US2884961A - Check strap assemblies for looms - Google Patents

Description

y5, 1959 L. P. PLANTE ET AL 2,884,961

. CHECK STRAP ASSEMBLIES FOR LOOMS Filed Dec. 3, 1956 V 2 Sheets-Sheet l F/GJ INVENTORS Lou/s P. P/anfe MO/f/f? Roy a JJZZZ' ATTORNEYIZ May 5, 1959 P. PLANTE ET AL 2,884,961

CHECK STRAP ASSEMBLIES FOR LOOMS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 3, 1956 S 3 m m m 6 VM. mum O i1 Mm P W r P R U m m mm & M fwd Y B b Q v %N. mm a L? mm mt vm mm kn end of its stroke in each direction to the end that the picker stick-operated shuttle will always be properly United States Patent 2,884,961 CHECK STRAP ASSEMBLIES FOR LOOMS Application December 3, 1956, Serial No. 625,937 11 Claims. (Cl. 139-166) Our invention relates to improvements in looms and more specifically to picker check strap assemblies and mounts therefor such as are disclosed in the Victor Gravitt Patent No. 2,666,455 dated January 19, 1954, reference also being had to our copending application, Serial No. 419,042, filed March 26, 1954, now Patent No. 2,796,890. t

The prior art as disclosed in said patent contemplates a depending shuttle box-carried bracket to which the central longitudinally slotted portion of a generally horizontal guide rod'is bolted or otherwise fixedly attached. ,The check strap of said patent comprises a length of leather, or preferably two superposed strap lengths of leather providing, in the latter instance, registering holes .adjacent each end through which the guide rod ends extend so that the strap is slidably mounted on the guide rod.

. Each end of the guide rod in the patented structure is laterally bent to provide a fixed stop to limit longitudinal movement of the strap thereon under the action of the shuttle-actuating picker stick. The patented structure also incorporates end-adjacent buffer pads on the exterior surface of the outer strap length to engage and protect the strap against damage resulting from impact with the laterally bent stop-providing rod ends.- Aside from the above noted function of said pads, the latter are intended to prevent ripping out of the guide rod-receiving strap holes.

Although the check strap and guide rod assemblyof the aforementioned Gravitt patent operated satisfactorily, it lacked durability. The guide rods, after a comparatively short period of. service, would fail at the site of connection with the shuttle box carried bracket; and likewise after but limited service, the guide rod-receiving strap holes wouldelongate sothat the stop-carried butter pads would loosen and come off, with the result that the strap holes i would ultimately rip out. I

It is therefore one of the primary objects of our present invention to overcome the difliculties aforementioned by providing strong and durable check strap and guide rod members which will provide long and satisfactory service. Thus, an integral and preferably drop-forged check gstrap guide rod is provided which has a slotted and substantially central bracket-bolt-receiving offset. As to the check strap of our present invention, it provides novel reinforcing means at the site of its guide rod-receiving holes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a check strap and guide rod mount assembly embodying means which enables the strap to effectively and efficiently absorb any excess picker stick force as it approaches the boxed. I

Additionally, the present. invention contemplates a multiple ply check strap which provides a stitf fiex-resisting outer ply of such as heavy canvas and a relatively flexible compressible inner ply of material such as leather, r

2,884,961 Patented May 5, 1959 the said strap plies functioning to achieve improved operation of the check strap in checking or absorbing excess picker stick-supplied force.

It is a further object of the invention to provide novel means for connecting the free guide rod-adjacent ends of the check strap; and which means cooperates with a stifiening component of the check strap to tend to retain the latter in a substantial U-form. Thus, some of the picker stick supplied force will be taken up or expended in partial deformation of the normal U-form of the strap, by the picker stick.

Additional features of novelty of the check strap endconnecting means mentioned in the preceding paragraph are (1) that said means is adjustable so that strap end spacement can be varied; and (2) that such means readily admits of flat contact between the picker stick and the entire width of the opposed strap portions when engaged thereby.

Still another object of the invention is to furnish a flexible free strap end connector; and also strap stiffening and reinforcing buffer means at the site of connection of at least one end of said connector with the strap and which prevents twisting of said end of the connector relatively of the strap.

The invention also resides in certain other features of construction, combination and arrangement of the various parts, and in modes of operation thereof. Thus, the aforenoted and other objects of the invention are attained by the now preferred example of our inventive concept which is shown in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, as will be appreciated by those versed in the art,tthat the invention is susceptible of other mechanical expressions within the spirit and scope of the subject matter claimed hereinafter.

In the drawings, wherein the same reference characters have been used to designate the same parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation illustrating our improved check strap in association with certain parts of the picker mechanism of a loom;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the guide rod incorporating check strap assembly removed from the loom;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail takenon the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a check strap end reinforcing insert to prevent ripping out of the guide rodreceiving holes;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a slightly modified form of the invention wherein a tie rod replaces the flexible strap end-securing strap of Figs. 1-5;

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, numeral 10 indicates a conventional lay-provided shuttle guide of a loom having the picker stick 11 for actuating the shuttle 13, the picker stick having the conventional 0 15a through which the ends of the guide rod 16 extend to slidably mount the check strap 15 thereon. The guide rod receiving holes 15a of the check strap are somewhat oversized to admit free sliding of the check strap on the guide rod 16 and also to admit slight rocking of the check strap ends longitudinally of the guide rod. This latter permits the picker stick 11. to make flat contact a ses with the inner surface of the check strap end portions, as indicated in Fig. 1.

The guide rod 16 is preferably drop-forged or otherwise formed to provide the sturdy intermediate upstanding and elongated lug portion 17' which is longitudinally slotted, as at 18, toreceive the bracket-carried bolt 19. A nut 19a clamps the guide rod to the outer face of the bracket 14. However, instead of a slot, lug 17 may have a tapped hole so that it can be threaded onto bolt '19 so that nut 19a can be dispensed with.

Referring now in detail to the U-form check strap 15, it will be noted that it comprises the outer ply 21 of comparatively stiff and heavy canvas-like material such as a heavy web strapping. The inner ply 22 of the strap 15 is preferably of leather or correspondingly readily bendable material having shock absorbing properties.

To prevent elongation of the guide rod-receiving holes 1 qin the direction of the free ends of the strap 15, we provide the preferably stiff insert pieces 23 which may be of fibre, plastic or metal. One of these insert pieces 23'is inserted between the strap plies 21 and 22 from each free end thereof. The insert pieces 23 preferably extend to about the line of the axis of the guide rod 16, said insert pieces 23, as indicated inFig. 5, having the half circle cutouts 23a which embrace the adjacent area of the guide rod 16. Thus, the insert pieces 23 serve to sustain the load imparted to the strap holes 15a in the direction of the free ends of strap 15, and which would otherwise tend to elongate said holes in said direction and ultimately rip said holes out.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the inner surface of leather strap ply 22 has superposed thereon and extending in- -wardly from each end, the preferably leather tongue lengths 24 which terminate in skived inner ends 24b substantially inwardly of the area of strap 15 which is engaged by picker stick 11. One function of the tongue lengths 24 is to give the check strap 15 more body at the point of impact of picker stick '1'1 and to further tend to resist flexation of the check strap 15 adjacent its ends. The short tongue sections 24 have a further function which will be mentioned presently.

Rivets or the like 25 adjacent each end of strap 15 serve to secure together the components 21, 22, 23, 24

thereof, as will be understood from an inspection of Fig. 3.

One of the important features of the check strap of the present invention is that it is caused to normally take the previously mentioned U.-form illustrated infull lines in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing. In carrying out this phase ofdthe invention, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, we-provide what is preferably a flexible fibre tie strip member 26 which has its ends seated in the respective vertical inner surface grooves 24a which are provided by the tongue sections 24. Thehooked ends 27a of the shank members 27 engage through holes 26a of the tie strip 26 to hold the ends thereof seatedin the vertical tongueprovided grooves 24a, there being set collars 28 secured on the outer portions of the shank members 27. Set screws 29 retain the set collars 28 in a fixed location on shanks 27. When difierent spacernents of the ends of oheck strap15 is desired, tie strips of different lengths-are employed, or one-end ofthe tielstrip 2 6 is allowed to be spaced from the inner surface of'st'rap '15. Means other than hook ends 27a can be used-to secure shanks -27 to strip member 26.

The advantage of-usinga flexible type strip or member "Itis also to be-observed-that-onlyone seat (-24a) providing tongue member '24 can be--en1ployed if desired, .as one-suchis ordinarily -suflicient toprevent the-ends of tie strip 26 from twistingoutof substantially verticalengagement withthe inner surface of strap .15.

As -shown in Fig. 3, 1 the =-guiderod 16 has .adjacent its end portion and exteriorly of the outer surface of strap 15, the stop members 30 which are held in a predetermined set position by set screws 31. Located inwardly of the guide rod carried stops 30 are the leather or other buffer washers 32 which are interposed between the stop members 30 and the outer surfaces of the strap ends. The stop members 30 have an important function in that they intercept the adjacent strap end as it is moved under the action of the picker stick 11 and thus determine the stage of strap 15 movement at which the strap will start being deformed from its normal U-shape by the action of the picker stick. Thus, the stops 30 cooperate with the stiffened U-forrn of the check strap 15 to give the latter a final picker stick power absorbing function or characteristic. This enables the strap 15 to absorb whatever excess picker stick force is applied by its actuating cam (not shown) beyond that required for proper boxp 9f th h tt "The above mentioned characteristic or feature of the present invention is highly important in actual practice since the stops30, at different settings-lengthwise of guide rod 16, provide a variably effective bumper action for the strap'ends, which bumper action takes place, as heretofore indicated, upon contact with the strap ends with the washer buffered stops 30. i

Referring to the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, it willbe noted that the check strap 15' comprises the outer canvas ply 21 and inner leather ply 22 as before with the reinforcing inserts 23 inserted between said plies from each end. The guide rod 16 corresponds to that earlier described as well as the guide rod carried stops 30 and buffer washers 32. However, the tongue strips 24 of Figs. l-S are deleted in the modified form of the invention. Also in the modified form of the invention, the flexible tie strip 26 is replaced by a tie rod 33 located adjacent the bottom edge of the strap 15 and passing through holes 33a inwardly of the strap ends.

Spacer stops in the form of set collars 34 are secured on tie rod 33 by set screws 35 and abut the inner faces of the strap ends while set collars 36 secured on said tie red by set screws 37 abut the outer faces of the strap ends to maintain the U- form of strap 15'. The holes 33a through which the rod 33 extends are somewhat oversized to admit of flexing of the strap ends in the direction of the length of the guide rod 16 and tie rod 33, so as to enable the inner faces of the strap ends to make flat contact with the picker stick 11 when the latter is moved its illustrated forms, some of the picker stick force is expended in overcoming the inertia of the strap which I is to say in starting of movement of same along with the picker stick 11 in the direction of movement of the latter. Also some picker stick force is of course expended in moving the strap along the guide rod 16. Then when the exterior strap end surfaces engage the stop backed buffer washers 32 the excess of picker stick force beyond that required to properly box the shuttle 13 is taken up by the force required to deform the canvas ply-stiffened check strap 15 or 15 from its normal Uv-form.

when the flexible tie strip 26 is used as in Figs. l -5, it will be noted that said tie strip 26 flexes to admit of the inner surfaces of the strap end portions making flat contact with the picker stick.

It can be understood that the present improvements,

in whole or in part, can be incorporated in'check strap assemblies of the patented G ravitt type which are alr a i .us Fu t e h nld em has ze that by disconnecting one end of the tie strip 26 or tie rod '33 fw there atcs e 5 pf t 15, the latter a b applied t elo m wi hqu t u i ra f th P ke i k 1. thes- --frorn.

a will 32 enera es! th stra end qnne tin t strip 26 or tie rod 33 causes the strap ends to move as a unit under picker stick action. Thus, with the present strap, the trailing strap end will not lag behind the leading end and by assuming a more or less acute angle to the guide rod axis tend to elongate its guide rod hole a while frictionally resisting strap movement on guide rod 16.

In contradistinction to the patented Gravitt check strap the final absorption of excess picker stick force is effected, as mentioned earlier herein, by'resistance to deformation of the U-form of the strap instead of by friction between relatively shiftable strap plies and between the guide rod and the ply-provided strap holes 15a. The strap endconnecting tie member 26 (Fig. 2) or 33 (Fig. 6) serves to substantially prevent any tendency of strap plies 21, 22 to shift relatively in service, and further, the strap ends are connected by rivets 25 or the like. Thus tendency of the guide rod-receiving strap holes 15a to elongate in service is greatly reduced.

It is to be observed that in some instances the guide ro-d carried stops can be eliminated and picker stick induced travel of the strap 15 on guide rod 16 halted by engagement of the trailing strap end with the slotted bracket-carried lug 17. When this happens picker stick power absorbing deformation of the strap 15 will take place as before, except that the tie strip 26 (or tie rod 33) will be subjected to increased load.

The guide hole-reinforcing strap end inserts 23 have the further function of giving the strap ends desirable stiffness and increased body thickness. This serves to better sustain rivets 25, the tie strip-retaining hook members 27, 27a, and when used, the strap end connecting tie rod 33 of Fig. 6.

The check strap, according to the present invention, may be made in different widths and lengths as may be required for different looms and the same applies to tie strips 26, when used. Also, the guide rod-receiving holes 15a and the holes for the hook shanks 27 (Fig. 3) or the holes for tie rod 33 (Fig. 6) can be located in dilferent positions widthwise of the check strap. Location of such holes differently than illustrated herein may be necessary in some instances so that strap assembly parts will clear loom projections.

It is to be observed that relatively stiff and heavy outer canvas like strap ply 21 serves to yieldingly resist flexation of strap 15 and thus tends to preserve the form of the loop that is provided thereby. However, it will be obvious that other loop stiffening means can be provided extending inwardly from adjacent the strap ends to, or beyond the picker stick-intercepting strap areas.

Having thus described our invention what we claim is:

1. In a picker stick check strap means for looms wherein the check strap is slidable on a loom-carried guide rod, the strap having a flexible leather-like member defining a substantially U-form loop segment through which the picker stick extends and having guide rod-receiving holes adjacent opposite strap ends, there being tie means connecting end portions of said strap at the opposite side of said guide rod from said loop segment; the combination of yielding stiffening means incorporated as a part of said strap inwardly of the plane of the stick-engaging surface thereof and extending longitudinally of the strap from each strap end side of said guide rod-receiving holes and beyond the picker stick-intercepting strap areas, whereby to cooperate with said tie means in tending to maintain the U-form of said strap and in tending to cause the end portions of the latter to slide on said guide rod without longitudinal rocking in a direction longitudinally of the rod axis under picker stick supplied power, and strap end portion-intercepting stop means on said guide rod and engaged by the strap after limited movement of the same on the rod whereby to cause such picker stick induced deformation of the strap-provided loop segment, against the action of said stiffening means, as

I 6 will absorb any excess picker stick power beyond that required for proper shuttle boxing.

2. The structure of claim 1, and said rod-carried stop means comprising separate stop members located exteriorly of the respective strap end portions and adjustable longitudinally of said guide rod.

3. The structure of claim 1, and said guide rod receiving strap holes being oversized with respect to the cross-section of the guide rod whereby the strap end portions can rock transversely in a direction longitudinally of the guide rod under picker stick engagement therewith so as to substantially flatly engage the picker stick. f

4. The structure of claim 1, and said rod-carried stop means comprising separate stop members located exteriorly of the respective strap end portions and adjustable longitudinally of said guide rod, and said guide rod receiving strap holes being oversized with respect to the cross-section of the guide rod whereby the strap end portions can rock transversely in a direction longitudinally of the guide rod under picker stick engagement therewith so as to substantially flatly engage the picker stick.

5. The structure of claim 1, and said rod-carried stop means comprising separate stop members located exteriorly of the respective strap end portions and adjustable longitudinally of said guide rod, and shock absorbing buffers slidable on said guide rod and interposed between the respective stop members and the adjacent strap end portion.

6. The structure of claim 1, and said guide rod receiving strap holes being oversized with respect to the crosssection of the guide rod whereby the strap end portions can rock transversely in a direction longitudinally of the guide rod under picker stick engagement therewith so as to substantially flatly engage the picker stick, and said strap end portion-connecting tie means being of flexible material whereby to avoid any substantial resistance to said rocking of the strap end portions.

7. The structure of claim 1, and said strap end-connecting tie means including a flexible member located between the strap end portions longitudinally of said guide rod so thatthe strap will flatly engage the picker stick when engaged by the latter.

8. The structure of claim 1, and said strap end-connecting tie means comprising a flexible tie strip, and strap end portion carried anchor members detachably secured to said tie strip.

9. In a picker stick check strap means for looms wherein the check strap is slidable on a loom carried guide rod, the strap having a flexible leather-like ply defining a substantially U-form segment through which the picker stick extends and having guide rod receiving holes adjacent opposite strap ends, there being tie means connecting end portions of said strap at the opposite side of said guide rod from said loop segment; the combination of an exterior backing ply of heavy stiff canvaslike material incorporated as a part of said strap and having end-adjacent holes through which said guide rod extends, said backing ply being coextensive in length with said leather-like ply and secured to the latter adjacent its ends, whereby to cooperate with said tie means in tending to maintain the U-form of said strap and in tending to cause the end portions of the latter to slide on said guide rod without longitudinal rocking in a direction longitudinally of the rod axis under picker stick supplied power, and longitudinally adjustable strap-end portion-intercepting stop means on said guide rod adjacent opposite ends and engaged by the strap after limited movement of the same on the rod, whereby to cause such picker stick-induced deformation of the strap provided loop segment, against the action of said stiffening means, as will absorb any excess picker stick power beyond that required for proper shuttle boxing.

10. The structure of claim 9, and said strap end-connecting tie means comprising a flexible tie strip, a strap end pontion reinforcing tongue member overlying at least a portion of the'innersur face offlie inner strap ply and eg ttend ing from adjacent one free end of the strap to a point opposite the picker stick, a common means connecting the free ends of said strap plies and securing the tongue member thereto adjacent the outer end of the latter, said tongue member having a surface tie strip endreceiving seat to prevent twisting of said strip end in service, and strap end portion-carried anchor members deta chably secured tosaid tie strip. i

11. The structure of claim 1, and said tie means comprising a flexible strip, a strap end portion reinforcing tongue member overlying at least a portion of the exposed inner surface thereof and extending from adjacent one free end of the strap to a point opposite the picker stickjsaid'tongilerirernber having a surface tie strip endr'ce ivin'g seat to prevent t'vvisting of said strap end in service, strap end portion-carried anchor members detachably secured'to said tie strap, and common means securing said tongue member; and stifiening means to saidsfrapi. t 7

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,532,543 Dodenhofl Dec. 5, 1950 2,666,455 Gravitt' Jan. 19, 1954 2,796,890 Plant'e et a1. June 25, 1957

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