US1741114A

US1741114A - Feeler mechanism for looms

Info

Publication number: US1741114A
Application number: US357557A
Authority: US
Inventors: Keegan Patrick
Original assignee: Draper Corp
Current assignee: Draper Corp
Priority date: 1929-04-23
Filing date: 1929-04-23
Publication date: 1929-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 1946-12-24

Description

Dec. ,24, 1929. P. KEEGAN FEBLER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS a w I //v VENTOR.

@M BY 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 25, 1929 ATT O Ri/ f Dec. 24, 1929. P. KEEGAN FEELER MECHAN ISM FOR LOOMS Filed April 25, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /N l ENTOfP: W BY ATfbR/VE Patented Dec. 24, 1929 UNITED starts PATENT OFFICE PATRICK KEEGAN, C-F FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER CORPO- RATION, 0F HOPEDAIIE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Application filed April 23,

This invention relates to feeler mechanisms for looms whereby the eperative condition of the loom is changed when the filling becomes substantially exhausted, is more particularly directed to feeler mechanisms of the intermittent type.

The change in the operative condition of the loom may result in loom stoppage, or, as is more frequently the case, a fresh supply of filling may be automatically furnished. Looms containing feeler mechanisms to effect the desired results are commonly known as feeler looms, and where replenishment of filling is the object sought, it may be efiected by changing the substantially exhausted filling carrier or bobbin in the shuttle for another having a working supply of filling wound thereon, or by changing the shuttle for another having a working supply of filling.

In feeler mechanisms of the intermittent type, the feeler member is ordinarily held in the front or inactive position for an interval of time and released to its feeler action periodically during weaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle. This recurring action of the feeler member injuriously affects the filling, especially when it is of certain kind or character, because the teeth on the feeler member sink into the filling on detecting beats during its periods of activity. This injurious effect of the feeler member upon the filling is particularly observable where the feeler member is of the side slipping type, by reason of the tendency of the feeler to partake of its side slipping movement during its periods of activity.

An important feature of the present invention consists of a feeler mechanism wherein the feeler member is held in front position during weaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle, until the filling has reached a predetermined degree of exhaustion and is thereupon released to its feeler action to call for a. change in the loom operation when the filling is substantially exhausted.

In accordance with the present invention, the side slipping feeler is associated with a second feeler member which enters the shut- 1929. Serial NO. 357,557.

tle on each detecting beat and feels for the filling, and on the second feeler member is a trip which is normally inactive and is brought into operative position to effect release of the side slipping feeler when the second feeler enters the shuttle to a predetermined extent, signifying thereby that the filling is approaching substantial exhaustion.

The invention and novel features thereof will best be made clear from the following description and the accompanying drawings of one good form thereof.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of portions of a loom provided with the present inventlon;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the feeler mechanism, the shuttle and contents being shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a plan View showing the relation of parts when the side slipping and second feeler members are moved frontwardly on the first detecting beat following a replenish ing operation; and

Fig. 4: is a similar view to that of Fig. 3, showing the relation of parts when the sec- 0nd feeler member detects a predetermined degree of filling exhaustion.

In the present instance of the invention, the feeler mechanism is shown as applied to a filling replenishing loom, but the replenishing mechanism and the details thereof are not herein shown and described because such details form no part of the present invention and are now well understood in the art.

The loom frame may be of usual construction and have extending from one side thereof a shipper stand 1 having an outwardly extending portion 2 provided with a slot 3 for the adjustable support of a bracket 4 by means of a bolt 5, as more clearlv indicated in Fig. 1. v

Mounted upon the upper surface of the bracket 4 is the feeler stand 6 which may be adjustably secured to the bracket 4 by means of a bolt 7 passed through a slot 8 formed in the feeler stand.

lVhile the present invention is comprehenlOU sive of any usual character of side slipping feeler member, such member, in the present instance of the invention, is shown as of the inclined type, that is, the side slipping feeler is mounted upon the feeler stand to enter the shuttle during its active period in a direction inclined to the longitudinal axis of the shut tle; but, as above indicated, other types of side slipping feelers may be advantageously 10 employed within the true scope of the present invention.

The feeler stand 6 is provided at its rear portion with a slotted guide 9 of sufiicient dimensions to permit side slipping movement of the feeler 10 to call for a change of filling. The side slipping feeler 10 extends through the slotted guide 9 and the rear portion of the feeler is provided with one or more teeth 11 which, during the active period of the feeler,

'20 may enter the shuttle and engage the filling. The feeler member 10 has the frontwardly extending stem 12 which passes through a swivel block 13 at the front of the feeler stand, and interposed between the swivel block 13 and a shoulder 14 carried by the feeler is a spring 15 normally acting to move the feeler into its rearward feeling position, the construction being such that should the feeler detect substantial exhaustion of filling dur ing its active period, it may side slip under the frontward' pressure of a surface within the shuttle and call for a change of filling.

' As before noted, the replenishing mechanism and its details are not here shown, but

associated with the side slipping'feeler is a transmitter 16 mountedfor sliding movement in a guide 17 and having its upturned end 18 normally bearing against the side of the side slipping feeler, with the result that shouldthe side slipping feeler partake of its side slipping movement, the transmitter 16 will be actuated to call for a change of filling.

Secured to the feeler 10 is the frontward 1y extending arm 19 which may be conveniently secured to the feeler by a screw bolt 20, and the frontwardly extending portion of the arm 19 is provided with a tooth 21, frontward of which is a plain portion 22, for a purpose that will presently appear. 7

Rising from the feeler stand are the bracket members 23 between which is mounted the rock shaft 24; having secured thereto a catch 25 and normally under the influence of a spring 26 to depress the free end of the catch 3 into engagement with the tooth 21 on the arm 19 when the side slipping feeler 10 is moved frontwardly by a fresh supply of filling in the V shuttle on the first detecting beat following replenishment, with the result that the side slipping feeler, when thus moved frontwardly, will be held in a front position by the catch 25, so that the toothed end portion 11 of the side slipping feeler may not injuriously engage the filling on detecting beats. 1 Only sufficient portionsof the lay and shuttle box are shown to make clear the relation of the feeler mechanism and the shuttle when positioned in the detecting box.

The detecting shuttle box 27 is shown as broken away, but its front wall has the usual open slot for the entrance of the feeler on a detecting beat when the side slipping feeler is in its rearward feeling position.

The shuttle 28 carries the usual filling car rier or bobbin 29 on which the filling 30 is wound, and the front wall 31 of the shuttle is provided with the usual feeler slot 32.

In accordance with the present invention, the side slipping feeler 10 has associated therewith a second feeler member which is also mounted on the feeler stand for movement towards and from the front of the loom, and such second feeler member is continuously active to feel for the filling in the shuttle on each detecting beat and be moved frontwardly thereby.

The second feeler member is indicated at 33 and its frontwardly extending stem 34 passes through the swivel block 35 between which and a shoulder 36 onthe second feeler member is a spring 37 normally acting to move the second feeler member rearwardly into its filling feeler position.

In accordance with the present invention, the second feeler member is continuously active, as hereinbefore stated, and to prevent injurious effect upon the filling the second feeler member is provided with a fibrous filling feeler portion or end 38 which may be secured to the rear end portion of the second feeler member in appropriate manner, but, as shown, is confined thereto by a plate 39 secured to the second feeler memben by suitable bolts or rivets 10.

The rearward movement of the second feeler member 33 is limited by a suitable stop which, in the present instance, consists of a pin 41 extending between the lower wall of the slotted guide 9 and a cover plate 42, which is engaged by a shoulder 13 formed in the second feeler member by a slotted portion e41, as more clearly indicated in Fig; 3, the construction being such that under the impulse of the second feeler member spring 37 the second feeler 33 will be normally held in its rearward position, as defined by the stop or pin, and have permissive frontward movement. p e

The present invention contemplates that the side slipping feeler be continuously held in its front position during weaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle, until the filling has been exhausted to a predetermined amount, and shall thereupon be freed to its period of activity and remain active until, upon substantial exhaustion of filling, the side slipping feeler will partake of its side slipping movement and call for change of filling. V

In accordance with this feature of the invent'ion, the second feeler member is provided with a trip normally held in its inoperative position relative to the catch until the second feeler member detects a predetermined amount of filling in the shuttle, whereupon the trip is moved into its operative relation with respect to the catch to release the side slipping feeler from the catch and permit the former to perform its feeling function.

Pivotally mounted upon the second feeler member 83 at is a trip 46, the frontward- 1y extending portion of which has a lifting cam 47 adapted to engage a pin 48 extending laterally from the catch 25, such engagement being effective to trip the catch 25 only when the trip 46 is operatively positioned relative thereto.

The trip 46 is normally under the influence of a spring 19 supported by a bracket- 50 extending laterally from the second feeler member 33, with the result that the trip d6 is normally held in its inoperative position relative to the catch.

The trip 46 is provided with a laterally extending lug 51 near its rear portion through which is extended the threaded shank 52 of a hunter 53 adapted to be engaged by a surface on the lay, such, for instance, as the front wall of the shuttle, only when the sec ond feeler member 33 detects approach to substantial exhaustion of filling in the shuttle, or, in other words, enters the shuttle to a predetermined extent.

lVhen the second feeler member detects the condition. above stated and the bunter contacts with the frontwardly moving surface on the lay, the trip 46 will have its front end portion or cam 4? moved laterally into operative relation with the pin on he catch, with the result that as the second feeler member is moved frontwardly by the beat-up movement of the lay, the cam l? will lift the catch from engagementwith the holding tooth 21 and permit the side slipping feeler to move rearwardly into feeling position, where it will remain on subsequent beat-up movements of the lay until the filling is substantially exhausted, whereupon, the side slipping feeler will be moved longitudinally of the shuttle by the frontward pressure of the filling carrier, and call for a change of filling.

hen the filling has been changed and the shuttle reaches the detecting box, it will engage the side slipping feeler and move it frontwardly for engagement of the catch 25 with the notch 21 on the side slippin feeler, due to the mass of wound filling in the shuttle, and thereafter the side slipping feeler will remain in its frontposition until the second feeler detects a predetermined exhaustion of filling, whereupon the operation is repeated.

What is claimed is:

1. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a. first feeler member mounted for movement towards and from the front the loom and in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, a catch for holding the feeler in a front position, a second feeler member mounted to enter the shuttle on detecting beats and to be moved frontwardly by the filling, a trip mounted on the second feeler and moved into operative posit-ion by a part on the lay when the second feeler detects a near approach to substantial exhaustion of filling and to trip the catch by its frontward movement and permit the first feeler member to move to filling feeler position.

2. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a side slipping feeler member, a catch for continuously holding the side slipping feeler member in front position until the filling has been exhausted to a predetermined amount, a second feeler member mounted for movement towards the front of the loom by engagement with the filling on detecting beats, a trip mounted on the second feeler member and moved relative thereto by a part on the lay when the second feeler deteets a predetermined exhaustion of filling, and a part on the t 'ip for tripping the catch by frontward movement of the second feeler to free the side slipping feeler to its feeling action.

8. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a side slipping feeler, a catch for continuously holding the side slipping feeler in front position until the filling has been exhausted to a predetermined amount, a second feeler member mounted to enter the shuttle and feel the filling on each detecting beat, a trip mounted on the second feeler and moved relative thereto into operative relation with the catch when the second feeler enters the shuttle to apredetermined extent, and a part mounted on the trip for tripping the catch and freeing the side slipping feeler by frontward movement of the second feeler after it has detected a predetermined exhaustion of filling.

4:. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the

combination of a side slipping feeler, a catch for continuously holding the side slipping feeler in front position until the filling has been exhausted to a predetermined amount, a second feeler member mounted to enter the shuttle and feel for filling on each detecting beat, a trip pivotally connected to the second feeler and having a bunter for engagement by a surface on the lay to operatively position the trip with relation to the catch when the second feeler enters the shuttle to a predetermined extent that the trip will free the side slipping feeler from the catch only after the filling has been exhausted to a predetermined amount.

5. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a side slipping feeler, a catch i for continuously holding the side slipping ing a smooth filling-engaging em" feeler in front position to prevent injurious contact with the filling, a second feeler hav- .l 0 contact with the filling on each detecting h at, a trip for the catch normally held in nontripping position on the second feeler until the second feeler enters the shuttle a predetermined amount on a detecting beat, a hunter on the trip for engagement With a surrace on the front )osition until the fillin is exhausted to l a a predetermined amount, a second inclined feeler to enter the shuttle on each detecting beat and engage the filling, a trip mounted on the second feeler and normally held in inoperative position relative to the catch until the second feeler enters the shuttle to a predetermined extent, and means carried by the trip for then moving it into operative position relative to the catch to trip the catch and free the inclined side slipping feeler for movement to the feeling position.

7. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a side slipping'feeler mounted to enter the shuttle in a direction inclined to the longitudinal axis thereof, a catch for holding the inclined side slipping feeler in front position until the filling is exhausted to a predetermined amount, a second inclined feeler to enter the shuttle on each detecting beat and having a fibrous tip to engage the filling, a trip mounted on the second 'feeler and normally held in inoperative position relative to the catch until the second feeler enters the shuttle to a predetermined extent, and means carried by the trip for then moving it into operative position relative to the catch to trip the catch and free the inclined side slipping feeler for movement to feeling position. a

8. In a feeler mechanism for looms,'the combination of a side slipping feeler mounted for movement longitudinally of the shuttle by the frontvvard pressure of a'surface within the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, a catch for holding the side slipping feeler in front position until the filling is depleted to a predetermined extent, a second feeler mounted to enter the shuttle and engage the filling on each detecting beat, a trip for the catch mounted on the second feeler and normally held in an inoperative position until the second feeler enters the shuttle to a predeten mined extent and thereupon moved by a surface on the lay into its operative position to effect release of the side slipping feeler as the second feeler is movedfrontwardly.

9. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a side slipping feeler, a catch for continuously holding the side slipping feeler in front position until the filling has been exhausted to a predetermined amount, a second feeler member mounted to enter the shuttle and feel the filling on each detecting beat, a trip pivotally mounted on the second feeler and having an off-set bunter for engagement by a surface on the lay when the second feeler enters the shuttle to a predetermined extent to thereby operatively position the trip relative to the catch, a spring normally holding the trip in an inoperative position, and a part carried by the trip for freeing the side slipping feeler from the catch as the second feeler is moved frontwardly.

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

PATRICK KEEGAN.