US3928986A

US3928986A - Adjustable doffer support for high pile fabric knitting machines

Info

Publication number: US3928986A
Application number: US447282A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas J Thore
Original assignee: Glenoit Mills Inc
Current assignee: Glenoit Mills Inc; Thermo Finnigan LLC
Priority date: 1974-03-01
Filing date: 1974-03-01
Publication date: 1975-12-30
Anticipated expiration: 1992-12-30

Abstract

An adjustable support is provided for accurately and selectively mounting, and adjusting the position of, the doffer of a sliver feeding means for a high pile fabric knitting machine. The doffer is mounted rotatably in spaced bearings supported by stationary yokes disposed on opposite sides of the frame of the sliver feeding means. By means of plural interchangeable spacer plates, the bearings may be adjusted selectively within their yokes to position the doffer quickly, accurately and selectively with respect to the main cylinder of the sliver feeding means and the needles of the knitting machine.

Description

United States Patent Thore Dec. 30, 1975 ADJUSTABLE DOFFER SUPPORT FOR 10,479 1888 United Kingdom 19/98 HIG I FABRIC KNITTING MACHINES 177,472 3/1922 United Kingdom 66/9 B Inventor: Thomas J. Thore, Tarboro, NC.

Assignee: Glenoit Mills, Inc., New York, NY.

Filed: Mar. 1, 1974 Appl. No.: 447,282

US. Cl. 66/9 B; 19/106 R Int. Cl. D04B 9/14 Field of Search 19/106 R, 98', 66/9 B;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l/1894 Parsons 308/26 X 7/1927 Johnson... 308/244 6/1951 Fischer 308/26 7/1963 Moore 66/9 B X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1892 United Kingdom 19/98 Primary Examiner-D0rsey Newton Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Miller, Frailey & Prestia [57] ABSTRACT 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures USQ Patfint Dec. 30, 1975 SheetlofZ 3,928,986

US. Patent Dec. 30, 1975 Sheet 2 of 2 ADJUSTABLE DOFFER SUPPORT FOR HIGH PILE FABRIC KNITTING MACHINES SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to an improved doffer support for high pile fabric knitting machines, and more particularly to a new, adjustable support for the doffer, which permits easy, rapid and accurate setting of the doffer, as desired or required, with respect to the main cylinder of the sliver feeding means and the needle cylinder of the knitting machine.

The accurate setting of the doffer of a high pile fabric knitting machine has proven to be extremely difficult and complicated, due to the structure of such machine and the limited amount of space between the sliver feeding mechanism and the needle cylinder. Yet, it is extremely critical, in the setting up of such a machine, that the wire-covered doffer be set accurately and uniformly with respect to both the wire-covered main cylinder and the needles of the knittingv machine. If the setting is not correct, or if it is uneven in any respect, severe problems result, such as unsatisfactory fabric, broken needles and bent or broken sinkers. Further, if the doffer is not set uniformly with respect to both the needle cylinder and the main cylinder, the needles will not properly rake the sliver fibers from the doffer, nor will the sliver fibers properly transfer from the main cylinder to the doffer.

The present invention overcomes the difficulties and disabilities in the mounting and setting of doffers for high pile knitting machines, and provides, for the first time, a simple, quick and accurate means for accomplishing this.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a new and improved support for doffers for high pile knitting machines, which enables the doffer to be quickly, easily and accurately mounted and set with respect to the needles of the knitting machine and the main cylinder of the sliver feeding means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a support for a doffer whereby the doffer may be adjusted selectively with respect to both the needles and the main cylinder.

A further object is to provide an adjustable support for a doffer which permits rapid change in the setting of the doffer, and ensures that in each setting, the doffer is disposed uniformly with respect to both the needle and the main cylinder.

A further object is to provide a doffer support which substantially reduces or eliminates such problems as faulty fabric, broken needles and bent and broken sinkers resulting from inaccurate doffer settings.

A further object is to provide a doffer support comprising a pair of spaced stationary yokes secured to the frame of a sliver feeding means, a bearing disposed in each yoke, for supporting rotatably the doffer shaft, plural spacer plates retained by the yokes and disposed in groups about the bearings, such spacers being interchangeable selectively between opposing groups, to adjust the bearings selectively relative to their yokes, and locking means for securing the ensemble in place during operation of the knitting machine.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following disclosure of the preferred embodiment thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, partially sectioned view of a sliver feeding means of a high pile fabric knitting machine, incorporating the adjustable doffer support of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in section looking in the direction of the arrows 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, exploded view of the elements forming the improved doffer support of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIG. 1, there is shown a sliver feeding means or device 19 for delivering sliver to the needles of a high pile fabric knitting machine (not shown). The knitting machine includes the needles 20, needle cylinder 22 and ring gear 24. The latter rotates with the needle cylinder and meshes with the usual pinion 26 to impart driving power to the sliver feeding device 19.

The sliver feeding means is of the type disclosed in my co-pending U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 304,099 filed Nov. 6, 1972 entitled Sliver Feeding Means for High Pile Fabric Knitting Machines. The device 19 includes the usual wire-covered doffer 28 and main cylinder 30 for transferring sliver from a source (not shown) to the needles 20 of the knitting machine. The doffer and main cylinder are caused to rotate by the driven pinion 26 through conventional drive mechanism (not shown). The sliver feeding device 19 includes frame 32 for mounting the usual rotatable elements of the device 19. Frame 32 is affixed to the head ring 34, forming part of the knitting machine structure.

The doffer 28 comprises a hollow cylinder 36 (FIG. 2) secured by any suitable means, such as bolt 38, to the rotatable shaft 40. Fixed to the periphery of the cylinder 36, by glue or cement, is the usual doffer wire covering 42. Shaft 40 is supported for rotation, at opposite ends of the doffer 28, by spaced bearings 44 each of which is mounted in a bearing block 46.

The bearing blocks 46 are provided with axially extending bores 48, the inner portions 49 of which are enlarged to accommodate the bearings 44 in a force fit. The bearings 44 seat against the annular shoulders 50 formed at the inner terminus of the enlarged bores 49. By means of this construction, the bearings 44 are prevented from being forced out of their respective bearing blocks 46.

Each bearing block 46 is of rectangular configuration, and is disposed within a corresponding rectangular cavity 52 formed in the upper portion of a yoke 54. The pair of yokes 52 are mounted on opposite sides of frame 32 by

bolts

56, 57.

The upper portions 60 of the spaced yokes 54 are inclined in the direction of the needles at an angle preferably on the order of 15. By reason of this construction, the doffer 28 is disposed operatively between the main cylinder 30 and the needles, to properly engage both elements to transfer sliver fibers from the main cylinder to the needles. This also facilitates removal of the doffer.

The upper portion of each cavity 52 is closed by means of an elongated cap 62 secured to the top of the upper portion 60 of its yoke 54 by

bolts

64, 65.

Disposed along each of the four sides of each rectangular bearing block 46 are a plurality of individual, flat, elongated spacer plates, best shown in FIG. 3. The spacer plates 68, disposed adjacent the top and the bottom sides of the bearing block 46, are of like configuration and are interchangeable. Similarly, the spacer plates 70, disposed along the front and rear sides of block 46, are of like configuration and are interchangeable. ln the preferred arrangement, as shown in FIG. 3, there is provided a total of six spacers 68 and a total of six spacers 70 for each yoke 54. The

spacers

68, 70, together with a bearing block 46, fit snugly within the cavity 52 of the yoke, when the doffer support is assembled.

To prevent axial movement of bearing block 46 and spacers 70, the cavity 52 is provided with opposing pairs of

pins

72, 73 extending inwardly of the cavity.

Pins

72, 73 engage, respectively,

elongated channels

75, 76 formed along opposite sides of bearing block 46. This arrangement permits block 46 to be inserted into cavity 52, with

pins

72, 73 engaging slidably within

channels

75, 76, respectively.

Spacers 70 are provided with elongated slots 78 for reception of the pins 7 2, 73. When spacer plates 70 are inserted in the cavity 52, on opposite sides of bearing block 46, their slots 78 provide a clearance for

pins

72, 73, thereby permitting the spacers 70 to be inserted completely into the cavity.

Spacer plates 68 are formed with relatively

short slots

80, 81 at the opposite ends thereof. The

slots

80, 81 are of a width sufficient to permit spacers 68 to pass over

pins

72, 73 and be deposited in the bottom of cavity 52. The respective outer ends of

slots

80, 81 are widened sufficiently to permit the spacers 68 to slide over the opposing ribs 83, 84 of yoke 54, which extend inwardly of the cavity 52, and from which

pins

72, 73 extend.

The

pins

72, 73 engage snugly with the slots 78 and

channels

75, 76, and ribs 83, 84 engage snugly with the widened portions of slots 80. Thus, when the parts are assembled, and cap 62 is secured in place by

bolts

64, 65, the entire ensemble is rigidly retained within cavity 52. By reason of the construction just described, the bearings 44, bearing blocks 46 and

spacers

68, 70 are maintained against axial displacement relative to the yokes 54.

When the

spacers

68, 70, or some of them, are removed from the cavity 52, bearing block 46 and its bearing 44 have capacity for selected transverse movement or adjustment, either fore or aft or up or down, within the cavity. The

pins

72, 73 engaging within

slots

75, 76 permit such multi-directional transverse movement, while retaining block 46 against axial movement within the cavity.

Generally, in a normal setting, three spacers are disposed on each side of the bearing block 46. Because the individual spacers of each pair of groups of

spacers

68, 70 are of like construction, and interchangeable, it is possible to vary the number of individual spacers in each group of spacers, and thereby adjust the position of the bearing block 46 relative to its cavity 52. For example, by reducing the number of spacers 70 in the forward group to two spacers and increasing the number in the rear group to four spacers 70, the block 46 will be advanced slightly within its cavity 52. Similarly, removing one spacer 68 from the bottom of cavity 52, and placing it at the top thereof, above block 46, will have the result of adjusting block 46 slightly downward, with respect to its cavity 52.

Selectively varying the number of

spacers

68, 70 in the opposing group of spacers, in the manner just described, permits selective adjustment of the position of doffer 28 relative to needles and main cylinder 30.

Thus, to adjust the doffer closer to the needles, one, two or all three of the spacers 68 in the bottom of the cavity 52 may be removed and added to the group of spacers 68 at the top of bearing block 46. To adjust the doffer away from the needles, a selected number of spacers 68 are removed from the upper group thereof, and added to the group at the bottom of the cavity.

Similarly, to adjust doffer 28 closer to the main cylinder 30, a selected number of spacers 70 are removed from the group closest to the main cylinder, and added to the group on the opposite side of block 46. To adjust the doffer away from the main cylinder, a selected number of spacers are removed from the group of spacers 70 closest to the needles 20, and added to the group of spacers 70 closest to the main cylinder. In all cases, of course, it is necessary to remove

bolts

64 and 65 and cap 62, in order to affect the interchange of spacers from one opposing group to the other.

In practice, it has been found that spacer plates having a width of 1/32 inch are completely adequate to provide the desired increments of adjustment of the doffer relative to the needles and main cylinder. However, it is within the scope of this invention to provide

spacers

68, 70 in varying widths and numbers, as may be desired or required. For example, the spacers could be made 1/64 inch in width and a total of twelve or more of each type could be provided, if desired.

By reason of the foregoing construction, it is possible to adjust and set the doffer easily, accurately and uniformly, with a minimum expenditure of time, in respect to the needles 20 and the main cylinder 30. Doffer adjustments of the type here described frequently are required in preparing a high pile fabric knitting machine for operation. Adjustment of the doffer setting frequently is required to compensate for variations in the length of the wires of the wire coverings of the main cylinder and doffer, and also to compensate for glue or cement build-up on the doffer periphery, which occurs as a result of frequent replacement of the wire coverings.

Although a preferred embodiment of this inventions has been shown and described for the purpose of illustration, as required by Title 35 U.S.C. ll2, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and utility of this invention, or the scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

1 claim:

1. In a sliver feeding device for a high pile fabric knitting machine having a circle of needles, said device having a main cylinder and a doffer, with the doffer being disposed between the main cylinder and the needles and mounted on a rotatable shaft, an adjustable support for mounting the doffer selectively relative to the needles and main cylinder, comprising:

a. a pair of spaced stationary yokes for supporting the doffer shaft,

b. a cavity in each yoke,

c. a bearing block in each cavity having capacity for multi-directional transverse movement within the cavity,

d. said bearing blocks retaining the doffer shaft rotatably,

e. adjustment means within the cavities for displacing the bearing blocks transversely, to locate the bearing blocks at selected positions within the cavities. with consequent mounting of the doffer selectively relative to the needles and main cylinder,

f. said adjustment means comprising spaced, opposing groups of interchangeable spacers, the spacers of each group being transferrable selectively to their opposite group of spacers,

g. retention means to maintain the bearing blocks against both transverse and axial displacement at each of their selected positions within their cavities, and

h. said retention means including pins within each cavity engageable with channels in the bearing block in the cavity.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein a. the bearing blocks and cavities are of rectangular configuration,

b. the spacers are disposed in opposing groups about each bearing block,

0. said spacers being individually interchangeable between opposing groups of spacers, and

(I. said retention means includes locking means to maintain the bearing blocks and spacers rigidly within their respective cavities.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein the retention means includes:

a. fixed pins within the cavities for engaging within elongated channels in the bearing blocks in the cavities to retain the bearing blocks against axial displacement, while permitting multi-directional transverse movement of the bearing blocks within their cavities, and

b. locking means to maintain the bearing blocks and spacers rigidly within their respective cavities at each selected position of the bearing blocks.

4. A doffer mount for a high pile fabric knitting machine, the doffer including a rotatable shaft, said mount comprising a. spaced bearing supports,

b. a bearing in each bearing support for mounting the doffer shaft rotatably at spaced locations of the shaft,

c. a plurality of spacers distributed in opposing groups about the bearings,

d. the spacers of each group being transferable individually to their opposing group, to impart transverse displacement of the bearings to selected locations, and

e. retention means operable to maintain the bearings against both transverse and axial displacement at each selected location of the bearings,

f. said retention means including fixed pins engageable within channels associated with the hearings to retain the bearings against axial displacement, while permitting selected multi-directional transverse movement of the bearings within the bearing supports.

5. The doffer mount of claim 4, wherein a. the bearings are disposed in bearing blocks,

b. the bearing blocks are provided with elongated channels and c. the fixed pins engage slidably within the elongated channels of the bearing blocks.

6. The doffer mount of claim 5, wherein a. the spaced bearing supports comprise cavities having a rectangular configuration,

b. the bearing blocks are of rectangular configuration, and are adapted to be disposed within the cavities with capacity for multi-directional transverse movement therein, and

c. the spacers are disposed in opposing groups about each rectangular bearing block, said spacers being individually interchangeable between opposing groups of spacers to permit transverse displacement of the bearings to selected locations, with consequent mounting of the doffer selectively relative to the knitting machine.

Claims

1. In a sliver feeding device for a high pile fabric knitting machine having a circle of needles, said device having a main cylinder and a doffer, with the doffer being disposed between the main cylinder and the needles and mounted on a rotatable shaft, an adjustable support for mounting the doffer selectively relative to the needles and main cylinder, comprising: a. a pair of spaced stationary yokes for supporting the doffer shaft, b. a cavity in each yoke, c. a bearing block in each cavity having capacity for multidirectional transverse movement within the cavity, d. said bearing blocks retaining the doffer shaft rotatably, e. adjustment means within the cavities for displacing the bearing blocks transversely, to locate the bearing blocks at selected positions within the cavities, with consequent mounting of the doffer selectively relative to the needles and main cylinder, f. said adjustment means comprising spaced, opposing groups of interchangeable spacers, the spacers of each group being transferrable selectively to their opposite group of spacers, g. retention means to maintain the bearing blocks against both transverse and axial displacement at each of their selected positions within their cavities, and h. said retention means including pins within each cavity engageable with channels in the bearing block in the cavity.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein a. the bearing blocks and cavities are of rectangular configuration, b. the spacers are disposed in opposing groups about each bearing block, c. said spacers being individually interchangeable between opposing groups of spacers, and d. said retention means includes locking means to maintain the bearing blocks and spacers rigidly within their respective cavities.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein the retention means includes: a. fixed pins within the cavities for engaging within elongated channels in the bearing blocks in the cavities to retain the bearing blocks against axial displacement, while permitting multi-directional transverse movement of the bearing blocks within their cavities, and b. locking means to maintain the bearing blocks and spacers Rigidly within their respective cavities at each selected position of the bearing blocks.

4. A doffer mount for a high pile fabric knitting machine, the doffer including a rotatable shaft, said mount comprising a. spaced bearing supports, b. a bearing in each bearing support for mounting the doffer shaft rotatably at spaced locations of the shaft, c. a plurality of spacers distributed in opposing groups about the bearings, d. the spacers of each group being transferable individually to their opposing group, to impart transverse displacement of the bearings to selected locations, and e. retention means operable to maintain the bearings against both transverse and axial displacement at each selected location of the bearings, f. said retention means including fixed pins engageable within channels associated with the bearings to retain the bearings against axial displacement, while permitting selected multi-directional transverse movement of the bearings within the bearing supports.

5. The doffer mount of claim 4, wherein a. the bearings are disposed in bearing blocks, b. the bearing blocks are provided with elongated channels and c. the fixed pins engage slidably within the elongated channels of the bearing blocks.

6. The doffer mount of claim 5, wherein a. the spaced bearing supports comprise cavities having a rectangular configuration, b. the bearing blocks are of rectangular configuration, and are adapted to be disposed within the cavities with capacity for multi-directional transverse movement therein, and c. the spacers are disposed in opposing groups about each rectangular bearing block, said spacers being individually interchangeable between opposing groups of spacers to permit transverse displacement of the bearings to selected locations, with consequent mounting of the doffer selectively relative to the knitting machine.