US2862525A - Rotary weaving machine - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 2, 1958 T. F. MCGINLEY ROTARY WEAVING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 29, 1954 Thomas F. Mc G/n/ey Dec. 2, 1958 T. F. MCGINLEY ROTARY WEAVING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 29, 1954 3 Thomas E McG/n/ey INVENTOR.

B'Y @Mm WW EM Dec. 2, 1958 1'. F. M GINLEY 2,362,525

ROTARY WEAVING MACHINE Filed Oct. 29, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 4

Fig. 3

Thomas E McG/n/ey INVENTOR.

' Dec. 2, 19 58 T. F. McGlNLEY 2,8 2,525

ROTARY WEAVING MACHINE Filed 001:; 29, 1954 I 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 F jg 5 206 208 Thomas F. McGin/ey INVENTOR,

Dec. 2, 1958 T. F. MCGINLEY ROTARY WEAVING MACHINE Filed Oct. '29, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Thomas E McGin/ey 'INVENTOR.

Dec. 2, 1958 T. F. McGlNLEY 2,862,525

ROTARY WEAVING MACHINE 1 Filed Oct. 29, 1954 v 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 cnvrsn LINE OF SEGMENTAL CARRIERS Thomas E McG'in/ey INVENTOR.

Dec. 2, 1958 T. F. M GlNLEY ROTARY WEAVING MACHINE Filed Oct. 29, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Thomas I? Mc Gin/49y IN V EN TOR. wi h BY Dec. 2, 1953 Filed Oct. 29, 1954 Fig. /4

IOIA

T. F. M GINLEY ROTARY WEAVING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Thomas E Ma Gin/ey INVENTOR.

U d St t Pate t Q ROTARY WEAVING MACHINE Thomas F. McGinley, Phillipsburg, N. J. Application October 29, 1954, Serial N0.' i6 5,6 17 28 Claims. (c1. 139 17 This invention comprises a novel and useful rotary weaving machine and more specifically relates to a loom placing of the warp threads upon the beam is 'a time consuming operation as is the repairing of any warp thread during the loom operation.

The filler threads are woven into the warp threads by vertically displacing sets of warp threads to form a shed through which the filler thread is carried by a spool or bobbin, on a shuttle, the latter being hurled from one side of the loom to the other. The reciprocating movements of the shuttle actuating mechanism, the accelerating forces acting upon the shuttle and filler thread or weft and the lack of control of the shuttle during its travel are all fruitful sources of wear of the associated elements anda prolific source of breakage of the parts and damage to the material being woven.

It is therefore the general purpose of this invention to provide an apparatus and method of weaving wherein the above disadvantages may be obviated.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a weaving machine which 'will eliminate the customary various reciprocating motions of the elements of conventional looms, and will replace them, insofar as possible, with continuous rotating motions.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved loom in which a much smaller movement of the Warp threads in forming the shed is possible, to thereby minimize danger of breaking or over-tensioning such threads, and yet wherein the weft or filler thread is passed into and through the shed in the weaving operation with a much greater centainty of operation and in a much more rapid manner than is possible in conventional looms.

A further object of the invention is to provide a loom wherein the weaving operation may be elfected with a much faster operation and greater number of picks per minute than is possible in a conventional loom.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved loom wherein a readily varied and controlled twist in either direction may be easily imparted at any time to the warp threads during the weaving operation.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a loom wherein the warp threads may be more easily replaced when broken.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a rotary weaving machine incorporating therein the principles of this invention, parts being broken away and omitted in order to simplify the showing;

2,862,525 Patented Dec. 2, 1358 "T -Ce Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the rotary weaving machine of Figure 1, taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 22 of Figure l, with parts being omitted and other parts being broken away, and with the parts in a position which they assume shortly prior to the pick; Figure 2-A is a somewhat diagrammatic view of the right end of the machine of Figure 1, showing the relative arrangement of various parts of the same and in the same position as Figure 2;

Figure 2-B is a detail view, partly in section, of a portion of the reed of the loom;

Figure 3 is a detail view taken upon an enlarged scale of a portion of Figure 2 showing adjacent portions of a pair of complementary segments of a carrier plate and the manner in which the warp threads are associated therewith for rotation to form the shed of the loom;

;;Fig1'1re 4 is a fragmentary detail view taken upon an enlarged scale of a portion of Figure 1 and showing a portion of the bobbin carriers, and the reed construction together with some of the supporting gears and spacers of the loom and showing how a filling thread is passed into the shed;

Figure 5 is a top plan view, somewhat diagrammatic, of a portion of the loom, the warp threads, the weft thread and the fell, and showing the manner in which the filler thread has been laid across the pick arms in preparation for being passed through the shed upon the next pick of the loom and for being woven into the warp threads; 1

Figure 6 is an end elevational View taken from the left of Figure 5 and showing the position of the associated parts at the completion of the laying of the filling thread in advance of the pick arms, and prior to the ick; b

p Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5, but showing the position of the machine after the filling thread of Figures 5 and '6 has been picked or passed through the shed and a new filling thread is being laid in the reverse direction 'across the pick arms for the next pick of the loom;

Figure 8 is a left end elevational view of the arrangement of Figure 7 and showing the positions of the parts in Figure 7;

Figures 9 and 10 are diagrammatic views showing the manner in which the rotary warp thread carriers function to open and close the shed of the loom; Figure l1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the relative position and construction of a pick arm, a retainerspacer for the bobbin carriers and a guide rail forth'e filling thread;

Figures 12 and 13 are, respectively, perspective views of the segments forming a carrier plate and the two sections forming a spacer, the parts being shown in proper position with respect 'to the central line of rotation of the rotary carriers of the loom;

3 Figure 14 is a further plan development view showing diagrammatically the position of the various bobbins together with means for individually adjusting the bobbins to impart various desired twists to the warp threads;

Figure 15 is a detail view in vertical section showing the mounting of a bobbin upon a carrier plate together with the means for rotatably adjusting the bobbin to control the twist of a warp thread from that bobbin; and

Figure 16 is a detail view in vertical section showing the relative position of an upper spaced plate section, the bobbin carried by the carrier, and the twist adjusting mechanism carried by the spacer plate.

GENERAL QRGANIZATION The rotary weaving machine in accordance'with this invention is mounted upon any suitable supporting frame work, not shown, which may include a first or inner pair standards 10 and 12 is a filling or pick arm shaft 22 of H non-circular cross-section which is driven from the power shaft 18 as by a belt drive 24. Suitably journaled in the frame supports 10 and 12 is a reed shaft 26 for beating the weft or filling thread into the fell of the cloth and which is provided with a gear 28 meshing with a gear 30 carried by the power shaft 18 for operating the reed shaft in properly timed relation to the pick arm shaft and the other instrumentalities of the rotary weaving machine.

Also mounted upon the power shaft 18 is a gear 32 for driving the rotating bobbin carriers and which gear is continuously in mesh with a plurality of gears 34 each carried by a connecting shaft 36 journaled in the standards 10 and 12. As shown in Figure 2, each of the connecting shafts 36 is provided with an elongated drum gear 38 while the pick shaft 22 has a plurality of similar short drum gears 39 freely rotatable thereon, the shafts 36 and 22 with their gears 38 and 39 being disposed in parallel relation and in a circle about a central axis of rotation which is indicated in the dash and dot line C appearing in Figures 11-13, as will be set forth in greater detail hereinafter.

The short drum gears 39 are each engaged by a floating gear 41, seeFigures 2, and 2A, which are each supported by elongated drum gears 43 on a pair of suitably mounted Warp Thread Assembly In the novel rotary loom in accordance with this invention, the warp thread assembly consists of the usual horizontally extending warp threads 40, see especially Figures 5 and 7, which at one end extend from and, as the weaving progresses, are fed from substantially radially disposed bobbins mounted upon and rotating with rotatable carriers, and which at their other ends are secured to the usual roller, not shown, for winding up the woven fabric, in a manner well understood in this art and hence in the interests of simplification, is not shown in the drawings.

In the conventional type of loom, the two ends of the warp thread are fixed and stationary, mid-portions of the threads being intermittently raised and lowered in sets according to a predetermined pattern or sequence in order to form the sheds through which the filling threads are passed by a shuttle. In the present invention, however,

the shed is formed by the rotary motion of the ends of,

the warp threads which are carried by and fed from two sets of radially disposed bobbins mounted upon rotatable bobbin carriers for continuous rotation as set forth hereinafter; and a single continuous weft or filling thread is passed in a novel manner through the sheds as they are formed by the continuous rotation of the bobbins, the filling thread being beaten into the fell of the fabric by the operation of a reed shaft of novel and improved construction as set forth specifically hereinafter.

Reference is ,now made more specifically to Figures 2, 3, and 12 for a better understanding of the construction of the novel rotatable carriers of the bobbins. These latter may conveniently be fabricated from relatively thin sheet material as by stamping or the like.

The numeral 42 designates generally each of the plurality of bobbin carriers, each carrier comprising a pair of segments 42A and 42B. When placed together in proper relation, as shown in Figures 2 and 12, these. segments comprise a circular disk or plate which has a curving diametrically disposed slot 44 of,substantially uniform width extending between the two segments and through their axis of rotation. The carrier, or rather the two segments thereof, is peripherally toothed at 46, which teeth are continuously in mesh with the drum gears 38 and 39 upon the connecting shaft 36 and the pick arm shaft 22, whereby the carrier segments are supported in proper position with respect to each other and with respect to the other carrier segments of the loom, are rotatably driven by these gears and are maintained and connected in a timed relation with each other without the provision of a central axle, as set forth hereinafter.

In a manner to be set forth hereinafter, each of the carrier segments 42A and 42B, as shown in Figure 2 has 'mounted thereon in radial position with respect to its axis of rotation an elongated and tapered bobbin 48 (see Figure 16) from whence extends one end of the warp thread 40.

As will be best apparent from Figures 2 and 12, the semi-circular carrier segments 42A and 42B are provided with cut-away portions 50, there being provided radially extending or spoke-like portions, either lying across or at one end of the portions 50 one of the spoke-like portions of each carrier segment, as shown at 52, having one of the bobbins mounted thereon. The spokes 52 and their bobbins 48 for the two segments A and B of each carrier are disposed in diametrically opposite positions, the spokes and bobbins of a set or unit of carriers being spaced at equal angular intervals about the axis of rotation of the carriers. Thus, the end most of the spokes 52, as in Figure 12 would be at the end of the opening 50 for two pairs of bobbins; while for the other pairs of diametrically opposite bobbins they would lie across the opening 50 at different angular intervals, one of which is shown in Figure 2.

Itwill also be apparent, particularly from Figure 3, that at the adjacent central portions of the carrier seg ments there are provided pairs of eyes or apertures 54, diametrically disposed on opposite sides of the carrier segments axis of rotation, and through which the warp threads 40 from the bobbins pass, as set forth in detail hereinafter. gated, being each divided into openings by a divider pin 55.

At this point, it should be observed that the mating, adjacent substantially diametrical edges of the semi-circular carrier segments are provided with complementary concave and convexly curved edges which are spaced from each other to provide the above mentioned diametrical slot 44 between the carrier segments. Thus, the segment 42A is provided with a concave edge 56 across one-half of its length, and with a convex edge 58 extending across the remainder of its length. The edge 56, 53 constitutes one wall of the slot 44 and is of a flattened S-shape in configuration, extending substantially diametrically through the carrier 42. The other segment 42B is provided with a slightly convex edge 69 across onehalf of its length, this edge being substantially uniformly spaced from the edge 56 of the segment 42A, while the remainder of the segment 42B is provided with a concave edge 62 which is complementary to the edge 58. The edges 60, 62 of the segment 42B constitute the other wall of the slot 44 extending through the carrier between the two segments thereof.

Itwill be understood that a plurality of carrier segments are provided, the number of the same depending upon the number of warp threads to be woven by the machine. As a convenience in illustrating and describing this phase of the invention, and it should be clearly understood that the principles of the invention are not limited thereto, there are illustrated units or sets of four carriers each, each carrier consisting of its two segments, thereby providing eight segments to a unit, each of which segments carries a bobbin. Thus, each unit of the machine, in the arrangement illustrated, has eight bobbins and manipulates eight warp threads.

These eyes are preferably somewhat elonv attests Tnthe following description, the construction and funct ioni'ng "of one such unit are considered, it being apparent radial plane through their common axis of rotation.

Also, the eight bobbins are disposed in opposite pairs at four equal angular intervals circumferentially about this axis. In the rotation of the eight bobbins, each moves through the same path in the same plane of rotation, each bobbin passing through the position of the other bobbins during one rotation. However, since the carriers of the bobbins are disposed in spaced -sideby-Side relation, it is evident that the carrier plateswill have their center lines displaced varying distances to either side of the center line of the bohbins in order that the plates may be disposed in a side-by-side relation while the series of bobbins of a 'unit are disposed in the same radial plane. a This relative positioning of the bobbins and the offsetting of the carriers from the center line of the bobbins will be more clearly apparent from a consideration of the diagrammatic showing'of Figure 14. V

In Figure l4, there is schematically indicated the four carriers 42C, 42D, 42E and 42F of a single set or unit of carriers while at 48 are shown the relative positionsof the eight bobbins mounted each upon one of the eight segments of the four carriers.

Adjacent carriers are separated from each other by spacers, each consisting of two sections. As shown in Figure 13, each spacer includes'an upper spacer section 70 of arcuate shape and having a plurality of apertured lugs 74 by means of which the same is mounted, and a lower spacer section 76 likewise having apertured lugs 78. The two ends of the upper section 70 arespaced from rthose of the lower section as by slots 80 and 8 2. The apertured lugs 74 and 78 are received slidably upon spacer rods 84, see Figures 1, 2 and 4, carried by the standards 10 and 12, whereby the upper and lower spacer sections are positioned between adjacent rotatable carriers 42 for spacing the same. The slots or openings 80 between the upper and lower sections of'the spacers comprise inlet means whereby a weft or filler thread extending across the entire back of the loom may be simultaneously passed through the series'of aligned slots 44 of the carrier plates and feed or inlet slots 80 of the spacers, and after being passed through the shed as described hereinafter may emerge from these plates through the exit slots 82 of the spacers and from thence be beat up into the fell by the reed.

There are also provided between each unit or set of carriers, a set of arcuate retainer sections 85, see Figure 11, together with a set at each end of the machine, the sets of arcuate retainers embracing the opposite ends of the units and having apertured mounting lugs 86 adapted to be received upon the spacer rods 84 upon which are mounted the upper spacer sections 70, the retainer sections being positioned at the opposite ends and adjacent the upper portions of the row of rotatable carriers for retaining the same in assembled position. Suitable collars and set-screws and spacer washers are provided upon the spacer rods 84 for releasablyretaining the retainer sections 85 in clamping position upon the assembly of carriers and spacer sections.

The pick or filler arm shaft 22 previously mentioned is either of square or non-circular cross section or is provided with square or non-circular portions intermediate its ends and each unit of carriers is enclosed by a pair of disks '92 having correspondingly shaped apertures 94 and which are slid'ably but non-rotatably received upon this shaft for rotation therewith.

The plates or disks 92 are provided with projecting arms 96 which constitute filler or pick arms for lifting the weft thread into the aligned slots 80 of the spacer sections 'for passing the weft orfiller thread through the aligned slots 44 of the carrier segments and for discharging the filler thread from between the carrier segments through the slots 82 of the spacer sections. The disk 92 and its arm 96 lie in the same plane as the retainer spacers 85 "and are so positioned that the end of the arm 96 passes the ends 87 and 89 of the retainer section in closely spaced relation. Suitable collars and setscrews 98, see Figure -l, are slidable upon the pick arm shaft 22 for retaining the disks '92 adjacent the endmost carriers and in the same plane as those of the spacers 85. The retainer sections or frames 85 and the disks 92 jointly serve to retain the endmost carriers in proper position and thus clamp the carrier and spacer assembly together.

Referring now more specifically to Figures 1, 2 and 2B, it will be seen that the reed shaft 26 is provided with a beam extending entirely across the loom. This beam has pivoted fingers 102 hingedly connected thereto, as by a pin 1G4 extending thelength of the beam. It will be noted that the beam 100 has a flange portion 106 extending its length and which engages the fingers 102 and limits pivoting movement in one direction, while pivoting movement in the other direction is thus facilitated. A spring blade 108 is secured to and also extends the length of the beam 100 to yiel'dingly urge the fingers 102 against the flanges 106.

The arrangement is such that upon rotation of the reed shaft 26, the reed fingers pass between the series of warp threads in properly timed relation to beat up or press the succeeding filler or weft threads emerging from the carriers and spacers through the aligned slots 44 and 82 into the fell of the cloth or fabric. The spring means 108 thus maintain a constant tension upon the fingers which are, however, permitted to yield at the beat-up of each pick so that the fingers 102 can slide up and over the fell of the cloth.

Referring now especially to Figure 3, it will be seen that the warp thread 40 of the carrier segment 42B extends along the spoke-like support 52, along one side of the same, and passes through the pair of apertures 54, emerging on the same side of its carrier segment as that side upon which the bobbin lies, the thread passing through the mid-portion of the carrier plate and extending into the fell F, see Figures 5 and 7. The warp thread 40 of the bobbin upon the other carrier segment plate 42A extends along the same side of the other carrier segment 42A, passes through the aperture 54, and extending upon the other side of the carrier, also extends horizontally into the fell of the fabric. Thus, the pair of warp threads 40 carried by the two carrier segments 42A and 42B are disposed upon opposite sides of those segments, being divided by the segments which rotate therebetween, in a manner which will be readily apparent from Figures 5 and 7.

As thus far disclosed, it will be evident that the eight warp threads carried by the four carrier plates upon the eight bobbins mounted upon their eight segments are so disposed that the two threads carried by the two segments of a single carrier are divided by that carrier which passes therebetween; and only two threads, one from each of two adjacent carriers, lie in the space between those two carriers.

The above described disposition of the warp threads relative to their carriers will result in a plain weave of the fabric. The apparatus is inherently capable of other weaves. For example, both warp threads from the two bobbins on the two segments of a carrier may be positioned upon the same side of the carrier and will be twisted together to produce a single composite thread,

with the filling thread lying therebetween resulting in a different weave. Further, omitting bobbins in either segment of any carrier will alter the weave. Still further, omitting some reciprocations of the eye 204 or operating the same intermittently rather than continuously will produce a new weave.

It is desirable to prevent the rotating bobbins from rubhing against the warp threads as the former pass between the latter. Accordingly generally conical shields or guards 51, see Figures 2 and 14, are provided upon the leading edges of the spokes 52 and are of a generally V-shaped configuration to further part the two warp threads lying upon adjacent sides of the carriers as the carriers and their bobbins rotate. As will be noted from Figure 14, the shields are disposed at various angular inclinations, depending upon the particular pair of warp threads which they are to pass between.

Weft or filler thread assembly In the rotary weaving machine in accordance with this invention, as disclosed in this specification and drawings, the weft or filler thread of the fabric consists of a single strand or thread 200 which is fed from a single stationary ball of thread 202 conveniently positioned upon the supporting framework of the apparatus. This thread passes through the eye 204 of a filler laying arm 206 which is moved back and forth across the back of the machine to lay successive transverse courses of the weft thread in proper position for the filler or pick arms 96 to pass the same between the segments of the carriers and through the aligned slots 44, through the shed and subsequently through the reed assembly into the fell of the fabric.

In order to effect this purpose, there are provided a pair of flanged, toothed wheels or pulleys 208 mounted upon suitable axles 210 journaled, as at 212, in standards 214, these axles being driven, as by bevel gears 216, from a suitable source of power, as at 218. An endless belt or sprocket chain 220 having a toothed inner surface engaging the teeth upon the wheels 208 is entrained over these wheels. The above mentioned filler laying arm 206 is attached to the belt or chain 220, as shown in Figure 2, and is angulated whereby as the arm travels in an oval path upon rotation of the belt, the eye 204 will travel in a straight line along the line of centers of the two pulleys. For that purpose, it will be observed that the arm is offset so that the eye bearing portion will lie in the same horizontal plane as the plane extending through the centers of the axles 210 and, being swivelly mounted in the arm, the eye will consequently travel in that plane, remain upright, and does not turn over with the arm.

In order'to properly position the filling or weft thread for engagement by the pick arms, there are provided a pair of guide rails, of the construction shown in Figure 11. These rails, indicated generally by the numeral 224, are preferably rod-like in shape, having a horizontal section 226 which lies substantially horizontally and substantially along the horizontal path of travel of the weft thread as the same is moved through the slot 44 and thorugh the shed in the carriers; together with a vertical portion 228 and a base portion 230. The latter may be conveniently secured in any desired manner, and for example, may be releasably clamped between a pair of disks 232 Which are adjustably retained, as by collars and setscrews 234, and mounted upon a spacer shaft 84. The two rails, one being disposed at each side of the entire set of carriers, are so positioned that when the filler eye 204 lays a horizontal course of the weft thread across the back of the machine, the upwardly travelling pick arms 96 will pass the thread along the curved portion 228 and lift the thread through the slot 80 beneath the lower end of the spacer 74, and into the seires of aligned slots 44 of the carrier plates. The thread then travels through this slot, through the shed formed by the carrier plates as set forth hereinafter, being supported in a substantially horizontal transverse position until the thread passes from between the carrier segments, and out of the slot 44, and is forced by the lower half of the warp threads up and off the end of the pick arm 96 Where it is engaged by the reeds and beaten into the fell F of the fabric.

Weaving operation In order to understand more clearly the operation of the rotary shed, and the successive opening and closing of the same by the rotating bobbin carriers 42 and bobbins 48, attention is directed to the diagrammatic views of Figures 9 and 10. In Figure 9, it will be seen that a carrier 42 has in its two segments the two warp threads AA and BB on opposite sides of the carrier and extending from bobbins each carried by one of the segments of the carrier 42 and extending horizontally therefrom through eyes 54 (see Figure 3) into the fell of the fabric. It will be observed that one thread AA in the same segment of every carrier is raised above the weft thread C which may thus pass between the two threads AA and BB, this constituting one shed of the device. It will be understood that the weft thread C travels through the carrier 42 by means of the curved slot 44 therein.

After rotating the two carrier segments are reversed as in Figure 10'whereby the thread AA is now disposed below the thread BB and thus the opposite shed is now open for the next course of the weft thread C to pass therethrough. Thus, by the continuous rotation of the carriers, the. sheds of the warp threads are alternated, allowing successive transverse courses of the single weft thread to be passed therethrough.

It is an importantadvantage of this invention that the shed may be of very small width, since due to the sliding and guided passage of the filler therethrough, only the width ofthe slot is necessary; and the actual displacement of the warp threads during the forming of the shed may be of the order of about one-sixteenth of an, inch. This greatly reduces breakage of the warp threads.

Aswill be seen better by reference to Figures 2, 6 and 8, the motion of the pick arms 96 is synchronized with the turning of the carriers 42 and with the slots 44 therein so that as the pick arms pass the filling thread 200 through the slot, they travel along the curved slot 44 and also travel in the horizontal plane of the Warp threads.

Because of the curve' of the edges of the slot 44, it will be observed that nearly all of the edge of the slot of the uppermost segment of the carrier will have passed between and thus have maintained separated the same pair of warp threads prior to the emergence of the filler thread from the end of the slot and which were previously separated by the other segment of the carrier. Thus, there is no possibility of the warp threads becoming entangled in the slots 44 of the carrier segments or of crossing over to the other side of the carrier segment.

As hereinafter mentioned, the device may be readily adjusted to impart any desired twist to the Warp threads, thereby producing different types of woven fabrics.

In operation, the use of reciprocating mechanisms has been substantially entirely eliminated, and the high speed possibilities of operation inherent in rotating mechanisms has been largely substituted therefor. It is believed to be thus apparent that a loom in accordance with this invention is capable of a considerably greater speed of operation and with less wear than is required in conventional looms; and that the possibilities of failures arising from the handling of a large number of weft threads with the conventional picking mechanism are substantially eliminated.

As has been previously mentioned a purpose and function of this invention is to impart various twists to the warp threads during the weaving operation. Reference is now made to Figures 1416 for the disclosure of a satisfactory method for realizing this phase of the invention.

Since the bobbins 48 are secured along radii of the revoluble carrier segments, a twist or turn will be imparted to each warp thread upon each carrier rotation. This twist will be right hand or left hand, depending upon which side of the carrier the warp thread extends. In order to provide a controlled number of turns of twist, in either direction, provision is made for automatically rotating each bobbin a predetermined number games of turns or portions of turns about its longitudinal To this purpose each carrier 42 has its spoke 52 pro vided with a lateral support bracket 61 in which'is rotatably journaled the spindle 63 of the revolving holder of a bobbin 48. As will be apparent the bracket is disposed outwardly of and the tapered warp dispensing end of the bobbin extends-toward the axis of rotation of the carrier.

Upon the portion of the'spi-ndle [63 extending radially outwardly of the bracket are provided a plurality of fingers 69 extending radially from the stem. These fingers are positioned for engagement by a stationary but adjustable actuator, whereby during rotation of the bobbins about the axis of rotation of the carriers, the bobbin will be caused to rotate a predetermined, controlled amount about their own axis of rotation.

It is desirable that half of the bobbins in each unit, that is one group of bobbins for each of the different segments of each carrier, be rotated in one direction and the other group of bobbins in the other direction, since in a plain weave all warp threads of segments 42A extend on different sides of the carrier plates from those of segments 42B.

To effect this last mentioned rotation, two sets of actuating pins are provided for each set of carrier plates. These may be supported in any desired manner in posi tions radially outwardly of but closely adjacent to the peripheries of the rotating carriers. As shown diagrammatically in Figures 14-16 the adjustable twisting mechanism indicated generally by the numerals 101 and 101A in Figure 1 comprises each a reciprocable body 103, slidable in a guide structure 105. Each of the sets of carrier plates has a pair of the bodies 103, disposed on opposite sides. Each body is yieldingly urged outwardly or into its inoperative position by springs 107 and adjustably moved inwardly or into its operating position by a camshaft 109 and cams 111 or 111A. Adjustably secured in bores in each body 103 as by setscrews 113 are a plurality of the actuating pins 115. The pins of the two sets of bodies are divided into two rows as at 117 and119 and disposed with the bodies on opposite sides of the center line of the bobbins of the associated set of carrier plates, the rows being adapted to impart opposite twists to the warp threads as the fingers strike and are rotated by their engagement with the stationary pins. V

The two sets of cams 111 and 111A are disposed at 180 intervals and are adapted to move the bodies 103 of the units 101, 101A and hence the pins 115 into position whereby they will engage and rotate the fingers 69. Each pin will rotate each bobbin of its associated set of bobbins through a predetermined portion .of a turn; and

'by adjusting through the setscrews 113 the desired number of pins into proper position, any desired extent of rotation can be accomplished.

Obviously any desirednumberof adjusting assemblies 101 may be provided. aboutvthe circumference of the carriers and a pair or a plurality of pairs of such assemblies will be provided for each carrier unit or assembly.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A rotary weaving machine including a plurality of circular disks comprising carriers disposed in spaced side by side relation for rotation about a common axis of rotation, each carrier comprising a pair of segments However, since 10 defining a slot extending diametrically therebet'weefl, means supporting all of said segments of all of said 'c'a'rriers at their peripheries for rotation about 'said common axis, each segment having a warp thread bobbin mounted thereon, the segments of each carrier having eyes disposed closely adjacent to the common axisbut on opposite sides thereof and each being adapted for having a warp thread therethrough whereby to provide a shed reciprocating across said slots, a pick arm shaft parallel to said common axis, a plurality of pick arms on said shaft, each pick arm being positioned for movement between a pair of adjacent carriers, means for laying a filling thread across all of said pick arms whereby the latter will move the thread through the slots in said carriers andinto the shed, means for beating the filling thread into the fell after its emergence from the slots.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the warp threads from the bobbins on each carrier lie on opposite sides thereof.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the warp threads from the bobbins on each carrier lie on opposite sides thereof, a guard surrounding each bobbin, said guards each having an edge for separating and passing between the pair of threads of the same carrier.

'4. The combination of claim 1 including means for each bobbin for imparting rotation thereof about an axis extending radially of said common axis whereby to impa-rt atwist to the bobbin warp threads during said rotation about said common axis.

5. The combination of claim 1 including means for each bobbin for imparting rotation thereof about an axis extending radially 'of said common axis whereby to impart a twist to the bobbin warp threads during said rotation about said common axis, said last means comprising sets of actuating pins on each side of the central plane of rotation of said bobbins, a holder secured to each bobbin, fingers on said holder, means for moving one of said sets of actuating pins into the path of travel of said fingers whereby to impart rotation to the bobbins during each revolution thereof about said common axis.

6. The combination of claim 1 including guide means for positioning said filling thread in registry with the slots of all of said carriers.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the bobbins of all of the carriers of one set lie in the same plane.

8. A rotary weaving machine having warp thread bobbins, means supporting said bobbins in spaced positions about a common axis of rotation, means for causing movement of said bobbins about said common axis, means for causing during said movement relative vertical displacement of selected bobbins and the warp threads extending therefrom for providing alternate sheds, means for passing courses of filling through said sheds.

9. In a rotary weaving machine, warp thread bobbins, means supporting said bobbins for rotation about a common axis of rotation, means for causing during rotation of said bobbins about said common axis relative vertical displacement of selected bobbins and the warp threads extending therefrom for providing alternate sheds, means for imparting controlled rotation to at least one of said bobbins about an axis independent of said common axis and during at least a part of each rotation of the bobbin about said common axis to thereby produce a twist in the 'warp thread extending from the last-mentioned bobbin.

'10. The combination of claim 8 including means for pressing the filling into the fell.

11. A rotary weaving machine comprising in combination with conventional loom take-up mechanism for holdingone end of wary threads in a substantially stationary position, means for supporting the other ends of said warp threads in spaced relation to each other about a common axisof rotation, means for causing rotation of said other ends about said axis whereby to effect relative vertical displacement of said other ends and thereby provide alternate sheds, means for passing courses of filling through said sheds.

' 12. A method of weaving comprising holding in relatively fixed position one end of each of a plurality of warp threads, revolving the other end of each of said warp threads about a common axis to produce thereby a reciproeating shed, passing a filling thread through said shed during rotation of said other ends.

13. The method of claim 12 including the step of feeding the Warp threads from said other ends into the fell during the rotation of said other ends.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the rotation of said other ends is effected continuously.

15. The method of claim 12 including the additional step of rotating at least one other end of said warp threads about an axis which is independent of said common axis for thereby imparting a controlled twist to that warp thread.

16. A rotary weaving machine having warp thread bobbins, means supporting said bobbins in positions radiating about a common axis, means causing rotation of said bobbins about said common axis, means adjacent said common axis for alternately vertically displacing selected warp threads for providing alternate sheds, means for passing successive courses of filling through said alternate sheds, means for pressing the filling into the fell, a rotating reed shaft having reed arms rotatable between said warp threads for engaging a filling thread and pressing it into the fell, said reed arms having yieldable fingers thereon. v

17. A rotary weaving machine having warp thread bobbins, means supporting each bobbin in positions radiating about a common axis, means causing rotation of said bobbins about said common axis, means adjacent said common axis for alternately vertically displacing selected warp threads for providing alternate sheds, means for passing successive course of filling through said alternate sheds, a plurality of carriers, each carrier supporting at least one bobbin thereon.

18. A rotary weaving machine having warp thread bobbins, means supporting each bobbin in positions radiating about a common axis, means causing rotation of said bobbins about said common axis, means adjacent said common axis for alternately vertically displacing selected warp threads for providing alternate sheds, means for passing successive courses of filling through said alternate sheds, a plurality of carriers, each carrier supporting at least a pair of bobbins thereon, each carrier having eyes each receiving a warp thread from a bobbin at a position close to said common axis.

19. A rotary weaving machine having warp thread bobbins, means supporting each bobbin in positions radiating about a common axis, means causing rotation of said bobbins about said common axis, means adjacent said common axis for alternately vertically displacing selected warp threads for providing alternate sheds, means for passing successive courses of filling through said alternate sheds, a plurality of carriers, each carrier supporting a pair of bobbins thereon, said carriers each comprising a pair of segments having a substantially diametrically extending passage therebetween, said pair of bobbins being disposed on opposite sides of said passage, said passage being adapted for passage of a filling thread therethrough.

20. A rotary weaving machine having warp thread bobbins, means supporting each bobbin in positions radiating about a common axis, means causing rotation of said bobbins about said common axis, means adjacent said common axis for alternately vertically displacing selected warp threads for providing alternate sheds, means for passing successive courses of filling through said alternate sheds, a plurality of carriers, each carrier supporting a pair of bobbins thereon, said carriers each comprising a pair of segments having a substantially diametrically extending passage therebetween, said passage extending throughj'sai'd sheds and-being adapted for passage of a filling thread therethrough, means for mounting said carrier segments on their peripheries for rotation about said .common axis. a '21. A method of weaving comprising rotating a plurality of bobbins disposed on radii about a common axis and each dispensing a warp thread, about said common 'axis extending transversely of the warp thread and producing thereby a reciprocating shed by continuous rotaand each dispensing a warp thread, about said common 15 axis extending transversely of the warp thread and producing thereby a reciprocating shed by continuous rotation-of said bobbins about said common axis, passing a continuous single filler thread through the shed to form successive courses of weaving.

23. A method of weaving comprising rotating a plurality of bobbins disposed on radii about a common axis and each dispensing a warp thread, about said common axis extending transversely of the warp thread and pro- .ducing thereby a reciprocating shed by continuous rotatation of its bobbin during said rotation of the latter.

24. The method of claim 23 including-imparting adjustable rotation to said bobbins about axes which are independent of said common axis. e

25. A rotary weaving machine having warp thread bobbins, means supporting said bobbins in spaced sideby-side positions for rotation in parallel planes about a common axis of rotation, means for causing movement of said bobbins about said common axis, means for causing during said movement relative vertical displacement of selected bobbins and the warp threads extending therefrom for providing alternate sheds, means for passing courses of filling by movement thereof in the direction of the warp threads through said sheds.

26. A rotary weaving machine comprising in combination with conventional loom take-up mechanism for bold ing one end of warp threads in a substantially stationary position, means for supporting the other ends of said warp threads in spaced relation to each other for rotating ,in parallel planes about a common axis of rotation, means threads in parallel planes about a common axis to produce thereby a reciprocating shed, passing a filling thread by movement thereof in the direction of the warp threads through said shed during rotation of said other ends.

28. The method of claim 27 including the additional step of rotating at least one other end of said warp threads about an axis which is independent of said common axis for thereby imparting a controlled twist to that warp thread.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 427,105 Morris May 5, 1890 1,184,790 Trautvetter May 30, 1916 FOREIGN PATENTS 7 165,790 Austria Apr. 25, 1950 393,779' Germany Apr. 8, 1924

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