US2577195A - Fabric guiding mechanism and feeler control therefor - Google Patents

Description

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 4, 1951 c. w. JOHNSON FABRIC GUIDING MECHANISM AND FEELER CONTROL THEREFOR Filed April 1, 1946 5 0 m M e 0 1W0 6 m6? mlm \Q m9 Se i m a M Dec. 4, 1951 c. w. JOHNSON 2,577,195

FABRIC GUIDING MECHANISM AND FEELER CONTROL THEREFOR Filed April 1, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inbenioz" 3 0718s Z62" WJoYwnson,

Dec. 4, 195] c w, JOHNSON 2,577,195

FABRIC GUIDING MECHANISM AND FEELER CONTROL THEREFOR Filed April 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 [Fl/06211302: 'hesierwcfokmaan.

Dec. 4, 1951 w. JOHNSON 2,577,195

FABRIC GUIDING MECHANISM AND FEELER CONTROL. THEREFOR Filed April 1, 1946 I 4 Sheets -Sheet 4 Inventor: Lfiesi ez' WJoli/nsow,

wi @471, M 5

Patented Dec. 4, 1 951 i r J FABRIC GUIDING MECHANISM AND FEELER CONTROL THEREFOR Chester W. Johnson, Bridgewater, Mass, assignor of one-half to Nuproducts Corporation, Cambridge, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application April 1, 1946, Serial No. 658,728

10 Claims. 1

This invention relates to fabric guiding mechanism and to feeler control means primarily used therefor, but which may also be used in other relations.

In order that the principle of the invention may be readily understood, I have disclosed a single embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a plan view of the cloth guiding mechanism of my invention; 7

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof, but not showing the feeler control means;

Fig. 2a is a detail of a part of the construction shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 2b is another detail of a part of the construction shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the cloth guiding mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the feeler control means and the immediately associated parts;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation thereof;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the upper part of the feeler control means in its position when a narrow fabric is being wound or processed;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, but showing the position of the parts when a wide fabric is being wound or processed;

Fig. 9 is a detail in front elevation of a part of the feeler control means;

Fig. 10 is a side elevationof the construction shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a rear elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a plan view similar-to Fig. 1 but representing the use of two sets of guiding rolls in feeding the fabric;

Fig. 13 is a front elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a side elevation thereof; and

Fig. 15 is a wiring diagram.

My invention, a preferred embodiment of which is herein shown, is primarily intended for guiding and rectifyin the path of travel of woven The mechanism of my invention is adapted for use with fabrics of different widths. Preferably I provide several sizes of mechanism, intended to be used for guiding or rectifying the path of travel of the fabric, and for that purpose I may provide one size of mechanism for guiding material ranging from substantially thirtyto fifty inches in width, another size for'guiding fabric ranging from substantially fifty to seventy inches in width, and another size of mechanism for guiding fabric ranging from substantially seventy to one hundred inches in width. These figures are illustrative merely and are not specified as a limitation upon the scope of the invention.

The mechanism of my invention is adapted to work automatically to rectify the path of travel of the fabric regardless of the speed of travel of the fabric which might be as low as one yard per minute or as high as one hundred eighty yards per minute or more.

Attempts have heretofore been made to rectify the course of travel of Webs of material while being wound or processed but so far as I am aware without entire success. My mechanism is completely automatic and, having been installedin proper position, it requires no further attention.

Certain features of the mechanism of my invention are supported between the edges of the fabric adjacent one of the faces thereof, and is herein shown as supported beneath the path of travel of the fabric upon the framing of the cloth handling machine, and in such position require a vertical space of not exceeding two feet up from the floor for the installation thereof. I herein provide two feeler fingers which in the preferred construction extend upwardly in op posite outwardly inclined directions so as to engage the two edges of the fabric. Such inclination of the fingers permits them to engage the opposite edges of the fabric whatever the width thereof, within certain limits such as above sug'.- gested. Such feeler fingers are mounted upon supporting meansat the under side of the traveling fabric for automatic up and down movement of the fingers and their supporting means, ac-, cording to the width of the fabric, and meansare provided and caused to operate by defiective lateral movement of the fabric from its correct path against either of the said fingers, thereby to rectify the course of travel of the fabric by. changing the angle of the axis or axes of one or more rollsv about which the cloth passes,'and desirably of one pair of oppositely inclined rolls,

or of two pairs of such rolls, between which cloth is threaded or introduced.

In the preferred embodiment of the mechanism herein disclosed I mount or secure in suitable relation to the framing of the cloth winding or processing machine a suitable guiding frame or structure, and therein I mount, for up and down sliding automatic movement, the supporting means forthe fingers; sucn' supporting means.

being herein shown as a substantially box-like structure upon the upper portion whereof is pivotally mounted a transversely extending feeler.v control arm from which rigidly extendvupward.

the two inclined feeler fingers to engage the two lateral edges of the fabric. Pivotally mounted upon the said supporting means a. member: herein shown as of general I -shape; and associated with the opposite ends of its T-headaresuitably supported electrical swi-tehesof anovel character per se, which constitute an important feature of my invention, and which maybe used" not only as a part of the fabric guiding mechanismbut irrcertainother relations-.

According a the T-rnemberis, by the/move? mental of thefeeeer" fingers-, caused to;= rock in either. direction, acontact is: made at one of the switches; and through theelectrical circuit one or-theother of two solenoid is-energized, preferably throughthe; interposition of relays in the circuit between the contact closing devices and the solenoids, I

The said solenoids: suitably supported are connectedtotheoppositeends of atransversely extendingpivoted support for apair of preferably slightly inclined rolls, about. which the fabric 'passes-,. and accordinglyby the change of inclination of; the said rolls, brought about by the described movements of 'thefee-lenfingers; the patlroftravel. of, the fabric-is rectified, or two pairs of suchrolls may be similarlymounted and the fabric be" passed or guided between" them.

I may employ one set orguiding rolls over or about which. the fabric: is guided and: the position whereof; is changed: through the action. of theifeeler' control means: to.- rectify the course: of travel of the fabric, or I may employ two. sets of sucirmlls: and. feed ithe'l fabric between such: two sets". Ereferablybnly asingler set off. such. rolls isiused iiitherehas been a coating applied-to the fabric of such. character or. thickness that it has not-completely dried when it: reaches the said rollsz. With fabric in; such: condition it is important: that no rolls contact with-.1 the coated surface thereof: The use of onepairof rolls and theuse of'two-p-airs of rolls present alternative constructionsrboth within the scope of my invention... The construction. providing only one pair of rolls is particularly shown in Figs. l and 2;; and the: constructionproviding two sets of rails is particularly shownin Figs:12, 13 and 14'.

Referring more particularly to the drawings; the cloth winding or cloth processing machines with which my'invention is adaptedto be used may be of varying character, and I have not in" the: drawings illustrated any of the structures of-suchmachines; as myv invention is'in no wise dependent upon the precise character-thereof. The mechanism of'my' invention, which may be varied to accommodate different processingmachinery, is preferably positioned in operation .heneath ori'inl suitable relation .to the framing of the'winding or processing machine and may be, iijdesired, attached. directly to some partoijthefitaming of? such winding or processing machine,

or: it may be. separately-mounted. in suitable relae tion to the winding: or processing machine with which it is associated to rectify the path of travel of the cloth therethrough.

The mechanism of my invention comprises or includes suitable means such as guiding rolls about or between which the cloth is passed and from which it is fed in suitable relationto the feelerfcontrol: means and past which. latter the cloth travels to the usual. parts .oflthe cloth winding or processing machine. My invention is not limited to the means herein shown, which conmember. 5, 5, the position of which may be ver..

tically adjusted. asby loosening thescrewsfl, 8, then manually moving upward or downwardthe members; 5, S as desired on. the posts i, 2, and thentightening the said-screws i, 8, thus securing themembers 5, din their new position. Upon the cylindrical members 5', 6 are secured brackets 9,. iiluponwhich are supported solenoids ll, 12, which will be described in .detailat a subsequent point. Cloth guiding means are suitably secured to the cylindrical. members 5, 6. which are suitably connected, being spaced apart. a. suitable distance according to the width of the cloth winding or processingmachine with which my invention is used.

In the'construction shown in Figs, 1 and 2, there are provideda single pair of cloth. guiding rolls, indicated. at 1.3., id; but if. desired. additional cloth guiding rolls. co-acting therewith may be employed, and. they areshownina modification to be subsequently described herein, Referring, however, to the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2 andji3,,thereis provided a. cross beam or support! ing member.v :5 direc ly secured in any suitablev manner to the cylindrical members 5, 5." Centrally. uponthe. upper side of. the cross beamjor supporting member 15 is. provideda bearing IE- in which. is. pivotally mountedanaxle or other pivoting means i? extending into asuitable hearing 18. upon a'transversely extending, pivoted, supporting member I9 which rocks up anrdown upon the axle. li'in response. to. deflective, lateral movements of the cloth, in order torectify the course oftrarel of -the.c1oth..

Upon the. transversely extending, rocking, supporting member E 9 are secured two sets. of brackets 29,. iii, 22. and 23, in the first. two of which is mounted'the cloth guiding roll it and in the other two of which is mounted the cloth guiding roll M, so a to be readily rotated by the. traveling cloth, as shown .in Fig. 2. The said cloth guiding rolls. l3, mare desirably slightly inclined toward eachother at a, suitable. angle, as, for. example, about three degrees, for. the purposeof removing wrinkles. from the cloth. The cloth coming from any suitable supply passes, from the cloth windingor processing machine above the fabric guiding mechanism of my invention, as hereinbeiore stated;v thence downwardly in contact withthe rolls [3, I'4, shown in, Figs. 1', Zand 3 and thence tov the feeler control means. of. my invention, which Iwillpresently describe. Instead of. providing merely the one pair of cloth guiding rolls i3, M, which contact with only one face of the.

fabric. 1' may, as already stated, employ two sets ofsuch rolls (to be subsequently described in connection with Figs. 12, 13 and 14) and pass the fabric between them, the latter construction being used in certain case in which the fabric is not coated, or the coating of which dries very quickly.

' y In order to cushion the rocking or tilting movements of the transversely extending, supporting member I9, I provide any suitable means at each end thereof. In Fig. 20. I have represented a detail in cross section wherein is shown a coiled spring 24, the ends whereof are received upon by their encirclement of the ends of threaded bolts 25,26 having nuts a, 26a upon their outer ment of the supporting member l9, and when said supporting member l9 returns to its normal position, the spring 24 returns to the position shown in Fig. 2a with the nut 26a engaging the under surface of the support 28. The nut 26a .may be adjusted as desired to provide for the correct functioning of the spring 24. Such construction is employed at each end of the pivoted supporting member I9.

I will next refer to the feeler control means and for that purpose I will refer to Figs. 4 to 11 inclusive.

I provide a pair of feeler fingers 29, 30 which are rigidly mounted upon a feeler control .arm

3|, itself pivotally mounted at 32 upon a support to be referred to in detail at a subsequent point herein. The said feeler fingers 29, 30 extend upwardly at an outward inclination whichmay be whatever is suitable for the purpose of my invention. They are spaced apart far enough to re- ,ceive between them the traveling cloth and, as already stated, I preferably provide different .widths or sizes of control means to accommodate among them all widths of cloth. For example, the feeler fingers 29, 30 may receive between them cloth ranging from thirty to fifty inches in width or fifty to seventy inches, or seventy to a hundred inches, and said feeler fingers 29, 3B engage the opposite lateral edges of the cloth, and, as will be described, they respond to defiective, lateral .movements of the cloth, and by so responding theyscorrect or rectify the path of travel of. the

cloth through the cloth winding or processing machine. While the objects of my inventionmiay be attained by difierently constructed mechanisms; I will, without limiting myself thereto, describe the preferred embodiment of means for supporting the feeler fingers 29, 30 and for causing the defiective lateral movements of the cloth so to act upon the support'for said feeler fingers as to rectify the path of travel of the fabric through the cloth winding or processing machine. :The feeler fingers 29, 36 extend upwardlybetween suitably spaced, transverselyv extending, stationary rods 33, 34 with which only an uncoated surface of the cloth contacts, and which are of a length depending upon the greatest width of the cloth in connection with which my control mechanism is provided; 'As shownin Figs. 4 and 5, the rods 33, 34 are received in suitable bearing supports 35, 36, 31, 38 upon suitable blocks or uprights 39, 40, and which are either suitably supported at the proper height or extend to the floor of the mill. They are so supported or constructed a to afford unimpaired movement of the parts next to be described, and they are secured by angle irons 4|, 42 to a transversely extending beam or structure 43.

At suitable distances at each side of the transverse median line of the transversely extending beam 43 depend two guiding members 44, 45 whichat their lower ends are received upon and are'supported by two brackets 46, 41 which themselves, as best shown in Fig. 6, are secured at their upper ends to the transversely extending beam 43, and which are connected at their lower ends by a transversely extending member 48, thus providing a rigid guiding structure.

I provide feeler finger and feeler control arm carrying means which is guidingly mounted for up-and-down movement in the guiding support just described, and upon which carrying means the feeler control arm 3| is pivoted for up-anddown rocking movement on its own pivot. For this purpose I preferably provide a box-like structure 49 of a form best shown in Fig. 6. Said box-like structure 49 is provided with opposite wing-like extensions 56, 5| which will slide up and down on the vertical guides;44, 45 if the width of the cloth diminishes or increases. In the said. box-like structure, there is provided, so as to move therewith but not independently thereof, .an upright plate-like structure, best shown in Fig. 10, and upon the upper end of the boxlike structure 49, as shown in Figs. 5, '7 and 8, the feeler control arm 3! is pivotally mounted at 32.

The plate-like member 52, as shown in Figs. 9 and 11, has a downwardly extending part 53 upon the lower end whereof is pivoted at 54 a I T-head member 55 which, as shown best in Figs.

9 and 11, has at the upper end thereof laterally extending arms 56, 51 rigid therewith and constituting the T-head. Upon the plate 52 are provided two stop pins 58, 59 to limit the swinging movement of the T-head member 55.

. As best shown in Fig. 5, the T-head member 55 extends downwardly below its pivot, and rigid with the lower end thereof is a cross piece 60, from the ends of which upwardly extend at an opposite outward inclination the two wires 6|, 62, which at their upper ends are connected to suitable eyes 63, 64 fast in the outer ends of the feeler control arm 3|.

The construction is such that when the cloth in its travel becomes deflected for any reason either to the right or to the left, viewing Fig. 5, the feeler finger 36 or the feeler finger 29 will rock downwardly upon the pivot 32 of the feeler control arm 3| as a pivot (the other feeler finger rocking upwardly), and at the same time the T- head member 55 rocks upon its own pivot 54, the entire described structure shown in Fig. 5 rocking either clockwise or contraclockwise, viewing Fig. 5, according as the feeler finger 30 or the feeler finger 29 may be depressed or swung downward by the defiective movement of the cloth.

The cloth may at times vary in width at different parts of its length, in addition to having a deflective lateral movement to the right or the left. The mechanism shonw in Fig. 5, including the feeler fingers 29, 30 and their supporting means adapts its positionl'to any changes in the "7 -widthcofvtheutabria :moving upward Llf rthegfabric .hecomes narrower, and thus occupying a ,posi- 2131011511011 as indicatediinxFig. '7 ormovingdownward if the fabric becomes wider, as indicated inFig. 8.

In order to cause .the fee1er fingers 29.13% and theirrsupporting structure to follow or respond to changes in'the width of the fabric and accordingly to move up or down, I yieldingly'mount the box-like member or structure 4 -9 init-he said :guiding. means 44,45. For this purpose lprovide J8, counterweight which'is shownin Fig. 6. Thereiinis shown-a weight 85 which is pivotallymountedaupon along, transversely extending rod 55, iEig. -.5, whichis itself supported upon thereupmorting'brackets 46, A1, and I provide two arms 361,:shown in Fig. 5,'as extending from=-thepiv- .otal;ro.d15 and both flexibly connected as'b-y chains fiBwto thebox-like structure 49,;as shown :in.;Fig. 35,:to-thezlower ends of the wing-like ex- "tensionsfifl, 51.

."In this ,manner or by any other suitableumeans 51 .cause the box-like :member 49 to 'move yieldinglyupior down' in response to or in accordance with the varying widths of the" fabric, thereby to --keepthefeeler fingers 25, 333 in proper feelingenga'gement withzthe lateral edges of'the fabric.

The 'Tehea'd member 55 has associated there- "with electrical means including switches by which acircuit is closed when said 'T-member 55 11s moved ineither. direction upon its pivot. When athe circuit is closed, relays are energizedwhich act :upon suitably mounted solenoidsto rock the transversely extendingmember ii; of Fig. 1 upon its pivot so as to change the axial positions or the-rolls I 3, 14, Figs."1 and 2, and thereby rectify the course or path of travel of the fabric. While for this purpose diiferent mechanisms maybe provided, I have, in Figs. '9 to 11 and '15 and in part in Figs.2, 2b and 3, shown means for-the purpose, but to which my invention is not limited Referring-first to Figs. 9, 1'0 and 11, the Y hea'd 'member'55'having, "as described, the outwardly extending arms 56, 51, has laterally extending "from one face of said-arms two pins -69, 18, as best shown in Figs. 9 and 11. Upon thevplatelike carrying'member 52 in the box-likestructure 49, there are mounted, in suitable relation to the-endso'f the arms56, 51 of the 'T-member '55, brackets 1|, 12 rigid with which are generally .U-shaped supporting members 13, in each of "which is pivotally mounted a pin '14 extending outwardly 'beyond'the U-shaped member, shown in Fig. 10, and having fast therewith a block or part 15 to which is secured amercury cup-or receptacle'16, 16a by an encircling band11. Within each mercury cup or receptacle '16, 16a is a small quantity of mercury or like material '18 and extending into the cups or receptacles 1t, lfiaaare two wires 19,89 having terminalswithin thereceptacles 16,16a, one terminal being shown at 81,:Fig. 9. Said terminals 'arepositioned in sufiicient proximity to eachother "so thakwhen thamercury 18 in 'the tilting :movem'ent of' the receptacles 16, 15a contacts with the terminals, the circuit is closed. .The said mercury receptacles 16, 16a are provided with covers (not shown) by which access may be afforded to the interior-thereof, if necessary.

Upon each pin 14, :by :which the mercury receptacles arezrespectively "supported, there "are re- .epectivelysecured'yokes B2 ,i83,ibetween the arms tof'which are respectively received the spinsede, as bestishowninlEigsie:andll. ';The ;upper 1 :ends of the yokes 82 .83 are connected bysagcoil spring to return thereceptacles to non-functioning position. Upon the inner ends of ,the pins 14, as shown :in Fig. 11, are laterally extending ams 85, 86 to engage stop pins 31,..68, .and thereby to prevent overrmovement of .the

mercury receptacles 15, 15a.

The construction is such thati-n the tilting movement of "the T-member 55 through the .movement of the feeler fingers 29, 38", one or the other of the T-head arms 56, 51, acccrdingtozthe direction of the tilting movement of the T+mem- 'ber .:55, causes the mercury receptacle 1-5-or1fia torock upon-its pin .14 through thea-geney-of the :-yoke 82;or 83, so as to cause :the mercury .18 -;of

:the functioningreceptacle to close the contact-at the terminals of the wires '19, 8G.

..I, have. in,Fig..15 represented-a wiring diagram wherein are diagrammatically indicated mercury 'receptacles16 and 15a. iherein are indicated the terminalsfiLBi-aof the wires 19, Biland 1961,8911 respectively. Ihe said wires 18 and dda-extfindrto .and are suitablyconnected to:relays 8%, 9i :Said relays are suitably connected by'wire 9 I" and wire 92, and from saidprelays extend the wires 593,194 which themselves :extend to the solenoids 11,12 that are connected .by wires 91, 98 to'the wiret99, .and from the wires 19a and .80 extends the wire IQ'iL'the wires 99, 1B0 extending "to any :suitable source of electrical current such as anA. "Ca-:01 D. C. source of or volts. 7

The solenoids 11, 12 have been described as supported upon brackets 9, ID of the cylindrical supports ii, 6. 'Desirably and as shown in "Fig-"2b, I provide coiled springs NH, IE2 surrounding screws 103, 15a tapped'into .thebracke'ts 9, 10 and the heads whereof extend into the outer member or casing of the solenoids so that when either solenoid is energized and the core thereof is moved down, the outer member or casing of "the solenoid may yield downwardly and the jar is absorbed by the coilsprings I01, I02.

I have stated that I may provide as a partof the cloth-guiding mechanism either a single pair of rolls as indicated in Fig. 1 at 13, f4, ortwo pairs of rolls. The latter construction is shown in Figs. 12,13 and 14, wherein I have indicated at 15a, '1 ta two rolls which correspondwith the rolls f3, 14 of Figures 1 and 2. In addition to said rolls 13a, Ma *I provide two similar rolls 105, I115 mounted insuitable bracket bearings 191,198 carried by the transversely extending, pivoted member 1'9 and'held in suitable relation with the rolls 13a, 14a by suitably supported coiled springs 1'09, 110. The said rolls IE5, liifiyas'shown in Fig.113, are inclined similarly'to the'inclinationpf the rolls 1.3a, Ma; that is, similarly to the inclination of the rolls l3, l4. While'the said rolls I55, 106 maybe so mounted in any suitable manner I have, in Fig. 13, representeda shaft '1 ll which'is bent slightly between the rolls at 112, as best shown in Fig. 13, so that the tw'o-rolls-lil5, are supported at the "inclination shown. 'The fabric in such construction passes between the two'p'airs c'fzrolls 13a, Hi5 and lda'; 106 instead of-about the single pair 13, M only as shown'in'Figs. 1, 2 and 3. "The fabric .is shown at "1'1 3 in Figs. 2'7 and S.

.Ihave in the'preceding portion-of the :specification referred to the use, as alternative constructions, either of one pair of guiding rolls 'or -of two pairs-of guiding rolls, and at one pointfihave referred ito theuse oftwo pairs of guiding'rolls as amodification. .Actually, however, two'sets-o'f guiding 1 rolls; are preferably used, excepting in those cases :where I one surface or 2' the fabrichas been coated, and particularly in cases where the coating is of such character, or the time element is such, that thecoating has not entirely dried. Furthermore, I may employ a single guiding roll only, supporting the same at a slight inclination, the single roll being of such lengthas to receive or'accoinmodate the entire width of the fabric. In such latter construction I preferably provide two solenoidscapable of a longer movement when energized, one solenoid beneath each end of the single roll or the bearings therefor, and I yieldingly support the single roll, as bycoil'ed I er'gized, will tend to pull that end of the roll up-' ward, the solenoid at the other end of the roll drawing that other end downward. This is not a preferred construction but is within-the scope of my invention.

I have stated at an early point in the specification that the entire structure is supported adjacent one face of the fabric, and I have shown the same beneath the lower face thereof as the preferred const'ruction.' Within the scope of my invention the disclosed structure may be reversed or inverted so as to be above but adjacent to the upper surface of the fabric, in which case the guiding fingers 29, 38 would extend downward at an outward inclination. Such construction is within the scope of my invention.

I have referred to the feeler fingers 29, 3b as rigidly mounted. By this I mean that they are not substantially flexible, but firmly keep their position against the edges of'the fabric. They may, if desired, be mounted as inclined spindles.

upon the feeler arm 31 so as to rotate upon their own axes by reason of the travel of the cloth.

I have referred to the two rods 33, 34 as sta-' tionary. By this I mean that they are not'posi tively rotated. They may, however, be free to turn upon their axes within the bearings 35, 36, 31, 38.

I have used alternatively the terms cup and freceptacle in describing the structures 16, 16a in which the mercury 18 is received. Such structures are also properly termed containers or enclosures. The several terms are all used alternatively and any suitable structure for receiving the mercury is within the scope of my invention. Such structure desirably should be closed so as to prevent any loss or deterioration of the mercury. I also employthe term switching means both in the specification and in certain of the claims, inasmuch as by such more generic definition and description of my invention, it is intended to be set forth that any suitable switching means may be employed within the scope of my invention. Preferably, however, I-use the mercury-containing receptacles.

Having thus described one illustrative embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

' 'I claim: l. Ifextile sheet mechanism fo'rlsjheets of different widths or of varying width, constituting an attachment particularly adapted for and co acting'with textile sheet handling and processing mechanisms, said attachment having at least one transversely extending, transversely inclined guiding roll about which the textile sheet passes, which guiding roll is mounted upon an axis the angle of transverse'inclinationof which may be changed by the guiding mechanism attachment;

thereby "to rectify the course of travel ofthe textile sheetg'said'sheet guiding mechanism attachment including also a pair of oppositely extending, upwardly and outwardly inclined feeler fingers to engage the opposite edges of the textile sheet irrespective of the width thereof, and pastand between which the textilesheet travels-in contact with such transversely inclined guiding roll, a feelercontrol arm constituting the sole and common support for said pair-of feeler ringers located closely adjacent to one face of thetextile sheet and extending transversely of" and across the said textile sheet and mounted for movementupon movement or either of said feeler lingers due to lateral movement of the textile sheet away from.

ES T113116 path, 311G. means operativeiy COIIIIGCGEd'tO J S2140. 1186161. CORT/1'01 arm and 3.150 operatively C011 nected C0 Said 'GGXDILG guiding I011 I011 causing a shifting of the axis of said guiding roll and thereby rectifying the path or travel 01 said textile sheet. a a

a. Textile sheet mechanism for sheets of dif ferent widths or of varying width, constituting an attachment particularly adapted for and co.- acting with textile sheet handling and processing mechanisms, said attachment having at least one transversely-extending, transversely-inclinedguiding roll about which the textile sheet passes, 1

which guiding roll is mounted upon an axis the angle of transverse inclination of which may be changed by the guiding mechanism attachment, thereby to rectify-the course of traverof the textile sheet, said sheet guiding mechanism attachment including also a pair of oppositely extending, upwardly and outwardly inclined feeler: fingers to engage the opposite edges of the textile .i sheet irrespective of the width thereof, and past and between which the textile sheet travels in contact with such transversely inclined guiding roll, a feeler control arm constituting the sole and common support for said pair of feeler fingers located closely ad acent to one face of the textile sheet and extending transversely of and across the said textile sheet and mounted for movement upon movement of either of said feeler fingers due to lateral movement of the textile sheet away from its true path,-said feeler fingers being both held yieldingly by said transversely extending control arm against the opposite edges of the traveling textile sheet, an electrical circuit, and means operatively connected to and moved byrectifying movement of the said feeler control arm and said feeler fingers, to cause a change in said electric circuit, and operative connections between said electric circuit and said textile guiding roll to cause a shifting of the axis of said guiding roll and thereby rectifying the path of travel of said textile sheet.

3. Cloth guiding mechanism constituting an attachment particularly adapted for and coacting withcloth handling and cloth processing machines having at least one transversely-extending transversely-inclined roll about which the cloth passes, which roll is mounted upon an axis, the angle of transverse inclination of which may be changed by the guiding mechanism, thereby to attics rectify the courseof travel of the cloth, andwhich cloth'handling and cloth processing machine is operable lwith cloths'oi' diiierent w dths and also with cloths of'varying widthsfsaid cloth guiding mechanism comprising for such purpose, two ieele'r'" fingers upwardly and outwardly. inclined ijromtheirsupport at the under faceor' the cloth soga's to engage respectively the opposite edges or th ej cloth irrespective oithe width thereof, a feeier control member extending transversely of the s cloth at the underside thereof and centrally pivotally mounted, said two 'feeler fingers exenein flri ie v ii we e' a Outward from nqsi e en s 9 an i mem a lilge support structure moun'ted below said ieeler e etr membe e duren'wh he letter has its aid cen al r et sa d. e 'z ike s por u urehevmeeuidin means are? which i iir issuppo tru =wr is me egle were w acc rd n a t Wid h of e 91 th iiili she Q '.i .Q an lun ieht pla e-like memb Q nectedw t a dim rebl wiihfie d her-li e $1 p rt structur and h vin a e r we ly d n pa t a T-hea member r veted a i lower part upon the lower part of said plate-like m mber, inclinedc nnectio s irom the w r end,

or" said Trhead member to the opposite endsof said vfeeler control member to rocl; the same vertically upon its pivot, a pivotally mounted counterwei ntconnected to saidmov bl oxk support structure therebyto move it yie ij l ly up or ,down in accordance with the varying widths oi-the cloth, th reby t keep s id We eele fin erscons antly s n-prop e n enga emen with the lateral ,edges of the cloth, mercury receptacles mounted respec v y u n th 9P- posite ,outwardlyex endin arm o i T-ioeed member. and havin term na wh rea a c u may be closed upon ti t n movement of said T,-head member, and an electric circuit including said terminals, 4 V x 7 a loth uid n m ch n ineecordanee h claim ,3, wherein the electric circuit includes a Y P8411101" solenoids, and whe n th r ,isia second roll oppositely transvers ly iinq ned t l eii fi roll, anduabout whic two 110 5 the l llh pa es,

and each .of'said two rolls e t n ng hal -way acrcssvtne cloth,rromvopuos te dee hereo an operative-connections:firomsaid solenoids to saio o s respectively. whe eby sa d ro s are mov d in respectively opposite directions upon their transvers y xtendin on theenereizeii e of sa s len ids spec ve y- 7 V.

;,5-- Cl th ui in m c anism const tu ive 1 attachmen pa ticula ly ada ted or a d 9- acting with cloth handling and cloth processing machine havin a lea on ran v r ely-mie in tr nsv r e r celined e lre ei t which t 9t p sse wh h rol is .meu ed 1 99 a a i h an l o tr er e i c nat on, of w elt ma be changed by t e e dieemeehen m her oiree i the e urseg travel of h c t n which cloth hand in a d 9 0th processing machine is pe ble. i 919E 2 di fe hs and also with cloths of var g widths, said cloth guiding mechanism corn I n v 7 two feeler fingers upwardly and outwardly inclined from their support at the under'face of the cloth so as to engage respectively the opposite edges of the cloth irrespectiveof the width there.- of, a feeler control member extending transversely th 010th at t un er side WW and e trally pivotally mounted, said two feel er fingers tn mer dl u wa and QWWM r m posite ends of said control member, a box-like e ere eh purpese prg i u meume fb le sai i e ereg i eel memb n upon wh c t iei e te has it said central pivot, sa d boxlilge support structure having guidingmeans upon which said-boxlike support structure is movable up and down according as the width of'the cloth diminishes or increases, an upright plate like member 'connected with and movable with said box-' like sup port structure;an'd havinga downwardiyextending partyaT-head member pivoted atits lower part upon the lower part of' saidplatelilre member, inclined connections from the lower end oi said T head memberto'the opposite'ends or said feel'er control member to rock the same vertigz:ally' upon its pivot, a pivotallymounte'd counterweight connected to said movable'boX-iike supportstruoture thereby to move ityieldingly up'o'r downdn accordance with'the varying; widths of'the'clpth, thereby to keep saidtwo feeler fingers constantly in proper feeling engagement with the lateral edges of the cloth, said T- head' member having'associated therewith electrical circuit means including two pairs of contacts respectively closed I by opposite movements of said feeler fingers in accordance'witli the"la teral displacement of the traveling cloth to the'right'or to theleftjof 'th'e correctpath of travel thereof.

6. Cloth guiding'mechanism in accordancelwith claim 5, wherein there is a secondrolloppositely transversely inclined to said first roll, and about which two rolls the cloth passes, and'ea'ch of said two rolls extending' half way across the cloth, and wherein the jelectrical'circuit includes a pair of 'soleno'ids'and wherein there are'opera' tive connections fro Said solenoidsrespectively,

whereby said rollsiare moved in respectively op I posite directions upon energizationiof said solenoids respectively to'chan'gethe angle's'of their transverse inclination.

7. Cloth guiding mechanism constituting an attachment particularly adapted (for and coacting with clothhandling and cloth processing machines having at least one transverselyextending transversely-inclined roll about which the cloth passes, which roll is mounted upon an axis, the angle of transverseinclinationof which may be changed by the guiding 'rnech'anism, thereby to rectify the cofurseof travel of thejcloth, and which cloth handling the cloth processing machine is operable with cloths of different widths and also [with cloths of varying Widths, said cloth guiding mechanism comprising'for such purpose, two feeler fingers upwardly and outwardly inclinedrfrom their support at the underface of the cloth so 'as to engage respectively the opposite edge of the cloth irrespective of the width thereof, i a feeler control member extending transversely of the cloth'jat the under side thereof and centrally pivotally mounted, said two feeler fingers extending rigidly upward'and outward from opposite? ends of said controlmember,

a box like supportstructure mounted below-said feeler control member' an'd upon which the latter has its said central pivot, saidbox-like support structure having guiding means upon which said box-like support structure is movable up and down according as the widthof the cloth diminishes or increases, an upright plate-dike mem ber connected with'and movable with saidboxlike support structure, and'having a downwardly extending part, a second member movably mounted upon said plate-likemember, inclined connections therefrom to the opposite ends of said feeler control member to rock it, and a counterweighting member connected to "said "movable box-like support; structure thereby to move it yieldingly up and down in accordance with the varying widths of the cloth, thereby to keep said two feeler fingers constantly in proper feeling engagement with the lateral edges of the cloth.

8. Cloth guiding mechanism in accordance with claim 7, wherein two pairs of contacts are carried by said second member and are respectively closed by opposite movements of said feeler fingers in accordance with the lateral displacement of the traveling cloth to the right or to the left of its correct path of travel.

9. Cloth guiding mechanism in accordance with claim 3, wherein the mercury receptacles are pivotally mounted adjacent the ends of the arms respectively of the said T-shaped member for.

rocking movement thereof. 7

10. Cloth guiding mechanism constituting an attachment particularly adapted for and coacting with cloth handling and cloth processing machines having at least one transverselyextending transversely-inclined roll about which the cloth passes, which roll is mounted upon an axis, the angle of transverse inclination of which may be changed by the guiding mechanism, thereby to rectify the course of travel of the cloth, and which cloth handling and cloth processing machine is operable with cloths of different widths and also with cloths of varying widths, said cloth guiding mechanism comprising for such purpose, two feeler fingers upwardly and outwardly inclined from their support at the under face of the cloth so as to engage respectively the opposite edge of the cloth irrespective of the width thereof, a feeler control member extending transversely of the cloth at the under side thereof and centrally pivotally mounted, said two feeler fingers extending rigidly upward and outward from opposite ends of said control member, a-

box-like support structure mounted below said feeler control member and upon which the latter has its said central pivot, said box-like support structure having guiding means upon which said box-like support structure is movable up and down according as the width of the cloth diminishes or increases, an upright plate-like member connected with and movable with said boxlike support structure, and having a downwardly extending part, a T-head member pivoted at its lower part upon the lower part of said plate-like member, inclined connections from the lower end of said T-head member to the opposite ends of said feeler control member to rock the same vertically upon its pivot, a pivotally mounted counterweight connected to said movable box-like support structure thereby to move it yieldingly up or down in accordance with the varying widths of the cloth, thereby to keep said two feeler fingers constantly in proper feeling engagement with the lateral edges of the cloth, said T-head member having associated therewith electrical circuit means including two pairs of contacts respectively closed by opposite movements of said feeler fingers in accordance with the lateral displacement of the traveling cloth to the right or to the left of the correct path of travel thereof, the said two feeler fingers extending upwardly and outwardly between two slightly spaced stationary rods that extend transversely across the entire width of the cloth at one face thereof.

CHESTER W. JOHNSON.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 554,093 Smith Feb. 4, 1896 752,202 Chritton Feb. 16, 1904 996,103 Mattice June 27, 1911 1,074,123 Kinne Sept. 30, 1913 1,100,801 Wendell June 23, 1914 1,186,906 Hopkins June 13, 1916 1,596,954 Tuttle Aug. 24, 1926 1,676,791 Mailey July 10, 1928 1,678,925 Tackaberry July 31, 1928 1,927,849 Roberts Sept. 26, 1933 1,992,649 Brunk Feb. 26, 1935 2,129,847 Knodel Sept. 13, 1938 2,169,706 Nash Aug. 15, 1939 2,262,638 Ferm Nov. 11, 1941 2,461,084 Robertson Feb. 8, 1949

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