US3908350A

US3908350A - Spindle retainer

Info

Publication number: US3908350A
Application number: US518317A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert B Beagle
Original assignee: Dow Badische Co
Current assignee: Badische Corp; BASF Corp
Priority date: 1974-10-29
Filing date: 1974-10-29
Publication date: 1975-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 1992-09-30

Abstract

A device for retaining or confining a magnetically-supported false-twist spindle within the magnetic field supporting it, including the combustion of: A. A base plate having mounting means for positioning and securing the device in proximity to the spindle to be retained; B. A hinge plate secured to the base plate by pivot means for providing pivotal movement of the hinge plate from a vertical position in proximity to the spindle to a horizontal position away from the spindle. The hinge plate terminates at its free end in a shield section which faces and is located in close proximity to, but not touching, the spindle when the hinge plate is in the vertical position; C. A locking lever having a single bend spaced from its medial point and pivotally mounted on the side of the hinge plate away from the spindle, so that the bend functions as a fulcrum. The upper end of the locking lever extends beyond the upper end of the hinge plate, and the lower end of the locking lever is positioned in proximity to an edge of the base plate, as a result of which the lower end of the locking lever rests on the base plate when the upper end of the locking lever is urged away from the spindle and the lower end of the locking lever is raised above the plane of the base plate and beyond an edge thereof when the upper end of the locking lever is urged toward the spindle; and D. Resilient means, which urges the upper end of the locking lever away from the spindle.

Description

United States Patent [191 Beagle i 1 SPINDLE RETAINER [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

Robert B. Beagle, Graham, N.C.

Dow Badische Company.

Williamsburg, Va.

[221 Filed: Oct. 29, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 518,317

[52] U.S. Cl 57/77.45; 57/103 [51] Int. Cl. DOZG [/04; DOIH 7/92 [58] Field of Search 57/77.377.45, 57/102, 103

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,074.225 l/l967 Scragg 57/77.45

3,074.226 l/l963 Hilbert 57/77.45

3.385.047 5/1968 Schwabe... 57/77.45

3,488 937 l/l970 Duquette l i i 57/77.45

3,578.751 5/1971 Kodaira ct a1. 57/77.45

3,595.003 7/1971 Gassner .1 57/77.45

3,788,056 l/l974 Burri l 57/77.45

3327,2129 8/1974 Bicnok 57/77.45

Primary E.\'umine'r.lohn Petrakes Almrney. Agent, or FirmGeorge F. Helfrich ABSTRACT supporting it, including the combustion of:

A base plate having mounting means for positioning and securing the device in proximity to the spindle to be retained;

. A hinge plate secured to the base plate by pivot means for providing pivotal movement of the hinge plate from a vertical position in proximity to the spindle to a horizontal position away from the spindle, The hinge plate terminates at its free end in a shield section which faces and is located in close proximity to, but not touching, the spindle when the hinge plate is in the vertical position;

. A locking lever having a single bend spaced from its medial point and pivotally mounted on the side of the hinge plate away from the spindle, so that the bend functions as a fulcrum. The upper end of the locking lever extends beyond the upper end of the hinge plate, and the lower end of the locking lever is positioned in proximity to an edge of the base plate, as a result of which the lower end of the locking lever rests on the base plate when the upper end of the locking lever is urged away from the spindle and the lower end of the locking lever is raised above the plane of the base plate and beyond an edge thereof when the upper end of the locking lever is urged toward the spindle; and

. Resilient means, which urges the upper end of the locking lever away from the spindle.

U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,908,350

u G G U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,908,350

FIGURE 3 SPINDLE RETAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to an improvement in devices used in the false-twisting of yarns. It relates in particular to an apparatus for confining a magneticallysupported false-twist spindle within the magnetic field which urges it against a moving driving member.

2. Prior Art One of the most frequently employed methods for producing textured yarn is the false-twist process. In this well-known process, yarn from a supply package is fed under controlled tension over a heater, thence through a false-twist spindle, after which it is wound onto a take-up package. The false-twist spindle is normally a simple tube having a bar which contacts the yarn and forces it to rotate as it travels longitudinally through the tube. The false-twist spindle is rotated continuously by external drive means, so that both the yarn and the tube are revolved simultaneously.

False twist spindle speeds have greatly increased from the 60,000 rpm simple roller-bearing-supported types typically employed a decade ago. Today high speed spindles capable of operating in excess of 500,000 rpm are common. In every device achieving such speeds, there are no frictional limitations on the method of support of the spindle, i. e., the tube is not mounted directly on bearings but is instead supported preferably magnetically against a moving driving member.

When such high-speed spindles are employed in production processes, any breakage of yarn being delivered therethrough imparts a whipping motion to the spindle, which occasionally causes the spindle to be thrown from its position within the magnetic field. In addition to the serious safety hazard presented, production costs are increased, as a result of lost spindles and the time lost in attempting to find them.

Accordingly, a number of attempts have been made to solve this problem, and various expedients have been proposed as solutions. For example, catch box configurations have been utilized in an attempt to catch the spindles as they are thrown from the magnetic fields supporting them. Unfortunately, those catch box designs which did result in a favorable proportion of catches were unsatisfactory because of the difficulty in removing the spindles therefrom. Moreover, those attempts directed at preventing the spindles from leaving their supporting magnetic fields were not acceptable because of their retarding effect on spindle speed and their negatory effect on spindle accessibility. In

short, all prior attempts were objectionable, especially in view of todays requirements for enhanced speed and improved efficiency in manufacturing operations such as false-twist texturizing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a simple, efficient, and inexpensive device for confining a magnetically-supported false-twist spindle within the magnetic field supporting it, which device does not retard spindle speed or limit observation thereof or restrict operator accessibility thereto.

In accordance with the present invention, this object is achieved and the disadvantages of prior art contrivances are obviated, by providing a device which comprises the combination of:

a. A base plate having mounting means for positioning and securing the device in proximity to the spindle to be retained;

b. A hinge plate secured to the base plate by pivot means for providing pivotal movement of the hinge plate from a vertical position in proximity to the spindle to a horizontal position away from the spindle. The hinge plate terminates at its free end in a shield section, which comprises a material having a durometer hardness less than that of the spindle. The shield section faces and is located in close proximity to, but not touching, the spindle when the hinge plate is in the vertical position;

c. A locking lever having a single bend or obliquity spaced from the medial point thereof, the locking lever being pivotally mounted on the side of the hinge plate away from the spindle so that the bend or obliquity functions as a fulcrum. The upper end of the locking lever extends beyond the upper end of the hinge plate, and the lower end of the locking lever is positioned in proximity to an edge of the base plate, as a result of which the lower end of the locking lever rests on the base plate when the upper end of the locking lever is urged away from the spindle and the lower end of the locking lever is raised above the plane of the base plate and beyond an edge thereof when the upper end of the locking lever is urged toward the spindle; and

d. Resilient means which urges the upper end of the locking lever away from the spindle.

Moreover, it has been found of especial advantage in the utilization of the present invention if the hinge plate and shield section are constructed from a non-magnetic material.

Furthermore, the device of the present invention is very conveniently and advantageously operated when it additionally comprises stop means for preventing further movement of the lower end of the locking lever, after the lower end of the locking lever has been raised above the plane of the base plate and beyond an edge thereof.

In addition, greater facility in the operation of the device of the present invention is afforded when the device additionally comprises a flexible appendage attached to the upper end of the hinge plate as an extension thereof. This appendage is urged away from the upper end of the locking lever by the resilient means, which is advantageously a spring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING For a more complete understanding of the, present invention, including its object and benefits, reference should be made to the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments thereof, which is set forth below. This detailed description should be read together with the accompanying Drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically depicting a preferred embodiment of the invention positioned in proximity to a magnetically-supported false twist spindle;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation which schematically illustrates the detail of the same embodiment of the invention in its vertical, locked configuration;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation which schematically illustrates the detail of the same embodiment of the invention in its vertical, unlocked configuration; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevation which schematically illustrates the detail of the same embodiment of the invention in a horizontal configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing,.there is schematically shown in FIG. 1 a retainer 11 according to the present invention positioned in proximity to false-twist spindle l, which is driven at speeds in excess of 500,000 rpm by false-twist device 2. False-twist device 2 is set forth as exemplary of a number of applicable modern, highspeed devices, which are well-known and readily available commercially, such as those illustrated in detail in US. Pat. No. 3,267,657; US. Pat. No. 3,058,289; and US. Pat. No. 3,518,824. False-twist device 2 basically comprises a roller 3 mounted for rotation on shaft 4, which is driven by moving belt 5. An idling guide roller 6 is rotatable on axis 7 and is positioned adjacent to roller 3 so that the sides or circular surfaces ofidling guide roller 6 are in substantially the same planes as the corresponding surfaces of roller 3. In the throat or crotch formed between the two rollers 3 and 6 flase-twist spindle 1 is positioned. False-twist spindle l is a hollow tube of a suitable hard metal. It is often formed with enlarged terminal sections 8 and 8, consisting of a magnetic material. False-twist spindle 1 is under the influence of permanent horseshoe magnets 9 and 10, the U- planes of which are horizontal. Lines 9' and 10' indicate the magnetic flux paths of magnets 9 and 10 respectively. In some of the applicable false-twist devices, the roller edges comprise outwardly extending flange pairs, which may be in an aligned or a staggered relationship.

As is further shown in FIG. 1, retainer 11 comprises base plate 12, which is advantageously constructed from rigid, tough construction material, such as steel. Base plate 12 has mounting means 13 for positioning and securing retainer 11 in proximity to false-twist spindle 1, which is to be confined Within the magnetic field urging it against driving roller 3. Secured to base plate 12 by means of hinge 14 is hinge plate 15. Hinge 14 provides pivotal movement of hinge plate 15 from a vertical position in close proximity to spindle 1 (see also FIGS. 2 and 3) to a horizontal position away from spindle 1 (see also FIG. 4). Hinge plate 15 terminates at its upper, free end in shield section 16, which comprises a material having a durometer hardness less than that of spindle 1. For this purpose a polymeric material such as nylon may be effectively employed. Moreover, hinge plate 15 may be constructed entirely from such polymeric material, if desired. In this regard, it has been found of special advantage if the hinge plate and shield section are both constructed from a nonmagnetic material such as the polymeric material, ny- Ion. Such a construction effectively eliminates any retarding effect on spindle speed which would otherwise be caused by the presence of retainer 11 in proximity to spindle 1. Proper positioning of retainer 11 results in shield section 16 closely facing, but not touching spindle 1, when hinge plate 15 is pivoted to its vertical position. Although not essential to the proper functioning of retainer 11, it is of advantage if flexible appendage 17 is secured to the upper, free end of hinge plate 15 as an extension thereof. Appendage 17, which affords facility in the digital movement of hinge plate 15, as

hereinafter more clearly set forth, is conveniently fabri.-:

cated from a thin, flexible sheet of metal.

Locking lever 18 is provided having a single bend or is away from spindle l, obliquity 19 functioning as a fulcrum. Proper positioning and mounting of locking lever 18 on hinge plate 15 is facilitated by means of external screw 20, which passes through a hole drilled in locking lever 18 at the point of obliquity 19 and is twisted into an internal screw drilled in hinge plate 15,

advantageously directly in back of shield section 16. The upper end of locking lever 18 extends beyond the upper end of hinge plate 15, i.e., past the top of shield section 16, for convenience in the application of digital pressure thereto. The degree of the bend or obliquity 19 and the length of locking lever 18 are chosen so that under the above conditions the lower end of locking lever 18 will rest upon base plate 12 in proximity to an edge thereof when the upper end of locking lever 18 is urged away from spindle 1. (This configuration, which is referred to as the locked configuration, is also depicted in FIG. 2, to which reference should also be made.) Resilient means is employed to permanently urge the upper end of locking lever 18 away from spindle 1. Such resilient means is conviently and advantageously a compressed spring 21, which is secured to the upper end of locking lever 18 and communicates with hinge plate 15 through attachment at the upper end thereof, or through attachment at the upper end of flexible appendage 17 when such is employed. In the locked" configuration, movement of hingeplatelS away from spindle 1 is prevented. Accordingly, retainer 1 l in its locked configuration in proximity to. spindle 1 confines spindle 1 to the magnetic field supporting it, in the event of breakage of the yarn passing therethrough and violent movement thereof in a direction toward shield section 16.

Hinge plate 15 is unlocked, i.e., retainer 11 is caused to assume its unlocked configuration, when resilient means 21 is overcome, and the upper end of locking lever 18 is urged toward spindle 1. Reference should be made to FIG. 3,which depicts the unlocked configuration of retainer 11.'When the upper end of lockinglever 18 is urged toward spindle l, the lower end of locking lever 18 is raised above the plane of base plate 12 and beyond the edge thereof, so that movement of hinge plate 15 away from its vertical position in proximity to spindle l is now possible. The presence of flexible appendage 17 affords ease in the application of digital pressure by an operator in order to overcome resilient means 21 and urge the upper end of locking lever 18 toward spindle 1, thereby effecting the unlocked configuration. Such is best accomplished by placing the forefinger upon flexible appendage l7 and the thumb upon the upper end of locking lever 18 and pinching the two together. In order to further facilitate the effectuation of the unlocked configuration, it is convenient to employ stop means to prevent further movement of the lower end of locking lever 18 after it is raised above the plane of base plate 12 and beyond the edge thereof. Afforded thereby is improved digital control of the position of locking lever 18 so that subsequent digital movement of hinge plate away from its vertical position in proximity to spindle 1 may be facilitated. Such stop means is advantageously external screw 22, which passes through slot 23 cut in locking lever 18, and is twisted into an internal screw drilled in hinge plate 15. Upon the effecting of the unlocked configuration by means of the pinching operation described above, hinge plate 15 may be easily moved by a hand motion of the operator from its vertical position in proximity to spindle 1 (see FIG. 3) to a horizontal position away from spindle l, as is shown in FIG. 4. Under such conditions, complete spindle accessibility is afforded for close observation, replacement, etc., after which retainer 11 may be moved to its locked configuration by means of the same pinching operation and a hand movement in the opposite direction, in which locked configuration complete confinement of spindle l is afforded without any retarding in spindle speed. Even under this condition of confinement, observation of spindle l is still possible.

As a result of the utilization of retainer 11 in cooperation with FAG/SCRAGG Spinner Unit MFD 60, a commercially-available false-twist apparatus, a serious safety hazard was removed and production costs were reduced as a result of efficient confinement of the rapidly rotating spindle.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it is clear to those of skill in the art that variations and modifications in this detail may be effected without any departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined in the heretoappended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A retainer for a magnetically-supported false-twist spindle, which retainer comprises:

a. A base plate having mounting means for positioning and securing the retainer in proximity to the spindle to be retained;

b. A hinge plate secured to the base plate by pivot means for providing pivotal movement of the hinge plate from a vertical position in proximity to the spindle to a horizontal position away from the spindle, the hinge plate terminating at its free end in a shield section comprising a material having a durometer hardness less than that of the spindle, the shield section facing and in close proximity to, but not touching the spindle when the hinge plate is in the vertical position;

c. A locking lever having a single obliquity spaced from the medial point thereof, the locking lever being pivotally mounted on the side of the hinge plate away from the spindle, the obliquity functioning as a fulcrum, the upper end of the locking lever extending beyond the upper end of the hinge plate, and the lower end of the locking lever positioned in proximity to an edge of the base plate, so that the lower end of the locking lever rests on the base plate when the upper end of the locking lever is urged away from the spindle and the lower end of the locking lever is raised above the plane of the base plate and beyond an edge thereof when the upper end of the locking lever is urged toward the spindle; and

d. Resilient means urging the upper end of the locking lever away from the spindle.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the hinge plate and shield section are constructed from a non-magnetic material.

3. The device of claim 1, which additionally comprises stop means preventing further movement of the lower end of the locking lever immediately after the lower end of the locking lever is raised above the plane of the base plate and beyond an edge thereof.

4. The device of claim 1, which additionally comprises a flexible appendage attached to the upper end of the hinge plate as an extension thereof and urged away from the upper end of the locking lever by the resilient means.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the resilient means is a spring.

Claims

1. A retainer for a magnetically-supported false-twist spindle, which retainer comprises: a. A base plate having mounting means for positioning and securing the retainer in proximity to the spindle to be retained; b. A hinge plate secured to the base plate by pivot means for providing pivotal movement of the hinge plate from a vertical position in proximity to the spindle to a horizontal position away from the spindle, the hinge plate terminating at its free end in a shield section comprising a material having a durometer hardness less than that of the spindle, the shield section facing and in close proximity to, but not touching the spindle when the hinge plate is in the vertical position; c. A locking lever having a single obliquity spaced from the medial point thereof, the locking lever being pivotally mounted on the side of the hinge plate away from the spindle, the obliquity functioning as a fulcrum, the upper end of the locking lever extending beyond the upper end of the hinge plate, and the lower end of the locking lever positioned in proximity to an edge of the base plate, so that the lower end of the locking lever rests on the base plate when the upper end of the locking lever is urged away from the spindle and the lower end of the locking lever is raised above the plane of the base plate and beyond an edge thereof when the upper end of the locking lever is urged toward the spindle; and d. Resilient means urging the upper end of the locking lever away from the spindle.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the resilient means is a spring.