US3200851A

US3200851A - Thread parting and clamping mechanism

Info

Publication number: US3200851A
Application number: US345459A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cadorette George
Original assignee: Draper Corp
Current assignee: Draper Corp
Priority date: 1964-02-17
Filing date: 1964-02-17
Publication date: 1965-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 1982-08-17

Description

1965 G. CADORETTE 3,200,851

THREAD PARTING AND CLAMPING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 17, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 1/ "r' MAW? Q INVENTOR.

GEO R6 E CH DORETTE. 27m [1 Qua/Law A TTORNE Y Aug. 17, 1965 G. CADORETTE THREAD PARTING AND CLAMPING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 17, 1964 INVENTOR. GEORGE CR DORETTE 5% QMM A TTORNE Y 1965 e. CADORETTE 3,200,851

THREAD PARTING AND CLAMPING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 17, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. GEORGE CRDOREZTTE.

2 M wmmw A TTORNE Y United States Patent Olfice 3,200,851 TIHREAD PARTHNG AND CLAMPENG MEQHANESM George Cadorette, ltlopedale, Mass, assignor to Draper Corporation, Hopedale, Mass, a corporation of Maine Filed Fair. 17, 1964, Ser. No. 345,459 4 Qlaims. (til. l39-2o3) This invention pertains to automatic filling replenishing looms and more particularly, to a thread parting and clamping mechanism for parting and holding the incoming filling ends extending from the batteries of such looms.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a combined thread parting and clamping device for cutting and holding the end of filling of the package to be transferred into a loom shuttle.

It is a further object of the invention to improve the quality of the fabric being woven by eliminating the possibility of drag-ins through use of applicants novel thread parting and clamping mechanism.

it is a still further object to provide such a mechanism which, in one direction of movement of the actuating rod to which it is attached, will open to release the previous cut filling end and then receive, cut and clamp the next filling end of the package to be transferred.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following more detailed disclosure.

Looms of the automatic filling replenishing type to which the instant invention is applicable have a reciprocating lay, shuttle boxes at each end thereof, and a filling replenishing mechanism including a magazine containing a plurality of reserve filling bobbins. A filling end holder remotely disposed from and axially aligned with the magazine serves as a means for attaching the ends of filling of the reserve filling bobbins awaiting transfer into a loom shuttle.

Operation of the filling replenishing mechanism in looms of the type described above forms an incoming filling end which extends from the cloth selvage to the filling end holder and an outgoing filling end extending from the cloth selvage to the mechanism for parting said outgoing filling adjacent to the shuttle.

A temple thread cutter is adapted in a known manner to sever both the outgoing and incoming filling ends adjacent the cloth selvage and the outgoing filling end, after being severed adjacent the shuttle, is free to fall away from the lay or may be removed by means of one of the known forms of thread clearers.

Prior to the instant invention the incoming filling end remained attached to the filling end holder for a plurality of picks after the actuation of the replenishing mechanism to keep the filling under sufiicient tension to assure proper operation of the loom. With the known types of thread parting mechanisms such as those disclosed in U. S. Patents 2,287,666 and 2,341,839, the incoming filling end would first be parted at the cloth selvage and then at a pointadjacent the filling end holder. These ends not being cut simultaneously allowed that end which was first severed at the cloth selvage to fall downwardly and before being cut adjacent the filling end holder and discarded by a thread remover if one were utilized, the dangling filling end has been known on many occasions to have become entangled with the moving lay and component parts thereof resulting in said end breaking and being carried into the fabric. A condition of this nature is considered very serious since a great deal of time is required to remove these broken ends and an excessive number thereof results in fabric of inferior quality.

The thread parting and clamping mechanism according to the instant invention is constructed and arranged to function in conjunction with a thread clearing device such as a vacuum tube to carry the severed end of filling away from the loom. The mechanism includes movable and fixed blades forming a parting and clamping unit which assembles on the end of a pneumatically and spring controlled rod member. This rod member is adapted to move the parting and clamping unit to and away from thread parting position in timed sequence with the actuation of the replenishing mechanism.

Upon indication for filling replenishment the shaft member is timed to start moving the parting and clamping unit toward thread parting position. During its initial movement a spring biased cam member is adapted to act upon a cam follower which is mechanically linked to the movable blades to open the latter and release a previous cut end of filling.

Continued movement of the unit in the direction of its initial movement causes the linkage interconnecting the cam follower with the movable blades to act upon a a second cam which closes said movable blades causing the same to severand clamp the incoming end of filling just prior to the actual transfer of the filling carrier into the loom shuttle. The unit then moves back to its initial position and holds the severed end of filling between the closed blade members. The thread clearer which is in the form of a vacuum tube is effective when the incoming end of filling is severed at the cloth selvage to immediately draw this end into the vacuum tube and away from the moving lay and other moving loom parts associated therewith. The vacuum tube is timed to function upon indication for filling replenishment and for several picks thereafter or until the incoming filling end has been cut at the cloth selvage and drawn into said tube. The opposite end of the incoming filling end is held by the closed blades of the parting and clamping unit until the next indication for filling replenishment when again this cycle is repeated by opening the blades to permit the remaining portion of the severed filling end to be drawn through the vacuum tube and clear of the loom and move the unit to a position where it will cut and clamp the filling end of the next bobbin to be transferred.

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

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a parting and clamping unit according to the invention showing the means utilized to move said unit to and away from thread parting position;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective View of the parting and clamping unit having a portion of the supporting and actuating members removed for clarity and to show the cam and linkages utilized to open the movable blade members;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 2 but showing the blade members in an open position;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 3 but showing the blade members in a closed position;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view showing the cam which is effective in closing the movable blades; and

FIGURE 6 is an exploded view of the actual cutting and clamping parts.

Referring to FIG. 1, a par-ting and clamping unit of the type described may include a supporting bracket it) having suitable bolting slots 11 for attaching said bracket to a loom. An air cylinder unit generally indicated by numeral 12 attaches to the side of bracket 19 by means of cap screws 13 (one only shown in FIG. 2). The air cylinder unit includes spaced

head members

14 and 15 having a cylinder 16 fixedly positioned therebetween by means of tie rods 17 interconnecting said spaced

head members

14 and 15. As shown by the cutaway portion of FIG. 1, a piston 18 is provided within the cylinder and includes a piston rod 19 extending therefrom which passes through and beyond a centrally disposed aperture in head member 15 as at 29. Head member 14 is provided on its outer end with a centrally disposed pneumatic elbow fitting 21 through which air under pressure is directed to move piston 18 and rod 19 in the direction of the indicating arrow A depicted in FIG. 1. A compression spring 22 encircling piston rod 19 assembles within the cylinder 16 intermediate the piston 18 and the head member 15 and serves as a means for returning said piston and retractingpsaid piston rod to their initial positions after having accomplished their function of moving the thread parting and clamping unit to thread parting position. The thread parting and clamping unit generally indicated by numeral 23 is fixedly attached to that portion of piston rod 19 which protrudes from head member 15 by means of a stud or bolt 24 and an elongated, laterally extending stud 25. Bolt 24 also serves to support pivotable linkage for controlling the movable blade members which will be more fully described hereinafter. The shank portion of stud 25 extending laterally with respect to piston rod 19 passes through and beyond the bifurcated portion of a guide bracket 25 which extends parallel with said rod and is attached at one side of head member 15 through utilization of tie rods 17. This guide bracket 26 is effective in maintaining the parting and clamping unit on an even keel by preventing rotary migration of the piston 18 and piston rod 19.

The thread parting and clamping members as illustrated in FIG. 6 include a relatively fixed member or blade 27 and several movable members. The blade 27 is fixedly attached to the free end of piston rod 19 by means of bolt 24 and stud 25. The blade is apertured at 28, this opening being circular with rectangular extensions as shown for a purpose to be described. The blade assembly further includes a cutter 29 which is adapted to cooperate with the angularly disposed cutting portion 30 of the fixed blade 27. A shoulder 31 terminates the limit of the thread receiving opening between the blades.

At the opposite side of blade 27 there is provided a fiber clamping member 32, a combined actuating and clamping blade member 33 which is adapted to cooperate with the fiber clamping member 32. This clamping blade member 33 is provided on its upper surface with a generally centrally disposed, integrally formed and upwardly directed extension 34 which serves as a means for actuat-. ing the movable blade member and which will be more fully described hereinafter.

All of the movable blade members are superpositioned onto the flat-sided

end members

35 and 36 of a pivot member generally indicated by numeral 37 which has a centrally disposed bearing portion 38 that is freely rotatable Within aperture 28. The pivot member is drilled centrally for reception of a bolt 39 which clamps the movable cutter blade 29 onto end 35 of the pivot.

A leaf type spring 49 is assembled between the head of bolt 39 and the blade 29 so as to enable it to be drawn up squarely against the face of the centrally disposed circular bearing portion 38 of the pivot.

This movable cutter blade 29 is provided with a rectangular opening 4-1 which allows said blade to be freely positioned onto the end 35 of the pivot 37, but which prevents relative rotary motion between the two.

The fiber clamping member 32 and the clamping blade 33 are each provided with

rectangular openings

42 and 43, respectively, which enable them to be positioned onto the opposite fiat-sided portion 36 of the pivot.

The circular bearing portion 38 of the pivot 37 is of slightly less length than the thickness of the blade 27 so that the clamping member 32 and clamping blade 33 are axially tree when nut 44 is tightened on the bolt39. A second leaf type spring 45 is provided with an inturned end 46 which is adapted to be received into an aperture 47 in the clamping blade 33 so that as said blade is caused .to move the spring will move with it. Spring 40 on the opposite side of the blade assembly is also provided with an inturned end 48 which is adapted to enter an aperture 419 in the movable cutter blade 29 and like 45 it is caused to move with said movable cutter blade. When nut 44 is tightened against spring 55, the spring forces the clamping member 32 and clamping blade 33 against the fixed blade 27 to produce a desired amount of clamping pressure as the movable blade members are closed. To limit the amount of movement the movable blade members may pivot to open and close, a check member generally indicated by numeral 5%) is provided (FIG. 1). This check member assembles between the fixed blade 27 and the piston rod 19 and that end extending beyond the latter is provided with upper and lower laterally extending

ears

51 and 52. These ears extend above and below the fixed blade 27 and serve as stops against which the upper and lower surfaces 53 and 54, respectively, of the actuating and clamping blade 33 are caused to strike thereby limitting the distance the movable blades are permitted to open and only permitting them to close to the extent of cutting and holding the incoming filling end (FIGS. 2 and 3).

The novel means utilized to actuate the movable blades includes a vertically disposed link member 55 having a fixed bolt 24 disposed intermediate its ends which assists in attaching the thread parting and clamping unit to the piston rod 19. This bolt 24 is constructed and arranged so as to permit the link member 55 to pivot in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. Bolt 24 passes through aligned apertures in piston rod 19 and the blade 27 with one end thereof being fixedly assembled, by such means as riveting, in a centrally disposed aperture 24 (FIG. 3) provided in the link member 55. A horizontally disposed connecting link as which extends in a longitudinal direction with respect to the parting and clamping unit is pivotally attached to the upper end of link member 55 by means of a bolt 5'7. The opposite end of this connecting link 56 is pivotally attached to the upwardly directed extension 34 of the clamping blade member 33 by means of a bolt 58 and nut 59. The shank portion of bolt 58 passes through an appropriate aperture provided in the end of the connecting link, thence through a floating spacer 60, and thence through an aligned aperture 61 provided in extension 34. This assembly is maintained by means of nut 59 and between said nut and extension 34 there assembles a cam bumper 62 the purpose of which will be more fully explained hereinafter.

The supporting bracket It) is provided with an integrally formed extension 63 which extends in spaced relationship to and parallel with the thread parting and clamping unit 23. Adjacent the supporting bracket 1%, extension 63 supports a spring biased blade opening cam generally indicated by numeral 64. This cam is in the form of a.

double armed lever, one arm of which extends in a vertical direction and is depicted by numeral 65. The second arm indicated by numeral 66 extends in a generally horizontal direction and is provided on the lower side thereof with an arcuated camming surface 67 (FIGS. 2 and 3). This arcuated camming surface conforms to the outside diameter of a cam follower 68 with which it is adapted to be in contact with during the opening of the movable blade members. Cam follower 68 being in roller form is rotatably assembled on a bolt 69 which is fixedly attached to and extends laterally from the lower end of link member 55.

Intermediate the ends of the blade opening cam 64 there is provided a fixedly attached and laterally extending stud member 70 which when assembled is caused to pass through cam positioning spacers 71 and 72 (FIG. 2), thence through an appropriate aperture (not shown) in extension 63, and thence through a spring case 73 which is suitably attached to the side of said extension 63 (FIG. 2).

A torsion type spring (not shown) encircles stud member 70 within the spring case 73 and is so constructed and arranged as to cause the blade opening cam to be continually urged in an anti-clockwise direction as viewed from its position depicted in FIG. 2.

A stop pin 74 extending from the side of extension 63 serves as a means for limiting the movement of cam 64 in an anti-clockwise direction by providing an abutment against which arm 65 is caused to bear.

A blade closing cam 75 assembles on the upper surface of the free end of extension 63 by means of

cap screws

76 and 77 and extending laterally from said extension, it overlies a portion of the thread parting and clamping unit and serves to close the movable blade members in a manner to be more fully explained.

In operation, the thread parting and clamping mechanism is positioned and arranged to cut and hold the end of filling which extends from the filling carrier in the rotary battery to the filling end holder remotely disposed from and axially aligned with said battery. After the transfer of a bobbin into a loom shuttle, the battery is caused to move in a known manner to place another bobbin or filling carrier in position for transfer when the next indication for filling replenishment is given.

During this movement of the battery, the end of filling extending to the end holder from the bobbin in the battery also moves and is caused to come to rest on and be supported by a lower finger '78 of a bifurcated filling support plate generally indicated by numeral 79. This support plate assembles on the lower side of the free end of extension 63 and extending outwardly therefrom its provides a means of supporting and positioning the incoming end of filling to be severed and held by the parting and clamp .ing mechanism.

When an indication is given for filling replenishment, a pneumatic timer causes the piston 18 and piston rod 19 to be actuated. During the initial movement of the piston rod to its extended position, cam follower 68 which is supported by link member 55 is pushed into pressing contact with camming surface 67 of the blade opening cam 64. This initial movement causes link member 55 to pivot in an anti-clockwise direction as seen looking from that side of the mechanism as illustrated in FIG. 2. Pivoting of the link member 55 in this direction causes the connecting link 56 which is pivotally attached to the upper end thereof to move horizontally toward the tips of the blade members. The opposite end of this connecting link 56 being pivotally attached to the upwardly directed extension 34 of the clamping blade member 33 causes the latter to pivot in an anti-clockwise direction to open the movable blade members to that position shown in FIG. 3. As the blade members are opened, they are moving to a position which places the filling end to be out between the tip portions of the fixed and movable blade members.

Continued movement of the piston rod in the direction of its initial movement causes the spring biased blade opening cam 64 to ride up and over cam follower 68 6 (FIG. 4). This continued movement of the rod brings the cam bumper 62 into contact With the blade closing cam to arrest the longitudinal movement of extension 34 and connecting link 56. The piston rod at this point not having reached the limit of its travel continues to move and pivots extension 34 to close the movable blade members and to cut and hold the incoming end of filling.

At this point the pneumatic timer discontinues the flow of compressed air to the cylinder 16 and the piston and piston rod are returned to their initial position by means of compression spring 22. This movement also returns the cutting and clamping unit to its initial position along with the severed end of filling which it holds until the next indication for filling replenishment.

While one embodiment of the invention has been dis closed, it is to be under-stood 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.

I claim:

1. A filling end parting and clamping mechanism for automatic filling replenishing looms, a supporting bracket having a pneumatically and spring controlled rod member carried thereby for moving said parting and clamping mechanism to and away from filling parting position, said parting and clamping mechanism comprising fixed and movable blade members, means for actuating said movable blade members including a cam and cam follower, pivotable link members interconnecting said cam follower with said movable blade members, said cam being effective upon said cam follower during the initial movement of said rod to open said movable blade members by means of said pivotable link members, a cam bumper and a second cam effective upon said link members through contact with said cam bumper to close said grnovable blade members as said rod member continues to move in the direction of its initial movement.

2. A filling end parting and clamping mechanism for automatic filling replenishing looms, a supporting bracket having a pneumatically and spring controlled rod member carried thereby for moving said parting and clamping mechanism to and away from filling parting position, said parting and clamping mechanism comprising relatively fixed and movable blade members, means for opening and closing said movable blade members including a horizontally extending spring biased cam member, a vertically disposed pivotable link member having a horizontally extending connecting link pivotally attached to the upper end thereof and said connecting link having its opposite end pivotally attached to one of said movable blade members, a cam follower effective upon said spring biased cam to pivot said link member and move said connecting link in a horizontal direction to open said movable blade members, a cam bumper, a fixed cam member effective in arresting movement of said connecting link member to close said movable blade members through contact with said cam bumper thereby cutting and clamping the incoming filling end.

3. A filling end parting and clamping mechanism for automatic filling replenishing looms, a supporting bracket having a pneumatically and spring controlled rod member carried thereby for moving said parting and clamping mechanism to and away from filling parting position, said parting and clamping mechanism comprising relatively fixed and movable blade members, means for opening and closing said movable blade members including a horizontally extending spring biased cam member, a vertically disposed pivotable link member having a horizontally extending connecting link pivotally attached to the upper end thereof and said connecting link having its opposite end pivotally attached to one of said movable blade members, a cam follower effective upon said spring biased cam to pivot said link member and move said connecting 7 8 7 link in a horizontal direction to open said movable blade References Cited by the Examiner members, a cam bumper affixed to one of said movable UNITED STATES PATENTS blade members adjacent said opposite end of said connecting link and a fixed carn rnember adapted to arrest '-g;;i*"." movement of said cam bumper thereby being effective in 5 9/60 et a1 9 the cessation of movement of said connecting link to N close said movable blade members and cut and clamp the FOREIGN PATENTS incoming filling end. 1,172,896 10/58 7 France 4. The structure of claim 2 wherein said cam follower 312,250 5/29 Great Britain.

is rotatably assembled to the lower end of said vertically 10 I disposed pivot'able link member. 7 DGNALD PARKER Pnmary Examiner

Claims

1. A FILLING END PARTING AND CLAMPING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC FILLING REPLENISHING LOOMS, A SUPPORTING BRACKET HAVING A PNEUMATICALLY AND SPRING CONTROLLED ROD MEMBER CARRIED THEREBY FOR MOVING SAID PARTING AND CLAMPING MECHANISM TO AND AWAY FROM FILLING PARTING POSITION, SAIDD PARTING AND CLAMPING MECHANISM COMPRISING FIXED AND MOVABLE BLADE MEMBERS, MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID MOVABLE BLADE MEMBERS INCLUDING A CAM AND CAM FOLLOWER, PIVOTABLE LINK MEMBERS INTERCONNECTING SAID CAM FOLLOWER WITH SAID MOVABLE BLADE MEMBERS, SAID CAM BEING EFFECTIVE UPON SAID CAM FOLLOWER DURING THE INTITIAL MOVEMENT OF SAID ROD TO OPEN SAID MOVABLE BLADE MEMBERS BY MEANS OF SAID PIVOTABLE LINK MEMBERS, A CAM BUMPER AND A SECOND CAM EFFECTIVE UPON SAID LINK MEMBERS THROUGH CONTACT WITH SAID CAM BUMPER TO CLOSE SAID MOVABLE BLADE MEMBERS AS SAID ROD MEMBERR CONTINUEES TO MOVE IN THE DIRECTION OF ITS INITIAL MOVEMENT.