US1683898A - Tensioning device for braiding machines - Google Patents

Description

Sept'. 11, 1928. 1,683,898

W. C. JOHNSON TENSIONING DEVICE FOR BRAIDING MACHINES Filed July 17, 1925 A TTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 11, 1928.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM 0.. JOHNSQN OE PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

TENSIONING DEVICE FOR BRAIDING MACHINES.

Application filed July-17, 1925. Serial No. 44','2a0.

This invention relates to an improvement in tensioning devices for the unbraided elastic warp thread of a braiding machine,and'

has for its objectto provide such a tensioning device which is more particularly adapted to apply the desired amount of tensionto an unbraided elastic warp at a pointintermediate its supply and its point of braiding. A further object of this invention is to provide an individual tensioning device for each individual warp thread, whereby the desired amount of tension may be applied to each. t

- A further object of the invention is the positioning of the tensioning device at a point well above the raceway plate and in as close proximity to the point of braiding as possible so as to reduce the length of the stretched portion and the loss from breakage to the minimum.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of meansbelow'the plate for regulating the amount of tension applied to the warpat a point above the plate. I

The invention further consists in the provision of a set of cooperating fixed and adjustable corrugated members arranged to act upon the Warp thread at a point above the raceway plate, and to provide a tension weight below this plate which is connected to the'tension members through the tubular warp conducting stud. V i 7 8 With these and other objects in view, the

invention consists of certain novel features Figure 1 is av plan view of a fragmental portion of the raceway plate showingthe elastic warp threads as .led from the warp guide post towards the braiding center.

Figure 2 ista perspective view of the adjustable member of the tensioning device.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the relatively fixed member of the tensioning device. V v

Figure 1 is a sectionalside elevation showing a portion of the braiding machine with the warp tensioning device mounted'thereon. Figure 5 is a. modification showing the warp tension teeth or corrugations as cast integral with the guide post.

In some instances particularly in the braiding of elasticwebbing a plurality of the elastic threads are drawn from a single supply and the tension beam which is located below the raceway plate, and these threads are then led through tubular studs in the plates to the braiding point, and that when so led often times the tension of theseelastic threads is quite uniform; then 'again'by this arrangement tension is exerted upon the threads through an extended length thereof between the beam and the braiding point, thus necessitating considerable waste by breakage of'the tlireads;'and to obviate this difficulty, I have found in the practical construction and operation of such a braiding machine, it to be of advantage to-position the tensioning device at a point above the raceway plate and in as close proximity to the point of braiding as possible so as to reduce the length of the portion under tension and the loss from breakage to the minimum; sec- .gaged and again connected into the fabric at the point of braiding. It is also found of advantage to position weights below the braider plates and connect the same-through the tubular warp studs to apply the proper amount of tension to thetensioning device,

mounted above the quoit plates, and 'the following-is a detailed description of the pres entembodiment otmy invention showing one means bywhich these results may be accomplishedzf I v I With reference to the drawings, '10 designates the upper raceway plate, the quoits 11 of which are herein shownas being supported from the bottom plate 12 bytubular studs 13. Azsleeve 14 onthe stud serves as a spacer for said plates and also as a bearing for the gear 15 of thedriving train, which gear also has horns 16 for driving the carrier. notshown. This tubular stud'13 is threaded at its opposite ends and is set to bind its plates in position against the ends of the sleeve 14 by'nuts 17. The upper end of this tube projects above its upper nut 17 and a warp guide post 18 is mounted thereon. On this warp guide post, I have mounted a Warp thread tensioning device, the fixed member of which is herein shown asformed of a sheet metal plate 19 havingtransverse teeth or corrugations 20, the plate bein provided with interned fingers 21 at its upper and lower ends, which are riveted through the holes 22, to the post.

This fixed, corrugated member is provided a its upper end with a pair of laterallyextending inclined guide members 23 which are for the purpose presently described. The engaging edges of the teeth 20 of this fixed member, are preferably grooved slight ly as at 2-1 to guide the warp thread 25 as it passes thereover and over the upper roll on its way to the center braiding point 26. Cooperating with this fixed corrugated tension plate is anadjustable tension plate 27, preferably also formed of sheet stock and whichisprovided with-a set of cooperating.

teeth 28 adapted to intermesh with the teeth 20, ofthe'fixed member for the purpose of engaging the warp thread between them to re'ss or force it to take a zi za course in passing over the edges of these teeth. In order to cause thismovable tension 8 member to force the warp thread inwardly between the teeth, I have provided a pair of inclined hook-shaped fingers 29 near its up 1 per end, whiehhook over the inclined guide wings orme'mbers23, and I have suspended a weight 30 below the bottomiplate 12 of the machine by a cord "31 which extends up through the tubular stud 13 and is attached at 32 to the lower end of this movable tension plate 27. Itwillbe .noted that this lower end of the movable tension plate is offset outwardly from the line of pull through the tubular stud and'thus the tension on the same has a tendency todraw the lower end of the plate into closer engagementwith' the fixed plate, the inclination of the hook fingers 29 on the inclined member23 also assist in serving to draw the upper portion of the corrugated members into closer engagement Therefore, when a lighttension isrequired on the warp 25 a comparatively light weight 1 30 is mounted to apply-the tension to the plate 27, thus permitting the drag of the warp thread to act upon the plate and lift its teeth somewhat out of deep engagement with the fixed plate, and when a greater tension is required more weight is applied at 30 which serves to effect a deeper engagement of these teeth and so accentuate the zigzag course of the warp thread through the corrugatedtension members. I

The upp'erendof this movable plate 27 is guided laterally by the inturned guide r; Bythisconstruction; it will be seen that the tension is applied to the warp thread at a point above the raceway plate and in proximity to tlie point of braiding.

. Then again, each individual thread has its tension,.and third, the tension weights are mounted below the body of the braiding machine out of the way and in position where the weight members thereon, may be readily adjusted. 1

The foregoing description is directed solely towards the construction illustrated,

but I desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to, all the mechan-' tending upward above said plate a substantial distance a war thread'tensionin de- 7 b vice operatively mounted on said postcomprising a pair of members extending along the length of the thread to engage the same,

and a weight located below said plate and having a connection extending through said opening for applying a tensioning action to said members to I the thread.

2. In a braiding machine having a racemore or less firmlyengage way plate with an opening therein for the passage of a'warp thread, a warp guide post on said plate adjacent said opening, a warp tensioning device mounted on said post comprising a set of cooperating fixed and adjustable corrugated members arranged to act upon the warp thread, and a ten sion' weight below said plate and a cord extending from said weight through said opening to said adjustable corrugated meniber to act thereon. v

8. In a braiding machine havinga bottom' plate and an upper raceway plateconnected by a. tubular stud through whichrhe' warp is led, a fixed warp guide post on saidupper plate, cooperating adjustable warp tensioning members carried by said post, and a tension weight: below said bottom plate con nected through said stud I tension members. e

4:. In a braiding machinehaving top and bottom plates, a tubular conducting warp stud extending through saidplates, 'a-warp post extending upward above said stud, a set of cooperating corrugated tension members mounted on said post engaging the warp thread, a tension cord extending from one of said members through said stud, and a weight on said cordbelow said bottom plate for applying tension'to the warp through said member.

5. In a braiding machine,a,tensionfdevice comprising-maimand auxiliary memto one of said bers each having cooperating interengaging corrugations, an inclined engaging support by which one of said members is suspended in proximity to its complemental member tending to move one'into closer engagement with the other to increase the tension on the thread passing between'them;

6. In a braiding machine, a tension device comprising main and auxiliary members each having cooperatinginterengaging corrugations, an inclined engaging support by which one of said members is suspended in proximity to its complemental member tending to move one into closer engagement with the other to increase the tension on the thread passing between them, and cooperating means further assisting to draw said tension members closer together. v

7. In a braiding machine, a tension device having cooperating interengaging corrugations, an inclined engaging supportby which one of said members is 'suspnded in proximity to its complemental member tending to move them into closer engagement one with the other to increase the tension on the inclined support by which the movable memher is suspended tending to draw the two together, and a weight suspended below said plate andconnected to said movable member to further assist'in exerting a tension on the warp thread passing between said movable and fixed members.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

WILLIAM C, JOHNSON.

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