guide `` out '' and `` in '' from the body of the device, or respectively towards and away from said organ. needle holder), while the second actuator allows a first vertical movement of the thread guide (between first level 101 and second level 102). Overall, the presence of two actuators therefore makes it possible to define four different operating positions for the yarn guide, shown in figures 9a-9d: the first position A (fig.9a) corresponds to the retracted yarn guide and the first position, the second position B (fig. 9b) corresponds to the advanced yarn guide and the first position, the third position C (fig.9c) corresponds to the backward yarn guide and the second position, the fourth position D (fig.9d) corresponds to the advanced yarn guide and the second position.

The addition of the third actuator 19, also active (like the second actuator 15) on the second lever 10, allows to introduce a further lowering of the yarn guide from the second 102 to the third level 103. This third actuator, in combination with the first actuator 14 introduces two further operating positions for the yarn guide, shown in figures 9e-9f: the fifth position E (fig.

9e) corresponds to the back thread guide and to the third dimension, the sixth position F (fig.

9f) corresponds to the advanced yarn guide and the third quota.

Basically, the first actuator - managing the radial movement - allows the yarn guide to pass between positions A and B, between positions C and D and between positions E and F; the second actuator - managing a first vertical movement - allows the yarn guide to pass between positions A and C and between positions B and D; the third actuator - managing a further vertical movement - allows the yarn guide to pass between positions C (or A) and E and between positions D (or B) and F. Using three different independent actuators, it is possible to obtain six distinct operating positions . We analyze the operating positions in more detail below.

The first operating position is obtained by activating the first actuator and deactivating the second actuator (and the third actuator, if present): in this position the front end of the yarn guide is positioned in a first point (A) in which the yarn guide is prepared for the lowering towards the second level 102 and the third level 103.

The second operating position is obtained by deactivating the first and second actuators (and the third actuator, if present): in this position the front end of the yarn guide is positioned in a second point (B) where it is excluded the possibility of gripping the thread by the needles of the textile machine, or the thread, previously delivered to the machine needles, is brought behind the head of the needles, to allow the interruption of its feeding to the needles.

The third operating position is obtained by activating the first and second actuators (and deactivating the third actuator, if present): in this position the front end of the yarn guide is positioned in a third point (C) where it is the thread is allowed to be gripped by all the needles of the textile machine, which are then processed at the desired feed.

The fourth operating position is obtained by deactivating the first actuator and activating the second actuator (and deactivating the third actuator, if present): in this position the front end of the yarn guide is positioned in a fourth point (D) in which The thread is only allowed to be gripped with needles of the textile machine which are raised to a greater extent than other needles, which are instead raised to a lesser extent and therefore do not take the thread.

The fifth operating position is obtained by activating the first and third actuators, and preferably deactivating the second actuator: in this position the front end of the yarn guide is positioned in a fifth point (E) where gripping is allowed. of the thread to all the needles of the textile machine which are processed at the feed in question.

The sixth operating position is obtained by deactivating the first actuator and activating the third actuator, and preferably deactivating the second actuator: in this position the front end of the yarn guide is positioned in a sixth point (F) where it is allowed the gripping of the thread only by needles of the textile machine which are raised to a lesser extent, while the gripping of the thread by the needles that are raised to a greater extent is excluded as the dispensed thread is positioned below their tongue.

Preferably, the activation of the third actuator, to work between positions E and F, does not require the simultaneous activation of the second actuator as well. They work on distinct portions of the second lever, and each of them gives the lever its respective rotation independently and for an angle sufficient to reach the respective vertical height.

From a kinematic point of view, the actuators impart particular rotational movements to the first and second lever, which transmit this motion in a controlled manner to the yarn guide, which is therefore subjected to roto-translations that position it in the aforementioned operating positions A-F. The movement of levers and thread guides can be seen from the sequence of figures 9a-9f and is shown below. Preferably, the activation of the first actuator determines the forward rotation of the upper end of the first lever and the consequent backward rotation of the lower end, causing the front end of the thread guide to move backwards with respect to the needles of the ™ needle holder of the textile machine. Preferably, the deactivation of the first actuator determines the backward rotation of the upper end of the first lever and the consequent forward rotation of the lower end, causing an advancement of the front end of the thread guide towards the needles of the needle holder of the textile machine.

Preferably, the deactivation of the second actuator determines the downward rotation of the actuating end of the second lever, or the backward rotation of the third lever acting on the actuating end of the second lever, and the consequent rotation towards the Top of the guide end of the second lever, causing the front end of the thread guide to rise with respect to the needles of the needle holder of the weaving machine.

Preferably, the activation of the second actuator determines the upward rotation of the actuating end of the second lever, or the forward rotation of the third lever acting on the actuating end of the second lever, and the consequent rotation towards the bottom of the guide end of the second lever, causing a lowering of the front end of the thread guide with respect to the needles of the needle holder of the textile machine, from said first vertical dimension to said second vertical dimension.

Preferably, the deactivation of the third actuator does not affect the position assumed by the second lever, which remains with its guide end raised or lowered respectively with the second actuator deactivated or activated.

Preferably, the activation of the third actuator determines the upward rotation of the actuating end of the second lever and a consequent further downward rotation (with respect to the downward rotation imparted by the second actuator) of the end. guide of the second lever, causing a further lowering of the front end of the thread guide with respect to the needles of the needle holder of the textile machine, from said first or second vertical dimension up to said third vertical dimension.

Basically, the activation of the third actuator causes an upward rotation of the actuating end of the second lever greater than the respective upward rotation imparted by the second actuator, and therefore a downward rotation of the second actuator. Guide end of the second lever greater than the respective downward rotation imparted by the second actuator, thus determining a further lowering of the front end of the thread guide with respect to the needles of the needle holder of the textile machine, beyond said second level and in said third vertical dimension.

On the basis of the configuration of the drive means and of the elastic means, it is possible to summarize the correlation between the state of the actuators and the position of the yarn guide by means of the following table:

First actuator Second actuator Third actuator Position A Active Inactive Inactive Position B Inactive Inactive Inactive Position C Active Active Inactive Position D Inactive Active Inactive Position E Active Inactive Active Position F Inactive Inactive Active The three actuators are controlled and operate independently of one on the other hand: this means that it is possible to move the front end of the thread guide as desired either between the three vertical dimensions 101, 102 and 103, or towards or away from the needle holder: in other words, the six positions A, B, C, D, E and F can be selected and reached by switching between them as desired, selecting the correct activation / deactivation combination of the actuators. This without the need for the passage between `` distant '' points, or points having different vertical or radial heights, requiring a transit through `` intermediate '' points, for example having intermediate vertical heights or near or far from the needle holder. .

In particular, it is possible to switch between the three vertical heights 101 and 103 without the need to activate or deactivate the second actuator (but by acting directly with the third actuator), and the radial movement between points A, C, E and points B, D and F can be selected regardless of the starting point and the end point (acting directly on the first actuator).

It should be noted that the yarn guide means of the present invention are preferably configured in such a way that when the three actuators are all deactivated, the yarn guide automatically moves, by effect of the elastic means, to position B. This is advantageous, since the position B is the normal working position of the thread guide, maintained more frequently than the other positions during machine operation. In this way, this position does not require energy expenditure (as there are no actuators activated), reducing the wear of the actuators and limiting the stresses in the structure of the device.

Preferably, as in the embodiment shown in the figures, the actuation means are active only on the first lever and on said second lever, and do not interact directly with the yarn guide.

Preferably, the first axis of rotation X is oriented substantially parallel to the tangent to the motion trajectory of the needle holder with respect to the body. For example, if the needle holder is a cylinder, it rotates around a vertical axis and its needles move with a substantially horizontal tangential speed; the axis of rotation X - with the device mounted - is also horizontal.

Preferably, the second axis of rotation Y (between the first lever and the yarn guide) is substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation and distinct from it.

Preferably, the third axis of rotation Z coincides with the first axis of rotation X, ie the first lever 5 and the second lever 10 are pivoted to the same point of the body.

Preferably the body comprises a pin 16 arranged transversely to a longitudinal extension of the body itself, said first lever and / or said second lever being rotatably pivoted to said pin. Preferably, the pin 16 extends along an axis, substantially horizontal, coinciding with the first axis of rotation X and / or with the third axis of rotation Z. Basically, the pin 16 constitutes the fixed element of the body to which they can be independently constrained the levers of the thread guide means, in such a way that each of them can rotate with respect to its own rotation axis. The pin allows the rotation of the levers pivoted to it and prevents any translation of the levers. On the contrary, the yarn guide is associated with the first and second lever in such a way as to be able to perform roto-translations, but preferably it is not bound to the body of the device.

Preferably, the first lever 5 and the second lever 10 are not constrained to each other (although they are pivoted in the same point of the body or to the same fixed pin of the body), i.e. they perform their respective rotational movements independently of each other .

Preferably the thread guide 6 is pivotally hinged to the first lever 5 at its rear end 7. Preferably, the first lever 5 extends longitudinally between a lower end 5a and an upper end 5b and comprises a central portion 5c, intermediate between said ends. lower and upper, at which it is mounted to the body (or body pin).

Preferably the thread guide 6, in particular its rear end 7, is rotatably hinged to the lower end 5a of the first lever 5.

Preferably the yarn guide 6 and the first lever 5, in particular the rear end 7 of the yarn guide and the lower end 5a of the first lever, provide a cylindrical joint or joint 20 which allows relative rotation between the yarn guide and the first lever at least around to the second axis of rotation Y. The joint 20 represents the aforementioned second movable hinge of the quadrilateral formed by levers and yarn guides.

Preferably the cylindrical joint 20 comprises a protrusion 21 having a conformation, in a section perpendicular to the second axis Y, at least partially circular, and comprises a recess 22 which is counter-shaped to the protrusion and configured to house the protrusion in such a way as to allow it to rotate when inside of the groove. Preferably the protrusion 21 emerges from the first lever and the recess 22 is obtained in the yarn guide, or alternatively the protrusion emerges from the yarn guide and the recess is obtained in the first lever. Preferably the protrusion 21 is integral or in a single piece with the first lever (or respectively with the recess if the protrusion and recess are inverted). Preferably, in an embodiment not shown, the joint can allow a relative rotation between the yarn guide and the first lever also according to axes different from the second rotation axis and rotated by an angle between 0 ° and 20 ° with respect to the second rotation axis. In this case the cylindrical joint becomes a spherical (or partially spherical) joint.

Preferably, the first lever and / or the second lever and / or the yarn guide have a substantially plate-like configuration. Preferably the thread guide 6 has a prevalent longitudinal dimension, from the rear end 7 to the front end 8, and is arranged vertically inside the seat (or in general of the body) of the device (i.e. parallel to the needles of the device ™ needle holder).

Preferably the yarn guide has a back 6a in correspondence with a thickness thereof, said thickness developing orthogonally to the longitudinal extension of the yarn guide. The back is preferably located in an upper position in the thread guide. Preferably, the guiding portion 9 of the thread guide is defined on said back 6a of the thread guide and comprises a portion of an upper surface of the thread guide which extends in the direction of the longitudinal development of the thread guide. Preferably, the upper surface portion which defines the guide portion extends on planes substantially parallel to the second axis of rotation of the yarn guide with respect to the first lever.

Preferably, the guide end 12 of the second lever 10 comprises a bearing or roller 23 configured to allow and / or facilitate the sliding of the guide portion 9 of the yarn guide with respect to the guide end 12 of the second lever.

Preferably the back of the yarn guide, in particular the guide portion 9 on the back of the yarn guide, is kept pressed, with a determined force, on the guide end 12 of the second lever by means of the first elastic element 17, which prevents the detachment of the thread guide from the second lever. Such detachment would typically occur due to gravity (due to the way the yarn guide and levers are positioned).

Preferably, the guide portion 9 of the thread guide 6 forms a flat cam associated with the guide end 12 of the second lever 10; the guide end performs the function of follower in relation to this plane cam. The profile of the guide portion determines the trajectory followed by the front end of the yarn guide following the rotation imposed on the yarn guide by the first lever and / or following the rotation imposed on the yarn guide by the second lever. The guide portion thus shaped allows to obtain a radial movement of the thread guide (towards and away from the needle holder) substantially rectilinear and orthogonal to the orientation of the needles. In the absence of this guide portion, which cooperates with the guide end of the second lever, the yarn guide would perform curvilinear movements due to the thrust received by the first and second lever, determined by the geometry of the rotation axes between the levers and the yarn guide. Consequently, the movement of the thread guide and the positioning in the operating positions A-F would be inaccurate and / or subject to vibrations.

According to an alternative description, the thread guide comprises a â € œfinâ € emerging from the top of the thread guide itself and extending along a longitudinal portion of the thread guide, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the thread guide (see, for example, Figures 10 and 11). Preferably the back of the wire guide is made on this fin and / or coincides with an upper surface of the fin. Preferably the guide portion is defined on the fin, more preferably it is defined on an upper surface of the fin. Preferably the upper surface of the fin extends on planes substantially parallel to one or more of said first, second and third rotation axes.

When the device is mounted, the fin is kept pressed at the top, with a determined force, on the guide end of the second lever, preferably by means of the aforementioned first elastic element.

In a possible embodiment, the second lever 10 comprises, between the actuation end 11 and the guide end 12, a through notch in which the first lever 5 is inserted, this notch realizing a fork mounting of the first lever on the second lever. The fork mounting is especially advantageous with the first X axis and the third Z axis coinciding (as in the case shown in the figure).

Preferably the first actuator 14 is arranged in the seat (or in general in the body) in such a way as to interact with the upper end 5b of the first lever 5, or with a point proximal to this upper end, or in general with a point interposed between the central portion 5c (where the first lever is pivoted) and the upper end 5b of the first lever. In this way, a clockwise rotation of the upper end of the first lever corresponds to a counterclockwise rotation of the lower end, and vice versa.

Preferably the second actuator 15 is arranged in the seat (or in general in the body) in such a way as to interact with the actuation end 11 of the second lever 10, or with a point proximal to this actuation end, or with a point interposed between a central portion, in correspondence with which the second lever is mounted to the body, and the actuating end 11. In this way, a clockwise rotation of the actuating end of the second lever corresponds to a rotation counterclockwise of the guide end, and vice versa. It should be noted that the second lever, described in the present invention, is hinged in the center and has the guide end advanced towards the needle holder and in contact with the thread guide: this configuration allows to have a support and a guide for the oscillating yarn guide.

Preferably the first elastic element 17 is constrained to the yarn guide 6 in correspondence with a point of the yarn guide interposed between the guide portion 9 and the front end 8. At this point the yarn guide can have, for example, a hook for attaching the first elastic element.

Preferably the second elastic element 18 is constrained to the first lever 5 at the upper end 5b of the first lever, or to a point proximal to this upper end, or to a point interposed between the central portion 5c and the upper end of the first lever.

In a possible embodiment, as shown by way of example in the figures, the thread guide means 4 can also comprise a third lever 30 rotatably mounted to said body of the device in such a way as to be able to rotate around a fourth axis of rotation W, preferably parallel to the first axis. of rotation. The third lever comprises an actuation portion 31 and a thrust portion 32, where the thrust portion interacts with the operating end of the second lever 10 to determine the rotation of the second lever about the third axis of rotation between said first position and said second position.

Preferably the second actuator 15 is arranged in the body (or in the seat) in such a way as to interact with the actuating end 31 of the second lever, preferably (as in the figures) in a separate point from that on which the third actuator acts 19 on the second lever 10, or is arranged in the body in such a way as to interact with the thrust portion of the third lever.

Note that the third lever is optional: it is possible to act both with the second actuator and with the third actuator directly on the second lever 10, for example in two distinct points of the actuation end 11 of the second lever or on others portions.

Preferably the wire guide means 4 comprise a first limit switch 91 housed in said body (or in said seat) and able to stop the rotation of the first lever 5 determined by the activation of the first actuator 14. The first limit switch therefore defines the amplitude of the clockwise rotation of the first lever. The first limit switch can be an adjustable grain, in such a way as to select the angular amplitude of the rotation of the first lever.

Preferably the wire guide means 4 comprise a second limit switch 92 housed in said body (or in said seat) and adapted to stop the rotation of the second lever 10, or the rotation of the third lever acting on the operating end of the second lever, determined by the activation of the second actuator 15. In the figures there is the third lever, on which the second actuator acts, therefore the second limit switch is positioned to stop the rotation of the third lever; alternatively, the second limit switch could directly stop the operating end of the second lever, if the yarn guide only had four operating positions (A, B, C, D). The second limit switch therefore defines the amplitude of the clockwise rotation of the second lever between its first and second position. The second limit switch 92 can be an adjustable grain, in such a way as to select the angular amplitude of the first rotation of the second lever.

Preferably the wire guide means 4 comprise a third limit switch 93 housed in said body (or in said seat) and able to stop the further rotation of the second lever 10 determined by the activation of the third actuator 19. The third limit switch therefore defines the amplitude of the further clockwise rotation of the second lever between its second and third position. The third limit switch 93 can be an adjustable grain, in such a way as to select the angular amplitude of the further rotation of the second lever.

The adjustment of the first and / or the second and / or the third limit switch allows you to precisely define the points A-F reached by the front end 8 of the yarn guide, with particular reference to the respective first quota 101, second quota 102 and third quota 103 associated with each point.

Preferably (see in particular figures 9a-9f) the thread guide 6 comprises a foot 55 intended to cooperate with a stop 57 of the device to stop the radial advancement of the thread guide itself, approaching the needle holder, in the its motion towards the fourth position D and / or towards the sixth position F, thus defining the respective radial distance of the front end 8 from the needle holder in this fourth position D and / or sixth position F. Preferably the foot 55 is positioned below the thread guide, for example in one piece with it, and in an intermediate position between the rear end and the front end, for example below the guide portion 9 of the thread guide.

The foot 55 of the thread guide 6 can comprise a front surface 56, intended to come into contact with the aforesaid stop 57 and to cause the radial motion of the thread guide to stop towards the needle holder. Preferably the front surface of the foot is shaped or profiled in such a way that, when the foot 55 is in contact with the stop 57, a vertical movement of the thread guide causes a push by the stop on the front surface of the foot, this thrust causing a radial displacement of the foot and of the entire thread guide according to a trajectory that is a function of the shaping or profiling of the anterior surface of the foot.

In other words, the front surface 56 of the foot 55 realizes a cam profile cooperating with the aforementioned stop 57, and a vertical motion of the foot of the thread guide on the stop determines a radial movement of the entire thread guide with respect to the stop and a consequent retraction or radial advancement of the anterior end of the thread guide with respect to the needle holder.

The presence of the foot 55 of the thread guide, and its specific profiling, allow to carry out an automatic retraction of the thread guide during certain movements of the same. In particular, consider that when the thread guide is in the sixth position F and is moved to another operating position, the front end of the thread guide itself can interfere with one or more needles of the textile machine, due to vertical lifting. of the thread guide. The foot of the thread guide, with its profiling, advantageously allows the introduction of an automatic radial retraction of the thread guide during its ascent, which allows the thread guide to be moved slightly away from the needle holder (returning to the seat of the device body), avoiding impact or interference with the needles.

The stop 57 is preferably associated with the body in front of the seat which houses the thread guide and in an intermediate position between the seat and the needle holder. The stop can be a separate element that can be associated with the body of the device or it can be made in one piece with it. In any case, the stop, if present, constitutes a part of the body of the device or of the seat housing the thread guide.

In figures 9d and 9f it is possible to observe the cooperation between the foot 55 of the thread guide and the stop 57 of the body of the device, respectively with the thread guide in the fourth position D and in the sixth position F.

The front end 8 of the yarn guide 6, as described above, is intended to cooperate with one or more needles of the weaving machine and is equipped with at least one yarn dispensing element 60 removably associated with the yarn guide and defining the aforementioned passage 61 for a thread to be delivered to the needles of the needle holder. A dispensing element 60 according to the present invention will be described in detail below.

As shown by way of example in Figures 1-8, the body 2 of the device can comprise a plurality of the aforementioned seats 3, distinct from each other, each configured to movably house respective wire guide means inside the body. Each of said respective thread guide means comprises at least one respective thread guide and respective actuation means configured to position the respective thread guide in a plurality of operating positions with respect to its seat and with respect to the needle-holder member of the textile machine. In other words, a single device 1 can contain several yarn guides inside it, each moved by respective control levers and by actuation means dedicated to it. For this purpose, the body can comprise several seats, each of which is dedicated to a single yarn guide (and its yarn guide means and actuation means).

Figures 1-8 show an exemplary embodiment of a device 1 which comprises a plurality of yarn guides, among which are identified: three `` oscillating '' yarn guides, object of the present invention and described above, three yarn guides of â € œnot swingingâ € type and two lateral yarn guides, also of the â € œnot swingingâ € type. The three oscillating yarn guides can each have two or three actuators, ie they can operate between four positions (A-D) or between six positions (A-F). The five â € œnot swingingâ € yarn guides are not further described as they are known in the field. By `` non-oscillating '' yarn guide we mean a yarn guide that does not make a radial movement towards and away from the needle holder, but only a movement between two or more vertical dimensions, or a yarn guide that - in the passage between two vertical dimensions - the radial position may vary (typically approaching the needle holder), but does not require a selective and controlled radial movement between two points having substantially the same vertical dimension.

The number of oscillating and non-oscillating yarn guides can vary according to the textile requirements; both an oscillating yarn guide and a non-oscillating yarn guide can be mounted and, if necessary, replaced in the same seat of the device.

The structure of the body of the device is described below in greater detail, in accordance with the present invention.

As illustrated above, the body 2 of the device is equipped with at least one housing seat configured to move the wire guide means into the body: this seat is shaped in such a way as to guide the movement of the wire guide means, in particular to guide the movement of the wire guide means. yarn guide 6 in its movement between the plurality of operating positions (A-F), and in such a way as to ensure the maintenance of each operating position assumed by the yarn guide during processing of the textile machine.

The body 2 extends longitudinally between a rear side 41, intended to house control means 35, for example solenoid valves 36, configured to control the actuation means 13, and a front side 42, facing the needle holder of the textile machine.

As can be seen in particular in Figures 6 and 7, the seat extends longitudinally at least along a portion of the body from the rear side 41 to the front side 42 and is open on this front side.

Preferably, the seat extends into the body leaving a free space 50, in particular in a central portion of its longitudinal or vertical extension, in correspondence with the fulcrum of the first lever and where the second lever extends. Preferably, the seat does not extend into a central portion of the body in which the aforementioned pin 16 is housed in a fixed position.

Preferably the seat defines an operating plane P on which the yarn guide means lie and / or are movable in the seat; this operating plane P has a development substantially parallel to the orientation of the needles of the needle holder. The longitudinal development of the seat lies on the aforementioned operational level.

Preferably, the operating plane of the seat is such as to be substantially aligned with the needles of the textile machine when the device is mounted.

Preferably, the seat is individually dedicated to movably housing a single yarn guide.

As shown by way of example in Figures 1-9, the seat 3 has the shape of a notch, or groove, made in the body of the device, and comprises two facing side walls 43 and 44, preferably parallel to each other, configured to slidably house the wire guide means.

Preferably, the two side walls are substantially identical to each other and each have a respective lower portion. The two lower portions face each other and are shaped to guide the movement of the wire guide 6 from the sides, parallel to the walls themselves, during its movement between the different operating positions, containing it laterally inside the seat.

Preferably, the distance between the side walls of the seat is substantially equal to a thickness of the yarn guide, orthogonal to its longitudinal development, so that the yarn guide, in its movement between the operating positions, in particular towards and away from said needle holder member, moves substantially in contact with the side walls 43 and 44 of the seat 3, and parallel to these walls, avoiding lateral or transverse oscillations with respect to the walls of the thread guide.

As shown by way of example in the figures (and visible in particular in figure 10), the yarn guide can be made in two distinct and integral portions, which form the entire yarn guide 6 between its rear end 7 and its front end 8. A first portion 51 extends between the rear end and a central portion of the yarn guide and has a first thickness (orthogonal to its longitudinal development). Optionally, the first portion 51 of the yarn guide can comprise a hook-like protuberance to which the lower end of the first elastic element is hooked or mounted.

The yarn guide may further comprise a second portion 52 stably mounted to said first portion and extending between a central portion of the yarn guide and the front end 8; the second portion has a second thickness (orthogonal to its longitudinal extension), preferably greater than the first thickness of the first portion. Preferably, the second portion 52 partially wraps, in correspondence with the central portion of the yarn guide, the first portion 51. The second portion 52 preferably has the aforementioned back 6a of the yarn guide (i.e. the aforementioned â € œfinâ € of the thread guide) and the aforementioned guide portion 9.

Preferably, the aforementioned distance between the side walls 43 and 44 of the seat 3 is substantially equal to said first thickness, i.e. to the thickness of the first portion 51 of the yarn guide 6.

Preferably the seat, in particular the distance between the side walls 43 and 44 of the seat 3, is dimensioned in such a way that said wire guide 6, movably inserted inside the seat, is laterally separated from the side walls, in particular by at least a portion of them, of a space or gap of at least 1 hundredth of a millimeter and / or at least 5 hundredths of a millimeter and / or at least 1 tenth of a millimeter and / or at least 2 tenths of a millimeter and / or at least 5 tenths of a millimeter millimeter and / or at least 1 millimeter with respect to each wall.

Preferably the seat 3 is configured to guide the movement of the yarn guide 6 from the inside of the body, in particular along said operative plane P.

Preferably the seat 3 is configured to guide the movement of the yarn guide by means of a lateral containment, through the two side walls 43 and 44 facing each other, at least of the rear end 7 of the yarn guide.

Preferably the seat 3 is configured to guide the movement of the yarn guide from the sides without interacting with its front end 8.

Preferably the seat 3 is configured to guide the movement of the yarn guide from the inside of the body by means of a lateral containment, through the two lateral walls 43 and 44, of a fraction of its longitudinal extension, from the rear end 7, of at least 10% and / or at least 20% and / or at least 30% and / or at least 40% and / or at least 50% and / or at least 60% and / or at least 80% of its extension longitudinal.

Preferably the fraction of longitudinal extension of the yarn guide guided by the seat is continuous and without interruptions.

Preferably the seat 3 is configured to guide the movement of the first lever from the sides, in particular at least of the upper end and / or the lower end of the first lever. Preferably, the upper portions of the two walls of the seat contain and guide the upper end 5b of the first lever from the sides, and / or the lower portions of the two walls of the seat contain and guide the lower end 5b of the first lever from the sides.

Preferably the seat does not guide or does not contain from the sides the movement of the second lever, which is positioned in correspondence with the free space of the seat.

Preferably, the guide end 12 of the second lever 10 comprises a respective fork configured to slidably house, at least partially, said guide portion 9 of the yarn guide, in such a way as to guide its motion from the sides in contact with the guide end of the second lever, and avoid lateral oscillations of the guide portion.

The fork of the guide end 12 allows to keep the motion of the wire guide, inside the seat, aligned with the operating plane of the seat itself.

The fork of the guide end of the second lever comprises a notch, within which the guide portion of the wire guide is slidably inserted, and two guide walls between which said notch is interposed, said guide walls containing the two the yarn guide and being preferably vertically aligned with said two walls of the seat of the body housing the yarn guide. The fork of the guide end 12 of the second lever provides an upper guide for the yarn guide, which completes the guide function performed below by the lower portions of the two side walls of the seat. Overall, the seat and the fork of the second lever guide the yarn guide with precision - both above and below - and avoid any oscillatory movement (in particular lateral) of the yarn guide itself both dynamically, during the movements of the yarn guide, and statically, in each of the aforementioned positions operational assumed by the yarn guide.

Preferably, the side walls 43 and 44 each have a respective upper portion. These upper portions face each other and are configured to guide the movement of the first thread guide lever from the sides, or at least of the upper end 5b of the first lever, inside the seat, avoiding lateral or transverse oscillations with respect to the walls, of the first lever. As visible in figures 8a and 9a-9f, the first lever has its upper 5b and lower 5a ends laterally surrounded by the upper portions of the seat walls, while it is free (i.e. not flanked laterally by the seat) in correspondence with the central portion 5c , where it is pivoted to the body (in particular it is pivoted on the second lever by means of a fork assembly, and together with it it is mounted to the body 2). Preferably each of the side walls 43 and 44 has its respective upper portion vertically aligned with the respective lower portion.

As described above, the body can advantageously comprise a plurality of seats, distinct from each other and each configured to guide respective thread guide means.

Preferably, the seats of the body of the device have respective longitudinal developments parallel to each other, that is, they define respective operating planes parallel to each other and parallel to the orientation of the needles of the needle holder. Preferably the respective first lever and second lever of several yarn guides of the device (preferably the levers of all the yarn guides present) are pivoted to the aforementioned pin 16 of the body 2.

As can be seen in the figures, the body is advantageously arranged with seats of the type described above even where there are non-oscillating yarn guides, which in themselves would not need to be guided laterally since they do not perform roto-translational and radial movements (not go back and forth). This allows, if it is necessary to replace non-oscillating yarn guides with oscillating yarn guides (in one or more positions), to already have shaped seats to guide the oscillating yarn guides laterally, with considerable advantages in terms of performance and stability. The seats according to the present invention are configured to guide laterally any type of oscillating wire guide, both of known types and of the "quadrilateral" type object of the present invention.

It should be noted that, in the context of this description and claims, the term `` seat '' is used to identify, first of all, essentially a `` logical '' concept within the device: the term `` seat '' generally identifies the body portion of the device intended for a single yarn guide and its respective actuation means, which control its movement. Depending on the embodiment, the technical characteristic of the `` seat '' is enriched with structural characteristics, such as the walls, which define how the seat interacts with the wire guide means, and in particular with the wire guide, guiding its movement with respect to the body of the device . An important aspect resides in the definition of a plurality of â € œseatsâ € inside the body 2, each independently associated with its own yarn guide. In the embodiment shown as an example in the figures, each of the seats is clearly intended for respective yarn guide means (and therefore for a single yarn guide): however, there may be areas of the â € œseatâ € open and communicating with the adjacent seats: this is the case of the free space 50 of each seat (vertically interposed between the respective upper portion and the respective lower portion and in correspondence with which the seat does not interact with the wire guide means): the free spaces of the different seats are communicating with each other to form a free space as a whole (inside the body) crossing all the seats transversely. This demonstrates that the seats may not be completely circumscribed or spatially defined, but are defined by the respective wire guide means with which they cooperate, and in particular by their own wire guide which are responsible for guiding its movement between said plurality of operating positions.

Preferably the aforesaid body of the device is made in a single piece, at least in its part comprising the aforesaid seats (i.e. all the seats are formed in a single piece of the body). Alternatively, the body of the device can be made by assembling several parts, in order to facilitate the assembly operations of the device components. For example, the body can comprise a main block, which includes at least the lower portions of the pairs of walls of each seat of the device body and / or the aforementioned free space, and an upper plate, which includes the upper portions of the pairs of walls of each seat and can be mounted on the main block, so as to complete each of the seats.

Figures 1-8 show the command and control part of the device 1 of the present invention. The control means 35 of the device comprise a plurality of solenoid valves 36, which control the actuators of the actuation means acting on levers and thread guides, and an electronic card 37 which interfaces the device with a central unit of the textile machine (not shown) . The electronic board can receive instructions relating to device management from the central unit of the textile machine.

The electronic card 37 can comprise a connection port 39 (for example a network port or a field bus port) configured to allow the connection of the device 1 to the central unit of the textile machine. The device can also comprise a casing 38 housing the electronic card.

A further object of the present invention, independent from the previous ones, is described below, namely a dispensing element 60 (or, in jargon, â € œtubeâ €) for yarn guides for textile machines. An exemplary embodiment of such a dispensing element is shown in figures 10, 11 and 12.

The yarn dispensing element 60 is generally intended to be mounted at the front end of a yarn guide, for example at the front end 8 of the yarn guide 6 of the present invention, but is also suitable for use with yarn guides of known type: regardless of the type of thread guide, the dispensing element defines inside it the aforementioned passage 61 for a thread for feeding the needles of a textile machine.

The dispensing element 60 comprises a body 62 having a mounting portion 63, intended to be removably mounted to a front end of a thread guide, and an operating portion 64, intended to be directed towards the needles of the holder. textile machine needles.

The peculiarity of the dispensing element of the present invention lies in the fact that the mounting portion 63 allows the assembly of the entire dispensing element to the yarn guide according to a determined discrete number of configurations with respect to the yarn guide, to which the same discrete number correspond of positions assumed by the operative portion of the dispensing element with respect to the needles of the needle holder. The dispensing element can be selectively mounted to the wire guide only in a configuration chosen from this given discrete number of configurations. The mounting portion 63 is also intended to be inserted into a mounting seat 70 of the wire guide which is counter-shaped to the mounting portion, in such a way that the mounting portion of the element is at least partially enveloped by the mounting seat of the wire guide. In the figures, the mounting seat 70 surrounds the mounting portion 63 circumferentially.

Preferably, the assembly seat 70 consists of a through hole 71 which crosses the front end 8 of the wire guide 6.

Preferably, the assembly portion 63 allows the assembly of the dispensing element 60 by axial insertion in the assembly seat of the thread guide.

Preferably the dispensing element 60 has an elongated conformation and extends longitudinally between a rear end 65, from which the mounting portion 63 extends, and a front end 66, at which the operating portion ends 64.

The body 62 of the dispensing element is equipped with a longitudinal hole 67 passing through the entire body from the rear end 65, or in general from the mounting portion 63, to the front end 66, or in general to the operative portion 64: this hole is slidably crossed by a feeding thread for the needles of the weaving machine. The longitudinal hole 67 defines and realizes the aforementioned passage 61 for the feeding wire.

Preferably, the mounting portion 63 extends along a longitudinal axis 63a and has a section 69, preferably constant, not circular and capable of preventing rotation of the mounting portion itself inside the seat, in particular with respect to a rotation axis parallel to, or coincident with, the aforementioned longitudinal axis of the mounting portion.

Preferably, the section 69 of the mounting portion is configured to allow insertion into the seat only according to the aforementioned discrete number of configurations. This section is polygonal or elliptical or composed of curvilinear sections interspersed with rectilinear sections. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the section is composed of two vertical straight sections (having the same extension) connected at the top and bottom by two substantially semi-circular sections. In general, the assembly portion has a section such as to make a shape interference with the counter-shaped seat of the thread guide, in such a way as to prevent rotation of the dispensing element with respect to the thread guide seat.

Preferably each of the positions of the aforementioned discrete number of positions assumed by the operating portion of the dispensing element with respect to the needles of the needle holder is characterized by a respective distance from the needles of the machine and by a respective orientation assumed with respect to the needles of the textile machine.

Preferably, as in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the aforementioned determined discrete number of mounting configurations is exactly equal to two: the mounting portion can be mounted to the wire guide in a first mounting configuration, which corresponds to a low position of the operating portion, or in a second mounting configuration, to which a high position of the operating portion corresponds. In this case, the conformation of the mounting portion does not allow further mounting configurations other than the two described above.

Preferably in the second mounting configuration the dispensing element is arranged opposite to the arrangement assumed in the first mounting configuration, ie between the first and second mounting configuration the mounting portion is rotated by 180 °. Preferably, the high position of the operating portion corresponds to a position known in the sector as the `` float '' (or traditional) position, while the low position also corresponds, mainly but not exclusively, to a `` float '' position. , but below the needle tabs. Typically, the dispensing element mounting in the low position is used for yarn guides operating between six positions (A-F), while the mounting in the high position is used for yarn guides operating between four positions (A-D). Typically, the selection of the mounting configuration of the dispensing element takes place mainly on the basis of the type of wire guide on which the element is to be mounted. However, the selection of the mounting configuration of the dispensing element can be determined, in addition or as an alternative, also on the basis of the textile processing to be carried out.

Preferably, the high position and the low position selectively assumed by the operative portion are vertically aligned along a vertical axis substantially parallel to the needles present in the needle holder member of the textile machine.

Preferably, the mounting portion 63 is characterized by bilateral symmetry, ie it is symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry passing through the longitudinal axis of the mounting portion. In the case shown in the figure, the symmetry is with respect to a vertical XIIa-XIIa plane.

Preferably the longitudinal hole 67 is open on the rear end 65 defining a first opening 75 and it is open on the front end 66 defining a second opening 76: the first opening allows the insertion of the supply wire in the dispensing element and the second opening allows the feeding thread to come out towards the needles of the textile machine. Preferably the second opening (or its center) is misaligned from the first opening (or its center) with respect to the longitudinal axis 63a of the mounting portion. Preferably the first opening 75 is coaxial to the longitudinal axis 63a.

Preferably, in the first mounting configuration the second opening 76 is lower than the first opening 75 with respect to the longitudinal axis 63a, and in the second mounting configuration the second opening 76 is higher than the first opening with respect to the longitudinal axis 63a.

Preferably the operative portion 64 extends from the mounting portion 63 and is misaligned with respect to it, in particular it has a respective longitudinal axis 64a transverse to the longitudinal axis of the mounting portion. Preferably the operative portion 64 is inclined with respect to the mounting portion 63 in such a way that the longitudinal axis 64a of the operative portion forms with the longitudinal axis 63a of the mounting portion an angle less than 5 ° and / or less than 10 ° and / or less than 20 ° and / or less than 45 ° and / or less than 90 °. Preferably, the operative portion 64 is arranged obliquely with respect to the mounting portion, and the dispensing element is asymmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis 63a of the mounting portion. The operational portion is essentially asymmetrical with respect to the mounting portion Preferably the mounting configuration is selected when inserting the mounting portion into the mounting seat, inside which any rotation of the element is instead prevented dispensing with respect to the yarn guide. Therefore, once the assembly portion has been inserted into the assembly seat, the configuration of the dispensing element is fixed; to change the configuration it is first necessary to remove the dispensing element from the wire guide (by sliding it out of the assembly seat 70), and then reinsert it in the desired configuration.

Preferably, the axial position of the mounting portion 63 inside the seat 70 of the wire guide (i.e. its position along the longitudinal axis 63a) can be selectively varied during the assembly phase, so as to vary the distance between the portion operating 64 and the needles of the textile machine. Preferably the dispensing element 60 is made of ceramic material or zirconium. In this way the dispensing element has a high resistance to wear in the sliding of the wire on the internal surface of the longitudinal hole. Preferably, as shown in the figures, the dispensing element is made in a single piece.

Preferably the longitudinal hole 67 has a conical shape and / or has a narrowing of section or a taper starting from the first opening 75 in the rear end 65 up to the second opening 76 in the front end 66.

Figures 10 and 11 show a yarn guide 6 housing a dispensing element at its front end. The wire guide comprises locking means 80 arranged at the mounting seat 70 and configured to removably engage with the mounting portion 63 of the dispensing element, in order to mount it stably and removably in the mounting seat. Preferably the locking means comprise a screw 81, or a threaded dowel, which can be inserted in a hole 82, preferably threaded, defined in the front end of the wire guide and oriented in such a way as to be transversal, preferably orthogonal, to the mounting portion of the ™ dispensing element once inserted into the mounting seat.

Preferably, the locking means 80 comprise an abutment element 83 cooperating with the screw 81 to tighten the mounting portion of the dispensing element in the mounting seat. The screw 81 and the abutment element 83, operating in the hole 82, provide a clamp assembly of the mounting portion of the dispensing element.

The hole 82 preferably passes through the front portion of the thread guide. Preferably, the screw and the abutment element are inserted in opposite sides of the hole, in such a way as to act on opposite sides of the mounting portion of the dispensing element.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept, and that the cited components can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements. The invention achieves important advantages.

First of all, the invention allows to overcome at least some of the drawbacks of the known art.

Furthermore, the device of the present invention allows to position the yarn guides with precision and to effectively obtain the textile functions required by the textile machines (both new and already existing).

Furthermore, the device of the present invention is characterized by a stable movement of the single yarn guides and little subject to vibratory phenomena.

Furthermore, the device of the present invention allows the yarn dispensing end of each yarn guide to be positioned selectively in a multiplicity of positions, increasing the versatility of use in different textile machines and for different production requirements. Furthermore, the device of the present invention is characterized by a competitive cost and by a high reliability of operation. Furthermore, the yarn dispensing element of the present invention is capable of overcoming one or more of the drawbacks of the prior art. Furthermore, the yarn dispensing element of the present invention is able to carry out an extremely precise and stable assembly on a respective yarn guide, in such a way as to assume a certain position and a specific orientation with respect to the machine needles and to maintain them in time. The device 1, in its various aspects, the dispensing element 60 and the yarn guide 6 of the present invention are also simple and / or sturdy to manufacture and have a low manufacturing cost with respect to the performance and quality offered.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Device (1) for feeding thread to the needles (N) of a textile machine, the device comprising: - a body (2) of the device intended to be associated with a textile machine, in correspondence with a needle-holder member of the textile machine, and equipped with at least one housing seat (3) configured for movably housing yarn guide means (4) in said body, - yarn guide means (4), movably housed at least partially in said at least one housing seat (3) and comprising at least: - a thread guide (6) having an elongated conformation extending longitudinally between a rear end (7) and a front end (8), the latter extending and emerging from said seat (3) in the direction of said needle holder and defining at least one passage (61) for a thread to be delivered to the needles (N) of said needle holder; - actuation means (13) positioned at least partially in said seat and configured and arranged to move, in a controlled manner, said thread guide (6) to position it in a plurality of operating positions with respect to said seat and with respect to the needle holder of the textile machine, in which said seat (3) is configured and arranged, in particular it is shaped, to guide the movement of said yarn guide means (4), in particular to guide the movement of said yarn guide (6) in its motion between said plurality of operating positions, and / or to ensure the maintenance of each operating position assumed by the yarn guide during the processing of the textile machine. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which said body (2) extends longitudinally between a rear side (41), intended to house control means (35), for example solenoid valves (36), configured to control said actuation means (13), and a front side (42), facing the needle holder of the textile machine, said at least one seat (3) extending longitudinally at least along a portion of said body (2) from said side rear (41) to said front side (42) and being open on said front side. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said seat (3) defines an operating plane (P) on which said thread guide means (4) lie and / or are movable in the seat, said operating plane (P) having a development substantially parallel to the orientation of the needles (N) of said needle holder, said longitudinal development of the seat lying on said operative plane, and / or in which said seat (3) is singularly dedicated to movably house a single thread guide (6), and / or in which the operating plane of the seat is such as to be, when the device is mounted, substantially aligned with the needles of the textile machine, and / or in which said seat (3) is configured to guide the movement of said yarn guide (6) from the inside of said body, in particular along said operative plane (P). Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the seat (3) has the shape of a notch, or groove, made in said body (2) of the device, and comprises two side walls (43, 44) facing each other , preferably parallel to each other, configured to slidably house said wire guide means (4), and / or in which said two side walls are substantially identical to each other and / or each have a respective lower portion, the lower portions being facing and configured to guide from the sides the movement of said thread guide (6), parallel to said walls, between said plurality of operating positions, containing it laterally inside the seat. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said thread guide means (4) further comprise: - a first lever (5) arranged at least partially in said seat (3) and rotatably mounted to said body (2) of the device in such a way as to be able to rotate around a first axis of rotation (X); - a second lever (10) rotatably mounted to said body (2) in such a way as to be able to rotate around a third axis of rotation (Z), said second lever extending longitudinally between an operating end (11) and a guide end (12); wherein said yarn guide (6) is rotatably mounted to said first lever (10) in such a way as to be able to rotate, with respect to said first lever, around a second rotation axis (Y), and in which said yarn guide (6) It is equipped with a guide portion (9) interposed between said rear (7) and front (8) ends, said guide portion (9) of the yarn guide being configured to remain in sliding contact with said guide end (12) of the second lever; and in which said actuation means (13) are configured and arranged to move, in a controlled manner, said first lever (5) and said second lever (10) to position said yarn guide (6) in said plurality of operating positions. 6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the distance between said side walls (43, 44) of the seat (3) is substantially equal to a thickness of said yarn guide (6), orthogonal to its longitudinal development , in such a way that said thread guide, in its movement between said operating positions, in particular towards and away from said needle holder, moves substantially in contact with said side walls of the seat, and parallel to said walls, avoiding lateral oscillations, or transversal with respect to the walls, of the yarn guide, and / or in which said seat (3), in particular the distance between said side walls (43, 44) of the seat, is dimensioned in such a way that said yarn guide (6 ), inserted movably inside the seat, is laterally separated from said side walls, in particular from at least a portion of them, by a space or interstice of at least 1 hundredth of a millimeter and / or at least 5 centimeters th of a millimeter and / or at least 1 tenth of a millimeter and / or at least 2 tenths of a millimeter and / or at least 5 tenths of a millimeter and / or at least 1 millimeter with respect to each wall, and / or in which said seat ( 3) It is configured to guide the movement of said yarn guide from the inside of the body by means of a lateral containment, through said two lateral walls (43, 44) facing, of a fraction of its longitudinal extension, from said rear end (7) , of at least 10% and / or at least 20% and / or at least 40% and / or at least 60% and / or at least 80% of its longitudinal extent. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said side walls (43, 44) each have a respective upper portion, the upper portions facing and configured to guide the movement of said first lever (5) from the sides wire guide inside the seat, avoiding lateral or transverse oscillations with respect to the walls, of the first lever, and / or in which the upper portions of the walls (43, 44) guide the movement from the sides, inside the seat ( 3), at least of an upper end (5b) of the first lever (5), and / or in which said walls are shaped in such a way as to leave a free space (50) in said body (2), preferably in an intermediate position between said rear side (41) and said front side (42), in said free space (50) not being present said housing seat (3), and / or in which the walls (43, 44) of the housing seat do not extend to the sides of the point at which the first le va (5) is pivoted to the body and / or to the point at which the second lever (10) is pivoted to the body and / or to the sides of said second lever, and / or in which each of said side walls ( 43, 44) has the respective upper portion vertically aligned with the respective lower portion. 8. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said body (2) comprises a plurality of said seats (3), distinct from each other, each of said seats being configured to movably house respective thread guide means (4) in said body, each of said respective thread guide means comprising at least one respective thread guide (6) and respective actuation means (13) configured to position said respective thread guide in a plurality of operating positions with respect to its own seat and with respect to the needle holder member of the textile machine. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the seats (3) of said plurality of seats of the body (2) of the device have respective longitudinal developments parallel to each other, or define respective operating planes (P) parallel to each other. them and parallel to the orientation of the needles (N) of said needle holder, and / or in which the seats (3) of said plurality of seats are configured and arranged to house each respective thread guide means, said respective thread guide means being able comprising a respective yarn guide (6) of the oscillating type, i.e. movable both vertically with respect to said needle-holder member and radially away from, and approaching, said needle-holder member, or being able to comprise a respective thread guide of the non-oscillating type, that is, movable only vertically with respect to said needle holder. 10. Textile machine for knitting, hosiery or the like, comprising a needle-holder member having a plurality of side-by-side and substantially vertical grooves, each groove movably housing a movable needle on command in the respective groove for forming the stitch, and comprising a device (1) for feeding thread to the needles according to any one of the preceding claims, said needle holder member being movable relative to said device for feeding thread along a trajectory of motion.