US1518230A

US1518230A - Feeler mechanism for looms

Info

Publication number: US1518230A
Application number: US689871A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward S Stimpson
Original assignee: Draper Corp
Current assignee: Draper Corp
Priority date: 1924-02-01
Filing date: 1924-02-01
Publication date: 1924-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 1941-12-09

Description

Deco 9, 1924. 1,518,230

E. S. STIMPSON FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS 38 E /Nl/E/VTOR ATTORNEY 15185230 E. S. STIMPSON FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Filed Feb. l. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 414,2 @W j l /NVE/VTOR Patented Dec. 9, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD S. STIMPSON, OF I-IOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSG'NOR TO DRAPER COR- PORATION, OF HOIPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A. CORPORATION 0F MAINE.

FEELER iviEcHnNrsM non Looivrs.

Application filed February 1, 192e.

To ZZ whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, EDWARD S. STIMPsoN, a. citizen of the United States, residing at Hopedale, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Feeler Mechanisms 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 whereby the operation of the loom is changed when the filling in the shuttle becomes substantially exhausted.

It is now the common practice to provide feeler mechanisms for looms which shall be effective to replenish the filling when that in the shuttle becomes substantially exhausted, and in some instances of such feeler mechanisms the feeler itself has been held in a frontward retracted position for periods of time and then released to perform its feeling function, and the feeling mechanism has been so arranged that the release of the feeler might take place at any stage in the cycle of loom operation. Consequently, it happens at times that the feeler will be released when the lay is moving frontwardly, o1' when the lay is nearly in front position, with the result that the feeler impact with the filling has not only had ank injurious effect upon the filling itself but such impact is liable to cause the feeler to call for a change of filling by premature movement.

Feeler mechanisms of the general type referred to may be known as intermittent feeler mechanisms and they are especially advantageous in connection with weaving with certain kinds of filling-such, for instance, as fine yarn, silk, and the like. The feelers of such mechanisms are held in a frontward retracted position for periods of inactivity and are released from time to time for periods of activity, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide means for insuring the release of the feeler to its periods of activity when the lay is back or moving towards back position, so that the feeler may move to full feeling position before engaging the filling.

An important feature of the present invention, therefore, consists in an intermittent feeler mechanism for looms wherein the feeler is released to its periods of activity as the lay goes back, the effect being that Serial No. 689,871.

the feeler will commence its periods of activity to detect the condition of the filling.' in the shuttle in its rearward filling feelingposition. Y

in accordance with the present invention, the means for holding the feeler in its retracted position. is associated with mechanism acting through said means to free the `feeler as the lay goes back orretreats from front position.

rlhe various features of the invention and new combination of parts will best be made clear from the following description and the accompanyingdrawings of one good form thereof, it being understood that the invention is in its true scope as defined by the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of one side of a loom. provided with the present invention, some of the parts being omitted for clearness of illustration;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation partly in section of the ratchet and pawl mechanism actuated from the lay rock shaft; and

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2 with the parts in. another position.

rlhe loom frame l has mounted at the front portion thereof brackets 2, one at each side of the loom, between which extends a transverse or rock shaft 3, extending up from which is an arm l connected with an actuating member 5 at 6. Pivotally mounted on the actuating member 5 at 7 is the finger S which is adapted to be engaged by an operating member 9 and moved frontwardly thereby when the filling is to be changed or the operative condition of the loom is to be altered. The operating member 9 may be formed as part of or connected to the cam follower.

Mounted on the bracket 10 extending from the` loom frame is a bell crank lever l1 one arm of which underlies the finger l2 connected to the part 8 and the other arm of which is connected to a transmitter 13, the construction` .being such that on filling exhaustion indicating movement of the feeler, the operatingmember will act through the train of mechanism described to initiate filling replenishment.

The filling replenishing mechanism is not herein shown and described Ibecause it is new well known and the details thereof form no part of the present invention.

Adjustably mounted on the bracket or arm 1st extending from the shipper stand 15 is the teeler stand 16 which may be adjus'tably secured in place by the bolt 17, as usual. ln the ,present instance the invention is shown as associated with a feeler of the inclined type, that is, a -eeler which enters the shuttle in a direction inclined to the longitudinal axis thereof and is mounted for displacement laterally of the shuttle by the frontward pressure, and while the present invention. lends itself with advantage to this type oft teeler mechanism, it is toA be understood that the invention is not restricted thereto, but may be advantageously employed in connection with Lt'eeler mechanisms of other types.

The teeler 18, as indicated in Fig. l. passes through the slide 19 which is itselt connected to the transmitter 13, and the irontvvardly extending` stem 2O of the feeler passes through swivel block 21. A spring); 22 is mounted on the. stem 2O and interposed between the block 21 and the bridge or member 23 secured to the eeler, 'the tendency of the spring," being to normally move the feeler into rearward feeling position. The parts so tar described may be substantially the same as the corresponding parts in the patent to Edward S. Stimpson. No. 1,309,226, July S, 1919.

The lay 24e i ay be of usual construction and has the shuttle box 25, the front wall of which is slotted at 26 for the entrance ol tli-.e feeler 1S. The shuttle 27 in which is mounted the filling' carrier has its front wall slotted as at 28, as usual in this class of looms, the construction being such that as the lay moves frontwardly on a detectiml beat the -teeler may enter the shuttle box and shuttle and detect the condition of the lling in the shuttle.

In accordance with the present invention the feeler is to beiy held in av t'rontward or inope ative position for periods olf' time and is to be released at intervals to perform its feeling` function. `The relative lengths ot the periods oi a-ctivity and inactivity may vary and as shown in the present instance of the invention the YJfeeler is provided with a projection 29 which is moved rontm'ardliY with the `feeler when the latter is moved frontwardly 'by the advancing lling in the. shuttle. Connected to the teeler stand 16 is a bracket 30 to which is pivoted at 31 alever 32 constituting the iteeler holding mea-ns.

The rear end portion of the lever 32 is lat` erally extended at 33, such lateral extension being` adapted to engage the rear surface of the projection 29 on the feeler when the feelery is moved Jrontwardly on a detectimg` beat with a working supply ot lling in the shuttle. A spring;` 34 normally tends to move the Jfeeler holding means 32 in its feeler holding position but is suiii- -cientl` yieldable to permit the rear end o, the 'teeler holdin` means to lift as the pro. jection 29 oi' the leeler moves trontwardljt. The ctmstruction thus ifa-.r described cou-- stitutes a ,good practical torni of an iulvrmilitent l'eelcr mechanism with which th. pr sent innemion may be associatcul` hue other details of intermittent ifecler mechanisms may be employed advantag'eousl)- in connection with the present invention, which relates more particularly to the :tcclcr ralel j means.

ln accordance with the present intention the :toelcr is to be released from its lioldiugf means at intervals so timed and arrange." that the leeler release takes place when lh.` lay is going; back or retreating from tron! position so that the teeler may assume il# periods ol" activity in rearward feeling' pu. sition. In carrying out this feature ol ilu invention. means are associated with the l;\ rocker shail't to transmit releasing mow it to the leeler holding` means as sii/'h rocker shaft and lay move towards the rca' of the loom.

ln the present instance, the loom frame l has secured thereto a bracket 35 locacl near the lower portion of the loom traine trom which extends a support or stud 'l roi' supportingir the ratchet wheel` 'torniimr part ot the train of' mechanism for rclcashe ieeler As shown, the ratchet wheel Aounted in a frame 3S, the upward c.\- tendin.; portion ot which is secured lo tue stud P56 by stud screws 40, as indicalcv in Fin'. 1. The supporting trame 3S is :u formed as to protect as well as support the ratchet wheel 37.

The lay rocker lJhat't eil, best indicated in Figs. and il. extends as usual in a trans verse direction between the sida trames ol' the loom, and is supported in suitahlc heurinn's tor rocking' moven'ient. lt is not deemed necessary herein to fully illustratiaud describe the bearings Vtor the lay rocher shaft l1 since the details 'form no part ol' the present invention.

The portion oli the layv roclrcr shalt cxtcndinfr beyond the side trames of the loom has secured to it a shoe or cuclosiin mem her an oui'zward extension lil o which may be provided as a hearing: surface `tor thc rocker shoe lei ol the picker click ft. These details, however. may vary within the scope ot the present invention. Con nected to tir lay recaer shall l? is au arm 415. Fins. Q and 2", uhirh moves with the lay rocker shaft. shown, the arm elfl' is secured to the lay rocker shal'f. hy a stud screw di' which passes thrilugrh thc arm 16 at its lower' portion and into llu sleeve or shoe 42. The slcere or shoe lil may be itsel'lE secured to the rocher shalt l1 either by the screw 4:7 or an additional screw '18 may be employed as indicated in Fig. l, suoli details being within the selective skill of the mechanic.

The upper portion of the rocking` arm 4:6 has extended therefrom a stud 4S* on which is pivotally mounted a. pawl 50 having a tooth 51 adapted to engage a tooth :'32 of the ratchet 37, the construction being` such that as the lay rocker shaft moves backwardly, as indicated by the arrow, Figs. 2 and 3, the pawl will impart to the ratchet wheel 37 a step-by-stepi rotary movement, and as the lay rocker shaft turns frontwardly the pawl will click over the tooth of the ratchet wheel in its idle stroke. To prevent backward movement of the ratchet wheel during the idle stroke of the pawl, a check pawl 53 may be employed, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3.

The pawl 50 is provided with a slot 54; through which passes a pin which is secured to the rear face member of the bracket 38 and has an enlarged head 56 which acts to guide the pawl in its 1novements. Any usual form of guide may be employed for this purpose within the true scope of the invention.

The ratchet Wheel 37 has one or more trip lugs 57 connected thereto. In the pres* ent instance, two of such trip lugs are indicated, but obviously the number of these may be varied, and such trip lugs may be removably secured to the ratchet wheel by passing' the stem of the trip lug through one of the holes 58 formed in the face of the ratchet wheel.

Pivotally supported at 59 on the bracket 3S is an arm 60' which has a downwardly extendingtoe 6l adapted to be engaged by a trip lug 57 as the ratchet wheel is turned at its upper part towards the rear of the loom. The arm 60 carries a projection 62 on the upper surface of which rests the end portion of a flexible wire 63 which extends downwardly through an opening in the bearing 64C secured to the loom frame. If desired, the wire 63 may be mounted for lengthwise movement in a collar 65 which may be secured to the lug' 64: by a screw 66 or other means.A

The wire 63 extends upwardly and its upper end portion extends through a lug; 67 formed in the bracket 30 and underlies projection 68 formed on the feeler holding lever 32. Between the lugs or brackets 6ft and 67 the wire 63 is encased or sheathed by a flexible covering 69, the construction being' such that should the lower end of the wire 63 be moved by the projection 62 on the lever 60, the upper end of the wire will be correspondingly moved to lift the feeler holding means or lever 32 to release the feeler.

In order to limit the movement of the arm 60, the latter may be provided with a stop 70 constituting a projection from the the interengaging; lugs 57 and 6l on the' ratchet wheel 38 and arm 60` respectively are preferably such that more than a single toothed movement of the ratchet wheel .is necessary to cause such lugs to pass into and out of engagement, the effect beine' that.l

the feeler will first be released and will re main released from the feeler holding' means for more than one beat-up movement of the lay and preferably for two or even three beats.

From the construction described it will be apparent that the feeler will be held in its frontward inoperative position and out of cooperative relation with the illing in the shuttle for periods of inactivity and that it will be released from the feeler holdingmeans at intervals to its periods of activity, and that such release of the feeler' to the performance ot its feeling function takes place wl'ien the lay is not in a position to interfere with the movement of the feeler to its full feeliinev position. in other words, the release f the feeler to its periods of activity takes place when the lay and lay rocker yshaft are moving" towards the rear of the loom so that the feeler may assume its rearward feeling` position without engagingV the filling and will be in full feeling position to detect the condition. of the filling" on the neXt detecting; beat.

What is claimed is:

l. In a feeler mechanism for looms the combination of a feeler, a catch for holding' the feeler in a frontward, inoperative posi tion during' its periods of inactivityv` a trip for said catch to free the feeler at intervals, the lay rocker shaft at the lower part of the loom, an arm secured to the lay rocker shaft for rocking movement therewith at the lower part of the loom, and means actuated by the arm as the rocker shaft turns backM wardly for freeing,v the feeler from the catch at intervals.

2. In a feeler mechanism for looms in which the feeler has periods of activity and inactivity during; weaving with. the same supply of iilling in the shuttle. the combina tion of a feeler. means for holding the feeler in a frontward inoperative position during its periods of inactivity, the lay rocker shaft mounted for rocking movement at the lower part of the loom, an arm secured to the lay rocker shaft, a ratchet wheel mounted adjacent to the lay rocker shaftand having Va trip lug, and means between the arm and ratchet wheel for actuating the latter to free the feeler from its holding` means at intervals.

3. In a feeler mechanism for looms in which the feeler has periods of activity and inactivity during weaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle, the combination of a eeler, means for holding the feeler in a frontward inoperat-ii'fe position during its periods of inactivity, the lay rocker-shait mounted for rockingN movement at the lower part of the loom, an arm secured'to the lay rocker-shaft, a ratchet wheel mounted adjacent to the lay rocker shaft and having a trip lug,- and a pawl connected to the arm for actuating the ratchet to free the feeler at intervals.

il. In a eeler mechanism for looms in which the feeler has periods oi' activity and inactivity during weaving with the same supply of filling` in the shuttle, the combination of a feeler, means for holding the eeler in a frontward inoperative position during its periods of inactivity, the lay rocker-shaft mounted for rocking movement at the lower part of the loom, an arm secured to the lay rocker-shaft, ratchet Avvheel mounted adjacent to the lay rockershaft and having a trip lug, a bracket secured to the loom frame tor supporting the ratchet wheel for operation from the lay rocker-shaft, a paWl connected to the arm for stepping the ratchet wheel along as the rocker-shaft swings the arm rearwardly to free the feeler from its holding means at intervals.

5. In afeeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler, a catch for holding)r the eeler in a frontward inoperative position during its periods oi inactivity, a trip lor said catch to free the ieeler at intervals, the lay rocker-shaft at the lmver part of the loom, an arm secured to the lay rocher sha il for rocking movement therewith at the lower part of the loom, a trip arm, a flexible sheathed wire between the trip arm and trip for Yfreeing the 'feeler at intervals upon movement of the wire in its sheath, and means actuated by the backward movement of the arm on the rocker shaft for actuatingr the trip arm.

6. In a loom, the combination oi the lay r cl/:er-shat7 a pawl connected thereto, a ratchet wheel actuated by the pawl as the lay moves back, a lugl carried by the ratchet wheel, a feeler, a catch for holding the teeler in frontward inope 1attive position during,r periods of inactivity, and means between the catch and ratchet wheel for freeing the feeler from the catch as the ratchet wheel is actuated by the pawl on backward movement of the lay that the feeler may be freed at intervals to periods of activity.

i'. In a eeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a teeler, a catch 'for holdingr the eeler in frontward inoperative position during' periods of inactivity, the lay and lay rocker-shaft, a ratchet wheel, a pawl actuated from the lay rocker-shaft on back Yard movement to turn the ratchet wheel, and means between the ratchet wheel and catch including` a flexible sheathed wire for trip* ping` the catch and freeing the i'eeler to pci riods of activity as the lay goes back.

In testimony whereof, l have signed my name to this specilication.

EDW'ARD S. STIMPSON.