US2525148A - Filling replenishing mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 10, 1950 J. RlNNE ETAL FILLING REPLENISHING MECHANISM '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 14. 1947 INVENTORS. JOHN RINNE EVERETT H. ASHTON ROBERT G- MALLARD EDWARD L. KIELCZEWS Kl B) W SW A TTOR/VEY Oct. 10, 1950 J. RINNE ETAL FILLING REPLENISHING MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 1 1947 INVENTORS. JOHN RINNE K F DM MN ORE R AZ O HLCT SLL A mMKJ E M m? R WW E V MN ww miw 1950 J. RINNE ETAL 2,525,148

FILLING REPLENISHING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 14. 1947 Sheets-Sheet 3 122 12a 2 114 I I I 74 113 Fink l uni INVENTORS. E JOHN RINNE I I Fl EVERETT H ASHTON ROBERT GIMALLARD 1 EDWARD L..KlEl CZ EWSK| ATTORNEY 1950 J. RlNNE ETAL 2,525,148

FILLING REPLENISHING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 14, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS. JOHN RINNE EVERETT H.ASHTON ROBERT G.MALLARD EDWARD LJKIELCZEWSKI y MW? 8% ATTORNEY Oct. 10, 1950 Filed Nov. 14, 1947- J. RINNE ETAL 2,525,148

FILLING REPLENISHING MECHANISM v 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 174 l f \\\\\\\mk \\v.cs

4M5 103- H5 144- 104 I43 741 \e I O :1 Q); Q

INVENTORS JOHN -RINNE EVERETT H. ASHTON ROBERT G.MALLARD EDWARD LKIELCZEWSKI ZYDW UM ATTORNEY Oct. 10, 1950 J. RINNE ETAL 2,525,148

"FILLING REPLENISHING MECHANISM Filed-NW. 14, 1947 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITII- 222 I 90 JOHN RINNE 1 EvERETT H. ASHTON ROBERT e. MALLARD EDWARD L..KlELCZEW5KI By A TTOR/VEV 1950 J. RINNE ETAL FILLING REFLENISHING MECHANISM Filed No'v.- 14. A947 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Ammm .Aqjtvltwlml MINA I k L 221 2/6 7'16 I INVENTORS. JOHN RINNE EVERETT H./\SHTON ROBERT G. MALLARD EDWARD L.K!ELCZEWSKI A TTOR/VEV lowermost stop engaging one.

Patented Oct. 10, 1950 FILLING REPLENISH ING MECHANISM John Rinne, Brooklyn, N. Y-., Everett H. Ashton, Jersey City, N. J., Robert G. Mallard, Staten Island, N. Y.,

and Edward L. Kielczewski,

Kearny, N. 5., assignors to The M. W. Kellogg Company, Jersey City, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application November 14, 1947, Serial No. 785,844 45 Claims. (01.139443) The present invention relates to automatic filling replenishing mechanisms for looms.

In the usual type of automatic loom of the fly shuttle type, there is provided a rotary hopper or battery in which the reserve filling carriers or bobbins, arranged'in a circular series, are held by their heels and tips between two disks. The ends of the filling yarn from the bobbins are wound around a stud coaxial with the hopper and in position to be subsequently threaded into the shuttle eye upon transfer.

The hopper is rotated step by step to successively position the bobbins against a combined stop and bobbin guide. The stop is so located that it will check the lowermost bobbin in the correct position for it to be forced out of the hopper and into the shuttle.

The vibration of the loom during its normal operation causes rotation or oscillation of the bobbins in the hopper and more particularly the very often causes the end of the filling yarn of the lowermost bobbin either to become loose or to wind itself around the stud and thus become broken. A comparatively complicated mechanism has been provided for holding the lowermost bobbin in the hopper against rotation or oscillation about its axis prior to transfer into the shuttle. Such mechanism must be operated quickly to release the held bobbin for immediate transfer when such transfer is indicated. This sets up undesirable inertial and shock forces in the loomespecially when operating at high speeds.

One object of the present invention is to pro vide new and improved means for checking the rotation of the hopper Without the use of the usual bobbin engaging stop and guide, thereby reducing oscillation or rotation of the lowermost bobbin to a minimum, and dispensing with the bobbin holding means usually employed to counteract the rotative effect of loom vibrations on said bobbin. V

Another object is to provide a rotary hopper with new and improved bobbin retaining means which are comparatively simple but nevertheless of rugged construction which permit easy filling of the hopper and which are operable to permit and aid in efiicient ejection from the hopper upon transfer.

flanged end plate thatcarries the support on.

This vibration which the bobbin heel and tip discs rotate. The bobbin heel disc contains a number of recesses in which the heels of the bobbin are inserted and in part retained by the flange of the stationary plate. The flange on the lower part of the stationary plate is cut out so that the bobbin will have free passage from the hopper to the shuttle. It is, therefore, necessary to provide a movable support for the lowermost bobbin. The support must be quickly moved out of the way of the lowermost bobbin when transfer is indicated, thereby requiring comparatively complicated mechanisms for the purpose and setting up additional undesirable inertial and shock forces in the operation of the loom.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved hopper construction which avoids the use of any bobbin supports such as those described.

In prior loom constructions, the arm by which the bobbin in the hopper is transferred to the shuttle is heavy and has along leverage. The transfer operation is performed as the lay approaches from center and takes place in a very short period of time. Such rapid operation entails considerable strain and shock and sets up undesirable inertial forces which tend to knock the incoming bobbin through the shuttle because the outgoing bobbin spreads the shuttle spring tines. It is, therefore, necessary to employ a heavy spring to stop the transfer mechanism and return it to its initial position. This spring 'is also strong enough to rotate the hopper into the next successive transfer position. Such a heavy spring is objectionable since it causes undue wear on the parts especially the ratchet and pawl mechanism associated with the step by step feed of the hopper.

Furthermore, in the prior art, the transfer arm has to stop a'short distance from final DO- sition to prevent the fresh bobbin from being overthrown beyond the shuttle during transfer action. "Stops havebeen employed to minimize against such overthrows. If the transfer arm is operated to carry the fresh bobbin up to the shuttle, then overthrow action on said arm will eject the fresh bobbin from the shuttle.

Another object is to provide a transfer mechanism which is subject to improved control and which is operable to effect smooth transfer of the bobbin with minimum shock and without tending to knock the fresh bobbin through the shuttle. V

A further object is to provide an improved filling replenishing mechanism in which the bobbin as it is being transferred is maintained hopper containing twenty-eight stations position for the replenishing operation properly to be accomplished. To prevent an attempted transfer when the shuttle is not inproper position, there is usually provided a shuttle feeler which engages the shuttle upon forward movement of an improperly boxed shuttle when there is a call for a transfer and which thereby revokes the call.

A further object of the present invention is to provide ashuttle feeler which is free from long lost-motion mechanisms tendingto cause undesirable delay actions and which is accurate and instantaneous in its reaction.

Another object is to provide a shuttle feeler having. a new and improved means by which transverse adjustment of the feeler to provide for changes in shuttle sizes may be effected simply without interfering with adjustments in other associated mechanisms. I

A further object is to provide a shuttle feeler which is inherently rugged because of the nature ,of its design and which requires no guide to imfpart lateral stability thereto.

In prior art constructions, the hopper has a manual indexing control by which the hopper can bemanually rotated. However, the bobbin stop associated with the hopper permits manual rotation of the hopper only to the extent to which the hopper is unfi11ed,- since the hopper will stop ,in any case, just-as soon as the bobbin nearest the stop reaches said stop.

A further object of the present invention is to i provide a hopper indexing mechanism which can be manually operated andcontrolled to rotate the hopper selectively inany rotative position inl dependently of the number of bobbins thereon,

and to render transfer ineffective while under manual control a f In the usual transfer mechanism, there is located. near the bottom of the hopper a transfer arm disposed between the two hopper discs near the bobbin heel disc'ancl adapted to engage the heel of the lowermost bobbin upon transfer and a transverse extension of said arm also disposed ;between said discs and adapted to engage the tip of said lowermost bobbin upon transfer. The resulting blocking of the lower section of the hopper plus the presence of a stop in the way of the .lowermost bobbin makes it impossible to completely fill the hopper. Therefore, the usual or spaces can only be filled to accommodate twenty- Another object of the present invention is to provide anew and improved hopper and a new and improved bobbin transfer mechanism which permit the complete easy filling of the hopper.

Another object is to provide a new and improved filling'replenishing mechanism in which of the invention will be apparent from the following particular description, and from the inspection of the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective of the right hand side of the loom and shows a filling replenishing mechanism embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view partly in vertical section of the filling replenishing mechanism and particularly the bobbin hopper and thread guide and shows said hopper adjusted to accommodate bobbins of one size and prior to transfer action;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section of the bobbin hopper, but adjusted to accommodate bobbins of smaller size;

Fig. 4 is detail view of the heel retaining clip structure of the bobbin heel disc of the hopper taken approximately along the lines 4-4 of Fig. 2, but shown on a larger scale and illustrating the lowermost bobbin prior to being transferred to the shuttle;

Fig. 5 is detail view similar to that of Fig. 4 but showing the lowermost bobbin in the process of being transferred tothe shuttle;

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the tip retaining clip structure of the bobbin tip disc of the hopper taken approximately along the lines 6-6 of Fig.

'2, but shown on a larger scale and illustrating the lowermost bobbin prior to being transferred to the shuttle and corresponding to the position of the bobbin shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a detail view similar to that of Fig. 6, but showing the lowermost bobbin in the process of being transferred to the shuttle;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section showing the latch rod and the bobbin retaining clip structure of the two hopper discs;

Fig. 9 is a section of the transfer mechanism taken approximately along the lines 9 9 of 2 and shown before transfer is indicated;

Fig. 10 is a section of the transfer mechanism taken approximately along the lines lib-I 0 of Fig. 9 and shown after indication of transfer and at the beginning of the transfer;

Fig. 11 is a section of the transfer mechanism taken on line ll-H of Fig. 10, but shown at the beginning of transfer;

Fig. 12 is a section, similar to that of Fig. 11, of the transfer mechanism shown at the end of transfer;

Fig. 13 is a section of the shuttle feeler mechanism taken approximately on lines l3!3 of Fig. 10 and shown at the instant when protection is indicated;

Fig. 14 is a section of the shuttle feeler mechanism similar to that of Fig. 13, but shown after protection has been completed;

Fig. 15 is a section through the shuttle feeler;

Fig. 16 is a top plan view of the indexing mechanism by which the hopper is rotated at will by hand or automatically step by step;

Fig. 17 is a section of the hopper indexing mechanism taken approximately along the lines I'I-l'! of Fig. 16 and'shown under automatic control while the hopper is locker and before transfer;

Fig. 18 is a section of the hopper indexing mechanism similar to that of Fig. 17, but shown after transfer;

Fig. 18A is a fragmentary view better illustrating certain elements shown in Fig. 18;

Fig. 19 is a section of the hopper indexing mechanism similar to that of Fig. 17, but shown during return of the transfer mechanism and before the hopper has been turned one step into the next transfer position;

Rotary hopper Referring to the Figs. 18 of the drawings,

the reserve bobbins it on which the filling yarn is wound are carried in a circular seriesin a rotatable hopper or magazine H. The hopper H is on the right hand side of the loom and comprises a stationary plate 12 secured to a hopper stand l3 which in turn is affixed to the breast beam l4, as shown, or some other convenient fixed member such as the loom side frame. The hopper stand [3 carries a bearing support [5 for a hopper shaft 16 to which a pair of axially spaced bobbin supporting circular discs I! and i8 is affixed for rotation in unison; The connection between the rotatable bobbin supporting discs I! and i8 and the hopper shaft !6 in Fig. 2 comprises along hub'Zll having a key connection 2! with said shaft. The .hub is integral or otherwise rigid at one end with the disc l8 and is provided at its other end with a coupling flange 22. The hub flangeizz is securedto the disc I! by bolts 23 and is separated therefrom by a spacer collar 24.

Connected directly to the outerjside of the disc [8 in the arrangement of Fig. 2 isa peripherally notched thread guide c'ooperating with a thread holder 2% in a'manner to be described. In this arrangement, the hopper H is set up for a long bobbin such as the standard 8% size. When it is desired to set up the hopper H for a shorter bobbin such as the standard 8" size, the spacer collar 24 is removed from between the coupling flange 22 and the disc l! and mounted between the disc 58 and the hub of the threaded guide 25 as shown in Fig. 3. In this manner the hopper can be adjusted for twodifferent size bobbins without'disturbing the axial positions of the disc H and the thread guide 25.

For releasably supporting-the heels or butts of the bobbins H) in the disc H, the disc H has a ring in its outer'periphery secured thereto by studs 3! and having a series of circumferentially spaced U-shaped peripheral recesses 32 in K which the heels of the bobbins it are inserted. Each of the recesses 32 is bounded by a bobbin support flange 33 which is cut away in part on the outer side of said disc to accommodate'the clip 54. Operating on the outer side of the disc 5'! along the flange free side of the recess 32 is a clip 34 secured to a rocker shaft or latch rod 35 and having an inward cam projection 36 adapted to engage the bobbin heel in said recess and retain it releasably therein, as shown in Fig. 4. The latch rod 35 extends between the discs ii and i8 and is j ournalled'in said discs for the purpose to be described.

For releasably supporting the tips of the bobbins ill in the disc IB, said disc has a ring 39 attached thereto, and provided with a series of peripheral U-shaped recesses 41'! in alignment with respective recesses 32 in the'disc l1. Each recess is bounded by a flange 4! to support the tip of a corresponding bobbin. Cooperating with each of the recesses 40, and on the inner side of the disc I8, is a clip 42 secured to the latch rod 35 and having a notch 43 to straddle each of the bobbin tips. The clip 42 has its notch 43 circularly designed to receive the radially inner side of the tip of the bobbin l0 snugly, in Fig. 6, and has a pair of wings 44 and 45 flanking said notchf One of the wings 44 is adapted to engage the radially inner side of the bobbin tip and serves to aid in the ejection of said bobbin tip during transfer, as shown in Fig. '7. The other wing 45 extends partially to the radially outer side of the bobbin tip and serves to retain the bobbin tip in its recess 40, as shown in Fig. 6. The clip wing 45 is moved out of the way of the bobbin tip to permit ejection of said tip when the clip 42 is moved by a transfer indication, as shown in Fig. '7.

The corresponding clips 34 and 42 of each pair are connected for rotative movement in unison by the latch rod or rocker shaft 35. The latch rod 35 is loaded by a coil spring 46 at one end tending to maintain the clips 34 and 42 in the bobbin retaining position shown in Figs. 4 and 6.

The bobbin retaining recesses 32'and 40 and their respective'flanges 33 and 4! do not extend along the radii of the hopper H but at an angle thereto, so that these recesses and their flanges when .in lowermost position, extend obliquely downwardly and forwardly, to impart to the bobbin in said lowermost recesses, as it is being ejected therefrom, a corresponding oblique movement in a direction to maintain said bobbin over the forwardly moving shuttle, as will be described more fully.

The transfer mechanism to be described more fully hereinafter, comprises a transfer shoe 95 operated to engage the heel of the lowermost bobbin I!) on the outer side of the disc I! and to force said heel out of the recess 32. This operation cams the clip 34 out of the way of the bobbin heel being ejected, so that said clip is rotated counter-clockwise against the action of the spring 46, and to an extent limited by the engagement of said clip with the adjoining flange 33, as shown in Fig. 5. This rotation of the clip 34 is transmitted through the latch rod 35 to the other corresponding clip 42 and causes thereby said latter clip to rotate counter-clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 6. During this movement of the clip 42, its bobbin supporting wing 45 moves out of the way of the ti of the bobbin, while the other wing 4 simultaneously moves to eject said tip from the recess 45. In this manner, both ends of the bobbin are positively forced out of the hopper H at the same time to maintain the bobbin horizontal without the usual heavy, complicated transfer arms and forks.

In filling thehopper i l, the battery hand first unwinds a portion of the filling from the bobbin, places the heel of the bobbin against the clip 34 to cam it out of the way and to thereby insert said heel in the recess 32 of the disc I? and presses the tip of the bobbin against the corresponding clip 42 to cam it out of the way and to effect thereby insertion of said tip in the recess' lli of the disc it. The end of filling yarn is then passed over the notched thread guide 25 to hold the yarn in proper position to be threaded in the shuttle and is secured by being wound severaltimes around the stud or hub of the thread holder ZG. v

The thread holder 26 is constructed to allow its easy application and removal from the hopper shaft I6. To that end, the holder 29 has a handle 59 at one end to permit its easy manipulation and houses a coil spring embracing the end of the hopper shaft I6. This shaft end has two stepped successive sections 52 and 53 and the bore of the thread holder 26 is correspondingly stepped. The diameter of the smaller bore section of the thread holder 26 is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the spring 5| when unstressed to insure firm frictional fastening of said spring to said holder, while the diameter of the larger shaft section 52 is slightly larger than the inside diameter of said spring to insure firm frictional holding of said spring to said shaft section. The outer end of the springEI is anchored to the thread holder 26.

In applying the thread holder 26 to the hopper shaft I6, it is only necessary to place the holder with its spring 5| over said shaft-and to turn said holder clockwise while pushing it inwardly over said shaft. This operation loosens the spring 5| and allows for easy entry of the hopper shaft I9 into said spring. To remove the thread holder 26, it is only necessary to turn said holder in the same direction as when mounting it on the hopper shaft I6 and to pull it out.

Transfer mechanism The operation of the transfer mechanism shown in Figs. 9-14 is controlled by a starting rod 65 supported in journals 96 secured to the forward side of the breast beam I4. Whenever the substantial exhaustion of the filling is indicated, a partial revolution is given to the starting rod 65. This operation sets the transfer mechanism for transfer while the lay 91 is moving forwardly.

The lay 6i is secured to swords 68 shown of T-cross-section with a flange I9 extending across one end of a web I I. The sword 68 on the right hand side of the loom where the filling replenishing mechanism is mounted, has at its upper end a recess adjustably holding a steel bunter I2. A latch finger I3 pivotally mounted by a pivot pin I4 is normally maintained in elevated position and out of the way of the hunter I2 when no transfer is indicated. When transfer is indicated, the latch finger I3 is pivotally depressed into operative position, so that it will be struck by the hunter l2 and forced towards the front of the loom for a short distance as the lay 61 moves forwardly. This movement of the latch finger I3, imparted by the motion of the lay 9?, causes transfer of the bobbin from the hopper II to the shuttle l'I, assuming that said shuttle has been properly boxed, as will be described.

The loom is shown of the type described in copending application Serial No. 691,237, filed August 1'7, 1946, in which each loomside 89, Figs. 1, 9 and 10, comprises a pair of upright frame webs SI and 82 suitably secured and braced together. The lay sword 68 on the right hand side of the loom cooperating with the filling replenishing mechanism is located between these frame webs 8! and 82 and directly behind the latch finger I3 in centerline alignment therewith, as shown in Fig. 12, so that the mechanism is partially protected by said webs and the stresses set up incidental to the pushing of said latch finger during transfer are transmitted directly to said sword, thereby reducing to a minimum the stresses and vibrations in the lay 61 due to the transfer pushing action on said latch finger.

The transfer mechanism shown in Figs. 9-14 comprises a transfer shoe 99 having a curved surface 9I for engagement with the upper surface of the bobbin ID to be transferred and having its rear side 89 extending downwardly to afford enough shoulder conformation to push the bobbin being transferred not only downwardly but also forwardly from the hopper II to the shuttle 41, as said shuttle is moving forwardly with the lay. The transfer shoe 99 has a swivel mounting on a bearing rod 92 confined for vertical movement in a guide 93 which in torn is guided for horizontal movement in the fixed hopper stand I3. The guide 93 serves as a lateral support for the bearing rod 92 as it is moved downwardly along said guide by transfer action.

During the downward transfer movement of the shoe 99, it engages the lowermost bobbin I9 in the hopper II and forces it out of said hopper and into the shuttle 47. In order to hold the transfer shoe 99 against rotation with respect to the engaged bobbin while said shoe is being moved downwardly, said shoe has affixed to the upper end thereof a rod passing with a free slide fit through a hole in the upper head end of the guide 93.

Between the latch finger I3 and the transfer shoe 99 is a transmission, Figs. 9-14, which is operable to effect quick smooth transfer movement of said shoe without overthrow 'of the fresh bobbin in the shuttle 41, without the necessity of stopping the shoe before the bobbin has been completely transferred and without the use of any stops. For that purpose, the transmission includes a toggle connection comprising a forked lever 96 pivoted at a fixed point 91 and carrying at its outer end the bearing rod 92 on which the transfer shoe '99 is pivotally mounted. Pivotally secured to the lever 96 at I99 is one end of an arm I9I, the outer end being pivotally secured to the upper end of the transfer shoe guide 93 by a pivot rod I93. The pivot rod passes through the upper head end of the transfer shoe guide 93 and through a horizontal guide slot I94 in a spring housing I95 near the base of the fixed hopper stand I3. A pair of coil springs I96 in parallel bores I91 of the spring housing I95 bear at one end against the pivot rod I93 to normally maintain said pivot rod in the non-transfer position shown in Fig. 9. In this position, the two lever arms 96 and I'0I of the toggle connection will extend at an obtuse angle. When the pivot rod I 93 is moved to the left from the position shown in Fig. 11, upon indication of transfer, the arm I9-I acting against the lever 96 causes the outer end thereof carrying the bearing rod 92 of the transfer shoe 99 to be depressed for transfer, as shown in Fig. 12. The linkage as a whole forms a, straight line motion which causes the bearing rod 92 and the pivot rod I93 to be held in a vertical line always so that the transfer shoe 99 is given a retarded downward and forward motion.

When transfer is indicated, the forward movement of the latch finger I3 produced by its engagement with the forwardly moving sword bunter I2 is transmitted to the pivot rod I93 and in turn to the transfer shoe guide 93. To that end, there is provided a slide IIO seated on the base II I of the hopper stand I3 and carrying the pivot pin I4 by which the latch finger I3 is hinged. The slide I III has a rounded upward offset I I 2 at one end extending with a snug slide fit in a guide channel I I3 formed on the underside of a cross frame p1ate m in the hopper stand is. The other end of the slide H has a downward 7 block, extension H carrying the pivot rod H13 of the transfer shoe guide 93 and retained with a snug slide fit in a recess H6 formed in the spring housing H15 between the two spring retaining bores III! therein, as shown particularly in Fig. 10.

The latch finger 13 has a recess; l I! inits 1cwer side for receiving the slide Hil andat its hinge end it is forked to embrace the slide oifset extension H2 in a manner topermit said finger to move angularly with respect to saidslide. The latch finger I3 is retained in downward position shown in Fig. 11 by a leaf: spring lzu'secured near one end to said latch finger by studs l2! and bearing at its free end with aslide fit against the underside of the frame plate i M of. the hopper stand H3 in the: guide channel H3.

The outer end [22 of the latch finger -13 is tapered and the hunter 12 has a lip I23 along its upper edge serving as acatch for said finger end to maintain saidfinger downwardly whileit-is being pushed forwardly during transfer.

While no transfer is indicated, the latch finger i3 is maintained in elevatedposition against the action of the spring l2!) and out of the path of movement of the hunter "1 2 as shown in Fig. 9. When transfer is indicated by the detection of substantial exhaustion of filling or of the absence of filling, the starting rod 65 is partially rotated clockwise (Fig. 9) and this permits the latch finger l? to drop into the path of movement of the hunter 12 under the action'of-thespring I29, as shown in Figs. and 13. I

Theconnections between the starting rod 65 and the latch finger 13 for efiecting the operation described comprise a crank arm till] secured to the starting rod 65 and pivotally connected to one end of alink lsl, the other end being pivotally connected to an arm ltZ affixed to a pivot or rocker shaft 533 journalled in a bracket I34 secured to thebreast beam l4. Also affixed to the rocker shaft l33is a cam I35 having a circular section l3! concentric with the shaft I33 and a notch 538 at one end. The cam l36 cooperates with a pawl its having a fixed pivot support MI and provided on one end with a tongue I42 engaging the surface of said cam'and adapted to snap into the cam notch I38 by the action of the spring l2!) when said notch reaches a position oppositesaid tongue. The othercend M3 of the pawl Mt? engages the underside of'an arm 1E4 secured to the latch finger "l3 through the pivot notch E38 and onto the high circular section I31 of said cam to lift the latch finger l3 against the action of the spring l2ii'into inoperative position shown in Fig. 9 until the next transfer impulse is received.

Shuttle jeeler in which the shuttle 47 does not receive suflie, cient momentum from the picking motion to enter properly the box t8 on the battery side of the loom or in which the shuttle rebounds in the for any reason, in which cases it will project from the shuttle box. To prevent the transpin 'M and in addition'by the stud M5 (Fig. 9

so that said arinis rigid with said latch'fing'er? the operation o f't he connection between the starting rod BEand thelatch finger 13, while no transfer is indicated, the parts will be as shown in Fig. 9 with the tongue Hi2 engaging the high circular section 137 of the cam 'to maintain the latch finger '13 elevated in inoperative pos'i-,

ticn against the action of the spring I25. When transfer is indicated, the starting rod 65 is'jziar tially rotated clockwise (Fig. 9) and the cam @3 1 is thereby rotated; clockwise until the tongue -2 on. the pawl l liits'na'psfinto the notch This permits the pawl use to rotate counterclockwise and the latch finger E3 to drop suddenly into the transfer position shown in Figs. 16 and 13 under the action of the spring lZil.

When transfer has been completed, the starting rod, {i5 is ro'tatively restored into the inoperative position shown inFig. 9. This rotates the i313 counter clo'ckwise, and forces f thereby the pawl tongue M2 to be cammed outoi the for of the bobbin under this condition, there is provided a shuttle feeler iiiil. The shuttle feeler, as shown in Figs. 9-14 and in greater detail in Fig. 15, comprises a tubular guide 15! secured to a bracket 562, integnal or otherwise rigid with the bracket 35, and adjustably retained there' in through a set-screw lfifi. Slida-ble in the tu bular guide IBI is a feeler plunger H54. A pin 565 extending through the plunger ltd and through diametrical opposed elongated slots lit in the guide lei is engaged at its outer project ing ends by the forked prongs of an arm it? ai fixed to the pivot shaft l33.

At its outer end, the plunger ltd has a recess H0 in which is pivoted at ill a thread guide feeler tip ll'Z which is urged counter-clockwi e in limiting position shown in Fig. 15 by a spring pressed pin Hi3, slidable in said plunger and which has a tail H l projecting obliquely downwardly and away from said plunger. The feeler tip H2 prevents the thread extending from; the

tip of the shuttle being detected from being jammed between the shuttle and the plunger 584 and from being injured thereby during de- 0 tecting moveinentof said plungen. The upper outer surface Ilia of the feeler tip H2 is convexly curved to cause the thread thereon to slide smoothly thereover towards the upper side of the plunger its. If the thread engages the lower part of the feeler tip (H2 below the pivot point Hi, the resilient mounting of said tip will prevent said thread from being unduly tensioned while it is riding upwardly along the inclined surface of said tip; recess ill in the lower outer'end oifthet'ubelfil is adapted to receive the tail end ti t ,of the feeler tip it? in the withdrawn position of saidplunger. I

For adjusting .the effective length of'the shuttle feeler to accommodate for shuttlesjoi dif ferent widths, apart of the length of the-plunger [54 is hollow to receive therei with a snag slide fit an adjusting rod 183 through which the pin snugly extends. through-a pair of diametrically opposite. elon gated slots t8! .in the wall o'f-the plunger let. An adjusting sCrewfl'BZ is threaded in the-inner end of the plunger "[68 and has a stem [83 of reduced diameter with a .rotativei conn ection to the adjusting rod H30 whichperrnitssaid screw to turn relative to said rod without moving said.

screw and said rod relatively axially. 'Thisconnection comprises a pin I8 3 extending pe a peripheral recessli'BE 3 in .t lleserew st and partly in a. recess vllmsir' thelinicr pe i ofthe wall of said rod. 'The'adjusting screw ml The V pin lt extends 11 has a flat fillister head I88 designed to receive. a screw driver and a flange I90 which engages the inner end of the plunger I64 and thereby predetermines one adjusted position of the plunger.

The shuttle feeler I60 is shown in Fig. centrally adjusted. To adjust for shuttle width, the screw I82 is turned to move the plunger I64 axially from the position shown in Fig. 15. Since the adjusting rod I80 is held against axial movement with respect to the arm I61, through its snug connection with the pin I85, the turning of the screw I82 from the position shown in Fig. 15 merely moves the plunger I64 axially. With this arrangement, the phase of protection with respect to the movement of the lay is maintained constant regardless of the width of the shuttles used.

When transfer is indicated, if the shuttle 41 is not far enough in the box 48 for the transfer of a bobbin to take place properly, the tip of the shuttle will project from the box and the feeler tip I12 will come in contact with it as the lay comes forward. When this occurs, the plunger I64 will be pushed backwards in the tube MI by the shuttle and this will raise the latch finger 13 into the position shown in Fig. 14 by the means to be described. Under this condition, the transfer of the bobbin from the hopper II to the shuttle 41 cannot take place and the loom will eventually be stopped in the ordinary manner for want of filling.

For effecting protection through operation of the shuttle feeler I60, the link I3I is of the giveway or lost motion type to transmit motion to the arm I32 clockwise into the position shown in Fig. 13 when transfer is indicated and the starting rod 65 has been partially rotated and which yields without disturbing the rotative position of said starting rod when protection is indicated by the improper boxing of the shuttle, as shown in Fig. 14. To that end, the link I3I comprises a tube I95 having a head I96 threaded therein at one end and pivotally connected to the crank arm I and a head I91 threaded therein at the other end. Extending into the tube I95 and passing through the head I 91 with a snug slide fit is a rod I98 having a pivot connection with the arm I32. A coil spring 200 encircles the rod I98 in the tube I95 and bears at one end against acollar 29I pinned or other afiixed to the rod and at the other end against the head I91.

While the starting rod is rotating from the inoperative non-transfer position shown in Fig. 9 to the transfer position shown in Fig. 13, the pawl tongue I42 is riding over the circular section I31 of the cam I36, so that motion is transmitted from said rod through the giveway link I3I with a minimum of tension on said link. Motion is, therefore, transmitted through the link I3I without causing relative axial movement between the tube I95 and the rod I98 thereof. When protection is indicated requiring revocation of the transfer call, the shuttle feeler arm I61 is moved counter-clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 13 to the position shown in Fig. 14 by the detective operation of the shuttle feeler I60. This rotation of the shuttle feeler arm I61 is resisted by the starting rod 65 (Fig. 14). However, the lost motion connection of the link I3I permits this counter-clockwise rotation of the shuttle feeler arm I61. Through the cam I36 and the pawl I40 this movement of the shuttle feeler arm I61 raises the latch finger 13 into the inoperative position shown in Fig. 14 to revoke the transfer 12' call which had previously caused said latch finger to drop into transferposition shown in Fig. 13.

Operation of transfer mechanism and v shuttle feeler Although the operation of the transfer mechanism and the shuttle feeler is believed apparent from the foregoing description, this operation is herein summarized.

While the loom is normally operating and the yarn supply on the running shuttle is ample, the starting rod 65 will be in the rotative position shown in Fig. 9, the latch finger 13 will be in raised position out of the path of the bunter 12 and the shuttle feeler lplunger I64 will be withdrawn into the guide tube I6I. In this position of the starting rod '65, the toggle'arms 96 and NI will be in the obtuse angular position shown in Fig. 11 and the transfer shoe 9!] will be in elevated position directly above the heel of the lowermost bobbin I0 in the hopper II.

Upon the receipt of a transfer impulse from a suitable feeler mechanism indicating substantial exhaustion of the filling, the starting rod 65 will be partially rotatedclockwise from the position shown in Fig. 9 to the position shown in Fig. 13. This operation will causethe cam I36'to rotate clockwise until the pawl tongue I42 snaps into the cam notch I38, causing thereby the pawl to rotate counter-clockwise and the latch finger 13 to drop under the action of the spring I29 into the path of movement of the bunter 12. At the same time, the shuttle feeler plunger I64 is projected out of the guide tube I6 I for shuttle feeler operations. These operations take place while the lay 61 is moving forwardly and while the shuttle 41 is on its way to the box 48 on the magazine side of the loom.

As the lay 61 continues its forward movement, the open end of the box 48 just beyond the tip of a properly boxed shuttle moves past the shuttle feeler tip I12. If the shuttle is properly boxed, the shuttle will clear the shuttle feeler tip I12, so that the depressed position of the latch finger 13 will not be interfered with. Upon continued forward movement of the lay, the bunter 12 will en gage the end I22 of the latch finger 13 and will move said finger forwardly (left) as shown in Fig. 11.) As this latch finger moves towards the left, theslide H0 is also moved in the same direction causing the block extension II5 of said slide to move towards the left in the guide recess II6. Since the extension II5 carries the pivot rod I03 of the toggle connection, its movement to the left causes corresponding unisonal movement of the transfer shoe guide 93 and-the transfer shoe 60. This causes the two toggle arms 96 and IM to fold abouttheir hinge joint I09 against the-action of the springs I 06 and this action in turn causes downward movement of the transfer shoe 90.

The transfer shoe 90, as it moves downwardly, engages the heel of the lowermost bobbin on the hopper II and forces it downwardly out of said hopper. At the same time, the shuttle 41 in the box 48 on the magazine side of the loom is moving forwardly as a result of the forward movement of the lay. The toggle connection operating in conjunction with the latch finger 13 moves the transfer shoe downwardly along the guide 93 and forwardly with said guide, so that the bobbin being transferred is maintained substantially over the forwardly moving shuttle during the transfer operation. This affords a greater period during which the bobbin may be transferred and is, therefore, conducive to smoother operation.

The flange 33 around each recess 32 in the bobbin heel disc I1 and the flange 4| around each recess 40 in the bobbin tip disc I8 slant in a direction to guide the bobbin, not only downwardly but forwardly as it is ejected from the hopper Il in conformity with the downwardly and forwardly oblique movement of the transfer shoe 9!] as shown in Figs. 4-7. In its transit between the hopper I,,I and the shuttle 41, the bobbin is under the entire control of the transfer shoe 9!! free from bobbin guides or stops, the bobbin engaging end of this shoe being shaped as previously described to give the bobbin not only a downward movement but at the same time a forward movement.

The toggle connection is so constructed and so correlated with the forward speed of the lay, that the fresh bobbin is delivered into the shuttle 41 smoothly and with a final deceleration which imparts a minimum of momentum to the bobbin as it is engaged by the usual shuttle spring. The transfer shoe 90 travels downwardly and forwardly until the bobbin has been completely deposited in the shuttle, so that said bobbin is under control of said transfer shoe until transfer has been completed, and it is deposited into the shuttle at such slow speed asto avoid the possibility of overthrow of the bobbin beyond the shuttle spring. The operation is thereby effected smoothly and efliciently, but nevertheless quickly without stopping the transfer shoe a short distance from final shuttle position of the bobbin to avoidoverthrow and without the use of any stops.

As a fresh bobbin is being inserted into the shuttle as described, the spent bobbin is forced out of the shuttle by its engagement with the incoming bobbin and dropped into a suitable receptacle. r

If after the starting rod 65; ha been rotated 40 clockwise into the position shown in Fig, 13, the extended shuttle feeler tip I12 durin the forward movement of the shuttle engages the tip of the shuttle as a result ofirnproper boxing, of said shuttle, .then the shuttle feeler plunger I64 will be forced forwardly into the guide tube IBI, causing thereby the shuttle feeler arm I 61 to be rotated counter clockwise andjthel carn I38 to be rotated in the same direction. This operation is permitted through the yielding character move out of engagement with thep awl tongue I42. The pawl I40 is thereby rotated clockwise to raise the latch finger is out of the path.

of movement of the bunter 72 as shown in Fig.

14. Therefore, as the lay continues its forward movement, the hunter I2 misses the raised latch finger I3 and the transfer impulse becomes ineffective. Under this condition, the transfer of a bobbin from the-hopper II to the shuttle cannot take place.

Automatic hopper indexing mechanism connection thereto .or indirectly by. stud con nections with thebobbin heel disc I! or v by both as shown.. Theratchet gear,2IU, is.operatedby.

a pawl 2 I 3 pivoted, at 22Il ,.to, the. bifurcated pawl,

carrier 2 II which in turnis pivoted at 2 I2 to the;

fixed plate- I2. The pawl 2'I3 is" provided with a projection or tooth engaging with the teeth of the ratchet gear. The pawl carrier 2II is operated from a latch arm 2I5 having a swivel connection at one end with the pivot rod Itt carried by the transfer shoe guide 93 and having at its other end an angular latch slot 2H1, one section II? of which extends lengthwise of said arm, the other section 268 extending transversely of said arm. A coupling pin 223 secured to the pawl carrier 2 slides in the slot 2I5 to form a bayonetjoint connection between said pawl and the latch arm 2I5.

' A spring 22! has one end affixed to the fixed hopper plate i2 and has its other end secured to an ear on the pawl 2H3 at a point below the center of pivot 220 to urge said pawl, counterclockwise with its tooth against a tooth of the ratchet gear 2Iil. A spring 222 has one end afiixed to the fixed hopper plate I2 and its other end secured to the bifurcated latch arm 2 i5 and 220 at all times.

nections 229.

located higher than the end affixed to said plate, so that said arm is urged clockwise'about its pivot support 5% and against the coupling pin The ratchet gear TZII] is locked against counterclockwise rotation at all times by a spring detent 239 secured to a bracket 23I affixed to the fixed hopper plate I2, The ratchet gear 2IIl is locked against clockwise rotation except immediately after transfer by a pawl lock 232 which may form an integral extension of the bracket 23I and which may be adjusted therewith horizontally through studs and elongated slot con- The pawl lock 232 has an inclined surface 233 along which slides the tooth of pawl 2I3, the pawl tooth being tapered and in the form of a wedge. During normal operation of the loom, the spring 22! presses the t oth of pawl 2I3 between the surfaces 233 and a tooth of the ratchet gear are, as shown in Fig. 1'7, and locks said gear against clockwise rotation.

A cam piece 243 is provided for camming the latch arm ZIEi counter-clockwise about its pivot of the k 34 c es the cam notch I 38 to.

support I 33 after transfer has been completed,

and to release thereby the pawl carrier 2II for thestep drive of the ratchet gear 2 ID. The cam piece 240 is secured to the fixed hopper plate I2 by elongated slot and stud connections 24! to permit horizontal adjustments and presents an inclined cam surfacez lz along which a rounded corner 243 of the latch arm 2I5 is adapted to rideas the transfer operation is being completed as shown in Fig. 19.

Operation of automatic hopper indexing mechanism , Duringnormal loom operation, before anytransfer is indicated, the parts of the automatic indexing mechanism are as shown in Fig. 17. In.

and this movement is transmitted to the pivot support I93 of the latch-arm 2I 5, so that said arm f is carried forwardly towards the left. During the transfer operation thelatch arm 2 I5 slides along the .pin 22iluntil theoffset end 2!,8 of the slot 2I6 reaches opposite said pin. At that instant, the latch arm 2I5 snaps clockwise through the action of the spring 222 to effect locking engagement of the offset end 2I8 of the slot 2I6 with the pin 220, as shown in Fig. 18. With the pawl carrier 2H and the latch arm 2I5 interlocked, the return movement of the transfer mechanism is transmitted to said pawl carrier through the return action of the transfer shoe guide 93 towards the right. As the transfer shoe guide 93 moves to the right, it causes the latch arm 2 I to move endwise, thereby causing the pawl carrier 2H to rotate clockwise about its pivot support 2I2 against the action of the spring 22I. This operation in turn causes the tooth of the pawl 2 I3 to move out of locking engagement with one tooth of the ratchet gear 2I0 and into the next interdental space of said gear as shown in Fig. 19. During this operation, the corner 283 of the latch arm 2I5 rides along the inclined surface 242 of the cam piece 240, thereby rotating said latch arm counter-clockwise until the joint pin 226 is out of the offset slot section 2IB and in line with the slot section 2 I I to release the pawl carrier ZI I. At that instant, the released pawl carrier 2 I I rotates counter-clockwise by the action of the spring 22I and the tooth of the pawl 2I3 engages the tooth of the ratchet gear 2IU and rotates said gear clockwise one step until said tooth is locked against the lock 232 as shown in Fig. 17. This step rotation of the ratchet gear 2 I 0 causes rotation of the hopper l I one step and thereby brings the next successive bobbin in said hopper in position for the next transfer operation.

It should be noted that the hopper I I is stopped and locked against rotation after every step feed thereof by means whichis independent of the bobbins in the hopper. No stop means engaging the lowermost bobbin is provided as in the prior art, so that no vibrations are transmitted to said bobbin through any such stop means. The stop means in the present invention does not, therefore, cause undesirable rotation of the lowermost bobbin about its axis as in the prior art.

Manual hopper indexing mechanism The manual hopper indexing mechanism is shown in Figs. 20 and 21 and comprises a handle 259 having a stud or stem 25I which passes through a slot 252 with a holdingnotch 249 at one end and which is connected to one end of a bar 253, the other end being pivotally connected to a lever 255 secured to a pivot shaft 255 having a bearing support aifixed to the fixed hopper plate 2. The lever 254 is of angular shape to define an elbow or bend engaging the coupling pin 22%. When the handle 250 is moved from the extreme right hand position shown in Fig. 20 to the extreme left hand position shown in Fig. 21, the lever 254 is rotated counter-clockwise about its pivot support 255 to move the coupling pin 220. The pawl 2 is thereby rotated clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 1'7. In this position of the pawl 2I I, the ratchet gear 2Ifl will be released for rotation clockwise in any desired position independently of any bobbins or the number thereof in the hopper I I. Every part of the hopper I I can, therefore, be made accessible for filling with fresh bobbins. Since the transfer and indexing mechanisms are arranged outside of the space between the two bobbin support discs I! and I8 of the hopper II, every station in the hopper I I can be filled with a fresh bobbin without interference from said mechanisms. The abis sence of these mechanisms from between the bobbin support discs H and I8 of the hopper II also serves to keep the bobbin in said hopper free from contamination-from lubricants or other dirt from these mechanisms.

The manual control for the indexing mechanism is arranged to render the transfer mechanism inoperative'whilesaid mechanism is under such control. To that end, there is provided a crank arm 266 secured to the pivot shaft 255 and disposed in engagement with the underside of a latch piece- 26I,- which is integral or otherwise rigid with the latch finger I3, extends alongside thereof and projects beyond the bunter engaging tip of the latch arm I3 to one side of the bunter carrying lay sword 68.

While the manual control handle 250 is in the extreme right hand position shown in Fig. 20, the crank arm 260 is disposed below the depressed position of the latch finger 13, so that said crank arm does not normally interfere with transfer operations. .When the handle 250 is moved to the left into the position shown in Fig. 21, the crank arm 26!) lifts thelatch finger I3 by its engagement with the latch piece 2BI and/or holds said latch finger13 in this elevated position to render the transfer mechanism inoperative.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to a specific embodiment, it is to be understood that it is not to be limited thereto, but is to be construed broadly and restricted solely by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a hopper for a loom, the combination comprising a-pair of spaced supports for a series of bobbins, a rocker shaft extending between and carried by said supports, means on one of said supports for releasably holding the heel of a bobbin and including a holding clip secured to said shaft for angular rotation therewith in and out of bobbin holding position, means on the other support for releasably holding the tip of said bobbinand including another holding clip secured to said shaft for angular rotation therewith into and out of bobbin holding position, and means biasing said rod for movement of said clips towards bobbin holding position.

2. In a hopper for a loom, the combination comprising a pair of spaced supports for a series of bobbins, a rocker shaft extending between and carried by said supports, means on one of said supports for releasably holding the heel of a bobbin and including a holding clip secured to said shaft for angular rotation therewith in and out of bobbin holding position, means on the other support for releasably holding the tip of said bobbin and including-another holding clip secured to said shaft for angular rotation therewith into and out of bobbin holding position, and a coil spring encircling said shaft and operable to urge said clips angularly-into bobbin holding position.

3. In a rotary hopper for a loom, the combination comprising a pair of axially spaced discs connected for rotation in unison, one of said discs being provided on its periphery with a series of open ended oircumferentially spaced recesses adaptedv to receive the heels respectively of a number of bobbins, the other disc being provided on its periphery with a series of open ended circumferentially. spaced recesses in respective alignmentwith said heel receiving recesses to receive the tips respectivelyof said bobbins, a clip recess in bobbin retaining position and movable 17 in and out of said position, and, means extending between said discs and united to thepair of clips associated with each pair of aligned recesses for movement in unison out of bobbin retaining position to permit ejection of the bobbin from said" disc having a similar series of circumferentially spaced recesses on its periphery in alignment with said heel receiving recesses respectivelyand adapted to receive the tips respectively of said bobbins, and a mechanismior transferring the bobbins successively from said hopper to a shuttle and comprising a transfer shoe adapted to engage the heel of a bobbin in said hopper and eject it out of its disc recess, said hopper also including a member supported on said other disc in association with each of its tip receiving recess and movable to eject the bobbin tip in said latter recess, and means united to said shoe and said member automatically operable when the heel of the bobbin is ejected from its disc recess for simultaneously moving said member into position to eject the tip of said latter bobbin from its tip receiving disc recess. i

5. In a rotary hopper fora loom, the combination comprising a pair of axially spaced discs connected for rotation in unison, one of said discs presenting a series of circumferentially spaced recesses near its periphery for receiving the heels respectively of a number of bobbins, the other disc having a similar series of circumferentially spaced recesses near its periphery in alignment with said heel receiving recesses respectively and adapted to receive the tips respectively of said bobbins, and a clip pivotally supported on' said other disc near each of its recesses and movable to eject the bobbin tip in said latter recess, and means automatically operable when the heel of the bobbin is ejected from its disc recess for simultaneously moving the corresponding clip into position to eject the tip of-said latter bobbin from its tip receiving disc recess.

6. In a rotary hopper for a loom, the combination comprising a pair of axially spaced discs connected for rotation in unison, one of said discs being adapted to support the hee s of-a circular series of bobbins while the other disc'is adapted to support the tips of said bobbins, said other disc presenting a circular series'of bobbin :tip retaining recesses opening on the inner face of said other disc, and a clip pivotally supported on the inner face of said other disc adjacent each of said recesses and angularly movable about its pivotal support to engage the tip of a bobbin in said recess and eject said tip therefrom.

'7. In a rotary hopper for a loom, the combination comprising a pair of axia ly spaced discs connected for rotation in" unison, one of said discs being adapted to support the heels of a circular series of bobbins, the other disc being adapted to support the tips of said bobbins, said other disc presenting a circular series of bobbin tip retaining recesses opening on the inner face of said clip about its pivot support in one direction from a predetermined position and having a second wing adapted to extend near the outer end of said recessin said predetermined position of the clip to retain said bobbin tip in said recess and movable out of the path ofejection of said bobbin tip upon movement of said clip in said direction.

8. In a rotary hopper for a loom, the combination comprising a, pair of axially spaced discs connected for rotation in unison, one of said discs being adapted to support the heels of a circular series of bobbins, the other disc being adapted to support the tips of said bobbins, said other disc presenting a circular series ofv bobbin tip retaining recesses opening on the inner face of said other disc, a clip pivotally supported on said other disc adjacent to each of said recesses and having a 'wing adapted to engage the tip of a bobbin radially inwardly of said recess and eject said tip therefrom upon rotation of said 'clip about its pivot support in one direction from a predetermined position and having also a second wing adapted to extend near the radially outer .end of said recess insaid predetermined position of the clip to retain said bobbin in said recess and movable out of the path of ejection of said bobbin tip upon movement of said clip in said direction, spring means urging said clip towards said predetermined position, and means automatically operable upon ejection of the heel of said bobbin from the hee1 supporting disc for rotating said clip in saidldirection against said spring means.

9.. In a rotary hopper for a loom, the combination comprising a pair of axially spaced discs connected for rotation in unison, one of said discs being adapted to support the tips of a circular series of bobbins, while the other disc is adapted to support the heels of said bobbins and presents a circular series of bobbin heel retaining recesses, and a support flange along one side and along the base of each recess, said flange missing :irom the other side of said recess, a clip pivotally secured to said other disc and extending along the fiange ,f-ree side of each recess, and springmea-ns urging said clip towards said recess to engage the heel of the bobbin in said recess and thereby retain said heel therein, said clip being adapted to be moved away from said recess against the action of said spring means by the camming action of said heel thereon as it moves out of said recess.

10. Ina rotary hopperfor a loom, the combination comprisingashaft, a disc mounted for rotation with said shaft and adapted toho'ld releasably the heels of a series of circularly arranged bobbins, a second disc mounted for rotation with said shaft and spaced axially'f-rom said first disc, said second disc being adapted to hold releasably the tips of said bobbins, one of said discs having a hubv embracing said shaft, a spacer collar encircling said shaft and located between said hub and the other disc, and removable :fastening means connecting said hub, said spacer collar and said latter disc to ether, said spacer collar being removable and said hub being adapted to be removablyconnected to said latter disc without said'collar to alter the axial position of the disc having "the hub with respect'to the other disc.

1"1. 'In .a rotary hopper for a loom, the combination'compris'ing a shaft, a disc mounted for rotation with said shafttand adapted to hold releasably the heels of a series of circularly are rangedbob'bin's, :a second disc mounted for -ro-' said first disc, said second disc being adapted to hold releasably the tips of said bobbins and having a hub embracing said shaft, a spacer collar encircling said shaft and located between said 'hub and said heel holding disc, removable fastening means connecting said hub, said spacer collar and said heel holding disc together, a thread guide on the side of said tip holding disc opposite saidheel holding disc and having ahub, and a removable connection between said latter hub-a'nd said tip holdin disc, said spacer collar being removable from between said first mentioned hub and saidheel holding disc and being adapted to be connected between said second mentioned hub and said tip holding disc to alter to said heel holding disc.

' 12. In a bobbin transfer mechanism for a loom, the combination comprising a latch finger mounted for movement between operative and inoperative positions, said latch finger in inoperative position "being disposed out of the path of movement of 'a bunter movable with the lay and in operative position being" disposed'in the pathof movement of said bunter and being sup- Ijortedfor slide movement along a straight line', 'means responsive to a call for transfer'for moving said latch finger from inoperative position to operative position, and means responsive to the slide movement of said latch finger along sai'dstrai'ghtline'caused bythe movement of thebunter forieffecting a bobbin transfer operationyfi i 13, In a bobbin transfer mechanism for a loom, the combination comprising a slide movable'along a straight line, a latch finger pivotally mounted on said slide and angularly movable about its pivot support between operative and inoperative positions, said latch finger in inoperative position being disposed out of the path of" movement of a hunter movable with the lay and inoperative position being disposed in the pathof movementof said hunter and movable with 'said slide by the pushing action of the hunter on said latch finger, means responsive to acall for transfer for moving said latch finger angularly from inoperative position to operative-positiong'and' means responsive to the slide movement of said slide along said straight line for effecting a bobbi'n transfer operation.

14 11 abobbin transfer mechanism, the com bination comprisirig a; bobbin transfer member adapted to engage a bobbin in a hopper and transfer it therefrom to a shuttle, a latch mounted for rnovement between operative and inoperative positions, said latch in inoperative position being disposed out of the path of movement of a bunter movable with the'lay andin operative position being disposed in the pathof movement of said "bun'ter and being supported forimovementin a predetermined direction by the'enga'gement of the moving 'bunter therewith, means responsive to a call for transfer for movings said'latch from inoperative position to operative position, and a toggle connection between said latch and said transfer .memberloperatable to move said transfer member into bobbin transferring-g'position as: said latch is moved in said predetermined"direction by said bunter.

i 15. In a bobbin transfer mechanism, the combina-ti'onasdescribed in claim 14, inwhich said toggleconnection ,comprises a lever carrying said'bobbin transfer member, an armpivotally connected near oneend to said lever intermediate its ends, and a connection between said arm near its other end and said latch causing the angle between said lever and said arm to vary as said latch is moved in operative position by said bunter, and said transfer member to move into bobbin transfer position.

16. In a bobbin transfer mechanism for a loom,-

the combination comprising a slide movable along a straight line, a latch finger pivotally mounted on said slide and angularly movable about its pivot support between operative and inoperative positions, said latch finger in inoperative position being disposed out of the path of movement of a bunter movable with the lay and in operative position being disposed in thepath of movement of said bunter andmovable with said slide by the pushing action of the hunter on said latch finger, means responsive to a call for transfer for moving said latch finger angularly from inoperative position to operative position, and means responsive to the slide movement of said slide along said straightline for effecting a, bobbin transfer operation comprising a lever having a fixed pivotal support, a bobbin transfer member mounted at the outer end of said lever and adapted to engage a bobbin in a hopper and transfer it therefrom to a shuttle, an arm pivotally connected at one end to said lever intermediate its ends and a pivotal connection between the other end of said arm and said slide.

17.. In a bobbin transfer mechanism for a loom, the combination comprising a slide movable along a, straight line, a latch finger pivotally mounted on said slide and angularly movable about its pivot support between operative and inoperative positions, said latch finger in inoperative position being disposed out of the path of movement of a hunter movable with the lay and in operative position being disposed in the path of movement of said hunter and movable with said slide by the pushing action of the hunter on said latch finger, means responsive to a call for transfer for moving said latch finger angularly from inoperative position to operative position, and means responsive to the slide movement of said slide along said straight line for effecting a bobbin transfer operation comprising a lever having a fixed pivotal support, a bobbin transfer shoe having a swivel connection with the outer free end of said lever and adapted to engage a bobbin in a hopper and transfer it therefrom to a shuttle. an arm pivotally connected at one end to said lever intermediate its ends, a pivotal connection between the other end of said arm and said slide, and means for maintaining said transfer shoe against relative movement with respect to a bobbin engaged thereby during bobbin transfer movement of said shoe.

18. In a loom, a hopper on one side of a loom for holding a number of bobbins, a guide below said hopper having a downwardly extending guideway and movable forwardly of the loom, a bobbin transfer member supported for guided movement along said guideway and movable forwardly with said guide, said transfer member being adapted to engage a bobbin in said hopper and transfer it to a shuttle, and means operable upon receipt of a transfer impulse for moving said transfer member downwardly in said guideway to transfer operations and said guide forwardly.

19. In a loom, means for transferring a bobbin from a hopper to a shuttle, a shuttle feeler comprising a plunger'movable axially between 21 operative and inoperative positions, said plunger in operative position being disposed in the path of lay movement of an improperly boX'ed shuttle and in inoperative position being withdrawn from said path, means responsive to the receipt of a transfer indication for moving said plunger into said operative position, and means operable when an improperly boxedshuttle moves said plunger axially from said latter position for revoking the call for bobbin transfer.

20. In a loom, means for transferring a bobbin from a hopper to a shuttle, a starting rod, a transmission between said starting rod and said transferring means for initiating the operation of said transferring means upon partial rotation of said rod resulting from the receipt of a transfer impulse and comprising a giveway or lost-motion connection permitting rendition of said transferrin'g means inoperative after said starting rod has been partially rotated, without rotating said rod backward, and a shuttle feeler operable to render said transferring means inoperative through said transmissi'onwhen the shuttle is improperly boxed.

21. In a loom, a startingrod, means for transferring a bobbin from a hopper to a shuttle and comprising a latch movable frominoperative position out of the pathof a lay supported bunter to operative positionin said path, and a transmission between said starting rod and said latch for moving said latch into said operative position upon partialrotation of said rod resulting from the receipt of .atransfer impulse. and comprising a giveway or lost-motion connection permitting said latch to return to inoperative position after said starting rod has been partially rotated, without rotating said rod backward, and a shuttle feeler operable to permit-said: latch toreturn to inoperative position through said transmission when the shuttle-is improperly, boxed, x

22. In a loom; the'com-bination as described in claim 21, in which said connection comprises a link having two relatively axially-movable parts permitting the link to vary in effective length,

and spring means for normally maintaining said parts in predeterminedrelative axia1'p'osition,and a connection between said shuttle feeler and said transmission beyond said link for operating the portion of said transmission beyondsaid link into position to permit said latch to return to inoperativeposition without affecting the rotative position ofsaid starting rod. 1 ,7 r I,

23. In a loom, the combination-as described in claim 2'1, comprising a connection between said shuttle feeler and said trans;nissio-n beyond said lost-motion connection for o-p erat ing said trans-- mission beyond said latter connection into position to permit said latch to'return to inoperative position, the resistanceto motion. offered when said transmission is operated-from the-starting rod to move the latch into operative position being low enough to cause said-lost-motion, while the force transmitted, to said lost-'r-n'oti'on -connec,

tion by the shuttle feeler is such as to causefsaid latter connection to yield-withoutaffecting; the rotative position of saidstarting rod. I

24:. In a loom, the combination as described in claim2l, in which said transmission comprises a cam member and'a'pa'wlmember in follower engagement with said cam-;member, said lost motion connection being located between said starting rod and said cam member, said combination comprising a connection between the shuttle feeler and one of said members to permit said latch to return to inoperative position with- 22 out affecting the rotativeposition of said starting rod. I

25. In a loom, the combination as described in claim 21, in which said connection has two relatively-movable parts and spring means for normally maintaining said parts in predetermined rotative positions, said transmission comprising a shaft, a cam on said shaft, an arm on said shaft having a pivotal connection with one of said connection parts, and a pawl in follower engagement with said cam, said combination comprising a connection between said shuttle feeler and said shaft and operable to rotate said cam into position to permit return of said latch into inoperative position.

26. In a loom, means for transferring a bobbin from a hopper to a shuttle, a shuttle feeler having a tip adapted to be engaged by a shuttle when said shuttle is improperly boxed and to actuate said feeler thereby, and means responsive to the actuation of said feeler for rendering said bobbin transferring means inoperative, said tip being designed to guide the thread from the forwardly moving shuttle out of the way of the shuttle, so that it does not become jammed between said shuttle and said feeler. 7

2'7. In a loom, the combination as described in claim 26, in which said tip is spring pressed.

28. In a loom, the combination as described in claim 26, in which said feeler comprises a plunger, and said tip is pivotally mounted at the operating feeler end of the plunger and is spring pressed into thread guiding position.

29. In a loom, the combination as described in claim 26, in which said feeler comprises a plunger having a diametrical slot at its operating feeler end, saidtip extending in said slot and having a pivotal connection therein, said tip being spring pressed. in rotative position about its pivotal support and in said position presenting athread guiding surface slanting upwardly and forwardly towards the other end of said plunger from a point below said pivotal support to a point above it.

30. In a m, a rotary hopper and an indexing device for automatically rotating the hopper at the end of each bobbin transfer operation and comprising a ratchet gear mounted for retation with said hopper, a pawl cooperating with the teeth of said gear, means automatically operable during each bobbin transfer operation for moving said pawl in one direction along-said teeth from one-interdental space to the next, means automatically operable after the bobbin transfer operation has been completed for moving I said pawl in the opposite direction one step to rotate saidgear one step, andrneans for locking said pawl in position against said gear after being rotated one step to lock said hopper against rotation in said one' direction independently of any bobbins thereon;

31. In, a loom, the combination as described .in Claim 30, in which said pawl'lo'cking means comprises a lock mounted in fixed position and having a wedging surface along which said pawl rides as it moves in said opposite direction, said pawl being wedged in'locked position between said surface and a tooth of said gear at the end of the one step movement of said pawl in said opposite direction.

32. In a loom, a rotary hopper, a mechanism for transferringbobbins successively from said hopper to a shuttle, and comprising a member adapted to be movedforwardly by the forward movement of the lay, and an indexing device for automatically rotating the hopper at the end of each bobbin transfer operation and comprising a ratchet gear mounted for rotation with said hopper, a pawl pivotally mounted and having a tooth cooperating with the teeth of said gear, and a connection between said member and said pawl for angularly moving said pawl about its pivotal connection and for thereby moving said pawl tooth in one direction along said teeth from one interdental space to the next upon forward movement of said member during bobbin transfer operations, and for angularly reversing said pawl about its pivotal support and thereby moving said pawl tooth in the opposite direction one step, to rotate said gear one step upon return movement of said member, and means for locking said pawl in position against said gear after being rotated one step to lock said hopper against rotation, in one direction independently of any bobbins thereon.

33. In a loom, the combination as described in claim 32, in which said connection has a bayonet coupling with said pawl to effect said pawl tooth operations.

34. In a loom, a rotary hopper, a mechanism for transferring bobbins successively from said hopper to a shuttle, means for rotating said hopper automatically one step after every bobbin transfer operation, means for locking said hopper against rotation until the next bobbin transfer operation independently of any bobbins on said hopper, and manually controlled means for releasing said locking means to permit said hopper to be rotated manually in any selective rotative position independently of any bobbins thereon.

35. In a loom, a rotary hopper, a mechanism for transferring bobbins successively from said hopper to a shuttle, means for rotating said hopper automatically one step after every bobbin transfer operation, means for locking said hopper against rotation until the next bobbin transfer operation, manually controlled means for releasing said locking means to permit said hopper to be rotated manually, and means operable when said hopper is under manual control for automatically rendering said transferring mechanism inoperative.

36. In a loom, the combination as described in claim 35, in which said transferring mechanism comprises a latch finger movable in and out of operative position, and in said position being in the path of movement of a bunter carried by the lay, and in which said means for rendering said transferring mechanism inoperative operates to move and hold said latch finger in inoperative position out of the path of movement of said bunter.

37. In a hopper for a loom, the combination comprising a pair of spaced supports for a series of bobbins, bobbin end receiving means on each of said supports aligned to receive respectively the heel end and the tip end of a bobbin, means on each of said supports mounted for movement into and out of bobbin end engaging position,

means extending between said'supports connecting said mounted means for unisonal movement, and means constantly urging said mounted means towards bobbin end engaging position.

38. In a hopper for a loom, the combination tive concavities for movement into and out of bobbin end engaging position to respectively hold said bobbin ends against movement out of said concavities and permit movement of said bobbin ends out of said concavities, a rod member connected to both of said mounted members interconnecting said mounted members for,

unisonal movement, and means acting on said rod member constantly urging said mounted members into bobbin end engaging position.

39. In a rotary hopper for a loom, the combination comprising a pair of axially aligned discs connected for rotation in unison, one of said discs being adapted to support the tips of a circular series of bobbins, the other disc being adapted to support the heels of said bobbins and to present a circular series of bobbin heel retaining recesses, a clip pivotally supported on said other disc near each of said recesses movable from a heel retaining position to a heel releasing position, and spring means pressing said clip angularly about its support into position to block the ejection of the heel of the bobbin from the retaining recess associated with said clip.

40. In a rotary hopper for a loom, comprising a pair of axially spaced discs connected for rotation in unison, one of said discs being adapted to support the tips of a circular series of bobbins, the other disc being adapted to support the heels of said bobbins and to present a circular series of bobbin heel retaining recesses, a nonresilient clip mounted on said other disc near each of said recesses for movement from a heel retaining position to a heel releasing position, and spring means pressing said clip into said heel retaining position to block the ejection of the heel of the bobbin from the retaining recess associated with said clip, said clip in said heel retaining position being' in position to be cammed out of heel retaining position by said bobbin heel as said bobbin heel is pushed out of said latter recess.

41. In a bobbin transfer mechanism for a loom, the combination comprising a latch finger mounted for movement between operative and inoperative positions, said latch finger in inoperative position being disposed out of the path of movement of a bunter movable with the lay and in operative position being disposed in the path of movement of said bunter and being supported for movement along a predetermined direction upon engagement of the moving bunter with said latch finger in operative position, a starting rod, means responsive to a call for transfer for partially rotating said rod, and a connection for transmitting the partial rotation of said rod to said latch finger to move said finger into said operative position, said connection comprising a cam mounted for pivotal movement and having a circular cam surface concentric with its pivotal support and a cam notch, and a cam follower member mounted for pivotal movement and having a tongue in follower engagement with said cam.

42. In a bobbin transfer mechanism for a loom, the combination comprising a latch finger mounted for movement between operative and inoperative positions, said latch finger in, inoperative position being disposed out of the path of movement of a hunter movable with the lay and in operative position being disposed in the path of movement of said bunter and being supported for movement along a predetermined direction upon engagement of the moving bunter with said latch finger in operative position, a starting rod, means responsive to a call for transfer for partially rotating said rod, and a connection'for transmitting the partial rotation of said rod to said latch finger to move said finger into said operative position, said connection comprising a cam shaft, a linkage between said starting rod and said cam shaft for rotating said cam shaft upon rotation of said starting rod, a cam secured to said cam shaft and having a circular cam surface concentric with said cam shaft and a cam notch, a cam follower member mounted for pivotal movement and having a tongue in follower engagement with said cam, and an arm secured to said latch finger and in follower engagement with said cam follower member.

43. In a loom, a loomside comp-rising a pair of parallel frame webs, a lay, a sword mounted between said frame webs and supporting said lay, a bunter on said sword, and a mechanism for transferring a bobbin from a hopper to a shuttle and comprising a latch movable from inoperative position out of the path of said bunter to 0perative position in said path, and movable while in operative position in a predetermined. direction by the action of the moving bunter thereon, means responsive to the receipt of a transfer impulse for moving said latch into operative position, and means responsive to the movement of said latch in said direction by the action of the moving bunter for initiating the operation of said transferring mechanism.

44. In a loom, a loomside comprising a pair of parallel frame webs, a lay, a sword mounted between said frame webs supporting said lay and projecting upwardly beyond said lay, a bunter supported at the upper end of said sword, and a mechanism for transferring a bobbin from a hopper to a shuttle and comprising a latch movable from inoperative position out of the path of said bunter to operative position in said path, and movable while in operative position in a predetermined direction by the action of the moving bunter thereon, means responsive to the receipt of a transfer impulse for moving said latch into operative position, and means responsive to the movement of said latch in said direction by the action of the moving bunter for initiating the operation of said transferring mechanism.

26 45. In a loom, a means for transferring a bobbin from a hopper to a shuttle, a shuttle feeler comprising a plunger adapted to be operated by the shuttle when the shuttle is improperly boxed, and means responsive to the axial movement of said plunger as a result of improper boxing of said shuttle for rendering said bobbin transferring means inoperative and comprising an arm having a pivotal connection with said plunger at one end and secured to a rocker shaft at the other end, and operatable thereby through axial feeler movement of said plunger, said shuttle feeler comprising means for adjusting the axial position of said plunger with respect to said arm, said plunger being axially adjustable without affecting the position of said arm.

JOHN RINNE.

EVERETT H. ASHTON.

ROBERT G. MALLARD.

EDWARD L. KIELCZEW SKI.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 753,012 Stimpson Feb. 23, 1904 916,362 ODonnell Mar. 23, 1909 939,326 Ryan Nov. 9, 1909 972,942 Stimpson Oct. 18, 1910 1,074,530 Ryan Sept. 30, 1913 1,142,938 Crompton June 15, 1915 1,151,915 Whittaker Aug. 31, 1915 1,259,768 Northrop Mar. 19, 1918 1,430,005 Crompton Sept. 26, 1922 1,511,730 Jackson Oct. 14, 1924 1,612,179 Cunniff Dec. 28, 1926 1,783,768 Bass Dec. 2, 1930 1,981,762 Tremblay Nov. 20, 1934 2,031,726 Moore Feb. 25, 1936 2,426,759 Blanchard Sept. 2, 1947 2,432,837 Turner Dec. 16, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 560,841 France Oct. 11, 1923

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