USRE19069E - Stop mechanism fob knitting - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 6, 1934. I WACHSMAN Re. 19,069

STOP MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Original Filed Nov. 3, 1950 ATTORNEY Reissued Feb. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFICE STOP MECHANISM FOR. KNITTING MACHINES Jacob Wachsman, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Original No. 1,835,732, dated December 8, 1931,

Serial No. 493,179, November 3, 1930.

cation for reissue November 9,1933. Serial Claims. (Cl. 66-163) during the normal operation of the knitting machine, the yarn keeps said levers in a circuit open position, but when a knot occurs in the yarn one of said levers is moved to a circuit closing position and when the yarn breaks, the other of said levers is moved to close the circuit. The closing of the circuit in either event operates; to stop the machine.

One object of my invention is to provide an electric stop mechanism which shall be of compact sturdy construction, eflicient in operation and economic to manufacture.

Another object is to provide a construction which admits of modifications and changes to suit the particular place and type of knitting machine with which the stop mechanism is to be used, but without necessitating fundamental changes in the general construction.

Again, it is an object to provide a gravity actuated lever which will tend to lift the thread off the surface of the spring-held lever arms, there- 'by to reduce the areaof contact between the thread and these parts, instead of having the gravity actuated lever press the thread down on 0 the surface, of the spring-held lever arms as in prior structures.

Further, it is an object to provide against the accidental closing of the circuit by a mere slacking of the thread.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out hereinafter.

To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends, the invention still further resides in the novel details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all-of which will be first bodiment which has been especially designed for use with medium weight thread.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment which has been especially designed for use with a heavy thread. It is obvious however, that the statements as to the use of the difierent embodiments of the invention are not intended fully described in the following detailed descrip-' tion, then be particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being hadto the accompanying drawing, in which:-

Figure '1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of my invention which has been especially designed for use with fine thread, the electric circuit of the stop motion mechanism being diagrammatically indicated.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan of the same.

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line 44 of Figure 3. I

Figure 5 is a perspective view of another emto be a distinct classification with respect thereto.

In the drawing I provide a housing consisting. of a supporting plate 1 having a bent over end 2 for mounting and provided with shoulders 3 to constitute stops for limiting the movement of the spring-held lever 13 hereinafter referred to. The plate 1 is also provided with a ut-away por- 7 tion 4.while the bent over or mounting portion 2 of the plateis provided with a hole 5 for the reception of a screw or bolt 6 by means of which the device may be mounted on a.- suitable supporting part of the knitting machine.

The housing also includes a box '7 whose front is closed by the plate 1 and which is secured to that plate by screws or bolts 8. Mountedwithin the box '7 is a long 'contact spring 9 and a short contact spring 10 secured to a suitable terminal golt 11 that is mounted on, but insulated from, the

Bearing notches 12 are provided in the side" Walls of the box 7 for the spring-held lever 13 whose parallel arms embrace the plate 1 and extend forwardly thereof, terminating in porcelain fingers 14 having concave portions 15 to hold the thread T. The spring-held lever where it passes through the box 7 is provided with a heel 16 for effecting contact with the springs 10 and 9 when the lever 13 is pulled down against the tension. of the hold-back spring 18 as will later be explained. The spring 18 has one end hooked into a stirrup 17 that is carried by the heel 16 and it has its other end anchored to a screw 19 which carries an adjusting nut 19a whereby the tension of the spring may be regulated.

20 designates a gravity actuated lever which is mounted in suitable bearing notches 22 in the side walls of the box 7 and which has a loop por- 1 tionor heel 21 to engage the contact spring 9 when the lever 20 is raised beyond a certain limitf as will later be more fully explained.

The lever 20 has a rearwardly extending portion 23 bent over to underlie a pivoted weight-lever 24 which is also mounted. in suitable bearing, notches 25 in the side walls of the box 7 and which has for its purpose to over-balance the lever 20 and continuously tend to elevate it to a position higher than that indicated'in dotted lines in Figure 1, whereby when so elevated to the highest position the heel 21 of thelever will engage the contact spring 9 and close the electric circuit.

The lever20 in the first embodiment of my invention has its front end bent into approximately. the shape of the letter Mv thus providing two loops 26 with threeparallel rods 23 which lie between the porcelain fingers 14 of the springheld lever 13 when the, thread T is in position,

see Figure 1.

' 28 is the downwardly and forwardly inclined portion of a guard member formed of wire and tions 2928 of the guard will pass within the loops 26 between the parallel portions 27, it being understood that the vertical portions 30 continuously lie projected through the loops 26 and between the fingers 14, see Figures 1 and 2.

The portion 31 of the guard which is anchored at '8 is continued laterally as an extension 32 to constitute a stop for limiting the upward movement of the gravity actuated lever 20. By bending the projection 32 up or down (see Figure 29 the height to which the lever 20 may be permitted .to rise before en aging the stop 32 may be correspondingly varied;

In the embodiment of, my invention shown in Figure 6, those parts which are of the same con-- struction as shown in Figure 1 bear the same reference numerals. Those parts which correspond in construction and function but are diflerent in form from the parts shown in Figure I bear the same reference numerals plus the index letter 11. In this'embodiment (Figure 6) the back stop 33 is formed as a part of the gravity actuated lever 20 instead of as a part of the guard as in In the embodiment shown in. Figure 5,those parts which are of the same construction as corresponding parts in. Figure 1 bear the same reference numerals and those parts which are of similar construction and perform the same function as corresponding parts in Figure 1, but differ therefrom in form, bear the same reference numerals plus the index character I. In the em- I bodiment of Figure 5 it will be observed that-the guard is a single guard and'the gravity actuated lever has but a single loop 263: instead ofthe 'double guard and loop structure shown in Figure 1.

The electric stop mechanism which is controlled by my circuit closermay be of the. ordinary construction, and as'it per se formsno part of the. present invention, it has been merely ditically indicated in Figure 1, by reference to which it will be observed that 34 is the battery and 35 the magnet which actuates the stop motion actuating lever 36 to stop the *machine when the magnet is energized.

'In the. use of 'my invention the device is mounted ata'suitable location on the ,knitting machine and the thread is laid over the'two chine it is under suificient tension to hold gravity actuated lever in substantially the positions indicated in Figures 1, 4, 5 and 6. The gravity actuated lever being overbalanced by the weight-lever 24, continuously tends to' raise the threads so as to reduce its frictional contact area with the fingers 14 tending to assume the position shown in Figure.2 but normally not quite reaching that position. When, however, the thread slacks then the position shown in Figure 2 and in dotted lines in Figure 1 'will be reached, but the electric circuit will not be closed in the box 7 because the guard 28 overlies the thread T and prevents the gravity actuated lever from raising to its circuit closed position; However, as soon as the end of the thread passes the guard the lever 20 will rise and'close the circuit, thus stopping the movement of the knitting machine.

'Furthermore, if undue tension'is put upon the thread as for example if a knot causing a stoppage of'the movement of the thread before it reaches thecircuit closer, the thread will pull down the levers 20 and 13 and slip off of the same, thereby at once releasing both the levers 13 and 20 and permitting them to close the electric -the circuit is not dependent upon the presence of the overhanging guard or the back stop which are simply additional devices for the sake of precaution. When a knot occurson'thethread, the spring lever will be pulled down to close thecircuit and when the threadbreaks or runs out the gravity operated lever will be swung upward and also close the circuit and this will happen irrespective of the guard or back stop.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it is thought the complete construction, operation and advantages of my invention be clear to those skilled in the art to which it relates.. What I claim'is: s V 1. In stop mechanism under control of a travelling thread, a circuit closer unit comprising a housing, a fixed contact member insulated from and mounted in said housing, a circuit. terminal therefor, a spring-held lever fulcrumed in said housing and including two substantially parallel arms extending to the outside of said housing,

wardly beyond a predetermined position, said gravity actuated lever having its fore end-positionedto be held between said parallel arms by the thread placed thereover, and overbalancing means continuously tending to move said gravity actuated lever to bring its fore end above said I arms and move it to a circuit closing position.

2. In stop mechanism under control of a travel- 'therefor, a spring-held lever fulcrumed in said housing and including two substantially parallel arms extending to the outside of said housing, and having a contact heel to engage said contact memher when said arms are pulled down, a gravity actuated lever also fulcrumed in said housing and having a contact heel to engage said contact member when said gravity actuated lever ismoved upwardly beyond a predetermined position, said gravity actuated lever having its fore end positioned to be held between said parallel arms by the thread placed thereover, and overbalancing means continuously tending to move said gravity actuated lever to bring its fore end above said arms and move it to a circuit closing position, and a guard member mounted on said housing to hold said gravity actuated lever against closing the circuit so long as a thread lies over the fore end of said lever.

3. In stop mechanism under control of a travelling thread, a circuit closer unit comprising a housing, a fixed contact member insulated from and mounted in said housing, a circuit terminal therefor, a spring-held lever fulcrumed in said housing and including two substantially parallel arms extending to the outside of said housing, and having a contact heel to engage said contact memher when said arms are pulled down, a gravity ,arms and move it to a circuit closing position, and

a vertical back stop located between said arms. 4. In stop mechanism under control of a travelling thread, a circuit closer unit comprising a housing, a fixed contact member insulated from and mounted in said housing, a circuit terminal therefor, a spring-held lever fulcrumed in said housing and including two substantially parallel arms extending to the outside of said housing, and having a contact heel to engagesaid. contact member when said arms are pulled down, a gravity actuated lever also fulcrumed in said housing and having a contact heel to engage said contact memher when said gravity actuated lever is moved upwardly beyond a. predetermined position, said gravity actuated leverhaving its fore end positioned to be held between said parallel arms by the thread placed thereover, and overbalancing means continuously tending to move said gravity actuated lever to bring its fore end above said arms and move it to a circuit closing position, and a guard member mounted on said housing to hold said gravity actuated lever against. closing the circuit so long as a thread lies over the fore end of said lever, said guard member also including an upright back stop located between said arms.

5. In-stop mechanism under control of a travelling thread, a circuit closer unit comprising a housing, a fixed contact member insulated from and mounted in said housing, a circuit terminal. therefor, a. spring-held lever fulcrumed in said housing and including two substantially parallel arms extending to the outside of said housing,

and having a contact heel to engage said contact tion, said gravity actuated lever having its fore a finger on said gravity actuated lever to underlie said pivoted member.

6. In stop mechanism under control of a'travelling thread, a circuit closer unit comprisinga housing, a fixed contact member insulated from and mounted in said housing, a circuit terminal therefor, a spring-held lever fulcrumed in said housing and including two substantially parallel arms extending to the outside of'said housing, and having a contact heel to engage said contact member when said arms are pulled down, a gravity actuated lever also fulcrumed in said housing and having a contact heel to engage said contact member when said gravity actuated lever is moved upwardly beyond a predetermined position, said gravity actuated lever having its fore end positioned to be held between said parallel arms by the thread placed thereover, and overbalancing means continuously tending to move said gravity actuated-lever to bring its fore end above said arms and move it to a circuit closing position, and a guard memberincluding a projection serving as a stop to limit the upward movement-of said gravity actuated lever.

'7. In stop mechanism under control of a travelling thread, a circuit closer unit comprisinga housing, a fixed contact member insulated from and mounted in said housing, a circuit terminal therefor, a spring-held lever fulcrumed in said housing and including two substantially parallel arms extending to the outside of said housing, and having a contact heel to engage said contact member when said arms are pulled down, a gravity actuated lever also fulcrumed in said housing and having a contactheel to engage said contact member when said gravity actuated lever is moved upwardly beyond a. predetermined position, said gravity actuated lever having its fore end positioned to be held between said parallel arms by the thread placed thereover, and overbalancing means continuously tending to move said gravity actuated lever to bring its fore end above said arms and move it to a circuit closing position, and a guard member mounted on said housing to hold said gravity actuated lever against closing the circuit so long as a thread lies over the fore end of said lever, said gravity actuated lever having its fore part formed with a plurality of parallel portions adapted to becaused to lie between said arms when a thread is in place, and said guard comprising portions to lie between each pair of said plurality of parallel portions, :said guard member including a proiection serving as a stop to limit the upward movement of said gravity actuated lever.

B. In stop mechanism under control of a travelling thread, a circuit closer unit comprising a housing, a fixed contact member insulated from and secured in said housing, a circuit terminal therefor, a spring-held lever fulcrumed in said housing and including a thread receiving portion extending to the outside of said housing and having a contact heel to engage said contact member when said lever is pulled down by the thread, a gravity actuated lever alsofulcrumed in said housing and having a contact heel to engage said contact member when said gravity actuated lever is moved upwardly beyond a predetermined position when the thread breaks, said gravity actuated lever having its fore end positioned underneath and in contact .with the thread adjacent to the aforesaid thread receiving portion. a

9. In'stop mechanism under control of a travelling thread,'a circuit closer unit comprising a.

housing, aflxed contact member insulated from and secured in said housing, a circuit terminal therefor a spring-held lever fulcrumed in said.

housing and including a thread receiving portion extending to the outside of said housing and having a contact heel to engage'said contact member when said lever is pulled down, a gravity actuated lever also fulcrumed in said housing and having a contact heel to engage said contact member when said gravity actuated lever is moved upwardly beyond a predetermined position, said gravity actuated lever having its tore end positioned to be held in a circuit open position underneath the thread adjacent to saidportion by the thread placed on the latter and overbalancing means continuously tending to "move said gravity actuatcdlever to bringits fore end above the said spring-held lever and move it to 'a circuit closing position.

10. In a stop mechanism under control of a travelling thread, a circuit closer unit comprising a housing, a fixed contact member in'said housing, a lever piy'oted in the housing and having a thread receiving substantially straight portion extending away from the housing undermath and across the path of the travelling thread normally placed thereon, a spring for nor mally maintaining said lever with its thread receiving portion in a substantially horizontal posi- 4 tion in engagement with the thread, a contact heelon said lever to engage said contact member when said thread receiving portion is pulled down a slight distance below its. normal position, a

gravity actuated lever also pivoted in said hous-' ing and having a substantially straight thread engaging fore end portion extending away from the housing underneath and across the path of the travelling thread adjacent to said thread receiving portion, a contact heel on said gravity actuated lever to engage said fixed contact member and overbalancing means for operating said gravity actuated lever to a circuit closing position when the thread no longer is present on said threadreceiving portion.

a JACOB WACHSMAN.

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