US1776638A - Tension device - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 23, 1930. F P RKS 1,776,638

TENSION DEVICE Filed July 14. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Se t.23, 1930.

E. F. PARKS TENSION DEVICE filled July 14, 1928 Sept. 23, 1930. PARKS 1,776,638

TENSION DEVICE Filed July 14, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 y flaw/X;

jm v1 m 4 I vfiaywfyu Sept. '23, 1930. p s 1,776,638

TENS ION DEVICE Filed July 14, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 i 7 Ir" I 4] fiver/75$ Mm VM 1 Patented Sept. 23, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT 'oFFI Eh EDWARD r. ranks, on rnovinnncn, RI-IOIDE 'lISLAND, nssrenonro UNIVERSAL writinme COMPANY, or" BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A conronn'rro'nor messnonusn'r'rs TENSION DEVICE Application filed July 14, 1928. Serial No. 292,821.

This invention relates to improvements in tension-devices for tensioning yarn, thread and other strand materials in winding or transferring the same from a source of supply. v e

One object of the invention is to provide a tension-device for tensioning arunning strand without undue variation or fluctuation in the degree of applied tension.

Another object of the invention 'is to provide a device of the type specified which is particularly sensitive in its operation to respond to irregularities in the resistance to the draft on the strand at its source ofsupe ply; and to permit the passage of knots slubs, bunches and enlargements on the strand without causing complete relief of the applied tension or undue fluctuationstherein.

Another object of the invention is to pro- 7 vide a device of-the type specified wherein the tension fingers or other pressure, elements which act on the strand to apply re-V sistance to its draft are individually yieldable to permit the passage of knots, slubs, bunches'and enlargements without affecting the other elements of the device to cause fluctuations in the applied tension.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the typespecified having means for automatically controlling thedegree or amount of the applied tension in accordance with the speed or rate of draft of the running strand to effect a constant and uniform degree of ultimate tension at the point of take up of the yarn or other material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type "specified which is particularly adapted for use wit-h winding machines wherein the cop or package being wound is rotated at a constant rate of speed so'that the. speed of draft of the yarn is continuously' accelerated as the cop growsin size and increases in circumference.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred form of construction of the tension-device as adapted for use with a winding machine of standard type such as illustratedin the accompanying drawings. I

In the drawings:

Fig.1 is an end view of a winding machine showing the improved tension-device applied-to use therewith and'illustrating the differential J control-mechanism for varying the degree oftension applied to the strand of yarnjfas the cop being wound grows in diameter and the lineal speed of the yarn increases in accordance therewith;

Fig. (2 is an enlarged side view of the tension-device and the difierential controlmechanism whichconnects ittobe operated from the winding machine;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged end view of the tension-device;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the same, also showing the differential controlmechanism; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view of the tentherefore not limited to the specific form and application as herein shown and described. 7 In Fig. 1 of the drawings,2 designates the frame of the winding machine, 3- therotat able winding-spindle or mandrel on which the cop or package is wound, and 4 the recip rocable thread-guide which traverses the yarn longitudinally of the spindle to deposit it in helical coils crossing and re-crossing from one end of the package to the other inwhat is termed a V-wind. a

The thread-guide 4 as herein shown is car: ried on a horizontal traverse-bar or rod 5 which is mounted to slide in a groove or guideway on, the swinging traverse frame 6. The guide 4- is reciprocated; from the usual helical cam, not herein shown, and the traverse-frame 6 is hingedly mounted on the cam-shaft 7 to swing aboutthe axis of-the cam to adapt the against the surface on which the winding is performed with the strand y of yarn or other material feeding through a slot or groove in its upper end to direct it onto the cop or package, and as the wound mass increases in diameter the guide recedes from the windingspindle with the traverse-frame 6 swinging about its pivot 7. Suitable instrumentalities, such as a dog 8 engaging in a tapered slot in a relatively fixed arcuate track or quadrant 9, act'to check retrogressive movement of the thread-guide 4 toward the winding-spindle 3 and stopping-mechanism operative when the strand breaks or the package reachesa predetermined diameter, is provided for arresting the Winding operation. As such devices are well known to those versed in the art, however, they are not herein shown and described in detail. Suflice it to state that the driving mechanism of the machine is controlled from a starting-lever or handle 10 which is normally maintained in position with the drive operative through the means of a latch or detent operating on 'a curved arm 11 reaching downwardly from the starting-lever 10. As 7 herein shown .the quadrant 9 is pivoted to rock on a stud 12 fast in the frame 2 and is provided'with an upstanding arm 13 having a latch 14 normally held in looking engagement with a catch or shoulder 15 on the curved extension 1.1 of the starting-lever 10. When the outer end of the quadrant 9 is'lifted it-will disengage the latch 14 from the detent-shoulder 15 to release the starting lever-1Q, whereby the latter is operated through the means of a spring or its equivalent, notshown, to disconnect the clutch or other driving-means to arrest-the operation of the whole machine.

At the outer end of the quadrant 9 is suspended a breakagedever or drop-wire which is normally sustained in inoperative position by the strand of yarn y feeding to the thread-guide 4:. When the strand breaks or the supply is exhausted the lever 20 drops to carry its inner end into contact with the periphery of a toothed wheel 21 which is rotated continuously from the cam-shaft 7 of the machine. "lhis engagement acts to pry the quad rant 9 upwardly to release the detents5 in the manner as previously explained, to causearrest of the winding operation.

The stopping of the machine at the completion of the winding when the cop or package reaches its predetermined size is effected through the means of an adjustable wedgemember or stop 25 which may be set at differentpositions along the quadrant 9. The stop 25 is secured in place by a set-screw 26 and its underside is beveled off at 27 to adapt it to be engaged by an abutment 28 on the traverseframe i to lift the quadrant "9 when the thread-guide 4 has forced the traverse-frame 6 outwardlyto bring it into contact with the stop. V I

The thread-guide 4 is normally maintained is pivoted on a stud to the axis of the traverse-frame.

in contact with the surface of the winding by the action of a counterweight 29 fastened to the traverse-frame 6 below its pivot 'Z. The force of the wei ht 2 resists the movement of the guide outwardly from the winding-spindie and causes it to bear firmly against the surface of the winding and this resistance may be augmented through the use of a differential pressuredevice arranged as next described. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a lever 31, fixed on a tensionbracket 3 to be later described. The lever 30 car 'ies a weight 32 which is adjustable along its length to vary the degree of pressure. The pressure-lever 30 is connected to the counterweight 29 by means of a link which is adjustable in the notches of a plate 35 fastened to the front of" the counterweight 29. A hair pin-springv 86 serves to hold the hooked end of the link in place in one of the notches in the plate 35 while permitting it to be adjusted from one notch to another to vary the point of connection of the link with respect t will be understood that as the thread-guided recedes from the winding-spindle 8 with the growth in the winding and the traverse-frame 6 moves with it, the counterweight 29 will be moved in a clockwise direction about the pivot 7, and through the link connection will swing the pressure-lever 30 upwardly on its pivot whereby to reduce the effect of the weight 32. In this manner the pressure on he thread-guide is gradually diminished. as the cop increases in diameter to prevent undue pressure from causing the cop to bulge at its ends.

In winding machines of the present type means are employed for applying tension to the running strand as it delivers to the thread-guide whereby the yarn or other material will be wound into a iirm compact cop or package. The tension-device may be mounted on the winding machine head, or in other instances supported at a more remote location. As herein illustrated the tensiondevice is carried ona bracket 38, before re ferred to, which. is fastened to the side of the frameQ of the machine by means of'screws 39. As shown most clearly in'idigs. 2 and 4 of the present drawings, the bracket 38 comprises a horizontal arm 40 reaching outwardly and forwardly from the frame 2, and an upright or post i1 constructed as a separate part and attached to the end of the arm 10 by means of screws 42. The upright or standard 41 is of angle-form or substantially V-shaped in cross-section with vertical front-plate 4-3 which carries the relatively fixed tensionelements 45 across which the strand draws. As herein shown, the titer, tension-members 45 consist of spool-like buttons preferably constructed of porcelain or similar vitreous material to adapt them to resist wear and formed with axial holes for mounting them formof a vertical bar 48 as shown in Fig. 3,.

is. provided withwlugs- 49" having holes through whichthe screws46 extend to clamp it in place at the ends of the tension-members 45, see Fig.u3. The guard 47 prevents the strand from catching around the tensionmembers-and also assists in threading the yarninto place in the manner as later more fullyexplained. g l f qCooperating with the fixed tension-mem bets 'areaplura1ity of movable tensionelements 50 arranged in alternating relation with respect thereto to adaptthe strand to draw between the two setsof elements to con.- fine it to a sinuous course whereby resistance is applied to its draft. As herein shown there are four fixed tension-members 45 and live movable tension-elements 50 arranged in staggered relation with respect thereto,'but a greateror less number may be used if desired. a j j r The movabletension-elements 50 are carried at the ends of swinging arms or fingers 51 pivoted on a vertical rod 52, see 2 and 4. As shown in Figs. 2, 4v and 5, the

' ends of the rod 52. are held in upper and lower lugs 53 projecting from the side of the upright or standard 41 of the tensionbracket 38. Referring particularly to Fig. 5, the tension-arms or fingers 51 are formed at their free ends withscrew-threaded portions 54, on which are received the hollow, porcelain tension-elements 50, similar in construction to jthe members 45; A pair of disk- like flanges 55 and 56 abut the ends of each ele ment 50 and are connected by a lateral strip 57 see also Fig. 2. The flanges 55 and 56 are clamped to the ends of the tension-ele ments 50 by means of a cylindrical nut 58 screwed onto. the threaded end 54 of the finger 51 the beveled and slotted head of the nut being received in a counterbore in the outer flange 56 flush with the face thereof so as to avoid any projections or exposed parts liable to catehinthe strand of yarn or other materiali- A guard-finger 59 projects radially from the inner flange 55 to prevent the. strand from sliding off of the tGIISlOlrelement 50 and catching over its end; and a longer guard-linger 60 projects forwardly from the -outer flange 56 to cooperate with similar fingers on the other tension elements 50 as a means for'directing the strand into place in the tension-device. At the rearward ends of the tension-fingers 51 are angular tail -pieces 69'which are employed for a purpose as later explained.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the tension-fingers 51 are held in spaced relationship along the pivot-rod 52 through their engagement with lateral slots 61 in the front-plate and corresponding slots 62 in a rib 63 at the rear of-the upright or standard 41. Through this arrangement the tension-fingers are maintained in position to support the tension-elements 50 in alternate relation with'respect to the fixed tensionmembers 45; thefingers 51 being slidable in the slots to adapt the movable tension-elements to be swung toward and away-from the fixed members in the manner and for the out of the slots 61 in the plate 43 by means of a wire bail 64 extending along the-edgeof the plate and secured in place with its ends bent over and driven into holes therein, see Figs. 2, 4 and 5. Themovable tension-elements 50 are operated to cause them to bear the strand drawing through, the de? vice, and also to swing them toward and away from the'fix'ed members 45, through the instrumentality of a swinging frameor gatemember 65. Y

The gate 65 is hinged on 'the rod 52which serves. as the pivot for the tension+fin-gers 51, the rod extending through bearings in the laterally-projecting lugs 66 by the top and bottomof the gate. The gate 65 has an in wardly-proj ectin g rib 67 at its for ard or free end, formed with slots 68 in which the lingers 51 are permitted to play, the forward edge of the rib being adapted to bring up against the face of the standard 41 to serve as a stop to limitthe swinging movement of the gate in this direction. The opposite or rearward edge of the plate-portion of the gate 65 is adapted to strike against the ends of the tailpieces 69, previously described as projecting angularly from the pivoted ends of the tension-flngers 51, whereby to cause the gate'to swing said fingers to carry the tension-elements 50 away from the fixed members 45; the connection for operating the gate for this purpose being as hereinafter explained.

The gate-member 65 is normally operated to apply a resilient pressure tothe tensionfingers 51 to cause the tension eelements 50 to be pressed against the stranddrawing across the opposite fixed members 45, whereby the course ofthe strand is rendered more or less sinuous to resist its draftand applytension v thereto. a j 7 As one feature of the present improvement the pressure-applying means for the several movable tension-elements are individually yieldable whereby each element may move independently of the others to clear the path for the passage of knots or other enlargements on the yarn. The purpose of this arrangement is to provide that the passage of such irregularities through the tension-device will not set up a chattering or vibration in the applied tension; and further to prevent the tension from being entirely relieved or removed when a slight resistance to the draft on the yarn is encountered at the source of supply. As herein shown the means for ap plyinga resilient pressure individually and independently to each of the tension-elements comprises a plurality'of separate springs carried on the 'rockable frame or gate 65. Referring to Figs. 2 and 5, the individual springs 7 O are preferably constructed of relatively thin, tempered stock having their rearward ends clamped against the inner face of the gate-member 65 by means of a flat strip 71 fastened in place by screws 72 passing through holes in the springs. If desired, however, the springs may be made in the form of fingers integral wit-h the strip 71; The

free endsof the spring 7 O are inclined rearwardly from the gate 65 and are bent around at 73 to bear against the edges of'the tensionfingers 51. Through this arrangement each tension-finger carrying its respective tensionmember 50 is rendered free to move under theyielding action of its individual spring Without affecting the action of the other tension-members.

The'rockable frame or gate 65 is operated through the means of a bell-crank lever 7 t tonormally maintain it in position to cause the springs 7 O to apply a predetermined amount of pressure to the tension-fingers 51. The bell-crank 74 is pivoted on a screw 75 held in an arm 76 projecting from the upright 41 of the tension-bracket 38, see Figs. 2 and t; The horizontal arm 77 of the bell-crank 7a is provided with a series of holes 7 8 for the attachment of a hooked rod 79 which may carry one or a number of disk-like weights 80. The weights 80 tend to rock the bell-' crank 74 to cause its upright arm 81 to bear against a wire arm or lever 82 projecting rearwardly from the gate 65. Preferably, the arm 82 is of'elbow shape having its main portion extending through a slot 83 in a. lug

84: on the gate 65, see Fig. 2, and secured in place by its angular extension 85 inserted through a hole in a lug'86on the front of the gate and secured in place by a set-screw 87. By releasing the set-screw 87 the arm 82may be adjusted laterally in the'slot 83 to alter its relation to the pivot 52 on which the gate swings, this adjustment being for a purpose as hereinafter explained. A second wire rod or arm 93, also held in the lug 86 by a set-screw 94, reaches upwardly and outwardly above the top of the tension-device and terminates in a curved finger 103 which serves as a lever for swinging the gate-member '65 to open the tensions tofacilitate the threading of the strand thereinto.

As the strand '3] of yarn or other material draws through the tension-device it passes through a circular opening or eye 90 at the bottom of the standard or support 41 so as to prevent the ballooning or whipping of the yarn from throwing it out of place and cansing it to wrap around the tension-elements. At the top of the standard or support 41 is of the tension-device is a compensator-arm.

comprising a flat spring-blade held in a slotted post 96 which is driven into a hole in a lug 97 at the bottom of the support or standard 41. A collar 98 embraces the upper reduced end of the post 96, being provided with a set-screw 99 which binds against the slotted part of the post to clamp'the spring-blade in place. At the upper end of the arm 95 is a porcelain guide 100 secured to an extension thereof by means of a bolt 102 and having an eye 10 1 for receiving the strand as it draws between the upper movable tension-element 50 and the fixed guide-member 91. The compensator-arm 95 acts to take up any slack in the strand y as it draws upwardly from the tension-device, being used more particularly for fine yarns and playing back and forth within certain limits to provide for a more uniform pull or draft on the material as it passes through the tension-device. bracket 38 is a yarn-cleaner or slub-catcher 101 of usual construction, provided with a slot through which the strand draws as it feeds to the winding.

The tension-device as above described may be employed withoutfurther connections for applying a uniform degree of tension to the strand feeding to the winding machine or other apparatus, and in this form it is applicable to many uses, particularly for tensioningyarn as it is delivered at a constant lineal speed, for instance in drum winding machines. In the case of positively-driven winders of the type herein illustrated, wherein the winding-spindle has a constant speed of rotation, but the yarn speed increases as the winding grows in diameter, it is desirable to regulate the applied tension differentially in accordance with the rate of draft of the yarn, or in other words its varying lineal speed. That is to say, in this type of winding machine if the applied tension remains constant from start to finish of the winding of the package the actual tension will be cumulative due to the fact that the lineal speed of the yarn increases. Various methods of regulating the applied tension through differential mechanism have heretofore been employed in the art, and in the present invention I make use of an improved means as next described. It will be understood that if the position of the gate-member 65 is maintained substantially fixed the spring-pressure applied to the tension-fingers 51 will re main constant, and therefore to alter or vary the degree of applied tension I provide means for rocking the gate to shift its position pro- Mounted on the top of the tension- I eiieet a diminishing degree of pressure applied to thethread-guide, andassociated with QTSQTIELDIGXSI. As herein shown these connee-' tions comprise a biturcatedclainp 109 pivotall connected to the end of the link 108 and V clamped to the forwardly projectingend of the rod-link 33 by means of a belt 110. p

The lever 105 has a second arm 111 at the end of whiohis adjustably mounted an arcuate slide or quadrant 112. Preferably, the quadrant 112 is pivoted at 113 to the end of the lever 105 and has anarm 1141 overlapping the arm 111. flit screw 115 projects through 'a slot 116 "in the arm 111' with a washer 117 under its head and screws into the end of the arm 114 of the quadrant 112. The stud 115 may be tightened to clamp the 211111111111 position to hold the quadrant 112 in fixed relation at the'endot the arm 111 of the lever 105. Byreleasing the stud the arcuate slide or quadrant 112 may be adjusted on its pivot to set it in eccentric relation with respect to the pivot on which the lever-105 rocks. The curved edge of the slideor quadrant 112 bears against the side of the wire ar1n82'ot the gate65 on the opposite side from the weighted bell-crank M. When the lever 105 is rocked in he direction indicated by the arrow'in Figs. 1 and 2 it will act against the arm 82 to swing the gate 65 toward the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 5. Asthe gate-member 65 is swung on its pivot in this-manner itrelieves the pressure of the springs 70 on the tension-lingers 51, whereby the movable tension-members 50 are caused to recedeor move away from alinement with the fixed fingers to reduce the tension applied to the strand in the manner and for the purpose as hereinafter more fully explained. i i V The method of operation of the complete tension-device as arranged to control the ap plied tension on a-strand delivering to a winding machine of the type shown will now be explained:

In threading the strand 3 into the tension-device'itis first ente-redthrough the lower guide-eye 90 and drawn upwardly alongside the vertical guard 17 outwardly beyond the guard-fingers 60. It is then passed through the guide-eye 10 1 at the end of theoompensator-arm 95, drawn upwardly across the porcelain guide-member 91, and thence through the slub-catcher 101. As the strand ispassed to one side to carry it into the slot in the slub-catcher 101 the arm 103 on the gate 65 is engaged by the operators finger whereby to swing the gate-memher to open thetension-device by shifting the movable tension-elements laterally away from the fixed members 15. This shifting of the tension-elements 50 is offected by the turning ofthe gate-member 65 to bring its rearward edge against the inclined tail-pieces 69 on the tensionfingers 51, whereby to rock the latteron their pivots as illustrated by the dotted lines in Fig. 5. After the tension-device has been opened in this manner the strand 3 is pulled taut, whereupon it will be guided inwardlyby the guard-fingers to draw across the tensionelements 50, as illustrated. most clearly in Fig. 2. 'As the strand is drawn into place it slides across the lugs 49 which overlap the sides of the "fixed tension-members 45 so that when the gate-member is released, to cause'the springs 70 to apply pressure to the movable'tension-elements 50, the strand will be caused tofollow a sinuous course in and out around the two series of opposed elements in the manner as illustrated a in Fig. 3. p v. The strand 7 is-led up across the break age-lever 20, thence through the slot or groove in'the thread-guide 4, and itsend attached to the tube or yarn receiver w carried by the winding-spindle 3. In starting the winding machine to operate the threadguide 4 is placed against the surface of the cop-tube or receiver a; on which the winding is to be performed by releasing the dog 8 and swinging thetraverseframe 6 into the position shown in Fig. 1. of the drawings; The starting-lever 10 is then manipulated to render the clutch or other driving-means active with the stopping-mechanism locked in inoperative position by means of the detent-latch lt engaging the catch 15 on the quadrant 9. i

As the winding-spindle 3 is rotated the thread-guide 1 is reciprocated longitudinally thereof to deposit the yarnor other material in helical coils crossing back and torthalong the cop-tube w. The strand 3/ is thus taken up to draw through the tension-device wherein it is tensioned by the pressure of the elements 50 which causes it to be diverted across the opposite tensionmembers .45 in a sinuous course. When any undue resistance to the unwinding of the strand from the delivering cop or other source of supply is encountered the tensionelements will'yield slightly so as to reduce the amount of applied tension to compensate for such irregularities in the delivery. The tension-elements are at all times maintained bearing against the strand, however, so that the applied tension is never completely relieved. Due to this method of operation the ultimate tension'on the yarn is maintained more uniform and constant without extremefiuctuations as is the case where thetension-elements are arranged to move in unison, or as a whole, when undue resistance is encountered at the supply.

In the present improved construction of the tension-device the lower movable tensionelements will constantly play back and forth to vary the applied tension in accordance with fluctuations in the resistance to delivery, and this sensitive action of the device results in a much more uniform and constant degree of tension applied to the strand as it feeds to the thread-guide of the winding machine or to any other point of take up. The sensitive yielding action of the tension-elements also provides that when a knot, bunch or other enlargement on the strand passes through the device it will not act suddenly to throw the tensiondnembers into open relation. That is to say, each tension-element will yield individually as the knot or enlargement passes by without forcing the whole series of tension-elements open to entirely relieve the applied tension on the yarn. The sensitive and selective action of the'device prevents chattering or vibration of the tensionelements so that, a more constant and uniform tension is applied to the strand, and'this feature constitutes an important improvement over the usual arrangement where the tension-members or fingers are connected together to move in unison as, for instance, with the usual finger-tension plates. In such prior devices the presence of'knots, bunches or enlargements on thestrand, or the occurrence of irregularities in the resistance to its delivery at the supplywill set up a chattering and vibration of the tension-elements which results in wide fluctuations in the amount of applied tension and therefore seriously impairs the'efliciency of the whole tension-device.

It has been noted that the compensator-arm 95 is arranged to play back and forth to take package. That is to say, the speed of delivery at the thread-guide may vary somewhat as the strandis laid from one end of the cop to the other end and the compensator arm 95 plays back and fort-h in accordance with this vibration.

The means for operating the tension-device to reduce the tension applied to the strand as its lineal speed increases with the increase in diameter of the winding functions as next explained: As the thread-guide t moves away from the winding-spindle 3 with the growth in the winding the traverse-frame 6 is swung back on its pivot with its counterweight 29 moving away from the tension-device. Duringthis movement the counterweight 29 acts through the link 108 to rock the lever 105 on its pivot 106, whereby the quadrant 112 is slid downwardly across the side of the arm 82 on the gate-member 65. It has been explained that the edge of the slide or quadrant 112 is disposed in eccentric relation with respect to the axis of the lever 105, its lower portion being nearer this axis than its upper portion. Therefore. as the lever 105is swung 0r rocked downwardly the pressure of the quadrant 112 on the arm 82 is increased so that the gate member-65 is caused to be swung or turned on its pivot toward the position indicated bythe dotted lines in Fig. 5. In this View of the drawings the tension-elements 50 are shown in full lines as in their extreme inward position with respect to the fixed tension- .members 45, while the dotted lines illustrate the elements 50 as carried back to the opposite extreme where their pressure on the strand would be nil. When the device is employed to operate on yarn of average size and strength the movable tension-elements 50 will initially assume a position approximately'as shown in Fig. 3; and when they are carried back into open position by the differential mechanism at the completion of the winding their bearing portions will be substantially in alinement with the opposite bearing portions of the fixed members 45 so that the strand may follow a practically straight course between the elements with only a very slight resistance applied to its draft. In the operation of the differential mechanism as above explained the tension elements 50are brought to this latter posit o to substantially relieve the tension applied to the strand as it delivers to the winding at the completion of the cop or package. At this point the speed of draft of the strand has increased to the maximum and the applied tension. is reduced to the minimum so as not to cause abnormal tension on the strand which would result in constricting the inner layers of winding to bulge the ends of the cop or package.

It will be observed that my invention pro vides an eilicient device for the purposes explained; with the mechanism thereof simple in construction and durable in use. While a preferred embodiment of the device is herein shown and described, various modifications may bemade in the construction and largements on the strand drawing through the device. a

2. A tension-device comprising. a plurality of independently movable tension-elements adapted to bear against the yarn to apply tension thereto, and means for applying pressure individually to the tension-elementsto press them against the yarn whereby each element is adapted to yield without influencing the action of the other elements.

3. A tension-device comprising a plurality of movable tension-elements adapted to bear against thestrand to apply resistance to its draft, vand a plurality of springs acting individually against said elements to apply pressure thereto while adaptingthem to yield independently of each other.

4. In a tension-device, the combination of a series of tenslon-elements across which the strand draws, a second series of tension-elements movable with respect to the first elements, and means for individually applying pressure to the movable elements to cause them to bear against the strand to resist its draft while adapting them to yield independently of each other.

5 In a tension-device, the combination of a series of relatively fixed tension-elements across which the strand draws, a second series of independently movable tension-elements arranged in alternate relation with respect to the fixed elements, and pressure means acting individually on the movable elements to maintain them normally in cooperative relation with the fixed elements while adapting themto yield independently of each other.

6. In a tension-device, the combination of a series of fixed tension-elements disposed in substantlal allnement, a second series of independently movable tension-elements alternating with the fixed elements, and means to apply pressure to the movable elements to maintain them in cooperative relation with I the fixed elements to cause them to bear against the strand drawing therebetwccn while adapting the movable elements to yield independently of each other.

7. In a tension-device, the combination of a series of fixed tension-elements, a second series of tension-elements pivoted to swing with respect to the fixed elements, and means for applying resilient pressure to the movable tension-elements to cause them to bear against elements to apply pressure thereto while per mitting said elements to of each'other.

9. In a tension-device, the combination of a plurality of independently movable ten sion-elements adapted to bear against the yield independently yarn to apply resistance to its draft, a memberl movable with respect to the tension-sle ments, resilient means acting between said member and the tension-elements to apply, pressure thereto, and means for operating said movable member to cause the resilient means to act with a predetermined pressure. 10, In a tension-device, thecombination ofa plurality of independently movable tension-elements, a member movable with respect tosaid tension-elements, a weight for applying pressure to said movable member, and resilient means acting bet-ween said member and the tension-elements. V

11. In a tension-device, the combinationof a plurality of independently movable tension-elements, a member movablewith re-" spectto said tension-elements, resilient means between said member and the tension-else ments, a lever acting on the movable member to cause the resilient-means to apply pressure to the tension-elements, and a weight for opcrating the lever.

12. In a tension-device, the combination of a plurality of tension-elements, a pivoted frame, springs carried by said frame to act on the tension-elements to apply resilient pressure thereto, a lever for swinging the frame and a weight adjustable on said lever to vary the pressure applied to the springs.

13. In a tension-device, the combination of a series of relatively fixed tension-elements, a second series of tension-elements each independently movable with respect to the fixed elements, a movable member, and resilient Ineansactingbetween said member and the movable tension-elements to apply pressure thereto. e

14. In a tension-device, the combination of a series of relatively fixed tension-elements. a second series of tension-elements individually movable with respect to the fixed elements, a gate-memberpivoted to swing laterally of the movable tension-elements, resilient means acting between the gate-member and the movlatter, and adjustable means acting on the gate-member tomaintain the resilient means under a predetermined pressure.

able tension-elements to apply pressure to the I V v 15. In a tension-device, the combination of a series of relatively fiXed'tension-elements, a second series of tension-elements pivoted to move individually with respect to the fixed elements, a gate-member pivoted to swing about the axis of the movable tension-elements and a plurality of spring-elements acting between the gate-member and the movable tension-elements to apply pressure to the latter. r

.16. In'a tension-device, the combination of a frame, a seriesof fixed tension-elements on the frame, a series of movable tension-elements pivoted on the frame to'swing toward and away from the fixed elements, and springs acting individually against the movable elements to maintain them in cooperative relation with the fixed elements while adapting them to yield independently of each other.

, 17. In a tension-device, the combination of a'fi'ame, a series offixed tension-elements on the frame, a series of movable tension-elements pivoted on the frame in alternate relation with respect to the fixed elements, a gatemember pivoted on the frame, springs acting between said gate-member and the pivoted tension-elements to apply pressure thereto, a lever acting against said gate-member to maintain the springs under compression, and means adjustable 0n the lever to vary the pressure applied to the springs.

18. In a tension-device, the combination of a frame,-a plurality of vitreous tension-elements mounted on said frame, a plurality of tension-fingers pivoted on the frame, vitreous tension-elements carried on said fingers, andresilient means for applying pressure individually to the fingers to adapt the movable tension-elements to yield independently of each other. e i

19. In a winding machine, the combination ofa winding-mandrel, a thread-guide for traversing strand material to wind a cop or package on the winding-mandrel, said mandrel and thread-guide adapted to separate as the cop increases in diameter, a tension-device compri'sing'a plurality of tensionelements adapted to bear against the strand feeding to the winding to resist its draft, a member movable with respect to the tensionelements, resilient means acting between said movable member and the tension-elements to apply pressure thereto, means acting on the movable member to cause it to maintain pressure on the resilient means,.m'eans acting to shift the movable member to relieve the pressure of the resilient means, and means for actuating said last named means as the cop or package increases in diameter.

20. In a winding machine, the combina-. tion of a winding-mandrel, a thread-guide for traversing strand material to wind a cop or packageon the mandrel, a tension-device comprlsmg a plurality of tension-elements adapted to bear against the'strand feeding to the winding, a pivoted gate-member, springs acting between the gate-member and the ten sion-elements to apply pressure thereto, a lever acting upon the gate-member to cause it to maintain pressure on the springs, and means acting to swing the gate-member to relieve the pressure of the springs on the tension-elements as the winding increases in di-- ameter and the speed of drart of the yarn is correspondingly increased.

21. In a winding machine, the combination of a winding machine, a thread-guide for traversing strand material to wind a cop or package on the mandrel, a tension-device comprising tension-elements adapted to bear against the'strand to apply resistance to its draft, a movable gate-member for applying pressure to the tension-elements, a weighted lever acting on the pressure-member, a pivoted arm having an arcuate element disposed eccentric to its axis and adapted to act on the pressure-member, and means to move the arm concurrently with the growth in diameter of the winding to cause the eccentric member to shift the position of the pressure-member to automatically relieve the tension applied on the running strand;

22. In a winding machine, the combination of a winding-mandrel and means for traversing strand material on the mandrel to wind a cop or package, a tension-device comprising tension-elements adapted to bear against the strand feeding to the winding to apply resistance to its draft, a pivoted member for applying pressure to the tension-elements, a weighted lever acting againstthe pressuremember, an eccentric acting on the pressure member to shift the latter against the pressure ofthe weighted lever to decrease the pressure applied to the tension-elements, and

means for-turning the eccentric concurrently- With the growth in diameter of the cop being wound.

23. In a winding machine, the combination of a windinganandrel, means for traversing strand material to wind a cop or package on the mandrel, a tension-device comprising tension-elements adapted to bear against the strand feeding to the winding to apply resistance to its draft, pressure-means acting on the tension-elements, a lever, an eccentric adjustable on the lever to vary its degree of eccentricity with respect to the axis of the lever, means-operated upon by the eccentric to shift the pressure-means to diminish the amount of pressure applied tothe tension-' elements, and means operated concurrently with the increase in diameter in the cop being wound to actuate the lever.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

EDWARD F. PARKS.

Images