US3820315A - Pneumatic apparatus for mounting and threading portable manually operated yarn knotter mechanisms on yarn processing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

The combination, of a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies positioned in side-by-side relationship for the processing of yarn, and manually operated, portable yarn knotter mechanism for knotting together two ends of broken or otherwise separated yarn at selective spindle locations, having the following improvements. Holders mounted stationary on the yarn processing machine in front of each spindle assembly and including mechanisms for receiving and mounting the yarn knotter mechanism at the desired locations in front of selected spindle assemblies eliminating the necessity of the operator holding the portable yarn knotter mechanism. Pneumatic suction devices are provided which form a part of the yarn knotter mechanism and the yarn holder mechanism for cooperating with each other when the knotter mechanism is inserted into a respective one of the holder mechanisms for pulling and threading the separated yarn ends into and through the knotter mechanism for a knotting operation eliminating the necessity of a manual threading operation. The holder mechanisms preferably include actuators for actuating control mechanisms in response to mounting of the yarn knotting mechanism for stopping and starting operation of the respective spindle assemblies and for stopping and starting operation of pneumatic spindle assembly threading mechanisms which cooperate with the pneumatic suction means of the knotter mechanism.

Description

United States Patent [191 Franzen et al. 1

[11] 3,820,315 June 28, 1974 PNEUMATIC APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING AND THREADING PORTABLE MANUALLY OPERATED YARN KNOTIER MECHANISMS ON YARN PROCESSING MACHINES [75] Inventors: Gustav Franzen, Dusseldorf; I-Ielmut Veltges, Krefeld, both of Germany [73] Assignee: Palitex Project Company GmbH [22] Filed: July 5, 1973 21] Appl. No.: 376,683

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Primary Examiner.lohn Petrakes Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Parrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson ABSTRACT The combination, of a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like,

having a plurality of spindle assemblies positioned in side-by-side relationship for the'processing of yarn, and manually operated, portable yarn knotter mechanism for knotting together two ends of broken or otherwise separated yarn at selective spindle locations, having the following improvements. Holders mounted stationary on the yarn processing machine in front of each spindle assembly and including mechanisms for receiving and mounting the yarn knotter mechanism at the desired locations in front of selected spindle assemblies eliminating the necessity of the operator holding the portable yarn knotter mechanism. Pneumatic suction devices are provided which form a part of the yarn knotter mechanism and the yarn holder mechanism for cooperating with each other when the knotter mechanism is inserted into a respective one of the holder mechanisms for pulling and threading the separated yarn ends into and through the knotter mechanism for a knotting operation eliminating the necessity of a manual threading operation. The holder mechanisms preferably include actuators for actuating control mechanisms in response to mounting of the yarn knotting mechanism for stopping and starting operation of the respective spindle assemblies and for stopping and starting operation of pneumatic spindle assembly threading mechanisms which cooperate with the pneumatic suction means of the knotter mechamsm.

15 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEBJUH28 197g lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll PATENTED Jill 28 E74 SHEET 3 OF 4 PNEUMATIC APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING AND THREADING PORTABLE MANUALLY OPERATED YARNKNOTTER MECHANISMS ON YARN PROCESSING MACHINES The present invention relates to the provision of holder mechanisms and related pneumatic suction threading mechanisms on the front of each spindle assembly of yarn processing machines, such as twisters, spinning frames or the like for receiving and mounting manually operated portable yarn mechanisms at selected spindle assembly locations eliminating the necessity of the operator holding the portable knotter mechanisms and for pneumatic threading of the yarn knotting mechanisms eliminating the necessity of a manual threading operation by an operator.

Heretofore, in the operation of a yarn processing machine in which a single end of yarn is processed at each spindle assembly location on the machine, if the yarn broke forming two ends of broken yarn or if the yarn was otherwise separated, it has been customary to use a commercially available, portable, manually operated knotter mechanism for piecing together or knotting together the two ends of separated yarn for further processing at the spindle assembly location. In the use of these portable yarn knotter mechanisms, an operator would customarily bring the yarn knotter mechanism to the spindle assembly mechanism and hold the yarn knotter mechanism, while inserting the two separated ends of yarn into the mechanism for manually operating the knotter mechanism to knot the two ends of yarn. Thus the knotting procedure requires the operator to hold the knotting mechanism while gripping and placing both of the separated ends of yarn into the mechanism, requiring the operator to exert a grip at three places, for which, however, only two hands are at the operators disposal.

Although yarn processing machines have previously utilized pneumatically threaded yarn knotter carriages, these knotter carriages were not adapted for use with portable yarn knotter mechanisms which could be moved from one spindle assembly location to another and, therefore, lacked the flexability afforded by the use of portable yarn knotter mechanisms.

Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to overcome the above deficiencies of the prior knotting operations and to provide mechanisms which will facilitate the piecing or knotting operation by an individual operator and allow the use of portable yarn knotter mechanisms to be selectively brought into position at selected spindle assembly locations.

It has been found by this invention that the above object may be accomplished by providing, in the combination of a textile yarn processing machine such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assembly means positioned in side-by-side relationship for the processing of yarn, and a manually operated, portable yarn knotter mechanism for knotting together two ends of broken or otherwise separated yarn at selected spindle assembly locations, the follow ing improvements. Holder means are mounted stationary on the yarn processing machine in front of each of the spindle assembly means and include means for releasably receiving and mounting the yarn knotter mechanism at the desired knotting location in front of selected spindle assembly means eliminating the necessity of the operator holding the portable yarn knotter mechanism. Pneumatic suction means are provided which form a part of the knotter mechanism and the holder means for cooperating with each other when the knotter mechanism is inserted into a respective one of the holder means for pulling and threading the separated yarn ends into and through the knotter mechanism for a knotting operation eliminating the necessity of a manual threading operation by an operator while retaining the flexibility of the use of a portable. yarn knotter mechanism.

Preferably, the holder means and the pneumatic suction means forming a part thereof comprise a hollow female receptacle forming a passageway therein having a negative air stream therethrough and having an open upper end. The knotter mechanism and the pneumatic suction means forming a part thereof include a hollow male member extending therefrom and forming a passageway therein having open bottom and top ends. The male member of the knotter mechanism is constructed for reception by the female receptacle for mounting the knotter mechanism in the respective holder means and for placing the bottom end of the knotter mechanism passageway in mating communication with the upper end of the holder means passageway for creating a negative air flow through the knotter mechanism passageway for pulling the separated ends of yarn into the upper end of the knotter mechanism passageway.

If the yarn processing machine includes means operatively connected with each of the spindle assembly means for selectively stopping and starting operation of the respective spindle assemblies, it has been found preferable by this invention for the holder means to include actuating means operatively connected with the respective control means and responsive to reception and mounting of the yarn knotter mechanism in the respective holder means for actuating the control means to stop operation of the respective spindle assembly means for a yarn knotting operation. The actuating means is also preferably responsive to removal of the yarn knotter mechanism from the respective holder means for actuating the control means to start operation of the respective spindle assembly for yarn processing operation.

Also, if the yarn processing machine includes pneumatically operated yarn threading means operatively associated with each of the spindle assemblies for selectively threading a yarn end through at least a portion of each of the spindle assemblies, it has been found by this invention to be preferable for the actuating means of the respective holder means to be operatively connected with the respective pneumatic threading means for starting operation thereof when the yarn knotter mechanism is mounted in the respective holder means and to stop operation of the respective pneumatic threading means when the yarn knotter mechanism is removed from the holder means. By this invention, the pneumatic threading means of the spindle assembly means would cooperate with the pneumatic threading means of the yarn knotter mechanism when the yarn knotter mechanism is placed in position in the respective holder means so that the pneumatic threading means of the yarn knotter mechanism will receive a separated end of yarn from the spindle assembly yarn threading means and thread it through the yarn knotter mechanism.

Some of the objects and advantages of this invention having been stated, other objects and advantages will 3 appear as the description proceeds, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a yarn processing machine, i.e. a two-for-one yarn twister, illustrating two full spindle assembly stations and a cross section through a third spindle assembly station having the improved mechanisms of this invention and with a portable, manually operated yarn knotter mechanism inserted into the holder mechanism of the central spindle assembly station;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partial, vertical sectional view generally taken through the central spindle assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial elevational view, partly in section, of a holder means in accordance with this invention and a yarn knotter mechanism just prior to insertion into the holder means;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view from a different angle of a portion of the central spindle assembly station of FIG. 1 illustrating the yarn knotting mechanism in position in the holder; and

FIG. 5 is a view, like FIG. 4, but illustrating the use of air shields in lieu of balloon limitor mechanisms.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1, portions of three spindle assemblies, generally indicated at 10, of a two-for-one twister yarn processing machine. While the drawings and specific description to follow will be related to a two-for-one twister which is the preferred yarn processing machine utilizing the improved mechanisms of this invention, it is to be understood that the improvements of this invention could also be utilized on other yarn processing machines. A full illustration and description of the entire two-forone twister is not given and is not believed to be necessary for an understanding of the present invention, the operation and structure of such a two-for-one twister being well understood by those with ordinary skill in the art.

Each of the spindle assemblies 10, which are conventionally mounted in side-by-side relationship in a twofor-one twister, comprises a rotatably driven rotor mechanism, generally indicated at 11. The rotor mechanism 11 comprises a whorl l2 suitably rotatably mounted on a twister frame 13 and rotated by a co ntin uous drive belt 14. The rotor mechanism 11 further includes a horizontally extending reserve disc device 16 secured to the whorl 12 for being driven thereby and a generally vertically extending hollow axle device 17. The reserve disc 16 and hollow axle 17 define a vertically extending yarn passageway 20 extending through the hollow axle l7 and partly through the reserve disc 16 and a horizontally extending yarn passageway 21 extending through at least a portion of and out of the reserve disc 16 and mating with the vertically extending yarn passageway 20.

Spindle assembly further includes a carrier mechanism 25 for carrying a hollow package P of yarn Y and being rotatably mounted on the rotor mechanism 11 so that the rotor mechanism may rotate relative thereto. The carrier mechanism 25 comprises generally a basket device 26 which surrounds the package P of yarn Y and is rotatably mounted by bearings 27 so that the hollow axle 17 may rotate relative thereto. The carrier mechanism 25 may further include a hollow yarn package carrier 28 rotatably mounted by suitable bearings, so that the hollow axle 17 may rotate relative thereto, and supported on the basket device 26. The-hollow yarn package carrier 28 may include a yarn entry tube 30.

The spindle assembly 10 further includes a balloon limitor device 33 surrounding the basket device 26. A yarn guide eyelet 40 is positioned above and in axial alignment with the hollow axle 17 and the yarn entry tube 30. There is further provided a pretake-up roll 42, a yarn traversing mechanism 43, and a take-up or package roll 44 upon which the yarnY is wound after being processed or twisted by the spindle assembly 10. The package 44 is rotated by a friction drive roll 45.

The twister of this invention may also include suitable housing, generally indicated at 65 surrounding the front and rear and extending between each spindle assembly 10 and generally around the balloon limitor devices 33. These housings 65 may also include a suitable shield 66 extending between each balloon limitor device.

With the above described mechanisms, the yarn Y passes from the package P and is threaded through the yarn entry tube 30, through the yarn passageway 20 of the hollow axle 17 and the reserve disc 16 and out of the reserve disc 16 through the yarn passageway 21. The yarn Y then passes upwardly between the basket device 26 and the balloon limitor 33 to form a balloon of yarn. The yarn Y is then threaded through yarn guide eyelet 40, over pretake-up roll 42 and. is traversed by traversing mechanism 43 onto the package roll 44 to complete its travel through the respective spindle assembly 10. As is well understood by those with ordinary skill in the art, a two-for-one twist is inserted in the yarn during the above noted path of travel.

If during the travel of the yarn, as noted above, the yarn Y breaks or a new supply package P of yarn Y is placed in the spindle assembly 10, two separated ends of yarn Y are formed which must be knotted or pieced together for continued operation of the spindle assembly 10. When the yarn Y passing through a spindle assembly 10 is thus broken or otherwise separated, the separated ends are so positioned that one separated end extends downwardly from the eyelet 40 and the other separated end of yarn Y extends upwardly from between the basket device 26 and the balloon limitor device 33, as may be seen in FIG. 2. Conventionally, a portable, manually operated yarn knotter mechanism would be brought into position for receiving the two separated ends of yarn Y and knotting them together. This yarn knotter mechanism is generally indicated by the reference numeral herein.

In accordance with the present invention, holder devices, generaly indicated at 70, are mounted stationary on the housing of the twister in front of each spindle assembly 10, as shown particularly in FIG. 1, for releasably receiving and mounting the yarn knotter mechanism 60 at the desired knotting location in front of the spindle assembly 10 and generally at the top of the balthrough. The holder devices 70 further includes a hollow female receptacle 75 secured to the top of the conduit 72 and forming a passageway 76 therein having open bottom and top ends. The bottom end of each of the passageways 76 of the female receptacles 75 mates with apertures 77 in the top of the conduit 72 so that a negative air stream or suction is created through the passageways 76. As illustrated in the drawings, the passageway 76 of the female receptacle 75 is generally rectangular in cross section; however, other cross sectional configurations may be utilized.

The open upper end of the passageway 76 of the female receptacle 75 is normally closed by a pair of pivoted, biased closure members 78. Each of the closure members 78 comprises an arm 79 pivoted at one end about a stationary axis 80 and having an enlarged portion 81 on the other end thereof which mates with the enlarged portion 81 on the other closure member 78 to close the upper end of the passageway 76 of the female receptacle 75. The closure members 78 are biased into closed position by an extension 82 of the arm 79 being in contact with a spring plunger member 84 carried in a recess in yoke member 73, as shown in FIG. 2, for biasing the closure members 78 into mating covering position over the passageway 76.

For cooperation with the female receptacle 75, the knotter mechanism 60 includes a hollow male member 90 extending from the lower end thereof and forming internally a passageway 91 having open bottom and top ends. The male member 91 is configured and constructed for reception by and within the female receptacle 76 for mounting of the knotter mechanism 60 in the respective holder means 70 and for placing the bottom end of the knotter mechanism passageway 91 in mating communication with the female receptacle passageway 76 for creating anegative air flow through the male member 91. The male member 91, when being inserted into the female receptacle 75, is constructed to engage the upper ends of the closure members 78 and move them against their bias into open position, as illustrated particularly in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 illustrates the holder member 70 and its closure members 78 in the position just prior to insertion of the male member 90 of the knotter mechanism 60 therein.

The knotter mechanism 60 further includes a hood member 94 mounted generally around and over the top portion of the knotter mechanism 60 and defining a passageway 95 therein which is in communication and forms an integral part of the male member passageway 91 for the negative flow of air therethrough. The hood member 94 includes an open mouth portion 96 extending over the top of the knotter mechanism 60 for pulling a separated end of yarn Y into the passageways 95 and 91 of the knotter mechanism and into knotting position in the knotter mechanism 60. The passageway 95 of the hood member 94 is divided by a separator baffle or partition 98 in at least a portion thereof separating the passageway 95 into two portions for the reception and passage of the separated ends of yarn in the respective portions. The open mouth portion 96 forms a part of one portion of the separated passageway 95 and the other portion of the separated passageway 95 includes a lateral opening 99 in the side thereof for the insertion of the other separated end of yarn Y into the passageway 95.

Accordingly, when the yarn Y becomes broken or otherwise separated, one separated end of yarn Y will extend downwardly from eyelet guide 40 and will be gripped by an operator and passed under a shoulder member 101, over a shoulder member 102, over a guide plate 103 and into the lateral opening 99 where it will pass into one separated portion of the passageway of the hood member 94 to be positioned in the yarn knotter mechanism 60 for knotting operation. The other separated end of yarn Y will be received upwardly from between the basket device 26 and the balloon limitor device 33 and will be sucked into the open mouth portion 96 and into the other portion of the separated hood passageway 95 to be threaded into the yarn knotter mechanism 60. The negative air stream or suction formed through the hood member 94, male member 90 and suction conduit 72 will function to properly tension and hold the loose yarn ends during the knotting operation.

The yarn knotter mechanism 60 and its operation for knotting together two separated ends of yarn is well understood by those with ordinary skill in the art and does not require detailed explanation herein for an understanding of the present invention. The basic yarn knotter mechanism may, by way of example, be constructed in accordance with German Auslegeschrift number 1,271,606. The knotting operation is actuated by a push member 105. After the knotting operation has been performed, the loose ends of yarn extending beyond the knot formed are severed by conventional mechanisms within the knotter mechanism and may be carried away by the suction conduit 72. However, it is to be understood that the basic, commercially available yarn knotter mechanism does not include the pneumatic threading and mounting mechanisms 75, 94, etc., the latter having been added by and included in the improvements of the present invention.

Preferably, the two-for-one twister of this invention is equipped with an automatically controlled friction drive roll 45 for the take-up of package roll 44, in accordance with US. Pat. No. 3,565,356, issued Feb. 23, 1971, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and apparatus for stopping the spindle mechanism in a predetermined position in accordance with United States Patent application, Ser. No. 264,816, filed June 21, 1972, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Both of these control mechanisms include, inter alia, electrical and mechanical control systems for stopping operation of the spindle mechanism and the take-up mechanism when piecing up or knotting of broken yams or doffing is required.

When the spindle assemblies 10 include these control means for selectively stopping and starting operation of the respective spindle assembly, it is preferable for the holder mechanisms 70 to include actuating means suitably operatively connected with these control means. The actuating means 110 may be in the form of an electrical switch 111 which is engaged by shaft 112 secured to one of the spring plunger members 84 so that when the respective closure member 78 is opened, the shaft 112 will engage the switch 111 for actuating the control means of the respective spindle assembly 10 to stop operation thereof. When the closure member 78 again moves to its closed position, the shaft 112 will be biased out of engagement with the switch 111 to allow the switch to move to its nonnal position for allowing the control means to again start operation of the respective spindle assembly 10. Accordingly, the actuating member 110 is operatively connected with the respective control means of the above identified patent and patent application and is responsive to reception and mounting of the yarn knotter mechanism 60 in the holder member'70 for actuating the control means to stop operation of the respective spindle assembly 10 for a knotting operation and is responsive to removal of the yarn knotter mechanism 60 from the respective holder member 70 for actuating the control means to start operation of the respective spindle assembly for yarn processing operations.

Also, it is preferable in accordance with this invention for the two-for-one twister machine to include pneumatically operated yarn threading mechanisms operatively associated with each spindle assembly 10 for selectively threading a yarn through at least a portion of the spindle assemblies upon actuation thereof. Such a pneumatically operated yarn threading mechanism for a two-for-one twister of this type is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,731,478, issued May 8, 1973, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Reference may be had to that patent for a disclosure of the operation of the pneumatically operated yarn threading mechanism.

Generally this mechanism includes, inter alia, an ejector nozzle which causes a positive air stream to flow through the yarn passageway 21 and a negative air stream through the yarn passageway for sucking the yarn from supply package P through the entry tube 30 and passageway 20 and blowing the yarn out of the passage 21 by a positive air stream. The air stream then engagesspoon shaped deflection guide surface 120 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) which deflects the air stream and carries it and the yarn Y up through the space between the basket device 26 and theballoon limitor 23 to bring the end of the yarn in position for the knotting operation. At this position, the yarn would be received by the open mouth 96 of the hood member 94 of the knotter mechanism 60 and be drawn in by the negative air stream therethrough for threading of this end of separated yarn Y through knotter mechanism 60. The pneumatically operated yarn threading mechanism of the spindle assembly 10, in accordance with the above identified patent, includes suitable electrical or mechanical control means for starting and stopping operation thereof.

In accordance with the present invention, the actuating means 110 is suitably operatively connected with the pneumatic threading mechanism for starting operation thereof when the yarn knotter mechanism 60 is mounted in the respective holder means 70 and for stopping operation thereof when the yarn knotter mechanism 60 is removed from the respective holder mechanism 70.

As a further alternative to the form of twister mechanism illustrated in FIGS. l-4, the twister mechanism may include (see FIG. 5) respective shields for air guidance in accordance with German Auslegeschrift 1,904,473, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, wherein the holder mechanism 70 is mounted on the shield members and the housing 65 and balloon limitor devices 33 are omitted. Otherwise, the embodiment of FIG. 5 is in accordance with the above description.

Thus it may be seen, that the present invention has overcome the deficiencies of the prior knotting operations and has provided mechanisms which will facilitate 8 the piecing or knotting operation of yarn in a yarn processing machine.

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

What is claimed is:

1. In the combination of a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assembly means positioned in side-by-side relationship for the processing of yarn, and a manually operated, portable yarn knotter mechanism for knotting together two ends of broken or otherwise separated yarn at selected spindle assembly locations; the improvement of holder means mounted stationary on said yarn processing machine in front of each said spindle assembly means and including means for releasably receiving and mounting said yarn knotter mechanism at the desired knotting location in front of selected spindle assembly means eliminating the necessity of the operator holding said portable yarn knotter mechanism, and pneumatic suction means forming a part of said knotter mechanism and said holdermeans for cooperating with each other when said knotter mechanism is inserted into a respective one of said holder means for pulling and threading the separated yarn ends into and through said knotter mechanism for a knotting operation eliminating the necessity of a manual threading operation by an operator.

2. In the combination, as set forth in claim 1, in which each said holder means and said pneumatic suction means forming a part thereof comprise a hollow female receptacle forming a passageway therein having a negative air stream therethrough and having an open upper end, and in which said knotter mechanism and said pneumatic suction means forming a part thereof include a hollow male member extending thereform and forming a passageway therein having open bottom and top ends, said male member of said knotter mechanism being constructed for reception by said female receptacle for mounting of said knotter mechanism in said respective holder means and for placing said bottom end of said knotter mechanism passageway in mating communication with said upper .end of said holder means passageway for creating a negative air flow through said knotter mechanism passageway for pulling the separated ends of yarn into said upper end of said knotter mechanism passageway.

3. In the combination, as set forth in claim 2, in which said holder means and said pneumatic suction means forming a part thereof further comprise a common, generally horizontally extending conduit extending along said spindle assembly means and having a negative air stream therethrough and, in which each of said female receptacles are mounted on and extend generally vertically upwardly from said conduit in front of each said spindle assembly and said female receptacle passageway is in communication with said conduit.

4. In the combination, as set forth in claim 2, in which each said holder means further includes pivoted, biased closure means mounted thereon for covering said upper end of said female receptacle passageway when said knotter mechanism is not mounted in said respective holder and being movable against its bias to unand which includes anopen mouth portion extending I over the top of said knotter mechanism for pulling a separated end of yarn into pneumatic suction means of said knotter mechanism for a knotting operation.

6. In the combination, as set forth in claim 5, in which hood means passageway includes a separator baffle in at least a portion thereof separating said hood means passageway into two portions for the reception and passage of the separated ends of yarn in the respective portions.

7. In the combination, as set forth in claim 6, in which said open mouth portion of said hood means forms a part of only one separated portion of said hood means passageway for the reception of one of the separated ends of yarn, and in which said hood means includes a lateral opening in the other separated portion of said hood means passageway for the reception of the other separated end of yarn.

8. In the combination as set forth in claim 1, in which said yarn processing machine includes control means operatively connected with each of said spindle assembly means for selectively stopping and starting operation of said respective spindle assembly means, and in which each of said holder means includes actuating means operatively connected with the respective control means and responsive to reception and mounting of said yarn knotter mechanism in said respective holder means for actuating said control means to stop operation of said respective spindle assembly means for a yarn knotting operation.

9. In the combination, as set forth in claim 8, in which said actuating means of said holder means is responsive to removal of said yarn knotter mechanism from said respective holder means for actuating said control means to start operation of said respective spindle assembly means for yarn processing operations.

10. In the combination, as set forth in claim 8, in which said yarn processing machine includes pneumatically operated yarn threading means operatively associated with each of said spindle assembly means for selectively threading a yarn end through at least a portion of each of said spindle assembly means upon actuation thereof, and in which said actuating means of said respective holder means are operatively connected with said respective pneumatic threading means for starting operation thereof when said yarn'knotter mechanism is mounted in said respectiveholder means.

11. In the combination, as set forth in claim 10, in which said actuating means of said holder means is responsive to removal of said yarn knotter mechanism from said respective holder means for stopping operation of said respective pneumatic threading means.

12. In the combination of a textile yarn processing machine such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assembly means positioned in side-by-side relationship for the processing of yarn, control means operatively connected with each of said spindle assembly means for selectively stopping and startingoperation of said respective spindle assembly means, and pneumatically-operated yarn threading means operatively associated with each of said spindle assembly means for selectively threading a yarn end through at least a portion of each of said spindle assembly means upon actuation thereof, and a manually operated, portable yam knotter mechanism for knotting together two ends of broken or otherwise separated yarn at selected spindle assembly locations; the improvements of holder means mounted stationary on said yarn processing machine in front of each said spindle assembly means and including means for releasably receiving and mounting said yarn knotter mechanism at the desired knotting location in front of selected spindle assembly means eliminating the necessity of the operator holding said portable yarn knotter mechanism, each of said holder means including actuating means operatively connected with said respective control means and said respective pneumatically operated threading means and responsive to reception and mounting of said yarn knotter mechanism in said respective holder means for actuating said control means to stop operation of said respective spindle assembly means for a yarn knotting operation and for starting operation of said pneumatically operated yarn threading means for selectively threading a yarn end through at least a portion of said spindle assembly means and responsive to removal of said yarn knotter mechanism from said respective holder means for actuating said control means to start operation of said respective spindle assembly means for a yarn processing operation and for stopping operation of said respective pneumatic threading means, and

pneumatic suction means forming a part of said knotter mechanism and said holder means for cooperating with each other when said knotter mechanism is inserted into a respective one of said holder means for pulling and threading the separated yarn ends into and through said knotter mechanism for a knotting operation eliminating the necessity of a manual threading operation by an operator, said knotter mechanism pneumatic suction means cooperating with said spindle assembly pneumatic threading means for receiving a separated end of yarn therefrom and threading it through said knotter mechanism.

13. In the combination, as set forth in claim 12, in which each said holder means and said pneumatic suction means forming a part thereof comprise a hollow female receptacle forming a passageway therein having a negative air stream therethrough and having an open upper end, and in which said knotter mechanism and said pneumatic suction means forming a part thereof includes a hollow male member extending therefrom and forming a passageway therein having open bottom and top ends, said male member of said knotter mechanism being constructed for reception by said female receptacle for mounting of said knotter mechanism in said respective holder means and for placing said bottom end of said knotter mechanism passageway in mating communication with said upper end of said holder means passageway for creating a negative air flow through said knotter mechanism passageway for pulling said respective holder means.

15. In the combination, as set forth in claim 14, in which said actuating means comprises a push switch means occupying a first position when said knotter mechanism is not positioned in said holder and being engaged by said biased closure means upon its movement against its bias to uncover said upper end of said female receptacle passageway by insertion of said knotter mechanism into said respective holder means.

Claims (15)

1. In the combination of a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assembly means positioned in side-by-side relationship for the processing of yarn, and a manually operated, portable yarn knotter mechanism for knotting together two ends of broken or otherwise separated yarn at selected spindle assembly locations; the improvement of holder means mounted stationary on said yarn processing machine in front of each said spindle assembly means and including means for releasably receiving and mounting said yarn knotter mechanism at the desired knotting location in front of selected spindle assembly means eliminating the necessity of the operator holding said portable yarn knotter mechanism, and pneumatic suction means forming a part of said knotter mechanism and said holder means for cooperating with each other when said knotter mechanism is inserted into a respective one of said holder means for pulling and threading the separated yarn ends into and through said knotter mechanism for a knotting operation eliminating the necessity of a manual threading operation by an operator.

2. In the combination, as set forth in claim 1, in which each said holder means and said pneumatic suction means forming a part thereof comprise a hollow female receptacle forming a passageway therein having a negative air stream therethrough and having an open upper end, and in which said knotter mechanism and said pneumatic suction means forming a part thereof include a hollow male member extending thereform and forming a passageway therein having open bottom and top endS, said male member of said knotter mechanism being constructed for reception by said female receptacle for mounting of said knotter mechanism in said respective holder means and for placing said bottom end of said knotter mechanism passageway in mating communication with said upper end of said holder means passageway for creating a negative air flow through said knotter mechanism passageway for pulling the separated ends of yarn into said upper end of said knotter mechanism passageway.

3. In the combination, as set forth in claim 2, in which said holder means and said pneumatic suction means forming a part thereof further comprise a common, generally horizontally extending conduit extending along said spindle assembly means and having a negative air stream therethrough and, in which each of said female receptacles are mounted on and extend generally vertically upwardly from said conduit in front of each said spindle assembly and said female receptacle passageway is in communication with said conduit.

4. In the combination, as set forth in claim 2, in which each said holder means further includes pivoted, biased closure means mounted thereon for covering said upper end of said female receptacle passageway when said knotter mechanism is not mounted in said respective holder and being movable against its bias to uncover said upper end of said female receptacle passageway by said knotter mechanism when inserted into said respective holder means.

5. In the combination, as set forth in claim 2, in which said pneumatic suction means of said knotter mechanism further includes a hood means mounted generally around and over the top portion of said knotter mechanism and defining a passageway therein which is in communication and form a part of said male member passageway for the negative flow of air therethrough and which includes an open mouth portion extending over the top of said knotter mechanism for pulling a separated end of yarn into pneumatic suction means of said knotter mechanism for a knotting operation.

6. In the combination, as set forth in claim 5, in which hood means passageway includes a separator baffle in at least a portion thereof separating said hood means passageway into two portions for the reception and passage of the separated ends of yarn in the respective portions.

7. In the combination, as set forth in claim 6, in which said open mouth portion of said hood means forms a part of only one separated portion of said hood means passageway for the reception of one of the separated ends of yarn, and in which said hood means includes a lateral opening in the other separated portion of said hood means passageway for the reception of the other separated end of yarn.

8. In the combination as set forth in claim 1, in which said yarn processing machine includes control means operatively connected with each of said spindle assembly means for selectively stopping and starting operation of said respective spindle assembly means, and in which each of said holder means includes actuating means operatively connected with the respective control means and responsive to reception and mounting of said yarn knotter mechanism in said respective holder means for actuating said control means to stop operation of said respective spindle assembly means for a yarn knotting operation.

9. In the combination, as set forth in claim 8, in which said actuating means of said holder means is responsive to removal of said yarn knotter mechanism from said respective holder means for actuating said control means to start operation of said respective spindle assembly means for yarn processing operations.

10. In the combination, as set forth in claim 8, in which said yarn processing machine includes pneumatically operated yarn threading means operatively associated with each of said spindle assembly means for selectively threading a yarn end through at least a portion of each of said spindle assembly means upon actuation thereof, and in which said actuating means of said respeCtive holder means are operatively connected with said respective pneumatic threading means for starting operation thereof when said yarn knotter mechanism is mounted in said respective holder means.

11. In the combination, as set forth in claim 10, in which said actuating means of said holder means is responsive to removal of said yarn knotter mechanism from said respective holder means for stopping operation of said respective pneumatic threading means.

12. In the combination of a textile yarn processing machine such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assembly means positioned in side-by-side relationship for the processing of yarn, control means operatively connected with each of said spindle assembly means for selectively stopping and starting operation of said respective spindle assembly means, and pneumatically-operated yarn threading means operatively associated with each of said spindle assembly means for selectively threading a yarn end through at least a portion of each of said spindle assembly means upon actuation thereof, and a manually operated, portable yarn knotter mechanism for knotting together two ends of broken or otherwise separated yarn at selected spindle assembly locations; the improvements of holder means mounted stationary on said yarn processing machine in front of each said spindle assembly means and including means for releasably receiving and mounting said yarn knotter mechanism at the desired knotting location in front of selected spindle assembly means eliminating the necessity of the operator holding said portable yarn knotter mechanism, each of said holder means including actuating means operatively connected with said respective control means and said respective pneumatically operated threading means and responsive to reception and mounting of said yarn knotter mechanism in said respective holder means for actuating said control means to stop operation of said respective spindle assembly means for a yarn knotting operation and for starting operation of said pneumatically operated yarn threading means for selectively threading a yarn end through at least a portion of said spindle assembly means and responsive to removal of said yarn knotter mechanism from said respective holder means for actuating said control means to start operation of said respective spindle assembly means for a yarn processing operation and for stopping operation of said respective pneumatic threading means, and pneumatic suction means forming a part of said knotter mechanism and said holder means for cooperating with each other when said knotter mechanism is inserted into a respective one of said holder means for pulling and threading the separated yarn ends into and through said knotter mechanism for a knotting operation eliminating the necessity of a manual threading operation by an operator, said knotter mechanism pneumatic suction means cooperating with said spindle assembly pneumatic threading means for receiving a separated end of yarn therefrom and threading it through said knotter mechanism.

13. In the combination, as set forth in claim 12, in which each said holder means and said pneumatic suction means forming a part thereof comprise a hollow female receptacle forming a passageway therein having a negative air stream therethrough and having an open upper end, and in which said knotter mechanism and said pneumatic suction means forming a part thereof includes a hollow male member extending therefrom and forming a passageway therein having open bottom and top ends, said male member of said knotter mechanism being constructed for reception by said female receptacle for mounting of said knotter mechanism in said respective holder means and for placing said bottom end of said knotter mechanism passageway in mating communication with said upper end of said holder means passageway for creating a negative air flow through said knotter mechanism passageway for pulling the separated ends of yarn into said upper end Of said knotter mechanism passageway.

14. In the combination, as set forth in claim 13, in which each said holder means further includes pivoted, biased closure means mounted thereon for covering said upper end of said female receptacle passageway when said knotter mechanism is not mounted in said respective holder and being movable against its bias to uncover said upper end of said female receptacle passageway by said knotter mechanism when inserted into said respective holder means.

15. In the combination, as set forth in claim 14, in which said actuating means comprises a push switch means occupying a first position when said knotter mechanism is not positioned in said holder and being engaged by said biased closure means upon its movement against its bias to uncover said upper end of said female receptacle passageway by insertion of said knotter mechanism into said respective holder means.

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