US1362119A - Feeler mechanism for looms - Google Patents

Description

M. L. STONE. FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 19. 1920.

llllll 1,362, 1 1 9, Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

Mum-m UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MELVIN L. STONE, 0F LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER CORPORA- TION, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

Application filed March 19, 1920.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MELVIN L. STONE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lawrence, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Feeler hfechanisms for Looms, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to feeler mechanisms for looms, and more particularly to that type of feeler mechanisms wherein the feeler is moved longitudinally of the shuttle or along the surface of the bobbin when the filling is substantially exhausted, and thereby calls into action the replenishing mechanism.

The new feeler mechanism of the presen invention comprises a feeler carrier and an actuator carrier, both of which enter the shuttle on a detecting beat and receive the frontward impact of the surface within the shuttle to move them front-wardly. Thefeeler carrier has mounted thereon for movement in. a directionlongitudinally of the shuttle, the feeler and a finger is connected to the feeler, which, on movement of the feeler as described, is placed in a position to engage the actuator 'and operatively relate it to the train of mechanism for replenishing filling as the feeler carrier moves frontwardly. The strain that would otherwise-be placed upon the finger by frontward movement of the feeler carrier, if such frontward movement was relied upon to eifect frontward movement of the actuator, is overcome by engagement'of the actuator carrier with the surface within the shuttle after the finger has moved the actuator into operative position.

The other features and novel combina' tion of parts will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings of a good, practical form of the present invention.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the construction and relation of parts of thepresent feeler mechanism;,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan View showing the action of the feeler rnechanism when a working supply of filling is present on a detecting beat Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

Serial No. 367,039.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, but showing the action of the parts when thefilling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat; and

Fig. a is a detached detail, parts being broken away, showing the finger and its connection with the feeler. The feeler and actuator in the present invention are mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom independently, and each is supported by a carrler which may be variously contrived, two principal forms of carriers being already well known in the art, one a pivotallymounted carrier, and the other a sliding carrier. Tn the present illustration of the invention, the feeler and actuator are shown as mounted upon the sliding type of carrier, and the carriers themselves are mounted side by side and extend rearwardly to enter the shuttle on each detecting beat to receive the impact of the surface within the shuttle as the lay moves frontwardly.

Mounted on the loom frame is the stand 1 which may be appropriately secured in adjusted position as usual by screws or clamps 2. The stand 1 has mounted thereon for reciprocating movement toward and from the front of the loom the feeler carrier 3 and actuator carrier at which are mounted side by side. The feeler carrier has a frontwardlyextending stem 5 andthe actuator. carrier has a similar frontwardly-extending stem 6 and appropriate springs 7 and 8 surrounding the respective stems, serve to normally maintain both the carriers in rearward position.

The feeler stand has a guideway 9 into which extends the end of a transmitter 10 which may be of usual character, and is extended from the feeler mechanism into co operative relation with a train of mechanism for effecting replenishment when the transmitter 10 is moved frontwardly' on a detecting beat. This feature of the construction is of usual character and well understood in the art, and needs no further explanation.

The actuator carrier 4: has pivotally mounted thereon at 11 the actuator 12, the front end portion 13 of which is normally held ra-ised by a yielding pin 14: of usual construction, so that should the actuaton'be moved frontwardly while held raised by the pin 14, it would not strike the transmitter 10; but if its front end portion 13 were depressed, upon its frontward movement, the actuator would contact with and move the transmitter 10 and effect replenishment of filling.

The actuator carrier or slide 4 extends rearwardly of the actuator and has adjustably secured to its rear end portion a con tact end 15 which is adapted to enter the shuttle on each detecting beat and contact With the surface therein. The contact end 15 may be variously contrived, but in the present instance of the invention it is formed as a plate having an arm 16 which extends into a guide 17 risingfrom the actuator carrier or slide 4. A screw 18 serves to secure the contact end 15 in adjusted position relative to the end of the actuator carrier 4.

The feeler carrier 3 extends rearwardly alongside of the actuator carrier 4 and projects rearwardly thereof, as indicated in Fig. 1, so that the rear end. 19 of the feeler carrier Will enter the shuttle and contact with the surface within the shuttle before the contact end 15 of the actuator carrier engages such surface, the effect being that the feeler carrier 3' will firstbe moved frontwardly in advance of the actuator carrier 4 for the purpose to be hereinafter described,

. and then the surface Within the shuttle will engage the contact end 15 of the actuator carrier and under the frontward push, both the feeler carrier and the actuator carrier Will be moved frontwardly.

The rear-end portion of the feeler carrier 3 preferably is formed as a housing or inclosing chamber, as indicated in Fig. l, and on the feeler carrier is mounted the feeler. In the present instance, the feeler 20 is preferably mounted at 21 at a point offset from the body of the feeler and preferably within the housing forming the end portion of the feeler carrier, the construction being such that frontward pressure on the projecting end 22 of the feeler will tend to turn the feeler upon its pivotal support in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and along the surface of the bobbin. The feeler 20 is normally held in its feeling position with the penetrating end 22 extending rearwardly of the contacting end 19 of the feeler carrier by means of a spring which, in the present instance of the invention. comprises a leaf spring 23 secured at 24 to the feeler carrier and bearing upon the side of the feeler.

The rearend portion of the feeler carrier isslotted. at 25 and through the slot 25 extends the end 22 of the feeler, the construction being such that the end 22 of the feeler will first engage a surface Within the shuttle on a detecting beat and thereafter the impinging end 19 of the feeler carrier will engage'the surface and cause frontward movement of the feeler carrier.

The feeler has connected thereto a laterally movable finger which, when the feeler is moved in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, is projected laterally -ofthe feeler into a position rearwardly of the actuator and in a path to contact with the actuator as the feeler carrier moves frontwardly in advance of the actuator carrier by frontward pressure on a detecting beat. In the present instance, the feeler carrier 3 has secured thereto the casing 26 by means of connections with the feeler carrier, such as the screws 27. Thecasing 26 extends transversely of the feeler carrier and forms a guideway 28 for a laterally sliding finger 29. The finger 29 has a pin 30 exteriding there from preferably in a downward direction and passing through an elongated slot 31 formed in the upper wall of the feeler carrier chamber. The slot 31 extends transversely of the feeler carrier and below the slot pin 30 is engaged by the slotted end 32 of the feeler 20. the construction being such that when the feeler is moved in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, the finger 29 will be caused to slide laterally in its guideway to project its end 33 into' a position rearwardly of the actuator so that upon frontward movement of the feeler carrier 3 the end 33 of the finger will bear upon the actuator and operatively position it to effect replenishment of filling. \Vhen the actuator has thus been operatively positioned by frontward movement of the laterally-projected finger, the contact 15 of the actuator carrier will meet the surface within the shuttle and relieve the finger of the duty of moving the actuator carrier frontwardly. Thus the parts may be made light, and sensitive either to the presence or absence of filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat.

The actuator 12 has adjustably connected thereto the contact member 34 which'may be formed as an adjusting screw to receive the impact of the finger when it is moved frontwardly in its laterally projected position, as hereinbefore described. The finger 29 by movement in the casing 26 and guideway 28 is placed and supported in a manner to operatively position the actuator when the feeler carrier. is mqved frontwardly in advance of the actuator carrier without transmitting the strain through the pivot of the feeler. This condition assumes importance in view of the fact that feeler mechanisms must be sensitive both to the presence and absence or substantial absence of filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat, and failure to respond to either condition results either in imperfect 'cloth or unnecessary waste of valuable yarn.

filling carrier 35 on which the filling 36 is wound.

lVhen filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat, the penetrating end 22 of the feeler 20 first en a 'esthefillin mass and sinks thereinto as the surface of the filling advances into contact with the impinging face 19 of the feeler carrier. Under frontward pressure against the impinging face 19 of the feeler carrier, the latter is moved frontwardly until the surface of the filling engages the contact end 15 of the actuator carrier or slide 4', whereupon the frontward pressure exerted upon both the feeler carrier and actuator carrier moves both said carriers frontwardly. WVhen, however, filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, the end 22 of the feeler again first engages the surface within the shuttle and under the frontward pressure thereof, the feeler is swung laterally or in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle from the po sition indicated in Fig. 2 to that. indicated in Fig. 3, thereby moving the sliding finger 29 laterally into a position rearward of the actuator 12. As the lay continues to advance, the impinging surface 19 of the feeler carrier meets the surface within the shuttle and the feeler carrier is pushed frontwardly, thereby causing the finger 29 to strike and push frontwardly upon the hunter 34 of the actuator and move the end 13 of the actuator into operative position relative to the transmitter 10. Vhen the actuator has thus been operatively positioned, the relation of parts is such that the contact end 15 of the actuator carrier 4 thereupon engages the sur face within the shuttle as the lay continues to move frontwardly, and frontward push upon both the feelerv carrier and actuator carrier moves the actuator frontwardly in its operative position, as determined by the frontward pressure of the finger. Thus, the finger 29 serves to operatively position the actuator, but the frontward movement of the actuator after it is operatively positioned, is effected by frontward pressure of the surface within the shuttle against the contact end of the actuator carrier, thus relieving the finger of the burden of pushing the actuator frontwardly to move the transmitter and effect replenishment of filling. This construction renders the feeler mechanism sensitive and quickly responsive either to the presence or substantial absence of filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat.

What is claimed is 1. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of an actuator carrier mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom, a feeler carrier mounted independently of the actuator carrier for movement toward and fromthe front of the loom and having its rear end normally rearward of the rear end of the actuator carrier, an

actuator mounted on the actuator carrier, a feeler mounted on the feeler carrier for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle on a detecting beat and held from such movement by engagement with the fill ing until the filling is substantially exhausted, and a finger mounted on the feeler carrier and adapted to be moved by the feeler into a position to engage and operatively position the actuator as the 'feeler carrier moves frontwardly on a detecting beat when the filling is substantially exhausted.

2. In a feeler mechanism for looms, a feeler carrier and an actuator carrier mounted side by side for independent movement toward and from the front of the loom, springs acting on said carriers to normally project the rear end of the feeler carrier rearward of the rear end of the actuator carrier that it may be moved frontwardly in advance of the actuator carrier by frontward pressure on a detecting beat, a feeler mounted on the feeler carrier for movement longitudinally along the bobbin in the shuttle by the frontward pressure upon it on a detecting beat and held from such movement by engagement with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, a finger connected to the feeler and movable laterally thereby when the filling is substantially exhausted to engage the actuator as the feeler carrier is moved frontwardly.

3. In a feeler mechanism for looms, a feeler carrier and an actuator carrier mount ed side by side for independent movement toward and from the front of the loom, springs acting on said carriers to normally project the rear end of the feeler carrier rearward of the rear end of the actuator carrier that it may be moved frontwardly in advance of the actuator carrier by frontward pressure on a detecting beat, a feeler mounted on the feeler carrier and pivotally offset for movement longitudinally along the bobbin in the shuttle by the frontward pressure upon it on a detecting beat and held from such movement by engagement with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, a finger connected to the feeler and movable laterally thereby when the filling is substantially exhausted to engage the actuator as the feeler carrier is moved frontwardly.

4:. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of two slides mounted for independent movement toward and from the front of the loom on each detecting beat, an actuator carried by one slide, a feeler car ried by the other slide and extending rearwardly thereof to receive the first impact of a surface within the shuttle on a detecting beat, a finger mounted on the same slide as thefeeler and connected thereto for lateral movement relative to the slide when the feeler is displaced laterally on a detecting beat to cause the finger to engage the actuator on the other slide and position it for effecting replenishment of filling as the feeler slide moves frontwardly.

In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier and an actuator carrier both of which are mounted to enter the shuttle on each detecting beat and .be moved frontwardly by the frontward pressure of a surface within the shuttle, an actuator mounted on the actuator carrier, a feeler mounted on the feeler carrier, a finger jointed to the feeler and adapted to be moved laterally of the feeler carrier into a path to engage and position the actuator due to frontward movement of the finger, and yielding means normally acting to project the feeler carrier rearward of the actuator carrier to be moved frontwardly in advance of the actuator carrier by the frontward pressure of the surface within the shuttle;

6. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising, in combination, a feeler carrier and an actuator carrier which are mounted to enter the shuttle on each detecting beat and be moved frontwardly in succession by the push of a surface within the shuttle on both of the carriers, an actuator mounted on the actuator carrier, a feeler mounted on the feeler carrier, a finger separate from the feeler and mounted on the feeler carrier, connections between the feeler and finger for extending the latter from the feeler carrier into position to engage the actuator and move it to an operative position as frontward movement of the feeler carrier is effected in advance of frontward movement of the actuator carrier by frontward pressure I of a surface within the shuttle on a detecting beat when filling is substantially exhausted.

7. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising, in combination, a feeler carrier and an actuator carrier which are mounted to enter the shuttle on each detecting beat and be moved frontwardly in succession by the push of a surface within the shuttle on both of the actuator carriers, 'both of said carriers having an impinging end portion to receive the frontward push of the surface within the shuttle, an actuator mounted on the actuator carrier, at feeler mounted on the feeler carrier, a finger separate from the feeler and mounted on the feeler carrier, connections between the feeler and finger for extending the latter from the feeler carrier into position to engage the actuator and to move it to an operative position as frontward movement of the feeler carrier is effected in advance of frontward movement of the actuator carrier by frontward pressure of a surface within the shuttle on a detecting beat when filling is substantially exhausted.

8. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler slide and an actuator slide mounted side by side, an actuator on the actuator slide, a feeler mounted on the feeler slide for lateral displacement pressure against it when the filling is substantially exhausted, a sliding finger mounted on the feeler slide and connected to the feeler and which is moved to operatively position the actuator by frontward movement of the feeler slide in advance of the actuator slide.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

MELVIN L. STONE.

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