US1966704A

US1966704A - Picking mechanism for looms for weaving

Info

Publication number: US1966704A
Application number: US500265A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bell Walter; Howard M Van Alstyne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1930-12-05
Filing date: 1930-12-05
Publication date: 1934-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 1951-07-17

Description

July 17, 1934. W, BE L A; 1,966,704

PICKING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS FOR WEAVING Filed Dec. 5, 1930 3 heets-Shggat 1 k .m m W I 3 .EN v v fly Z4 Inventors July 17, 1934. w BELL r AL 1,966,704

PICKING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS FOR WEAVING Filed Dec. 5, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q q; N

| I i m I V "3 LI K: s 1

L i i: 8 x 123 a m l\\& w u L m L 1 U F l a ua i fizzrenf rs .Hufly 17, 1934. w. BELL El AL.

PICKING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS FOR WEAVING Filed Dec. 5, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 M m. n fw Patented July 17, 1934 PECKING MECHANISMI FQR LOOMS FOR WEAVING Walter Bell and Howard M. Van Alstyne, litensselaer, N. Y.

Application December 5, 1939, Serial No. 500,265

15 Claims.

The present invention relates to picking mechanism for looms, of the type in which the picking sticks are actuated by being connected to suitable actuating devices.

The actuating mechanisms which have been previously used or designed, have used various forms of stored power, such as spring power .or compressed .air, also have used various forms of gearing, cams etc., and have been subject to several outstanding defects which render them unsatisfactory from a commercial standpoint.

Some of these unsatisfactory conditions are: Terrific shock in absorbing the release of stored power, noise and shock of striking cams, also inability to impart suflicient momentum to the picking stick to accomplish proper shuttle delivery.

In our machine we propose to actuate the picking mechanism by using the energy stored in a rotating mass, such as a rapidly revolving fly wheel, by intermittently and .controllably connecting our mechanism with same.

An object .of this invention is to prevent excessive noise and vibration, due to the fact that s the fly wheel continually revolves at any predetermined speed and that the method of connecting and disconnecting the picking mechanism to and from this energy source is smooth and easy.

Another object is to provide a means of actuating the picking mechanism at speeds not before possible.

Another object is to provide a mechanism which is simple, rugged and durable and in which the speed of actuating the picking mechanism can be easily varied, by varying the speed of the actuating source or fly wheel.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention we use a rapidly revolving fly wheel or wheels, as on a large loom it would be desirable to have a fly wheel for each end of the loom, whose plane of revolution is substantially the same as that of the oscillation of the picker stick. This fly wheel is continuously revolved, during loom operation by any suitable means and at any suitable speed. Said fly wheel has formed within or on it a section of a clutch of any suitable design, which mates with and drives the other section of the clutch that is embodied in the picking mechanism. This driven portion of the clutch is moved in and out of engagement with the driving portion, by suitable means, preferably actuated by the lay mechanism of the loom and preferably controlled by the pattern mechanism of the loom.

With the above noted and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as will be more fully hereinaiter described.

The invention may be better understood from so the following description in-connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front view of the relevant parts of a loom having the improved picking motion applied thereto.

Figures 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 201, 2e, 2 and 29 are detailed views of some .of the parts of .the clutch control mechanism. Figure 2a shows the mechanism in .a neutral or nonpicking position. Figure 2b shows it at the start of the picking posiv.0 tion and Figure 2c shows it at the end of the picking position.

Figure 3 is a view of the relevant parts of the end of a loom with the picking mechanism attached, the clutch portion being shown in cross 75 section with the clutch control mechanism in a neutral or non-picking position with the clutch disengaged.

Figure 4 is a view corresponding to Figure 3 but showing the position of the parts with the so clutch control mechanism in picking position and the clutch forced into engagement.

This picking mechanism is adapted for association with any conventional type of loom, only the related parts of the loom being shown, such as 5 the picker sticks 10, picker straps 11, lay 12, lay shaft 13, timing rod 14, loom frame 15, picker stick spring 16. The complete picking mechanism hereinafter described consists of a mechanism at each end of the loom, identical in con- 90 struction and operation and so connected by timer rod 14, that when one mechanism is in picking position the other must be in neutral position. These positions and their connection being shown in Figure 1. ihe description which follows is 5 essentially of one end only.

The picking mechanism includes a fly wheel 17 which has formed within it a driving section of a friction or other suitable clutch, rotating on shaft 18 and driven by any suitable means; said fly 1 wheel or driving section of clutch being held in proper location on shaft 18 by thrust collars 19 and 20. Shaft 18 is supported by

bearings

21 and 22 and is held rigidly in said bearings by any suitable means such as set screws 23. The driven section of the clutch 24 is mounted on shaft 18 so that it can rotate and slide. The driven section 24 is held in spaced relation to the driving section 17 by the thrust collar 20, and clutch spring 26 and has rigidly mounted on the 110 end of its hub segments of annular abutments 2'7. Clutch spring 26 is a helical spring disposed around shaft 18 and is so formed at each end that said ends project into holes bored in the face of thrust collar 20 and the inner face of hub of driven section of clutch 24.

The clutch control mechanism consists of a timing section 28, timing section control 29 and compression and torsion spring 30. The timing section 28 consists of a plate having on one face a hub, in the end of said hub is formed a segment of an annular groove 31, concentric with the bore of plate 28 and on the opposite face are rigidly fastened or formed two abutments 32. The timing section 28 is 50 mounted on shaft 18 that it can oscillate and slide. The timing section control 29 consists of a collar having rigidly mounted on its rim an arm 33, which is connected by suitable means with timer rod 14. On one face of collar 29 is rigidly mounted a stud 34, which projects into groove 31. Collar 29 is so mounted on shaft 18 that it contacts with the hub of plate 28 and can oscillate and slide. Spring 30 is a helical spring disposed around shaft 18 and between thrust collar 25 and timer section 28 and is so formed at each end that said end projects into holes bored in the faces of thrust collar 25 and plate 28. Compression spring 35 is a helical spring disposed around shaft 18 and between timer control 29 and sliding compression collar 36. Compression collar 36 is slideably mounted on shaft 18 and has formed on its rim suitable ears or projections to which are attached by suitable means one end of connecting rod 37. Connecting rod 3'? is so formed as to have linear adjustment and is connected by suitable means at one end with collar 36 and at the other with rocker arm 38. Rocker arm 38 is rigidly secured to and oscillates with lay shaft 13.

As a means of connecting our picking mechanism, in a resilient manner with the conventional picking strap and stick, also to impart a movement of accelerating velocity to the picker stick, we rigidly fasten one end of a spring 39, of approximate rectangular cross section to the hub of the driven section of clutch 24. This spring 39 is so formed that it spirals outwardly with increasing radius, from the point where fastened to hub, to its other end or tip and thus forms a winding seat for picker strap 11. Said picker strap 11 is securely fastened at one end to spring 39 and at its point of smallest radius. The other end of picker strap 11 is fastened in the conventional manner to picker stick 10.

As a means of positively positioning the driven section 24 in the neutral position, stop plate 40 is rigidly mounted in any suitable location, so that it will register with stop lug 41, which is rigidly mounted on driven section 24 of the clutch.

The operation of the device is substantially as follows:

As the fiy wheel or driving section of the clutch 17 is continuously revolved by any suitable means, at any predetermined uniform speed, the driven section of the clutch 24 while in the neutral or non-picking position, is held away from the driving section 17 and against collar 25 by the pressure of spring 26; while in this position lug 41 is held against stop plate 40 by the torsion of spring 26, thus positively positioning the driven section 24 in the neutral position. When the driven section 24 is in this neutral position, the timing section 28 is so held that the abutments 32 are midway between the annular abutments 27, timing section 28 being held in this position, by the torsion of spring 30 which holds timing section 28 so that the end of groove 31 rests against stud 34 on timing section control 29. At this time timing section control 29 is held in this neutral position by timer rod 14. The position of the timing mechanism and relevant parts, at this time, is shown in the left hand view of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2a.

In the conventional loom the lay 12 oscillates as shown in Fig. 4, this movement is transmitted through lay shaft 13, rocker arm 38 and connecting rod 37, to compression collar 36 causing collar 36 to reciprocate on shaft 18, this movement be ing continuous during loom operation, alternately compressing and releasing spring 35. When the collar 36 compresses spring 35, spring 35 forces timer control 29 and timing section 28 to slide on shaft 18 in a direction toward the driven section of the clutch 24. This movement of section 28 compresses spring 30, spring 30 being lighter and more easily compressed than spring 35. As the timing section 28 when in the neutral position slides toward the driven section 24, while the driven section 24 is in the neutral position, Fig. 2a, the abutments 32 on section 28 move into the space between the annular abutments 27 on driven section 24, thus causing no movement of driven section 24 while in this position. When the movement of the lay causes collar 36 to release compression on spring 35,

timer parts

28 and 29 are forced away from driven section 24 by the expansion of spring 30.

When it is desired to cause the mechanism to the conventional picking control of the loom such as shown, for example, in Knowlton et al, Pat. No. 306,250, October 7, 1884, moves timer rod 14 causing timer control 29 to turn on shaft 18, this movement is transmitted to section 28 and against the torsion of spring 30, by stud 34 which bears against the end of groove 31.

This movement of the timer section around 1.1

shaft 18 brings the abutments 32 on section 28 so they will register with the annular abutments 27 and takes place when the lay 12 is in the position shown by the dotted lines Fig. 4. This position of timer section being shown in Fig. 2b.

As the lay 12 moves to the position shown by the full lines, Fig. 4, it slides collar 36 along shaft 18 compressing spring 35 against timer control 29, which in turn forces abutments 32 on section 28 against annular abutments 27. The pressure of .L'

abutments 32 against abutments 27 forces the driven section of the clutch 24 along shaft 18 and against the pressure of spring 26, into engagement with the revolving or driven section of the clutch 17, thereby causing the driven section 24 to start to rotate. This rotation causes picker strap 11 to wind on eccentric spring 39 producing a pull on strap 11 which actuates picker stick 10. This rotary movement of driven section 24 can be varied and continues until the segments of annular abutments 2'? have passed out from under and out of register with abutments 32. This variation of the rotary movement or travel of driven section 24 is accomplished by turning central section 29 aroimd its axis as desired by any suitable means, 'j

section 24, a torsional stress is produced or built up in spring 26, said spring 26 being also under compression at all times. The abutments 27 having passed from under and out of register with abutments 32, the abutments 32 on plate 28 are then forced into the spaces between segments of annular abutments 2'7, by pressure of spring 35 and the driven section 24 is forced from engagement with the driving section 1'? by the expansion of spring 26. Disengaging the two parts of the clutch the torsional resistance of spring 26 stops the rotation of driven section 24 and returns it to its starting position, with the lug 41 bearing against stop plate 40. During this return movement of clutch section 24, annular abutments 27 bear against abutments 32 on plate 28 and-cause plate 28 to turn with section 24; plate 28 being free to move in this manner as end of groove 31 moves away from stud 34, thus allowing section 24 to complete its return to starting position.

When in the cycle of the lay 12 it moves to the position shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 4, and releasing the pressure on spring 35 permits plate 28 to be moved away from clutch section 24, by the expansion of spring 30, the abutments 32 move out of the spaces between the segments of annular abutments 27. This movement frees plate 28 and abutrnents 32 from contact with abutments 27 and permits the torsion of spring so to turn plate 28 until the end of groove 31 returns to contact with stud 34. As long as the timer control 29 is held in the picking position it will continue to pick, from this end, during each cycle of the lay, the picking mechanism on the other end of loom, remaining in the opposite or neutral position. When the timing or pattern mechanism of the loom reverses the position of timing rod is it returns timer control 29 to the neutral position and thereby places the timer control on the opposite end of loom in the picking position.

Strap 11 is securely fastened at one end to the picker stick 10 and at the other end to spring 39 which is mounted on the driven section of clutch 24 at the nearest practical point to the centre of rotation. As section 24 starts to rotate it will cause strap 11 to wind on spring 39 and pull on picker stick 10 and it is evident that an accelerating speed will result, due to the fact that the winding face of spring 39 is formed with a constantly increasing radius.

Various changes and alterations might be made in the construction of the device without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. In a picking mechanism for looms, having picker sticks at each end thereof, actuating mechanisms for each stick, including, as the driving section, a rotating mass, having means thereon or therein, for moving or driving, a picking mechanism, said rotating mass comprising a fly wheel, having a driving section of a suitable clutch 1 thereon, and an abutting, mating, driven section,

of the clutch connected to and part of the driven section of the picking mechanism.

2. In a picking mechanism for looms, having picker sticks at each end thereof, actuating mechj anisms for each stick, including as the driving thereon, and an abutting, mating driven section,

or the clutch connected toand part of the driven section of the picking mechanism, means for disengaging and forcing the sections of the clutch apart and for limiting the movement of the driven section of the clutch around its axis.

3. In a picking mechanism for looms, having picker sticks at each end thereof, actuating mechanism for each stick, including, as the driving section, a rotating mass, having means thereon or therein, for moving or driving, a picking mechanism, said rotating mass comprising a fly wheel, havin a driving section of a suitable clutch thereon, and an abutting, mating, driven section, of the clutch connected to and part of the driven section of the picking mechanism, means for disengaging and forcing the sections of the clutch apart and for limiting the movement of the driven section of the clutch around its axis, said means comprising a helical spring, disposed between the driving and driven sections, of the clutch and subjected to both compression and torsion, by said driven section.

4. In a picking mechanism for looms, having picker sticks at each end thereof, actuating mechanisms for each stick, including, as the driving section, a rotating mass, having means thereon or therein, for moving or driving, a picking mechanism, said rotating mass comprising a fly wheel, having a driving section of a suitable clutch thereon, and an abutting, mating, driven section, of the clutch connected to and part of the driven section of the picking mechanisrn, means for disengaging or forcing the sections of the clutch apart and for limiting the movement of the driven section of the clutch around its said means comprising a helical spring, disposed between the driving and driven sections, of the clutch and subjected to both compression and torsion, by said driven section, means for imparting, to the picker stick, a movement of accelerating velocity, by connecting said picker stick with the driven section of the clutch.

5. In a picking mechanism for looms, having icker sticks at each end thereof, actuating mechanisms for each stick, including, as the driving section, a rotating mass, having means thereon or therein, for moving or driving a picking mechanism, said rotating mass comprising a fly wheel, having a driving section of a suitable clutch thereon and an abutting, mating, driven section, of the clutch connected to and part of the driven section of the picking mechanism, means for disengaging or forcing the sections of the clutch apart and for limiting the movement of the driven section of the clutch around its axis, said means comprising a helical spring, disposed between the driving and driven sections, of the clutch and subjected to both compression and torsion, by said driven section, means for imparting, to the picker stick, a movement of accelerating velocity, by connecting said picker stick with the driven section of the clutch, said means comprising a spring, of approximate rectangular cross section, securely fastened at one end, to the driven section of the clutch and having thereon, means for attaching thereto a strap or other suitable medium, connected With the picker stick, in such a manner that the rotation of the attached or driven section of the clutch, will cause said strap, to wind on spring and actuate the picker stick.

6. Picking mechanism as described in claim 5, and including therein means for controllably, engaging and disengaging, the driving and driven sections of the clutch.

7. Picking mechanism as described in claim 5, and including therein means for controllably, engaging and disengaging, the driving and driven sections of the clutch, said means actuated and controlled by the mechanism of the loom.

8. Picking mechanism as described in claim 5 and including therein means for controllably, engaging and disengaging, the driving and driven sections of the clutch, said means actuated and controlled by the mechanism or" the loom, said loom mechanism comprising the lay mechanism as the actuating section and the pattern mechanism as the controlling section.

9. Picking mechanism as described in claim 5 and including therein means for controllably, engaging and disengaging, the driving and driven sections of the clutch, said means actuated and controlled by the mechanism of the loom, said loom mechanism comprising the lay mechanism as the actuating section and the pattern mechanism as the controlling section, also including means whereby, suitable abutments on the driven section of the clutch, register with abutments on the clutch control mechanism, for controlled intermittent periods.

10. Picking mechanism as described in claim 5 and including therein means for controllably, engaging and disengaging, the driving and driven sections of the clutch, said means actuated and controlled by the mechanism of the loom, said loom mechanism comprising the lay mechanism as the actuating section and the pattern mechanism as the controlling section, also including means whereby, suitable abutments on the driven section of the clutch, register with abutments on the clutch control mechanism, for controlled intermittent periods, and means whereby suitable reciprocating movements are imparted to the clutch control mechanism, by the lay mechanism of the loom.

11. In a picking mechanism for a loom having a picker stick, a mass rotatable at a speed inde pendent of the loom cycle, and automatic means for operatively connecting said mass to and disconnecting it from said picker stick during the normal operation of the machine, said mass having sufficient kinetic energy when rotating at normal speed to operate said picker stick.

12. In a picking mechanism for looms having a picker stick, a mass rotatable at a speed independent of the loom cycle, automatic means for operatively connecting said mass to and disconnecting it from said picker stick during the normal operation of the machine, and timer mechanism for controlling the connection of said mass to said picker stick, said mass having sufficient kinetic energy when rotating at normal speed to operate said picker stick.

13. In a picking mechanism for a loom having a picker stick, a mass rotatable at a speed independent of the loom cycle, automatic means for operatively connecting said mass to and disconnecting it from said picker stick during the normal operation of the machine, said mass having sufficient kinetic energy when rotating at normal speed to operate said picker stick and means for imparting an accelerating movement to said picker stick.

14. In a picking mechanism for looms having a picker stick, a mass rotatable at a speed independent of the loom cycle, automatic means for operatively connecting said mass to and disconnecting it from said picker stick during the normal operation of the machine, and means for controlling the duration of the operative connection, said mass having sufiicient kinetic energy when rotating at normal speed to operate said picker stick.

15. In a loom, picking mechanism, lay mechanism, a mass rotatable at a speed independent of the loom cycle, and automatic means under control of the lay mechanism for operatively connecting said mass to and disconnecting it from said picking mechanism, said mass having sufiicient kinetic energy when rotating at normal speed to operate said picking mechanism.

WALTER BELL. HOWARD M. VAN ALSTYNE.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. l,966,704. Juiy 17, 1934.

WALTER BELL, ET AL.

it is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, iine 8, strike out the comma and words aiso have used various" and insert instead the period and word Various; line 9, strike out the comma second oceurrence and insert "have also been used; iine 62, after "drawings" insert in which we have iliastrated a preferred embodiment of our invention and; line 93, after "position" second oeenrrenee strike out the period and insert a comma; and line 9d, for "These positions and their conneetion being" read as; page 2, line 2, before "a" insert preierabiy; line 11, for in" read In; lines. 26-27, for "at each end that said end projects" read that the ends thereof project; lines 44-45, for "oi approximate" read preterahiy oi approximateiy; and line 45, after "section insert a comma; line 119, for This" read this; page 3, line 12, after "26" insert a comma; page 3, iines 6i and 63, 71 and 73, 84- and 36, 101 and 103, 121 and 123, claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively, for "rotating" read rotatable; and that the said Letters Eatent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office,

7 Signed and sealed this 11th day of September, A. D. 1934,

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.