US1362109A - Feeler mechanism for looms - Google Patents

Description

F. LACEY.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS. APPLICATION FILED AUG-1911919.

SHEETS-SHEET I- Trix/engor- Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED LACEY, 0F LOVJELL, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER CORPORATION, OF

HOPEDALE, MASSAOHUSETTS, A

CORPORATION GE MAINE.

FEELER- MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

Application filed August 19, 1919.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Fnnn LAOEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lowell, in the county of Middlesex and State of lilassachusetts, have invented an improvement in Feeler hilechanism for Looms, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drznvings, is specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to feeler mechanisms for looms which, on substantial exhaustion of the weft or filling in the shuttle, change the operative condition of the loom, such, for instance, as replenishing filling or weft in the shuttle. Various types of feeler mechanisms have been suggested, all of which have the general purpose of replenishing filling when that in the active shuttle becomes substantially exhausted. Among these suggested constructions of feeler mechani ms, one type effects movement of the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling has become substantially exhausted, and spring means is employed for effecting such movement. In this type of feeler mechanism the spring has been maintained under tension, and some means has been heretofore provided to prevent the tension of the spring being exerted upon the feeler until the frontward movement of the lay on a detecting beat. The means for restraining the tension of the spring from exerting itself upon the feeler has in some cases introduced an objectionable frictional contact between the restraining members, and has detracted from the sensitiveness of the feeler mechanism'. On the other hand, the feeler mechanism must be sensitive both to the presence or absence of substantial exhaustion of filling.

An important feature of the present invention, therefore, consistsof a feeler mechanism wherein the feeler is given its side swipe movement or movement longitudinally of the shuttle by normally inert means, such as a spring which, after the feeler has engaged the surface within the shuttle, is energized. The effect is that the scnsitiveness of the feeler mechanism is enhanced, and no tendency to move the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle takes place until after the feeling end of the feeler has had time to engage and embed itself in the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

Serial No. 318,467.

filling or weft contained in the shuttle, and all frictional restraining means is eliminated. b

On a detecting beat and at the critical period of detection of the condition of the filling by the feeler, the weft hammer or cam follower as it is sometimes called, moves frontwardly from its rear position in timed relation'with other parts to effect replenish ment when the shuttle has passed to the opposits side of the loom. The present invention utilizes this frontward movement of the weft hammer or cam follower to effect the longitudinal movement of the feeler when the filling is substantially exhausted. Another important feature of the present invention, therefore, consists of means actuated from the weft hammer or cam follower tending to move the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle on each detecting beat, and to effect such movement when the filling has become substantially exhausted.

Other features and novel combination of parts in addition to the above will hereinafter be described, and then the invention in its true scope will be defined by the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the detecting side of a loom having the present invention associated therewith, and showing sufficient of the parts to make clear the construction and mode of operation thereof;

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the action of the feeler and its actuating means when, on a detecting beat'the shuttle contains a working supply of filling; and

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, showing the position assumed by the parts when, on a detecting beat the filling is substantially exhausted.

The loom frame for supporting the operating parts may be of any desired or preferred construction. Secured to the loom frame are the brackets 1, usually one at each side of the loom frame, in which is mounted the transverse or rock shaft 2 which is normally under the influence of a spring, not shown, tending to move the rock shaft contraclockwise viewing Fig. 1. Secured to and rising from the rock shaft 2 is an arm 3 having pivotally connected at its upper portion at d the lug ,5 to which is pivotally connected at 6 the actuator 7, the construction being such that the actuator 7 may be moved horizontally about its pivotal mounting 6 to place its rear end in or out of operative relation with the operating member 8. .The operating member 8, as usual in this type of machine, may be either the weft hammer or cam follower or a part connected thereto, but in the description and eX- ploitation of the invention hereinafter, it will be designated for purpose of identification, as the weft hammer or cam follower.

The actuator 7 may be provided with a proper support 9 on which may rest a flange 10 permitting the actuator 7 to be moved laterally or in a horizontal direction.

The loom frame has projecting therefrom the shipper stand 11 provided with an extension or bracket 12 on which may be ad justably secured a bracket 13 by means of a securing bolt 14 or other preferred means. Pivotally connected to the arm 15 of the bracket 13 is the carrier 16 which as shown is pivotally connected to the bracket by a pin 17 near the front end portion of the carrier 16, the construction being such that the carrier 16 may be moved laterally or in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle. The carrier 16 may be variously contrived, but the described form presents a convenient and good practical form of this feature.

Rising from the carrier 16 are the guides 18, 19 in which is mounted the feeler 20 having the roughened or toothed weft or filling engaging end 21. The feeler 20, frontward of the rear bearing 18 is preferably formed as a rod 22, thefront end of which projects through the front bearing 19 and is capable of reciprocating movement therein. Secured to the feeler 20 frontward of the rear bearing 18 is a collar 23 against which bears one end of a spring 24, the front end portion of the spring being seated against the rear face of the front bearing 19, the construction being such that the feeler 20 is normally held yieldingly in its rearward feeling position, but is capable of frontward movement when its engaging end 21 meets a surface within the shuttle on a detecting beat. The feeler member and its associated parts as thus far described, may be variously contrived, the essential in these respects being that the feeler 20 may be capable of movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted, as will more fully appear.

The lay 25 is of usual construction and provided with the usual shuttle box 26, the front wall 27 of which has an opening 28 adapted to register with a corresponding opening 29 in the side of the shuttle 30, when the shuttle is in the detecting box at the detecting side of the loom. The construction of the shuttle box with the slotted wall and the shuttle having the slot 29 may be of usual construction as found in feeler looms, so that the feeler, on a detecting beat, may enter into the shuttle and detect the condition of filling therein.

The actuator 7 is connected to the feeler for movement thereby, when the latter is moved in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle. In the present instance, the feeler carrier 16 is provided with a lug 31 to which is jointed the rod 32, the other end of which is connected at 33 with the actuator 7, so that upon movement of the feeler laterally or in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, the actuator 7 will be correspondingly moved.

Mounted in a suitable bearing 3% projecting from the bracket 35 which may be secured to the shipper stand of the loom, is a thrust rod 36 capable of movement longitudinally in the bearing 3 1. Pivotally connected with the thrust rod at 37 is a link 38, the opposite end of which is connected at 39 to the operating member 8 which, as here inbefore stated, comprises the weft hammer or cam follower.

Swiveled upon the feeler carrier 16 is the bearing 10 through which extends the thrust rod 36 freely movable longitudinally therein. The swiveled hearing or block 10 is pivotally mounted at ll on the feeler carrier 16 to rock in a horizontal plane. A. collar 12 is secured to the thrust rod 36 and between it and a loose collar 43 is interposed the spring 4a which, when the weft hammer or cam follower is in its rearward or dotted line position as indicated in Fig. 2, is not under substantial compression tending to any material degree to move the feeler laterally. In other words, when the weft hammer or cam follower is in its rearward position, the spring 44 is relaxed and the sliding collar 4 3 as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, may be withdrawn from contact with the swiveled bearing 40. Consequently the spring 14 exerts no substantial stress against the swivel bearing 40 tending to more the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle. When. however, the weft hammer or cam follower moves frontwardly from its dotted to its full line position (Fig. 2), the thrust rod is moved longitudinally to the left (Fig. 2). thereby causing the loose collar e3 to engage the swiveled bearinglO, and upon further frontward movement of the weft hammer or cam follower, the spring a is energized. This energization of thespring 4- by the weft hammer or cam follower takes place as the weft hammer or cam follower moves frontwardly from its rearward position, at which time the engaging end of the feeler is in contact with the surface within the shuttle on a detecting beat. If at this time. that is when the weft hammer or cam fol lower has moved frontwardly from its rear ward posit-ion, and thereby placed the spring ett under compression tending tomove the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle, there should be a working supply of filling or weft in the shuttle, the toothed end portion of the feeler will prevent longitudinal movement of the feeler responsive to the now energized spring, as indicated in full lines in Fig. 2. Should, however, the filling become substantially exhausted, the small amount of filling remaining on the filling carrier in the shuttle, will no longer be able to restrain movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle under the now energized spring M, and the feeler will take the position as indicated in Fig. 3, thereby moving the actuator 7 into operative relation with the weft hammer or cam follower, and on further frontward movement thereof, filling replenishment will be initiated. The thrust rod 36 is provided with a stop 45 which may be in the form of a cotter pin, and which as the weft hamn er or cam follower retreats after a filling replenishing operation, will restore the feeler to its feeling position and will move the actuator T away from its operative relation with the weft hammer or cam follower.

From the construction described it will be noted that the feeler is given its movement longitudinally of the shuttle by yielding means which is energized to effect movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle on a detecting beat only after the engaging end of the feeler has had time to sink into any filling contained in the shuttle. This tensioned condition of the yielding means or spring 44 may be most conveniently effected through the thrust rod or member 36 connected to the weft hammer or cam follower. Changes may be made in the details of construction which embody the essentials of the present invention without materially departing therefrom.

What is claimed is 1. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier pivotally mounted for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, a feeler mounted on the feeler carrier, an operating member and an actuator, connections between the feeler carrier and actuator for moving it into operative relation with the operating member when the feeler carrier is moved longitudinally of the shuttle, a thrust rod connected to the operating member, and a spring mounted on the thrust rod and energized by frontward movement of the operating member for moving the feeler carrier in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted.

2. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler that is mounted for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and is held from such movement on a detecting beat by engagement witii the filling until the filling is substantiall hausted, an operating member, an actua connected with the feeler, a thrust rod connected to the operating member, and a spring energized by frontward movement of the operating member and tending to more the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhaust-ed on detecting beat.

3. In a feeler mechanism for looms, combination of a feeler tiat is mounted movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, and is held from such movement on detecting beat by engagement with the filling wnen a working supply is presem in the shuttle, a cam follower, an actuator, a spring energized by frontward movement of the cam follower, and connections between the feeler and actuator for operatively relat-ing the actuator and cam follower when the filling is substantially exhausted and the spring is energized by the cam fo 4. In a feeier mechanism for looms, the combination of feeler that is mounted for movement in a direction longitudinal the shuttle and is held from such movem by engagement with the filling when a wo ing supply is present in the shuttle on a letecting beat, a spring tending to impast such lower.

movement to the feeler member on a detecting beat, and means acting to place said spring under compression only after the feeler has been engaged by a surface within the shuttle on a detecting beat.

5. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler that is mounted for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and is held from such movement by engagement with the filling in the shuttle when a working supply is present on a detecting beat, a normally inert spring for imparting such movement to the feeler, a cam follower, and means actuated by the cam follower for placing said spring under compression after the feeler has been engaged by a surface within the shuttle on a detecting beat and thereafter acting through the compressed spring to move the feeler member longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat.

6. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler that is mounted for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and is held from such move ment by engagement with the filling in the shuttle when a working supply is present on a detecting beat, a spring which is periodically energized for imparting such movement to the feeler, means for energizing the spring on each detecting beat, and means actuated by movement of the feeler responsive to the spring for effecting replenishment of filling.

IUU

7. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler to enter the shuttle and feel for the filling and that is mounted for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and is held from such movement by engagement with the filling in the shuttle on a detecting beatwhen a working V ment by engagement with a working supply of filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat, an operating member, and a spring energized by movement of the operating member to effect movement of the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle on a detecting beat when the filling is substantially exhausted.

9. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler which enters the shuttle and feels for the filling and that is mounted for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and is held from such movement by engagement with a working supply of filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat, a cam follower, a normally inert spring between the feeler and cam follower and means actuated by the cam follower to energize the spring to move the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat.

[1.0. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler that is mounted for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and is held from such movement on a detecting beat by engagement with a working supply of filling in the shuttle, an operating member, an actuator, separate means for connecting the feeler and actuator and the feeler and operating member, and a spring energized by the operating member to eflect movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle on a detecting beat when the filling is substantially exhausted.

11. In a filling replenishing loom, the combination of a feeler that is mounted for movement longitudinally of the shuttle and is held from such movement by engagement with the filling on a detecting beat until substantial exhaustion thereof, an operating member, an actuator, a spring for moving the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, and means that is operated by the operating member for energizing the spring to effect such movement of the feeler.

In testimony whereof, I have. signed my name to this specification.

FRED LAOEY.

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