US2896818A

US2896818A - Bobbin feeding mechanism for spooling machines

Info

Publication number: US2896818A
Application number: US384461A
Authority: US
Inventors: Taylor James Dove Wilford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1953-10-06
Filing date: 1953-10-06
Publication date: 1959-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 1976-07-28

Description

J. D. WQTAYLOR 2,896,818

BOBBIN FEEDING MECHANISM FOR SPOOLING MACHINES Filed Oct. 6, 195:5

, 8 Sheets- Sheet '1' Tamas Dov: wupono IN 1.0a

J.- n. w.- TAYLOR Jul -2s, 1959 1 2,896,818

' BOBBIN FEEDING MECHANISM FOR SPOOLING MACHINES Fild Oct. 6, 1953 IHVEHTORZ JfimEs Dove hil -FORD TAYMR July 28, 1959 J. D. w. TAYLOR 2,895,818

- BOBBIN FEEDI'NG MECHANISM FOR SPOOLING MACHINES Filed 001: e, 1953 a Sheets-sheaf a 25 I 37} I 3o 29 Y 37a) i h I 2 J r Ll I I .r L

' v myerrroR:

QTAPIES 09v: wn-FoRai'N/M av y 23, 19.59 J. D. w. TAYLOR 2,896,818

BOBBIN FEEDING uacmuxsu FOR SPOOLING MACHINES Filed Oct. 6, 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 mvenm:

Wis owe ummn 1AM I July 28, 1959 J. b. TAYLOR 2,896,818 BOBBIN FEEDING MECHANISM FOR spbouu'c MACHINES Fi led Odt. 6. 1953 a Sheets-Sheets .lllllllrl lll.

I l I I 1 I I I I II+L I IICILI FIG-.5

7. 19,59 v ,J. D. w.-'rAYL6R 2,896,818

I aossm FEEDING MECHANISM FOR SPOOLING MACHINES Filed 0d. 6, 1953 I 8 Sheets-Sheet e TAmEs nous Hmong-mum July 28,1959 D. w. TAYLOR V 2,396,813

BOBBIN FEEDING MEcHANisM FOR SPQOLING MACHINES Filed O t. e. 195:5 a Sheets-Sheet F/GJO mvsm-ok: Twas Dove Win-map 731m July 28-, 1959 2,896,818

BOBBIN FEEDING MECHANISM FOR SPOOLING MACHINES Filed Oct. 6,1953

J. D. W. TAYLOR 8 Sheets-Shoat 8 Jnvmm: :rme-s Dove Mmmo'livm 87'.

BOBB-IN FEEDING MECHANISM FOR SPOOLING MACHINES James Dove Wilford Taylor, Hazel Grove, England Application October 6, 1953', Serial No. 384,461

' 9 Claims. or. 221- 178) This invention comprises a mechanism for orienting and feeding symmetrically ended bobbins having an overall dimension in an axial plane greater than the largest overall dimension in a radial plane. The invention is particularly applicable to amachine for feeding bobbins to a spooling machine (e.g. machines for winding the conventional bobbin of cotton) from a hopper into which they may be tipped at random.

Modern high speed spooling machines have a ver rapid output, which involves a correspondingly rapid supply of empty bobbins to them, and as the bobbins need to be presented to the machines in a particular disposition, the maintenance of the supply by normal man- .ual means, is increasingly onerous, and costly.

The object of the present invention is a bobbin feed ing mechanism having a hopper into which bobbins may be tipped at random, the mechanism operating to orient them automatically and present them at the right times and in the right positions to a spooling machine or to any other requirement.

According to the invention, bobbin feeding mechanism for symmetrically ended bobbins having an overall dimension in an axial plane greater than the largest overall dimension in a radial plane, comprises a hopper adapted to receive the bobbins in random arrangement, at least one inclined collecting formation in the bottom of the hopper having an orifice at its lower part, a tundishshaped orienting member rotatably mounted below 'each orifice, means for rotating said member, said member having its upper end forming a continuation of the collecting formation and a central outlet, a collecting chute adapted to receive the bobbins in axial disposition from the central outlet of the orienting member, a holder normally located below said chute adapted to receive and hold one bobbin, means for swinging the said ,holder away from the chute to a position in which the bobbin is supported in a rollable position and a bobbin receiving station at such position for enabling rolling delivery of the bobbin from the holder.

The following more detailed description is of, a repre sentative example of a bobbin feeding mechanism for use with a bobbin winding or spooling machine for winding the conventional bobbins of cotton or other thread,

the bobbins being symmetrically flanged at both ends and the flanges being inclined on the inner face. i

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of one example of a bobbin feeding mechanism made in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view similar to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view showing one collecting station in the hopper.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation, and

Fig. 5 is a rear elevationshowing in detail the driving mechanism at one end of the machine.

Fig. 6 is a sectional end elevation at the last feeding station at the same end of the machine.

Patented July 2 8, 1959 '6 ice Fig. 6A is a fragmentary sectional extension of Fig. 6.

Fig. 7 is a section on line 77 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a part sectional rear elevation showing the motor drive at the other end of the machanism.

" Fig. 9 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a plan of one bobbin holder.

Fig. 11 is a plan of a shutter, and

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary detail View showing the bobbin holder in position for delivery to the chute.

As shown in the drawings the machine comprises a main horizontal frame member 20 having supporting columns 21 carrying adjustable foot brackets 22 by which such columns are adapted to be secured to, and supported from, the back foot rail (not shown) of a known make of spool Winder. Secured at intervals along the length of the frame member 20 are bracket members 23 which overhang forwardly thereof, each having three bosses 24 for columns 25 on top of which is supported a rectangular frame 26 secured to the bottom of a long hopper 27 of rectangular shape in plan. Fixed to the inner walls of the hopper are angle members 27a adapted to support bobbins above them so that the bobbins in the orienting zone are not over weighted if the hopper is full. The bottom of the hopper has inclined longitudinal front and rear faces 28 and inclined end faces 29, and such bottom is formed into a plurality of rectangular collecting formations by inverted V-shaped transverse partitions 30. Each bracket also embodies a bearing 31 for a longitudinal shaft 32, while centrally of the three lugs 24 is a vertical socket with clamping screw 33 for the upper end of a tube 34. At the lower end of the tube 34 is a clamp 35 and within the tube is a changeable tubular chute 36. On the upper end of the tube is rotatably journalled a tundish-shaped orienting member 37 to the lower part of which is secured a spiral cut gear 38. The upper end of the chute is flared and with the upper end of the tube and the top of the orienting member forms a continuation of the inclined collecting formation within the hopper. On the upper face of the orienting member 37 are inclined orienting ribs adapted to cause movement of bobbins. As can be seen from Fig. 3, one of these ribs 37a is radial and the other 37b is longer, inclined and overlaps the outlet. On the shaft 32 and complementary to each spiral cut gear wheel 38 is a spiral cut gear wheel 39. Mounted at one end of the frame member 20 is a clutch shaft 40 carrying a gear wheel 41 meshing with a gear wheel 42 fixed to the end of the shaft 32. Slidably mounted on the shaft 40 is asaw-toothed dog-clutch 43 adapted to be moved, by means of a forked clutch lever 44, into and out of engagement with a complementary dog-clutch member 45 carried by a sleeve 46 on the end of the shaft 40 and in turn carrying a gear wheel 47. Meshing with the gear wheel 47 is a larger gear 48 to which is secured a chain sprocket 49 connected by means of a chain 50 with a larger chain wheel 51 attached to a cam drum 52. The clutch lever 44 is secured to one end of a small cross shaft 53 on the other end of which is fixed an arm 54 adapted to be connected by a rod 55, the upper end only of which is shown, to the automaton or other control mechanism of the spooling machine for actuation thereby according to the spool demand .of that machine.

Mounted in the frame member 20 behind each tube 34 is a small shaft 56 carrying on its rear end a rotatable pinion 57 formed at one end as complementary to a cam clutch 58 keyed to the shaft at 59 and adjustably loaded towards the pinion by a spring 60. On the front end of the shaft is fixed a depending arm 61 to the lower end of which is attached a bobbin holder 62 open at its upper end and U-shaped in plan with the open face to the front. Inthe bottom of the holder is a positioning screw 63 the upper end of which forms an adjustable support for the bobbin. Supported on pillars 64 from the frame member 20 is a retaining plate 65 positioned in front of each holder, which prevents the bobbin from leaving the holder and the two'side' walls 66 of the holder are inclined so that as the holder is swung towards a horizontal position one such wall forms an inclined surface-down which the bobbin will tend to roll. The holder is fitted with a removable liner 67 which can be changed, like the chute, according to the diameter of the bobbins in use.

The holder 62 is adapted to be swung to a horizontal position on both sides of the chute 36 by means of a rack rod '68 which is slidably supported in suitable brackets 69 secured to the frame member 20, such rack being connected by a link 70 to a lever 71 carrying a bowl 72 engaged with a cam groove 73 in the cam drum 52,- the lever being pivotally supported at 74 below the cam drum. The upper end of the lever 71 has a slotted eye 75 for adjustable attachment of the end of the link 70 so that the lineal movement of the rack is adjustable. The cam groove is designed so that the holder arm will be carried to a horizontal position alternately to opposite sides of the chute tube with a short period of dwell for each raised position. Between each such swinging movement the lever is brought substantially to a central posi tion for about 90 degrees of cam movement and such part of the cam groove is slightly inclined to cause the arm to move the holder slowly below the end of the chute tube. One end face of the cam drum is formed with a recess 52a which has an inclined leaving face and vertical entry according to the direction of rotation of the drum relative to a finger 44a carried by a depending extension 44b of the clutch lever 44. A spring 440 is provided adapted to urge the finger 44a towards the cam drum. The clutch is shown in Fig. in the closed position.

In the machine illustrated, bobbin delivery chutes 76 are provided secured at their rear ends by suitable brackets such rear ends terminating coincident with outlet apertures, not shown, in the retaining plate 65. Each chute is formed of a pair of L-section members which are adjustable laterally according to the length of the bobbin they are to receive. The forward ends of the chutes are designed to deliver the bobbins to standard chutes (not shown) of a spooling machine, which latter chutes were previously manually loaded.

The feeding mechanism is adapted to be attached to the spooling machine by a stay 77 part only of which is shown. The shaft 32 is driven by an electric motor 78 carried by a suitable bracket 79 from the rear frame member 20, the motor shaft carrying a worm 80 meshing with a complementary worm gear 81 on the shaft 32.

Pivoted behind each holder 62 and below the lower end of the tubular chute 36 is an escapement-like member 82 having arms 83 adapted to be engaged by the holder so that one or other of the said arms is positioned below the chute to support the column of bobbins therein as the holder moves away. 7

In operation, the motor 78 is run continuously and through the shaft 32 and gears 38-39 slowly rotates the orienting members 37. Bobbins on the orienting members are moved around the centre outlet by the ribs 37a and 3712 until they roll on the inclined annular surface at the upper end of tubular member 36 and are oriented to fall in turn into the tubular chute 36. The first bobbin to fall into the chute falls into the holder 62 where it rests on end on the positioning screw 63 which is adjusted so that the top of the bobbin is substantially level with the top of the holder. The bobbin is prevented by the retaining plate 65 from'falling out of the open front face of the holder. Succeeding bobbins form a column on top of each other within the chute 36 until the latter is full.

When the actuating rod 55i's pulled down, for example by the automaton of the spool winder, the clutch lever 44 moves the dog-clutch member 43 into engagement with the dog-clutch 45 starting rotation of the cam drum 52 from the continuously rotating shaft 32. Movement of the clutch lever 44 at the same time withdraws the finger 44a of the extension 44b from the recess 52a in the face of the cam drum. The rotation of the drum moves the recess out of register with the finger so that, when the automaton releases the rod the end of the finger engages the face of the cam and holds the dogclutch parts engaged until the cam drum has completed a full turn when the finger drops into the recess under the action of the spring 44c causing disengagement of the clutch.

As the cam drum moves through one revolution the cam groove, through the lever 71 link 70 and rack rod 68 causes the holder arm 61 to be swung into a substantially horizontal position, at one side of the chute where it is held for a short time, then back to its original position below the tubular chute 36 where the holder is moved very slowly so that it can receive a new bobbin, then up to a horizontal position on the other side of the tubular chute where it is again held for a short time and then back to its original position below the chute, again with slow movement until rotation of the cam ceases. As the holder leaves its position below the tubular chute it engages one or other arm of the pivoted escapement-like member 82 turning it to one side or the other so that the said other or one arm of such member is positioned below the chute and operates as a shutter. When the holder moves back again it turns the shutter with it leaving a free passage for the lowermost bobbin to enter the holder. I

By such arrangement each holder 62 can supply two delivery chutes 76. As the holders swing up to the horizontal position the bobbins are turned onto their side and by reason of the inclined side walls 66 a bobbin rolls in the holder until it rests against the retaining plate 65. As soon as the holder comes into register with an aperture in such plate leading to the delivery chute it rolls onto the same. Should there be any obstruction to movement of any of the holders 62, the cam clutch parts 5859 will separate against the resistance of the spring so that no damage will be caused to the machine in whichever direction the holder arm should be moving.

In the event of the hopper being filled and to prevent the full weight of the bobbins above the orienting members from interfering with their action, the inclined angle members 27a will provide partial support for the upper mass of bobbins while allowing them to descend freely and in due course to the orienting zone.

Instead of providing automaton control for the feeding mechanism, the clutch could be omitted and the holder arms could move continuously from side to side, the

bobbin remaining in the holder if there isno room for another on the delivery chute. If the holder has a bobbin when it returns to its receiving position below the tubular chute, the bobbins therein obviously will not move so that the arm will swing to-and-fro offering a bobbin to each chute, whether such chute is or is not already full. Such an arrangement would be preferable where the feed mechanism is required to supply independently actuated winding stations as each station can then be supplied according 'to its requirements.

What I claim is:

l. Bobbin feeding mechanism comprising, in combination, stationary hopper means having inwardly and downwardly inclined walls and being formed with a bottom orifice, said hopper means being adapted to hold a plurality of bobbins; a rotary bobbin-orienting member having an upright axis and a downwardly and inwardly inclined inner annular surface and being formed with an aperture at the lower end of said annular surface, said bobbin-orienting member being located underneath said orifice with said annular surface forming a continuation of said inclined hopper walls; and a stationary tubular chute located underneath said bobbin-orienting member and extending downwardly from the'same, said chute having at the upper end thereof a downwardly and inwardly inclined annular surface forming a continuation of saidannular surface of said bobbin-orienting member whereby said bobbin-orienting member rotates bobbins until the same roll on said annular surface of said chute and pass in upright position into said chute.

2. Bobbin feeding mechanism comprising, in combination, stationary'hopper means having inwardly and downwardly inclined walls and being formed with a bottom orifice, said hopper means being adapted to hold a plurality of bobbins; a rotary bobbin-orienting member having an upright axis and a downwardly and inwardly inclined inner annular surface and being formed with an aperture at the lower end of said annular surface, said bobbin-orienting member being located underneath said orifice with said annular surface forming a continuation of said inclined hopper walls, said bobbin-orienting member having at least one bobbin-engaging rib on said annular surface thereof; and a stationary tubular chute located underneath said bobbin-orienting member and extending downwardly from the same said chute having at the upper end thereof a downwardly and inwardly inclined annular surface forming a continuation of said annular surface of said bobbin-orienting member whereby said bobbin-orienting member rotates bobbins engaged by said rib until the same roll on said annular surface of said chute and pass in upright position into said chute.

3. Bobbin feeding mechanism comprising in combination, stationary hopper means having inwardly and downwardly inclined walls and being formed with a bottom orifice, said hopper means being adapted to hold a plurality of bobbins; a rotary bobbin-orienting member having an upright axis and a downwardly and inwardly inclined inner annular surface and being formed with an aperture at the lower end of said annular surface, said bobbin-orienting member being located underneath said orifice with said annular surface forming a continuation of said inclined hopper walls, said bobbin-orienting member having at least one bobbin-engaging rib on said annular surface thereof; and a stationary tubular chute located underneath said bobbin-orienting member and extending downwardly from the same, said chute having at the upper end thereof a downwardly and inwardly inclined annular surface forming a continuation of said annular surface of said bobbin-orienting member and said rib having a portion projecting over at least part of said annular surface of said chute whereby said bobbinorienting member rotates bobbins engaged by said rib until the same roll on said annular surface of said chute and pass in upright position into said chute.

4. Bobbin feeding mechanism comprising, in combination, stationary hopper means having inwardly and downwardly inclined walls and being formed with a bottom orifice, said hopper means being adapted to hold a plurality of bobbins; a rotary bobbin-orienting member having an upright axis and a downwardly and inwardly inclined inner annular surface and being formed with an aperture at the lower end of said annular surface, said bobbin-orienting member being located underneath said orifice with said annular surface forming a continuation of said inclined hopper walls, said bobbin-orienting member having two bobbin-engaging circumferentially spaced ribs on said annular surface thereof; and a stationary tubular chute located underneath said bobbin orienting member and extending downwardly from the same, said chute having "at the upper end thereof a downwardly and inwardly inclined annular surface forming a continuation of said annular surface of said bobbin-orienting member, one of said ribs having a portion projecting over part of said annular surface of said chute, and the other of said ribs extending in radial direction across said annular surface of said bobbin-orienting member whereby said bobbin-orienting member rotates bobbins engaged "6 by said ribs until the same roll on said annular surface of said chute and pass in'upri-ght position into said chute.

5. A bobbin feeding mechanism as set forthin claim 4 wherein said one rib isinclined to the respective radial plane passing throughthe axis of said bobbin-orienting member.

6. A bobbin feeding mechanism as set forth in claim 4 wherein said annular surface of said bobbin-orienting member, and 'said annular surface of said chute are conical.

7. Bobbin feeding mechanism comprising, in combination, stationary hopper means having inwardly and downwardly inclined walls and being formed with a bottom orifice, said hopper means being adapted to hold a plurality of bobbins; a rotary bobbin-orienting member having an upright axis and a downwardly and inwardly inclined inner annular surface and being formed with an aperture at the lower end of said annular surface, said bobbin-orienting member being located underneath said orifice with said annular surface forming a continuation of said inclined hopper walls, said bobbin-orienting member having at least one bobbin-engaging rib on said annular surface thereof; and a stationary tubular chute located underneath said bobbin-orienting member and extending downwardly from the same, said chute having at the upper end thereof a downwardly and inwardly inclined annular surface forming a continuation of said annular surface of said bobbin-orienting member whereby said bobbin-orienting member rotates bobbins engaged by said rib until the same roll on said annular surface of said chute and pass in upright position into said chute, said tubular chute including an outer tubular member, and an inner tubular member in said outer tubular member, said tubular members having annular edge portions at the upper ends thereof forming said inclined annular surface of said chute, and said rib having a portion projecting over said annular edge portion of said outer tubular member.

8. A bobbin feeding mechanism as set forth in claim 7 wherein said inner tubular member of said chute is detachable from said outer member for replacement by another inner member having at the upper end thereof an annular edge portion of different radial extension.

9. Bobbin feeding mechanism comprising, in combination, stationary hopper means having inwardly and downwardly inclined walls and being formed with a bottom orifice, said hopper means being adapted to hold a plurality of bobbins; a rotary bobbin-orienting member having an upright axis and a downwardly and inwardly inclined inner annular surface and being formed with an aperture at the lower end of said annular surface, said bobbin-orienting member being located underneath said orifice with said annular surface forming a continuation of said inclined hopper walls, said bobbin-orienting member having two bobbin-engaging circumferentially spaced ribs on Said annular surface thereof; and a stationary tubular chute located underneath said bobbin-orienting member and extending downwardly from the same, said chute having at the upper end thereof a downwardly and inwardly inclined annular surface forming a continuation of said annular surface of said bobbin-orienting member, one of said ribs being inclined to the respective radial plane, and the other of said ribs extending in radial direction across said annular surface of said bobbin-orienting member whereby said bobbin-orienting member rotates bobbins engaged by said ribs until the same roll on said annular surface of said chute and pass in upright position into said chute, said tubular chute including an outer tubular member, and an inner tubular member in said outer tubular member, said tubular members having annular edge portions at the upper ends thereof forming said inclined annular surface of said chute, and said one inclined rib having a portion projecting over said annular edge portion of said outer tubular member.

(References on following page)