US1479040A - Yarn guide and cleaner - Google Patents

Description

L. T. HOUGHTON YARN GUIDE AND CLEANER .Bam il w24 Filed Feb. .7. 1921 Jan.. 15 i924 v ,4?9,04

l L.T.HOUGHTON YARN GUIDE AND CLEANER Fned Feb. v. 1921 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented dan. l, i924.

UNET@ STATES initiate@ LEWIS T. HOUGHTON, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

'YARN GUIDE AND CLEANER.

Application led February 7, 1921.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, Lnwrs T. HoUGHToN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Yarn Guide and Cleaner, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a yarn guide capable of general use, but especially suitable for application to spoolers, spinning frames, etc.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a pair of jaws suitably located in such position as to receive the yarn on one side and discharge it at an angle on the other side without subjecting it to chaing against any sharp or square corners; to provide a construction in which the yarn will pass over one jaw having a wide flat sur.- face for receiving it and lie along said surface in contact with it all the way across so that it will not bear on the other jaw which is spaced only a short distance from it: to provide a removable covering for said surface so that it will be capable of being hardened without hardening the rest of the device; to make one jaw substantially stationary and the other capable of movingdirectly away from it to permit of conveniently cleaning the lint therefrom; to provide means whereby when the movable jaw has been drawn away fromthe fixed jaw the former will come back exactly to the proper distance from the fixed jaw, thus maintaining the space between the aws uniform; to provide means whereby this space is of uniform width all the way across and throughout the length of the jaws; to provide a construction which can be moved as a whole for the purpose of laying the yarn evenly .y

to the flanges of a spool, or the like and in such position that the principle of preventing the chaiing of the yarn against a square corner will be adhered to; and to provide a construction in which both the aws can be made of sheet metal stampings constructed originally of the desired shape so as to avoid expensive machine work suchas has vto be depended upon lwith the cast iron yarn guides heretofore in use. The invention also comprises features of construction designed for accomplishing these resultsas will appear.

Reference is to be had to the accompany?. ing drawings, in which- Fig. l is a front elevation of a portion of Serial No. 442,911.

a spooler traverse bar and tension device with a preferred embodiment of this invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is an end View of the same showing the traverse rod in section;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the yarn guide by itself with parts in section to show interior construction;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the yarn guide by itself on enlarged scale and in normal position showing the course of the yarn;

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the yarn guide jaws in section and tipped to an inclinedposition, and j Fig. 6 isa view similar to Fig. t showing the yarn guide inclined in the other direction.

In spooling yarn it is drawn from the bobbins and wound on the spool, In this process the yarn is cleaned from bunches or slubs by passing through a spooler guide consisting of a pair of jaws spaced apart so as to permit the free passage of the yarn and stop all bunches or .slubs that would cause imperfections in the cloth. The square corner or" the jaws in general use roughens the yarn as it is drawn over them and also causes considerable useless breakage and loss of time in piecing. It is also evident that the less knots required in piecing the better the yarn.

I cause the yarn to enter the guides over a round smooth surface and to stay in contact with that surface, or ya continuation thereof, whilein the jaws. I also lead it out over one of two rounded smooth surfaces. The clearing ofthe yarn is done, not by two square edges but by one alone acting opposite a smooth Hat surface of the lower jaw. The result is a great reduction in breakage and piecing and a material increase in spool speed.

Heretofore, when it was necessary to move the guides up or down tolay the yarn near the flanges of the spools, this chaling was obviously increased because the yarn passed over the sharp corner at a greater angle. I have entirely eliminated any increase in the chang from this cause, by the means` above described and by maintainingv .constant the direct-ion of entrance of the yarn into the guides from a point at an angle-below said smooth flat surface.

I have shown this invention as applied to` a traverse rod l0 on a well vknown type of" spoolng machina I .have also illuSfrat.

the yarn as delivered to this traverse rod l from abobbin 11, through a pigytailw124v and over two sets of guide fingers 13 and 14A of, a. tension device. These elements do not constitute a part of this invention. however, and it can be used with any ordinary spooler mechanism. This tension device is shownas secured to the traverse rod 10 by an integral U-shaped bracket 15 and bolt- 16.

Connected over the traverse rod 10 in the same wayv is shown. a second Ufshaped bracket 17l of sheet metal having a bolt 18 extending therethrough` and through a rectangular sheet-metal box 19. This box constitutes a spacing member and in contact with its rear face is a sheetmetal plate 20 held thereon by aV nut on the bolt18.- This plate 'is provided, along its`v vertical `and lower edges, rwith an. integral flange 21 against the inner face of which the spacing boX 19 engages. It also has an integral projection 22 punched from the material: thereof engaging theopposite-or frontV side of said box 19. These parts 21- and. 22 serve to accurately locate this plate 2 0fonthe box 19 and on the bolt 18 which passes through a perforation in it. This plate 2O is provided with an upper flat flange 24 which, in the fourth figure, is shown as. slightly inclinedy so that it will project-.into the normal path of theyarn from the rod 1() to the flat surface of the lower jaw that receives and supports the yarn. This ensures that the yarn shall pass over this rounded surface on entering thev jaws.

Preferably the lower jaw is provided, extending over itsv uppe-r surface and beyond it at lone end and under it to secure it thereto, with al covering 25 of sheet steel. This is made separately so that ity can be hardened' without hardening the rest of the jawand it constitutes a durable, surface forreceiving the yarn which passes over it. On account of hardening it it will wear much longer than ordinary sheet metal surfaces would. If it does get scored in time it can be removed and replaced by a new cover.

The jaw supporting plate 20 extends integrally upward at 26 on the rear end and is provided with Atwoperforations 2T and 23, one for the bol-t 13 and the other being a square perforation for the square shoulder.

of a second bolt 29.

Inside the flange 21 whichextends up around this upper perforation are offset projections 3.0 for receiving between them and the flange a spring 31. This spring is shown in the form of a wire extending along the tops ofthese projections 3,0then coiled once at 32, extending ydownwardly atan angle; and coiled at 33 'and having anjupwardly extending inclined end 34. The latter yconstitutes the activef part ofthe spring as will appear.

Supported by 'this plate-2Q is a ,second sheetinietal platelphaving a vertical portion provided with an upper elongated slotV 36-anda lower slot 37 opening out of the bottom thereof and covered by a washer on thebolt 18. This upper plate is provided with an integral flange 38 extending all around its rear and upper surfaces at right y tutingya continuation of the flange 33. This flange 43 constitutes the upper jaw of the pair and its lower surface is made flat and parallelwith the upper surface ofthe lower jaw 24. ylt is also formed soy that the two jaws will rbe at the saine distance apart throughout their length as well as throu'ghout their width. i j

Located on the `bolt 29 is anV eccentric disc 40 vextending into a slot. 49. in the frontplate 45 of the upper jaw. rlfhis eccentric is con nected with an operating disc 41 which is shown as having a not-ch 42 in its edge so that it can be turned by a wrench of special and convenient design to adjust the normal distance between the two jaws as will appear.

The inclined end 34 of the spring 31 engages over the rear end ofthe jaw 43, which constitutes a convenient projection for that purpose, and in that way acts to hold the upper jaw down toward the lower .The adjustment of the eccentric V40 limits the motion of the upper jaw toward the lower jaw .by its contact with the top of the slot 49. It does not prevent the upper jaw being drawn up a short distance in opposition to the spring, however,.and this is. done in practice to clean the jaws.

When lint or knots gather along the sharp front edge of the upper jaw the lattercan be grasped between the. thumb and finger and lifted in opposition to the spring 34. Fig. 3 shows the limiting position. This jaw is then cleaned very simply by wipingover its length. Then the upper jaw is re leased. Whenever this is done the spring will force it back to the position to which it is adjusted by the eccentric 40 according to the yarn being run through. lt will always come back to the same point and thus properly size the yarn that is passing through it. y

The back of the upper jaw plate is closed by the `sheetnietal plate 45 which encloses the cain and spring 31. This plate has lintegral projections 46 for engaging in notches iii theflange 38 on the rear end of the upper jaw plate 35 and the latter also is provided` with one or inoreprojections v4'( adapted to be bent .over the edge of the plate 45 to hold it in position.' Thus the plates and 45 are spaced apart, and, with their edge anges, constitute an upper jaw member.

Describing the jaws 25 and 43 more in detail it will be seen that the front edge of the upper jaw is completed by the lower edge of the plate in the form shown, although that is not essential. However, the frontv edge of this upper jaw is square and sharp, but the rear corner of the jaw is rounded in the ordinary sheet metal operation of' bending in the flange 43, and although this is in a sense incidental to the manufacture of the device it has an important function as will appear.

The object of the broad flat surface on the top of the jaw 25 is to provide a direct course for the yarn from the top *ofl the traverse rod or any other-surface over which it passes, so that the yarn may have a long bearing on this surface. Furthermore, in use the upper jaw is adjusted to just the proper height above the lower one so that yarn of the particular size being operated upon can pass vthrough freely and without any obstruction or chaling. The object .is to keep the yarn away from the square front corner of the upper jaw and yet locate it in such position that any bunches or lint on the yarn will be engaged by this edge and removed if that is possible. Otherwise the yarn is broken. The jaws are spaced so that the yarn will have a free passage between the .jaws and the bunches or slubs cannot pass through, thereby cleaning the yarn. 'By this arrangement the number of breaks ismaterially reduced, and the yarn is passed through smoother and in a more uniform condition and with less knots than has been the case heretofore.

The lower jaw 24, or its covering sheet 25, when that is used, is rounded both at the front and rear edges. Its front edge is set forward of the square front edge of the upper jaw as vshown most clearly in Fig. 4. Also the whole guide is tipped or lifted at its receiving edgev to ensure that, as the yarn enters the guide, it shall pass ove: the forward rounded edge of the lower jaw.

I'In passing from the flat surface. of the lower jaw the yarn will have to pass over one of the rear curved corners, no matter in which direction it extends, aswill appear clearly from Fig. 4. i

.Another feature of this invention consisl'sin the fact that, the whole guide being supported on the traverse rod 10, the bolt 18 can be loosened and the whole structure swung about this rod as a center in order to lay the yarn equal distances from the spool flange without allowing it to engage the square corner of the upper jaw. I have shown two positions of the device iniFigs. 5 and 6. In both of these the passage between the jaws is inclined downwardly from a tangent to the upper'surface of the traverse rod l0. Although the yarn passes out of the jaws in a different direction, it will pass into them in the same direction as in Fig. 4 referring to the jaws alone. In other words, the yarn always passes over the rounded edge 25 of the lower jaw in contact therewith. In the position shown in Fig. 6 the guide is tipped over to permit the laying of the yarn closely on the spool near its lower flange. Any construction heretofore known to me forl tipping the guide or adjusting it for the purpose of laying the yarn close to the flanges of the spool would result in drawing the yarn across a sharp corner, and thus increase the number of breaks to which it is likely to he subjected and also roughen the yarn.

It is to be observed that the upper and lower jaws are substantially flat and parallel to each other along their active surfaces. Thus the same opening is maintained between the jaws all along them and across them before and after the raising of the upper jaw for cleaning purposes.l The upper jaw always returns to normal position accurately but if it should be slightly displaced sideways the sizing space would be left exactly the same. This cannot be varied eX- cept by intentional adjustment. The upper jaw, moving down along a plane perpendicular to the active ysurface of the lower jaw, obviates difficulties which have been Inet with in some other cleaning devices on account of their failing to come back properly to position and thus size the yarn and remove bunches. In all positions of the jaws, whether inclined in one direction or the other or substantially` upright, the yarn cannot come into contact with the upper corner of the square jaw but any bunches or knots upon it can. Thus, when the guide is `tipped up or down so as to lay the yarn on the spool at equal distances from the spool flanges, the exaggerated chafing heretofore encountered is entirely7 done away with. The yarn cannot come into contact with the sharp edges of the jaw any more than it can when the jaws are in their normal vertical position. It is to be observed also that the yarn is always held closely in contact with the lower jaw all the way across it, regardless o-f the position of the guide as shown clearly in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. It will be seen therefore that the yarn passes through the guide with the least possible friction and that the guide can be adjusted for all possible contingencies. The result is a cleaner yarn with less knots, bunches and slubs.

As has been sta-ted, the'guides are made of sheet metal, easily and cheaply stamped out and requiring no finish. The construction is such that the speed of the spooling of the yarn may be very materially increased as I have demonstrated in'practice. This is due to the elimination of needless friction on the yarn.

Although I have illustrated and described lonly a single form of the invention I am aware of the fact that modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the` details of construction herein shown and described, but what I do claimis 1. In a yarn guide, the combination of a pair of jaws, one constituting a supporting table having a wide flat bearing surface all the way across it, on which the yarn will lie in a fiat conditioinbut rounded at .its forward, or yarn receiving and rear, or yarn delivering, edge, and the other jaw, spaced adjacent thereto and parallel therewith provided with a sharp forward edge a rounded rear edge, said rounded lforward edge being located in position rto be engaged by the yarn before it passes between the jaws.

2. In a yarn guide, the combination of a jaw having a wide plain surface for receiving the yarn thereon and a rounded corner on the back over which the yarn may be drawn, and a second jaw spaced from the first jaw a distance substantially equal tothe diameter of the yarn and having a flat sur face parallel therewith, the forward edge of the second jaw being sharp and the rear edge being rounded, whereby the yarn will rest on the rst jaw as it passes over it without contact normally with the forward part of the other jaw, to reduce to a minimum the chafing by the yarn.

In a yarn lguide, the combination of a relatively fixed jaw having a surface for receiving the yarn thereon and a rounded corner on the back over which the yarn may be fed therefrom, and a second jaw spaced from the first jaw a distance substantially equal to the diameter of the yarn and having therear of the jaw rounded, whereby the yarn will pass from the jaws at an langle in either direction without chafing.

"l 4. In a yarn guide, the combination with a member having` a surface over which the yarn passes, of a pair of jaws, one of said jaws constituting` a supporting table forthe yarn and having bearing surface rounded at its forward, or yarn receiving edge.. and

the second jaw being spaced from the first and having a flat surface adjacent thereto and parallel therewith, provided with a sharp forward edge, said guide being located in position to receive the yarn on said forward rounded edge as the yarn passes between the jaws.

5. rIhe combination with a rod over which' a strand'of yarnpasses, of ya pair of jaws Laramie f ceiving the yar-ntherefrom, the' lower jaw having a smooth convex forward yarn receiving surface at a distance from said rod and ca long broad flat yarn supporting surface, and means whereby in all adjusted positions of the jaws, the yarn will pass .from the rod into the jaws in contact with said smoothconvex surface.

6. The combination with a supporting rod over which a strand of yarn is adapted to pass, with a bracket adjustable'about said rod and mounted thereon, and a pair o-f jaws supported by said bracket and adapted to receive the yarn from said rod between them, the lower jaw having-a rounded front edge and the upper jaw having a sharp fronty edge, the yarn receiving surface of the lower jaw being located at such an angle to a line substantially tangent to the surface of said rod that the yarn passing from the surface of the rod to the jaws will contact with said rounded front edge of the lower jaw.

7. In a yarn guide, the combination of a lower jaw having a flat surface over which the yarn may be fed thereon,1 and a second jaw spaced from the. first'jaw, the forward edge of which is sharp, whereby the yarn will 'reston the lower jaw as it passes over it without contact normally with the forward part of the 'upper jaw, but any bunches or knots thereon will engage said Asharp flat edge, the upper jaw being capable of mov ing upwardly in a planeperpendicular to the plane of the operative surface of thelower jaw, and yieldingmeans for holding the upper jaw down in its limiting position.

8. In a yarn guide,the combination of a lower jaw and' an upper jaw'spaced therefrom having a sharp lower forward edge and a rounded rear edge, whereby the yarn will rest on the lower jaw as it passes over it without contact normally with they forward part of the upper jaw but any bunchesl or knots thereon will engage the sharp edge y of theupper jaw, means for adjusting the space between the jaws, and means for yieldingly holding the upper jaw in its ylower position .to receive the yarn on its forward rounded edge from the surface of said menr" 10; In a yarn guide, the combination'of 'a' vpair of jaws havingparallel flat surfaces ber as the yarn ,passes between the jaws.

spaced apart for receiving the 'yarnbetween f them, means for holding the yarn against ried by one of them and engaging the other 25 one of said surfaces, said jaws having sliding connection with each other, and a spring carried by one of them and engaging the other for forcing them toward each other.

1l. In a yarn guide, the combination of a pair of jaws having parallel flat surfaces spaced apart for receiving the yarn between them, means for holding the yarn against one of said surfaces, said jaws having sliding connection with each other, one jaw havinga projection, and a spring on the other jaw having lan inclined end engaging and constantly pressing on said projection to hold said jaws near together.

' l2. In a yarn guide, the combination of a pair of jaws having parallel flat surfaces spaced apart for receiving the yarn between them, means for holding the yarn against one of said surfaces, said jaws having sliding connection with each other, comprising a slot and bolt, an eccentric surface on said bolt located in the slot for limiting the motion of the jaws together, and a spring carfor forcing them toward each other.

13. In a yarn guide, the combination of a lower jaw having a wide flat surface for receiving the yarn in contact therewith, and an upper jaw comprising a separate piece of sheet metal having a flange turned in under the upper jaw and having a wide fiat lower surface parallel therewith constituting the jaw proper.

14. In a yarn guide, the combination of a lower jaw consisting of a piece of sheet metal having a flange turned in at the top and constituting thejaw proper, said flange having a wide flat surface for receiving the yarn, and an upper jaw having a parallel surface spaced therefrom, and a piece of hardened sheet metal fixed on the surface of the lower jaw to receive the wear of the yarn.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

LEWIS T. HOUGHTON.

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