WO2005095688A1

WO2005095688A1 - Connecting element for a heddle frame, and heddle frame

Info

Publication number: WO2005095688A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/002071
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bart Beernaert
Original assignee: Picanol N.V.
Priority date: 2004-03-02
Filing date: 2005-02-26
Publication date: 2005-10-13
Also published as: BE1015923A6

Abstract

A connecting element (6) for a heddle frame (1) comprising a first flank (12), which can be arranged along a first heddle bar (4), and a second flank (13), which can be arranged along a second heddle bar (5), the first flank (12) being located on one side (33) of one of the heddle bars and the second flank (13) being located on the opposite side (34) of other of the heddle bars.

Description

Connecting element for a heddle frame, and heddle frame

[0001] The invention relates to a connecting element for a heddle frame, which can be mounted between a top rail of the heddle frame and a bottom rail of the heddle frame and which will pass a first heddle bar of the heddle frame disposed in the vicinity of the top rail and a second heddle. bar of the heddle frame disposed in the vicinity of the bottom rail. The invention also relates to a heddle frame provided with a connecting element of this type.

[0002] A heddle frame is known from CH 445 406 and US 5,630,448 which comprises a top rail and a bottom rail which are connected to one another by means of side rails and at least one connecting element. Connecting elements of this type are used to reinforce or stabilize the heddle frame. The known heddle frame, in the vicinity of the top rail, includes a first heddle bar for bearing heddles and, in the vicinity of the bottom rail, a second heddle bar of this type. Each connecting element passes both heddle bars. For this purpose, each connecting element is provided with recesses at the location of each heddle bar. In heddle frames of this type, the connecting elements, which are arranged parallel to the side rails, may buckle if the bottom rail and top rail are forced toward one another. On account of this buckling, the connecting elements cannot sufficiently prevent the top rail and bottom rail from moving toward one another, and more particularly the connecting ele- ment looses its compressive strength when it buckles. Moreover, there is a risk of a buckled connecting element moving into the vicinity of another heddle frame and colliding with the other heddle frame. This collision ultimately results in damage to both heddle frames. Moreover, this buckling can result in damage to the securing between the connecting element and the top rail or between the connecting element and the bottom rail of the heddle frame. A buckled connecting element of this type may also damage the heddles. [0003] The object of the invention is to form a connecting element for a heddle frame and a heddle frame which do not have the above drawbacks and in which the risk of the connecting element buckling is reduced.

5 [0004] To this end, the connecting element is designed such that it passes the heddle bars on opposite sides. A connecting element according to the invention includes a first flank, which can be arranged along the first heddle bar and a second flank, which can be arranged along the second heddle bar, the first flank being located on one side of the connecting element and ■ Q the second flank being located on the opposite side of the connecting element.

[0005] The connecting element according to the invention offers the advantage that this connecting element does not tend to buckle, or at least has

15 less of a tendency to buckle, when the top rail and the bottom rail of the heddle frame are pressed toward one another. This is achieved by the shape and arrangement of the connecting element, with the result that the center point of the connecting element will not move or will at most move slightly in case of deformation. As a result, the connecting element will be

20 deformed or bent in two oppositely oriented directions, more particularly in one direction between the point at which it is mounted to the top rail and the center point and in an opposite direction between the point at which it is mounted to the bottom rail and the center point. As a result, the length of each portion of the connecting element which could buckle is reduced to

25 approximately half the length of the connecting element, thereby lowering the risk of buckling considerably.

[0006] According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting element, at the location of the first flank, includes a first recess which can be arranged 30 along the first heddle bar, and at the location of the second flank includes a second recess which can be arranged along the second heddle bar, the first recess and the second recess being oriented in opposite directions. Recesses of this type offer the advantage that a sufficient clearance between the heddle bars and the connecting element is possible. Moreover, recesses of this type also allow the heddle bars to be disposed in one plane. In this way, the heddles can be disposed vertically in a virtually central plane of the heddle frame.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the connecting element includes a holder, which can be secured to the top rail, an intermediate rod and a holder, which can be secured to the bottom rail, the intermediate rod being welded to both holders. This offers the advantage that internal stresses in the connecting element can be limited.

[0008] The invention also relates to a heddle frame provided with a connecting element according to claim 5. The heddle frame comprises a top rail, a bottom rail, a first heddle bar disposed in the vicinity of the top rail and a second heddle bar disposed in the vicinity of the bottom rail, it being possi- ble for the connecting element to be mounted between the top rail and the bottom rail and to be arranged along the first heddle bar and along the second heddle bar, wherein the connecting element includes a first flank, which can be arranged along the first heddle bar, and a second flank, which can be arranged along the second heddle bar, the first flank being located on one side of the connecting element, and the second flank being located on the opposite side of the connecting element.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the heddle frame comprises a first heddle bar and a second heddle bar which lie in one plane. This permits the forces on the heddles to be situated substantially in the plane of the heddle frame.

[0010] To provide a clearer representation of the characteristic features and further advantages of the invention, the invention will be explained in more de- tail below on the basis of the drawings of exemplary embodiments, in which: Figure 1 shows a heddle frame according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a cross section on line ll-ll in Figure 1 ; Figure 3A shows an excerpt from Figure 2; Figure 3B shows the embodiment from Figure 3A in a deformed state; Figure 4 shows a modification of Figure 1 ; Figure 5 shows a cross section on line V-V in Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a modification of Figure 1 ; Figure 7 shows a cross section on line VI-VI in Figure 6; 5 Figure 8 shows a modification of Figure 7; Figure 9 shows a modification of Figure 1 ; Figure 10 shows a cross section on line X-X in Figure 9.

[0011] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a heddle frame 1 for a weaving machine -10 which is provided with a top rail 2, a bottom rail 3, a first heddle bar 4, which is disposed in the vicinity of the top rail 2, and a second heddle bar 5, which is disposed in the vicinity of the bottom rail 3. The heddle frame 1 also includes a connecting element 6 which is mounted between the top rail 2 and the bottom rail 3. This connecting element 6 can be arranged along the first -J5 heddle bar 4 and along the second heddle bar 5. The heddle frame 1 also includes two side rails 7 and 8, which also connect the top rail 2 and the bottom rail 3. As can be seen from Figure 2, the first heddle bar 4 and the second heddle bar 5 of the heddle frame 1 are located, in a known way, in a common plane 9 which is located within the heddle frame 1.

20 [0012] In this embodiment, the connecting element 6 according to the invention is disposed centrally between and parallel to the side rails 7 and 8, so that this connecting element 6 is located approximately centrally between the side rails 7 and 8 as seen in the longitudinal direction of the top rail 2 or

25 of the bottom rail 3. A connecting element 6 disposed in this manner is also referred to as a center support. The first heddle bar 4 is mounted, via a mounting rail 10, to the top rail 2, while the second heddle bar 5 is mounted, via a mounting rail 11 , to the bottom rail 3 of the heddle frame 1. As can be seen in Figure 2, these mounting rails 10 and 11 are oriented in different

30 directions. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the heddles 18 are in a form which is matched to the arrangement of the heddle bars 4 and 5. The connecting element 6 has a narrow width as seen in the longitudinal direction of the heddle bars 4 and 5. This allows the heddles 18 located next to the connecting element 6 to be located at a relatively short distance from one an- other despite the presence of the connecting element 6. The mounting rail 10 is in this case formed integrally with the top rail 2, while the mounting rail 11 is formed integrally with the bottom rail 3.

5 [0013] According to the invention, the connecting element 6 includes a first flank 12, which can be arranged such that it passes along the first heddle bar 4, and a second flank 13, which can be arranged such that it passes along the second heddle bar 5. The first flank 12 is located on one side 33 of the connecting element 6, while the second flank 13 is located on the op- -(0 posite side 34 of the connecting element 6. In this case, the first flank 12, as seen in the direction of arrow P in Figure 2, is located on the rear side of the connecting element 6, while the second flank 13 is located on the front side of the connecting element 6.

-15 [0014] As can be seen in Figure 2, the first heddle bar 4 cooperates with mounting rail 10 at the location of one side 14 of the first heddle bar 4, and the second heddle bar 5 cooperates with mounting rail 11 at the location of a side 15 of the second heddle bar 5. The abovementioned sides 14 and 15 are oriented in opposite directions. In the example illustrated, the side 14 is

20 located on the rear side of the heddle frame 1 , as seen in the direction of arrow P, while the side 15 is located on the front side of the heddle frame 1 , as seen in the direction of arrow P.

[0015] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the connecting ele- 25 ment 6, at the location of the first flank 12, comprises a first recess 16, which can be arranged along the first heddle bar 4, and, at the location of the second flank 13, a second recess 17, which can be arranged along the second heddle bar 5. The first recess 16 and the second recess 17 are in this case oriented in opposite directions. This means that the first recess 16 30 is arranged oppositely to the direction indicated by arrow P, while the second recess 17 is arranged in the direction indicated by arrow P.

[0016] Figures 3A and 3B show how a connecting element 6 according to the invention can be deformed. It can be seen from these figures that the center point 19 of the connecting element 6 is not displaced or is scarcely displaced during deformation of this nature. For this reason, the connecting element 6 according to the invention also offers a relatively great resistance to buckling and the connecting element 6 can normally be subjected to a considerably higher compressive force than a connecting element known from the prior art.

[0017] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a variant in which the connecting element 6 is of slightly different form. In this case, the mounting rails 10 and 11 are oriented in the same direction and the shape of the heddles 18 is adapted accordingly. In the mounting rail 11 there is an opening 22 at the location of the connecting element 6 in order to allow the connecting element 6 to be mounted to the bottom rail 3.

[0018] The embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 shows a heddle frame 1 which comprises a plurality of connecting elements 6, 20 and 21 which are arranged between the top rail 2 and the bottom rail 3 in order to connect the top rail 2 and the bottom rail 3. These connecting elements 6, 20 and 21 are distributed between and parallel to the side rails 7 and 8. In this embodi- ment, the plurality of thin mounting supports 23 and 24 are provided, respectively supporting the heddle bars 4 and 5. These mounting supports 23 and 24 are oriented in opposite directions with respect to the heddle frame, which means, for example, that in the embodiment illustrated they are respectively located on the rear side and the front side of the heddle frame 1. [0019] According to a modification which is not illustrated, by way of example, only the connecting elements 20 and 21 may be present, in which case the connecting elements are disposed, for example, in the longitudinal direction of the top rail 2 or of the bottom rail 3, respectively at one third or two thirds of the distance between the side rails 7 and 8. Obviously, it is also possible for two connecting elements of this type to be disposed next to and at a relatively short distance from one another, for example at the center of the heddle frame.

[0020] As can be seen in Figures 6 and 7, the connecting element 20 is formed by a holder 25 which can be mounted at the top rail 2, a holder 26 which can be mounted at the bottom rail 3 and an intermediate rod 27 which is provided between the two holders 25 and 26. This intermediate rod 27 is attached, for example, to both holders 25 and 26. To this end, the interme- diate rod 27 is, for example, welded or brazed to both holders 25 and 26. To simplify assembling the holders 25 and 26 to this end include a slot 35 in which a respective collar 36 of the intermediate rod 27 can engage. According to a variant, this assembling may also be effected by a bolt connection. This embodiment offers the advantage that the connecting element 20 is easy to produce. Obviously, the connecting elements 6 and 21 illustrated in Figure 6 may also be of similar design to the connecting element 20.

[0021] It is also possible, for example, to provide a different number of connecting elements 6, 20 or 21 between the top rail 2 and the bottom rail 3, which connecting elements, by way of example, are distributed between the side rails 7 and 8 along the longitudinal direction of the top rail 2 and the bottom rail 3. Obviously, the various connecting elements do not necessarily all have to be designed identically to one another, and also the various connecting elements do not all have to be designed in accordance with the in- vention. It is preferable for at least the centrally disposed connecting element 6 to be designed in accordance with the invention.

[0022] Figure 8 illustrates another variant in which the mounting supports 23 and 24 are identically oriented and are located at the rear side of the heddle frame 1. One flank 12 is located on the side 33 of the connecting element 6, while the other flank 13 is located on the other side 34 of the connecting element 6.

[0023] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate yet another variant, in which a connecting element 29 is formed by an intermediate rod 30, which in the vicinity of its ends is respectively connected to a holder 31 or 32 respectively mounted at the top rail 2 or at the bottom rail 3 by bolts 28.

[0024] Notwithstanding the fact that in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 10 the connecting elements 6, 20, 21 and 29 are mounted at the respective top rails 2 and bottom rails 3 by using bolts 28, it is also possible for the connecting elements 6, 20, 21 and 29 to be secured there in some other way. By way of example, for this purpose the ends of the connecting ele- ments may be designed analogously to what is described in US 5,630,448, more particularly may at both ends be provided with a flank which can interact with an associated securing lock respectively provided at the top rail 2 or the bottom rail 3. According to another possible option, the two ends of the connecting elements may, for example, be secured in a similar way to what is known from DE 1131606.

[0025] The connecting element according to the invention also offers the advantage that it can easily be fitted to virtually any existing heddle frame. This connecting element can also easily replace an existing connecting element which has been fitted to a heddle frame of this type.

[0026] Obviously the connecting element and the heddle frame according to the invention are not restricted to the embodiments described by way of example and illustrated in the figures, but rather can be designed in accor- dance with a number of variants within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Connecting element (6, 20, 21 , 29) for connecting a top rail (2) and a bottom rail (3) of a heddle frame (1) while passing a heddle bar (4) arranged in the vicinity of the top rail (2) and a heddle bar (5) arranged in the vicinity of the bottom rail (3) characterized in that the connecting element (6, 20, 21 , 29) is designed for passing the heddle bars (4, 5) on opposite sides.

2. Connecting element according to claim 1 , characterized in that its side flanks (12, 13) are provided on opposite sides with recesses (16, 17) for passing the top heddle bar (4) and the bottom heddle bar (5).

3. Connecting element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a holder (31) attachable to the top rail (2), a holder (32) attachable to the bottom rail (3), and an intermediate rod (30) attachable to both holders which intermediate rod is designed such that it may pass the heddle bars (4, 5) on opposite sides.

4. Connecting element according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a holder (25) attachable to the top rail (2), a holder (26) attachable to the bottom rail (3), each having a rod-like extension which are ar- rangeable on opposite sides of top heddle bar (4) and bottom heddle bar (5) and which are connectable to each other by an intermediate rod (27).

5. Heddle frame (1) comprising a top rail (2), a bottom rail (3), a top heddle bar (4) arranged in the vicinity of the top rail (2), and a bottom heddle bar (5) arranged in the vicinity of the bottom rail (3), the top rail (2) and the botton rail (3) being connected by at least one connecting element (6, 20, 21) which passes the heddle bars (4, 5), characterized in that the connecting element (6, 20, 21, 29) passes the top heddle bar (4) and the bottom heddle bar (5) on opposite sides.

6. Heddle frame according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting element (6, 20, 21 , 29) is provided with a recess (16) for passing the heddle bar (4) mounted in the vinicity of the top rail (2) and with a recess (17) for passing the heddle bar (5) mounted in the vicinity of the bottom rail (3), which recesses (16, 17) are in opposite flanks (12, 13) of the connecting element (6, 20, 21 , 29).

7. Heddle frame according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the connecting element (20) comprises a holder (25, 31) attachable to the top rail (2), a holder (26, 32) attachable to the bottom rail (3), and an intermediate rod (27, 30) attachable to both holders (25, 26, 31 , 32).

8. Heddle frame according to claim 7, characterized in that the intermediate rod (30) passes the top heddle bar (4) and the bottom heddle bar (5) on opposite sides.

9. Heddle frame according to claim 7, characterized in that the holder (25) attachable to the top rail (2) and the holder (26) attachable to the bottom rail (3) are provided with rod-like extensions which are arranged on opposite sides of the heddle bars (4, 5) and to which the intermediate rod (27) is attachable.

10. Heddle frame according to anyone of the claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the top heddle bar (4) and the bottom heddle bar (5) are arranged in one common plane.

11. Heddle frame according to anyone of the claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the top rail (2) and the bottom rail (3) are connected by side rails (7, 8) and one or more connecting elements (6, 20, 21 , 29) arranged between the side rails (7, 8).

12. Heddle frame according to anyone of the claims 5 to 11 , characterized in that the heddle bars (4, 5) are attached to the top rail (2) and/or the bottom rail (3) by a plurality of mounting supports (23, 24) distributed along the length of the heddle bars (4, 5).