US2020434A - Loom and method of weaving - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 12, 1935.

W W. ROBERTSON LOOM AND METHOD OF WEAVING 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 2, 1933 n 5 tn n He W mw t 70 5 Q nu Nov. 12, 1935. w. w. ROBERTSON 2,020,434

LOOM AND METHOD OF WEAVING Filed Oct. 2, 19:3 3 Shee'ts-Sheet 2 Snuentor hi 'bi. Robertson tsorneas Nov. 12, 1935.

W. W. ROBERTSON LOOM AND METHOD OF WEAVING Filed Oct. 2, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 4

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Patented Nov. 12, 1935 UNlTED S OFFICE 2,020,434 LOOM AND METHOD OF WEAVING Application October 2, 1933, Serial No. 691,764

12 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in mechanism and the method for weaving pile fabrics and it is the general object of the invention to make provision for weaving an Axminster fabric with a soft filling, preferably though not necessarily on the usual type of Axminster loom.

The ordinary Axminster loom employs a set of'tube frames each of which is provided with a plurality of equally spaced yarn tubes'from which the tuft color yarns project. During the first part of the tuft forming operation the tube frame places these yarn tubes between the spaced Warp threads. The latter must of necessity preserve their alignment in order to permit entry of the tubes and this is usually accomplished by the use of a type of filling sufiiciently stiff to prevent appreciable crimping by the binder warps. The filling most frequently'employed is jute which remains substantially straight and is not subject to crimping or shrinking, hence the warp threads can retain their alignment.

It is desirable that a fabric having the pattern on the back should be made of soft, pliableyarns so as to feel like an oriental rug. This softness can be obtained by the use of cotton filling, but such yarns are easily crimped, and as a result contract enough to crowd the warpthreads toward the center of the loom, thus destroying their aligmnent with the yarn tubes.

It is an important object of my present invention to make provision for placing in the shed a temporary ,device which will be sufiiciently stiif to prevent crimping of the soft cotton filling, the device being removed after its function of spacing the warp threads has been performed. As a particular means for accomplishing this result I may introduce wires between the binder threads at the time the filling is laid and close the sheds on the wire and filling. Although the weft is soft enough to yield, yet the binderthreads are prevented by the wires, temporarily at least, from effecting any crimp in the filling, with the result that the fell of the fabric remains at its full width.

It is customary in Wilton looms to introduce pile wires into the shed which is formed by the tuft or color yarns, and any of the devices which accomplish this result on Wilton looms may be employed in carrying out the spirit of my present invention. I prefer, however, to use the weft needle mechanism of the usual 'Axminster loom to introduce and withdraw the wires. I employ a set of pile wires to be used-in rotation,.thewire drawing means pulling out the front wire of the set and introducing it into the shed behind the set.

In the: weaving of fabrics of the type to which my present invention more particularly relates there may be variations in the tension both of the x warp and weft systems of threads, and because of these variations I do not wish to be limited to the number of wires to be used per tuft forming beat of the 100m. Where the warp tension is very high it may be desirable to introduce a "wire into each Warp shed so that in a three-shot weave there will be three wires introduced for each dipping of the tube frame. Where the tensions are comparatively low, however, a fewer number of wires may be sumcient topreserve the 15 desired spacing of the warp threads.

With these and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and set forth g0 in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, .wherein a convenient embodiment-of my invention is set forth,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a narrow loom made according to my present invention with a wire motion shown at the end of the withdrawing stroke, the tube frame and parts cooperating therewith being omitted,

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but with the wire and needle inserted in the shed,

Fig. .3 is an end elevation of the needle and wire motion taken in the direction of arrow 3, Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2, showing the tube frame and certain parts c0- operating therewith,

Fig. 5 is a detail transverse vertical section of the fabric takenon line 5-5 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is a vertical section on line 6-6 of 40 Fig. 5,

Fig. '7 is a detailed elevation of the wire,

Fig. Sis a detail top plan, parts being removed, of the shuttle and wire releasing mechanism indicated in Fig. 2.

as usual in Axminster looms by mechanism not shown herein both to tension the weft and detect for its presence. The needle may have the end thereof adapted for cooperation with the point E8 of the shuttle l1 and the shaft I5 may be actuated by mechanism not shown to give the shuttle a transverse motion relatively to the nee-.

dle when the latter is in the position Fig. 2.

,A. transporting shown in chain 39 moves around a sprocket M to present the tube frames one at a time to weaving position. The single tube frame 32 shown in the drawings is of usual construction and may be operated by the ordinary declutching and transfer motions common in Axminster looms and illustrated in Fig. 4. The tube frame will ordinarily be disconnected from the chain and moved down toward the system 'of warp threads, preferably though not neces- 5'5 W may be provided with a head having an ,open slot 46 and an operating or pulling slot 41.

springs 55.

sarily with the yarn tubes 33 pointing rearwardly 'so that the color yarns Y project toward the reed. Subsequent movement of the tube frame moves the yarn tubes down through the warp threads, after which an upward movement of the tube frame places the tuft yarns in correct position for holding by the lay during the pull-01f motion and also for co-action with the comb 34.

'The latter is raised and lowered in the usual manner immediately behind the cloth board 35 upon which the fabric or cloth C rests.

To the foregoing structure, which is of the usual Axminster form, I add mechanism which enables the needle to insert a wire or the like into the shed and later withdraw it from the 'cloth. In carrying my invention into effect I secure to the eye end of the needle a clip 40 which may be made of resilient sheet metal 4| bent around'and secured to the needle N, and having two resilient fingers 42 notched as at 43 to receive the left end of a wire 44.

The wire preferably isnormally straight and sufficiently stiff to resist crimping or bending by the successive crossings of the warp threads which form the ground weave of the fabric.

As shown in Fig. 7 the right end of the wire The carrier 22 is provided with a hook 48 formed and operated to enter the slot 41, while the fixed "guide bar 49 is arranged to enter the slot 46 when the needles are held by the fabric, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

A wire rail 53 is pivoted as at 5| and has a groove 52 in which is located a retaining bar 53 pushed toward the rear wall 54 by means of A link 56 is operated by a crank lever 51 and cam 58 to move the rail back and forth in timed relation with. the operation of the needle motion.

To illustrate the method of procedure I have shown in Figs. 5 and 6 aparticular construction of weave, although the practice of the invention isnot limited to this weave. As shown, upper and'lower stufiers 60 and BI, respectively, to-

gether with the binder 62 form the warp system '64 to project above the ground weave.

of the fabric and may be manipulated by harness mechanism to produce sheds in accordance with the showing of Fig. 6. As shown therein shot of filling 63 is below both stuifers but above the binder; shot 64 is between the stuffers and above the binder; while the third shot 65 is above both stuifers and below the binder. The tuft 66 may extend down from the top of the fabric through the stuffer planes and under the lowest shot 63, after which it is bent up between shots 63 and These three shots and the tuft represent a repeat or cycle of the loom, but the invention is not limited to this sequence. The harness mechanism H is operated to produce the proper movements on the parts of the stuflers and the binder to permit the needle to enter sheds formed to produce the fabric shown in Fig. 6.

The mechanism for detaching the wire from the needle may include a releasing finger 1| operated from the shaft l5 by the mechanism shown in Fig. 8. The needle operating arm 16 moves rearwardly as soon as the needle reaches the position shown in Fig. 2, and when the needle is withdrawn the arm l6 returns to its forward position. An arm 12 fast on shaft l5 has a pin and slot driving connection 13 with a lever 14 pivoted to an extension 15 from the bracket I4. The pin H projects upwardly from this lever 14 and the relation of the parts is such that when the arm 16 moves rearwardly with the needle fully in the shed the arm 12 and lever 14 will coact to move pin 1| forwardly to push the wire out of the clip 40.

In operation, assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Fig. 1 with the wire rail for- Ward with a wire W and the needle out of the shed. The rail will move rearwardly to the dotted line position shown in said figure, forcing the left end of the wire into the clip 40 and causing a driving edge 69 of carrier 22 to enter a slot 10 of the wire head. The needle is then moved into the shed, the wire moving with it, and when the needle is entirely in the shed in the position shown in Fig. 2, the finger 1| is moved forwardly, as already described, to detach the wire from the clip 40. This inward movement of the needle also places the head of the wire so that the guard 49 is in the slot 46 and the newly inserted wire is therefore held with the end released. During the last part of the needle inserting movement the hook 48 will cam itself along the front of the head as viewed in Fig. 2 until it can enter the slot 41, so that when the needle is withdrawn the freshly inserted-needle is left in the shed behind the set previously incorporated in the fabric, while the front needle of the set is withdrawn. The guide bar is in forward position at this time so that the advancing head of the wire being extracted can enter the groove 16 defined between the bar 53 and wall 54. The bar frictionally holds the head so that movement of the wire may be controlled correctly. When the carrier 22 has reached its outermost position the parts are again in the position shown in full lines in' Fig. 1 and a wire inserting and withdrawing cycle has been completed.

As already described the wire is inserted into all of the sheds of the ground weave, but certain features ofmy invention apply to the weaving of such fabrics as can be held at their full width by inserting a: fewer number of wires. When it is desired to omit the wires from certain of the sheds, I may "employ the mechanism shown in Figs. 4 and 10, where a cam plate 86 moves about anaxis 8| in timed relation with the loom to have 'one complete revolution for 'each tuft formin cycle of the loom, that is, for every third beat of the lay as specifically set forth herein. This cam plate may have provision at points 82, 8'3, and 84 for holding tappets 85, one of which is shown in Fig. 10, which co-act with a lever 88 pivoted about a fixed stud 89. The upper end 955 of the lever is extended rearwardly so that it can engage the head of the foremost wire and push the latter rearwardly out of the path of hook 48 when a tappet in any one of the positions on web 80 engages the lower end of lever 88.

In the operation of this feature of my invention, should it be desired to insert a needle in each shed of the loom, there will be notappets on the plate and the lever 88 will therefore be inoperative. Should it be desired, however, to insert the needle in the middle shed between the stuffers that tappet corresponding to the shed for the shot 64 will be omitted but the tappets for the other two shots will be applied to the plate. Under these conditions the end 90 is pushed rearwardly when the needle lays shots 63 and. 55, thereby preventing the hook 48 from pulling out a wire on these beats of the loom. In like manner two wires could be inserted and one omitted by a corresponding variation in the tappets, and the sheds from which wires are to be omitted can be selected at will by the user and thereafter controlled automatically by the cams.

By referring to Fig. 5 it will be seen that the tightening of the binder warps is resisted by the wires and that the latter lie straight, thereby permitting the soft cotton filling also to lie straight. The elfect therefore is to prevent crimping and shortening of the filling and the warps are held out properly spaced as is the case where stiff resistant filling is employed, such as jute. The

tubes of the tube frame therefore are in alignment with the warp threads and are kept in registry with the proper binders and stuifers since there is no shrinking of the fabric at the fell. The wires can be made small so that when withdrawn there will be little or no change in the fabric, and any crimping which results upon the withdrawing of the foremost wire will have no effect on causing shrinkage at the fell. It is to be understood that a sufiicient number of wires will be used so that whatever shrinkage occurs in the forward part of the fabric will not be transmitted to the fell.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have made provision for weaving a. fabric with a softv filling wherein the warp threads are kept properly spaced to align with the yarn tubes of the tube frame. It will further be seen that the method set forth includes the insertion in the sheds of devices such as wires which will shield and protect the soft filling and prevent crimping of them by the warp threads. Furthermore, it is within the spirit of my invention to introduce these devices or wires in a part only of the sheds.

Having thus described my invention it will be seen that changes and modifications may be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, but what I claim is:

1. In a loom operating with warp threads to define a shed, a weft needle to lay weft, a Weft supporting wire, means to attach the wire, to the needle, and means to introduce the needle into a shed to carry the wire therewith into the same shed.

2. In a loom operating with warp threads to define a shed, a weft needle to be introduced into and withdrawn from the shed to lay weft, a weft supporting Wire attached thereto, means to introduce the needle and wire into the same shed, and means to detach the wire from the needle when the latter is in the shed, the needle to be withdrawn while the wire remains in the shed- 3. In a loom constructed and operated to weave a fabric having a ground weave including warp threads and shots of filling and having a tufted surface, means separate from the filling introduced into the ground weave to support the shots of filling and prevent the same from being appreciably shortened by deformation on the part of the warp threads, and mechanism to remove said means while the fabric is in the loom.

4. In a loom constructed and operated. to weave a pile fabric having a tufted surface and a ground weave formed of warp and weft threads, a set of elongated elements to be incorporated temporarily into the ground weave to prevent the warp threads from deforming and shortening the weft threads, and means to withdraw an element at the front of the set and reinsert it at the rear of the set during the weaving operation.

5. In a loom operating with Warp threads to define a shed, a weft laying needle, a weft shuttle to cooperate with the weft of the needle, 2. wire attached to the needle to be introduced into the same shed as the filling, and mechanism operating in timed relation with the shuttle to disconnect thewire from the needle.

6. In a loom having warp threads to define a shed, a Weft needle, a weft supporting wire at tached to and movable into the shed with the needle, a shuttle to cooperate with the .weft of the needle, and means to operate the shuttle and 40 disconnect the wire from the needle.

7. In a loom operating with warp threads to define a plurality of sheds each to have a shot of filling therein, a plurality of wires for the sheds, means to withdraw a wire and reinsert it into a shed with a shot of filling, and selective mechanism controlling the means to determine into which of the sheds the wires shall beinserted.

8. In the method of weaving a pile fabric with tuft yarn tubes to be placed between spaced warp threads, the step of introducing a soft deformable shot of filling into a shed of the warp threads together with a separate device to prevent crimping of the filling by the warp threads, and thereafter removing the device while the fabric is in the loom.

9. In the method of preventing warp threads from being drawn by contracting weft out of proper spaced relation to receive tuft tubes in the weaving of a tufted fabric, the step of introducing with the filling a device to prevent the same from being contracted .by the warp thread, and thereafter removing the device while the fabric is in the loom.

10. In the method of preventing warp threads from being drawn by contracting weft out of proper spaced relation to receive tuft tubes in the weaving of a tufted fabric, the step of introducing a device into the warp shed in which the filling lies to prevent the warp threads from crimping and shortening the filling, permitting the device to become and remain incorporated into the fabric a given time, and thereafter withdrawing the device while the fabric is in the loom.

11. In the method of preventing warp threads from being drawn by contracting weft out of proper spaced relation to receive tuft tubes in the weaving of a tufted fabric, the step'of first introducing into the warp shed with the filling a relatively hard device to resist the Weft crimping tendency of the warp and prevent the latter from deforming the soft filling,.and thereafter withdrawing the device while the fabric is in the 10 loom.

12. In the method. of preventing warp threads from being drawn by contracting weft out of proper spaced relation to receive tuft tubes in the weaving of a tufted fabric, the steps of introducing wires into the same shed with the shot of filling, accumulating a set of wires in the fabric to prevent the warp thread from crimping the soft filling and thereby maintain the warp threads in proper spaced relation to receive the tubes, and thereafter removing the wires while the fabric is in the loom.

WILLIAM W. ROBERTSON.

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