US3716980A

US3716980A - Rapid mounting for spindle in yarn twisting machines

Info

Publication number: US3716980A
Application number: US00118444A
Authority: US
Inventors: K Rehn; H Middelmann
Original assignee: Barmag Barmer Maschinenfabrik AG
Current assignee: Oerlikon Barmag AG
Priority date: 1970-03-02
Filing date: 1971-02-24
Publication date: 1973-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 1990-02-20
Also published as: BE763638A; FR2081621B3; CA948502A; BR7101282D0; NL7102375A; JPS54139724U; FR2081621A3; DE2009592A1; GB1328726A; JPS54139723U; CH519600A; LU62667A1; JPS552037Y2

Abstract

A rapidly mounted twist spindle in twisting machines, especially double-twist twisting machines, in which the spindle housing becomes securely but removably axially positioned and rotatably locked onto a carrier member through paired fastening means connected to the housing and the carrier, respectively. Such twist spindles are employed in large numbers for a twisting of threads or yarns.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Rehn et al. 1 1 Feb. 20, 1973 [54] RAPID MOUNTING FOR SPINDLE IN [56] References Cited YARN TWISTING MACHINES UNITED STATES PATENTS [75] inventors: Karl-Heinz Rehn, Remscheid; Heinz 2 479 168 8/1949 K I 57,130

eene et a ggg g g' Krawmklerbrucke 2,524,995 10/1950 Sassano ...287/l03 A y 2,541,526 2/1951 Lundquist ..287/l03 A [73] Assignee: Barmag Barmer Maschineniabrick Akfi u h ft wuppena], Primary Examiner-Werner H. Schroeder many Att0rney.lohnston, Root, OKeeffe, Keil, Thompson & Shurtleff [22] Flled: Feb. 24, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 118,444 ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data A rapidly mounted twist spindle in twisting machines, Mar 2 1970 Germany 20 09 5925 especially double-twist twisting machines, in which the spindle housing becomes securely but removably axi- [52] U.S.Cl. ..57/130,57/58.49, 85/5 P, ally positioned and rotatably locked onto a carrier 287/103 A member through paired fastening means connected to [51] Int. Cl. ..D01h 7/08 the ng a d the a sp ctively. Such'twist [58] Field of Search ..57/58.49, 58.84, 77.45, 78, Spindles are p y in large numbers for a twisting 57/92,100, 104,129, 130, 132, 135, 136; 287/103 A; 85/5 P; 241221 A; 308/151, 152, 155

of threads or yarns.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1- I 1!] lllllll'lil 6 I llllll|ll|l'" llllllllllfls 17 5 Il I 3 1- ,1 4

PAIENIED 3.716380 SHEET 10F 2 INVENTOR5. KARL- HEINZ REHN HEINZ MIDDELMANN FIGI FIG. 2

PATENTEDFEBZOIHYE! SHEET 2 0F INVENTORS:

KARL-HEINZ REHN HEINZ MlDDELMANN BY: [KY5 p7;

RAPID MOUNTING FOR SPINDLE IN YARN TWISTING MACHINES In twisting machines commonly employed in the textile industry, particularly where a compact construction is required, it is usually very difficult to install and remove spindles in the conventional manner of employing fastening members which must be actuated or released on both sides of the spindle carrier. Thus, where a large number of twist spindles are carried on a common carrier frame with belt-driven whorls at the base or bottom end of the spindles, it is often necessary to replace a single spindle with a new spindle as rapidly as possible, especially in twisting machines where these spindles may be operated at relatively high speeds.

One object of the present invention is to avoid the problems which arise in the use of conventionally mounted spindles in twisting machines, and in particular, it is an object to substantially shorten the time required for changing a particular spindle. It is a further object of the invention to provide an easily handled and rapid mounting for a twist spindle which requires a minimum of parts and which retains such parts at all times on either the carrier or the spindle. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed specification.

In accordance with the invention, it has now been found that one can achieve a substantially improved rapid mounting for a conventional twist spindle to be carried on a carrier member by providing in combination therewith a spindle bearing housing in which the spindle is rotatably driven in a supported position, a carrier member as part of the supporting frame with an opening for axial insertion of the spindle bearing housing together with the spindle, and paired fastening elements connected to each of the housing and carrier member, respectively, 'and extending radially within a portion of the opening between the axially inserted housing and carrier member to become frictionally engaged and interlocked upon a mounting rotation of less than 360 of the axially inserted housing relative to the carrier member.

In particular, it is thus desirable to provide the carrier member on the one hand and the spindle bearing housing on the other hand with individual fastening members that complement each other so that the paired members engage in one another with close frictional contact or force-fitting linkage after first inserting the spindle bearing housing axially into its mounting position and then turning it by less than 360 with reference to the carrier. In this end position or fully rotated mounting position, it is desirable for the paired fastening members to snap into place, e.g. by means of interlocking means such as a groove on one fastening member with a stopping projection fitting into this groove on the other fastening member, thereby tensioning or bracing the two fastening parts against each other and preventing or resisting further rotational movement. In general, this spindle fastening combination resembles a lockable bayonet fastening means in which the member to be fastened is simply inserted axially and then rotated or twisted slightly to lock it in place. Such a spindle fastening makes it possible to carry out the insertion of the complete spindle including other operable parts associated therewith into the carrier member or supporting frame, this insertion being carried out exclusively from one side of the spindle carrier member and in a very short period of time. This is of special advantage in the case of double-sided twist machines as well as in the case of box-form construction of the spindle carrier. In such constructions, there is practically little or no access to the spindle except from one side of the machine. The removal of a spindle is likewise carried out quite easily by simply applying sufficient force to rotate the spindle housing back to a position at which it can be freely removed axially of the carrier. In this respect, it is especially desirable to provide a locking direction of rotation of the spindle housing corresponding to the direction of rotation of the spindle itself, i.e. such that there is no danger of the spindle becoming unlocked during actual operation.

For purposes of definition, a rapid mounting combination of the present invention is defined herein with reference to the initial axial insertion of the spindle bearing housing and its rotation of less than 360 which can be referred to as a mounting rotation or a locking rotation. At the same time, it will be understood that the reverse movements cause the spindle bearing housing with the spindle to become unlocked by a demounting rotation and axial removal from the carrier or supporting frame.

The invention can be more readily understood in terms of the specific embodiments disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section, which includes a special spring lug ring connected to the carrier member and interlocking with outwardly projecting pins or bolts from a circumferential surface of the spindle bearing housing;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the spring lug ring by itself;

FIG. 3 is a stepped cross-section taken along III-III of FIG. 1 in order to more clearly show the fastening of the spindle to the carrier through the connected ring;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 1, with portions in cross-section, of yet another embodiment of the rapid mounting combination of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a stepped cross-section taken along V-V of FIG. 4 in order to more clearly disclose the interlocking members of this embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a partial view taken from the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 to illustrate one pair of the fastening members with suitable locking means thereon.

Referring generally first to FIGS. 1 and 4, there has been illustrated the lower portion of a double-twist twist spindle which has the usual construction which is common to such spindles. The actual spindle itself is not illustrated but is turnably mounted within the socket l of the spindle bearing housing 2, the spindle being connected at the bottom to the whorl 3 which can be coupled or uncoupled with reference to a drive belt in order to rotatably drive the whorl and spindle. The upper portion of the spindle shaft carries the con ventional accumulator disc or reserve ring 4 which turns with the spindle and with the thread run-over body or rotating twist guide 5. Above this point, there is turnably borne on the spindle shaft a spool shell which surrounds the feed spool holder containing the spool, all of which are designated by the numeral 6 and do not reference to the double-twist twisting device illustrated.

The outer spool shell 6 prevents any contact of the freely flying thread or yarn with the surface of the feed spool during the initial starting of the spindle and before the thread or yarn has been formed into its balloon pattern. It is further conventional to provide an outer balloon limiting means in the form of a cap or the like (not illustrated) so as to prevent any contact of adjacent spindles or their thread balloons in a manner which might cause thread breakage.

One preferred embodiment of the rapid mounting or fastening means for the twist spindle in accordance with the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 wherein a spindle bearing housing generally shown by the numeral 2 is mounted onto a carrier member or supporting frame 7 provided with a circular opening 8 to receive the twist spindle in an axial direction with any suitable flange or extension thereof so that it can be initially supported in the vertical position shown. It will be understood, of course, that such twist spindles can also be mounted at an angle to the vertical as on opposite sides of a long frame or carrier where only the top surface of the carrier member 7 as shown in FIG. 1 is exposed. Thus, the stub or socket 1 together with the whorl 3 fit inside of the carrier member 7 where a conventional drive belt can be placed in contact or engaged with the whorl 3 in order to rotatably drive the spindle. Around the opening 8 in the carrier member 7, there is fastened an annular ring 9 of a resilient elastomeric material by means of suitable bolts or screws 10 so that this annular elastic ring is substantially coaxial with reference to the opening 8. On the upper side or face which is away from the carrier 7, there is fastened to the annular ring 9 a special spring lug ring 11 which is illustrated in greater detail by itself in FIG. 2. This ring 11 is likewise coaxially fastened by means of suitable screws or bolts 12, both the annular elastic ring 9 and the spindle carrier 7 having a sufficient circular recess or opening so that the individual lugs or springs 13 can extend radially inwardly and then circumferentially of the ring 11 for a short distance up to the projecting stop 15 at the free end of the spring 13 adjacent a trough or groove 14. The outer shell or socket l of the spindle bearing housing 2 is widened radially outwardly in its upper portion to first form the offset 16 which fits into the circular recess of the elastic ring 9, this housing 2 then being further extended outwardly into the flange 17 which permits a portion of the twist spindle to abut or lie flatly on the elastic ring 9, preferably with a slight recess to also receive the flexible ring or spring 11. The offset or projecting portion 16 as more clearly shown in FIG. 3 is actually provided with recesses 18 in order to introduce the spindle hearing housing 2 into the rings 9 and 11 past the lugs or springs 13 as the twist spindle is introduced axially until it rests on the rings 9 and 11 supported on the frame 7. The recesses 18 also accommodate individual pins or radially projecting rods 19 positioned intermediately of the spaced offsets or projections 16, these individual pins 19 being rotated with the spindle bearing housing 2 in order to frictionally engage the lugs or springs 13 with a bracing or tensioning contact, these pins or rods fitting into the groove 14 as they are rotated up to the projecting stop 15. Thus, after the spindle bearing housing 2 has been radially inserted into the opening, it is turned by a short distance substantially less than 360 with the rods or pins 19 preferably bending or tensioning the springs 13 such that after the pins snap into the trough or groove 14, it becomes quite difficult to obtain any further rotational movement except by applying a very strong force to again remove each pin from it groove 14 and slide it off the spring 13.

It is especially desirable to facilitate and simplify this i rotary movement for insertion or removal of the spindle, by providing a suitable tool-receiving bore 20 on the outer peripheral edge of the flange 17, preferably in a highly accessible location. A suitable lever or other tool can then be easily inserted in this bore 20 in order to provide the force required to lock or unlock a spindle with a rotary movement to overcome the tension between the springs 13 and pins 19.

As noted above, the flange 17 preferably has on its surface facing the elastic ring an annular recess into which there can be fitted the spring lug ring 11 as it rests on the elastic ring 9 while its circumferential surface is in close frictional engagement with the spindle bearing housing 2.

The paired fastening elements represented by the springs or lugs 13 cooperating with the pins or rods 19 fitting against stops 15 in grooves 14 thus permit a very effective means for preventing or resisting further rotational movement of the spindle housing in its finally supported'position while it is also centered in the radial direction and prevented from shifting in an axial direction. This tangential or rotary locking of the device as well as spring-held locking arrangement in the axial direction permit the twist spindle to be quickly and easily mounted while firmly supporting it during the actual twisting operation.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in detail in FIGS. 4-6. In this instance, the upper portion of the socket or sleeve 1 of the spindle bearing housing 2 is provided with three radially aligned projections 21 which extend circumferentially around the lower shell with a slight rise or clevational, e.g. so as to provide a lateral surface offset at a slight angle from a plane perpendicular to the axis of the spindle. These projections 21 are also spaced at regular intervals from each other so that they can be conducted through corresponding recesses 22 in a bearing sleeve 25 which is fastened by means of screws or bolts 24 over an insert 23 of a resilient elastomeric material onto the carrier member or supporting frame 7. The bearing sleeve 25 is therefore provided with similarly positioned and radially aligned projections 26 which extend inwardly to overlap the projections 21 on the socket or sleeve 1 after the spindle bearing housing 2 has been rotated slightly.

The undercut or lower face of the projections 26 on the bearing sleeve 25 likewise exhibit a back taper or slightly rising surface in the circumferential direction in order to accommodate the slightly rising opposing surface of the individual projections 21. In this manner, the insertional rotation or twist as the spindle is finally mounted in position causes a tensioning or force-fitting of the spindle bearing housing 2 against the bearing sleeve 25 i.e. by means of the frictionally contacting and circumferentially tapering surfaces of the

projections

21 and 26.

As shown in FIG. 6, the paired fastening members represented by the opposing and contacting

projections

21 and 26 can also be provided with rotational locking means similar to that shown in FIG. 3, i.e. by providing a suitable stop or projection in one fastening member and a groove in the other as shown. Other variations in such a rotational locking arrangement can also be easily accommodated in this particular construction.

As shown in FIG. 4 of this embodiment, a second insert 27 composed of an elastic or resilient material in an annular recess of the flange 17 directly above the bearing sleeve 25 permits the spindle bearing housing 2 to be forced axially downwardly a sufficient distance so that the rotational movement can be easily accomplished up to a point at which the rotational locking means snap into place. At the same time, the carrier member 7 is braced or tensioned with reference to the housing 2, and these essential members are then simultaneously centered in the radial direction and locked in the tangential or rotational direction.

Where electrical connections are required from the carrier or supporting frame 7 into the operating twist spindle, it has been found to be especially convenient to provide the electrical slip contacts or sliding contacts 28 of which one set can be arranged in the facing surface of the flange 17, as shown in FIG. 3, and the corresponding set can be arranged in the flange supporting member, e.g. as a separate insert along a short annular segment adjacent the outer periphery of the elastic ring 9. Thus, before the final locking or mounting rotation to place the twist spindle in operation, the opposing face of the insert containing electrical slide contacts connected along the carrier 7 fall approximately in the blank section designated by the numeral 29 on the flange 17. Then, as the rotational locking or mounting movement is completed, these opposing slide contacts are directly connected in electrical contact with the slide members 28 moving over the fixed position of the corresponding contacts on the annular seg ment therebelow. This lower segment 30 is indicated schematically in FIG. 1 with the electrical lead lines 31 extending to the left along the supporting frame 7. This arrangement of course means that the twist spindle can be very quickly mounted not only in terms of its mechanical arrangement but also with reference to any electrical connection required for the proper control or operation of the twist spindle.

Where a resilient elastomeric material is inserted or fastened as an annular ring or relatively flat layer between the carrier member or frame 7 and the housing 2, e.g. as with the elastic layers 9 or 27 in FIGS. 1 and 4, respectively, these elastic supporting layers can serve to resiliently urge the housing in the fully mounted position of the twist spindle in an axial direction away from the carrier or supporting frame 7. This axial thrust or pressure on the housing, especially a flanged portion 17 thereof overlapping the carrier member 7, is very appropriately exerted by such an elastomeric material and serves to further lock or hold the housing firmly in place on the carrier.

Moreover, these elastomeric inserts 9 and 27 as well as similar annular elastic rings 23 fastened at other 10- cations, e.g. between the carrier member 7 and annular ring 11 or the flange of the sleeve 25, can also serve to prevent a transfer of vibrations to the machine frame and to substantially reduce the noise level, especially in multi-unit machines having large numbers of twist spindles. The elastomeric inserts may also include annular sleeves such as 23 in FIG. 5 arranged coaxially between removable parts of the apparatus or can be a combined flanged sleeve, e.g. to provide an L-shaped cross-section between abutting surfaces of the various fastening rings or sleeves and the adjoining carrier member or spindle bearing housing. These inserts then also function as centering means for the mounting of the twist spindle.

Such vibration-damping elastomeric inserts are easily installed onto one of the fixed members to permit a cushioned mounting and preferably one which braces or tensions the locking parts together, while at the same time these inserts need not be separately installed or removed during rapid mounting.

In some instances, it is sufficient to rotationally lock or hold the spindle bearing housing against further rotation after it has been fully mounted by providing only a stop means, i.e. an axial projection such as 15, on one or both of the paired fastening elements. However, an especially advantageous locking feature is achieved by the interfitting tongue and groove or the snap-fitting rod and trough-like depression in the opposing fastening members, such an arrangement and construction ensuring a correct mounting position while resisting any unintentional displacement.

The spring lock arrangement of FIGS. 1-3 also offers certain advantages in that the individual spring lugs 13 in the form of shaped bands or tongues extending peripherally within the mounting opening can be positioned axially adjacent the housing 2 at any desired location and offers relatively little resistance to rotational movement as the housing is turned at a very slight angle, e.g. less than 30, as the housing is engaged or disengaged from the carrier. The locking resistance of pin 19 in the groove or trough 14, on the other hand, is quite sufficient to prevent a disengaging rotational movement during operation of the spindle. Then, by using a lever or long-handled tool inserted in the bore 20, the locking resistance can be easily overcome for disengagement of the mounting, especially if elastomeric inserts permit a slight axial inward movement in a direction opposite to the pressing engagement of the rod or pin 19 and groove 20 against each other.

The rapid mounting combination of the invention is not only adapted for a vertically upright twist spindle but is also readily employed with spindles which are strongly inclined or even arranged on a horizontal axis of rotation. In this latter instance, an annular recess in the spindle bearing housing for reception of an annular ring fastening element connected to the carrier member or supporting frame permits a very closely fitting frictional engagement of the separable parts of the device, especially as between circumferential surfaces. This arrangement not only provides a centering function but also transmits transverse bearing forces to the carrier or supporting frame so that the spindle connections are relieved of such stress.

Although the invention has been illustrated as embodying a double-twist twist spindle, it will be apparent that it is likewise applicable to other types of twist spin dles which must be capable of freely supporting and rotating relatively heavy bodies, spool packages, apparatus or the like while still permitting rapid mounting and interchanging of individual twist spindles. The invention allows such mounting and dismounting operations with only very simple tools if any and in the shortest possible time.

it will be recognized that minor variations can be made in the arrangement and construction of the different elements and members of the combination according to the invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In a yarn or thread twisting machine having a rotatable twist spindle carried on a supporting frame, the improvement for rapid mounting of said spindle which comprises:

a spindle bearing housing in which said spindle is rotatably driven in a supported position;

a carrier member as part of said supporting frame with an opening for axial insertion of said spindle bearing housing together with said spindle; and

fastening elements connected to each of said housing and carrier member, respectively, and extending radially in paired relationship within a portion of said opening between the axially inserted housing and carrier member to become frictionally engaged and interlocked upon a mounting rotation of less than 360 of said axially inserted housing relative to said carrier member, the paired fastening elements being force fitted ,one behind theother to prevent axial movement of said housing relative to said carrier member and said paired fastening elements further including interfitting locking means which are registered after said mounting rotation in order to resist further rotation of said housing relative to said carrier member.

2. A twisting machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein an annular ring member is mounted coaxially on said carrier member around said opening for engagement with said spindle bearing housing through said fastening means which include at least one radially inwardly projecting member on said ring and at least one corresponding radially outwardly projecting member on said housing interlocking resiliently onto and behind the projecting member of said ring in the fully mounted position of the spindle.

3. A twisting machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the inwardly projecting member of said ring comprises a spring extending peripherally in said opening up to an axially protuberant stop adjacent a radially positioned groove thereon, and the corresponding outwardly projecting member of said housing is a rod or pin fitting under tension of the spring into said groove in the fully mounted position of the spindle.

4. A twisting machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein said spindle bearing housing has a radially extended flange containing an annu ar recessed portion to receive said ring fastened to the carrier member with the opposing circumferential surfaces of said housing and said ring being in frictional engagement with each other and with an elastic layer inserted between the opposing annular facing surfaces of said flange and said ring.

5. A twisting machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein a layer of a resilient elastomeric material is fastened between said carrier member and said annular ring.

6. A twisting machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spindle bearing housing has a plurality of radially outwardly projecting annular segments extending around the periphery of the housing at spaced intervals and rising in the circumferential direction at a slight' angle to a plane perpendicular to the spindle axis, and a corresponding plurality of radially inwardly projecting annular segments around the inner periphery of said carrier opening, said inwardly projecting segments being carried by an annular sleeve member flanged for connection to said carrier member and said inwardly projecting segments being spaced at intervals sufficient to permit the axial movement therethrough of said housing with its outwardly projecting annular segments, whereby said outwardly projecting segments can be rotated with said housing to become frictionally engaged and interlocked behind said inwardly projecting segments in the fully mounted position of said twist spindle.

7. A twisting machine as claimed in claim 6 wherein a layer of resilient elastomeric material is fastened between said carrier member and said flanged sleeve member.

8. A twisting machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein another layer of resilient elastomeric material is fastened between said carrier member and an outwardly projecting flange on said housing to resiliently urge said housing axially away from the fully mounted position of said spindle on said carrier member.

9. A twisting machine as claimed in claim 6 wherein an annular elastic layer is inserted between said flanged sleeve member and an outwardly projecting flange on said housing containing an annular recessed portion adapted to receive said elastomeric material and the end of said flanged sleeve member.

Claims

1. In a yarn or thread twisting machine having a rotatable twist spindle carried on a supporting frame, the improvement for rapid mounting of said spindle which comprises: a spindle bearing housing in which said spindle is rotatably driven in a supported position; a carrier member as part of said supporting frame with an opening for axial insertion of said spindle bearing housing together with said spindle; and fastening elements connected to each of said housing and carrier member, respectively, and extending radially in paired relationship within a portion of said opening between the axially inserted housing and carrier member to become frictionally engaged and interlocked upon a mounting rotation of less than 360* of said axially inserted housing relative to said carrier member, the paired fastening elements being force fitted one behind the other to prevent axial movement of said housing relative to said carrier member and said paired fastening elements further including interfitting locking means which are registered after said mounting rotation in order to resist further rotation of said housing relative to said carrier member.

4. A twisting machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein said spindle bearing housing has a radially extended flange containing an annular recessed portion to receive said ring fastened to the carrier member with the opposing circumferential surfaces of said housing and said ring being in frictional engagement with each other and with an elastic layer inserted between the opposing annular facing surfaces of said flange and said ring.

6. A twisting machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spindle bearing housing has a plurality of radially outwardly projecting annular segments extending around the periphery of the housing at spaced intervals and rising in the circumferential direction at a slight angle to a plane perpendicular to the spindle axis, and a corresponding plurality of radially inwardly projecting annular segments around the inner periphery of said carrier opening, said inwardly projecting segments being carried by an annular sleeve member flanged for connection to said carrier member and said inwardly projecting segments being spaced at intervals sufficient to permit the axial movement therethrough of said housing with its outwardly projecting annular segments, whereby said outwardly projecting segments can be rotated with said housing to become frictionally engaged and interlocked behind said inwardly projecting segments in the fully mounted position of said twist spindle.