US3782087A

US3782087A - Sound reducing housings in textile yarn processing machines

Info

Publication number: US3782087A
Application number: US00264132A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Franzen; K Nimtz
Original assignee: Palitex Project Co GmbH
Current assignee: Palitex Project Co GmbH
Priority date: 1971-06-21
Filing date: 1972-06-19
Publication date: 1974-01-01
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-01
Also published as: FR2143055B1; CS181226B2; BR7204039D0; DE2130621A1; GB1349105A; IT960099B; DE7123756U; CH549656A; ES403644A1; FR2143055A1; DE2130621C3; JPS5210938B1; JPS5149942A; DE2130621B2

Abstract

Sound reducing housings in twisters, spinning frames or the like having a plurality of spindle assemblies. The sound reducing housings reduce undesirable sound produced in the machine and are characterized by providing access to the spindle assemblies for servicing while also reducing sound during such servicing. The sound reducing housings include stationary housing elements and movable housing elements mounted on the machine for cooperating with each other for at least partially encapsulating the spindle assemblies and for shielding the interior of the machine. The movable housing elements are displaceable to positions for allowing access by an operator to certain portions of the spindle assemblies for servicing while the stationary housing elements continue to reduce undesirable sound produced by the yarn processing machine.

Description

1 Jan. 1,1974

United States Patent [191 Franzen et al.

RR 34 33 ll 7 85 all 3,451,503 6/1969 Twomey............................ 3,641,757 2/1972 Rehn 3,648,449 3/1972 Greive..............................

Nimtz, Krefeld, both of Germany [73] Assignee: Palitex Project Company-Gmbl-l Primary Examiner-John Petrakes Attorney-Samuel G. Layton, Jr. et a1.

Krefeld, Germany June 19, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 264,132

[57] ABSTRACT Sound reducing housings in twisters, spinning frames [22] Filed:

or the like having a plurality of spindle assemblies. The sound reducing housings reduce undesirable sound produced in the machine and are characterized [30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 21,1971

Germany P 21 30 621's by providing access to the spindle assemblies for servicing while also reducing sound during such servicing. The sound reducing housings include stationary housing elements and movable housing elements mounted on the machine for cooperating with each other for at least partially encapsulating the spindle assemblies and for shielding the interior of the machine. The movable housing elements are displaceable to positions for allowing access by an operator to cer- MR G D A 3/0 3 11 6 1 I i .104 ,6 1. a 1 aR3 0 y a flc 7 5 1W3. 33 l N R 0 R n D 3 7 3 5 "U m WW m WW9 m m n mmoo m m Ins a .30 d. 5 m U mF 1.1. 2 oo 5 55 .1 1.1.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS tain portions of the spindle assemblies for servicing while the stationary housing elements continue to re- 57]! R duce undesirable sound produced by the yarn process- /108 ing machine. 181/33 R 57/108 Nimtz et a1;

"1 "e UV r mam 9mm KNV 4789 6666 9999 HHHH 9 73 245 7263 2 6930 4993 3333 28 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJM 1 1974 I sum 3 or 9 SHEU b 8F 9 v PATENTEUJAN Hm SHEET 5 [If 9 PATENTEB JAN 1 I974 sum 6 or 9 wave PATENTEDJMI new I 3 782 087 'sum 7 .BF 9

SOUND REDUCING IIOUSINGS IN TEXTILE YARN PROCESSING MACHINES This invention relates to the improvement of sound reducing housing means for textile yarn processing machines having spindle assemblies for reducing undesirable sound produced in the yarn processing machine and which are characterized by providing access to the spindle assemblies for servicing while also reducing sound during such servicing.

In textile yarn processing machines, such as twisters, spinning frames or the like, noise is produced during operation of such machines at a relatively high sound level which is very disagreeable for the person or persons operating the machine. Both the machine manufacturers and the textile industry have been working for years on ways of reducing this undesirable sound. This problem has become particularly acute in recent times and environmental qualities of many manufacturing operations, such as textile manufacturingoperations, have become the subject of muchstudy and proposed governmental controls.

The main source of noise in such yarn processing machines are the spindle assemblies and it has heretofore been proposed to provide sound insulating devices on the yarn processing machines themselves and particularly on the spindle assemblies. However, all of these prior proposed sound insulating devices have not been completely satisfactory for eliminating undesirable sound produced in such yarn processing machines and particularly have not been successful in providing sufficient access to the operating parts of such yarn processing machines for servicing while still reducing sound produced by such machines during servicing of individual spindle assemblies. The prior proposed devices have included housing means which when opened for providing access to a particular spindle assembly will open access to all spindle assemblies, or, if associated with individual spindle assemblies, when opened do not shield noise from the interior of the machine.

Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to overcome the above discussed prior disadvantages and others and to provide sound reducing housing means for textile yarn processing machines for reducing undesirable sound produced in such yarn processing machines and which are chracterized by providing access to the spindle assemblies thereof for servicing while also reducing sound during such servicing.

It has been found by this invention that the above object may be accomplished by providing sound reducing housing means for textile yarn processing machines having a plurality of spindle assemblies arranged in side-by-side relationship in two longitudinal, generally parallel rows along the respective outsides of the yarn processing machine. The sound reducing housing means comprises stationary housing elements and movable housing elements mounted on the yarn processing machine for cooperating with each other for at least partially encapsulating the spindle assemblies and for shielding the interior of the yarn, processing machine. The movable housing elements are displaceable to positions for allowing access by an operator to certain portions of the spindle assemblies for servicing while the stationary housing elements continue to reduce undesirable sound produced by the yarn processing machine.

Preferably, the movable and stationary sound reducing housing elements comprise elements at least par- .2 tially encapsulating each spindle assembly of the yarn processing machine individually or in groups of predetermined numbers and which allow selective access by an operator to certain portions of each individual spindle assembly or group of spindle assemblies for servicing of the selected spindle assembly or group of spindle assemblies. It is also preferable that the stationary housing elements comprise sound absorbing material and the movable housing elements comprise sound reflecting material so that undesirable sound produced by the yarn processing machine will be reduced by the movable housing elements reflecting the undesirable sound for absorption by the stationary housing elements. I

The stationary housing elements preferably comprise common longitudinally extending walls which may extend vertically, horizontally or at angles to the vertical and horizontal interiorly of the machine and along each of the rows of spindle assemblies for cooperative relationship with the movable housing elements. The movable housing elements may be of various constructions, as discussed more specifically below, for at least partially encapsulating each spindle assembly or a group of a predetermined number of spindle assemblies for movement from a first position in which the spindle assemblies or certain portions of the spindle assemblies are substantially closed off from the outside of the machine to positions in which selected portions of the spindle assembly or group of spindle assemblies is opened from the outside for servicing while cooperating with the stationary housing elements for shielding noise from the inside of the machine and the remaining spindle assemblies.

Due to the enclosing nature of the housing elements of this invention, undesirable dirt, lint, fly, etc. may accumulate within or internally of the yarn processing machine and it may be desirable to include a suction, venting means associated with the housing means for removal of undesirable lint, dirt and other foreign particles contained internally of the yarn processing machine as a result of the housing elements.

Some of the objects and advantages of this invention having been stated, other objects and advantages will appear from the following more detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial, schematic, perspective view of two spindle assemblies in one row on one side of a textile yarn twister with a first embodiment of a sound reducing housing means thereon in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional, elevational, schematic view through the textile yarn twister having the first embodiment of sound reducing housing means thereon;

FIG. 3 is a partial, front, elevatinal view of the textile yarn twister having the first embodiment of sound reducing housing means thereon;

FIG. 4 is a view, like FIG. 1, illustrating a second embodiment of sound reducing housing means;

FIG. 5 is a view, like FIG. 1, having a third embodiment of sound reducing housing means;

FIG. 6 is a partial, sectional, elevational, schematic view through the textile yarn twister having a fourth embodiment of sound reducing housing means thereon;

FIG. 7 is a partial, front, elevational view corresponding to FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial, sectional, elevational, schematic view through the textile yarn twister having a fifth embodiment of sound reducing housing means thereon;

FIG. 9 is a partial, front, elevational view corresponding to FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view, like FIG. 1, illustrating a sixth embodiment of sound reducing housing means;

FIG. 11 is a partial, sectional, elevational, schematic view through the textile yarn twister having a seventh embodiment of sound reducing housing means thereon;

FIG. 12 isa front, elevational view corresponding to FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a partial, sectional, elevational, schematic view through the textile yarn twister having an eighth embodiment of sound reducing housing means thereon;

and

FIG. 14 is a partial, front, elevational view corresponding to FIG. 13.

Referring now to the drawings, as may be seen from the above figure descriptions, there are eight embodiments of the sound reducing housing means disclosed. These housing means are all illustrated in a 2-for-1 textile yarn twister. It is to be understood that, while eight specific embodiments are illustrated and will be described, the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments and other embodiments utilizing the novel features of these embodiments may be utilized. Also, while the sound reducing housing means of this invention are illustrated and described for use in a 2- for-l textile yarn twister, it is to be understood that these housing means could also be utilized with other textile yarn processing machines.

As well known to those with ordinary skill in the art, textile yarn 2-for-1 twisters utilize a plurality of spindle assemblies, generally indicated at 10, for processing of textile yarn and which are arranged in side-by-side relationship (as shown in FIG. 1) in two longitudinal, generally parallel rows (as shown in FIG. 2) along the respective outsides of the textile yarn twister. Full details of the textile yarn twister have not been illustrated in the drawings inasmuch as these details are well known tothose with ordinary skill in the art and these full details are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention.

Broadly, each of the spindle assemblies 10 carry a package P of yarn Y in which the yarn Y is withdrawn from the package P and processed by twisting in a manner well understood by those with ordinary skill in the art. The spindle assembly 10 includes a driven rotor mechanism, generally indicated at 11, which includes a whorl 12 suitably rotatably mounted on the twister frame 13 and rotated by a continuous belt drive 14 in a well known manner. Spindle assembly 10 further includes a carrier mechanism 16 for carrying the package P of yarn Y and which is rotatably mounted on the rotor mechanism 11 so that the rotor mechanism may rotate relative thereto. The carrier mechanism includes a basket device 18 which surrounds the package P of yarn Y. Complete details of the rotor mechanism 11 and the carrier mechanism 16 are not illustrated in the drawings inasmuch as these complete details are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention.

During yarn processing or twisting, yarn Y is withdrawn from the package P and is threaded through the various mechanisms for twisting or processing of the yarn which results in the formation of a balloon of yarn around the package and around the basket device 18. For restraining the size of this balloon of yarn, a hollow balloon restrainer mechanism 19 is mounted around the above described mechanisms of the spindle assembly 10 and around the rotating balloon of yarn (as shown in FIG. 1). The yarn Y is led from the above described mechanisms through a pigtail guide 24, around a pre-take-up roller 25 and to a traversing device 26 from which it is wound onto a package roll 27 carrying a suitable bobbin or carrier for receiving the traversely wound yarn Y after it has been twisted. The package roll 27 is rotated by a drive roll 28 in a manner well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

For purposes of reducing undesirable sound during operation of the textile yarn twister, sound reducing housing means are provided. Referring firstly to the first embodiment of sound reducing housing means illustrated in FIGS. l3, stationary housing elements in the form of a generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall 30 of suitable sound absorbing material is mounted in any convenient manner on the textile yarn twister machine internally of the machine and extends between the rows of spindle assemblies 10 along the length of the rows (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). The stationary housing elements further include a generally longitudinally extending wall of sound absorbing material 31 connected with the top of the vertically extending wall 30 and extending outwardly therefrom generally along the top portions of the two rows of spindle assemblies 10 along the length thereof (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). These top walls 31 of sound absorbing material include downwardly extending flange portions 32 on the outer ends thereof. The stationary housing elements further include generally longitudinally and horizontally extending walls of sound absorbing material 33 suitably mounted on the machine frame and extending along the bottom portions of the rows of spindle assemblies 10 along the length thereof (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). Also included are vertically and longitudinally extending walls 34 of sound absorbing material connected with the front edge of the horizontally extending bottom walls 33 and extending along each of the rows of spindle assemblies 10 (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2).

The movable housing elements of the first embodiment of sound reducing housing means illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 comprise separate, hollow, generally cylindrical housing elements 40 associated with each of the spindle assemblies 10 and mounted for'rotation on stationary ring members 41 carried by the spindle assemblies 10 so that the cylindrical housing elements 40 rotate about the axis of each of the spindle assemblies 10. Each of the hollow, generally cylindrical housing elements 40 are constructed of suitable sound reflecting material and include cut out

portions

43 and 44 which define access openings in the cylindrical housing elements 40. These access openings, defined by the cut out

portions

43 and 44, are located at generally the top and bottom portions of the spindle assemblies 10 and generally within one-half of the circumference of the cylindrical housing elements 40. The movable housing elements 40v further comprise inwardly extending flange sections 46 and 47 at the top and bottom portions respectively which are disposed in the other half of the circumference thereof not having the cut out

portions

43 and 44. The flange portion 47 is disposed around the ring 41 for mounting the cylindrical housing element 40 thereon. The upper flange portion 46 includes a notch therein for passage of the yarn Y (as shown clearly in FIG. 1).

The movable housing elements 40 may be rotated and placed in a first position (as shown on the left-hand side of FIGS. 1 and 2), in which the access openings, defined by the cut out

portions

43 and 44, face the inside of the machine and the spindle assemblies are substantially closed off from the outside of the machine for reducing sound. Each of the cylindrical housing elements may be selectively and individually rotated and placed in a second position (as shown in the right-hand side of FIGS. 1 and 2), in which the access openings defined by the

cutouts

43 and 44 face the outside of the machine for providing access to the selected spindle assemblies from the outside by an operator for servicing, while the

stationary housing elements

30, 31, 33 and 34 aid in continuing to reduce undesirable sound produced by the yarn processing machine.

The cylindrical movable housing'elements 40 may also include an adjustable pigtail guide member 50 for guiding the yarn Y through the slot in the upper flange portion 46 and which replaces the conventional pigtail guide unit utilized in the twister machine. Also, a handle 51 may be employed on the movable cylindrical housing elements 40 for rotating the same.

Due to the enclosing nature of the stationary housing elements and movable housing elements, described above, undesirable lint, dirt and other foreign particles may accumulate internally of the yarn processing machine as a result of these housing elements. Accordingly, a venting and suction means in the form of a trough 49 may be provided which extendslongitudinally of the machine, generally at the bottom portion thereof. This suction and venting trough may be connected to any suitable source of suction for withdrawing and venting the undesirable foreign particles from the inside of the machine.

Referring now to the second embodiment of sound reducing housing means illustrated in FIG. 4, stationary housing elements in the form of agenerally vertically and longitudinally extending wall 55 of suitable sound absorbing material is mounted inany convenient manner on the textile yarn twister machine internally of the machine and extends between the rows of spindle assemblies along the length of the rows (only one row and two spindle assemblies being shown). These stationary housing elements further include a generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall 56 of sound absorbing material mounted on the outside of the spindle assemblies generally along and below the lower portion of the rows of spindle assemblies 10 along the lengths thereof.

The movable housing elements of the second embodiment of sound reducing housing means illustrated in FIG. 4 comprises separate, hollow, generally cylindrical housing elements 58 associated with each of the spindle assemblies 10 and mounted for rotation about the axis of the spindle assemblies 10 and generally around the lower portion of the spindle assemblies 10. Each of the hollow, generally cylindrical housing elements 58 are constructed of suitable sound reflecting material and include a cut out portion 60 of approximately one-half of the circumference thereof along the entire length thereof defining an access opening therein. The movable cylindrical housings 58 also include open tops thereon.

The movable housing elements 58 may be rotated and placed in a first position (as shown on the left-hand side of FIG. 4), in which the access opening, defined by the cut out portion 60, faces the inside of the machine and the spindle assemblies 10 are substantially closed off from the outside of the machine for reducing sound. Each of the cylindrical housing elements 58 may be selectively and individually rotated and placed in a second position (as shown in the righthand side of FIG. 4), in which the access opening, defined by the cut out portion 60, faces the outside of the machine for providing access to the selected spindle assembly from the outside by an operator for servicing, while the stationary housing elements 55, 56 and the other movable housing elements 58 continue to reduce undesirable sound produced by the yarn processing machine.

Referring now to the third embodiment of sound reducing housing means illustrated in FIG. 5, stationary housing elements in the form of a generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall 62 of sound absorbing material is mounted in any conventional manner on the textile yarn twister machine internally of the machine and extends between the rows of spindle assemblies 10 along the length of the rows. Only one row of spindle assemblies is illustrated in FIG. 5 and it is to be understood that another row of spindle assemblies would be placed on the other side thereof, as shown in FIG. 2. Also, this embodiment may include another generally vertically extending wall 62 for use with the other row of spindle assemblies. The stationary housing elements further include a generally longitudinally and horizontally extending wall of sound absorbing material 63 connected with the top of the vertically extending wall 62 and extending outwardly therefrom generally along the top portion of the row of spindle assemblies 10 along the length thereof. The stationary housing elements further include generally longitudinally extending walls 64 of sound absorbing material extending along the bottom portions of the rows of spindle assem-' blies along the length thereof and a generally longitudinally and vertically extending wall 65 of sound absorbing material extending upwardly from the forward edge of the horizontally extending bottom wall 64 and along the length of each of the rows of spindle assemblies.

The stationary housing elements further include generally longitudinally and vertically extending walls 66 of sound absorbing material extending along each of the rows of spindle assemblies and generally along the medial portion of the spindle assemblies 10. The stationary housing elements also include curved walls 67 of sound absorbing material extending generally around the inside of the upper portions of each individual spindle assembly 10 and which may include interconnecting wall portions 68 between spindle assemblies 10. The curved wall 67 cooperates with the inside vertically extending wall 62 and the top horizontally extending wall 63 for at least partially encapsulating the upper portions of each of the spindle assemblies 10 while defining window-like openings from the outside for allowing access to the upper portions of the spindle assemblies 10 from the outside for servicing. The stationary housing elements may further include longitudinally and horizontally extending walls 69 for each row of spindle assemblies 10 which includes cut out portions for each spindle assembly 10 and which extend from the top edge of wall 66 to the bottom edge of the wall portions 68.

The movable housing elements of this third embodimentof sound reducing housing means illustrated in FIG. comprise separate, hollow, ring-like housing elements 70 having upwardly extending flanges 71 disposed generally within one-half of the circumference thereof. The ring-like housing elements 70 are associated with each of the spindle assemblies and are mounted on rings 72 surrounding the lower portion of the spindle assemblies 10 for rotation about the axes of the spindle assemblies 10 around the lower or bottom portions of the spindle assemblies 10. The ring-like housing elements 70 may be rotated and placed in a first position in which the upwardly extending flange 71 faces the outside of the machine for shielding sound therefrom. Each of the ring-like housing elements 70 may be selectively and individually rotated and placed in a second position in which the flanges 71 face the inside of the machine for providing access to the bottom portion of the selected spindle assemblies for access thereto by an operator for servicing, while the above defined stationary housing elements aid in continuing to reduce undesirable sound produced by the yarn processing machine.

Referring now to the fourth embodiment of sound reducing housing means illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, stationary housing elements are provided in the form of a generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall 75 of suitable sound absorbing material mounted in any convenient manner on the textile yarn twister machine internally of the machine and extending between rows of spindle assemblies 10 along the length of the rows. The stationary housing elements further include generally horizontally and longitudinally extending walls of sound absorbing material 76 connected with the vertically extending wall 75 and extending outwardly therefrom toward the bottom portion of each of the rows of spindle assemblies 10 and extending along the length of each of the rows of spindle assemblies 10. The stationary housing elements also include generally vertically and longitudinally extending walls 77 of sound absorbing material extending along the length of each of the rows of spindle assemblies 10 and positioned generally medially of the spindle assemblies 10 (as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7).

The movable housing elements of this fourth embodiment of sound reducing housing means illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 comprise separate, curved, visor-like housing elements of suitable sound reflecting material associated with all of the spindle assemblies 10 and including sets of first and second visor-

like housing elements

80 and 81 associated with a predetermined number of spindle assemblies. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a set of first and second visor-

like housing elements

80 and 81 is associated with each spindle assembly 10; however, it is to be understood that these sets of visor-

like housing elements

80 and 81 could be associated with a predetermined number of more than one spindle assembly 10.

Each set of first and second visor-

like housing elements

80 and 81 are mounted for pivotal movement from a first position (left-hand side of FIG. 6), in which the first visor-like housing element 80 covers generally the top portion of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies 10 from the outside of the machine and the second visor-like housing element 81 covers generally the bottom portion of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies 10 from the outside of the machine for reducing sound, to a second position (righthand side of FIG. 6), in which the first and second visor-

like housing elements

80 and 81 are moved to generally the inside of the spindle assemblies 10 and into cooperative position with the stationary housing elements and 76 for uncovering generally the top and bottom portions of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies 10 from the outside of the machine for providing access thereto by an operator from the outside for servicing while cooperating with the

stationary housing walls

75 and 76 for shielding sound.

The first and second visor-

like housing elements

80 and 81 are pivotally mounted by suitable

interconnected levers

82,83 and 84 about fixed pivot points 85, and 86 so that movement of one of the first or second visor-

like housing elements

80 and ,81 will cause movement of the other. A suitable knob 87 is secured to the visor-like housing element 80 for manual pivotal movement thereof and the visor-like housing element 80 includes a slot 88 therein for passage of the yarn Y therethrough when the visor-like housing element 80 is in the above-defined first position.

The curved, visor-

like housing elements

80 and 81 of this fourth embodiment of sound reducing housing means illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 are curved in a single plane only and have open sides thereon. If desired, stationary walls of sound absorbing material may be positioned on each side of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies having a set of first and second visor-

like housing elements

80 and 81 associated therewith. These additional walls of sound absorbing material will further insulate the predetermined number of spindle assemblies. v

Referring now to the fifth embodiment of sound reducing housing means illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, stationary housing elements are provided in the form of a generally vertically and longitudinallyextending wall 90 of suitable sound absorbing material mounted in any convenient manner on the textile yarn twister machine internally of the machine and extending between rows of spindle assemblies 10 along the length of the rows. The stationary housing elements further include generally horizontally and longitudinally extending walls of sound absorbing material 91 connected with the vertically extending wall 90 and extending outwardly therefrom toward the top portions of each of the rows of spindle assemblies 10 and along the length of each of the rows of spindle assemblies 10. The stationary housing elements also include generally longitudinally extending walls 92 of sound absorbing material extending along the bottom of the rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof. These stationary housing elements may also include generally longitudinally and vertically extending walls 93 extending upwardly from the front edge of the walls 92 toward the bottom portions of the rows of spindle assemblies 10 and extending along the length of the rows of spindle assemblies 10. In this, embodiment, a venting and suction means in the form of a trough 94 is also included which may be connected with any suitable source of suction for withdrawing and venting the undesirable foreign particles contained within the inside of the machine.

The stationary housing elements of this fifth embodiment of sound reducing housing means, illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, also include generally cylindrical housing elements 95 which may be constructed of sound reflecting material and having a dome-shaped top thereon surrounding each of the individual spindle assemblies l and having a cutout portion 96 at the top front thereof defining an access opening for the top portion of each individual spindle assembly 10 from the front thereof. The housing elements 95 also include an open bottom which provides access tothe bottom portions of the individual spindle assemblies 10 from the front thereof. The stationary housing elements also include a generally curved shaped housing element 97 mounted around the bottom portion of each individual spindle assembly 10 and having a cut out portion 98 therein defining an access opening at the front of the bottom portion of the spindle assemblies and having an open back. a

The movable housing elements of this fifth embodiment of sound reducing housing means, illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, include separate, curved, visor-like housing elements of suitable sound reflecting material associated with all of the spindle assemblies and including sets of first and second visor-

like housing elements

100 and 101 associated with each individual spindle assembly. The visor-likehousing element 101 includes a front portion disposed generally around the front of each individual spindle assembly and a rear portion disposed generally around the rear of each spindle assembly 10. Each of the visor-

like housing elements

100 and 101 are curved in two planes for extending around the frontand sides of each of the individual spindle assemblies 10.

The

movable housing elements

100 and 101 are mountedfor pivotal movement from a first position (left-hand side of FIG; 8), in which the first and second visor-

like housing elements

100 and 101 cover generally the top and bottom portions respectively of each spindle assembly 10 from the outside of the machine for reducing sound, to a second position (right-hand side of FIG. 8), in which the first visor-like housing ele ment 100 moves to the rear of the spindle assembly and over the dome-shaped top of the stationary housing element 95 for uncovering the top portion of the spindle assembly for servicing and the second visor-like housing element 101 moves to a position in which the front portion thereof moves upwardly over generally the medial, front portion of the spindle assembly covered by the stationary housing element 95 and the rear portion moves downwardly to cover the open back of the stationary housing element 97 for reducing sound and to uncover the front of the bottom portion of the spindle assemblies for access thereto by an operator for servicing.

The first and second visor-

like housing elements

100 and 101 are pivotally mounted about pivot points 103 and 104 respectively and include a lever 105 interconnecting both elements so that movement of one of the first and second visor-

like housing elements

100 and 101 will cause movement of the other. A suitable knob or handle 106 is mounted on the visor-like housing element 100 for manual movement thereof by an operator.

Referring now to the sixth embodiment of sound reducing housing means illustrated in FIG. 10, stationary housing elements are provided in the form of a generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall 110 of suitable sound absorbing material mounted in any convenient manner on the textile yarn twister machine internally of the machine and extending between rows of spindle assemblies 10 along the length of the rows. The

.10, stationary housing elements further include generally longitudinally and horizontally extending walls 111 of I sound absorbing material connected with the top of the vertically extending wall and extending outwardly therefrom generally toward the top portions of the rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof. The stationary housing elements also include generally longitudinally and horizontally extending walls 112 of sound absorbing material extending along the bottoms of the rows of spindle assemblies 10 and along the lengths thereof.

A venting and suction means in the form of a trough 113 may be associated with the bottom walls 112 and may be connected with any suitable source of suction for removing confined undesirable foreign particles from the inside of the machine.

Themovable housing elements of this sixth embodiment of sound reducing housing means illustrated in FIG. 10 comprises separate movable housing elements which may be constructed of sound reflecting material associated with a predetermined number of spindle assemblies of one or more. In FIG. 10, a movable housing element is shown associated with each individual spindle assembly 10; however, it is to be understood that these movable housing elements may be associated with a predetermined number of spindle assemblies of more than one.

Each of the movable housing elements comprises curved, stationary, generally U-shaped guides 115 mounted on each side of each spindle assembly or predetermined number of spindle assemblies and extending from the front of the spindle assembly around the bottom and substantially up the back of the spindle assembly. The movable housing elements further comprise a flexible, movable housing element 116 constructed generally in the form of a roll top and positioned within the guide 115 for movement therein. The movable housing elements 116 move from a first position (left-hand side of FIG. 10), in which the movable housing element 116 substantially covers the spindle assemblies from the outside thereof for reducing sound, to a second position (right-hand side of FIG. 10), in which the movable housing element moves to the inside of the spindle assembly within the guides for uncovering the front of the spindle assembly for providing access to the spindle assembly by an operator from the outside for servicing while shielding sound from the inside of the machine.

For cooperation with the above-defined movable housing elements, stationary wall 118 may be disposed within each of the guides 115 for extending vertically between each of the spindle assemblies 10. Also, a curved, stationary wall 119 may be included for closing the guides 115 along hte back thereof. A suitable handle 120 may be disposed on the movable housing element 116 for manual moving thereof between the above-defined first and second positions.

Referring now to the seventh embodiment of sound reducing housing means illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, stationary housing elements in the form of a generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall 122 of sound absorbing material is mounted in any conventional manner on the textile yarn twister machine internally of the machine and extends between the rows of spindle assemblies 10 along the length of the rows. The stationary housing elements further include generally longitudinally and horizontally extending walls 123 of sound absorbing material connected with the top of the vertically extending wall 122 and extending outwardly therefrom generally toward the top portions of the rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof. The stationary housing elements further include vertically and longitudinally extending walls 124 and generally horizontally and longitudinally extending walls 125 extending inwardly from the top portions of the walls 124. Both the walls 124 and 125 extend along the bottom portions of the spindle assemblies 10 along the length of each of the rows of spindle assemblies 10.

The movable housing elements for the seventh embodiment of sound reducing housing means illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 comprises separate movable housing elements of sound reflecting material associated with a predetermined number of one or more of the spindle assemblies 10 and each comprising curved, stationary guides 130 mounted on each side of the spindle assembly or predetermined number of spindle assemblies and extending generally around the front and outside of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies. The movable housing elements further include a curved, movable housing element 132 positioned within the guides 130 and having a cut out portion 134 generally medially thereof defining a window-like access opening.

The movable housing elements 132 are mounted in the guides 130 for movement from a first position (left hand side of FIG. 11), in which the movable housing element covers at least the top and bottom portions of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies 10 from the outside for reducing sound and the cut out window-like access opening is disposed generally medially of the spindle assemblies, to a second position (right-hand side of FIG. 11), in which the movable housing element 132 uncovers the top and bottom-portions of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies 10 by moving to a lower position in the guides 130 wherein the movable housing element 132 is below the top portion of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies l and the cut out window-like access opening is positioned generally at the bottom portion of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies for providing access to the predetermined number of spindle assemblies by an operator from the outside for servicmg.

The movable housing elements of this embodiment further include a movable wall member 135 having a medial cut out portion 136 defining a window-like access opening therein and being associated with each of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies and positioned on the inside of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies 10 for movement from a first position (left-hand side of FIG. 11), in which the wall 135 is located below the top portion of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies and the access opening therein is located at the bottom portion of the spindle assemblies on the inside of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies 10, to a second position, in which the wall 135 is raised for covering the top and bottom portions of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the inside (right-hand side of FIG. 1 I for shielding sound. The wall 135 is connected with the movable housing element 130 by a suitable cable and pulley arrangement 138 so that when the movable housing element 132 is moved from its first position to its second position, the housingelement will be moved from its first position to its second position.

The embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12 may also include

stationary walls

139 and 140 disposed generally medially of the inside and outside, respectively, of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies for shielding sound when the window-like openings in the

movable housing elements

132 and 135 are positioned generally medially of the spindle assemblies 10.

Referring now to the eighth embodiment of sound reducing housing means illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, stationary housing elements in the form of a generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall of suitably sound absorbing material is mounted in any convenient manner on the textile yarn twister machine internally of the machine and extends between the rows of spindle assemblies 10 along the length of the rows. These stationary housing elements further include generally longitudinally and horizontally extending walls 151 of suitable sound absorbing material connected with thetop of the vertically extending wall 150 and extending outwardly therefrom generally toward the top portions of the rows of spindle assemblies 10 along the length thereof. The stationary housing elementsalso include generally longitudinally extending walls 152 of sound absorbing material extending along the bottoms of the rows of spindle assemblies 10 along the lengths thereof. For venting and removal of undesirable foreign particles from the inside of the machine, a suction and venting trough 154 may be provided which is connected with any suitable source of suction for the suction removal of the undesirable foreign particles from the inside of the machine.

The movable housing elements of this eighth embodiment of sound reducing housing means illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 comprise separate movable housing elements of sound reflecting material associated with a predetermined number of one or more spindle assemblies 10 and each comprises pairs of linear, generally vertically extending, guides 155 disposed on each side of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies 10. A pair of guides 155 is disposed on each side of the top portion of the predetermined number of spindles assemblies 10 on the outside and another pair of guides 155 is disposed on either side of the lower portion of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies on the outside. Also, a pair of guides 155 is disposed on either side of the top portion of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies 10 on the inside and another pair of guides 155 is disposed on either side of the lower portion of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies on the inside.

The movable housing elements of this embodiment further include four

movable housing elements

156, 157, 158 and 159 for each predetermined number of spindle assemblies in which a housing is positioned within each of the above-described pair of guide elements 155 for movement from a first position (left side of FIG. 13), in which the first movable housing element 156 is positioned to cover the top of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the outside, the second movable housing element 157 is positioned for covering generally the bottom portion of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies 10 from the outside, the third movable housing element 158 is positioned generally medially of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies on the inside and the fourth movable housing element 159 is also positioned generally medially of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies' 10 on the inside.

These movable housing elements may be moved to a second position (right side of FIG. 13), in which the first movable housing element .155 moves generally medially of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies on the outside for allowing access to the top portion of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies 10, the second movable housing element 157 moves generally medially of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies 10 on the outside for providing access to' the lower portion of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the outside for servicing by an operator, the third movable housing element 158 moves upwardly to a position covering the top portion of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies 10 from the inside and into cooperative relationship with the stationary housing wall 151 for shielding sound from the inside of the machine, and the fourth movable housing element 159 moves generally downwardly into a position covering the bottom portion of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies l'from the inside and into cooperative relationship with the stationary housing walls 152 for shielding sound from the inside of the machine.

All of the

movable housing elements

156, 157, 158 and 159 are interconnected by suitable pulley and cable mechanisms 162 so that movement of one of the

movable housing elements

156, 157, 158 and 159 from one of the first or second positions to the other will cause movement of the other housing elements. A suitable, handle 165 may be secured to one of the movable housing elements 157 for manual movement of these movable housing elements. Also, stationary sound absorbing housing elements may be positioned between the predetermined number of spindle assemblies for providing additional sound insulating qualities.

From the'above description, it may be seen that this invention has provided sound reducing housing means for reducing undesirable sound produced in yarn processing machines and which is characterized by providing access to the spindle assemblies for servicing while also reducing sound during. such servicing. While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described as including specific features and certain arrangements of stationary housing elements and movable housing elements, it is to be understood that other specific embodiments could be employed which use specific features from one or more of the specific embodiments disclosed and described.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth preferred embodiments of this invention and, although specific terms have beenemployed, they are used in a descriptive and generic sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:

1. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality'of spindle assemblies for processing of textile yarn and arranged in side-by-side relationship in two longitudinal, generally parallel rows along therespective outsides of said yarn processing machine; the improvement of sound, reducing housing means for reducing undesirable sound produced in said yarn processing machine and being characterized by providing accessto said spindle assemblies for servicing while also reducing sound during such servicing, said sound reducing housing means comprising: I

stationary housing elements and movable housing elements mounted on said yarn processing machine for cooperating with each other for at least partially encapsulating said spindle assemblies and for shielding the interiorof said yarn processing ma chine, said movable housing elements being displaceable to positions for allowing access by an operator to certain portions of said spindle assemblies for servicing while said stationary housing elements continue to reduce undesirable sound produced by said yarn processing machine.

2. In a textile yam processing machine, as set forth in claim I, in which said movable and said stationary housing elements comprise elements at least partially encapsulating each spindle assembly of said yarn processing machine individually and which allow selective access by an operator to certain portions of each individual spindle assembly for servicing of the selected spindle assembly. I

3. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said stationary housing elements comprise sound absorbing material and said movable housing elements comprise sound reflecting material so that undesirable sound produced by said yarn processing machine will be reduced by said movable housing elements reflecting the undesirable sound for absorption by the stationary housing elements.

4. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, including suction, venting means associated with said housing means for removal of undesirable lint, dirt and other foreign particles contained'internallyof said yarn processing machine as a result of said housing means.

I 5. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said stationary housing elements comprise a generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall of sound absorbing material mounted internally of said yarn processing machine and extending between said rows of said spindle assemblies along the length thereof.

6. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 5, in which said stationary housing elements further comprise generally longitudinally extending walls of sound absorbing material extending along the top portions of said rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof.

7. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 6, in which said stationary housing elements further comprise generally longitudinally extending walls of sound absorbing material extending along the bottom portions of said rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof.

8. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said movable housing elements comprise elements mounted and positioned generally on the outside of said spindle assemblies of said yarn processing machine for at least partially encapsulating selected portions of each individual spindle assembly of said yarn processing machine and being movable to positions for providing access from the outside by an operator to selected portions of said spindle assemblie for servicing thereof.

9. In a textile-yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in'which said movable housing elements comprise separate, hollow, generally cylindrical housing elements associated with each of said spindle assemblies and mounted for rotation around said spindle assembly about the axis of said spindle assembly, each of said hollow, generally cylindrical housing elements including cut out portions defining access openings therein disposed generally within one-half of the circumference thereof, so that said generally cylindrical housing elements may be rotated and placed in a first position in which said access openings face the inside of said machine and said spindle assemblies are substantially closed off from the outside of said machine for reducing sound and so that each of said generally cylindrical housing elements may be selectively and individually rotated and placed in a second position in which said access openings face the outside of said machine for providing access to the selected spindle assembly from the outside by an operator for servicing.

10. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 9, in which said cut out portions are located in the top portion and bottom portion of said generally cylindrical housing for providing access to the top and bottom portions of said spindle assemblies.

11. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 10, in which each of said cylindrical housing elements include radially inwardly extending flange sections at the topand bottom thereof in the portion thereof not having said cut out portions.

12. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim l, in which said movable housing elements comprise separate, hollow, generally ring-like housing elements having an upwardly extending flange disposed generally within one-half of the circumference thereof, said ring-like housing elements being associated with each of said spindle assemblies and mounted for rotation around the bottom portion of said spindle assemblies and about the axis of said spindle assemblies, so that said ring-like housing elements may be rotated and placed in a first position in which said upwardly extending flanges face the outside of said machine for shielding sound therefrom and so that each of said ring-like housing elements may be selectively and individually rotated and placed in a second position in which said flange thereon faces the inside of said machine for providing access to the bottom portion of the selected spindle assembly, and in which said stationary housing elements comprise elements cooperating with said ringlike movable housing elements for partially encapsulating each of said assemblies individually and defining window-like openings at the upper portions of each of said spindle assemblies for access thereto by an operator for servicing.

13. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim I, in which said movable housing elements comprise separate, curved, visor-like housing elements associated with all of said spindle assemblies and including sets of first and second visor-like housing elements associated with a predetermined number of spindle assemblies and mounted for pivotal movement from a first position, in which said first of said visor-like housing elements covers generally the top portion of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the outside of said machine and said second of said visor-like housing elements covers generally the bottom portion of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the outside of said machine for reducing sound, to a second position, in which said first and second visor-like housing elements uncover generally the top and bottom portions of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the outside of said machine for providing access thereto by an operator from the outside for servicing.

14. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 13, in which said first and second visor-like housing elements include means for pivotal mounting of each which interconnect so that movement of one of said first and second visor-like housing elements will cause movement of the other.

15. in a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 13, in which said stationary housing elements include stationary walls mounted in positions for cooperation with said visor-like housing elements in said second position of visor-like housing elements for shielding the interior of said yarn processing machine.

16. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said movable housing elements comprise separate movable housing elements associated with a predetermined number of said spindle assemblies and stationary guide means mounted on said machine and carrying said separate-movable housing elements for movement from a first position, in which said separate housing elements cover at least the top and bottom portions of said predetermined number of spindleassemblies from the outside for reducing sound, to a second position, in which said separate housing elements uncover at least the top and bottom portions of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the outside for providing access thereto by an operator from the outside for servicing.

17. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 16, in which each of said separate movable housing elements comprise a flexible member which covers generally the entire outside of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies in said first position and said stationary guide means are curved and extend from generally the outside of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies to the inside of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies so that said flexible movable housing element may move to said second position in which said flexible movable housing element is disposed substantially on the inside of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies.

18. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 16, in which said movable housing elements comprise separate movable housing elements associated with a predetermined number of said spindle assemblies and said stationary guide means are mounted generally on the outside of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies and extend below said spindle assemblies so that said movable housing elements may be moved from said first position to said second position in which said movable housing elements are lowered for uncovering at least the top and bottom portions of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies, and in which said movable housing elements further include housing elements disposed on the inside of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies and interconnected with said movable housing elements on the outside of said spindle assemblies by a cable and pulley arrangement such that when said movable housing elements on the outside of said spindle assemblies are moved from said first position to said second position, said housing elements on the inside of said spindle assemblies will move to position cooperating with said movable housing elements on the outside of said spindle assemblies for shielding off the inside of said machines. 19. in a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 18, in which said movable housing elements on the outside of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies and said guide means comprise a curved, cross sectional configuration extending around the outside of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies.

20. in a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 18, in which said movable housing elements on the outside of said spindle assemblies and said stationary guide means comprise a linear cross sectional configuration extending around the outside of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies.

21. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies for processing of textile yarn and arranged in side-by-side relationship in two longitudinal, generally parallel rows along the respective outsides of said yarn processing machine; the improvement of sound reducing housing means for reducing undesirable sound produced in said yarn processing machine and' being characterized by providing access to said spindle assemblies for servicing while also reducing sound during such servicing, said sound reducing housing meanscomprising:

stationary housing elements and movable housing elements mounted on said yarn processing machine for cooperating with each other for at least partially encapsulating said spindle assemblies and for shielding the interior of said yarn processing machine;

said stationary housing elements comprising a generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall of sound absorbing material mounted internally of said yarn processing machine and extending between said rows of said spindle assemblies along the length thereof, generally longitudinally extending walls of sound absorbing material connected with the top of said vertically extending wall and extending outwardly therefrom generally along the top portions of said rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof, and generally longitudinally extending walls of sound absorbing material extending along the bottom portions of said rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof; and

said movable housing elements comprising separate,

hollow, generally cylindrical housing elements of i sound reflecting material associated with each of said spindle assemblies and mounted for rotation around said spindle assemblies about the axis of said spindle assemblies, each of said hollow, generally cylindrical housing elements including cut out portions located in the top and bottom portions thereof and defining access openings therein and disposed generally within one-half of the circumference thereof and including radially inwardly extending flange sections at the top and bottom thereof in the other half of the circumference thereof not having said cut out portions, so that said generally cylindrical housing elements may be rotated and placed in a first position in which said access openings face the inside of said machine and housing elements may be selectively and individually rotated and placed in a second position in which said access openings face the outside of said machine for providing access to the selected spindle assembly from the outside by an operator for servicing while said stationary housing elements continue to reduce undesirable sound produced by saidyarn processing machine.

22. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies for processing of textile yarn and arranged in side-by-side relationship in two longitudinal, generally parallel rows along the respective outsides of said yarn processing machine; the improvement of sound reducing housing means for reducing undesirable sound produced in said yarn processing machine and being characterized by providing access to said spindle assemblies for servicing while also reducing sound during such servicing, said sound reducing housing means comprising:

said stationary housing elements comprising a generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall of sound absorbing material mounted internally of said yarn processing machine and extending between said rows of said spindle assemblies along the lengths thereof, and generally vertically and longitudinally extending walls of sound absorbing material mounted on the outside of said spindle assemblies generally along and below thelower portion of said rows of spindle assemblies along the lengths thereof; and

said movable housing elements comprising separate, hollow, generally cylindrical housing elements of sound reflecting material associated with each of said spindle assemblies andmounted for rotation "around said spindle assemblies about the axis of said spindle assemblies, each of said hollow, generally cylindrical housing elements having a cut out portion of approximately one-half of the circumference thereof along the entire length thereof defining an access opening therein and having an open top thereon, so that said generally cylindrical housing element may be rotated and placed in a first position in which said access opening faces the inside of said machine and said spindle assemblies are substantially closed off from the outside of said machine for reducing sound and so that each of said generally cylindrical housing elements may be selectively and individually rotated and placed in a second position in which said access opening faces the outside of said machine for providing access to the selected spindle assembly from the outside by an operator for servicing while said stationary housing elements continue to reduce undesirable sound produced by said yarn processing machine.

23. in a textile yarn processingv machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies for processing of textile yarn and arranged in side-by-side relationship in two longitudinal, generally parallel rows along the respective outside of said yarn processing machine; the improvement of sound reducing housing means for reducing undesirable sound produced in said yarn processing machine and being characterized by providing access to said spindle assemblies for servicing while also reducing sound during such servicing, said sound reducing housing means comprising:

said stationary housing elements comprising at least one generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall of sound absorbing material mounted internally of said yarn processing machine and extending between said rows of said spindle assemblies along the length thereof, generally longitudinally extending walls of sound absorbing material extending generally horizontally outwardly from said vertically extending wall along the top portions of said rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof, generally longitudinally and horizontally extending walls of sound absorbing material extending along the bottom portions of said rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof, generally longitudinally and vertically extending walls of sound absorbing material extending upwardly from the forward edge of said horizontally extending bottom wall along the length of each of said rows of said spindle assemblies, generally longitudinally and vertically extending walls of sound absorbing material extending along each of the rows of said spindle assemblies generally along the medial portion of said spindle assemblies, and curved walls of 35 sound absorbing material extending generally around the inside of the upper portions of each of said spindle assemblies and cooperating with said inside vertically extending walls and said top horizontally extending walls for at least partially encapsulating the upper portions of each of said spindle assemblies while defining window-like openings from the outside for allowing access to the upper portions of said spindle assemblies from the outside for servicing; and

said movable housing elements comprising separate, hollow, generally ring-like housing elements having an upwardly extending flange disposed generally within one-half of the circumference thereof, said ring-like housing elements being associated with each of said spindle assemblies and being mounted for rotation around the bottom portion of said spindle assemblies and about the axis of said spindle assemblies, so that said ring-like housing elements may be rotated and placed in a first position in which said upwardly extending flanges face the outside of said machine for shielding sound therevfrom and so that each of said ring-like housing elements may be selectively and individually rotated and placed in a second position in which said flange thereon faces the inside of said machine for providing access to the bottom portion of the selected spindle assemblies for access thereto by an operator for servicing.

24. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies for processing of textile yarn and arranged in side-by-side relationship in two longitudinal, generally parallel rows along the respective outsides of said yarn processing machines; the improvement of sound reducing housing means for reducing undesirable sound produced in said yarn processing machine and being characterized by providing access to said spindle assemblies for servicing while alsov reducing sound during such servicing, said sound reducing housing means comprising:

said stationary housing elements comprising a generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall of sound absorbing material mounted internally of said yarn processing machine and extending between said rows of said spindle assemblies along the length thereof, generally longitudinally extending walls of sound absorbing material extending generally horizontally outwardly from said vertically extending wall toward the bottom portion of said spindle assemblies and extending along the length of each of said rows of spindle assemblies, and generally vertically and longitudinally extending walls of sound absorbing material extending along said rows of spindle assemblies and positioned generally medially of said spindle assemblies;

said movable housing elements comprising separate,

curved, visor-like housing elements of sound reflecting material associated with all of said spindle assemblies and including sets of first and second visor-like housing elements associated with a predetermined number of spindle assemblies and mounted for pivotal movement from a first position, in which said first of said visor-like housing elements covers generally the top portion of the predetermined number of said spindle assemblies from the outside of said machine and said second of said visor-like housing elements covers generally the bottom portion of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the outside of said machine for reducing sound, to a second position, in which said first and second visor-like housing elements are moved to generally the inside of said spindle assemblies and in cooperative position with said vertically and horizontally extending inside stationary wall portions for uncovering generally the top and bottom portions of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the outside of said machine for providing access thereto by an operator from the outside for servicing while cooperating with said stationary housing walls for shielding sound, said first and second visor-like housing elements including lever means for pivotal mounting of each which interconnect so that movement of one of said first and second visor-like housing elements will cause movement of the other.

25. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies for processing of textile yarn and arranged in side-by-side relationship in two longitudinal, generally parallel rows along the respective outsides of said yarn processing machine; the improvement of

Claims

1. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies for processing of textile yarn and arranged in sideby-side relationship in two longitudinal, generally parallel rows along the respective outsides of said yarn processing machine; the improvement of sound reducing housing means for reducing undesirable sound produced in said yarn processing machine and being characterized by providing access to said spindle assemblies for servicing while also reducing sound during such servicing, said sound reducing housing means comprising: stationary housing elements and movable housing elements mounted on said yarn processing machine for cooperating with each other for at least partially encapsulating said spindle assemblies and for shielding the interior of said yarn processing machine, said movable housing elements being displaceable to positions for allowing access by an operator to certain portions of said spindle assemblies for servicing while said stationary housing elements continue to reduce undesirable sound produced by said yarn processing machine.

2. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said movable and said stationary housing elements comprise elements at least partially encapsulating each spindle assembly of said yarn processing machine individually and which allow selective access by an operator to certain portions of each individual spindle assembly for servicing of the selected spindle assembly.

4. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, including suction, venting means associated with said housing means for removal of undesirable lint, dirt and other foreign particles contained internally of said yarn processing machine as a result of said housing means.

5. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said stationary housing elements comprise a generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall of sound absorbing material mounted internally of said yarn processing machine and extending between said rows of said spindle assemblies along the length thereof.

8. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said movable housing elements comprise elements mounted and positioned generally on the outside of said spindle assemblies of said yarn processing machine for at least partially encapsulating selected portions of each individual spindle assembly of said yarn processing machine and being movable to positions for providing access from the outside by an operator to selected portions of said spindle assemblies for servicing thereof.

9. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said movable housing elements comprise separate, hollow, generally cylindrical housing elements associated with each of said spindle assemblies and mounted for rotation around said spindle assembly about the axis of said spindle assembly, each of said hollow, generally cylindrical housing elements including cut out portions defining access openings therein disposed generally within one-half of the circumference thereof, so that said generally cylindrical housing elements may be rotated and placed in a first position in which said access openings face the inside of said machine and said spindle assemblies are substantially closed off from the outside of said machine for reducing sound and so that each of said generally cylindrical housing elements may be selectively and individually rotated and placed in a second position in which said access openings face the outside of said machine for providing access to the selected spindle assembly from the outside by an operator for servicing.

11. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 10, in which each of said cylindrical housing elements include radially inwardly extending flange sections at the top and bottom thereof in the portion thereof not having said cut out portions.

12. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said movable housing elements comprise separate, hollow, generally ring-like housing elements having an upwardly extending flange disposed generally within one-half of the circumference thereof, said ring-like housing elements being associated with each of said spindle assemblies and mounted for rotation around the bottom portion of said spindle assemblies and about the axis of said spindle assemblies, so that said ring-like housing elements may be rotated and placed in a first position in which said upwardly extending flanges face the outside of said machine for shielding sound therefrom and so that each of said ring-like housing elements may be selectively and individually rotated and placed in a second position in which said flange thereon faces the inside of said machine for providing access to the bottom portion of the selected spindle assembly, and in which said stationary housing elements comprise elementS cooperating with said ring-like movable housing elements for partially encapsulating each of said assemblies individually and defining window-like openings at the upper portions of each of said spindle assemblies for access thereto by an operator for servicing.

13. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said movable housing elements comprise separate, curved, visor-like housing elements associated with all of said spindle assemblies and including sets of first and second visor-like housing elements associated with a predetermined number of spindle assemblies and mounted for pivotal movement from a first position, in which said first of said visor-like housing elements covers generally the top portion of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the outside of said machine and said second of said visor-like housing elements covers generally the bottom portion of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the outside of said machine for reducing sound, to a second position, in which said first and second visor-like housing elements uncover generally the top and bottom portions of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the outside of said machine for providing access thereto by an operator from the outside for servicing.

16. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said movable housing elements comprise separate movable housing elements associated with a predetermined number of said spindle assemblies and stationary guide means mounted on said machine and carrying said separate movable housing elements for movement from a first position, in which said separate housing elements cover at least the top and bottom portions of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the outside for reducing sound, to a second position, in which said separate housing elements uncover at least the top and bottom portions of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the outside for providing access thereto by an operator from the outside for servicing.

18. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 16, in which said movable housing elements comprise separate movable housing elements associated with a predetermined number of said spindle assemblies and said stationary guide means are mounted generally on the outside of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies and extend below said spindle assemblies so that said movable housing elements may be moved from said first position to said second position in which said movable housing elements are lowered for uncovering at least the top and bottom portions of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies, and in which said movable housing elements further include housing elements disposed on the inside of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies and interconnected with said movable housing elements on the outside of said spindle assemblies by a cable and pulley arrangement such that when said movable housing elements on the outside of said spindle assemblies are moved from said first position to said second position, said housing elements on the inside of said spindle assemblies will move to position cooperating with said movable housing elements on the outside of said spindle assemblies for shielding off the inside of said machines.

19. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 18, in which said movable housing elements on the outside of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies and said guide means comprise a curved, cross sectional configuration extending around the outside of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies.

21. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies for processing of textile yarn and arranged in side-by-side relationship in two longitudinal, generally parallel rows along the respective outsides of said yarn processing machine; the improvement of sound reducing housing means for reducing undesirable sound produced in said yarn processing machine and being characterized by providing access to said spindle assemblies for servicing while also reducing sound during such servicing, said sound reducing housing means comprising: stationary housing elements and movable housing elements mounted on said yarn processing machine for cooperating with each other for at least partially encapsulating said spindle assemblies and for shielding the interior of said yarn processing machine; said stationary housing elements comprising a generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall of sound absorbing material mounted internally of said yarn processing machine and extending between said rows of said spindle assemblies along the length thereof, generally longitudinally extending walls of sound absorbing material connected with the top of said vertically extending wall and extending outwardly therefrom generally along the top portions of said rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof, and generally longitudinally extending walls of sound absorbing material extending along the bottom portions of said rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof; and said movable housing elements comprising separate, hollow, generally cylindrical housing elements of sound reflecting material associated with each of said spindle assemblies and mounted for rotation around said spindle assemblies about the axis of said spindle assemblies, each of said hollow, generally cylindrical housing elements including cut out portions located in the top and bottom portions thereof and defining access openings therein and disposed generally within one-half of the circumference thereof and including radially inwardly extending flange sections at the top and bottom thereof in the other half of the circumference thereof not having said cut out portions, so that said generally cylindrical housing elements may be rotated and placed in a first position in which said access openings face the inside of said machine and said spindle assemblies are substantially closed off from the outside of said machine for reducing sound and so that each of said generally cylindrical housing elements may be selectively and individually rotated and placed in a second position in which said access openings face the outside of said machine for providing access to the selectEd spindle assembly from the outside by an operator for servicing while said stationary housing elements continue to reduce undesirable sound produced by said yarn processing machine.

22. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies for processing of textile yarn and arranged in side-by-side relationship in two longitudinal, generally parallel rows along the respective outsides of said yarn processing machine; the improvement of sound reducing housing means for reducing undesirable sound produced in said yarn processing machine and being characterized by providing access to said spindle assemblies for servicing while also reducing sound during such servicing, said sound reducing housing means comprising: stationary housing elements and movable housing elements mounted on said yarn processing machine for cooperating with each other for at least partially encapsulating said spindle assemblies and for shielding the interior of said yarn processing machine; said stationary housing elements comprising a generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall of sound absorbing material mounted internally of said yarn processing machine and extending between said rows of said spindle assemblies along the lengths thereof, and generally vertically and longitudinally extending walls of sound absorbing material mounted on the outside of said spindle assemblies generally along and below the lower portion of said rows of spindle assemblies along the lengths thereof; and said movable housing elements comprising separate, hollow, generally cylindrical housing elements of sound reflecting material associated with each of said spindle assemblies and mounted for rotation around said spindle assemblies about the axis of said spindle assemblies, each of said hollow, generally cylindrical housing elements having a cut out portion of approximately one-half of the circumference thereof along the entire length thereof defining an access opening therein and having an open top thereon, so that said generally cylindrical housing element may be rotated and placed in a first position in which said access opening faces the inside of said machine and said spindle assemblies are substantially closed off from the outside of said machine for reducing sound and so that each of said generally cylindrical housing elements may be selectively and individually rotated and placed in a second position in which said access opening faces the outside of said machine for providing access to the selected spindle assembly from the outside by an operator for servicing while said stationary housing elements continue to reduce undesirable sound produced by said yarn processing machine.

23. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies for processing of textile yarn and arranged in side-by-side relationship in two longitudinal, generally parallel rows along the respective outside of said yarn processing machine; the improvement of sound reducing housing means for reducing undesirable sound produced in said yarn processing machine and being characterized by providing access to said spindle assemblies for servicing while also reducing sound during such servicing, said sound reducing housing means comprising: stationary housing elements and movable housing elements mounted on said yarn processing machine for cooperating with each other for at least partially encapsulating said spindle assemblies and for shielding the interior of said yarn processing machine; said stationary housing elements comprising at least one generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall of sound absorbing material mounted internally of said yarn processing machine and extending between said rows of said spindle assemblies along the length thereof, generally longitudinally extending walls of sound absorbing material extending generally horizontally outwardly fRom said vertically extending wall along the top portions of said rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof, generally longitudinally and horizontally extending walls of sound absorbing material extending along the bottom portions of said rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof, generally longitudinally and vertically extending walls of sound absorbing material extending upwardly from the forward edge of said horizontally extending bottom wall along the length of each of said rows of said spindle assemblies, generally longitudinally and vertically extending walls of sound absorbing material extending along each of the rows of said spindle assemblies generally along the medial portion of said spindle assemblies, and curved walls of sound absorbing material extending generally around the inside of the upper portions of each of said spindle assemblies and cooperating with said inside vertically extending walls and said top horizontally extending walls for at least partially encapsulating the upper portions of each of said spindle assemblies while defining window-like openings from the outside for allowing access to the upper portions of said spindle assemblies from the outside for servicing; and said movable housing elements comprising separate, hollow, generally ring-like housing elements having an upwardly extending flange disposed generally within one-half of the circumference thereof, said ring-like housing elements being associated with each of said spindle assemblies and being mounted for rotation around the bottom portion of said spindle assemblies and about the axis of said spindle assemblies, so that said ring-like housing elements may be rotated and placed in a first position in which said upwardly extending flanges face the outside of said machine for shielding sound therefrom and so that each of said ring-like housing elements may be selectively and individually rotated and placed in a second position in which said flange thereon faces the inside of said machine for providing access to the bottom portion of the selected spindle assemblies for access thereto by an operator for servicing.

24. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies for processing of textile yarn and arranged in side-by-side relationship in two longitudinal, generally parallel rows along the respective outsides of said yarn processing machines; the improvement of sound reducing housing means for reducing undesirable sound produced in said yarn processing machine and being characterized by providing access to said spindle assemblies for servicing while also reducing sound during such servicing, said sound reducing housing means comprising: stationary housing elements and movable housing elements mounted on said yarn processing machine for cooperating with each other for at least partially encapsulating said spindle assemblies and for shielding the interior of said yarn processing machine; said stationary housing elements comprising a generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall of sound absorbing material mounted internally of said yarn processing machine and extending between said rows of said spindle assemblies along the length thereof, generally longitudinally extending walls of sound absorbing material extending generally horizontally outwardly from said vertically extending wall toward the bottom portion of said spindle assemblies and extending along the length of each of said rows of spindle assemblies, and generally vertically and longitudinally extending walls of sound absorbing material extending along said rows of spindle assemblies and positioned generally medially of said spindle assemblies; said movable housing elements comprising separate, curved, visor-like housing elements of sound reflecting material associated with all of said spindle assemblies and including sets of first and second visor-like housing elements associated with a predeterminEd number of spindle assemblies and mounted for pivotal movement from a first position, in which said first of said visor-like housing elements covers generally the top portion of the predetermined number of said spindle assemblies from the outside of said machine and said second of said visor-like housing elements covers generally the bottom portion of the predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the outside of said machine for reducing sound, to a second position, in which said first and second visor-like housing elements are moved to generally the inside of said spindle assemblies and in cooperative position with said vertically and horizontally extending inside stationary wall portions for uncovering generally the top and bottom portions of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the outside of said machine for providing access thereto by an operator from the outside for servicing while cooperating with said stationary housing walls for shielding sound, said first and second visor-like housing elements including lever means for pivotal mounting of each which interconnect so that movement of one of said first and second visor-like housing elements will cause movement of the other.

25. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies for processing of textile yarn and arranged in side-by-side relationship in two longitudinal, generally parallel rows along the respective outsides of said yarn processing machine; the improvement of sound reducing housing means for reducing undesirable sound produced in said yarn processing machine and being characterized by providing access to said spindle assemblies for servicing while also reducing sound during such servicing, said sound reducing housing means comprising: stationary housing elements and movable housing elements mounted on said yarn processing machine for cooperating with each other for at least partially encapsulating said spindle assemblies and for shielding the interior of said yarn processing machine; said stationary housing elements comprising a generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall of sound absorbing material mounted internally of said yarn processing machine and extending between said rows of said spindle assemblies along the length thereof, generally longitudinally and horizontally extending walls of sound absorbing material connected with the top of said vertically extending wall and extending outwardly therefrom generally toward the top portions of said rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof, generally longitudinally extending walls of sound absorbing material extending along the bottoms of said rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof, separate, hollow, generally cylindrical housing elements associated with each of said spindle assemblies and mounted around each spindle assembly and having a dome-shaped top thereon and a cut out portion defining an access opening in the top front thereof and having an open bottom thereon, and a generally curved-shaped housing element associated with each of said spindle assemblies and mounted around the bottom portion of each of said spindle assemblies and having a cut out portion therein defining an access opening at the front to provide access to the bottom portions of said spindle assemblies from the front and having an open back; and said movable housing elements comprising separate, curved, visor-like housing elements of sound reflecting material associated with each of said spindle assemblies and including sets of first and second visor-like housing elements associated with each of said spindle assemblies and mounted for pivotal movement from a first position, in which said first and second visor-like housing elements cover generally the top and bottom portions respectively of said spindle assembly from the outside of said machine for reducing sound, to a second position, in which said first visor-like housing element moVes to the rear of said spindle assembly and over the dome-shaped top of said stationary cylindrical housing element for uncovering the top portion of said spindle assembly for servicing said second visor-like housing element moves generally medially of said spindle assembly on the outside thereof for uncovering the lower portion of said spindle assembly for access from the outside by an operator for servicing, said first and second visor-like housing elements including lever means for pivotal mounting of each which interconnect so that movement of one of said first and second visor-like housing elements will cause movement of the other.

26. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies for processing of textile yarn and arranged in side-by-side relationship in two longitudinal, generally parallel rows along the respective outsides of said yarn processing machine; the improvement of sound reducing housing means for reducing undesirable sound produced in said yarn processing machine and being characterized by providing access to said spindle assemblies for servicing while also reducing sound during such servicing, said sound reducing housing means comprising: stationary housing elements and movable housing elements mounted on said yarn processing machine for cooperating with each other for at least partially encapsulating said spindle assemblies and for shielding the interior of said yarn processing machine; said stationary housing elements comprising a generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall of sound absorbing material mounted internally of said yarn processing machine and extending between said rows of said spindle assemblies along the length thereof, generally longitudinally and horizontally extending walls of sound absorbing material connected with the top of said vertically extending wall and extending outwardly therefrom generally toward the top portions of said rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof, and generally longitudinally and horizontally extending walls of sound absorbing material extending along the bottoms of said rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof; and said movable housing elements comprising separate movable housing elements of sound reflecting material associated with a predetermined number of said spindle assemblies and each comprising curved, stationary, generally U-shaped guide means mounted on each side of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies and extending from the front of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies around the bottom and substantially up the back of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies and a flexible movable housing element positioned within said guide means for movement from a first position, in which said movable housing elements substantially cover the top and bottom portions of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the outside for reducing sound, to a second position, in which said movable housing element uncovers the front of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies and moves to the inside of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies within said guides for providing access to said predetermined number of spindle assemblies by an operator from the outside for servicing.

27. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies for processing of textile yarn and arranged in side-by-side relationship in two longitudinal, generally parallel rows along the respective outsides of said yarn processing machine; the improvement of sound reducing housing means for reducing undesirable sound produced in said yarn processing machine and being characterized by providing access to said spindle assemblies for servicing while also reducing sound during such servicing, said sound reducing housing means comprising: stationary housing elements and movable housing elemEnts mounted on said yarn processing machine for cooperating with each other for at least partially encapsulating said spindle assemblies and for shielding the interior of said yarn processing machine; said stationary housing elements comprising a generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall of sound absorbing material mounted internally of said yarn processing machine and extending between said rows of said spindle assemblies along the length thereof, generally longitudinally and horizontally extending walls of sound absorbing material connected with the top of said vertically extending wall and extending outwardly therefrom generally toward the top portions of said rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof, and longitudinally extending walls of sound absorbing material extending along the bottoms of said rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof; and said movable housing elements comprising separate movable housing elements of sound reflecting material associated with a predetermined number of said spindle assemblies and each comprising curved, stationary guide means mounted on each side of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies and extending generally around the front and outside of said spindle assemblies and a curved movable housing element positioned within said guide means and having a cut out portion generally medially thereof defining a window-like access opening, said movable housing element being mounted in said guide means for movement from a first position, in which said movable housing element covers at least the top and bottom portions of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the outside for reducing sound and said cut out window-like access opening is disposed generally medially of said spindle assemblies, to a second position, in which said movable housing element uncovers the top and bottom portions of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies by moving to a lower position in said guide means wherein said movable housing element is below the top portion of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies and said cut out window-like access opening is positioned generally at the bottom portion of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies for providing access to said predetermined number of spindle assemblies by an operator from the outside for servicing, said movable housing elements further including a movable housing element associated with each of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies and positioned on the inside of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies and means interconnecting said inside movable housing element with said outside movable housing element so that when said outside movable housing element is moved from said first position to said second position, movement of said inside housing element is effected and said inside housing element moves to a position for cooperating with said stationary housing elements for shielding off noise from the inside of said machine.

28. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies for processing of textile yarn and arranged in side-by-side relationship in two longitudinal, generally parallel rows along the respective outsides of said yarn processing machine; the improvement of sound reducing housing means for reducing undesirable sound produced in said yarn processing machine and being characterized by providing access to said spindle assemblies for servicing while also reducing sound during such servicing, said sound reducing housing means comprising: stationary housing elements and movable housing elements mounted on said yarn processing machine for cooperating with each other for at least partially encapsulating said spindle assemblies and for shielding the interior of said yarn processing machine; said stationary housing elements comprising a generally vertically and longitudinally extending wall of sound absorbing material mOunted internally of said yarn processing machine and extending between said rows of said spindle assemblies along the length thereof, generally longitudinally and horizontally extending walls of sound absorbing material connected with the top of said vertically extending wall and extending outwardly therefrom generally toward the top portions of said rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof, and generally longitudinally extending walls of sound absorbing material extending along the bottoms of said rows of spindle assemblies along the length thereof; and said movable housing elements comprising separate movable housing elements of sound reflecting material associated with a predetermined number of said spindle assemblies and each comprising pairs of linear, generally vertically extending, guide means disposed on each side of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies at the top and bottom portions of said spindle assemblies and on the outside and inside of said spindle assemblies and moving housing elements positioned within each pair of said guide means for movement from a first position in which a first one of said movable housing elements is positioned to cover generally the top portion of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the outside, a second of said movable housing elements is positioned for covering generally the bottom portion of said spindle assemblies from the outside, a third of said movable housing elements is positioned generally medially of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies on the inside and a fourth of said movable housing elements is positioned generally medially of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies on the inside, to a second position, in which said first movable housing element moves generally medially of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies on the outside for allowing access to the top portion of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies, said second movable housing element moves generally medially of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies on the outside for providing access to the lower portion of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the outside for servicing by an operator, said third movable housing element moves upwardly to a position covering the top portion of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the inside and into cooperating relationship with said stationary housing elements for shielding sound from the inside of said machine and said fourth movable housing element moves generally downwardly into a position covering the bottom portion of said predetermined number of spindle assemblies from the inside and into cooperative relationship with said stationary housing elements for shielding sound from the inside of said machine, said first, second, third and fourth housing elements including means interconnecting them for movement from said first positions to said second positions upon movement of either of the other movable housing elements.