US3861128A

US3861128A - Chenille yarn-producing machine

Info

Publication number: US3861128A
Application number: US288008A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Chase Whitaker
Original assignee: Providence Pile Fabric Corp
Current assignee: QUAKER FABRIC Corp 941 GRINNELL STREET FALL RIVER MA 02721 A CORP OF; Quaker Fabric Corp
Priority date: 1972-09-11
Filing date: 1972-09-11
Publication date: 1975-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 1992-01-21
Also published as: JPS4992339A; NL7312466A; FR2199020A1; IT993892B; DE2345541A1; BE804723A

Abstract

An improved chenille yarn-producing machine in which a pair of flexible tapes are driven through continuous paths and are brought into face-to-face juxtaposition during their travel. The machine includes means to apply inner core yarns to the outer faces of the juxtaposed tapes, wrap effect yarns around them and the inner core yarns thereon, and apply outer core yarns to the wrapped tapes. The juxtaposed tapes with the wrappings of the effect yarns and with the inner and outer core yarns are then passed through the nip of compression rolls and the wrappings of the effect yarns are severed by a knife blade inserted in the nip. The two strands thus formed are then separated from the tapes and twisted to produce two individual chenille yarns. The improvements include mechanisms for adjustably centering the inner core yarns on the tapes, mechanisms for stabilizing the juxtaposed tapes following the wrapping of the effect yarns thereon, and mechanisms for adjustably positioning the nip between the compression rolls and the pressure of the rolls at the nip in combination with self-centering means for the cutting blade and tape tension-equalizing means. An improved construction of the flyer and its effect yarn supply support as well as a stop motion means to shut off the machine in the event of the breakage or severance of a tape are also disclosed.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Whitaker [451 Jan. 21, 1975 CHENILLE YARN-PRODUCING MACHINE [75] Inventor: Robert Chase Whitaker, North Wales, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Providence Pile Fabric Corp., Fall River, Mass.

[22] Filed: Sept. 11, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 288,008

1,558,179 10/1925 Keefer 57/24 2,684,565 7/1954 Hortal 57/24 3,357,166 12/1967 McCarthy... 57/24 3,362,146 1/1968 Hortal 57/24 3,777,464 12/1973 Gross 57/24 Primary Examiner-.lohn W..Huckert Assistant ExaminerCharles Gorenstein Attorney, Agent, or FirmSynnestvedt & Lechner [57] ABSTRACT An improved chenille yarn-producing machine in which a pair of flexible tapes are driven through continuous paths and are brought into face-to-face juxtaposition during their travel. The machine includes means to apply inner core yarns to the outer faces of the juxtaposed tapes, wrap effect yarns around them and the inner core yarns thereon, and apply outer core yarns to the wrapped tapes. The juxtaposed tapes with the wrappings of the effect yarns and with the inner and outer core yarns are then passed through the nip of compression rolls and the wrappings of the effect yarns are severed by a knife blade inserted in the nip. The two strands thus formed are then separated from the tapes and twisted to produce two individual chenille yarns. The improvements include mechanisms for adjustably centering the inner core yarns on the tapes, mechanisms for stabilizing the juxtaposed tapes following the wrapping of the effect yarns thereon, and

mechanisms for adjustably positioning the nip between the compression rolls and the pressure of the rolls at the nip in combination with self-centering means for the cutting blade and tape tension-equalizing means. An improved construction of the flyer and its effect yarn supply support as well as a stop motion means to shut off the machine in the event of the breakage or severance of a tape are also disclosed.

9 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] JANZ'I I975 SHEET 10F 4 PATENTED JAN2] I975 sum 3 or 4 Cl-IENILLE YARN-PRODUCING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention concerns apparatus for the manufacture of chenille yarns constituted of a plurality of short lengths of what is here termed an effect yarn, the short lengths being bound between a twisted pair of what are here termed core yarns. Machines for manufacturing chenille yarns are heretofore known which employ forming tapes driven through individual paths, the tapes being brought into face-to-face juxtaposition during a portion of their paths. While in their juxtaposed positions, the inner core yarns are applied to the exposed faces of the tapes, the effect yarns which later form the short lengths of fibers previously mentioned are then wrapped around the exposed faces of the tapes and the inner core yarn thereon, and outer core yarns are applied'to the faces of the wrapped tapes. The wrappings of the effect yarns are then severed by a cutting blade located at a nip between pressure rolls whereby two strands are formed. The strands are then immediately twisted into individual yarn conformations. The invention is concerned with improvements in such machines.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior known machines employed in the production of chenille yarns as referred to above and in which the improvements of the present invention are incorporated (one type of the known machines being represented by the machine shown in US. Pat. No. 3,357,166 issued to D. E. McCarthy on Dec. 12, 1967) include a vertically extending frame structure supporting one or more of the chenille yarn-producing units, each unit providing for the simultaneous formation of two of the chenille yarns. Such machines have upper and lower pairs of grooved sheaves or pulleys, one or the other of the sheaves of each pair, usually the upper sheave, being driven. Each pair supports an endless forming tape for travel through a continuous path with means such as opposed rollers for bringing the tapes into face-to-face juxtaposed positions which they maintain during a portion of their travel through their paths. Each machine or unit in addition includes means for supplying inner core yarns and applying them to the outer faces of the forming tapes at points adjacent the beginning of their travel in their juxtaposed relationship, and a hollow tubular member through which the juxtaposed tapes pass and which is supported from the machine frame. In the type of known machine in which the present inventions have been incorporated, the hollow tubular member in turn forms the support or axle for a rotatable flyer on which a plurality of supply spools of the effect yarn are mounted, the flyer also supporting guide means for directing the effect yarns to a location below the flyer where they are wrapped around the juxtaposed forming tapes and the inner core yarns thereon. The known machines or units also include compression rolls defining a nip therebetween through which the wrapped tapes are passed, the compression rolls additionally serving as means for applying outer core yarns from suitable supplies thereof to the outer sides of the wrapped tapes. The nip of the compression rolls defines the lower end of the path of travel of the tapes in their juxtaposed positions. A cutting blade, such as a razor blade, is mounted on a longitudinally reciprocating shaft positioned in the nip therebe- Ordinarily, metal forming tapes are employed, but in v someinstances, plastic tapes, such as nylon tapes, have been used, such use, however, having heretofore proved to be successful only where relatively wide tapes, resulting in excessively coarse yarns, are employed, and the effect yarns are of a readily severable type. Also, the known machines have not had the capability of producing chenille yarns of uniform size and density, particularly at high speeds, and where relatively fine yarns are desired. These difficulties have been particularly apparent where the effect yarns consist of hard-to-cut fibers such as polypropylene and nylon fibers, and the like. In addition, a considerable amount of down time has been required for machine adjustments and other purposes, and other problems have been encountered, as will be referred to hereinafter, which have materially detracted from the efficiency of the machines and have limited their capabilities.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The principal object of the instant invention is a provision of an improved machine for the production of chenille yarns which will materially increase the capabilities of the machine.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine attaining the foregoing object which will enable yarns of uniform size and density, including yarns of relatively small size, to be produced at greater speeds and with less down time for adjustment and other purposes than heretofore possible.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine attaining the foregoing objects which adapts the machine to the production of chenille yarns embodying difficult-to-cut effect yarns, such as effect yarns of polypropylene and nylon fibers and the like.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine attaining the foregoing objects which employs plastic forming tapes, such as tapes made of nylon and the like, with attendant substantial advantages but without the difficulties and limitations heretofore encountered in the use of forming tapes of such materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing and other objects of the invention, which will become apparent, are attained by a machine or machine unit basically of the type of those previously employed for the manufacture of chenille yarns, as heretofore referred to, but which includes modifications of certain of the known mechanisms as well as additional mechanisms. Briefly described, the novel features of the invention, each of which severally and in combination with the others contributes to the attainment of a more useful and versatile machine, include the provision of inner core yam-guide elements with means for adjusting the guide elements during the operation of the machine to ensure accurate centering of the inner core yarns on the forming tapes. The novel features also include tape-stabilizer means, particularly opposed rolls adjustably supported from the frame structure and positioned below the point at which the effect yarns are wrapped around the forming tapes. The rolls serve the function of overcoming the twisting or distortion of the wrapped tapes due to the torsional forces created by the wrapping of the effect yarns around the tapes and also direct the forming tapes with the wrapped effect yarns thereon in their stabilized condition to the nip of the compression rolls through which the wrapped tapes must pass. The novel features additionally include means for so mounting the compression rolls that the position of the nip between them may be fixed as desired, and also the pressure applied to the wrapped tapes by the rolls may be variably controlled. A further novel feature cooperating with the stabilizer means and the means for controlling the position of the nip between the compression rolls is the provision of means for maintaining the forming tapes under a constant but uniform tension.

The novel features further include a mounting for the holder of the cutting blade (such as the conventionally used razor blade) of such character that the blade selfcenters its cutting edge between the tapes. This feature particularly in combination with the tape-stabilizer means, the tape-tensioning means and the adjustably positioning of the nip between the compression rolls, greatly reduces, if it does not eliminate, the danger that one or the other of the tapes will be cut by the blade during the severing of the wrappings of the effect yarns. It also prevents undesired abrasion of the forming tapes and of the blade, which abrasion otherwise results in the formation of a fine dust or powder which creates serious problems in that it discolors the chenille yarns, particularly when white or light-colored effect yarns are employed, to an extent as to seriously detract from the quality of the chenille yarn. Also, the self-centering or floating support of the cutting blade, in combination with the other features referred to, results in a honing action of the plastic tapes on the blade, maintaining its cutting edge in a sharpened condition, whereby the frequency of replacement of the blade, with consequent interruption of machine operation, is greatly reduced.

In the known machines in which the present inventions are incorporated, the lower sheaves supporting the forming tapes are so positioned with respect to straight line paths of travel of the strands from the point of severance of the effect yarns to the yarn guides serving the ring twisters that the forming tapes separate from such paths as they leave the nip between the compression rolls. However, the extent of such separation is relatively minor in the initial stages, and it has been found that the strand which is being twisted towards its formerly associated forming tape is forced into contact with the tape by the torsional forces set up by the twisting operation. While the reasons are not clearly understood, such contact of the strand with the tape during the twisting of the former imparts a substantially distorted appearance to the chenille yarn. In fact, the distortion is such that the two yarns produced are so dissimilar that they must be employed separately, which seriously detracts from the value of the yarns. This problem is solved by the present invention which includes the provision of a guide or finger supported by the frame and having a hooked end portion projecting between the strand and the adjacent tape and so positioned relatively to the latter that the strand is held at all times away from the tape.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of stop motion means, including a switch and an actuating element therefor positioned to be contacted by one or the other of a pair of downwardly projecting arms of the tape-tensioning and equalizing means previously referred to to open the driving circuit for the machine in the event of the breakage or severance of either of the forming tapes.

Also, the invention includes in one embodiment thereof a novel construction and arrangement of the flyer and its supporting means for the supplies of the effect yarns, the construction retaining the advantages resulting from the provision of a plurality of such supplies, but at the same time permitting much larger packages to be used. This novel construction includes flyer spindles projecting downwardly and inwardly toward the point of application of the effect yarns and supporting inverted cones of the yarns. As a result, the yarns are pulled endwise off from the cones and the rotation of the supplies on their own axes conventionally required and which creates friction loads limiting the size of the packages which may be employed, is not required.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagramatic front elevational view of a machine for making chenille yarn, the machine embodying the instant inventions;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of a flyer mechanism employed in the machine, the section being taken approximately on the line 2-2 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 3 is a still further enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating certain parts of the machine in greater detail;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a detail view of a cutting mechanism and its supporting parts looking in the direction indicated by the arrow 6 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIG. 10 is an elevational view with parts omitted of a modified form of the flyer which may be employed in the machine of the instant invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, a chenille manufacturing machine or unit is shown which is basically of the known type, but which includes the features of the instant inventions. As is conventional, the machine or unit indicated generally at 10 has its several parts supported by a vertically positioned frame structure including uprights 1], cross members 12, a support plate 13 carried by the cross members and having an aperture 19, and a shelf element 14 supported by the vertical members. The framework may serve as the mounting for a single chenille yarn-producingmachine or unit, but normally is of sufficient length to accomodate a plurality of the units in side-by-side relationship, and hence the cross members 12 and shelf 14 are shown broken away at the right-hand end as viewed in FIG. 1.

The known machine includes upper grooved sheaves or

pulleys

15 and 16 lying in the same plane and supported for rotation on

shafts

17 and 18 respectively, the shafts in turn being supported in fixed position by the frame structure. It also includes lower grooved sheaves or

pulleys

20 and 21 also lying the same plane and mounted for rotation on

pins

22 and 23 respectively. In contrast to the known constructions, pins 22 and 23 are in this instance supported by

arms

24 and 25 respectively which form part of a mechanism constituting a feature of the invention, the arrangement and operation of which will be described in more detail hereafter.

Sheaves

15 and 20 support an endless forming tape 26 and, similarly, sheaves 16.and 21 support an endless forming tape 27. Upper sheaves l5 and 16 are rotated in clockwise and counterclockwise directions respectively by means such as the worm drive shown in FIG. 1 and which includes a worm wheel 28 supported for rotation with a shaft 30, which in turn is mounted for rotation in

brackets

31 and 32 projecting from support plate 13. Shaft is rotated by a belt and pulley combination indicated generally at 33, the belt being driven by any suitable power source, such as a motor (not shown). Worm 28 meshes with teeth carried by the rims of sheaves l5 and 16.

As illustrated particularly in FIGS. 1, and 2, as is conventional, the forming

tapes

26 and 27 are brought into face-to-face juxtaposed positions shortly after they leave their respective sheaves l5 and 16 by

rollers

34 and 35 mounted for free rotation on

pins

36 and 37 respectively, which are in turn supported by

brackets

38 and 39 respectively (see FIG. 2) adjustably positioned on backing plate 13 by any suitable means such as the studs illustrated.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 2 and 7, a bracket 41 is secured to base plate 13 as by a stud 42, the bracket projecting forwardly and, in accordance with the invention, including a split end defining a pair ofjaws having opposed semicircular cut-outs to receive an upper end portion of a conventional hollow tube 43. A stud 44 projects through an opening in one of the jaws and has its outer end threadably received in an opening in the other of the jaws. Also, a collar 45 is affixed to the upper end of the hollow tube 43, the collar having a threaded opening to receive the threaded end of an outwardly projecting rod 46 which, in accordance with the invention, functions as a set screw to hold the collar in place and also as a handle for rotating tube 43, as pointed out hereafter. A bushing 47 of known type is affixed within the lower end of tube 43 as by being welded thereto, the bushing having diametrically opposed notches 48 (see FIG. 4 and 7) serving as guide elements for inner core yarns 49. The latter are drawn from conventional supplies such as the cones which are supported from the frame structure by any suitable means (not shown).

The above-described novel arrangement permits tube 43 and the bushing carried thereby to be rotated while the machine is in operation to accurately adjust the positions of the inner core yarns 49 so that they will lie centrally of the tape faces to which they are applied. All that is necessary is to retract the stud 44 to release the grip of the jaws against the tube 43 and then apply force to handle 46 to rotate the tube and bushing in the direction required to guide the inner core yarns to their desired locations on the tapes and thereafter advance the stud to its tube-securing position.

Tube 43, as is conventional, serves as an axle for the rotation of a flyer which in part projects through cutout 19 of support plate 13. The flyer carries spools 51 of the effect yarns 52, three of such spools preferably being employed as illustrated in FIG. 7. The flyer includes a tubular element 53 having a lower flange 54 to which a base plate 55 is secured as by bolts 56 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The base plate supports the spindles 57 for yarn spools 51 previously mentioned. The tubular portion 53 of the flyeris mounted for rotation on tube 43 through the medium of upper and lower bearing units 58, and the flyer is maintained in its assembled relationship with tube 43 by suitable means such as a collar 59 located below the lower bearing 58 and secured to tube 43 and bushing 47 by a set screw 69 (see FIG. 4). Tubular element 53 carries a sheave or pulley 60 suitably formed integrally therewith, adjacent its upper end which is driven by a belt 61 leading to the drive pulley of a motor or other power drive (not shown). The flyer additionally includes yarn guide fingers 62 and guide eyes 63 for leading the effect yarns 52 from their spools 51 to the wrapping location below the flyer.

The flyer described above, which is of conventional construction, has the disadvantage that as the spools must be rotated on their spindles by the withdrawing effect yarns and against a friction load imposed by the weight of the yarn supplies, the load being increased by the centrifugal forces involved, the quantity of yarn which may be carried by the spools without unduly increasing the tension in the yams is limited. Inasmuch as the machine must be stopped for the renewal of the yarn supply, a substantial amount of undesired down time results. The present invention includes a modified form of flyer described below which solves this problem and which may be substituted for the conventional flyer construction.

Referring particularly to FIG. 10, the improved flyer of the instant invention includes a base plate 64 having a hub 65 mounted for rotation on tube 43, suitable bearing units 66, such as ball bearings, being interposed between the hub and the tube. The plate 64 is maintained in an elevated position on the tube as by collar 67 affixed to the latter. Base plate 64 supports the supplies of effect yarns 52, suitably three in number, although only one is shown in FIG. 10 for convenience of illustration. As distinguished from the conventional flyer arrangement, yarn cones 68 are employed, the cones being supported in approximately inverted but inclined positions on spindles (not shown) carried by brackets 70. A yarn guide 71 affixed to the base plate is provided for each yarn cone, the guide having a guide eye 72 positioned to direct the yarn to the wrapping point. The employment of the cones with their smaller ends projecting toward the wrapping point permits the yarns to be drawn endwise off of the cones without rotation of the latter. Hence the problems encountered with the conventional flyer construction are eliminated and large yarn cones may be employed with consequent saving in down time. In fact, it has been found that the quantity of yarn in each supply may be twice that previously employed.

In the known machines, following the effect yarn wrapping operation, the juxtaposed tapes with the inner core yarns and the wrapping of the effect yarn thereon pass through the nip of grooved compression rolls 73 and 74 which also serve as the means for applying outer core yarns 75 to the outer sides of the wrapped forming tapes, the outer core yarns 75 being drawn from supply cones 77 supported from the framework of the machine by any suitable means (not shown). Also, in the conventional machines, as the wrapped tapes pass through the nip defined by the

rolls

73 and 74, the wrappings thereon are severed by a reciprocating cutter, such as a razor blade, 80 having its cutting edge substantially in the nip. The two

resultant strands

129 and 130 are then separated from their re spective forming tapes and are immediately twisted into chenille yarn by means of conventional ring twisters indicated generally at 83 and 84 respectively and the operating parts of which are not shown in detail as they may be of any conventional or suitable type, the separate strands passing through

guide eyes

85 and 86 supported by shelf 14 on their way to the travelers 78 of the ring twisters. The

guide eyes

85 and 86 are so positioned that the paths of travel of the strands are forward of tape-supporting

sheaves

20 and 21 and contact with them is thus avoided.

To provide a machine which will operate at high speeds with little down time and permit the employment of plastic materials such as reinforced nylon for the forming tapes without limitation, the present invention also includes modifications of additional mechanisms of the known machine including the mounting means for the compression rollers, the mounting means for. the cutting blade and the tensioning means for the forming tapes as well as added features, all of which cooperate in producing the desired results and which will now be described.

It is of critical importance, if abrasion of the cutting blade and cutting or slicing of the forming tapes are to be avoided and other advantageous results achieved, that the tapes be in direct alignment with the cutting blade. One problem which must be solved if this result is to be achieved is the twist imparted to the wrapped tapes by the torsional forces exerted by the effect yarns as they are wrapped around the tapes. To solve this problem, tape-stabilizer rollers indicated at 90 and 91 (see particularly FIGS. 3 and are employed, the stabilizer rollers defining a nip which serves to restore the wrapped tapes to and maintain them in the required position in alignment with the nip between the compression rolls 73 and 74. The

stabilizer rollers

90 and 91 are mounted on

pins

92 and 93 respectively, which in turn are supported by

brackets

94 and 95 respectively. The brackets are mounted on support plate 13 in a manner to permit adjustment of the rollers toward and away from each other by means of

studs

96 and 97 penetrating slots 98 in the brackets and having their ends threadably received in threaded openings in support plate 13.

Also, in order to secure and maintain proper alignment of the forming tapes with the cutting blade, compression rolls 73 and 74 (see particularly FIGS. 1, 3 and 8) are, in accordance with the invention, mounted for rotation on pins or

axles

100 and 101 respectively, which are in turn affixed to L-shaped

brackets

102 and 103 respectively. The brackets are supported for rocking movements on

pins

105 and 106 respectively, the inner ends of which are secured to support plate 13. The approximately horizontally extending arms 107 and 108 of the brackets support pins 111 on which grooved guide rolls 112 for the outer core yarns and 76 are rotatably mounted. The approximately vertically extending arms 109 and of the L-shaped brackets have downwardly extending members 114 and'1l5 respectively secured thereto or formed integrally therewith. A bracket 116 (see FIGS. 1 and 8) suitably secured to support plate 13 as by studs 117 has an end portion lying in opposed relationship to the lower end portion of member and a bolt 118 has one end affixed to member 115, the bolt penetrating an unthreadedopening in the end portion of bracket 116 and carrying an adjustment nut 119. A second bracket 120 is affixed to base plate 13 as by studs 121, the outer end of the bracket lying in opposed relationship to the lower end of member 114. A tension spring 122 is connected at one end to member 114 adjacent the lower end thereof and the outer end of the spring is connected to the end of an adjustment bolt 124 penetrating an unthreaded opening in bracket 120 and maintained in adjusted position by a wing nut 123.

As will be understood, by the mechanisms just described the position of roll 74 defining one side of the nip between the

rolls

73 and 74 can be adjusted within reasonable limits as desired by the rotation of nut 119 on bolt 118 and consequent rocking of arm 110 on its pivot pin 106. Similarly, the pressure exerted by

rolls

73 and 74 against the wrapped forming tapes and hence the final position of roll 73 can be adjusted by the rotation of wing nut 123 on bolt 124. These adjustments can be made, if desired, while the machine is in operation.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the mechanism for severing the effect yarns at the nip between compression rolls 73 and 74, whereby two separate strands 129 and of embryo chenille yarns are formed, and the novel features thereof will be described. Conventionally, the cutting mechanism consists of the cutting blade 80 previously referred to, such as a razor blade, supported from a shaft 126 and in a fixed position relatively thereto with its upper or cutting edge at the nip between compression rolls 73 and 74. Shaft 126 is mounted for longitudinal reciprocation in a bearing element 127 carried by support plate 13. The conventional reciprocating means for shaft 126, which is not shown, includes a worm drive, the worm wheel of which has an eccentric pin to which the rod 126 is universally connected. However, any suitable reciprocating means for the shaft may be employed.

In accordance with the instant invention, the cutting blade 80, rather than being in a fixed position relatively to shaft 126, is mounted for rocking movement on the shaft whereby its cutting edge will self-center between

tapes

26 and 27. The mounting means includes U- shaped blade clamps 128 having lower cylindrical bearing portions receiving shaft 126 with sufficient clearance to permit their ready rocking movement thereon. A spacer plate 131 is inserted between the lower edge of the cutting blade and shaft 126 with its ends within the clamps, and the several elements are maintained in their assembled relationship as shown in FIG. 6 by rivets 132 penetrating the clamps and spacer plate. Added insurance that the blade will not become dislodged is preferably obtained by the provision of a spot weld, as indicated at 133, securing the blade to the right-hand clamp 1 28 and one end of spacer plate 131. The blade holder is maintained in the desired position longitudinally of shaft 126 by confining it between means,

shown only in FIG. 6, comprising an end plate 134 and a collar 137. End plate 134 has a collar portion 135 receiving the end of the shaft and a winged set screw 136 penetrates portion 135 for affixing the plate to the shaft. The arrangement permits ready removal and replacement of the end plate when blade changes are required. Collar 137 is affixed to the shaft by a set screw 138. The end plate 134 is, as shown, preferably dimensioned to extend the full height of the cutting blade whereby it serves the additional function of a guard for the cutting edge of the blade.

As previously pointed out, forming

tapes

26 and 27, following theseverance of the wrapped effect yarns at the bite or nip between compression rolls 73 and 74, proceed in separate paths to their lower sheaves or

pulleys

20 and 21 respectively. In accordance with the instant invention and to further contribute to the accurate severing of the effect yarns, the

sheaves

20 and 21 are so mounted as to apply equalized tensions to the tapes. Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 9, sheaves 20 and 21 are mounted for rotation on

pins

22 and 23 respectively, as previously mentioned, the sheaves being maintained in their desired positions by

collars

141 and 142 affixed to the pins as by set screws (not shown). Pin 22 is carried by an arm 144 adjacent the outer end thereof, the arm having a hub portion 145 mounted for rocking movement on a short shaft 146 projecting forwardly from support plate 13. Pin 23 rotatably supporting sheave 22 is similarly carried by an arm 147 adjacent the outer end thereof, the arm also having a hub portion 148 mounted for rocking movements on shaft 146.The

arms

144 and 147 are maintained in fixed positions longitudinally of shaft 146 as by outer and

inner collars

149 and 150 respectively, the

' collar 149 being fixed in position by set screw 151. A

threaded inner end of shaft 146 penetrates an opening in the support plate 13 and is secured thereto as by nut 152.

Downwardly and outwardly projecting

opposed lever arms

153 and 154 are secured by any suitable means, such as welding, to

arms

144 and 147 respectively, adjacent the lower end of lever arm 153 an adjusting bolt 155 penetrates an unthreaded opening in the lever arm. Similarly, an adjustment bolt 156 penetrates an unthreaded opening in the opposite lever arm 154. The inner ends of

bolts

155 and 156 are connected in any suitable way to the ends of a tension spring 160, and the tension exerted on the lever arms by the spring is adjusted by means of

nuts

157 and 158 threaded on the

bolts

155 and 156 respectively. As will be understood, the mechanism described above ensures equal tension in the

tapes

26 and 27 and also permits adjustment of such tension.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the separation of the

strands

129 and 130 following the severing of the effect yarns and the paths thereafter taken by the strands and V the tapes are illustrated. As previously pointed out, it has been found that the strand which is being twisted in a direction toward its formerly associated tape, namely the strand 130 in the construction shown, will temporarily continue in contact with the tape with the result that the completed chenille yarn is of substantially different appearance and character than the chenille yarn formed from strand 129 which remains out of contact with tape 26. In accordance with the instant invention and to successfully solve this problem, a strand guide rod 159 carried by support plate 13 has a hooked end 161 inserted between strand and the adjacent tape 27, the hooked end being positioned sufficiently away from the tape to maintain the strand out of contact with the tape.

The drivers for the various driven parts such as pulleys or

sheaves

15 and 16, the flyer and the

ring twisters

83 and 84 have not been illustrated, but it will be understood that they may comprise individual electric motors or. a multipurpose motor operating the several drive mechanisms required. In either event, a wiring system (not shown) would be involved, such system including a manually operated start/stop switch, such as the switch illustrated at 162, located, for example, on shelf 14. In accordance with the instant invention, a stop motion device is also included to open the circuit to the operating motor or motors in the event of the rupture of either of the

tapes

26 and 27. Referring again to FIG. 1, the stop motion device includes a wobble switch 163 which is connected into the electrical circuit and which is supported on-a post 164 extending upwardly from shelf 14. The wobble switch is of a conventional type having a rockable actuator arm 165 which, when rocked in any direction from the position shown, results in the opening of the circuit to the driving motor or motors. Actuator arm 165 projects forwardly between

lever arms

153 and 154. Consequently, upon the severance or breakage of either of

tapes

26 and 27,

arm

144 or 147, as the case may be, which supports the

lower sheave

20 or 21 associated with the sev- I ered or broken tape will swing downwardly on shaft 146 and the

arm

153 and 154 carried thereby will contact actuator arm 165 and rock it to a position in which it opens the circuit to the driving motor or motors.

As will be appreciated from the above description of the several novel features of the instant invention embodied in a chenille yarn-producing machine of basically conventional type, the novel features make it possible for the machine to produce chenille yarns employing effect yarns of hard-to-cut fibers, such as polypropylene and nylon fibers, at high speeds. Also, such features improve the over-all efficiency of the machine as down time is minimized andthe machine is simpler to operate. 8

Although certain embodiments of the invention have been shown in the drawings and described in the specification, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, is capable of modification, and can be rearranged without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a machine for the production of chenille yarn including a pair of traveling forming tapes, means for maintaining said tapes in face-to-face juxtaposed positions during a portion of their travel, means for forming wrappings of effect yarn on said juxtaposed tapes, a pair of compression rolls having opposed-peripheral surface portions defining a nip through which said wrapped tapes pass, and a blade having a cutting edge to sever the wrappings as the wrapped tapes pass through said nip, the improvement comprising means for adjusting the positions of said compression rolls, said means for adjusting the position of said compression rolls comprising a bracket individual to each roll supporting the roll for rotation thereon, means supporting each bracket for rocking movement to move said rolls towards and away from each other, means for adjusting the bracket supporting one of said rolls to a determined rocked position and maintaining it in such position, and means for urging rocking movement of the other bracket to press the roll supported thereby toward said one roll.

2. In a machine for the production of chenille yarn including a pair of traveling forming tapes, means for maintaining said tapes in face-to-face juxtaposed positions during a portion of their travel, means for forming wrappings of effect yarns on said juxtaposed tapes, and means for applying an inner core yarn to an exposed face of each tape while said tapes are in their juxtaposed positions and prior to the forming of the wrappings of the effect yarns thereon, the improvement comprising means for adjusting said inner core yarnapplying means to alter the positions of said inner core yarns on the exposed faces of said tapes, said adjusting means including means operable to permit such adjustment while the machine is in operation.

3. A machine for the production of chenille yarn including a pair of traveling forming tapes, means for maintaining said tapes in face-to-face juxtaposed positions during a portion of their travel, means for forming wrappings of effect yarns on said juxtaposed tapes, a pair of compression rolls having opposed peripheral surface portions defining a nip through which said wrapped tapes pass, means to cause said tapes to travel in diverging paths following their travel through said nip and means for severing the wrappings of effect yarns as the wrapped tapes pass through said nip comprising a blade having a cutting edge and a holder for said blade, the improvements comprising means for adjusting the positions of said compression rolls including means to adjust the position of one of said rolls to a determined position relatively to said cutting edge and for maintaining said one roll in said position, and means supporting the cutting blade holder for self-centering adjustment of the cutting edge of the blade within said nip.

4. A machine according to claim 3 wherein there is means for applying equal and substantially uniform tension to said tapes.

5. In a machine for the production of chenille yarn including a pair of traveling forming tapes, means for maintaining said tapes in face-to-face juxtaposed positions during a portion of their travel, means for forming wrappings of effect yarns on said juxtaposed tapes, a pair of compression rolls defining a nip through which the wrapped tapes pass, and means to sever the wrappings as the wrapped tapes pass through said nip comprising a blade having a cutting edge and a holder for said blade, the improvement comprising stabilizing means for said wrapped tapes as the wrapped tapes approach said nip and means mounting said stabilizing means between said means for forming wrappings of effect yarns and said means defining a nip, the further improvement comprising means for adjusting the position of one of said compression rolls to a determined position and means for maintaining it in such position, and the further improvement comprising means sup porting said blade holder for self-centering adjustment of the cutting edge of the blade within said nip.

6. A machine according to claim 5 wherein a further improvement comprises means to impart constant and substantially equal and uniform tensions to said tapes.

7. In a machine for the production of chenille yarn including a pair of traveling forming tapes, means for maintaining said tapes in face-to-face juxtaposed positions during a portion of their travel, means for forming wrappings of effect yarns on said juxtaposed tapes, and compression rolls having opposed peripheral surface portions defining a nip through which said wrapped tapes pass, the improvement comprising means for adjusting the positions of said compression rolls, said adjustment means comprising a bracket individual to each roll supporting the roll for rotation thereon, means supporting each bracket for rocking movement to move said rolls towards and away from each other, means for adjusting the bracket supporting one of said rolls to a determined rocked position, spring means for urging rocking movement of the other bracket to press the roll supported thereby toward said one roll, and means for adjusting the force of said spring means.

8. In a machine for the production of chenille yarns including a pair of forming tapes, means for supporting said forming tapes for travel in individual paths, and means for causing travel of said tapes in said paths including an electric circuit, the improvement comprising means for applying constant and substantially uniform tension to said tapes during their travel in said paths, said last-named means comprising a pivoted arm for rockably mounting each of said sheaves with each arm supporting a lever member affixed to and projecting at an angle from the arm to which it is affixed with the lever members in opposed relationship, and wherein there is a means for opening said circuit upon the severance of either of said tapes, said circuit opening means comprising a switch in said circuit having an actuating element for movement between switch closing and switch opening positions, and there is means supporting said actuating element for contact by a lever member to move said actuating element to its switch opening position upon the severance of a tape.

9. In a machine for the production of chenille yarn including a pair of traveling forming tapes, means for maintaining said tapes in face-to-face juxtaposed positions during a portion of their travel, means for forming wrappings to effect yarns on said juxtaposed tapes, means defining a nip through which the wrapped tapes pass, and means to sever the wrappings as the wrapped tapes pass through said nip, said severing means comprising a blade having a cutting edge and a holder for said blade, the improvement comprising means supporting the blade holder for self-centering adjustment of the cutting edge of the blade, said supporting means comprising a shaft, means on said holder rockably mounting it on said shaft, and means for maintaining said holder in substantially fixed position longitudinally of said shaft.

Claims

1. In a machine for the production of chenille yarn including a pair of traveling forming tapes, means for maintaining said tapes in face-to-face juxtaposed positions during a portion of their travel, means for forming wrappings of effect yaRn on said juxtaposed tapes, a pair of compression rolls having opposed peripheral surface portions defining a nip through which said wrapped tapes pass, and a blade having a cutting edge to sever the wrappings as the wrapped tapes pass through said nip, the improvement comprising means for adjusting the positions of said compression rolls, said means for adjusting the position of said compression rolls comprising a bracket individual to each roll supporting the roll for rotation thereon, means supporting each bracket for rocking movement to move said rolls towards and away from each other, means for adjusting the bracket supporting one of said rolls to a determined rocked position and maintaining it in such position, and means for urging rocking movement of the other bracket to press the roll supported thereby toward said one roll.

2. In a machine for the production of chenille yarn including a pair of traveling forming tapes, means for maintaining said tapes in face-to-face juxtaposed positions during a portion of their travel, means for forming wrappings of effect yarns on said juxtaposed tapes, and means for applying an inner core yarn to an exposed face of each tape while said tapes are in their juxtaposed positions and prior to the forming of the wrappings of the effect yarns thereon, the improvement comprising means for adjusting said inner core yarn-applying means to alter the positions of said inner core yarns on the exposed faces of said tapes, said adjusting means including means operable to permit such adjustment while the machine is in operation.

5. In a machine for the production of chenille yarn including a pair of traveling forming tapes, means for maintaining said tapes in face-to-face juxtaposed positions during a portion of their travel, means for forming wrappings of effect yarns on said juxtaposed tapes, a pair of compression rolls defining a nip through which the wrapped tapes pass, and means to sever the wrappings as the wrapped tapes pass through said nip comprising a blade having a cutting edge and a holder for said blade, the improvement comprising stabilizing means for said wrapped tapes as the wrapped tapes approach said nip and means mounting said stabilizing means between said means for forming wrappings of effect yarns and said means defining a nip, the further improvement comprising means for adjusting the position of one of said compression rolls to a determined position and means for maintaining it in such position, and the further improvement comprising means supporting said blade holder for self-centering adjustment of the cutting edge of the blade within said nip.