US2538932A - Tensiometer - Google Patents

Description

Jian7 239 95 P. J. CAMPBELL. 2538,932

TENSIOMETER Filed April 5. 1947 /42 2 if; 38'/ /5 26 /025 3F /4 3.2

r; W M 34 lf-llMMd/2` I I I l /A BY www Patented Jan. 23, 1951 TEN SIOMETER Paul J. Campbell, Middletown, Conn., assign'or'to Raymond Engineering Laboratory, Inc., Middletown, Conn., a. corporation kof Connecticut Application April 3, 1947, Serial N0. 739,144

9 Claims. (Cl. i3-144) yThe -object of the invention is to provide a 'simple and reliable tensiometer adapted for indicating the tension in a vstrand of yarn, more particularly in a moving 'strand of yarn. The terni yarn is used in -a generic lsense and is vintended to include not only material of the types commonly designated as yarn, but also any other readily iiexible elongated material as to Vwhiol'i it may be necessary :or desirable to deter- ;mine tension.

In accordance with the invention two yarn guides are provided around which two reverse 4.loops of the strand of yarn are .-formed, the main yportions of the strand extending in opposite directions from the loops. A rotatable frame is provided for supporting a pivoted carrier on which at least one of the guides is mounted, and a spring is provided for resisting relative rotation between the frame and the carrier. The extent of relative rotation in opposition to the spring is determined by the yarn tension, and means including a scale .and a pointer is provided for indicating the extent of relative rotation and for .thus indicating the tension.

In the drawing lI have shown in detail Va preferred embodiment of the invention, but it will be understood that various changes may be made. from the construction shown, and that the drawing is not to be construed as delining or ylimiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specication being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawing, n

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal central sectional view through a tensiometer embodying the invention.

Fig. '2 is a rear view. Fig. 3 is a front view with the parts in the same relative positions as in Figs. 'l and v2.

-f-Fig'. 45 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing tthe parts in dilTerent-relative positions.

When adapted to be held manually it comprises i i5," handle, generally indicated at l0, which is preferably cylindrical and of suitable size to be conveniently .gripped by ythe hand of the user. A ila-nge. I 2 is connected with the handle portion I at one end thereof, preferably the rear D fend. A carrier I4 is provided immediately ad- :jacentthe ange I`2 and this carrier is pivotally connected with `they frame, preferably fwith the handles.' o 'tion IU .thereotior `rotation--about a,

'central' 'longitudinal axis. Two yarnguide's IB.'

2 i6 are provided which `project outward or rearward from the ilange l2 and at least one 'of these guides is supported on the carrier `I 4 at a substan- 4,tial distance from the axis .of relative rotation carrier.

thereof.. Preferably, both guides I6, I6 are mounted on the carrier |14 .and are equally spaced from theaxis of relative rotation, being positioned at opposite sides of the said axis. A spring I8 is provided which serves vto resist any relative rotation in `one direction between the `trame and the carrier. Means 'including a scale and a pointer is provided 4for `indicating the extent of Vrelative rotation between the V:frame and the As shown, this means comprises a circular scale 2U on the outer portion of the flange I2 and a pointer 22 on the ,carrier I4 and associated with the vscale 20. The vpointer 22 is preferably on a line through `the center ofthe guides.

While the invention is 'not necessarily limited as to details, the 4construction shown has been found to be highly desirable and this will be ,described in detail.

The `handle vI0 of the frame comprises two sections 24 and 26. The handle section 26 is hollow and Aa core 28 is located therein, the 4said core being relatively rotatable for purposes of adjustment. A forward extension 30 on the core extends through apertures in the adjacent ends 'of the handle lsections :24 and 26 and has a central threaded aperture. A screw 32 extends through a bushing r34 seated in a recess in the front end of the front handle section 24. This :screw enters the threaded aperture in the core extension 30 and when the screw is tightened the l.two handle sections .'24 Kand 26 and the core 28 vare held in xed relationship with each other.

A sleeve 36 is-rotatably-mounted on a rearward extension 38 of the core 28 and is held in place by means `of a washer 40 and a 'screw 42. The before#mentione'd carrier I4 is `rigidly connected rwith ja ilange on-the sleeve 36 by brazing or otherwise.- Thus the carrier I4 is connected with the handle Vportion of the frame for relative rotation.,

The before-mentioned spr-ing I8 surrounds the rearward extension-38 ofthe core, one end of the spring beingfentered in -an aperture in the. core proper v*and the other end of the spring being enteredin an aperture in the `flange on the sleeve 36. AThe spring is sowound and positioned thatfit resists rotation -of the frame relatively to the carrier Yand the'guides in the clockwise directlc. t,

tion,asvviewed in Fg.2,-o r in the counterclock wise direction asviewediinFig. 4. 'Re1ative'-rota' Y he spring;

@narrante in the" direction stated 4tends,

Y various markings on the scale.

ward extending pins 56, 56.

Preferably, a pin 44 extends forward from the ange on the sleeve 36 and is adapted to engage, a pin 46 projecting inward from the wall of the handle section 26. The engagement of the pin 44 with the pin 46 serves to limit relative movement in the spring unwinding direction.

The yarn guides I6, I6 are preferably in the form of rotatable grooved wheels, so as to reduce friction to a minimum when the tensiometer is used with a moving strand of yarn. As shown,

the carrier I f1 is provided with two outward or rearward projecting bearing studs 138, 4S on which the grooved wheels I5, I6 are mounted. Preferably, ball bearings S, 'are interposed between the studs 48, 48 and the wheelsl, I6.

The flange I?. has an outward or rearward extending rim 52 and the before-mentioned scale 22 is engraved or otherwise formed on or attached to the rim 52. As indicated, the markings of the scale extend in steps of 10 from 0 to 100. The pointer 22 on the carrier I4 is located within the rim 52 and is adapted to register with the The markings are so spaced that the pointer directly indicates the tension in the strand of yarn, which tension .a

may be measured in grams. Preferably, for a reason which will presently appear, the flange I2 is formed of a suitable transparent material such as a plastic material, so that the scale 2) and the pointer 22 can be'observed from the fronti- Inasmuch` as the scale is to be observed from the front through the transparent ange I2, the figure markings thereof are reversed when Viewed from the rear as in Fig. 2.

As shown, the carrier I4 is provided with laterally extending ears 54, 54 which carry rear- Each of the said ears projects in the counterclockwise direction, that is, in the direction opposite to the direction of relative rotation of the frame which is resisted by the spring I8.

When the tensiometer is in use, as shown in Fig. 4, the strand of yarn A, in which the tension is to be measured, extends partly around the two guides I6, I5 to form two relatively reverse loops with the main portions of the strand extending in opposite directions fromv the loops. The drawing shows a relatively thick strand A, but it will be understood that the tensiometer is particularly indicates the amount of tension in the strand of yarn. In the specific instance shown in Fig. 4, the tension is 40 grams. Inasmuch as the guides I6, I6 are freely rotatable wheels, little or no resistance is offered to movement of the strand of yarn and the tensiometer can be used to measure the tension in a rapidly moving strand.

In order that the loops shown in Fig. i may be conveniently formed, the tensiometer is initially vpositioned manually at the front of the strand of yarn, as shown in Fig. 3, the tensiometer being so positioned that thepointer 2 2 and the Zero marking on the scale v2,!!` are at the bottom. `flhe strand of yarn-,A extends between-the two guides I6, I6. Inasmuch as the flange-I2 LS. transparenm 4 the scale 20 and the pointer 22 can be readily seen from the front. Furthermore, the transparent flange enables the user to see the strand of yarn and the guides I6, I6 so that the device can be easily positioned with the strand between the guides.

It will be observed from Fig. 1 that the rear face of the ange I2 is adjacent the guides I5, I6

and is therefore adapted to engage the straight strand of yarn A shown in Fig. 3. This flange limits rearward movement of the tensiometer with respect to the strand so that the strand can be properly engaged by the guides to form loops as shown in Fig. 4. When the guides are grooved wheels, the rear face of the flange I2 is approximately in register with the front edges of the grooves in the wheels so that the strand is relatively positioned for entering the grooves.

With the tensiometer located as shown in Fig. 3, the user turns the handle I0 to rotate the entire device in the counterclockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 4. The handle I0 serves primarily to rotate the frame about an axis approximately coincident with the axis of relative rotation between the frame and Ythe carrier. When the frame is so rotated, the spring I8 causes the carrier I4 to also rotate carrying the guides I6,

" I6 with it. Movement of the guides forms the described loops in the strand. As stated, the carrier and the guides are moved by the spring I8, Tand if there were no tension in the strand of yarn the spring would not be wound and all of the parts would rotate in unison, the pointer 22 remaining at or near the zero marking on the scale 2Q. However, when there is tension in the strand of yarn, such tension must be overcome and the spring I8 must be wound to an extent sufficient to overcome it. As the spring is wound, the frame with the cale 2i) thereon moves to a greater extent than the carrier and the guides. The extent of additional rotation of the frame is indicated on the scale 2i) by the pointer 22, thus indicating the tension in the strand of yarn. It will be understood that the rotation of the frame is continued until the line through the centers of the guides is substantially perpendicular to the main porf tions of the strand. Minor variations from the exact perpendicular relationship are immaterial, but any major variation would result in an incorrect reading.

The pins 56, 56 do not ordinarily function and may be entirely omitted if preferred. However,

they are desirable to prevent any tangling or breaking of the strand in the event that the device is inadvertently turned in the counterclockwise direction far beyond the position shown in Fig. 4, as for instance 90 or more beyond vsuch position. In the event of such excessive turning, the pins 56, 56 would prevent the main portions of the strand from engaging with the opposite varn guides.

the pointer 22.

., the scaleZB is angularly adjustable with respect ,--tothe core 28 with which the spring I8 is oonnected and on which the carrier. I4 with its pointer 22 is mounted. To effect such angular adjustment the screw 32 is loosened and the` rear handle secoflteinsien after the adjustment-has been-made :the-screw 132 is tightened to again iockthe :several parts :in relatively l'xed positions.

'The invention Aclaimed is:

1. In a tensi'ometer for a. .strand tof yarn, the combination of ltwo yarn guides adapted to :en- .fgage two associated relatively reverse .loops of :a strand `of 'yarn with ythe main portions vof 'the strand extending in Aopposite direction-s' .from the loops, a carrier having an axis :of :relative rota- .tion vand supporting both `'of .the 'guides fat .Esub- 'stantial equal distances `from the :axis and at diametrica-lly opposite sides thereof, va frame connected with Vthe carrier to permit `relative rotation -of the carrier `about the said yaxis of 'relative rotation vwhich frame is independently rotat- 'the foarrier fand with the lfram'e fory y:resisting rotative `.movement of the viframe relatively `to lthe .carrier land vguides which Aare `prevented:from rotation in unison with the iframeby reason of the tension lin the vstra-nd Vof yarn, and means -includi'ng ra scale Vand an `associatedpointer for indicating the `extent of rotative movement of the 'frame in opposition to the spring 'and relatively to the carrier and guides 4and for thus vindicating 'the tension in the strand of yarn whenthe-lframe 'has :been rotated so that a 'line through the centers of the two `guides Cis substantially perpendicular to themainpor-tions 4of the strand.

2. In :a tensiometer :for ia strand oi yarn, the 'combination Yof two `yarn Iguides adapted to enlgage 'two 'associated vrelatively `reverse'loop's -of .a

strand .of yarn `with the Amain `portions of the 'strand extending in opposite directions from the loops, a `'carrier having an axis of `relative 'rotation :and ysupporting both of the guides at sub- .'s'tanltial equal vdistances from 'thefaxis ,and -atdiametrically opposite sides thereof, a iframe connected `with the carrier 'to permit relative rotation :of the carrier about the said axis of relative yrotation which frame is vindependently rotatable about' the same axis, a-'spring connected with 4.the carrier and with the ltrame Jfor resistingl rotative movement of the framegrelatively to the carrier and guides which are prevented'from -rotation in `unison with the frame by reason of :the tension'in the `strand of yarn, `a circulaiscale lon the iframe, and la pointer on the lcarrier -associated with'the scale and positioned on the line connecting the 'centers of the-two guides, the .said pointer indicating the extent `of rotative movement Lof the "frame relatively `to vthe carrier Yand A.guides .and 4thus `indicating the tension in the lstrand of `yarn when the frame hasbeen rotated so that :the said line throngh 'the centers of 'the `two .guides is substantially perpendicular `to the main portions of the strand."

.3. In a tensiomete'r fora st-rand of yarn, the

:combination oi 'a carrier'having an.u.axisof relative rotation, "two yarn A'gi-iid'es 'supported on the the said .guides upon .rotatif/e movement of-:the

"carrier and guides through approximately .180 serving to form two associated rejverse loops in the strand 'with the main portionsof the strand extendingin opposite directions from the loops, -fa frame connected with the'icarrier to permit relative rotation of thecarrier'about the said axis of relative rotation whiohfframe is similarly rotatable independently, a spring Monnectng the framerwith the carrier 'for rotating the carrier .and guides :to form lreverse loops as -aforesaid `when the `Trame ris rotated, the said Ispringv per lrnitti'n'g .the .frame to .rotate additionally to the ycarrier .and guides to an extent dependent upon the resistance to carrier and yguide rotation `'resulting 'from yarn tension at the. loops, and .means includin'ga scale and an yassociated `pointer kfor indicating the rextent of the said yadditional rotation of the .frame and ifor thus .indicating yarn tension when the .line through the carrier axis 4and through .the centers ofthe two guides'is 'substantially perpendicular to the main portions rof the strand.

iin -a tensiometer for a strand of. yarn, th combination :of a carrier .having an axis of relative rotation, `two spaced yarn guides supported on the carrier at substantial equal distances l.from the axis and fat :fdiametric-ally vopposite `.sides thereof, a `space being provided between the Viwvo guides for .receiving 'an initially straight strandfof yarn extending transversely of the aforesaid axis and the 'said rguides upon rotative movement I'of 'the :carrier and guides through approximately T80 'serving to `form two associated reverse loops in Ythe strand Lwith the .main portions of .the strand extending in opposite directions from the loops, a manually supported frame connected with `the .carrier to support it `and to Vpermit relative rotation `of the fcarrier about the said :axis of .relative rotation which vframe is .similarly rota-table .manually vand independently, a. .spring vconnecting .the frame with `the carrier for `.rotating the carrier and guides to .form .reverse loops as aforesaid `when the vframe is .-rotated, .the said spring permitting the yframe 4to rotate additionally to the carrier and guides toan extent dependent upon the resistance to carrier and guide .rotation `resulting.; from yarn .tension ,at the loops, :and means .including "a scale and an associated pointer `for indicating the extent of the zsaid additional rotation of the Aframe and for thus indicating Ayarn tension.

5. In a tens-iometer for a strand of yarn, .the combination Aof Aa .frame `comprising a handle, .a carrier connected with the 'frame adjacent :the :ange iand relatively rotatable about va vlongitudinal axis, two vyarn guides on the carriergprojeoting outward therefrom at 'equal distances from :the AaxisV and at diametrically 'opposite sides thereof, the said guides Lbeing positioned .to initially receive between them a straight strand of yarn vextend-ing transversely v'of the aforesaid axis and the `said Vguides fserving uponrotation of the `carrier and guides from their initial positions to form two associated .reverse loops in the :strand with the :main portions `of the strand. extending .in opposite directions from .the loops, a angesecured to v.the handle :of the vframe adjacent lthe guides .for engagement with the said straight .strand of `yarn-'softhat the said strand-ds relative- Vly positioned for engagement -.by the guides upon .rotative movement :of the carrier and guides, a :spring connecting the ,frame with the carrier for `rotating the carrier and `guides `to form loops .-as 'aforesaid when v`theframe is rotated. about its `1on- ,gitudinal axis, `the said` springy lpermitting the' irame -withits `flange Ato rotate additionally `:to the l.carrier fand guides y.to an extent :dependent upon the resistance^-to carrier and guide :rotationgresulting irom yarn tension-at Lthe 1oops,;a circular vscale -on lthe angesof theframe, andapoin'ter on the carrier Afor indicatinggon thefscale the extent .the saidadditional rotation .of 'thejfirame Vand for thus indicating` yarntension. `6. In a tensiometer for a strand of.yar1`1.the

'combination of a frame comprising a handle, a carrier connected with the frame adjacent the flange and relatively rotatable about a longitudinal axis, two bearing studs on the carrier projecting outward therefrom at equal distances from the axis and at diametrically opposite sides thereof, rotatable 'circumferentiall'y grooved wheels on the bearing studs constituting yarn guides, the said guides being positioned to initially receive between them a straight strand of l,

yarn extending transversely of the aforesaid axis and the said guides serving upon rotation of the carrier and guides from their initial positions to form two associated reverse loops in the strand with the main portions of the strand extending in opposite directions from the loops, a flange se- 'cured to the handle of the frame adjacent the grooved wheels for engagement with the said straight strand of yarn so that the said strand is lrelatively positioned for entry into the'circumferential grooves in the said wheels, a spring con- `necting the frame with the carrier for rotating the carrier and guides to form loops as aforesaid 'when the frame is rotated about its longitudinal axis, the said spring permitting theY frame tnt'of the said additional rotation of the'frame and for thus indicating yarn tension.

7. In a tensiometer for a strand of yarn, the combination of a frame comprising a handle, a carrier connected with the frame adjacent the flange and relatively rotatable about a longitudinal axis, two yarn guides on the carrier projecting outward therefrom at equal distances from the axis and at diametrically opposite sides thereof, the said guides being positioned to initially receive between them a straight strand of yarn extending transversely of the aforesaid axis and the said guides serving upon rotation of the carrierv and guides from their initial positions 1to form two associated reverse loops in the strand with the main port-ionsof the strand extending in 'o'ppo's'ite'directions from the loops, a flange 5ecured to the handle of the frame adjacent the 'guides for engagement with the said straight strand of yarn so that the 'said strand is relatively positioned for engagement by the' guides upon rotative movement of the carrier and guides,a spring connecting the handle portion -of the frame with the carrier for rotating the ca'r'rier 'Y and guides to form loops as aforesaid when the frame is rotated about its longitudinal axis, the said spring permitting the frame withits flange tofrot'at'e 'additionally to the 'carrier'and' guides vto an 'extent dependent upon'tlie resistance'to carrier and 'guide rotation resulting' from 'yarn tension at the loops, a circular scale on the an'ge of the frarne,` a pointer on the carrier 'for indicat-ing on the scale the extent of the said additional rotation of the frame and for thus "indi- 'eating yarn tension, and means enabling the flange to be adjusted' angularlyi with respect'v to "the handle portion of the frame t'o Vary the r'elationship between 'the scale andthe pointer.

8; In `a'tensiometer for a strand 'o'f yarn, 'the combination of a frame comprising a handle 'and a transparent flange at one end thereof, va'carrier connected with the frame adjacentthe flange and relatively rotatable about a longitudinal axis, two spaced yarn guides on the carrier projecting rearward therefrom at equal distances from the axis, the said guides being adapted to initially receive a straight strand of yarn between them with the handle and flange at the front of the said strand and being adapted upon rotation of the carrier and guides from their initial positions to form two associated reverse loops in the strand with the main portions of the strand extending in opposite directions from the loops, a spring connecting the frame with the carrier for rotating the carrier and guides to form loops as aforesaid when the frame is rotated about its 1ongitudinal axis, the said spring permitting the frame with its flange to rotate additionally to the carrier and guides to an extent dependent upon the resistance to carrier and guide rotation resulting from yarn tension at the loops, a circular scale on the flange of theframe which may be observed from the front, and a pointer onthe carrier for indicating on the scale the extent of the said additional rotation of the frame and for thus indicating yarn tension, the said pointer being visible from the front through the said transparent flange. i v

9. In a tensiometer for a strand of yarn, the combination of a frame comprising a handle and a flange at one end thereof, a carrier connected with the frame adjacent the ange and relatively rotatable about a longitudinal axis, two spaced l-yarn guvdesvonthe carrierprojecting outward and guides to form loops as aforesaid when the frame is rotated about its longitudinal axis, the said spring permitting the frame with its flange to rotate additionally to the carrier and guides to an extent dependent upon the resistance to -ca-rrieriand guide- -rotation resulting from yarn tensiorrat the loops, a circular scale on-the flange of the frame, a pointer on the carrier for indicating on the scale the extent of the said additional rotationof the frame and for thus indicating yarn tension when the line through the centers of the guides is substantially perpendicular to the main portions of the strand, and two pins on the carrier adjacent the respective guides and spaced therefrom in directions opposite to the directions of movement of the guides to form ll the ksaid loops, the said pinsgbeing adapted to engage and guide the yarn in the'event' that the guides vmove substantially beyond the positions in which -the line through their centers 4is perpendicular to the main portions of the strand."

PAUL J. CAMPBELL;

REFERENCES CITED K The following references are of record in ,tl'ie file of thisv patent:

'. .I` J`NITED STATES PATENTS Numberl l `Name 'Date 2,133,763" wiuiams oct.' 18,' '1938 2,312,419 King Manz, 1943 Oct. '1. 1947

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