US3451439A - Shuttle grip and strap assembly with insert - Google Patents

Description

June Z4, 1969 J, 5, RUSSELL ET AL 3,451,439

SHUTTLE GRIP AND STRAP ASSEMBLY WITH INSERT Sheet Filed Jan. 17, 1968 M n Nl l @uw ww OEA E TSM//V N NSF NRA `T m .K T 5 A j? s EN MH Og d4 VA B June 24, 1969 J. 5 RUSSELL ET AL SHUTTLE GRIP AND STRAP ASSEMBLY lWITH INSERT Sheet 3 of2 Filed Jan. 17, 1968 f INVENTGRS.

JAMES S. RUSSELL t;

JOHN d, KAUFMANN,JR. BY d u, f 14 y. 7?- ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent Office 3,451,439 Patented June 24, 1969 3,451,439 SHUTTLE GRIP AND STRAP ASSEMBLY WITH INSERT James S. Russell, Greer, and John J. Kaufmann,

Jr., Greenville, S.C., assignors to Steel Heddle Manufacturing Company, Paris, S.C., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Jan. 17, 1968, Ser. No. 698,454 Int. Cl. D03i 5/08 U.S. Cl. 139-207 1 Claim ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A shuttle grip and strap assembly wherein the strap, of integral construction of a relatively rigid incompressible synthetic polymeric material having plastic set such as nylon, has an insert integral with a cover portion.

The insert substantially iills the space Within the U-shaped This invention relates to shuttles, and more especially to a shuttle grip and strap assembly wherein the grip includes an insert, and wherein the grip lis constructed entirely of integral members of nylon and the like.

All metal grip and strap assemblies as formerly used gave rise to several problems. One problem involved the vertical screw, which positioned the assembly within the shuttle. This screw would sometimes break off and rise out of the shuttle often tearing out a substantial portion of the warp. 'Ille metallic base plate of the Strap possessed rearwardly projecting ears which extended over a marginal portion of a relatively thin base portion of the body of the shuttle to transmit forces exerted upon the grip thereto. During an automatic bobbin change operation these ears exerted substantial forces adjacent the edge or marginal portions of the base adjacent the bobbin receiving chamber developing stress lines and fractures in the base. Such stress lines and fractures were the most common cause of structural failure of' the shuttle body. Splitting of the shuttle body was also caused by the vertical fastening means which held the assembly positioned within the shuttle body. Metal from which the assembly was constructed is inherently heavy and unyielding, thus producing an assembly possessing disadvantages especially insofar as accommodating same within the shuttle body is concerned.

Accordingly, it is an important object of this invention to provide an integral strap for properly positioning a grip within the shutttle body, which may be easily constructed of unitary molded material.

Another important object of the invention is to pro vide a shuttle grip and strap assembly wherein a fastening screw can no longer cause warp breakouts.

Another important object of the invention is to minimize the use of fastening means, avoiding splits in the shuttle body.

Another important object of the invention is to minimize cracking and splitting in the relatively thin base portion of the shuttle which supports the shuttle grip and strap assembly.

VThe construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating a grip and strap assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention,

FIGlU-R'E 2 is a top plan view further illustrating the assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention,

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional. elevation taken on the line 3--3 in FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view illustrating a strap constructed in accordance with a modified form of the invention,

" modified form of the invention, and

i FIGUR-E 8 is a perspective view illustrating still another modiiied form of the invention.

The drawings illustrate a shuttle grip `and strap assembly wherein the grip, lreferred to at A, includes a substantially U-shaped shank portion. An integral strap has a substantially horizontal cover portion B overlying the U-shaped shank portion. An insert C is integral with said cover portion iB. The cover portion and the insert are constructed of relatively rigid incompressible synthetic polymeric material having plastic set as to be capable of exerting a tight locking action upon a metallic element passing therethrough with a tight dit. The insert substantially lills the space within said U-shaped shank portion so as to insure proper grip opening. A fastening member 'D has an elongated shank portion passing through an intermediate portion of said insert and has a tight lit therein so that the insert lockingly grips the elongated shank portion of the fastening member. Enlarged members are carried by the terminal portions of the elongated shank portion of the fastening member D securing the cover, insert and grip portions together, and positioning the assembly -within the shuttle body. Thus, shock occasioned during weaving is absorbed by the insert which, also, positively retains the elongated shank portion of the fastening member. The cover and the insert have a downwardly inclined wall E integral therewith. An enlarged base portion is integral with the cover, insert and wall for transferring force to the shuttle body during a bobbin change operation. In a modiiied form of the invention, the grip insert and base are positioned directly upon the shuttle. A thickened shuttle base portion F is provided beneath the enlarged base portion.

In FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings a conventional shuttle body, constructed from wood or plastic, is designated by the numeral l10. The shuttle body 10 has a bobbin receiving cavity 11 and an extension 12 thereof, for receiving a shuttle grip and strap assembly. The bobbin receiving cavity 11 is defined in part by a marginal portion 13 which forms a relatively thin base of the shuttle body for receiving forces exerted during the bobbin change operation upon the shuttle grip and strap assembly. The grip A has a substantially U-shaped shank portion 14, iiex portions 15, and tip portions 16. The grip portion is normally, as here, constructed of steel. The integral strap has a substantially horizontal cover portion B which overlies the U-shaped shank portion. The insert C is integral with the insert cover portion B and substantially lills the shank portion 14 of the shuttle grip. The fastening member D has an elongated shank portion I17 `with a head 17a at one side thereof, and a nut 17b carried by a threaded portion 17c on the other side. The enlarged portions 17a and 17b, together with the shank portion 17, secure the cover, insert and grip portions together, and position same positively within the cavity 12 which receives the shuttle grip and strap assembly.

Thus, shock occasioned during weaving is absorbed by the insert C which also positively retains the elongated Shank portion of the fastening member. It Iwill be observed that in the embodiment of the invention disclosed above, that no vertical fastening means is required to hold the shuttle grip and strap assembly together and iirmly positioned within the shuttle body. The insert portion defining the opening 18 Within the insert C lockingly engages the shank as by plastic set.

FIGURES 4, and 6 illustrate a modified form of the invention wherein the cover portion B has a relatively short marginal portion 19 on each side thereof so as not to extend substantially beyond the outer edges of the U-shaped shank portion. 'Ihe marginal portions 19 overlie the U-shaped shank portion. The inclined wall E is substantially wider than the cover B, as is best shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. The inclined wall E has a relatively broad base portion 20 positioned upon a relatively thin base portion 12 of the shuttle. This embodiment is especially adaptable to ease in the molding operation, and is constructed preferably from nylon and the like.

It will be observed that the spring grip A bears directly upon the shuttle base portion Y12 which, while relatively thin, is thickened as illustrated at F, by the space which would normally be occupied by a base plate portion of the strap.

FIGURE 7 illustrates another modified form of the invention wherein, in addition to the opening 18 in the insert C, a vertical opening 21 is provided for receiving an additional fastening means D. As in the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, a base portion Z2 is provided for the strap which supports the spring grip A.

FIGURE 8 illustrates still another modified form of the invention employing a horizontal opening 18 in the insert, as Well as a vertical opening 21. The horizontal opening 18 is split as by the slot 18a which permits pressure to be exerted upon the shank portion of the fastening means passing therethrough to assure an especially tight iit. This is accomplished by tightening the vertical fastening means which pass through the opening 21.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claim.

What is claimed is:

1. In a grip and strap assembly for a shuttle, said grip having a substantially U-shaped shank portion; the irnprovement including: an integral strap having a substantially horizontal cover portion overlying said U-shaped shank portion; an insert integral with said cover portion; said cover portion and said insert being constructed of relatively rigid incompressible synthetic polymeric material; said insert engaging said U-shaped shank portion so as to insure proper grip opening; a downwardly inclined -wall integral with said cover and said insert constructed of relatively rigid incompressible synthetic polymeric material; a fastening member having an elongated shank portion passing through an intermediate portion of said insert; and enlarged members carried by the terminal portions of said elongated shank portion of the fastening member securing the cover, insert and grip portions together; whereby shock is absorbed by the insert which integrally retains and supports the cover and wall portion while avoiding damage to the warp and maintaining proper grip opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,233,635 2/1-966 Klocker et al. 139--207 3,351,100 11/1967 Bowen et al. 139-207 FOREIGN PATENTS 639,247 5/ 1962 Italy.

JAMES KEE CHI, Prima/y Examiner'.

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