US3901282A

US3901282A - Loom harness

Info

Publication number: US3901282A
Application number: US472344A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles F Kramer; Robert F Parks
Original assignee: Steel Heddle Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Steel Heddle Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1974-05-22
Filing date: 1974-05-22
Publication date: 1975-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 1992-08-26

Abstract

Loom harness and specifically nose guides and heddle rod supports are described made from a plurality of molded abrasion resistant synthetic plastic parts which have snap together - snap apart connections for quick and easy removal and replacement on the top and bottom rails of a heddle frame. The components can be molded from the same material or from different materials having different wear characteristics, with interposed spacers, if desired, and with identical halves for nose guides providing ease of assembly at reduced cost, reduction of in-plant storage requirements for repair or replacement, and for selectivity of action, attendant upon the specific composition of the components.

Description

United States Patent Kramer et al.

[ Aug. 26, 1975 Assignee:

Filed:

Parks, both of Greenville, SC.

Steel Heddle Manufacturing Company, Greenville, SC.

May 22, 1974 Appl. No.: 472,344

[52] US. Cl. 139/92 [51] DO3C 9/06 [58] Field of Search 139/91.92, 88.82; 28/54; 24/115 G, 168, 248 SL [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,611,396 12/1926 Wattic [39/88 2,364,982 12/1944 Kaufmann... 139/92 3,251,383 /1966 Kaufmann 139/91 3,417,787 12/1968 Kaufmann 139/91 3,417,788 12/1968 Kramer 139/92 3,470,920 /1969 Kaufmann et al. 139/91 FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 430,615 8/1967 Switzerland 139/91 1,400,577 4/1965 France 24/248 SL 1,300,273 6/1962 France 24/248 SL 1,199 1866 United Kingdom 139/92 344,384 3/1960 Switzerland 139/92 574,573 3/1958 Italy 139/92 Primary Examiner.lames Kee Chi Attorney, Agent, or FirmZachary T. Wobensmith, 2nd; Zachary T. Wobensmith, 111

Loom harness and specifically nose guides and heddle rod supports are described made from a plurality of molded abrasion resistant synthetic plastic parts which have snap together snap apart connections for quick and easy removal and replacement on the top and bottom rails of a heddle frame. The components can be molded from the same material or from different materials having different wear characteristics, with interposed spacers, if desired, and with identical halves for nose guides providing ease of assembly at reduced cost, reduction of in-plant storage requirements for repair or replacement, and for selectivity of action, attendant upon the specific composition of the components.

ABSTRACT 11' Claims, Drawing Figures .0M RN S BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to loom harness and more particularly to attachments for the top and bottom rails of the harness frame of a weaving loom serving as nose guides to protect the rails and for the connection of the heddle supporting rods.

2. Description of the Prior Art I It has heretofore been proposed to provide supports intermediate their ends for the top and'bottom heddle rods, these supports being of various types including fixed. supports, adjustable supports and resilient supports. In the wooden rails previously employed there was usually sufficient thickness of the rail to permit openings for bolts and'the like.

With metallic rails formed as extrusions, these are in some instances too thin to permit of penetrating the rail without unduly weakening it.

In thepriorpatents of C. F. Kramer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,417,788 and F. H. Kaufmann et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,470,920, molded synthetic plastic supports for the heddle rods is shown having a one piece body which are very satisfactory but lackthe ease of application and removal of the present constructions, the capabilities of use of different'ma'terials, and reduced in-plant storage requirements.

It has also-been proposed in the Swiss patent No. 430,615 to E. Frohlich AG; to construct nose guides of two pieces of solid cross section and held together by screws. The two parts are not interchangeable and the screws can work loose because of vibration.

Kaufmann, U.S. Pat. No. 3,251,383 shows a one piece molded synthetic plastic nose guide but this is of limited use.

Kaufmann, U.S. Pat. No. 2,601,873, Blickenstorfer,

U.S. Pat. No. 2,674,274 and Heller, U.S. Pat. No. 3,754,577, show strips of material applied to harness frame rails for protective purposes, but do not have available the versatility or selection of different components with quick attachability and detachability.

'- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the principal object of the present invention to provide an attachment for the top and bottom rails of heddle frames of weaving looms made of meeting and interlocking parts and of a synthetic plastic material which reduces the tendency of the rails to abrade, which is disposed in encircling relation to the rail and which can be positioned at any desired location along the rail and which is retained in that position against movement along the rail, andwhich can be employed for retaining the heddle rod intermediate its ends with respect to its associated r'ail. I

It is a furtherobject of the present invention't'o provide an attachment for the rails of heddle frames of weaving looms and in which the attachmentmay have one margin hinged, slidably connected or secured together with the other end having a snap together connection. 7

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an attachment for the rails of heddle frames of weaving looms composed in certain forms of a pair of identical pieces disposed in encircling-relation to the rail.

- Itis a further object of the present invention to provide an attachment for the rails of heddle frames of weaving looms which is disposed in encircling relation to the rail, which may be fixedly positioned longitudinally of the rail and which may include a holding spring.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims. 1

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a heddle frame embodying the main features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, taken approximately on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an interior view in elevation of one of the components of the nose guide and heddle rod support shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an interior view of another of the components of the nose guide and heddle rod support shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation] view of another embodiment of the present invention and specifically of a nose guide;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an interior view in elevation of the components of the nose guide shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a view partly in end elevation and partly in vertical section taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an interior view, in elevation, somewhat similar to FIG. 9 of a nose guide component, showing a further embodiment of the invention and with an interior spring;

FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 12-12 of FIG. 11 mounted on a heddle frame rail and with a similar nose guide component engaged therewith;

FIG. 13 is a view in elevation showing the manner of assembling the components;

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 14-14 of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on the line 15-15 of FIG. 13. I

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a heddle frame 10 is shown of well known construction comprising top and bottom rails 11 and side struts 12, preferably of wood, connecting the ends of the rails 11 and maintaining them in spaced parallel 3 relation. The side struts 12 can be held in engagement by screws (not shown)..

The rails 11 are advantageously made of lightweight I In accordance with the invention, and in one prev ferred embodiment, the rail attachment 25 includes a plurality of separate sections, such as at 26 and 27, of molded synthetic plastic, attachably and detachably connected and held together as hereinafter explained.

The

sections

26 and 27 can be made of any suitable materials, it being preferred to employ a synthetic plastic material having a low coefficient of friction when in rubbing contact with metal rails. Suitable materials include the plastic available under the trade name Delrin, and nylon, both of which are tough, resilient, inert and free from any tendency to soil the fabric being woven. The

sections

26 and 27 can be made of the same or of different materials with one of greater hardness than the other, if desired, or varied over a hardness range and selected within that range as desired.

The section 26, shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, includes a wall portion 28, normally vertically disposed in use, with its inner face 29 for engagement with one of the faces 14 of the rail 11, and with an inwardly extending horizontal rib 30 for engagement with the inner face of one of the rails 11 and having a vertical book 31, for purposes to be explained, extending along its length.

The section 26, beyond the rib 30 has a wall portion 32, formed as a continuation of the wall portion 28, with side and

intermediate strengthening ribs

33 and 34 and a transverse rib 35 to provide a bearing surface and support for the heddle rod 17. The rib 35 has a plurality of openings 36 for the reception of fasteners 37 which may be rivets, pins in frictional engagement in the openings 36, or any other desired fasteners.

The section 26, at its other margin has a wall portion 38, formed as'a continuation of the wall portion 28 with an inner transverse rib 39, and central vertical and side vertical ribs 40 and 41 extending therefrom to a transverse end rib 42.

The wall portion 38, between the ribs 39, 40. 42 and 41 and between the

ribs

39, 41, 42 and 40 is provided with projecting parts of snap type connections, shown as a pair of projections 44 each having a central opening 45 therethrough with an enlarged outer end 46. The opening 45 at the end opposite the enlarged end 46 has an enlargement at 43. The outer end 46 of each projection 44 is enlarged and the enlargement in separated by a transverse slot 48 and the bifurcated portions thus obtained are enlarged with rounded surfaces acting as cams to facilitate insertion and removal as hereinafter explained.

The section 27, shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, includes a wall portion 50, normally vertically disposed in use, with its inner face 51 for engagement with one of the faces 14 of the rail 11 and with an inwardly extending horizontal portion 52 of increased thickness and prohook 54 extending therealong for engagement with the vertical rib 31.

The section 27, at its other margin has a wall portion 56 formed as a continuation of the wall portion 50 with an inner transverse rib 57 and central vertical and side

vertical ribs

58 and 59 extending therefrom to a transverse end rib 60.

The wall portion 56 is provided with a socket which includes a wall '61 with a central opening 62, the opening 62 being enlarged at its outer end 63.

The attachment 25 has an outer terminal face 64 with outer converging faces 65 extending to the face 64 to facilitate the separating action desired of nose guides.

The

sections

26 and 27 are preferably assembled to a rail 11 by engaging the hook 54 on the rib 31 and, with a rail between the

faces

29 and 51, moving the opposite ends of the

sections

26 and 27 toward each other and pressure is applied to force the ends 46 of the projections 44 through the openings 62, the ends 46 being retained in the openings 63. The

wall portions

42 and 60 are in engagement and the attachment 25 is held onto the rail 11.

The heddle rods 17 with heddles 21 thereon may be attached in advance to the section 26 or may be mounted after mounting of the attachment 25 in the frame 10. The heddle rods 17 are preferably of alength so as to terminate inwardly of the inner faces of the side rails 12 to facilitate insertion.

If it is desired to remove the attachment 25, the

sections

26 and 27 may be separated by the use of a screw driver or the like to retract the enlarged portions 46 of the projections 44 through the opening 62. The attachment 25 can then readily be separated from the rail 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10, in the embodiment of the invention there is shown the heddle frame 10 similar to that previously described.

The rail attachment 25a there shown serves as a nose guide and includes a pair of separate identically shaped sections 70, of molded synthetic plastic as previously referred to.

Each section includes a wall portion 71, vertically disposed in use, with its inner face 72 for engagement with one of the faces 14 of a rail 11 and with a marginal rib 73 having an inner ledge 74 for engagement with the inner face 15 of one of the rails 11 and having a plurality of spaced openings 75 with inner portions 76 of reduced diameter.

The section 70, in spaced relation from the ledge 74 has a transverse rib 78 with a ledge 79. The rib 78 can be provided with a notch 80 for the reception of one end of a zig-zag spring 81 which has an upper portion extending horizontally from the notch 80 the remainder of the width of the attachment, an intermediate portion 83 extending horizontally in a reverse direction the width of the attachment, and a rail engaging portion 84 extending horizontally in the same direction as the upper portion, in engagement with the face 16 of the rail 11.

The rib 78 is provided, spaced inwardly from one end, with a snap projection 85, similar to the projection 44, and an opening 86, and enlargement 87 similar to the opening 62 and its enlargement 63.

The wall 71, spaced outwardly from the rib 78 is provided with a terminal rib 89. The rib 89 is provided with an opening 90 and enlargement 91, similar to the opening 86 and enlargement 87. The rib 89 is also provided with a snap projection 92, similar to the 'projection85, for insertion through the opening 90,.aridengagement in the enlargement 91.

It will be noted that the construction described is such that two sections 70, in facing relation can have the snap projection 85 of one section inserted into the opening 86 of the other section and the snap projection 92 inserted into the opening 90 and engaged in the enlargement 91.

The two sections 70, at the inner end, can be secured together in any desired manner by fasteners 93, such as rivets, interengaging screws or the like, inserted in the openings 75.

The mode of application to and removal from the rails 11 is similar to that previously described except for the insertion, prior to engagement of the

snap projections

85 and 92, of the spring 81 between the ledge 79 and the outer face 16 of the rail 11. The action insofar as the structure beyond the rails 11 is concerned is similar to that previously described.

Referring now to FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14, the embodiment of the invention there showncan be utilized in the heddle frame previously described.

The rail attachment 25b there shown, like the attachment 25a, serves as a nose guide and includes a pair of separate identically shaped sections 95, of molded synthetic plastic as previously referred to.

Each section 95 includes a wall portion 96, normally vertically disposed, in use, with its inner face portion 97 for engagement with a side face 14 of a rail 1 1. The wall 96 at one end and extending thereacross a distance preferably less than half the width has an inwardly extending rib 97 for engagement with the face of the rail 11. The rib 97 has extending therefrom an outer rib 98 with an inclined outer face 99 and an inner rib 100 providing a pivotal locking space 105 therebetween.

The wall 96 at the same end and extending thereacross a distance preferably less than half the width has an outer rib 101 with an outer inclined face 102, and a bottom rib portion 103 with a rib 104 extending therefrom for engagement in the space between the ribs 98 and 100 of a meeting section 95.

The wall 96 has a plurality of transversely spaced interior

cylindrical portions

106 and 107. The portion 106 has a snap projection 108 similar to the

snap projections

44 and 85 previously referred to, and the portion 107 has an opening 109 and enlargement 110, similar to the

openings

62 and 86 and

enlargements

63 and 91 previously described.

The wall 96 is provided with a transverse rib 11 1, and side ribs 112 which extend to end ribs 113.

inwardly of the end ribs 113, a fastener opening 114 is provided, having an outer enlargement 115, and spaced therefrom a snap projection 116 similar to the

snap projections

44, 85 and 108 previously referred to.

The space 117 between the inner ends of the end ribs 113 provides for insertion of a screw driver, if desired.

The outer terminal ends of the walls 96 are inclined inwardly as at 118 to facilitate the action of the nose guide b.

A molded plastic spring 120 can be employed having a tapered head 121 for engagement with the

cylindrical portions

106 and 107 and an end strip portion 122 for engagement with the face 16 of the rail 11. A pin 123 formed on the strip portion 122 can extend into an opening 124 in the rail 11 to hold. the spring 120 against displacement during assembly.

Two of the sections are assembled to a rail 11, preferably by engaging one section 95 with the spring in place, and then, with the other section 95 in facing relation thereto swinging the other section to engage the ribs 104 in the locking spaces 105. The inner end of the attachment 25b is thus securely held.

The snap projections 108 are inserted through the openings 109 and engaged in the enlargements 110. The snap projections 116 are inserted through the openings 114 and engaged in the enlargements 115.

The nose guide 28b is thus securely held on the rail 11 but can be removed, if desired, for replacement of the nose guide 28b or one section 95 thereof by the use of a screw driveras previously mentioned.

It will thus be seen that rail attachments have been disclosed with which the objects of the invention are attained.

We claim:

1. The combination with a heddle frame having top and bottom rails, a plurality of heddles in said frame and means in said frame for supporting said heddles of a rail attachment intermediate the ends of the rails and having a portion extending outwardly therebeyond in the main plane of the rails,

said rail attachment comprising a body having two unitary facing sections disposed in surrounding relation to the rail and extending inwardly and outwardly of said rail,

each of said sections being of molded synthetic plastic material,

each of said sections having connecting members inwardly of the rail, and

separable connecting members outwardly of the rail,

a wall portion extending outwardly along a side face of the frame rail, and

inner and outer end portions beyond said frame rail for said connecting members, and

said separable connecting members comprising a snap connector integral with one section and in removable engagement in an opening in the other section.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 in which said first mentioned connecting members are separable.

3. The combination defined in claim 2 in which said first mentioned connecting members are hingedly connected.

4. The combination defined in claim 2 in which said first mentioned connecting members are slidably connected.

5. The combination defined in claim 2 in which said first mentioned connecting members comprise permanent connections.

6. The combination defined in claim 1 in which said outwardly extending portion provides a nose guide.

7. The combination defined in claim 1 in which said snap connector has an enlarged bifurcated head.

8. The combination defined in claim 1 in which each of said sections is a duplicate of the other.

9. The combination defined in claim 1 in which resilient means is provided interiorly of said body in engagement with one of the edges of the rail.

10. The combination defined in claim 1 in which 7 8 one of said sections has a portion extending inwardly said separable connecting members comprise a pluof the and rality of snap connectors integral with one section said heddle supporting means comprises a heddle for en a emem in a cones Ondin luram of supporting rod carried by said inwardly extending g I p g p y portion of aid section Openings In the Other SBCtlOfl.

11. The combination defined in claim 1 in which

Claims

1. The combination with a heddle frame having top and bottom rails, a plurality of heddles in said frame and means in said frame for supporting said heddles of a rail attachment intermediate the ends of the rails and having a portion extending outwardly therebeyond in the main plane of the rails, said rail attachment comprising a body having two unitary facing sections disposed in surrounding relation to the rail and extending inwardly and outwardly of said rail, each of said sections being of molded synthetic plastic material, each of said sections having connecting members inwardly of the rail, and separable connecting members outwardly of the rail, a wall portion extending outwardly along a side face of the frame rail, and inner and outer end portions beyond said frame rail for said connecting members, and said separable connecting members comprising a snap connector integral with one section and in removable engagement in an opening in the other section.

10. The combination defined in claim 1 in which one of said sections has a portion extending inwardly of the rail, and said heddle supporting means comprises a heddle supporting rod carried by said inwardly extending portion of said section.

11. The combination defined in claim 1 in which said separable connecting members comprise a plurality of snap connectors integral with one section for engagement in a corresponding plurality of openings in the other section.