US3710829A

US3710829A - Loom take-up mechanism and method

Info

Publication number: US3710829A
Application number: US00188288A
Authority: US
Inventors: T Johnson; L Joiner
Original assignee: Johnson and Johnson
Current assignee: Johnson and Johnson
Priority date: 1971-10-12
Filing date: 1971-10-12
Publication date: 1973-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 1990-01-16

Abstract

Loom take-up mechanism and method involving the use of conventional friction-slippage means between the driving means and the driven cloth roll shaft, and the supplemental use of additional friction applying means to provide for additional slippage of the cloth roll shaft during the beginning of the build-up of the cloth roll, the effect of the additional friction applying means dropping to substantially zero at an intermediate part of the build-up of the cloth roll, leaving the conventional friction slippage means to control the remainder of the build-up of the cloth roll.

Description

' United States Patent 1 Johnson et al.

LOOM TAKE-UP MECHANISM AND METHOD Inventors: Thomas R. Johnson, Cropwell; Luther K. Joiner, Anniston, both of Ala.

Assignee: Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick,N.J.

Filed: Oct. 12, 1971 Appl. No.: 188,288

US. Cl ..139/304, 139/311 Int. Cl. ..D03d 49/12 Field of Search ..139/304, 307, 308, 309, 310, 139/311, 312; 66/149; 242/68 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1940 Burdett 1 39/304 Jan. 16, 1973 Primary Examiner-Henry S. Jaudon Att0rney-Alexander T. Kardos et al.

[57] ABSTRACT Loom take-up mechanism and method involving the use of conventional friction-slippage means between the driving means and the driven cloth roll shaft, and the supplemental use of additional friction applying means to provide for additional slippage of the cloth roll shaft during the beginning of the build-up of the cloth roll, the effect of the additional friction applying means dropping to substantially zero at an intermediate part of the build-up of the cloth roll, leaving the conventional friction slippage means to control the remainder of the build-up of the cloth roll.

5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures x l A PATENTED JAN 16 I973 I SHEEI 1 OF 3 INVENTORS PATENTEDJAII 16 I975 3.710.829

SHEET 3 BF 3 BY 107 P- ll 'mmr W4,

ATTO R N EY LOOM TAKE-UP MECHANISM AND METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improved loom takeup mechanism and method, and particularly an improved loom take-up mechanism and method for use in weaving light weight, open-weave fabrics such as gauze and scrim.

In a loom, the take-up mechanism supplies the forward motion to the cloth being woven in the loom which controls the spacing of the number of picks, or filling yarns, inserted per inch in the cloth, thereby determining the density, weight, and compactness of the woven fabric.

There are two basic types of take-up mechanisms, one is an intermittent or spur gear type which is usually driven by a pawl and ratchet actuated from the lay sword, and the other is the continuous or worm type, driven from the lower shaft through worm and worm wheel. There are other types of take-up mechanisms but they are less commonly known. Regardless of the type of take-up mechanism, however, it is essential (l) that the fabric which is being woven in the loom be wound on the cloth roll shaft in the form of a firm, hard roll rather than a soft roll, and (2) that the picks or filling yarns be evenly spaced and extend uniformly and directly across the woven fabric, and (3) that undue cloth tensions which cause a ripping or tearing of the woven cloth be reduced to a minimum during the weaving, particularly for light weight, open weave fabrics such as gauze and scrim.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has been discovered that such desirable objects may be accomplished by controlling the build-up of a cloth roll on a cloth roll shaft by loom take-up mechanism as follows: driving the cloth roll shaft to receive cloth woven in a loom; interposing friction slippage means du'ring such driving to permit slippage of the cloth roll shaft to avoid undue cloth tensions; supplying additional resistance to rotation of the cloth roll shaft at the beginning of the build-up of the cloth roll on the cloth roll shaft to provide for additional slippage primarily at the beginning of the build-up, whereby ripping and tearing of the woven fabric is avoided; gradually reducing the additional resistance to rotation of the cloth roll shaft to substantially zero at an intermediate stage of the cloth roll build-up whereby the amount of additional slippage is gradually automatically reduced; and completing the remainder of the cloth roll build-up with substantially only the interposed friction slippage means providing for the normal slippage of the cloth roll shaft.

The invention will be more fully understood from the description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which there are illustrated preferred designs and modes of operation embodying the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not to be considered limited to the constructions disclosed except as determined by the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, partially cutaway perspecloom take-up mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective detail view showing an essential part of the improved loom take-up mechanism, namely, the let-off friction clamp;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, partially cutaway elevational end view of a portion of the loom showing the improved take-up mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional detail side view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 3, taken on the line 44 thereof;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational detail side view of the let-off friction clamp at the beginning of the cloth roll build-up;

FIG. 5a is a fragmentary elevational detail end view of the let-off friction clamp at the beginning of the cloth roll build-up;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational detail side view of the let-off friction clamp at or near the release or end of the application of friction; and

FIG. 6a is a fragmentary elevational detail end view of the let-off friction clamp at or near the release or end of the application of friction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the drawings, and with particular reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a woven fabric F which has just been formed at the fell and is moving over a breast beam or take-up roll tube 10. The woven fabric F is drawn downwardly in positive fashion and is wound on a cloth take-up roll shaft 12 which is being driven in conventional manner by standard driving means.

The driving means for the cloth take-up roll shaft 12 includes a driving sprocket 14, a cloth roll sprocket chain 16, and another sprocket 18 mounted on and driving a rotatable intermediate sprocket shaft 20 mounted in bearings in loomside 26. An intermediate shaft reduction gear 22 is mounted on the intermediate sprocket shaft 20 and rotates therewith and meshes with and drives an adjacent cloth roll gear and hub 24 rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 28 mounted in the loomside 26 and cloth take-up roll stand 44. Adjacent to the cloth roll gear and hub 24 is a friction slippage means 30 comprising a hinged, annular, cloth roll friction clamp 32 rotatably and. frictionally mounted (see FIG. 3) on the hub 24a of the cloth roll gear and hub 24. The cloth roll friction clamp 32 is hinged at 34 and frictionally encircles the hub 24a. Friction is applied by the friction clamp 32 to the hub 24a by an adjustable spring means 36 and adjusting wing-nut 37 whereby the friction clamp 32 may be adjusted loosely to remain stationary and to loosely and freely slide on the surface of the substantially constantly rotating hub 24a, or it may be adjusted to frictionally slip on the surface of the hub 24a and rotate with a slower rotation than the rotating hub 24a, or it may be so heavily spring adjusted and loaded as to rotate with the same angular speed as the rotating hub 24a. A driving connection or dog 40 is provided between the friction clamp 32 and a friction finger hand wheel 42 so that they rotate together at the same angular speed. The friction finger hand wheel 42 is keyed to the shaft 28 and drives the same.

The conventional driving means, and more specifically, the last element thereof, the cloth roll gear and hub 24, therefore drives the stub shaft 28 through the friction slippagemeans 30 at various angular speeds depending upon the adjustment of the spring means 36.

It is to be appreciated that the spring means 36 must be properly adjusted so that the fabric F is wound on the cloth take-up roll shaft 12 under correct tension, without too much slack which would lead to an undesirable soft roll, or without too much tension which could easily pull the fabric too much to rip and tear it. Too much tension is, of course, particularly bad for lightweight, open-weave fabrics such as gauze or scrim having fabric constructions as open as 3 X 3, 3 X 6, 4 X 4, etc., which are somewhat fragile and are easily ripped and torn.

In the normal operation of the loom, and considering only the effect of the conventional friction slippage means 30, the spring means 36 is adjusted to provide the proper tension on the fabric as it is being wound on the cloth take-up roll shaft 12. This adjustment of the spring means 36 is usually satisfactory for most weaving operations and for most fabrics. However, inthe case of lightweight open weave fabrics which are more fragile and weaker, occasionally, the slippage which is provided is insufficient and the light-weight fabric tightens and sometimes breaks under the increased tension. This possibility of breakage is particularly notable during the beginning of cloth roll build-up when there is very little fabric on the cloth roll shaft.

When such possibility of breakage is reached and is noticed, unless the spring means 36 is adjusted quickly to provide for additional slippage, it is frequently found that the fabric will be wound too tight and will be ripped or torn. Consequently, the spring means 36 is manually adjusted by the loom operator so as to provide for decreased friction and increased slippage. As the fabric continues to be wound on the cloth take-up roll shaft 12 and the cloth roll increases in diameter, the adjustable spring means 36 is periodically manually adjusted to provide for an increase in friction thus providing for additional decrease in slippage whereby cloth breakage is avoided and a desirable hard roll is obtained.

Such periodic manipulation of the adjustable spring means 36 is undesirable during the operation of the loom inasmuch as such requires closer and more personal observation of the operation of the loom and creates increased labor costs. Additionally, it has been found that after each adjustment of the spring means 36 is made, a certain period of time is required for the loom to adjust to such change in tension in the spring. As a result, for a short period of time after each adjustment is made, it has been noted that the filling threads are not inserted properly in the fabric and that they do not proceed directly across the fabric but that they meander to some extent and are quite often unevenly spaced. This is very undesirable and leads to defective fabrics.

In accordance with the present invention, supplemental additional friction applying means is provided automatically to provide for additional cloth roll shaft slippage during the beginning of the build-up of the cloth roll. Such additional slippage, however, is automatically decreased gradually and drops to substantially zero at an intermediate part of the build-up of the cloth roll. At this point, it is no longer needed and has no substantial effect on the subsequent winding of the fabric and the conventional friction slippage means controls the remainder of the build-up of the cloth roll.

THE SUPPLEMENTAL FRICTION APPLYING MEANS The supplemental friction applying means comprises an upper cloth roll gear 46 which is fixedly secured, as by welding, to the friction finger hand wheel 42 and rotates therewith, in keyed relationship with the stub shaft 28. The cloth roll gear 46 meshes with an adjacent lower gear 48 which is rotatably-mounted on a stub shaft 50 mounted in the cloth take-up roll stand 44. Gear 48 possesses a let-off friction hub 52 which is encircled by a let-off friction clamp 54 which is capable of applying friction to the hub 52 and thus supplying resistance to rotation of the gear 48 and, in turn, to the cloth roll gear 46 and friction finger hand wheel 42 secured thereto. Such resistance to rotation acts as a brake and slows down the rotation of the stub shaft 28, and, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter, also slows down the rotation of the cloth take-up roll shaft 12, thus reducing the tension on the fabric being wound thereon and avoiding breakage thereof.

The configuration of the let-off friction clamp 54 with respect to the lower gear let-off friction hub 52 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 50. It is to be noted that the

friction pads

53, 53 of the friction clamp 54 are pressed tightly against the hub 52 and that the extending

arms

55, 55 of the friction clamp 54 extend in relatively close, generally parallel relationship.

The amount of resistance to rotation supplied by the let-off friction clamp 54 is considerable in such configuration which exists at the beginning of the build-up of the cloth roll on the cloth roll shaft 12 but is automatically and gradually decreased as the cloth roll increases in diameter.

A rotatable, cylindrical pressure roll 56 is guided vertically in slides 58 in the cloth takc-up roll stand 44 and rests on the periphery of the cloth roll. It is to be appreciated that, as the cloth roll increases in diameter, the pressure roll 56 will gradually be urged upwardly. Such upward movement of the pressure roll 56 pulls tension spring 60 generally upwardly along with the end of a control lever 62 and a second tension spring 64 secured to the loom frame 66 or other fixed point such as the floor.

Control lever 62 is pivoted at a central pivot point 68 and the upward movement of its end attached to

springs

60 and 64 causes its left hand side (see FIGS. 5a and 6a) to move upwardly gradually and its right hand end to move downwardly gradually. This causes connection point 70 to move upwardly and connection point 72 to move downwardly causing upper control lever link 74 to move generally upwardly and lower control lever link 76 to move generally downwardly. Such movement of the control lever links 74, 76 gradually moves the extending

arms

55, 55 of the friction clamp 54 of a more open position (see FIGS. 6 and 6a) and causes the

friction pads

53, 53 to be gradually moved away from the hub 52 whereby the resistance to rotation of the hub 52 is gradually decreased.

As a result, the resistance to rotation of the gear 48, the cloth roll gear 46, and the finger hand wheel 42 is reduced and the stub shaft 28 is now capable of rotat ing more freely.

The stub shaft 28 extends through bearings in the cloth take-up stand 44 and its protruding end is formed into a square shaped stud 80 which fits into a square shaped recess in the end of the cloth roll take-up shaft l2 and forms a driving connection therewith. Rotation of stud shaft 28 thus brings about a corresponding equal rotation of the cloth take-up roll shaft 12.

OPERATION OF THE LOOM TAKE-UP MECHANISM The leading end of the fabric F woven in the loom is forwarded to and wound on the cloth take-up roll shaft 12. At this time, the let-off friction clamp 54 is in the configuration shown in FIGS. 5 and 5a, with the pressure roll 56 in its lowest position. Considerable friction is applied by the let-off friction clamp 54 to the hub 52 and creates a resistance to rotation of the lower gear 48 and the upper cloth roll gear 46 and the friction slippage means 30 comprising the friction finger hand wheel 42 and the cloth roll gear and hub 24.

The stub shaft 28 is therefore slowed down and the cloth take-up roll shaft 12 is slowed down correspondingly. As a result, the fabric F is not pulled forward too strongly and there is considerably less danger of fabric rupture. This is critical at this time when there is very little fabric wound on the cloth take-up roll shaft 12 and when there is only a small mass or weight thereon.

As the cloth take-up roll increases in diameter and gains in mass or weight, there is less danger of fabric rupture. During such build-up, the pressure roll 56 rises and gradually and automatically angularly opens up the extending arms of the let-off friction clamp 54, thus lessening the pressure exerted on the hub 52 of the lower gear 48. As a result, there is less resistance to rotation of the stub shaft 28 and the cloth take-up roll shaft 12 and they come more under the control of the friction slippage means 30 and less under the control of the letoff friction clamp 54.

Ultimately, the cloth roll grows to a sufficient size, the pressure roll 56 rises to a high enough position, the extending

arms

55, 55 of the let-off friction clamp 54 open up angularly to an inoperative configuration, and the let-off friction clamp 54 has no further effect on the loom take-up mechanism.

The point at which the let-off friction clamp 54 has no further effect on the loom take-up mechanism depends upon the relationship of the various levers and linkages involved and may be adjusted depending upon the needs of the particular situation. The need for additional slippage is greatest at the outset of the build-up of the cloth roll but such need falls off rapidly as the cloth roll increases in diameter. The exact point at which the let-off friction clamp 54 becomes inoperative is therefore not critical but it has been determined that it takes place with the preferred illustrated embodiment of the invention at a point between one-half full cloth roll and three-quarters full cloth roll.

The invention will be further illustrated in greater detail by the following specific example. lt should be understood, however, that although this example may describe in particular detail some of the more specific features of the invention, it is given primarily for purposes of illustration and the invention in its broader aspects is not to be construed as limited thereto.

EXAMPLE A conventional Draper X-3 Loom using a No. 109 Nutting High Roll Ratchet Take-Up Mechanism is modified as follows in accordance with the principles of the present inventive concept. An upper gear having a 5%-inch diameter and 52 gear teeth is welded concentrically to the friction finger hand wheel and rotates therewith on the stub shaft. A lower gear having a 7%- inch diameter and gear teeth and provided with a let-off friction hub having an outside diameter of 2% inches is mounted on a stub shaft and meshes with the upper gear. A let-off friction clamp having an inside diameter of 2% inches encircles the let-off friction hub and the extent of its applied friction is controlled by a pressure roll resting on the periphery of the cloth roll and by connecting linkages and springs as shown in the drawings. The extending arms of the let-off friction clamp are approximately parallel and are spaced about 2%inches apart. The length of the let-off friction clamp, as measured from the center of the let-off friction hub to the connection of the let-off friction clamp and the control lever links is about 8 inches. The length of the control lever is about 7% inches. The central pivot point of the control lever is centrally spaced about 1 inches from each end connection point or end pivot. The distance from the central pivot point of the control lever to the spring connection point thereon is about 5 inches.

The linkages and springs are so adjusted that maximum friction and resistance to rotation is applied at the beginning of the build-up of the cloth but gradually and automatically falls off to substantially zero friction at a point equal to about one half the diameter of the fullcloth roll.

The fabric being woven is a 4 X 4 woven cotton scrim. Breakage or rupture of the scrim is reduced to a minimum particularly at the beginning of the cloth roll build-up. Less attention is given to the loom by the operator during the automatic and gradual decrease of the friction applied by the added gears and the friction clamp. No meandering or irregularly spaced filling yarns in the fabric are noted.

The conventional friction slippage means comprising the friction finger hand wheel, the cloth roll friction clamp, and the cloth roll gear and hub is used alone to complete the second half of the build-up of the cloth roll and the weaving operation is concluded satisfactorily. The woven cotton scrim is commercially acceptable.

Although only one specific working example of the inventive concept has been described, the same should not be construed as limited thereby nor to the specific features mentioned therein but to include various other equivalent features as set forth in the claims appended hereto. It is understood that any suitable changes, modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In the various Figures of this description, no motors, gears, sprockets, or other driving mechanisms and mechanical elements have been illustrated in order to provide clarity to the drawings. Such motors and other driving mechanisms or similar mechanical elements are conventional and persons skilled in the art can readily visualize the use of such driving means without further explanation or detail.

What is claimed is:

1. ln loom take-up mechanism comprising a cloth roll shaft for receiving the cloth woven on a loom, driving means for rotating said cloth roll shaft, and friction slippage means interposed between said driving means and said driven cloth roll shaft to provide for slippage therebetween, the improvement which comprises: rotatable means secured to said friction slippage means; friction applying means capable of supplying resistance to rotation of said rotatable means and therefore also capable of creating additional slippage between said driving means and said driven cloth roll shaft; and means responsive to build-up of the woven cloth on said drivencloth roll shaft to gradually reduce said resistance to rotation supplied by said friction applying means to said rotatable means from a maximum at the beginning of said cloth build-up to substantially zero at an intermediate stage of said cloth build-up, subsequent to which substantially the only slippage between the driving means and the driven cloth roll shaft is provided by said friction slippage means.

2. ln loom take-up mechanism as defined in claim 1, the improvement wherein the rotatable means comprises a cloth roll gear secured to said friction slippage means and a lower gear nesting with said cloth roll gear and wherein the friction applying means supplies re-.

sistance to rotation to said lower gear and said cloth roll gear.

3. ln loom take-up mechanism as defined in claim 1, the improvement wherein the means responsive to build-up of the woven cloth on said driven cloth roll shaft comprises: a pressure roll in contact with the periphery of the cloth roll on said cloth roll shaft; a

supplied by said friction applying means to said rotatable means.

4. In loom take-up mechanism as defined in claim 3,

the improvement wherein the rotatable means comprises a cloth roll gear secured to said friction slippage means and a lower gear meshing with said cloth roll gear and wherein the friction applying means supplies resistance to rotation to said lower gear and said cloth roll gear.

5. in a method for controlling the build-up of a cloth roll on a cloth roll shaft by loom takeup mechanism comprising: driving a cloth roll shaft to receive cloth woven on a loom and interposing friction slippage means during said driving to permit slippage of said cloth roll shaft, the improvement which comprises: supplying resistance to rotation of said cloth roll shaft at the beginning of the build-up of a cloth roll on said cloth roll shaft to provide for additional slippage atthe beginning of said build-up; gradually reducing said resistance to rotation of said cloth roll shaft to substantially zero at an intermediate stage of said cloth roll build-up; and completing the remainder of said cloth roll build-up with substantially only the interposed friction slippage means providing for the slippage of said cloth roll shaft.

Claims

1. In loom take-up mechanism comprising a cloth roll shaft for receiving the cloth woven on a loom, driving means for rotating said cloth roll shaft, and friction slippage means interposed between said driving means and said driven cloth roll shaft to provide for slippage therebetween, the improvement which comprises: rotatable means secured to said friction slippage means; friction applying means capable of supplying resistance to rotation of said rotatable means and therefore also capable of creating additional slippage between said driving means and said driven cloth roll shaft; and means responsive to build-up of the woven cloth on said driven cloth roll shaft to gradually reduce said resistance to rotation supplied by said friction applying means to said rotatable means from a maximum at the beginning of said cloth build-up to substantially zero at an intermediate stage of said cloth build-up, subsequent to which substantially the only slippage between the driving means and the driven cloth roll shaft is provided by said friction slippage means.

2. In loom take-up mechanism as defined in claim 1, the improvement wherein the rotatable means comprises a cloth roll gear secured to said friction slippage means and a lower gear nesting with said cloth roll gear and wherein the friction applying means supplies resistance to rotation to said lower gear and said cloth roll gear.

3. In loom take-up mechanism as defined in claim 1, the improvement wherein the means responsive to build-up of the woven cloth on said driven cloth roll shaft comprises: a pressure roll in contact with the periphery of the cloth roll on said cloth roll shaft; a control lever responsive to movement of said pressure roll; and means responsive to movement of said control lever to gradually reduce said resistance to rotation supplied by said friction applying means to said rotatable means.

4. In loom take-up mechanism as defined in claim 3, the improvement wherein the rotatable means comprises a cloth roll gear secured to said friction slippage means and a lower gear meshing with said cloth roll gear and wherein the friction applying means supplies resistance to rotation to said lower gear and said cloth roll gear.

5. In a method for controlling the build-up of a cloth roll on a cloth roll shaft by loom take-up mechanism comprising: driving a cloth roll shaft to receive cloth woven on a loom and interposing friction slippage means during said driving to permit slippage of said cloth roll shaft, the improvement which comprises: supplying resistance to rotation of said cloth roll shaft at the beginning of the build-up of a cloth roll on said cloth roll shaft to provide for additional slippage at the beginning of said build-up; gradually reducing said resistance to rotation of said cloth roll shaft to substantially zero at an intermediate stage of said cloth roll build-up; and completing the remainder of said cloth roll build-up with substantially only the interposed friction slippage means providing fOr the slippage of said cloth roll shaft.