US2451889A

US2451889A - Thread tensioning device

Info

Publication number: US2451889A
Application number: US616229A
Authority: US
Inventors: Toone Ralph Norman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1945-06-22
Filing date: 1945-09-14
Publication date: 1948-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 1965-10-19
Also published as: GB598979A

Description

' Oct. 19,1948.- R. N. TooNE l 2,451,889

THREAD TENsINING DEvIcE E Filed sept. 14, 1945` Patented Oct. 19, 1948 'maplin 'rENsloNrNG DEVICE Ralph Norman Toone, Wollaton Park, Nottingham, England` Application September 14, 1945, Serial No. 616,229 In Great Britain June 22, 1945 3 claim. (Cl. 242-149) This invention relates to thread tensioning devices for knitting machines and other textile machines and has for its object to provide means whereby the applied tension can readily be varied.

It is already known to tension a thread by passing it between two members the one of which rests on the other and traps the thread and it is with this type of device that the invention is concerned.

Viewed from one aspect the invention consists in the provision of means in a device of said type whereby the rubbing area (i. e. length of contact). can be readily varied.' Viewed from another aspect the invention consists in the provision of means whereby the effective weight on the thread can be varied. The invention further includes a thread-tensioning device, comprising two superimposed members between which the thread travels to be tensioned by friction, characterised by guides affording a plurality of alternative thread paths between the two members to be selectively employed for varying the tension on vthe thread.

The term thread is used in a generic sense and includes yarn and laments and wires.

The foregoing and other features set out in the appended claims are incorporated in the device which will now be described as an example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- I Figure 1 is a cross section through the device; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the carrier, while Figures3 and 4 are perspective views of thel upper and lower members between which the thread is traversed and tensioned.

In one method of carrying the invention into eiect a carrier I is provided which is trough-like or U-shape in elevation (the base of the U being horizontal). and wedge or truncated U shape in plan. A series ofeyes or slots 2 (preferably lined with porcelain or the like) is formed in each of the two converging and upstanding arms la of the U-shaped carrier so that each eye or slot of each pair is in line; a plurality of alternative thread paths of graduated lengths is thereby provided. In the base of the carrier is iitted a wedge shaped slab 3 and above that is iltted a similar upper slab 4; the latter slab is an easy iit and can readily rise and fall. The base of the carrier at each end .is formed with an upturned tongue Ib to inhibit movement o! the slabs in the direction of the length of the carrier. The upper slab 4 is preferably tapered Ain elevation, being thicker at the wide end of the wedge than at the other end as shownin- Fig. 3. A thread T is passed through two aligned eyes or slots 2 beanother. It will be appreciated that the applied tension can readily be varied by the feeding of the thread through different pairs of aligned eyes or slots; vif the eyes or slots arenearer the wide part of the wedge the tension is increased because the line of contact is increased and if the upper slab is tapered in thickness as described the tension is further increased by reason of the increased weight.

It is found that by means of a thread tensioning device in accordance with this invention, a constant and uniform tension can be applied to a thread and the applied tension can be varied within fine limits and over a wide range in a simple and expeditious manner.

'I'he carrier l and the members 3, 4 may be made of any suitable material. For example the carrier may be made of porcelain or of a synthetic resin, or metal and the members 3 and 4 are preferably of glass or other vitreous material; the meeting-edges of members 3 and 4 may be chamfered and the carrier I and `members 3 and 4 may be asymmetrical in plan to ensure that members 3 and 4 can be assembled within the carrier only. in the one correct attitude.

I claim: v

1. A thread-tensioning device, comprising two members tapered in width and resting one on another, and a plurality of guides providing a plurality of alternative paths for a thread between the two members, which pathsV are of differing lengths between the two members by virtue of the taper of said members.

2. A thread-tensioning device, comprising a U-shaped carrier having converging side walls, thread guides in said walls affording a plurality of thread paths of diering lengths from one wall to another, and a at pressure member of tapering width between said walls for applying prestween the slabs 3, 4 and is tensioned by the frictional contact with the two faces of the slabs; the centre of each eye or slot ispreferably in line with the faces of the slabs in contact with one sure to the thread in its passage.

3. A thread-tensioning device, comprising two superimposed members between which the thread travels to be tensioned by friction the upper one of which members tapers in width and thickness, and guides aiording a plurality of alternative thread paths between the two members to be selectively employed for varying the tension on the thread.

RALPH -NORMAN TOONE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,422,240 Taylor July 11, 1922 1,564,995 Allen Dec. 8, 1925 1.825.626 Bock Sept. 29, 1931 2,285,733 Martel June 9, 1942