US2420537A - Advancing reel threading device - Google Patents

Description

y 1947. A. E. GUENTHER ETAL 2,420,537

ADVANCING REEL THREADING DEVICE I v Filed May 10, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet l I N V EN TORS RTHl/k 6'. Gum/n10? ,vo L 55 5. M01. wvsux BrJ/V,

ATTORNEY y A. E. GUENTHER EIAL 2,420,537

ADVANCING REEL THREADING DEVICE Filed May 10, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TORS R THUR E l/E/VTHER A no L s: 6. Mo; YA/EUX nrroklvfx May 13, 1947. A, E. GUENTHER ETAL 37 ADVANCING REEL THREADING DEVICE Filed llay 10, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TORS g-mwz E. 606 Tusk ,uvo L: M01. wvsux MCW' A T TOkIVE X Patented May 13, 1 947 I ADVANCING REEL 'THREADING DEVICE Arthur E. Guenther and Lee B. Molyneux, Buffalo, N. Y., assignors to E. I. du Pont do Nemours & Company, Wilmington, Del.,a corporation of Delaware Application May 10, 1946, Serial No. 668,848

19 Claims. ((128-715) This invention relates to a threadingdevice, and more particularly to a device for threading yarn on a yarn-advancing reel enclosed in a casing. I

Recently, there has been devised yam-advancing reels of the general type wherein a yarn is wound in a substantially helical form around a reel having a set of fixed yarn-carrying bars arranged concentrically around and rotatable in a fixed circular path about the center axis of the reel axle and a set of movable bars which during rotation about the center axis of the reel axle move radially (vary their distance from the center axis of the reel axle) and axially, the axial movement of the movable bars being such that when the bars are in the yam-contacting position (radial out position) such bars will be moved in the direction of the yarn advancement across the reel to advance the yarn across the reel and, when the movable yarn bars are out of contact with the yarn, such bars will be moved axially in the direction opposite to the direction of the yarn advancement across the reel.

It has been found that when freshly regenerated cellulose yarn was wound on a yam-advancing reel of the aforementioned type and the reel enclosed in a steamer, highly effective carbon bisulflde removal could be obtained. However, considerable difltculty was encountered in the threading of the yarn on the reel. The yarn had to be manually threaded before steam was introduced into the steamer, with the result that there was a; considerable amount of yarn which was not subjected to the steaming operation. Various means, were attempted to mechanically thread the yarn on the advancing reel in the steamer, but none of these were successful.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and novel device for threading yarn on a yarn-advancing reel enclosed in a casing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a threading device for a yarn-advancing reel enclosed in a steamer wherein the yarn, on the reel is subjected to a steam treatment.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a threadingdevice which prevents the escape of steam from the casing of the steamer enclosing the yarn-advancing reel.

A further object of this invention is to provide a threading device having a head provided with flexible seals which will deflect locally to permit introduction of a threading key therebetween and will adjust themselves 'to the contour of such key to prevent the escape of steam from the casing of the steamer enclosing the reel.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a threader having a feeder which positions the hook on the leading end of a threading key in the path of the rotating reel so that it will be engaged by one of the bars on the the reel and pulled out of the threading device.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a threading key which, during passage through the feeder, will firmly grip the yarn at the trailing end thereof. 1

A still further object of this invention is to provide means'to release the threading key from the reel after the yarn has been wound in a substantially helical form on the reel to the desired point of discharge of the yarn from the "eel.

Other and additional objects will become apparent hereinafter.

- The objects of the invention are accomplished, in generaL by providing a threading device having a feeder, projecting through an opening in the casing and so disposed that the lower end thereof is positioned on the inside of a steamer position to be engaged by one of the bars of the reel enclosed in the casing and be pulled out of the feeder upon rotation of the reel.

The head of the threading device is provided with a slot through which the threading key is inserted into the feeder. Means are provided to completely close of! a passage through the slots. The passage closing means, which are flexible, will deflect locally to permit passage of the threading key between them and will adjust themselves to the contour of such key to prevent escape of steam from the steamer enclosed in the reel.

Means are provided on the head to position the yarn in the pathof travel of the trailing end of the threading key so that, as the latter passes in and through the feeder, the ,yarn will be firmly gripped in a wedge-shaped slot at the trailing end of the threading key.

The back of the threading key is maintained in contact with the bar which engages it by the tension of the yarn which is grinned at the trailing end of the threading key.

A the reel rotates, the advancing end of the l 3 threading key is hooked over one of the movable bars and is carried with it, first being carried toward the discharge end ofthe reel and then being returned toward the loading'end of the reel so that at the completion of 'one revolution of the reel the hook would still be in alignment with its starting position unless it is, shifted out of that position by some other means. Thus, about the middle of the first revolution of the reel, the head of the hook engages a stationary cam mounted from the roof of the steamer and this cam shifts the threading key one pitch toward the discharge end of the reel. As the reel revolves,'a helix of yarn is wound onto the reel. This rope is under some tension and, as it is advanced along the reel, it pushes the threading hook along ahead. of it, in successive wraps as long as the hook remains engaged with the reel bar-or until the hook has been fed over the end of such bar. Means are preferably provided to release the threading key from the reel bar at the point where it is desired to have the yarn leave the reel, as by pushing its hook 011 the end of the bar which engages it. The releasing means, in a, specific form, comprises a, cam located to engage the hook at a position where it is travelling downwardly so that, as the hook is removedfrom the bar, it will fall and carry the end of the yarn with it to the bottom of the reel.

it unwinds from the revolving reel.

Preferably, the yarn is fed from the spinning machine and positioned on the head so that it can be threaded onto the reel. In one embodiment, the yarn is fed from-the spinning machine beneath a guide hook carried on ,the head of the feeder and around a post also carried on the head of the feeder, and thence to a waste roll. The threading key is inserted and positioned in the feeder so that the wedge-shaped slot at the trailing end of the threading key will grip the yarn as it passes from the hook to the post and carry it downwardly through the feeder and onto the reel. The post is provided with a. cutter and, as the trailing end of the threading key descends, the yarn will be carried over a cutting wheel in the post, with theresult that the yarn which had been running from the post of the waste roll will be reversed in direction and run over the knife, whereby it will be cut in two. The cut occurs between the threading key and the waste roll and leaves the yarn end coming from the spinning machine wedged in the trailing end of the threading hook and, in consequence, follows it on through the threading device and onto the reel.

The drag caused by drawing the yarn between the sealing means'in the head of the threading device also imposes a tension which aids in maintaining the key on the reel.

The present invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed descrlptin when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the feeder in position on the steamer casing in which a yam-ad- Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Y Fi ure 5 is a section Figure 2; v

Figure 6 is an elevation of a plug used in connection with the passage sealing means;

' of the bars l4 and I6 of the yam-advancing reel.

Figure 7 is a view of the end at the right of th feeder shown in Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a bottom view of the feeder;

Fi ure 9 is a section taken on the line 8-9 of Figure 7;

Figure 10 is a section taken of Figure 7 Figure 11 is a section takenpn the line I l-ll of Figure 7:

Figure 12 is a partial section showing the insertion of the threading key at the beginning of the threading operation;

Figure 13 is a partial section illustrating another stage in the threading operation; and

Figure 14 is a section taken on the line l4-l4 of Figure 13.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like parts, the reference numeral l 0 designates a casing of a steamer. Since any form of steamer can be used and the details of construction of the steamer form no part of this invention, no further description thereof is necessary.

A yam-advancing reel, which is shown diagrammatically in Figure 1 of the drawings, is enclosedby the casing i0 and in one form comprises movable channel-shaped bars I4 and fixed bars IS. The fixed bars it are arranged concentrically around and rotated in a fixed circular path about the center axis of the reel axle, and the movable bars H are mounted and positioned so that, during rotation thereof about the center on the line l0 l0 axis of the reel, they will move radially (vary' such bars will be moved axially of the reel in the direction opposite to the direction of yarn advancement across the reel. In operation of such reel, the yarn, from a suitable source of supply, is wound in a substantially helical form around the reel, and, upon rotation of the reel, the yarn will be progressively fed across the reel to the point of discharge. Since the precise details of construction of the yarn-advancing reel form no essential part of the invention, no further description thereof is deemed necessary.

The casing I0 is provided with an opening 20 which is opposite to the yarn-receiving end of the reel and is provided with a frame 22. A plate 24 is secured to the frame 22 by means of bolts 28. A gasket 28 is positioned intermediate the plate 24 and the frame 22 to make the joint steamtight.

The plate 24 is provided with an opening which is in alignment with the opening 20 of the casing III. A feeder, generally designated by the reference character F, extends through such aligned opening and is secured to the plate 24, as will hereafter be more fully explained.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the feeder F is 'angularly disposed relative to the casing in and terminates interiorly of the casing with the lower end thereof positioned adjacent the path of travel Theupper end of the feeder F which terminates outside of the casing it includes a head, genertaken on the line 8-5 of ally designated by the reference character H. The head H is formed of a block 00, in the top of which the bottom end of a hook 02 is secured. A post 00, in spaced relationship 'to the hook 02 is threadedly secured on the top of the block 00,: as shown in Figure 4. The post 00 is provided with a slot in which a circular knife 00 is carried on a pin 00. The circular knife 00 extends in a notch 02 in the post 36.

Intermediate the hook. 02 and the post 00, the block is provided with a slot 00 which extends from the top to the bottom of the head and through which a, threading member is inserted. In order to prevent escape ,of steam or gas from the casing I0 through the slot 50, there is provided 9, pair of round tubes 00 and 62 which extend longitudinally of the slot and contact at the center of the slot 56 to completely close oil. a passage through the slot. Since the threading key must be passed between the tubes 60 and, the latter are preferably made of a flexible material, such as rubber, neoprene, etc., which will deflect locally to permit passage of the threading key and the yarn therebetween and adjust themselves to the contour of the object passing therebetween.

In each of the tubes 60 and 62, there is positioned a plug, generally designated by the reference numeral 06 (see Figure 6). The plug 00, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, is provided with cylindrical ends 68 formed integrally with a semicylindrical piece 10. The plugs 66 are substantially equal in length to the tubes 60 and 62,and the diameter of the ends 68 thereof is approximately the same as that of the inner diameter of the tubes. The curvature of the member 10 is approximately on a radius equal to the radius of.

in achannel 16 between the top and bottom of the block 30; As shown in Figure 5, each screw 12 extends through a hole in the tube 00 and is threadedly secured in tapped holes 69 in the cylindrical ends of the plug 66.

A plug 06 is also positioned in the tube 62, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The plug in tube 02 is appropriately secured to the tube at the cylindrical ends 60 thereof, which are in turn appropriately secured to the head.

As shown in Figure 4, the flatsurfaces of the semi-cylindrical members 10 of the plugs 06 are stop which cooperates with the mm. As shown in Figure 4, the stem of ,thescrew 00' is threaded andcooperates with a tapped hole in the plate 0!. 1 A look washer 01, cooperating with a threaded boss'll on the, side plate, serves to lock the knurled headed screw 80 in adjusted position.

, tube 02, the screw 00 is rotated in the proper direction to release the block I0. The-screws I0 are then rotated in proper direction to move the block 14 together with the tube 00 in the desired direction. Upon adjustment, the screw 00 is rotaotzg until the end of the stem 8118 888 ,the bl A front plate 02 is secured to the block 30 by screws 00. A rear plate is also similarly secured to block 00. For reasons which will become apparent, the right side of the head is in- 00 of the head H is secured, as by welding, to the plate 20, as shown inFigures 1 and 3.

A front plate I00 is secured at the top thereof, as by welding, to plate I00. A short, downwardly extending, back plate H0 is secured, as by welding, in spaced parallel relationship to plate I00.

positioned in the tubes in opposed relationship 1 so that, the contacting portions of the tubes opposite thereto will be free to flex when an object is inserted therebetween. 1 V

The block 14, as previously mentioned, is slidably positioned in the channel I5 between the top and bottom of the head. Movement'of the block H, and hence the tube 80, relative to tube 62, is obtained by rotation of the knurled headed members I6. As shown in Figure 5, the inner end of each stem 80 of each member I6 is secured to the block It. The stem is also provided with a threaded portion which cooperates with a threaded hole in the flanged side plate 00, which is appropriately secured to the block. 00 of the head. members 10, tube 60, together withits be adjusted relative to tube 62.

A knurled headed screw 86, the stem of which extends through the side plate 80, constitutes a plug, can

The lower end or plate I I0 is secured, as by welding, to an outwardly extending flange H2 or a downwardly extending plate III which is in spaced parallel relationship with plate I00. For reasons which will become apparent, the bottom edge of a downwardly extending plate H0 is secured to the flange H2 and oneof the side edges secured to the plate IIO so that, as shown in Figures 8 to 11 inclusive, the'plate H0 is 'positioned at right angles to plate H0 and extends inwardly therefrom.

As shown in Figure 7, a groove I20 is provided throughout the length of the feeder. At the top of the feeder, as shown in Figure 11, the groove I20 is formed between plate IIO and a plate I22. 'I'heplate I22 is secured to the plate I03 and. is positioned at right angles toplate I08, and, as shown in Figures 8 to 11 inclusive, extends inwardly and downwardly of the feeder. Plate I22 is also disposed in parallel spaced relationship to plate I02. A plate I24 is secured at one side adjacent the inner edg of plate I22 and, at its other edge, is secured to plate I02. A guide plate I20, constituting the closed side of groove 'm', is positioned intermediate the plate 124 and to the manner of securing it onto the casing, no

Thus by rotation of theknurled headed steam or gas can pass from the steamer through the feeder to the surrounding atmosphere. In order for any steam to pass from the steamer to the atmosphere, it must pass through the head, which is provided, as hereinbefore explained, with seals (rubber tubes 00 and 02) Thefeedcr is mounted on the casing at an angle so that thelower end is positioned ad- To adjust the tube 00 relative to the Jacent the path of travel of the yam-advancing reel. In order to position such lower end in close proximity to the path of travel of the yarnadvancing reel, the plate members of the feeder are curved on a radius from the center of the reel. Specifically, plates I08 and I I4 are each curved adjacent the bottom thereof on a radius from the center of the reel. Plate I38terminates at the bottom thereof adjacent the top of the curvedportion of plate I08. l

The threading key (see Figures 1, 12, 13, 14) comprises a circular rod I40 of a length which extends between two successive channel bars I4 of the reel. At the bottom, the circular rod I40 has secured thereto a hook I42. The hooked member is formed of flat metal and is substantially of the form and shape shown in Figures 1 and 13. The inner surface I 43 of the toe I44 is of a shape to conform to the bar of the reel which it is to engage. In the form shown, since the hook I42 is to engage a movable bar having a flat side, the inner surface I43 of the toe I44 is also flat so that it will be in close intimate contact with the side of the movable bar it engages. 'I'he edge I45 of the hook I42 which spans the channel is fiat. The toe I44 is of such length that it will not be kicked off the bar which it engages during the radial outward movement of the movable bar I4. The outer edge of the hook I42 is curved, as indicated by the reference nu-v merals I46 and I48, and also rounded. The hook I42 is of such dimensions that, as hereafter explained, when the rear edge thereof rides in groove I20, the toe will extend and project from slot I2I.

The top of the circular rod I40 is bent downwardly to form a wedge-shaped slot I52 and then bent, in the form shown in Figure 12, to form an eye I54, which constitutes a handle. It is to be noted that the hook I 42 and the wedge s'lot I52 together with the eye I54 are positioned in planes which are approximately 90 to each other.

The eye I54 is slightly inclined to the vertical axis of the rod I40, and the hook I42 is secured to the lower end of the rod so that, when the hook I42 is in engagement witha fixed bar, the eye I54 will span the following fixed bar and the rod will extend between said bars and lie on the periphery of the reel.

In operation, a yarn I60 is drawn from the spinning machine by a positively driven roller I62, from which it is passed beneath the guide hook 32, thence around the post 36, from which it passes to an appropriately mounted waste roller I64 where it is temporarily wound. To thread the yarn onto the reel, the operator, facing the device same as an observer of Figure 1 and holding the hook approximately parallel with the feeder and with the hook end down and the hook toe extending away from him, thrusts the hook through the slot 66 and past the rubber tubes60 and 62 at a point immediately beyond the pass of the yarn from the hook 32 to the post 36, and desig- Figures 1a and 14). Due to plate no, the heel of the hook is shifted so that it enters the groove nated as Y in Figure 12. As shown in Figure 13, d

the tubes yield locally to permit insertion of the hook and rod and immediately conform to the shape of the article therebetween. On leavingthe head, the hook passes into the chamber des- 'ignated as I10 (see Figure 11) of the enlarged key is rotated on its longitudinal axis (see [6 I20. As the hook continues its descent, the toe thereof enters and travels in the slot I2I and the eye I54 will travel in the channel I. It is to be noted that the toe projects from the slot I2I. The groove I20 is of such shape that, when the hook I42 is disposed-in the lower curved end o. the feeder, the hook, and particularly the toe, will be in the pathof the bars on the rotating yam-advancing reel. The necessary shape of the groove is obtained by appropriately curving the edge of plates I26, and which constitutes the closed end of the groove I20.

When the hook has been depressed so that it is in the path of the bars on the rotating yarnadvancing reel, the toe thereof is engaged by one of the bars on the reel and, due to the rotation of the reel, is pulled out of the feeder. After the threading key has been rotated 90 as previously explained, the trailing end of the key projects over the yarn, passing beneath the guide hook 82 onto the post 36 (pass Y). Upon further descension of the key, the yarn is caught in the wedge-shaped slot I62 wherein it is tightly secured and is carried down, together with the key, past the rubber tubes through the feeder and onto the reel following the hook. The toe of the hook is hooked over one of the yarn bars and is held there by the tension in the yarn. This tension is due to a stretch imposed in the yarn prior to being withdrawn by the roll I62, and also some drag is caused by drawing the yarn between the two rubber-sealing tubes in the head of the threading device.

, During descension of the trailing end of the threading key, the eye passes through the channel designated by the reference numeral I3I. After the yarn has been gripped and upon further descensionrof the key in the feeder, th yarn will be pulled downwardly toward the base of the post 36 until it passes over the cutter 48 in the post 38. At this moment, the yarn, which had been running from post 36 to the waste roll I64, will now be caused to pass from the hook 32 to the feeder, and the yarn passing from the post 36 to the waste roll will reverse its direction and, in trying to run over the knife, will be severed. The severing occurs between the threading key and the waste roll and leaves the yarn end coming from the spinning unit wedged in the slot I52 of the threading key and, in consequence, follows it on throughthe threading device and onto the reel.

After the key has hooked over the yarn bar and about the middle of the first revolution of the reel thereafter, the head of the hook engages a stationary cam (not shown) mounted from the roof of the steamer. This cam shifts the threading key one pitch toward the discharge end of the reel. As the reel revolves, a helix of yarn is wound onto the reel. This yarn is under some tension and. as it is advanced along the reel, it pushes the threading hook along ahead of it. This will continue as long as the hook remains engaged with the reel bar or until the hook has been actually fed over the end of the bar. In the preferred form, it is desirable to have the yarn leave the reel when it gets to a predetermined distance from the end of the bar, and this is accomplished by releasing the threading key from the reel bar by pushing the hook off the end of the bar. In the form shown in Figure 1, this is accomplished by a cam I66 located so as to engage the hook at a position where it is feeder, it is not essential.

traveling downwardly, so that, upon disengagement from the bar, the hook will fall and carry with it the end of the yarn to the bottom of the reel casing. The yarn, due to its own weight, will continue to fall to the bottom of the casing as it unwinds from the rotating reel.

The cam I" is positioned in the path of travel of the hook on the bar of the rotating reel at the point where it is desired to have the yarn leave the-reel. The cam I" is secured, as by screws I", to a support appropriately mounted on the interior of the casing.

During the threadingoperation, the yarn coming from the spinning machine continues to pass under the hook guide I2 and then down into the slot 56 between the rubber tubes 60 and 82 and downwardly through the threading device. After the reel has been threaded, the operator pulls the yarn towards him so that it is removed from under the hook 32 whereby the yarn will pass directly from the draw roll I62.

The draw roll "2 and feeder are positioned so that when the yarn passes therefrom directly 'riphery thereof and enclosed'in' a casing having an opening opposite the yam-receiving end of said reel, a feeder projecting through said opening and having its lower end terminating adjacent the path of travel of said rotating yamadvancing reel, said feeder having a head positioned outside the casing and provided with a to the feeder and thence onto the reel it will do soon a line tangent to the-reel surface and to the tubes at a point on the line of'contact therebetween.

The threading device of this invention is not restricted to any specific type of advancing reel. In general, it can beutilized with any advancing reel and wherein the yarn is advanced progresslvely across the reel in substantially helical form by axial movement in the direction of the yarn advancement of movable bars when in yam-contacting position. Suchreel may or may not have fixed yam-contacting bars. Application Serial No. 633,399, filed December 7, 1945, Serial No. 640,231, filed January 10, 1946, Serial No.'644,939, 'flled February 1, 1946, Serial No. 644,940, filed February 1, 1946, Serial No. 645,718, filed February 8,1946, application of Arthur E. Guenther for Yarn-advancing reel, flied May 23, 1946, and application of Robert A. Staflord for Yarn-advanc'ing reel, filed March 23, 1946, disclose several types of reels which can be threaded by the present invention.

Though it is preferred that the hook guide 32 and the post 36 be mounted on the head of the Any appropriate means for positioning the yarn in position for threading can be used. Likewise, any severing means properly positioned can be used for severing the yarn passing to the waste roll after the reel has been threaded. v

The use of the threading device is not restricted to threading a yarn-advancing reel en;

slot through which a threading key having a hook on the leading end and yarn-gripping means at the trailing end thereof is passed, a pair of flexible tubes disposed in said slot and contacting at the center thereof to completely seal off a passage through said slot, said tubes being suiflciently flexible to yield and'conform to the contour of the threading key and yarn whenpassing thereclosed in a steamer. It can be used to thread a yarn-advancing reel enclosed in any casing j wherein the yarn is subjected to treatment with The invention is particularly applicable for threading. yarn composed of continuous filaments or staple fibers, ropes, ribbons and other similar articles of continuous length onto a yarn-advancing reel enclosed in a casing wherein, while the article is being advanced across the reel, it is beng subjected to a treatment with a fluid, either liquidor gaseous.

The invention provides a relatively inexpensive threading device for quickly and effectively threading continuous length articles onto a yamadvancing reel enclosed in a casing. Due to the manner in which the feeder is positioned on the casing and the flexible seals, substantially no gas,

between, and means in said feeder to guide the threading key as it descends so that the hook thereof will be disposed in the path of travel of the bars of said reel and in position to be engaged by said bars when it is in the lower end of said feeder.

2. In an apparatus for threading yarn or the like onto a rotating yam-advancing reel having yarn-contacting bar-s arranged around the periphery thereof and enclosed in a casing having an opening opposite the yam-receiving end of said reel, a feeder projecting through said opening and having its lower end terminating adjacent the path of travel of said rotating yarnadvancing reel, said feeder having a head positioned outside the casing and provided with a slot through which a threading key having a hook on the leading end and yam-gripping means at the trailing end thereof is passed, a pair of flexible tubes disposed in said slot and contacting at the center thereof to completely seal off. a passage through said slot, said tubesbeing sufficiently flexible to yield and'conform to the contour of the threading key and yarn when passing therebetween, means in said feeder to guide the threading key as it descends so that the hook thereof will be disposed in the path of travel of the bars 55 of said reel and in position to be engaged by said bars when it is in the lower end of said feeder, and means positioned in the path of travel of said hook on said reel to remove said key from said reel at a, predetermined place.

3. In an apparatus for threading yarn or the like onto a rotating yam-advancing reel having yarn-contacting bars arranged around the periphery thereof and enclosed in a casing having an opening opposite the yam-receiving end of said reel, a feeder projecting through said opening and having its lower end terminating adj acent the path of travel of said rotating yarn-advancing reel, saidfeeder having a head positioned outside the casing and provided with a slot through which a threading key having a hook on the leading end and yarn-gripping means at the trailing end thereof is passed, a pair of flexible tubes disposed in said slot and contacting at the center thereof to completely seal off a passage through said slot, said tubes being sufliciently flexible to yield and conform to the contour of the threading key and yarn when passing therebetween, and means in said feeder to guide the threading key as it descends so that the hook thereof will be disposed in thepath of travel of the bars oi said reel and in position to be engaged by said bars when it is in the lower end of said feeder, said tubes being through the line of contact riphery thereof and enclosed in a casin having an opening opposite'the yarn-receiving end of said reel, a feeder projecting through said opening and having its lower end terminating adjacent the path of travel of said rotating yamadvancing reel, said feeder having a head positioned outside the casing and provided with a slot through which a threading key having a hook on the leading end and yarn-gripping mean; at the trailing end thereof is passed, means to feed a yarn across said slot in position to be engaged by the gripping means on the threading key when said key is caused to descend in said feeder, a pair of flexible tubes disposed in said slot and contacting at the center thereof to completely seal 01 a passage through said slot, said tubes being sufficiently flexible to yield and conform to the contour of the threading key and yarn when passing therebetween, and means in said feeder to guide the threading key as it descends so that the hook thereof will be disposed in the path of travel of the bars of said reel and in .position to be engaged by said bars when it is in the lower end of said feeder.

5. In an apparatus for threading yarn or the like onto a rotating yarn-advancing reel having yam-contacting bars arranged around the periphery thereof and enclosed in a casin having an opening opposite the yam-receiving end of said reel, a feeder projecting through said opening and having its lower end terminating adjacent the path of travel of said rotating yamadvancing reel, said feeder having a head positioned outside the casing and provided with a I slot through, which a threading key having a hook on the leading and and yam-gripp means at the trailing end is passed, a feed roll to feed the yarn to be threaded on theme], a waste roll receiving said yarn prior to the threading thereof on said reel, means in the path of travel of the yarn between said feed roll and waste roll to direct said yarn across said slot in position to be engaged by the gripping means on the threading key when said key is caused to descend insaid Ieeder, a pair of flexible tubes disposed in said slot and contacting at the center thereof to completely seal off a passage through said slot, said tubes being sufhciently flexible to yield and conform to the contour of the threading key and yarn when passing therebetween, and means in said feeder to guide the threading key as it descends so that the hook thereof will be disposed in the path of travel of the bars of said reel and in position to be engaged by said bars when it is in the lower end of said feeder.

6. In an apparatus for threading yarn or the like onto a rotating yarn-advancing reel having yarn-contacting bars arranged around the periphery thereof and enclosed in a casing having cent the path of travel of said rotating yamadvancing reel, said feeder having a head positioned outside the casing and provided with a slot through which a threading key having a hook on the leading end and yarn-gripping means at the trailing end is passed, a feed roll to feed the yarn to be threaded on the reel, a waste rail receiving said yarn prior to the threading thereof on said reel, means in the path of travel of the yarn between said feed roll and waste roll to direct said yarn across said slot in position to be engaged by the gripping means on the threading key when said key is caused .to descend'in said feeder, a pair of flexible tubes disposed in said slot and contacting at the center thereof to completely seal off a passage through said slot, said tubes being sufficiently flexible to yield and conform to the contour of the threading key and yarn when passing therebetween, means in said feeder to guide the threading key as it descends so that the hook thereof will be disposed in the path of travel of the bars of said reel and in position to be engaged by said bars when it is in the lower end of said feeder, and means to sever the gg yarn in the pass from the feed roll to the waste roll whereby the yarn can be fed directly from a said feed roll through the feeder and onto said riphery thereof and enclosed in a casing having an opening opposite the yarn-receiving end of said reel, a feeder'projecting through said opening and having its lower end terminating adjacent the path of travel of said rotating yam-advancing reel, said feeder having a head positioned outside the casing and provided with a slot throughwhich a threading key having a hook on the leading end and yarnrippin means at the trailing end is passed, a feed roll to feed the yarn to be threaded on the reel, a waste roll receiving said yarn prior to the threading thereof on said reel, means in the path of travel of the yarn between said feed roll and waste roll to direct said yarn across said slot in position to be engaged by the gripping means on the threading key when said key is caused to descend in said feeder, a pair of flexible tubes disposed in said slot and contacting at the center thereof to completeLv seal off a passage through said slot, said .tubes being sufnciently flexible to yield and conform to the contour of the threading key and yarn when passing therebetween, means in said feeder to guide the threading key as it descends so that the hook thereof will be disposed in the path of travel of the bars "of said reel and in position to be engaged by said bars when it is in the lower end of said feeder, and means to sever the yarn in the pass from the feed roll to the waste roll whereby the yarn can be fed directly from said feed roll through the feeder and onto said reel, said feed roll and tubes being positioned so that the yarn will pass directly from said feed roll to the slot on a line tangent to the reel surface and the line of contact between said tubes.

8. In an apparatus for threading yam'or the like onto a, rotating yam-advancing reel having yam-contacting bars arranged around'the periphery thereof and enclosed in a casing having an opening opposite the yarn-receiving end of said reel, a. feeder projecting through said opening and having its lower end terminating adjacent the path of travel of said rotating yamadvancing reel, said feeder having a head peeltioned outside the casing and provided with a slot through which a threading key having'a hook on the leading end and yam-gripping means at the trailing end thereof is passed, a'feed roll to feed amass? and having its lower end terminating adjacent the path of travel or said rotating yarn-advancing reel, said feeder having a head positioned outthe yarn to be threaded on the reel, s wasteroll receiving said yarn prior to the threading thereof on said reel, a hook guide and a post positioned on opposite sides of said slot and in the path of 1 travel of said yarn from said feed roll to said passing from said hook guide to said post will be in position to be engaged by the gripping means on the threading key when said key is causedto descend in said feeder, a pair of flexible tubes .disp sed in saidslot and contactin at the center thereof to completely seal off a passage through said slot, said tubes being sufliciently flexible to yield and conform to the contour of the threading key and yarn when passing therebetween, and means in said feeder to guide the threading key as it descends so that the hook thereof will be disposed in the path of travel of the bars of said reel and in position to be engaged by said bars when it is in the lower end of said feeder.

9. In an apparatus for threading yarn or the like onto a rotating yarn-advancing reel having yam-contacting bars arranged around the periphery thereof and enclosed in a casing having an opening opposite the yarn-receiving end of said reel, a feeder projecting through said open-'- ing and having its lowe end terminating adjacent the path of travel of said rotating yarnadvancing reel, said feeder having a head positioned outside the casing andprovided with a slot through which a threading vkey having a hook on the leading end and yam-gripping means at the trailing end is passed,'a feed roll to feed the yarn side the casing and provided with a'slot through which a threading key having a hook on the leading end and yarn-gripping'means at the trailing end is passed, a feed roll to feed the yarn to be threaded on the reel, a waste r'oll receiving said yarn prior to the threading thereof on said reel,

a hook guide and a post positioned on opp site sides of said slot and in. the path of travel of said yarn from said feed roll to' said waste roll whereby in its passage tosaid'waste the yarn will first pass beneath said hook de and then around said post and the yarn passing from said hookguidetosaidpostwillbeinpositiontobe ensased by the gripping means onthe threading key when said key is caused to descend in said feeder, a pair of flexible tubes disposed in said slot and contacting at the center thereof to completely seal off a passage through said slot, said tubes being sufficiently flexible to yield and conform to the contour of the threading key and yarn when passing therebetween, means in said feeder to guide the threading key as it descends so that the hook thereof disposed in the path of travel of the bars of said reel and in position to be engaged by said bars when it is in the lower end of said feeder, and a knife on said post to sever the yam passin from said hook to said post whereby the yarn can be fed directly from said feed r011 through the feeder and onto said reel, said feed to be threaded on the reel, a wast roll receiving said yarn prior to the. threading thereof on said reel, a hook guide and a post positioned on opposlte' sides of said slot and in the path of travel of said yarn from said feed roll to said wasteroll whereby in its passage to said waste roll the yarn will first pass beneath said hook guide and then around said post and the yarn passing from said hook guide to said post will be in position to be 5 engaged by the gripping means on the threading key when said key i caused, to descendin said feeder, a pair of flexible tubes disposed in 'said slot and contacting at the center thereof to completely seal oil a passage through said slot, said tubes being sufficiently flexible to yield and conform to the contour of the threading key and yarn 1 when passing therebtween, means in said feeder be fed directly from said feed roll through the feeder and onto said reel, said feed roll and tubes being positioned so that the yarn will pass directly from said feed roll to the slot on a line tangent to the reel surface and the line of contact between said tubes.

10. In an apparatus for threading yarn or the like onto a rotating yarn-advancing reel having yam-contacting bars arranged around the periphery thereof and enclosed in a casing having an opening opposite the yam-receiving end of said reel, a feeder projecting through said opening roll and tubes being positioned so that the yarn will pass directly from said feed roll to the slot on a line tangent to the reel surface and the line of contact. between said tubes.

11. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 having means to adjust the tubes relative to each other.

I 12. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means in the feeder to guide the threading key comprises an appropriately shaped groove in which the rear edge of said hook passes.

13. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means in the feeder to guide the threading key comprises an appropriately shaped groove in which the rear edge of said hook passes and a slot in which the toe of said hook passes.

l4.'In an apparatus as .set forth in claim 1 wherein said feeder is provided with a channel through which the yam-gripping means on the trailing end of the threading key passes.

15. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means in the feeder to guide the threading key comprises a channel through which the trailing end of said key passes, said channel having a groove in which the rear edge of the hook of said key passes and a slot in which the toe of said hook passes. I

16. A key for threading yarn on a yarn-ad vancing reel having contacting bars arranged around the periphery thereof which comprises a rod having on the leading end thereof a hook adapted to be engaged by said bars, said rod having on its trailing end a wedge-shaped slot which is adapted to engage the yarn.

17. A key for threading yarn on a yarn-advancing reel having contacting bars arranged around the periphery thereof which comprises a rod having on the leading end thereof a hook adapted to; be engaged by said bars, said rod being bent at its trailing end to provide a wedgeshaped slot which is adapted to engage the yarn.

18. A key for threading yarn on a yam-advancing reel having contacting bars arranged 15 aromid the periphery thereof which comprises a rod having on the leadingend thereof a hook adapted to be engaged by said bars, said rod being bent at its trailing end to provide a wedgeshaped slot which is adapted to engage the yarn, said hook and yarn, engaging means being disposed in vertical planes approximately 90 to eachother.

19. Ahey for threading yarn on a yarn-advancing reel having contacting bars arranged around the periphery thereof which comprises a rodhaving on the leading end thereoi' a hook ARTHUR n GUEN'IHER. LEE B. MOLYNEUX.

Images