US3159184A

US3159184A - Tape motion for shuttleless looms

Info

Publication number: US3159184A
Application number: US237260A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Ralph H Brown; Randell F Sample
Original assignee: Draper Corp
Current assignee: Draper Corp
Priority date: 1962-11-13
Filing date: 1962-11-13
Publication date: 1964-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 1981-12-01
Also published as: GB991228A; DE1535357B1; CH417494A

Description

Dec. 1, 1964 R. H. BROWN, JR., ETAL 3,159,184

TAPE MOTION FOR SHUTTLELESS LOOMS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 13, 1962 *m in; ii;

' INVENTOR.

RALPH H. BQQWNJR IEQYANDBLL FSAMIDLJZ A TTORNE Y Dec. 1, 1964 R. H. BROWN, JR. ETAL 3,159,184

TAPE MOTION FOR SHUTTLELESS LOOMS Filed Nov. 13, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR RALPH I-I. BROWN JR $ANDELL FSAMFLE A TTORNEY Dec. 1, 1964 R. H. BROWN, JR., ETAL 3,159,184

TAPE MOTION FOR SHUTTLELESS LOOMS Filed Nov. 1s,' 1962 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR QALIDH H BQOWN JR. QANDELL. F. SAMF LJ;

3 7 maW A TTORNEY United States Patent 3,159,184 TAPE MOTIGN FOR SHUTTLELESS LOQMS Ralph H. Brown, in, Ashiand, and Randell F. Sample, Hopedale, Mass, assignors to Draper Corporation, Hopedaic, Mass, a corporation of Maine Filed Nov. 13, 1962, Ser. No. 237,260 8 Claims. (@l. 139-122) This invention pertains to an improvement in shuttleless looms of the type wherein filling is drawn from an outside source and placed in warp shed by flexible inserting members such as tapes and, more particularly, to a means for holding a tape in closed contact with the surface of the wheel by which it is driven.

It is a general object of the invention to restrain the flexible tape from any radial motion away from the tape wheel while being inserted or withdrawn from the warp shed.

A further object is to devise a tape wheel to drive and retract a flexible tape without requiring the use of tape rollers or restraining shoes or pads.

A further object of the invention is that of reducing the amount of friction and heat generated by eliminating the use of the above restraining mean-s.

A more specific object is that of reducing the power requirements previously used in overcoming tape friction.

Another object of the invention is the reduction in wear of the tape wheel drive mechanism by lessening the tape drag.

Another more specific object is to obtain a better weaving condition, as a reduction in heat allows truer control of tape settings at the filling transfer point.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent as further details are disclosed.

Shuttleless looms of this type have an outside source of filling, that is, a supply not carried through the warp shed by a shuttle. The filling is generally measured and cut to length to be inserted part way through the shed by a carrier on a flexible steel tape. The carrier is met by a receiving carrier on a second steel tape where the end of filling is transferred and drawn to the far side of the shed. Each steel tape is removably attached to the outer rim of a tape wheel adapted to oscillate on opposing sides of the loom to insert and withdraw a pick of filling in timed relationship with the other loom mechanisms.

The oscillation of a tape wheel is somewhat less than a full revolution, and the size of the wheel is such that, when a tape is partially wrapped around the rim, the outward end of the tape will be completely withdrawn from the warp shed. a

Flexible steel tapes of the type shown in United States Patent No. 2,604,123 will naturally assume a straight position in order .to perform their function of inserting a length of filling. When the tape is withdrawn and wrappeed around the periphery of the wheel and particularly when the wheel reversesand inserts the tape into the shed, it is necessary to restrain this natural tendency to straighten and hold the tape firmly against the Wheel.

Previous to the instant invention numerous methods had been used to accomplish this restraint such as rollers, magnets, wooden blocks, and curved plastic shoes. None of these have proven entirely satisfactory as, in most cases, considerable wear is introduced, and friction and heat are generated through the pressure of the moving tape against the restraining means. Undesirable factors are thereby presented such as increased power requirements, excess wear on driving and driven parts, the necessity for lubrication, and possibly inferior quality finished products.

As will be shown, this invention holds a flexible tape in close proximity to the rim of the tape wheel during ice oscillation in a manner to eliminate the undesirable features previously encountered.

The invention will be described in greater detail by reference to a specific embodiment and one modification thereof as shown in the accompanying figures of drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a loom to which the invention has been applied;

FIG. 2 is a view of one end of a loom with the parts enlarged as compared to FIG. 1, and partially in section;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevation of the upper portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken on line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the invention shown separated from the loom;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 2 showing a modified seating and tape guiding member; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the upper portion of FIG. 6 shown in perspective.

Now referring to FIG. 1, the invention refers to that type of loom described in United States Patent No;

2,810,403 in which the filling yarn is taken from a source at the side of the loom and picks of filling are inserted and extended through the warp shed by opposing flexible spring steel tapes affixed to oscillating tape Wheels positioned on opposite sides of the loom. Inasmuch as the present invention is applicable to both sides of the loom, it is considered necessary here to explain only one such mechanism. It should be understood that the parts on the opposite side are similar to those disclosed.

The commonly known loom parts (FIG. 1) comprises loomsides 11 and 12, a breast beam 13, a front girt 14, and a top motion 15 with a top motion bracket 16 which support harness frames. 17 and 18. The woven fabric is rolled beneath the 106m as at 19. A camshaft 20 extends between loomsides and at each end a crank 21 is connected by a pitman 22 to a crosshead and rack 23 movable in a crosshead slide 24. The rack oscillates a gear 25 through an intermediate direction reversing gear 26. (FIGS. 1 and 2.)

The gearing, crosshead, and rack are enclosed in a housing 27 which is interconnected to a larger housing 28 which is fitted with a housing cover 29 when machine is in operation.

Gear 25 is keyed to the central part of a shaft 30 which has also keyed at one end a disk 31. Fastened to disk 31 in some manner, as with bolts 32, is an oscillating wheel or sheave 33 of suitable light material such asaluminum. Gear 25 imparts oscillating motion to wheel 33 through the shaft 30 as is described in United States Patent No. 2,888,956. The

housings

27 and 28 and slide 24 are supported and held rigidly to the loomside by

brackets

34 and 35.

Fastened at a point on the rim of tape wheel 33 by such means as a bolt 36 is one end of a flexible member or spring steel tape 37. At the outward end of each tape is attached a filling carrier 38 for either inserting or extending the filling yarn, depending upon which side of the loom it is used. (FIG. 5.)

Through the oscillation of wheel 33 in a partial revolution, tape 37 is adapted to be wrapped about the central plane of the rim of wheel 33. Upon reversal of direction of the tape wheel, the tape will leave the wheel at the high point of its circumference to be guided tangentially into the Warp shed by a tape guide 39, there to meet its opposing tape member near the center of the loom.

The tape wheels 33 on either side of the loom, when oscillated simultaneously, will extend opposing tapes 37 in a horizontal plane straight into the warp shed and are the means for inserting and extending the filling yarn for the formation of a fabric.

Reference to FIG. 2 shows that the end of tape 37 is at bolt 36 and the tape extends around the major circumference of wheel 33 and into the tape guide 39. The tape is at this point completely withdrawn from the warp shed and the normal beat-up process takes place. The Wheel 33 will then oscillate in aclockwise direction which will force tape 37 horizontally into the warp shed. As this cycle of withdrawing and extending the tape will occur a number of times each second, it will be seen that the tape will tend to leave the rim of the tape wheel andendeavor to balloon to a larger circumference. The instant invention is concerned with improving means for controlling this tendency.

Circumferentially spaced projections in the form of involute headed studs 4t) (FIG. 3) are applied to the rim of the tape wheel 33. These studs may be of various shapes and could he applied by other means and at other angles, but a preferred condition may be obtained by using threaded studs inserted into tapped holes concentric radially with the wheel. A separation between studs of about thirty degrees has been found to be satisfactory for their purpose.

Centrally spaced along the length of tape 37 are perforations 41 separated to match the distance between studs 4th. The perforations should be of a size to fully encompass stud 40 at its base without binding. When wheel 33 is oscillated to withdraw tape 37 from the warp shed, the tape will lie flat against the outer rim of the tape wheel with each stud 4% extending through the'tape' at a perforation 41.

As a means for seating the tape perforations 41 completely around each stud and into contact with the tape wheel 33, an inverted U-shaped arcuate channel member 42 is mounted on housing 28 as with bolts 43. Channel member 42 is positioned to be a continuation of guide 39 and to follow the arc of wheel 33 and is formed of an impregnated wood or other suitable material. he U-shaped portion of channel member 42 forms a passage 44 through which the studs Ltd may pass unhindered and two lower tape seating surfaces 45 and 46 which press the tape into contact with the tape wheel.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a modified version with a seating and guiding member 47 which may serve in place of tape guide 39 and channel member 42 and is formed as an elongated horizontal slide with retaining strips 43 and 49 fastened thereto. The retaining strips act to seat and guide the tape during both the inserting and withdrawing portions of each cycle.

In order to review the operation, assume a shuttleless loom of the type described has been started up for weaving. Tape wheels on either side are set to oscillate through a definite predetermined arc in order to insert two flexible steel tapes into the warp shed to a point where the filling yarn is transferred from one carrier to. the other. On reaching this point, the wheels reverse direction to withdraw the tapes and, in so doing, they are wrapped around the rim of the wheel. As the tape is wrapped about the wheel, the perforations along the length of the tape are pressed over the studs which project from the rim.

With the tape in close contact with the surface of the,

wheel, the studs restrain it from any radial movement and at the time of change in direction, the tape does not tend to balloon away from the wheel.

With this invention rollers or tape shoes for controlling the tape are rendered unnecessary and numerous benefits are gained. It has been found that the power required to overcome the friction caused by tape shoes amounted to at least one-quarter of the power requirements for the whole loom. Lubrication in this area is now greatly reduced or eliminated, resulting in savings in expense as well as a reduction in second quality material.

While one embodiment and a modification of the invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number of Ways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

We claim:

1. In a shuttleless loom of the type having. a stationary filling supply, means for inserting and extending said filling through a Warp shed which includes filling carriers attached to the free ends of flexible tapes, oscillating tape wheels to which said tapes are attached and upon which they are wrapped and from which they are extended into the said shed by oscillation of said wheel, means for maintaining each said tape in contact with each said wheel which comprises projecting means on the rim of said wheel, and perforations in said tape adapted to encompass said projecting means.

2. In a shuttleless loom of the type having a stationary filling supply, means for inserting and extending said filling through a warp shed which includes filling carriers attached to the free ends of flexible tapes, oscillating tape wheels to which the opposite end of each said tape is fixedly attached and upon which each said tape is wrapped and from which each is extended into the warp shed by oscillation of said wheel, means formaintaining each said tape in contact with each said wheel which comprises projecting means connected to the rim of said wheel, and perforations in said tape adapted to encompass said projecting means.

3. In a shuttleless loom of the type having a stationary filling supply, means for inserting and extending said filling through a warp shed which includes filling carriers attached to the free ends of flexible tapes, oscillating tape wheels to which the opposite end of each said tape is fixedly attached and upon which each said tape is Wrapped and from which each is extended into the warp shedby oscillation of said wheel, means for maintaining each said tape in contact with each said wheel which comprises circumferentially spaced projections protruding from the outer rim of said wheel, and perforations in said tape adapted to encompass said projections.

4. In a shuttleless loom of the type having a stationary filling supply, means for inserting and extending said filling through a warp shed which includes filling carriers attached to the free ends of fiexible tapes, oscillating tape wheels to which the opposite'end of each said tape is fixedly attached and upon which each said tape is wrapped and from which each is extended into the warp shed by oscillation of said wheel, said tape normally assuming a straight tangential position when extended, means for maintaining each said tape in contact with each said wheel when withdrawn from said shed which comprises circumferentially spaced involute headed studs outwardly protruding from the rim of said wheel, and perforations in said tape adapted to encompass said studs.

5. In a shuttleless loom of the type having means for inserting filling from a stationary supply which comprises an oscillating wheel, circumferentially spaced projections protruding from said wheel, a flexible tape attached to and adapted to be wrapped about and extended from said wheel by the oscillation thereof, spaced perforations in said flexible tape, and means to encompass said projections by said perforations.

6. In a shuttleless loom of the type having a stationary filling supply, means for inserting and extending said filling through a warp shed which includes filling carriers at tached to the free ends of flexible tapes, oscillating tape wheels to which the opposite end of each said tape is fixedly attached and upon which each said tape is Wrapped and from which each is extended into the warp shed by oscillation of said wheel, said tape normally assuming a straight tangential position when extended, means for maintaining each said tape in contact with each said wheel when withdrawn from shed which comprises circumferentially spaced involute headed studs outwardly protruding from the rim of said wheel, perforations in said tape adapted to encompass said studs, and means for seating said tape perforations over said studs.

7. Mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein said seating means defines an inverted U-shaped arcutate channel member positioned to deprms said tape at initial point of wrapping about said Wheel to seat each said perforation consecutively around a corresponding said stud.

8. In a shuttleless loom of the type having means for inserting filling from a stationary supply into a warp shed which comprises an oscillating wheel, circumferentially spaced projections protruding from said wheel, a flexible tape attached to and adapted to be Wrapped aboutand extended from said wheel by the oscillation thereof, spaced perforations in said flexible tape, and a seating and guiding member adapted to seat said tape into contact with rim of said wheel while being wrapped and to guide said tape into the warp shed while being extended.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 681,004 Skinner et al. Aug. 10, 1901 1,683,955 Carrey Sept. 11, 1928 2,548,663 Fletcher et al. Apr. 10, 1951 2,604,123 Budzyna et al. July 22, 1952 2,688,345 Werner et al Sept. 7, 1954 2,810,403 Sanderson et al. Oct. 27. 1957

Claims

1. IN A SHUTTLELESS LOOM OF THE TYPE HAVING A STATIONARY FILLING SUPPLY, MEANS FOR INSERTING AND EXTENDING SAID FILLING THROUGH A WRAP SHED WHICH INCLUDES FILLING CARRIERS ATTACHED TO THE FREE ENDS OF FLEXIBLE TAPES, OSCILLATING TAPE WHEELS TO WHICH SAID TAPES ARE ATTACHED AND UPON WHICH THEY ARE WRAPPED AND FROM WHICH THEY ARE EXTENDED INTO THE SAID SHED BY OSCILLATION OF SAID WHEEL, MEANS FOR MAINTAINING EACH SAID TAPE IN CONTACT WITH EACH SAID WHEEL WHICH COMPRISES PROJECTING MEANS ON THE RIM OF SAID WHEEL, AND PERFORATIONS IN SAID TAPE ADAPTED TO ENCOMPASS SAID PROJECTING MEANS.