US2689382A

US2689382A - Vertical apron drafter

Info

Publication number: US2689382A
Application number: US82352A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr John R Andrews; Jacques Raynaldo
Original assignee: BACHMANN UXBRIDGE WORSTED CORP
Current assignee: BACHMANN UXBRIDGE WORSTED Corp
Priority date: 1949-03-19
Filing date: 1949-03-19
Publication date: 1954-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 1971-09-21

Description

Sept. 21, 1954 J. R. ANDREWS, JR.. ETAL 2,639,382

' VERTICAL APRON DRAFTER Filed larch 19, 1949 5 Shee ts-Sheet 1 mmvroxs. JOHN RANDREWSJR. Er WYNALDQ JACQUES.

ATTORNEYS Sept 21, 1954 J. R. ANDREWS, JR.. ETAL 2,639,382

VERTICAL APRON DRAFTER Filed March 19, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. JOHN RANDREWSJR. 6' @AYNALDO JACQUES.

A TTORNE Y5.

pt 1954 J. R. ANDREWS, JR.. .ETAL 2,589,382

- VERTICAL APRON DRAFTER Filed larch 19, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTO 5. JOHN R.ANDREWS,J .8/

RAY-NALDO JACQUES.

AT TORNEYS.

Sept. 21, 1954 J. R. ANDREWS, JR.. ETAL 2,689,382

VERTICAL APRON DRAFTER Filed larch 19, 1949 '5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS K. JOHN RANDREWSJRX; V

RAYN ALDO JACQU E5.

A TTORNE'YS.

p 5 J. R. ANDREWS, JR., ETAL 2,689,382 VERTICAL APRON DRAFTER Filed larch 19, 1949 5 Shee ts-Sheat 5 JOHN RANu g wgefifila RAYNALDO JACQUES.

Patented Sept. 21, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VERTICAL 'APRONDRAFTER JohnR, Andrews, Jr., and :Raynaldo Jacques, -Uxbridge, Mass., 'assignors to Bachmann 'Uxbridge Worsted Gorporation, Uxbridge, Mass., acorporation :of Massachusetts Application*March 19, 1949,'Serial No. 82,352

16 Claims.

This .inventionrelatestorapparatusifor drafting or elongatingrstrands of fibrouswmaterial inorder to form yarn. More particularly, this invention relates. to apparatus of the nature described wherein the strand or tfiber supporting function during drafting :is performed by endless belts :or aprons.

(Itiis axprincipal object of the invention to permit the employment of draft ratios higher than those iusually attainabl with :prior devices while improving and compacting :the. strand in two planesin order-.to'improve the distribution of .the fibers and the uniformity ofsection' of the strand. Briefly, "this. is accomplished by mounting Ethe apron devices between parallel-ifeed and drafting rolls and arranging the apron devices so that they function in a planeperpendicular to=that-of the rolls. Withthis arrangement the rolls compact the strandin one plane and the aprons in a plane perpendicular thereto which so improves the composition and distribution :of "the fibers -in the strand that relativelyhighdrafting ratios can be tolerated while maintaining- "evenness and avoiding excessive fly waste. Another'advantage of this-arrangementis that anyfibers at the-out side edges of 'the strand thattend to "flareaway from the body of the strand between thG'EhOYizontal feed rolls and the vertical aprons are readily gripped .by the apron and compacted laterally together. 1 The strand then' leavesthe aprons compacted in a vertical plane :and iis' then imme-' diately compacted horizontally byth'e frontdrafting :rolls. This compacting :of "the strand into a a more or less small rectangular'crcss section at the nip of the drafting roll-eflectively prevents fibers separating from the :strand at this point and allows Ithe twist which is inserted in the drafted strand beyond the drafting 1 rlls,to'run back into the mp0! therolls, preventing lapping and greatly "reducing fl-y waste, while improving the strength, uniformity-and :brea'lmke of theidrafted strand.

Another object ofthe invention reside'sin-simplifyin'g these'rviceandireplacement'of thc'aprons and associated parts, facilitating adjustment 3 of apron tension and "spacing and providing for observation of the passage of fibers through the aprons and 'acrossthegap between the'rolls and the aprons. This is accomplished by-mounting the apronspindles and guides in cantilever fashion so that the outer-ends thereof areunsupported and unimcumbered by bracketsand the like. Thus, the apron I and associatedrparts are readily removed, replaced, and adjusted and allthe'parts are'in .iull view during the process.

Another object resides inldistributing the .wear on the'rubber :drafting rolls 'without danger 10f breaking the "strand. This is accomplished. by mounting the aprons on a slide that is reciprocated parallel to the :rolls whereupon the aprons gently movethe'strand from side'to side'and distribute the wear onwthe rolls'without danger of strand breakage.

Another object resides in facilitating the adjustment of spacing between opposed aprons, tension on the aprons, and the snubbing action thereof In the preferred embodiment of the invention the adjustment .of. the spacing of the aprons at their entrance is accomplished by mounting one of each pair of spindles inan eccentric bushing. The adjustment of the spacing at the otherend ofthesnubbing action is provided by a pairof guide members which include rearwardlyextendingfingers. The guide members are mounted for universal motion so-that both the tension ofthe aprons and'the disposition of "the fingers against them may be varied whereby :the tension and the snubbing action is readily adjusted.

The manner whereby the aforesaid objects and advantages may-be attained will be understood from the following description'of a'preferred iembodiment {of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. '1 is a. plan view *of one segment 10f the drafting apparatus;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged :fragmentary view showing a pair of apron assemblies;

"Fig. 3 is aside 'elevation'of the apparatus; at Fig. '4is 'aifragmentary end elevation thereof;

"Figs. "5 to 7 are views of a preferred form of clearing'comb; and,

Figs. 8'to 10 show a preferred form of belt guide and finger snubbing device.

*AS SGGIlJlIlOSl) clearly inFig. 3, the:frame F includes'a base or-supportmember which mounts a plurality of elongated bracket-members I0 which act as aroll-stand. 'At the'entranceside of the apertures trunnion blocks 'l I are provided for the ratch'and back feed rolls l2 which rest in'suitable recesses in-theusual manner, it being understood -that "mounting details of the various rolls form no part of the invention and may follow conventional practice known to those skilled in theart. Each bearing member I I may include an upward extension 13 which supports a crossbar i4 whioh'bar positions a plurality of longitudinal guide ibars 16. These :guide bars may also be supported by a plurality of posts 11 bolted to the frame structure, and at their other ends the guide bars l6 are received in a plurality of brackets l8 keyed by the framework. At the entrance side of the machine roll pressure bearings I9 are mounted upon bars [6 and in the usual manner include grooves 2| for locating the upper rubber-covered rolls 22. It is desirable to provide spring pressure between the rolls, which may be accomplished by a spring-pressed rod 23 pivoted to a cam member 24 that presses downwardly upon a back roll pressure bar 25.

The drafting roll structure includes a front roll bar 26 fixed to the framework with suitable fasteners which may mount in the usual manner lower metal drafting I'Olls 21. Grooves 28 in member i8 receive the trunnions of the upper rubber-covered drafting rolls 29. The pressure between the drafting rolls is applied by means of a saddle 3| which hooks over the bearings between the rolls and is spring-pressed by saddle hook members 32, it being understood that the exact construction of the roll and pressure assembly is not critical to the present invention.

In accordance with preferred practice, brush cleaners are provided for the drafting rolls. The cleaners 34 for the lower rolls are urged upwardly by counterweight 36, the cleaner assembly being pivoted to the assembly as at 31. The cleaners 38 for the upper rolls act by force of gravity and are guided by pins extending into slots 28 formed in members l8.

In accordance with the invention, the apronsare mounted on a slide member that is reciprocated parallel to the axes of the rolls, to distribute the wear on the rolls caused by passage of the yarn therethrough. Although the exact constructional details of this portion of the apparatus are not critical to the invention, in the preferred form the apparatus includes (as best seen in Figs. 3 and 4) bracket members 4| bolted to the cross rails 19 as by bolts 42 and including the laterally extending ears 43 which carry rollers 44. The apron support means comprises a slide made up of elongated members 45, the ends of which are rabbeted and bolted together by means of screws 46. In order to guide the slide, suitable means such as a slot 41 is milled therein and a key 48 fastened to member 41 may be provided. The slide is apertured as at 59 (Fig. 1) to clear posts I! as the slide reciprocates.

The mounting of the aprons and. drive spindles is best seen in Fig. 4 wherein one assembly is sectioned. Extending through apertures'in the slide 45 is a pair of'bushings i and 51a, which may be pinned in place by means of the pin 52. Rotatable in the bushings are the spindles which include shafts 53 and 530, respectively. Shaft 53a is eccentric in its bushing and the groove in the bushing receiving pin 52 is a circumferential groove. Thus, when bushing 51a is rotated as by means of a gear 54 formed thereon, spindle 53w is moved toward and away from the other spindle.-

In: order to facilitate adjustment of the eccentric bushing which provides readilypperative and precise control of apron spacing at the entrance end, a small pinion 55 is meshed with the bushing gear 54 and retained by a clamp screw. When the screw is loosened, suitable wrench means may be employed to rotate pinion 55 and adjust the apron spacing. The shafts 53 and 53a are geared together for reverse rotation by means of pinions 5B pinned to the shafts. The spindles include drums 5'! splined or pressed thereon which drive the endless apron 58. The spindles are rotated by means of bevel gear 6| pinned to spindle 53 and meshing with another bevel gear 62 pinned to the main apron drive shaft 63. Sections may be assembled by coupling the shafts as at 64 and intermediate sections of the shaft are guided by brackets 65 depending from the slide 45.

Tensioned idler means are provided to maintain a resilient tension on the aprons as best seen in Fig. 2. These include idlers 66 mounted in pivoted brackets 61 which are urged together to tension the apron belts by means of spring 69. Novel guide means and snubbing means 10 and 10a. are provided for the exit end of the aprons. The right-hand member seen in Fig. 2 includes a mounting flange H slotted as at 12 to receive a clamping screw 13 that fits loosely in the slot.

Extending upwardly and rearwardly from the base H is a snubbing arm or finger 14 having a curved nose 16 that engages the inside of the forwardly-traveling reach of the associated apron. An upper flange H is formed on the guide to prevent the belt from climbing up off the guide. The other guide member is similar to that just described except that it is a mirror image thereof and the finger 14a is shorter so that its nose 16a engages the belt forwardly of the nose 16. The slide may be used as a pivot point for the mem-' bers 19 and 10a duringadjustment of the snubbing action as well as adjustment of the bolt tension when screws 13are loosened. Proper adjustment of the

arms

14 and 14a is readily made to provide the desired soft snubbing action on the strands or fibers as they pass between the aprons to'provide for high drafting ratios without'slippage of the strands or parting thereof. a

It is a feature of the invention that readily replaceable, effective apron clearer means are provided. In the preferred form, the clearer includes a plurality of comb-like members 8| having depending teeth or tines 82 over which are slipped felt cleaner pads 83. It will be understood that the term felt, as employed in the specification and claims, includes any soft friction material suitable to provide the proper clearing action. At spaced intrevals the clearer is notched vertically as at 84 to permit it to ride upon the bars I5 as best seen in Fig. 3, and the clearer is relieved in a horizontal plane as at 86 to clear the post 11 during deciprocation of the slide as best seen in Fig. 1.

The clearer bars are provided with a floating mounting which is a feature of the invention. They are located generally by means of extensions 82a of certain of the teeth or tines which extend into apertures 82b formed in the slide as shown in Fig. 1 and generally locate the combs. It will be noted in Fig. 1 that the outer orreturn reaches'ofthe aprons are increasingly spaced in their direction of travel. Due to the floating action of the clearer bars, thefelt pads are accordingly carried rearwardly by frictional force betweenthem and the aprons, which simultaneously wedges them against the aprons and results in an extremely effective clearing action.

- Suitable means are provided for reciprocating the aprons between the rolls in order to distrib- As seen ute the wear over the roll, surfaces. in Fig. 1, an ear 9| is attached to one end of the v slide 45 and has extending therefrom an adjust- II and has formedthereinatransverse slot lll'l'. Adjustably mounted and clamped at-any place along the slot is a roller 02-which rides in a notehi03 formed-in lever 94. Gear!!! is rotated by worm wl mounted-on shaft 106 supported in a housing structure 401. -A worm wheel 108 is keyed to theother end'of-s'haft Hi6 and is disposed beneath worm l 09 keyed to the lower draft ing rollshaft. When worm 109 is rotated it will be readily seen that the slide and aprons are roclprocated betweenthe-*rolls.

The means for turning the ratch and feed rolls, the apron spindles, and the drafting rolls may:comprise.suitablegearing which forms no Pitt Of the invention and is well known in the art. Since shaft 63 which drives the aprons is mounted on and reciprocates with the slide 45 the gearing that turns shaft 63 must permit reciprocation thereof. Any mechanism known in the machine art may be provided for thi purpose. For :oxample, the driven end of shaft 63 may be lqua're or splined for sliding in its driving gear, aflexible shaft may be used, .or any sliding connection selected from the large number of such joints known to all mechanics. The exact drive mechanism forms no -part of the present invention. 'Preferably the gearing is such that the aprons have "a higher linear speed than that of rolls-l-L and the drafting-rolls have a considerably higherspeed than that of the aprons. Due to the two-plane compacting actioneffected by the apparatus, the drafting -rolls may be geared to provide relatively high drafting ratios, ratios of 10-+1 .being readily attainable, and with certain ,yarns ratios of 141-1 being possible.

,Itcan be seenpthat not only may-the clearer bars be quicklydifted clear for inspection and replacement of the parts, but since the apronsupports are mountedin cantilever fashion vertically between the rolls, passage of the yarn maybe observed. Also, with this construction adjustment of the devices may be readily performed, and the apron belts. may be readily changed. Since ithe aprons are reciprocated between the rolls: and since they provide a soft holding or supportingaction onthe yarn, the reciprocation does nottendto partorutear the yarn as wear distributed overthe rolls. The neutral position of thc slide may be readily adjusted by means of turnbuckle. 8-2 and :trumpets T are slidably mounted on bars so that they may be centered about the neutral position, whereby substantially ihelentire roll surfaces may be utilized before the roll becomes too worn "for service. 'Thus, the various 3 elements described all cooperate to provide and permit higher drafting ratios, the yarn is :*of more uniform cross-sectional density, and replacementand adjustment-of the parts is simpley-rapidwand easily and precisely accomplished. inlthough a-prei'erred-embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it will be understood that. the scope of the invention is not limited tothe aforesaid embodiment, but is determinedby the appended claims. 7 a What: isclaimed is: g

l. JAPPfil'QtUSfQI drafting strandsof fiber comprising feed rolls and drafting rolls, said rolls spaced parallel axe disposed in a common (plane, opposed strand supporting means between said feed and drafting rolls, saidstrand supporting means comprising opposed pairs of apron drive spindle, and apron guide means mounted perpendicular to the planeof said rolls, endless apronbelts passing around said pairs of drive and gu de means to Supmrt-thestrands of 6 fiber and compact'them in aidirection perpehdi cularto thedirection of compacting effected :by said rolls, means for supporting'the apron dri-ve spindle and guide means, and means for -moving the said support means in the direction parallel to the axes of the rolls.

2. Apparatus for-drafting strand-sol 'fibercomprising frame means, feed rollsand drafting rolls supported by said frame means, said rolls having spaced parallel axes disposed in acommon'horizontal plane, opposed strand supporting means between said feed and drafting rollssaid strand supporting means comprising'opposed pairs "of apron drive spindle and apron guide means mounted generally perpendicular to the planeof said rolls, endless apron belts passin around eachpair of drive and guide means to support the strands of fiber andcompact them in a 'direction perpendicular to the direction of compacting effected by i said r011s,: means comprising an elongated plate for supportingthe apron drive spindle-and guide means, bearing means for permitting the support plate to movetransvers'ely across the frame in the direction of the rolls, and drive means supported by the frame and connected to the plate for reciprocating the aprons along the length of the rolls.

3. Apparatus for drafting strands, of fi'bercomprising frame means, feed rolls and draftingirolls supported by said frame meanssaid rolls having spaced parallel axes disposedin acommonzhorizontal plane, opposed strand supporting means between said feed anddrafting rolls, said strand supporting means comprising opposed pairs of apron drive spindle and apron guide means mountedgenerally perpendicular to the plane of said rolls, transversely movabla endless apron beltspassing around each pair of drive andguide means to support the strands of fiber and-com pact them in a direction perpendicularto the direction of compacting effected by said rolls, clearing means forsaid belts, said clearing means comprising a comb-like member havinga back and depending tines, clearing pads on said tines and arranged to-engage theouter returnsidesof said belts, said clearing meanshaving a floating mounting whereby'friction between the belt-g and clearing padspositions said clearing means, and support means for the said clearing meanseomprising a member fixed. to said strand supporting.

horizontal plane, opposed strand supporting means between said feed and drafting rolls, said strand supporting means comprising :opposed pairs of apron drive spindle and apron guide means mounted generally perpendicular to the plane of said rolls, endless apron belts passing around each pair of drive and guide means'to support thestrands of fiberand compact them in a direction perpendicular to the direction of compacting effectedby said rolls, clearing means for said belts, said clearing means comprising a comb-like member having a back and depending tines, clearing pads on said tines and arranged to engage the outer return sides of said belts, said clearing means having a floating mounting comprising foreand aft frame members extending between the rolls and supporting the clearing member, thexclearing member extending transversely, across the frame and sliding upon the fore and aft members whereby friction, between the belts and clearing pads positions said clearing means 5. Apparatus for drafting strands of fiber comprising feed rolls and drafting rolls, said rolls having spaced parallel axes disposed in a common plane, opposed strand supporting means between said feed and drafting rolls, said strand supporting means comprising opposed pairs of apron drive spindle and apron guide means mounted perpendicular to the plane of said rolls, an eccentric bushing surrounding one of said spindles, means to rotate said bushing to move said one spindle toward and away from the other spindle, and endless apron belts passing around said pairs of'drive and guide means to support the strands of fiber and compact them in a direction perpendicular to the direction of compacting eifected by said rolls. 6. An apron assembly for supporting strands of fiber during a drafting operation comprising a support, a pair of drive spindles, means rotatably mounting said spindles in said support, the mounting means for one of said spindles including an eccentric bushing surrounding said one spindle and rotatable in said support, means for turning said eccentric bushing whereby said one spindle is moved toward and away from the otherspindle, apron guide means for each spindle spaced therefrom along the line of strand travel, aprons around said spindles and guide means, and means to rotate said spindles.

7. An apron assembly for supporting strands of fiber during a drafting operation comprising a support, a pair of drive spindles rotatably mounted in said support, an apron guide member spaced forwardly from each spindle in the direction of fiber travel, a belt snubbing finger extendingrearwardly from each guide member with one of said fingers being longer than the other, an endless belt around said spindle, guide member, and finger, each apron guide member including a base mounting flange, a slot in said flange, and screw means extending through said slot to mount said guide member for limited universal motion relative to said spindles.

8. Apparatus for drafting strands of fiber comprising frame means, feed rolls and drafting rolls supported by said frame means, said rolls having spaced parallel axes disposed in a common horizontal plane, opposed strand supporting means between said feed and drafting rolls, said strand supporting means comprising opposed pairs of apron drive spindle and apron guide means mounted generally perpendicular to the plane of said rolls, endless apron belts passing around each pair of drive and guide means to support the strands of fiber and compact them in a direction perpendicular to the direction of compacting effected by said rolls, and clearing means for said belts, said clearing means comprising a comb-like member having a back and depending tines, clearing pads on said tines and ar-: ranged to engage the outer return reaches of pairs of said belts, said spindles and guide means being arranged so that the spacing between pairs of return belt reaches increases in a direction opposite to the direction of feed, the tines of said clearing means being spaced on either side of said belts, and said clearing means having a floating mounting whereby friction between the belts and clearing pads wedges said pads against the belts.

9. Apparatus for drafting strands of fiber comprising frame means, feed rolls and drafting rolls supported by said frame means, said rolls having spaced parallel axes disposed in a common horizontal plane, opposed strand supporting means between said feed and drafting rolls, said strand supporting means'comprising opposed pairs of apron drive spindle and apron guide means mounted generally perpendicular to the plane of said rolls, endless apron belts passing around each pair of drive and guide means to support the strands of fiber and compact them in a direction perpendicular to the direction of compacting effected by said rolls, guide bars mounted above said supporting means and extending generally parallel to the direction of strand travel, and belt clearing means comprising a comb-like member having a back and spaced, depending felt-covered tines,,said back resting on said bars with said felt-covered'tines engaging the return reaches of said belts, the said bars supporting the clearing member verti-' cally above the apron belts and the said clearing member being adapted to slide across thev bars and tomove with the apron belts.

10. Apparatus for drafting strands of fiber comprising frame means, feed rolls and drafting rolls supported by said frame means, said rolls having'spaced parallel axes disposed in a common horizontal plane, a slide mounted for motion parallel to said rolls, means to traverse said slide, a plurality of opposed strand supporting means on said slide between said feed and drafting rolls, said strand supporting means com-' prising opposed pairs of apron drive spindle and apron guide means mounted generally perpendicular to the plane of said rolls, endless apron belts passing around each pair of drive and guide means to support the strands of fiber and compact them in a direction perpendicular to the direction of compacting effected by said ,rolls, spaced apertures in said slide between said strand supporting means, posts extending upwardly from said frame means and through said slide apertures there being clearance to permit slide traverse, bars supported by said posts, apron clearing means comprising a comb-like member having a back portion slidably supported on said bars and depending felt-covered tines in ,en-

.gagement with said belts, said apron drive spindle and guide means extending upwardly from said frame means in' cantilever fashion where by removal of said clearing means, replacement of said belts, and adjustments of said driveand guide means is facilitated.

-11. For use with an apron-type strand drafting apparatus, an apron clearing unit comprising a comb-like member having a back and spaced depending tines, and felt clearing pads extend-J ing along the length of said tines and adapted to bear against the surface of an apron belt mov ing between and parallel to the tines. I

12. Apparatus for drafting strands of fiber comprising frame means, feed rolls and drafting rolls on said frame means, said rolls having spaced parallel axes disposed in a common plane, slide means mounted on said frame means for reciprocatory motion parallel to said roll axes, apron-type strand supporting means mounted on said slide means between said feed and draft-- ing rolls, and means to reciprocate said slide means, said apron-type strand-supporting means running about axes perpendicular to that of said rolls at all times. w I 13. Apparatus for drafting strands of fiber comprising frame means, including fore and aft and transverse members feed rolls and drafting rolls supported by said frame means, said rolls having spaced parallel axes disposed in a common horizontal plane, opposed strand sup porting means between said feed and drafting rolls, said strand supporting means comprising opposed pairs of apron drive spindle and apron guide means mounted generally perpendicular to the plane of said rolls, endless apron belts passing around each pair of drive and guide means to support the strands of fiber and compact them in a direction perpendicular to the direction of compacting effected by said rolls, means mounted on said frame means and supporting said apron spindle and guide means and movable in the plane of the drafting rolls, means for reciprocating said support means relative to said frame and said draft rolls, and a clearer bar for the said apron belts comprising a transverse member having depending tines and clearing pads mounted on the tines, the transverse member of the clearer bar sliding upon the fore and aft frame members for transverse motion with the reciprocation of the support means.

14. Apparatus for drafting strands of fiber comprising frame means, feed rolls and drafting rolls supported by said frame means, said rolls having spaced parallel axes disposed in a common horizontal plane, opposed strand supporting means between said feed and drafting rolls, said strand supporting means comprising opposed pairs of apron drive spindle and apron guide means mounted generally perpendicular to the plane of said rolls, endless apron belts passing around each pair of drive and guide means to support the strands of fiber and compact them in a direction perpendicular to the direction of compacting effected by said rolls, means mounted on said frame means and supporting said apron spindle and guide means and movable in the plane of the drafting rolls, and means for reciprocating said support means relative to said frame and said drafting rolls.

15. Apparatus for drafting strands of fiber comprising frame means, feed rolls and drafting rolls supported by the said frame means, said rolls having spaced parallel axes disposed in a common horizontal plane, opposed strand supporting means comprising opposed pairs of apron drive spindle and apron guide means mounted generally perpendicular to the plane of said rolls, endless apron belts passing around each pair of drive and guide means to support the strands of fiber and compact them in a direction perpendicular to the direction of compacting effected by said rolls, means comprising an elongated plate for supporting the apron drive spindle and guide means upon the frame, bearing means for permitting the support plate to move transversely across the frame in the direction of the rolls, means for reciprocating said support plate relative to said frame, shafts for the apron drive spindles extending through the support plate, and means mounted on the underside of the support plate and reciprocable therewith for driving the spindle shafts.

16. Apparatus for drafting strands of fiber comprising frame means, feed rolls and drafting rolls supported by the said frame means, said rolls having spaced parallel axes disposed in a common horizontal plane, opposed strand supporting means comprising opposed pairs of apron drive spindle and apron guide means mounted generally perpendicular to the plane of said rolls, endless apron belts passing around each pair of drive and guide means to support the strands of fiber and compact them in a direction perpendicular to the direction of compacting effected by said rolls, means comprising an elongated plate for supporting the apron drive spindle and guide means upon the frame, bearing means forpermitting the support plate to move transversely across the frame in the direction of the rolls, means for reciprocating said support plate relative to said frame, shafts for the apron drive spindles extending through the support plate, means mounted on the underside of the support plate and reciprocable therewith for driving the spindle shafts, one of each pair of said spindle shafts extending through an cecentric bushing mounted upon said plate, and. means for rotating said bushing to adjust the lateral spacing of the pairs of spindle shafts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Noguera Aug. 14, 1945