US2956590A - Check for picker stick of looms - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 18, 1960 I F. H. PRESSLEY 2,956,590

CHECK FOR PICKER STICK OF LOOMS Filed Jan. 28, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F FIG. I

INVENTOR. FELIX H. PRESSLEY A TTORNE Y Oct. 18, 1960 F. H. PRESSLEY CHECK FOR PICKER s'rxcx OF LOOMS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 28, 1960 INVENTOR. A FELIX H. PRESSLEY 6 0 WW t.

A TTORNE Y States 2,956,590 Patented Oct. 18, 1960 ice CHECK FOR PICKER STICK F LOOMS Felix H. Pressley, 311 Snow St., Greer, S.C.

Filed Jan. 28, 1960, Ser. No. 5,156

8 Claims. (Cl. 139-162) This invention relates to checks for picker sticks of looms.

The present invention constitutes an improvement upon the picker stick check shown in my prior United States Patent 2,452,955, issued November 7, 1948.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved positively acting picker stick check which will gradually and firmly check the picker stick upon its out stroke and eliminate rebounding of the picker stick at the end of its out stroke.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a picker stick check including parts which positively engage the outer side of the picker stick above and below the parallel shoe during the checking operation.

Another object is to provide means in a picker stick check device for automatically resetting the check device upon the forward or in stroke of the picker stick, and resilient means to check or cushion the device when the same is shifted by the picker stick to its reset position, wherein the device is again ready to check the picker stick upon its next out stroke.

Another object is to provide a picker stick check which is bodily mounted upon the lay sword of the loom and positively connected with the parallel carried by the parallel rock shaft.

A further object is to provide a picker stick check of the above-mentioned character which is bodily arranged near the lower ends of the picker stick and sword and close to the parallel mechanism, and thereby minimizing vibration and the tendency of the parallel shoe to jump up from the parallel on each pick.

Another object is to provide a picker stick check which is free from connection With the loom lay, to thereby avoid damaging or breaking the lay, as frequently occurs when conventional check straps are employed.

A further important object is to provide a picker stick check which will check the picker stick on its out stroke uniformly or evenly at every pick.

A further object is to provide a picker'stick check which will resist the tendency of the parallel shoe to slide on the parallel as it throws the shuttle across the lay.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of a loom having my improved picker stick check mounted thereon.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the check in the inactive or reset position, as effected by the movement of the picker stick upon its in stroke, the parallel shoe and associated elements shown in Figure 1 being removed for the purpose of illustration.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end elevation of the picker stick check shown in Figures 1 and 2 and with the picker stick, parallel motion and associated elements shown in phantom lines for the purpose of clarity.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary transverse section taken substantially on line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the picker stick check in the active or picker stick checking position of Figure 1 and looking at the side of the device opposite to that illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of the picker stick check and associated elements, partly in section.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of the picker stick check and associated elements arranged as in Figure 1 but looking at the opposite or inner side of the check.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustra tion is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 designates a frame side of the loom, in the lower portion of which is journaled the usual rock shaft 11, carrying at each end a parallel 12, upon which is mounted the parallel shoe 13 of the picker stick 14. The picker stick is operated by a lug strap connection 15, connected with the pick arm 16, mounted upon the pick shaft 17. This pick shaft is journaled in suitable bearings 18, carried by the frame side 10, as shown. Rigidly mounted upon the rock shaft 11 are swords 19, only one sword being shown, and the usual lay 20 is rigidly mounted upon the upper ends of the swords 19. The lay is provided at each end with a shuttle box 21. The loom thus described is of a well known conventional type, such as shown in United States Patent 2,093,226, and need not be described in further detail herein.

The picker stick check of the present invention is in the nature of an attachment to be mounted bodily upon the sword 19 and connected with the spring drum which serves to return the picker stick outwardly, and which spring drum is rigid with the parallel 12. The picker stick check thus mounted greatly reduces vibration in the loom and in no way adversely affects the normal operation of the picker stick parallel motion.

The picker stick check comprises an elongated rigid horizontal mounting arm 22, rigidly secured to the sword 19 near the lower end of the latter, as at 23. A depending brace 24 connected with the arm 22 near its outer end is also rigidly connected to the inner end of the central stud 25 of the usual spring drum 26, having the strap 27 connected with the lower end of the picker stick 14 and serving to return the picker stick to its outer position, Figure 1, and to maintain the parallel shoe 13 seated upon the parallel 12. The entire picker stick check is carried by the mounting arm 22, and this arm is rigidly secured to the loom, as described, at 23 and 25.

A relatively short horizontal L-shaped bracket 28 is adjustably secured at 29 to a transverse extension 36 on the mounting arm 22 and projecting rearwardly or away from the picker stick 14, as shown in the drawings.

A relatively short transverse horizontal shaft 31 is journaled for rotation at 32 within an opening formed through the bracket 28. A combined brake drum and ratchet wheel 33 is rigidly mounting upon the shaft 31 for rotation therewith close to one side of the bracket 28, Figure 4, and the element 33 includes a cylindrical brake drum portion 34, and a somewhat enlarged toothed ratchet wheel portion 35, integral therewith, as shown.

Likewise rigidly secured to the shaft 31 for rotation therewith is a generally vertical cross arm or bar 36, having a hub portion 37 receiving the shaft 31. Near its upper end, the cross arm 36 carries an L-shaped check element or bracket 33, rigidly and adjustably secured thereto at 39. The forwardly projecting horizontal part 40 of check bracket 38 carries a resilient pad or cushion 4-1, which extends across and engages the outer generally vertical edge of the picker stick 14, near and above the parallel shoe 13, as shown.

As shown clearly in Figures 2 and 5, the cross arm 36 extends for substantial distances above and below the rotary shaft 31. The check bracket 38 previously described lies in a generally horizontal plane some distance above the shaft 31. Below the shaft 31 and lying in a vertical plane is a substantially L-shaped adjustable check bracket or member 42, comprising an upper horizontal part 43, rigidly secured to the cross arm 36 at 44, somewhat below the shaft 31. A second depending part 45 of check bracket 42 is adjustably rigidly secured to the part 43 at 46, and a forwardly projecting horizontal bolt 47 is adjustably secured to the lower portion of the bracket part 45 and carries a freely rotatable hardened metal roller 48, disposed generally in vertical alignment and underlying relation to the check pad 41. The exact position of the roller 48 is readily adjustable by means of the connections 46 and 47, as should be obvious.

A rigid cam plate 49 is bolted to the outer side of the picker stick 14 near its lower end, as at 50, utilizing the same bolt which secures the strap 27 to the outer side of the picker stick. The lower end of the cam plate 49 is downwardly and outwardly curved at 51 for smooth engagement with the hardened roller 48, previously described, and which roller is disposed adjacent the lower extremity of the picker stick and in alignment therewith, Figures 3 and 6. It may now be seen that the elements 41 and 48 of the picker stick check, carried by the cross arm 36, engage with the picker stick 14 upon its outer side, above and below the shaft 31 and above and below the parallel shoe 13 and parallel 12. This is an important feature of the invention, the advantages of which will be further described hereinafter.

A brake band 52 surrounds the brake drum portion 34, as shown in the drawings, and has adjustable frictional engagement therewith. One end of this brake band is fixedly attached at 53 to the bracket 28, while the other end of the brake band is resiliently adjustably secured as at 54 to a member or bolt 55, rigidly mounted upon the bracket 28. The frictional engagement of the brake band with the drum 34 is readily adjusted through a rather wide range at 54.

Top and bottom oppositely disposed ratchet pawls 56 and 57 are pivotally secured to the cross arm 36 at 58, above and below the ratchet wheel portion 35. These pawls are resiliently urged into engagement with the teeth 59 and ratchet wheel 35, by spring means 60, carried by opposite sides of the vertically swingable cross arm 36.

The pawls 56 and 57 are adapted to drive or turn the combined brake drum and ratchet wheel 33 in the clockwise direction, Figure 2, and to trip over the teeth 59 of the ratchet wheel portion without turning the latter when the cross arm 36 swings in the counter-clockwise direction.

A sturdy brace 61 has its lower end rigidly secured to one side of the bracket 28, as shown at 62, and the upper end of the brace 61 carries a horizontal slotted guide 63, which receives and guides the upper tapered end 64 of the cross arm 36, to stabilize the same against sidewise or lateral displacement with the check element 41. The guide 63 thus aids in maintaining the upper check element 41 in proper alignment with the outer side of the picket stick 14.

A forward extension 65 on the L-shaped bracket 28 carries a plate 66 rigidly secured thereto at 67. This vertical plate 66 carries a horizontal reciprocatory plunger or bumper 68, having a spring 69 associated therewith to urge the bumper outwardly toward the cross arm 36, Figure 2 A coacting element or stop 78, rigidly secured to the cross arm 36 at 71 is arranged for contact with the resilient bumper 68 to check the inward swinging movement of the upper end of the cross arm 36 when the same is shifted to the inactive or preset position by the picker stick 14 upon the in stroke of the latter, as will be further described. The bumper 68 is not a vital part of the mechanism and may be dispensed with entirely if desired.

The operation of the picker stick check is as follows:

The lug strap connection 15 and associated elements propels the picker stick inwardly or to the left from its outermost position shown in Figure 1, and the conventional spring drum 2 6 with the strap 27 tends to return the picker stick to its outer position shown in Figure l. The purpose of the check mechanism is to smoothly and gradually check the picker stick upon its out stroke under the impact of the shuttle which strikes the picker at the top of the picker stick. It is also desirable that the picker stick check resist rebounding or inward bouncing of the picker stick when the same is checked on its out stroke.

Assuming that the picker stick check of the present invention has been pre-set by the picker stick on its last in stroke, not shown in the drawings, the cross arm 36 will be in the position shown in Figure 2 and the check elements 41 and 48 will be in the positions shown in Figure 2. When the picker stick moves on its out stroke toward the position shown in Figure l, the lower portion of the picker stick above the parallel shoe 13 will engage the pad 41, and through the check bracket 38, the cross arm 36 will be swung to the right or clockwise in Figure 2 for turning the shaft 31 relative to the stationary bracket 28. When this occurs, the pawls 56 and 57 positively drive or turn the combined brake drum and ratchet wheel 33 in the clockwise direction, and the brake band 52 exerts a firm and gradual checking action upon the element 33 and upon the cross arm 36 which is turning therewith and upon the picker stick 14 which is now engaging the element 41. This gradually and smoothly checks the picker stick upon its out stroke.

Substantially simultaneously with the engagement of the picker stick on its out stroke with the check element 41, the lower check element 48, or roller, will be shifted by the cross arm 36 into stabilizing engagement with the curved cam plate 51, below the shaft 31 and below the parallel 12. This aids in smoothly checking the picker stick on its out stroke and greatly reduces vibration of the parallel motion and associated loom parts and prevents the parallel shoe 13 from jumping upon the parallel 12. The provision of the cam part 51 for contact with the roller 48 during the checking operation of the picker stick greatly stabilizes the picker stick and the picker stick check device.

When the picker stick 14 begins its in stroke under influence of the lug strap connection 15, the picker stick tends to move away from the check element 41, but the curved cam plate 51 moves toward the roller or cam follower 48, which roller is rigid with the cross arm 36 through the medium of the bracket 42. Consequently, as the picker stick moves inwardly from its position shown in Figure 1 the cam plate 51 acting on the roller 48 begins to turn the cross arm 36 counter-clockwise in Figure 2, to re-set the picker stick check preparatory to checking the picker stick on the next out stroke of the latter.

When the cross arm 36 is thus swung counter-clockwise, Figure 2, toward its pre-set or inactive position, the upper check element 41 of course travels to the left or inwardly with the top of the cross arm 36. During this movement, occasioned by the in stroke of the picker stick, the resiliently urged pawls 56 and 57 trip over one pair of teeth 59 on the ratchet wheel 35 near the top and bottom of the ratchet wheel. At this time, the brake band 52 holds the element 33 against counter-clockwise rotation with the cross arm 36 and associated parts. Accordingly, when the picker stick 14 moves on its in stroke, the cam plate 51 carried by the lower end of the picker stick and acting against the roller 48 resets the picker stick check device in the position to again check the picker stick effectively and in the manner previously described upon its next out stroke. When the resetting of the cross arm 36 and associated elements takes place as described, the counter-clockwise movement of the cross arm 36, Figure 2, may be resiliently checked by engagement of the element 70 with the resilient bumper 68 when the latter is employed. With the parts of the picker stick check thus reset automatically as shown in Figure 2, the picker stick 14 will again be eifectively checked on its next out stroke in the same manner previously described.

Figure 5 shows the relative positions of the cross arm 36 and associated elements when the picker stick check is in the active position and checking picker stick 14 at or near the end of its out stroke. Figure 5 also shows the picker stick check from the opposite side to that illustrated in Figure 2. In this respect, Figure 5 corresponds to the showing in Figure 7, which figure shows the mechanism from the opposite side to that illustrated in Figure 1.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A picker stick check for a loom comprising a support member secured to the sword near the lower end thereof and extending away from the sword substantially horizontally and terminating near the parallel motion and near the lower end of the picker stick, means interconnecting said support member and parallel motion to stabilize the support member, a combined brake drum and ratchet wheel journaled upon the support member for rotation near the parallel motion, a generally vertical cross arm pivotally mounted intermediate its ends near said combined brake drum and ratchet wheel for oscillatory movement relative thereto, said cross arm extend ing above and below the ratchet wheel and above and below said parallel motion, pawl means carried by the cross arm and engageable with the ratchet wheel to turn the same with the brake drum in one direction when the cross arm turns in one direction under influence of the picker stick when the latter is moving on its out stroke, a brake band engaging said brake drum and connected with the support member to check the rotation of the brake drum in said One direction under influence of the movement of the cross arm, a first check element carried by the cross arm near the upper end of the latter and above the parallel motion and engaging the outer side of the picker stick when the picker stick moves on its out stroke, a second check element carried by the cross arm near the lower end of the cross arm and disposed adjacent the lower end of the picker stick and below the parallel motion, and a cam element rigid with the lower end of the picker stick and on the outer side of the picker stick and engageable with said second check element to stabilize the picker stick during checking of the latter upon its out stroke, said cam element acting upon the second check element to shift the cross arm with the first check element to a reset position during the in stroke of the picker stick so that the latter may again be checked upon its next out stroke, said pawl means then passing over the teeth of the ratchet wheel without turning the same when the cross arm is moved to said reset position.

2. A loom picker stick check comprising supporting means secured to the sword near the lower end of the sword and extending near the lower end of the picker stick, rotary means mounted upon the supporting means near the lower end of the picker stick, a generally vertically extending cross arm journaled upon said rotary means for turning movement relative thereto and extending above and below said rotary means and above and below the parallel motion of the loom, friction brake means connected with the rotary means to resist turning movement of the same, one-way driving means carried by the cross arm and engaging the rotary means to turn the same in one direction when the cross arm turns in that direction, said one-way means ineifective to turn the rotary means in the other direction when the cross arm turns in such direction, a first check element carried by the cross arm above the rotary means and above said parallel motion and engaging the outer side of the picker stick, a second check element carried by the cross arm below the rotary means and said parallel motion and disposed near the outer side of the picker stick adjacent its lower end, and an element secured to the outer side of the picker stick adjacent its lower end and engageable with the second check element to shift the same with the cross arm in one direction when the picker stick moves on its in stroke and thereby setting the first check element in a position to check the picker stick on its next out stroke, engagement of the picker stick on its out stroke with the first check element turning said cross arm and causing said one-way driving means to turn the rotary means and the friction brake means then checking the turning of the rotary means, cross arm and said first check element to check the picker stick on its out stroke.

3. A loom picker stick check comprising supporting means secured to the sword near the lower end thereof and extending near the lower end of the picker stick and the loom parallel motion, rotary means journaled upon the supporting means near the lower end of the picker stick and spaced from one side of the picker stick, a generally vertical oscillatory cross arm pivotally mounted upon said rotary means to swing relative thereto and extending above and below the rotary means and above and below the parallel motion, check elements carried by the cross arm near the top and bottom of the latter and engageable with the outer side of the picker stick above and below the parallel motion, friction brake means connected with the rotary means to resist turning of the same in one direction, and one-way active driving connecting means between said rotary means and cross arm.

4. A loom picker stick check according to claim 3, and wherein said friction brake means is adjustable.

5. A loom picker stick check check according to claim 3, and resilient means engageable with the cross arm to check the movement of the same in one direction under influence of the picker stick on its in stroke caused by engagement of the lower end of the picker stick with the lower check element.

6. A loom picker stick check according to claim 3, and stabilizing guide means for the upper end of the cross arm and secured to said supporting means.

7. A loom picker stick check according to claim 3, and wherein the check elements are adjustably secured to said cross arm for proper engagement with the picker stick.

8. A loom picker stick check according to claim 3, and a downwardly and outwardly curved rigid cam element secured to the outer side of the picker stick near its lower end for engagement with the lower check element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 395,842 Littlefield Jan. 8, 1889 914,360 Nevin Mar. 2, 1909 1,311,053 Darlington July 22, 1919 2,452,955 Pressley Nov. 2, 1948

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