US3746054A - Shuttle boxing and protection stopping means for fly shuttle looms - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention disclosed herein relates in general to fly shuttle looms and specifically to improvement in means for shuttle boxing and protection stopping. With conventional boxing methods, difficulties are often experienced due to failure of the shuttle to consistently stop in precise position within the box. This invention discloses means for overcoming such difficulties by providing reduced impact forces and greater frictional resistance for stopping the shuttle. A novel means is revealed for relieving frictional resistance as the shuttle is ejected from the box. Disclosed is improved shuttle binder design which provides for early shuttle contact and makes possible a novel disclosed method for shockless stopping. Related means for effecting loom stop in event of jammed shuttle or fill thread break is disclosed. Means for positional stopping of the loom on command is disclosed as a desireable related feature.

Description

United States Patent 1 Turner SHUTTLE BOXING AND PROTECTION STOPPING MEANS FOR FLY SHUTTLE LOOMS [76] Inventor: Edgar P. Turner, Box 70, Scotch Plains, NJ. 07076 [22] Filed: Apr. 22, 1971 [211 Appl. No.: 136,497

[52] U.S. Cl 139/341, 139/187, 139/376 [51] Int. Cl. D03d 51/40, D03d 49/56 [58] Field of Search.... 139/341-347, 185-187, 375, 376, 336, 188

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,148,700 2/1939 Lohsse 139/336 2,915,093 12/1959 Picanol 139/188 3,003,524 10/1961 Metzler 139/341 3,613,742 10/1971 Ainsworth 139/336 3,621,887 11/1971 Turner 139/336 3,626,992 12/1971 Turner 139/336 2,417,295 3/1947 Darwin 139/185 2,619,128 1l/l952 Moon.... 139/376 2,638,941 5/1953 Hindle 139/345 2,703,591 3/1955 Sepavich.. 139/375 3,012,586 12/1961 Budzyna 139/187 3,404,709 10/1968 Budzyna et a1. 139/346 3,463,201 8/1969 Robinson etal 139/346 3,464,457 9/1969 Bahan 139/187 3,550,643 12/1970 Stephens 139/341 [451 July 17,1973

Primary Examiner-James Kee Chi 7 ABSTRACT The invention disclosed herein relates in general to fly shuttle looms and specifically to improvement in means for shuttle boxing and protection stopping. With conventional boxing methods, difficulties are often experienced due to failure of the shuttle to consistently stop in precise position within the box. This invention discloses means for overcoming such difficulties by providing reduced impact forces and greater frictional resistance for stopping the shuttle. A novel means is re-. vealed for relieving frictional resistance as the shuttle is ejected from the box. Disclosed is improved shuttle binder design which provides for early shuttle contact and makes possible a novel disclosed method for shockless stopping. Related means for effecting loom stop in event of jammed shuttle or fill thread break is disclosed. Means for positional stopping of the loom on command is disclosed as a desireable related feature.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented July 17, 1973 3,746,054

2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented July 17, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v SHUTTLE BOXING AND PROTECTION STOPPING MEANS FOR FLY SHUTTLE LOOMS This invention relates to fly shuttle looms and more specifically to the boxing of shuttles and protection stopping of such looms.

Proper boxing of shuttles has long posed a problem in loom operation. A moving shuttle must be rapidly and accurately stopped preparatory to return flight. Present boxing methods require careful adjustment at a number of points in order to obtain correct performance. Frequently this performance does not remain satisfactory especially when temperature or humidity changes occur or on start-up after a loom is idle for an appreciable period of time.

Boxing of shuttles is closely related to the further requirement for providing rapid protection stopping of the loom in the event a shuttle develops a late or otherwise improper flight pattern.

In a conventional fly shuttle loom, shuttle boxing is effected by guiding the shuttle into a shuttle box which includes a stationary front guide plate and a moveable shuttle binder. These two elements are faced with a friction material. The binder is spring loaded to urge it toward the front guide in manner so the shuttle wedges itself between the binder and guide to create shuttle retarding action. As the shuttle wedges between the two elements, the binder is forced rearwardly to actuate protection linkage to cause movement of stop elements or daggers which are mounted on the lay bar. This protection linkage is also spring loaded and exerts pressure against the binder.

A late running shuttle allows the daggers to strike a pair of frogs on the loom frame to cause a protection stop or bang-off of the loom. An arrangement such as this is herein referred to as a loom protection mechanism.

A conventional bang-off causes violent shock to loom parts. After the daggers strike the frogs only about flve-sixteenths inch of travel of the lay bar is allowable before the loom comes to a stop. As the frogs travel through this distance disengagement of the loom drive clutch is initiated and a small percentage of loom energy is absorbed by buffer springs associated with the frogs. At the limit of frog travel shock loading approaching 10 tons may be transmitted to the loom frame. Presently used binders are so contoured that a shuttle jammed at shuttle box exit allows a protection stop to be initiated, however the required contour shape precludes the use of the binder to provide the early shuttle sensing necessary for initiation of shockless stopping.

Means have been proposed for providing shockless protection stopping. One such meanS is disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,626,992. The disclosure provides for shuttle flight detection by sensors positioned at point of entry of the shuttle into the shuttle receiving box. Such early sensing of shuttle flight position allows increased time between the detection of faulty shuttle flight and loom stop, and thus makes possible soft or cushioned stops. ln U.S. Pat. 3,626,992 means for jammed shuttle protection is not disclosed.

A further improved arrangement is disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,621,887. This disclosure includes early shuttle flight sensing to initiate shockless stopping through means unrelated to shuttle boxing means, and further offers the distinct advantage of smash protection in event a shuttle jams at point of exit from the box immediately following pick.

The present invention discloses a simplified method of attaining the functional advantages shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,621,887 by means which include improved shuttle boxing associated early shuttle flight sensing provided by shuttle binders of Special design. The disclosure includes novel associated means for providing loom protection in event a shuttle jams at box exit.

A common type of fly shuttle loom utilizes a shuttle approximately 20 ounces in weight. The shuttle enters the receiving box at a speed exceeding forty feet per second and has kinetic energy of some thirty five foot pounds. The receiving shuttle box includes a moveable binder as above described which upon contact by the shuttle moves rearwardly to impart movement to the protection linkage. When the shuttle strikes the binder the protection linkage components, which are relatively massive are accelerated, and the energy required for this acceleration is derived from the kinetic energy of the shuttle, thus causing the shuttle to lose speed. After this initial contact the binder, which is spring loaded, further retards the shuttle speed through friction until the nose of the shuttle strikes the picker which moves to absorb additional energy following which the shuttle comes to rest in boxed condition.

A relatively large percentage of the shuttle energy is absorbed by impact acceleration of the binder and protection linkage. In this case binder spring pressure may be light which tends to keep shuttle temperatures low due to the small friction losses both as a shuttle is received into and ejected from the box. Although low shuttle temperatures are desirable, the associated light binder spring pressure is conducive to improper boxing because the shuttle tends to rebound after stop and consequently may not come to rest in acceptable position.

If the energy absorbed on shuttle impact is reduced by lowering the inertia of shuttle binder and protector linkage parts, the binder spring pressure may be increased to provide more boxing friction and thus reduce shuttle rebound. Unfortunately in this case the shuttle temperature increases due to the increased friction as the shuttle enters and leaves the box. This increase in temperature may be minimized by providing means for relieving the pressure of the binder against the shuttle during that portion of the loom cycle while the shuttle is being ejected from the box at each pick.

In summary to this point, it may be stated that it is desirable in loom operation to keep the inertia of binder and protection parts low in order to allow increase in binder spring pressure which is conducive to smooth and accurate stopping of the shuttle. With this arrangement it is desirable if not essential that binder spring pressure be relieved during pick in order to hold shuttle temperatures within acceptable limits. It is further most desirable that late shuttle protection stops be relatively shockless in nature to avoid damage to loom parts, and that provision for such improved shuttle and protection controls be efl'ected without detriment to any of the nonnally accepted standards of loom performance and control.

The first objective of the present invention therefore is to provide for fly shuttle looms improved shuttle boxing means including an improved binder with increased binder spring pressure release during that period of the A fourth objective of the invention is to provide in operable combination with my improved shuttle boxing means and jammed shuttle protection, co-operating means to provide positional stopping of the loom on command.

To achieve the first objective of my invention, I provide a floating shuttle binder assembly of novel design and of minimum inertia. I allow the shuttle binder to move with a degree of freedom in a rearward direction at each of its ends, with the inward end arranged and positioned to provide approximately'three-eighths inch of movement responsive to initial shuttle contact. A novel shuttle binder spring assembly including a binder spring and a stop element is arranged selectively to apply load to the shuttle binder near the binder longitudinal midpoint. The binder spring is pre-loaded against said stop element which is arranged in manner such that upon initial contact of the shuttle nose with the binder the inward end of the binder is moved a substantial distance before contact of the binder against the pro-loaded binder spring stop element occurs. Movement of the binder rearwardly after contact with the stop element is small, thus providing accurate boxing with minimum wear of parts. I provide shuttle binder pressure release during shuttle ejection through a simple and novel binder release lift assembly whereby a binder release bell crank is pivoted on the lay bar sword in manner such that one end of said crank is actuated by the oscillatory movement of the loom connecting rod to cause the opposite end of said bell crank to move the inner end of the shuttle binder rearwardly-to release contact of the binder with the shuttle during each pick.

I have stated that an important related requirement of this invention is that the inertia of binder and protector parts be kept low. Functional requirements and stress loading of the floating shuttle binder above described are conducive to light weight design. Additional reduction in inertia may be effected by replacement of conventional protector components with new high strength light weight elements.

The second objective of my invention includes shockless protection stopping. This I arrange by providing the floating shuttle binder with a novel face contour so designed that immediately as the nose of a normally moving shuttle enters the shuttle box, the end of the binder adjacent the box entrance is moved by shuttle contact rearwardly against only slight resistance to move the loom protector mechanism which includes a dagger-frog arrangement of substantially conventional nature. The early contact of shuttle against binder just described allow time for greater than normal travel of the frogs during protection stopping. By the means outlined, protection stopping may now originate as early as 265 deg. loom crank position. This allows for a full inch of travel of the frogs in place of the customary five six-teenths inch. During loom stop about 170 ft. lb. of kinetic energy must be absorbed by the frogs, thus a uniform resistance of 2,000 lbs. through the 1 inch of travel by the frogs will stop the loom smoothly and shocklessly. Preferred methods of providing this resistance are described later. i

A shuttle binder designed as proposed for early shuttle contact has a disadvantage in that a shuttle jammed in the exit portion of the shuttle box by a cocked quill holds the binder in rearward displacement thus preventing a normal protection stop. To overcome this deficiency, I provide on the loom frame rearward of the binder a loom knock-off lever. This lever is positioned to be actuated by the protection arm to initiate stop of the loom when and only when a jammed shuttle is still holding the binder open in unnatural position when the lay bar approaches extreme rear position.

The third objective of this invention is to provide a simple and effective fill break stop means which will cooperatively function in conjunction. with my improved shuttle boxing and shockless stopping means. To meet this requirement I utilize a standard type fill detector in conjunction with which I have provided a till break stop element which is moved in oscillatory are each time the loom reaches a pre-determined position with fill present. Absence of fill prevents movement of the fill break stop element which causes the loom protection stopping means to be actuated to stop the loom.

The fourth objective of the invention is to provide means for effecting positional stopping of the loom on command. This objective is attained by arranging for the loom knock-off lever l have previously described to perform the added function of implementing command stopping. This is done by attaching to the knock-ofi' lever a moveable lug which may on command be positioned to be moved by the protector arm. The knockoff lever may be so moved even though the shuttle is in flight with the boxes empty at lay bar rearmost position.

FIG. 1. is an oblique view of that portion of a loom pertinent to shuttle boxing and protection. Shown as incorportated are essential elements of the present invention.

FIG. 2. is a vertical view in partial section of my hydraulic stopping means as associated with my improved frog and dagger construction.

FIG. 3. is a plan view of portions of FIG. 2 to illustrate means of actuation of the moveable frog.

'FIG. 4. is a view showing the frog in elevated position by action of the protection finger.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of construction and actuation of my novel shuttle box assembly.

FIG. 6 is plan and vertical view showing my novel first pick cut-out assembly.

FIG. 7 is plan and vertical view of my alternate stopping means comprising in combination a buffer spring mechanism with auxiliary friction brake means.

In FIG. I is shown a section of loom frame I, and sword 2 which with a companion not shown supports for fore and aft reciprocating movement a lay bar 3. The nose of a shuttle 4 is shown in position to be guided by reed 5 and shuttle guide plate 6 toward the right hand shuttle box which includes bottom plate 7, shuttle guide 8 and shuttle binder 9.

In contact with the rear surface of binder 9 is the upper end of protector arm 10 the lower end of which is attached to protector rod 11 in turn supported by bearing block 12. Attached to block 12 is dagger 13 which normally moves fore and aft to clear the upper surface of frog 14 which is mounted in frog carrier 15 which is moveable to impart movement to shipper rod 17 via lug 16 and block 18. Shipper rod 17 is attached to the lower end of shipper handle 19. The lay bar is actuated via connecting rod 20 and carries a fill break detector assembly 21.

The parts described so far are of conventional function although some of these depicted have been redesigned in novel manner as hereinafter described. The functions of such members are well known to those skilled in the art, and further explanation is not considered as needed as a requisite for this disclosure.

The stated objectives include use of an improved relieving type shuttle binder assembly and protector mechanism. The shuttle binder 9 is of my improved design. It comprises a rigid body element faced with a friction material 22, and having attached to the rear surface at its inward end a binder lift plate 23. The binder is longitudinally positioned at its inward end by plate 23 the end of which is in sliding contact with the side of sword 2 and at its outward end by binder adjustment bracket 24. The binder is allowed only slight longitudinal freedom between these two points. The forward limit of binder movement is determined at the outward end by abutment at point 24a of bracket 24. Limit of forward movement of the inward end is determined by abutment of the inside face of binder lift plate 23 against the downwardly extending arm 25a of binder release bell crank 25. Crank 25 is pivoted on sword 2 by pin 26. A rearwardly extending arm 25b of bell crank 25 is arranged in manner to be elevated by a bell crank lift assembly comprising lift rod 28 sleeve 27 trunnion 29 and pin 30 which is attached to connecting rod 20. As the loom approaches pick point, portion 25b of hell crank 25 is elevated by said lift assembly to cause point 25a to move rearwardly to pivot the binder at point 24a to release pressure against a boxed shuttle. The floating binder having a degree of freedom for rearward movement at either end thereof together with provision for early contact between shuttle and binder in association with the binder release mechanism just described comprises a part of this invention. A further part of the invention comprises the novel contour design of the binder and the method of positioning and spring loading the binder against the shuttle.

The face of the binder is shaped in contour as indicated in FIG. 1 and shown in plan detail in FIG. 5. It will be noted that the toe 9a of the binder where shuttle contact first occurs is positioned immediately adjacent to the point of entry of the shuttle into the shuttle box. Point 9a is hereinafter referred to as shuttle first contact point. Point 9b is referred to as shuttle second contact point.

When the binder is at its forward limit position with shuttle box empty point 9a protrudes approximately three-eighths inch into theshuttle flight path. Within one inch of shuttle travel after the shuttle contacts the binder at 90, the inner end of the binder including binder lift plate 23 is moved rearwardly three-eighths inch. The outward end of the binder at point 24a does not move rearwardly at this moment. Movement of the inner end of binder 9 causes protector arm and protector rod 11 to move in clockwise rotation.

Attached to protector rod 11 is protector finger 31 the toe of which is elevated as the binder is moved rearwardly as just described. A late running shuttle allows finger 31 to strike actuating plate 45 which is assembled to shaft 43 and lift plate 44 as shown in FIGS. 4

and 6. Movement of plate 45 causes elevation of frog 14 as in FIG. 4 to create interference with dagger 13 to cause stop of the loom.

Movement of protection linkage parts responsive to initial contact of the shuttle nose at point 9a has been described. As stated, this movement takes place against relatively small impact resistance because the parts involved have been designed for minimum inertia. A spring (not shown) urges counter clockwise return movement of shaft 11 and attached parts. The loading of this spring is also minimal. It is thus seen that contact of the shuttlewith shuttle first contact point 9a creates ample movement of the protector linkage parts but extracts little energy from the shuttle which is still moving at nearly full speed as its nose moves onward to shuttle second contact point 9b. Point 9b initially protruded further into the shuttle flight path than did point 9a, consequently when contact of the shuttle is made at 9b the binder is forced rearwardly by an added increment of travel. For reason of clarity two definite binder face shuttle contact points have been described. It is to be understood that in practice the second pointmay be blended with the first through a gradual curve of the binder face. I

Protruding from the rear surface of shuttle binder 9 at is approximate longitudinal midpoint is adjustable shuttle binder pressure element 32. Mounted on the lay bar rearwardly of 32 is shuttle binder loading plate 33 which is pressured against the lay bar in limit forward position by shuttle binder loading spring 34. Plate 33 retains a fixed position until moved rearward relative to the lay bar when element 32 applies a pressure exceeding that imposed by the pre-set load of spring 34.

Element 32 is adjustable. With the shuttle nose positioned past shuttle binder face detection point 9a but prior to point 9b, 32 is adjusted to very close proximity with the face of loading plate 33. Now when the shuttle makes contact at point 9b to move the binder further rearwardly the full pressure of loading spring 34 is ap plied to provide friction pressure against the shuttle. Since this spring pressure may be relatively large thanks to formerly described low inertia parts, the shuttle is brought to a stop with minimum chance of rebound at the end of its travel.

The above sequence is illustrated in FIG. 5 where a shuttle nose is indicated at box entrance (position a). At this instant binder face is in position 22a, the protector arm in position 10a, the shuttle binder pressure element in position 32a, and the shuttle binder loading plate in position 33a. When the shuttle nose has advanced to indicated position b, parts 22, I0, and 32 have moved to position 22b, 10b, and 32b respectively. Part 33 has not yet moved from position 33a. When the shuttle nose advances further to position 'c.the named parts assume positions 22c, 10c, and 330. It will be noted at shuttle position b protection arm 10 has moved to provide protection but shuttle binder loading plate 33 has not yet moved although pressure pin 32 has moved in close proximity to contact with plate 33. At shuttle position 0 plate 33 has been forced rearwardly by pin 32 and the force of loading spring 34 is being applied to the binder and shuttle.

The outer end of the binder remains in contact at point 244 with shuttle binder adjustment bracket 24 until the shuttle has entered into the box a distance to pass the position of pressure element 32. Adjustment of 24 is such that a small clearance now appears between binder and bracket at point 24a as the shuttle binder assumes a position of pressured self-alignment with the shuttle while the latter comes to a stop.

Previously described is the function of shuttle binder release bell crank 25. In FIG. it will be noted that when plate 23 has reached the dotted position, which is the position it will retain with a fully boxed shuttle, portion 25a of release crank 25 has not yet moved. Movement of this element to force plate 23 further rearwardly to release pressure against the shuttle at pick point will occur when connecting rod 20 moves release bell crank 25. At that time the small clearance at point 24a will disappear and binder 9 will pivot at 244 as plate 23 moves rearwardly.

During a normal pick or shuttie ejection from the box the lay bar is moving rearwardly and before it has reached extreme rear position connecting rod 20 has oscillated downward to allow binder release bell crank 25 to move so that 25a is again in its forward position and binders 9 has also returned to forward position. In the rare event of malfunction of the bobbin or quill the shuttle may become jammed in the box to hold binder 9 and protector arm rearwardly. In case this condition exists when the lay bar approaches rear extreme position I have provided for effecting loom stop by placing a loom knock-off lever 35 to the rear of protector arm 10. Loom knock-off lever 35 is swingably mounted via pin 36 on bracket 37 which is adjustably attached to the loom frame. Forward limit of movement of lever 35 is established by stop pin 38 against which 35 is pressure biased by spring 39. The upper end of lever 35 is provided with knock off boss 35a. With the lay bar in extreme rear position and shuttle box empty, bracket 37 is adjusted to provide very close clearance between the upper end of protector arm 10 and boss 35a of lever 35.

In event the shuttle has not been fully ejected from the box, binder 9 and protector arm 10 are held rearwardly and as the lay bar approaches rear position, contact is made between elements 10 and 35a to cause lever 35 to pivot rearwardly about pin 36.

With shipper handle 19 in position-for loom drive, block 40 has been adjusted on rod 17 to provide contact with lever 35 at point 35b. When contact between elements 10 and 35a occurs as above described to cause lever 35 to pivot, block 40 and rod 17 are forced forward to initiate stop of the loom. The arrangement described of parts, 10, 35, 40 and 17. I refer to as a loom knock-off assembly. Utilization of such an assembly to provide jammed shuttle protection in combination with a shuttle binder having a face contoured as described to provide loom protection by shuttle contact with the binder at a point adjacent the shuttle box entry point comprises a significant feature of this invention.

To provide command stopping of a normally running loom when the box is empty at lay bar rear position, an auxiliary knock off boss 4l has been hingeably mounted on lever 35 at point 350. This element is designed with movement capability and dimension such that in its lowered or engaged position and with shuttle box empty the forward end 41a will be contacted by protector arm 10 as the lay bar approaches rear position to initiate stop of the loom as described. When element 41 is held in elevated or disengaged position by means such as an energized solenoid 42, lever 35 will move only in event of a jammed shuttle. Means for holding element 41 in normally elevated positon and for causing it to fall to lowered or operative position upon command may be arranged through electromechanical means as indicated in FIG. 1, or by a variety of alternate mechanical means, none of the details of which are claimed as parts of this invention.

In summary to this point, I have described those features of my invention which pertain to improved shuttle boxing by means which minimize the impact effect of shuttle against binder, which allow contact of the binder by the shuttle at a point immediately adjacent the point of entry of the nose of the shuttle into the shuttle box, which provide for adequate movement of the protection mechanism prior to application of major shuttle retarding friction between binder and shuttle, and which provide novel and simplified means for relieving binder pressure as the shuttle is ejected from the box.

I utilize a shuttle binder of novel design and face contour which is conducive to improved shuttle boxing because of the arrangement for self alignment and delayed spring loading. I have described this improved boxing in operation association with a loom protection mechanism of substantially conventional design and with my novel means for initiating stopping of the loom in event a shuttle becomes jammed in the box.

It has previously been explained that early contact between shuttle and binder provides additional time which may be most helpful in providing for shockless protection stopping as hereinafter described. Referring to FIG. 1. I have elected to show a fixed dagger 13 the nose 13a of which passes along a path closely clearing the upper surface of frog 14 which is moveably mounted in carrier 15. In FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 is shown a frog lifting assembly comprising a shaft 43 to which is attached lift plate 44 and actuating plate 45. In FIGS. 2 and 3 protector finger 31 is shown in late shuttle position and approaching actuating plate 45. FIG. 4 shows plate 45 as rotatably displaced to cause shaft 43 and lift plate 44 to rotate counter clockwise to cause frog 14 to position itself in the path of 130. Contact of 13a with 14 results in protection stopping of the loom.

It has already been explained that when my improved binder is used frog carrier 15 has an allowable travel of a full inch and that if a uniform retarding force of approximately 2,000 pounds is applied through this distance the loom may be stopped shocklessly with little or no aid from a conventional loom brake. This retarding force is very low compared to shock loadings imposed by conventional protection means, and may be applied to the right hand frog carrier only, thus allowing the usual left hand frog and dagger assembly to be eliminated.

One means of applying a force of required amplitude to carrier 15 is to provide an energy absorption mechanism 46 which comprises in the preferred embodiment hydraulic stopping means of novel design which mechanically communicates with frog carrier 15 via longitudinally moveable push rod 47. This assembly is shown in partial section in FIG. 2 with alternate arrangement shown in FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 2, in an oil-filled cup 48 is immersed cylinder 49 with plunger 50v which is moved via push rod 47 and lever 51. Plunger 50 is pivoted by pin 57 to lever 51 which in turn is pivoted by pin 52 to bracket 54 which is attached to base plate 55, one end of which supports cylinger 49 while the upper end is attached to loom frame 1 by bolts 56. Plunger 50 is provided with fluid escapes bore 58 which, as the plunger is depressed, moves downward oVer conical metering plug 59. The bore 58 and the size and configuration of plug 59 are such that an initial hydraulic resistance of 2,000 pounds is established as the plunger 50 starts moving downward at its maximum speed, and as the plunger continues downward at decreasing speed this resistance is held constant due to the correspondingly decreased effective area of the escape bore as it is increasingly obstructed by conical metering plug 59. After the loom has come to a stop with plunger 50 depressed, a small residual clearance remains between bore 58 and plug 59. Upwardly exerted pressure of return spring 53 against lever 51 causes plunger 50 to return to its upper limit position while frog carrier 15 returns to its right hand limit position.

An alternate arrangement for applying uniform retarding force is shown in FIG. 7. Lever 77 is pressured against the edge of loom frame 1 by spring 79 which preloaded by adjusting belt 80. The lower end of lever 77 is hingeably positioned by pin 78. Push rod 47 which is of rectangular cross section is arranged to transmit motion of frog carrier 15 to the upper end of lever 77.

Against opposite faces of push rod 47 I have provided friction material 72. Sandwiched between metallic plates 73 and 75 is a sheet of resilient material 74 which may be compressed by adjusting screws 76 to squeeze push rod 47 between the two friction elements 72. The screws 76 are adjusted such that a frictional force of approximately 800punds is established to resist longitudinal movement of rod 47.

It is now apparent that movement of carrier 15 can not start until the pressure applied to rod 47 by carrier 15 exceeds the sum of frictional loading of rod 47 plus the preset loading of spring 79. With the values stated this total load would be 2,000 pounds minimum. Now when rod 47 has moved to the left through a travel distance of 1 inch, 2,000 inch pounds or approximately 170 foot pounds of energy will have been absorbed to stop the loom. Following stop the frictional force of 800 pounds against rod 47 persists but is overcome by the restoring force of 1,200 pounds exerted toward the right by spring 79 so that the loom, after release of the conventional loom brake, rolls rearwardly and carrier 15 assumes its original position.

To the previous summation of novel improved features of this invention including high friction shuttle boxing, shuttle binder relief, jammed shuttle protection and early contact between shuttle and binder, I may now add the just described features of improved protection control and shockless stopping.

A final feature of the invention pertains to providing co-operating means for shut down of the loom in event of fill break. The well known side fork fill detection means is not here considered since its operation is independent of features of this invention. A conventional center fork detector is indicated in FIG. 1 as element 21. The construction and operation of this device is well known and needs little description here other than to state that rod 60 moves with each pick alternately to left and right, and that with fill thread present it moves to extreme right position but if fill thread is absent the movement of rod 60 is stopped short of such position.

I have elected to utilize this movement of rod 60 to initiate, in event of fill break, stopping of the loom through association with the protection stopping mechanism. To do this I mount on the face of lay bar 3 fill break stop element 62 which is pivoted on pin 63. The lower end 62a of member 62 is positioned to be normally moved in a collision course with actuating plate 45. Adjacent the upper end of element 62 is provided a support bearing 64 which slidably supports one end of fill break stop element actuating rod 61, the opposite end of which is attached to rod 60. The relationship of the end of rod 61 and the moveable face of 62 is ad- 10 justed such that when rod 61 is stopped short of its full travel to the right due to absence of fill thread, rod 610 does not contact 62 and consequently 62a continues on its collision course to contact and move element 45 to initiate stopping of the loom in the sequence before described. If fill thread is present rod 61 moves to extreme right position to contact and move element 62 and 62a in clockwise rotation to move 620 out of its collision course with element 45 and consequently stopping of the loom is not initiated.

It is to be noted that absence of fill thread now results in protection stopping of the loom. I previously disclosed a loom knock-off assembly to provide stop of the loom in event of a jammed shuttle. If the just described stopping means responsive to absence of fill thread is utilized, use of a loom knock-off assembly is not required, since a jammed shuttle is immediately followed by fill break detection which now initiates protection stop of the loom. This simimplification comprises a part of this invention.

Under certain conditions when a loom is started, a fill break stop is initiated on first pick when it is desireable that the loom continue to the second pick. It is customary to meet this need by providing a so called first pick cutout which prevents any fill stop occuring on the first pick. In the present invention I provide a novel means for effecting such a cut out by a first pick out out mechanism as illustrated in FIG. 6. Mounted in a cross bore in frog carrier 15 I provide a rotatable cut out crank 65, one end of which is shaped in crank configuration as at 65a while the opposite end is bentto form an angle to which is attached a cut out deflector plate I 66. When crank 65a is rotated clockwise to a limit position, deflector plate 66 is elevated to the position shown to establish an angled deflection surface in the path of portion 620 of fill break stop element 62. It has been explained that if 62a is allowed to strike actuating plate 45 a loom stop is initiated. When positioned in the v elevated position shown, plate 66 prevents such contact by diverting 62a to the dotted position indicated.

Mounted on carrier 15 is cut out lever 67. Each time the loom is stopped, pin which is carried by shipper rod 17 causes lever 67 to rotate clockwise about pin 68 to the position shown where it is constrained by friction. Link 69 connects the upper end of lever 67 to crank 65a, thus on each loom stop deflector plate 66 is positioned within the forward path of portion 624 of fill break stop element 62. Plate 66 remains in this position to deflect 62a until dagger l3 approaches its front limit position at which time pin 71 which is carried by dagger 13 comes in contact with surface 67b to cause lever 67 and cut out crank 65 to rotate counter clockwise to move deflector plate 66 below the path of 62a. It may now be seen that I have provided means to efiect negation or cut out of any pending initiation of fill break stopping on the first pick following start-up of the loom.

Having thus described the nature of the invention, what I claim is:

1. In a fly shuttle loom having a drive means, a shuttle, a lay bar having at each end thereof shuttle boxing means including a shuttle box said loom having means for moving said shuttle along said lay bar and having connecting rods to impart reciprocating motion to said lay bar, said connecting rods' being adapted for oscillatory motion relative to said lay bar, said drive means being controlled through shipper linkage manually engageable and dis-engageable to drive and to stop said loom, that improvement in shuttle boxing and loom control means which comprises a shuttle box including a moveable shuttle binder having one end thereof shaped to provide a shuttle first contact point, said binder being operably mounted in said shuttle box in manner such that said shuttle first contact point is normally positioned within the shuttle flight path immediately adjacent the point where said shuttle enters said shuttle box, said shuttle first contact point and said one end of said binder being adapted responsive to contact of said shuttle with said shuttle first contact point to be moved rearwardly to a position outside of the shuttle flight path, a protector arm arranged to be moved rearwardly responsive to said rearward movement of said one end of said binder, a loom knock-off lever operably mounted on the loom frame, rearwardly of said shuttle box in arrangement such that said knock-off lever will be pressured by said protector arm and caused to move responsive to rearward movement of said lay bar when and only when the lay bar closely approaches rearmost position while said binder and said protector arm are being held in unnatural rearward displacement due to cause such as a shuttle being jammed in said shuttle box, and means including a lug on said shipper linkage to cause said linkage to move to initiate stop of the loom responsive to movement of said knock-off lever.

2. Shuttle boxing and loom control means as per claim 1 wherein said one end of said shuttle binder adjacent the entrance of said shuttle box is arranged to actuate a loom protection mechanism provided to initiate protection stopping of the loom in event the shuttle is late in making contact with said shuttle first contact point. i

3. Shuttle boxing, and loom control means as per claim 2 wherein is further provided a binder release lift assembly including a bell crank arranged to be moved to cause said binder to move rearwardly to release frictional contact with said shuttle during that portion of the loom cycle while the shuttle is being ejected from the shuttle box.

4. Shuttle boxing and loom control means as per I claim 2 wherein in operable association with said loom knock-off lever is additionally provided a mechanism of said shuttle at said first contact point will move said binder rearwardly through a distance sufficient to actuate said loom protection mechanism and contact of said shuttle at said second contact point will cause a further rearward increment of movement of said shuttle binder.

6. Shuttle boxing means as per claim 5 wherein is located near the longitudinal midpoint of said binder an adjustable shuttle binder pressure element so arranged to be selectively pressured by a shuttle binder pressure spring located to the rear thereof, and wherein said pressure spring is arranged to be preloaded and positioned such that said further rearward increment of movement of said shuttle binder will cause said adjustable shuttle binder pressure element to move to cause the preload of said spring to be applied to said shuttle binder and to said shuttle to provide frictional resistance to retard the movement of said shuttle.

7. In a fly shuttle loom having a drive means, a shuttle, a lay bar having at each end thereof shuttle boxing means including a shuttle guide and a shuttle binder and having a loom protection mechanism so arranged to be actuated by movement of said shuttle binder, that improvement in shuttle boxing means wherein said shuttle binder is provided with a face of contour such to provide thereon a shuttle first contact point situated adjacent the point of entry of the nose of said shuttle into said shuttle box, and a shuttle second contact point situated on said shuttle binder face at a distance equivalent to approximately one-third shuttle length past said shuttle first contact point, and wherein said contour is of dimension such that contact of said shuttle at said shuttle first contact point will move one end of said binder rearwardly through a distance sufficient to actuate said loom portection mechanism, and contact of said shuttle at said shuttle second contact point will cause a further rearward increment of movement of said shuttle binder, and a shuttle binder spring assembly situated on the lay bar near the longitudinal midpoint of said shuttle binder and rearwardly thereof and adapted to exert pressure to cause increase of friction between said binder and said shuttle responsive to said further rearward increment of movement of said shuttle binder.

Claims (7)

1. In a fly shuttle loom having a drive means, a shuttle, a lay bar having at each end thereof shuttle boxing means including a shuttle box said loom having means for moving said shuttle along said lay bar and having connecting rods to impart reciprocating motion to said lay bar, said connecting rods being adapted for oscillatory motion relative to said lay bar, said drive means being controlled through shipper linkage manually engageable and dis-engageable to drive and to stop said loom, that improvement in shuttle boxing and loom control means which comprises a shuttle box including a moveable shuttle binder having one end thereof shaped to provide a shuttle first contact point, said binder being operably mounted in said shuttle box in manner such that said shuttle first contact point is normally positioned within the shuttle flight path immediately adjacent the point where said shuttle enters said shuttle box, said shuttle first contact point and said one end of said binder being adapted responsive to contact of said shuttle with said shuttle first contact point to be moved rearwardly to a position outside of the shuttle flight path, a protector arm arranged to be moved rearwardly responsive to said rearward movement of said one end of said binder, a loom knock-off lever operably mounted on the loom frame, rearwardly of said shuttle box in arrangement such that said knock-off lever will be pressured by said protector arm and caused to move responsive to rearward movement of said lay bar when and only when the lay bar closely approaches rearmost position while said binder and said protector arm are being held in unnatural rearward displacement due to cause such as a shuttle being jammed in said shuttle box, and means including a lug on said shipper linkage to cause said linkage to move to initiate stop of the loom responsive to movement of said knock-off lever.

2. Shuttle boxing and loom control means as per claim 1 Wherein said one end of said shuttle binder adjacent the entrance of said shuttle box is arranged to actuate a loom protection mechanism provided to initiate protection stopping of the loom in event the shuttle is late in making contact with said shuttle first contact point.

3. Shuttle boxing and loom control means as per claim 2 wherein is further provided a binder release lift assembly including a bell crank arranged to be moved to cause said binder to move rearwardly to release frictional contact with said shuttLe during that portion of the loom cycle while the shuttle is being ejected from the shuttle box.

4. Shuttle boxing and loom control means as per claim 2 wherein in operable association with said loom knock-off lever is additionally provided a mechanism to initiate on command timed positional stopping of the loom.

5. Shuttle boxing and loom control means as per claim 2 amended wherein said shuttle binder is provided with a face of contour such to provide thereon in addition to said shuttle first contact point a shuttle second contact point situated on said shuttle binder face at a distance past said shuttle first contact point, and wherein said contour is of dimension such that contact of said shuttle at said first contact point will move said binder rearwardly through a distance sufficient to actuate said loom protection mechanism and contact of said shuttle at said second contact point will cause a further rearward increment of movement of said shuttle binder.

6. Shuttle boxing means as per claim 5 wherein is located near the longitudinal midpoint of said binder an adjustable shuttle binder pressure element so arranged to be selectively pressured by a shuttle binder pressure spring located to the rear thereof, and wherein said pressure spring is arranged to be preloaded and positioned such that said further rearward increment of movement of said shuttle binder will cause said adjustable shuttle binder pressure element to move to cause the preload of said spring to be applied to said shuttle binder and to said shuttle to provide frictional resistance to retard the movement of said shuttle.

7. In a fly shuttle loom having a drive means, a shuttle, a lay bar having at each end thereof shuttle boxing means including a shuttle guide and a shuttle binder and having a loom protection mechanism so arranged to be actuated by movement of said shuttle binder, that improvement in shuttle boxing means wherein said shuttle binder is provided with a face of contour such to provide thereon a shuttle first contact point situated adjacent the point of entry of the nose of said shuttle into said shuttle box, and a shuttle second contact point situated on said shuttle binder face at a distance equivalent to approximately one-third shuttle length past said shuttle first contact point, and wherein said contour is of dimension such that contact of said shuttle at said shuttle first contact point will move one end of said binder rearwardly through a distance sufficient to actuate said loom portection mechanism, and contact of said shuttle at said shuttle second contact point will cause a further rearward increment of movement of said shuttle binder, and a shuttle binder spring assembly situated on the lay bar near the longitudinal midpoint of said shuttle binder and rearwardly thereof and adapted to exert pressure to cause increase of friction between said binder and said shuttle responsive to said further rearward increment of movement of said shuttle binder.

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