US3592407A

US3592407A - Yarn identification means

Info

Publication number: US3592407A
Application number: US885892A
Authority: US
Inventors: William G Hagmann; Philip R Worn
Original assignee: BALDT CORP
Current assignee: Nycoil Co
Priority date: 1969-12-17
Filing date: 1969-12-17
Publication date: 1971-07-13
Anticipated expiration: 1988-07-13

Abstract

Means for visually identifying the source, type and character of yarn wound on a textile bobbin is disclosed. The means comprises a two-piece device removably mounted on the top end cap of the bobbin, each piece having a distinctive, predetermined visual characteristic (e.g., color). The two main parts of the device comprise an annular sleeve member having a plurality of resilient tongue portions adapted to enter an opening formed in the top end cap of the bobbin, and a sleeve-locking member having an elongated shank portion adapted to enter the central opening of said annular sleeve member. When the shank portion of the locking member is fully inserted in the sleeve member the resilient tongue portions of the sleeve member are displaced radially outwardly and the sleeve member is thereby locked in place in the opening of the top and end cap.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventors William G. Hagmann Somervllle; Philip R. Worn, Princeton, both of, NJ. [21] Appl. No. 885,892 [221 Filed Dec.l7,1969 [45] Patented July 13, 1971 [73] Assignee Baldt Corporation a New York, N.Y.

Continnatiomlmpart of application Ser. No. 832,672, June 12, 1969.

[54] YARN IDENTIFICATION MEANS 13 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 2412/1183, 40/309 [51] lnt.Cl 1865b 75/10 {50] Field ofSearch 242/1l8.3, 118.31,118.32,118.4,118.7,118.61,118; 40/309; 16/121; 85/84 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,858,410 5/1932 Morey 40/309 2,622,825 12/1952 Faris 242/1 18.61

Primary ExaminerGeorge F. Mautz Attorney-Pennie, Edmonds, Morton, Taylor and Adams ABSTRACT: Means for visually identifying the source, type and character of yarn wound on a textile bobbin is disclosed. The means comprises a two-piece device removably mounted on the top end cap of the bobbin, each piece having a distinctive, predetermined visual characteristic (e.g., color). The two main parts of the device comprise an annular sleeve member having a plurality of resilient tongue portions adapted to enter an opening formed in the top end cap of the bobbin, and a sleeve-locking member having an elongated shank portion adapted to enter the central opening of said annular sleeve member. When the shank portion of the locking member is fully inserted in the sleeve member the resilient tongue portions of the sleeve member are displaced radially outwardly and the sleeve member is thereby locked in place in the opening of the top and end cap.

3s 1111 I I lid WM PATENIEUJuuwn 7 3,592,407.

' sum 1 0F 2 L INVENTORS WILLIAM G. HAGMANN Q. I I Q BY PHILIP;.WORN v ATTORNEYS sum 2 0F 2 3592.407

l G u 1C F I gulf/lul 6 g//J .2 i w L Mil m 5 m F LE, 1: 4 I a 1 s w 4 l .lrl/lf/I INVEIx .ORS WILLIAM G. HAGMANN BY PHILIP R. WORN ATTORNEYS PATENIEU JUL 1 3 IQYI YARN IDENTIFICATION MEANS RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of the copending application of William G. Hagmann and Philip R. Worn Ser. No. 832,672, filed June 12, 1969, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to yarn carriers such as textile bobbins, and more particularly to means removably mounted on the top end of such yarn carriers for visually denoting the source and character of the yarn wound on the carrier.

2. The Prior Art Synthetic fibers are made from a variety of materials (for example, nylon, polyester and the like) by a number of different manufacturers. Yarns made from these fibers may possess any of a number of predetermined properties or characteristics such as denier, filament count, finish, twist and the like. After being manufactured, or-as the last step in the manufacturing process, the yarn is wound on a standard yarn carrier (usually a tubular pirn or bobbin) to form a yarn package. The yarn package is then stored, shipped and, ultimately, mounted on a machine for the purpose of carrying out secondary operations (e.g., yarn texturing) or for conversion into a finished textile product. After the yarn on the yarn carrier (e.g., the pirn) is consumed, the empty carrier is returned to the yarn manufacturer for reuse.

Textile manufacturers normally keep in stock a wide variety of yarns obtained from a number of different yarn manufacturers. When a specific textile product (e.g., nylon stockings of a certain weight) is manufactured, yarn packages containing yarns of a specificied type and character are required to be mounted in a precisely ordered array on the loom or knitting machine. However, each manufacturer has his own system for marking his yarn packages to denote the type of material (e.g., nylon, polyester, etc.). and the characteristics of the yarn thereon (e.g., denier, filament count, etc.). Moreover, when yarn is wound on a conventional yarn carrier (e.g., a pirn) the outer surface of the carrier is almost completely covered with the yarn leaving only the top and bottom ends of the yarn carrier exposed to view. The exposed ends of the yarn carrier can be utilized to denote the source or certain of the characteristics of the yarn wound on the carrier. However, the amount of information that can thus be conveyed to the user of the yarn is limited by the restricted space available in which to display the information. As a result, confusion, delay and, all too often, costly errors in yarn identification take place when yarns ofa specified type and character contained in yarn packages having inadequate and nonstandardized markings are being mounted on a loom or knitting machine or other apparatus.

The problem of accurate and rapid identification of the type and character of yarn on a given yarn carrier has become increasingly important in view of the increase in the number of fiber materials and the diversity of yarn characteristics that are now available and in wide use in the industry. However, despite the importance of the problem and its seemingly simple nature, the problem has persisted and grown worse through the years in spite of the efforts of many to arrive at an economical and practical solution thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION After an intensive investigation into possible solutions for the aforementioned problem we have devised a new yarn identification system which visually conveys to the yarn user any information concerning the source, type and character of yarn wound on a given yarn carrier that the yarn producer or his customer regards as important to know. Our new system involves the use of yarn identification means comprising two cooperating parts or members removably mounted on the top of a yarn carrier and in particular on the top end cap of a conventional textile bobbin, the two cooperating members each having a predetermined visual characteristic for visually denoting the source, type and character of the yarn wound on the yarn carrier. Specifically, the yarn identification means comprises an annular sleeve member having a plurality of resilient tongue portions depending therefrom and a sleeve locking member having an elongated shank portion adapted to enter the central opening of the annular sleeve member. The

resilient tongue portions of the annular sleeve member are adapted to enter an opening formed in the top of a yarn carrier, each resilient tongue portion being provided with an inwardly projecting shank engaging surface. The lower end of the shank portion of the sleeve locking member is adapted to engage the shank-engaging surface of the resilient tongue portions of the annular sleeve member and to displace said tongue portions radially outwardly when the shank portion is fully inserted into the sleeve member.

In the preferred embodiment of our invention the annular sleeve member has an upper flange portion, a generally cylindrical main body portion and a skirt portion of smaller diameter depending therefrom, the skirt portion being formed with a plurality circumferentially spaced vertical slots that advantageously extend substantially the full length of said skirt portion. These vertical slots define a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tongue portions that are adapted to enter, and that closely conform to the periphery of,the opening formed in the top end cap ofa textile bobbin on other yarn carrier. In this embodiment the sleeve locking member has a fiangelike upper portion and an elongated lower shank portion, the lower end of the shank portion being enlarged to'that when the shank portion engages the inwardly projecting shank-engaging surfaces of the resilient tongue portions the shank portion will be retained in engagement therewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Our improved means for identifying the character of yarn wound on a yarn carrier will be better understood from the following description thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which,

FIG. 1 is an exploded view, partly in section, of one embodiment of the two-piece yarn identification means of our invention in position to be inserted in the top end cap of a conventional yarn-carrying pirn,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the top end of the textile pirn of FIG. 1 showing the yarn identification means of our invention mounted thereon,

FIG. 3 is a view from below of the annular sleeve member of the yarn identification means of our invention,

FIG. 4 is an exploded view, partly in section, of an advantageous modification of the yarn identification means of the invention, and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the yarn identification means of FIG. 4 mounted on the top end of a pirn.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Synthetic fiber yarn isnormally wound on a suitable yarn carrier to form a yarn package. The present invention provides means for identifying some or all of the characteristics of the yarn wound on the yarn carrier. The yarn identification means of the invention may be used with any type of yarn carrier that has an exposed upper end on which the two cooperating members-comprising said means can be mounted. However, our yarn identification means is particularly well suited to be used in combination with the type of textile bobbin or pirn which comprises a tubular metal barrel having a plastic drive end cap and top end cap secured to each end thereof and a plastic sleeve covering the outer surface thereof. Textile bobbins of this type are exemplified by, but are not-limited to, the bobbins described in US. Pat. Nos. 3,307,067 and 3,095,161 of Atwood et al., and our yarn identification means will be described in conjunction therewith.

As shown best in FIGS. 1 and 2 the yarn carrier or bobbin in combination with which the yarn identification means of our invention is adapted to be used comprises a tubular steel barrel 11 into the bottom end of which is force fitted a plastic drive end cap (not shown) and into the top end of which is force fitted a plastic top end cap 13. A tubular sleeve 14 of plastic is disposed over the outside of the tubular metal barrel 11, the upper end of the sleeve 14 being fitted into an annular groove 15 formed in the top end cap 13. The top end cap 13 is formed with a centrally positioned opening 16 and with a discreceiving recess 17, the disc-receiving recess being adapted to receive a circular paper disc (not shown) having yarn identification information printed thereon.

The means for visually identifying the source, type and characteristics of yarn wound on the textile bobbin 10 comprises two cooperating insert members adapted to be removably mounted on the top end cap 13 of the bobbin, each insert member having a predetermined visual characteristic (e.g., a specific color) that denotes one or more characteristics of the yarn. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the cooperating insert members comprise an annular sleeve member 18 and a sleeve locking member 19 shown separately in FIG. 1, these members being removably secured together and to the top end cap 13 as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing the annular sleeve member 18 has a generally cylindrical main body portion 20 and a skirt portion 21 of smaller diameter depending therefrom. The skirt portion 21 is formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced vertical slots 22 which advantageously, but not necessarily, extend the full length of the skirt portion, these vertical slots defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tongue portions 23. The circumferentially spaced resilient tongue portions 23 are adapted to enter the central opening 16 formed in the top end cap 13, the outer periphery of the tongue portions 23 conforming closely to the inner periphery of the opening 16. Each resilient tongue portion 23 is formed with an inwardly projecting shank-engaging surface 24 which engages and grips the shank portion of the sleeve locking member in a manner hereinafter described. In order to control the depth or extent to which the sleeve member 18 extends into the opening 16, the generally cylindrical main body portion 20 of the sleeve member is formed with a shoulder portion 25 which is adapted to abut against the upwardly facing surface 26 of the recess 17 formed in the top end cap 13. In addition, in this embodiment of our invention the annular sleeve member 18 is provided with an upper flange portion 27 that is spaced a short distance vertically away from the top end cap 13 by the shoulder 25 of the sleeve member. The flange portion 27 is designed to carry visual information concerning the characteristics of the yarn wound on the yarn carrier and also to provide means for handling the yarn package without touching the yarn wound thereon.

The sleeve locking member 19 has a flangelike upper portion 30 and an elongated shank portion 31. The shank portion 31 is adapted to enter the central opening of the annular sleeve member 18 and, when fully inserted therein, to engage the inwardly projecting shank-engaging surfaces 24 thereof. When the shank portion 31 is inserted in the central opening of the sleeve member 18, the lower end of the shank portion presses against the inwardly projecting shank-engaging surfaces 24 of the resilient tongue portions 23 and thereby wedges or displaces the tongue portions radially outwardly as shown in FIG. 2. In the preferred embodiment of our invention the lower end of the shank portion 31 is provided with an enlarged end portion 32 which is gripped by the inwardly projecting shank-engaging surfaces 24 of the sleeve member 18 when the locking member 19 is fully inserted therein as shown in FIG. 2.

The sleeve locking member 19 is formed with a shoulder portion 33 that is adapted to abut against an upwardly facing annular surface 35 of the annular sleeve member 18, thereby preventing insertion of the sleeve locking member into the sleeve member beyond a predetermined depth. In the preferred embodiment of our invention the depth of insertion of the locking member 19 into the sleeve member 18 is controlled so that the flangelike upper portion 30 of the locking member 19 is spaced a short distance vertically away from the upper flange portion 27 of the sleeve member 18. The vertical spacing of the flangelike portion 30 and the upper flange portion 27 makes the visual information carried by the flange portion 27 more readily discernible and, in addition, facilitates disassembly of the two members hereinafter described.

The upper surface of the flangelike upper portion 30 of the sleeve locking member 19 is advantageously formed with a disc-receiving recess 36 similar to the disc-receiving recess 17 formed in the top end cap 13 of the bobbin 10. If desired, a paper or cardboard disc 37 having information concerning the characteristics of yarn carried on the pirn can be inserted in the recess 36 as shown in FIG. 2.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawing the cooperating insert members comprise the annular sleeve member 38 and the sleeve locking member 19. The annular sleeve member 38 has a generally cylindrical main body portion 40 and a skirt portion 41 depending therefrom. As before, the skirt portion 41 is formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced vertical slots 42 which define a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tongue portions 43. The resilient tongue portions 43 are adapted to enter the central opening formed in the top end cap 13 of the bobbin l0, and each tongue portion 43 is formed with an inwardly projecting shank-engaging surface 44 which is adapted to engage and grip the shank portion 31 of the sleeve locking member 19 in the manner previously described. The sleeve member 38 is also provided with an annular shoulder member 45 that is spaced radially outwardly of the main body portion 40 by the annular recess 46. The annular shoulder member 45 is adapted to abut against the upwardly facing surface 26 of the top end cap 13, thereby controlling the depth or extent to which the sleeve member 38 may be inserted into the opening 16 of the top end cap. The outside diameter of the annular shoulder member 45 is advantageously only slightly smaller than the smallest diameter of the recess 17 so that the sleeve member 38 will have the maximum possible lateral stability when the resilient tongue portions 43 are fully inserted in the opening 16. In all other respects the sleeve member 38 cooperates with the top end cap 13 and with the sleeve locking member 19 in the manner previously described.

By the use of yarn identification means of our invention it is possible to convey any information concerning yarn type and character regarded by yarn producers or by yarn users as important simply by conforming the visual characteristics of the sleeve member 18 (or sleeve member 38) and the locking member 19 to a predetermined standard system of yarn identification (for example, a color-coded system of yarn identification). Thus, a yarn package having a red sleeve member 18 and a black locking member 19 might denote 15 denier monofilament nylon yarn with an S-twist whereas a black sleeve member 18 and a red locking member 19 might denote the same yarn with a Z-twist. Other color combinations would denote other types of yarns with other characteristics. Additional color-coded information concerning the characteristics of the yarn carried on the bobbin can be conveyed by providing the bobbin with a top end cap 13 and an outer sleeve 14 of different predetermined colors. The amount and variety of information that can be conveyed to yarn users by the color-coded sleeve member 18 and locking member 19, in conjunction with color-coded end cap 13 and outer sleeve 14, is limited only by the number of color combinations available to the manufacturer. Supplemental information concerning the yarn not conveyed by the yarn identification system of our invention may be carried on a paper disc 37 inserted in the disc-receiving recess 36 of the sleeve locking member 19.

After a bobbin has been used to carry yarn of one type and character it may be desired to use the same bobbin to carry yarn of a different type and character. In such case, the sleeve locking member 19 is removed from within the sleeve member 18 (or the sleeve member 38, as the case may be), thereby allowing the resilient tongue members to resume their normal or nondisplaced position shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4. The sleeve member 18 is then withdrawn from the opening 16 and a different sleeve member 18 and locking member 19 having different predetermined visual characteristics are mounted on the top end cap 13 as in the manner previously described. Accordingly, it is contemplated that yarn producers will be provided with a number of interchangeable sleeve members 18 and locking members 19 of various colors (or other visual characteristics), the interchangeability of the various members l8 and the interchangeability of the various members 19 being an essential feature of our invention.

Bobbins and other types of yarn carriers are frequently mounted on creels and other such devices above the eye level of the worker attending the machine. In such circumstances it may be difficult for the worker to easily see the top ends of the various bobbins. However, as previously mentioned, in the preferred embodiment of our invention the upper flange portion 27 of the sleeve member 18 is spaced vertically away from the top end cap 13, and the flangelike portion 30 of the sleeve locking member 19 is spaced vertically away from the said flange portion 27, so that all three parts (i.e., the end cap 13, the sleeve member 18 and the locking member 19) are clearly visible to a worker looking upwardly at the bobbins mounted on the creel. Moreover, the outer sleeve 14 of the bobbin i0 is also visible to the worker so that, if desired, a four-color colorcoded yarn identification system can be employed even when the bobbins are mounted above eye level.

The yarn identification means of our invention not only provides a convenient and rapid means for identifying type and character of yarn wound on the yarn carrier but also provides convenient means for manually handling the yarn package without touching the yarn wound thereon. This feature of our invention is of great importance when the yarn is of such character that contact with workers hands would be harmful to the yarn. Moreover, it is obvious that the color-coded, cooperating insert members of the invention can be used in conjunction with devices or articles other than carriers for yarn, the information conveyed by the visual characteristics of the insert members in such case being pertinent to the article on which the two members are then removably mounted.

What we claim is:

1. Apparatus for identification of yarn wound on a yarn carrier comprising interchangeable, cooperating insert members, each insert member being completely removably mountable with respect to each other and with respect to the yarn carrier and having a predetermined visual characteristic; the insert members comprising an annular sleeve member and a sleeve locking member, the annular sleeve member including a body portion and a plurality of resilient tongue portions depending from the body portion, the tongue portions being adapted to enter an opening in an end of the yarn carrier, each tongue portion having an inwardly projecting shank-engaging surface; the sleeve locking member including an elongated shank portion having a substantially smooth circumferential surface and being adapted to enter the central opening of the annular sleeve member, a lower end ofthe sleeve locking member having a greater diameter than the shank portion and being configured for releasable engagement with the shank-engaging surfaces of the tongue portions of the annular sleeve member to displace the tongue portions radially outwardly into locking engagement with the top of the yarn carrier when the locking member is fully inserted in the sleeve member; the sleeve locking member being completely removable from the annular sleeve member to release the insert members from locking engagement with the yarn carrier.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the annular sleeve member has a generally cylindrical main body portion and a skirt portion depending from the main body portion, the

spaced vertical slots extending substantially the full length of the skirt portion, the vertical slots defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tongue portions.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the sleeve locking member further includes a flangelike upper portion.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the annular sleeve member is formed with a shoulder portion adapted to abut against an upwardly facing surface of a yarn carrier when the resilient tongue portions of the annular sleeve member are fully inserted into an opening formed in the yarn carrier.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the annular sleeve member includes an annular shoulder member that is separated from at least a part of the body portion by an annular recess, the shoulder member being adapted to abut against an upwardly facing surface of a yarn carrier when said resilient tongue portions are fully inserted into an opening formed in said yarn carrier.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the sleeve locking member is formed with a shoulder portion adapted to abut against an upwardly facing annular surface of the annular sleeve member when the shank portion of the locking member is fully inserted into the sleeve member.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the annular sleeve member is provided with an upper flange portion, and in which the sleeve locking member is provided with a flan gelike upper portion, the diameter of the flange portion, of the annular sleeve member being greater than the diameter of the flangelike upper portion of the sleeve locking member.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the flangelike upper portion of the sleeve locking member is spaced a slight distance away from the upper flange portion of the annular sleeve member when the shank portion of the locking member is fully inserted into said sleeve member, and in which the upper flange portion of the sleeve member is spaced a slight distance away from the top of the yarn carrier when the tongue portions of the sleeve member are fully inserted in the opening formed in the yarn carrier.

9. in combination with a yarn carrier having a main body and a top end cap secured thereto, yarn identification means removably mounted on the top end cap of the carrier for denoting the source, type and character of the yarn wound on the carrier, the yarn identification means comprising an annular sleeve member including a body portion and a plurality of resilient tongue portions depending from the body portion, the tongue portion being adapted to enter an opening in an end of the yarn carrier, each tongue portion having an inwardly projecting shank-engaging surface; and, a sleeve locking member including an elongated shank portion having a substantially smooth circumferential surface and being adapted to enter the central opening of the annular sleeve member, a lower end of the sleeve locking member having a greater diameter than the shank portion and being configured for releasable engagement with the shank-engaging surfaces of the tongue portions of the annular sleeve member to displace the tongue portions radially outwardly into locking engagement with the top of the yarn carrier when the locking member is fully inserted in the sleeve member; the sleeve locking member being completely removable from the annular sleeve member to release the insen members from locking engagement with the yarn carrier.

10. The combination according to claim 9 in which the annular sleeve member has a generally cylindrical main body portion and a skirt portion depending from the main body portion, the skirt portion being formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced vertical slots extending substantially the full length of said skirt portion, the vertical slots defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tongue portions.

11, The combination according to claim 9 in which the sleeve locking member further includes a flangelike upper portion. 7

12. The combination according to claim 9 in which the annular sleeve member is provided with an upper flange portion, and in which the sleeve locking member is provided with a flangelike upper portion, the diameter of the flange portion of the annular sleeve member being greater than the diameter of the flangelike upper portion of the sleeve locking member.

when the tongue portions of the sleeve member are fully inserted in the opening formed in said yarn carrier, whereby the top of the yarn carrier, the upper flange portion of the sleeve member and the flangelike portion of the locking member are visible to an observer below the levels of the yarn carrier.

Claims

1. Apparatus for identification of yarn wound on a yarn carrier comprising interchangeable, cooperating insert members, each insert member being completely removably mountable with respect to each other and with respect to the yarn carrier and having a predetermined visual characteristic; the insert members comprising an annular sleeve member and a sleeve locking member, the annular sleeve member including a body portion and a plurality of resilient tongue portions depending from the body portion, the tongue portions being adapted to enter an opening in an end of the yarn carrier, each tongue portion having an inwardly projecting shank-engaging surface; the sleeve locking member including an elongated shank portion having a substantially smooth circumferential surface and being adapted to enter the central opening of the annular sleeve member, a lower end of the sleeve locking member having a greater diameter than the shank portion and being configured for releasable engagement with the shank-engaging surfaces of the tongue portions of the annular sleeve member to displace the tongue portions radially outwardly into locking engagement with the top of the yarn carrier when the locking member is fully inserted in the sleeve member; the sleeve locking member being completely removable from the annular sleeve member to release the insert members from locking engagement with the yarn carrier.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the annular sleeve member has a generally cylindrical main body portion and a skirt portion depending from the main body portion, the skirt portion being formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced vertical slots extending substantially the full length of the skirt portion, the vertical slots defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tongue portions.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the annular sleeve member is provided with an upper flange portion, and in which the sleeve locking member is provided with a flangelike upper portion, the diameter of the flange portion, of the annular sleeve member being greater than the diameter of the flangelike upper portion of the sleeve locking member.

9. In combination with a yarn carrier having a main body and a top end cap secured thereto, yarn identification means removably mounted on the top end cap of the carrier for denoting the source, type and character of the yarn wound on the carrier, the yarn identification means comprising an annular sleeve member including a body portion and a plurality of resilient tongue portions depending from the body portion, the tongue portion being adapted to enter an opening in an end of the yarn carrier, each tongue portion having an inwardly projecting shank-engaging surface; and, a sleeve locking member including an elongated shank portion having a substantially smooth circumferential surface and being adapted to enter the central opening of the annular sleeve member, a lower end of the sleeve locking member having a greater diameter than the shank portion and being configured for releasable engagement with the shank-engaging surfaces of the tongue portions of the annular sleeve member to displace the tongue portions radially outwardly into locking engagement with the top of the yarn carrier when the locking member is fully inserted in the sleeve member; the sleeve locking member being completely removable from the annular sleeve member to release the insert members from locking engagement with the yarn carrier.

11. The combination according to claim 9 in which the sleeve locking member further includes a flangelike upper portion.

13. The combination according to claim 12 in which the flangelike upper portion of the sleeve locking member is spaced a slight distance away from the upper flange portion of the annular sleeve member when the shank portion of the locking member is fully inserted into the sleeve member, and in which the upper flange portion of the sleeve member is spaced a slight distance away from the top of the yarn carrier when the tongue portions of the sleeve member are fully inserted in the opening formed in said yarn carrier, whereby the top of the yarn carrier, the upper flange portion of the sleeve member and the flangelike portion of the locking member are visible to an observer below the levels of the yarn carrier.