US2702566A - Weaving loom clamp - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 22, 1955 D. E. HOUGHTON WEAVING LOOM CLAMP 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 1, 1951 K INVENTORY Daniel H0 uybfon, M1440, M0

ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 22, 1955 D. E. HOUGHTON WEAVING LOOM CLAMP 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 1, 1951 N\N Pom h B mfim JO F am. m m

l u A 798 wmq mmm United States Patent O WEAVING LOOM CLAMP Daniel E. Houghton, Washington, D. C., assignor, by mesne assignments, to New York Wire Cloth Company, York, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application August 1, 1951, Serial No. 239,734

13 Claims. (Cl. 139-127) This invention relates to apparatus for weaving wire cloth and the like.

In greater detail, this invention relates to so-called bobbinless weaving wherein the weft wire or filament is fed partially into the loom shed by a first reciprocating clamp member and then picked up by a second reciprocating clamp member. The second reciprocating clamp member then serves to pull the filament completely through the shed. This type of weaving is generally well known and the present invention relates only to novel reciprocating clamp members for handling the filament.

Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is to provide improved clamp members for use in bobbinless weaving apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved clamp members utilizing wedging rollers for retaining the weft filament.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved wearing clamp members which incorporate a guiding member for leading the weft filament through the loom shed.

Further objects and the entire scope of the invention will become fully apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims. It will be understood that the detailed description is given only for purposes of illustration and is not intended to limit the invention.

The invention may be more fully understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows the general arrangement of my novel clamping members in combination with a suitable loom structure.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the clamping member constituting my invention.

Figure 3 shows a front view of the clamping members shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the left-hand clamp member shown in Figure 2. This view is taken substantially along the line 44 of Figure 5.

Figure 5 shows a sectional view substantially along the line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the right-hand clamp member shown in Figure 2. This view is substantially along the line 66 of Figure 7.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 77 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a detailed sectional view of a tapered pin taken substantially along the line 88 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 shows a plan view of left-hand and righthand clamp members according to another embodiment of my invention.

Figure 10 shows a front view of the clamp members shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 shows a sectional view of the lefthand clamp member shown in Figures 9 and 10 Figure 12 shows a sectional view of the right-hand clamp member shown in Figures 9 and 10.

Referring now to Figure 1, a left-hand or insert clamp member is designated generally as 10 and a right-hand or pick-up clamp member is designated generally as 12. The clamp members 10 and 12 are mounted on damp carriers 14 and 16, respectively. These clamp carriers may be tubular members and are supported for reciprocating motion in brackets 18 and 20 mounted on a transverse bar 22. The brackets 18 and 20 are each 2,702,566 Patented Feb. 22, 1955 ice provided with extending arms 24 and hubs 26 through which the carriers 14 and 16 may slide.

The bar 22 will be supported by any suitable means with respect to the warp wires 28 through which a weft filament is to be threaded.

The weaving apparatus may be of any well known type and may be provided with arms 30 and 32 which will be moved in synchronism about points which are fixed relative to the bar 22 and brackets 18 to first move toward one another and then away from one another as the weaving operation continues. At the lower end of the arm 32, there may be attached as by pivot pin 34 an operating rod 36, terminating at its end remote from end 34 in a conventional flexible joint 38. The joint 38 may be all of a ball-and socket-type or the like. The end 40 of the carrier 16 remote from the clamp 12 may then be attached to the joint 38. Accordingly, as the arm 32 is oscillated clockwise, as viewed in Figure 4, the clamp 12 will be reciprocated to the left in Figure 1 to enter the loom shed. The movement of arm 32 will usually be sufficient to bring the clamp 12 to about the center of the loom shed. Thereupon, the arm 32 will then be oscillated counterclockwise, as viewed in Figure 1, and the clamp 12 will be returned to the position as shown in Figure 1.

At the same time as arm 32 oscillates as above described, the arm 30 will move through a similar oscillation and in so doing, an operating member 42, connected to arm 30 at pivot pin 44, will reciprocate carrier 44 in a similar manner. The arrangement of the apparatus will be such that the clamp 10 will also be moved substantially to the center of the loom shed so that the clamps 10 and 12 may butt against one another. At this time clamp 10 will have inserted the filament halfway into the shed and into clamp 12.

The weft filament may be led into the interior of the carrier 14 at any suitable point outwardly of the bracket 18. The filament will then proceed through the interior of the carrier 14 and into and through the clamp 10, so that the end of the filament will be positioned just at the leading end of clamp 10. As will become more fully apparent below, the clamp 10 will grasp the filament and the filament will be inserted into the shed by moving with the clamp 10 toward the center of the loom shed as arm 30 is oscillated counterclockwise, as viewed in Figure 1. When the clamps 10 and 12 meet in the loom shed, the clamp 12 will pick up or grasp the end of the filament whereupon the filament will be pulled through the shed as the clamp 12 returns to its position as shown in Figure 1.

As will be explained below, as soon as the pick-up clamp 12 takes over the pulling operation, the clamp 10 releases its hold on the filament and permits the latter to be pulled through the clamp and carrier 14.

There may also be provided the usual cutting shears and apparatus for turning the separate ends of the weft filaments back through a few of the warp wires 28 to form an edge of the woven material. Inasmuch as such mechanism does not form any part of the present invention, it is not shown or described herein.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the details of the clamp members 10 and 12 may be generally understood. Referring first to clamp 10, this clamp consists of a main body portion 50 and a cover plate 52. The plate 52 may be secured to the body 50 by suitable screws 54. The body 50 is supported in the carrier member 14 by means of an upper screw 56 and lower screw 58 which seat in a shank 60 extending from the body portion 50.

The forward or leading end of the clamp 10 is provided with a slidable guide sleeve 62 which serves to protect and guide the end of the filament through the loom shed. As will become fully apparent below, this sleeve may retract into the clamp 10 whenever the outer end 64 of sleeve 62 engages the leading end of the clamp member 12.

The clamp member 10 is further characterized by the provision of an aperture 66 in the cover plate 52, this aperture being provided for threading the filament through the clamp and for cleaning a cavity 74.

Further details of the clamping roller 68 and other operating mechanisms of clamp 10 may be understood with reference to Figures 4 and 5 which show sectional views. The weft filament is designated 70 and may be observed in Figure 5. The filament 70 will enter the extreme left-hand end of the shank 60 through a centrally located aperture 72 forming a filament passage and will proceed through this passage into the body portion 50 where it will then pass through the cavity 74 in which the clamp roller 68 is located. The cavity 74 is characterized by an inclined upper wall 76, this wall being preferably at an angle of 14 to a lower wall 78 which is aligned with the lower edge of the aperture 72. The lower wall 78 is preferably formed by the top surface of an inlay 80 of relatively hard material, such as hardened steel, Carboloy and the like.

The roller 68 will be freely movable within the cavity 74 and will be of such diameter that, when the roller is moved to the left, as shown in Figure 5, it will substantially fill the distance between the lower wall 78 and the inclined wall 76. With the roller in the extreme left-hand of cavity 74, there would not be space for the filament 70. Therefore, when the filament 70 is present in the cavity 74, roller 68 will not be able to move to its extreme left-hand position.

The roller 68 is resiliently urged to the left, as shown in Figure 5, under the action of a compression spring 82 which is mounted in a housing 84 which is slidable in an auxiliary cavity 86 leading from the cavity 74. As will be clearly understood from the drawing, the arrangement is such that the spring 82 will gently urge the roller into simultaneous contact with the filament 70 and with the inclined wall 76. Then, if tension is applied to the filament 70, tending to move the filament to the left, as shown in Figure 5, friction between the roller 68 and filament 70 will cause the roller to bind against both the filament 70 and the inclined wall 76 to thus firmly retain the filament.

The function of the details of the guide sleeve 62 will now be described. This sleeve is received in an elongated aperture 90, extending inwardly from the righthand end of the clamp as shown in Figure 5, the aperture being aligned with the previously mentioned aperture 72 so that the filament 70 may proceed completely through the clamp member 10 and the guide sleeve 62 in a straight line. The upper portion of the sleeve member 62 is cut away to form a fiat surface 92, except at the inner end of the sleeve, where a shoulder 94 is provided to form a stop for engagement with a transverse pin 96. A compression spring 98 is then provided between the inner end of sleeve 62 and an end wall 100 of aperture 90. Accordingly, the sleeve 62 is normally held in the position shown in Figure 5, but, upon pressure being applied to the outer end 64, the sleeve may be moved inwardly of the clamp 10 by overcoming the spring 98.

To guide the filament into the sleeve 62, there is provided an inner guide tube 102, which, at its right-hand end rides within a central aperture 104 in sleeve 62. The guide tube 102, at its left-hand end, is passed through a reduced section 106 of aperture 90 and the extreme left-hand end of guide tube 102 is flared outwardly as at 108 within the cavity 74.

In connection with clamp member 10, it will be understood that the function of the inclined wall 76 may be equally well performed by extending the roller 68, perhaps as by providing a central shaft for the roller, and having this shaft ride on inclined surfaces of some sort. The illustrated embodiment in which a relatively narrow cavity is employed is preferable simply because the completed clamp may be very compact.

The roller 68 as well as the inlay 80 will normally be of very hard material. Therefore, if tension is applied to the filament 70 in the direction to the left, as viewed in Figure 5, it will result in the filament being deformed rather than the roller 68 and the inlay 80 and this will tend the increase of friction. Moreover, while there will be some wear as the filament is moved through the clamp 10 from left to right, this wear will appear on the filament rather than on the hardened roller and inlay. However, the filament will pass only once through the clamp and, therefore, the wear both on the filament and on the roller and inlay will be negligible.

In operation, it will be understood that, after the clamp member 10 has returned to its position, as shown in Figure 1, the filament 70 will be sheared ofi closely adjacent the end 64 of sleeve 62 in the position of the sleeve shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5. The filament 70 will then be supported by inner guide tube 102 and extend slightly beyond the end thereof. The filament will be protected from catching in the warp wires and bending by reason of extended sleeve 62.

The structural details of the clamp member 12 will now be considered. Referring first to Figures 2 and 3, clamp member 12 is characterized by a body portion supported by means of a shank portion 122 extending within the carrier 16 and secured thereto by a screw 124. A pivotally mounted release member 126 is retained in the body portion 120 by means of a cover plate 128, this cover plate also forming a housing 130 to receive release operating button 132. The plate 128 may be secured to the body portion 120 by means of suitable screws 134. The cover plate 128 is further provided with an aperture 136 for cleaning the cavity 146.

Referring next to Figures 6 to 8, the end of the clamp 12 facing the clamp 10 is provided with a conically shaped opening 140 which will be aligned to meet with the end 64 of the guide sleeve 62. At the apex end 142 of opening 140, there is provided an aperture 144 forming a filament passage through which the weft filament 70 (see Figure 5) may pass into a cavity 146. The cavity 146 is defined at its lower side by a wall 148 formed in the body portion 120. The release operating member 126 is retained by reason of a rectangular post 150 extending inwardly from the mid-portion of body 120. An aperture 152, slightly larger in diameter than a diagonal of post 150, permits the corner 154 of post 150 to act as a pivot point about which the member 126 may be rotated.

The cavity 146 is primarily formed by cutting away an interior section of the member 126 to provide an inclined upper wall 156 against which the clamping roller 138 may operate. However, the forward portion of cavity 146 is formed by a curved wall 158 formed integral with the body portion 120. The roller 138 will normally cause a clamping action on a filament inserted through the opening 130 because the member 126 will be maintained in a fully counterclockwise position, as shown in Figure 7, by reason of a tapered pin 160. As best shown in Figure 8, the pin 160 bears against the body portion 120 at one side and against the release operating member 126 at the other side. If the release operating button 132 is moved to the right, as shown in Figure 8, the taper of the pin 160 will permit the release operating member 126 to pivot clockwise, as viewed in Figure 7, and this will have the effect of moving the inclined wall 156 away from the lower cavity wall 158 so that a binding action by the roller 138 on the filament can no longer exist.

The release operating button may be operated by any suitable means. As one example, illustrated in Figure 2, as the clamp member 12 returns to its retracted position shown in Figure 1, the button 132 may engage a cam surface C, so that it will be moved to release the filament from roller 138 in the manner described above.

To review the operation of the clamp members in the complete apparatus, it may be first assumed that the filament has been severed at the leading end of clamp 10 in the position of the latter shown in Figure 1. On the next cycle of the movement, the clamps 10 and 12 will move toward one another to meet near the center of the shed. Before movement of clamp 10 has begun spring 82 will have urged roller 68 into the engagement with the filament 70 and, therefore, the filament will be moved with the clamp 10 toward the clamp 12. When the end 64 of sleeve 62 en ages the conical opening 140 of clamp 12, the sleeve will be pushed back, permitting the filament to enter aperture 144 of clamp 12. Upon entering the aperture 144, the filament, because of its inherent stiffness, will urge the roller 138 to the rear so that the end of the filament will pass beneath the roller. The clamps will next begin to separate, whereupon the end of the filament will be retained by clamp 12 and, at the same time, the roller 68 of clamp 10 will release its grip. When the clamps have reached their retracted positions, as shown in Figure 1, the filament will now be stretched completely across the loom shed, whereupon the filament may be severed adjacent clamp 10. The severed end and the end now released by clamp 12 (because of operation of button 132) are then available for weaving into the edge of the material.

Referring to Figures 9 through 12, another embodiment of my invention will now be described. Figures 9 and 10 show a plan view and front view, respectively of modified clamp members which are intended to carry out the same function as the previously described clampmg members 10 and 12. Figures 11 and 12 show sectional news as indicated. The left-hand clamping member is here generally designated 210 and the right-hand clamping member is generally designated 212.

Referring first to left-hand clamping member 210, the general arrangement of the mechanism is similar to previously described clamp 10. However, one primary distinction is a modified construction of the guide sleeve. In this instance, the guide sleeve consists of a tubular member 214 having a centrally located aperture 216 only slightly larger than the diameter of the weft filament which is to be used. The guide tube 214 is provided with a reduced portion 218 extending to the left, as viewed in Figure 11. This reduced portion slides within an aperture 220 in the leading end of ,clamp 210. A coil spring 222 is provided to urge the-"guide tube 214 outwardly from the leading end 224 of the clamp. The connection between the outer end of tube 214 and spring 222 may be a washer 226 retained by a snap ring 228 which seats in a groove 230 in the tube 214. As one alternative structure, the extension 226' may be integral with spring 222.

The movement of tube 214 outwardly from the clamp 210 is limited by an extension 226' which extends along the side of clamp 210, as best shown in Figures 9 and 10, and has an end 232 in the form of a hook to engage the end 234 of an opening 236 in the side of the clamp member 210. There is also provided a guide block 238 for preventing the hooked end 232 of extension 226' from being sprung out of the opening 236 because of the flexibility of extension 226'.

Regarding clamp member 212, a primary distinction over previously described clamp 12 is in the means for operating the tapered pin which releases the clamping hold on the filament. In this modification, the tapered pin, here designated as 250, is provided with spaced shoulders 252 and 254 between which are positioned operating lugs 256 and 258 which are integral with a rocker arm 260. The rocker arm 260 is pivoted about a pin 262 mounted on a post 264 depending from the main body of clamp 212. A spring 266 is provided between the body of clamp 212 and the end 268 of rocker arm 260 urging the tapered pin 250 upwardly into the clamp. The pin 250 in this position will rotate the release member 270 into the clamping position of the latter, as shown in Figure 12. The rocker arm 260 may be operated to withdraw the pin 250 by any suitable means. In this instance, the end 268 of rocker arm 260 is provided with a cam surface 272 which may engage a suitable cam member C on the framework of the loom to withdraw pin 250 whenever the clamp 212 has returned to its retracted position.

A remaining distinction of the clamps 210 and 212 is that springs 280 and 282 are provided at clamps 210 and 212, respectively, for permitting limited movement of the clamps with respect to their carriers. The carrier for clamp 210 is here designated 284. A pivot pin 288 is provided as a connection between carrier 284 and clamp 210 so that the clamp 210 may be pivoted counterclockwise, as viewed in Figure 9, with respect to carrier 284. An extended end 290 which normally lies against the carrier 284 prevents clockwise movement of clamp 210 about the pin 288.

Similarly, a pivot pin 292 interconnects carrier 286 and clamp 212 thus permitting clockwise rotation of clamp 212 about pin 292. End 294 of clamp 212 pre vents counterclockwise pivoting of clamp 212 about pin 292.

In view of the foregoing, it will be clear that the clamps 210 and 212 will normally be retained as shown in Figure 9 because of the action of springs 280 and 282. However, when the leading ends of the clamps meet, it the extreme end of the guide tube 214 does not exactly align with a conical opening 296 in clamp 212, either one or the other of springs 280 or 282 will yield to permit the clamps to properly align themselves.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the present invention provides clamping apparatus for bobbinless weaving which is relatively simple in construction and yet exercises a positive grip on the weft filament.

It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description has been made only for purposes of illustration and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is to be determined from the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A weaving loom of the bobbinless type comprising in combination, a pair of elongated and substantially axially aligned carriers slidably supported for movement of the inner ends thereof from the opposite edges of the shed of said loom, mechanism interconnected to and operable to reciprocate said carriers simultaneously in op posite directions toward and from each other, an insert clamp unit carried by the inner end of one carrier, and a pick-up clamp unit carried by the inner end of the other carrier in axial alignment and cooperable with the insert clamp to engage the end of a weft filament drawn partially through said shed from one edge by the insert clamp and draw the filament to the other edge of the shed, each of said clamp units containing therein filament gripping means and actuating mechanism therefor operable automatically to grip said filament and move it relative to the shed when the unit is moving in one direction and permit movement of the unit relative to the filament when the unit is moving in the opposite direction.

2. The weaving loom set forth in claim 1 further including a guide sleeve reciprocably carried by said insert clamp unit for movement between projected and retracted positions and surrounding the weft filament when mounted therein, and compressible means normally urging said sleeve to its projected position, the outer end of said sleeve being engageable with and movable by said pick-up clamp unit to the retracted position of said sleeve to insure movement of the end of the filament into said unit.

3. The weaving loom set forth in claim 1 further characterized by the pick-up clamp unit including a release member operable to render the gripping means thereof ineffective near the completion of its movement in filament drawing direction to effect release of said filament by said pick-up unit.

4. The weaving loom set forth in claim 1 further characterized by said clamp units including rolling members movable automatically in wedging manner against said weft filament when said units are moved in one direction and permitting relative movement between said filament and units when said units are moved in the opposite direction.

5. The weaving loom set forth in claim 1 further characterized by at least one of said clamp units being pivotally connected to one of said carriers for limited movement about a substantially vertical pivot.

6. A weaving loom of the bobbinless type comprising in combination; a pair of elongated carriers axially aligned and reciprocable in opposite directions to cause the inner ends thereof to move toward and from each other; guide bearings slidably supporting said carriers; mechanism operable simultaneously to reciprocate said carriers as aforesaid; and insert and pick-up clamp units attached respectively to the inner ends of said carriers and projecting toward each other, said clamps being cooperable to pass the free end of a weft filament from one to the other incident to moving the same successively by the insert and pick-up clamps through the shed of said weaving loom, each of said clamps having opposed surfaces extending generally axially of said carriers and at an angle to each other, a rolling member engaging and Wedgingly movable by one of said surfaces into gripping engagement with a weft filament extending between said surfaces, and means in each clamp operable yieldably to urge said rolling member against said one surface in a direction to cause the rolling member to be wedged against said filament to grip the same when the clamp is moving in one direction and permit relative movement between the clamp and filament when the clamp is moving in the opposite direction.

7. The weaving loom set forth in claim 6 further char acterized by one of said opposed surfaces in said clamp units being substantially parallel to the axes of said carriers, and against which the filament is disposed when clamped by said units.

8. The weaving loom set forth in claim 7 further characterized by the other of said opposed surfaces being dis posed at an angle of substantially 14 to said one of said opposed surfaces.

9. The weaving loom set forth in claim 6 further characterized by said clamp units including expansible springs interengageable with the rolling members thereof and operable normally to urge said members against one of said angularly related surfaces to effect movement of the rolling members in a direction to be wedged against said filament.

10. The weaving loom set forth in claim 6 further characterized by said one surface of said pick-up clamp unit which is engaged by said rolling member of said unit being formed on a release member movably supported on said unit, and means operable substantially at the completion of the filament drawing movement of said clamp unit to effect movement of said release member and cause said one surface thereof to move in a direction to release said rolling member from gripping engagement with said filament.

11. The weaving loom set forth in claim 10 further characterized by said release member comprising a lever pivotally supported on said clamp unit, and release means supported by said unit to engage said lever and operable normally to dispose the surface on said lever which engages the rolling member in operative position, said release means being movable substantially at the completion of the drawing movement of said pick-up clamp unit to permit movement of the release member and surface thereon in a manner to cause said rolling member to release said filament.

12. The weaving loom set forth in claim 6 further characterized by said carriers being substantially tubular and said clamp units having shanks positioned within the inner ends thereof and fastened thereto.

13. The weaving loom set forth in claim 12 further characterized by the insert clamp unit having a passage extending longitudinally therethrough, and the carrier supporting said clamp unit also being tubular and axially aligned with the passage in said clamp unit, the weft filament extending through said carrier and passage in said clamp unit during the operation of said loom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,027,995 Cruikshank May 28, 1912 1,564,506 Ambler Dec. 8, 1925 2,070,361 Klemm Feb. 9, 1937 2,314,579 Frank Mar. 23, 1943 2,538,674 Edwards Jan. 16, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 22,659 Great Britain of 1901 856,385 France Mar. 18, 1940

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