US3155331A

US3155331A - Yarn winding machine with yarn severing and tension sensing means

Info

Publication number: US3155331A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas E Pitts
Original assignee: Leesona Corp
Current assignee: Leesona Corp
Priority date: 1962-12-11
Filing date: 1962-12-11
Publication date: 1964-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 1981-11-03
Also published as: GB1072860A; BE640465A; CH418194A

Description

Nov. 3, 1964 v T. E. PlTTS YARN WINDING MACHINE WITH YARN SEVERING AND TENSION SENSING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 11, 1962 FIG.

INVENTOR.

BY THOMAS E. PITTS Flejz ATTORNEY H Nov. 3, 1964 T. E. PITTS YARN WINDING MACHINE WITH YARN SEVERING AND TENSION SENSING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed D60. 11, 1962 FIG. 5

INVENTOR THOMAS E. PITTS FIG.4

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,155,331 YARN WZNDING MACHINE WITH YARN SEVER- ING AND TENSIQN SENSING MEANS Thomas E. Pitts, (Iranston, R51, assignor to Leesona Corporation, Warwick, Kl, a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Dec. 11, 1962, Ser. No. 243,854

7 Claims. (Cl. 242-49) The present invention relates to winding machines, and relates, more particularly, to a yarn sensing and severing device which is operative to detect and sever a strand of yarn running from a supply bobbin to a take-up unit of a winding machine when the yarn on said bobbin has become snagged, snarled or otherwise impeded from free unwinding.

In the following specification and claims the term yarn is employed in a general sense to apply to all kinds of strand material, either textile or otherwise and the designation package is intended to mean the product of a winding or twisting machine hatever its form.

In the patent application of Pit-ts and Steele, Serial No. 30,346 filed May 19, 1960, now Patent No. 3,081,045,

andentitled Automatic Supply Package Indexing Mechanism For. Winding Machines, there is disclosed and claimed a self-initiating supply package indexing mechanism for winding machines, particularly of the fully automatic type covered by United States Patent 2,764,362 issued to William V. Goodhue et al., on September 25, 1956. In accordance with the invention of that application at least two circumferentially spaced packages of yarn, such as bobbins, cops, or the like, are mounted at the supply end of the winding machine upon a carrier arranged for rotation about a vertical axis, the carrier being automatically rotated to remove one supply package from an active unwinding position and bring another package thereto in the event the yarn on the first package runs out, or breaks in the vicinity of the package while yarn is being supplied to the take-up unit of the winding machine. :As a fresh reserve package is shifted from its reserve position to the active unwinding position a lead end of said fresh reserve yarn supply package is moved automatically from an inactive position into an active unwinding yarn path. in the course of such movement said lead yarn end is caused to pass beneath and engage with a shoulder of an axially movable sensing pin having a body portion projecting above the top panel'of' a yarn servicing housing of the Winding machine. The lower end of the axially movable pin projects downwardly into the yarn servicing section housing and is aligned therein with a rotatable cam. In a manner fully "described in said patent application the sensing pin is restrained from engagement with said cam by virtue of the yarn strand engaging with a shoulder of the pin.

In the absence of yarn beneath said shoulder the pin'is free to engage with the cam to thereby initiate clutching operations to present a fresh reserve supply bobby in position for unwinding.

As has already been stated, with the introduction of a fresh yarn supply bobbin in the active unwinding position the lead end of yarn therefrom is carried'into position beneath the shoulder of the yarn sensing pin. At this time the end-finding and re-uniting cycle of said apparatus is set in operation in the manner fully described in the afore-cite'd patent and patent application whereby said lead yarn end is tied onto the trailing yarn end on the take-up package. Further, and sequentially after the ends have been re-united, the take-up package is set in motion to withdraw yarn from the tresh reserve supply bobbin. At this time it may occur that the yarn on the outer wraps of said supply bobbin are prevented from unwinding due to these wraps being snagged, snarled or otherwise entangled. Continued pulling by the take-up unit will, of course, cause the yarn to break. Hereto-' fore, if the break occurred beyond the yarn sensing pin, i.e., between the yarn sensing pin and the winding unit, the yarn laying under the shoulder of the pin would not be pulled from therebeneath but, rather, would remain in position under the shoulder. Thus, the pin would be restrained from dropping into engagement with the cam and therefore the clutching operations previously alluded to would not be operated to present a new reserve bobbin into the active unwinding position. As related. in said patent application S.N. 30,346 after the mechanism has made two attempts to re-uni-te the end and has failed the winding unit automatically shuts oil. This condiiton is undesirable since closer attention by the operator to the machine is required to maintain operation thereof. To prevent this possibility, then, it is desirable to provide a means for sensing the condition of the yarn and severing the yarn in the zone between the supply package and the sensing pin ii the yarn is not free to unwind. By so doing the loose end of yarn restraining the sensing pin from operating is pulled out from therebeneath, either by the take-up unit or auxiliary suction apparatus, and the sensing pin is released for operation.

Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic means for sensing snaris, snags or other obstructions which prevent the free unwinding of yarn from an active yarn supply package.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means for automatically severing a yarn strand running from a supply package when the strand has become obstructed from free unwinding off the package.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a means for automatically clamping the yarn in position while sensing and severing is taking place.

Yet a' further object of the present invention is to provide a means operative automatically after the presentation of each free yarn supply package whereby the sensing and, if necessary, severing will take place.

Anadditional object of the presentinvention is to provide a means for automatically monitoring the tension condition of the yarn in its initial withdrawal from the active supply package which is simple in construction and durable and reliable in use.

i Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure and the scope of the application which .will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a portion of a winding machine incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the details of the present invention; i

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view of a portion of a winding machine illustrating the position of various elements of the present invention when sensing a strand of yarn which is in free condition for-Withdrawal from the active supply package;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the position of the elements in connection with a strand of yarn which is impeded from free withdrawal from the yarn supply package; and

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of clamping and guard elements of the invention showing the operative connection therebetween.

Briefly, the present invention comprises a cutting member mounting a blade, a guard for enclosing the cutting Patented Nov. 3, 1964 member, a clamp for holding the yarn in position while the sensing and severing operations are performed, and means for operating the components. In accordance with the present invention the cutting unit and guard normally lay in a rest or inoperative position at one side of the path of a strand of yarn extending from a supply bobbin to its take-up unit. In operation the strand of yarn is secured along its run prior to operation of the take-up unit by the clamp whereupon the strand is engaged by the guard and cutting member. In the event the yarn is not free to unwind off the supply package it will, when clamped, resist the movement of the guard and cutting member. The cutting member, which is positively actuated, will advance beyond the guard while the guard is restrained by the yarn strand. Such advancement of the cutting member exposes its cutting blade to the yarn whereupon the yarn is severed. In the event the yarn strand is free on the supplypackage so that it may be unwound therefrom it will yield from its normal path when contacted by the cutting member and guard. The blade is thus retained under the guard and the yarn is not severed but, rather, is eventually released from the clamp, cutting member and guard for advancement to the takeup unit. Referring now to the drawing it should be brought out that while the invention is capable of adaptation to various winding machines it was especially designed for use in the fully automatic machine of the previously cited United States Patent 2,764,362 and is shown in association with the control section of that machine. However, only enough of the unmodified structure of that machine has been set forth from the drawing as is necessary to an understanding of the relationship between that structure and the present invention. Further, it will also be appreciated that while the present illustration and description has been and will be confined to the structure situated at a single winding position, the commercial form of a complete winding machine embodying the present invention will more often be of the gang type in which a plurality of winding assemblies will be mounted upon a common frame to wind a plurality of strands of yarn and will be driven from a common source of power.

Insofar as the related parts of the Winding machine are concerned, with particular reference now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, the Winding machine is provided with a forwardly extending yarn servicing section which includes a top panel 12 and a front wall 14. The yarn servicing section 10 provides a housing for enclosing certain of the operating parts of the winding machine and, additionally, provides a mounting upon which further operating components of the winding machine are situated. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the top panel 12 supports a yarn tension unit 16, the upper portion of which is formed as a tubular cap 13 through which is axially pierced a yarn sensing pin 20. As is fully related in the afore-mentioned United States patent application S.N. 30,346 the yarn sensing pin 24 is provided with a shoulder (not herein illustrated) beneath which the running strand of yarn from supply I package S is passed. In the event of removal of the yarn from beneath said shoulder of the yarn sensing pin 24 the pin is released to fall downwardly and engage with a rotatable cam of the general type illustratted fragmentarily at 22 and supported on shaft 24. Rotation of cam 22 thereupon initiates the introduction of a reserve yarn package, shown at S, to the active unwinding position shown as being occupied by supply package S (FIG. 1). Conversely, if yarn is present beneath said yarn sensing pin 20 the pin will be prevented from descending into engagement with cam 22 and package S will not be moved to the active unwinding position. Patent application S.N. 30,346 fully disclosed means for initiating the foregoing movements. It will sufilce to state here that, as a concomitant to the engagement of pin 20 with cam 22, shaft 26 which extends vertically from beneath and through the yarn servicing section housing 10 is rotated through a path of 180. A spider 28 afiixed at its medial point to the lower end of shaft 26 is likewise rotated. As illustrated in FIG. 1 the distal ends of the spider 28 are provided with

suitable spindles

30 and 32, these spindles mounting active supply package S and reserve supply package S respectively. By rotation of shaft 26 through one-half of a revolution reserve supply package S is translated into the position of active supply package S (FIG. 1). As a preliminary to the utilization of reserve supply package S its lead end Y is deposited over yarn bail 34 and retained by suitable means such as a vacuum port, not shown. Thus, as package S is rotated to assume the position of the active unwinding package the strand is shifted down along bail 34 until it comes to rest in a bight or loop 36 of the bail. At this time the yarn strand will also .be carried through yarn guide 38 and through the tension unit 16, the yarn, as it extends between loop 36 and tension unit 16, lying in generally a horizontal plane. Subsequent thereto the strand is held at suction port 39 while its lead end is conveyed for reuniting with an end from the take-up unit by suction tube 41.

Turning once again to FIG. 1 it will be observed that the forward wall 14 of the yarn servicing section housing 10 is pierced through at its approximate medial point by a shaft 5%, the outer end of the shaft having a flatted portion 52 thereon. As best seen in FIG. 2 shaft 50 is mounted for rotation on a bushing 54 press fitted into a suitable bore in the wall 14. Spaced directly below the bushing 54 and also supported in wall 14 is a stud 56. Stud 56 projects outwardly and receives the lower end of a fiat plate 58 for rotation thereon. In its mounted position on stud 56 plate 58 lays closely against wall 14. A rather large, somewhat elongated, opening is provided in the central section of plate 58, this opening being of sufficient diameter to surround the outer diameter of bushing 54. One side of the opening is provided with a surface of constant radius as at 60, said surface 60 extending downwardly from a notch at 62 in the upper region of said opening. As seen in FIG. 2 the uppermost end of plate 58 is folded at a right angle to the main body of said member to provide a tab 64. Tab 64 supports a U-shaped clamp 66 thereon in a position overlaying the forward end of top panel 12. A mating anvil 68 is fixed at the forward end of top panel 12 in position to have the clamp 66 abut thereagainst.

A metal shield or guard 70, constructed of a pair of spaced

parallel sides

72 and 74 joined together along one of their edges by a web 76, is supported rather loosely on shaft 50 outwardly from and in juxtaposed relation with plate 58. The

sides

72 and 74 of guard 70 are provided with aligned V-shaped notches 78 in their margins thereof remote from web 76. For purposes yet to be explained side 74 has an ear 80 folded inwardly therefrom, said ear terminating approximately midway between the two

sides

72 and 74.

The spaced sides 72 and 74 of guard 70 serve to enclose a member 86 therebetween. Member 86 conforms in shape generally to the marginal boundries of

sides

72 and 74. Further, said member is provided with a slot 88 in alignment with the previously related V-shaped notches 78 in

sides

72 and 74. However, slot 88 is somewhat deeper than the V-shaped notches 78, the rear or bottom of the slot terminating at a recess 90 midway across the member. A blade 92 is seated in recess 90, being held in position by a screw 94. It will be observed in FIG. 2 that blade 92 spans the slot 88 at the rear portion thereof. Further, to facilitate the cutting action of blade 92 it is disposed with its cutting surface on an incline. Thus, a strand of yarn coming in contact with the blade will tend to slide longitudinally along the cutting surface thereof.

A further recess or cavity 96 is provided in the lower section of member 86, the outer edges of this cavity presenting a pair of

opposite walls

97 and 98. Further, cavity as has a D-shaped bore 100 through the lower section. for receiving. shaft, 50. therein, the flat 102, of the bore being arranged to mate firmlywiththe ,flattedport on 52 of shaft 50. In this fashion a, positive connectlQl'l is established between. member 86. and its. supporting shaft. .0.. Av hu 1'04. surrounds. bore 1.00jwithin cavity 9.6. Thishub providesthemounting means for a scissors spring 1.06, said. spring being coiled loosely. around the. hublllA and extendingupwardly therefrom in. a...pair offspaced-apartlegs 107. and 108, one of the legs,10.7. bearing. against the interimv of wall 97 and the. oppositeleg 1 0,8 similarly pressingagainst the wall 98.

An understanding of the purpose of tab 80, previously described, is best obtained with reference to FIG. 2. With. member 86 situated between,walls.72. and. 74 of guard 70 tab 80 is engaged with, leg 10.8 of spring 106 between. said leg and. wall. 98.. The compressive force of spring. 1.016 between tab. 8.0. andwall 97, urges member 86 into itsinactiveposition withinguard 70, web 76 servingas a, stop against the.rearward or counterclockwi thrust (BIG. 3.) of spring, 1.06. on member, 8.6. By. this means,.then, a. resilient connection isv established. between the. guard. 70., and. member 86.,

Projecting from. the rearward side of member 86 is a short.stud.109., Normally stud, 109. is positionedin notch 62. to, in effect, fasten member 86 and. plate 58 together for. cooperative movement. However, as will be more fully related hereafter, stud 109-is capable of, disengagement. fromnotch. 62; to. travel. along surface 60.

Turning. once again. to. FIG. 2, shaft 50. has a flange 110 at its rearmost end. A rearwardly projecting pin 112. has one. of its ends embedded in, fiange 110, the opposite. end. ofsaid pin. terminating in, the course of a generally vertical-path 1141' of cam, 22 Cam, path. 114, in turn, is provided at its lowermost end with a radiallip or platform. 11 5. Said. platform 116, does. notspan the entire transverse dimension of cam path. 114. but, rather, extends, from a. sheer. wall. 118 of the path to a point generally midway across the path. Thus, a slot 120 is, constituted at theinterior end of the platform 116 between said platform. and, an. upright wall 122 of path 114.

Along the upper runof sheer wall, 118. there is formed a, rib. 12.4. The forward end. of rib. 12 4, i.e., the end nearest to platform 11G, is tapered. or beveled as at 126 toprovide a guide track for camming pin 112 into path 114.

Between flang 110 and, wall 14, shaft 50 is surrounded by a torsion. spring, 1128.. One end. of this. spring. is secured in one side of flange. 110 and the opposing spring end is connected into wall 14. Spring 128 thereby pro.- vides a counterclockwise biasing force to shaft 50.- and the components supported thereon. In order that the rotation of shaft 50 may be limited a, stop pin 130 is affixed. in the. outside face of wall 14 and extends out wardly into the. path of guard 70. Thus, contact of guard 7.0 with pin 13.0 will restrain the guard and its companion member 86 from. further counterclockwise rotationr In view of the positive attachment of member 86 with shaft 50., rotation of said shaft will also. be restrained by the stop pin,

In operation of the foregoing apparatus a strand of yarn Y is withdrawn from active unwinding supply package S and threaded through yarn guide 38, passed through loop 36' of bail 3'4 and, subsequently, is engaged in yarn tension unit 16 after which the yarn strand Y is carried to a suitable yarn take-up unit not herein illustrated. A further reserve yarn strand Y is withdrawn from reserve supply package S, the reserve yarn strand being threaded over bail 34 with its terminal end being suitablysecured by means not herein illustrated but which means may be a suitable suction p e in the p pan l 12 o yarn erv cing ction :0- At such time as the winding strand of yarn Y is parted between supply package S and the yarn tension unit 16, or if the yarn supply S becomes exhausted strand Y will be pulled from engagement with yarn sensing pin 20 thereby permitting the .pin to fall and initiate certain motions which will cause rotation of. the shaft 26 through 180 of revolution. The revolution of shaft 26 will thereby swing reserve yarn supply package S. into the active unwinding position. This position beingindicated by the location of supply paokage S inFIG. 1. During the rotation of reserve supply package Sf into the active unwinding position its leading end Y is caused to ride down bad 34 and engage in loop 36. At the same time an immediate portion of the yarn end is ledinto engagement with yarn guide 38 and the forward portion of the reserve yarn strand Y is caused to engage with pin 20 which. is automatically elevated to expose its shoulder for reception of the yarn strand Y by means fully dis closed in the prior cited patent application. The yarn is thereafter suitably manipulated by suction tube 41 to introduce it. to the take-up means.

Returning now to a consideration of the reserve yarn supplyv strand Y after it has been placed in the zone.between supply package S and tension unit 16, it may occur that the yarn strand Y is snagged or entrapped on package S so as not to be free for ready unwinding. In this event it is desirable that the strand be. severed between the take-up means and the packageso that the. yarn may be withdrawn from beneath pin 20, as by suction orifice 39, and a further reserve supplypackage swung into position for unwinding. To this end cam is rocked counterclockwise (FIG, 2.) initial y, as the yarn flow is interrupted, by means fully described in the aforecited patent application. Responsive to such rotation pin 112 is elevated by contact with platform 116 of the cam. Since pin 112 is rotating about the fixed axis of shaft 50 the, pin will ride upwardly. with the cam platform. 116 and, at the same time, will move laterally across the 8. faceof the platform toward slot 120. After sufiicient upward movement of platform 1 16 pin 112 will fall through slot 120 whereupon shaft 50 will be biased counterclockwise (FIG. 2) by spring 128. In response to this initial upward counterclockwise motion of cam 22, shaft 50 is rocked clockwise as seen, for example, in FIGS. 1. and 2. In accord with, such clockwise movement of the shaft 50 member 86, positively attached to shaft 50, is likewise rocked clockwise. Inconsequencethereof guard70, connected, to member 86 through spring 106, and plate 58 which is movable cooperatively withmember 86by means of stud 109, areboth urged in the same clockwise direction as the member. As is seen in FIGS 1, 3. and 4, this movement of guard '70 and plate 58 along with member 86 vent y en a yarn. tr nd n. iqtq s. 7.8 a d slot 88, the yarn being engaged in its. horizontal run be.- tween loop 36. and tension unitld.

It is to be recalled that plate 5.8, pivoted about, its un g and 56 l n he ther and. e e 86 and, guard 70. rotate about shaft 50. As a result stud 109 is gradually urged out of notch 62 during the course of the clockwise movement of plate 58. toward strand Y. Also, during this movement clamp 66. is brought into engagement with anvil 68, the strand of yarn Y being firmly clamped thereby. When clamp 66 has firmly secured the yarn between the. anvil 6 8 and said clamp, stud 109' rides out of notch 62 due to the eccentric point of rotation ofplate 58 from that of the stud-carrying member 86. At this time stud 109 is forced against 'surface 60. Said surface 60, having a surface of constant radius generated relative to the axis of shaft 50, receives stud 109 under the continued biasing force of member 86 which continues to move clockwise. From this point on stud 109 will slide down surface 60 to maintain its clamping force on yarn strand Y as member 86 advances clockwise. The yarn strand Y, now slides to the bottom of notches 78 of guard 70 whereby the yarn is deflected out of its normal straight-line path as shown in FIG. 1 to the. position of FIG. 3. In the course of suchdeflection if the 'yarn strand is free to unwind from reserve supply package S the yarn will simply move away from its path, some small portion of yarn being unwound off the package S to compensate for the deflection. Further, the yarn will be protected from severance by blade $2 due to the fact that notches 78 of guard 76 hold it away from contact with said blade which is seated beyond the depth of the notches. However, should it occur that the yarn is impeded from unwinding from reserve supply package S when member 86 and guard 70 are swung so as to engage the yarn in the respective slot 88 and notches 73 the strand Y will resist the clockwise movement of guard 70. Notwithstanding this, member 86 will continue to swing clockwise due to its positive engagement with shaft 50. In consequence thereof the yarn will actually hold the guard 70 back from further swinging movement as shown in FIG. 4. At this point member 89 will, in effect, separate from the guard, the resistance or tension of the entangled strand between clamp 66 and supply package S being adequate to overcome the biasing effect of spring 106. This results in member 86 swinging through a greater clockwise path than guard 76. Thus, blade 92 is carried forwardly to an exposed position (FIG. 4), the yarn thereupon riding onto said blade 92 and being severed. At this time the driving pin 112 will slide through slot 120. Guard 70, plate 58 and member 86 will be swung abruptly rearwardly to their rest positions as shown in FIG. 1 under the influence of spring 128, guard 70 coming to rest against stop pin 13! It will be readily apparent that the construction of the present invention lends itself to ready adjustment so that the severing of strand S can be correlated with a given resistance, or tension value, in the strand. Thus, if it is desired to achieve severance of the strand at some higher tension the load of spring 106 would be increased. Similarly, if it is desired to cut the strand between clamp 66 and package S when the tension or resistance in the strand between these points is at some lower value the spring 106 would be selected to exert a lesser biasing force between member 86 and guard 70. This follows from the fact that cutting of strand S will not be accomplished until guard 79 separates from member 86 to expose blade 92 and such separation is under the direct influence of spring 166.

When pin 112 passes through slot 120 it is, of course, released from the control of cam 22. In order that the system may be recocked for a subsequent sensing operation the pin must be re-engaged with the cam, This is accomplished inthe following manner.

In the previously cited patent application mechanisms are described for rocking cam 22 through a short clockwise arc and then a terminal counterclockwise motion (FIG. 2) at the end of its camming cycle. These motions are utilized to reposition the pin 112 in path 114. At the time of the initial clockwise motion of cam 22 pin 112 is aligned generally with sheer wall 118, the biasing efiect of spring 128 having so disposed the pin away from alignment with platform 116. On the clockwise motion of cam 22 pin 112 rides along the side of sheer wall 118. Continued clockwise motion of cam 22 causes wall 118 to, in effect, retreat from pin 112. At this juncture the pin is engaged on beveled edge 126 of rib 124 and cammed into the course of cam path 114. Such movement is assisted by lateral displacement of cam 22 on shaft'24 in the manner related in the previously cited United States patent application. Thereafter the terminal counterclockwise movementof cam 22 serves to position pin 112 and platform 1.16 in alignment with and in close proximity to each other for a further sensing movement in a like cycle to that just described.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matters contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrated and not in a limiting sense.

7 What is claimed is:

i 1. In a winding machine adapted to advance a strand of yarn from a supply source to a take-up unit, said machine including sensing means for detecting an interruption in said advancing strand of yarn, and actuating means operable cooperatively with said sensing means to present a fresh strand of yarn for winding upon interruption of said advancing strand, the improvement therein comprising, a clamping member arranged to grip said strand between said supply source and said take-up unit, severing means movable from a first position spaced from said yarn strand to a second position interposed in the path of the strand between said supply source and said clamping member, means connnected with and operable by said actuating means for moving said severing means from said first position to said second position, a guard member normally enclosing said severing means and movable cooperatively therewith, said guard member being arranged to contact said strand of yarn, and resilient means yieldably connecting said severing means and said guard member, said resilient means being yieldable to permit separation of said severing means from said guard member when the tension in said strand exceeds a predetermined value whereby said severing element is presented to out said strand.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 including means associated with said severing means for operating said clamping member.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said severing means includes a blade, said severing means having a guide slot therein for directing said strand to said blade.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said guard includes a yarn-receiving passage therein in alignment with said guide slot, said passage being shallower in depth than said guide slot.

5. In a winding machine adapted to advance a strand of yarn from a supply thereof onto a winding package, said machine including sensing means for detecting an interruption in said advancing strand of yarn, and actuating means operable cooperatively with said sensing means to present a fresh strand of yarn for winding upon interruption of said advancing strand, the improvement therein comprising, yarn severing means, a member for mounting said severing means, connecting means for engaging said member with said actuating means, said connecting means being operable cooperatively with said actuating means to operate said severing means and sever said fresh strand of yarn when the tension therein exceeds a predetermined value.

6. In a winding machine adapted to advance a strand of yarn from a supply thereof onto a winding package, said winding machine including sensing means for detecting an interruption in said advancing strand of yarn, and actuating means operable cooperatively with said sensing means to present a fresh strand of yarn for winding upon interruption of said advancing strand, the

improvement therein comprising, tension measuring means for measuring the tension in said fresh strand of yarn, yarn severing means operably connected with said last mentioned means, a member for mounting said tension measuring means and said severing means thereon, connecting means for engaging said member with said actuating means, said connecting means being opsaid winding machine including sensing means for detecting an interruption in said advancing strand of yarn, and actuting means operable cooperatively with said sensing means to present a fresh strand of yarn for Winding upon interruption of said advancing strand, the improvement therein comprising, detecting means for detecting an impediment, preventing the substantially free feeding of yarn from said supply to said winding package, yarn severing means operably connected with said last mentioned means, a member for mounting said detecting means and said severing means thereon, connecting means for engaging said member with said actuating means, said connecting means being operable cooperatively with said actuating means to operate said detecting means as said fresh strand of yarn is presented for Winding, said severing means being operable cooperatively with said detecting means to sever said fresh strand of yarn when an impediment is detected therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 592,440 Ouellette et a1. Oct. 26, 1897 1,096,890 Burke May 19, 1914 2,263,466 McCarthy Nov. 18, 1941

Claims

1. IN A WINDING MACHINE ADAPTED TO ADVANCE A STRAND OF YARN FORM A SUPPLY SOURCE TO A TAKE-UP UNIT, SAID MACHINE INCLUDING SENSING MEANS FOR DETECTING AN INTERRUPTION IN SAID ADVANCING STRAND OF YARN, AND ACTUATING MEANS OPERABLE COOPERATIVELY WITH SAID SENSING MEANS TO PRESENT A FRESH STRAND OF YARN FOR WINDING UPON INTERRUPTION OF SAID ADVANCING STRAND, THE IMPROVEMENT THEREIN COMPRISING, A CLAMPING MEMBER ARRANGED TO GRIP SAID STRAND BETWEEN SAID SUPPLY SOURCE AND SAID TAKE-UP UNIT, SEVERING MEANS MOVABLE FROM A FIRST POSITION SPACED FROM SAID YARN STRAND TO A SECOND POSITION INTERPOSED IN THE PATH OF THE STRAND BETWEEN SAID SUPPLY SOURCE AND SAID CLAMPING MEMBER, MEANS CONNECTED WITH AND OPERABLE BY SAID ACTUATING MEANS FOR MOVING SAID SERVING MEANS FROM SAID FIRST POSITION TO SAID SECOND POSITION, A GUARD MEMBER NORMALLY ENCLOSING SAID SEVERING MEANS AND MOVABLE COOPERATIVELY THEREWITH, SAID GUARD MEMBER BEING ARRANGED TO CONTACT SAID STRAND OF YARN, AND RESILIENT MEANS YIELDABLY CONNECTING SAID SEVERING MEANS AND SAID GUARD MEMBER, SAID RESILENT MEANS BEING YIELDABLE TO PERMIT SEPARATION OF SAID SEVERING MEANS FROM SAID GUARD MEMBER WHEN THE TENSION IN SAID STRAND EXCEEDS A PREDETERMINED VALUE WHEREBY SAID SEVERING ELEMENT IS PRESENTED TO CUT SAID STRAND.