US1615216A

US1615216A - Fabric-inspection apparatus

Info

Publication number: US1615216A
Application number: US10735A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cruger Harold
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1925-02-21
Filing date: 1925-02-21
Publication date: 1927-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 1944-01-25

Description

` H. CRUGER FABRIC INSPECTION APPARATUS' Filed Feb. 21, 1925 5 sheets-sheet 1 NVENTOR HAMM @wf/4r- Jan. 25, 1927. 1,615,216

H. CRUGER Y '11m HEMI iiI .i i www,

*M- 'Il'Y 1 HN 'im i LH l n? Ul! Patented Jan. 25, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD causan, or NEW Yonx, N. Y.

FABRIC-'INSPECTION APPARATUS.

Application led February 21, 1925. Seria1 No.. 10,735.

The invention relates to improvements in fabric inspection apparatus, and more particularly to an improved device whereby the threads of apiece of fabric may be counted and inspected through a microscope or mag- 'nifyingy member. In accordance with the invention means are provided whereby a microscope may be moved both laterall and longitudinally above the piece of abrio which is suitably supported, so that the observer can readily count and inspect both the warp and the woof threads of the fabric. In the preferred form of construction means are provided for directing light of uniform character upwardly through the portion of Vthe fabric which is to be inspected, or for directing light of a desired and adjustable intensity downwardly upon the fabric for use with material of such character that the Y illumination of the same from above is' de'- sired. I v

An object of the invention isthe provision `of a comparatively simple'and inexpenslve device ofthe character referred to, and

- which shall be dependable and .extremely effective in operation. Other objects of the invention consist in the provision of imclearly understood attention proved elements of construction and combinations of parts, whereby various desirable effects will be obtained, all as will be more fully described in the following speciication: and the invention will be further pointed out inthe appended claims.

'In order that the invention may be more is hereby directed to the appended drawings, forming part of this application and illustrating one embodiment of the invention.

Referring lto` the drawings: Fig. l is' a erspective view of a fabric l inspection device embodying the invention';

' that shown in the Fig. 3, but'witha through Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig; 3 is a longitudinal vertical section the device taken.` online 3--3 of Fig. 4; i

lig. 4 is a top plan view of the device;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section similarto different adjustment of the parts;

Figs.V 6, 7 and 8 are perspectively views respectively of auxiliary devices; and

f Fig. 9 is a detailed plan view of the glass in the microscope carrying cross lines.

Referring to the drawings, the device as vshown comprises a light-tight box, l, the

closure member 2. This top' closure member has an opening of considerable relative size therein which is closed by a plate of glass,l3, which is preferably ground glass. This pane of glass, 3, may be held in position in any suitable way as by means of the channel, 4, extending aboutthe opening-in the top plate, 2, as shown inzFig. 2.l The top plate 2 may, if desired, be positioned at a slight inclination to the horizontal with its rear end somewhat higher thanA its forward end lto facilitate inspection of fabric thereon.

The reanwall, 5, of the box, 1 is provided, in the preferred form of construction, with one or several openings, 6, therethrough,

through which electricl light bulbs, 7, are extended. A flanged extension, 8, of box-like form is secured to the rear surface of the rear wall, l5, ofbox 1, this serving to hold the sockets, 9, of the electric light bulbs, 7. Two-such bulbs are illustrated in the drawings, it beingof course understood that one or more bulbs may be used but thatit is ofl course important to secure as uniform illumination of the fabricl as possible. The usual electric light wires extend .from the sockets, 9, these connections not being illustrated. y These connections may extend to a suitable switch, 10, mounted on the side of box, 1, at which the current for the lamp may.

be turned on or off. It' will of course be understood that the electric connection continues from the switch, 10, andmay v,ter-`v reflecting hood is thereby provided. The

side walls, 1-1 of the box, 1, are extended upwardly at the rear, as is indicated at 12,

upper surfaces of which are formed by the rear wall, 5, of the box as deto cover the ends ofthe hood the rear and curved member 11. 'The front of the hood thus formed may be covered by a pane of ground glass, or the like, 13, which is preferably removably mounted in suitable vertical guide-ways at the forward edges of the hood, these guide-ways being provided, for

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example, by the flanges 14, 14', at the forward edges of the hood. When the ground glass, 13, is in position it will rest upon the rear end portion of the top plate, 2, of the box, 1. The top plate, 2, of the box preferably takes the fornr of aA flanged cover, the flanges of which are adapted to press firmly against the upper portions of the side walls and the front wall of the box, with the rear edge of the cover extendin a short distance within the side and front anges of the hood construction. This cover plate may be wholly or partly removable by sliding the same forwardly if'it is desired to obtain access to the lamps, 7, as for the purpose of replacing the same.

A shield member, 15, is preferably hingedly mounted, as is indicated at 16, to the front upper edge of the gtationary hood members 11, 12. rlhis shield, 15, comprises a transversely extending portion, 15. and end portions 152 which may each be in the form of a sector of a circle. This shield may be swung into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3 in which the front portion 15 thereof extends downwardly in front of the ground glass, 13, to entirely prevent the light from the lamps passing out through glass, 13, above plate 2. Ur, if it is'desired to examine the fabric on plate 2 by lightabove the same. the shield, 15, may be swung upwardly into the position shown in Figjli in which the portion 15 of the shield extends forwardly. from the opening in which ground glass, 13, is positioned, in which case the light from the lamp will be reflected downwardly and forwardly from lthe curved surface, 11,`at the rear of the box and from the inner surface of shield portions 152 and 15', so that this light will be directed downwardly upon the fabric on plate 2. rlhe light thus directed above the fabric may be adjusted in intensity by closing or opening the shutter 15 to a greater or less cxtent. Thus the shutter may be adjusted so that the forward portion 15 thereof will extend downwardly and forwardly at a sharp angle to leave only a comparatively small opening betweexrthe lower edge ofthe portion 15 of the shutter and the top surface plate 2 of the bor. `Shield 15 will preferably. be held impositively in any adjusted position as by friction of the side wings 152 of the shield against the side surfaces 12 of the fixed hood over which they fit rather closely.

'llhe inside of the box is preferably made light-reflecting as by giving the same a coat of white paint. rllhe upper surface of the bottom and the inner surfaces of the side walls 1i, and the front surfaces of the rear wall, 5. and hoed 11, and the inner surfaces of

shield members

15 and 152 may be made light-redecting. lhe inner surfaces of the 'rear wall 5, 11 preferably joins side walls 1 .17. therethrough for ventilation.

"When the fabric is to be examined entirely by light from above, the ground glass, 3, in top plate 2. may be entirely covered by a removable plate, 18, Fig. 7, which may be formed of suitably shaped sheet metal and which may be slipped into position upon the top plate 2 to entirely cover ground glass 3 and thereby prevent light from beneath reaching the fabric, which may be positioned upon this plate 18.

When it is desired to examine fabric entirely by light from beneath the same, the shield, 15, may be closed, as is indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, to entirely cover the vertical ground glass 13. The piece of fabric to be examined will now be positioned upon the ground glass, 3` in top plate 2 and suitably held in flat position so that uniform light i will shine upwardly through the fabric.

llt is usually desirable to examine only a comparatively small portion of fabric and to have the light from underneath pass only through this small section of cloth. Accordingly one cr more slides or plates such as that indicated at 19 in Figs. l and 6 are provided, plate 19 being shown as formed of suitable opaque materiWV such as sheet metal with a rectangular opening or window, 20, formed through the rear portion of the same. Any number of slides or plates such as that shown at 1t may be provided, each having an aperture similar to that shown at 20 in Fig. 6., these apertures.y however., being of different sizes in the different plates, so that sections of fr ric of (lider-ent size may be examined. llt is not deemed necessary to illustrate more. than one 'such slide.

lll/"hen a piece of fabric is to be examined by light passinyg; upwardly through the same, the fabric is placed upon the ground glass. 3. and a suitable slide, such as'll, positioned above the same, care being taken to have the fabric lying flat and unwrinlrlcd. Slide 19 is rectangular and the aperture, 20, therethrough is also rectangular with its edges parallel to the edges of the slide. lt is therefore a simple matter toadjust the fahric and the slide so that the edges of aperture 2O will be approximately parallel to the longitudinal and transverse threads ofthe llG lle?

fabric. This adjustment may be facilitated,

against the rear edge of this opening, or

Aby aligning the lfront' edges, 21, of the slide against the forward edge of the opening in which glass 3 is'positioned. The slide may be readily movedby means of the forwardly extending projection, 22, which'may be held between the thumb and finger of the operator.

When the slide and fabric are thus properly positioned the fabric may be subjected to pressure to insure the same lying flat against glass,V 3'. This may be accomplished, for example, by means of the forwardly directed

spring fingers

23, 23. Each ,spring finger, 23, is preferably carried by 40, which is rotatably mounted in carriage,

an upwardly extending member, 24, which is slidably mounted on a transversely extending rail or rod, 25, the ends of which are supported in.4 blocks 26,' 26, mounted upon top plate 2. Fingers 23 may thus be slid along rod, 25, intofdesired positions where they will bear upon slide, 19, and exert pressure upon the fabric beneath the same,whereu on the spring lingers are secured in position and vput under pressure by means, for example, of screws, 27, which screw into` suitable threaded openings in blocks, 24, and are adapted to bear againstl rod, 25. These screws are preferably provided with knurled heads, 28, by which they may readily be turned.

A microscope 0r suitable magnifying member indicated at 29 1s carried by a vertical arm, 30, extending upwardly from a carriage, 31, which is slidably mounted on a transverse rod, 32. Rod 32 is carried by short longitudinally extending members 33, 33, the rear ends of which carry laterally extending

arms

34, 34, which are slidably mounted on longitudinally extending sidev rods-35, 35. These rods are secured at their rear ends to the blocks, 26, previously mentioned and at their forward ends to similar blocks, 36, 36, mounted upo`n top plate 2. The forward ends-.of the longitudinally extending arms 33 are secured to a transverse bar, 37 the endsv of which are slidably mounted on rods, 35, the frame comprising.

transverse members, 32, 34 and 37 together with the' longitudinal members, 33, thus being slidably mounted onrods, 35, for longitudinal movement over plate 2.-

The rear surface oftransverse bar, 37,-

is provided with a rack, 38, with which lco-l acts a pinion, 39, on a short vertical stud,

31. This vertical stud carries a knurled head, 41, at its-upper end by which it can be turned so that carriage, 3.1, and the microscope carried thereby may be moved step vby step in transverse direction, across top plate 2 of the box. lhe frame or carriage comprising memfor moving the same step by step. As

shown in the drawings a pinion, 42, may be carried by a short vertical'stud, 43, vwhich is rotatably mounted in one of the frame members, 33, of the longitudinally n'movable frame, this stud carrying a knurled head.`

44, at its upper end by which it can beturned. Pinion 42 coacts with a stationary rack, 45, which is secured to top plate 2 and may extend fromfront to rear alongside one of the blocks, 26, and the corresponding front block, 36.

By the means described, the microscope may be readily positioned over window, 20, in plate 19, beneath which the fabric to be examined is held in flatposition. The microscope is preferably provided with accurately positioned cross lines,.46, which may be formed upon a suitable glass mounted in the microscope asis indicated in Fig. 9. These lines are accurately positioned at right angles to each other and may aligned with warp or woof threads of the fabric to actas an .indicator or pointer to facilitate counting the threads. The window, 20, of plate 19, is preferably provided with suitable scales alongside one longitudinal and one lateral edge thereof, as is indicated at 47, in Fig. 6, these scales preferablyy being f three lin' number to indicate lengths in fractions of an inch', in centimeters, and in the French measure oflignes.

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It is accordingly a simple matter to move the microscope step by step over thefabric which is illuminated through window, 20, and to thereby count both the longitudinal and the lateral threads.

It may be noted that, for ease in adjusting the fabric in position on theapparatus,

the whole carriage bearing the microscope,- 'compr1s1ng frame-members 37 33, 34 and 32 may be swung upwardly about rod 35 at the left, (Fig. 1), as axis, this being permitted by the fact that parts 37 and 34 are merely notched for sliding engagement with rod 35 at the right, Fig. 1.

If a different kind of material is used, which should preferably be illuminated from `-above instead of by light, passing through thev fabric, the slide, 18, having no a erture therein is laced above-the ground g ass, 3, and the abrio laid thereon. In this case the fabric may be held flat by passing an angular removable member thereon such as `the L-shaped member, 48, illustrated in Fig. 8 which member should have sufficient weight to hold the fabric reasonably flat. The edges of this member may be provided with scales, such as scales of the three units ofmeasurement referred lid lid

to above, such scales being indicated at 49.

It will be noted that the provision of means for adjusting the position of the microscope laterally and longitudinally is much more effective for the desired purpose than would be the provision of means for moving the fabric in a similar manner beneath a microscope having a xed position. This is for the reason, among others, that the fabric must remain substantially flat in order to obtain a uniform-magnification thereofand it would be extremely difiicult to move the fabric step by step beneath the microscope without causing thelf'fs'ame to buckle more or` less. Furthermore, the

movement of the microscope while holding Jthe fabric stationary permits the use of the stationary screen such as slide member, 19, above the fabric this screen permitting the uniform illumination of'a desired. small portion of the fabric only, through the opening of desired size, such as window 20 in screen 19. lf the fabric were to be moved to obtain the relative adjustment between the microscope and the fabric, it would probably be necessary to move this slide or screen, 19, therewith, and in this case, it would not be possible to obtain uniform, comparatively intense illumination through the fabric, as is done in the present case where illumination comes entirelythrough the o ening, 20, which remains fixed in position uring the inspection.

lt will also be noted that the invention i provides means for illuminating the fabric from above, if desired, and varying the in: tensity of such illumination as desired by adjusting the angular position of the shield or shutter, 15. lso, that constant illumination from below is provided when desired, which illumination may be varied in inten7 sity by use of screens or plates such as lil, having openings of different site through which the light will pass, and that the invention also permits the total elimination of the light from underneath by the use of a solid or entirely opaque plate such as lil; and that also, the entire fabric may be illuminated from beneath, if desired, by holding the .i fabric upon the ground glass, 3, without the use of any plate or screen above it.

lt should be understood that the invention is not limited strictly to the exact details of construction which have been particularly described, but that the invention includes all suitable equivalents thereof, the scope of the invention being indicatedl by the appended claims.

ll claim:

l. lin fabric inspection apparatus, 'the combination of a box having a transparent fabric-supporting plate, a source of light within said box, said box having an upward extension with an opening through which light from said source may pass down upon said surface, and said box and upward ex tension having light reflecting inner surfaces adapted to cause the illumination of the upper and lower surfaces of saidplate, an adjustable shutter for said openin in said upward extension, and means enab ing the illumination from beneath saidlate of selected areas only of fabric upon said plate.-

2. In fabric inspection apparatus, the combination of a box having a transparent fabric-support of substantial extent through the whole of which light may pass, a source of light Within said box, means for reflectin light from said source uniformly u on sai support from below to uniformly il uminate a considerable extent of a fabric positioned on said support, slidable opaque means for holding a fabric upon said support, having a plurality of inspection o enin therein enabling the light to shine t roug onl selected areas of said fabric, a magniing member, means for movably supporting the same above said opaque means, means for adjusting the lens of said member vertically for focusing to diid'erent sizes of inspection openings, and means for adjustin the position of said magnifying member oth longi tudinally and laterally of a selected inspection opening. u

3. .lin fa ric inspection apparatus, the combination of a lighttight boa having an upper surface with an opening therein, a lig it-source, means for directing the light therefrom through said o ening, a magnifying member, a carriage mor the same above i, i

said upper surface, means for slidingly supv porting said carriage, arranged to permit the pivotal swinging of said carriage to one side of said opening, at any point in its travel, to permit adjustment of the fabric, u

and manuallycontrolled step by step means for moving carriage in one direction, and for moving said magnifying member, relative to said carriage, in a didierent direc'- tion, to adjust the osition of said ing member step by step above fabric eutended over said opening, manually controlled means holding said carriage and magnifying member in adjusted positions.

d. lin fabric inspection apparatus, the y 'ria combination of a fabric support. sin.A le

stationary source of light, an enclosure there for, and means comprising reideoting means for directing 'the light therefrom uniformly either through the fabric, from below, or npjj, ,1;

on the fabric from above, at will.

5. lin fabric inspection apparatus, the combination of a bon having a transparent top plate, a source of light within said box,

means for reflecting light from said source uniformly upon said plate from below, to illuminate a considerable extent of a fabric positioned on said plate, means for holding fabric upon said plate, comprising a series of opaque plates liaviiigdidcreiitly einen openings therethrough, any one of which, as desired, may be positioned on the fabric, a magnifying member, and means for movably mounting the same above said transparent and opaque plates. l,

6. In fabric inspection apparatus, the combinationof a box having a transparent fabric-supporting plate, asource of light within said box, said box having an upward extension with an opening through which light from said source may pass down upon said surface, and said box and upward ex-v tension having light reflecting inner surfaces adapted to causethe illumination of the upper and lower surfaces of said plate, means for holding fabric upon said plate, comprising an opaque plate with an inspecx tion opening therein, to be positioned upon v ing therefrom an extent of said fabrigmany` said fabric when the latter is to be examined by light from below, and an opaqueplate to be positioned upon said transparent plate, and means for holding the'fabric upon said last named opaque plate, when the fabric is to be examined by light from above.

7 In fabric inspection apparatus, the combination of a fabric support, means for holding a piece of fabric flat and immovable thereon, permitting the inspection of a desired limited area thereof, an artificial source of light and means for uniformly illuminatltim'es greater than and including said'lim- -lted area, a magnifylng member, and means also from above, to illuminate a considerable extent of a fabric'positioned on said plate, means for varying or shutting olf the downwardly-reflected light, and means for holding fabric on said plate.

9. In fabric inspection apparatus, the combination of a transparent fabric support, a removable plate, having an inspection opening therein, fonholding a piece of fabric flat and immovable thereon,r,a light source, means for reflecting light therefrom either upon the bottom or the top side ofthe fabric, as desired, a magnifying member having a glass with cross lines thereon, mounted above said plate, and means for adjusting the position thereof, step by step, in two directions, to enable said cross lines to be aligned successively with threads of the fabric, in counting the same.

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

HAROLD CRUGER.