US2751937A

US2751937A - Pattern control for axminster loom

Info

Publication number: US2751937A
Application number: US429751A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leroy N Linscott
Original assignee: ALEXANDER SMITH Inc
Current assignee: ALEXANDER SMITH Inc
Priority date: 1954-05-14
Filing date: 1954-05-14
Publication date: 1956-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 1973-06-26

Description

June 26, 1956 L. N. LINSCOTT PATTERN CONTROL FOR AXMINSTER LOOM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 14, 1954 INVENTOR 5-2 4.6790) /V. Aux/sco f ATTORNEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L. N. LlNSCOTT PATTERN CONTROL FOR AXMINSTER LOOM nunu 1| n u I SUB mmnn J NN I v. -I wl. l x WNW a I I I I E! I 1 I I I I o I l June 26, 1956 Filed May 14, 1954 United States Patent PATTERN CONTROL FOR STER LOGM Leroy N. Linscott, Yonkers, N. Y., assignor to Alexander Smith, Incorporated, White Plains, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 14, 1954, Serial No. 429,751

11 Claims. (Cl. 139-7) This invention relates to apparatus for controlling the length of a pattern woven on an Axminster loom, and more particularly to control mechanism by means of which the weaving operations can be adjusted to cause the length of each repeat pattern in the woven carpet to conform accurately to a predetermined value.

Narrow carpet as woven on an Axminster loom is usually laid in strips which must be matched in respect to the pattern in order for the overall area to be of even and uniform appearance. However, during normal Weaving operations minor variations in pattern length may be produced due to variations in tension of the warp which may be caused for example by changes in temperature and humidity or by variations in the size of the warp beam. Such variations in pattern length cause considerable diificulty in matching the pattern in successive strips of carpet when the carpet is laid on the floor, and require operations either for stretching or shrinking the strip so as to cause the various repeat patterns to register accurately.

It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the above mentioned difliculties and to provide an accurate control so that the repeated patterns may be produced which are of exactly the same length.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention this is accomplished by providing a cam or the like on the chain carrying the tube frames of an Axminster loom corresponding to a complete pattern which is repeated at each complete revolution of the chain. The cam is adapted to produce an indication, either visible or audible, at each repeat of the pattern. A rotating disk driven by the woven carpet is designed to make a complete revolution for each repeat of the pattern. Hence by comparing the positions of the disk at successive actuations of the indicator the operator can determine whether the pattern is over or under its predetermined length as calculated from the design.

The invention also provides a novel and improved take-up roll for feeding the woven carpet through the loom with means for adjusting the roll to produce fine variations in rate of feed adapted to compensate for any changes in pattern length.

In one embodiment this adjustable take-up roll includes a plurality of parallel spike bars disposed around the periphery of the roll and so designed that axial movement of the spike bars causes a relatively small radial adjustment which increases or decreases the effective diameter of the take-up roll. The arrangement is such that this adjustment can be made by the operator while the loom is operating, so that corrections in feed may be made as required without stopping or reducing the overall output from the loom.

The nature of the invention will be better understood by referring to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which a specific embodiment thereof has been set forth for purposes of illustration.

2,751,937 Patented June 26, 1956 In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a broken side elevation of a portion of an Axminster loom with parts in section to illustrate the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1 showing the indicator cam on a loom chain;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. l but on a larger scale;

Figs. 4 and 5 are partial sections taken on the lines 4--4 and 5-5 respectively of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a detail view of one of the spike bars; and

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken on the line 77 of Fig. 3 showing the drive for the indicator disk.

Referring to the drawings more in detail the invention is shown as applied to a standard Axminster loom having a chain 10 carrying a plurality of tube frames 11 (only one of which is shown) which are successively brought into weaving position to weave a pile carpet 12 which is shown in Fig. 1 as passing over a guide bar 13 thence around a take-up roll 15, an idler drive roll 16, and a guide roll 17 to be rolled into a roll or fed to a finishing station. Since the loom is of standard construction only so much thereof is shown herein as is necessary to an understanding of the present invention.

The woven carpet 12 before passing to the take-up roll 15 is shown in Figs. 1 and 7 engaging a driving wheel 2% which is provided with pins 21 for driving engagement with the carpet and is mounted on a shaft 22 which is journaled in a bearing 23 carried by an arm 24 which is adjustably secured by bolts 25 to a bracket 26. The bracket 26 is attached to the frame 27 of the loom by bolts 28 which extend through an elongated slot 29 by which the position of the bracket 26 may be adjusted.

The shaft 22 carries a worm 30 meshing with a worm gear 31 on a shaft 32 which is journaled in bracket 33 forming a part of the arm 24 and carries at its free end an indicator disk 37 having an index mark 34 at a predetermined point on the periphery thereof. A stationary index mark 35 on an arcuate member 36 carried by the arm 24 registers with the index mark 34 on the disk 37 to indicate the length of the woven pattern.

The size of the driving Wheel 20 and the ratio of the worm drive of the disk 37 is so selected that when the woven pattern is of a predetermined length the disk 37 makes one complete revolution for each pattern repeat and is so set that at a predetermined point in each pattern, for example at the beginning of each pattern, the index mark 34 on the disk registers with the stationary index mark 35. This registration will occur at the same point in each pattern provided the woven patterns are of the correct length. If, however, the woven pattern is shorter than the predetermined length the index mark 34 will lag, taking a position such as that shown in Fig. 7. On the other hand, if the woven carpet is of greater than the predetermined length, the index mark 34 will have advanced past stationary index 35 by the time the repeat pattern is reached.

In order to notify the operator of the loom when a predetermined point in the pattern has been reached a cam 40 is attached to the chain 10 carrying the Axminister tube frames. This cam 40 is shown in Fig. 2 as registering with the arm 41 of a microswitch 42 to close the microswitch 42 each time the chain 10 makes a complete revolution. This corresponds to the weaving of a complete pattern. Hence the microswitch 42 is closed at the same point in each repeat of the pattern as woven. The switch 42 may be connected by a lead 43 to close the circuit to a light 44 so that the light 44 is flashed at each repeat of the woven pattern. The switch 42 is also shown as connected to close the circuit to a bell 45 so as to give an audible indication that the repeat point has been ice , are correspondingly inclined.

have a corresponding-shape.

. 3 reached. The light 44 may for example be positioned to illuminate the indicator disk 37 so that the operator, by observing the relationship of the

index marks

34 and 35. when they are illuminated by the light 44, can determine Whether or not the woven pattern islonger or short er than the predetermined length.

In order to permit the operator to make fine adjustments in the length of the woven carpet as may be necessary to cause thevarious repeat patterns to conform accurately to the predetermined length, the take up roll 15 is shown as providedwith a plurality of longitudinally extending slots 50 which are disposed 'a'round'th'e periphery thereof and which carry registering spike bars 51 carrya ing feed spikes 52. 'Th'e spike bars 51 are provided with flatunder surfaces 53 and ,arcuate top surfaces 54 carrying the spikes 52. Inclinedsurfaces 55 join the under surfaces 53 andthe top surfaces 54. The under surfaces 53 of the spike bars '51 are inclined as shown in Fig. 3 so that the bars 51jtaper in thickness from one end to the other and the bottoms of the slots 50 in the take up roll Referring to Fig. 3- the take-up roll 15 is shown as mounted on a shaft 64?. An adjusting nut 61 mounted on a hub 62 journalled on the shaft 60, is provided with peripheral threads 53 which engage corresponding threads on the underside of the various spike bars 51 so that turning of the adjusting'nut 61 advances the various spike bars 51 laterally along the slots 59. .In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 shifting of the spike bars 51 to the left along the inclined *under surfaces thereof serves to retract the bars radially and reduce the effective diameter of the take-up roll. on theother hand shifting of the spike bars to the right as seen in Fig. 3 serves to cam the bars outwardly andto increase the efiective diameter of the take-up roll. 7

For'turn'ingth'e adjusting nut 61 a hand wheel 64 is provided which is attached to the hub 62. A lock nut .65, operated by a second hand Wheel 66 and threaded onto the shaft 60,,serves to secure the adjusting nut 61 in any desired position. A-collar 67 on the shaft 60 limits the movement of the lock nut .65 to that necessary to clamp 'or release the adjusting nut 61.

It .will be noted that the bottom surface 53 of the spike bar is the same width throughout the length of the bar whereas the 'width of the upper surface 54 tapers in accordance with variations in the thicknessof the. bar, and

other at each rotation of the disk 33, depending upon Whether the index mark 34 lags or leads its correct position.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown for purposes of illustration it is to be understood that theinvention may be applied to various uses and that changes and-adaptations may be made therein as will be readily apparentto a person skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. In an Axminster loom for weaving a carpet having a repeat pattern and having an endless conveyor carrying a set of Axrninster tube frames adapted to weave a complete pattern at each complete revolution; of said conveyor and feed means for feeding the woven carpet past a weaving station, a member positioned to be driven by the feed of the woven carpet in advance of said feed means, an index member, means connectingsaiddriven member to cause said index member to make one revolution in response to the feed of a length of woven carpet corresponding to a predetermined pattern length, and means carried by said conveyorto indicate a predetermined repeat point in successive patterns.

2. In an Axmin'ster loom for weaving a carpet having a repeatpattern and having an endless conveyor carrying a set of Axminster tube frames adapted to weave a complete pattern at each complete revolution of said conveyor and feed means for feeding the woven carpet past a weaving station, a member positioned to be driven by'the feed of the woven carpet in advance ofsaid feed means, an index member, means connecting said driven member to cause said index member to make'one revolution in response to the feed of a length of woven carpet corresponding to a predetermined pattern length, a cam carried by said. conveyor and signal means actuated by said cam to indicate a predetermined repeat point in successive patterns. a

3. In an Axminster loom for weaving a carpet having a repeat pattern and having an endless conveyor carrying a set of Axminster tube frames adapted to weave a complete pattern at each complete revolution of said conveyor and feed means for feeding the woven carpet past a weaving station, a member positioned to be driven by the feed of the woven carpet in advance of said feed means, an index member, means connecting said drive member to cause said index member to make one revolution in response to the feed of a length of woven carpet corresponding to a predetermined pattern length. and a cam carried by said conveyor, a switch actuated bysaid cam and signal means actuated byrsaid switch to indicate a predetermined repeat point in successive patterns. V

4. in an Axminster loom for weaving a carpet having a repeat pattern and having an endless conveyor carrying a set of Axminster tube frames adapted toweave a comin a direction to shift the spike bars 51 toward the right 7 as shown in Fig. 3, thereby raising the spike bars and increasing the rate of feed of the carpet over the take-up roll 15. After the' adjustment has been made the lock nut is again tightened. As pointed out previously this adjustment can .normally bemade without stopping the loom.

The adjustment is repeated as necessary until the length of the woven pattern is such that the index mark 34 reg iste rs with the stationary mark 35"at each repeat point in the pattern. When this occurs the woven patterns are all of exactly the same length and all difiiculty in matching during subsequent use of the carpet is eliminated.

It is to-be understood of course that the control may be made automatic if desired by connecting the disk37 to close circuits to a reversible adjustment motor which in turn isconnected to drive the adjusting nut 61 so that adjustment is automatically made in one direction or the plete pattern at each complete revolution of said conveyor and feed means forfeeding the woven carpet past a weaving station, a member positioned to be driven by the 'feed of the woven carpet in advance of said feed means, an index member, means connecting said driven member to cause said index member to make one revolution in 60 response to the feed of a length of woven carpet corresponding to a predetermined pattern length, a light to illuminate said index means, a switch actuated by said cam, and means connecting said switch to energize said light to indicate a predetermined repeatpoint in succes- V sive patterns. g V 5. In an Axminster loom for weaving-a carpet having a repeat pattern andl'having anendless conveyor carrying:

a set of Axminster tube frames adapted to weave a complete pattern at each completerevolution of said conveyor and feed means for feeding the woven Carpetpast a Weaving station, a member positioned to be driven by the feed of the woven carpet in advance of said feed means, an index member,,means connecting said driven member to cause said index member to make. one revolution in,

response to the feed of a length of woven carpet corresponding to a predetermined pattern length, means carried by said conveyor to indicate a predetermined repeat point in successive patterns, and means for adjusting the rate of feed of said feed means to cause the pattern length in the woven carpet to conform to said predetermined length.

6. In an Axminster loom for weaving a carpet having a repeat pattern and having an endless conveyor carrying a set of Axminster tube frames adapted to weave a complete pattern at each complete revolution of said conveyor and a take-up roll for feeding the woven carpet past a weaving station, a member positioned to be driven by the feed of the woven carpet in advance of said take-up roll, an index member, means connecting said driven member to cause said index member to make one revolution in response to the feed of a length of woven carpet corresponding to a predetermined pattern length, means carried by said conveyor to indicate a predetermined repeat point in successive patterns, and means for adjusting the rate of feed of said take-up roll to cause the pattern length in the woven carpet to conform to said predetermined length.

7. In an Axminster loom for weaving a carpet having a repeat pattern and having an endless conveyor carrying a set of Axminster tube frames adapted to weave a complete pattern at each complete revolution of said conveyor and a take-up roll for feeding the woven carpet past a weaving station, a member positioned to be driven by the feed of the woven carpet in advance of said take-up roll, an index member, means connecting said driven member to cause said index member to make one revolution in response to the feed of a length of woven carpet corresponding to a predetermined pattern length, means carried by said conveyor to indicate a predetermined repeat point in successive patterns, and means for adjusting the effective diameter of said take-up roll to cause the pattern length in the woven carpet to conform to said predetermined length.

8. A take-up member for an Axminster loom, comprising a cylindrical roll having a plurality of longitudinal grooves disposed around the periphery thereof, spike bars carrying spikes for feeding a woven carpet mounted in said grooves, the under surfaces of said spike bars and the bottoms of said grooves being of uniform width throughout the length thereof to allow said bars to slide longitudinally of said roll, said grooves and said bars tapering in thickness from one end of said roll to the other whereby the longitudinal sliding of said bars alters the radial positions thereof, said bars and said grooves having inclined side walls adapted to secure said bars in dovetailed relationship in said grooves, and means shifting said bars longitudinally in said grooves for thereby varying the effective diameter of said take-up member.

9. A take-up member for an Axminster loom, comprising a cylindrical roll having a plurality of longitudinal grooves disposed around the periphery thereof, spike bars carrying spikes for feeding a woven carpet mounted in said grooves, the under surfaces of said spike bars and the bottoms of said grooves being of uniform width throughout the length thereof to allow said bars to slide longitudinally of said roll, said grooves and said bars tapering in thickness from one end of said roll to the other whereby the longitudinal sliding of said bars alters the radial positions thereof, said bars and said grooves having inclined side walls adapted to secure said bars in dovetailed relationship in said grooves, and an adjusting nut disposed at one end of said cylindrical roll and in threaded engagement with the under surfaces of said spike bars for shifting said bars longitudinally in said grooves and thereby varying the effective diameter of said takeup member.

10. A take-up member for an Axminster loom, comprising a cylindrical roll having a plurality of longitudinal grooves disposed around the periphery thereof, spike bars carrying spikes for feeding a woven carpet mounted in said grooves, the under surfaces of said spike bars and the bottoms of said grooves being of uniform width throughout the length thereof to allow said bars to slide longitudinally of said roll, said grooves and said bars tapen'ng in thickness from one end of said roll to the other whereby the longitudinal sliding of said bars alters the radial positions thereof, said bars and said grooves having inclined side walls adapted to secure said bars in dovetailed relationship in said grooves, an adjusting nut disposed at one end of said cylindrical roll and in threaded engagement with the under surfaces of said spike bars for shifting said bars longitudinally in said grooves and thereby varying the effective diameter of said take-up member, and a lock nut to secure said adjusting nut in adjusted position.

11. A take-up roll for an Axminster loom, comprising a shaft, a cylindrical roll thereon having a plurality of longitudinal grooves disposed around the periphery thereof, spike bars carrying spikes for feeding a woven carpet mounted in said grooves, the under surfaces of said spike bars and the bottoms of said grooves being of uniform width throughout the length thereof to allow said bars to slide longitudinally of said roll, said grooves and said bars tapering in thickness from one end of said roll to the other whereby the longitudinal sliding of said bars alters the radial positions thereof, said bars and said grooves having inclined side walls adapted to secure said bars in dovetailed relationship in said grooves, an adjusting nut journaled on said shaft at one end of said cylindrical roll and in threaded engagement with the under surfaces of said spike bars for shifting said bars longitudinally in said grooves and thereby varying the effective diameter of said take-up member, a lock nut on said shaft to secure said adjusting nut in adjusted position, and hand wheels attached to said adusting nut and to said lock nut respectively to permit adjustment thereof while said roll is rotating.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 988,694 Collins Apr. 4, 1911 1,053,279 Collins Feb. 18, 1913 1,810,636 Adler June 16, 1931 2,052,493 Simmons Aug. 25, 1936 2,120,735 Debrie June 14, 1938