US2627380A

US2627380A - Bobbin winding machine and bobbin supply means therefor

Info

Publication number: US2627380A
Application number: US762146A
Authority: US
Inventors: Burt A Peterson
Original assignee: Barber Colman Co
Current assignee: Barber Colman Co
Priority date: 1947-07-19
Filing date: 1947-07-19
Publication date: 1953-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 1970-02-03

Description

Feb. 3, 1953 y i B. A. PETERSON 2,627,380

BoBBIN wINnING MACHINE AND BoBBIN SUPPLY MEANS THEREFOR Filed July 19, 1947 1s sheets-sheet 1 M N i ATTORNEYS Feb. 3, 1953 v B. A. PETERSON 2,627,380

BOBBIN WINDING MACHINE AND BOBBIN SUPLY MEANS THEREFOR Filed July 19, 1947 y 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 o JNVENTOR. Burt A. Peterson ATTORNEYS Feb. 3, 1953 aA, PETERSON BOBBKIN WINDING MACHINE AND BOBBIN SUPPLY` MEANS THEREFOR Vl5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 19, 1947 INVENTOR.

Burt A. Peterson PAQ.

ATTORNEYS` Feb. 3, 1953 B. A. PETERSON 2,627,380

BOBBIN WINDING MACHINE AND BOBBIN SUPPLY MEANS THEREFOR Filed Ju1y19, 1947 4 15 sheets-sheet 4 JNVENTOR.

Pc tersa/1 ATToRNE Y6 15 Sheets-Sheet l5 INVENTOR. ur )Deca/Son ATTORNEY Feb. 3, 1953 B A PETERSON BOBBIN WINDING MACHINE AND BOBBIN SUPPLY MEANS THEREFOR Filed July 19, 1947 Feb. 3,` 1953 `la. A. PETERSON 2,627,380

BoBBIN wINDING MACHINE AND BoBBIN SUPPLY MEANS THENEFOR Filed July 19, 1947 13 sheets-sheet e INVENTOR.

Bl/rt. A. Pete/soa Y A ATTO/RNE@ Feb. 3, 1953 B. A. PETERSON BOBBIN WINDING MACHINE AND BOBBIN SUPPLY MEANS THEREOR Filed July 19, 1947 15 sheets-snaai 7 ATTORNEYS Feb. 3, 1953 BOBBIN wINDING MACHINE: AND BQBBIN SUPPLY MEANS THEREFOR Filed July 19, 1947 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 Fei). 3, 1953 E. A. PETERSON BOBBIN WINDING MACHINE AND BOBBIN SUPPLY MEANS THEREFOR 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed July 19, 1947 INVENToR.

H O o f e d P A. .E F U B A TTORNE YS BOBBIN WINDING MACHINE A ND BOBBIN SUPPLY MEANS THEREFOR Filed July 19, 1947 Feb. 3,` 1953 B. A. PETERSON 15 sheets-sheet 1o l INVEN TOR. Peterson mgulva. #w94 A TTORNE'YS Feb. 3, 1953 Y B. A. PETERSON 2,627,380

BOBBIN wINDING MACHINE AND BOBBIN SUPPLYl MEANS THEREFOR Filed July 19, 1947 13 Sheets-Sheet 11 f1.1 ,JM/.4; (Mp.

Feb. 3, 1953 B. A. PETERSON BOBBIN WINDING MACHINE AND BOBBIN SUPPLY MEANS THEREFOR zmlduuly'w, 1947` 15 sheets-sheet 12 A l/5 F' .24. "7 ma //4 o /lg 7 f// ///5 To LINE A T TORNE YS Feb. 3, 1953 B. A. PETERSON BOBBIN WIN-DING MACHINE AND BOBBIN SUPPLY ME'ANs THEREFOR Filed J`u1y19, 1947 13 Sheets-Sheet 13 Patented Feb. 3, 14953 Bonnin WINDING MACHINE AND BoBBlN SUPPLY MEANS THEREFOR Burt A. Peterson, Rockford, Ill.,- as signor Ito Barber-Colman Company, Rockford, Ill., a corporation of llnois Application July 19, 1947, serial No. 762,146

, 26 Claims. 1

The invention pertains to bobbin winding machines of the type comprising a plurality of winding units disposed in laterally spaced relation and arranged for operation simultaneously in successive cycles to'pro'duce lling Wound bobbins, and has more particular reference to the supply of empty bobbins to the respective Winding units.

The primary object of the'inv'ention is to pro.- vide in combination With a* multiple unit Winding machine having a plurality of Winding spindles arranged forsimultaneus operation, a bobbin supply mechanism operative automatically in timed relation to the cyclic operation of the machine to insure at all times the supply to the respective units al group of` bobbins" .of a number corresponding to the number of units of the empty bobbins into Winding position.

Another object is to provide in an automatic multiple unit Winding machine having an empty bobbin magazine common to the several units, a bobbin supply mechanism operative in timedl relation to the successivewinding cycles to' deliver a predetermined number of bobbins to the magazine and to transportthe same automatically to the several Windingv units fork simultaneous movement into Winding position.

Another object is to provide in .combination with a multiple unit bobbin Windingtm'achine of the character set forthf means whereby empty bobbins. are Withdrawn from a supply: hopper and delivered nrst to amagazine'and then toxa :transport conveyor for presentation to' the several Winding units, rtogether with' means for correlating the delivery o'f bobbinsto the'magazi'n'e and the release thereofsuccessively tothe transport conveyor so aste insure the -delivery tothe conveyor at all timesofa group of bobbins of the number corresponding' to the num-ber' of winding units.

Still another object istoprovide a bobbinsupply mechanism for a Windingfmachine including a'transport conveyor', a magazine fromV which the bobbins are released one at' al time to the conveyor and a supply conveyonfor deliveringbobbins to the magazine, togethervvith; meansv controlling theoperation of Vthe two conveyors so as to insure that in successive cycles-'of the Winding machine a predetermined number Yof bobbins Will be delivered'tothemachine A l l A- further object'isito provide an emptyf bobbin supply mechanism including'l'ajhopper-,in which empty bobbins are placed!y in random rela-tion;- a conveyor, and meansy of arr-advantageous character for ensuringthe effectual Withdrawal of bobbins from the hopper by '-t-he conveyor.

Another object is to prov-ide,l in-v combination vvith a conveyor "byfwhich the bobbins' are-withidravm from the hopper,` ejector means operative to disengage from the conveyor and, return to the hopper any bobbins which may be positioned improperly on the conveyor.

The objects of the invention thus generally stated, together with other and ancillary advantages, are attained by the construction and arrangement shovvnby Way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front yelevational View of a multiple unit` bobbin Winding machine and its associated bobbin supply mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken approximately in the plane of line '2J-f2 of Fig. .1 Vand showing on an enlarged scale the construction of the supply conveyor,

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View on a `somewhat larger scale taken approximately on the plane of line 3-.3' of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail View partially in section showing a means for clamping the empty bobbins in their passage through the magazine.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional'` view through the empty bobbin hopper and taken approximately in the plane of line 5-5 vof Fig. 1.

Figs. 6 and 7` are fragmentary .views illustrating the operation of ejectingbo'bbins improperly positioned on the supply conveyor.

Fig. 8' is a fragmentary side' elevational view cfthe empty bobbin hopper and supply conveyor withn its associated ejecting means.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective View of an agitating mechanism employed in the bottom of the hopper to facilitate the' positioning ofbobbins onto the supply conveyor. Y

flig.v 10 isa fragmentary side' elevational view showing the transfer of empty' bobbins .to the magazine andilIuS'tra'ting in particular anV escapement mechanism controllingA the entry of bobbins into thefmaga'zinel Fig. V1l is a fragi'nenta'ryl plan' View'r of the magazine, the escape'ment' mechanism, .and ,the means for delivering bobbins toithe magazine.

Fig. l2 is a transverse.sectional View showing a control switch and feeler operatively associated with one of theA escapemeritzfingers and forming a part of the control" mechanism.

Fig. 13 is a' fragmentary front elevational View showing a, modified forni of magazine in association with the supply conveyor and the transport conveyor.

Fig. -13a` is a detail view showing the manner in which the Ybobbins are guided' into the magazine.

Figl 14' is a transverse' sectional'view taken .approximately inthe `plane of `line ,l #+4141 of Eig-13.

Eig. 15 is' a fragmentary vertical se'ctional view through |the magazine'taken-in the plane of line [f5-l5 of Fig.V 13. Y f

Fig'. 16 is a fragmentary Yperspectivegvieyv illustrating a mechanical control mechanism Vfor a supply mechanism of the type shown in Figs. 13 to 15.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary detail view of a feeler mechanism for detecting a filled condition of the magazine and operative to control the delivery of empty bobbins thereto.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary front elevational view on a reduced scale showing a bobbin winding machine and associated empty bobbin supply mechanism incorporating the mechanical control.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary front elevational View of the transport conveyor in association with one of the winding units of the machine and also showing a part of the mechanical control mechanism.

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the magazine and the associated feeler mechamsm.

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary detail View showing the feeler mechanism in plan.

Fig. 22 is'a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the mechanical control and showing particularly a clutch control mechanism for driving the transport conveyor.

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary front view of the parts shown in Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is a schematic view and wiring diagram illustrating an electrical control mechanism for use in the embodiment shown in Figs. 13 to 15, inclusive.

Fig. 25 is a similar view with the control mechanism modified in accordance with the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 tov 12, inclusive.

The invention concerns a bobbin winding machine of the type disclosed in Marcellus Patent No. 2,409,639, dated October 22, 1946, and comprising a series of winding units I4 disposed in laterally spaced relation and operative simultaneously in successive cycles under the control of a cycling mechanism I enclosed within a suitable housing at one end of the machine. More particularly my invention pertains to a winding machine of |the above character modified as described in my copending application Serial No. 627,121, filed November 7, 1945, now abandoned, so as to include a transport conveyor I6 having a series of bobbin receptacles I'I thereon spaced apart according to the spacing of the winding units and adapted to receive empty bobbins b from a magazine common to the several units and positioned at one end of the conveyor. In Figs. 1 to 12 I have shown a magazine I8 in which the bobbins are arranged in a vertical stack, and in Figs. 13 to 15 a magazine IB' receiving and storing the bobbins in a spiral stack. Transfer devices I9 are provided for the several units and these ldevices are arranged for actuation simultaneously by means of a cam 20 forming part of the cycling mechanism I5, the arrangement being such that upon the movement of a group of bobbins into positions adjacent the respective winding units, the transfer devices I3 are actuated to carry the bobbins from their respective recepftacles into winding position all as set forth in said copending application.

In accordance with the present invention, means is provided for supplying empty bobbins to the magazines I8 or I3 and releasing them one by one to the receptacles I'I of the transport conveyor I6 in proper timed relation to the cyclic operation of the winding machine, so that during one winding cyclea group of bobbins is withdrawn from the magazine and moved into position for transfer to the winding units preliminary to the succeeding cycle.

The bobbins are delivered to the magazine by means including a supply conveyor 2l associated with an empty bobbin hopper 22 and operative to withdraw bobbins one by one from the hopper and deliver the same to the magazine. As shown, the supply conveyor is in the form' of an inclined elevator operative to discharge the bobbins onto a runway or slide 23 by which they are carried to the upper end of the magazine I8.

Operation of the two conveyors in proper timed relation to each other and to Ithe winding machine is governed by a control mechanism which may be mechanical in character as shown in Figs. 16 to 20, or electrical as shown in Figs. 24 and 25. To avoid possible injury to the bobbin supply mechanism, due to improperly positioned bobbins on the supply conveyor 2l, the latter has associated therewith an ejector 24, the function of which is to dislodge from the conveyor any bobbins improperly positioned thereon and to return such bobbins to the hopper 22.

The bobbins b are regularly equipped with a plurality of steel rings c encircling the butt ends. Preferably, these rings are utilized in supporting and guiding the bobbins into and through the magazine. In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to l2, inclusive, the magazine I8 stores the bobbins in a vertical stack with the bobbins horizontally disposed. It comprises a pair of vertically disposed bars 25 spaced apart laterally a distance corresponding to the diameter of the butt ends of the bobbins but less than that of the rings c, and a second pair of bars 26 also spaced apart but in this instance according to the diameter of the bobbins adjacent their tip ends. These bars are disposed forwardly of an upright frame 2l and suitably secured to the latter. At their lower ends (Figs. 1 and 3) the

bars

25 and 25 are disposed above one end of the transport conveyor I3 and in spaced relation thereto so as to permit of travel beneath the bars of the bobbin receptacles I'I on the conveyor. At their upper ends the bars 25 curve forwardly and somewhat upwardly for connection with spaced side rails 23 inclined downwardly and rearwardly, the spacing of the side rails 28 like that of the bars 25 corresponding to the diameter of the butt ends of the bobbins so that the bobbin rings c engage with the upper surfaces of the rails and thus support the bobbins for movement along the rails. At their upper forward ends the rails 28 curve laterally as shown at 29 (Figs. 3 and 11) and connect with a pair of bars 30 spaced apart according to the spacing of the rails 29 and constituting the inclined slideway 23.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the supply conveyor 2| by which the empty bobbins are delivered to the slideway 23 comprises an upwardly and laterally inclined frame supported by uprights 3| on a base frame 3Ia. The conveyor frame consists of a pair of angle bars 32 and cross plates 32a supporting a slide plate 33 slotted for the passage of a series of bobbin seizing devices or hooks 34 mounted at spaced intervals on an endless conveyor chain 35 running over sprockets 3S and 36a mounted respectively at the upper and lower ends of the frame. The upper sprocket is driven by a motor 31 through a speed reducer 31h having a belt and pulley connection 3Ic with the sprocket shaft 36D.

The bobbin seizing devices 34 are herein shown (Fig. 2) in the form of U-shaped clips composed of two strips of sheet metal having portions 38 forming the links of the chain, the two strips being brought together at one side of the chain accesso r to form a shank 39 traveling in aY slot l0 in the slide plate 33.

The hopper 22 (Figs. 1 and 5). associated with the lower portion of the supply conveyor is open at its upper end for the introduction of the empty bobbins and is provided with an upwardly and laterally included slot 4i for the passage of the chain hooks or clips 34. Inasmuch as the bobbins When thus introduced are disposed inrandom relation, the hopper is shaped so as to cause, the bobbins to gravitate toward the slot 4l. Thus it comprises two opposed V-shaped or trough-like lower portions 42 and 413 converging at the bottom of the hopper and having

sides

42a and 43a merging with the vertical side walls 44. The slot 4| for the passage of the clips 34 on the chain is formed in the bottom of the trough portion 43` which is Vinclined to conform to the inclination of the conveyor 2l and its frame 32.

To facilitate seizure of bobbins by the clips 34, means is provided at the bottom of the hopper which, in general, serves to agitate the bobbins and to position them in alinement with the conveyor. This means comprises a pair of segmental plates 45 mounted upon a shaft 46 (Fig. 9) journaled in a bracket 41. On a parallel shaft |18 are mounted a pair of cams 49 operating upon rollers carried by the respective plates d5, the rollers being urged toward the cams by means of springs 5l. the wall of the hopper, and the blades are arranged for operation through spaced slots 52 in the bottom of the trough portion 42, the length of stroke of each plate being such that in its lowermost position the plate is withdrawn to a position substantially flush with the walls of the trough. The two plates 45 are spaced apart a distance somewhat greater than the diameter of the butt ends of the bobbins, and they are raised and lowered in succession in the rotation of the shaft 48. The latter may be driven in any suitable way. As shown, it has a belt and pulley connection 53 with the lower sprocket 33a of the conveyor.

It will be .observed from Fig. 5 that the plates 45 serve to form a narrow channel in the bottom of the hoppen the plates forming movable 4side walls alternately withdrawn from the hopper so as to open the same laterally and permit movement of the bobbins into the channel. The bottom of the channel is formed by the bottom of the trough portion 42 of the hopper and, being inclined downwardly and laterally, bobbins received into the channel slide downwardly for engagement by the clips 34 moving upwardly along the slot 4l inthe bottom of the trough portion 43. Since the side portions of the clips 34 are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the 'diameter of the butt ends of the bobbins, but less than the rings c thereof, the latter are engaged by the clips so that the bobbins are withdrawn upwardly by the conveyor.

It has been found in practice vthat in the withdrawal of bobbins properly positioned within the clips, other .bobbins not properly positioned are also apt 'to be withdrawn. In this connection,

' reference is made to Figs. 6 and 1 'of the ydrawings showing bobbins varranged in various positions on the conveyor. To remove such improperly positioned bobbins and to return them to the hopper is the function of the -ejector 24. This device comprises a rotary brush 5'4 mounted Von a swinging frame 55` '(Fig. 8) pivoted at 56, the free end of the frame and therefore the brush '54 The bracket 41 is mounted adjacent being held by the a-ction of gravity in yieldable relation -to the conveyor. To assist; the action` of gravity, a spring 51 may be employed. Movement of the brush 54 towardv the conveyor is limited by a stop 58 adjustable so as to position the brush in variably spaced' relation to the slide plate 33, the preferred spacing .being somewhat liess than the diameter of the butt end of the bobbin. It will `'be seen that in the event a bobbin is not properly `positioned on the conveyor, e. g., with the rings yc engaging the side portions of.` the clip 'as in Fig.A 6.,-or resting upon another bobbin. as in Fig. '1, the bobbin will be supported in spaced relation to the slide plate 33 and when thus supported will be engaged by the brush 54' and elected from the conveyor.

The .brush 54 may be driven in any suitable way. As shown (Fig. 1).. itis. driven by the, conveyor drive motor 31V through` the speed reducer 3111,. ther latter havingv a belt and pulley connec- -ti-on 6I with an idler 6.2 coaxial with the pivot 56 of the frame. The idler in turn has a belt and pulley connection 63` with the brush. In practice, the brush 54' is rotated rapidly so. that the improperly positioned bobbins are ejected with considerable force. For this reasonl the hopper 22 is constructed to provide an upward extension E34 (Fig. 1) open at the side adjacent the brush and having a back stop 65 in opposed spaced rela- Ition to the brush which is struck by the ejected bobbins, the latter falling into the hopper. To assist in retaining the bobbins properly on the convey-or after passage beneath the brush, the frame 55 is Preferably equipped with a yeldable pressure member in the form of" a pivoted flap te (Fig. 8).

When the bobbins reach the top of the supply conveyor 2l, they are discharged onto the inclined slideway 23. In View of the spacing of the bars 30` thereof, the tip ends of the bobbins fall -by gravity through the. slot formed between the bars and the bobbins move by gravity along the slideway 23 and thence onto the rails. 28 (Figs. 3 and 10.) whence 4they move into the magazine over the upper curved portions 25a thereof. vTo dampen the swinging motion of the bobbins as the tip ends thereof fall by gravity through the slots formed between vthe bars 30 of the slide 23, the latter is preferably equipped. with a flap 61 pivoted on the bracket 38 in overlying 'relation to Ithe slideway and yieldably engageable with the butt ends of the bobbins.

Empty bobbins pass into and through the magazine under the control of an escapement mechanism. Movement of bobbins into the magazine is controlled by a pair of

escapement yfingers

69, 10, release of bobbins from the magazine is under the control of a pair of escapement fingers 1|, 12, whileV movement downwardly in 1the magazine is governed by a series of fingers 13. The fing-

ers

69, 10 and 1.3 are mounted on a vertical rockshaft 11, and the two lower fingers 1l, 12 are mounted on a rockshaft 11a alined with the shaft 11.

The rockshaft 11 is driven by the supply conveyor by means of a shaft 18 (Figs. 3 and 25) having a gearing connection 18a with the upper sprocket shaft 36b-of the conveyor, and a crank 'and pitman connection 19 With the rockshaft. The lower rockshaft 11a has a-crank and pitman connection with idler sprocket vshaft f8`| of the transport conveyor.

Referring now to Figs. 3, 10 Vand 11, the uppermost escapement fingers 63 and 10 are made 4of a length somewhat `Agreater than the Yo'i'fher escapement fingers so as to extend into oper-ative yassociation with the bobbin supported on the rails 28; and the uppermost nger 69 is made somewhat longer than the adjacent finger 10. Both fingers have bent end portions 8| and 82 movable through slots 83 in the rails 28. As seen in Fig. 10, the bent portions 8|, 82 are in this instance spaced apart a distance sulcient to allow passage of two lbobbins at a time into the magazine.

The lower escapement fingers 1|, 12 are spaced apart vertically a distance corresponding to the diameter of the butt ends of the bobbins so as to permit 'the release of bobbins from the magazine one at a time. The intermediate fingers 13 on the other hand may be spaced apart a substan- -tially greater distance (a suitable multiple of the bobbin head diameter). In order to control the descent of the bobbins through the magazine and to maintain them in a substantially horizontal position, each of the lower and intermedi- -ate fing-ers have bent end portions 74 (Fig. l1) for engagement by the tip ends of the bobbins, and arms 'i5 for engagement by the butt ends.

Upon entering the magazine, the bobbins shift their positions from a substantially verti-cal or upright position into a horizontal position. Thus, as the bobbins escape past the upper set of fingers 69, 'I0 they pass onto the curved portions 25a of the bars 25 and then into the vertical portions of the ways formed between the bars. In -this latter movement, the bobbins assume a horizontal position due to the fact that the tip portions of the bobbins first engage with 4the bent ends 'It of the uppermost fingers 13, while the head ends continue to fall until they rest upon the arms 'i5 4rearwardly of said bent ends. To prevent the bobbins from moving rearwardly while passing over the curved portions 25a of the tracks 25, the magazine is provided with a curved guide 84 for engagement by the head ends of the bobbins.

Owing to the fact that the bobbins enter the magazine at random without regard to the operation of the upper fingers 69, 1i), the latter are mounted so as to be capable of yielding relative to the rockshaft. For this purpose, each nger has a yieldable driving connection with the rockshaft 'H comprising a collar St fast on the rockshaft and carrying a pin 81 connected by a contractile spring 88 with a pin 81a on the escapement finger. The pin 8'! projects through a slot 83a in the finger, and the arrangement is such that when the finger is blocked by engagement with a bobbin, the shaft is permitted to rock without turning the fingers, the spring yielding to permit the pin 87 to turn in its slot.

To facilitate entry of the lower escapement fingers 1|, 'i2 and the intermediate escapement fingers 'I3 between adjacent bobbins in the magazine, means is provided for clamping such bobbins in horizontal positions just before the nngers enter their positions between the bobbins. For this purpose, I employ a cam actuated clamping member 89 (Figs. 3, 4 and 11) In the present instance, the clamping member is generally U-shaped in form (Fig. 4) and is mounted to slide between spaced parallel guides 90 forming part of the magazine frame 2'1. At vertically spaced points, the clamping member carries a plurality of cam blocks 9| (Fig. 4) each engageable by a roller follower 92 on an arm 92a fast on the rockshaft 11. A contractile spring 93 holds each cam block against its roller follower and the arrangement is such that when the shaft TI is rocked in either direction to carryV a set of ngers into active positions, the roller followers engage their respective cam blocks to force the clamping member 89 against the butt ends of the bobbins, forcing the bobbin rings c against the bars 25 (Fig. 4). As shown at BSU, in Fig. 3, the upper end of the clamping member 89 is preferably rounded to guide the dropping bobbins so as to position their butt ends forwardly of the clamping members and against the bars 25.

In Figs. 13 to 15, I have shown the modied form of magazine I8'. In this instance, the magazine is constructed so that the bobbins move in a spiral path 95 from the top to bottom of the magazine and are frictionally supported in vertical position so as to retard the descent of the bobbins through the magazine. Owing to the spiral arrangement of the bobbins, the capacity of the magazine is substantially increased.

The magazine is generally cylindrical in form and, as shown in Fig. l5, it is composed of two concentric cylinders 9B, 95a spaced apart a distance corresponding to the diameter of the bobbin butts but less than that of the bobbin rings c. The outer cylinder 93 is formed with a spiral slot 9? the upper end of which opens tangentially of the cylinder in alinement with a guide 91a on the slide 23, the guide being attached to the upper end of the magazine by a bracket 961). The inner cylinder Sila is formed with a spiral groove S8 in opposed relation to the slot 9'! so that the lower edges of the slot and groove are adapted to be engaged by the bobbin rings c (Fig. 15) to support the bobbins in their passage downwardly between the cylinders. It will be observed that the bobbins enter the magazine in an upright position and are disposed vertically during their downward passage. To permit of entry in this position, the outer cylinder is cut away at the upper end of the slot to form a passage ESC (Fig. 13).

The lower end of the slot 9'1 similarly opens tangentially of the cylinder 95 and merges into a curved slideway 99 such that before escaping from the magazine the bobbins may shift gradually from vertical to generally horizontal positions. In opposed relation to the slideway 99 is a guide |60, the spacing between the members being such as to accommodate the butt ends of the bobbins.

The specific construction of the magazine will be evident from Fig. 15. In addition to the

cylinders

98 and 96a it comprises a top plate |0| and a bottom plate |92 with spacers ISS between the two cylinders located in suitably spaced vertical relation. At one side of the magazine the two cylinders have downwardly projecting portions w3c and lb containing the lower end portion of the guideway S1.

In the embodiment of the invention, the bobbins are permitted to enter the magazine freely from the slideway 23. As they enter upon the bottom slideway 99 (Fig. 14) they engage a pair of escapement fingers |09 and ||D mounted on a .rockshaft HI (Figs. 14 and 16) and arranged for actuation by a crank and pitman connection I'Ha with the transport conveyor le. Since the bobbins :nove along the slide 99 'at random, the iin'gers |09, HIJ are yieldably connected with 'the .rockshaft inthe same way as 'the lingers 69, I (Fig. 11).

The fingers |99, HB have their end portions spaced aparta distance corresponding to the diameter of the butt ends of the bobbins so as to release one bobbin at a time. In order to position the bobbins in perpendicular relation to the slideway at the point of entry of the escapement fingers between adjacent bobbins, the lower finger H0 is preferably constructed in two parts H2 and I3 rigidly secured together but spaced apart as shown clearly in Fig. 14 so that the portion H2 engages the butt end of the bobbin H3 and the tip end thereof.

Upon their release by the escapement fingers Hit, H52, the bobbins move to the bottom of the slideway St where they are released from the magazine by a pair of escapernent iing'ers H4, H These fingers are constructed like the fingers "il, i2 in the previous modification and serve to release the bobbins one at a time to the bobbin receptacles Il.

As set forth in my said copending application, the transport conveyor le is operatively associated with the winding machine and, in addition to performing the function of carrying empty bobbins into position for transfer to their respective winding units, may serve additionally to carry wound bobbins defied from the machine at the end of the preceding cycle to a predetermined delivery point. llShe operation of the transport conveyor is thereforecorrelated with the operation of the winding machine- Referring now to Figs. 16 and 18 of the drawings, the transport conveyor comprises two end,- less sprocket chains H5 running over sprockets on a drive shaft I It, and an idler shaft The two chains are disposed in laterally spaced relation and equipped with the bobbin receptacles I7 and also with a second series` of bobbin pockets i8 (Fig. 19), the latter alternating with the receptacles ill. The shafts H5 and are suitably journaled in the frame of the winding machine so that the conveyor is supported with the upper run thereof below a series of winding units I9. Each of said unit-s includes a winding spindie |26 with a chuck |2| for gripping therbutt end of the bobbin, a centering slide |22fwith a tip |22a for engagement withthe tip end of the bobbin and a yarn traversing cam |23 (shown schematically in Fig. 24) encircling the spindle and mounted in a slide |23a for movement axial- 1y of the bobbin as it is wound. For a complete disclosure of the construction of the winding units, reference is made to Marcellus Patent No. 2,409,639. y f

Upon the completion of one winding cycle, Wound bobbins are doffed from each of the winding units by withdrawal of their respective centering slides |22, the bobbins dropping into underlying pockets H3 on the conveyor. Thereupon, empty bobbins are transferred from the receptacles to the winding units, preparatory to the next winding cycle. This is accomplished in the manner disclosed in my said. copending application, by means of the transfer devices I9. there being one for each windingl unit. The transfer devices comprise transfer arms |24 mounted upon parallel roclrshafts |2i carrying lever arms |26 and actuated ,simultaneously by a pulley connection bar |21 operatively associated 4with the cam` 20 forming part of the cycling' mechanism 5 of the winding machine.

As seen in Fig. 16, each ofthe bobbin receptacles l1 is made in two alined sections respectively supported on the chains H5 and arranged to lsupportthe empty bobbins with the butt ends thereof resting in the 'sections la and the tip lends in the section Il'b. The two sections are thus spaced apart so that `the intermediate portion of each bobbin may be engaged by a pair of notched fingers 2'9 mounted on the free ends of the arm |24.

In accordance 'with the present invention, the supply conveyor is controlled in its operation so that it is advanced in timed relation to the winding machine cycle and stopped when the supply bottin-s the magazine is sufficient to moet the requirements of the machine -in the next winding cycle. For this purpose. l provide a control mechanism which, first "above indicated, may be either` electrical or mechanical in -clifaracter. In either case, the supply conveyor is initiated in operation at the saine `tune 'as or substantially concurrently with the movement Voi? the bobbins out or 'the magazine in the operation of 'the transport conveyor, 'and stopped when a predete'r. ined number of bobbins has been received in the magazine as determined by the operation of a feeler associated with the upper poi-tion, or the magazine and responsive to the number of bobbi'ris received in the magazine either by detecting the accumulation of a predetermined number of bobbins in the magazine or the number of bobbins delivered thereto.

The control mechanism shown in Figs. 16 to 23 is entirely mechanical except -for the use of electric drive motors. The transport conveyor is driven by an electric motor |30 through the medium of a speed reducer I3! having a belt and |32 with the motor. The sprocket drive shaft H6 constitutes the output shaft of the speed reducer and the operation of this shaft is under the control of a. clutch |33 operatively associated with one of the rockshafts The clutch |33 is engaged to start the transport conveyor I6 at or near the beginning of each winding cycle of the machine so that during such cycle, the bobbins wound in the preceding cycle are advanced to their predetermined point of delivery and a group of empty bobbiris carried into position for transfer to the winding units.. Engagement of the clutch is accomplished in the present instance through the medium of a. lever means |36, a slide |35 having a disengageable connection with the lever means and an arm |36 fast on one of the rockshaf'ts |25. Y Themlelver means comprises a clutch Shifting arm |31 `fiilcrumed intermediate its ends and pivoted to a second lever |38 similarly flcrum'ed. A coiled contractile spring |39 tends to swing these levers in a direction to disengage the clutch. 'The slide |35 is suitably supported in a frame member |-35a and it carries an adjustable abutment in the form of a screw Ico for engagement with a roller |l||` on the arm |36. To the opposite end of the slide 'is pivoted a latch member M2, and when this member occupies a position in blo'zkin'g"f relation to the lever |38, movement of the slide by the arm |36 will. effect engagement of the clutch |33. This occurs at 'or just prior. to the beginning of each winding cycle as an incident to the return of the transfer arms` |24 by the cam 2li'` of the machine cycling mechanism; A spring |42 tends to swing latch member |42 downwardly (Fig. 19) and to hold a stop pin |421) on the slide against the frame member |3511.

In the relationship of the parts shown in Fig. 16, the latch |42 occupies a blocking position relative to the free end of the lever |38 and serves to hold the clutch engaged and the conveyor in motion. The latch is disengaged from the lever to stop the conveyor by an output counter |43 driven by the conveyor. The clutch disengaging means, as herein shown, comprises a pivoted dog 44 carrying at one end a screw |45 underlying the latch |42 and having its other end arranged for actuation by the counter |43. The latter comprises a driven gear |46 and a single toothed driving gear |41 fast on the sprocket drive shaft H6, a stepping movement being imparted to the gear |45 with each revolution of the sprocket shaft. On the gear |46 is a lug |48 engageable with the dog |44 to trip the latter upon the movement of a predetermined number of empty bobbins into positions adjacent their respective winding units. As will be clear from Fig. 16, the lug |48 on gear |45 actuates the dog |44 to lift latch |42 (Fig. 19) and thereby release the lever |38 to the action of the spring |39 so as to effect disengagement of the clutch.

Reengagement of the latch |42 with the lever |38 preparatory to the next advance of the conveyor, occurs upon the completion of a winding cycle of the machine, when the transfer arms |24 are actuated by the cam 29 to carry empty bobbins from the receptacle I1 to the winding units. In this operation, the arm |36 is swung in a direction to permit movement of the slide by the spring |42a. After a limited movement of the slide, latch member |42 is permitted to drop into blocking relation to the lever It will thus be seen that with the drive motor |30 operating continuously, the clutch |33 is engaged to advance the conveyor during one Winding cycle so as to present a group of empty bobbins to their respective Winding units and to carry the correspondinggroup of doffed wound bobbins to the predetermined point of delivery. The extent of movement is determined by the gear output counter |43 and its lug so that after the advance of the conveyor the required dis- Vin this operation, the latch |42 is reengaged with the lever |38 preparatory to the next advance of the conveyor during the succeeding cycle. It will of course be understood that in each advancing movement of the transport conveyor, empty bobbins are delivered to the receptacles |1 by the operation of the escapement fingers ||4, ||5, the latter being actuated by the rockshaft driven from the sprocket shaft :n through the crank and pitman connection In this embodiment of the invention, the supply conveyor 2| is actuated by its motor 31 through the medium of the speed reducer 31h andan interposed clutch |49, in an arrangement such that the conveyor is started automatically upon the release of empty bobbins to the receptac1es`|1 in the operation of the transport conveyor, and is stopped when a predetermined number of bobbins has accumulated in the magazine. The clutch has a shifting lever |551 (Fig.

16) normally held in engaged position against the action of a spring |5| by a latch |52 controlled by a feeler device |53 reponsive to the presence of a predetermined number of bobbins in the magazine. For a purpose which will presently appear, the latch |52 is yieldably mounted (Fig. 1'1) on a bar |52a pivotally connected with the shifting lever |50.

The feeler device is arranged for periodic actuation toward and from the spiral path through which the empty bobbins pass in their descent through the magazine, the device being herein shown as associated with the upper portion of that path. The feeler device comprises a rod |53a having a feeler shoe |54 at one end thereof and its other end mounted on a oating lever |55 pivoted at |56 on an arm |51 carried by a constantly oscillating rockshaft |58. A spring |59 tends to hold the lever against a stop |60, but when the feeler shoe |54 is blocked so as to be incapable of entering the spiral slot 91, the upper end of the lever moves away from its stop |63 against the action of the spring |59. Thus it moves out of blocking relation to the latch |52, releasing the latch and thereby the clutch member |53 to the spring |5|, to cause disengagement of the clutch. The shaft |58 is oscillated in the present instance by means of a cam |5| on the sprocket shaft 36h of the supply conveyor 2|. The cam operates upon a lever |53 fulcrumed intermediate its ends and connected by a link |64 with an arm |35 on the rockshaft |58.

In view of the fact that the bobbins move through the magazine in random relation, the feeler device is constructed so as not to be responsive to the presence of a single bobbin in the path of the shoe |54. For this purpose, the shoe is made of substantial width (Fig. 21) and is pivoted at its center upon the rod |530., the arrangement being such that each end of the shoe must engage with a bobbin before the feeler device is effectually blocked, the position occupied by the shoe when it engages with only one bobbin being shown in broken lines in Fig. 21. A pair of stop pins |66 (Fig. 21) respectively engage with opposite ends of the shoe when the latter moves in a direction away from the magazine so as to restore the shoe to an intermediate position with its forward surface concentric with the periphery of the magazine.

Reengagement of the clutch |43 is accomplished under the control of the transport conveyor so that after the delivery of a few empty bobbins to the latter conveyor as an incident to a short advance thereof, the supply conveyor is again actuated to replenish the supply of bobbins in the magazine. For this purpose, an arm |61 is mounted on the upper end of a vertical rockshaft |63 suitably supported in the machine frame. The arm is engageable with a lug |59 (Fig. 17) on the latch supporting bar |52a. At its lower end the shaft carries an arm |19 with a roller follower |1| engaged by a cam disk i12 driven by a speed reducer |13 connected with thc idler sprocket shaft |1 of the conveyor. The arrangement is such that at a predetermined time interval after the start of the transport conveyor and the ensuing release of bobbins from the magazine, the rockshaft |68 is actuated to reengage the clutch |49 and to reset the latch |52 with respect to the floating lever |55. Because of the movement of bobbins in spaced relation along their spiral path, the feeler is no longer blocked and therefore occupies the position shown in Figs. 16 and 17. Accordingly, movement of the latch bar |52a by the rockshaft |58 causes the latch to ride over the floating lever and into holding engagement therewith. The operation of the supply conveyor is thus resumed, pending interruption when the feeler |53 again detects a filled condition of the magazine.

summarizing the operation of the mechanical control mechanism, the transport conveyor is initiated in operation `by the cycling mechanism I of the winding machine acting through the medium of the transfer devices It. This occurs near the end of the machine cycling operation just in advance of the initiation of a new winding cycle. Thus, in the return movement o the transfer arms |24 (Fig. 16) the arm |35 on one or" the rockshafts |25 actuates the slide |35 so as to shift the lever means |34 against the action of spring |39 and cause engagement of the clutch |33. When the transport conveyor has been operated to advance the predetermined number of bobbins into positions adjacent the respective winding units, lug |48 on gear` |45 trips dog |44 to disengage latch |152 from the lever It, releasing the lever means to the action of spring |33 and disengaging the clutch. Latch |42 i5 reengaged with lever |38 as an incident to `the operation of the transfer devices I9 during the succeeding operation of the cycling mechanism l5.

In the advance of the transport conveyor, empty bobbins are delivered one-by-one to the receptacles I1 in the operation of the escapement lingers IM, |I5 which are oscillated in timed relation to the conveyor. Release of bobbins from the lower end of the magazine results in a downward movement of the bobbns in the upper portion of the magazine out of the path of the feeler |53 so that floating lever |55 again assumes its active position. Accordingly, in the next operation of rockshaft |68, bar I52a and lever |50 are actuated to engage clutch |49, and

the latter is held engaged by latch |52 coacting with the floating lever` |55. Operation of the conveyor continues until the number of bobbins accumulating in the magazine is suiiicient to block the feeler |53 and cause the floating lever |55 to move out of engagement with the latch |52, thereby releasing the clutch shifting bar |52@ to the action of spring |5| to disengage the clutch. It will be understood that the term magazine as herein used is intended to include any suitable structure for accumulating the supply of empty bobbins under the control of the feeler.

In Figs. 24 and 25, I have shown two electrical control mechanisms respectively adapted for use with. the two types oi emptypbobbin magazines shown in the embodiments of Figs 1 to`12 and 13 to 1.5, and performing in general the same functions as the mechanical control above described.

Referring irst to Fig. 24, the driving motors 31 and Hillv for the supply and transport conveyors I5 and 2| respectively are controlled by an electromagnetic relay generally designated in conjunction with a switch |13 operated by the winding machine during each winding cycle and two control switches |11 and |18. The first of these control switches is responsive to the delivery by the transport conveyor o a predetermined number of empty bobbins into positions adjacent the respective winding units I4 and the other is responsive.. to the delivery of a` corresponding number of bobbins to the magazine.

The relay |15 comprises an armature in the `form of an elongated bar I SII having an actuating coil I8| and a pair of disks |32 and |83 forming the movable contact elements Aof two switches |34 and |85. Upon energization of the coil ISI, the armature bar moves in a direction to close the switches |84 and |85 (to the right in Fig. 4) against the action of a coiled spring |36 tending to hold the bar against a stop |8Sc. The armature bar is adapted to be held in switch closing position by two latch devices |31 and'ISB, comn prising lugs |89 and |90 formed on the bar, and latch elements I9| and |32 having stems |33 and |94 constituting armatures for two coils |95 and |85. In general, the arrangement is such that the armature bar |50 is moved in a switch closing position upon energization of the coil |8I, is held in such position against the action of the spring |36 by the latch devices |31 and |35, and is released for movement in a switch open-A ing directionby the energization of the coils |55 and |95, the former controlled by switch |11 responsive to the movement of the transport conveyor in delivering a predetermined number of empty bobbins to the winding units, and the latter controlled by 'switch I'I responsive to the passage into the magazine of a corresponding number of bobbins.

In the instant embodiment of the invention, the transport and supply conveyors are started in operation by the winding machine immediately following initiation of a winding cycle by the cycling mechanism E5, through closure of the switch |16 controlling energization of the relay coil ISI. As shown, this switch comprises a mow able contact element |91 fast on a stem ist carry ing a cam block |29 and yieldably supported in a stationary part of the winding machine frame. The switch is closed in the initial portion or" the advancing movement of the traverse slide I23a, by a cam block 23@ mounted on a lever IlI piv oted to the traverse slide |23a, the lever being held against a stop 232 by a spring 203 so as to be yieldable in the return of the slide to its initial retracted position at the conclusion of the windn ing cycle.

The switch Ill controlling energization of relay latch coil |35 is arranged for actuation by a cam 2M forming part of an output counter i. The latter is driven by the transport conveyor and is so timed with respect to the operation of the conveyor that the cam 23d makes one complete revolution for each advance of the conveyor a distance sufficient to deliver the predetermined number of bobbins to the respective winding units. As shown, the cam 25d is fast on an output shaft 2% of the counter, and the counter is actuated by a lateral extension 281 or" the idler sprocket shaft IIT ci the transport conveyor.

The switch |73 controlling energization of relay latch coil |55 is similarly arranged for actuation by a cam 2te on the output shaft Zot of an input counter EII! responsiveto the delivery of empty bobbins to the magazine It under the control of a freeler 2| I. In the present instance, the output shaft 259 oi the counter is driven by a pawl and ratchet device LIZ actuated elecn tromagnetically in response to the operation of the eeler 2|I. The pawl and ratchet device comprises a ratchet wheel EIS operated by a pawl 2h?, pivoted on a lever 2HE. The latter carries a rod ZIE forming the armature of a coil 231 which Whel Ssl'gd advances the lever E i against the action of a spring 2id. The coil 221 is con trolled by a switch 2| 3 having a stationary con-