US2438365A

US2438365A - Stop means for textile apparatus and the like

Info

Publication number: US2438365A
Application number: US563930A
Authority: US
Inventors: Carlos A Hepp; Schoenster Peter
Original assignee: Alfred Hofmann & Co
Current assignee: Alfred Hofmann & Co
Priority date: 1944-11-17
Filing date: 1944-11-17
Publication date: 1948-03-23
Anticipated expiration: 1965-03-23

Description

March 23, 1948. C, E P r AL 2,438,365

STOP MEANS FOR TEXTILE APPARATUS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 17, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 23, 1948. c. A. HEPP ETAL 2,438,365

STOP' MEANS FOR TEXTILE APPARATUS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 17, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fi .5. F1E- q March 23, 1948. c. A. HEPP Em. 2,438,365

'STOP MEANS FOR TEXTILE APPARATUS AND THE LIKE Filed NOV, 17, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 f y- Z5 March 23, 1948. c, H ET AL 2,438,365

STOP MEANS FOR TEXTILE ABPARATUS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 17, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 1 E- lU Patented Mar. 23, 1948 STOP MEANS FOR TEXTILE APPARATUS AND THE LIKE Carlos A. Hepp, Palisade, and Peter Schoenster,

West New York, N. J assignors, by mesne assignments, to Alfred Hofmann & Company, West New York, N. 3., a corporation of New Jersey Application November 17, 1944, Serial No. 563,930

Claims.

This invention relates to stop means for textile apparatus and the like, which operates upon failure of one or more threads, yarns, or similar strands manipulated by the apparatus.

Various electric circuit control devices have heretofore been contrived for use in the textile art to efiect stoppage of machines, or parts thereof, by opening an electrical circuit, such as the main motor circuit, when the thread or yarn manipulated by the machine breaks, runs out, or fails in some other manner. Considered from the standpoint of their mode of operation, these devices can be divided into two distinct types or classes. The devices in one class function when yarn failure effects release or actuation of one or more individual elements in direct contact or engagement with the yarn, and those in the other class perform their intended function when a portion of a failing yarn moves beyond the plane of the unbroken yarns, usually under the influence of the gravitational force acting thereon.

In certain textile machines, for example in tricot warp knitting machines, a great many yarns are arranged to move in unison, or substantially so, along parallel paths of travel, and in extremely close juxtaposed relation. It has been found that when breakage of one of these yarns occurs, conditions such as the sudden release of the tension on the yarn, .the twist characteristics of the latter, etc., cause the broken yarn end or section to move laterally into engagement with an adj acent yarn, so that instead of becoming free and moving out of the plane of the unbroken yarns, such a section will cling or adhere to an adjacent yarn and travel therewith along its path of travel. The extremely close side-by-side arrangement of the vast number of yarns in such textile machines precludes the practical use of machine stop means of the type involving individual yarn engaging elements, and likewise precludes the effective use of stop means which functions only when a released portion of the broken yarn is normally free to move beyond the alignment plane of the unbroken yarns. Consequently, under such conditions, neither of the two types of prior art devices can be satisfactorily utilized.

One object of our invention is to provide a novel circuit control device which can be readily associated with the usual. electrical circuit system of textile apparatus and the like so as to effect stoppage of the latter upon strand failure, which device is adapted to serve the same purpose as the prior art circuit control devices, but in a unique and more efficient manner, and which additionally iunctions in said manner under conditions preventing the use of the prior art devices, such as those of the referred to type prevailing in tricot warp knitting machines.

Another object is to provide such a device which embodies novel structural and functional features of advantage over the devices of the prior art, and which performs its function more rapidly, thereby to prevent strand failure from detrimentally affecting the product of the apparatus served by the device.

It is also an object to provide such a device which is adapted to forcibly move a strand portion, which is partly or entirely released by strand failure, in determined manner, so as to invariably and positively activate the circuit control means whenever one or more of the strands fail.

Furthermore, it is a purpose of our invention to forcibly move a portion of a failing strand by novel means in such manner as to effect positive operation of a circuit control device involving electronic, mechanical, or some other action, or a combination of the same; and to utilize for this purpose various strand portion motivating means including a fluid such as an air current, an actuator such as a revolving element, or some other provision adapted to exert an actuating force substantially in the manner of our invention.

Among various other objects which indicate the subject matter comprehended within the scope of our invention are, the provision of a device which can be produced in the form of standard equipment for textile apparatus or the like, or in the form of a separate attachment readily applicable to the latter; a device which functions upon failure of one or more of the strands manipulated by the machine, irrespective whether the failing strands are in close proximity to one another, or relatively far apart as may be the case in machines wherein a great multiplicity of strands move in a common plane and are arranged in juxtaposed relation over a distance substantially equal to the active length of the machine; and a device having a plurality of different circuit control means arranged in cooperative relation with a portion of one or more of the strands moving along the path of travel determined by the apparatus, so that upon strand fail ure, said portion, or portions, will function to operate one or more of the circuit control means,

either simultaneously, or successively.

With these and other objects in view, which will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the practical and illustrative embodiments of our novel device shown in the accompanying drawings, the invention comprises the new elements, features of construction and arrangement of parts in cooperative relationship, as herein disclosed and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view through that part of a standard warp knitting machine which comprises the yarn feed arrangement to the needles, and shows one form of our invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a view of the device of our invention only, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and more particularly shows the approximate position occupied byi A i a released portion of the yarn when yarn failure occurs.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device of ourinvention shown in Fig. 1, .as it appears when looking in the direction of the arrows .3- 3 on' the latter. a t

Fig. 4 is a detail plan sectional view of 011-1 novel device, taken substantially as indicated by the arrows 4ll on Fig. 1.

Figs. 5 and 6 are partial detail elevational views of two types of air directing conduits, or nozzles, forming part of our invention.

Fig. '7 is a partial front elevational view, as seen by looking in the direction of the arrows 1- on Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but of a modified form of the invention. 20

Fig. 9 is a view similar to ,Fig. 2, but of another form of our invention.

Fig. 10 is a partial plan view of :the end portion of the device shown in Fig. 9, as :seen by looking in the direction of the arrows '4 0-10 on the latter.

Fig. 11 is a partial vertical sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the arrows Ill-ll on Fig. 9.

Figs. "12 and '13 are, respectively, detail perspective views of two of the elements forming part of the circuit control device illustrated in the three preceding figures, and

Fig. 14 is a wiring diagram which illustrates one way in which the circuit control device shown in Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive can be associated with the electrical motor drive system of .a texti-le apparatus or the like, to effect quick stoppage of the motor upon yarn failure.

As previously indicated, the novel means or device of our invention is more particularly designed for association with a textile apparatus and the like, to effect quick stoppage thereof upon failure of one or moreof the yarns, threads or similar strands manipulated thereby. This result is achieved in unique manner by our invention in that it comprises means adapted to forcibly move or actuate a portion of each failing yarn in such manner as to insure positive operation of'various types of circuit control means 50 irrespective whether such means involve one opera-ting action or another, as for example, electronic action, or mechanical action, or a-combination of electronic and mechanical action. This feature makes it possible to incorporate in 55 our device circuit control means of one type or another, and to select the type which from a practical and commercial standpoint, will result in the most satisfactory construction and arrangement of the device for the particular con- 60 ditions prevailing in the textile apparatus to which it is applied. This andot-her novel features and advantages of our invention, will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the three practical and '65 illustrative embodiments thereof shown in the drawings.

The first form of our invention, illustrated in Figs. -1 to 7 inclusive-of the drawings, involves electronic circuit control means. As shown in Fig. 1, our novel device, generally indicated by the numeral 15, is arranged or positioned so as 'to extend crosswise of, and directly adjacent to the *yarns, threads, or similar strands 16, that are moved along a predetermined path of travel '15 v-'- r on by an apparatus, such as a tricot warp knitting machine comprising the usual source of yarn supply or warp beam [1, one or more yarn bars l8 knitting needles l9, and yarn guides 20.

The device 15 generally comprises a support or frame 2|, a conduit or nozzle 22, an electronic receiver 23, an electronic transmitter 24 which projects a light beam as indicated by the dotand-dash lines 25in Fig. 3 onto a phototube (not shown) of the receiver 23, a yarn guide or engaging element 25, and one or more yarn movement limiting elements or rods 2!.

The frame 2! is constructed of any suitable material, such as metal or modern plastic material, adapted to provide the required rigidity and characteristics enabling the parts associated" turn are secured to short nipples wand ar-.

ranged to extend through circular apertures in the :rear :section of the frame 2!; .At the back of the frame 2'! the nipple '34 has secured thereto a closure cap 36, and the nipple 35 has attached thereto the connecting element of an air hose 3 arranged to feed air under pressure to the conduit :22 from conventional compressed air supply means, such as a tank, or motor driven air compressor, not shown. The arrangementof the nipples .36 and 35, intermediate the larger fittings which abut the opposite surfaces of the rear section of the frame 2|, serves as a means to maintain the conduit 22 fixed in the position shown.

Thexpart .of the conduit directlyadjacent to the yarns I6 is adapted to function as an air direct ing nozzle, and for this purpose is provided with either .a narrow elongated air directing slot 38, as vshown in Figs. 5 and 7, or a longitudinally extending series of small air directing apertures 39, as shown in :Fig. 6. This construction and arrangementpermits the compressed air fed to'the conduit to constantly flow through the slot 38, or apertures 39, as the case may be, against and between those portions of the yarns l6, which at the time :are traveling vertically in a downward direction between the conduit 22 and light beam .25.

The air flow or air current directed against the yarn portions is maintained at the proper pressure, so that when one of the yarns It breaks, runs out, or fails-in some other manner, with the result that its portion intermediate the conduit 22 and light beam 25 is released or sufficiently slackened, the air current acting on this portion will forcibly move the same to a position or location substantially as depicted in Fig. 2, i. e., against the movement limiting elements or rods 27 arranged to maintain the portion within the confines .of the light beam 25.

The yarn engaging element or rod 26 is coated or otherwise covered with a material 4|, such. as felt or the like, to which the contacting yarns will lightly cling when not in motion. When a yarn lfi breaks below the rod 25, the portion thereof in contact with the material ll will lightly adhere thereto in the event that it is not immediately forced into the light beam by air pressure, so that continued feeding or advancement of the yarn section above the rod 2'5 will have a tendency to immediately become loose or slack and consequently facilitate movement thereof by the air current into the light beam, as previously explained.

The transmitter 24 and receiver 23 are of the type constituting well known parts of standard available equipment as hereinafter explained, and are positioned in our device in opposed relation, so that the light beam from the former will be projected against the phototube of the latter through suitable openings or slots 2 l and 2 l provided in the adjoining sections of the frame 2|. The said slots are of such size and shape that the cross-sectional area of the light beam passing therethrough will be of the proper magnitude required so that when one or more yarn portions are moved crosswise through or into the light beam, the resultant reduction in light intensity on the phototube will bring about the operation in usual manner, of an electrical device, such as a timer or relay switch (not shown) intended to be connected in circuit with the

units

23 and 2 1, for the purpose of opening the main motor circuit, in accordance with the customary arrangement and practice followed when utilizing such conventional electrical machine stop equipment. The transmitter 24 and receiver 23 are adjustably held in position by

mountings

29 and 36 of the type ordinarily provided for this purpose with such standard equipment, and these mountings are fixed to the frame 2! in any practical manner, as by means of screws 3|.

The transmitter 24 and receiver 23 are devices of the type forming part of the standard electronic or photoelectric equipment supplied by such well known U. S. manufacturers as the General Electric Company, the Radio Corporation of America, and the Westinghouse Company, which equipment is shown and described in various publications provided for free distribution by these manufacturers from time to time.

The theory of operation and general application of such equipment is well known, and com plete information concerning its proper arrangement or installation in the electrical system of any particular apparatus or machine, will be made available to purchasers of such equipment by the said manufacturers. In view of this, it will be understood that the device of our invention shown in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, will carry out its intended purpose or function of stopping a textile apparatus upon yarn failure, when the transmitter 2d and receiver 23 are connected to the electrical system of such an apparatus in association with the usual auxiliary electrical devices forming part of the said standard equipment, and in the well known manner in which such equipment has heretofore been applied to various types of apparatus or machinery so that when the light beam 25 directed against the phototube of the receiver 2'3, by the transmitter 2G, is varied or reduced by an intercepting object, such as one or more yarns it, the said system will immediately function to stop the apparatus- The

particular units

23 and 25 shown in the drawings to exemplify the type of available transmitter and receiver units which may be used in carrying out our invention, are disclosed in an undated booklet published and distributed by the General Electric Company of Schenectady. N. Y., entitled Electronic Devices For Industry. As stated on page 9 of said booklet, in. connection with the electronic equipment there shown as including a relay designated as CR'7505-N100,

"This relay is designed for operation at speeds up to ,4 of a second and is sensitive to one footcandle of light. It will operate with a light change of 0.5 foot-candle at an intensity below 10 footcandles. It is also possible to obtain relays in the G-E line which will operate at speeds up to ti of a second and which will respond to a light intensity of .01 foot-candle.

The latter type of equipment referred to in this quoted description may be utilized when our device is associated with a textile machine in which the length of the light beam projected from the transmitter 24 to the receiver 23, does not exceed a distance of about 28 feet. Such units are consequently suitable when our device is applied to textile machines such as the said tricot warp knitting machines.

In those instances, where a longer light beam is needed to cover the width of the path traversed by the yarns, or where the yarn manipulated by the machine is extremely fine so that the above noted units do not provide a sufficiently sensitive arrangement to effect opening of the motor circuit as desired, a transmitter unit 24 of the type supplied by the General Electric Company and identified as CR'7505-C105 may be used in conjunction with a receiver unit 23 of the type also supplied by said company and identified as CR7505-Bl00. These last mentioned units, when provided with a suitable infra-red filter in the transmitting unit, may be satisfactorily utilized in those instances requiring a light beam up to 1000 feet in length, which is a length exceeding the width of the path ordinarily traversed by the yarns of practically any type of textile machine. For more detailed information concerning these units reference may be had to the printed matter made available with respect thereto by the Gen eral Electric Co., and particularly to the descriptive pamphlet entitled Photoelectric Equipment for Use in Protective Systems prepared by S. D. Fendley/LLE, dated December 4, 1942, which pamphlet was reprinted with minor changes May 19, 1943.

For certain purposes, it is also feasible to utilize two

units

23 and 24 of the type described in an undated pamphlet published and distributed by the Westinghouse Electric Company, entitled Westinghouse Announces Type R. Q Photo- Troller, and particularly such units indicated therein as being of the more sensitive type.

The second form of our invention, illustrated in Figs. 9 to 14 inclusive of the drawings, involves yarn operation of certain electrical switch means. In this second form, the electronic transmitter and

receiver units

24 and 23 of the form already described are omitted, and in their place there is provided a sensitive switch arrangement which is operated in positive manner by the yarn portions that are forcibly actuated, as before, when yarn failure occurs.

In view of the similarity of certain parts and elements incorporated in both the first and second form of our invention, the parts already described are designated by the same reference characters in'Figs. 9 to 14, thereby to avoid redundancy or repetition of description. In this connection it is to be understood that the construction of the parts so designated and the functions performed thereby, are the same in each instance.

The said electrical switch means generally comprises an electrical conductor wire or rod 12, from which are suspended for free swinging movement a series of similar substantially L-shaped switch elements 53 of light weight construction. The elements 43 are uniformly sepaassesses rated lengthwise of the rod 42 by spacing devices or sleeves 44, and a second electrical conductor wire or rod 45 is positioned to one side and below the rod 42- in such manner that certain portions of the elements 43, such as the vertical legs thereof, may be moved into contact therewith, thereby to bridge the conductors 42 and 45 and efi'ect current flow from one to the other through the elements 43.

The rods or wires 42 and 45 are arranged to extend through, and are secured to the opposite end sections of the frame 21 by suitable insulating devices, such as porcelain or rubber sleeves 46 and 47, arranged and fiXed to the frame sections 2!, in the position shown in Fig. 11, in any practical manner.

, The elements 43 are made of a good grade of light-weight electricity conducting material or wire, and are provided at their top with a member or eye 43 so that they may be strung on the rod 42, intermediate the sleeve devices 44, and gravitationally arranged in a vertical plane, substantially as shown. At their lower ends the elements 43 are provided with laterally inclined extensions 43* of suflicient length so that when the elements 4? are connected to rod 42, in uniformly spaced relationship as shown in Fig. 11, the extensions 43 will form a continuous sectionalized and overlapping switch assembly extending crosswise of all the yarns l6, substantially in same manner as the light beam 25 of the first described form of our invention.

The spacing devices or sleeves 4.4 are prefer ably, but not necessarily formed of insulating material, and are loosely arranged on the rod 42, intermediate the switch elements 43, in such manner that the latter are at all times free to swing from their normal vertical position or plane ofv suspension, in the direction of, and against, the conductor 45.

By referring to Fig. 9, it will be apparent that when yarn failure occurs, the released or slackened portion of the yarn I 6 which at the time is intermediate the air nozzle 22 and the switch elements 43, will be forcibly moved by the air current from the nozzle 22, against the particular switch element 4.3 which lies directly in its path of movement. In order that the said yarn portion will be forcibly moved against one directly adjacent switch element 4.3 (or at most two such elements, when in line with their overlapping portions), in this manner, and exert sufficient pressure thereagainst so as to force the switch element into contact with the conductor rod 45, the pressure of the air current flowing from the nozzle is properly regulated and set. However, in order to boost or intensify this element moving action, a roller 48 may be provided, and arranged to extend crosswise of all yarns l5, so as to steady the lower section of the yarn portion during such action, and this roller may be rotatably mounted inthe opposite end sections of the frame 2!. The roller 48 may also be arranged so as to extend through, and a short distance beyond one end section of the frame 2i, and have secured thereto a belt pulley 49 (see Fig. 1c), or other suitable means which may be operatively connected to a revolving member of the machine to which our device is app-lied, so as to effect rotation of the roller 48 in the directionv indicated by the arrow in Fig. 9. The roller $3, like the previously described rod 6, may be coated or otherwise covered with a material, such as felt, so that any yarn portion forcibly blown thereagainst by the compressed air emanating from the nozzle 22 will tend to adhere or cling to thismaterial sufe ficiently so that rotation of the roller will have the effect of pulling the yarn portion taut and thereby cause the yarn portion to exert an addi tional or auxiliary pressure against the particular switch element with which it is engaged, so as to intensify the action of forcibly moving and holding the element 43 against the conducting rod 45. V

The wiring diagram shown in Fig. 14 illustrates how the device just described may be combined with the electrical system of a motor driven textile machine to effect quick stoppage of the latter upon yarn failure. The mainline conductors, A, B, C, of a three phase alternating current power source, are connected to a relay switch 58, through which a three phase motor M is supplied-with current by conductors iii, 52 and 53. Connected across the conductors 5i and 52, by

leads

5 and 55, is a usual relay switch 56, the coil of which, when energized, pulls a brake member or brake shoe 5'? to inactive position relative to the rotating part of the motor M with which it is adapted to cooperate. When the relay is deenergized, as when switch 5! is opened, a spring 58 pulls the brake member 5'! against the said rotating part of motor M, and thereby immediately stops the same.

One end of the coil of relay switch 563 is connected to the main line A by a conductor 59, and

the other end of said coil is connected to main line B through a conductor sc, relay switch 6!, conductor 62, switch 53, and conductor 54. The coil of relay switch 6! derives its energy from the circuit established by the secondary winding of a transformer 55, one end of the primary winding of which is connected to main line C by a conductor es, and the other end of which is connected to main line B by a conductor 67,

switch 68 and conductor'eii. The secondary coil of transformer 55 has one end thereof connected with rod 42 of our device, by a conductor iii, and the other end thereof connected with one end of the coil of the relay switch 6! by a conductor H. The other end of the coil of the relay switch 6| is connected to rod 45 by a conductor ii of our device. The transformer 65 is adapted to sumciently reduce the voltage of the line in' A spring 13 is associated with the relay switch 56 in such manner that the latter will effect disconnection of the main lines A, B and C, whenever the coil of said relay is deenergized.

When the coil of the relay switch 5% is energized, i. e., when switch 63 is closed, and the relay switch 6! is set so that current flow can take place through the said coil of relay switch 59, then the main line conductors A, B, and C, are directly connected with the motor M through conductors 5H, 52, and 53. When this condition prevails, the coil of relay switch 56 is, of course, also energized so that the brake member 53 is i moved to inactive position. Assuming that the transformer 65 is energized byconnection of its primary coil to the main line conductors B and C, as effected by closing the switch 68, then the device of our invention is set for operation to effect quick stoppage of the motor M of the machine when yarn failure occurs. Such action takes place when one of the switch elements 43 is moved against conductor rod d by a portion of a failing yarn in the manner previously described. This will bring about the closing of the electric circuit in which the secondary coil of the transformer 85 is connected, thereby immediately energizing the coil of relay switch 6 l, which in turn will open the circuit in which the coil of main relay switch 58 is connected so that the spring l3 will effect opening of the latter. Opening of the relay switch 55 will break the connection between main line conductors A, B and C and conductors 5i, 52 and 53 so that the current flow to the motor M ceases, and the coil of relay switch 55 becomes deenergized with the result that the brake member El is moved to active position by the spring 58.

As soon as the switch element 43 is again free of contact with rod 45 and returns to its vertical position under the influence of the gravitational force acting thereon, and the relay switch 6i is reset to close the line in which the coil of relay switch 50 is connected, motor M will again be connected for operation and the brake member 51 moved to inactive position by energization of the coil of relay switch 56.

Assuming that the system is again arranged so that the motor M is running, and it is desired to shut down the motor and stop the machine for one purpose or another, this can be accomplished by opening the switch 63. This will open the line in which the coil of relay switch 58 is connected, and consequently deenergize th same, with the result as explained.

. Should it be desired to disconnect our device from the electrical system, this can be done by opening the switch 68 so that no current flow can take place through transformer 65 and rods 62 and 45. In order to maintain the motor circuit in operation when our device is disconnected from the system as just explained, it will, be course, be necessary to set the-relay switch 6! in such manner that the conductors 65 and 62 will be bridged or connected therethrough. When the line in which the coil of relay switch 50 is established in this manner, then starting and stopping of the motor M may be effected by closing or opening the switch 63. g

The third. form of our invention is illustrated by Fig. 8, and constitutes a device comprising both of the heretofore described circuit control arrangements, i. e. the one involving electronic action in combination with the one involving mechanical action, for either united or successive operation in positive manner, by one or more of the yarn portions that are forcibly actuated, as before, when yarn failure occurs.

In Fig. 8, the parts and elements shown which are similar to those previously disclosed and described, are designated by the same reference characters, and in this connection it is to be again understood that the construction of these parts and the functions performed thereby, are the same as previously pointed out.

In this form of our invention, the end sections of the frame 2! are made somewhat larger so that the switch arrangement comprising conductor rods 42, 45 and switch elements l3, can be cooperatively positioned for operation by the forcibly actuated yarn portions, as before, above 10 the electronic means (of Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive) substantially as shown in Fig. 8. The cooperative arrangement of the slot Zi (and opposite slot 2!, not shown), transmitter 23, (receiver 24 not shown) air directing nozzle 22, roller 26 and yarn movement limiting rods 2?, is substantially the same as disclosed in Figs. 1 to 7. The positioning of these parts relative to the switch arrangement comprising rods d2, Q5 and elements 43, determines whether actuation of the electronic means and the said switch arrangement is effected simultaneously, or successively, by the yarn portions that are forcibly brought into cooperation therewith, as, previously indicated, when yarn failure occurs. When arranged as shown in Fig. 8, operation of the electronic means and the switch elements 43 takes place substantially simultaneously. By positioning slot Zi rods 21, transmitter 23 (slot 2l receiver 24) more to the left relative to switch

parts

42, 43 and 45, operation of the elements 43, by the forcibly actuated yarn portions, will precede operation of the electronic means when yarn failure occurs.

By utilizing the device of Fig. 8 in the electrical system of a textile apparatus or the like, failure of one or more strands will immediately eifect stoppage of the apparatus in the manner explained in conjunction with the description of the first and second forms of our invention, and it will be understood that the device of Fig. 8 will accomplish this purpose even though, under certain circumstances, the device should become partly defective as the result of a non-controllable failure, such as by burning out of a transmitter or receiver tube during operation of the apparatus. In such event, the switch elements 43 will obviously still function upon yarn failure, to open the main motor circuit, as explained in connection with the description of the second form of our invention.

Of course, the several embodiments of our device herein specifically shown and described, can be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the invention more particularly defined by the hereto appended claims.

We claim:

1. A device of the character described for controlling an apparatus in response to strand failure comprising a vertically suspended laterally movable circuit control switch element adapted move said portion laterally so that it will operate the element.

2. A device of the character described for controlling an apparatus in response to strand failure comprising, a pivotally mounted laterally movable circuit control switch element adapted to be positioned adjacent a portion of the strand moving along the normal path of travel determined by the machine, pressure means operative upon failure of the strand to forcibly move said portion laterally so that it will operate the element, and means operative upon failure of the strand to tauten the portion.

3. A device of the character described for controlling an apparatus in response to strand failure comprising, circuit control means adapted to be positioned adjacent a portion of the strand moving along the normal path of travel determined by the apparatus which means includes a laterally movable electrical switch elel1 ment, and pressure means operative upon failure of the strand to forcibly move said portion laterally to actuate said element so as to effect operation of the circuit control means.

4. A device of the character described for controlling an apparatus in response to strand failure comprising, circuit control means adapted to be positioned adjacent a portion of the strand moving along the normal path of travel determined by the apparatus which means includes a swingably mounted substantially L-shaped electrical switch element, and pressure means operative upon failure of the strand to forcibly move said portion to actuate said element so as to effect operation of the circuit control means.

5. A device of the character described for controlling an apparatus in response to strand failure comprising, circuit control means adapted to be positioned adjacent a portion of the strand moving along the normal path of travel determined by the apparatus which means includes two electrical conductors and a movable switch element having an elongated laterally projecting end member and arranged to be actuated to difierent positions so as to either make or break the current flow from one of said conductors to the other, and pressure means operative upon failure of the strand to forcibly move said strand portion so that it will actuate the element to one of said positions. 1

6. A device of the character described for controlling an apparatus in response to strand failure comprising; circuit control means adapted to be positioned adjacent a portion of the strand moving along the normal path of travel determined by the apparatus and including two relatively spaced substantially parallel electrical conductors, and a switch element pivotally sus portion so as to enable movement of the element pended from one of said conductors so that a part thereof normally occupies a position adjacent to but spaced from the strand portion'and the other conductor; and pressure means operative upon failure of the strand to forcibly move said strand portion so that it will swing the element part into contact with said other conductor.

7. A device of the character described for controlling an apparatus in response to strand failure comprising; circuit control means adapted to be positioned adjacent to alignedly arranged juxtaposed portions of the strands moving along the normal path of travel determined by the apparatusand including two relatively spaced substantially parallel electrical conductors, and a plurality of separate switch elements pivotally suspended from one of said conductors each of which elements is provided with a section normally occupying a position adjacent to but spaced from the other conductor and a section occupying a position adjacent to but spaced from a plurality of the yarn portions and in overlapping relationship with a similar section of an adjacent element; and means operative'upon failure of one or more of the strands to forcibly move the respective portions thereof so that they will swing one or more of the element parts into contact 'with said other conductor.

8. A device of the character described forcontrolling an apparatus in response to strand failure comprising; circuit control means adapted to be positioned adjacent a portion of the strand moving along the normal path of travel determined by the apparatus, which means includes an electrical switch element; means movably mounting said switch element adjacent to said strand portion so as to enable movement of the element by the strand portion after failure of the latter, from circuit opening to circuit closing position; and a rotatively operated member provided with a surface to which the strand portion will adhere when brought into engagement therewith after strand failure, which member is arranged so that rotation thereof will cause the thereto adhering strand portion to move the switch element to its circuit closing position.

9. A device of the character described for controlling an apparatus in response to strand failure comprising; circuit control means adapted to be positioned adjacent a portion of the strand moving along the normal path of travel determined by the apparatus, which means includes an by the strand portion after failure of the latter, from circuit opening to circuit closing position; a rotatively operated member provided with a surface to which the strand portion will adhere when brought into engagement therewith after strand failure, which member is arranged so that rotation thereof will cause the thereto adhering strand portion to move the switch element to its circuit closing position, and pressure means operative upon failure of the strand to forcibly move the relaxed strand portion laterally against the surface of said member,

10. A device of the character described for controlling an apparatus in response to strand failure comprising; circuit control means adapted to be positioned adjacent a portion of the strand portion moving along the normal path of travel determined by the apparatus, which means includes an electrical switch element; means pivotally suspending said switch element adjacent, to said strand portion so as to enable swingable movement of the element by the strand portion after failure of the latter, from circuit opening to circuit closing position; a rotatively operated member provided with a surface to which the strand portion will adhere when brought into engagement therewith after strand failure, which member is arranged so that rotation thereof will cause the thereto adhering strand portion to move the switch element to its circuit closing position; and pressure means operative upon failure of the strand to forcibly move the relaxed strand portion laterally against the surface of said member.

CARLOS A. HEPP. 7 PETER SCHOENSTER.

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