US2298183A - Machine for substituting cores for the cores in yarn packages - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 6, 1942. T. A. SUSEN 3 MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE CORE IN A YARN PACKAGE Filed April 11, 1940 13 Sheets-Sheet 1 j I 97 208 I m I f @209 MR El-HLL I all: /9 7 l: A fl s IL: m0 o,

Oct. 6, 1942. 'r. A. SUSEN 2,298,183

I MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE CORE IN A YARN PACKAGE Filed April 1;, 1940 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 L WMI QJMM.

Oct. 6, 1942. T. A. SUSEN 2,298,183

MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE CO RE IN A YARN PACKAGE Filed April 11, 1940 13 Sheets-Sheet 3 AIR Z05- 205 9'; Zd

i 2 /9 A I 203- 79 Z03 E 65L 99 58 57 I Z? ra l f U l ,1 I m- 9 I If H 17 4 i -78 I' l m 1.\ 750 p my s6 "I I I 7.96 77 I I z 9 I Oct; 6, 1942. T. A. susEN 2,

MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE CORE IN A YARN PACKAGE Filed April 11, 1940 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 W @he Oct. 6, 1942. T. A. SUSEN 2,293,183

MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE CORE- IN A YARN PACKAGE Filed April 11, 1940 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 flew Oct. 6, 1942. 'r. A. susEN 2,298,183

MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE GORE IN A YARN PACKAGE Filed April 11, 1940 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 8 6, 1942- 'r. A. SUSEN 2,298,183

MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE CORE IN A YARN PACKAGE Filed April 11, 1940 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 T. A. SUSEN Oct. 6, 1942.

MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE CORE IN A YARN PACKAGE Filed April 11, 1940 15 Sheets-Sheet 1O IIIHI' Ill! 205 T. A. SUSEN MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE CORE IN A YARN PACKAGE Filed April 11, 1940 13 Sheets-Sheet ll 061:. 6, 1942. gus 2,298,183

MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE CORE IN A YARN PACKAGE Filed April 11, 1940 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 wow)? Jag/W- Oct. 6, 1942. T. A. SUSEN 2,298,183

MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING A CORE FOR THE CORE IN A YARN PACKAGE Filed April 11, 1940 1s Sheets-Sheet 1s i IIIH;

cjkzz Patented oct. 6, 1942 MACHINE FOR SUBSTITUTING CORES FOR THE CORES IN YARN PACKAGES Theodore A. Susen, Winnetka, Ill., assignor to Phoenix Dye Works, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application April 11, 1940, Serial No. 329,017

34 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for replacing the core of a package of yarn with a core adapted particularly for use in the dyeing of yarn without requiring the package of yarn to be first rewound before the dyeing operation.

Certain cores found in yarn packages are more suitable for use in the dyeing operation than others. Textile mills supply these yarn packages with many types of cores. When cores are provided that are not suitable and interfere with the dyeing operation and it is desirable to use a more eflicient type of core, the cost of rewindingthese packages upon new cores prior to dyeing must be assumed by the yarn dyers. The expense is considerable due to the labor and machinery required.

An object of the invention relates broadly, therefore, to a new and novel type of machine for removing the core of a package of yarn and positioning therein a core of a type particularly suitable for use during the dyeing operation without requiring the rewinding of the yarn.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of this type that will accomplish the aforesaid core replacement without injury to the yarn or damage to the package.

It will be noted that yarn is of a character that admits of ready tearing or rupturing. When wrapped as a fine thread into packages containing many thousands of yards, it is quite essential that the internal support furnished by the core be maintained at all times to prevent collapsing of these packages. If the core opening is allowed to change in any way during the replacement operation, it is quite apparent that a new core could not be substituted without injury to the delicate yarn threads and that many of such threads would be ruptured.

According to the teachings of the invention, I contemplate employing a contractible core that may be easily positioned within the yarn package substantially concurrently with the displacement of the core of the package. contractible core that may be used may vary according to the design or kind of core preferred, but, specifically, I disclose the use of a spiral spring that can be advantageously gripped at both ends and wound upon its mounting by twisting so that its diameter willbe momentarily reduced to facilitate its insertion within the package without destroying the package or disturbing the yarn. After it is inserted, releasing the wound spiral spring will. allow it to expand without tearing or rupturing the yarn or disturbing the windings whereby the yarn package will re- The type of main intact and the yarn protected. A noted advantage will be obtained in employing a contractible core that may expand within the yarn package. I find that this type of core will cause the yarn package likewiseto expand slightly so that, when stacked within the liquor vat in vertical rows, the pressure holding each row in position when the vat cover is closed nate uneveness that has heretofore existed and resulted in uneven penetration of the dye liquor. A further object of the invention is to provide 'a novel type of core replacing machine that will substitute a contractible core for the core of a yarn package by means of a series of operations that assure replacement of such core without injury to the yarn, such operations being effected in a predetermined sequence by means of a novel I form of interlocking control designed to eliminate error by the operator and a consequent destruction of the package as well as possible injury to the operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel type of core replacing machine that will substitute a contractible core for the core of the yarn package without disturbing the fabric sleeve, known as the stocking, usually disposed between the core and the yarn, the stocking being kept in position during the replacement so that it may be used with the new core to prevent the new core from injuring the yarn through direct contact therewith.

In the form of machine disclosed herein, as one of the preferred embodiments of the invention, a novel form of interlocking control is provided.

Inasmuch as a series of operations are required improper time will result in destruction of the package. To overcome this diificulty, the actuating members of each operative step are associated with switch means in a control circuit which will require energization in a predetermined sequence in order to be operative. manner, I am able to maintain a definite se- In this ing the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same; Fig. 3 is a rear view of the same;

. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of this machine with.

the cover removed;

I Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 55 of Fig. 1, this view illustrating a yarn package in position upon its mounting means and a spiral spring core locked in position ready .to be contracted;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 6-4 of Fig. 5, illustrating'incro'ss section the core package and spiral spring core upon their mounting means and the mechanism for locking the spiral spring core in position prior to being contracted;

Fig. 7 is a similar vertical sectional view illustrating in open position the locking dogs .for

gripping and locking the ends of spiral spring core;

Fig. 8 is a similar vertical sectional view but taken at right angles with respect to the section shown in Fig. 7 and illustrating in elevation the- 'locking dogs and their actuating mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a view similarto Fig. 6 and-illustrating the core package and spiral spring core upon their mountingmeans together with the mechanism for contracting the spiral spring core, the latter being shown in contracted position;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged vertical view of the yarn package and spring mounting means, illustrating the position of the parts thereof after the spiral spring has been contracted and the fabric sleeve gripping means is about to move toward the open end of the fabric sleeve to grip the same and hold the fabric sleeve extended;

Fig. v11 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 9-but illustrating the fabric sleeve gripped and held extended and the mechanism for actuating the fabric sleeve gripping means;

Fig. 12 is an elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 11 that are carried upon the front of the machine;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 8 but illustrating the spiral spring sectionally in contracted position and the fabric sleeve gripping 'means gripping and holding the fabric sleeve extended, all said parts showing their readiness for the next operation of moving the yarn package upwardly to displace the core therein and position the contracted spring core in the yarn package;

Fig. 14 illustrates the structure shown in Fig. 13 after this said next operation is completed with the yarn package moved upwardly, the core therein displaced therefrom and the contracted spring positioned in the yarn package;

Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional view through the machine to illustrate in elevation the structure shown in Fig. 13 and to illustrate partly in section and partly in elevation the mechanism for effecting the upward movement of the yarn package;

Fig. 16 is a view of the front of the machine to illustrate in front elevation the parts of the structure shown in Fig. 15 that are carried thereupon;

Fig. ,1-7 is cuit;

Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram of the various air valves and circuit establishing devices for operating the same;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged detail view of the operata wiring'diag'ram of the control ciring connection between the mechanism for actuating the lower core locking dog and.'the

Y manual control device that operates the same;

Fig. 20 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 2020 of Fig. 4 to illustrate'in detail the operating connection between the mechanism for actuating the upper core locking dog and the manual control device that operates the same;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged sectional detailview of the same mechanism, being taken on line Il-ll of Fig. 5;

Fig. 22 is a view similar to Fig. '7 but showing a.slightly modified form of mechanism that may be employed to displace the core of the yarn package; and

Fig. 23 is a similar viewto illustrate the manher in which it looks the core of the yarn package against upward movement with the yarn package.

The invention is described and illustrated herein in a form considered to be very desirable, but it is to be-understood that the invention is not limited .to such form because it may be embodied in other forms. It is also to be understood that in and by the claims following the description it is desired to cover the invention in whatever form it may be embodied.

I shall first describe the various operations and the parts that directly effect such operations. Thereafter, the actuating mechanisms for these parts will be separately described so that the novel manner in which they interlockingly operatewill be clearly apparent. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to each and every step described or to their herein disclosed sequence of operation. The invention is particularly directed to a machine adapted to perform certain novel results in the replacement of a core in a yarn package, whether these results may be obtained through the use of a limited number of steps as disclosed or through their employment in the same or different sequence.

By referring to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, it will be observed that a platform or holder I is provided to receive a yarn package 2 representing, for the tween the yarn and the core a fabric sleeve 4,

known in the trade as a stocking, for protecting the yarn fromthe core so that the yarn will not be frayed or torn by resting directly upon the core. Central core 3 may be accepted as being made of cardboard or other material, that will not admit of immersion in the dye liquor, or of a construction that will not permit radial dispersion of the dye liquor from the center of the package, or it may be accepted as of a type that should be removed and replaced by another core for any desirable purpose in the handling of a yarn package or like packages of other or similar material.

Yarn package holder I may be carried by a bracket 5 secured to'a plate 6 adapted to slide along a track I mounted upon the front of the machine. A pair of shafts 8 and 9 are arranged in axial alignment so that they may be moved toward and away from each other. Lower shaft 81 passes through a central opening I in holder I (Fig. 6), which opening I 8 may be of a size permitting holder I to be freely moved concentrically along lower shaft 8 after both shafts are moved to closed position. A bracket H having bearings I2 and I3 supports lower shaft 8 in rotational relation but prevents this lower shaft 8 from moving vertically or axially. Rotation of lower shaft 8 is effected by a drive designated broadly as I4t o be hereinafter described. Bracket I I is provided with a plate I5 secured by bolts I6 to the lower end of that portion of the machine frame comprising track 1.

Upper shaft 9 is mounted to be both rotatably and axially movable. Its upper end is provided with collars I1 and I1 fixed thereto, these collars being located on opposite sides of a bracket I8 having a split bearing I8 adapted to be movable up and down by pivotally mounted swinging bars I9 extending forwardly through slots in the front wall of the machine to connect at 2I to bracket I8. Movement of bars I9 and bearing bracket I8 will lower and raise shaft 9. A

Another split bearing 21 is also provided on bracket 22. Between these bearings 26 and 21, a drive designated broadly as 30 connects to upper shaft 9 to rotatably drive the same without interfering with its vertical movement. Drive 30 will rotate shaft 9 in a direction opposite to the;

rotation of shaft 8. Shafts 8 and 9 are reduced at 3| and 32, respectively, to form seats between which a core to be substituted may be positioned and locked by a pair of actuatable pawls 33 and 34.

I have specifically shown herein this core to be in the form of a spiral Spring 35. It is adapted to be seated firstupon shoulder 3I whence upper shaft 9 will be lowered to meet lower shaft 8. To keep shafts 8 and 9 securely centered with respect to each other, particularly during operations to follow, lower shaft 8 is provided with a recess 36 adapted to receive a reduced projection or tongue 31 on upper shaft 9. Thus, these shafts are held in perfect alignment when they are in closed position, the reason for which will be hereinafter obvious. After shafts 8 and 9 are closed in this manner, locking pawls or lugs 33 and 34 will be projected outwardly to grip the end convolutions of the spiral spring core 35 to lock the latter firmly in position upon these shafts 8 and 9 (see Fig. 5 for example). After spiral spring 35 is thus locked in position, shafts 8 and 9 are rotated in opposite directions to wind this spring upon the shafts, thereby reducing the diameter of the spiral spring and causing it to contract so as to be substantially equal to shafts 8 and 9 beyond their reduced sections. In other words-the ends of shafts 8 and 9 ar reduced between points 3| and 32 an extent equal to the thickness of the strip of material out of which spiral spring 35 is formed, so that, when spiral spring 35 is contracted, its reduced diameter will be substantially equal to th diameter of shafts 8 and 9 and the outer surface of spiral spring 35 will be flushed with the surface of shafts 8 and 9. This will be evident from an inspection of Fig, 10 which illustrates shafts 8 and 9 in closed position and the spring wound thereupon in contracted position.

The next step in the operation involves lowering sleeve 49 having a downwardly projecting finger 4| provided with a laterally extending pin 42. Sleeve is fixed against rotation by being supported in a bearing 43 carried by a bracket 44. Bracket 44 extends forwardly from plate 29I adapted to move vertically along track 1. Sleeve 40 is adapted to move downwardly over spring 35.

in wound position until pin 42 is low enough to grip the upper end of stocking 4. The operator will then flare the exposed upper end of stocking 4 about the lower edge of sleeve 40 and hook the same over laterally extending pin 42, the position of the parts when this operation takes place being shown in Fig. 11.

The parts of the machine are now in position for the final operation including a number of steps that occur almost simultaneously and preferably with considerable rapidity. As illustrated in Fig. 5, an arm 39 is secured to plate 8 and ex-- tends through the front wall of the machine housing to the rear to connect to the lower end of a rod 46 projecting from an air cylinder 41. As will be hereinafter described, when air is admitted to cylinder 41, rod 46 is raised and in turn bracket 5 is raised to lift work holder I upwardly. The first of the operations that occur when this movement is initiated results in the displacement of core 3 from yarn package 2. At the time looking pawls 33 and 34 are projected laterally through openings in the sides of shafts 8 and 9, substantially at the point of their reductions designated 3| and 32, to lock the ends of spiral spring tothese shafts, a pair of diametrically opposed core displacement lugs 48 are projected outwardly on opposite sides of lower shaft 8 (see Figs. 13 and 14). These core displacement lugs 48 preferably project at right angles to locking lug 33 and are disposed to project from the lower shaft 8 on opposite sides directly therebelow. It is desirable to extend these core displacement lugs 48 a distance equal to the thickness of the wall of core 3, or at least to the extent that they will not interfere with stocking 4 in the upward movement of package 2 which carries stocking 4 therewith.

As illustrated in Fig. 6, opening I0 is of a diameter suflicient to allow core 3 to drop thereinto, or in other words, for work holder I to continue moving yarn package 2 upwardly after lugs 48 restrain further upward movement of core 3.-

Work holder I will move package 2 a short distance upwardly before the upper periphery of core 3 engages against lugs 48, this distance being indicated by the dotted and full line positions of work holder I, shown in Fig. 13. The operating parts during this movement will bring package 2 up and over spiral spring 35, as illustrated in Figs, 14 to 16. That is to say, spiral spring 35 will, relatively speaking, be placed within the core opening of package 2 as core 3 is displaced at the bottom through opening III in work holder I. At the same time, sleeve 40 will move upward with work holder I so that laterally extending pin 42 will keep the upper end of stocking 4 extended. Thus, stocking 4 will not interfere with the interpositioning of the wound spiral spring within package 2. As soon as this step in the sequence of operations is completed, locking lugs 33 and 34 release the ends of spiral spring 35 to permit the latter to unwind itself within package 2. In turn, shafts 8 and 9 are each rotated in opposite direction to return to their original position. These shafts are then separated by upper shaft 9 returning vertically to its original position and work holder I dropping to its lowermost position with package 2 now containing therein as its core spiral spring 38 in expanded position. Yarn package 2 may then be lifted upwardly to be removed from shaft 8. Displaced core 3 may likewise be removed by being lifted upwardly along lower shaft 8 until it clears the end thereof. As illustrated in Figs. and 16, one of the displaced cores 3 may be allowed to remain upon lower shaft land rest against upper edge of bearing I2 so that when work holder I returns to original position it will serve as a partial ejector to raise each successive core 3 that is displaced from these yam packages by causing each successive core to remain extended far enough above work holder I to be gripped and removed.

It will be observed, therefore, that the various steps of the operation of the machine include placing yarn package 2 upon work holder I, seating spiral spring 38 upon shoulder 3|, lowering upper shaft 3 until its projection or tongue 31 seats in recess 36 in lower shaft 8 and simultaneously extending locking lugs 33 and 34 outwardiy from within shafts 8 and 8 to grip the ends of spiral spring 35, rotating shafts 8 and 8 in' opposite directions to wind spiral spring 38 thereupon in order to reduce the diameter thereof to substantially the diameter of shafts 8 and 8, then lowering sleeve 48 and flaring the upper end of stocking 4 to hook it over laterally extending pin 42, raising work holder I to move yarn package 2 upwardly and over spiral spring 38 so that, in effect, this spiral spring, in a contracted condition, will be placed within the core opening of package 2 immediately upon displacement of core 3 as package 2 moves upwardly, rotating shafts 8 and 8 in reverse directions so that it will expand to normal size within package 2, and finally, returning the parts to their original position which includes releasing the ends of the contracted spiral spring from locking lugs 33 and 34, separating shafts 8 and 8, and returning work holder I to its original position with spiral spring in package 2.

The various operating mechanisms for effecting these operations will now be described.

Mechanism for locking spiral spring in position The mechanism for effecting the first operation of the machine after a yam package is placed upon work holder I will now be described.

A foot pedal 58 is positioned at the left-hand side of the machine and is adapted to be depressed to bring shafts 8 and 9 together and extend locking lugs 33 and 34 to grip theends of a spiral spring mounted upon these shafts between shoulders 3| and 32. See Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive. Foot pedal 88 is carried by a lever lI keyed to a rock shaft 52. Also keyed to rock shaft 82 is a lever 53 extending rearwardly behind the front wall of the machine to connect at 54 to a vertically positioned actuating bar 88, which extends substantially the entire height of the machine to connect at 58 to a lever 81 keyed to a rock shaft 88. Both rock shafts 82 and 88 lie within the machine frame and extend transversely to be carried by bearings in the side walls. The frame of the machine may assume" any design, but, as illustrated in Fig. 4, it is substantially rectangular with a front wall 88, sidewalls 8| and 62, and a removable rear wall 83 seated against flanges 84 in side walls 8i and 82. Swinging bars I8 are likewise keyed to rock at their forward ends by a cross rod 2|.

, shaft 8.

shaft 88 by means of an integral bearing 88,

which is positioned upon rock shaft 88 so that swinging bars I8 willextend forwardly through slots 28 in front wall 88 and will be connected Bars I8 are slotted at 88 for rod 2| to ride therein when bars I8 are rocked. Bars I8 are shown in their upper position in Figs. land 2, and in their lower position in Figs. 5 and 20. As illustrated in enlarged detail in Figs. 20Iand 21, bracket I8 is arranged to ride between vertically positioned brackets 88 secured at 88 by bolts or the like to guide members 88 which are in turn secured bythese bolts to front wall 88 of the machine frame. Wall 88 may be reenforced slightly at this point by a raised face It. Wall 88 is slotted at 82 to allow the reduced'end 81 of bracket I8 to ride'in this slot and be guided between members 88. Thus, bracket I8 is securely guided in its vertical movement by bars I8. Bracket I8 is provided at its outer end with the split bearing I8 receiving upper shaft 8 so that vertical movement of bracket I8 will move shaft 8. As previously explained,-collars I1 and I1 are locked to shaft 8 on oppositesides of bearing I8. .Thus, bracket I8 will raise and lower shaft 8 as bars I8 are rocked about shaft 88.

To effect operation of locking lugs 33 and 34, rods 83 and 84 extend through shafts 8 and 8. After shafts 8 and 8 are closed so that tongue 31 is seated in recess 86, rods 88 and 84 continue to move inwardly to project locking lugs 33 and 34 from shafts 8 and 8. The means for actuating rod 88 is shown in detail in Fig. 19, while the means for actuating rod 84 is shown in detail in Fig. 20. Referring to the latter mechanism first, it will be observed that bracket I8 is provided with a vertical lug 86, to which the lever 81 is pivoted at 88. Lever 81 is slotted at 88 near its outer end and pivotally connects to .rod 84. Lever 81 is urged to move in counterclockwise direction about its pivot 88 by means of a spring I88 connected between this lever 81 and bracket I8. This counterclockwise movement of lever 81 is limited, however, by a stop pin IIII carried by bracket I8. A bracket I82 is bolted to the rear surface of front wall 88 substantially centrally of slot 82. Bracket I82 is adapted to carry a sleeve I83 internally threaded at its lower end to receive an adjusting bolt I84 and is slotted at I85 at its opposite end to receive a cross pin I88 carried by a pin I81. Pin I81 projects upwardly out of sleeve I83. Between pin I81 and adjusting bolt I84 is a spring I88 adapted to urge pin I81 upwardly. The inner end of lever 81 is adapted to rest against pin I81. As bars I8 are swung to lower bracket I8, shaft 9 will be lowered to engage Continued downward movement of bracket I8 causes the engagement of the inner end of lever 81 with pin I81 to tilt this lever 81 clockwise about its pivot 88 to move rod 84 downwardly a slight distance after shaft 8 is locked against shaft 8. The pin and slot connection between pin I81 and sleeve I83 causes spring I88 to firmly hold rod 84 downwardly so that its tip- I32 will yieldingly press against locking lug 34 to hold the latter in spring gripping position (see Fig. 6). As rod 84 is moved downwardly in this manner, rod 83 will be moved upwardly so that its tip I3I will likewise be yieldingly pressed against locking lug 33 to hold the latter in spring gripping position.

As stated previously, the mechanism for accomplishing this movement is shown in detail in Fig. 19. It comprises a lever I09 pivoted at H to a dependent finger III integral with. bracket II. The opposite end of lever I09 is pivotally secured to a rod H2. Rod H2 loosely passes through an opening H3 in a cross-connection H4 connected between a pair of bars H5 keyed to rock shaft 52 (see also Fig. l). Cross-connection H4 is adapted to move freely along rod H2 until it strikes a spring II6 seated against an adjustable nut 1. As spring H6 is compressed, rod H2 will be pulled downwardlyto tilt lever I03 at I I0, thereby raising rod 93..

' Spring H6 acts as-an adjustable take-up for movement of bars- H5, if there should-be any, after rod 93 has been raised to its extreme up ward limit. Bars H5 are keyed to rock shaft 52 so that initial movement of rock shaft 52, as pedal 50 is depressed, will merely cause bars H5 to travel freely downwardly along rod I I2. During this period of the movement, pedal 50, through the connections. described, is effecting downward movement of upper shaft 9. As soon as shaft 9 is seated against shaft 8, cross-connection H4, actuated by bars I I5,'will begin to bear against spring I I6 to move rod I I2 downwardly in order to tilt bar I09 and raise lower rod 93 at the time upper rod 94 is lowered, whereby both locking lugs 33 and 34 will be extended to "grip the ends of spiral spring 35, as illustrated for example in Figs. 5 and 6. It will be observed, therefore, that the mechanism herein provided for gripping a spiral spring core includes two axially aligned shafts movable relative to each other so as to close one upon the other and two rods centrally disposed within these shafts and movable relative thereto, so that, after the shafts are brought together, the rods will continue to move to actuate locking devices for gripping the ends of the spring. The shafts may then be rotated in opposite directions in order to wind the spring thereon and reduce the diameter of the spring. The shafts are reduced in diameter where the spring is wound thereabout to permit this spring to be contracted to substantially the same diameter as the shafts. Thus, the peripheral surface of the spring convolutions will be substantially continuous with the peripheral surface of shafts 8 and 9 as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10.

The mechanism for ejecting locking. lugs 33 and 34 into spring gripping position is shown in Fig. 6 and includes spring pressed pins I seated in holes I2I provided in inserts I22 and I23 driven into the ends of these shafts 8 and 9. Each hole I2I includes a spring I24 which presses against pins I20 to urge them outwardly so that reduced tips I25 bear against locking lugs 33 and 34. (See also Figs. 7 and 8.) Inserts I22 and I23 are preferably held in position at the ends of shafts 8 and '9 by a tight fit or by set screws I22 and I23. Tongue 31' is in fact an extension of insert- I22, while recess 36 is in fact formed in insert I23. A hearing I26 may be positioned in recess 36 so that any tendency for the wall of recess 36 to wear as the result of tongue 31 entering the recess to hold shafts 8 and 3 in axial alignment may be readily compensated for through the renewal of this bearing. Locking lugs 33 and 34 are pivoted at I21 and I28, respectively, in any suitable way within shafts 8 and 9 adjacent the beginning of their reduced ends, preferably opposite seats 3I' and 32. Slots I 23 and I are provided in shafts 8 and 9 to permit lock- 7 33 and 94 hearing against locking lugs 33 and ing lugs. 33 and 34 to extend outwardly and permit their hooked ends to grip the last convolution at each end of spring 35, as illustrated in Fig.- 6. When shafts 8 and 9 are separated, as illustrated in Fig. 1,'and rods 93 and 94 are extended outwardly, spring pressed pins I20 bear against locking lugs 33 and 34 to withdraw the same to their position within shafts 8 and 9, as illustrated in Fig. 7. With shafts 8 and 9 brought together and rods 93 and 94 forced inwardly toward each other, the tension of springs I 24 is overcome by the reduced tips I3I and I32 of rods 34. Spring pressed pins I20 are, therefore, depressed into holes I2I and locking lugs 33 and 34 are swung about their pivot points I21 and I28 to project through openings I29 and I30, whereby to grip the last convolution at each end of the spiral spring as aforesaid. Thus, a spiral spring will be held firmly upon the reduced ends of hafts 8 and 9 between seats 3I and 32 and firmly locked in position to permit shafts 8 and 3 to be rotated in opposite directions in order to wind this spring upon said reduced shaft ends.

Before describing the mechanism for rotating shafts 8 and 9 in opposite directions, I shall first describe the mechanism for holding shafts 8 and 9 together, as illustrated in the various figures of the drawings. When foot pedal 50 is depressed to the position shown in Fig. 5, lever 5I will move past a locking latch I35 pivoted at I36 and connected at I3I to a rod I38 secured to a core I39 01' a pedal locking solenoid I40 (see Fig. 1). The upper end of solenoid core I39 is provided with a head I 4| attached to one end of a spring I42 which has its opposite end fixed at I43 preferably to front wall 60 of a machine frame. Normally spring I42 tends to hold solenoid core I39 upwardly so as to tilt latch I35 in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot I36 when bar 5| is depressed by actuating foot pedal 50. The tip of this latch I35 will snap over the upper edge of bar 5I to hold it in depressed position, as illustrated in Fig. 5. .Lever 5I will remain in this position to keep shafts 8 and 3 in closed position and rods 93 and 94 extended inwardly to lock lugs 33 and 34 in spring gripping position until solenoid I40 is energized. The circuit for energizing solenoid I40 will be hereinafter described. This circuit is closed as one of the last steps in the sequence of operation and will occur only when the last manually operable element is actuated. It will thusbe impossible to accidentally open or separate the shafts 8 and 3 so as to release the spiral spring before core 3 in package 2 is displaced and the'spiral spring-interpositioned within this package.

Mechanism for contracting spiral spring core The mechanism for contracting the spiral spring core will now be described. This operation is accomplished by rotating shafts 8 and 9 in opposite directions until the spiral spring is wound from the position shown in Figs. 5 to 8 to the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10. As will be noted in Figs; 1 and 4, a foot button I45 is disposed to the right of foot pedal 50. Depressing this foot button I45 closes a switch S'2 disposed in hous ing I46. The wires of the circuit are led through a conduit I41 that extends to a conduit box I48 and continues as conduit I49 to a relay box I50 closed), relay R-I is energized which, in turn. energizes a solenoid designated I, adapted to operate an air valve I'6I (Fig. 3) to admit air into cylinders I62 and I66. Air is supplied to air valve III by a pipe I64 connecting to the main air supply connection I66 by means of a 1' I66 and a cross pipe I61, which connects with main air supply pipe I66 through a valve I66. Air flows into cylinders I62 and I66 from air valve I6I through pipe connections I66 and I66. The pistons of air cylinders- I62 and I66 will be raised to lift their rods I6I and I62 which are connected at their upper ends to a cross plate I66. Cross plate I66 is bolted at I64 to a rack plate I66 guided in its movement within a U-shaped plate I66, carried by a bracket arm I61, bolted at I66 to side H of the machine housing. A vertical rod I66 is adjustably connected at its lower endto cross plate I66 and rack I66. The upper end of rod I66 is similarly connected to the lower end of a second rack I10, adapted'in its movebe apparent hereinafter, none of the actuating elements will operate before foot pedal 66 is operated and the master starting switch S-I is closed.

Mechanism for. holding stocking extended .this step in the operation of the machine is ment to be guided within a U-shaped plate "I carried by a bracket arm I12, attached at I16 also to side 6| of the machine housing or frame. Rack I66 is adapted to drive a shaft I14 extending a gear I16 fixedly secured to shaft 6. -On the I opposite end of shaft I14 is a pinion I11 adapted to mesh with the-teeth of rack I66.- This opposite end of shaft I14 is supported in a bearing I16 formed on guide plate I66.

When rack I66 is raised through operation of air valve I6I to admit air into cylinders I62 and I66, shaft I14 is thus rotated to drive the lower shaft 6, say in clockwise direction. Rack I10 meshes with a pinion I16 mounted upon a shaft I60 supported in bearing 'I6I formed on guide plate Ill and in bearing I62 formed on front wall 60 of the machine housing or frame. Shaft I60 projects through front wall 60 and is carried at the front end in a bearing I62 provided by bracket 22. A pinion I64 is fixedly secured to the front end of shaft I60 to mesh with a pinion I66 fixedly secured to upper shaft 6. It will be noted that the teeth of rack I10 are on a side opposite with respect to the location of the teeth on rack I66. Consequently, upward movement of rack I10 will rotate pinion I16 in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of pinion I16. In this manner shaft 6 will be rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of shaft 6.

It will be observed that foot button I46 closing switch 8-2 by depressing foot button I46 will not energize relay R-2, and consequently solenoid I, until foot pedal 60 has been actuated. This will be more clearly apparent from the description of the wiring circuit shown in Fig. 17. For the present purposes it is sufficient to point out that this interlocking relation preventing energization of relay RI and solenoid I through stepping on foot button I46 before foot pedal 60 is actuated is accomplished through a master starting switch designated S--I, mounted inside side wall 6I (Fig. 3), which is adapted to be held closed by a cam I61 carried upon bar 65. When bar 56 is raised through depressing foot pedal 60 and its lever 6|, cam I61 will strike .roller I66 and close master starting switch S--I. Master starting switch SI remains closed as long as foot pedal 60 and its lever 6| are locked in depressed position, as shown in Fig. 5. As will. also clearly shown in Figs..11 and 12 and includes a foot pedal I60 disposed upon the outer end of lever I6I pivotally carried upon cross shaft 62 and connected at its rear end to a vertical bar I62. Bar I62 is connected at I66 to a link I64 keyed to a cross shaft I66 carried in the sides 6i and 62 of the machine housing. A pair of actuating arms I66 is keyed to cross shaft I66 by means of their integral, bearing sleeve I61. See Fig. 4. Actuating arms I66 are slotted at I61 at their outer ends, the slots receiving a cross bolt I66 which passes through bracket 44 provided with split bearing 46. The upper end of sleeve 40 carrying laterally extending pin 42 is flxed within bearing 46 so that sleeve 40 may move vertically relative to shaft 6. Bracket 44 is carried by an integral plate 20I designed to embrace and ride along track 1 upon the front of the machine. To keep bracket 44 and sleeve 40 in raised position, a pair of counterweights 202 is carried by cables 206 suspended over pulleys 204 mounted in brackets 206 that may be attached to the top 206 of the machine housing. Cables 206 extend forwardly through openings 201 in the front wall 60 and entrain over pulleys 206 carried by brackets 206 attached to front wall 60. Cables 206 then extend downwardly for attachment to cross bolt I66, as shown in Fig. 11. In order to hold sleeve 40 in its down position with the upper end of stocking 4 flared outwardly and over the lower end so as to be hooked upon laterally extending pin 42, a latch arm 2I0 (Fig. 12) is pivoted at 2 upon a bar 2I2 secured at 2I6 to plate 6, which, as previously stated, also embraces and rides along track 1. Latch 2I0 is formed with a hooked finger 2I6 adapted to snap over a pin 2I6 extending forwardly from plate 20I. A spring 2I1 normally tends to keep latch 2 I 0 in latching position, shown in Fig. 12, so that, when plate MI is lowered through swinging movement of bars I66 to the position shown in Fig. 11, pin 2I6* will snap under hooked finger 2 I6 and thereby lock plate 20I, and consequently sleeve 40, against upward movement. In this manner sleeve 40 is held in its lower position, shown in Fig. 11, when pedal I60 is depressed. Counterweights 202 will tend to raise plate 20I and sleeve 40 but this tendency is overcome'by latch 2I0 engaging pin 2I6. Sleeve 40 is sumciently large in diameter to clear the projecting tip of locking lug 64 when sleeve 40 is lowered to the position shown in Figs. 11 and 12. The parts are now in a position to effect a displacement of core 6and interpositioning of wound spiral spring core 66 within package 2.

-Mechanism for actuating work holder to eject upper movement of yarn package upon and over spiral spring Mechanism for effecting the final steps in the sequence of operation will now be described. These steps include bringing the yarn package and the spiral spring core together so that the 231 at its outer end. 'Pawl 231 is pivoted at 239 r so that it will tilt downwardly when the rightlatter is interpositioned within the yarn package. Before this operation occurs, the core of the package is displaced, but the step of bringing the spiral spring core into and within the yarn package is rapidly performed in order to prevent the yarn package from collapsing. Although the structure disclosed herein involves holding the spiral spring stationary and moving the yarn package over and upon the spiral spring, it will be understood that this form is merely disclosed herein as one embodiment of the invention and that variations in this arrangement of parts may occur without departing from the invention.

After the operator has depressed pedal I90 to bring sleeve 40 downwardly in order to hook the upper end of stocking 4 upon laterally extending pin 42 as it is flared about the lower end of sleeve 40, he will continue to hold the upper end of this sleeve in this fiared condition about the outer edge of the lower end of sleeve 40 as he presses a second foot button 225 located slightly to the left of foot pedal I90. Foot button 225 closes switch 8-5 to energize solenoid known as 3, clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 15. Energizing solenoid 3 operates an air valve 226 to admit air by means of a pipe 221 to the lower end of air cylinder 41 whereby to raise its piston rod 46 from the position shown in Fig. 5 to the position shown in Fig. 15. As previously explained, piston rod 46 is connected by arm 39 to vertically movable plate 6 adapted to slide along track I upon front wall 60 of the machine. Work holder I is connected to plate 6 by bracket arm 5. Movement of work holder I upwardly with yarn package 2 thereon causes, as the first step in the operation, engagement between core displacement lugs 48 and the upper edge of core 3 in yarn package 2. See Figs. 13 and 14. The distance work holder moves before this occurs is illustrated by the dotted and full line positions of work holder I. Continued upward movement of work holder I prevents core 3 from rising with yarn package 2, with the result that core displacement lugs 49 hold core 3 from moving and allow yarn package 2 to continue upwardly with core 3 extending downwardly through opening I0 in this work holder I. As previously explained, bar 2I2 is sehand actuating arm I9 strikes its outer tapered end pin downwardly. A spring 239 tends to hold the opposite end of pawl 23! against a stop 240..

Consequently. pawl 23'! can tilt about its pivot point 238 only in counterclockwise direction. Upon return of actuating arm I9 to their upper position and the engagement of the right-hand arm against pawl 231, lever 235 will tilt clockwise about its pivot point 236 to move'rod 234 downwardly. This action trips latch 230 out of the path of movement of shoulder 239 and allows plate 20I to continue upwardly to its original position.

Before sleeve moves'upwardly, shafts 9 and 9 are rotated in reverse directions to their original position whereby-to unwind spiral spring 35 within yarn package 2. The means for accomplishing this step includes a cam 24I mounted upon the side of plate6. See Figs. 12 and 16. As plate 6 moves upwardly, cam 24I engages a switch 8-3 to open the same and thereby break the circuit to relay R-I. As will be later explained, it is essential to deenergize relay R-I before relay R-2 can be energized to release pedal from its locked position, shown in Fig. l. A second cam 242 is disposed on the opposite side of plate 6 to engage and close switch S-4. This occurs after cam 240 opens switch 8-3. Closing switch S4'energizes relay R-2, and consequently solenoid 2 that controls latch I35 holding foot pedal 50 in depressed position. When solenoid 2 is energized, its core I39 will be moved downwardly to tilt latch I35 about its pivot I36 whereby to release this latch from engaging upper edge of foot pedal lever 5I. Immediately foot pedal is restored to its original position for a subsequent operation of the machine.

Attention is directed to the fact that switch S-5 will not energize the circuit of relay R3 until a switch S6 has been closed. Switch cured to plate 6 and moves therewith. Accord- I ingly, latch 2I0 locks plates 6 and 20I together so that plate 20I travel upwardly with plate 6 at the same rate of speed. The mechanical connection formed by these parts between plates 5 and 20I is clearly illustrated in Fig. 12. Consequently, sleeve 40 will move upwardly in unison with yarn package 2. Although it is not essential, it is desirable that the operator maintain manual hold of the upper-flared end of stocking 4 during this upward movement.

When package 2 moves to the position shown in Figs. 15 and 16 with spiral spring core 35 positioned therein and core 3 displaced from the package, the outer extended arm of latch 2I0 will strike a stop 228 mounted upon front wall of the machine, so as to trip this latch 2| 0 from engagementwith pin 2I6. The mechanical connection between plates 6 and 20I is thereby broken so that the latter plate may be moved upwardly by the action of-counterweights 202 to its position of rest. Substantially at this point in the operation, a shoulder 229 engages a, latch 230 pivoted at 23I upon plate 232 secured to front wall 60. Latch 230 is provided with an arm 233 connected to a vertical rod 234 which extends upwardly (Fig. 1) to connect to a tiltable lever 235 pivoted at 236. Lever 235 carries a trip pawl -S-6 may be seen in Fig. 3.

It is closed upon upward movement of rack I'I0. This is accomplished by a bar 242 mounted to extend transversely from rack I10 so that a vertical projection 243 carried by bar 242 may engage a cam arm of switch S--6 and hold it closed while air cylinders I52 and I53 remain charged with air .to keep racks I and I'll) extended vertically.

' With racks I65 and I10 moved to their upper position, shafts 8 and 9 will beheld rotated in opposite directions to keep spiral spring 35 wound upon the reduced ends of these two shafts.

Closing switch 8-5, by depressing foot button 225, will energize solenoid 3 to charge air cylin- .cuit of solenoid I.

der 41. This moves work holder I upwardly, as previously explained. However, opening switch 8-3 when work holder I moves upwardly breaks the circuit of relay R-I, and therefore the cir- Air valve I5I will then be closed and air will be led from air chambers I5I and I53 through pipes 244 and 245 throughthis air valve I5I to be exhausted. Releasing air from air cylinders I5I and I52 returns racks I65 and H0 to their original position. This causes shafts 8 and 9 to be rotated in reverse directions but opposite to the direction of rotation originally, which caused the spiral spring to be wound in contracted position upon these shafts. With the unwinding of the shafts, so to speak, the spring core is unwound within package 2.

The ends of spiral spring 35 are then released from looking lugs 33 and 34. This will be accomplished as soon as solenoid 2 is energized to

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