US1146048A - Apparatus for spinning thread and the like. - Google Patents

Description

H. L. BROWN. APPARATUS FORSPINNING THREAD AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED Jumps. I908.

Patented July 13, 1915 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H. L.- BROWN.

APPARATUS FOR SPINNING THREAD AND THE LINE.

APPUCATION FILED JUNE 3, I908.

L Patented July 13, 1915. I 3 SHEETSSHEET 2 4 2 A A A Jf/ d H d v12 3'5 0b 1 Cl e 6 a as 4 a 01, R d A. e /D 0712/1/71 III [III] I I I I Ill I I jh/ J H fl! 2 H3 X ifi 5 I J il f3 b 2 71/ I B l 1W "7r 1f M 2 h K2 [M m? I m LII LL 3 k k E 2 I 3 mg 5 m2.

wiimeooap I awwemtoz HENRY L. BROWN, 0F PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 BROWN SPIN-WRIGHT COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 0 F NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR SPINNING THREAD AND THE LIKE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l[, HENRY L. BRowN, of Paterson, New Jersey, have invented certain Improvements in Apparatus for Spinning Thread and the like, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings designating like arts. p This invention relates "t6\apparatus for spinning, or similar treatment of cotton, silk, wool and other fibers, filaments or fibrous materials, and is of special utility when embodied in cotton-spinning-frames, although I contemplate the use of my improvements in any field for which they are adapted by their nature.

The primary object of my invention is to provide apparatus for spinning yarn continuously, without breaking, and preferably at a constant, predetermined speed, thus to produce a thread of a uniform number of turns th the inch and also of uniform size and smoothness, of high tensile strength, and free from slugs, bunches or knots; a further.

important object being to provide for the simultaneous production of any desired number of such threads of the same size and strength, so that the operation of the loom or sewing machine in which they are to be used will not be interrupted by the necessity for repairing hundreds of breaks in one or more weak threads running through the Warp or spool, and creating imperfections therein.

Among the important factors contributory to the attainment of the above object is the elimination from the spinning operation of environmental influences of a character tending to cause variations in the speed of the spindles, among which influences the irregular absorption of oil by the driving means is included and also the absorption of atmos- Specification of Letters Patent.

phcric moisture, which varies rapidly often,

from hour to hour and causes corresponding variations in the tension of the driving bands in common use to actuate the spindles, these bands being made ordinarily of yarn 'or other hygroscopic or absorbent materials. Similar tensional or other speed changes are also induced by the lint, dust and other extraneous substances with which the bands become loaded and their weight and .diameter altered, such substances sometimes finding their way also between the whirl Patented July 13, 19115.

Application filed June 3, 1908. Serial No. 436,472.

and spindle base, if the latter is not kept properly clean, the friction thus caused increaslng appreciably the power required to run the spindle aifected, thus reducing its speed, so weaker than those from other spindles runmm; at correct speed. In accordance with the preferred form of my invention, I have ellmlnated these disturbing factors by introduclng a novel principle of operation,

h1 ch includes the provision of a constant 2e vironment in which runs actuating mechaiiism of any type suitable to'drive the spindle device which may be selected for a given operation. A convenient mode of carrying lnto effect this departure from existing practice is to inclose the actuating mechanism within a insulated from the above recited, and also foreign substances, and this insulation may be served further by placing in the container oil or other suitable fluid surrounding the actuating mechanism wholly or in part.

Heretofore, the exposed driving bands atmospheric" changes from the intrusion of that it will then turn out a thread' suitable container Where it will be have been known to take up dirt and sediment to an extent necessitating an extra power consumption of .003 H. P. per spindle,

which would amount to over half a, horse power for a frame of average size, and the bands have also been known to absorb Suficient moisture from the atmosphere during a rainstorm to increase by ten per cent. the power required to drive them. I may form the driving mechanism, of non-hygroscopic material to avoid the absorption of oil, atmospheric moisture and the like, with its attendant evils, and I prefer to form the mechanism so, whether or not the apparatus is provided with the means to create a constant environment.

Bands and other frictional driving means are liable to slip on the spindle whirls, in which event the spindle runs slow; if the band leaves the whirl, and engages with the spindle blade or a spindle part of smaller diameter than the whirl, the spindle speeds up faster than its neighbors. Other sources of variation in speed exist. In order to insure the maximum degree of regularity in the speed at which individual spindles shall be actuated, and to accomplish the synchronous actuation of the-spindles in any group of spindles, and of each and every spindle, in apparatus of the class described, I prefer to provide means to drive positively the individual spindles, groups, and larger aggregations.

. With few exceptions, the spindles in operation throughout the world, estimated at over one hundred million in number, are hand driven, and subject to the disadvantages of operation inherent in frictionally operated actuating mechanism, including the friction due to lateral drag of the band upon the spindle, which should be confined as nearly as possible to one pound when the band is properly set, but frequently runs up to three and four pounds and sometimes to seven or eight pounds when the operative is careless, with an increment of'from .00075 P..to .00170 H. P. per spindle for each pound of band tension added to the bands,

at the ordinary speeds ranging from 4000 to 8,000 turns a minute. The tension on a band is apt to increase largely during periods of inoperation, when thebands are free to contract. At a very common tension of three pounds, to which the bands of an ordinarily well attended frame may pull at any time under heavy moisture conditions, estimating 80 spindles to the H. P., the band tension has been estimated to consume over forty per cent. of the total power required by the whole frame.

Accordingly it is an object of high importance in my invention to eliminate the tension factor wholly, and this I accomplish preferably by suitable positively operating driving means, preferably taking the form of metallic gearing, inasmuch as this type of actuating mechanism lends itself readily to submergence in the oil when I utilize oil 'in connection with the means to afiord a constant environment, or to act as a lubri cant for the gearing, and the metal of the gearing serving as a convenient form of non-hygroscopic material for the composition of the actuating mechanism, in accordance with the preferred construction thereofas herein disclosed. Heretofore, .it has been found impossible to utilize gearing for the actuation of spindles at the high speeds common in spinning and twisting, largely by reason of the failure to produce successful means for lubrication of the gearing, the friction and consequent heat engendered acting to render such mechanism inoperative at even moderately high speeds.

As a cognate feature of importance in providing for ample lubrication of the rotating members of the spindles, in order to secure the very steady, firm and speedy drive characteristic of gears run in oil at a high number of revolutions per minute, I disclose hereinafter an arrangement for circulation of oil or other lubricant through the spindle bearings, preferably comprising a, system which derives its supply from the net lubricant in the container and conveys it to the various bearings of each spindle, including preferably the intermeshlng teeth of the driving gearing, whence it finds its way back to the container, the operation recurring continuously and serving not merely to insure an automatic and regular lubrication of the bearings, including in this expression the gearing, but also to flood the same frequently and thoroughly, carrying off such slight detritus as may be present therein from time to time due to wear, or to intrusion of dirt of any sort. lhis arrangement removes sources of possible wear before they become active, and my invention preferably includes an arrangement of the bearings such that any products of attrition from the main hearing will find ready exit from the spindle without traversing other bearing surfaces.

Heretofore, the employees to whom the lubrication of spindle bearings has usually been intrusted, frequently forget or neglect to oil bearings, especially at inaccessible portions of the frame, so that the bearings run dry and cause great waste of power, and imperfectly spun or twisted material, while more often still the oil is spilled on the bands or the floor and tends to accumulate lint and dust, which sooner or later find their way to the yarn being spun. or to the various bearings. Regular oiling, not dependent on the personal equation of an employee, is accordingly :1 desideratum, and is provided for in my nvention, as set forth briefly already and more at length in that part of the specification devoted thereto. In accordance with this very important feature, an arrangement for circulating oil automatically obviates also the necessity heretofore experienced for packing the rotating member of the spindle with a. wick or other adventitious device for holding the oil, such devices furnishing lint and dirt in the oil chamber and requiring replacement or readjustment from time to time with some expenditure of time and material.

Among the elements in the construction of a spindle which maybe considered of notable value for aiding to accomplish these novel results in the most satisfactory manner, may be mentioned the location of the drive at a region of the spindle where ample bearing surfaces are provided, and preferably where the flexibility so vital to successful operation of spindleswill center and be therefore practically m'Z, insuring a firm and steady driving engagement; to which end I prefer to provide the rotating member of the spindle with a support, u-eferably spherical, around which the spindle may have a limited universal movement to the extent requisite to permit the rotating member to center itself or come to a true axis of rotation, and there turn, free from vibration. The rotating member may conveniently take the form intents tion. Another element which may take an active part in the successful maintenance of the spindle at its position of highest normal eficiency, is an auxiliary hearing which ll prefer to provide at a region separated by a substantial distance from the drive bearing and preferably near the end of the shell socket, this auxiliary bearing being preferably of such a character as to maintain its snug bearing engagement with the spindle during lateral displacement of the spindle blade under the self-centering action to which reference has been made. The

spindle part within the shell may be slightly and in predetermined position relatively to the axes of companion spindles. Such an auxiliary bearing may conveniently be provided by extending within the spindle sleeve or shell (whether or not this constitutes the rotating member of the spindle) an upright post traversing the central spherical drive bearing, and furnished, at a substantial distance from the same, with a bearing bushing having a coned exterior preferably to cooperate with a coned portion of the shell socket, the bush having an axial bore fitting snugly around the post, about which the bushing is free to rotate,'sui.table automatic bush-seating means being provided preferably, such as a coiled spring, intervening between the auxiliary bearing bush and a shoulder upon the post and tending to hold the bush yieldingly up to its work. To distribute still further the bearing engagements between the spindle and its support, I may form the spherical bearing member separately from the post, which will preferably in that event transfix the bearing sphere, the latter having an axial bore to pass thepost and bear snugly thereagainst, the inner compound bearing surface thus formed preferablybeing approximately equal in area to the spherical exterior bearing surface of contact between thesphere and sleeve members, to distribute the friction, the auxiliary bushing operating in similar fashion preferably. As the rotating member of such a shell spindle usually exhibits a tendency to leave its post co axially, at speeds of 3000 turns a minute or surface, and for that reason I prefer to proover, I prefer to provide in the mouth of the shell, adjacent to the sphere, a removable bearing bush of hardened metal, which may, and preferably does, form the main bearing vide for its delicate and accurate ad ustment, and for its ready replacement, this bushing being preferably of annular form, surrounding the post, and having an axial bore of sufficient diameter to permit the universal play above mentioned, and also to pass the oil.

I Other important features of my invention comprise an arrangement of the spindles in groups preferably provided each with a group-gear serving as a common actuating member for the spindle gears, and mounted therewith on a rail-section secured removably in place upon the container, the con-v tainer corresponding generally in function with the usual rail of a spinning frame, and along which extends the main actuating shaft or member, preferably, providedwith gears to engage operatively suitable multiplying gears connected with each of the group gears, so that the gearing may be operad to drive the spindles of all the groups in synchronism at constant speeds running up to 15,000 turns, and over, a minute.

The groups are preferably removable respectively without disturbing other groups or the main actuating member, and an object of importance to be noted is my provision of means to permit disengagement of individual spindles from operative en gagement with their respective group gear, preferably while the latter continues to rotate, and without disturbing the other spindles of the group, suitable means being provided also preferably to cut off automatically the oil supply of the spindle thus disengaged.

Other features of my invention comprise the provision of a form of gearing which aids to maintain the spindle at its normal hearing point and which is preferably of oil distributing construction; also means to maintain bobbins in place upon the spindle blades.

The various features of my invention will be illustrated and described fully in the accompanying drawings and specification and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates in 120 plan view, partly in section, portion of the rail of a spinning frame, in the construction of which my improvements have been embodied, a plurality of groups of spindles being shown in place, a few of the spindles 1% being omitted to reveal the supporting structure, while parts of other spindles, etc, are shown in section; Fig. 2 is a View in vertical, transverse section taken on the broken line va -av Fig. 1, parts being lat shown in elevation. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale of a spindle embodying my improvements. Fig. 4 is a 'ieW in elevation of a modified form of spindle, shown partly in section, with several of the members ready for assemblage.

5 is a view in plan, looking-from bottom, to top, Fig. 8; and Fig. 6 shows in elevation a spindle with a blade having a modified of tip of especial utility for the retention of silk bobbins, of which one is illustrated in section upon the spindle In the embodiment of my invention selected for illustration and description as a convenient form to permit ready and complete understanding of my improvements, the reference letters A, A A A A A, A and A designate respectively the individual spindle devices forming one group of a plurality of such groups which, in accordance with the preferred formof my invention are provided with means to actuate the several spindles positively, a constant environment for the actuating means being provided preferably by arranging the actuating'mechanism to run ina suitable container B which may be provided with free lubricant in sufficient quantities to surround the engaged portions of the spindles and driving means wholly or in part; and the reference letters A A inclusive designate the individual spindle members of a similargroup, each of which spindles may be of any suitable construction. Preferably the spindles will correspond in essential particulars with the form of spindle device illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and the details of which appear most clearly in Fig. 3, this device comprising in the instance illustrated a hollow shell (14 carrying a blade or, and

mounted rotatively upon a supporting memher a the shell-spindle member having preferably an exterior pinion, gear or similar member a of non-hygroscopic material preferably, 1n accordance with my invention, to serve as the driven member of means for the-positive actuation of the spindle at the desired speed. while within. the shell, preferably at this driving region, I prefer to provide a bearing device a, in- {germediate the shell and supporting memers.

To avoid vibrations, and for that purpose to provide the yielding support or flexible quality recognized in modern spindle con struction as an element of prime importance in the ability of the spindle to center itself, 1', c. to find and maintain a true axis of rotative equilibrium, especially important at highspeedsl have located the drive bear-- ingat a regionsof relatively low flexibility of the supporting member a and have provided a secondary or auxiliary bearing memoer a at a region of greater flexibility, and I may adopt the additional expedient illustrated of using for the drive bearing a" a spherical member, or one permitting at least slight universal play between the spindle and its support. The shell and its blade may then, and preferably will, be of relatively rigid construction, forming an integral metal member, symmetrical, and as true as it is possible to make it mechanically, while the supporting post a will also preferably be made of metal, its lesser diameter ordinarily serving to endow it' with sullicient ability to give or yield slightly near its tip without any special preliminary treatment to impart resiliency, although where found desirable, tempering, or other suitable treatment to induce flexibility of the requisite degree, is to be considered within the scope of my invention.

It should be noted that the bearing parts of both bearings are in perfect contact at all times. and that I obviate the use of adventitious means to promote flexibility, such as felted or fibrous packings, which must be renewed from time to time, and the novel principle of construction above recited l conceive to be of general utility in its application to spindles and accordingly I claim it generically.

\Vhen embodied in a spindle device wherein the rotating member takes'the form of a shell, as illustrated herein, thc bearing part a which affords the capability of slight uniably being approximately equal in area to the area of the exterlor spherical bearing surface a, of the member, so that the bearingsurfaces will together furnish a compound bearing, the member a will be free to rotate between the post and shell, and the. friction will be distributed.

The bearing surface upon the rotating member of the spindle may be of any form suitable to cooperate witlrthe bearing surface with which it is to engage, and as one convenient form of surface to engage the spherical surface a I have illustrated at (1 a concave annular shoulder which in the instance illustrated is formed integral with the material of the spindle shell and faces the lot masons post, and also to afford ample exit of the fluid lubricant with such detritus as may result from the attrition of the hearings, or otherwise find its way into the circulating lubricant, this continuous self-cleaning action of the spindle constituting one of the most important and novel features of my invention, as will be understood more fully upon reference to the more detailed explanation of the oiling system set forth elsewhere herein. Viewing the member a in another aspect, it may be regarded as the main wearing part of the device, in view of the'above recited tendency of shell spindles-to rise on their supports at the high speeds common in spinning cotton, silk and other fibers, and I prefer to harden the material of the member to withstand this wear, and to provide for its ready replacement when worn; its occasional adjustment with accuracy and nicety; and its positive fixation in adjusted position; these requirements'being 'subserved by a threaded connection of relatively fine pitch as at a between the periphery of the bush and the throat of the shell, and by screws or tapped into the base of the bush and so positioned that their heads may enter recesses a (see Fig. 5) arranged at such intervalsas may be found desirable around the mouth of the shell, the distance between recesses representing a predetermined coaxial displacement of the bush along the post, corresponding to the degree of wear which may necessitate readjustment, according to experience. As a corollary of the establishment of this bush a as the main bearing part, I may, and prefer to, arrange the auxiliary bearing a in such a manner as to coiirdinate its operation and adjustment with that of the bushing a, and for this purpose I have shown means a to maintain the auxiliary bushing bearing member (1 automatically in snug engagement with its 006perating bearing a within the shell member a, and to serve at the same time as means to exert a co-axial draft upon the shell tending to maintain the bush-bearing surface a =in normal operative engagement with the mouthward surface of the bearing part a. Any suitable means a may be provided to maintain the parts in this relation, and as one convenient form of such means I have 'loose'washer a helowfthe anterior portion of the auxiliary bushing a. The shellbearing surface a}? will preferably be slightly coned, tocohrtzspbnd-with which the exterior of the bushing er" may be similarly coned, and as it is desirable to secure at this hearing the advantageous; distribution of friction aflorded by compoun ding, the free rotation of the bushing a may befacilitated by equalizing the area of its outer and inner surfaces, and for this purpose an extension a is shown which causes the innerbearing surface to present by its additional length, an area equal to the greater outside diameter of the member a.

I prefer to provide for a hardened and easily renewable bearing surface upon the tip of the post a to engage withthe inner surface of the bushing a and this may take any suitable form, as for example the metal sleeve a shown in Fig. '3, to retain which in place the post may be swaged outward slightly as indicated at a.'

At a in Fig. 3 l have shown an integral shoulder which may be provided .to limit the upward shift of the bearing part a un der the action of the spring a and to resist the coaxial aberrancy of the shell at high speeds.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 4, a similar stop is provided in the form of a sleeve a which may be secured upon the supporting post 0 in suitable fashion, as by shrinking, for example, and has preferably a coned surface a and stop shoulder a, the sleeve being hardened preferably and serving as a bearing for the. similarly coned surface (L28 of the sphere a, which in other respects is preferably similar to the sphere or shown in Fig. 3 and cooperates in like fashion with the shell bearing portion or and the bearing bush (1, these parts being shown as slightly separated, ready for assemblage. One or more washers a may be provided as shown in Fig. i, adjacent the shoulder. a, to limit the upward shift of the sphere a, and as the coned axial bore of the latter wears larger, the sphere may be reseated after removal of one or more of the washers a.

lhe support post a of my improved spindle may havev a threaded shank, as illustrated and may be mounted on any suitable rail, by which term I designate'broadly the portion of a spinmng frame or other apparatus utilized as the main support for that part of each spindle which carries the rotating or spinning member thereof, with-- out limitation to any technical use of the term rail, and as a convenient form of such rail or support to permit the various stance illustrated are arranged in. groups,

preferably circular, and pass upward through rail sections C, G extending over the container in position to .hold each spindle with its driving mechanism normally below the surface of a quantity of oil or other suitable free lubricant which constitutes the preferred means herein described to afiord the constant environment by which the. aetuating means are maintained free from the effect of dirt, lint, changing moisture conditions in the atmosphere, and similar disturbing influences. A cover D is provided preferably to complete the inclosure of the driving means.

I do not limit myself to the use of oil to accomplish the above described desirable result, inasmuch as any suitable means may be adopted to provide the constant environment without departing from the spirit of my invention.

As already noted hereinbefore, I prefer to form the actuating mechanism of non-hygroscopic material, thus eliminating the great variations in tension characteristic of bands, by reason of their tendency to absorb oil and moisture; and I prefer to provide for positive actuation of thespindles, thus eliminating the irre ularities of speed and manifold other disadvantages due to slip of bands and other frictional devices, the displacement of the bands from their whirls,

and the liability of operatives to err in adjusting the bands; to accomplish both of these objects, accordingly, both of which are vital to the production of an even yarn, I have selected gearing as the preferred embodiment of means to illustrate in this disclosure of my invention, although I wish it understood that I do not consider the provision of non-hygroscopic actuating means, and of positively actuated driving means as mutually interdependent, nor either of these as dependent upon the provision of a constant environment, the use of gearing, however, lending itself favorably to the use of oil for lubrication as well as to insulate the actuating means.

The pinions or driven gears a may be actuated by any suitable means, and as one convenient form of such means I have shown a gear wheel 6 placed centrally within the group of spindles A-A" and serving as a common actuating gear for these spindles, intermeshing normally with the gears a with which each of the shells is shown as provided in the instance illustrated: While I do not limit myself to any specific form members of the spindles by preventing backlash orloose motion, and it will be observed that by the use of such gearing I provide an additional means to counteract the tendency of shell spindles to leave their supports co-' axially; also that, by the use of gearing in general, I eliminate the friction factor due to the lateral drag on the spindle whichthe tension of a band exerts at all times, even under most favorable conditions. With gearing running in .oil, the friction factor is very slight.

As a coni'enient form of bearmg for thegroup gear wheel e, I have shown a short arbor or axis a, pointed at its lower end, and journaled below the gear 6 in a bearing member 6 which may take the form of a step-piece, preferably hardened, and carried by the rail section 0 while the upper end of the arbor e is shown as journaled on a bearing member 6 this member preferably having its lower end pointed to enter a recessin the arbor and having a threaded connection with the cover C, as illustrated at 6, being provided also with a jam-nut c to retain it in adjusted position. The arbor 6 preferably carries also a smaller multiplying bevel gear 6 beneaththe gear a and preferably forming a unitary structure therewith, for which purpose they may be riveted together, as illustrated, or connected suitably otherwise, and the gear a meshes with a much larger vertical bevel gear wheel 0 upon a horizontal shaft E which may be the main actuating shaft of the rail, extending longitudinally through the container 13 and carried by suitable bearings, as that shown at b in the end wall of the latter, suitable means, such as a gear e",being provided, to enable the shaft Is} to be driven from a suitable source of power, not shown.

All the gearing above described preferably runs wholly or partly surrounded by the free oil within the container, the space between the cover D and sections C, G etc., being kept as free as possible from projections or parts likely to interfere with free movement of the oil, and with such an arrangement, I find it practicable to drive each spindle at constant speeds running up to fifteen thousand (15,000) turns a minute, the shaft E turning at say five hundred (500) to one thousand (1000) turns a minute, the speeds above 8000 turns a minute being of special utility in spinning silk.

In Fig. 6 I have shown one of my improved spindles S provided with retaining means especially adapted for holding in place the silk bobbin s shown thereon, the

iaaaoae latter having a bushing 8 preferably, of metal or other suitable material, while the end of the spindle is split to form resilient fingers s slightly enlarged preferably as at s", and which engage the bushing 8 retentively, partly on account of their resiliency, and partly under the action of centrifugal force. I do not limitmyself to the use of this device upon silk spindles.

12,000 turns a minute may be considered a suitable speed for cotton spinning, in the present state of that art, although the steady, smooth rotation of my improved spindle has demonstrated that higher speeds than 12,006 turns per minute can be advantageously maintained even in spinning cotton. ft is to be noted, that the speed of each and every spindle in my improved apparatus can be calculated with absolute ac curacy at once, upon taking the speed of the main actuating member.

At 6 and e in Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown oil-lifting devices or means comprising spouts, channels or apertures piercing the gear e at an angle suitable to cause the oil to be forced upward therethrough as long as the lower surface of the gear rotates in the oil, even though the gear be not wholly surrounded, and the oil thus lifted will be distributed by centrifugal force over the top of the gear (which may be made smooth for that purpose) to its periphery, serving to lubricate the driving teeth thereon, and

- also the central pivot 6 The bores- 6 will operate thus during lefthand rotation of the gear, and the bores 6 during righthand rotation thereof. These bores may be so placed, as indicated, that even though they do not contact with the free oil directly, they will receive oil flung upward by centrifugal action from the periphery of the gear a". A certain amount of such upwardly flung oil will likewise reach the lower surface of the gear 6 and be thrown outward to the gears a even when the free oil may be at a relatively low level in the container.

To attain the best results at high speeds, and indeed at any speed, means should be provided for the regular, and preferably continuous, circulation of lubricant over the bearing surfaces between a spindle and its support and driving gears, and for that purpose any suitable device may be adopted,

in accordance with my invention. The preferred system of oiling which I have devised, and illustrated herein, provides for recurrent circulation of oil, or other suitable lubricant, tliroughchannels f in the respective spindle posts, to the auxiliary bearings a thence down between the shell and post to the drive bearing a and from there partly through ports or vents 7 to drench or lubricate the gears a preferably, and partly through the bush bore a to the container, where it may mingle with the free lubricant; and whence a supplymay be withdrawn through a conduit f leading to a pump or other suitable circulating device f which forces the oil, through a conduit f preferably to an overhead tank F or other suitable source of gravity supply, the oil flowing back through a conduit f to a lateral, longitudinal supply conduit 7, formed preferably as a channel within the sections C, C or other suitable part of the rail, suitable valves, or other means 7" being provided preferably at proper points, to control the circulation of the oil at various portions of its path. J

The channel f preferably has ports i at appropriate intervals to deliver oil to the 'sections C, G etc, in which are central oil- As the uninterrupted circulation of oil to those spindles which at any given time are in operation may become an important factor in the operation of the spinning frame as a whole, at constant speed and highest efficiency, and as the ready withdrawal of individual spindles from operative engagement withthe group gear may be of similar importance, I prefer to provide means to permit such withdrawal in such manner that a very simple mechanical action will disengage the driven and driving members on, and adjacent to, the spindle, and will at the same time and by the same movement cut off the supply of oil in such a manner as not to permit waste or improper flow of oil from the individual spindle-support, permitting the circulation of oil to the other spindles to continue unhindered. My preferred device for this purpose is shown in Fig. 2 as taking the form of elongated vertical shafts or mounts Ill-H one for each spindle, having respectively eccentrically formed threaded bores 71. to receive removably the supporting posts 0, set screws h being provided preferably to retain the posts normally in adjusted position. Holesa may also be provided to receive a spanner to unscrew the support from the mount. These mounts HH may derive their support from any suitable device, and as one convenient form of such device I have shown sleeves, bushings or carriers KK having central axial bores 70 respectively to receive the several mounts H-H which are free to move'coaxially within the bores, being prevented from rotation therein by suitable, means, as the pins k playing in the slots 0 provided in the walls of the carriers. The carriers may be, and preferably are, extended downward through apertures b in the bottom of the container, an inner collar 70 and outer nut 7'1 serving as one suitable form of means to position the carriers properly, permitting their rotation in the apertures, these jam nuts serving also to retain the carriers in adjusted position, with the gear a of the spindle in engagement with the group gear e. Oil tight packing is may be provided if found desirable. Each carrier may have a polygonal head 10 by which to rotate it, and when so rotated the mount will be rotated also, and will, on account of the eccentricity of its bore h, move the post a and spindle a so that the gear a will be disengaged from the gear 6 and the spindle allowed to come to rest, this operation of disengagement being possible, in accordance with my invention,

While the group-gear e continues to rotate,-

and' actuate the spindles whose gears 11. remaln in engagement with the gear 6. Such a sleeve-and-post eccentric 1s specially availv able for disengaging herringbone gears,

which can not be disengaged co-axially, but it is equally available for other forms of intermeshing gears, nor indeed do I limit myself to the specific form shown of mechanism for disengaging actuating members-of the class set forth.

In order to raise the mouth of the mounts H-H above the surface of the cover D so that the supporting posts may be grasped and unscrewed I have shown the several mounts as having each an inferior threaded connection h with the threaded upper end m of a rod M which extends below the bottom of the container through a continuation of the axial bore 70 of the carrier, and has a positioning collar m held within the retaining nut m beyond which extends an operating head m by which the rod M may be turned to force the mount H upward, rota- ,tion of the mount being prevented by the pins 72?.

The several spindles may each be disengaged and raised by a similar operation, which serves the further function, in the case of each spindle, of cutting off the oil supply, by carrying the oil ports 7" in the mount out of register with the channel 7 Accordingly, when the polygonal head 76 of the carrier K is turned from right to left,

the mount H turns therewith until the gear a leaves the gear e,'and rotation of the rod M thereafter results in forcing the mount H and post a upward into the position shown at the left of Fig. 2, the shell of the spindle A being then entirely out of the container B, the cover D of Which is preferably secured by suitable fastening means such as the screws d and provided with openings (Z one for and to pass each of the spindles, the openings being large enough to pass the pinions a also, andto permit laterahmovement of the spindles when shifted by the eccentrics.

Normally, a'bushing d may be provided in 6&51'1 of the" apertures d to prevent escape of oil, and a thin ring a may be forced tightly on each of the shells above the pinions a to act asan auxiliary oil guard, and when the spindle is forced up with the sleeve, the ring a will pick up the bushing 65 the hole (Z being substantially closed by the head of the mount H so that no oil will be thrown out by the other spindle pinions after the spindle and its post are Withdrawn completely from the eccentric sleeve bore h, the screw k having been removed before unscrewing the post. The rail sections C,

G etc., may and preferably will, be seated fastening means have been loosened, the rail section 0 and its group of spindles A-A may be removed readily as a group, carrying with it the gears e and c Assemblage and operation, 0 the apparatus.In assembling and setting up the ap paratus preparatory to its operation, it will usually be convenient first to arrange the container and its associated parts for reception of the spindles, and to accomplish this, the main actuating shaft E may be set in place, with the gears 0 and the carriers K-K may be inserted in their respective apertures b in the base of the container, with the mounts H-H and rods MM in place, and the carriers may be secured rotatably by the retaining nuts 70 then the rail section C may be set upon its ledge seats b, and secured there by the screws 0'; the respective spindle posts a may be inserted in the eccentric mount bores 71 the spindle parts having first been assembled by placing the shell (1, the sphere a and the bush a upon the post a? in a manner understood best upon reference to similar parts in Fi 4:, the screws (1 being driven home to secure these parts in adjusted position.

It will be found most convenient usually to set the arbor c, with gears c and (2 thereon in place, and to fasten down the cover D and. adjust the pivot 0 before turning the carriers K to swing the gears a? into mesh with the group gear a, the carriers being secured in this position by tightening the nuts 71: The oil channel f of the carrier will then register with the channel f and with the post channel port f. The container may then be filled with oil until the lubricant submerges the group gear a and its related gears, or until the desired depth is reached; a supply of oil will be placed in the tank F and the controlling valves 7" of the oil supply conduits may then be operated to I specific materials,

shown and described, nor in general other mepea i and distributing channel f. The spindles will now be ready 'for the bobbins I and for the operation of spinning, the main actuating shaft E being set in motion for that purpose' 1 e When desired any one of the rail sections C, C may be replaced complete, with the mounts H, H, etc., without shutting down the main actuating shaft and oil supply, leaving the carriers Kit and rods lW-M in )lace. v

aving illustrated and described my invention thus fully, and suitable means for carrying the same into effect,- it will .be understood that I do not limit myself to the construction or uses wise than as set forth in the claims read in connection with this specification.

' What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination with a spindle, its

,support, a plurality of bearings therebetween; and'a container to hold lubricant; of

means circumjacent one of said hearings to drive said spindle positively; .said driving means being .arranged to run in said lubricant within said container; means independent of said spindle to withdraw lubricant from said container and circulate said lubricant through said bearings, and means to return it to said container; described.

2. The combination with a spindle, its support and a plurality of separated bear:

ings therebetween; of means to apply lubricant under pressure to one of said bearings, means to convey said lubricant therefrom to another of said bearings, and means to return said lubricant positively thereafter to domes of this patent may be obtained for substantially as said first mentioned bearing; substantially as described.

3. The combination with a shell-spindle teriorly arranged driven portion to be engaged with driving means; and means to permit flow of lubricant from the interior of said member through its walls to the region of driving engagement; substantially as described.

5. A spindle of the class described, having an exterior gear and a port in its walls to convey lubricant to said gear from the interior of said spindle;.substantially as described.

6. A spindle of the class described; said spindle having a herringbone gear to be engaged with similar gearing for actuation of said spindle and for its retention in driving position; substantially as described.

Signed'at New York inthe county and State of New York this 28th day of May, '1908.

1 HENRY L. BROWN. If

Witnesses: A

ALEXANDER C. PRoUDrrr, EDWARD B. BRUSH.

five cents each, by addressing the Gommisstener ot Petente, Washington, 10. t.

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