US2370111A - Coil spring appliance - Google Patents

Description

- Feb. 20-, 1945. T G DT 2,370,111

COIL SPRING APPLIANCE Filed Dec. 26, 1941 4.Shets-Sheet i INVENTOR Thea'mn Gl enwwd Sfioudi,

ATTORN V Feb. 20, 1945.

T. e. STOUDT COIL SPRING APPLIANCE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 26, 1941 F1. E's--5 INVENTORZ Ihearon gknwoadfioudi,

Y E N R O T T A Filed Dec. 26,- 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR;

ATTO R N Y Feb. 24), 1945. STOUDT 2,370,111

COIL SPRING APPLIANCE Filed Dec. 26, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 2 INVENTOR. Thearon Glenumodwoudz Patented Feb. 20, 1945 2,37,,ill

Fries COIL SPRING APPLIANCE Thearon Glenwood Stoudt, West Reading, Pa., as-

signor to Textile Machine Works, Wyomissing, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania.

Application December 26, 1941, Serial No. 424,550

(Cl. 267-I-l) 17 Claims.

This invention relates to means associated with coil springs operated at comparatively high speeds, to prevent detrimental vibratory action thereof when in use. I

It is well known that under certain conditions, high speed operation of coil springs will set up detrimental vibratory or surging action in the same. Among other things, such action induces inexpensive to manufacture; which when applied to a horizontally positioned spring braces the noisy operation, varies the tension of the springs,

reduces the operating efficiency of the mechanism associated with the springs, and gives rise to forces which efiect premature fatigue, and breakage, of the springs. Difiiculties of this nature are experienced with certain high speed springs used on full-fashioned and other knitting machines, for example, the springs of a full-fashioned knitting machine which function to maintain cam follower rollers in contact with cams rotated at a speed of about seventy-five or more revolutions per minute. It has been found that devices heretofore available to overcome the said difliculties, are either not adaptable for use with such knitting machine springs, or unsatisfactory when used in conjunction therewith.

It is an object of my invention to provide a novel device, or appliance, for overcoming the mentioned and other difiiculties in connection with coil springs in general, and particularly those used on knitting machines and the like.

Another object is to provide such a device which will not seriously interfere withthe spring, when operating either at low or high speed.

A further object is to provide such a device which is capable of progressively obstructing, subduing, or dampening, the surging tendency of a spring being operated at high speed, to such an extent that the spring operation is substantially normal, or similar to that of a sprin being operated at low speed.

An additional object is to provide such a device having elements which do not contact the coils of the spring when the latter is at rest, or operating at low speed, and which function to limit lateral movement of the coils incident to spring operation at relatively high speed.

A further object is to provide such a device which is particularly adapted for association with certain types of springs on flat, or fullfashioned, knitting machines.

Among other objects are, to provide such a device for a coil spring operated at high speed. which may be quickly and easily applied to,and removed from, the spring; which is. simple in construction, comparatively light in weight, and

latter against sagging; which engages the spring in such manner that there is a minimum of friction between the device and the spring when the latter is in operation; and which has the desirable features and advantages over prior art devices apparent from the detailed disclosure of the invention, as hereinafter set forth.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, my invention resides in the novel device comprising the new elements, features of construc tion and arrangement of parts in cooperative relationship as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view ofthe device shown in Fig. 1 but on a reduced scale;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the device as shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged 'fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially along line 4-4 of Fig.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged left end view of the device as shown" in Fig. 3';

Fig. 6 is an enlarged right end view of the device shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view of a full-fashioned knitting machine with certain parts omitted, to more clearly show the application-of my invention;

Fig. 8 is a front view of certain parts of the mechanism shown in Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 9--9 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 7, showing the parts in difierent operative positions;

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view of certain parts of the mechanismof Fig. 10; I

Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional 'view, take substantially along line |2-!2 of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 13' is a sectional view taken substantially along line iii-43 of Fig. 11.

' In the drawings and description my invention is exemplified in association with the spring of a full-fashioned knitting machine of which only the means necessary to a complete understanding of the invention-have been specifically set forth; further information as to the construction and operation of other related, usual and well known knitting elements, mechanisms, etc., may be found in one or more of the following publications:

1. Pamphlet entitled-Full-Fashioned Knitting Machines-published and copyrighted by the Textile Machine Works, Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1920.

2. Three catalogs entiled--The Reading Full- Fashioned Knitting Machine Parts Catalogpublished and copyrighted by the Textile Machine Works, in 1929, 1935 and 1940, respectively.

3. Booklet entitled-The Reading High Production Full Fashioned Knitting Machinewhich forms a supplement to-the above noted 1940 parts catalog of the TextileMachine Works, and which booklet is a publication of the Textile Machine Works, and was copyrighted by the latter in 1940.

4. Pamphlet entitled-Knitting Machine Lectures-publishedby the:- Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute, Wyomissing; Pennsylvania, in 1935.

Inpractice, the device orappliance 20 of my invention, maybe associatedwith the coil spring 22 of a machine usedrfonknitting full-fashioned stockings, as illustrated in: the drawings. Such a-- spring generall -comprises a cylindrical main body portion. 22a composed of coils of uniform diameter, and. end: portions 22b and 220, one of Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6, which is inserted between adjacent coils of the end portion 22b and bent over to rest upon the spring, see Fig. 11. In addition, the free ends of the side bars 24a and 24?) are shaped to rest against the end 22b of the spring to further assist in maintaining the device in anchored position on the spring.

. It will be apparent from reference to Figs. 7 and 10, that'the deviceZll extends over substantially the entire length of the spring 22, when the latter is contracted. When the spring is tenwhich is securedto a stationary part and the other to a movable: part 32 of the: machine, by connector elements: 22d and 22a, ordinarily associated with the. spring. Thetaperingend portions 22b and 22a consist of coilsof progressively= reduced diameters, astshown in Figs. 11 and 13.

In springs of thiskind it" has been found that at high speed operation, detrimental surging actions, or vibrations, originate; at. the movable end 220, which move lengthwise of theuspring toward the stationary end: 2217' thereof; These vibrations abruptly terminate upon arriving at the coil 22 of the end portion 22am; contact with-said connector part 22d. This action. induces abnormal twisting of certain coils, with consequent premature fatigue and breakage of the spring, atone point or'another.

The device 20 comprises a". series of substantially C-section sleeve-like spring clip members, or collars, 23, 23a and 232),. held in: spaced and aligned relationship with each otherbyconnecting bars 2 3', 260. and 24?) secured thereto at 25, as by welding, soldering, riveting or other well known and practical means. The spaced mem bers 23, 23a and23b arepreferablyof; thin sheet material, such as resilient metal, arranged to be sprung around theknitting machine coil spring 22, having an outside diameter slightly larger than the inside diameterof said members, and surrounding more than 180 but less than 360 of the perimeter of the spring. Members 23, 23a and 23b are, therefore; adapted to snugly engage the spring 2-2, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 12, without, however, preventing longitudinal movement of the. coils thereof: relative. to the members. The-connecting. bars 24, 24a and 24b are spaced from the spring: (Fig: 11). a distance equal substantially to the thickness of the metal from which the members- 23', 23a and 2321- are formed, so thatxnofriction can exist between the-bars" and spring: during slow speed operation of the latter. Obviously, this spacing. may be varied, as desired, by varying the thickness of the. spacer means. The device 20 is anchored against axial displacement relative to. the substantially inactive part 22b of the spring 22, by means of a free end extension 24c, illustrated in sioned, as when the cam follower 26 is on a high point of the cam 38, the length of the spring 22 is increased and extends beyond the device 20. However, since" the detrimental vibrations, or surging action of the spring 22, is at a maximum when. the. spring is contracted and therefore practically entirely within the device 20, the latter is effective along substantially the entire length. of. the. spring. during, the. critical. phase of the spring. vibration. cycle.

I have foundthat. when the. spring 22 isoperated at high speed, by itself andpwithout the device 20, theVibratory or surgingaction is particularly noticeable. when. the follower is on the inactive pant of the cam 38, however,.when the device 20 isapplied' to thespringthis action is progressively obstructed or subdued by the members 23, 23a and 23b, to. a point eliminatingv all detrimental effect. on thesprlng. In. this connection the bars 24, 24a. and 24b function. to maintain the lateral. vibrations of the spring confined within the limits. determined by the spacing of the barsfrom the spring, and also effect a substantially rigid. structure whichbraces the spring against sagging, when inhorizontalposition- Themovement, of. the spring 22 in thedevice 20 causes. the. collars. 23,, 23a and 23b to have a restraining action. on those portionsof the spring with. which thecollars slidingly cooperate. The extent of. this. restraining action depends upon the amount of elongation of the. spring 22,. as determined by the contour of the operating cam 38. It will be understood, therefore, that the surgedampening or vibration reducing effect is progressive,.because thecollars 23, 23a and 231) are arranged. so that-the sliding cooperation of each collar with the spring varies in extent. The collar 23b beinglocated' near the active end of spring, 22, where the surging action originates, obviously exerts the. greatestv surge restraining influence. The. minor. impulses passing beyond collar 23b, are further reduced by the collar 23, and are. entirely sto'pped'when reaching collar In order'that theconstruction and purpose of the springs 22 may be fully understood, it is pointed out that thesesprings are approximately sixteen inches long, one and three-fourths inches in diameter (middle. section) and are formed of. wire approximately one-fourth of an inch in diameter. They are cooperatively associated with. the wellv known balancing cam mechanism of the full-fashioned. knitting machine of the Reading type. illustrated, to maintain a cam rollerv 26 in operative engagement with balancing cams38 and 39.

The illustrated parts of. the knitting machine comprise beams 35 and 31, center-bed 40. and front bed or table 42 which are arranged in parallel. relationship lengthwise. of" the machine, and cooperate with upright: frames: 43 to effect a. rigid fram structure on which. thev various mechanisms of the. machine are supported. A camshaft 44 extends lengthwise of the machine in parallel relationship to the aforesaid beds and beams, and is rotatably mounted in bearings (not shown) secured to the frames 43. A series of cams including balancing cams 38 and 39 are mounted on the camshaft 44, as by cam flanges 48 which are fastened to the camshaft in well known manner. The regular knitting mechanism balancing cam 38 and the narrowing mechanism balancing cam 39 are arranged in juxtaposed relationship on the camshaft 44. Cam 38 cooperates with the cam roller 26 when the camshaft 44 is in its normal position, as shown in Fig. 8, whereas the narrowing cam 39 engages the roller 26 when the camshaft M is shifted axially a distance of one cam width to the right from the position shown in Fig. 8 to its so-called narrowing position.

Of course, the novel device shown and described, by which I obtain the referred to advantageous results, can be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the in vention herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a plurality of axially spaced substantially cylindrical members arranged for sliding association in use with the outside of a coil spring of a knitting machine and having their central transverse planes substantially at right angles to the axis of the spring, means for securing said device to said spring, and means for securing said members in longitudinally spaced relationship along said spring.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a plurality of substantially cylindrical members arranged for sliding association with the coil spring of a knitting machine, and a plurality of connector bars arranged to maintain said members in axially spaced relationship along said spring.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a plurality of sleeve-like members arranged for sliding association with the coil spring of a knitting machine, a plurality of connector bars secured to the periphery of said members, and an extension on one of said bars arranged for connection with the spring.

4. A device of the character described comprising a plurality of sleeve-like members arranged for sliding association with a coil spring, and means arranged to maintain the members in spaced relationship on the spring, said means being spaced from the spring and functioning to stop lateral spring vibrations which reach a magnitude defined by the space between the spring and said means.

5. A device of the character described comprising a plurality of resilient clamping collars arranged for sliding association with a coil spring, a rod-like element to which said clamping collars are fastened in spaced relationship, and means arranged to anchor said device to said spring.

6. A device of the character described comprising a plurality of resilient vibration subduing members arranged for sliding association with a coil spring, and a longitudinally extending connector to which said mounting members are secured in spaced relationship, said connector having a portion thereof arranged to anchor the device to said coil spring.

7. A device of the character described comprising a plurality of clamping collars for detachably securing the device to the spring, a plurality of longitudinal connector members arranged in spaced parallel relationshipcircumferentially of the spring and to which said clamping collars are rigidly secured at spaced intervals, one of said connector members having a portion thereof arranged to cooperate with said spring to prevent longitudinal displacement of the device relative to said spring.

8. A device of the character described comprising a plurality of clamping collars for attachment circumferentially of the spring at spaced intervals longitudinally thereof, a plurality of longitudinal connector members normally spaced from said spring and arranged in spaced parallel relationship circumferentially of the spring and to which said clamping collars are rigidly secured, one of said connector members having a portion thereof shaped to conform with the contour of an end portion of said spring, and another of said connector members having a portion anchored to the spring to prevent longitudinal displacement of said device.

9. A coil spring appliance comprising a plurality of axially spaced cylindrical collar members of thin metal arranged to be sprung around a coil spring having an outside diameter larger than the inside diameter of the members and having their central transverse planes substantially at right angles to the axis of the spring when in use, the appliance engaged solely by the spring in use, means for effecting sliding cooperation in use between the spring and said member and means for holding the collar members to the spring.

10. A coil spring appliance comprising a plurality of axially spaced cylindrical collar members of thin metal arranged to be sprung around a coil having an outside diameter larger than the inside diameter of said members and having their central transverse planes substantially at right angles to the axis of the spring, means for maintaining said members in sliding coaction with the spring in use, and means for anchoring the appliance to one end of the spring.

11. The combination with a coil spring and means for effecting high frequency operation thereof, of an appliance supported entirely on the spring comprising a plurality of generally cylindrical light metallic collar members surrounding more than but lessthan 360 of arc of said spring and slidable thereon, and metallic spacer means connecting said members and maintaining them a fixed distance apart.

12. The combination with a coil spring and means for effecting high frequency operation of the latter of means entirely on the spring for suppressing detrimental vibrations of said spring comprising a resilient generally cylindrical collar extending over more than 180 degrees but less than 360 degrees of arc and adapted to be sprung onto said spring by a movement transverse to the axis of the spring but slidable relatively to the coils of the spring when the spring elongates and contracts and having a part fixed thereto for attaching the collar tothe spring.

13. The combination with a coil spring and means for effecting high frequency operation of the latter of a plurality of resilient generally cylindrical light metallic collars of more than 180 but less than 360 adapted and arranged to be sprung over the spring by a movement transverse to the axis of the spring, and spacing means connecting said collars and having a portion for anchoring said collars against movement longitudinally of the spring.

14. A device for damping vibrations in coil springs comprising a resilient generally cylin: drical light metallic collar member extending morethan 180 and less than360 of. arcadapted to be sprung around a spring by a. movement transverse to the axis of the spring, the edges of the gap in the collar being bent outward. to facilitate springing the device in place, and a member ,fixed to saidv collar and adapted to engage the spring to anchor the device to the spring.

15. Ina combination with a coil spring of, a devic for suppressing deleterious vibrations of the spring, comprising one or more resilient collars adapted to be snapped. onto the spring bya movement transverse to the spring and, having sliding relation with the coils of thespring in use, and a part associated with one. of said collars and arranged to. pass between turns of the spring for determining the position. thereof.

16. In a combination of a coil spring and. a device for suppressing deleterious vibrations of the spring, the improvement comprising a 001- .lar, adapted, to be snapped onto the spring by a movement. transverse to the spring and" having sliding relation to the coils of the spring inuse, and a part connected to said collar arranged to pass between coils ofthe spring at the time of said transverse movement and to be bent to hold the collar from movement lengthwise on the spring.

17. In. a combination of a. coil spring capable of developing deleteriou vibrations in use, means for effecting high frequency operation thereof and a device for suppressing said vibrations, the improvement comprising a collar extending over more than 1 80 degrees of arc and less than 360 degrees of arc, said collar surrounding and entirely supported on the outer surface of the spring and having sliding relation to the coils of the spring in use, and means engaging only the coils. of the spring for holding said collar in 20 position longitudinally of the spring.

THEARON GLENWO OD STOUDT.

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