US2856740A - Bobbin loading machine - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 21, 1958 G. E. REPASS BOBBIN LOADING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 6, 1956 m. m m 1 w. @N \mf\m MLN ffm@ Geoizea E. REPASS A TTORNE Y O Oct. 21, 1958 G. E. REPAss 2,856,740

BoBBIN LOADING MACHINE Y Filed Jan. s, 195s e sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. Grossa E. EEPnss A TTORNE Y 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. GEORGE B12512955 A TTORNE Y AQ?, Mw

Oct. 21, 1958 G. E. REPASS BOBBIN lLomme MACHINE Filed Jan. 6, 1956 Oct. 2l, 1958 Q E REPASS 2,856,740

BOBBIN LOADING MACHINE Filed Jan. 6, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Gaone: E. EEPnss A TTORNE Y INVENTOR.

Oct. 21, 1958 G. E. REPASS BOBBIN LOADING MACHINE s sheets-sheet 5 Filed Jan. 6, 1956 I Effi/149 i'. U U W @i 1N VEN TOR. GEORGE E. REPAS@ A TTORNE Y Oct. 21, 1958 Q E REPASS 2,856,740

BOBBIN LOADING MACHINE Filed Jan. e, 1956 e shets-sheet 6 INVEN TOR. Gauner: E. Ramas A TTORNE Y nited States Patent() P BOBBIN LOADING MACHINE George E. Repass, Hopedale, Mass., assignor to Draper Corporation, Hopedale, Mass., a corporation of Maine Application January 6, 1956, Serial No. 557,799

22 Claims. (Cl. S31-61) This invention relates to a machine for loading textile bobbins in magazines for use on automatic, lling replenishing looms.

it is a general object of the invention to devise a complete machine to which lling wound or other bobbins may be fed and which shall automatically load these bobbins into magazines of a type in which columns or vertical ber of bobbins rapidly and without violent handling or without dropping the bobbins more than a few inches so that there shall be no likelihood of incomplete or retarded action due to cocked or wedged bobbins.

A further object is that of automatically counting oif the exact number of bobbins for each cell or channel in the magazine and of indexing the magazine and advancing it from channel to channel under the influence of gravity.

It is another object to devise such means that may be set to feed different sized bobbins and different numbers thereof per cell in the magazine without changing more than a minimum of control parts.

Another object is that of providing automatic stop means effective upon failure of a bobbin to proceed through the machine in intended fashion, also ejecting means for improperly oriented bobbins. Y

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from' the following more detailed disclosure.

In automatic, bobbin-changing looms for weaving it has been suggested that instead of the conventional rotary battery or cradle, a preloaded magazine be brought to the loom and placed thereon to cooperate with the replenishing means of the loom in feeding its supply of bobbins to the shuttle as needed. This system has several advantages in that a larger number of bobbins can be handled at one time making it necessary to attend any particular loom less frequently and these magazines may also serve to transport the bobbin and in instances, serve as a receptacle for bobbins while the thread is being steamed or otherwise treated. One reason such systems have not been widely accepted is that too much time is required to load the bobbins in the magazine which, to be effective, must be of a type to hold about one hundred bobbins and must be compartmented and constructed to feed the bobbins to a battery in an orderly fashion.

According to the invention herein described and claimed, magazines with vertically disposed channels are used so that the bobbins are arranged in columns and released, one column at a time, to feed down into a battery, the magazine being indexed to the next column automatically.

These magazines are subject matter of copending application Serial No. 528,928 tiled August 17, 1955, now United States Patent No. 2.778,3 82, and feed to batteries of the general type shown in United States Patent 2,566,- 880. The bobbins employed and to be handled in this loading machine are preferably, although not necessarily, lling wound and are formed with a so-called tip bunch and tail wind all as described in United States Patent 2,558,198.`

The instant loading machine provides means to index and otherwise control the advance of magazines in general horizontal position with the bobbin receiving channels generally upright beneath the loader proper which includes a counting means, a conveyor to feed bobbins, one at a time, through the counter and to an accumulator by which a given number of bobbins is temporarily assembled in a loading channel preparatory to being lowered into an aligned cell of the magazine.

Instead of dropping these accumulated. bobbins into the magazine, a support is so controlled as to rise into each channel or cell of the magazine as it is loaded, to a point just beneath the assembled group of bobbins whereupon, when they are released, the support controls their descent into the magazine so that they move slowly and without the shock and general tendency to disturb the wound package which would be experienced if they were allowed to fall freely. It is also eiiiective in preventing cooking or tilting of bobbins, a thing which always occurs if they are dropped freely for anything more than a few inches.

The counting mechanism is supplemented by and governs an indexing control for the magazine which also functions from one magazine to another so it is merely necessary to place empties at one end and remove full containers at the other.`

The invention will be described in detail by reference to one specific embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying figures of drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a complete loading machine.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the machine.

Fig. 2a is an enlargement of mechanism at the top of Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the conveyor discharge, counter and accumulator.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the movable bobbin lowering support and control therefor.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view further illustrating details of the mechanism of Fig. 4 and also the indexing and a positioning lock means for the magazines.

Fig. 5a is a plan view of certain details of the locking means of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5b is an elevation of the mechanism of Fig. 5a.

Fig. 5c is a detail of the escapement pawl.

Fig. 6 shows parts of the mechanism of Fig. 5 as seen in section.

Fig. 7 isa partial section at line 7 7, Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of part of the conveyor and control means thereat.

Fig. 9 shows the mechanism of Fig. 8 ejecting a bobbin which has been inserted -in reversed relationship.

Fig. 10 shows the machine being stopped by a superimposed bobbin.

Fig. 10a is a detail view of part of the bobbin ejecting means.

Fig. 1l is a perspective view showing a stop motion which functions when no magazine is in position to be loaded.

Now referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the machine is built upon a frame having side members 20 at the lower end kand 21 at the top interconnected by three uprights 22, 23 and 24 at either side. These are tied together laterally by end members 25 at the top and 26 at the Patented Oct. 21, 1958.

bottom, feeding 'end of the machine and other lateral members at appropriate positions along the structure.

The lower rails 2b are extended as at 27 at the delivery end to sustain one end of a `pair of inclined track members 2S and 29, Figs. 4, 5 'and 6, also, further supported along their length by the various upright posts. These track members have a numberof rollers journaled in bearing holes therein. Each roller Ihas reduced ends 31, Fig. 7, thus borne and a snap ring or vother retaining means to prevent withdrawal. The rollers are close enough together 'so that a magazine-three of which 'are indicated generally by the letter M-ma'y be 'supported to 'travel by gravity "along the length ofthe machine 'as will be described. These are 'insertedon a platform '32 and in front of a vertical 'stop 33, and may be pushed into place on the 'roller trac'kbeing stopped 'in proper position to descend under theinuence of gravity by a side guide b'ar 34 which'i's attached to rail 29 by Vseveral angle brackets 35.v At the front a similar b ar 36 yis attached by brackets 37 to rail 28. The magazinesar'e constrained to progress 'down th'etra'ck while being maintained within lateral limitsbythese bars.

The extensions 27 are further'provided 'for carrying their load by braces 38'and 39,"Figs. land 2, connected to the uprights 24 and to the extensions near their ends. 2

An end cross member40 acts as Aa stop for filled magazines, one of which is shown 'in that position, Fig. l.

Adjacent the central part of the 'machine at lwhich the 'actual loading takes place, there is provided an accumulator b'et'ter shown in `Fig; 3. slotted guides 41 in a 'nearly vertical position, but actually perpendicular "to the track 'on which magazines move. There is one guide at each side, "thatat 'the near side in Fig. 3 being slotted to guide the y"bobbin tips, while a similar guide at `the opposite 'side -has `a Wider slot for the bobbin butts. Thelower `ends of these guides terminate just above the passing `magazines"while the top ends are positioned to receive bobbins .from a' conveyor generally Iindicated bynume'ral 42. This conveyor will be described in detail in due course.V

The accumulator includes, in addition to 'the Avguides, moving support means in the'form 'of "plates 43 which move along and down in the direction -of the guides to hold a number of 'bobbins 'equalto the number to be loaded in each cell of the magazine. These plates are fixed to spaced links "of chains k2M-and"45,""Figs. 2, 2q and 3, guided over a number of sprockets and driven by a larger sprocket `461'fixedv to' shaft 47;Thelatter'is rotatable in bearings in brackets 48 attached to the guides 41', in 'turn'secured to r'a'ils 21""by brackets 49;"

These chains are so jguided by `sprockets""50 "51 and 52 that a run ofthe chain longeno'u'ghto"accommodate the greatest number of'b'obbirfstoibe yloaded in'onefcell passes parallel to the guides. The totalchain length is selected so as to be fou`r"times Athe"distance required between successive plates, v'although Ait"c`ouldv be 'three or more times that. vVJhileonechain44 andits sprockets are shown in Fig. 3, it is to be understood that'cha'in 45 is behind it and identically eonstructed'aud guided. V The plates 43 are held by both chains `andare of a length to support by contact with the Ventire-control vportion of the'bobbin package.

Conveyor 42 is inclined -upwardly from a 'hopper 53 and comprises parallel i chains 554 between which :and carried by which are a number of plates Iortreads S5 of angularlform and so spaced nas to leave rroom fora bobbin to be carried between them. These operate between side members 56 which arecurved as shown and which attach at their ltop Aends .to' the guides 41 by bolted extensions 57. Chains 54 run over sprockets 5,8` on shaft 59 at the top and are driven at theirlower e'ndsby sprockets 60 fixed on shaft 561. lAgain these parts are duplicated at each side and numerals are applied only at the front as viewed in the figures. i

rihere are actually only Ithree functions of the loader This comprises which are power operated, these being the conveyor and the timing 'and accumulating units which are driven from shaft 47. To advance these mechanisms a motor 62, Figs. l and 2, is mounted at the rear side of the machine on a platform 63 and by a V-belt 64 drives a jack shaft 65. This belt is trained over a small pulley 66 on the motor shaft and a larger one 67 on shaft 65. The latter shaft also has fixed thereto sprockets 68 and 69 over which run chains '70 and 71. Chain 70 drives a large sprocket 72 rotatable on a short stud shaft 73, while chain 71 runs `to another sprocket 74 fixed to the end of shaft 61 which is the driving shaft for conveyor 42.

Now referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the shaft 47 has fixed at the rear of the machine a ratchet wheel or disk 75 by which the shaft and timing parts carried by it are advanced step by step as bobbins are accumulated. At its apposite @ad (the from 0f the machine) there are a stop or :index disk 76 and a camdisk 77. Thereare the same number of indexing grooves 78 inthe disk 76 as there are teeth on the ratchet disk and the number is governed by 'and should equalthe number of bobbins which are to be loaded in a 'single magazine cell.

The cam disk 77 lixed to the extreme end of shaft 47 is provided with a concentric periphery for about twothirds of its circumference and has a cam face 79, a drop-off'point 8i) and a cam 81 attached at its outer face and another cam 82 at the inner face. The purpose of all these cams will be made clear inthe following description.

The 'indexing disk 76 has 'a cam 83 xed to its outer face for controlling the magazine indexing. Th@ 1305i'- tions 'of these 'cams are capable'of 'beingvaried within limits 'for ltiming purposes.l t

'Now 4returning to Figs. l, 2,21; and 3, the shaft '47 and parts 'iixed for rotaton"therewith:are advanced counterclockwise asviewed in the iigures Sprocket 72, continuously drivemhas a crank pin 84 to which is Vhinged a connecting rod 85 the opposite .end of which ispivoted atlth'e vfree end of an arm 86,' fixed to a shaft"'87 to which is also fastened for Aswinging'movement anarin $8. The latter is connected to alink 89 the opposite end of which lis pivoted at 90 to an arrn91 freely"pi'v/'otable on shaft 47 `and carrying a vclaw '92 fpivotedat `and hav-Y ing an extension 94 terminating in an 'enlarged'y endin which is set a pin 95. Theflink. 89`isslotted`at'its lower end and the force of the pulling action incidental to nioyeinent 'of arm 88'is transmittedtothe'link through a spring 96 attached to the arm 88 'or to 'the'pivot and to the central portion of thelinkat .97. Thus'the'in'dexings'top for the disk 76'rnaylirnitthe ratcheting motion precisely while the swing `of arm 88: is adjusted tosoniethinggreater 'than the movement required.

' According to'the :set up herein taken by way of example, ftwelve bobbins `are accumulated and loaded in each `magazine cell and thus there are ktwelve clawing motions imparted to the vratchet disk. If a diierent number of bobbins is to 'be' loaded at each cell, then disks 75 and 76 'are 'changed and willhave the same number of teeth and depressions `as .the'bobbins accumulated. Of course, that will change the effective stroke ofthe claw, 'but armSS is `so moved as to .give the greatest movement required while spring'96 permits the link andclaw'to move only as,l far as required 'for a single ratcheting movement of the cams.

The'indexing lock consists of a roller 98 at theend of an arm 99 pivoted at 100 on 'a depending bracket 101. This armis urged upwardly by a spring 102 connected at the end of the arm and to an eyebolt or other means'attached at the end 4of thebra'cket 4S. The roller engages inthe grooves 78 temporarily lockingthedisk and entire timing .assembly in position at each ratcheting movement, but does not-prevent affairly leasy movement of the assembly under influence of theclaw 92.

The above described, periodic .motion imparted to the shaft 47 and attached parts is governed by the de` livery of bobbins from the conveyor 42 to `the accumulator and that control is exercised through a counting means. Each bobbin as delivered by one of the treads which go to make up to conveyor apron passes under a restraining spring 103 carried on extension 104 of vertical support 105 and then past a counting arm 106 pivoted at 107. This arm has a curved end 108 which bears against and is moved outwardly by a passing bobbin. Pivot 107 in the form of a short spindle also has an arm 109 fixed to it and this arm, curved as shown, rests upon a stop pin 110 in vertically. adjustable bracket 111, except when raised by a bobbin passing beneath counter shoe 108. The conveyor treads are notched centrally to pass the shoe 108 without contact between the parts. The end 112 of this curved arm bears upon the pin 95 by which it normally holds arm 94 downwardly and claw 92 out of engagement with the ratchet disk. Of course, the claw 92 is continuously reciprocated but may impart a movement to the disk and other parts on shaft 47 only when arm 109 is lifted by a bobbin passing under shoe 108. The curvature and extent of that shoe is such that it elevates the arm 109 long enough for the claw to effect one complete ratcheting motion and then drops to raise it out of action until vthe next bobbin passes. The curve of the end 112 of the arm cooperates with the combined movement of other parts to keep claw 92 at about the same distance from the ydisk 46 except when it is in active engagement therewith.

While it is conceivable that the claw will fall by gravity except when positively raised and that shoe 108 and arm 109 normally tend to fall, springs (not shown) are preferably employed to make more certain the action of the parts, A coil spring at the hub of the claw and arm 94 at pivot 93, however, is of `less strength than a similar one at pivot 107 so that the arm 109 always dominates unless a bobbin is being counted by shoe 108.

As the bobbins are advanced by the conveyor to pass under shoe 108, they are dofed from the conveyor -by end guards 113, one at either end of the bobbin just outside the treads 55. These extend under the plane of the conveyor apron at the top7 but guide bobbins forwardly to clear the conveyor and into the vertical accumulator guide members 41. A weighted, V-shaped member having a bobbin engaging lip 114 and a depending part 115 at the end of which is a weight 116 serves to level and slow up the fall of the bobbins. This member is merely hung on the top edges of the guard at that side of the bobbin channels.

The indexing means for the magazines is so devised as to stop an empty magazine in position to start loading and to permit it to advance one cell at a time as loading continues, then to release it and to position the next magazine. entirely by gravity and since that maylag a little or not be too forceful, a positioning lock is employed along with a double pawl escapement.

The magazines themselves are fitted with a rail 117 at the side at which the control is effective, this rail being notched to leave projections or lugs 118. The leading end of the rail is raised or widened all as shown in Figs. 5 and 5a to present an initial stopping abutment 119. There are as many projections 118 as there are cells to be loaded in the magazine. Here eight are used.

As seen in Figs. l and 5, combined brackets 120 and 121 mounted on the track member 28 carry a double pawl 122, better shown in Figs. 5a, 5b and 5c, which has a first pawl 123 and a second 124 which act as the pawls of an escapement in connection with the projections 118. These pawls are abount one and one-half projections apart. A third pawl or stop 125, shorter than-pawl 123 and extending laterally, functions only at the rst indexing from cell one to cell two. The double pawl is pivoted at 126 to the bracket 121 and The movement down the roller ramp is' 6; is connected to, or forms a part of an extension or arrn 127 to which is connected a control link 128.

Bracket 121 has two projecting arms 129 and 130 through which abutment screws 131 and 132 are threaded. These stop or limit the angular movement of the pawls and may be adjusted and locked in position. When pawl 123 is lowered to engage a projection 118, the pawl 124 will be raised above the projections, and viceversa. Thus to index a magazine from one cell to the next, it takes two movements of the pawl, one by pulling the link 128 up and then one by lowering it. The magaine moves about one-half a cell length ata time.

When a magazine first `cornes down the roller ramp, or when magazines change as a full one is released, the pawl 124 is in lowered position to engage the rst lug 113. The first cell will then be in position to be loaded. At the first move, that is, as the second cell is brought up, the double pawl escapement cannot function normally since there is no lug for the pawl 123 to work upon at the time. At that time, or as the pawl 124 is raised from its lug, the latch engages the initial or special stopping abutment 119. Then on the return or second escapement movement, that releases and the pawl 124 engages lug number two of the magazine, the second cell then being in place.

Since the magazines move by gravity, there may be a slight lag at times or a failure for a lug 118 to be in exact engagement with the pawl 124. To obviate any trouble which might occur as a result, a positioning lock 133 at the end of arm 134 of a two-armed lever pivoted at 135 and having its other arm 136 connected to both a link 137 and a spring 138, is adapted to enter between each pair of lugs 118 as the magazine is indexed, thereby to lock it in position. If the magazine is not fully advanced the lock being wedge shaped will force it into that position. v

Now having described these indexing devices, the control therefor is derived from cams in the timing group and to that end, the cam 83 on disk 46 acts on a lever 139 pivoted at 140 and connected to link 128 to control the double pawl. TheV cam 82 at the inner side of disk 77 acts on an arm 141 of a bell crank lever pivoted at 142, the other arm 143 of which is connected to spring 138. This cam tensions the spring to pull the locking lever into position. Actually, this cam functions during two moves of the ratcheted parts as will be explained. A spring 144 connected to lever 139 tends to pull it down and to maintain pawl 124 in engagement` with lugs cam 83 is effective. The positioning lock 133 is raised by gravity, the heavier end 136 weighted by link 137 quickly raises the end 133 as soon as the tension in spring 138 is relaxed. j

The large ends of bobbins naturally may be passed 118 except when from the accumulator guide to the magazine cells withi out difficulty and there is little danger of that end of the last bobbin remaining in a position above the top of the magazine. However, the small ends are a little less predictable and at times the top bobbin may rest with its tip slightly above the intended position. That does no particular harm except it could jam against the guide 41 at that side as the magazine is indexed. To remove that possibility, a trap 145 is hinged at 146 and extends in front of a cut out part or gap through which a bobbin tip may move when the trap is free to swing, but which acts to close the gap at all times when bobbins may be in process of moving from the guides 41 to a cell. v

The link 137, as better seen in Fig.'3, is lifted when the latch is in lower position and vice versa. The upper end of the link is slotted at 147 to slide on and be guided by the pivot 146. It also has a hook 148 which locks the trap in place when the link is raised, or when assumo '7 the trap is released so that it may not interfere when the magazine is indexed.

When the prescribed number of bobbins is accumulated they are released as will be described and without more than has been included to this point would be dropped to the bottom of the cell in the magazine, that being something not desirable since the rough handling is not to be tolerated from .the point of view of damage to the wound package. Also, a drop of that distance is likely to result incocking of a bobbin or bobbins until their ends escape from the guiding channels in which they are to be retained.

To overcome these, a movable support is elevated in the cell to be loaded, to a point just below the lowermost bobbin in a group and as the group is released they fall to that support which is so governed as to let them descend ata greatly reduced speed as compared to a free fall and thus to prevent any tendency they have for one end to move down faster than the other.

Such means may take different specific forms, but in order to avoid adding to the machine height, a flexible elevating means is used. Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 6, a bar or support 149 extends across between the roller rails 23 and 29 and has its ends notched vertically as at 150 so that when raised, the bar will be guided by the edge 151 of the channel of the cell then aligning with it and to be loaded. Each end is the same except the position of the notch at the end of the smaller channel (that lfor bobbin tips) is nearer the center of the bar. This bar has set into it adjacent each of its ends a flexible member 152 and 153 which is adapted to exert considerable force under compression. A closely wound spring has been found to work very satisfactorily and, while sufficiently flexible, will also support the weight of the bobbins without appreciable deection.

At the other end these springs 152 and 153 are fixed in a bar 154 the ends of which are guided to slide freely in grooves in the members 155 and 156, Figs. 1, 6 and 7. The springs 152 and 153 are guided over rollers or sheaves 157, around larger sheaves 158 to make about a .f

90 turn and then upwardly within sheaves 159. These are all freely rotatable on shafts carried in plates 160. In Figs. 6. and 7, these par-ts are shown in full lines while at the opposite or front of the machine, the same par-ts are evident, but largely .in dotted lines. A spring 161 running along the lower part of the framework connects to a depending lug 162 and to a fixed part of the machine at the opposite end. This spring is strong enough to elevate the support 149 and. to mov-e the other par-ts, but will not maintain them raised when the weight ofthe bobbins is brought to bear on them. However, it is strong enough to make the. parts return slowly even when loaded with the bobbins.

To control this device a lever having a very long arm 163 ispivoted at '142, Figs. 11, 2a, 3. and 6, and has its lower end offset laterally at 164 and then downwardly` at 165 tovconnect by pin 166. to. the cross bar 154, Figs. 2 and 4. Thel spring 16.1 is connected tothe bar by a harness 167 which maintains it perpendicular tothe path of travel'.

The lever is forked 'represent armsA 16S and 169 at the opposite-side of pivot 1,42.' Each carries a roller fol. lower 170 or 171, as the case may be,A and the arm 169 and its follower 171 are affected by cam disk 77 while follower 170, does not extend far enough in to engage the disk but is acted upon by the cam 81,.l rlfhis follower is adjustable along the arm 168. In operation the follower 171 falls from point 31B of cam disk 77 and the spring 161 then moves the entire structure just above described Vuntil the bar 149is in nearly its top position. At the time the accumulated bobbins are released, cam 81 affects follower 170- andl swings arms V1615Y andI 163 to raise and hold the parts in extreme position. The next move releases the follower from that cam sol the parts may return as the cell is loaded. Y

A stop 172 limits movement in that direction as fol- 8 lower 171 -is moved by the cam surface 79 to the periphery of the disk. A weight W on arm 173 counterbalances the load to some extent to prevent acceleration as the bobbins are lowered to the bottom of the magazine.

The motor is controlled 4by the usual switch to start an to stop it. A manual `control to start and stop the ma chine itself consists of a rod 174. Figs. 1 and 3, which is connected by means (not shown) to a clutch which interconnects the motor with the jack shaft 65. This rod is carried in bearings 175 at the upper frame member 21. Control knobs and arms 176 are provided at spaced points so the operator may start and stop the machine from any position along its length at the front' side.

Automatic stopping means is provided and functions to stop the machine upon attempted conveying of two bobbins in a recess in the conveyor apron, or upon any bob? bin ridingl in a lcrossed position, and to eject all bobbins improperly oriented without stopping the machine.

Now referring to Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 10a, a combined means for accomplishingy these purposes includes a plate 177 hinged at the yside 178 to overlie the conveyor channel and apron. Bobbins carried in the conveyor compartment pass beneath this plate with a slight clearance, but if a bobbin is travelling in raised position due to there be. ing two, in a compartment or a bobbin in a crossed position, it will push up on the inclined leading edge 179 of the plate lifting it about hinge 17S. The front side of the plate has depending therefrom a hooked arm 180 which connects to an arm V181 through pin 182. The arm 181 is part of a bell crank pivoted at 183 and having a curved, depending arm 184 which engages a projection 185 from shaft 174.. When the` plate, is lifted as described, the lower end of arm 184 presses the projection downf wardly swingingl shaft 174 to a position to stop the loader.

It is intended that all bobbins be passed through the machine with bobbin butts to the rear and tips adjacent the front, If a bobbin is directed reversely, it does not lift the plate. Normally,- the tips of bobbins pass over an elevating cam 187, at a gap 188 between the end 189 of plate 177 and the initial edge 19.0 of a triangular shaped plate 191, Figs. 9, l0 and 10a, and then drop and pass. under the second mentioned plate. However, when the larger or butt ends of the bobbins pass the cam they are raised so that they engage the front edge 190 with most of their bulk above it;l that then further elevates that end of the bobbin .and in combination with the inclined edge 192 of plate 17,7, the curved upper ends 193 of the conveyor apron treads 55 andy aV flipping spring 194, lifts and twists the bobbin to the top of; plate 177. Itis then guided by abutments 19,5, 196 and 19,7 to roll or slide down and to the side of plate 1 77 and to fall into a container 19,8.

Now having describedl the mechanism, the operation will hel reviewed. As shown, the camming and timing devices are set up to load twelve bobbins in each column or cell and let us assume that that number of bobbins have been accumulated in guides 4.1. At that time one of the plates 43 will be coming over sprockets 50 to receive the first bobbin of the next twelve. Of course, the Conveyor is continuously running and is beingfed, preferably by some .automatic means, although bobbins may be fed ing by hand. It is not Inecessary to have a bobbin in each conveyor recess since the counting means functions only whenV a bobbinl passes and thus, it takes twelve bobbins and not necessarily any particular number of conveyor steps to complete a cycle.

When bobbin #l is fed under shoe 108 the arm,109 is lifted so that claw 92L acts on disk 75 to advance it a step along with other parts moving with it. The plate 43 is thereby brought to a horizontal position just in time to catch this rst bobbin. The bobbin is released from the conveyor and drops to the lip 114 of the Weighted mem# ber, including arm 115 and weight 116, by which it is retarded in its travel.

This first move also releases the load of accumulated bobbins which descend into their cell. The support 149 ratcheted another step but no function other than the accumulation of the second bobbin is evident.

At bobbin #3 the parts move so `that cam 82 releases the arms 141 and 143 to release spring 138 whereupon the weight of parts as described lifts the lock 133 to unlock the magazine preparatory to indexing. The disk cam 79 also engages roller 171 to force the support to fully retracted position and hold it there.

Bobbin #4 does nothing-but to advance the timing one movement.

Bobbin #5 effects a further movement to bring cam S3 onto lever 139 and to pull upwardly on link 128 to raise pawl 124 and to lower the opposite end, that is, pawls 123 and 125. If the first cell was being loaded, then this motion results in the magazine rolling forwardly until the pawl 125 stops it by its contact with special lug 119. If at any other cell, then the magazine will be stopped as a lug 118 contacts pawl 123. The indexing is actually about one-half a cell in length.

Bobbins #6 and #7 have no further effect than to advance the mechanism and this time may be used in letting the magazine come forwardly by gravity. If sluggish, this may be of value but normally the action does not require so much time as is provided.

At #8 the lever 139 is released and the pawl escapement reverses its position so that the magazine completes indexing as the next lug 118 is stopped against pawl 124.

Bobbin #9 gives the magazine time to move.

Bobbin #10 brings cam 82 around to contact arm 141 thereby tensioning spring 138 and moving the lock 133 into position to engage the lug 118 between it and pawl 124. This may actually help in indexing the magazine. The mass of the magazine, especially when it is full, is considerable so it takes time for it to move.

Bobbin #l1 is effective in moving the cam 82 still farther to tighten spring 138 more until the magazine is fully indexed. The support is now raised since cam point 80 runs past roller 171. The spring 161 and weight W force the support, springs 152, 153, etc., to the active position.

As bobbin #12 comes to position at the top of the stack of twelve bobbins, the cam 81 acts upon follower roll 170 and moves the long lever 163 all the way to raise the support completely if it should not be in that position already. The irst action was only a releasing accompanied by a spring and weight acting to force the parts to position. It need not act with too much precision, but the second step, that controlled by cam 81 does act to position the parts very denitely.

After the twelfth bobbin, the cycle is repeated.

When a magazine is iilled completely, the indexing means releases it and catches the next magazine which should be in position ready to move ahead as the lilled one passes to the end of the roller track.

If the occasion arises, the machine is stopped by a misplaced bobbin acting upon the cover 177, or an improperly directed bobbin is ejected by cam 187, plate 191 and spring 194. l

In the event larger bobbins are to be handled and the same magazines used, the disks 75 and 76 are changed to have fewer teeth and notches respectively and the number may be reduced to about eight and possibly seven moves although for the normal height of a magazine, bobbins may not be used in any loom which would require less than nine or ten moves thereby making it possible to retain the idle moves at times when the magazine is indexed. k

When the support rises and lever 163 swings under iniiuence of spring 161 and 1weight W; there may be a tendency for a swing in the return direction until the cam 81 becomes eiective. That is avoided by use of a frictional damping means acting on the lever, for example, a leaf spring or `springs pressing against the sides of the lower part of the lever as it swings to prevent such tendency to rebound. t

Referring to Fig. 11, a means for stopping the machine upon failure of a magazine to advance to loading position will be described. This may occur due to neglect or inability of the attendant to feed magazines to the loader as required.

The rocking motion of control rod 174 is lcarried to the clutch or other power transmission means through an arm 199, link 200 and arms 201 and 202 fixed to pivot shaft 203. A rod 204 connected at pivot 205 and passing through guide 206 is spring controlled by a compression spring 207 to form with arm 201 an overcenter means by which the power or clutch control is maintained in on or ol positions.

A stopping means includes a moving actuator 208 fixed to sleeve 209 pivoted on stud 210 on bracket 211 and a detent pivoted at 212 on a bracket 213 attached to link 200. Actuator 208 is swung to and fro as: the machine is in operation by a link 214 connecting an arm 215 fixed to sleeve 209 and to an extension 21.6 to arm 88.

The detent has a feeler or foot 217 at its lower end engageable on the top portion 218 of the magazines and also, an upwardly directed nger 219. This linger is in the pathway of the actuator 208 in such position that if there is no magazine for foot 217 to contact, the arm 208 will push the detent and with it link 200 to stop the loader. So long as there is a magazine to be loaded, the foot is raised and nger 219 is held down or out of the path of the actuator. `Thus the machine will be stopped and will not continue to deliver bobbins in the event there should be no magazine to receive them.

While it is preferred that a clutch be controlled to stop and start the loader once the motor is started, it is possible to employ means to start and stop the motor itself and to control it by means functioning from rod 174, etc.

In the specification and claims the term bobbin is used with a broader meaning, that is, it generally denotes the bobbin or core with a thread package wound on it asis the general practice in the art.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried o-ut in a number of ways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof:` falling within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

I claim:

l. In a machine `for loading bobbins in a magazine having generally vertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of a track along which the' magazine may move, means to control the indexing of the magazine along the track to present channels for loading in sequence, a counting means and a conveyor means for delivering bobbins through said counting means to a loading position, and means responsive to said counting means for entering the magazine from beneath and lowering a predetermined number of bobbins into an aligned magazine channel and for governing the indexing movements of the magazine.

2. In a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generally vertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of a track along which the magazine may move, means to control the indexing of the magazine along the track to present channels for loading in sequence, a counting means and a conveyor means for delivering bobbinsthrough said counting means to a loading position, support means including a transverse member `adapted to be guided by and elevated to a position 1l adjacent the upper end of-achannel, and means responsive to said counting meansifor controlling the Araising and retracting of Vthe support-'means for lowing a predetermined number oi bobbinsV into( an aligned magazine channel and for governing the indexing movement of the magazine. Y

3. ln a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generally verticallyy disposedv bobbin receiving channels, the combination of a track along which the magazine` may move, means to control theV indexing of theA magazine alongthe track to present channels for loading in sequence, a counting means, a bobbin accumulating means, a conveyor for delivering bobbins through said counting means tothe accumulating means, andy means responsivel to said' counting means for governing the accumulation of a predetermined number of bobbins at each cycle or the mechanism, lowering them into a channel in said magazine and indexing the magazine to the next channel while accumulating bobbins' in a repeat of the cycle.

Y 4'. ln a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine'having generally` yvertically' disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of a track along` which the magazine may move, means to control the indexingV or' the magazine along the track to present channels for loading inv sequence, a counting means', a bobbin accumulating means comprising slotted guides and chain carried plates spaced; to receive a plurality of bobbins equal to the number to be loaded in achannel, a conveyor for delivering bobbins through said counting means to the accumulating mea-ns, and means responsive to said counting means for governing the accumulation of a predetermined number of bobbins at eachy cycle of the mechanism, lowering them intoa channel in saidv magazine and indexing the magazine to the next channel while accumulating bobbins in a repeat of the cycle.

5. ln a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine havinf' generally vertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of a track along which the magazine may move, means to control the indexing of the magazinel along the track to present channels for loading in sequence, a counting means, a bobbin accumulatingy means comprising slotted guides substantially perpendicular to the path of movement of a magazine and aplurality of chain carried plates spaced' to receive a plurality of bobbins equalto the number toV be loaded in a channel, a conveyor for delivering bobbins through said4` countingl me-ansto the accumulating means, and'v means responsive to saidl counting means for governing the accumulation of a predetermined numberV of bobbins at: each: cycleof1 the mechanism, lowering them into a channel in said magazine and indexing the magazine to the 'next channel while accumulatingv bobbins in a repeat of the cycle.

6. ln-'a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generallyl vertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of' a track along which the magazine may move, means-to control the indexing of the magazine along the trackto present channels for loading in sequence, a countingmeans comprising ashoeresiliently pressed to ay position to` be displaced' by each passing bobbin, a bobbin accumulating means, a conveyorffor delivering bobbinsthrough said counting means yto the accumulating means, and means responsive to saidcountingmeans for governing theaccumulation of a predetermined number of bobbins at each cycle of the mechanisnulowering them into a channel in said magazineandindexing. themagazine to the next channel while accumulatingbobbinsain. a repeat of the cycle. l

7. in; a machinefor loading'bobbinsl in a magazine having generally'vertically disposedl bobbin receiving channels, the combination of a track along which the magazine may.n1ove; means tofcontrol the indexing of the magazine along the' track to present channelsfor loading in sequence, a counting means, a bobbin accumulating means, a conveyor for delivering bobbinsv through said counting means to the accumulating means, and means to the next channel while accumulating bobbinsy in a repeat of the cycle.

8;'ln a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generally vertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of a track along which the magazine may move, means toV control the indexing of the magazine along the track to present channels for loading in sequence, a counting means comprising a shoe resiliently pressed to a position to be displaced by each passing bobbin, a bobbin accumulating means comprising slotted guides substantially perpendicular to the path of movement of a magazine and a plurality of chain carried plates spaced to receive a plurality of bobbins equal to the number to be loaded in a channel', a conveyor' for delivering bobbins through said counting means to the accumulating means, and means comprising Va plurality of ratcheted cam members movable as controlled by said' counting means for governing the accumulation of a predetermined number ofk bobbins at each cycle of the mechanism, lowering them into a channel in said magazine and indexing the magazine to the next channel while accumula-ting bobbins in a repeat ofv the cycle.

9. In a machine for loading bobbinsV in a magazine having generally vertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of a track along which the magazine may move, means to control the indexing of the magazine along the track to present channels for loading in sequence, a. counting means, a bobbin accumulating means, a conveyor for delivering bobbins through said counting means to the accumulating means, and means responsive to said counting means for governing the accumulation of a predetermined number of bobbinsY at each cycle of the mechanism, and means for lowering. said accumulated bobbinsV into a channel in the magazine at a speed relatively retarded as compared to the speedat which they' would fall freely comprisingA a support" and means lor raising itA into a position just below the topoi f the magazine while gui-ding4 its ends in the channel. to be.

loaded and for releasing it as the accumulated bobbins Y are dropped.

ll); In a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generally vertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of a track alongwhich the magazine may move, means to control'the indexingof the i magazine along. the track to present channels for load'- ing insequence, a counting means, a bobbin accumulating means, a conveyor for deliveringV bobbins through said counting means to the accumulating means, means ref sponsive to said counting means for governing the accumulation of a predetermined number of bobbins at each cycle of the mechanism, and means for lowering said accumulated bobbins into a. channel in the magazine at a speed relatively retarded as compared to the speed at which they would fall freely comprising a support andmeans. for raising it into a position just below the top of thek magazine while guiding its ends in the' channel to be loaded and for releasing it as the accumulated bobbins are dropped, which comprises a ilexible means at either end of saidsupport, guide means for restraining said exible means to move generally horizontally and then vertically within the magazine, and

means` to reciprocate'- said exible means which includes a lever, cams movable with the accumulation of bobbins and a resilient means for opposing the action of saidcams, i

ll. Mechanism as defined in claim l0, wherein said cams are carried by a shaft rotated step by step as the 13 counting means is affected by delivery of bobbins to the accumulating means.

12. Mechanism as defined in claim 10, wherein said flexible means comprises closely wound springs and the guide means therefor includes sheaves about which these springs make a turn of approximately a right angle.

13. In a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generally vertically disposed bobbing receiving channels, the combination of a track along which the magazine may move, means to index the magazine step by step as its channels are loaded which comprises a series of stopping abutments at the side `olf the magazine and a double pawl escapement means engageable with said abutments, a rotatable cam means and means affected thereby for actuating said escapement pawls, a conveyor for delivering bobbins to a loading position and a feeler member for indicating each time a bobbin 1s so delivered, and means for advancing said cam means as controlled by said feeler member.

14. Mechanism as dened in claim 13, wherein said magazines are movable along an inclined track comprising side members between which a plurality of rollers are provided sufcient to support the magazine as it moves from one end to the other of the said track.

15. Mechanism as defined in claim 13, wherein said double pawl escapement is supplemented by a safety locking means and a cam control for governing the position of said locking means.

16. Mechanism as dened in claim 13 wherein said double pawl escapement is supplemented by a safety locking means, gravity means for disengaging said locking means and resilient means affected by a cam for moving it to effective relationship with the said abutments.

17. In a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generally vertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of a track along which the magazine may move, means to control the indexing of the magazine along the track to present channels for loading in sequence, a counting means and a conveyor means for delivering bobbins through said counting means to a loading position, and means for lowering a predetermined number of bobbins into an aligned magazine channel and for governing the indexing movements of the magazine which comprises a shaft, a ratcheting disk xed to one end of said shaft and cam disks fixed to the other end thereof, a continuously reciprocated pawl for moving the shaft and disks thereon normally held out `of engagement with the ratcheting disk and means functioning from the counting means for causing said pawl to engage the disk and move it and the cam disks one step for each boblbin aiecting the counting means.

18. In a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generally vertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of a track along which the magazine may move, means to control the indexing of the magazine along the track to present channels for loading in sequence, a counting means, a bobbin accumulating means, a conveyor for delivering bobbins through said counting means to the accumulating means, and means responsive to said counting means for governing the ac cumulation of a predetermined number of bobbins at each cycle of the mechanism, lowering them into a channel in said magazine and indexing the magazine to the next channel while accumulating bobbins in a repeat of the cycle, and means cooperating with said conveyor for stopping the loader upon attempted passage of more than one bobbin into the space occupied by a single tread of said conveyor.

19. Mechanism as dened in claim 18 wherein means for stopping the loader comprises a hinged plate overlying the conveyor and adapted upon passage of more than a single bobbin into the space of one conveyor tread, to be lifted and to actuate a loader stopping means.

20. In a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generally vertically ldisposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of a track along which the magazine may move, means to control the indexing of the magazine along the track to present channels for loading in. sequence, a counting means, a bobbin accumulating means, and a conveyor for delivering bobbins through said counting means to the accumulating means, and means responsive to said counting means for governing the accumulation of a predetermined number of bobbins at each cycle of the mechanism, lowering them into a channel in said magazine and indexing the magazine to the next channel while accumulating bobbins in a repeat of the cycle, and means cooperating with said conveyor for ejecting a bobbin passing in said conveyor while improperly oriented.

21. Mechanism as defined in claim 20, wherein said bobbin ejecting means comprises an end raising cam, a plate over one end of which the raised end of an improperly oriented bobbin is elevated by said cam, and a spring means for projecting a bobbin thus elevated beyond the range of said conveyor.

22. In a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generally vertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of a track along which the magazine may move, means to stop the magazine in successively advancing, step by step movement which com prises controlled escapement means, a counting means and a conveyor means for delivering bobbins through said counting means to a loading position, and means responsive to said counting means and guided for entering the magazine from beneath for lowering a predetermined number of bobbins into an aligned magazine channel and for governing the indexing movements of said magazine.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,896,639 Meyer et al. Feb. 7, 1933 2,556,082 Hartness Iune 5, 1951 2,643,043 Okulitch et al June 23, 1953 2,684,799 Holstein July 27, 1954 2,703,669 Voegelin Mar. 8, 1955 2,746,662 Thompson et al. May 22, 1956

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